Canine leishmaniasis in Morocco with special reference to infantile kala-azar.

Observations on canine leishmaniasis in Morocco (clinical symptoms, diagnosis, evolution, haematology, development of serum proteins, pathology and histopathology) are reported from dogs examined during 1979/80. Special reference is made to infantile kala-azar and its increasing incidence. The public health importance of dogs and wildlife as reservoir hosts is stressed, considering the close relationship of children with these animals and the possibility of contact transmission.

A study on digital diseases of cattle in Morocco.

Digital diseases of cattle, as defined by the "International Council on Digital Diseases of the Ruminants" were studied on 32 farms with various management systems in Morocco. This study involved 953 cattle without lameness for claw examination and 89 lame cattle for detailed clinical examination and semiological trimming of the eight claws. Claw deformities, interdigital dermatitis and ungular erosion, chronic diffuse aseptic pododermatitis, circumscribed pododermatitis and deep digital diseases were described regarding their prevalence and clinical characteristics, including their distribution on fore and hind limbs, and on antero-medial, antero-lateral, postero-medial and postero-lateral claws. Interrelationships between different digital diseases and relationships between some digital diseases and environmental factors were searched by correlation studies. The results are compared with the characteristics of the same digital diseases in other countries.

Prevalence of antibodies to bovid herpesvirus 1 (IBR-IPV), bovine virus diarrhoea, bovine respiratory syncytial parainfluenza 3, adeno A and adeno B viruses in indigenous and imported Moroccan cattle.

A serological survey on prevalence of antibodies to Bovid herpesvirus 1 (IBR-IPV) Bovine Virus Diarrhoea, Bovine Respiratory Syncytial, Parainfluenza 3, Adeno A and B viruses was performed in 524 cattle from different areas and management conditions in Morocco. General antibody prevalence was 62.8, 48.5, 70.4, 68.1, 9.0 and 12.4, for the six viruses, respectively. Higher prevalence and high antibody titers to most of the investigated viruses were found among cattle from extensive management systems, with few contacts with imported breeds, and without history of respiratory disease in the area. The significance of these findings is discussed with regards to the risk of the spreading of new diseases with the importation of foreign cattle into the country.

A preliminary study on selenium content of forages and local by-products in the Tadla area (Morocco) in connection with ovine nutritional myopathy.

In order to provide epidemiological support to tentative diagnosis of ovine enzootic myopathy in the Tadla area (Morocco), 20 feedstuff samples, representative of ovine rations, were tested for selenium content. All but one samples had a far lower value than the recommended level of 0.1 mg/kg dry matter.

A case report of Nerium oleander poisoning in cattle.

Nerium oleander leaves caused the death within 36 hours of 7 of 17 cattle which had access to boughs of the plant. Arrhythmia and auriculo-ventricular block at ECG were found in three cattle surviving on day 4. In one animal which died on day 4, postmortem examination revealed subendocardial and abomasal hemorrhages. Epidermic tissues of the leaves of N oleander were found in the rumen content. Recovery occurred in the three animals with marked cardiac signs.

A preliminary report on the occurrence of maedi-visna in sheep in Morocco.

A small scale serological survey for antibodies to maedi-visna virus among 13 flocks of sheep in Morocco revealed the infection in one flock. Infection appeared to be related with imported sheep. In addition, two abattoir surveys yielded, 0.1% lungs with gross and histological lesions suggestive of maedi.

Prevalence of antibody to rotavirus in Moroccan cattle.

A serological survey was carried out in order to determine the prevalence of antirotavirus antibodies in Moroccan cattle under different management conditions. From the 493 serum samples examined, 325 (65.9%) were found positive, using a counter-immunoelectroosmophoresis technique. Animals of indigenous breed coming from farms with rapid turnover or large number of animals, or having frequent contacts with imported cattle, had a higher rate of seropositivity; however, positive sera were also found in cattle from small farms in remote areas, showing that rotavirus infection is ubiquitous in that country. No relationship was found between the prevalence of anti-rotavirus antibodies and the frequence of calf diarrhoea. The percentage of seropositive animals in a herd has to be considered as an epidemiological indicator.

[Similarity of various clinical aspects of protein-calorie malnutrition to copper, zinc and cobalt deficiencies in ruminants]. / Similitude de certains aspects cliniques de la malnutrition protéino-énergétique avec les carences en cuivre, zinc et cobalt chez les ruminants.

Following clinical observations carried out on numerous herds in different countries the authors show that many similarities exist between proteino-energetic malnutrition and some symptoms of copper, zinc or cobalt deficiencies in ruminants. The probable origin of such a relationship is highlighted and the possible use of trace element therapy in livestock under malnutrition conditions is discussed.

[First survey on polymorphism of 5 enzymes used as genetic markers in Moroccan cattle of the Brown Atlas type]. / Premier sondage sur le polymorphisme de 5 enzymes utilisées comme marqueurs génétiques chez les bovins marocains de type Brune de l'Atlas.

Electrophoretic studies about the polymorphism of phosphoglucomutase (PGM), soluble glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (MOR), mannose-6-phosphate isomerase (MPI) and nucleoside phosphorylase (NP) were performed on muscle samples of 40 moroccan bovines of the Brown Atlas type. The PGM, NP and MPI showed a polymorphism. The frequencies of the Alleles PGM3-A and NP-H were remarkably higher among the Brown Atlas cattle as compared to some other bovine breeds. This feature should be investigated regarding zootechnical abilities in the tropical areas.