BOVINE respiratory disease (BRD) in calves is a multifactorial disease complex involving interactions between a wide range of pathogens, immune status and environmental stresses. The most common non-viral pathogens involved include Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni (Haemophilus somnus) and Mycoplasma bovis (Bryson 2000, Donachie 2000, Nicholas and Ayling 2003. To ensure effective treatment of disease, veterinarians and researchers regularly need to determine the presence and antimicrobial sensitivity of pathogenic bacteria during outbreaks of BRD on farms and in clinical studies. Ideally, the technique should be quick and simple, and involve minimal stress for the calf. The ability to sample entire groups of animals and monitor infection status over time is also valuable and would be facilitated by the use of a simple nasopharyngeal swab method compared with the more difficult and hazardous procedures such as transtracheal aspiration or bronchoalveolar washings. This short communication describes the use of a deep nasopharyngeal swab technique to predict the presence of specific pathogenic species in the lower respiratory tract. Isolates were tested to determine their sensitivity to tulathromycin, a member of the newly developed triamilide subclass of macrolide derivatives (Letavic and others 2002). The study was conducted under veterinary supervision and in accordance with good clinical practice guidelines (Anon 2000), and the husbandry of all animals was in accordance with local animal welfare requirements and legislation.Thirty-seven beef calves, approximately four to six months of age, were group-housed on straw in an open-fronted barn in France, when a natural outbreak of BRD occurred. The criteria for enrolment in the study were those usually applied for the initiation of antimicrobial therapy, that is, the presence of clinical signs of BRD as defined by an elevated rectal temperature (≥40°C), together with abnormal respiratory signs (increased rate and/or abnormal character) and a depressed demeanour. Within the group, 20 animals met the criteria and were enrolled, which ensured a similar severity of disease among all the enrolled animals. The remaining calves were not enrolled but remained on the premises and were treated later for BRD with appropriate medication, if required, including antimicrobials.Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from each animal enrolled in the study, using sterile equine uterine culture swabs, 76 cm long, guarded by an external sheath and with the swab tip protected by a gelatine plug (Equi-Vet; Krusse). The animal's head was restrained by an assistant and the external nares were wiped clean of discharges. The distance between the nostril and the medial canthus of the eye was estimated and marked by the operator gripping the swab sheath at this point. The guarded, sheathed swab was then inserted into the nasal cavity as far as permitted by the position of the hand holding the swab. The tip of the swab was extruded beyond the sheath a...

NCT 03024697.

No abstract

Summary Background During 2016–2018, 15 critically ill neonatal foals with acute respiratory distress associated with Chlamydia psittaci infection were presented to three referral hospitals in New South Wales. Chlamydia psittaci has not previously been associated with the development of neonatal respiratory disease. Objectives To investigate and describe the clinical features and outcome of C. psittaci infection in neonatal foals. Study design Multicentre retrospective case series. Methods The clinical, clinicopathological, necropsy and histological features of 15 foals with confirmed C. psittaci infection were reviewed and reported. Results Thirteen foals with C. psittaci infection died or were subjected to euthanasia within 36 h of hospitalisation and two foals survived to discharge. Findings during post‐mortem examination of nonsurviving foals included bronchopneumonia, pulmonary congestion, hepatic congestion and hepatic inflammation. Detection of C. psittaci was achieved using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of swabs of nasal secretions (4/6) and rectal mucosa (5/7) from live foals, lung tissues of foals at necropsy (11/14) and foetal membranes (4/5). Main limitations Small numbers of confirmed cases of neonatal C. psittaci infection and inconsistent sampling methods. Conclusions Chlamydia psittaci should be considered a differential diagnosis for neonatal foals with signs of severe systemic disease, including equine neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (EqNARDS). Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic pathogen and a personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn for the management of foals with suspected or confirmed infection.