Reproductive pathogens (Cattle) Flashcards
What is metritis?
Inflammation of the whole uterus caused by bacterial infection
What are the clinical signs of metritis?
Reddish-brownish foul smelling uterine exudate ± fever
What are the 3 main pathogens involved/causing metritis?
- Escherichia coli
- Fusobacterium necrophorum
- Trueperella pyogenes
When is E.coli particularly prevalent in metritis?
In the first week postpartum
Which toxin is produced by Fusobacterium necrophorum?
Leukotoxin - toxic to leukocytes, macrophages, epithelial cells
Which toxin is produced by Trueperella pyogenes?
Pyolysin - cholesterol dependant cytolysin
Which virus is associated with metritis?
Bovine herpes virus 4
What is clinical endometritis?
Inflammation of the endometrium (inside layer of the uterus) usually caused by bacterial infection
How is clinical endometritis diagnosed?
Purulent uterine discharge seen on clinical exam
Can scan the cow or investigate the uterus to confirm the discharge present
Which pathogens are involved in clinical endometritis?
- Trueperella pyogenes
- Fusobacterium necrophorum
- E.coli?
What is subclinical endometritis?
Inflammation of the endometrium; usually caused by bacterial infection.
How is subclinical endometritis diagnosed?
- Associated with poor reproductive performance
- Usually based on clinical signs – but not an obvious purulent discharge
- Cytology
What is cervicitis and vaginitis?
Inflammation of the cervix, vagina
What is the main viral cause of vaginitis and how does it spread?
Infectious bovine Rhinotracheitis virus
(bovine herpes virus)
Spread through infected bulls
Describe the features of Campylobacteriosis
- Affects cows reproductive tract/ bulls prepuce
- Causes chronic endometritis
- Early embryonic death and abortions
- STI
Why is Camplyobacteriosis not very common?
Spread during natural mating and now AI is most commonly used
What is pyometra?
Intrauterine accumulation of pus (usually large amounts)
How is abortion defined?
Any fetus dead or alive born 270 days or earlier after conception
What are some examples of pathogens that cause abortion in cattle?
- Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (BHV 1 - IBR)
- Bovine viral diarrhoea
- Leptospirosis
- Neospora
- Campylobacter
- Salmonella
What are the two distinct biotypes of bovine viral diarrhoea?
Non-cytopathic
Cytopathic
What are the effects of non-cytopathic BVD at different points in pregnancy?
1st trimester infection (0-95days) = foetal reabsorption/abortion
Day 95-120 = Immunotolerance
Day 120-285 = Seropositive foetus, congenital lesions
What is the importance of calves that are immunotolerant to BVD?
- They shed the virus their whole lives = persistently infected
- They don’t have antibodies against the virus but they do have antigens
Cytopathic BVD is associated with?
Mucosal disease in persistently infected animals
How is leptospirosis in cattle spread?
by contact with skin, mucous membranes or orally
What are the clinical signs of a cow infected with Leptospirosis?
- Persistent infection of reproductive tract (bull and cow) can result in infertility and shedding in discharges
- Abortions, stillbirths and weak calves in acute infection
- Retained foetal membranes
How is Leptospirosis diagnosed in cattle?
- Bulk milk antibody testing gauges level of infection in herd
- Serology by MAT
- Identification of leptospires from aborted tissue, blood or urine by IF or PCR
