Seroprevalence and potential risk factors of brucellosis in sheep from America, Africa and Asia regions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis, a neglected and global zoonotic disease, infect a variety of mammals, among which sheep are one of the main hosts. This disease results in huge economic losses and is a widespread concern around the world. RESULT: Based on the selection criteria, 40 articles from 2010 to 2021 of five databases (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed and Science Direct) reported in America, Africa and Asia were included. The data showed that during this period, the overall seroprevalence of sheep brucellosis on these three continents was 6.2%. At the regional level, sheep brucellosis had the highest seroprevalence (8.5%) in Africa and the lowest seroprevalence (1.9%) in the Americas. With regard to the age of the sheep, the seroprevalence was significantly higher in adult sheep (15.5%) than in lambs (8.6%). Further, the seroprevalence was significantly higher in sheep that had abortion (44.3%) than in pregnant (13.0%) and non-pregnant sheep (9.5%). With regard to herd size, herds with >20 sheep (35.4%) had a significantly higher seroprevalence than herds with <20 sheep (16.8%). In terms of farming and grazing mode, free-range rearing (8.4%) was associated with a significantly higher seroprevalence than intensive farming (2.8%), and mixed grazing (37.0%) was associated with a significantly higher seroprevalence than single grazing (5.7%). CONCLUSION: Sheep brucellosis is widely distributed in sheep-rearing regions of America, Africa and Asia, and sheep are susceptible to brucellosis by themselves or from other infectious sources. Therefore, timely monitoring of ovine brucellosis and improving farming and grazing patterns are critical to reducing the prevalence of brucellosis.

Chronic pithomycotoxicosis associated with obstructive rhinopathy in sheep.

Pithomycotoxicosis (facial eczema) is a seasonal hepatogenous photosensitization of sheep caused by the ingestion of sporidesmin contained in the spores of the fungus Pithomyces chartarum. We describe 4 cases of obstructive rhinopathy associated with chronic pithomycotoxicosis naturally occurring in the north of Spain. Sheep were 5 to 7 years old and Latxa breed. A detailed clinical study was conducted together with computerized tomography examination and completed by necropsy and histopathology. All sheep developed a permanent narrowing of the nasal lumen close to the nostrils causing inspiratory dyspnea and snoring. Computerized tomography demonstrated a significant increase of soft tissue in the rostral nasal cavity. Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lipase were noted on serum biochemistry. At necropsy, liver atrophy and fibrosis associated with chronic pithomycotoxicosis was identified in 3 of the sheep. All sheep had whitish elevations and rough surfaces on the alar folds and areas adjacent to the nasal surfaces. Histopathologic assessments, which included histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques, of the nasal lesions identified moderate to severe arteriosclerosis in 21.5% to 61.9% of the small arteries evaluated with surrounding fibrosis and edema. No changes associated with hypersensitivity reactions were found. These lesions were similar to the ones described in blood vessels of the liver in chronic pithomycotoxicosis and in our cases. The results of this study suggest a direct action of the sporidesmin on the rostral nasal cavity. Further studies are needed to analyze the impact of the sporidesmin on the sheep nasal mucosa.

Livestock exposure to bushfires and meat, offal and carcase quality: Is there an association?

The occurrence of bushfires (wildfires) is increasing with climate change in many areas of the world. In Australia, the 2019/20 bushfire season involved a particularly severe and widespread fire emergency (the 'Black Summer' bushfires). Understanding of how exposure to bushfires affects specific disease processes in livestock is limited. This research investigated spatiotemporal relationships between exposure to bushfires and observations of pneumonia and pleurisy in slaughtered sheep, and meat quality in slaughtered cattle. Two related cross-sectional studies were undertaken using historical abattoir monitoring data from the National Sheep Health Monitoring Project and the Meat Standards Australia Program. The study area involved the Australian states of New South Wales and Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory, which were heavily affected by the 'Black Summer' bushfires. Carcase data were matched to fire occurrence data and to potential confounders including rainfall, pasture growth and pasture biomass indices for the farm of origin. The predictive approach to modelling included generalised additive mixed effects models and a generalised linear mixed model. Consistent though imprecise trends in pneumonia occurrence in sheep carcases were observed across time and distance since exposure to fire, with sheep slaughtered in the immediate aftermath of exposure to high intensity fires at a close distance having the highest occurrence (3.78 cases per 1000 sheep slaughtered 5 days after exposure to medium-to-high intensity fire at 0.5 km distance (95% CI 0.48, 30.02), compared to 0.387 cases per 1000 slaughtered sheep (95% CI 0.147, 1.02) across the study population). However, the economic implications of this for producers and processors are considered to be very limited. No such trends were observed in regards to pleurisy occurrence in sheep. Consistent trends were observed in meat quality in cattle carcases, with lower meat quality scores observed in cattle slaughtered after close proximity to fire (mean MSA index of 57.12 for cattle slaughtered 5 days after exposure to medium-to-high intensity fire at 0.5 km distance (95% CI 56.91, 57.34), compared to a mean of 57.65 (95% CI 57.60, 57.71) across the study population). In the aftermath of exposure to mid-to-high intensity fires, this may warrant consideration in withholding cattle from slaughter from an economic perspective, after decisions based on welfare grounds have been made. These observations will inform practical recommendations to improve health and productivity outcomes in management of bushfire-affected livestock. The observed trends may reflect causal relationships, but this requires further investigation with specific explanatory modelling studies.

Genomic Tools for the Identification of Loci Associated with Facial Eczema in New Zealand Sheep.

Facial eczema (FE) is a significant metabolic disease that affects New Zealand ruminants. Ingestion of the mycotoxin sporidesmin leads to liver and bile duct damage, which can result in photosensitisation, reduced productivity and death. Strategies used to manage the incidence and severity of the disease include breeding. In sheep, there is considerable genetic variation in the response to FE. A commercial testing program is available for ram breeders who aim to increase tolerance, determined by the concentration of the serum enzyme, gamma-glutamyltransferase 21 days after a measured sporidesmin challenge (GGT21). Genome-wide association studies were carried out to determine regions of the genome associated with GGT21. Two regions on chromosomes 15 and 24 are reported, which explain 5% and 1% of the phenotypic variance in the response to FE, respectively. The region on chromosome 15 contains the ß-globin locus. Of the significant SNPs in the region, one is a missense variant within the haemoglobin subunit ß (HBB) gene. Mass spectrometry of haemoglobin from animals with differing genotypes at this locus indicated that genotypes are associated with different forms of adult ß-globin. Haemoglobin haplotypes have previously been associated with variation in several health-related traits in sheep and warrant further investigation regarding their role in tolerance to FE in sheep. We show a strategic approach to the identification of regions of importance for commercial breeding programs with a combination of discovery, statistical and biological validation. This study highlights the power of using increased density genotyping for the identification of influential genomic regions, combined with subsequent inclusion on lower density genotyping platforms.

Multiple model triangulation to identify factors associated with lameness in British sheep flocks.

Identification of factors associated with an outcome can be challenging when the number of explanatory variables is large in relation to the number of observations. Multiple model triangulation, where results from several model types are combined, improves the likelihood of identifying true predictor variables. The aim of this study was to use triangulation to identify covariates likely to be truly associated with the prevalence of lameness in sheep flocks in Great Britain. Data were collected using a questionnaire sent to 3200 sheep farmers in Great Britain in 2018. The useable response rate was 14.1 %. The geometric mean prevalence of lameness was 1.4 % (95 % CI 1.2-1.7) for ewes, and 0.6 % (95 % CI 0.5-0.9) for lambs, however, approximately 60 % flocks had >2% prevalence of lameness in ewes. Four model types were investigated, two generalised linear models (negative binomial and quasi-Poisson) built using stepwise selection, and two elastic net models (Poisson and Gaussian distributions) refined with selection stability estimation. Triangulated covariates were those selected in three or all four models - 10 for ewes and 12 for lambs. Higher prevalence of lameness in ewes was associated with 5-100% feet bleeding during routine foot trimming compared with not foot trimming, footbathing the flock to treat severe footrot (SFR) and always using formalin in footbaths, both compared with not footbathing, using FootVax™ for <1 year compared with not using FootVax™, and never quarantining new or returning sheep to the farm for >3 weeks compared with always. Lower prevalence of lameness in ewes was associated with vaccinating with FootVax™ for >5 years compared with not vaccinating, peat soil compared with no peat soil, and having no lame ewes to treat. Higher prevalence of lameness in lambs was associated with 5-100% feet bleeding during routine foot trimming, always foot trimming ewes with SFR, not knowingly selecting replacement ewes from ewes that were never lame compared with always, replacement sheep purchased and homebred compared with only homebred, treating lambs >3 days after recognition of lameness compared with 0-3 days and footbathing the flock to treat interdigital dermatitis compared with not footbathing at all. Lower prevalence of lameness in lambs was associated with peat soil, flocks in Scotland versus England, an altitude of >230-500 m compared with ≤230 m, never using antibiotic injection to treat lambs with SFR compared with always, and having no lame lambs to treat. We conclude triangulation identified reliable management practices for farmers to implement to minimise lameness in sheep.

Real-time monitoring of ruminal microbiota reveals their roles in dairy goats during subacute ruminal acidosis.

Ruminal microbiota changes frequently with high grain diets and the occurrence of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). A grain-induced goat model of SARA, with durations of a significant decrease in the rumen pH value to less than 5.6 and an increase in the rumen lipopolysaccharides concentration, is constructed for real-time monitoring of bacteria alteration. Using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing, significant bacterial differences between goats from the SARA and healthy groups are identified at every hour for six continuous hours after feeding. Moreover, 29 common differential genera between two groups over 6 h after feeding are all related to the altered pH and lipopolysaccharides. Transplanting the microbiota from donor goats with SARA could induce colonic inflammation in antibiotic-pretreated mice. Overall, significant differences in the bacterial community and rumen fermentation pattern between the healthy and SARA dairy goats are real-time monitored, and then tested using ruminal microbe transplantation to antibiotic-treated mice.

Classical scrapie in small ruminants is caused by at least four different prion strains.

The diversity of goat scrapie strains in Europe has recently been studied using bioassays in a wide collection of rodent models, resulting in the classification of classical scrapie into four different categories. However, the sole use of the first passage does not lead to isolate adaptation and identification of the strains involved and might therefore lead to misclassification of some scrapie isolates. Therefore, this work reports the complete transmission study of a wide collection of goat transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) isolates by intracranial inoculation in two transgenic mouse lines overexpressing either small ruminant (TgGoat-ARQ) or bovine (TgBov) PrPC. To compare scrapie strains in sheep and goats, sheep scrapie isolates from different European countries were also included in the study. Once the species barrier phenomenon was overcome, an accurate classification of the isolates was attained. Thus, the use of just two rodent models allowed us to fully differentiate at least four different classical scrapie strains in small ruminants and to identify isolates containing mixtures of strains. This work reinforces the idea that classical scrapie in small ruminants is a prion disease caused by multiple different prion strains and not by a single strain, as is the case for epidemic classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE-C). In addition, the clear dissimilarity between the different scrapie strains and BSE-C does not support the idea that classical scrapie is the origin of epidemic BSE-C.

Protothecosis and chlorellosis in sheep and goats: a review.

Protothecosis and chlorellosis are sporadic algal diseases that can affect small ruminants. In goats, protothecosis is primarily associated with lesions in the nose and should be included in the differential diagnosis of causes of rhinitis. In sheep, chlorellosis causes typical green granulomatous lesions in various organs. Outbreaks of chlorellosis have been reported in sheep consuming stagnant water, grass from sewage-contaminated areas, and pastures watered by irrigation canals or by effluents from poultry-processing plants. Prototheca and Chlorella are widespread in the environment, and environmental and climatic changes promoted by anthropogenic activities may have increased the frequency of diseases produced by them. The diagnosis of these diseases must be based on gross, microscopic, and ultrastructural lesions, coupled with detection of the agent by immunohistochemical-, molecular-, and/or culture-based methods.

Polyarthritis caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in three Austrian sheep flocks - diagnosis, treatment and management measures.

INTRODUCTION: Polyarthritis caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a well-known disease in pigs, and ovine erysipelas infection also commonly affects two-to-six month-old lambs. This report describes case histories of three sheep flocks where lambs exhibited swollen joints and lameness. Special emphasis was given to clinical and diagnostic imaging findings, synovia sampling and the treatment regime. Lambs with only mild lameness, liquid serofibrinous joint effusion and lambs showing no bone involvement, as revealed by ultrasonography or radiography, were treated with systemically administered antibiotics selected from results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of E. rhusiopathiae isolated from synovial samples, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Lambs with severe lameness and severely swollen joints were euthanized, and routine necropsy was undertaken with a focus on the joints. Further, a herd-specific autogenous vaccine was produced by a specialized laboratory. In conclusion, E. rhusiopathiae infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis in herds associated with lameness and polyarthritis in lambs aged between two up to 17 months.

INTRODUCTION: La polyarthrite causée par Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae est une maladie bien connue chez le porc. Chez les ovins, l'infection touche le plus souvent les agneaux âgés de deux à six mois. Ce rapport de cas décrit trois troupeaux de moutons où des agneaux présentaient des articulations enflées et une boiterie. Un accent particulier a été mis sur la clinique, les résultats de l'imagerie diagnostique, les prélèvements de synovie et le mode de traitement. Les agneaux présentant uniquement une légère boiterie, des épanchements articulaires séro-fibrineux et ceux ne présentant pas d'atteinte osseuse, révélée par échographie ou radiographie, ont été traités avec des antibiotiques administrés par voie systémique, sélectionnés à partir des résultats de la sensibilité d'E. Rhusiopathiae isolé sur les échantillons synoviaux, ainsi qu'avec des anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens. Les agneaux présentant une boiterie sévère et des articulations gravement enflées ont été euthanasiés et une autopsie de routine a été réalisée avec un accent particulier mis sur les articulations. De plus, un vaccin autogène spécifique au troupeau a été produit par un laboratoire. En conclusion, l'infection à E. rhusiopathiae doit être considérée comme un diagnostic différentiel dans les troupeaux où l'on constate des boiteries et des polyarthrites chez les agneaux âgés de 2 à 17 mois.

Efficacy of precisely injected single local bolus of lignocaine for alleviation of behavioural responses to pain during tail docking and castration of lambs with rubber rings.

Delivery of local anaesthetic at the time of castration and tail docking (marking) could improve welfare outcomes in lambs. This study examined pain responses in lambs marked using rubber rings, with or without local anaesthetic precision injected using the Numnuts® instrument. On each of two commercial farms, 150 prime lambs aged 4 to 10 weeks, balanced for sex, were randomly allocated to 3 treatments: handled in a lambing cradle (Sham), handled and marked with rubber rings (Ring) or handled and marked with rubber rings and treated with 30 mg lignocaine using the Numnuts® instrument (NNLA). Time to mother up (one trial site only), acute pain related behaviours at 5, 20, 35 and 50 min, and postures at 10 min intervals from 60 to 180 min were recorded. NNLA lambs tended to mother up more quickly than Ring lambs (P = 0.09), and more slowly (P = 0.07) than Sham lambs. Acute pain behaviours were significantly more frequent in Ring and NNLA than Sham (P < 0.001) from 5 to 50 min. NNLA was significantly lower than Ring at 5 min (P < 0.001) and 20 min (P = 0.001). Ring and NNLA did not differ at 35 or 50 min. Abnormal postures were higher in Ring and NNLA than Sham at 60, 70, 80, 90 and 150 min (P < 0.048). Ring and NNLA did not differ at any time point between 60 and 180 min. Delivery of lignocaine with the Numnuts® instrument improved welfare outcome of lambs during the acute pain response caused by castration and tail docking with rubber rings.

Chorioamnionitis induces enteric nervous system injury: effects of timing and inflammation in the ovine fetus.

BACKGROUND: Chorioamnionitis, inflammation of the chorion and amnion, which often results from intrauterine infection, is associated with premature birth and contributes to significant neonatal morbidity and mortality, including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Recently, we have shown that chronic chorioamnionitis is associated with significant structural enteric nervous system (ENS) abnormalities that may predispose to later NEC development. Understanding time point specific effects of an intra-amniotic (IA) infection on the ENS is important for further understanding the pathophysiological processes and for finding a window for optimal therapeutic strategies for an individual patient. The aim of this study was therefore to gain insight in the longitudinal effects of intrauterine LPS exposure (ranging from 5 h to 15 days before premature delivery) on the intestinal mucosa, submucosa, and ENS in fetal lambs by use of a well-established translational ovine chorioamnionitis model. METHODS: We used an ovine chorioamnionitis model to assess outcomes of the fetal ileal mucosa, submucosa and ENS following IA exposure to one dose of 10 mg LPS for 5, 12 or 24 h or 2, 4, 8 or 15 days. RESULTS: Four days of IA LPS exposure causes a decreased PGP9.5- and S100ß-positive surface area in the myenteric plexus along with submucosal and mucosal intestinal inflammation that coincided with systemic inflammation. These changes were preceded by a glial cell reaction with early systemic and local gut inflammation. ENS changes and inflammation recovered 15 days after the IA LPS exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of mucosal and submucosal inflammation, and ENS alterations in the fetus changed over time following IA LPS exposure. Although ENS damage seemed to recover after prolonged IA LPS exposure, additional postnatal inflammatory exposure, which a premature is likely to encounter, may further harm the ENS and influence functional outcome. In this context, 4 to 8 days of IA LPS exposure may form a period of increased ENS vulnerability and a potential window for optimal therapeutic strategies.

Heat stress-induced deficits in growth, metabolic efficiency, and cardiovascular function coincided with chronic systemic inflammation and hypercatecholaminemia in ractopamine-supplemented feedlot lambs.

Heat stress hinders growth and well-being in livestock, an effect that is perhaps exacerbated by the ß1 agonist ractopamine. Heat stress deficits are mediated in part by reduced feed intake, but other mechanisms involved are less understood. Our objective was to determine the direct impact of heat stress on growth and well-being in ractopamine-supplemented feedlot lambs. Commercial wethers were fed under heat stress (40 °C) for 30 d, and controls (18 °C) were pair-fed. In a 2 × 2 factorial, lambs were also given a daily gavage of 0 or 60 mg ractopamine. Growth, metabolic, cardiovascular, and stress indicators were assessed throughout the study. At necropsy, 9th to 12th rib sections (four-rib), internal organs, and feet were assessed, and sartorius muscles were collected for ex vivo glucose metabolic studies. Heat stress increased (P < 0.05) rectal temperatures and respiration rates throughout the study and reduced (P < 0.05) weight gain and feed efficiency over the first week, ultrasonic loin-eye area and loin depth near the end of the study, and four-rib weight at necropsy. Fat content of the four-rib and loin were also reduced (P < 0.05) by heat stress. Ractopamine increased (P < 0.05) loin weight and fat content and partially moderated the impact of heat stress on rectal temperature and four-rib weight. Heat stress reduced (P < 0.05) spleen weight, increased (P < 0.05) adrenal and lung weights, and was associated with hoof wall overgrowth but not organ lesions. Ractopamine did not affect any measured indicators of well-being. Heat stress reduced (P < 0.05) blood urea nitrogen and increased (P < 0.05) circulating monocytes, granulocytes, and total white blood cells as well as epinephrine, TNFα, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Cortisol and insulin were not affected. Heat stress reduced (P < 0.05) blood pressure and heart rates in all lambs and increased (P < 0.05) left ventricular wall thickness in unsupplemented but not ractopamine-supplemented lambs. No cardiac arrhythmias were observed. Muscle glucose uptake did not differ among groups, but insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation was reduced (P < 0.05) in muscle from heat-stressed lambs. These findings demonstrate that heat stress impairs growth, metabolism, and well-being even when the impact of feed intake is eliminated by pair-feeding and that systemic inflammation and hypercatecholaminemia likely contribute to these deficits. Moreover, ractopamine improved muscle growth indicators without worsening the effects of heat stress.

Prevalence of and risk factors for intravenous catheter infection in hospitalized cattle, goats, and sheep.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous catheter (IVC) use in hospitalized ruminants is a common procedure. Limited information is available describing complications associated with IVCs. HYPOTHESES: Prevalence of IVC infections in hospitalized ruminants is >50%. Intravenous catheters maintained for >5 days are more likely to be infected than those maintained for <5 days. Intravenous catheters placed non-aseptically have a higher risk for infection than those placed aseptically. ANIMALS: Thirty-four cattle, 39 goats, and 33 sheep were hospitalized in a university teaching hospital. METHODS: Prospective observational study. The IVCs from cattle, goats, and sheep admitted for medical and surgical procedures were randomly selected and submitted for bacteriological culture and susceptibility testing. RESULTS: Prevalence values (95% confidence interval) of infected catheters were 61.8 (45.5, 78.1), 51.3 (35.3, 66.7), and 42.4% (25.2, 58.8) in cattle, goats, and sheep, respectively. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp was the most frequently isolated bacterium. Catheter type/placement technique was a significant (P = .03) predictor of IVC infection in goats but not in cattle (P = .65) and sheep (P = .47). Antibiotic use and reason for catheter placement were not significant predictors of IVC infection in all species. Catheters maintained for >4 days had a higher likelihood of being infected than those maintained for <4 days in all species. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Clinicians should consider replacing catheters maintained for >4 days to reduce IVC infection.

Management strategies, reproductive performance and causes of infertility in sheep flocks in the central region of Saudi Arabia.

The objectives of this study were to identify the management strategies, reproductive characteristics, and causes of the infertility in sheep flocks in the central region of Saudi Arabia. Reproductive data were collected from 43 Awassi flocks containing 12,012 heads and 16 Najdi flocks having 2867 heads. Reproductive tracts of females culled from breeding from these flocks (Awassi, n = 127; Najdi, n = 32) were collected from slaughterhouses to detect the common pathological lesions. The results showed that most flocks contained large number of animals housed mainly in shelters and involved small number of workers. Few managers had high school education and very few farms relied on breeding records, regular veterinary visits, and the use of modern reproductive techniques. Sheep flocks with large number of animals; low-educated and less-experienced managers showed higher stillbirth rate than other flocks (P = 0.02). Sheep housed in shelter demonstrated greater lambing rate than sheep managed between grazing and shelter systems (P = 0.03). Ewes bred seasonally had greater lambing rate than those bred all year (P = 0.03). Non-functioning ovaries, pyometra, and ovarian-bursal adhesion were the common findings in the culled barren ewes. In conclusion, reproductive efficiency of sheep in the central area of Saudi Arabia could be improved by reforming some management approaches, justifying workers/animals ratio, instructing sheep breeders, and controlling genital diseases.

Cognition and behavior in sheep repetitively inoculated with aluminum adjuvant-containing vaccines or aluminum adjuvant only.

Sheep health management strategies often include the use of aluminum (Al)-containing vaccines. These products were associated with the appearance of the ovine autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA syndrome), which included an array of ethological changes in the affected animals. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate cognitive and behavioral changes in sheep subjected to a protocol of repetitive inoculation with Al-containing products. Twenty-one lambs were assigned to three groups (n = 7 each): Control, Adjuvant-only, and Vaccine. Vaccine group was inoculated with commercial Al- hydroxide containing vaccines; Adjuvant-only group received the equivalent dose of Al only (Alhydrogel®), and Control group received Phosphate-buffered saline. Sixteen inoculations were administered within a 349-day period. Ethological changes were studied in late summer (7 inoculations) and mid-winter (16 inoculations). Animals in Vaccine and Adjuvant-only groups exhibited individual and social behavioral changes. Affiliative interactions were significantly reduced, and aggressive interactions and stereotypies increased significantly. They also exhibited a significant increase in excitatory behavior and compulsive eating. There were increased levels of stress biomarkers in these two groups. In general, changes were more pronounced in the Vaccine group than they were in the Adjuvant-only group. Some changes were already significant in summer, after seven inoculations only. This study is the first to describe behavioral changes in sheep after having received repetitive injections of Al-containing products, and may explain some of the clinical signs observed in ovine ASIA syndrome.

Influence of Radial Pressure Wave Therapy (RPWT) on collagenase-induced Achilles tendinopathy treated with Platelet Rich Plasma and Autologous Adipose Derived Stem Cells.

Tendinopathy treatment poses a current challenge for sport medicine due to unique physiology and biomechanics of tendons. The goal of this work was to compare the efficacy of the addition of the radial pressure wave therapy (RPWT) treatment to injection of autologous Adipose Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in the therapeutic procedure for collagenase induced Achilles tendinopathy in sheep. 14 sheep (aged 5 and 6 years, Polish Mountain Sheep breed, weight 60-70 kg) were injected bacterial collagenase type 1A-S (Clostridium histolyticum, C-5894, Sigma Aldrich, Poznan, Poland) bilaterally to Achilles tendons. Subsequently, the animals were injected with PRP (7 sheep) or ADSCs (7 sheep) to previously induced tendinopathy foci. Left limbs of all the animals were additionally treated with RPWT focused above the tendinopathy origins. Treatment progress was controlled by ultrasound scans, and tendon samples were taken on the 126th day of the experiment. Tendon samples taken from the sheep treated with RPWT+ADSCs showed lower cellularity and the highest number of thick collage fibers. Samples taken from the sheep treated with RPWT+PRP showed an elevated rate of neovascularization. Addition of the RPWT to ADSCs injections in the treatment of induced Achilles tendinopathy in sheep resulted in good quality of the tissue regeneration. Dual therapy with RPWT+PRP injection can lead to neovascularization in the tendon tissue.

Systemic inflammatory response to the Radial Pressure Wave Therapy (RPWT) in collagenase-induced Achilles tendinopathy treated with Adipose Derived Stem Cells or Platelet Rich Plasma.

Novel tendinopathy treatment protocols should be assessed for safety. The goal of this work was to compare differences in selected systemic inflammatory marker concentrations after two treatment protocols for collagenase induced Achilles tendinopathy in sheep. 14 sheep (aged 5 and 6 years, Polish Mountain Sheep breed, weight 60-70kg) were injected with bacterial collagenase type 1A-S (Clostridium histolyticum, C-5894, Sigma Aldrich, Poznan, Poland) bilaterally to Achilles tendons. Subsequently, the animals were injected with Platelet Rich Plasma (7 sheep) or Adipose Derived Stem Cells (7 sheep) to induced tendinopathy foci. Left limbs of all sheep were additionally treated with Radial Pressure Wave Therapy (RPWT) focused above the tendinopathy origins. Treatment progress was controlled by ultrasound scans, and tendon samples were taken on the 126th day of the experiment. Serum Amyloid A (SAA) concentration showed mild elevation before the experiment (2 sheep from group I, 4 sheep from group II) and two days after the intratendinous growth factors injection ( 4 sheep from group I, 3 sheep from group II) combined with RPWT (mean 22,63 mg/L and 53, 6 mg/L respectively). Haptoglobine (Hp) concentration increased from 0 to 0,01 g/L in 2 animals from group I two days after injection. These values declined to 0 during the course of the treatment. Fibrinogen (Fb) concentrations were within reference levels throughout the research, although mild elevation was observed before the treatment course in 6 sheep from group I and 1 sheep from group II. In conclusion, addition of RPWT to growth factors injections in the treatment of yatrogenic Achilles tendinopathy in sheep did not induce systemic inflammatory response.

Footbathing, formalin and foot trimming: The 3Fs associated with granulomas and shelly hoof in sheep.

Granulomas and shelly hoof (SH), are lesions of sheep feet. Our objective was to use data from four questionnaires on lameness sent to English sheep farmers in 2004, 2013, 2014 and 2015 to further understanding of the risks and aetiologies of both lesions. Granulomas were more likely in flocks where routine foot trimming (odds ratio [OR]=3.17; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.11-11.47) and routine footbathing (OR=2.38; 95% CI 1.19-4.83) were practised than where these management protocols were not. SH was more likely in flocks that were footbathed in formalin compared with not footbathing (OR=1.65; 95% CI 1.19-2.30), and was less common in flocks that stocked ewes at more than eight vs. four per acre (OR=0.34; 95% CI 0.17-0.68). There were weak associations between SH and foot trimming. In 2004 only, SH was more likely in flocks where therapeutic foot trimming was practised than not practised (OR=2.24; 95% CI 1.12-4.68). In 2014 only, SH was marginally less likely in flocks where no feet bled during trimming, compared with flocks not routinely trimmed (OR=0.55; CI 0.30-1.00); SH was not related to foot trimming once severe footrot was included. We propose that flocks with granulomas and SH would decrease if farmers stopped footbathing in general, in particular with formalin, and avoided foot trimming whether as a therapeutic or routine practice. Further work is needed to understand the role of stocking density.

Solar-induced dorsal skin necrosis in sheep.

BACKGROUND: Solar-induced thermal burns of dark skin over the dorsum have been reported in dogs, sheep and a pig. OBJECTIVES: This report describes an outbreak of solar-induced thermal burns over the dorsal skin of criollo and Texel sheep in Uruguay. ANIMALS AND METHODS: Cross-bred criollo and pure-bred Texel adult ewes from a flock of 80 animals presented with severe skin lesions. Eight animals were evaluated clinically and skin biopsy specimens were collected from three ewes for histopathology. Epidemiological data were collected. RESULTS: Black/brown criollo sheep presented with extensive, wide, linear dorsal skin necrosis extending from the interscapular to the lumbosacral area. Necrotic skin was firm, dry and largely detached from the underlying subcutis. Nonpigmented Texel sheep showed milder lesions with rapid re-epithelialization and healing. Histological features were consistent with third-degree burns, characterized by full-thickness coagulative necrosis of epidermis and dermis, including blood vessels and adnexa. The cumulative incidence of the disease was 21% during the 30 days post-shearing, affecting 50% of criollo and 7.4% of Texel sheep (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings are consistent with post-shearing, sun-induced thermal burns leading to dorsal skin necrosis. Risk factors include sunlight exposure during hot months after shearing, dark skin and obesity.