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Infectious Disease
Johne’s Disease
(Paratuberculosis)
• Causative agent: Mycobacterium paratuberculosis
• Extremely slow onset, chronic, progressive,
incurable, fatal
– minimum 18 months to clinical status
– incubation period up to 10 years
• Prevalent in 20% of US herds
• 5-20% of ALL dairy cattle infected
– 25-30% of all herds
– increasing in both dairy and beef
– sheep, goats and deer also susceptible
International Prevalence
•Denmark:
•almost half of all herds test positive
•Holland:
•50 –80% of herds infected?
•New Zealand:
•16 – 50% of herds infected
History
“Johne’s disease is not at all widespread.
It does occur, however, and as the years go
by it will become more and more common
and will places a great tax on the cattle
industry”
Beach and Hastings 1922
Johne’s Disease
(Paratuberculosis)
• Following calfhood exposure there is no
evidence of infection for six months to
several years
– Rate of progression dependent on age, genetic
background, nutritional status, management, etc
Johne’s symptoms
• Clinical status after “high stress” period
– Progressive and fatal
– Non-treatable
• Primarily affects intestine and associated lymph
tissues
• Causes proliferation of intestinal tissue
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Malabsorption diarrhea
Animal loses condition
Displays diarrhea and constipation
Decreased milk, same feed intake (until late stages)
Fig 35-1. Cows with Johne's disease typically lose tremendous
amounts of body weight, although feed consumption may be
normal (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)
Johne’s Disease
(Paratuberculosis)
• Apparently healthy animals can spread the disease
– Test at regular intervals of 3-6 months
– Diagnostic testing is often inaccurate
– Fecal culture is most accurate method in live animals
• False negatives are still a problem
• No treatment
– Prevention through keeping infected animals isolated
Johne’s Transmission
• Fecal-oral
– Organism remains viable in feces for 6-11 months
• Transplacental transfer
• Organism present in milk, colostrum
• Severity of infection depends on level of infective
dose
• Age of exposure is critical
• <5% of infected animals develop clinical
symptoms
Age Effects
• Newborn calf most susceptible
– susceptibility decreases with age
– not clinical - no shedding until > 9 mos.
• Cows least susceptible
– infection unlikely after 1 year of age
– shedding rate highest in mature, clinically
infected cows
Costs
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Lost milk costs
Lost cow value and slaughter value
Lost marketing ability of herd
Longer calving intervals
Increased mastitis
Increased vet costs
$250/cow (all cows, not just infected)
Infected 100 cow herd with average infection rate
loses $25,000/year
Antibody Tests
Fig 35-2. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA's) are a useful
diagnostic tool for estimating the prevalence of Johne's disease in
infected herds (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)
Testing
• ELISA’s and other antibody tests have high
incidence of “false positives”
– If ELISA or antibody test is positive, fecal culture
should be used to confirm status
• Fecal cultures take 16 weeks, very expensive
– Negative result does not necessarily indicate uninfected
cow, just non-shedding cow
– Positive result is fairly accurate
Fig 35-3. To confirm infection with Johne's disease, tissues
can be stained for the immunohistological detection of M.
paratuberculosis (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)
Johne’s Disease
(Paratuberculosis)
• Control measures for infected herd
– Reduce contamination by good sanitation
– Do not spread manure on pasture land
– Raise young stock in uncontaminated
environment, separate from mature animals
Control Program
• Prevent transmission
– sanitary maternity barn
– clean perineal area and udder
– Remove calf from dam prior to nursing, wash
udder well prior to milking
– feed colostrum from test-negative cows
– raise “shedders” separate from “susceptibles”
– spread manure on crop ground, not pasture
Control Program
• Reduce incidence in herd
– test mature animals every 6 months
– remove test-positive animals immediately
– cull any apparent clinicals
• regardless of test results
– purchase only from tested clean herds
– vaccinate infected herds
• not cost-effective in clean herds
• does not prevent disease, only reduces severity
• interferes with antibody tests
Is Johnes a Food Safety Issue?
Crohn’s disease is a bowel disease in humans
Overall incidence 5.6 cases per 100,000
Severe and very unpleasant condition
Cause unknown, maybe infectious agent like
Mycoplasma
Johnes organism found in Crohn’s patients
No firm link established, the evidence is still inconclusive but the issue is a source of concern to the dairy industry
Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD)
• Incubation period of 7-9 days
• Characterized by
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High temperature (105-107 F)
Nasal discharge
Rapid breathing
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea
• Causes abortions in pregnant cows (3-6 weeks
after infection)
• Decrease in milk production in lactating cows
Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD)
• Prevention
– Avoid contact with infected animals
– Keep away from contaminated feed and water
– Isolate all incoming animals for 30 days
• Treatment
– Electrolytes
– Antibiotics combat the secondary bacterial
invaders
Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD)
• If BVD is a constant problem, vaccinate animals
– Intramuscular administration of modified live or
inactivated vaccines
• One vaccination should last a lifetime
• DO NOT vaccinate pregnant cows
– Causes abortions
• DO NOT vaccinate calves under 6 months of age
– Ineffective due to interference from maternal antibodies from
colostrum
• Replacement heifers should be vaccinated at 9-12 months of
age
BVD control
• Multiple strains exist (identify!)
• Fecal-oral
– Sanitation crucial
• Vaccines highly effective
– not 100%
• BVD-PI (persistently infected) are
exceptional situation
BVD-PI animals
• 1 in every 200 calves is PI
• Infected in utero between 80 and 120 days
• Infection from 120-150 days
– congenital defects
– weak calf syndrome
• Infection after 150 days
– immune response
– abortion, mummification
BVD-PI calves
• No immune response
– recognizes virus as “self” permanently
• Virus replication unchecked
– incredibly high shedding rates
– potential threat to entire operation
• Difficult to identify
– Ab titers ineffective method
– must directly test for presence of virus
Fig 35-4. Obtaining an ear notch tissue sample for immunohistochemical
diagnosis of BVD infection (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)
Fig 35-5. Immunohistochemical techniques help veterinarians
visualize the BVD virus in ear tissue (Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)
Salmonella
• Invasive coliform
– fecal-oral transmission
– penetrates gut lining
– systemic infection common
• Present on up to 75% of dairies
– clinical expression after stress (shipping)
• Highly rate of transmission
– “herd epidemics” common
– high shedding rate
– high mortality rate
Salmonella
• Pathogen associated with stress and
immunocompromised animals
– Calves and transition cows most susceptible
• maternity barn sanitation
• isolation of sick or recently purchased animals
• Characterized by rapid onset and severe watery
diarrhea
– Weak and rapidly dehydrated
– Often becomes systemic infection
• Pathogen transmitted in feces
– High sanitation standards are critical
• Infected cattle should be isolated
– Animals are responsive to antibiotics
Challenges
• Some strains infect people
• Carriers include pets and pests
• Different strains present in different herds
– S. typhimirium DT 104 is problem pathogen
• multiple antibiotic resistance (cassette resistance)
• resistant to ampicillin, florfenicol, streptomycin,
sulphonamides, and tetracyclines
• use of one antibiotic selects for the rest
Treatment
• Identify early
• Isolate infected animals
• Extreme sanitary measures
– cows AND people
• Use appropriate antibiotic treatment
– test for susceptibility
• Supplemental fluids crucial
• Use herd-specific vaccine if necessary
Drenching Fluids
Bovine Respiratory Disease
Complex (BRDC)
• Acute respiratory disease
– Most common in calves
– Commonly associated with transportation stress
• First sign of disease is a tired appearance and
reduced appetite
– Depression, nasal discharge, high temperature, cough,
rapid breathing
– Loss of appetite, then loss of body weight and milk
production
Bovine Respiratory Disease
Complex (BRDC)
• Caused from multiple infection due to
interaction of viruses and bacteria
– Accentuated by environmental conditions and
stress
• Three main causative viruses
– Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis
– Bovine virus diarrhea
– Parainfluenza
Fig 35-6. Adequate ventilation is one of the most important
considerations for the prevention of bovine respiratory
disease complex in dairy cattle (Courtesy of USDA)
Bovine Respiratory Disease
Complex (BRDC)
• Immunity against the three main viruses can
be achieved
– Modified live or inactive vaccines, in single or
combination forms
• Treatments, if given early in the course of
disease, are effective
– Antibiotics and sulfa drugs
Fig 35-7. For this ELISA test for BRSV virus, the intensity of the blue
color is proportionate to the titer of specific antibody in the sample
(Courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick)
Pneumonia
• Inflammation of lungs in which the air sacs
fill with discharge
– Often a disease secondary to other conditions
• If left untreated, 50-75% of animals die
• Characterized by elevated temperature
– Quick shallow breaths, nasal discharge, cough,
no appetite
Fig 35-8. Fever, dullness, inappetance, coughing, and nasal
discharge are the most common symptoms of pneumonia in
calves (Courtesy of University of Illinois)
Pneumonia
• Causes are numerous
– Many microorganisms and many different viruses
– Changeable weather and poorly ventilated damp barns
are conducive to pneumonia
• Prevention
– Providing good hygienic surroundings with adequate
ventilation
• Segregate sick animals
• Treat sick calves with broad spectrum antibiotics
Pinkeye (Keratitis)
• Several causes - two most common types,
one caused by virus, one by bacteria
• Characterized by liberal flow of tears and
inability to keep eye open
– Redness and swelling of the membrane lining
of eye
• If untreated can cause blindness
Pinkeye (Keratitis)
• In viral pinkeye, causative organism is infectious
bovine rhinotracheitis
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Eyeball is only slightly affected
Mainly affects eyelids and tissues surrounding the eye
Occurs most frequently in winter
Highly contagious by direct or indirect contact
Prevention
• Proper vaccination prior to disease onset
– Treatment is seldom of value
Pinkeye (Keratitis)
• Bacterial pinkeye caused by Moraxella
bovis
– Produces a toxin that irritates and erodes the
coverings of the eye
– Occurs mainly in warm weather
– Transmission mainly by flies and direct contact
between animals
– Prevention
• Controlling face flies, isolate infected animals
Pinkeye (Keratitis)
• Bacterial pinkeye treatment:
– Application of antibiotics or sulfa drugs to the
affected eye
– Cortisone injected into eye can reduce swelling
– Eye patch
– Isolate animal
Ringworm
• Contagious disease of the outer layers of skin
• Caused by microscopic molds or fungi
• Characteristics
– Incubation period of one week
– Round scaly patches of skin, devoid of hair
• Organisms spread between animals
– Must disinfect surfaces as well as treat animals
– Isolate infected animals
Coccidiosis
• Parasitic disease caused by microscopic
organisms called coccidia
– Cattle infected by 21 species of coccidia
• Only Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuerni cause the
most serious infections
– Infected animals pass organism through feces
• Gains entry into an animal by being swallowed
• In the host’s intestine the outer membrane of oocyte
ruptures, releasing the sporozoites which destroy
epithelial cells
Coccidiosis
• Severe infection produces diarrhea and
bloody feces
– Hemorrhage of blood vessels into intestinal
lumen
– Segregate infected animals immediately
• Try to keep feed/water from being contaminated
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
• Highly contagious disease of cloven-footed
animals
– Humans are mildly susceptible
• Characterized by appearance of watery
blisters in mouth and on skin between claws
of the hoof
– Moderate fever, excessive salivation
Fig 35-9. Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is characterized by
blister-like vesicles on the tongue and lips, mouth, on the teats,
and between the hooves (Courtesy of USDA)
Fig 35-10. The blisters in the mouth and on the tongue caused by foot
and mouth disease result in excessive slobbering (Courtesy of USDA)
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
• Infective agent is a small virus
– Six different strains
– Virus is present in blisters, blood, milk, meat,
saliva, and urine of infected animals
• Can be spread through infected biological products
and by cattle fever ticks
Anaplasmosis
• Caused by parasite, Anaplasma marginale
– Invades red blood cells
– Transmitted by biting insects
• Once infected, the animal permanently retains
parasite in blood
– No signs of ill health may be evident
– Clinical symptoms generally do not appear until 18
months of age
• Calves usually only have mild symptoms
Anaplasmosis
• In mature animals
– Symptoms of anemia and jaundice skin
– Rapid heart rate, labored breathing, fever, loss
of appetite
– Recovery is usually slow, yet the animal still
retains the parasite
HBS - One Syndrome with
Several Names
• HBS: Hemorrhagic bowel syndrome
• JHS: Jejunal hemorrage syndrome
• BBS: Bloody bowel syndrome
Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome
• Sporadic in morbidity
• A typical case incidence rate is 2-3%, with
some farms experiencing an outbreak form
• Mortality may approach 85-100% of cases
due to peracute nature
Clinical Signs of “HBS”
• Short incubation period – hours rather than
days
• Severe sweats
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Sternal recumbancy
• Lethargy (extreme depression)
• Enopthalmia (sunken eyes)
Clinical Signs of “HBS”
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Slight bloating may be evident
Pale mucous membranes
Fluid slosh in lower right abdomen
Distended gut loops per rectal palpation
SUDDEN DEATH
Post-Mortem Findings
• Severe segmental small intestinal
inflammation
• Segmental hemorrhaging and clotting
forming a functional plug.
Necrosis +/Impaction
Diagnostics
• Appearance of characteristic lesions and
clinical signs
• Isolation of Clostridium perfringens type A
from the lesion site in high numbers.
Overgrowth occurs fast.
• Fecal cultures not diagnostic
Treatment Efforts
• Prognosis is extremely poor
• Surgical intervention
Some areas of segmental clots may be
massaged out to resolve the case
Intestinal resection & anastamosis is usually
required to remove affected tissue
– Success Rate ~ 5-10%
Are Clostridial species involved?
– C. perfringens type A has to be present in the diet to
cause disease
– Readily fermentable carbohydrate is needed to
support growth & sporulate
– Partial slowdown or stoppage of ingesta flow
allowing proliferation of C. perfringens.
– Generation time = 8.8 min.
Field Observations
• Model of Infection
Lamb
Enterotoxemia:
Carbohydrate
engorgement or
presence in small
intestine in high
amounts.
Food Poisoning:
Is there a source of
C. perfringens type
A (human model)?
Gut Physiology?
Rumen emptying rates,
local hypomotility?
Serum Ca levels?
Herd Breaks
• Fermentable Carbohydrate
– NFC levels in excess of 40%?
– Which high moisture feeds are being used in
the ration and at what levels?
– How soluble are the starches?
Wet vs. Dry
Fermented
Fineness of Grind
Vaccination?
Commercial Vaccines:
Vaccination with a 7-way Clostridial
bacterin/toxoid has shown little effect.
C. perfringens C&D toxoid may have
some effects if the infection was mixed.
Summary
Carbohydrate
availability
Acidosis?
Rumen Emptying Rate?
Feed
Contamination
Poor fermentation
Contamination
Intestinal
Motility
Ca Levels, DMI
or Acidosis
Reproductive Diseases and
Disorders
Brucellosis (Bang’s Disease)
• Causative bacteria: Brucella melitensis
– Contagious abortion disease in cattle, Brucella
abortus
• Hidden, lesions frequently are not evident
– In other species , can cause similar problems
• National testing program
– Control and eradication has helped lower
infection rates
Brucellosis (Bang’s Disease)
• Symptoms are indefinite
– Abortions in cattle, but not all animals infected will
abort
– Infected animal may have a normal birth, but calf may
be weak, milk production reduced
– Joint pain, abcesses
• Humans are susceptible to all three species of
brucellosis
– Swine organism causes most severe disease
• Undulant fever caught by handling affected animals, raw meat
or milk
Brucellosis (Bang’s Disease)
• Brucella organism is resistant to drying
– Killed by disinfectants and pasteurization
– Found in tissues, membranes, and fluids, of the
aborted young
– Harbored indefinitely in the udder
• Brucellosis is contagious
– Licking infected animals
– Through contaminated feed/water
Brucellosis (Bang’s Disease)
• Control programs
– Testing
– Removal of infected animals
– Strict sanitation
• Brucellosis eradication program (1934)
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Finding infected animals and eliminating them
Vaccinating where there is a disease problem
Certifying brucellosis-free herds and areas
Providing indemnity to farmers whose animals are
condemned under the program
Leptospirosis
• Humans can contract disease through skin
abrasions when handling infected animals,
raw meat or milk
• Usually a mild disease
– Fever, poor appetite, abortion, ropy milk
• Caused by several species of corkscrew
shaped organisms
Fig 36-1. Leptospirosis can cause abortions during the
last half of gestation (Courtesy of USDA)
Leptospirosis
• Preventative measures
– Test animals prior to purchase, isolate for 30
days, then retest
– Keep premises clean
– Control rodents and other vectors (canines)
– Vaccinate susceptible animals annually if
disease is present in the area
Leptospirosis
• Carrier animals spread the infection by
shedding organism in their urine
– Recovered animals remain carriers for 2-3
months
Vibriosis
• Infectious venereal disease
– Causes infertility and abortion
– Must be diagnosed through laboratory
• Caused by Campylobacter fetus
• Prevention
– Avoid contact with diseased animals and contaminated
feed, water, and materials
– Vaccinate annually
– Artificial insemination
Bovine Trichomoniasis
• Protozoan venereal disease
– Causes early abortions and temporary sterility
• Caused by Trichomonias foetus
– Found in aborted fetuses, fetal membranes and fluids,
vaginal secretions
– Infected bull is source of infection
• Disease is self limiting in cows
• Signs not shown in bulls, but cows indicate infection
• Prevention: use clean bulls or AI
Fig 36-2. This bull, infected with trichomoniasis, appears normal
and will breed normally, but can infect an entire herd through
natural service (Courtesy of University of Illinois)
Metritis
• Inflammation of uterus caused by various bacteria
– Usually develops after giving birth
• Symptoms
– Foul smelling discharge from vulva, brown color
– High temperature, rapid breathing, loss of appetite,
lowered milk production
• Affected animals may die in 1-2 days or acute
infection may cause sterility
Metritis
• Most commonly caused by Escherichia coli
• Preventative measures
– Alleviate predisposing factors
• Bruises and tears while giving birth
• Exposure to wet and cold
• Introduction of bacteria during or after birth
Bovine Protozoal Abortion
• Not all infected cows will abort
– Calves born from infected cows will experience
nervous system disease
• Caused by Neospora
– Transmitted through congenital infection and
fecal-oral transmission
Foothill Abortion
• Reported in western US and Europe
• Cows abort when 3-6 months pregnant
– Some calves are stillborn while others are weak at birth
• Caused by a virus
– A soft bodied tick is the vector
• Prevention
– Move cattle out of tick-infested areas during 3-6 month
gestation period
– Animals that have aborted are usually immune and can
be returned to herd