Common causes of abortion in cows

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31548/dopovidi.1(107).2024.020

Keywords:

abortion, cattle, diagnosis, zoonoses, BHV-4, Salmonella spp., Coxiella burnetii, Neospora caninum, Chlamydophila spp., Campylobacter fetus, Leptospira spp.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the etiology of abortion in cows. The study was conducted in the period from 2019 to 2022. 162 cases of abortion from 65 farms from 14 regions of Ukraine were investigated. The study used pathological, histological, bacteriological and molecular genetic methods. The etiologic diagnosis was established in 24.07% of cases, the probable etiologic diagnosis in 29.01%, and the diagnosis of abortion of uncertain etiology in 46.91% of cases. Abortions with a definite etiology were caused by bacteria in 30.77% of cases, viruses in 10.26%, protozoa in 28.21%, and mixed infections in 30.77%. Abortions with established probable etiology were caused by bacteria in 10.64% of cases, viruses in 25.53%, protozoa in 34.04%, and mixed infections in 29.79%. The most common infectious agents are: BHV-4 was detected in 11, N. caninum - in 9, and Coxiella burnetii - in 6 regions of the country. Zoonotic pathogens such as Leptospira spp., Coxiella burnetii, Salmonella spp. Neospora caninum is the most common cause of cattle abortion. The most common pathological changes recorded were placental edema, liver irregularity, unevenly colored liver, cerebral hyperemia, multiple white streaks in skeletal muscles, gray-white foci in the liver, hemorrhages in/on internal organs, and placentitis. Also, a significant number of fetuses and/or placentas were in a state of autolysis. The main pathologic changes were encephalitis, gliosis, pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis, myositis, hepatitis, pneumonia, and placentitis. Pathologic and pathohistologic examination of the fetus and placenta is important for establishing the etiology of abortion.

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Published

2024-02-29

Issue

No. 1/107 (2024)

Section

Veterinary medicine, quality and safety of livestock products

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