A syndrome of facial paralysis of dairy calves in the Franklin district of New Zealand.

Aim: To determine the aetiology of a syndrome characterised by facial paralysis in calves (facial paralysis syndrome; FPS); describe the epidemiology of the syndrome on an affected case farm; and define the intra-farm prevalence of affected calves, and inter-farm prevalence of affected dairy farms, in the Franklin district of New Zealand.

Case History And Clinical Findings: An investigation was carried out on a town-supply dairy farm experiencing an outbreak of FPS in calves during the autumn of 2007, following a previous outbreak during the spring of 2006; 21 calves were affected in both outbreaks. Post-mortem examinations of three affected calves revealed no infectious aetiological agent in neurological tissues despite tests for viruses, bacteria and Mycoplasma species.

Survey of bulk tank milk in New Zealand for Mycoplasma bovis , using species-specific nested PCR and culture.

Aim: To survey the dairy cattle population in New Zealand for the presence or absence of Mycoplasma bovis.

Methods: A random cross-sectional survey of bulk tank milk from dairy herds in New Zealand based on regionally proportioned sampling, weighted towards herds with a high bulk tank milk somatic cell count (SCC) was used to detect M. bovis at a between-herd prevalence of 2%, with 99% confidence.

A real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae.

Aim: To develop a real-time PCR for the detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae, using PCR primers targeting the ma-mp81 gene.

Methods: A group of 15 M. agalactiae isolates, 21 other Mycoplasma spp.

Real-time polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of members of the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster.

Aim: To develop real-time PCR assays for the detection and differentiation of members of the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster.

Methods: Five real-time PCR assays were designed to allow differentiation of members of the M. mycoides cluster: an assay for detection of the M.

The ethics of using quality improvement methods in health care.

Quality improvement (QI) activities can improve health care but must be conducted ethically. The Hastings Center convened leaders and scholars to address ethical requirements for QI and their relationship to regulations protecting human subjects of research. The group defined QI as systematic, data-guided activities designed to bring about immediate improvements in health care delivery in particular settings and concluded that QI is an intrinsic part of normal health care operations.