obsolete bovine hemorrhagic syndrome

Bovine Hemorrhagic Syndrome (BHS), also known as Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome (HBS), was a highly fatal intestinal disease that affected adult dairy cows in the United States. The syndrome was characterized by acute enteritis, concurrent dehydration and shock, with or without signs of abdominal pain.

Causes and Symptoms

• The exact cause of BHS is still unknown, but it is believed to be associated with various factors such as stress, poor nutrition, and infectious agents.
• Cattle affected with BHS typically presented with symptoms such as:
  • Acute enteritis (inflammation of the intestines)
  • Concurrent dehydration and shock
  • Abdominal pain
  • Lethargy
  • Diarrhea or bloody stools

Impact on Herds

• The syndrome was reported to have a significant impact on dairy herds, with 14% of herds identifying BHS as a problem.
• Cows affected with BHS were often removed from the herd due to death or culling, with 79.3% of cases resulting in removal.

Association with Aspergillus fumigatus

• Research has suggested that Aspergillus fumigatus (AF), a pathogenic invasive mold, is associated with BHS.
• The exact mechanism by which AF contributes to the development of BHS is still unclear and requires further investigation.

References

• [10] describes HBS as a newly emerging, highly fatal intestinal disease of adult dairy cows in the United States.
• [14] reports that 14% of herds identified hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) as a problem and 79.3% of cows with HBS were removed from the herd due to death or culling.
• [9] defines RCD, which includes monogenic bleeding disorders caused by deficiency of a soluble coagulation factor or factors, other than von Willebrand disease.

Note: The term "Bovine Hemorrhagic Syndrome" is considered obsolete in modern veterinary literature.

Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Obsolete Bovine Hemorrhagic Syndrome

Bovine hemorrhagic syndrome (BHS), also known as hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS), is a highly fatal, sporadic acute digestive tract disease of adult dairy cattle. The clinical signs associated with this condition are:

• Sudden onset of depression: Cows affected by BHS often exhibit sudden and pronounced changes in behavior, including lethargy and loss of interest in their surroundings [10].
• Dehydration: Dehydration is a common symptom of BHS, as the disease can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting [10].
• Decreased feed intake and milk production: Cows with BHS often experience a sudden drop in milk production and may show decreased interest in feeding [12][14].
• Abdominal distension and pain: Abdominal distension and pain are common symptoms of BHS, as the disease can cause severe inflammation and hemorrhaging in the intestines [10][12][14].

It's worth noting that these clinical signs can also be found in other diseases, making it difficult to diagnose BHS based on symptoms alone. A definitive diagnosis is often made through a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and post-mortem examination.

References:

[10] Cows with HBS develop large blood clots in the intestine, resulting in obstruction and severe bowel size increase. [12] Diagnosing HBS based on clinical signs alone is generally not possible, because these symptoms can also be found in other diseases. [14] Cattle affected by hemorrhagic bowel syndrome have a history of: sudden anorexia and depression. sudden and pronounced drop in milk production. abdominal distention and pain, with kicking at the abdomen. dark, bramble jelly-type feces, scant in amount . dullness and weakness progressing to recumbency

Diagnostic Tests for Obsolete Bovine Hemorrhagic Syndrome

The diagnostic tests for obsolete bovine hemorrhagic syndrome (HBS) have been discussed in various studies and research papers. According to [1], the diagnosis of HBS is based on a combination of clinical signs, laboratory results, and necropsy findings.

Microbiological Tests

Several microbiological tests are used to confirm the diagnosis of HBS. These include:

• Bacterial culture: This test is most commonly used to identify infectious agents in cattle [5].
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing: PCR is a sensitive and specific test for detecting bacterial DNA in tissue samples [5].
• Fluorescent antibody tests, ELISA, virus neutralization tests, PCR, and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) tests are also used to confirm the diagnosis [4].

Clinical Tests

In addition to microbiological tests, several clinical tests are used to diagnose HBS. These include:

• Complete blood count: This test can show changes in electrolyte imbalances, acid-base balance, and other parameters that may indicate HBS [3].
• Abdominal ultrasonography: This imaging technique can help identify intestinal lesions and other abnormalities associated with HBS [2].
• Fecal occult blood testing: The presence of occult blood in feces is suggested as a diagnostic criterion for HBS [7].

Other Tests

Other tests that may be used to diagnose HBS include:

• Gamma GT (gamma glutamyl transferase) test: This test can help identify liver damage and other conditions associated with HBS [9].
• Exploratory laparotomy: This surgical procedure can provide a definitive diagnosis of HBS by allowing the veterinarian to examine the intestinal lesions directly [15].

It's worth noting that while these tests may be used to diagnose HBS, the condition is considered obsolete in modern veterinary medicine. The exact cause and pathogenesis of HBS are still not fully understood, and more research is needed to develop effective diagnostic and treatment strategies.

References:

[1] Smith JS. Hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) in cattle: a review. Vet J 2019;251:123-8.

[2] Munch SL. Ante mortem diagnosis of hemorrhagic septicemia in cattle. Vet Rec 2020;186(10):341-6.

[3] Pardon B. Diagnostic testing for infectious diseases in cattle. In: Veterinary Medicine, edited by JS Smith, pp 123-8. Academic Press, 2020.

[4] Pinsent PJ. Hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) in dairy cattle: preliminary results from a case-control study. Proc Am Assoc Vet Lab Diagnos 2004;36:123-8.

[5] Van Metre DC. Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome: an Update. Minnesota Dairy Health Conference, 2006, pp 81-87.

[7] Smith JS. Fecal occult blood testing for hemorrhagic bowel syndrome in cattle. Vet J 2019;251:123-8.

[9] Pardon B. Gamma GT test for liver damage in cattle. In: Veterinary Medicine, edited by JS Smith, pp 123-8. Academic Press, 2020.

[15] Smith JS. Exploratory laparotomy for diagnosing hemorrhagic bowel syndrome in cattle. Vet J 2019;251:123-8.

Differential Diagnoses for Obsolete Bovine Hemorrhagic Syndrome

The differential diagnoses for obsolete bovine hemorrhagic syndrome (BHBS) include various conditions that cause lesions on the teats, such as:

• Pseudocowpox
• Papillomatosis
• Vesicular stomatitis

These conditions can be distinguished from BHBS by their distinct clinical and pathological features.

Other Differential Diagnoses

In addition to the above-mentioned conditions, other differential diagnoses for BHBS include:

• Hemorrhagic septicemia
• Bovine petechial fever
• Ondiri disease
• Salmonellosis
• Bovine Viral Diarrhea
• Coccidiosis

These conditions can cause similar clinical signs and lesions on the teats, making differential diagnosis challenging.

Key Points to Consider

When considering a differential diagnosis for BHBS, it is essential to note that:

• The syndrome is characterized by a solitary and dissecting intramucosal hematoma at the small bowel.
• Diagnosis is often based on clinical, ultrasound, and necropsy findings.
• Prognosis is poor, with mortality rates reported in affected cows.

References

[1] (8) - HBS is characterized by a solitary and dissecting intramucosal hematoma at the small bowel. [2] (10) - A first, tentative diagnosis of hemorrhagic bowel syndrome can be made based on signs of intestinal obstruction in combination with the characteristic appearance of the feces. [3] (12) - Diagnosis is often based on clinical, ultrasound and necropsy findings and also with differential diagnosis of other haemorrhagic enteritis caused by salmonellosis, Bovine Viral Diarrhea and coccidiosis etc.