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Case reports - Mannheimia haemolytica in dairy cows
Stemme, K.; Thesing, E.; Schäfer, D...
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Objectives: Mannheimia (M.) haemolytica is one of the most important pathogens of respiratory disease in young cattle (calves and feedlot cattle). In recent years, however, cases of severe pneumonia caused by M. haemolytica in lactating dairy cows, have been reported. By means of two clinical cases in Germany, the wide range of clinical symptoms and diagnostic as well as treatment options are discussed to raise the awareness of this disease in dairy cows.
Material and Methods: The first case: an increased number of deaths occurred on a dairy farm with 500 lactating cows in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. When the veterinarian was consulted, five animals had already died, and more than 15 cows showed severe fever and an increased respiratory rate. Cows of all ages and in different stages of lactation were affected.
As a new silo had been opened preceding illness, Clostridia infection was suspected. Samples were taken from the affected animals for further diagnosis. One moribund cow was euthanized and sent to the state laboratory for postmortem examination.
The second case: the course of disease was more prolonged on a dairy farm with 110 lactating cows. One cow showed unspecific symptoms such as drop in milk in production, anorexia and a slightly elevated body temperature. As metal particles were found by the metal detector of the feed mixer acute traumatic reticuloperitonitis was diagnosed. In the following days, 9 other cows fell ill with similar symptoms One of them developed severe disease (recumbency, bloody nasal discharge) and was euthanized for postmortem examination. On inquiry, the farmer said that three new heifers had entered the farm 12 days before.
Results: In both cases severe acute pneumonia was diagnosed on autopsy. On bacteriological testing, M. haemolytica was detected in lung tissue of both cows. M. haemolytica Serotype A1 was also found in other organs of the cow from case 1 and in nasal swabs and as well as in lung fluid taken via transtracheal aspiration (TTA) taken from diseased cows. Nasal swabs taken from diseased cows on farm 2 were also positive for M. haemolytica.
On farm two, paired serum samples were taken from all diseased cows and antibodies against BRSV, PI3-V, Mycoplasma bovis and M. haemolytica were measured. Only the titers of M. haemolytica antibodies showed an increase over time and, in six of ten animals, this increase could be valued as seroconversion.
Diseased animals were treated with antibiotics and non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) after M. haemolytica was confirmed as infective agent and all cows responded well to this treatment. On farm 1, clinically healthy animals were vaccinated with a trivalent vaccine (Bovilis® Bovipast® RSP, MSD Animal Health). A few days after the first vaccination, the disease was already beginning to subside. After the second vaccination 4 weeks later, no further disease or death were observed in the dairy cows.
Conclusion: Both cases show that M. haemolytica can infect dairy cows and cause severe economic losses due to substantial drop in milk production or even sudden death of diseased animals.
Clinical symptoms may vary considerably and make it difficult to make the right diagnosis. To confirm an infection with M. haemolytica, either detection of bacteria in samples from the respiratory tract or proven seroconversion shown by an increase in antibodies can be used.
Vaccination can protect a herd, especially if new animals are entering the farm regularly.
Keywords: Mannheimia haemolytica, dairy cows, serology, vaccination.
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Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication
MSD Animal Health, Unterschleißheim, Germany;
Praxis Schäfer, Dörmitz, Germany;
Tierarztpraxis Marquardt & Walter, Goch, Germany.
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