Evaluation of glutaraldehyde coagulation test and colostrum BRIX refractometer compared with SNAP foal IgG test in neonatal foals.

BACKGROUND: Prompt diagnosis of passive transfer failure in the neonatal period is important for early treatment. OBJECTIVES: To compare the diagnostic performance of serum glutaraldehyde coagulation test (GCT) and colostrum BRIX% for failure to transfer passive immunity (FTPI) diagnosis with the results of SNAP foal test and to evaluate the results of serum GCT and colostrum BRIX% measurements in foals with diarrhoea in the 0-1 month period. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro experiments. METHODS: Excess serum and colostrum (n: 298) from samples collected from newborn foals and their dams for clinical purposes were used. Foals were classified as FTPI positive (IgG < 8 g/L) or negative (IgG ≥ 8 g/L) using the SNAP foal test. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of serum GCT and colostrum BRIX % for diagnosing FTPI in all foals and in the sub-group of foals which developed diarrhoea within the first month of life was noted. The relationships between the results of the serum GCT and colostrum BRIX% and diarrhoea in foals with and without FTPI were evaluated. RESULTS: Serum GCT and colostrum BRIX % were statistically significantly different (p < 0.05) between the foals without FTPI and with FTPI classified according to the SNAP test. Using a cut-off value for serum GCT of >10, sensitivity was 100% (95% CI 92.9%-100%) and specificity 100% (98.3%-100%) while with a cut-off value of ≤24, with colostrum BRIX% of ≤24 sensitivity was 92% (80.9%-97.8%), and specificity was 98% (95.3-99.3). In the sub-group of foals without FTPI using a colostrum BRIX% cut-off value of ≤26 the sensitivity for prediction of diarrhoea in the 0-1 month period was only 72.4% (52.8-87.3, p < 0.001) with specificity 54.3% (47.6-61.1) but the test performance was not robust (ROC AUC 0.61). MAIN LIMITATIONS: The number of repeated measurements in the evaluation of serum GCT, and colostrum BRIX% was low. More clinical problems could be examined. CONCLUSIONS: The serum GCT, and colostrum BRIX%, both economical and practical to use in the field, gave results comparable with the SNAP foal IgG test. The ability to accurately predict diarrhoea in the first month of life with these tests was limited.

INTRODUCTION/CONTEXTE: Être capable de diagnostiquer rapidement un défaut de transfert d'immunité passive en période néonatale est primordial au prompt traitement des poulains. OBJECTIFS: Comparer la performance diagnostique du test de coagulation au glutaraldéhyde sur sérum (GCT) et du BRIX du colostrum pour le diagnostic de défaut de transfert d'immunité passive (FTPI) avec les résultats de test SNAP Foal. Évaluer les résultats de GCT sur sérum et les mesures de colostrum BRIX chez les poulains âgés de 0-1 mois d'âge souffrant de diarrhée. TYPE D'ÉTUDE: Étude in vitro. MÉTHODES: Les excédents de sérum et colostrum (N = 298) provenant de poulains nouveaux-nés et leur mère à partir d'échantillons cliniques ont été sauvegardés. Les poulains ont été divisés en deux groupes: FTPI négatifs (IgG ≥ 8 g/L) et positifs (IgG ≤ 8 g/L). La spécificité et la sensibilité de GCT sur sérum et le % BRIX du colostrum ont été comparés pour diagnostiquer les défauts de transfert d'immunité passive chez tous les poulains, incluant le sous-groupe ayant développé de la diarrhée. En parallèle, le développement de diarrhée chez les poulains jusqu'à 1 mois d'âge a été noté. La relation entre les résultats de GCT sur sérum et le % BRIX du colostrum et la diarrhée chez les poulains souffrant de diarrhée avec ou sans défaut de transfert d'immunité passive a été évaluée. RÉSULTATS: Le GCT sur sérum et le % BRIX du colostrum ont montré une différence statistiquement significative (p < 0.05) entre les poulains sans FTPI et ceux avec FTPI tel que déterminé par le SNAP Foal test. En utilisant une valeur seuil pour le GCT sur sérum de >10, la sensibilité était de 100% (95% IC 92.9%-100%) et la spécificité de 100% également (98.3%-100%). Avec une valeur seuil à ≤24, avec une valeur au colostrum BRIX% de ≤24, la sensibilité était de 92% (80.9%-97.8%) et la spécificité de 98% (95.3%-99.3%). Dans le groupe de poulains sans défaut de transfert d'immunité passive, en utilisant une valeur seuil de ≤26, la sensibilité pour la détection de diarrhée durant la période de 0-1 mois d'âge était seulement de 72.4% (52.8-87.3%, p < 0.001) avec une spécificité de 54.3% (47.6%-61.1%), mais la performance du teste n'était considérée robuste (ROC AUC 0.61). LIMITES PRINCIPALES: Le nombre de mesures répétées lors de l'évaluation de GCT sur sérum et du % BRIX de colostrum était bas. Davantage de paramètres pourraient être ajoutés. CONCLUSIONS: Le GCT sur sérum et le % BRIX de colostrum, tous deux économique et facile à utiliser en pratique, ont donné des résultats comparables aux résultats de SNAP Foal pour les immunoglobulines G.

Determination of the relationships between serum amyloid A, serum calprotectin and fecal calprotectin in healthy and infectious diarrheic calves and their diagnostic significances as inflammatory markers.

In this study, serum amyloid A (SAA), serum calprotectin (SCalp) and fecal calprotectin (FCalp) levels were investigated in neonatal calves with infectious diarrhea. Total of 70 calves were divided into E. coli, C. parvum, C. parvum + viral, viral and control groups. Clinical parameters were recorded on days 0 and 7, post treatment. On these days, blood and stool samples were also taken. SAA, SCalp and FCalp levels were measured with commercial ELISA kits. Mean SAA levels on day 0 were measured as 0.54 (0.16-2.18) ng/ml and 38.40 (8.28-83.96) ng/ml for the diarrhea and healthy group, respectively (P < 0.001). Statistically significant difference was also obtained between the diarrhea [68.02 ng/ml 46.66-101.67] and control [24.05 ng/ml 11.92-56] groups in terms of SCalp levels on day 0 (P < 0.001). Cut-off value of SCalp to distinguish E. coli originated diarrhea from viral diarrhea was found to be 70.969 ng/ml (Sens: 94%). FCalp levels on day 0 were 93.08 (22.17-122.88) ng/ml and 87.01 ± 3.33 ng/ml in the diarrhea and healthy groups, respectively (P = 0.04). Cut-off concentration of FCalp was found to be 91.804 ng/ml (P = 0.0057). In addition, as a result of the logistic regression analysis, FCalp's ability to identify animals with diarrhea was found to be 6.316 times (P = 0.009) higher. The highest levels of SCalp and FCalp measured on day 0 were found among E. coli group. As a result, the importance of FCalp and SCalp in diagnosing the status of infectious diarrhea in calves for the first time in the veterinary literature is emphasized.

The detection and phylogenetic analysis of Anaplasma phagocytophilum-like 1, A. ovis and A. capra in sheep: A. capra divides into two genogroups.

In this study, the presence, prevalence, and genotypes of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. ovis, and A. capra in sheep were investigated based on 16 S SSU rRNA, groEL, and gtlA gene-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. The sequences of the genes were used for detection of the phylogenetic position of the species. Additionally, a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were carried out for discrimination of A. phagocytophilum and related variants (A. phagocytophilum-like 1 and 2). The prevalence of Anaplasma spp. was found as 25.8% (101/391), while it was found that A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum-like 1, and A. capra are circulating in the sheep herds in Kyrgyzstan, according to the PCRs, RFLP and the partial DNA sequencing results. The positivity rates of A. phagocytophilum-like 1, A. ovis, and A. capra genotype-1 were 6.9, 22.5, and 5.3%, respectively. A total of 32 (8.2%) sheep were found to be mix infected. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses and sequence comparison with those available in the GenBank showed that A. capra formed two distinct genetic groups (A. capra genotype-1 and A. capra genotype-2). Considering the zoonotic potential of these species, it may be necessary to make changes in the interpretation of anaplasmosis cases in animals and there is a need for further studies to determine the pathogenicity of the species/genotypes circulating in animals.

Clinic Congenital Neosporosis in a Calf.

Neosporosis is an infectious disease which is caused by a protozoan called Neospora caninum and characterized by endemic and epidemic abortions in adult cattle and congenital encephalomyelitis in calves. Our case was a female calf from the Holstein breed which was born in a farm with abortion and infertility problems and was unable to stand up after birth.. It was stated that it was the third pregnancy of the mother cow and that the previous pregnancy was aborted in the fifth month. In clinical examination, sucking reflex of the calf was present and there was spastic paralysis starting from pelvic muscle in rear limbs. Blood (EDTA and spare tube) sample was taken from the cow and from the calf before sucking first colostrum and cerebrospinal fluid was collected from the calf.. Based on the clinical and serological findings, a diagnosis of congenital neosporosis was made. As a result, neosporosis must be considered in the clinical diagnosis of calves with neurological symptoms during the neonatal period.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease in cattle, Western Turkey.

In 2007, an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) occurred in Turkey. On the basis of clinical investigation, 41 cattle were suspected to have EHD. Reverse transcription-PCR and sequence analyses indicated that the virus belonged to EHD virus serotype 6, thus confirming EHD virus infection of cattle in Turkey.