Molecular methods for detection of calf scour pathogens
| Project start date: | 07 June 2010 |
| Project end date: | 22 August 2016 |
| Publication date: | 23 August 2016 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grassfed cattle |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Summary
Calf scours is an ongoing issue for beef producers and a major cause of economic loss. Calf scours is a multifactorial disease caused by a complex interaction between viral, bacterial and protozoal pathogens, the calves’ environment and immune status. This project has developed multiplex qRT–PCR assays with good analytic sensitivity for all major calf scour pathogens, providing the capacity to rapidly identify multiple pathogens contributing to disease in a single step. Loop mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assays were also developed for all major pathogens, but ongoing challenges with robustness and repeatability led to priority being directed at the PCR assays.
Key findings
The qRT-PCR successfully detected a high prevalence of infection with rotavirus, Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp, and the complex interaction between these pathogens and clinical disease in large scale prospective on-farm studies. These studies also verified the effectiveness of the environmental sampling techniques to demonstrate reservoirs of these pathogens, confirming the application of these tests for subsequent epidemiological studies. The ability to identify the pathogens involved; the sources of infection and the limitations and value of management interventions, supported the allocation of resources to control and subsequently prevent ongoing disease, demonstrating that these assays can provide significant farm level value.
More information
| Project manager: | Johann Schroder |
| Primary researcher: | University of Sydney |
