Comparative Microbiomes of the Respiratory Tract and Joints of Feedlot Cattle Mortalities

A comparative study of microbiota of the respiratory tract and joints of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) cattle mortalities was undertaken. Nasopharynx, trachea, lung and joint samples were collected from 32 cattle that died of BRD, “cases”, and 8 that died of other causes, “controls”. Bacterial diversity was lower (p < 0.05) in the nasopharynx, trachea and lungs of cases as compared to controls. In cases, alpha-diversity (p < 0.05) was lower in the lungs and joints than the nasopharynx. Proteobacteria, Tenericutes, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were the most abundant phyla in all samples. Relative abundances of Mycoplasma spp. in the lung, Pasteurella spp. in the trachea and lung, and Histophilus spp. in the lung, trachea and nasopharynx of cases were higher (p < 0.001) than controls. Mycoplasma spp. comprised 20.5% of bacterial flora in the joint, 36.0% in the lung, 22.4% in the trachea and 8.8% in the nasopharynx. Mannheimia spp. (21.8%) and Histophilus spp. (10.4%) were more abundant in lungs. Cattle that died of BRD possessed less diverse respiratory microbiomes with a higher abundance of respiratory pathogens. Mycoplasma spp. were prominent members of pneumonic lungs and joints displaying septic arthritis.

Monitoring Sexually Transmitted Infections in Cervicovaginal Exfoliative Samples in Mexican Women

Background. Globally, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a major cause of morbidity in sexually active individuals, having complications in reproduction health and quality of life. In concordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Candida spp., Ureaplasma spp., Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, HSV, and Mycoplasma spp. from cervicovaginal samples and to correlate them with the gynecological history of the patients. Methods. Our analytical, prospective, and cross-sectional study included 377 women who participated in a reproductive health campaign during 2015–2016. Anthropometric and gynecological variables were obtained. Cervicovaginal specimens were collected and analyzed with a multiplex in-house PCR to detect Candida spp., Ureaplasma spp., Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, HSV, Mycoplasma spp., and Chlamydia trachomatis. Results. The positive cases were 175/377 (46.4%) to at least one of the microorganisms. The most frequent pathogen detected in this population was Ureaplasma spp. (n = 111, 29.4%), followed by Mycoplasma spp. (n = 56, 14.9%) and Candida spp. (n = 47, 12.5%); 33.7% of the positive cases were single infections, whereas 12.7% had coinfection. The multiplex PCR assay was designed targeting nucleotide sequences. Conclusions. Our data demonstrated that monitoring STIs among asymptomatic patients will encourage target programs to be more precisely and effectively implemented, as well as make these programs more affordable, to benefit society by decreasing the prevalence of STIs.

A testudinid herpesvirus 1 (TeHV1)-associated disease outbreak in a group of Horsfield’s tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii)

In spring 2020, a severe disease outbreak with high morbidity and mortality was observed in a collection of 15 Horsfield’s tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii). Affected tortoises showed upper respiratory- and gastrointestinal tract signs, including rhinitis and stomatitis. Testudinid herpesvirus 1 (TeHV1) and Mycoplasma spp. were detected by PCR in oral swabs of affected animals. Histological examination of one deceased animal showed intranuclear inclusion bodies typical for herpesvirus infections in liver, spleen and oesophagus. The virus was likely introduced into the collection 2 years earlier by a clinically healthy Horsfield’s tortoise that was tested positive for TeHV1 by PCR.

IMMUNO-BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF VAGINAL DISCHARGE IN HEALTHY AND MYCOPLASMOSIS-INFECTED COWS

Genital mycoplasmosis in cows is a disease accompanied by a latent course, which complicates its timely diagnosis and the appointment of adequate therapy. The nonspecific symptomatology of mycoplasmosis, combined with periods of asymptomatic course, leads to the development of functional and morphological changes in the organs of the reproductive system of cows, resulting in infertility. Monitoring studies of livestock farms in the North-West region of the Russian Federation have shown that infection of the genitals of cows with mycoplasmas can be from 20 to 40% of the livestock. Moreover, there is a clear relationship between the high infection rate of the livestock and low reproduction rates. In this regard, livestock enterprises incur significant economic damage. One of the important mechanisms preventing the introduction of various pathogens into the reproductive tract is the resistance of the vaginal mucosa. Among these factors, the most important role is assigned to vaginal autoflora, epithelial desquamation, phagocytosis, acidity of vaginal secretions, the content of immunoglobulins, lysozyme and a number of other nonspecific protective factors in it. We studied the changes in the immuno-biological characteristics of vaginal secretions in the subclinical course of genital mycoplasmosis. Healthy cows with a negative PCR test for Mycoplasma spp. were selected for the study. and infected with Mycoplasma spp., without clinical signs of vaginitis. In both groups of animals, the concentration of hydrogen ions, the activity of lysozyme and immunoglobulins of the classes IgG, IgM, IgA and sIgA were determined in the vaginal secretions. Despite the fact that the persistence of mycoplasmas in the vagina is not accompanied by pronounced clinical signs of vaginitis, but the state of protective factors the mucous membrane undergoes significant changes. The conducted studies made it possible to establish that the long-term presence of mycoplasmas in the vagina of cows is manifested by a significant increase in the concentration of hydrogen ions by 41% and a decrease in the lysozyme activity of vaginal secretions by 2 times, that is, inhibition of the main factors preventing the colonization of mucous pathogenic microflora is observed. In addition, there is a redistribution of classes of immunoglobulins in the vaginal secretion. This is manifested by a significant increase in the content of IgM and sIgA against the background of a tendency towards a decrease in IgA. The noted changes in aggregate create favorable conditions for the introduction of secondary microflora and the development of bacterial-mycoplasma vaginitis, aggravating morpho-functional changes in the reproductive tract and increasing the risk of infertility.

Helcococcus ovis bei septischer Arthritis und Bursitis bei Kälbern

Septische Arthritiden und Pneumonien gehören bei Mastkälbern zu den häufigsten Todesursachen. Septische Arthritiden oder Entzündungen der synovialen Einrichtungen haben v. a. traumatische Ursachen, entstehen durch periartikuläre Entzündungsprozesse oder infolge einer hämatogenen Erregerstreuung. Die in diesem Zusammenhang beim Rind gewöhnlich nachweisbaren Erreger sind Trueperella pyogenes, Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp. und E. coli. Eine mögliche hämatogene Streuung bei bestehender Bronchopneumonie ist bekannt und oft mit dem Nachweis von Mycoplasma spp. assoziiert. In letzter Zeit häufen sich jedoch Berichte über die Beteiligung von Helcococcus ovis als neu aufkommendem Pathogen, meist in Form von Koinfektionen mit anderen Bakterien. In diesem Fallbericht wird eine Monoinfektion mit Helcococcus ovis bei Kälbern einer Milchviehherde dargestellt.

MICOPLASMOSE HEMOTRÓPICA FELINA – REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

Introdução: A micoplasmose hemotrópica é uma doença causada por diferentes gêneros de Mycoplasma spp. como o caso do Mycoplasma haemofelis transmitido aos gatos pela picada de pulgas infectadas. Ao atingir o sistema circulatório do felino, o parasita se adere as hemácias, gerando resposta imune do hospedeiro levando a quadros de anemia hemolítica. Alguns felinos costumam ter anemia regenerativa como achado laboratorial devido a parasitemia causada pelo microrganismo, exceto em gatos positivos para FeLV. Os sinais clínicos são variáveis e incluem apatia, fraqueza, anorexia, mucosas pálidas, icterícias, no entanto alguns animais infetados são assintomáticos. É considerada uma doença oportunista. Objetivo: Realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre a doença abordando seus aspectos patogênicos, sinais clínicos, além dos métodos diagnósticos e os tratamentos comumente preconizados. Material e Métodos: Para a pesquisa bibliográfica foram acessados artigos científicos, publicados entre 2010 e 2021, utilizando os descritores “micoplasmose hemotrópica felina” e “hemobartonelose em gatos” nas plataformas digitais SciELO, Google Acadêmico e PubVet. Resultados: A doença possui como principal sinal clinico a anemia hemolítica em gatos imunocompetentes, em alguns casos, o hematócrito pode diminuir de repente colocando a vida do paciente em risco. A fisiopatologia dessa doença possui três estágios importantes: fase aguda, fase de recuperação e fase crônica. A infecção inicia-se com a fase aguda e os sinais clínicos neste período se manifestam de maneira leve, inaparentes. O diagnóstico se dar pela avaliação do esfregaço sanguíneo onde pode evidenciar o M. haemofelis em eritrócitos. A confirmação do diagnóstico também pode ser por meio de PCR. Para o tratamento utilizam-se antibióticos, sendo descrito na literatura preferencialmente o uso de doxiciclina, tetraciclina, oxitetraciclina, enrofloxacina, corticóides e fluidoterapia. A transfusão de sangue é realizada quando houver anemia grave. A terapia com corticoide suprime a hemólise imunomediada e a doxiciclina é efetiva contra o parasito. Conclusão: A infecção por M. haemofelis é considerada uma doença comum na medicina veterinária e se não tratada pode levar a morte do animal. Por se tratar de uma doença transmitida por picada de pulgas infectadas a melhor maneira de prevenir a doença é controlando os ectoparasitas permitindo que os animais tenham uma vida saudável.