Showing papers by "Robert Higgins published in 2008"
TL;DR: Clinical mastitis was higher in ewes that gave birth to 3 or more lambs and from the Estrie region, and was associated with an increase in ewe mortality, an increased in lamb mortality at the litter level, and a decrease in lamb's weaning weight for lambs born in multiple litter size or from eWes >or=4 years old.
70 citations
TL;DR: This investigation highlights the possibility of alpaca crias subclinically shedding oocysts, which has implications for epidemiology and transmission in animals as well as raising zoonotic concerns for human contacts.
Abstract: Cryptosporidiosis was investigated on two alpaca (Lama pacos) holdings in the South-West of England. Diagnosis was initially confirmed in a cria with diarrhoea from each holding. Cohort faeces samples were subsequently collected and examined for presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts by immunofluorescence microscopy. On the first holding, 30 samples (24 adults, 6 crias) were tested, and oocysts were detected in three of the cria samples but in none of the adults. On the second holding, 14 floor faeces samples representing apparently healthy crias and one faeces sample from a cria with diarrhoea were collected. Oocysts were detected in four of the "healthy" faeces samples and the sample of diarrhoeic faeces. All isolates were confirmed as Cryptosporidium parvum using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism of the cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP) and ssu rRNA genes. Sequence analysis of a 741bp region of ssu rDNA was carried out on nine of these and revealed high sequence homology with previously reported C. parvum isolates. This investigation highlights the possibility of alpaca crias subclinically shedding oocysts, which has implications for epidemiology and transmission in animals as well as raising zoonotic concerns for human contacts. Gene sequencing of UK isolates from South American camelids is also described for the first time.
37 citations
TL;DR: Bovine viral diarrhoea virus-associated disease, including stillbirths, congenital birth defects, is reported in alpaca herd members.
Abstract: SIR, — Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (bvdv) was first reported in a British alpaca herd in 2005, in a seven-month-old animal with illthrift, recurrent diarrhoea and joint swelling ([Foster and others 2005][1]). We wish to report bvdv-associated disease, including stillbirths, congenital
18 citations
TL;DR: This short communication describes a similar nematode infestation associated with ataxia and recumbency in an adult llama, and a possible case in a second generation llama.
Abstract: Parelaphostrongylus tenuis , a protostrongylid nematode, is a recognised cause of ataxia and recumbency in llamas in North America ([Fowler 1998][1]). This short communication describes a similar nematode infestation associated with ataxia and recumbency in an adult llama, and a possible case in a
6 citations
TL;DR: The enterocyte attaching and effacing gene is present within the locus of enterocyte effacement and binds to the enterocytes of human beings and animals, forming distinct attaching-effacing lesions.
Abstract: ATTACHING and effacing Escherichia coli (aeec) bind to the enterocytes of human beings and animals, forming distinct attaching-effacing (ae) lesions. The enterocyte attaching and effacing ( eae ) gene is present within the locus of enterocyte effacement ([Kaper and others 1998][1], [Aktan and others
6 citations