Poisoning by Baccharis coridifolia in Early-Weaned Beef Calves: Pathological Study and New Macrocyclic Trichothecene Identification.

This study investigated two outbreaks of spontaneous poisoning by Baccharis coridifolia (Asteraceae) in early-weaned beef calves in Tacuarembó, Uruguay. A total of 34 affected calves showed signs of salivation, anorexia, apathy, marked dehydration, and diarrhea. Deaths occurred 36-72 h after consumption and mortality varied from 37.5% to 43.3% for outbreak 1 and outbreak 2, respectively. The main pathological findings include diffuse severe necrosis of the prestomachs and lymphoid tissues. Ultrastructurally, epithelial cells of the rumen showed swelling, lysis of the organelles, degradation of intercellular attachments, and degradation of the nuclear chromatin. Using LC-MS with diagnostic fragmentation filtering, 56 macrocyclic trichothecenes including glycosyl and malonyl conjugates were identified. The total concentration of macrocyclic trichothecenes, including conjugates, was estimated to be 1.2 ± 0.1 mg/g plant material. This is the first report of these malonyl-glucose conjugates from Baccharis coridifolia.

Lantana camara poisoning in cattle that took refuge during a storm in a forest invaded by this plant.

An outbreak of poisoning by Lantana camara occurred in cattle when a herd sought refuge in a Eucalyptus forest heavily infested by this plant. The animals showed apathy, elevated serum activities of hepatic enzymes, severe photosensitivity, jaundice, hepatomegaly and nephrosis. After a clinical manifestation period of 2-15 days, 74 out of 170 heifers died. The main histological changes were random hepatocellular necrosis, cholestasis, biliary proliferation and, in one animal, centrilobular necrosis. Immunostaining for Caspase 3 detected scattered apoptotic hepatocytes.

Pathologic and Immunohistochemical Evidence of Possible Francisellaceae among Aborted Ovine Fetuses, Uruguay.

The only genus of the Francisellaceae family known to contain species pathogenic to mammals is Francisella, for which reported cases in the Southern Hemisphere have been limited to Australia. We describe severe necrotizing and inflammatory lesions and intralesional immunohistochemical identification of Francisella sp. lipopolysaccharide among aborted ovine fetuses in Uruguay.

Determination of an RT-qPCR viral load cutoff point for the etiologic diagnosis of rotavirus A diarrhea in neonate dairy calves.

Rotavirus A (RVA) is amongst the most widespread causes of neonatal calf diarrhea. Because subclinical infections are common, the diagnosis of RVA-induced diarrhea cannot rely solely on molecular viral detection. However, RT-qPCR allows for quantification of RVA shedding in feces, which can be correlated with clinical disease. Here, we determine an optimal cutoff of rotaviral load quantified by RT-qPCR to predict RVA causality in diarrheic neonate calves, using RVA antigen-capture ELISA as reference test. Feces from 328 diarrheic (n = 175) and non-diarrheic (n = 153), <30-day-old dairy calves that had been tested by ELISA and tested positive by RT-qPCR were included. Of 82/328 (25.0%) ELISA-positive calves, 53/175 (30.3%) were diarrheic, whereas 124/153 (81.0%) non-diarrheic calves tested negative by ELISA. The median log10 viral load was significantly higher in diarrheic vs. non-diarrheic and ELISA-positive vs. -negative calves, indicating a higher viral load in diarrheic and ELISA-positive calves. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted using the viral loads of the 175 diarrheic calves that had tested either positive (n = 53, cases) or negative (n = 122, controls) by ELISA. The optimal log10 viral load cutoff that predicted RVA causality in diarrheic calves was 9.171. A bootstrapping procedure was performed to assess the out-of-bag performance of this cutoff point, resulting in sensitivity = 0.812, specificity = 0.886, area under the curve = 0.922, and positive and negative diagnostic likelihood ratios of 11.184 and 0.142, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of the cutoff was excellent to outstanding. This information will help in the interpretation of RVA RT-qPCR results in feces of diarrheic calves submitted for laboratory testing.

Nierembergia rivularis poisoning in cattle.

Nierembergia rivularis causes enzootic calcinosis (EC) in sheep. In this work, we describe EC caused by N. rivularis in cattle. For 3 years cattle grazing in 7 paddocks were evaluated. Cows with clinical signs compatible with EC were detected in only one paddock with a morbidity of 9.4%, 24.5%, and 34.5% during the summer of 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. Affected cows weighed 55 kg less (p < 0.01) than cows without signs of the same paddock, and 19.6% of these cows had hypercalcemia and/or hyperphosphatemia. Typical soft tissue calcification was observed in 3 autopsied cows. Additionally to the arterial calcification, 2 cows had multiple mineralized foci in several veins. In the Paddock A where EC occurred, the pasture contained 7-12% N. rivularis. In the other 6 paddocks (Paddocks B-G) where EC had not occurred, the pasture had 0.2-3.5% N. rivularis. Cows grazing in Paddock A had ∼30% lower pregnancy rates than cows from Paddocks B-G. At the slaughterhouse, the carcasses of 45 cows from Paddock A weighed 17.6% (p < 0.01) less than 93 carcasses of cows from Paddocks B-G. Furthermore, the carcasses of cows from Paddock A were classified as low quality. Eight cows with EC signs from Paddock A and 10 cows without EC signs from Paddocks B-G were removed to a Lolium multiflorum pasture. After 120 days of grazing, the cows from Paddock A gained 45.2% less (p < 0.01) live weight than cows from Paddocks B-G. Poisoning with N. rivularis may cause significant economic losses in Uruguay due to low fertility rates and weight gain of affected cattle.

Osteomalacia as a result of phosphorus deficiency in beef cattle grazing subtropical native pastures in Uruguay.

We investigated 2 outbreaks of osteomalacia as a result of phosphorus (P) deficiency in herds of lactating beef cows grazing subtropical native pastures in Uruguay. Cows exhibited pica, difficulty to stand and walk, rib fractures, and body weight loss even with adequate forage availability. Osteopenia and severe osteomalacia were observed on gross and histologic examination. The concentrations of bicarbonate-extractable P in soil (4.0, 4.1 mg P/kg), total P in pasture (0.9, 1.1 g P/kg), inorganic P in serum (1.0, 0.71 mmol P/L), and P in bone (73 mg P/mL) were all low. Although injectable and mineral salt supplements provided additional P in both outbreaks, these supplementary amounts were insufficient to prevent P deficiency. The P ingested by the cows from the pasture and supplements would have provided 20-55% of their daily P requirements of ~21 g P/d. Osteomalacia occurred in cattle at the 2 ranches as a result of severe P deficiency in the soil and forage, and inadequate P supplementation. Following diagnosis, control of P deficiency in beef cattle requires estimation of the amount of pasture P ingested and provision of sufficient additional supplementary P to meet the animals' requirements.

Causes of neonatal calf diarrhea and mortality in pasture-based dairy herds in Uruguay: a farm-matched case-control study.

Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) and mortality cause significant losses to the dairy industry. The preweaning dairy calf mortality risk in Uruguay is high (15.2%); however, causes for these losses are largely unknown. This study aimed to assess whether various pathogens were associated with NCD and death in Uruguayan dairy calves and whether these infections, diarrhea, or deaths were associated with the failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI). Contemporary diarrheic (n = 264,) and non-diarrheic (n = 271) 1- to 30-day-old calves from 27 farms were sampled. Feces were analyzed by antigen-capture ELISA for Cryptosporidium spp., rotavirus, bovine coronavirus, and Escherichia coli F5+, RT-PCR for bovine astrovirus (BoAstV), and bacterial cultures for Salmonella enterica. Blood/serum was analyzed by RT-PCR or antigen-capture ELISA for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Serum of ≤ 8-day-old calves (n = 95) was assessed by refractometry to determine the concention of serum total proteins (STP) as an indicator of FTPI. Whether the sampled calves died before weaning was recorded. At least one pathogen was detected in 65.4% of the calves, and this percentage was significantly higher in diarrheic (83.7%) versus non-diarrheic (47.6%) calves. Unlike the other pathogens, Cryptosporidium spp. and rotavirus were associated with NCD. Diarrheic calves, calves infected with any of the pathogens, and calves infected with rotavirus had significantly lower concentrations of STP. Diarrheic calves had higher chances of dying before weaning than non-diarrheic calves. Diarrheic calves infected with S. enterica were at increased risk of mortality. Controlling NCD, salmonellosis, cryptosporidiosis, and rotavirus infections, and improving colostrum management practices would help to reduce calf morbi-mortality in dairy farms in Uruguay.

Virulence genes of Escherichia coli in diarrheic and healthy calves.

Escherichia coli ETEC, EPEC, NTEC and STEC/EHEC pathotypes are often isolated from bovine feces. The objective of this study was to detect 21 E. coli virulence genes in feces from 252 dairy calves in Uruguay (149 with neonatal diarrhea - NCD - and 103 asymptomatic). Genes iucD, f17A, afa8E, papC, clpG and f17G(II) were the most prevalent (81.3%; 48.4%; 37.3%; 35.7%; 34.1%; 31.3%, respectively). Genes eae, stx1and stx2 were poorly represented; 13/252 animals harbored one or a combination of these genes. The prevalence of the cnf gene was 4.4%, while that of cdt-IV and cdt-III genes was 24.2% and 12.7% respectively. This study reports updated data about the virulence profiles of E. coli in dairy calves in Uruguay. A large number of adhesins and toxin genes were detected. Our results demonstrate that E. coli from bovine feces has diarrheagenic and extraintestinal profiles although other NCD risks factors may contribute to the disease outcome.

Lethal and semi-lethal mutations in Holstein calves in Uruguay / Mutações letais e semi-letais em bezerros da raça Holandesa no Uruguai

ABSTRACT: Genetic disorders in Holstein cattle are a health problem that has grown worldwide in recent years, compromising the sustainability of modern dairy production. In Uruguay, Holstein-based milk production is one of the most important sectors of the country's economy, but high levels of inbreeding have decreased the breed's fertility in recent decades. This study investigated the presence and diffusion of lethal and semi-lethal alleles causing embryo death, abortions, fetal malformations, and neonatal diseases in Holstein calves. Using the GeneSeek® Genomic Profiler™ Bovine 50K BeadChip, we genotyped 383 calves (1-30 days-old) from 27 farms located in the main dairy region of Uruguay. Results showed a high prevalence of farms (85%) and carrier calves (21%), including one or more of the following semi-lethal or lethal alleles: Syndactylism (4.18%), brachyspina (3.39%), cholesterol deficiency haplotype (2.61%), complex vertebral malformation (2.09%), bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (1.04%s), and Holstein haplotypes HH1 (4.44%), HH3 (3.13%), HH4 (1.04%), and HH5 (0.26%). Most of these alleles had not been recognized previously in Uruguay. We concluded that lethal and semi-lethal mutations are widespread in the Holstein breed in Uruguay. More studies are required to determine their impact on dairy cattle fertility.

RESUMO: Os distúrbios genéticos nos bovinos da raça Holandesa são um problema de saúde que cresceu nos últimos anos a nível mundial, comprometendo a sustentabilidade da produção leiteira moderna. No Uruguai, a produção leiteira com base na raça Holstein é um dos setores mais importantes da economia do país, mas altos níveis de endogamia diminuíram a fertilidade da raça nas últimas décadas. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a presença e difusão de alelos letais e semi-letais causando morte de embriões, abortos, malformações fetais e doenças neonatais em bezerros da raça Holandesa. Usando o BeadChip Bovino 50K GeneSeek® Genomic Profiler™, genotipamos 383 bezerros (menos de um mês) de 27 fazendas localizadas na principal região leiteira do Uruguai. Os resultados mostraram uma alta prevalência de fazendas (85%) e bezerros portadores (21%), incluindo um ou mais dos seguintes alelos letais ou semi-letais: sindactilismo (4,18%), braquipespina (3,39%), haplótipo de deficiência de colesterol (2,61%), malformação vertebral complexa (2,09%), deficiência de adesão de leucócitos bovinos (1,04% s) e haplótipos de Holstein HH1 (4,44%), HH3 (3,13%), HH4 (1,04%) e HH5 (0,26%). A maioria desses alelos não havia sido reconhecida anteriormente no país. Concluímos que as mutações letais e semi-letais são comuns na raça Holstein no Uruguai. Mais estudos são necessários para determinar seu impacto na fertilidade do gado leiteiro.

Detection, risk factors and molecular diversity of norovirus GIII in cattle in Uruguay.

Uruguay is a leading exporter of bovine meat and dairy products, and cattle production is one of the principal economic backbones in this country. A main clinical problem faced by livestock farmers is neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD); however, causes of NCD have not been extensively studied in Uruguay. Bovine norovirus (BoNoV) has been proposed as one of the possible etiologies of NCD as experimentally infected calves developed diarrhea and enteropathy, although limited information is available from field surveys. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of infection, to investigate possible risk factors, and to determine the molecular diversity of BoNoV in Uruguay. A total of 761 samples of feces or intestinal contents from dairy and beef calves were analyzed through RT-qPCR. The overall frequency of detection of BoNoV was 66.1% with higher frequency in dairy (70.5%) than beef (15.9%) calves (p < 0.01). BoNoV was detected similarly in diarrheic (78.8%) and non-diarrheic (76.2%) dairy calves (p = 0.50). Calves ≤2 weeks of age (84%) were infected more often than older (62.7%) calves (p < 0.01). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of GIII.1 and GIII.2 genotypes. In addition, we reported the circulation of recombinant strains and the detection of a strain with the recently described novel VP1 genotype. This study represents the first report describing the circulation, the associated risk factors, and the molecular diversity of BoNoV in Uruguay.

Enzootic calcinosis in sheep in Uruguay: a brief review and report of two outbreaks / Calcinose enzoótica em ovinos no Uruguai: revisão de literatura e descrição de dois surtos

This study aimed to do a brief review of enzootic calcinosis in sheep and to report two outbreaks of Nierembergia rivularis poisoning in sheep in Uruguay. The outbreaks occurred in farms located on an island (Outbreak A) and on the border (Outbreak B) of the Rincón del Bonete lake. Sheep of all ages were affected, with the exception of suckling lambs. The first clinical signs occurred in early October, and deaths occurred from December to February. Outbreaks A and B had morbidity of 10%, and the mortality was 7.2% and 2.8% in Outbreaks A and B, respectively. The clinical signs included weight loss, retracted abdomen, stiff gait, and kyphosis. An autopsy was performed on one sheep from each outbreak. Pulmonary and arterial calcification, nephrocalcinosis, and osteopetrosis were observed in gross and microscopic examination in both sheep. Thyroid C-cell hyperplasia and carcinoma was observed in sheep A. Sheep B showed thyroid C-cell hyperplasia and parathyroid chief cell atrophy. The parathyroid was not examined in the sheep from Outbreak A. The differential diagnosis of enzootic calcinosis in southern South America should consider four toxic plants in the Solanaceae family: Solanum glaucophyllum, Solanum stuckertii, Nierembergia veitchii, and Nierembergia rivularis.(AU)

Este trabalho faz uma breve revisão da calcinose enzoótica em ovinos e descreve dois surtos de intoxicação por Nierembergia rivularis em ovinos no Uruguai. Os surtos ocorreram em propriedades localizadas em uma ilha (Surto A), e nas margens (Surto B) do lago do Rincón del Bonete. Foram afetados ovinos de todas as idades, exceto cordeiros lactentes. Os primeiros sinais clínicos ocorreram no início de outubro e as mortes de dezembro a fevereiro. Morbidade de 10% foi observada nos Surtos A e B. A mortalidade foi de 7,2% e 2,8% nos Surtos A e B, respectivamente. Os sinais clínicos incluíram perda de peso, abdômen retraído, marcha rígida e cifose. Foram necropsiados um animal de cada rebanho. Observou-se mineralização arterial e pulmonar, nefrocalcinose e osteopetrose no exame macroscópico e histológico dos dois ovinos. Hiperplasia e carcinoma de células C da tireoide foram observados no ovino A. O ovino B apresentou hiperplasia de células C da tireoide e atrofia das células principais da paratireoide. As paratireoides do ovino A não foram examinadas. O diagnóstico diferencial da calcinose enzoótica no Sul da América do Sul deve considerar quatro plantas calcinogênicas da família Solanaceae: Solanum glaucophyllum, Solanum stuckertii, Nierembergia veitchii e Nierembergia rivularis.(AU)

Baccharis coridifolia poisoning in livestock in Uruguay.

Baccharis coridifolia is one of the most common poisonous plants affecting livestock in Uruguay. Poisoning occurs when animals raised in areas free of B. coridifolia are transported to pastures containing the plant. Young stock become spontaneously averted to it after ingesting non-toxic amounts of the plant. As B. coridifolia is widespread in the country, farmers selling livestock report when animals have been raised in areas with the plant, meaning that they are naturally averted and will not ingest it if introduced in B. coridifolia-containing paddocks. Of 2456 farmers from 18 departments of Uruguay selling cattle through online auctions between June 2019 and May 2020, 78% mentioned that the animals they were selling were raised in grasslands containing B. coridifolia. However, only 35.8% of the farmers from three departments of Eastern Uruguay mentioned that their cattle were raised in grasslands with B. coridifolia. Herds from these departments presented 16.7 times (95% CI: 13.1-21.3; p < 0.001) more risk of not being naturally averted to B. coridifolia ingestion than the herds of the other 15 departments of the country. In this paper we review all outbreaks of B. coridifolia poisoning reported in livestock in Uruguay from 1911 to present. We also describe three outbreaks of poisoning, one in cattle and two in sheep that were poisoned in the same farms in which the animals were raised. Intoxication occurred when the animals raised indoors and/or in cultivated pastures without B. coridifolia were introduced into grasslands of the same farms containing B. coridifolia. Typical gastrointestinal lesions were observed in pathological examinations. Furthermore, two of three necropsied heifers showed severe acute nephrosis, which had not been reported previously in this poisoning.

A survey of management practices that influence calf welfare and an estimation of the annual calf mortality risk in pastured dairy herds in Uruguay.

Despite the importance of dairy farming in Uruguay, little information on dairy systems in this country is available in the scientific literature, and management practices that influence calf welfare at the herd level have not been explored. The aims of this study were to (1) describe the prepartum and calf-rearing systems, as well as the management practices that may influence calf welfare in pastured dairy herds in Uruguay, (2) estimate the annual calf mortality risk from birth to weaning, and (3) identify the primary clinical disease syndromes shown by the calves before death. A survey comprising a farm visit and a questionnaire was conducted on 225 randomly selected dairies with >30 milking cows, in 3 strata (31-99, 100-299, and ≥300 milking cows) of 6 Uruguayan departments where dairies are concentrated. Retrospective information from July 2013 to June 2014 was collected. A descriptive analysis was performed and results were inferred into the national dairy cattle population. Several management practices that could contribute to poor calf welfare were identified in a large proportion of farms. The annual calf mortality risk (calves that died between birth and weaning/calves born death or alive × 100, n = 149 farms) was 15.2%. Age at weaning averaged 75 d. Farmers reported that the most common clinical syndromes were diarrhea and respiratory disease in 85.2% and 47.5% of the farms, respectively. There was no continuous veterinary advice in 61.3% of the farms, 20.0% lacked data records, 38.5% had poor drainage in the prepartum area with waterlogging after rainfall, 52.1% monitored the prepartum area ≤2 times per day during the calving season, 65.1% did not perform navel antisepsis on newborns, 62.3% separated the calves from their dams at >24 h postpartum, 95.2% did not have a colostrum management program, 72.4% did not rotate the calf-rearing areas, 59.0% did not disinfect the calf feeders, 85.7% did not have staff dedicated exclusively to calf rearing, and 39.8% did not separate sick from healthy calves. The average volume of milk or milk replacer offered per calf was 4.5 L/day. Several of the identified management practices that affect calf welfare in the prepartum and calf-rearing periods could explain the high mortality risk. An effort should be made to conduct extension work focusing on the dissemination of good management practices to improve calf welfare and reduce calf mortality in Uruguayan dairy farms.

Phylogenetic Analyses of Rotavirus A from Cattle in Uruguay Reveal the Circulation of Common and Uncommon Genotypes and Suggest Interspecies Transmission.

Uruguay is one of the main exporters of beef and dairy products, and cattle production is one of the main economic sectors in this country. Rotavirus A (RVA) is the main pathogen associated with neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD), a syndrome that leads to significant economic losses to the livestock industry. The aims of this study are to determine the frequency of RVA infections, and to analyze the genetic diversity of RVA strains in calves in Uruguay. A total of 833 samples from dairy and beef calves were analyzed through RT-qPCR and sequencing. RVA was detected in 57.0% of the samples. The frequency of detection was significantly higher in dairy (59.5%) than beef (28.4%) calves (p < 0.001), while it did not differ significantly among calves born in herds that were vaccinated (64.0%) or not vaccinated (66.7%) against NCD. The frequency of RVA detection and the viral load were significantly higher in samples from diarrheic (72.1%, 7.99 log10 genome copies/mL of feces) than non-diarrheic (59.9%, 7.35 log10 genome copies/mL of feces) calves (p < 0.005 and p = 0.007, respectively). The observed G-types (VP7) were G6 (77.6%), G10 (20.7%), and G24 (1.7%), while the P-types were P[5] (28.4%), P[11] (70.7%), and P[33] (0.9%). The G-type and P-type combinations were G6P[11] (40.4%), G6P[5] (38.6%), G10P[11] (19.3%), and the uncommon genotype G24P[33] (1.8%). VP6 and NSP1-5 genotyping were performed to better characterize some strains. The phylogenetic analyses suggested interspecies transmission, including transmission between animals and humans.

Hemorrhagic diathesis in cattle due to consumption of Adiantopsis chlorophylla (Swartz) Fée (Pteridaceae).

An outbreak of acute febrile syndrome associated with coagulopathy and severe pancytopenia occurred in cattle grazing in paddocks with high infestation by Adiantopsis chlorophylla. The administration of the plant to a calf reproduced the same signs and lesions seen in spontaneous cases. Similar syndromes are caused by ptaquiloside from bracken fern. Traces of the ptaquiloside-like molecule caudatoside were detected together with 0.03-0.24 mg/g of it's degradation product pterosin A, in dry fronds of the plant. In conclusion, A. chlorophylla is a cause of hemorrhagic diathesis in cattle.

Diseases associated with bovine viral diarrhea virus subtypes 1a and 2b in beef and dairy cattle in Uruguay.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV, Pestivirus) causes significant economic losses to the livestock industry worldwide. Although serological surveys show that BVDV exposure is widespread in cattle in Uruguay, BVDV-associated diseases are greatly underreported. The aim of this work is to describe the epidemiological, clinical, pathological, and virological findings from spontaneous outbreaks of BVDV-associated diseases in cattle in Uruguay. Diagnostic investigations were performed during 6 spontaneous disease outbreaks on beef and dairy cattle farms in the departments of Colonia, Rio Negro, and Soriano between November 2016 and April 2018. Carcasses of 8 naturally deceased cattle from these outbreaks were necropsied and subjected to histological examination and immunohistochemistry to detect BVDV antigen in the tissues. Reverse transcription real-time PCR and genomic sequencing were also performed to identify BVDV at the species and subtype levels. Other ancillary diagnostic tests, including bacterial cultures, were performed on a case-by-case basis to rule in/out differential diagnoses based on initial clinicopathological presumptive diagnoses. BVDV-associated conditions that were diagnosed in the 8 cases included mucosal disease, transient postnatal BVDV infections associated with digestive/septicemic salmonellosis by Salmonella serovar typhimurium, Histophilus somni bronchopneumonia, urinary tract coinfections with Escherichia coli and Streptococcus sp., enteric coinfection with coccidia, and transplacental fetal infections and abortions with Neospora caninum coinfection. BVDV-1a and BVDV-2b were each identified in four of the eight cases. We conclude that BVDV-1a and BVDV-2b contribute significantly to disease and mortality in cattle in Uruguay. Future research should estimate the economic impact of BVDV in the Uruguayan livestock sector.

Bovine coronavirus in Uruguay: genetic diversity, risk factors and transboundary introductions from neighboring countries.

Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is a recognized cause of severe neonatal calf diarrhea, with a negative impact on animal welfare, leading to economic losses to the livestock industry. Cattle production is one of the most important economic sectors in Uruguay. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of BCoV infections and their genetic diversity in Uruguayan calves and to describe the evolutionary history of the virus in South America. The overall detection rate of BCoV in Uruguay was 7.8% (64/824): 7.7% (60/782) in dairy cattle and 9.5% (4/42) in beef cattle. The detection rate of BCoV in samples from deceased and live calves was 10.0% (6/60) and 7.6% (58/763), respectively. Interestingly, there was a lower frequency of BCoV detection in calves born to vaccinated dams (3.3%, 8/240) than in calves born to unvaccinated dams (12.2%, 32/263) (OR: 4.02, 95%CI: 1.81-8.90; p = 0.00026). The frequency of BCoV detection was higher in colder months (11.8%, 44/373) than in warmer months (1.5%, 3/206) (OR: 9.05, 95%CI: 2.77-29.53, p = 0.000013). Uruguayan strains grouped together in two different lineages: one with Argentinean strains and the other with Brazilian strains. Both BCoV lineages were estimated to have entered Uruguay in 2013: one of them from Brazil (95%HPD interval: 2011-2014) and the other from Argentina (95%HPD interval: 2010-2014). The lineages differed by four amino acid changes, and both were divergent from the Mebus reference strain. Surveillance should be maintained to detect possible emerging strains that can clearly diverge at the antigenic level from vaccine strains.

High frequency of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in Friesian Milchschaf sheep in Uruguay / Alta frequência de carcinoma cutâneo de células escamosas em ovinos da raça Frisona Milchschaf no Uruguai

This study described five cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the pinnae, eyelids, and eyes of Friesian Milchschaf sheep from two flocks raised under extensive conditions in Uruguay. The prevalence values for both flocks were 2.12% and 2.53%, respectively. Macroscopically, single or multiple, nodular, verrucous, or plaque-like neoplasms, with occasional ulceration and bleeding, were observed in the affected areas. Histologically, well- and moderately-differentiated SCCs were diagnosed in three and two cases, respectively. The Milchschaf breed is native of Germany, and its individuals present white non-pigmented skin with the face and legs clear of fleece, thus adapted to areas with lower solar radiation. Additionally, in the German breeding systems, animals remain indoors for long periods. The increased exposure time to higher levels of solar radiation of the Uruguayan extensive production systems may be a predisposing factor for the development of SCC in this sheep breed. In Uruguay, there is more solar radiation and the production systems provide less protection against sunlight compared with the German production system. The high frequency of SCC should be considered prior to introducing European breeds with non-pigmented skin in Uruguay and other countries of the region.(AU)

Descreveram-se carcinomas de células escamosas (CCE) nas orelhas, pálpebras e olhos em cinco ovinos da raça Frisona Milchschaf em dois rebanhos de criação extensiva no Uruguai. A prevalência nos rebanhos foi de 2,12% e 2,53%. Macroscopicamente se observaram lesões focais ou multifocais, com aumento de volume, nodulares, verrucosas ou em placas, com ocasionais ulcerações e hemorragias. Apresentavam aspecto verrucoso, por vezes com superfície ulcerada e firmes ao corte. De acordo com as características histológicas da neoplasia, as lesões foram classificadas em CCEs bem diferenciados em três casos e moderadamente diferenciados em dois casos. Esta raça é nativa da Alemanha, caracterizada pela face deslanada e pele branca despigmentada. Na Alemanha, há menores níveis de radiação solar do que no Uruguai e seu sistema de produção é mais intensivo, com permanência dos animais confinados durante longos períodos. O aumento do tempo de exposição a níveis mais elevados de radiação solar pode ser um fator predisponente para o desenvolvimento de CCEs nesta raça em sistemas extensivos de produção no Uruguai. Neste País há mais radiação solar e os sistemas produtivos fornecem menos proteção contra a luz solar, em relação ao sistema de produção alemão. A alta frequência de CEE deveria ser levada em consideração para quem decide introduzir no Uruguai e outros países da região. raças europeias com a face despigmentada.(AU)

Outbreak of contagious ecthyma caused by Orf virus (Parapoxvirus ovis) in a vaccinated sheep flock in Uruguay.

Orf virus (ORFV) causes contagious ecthyma (CE), a highly transmissible, zoonotic disease of small ruminants. CE most commonly affects lambs and unvaccinated sheep. This work reports epidemiologic, clinicopathologic, and virologic findings in a CE outbreak in a vaccinated sheep flock in Uruguay and failure to detect ORFV in a commercial vaccine.