Epidemiologic study on Besnoitia besnoiti infection in dairy herds in Jordan.

Besnoitia besnoiti is an apicomplexan parasite and the causative agent of bovine besnoitiosis which is considered as a re-emergent disease in Europe. A cross-sectional serological study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and to identify risk factors associated with B. besnoiti infection in 68 dairy herds (n = 806 cows) in Jordan during the period from January to June 2007 and the spring of 2014. Data regarding herd's management was obtained by filling questionnaires through personal interviews with farmers. An indirect ELISA test was used to detect antibodies against B. besnoiti. Chi-square analysis and multivariable logistic regression model were used to identify risk factors associated with seropositivity to B. besnoiti. At the individual cow and herd level, the true prevalence of seropositive animals was 6 and 28.7 %, respectively. Cows between 2 and 6 years of age had significantly higher seroprevalence of B. besnoiti than other age groups. The highest seroprevalence of B. besnoiti was found in Zarqa and Irbid governorates. Multivariable logistic regression model identified that exchanging visits by farm workers to neighboring farms as a risk factor for seropositivity to B. besnoiti, while smaller herd size and twice a day farm cleaning using sweeping and water hosing were identified as protective factors. This is the first study that investigated the seroprevalence of B. besnoiti infection in dairy herds in Jordan. Further studies are warranted to explore the clinical manifestation of B. besnoiti infection as well as to identify the possible presence of other Besnoitia species and definitive hosts for the parasite.

Seroprevalence and Potential Risk Factors Associated with Neospora spp. Infection among Asymptomatic Horses in Jordan.

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and to identify risk factors associated with Neospora spp. infection in horses in Jordan. Management related data were collected from each farm and individual horses. Sera from 227 horses from 5 of 6 climatic regions in Jordan were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to Neospora spp. by ELISA kit. The study was performed during spring of 2010. The association between seropositivity and risk factors was analyzed. A total of 7 (3%) of 227 sera had antibodies for Neospora spp. There was a significant regional difference (P=0.018) between the 5 climatic regions. Positive cases were located in Amman and Irbid, while the other regions (Zarqa, Jordan Valley, and Wadi Mousa) had zero prevalence. The use of anthelmintics at least once a year resulted in a significant reduction of the seroprevalence to Neospora spp. (1.6% vs 9.8%). However, this might be a phenomenon by chance and a better hygiene since owners can invest in anthelmintics. Other risk factors such as age, gender, breed, usage, body condition score, grazing, presence of other animals mixed with the horses in the same property, and a history of previous diseases were not significantly associated with the seroprevalence to Neospora spp. infection. This is the first study to report on the presence of Neospora seropositive horses in Jordan. Further studies are warranted to better understand the role of certain risk factors in the transmission of Neospora spp. among horse population and to determine which Neospora spp. are responsible for the infection.

Development and piloting of One Health curriculum in Jordan.

Background: In Jordan, several steps have been done to implement One Health (OH) approach. To increase the awareness for OH concept and approach among health professionals, there was an apparent need to develop an OH curriculum or package to orientate human, animal, and environmental health officials and professionals. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the development and piloting of a OH curriculum for human, animal, and environmental officials and professionals in Jordan. Methods: OH curriculum was developed and consisted of four chapters/sections, each of which contained series of power point presentations that covered subject thoroughly and met the learning objectives for each section. Four day workshops on OH curriculum were done for four cohorts of participants from different OH partners. Each section started and ended with a quick knowledge assessment consisting of multiple choice questions (MCQs) (pre- and post-chapter). Comparison of the pre- and post-chapter knowledge assessment scores/results were used to assess gain of knowledge after each section of OH curriculum was completed. The scores of correct answers were compared within the different cohorts using Pearson's chi-square test with p-values ≤0.05 considered significant. Results: Of the total attendance, pre- and post- training quizzes were scored for 102 participants (816 quizzes). Pre-training scores for the different cohorts ranged from 29% to 36%, while post-training scores for the different cohorts ranged from 80% to 87%. Post-training correct answers scores were significantly higher than those were for pre-training scores for the different cohorts (p < 0.05). Percentage of knowledge gain ranged from 41% to 62% for the first section, 34% to 47% for the second section, 41% to 55% for the second section, and 48% to 60% for the fourth section. Average percentage of knowledge gain for the first, second, third, and fourth cohorts were 51%, 53%, 47%, and 47%, respectively, and was 50% for all cohorts. Conclusion: The developed OH curriculum improved different OH partners and officials understanding of the OH concept and approach.

Comparison of enrofloxacin and ceftiofur sodium for the treatment of relapse of undifferentiated fever/bovine respiratory disease in feedlot cattle.

This commercial field trial compared the efficacy of enrofloxacin and ceftiofur sodium in beef cattle at high risk of developing undifferentiated fever (UF), also known as bovine respiratory disease (BRD) that received tilmicosin at feedlot arrival, were diagnosed and initially treated for UF with tilmicosin, and subsequently required a second UF treatment (first relapse). Feedlot cattle (n = 463) were randomly assigned to 2 experimental groups: ENRO or CEF. Second UF relapse, 3rd UF relapse, overall case fatality and BRD case fatality rates were lower in the ENRO group than in the CEF group (P < 0.05). There were no differences in average daily gain (allocation to re-implant date), chronicity, histophilosis case fatality or miscellaneous case fatality rates between the groups (P ≥ 0.05). A per-animal economic advantage of Can$57.08 was calculated for the ENRO group versus the CEF group. In feedlot cattle in western Canada at high risk of developing UF, it was more cost effective to administer enrofloxacin than ceftiofur sodium for treatment of UF relapse.

Implementation of One Health approach in Jordan: Review and mapping of ministerial mechanisms of zoonotic disease reporting and control, and inter-sectoral collaboration.

Background: Mapping across relevant sectors builds an understanding of a successful multi-sectoral One Health approach. This requires a review and understanding of existing national infrastructure, capacity, resources, and existing mechanisms for collaboration across sectors for addressing zoonotic diseases. The objective of this study is to review and map the existing structures of ministry of health and ministry of agriculture in relation to zoonotic diseases reporting and control, and inter-sectoral collaboration in Jordan. Methods: Jordanian ministerial infrastructures, mechanisms, legislation, responsibilities, programs, and activities related to zoonotic disease detection and reporting were reviewed. Publicly available information of national government agencies drawn from annual reports, official websites, program guidelines, advisories, minutes of meetings, and inter-ministerial communications were also reviewed. In addition, personal interviews with official, subject matter experts, and technical representatives of ministries of health and agriculture were conducted to gather, clarify, and verify data. Results: Although the current infrastructure of both Ministries is organized and well established, several gaps and challenges were identified. The regulations to judge and manage zoonotic disease notification and reporting need to be revised to become thorough and systematic between the two ministries. In addition, inter-ministerial zoonotic diseases reporting and notification between the two ministries is inconsistent, which may prevent reporting zoonotic disease in timely manner. The current reporting and surveillance system is closer to an indicator- based surveillance system which limits the ability to investigate and report new emerging zoonotic diseases. The capability to diagnose zoonotic diseases is not always present, and diagnostic tests used to confirm zoonotic diseases are not readily available or done for all diseases. Conclusions: Development of information sharing agreement between ministries, regulations and band y laws that organize and manage zoonotic disease notification and reporting in Jordan is needed. It is essential to review and modify the current reporting and surveillance systems at the two ministries to allow reporting new emerging zoonotic diseases. Capacity building in terms of zoonotic disease diagnosis remains vital for a One Health approach implementation in Jordan.

Implementation of one health approach in Jordan: Joint risk assessment of rabies and avian influenza utilizing the tripartite operational tool.

Background Health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface vary and include zoonotic and food-borne diseases as well as antimicrobial resistance. These are serious threats to animal and public health, and account for the majority of emerging and re-emerging conditions or infectious diseases. Reducing zoonotic disease threats requires an understanding of where and why risks exist. To support countries in building multi-sectoral mechanisms to jointly assess the risks at the human-animal-environment interface, a new operational tool is available to complement the existing tripartite guide to addressing zoonotic diseases in countries. The aim of this study is to conduct joint risk assessment (JRA) of rabies and avian influenza in Jordan utilizing the tripartite Joint Risk Assessment Operational Tool (JRA OT). Methods Representatives of sectors that are involved in zoonotic diseases outbreak investigation, control, surveillance and risk assessment, were trained on JRA OT. The operational tool of tripartite guide to addressing zoonotic diseases in countries that was developed by WHO (World Health Organization), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and WOAH (World Organization for Animal Health) was utilized to conduct risk assessment for rabies and H5N1 avian influenza in Jordan. Results The risk assessment outcome for rabies were as follows: Likelihood is high; impact is moderate with moderate level of uncertainty. The impact of the disease is moderate because the virus transmitted only by animal bite in Jordan. The level of uncertainty is moderate due to existence of some gaps in data available from the ministries regarding the surveillance and collection areas of wild animals with feral dogs. The risk assessment outcome for H5N1 AI indicated a low likelihood estimate with moderate uncertainty level. The impact estimate for H5N1 AI in Jordan is moderate with a low level of uncertainty. Conclusions The tripartite JRA OT provides a helpful and easy to follow guide to bring together expertise and information from all relevant sectors to jointly assess risks from zoonotic diseases and contributes to the understanding and management of shared threats at the human-animal-environment interface.

Esophageal laceration and obstruction caused by a foreign body in 2 young foals.

This report describes 2 foals with esophageal laceration due to ingestion of foreign bodies. Endoscopic examination of the esophagus revealed full thickness esophageal laceration in 1 colt and partial thickness laceration of the esophagus in the other. The esophageal obstruction was relieved by repetitive esophageal lavages and flush under general anesthesia in both foals.

Longitudinal and abattoir-based surveillance of MERS-CoV in camels in Jordan, 2018-2020.

To generate baseline information to help better understand the antibody kinetics and nasal shedding dynamics of MERS-CoV in camels in Jordan, a longitudinal surveillance study was conducted in two phases; phase 1 was between December, 2018 and January, 2019 and phase 2 between August and December 2020. In each phase, two camel herds were studied. These herds were located in Al-azraq and in Al-ramtha area and were named Al-azraq and Al-ramtha herds, respectively. The same camel herd of Al-zarqa area was sampled in both phases while two different camel herds, one in each phase, were sampled in Al-ramtha area. Blood and nasal swabs were collected from same selected animals in all visits to each herd in both phases. Additionally, nasal swabs and retropharyngeal lymph node tissue samples were collected from sixty-one camels slaughtered at Al-ramtha abattoir during phase 2 to enhance virus isolation opportunities and phylogenetic analysis. All sampled animals from Al-azraq camel herd were either borderline or seropositive on spike 1 based ELISA assay and negative on quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in both phases. In Al-ramtha camel herds, an unsteady pattern prevailed in animals' seropositivity in both phases and viral RNA was detected in all animals in the end of phase 1 and in one animal during phase 2. For the seroconversion, anti-MERS-CoV spike 1 antibodies were detected in two animals in phase 1 in the first collection only. While, in phase 2, intermittent seroconversion pattern was observed in several samples over time of collections that ended with all animals became seropositive in the last collection (after nineteen days from viral RNA detection). In addition, viral RNA was detected in nasal swabs of 3 slaughtered camels. Phylogenetic analysis of a partial fragment of spike 1 gene sequences of all MERS-CoV isolates clustered together with clade B of MERS-CoV. This cluster contains all MERS-CoV sequences obtained either from camels or human sources in the Arabian Peninsula indicating the continuous circulation of this clade also in Jordan.

Molecular characterization of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes of Escherichia coli isolates from bovine mastitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Mastitis is a common and economically important disease in dairy cattle. It remains one of the most common reasons for the extensive use of antimicrobials in dairy farms leading to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolates from bovine mastitis and to identify prominent antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes among isolated strains. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against six antibiotic groups, including tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, macrolides, sulfonamides, and fluoroquinolones was performed using the disk diffusion method. PCR was performed on resistant isolates to detect resistance and virulence genes using commercially available primers. RESULTS: Out of 216 milk samples cultured, 14 samples yielded E. coli isolates. All isolates (100%) were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin, procaine penicillin, streptomycin, oxytetracycline, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Only one isolate (7%) was sensitive to gentamicin, and all isolates (100%) were sensitive to enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. All isolates carried at least one resistance gene against one or more of the major antibiotic groups. All isolates carried the ereA, tetG, tetE, and tetB genes, followed by tetA (93%), ampC (86%), strA (86%), sul1 (78%), tetD (71%), tetC (57%), aadA (57%), and strB (36%). The lowest percentage of isolates carried bla1 (17%) and bla2 (12%) genes, and none of the isolates carried the qnrA gene. Most of the isolates (93%) carried the Shiga toxin 1 virulence gene, followed by complement resistance protein (79%), intimin (64%), Shiga toxin 2 (36%), cytotoxic necrotizing factor (35%), aerotaxis receptor (21%), and type 1 fimbriae (15%). CONCLUSION: Results of this study indicate that the high percentages of E. coli isolate from bovine mastitis are resistant to two or more of the major antibiotic groups, irrespective of the presence or absence of relevant resistance or virulence genes.

Using Artificial Intelligence to Predict Survivability Likelihood and Need for Surgery in Horses Presented With Acute Abdomen (Colic).

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have promising applications in several medical fields of diagnosis, imaging, and laboratory testing procedures. However, the use of this technology in the veterinary medicine field is lagging behind, and there are many areas where it could be used with potentially successful outcomes and results. In this study, two critical predictions were explored in horses presented with acute abdomen (colic) using this technology. Those were the need for surgical intervention and survivability likelihood of affected horses based on clinical data (history, clinical examination findings, and diagnostic procedures). The two prediction parameters were explored using the application of Decision Trees, Multilayer Perceptron, Bayes Network, and Naïve Bayes. The machine learning algorithms were able to predict the need for surgery and survivability likelihood of horses presented with acute abdomen (colic) with 76% and 85% accuracy, respectively. The application of this technology in the different clinical fields of veterinary medicine appears to be of a value and warrants further investigation and testing.

Identification of risk factors associated with antimicrobial resistance in equine fecal Escherichia coli isolates.

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global problem that will need a multinational collaborative effort to overcome this serious challenge. The aim of the study is to investigate the potential risk factors associated with the prevalence and distribution of antimicrobial-resistance genes (ARGs) of Escherichia coli isolates obtained from equine fecal samples. One hundred and eighteen horses from different geographical locations and management systems were enrolled in the study and a questionnaire containing information about each individual horse was designed and filled. The enrolled horses belonged to 2 main categories (Hospitalized horses (n = 31), and Non hospitalized horses (n = 87)). In total, 103 E. coli isolates were collected from the 118 horse fecal samples. Genes that are responsible for resistance to ß-lactams, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, and trimethoprim were detected using uniplex and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was significantly higher in hospitalized horses compared to non-hospitalized ones (p ≤ .05), particularly against (trimethoprim, doxycycline, oxytetracycline, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid). The most prevalent antimicrobial-resistant genes were aminoglycoside resistant genes (strA, strB, and aadA) in percentages; 89%, 85%, and 84%, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between risk factors and occurrence of ARGs (p ≤ .05). Significant risk factors include the last treatment and history of antimicrobial administration, breed of horses, use of horses, type of diet fed for horses, practice management and history of last illness. Tetracycline-resistance gene (tetA) was 23 times more likely to be found in the Arabian and local breeds of horses compared to English and warmblood breed. TetA is also 8 times more likely to be found in horses that were fed a natural diet compared to other horses that were fed manufactured/ processed feed. In conclusion, E. coli bacterium can harbor high resistance to different classes of antimicrobials which increases the risk of potential uncontrolled transmission of the multi-drug resistant E. coli bacterium to veterinarians and horse handlers, as well as to the equine population itself.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Leptospira serovar Pomona and Leptospira serovar Hardjo infection in dairy cows in Jordan.

INTRODUCTION: This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Leptospira serovars Pomona and Hardjo infection in dairy cows. METHODOLOGY: Seroprevalence was determined using ELISA using 160 healthy and 80 recently aborted cows. Risk factor assessment was carried out using a pre-validated questionnaire. RESULTS: The true farm seroprevalence of Leptospira serovars Pomona and Hardjo was 92.3% (95% CI: 66%-98%). In healthy cows, the true and apparent cow seroprevalence of Leptospira serovars Pomona and Hardjo were 26.9 (95% CI: 20-34%), 26.25% (95% CI: 20-33%) and 28.75% (95% CI: 22-36%) and 27.5% (95% CI: 21-35%), respectively. Semi-intensive management system (OR = 11.43; P < 0.01), surface water as a source of drinking water (OR = 1.21; P < 0.03), lack of special wear for visitors (OR = 1.39; P < 0.05), and previous history of abortion (OR = 1.02; P < 0.05) were associated with high rate of seropositivity against Leptospira serovars Pomona and Hardjo. In recently aborted cows, the true and apparent seroprevalence rates of Leptospira serovars Pomona and Hardjo were 53.25% (95% CI: 47.5-62%), 53.75% (95% CI: 48.5-63.2%) and 56% (95% CI: 49-61%), 56.25% (95% CI: 49.8-61.2%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Leptospirosis is an endemic disease in Jordan and further studies are required to effectively control the disease in dairy cows.

Evaluation of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of melengestrol acetate in feedlot heifer calves in western Canada.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative efficacy and cost-effectiveness of feeding melengestrol acetate (MGA) to feedlot heifer calves in western Canada. Heifers fed MGA had significantly (P less than .05) improved average daily gain, feed conversion, and carcass quality grade and lower rates of initial undifferentiated fever treatment and bovine respiratory disease mortality. However, heifers fed MGA had less desirable (P less than .05) carcass yield grade. There was a net economic advantage of Can $11.31/animal in favor of heifers fed MGA. Based on these results, it is efficacious and cost-effective to feed MGA to heifer calves raised in standard large-pen commercial feedlots in western Canada.

A comparison of florfenicol and tulathromycine for the treatment of undifferentiated fever in feedlot calves.

The purpose of this study was to compare the relative cost-effectiveness of florfenicol with that of tulathromycin for treatment of undifferentiated fever (UF) in feedlot calves at ultra-high risk of developing UF that receive metaphylactic tulathromycin on arrival at the feedlot. Calves that received therapeutic florfenicol had lower overall mortality (P=.045) and bovine respiratory disease mortality (P=.050) compared with calves that received therapeutic tulathromycin, but no significant differences were detected in feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, or other animal health variables. There was a net advantage of Can$41.19/treated animal in the florfenicol group versus the tulathromycin group. This study demonstrates that it is more cost-effective to use florfenicol than tulathromycin for the initial treatment of UF in feedlot calves at ultra-high risk of developing UF that receive on-arrival metaphylactic tulathromycin.

A comparison of 2 vaccination programs in feedlot calves at ultra-high risk of developing undifferentiated fever/bovine respiratory disease.

The aim of this study was to compare 2 vaccination programs in feedlot calves at ultra-high risk of developing undifferentiated fever (UF)/bovine respiratory disease (BRD). At feedlot arrival, 3882 calves were enrolled in the study and randomly allocated to 2 groups, which were housed by group in 12 pens. At the time of allocation, 1 group (MLV3-BT2) received a multivalent, modified-live viral vaccine containing infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) and types I and II bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), as well as a Mannheimia haemolytica (MH) and Pasteurella multocida bacterin-toxoid. The other group (MLV4-BT1) received a vaccine containing IIBRV, type I BVDV, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza-3 virus, as well as a MH bacterin-toxoid. At an average of 69 days post arrival, the groups received their respective viral vaccines. The initial UF treatment, overall chronicity, overall wastage, overall mortality, and BRD mortality rates were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the MLV3-BT2 group than in the MLV4-BT1 group. Average daily gain and the proportions of yield grade Canada 3 and quality grade E carcasses were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the MLV3-BT2 group than in the MLV4-BT1 group. No significant (P > or = 0.05) difference in the dry matter intake to gain ratio was detected between the 2 groups. In economic terms, there was a net advantage of $20.86 CDN/animal in the MLV3-BT2 group. This study demonstrates that it is more cost effective to use an MLV3-BT2 vaccination program than a MLV4-BT1 vaccination program in feedlot calves at ultra-high risk of developing UF/BRD.

The effect of bovine viral diarrhea virus infections on health and performance of feedlot cattle.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections (unapparent acute infections and persistent infections) on the overall health and performance of feedlot cattle. Calves from 25 pens (7132 calves) were enrolled in the study. Overall and infectious disease mortality rates were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in pens categorized at arrival as positive for type I BVDV and lower in pens that were positive for type II BVDV than in negative pens. Mortality attributed to BVDV infection or enteritis was significantly more common (P < 0.05) in the pens containing persistently infected (PI) calves than in pens not containing PI calves (non-PI pens). There were no statistically detectable (P > or = 0.05) differences in morbidity, overall mortality, average daily gain, or the dry matter intake to gain ratio between PI and non-PI pens. Although type-I BVDV infections in feedlots appear to contribute to higher mortality rates, the presence of PI calves alone does not appear to have a strong impact on pen-level animal health and feedlot performance.

Microbiological and histopathological findings in cases of fatal bovine respiratory disease of feedlot cattle in Western Canada.

The aim of this study was to describe the microbiologic agents and pathologic processes in fatal bovine respiratory disease (BRD) of feedlot cattle and to investigate associations between agents and pathologic processes. Ninety feedlot calves diagnosed at necropsy with BRD and 9 control calves without BRD were examined, using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and histopathologic studies. Mannheimia haemolytica (MH) (peracute, acute, and subacute cases) and Mycoplasma bovis (MB) (subacute, bronchiolar, and chronic cases) were the most common agents identified in fatal BRD cases. Significant associations (P < 0.10) were detected between microbiologic agents and between agents and pathologic processes. When IHC staining was used, 25/26 (96%) of animals that were positive for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) were also positive for MH; 12/15 (80 %) of animals that were positive for Histophilus somni (HS) were also positive for MB; and all of the animals that were positive for HS were negative for MH and BVDV. This quantitative pathological study demonstrates that several etiologic agents and pathologic processes are involved in fatal BRD of feedlot cattle.

Serological and clinical evaluation of the Yugoslavian RM65 sheep pox strain vaccine use in cattle against lumpy skin disease.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging infectious disease of cattle. Since 2012, it has been seen throughout the Middle East region. The aim of this study was to compare the humoral response of three different dosages of the RM65 sheep pox (SPP) vaccine to assess the use of ten times sheep dose of the RM65 vaccine against lumpy skin disease, and to explore the possible causes of, and characterize the side effects caused by the RM65 vaccine. A blinded randomized collected study comprised 57 clinically normal, Holstein Friesian cattle which were randomly assigned into three experimental groups of 17 cattle according to the vaccine dose used (one, five and ten times the dose used for sheep in the field, and a control group of six cattle that did not receive the vaccine. Experimental animals were monitored closely for the development of any abnormality or side effects. Serum samples were collected for 6 weeks and were tested using serum neutralization assay. Decrease in total milk production was observed a week after vaccination and by the fifth week of the experiment, it had returned to prevaccination levels. Clinical side effects were seen in five animals that belong only to the group that received ten times of the SPP vaccine dose. Observed side effects included fever, decreased feed intake and milk production, as well as skin lesions. Skin nodules appeared between 7 and 17 days postvaccination, and remained for 11-17 days. Systemic reactions were likely to be associated with higher dosage and all affected cattle recovered uneventfully. Animals that received the highest dose (ten times the sheep dose) showed the best humoral response. The actual efficacy of the different concentration of the SPP RM65 should be evaluated based on a challenge experiment in a controlled environment.

Mycoplasma bovis arthritis and pneumonia in calves in Jordan: An emerging disease.

AIM: Clinical, microbiological, molecular, and pathological assays were undertaken to characterize an outbreak of increasingly reported signs of unresponsive arthritis and pneumonia of Mycoplasma bovis infection in young calves in Jordan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical history of the affected bovine herd was investigated for the presence of respiratory and/or joint problems. Two calves with such history were clinically examined and necropsied. Representative tissues were sent for microbiological, molecular, and pathological examinations for M. bovis infection. RESULTS: The outbreak started in a herd of 220 nursing calves, 2 months before the receiving of two calves for postmortem examination. Clinically, respiratory signs and infection of one or more joints dominated in the affected calves. The morbidity and case fatality rates were 27.27% and 61.7%, respectively. The left carpal joint was markedly swollen in both calves and exhibited necrofibrinous to granulomatous arthritis in varying degrees of severity. The anteroventral lung lobes in both calves were consistently affected and revealed multifocal to coalescing severe necrogranulomatous and fibrinopurulent bronchopneumonia. Microbiological and molecular findings confirmed the pathological examination. Furthermore, bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) was diagnosed in one calf by histopathology and polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSION: This investigation reports the first outbreak of M. bovis infection in calves located in Jordan that could occur concurrently with BVD.

Evaluation of the efficacy of tulathromycin as a metaphylactic antimicrobial in feedlot calves.

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of tulathromycin (DRAX) versus tilmicosin (MIC) or oxytetracycline (TET) as a metaphylactic antimicrobial in feedlot calves. Calves that received DRAX had significantly (P<.05) lower initial undifferentiated fever (UF) treatment and relapse rates; lower overall chronicity, overall mortality, and cause-specific mortality rates; higher average daily gains; and improved quality grades. However, calves that received DRAX also had poorer (P<.05) yield grades compared with calves that received MIC or TET and worse feed conversion compared with calves that received MIC. Net advantages in the DRAX group were 3.79CanDollars/animal and 16.96CanDollars/animal compared with the MIC and TET groups, respectively. Based on these results, DRAX is a more efficacious and cost-effective metaphylactic antimicrobial than MIC or TET in feedlot calves at ultra-high risk of developing UF. In addition, this study presents a comparison between two methods ("deads out" and "deads in") of calculating feedlot performance variables.