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Abstract Background Sepsis is a life-threatening condition for which critically important antimicrobials are often indicated. The value of blood culture for sepsis is indisputable, but appropriate guidelines on sampling and interpretation are currently lacking in cattle. Objective Compare the diagnostic accuracy of 2 blood culture media (pediatric plus [PP] and plus aerobic [PA]) and hypoglycemia for bacteremia detection. Estimate the contamination risk of blood cultures in critically ill calves. Animals One hundred twenty-six critically ill calves, 0 to 114 days. Methods Retrospective cross-sectional study in which the performance of PP, PA and hypoglycemia to diagnose sepsis was assessed using a Bayesian latent class model. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare time to positivity (TTP). Potential contamination was descriptively analyzed. Isolates were considered relevant when they were; member of the Enterobacterales, isolated from both blood cultures vials, or well-known, significant bovine pathogens. Results The sensitivities for PP, PA, and hypoglycemia were higher when excluding assumed contaminants; 68.7% (95% credibility interval = 30.5%-93.7%), 87.5% (47.0%-99.5%), and 61.3% (49.7%-72.4%), respectively. Specificity was estimated at 95.1% (82.2%-99.7%), 94.2% (80.7%-99.7%), and 72.4% (64.6%-79.6%), respectively. Out of 121 interpretable samples, 14.9% grew a presumed contaminant in PA, PP, or both. There was no significant difference in the TTP between PA and PP. Conclusions and Clinical Importance PA and PP appear to outperform hypoglycemia as diagnostic tests for sepsis. PA seems most sensitive, but a larger sample size is required to verify this. Accuracy increased greatly after excluding assumed contaminants. The type of culture did not influence TTP or the contamination rate.

Accurate diagnosis of bloodstream infections is crucial for survival and antimicrobial de-escalation in veterinary medicine. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry enables faster identification of bacteria in BSIs. This study aimed to compare diagnostic accuracy of two Sepsityper ® methods (Rapid Sepsityper ® and Sepsityper ® Extraction) with conventional culture method for bacterial identification in clinical samples. Mean time-to-positivity and frequency of bacteria in BSIs were also determined. This diagnostic test study used bloodstream infection samples from 385 critically ill animals (121 dogs, 119 foals, and 145 calves) admitted to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent (October 2021-February 2024). Accuracy was compared using Bayesian latent class model with priors for sensitivity (99.9%) and specificity (96.0%) based on literature, and a prevalence of 26.0%. Conventional culture method identified 173 bacteria with Escherichia coli (19.1%,33/173), Staphylococcus spp. (12.1%,21/173) and Streptococcus spp. (8.1%,14/173) being most common. Sensitivity of Rapid Sepsityper ® , Sepsityper ® Extraction, and conventional culture method was 62.1%, 86.1%, and 97.4%, respectively. Specificity was 94.3%, 90.4% and 92.3%, and accuracy was 85.8%, 89.3%, and 93.6%, respectively. Mean time-to-positivity and ±standard deviation for blood cultures flagging positive was 21h25min ±17.8h. Rapid Sepsityper ® identified bacteria in approximately 30min, while Sepsityper ® Extraction method required around 50min, and conventional culture method needed 12-48h. Altogether, Sepsityper ® Extraction shows promise given the sensitivity and results were delivered more rapidly than conventional culture. Enhancing diagnostic workflow, resulting in a better prognosis, reduced hospital stays, and lower healthcare costs due to more rational use of (critically important) antimicrobials.

Intussusception is a frequent cause of mechanical ileus in cattle. Long-term survival has never been described and risk factors for mortality are scarcely documented. A retrospective cohort study on 241 cattle was conducted to determine survival of intussusception and identify risk factors for mortality. Clinical records were matched with the national cattle identification database. Information on possible predictors including clinical examination, ultrasonography, blood-gas analysis and surgery were collected. Survival analysis and decision tree analysis were used. Overall survival was 44.8% until discharge. Of all animals, 39.0% could complete their life cycle and were eligible for slaughter. Male animals and cattle < 226 days old experienced a significantly higher mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4–3.0 and HR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.7–3.4, respectively). The final model consisted of heart rate (>95 beats per minute) and packed cell volume (<36.5%) with sensitivity and specificity of 60.4% and 49.4%, respectively. A second model consisted of sex (male) and time to referral (>4.5 days) with sensitivity and specificity of 88.0% and 65.6%, respectively. The long-term prognosis for intussusception in cattle appears to be fair. Factors identified in this study may aid in the decision-making process in cases with presumed intussusception to perform the surgery or opt for euthanasia.

Background Urethral obstruction is a common and life-threatening condition in male small ruminants. Case presentation This case report describes a 3-year old 103 kg Zwartbles breeding ram, presented with the complaint of straining, suspected to have an urethral obstruction. The work-up included clinical examination, laboratory analyses, ultrasound imaging, (contrast) radiography and urine examination. At presentation, blood analysis revealed a respiratory alkalosis, hyperkalaemia and mild azotaemia. On transabdominal ultrasound an enlarged bladder (diameter 11 cm) and free fluid surrounding the right kidney were observed. Treatment of the animal included tube cystostomy, intravenous perfusion, antimicrobial treatment, ammonium chloride and NSAIDs. No indications for urolithiasis were found on ultrasound, radiography, or urine examination. As no improvement was seen despite 16 days of therapy, a contrast radiograph of the urinary tract, as well as reproductive exam were conducted. Positive anterograde urethrogram showed a contrast filled cavitary lesion at the caudal aspect of the pelvic urethra. The reproductive ultrasonography revealed the same large urethral distention or abscess compressing the pelvic urethra, as well as severe testicular degeneration in both testis. The results of the contrast radiograph and the reproductive exam lead to the decision to euthanize the animal, as the animal would not be capable of breeding. Computed tomography was performed post-mortem, which showed close relation between the cavitary lesion and the left bulbourethral gland. Pathology revealed a lymphoplasmacytic to suppurative infection at the level of the urogenital tract, chronic interstitial nephritis and a perirenal to cortical abscess of the right kidney as well as a periurethral abscess. As for the reproductive system, multifocal interstitial inflammatory infiltrates were seen on the entire system. Marked fibrosis and atrophy was seen at the level of the testes and both epididymides. Conclusions A periurethral abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis for an urethral obstruction in small ruminants. The extensive medical imaging, together with the ante-mortem and post-mortem findings, makes this a good reference case for diagnosticians confronted with urethral problems in a ram.

Early recognition and rapid appropriate antimicrobial treatment is essential for survival of sepsis. To date, it is unclear which sepsis score should be used for an early diagnosis in calves. The objective of this study was to evaluate two existing scores (Trefz and Fecteau), three novel calf sepsis screening models (CSS, CSSA, CSSB), and blood culture as diagnostic test for sepsis, using Bayesian latent class evaluation. A total of 131 sick calves were included in this study. Sepsis prevalence was 45%, 27%, 56%, 47%, and 55%, when using the Trefz score, Fecteau score, CSS, CSSA, and CSSB, respectively, and 22% had a relevant positive blood culture. The newly established models CSS (including ≥2 SIRS-criteria and abnormal mental state) and CSSB (alternative model CSS for practice, substituting abnormal leukocyte count with mucosae) had the highest sensitivity, with 86% and 84%, respectively, and could be interesting screening tests for sepsis. Sensitivity of the existing Trefz and Fecteau score was 70% and 35–39%, respectively. The presented new sepsis scoring systems have potential as screening tests to identify calves at risk, after which a calf-side diagnostic test is advised to confirm the diagnosis. Its use might aid in the rationalization of antimicrobial use in critically ill calves.

Within the framework of our training (Social D.E.S.S. d'Audit and Societal have l'Universite of Paris XII), we have run two investigations. The premiere, run by 1'ADERSE, drew up an inventory of fixtures of the teaching of social responsibility. The second, organized by the director of D.E.S.S., is a qualitative investigation relating to the teaching of the ideals of social responsibility and durable development.