Evaluation of an alternative dosing regimen of a J-5 mastitis vaccine against intramammary Escherichia coli challenge in nonlactating late-gestation dairy cows.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of an alternative vaccination regimen of a J-5 bacterin against intramammary Escherichia coli challenge in nonlactating late-gestation dairy cows. The parameters analyzed to assess the effect of vaccination were milk yield, milk conductivity, somatic cell count, J-5-specific serum IgG titers, and clinical signs. Twenty multiparous Holstein cows from the Cornell teaching and research dairy herd were paired by days in milk and were randomly selected to receive either the alternative off-label regimen of commercial J-5 bacterin or act as nonvaccinated controls. Cows received a first dose of bacterin 15 d before dry off, a second dose with the same product at the day of dry off, and the third dose 2 wk after dry off. The cows in both groups were challenged 10 d before the expected calving date. Serum IgG (total, IgG1 and IgG2) levels were higher in vaccinates compared with control cows. Eighty-five percent of challenged quarters became infected between both groups of animals. Eight of the 10 vaccinated and 9 of the 10 control cows showed signs of clinical mastitis postfreshening. A non-severe clinical mastitis was observed 24 to 48 h postparturition, characterized by flakes or clots in milk and mild swelling or pain. Off-label vaccination did reduce the clinical severity of clinical mastitis in the vaccinated group of cows as evidenced by reduced California mastitis test score, fewer flakes and lower overall clinical mastitis score. No significant differences between vaccinated and control groups were detected for rectal temperature. In conclusion, the alternative off-label vaccination scheme used in our study and evaluated in a novel E. coli challenge model did not prevent new intramammary infections but reduced clinical severity of experimentally induced E. coli mastitis.

Quantitative susceptibility of Streptococcus suis strains isolated from diseased pigs in seven European countries to antimicrobial agents licensed in veterinary medicine.

The susceptibility of Streptococcus suis strains (n=384) isolated from diseased pigs in seven European countries to 10 antimicrobial agents was determined. For that purpose a microbroth dilution method was used according to CLSI recommendations. The following antimicrobial agents were tested: ceftiofur, cefquinome, enrofloxacin, florfenicol, gentamicin, penicillin, spectinomycin, tetracycline, tilmicosin and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole. Using breakpoints established by CLSI for veterinary pathogens, all strains were susceptible to ceftiofur, florfenicol, enrofloxacin and penicillin. MIC-90 values of these antibiotics were < or = 0.03, 0.5, 2 and < or = 0.13 microg/mL, respectively. A low degree of resistance was observed for gentamicin (1.3%), spectinomycin (3.6%) and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (6.0%). MIC-90 values of these antibiotics were 8, 16 and 2 microg/mL, respectively. A high level of resistance was observed for tetracycline (75.1%). A MIC-90 value of 64 microg/mL was found for this antibiotic. Serotype-associated differences in MIC-90 values were observed for tetracycline, tilmicosin and trimethoprim/suphamethoxazole.

In vitro activities of spectinomycin and comparator agents against Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica from respiratory tract infections of cattle.

OBJECTIVES: Prior to the renewal of spectinomycin licensing for veterinary uses in Germany, 154 Pasteurella multocida and 148 Mannheimia haemolytica strains from respiratory tract infections in cattle were investigated for their MICs of spectinomycin and other antimicrobial agents. The data obtained should serve as a baseline from which to judge the future development of resistance. Moreover, the in vitro activity of spectinomycin in comparison with other antimicrobials should be assessed. METHODS: MIC determination for all 302 strains was performed by the broth dilution method and evaluated according to NCCLS standards. MIC(50) and MIC(90) values were calculated. Strains resistant to spectinomycin were subjected to PCR assays for genes known to mediate spectinomycin resistance in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. RESULTS: With the exception of resistance to sulfamethoxazole in P. multocida and M. haemolytica, and resistance to ampicillin in M. haemolytica, an overall low level of resistance was detected. A total of 93.5% of the P. multocida and 98.6% of the M. haemolytica strains were susceptible to spectinomycin, with MIC(90)s of 32 mg/L. PCR analysis showed that none of the spectinomycin-resistant strains carried any of the aadA gene subtypes, nor the genes spc or aad(9). CONCLUSIONS: Prior to the renewal of spectinomycin, only a small number of spectinomycin-resistant strains was detected among bovine P. multocida and M. haemolytica. The genes responsible for spectinomycin resistance in these strains seemed to be different from those so far known to occur in other Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.