Oral and Poster Abstracts

1111 The Prevalence of Hock Lesions in UK Dairy Cattle and the
Significance of Risk Factors Associated with the
Development of the Condition
S. Potterton 1 , M. Green 1 , J. Harris 2 , K. Millar 2 , H. Whay 3 , J. Huxley 1
1
University of Nottingham, School of Veterinary Medicine and
Science, Nottingham, United Kingdom
2
University of Nottingham, School of Biosciences, Nottingham,
United Kingdom
3
University of Bristol, Clinical Veterinary Science, Bristol, United
Kingdom
Hock lesions in dairy cattle are widespread around the world. Previous
studies have recorded a prevalence of approximately 60% in Denmark
and between 3 and 21% in Switzerland. Prevalence levels from North
American studies have varied widely from 0 to 91%, according to lying
surface. In the UK, recent studies found almost 99% of examined cows
had at least some callused area over a hock, and median proportions of
ulcerated and swollen hocks of up to 14% and 58% respectively, have
been observed. Hock lesions are correlated with injuries of the teat,
carpal joints and skin, increases in lameness score, high somatic cell
counts, greater incidences of clinical mastitis, and higher culling and
annual death rates. Differences in the prevalence and severity of hock
lesions according to the lying surface and cubicle design have been
identified. Cow-related factors (e.g. bodyweight and condition score,
breed, and level of milk production), and management variables (e.g.
herd size, provision for loafing or grazing, and calving season) have all
been postulated as possible risk factors for the condition. The aim of
this study was to determine the prevalence of hock lesions in animals
on dairy farms in the East Midlands of the UK, and the significance of
potential risk factors in the development of the lesions. A random
sample of 50 lactating cows on each of 80 dairy farms were assessed
during a single day visit to each farm over the winter housing period of
2007/08. The extent and severity of lesions over all aspects of the hock
were assessed and recorded using a lesion map. Assessments were
made of lameness score, body condition score, cleanliness, and rising
behaviour. Days in milk, milk yield, age and parity data were
collected. Measurements related to the animals environments were
taken, including dimensions of loafing areas and cubicles, quality of the
lying surface, and quantity of bedding material provided. Interviews
were conducted with the farmers in an attempt to establish management
characteristics and attitudes that may be driving the development of
this condition. This paper presents data on the location, severity and
prevalence of hock lesions in UK dairy cattle and identifies factors and
practices which are associated with the presence of the condition.
1112 A Comparison of Bovine Serological Profiles of Leptospira
from two Tropical Regions in Mexico
L. Moles 1 , J. Torres 1 , J. Cadena 1 , M. Luna 2 , D. Gavaldon 1
1 Universidad Autónoma Metroopolitana Unidad Xochimilco,
Producción Agrícola y Animal, México D.F., Mexico
2 INIFAP, Cenid Microbiologia, D.F., Mexico
The goal of this survey is to know the seroprofiles of the beef cattle
form two different regions in the southeastern tropical area of Mexico.
Microagglutination tests were performed using 10 international
reference strains and 3 Mexican isolated strain, > 100 titers were
considered positive. In the first region, 300 bovines belonging to 19
estates were serologically tested. 84.6% seropositive bovines were
Hardjoprajitno strain H-89 (60.3%), Hardjoprajitno (49.3%), Panama
(40.6%), Wolffi (38%), Grippotyphosa (22.3%), Bratislava (21.3%)
and Tarassovi (9.3%). In the second tested area 203 animals from 6
estates were analyzed, the range of seropositive animals in the different
estates was 36 to 89% and the most frequent serovars were
Hardjoprajitno strain H-89 (67.4%), Wolffi (49.7%), Harjoprajitno
(43.8%), Bratislava (6.4%) and Tarassovi (5.9%). There is a great
similarity in the serological profile of leptospirosis in both areas; even
though the frequency of the serovars is different, they are circulating in
the same tropical region. It is likely that wild animals may play an
important role in the maintenance of this serovars. On the other hand,
despite frequency’s percentage not being the same this is probably due
to ecological facts. We conclude that bovine leptospirosis is widely
distributed in the tropical southeastern area of Mexico and the serovars
identified in this survey point out which bacterin has to been used this
area to prevent bovine leptospirosis.
Key words: leptospira, leptospirosis, Bovine, Hardjo, Mexico
170 XXV. Jubilee World Buiatrics Congress 2008
1113 Serological Identification of Antibodies against Leptospira in
Calves of a Dairy Cattle Farm in Mexico
L. Moles 1 , J. Hernandez 1 , D. Gavaldon 2 , J. Cadena 1 , J. Torres 1 ,
M. Gonzalez 1 , M. Luna 3
1
Universidad Autónoma Metroopolitana Unidad Xochimilco,
Producción Agrícola y Animal, D.F., Mexico
2
Universidad Autónoma Metroopolitana Unidad Xochimilco, DF,
Mexico
3
INIFAP, Cenid Microbiologia, México DF, Mexico
The aim of this work was to determine when the vaccine against
leptospirosis should be administered in calves in the Breeding Center in a
dairy farm region of Tizayuca, in Hidalgo. Sera of 50 calves from (6 days
to 3 months), 50 from Phase II (4 to 6 months), 30 from Phase III (7 to 8
months) and 30 from Phase IV (9 to 12 months), were analyzed. The
microscopic agglutination test (OIE) was used, considering positive the
sera with titers of 1:100 or more. From the 160 analyzed sera, 9.3% were
identified positive. In Phase I, 11 (22%) of 50 were found, identifying 8
(16%) of 50 reactors to the serovar Grippotyphosa; 5 (10%) of 50 to the
strain H-89 that corresponds to Hardjoprajitno and 3 (6%) of 50 to Wolffi;
the age of the positive animals went from 6 to 25 days. From Phase II, 4
(8%) of 50 were identified, 3 (6%) of 50 from the strain H-89 and 1 (2%)
of 50 from Wolffi; these animals were three months old. There were not
positive calves in Phases III and IV. During the first 6 days of life, the
calves remained with their mothers and sucked colostrums, which
probably explains the presence of antibodies in animals less than 25 days
of age. Considering that the positive criterion is of 1:100, the sera with
fewer dilutions might show reactors to a larger amount of serovars found
in the area. According to this information, the calves are free from
maternal antibodies from 7 months on. This data suggests the convenience
of vaccinating at the end of last phase. In other words prior to be
inseminated and transferred to the breeding area.
Acknowledgments: Patricia Meléndez for the laboratory support. In
memoriam Miguel A. Cisneros-Puebla.
Key words: leptospira, leptospirosis, calves, Mexico, cattle.
1114 Serological Profile of Cattle from a Semiarid Region of
Mexican Northwest
D. Pedroza 1 , M. Luna 1 , V. Banda 1 , F. Salazar 2 , D. Gavaldon 3 ,
L. Moles 3
1 INIFAP, Cenid Microbiologia, México DF, Mexico
2 UAEM, Toluca Edo, Mexico
3 Universidad Autónoma Metroopolitana Unidad Xochimilco,
Producción Agrícola y Animal, México DF, Mexico
The purpose of this study was to determine the serological profile of
beef cattle from a semiarid region from the northwestern part of Mexico,
149 cows of 3 to 4 years of age from 7 estates were analyzed. All the
animals had a reproductive disorder data as abortion, infertility and they
had no positive test to brucellosis. Microagglutination tests were
performed with 10 different stains of Leptospira international reference
strains and 3 Mexican strains were added. Titers of ≥ 1:100 were
considered positive. The percentage of positive animals in each estate
varied from 47.3 to 100. From all the bovine sera studied 79.8% were
positive and the titers range was 1:100 to 1:6400. Serovars’ higher
frequency were Hardjo strain H-89 32.9%, Hardjo strain Hardjoprajitno
and Bratislava 32.2%, Wolffi 30.2%, Icterohaemorrhagiae strain Palo
Alto 19.5%, Hardjobovis 18.1%, Canicola 10.7%, Tarassovi and
Pyrogenes 5.4%, Grippotyphosa 4%, Icterohaemorrhagiae RGA and
Portland-vere 2%. Up to 6 different serovars were identified in some
sera. The most frequent serovars in 4 estates were Hardjo strain H-89,
Hardjoprajitno and Wolffi. In other estates Icterohaemorrhagiae strain
Palo Alto and Hardjo were very common and in the last one Bratislava
and Wolffi appeared to be the most important serovars. It is highly
recommended to consider the serological profiles in order to select an
efficient vaccine to prevent leptospirosis in this area.
Key words: leptospira, leptospirosis, cattle, Mexico, Hardjo
1115 A Retrospective Seroprevalence Study of Bovine
Leptospirosis in Mexico Considering Ecological Regions
M. Luna 1 , L. Moles 2 , D. Gavaldon 2 , C. Nava 3 , F. Salazar 4
1 INIFAP, Cenid Microbiologia, México DF, Mexico
2 Universidad Autónoma Metroopolitana Unidad Xochimilco, CENID
MICROBIOLOGIA, MEXICO, D.F., Mexico