An investigation into the role of Chlamydophila spp. in bovine upper respiratory tract disease.
An outbreak of upper respiratory tract disease was investigated in a group of 17 housed home-bred calves on a mixed dairy, beef and sheep farm in Devon. Conjunctival swabs were collected and tested for Chlamydophila spp. DNA using a PCR test that detects Chlamydophila abortus and Chlamydophila psittaci. Six of the calves tested gave a positive result. Further epidemiological observations and laboratory testing indicated that the adult dairy cows, from which the affected calves originated, were the most likely source of infection.
Twomey
D F
DF
Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Staplake Mount, Starcross, Exeter, Devon EX6 8PE, UK. f.twomey@vla.defra.gsi.gov.uk
Griffiths
P C
PC
Horigan
M W
MW
Hignett
B C
BC
Martin
T P
TP
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D023501:Chlamydophila / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial