Veal Calves Produce Less Antibodies against C. Perfringens Alpha Toxin Compared to Beef Calves

Enterotoxaemia is a disease with a high associated mortality rate, affecting beef and veal calves worldwide, caused by C. perfringens alpha toxin and perfringolysin. A longitudinal study was conducted to determine the dynamics of antibodies against these toxins in 528 calves on 4 beef and 15 veal farms. The second study aimed to determine the effect of solid feed intake on the production of antibodies against alpha toxin and perfringolysin. The control group only received milk replacer, whereas in the test group solid feed was provided. Maternal antibodies for alpha toxin were present in 45% of the veal calves and 66% of the beef calves. In beef calves a fluent transition from maternal to active immunity was observed for alpha toxin, whereas almost no veal calves developed active immunity. Perfringolysin antibodies significantly declined both in veal and beef calves. In the second study all calves were seropositive for alpha toxin throughout the experiment and solid feed intake did not alter the dynamics of alpha and perfringolysin antibodies. In conclusion, the present study showed that veal calves on a traditional milk replacer diet had significantly lower alpha toxin antibodies compared to beef calves in the risk period for enterotoxaemia, whereas no differences were noticed for perfringolysin.     

选择恰当的利益相关者开展更有效的继续医学教育活动

美国宾尼法尼亚州有全美数量最多的军队部署,调查发现当地为军人提供初级保健和精神健康保健的医务人员有大量继续医学教育需求.因此,美国宾尼法尼亚州医学院与当地红十字会决定针对当地的初级保健和精神健康医师举办继续医学教育活动,以提高他们的疾病筛查和转诊技术,从而更好地为退役军人提供医疗服务.