Following the first diagnosis of campylobacteriosis in Jamaican cattle a field study was undertaken to determine the pathogenicity of Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis Jam (Jamaican strain) and to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccination in controlling the disease. A total of 46 nonpregnant yearling heifers and four two-year-old bulls were used in two separate experiments. The results showed that C fetus subspecies venerealis Jam readily colonised the reproductive tract of susceptible heifers and persisted in some animals (68 per cent of unvaccinated and 33 per cent of vaccinated animals) for the duration of the experiment. Pregnancy was confirmed in 13 of 18 (72 per cent) culture-negative heifers but in only eight of 28 (29 per cent) of the heifers with two or more positive cultures. Vaccination appeared to be curative because 44 per cent of vaccinated heifers were cleared of infection whereas 85 per cent of unvaccinated, inoculated heifers remained infected for at least 17 weeks. Vaccination improved the fertility level of the infected heifers threefold. Infection was not established in vaccinated bulls used for breeding infected heifers.
Infertility is a widespread problem among cattle herds in Jamaica and an intergovernmental project was initiated to investigate the problem. One aspect of the project included diagnosis of campylobacteriosis (vibriosis), which was suspected in some herds but had not been confirmed in the laboratory. Tests were undertaken in late 1978 using improved techniques for handling and transporting specimens to the laboratory. Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus was isolated from five of six herds tested. The diagnosis of C. fetus infection has led to improvements in farm management and a better appreciation of more efficient artificial insemination and veterinary services.
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