The objectives of this study are to report the emergence of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Jordan and associated clinical signs, complications and preliminary economic losses. In mid-April, 2013, two adult dairy cattle developed clinical signs suggestive of LSD and were confirmed as positive by PCR. The two cases were in Bani Kenanah district, Irbid governorate, on the Jordanian border of Israel and Syria. The disease spread rapidly to all the districts of Irbid governorate. During the month following the emergence of the disease, data were collected related to the epidemiology of the disease and the numbers of affected cattle on the premises. Forty-one dairy cattle holdings were surveyed. The morbidity rate ranged from 3% to 100%, (Mean = 35.1%, SD ±28.5%). The mortality rate ranged from 0% to 20%, (Mean = 1.3%, SD ±4.4%). The case fatality rate ranged from 0% to 100%, (Mean = 6.2%, SD ±22%). The overall morbidity rate was 26%, mortality rate 1.9% and case fatality rate 7.5%. Skin nodules, anorexia, decreased milk production and decreased body weight were common clinical signs, while mastitis and myiasis were seen as complications in a few affected animals. Decreased body weight ranged from 0% to 80%, (Mean = 23.1%, SD ±15.7%). Decreased milk production ranged from 0% to 100%, (Mean = 51.5%, SD ±22.2%). Affected cattle were treated mainly with broad-spectrum antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. The cost of treatment ranged from 0 to 84.3 British Pound/animal, (Mean = 27.9 GBP, SD ±22.5 GBP). LSD continues to spread through the Middle East region and poses a serious threat to the rest of Asia and Europe. International collaboration and communication is warranted to prevent the further spread of the disease to the rest of Asia and Europe.

Aim:The aim of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and its possible alternative use for the treatment for mastitis in sheep and to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ZnO-NPs against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli strains isolated from subclinical mastitis cases in sheep.Materials and Methods:A total of 50 pooled milk samples were collected from ewes with subclinical mastitis. Milk samples were cultured using standard laboratory techniques, and multidrug-resistant bacterial strains were determined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. The MIC and MBC of ZnO-NPs were determined against isolated multidrug-resistant S. aureus and E. coli strains using microwell dilution method.Results:A total of 43 different bacterial isolates were recovered from milk samples of ewes affected with subclinical mastitis. Isolated strains of S. aureus and E. coli were found resistant to three or more common antibacterial agents and were used to determine the MIC and MBC of ZnO-NPs. The MIC and MBC values of ZnO-NPs were significantly lower for S. aureus than that for E. coli. The MIC and MBC of ZnO-NPs against S. aureus were 3.9 µg/ml and 7.81 µg/ml, respectively, while for E. coli, the MIC and MBC of ZnO-NPs were 31.25 µg/ml and 62.5 µg/ml, respectively.Conclusion:Results of this study indicate the potential antibacterial effects of ZnO-NPs against multidrug-resistant S. aureus and E. coli isolated from ovine subclinical mastitis at concentrations of 3.9 µg/ml and 31.25 µg/ml, respectively.

ABSTRACT:Mastitis is an important cause of early culling of dairy heifers. The aims of this study were to identify microorganisms that cause subclinical mastitis (SCM) in Holstein heifers in northern Jordan, to estimate the relative importance of various microorganisms, and to examine the correlation between the somatic cell count (SCC) and the isolated microorganisms. Composite milk samples were collected aseptically from 133 Holstein heifers between Days 5 and 14 postpartum for bacterial culture and somatic cell counts. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis in this study was 57.1%. Seventy six (76) of the 133 cows tested had SCC of > 250 000 cells/ml. Bacteria were isolated from 36 (27.1%) cows. About sixty six percent (66.7%) of these isolates were cultured from cows with subclinical mastitis. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) were the most prevalent bacteria among isolates (50%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (22.2%), Corynebacterium bovis and coliforms (E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) (5.6% each), and Streptococcus uberis (2.8%). Interestingly, the majority of the negativeculture samples (53.6%) had elevated SCC. All isolates except for the CNS group exhibited strongly elevated SCC (> 1 × 10 6 cells/ml). However, the coagulase-negative Staphylococci did not have a distinct pattern with respect to SCCs. There was a strong correlation (P ≤ 0.05, correlation coefficient 0.213) between the results of bacterial culture (culture-positive vs. culture-negative) and SCC class but not between SCC class and the type of isolated bacteria. It is concluded that subclinical mastitis appears to be a significant health issue for dairy heifers in Jordan.

The main aim of the study was to explore, compare, and identify whether there is an association between Besnoitia besnoiti seropositivity in apparently healthy dairy cows with some biochemical parameters, enzyme activities, and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA). A total of 98 dairy cows were included in the study, of which there was 50 seropositive and 48 seronegative cows. Analysis of serum antibodies against B. besnoiti antibodies was performed using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Student's independent t test showed that there was a significant difference in BHBA, albumin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) between the seropositive and seronegative groups. Univariable regression analysis showed no significant association between seropositivity status with any of the evaluated parameters except BHBA level, mastitis, and abomasum displacement. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that there was a strong association between seropositivity with BHBA level. The significant association between BHBA and B. besnoiti seropositivity represents preliminary finding that needs further exploration.

Aim:The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of intramammary infusion of sage (Salvia officinalis) essential oil (EO) on milk somatic cell count (SCC), milk composition parameters and selected hematology and serum biochemical parameters in 20 Awassi ewes affected with subclinical mastitis.Materials and Methods:The dried leaves of sage were used to extract the EO by hydrodistillation. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of sage EO against Staphylococcus aureus were determined by the broth dilution method. Ewes were divided randomly into three main groups and received one of the following treatments; Group 1 (n=5): Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) alone (5 ml; 0.2 ml of DMSO in 4.8 ml of saline), Group 2 (n=5): Amoxicillin alone (3 ml), and Group 3 (n=10): Sage EO (5 ml of sage EO solution [0.2 ml DMSO+1 ml EO+3.8 ml sterile saline]). All treatments were administered by intramammary infusion into each teat twice per day for 3 consecutive days. Milk samples for SCC and milk components determination and whole blood samples for hematology and serum biochemical analyses were collected before treatment (T0) and at 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) h after the last treatment.Results:The MIC and MBC of sage EO against S. aureus were 12.5% and 6.1%, respectively. SCC was decreased significantly (p<0.05) at T24 and T48 h in sage EO and amoxicillin treated groups. Milk fat and lactose were increased significantly (p<0.05) in sage EO and amoxicillin treated ewes while no significant changes were observed in the percentages of solids-not-fat, protein and total solids. No significant effects of sage EO treatment on any of the hematology or serum biochemical parameters were observed. There were no local or systemic side effects observed in any of the treated ewes. However, further clinical trials are warranted to determine safety and possible withdrawal times in milk before its recommendation for use in organic operations.Conclusion:In this study, the intramammary infusion of sage EO to ewes affected with subclinical mastitis resulted in a significant decrease in SCC 24 h and 48 h posttreatment. In addition, milk fat and lactose were increased in animals that received the EO as well as in those treated with the antibiotic.