INFECTIOUS AGENTS - Abortion in Ruminants

Question 1

What is an abortion?

Answer 1

An abortion is the premature expulsion from the uterus of non-viable products of conception

Question 2

Up to which day in gestation would bovine foetal loss be considered an abortion?

Answer 2

An abortion would be classified before 270 days of gestation

Question 3

Up to which day in gestation would ovine foetal loss be considered an abortion?

Answer 3

An abortion would be classified before 135 days of gestation

Question 4

How much do abortions cost the cattle industry annually?

Answer 4

Abortions cost the cattle industry £22 million annually

Question 5

How much do abortions cost the sheep industry annually?

Answer 5

Abortions cost the sheep industry £20 million annually

Question 6

Within how much time are you legally obligated to report a cattle abortion?

Answer 6

You are legally obligated to report a cattle abortion within 24 hours

Question 7

What is the difference between a notifiable disease and a reportable disease?

Answer 7

• Notifiable disease: a disease that you are legally obligated to report even if you just suspect the disease is present
• Reportable disease: a disease that you are legally obligated to report once the disease is confirmed

Question 8

What is an example of a notifiable disease which can cause abortion in ruminants?

Answer 8

Brucella

Question 9

What is an example of a reportable disease which can cause abortion in ruminants?

Answer 9

Salmonella

Question 10

What are the main zoonotic transmission routes of diseases which cause abortion?

Answer 10

Contact with the aborted tissue and/or placenta
Consumption of unpasteurised milk and dairy products

Question 11

How long are aborted tissues zoonotic?

Answer 11

Aborted tissues remain zoonotic for up to 6 weeks

Question 12

What percentage of abortions would be considered as a chronic infection on a farm?

Answer 12

2-10%

Question 13

What percentage of abortions would be considered as a new infection on a farm?

Answer 13

20-30%

Question 14

Which samples should be collected to investigate the cause of abortion?

Answer 14

Dead foetus (stomach contents, foetal fluid, heart, liver, lung)
Placenta
Dam blood samples

Question 15

How does a direct infectious agent cause abortion?

Answer 15

A direct infectious agent causes disruption of the placental supply (placentitis)

Question 16

How does an indirect infectious agent cause abortion?

Answer 16

An indirect infectious agent causes systemic infection leading to the inability to carry the foetus to term

Question 17

What can be done to prevent infectious causes of abortion?

Answer 17

Biosecurity
Vaccination

Question 18

What are some of the biocontainment methods that can be used to contain an abortion outbreak?

Answer 18

Disinfection
Isolate infected animals
Treatment or culling

Question 19

What are the two main infectious causes of bovine abortion in the UK?

Answer 19

Bacillus licheniformis
Neospora caninum

Question 20

What are the two main infectious causes of ovine abortion in the UK?

Answer 20

Chlamydia abortus (EAE)
Toxoplasma gondii