荧光定量RT-PCR检测猪日本脑炎病毒

通过RT-PCR方法克隆了日本脑炎病毒(JEV)N基因片段序列,构建重组质粒作为标准阳性模板,同时根据GenBank中的靶序列设计了荧光定量R-PCR的1对引物和1条TaqMan探针.通过条件优化,以定量的10倍系列稀释的质粒为标准品进行荧光定量PCR扩增并制作标准曲线,建立了JEV检测的荧光定量PCR方法.结果表明,该方法检测灵敏度可达1.0×100拷贝/μL,线性范围为109～100,达10个数量级;对起始浓度为1.0×109、1.0×108和1.0×107拷贝/μL的标准品的最终实际测得值(Ct)分别为17.33、20.52和23.90,变异系数分别为0.54%、0.74%和0.53%,均小于5%.对阳性组织病料的检测表明该方法的灵敏度高出常规PCR,与套式PCR(nested-PCR,nPCR)具有相近的灵敏度.     

H3亚型猪流感病毒荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

通过RT-PCR方法克隆了H3亚型猪流感病毒HA基因一段靶序列,构建重组质粒作为标准阳性模板.根据GenBank中的H3亚型猪流感病毒HA基因保守序列设计了用于FQ-PCR的1对引物和1条TaqMan探针.通过条件优化,以10倍系列稀释的质粒为标准品进行荧光定量PCR扩增,并制作标准曲线,建立了检测H3亚型猪流感的荧光定量PCR方法.结果表明,该方法检测灵敏度可达1.0×100拷贝/μL,线性范围为109～100,达10个数量级;对起始浓度为1.0×109、1.0×108、1.0×107拷贝/μL的标准品的最终实际测得值(Ct)分别为13.68,18.21和20.57;变异系数分别为0.31%、0.17%和0.12%,均小于5%,说明此方法具有良好的准确性和重现性.对阳性组织病料的检测表明,该方法的检测灵敏度高出常规PCR,与套式PCR具有相近的灵敏度.     

猪圆环病毒2型荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

通过条件优化,以定量的10倍系列稀释质粒pMD-ORF2(含PCV2-ORF2全基因)为标准品,进行荧光定量PCR扩增并制作标准曲线,建立了猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)的荧光定量PCR检测方法。该方法检测灵敏度可达1.0×100拷贝/μL,线性范围为109~100,达10个数量级;对起始浓度为1.0×106、1.0×105、1.0×104拷贝/μL的标准品的最终实际测得值分别为1.000×106、0.935×105、0.987×104拷贝/μL,变异系数分别为2.527%、2.067%、2.092%。该方法的检测灵敏度与套式PCR(nPCR)相当,甚而高于常规PCR。     

猪圆环病毒Ⅰ型荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

以定量的10倍系列稀释的质量pMD-ORF2为标准品进行荧光定量PCR扩增,建立了PCV1检测的荧光定量PCR方法.结果表明该方法检测灵敏度可达1.0×104拷贝/μL,线性范围为1010～101;对起始浓度为1.0X107、1.0×106、1.0×106拷贝/μL的标准品的最终实际测得值分别为1.001×107、0.869×106和0.988×105拷贝/μL,变异系数分别为4.758%、1.865%和3.836%,说明此方法具有良好的准确性和重现性.对阳性组织病料的检测表明该方法的检测灵敏度高出常规PCR,与套式PCR(nPCR)具有相近的灵敏度.     

基于Taq Man探针的猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒荧光定量PCR检测方法的研究

通过条件优化,以定量的10倍系列稀释的质粒pMD-ORF7为标准品进行荧光定量PCR扩增并制作标准曲线建立了PRRSV的荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法.结果表明,该方法检测灵敏度可达1.0×100拷贝/μL;用该方法对6份不同的组织样品进行重复性检测.结果显示具有良好的重复性和重现性.对阳性组织病料的检测表明该方法与常规RT-PCR阳性符合率为100%.但检测灵敏度高出常规RT-PCR 100倍.     

荧光定量PCR检测2型猪圆环病毒方法的建立

通过克隆2型猪圆环病毒（PCV2）的开放阅读框2（0RF2）基因编码其核衣壳蛋白（Cap）的一段靶序列,构建重组质粒作为标准阳性模板.根据GenBank中的靶序列设计一对引物和一条TaqMan探针.对PCR反应条件优化后,对构建的标准阳性模板定量,然后1 0＆#215;倍比稀释进行荧光定量PCR（qPCR）扩增并制作标准曲线,初步建立了PCV2检测的qPCR方法.结果表明,该方法检测灵敏度可达1.0＆#215;102拷贝/μ L,线性范围为101 ～ 109,达9个数量级,并且具有很好的特异性.对起始浓度为1.0＆#215;108、1.0＆#215; 106、1.0＆#215;104拷贝/μL的标准品的最终实际测得CT均值分别为12.77、19.72和26.89;变异系数分别为0.25％、0.10％和0.13％,均小于1％,说明此方法具有良好的准确性和重复性.     

鸡Caspase-1基因SYBR Green Ⅰ荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

为了建立快速定量检测鸡Caspase-1基因的方法,本研究根据鸡Caspase-1基因序列设计特异性检测引物,PCR扩增Caspase-1基因片段,构建pMD-Caspase-1重组质粒。以该重组质粒为标准品进行荧光定量PCR扩增,建立标准曲线,并通过反应条件优化、特异性、敏感性及重复性等试验,建立了鸡Caspase-1基因SYBR Green I荧光定量PCR检测方法。结果显示,本研究建立的该荧光定量PCR方法在重组质粒标准品为1.0×10~3拷贝/μL～1.0×10~8拷贝/μL范围内具有良好的线性关系;该荧光定量PCR方法对Caspase-1基因的扩增具有较强的特异性;对重组质粒标准品的检测下限为1.0×10~2拷贝/μL,比常规PCR敏感100倍;批内和批间变异系数分别在0.51%～4.41%和0.37%～0.88%,重复性好。利用所建立的方法可以定量检测致病性禽腺病毒血清4型感染鸡不同组织中Caspase-1的转录水平。本研究方法的建立将为研究鸡Caspase-1在免疫反应和疫病发展过程中的作用提供技术支持。     

猪瘟病毒荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法的建立

本研究在CSFV 5'端非编码区设计一对引物和一条特异性TaqMan探针,以构建的重组质粒为标准品,建立了一种检测CSFV的荧光定量PCR方法(FQ-PCR),对该方法进行特异性、敏感性和重复性试验.结果显示,可特异地检测CSFV,该方法在101～107拷贝/μL范围内具有良好的线性关系,灵敏度可达10拷贝/μL,重复...     

鸡减蛋综合征病毒Hexon基因SYBR GreenⅠ实时荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

用PCR方法扩增出鸡减蛋综合征病毒（EDSV）Hexon基因保守片段,经琼脂糖凝胶电泳及序列测定分析扩增产物的特异性。以构建的阳性重组质粒作为标准品,建立SYBR GreenⅠ实时荧光定量PCR反应的扩增曲线和溶解曲线,并绘制标准曲线。结果表明,建立的EDSV荧光定量PCR标准曲线Ct值与1×10^1～1×10^6拷贝/μL的基因拷贝数呈现良好线性关系,灵敏度可达10拷贝,且特异性及重复性良好;说明本试验建立的SYBR GreenⅠ实时荧光定量PCR检测方法可用于EDSV的诊断及病原的定量分析。     

水貂阿留申病毒TaqMan-MGB荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立与应用

为建立一种快速、敏感检测水貂阿留申病毒(AMDV)的方法,本研究根据AMDV的VP2基因保守区设计特异性引物和MGB探针,并优化检测反应条件,建立了AMDV的TaqMan荧光定量PCR检测方法。结果显示,以重组质粒为标准品建立的标准曲线在1.0×10~2拷贝/μL~1.0×10~8拷贝/μL内具有良好的线性关系,相关系数(R~2)为0.998。该方法仅对AMDV的靶基因扩增呈阳性,而对猪细小病毒、犬细小病毒、水貂肠炎细小病毒等相关病毒检测结果均为阴性,特异性良好。该方法对AMDV检测的灵敏度为10拷贝/μL,为普通PCR灵敏度的100倍;组内和组间重复性试验表明该方法的组内和组间变异系数均小于2%,具有良好的重复性。应用建立方法和普通PCR方法分别对40份疑似临床组织病料样品进行检测,该方法检出率比普通PCR高约7.5%。本研究结果表明建立的AMDV TaqMan-MGB荧光定量PCR方法灵敏、快速、特异性强、重复性好,适用于对AMDV的快速定量检测。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Feline intracranial neoplasia: retrospective review of 160 cases (1985-2001)

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of different tumor types within a large cohort of cats with intracranial neoplasia and to attempt to correlate signalment, tumor size and location, and survival time for each tumor. Medical records of 160 cats with confirmed intracranial neoplasia evaluated between 1985 and 2001 were reviewed. Parameters evaluated included age, sex, breed, FeLV/FIV status, clinical signs, duration of signs, number of tumors, tumor location(s), imaging results, treatment, survival times, and histopathologic diagnosis. Most of the cats were older (11.3 +/- 3.8 years). Primary tumors accounted for 70.6% of cases. Metastasis and direct extension of secondary tumors accounted for only 5.6 and 3.8% of cases, respectively. Twelve cats (7.5%) had 2 or more discrete tumors of the same type, whereas 16 cats (10.0%) had 2 different types of intracranial tumors. The most common tumor types were meningioma (n = 93, 58.1%), lymphoma (n = 23, 14.4%), pituitary tumors (n = 14, 8.8%), and gliomas (n = 12, 7.5%). The most common neurological signs were altered consciousness (n = 42, 26.2%), circling (n = 36, 22.5%), and seizures (n = 36, 22.5%). Cats without specific neurological signs were common (n = 34, 21.2%). The tumor was considered an incidental finding in 30 (18.8%) cats. In addition to expected relationships (eg, meninges and meningioma, pituitary and pituitary tumors), we found that lesion location was predictive of tumor type with diffuse cerebral or brainstem involvement predictive of lymphoma and third ventricle involvement predictive of meningioma.     

A brief history of the prevention of infectious diseases by immunisations

Infectious diseases have always been a terrible scourge for humans. The appearance of these plagues, as they were called without distinction, was generally connected to various conditions: asters, climatic changes or religious reasons. The concept of contagious, and then infectious, diseases came slowly. Variolation, i.e. transmission of ‘virulent’ matter to induce a natural disease and the immunity against it, was brought from Constantinople to England by Lady Montague, in 1721. This ‘variolation’ technique was also often performed in veterinary medicine against diseases like sheep-pox or pleuropneumonia. As ‘vaccination’ is the term generally accepted for ‘immunisation’, variolation can be the word designating such a technique. The second period of the history of immunisation began, in 1880, with the studies of Pasteur and his collaborators. A great number of bacterial vaccines were developed: dead, live but attenuated or only parts of pathogens. The viruses were produced in animals, then in eggs and at last, in tissue cultures. Second generation vaccines appeared with genetic engineering: recombinant vaccines, vector vaccines, nucleic acids vaccines, and markers vaccines, among others. These novel technologies can permit the development of new ones and improve the quality of the vaccines already existing.