Farm-level risk factors for digital dermatitis in dairy cows in mountainous regions.

Reduction of risk factors for bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) is crucial in current disease control. However, risk factors that might arise especially in mountainous regions are unknown until now, and an adapted BDD control program is consequently missing. The objective of this observational case-control study was to identify farm-level risk factors for BDD in dairy herds in mountainous regions. To investigate predictors for the occurrence of BDD, 100 farms were visited and information about herd characteristics and management practices, potentially relevant explanatory variables for either introduction or establishment of BDD, were gathered by completing a questionnaire with the farmer or herd manager. Within-herd prevalences of BDD assessed during 3 routine claw trimmings with an interval of 6 mo before the survey were used to define cases (BDD within-herd prevalence of ≥26% during each claw trimming) and controls (no BDD cases in each of the 3 routine claw trimmings before the survey). Data were analyzed using 2 separate binomial generalized linear models according to either establishment or introduction of BDD. After prescreening, 15 of 23 explanatory variables were included in the final analysis, which showed 3 variables related to introduction and establishment, each being significantly associated with the occurrence of BDD within a farm. Results of model 1 (i.e., aspects related to BDD introduction) revealed that access to mountain pastures during the summer season (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 0.12, 0.04-0.35), participation in dairy shows (0.32, 0.11-0.94), and the number of new animals introduced into the farm during the last 2 yr (1.28, 1.12-1.52) were significantly associated with the occurrence of BDD. Model 2 (i.e., aspects related to BDD establishment) showed that cows kept in freestalls were at higher risk for BDD compared with those kept in tiestalls (20.65, 1.59-649.37). Furthermore, number of days between diagnosis and treatment of a BDD lesion (10.31, 3.55-81.21) and the amount of concentrate feeding (median 5 kg) per cow and day (7.72, 2.46-6.47) were positively associated with BDD occurrence. In conclusion, the findings of this study provide a set of risk factors that are associated with BDD status within herds in mountainous regions. These results may help in development of adapted control programs for BDD in dairy cows.

Associations of antimicrobial use with antimicrobial susceptibility at the calf level in bacteria isolated from the respiratory and digestive tracts of veal calves before slaughter.

OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial drugs are frequently administered in veal calves, but investigations on associations with antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria are scarce and convey partly contradictory findings. The aim of this study was to investigate associations of antimicrobial use (AMU) during the fattening period with antimicrobial susceptibility shortly before slaughter. METHODS: Detailed treatment data of 1905 veal calves from 38 farms were collected prospectively during monthly farm visits for 1 year (n = 1864 treatments, n = 535 visits); 1582 Escherichia coli, 1059 Pasteurella multocida and 315 Mannheimia haemolytica were isolated from rectal and nasopharyngeal swabs collected before slaughter and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing by microdilution. Associations of antimicrobial treatments with resistant isolates were investigated at the calf level. RESULTS: Associations of AMU with antimicrobial resistance were observed using generalized linear models. For E. coli, the odds of being resistant were increased with increased AMU (OR 1.36 when number of treatments >1, P = 0.066). Use of tetracyclines was associated with resistance to tetracycline (OR 1.86, P < 0.001) and use of penicillins was associated with resistance to ampicillin (OR 1.66, P = 0.014). No significant associations were observed for P. multocida (use of aminoglycosides: OR 3.66 for resistance to spectinomycin, P = 0.074). For M. haemolytica, the odds of being resistant were increased with increased AMU (OR 4.63, P < 0.001), and use of tetracyclines was associated with resistance to tetracycline (OR 6.49, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Occurrence of resistant bacteria shortly before slaughter was associated with AMU in veal calves. Prudent and appropriate use may contribute to limit the selection of resistant bacteria on veal farms.

Survey on the disposal of waste milk containing antimicrobial residues on Swiss dairy farms.

Feeding waste milk containing antimicrobial residues (WMA) to calves has been associated with increased antimicrobial resistance in calves' commensal bacterial flora. The objectives of this study were (1) to document practices related to the disposal of WMA on Swiss dairy farms and (2) to evaluate the association between farm characteristics and the feeding of WMA to calves. A web-based questionnaire on practices surrounding waste milk disposal was completed by 1,625 dairy producers (10.9% of solicited producers). Logistic regression models were built to evaluate the association between herd characteristics and the practice of feeding WMA. Waste milk produced during and up to the first milking after completion of antimicrobial treatment or during the withdrawal period was fed to at least some of the calves on 47.3% of respondents' farms. Farms in organic production had lower odds of feeding WMA to calves than nonorganic farms [odds ratio (OR) 0.59]. Farms located in the eastern region of Switzerland, as opposed to those in the western region, had increased odds of feeding WMA to calves (OR 2.01). A yearly average bulk tank somatic cell count ≥150,000 cells/mL was associated with increased odds of feeding WMA to calves compared with the reference category of <100,000 cells/mL (OR 1.62). An average cow-level annual milk production ≥8,500 L was associated with increased odds of feeding WMA to calves compared with farms in the interquartile range with a production of 6,500 to 8,499 L (OR 1.24). Further research is warranted to investigate dairy farmers' motivations affecting this practice, and to quantitatively define calves' exposure to antimicrobial residues and the resulting antimicrobial resistance in calves' commensal flora on these farms.

Component-resolved microarray analysis of IgE sensitization profiles to Culicoides recombinant allergens in horses with insect bite hypersensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Allergy to bites of blood-sucking insects, including biting midges, can affect both human and veterinary patients. Horses are often suffering from an IgE-mediated allergic dermatitis caused by bites of midges (Culicoides spp). With the aim to improve allergen immunotherapy (AIT), numerous Culicoides allergens have been produced as recombinant (r-) proteins. This study aimed to test a comprehensive panel of differently expressed Culicoides r-allergens on a cohort of IBH-affected and control horses using an allergen microarray. METHODS: IgE levels to 27 Culicoides r-allergens, including 8 previously unpublished allergens, of which 11 were expressed in more than one expression system, were determined in sera from 347 horses. ROC analyses were carried out, cut-offs selected using a specificity of 95% and seropositivity rates compared between horses affected with insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) and control horses. The combination of r-allergens giving the best performing test was determined using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Seropositivity was significantly higher in IBH horses compared with controls for 25 r-allergens. Nine Culicoides r-allergens were major allergens for IBH with seven of them binding IgE in sera from > 70% of the IBH-affected horses. Combination of these top seven r-allergens could diagnose > 90% of IBH-affected horses with a specificity of > 95%. Correlation between differently expressed r-allergens was usually high (mean = 0.69, range: 0.28-0.91). CONCLUSION: This microarray will be a powerful tool for the development of component-resolved, patient-tailored AIT for IBH and could be useful for the study of allergy to biting midges in humans and other species.

Antimicrobial prescriptions in cats in Switzerland before and after the introduction of an online antimicrobial stewardship tool.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial stewardship activities are essential to improve prudent antimicrobial use. The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in antimicrobial prescriptions in cats after the introduction of prudent use guidelines promoted by an online antimicrobial stewardship tool (AntibioticScout.ch) in Switzerland. Data from 792 cats presented to two university hospitals and 14 private practices in 2018 were included and compared to 776 cases from 2016. Cats were diagnosed with acute upper respiratory tract disease (aURTD), feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) and abscesses. Clinical history, diagnostic work-up and antimicrobial prescriptions (class, dosage, duration) were assessed. Type and proportions [95% confidence intervals] of antimicrobial prescriptions were compared between the two evaluation periods and a mixed effects logistic regression model was applied to evaluate compliance with Swiss prudent use guidelines. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2018, the proportion of antimicrobial prescription in all included cases decreased from 75.0% [71.8-78.0] to 66.7% [63.3-69.9]; this decrease was most pronounced for treatments at university hospitals (67.1% [59.5-74.0] to 49.3% [40.9-57.8]) and for cats with FLUTD (60.1% [54.6-65.4] to 48.8% [43.2-54.4]). Use of 3rd generation cephalosporins in private practices declined from 30.7% [26.5-35.1] to 22.1% [18.4-26.2], while overall use of non-potentiated aminopenicillins increased from 19.6% [16.4-23.0] to 27.8% [24.1-31.9]. In cases where antimicrobial therapy was indicated, compliance with guidelines did not increase (33.3% [26.6-40.6] to 33.5% [27.2-40.2]), neither at universities nor in private practices. On the other hand, antimicrobial treatment was more often withheld in cases with no indication for antimicrobial therapy (35.6% [30.1-41.4] to 54.0% [47.6-60.4]); this was found for private practices (26.7% [20.8-33.4] to 46.0% [38.4-53.7]) and for aURTD cases (35.0% [26.5-44.2] to 55.4% [44.7-65.8]). CONCLUSIONS: Overall proportions of antimicrobial prescription, unjustified antimicrobial therapy and, in private practices, use of 3rd generation cephalosporins decreased from 2016 to 2018 for the investigated feline diseases. However, overall compliance with Swiss prudent use guidelines was still low, implying that further efforts are required to foster prudent antimicrobial use in cats.

Risk Ranking of Antimicrobial-Resistant Hazards Found in Meat in Switzerland.

Human exposure to bacteria resistant to antimicrobials and transfer of related genes is a complex issue and occurs, among other pathways, via meat consumption. In a context of limited resources, the prioritization of risk management activities is essential. Since the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) situation differs substantially between countries, prioritization should be country specific. The objective of this study was to develop a systematic and transparent framework to rank combinations of bacteria species resistant to selected antimicrobial classes found in meat, based on the risk they represent for public health in Switzerland. A risk assessment model from slaughter to consumption was developed following the Codex Alimentarius guidelines for risk analysis of foodborne AMR. Using data from the Swiss AMR monitoring program, 208 combinations of animal species/bacteria/antimicrobial classes were identified as relevant hazards. Exposure assessment and hazard characterization scores were developed and combined using multicriteria decision analysis. The effect of changing weights of scores was explored with sensitivity analysis. Attributing equal weights to each score, poultry-associated combinations represented the highest risk. In particular, contamination with extended-spectrum ß-lactamase/plasmidic AmpC-producing Escherichia coli in poultry meat ranked high for both exposure and hazard characterization. Tetracycline- or macrolide-resistant Enterococcus spp., as well as fluoroquinolone- or macrolide-resistant Campylobacter jejuni, ranked among combinations with the highest risk. This study provides a basis for prioritizing future activities to mitigate the risk associated with foodborne AMR in Switzerland. A user-friendly version of the model was provided to risk managers; it can easily be adjusted to the constantly evolving knowledge on AMR.

Approaches for quantifying antimicrobial consumption per animal species based on national sales data: a Swiss example, 2006 to 2013.

Antimicrobial use in animals is known to contribute to the global burden of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, it is critical to monitor antimicrobial sales for livestock and pets. Despite the availability of veterinary antimicrobial sales data in most European countries, surveillance currently lacks consumption monitoring at the animal species level. In this study, alternative methods were investigated for stratifying antimicrobial sales per species using Swiss data (2006-2013). Three approaches were considered: (i) Equal Distribution (ED) allocated antimicrobial sales evenly across all species each product was licensed for; (ii) Biomass Distribution (BMD) stratified antimicrobial consumption, weighting the representativeness of each species' total biomass; and (iii) Longitudinal Study Extrapolation (LSE) assigned antimicrobial sales per species based on a field study describing prescription patterns in Switzerland. LSE is expected to provide the best estimates because it relies on field data. Given the Swiss example, BMD appears to be a reliable method when prescription data are not available, whereas ED seems to underestimate consumption in species with larger populations and higher treatment intensity. These methods represent a valuable tool for improving the monitoring systems of veterinary antimicrobial consumption across Europe.

Assessment of Ammonia Concentrations and Climatic Conditions in Calf Housing Using Stationary and Mobile Sensors.

In calf fattening, housing climate conditions are essential for optimal performance and welfare. Validated methods to measure the long-term housing climate are lacking. The present study investigated climate parameters for 14 weeks in Swiss calf fattening housing with two different ammonia (NH3) sensors: six stationary sensors (Dräger Polytron 8100) were installed at animal level and four mobile sensors (Dräger x-AM 5100) were attached to the calves' heads. Temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations were recorded by two stationary data loggers (testo 160 IAQ). Data were analyzed descriptively, and 4 h mean values of maximum NH3 concentrations of mobile and stationary sensors were compared using the Wilcoxon test for paired data. The 4 h mean values of temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 concentrations and the 4 h mean values of maximum NH3 concentrations of stationary and mobile sensors were analyzed by ANOVA in two linear models. The overall 4 h mean of maximum NH3 concentrations ranged between 5.9-9.4 ppm for measurements of stationary sensors and between 11.3-14.7 ppm for measurements of mobile sensors. The NH3 concentrations measured by mobile sensors showed significantly higher peak values and more fluctuations. Additionally, an interaction effect was observed between the NH3 concentrations measured by either sensor and CO2 concentrations (p < 0.01 (mobile sensors); p < 0.0001 (stationary sensors), temperature values (p < 0.0001 (both sensors)), and relative humidity (p < 0.0001 (both sensors)). The measurements of the implemented method showed that corresponding housing climate parameters fluctuated strongly, and NH3 reached high peak values. Validated measurement methods might allow for a detailed assessment of the housing climate in practice, and for further research on suitable management methods for housing climate optimization in the future.

Application of an artificial intelligence for quantitative analysis of endothelial capillary beds in vitro.

Objective: BACKGROUND: The use of endothelial cell cultures has become fundamental to study angiogenesis. Recent advances in artificial intelligences (AI) offer opportunities to develop automated assessment methods in medical research, analyzing larger datasets. Objective: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the application of AI with a manual method to morphometrically quantify in vitro angiogenesis. Objective: METHODS: Co-cultures of human microvascular endothelial cells and fibroblasts were incubated mimicking endothelial capillary-beds. An AI-software was trained for segmentation of endothelial capillaries on anti-CD31-labeled light microscope crops. Number of capillaries and branches and average capillary diameter were measured by the AI and manually on 115 crops. Objective: RESULTS: The crops were analyzed faster by the AI than manually (3 minutes vs 1 hour per crop). Using the AI, systematically more capillaries (mean 48/mm2 vs 27/mm2) and branches (mean 23/mm2 vs 11/mm2) were counted than manually. Both methods had a strong linear relationship in counting capillaries and branches (r-capillaries = 0.88, r-branches = 0.89). No correlation was found for measurements of the diameter (r-diameter = 0.15). Objective: CONCLUSIONS: The present AI reduces the time required for quantitative analysis of angiogenesis on large datasets, and correlates well with manual analysis.

A scoping review on associations between paratuberculosis and productivity in cattle.

Paratuberculosis (PTB), or Johne's disease, is a disease with worldwide distribution caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) that leads to chronic enteritis, primarily in ruminants. Even subclinical infection significantly reduces the animals' performance, and consequences of the disease lead to high economic losses for the cattle industry. To estimate the economic burden of bovine PTB and to evaluate the benefits of a potential control program, accurate estimates of the production effects associated with the disease are required. Therefore, the aim of this scoping review was to provide a comprehensive overview of associations between MAP infection and production parameters in cattle. The studies were collected from three electronic databases. Of the total 1,605 identified studies, 1,432 did not meet the set criteria in the title and abstract screening and a further 106 were excluded during full-text review. Finally, data on 34 different production parameters were extracted from 67 publications. Results show that the magnitude of reported performance losses varies depending on several factors, such as the type of diagnostic test applied, disease status or number of lactations. Studies reported a reduction in milk yield, changes in milk quality (e.g., higher somatic cell count, lower amount of produced milk fat and protein), reduced fertility (e.g., prolonged calving interval and service period, higher abortion rate and calving difficulties), reduced weaning weight, slaughter weight and slaughter value, or a higher risk for mastitis. Results from the studies included in our review show a median decrease of milk yield per infected cow of -452 kg/lactation for raw and -405 kg/lactation for modeled data. Similarly, the amount of produced milk protein fell by a median of -14.41 kg/lactation for modeled data and the amount of produced milk fat by a median of -13.13 kg/lactation. The reviewed studies revealed a prolonged calving interval by around 30 days and a 1.5 to 3 times higher likeliness of culling per lactation in PTB positive animals. Results from this scoping review provide evidence-based inputs for the development of economic models aiming at the estimation of the costs and benefits associated with different disease control scenarios for PTB.

Unveiling the landscape of resistance against high priority critically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals across Africa: A scoping review.

The rapid population growth in Africa is associated with an increasing demand for livestock products which in turn can lead to antimicrobial use. Antimicrobial usage in animals contributes to the emergence and selection of resistant bacteria which constitutes a serious public health threat. This study aims to review and summarize the available information on highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HPCIAs) resistance in livestock production in Africa. This work will help to inform future policies for controlling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the food production chain. A scoping review was conducted according to the Cochrane handbook and following PRISMA 2020 guidelines for reporting. Primary research studies published after 1999 and reporting resistance of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp, and Campylobacter spp to HPCIAs in poultry, cattle, pigs, goats, and sheep in Africa were searched in four databases. A total of 312 articles were included in the review. The majority of the studies (40.7) were conducted in North African countries. More than 49.0% of included studies involved poultry and 26.2% cattle. Cephalosporins and quinolones were the most studied antimicrobial classes. Of the bacteria investigated in the current review, E. coli (41.7%) and Salmonella spp (24.9%) represented the most commonly studied. High levels of resistance against erythromycin in E. coli were found in poultry (MR 96.1%, IQR 83.3-100.0%), cattle (MR 85.7%, IQR 69.2-100.0%), and pigs (MR 94.0%, IQR 86.2-94.0%). In sheep, a high level of resistance was observed in E. coli against nalidixic acid (MR 87.5%, IQR 81.3-93.8%). In goats, the low level of sensibility was noted in S. aureus against streptomycin (MR 86.8%, IQR 19.4-99.0%). The study provides valuable information on HPCIAs resistance in livestock production in Africa and highlights the need for further research and policies to address the public health risk of AMR. This will likely require an investment in diagnostic infrastructure across the continent. Awareness on the harmful impact of AMR in African countries is a requirement to produce more effective and sustainable measures to curb AMR.

Public health risks of enterobacterial isolates producing extended-spectrum ß-lactamases or AmpC ß-lactamases in food and food-producing animals: an EU perspective of epidemiology, analytical methods, risk factors, and control options.

The blaESBL and blaAmpC genes in Enterobacteriaceae are spread by plasmid-mediated integrons, insertion sequences, and transposons, some of which are homologous in bacteria from food animals, foods, and humans. These genes have been frequently identified in Escherichia coli and Salmonella from food animals, the most common being blaCTX-M-1, blaCTX-M-14, and blaCMY-2. Identification of risk factors for their occurrence in food animals is complex. In addition to generic antimicrobial use, cephalosporin usage is an important risk factor for selection and spread of these genes. Extensive international trade of animals is a further risk factor. There are no data on the effectiveness of individual control options in reducing public health risks. A highly effective option would be to stop or restrict cephalosporin usage in food animals. Decreasing total antimicrobial use is also of high priority. Implementation of measures to limit strain dissemination (increasing farm biosecurity, controls in animal trade, and other general postharvest controls) are also important.

Development of a data-driven method for assessing health and welfare in the most common livestock species in Switzerland: The Smart Animal Health project.

Improving animal health and welfare in livestock systems depends on reliable proxies for assessment and monitoring. The aim of this project was to develop a novel method that relies on animal-based indicators and data-driven metrics for assessing health and welfare at farm level for the most common livestock species in Switzerland. Method development followed a uniform multi-stage process for each species. Scientific literature was systematically reviewed to identify potential health and welfare indicators for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry. Suitable indicators were applied in the field and compared with outcomes of the Welfare Quality® scores of a given farm. To identify farms at risk for violations of animal welfare regulations, several agricultural and animal health databases were interconnected and various supervised machine-learning techniques were applied to model the status of farms. Literature reviews identified a variety of indicators, some of which are well established, while others lack reliability or practicability, or still need further validation. Data quality and availability strongly varied among animal species, with most data available for dairy cows and pigs. Data-based indicators were almost exclusively limited to the categories "Animal health" and "Husbandry and feeding". The assessment of "Appropriate behavior" and "Freedom from pain, suffering, harm and anxiety" depended largely on indicators that had to be assessed and monitored on-farm. The different machine-learning techniques used to identify farms for risk-based animal welfare inspections reached similar classification performances with sensitivities above 80%. Features with the highest predictive weights were: Participation in federal ecological and animal welfare programs, farm demographics and farmers' notification discipline for animal movements. A common method with individual sets of indicators for each species was developed. The results show that, depending on data availability for the individual animal categories, models based on proxy data can achieve high correlations with animal health and welfare assessed on-farm. Nevertheless, for sufficient validity, a combination of data-based indicators and on-farm assessments is currently required. For a broad implementation of the methods, alternatives to extensive manual on-farm assessments are needed, whereby smart farming technologies have great potential to support the assessment if the specific monitoring goals are defined.

Plasma procalcitonin kinetics in healthy dogs and dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a well-established biomarker for bacterial infection in human patients. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyze the kinetics of plasma PCT (pPCT) in healthy dogs and dogs with canine cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). METHODS: This prospective, longitudinal study included 15 healthy dogs and 25 dogs undergoing TPLO. Hematology, pPCT, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed on 3 consecutive days in healthy dogs and 1 day preoperatively and days 1, 2, 10, and 56 postoperatively. Inter- and intraindividual variability of pPCT were assessed in healthy dogs. Median pPCT concentrations of dogs with CCL rupture preoperatively were compared with healthy controls, and median pPCT concentrations, as well as percentage change post anesthesia, arthroscopy, and TPLO, were compared with baseline. For the correlation analysis, the Spearman rank correlation test was used. RESULTS: Inter- and intraindividual variabilities of pPCT in healthy dogs were 36% and 15%, respectively. Median baseline pPCT concentrations were not significantly different between healthy dogs (118.9 pg/mL; IQR: 75.3-157.3 pg/mL) and dogs undergoing TPLO (95.9 pg/mL; IQR: 63.8-117.0 pg/mL). Plasma PCT concentrations were significantly lower immediately post- than preoperatively (P < 0.001). CRP, WBC, and neutrophil concentrations increased significantly on post-OP day 2 and had normalized by day 10. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that CCL rupture, as well as anesthesia, arthroscopy, and TPLO combined, are not associated with increased pPCT concentrations in dogs with uncomplicated recovery. Considering the high intraindividual variability, individual serial measurements rather than a population-based reference interval should be considered.

Assessment of oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid and serum of dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin.

BACKGROUND: Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) is an inflammatory disease of the canine central nervous system (CNS) that shares several features with multiple sclerosis (MS) in humans. In approximately 95% of MS patients, ≥ two immunoglobulin G (IgG) oligoclonal bands (OCBs) are detectable exclusively in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To investigate OCBs in CSF and serum in dogs affected by MUO, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), idiopathic epilepsy (IE), intracranial neoplasia (IN), steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA), and diseases outside the CNS. We hypothesize that the highest prevalence of CSF-specific OCBs (≥ two OCBs uniquely in the CSF) would be found in dogs affected by MUO. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs (n = 121) presented to the neurology service due to neurological deficits. METHODS: Prospective study. Measurement of IgG concentration in CSF and serum via a canine IgG ELISA kit. OCB detection via isoelectric focusing (IEF) and immunoblot. RESULTS: Presence of CSF-specific OCBs was significantly higher in dogs with MUO (57%) compared to 22% in IN, 6% in IE, 15% in SRMA, 13% in IVDD, and 0% in the non-CNS group (p < .001). Dogs with MUO were 9.9 times more likely to show CSF-specific OCBs than all other diseases together (95% confidence interval, 3.7-26.4; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: MUO showed the highest prevalence of CSF-specific OCBs, indicating an inflammatory B cell response. Future studies are needed to evaluate the prevalence in the specific MUO subtypes and a possible similarity with human MS.

Canine noninflammatory alopecia: a comprehensive evaluation of common and distinguishing histological characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Noninflammatory alopecia is a frequent problem in dogs, and the pathogenesis is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was a comparative histological description of skin biopsies from dogs with different alopecic disorders and control dogs matched for coat type, season and disease duration. ANIMALS: Twenty-one cases of alopecia X in plush-coated dogs, 12 cases of recurrent flank alopecia, three cases of hyperestrogenism, 15 cases of hyperadrenocorticism, 12 cases of hypothyroidism and 12 cases of primary alopecic disorders of unknown cause were evaluated. The controls were biopsies from 38 dogs of different coat types. METHODS: We evaluated five serial sections of each biopsy histologically and immunohistologically to compare the histological findings within the disease groups and with the control. RESULTS: All the dogs with hair cycle disorders had a significant increase in the number of hairless hair follicles, which we assigned to kenogen. In addition, dogs with alopecia X had the lowest percentage of anagen follicles and the highest percentage of telogen follicles. CONCLUSIONS: The marked increase in kenogen follicles is a strong indication that the induction of the new anagen phase is impaired in hair cycle disorders. The findings in dogs with alopecia X further suggest that premature catagen is also involved in the pathogenesis. Further work to investigate the stem cell compartment and possible initiating factors for the different cycle phases is required to elucidate the exact pathogenesis.

Effect of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-Glycosides on the Farrowing Process and Piglet Vitality in a Free Farrowing System.

Vitamin D improves the reproductive efficiency in animals. This study aimed to examine the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-gylcosides (1,25-vitD) on the farrowing process in sows and the vitality of their piglets. In total, 100 sows were allocated into two groups at insemination ('1,25-vitD' and 'negative control'). The 1,25-vitD group received 260−300 mg/sow/day 1,25-vitD in their feed during the gestation period. Backfat thickness, fecal score, and the farrowing process was evaluated. The piglets were categorized into live born or stillborn, and vitality was evaluated by assessing the umbilical cord and the meconium score. The number of total-born piglets in sows of '1,25-vitD' was higher and the farrowing duration was shorter than in the negative control group without showing significance in the univariable analysis. In a linear multiple regression model including the variables 'farrowing duration', 'total born piglets' and '1,25-vitD' differences became evident. We found that 1,25-vitD was associated with a reduced farrowing duration (p = 0.055). Moreover, significantly more mummies (p < 0.01) and short ruptured umbilical cords (p < 0.05) were observed in the 1,25-vitD group. This study showed an effect of 1,25-vitD on the farrowing process. However, more research is needed to better describe the mechanism of 1,25-vitD in detail.

Influence of the farrowing process and different sow and piglet traits on uterine involution in a free farrowing system.

An inadequate uterine involution can lead to postpartal disorders in sows and thereby negatively affects the reproductive cycle and performance of the animals. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the farrowing process and different sow and piglet traits on the uterine involution in a free farrowing system. In total three data sets of 48 crossbred sows (Large White x Landrace) from the peripartal period were synthesised and analysed. The uterine diameter of three uterine horns per sow was measured daily during the first two weeks postpartum using ultrasonography and then the uterine regression was calculated. Furthermore, the following sow and piglet traits before and during parturition were assessed: parity, body condition score, backfat thickness, gestation length, number of live born piglets, number of stillborn piglets, farrowing duration, duration of placenta expulsion, litter weight, placenta weight, number of placenta parts, faecal score, and birth induction. In addition, the following parameters were recorded five days after farrowing: body temperature, severity and amount of vaginal discharge, pathological colour of vaginal discharge, and lack of appetite. Spearman's correlation test was used to examine the association between the parameters within the group and uterine regression. In addition, a linear multiple regression was used to model the relationship between the uterine involution and explanatory variables from the peripartal period. The mean diameter of the uterus decreased from 32.5 mm on day 2 post-partum to 11.4 mm on day 12 post-partum, which is a relative regression of 66%. In the linear multiple regression model, a significant influence of the body condition score (p = 0.046) and the presence of high body temperature (p = 0.022) on uterine involution was detected. When the BCS increases by one unit (from BCS 3 to 4), the relative regression of the uterine involution decreases by approximately 8% and when fever is present, uterine involution is almost 6% slower. Furthermore, a significant correlation between the gestation length and the uterine involution (r = 0.31; p = 0.035) was identified. However, no correlation between the farrowing process and piglets' traits on the uterine involution was detected. This study showed that the body condition score, the gestation length and fever in the first five days after farrowing had significant effects on uterine involution in sows in a free farrowing system. Therefore, these parameters should be routinely monitored in the farrowing management to assess reproductive health post-partum and warrant early intervention.

Survey of Salmonellae occurrence in meat-producing rabbitries in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: An outbreak of salmonellosis due to Salmonella Typhimurium was detected coincidentally in a Swiss meat rabbitry, given that surveillance of Salmonella in rabbits is not mandatory in Switzerland. METHODS: To assess the extent of potentially subclinical Salmonella carriage in meat rabbits, faecal pool samples of 50 farms (90% of Swiss commercial rabbitries) with ground covering litter and group housing were bacteriologically tested. Additionally, 236 rabbits showing clinical signs compatible with intestinal diseases, such as salmonellosis, were examined postmortem and analysed bacteriologically. Salmonella isolates were serotyped and analysed by whole genome sequencing (WGS). RESULTS: Salmonella Typhimurium was detected in three commercial farms (6.0% of all tested farms). The affected farms were directly linked to the animal trade and Salmonella isolates were shown to be identical by WGS. CONCLUSION: There is no increased hazard for Salmonella carriage in the animal welfare-friendly Swiss husbandry systems in general, despite risk factors such as ground covering litter.

Is a Block of the Femoral and Sciatic Nerves an Alternative to Epidural Analgesia in Sheep Undergoing Orthopaedic Hind Limb Surgery? A Prospective, Randomized, Double Blinded Experimental Trial.

Peripheral nerve blocks are commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. The aim of the study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of a combined block of the femoral and sciatic nerves with an epidural injection of ropivacaine in experimental sheep undergoing orthopaedic hind limb surgery. Twenty-five sheep were assigned to two groups (peripheral nerve block; sciatic and femoral nerves (P); epidural analgesia (E)). In group P 10 mL ropivacaine 0.5% was injected around the sciatic and the femoral nerves under sonographic guidance and 10 mL NaCl 0.9% into the epidural space while in group E 10 mL ropivacaine 0.5% was injected into the epidural space and 10 mL NaCl 0.9% to the sciatic and the femoral nerves. During surgery, heart rate, respiratory rate and mean blood pressure were used as indicators of nociception. In the postoperative phase, nociception was evaluated every hour by use of a purposefully adapted pain score until the animal showed painful sensation at the surgical site. The mean duration of analgesia at the surgical wound was 6 h in group P and 8 h in group E. Mean time to standing was 4 h in group P and 7 h in group E. In conclusion time to standing was significantly shorter in group P while the duration of nociception was comparable in both groups. The peripheral nerve block can be used as an alternative to epidural analgesia in experimental sheep.