An Official Outbreak Investigation of Acute Haemorrhagic Diarrhoea in Dogs in Norway Points to Providencia alcalifaciens as a Likely Cause

An outbreak investigation was initiated in September 2019, following a notification to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) of an unusually high number of dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea (AHD) in Oslo. Diagnostic testing by reporting veterinarians had not detected a cause. The official investigation sought to identify a possible common cause, the extent of the outbreak and prevent spread. Epidemiological data were collected through a survey to veterinarians and interviews with dog owners. Diagnostic investigations included necropsies and microbiological, parasitological and toxicological analysis of faecal samples and food. In total, 511 dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea were registered between 1 August and 1 October. Results indicated a common point source for affected dogs, but were inconclusive with regard to common exposures. A notable finding was that 134 of 325 faecal samples (41%) cultured positive for Providencia alcalifaciens. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of 75 P. alcalifaciens isolates from 73 dogs revealed that strains from 51 dogs belonged to the same WGS clone. Findings point to P. alcalifaciens as implicated in the outbreak, but investigations are needed to reveal the pathogenic potential of P. alcalifaciens in dogs and its epidemiology.

A case report of an outbreak of coccidiosis in a pig farm at Abeokuta

An outbreak of coccidiosis was reported in a pig farm housing four boars, six sows, twenty one growers and eleven piglets. Eleven neonatal piglets in two litters of three and five days old were suspected to be involved. Three (27%) out of eleven piglets presented signs of profuse foul smelling diarrhoea and pyrexia, while there was haemorrhagic diarrhoea in one and mortality was 9%. A diagnosis of coccidiosis was made based on the clinical signs, post mortem findings of ulceration and fibrinonecrotic enteritis and laboratory identification of 4,600 coccidial oocysts per gramme of faeces by Mc Master counting technique which were identified as Isospora suis. The two herds were treated with Tripple sulfa-Trim® in drinking water for three days. This medication was effective as the diarrhoea resolved within four days of its onset

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium bacteraemia in a puppy with canine parvoviral enteritis

A 12-week-old female intact, pit bull terrier cross breed puppy presented with vomiting and haemorrhagic diarrhoea. Phagocytosed bacterial rods were observed on peripheral and central blood smears. A commercially available canine parvovirus ELISA test and subsequent electron microscopy for viral particles both tested negative on faecal sampling. The owners declined treatment and the puppy was euthanased. The postmortem revealed enteric necrosis, purulent meningoencephalitis, necropurulent hepatitis and diffuse interstitial pneumonia, with heavy Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium growth on blood and tissue culture. The Salmonella species were sensitive to most commonly used antimicrobials including ampicillin. Canine parvovirus enteritis was diagnosed by positive canine parvovirus specific immune-peroxidase staining of intestinal tissue sections. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to describe canine parvoviral enteritis complicated by a salmonella bacteraemia, and the detection of a bacteraemia on a peripheral blood smear in a live dog.

Horn-induced traumatic caudoventral abdominal wall hernia management and repair in an adult Highland cow

An adult Highland cow weighing 380 kg presented following a five-day history of inappetence, recumbency and trauma inflicted by herd-mates. Physical exam demonstrated significant swelling of the right ventral abdomen with skin excoriations. Abdominal ultrasound of the bulging area indicated significant oedema within pockets, thinning of the right body wall compared with the left side, as well as accumulation of free abdominal fluid. Severe mastitis was noted in three quarters of its udder. The patient was stabilised with intravenous fluids, electrolytes and a belly band. It developed severe, haemorrhagic diarrhoea over the following days, and an exploratory laparotomy was performed. A complete 50 cm-long abdominal wall laceration in the caudoventral right paralumbar fossa was repaired, and jejunal resection and anastomosis performed. The patient recovered with supportive care. Surgical complications included postoperative pneumonia and development of a surgical site infection. The patient maintains good quality of life.

TMEM16A deficiency: a potentially fatal neonatal disease resulting from impaired chloride currents

IntroductionTMEM16A is a calcium-activated chloride channel expressed in various secretory epithelia. Two siblings presented in early infancy with reduced intestinal peristalsis and recurrent episodes of haemorrhagic diarrhoea. In one of them, the episodes were characterised by hepatic pneumatosis with gas bubbles in the portal vein similar to necrotising enterocolitis of the newborn.MethodsExome sequencing identified a homozygous truncating pathogenic variant in ANO1. Expression analysis was performed using reverse transcription PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. Electrophysiological and cell biological studies were employed to characterise the effects on ion transport both in patient respiratory epithelial cells and in transfected HEK293 cells.ResultsThe identified variant led to TMEM16A dysfunction, which resulted in abolished calcium-activated Cl− currents. Secondarily, CFTR function is affected due to the close interplay between both channels without inducing cystic fibrosis (CF).ConclusionTMEM16A deficiency is a potentially fatal disorder caused by abolished calcium-activated Cl− currents in secretory epithelia. Secondary impairment of CFTR function did not cause a CF phenotyp, which may have implications for CF treatment.

Eimeria species in cattle with diarrhoea in the Republic of Korea regarding age, season and nature of diarrhoea

This study evaluated the prevalence of Eimeria species, particularly E bovis, E zuernii and E auburnensis that are pathogenic to cattle, in faecal samples collected from cattle with diarrhoea reared in the Republic of Korea by using microscopy and PCR. In addition, the prevalence of Eimeria species was analysed according to age, type of cattle, region, season and nature of diarrhoea. Overall, Eimeria species were identified in 279 of the 1261 (22.1 per cent) faecal samples through microscopy, and statistical analysis revealed a lower prevalence in calves aged than three weeks or less and higher prevalence in cattle with haemorrhagic diarrhoea. Of the 279 microscopy-positive samples, E bovis, E zuernii and E auburnensis were identified in 100 (7.9 per cent), 83 (6.6 per cent) and 27 (2.1 per cent) faecal samples, respectively, by using PCR. To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to apply PCR for epizootiology of bovine coccidiosis.

Investigation of the incidence of Salmonella spp. in the diarrhoeic syndrome of young ruminants

The presence of Salmonella spp. in the diarrhoeic syndrome of 24 cases of calves, 36 cases of kids and 14 cases of lambs was investigated. Salmonella was isolated as the pathogenic agent from six herds of calves and four cases of kids. The identified species was Salmonella enteritidis in three herds of calves and two cases of kids. Salmonella typhimurium was identified in two herds of calves and one case of kids. Also, Salmonella abony and Salmonella cerro were identified in one case of calves and kids, respectively. Furthermore, Shigella hyodysenteriae was isolated from two cases of diarrhoeic syndrome in lambs. All the infected animals were characterized by persistent haemorrhagic diarrhoea and high mortality. The occurrence of Salmonella enteritidis in ruminants is probably an important point of the epidemiology of Salmonella spp. and may play a significant role in the public health.