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Aravamuthan S, Walleser E, Döpfer D. Benchmarking analysis of computer vision algorithms on edge devices for the real-time detection of digital dermatitis in dairy cows. Prev Vet Med 2024; 231:106300. [PMID: 39126985 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Digital dermatitis (DD) is a bovine claw disease responsible for ulcerative lesions on the coronary band of the foot. It causes significant animal welfare and economic losses to the cattle industry. Early detection of DD can lead to prompt treatment and decrease lameness. Current detection and staging methods require a trained individual to evaluate the interdigital space on each foot for clinical signs of DD. Computer vision (CV), a type of artificial intelligence for image analysis, has demonstrated promising results on object detection tasks. However, farms require robust solutions that can be deployed in harsh conditions including dust, debris, humidity, precipitation, other equipment issues. The study aims to train, deploy, and benchmark DD detection models on edge devices. Images were collected from commercial dairy farms with the camera facing the interdigital space on the plantar surface of the foot. Images were scored for M-stages of DD by a trained investigator using the M-stage DD classification system. Models were trained to detect and score DD lesions and embedded on an edge device. The Tiny YOLOv4 model deployed on a CV specific integrated camera module connected to a single board computer achieved a mean average precision (mAP) of 0.895, an overall prediction accuracy of 0.873, and a Cohen's kappa of 0.830 for agreement between the computer vision model and the trained investigator. The model reached a final inference speed of 40 frames per second (FPS) and ran stably without any interruptions. The CV model was able to detect DD lesions on an edge device with high performance and speed. The CV tool can be used for early detection and prompt treatment of DD in dairy cows. Real-time detection of DD on edge device will improve health outcomes, while simultaneously decreasing labor costs. We demonstrate that the deployed model can be a low-power and portable solution for real-time detection of DD on dairy farms. This result is a step towards applying CV algorithms to veterinary medicine and implementing real-time detection of health outcomes in precision farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanth Aravamuthan
- Department of Medical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison 53706, United States
| | - Emil Walleser
- Department of Medical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison 53706, United States
| | - Dörte Döpfer
- Department of Medical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison 53706, United States.
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McPherson A, Tranter B, Phipps A, Laven R, House J, Zadoks RN, Rowe S. Etiology and epidemiology of digital dermatitis in Australian dairy herds. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:5924-5941. [PMID: 38331178 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) is an important cause of lameness in dairy cows worldwide. However, very little is known about this disease in Australian herds, which are predominantly managed on pasture. The primary objectives of this cross-sectional study were to describe the presence and prevalence of BDD in Australian dairy herds and to characterize the microbiota of healthy skin and M4 lesions of BDD-affected, pasture-managed cows. Cows from 71 dairy herds were examined at milking time to identify the presence of BDD lesions. True prevalence was estimated using Bayesian methods with informative priors for sensitivity and specificity. Biopsy samples (n = 60) were collected from cows with and without BDD lesions in 7 pasture-based herds. The microbiota in the superficial and deep strata of each tissue biopsy were characterized via sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the bacterial ribosomal RNA gene. Lesions were detected in 1,817 (11.5%) of 15,813 cows and in 68 of 71 (95.8%) herds. The median herd-level apparent and true prevalences of BDD were 8.5% and 18.1%, respectively, but prevalences varied considerably between farms. On farms with BDD, M4 lesions accounted for 70% to 100% of all lesions (interquartile range = 95.1%-100%, median = 100%); M2 lesions (i.e., large ulcerative lesions) were observed at low prevalence (<2.2%) in the few herds (7/71, 9.9%) where they were found. There was a significant difference in the composition of the microbiota between healthy skin and M4 lesions but not between superficial and deep tissue layers. Several gut- and effluent-associated bacterial taxa, including Lentimicrobium and Porphyromonas, which have previously been associated with BDD, were abundant in BDD lesions but not in control biopsies. Our study supports the idea that such taxa are involved in, although possibly not essential to, lesion development and persistence in pasture-managed cows in Australia. Our results also suggest that Dichelobacter may contribute to the disease process. We conclude that BDD is likely to occur in most Australian dairy farms, but that further studies are needed to identify its effect on cow welfare and productivity. Further investigation of the etiology of BDD in Australian dairy herds is also necessary to inform prevention and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew McPherson
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, 2570, Australia
| | - Bill Tranter
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4810, Australia; Tableland Veterinary Service, Malanda, Queensland, 4885, Australia
| | - Ash Phipps
- Rochester Veterinary Practice, Rochester, Victoria, 3561, Australia
| | - Richard Laven
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand
| | - John House
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, 2570, Australia
| | - Ruth N Zadoks
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, 2570, Australia
| | - Sam Rowe
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, 2570, Australia.
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Anagnostopoulos A, Barden M, Griffiths BE, Bedford C, Winters M, Li B, Coffey M, Psifidi A, Banos G, Oikonomou G. Association between a genetic index for digital dermatitis resistance and the presence of digital dermatitis, heel horn erosion, and interdigital hyperplasia in Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:4915-4925. [PMID: 38331180 PMCID: PMC11245669 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Digital dermatitis (DD) is a polybacterial disease endemic to most UK dairy farms. It poses a major financial and welfare threat and is characterized by high incidence and recurrence rates. We aimed to investigate the association between the UK EBV for resistance to digital dermatitis, the digital dermatitis index (DDI), and the frequency of DD, heel horn erosion (HHE), and interdigital hyperplasia (IH) in a population of Holstein dairy cows. We enrolled and genotyped 2,352 cows from 4 farms in a prospective cohort study. Foot lesion records were recorded by veterinary surgeons for each animal at 4 time points during a production cycle, starting at approximately 2 mo before calving and ending in late lactation. Importantly, these records were not used in the calculation of the DDI. Lesion records were matched to the animal's own DDI (n = 2,101) and their sire's DDI (n = 1,812). Digital dermatitis index values in our study population ranged from -1.41 to +1.2 and were transformed to represent distance from the mean expressed in SD. The relationship between the DDI and the presence of DD was investigated using a logistic regression model, with farm, parity, and a farm-parity interaction fitted as covariates. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to evaluate the relationship between HHE and DDI with farm fitted as a covariate. Finally, a univariable logistic regression model with DDI as explanatory variable was used to investigate the relationship between IH and DDI. The odds ratio of an animal being affected by DD was 0.69 for 1 SD increase in the animal's DDI (95% CI = 0.63-0.76). The odds of HHE and IH were 0.69 (95% CI = 0.62-0.76) and 0.58 (95% CI = 0.49-0.68) respectively for 1 SD increase in DDI. The adjusted probability of DD was 32% (95% CI = 27-36%) for cows with mean DDI value of 0, while it was 24% (95% CI = 20-29%) in cows with a DDI value of +1. Sire DDI breeding values were standardized in the same way and then binned into terciles creating an ordinal variable representing bulls of high, medium, and low genetic merit for DD resistance. The daughters of low genetic merit bulls were at 2.05 (95% CI = 1.60-2.64), 1.96 (95% CI = 1.53-2.50), and 2.85 (95% CI = 1.64-5.16) times greater odds of being affected by DD, HHE, and IH, respectively, compared with the daughters of high genetic merit bulls. The results of this study highlight the potential of digital dermatitis genetic indexes to aid herd management of DD, and suggest that breeding for resistance to DD, alongside environmental and management control practices, could reduce the prevalence of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Anagnostopoulos
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Liverpool, CH64 7TE, United Kingdom
| | - M Barden
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Liverpool, CH64 7TE, United Kingdom
| | - B E Griffiths
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Liverpool, CH64 7TE, United Kingdom
| | - C Bedford
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Liverpool, CH64 7TE, United Kingdom
| | - M Winters
- Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Coventry, CV3 4PE, United Kingdom
| | - B Li
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland's Rural College, Roslin Institute Building, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - M Coffey
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland's Rural College, Roslin Institute Building, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - A Psifidi
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, United Kingdom
| | - G Banos
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland's Rural College, Roslin Institute Building, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - G Oikonomou
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Liverpool, CH64 7TE, United Kingdom.
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Roelofs L, Frössling J, Rosander A, Bjerketorp J, Belaghi RA, Hansson I, Frosth S. Digital dermatitis in Swedish dairy herds assessed by ELISA targeting Treponema phagedenis in bulk tank milk. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:168. [PMID: 38698418 PMCID: PMC11064309 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04021-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital dermatitis (DD) is a contagious hoof infection affecting cattle worldwide. The disease causes lameness and a reduction in animal welfare, which ultimately leads to major decreases in milk production in dairy cattle. The disease is most likely of polymicrobial origin with Treponema phagedenis and other Treponema spp. playing a key role; however, the etiology is not fully understood. Diagnosis of the disease is based on visual assessment of the feet by trained hoof-trimmers and veterinarians, as a more reliable diagnostic method is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on bulk tank milk samples testing for the presence of T. phagedenis antibodies as a proxy to assess herd prevalence of DD in Swedish dairy cattle herds. RESULTS Bulk tank milk samples were collected in 2013 from 612 dairy herds spread across Sweden. A nationwide DD apparent prevalence of 11.9% (8.1-14.4% CI95%) was found, with the highest proportion of test-positive herds in the South Swedish regions (31.3%; 19.9-42.4% CI95%). CONCLUSIONS This study reveals an underestimation of DD prevalence based on test results compared to hoof trimming data, highlighting the critical need for a reliable and accurate diagnostic method. Such a method is essential for disease monitoring and the development of effective control strategies. The novelty of ELISA-based diagnostic methods for DD, coupled with the disease's polymicrobial origin, suggests an avenue for improvement. Developing an expanded ELISA, incorporating antigens from various bacterial species implicated in the disease, could enhance diagnostic accuracy. The significance of this study is underscored by the extensive analysis of a substantial sample size (612). Notably, this investigation stands as the largest assessment to date, evaluating the application of ELISA on bulk tank milk for DD diagnosis at the herd level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lex Roelofs
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7023, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden.
| | - Jenny Frössling
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 234, Skara, 532 23, Sweden
- Department of Epidemiology, Surveillance and Risk Assessment, Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA), Uppsala, 751 89, Sweden
| | - Anna Rosander
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7023, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden
| | - Joakim Bjerketorp
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7023, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden
| | - Reza Arabi Belaghi
- Department of Energy and Technology, Unit of Applied Statistics and Mathematics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7032, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Hansson
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7023, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden
| | - Sara Frosth
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7023, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden
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Janssen ER, Nielen M, Spithoven JJG, van Werven T, Wouters IM. Observational study on occupational exposure of dairy farmers to formaldehyde. Occup Environ Med 2023:oemed-2022-108753. [PMID: 37945343 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2022-108753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To provide insights into exposure of Dutch dairy farmers to formaldehyde derived from formalin footbaths used for cows. Dutch safety norms are set at a limit of 0.122 ppm during an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) and 0.407 ppm for a 15-min TWA. METHODS At 20 farms formaldehyde air concentrations were determined using stationary active air sampling with impingers next to the footbath and in the milking parlour during footbath usage. Formalin footbath concentrations were tested and meteorological conditions were collected using a climate monitor to assess associations with formaldehyde concentrations. A structured interview inquired on potential exposure routes and exposure duration. RESULTS Formaldehyde concentrations next to the footbath ranged from <0.003 to 0.316 ppm, with seven measurements exceeding the 8-hour TWA threshold. None of the measurements exceeded the 15-min TWA threshold at either location. Formaldehyde air concentrations in the milking parlour were generally lower, yet at two farms exceeded the 8-hour TWA limit during sampling. Self-reported exposure time of the dairy farmers to the formalin footbath never exceeded 15 min. Although due to the small sample size, no significant associations between most predictor variables and formaldehyde levels in the air were found, the direction of effects were as expected. CONCLUSIONS The exposure of Dutch dairy farmers presumably falls within the established safety norms. Nonetheless, substantial levels of formaldehyde could be detected. This study further emphasises the importance of substitution of formalin in dairy practice and the relevance of informing dairy farmers on proper handling of formalin to reduce exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmée Rianne Janssen
- Department Population Health Sciences, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam Nielen
- Department Population Health Sciences, Farm Animal Health, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Tine van Werven
- Department Population Health Sciences, Farm Animal Health, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University Farm Animal Practice, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Maria Wouters
- Department Population Health Sciences, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Weber J, Becker J, Syring C, Ruiters MW, Locher I, Bayer M, Schüpbach-Regula G, Steiner A. Farm-level risk factors for digital dermatitis in dairy cows in mountainous regions. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:1341-1350. [PMID: 36526455 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Reduction of risk factors for bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) is crucial in current disease control. However, risk factors that might arise especially in mountainous regions are unknown until now, and an adapted BDD control program is consequently missing. The objective of this observational case-control study was to identify farm-level risk factors for BDD in dairy herds in mountainous regions. To investigate predictors for the occurrence of BDD, 100 farms were visited and information about herd characteristics and management practices, potentially relevant explanatory variables for either introduction or establishment of BDD, were gathered by completing a questionnaire with the farmer or herd manager. Within-herd prevalences of BDD assessed during 3 routine claw trimmings with an interval of 6 mo before the survey were used to define cases (BDD within-herd prevalence of ≥26% during each claw trimming) and controls (no BDD cases in each of the 3 routine claw trimmings before the survey). Data were analyzed using 2 separate binomial generalized linear models according to either establishment or introduction of BDD. After prescreening, 15 of 23 explanatory variables were included in the final analysis, which showed 3 variables related to introduction and establishment, each being significantly associated with the occurrence of BDD within a farm. Results of model 1 (i.e., aspects related to BDD introduction) revealed that access to mountain pastures during the summer season (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 0.12, 0.04-0.35), participation in dairy shows (0.32, 0.11-0.94), and the number of new animals introduced into the farm during the last 2 yr (1.28, 1.12-1.52) were significantly associated with the occurrence of BDD. Model 2 (i.e., aspects related to BDD establishment) showed that cows kept in freestalls were at higher risk for BDD compared with those kept in tiestalls (20.65, 1.59-649.37). Furthermore, number of days between diagnosis and treatment of a BDD lesion (10.31, 3.55-81.21) and the amount of concentrate feeding (median 5 kg) per cow and day (7.72, 2.46-6.47) were positively associated with BDD occurrence. In conclusion, the findings of this study provide a set of risk factors that are associated with BDD status within herds in mountainous regions. These results may help in development of adapted control programs for BDD in dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim Weber
- Clinic for Ruminants, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Jens Becker
- Clinic for Ruminants, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Syring
- Clinic for Ruminants, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maria Welham Ruiters
- Clinic for Ruminants, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Iwan Locher
- Clinic for Ruminants, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Magdalena Bayer
- Clinic for Ruminants, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Adrian Steiner
- Clinic for Ruminants, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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Ahlén L, Holmøy IH, Nødtvedt A, Sogstad ÅM, Fjeldaas T. A case-control study regarding factors associated with digital dermatitis in Norwegian dairy herds. Acta Vet Scand 2022; 64:19. [PMID: 35964105 PMCID: PMC9375421 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-022-00635-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Digital dermatitis (DD) is a contagious bovine foot disease causing painful lesions, lameness, and reduced animal welfare. Previous studies indicate a complex aetiology of the disease. The aim of this study was to compare DD negative and DD positive herds to identify factors associated with DD in Norwegian dairy herds by analysing data obtained in a questionnaire and data recorded in the Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System (NDHRS). The questionnaire was e-mailed to the owners of all 380 herds recorded with DD in 2019 and to 1530 randomly selected herds with no recordings of DD. Altogether 559 dairy herds were included in the final study population, of which 113 was classified as DD positive (≥ one cow recorded with DD in NDHRS) and 446 as DD negative. When stratified by housing system, the ratio between DD positive and negative herds was 108/281 in free stalls and 5/165 in tie stalls. Multilevel logistic regression was used to model the association between potential risk factors and variables related to the detection and diagnosis of DD, and the outcome in the free-stall population. Geographical area (county) was included in the model as a random effect. Results In the final study population 108/113 (96%) of the DD positive herds were housed in free stalls versus 5/113 (4%) in tie stalls. The free-stall herds’ DD status was associated with purchase of cattle during the last 5 years (baseline: 0 animals, OR = 2.30 for category 12–27 animals, OR = 4.34 for 28–52 animals, and OR = 5.39 for ≥ 53 animals). The DD status was also associated with claw trimming frequency (Baseline: 1 < 2/year, OR = 0.41 for category < 1/year, and OR = 4.09 for ≥ 3/year), whether the claw trimming was done by a certified professional trimmer or not (baseline: ≤ 90% of the cows, OR = 3.98 for category ≥ 90% of the cows), cleaning of feet in the chute before trimming (baseline: no cleaning, OR = 1.98 for category cleaning), and alley flooring (baseline: slatted floor, OR = 2.36 for category solid floor). Conclusions Digital dermatitis was far more frequent in Norwegian dairy herds housed in free stalls versus those housed in tie stalls. In the free-stall herds purchase of cattle, increasing trimming frequency, use of certified professional trimmer, cleaning of the feet in the chute, and solid flooring in the alleys were associated with increased odds of recorded DD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13028-022-00635-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Ahlén
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway.
| | - Ingrid Hunter Holmøy
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Ane Nødtvedt
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway
| | | | - Terje Fjeldaas
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway
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Pirkkalainen H, Talvio I, Kujala M, Soveri T, Orro T. Acute phase response of sole ulcer, white line disease and digital dermatitis in dairy cows. Vet Anim Sci 2022; 17:100253. [PMID: 35669246 PMCID: PMC9163099 DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2022.100253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Serum amyloid A, a marker of inflammation, was still elevated two weeks after treatment of sole ulcers. Body temperature and concentration of cytokine interleukin-6 declined from day 0 to day 7 in sole ulcer group. Sole ulcer is a chronic hoof disorder that heals slowly and therefore early detection, good management, and proper pain medication of cows with sole ulcers is important.
Hoof disorders cause lameness and welfare problems for dairy cattle. Acute phase proteins, including serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, with increased rectal temperature and interleukin-6 concentrations, are markers of acute phase response. This study assessed the inflammatory response of cows with either sole ulcer, white line disease or digital dermatitis compared to healthy cows. Another aim was to monitor the inflammatory response changes over time after diagnosis (at hoof trimming, seven and 14 days later) in cows with different hoof disorders. Serum amyloid A concentration in cows with sole ulcer was significantly higher compared with the control group (cows with no hoof lesions) within the two-week study period. Interleukin-6 and rectal temperature declined from day zero to day seven in the sole ulcer group. These results suggest that sole ulcers initiate a long lasting systemic inflammatory response in dairy cows.
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Abstract
Despite extensive research leading to an improved understanding of the risk factors and pathogenesis of infectious and non-infectious disorders, claw health has not structurally improved in recent decades. Several studies have shown that claw disorders harm milk production, fertility and longevity of the dairy cows and job satisfaction of the farmer. This is enough reason to structurally improve claw health on dairy farms. The focus should be on a rapid curative intervention when lameness occurs and above all the prevention of claw problems. Most claw disorder diagnoses are nowadays made during regular claw trimming by the professional trimmer or the dairy farmer. Registration of the detected disorders during claw trimming is not always done consistently, so the estimated prevalence (number of cows with a claw disorder) is in most cases an underestimation of the real prevalence. The quality of these records often makes it difficult for consultants to formulate appropriate claw health advice. To be able to give good advice on claw health, insight into the prevalence of the various hoof disorders on a farm is a key condition. However, good quality advice alone is not a guarantee for an improved claw health situation on a farm. Research has shown that in addition to high quality substantiated advice, the communication style between the consultant and the dairy farmer is essential for the interpretation and motivation of the dairy farmer to implement the advice. In this paper a 7-point plan is presented as a guidance for herd advisors who want to support dairy farmers to improve claw health.
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Afonso JS, Oikonomou G, Carter S, Clough HE, Griffiths BE, Rushton J. Diagnosis of Bovine Digital Dermatitis: Exploring the Usefulness of Indirect ELISA. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:728691. [PMID: 34790712 PMCID: PMC8591176 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.728691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The precision by which animal diseases are diagnosed affects our ability to make informed decisions with regards to animal health management, from a clinical and economic perspective. Lameness is a major health condition in dairy cattle. The underlying causes of lameness include bovine digital dermatitis (BDD), which is reported as one of the main causes of infectious lameness in dairy cattle. Presently, the gold standard for BDD diagnosis in dairy cattle is visual inspection of lifted hooves-a labour intensive and subjective method. Research has suggested that Treponema spp. are the main pathogens associated with the establishment of BDD. We explored the potential of indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a diagnostic serological tool in the identification of cows at different stages of BDD. Additionally, we evaluated the predictive power of this diagnostic tool on the future occurrence of BDD lesions. A total of 232 cows from three farms were used in the study. Serum samples and hoof health data were collected at three time points: ~ 30 days pre-calving, around calving, and approximately 30 days post-calving. The mean absorbance from the ELISA test was compared across different clinical presentations of BDD as assessed by visual inspection of the hooves according to the M-stage classification system. A transition model was developed to estimate the probability of lesion occurrence in time t + 1 based on the spectrophotometer (absorbance) reading in time t. The mean absorbance reading for both IgG1 and IgG2 anti-Treponema antibodies was associated with disease presence-apart from M4.1 lesions, animals with no lesions had a lower mean when compared to animals with lesions regardless of the score. Additionally, the mean absorbance reading of animals with active lesions was higher when compared to animals with no lesions. However, the anti-Treponema antibody assays failed to identify disease presence in a consistent manner. Moreover, indirect ELISA readings were not a predictor of the future occurrence of BDD lesions. In conclusion, although the levels anti-Treponema antibodies were associated with disease presence, the ELISA test failed to detect disease unequivocally and had no predictive value in the future occurrence of BDD lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Sucena Afonso
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Georgios Oikonomou
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Carter
- Department of Infection Biology & Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Helen E Clough
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Bethany E Griffiths
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Rushton
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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11
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Kasiora K, Anagnostopoulos A, Bedford C, Menka T, Barden M, Griffiths BE, Achard D, Timms K, Machado VS, Coates A, Oikonomou G. Evaluation of the use of ketoprofen for the treatment of digital dermatitis in dairy cattle: A randomised, positive controlled, clinical trial. Vet Rec 2021; 190:e977. [PMID: 34617277 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of administering ketoprofen to cows suffering from active digital dermatitis (DD). METHODS 158 cows presented with active DD (M1, M2 or M4.1 stage) were randomly allocated to either the control or the treatment group. All cows were treated with topical application of oxytetracycline spray. The treatment group also received an intramuscular injection of ketoprofen (3 mg/kg, Ketofen 10%, Ceva Animal Health). Cows were mobility scored just before they were treated and then again one week later. Information regarding their daily milk production was also collected. RESULTS Animals in the control group were at 2.57 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.82-8.01, p = 0.10) times higher odds to be lame at the second evaluation compared to those that received ketoprofen as well. This was a numeric but not statistically significant difference. When only cows that were lame prior to treatment were considered, cows that did not receive ketoprofen were at 20.20 (95% CI: 1.40-291.29, p = 0.03) higher odds of remaining lame week post-treatment comparing to cows that did receive ketoprofen. Freshly calved and lame at enrolment cows in the treatment group produced 58.38 ± 1.85 kg per day the week after treatment comparing to freshly calved and lame at enrolment controls that produced 47.89 ± 1.81 kg per day (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The addition of ketoprofen in the treatment of active DD lesions may be beneficial for animal welfare and for animal productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina Kasiora
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Institute of Infection, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Alkiviadis Anagnostopoulos
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Institute of Infection, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Cherril Bedford
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Institute of Infection, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Theologia Menka
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Institute of Infection, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Matthew Barden
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Institute of Infection, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Bethany Eloise Griffiths
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Institute of Infection, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | - Vinicius Silva Machado
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Amy Coates
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Institute of Infection, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Georgios Oikonomou
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Institute of Infection, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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12
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Identification and Quantification of Bovine Digital Dermatitis-Associated Microbiota across Lesion Stages in Feedlot Beef Cattle. mSystems 2021; 6:e0070821. [PMID: 34313462 PMCID: PMC8409723 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00708-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine digital dermatitis (DD) is a skin disorder that is a significant cause of infectious lameness in cattle around the world. However, very little is known about the etiopathogenesis of the disease and the microbiota associated with DD in beef cattle. In this study, we provide a comprehensive characterization of DD and healthy skin microbiota of feedlot beef cattle. We also developed and validated a novel multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to quantify the distribution of DD-associated bacterial species across DD lesion stages. We determined the DD-associated microbiota with deep amplicon sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene, followed by the application of novel and existing qPCR assays to quantify species distributions of Treponema, Porphyromonas, Fusobacterium, and Bacteroides across lesion stages. Deep amplicon sequencing revealed that Treponema, Mycoplasma, Porphyromonas, and Fusobacterium were associated with DD lesions. Culturing of DD biopsy specimens identified Porphyromonas levii, Bacteroides pyogenes, and two Fusobacterium spp. within DD lesions. Using species-specific qPCR on DD lesion DNA, we identified P. levii in 100% of active lesion stages. Early-stage lesions were particularly associated with Treponema medium, T. phagedenis, and P. levii. This study suggests a core DD microbial group consisting of species of Treponema, Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas, and Bacteroides, which may be closely tied with the etiopathogenesis of DD. Further characterizations of these species and Mycoplasma spp. are necessary to understand the microbial factors involved in DD pathogenesis, which will help elucidate DD etiology and facilitate more targeted and effective mitigation and treatment strategies. IMPORTANCE Previous work, primarily in dairy cattle, has identified various taxa associated with digital dermatitis (DD) lesions. However, there is a significant gap in our knowledge of DD microbiology in beef cattle. In addition, characterization of bacteria at the species level in DD lesions is limited. In this study, we provide a framework for the accurate and reproducible quantification of major DD-associated bacterial species from DNA samples. Our findings support DD as a polymicrobial infection, and we identified a variety of bacterial species spanning multiple genera that are consistently associated with DD lesions. The DD-associated microbiota identified in this study may be capable of inducing the formation and progression of DD lesions and thus should be primary targets in future DD pathogenesis studies.
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13
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Caddey B, De Buck J. Meta-Analysis of Bovine Digital Dermatitis Microbiota Reveals Distinct Microbial Community Structures Associated With Lesions. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:685861. [PMID: 34336713 PMCID: PMC8322762 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.685861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine digital dermatitis (DD) is a significant cause of infectious lameness and economic losses in cattle production across the world. There is a lack of a consensus across different 16S metagenomic studies on DD-associated bacteria that may be potential pathogens of the disease. The goal of this meta-analysis was to identify a consistent group of DD-associated bacteria in individual DD lesions across studies, regardless of experimental design choices including sample collection and preparation, hypervariable region sequenced, and sequencing platform. A total of 6 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Raw sequences and metadata were identified on the NCBI sequence read archive and European nucleotide archive. Bacterial community structures were investigated between normal skin and DD skin samples. Random forest models were generated to classify DD status based on microbial composition, and to identify taxa that best differentiate DD status. Among all samples, members of Treponema, Mycoplasma, Porphyromonas, and Fusobacterium were consistently identified in the majority of DD lesions, and were the best genera at differentiating DD lesions from normal skin. Individual study and 16S hypervariable region sequenced had significant influence on final DD lesion microbial composition (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that members of Treponema, Mycoplasma, Porphyromonas, and/or Fusobacterium may have significant roles in DD pathogenesis, and should be studied further in respect to elucidating DD etiopathogenic mechanisms and developing more effective treatment and mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Caddey
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jeroen De Buck
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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14
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Holmøy IH, Ahlén L, Frössling J, Sølverød L, Holzhauer M, Nødtvedt A, Fjeldaas T. Evaluation of test characteristics of 2 ELISA tests applied to bulk tank milk and claw-trimming records for herd-level diagnosis of bovine digital dermatitis using latent class analysis. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:10111-10120. [PMID: 34127267 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Bovine digital dermatitis (DD) is an infectious claw disease with a negative effect on animal welfare and production. Treponema spp. is the main causative agent, and infected animals produce specific antibodies. Our aim was to estimate sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of 2 ELISA research tests, Medicago's ELISA test and GD Animal Health's in-house ELISA test, for detection of DD-associated Treponema antibodies in bulk tank milk. We used bulk tank milk samples from 154 Norwegian dairy cattle herds, 96 from an expected high-prevalence region and 58 from a low-prevalence region. Both tests were evaluated separately against herd-level (aggregated) claw-trimming records extracted from the Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System using latent class models in a Bayesian analysis. Cutoff values were selected using an explorative approach, and both noninformative priors for all parameters and informative β priors for distribution of Se and Sp of claw trimming were explored. The estimated (median) true herd-level prevalence of digital dermatitis varied between 24 and 30% in the high-prevalence region and between 3 and 6% in the low-prevalence region. For Medicago's ELISA test, an Se (95% posterior credible interval) of 0.57 (0.32; 0.94) could be achieved without compromising Sp, and for GD Animal Health's in-house ELISA test, an Se of 0.60 (0.37; 0.92) was achieved. Our study showed that both ELISA tests can detect antibodies against DD-associated Treponema spp. in bulk tank milk. However, neither of the 2 ELISA tests produced satisfactory sensitivity without compromising specificity. Based on these results, inspection at claw trimming in a chute is necessary for surveillance and control of DD at the herd level in Norway, although these ELISA tests of bulk tank milk might be a useful supplement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid H Holmøy
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 369 Sentrum, N-0102 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Lina Ahlén
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 369 Sentrum, N-0102 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jenny Frössling
- Department of Disease Control and Epidemiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), SE-751 89 Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 234, SE-532 23 Skara, Sweden
| | | | - Menno Holzhauer
- GD Animal Health, PO Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, the Netherlands
| | - Ane Nødtvedt
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 369 Sentrum, N-0102 Oslo, Norway
| | - Terje Fjeldaas
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 369 Sentrum, N-0102 Oslo, Norway
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15
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Newbrook K, Carter SD, Crosby-Durrani H, Evans NJ. Challenge of Bovine Foot Skin Fibroblasts With Digital Dermatitis Treponemes Identifies Distinct Pathogenic Mechanisms. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:538591. [PMID: 33489929 PMCID: PMC7820575 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.538591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) is a common infectious disease of digital skin in cattle and an important cause of lameness worldwide, with limited treatment options. It is of increasing global concern for both animal welfare and food security, imposing a large economic burden on cattle farming industries each year. A polytreponemal etiology has been consistently identified, with three key phylogroups implicated globally: Treponema medium, Treponema phagedenis, and Treponema pedis. Pathogenic mechanisms which might enable targeted treatment/therapeutic development are poorly defined. This study used RNA sequencing to determine global differential mRNA expression in primary bovine foot skin fibroblasts following challenge with three representative BDD treponemes and a commensal treponeme, Treponema ruminis. A pro-inflammatory response was elicited by the BDD treponemes, mediated through IL-8/IL-17 signaling. Unexpectedly, the three BDD treponemes elicited distinct mechanisms of pathogenesis. T. phagedenis and T. pedis increased abundance of mRNA transcripts associated with apoptosis, while T. medium and T. pedis increased transcripts involved in actin rearrangement and loss of cell adhesion, likely promoting tissue invasion. The upregulation of antimicrobial peptide precursor, DEFB123, by T. phagedenis spirochaetes may present a microbial ecological advantage to all treponemes within BDD infected tissue, explaining their dominance within lesions. A commensal, T. ruminis, significantly dysregulated over three times the number of host mRNA transcripts compared to BDD treponemes, implying BDD treponemes, akin to the syphilis pathogen (Treponema pallidum), have evolved as "stealth pathogens" which avoid triggering substantial host immune/inflammatory responses to enable persistence and tissue invasion. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated increased IL-6, IL-8, RND1, and CFB protein expression in BDD lesions, confirming in vitro fibroblast observations and highlighting the system's value in modeling BDD pathogenesis. Several unique shared gene targets were identified, particularly RGS16, GRO1, MAFF, and ZC3H12A. The three key BDD Treponema phylogroups elicited both distinct and shared pathogenic mechanisms in bovine foot skin; upregulating inflammation whilst simultaneously suppressing adaptive immunity. The novel gene targets identified here should enable future vaccine/therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Newbrook
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart D Carter
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Hayley Crosby-Durrani
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J Evans
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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16
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Omontese BO, Bellet-Elias R, Molinero A, Catandi GD, Casagrande R, Rodriguez Z, Bisinotto RS, Cramer G. Association between hoof lesions and fertility in lactating Jersey cows. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:3401-3413. [PMID: 32057429 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the association between hoof lesions and fertility in dairy cows. Lactating Jersey cows (n = 1,639) were enrolled at 20 ± 3 d in milk (D20), examined and treated for presence of hoof lesions (HL), and evaluated for body condition score (BCS). Afterward, they were managed according to standard farm procedures, including estrus detection and presynchronization and a 5 d Cosynch-72 protocol for cows that failed to show estrus. Ovaries were scanned at 27 and 41 ± 3 d in milk, and cows with a corpus luteum greater than 20 mm on at least 1 exam were considered cyclic. At 120 ± 3 d in milk (D120), cows were re-examined for HL and BCS. Cows were classified at D20 according to HL status as healthy (n = 1,197) or having HL (n = 429), and according to HL category as healthy (n = 1,197) or having a sole hemorrhage (n = 280), noninfectious HL (sole ulcer, toe ulcer, or white line disease; n = 113), or infectious HL (digital dermatitis and foot rot; n = 36). Cows with HL at D20 had reduced odds of being cyclic (38.3 vs. 51.9%) and a longer interval from calving to first service (58 vs. 51 d) compared with healthy cows. Cows with infectious HL at D20 had reduced odds of pregnancy to first service (16.7 vs. 38.3%) compared with healthy cows. Cows with sole hemorrhage at D20 were more likely to lose pregnancies between d 32 and 64 after the first service postpartum compared with healthy cows (10.5 vs. 5.2%). Cows with sole hemorrhage at D20 had a smaller hazard of pregnancy (67.9 vs. 75.5%) at 150 d in milk and more days open (88 vs. 77d) compared with healthy cows. To assess the relationship between the development of HL and fertility, cows were classified as healthy (no HL at D20 and D120; n = 308), cured (any HL at D20 and no HL at D120; n = 72), new HL (no HL at D20 and any HL at D120; n = 597), and chronic (any HL at D20 and D120; n = 226). Sole hemorrhage accounted for 93% of new HL. The proportions of cows with HL at D20 and D120 were 26.9 and 68.4%, respectively. We found no evidence for a difference in pregnancy hazard at 150 d in milk between cows that remained healthy (n = 308) and cows that developed new HL (n = 597). Hoof lesions at D20, but not new HL, were associated with decreased odds of cyclicity, longer interval from calving to first service postpartum, and reduced pregnancy hazard in Jersey cows. The effect of an HL diagnosis in early lactation and management to reduce chronic HL in dairy cows warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- B O Omontese
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - R Bellet-Elias
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - A Molinero
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - G D Catandi
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - R Casagrande
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - Z Rodriguez
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - R S Bisinotto
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610
| | - G Cramer
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108.
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17
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Ferraro S, Buczinski S, Dufour S, Rousseau M, Dubuc J, Roy JP, Desrochers A. Bayesian assessment of diagnostic accuracy of a commercial borescope and of trimming chute exams for diagnosing digital dermatitis in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:3381-3391. [PMID: 32057431 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Digital dermatitis (DD) is a worldwide infectious disease of cattle that causes lameness, discomfort, and economic losses. The reference standard test to diagnose DD is visual observation in a trimming chute, which cannot be practically performed daily on dairy farms. Moreover, some lesion misclassification may occur using this standard diagnostic method. The possibility of misclassification makes the use of a trimming chute debatable as a perfect reference standard test. The objective of this study was, therefore, to assess the diagnostic accuracy of a commercial borescope and trimming chute exam. The accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) of the tests and DD prevalence were investigated using Bayesian latent class analyses. Our hypothesis was that a commercial borescope can be routinely used to diagnose DD in a milking parlor without previous feet cleaning. A cross-sectional study was performed in a freestall facility. The lesions were scored (M0, M1, M2, M3, M4, M4.1) in the milking parlor with a borescope, followed by an examination in the trimming chute 48 to 72 h after the borescope exam. A total of 870 hind feet were scored during 2 sessions of trimming chute exams and borescope exams in the milking parlor. The data were analyzed in 2 ways. First, data were dichotomized into DD lesions (M1, M2, M3, M4, M4.1) and absence of DD lesions (M0). Second, data were dichotomized into active DD lesions (M1, M2, M4.1) and inactive lesions (M0, M3, M4). A Bayesian latent class model allowing for conditional dependence between tests was used to estimate tests' accuracy, likelihood ratio, and DD prevalence. When the data were dichotomized into DD lesions (M1-M4.1) versus absence of DD (M0) lesions, the sensitivity and specificity of the borescope was 55% [95% credible interval (CrI) 40-71%] and 81% (95% CrI 75-88%). The sensitivity of trimming chute exams was 79% (95% CrI 68-88%), and specificity was 80% (95% CrI 71-89%). When the data were dichotomized into active lesions (M1, M2, M4.1) versus inactive lesions or absence of lesions (M3, M4, M0), the sensitivity and specificity of the borescope were, respectively, 32% (95% CrI 13-58%) and 91% (95% CrI 88-95%). The sensitivity and specificity of trimming chute exams were 91% (95% CrI 81-97%) and 81% (95% CrI 75-89%), respectively. In conclusion, it is possible to use the borescope in the milking parlor without cleaning the feet to monitor prevalence of DD lesions. However, an isolated borescope examination, especially for diagnosing active DD lesions, has low sensitivity for use as a surveillance method. For such use, the sensitivity could be improved by repeating the borescope exam on a regular basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Ferraro
- Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Sébastien Buczinski
- Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada.
| | - Simon Dufour
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Marjolaine Rousseau
- Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Jocelyn Dubuc
- Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Roy
- Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - André Desrochers
- Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, J2S 2M2, Canada
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18
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Yang DA, Johnson WO, Müller KR, Gates MC, Laven RA. Estimating the herd and cow level prevalence of bovine digital dermatitis on New Zealand dairy farms: A Bayesian superpopulation approach. Prev Vet Med 2019; 165:76-84. [PMID: 30851931 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
A cross-sectional study of 127 dairy herds distributed across four regions of New Zealand (NZ) was conducted to estimate the regional herd-level prevalence of bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) and the prevalence of cows with BDD lesions within affected herds. Each herd was visited once during the 2016-2017 lactating season and the rear feet of all cows in the milking herd were examined to detect the presence of BDD lesions. Of the 127 herds examined, 63 had at least one cow with a detected BDD lesion. Of the 59 849 cows observed, 646 cows were observed with BDD lesions. All of the herds in which BBD was detected were located in three of the four regions (Waikato, Manawatu and South Canterbury). No convincing lesions were observed on the West Coast. The probability of BDD freedom on the West Coast was predicted to be 99.97% using a Bayesian latent class model. For the three regions where BDD lesions were observed, the true herd level and cow level prevalences were estimated using a Bayesian superpopulation approach which accounted for the imperfect diagnostic method. Based on priors obtained from previous research in another region of NZ (Taranaki), the true herd level prevalences in Waikato, Manawatu and South Canterbury were estimated to be 59.2% (95% probability interval [PI]: 44.3%-73.9%), 43.3% (95%PI: 29%-59%) and 65.9% (95%PI: 49.5%-79.9%), respectively, while the true median within-herd prevalences were estimated as 3.2% (95%PI: 2%-5%), 1.7% (95%PI: 0.9%-3.1%) and 3.7% (95%PI: 2.4%-5.5%), respectively. All of these estimates except for the true herd level prevalence in Manawatu were fairly robust to changes in the priors. For Manawatu region, changing from the prior obtained in Taranaki (the best estimate of the herd level prevalence = 60%, 95% sure > 40%) to one where the mode was 50% (95% sure < 80%) reduced the posterior from 43.3% to 35.2% (95%PI: 20.1%-53.5%). The marked variation in BDD prevalence between regions and between farms highlights the need for further exploration into risk factors for disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Yang
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand; EpiCentre, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand.
| | - W O Johnson
- Department of Statistics, University of California, 2232 Bren Hall UC Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - K R Müller
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - M C Gates
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand; EpiCentre, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - R A Laven
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
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Cramer G, Solano L, Johnson R. Evaluation of tetracycline in milk following extra-label administration of topical tetracycline for digital dermatitis in dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2018; 102:883-895. [PMID: 30471904 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-14961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Digital dermatitis (DD) is a painful infectious foot lesion commonly treated topically with extra-label tetracycline. Our objectives were to determine the concentrations of tetracycline in milk and plasma and to calculate a withdrawal interval following topical application at various doses. Another objective was to evaluate agreement between tests for measuring tetracycline in milk. A randomized block trial was conducted on 2 farms, where 50 cows with active DD lesions on 2 feet were allocated to 1 of 5 treatment groups (n = 10 cows per group). Treatment groups consisted of topical applications of tetracycline hydrochloride, in a paste or as a powdered form under a bandage, at 3 different dosing levels (2, 5, and 25 g) on each of the 2 affected feet. Following enrollment and treatment, samples were collected from milk, teat skin, and blood every 8 to 24 h for up to 7 d postdosing. Concentrations of tetracycline were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and milk samples were further tested using the Charm ROSA TET test (Charm Sciences Inc., Lawrence, MA). Tetracycline was present in milk, plasma, and teat skin from all treatment groups. Tetracycline concentrations varied depending on time of sampling, method of application, and dosing level. At 8 h post-treatment, 11% of cows had tetracycline present in milk higher than 100 ng/mL (ppb) but none higher than 300 ng/mL. The 25-g treatment group had the longest estimated withdrawal interval, the highest observed concentrations (210-244 ng/mL) of tetracycline present in milk, and the longest observed consecutive period of tetracycline presence (from 8 to 72 h) among all treatment groups. Compared with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, the Charm test had a sensitivity of 77 and 100% for measuring tetracycline in milk at ≥30 and ≥100 ng/mL, respectively. Post-treatment samples of the teat skin were taken from 15 cows on 6 occasions, and every cow had tetracycline present in at least 1 of those 6 samples. This confirms an association between topical DD treatment with tetracycline and contamination of the teat. A total of 22% of blood samples had detectable tetracycline, and the majority (63%) occurred at 8 h post-treatment. At 100 ng/mL, the estimated cow-level milk withdrawal interval ranged from 0 to 70 h. At 300 ng/mL, the estimated cow-level withdrawal interval ranged from 0 to 34 h, and was 0 h at the bulk tank level. We recommend that conservative measures be adopted after extra-label use of topical tetracycline for DD treatment, including using a low dose and strategic post-treatment testing for tetracycline-class drugs in milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Cramer
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108.
| | - L Solano
- Farm Animal Care Associates, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2L 0T6
| | - R Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1
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Tan C, Zhai Z, Ni X, Wang H, Ji Y, Tang T, Ren W, Long H, Deng B, Deng J, Yin Y. Metabolomic Profiles Reveal Potential Factors that Correlate with Lactation Performance in Sow Milk. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10712. [PMID: 30013051 PMCID: PMC6048051 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28793-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sow milk contains necessary nutrients for piglets; however, the relationship between the levels of metabolites in sow milk and lactation performance has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. In this study, we analysed the metabolites in sow milk from Yorkshire sows with high lactation (HL) or low lactation (LL) performance; these categories were assigned based on the weight gain of piglets during the entire lactation period (D1 to D21). The concentration of milk fat in the colostrum tended to be higher in the HL group (P = 0.05), the level of mannitol was significantly lower in the HL group (P < 0.05) and the level of glucuronic acid lactone was significantly higher in the HL group (P < 0.05) compared to those in LL group. In mature milk, the levels of lactose, creatine, glutamine, glutamate, 4-hydroxyproline, alanine, asparagine, and glycine were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the HL group than those in LL group. The level of fatty acids showed no significant difference between the two groups in both the colostrum and mature milk. This study suggested that lactation performance may be associated with the levels of lactose and several amino acids in sow milk, and these results can be used to develop new feed additives to improve lactation performance in sows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengquan Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Institute of Subtropical Animal Nutrition and Feed, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, P.R. China
| | - Zhenya Zhai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Institute of Subtropical Animal Nutrition and Feed, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojun Ni
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Institute of Subtropical Animal Nutrition and Feed, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, P.R. China
| | - Hao Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Institute of Subtropical Animal Nutrition and Feed, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, P.R. China
| | - Yongcheng Ji
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Institute of Subtropical Animal Nutrition and Feed, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, P.R. China
| | - Tianyue Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Institute of Subtropical Animal Nutrition and Feed, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, P.R. China
| | - Wenkai Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Institute of Subtropical Animal Nutrition and Feed, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, P.R. China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Hongrong Long
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Institute of Subtropical Animal Nutrition and Feed, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, P.R. China
| | - Baichuan Deng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Institute of Subtropical Animal Nutrition and Feed, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, P.R. China.
| | - Jinping Deng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Institute of Subtropical Animal Nutrition and Feed, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, P.R. China.
| | - Yulong Yin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, Institute of Subtropical Animal Nutrition and Feed, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, P.R. China.
- National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, 410125, P.R. China.
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21
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Wilson-Welder JH, Nally JE, Alt DP, Humphrey SB, Olsen SC. Short communication: Lymphocyte proliferative responses in cattle naturally infected with digital dermatitis consist of CD8+ and γδ-T cells but lack CD4+ T cells. J Dairy Sci 2018; 101:8301-8307. [PMID: 29908808 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Digital dermatitis is an infectious disease of cattle and the leading cause of lameness. This disease is complicated by the reoccurrence of the lesions and the observation of lesions on more than one limb at different time points, indicating infection may not result in a protective immune response. The objective of this study was to characterize the peripheral blood cellular response in naturally infected and naïve cattle to bacterial antigens derived from pathogens associated with digital dermatitis lesions. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from dairy cattle identified as having active or chronic lesions during routine hoof-trimming. Following bacterial antigen stimulation, cells were analyzed for proliferation and phenotype by flow cytometry, and culture supernatants were analyzed for IFN-γ secretion. Digital-dermatitis-infected animals had greater serum antibody titers to treponemal antigens, higher percentages of proliferating CD8+, γδ-T cells, and B cells, and increased IFN-γ secretion in vitro when compared with responses of naïve animals. No increase in proliferation of CD4+ T cells was detected in infected or naïve cattle. Although CD8+ and γδ-T cell responses may be antigen specific, the memory nature or long-lived response is yet unknown. The lack of responsiveness of CD4+ memory cells to treponemal antigens could explain the high rate of reoccurrence of digital dermatitis in infected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer H Wilson-Welder
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases, National Animal Disease Center, Agriculture Research Service, USDA, Ames, IA 50010.
| | - Jarlath E Nally
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases, National Animal Disease Center, Agriculture Research Service, USDA, Ames, IA 50010
| | - David P Alt
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases, National Animal Disease Center, Agriculture Research Service, USDA, Ames, IA 50010
| | - Samuel B Humphrey
- Microscopy Services, National Animal Disease Center, Agriculture Research Service, USDA, Ames, IA 50010
| | - Steven C Olsen
- Infectious Bacterial Diseases, National Animal Disease Center, Agriculture Research Service, USDA, Ames, IA 50010
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22
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King M, LeBlanc S, Pajor E, Wright T, DeVries T. Behavior and productivity of cows milked in automated systems before diagnosis of health disorders in early lactation. J Dairy Sci 2018; 101:4343-4356. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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23
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Yang DA, Laven RA, Heuer C, Vink WD, Chesterton RN. Farm level risk factors for bovine digital dermatitis in Taranaki, New Zealand: An analysis using a Bayesian hurdle model. Vet J 2018; 234:91-95. [PMID: 29680401 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
As part of a cross-sectional study of bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) in 60,455 cows across 224 herds, in Taranaki, a region of the North Island of New Zealand, from September 2014 to February 2015, questionnaires from 114 farms were analysed to identify the key management practices which affect the probability of a farm being affected by BDD and the prevalence of an individual cow being affected on affected farms. The data from the questionnaires were analysed using a Bayesian hurdle model. Two factors were identified as being associated with farm level infection status: (1) milking parlour type; farms which had rotary platforms were more likely to be recorded as having BDD than those which had herringbone parlours (odds ratio, OR, 3.19; 95% probability interval, PI, 1.31-8.51); and (2) young stock movement; farms whose young stock were reared on farms alongside heifers from other farms had a higher odds of being BDD positive than farms where heifers were kept separate (OR 4.15; 95% PI 1.39-15.27). Two factors were associated with an increase in the prevalence of BDD within affected farms: (1) farms which used outside staff to trim feet had a higher prevalence of BDD (prevalence ratio, PR, 3.13; 95% PI 1.25-7.29) than farms which did not use outside staff; and (2) farms examined in spring (September to November) had a higher prevalence of BDD (PR 2.16; 95% PI 1.05-4.43) than farms examined in summer (December to February).
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Yang
- Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand.
| | - R A Laven
- Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand
| | - C Heuer
- Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand
| | - W D Vink
- Operations Branch Ministry for Primary Industries, Upper Hutt 5140, New Zealand
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24
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Cramer G, Winders T, Solano L, Kleinschmit DH. Evaluation of agreement among digital dermatitis scoring methods in the milking parlor, pen, and hoof trimming chute. J Dairy Sci 2017; 101:2406-2414. [PMID: 29290450 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Digital dermatitis (DD) is the most common infectious foot lesion affecting welfare and productivity of dairy cattle. The key to DD control programs is routine and frequent identification of DD lesions. The objective was to evaluate accuracy of detecting and scoring DD lesions in 3 milking parlor designs and in 3 alternative settings compared with scoring in the hoof trimming chute as reference. A total of 552 cows and 1,104 hind feet from 17 freestall farms were scored by 1 observer in the milking parlor and in 1 other setting: pen, headlocks, or management rail. After being scored in the milking parlor and at least 1 other setting, cows were examined in the hoof trimming chute, considered the gold standard. In every setting, all hind feet were inspected visually using a flashlight and without prior washing of feet. Agreement of the scoring settings was assessed using the 5 M-stage scoring system and a dichotomous absence (M0 or M0/M1) or presence (M1 to M4.1 or M2 to M4.1) system. At trimming chute inspection, 44% of feet had a DD lesion, with estimates of 11, 5, 2, 10, and 16% for M1, M2, M3, M4, and M4.1 lesions, respectively. Apparent DD foot-level prevalence at the milking parlor, pen, management rail, and headlocks was 28, 22, 16, and 22%, respectively. M-stages were less discernible in the pen, management rail, and headlocks (apparent prevalence of M1, M2, M3, and M4.1 was ≤1%) compared with the trimming chute and milking parlor. Agreement beyond chance between any scoring setting and trimming chute scoring ranged from 0.48 to 0.70 for the dichotomous scoring system (absence = M0/M1 vs. presence = M2 to M4.1). Diagnostic test performance varied greatly among DD scoring settings but, in general, it had low sensitivity (<70%) and high specificity (>93%) for detecting any DD lesion. Agreement and test characteristics were not affected by the type of milking parlor. Although the milking parlor and headlocks were the most reliable settings in which to detect DD, none of the settings were reliable enough to replace inspection of feet in the trimming chute. However, scoring the presence or absence of DD in the milking parlor, pen, management rail, and headlocks could be used to estimate within-herd DD prevalence, to improve DD surveillance through routine monitoring, and to evaluate effects of interventions at the farm level.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Cramer
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108.
| | - T Winders
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln 68583
| | - L Solano
- Farm Animal Care Associates, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2L 0T6
| | - D H Kleinschmit
- Zinpro Corporation, 10400 Viking Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55344
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25
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Heinrichs A, Zanton G, Lascano G, Jones C. A 100-Year Review: A century of dairy heifer research. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:10173-10188. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-12998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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26
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Wilson-Welder JH, Nally JE, Alt DP, Palmer MV, Coatney J, Plummer P. Experimental Transmission of Bovine Digital Dermatitis to Sheep: Development of an Infection Model. Vet Pathol 2017; 55:245-257. [PMID: 29145798 DOI: 10.1177/0300985817736572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Digital dermatitis is an infectious cause of lameness primarily affecting cattle but also described in sheep, goats, and wild elk. Digital dermatitis is a polymicrobial infection, involving several Treponema species and other anaerobic bacteria. Although the exact etiology has not been demonstrated, a number of bacterial, host, and environmental factors are thought to contribute to disease development. To study host-bacterial interactions, a reproducible laboratory model of infection is required. The objective of this study was to demonstrate key aspects of bovine digital dermatitis lesions in an easy-to-handle sheep model. Crossbred sheep were obtained from a flock free of hoof disease. Skin between the heel bulb and dewclaw was abraded before wrapping to emulate a moist, anaerobic environment. After 3 days, abraded areas were inoculated with macerated lesion material from active bovine digital dermatitis and remained wrapped. By 2 weeks postinoculation, experimentally inoculated feet developed erosive, erythematous lesions. At 4 weeks postinoculation, microscopic changes in the dermis and epidermis were consistent with those described for bovine digital dermatitis, including erosion, ulceration, hyperkeratosis, ballooning degeneration of keratinocytes, and the presence of neutrophilic infiltrates. Silver staining of lesion biopsy sections confirmed that spirochetes had penetrated the host epidermis. The model was then perpetuated by passaging lesion material from experimentally infected sheep into naïve sheep. This model of bovine digital dermatitis will allow for future novel insights into pathogenic mechanisms of infection, as well as the development of improved diagnostic methods and therapeutics for all affected ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer H Wilson-Welder
- 1 Infectious Bacterial Diseases, National Animal Disease Center, Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Jarlath E Nally
- 1 Infectious Bacterial Diseases, National Animal Disease Center, Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
| | - David P Alt
- 1 Infectious Bacterial Diseases, National Animal Disease Center, Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Mitchell V Palmer
- 1 Infectious Bacterial Diseases, National Animal Disease Center, Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
| | - John Coatney
- 2 Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Paul Plummer
- 2 Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.,3 Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
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27
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Orsel K, Plummer P, Shearer J, De Buck J, Carter SD, Guatteo R, Barkema HW. Missing pieces of the puzzle to effectively control digital dermatitis. Transbound Emerg Dis 2017; 65 Suppl 1:186-198. [PMID: 29124910 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Since the first report of bovine digital dermatitis (DD) in 1974, there is a large body of the literature published; however, effective prevention and control of the disease remain elusive. Although many aspects of the pathogenesis of DD have been investigated, even some of the most basic questions such as the aetiology of this disease remain under debate. Treponema spp. have been strongly associated with DD lesions and occur in abundance in advanced lesions; however, efforts to induce disease with pure cultures of these organisms have been largely underwhelming and inconsistent. Furthermore, although the disease has been presented for several decades, there is limited scientific evidence regarding effective treatment of DD. Apparent discrepancies between effectiveness in vitro and in vivo have challenged the scientific community to identify new potential treatment options. With no treatment resulting in a 100% cure rate, the current expectation is manageable control, but prospects for the eradication of the disease are unlikely using current approaches. In order to develop more effective approaches to control DD on-farm, there is a critical need for a deeper understanding regarding the causation, ecology, transmission and treatment of this disease. In this article, we attempt to provide insights into specific research needs related to DD in order to assist the industry, researchers, pharmaceutical companies and research sponsors with decision-making and identified research gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Orsel
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - P Plummer
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA, USA.,Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventative Medicine, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA, USA
| | - J Shearer
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventative Medicine, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA, USA
| | - J De Buck
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - S D Carter
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - R Guatteo
- BIOEPAR, INRA, Oniris, Nantes, France
| | - H W Barkema
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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28
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King M, Dancy K, LeBlanc S, Pajor E, DeVries T. Deviations in behavior and productivity data before diagnosis of health disorders in cows milked with an automated system. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:8358-8371. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-12723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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29
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Jacobs C, Orsel K, Barkema HW. Prevalence of digital dermatitis in young stock in Alberta, Canada, using pen walks. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:9234-9244. [PMID: 28865852 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Digital dermatitis (DD), an infectious bacterial foot lesion prevalent in dairy cattle worldwide, reduces both animal welfare and production. This disease was recently identified in replacement dairy heifers, with implications including increased risk of DD and decreased milk production in first lactation, poor reproductive performance, and altered hoof conformation. Therefore, a simple and effective method is needed to identify DD in young stock and to determine risk factors for DD in this group so that effective control strategies can be implemented. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine prevalence of DD in young stock (based on pen walks); and (2) identify potential risk factors for DD in young stock. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 28 dairy farms in Alberta, Canada; pen walks were used to identify DD (present/absent) on the hind feet of group-housed, young dairy stock. A subset of 583 young stock on 5 farms were selected for chute inspection of feet to determine the accuracy of pen walks for DD detection. Pen walks as a means of identifying DD lesions on the hind feet in young stock had sensitivity and specificity at the animal level of 65 and 98%, with positive and negative predictive values of 94 and 83%, respectively, at a prevalence of 37%. At the foot level, pen walks had sensitivity and specificity of 62 and 98%, respectively, with positive and negative predictive values of 92 and 88%, respectively, at a prevalence of 26%. Pen walks identified DD in 79 [2.9%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.3-3.6%] of 2,815 young stock on 11 (39%; 95% CI: 22-59%) of 28 farms, with all 79 DD-positive young stock ≥309 d of age. Apparent within-herd prevalence estimates ranged from 0 to 9.3%, with a mean of 1.4%. True within-herd prevalence of DD in young stock, calculated using the sensitivity and specificity of the pen walks, ranged from 0 to 12.6%, with a mean of 1.4%. On the 11 DD-positive farms, the proportion of young stock >12 mo of age with DD lesions was 9.9% (95% CI: 7.8-12.0%). Multilevel logistic regression was used to assess associations with potential risk factors for DD lesions, including age, leg cleanliness, and lactating herd DD prevalence. Presence of DD in young stock increased as their age increased and was associated with increased prevalence of DD in the lactating herd. Pen walks can be used to identify specific young stock with DD or groups where management practices can be implemented to prevent disease proliferation and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Jacobs
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 4N1.
| | - K Orsel
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 4N1
| | - H W Barkema
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 4N1
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30
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Chiba K, Miyazaki T, Sekiyama Y, Miyazaki M, Okada K. The therapeutic efficacy of allyl isothiocyanate in cows with bovine digital dermatitis. J Vet Med Sci 2017; 79:1191-1195. [PMID: 28552873 PMCID: PMC5559362 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.16-0270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) is the most prevalent infectious cause of lameness in cattle. Because Treponema infection is a major etiology of BDD, the most common treatment of BDD is an antibiotic.
Nonetheless, dairy cows require a withdrawal period after antibiotic treatment before their milk can be marketed. To address the problem, in this study, we tested whether 3 nonantibiotic agents (used separately)—allyl
isothiocyanate (AITC), sodium alginate, and calcium hydroxide—alleviate BDD lesions in dairy cows. The AITC treatment improved the BDD lesions, whereas the sodium alginate and calcium hydroxide treatments did not. Therapeutic
efficacy of AITC was similar to that of lincomycin, a topical antibiotic prescribed for BDD. These results suggest that AITC is a promising nonantibiotic agent for BDD treatment in dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Chiba
- Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, 3-18-8 Ueda, Morioka, Iwate 020-8550, Japan
| | - Tamako Miyazaki
- Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, 3-18-8 Ueda, Morioka, Iwate 020-8550, Japan
| | - Yasushi Sekiyama
- Mitsubishi Kagaku Foods Corporation, 1-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo 100-8251, Japan
| | - Masao Miyazaki
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, 3-18-8 Ueda, Morioka, Iwate 020-8550, Japan
| | - Keiji Okada
- Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, 3-18-8 Ueda, Morioka, Iwate 020-8550, Japan
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31
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Solano L, Barkema HW, Jacobs C, Orsel K. Validation of the M-stage scoring system for digital dermatitis on dairy cows in the milking parlor. J Dairy Sci 2016; 100:1592-1603. [PMID: 27889123 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2016-11365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A high prevalence of digital dermatitis (DD) and the benefits of early topical treatment highlight the need for simple tools for routine DD detection. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of scoring DD lesions using the 5 M-stage scoring system in the milking parlor compared with the trimming chute as the gold standard. Three observers inspected 3,585 cows and 6,991 hind feet from 9 farms in the milking parlor using a mirror (glued to a plastic kitchen spatula) and a headlamp, followed by inspection in a trimming chute within 5 d. Interobserver agreement for scoring DD in various settings was ≥82% (kappa >0.74; weighted kappa >0.76). At trimming chute inspections, 68% of cows had at least 1 DD lesion, 19% had 1 hind leg affected, and 49% had both hind legs affected. Within-herd DD prevalence ranged from 16 to 81% of cows affected. True within-herd prevalence was 2, 6, 0, 36, and 14% for M1, M2, M3, M4, and M4.1 lesions, respectively. At the foot level, DD prevalence was the same (58%) in the milking parlor and trimming chute inspection, but distribution of M-stages differed. Milking parlor inspection as a means of identifying the presence of DD lesions had a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 88%, with positive and negative predictive values of 91 and 89%, respectively. Agreement between milking parlor and trimming chute inspections was 73% (kappa = 0.59, weighted kappa = 0.65) for the 5 M-stage scoring system and 90% (kappa = 0.80) if only the presence of a lesion was noted. Test characteristics varied greatly among M-stages, with the highest sensitivity for detecting M4 (82%) and M2 (62%) lesions, and the lowest for detecting M4.1 (20%), M1 (7%), and M3 (0%) lesions. In the milking parlor, 20% of M2 lesions were misclassified as M4.1, 8% of M4 lesions were misclassified as M0, and 68% of M4.1 lesions were misclassified as M4. The majority (87%) of DD lesions were located between the heel bulbs; 10 and 2% of DD lesions affected the interdigital space and the front of the foot, respectively. The sensitivity to detect the presence of a lesion when it occurred between the heel bulbs was 93%, but <67% if it occurred elsewhere on the foot. We concluded that inspection of the rear feet in the milking parlor was an inexpensive and simple method of detecting and scoring DD lesions. If the objective is to determine herd-level DD prevalence and routine monitoring, this method was adequately reliable. However, if the objective is to follow up DD in cows with history of interdigital hyperplasia or to detect M1 or M4.1 lesions, this method was not sufficiently reliable. Although DD scoring in the milking parlor as a routine practice should facilitate early detection, prompt treatment interventions, and herd monitoring, it was not sufficiently reliable to replace definitive identification of M-stages in the trimming chute.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Solano
- Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
| | - H W Barkema
- Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - C Jacobs
- Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - K Orsel
- Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
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Randall LV, Green MJ, Chagunda MGG, Mason C, Green LE, Huxley JN. Lameness in dairy heifers; impacts of hoof lesions present around first calving on future lameness, milk yield and culling risk. Prev Vet Med 2016; 133:52-63. [PMID: 27720027 PMCID: PMC5063951 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
More severe claw horn lesions were associated with increased risk of future lameness. More severe sole lesions were associated with reduction in daily yield of 2.68 kg. Managing heifers to reduce severe lesions is likely to have positive herd impacts. Mild claw horn lesions associated with reduced risk of future lameness and culling. Mild insult may lead to adaptive changes in the hoof which are beneficial.
The importance of lameness in primiparous dairy heifers is increasingly recognised. Although it is accepted that clinical lameness in any lactation increases the risk of future lameness, the impact of foot lesions during the first lactation on long-term lameness risk is less clear. This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the impacts of foot lesions occurring around the time of first calving in heifers on future lameness risk, daily milk yield and survival within a dairy herd. Records were obtained for 158 heifers from one UK dairy herd. Heifers were examined in 2 month blocks from 2 months pre-calving through to 4 months post-calving. Sole lesions and white line lesions were scored on a zero to 10 scale and digital dermatitis on a zero to 3 scale. Outcomes investigated were; lameness risk based on weekly locomotion scores, average daily milk yield and culling risk. Mixed effect models were used to investigate associations between maximum lesion scores and outcomes. Lesion scores in the highest score categories for claw horn lesions (sole lesions and white line lesions) in the 2 to 4 month post-calving period were associated with an increased risk of future lameness; heifers with white line lesion scores ≥3 compared with scores zero to 1 and heifers with sole lesion scores ≥4 compared with score 2, at this time point, had a predicted increased risk of future lameness of 1.6 and 2.6 respectively. Sole lesions ≥4 were also associated with a reduction in average daily milk yield of 2.68 kg. Managing heifers to reduce claw horn lesions during this time period post-calving may provide health, welfare and production benefits for the long-term future of those animals. A novel finding from the study was that mild lesion scores compared with scores zero to 1, were associated with a reduced risk of future lameness for white line lesions and sole lesions occurring in the pre-calving or 2 to 4 months post-calving periods respectively. Mild sole lesions in the pre-calving period were also associated with a reduced risk of premature culling. One hypothesis for this result is that a mild insult may result in adaptive changes to the foot leading to greater biomechanical resilience and so increased longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- L V Randall
- University of Nottingham, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, United Kingdom.
| | - M J Green
- University of Nottingham, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, United Kingdom.
| | - M G G Chagunda
- Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, United Kingdom.
| | - C Mason
- Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, United Kingdom.
| | - L E Green
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, England, United Kingdom.
| | - J N Huxley
- University of Nottingham, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, United Kingdom.
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Tremblay M, Bennett T, Döpfer D. The DD Check App for prevention and control of digital dermatitis in dairy herds. Prev Vet Med 2016; 132:1-13. [PMID: 27664443 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Digital dermatitis (DD) is the most important infectious claw disease in the cattle industry causing outbreaks of lameness. The clinical course of disease can be classified using 5 clinical stages. M-stages represent not only different disease severities but also unique clinical characteristics and outcomes. Monitoring the proportions of cows per M-stage is needed to better understand and address DD and factors influencing risks of DD in a herd. Changes in the proportion of cows per M-stage over time or between groups may be attributed to differences in management, environment, or treatment and can have impact on the future claw health of the herd. Yet trends in claw health regarding DD are not intuitively noticed without statistical analysis of detailed records. Our specific aim was to develop a mobile application (app) for persons with less statistical training, experience or supporting programs that would standardize M-stage records, automate data analysis including trends of M-stages over time, the calculation of predictions and assignments of Cow Types (i.e., Cow Types I-III are assigned to cows without active lesions, single and repeated cases of active DD lesions, respectively). The predictions were the stationary distributions of transitions between DD states (i.e., M-stages or signs of chronicity) in a class-structured multi-state Markov chain population model commonly used to model endemic diseases. We hypothesized that the app can be used at different levels of record detail to discover significant trends in the prevalence of M-stages that help to make informed decisions to prevent and control DD on-farm. Four data sets were used to test the flexibility and value of the DD Check App. The app allows easy recording of M-stages in different environments and is flexible in terms of the users' goals and the level of detail used. Results show that this tool discovers trends in M-stage proportions, predicts potential outbreaks of DD, and makes comparisons among Cow Types, signs of chronicity, scorers or pens. The DD Check App also provides a list of cows that should be treated augmented by individual Cow Types to help guide treatment and determine prognoses. Producers can be proactive instead of reactive in controlling DD in a herd by using this app. The DD Check App serves as an example of how technology makes knowledge and advice of veterinary epidemiology widely available to monitor, control and prevent this complex disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlène Tremblay
- Departments of Medical Sciences, Section of Food Animal Production Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison 53706, United States.
| | - Tom Bennett
- Departments of Medical Sciences, Section of Food Animal Production Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison 53706, United States
| | - Dörte Döpfer
- Departments of Medical Sciences, Section of Food Animal Production Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison 53706, United States
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Krull AC, Cooper VL, Coatney JW, Shearer JK, Gorden PJ, Plummer PJ. A Highly Effective Protocol for the Rapid and Consistent Induction of Digital Dermatitis in Holstein Calves. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154481. [PMID: 27119564 PMCID: PMC4847800 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine Digital Dermatitis (DD) is a leading cause of lameness in dairy cattle. DD is reportedly increasing in prevalence in beef cattle feedlots of the US. The exact etiologic agent(s) responsible for the disease have yet to be determined. Multiple studies have demonstrated the presence of a variety of Treponema spp. within lesions. Attempts to reproduce clinically relevant disease using pure cultures of these organisms has failed to result in lesions that mirror the morphology and severity of naturally occurring lesions. This manuscript details the systematic development of an experimental protocol that reliably induces digital dermatitis lesions on a large enough scale to allow experimental evaluation of treatment and prevention measures. In total, 21 protocols from five experiments were evaluated on their effectiveness in inducing DD lesions in 126 Holstein calves (504 feet). The protocols varied in the type and concentration of inoculum, frequency of inoculation, duration the feet were wrapped, and type of experimental controls need to validate a successful induction. Knowledge gained in the first four experiments resulted in a final protocol capable of inducing DD lesions in 42 of 44 (95%) feet over a 28 day period. All induced lesions were macroscopically and microscopically identified as clinical DD lesions by individuals blinded to protocols. Lesions were also located at the site of inoculation in the palmer aspect of the interdigital space, and induced clinically measurable lameness in a significant portion of the calves. Collectively these results validate the model and provide a rapid and reliable means of inducing DD in large groups of calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam C. Krull
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Vickie L. Cooper
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - John W. Coatney
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Jan K. Shearer
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Patrick J. Gorden
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Paul J. Plummer
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Schöpke K, Gomez A, Dunbar KA, Swalve HH, Döpfer D. Investigating the genetic background of bovine digital dermatitis using improved definitions of clinical status. J Dairy Sci 2015; 98:8164-74. [PMID: 26364113 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2015-9485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Bovine digital dermatitis (DD) is an increasing claw health problem in all cattle production systems worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of an improved scoring of the clinical status for DD via M-scores accounting for the dynamics of the disease; that is, the transitions from one stage to another. The newly defined traits were then subjected to a genetic analysis to determine the genetic background for susceptibility to DD. Data consisted of 6,444 clinical observations from 729 Holstein heifers in a commercial dairy herd, collected applying the M-score system. The M-score system is a classification scheme for stages of DD that allows a macroscopic scoring based on clinical inspections of the bovine foot, thus it describes the stages of lesion development. The M-scores were used to define new DD trait definitions with different complexities. Linear mixed models and logistic models were used to identify fixed environmental effects and to estimate variance components. In total, 68% of all observations showed no DD status, whereas 11% were scored as infectious for and affected by DD, and 21% of all observations exhibited an affected but noninfectious status. For all traits, the probability of occurrence and clinical status were associated with age at observation and period of observation. Risk of becoming infected increased with age, and month of observation significantly affected all traits. Identification of the optimal month concerning DD herd status was consistent for all trait definitions; the last month of the trial was identified. In contrast, months exhibiting the highest least squares means of transformed scores differed depending on trait definition. In this respect, traits that can distinguish between healthy, infectious, and noninfectious stages of DD can account for the infectious potential of the herd and can serve as an alert tool. Estimates of heritabilities of traits studied ranged between 0.19 (±0.11) and 0.52 (±0.17), revealing a tendency for higher values for more complex trait definitions. In terms of genetic selection, all trait definitions identified the best (i.e., most resistant) animals, but only the new trait definitions were able to distinguish between animals with average and high predispositions for DD. Considering repeated measurements resulted in heritability estimates ranging between 0.13 (±0.05) and 0.29 (±0.10).
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Affiliation(s)
- K Schöpke
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, University of Halle, 06099 Halle, Germany
| | - A Gomez
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison 53706-1102
| | - K A Dunbar
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison 53706-1102
| | - H H Swalve
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, University of Halle, 06099 Halle, Germany.
| | - D Döpfer
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison 53706-1102
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Palmer MA, O'Connell NE. Digital Dermatitis in Dairy Cows: A Review of Risk Factors and Potential Sources of Between-Animal Variation in Susceptibility. Animals (Basel) 2015; 5:512-35. [PMID: 26479371 PMCID: PMC4598691 DOI: 10.3390/ani5030369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Revised: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Dairy cow lameness is a major problem for the industry, causing reduced animal welfare and economic loss. Digital dermatitis (DD) is a bacterial disease causing painful lesions, generally on the heels of the rear feet, and is an important cause of lameness. There appears to be individual variation between animals in susceptibility to this disease. Particular physical, physiological and behavioural factors might influence individual susceptibility, but further work is required to clarify the influence of these factors and to determine how this information could be used to develop breeding and management strategies to reduce DD prevalence. Abstract Digital dermatitis (DD) is a bacterial disease that primarily affects the skin on the heels of cattle. It is a major cause of lameness in dairy cows and a significant problem for the dairy industry in many countries, causing reduced animal welfare and economic loss. A wide range of infection levels has been found on infected farms, prompting investigations into both farm level and animal level risk factors for DD occurrence. There also appears to be individual variation between animals in susceptibility to the disease. The identification of factors affecting individual variation in susceptibility to DD might allow changes in breeding policies or herd management which could be used to reduce DD prevalence. Factors mentioned in the literature as possibly influencing individual variation in susceptibility to DD include physical factors such as hoof conformation and properties of the skin, physiological factors such as the efficacy of the immune response, and behavioural factors such as standing half in cubicles. Further work is required to determine the influence of these factors, identify the genetic basis of variation, clarify the level of heritability of DD susceptibility and to determine how this is correlated with production and health traits currently used in breeding programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maeve A Palmer
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 18-30 Malone Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 5BN, UK.
| | - Niamh E O'Connell
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 18-30 Malone Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 5BN, UK.
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