柔嫩艾美尔球虫SAG_2基因重组卡介苗的抗球虫保护效果

本研究旨在通过动物试验,按设计以滴鼻、口服和颈部皮下注射的方式,将已构建的含有柔嫩艾美尔球虫SAG_2基因的卡介苗pMV361-SAG_2免疫雏鸡,通过检测鸡体液及细胞免疫水平、卵囊数、相对增重率、抗球虫指数等指标,对所构建的重组卡介苗的保护效果进行综合评价。结果显示,在实验室条件下重组卡介苗pMV361-SAG_2具有增强鸡抵抗柔嫩艾美尔球虫的免疫保护功效,且以滴鼻的方式进行免疫时效果最佳。本研究为抗球虫疫苗的研究提供试验依据。     

柔嫩艾美耳球虫SAG2基因的克隆及其在卡介苗中表达

为获得柔嫩艾美耳球虫SAG2的克隆株并在卡介苗中表达该蛋白,根据柔嫩艾美耳球虫SAG2基因序列和表达载体图谱设计特异性引物,引入HindⅢ和EcoRⅠ酶切位点,RT-PCR扩增SAG2基因,连接到pMD18-T载体。双酶切后,将SAG2基因插入到大肠埃希菌-分支杆菌整合表达载体pMV361中,获得重组质粒pMV361-SAG2,经电穿孔转染到卡介苗中,表达产物经SDS-PAGE和Western blot分析。结果成功构建了重组质粒pMD18-T-SAG2和pMV361-SAG2,SAG2在卡介苗中高效表达,表达产物能够被柔嫩艾美耳球虫阳性血清识别,表明具有良好的免疫原性,为下一步重组卡介苗对鸡球虫病的免疫保护研究奠定了基础。     

柔嫩艾美耳球虫rhomboid抗原基因在卡介苗中的克隆与表达

以含柔嫩艾美耳球虫rhomboid基因的重组质粒为模板,应用PCR方法扩增该基因完整开放阅读框,克隆至pMD18-T载体中.分别用限制性内切酶Pst I/Cla I和Pvu II/Cla I进行双酶切,将rhomboid目的基因克隆到大肠杆菌-分支杆菌穿梭表达载体pMV261和整合表达载体pMV361中,获得重组质粒pRho-261和pRho-361.将重组质粒电穿孔转化卡介苗,经热诱导后对其表达产物进行SDS-PAGE和western blot分析.结果表明成功构建了两个重组质粒,其表达产物与柔嫩艾美耳球虫阳性血清具有免疫反应性,为重组卡介苗在鸡球虫病防治方面的研究奠定了基础.     

19ku脂蛋白信号肽优化表达的牛病毒性腹泻病毒E2基因重组卡介苗初步免疫研究

为评价19ku脂蛋白信号肽优化表达的牛病毒性腹泻病毒(BVDV)重组卡介苗对小鼠的免疫效果,本研究将已构建的rBCG/19ku-E_2、rBCG/E_2、rBCG/pMV261(pMV261空载体构建的rBCG作为实验对照组)、卡介苗(BCG)及BVDV灭活苗免疫小鼠,通过检测血清抗体效价、T淋巴细胞亚群含量及细胞因子水平,评价其体液免疫与细胞免疫效果。结果显示,rBCG/19ku-E_2可以引起BVDV特异性抗体的产生,并且抗体水平要高于rBCG/E_2、rBCG/pMV261组。对CD4~+、CD8~+T淋巴细胞亚群含量的检测结果表明,rBCG免疫小鼠对CD4~+、CD8~+T淋巴细胞亚群没有显著影响。通过对IL-4、IL-10、IL-12和IFN-γ细胞因子检测结果表明,rBCG主要诱导Th1型细胞免疫应答,rBCG/19ku-E_2诱导的细胞因子水平低于BCG免疫组,但均高于细胞因子的平均水平。结果表明,rBCG/19ku-E_2可以诱导小鼠产生较好的特异性体液免疫应答和细胞免疫应答,为BVDV新型疫苗研究奠定基础。     

应用流式细胞术检测BVDV-E_2截短基因重组卡介苗对小鼠的免疫效果

为评价牛病毒性腹泻-黏膜病病毒(BVDV)E2截短基因重组卡介苗对小鼠的免疫效果,用BVDV-E2截短基因重组卡介苗pMV361-E11、pMV361-E12、pMV361-E13、pMV361-E21、pMV361-E22、pMV361-E23及卡介苗、BVDV灭活苗和生理盐水对试验小鼠进行腹腔免疫,在三免后14d取其脾脏对T、B淋巴细胞、树突状细胞及Th1细胞等细胞因子进行流式细胞术检测,评价各重组卡介苗的免疫效果。结果显示,pMV361-E23重组卡介苗组中各细胞因子的表达量尽管有个别因子在同组中不是最高,但均高于同组生理盐水的表达量(除INF-γ检测中略低外);pMV361-E12组中IL-12的含量高达9.7。表明pMV361-E23和pMV361-E122组截短重组卡介苗免疫效果较好,为预防牛病毒性腹泻病以及新型疫苗的研制奠定基础。     

表达Ag85基因重组卡介苗的构建

为研发一种更安全、有效的结核病疫苗,用于预防并清除结核病,本试验构建4株分别表达Ag85A、Ag85B、Ag85C、Ag85D基因的重组卡介苗,参考pMV261载体序列和Tuberculist上登录的H37Rv序列设计引物,通过PCR扩增和无缝克隆技术构建含Ag85基因片段的重组pMV261质粒。分别对重组质粒进行PCR、双酶切鉴定后,通过电击转化转染到卡介苗感受态细胞中,利用Kan耐药基因筛选获得重组卡介苗菌株。采用PCR及Western blotting鉴定Ag85A、Ag85B、Ag85C、Ag85D基因在卡介苗中的表达,再对构建成功的重组卡介苗进行培养,用于后续试验。PCR扩增结果表明,构建的重组卡介苗rBCG/Ag85A、rBCG/Ag85B、rBCG/Ag85C和rBCG/Ag85D目的基因片段大小分别为1 447、1 402、1 453和1 330 bp,与预期大小一致,表明目的基因已成功整合到卡介苗中;Western blotting结果表明,Ag85A、Ag85B、Ag85C、Ag85D基因均可在卡介苗细胞内成功表达。本试验利用基因工程技术成功获得4株分别表达Ag85A、Ag85B、Ag85C、Ag85D基因的重组卡介苗,将其分别命名为rBCG/Ag85A、rBCG/Ag85B、rBCG/Ag85C、rBCG/Ag85D。本研究可为进一步将其他抗原基因插入卡介苗细胞构建重组疫苗及疫苗研究提供材料。     

鸡柔嫩艾美耳球虫3-1E真核重组表达质粒的构建及其免疫保护性分析

为构建鸡柔嫩艾美耳球虫(E.tenella)重组真核表达质粒并检测其免疫保护性,本实验将E.tenella表面抗原基因3-1E(E)与鸡IFN-γ、IL-2基因分别串联在真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)中,构建真核重组表达质粒pcDNA-E-IFNγ、pcDNA-E-IL2,同时构建对照质粒pcDNA-E、pcDNA-IFNγ、pcDNA-IL2.经酶切鉴定得到预期大小目的片段,测序结果与预期序列一致.将构建的重组质粒免疫鸡只,经western blot检测表明该重组质粒在鸡体内可以正常表达;对感染鸡只的免疫保护效果显示,pcDNA-E-IFNγ、pcDNA-E-IL2组抗球虫指数(ACI)分别为181.04、187.30,具有高效的抗球虫效果,为将其进一步研制成为具有实用价值的抗球虫疫苗奠定了基础.     

柔嫩艾美耳球虫SO7-IL-2重组酵母蛋白的表达及其免疫效果评价

为了研究鸡柔嫩艾美耳球虫(E.tenella) SO7重组酵母蛋白的表达及其免疫保护效果,试验用E.tenella的保护性抗原基因SO7与鸡IL-2基因串联在毕赤酵母表达载体pPICZαA中进行表达,用Western-blot检测表达是否成功。分别以重组酵母全菌体破碎蛋白和诱导表达纯化的重组酵母蛋白免疫鸡只,并以1×10~4个/只柔嫩艾美耳球虫卵囊进行攻虫,观察免疫保护效果。结果表明:诱导后的重组酵母全菌蛋白pPICZαA-SO7-IL2成功表达;两种蛋白抗球虫指数(ACI)分别为175.48,174.35,说明pPICZαA-SO7-IL2对感染鸡只具有较高的抗球虫效果。     

牛病毒性腹泻-黏膜病病毒Changchun184株E2基因在卡介苗中的表达

在成功克隆牛病毒性腹泻一黏膜病痛毒Changchun184株E2基因的基础上,将E2基因与表达载体pMV261连接,构建了重组穿梭质粒pMV261-E2,后电转化到卡介苗中,获得了具有卡那霉素抗性的重组卡介苗,并对重组卡介苗进行菌落PCR鏊定.在45℃下热诱导E2基因在重组卡介苗中的表达,并对表达产物进行SDS-PAGE电泳和Wesern blotting 分析.结果证明,牛病毒性腹泻-黏膜病病毒Changchun184株E2基因在卡介苗中成功的表达.     

表达Ag85基因重组卡介苗的构建

为研发一种更安全、有效的结核病疫苗,用于预防并清除结核病,本试验构建4株分别表达Ag85A、Ag85B、Ag85C、Ag85D基因的重组卡介苗,参考pMV261载体序列和Tuberculist上登录的H37Rv序列设计引物,通过PCR扩增和无缝克隆技术构建含Ag85基因片段的重组pMV261质粒。分别对重组质粒进行PCR、双酶切鉴定后,通过电击转化转染到卡介苗感受态细胞中,利用Kan耐药基因筛选获得重组卡介苗菌株。采用PCR及Western blotting鉴定Ag85A、Ag85B、Ag85C、Ag85D基因在卡介苗中的表达,再对构建成功的重组卡介苗进行培养,用于后续试验。PCR扩增结果表明,构建的重组卡介苗rBCG/Ag85A、rBCG/Ag85B、rBCG/Ag85C和rBCG/Ag85D目的基因片段大小分别为1 447、1 402、1 453和1 330 bp,与预期大小一致,表明目的基因已成功整合到卡介苗中;Western blotting结果表明,Ag85A、Ag85B、Ag85C、Ag85D基因均可在卡介苗细胞内成功表达。本试验利用基因工程技术成功获得4株分别表达Ag85A、Ag85B、Ag85C、Ag85D基因的重组卡介苗,将其分别命名为rBCG/Ag85A、rBCG/Ag85B、rBCG/Ag85C、rBCG/Ag85D。本研究可为进一步将其他抗原基因插入卡介苗细胞构建重组疫苗及疫苗研究提供材料。     

白术、微米白术和白术多糖对断奶仔猪生长性能和肠道形态及微生态区系的影响

试验选用96头平均体重14.82 kg左右的杜×长×大断奶仔猪,随机分成4组,每组3栏,每栏8头(公母各半)。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验1、2、3组分别添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖和1%微米白术。试验期30 d。结果表明:在生长性能方面,与对照组相比,1%微米白术添加组可显著提高日增重(P0.05)、降低饲料增重比和腹泻率,而且效果优于1%80目白术组和0.2%白术多糖组,在肠道形态和肠道微生态区系方面,与对照组相比,日粮添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖、1%微米白术均可不同程度的提高十二指肠和空肠的绒毛高度,加深十二指肠和空肠的隐窝深度,并且增加肠道微生态区系的多样性,其中以1%微米白术添加组的效果最佳。     

Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia

Sissay, M.M., Uggla, A. and Waller, P.J., XXXX. Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, XXXX. A 2-year abattoir survey was carried out to determine the prevalence, abundance and seasonal incidence of gastro-intestinal (GI) nematodes and trematodes (flukes) of sheep and goats in the semi-arid zone of eastern Ethiopia. During May 2003 to April 2005, viscera including liver, lungs and GI tracts were collected from 655 sheep and 632 goats slaughtered at 4 abattoirs located in the towns of Haramaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga in eastern Ethiopia. All animals were raised in the farming areas located within the community boundaries for each town. Collected materials were transported within 24 h to the parasitology laboratory of Haramaya University for immediate processing. Thirteen species belonging to 9 genera of GI nematodes (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Nematodirus filicollis, N. spathiger, Oesophagostomum columbianum, O. venulosum, Strongyloides papillosus, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Trichuris ovis, Cooperia curticei and Chabertia ovina), and 4 species belonging to 3 genera of trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, Paramphistomum {Calicohoron} microbothrium and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) were recorded in both sheep and goats. All animals in this investigation were infected with multiple species to varying degrees. The mean burdens of adult nematodes were generally moderate in both sheep and goats and showed patterns of seasonal abundance that corresponded with the bi-modal annual rainfall pattern, with highest burdens around the middle of the rainy season. In both sheep and goats there were significant differences in the mean worm burdens and abundance of the different nematode species between the four geographic locations, with worm burdens in the Haramaya and Harar areas greater than those observed in the Dire Dawa and Jijiga locations. Similar seasonal variations were also observed in the prevalence of flukes. But there were no significant differences in the prevalence of each fluke species between the four locations. Overall, the results showed that Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Fasciola and Paramphistomum species were the most abundant helminth parasites of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia.     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

Chemotaxis of macrophage in inflammation

Our particular attention in this article was given to natural mediators for macrophages isolated from the sites of tissue injury. A number of chemotactic factors, which may satisfy many criteria making them acceptable as inflammatory leucocyte chemotactic factors, has been separated. Among them, our laboratory has isolated three macrophage (monocyte) chemotactic factors (MCF-a, -b and -c). Their purification, characterization and functional specificity are discussed.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Y‐chromosomal variation of local goat breeds of Turkey close to the domestication centre

Genetic variations in chromosome Y are enabling researchers to identify paternal lineages, which are informative for introgressions and migrations. In this study, the male‐specific region markers, sex‐determining region‐Y (SRY), amelogenin (AMELY) and zinc finger (ZFY) were analysed in seven Turkish native goat breeds, Angora, Kilis, Hair, Honaml?, Norduz, Gürcü and Abaza. A SNP in the ZFY gene defined a new haplotype Y2C. All domestic haplogroups originate from Capra aegagrus, while the finding of Y1A, Y1B, Y2A and Y2C in 32, 4, 126 and 2 Turkish domestic goats, respectively, appears to indicate a predomestic origin of the major haplotypes. The occurrence of four haplotypes in the Hair goat and, in contrast, a frequency of 96% of Y1A in the Kilis breed illustrate that Y‐chromosomal variants have a more breed‐dependent distribution than mitochondrial or autosomal DNA. This probably reflects male founder effects, but a role in adaptation cannot be excluded.     

Changes in proportion of canine urinary calculi composed of calcium oxalate or struvite in specimens analyzed from 1981 through 2001

The objective of this report was to characterize 20-year changes in proportion of calcium oxalate (CaOx) calculi and struvite calculi in dogs, and associations with breed, age, and sex. In this retrospective study, results of analysis of urinary calculi from dogs were reviewed for specimens received between July 1, 1981, and December 31, 2001. Breed, sex, age, year of submission of the specimen, and mineral type(s) were analyzed statistically. CaOx or Struvite or both were contained in 18,966 of 20,884 (91%) specimens. For both sexes, a 20-year statistically significant increase was observed in the proportion of calculus specimens that contained CaOx. The increase in this proportion was greater in females (1% to 31%) than in males (18% to 82%). From 1998 to 2001, when proportions may have plateaued, the odds of specimens containing CaOx were markedly higher in 18 breeds, markedly lower in 5 breeds, and not significantly different in 13 breeds compared with crossbreds. For both sexes, a 20-year statistically significant decrease was observed in the proportion of calculus specimens that contained struvite. This decrease in proportion was greater for males (79-16%) than for females (97-68%). From 1998 to 2001, when proportions plateaued, the odds of calculi containing struvite were markedly lower in 20 breeds, markedly higher in 1 breed, and not significantly different in 15 breeds when compared with crossbreds. Breed, age, and sex were associated statistically with CaOx or struvite urolithiasis. In conclusion, there appears to have been a long-term increase in the proportion of specimens of canine urinary calculi that contain CaOx as well as a long-term decrease in the proportion of specimens of calculi that contain struvite for both male and female dogs. The rate of change appeared to begin leveling off in the period 1998 to 2001. The recent proportion of dogs with either CaOx- or struvite-associated urolithiasis may depend on breed, age, and sex, and on interactions among these 3 factors.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.