Hachaklait (Israel)

In this paper, the results of the diagnostic activities on Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) conducted at Kimron Veterinary Institute (Beit Dagan, Israel) between 2013 and 2018 are reported. Bluetongue virus is the causative agent of bluetongue (BT), a disease of ruminants, mostly transmitted by competent Culicoides species. In Israel, BTV-3 circulation was first detected in 2013 from a sheep showing classical BT clinical signs. It was also evidenced in 2016, and, since then, it has been regularly detected in Israeli livestock. Between 2013 and 2017, BTV-3 outbreaks were limited in sheep flocks located in the southern area only. In 2018, BTV-3 was instead found in the Israeli coastal area being one of the dominant BTV serotypes isolated from symptomatic sheep, cattle and goats. In Israeli sheep, BTV-3 was able to cause BT classical clinical manifestations and fatalities, while in cattle and goats infection ranged from asymptomatic forms to death cases, depending on either general welfare of the herds or on the occurrence of viral and bacterial co-infections. Three different BTV-3 strains were identified in Israel between 2013 and 2018: ISR-2019/13 isolated in 2013, ISR-2153/16 and ISR-2262/2/16 isolated in 2016. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of these strains showed more than 99% identity by segment (Seg) 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8 sequences. In contrast, a wide range of diversity among these strains was exhibited in other viral gene segments, implying the occurrence of genome reassortment between these local circulating strains and those originating from Africa. The genome sequences of the BTV-3 isolated in 2017 and 2018 were most closely related to those of the ISR-2153/16 strain suggesting their common ancestor. Comparison of BTV-3 Israeli strains with those recently detected in the Mediterranean region uncovered high percentage identity (98.19–98.28%) only between Seg-2 of all Israeli strains and the BTV-3 Zarzis/TUN2016 strain. A 98.93% identity was also observed between Seg-4 sequences of ISR-2019/13 and the BTV-3 Zarzis/TUN2016 strain. This study demonstrated that BTV-3 has been circulating in the Mediterranean region at least since 2013, but, unlike the other Mediterranean strains, Israeli BTV-3 were able to cause clinical signs also in cattle.

In this study, we aimed to identify and genetically characterize spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in ticks, domestic one-humped camels, and horses from farms and Bedouin communities in southern Israel. A total of 618 ixodid ticks (Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma turanicum, Hyalomma excavatum, and Hyalomma impeltatum) collected from camels and horses, as well as 152 blood samples from 148 camels and four horses were included in the study. Initial screening for rickettsiae was carried out by targeting the gltA gene. Positive samples were further analyzed for rickettsial ompA, 17kDa, ompB, and 16S rRNA genes. Rickettsia aeschlimannii DNA was detected in the blood of three camels and 14 ticks (H. dromedarii, H. turanicum, and H. excavatum). Rickettsia africae was found in six ticks (H. turanicum, H. impeltatum, H. dromedarii, and H. excavatum). In addition, Rickettsia sibirica mongolitimonae was detected in one H. turanicum tick. These findings represent the first autochthonous detection of R. africae in Israel. Previous detections of R. africae in Asia were reported from the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt) and Istanbul, only. Furthermore, we report for the first time the finding of R. aeschlimannii in H. turanicum and H. excavatum ticks, as well as the first identification of R. sibirica mongolitimonae in H. turanicum ticks. The tick species identified to harbor R. africae and other SFG rickettsiae have been reported to occasionally feed on people, and, therefore, physicians should be aware of the possible exposure of local communities and travelers, especially those in contact with camels, to these tick-borne rickettsial pathogens.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a severe viral disease of cattle. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the virus is transmitted mechanically by blood-feeding arthropods. We compared the importance of transmission via direct and indirect contact in field conditions by using mathematical tools. We analyzed a dataset collected during the LSD outbreak in 2006 in a large dairy herd, which included ten separated cattle groups. Outbreak dynamics and risk factors for LSD were assessed by a transmission model. Transmission by three contact modes was modelled; indirect contact between the groups within a herd, direct contact or contact via common drinking water within the groups and transmission by contact during milking procedure. Indirect transmission was the only parameter that could solely explain the entire outbreak dynamics and was estimated to have an overall effect that was over 5 times larger than all other possible routes of transmission, combined. The R0 value induced by indirect transmission per the presence of an infectious cow for 1 day in the herd was 15.7, while the R0 induced by direct transmission was 0.36. Sensitivity analysis showed that this result is robust to a wide range of assumptions regarding mean and standard deviation of incubation period and regarding the existence of sub-clinically infected cattle. These results indicate that LSD virus spread within the affected herd could hardly be attributed to direct contact between cattle or contact through the milking procedure. It is therefore concluded that transmission mostly occurs by indirect contact, probably by flying, blood-sucking insects. This has important implications for control of LSD.

BOVINE necrotic vulvovaginitis (BNVV) is a severe condition, with significant economic consequences. Possible causes include Porphyromonas levii, a Gram-negative obligate anaerobe that forms pigmented colonies on suitable media, and bovine herpesvirus type 4 (BHV-4), a member of the gamma herpesviruses (Bublot and others 1992). P levii has been recovered from bovine rumens and from cases of mastitis and foot rot. Moreover, P levii-like microorganism has been isolated from human beings with vaginosis (Hillier and others 1993). Investigation of P levii virulence factors have indicated that the microorganism is able to produce an anti-immunoglobulin G2 protease or possibly several proteases (Lobb and others 1999); it can also reduce chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and the oxidative burst of macrophages (Walter and Morck 2002), thus increasing its potential to cause and to maintain an infection. BHV-4 has a worldwide distribution. It has a tropism for lymphoid cells (Egyed and others 1996), and can remain latent and result in persistent infection (Osorio and Reed 1983). Although BHV-4 has been isolated from cattle with a variety of illnesses, including abortion, metritis, endometritis, vaginitis, enteritis and respiratory infection, it has also been isolated from healthy cattle (Frazier and others 2001). The pathogenic role of BHV-4 remains unclear; the direct correlation between particular strains of BHV-4 and different clinical conditions is still unsolved, despite studies involving experimental infection (Donofrio and others 2000). While a possible association between BHV-4 and necrotic vaginitis was reported by Marchot and others (1991), no such correlation was found by Elad and others (2004). This short communication describes the clinical, epizootiological and economic aspects of outbreaks of BNVV in dairy cattle herds in Israel, and is a continuation of the investigation by Elad and others (2004). Field observations were carried out between 2001 and 2004 in 16 family herds and 25 kibbutz herds that had been merged, that is, each herd consisted of local animals and others transferred from one or more dairy farms. Milk production, somatic cell counts, fertility and herd diseases were recorded by computerised dairy management systems. The kibbutz herds each contained 500 to 800 lactating cows and the family herds 80 to 120 lactating cows, all of the IsraeliHolstein breed. Dry cows and heifers were kept in separate sheds, grouped according to age and moved to a common calving pen three to four weeks before calving. The surface area in the calving pens was 6 to 8 m2 per animal. All the cattle were kept under a zero-grazing, loose-housing management system, in completely covered open sheds that were ventilated by means of electric fans. During the spring and summer months, the cattle were crowded in the collecting yard three to five times daily, and showered for 15 to 20 minutes each time to cool them and to reduce their heat stress. All the cows and heifers were observed at least twice daily by the herd personnel and at least twice weekly by the attending veterinarian. BNVV was diagnosed clinically by the typical lesions, as described by Elad and others (2004). Vaginal biopsies were taken from three affected first calvers, fixed in 10 per cent neutral buffered formalin and processed by standard techniques; 5 μm sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Outbreaks of BNVV were diagnosed in eight of the 25 kibbutz dairy cattle herds that were merged (P=0·0603, OR=5·440); two of the affected herds included replacement heifers. Outbreaks were not observed in the 16 combined family herds; however, sporadic cases were diagnosed in two kibbutz herds and in one family herd. The disease occurred in most regions of Israel; it was diagnosed mostly in first calvers, and was prevalent all year round but most prominently during the calving season. The first clinical signs of BNVV were observed three days after calving: erythema progressed to haemorrhagic and inflammatory stages, and finally to necrosis of the vaginal mucous membranes (Fig 1), together with a foul odour and muddy vaginal discharge. An increase in body temperature, tenesmus and perivaginitis were observed in severely affected animals. Treatment consisted of daily vaginal rinses with potassium permanganate or povidone iodine from the onset of

Veterinary RecordVolume 156, Issue 26 p. 844-844 Short Communication Cystic dilation of the teat sinuses in doe goats I. Yeruham DrMedVet, PhD, I. Yeruham DrMedVet, PhD Hachaklait Gedera, 4 Hagoren Street, Gedera, 70700 Israel Dr Yeruham died in 2005Search for more papers by this authorB. Sharir DVM, B. Sharir DVM Hachaklait, Kahal, 12387 IsraelSearch for more papers by this authorS. Friedman DVM, PhD, S. Friedman DVM, PhD National Service for Udder Health Caesaria, PO Box 3015, 38900 Caesaria Dr Friedman and Dr Perl are also at the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot 76100, IsraelSearch for more papers by this authorS. Perl DVM, S. Perl DVM Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, 50250 Israel Dr Friedman and Dr Perl are also at the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot 76100, IsraelSearch for more papers by this author I. Yeruham DrMedVet, PhD, I. Yeruham DrMedVet, PhD Hachaklait Gedera, 4 Hagoren Street, Gedera, 70700 Israel Dr Yeruham died in 2005Search for more papers by this authorB. Sharir DVM, B. Sharir DVM Hachaklait, Kahal, 12387 IsraelSearch for more papers by this authorS. Friedman DVM, PhD, S. Friedman DVM, PhD National Service for Udder Health Caesaria, PO Box 3015, 38900 Caesaria Dr Friedman and Dr Perl are also at the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot 76100, IsraelSearch for more papers by this authorS. Perl DVM, S. Perl DVM Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, 50250 Israel Dr Friedman and Dr Perl are also at the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot 76100, IsraelSearch for more papers by this author First published: 25 June 2005 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.156.26.844Citations: 3 AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume156, Issue26June 2005Pages 844-844 RelatedInformation

The prevalence of urinary tract infections in calves aged seven days to three months in three dairy cattle herds ranged from 0.5 to 1.6 per cent, with an average of 1.1 per cent. The mortality rate reached 16-1 per cent. The morbidity rate of the female calves was 1.4 per cent and that of the male calves 0.8 per cent. The bacteria isolated from urine, and from vaginal and preputial swabs were Escherichia coli (35 per cent), Corynebacterium renale (14 per cent), plasma coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (12 per cent), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12 per cent), Proteus species (12 per cent) and Arcanobacterium pyogenes (5 per cent). The affected calves had a significantly lower serum concentration of inorganic phosphorus (P<O-01).

A survey was carried out on all congenital skin tumours and hamartomas in cattle over a 20‐year period from 1977 to 1996. The clinical features and histopathology of all tumour types and of vascular hamatomas are described. Four types of congenital skin neoplasm and hamartoma were diagnosed clinically and confirmed by histopathological examination. Mast cell tumours were present in six animals, melanoma in two animals (only in cross‐breed calves), cutaneous lymphosarconia in two animals, myxoma in one animal and vascular hamartoma in three animals. It is believed that congenital cutaneous mast cell tumour, cutaneous lymphosarcoma, and myxoma in cattle are described here for the first time. Only cutaneous lymphosarcoma was found to be malignant with concurrent systemic involvement. Pruritus was observed only in the animals affected with mast cell tumour.

In three field trials comprising 602 Israeli-Holstein dairy cows, the effect of the dry period ration on reproductive performance, culling rate and milk production was investigated. The cows were fed in groups. The basic dry period rations consisted for two herds of medium quality cereal hay and for one herd of corn straw, which were fed ad libitum. In each herd dry cows were assigned to an experimental and control group. Cows of the experimental group were supplemented with 1.5 to 3 kg of lactating cows mixed ration (LMR), whereas in the control group the amount of supplement was increased by the factor two or 3.3. In the experimental group the amount of the supplement was calculated to achieve levels of net energy and of crude protein close to NRC requirements; in the control group the level of net energy and protein was 12 to 18% higher as compared to the experimental group. The amount of LMR supplement in the experimental group of herds A, B, C were 1.5 kg, 1.9 kg, and 3 kg, respectively. In the control groups these amounts were 5 kg, 3.8 kg, and 6 kg, respectively. The groups fed moderate amounts of LMR supplement had a higher conception rate at first insemination, a higher percentage of cows conceiving and fewer cows culled in the consecutive lactation than cows fed increased amounts of LMR supplement. The lactational incidence of reproductive disorders and the milk production were not affected by the differences in feeding during the dry period. Reproductive performance and culling rate appeared to be more favorable for cows fed moderate amounts of supplement during the entire dry period or during the last 3 to 4 weeks of the dry period.