Enterocytozoon bieneusi in fecal samples from calves and cows in Austria.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an obligate intracellular pathogen that infects livestock, companion animals, and wildlife and has the potential to cause severe diarrhea especially in immunocompromised humans. In the underlying study, fecal samples from 177 calves with diarrhea and 174 adult cows originating from 70 and 18 farms, respectively, in Austria were examined for the presence of E. bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction targeting the Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1) region. All positive samples were further sequenced for genotype determination. Overall, sixteen of the 351 (4.6%) samples were positive for E. bieneusi, two of the 174 samples from cows (1.2%) and 14 of the 177 samples from calves (7.9%). In total, four genotypes, J (n = 2), I (n = 12), BEB4 (n = 3), and BEB8 (n = 1), were identified. The uncorrected p-distance between the four ITS1 lineages (344 bp) ranges from 0.3% to 2.9%. The lineages differ by 1 bp (I and J), 2 bp (J and BEB4), and 3 bp (I and BEB4), respectively, and BEB8 differs by 7 to 10 bp from the latter three lineages. Two of the E. bieneusi-positive calves showed an infection with two different genotypes. E. bieneusi occurred significantly more often in calves > 3 weeks (8/59) than in calves ≤ 3 weeks (6/118), respectively (p = 0.049). Calves with a known history of antimicrobial treatment (50 of 177 calves) shed E. bieneusi significantly more often than untreated calves (p = 0.012). There was no statistically significant difference in E. bieneusi shedding in calves with or without a medical history of antiparasitic treatment (p = 0.881). Calves showing a co-infection with Eimeria spp. shed E. bieneusi significantly more often than uninfected calves (p = 0.003). To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. bieneusi in cattle in Austria. Cattle should be considered as a reservoir for human infection since potentially zoonotic E. bieneusi genotypes were detected.

T-cell-lymphoma presented as a solitary subcutaneous mass in the ventral cervical region of an adult llama- diagnostic and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Neoplasm in South American camelids (SAC) are commonly described. The most frequently reported type of neoplasm are lymphomas and difference in the age suffering from lymphomas of and llamas is seen. This report describes a case of a solitary lymphoma in a 5 years and 9 month old llama mare displaying the approach of diagnostic imaging and successful surgical treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: The llama was referred to the clinic for dyspnoea and inspiratory abnormal respiratory sounds. The clinical examination comprised blood cell count, ultrasonographic and radiographic examinations, endoscopy and fine needle aspiration cytology of a mass detected in the mid cervical region. The mass was surgically removed. Histopathological examination of the surgically removed mass diagnosed a malignant T-cell- lymphoma. According to the results of the clinical, ultrasonographic and radiographic examinations no tumor invasion was apparent in distant organs and the llama was discharged from the clinic seven days after surgery. CONCLUSION: Lymphoma has been reported to be the most common neoplasia in camelids and are more often described in young alpacas and in adult llamas. To the author´s knowledge the case presented here is the first that described a broad panel of diagnostic tools including ultrasound, radiographs, endoscopy, fine needle aspiration cytology and histopathoogical examination as well as a successful surgical treatment of a solitary lymphoma in camelids.

High frequency of benzimidazole resistance alleles in trichostrongyloids from Austrian sheep flocks in an alpine transhumance management system.

BACKGROUND: Infections of small ruminants with trichostrongyloid nematodes often result in reduced productivity and may be detrimental to the host. Anthelmintic resistance (AR) against most anthelmintic drug classes is now widespread amongst the trichostrongyloids. Baseline establishment, followed by regular monitoring of the level of AR, is necessary for farmers and veterinarians to make informed decisions about parasite management. The detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is a sensitive method to detect AR against benzimidazoles (BZs), one of the most widely used anthelmintic classes. Alpine transhumance constitutes a special type of pasturing of sheep from many different farms, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of benzimidazole resistance alleles in this particular management system. RESULTS: Sixteen sheep flocks in Styria and Salzburg in Austria were examined by pyrosequencing for SNPs at codons 167, 198 and 200 of the isotype-1 ß-tubulin gene. The frequency of the resistance-associated exchange F200Y was 87-100% for H. contortus, 77-100% for T. colubriformis and <  5-66% for T. circumcincta. Additionally, the F167Y polymorphism was detected in T. colubriformis from two farms at a frequency of 19 and 23% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The high resistance allele frequency in H. contortus and T. colubriformis in the examined sheep population urgently calls for the development of new treatment strategies to sustainably control trichostrongyloid infections for this kind of pasturing, since the frequent mixing of flocks during the alpine summer grazing must be considered an important risk factor for the spread of resistant nematodes to a large number of farms.

Successful treatment of pemphigus foliaceus in a Berrichon du Cher ram with methylprednisolone acetate.

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus foliaceus is a severe, autoimmune blistering skin disease, which is described in humans and some animal species. In small ruminants pemphigus foliaceus has rarely been described and, to the best of the authors' knowledge, little information is available about successful treatment in sheep. AIM: This case report describes a Berrichon du Cher ram with the presumed diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus. METHODS: The ram was treated with methylprednisolone acetate 40 mg at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg in one subcuticular injection at four week intervals over a one year period, with regular observation of clinical parameters. Four months after treatment was initiated the haematological parameters showed lymphopenia and leukopenia; some enzyme activities were substantially increased. RESULTS: The ram's dermatological condition improved to the point of complete healing of the affected skin. The ram was discharged in good condition. No adverse effects, except an elevation of some enzymes associated with liver function, were observed. At postmortem examination moderate fatty liver syndrome was the only abnormality found. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This case report demonstrated that long term therapy with methylprednisolone acetate in a sheep with pemphigus foliaceus did not have a negative effect on clinical parameters. Nevertheless, due to the extended statutory withdrawal period resulting from the regular administration of glucocorticoids, such a therapeutic option must be critically assessed in food producing animals.

[Sole abscess (Pododermatitis purulenta superficialis) in a Bactrian camel - diagnosis, treatment, and healing process]. / Sohlenabszess (Pododermatitis purulenta superficialis) bei einem Trampeltier ­ Diagnostik, Therapie und Heilungsverlauf.

An approximately 14-year-old female Bactrian camel was referred to the University Clinic for Ruminants with left hindlimb lameness of two weeks duration. All findings of the general clinical examination were within normal limits. Orthopedic examination revealed a left supporting limb lameness score of 2 with moderate weight-shifting and reluctance to bear weight on the lateral toe at walk. The camel was sedated (0.24 mg/kg BW xylazine i.m.+1.92 mg/kg BW ketamine i.m., 0.04 mg/kg BW butorphanol) and rolled in lateral recumbency for further investigations. Sonographic examination of the cushion of the left hindlimb revealed an abscess of diameters of 11×2.3 cm impinging both digits between the sole horn and lateral and medial cushions. The abscess was opened under local infiltration anesthesia after a 5×5 cm incision at the central sole area, the abscess capsule removed with a sharp curette and the abscess cavity flushed. The wound was then bandaged. Postoperative treatment consisted of bandage changes every 5-7 days. For these procedures the camel was repeatedly sedated. At the first change the xylazine dosage was the same for surgery, and sequentially the dosage could be reduced (0.20 mg/kg BW i.m.), but finally increased for the last dressing changes (0.22 mg/kg BW i.m.). Ketamine dosages were also reduced slightly throughout the hospitalization period (1.51 mg/kg BW i.m.), enabling a reduction of the recovery period duration. After 6 weeks of regular bandage changes the wound had healed completely with a new horn layer and showing no lameness the camel could be discharged.

[Severe chronic osteomyelitis of the os ileum in an alpaca - Diagnostic and pathological findings]. / Hochgradige chronische Osteomyelitis des Darmbeines bei einem Alpaka.

A 5.5-year-old alpaca mare was referred to the University Clinic for Ruminants due to a lameness in the right hind limb. Six months prior to presentation, the mare had been treated with systemic antibiotics resulting in resolution of the initial lameness. At the time there had been no indication of an inciting trauma. Clinical examination revealed an approx. 2 × 2 cm large, fluctuating, neither excessively warm nor painful mass caudal to the right tuber coxae fixed to the underlying tissue. In addition, a moderate, mixed lameness with a predominant proportion of the swinging leg component was present in the right hind limb. Subsequently, sonographic examination of the right gluteal region was performed, revealing severe alterations of bone contour in the area of the right hip joint. Radiographic assessment of the pelvis was carried out for further clarification. Based on the clinical finding of a fistula in the right gluteal region as well as the results of the radiologic examination, a long-standing infected fracture of the right iliac bone accompanied by high-degree, irregularly calcified callus formation and low to moderate osteomyelitis in the fracture area was diagnosed. The patient was euthanized in consequence of the grave prognosis. Computed tomographic examination of the pelvis and the lumbar spine in the L3-L6 area was undertaken in order to further document the extent of the pathological changes. For final clarification, patho-histological examination as well as a microbiologic analysis of the abscess exudate were performed.The presented case shows the importance of clinical as well as orthopedic examinations, as the individual animal frequently only exhibits minimal clinical signs despite the presence of severe changes.

Mechanical Nociceptive Threshold, Tissue Alterations and Horn Growth in Calves after Injection of Isoeugenol or Clove Oil under the Horn Bud.

Disbudding of calves is a common, painful intervention. Due to cytotoxic and anesthetic properties, the injection of clove oil or its component isoeugenol may be less detrimental to animal welfare. We investigated mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT), possible tissue alterations and horn growth for up to 12 weeks after injection of 1.5 mL clove oil (CLOV), isoeugenol (ISO) or saline (CON) or after hot-iron disbudding (BURN; with local anesthesia and sedation, n = 10/treatment). MNT was measured using von Frey filaments and a pressure algometer at four locations around the horn bud. There was a treatment*time point interaction (linear mixed model, p < 0.05). MNT decreased most strongly and for the longest time for BURN in most calves at least for 3 weeks. For ISO, the decrease was less distinct and most calves' values returned to baseline after 1-2 weeks. MNT in CLOV was intermediate, with decreased values up to 3 weeks in some animals. 12 weeks after the treatment, horn growth was prevented in about 50% of the horns in CLOV and ISO. Tissue alterations such as swellings of the eyelids often occurred in CLOV, but less so in ISO. Our results suggest that injection of isoeugenol causes less pain and thus seems to be beneficial compared to hot-iron disbudding, while clove oil was not advantageous. Regarding the effectiveness of isoeugenol to prevent horn growth, more studies are needed.

[Limb amputation in 2 small ruminants]. / Gliedmaßenamputation bei 2 kleinen Wiederkäuern.

A 2-month-old goat and a 5-year-old sheep were referred to the clinic due to severe lameness. The goat had a 5-week-old infected comminuted, left metacarpal fracture with extended osteomyelitis of the distal metacarpal bones. The sheep presented with an open oblique fracture of the left tibia and a concurrent, perforating wound of the fetlock joint in the same hindlimb. In both cases, limb amputation was performed at the level of the shoulder joint and the proximal femur, respectively, under general anesthesia combined with blocks of the large proximal limb nerves. The surgical procedure was successful in both cases and the animals showed good postoperative mobility and quality of life. Limb amputations in small ruminants are rarely described, but may offer a valuable salvage procedure instead of euthanasia.

Nociceptive Threshold of Calves and Goat Kids Undergoing Injection of Clove Oil or Isoeugenol for Disbudding.

In this preliminary study, we compared changes in mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNT) of calves and goat kids injected with clove oil or isoeugenol under the horn bud as a potential, more welfare-friendly alternative to hot-iron disbudding. Twenty male calves and goat kids were randomly allocated to clove oil (n = 10 per species) or isoeugenol (n = 10 per species) injection under the horn buds. MNT was measured via a pressure algometer in calves and kids at several locations around the horn buds at several time points before and up to 24 h after injection. In kids, von Frey filaments were used additionally at the same time points. In calves, linear mixed models revealed an effect on MNT of time point (p = 0.010) and side (p = 0.007), but not of injection (p = 0.298), nor of the interaction 'injection*time point', MNT waslowest 9 h post-injection. In goats, there was an effect of injection depending on time point (interaction injection*time point, p = 0.03) with MNT being lowest 24 h post-injection for clove oil, while MNT was similar to pre-injection in isoeugenol. In both species, variation in the individual response post-injection was very high. Our results suggest that clove oil and isoeugenol induced hypersensitivity, which was higher for clove oil, in goat kids, but they also suggest a transient anaesthetic effect in some animals and locations.

Dermal fibrosarcoma in a Cashmere goat.

Fibrosarcomas are malignant tumors of the connective tissue, which are characterized by proliferation of fibroblasts. Most of these tumors are localized subcutaneously and cause different symptoms depending on their location. The case report describes a dermal tumor on the outside of the pinna in a 7-year-old female Cashmere goat. The tumor was surgically removed and histopathological examination revealed a low grade fibrosarcoma. Although tumors are rare in ruminants because of the animals' short lifespan (age of slaughtering in most cases < 24 months) in modern production processes, they should be considered as a differential diagnosis.