Dissemination of intestinal pathogens between lambs and puppies in sheep farms

Abstract

a b s t r a c tObjectives of the present work were (i) to confirm pathogens implicated in cases of diarrhoea in newborn and young lambs in sheep farms in Greece and (ii) to investigate a possible relation in dissemination of pathogens between lambs and dogs present in the farm. Work was carried out in 22 sheep farms, with (i) flock size over 150 animals, (ii) presence of clinical signs of diarrhoea in lambs in the flock and (iii) close and continuous contact and movement of shepherd dogs within the animal shed of each farm. Faecal sample collection from lambs was performed within 48 h of onset of clinical signs and prior to administration of any antimicrobial or antiparasitic medication to lambs. Faecal samples were also collected from puppies in the farm. In total, samples were collected from 126 lambs and 58 puppies. Samples were processed by using established techniques for isolation of bacteria, detection of viruses and observation of protozoan oocycts. Escherichia coli isolates obtained during the study, were tested for antimicrobial resistance against a variety of antimicrobial agents. In total, 236 bacterial isolates were recovered from faecal samples of lambs and 165 isolates from faecal samples of puppies. E. coli was the most frequently isolated microorganism: 104 isolates from lambs and 109 isolates from puppies were recovered. Other bacteria isolated were Enterobacter spp., Proteus spp., Klebsiella spp., (lambs and puppies), Clostridium perfringens, Citrobacter freundi, Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae (only lambs) and Streptococcus spp. (only puppies). Group A Rotavirus was detected in samples from lambs (2.5%) and Parvovirus in samples from puppies (5%). Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were observed in samples from lambs and puppies. This is the first report of isolation of S. enterica subsp. diarizonae and of detection of Rotavirus from lambs in Greece. Rates of E. coli isolates from puppies resistant to antimicrobial agents were, in general, smaller than respective rates in isolates from lambs. Two pairs of isolates from the same farm (one from a lamb and one from a puppy) with identical patterns of resistance to antimicrobial agents were detected, which provides some evidence in support of a hypothesis that members of each pair might possibly have been spread from one animal species to the other.

Nontyphoid Salmonella Prevalence, Serovar Distribution and Antimicrobial Resistance in Slaughter Sheep

“…by Chatzopoulos et al (2016) in Greece, 3.6% by Yang et al (2017) in Australia, and 6.08% by Hurtado et al (2017) and Hanlon et al (2018) in Spain. In Qatar, Stipetic et al (2016) found a contamination rate of 22.5% in fecal content samples by PCR and attributed this finding to high cross-contamination between carcasses, poor sanitary handling by workers and equipment in the slaughterhouse.…”

Experimental Study of the Potential Role of Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae in the Diarrhoeic Syndrome of Lambs

“…In a field study previously reported [ 20 ], S. enterica subsp. diarizonae was isolated from faecal samples of a lamb with grave clinical signs, as well as from faecal samples of a ewe.…”

“…The lambs were challenged with a S. enterica subsp. diarizonae serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) that had been isolated during the investigation of the outbreak of diarrhoeic syndrome in a sheep farm [ 20 ]. Inoculation of lambs was performed on the 1st day of life (D0).…”

“…The organism is a cause of clinical diseases in sheep [ 17 ]. It has been associated mainly with gastrointestinal disorders in lambs [ 18 , 19 , 20 ], abortion in ewes [ 21 ] and chronic proliferative rhinitis in adult sheep [ 22 , 23 ].…”

“…We have already described an outbreak of diarrhoeic syndrome in a flock of sheep, in which S. enterica subsp. diarizonae was isolated from faecal samples from a lamb with clinical signs, as well as from samples from a clinically healthy ewe in the same farm [ 20 ]. Despite previous relevant studies, the possible role of the pathogen in the aetiology of the diarrhoeic syndrome in lambs has not been fully clarified.…”