Effect of prophylactic use of tulathromycin on gut bacterial populations, inflammatory profile and diarrhea in newborn Holstein calves.

This objective of this study was to evaluate the use of tulathromycin on the timing of appearance and number of four indicator organisms representing the gastrointestinal microbial community, the incidence of diarrhea and a measure of the systemic inflammatory profile in Holstein heifers. Twenty-six Holstein heifer calves were distributed between receiving (ATB+) or not receiving (ATB-) tulathromycin at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg by 12 h of age. Samples from the calves were collected at six times during the neonatal period. Stool samples were used to determine the dry matter content and quantitative analysis of specific indicator bacterial populations. Samples of whole blood and serum were collected to determine the total number of neutrophils, the number of CD62L+ neutrophils, quantity of haptoglobin, and to allow for ex vivo measurement of reactive oxygen species. A higher frequency of diarrhea was detected in the ATB+ calves (84.6%) than ATB- (53.8%) on days 13-15 (P = 0.084). ATB- calves had a greater number of Bifidobacterium in stool on day 3-5 (P = 0.002), and on days 7-9 (P = 0.018). The ATB+ calves tended to have a higher number of Escherichia coli in stool on days 20-23 and days 27-30 (P = 0.052 and P = 0.072). Both the total number of neutrophils (P = 0.013) and the capacity for ROS production was higher in ATB- (P = 0.038) than ATB+ calves at all points tested. ATB+ calves had higher levels of haptoglobin (P = 0.032) on days 13-15. Administration of tulathromycin appeared to negatively impact the establishment of a normal microbiome and to modulate the development of innate immune function.

Influence of feeding fresh colostrum from the dam or frozen colostrum from a pool on indicator gut microbes and the inflammatory response in neonatal calves.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of cells from colostrum to modulate the intestinal microbial colonization, the activity of the inflammatory response, and for their influence on the development of diarrheal disease in calves. Twenty calves were distributed into two groups: COL+ (n = 10) receiving fresh whole colostrum; COL- (n = 10) receiving pooled frozen colostrum, containing no viable cells. All assessments were made before colostrum intake (D0), the next day (D2), and weekly on the 7th (D7), 14th (D14), 21st (D21) and 28th (D28) day of age. Diarrhea was assessed using a fecal score, and the systemic inflammatory status was assessed using a combination of temperature, anemia, total serum iron level, total haptoglobin concentration and the need for systemic antimicrobial treatment. The number of indicator bacteria present in the fecal population was estimated using qPCR. However, COL- calves presented more frequent signs of systemic inflammatory response including, fever at D7 (P = 0.011); indicator haptoglobin levels on D7 and D14, and lower levels of iron on D7, D14. Anemia was detected more often in the COL- calves on D21 (P = 0.043) and D28 (P = 0.016). COL- calves had a 1.66 greater chance of having elevated haptoglobin and a 1.8 greater chance of needing treatment with antimicrobials than COL+. A lower number of DNA copies of Clostridium perfringens were detected in COL+ calves on D2 (P = 0.088) and D7 (P = 0.040). Similarly, a low number of DNA copies was observed for Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus spp. (P = 0.012) in the fecal samples of COL+ calves on D7.

Serological response against bovine herpesvirus and bovine viral diarrhea virus induced by commercial vaccines in Holstein heifers / Resposta sorológica contra herpesvírus bovino e vírus da diarreia viral bovina induzida por vacinas comerciais em novilhas Holandesas

Vaccination is a strategy to the prevention and control of reproductive diseases caused by bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1), however the various compositions of commercial vaccines should be evaluated for their ability to induce protection mediated by antibodies. The objective of this research was to evaluate the production of specific neutralizing Abs against BVDV-1 and 2, and BoHV-1 induced by commercial vaccines composed by different adjuvants. Holstein heifers were vaccinated and distributed in three experimental groups: Group I (G1) was vaccinated with a commercial vaccine containing inactivated BVDV-1, BVDV-2 and BoHV-1 diluted in alum hydroxide as adjuvant (n=9); Group II (G2) was vaccinated with an product containing inactivated strains of BVDV-1, BVDV-2, BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 diluted in oil emulsion as adjuvant (n=10); Group III (G3) was vaccinated with a commercial vaccine containing inactivated BVDV-1 and BVDV-2, besides live modified thermosensitive BoHV-1, diluted in Quil A, amphigen and cholesterol (n=10); A control, non-vaccinated group (n=6) was mock vaccinated with saline. Heifers received two subcutaneous doses of 5mL of each commercial vaccine on the right side of the neck, with 21 days interval. Humoral immune response was assessed by the virus neutralization test (VN) against BVDV-1 (NADL and Singer strains), BVDV-2 (SV253 strain) and BoHV-1 (Los Angeles strain) in serum samples collected on vaccination days zero (D0), 21 (D21) and 42 (D42; 21 days after boosting). Neutralizing Abs against BVDV-1 NADL was detected only in D42, regardless of the vaccine used. Similar geometric mean titers (GMT) for BVDV-1 NADL were observed between G1 (log2=5.1) and G3 (log2=5.1). The seroconversion rate (%) was higher in G1 (78%) when compared to G2 (10%) and G3 (40%). For BVDV-1 Singer, it was also possible to detect Abs production in G1 (log2=5.8, 100% seroconversion rate) and G3 (log2=3.5, seroconversion rate = 60%), only after the booster dose (D42). Neutralizing Abs to BVDV-2 (SV253) were detected only in G3, observing 90% seroconversion associated with high titers of Abs (log2=6.7) after the 2nd dose of vaccine (D42). Heifers from G1 and G3 responded to BoHV-1 after the first dose (D21): G1 (log2=2.5, seroconversion rate = 67%) and G3 (log2=0.7, seroconversion rate = 80%). In D42, a higher magnitude response was observed in the heifers from G3 (log2=6.1, 100%) compared with G1 (log2=4.3, 100%) and G2 (log2=2.7, 60%). Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that the commercial vaccine contained aluminum hydroxide (G1) was most effective in the induction of antibodies against BVDV-1. On the other hand, this vaccine did not induce the production of neutralizing Abs against BVDV-2. Only the heifers from G3 (Quil A, amphigen and cholesterol) generated neutralizing Abs against BVDV-2. The animals that received commercial vaccine containing oil emulsion as adjuvant (G2) had a weak/undetectable response against BVDV-1 and BVDV-2. The best protective response against BoHV-1 was observed in heifers vaccinated with the live modified thermosensitive virus.(AU)

A vacinação é utilizada como estratégia para a prevenção e controle das doenças reprodutivas, causadas pelos vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV) e herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 (BoHV-1), entretanto, as diversas composições de vacinas comerciais devem ser avaliadas quanto a sua eficiência protetiva mediada por anticorpos (Acs). O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a produção Acs neutralizantes específicos para cepas de BVDV-1 e 2, e BoHV-1 induzida por vacinas comerciais contendo diferentes tipos de adjuvantes. Para tal, novilhas Holandesas foram vacinadas e distribuídas em três grupos experimentais: Grupo I (G1) foi vacinado com uma vacina comercial composta por cepas inativadas de BVDV-1, BVDV-2 e BoHV-1 diluídas em hidróxido de alumínio como adjuvante (n=9); Grupo II (G2) foi vacinado com produto contendo as cepas inativadas de BVDV-1, BVDV-2, BoHV-1 e BoHV-5 em uma emulsão oleosa como adjuvante (n=10); O Grupo III (G3) foi vacinado com uma vacina comercial contendo BVDV-1 e BVDV-2 inativado, além do BoHV-1 vivo modificado e termosensivel, diluídos em adjuvante contendo Quil A, Amphigem e colesterol (n=10); O Grupo Controle não vacinado (n=6) foi inoculado com solução salina. As novilhas receberam duas doses das respectivas vacinas ou solução salina (5mL), com intervalo de 21 dias, por via subcutânea, na tábua do pescoço do lado direito. A resposta imune humoral foi avaliada pelo teste de vírus neutralização (VN) contra o BVDV-1 (cepas NADL e Singer), BVDV-2 (cepa SV253) e BoHV-1 (cepa Los Angeles) em amostras de soro coletadas nos dias (D) de vacinação zero (D0), 21 dias após 1ª dose (D21)e 42 (D42; 21 dias após A 2ª dose). Os anticorpos neutralizantes contra o BVDV-1 NADL foram detectados apenas em D42, independentemente da vacina utilizada. Os títulos médios geométricos (GMT) de anticorpos foram semelhantes entre G1 (log2=5,1) e G3 (log2=5,1). A taxa de soroconversão foi maior no G1 (78%) quando comparado ao G2 (10%) e G3 (40%). Para o BVDV-1 Singer, somente após D42 foi observada a produção de Acs no G1 (log2=5,8; taxa de soroconversão de 100%) e G3 (log2=3,5; taxa de soroconversão = 60%). Os anticorpos contra BVDV-2 (SV253) foram detectados apenas nas novilhas do G3, observando-se taxa de soroconversão de 90% com altos títulos de anticorpos neutralizantes (log2=6,7) em D42. Novilhas G1 e G3 responderam ao BoHV-1 após a primeira dose (D21): G1 (log2=2,5; taxa de seroconversão = 67%) e G3 (log2=0,7; taxa de seroconversão = 80%). Em contrapartida, foi observada uma maior magnitude de resposta para as novilhas G3 (log2=6,1; 100%) em D42, em relação aos animais G1 (log2=4,3; 100%) e G2 (log2=2,7; 60%). Com base nos dados obtidos, foi possível concluir que a vacina composta por hidróxido de alumínio (G1) foi mais eficaz na produção de anticorpos contra o BVDV-1, em contrapartida esse produto não induziu anticorpos contra o BVDV-2. Apenas as novilhas do G3 (Quil A, amphigen e colesterol) geraram Acs neutralizantes contra o BVDV-2. Os animais que receberam a vacina em emulsão oleosa (G2) como adjuvante apresentaram uma resposta fraca/indetectável contra o BVDV-1 e BVDV-2. A melhor resposta protetiva contra o BoHV-1 foi observada nas novilhas vacinadas com a vacina viva modificada termosensível.(AU)

Effects of 3 Different Commercial Vaccines Formulations against BVDV and BHV-1 on the Inflammatory Response of Holstein Heifers.

After vaccination, vaccine components must activate the immune response, but the ideal vaccine should not result in undesirable effects in cattle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory and humoral responses and adverse reactions induced by three adjuvanted commercial vaccines against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1). Holstein heifers (n = 35) were divided into four groups by adjuvant compounds: Vaccine A (Alum; n=9), Vaccine B (Oil-in-water; n=10), Vaccine C (Amphigen/Quil A cholesterol and dimethyl-dioctadecyl ammonium (DDA) bromide (QAD; n=10), and Control (n=6). Heifers were assessed at 0 h, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 168 h post-vaccination; serology was evaluated at first dose (D0), booster (D21) and D42. Heifers vaccinated with Vaccine B (p= 0.0001) and C (p= 0.0001) had a more intense local reaction, while there was a higher rectal temperature detected in heifers vaccinated with Vaccine C (p= 0.020). There was greater systemic reaction observed for heifers vaccinated with Vaccines B and C at 48h (p= 0.002) after a second dose. Clinical pathology parameters [white blood count (WBC) (p = 0.001), neutrophils (p = 0.0001) and haptoglobin concentrations (p = 0.0001)] were higher in animals vaccinated with Vaccine C. Neutralizing Abs against BVDV type 1 strains, NADL and Singer, were detected in animals vaccinated with Vaccines A or C at D42, while BVDV-2 antibodies were detected only in animals vaccinated with Vaccine C. A BHV-1 antibody was detected in all three vaccine groups (Vaccines A, B or C) at day 42 (21 days post booster vaccination). The findings of this research were based on three different commercial laboratory formulations and also according to the conditions which the study was conducted. In this context, vaccine containing mineral oil or Amphigen/QAD presented greater local reactivity and induced a significant systemic inflammatory response. Vaccinated heifers with Alum and Amphigen/QAD commercial vaccines enhanced humoral immune response against BVDV and BHV-1.

Cryptococcus gattii molecular type VGII infection associated with lung disease in a goat.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcus gattii-induced cryptococcosis is an emerging infectious disease of humans and animals with worldwide distribution and public health importance due to its significant morbidity and mortality rate. The present study aimed to report a case of pulmonary infection by C. gattii molecular type VGII in State of São Paulo, Brazil. CASE PRESENTATION: A 5-year-old goat showing intermittent dry cough, ruminal tympany, anorexia, fever, tachycardia and tachypnea was presented for necropsy at the Veterinary Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil. Postmortem examination revealed numerous 2.0-6.0 cm diameter yellow gelatinous pulmonary masses. Tissues were evaluated by a combination of pathological, mycological, and molecular diagnostic techniques. Microscopically, pneumonia granulomatous, multifocal to coalescing, moderate, with many intralesional carminophilic yeasts was observed. The immunohistochemistry and mycological culture confirmed Cryptococcus spp. Internal transcribed spacers and orotidine monophosphate pyrophosphorylase nucleotide differentiation demonstrated that the isolate corresponds to the C. gattii VGII molecular subtype. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of a pulmonary infection in a goat linked to C. gattii molecular type VGII in Southeastern Brazil. Our findings emphasize the need for an active surveillance program for human and animal new infections to improve the current public health policies due to expansion of the epidemiological niche of this important microorganism.