The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence of subclinical mastitis (SCM) and associated risk factors in dairy cows in peri-urban areas of Kigali, Rwanda, and identify causative udder pathogens. A sample of 256 cows from 25 herds was screened with the California Mastitis Test (CMT), and udder quarters with CMT score ≥ 3 (scale 1–5) were milk sampled for culture and final bacteriological identification with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). All resultant staphylococci species were tested for beta-lactamase production with the clover leaf method. In parallel, herd bulk milk somatic cell count (SCC) of each herd was analysed using a portable device, the DeLaval cell counter. The prevalence of SCM was 43.1% at quarter level and 76.2% at cow level based on CMT test. Multiparous, Holstein cows were 2.50 (C.I = 1.32–4.71) and 10.08 (C.I = 1.54–66.13) times more likely to contract SCM infection than primiparous animals or cows of other breeds, respectively. The median and mean SCC of all herds were 1108 × 10³ cells/mL and 1179 × 10³ cells/mL, respectively. The most prevalent pathogens were non-aureus staphylococci (NAS; 40.2%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (22%) and less prevalent pathogens (6%). Samples with no growth or contamination constituted 30.4% and 1.4% of the diagnoses, respectively. The most prevalent species within NAS were S. epidermidis (38.2%) followed by S. sciuri (19.5%), S. chromogenes (9.8%), and nine less prevalent NAS species (32.5%). Out of 209 staphylococci isolates, 77% exhibited beta-lactamase production. The study shows that there is high prevalence of SCM and high herd bulk milk SCC in herds in Kigali, indicating udder health problems in dairy cows. Additionally, beta-lactamase production among staphylococci species was common. Improved milking hygiene and application of biosecurity measures, or a complete mastitis control plan, is required to lower the prevalence of SCM and minimize the spread of pathogens among dairy cows.

The aim of this study was to generate knowledge on the most important milk quality and safety attributes, including somatic cell count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC), Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Brucella spp. antibodies and antibiotic residues in milk in the chain from farm to milk collection center (MCC) in Rwanda. In addition, we investigated farm and management factors associated with high TBC, SCC, and Salmonella counts. Raw milk was sampled at the farm and MCC levels. Milk samples were taken from dairy farms linked to 2 selected MCC in each of the 4 provinces in Rwanda. In total, 406 bulk milk samples from 406 farms and 32 bulk milk samples from 8 MCC were collected and analyzed. Farm milk average SCC varied between 180 × 10³ and 920 × 10³ cells/mL, whereas average SCC in milk samples at MCC varied between 170 × 10³ and 1,700 × 10³ cells/mL. The mean milk TBC of different farms per MCC varied between 1.1 × 10⁶ and 1.6 × 10⁷ cfu/mL, whereas in milk samples from different MCC, the mean TBC ranged between 5.3 × 10⁵ and 2.4 × 10⁸ cfu/mL. The high TBC in milk from MCC suggests proliferation or recontamination of milk by bacteria during transportation. Escherichia coli was detected in 35 of 385 farm milk samples and ranged between 5 cfu/mL and 1.1 × 10⁴ cfu/mL, whereas in milk samples from the MCC, it was detected in 20 out 32 samples varying between 5 cfu/mL and 2.9 × 10³ cfu/mL. Overall farm prevalence of Salmonella in milk samples was 14%, but no milk samples from MCC were positive for Salmonella. Five out of 22 bulk milk samples from different MCC were positive for Brucella spp. antibodies, but no Brucella antibodies were detected in milk samples from farms. The prevalence of antibiotic residues as detected by the Delvotest SP NT (DSM, Delft, the Netherlands) was low: 1.3% in farm milk samples and undetected in MCC milk samples. Lack of a separate milking area was associated with high TBC, whereas offering of supplemental feeds, keeping data of past diseases, and an unhygienic milking area were associated with high SCC. Lack of teat washing before milking was the only factor associated with Salmonella contamination of milk at the farm level. This study indicated high TBC and SCC of milk samples at the farm and MCC levels, which indicates both microbial contamination of milk and poor udder health in dairy cows. Presence of E. coli, Salmonella, and Brucella antibodies in milk was common, but finding antibiotic residues in milk was uncommon.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Gram negative bacteria are involved in the pathogeny of uterine diseases in cows. This study aimed to investigate LPS effects on the growth of bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEEC) and relationships between LPS response and tissue characteristics. Uteri from 35 females were characterized for parity and stage of oestrous cycle. Densities of glandular tissue (dGT), CD11b+ cells and Ki67+ cells were measured in the endometrial tissue. Cells from 13 dioestrus cows were exposed to 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 or 24μg/mL LPS. Effects of parity and stage of the oestrous cycle on tissue characteristics and effects of LPS dosage, cow and tissue characteristics on changes in cell numbers were analyzed by ANOVA. The dGT was higher in metoestrus and dioestrus samples than in pro-oestrus ones whereas densities of CD11b+ and Ki67+ cells were higher at pro-oestrus (p<0.05-p<0.01). LPS influenced bEEC populations in a dose related manner. An increase in number of live cells was observed for dosages ranging from 2 to 12μg/mL LPS (p<0.0001 vs controls). No effect was found on numbers and frequencies of dead cells. With higher dosages, the numbers of live cells did not increase but the numbers of dead did increase. No relationships were observed between cow or tissue characteristics and growth patterns or frequencies of viable bEEC in controls nor in the response to LPS. To conclude this model is suitable for further studies on dysregulations induced by LPS in endometrial tissue.

Coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) are the most common pathogens leading to subclinical mastitis (SCM) in dairy cattle in Uganda. Coagulase negative staphylococci can vary between bacterial species in how they cause disease. The aim of the study was to characterize CNS, from cows with SCM in Uganda, at the species level.

Background: Due to increasing popularity in Sweden during the last decade, alpacas are frequently encountered by practising veterinarians and pathologists. Knowledge regarding their health and diseases under Swedish conditions is, however, limited. Objectives: To improve knowledge about the health of alpacas in Sweden by collecting information on diseases and health status. Design: A retrospective study was made of 93 necropsies conducted on alpacas in Sweden during the period 2001–2013. Setting: Data were obtained from the two major veterinary pathology centres in Sweden. The alpacas were hobby or farm animals and they were submitted by veterinarians in local practices or at a national animal healthcare organisation. Results: The digestive system was most frequently affected (29 per cent), with parasitic gastroenteritis (17 per cent) and hepatic disease being especially prevalent (15 per cent fascioliasis and 7 per cent hepatitis). Cardiovascular conditions (9 per cent), systemic diseases (7 per cent) and perinatal deaths were also common, including abortions (10 per cent) and fatal septicaemia (4 per cent). Wasting/emaciation was a frequent finding (26 per cent). Other diagnoses included dermatitis (8 per cent), diseases of the central nervous system (8 per cent), traumatic injuries (7 per cent), neoplasia (5 per cent), pneumonia (5 per cent) and nephritis (3 per cent). Conclusions: This study identified areas of concern regarding diagnostic and pathological procedures, for which specific measures have been recommended. One particular cause for concern was the number of deaths from emaciation in weanling alpacas during late winter or early spring. For adult alpacas, infectious and non‐infectious causes of death were approximately equally frequent. Many of the diseases were considered clinically acute but pathology often showed them to be chronic conditions that had eventually deteriorated and presented as acute cases in the late stages. This study revealed similarities in the health/disease status reported in other European countries and in North America. The results can be used by alpaca keepers and veterinary practitioners to improve management, diagnosis and treatment of alpacas.