title: A retrospective study of sporadic bovine abortions, stillbirths, and neonatal abnormalities in Atlantic Canada, from 1990 to 2001.
abstract: In a retrospective study on 265 cases of sporadic bovine abortions, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths in Atlantic Canada (1990 to 2001), an etiological diagnosis was made in 117 cases (44.2%). The cases were divided into 2 groups: 234 abortions, and 31 stillbirths and neonatal deaths. Identified causes of abortion were bacteria (24.4%), fungi (6.8%), viruses (6.0%), protozoa (Neospora spp.) (2.1%), congenital anomalies (0.4%), and miscellaneous conditions (1.3%). In addition, placentitis without demonstrable infectious agents was observed in 17 (7.3%). Of the 31 cases of stillbirth and neonatal death, identified causes were dystocia (22.5%), congenital anomalies (22.5%), meconium aspiration syndrome (16.1%), and miscellaneous conditions (6.5%). No etiological diagnosis was made in 59% of abortions and 32.4% of stillbirths and neonatal deaths. The 3 most common identifiable causes of abortion in this study were bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3.
authors.forename: Azizollah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khodakaram-Tafti
authors.forename: Basil O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Ikede
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000002:abnormalities*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary