Respiratory distress syndrome in full-term newborn calves

Conference (2007)

Fièvre Catarrhale Ovine chez les ruminants. Description clinique des cas vécus dans le Nord de l’Europe durant l’été-automne 2006

in Bulletin des GTV (2007)

La fièvre catarrhale ovine (FCO) a été identifiée au Nord de l’Europe le 14 août 2006. L’Allemagne, la Belgique, les Pays-Bas et, dans une moindre mesure, le Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et la France ont été ... [more ▼]

La fièvre catarrhale ovine (FCO) a été identifiée au Nord de l’Europe le 14 août 2006. L’Allemagne, la Belgique, les Pays-Bas et, dans une moindre mesure, le Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et la France ont été affectés. Le sérotype 8 du virus de la FCO (exotique) a rapidement été identifié ainsi qu’un vecteur, Culicoides dewulfi, une espèce indigène du Nord de l’Europe. La maladie s’est rapidement développée et au 1er février 2007, on recensait 2137 foyers de FCO, toutes espèces de ruminants confondues. Globalement, la maladie a affecté davantage les bovins (54 %) que les ovins (46 %). Les signes cliniques le plus fréquemment observés chez les bovins étaient des lésions sur le museau et la cavité buccale (ulcérations/croûtes), de la salivation et des boiteries chez des animaux adultes. La morbidité et la mortalité animales étaient respectivement de maximum 5 % et 1 %. Les principaux signes cliniques rencontrés chez le mouton étaient également des lésions sur le museau et la cavité buccale (ulcérations/croûtes), de l’amaigrissement et des boiteries. La morbidité et la mortalité animales étaient respectivement de maximum 12 % et 6 %. Les signes cliniques n’étant pas pathognomoniques et le diagnostic différentiel relativement vaste, seul un examen de laboratoire permet de poser un diagnostic de certitude. [less ▲]

Congenital muscular dystonia (CMD): a new congenital pathology in Belgian Blue calves

Conference (2006, October 15)

Morphological alterations in oxidative muscles and mitochondrial structure associated with equine atypical myopathy

in Equine Veterinary Journal (2006), 39(1), 26-32

Reasons for performing study: There is a lack of well documented studies about muscular lesions in Equine Atypical Myopathy (EAM). Objectives: To characterize morphopathological changes of striated ... [more ▼]

Reasons for performing study: There is a lack of well documented studies about muscular lesions in Equine Atypical Myopathy (EAM). Objectives: To characterize morphopathological changes of striated muscles and myocardium, with the aim to progress in the understanding of this disease. Methods: Thirty-two 0.5- to 7-year-old horses kept on pasture were referred for a sudden ataxia/myoglobinuria syndrome. Clinical examination (stiffness, muscle pain, muscle fasciculations, abnormal gait, recumbency, myoglobinuria, tachycardia, sweating) and plasma CPK, LDH and AST levels were consistent with extensive myonecrosis and, together with anamnestic data, with so-called “Equine Atypical Myopathy” (EAM), a disease of unknown etiology repeatedly reported in the literature since 1939. Macroscopic and microscopic (histology, histoenzymology, ultrastructure) lesions were evaluated. Results: Necropsic examination revealed large areas of muscle necrosis, the extent and severity of which varied between cases and muscles, but which were clearly more constant and severe in respiratory and postural muscles and in the myocardium. Histology highlighted a multifocal and monophasic process compatible with Zenker degeneration/necrosis that mostly and segmentally affected type-1 fibres. Histochemical evaluation revealed a weak and disorganized pattern of NADH tetrazolium reductase staining, the absence of calcium salts precipitates and a dramatic accumulation of lipid droplets. Ultrastructural examination often revealed fibres of which the sole modifications were altered mitochondria and sarcoplasmic lipidosis. Conclusions: Taken together, the data suggest that a primary alteration of mitochondria should be considered, although secondary mitochondrial abnormalities have yet to be ruled out. Potential relevance: The morphologic features gathered here reveal that EAM shares most of the characteristics of toxic myopathies. [less ▲]

Evaluation of systolic function in calves by Doppler echocardiography: preliminary results

in Proceedings of the XXIVth World Buiatrics Congress (2006)

Bluetongue in northern Europe.

in Veterinary Record : Journal of the British Veterinary Association (2006), 159(10), 327

Tools to assess iodine deficiency in calves born from deficient and non deficient dams

Poster (2006)

Relationship between haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and clinical status in a survey of dairy herds during a 6-month period

in Veterinary Clinical Pathology (2006), 35(2), 188-193

Haptoglobin and serum amyloid A are major acute phase proteins in cattle. Dairy cattle often develop pathologic conditions in the peripartum period; acute phase proteins may be useful in their diagnosis ... [more ▼]

Haptoglobin and serum amyloid A are major acute phase proteins in cattle. Dairy cattle often develop pathologic conditions in the peripartum period; acute phase proteins may be useful in their diagnosis. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of serum haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations with clinical health status for diagnosing disease during the peripartum period in dairy cattle. Methods: Dairy cows from 4 herds were evaluated every 15 days over a 6-month period. Health status was determined by thorough clinical examination. Haptoglobin and SAA concentrations were measured in serum using validated methods and the results were classifed as positive or negative based on defined cutoff points. Disease prevalence, sensitivity, and specificity were compared using clinical examination as the gold standard. Results: A total of 1896 samples from 158 cows were analyzed. Significant increases in mean Hp and SAA concentrations were observed in the week following parturition in both primiparous and multiparous cows, although high interindividual variability was observed. Both Hp and SAA had low sensitivity but higher specificity in determining disease status compared with clinical examination. Increased concentrations of Hp and SAAwere found in ,10% of samples from clinically healthy cows, except in the week after parturition. Conclusions: Haptoglobin and serum amyloid A should be used with caution as markers of inflammation in the week after calving. Poor sensitivity in other postpartum periods could be related to the higher incidence of chronic (vs acute) inflammation. Haptoglobin may be appropriate for routine screening, but further work needs to be done to assess its value as an indicator of herd health. [less ▲]

Relationship between haptoglobin, serum amyloid A and clinical status in the survey of dairy herds during a six months housing period

Conference (2005)

Emergence of bovine Ehrlichiosis in Belgium

Conference (2005)