Perinatal mortality in 23 beef herds in Orkney: incidence, risk factors and aetiology

Norquay, Rhona; Orr, J. S.; Norquay, Bob; Ellis, Kathryn; Mee, John F.; Reeves, Aaron; Scholes, S. F. E.; Geraghty, Timothy

doi:10.1136/vr.105536

Cited by 10 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…However, in many cases of PM infection a single (or multiple pathogen) is not detected (or detectable, e.g., autolysis, contaminated, scavenged carcass or incorrect/inadequate sampling, especially absence of the placenta) but compelling gross or microscopic lesions indicative of inflammatory response to a pathogen is detected [13,14]. Thus, describing foetopathogens exclusively does not adequately describe the 'picture' of PM infections.…”

Section: Types Of Infectious Agentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only three pathogens (Neospora caninum [4], viruses (BVD) [22] and Bacillus spp. [14]) have been detected in 50% or more of infected perinatal mortality cases where a pathogen is recorded. However, given the low proportion of all-cause PM attributed to infection or where infection is detected, individual pathogens are rarely detected in more than 10% of PM cases.…”

Section: Infectious Agents Linked To Perinatal Mortalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, as a proportion of perinates dying in each time period (pre-, intra-and postpartum 0-2 days), more die due to infection postnatally (0-2 days):~10, 5 and 15%, respectively [10]. In some studies in utero infections can be the first (34% of all diagnoses, [21] or second (26% of all diagnoses [14]) most common cause of PM. The types of infections also vary with time of death.…”

Section: In Utero Vs Postnatal Infectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The common sources of in utero infections are vertically transmitted transplacental infections and from the animal's feed, water or environment [8,38,60]. Feed-borne pathogens are particularly important where feed is of poor quality, e.g., poorly fermented grass silage, more commonly in beef than in dairy herds [14] or where feed is exposed to vectors [84]. Infected foetuses may die pre-partum, during calving or postpartum (0-2 days).…”

Section: Intra-uterine Infectionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Role of Infection and Immunity in Bovine Perinatal Mortality: Part 1. Causes and Current Diagnostic Approaches

Mee

Jawor

Stefaniak

2021

Animals

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While non-infectious causes are more commonly diagnosed in cases of bovine perinatal mortality (PM), the proportion caused by infections is highly variable between studies (~5–35%); the reasons for this variation, and possible underestimation, are discussed. The most important pathogen-specific infectious causes of PM are bacteria (in particular, Bacillus licheniformis and Leptospira spp.), viruses (in particular BVDv) and a parasite (Neospora caninum). However, co-infection may occur in a small proportion of cases and in many cases no single pathogen is detected but gross or microscopic lesions of an inflammatory response are identified. Diagnosis is complicated by the criteria required to establish exposure, infection and causation. Additionally, pathogens can be classified as primary or secondary though such differentiation can be arbitrary. The majority of infectious cases of PM are due to in utero infections but postnatal infections (0–2 days) can also cause PM. Diagnosis of infectious PM is based on a systematic investigation of the herd health history and dam and cohort sampling and examination of the perinate and its placenta. Gross and histopathologic examinations and maternal/herd and perinate serology form the basis of current infectious PM investigations.

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Section: Types Of Infectious Agentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Infectious Agents Linked To Perinatal Mortalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: In Utero Vs Postnatal Infectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Intra-uterine Infectionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Role of Infection and Immunity in Bovine Perinatal Mortality: Part 1. Causes and Current Diagnostic Approaches

Mee

Jawor

Stefaniak

2021

Animals

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“…At an international level, the current lack of homogeneity in investigative approaches highlights the need for procedural standardisation [9]. While the focus of this review is on dairy foeto-perinatal loss, the material is equally applicable to beef foeto-perinatal loss [10]. Additionally, frequent reference is made to aspects of investigation of human perinatal mortality, where relevant.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of bovine abortion and stillbirth/perinatal mortality - similar diagnostic challenges, different approaches

Mee

2020

Ir Vet J

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This pracademic paper reviews current bovine foetopathy (abortion and stillbirth) case definitions, reporting and triage, and causes and time-of-death and proposes veterinary practitioner-focused investigative standard operating procedures (SOPs). Issues of under-and over-triage and intra-institutional SOP harmonisation are also discussed. It is proposed that an 'observable abortion' (120-260 days of gestation) is a more practitioner-friendly definition of abortion for reporting and benchmarking purposes and that the term 'peristillbirth' can replace stillbirth and perinatal mortality. Diagnosis of bovine foetopathy involves an investigative triad of the farmer, veterinary practitioner and the veterinary diagnostic laboratory. However, the poor sensitivity of abortion reporting undermines the value of currently adopted scanning/passive surveillance; parallel active surveillance/sentinel herd models should also be employed. The approach to abortion investigation differs from that of peristillbirth. The former should include collecting a herd and case history, examination and sampling of dam and cohorts and sampling of the foetus and placenta. A sample selection decision tree is provided to assist test selection. In peristillbirths, non-infectious and periparturient causes-of-death are more important hence the anamnesis must focus on peristillbirth risk factors and calving management. The foetopsy, while including the sampling menu appropriate to aborted foetuses, must also include a detailed internal and external examination of the carcass for lesions indicative of periparturient causes-of-death. In addition, for aborted foetuses the time-of-death is not important as the foetus is generally not viable; however, for the peristillbirth the time-of-death is critical as it provides useful information for the farmer to address modifiable risk factors and to alter their perinatal management. Reporting of the ultimate cause-of-death is more useful to prevent future abortions and peristillbirths though the proximate cause-of-death is often reported in the absence of a complete clinical anamnesis. Finally, the common reasons for diagnosis not reached (DNR) and the limitations of current investigative approaches are discussed.

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How to investigate a stillbirth on farm

Geraghty¹,

Mee²,

Murphy³

et al. 2021

In Practice

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Background: Bovine stillbirth is a common presentation in farm practice, but its investigation is complex and so a structured approach is recommended to aid diagnosis. This, in turn, will help practitioners to provide targeted advice to farmers, with the aim of reducing incidence in the future.Aim of the article: This article outlines a structured approach to follow when investigating stillbirth cases that can lead to a firm evidence base for giving the best advice on farm.

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Perinatal mortality in 23 beef herds in Orkney: incidence, risk factors and aetiology

Cited by 10 publications

References 13 publications

Role of Infection and Immunity in Bovine Perinatal Mortality: Part 1. Causes and Current Diagnostic Approaches

Role of Infection and Immunity in Bovine Perinatal Mortality: Part 1. Causes and Current Diagnostic Approaches

Investigation of bovine abortion and stillbirth/perinatal mortality - similar diagnostic challenges, different approaches

How to investigate a stillbirth on farm

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