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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2009; 50(3); 291-294;

Clinical impressions of anthrax from the 2006 outbreak in Saskatchewan.

Abstract: Clinical signs and carcass traits observed during the 2006 Saskatchewan anthrax outbreak were largely consistent with those previously published, except for cutaneous anthrax and anthrax mastitis in cows, and subcutaneous edema in bulls and horses. Failure of blood to clot was the most reliable indicator of anthrax in carcasses. Impressions cliniques de l’anthrax lors de l’éclosion de 2006 en Saskatchewan. Les signes cliniques et les caractéristiques des carcasses observés durant l’éclosion d’anthrax en Saskatchewan en 2006 étaient généralement similaires à ceux déjà publiés, sauf pour des formes cutanées et des cas de mammite chez les vaches, ainsi que des œdèmes sous-cutanés chez les taureaux et les chevaux. L’absence de coagulation du sang était l’indicateur le plus fiable de l’anthrax dans les carcasses. (Traduit par Isabelle Vallières)
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Publication Date: 2009-05-14 PubMed ID: 19436482PubMed Central: PMC2643456
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research focused on the clinical observations and post-mortem characteristics seen during the 2006 anthrax outbreak in Saskatchewan. The study found that the majority of these symptoms matched previously published data, however, the researchers also observed previously unreported cases of cutaneous anthrax and anthrax mastitis in cows, and subcutaneous edema in bulls and horses. A consistent finding across all carcasses was the failure of blood to clot, which was a reliable indicator of anthrax infection.

Objective of the Research

  • This study aimed at understanding the clinical signs and carcass traits during the Saskatchewan anthrax outbreak in 2006. By comparing these findings to previously published data, the researchers sought to identify any unusual trends or symptoms associated with anthrax infection.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers closely observed the clinical signs of animals affected during the Saskatchewan outbreak, specifically focusing on cows, bulls, and horses. They made particular note of the symptoms related to skin conditions and mastitis in cows, as well as subcutaneous edema in bulls and horses.
  • The research team also studied the traits of carcasses of the animals that had succumbed to the disease. Here, the scientists particularly emphasized the coagulation (clotting) of the blood as an important assessment attribute.

Findings and Conclusions

  • The majority of the clinical signs and carcass traits observed during the 2006 outbreak were largely consistent with those previously noted in earlier studies and reports. This reaffirmed the validity of the existing diagnostic frameworks for anthrax infection.
  • However, the researchers found unusual infections of cutaneous anthrax and anthrax mastitis in cows, which had not been reported before. Subcutaneous edema, a condition characterized by fluid imbalance leading to swelling underneath the skin, was also found in bulls and horses. Further research may be necessary to evaluate these conditions in relation to the anthrax bacterium.
  • One of the most consistent and reliable indicators of anthrax infection across all animal carcasses was a failure of the blood to clot. This finding confirms earlier studies indicating that analyzing the coagulation status of blood in carcasses can provide rapid and reliable confirmation of anthrax infection.

Cite This Article

APA
Himsworth CG, Argue CK. (2009). Clinical impressions of anthrax from the 2006 outbreak in Saskatchewan. Can Vet J, 50(3), 291-294.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 3
Pages: 291-294

Researcher Affiliations

Himsworth, Chelsea G
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 247-111 Research Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3R2, Canada. chelsea.himsworth@usask.ca
Argue, Connie K

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Anthrax / epidemiology
    • Anthrax / pathology
    • Anthrax / veterinary
    • Bison / microbiology
    • Cattle
    • Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
    • Cattle Diseases / pathology
    • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
    • Horse Diseases / pathology
    • Horses
    • Saskatchewan / epidemiology

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    Citations

    This article has been cited 4 times.
    1. Gainer RS. Spore concentration and modified host resistance as cause of anthrax outbreaks: A practitioner's perspective. Can Vet J 2018 Feb;59(2):185-187.
      pubmed: 29386683
    2. Wobeser BK. Anthrax vaccine associated deaths in miniature horses. Can Vet J 2015 Apr;56(4):359-60.
      pubmed: 25829553
    3. Lewerin SS, Elvander M, Westermark T, Hartzell LN, Norström AK, Ehrs S, Knutsson R, Englund S, Andersson AC, Granberg M, Bäckman S, Wikström P, Sandstedt K. Anthrax outbreak in a Swedish beef cattle herd--1st case in 27 years: Case report. Acta Vet Scand 2010 Feb 1;52(1):7.
      doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-52-7pubmed: 20122147google scholar: lookup
    4. Casadevall A, Relman DA. Microbial threat lists: obstacles in the quest for biosecurity?. Nat Rev Microbiol 2010 Feb;8(2):149-54.
      doi: 10.1038/nrmicro2299pubmed: 20065941google scholar: lookup
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