Efficacy of a live intranasal vaccine against parainfluenza type 3 and bovine respiratory syncytial virus in young calves with maternally derived antibodies.

TRIAL DESIGN: Two randomised controlled vaccination trials with artificial challenges were carried out in addition to a serological survey of levels of maternally derived antibodies (MDA) to parainfluenza type 3 virus (PI3V) and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) in European calves. PARTICIPANTS: Ten-day-old calves with and without MDA were included in the two vaccine trials. INTERVENTIONS: Intranasal administration of a bivalent modified live (PI3V/BRSV) vaccine followed by artificial challenge approximately three months post vaccination. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the efficacy of a modified live respiratory vaccine, Bovalto Respi Intranasal (Boehringer Ingelheim). In order to assess the interference of MDA, both seropositive and seronegative calves were used. RANDOMISATION: PI3V and BRSV serological status was determined seven days before vaccination; calves without maternal antibodies became the MDA- vaccinates. Calves with MDA were ranked according to individual titres and allocated alternately to MDA+ vaccinate and MDA+ control groups. BLINDING: Treatment was carried out by the unblinded study director. Animal care and veterinary examinations were conducted by personnel unaware of the treatments received. The serological survey used blood samples obtained from calves on commercial farms in five European countries, Germany, Spain, Italy, Ireland and the UK, to determine the levels of MDA to PI3V and BRSV in calves approximately two weeks of age. RESULTS: A total of 36 calves were included in the two challenge studies and 32 of these completed the challenge studies. Twenty-one calves were included in the PI3V challenge study, with six of six MDA- and six of seven MDA+ vaccinated calves and five of five MDA+ unvaccinated control calves being challenged with PI3V. Fifteen calves were included in the BRSV challenge study, with five of five MDA- and five of five MDA+ vaccinated calves and five of five MDA+ unvaccinated control calves being challenged with BRSV. OUTCOME: For both challenges, clinical scores and nasal shedding were significantly higher in control animals compared with vaccinates (PI3V challenge: clinical scores P=0.001, nasal shedding P=0.001; BRSV challenge: clinical scores P=0.016, nasal shedding P=0.002) and not significantly different between MDA+ and MDA- vaccinated animals for both challenges (P>0.05). A total of 254 samples from six countries were tested in the serological survey of MDA. CONCLUSION: The results of the challenge studies demonstrated the efficacy of the vaccine in the presence of BRSV and PI3V MDA under laboratory conditions. The field assessment confirmed that the MDA titres in the MDA+ calves corresponded to those typically found on farms.

Comparison of milk production of dairy cows vaccinated with a live double deleted BVDV vaccine and non-vaccinated dairy cows cohabitating in commercial herds endemically infected with BVD virus.

Daily milk production and reproductive performance of cows vaccinated with a live double-deleted Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) vaccine were compared to those of non-vaccinated cows, cohabitating in endemic BVDV herds. All animals in the treatment group were vaccinated on study day 0 irrespective of lactation or gestation status, while control animals did not receive any treatment. 1463 animals were enrolled in the study from four different farms in three different countries (UK, Italy, France). Endemic presence of BVDV in study herds was demonstrated by the detection of BVDV in the bulk tank milk, and seroconversion was evaluated at the beginning of the study. For individual animals, the day of calving was taken to be the start of lactation for the calculation of days in milk (DIM). The standard lactation period of 305 days was divided into three periods: early lactation (EL, from DIM 8 to DIM 102), mid lactation (ML, from DIM 103 to DIM 204 and late lactation (LL, from DIM 205 to DIM 305). For each farm and each lactation period, a mixed model statistical analysis was performed with daily milk production as response, and group, day as well as the interaction between those two factors as fixed factors. Chi-square test was used to compare abortion rate and prolonged inter-oestrous interval rate between treatment and control groups. A significant increase in milk production in the vaccinated group was observed in farms 1 (1.023 L/day) and 3 (0.611 L/day) during EL (p<0.001) and in farm 2 (1.799 L/day) during ML (P<0.001). In addition, at farm 2, vaccinated cows produced more milk than non-vaccinated cows starting from 80 DIM. No differences were found between groups in abortion rates or prolonged inter-oestrous interval rates. Data demonstrate that cows in herds endemically infected with BVDV and vaccinated with live double-deleted BVDV vaccine produce more milk; the difference in milk production occurs during early lactation.

Prevalence and genetic diversity of bovine viral diarrhea virus in dairy herds of China.

To determine the nationwide prevalence and genetic diversity of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in China, 92 dairy farms with more than 500 animals in 19 provinces of China were surveyed in 2017. At each farm, ear notch samples from calves less than six months old and bulk tank milk (BTM) samples were collected. A total of 901 ear notch samples and 329 BTM samples from 183 tanks were sampled. A total of 20 (20/901, 2.22 %) ear notch samples from 10 (10/92, 10.86 %) farms tested positive for BVDV by IDEXX Antigen Point-of-Care (POC) Test kit and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In addition, 80 of 183 (80/183, 43.7 %) BTM samples from 43 (43/92, 46.7 %) farms were identified as positive by qRT-PCR. The RNA of positive and suspect samples identified by qRT-PCR was subjected to 5'- untranslated region (UTR) amplification by nested RT-PCR and then sequenced. A total of 119 sequences were obtained and phylogenetic analysis of these 5'-UTR sequences revealed the presence of eight different subgenotypes of BVDV-1 including 1a (n = 37, 31.09 %), 1b (n = 5, 4.20 %), 1c (n = 34, 28.57 %), 1d (n = 2, 1.68 %), 1m (n = 25, 21.01 %), 1q (n = 6, 5.04 %), and two unknown subgenotypes which were tentatively typed as "BVDV-1v" (n = 8, 6.72 %) and "BVDV-1w" (n = 2, 1.68 %), respectively. BVDV-1a, 1c, and 1m were the dominant strains, collectively accounting for 80.67 % (96/119) of all sequences. Phylogenetic analysis based on selected N-terminal autoprotease (Npro) sequences confirmed the classification of the 5'-UTR sequences. In conclusion, the prevalence of BVDV persistent infection in dairy cattle was high and genetic diversity was high and increasing, revealing a serious threat to the health of cattle in China and highlighting the need for BVDV control.

Endoscopic-assisted resection of a pedunculated uterine leiomyoma with maximal tissue preservation in a cow and a mare.

OBJECTIVE: To report successful minimally invasive treatment of a uterine leiomyoma in a cow and a mare. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical report. ANIMAL POPULATION: Limousine cow (n = 1), Thoroughbred mare (n = 1). METHODS: A 10-year-old cow and an 18-year-old mare were presented for difficulties in breeding and infertility, respectively. Examination of the reproductive tract revealed the presence of a large mass attached to the uterine wall via a wide and short peduncle in both cases. The mass expanded into the uterine lumen in the mare and into the abdomen in the cow. Both masses were removed using a minimally invasive endoscopic approach and a vessel-sealing and dividing device. RESULTS: Minimally invasive surgical resection of a subserosal and a submucosal leiomyoma with maximal sparing of uterine tissue resulted in a short convalescence period and apparent return to breeding function in a cow and a mare. Use of a vessel-sealing and dividing device provided excellent hemostasis and decreased tissue handling. CONCLUSION: Leiomyoma with short, wide, and thick peduncles were treated successfully in a cow and a mare with minimally invasive endoscopic approaches aiming at maximal uterine tissue preservation.

Malignant melanoma in a grey horse: case presentation and review of equine melanoma treatment options.

A 15 year-old grey Thoroughbred gelding presented for investigation of chronic weight loss and recent onset of respiratory difficulty. Clinical examination confirmed tachypnoea with increased respiratory effort. Thoracic ultrasound examination detected pleural effusion. The dyspnoea was related to the large volume of pleural effusion and, following post-mortem examination, to the presence of a large mediastinal mass. Multiple pigmented masses, likely melanomas, were detected peri-anally. Thoracic radiography, cytological examination of the pleural fluid and a fine needle aspirate of a thoracic mass led to a presumptive diagnosis of malignant melanoma and this was confirmed at post mortem examination. Further metastatic spread to the central nervous system and right guttural pouch was also identified. In conclusion this case manifests the potential malignant behaviour of equine melanomas, and a review of proposed therapies for melanoma treatment highlights the therapeutic options and current areas of research.

latrogenic lipoid pneumonia in an adult horse.

A 20-year-old gelding presented with a history of acute respiratory distress which began immediately after administration of a mineral oil and water mix, via nasogastric intubation, for treatment of suspected gastrointestinal dysfunction. An initial presumptive diagnosis of acute lipoid pneumonia was made; this was further supported by evidence of arterial hypoxaemia and oxygen desaturation on arterial blood gas analysis, ultrasonographic signs of bilateral ventral lung consolidation and a mixed bronchoalveolar-interstitial lung pattern seen on thoracic radiographs. Despite intensive supportive therapy the horse's condition continued to deteriorate and the decision was made for humane euthanasia. Gross necropsy findings supported the clinical diagnosis of lipoid pneumonia.