Dictyocaulosis in cattle: Retrospective analysis of 20 outbreaks in Central Argentina.

Bovine lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus) are nematodes which cause a respiratory disease known as verminous bronchitis or pneumonia. In this paper, we describe 20 outbreaks of bovine dictyocaulosis recorded between 2000 and 2023 in Central Argentina. Outbreaks occurred more frequently during the autumn-winter season (from April to August) and affected cattle under 1 year old in beef production systems. An average morbidity and mortality of 26.22 % and 8.44 % were registered, respectively. The main clinical signs observed were respiratory distress (coughing, tachypnea, dyspnea, and nasal discharge), weight loss, weakness, decubitus, and diarrhea. Necropsies were performed in thirty-one calves, heifers, and steers. Gross findings included diffuse interstitial or multifocal pneumonia, with marbled appearance intermingling atelectasis and red-gray firm areas of consolidation, and subpleural and interlobular emphysema and edema. Microscopically, lungs were characterized by abundant edema and mixed intra-alveolar multifocal to coalescent infiltrate. Frequently, adult worms and/or larvae were spotted in the bronchi or alveoli, respectively. Some cases exhibited proliferation of type 2 pneumocytes and hyaline membranes covering the alveolar septa. Co-infections with gastrointestinal nematodes were frequently found in fecal samples. Given the perspective of anthelmintic resistance and future changes in environmental conditions due to climate change, integrated parasitic control strategies are mandatory and should be tailored to each production system. The information gathered in this research provides an overview of lungworm infections in livestock production systems from Central Argentina and could be useful for surveilling, monitoring and designing strategic interventions for the control of this important parasitic disease in the region.

Breed variability in the cellular mediated immune response to experimental Neospora caninum infection in heifers.

Protozoan parasite Neospora caninum causes abortion in infected cattle while others remain asymptomatic. Host immunity plays a critical role in the outcome of bovine neosporosis. Despite extensive research, there is a critical gap in therapeutic and preventive measures, and no effective vaccines are available. Both beef and dairy cattle can suffer from N. caninum-induced abortions, but cumulative evidence suggests a breed susceptibility being higher in dairy compared with beef breeds. It has been established that the response to N. caninum infection primarily involves a cell-mediated immune response (CMIR) regulated by T-helper type 1 (Th1) cells and specific cytokines. The delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin test has been used to measure the ability of livestock to generate CMIR, in the context of breeding for disease resistance and as a method for diagnosis of several diseases. In this study, we evaluated the immune response triggered by an N. caninum-induced DTH skin test between Holstein - a dairy breed intensively selected- and Argentinean Creole heifers - a beef breed with minimal genetic selection- to assess differences in CMIR following experimental N. caninum infection. The immune response, measured through skinfold thickness and histological and immune molecular analysis, revealed variations between the breeds. Our study found an increased CMIR in Argentinean Creole heifers compared to Holstein heifers. Differential gene expression of key cytokines was observed at the DTH skin test site. Argentinean Creole heifers exhibited elevated IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-10, and IL-4, while Holstein heifers only showed higher expression of IL-17. This finding could underscore genetic diversity in response to neosporosis, which could be used in breeding cattle strategies for disease resistance in cattle populations.

Neosporosis in Argentina: Past, present and future perspectives.

Neosporosis, caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum, was first diagnosed in Argentinean cattle in the 90's. With a national bovine stock of approximately 53 million head, the cattle industry is socially and economically relevant. Severe economic losses have been estimated at US$ 33 and 12 million annually in dairy and beef cattle, respectively. Approximately 9% of bovine abortions in the Buenos Aires province are caused by N. caninum. In 2001, the first isolation of N. caninum oocysts from feces of a naturally infected dog was performed in Argentina and named as NC-6 Argentina. Further strains were isolated from cattle (NC-Argentina LP1, NC-Argentina LP2) and axis deer (Axis axis, NC-Axis). Epidemiological studies revealed a high distribution of Neospora-infections not only in dairy but also in beef cattle, with seroprevalence rates of 16.6-88.8% and 0-73%, respectively. Several experimental infection studies in cattle have been carried out, as well as attempts to develop effective vaccines to avoid Neospora-abortions and transmission. However, no vaccine has proven successful for its use in daily practice. Reduction of seroprevalence, vertical transmission and Neospora-related abortions have been achieved in dairy farms by the use of selective breeding strategies and embryo transfer. Neospora-infections have been also detected in goats, sheep, deer, water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and gray foxes (Lycalopex griseus). Moreover, Neospora-related reproductive losses were reported in small ruminants and deer species and could be more frequent than previously thought. Even though diagnostic methods have been improved during the last decades, control of neosporosis is still not optimal. The development of new strategies including new antiprotozoal drugs and vaccines is highly needed. This paper reviews the information from the previous 28 years of research of N. caninum in Argentina, including seroprevalence and epidemiological studies, available diagnostic techniques, experimental reproduction, immunization strategies, isolations and control measures in domestic and non-domestic animals from Argentina.

Frequency of Neospora caninum-specific antibodies in bulk milk from dairy farms from Mar y Sierras Dairy Basin, Argentina.

The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of Neospora caninum based on the detection of specific antibodies in bulk tank milk (BTM) from dairy cattle farms in the Mar y Sierras Basin by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 98 BTM samples from 49 dairy farms were collected during autumn and spring of 2019. Additionally, 147 paired individual milk and serum samples were collected from two dairy farms to assess the prevalence within-herd by ELISA and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT, serum samples). Additionally, 12 individual serum samples were also assessed to test the agreement between IFAT and ELISA (total serum samples 159). Noteworthy, 100 and 91.84% of 49 dairy farms were positive in the BTM in autumn and spring, respectively. For the within-herd individual samples, a good agreement between serum and milk results was obtained for ELISA and IFAT (0.86-0.90). This is the first study in Argentina in which milk samples were tested to determine the N. caninum infection status at herd and within-herd levels in dairy farms, providing a base for further research.

Innate and humoral immune parameters at delivery in colostrum and calves from heifers experimentally infected with Neospora caninum.

Neospora caninum is a leading cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. The study of the immune response against N. caninum is critical to understand its epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and, ultimately, in preventing and controlling bovine neosporosis. Herein, we determined the gene expression of innate immune components endosomal RNA-sensing TLRs, BMAP28 cathelicidin, TNF-α and IL-10 and characterized the variation in both IgG ratio and avidity at delivery in N. caninum-infected heifers challenged at day 210 of gestation, colostrum and their calves. Increased BMAP28 expression was observed not only in colostrum but also in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and umbilical cord of calves from N. caninum-infected heifers in comparison with mock-infected control group. In addition, statistically significant decrease of TLR7 and IL-10 expression levels were observed in umbilical cord, suggesting an attempt to avoid an exacerbated immune response against the parasite. At delivery, serum and colostrum samples from infected group evidenced specific IgG anti-N. caninum. Infected heifers showed IgG1/IgG2 ratios <1 and high avidity specific IgG. As expected, colostrum samples of these animals exhibited a high IgG1 concentration and elevated avidity values. Three out of four calves from N. caninum-infected heifers had specific IgG with IgG1/IgG2 ratios>1 and lower avidity values before colostrum intake. Interestingly, both IgG1/IgG2 ratios and avidity values increased in seropositive calves after colostrum intake. Overall, this study provides novel information on neonatal immunity in congenitally infected calves, which is essential to understand how the immune pathways could be manipulated or immune components could be employed in order to improve protection against neosporosis.

Bovine neosporosis in dairy cattle from the southern highlands of Ecuador.

The aim of this study was to describe bovine neosporosis in dairy cattle from the Sierra region, Ecuador. A case-control study was performed on 841 dairy cattle from 5 dairy herds. The overall seroprevalence was 23.4% having significant association between abortion and seropositivity (p < .05). Additionally, 46 fetuses were recovered from a local slaughterhouse to evaluate the frequency of vertical transmission. Seventeen and 3 fetuses were positive by PCR and had compatible histopathological lesions, respectively. N. caninum infection must be considered as a relevant cause of reproductive losses in Ecuador.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity skin test against Neospora caninum in heifers with undetectable specific antibodies.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) has been used in human and veterinary medicine as a skin testing for evaluating in vivo cell-mediated immune responses (CMIR). Whereas CMIR is a key process to control intracellular pathogens, its value at identifying cattle exposed to the abortigenic intracellular coccidian parasite Neospora caninum is unknown. In this work, we have evaluated a DTH skin testing in cattle exposed to N. caninum and still seronegative. Female calves were experimentally sensitized by subcutaneous (SC) inoculation with live tachyzoites of N. caninum (NC-Argentina LP1) in sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (group A; n: 8) whereas other calveswere mock-sensitized with PBS (group B; n: 6). Two DTH skin tests were performed by intradermal inoculation with a soluble lysate of N. caninum tachyzoites (NC-Argentina LP1) in the neck region at 60d and 960 d after sensitization. Skinfold thickness at the intradermal inoculation site was measured at 0, 24, 48 h post each DTH skin test and skin biopsies taken for microscopic evaluation. Specific N. caninum antibodies kinetics was evaluated all throughthe experiment. We found that whereas N. caninum specific antibodies remained below the ELISA cut-off, a distinctive skinfold thickness increase was detected in sensitized animals (group A) at the DTH skin test site, showing induration, swelling and inflammatory infiltration. Mock sensitized animals (group B) showed no skinfold thickness growth and lacked specific antibody response. Thus, N. caninum DTH skin testing could be a useful diagnostic tool for the detection of CMIR during N. caninum infection in non-humoral responders.

Risk factors associated with Neospora caninum infections in cattle in Argentina.

From 2003 through 2007, serum samples from 5594 dairy and beef heifers and cows in Argentina were assessed to quantify the association between presence of Neospora caninum antibodies and history of abortion, type of exploitation, and age category of animals. Animals with a history of abortion were 85% more likely (P<0.01) to be positive to N. caninum than animals without a record of abortion. For a given category (age) of animals, being in a dairy operation increased the odds of being N. caninum-positive. Replacement dairy heifers were 76% more likely (P<0.01) to be N. caninum-positive than beef cows. These results suggest that postnatal exposure may be more frequent in dairy operations than in beef herds and provide insight into the epidemiology of the disease in one of the most important livestock production regions of the world.

Spongy Myelinopathy in Newborn Beef Calves Associated with Consumption of Corn Infected with Stenocarpella maydis.

Stillbirth and perinatal mortality with neurological signs and lesions were diagnosed in two calves following ingestion by their dams of corn infected with Stenocarpella maydis during the third trimester of gestation. Grossly, the brain and spinal cord were unremarkable. Microscopically, diffuse severe status spongiosis of the white matter was detected in the cerebral hemispheres, brainstem, spinal cord and cerebellum. To the best of our knowledge this is the first pathological description of congenital disease in calves associated with the consumption of S. maydis-infected corn; the findings resemble those reported for the naturally occurring and experimentally induced disease in lambs.

Phenotypic characterization of immune cells in fetal tissues of cattle immunized and challenged with Neospora caninum.

The purpose of this work was to characterize the cellular phenotype in inflammatory infiltrates of fetal tissues from pregnant heifers immunized and experimentally challenged with Neospora caninum. Fetuses from 20 heifers separated into 5 groups were obtained. The experiment was designed as follow: Group A, heifers inoculated intravenously with live tachyzoites of Argentine strain NC-6 (n = 4); Group B heifers inoculated subcutaneously with soluble native antigen from the same strain formulated with immune stimulant complexes (ISCOMs) (n = 4); Group C heifers inoculated with recombinant proteins, rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20, rNcGRA7 formulated with ISCOMs (n = 4), Group D heifers inoculated subcutaneously with sterile phosphate buffered solution (n = 4) and Group E heifers inoculated subcutaneously with antigen-free ISCOMs (n = 4). Experimental challenge was performed at 70 days of gestation and all heifers were euthanized 34 days later. Fetal tissues were taken for histological studies. Inflammatory lesions were observed in brain and lung, and immunhistochemistry was used to identify CD3+, CD20+ and MHC II+ cells. The majority of the cells that infiltrate and circumscribe the lesions in the brain and lung tissue expressed MHC II antigen; varying between 70-90% of the total cellular infiltrate. CD3+ cells were also present within the lesions, contributing to up to 30% of the inflammatory cells. CD20+ cells appeared as a marginal group, in some cases, with a range between 10 and 25%. As expected, the immunolabeling of MHC II + and CD3 + cells in fetal tissues was associated with fetal infection with N. caninum. There were statistically significant differences in the distribution and population of the inflammatory infiltrate in relation to the immunogenic treatment and the type of tissue, with inflammatory cells being markedly less extensive fetuses from group A (dams previously exposed to N. caninum) and in brain tissue. This work showed that Neospora-infection induced MHC II+ and CD3+ cells in bovine fetuses from dams receiving experimental vaccines.

Retrospective study of bovine neonatal mortality: cases reported from INTA Balcarce, Argentina.

A retrospective study was performed on 169 beef and dairy calves aged from 1 to 7 days old submitted to the Diagnostic Laboratories at INTA Balcarce, Argentina. Bacterial culture was performed for aerobic and microaerophilic organisms. Samples from spleen and lymph nodes, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were also cultured for viral isolation on cell culture. Bovine rotavirus was detected by direct-ELISA. Multiple tissue samples were fixed in 10% formalin, routinely processed and Stained with hematoxylin and eosin for microscopic examination. Etiological diagnosis was made in 70 of the 169 calves. Infectious agents were identified in 49 cases, the most common being Escherichia coli. When the histopathological examination was performed in cases with undetermined diagnosis, it was noted that 44 specimens had histological lesions, which suggested the presence of an infectious agent. In order to characterize the causes of bovine neonatal mortality, the protocols and methodology should be improved in further works.

Annular ligament reconstruction in chronic Monteggia fracture-dislocations in the adult population: indications and surgical technique.

Chronic Monteggia fracture is defined as dislocation of the radial head that is still present 4 weeks after injury. The cause may reside in residual ulnar deformity after internal fixation, in failure of annular ligament healing, or both. This situation may lead to elbow pain, decreased motion, neurologic problems and valgus deformity. The aim of the present study is to investigate indications and surgical technique for annular ligament reconstruction (ALR) in chronic Monteggia fractures. Relevant articles on annular ligament anatomy and biomechanics, clinical-radiographic evaluation of chronic Monteggia lesions and surgical techniques for ALR were reviewed. A case of an ALR in chronic Monteggia injury using a modified Bell Tawse surgical technique with triceps tendon autograft is presented. Little data exist on chronic Monteggia injury in the adult population. The annular ligament has a critical role in radial head stability. Nonetheless, bony alignment of the ulna is confirmed to be the most relevant feature to address in chronic Monteggia fractures. ALR has been advocated to address radial head instability both combined with ulna osteotomy and as a single procedure, with several surgical techniques described and controversial results reported. A modified Bell Tawse surgical technique resulted to be effective in the presented case. ALR seems to be indicated in chronic Monteggia fractures with normal bony alignment, without conclusive evidence on a preferable surgical technique.

First case report of Toxoplasma gondii-induced abortions and stillbirths in sheep in Argentina.

The aim of this study is to report an episode of reproductive losses due to toxoplasmosis in a sheep flock in Argentina. A total of 15 abortions and 9 stillbirths were recorded in a flock of 190 Texel ewes. The affected ewes were more likely to be seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii (15/24) than ewes that delivered normal lambs (5/34, OR=9.6, 95%CI=2.7-34.0, p=0.0004). A pair of aborted twins was recovered for diagnostic investigation. One of these fetuses and its dam were seropositive for T. gondii. Histological examination of the two fetuses revealed non-suppurative myocarditis and epicarditis, portal hepatitis and multifocal necrotizing encephalitis with protozoal cysts in the brain. T. gondii was detected intralesionally by immunohistochemistry in one fetus and by PCR in both. Further investigations are necessary to evaluate the economic losses due to T. gondii in the Argentinean ovine industry.

Immunization with inactivated antigens of Neospora caninum induces toll-like receptors 3, 7, 8 and 9 in maternal-fetal interface of infected pregnant heifers.

Neospora caninum is an obligate parasite and a major cause of abortion in cattle. Pregnancy failures appear to be associated with weak innate defences on the maternal-fetal interface during infection with N. caninum. Herein, we studied the gene expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in pregnant heifers immunized with different vaccine formulations against N. caninum before mating and then challenged the heifers with live N. caninum on day 70 of gestation. TLR7 and TLR8 expression was upregulated in the placental caruncle of infected-pregnant heifers previously exposed to live N. caninum as immunogen. However, TLR7 and 8 expression in both placenta and caruncle as well as, TLR3 and 9 expression in caruncle were upregulated when heifers were previously immunized with inactivated soluble whole antigens and recombinant NcSAG1, NcHSP20 and NcGRA7 proteins. All dams were carrying viable fetuses when they were culled at day 104 of gestation. Upregulation of TLR7 and IFNγ expression was detected in fetal spleen when their mothers where previously vaccinated with soluble antigens and recombinant NcSAG1, NcHSP20 and NcGRA7 proteins. These studies demonstrate that soluble or recombinant NcSAG1, NcHSP20 and NcGRA7 antigens induce key TLRs expression at the maternal-fetal interface, probably triggering damaging inflammatory cellular immune responses associated with abortion. Previous infection with N. caninum seems to attenuate the innate immune response at the maternal-fetal interface, which could favour pregnancy maintenance and perpetuation of the disease. This finding represents novel information on how N. caninum vaccination and infection modulate TLRs expression at the placenta and fetal spleen, the possible role in the pregnancy outcomes and transplacental transmission of the protozoa.

Toll-like receptors 3, 7 and 8 are upregulated in the placental caruncle and fetal spleen of Neospora caninum experimentally infected cattle.

Innate immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface are key in the pathogenesis of Neospora caninum, an obligate parasite that causes abortion in cattle. Herein, we determined the gene expression of endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the placenta and fetuses from both non-infected pregnant heifers and pregnant heifers intravenously challenged with live tachyzoites of N. caninum on day 70 of gestation. On day 104 of pregnancy, mRNA expression of TLRs 3 and 8, as well as that of TLRs 7 and 9, was high in the spleen of fetuses from N. caninum-infected heifers. Gene expression levels of endosomal TLRs were also detectable in the placenta and the maternal caruncle from infected heifers, being TLRs 3, 7 and 8 particularly upregulated, mostly in the caruncle. Basal TLR levels were higher in fetal spleen than in placental tissues. This study provides novel information on how innate TLR responses are induced at the maternal-fetal interface of cattle in response to intracellular N. caninum.

Cell mediated immune responses in the placenta following challenge of vaccinated pregnant heifers with Neospora caninum.

The aim of the present study was to investigate and correlate the cell-mediated immune response and pathological changes at the maternal-fetal interface of Neospora-challenged pregnant cattle previously immunized with live and inactivated experimental vaccines. Pregnant heifers naïve to Neospora caninum were divided in 5 groups of 4 animals, each one immunized before mating: Group A heifers were intravenously (iv) immunized with 6.25 × 10(7) live tachyzoites of the NC-6 strain; group B heifers were immunized twice subcutaneously (sc) 3 weeks apart with native antigen extract of the NC-6 strain formulated with ISCOMs; group C heifers were sc immunized twice 3 weeks apart with three recombinant proteins (rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20, rNcGRA7) of the NC-1 strain formulated with ISCOMs; group D heifers were sc injected with sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and group E heifers received sc ISCOM-matrix (ISCOMs without antigen). All groups were iv-challenged with 4.7 × 10(7) NC-1 tachyzoites at 70 days of gestation. Heifers were culled at day 104 of gestation and placentomes were examined to evaluate lesions and local cellular immune responses using histopathology, immunohistochemistry and real time-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was performed using bovine leucocyte specific antibodies. Cytokine expression and levels (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and TNF-α) were measured using real-time reverse transcription-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Minimal inflammation was observed in group A placentomes; while placentomes from group B, C, D and E had moderate to severe infiltration with CD3(+), CD4(+), γδ-T cells, CD8(+) cells and macrophages being more numerous in groups B and E placentomes, when compared with groups C and D (P<0.001). Cytokine levels were significantly increased in the caruncles of animals of groups B and C in comparison with the other animal groups (P < 0.001). The results from this study showed that the strongest cellular immune responses were observed in the placentomes of animals that were immunized with inactivated vaccines (groups B and C) and in the placentomes of animals that were sc-sham-inoculated (groups D and E). On the other hand, animals that were immunized with live tachyzoites showed a milder immune cell infiltration to the placenta possibly due to the existence of a protective systemic maternal immune response that helped to minimize N. caninum infection at the maternal-fetal interface.

Resolution of a brainstem abscess through antituberculous therapy.

We describe an immunocompetent patient with a solitary brainstem abscess that responded to antituberculous therapy. Although prompt surgical therapy has been advocated, the possibility of medical resolution of brainstem tuberculous abscesses should be considered.

Life events, abnormal illness behavior, and appendectomy.

Few studies have examined the role of stress and emotional disturbance in appendectomy patients. This paper explores the life events and illness behavior in such patients, in whom histologic signs of acute phlogosis were usually absent. 25 female appendectomy patients were compared to 25 depressed and 25 normal subjects, matched for age, sex, marital status, and social class. Life events were examined by means of Paykel and Mangen's Interview for Recent Life Events. No significant differences between the appendectomy and the depressed patients were found. However, both groups displayed more loss, socially undesirable events, and uncontrollable events than the nonpatients. The illness behavior profile, as measured by Pilowsky and Spence's IBQ, revealed that the appendectomy patients were more convinced of being ill and had less emotional disturbance than the depressed patients. These findings suggest that the appendectomy may mediate a psychologic disturbance characterized by a negation of psychologic problems, a reduced expression of emotional disturbances, and displacement toward somatic symptoms.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus in a patient with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.

The Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare disorder characterized by a triad of port-wine stains, varicose veins, and bony or soft tissue hypertrophy of one extremity. Digestive bleeding is the most commonly observed gastrointestinal manifestation. In rare cases, the syndrome is associated with malignancies. We report the case of a 38-year-old woman with KTS and dysphagia caused by an oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Diagnostic utility of color Doppler ultrasound in lower limb deep vein thrombosis in patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary thromboembolism.

The diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism is frequently based on ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy and ascending lower limb venography when pulmonary angiography is not available. The aim of this study is to compare color Doppler ultrasound against ascending venography in the evaluation of the lower limb deep vein system in patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism, with special attention to calf veins. We prospectively studied 30 patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism in whom a color Doppler ultrasound and venogram were performed with no more than a 3-h interval between both procedures. The diagnostic criteria was that of loss of venous compressibility. The 'color' ability was used to identify artery from vein. Out of 15 patients in whom a venogram proved positive (50%), 9 had isolated calf vein thrombosis (60%). In 5 patients, the color Doppler ultrasound of the calf was considered inconclusive. Overall sensitivity was 53%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, and negative predictive value 68%. In the femoropopliteal system, sensitivity was 83% and specificity 100%. Considering all patients, sensitivity in the calf system was 40%. Excluding the 5 patients who were difficult to assess, sensitivity increased to 60%. In conclusion, color Doppler ultrasound is not as sensitive as venography in dealing with patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism, due to its low sensitivity in the calf system when distal thrombi need to be excluded. However, a reasonable alternative is to begin by performing a compression ultrasonography of the femoropopliteal system. Color Doppler ultrasonography of the calf system represents a rarely sensitive and arduous task and does not seem justifiable in this type of patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)