Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in dogs: continuing spread and developments in diagnosis and treatment

Disease caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum is increasingly diagnosed in dogs, as the geographic range of the parasite increases along with awareness among clinicians. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention are not always straightforward, although recent developments offer hope for improved options in future. Understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis remains poor. This paper provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of this parasitic disease, focussing on the most recent developments and advances.     

Cryptococcosis: update and emergence of Cryptococcus gattii

Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease that occurs throughout the world. Recent reclassification of Cryptococcus species along with a change in the distribution pattern has prompted reevaluation of the organism and the diseases caused by this pathogen. This review highlights the emergence of Cryptococcus gattii as a primary pathogen in North America and summarizes our current understanding of the disease in mammals and birds.     

Perceptions and Practices of Mass Bat Exposure Events in the Setting of Rabies Among U.S. Public Health Agencies

Current guidelines in the setting of exposures to potentially rabid bats established by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) address post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP) administration in situations where a person may not be aware that a bite or direct contact has occurred and the bat is not available for diagnostic testing. These include instances when a bat is discovered in a room where a person awakens from sleep, is a child without an adult witness, has a mental disability or is intoxicated. The current ACIP guidelines, however, do not address PEP in the setting of multiple persons exposed to a bat or a bat colony, otherwise known as mass bat exposure (MBE) events. Due to a dearth of recommendations for response to these events, the reported reactions by public health agencies have varied widely. To address this perceived limitation, a survey of 45 state public health agencies was conducted to characterize prior experiences with MBE and practices to mitigate the public health risks. In general, most states (69% of the respondents) felt current ACIP guidelines were unclear in MBE scenarios. Thirty‐three of the 45 states reported prior experience with MBE, receiving an average of 16.9 MBE calls per year and an investment of 106.7 person‐hours annually on MBE investigations. PEP criteria, investigation methods and the experts recruited in MBE investigations varied between states. These dissimilarities could reflect differences in experience, scenario and resources. The lack of consistency in state responses to potential mass exposures to a highly fatal disease along with the large contingent of states dissatisfied with current ACIP guidance warrants the development of national guidelines in MBE settings.     

Animal models of henipavirus infection: A review

Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) form a separate genus Henipavirus within the family Paramyxoviridae, and are classified as biosafety level four pathogens due to their high case fatality rate following human infection and because of the lack of effective vaccines or therapy. Both viruses emerged from their natural reservoir during the last decade of the 20th century, causing severe disease in humans, horses and swine, and infecting a number of other mammalian species. The current review summarises current published data relating to experimental infection of small and large animals, including the natural reservoir species, the Pteropus bat, with HeV or NiV. Susceptibility to infection and virus distribution in the individual species is discussed, along with the pathogenesis, pathological changes, and potential routes of transmission.     

Idiopathic granulomatous and necrotising inflammatory disorders of the canine central nervous system: a review and future perspectives

Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis, necrotizing meningoencephalitis, and necrotizing leukoencephalitis are common inflammatory conditions of the canine central nervous system. Although each disease has unique histopathological features, these canine disorders collectively seem to be aberrant immune responses directed against the central nervous system. A review of the neurological signs and general neurodiagnostic approach to canine meningoencephalitis is followed by an overview of the specific clinical and neuropathological features of granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis, necrotizing meningoencephalitis, and necrotizing leukoencephalitis. The aetiopathogenesis of each disorder is explored including potential genetic, immunological, and environmental factors along with the current and prospective immunomodulatory therapies for meningoencephalitis.     

Leptospirosis and panuveitis in a dog

A case of panuveitis as a result of leptospiral infection in an 8-year-old Jack Russell Terrier is reported. Mild hyphema, aqueous flare, and partial serous retinal detachments were noted in both eyes on initial ophthalmic examination. The serum microscopic agglutination testing for Leptospira serovarieties revealed titers of 1 : 12 800 for Leptospira canicola and 1 : 200 for Leptospira icterohemorrhagiae. With medical therapy, the panuveitis resolved and functional vision was regained. Four weeks after the initial presentation, convalescent titers were 1 : 200 for L. canicola and 1 : 100 for L. icterohemorrhagiae. The incidence of leptospirosis, along with difficulties diagnosing, and current medical therapies for this disease are also discussed.     

Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs: Advances in Understanding,Diagnostics, and Treatment

Acute pancreatitis in dogs is a potentially reversible condition, but in severe forms it can cause systemic and local complications. These complications are driven by the cytokine, complement, and kinin systems, with the roles of these systems along with other substances such as nitric oxide being increasingly studied. The intestinal tract and altered pancreatic microcirculation also contribute greatly to the perpetuation of disease. Diagnosis remains difficult, because the true diagnostic utility of the current tests available is problematic to establish. Further understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease has opened up new areas of research into optimal treatments. In particular, the role of enteral nutrition has been the focus of much attention, and current recommendations are to feed earlier in the disease than previously thought.     

Breeding unsoundness in the ram: The incidence of contributing conditions

Extract

Whenever disease is discussed in terms of beef production, in New Zealand it is certain to include infertility (brucellosis, vibriosis), metabolic diseases (bloat, staggers) and possibly exotic diseases and their prevention. On the rare occasion that parasitism is considered it tends somehow to find itself, along with selenium and other deficiency diseases, under a general heading of nutrition or management. This is probably because, while parasitism is still recognized as an infectious disease with clear clinical signs in severe cases, the tendency is to ignore its presence unless nutritional or management changes force a confrontation.     

牦牛传染性胸膜肺炎诊断与防治研究概况

牦牛传染性胸膜肺炎是一种高度接触传染性呼吸道疾病,是由牦牛丝状支原体感染而引起的一种高度传染性疾病,主要侵害肺和胸膜,引起肺炎和胸膜炎。临床上以肺炎或胸膜炎的典型症状和病理变化为特征,随着养殖业的发展,本病呈上升趋势。本文介绍了该病的临床症状、病理变化及诊断方法,并提出了一些治疗与预防措施,以供参考。     

Growth curves and morphology of three Treponema subtypes isolated from digital dermatitis in cattle

Digital dermatitis (DD) is an infectious claw disease of cattle that causes painful lesions, principally along the coronary band of the claws. In the US alone, the estimated economic impact of DD is estimated to be $190 million. The etiology of DD remains unclear and there is no reliable laboratory test, so DD is most often diagnosed clinically. Spirochetal bacteria of the genera Treponema have been implicated in DD infections following their isolation using culture techniques, serological detection of bovine antibodies against treponemes, and amplification of treponemal 16s DNA sequences by PCR. During in vitro growth of spirochetes and treponemes isolated from DD, morphological changes have been observed indicating the presence of a spiral form and an encysted form. It is not known why encysted forms appear or what role they have in the progression of DD. The current study established growth curves for three subtypes of treponemes, Treponema denticola-like, Treponema phagedenis-like, and Treponema medium-like, while photographically monitoring changes in morphology. In addition to observing spiral and encysted forms, two intermediate forms were also observed. These appeared as either spiral forms with spherical bodies or as enveloped clusters of granules. The observation of encysted forms adds further support to the theory that treponemes causing recurrent infections deep in bovine skin have mechanisms to facilitate persistence and the chronic character of DD.     

Adverse reactions to FMD vaccine

A case of adverse post-vaccination allergic reactions, which occurred in a dairy cattle herd 8 days after the annual foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination, is described. The dermatologic lesions observed in these cattle included: urticaria, exudative and necrotic dermatitis, along with oedema and vesicles on the teats. These reactions occurred in 11.3% of the heifers, in 10% of the first-lactating cows and in 14.6% of the adult cows. The average loss of milk production for an affected cow on this farm was 21.5% per day, for seven consecutive days. The extent of the lesions was apparently related to concurrent diseases such as bovine virus diarrhea - mucosal disease complex (BVD-MD) and Johne's disease and, to a lesser degree, correlated with the age or breed.     

Ebola virus – epidemiology,diagnosis, and control: threat to humans,lessons learnt,and preparedness plans – an update on its 40 year's journey

Ebola virus (EBOV) is an extremely contagious pathogen and causes lethal hemorrhagic fever disease in man and animals. The recently occurred Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks in the West African countries have categorized it as an international health concern. For the virus maintenance and transmission, the non-human primates and reservoir hosts like fruit bats have played a vital role. For curbing the disease timely, we need effective therapeutics/prophylactics, however, in the absence of any approved vaccine, timely diagnosis and monitoring of EBOV remains of utmost importance. The technologically advanced vaccines like a viral-vectored vaccine, DNA vaccine and virus-like particles are underway for testing against EBOV. In the absence of any effective control measure, the adaptation of high standards of biosecurity measures, strict sanitary and hygienic practices, strengthening of surveillance and monitoring systems, imposing appropriate quarantine checks and vigilance on trade, transport, and movement of visitors from EVD endemic countries remains the answer of choice for tackling the EBOV spread. Herein, we converse with the current scenario of EBOV giving due emphasis on animal and veterinary perspectives along with advances in diagnosis and control strategies to be adopted, lessons learned from the recent outbreaks and the global preparedness plans. To retrieve the evolutionary information, we have analyzed a total of 56 genome sequences of various EBOV species submitted between 1976 and 2016 in public databases.     

副猪嗜血杆菌病疫苗研究进展

副猪嗜血杆菌病又称猪革拉泽氏病,副猪嗜血杆菌主要引起猪的多发性浆膜炎、纤维素性心包炎、关节炎和脑膜炎。目前预防该病主要是灭活疫苗,但不同血清型之间交叉保护性不强或无交叉保护作用。因此,发展新的广谱疫苗是未来的趋势。文章对副猪嗜血杆菌病的疫苗及其研究现状进行了分析综述。     

Counter current line absorption immunoelectrophoresis in an alternative diagnostic screening test to counter current immunoelectrophoresis in Aleutian disease (AD) eradication programs

Counter current immunoelectrophoresis (CCIE) is the diagnostic method used in the ongoing Aleutian disease virus eradication program on Danish mink farms. There has been an increasing demand for an alternative diagnostic test especially to evaluate suspected false positive CCIE reactions. We compared test results of a number of negative and positive mink sera in indirect counter current immunoelectrophoresis (ICCIE), counter current line absorption immunoelectrophoresis (CCLAIE) and radio immuno assay (RIA) with test results from counter current immunoelectrophoresis and found that counter current line absorption immunoelectrophoresis is the best alternative diagnostic screening test to counter current immunoelectrophoresis for Aleutian disease eradication programs. Not only proved the CCLAIE test to be useful for evaluation of doubtfully positive CCIE reactions, but it was found to have a higher sensitivity than the CCIE test.     

The role of subchondral bone in joint disease: a review

Subchondral bone plays a role in the pathogenesis of osteochondral damage and osteoarthritis in horses and humans. Osteochondral fragmentation and fracture, subchondral bone necrosis and osteoarthritis are common diseases in athletic horses, and subchondral bone is now thought to play an integral role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. There have been numerous research efforts focused on articular cartilage damage and its pathogenesis, yet comparatively little effort focused on subchondral bone pathology or the coordinated disease states of the osteochondral tissues. The purpose of this report is to review the current understanding of osteochondral disease in all species and its application to equine research and practice. It can be concluded from this review that our current understanding of osteochondral disease is based on clinical and pathological sources; and that the lack of information about joint tissue adaptation and disease has hampered objective studies of osteochondral tissues.     

Concepts of disease, medical research and the challenges to the schools of the healing professions

The study of disease is a significant part of the pattern of funding for medical research in North America and elsewhere. Also, the existence of disease and its importance in all branches of the healing professions is the major justification for separate professional schools of medicine. These considerations should encourage a vigorous exploration and development of concepts of disease as an important part of any medical education. Based on much of the current research activities, concepts of disease, especially chronic disease, seem largely outdated and not intimately reflecting the realization that the development of disease is often a physiological response to perturbations in the internal or external environment and not abnormal or pathological in the etymological sense. The importance of viewing cancer and other chronic diseases from this physiological point of view and not from the point of view of end-stage disease is emphasized by the use of one example, the development of cancer with chemicals. The challenge to the healing professions to develop more modern programs for educating the prospective research worker for the study of disease is discussed briefly.     

Clinical and pathologic findings in an outbreak in rabbits of natural infection by rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 in the northwestern United States

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) causes an often-fatal disease of rabbits that has resulted in outbreaks in rabbitries in Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia. RHD has historically been characterized as a foreign animal disease in the United States. In July 2019, RHDV2 was detected in rabbits on Orcas Island along the northwestern coast of Washington (WA) State following reports of deaths in multiple feral and domestic rabbits. We document and highlight here the unique clinical presentation and gross and histologic lesions observed in this recent WA outbreak. Affected rabbits died without premonitory signs or displayed hyporexia and/or lethargy for ≤1 d prior to death. The most consistent pathologic finding was random, multifocal hepatocellular necrosis, often with concurrent multifocal-to-diffuse splenic necrosis. The lack of significant clinical signs in conjunction with the random distribution of hepatic necrosis in the WA outbreak contrasts with previous reports of RHDV2 disease progression.     

自然保护区和国有林区野猪在贵州省道真县境内死亡的流行病学调查

2020年2月20日,贵州省道真县生态护林员在其境内的国家级大沙河自然保护区和国有林区发现多具野猪尸体。为弄清野猪死亡原因,防止可能出现的疫情在当地扩散,采用描述性流行病学方法,对本次野猪死亡事件展开调查。截至2020年3月4日,在该县3个镇8个村(社区)10个村民组,共排查发现23具野猪尸体,以体质量偏小的低幼龄野猪居多,约占70%;发现地点分布具有明显的聚集性和方向性;因大部分尸体高度腐败,仅从采集的1份病料中,检出猪圆环病毒核酸阳性,未检出猪瘟、口蹄疫、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征、非洲猪瘟等疫病病原;经排查,未发现野猪尸体附近的村(社区)生猪养殖户饲养的生猪发生异常发病死亡现象。经伽马分布估算,该县平均每天可能出现的死亡野猪数为0.44头(95%CI,0.28~0.64)。综上分析推测,野猪死亡既有经境内公路来往的生猪运输车辆及废弃物传入疫病导致的可能性,也不排除中毒或天气变化等其他因素的可能。由此建议加强公路沿线一带的林区排查,加大跨省公路车辆消毒力度,降低野猪死亡事件带来的潜在风险。     

Electrocution of pigs infected with notifiable diseases

In order to combat certain notifiable diseases eradication programs have been developed, which include the destruction of an infected or suspected herd. Experiments were conducted to develop a method for euthanasia of large numbers of pigs. The electrocution experiments under laboratory conditions were performed in a wooden sided box with a steel floor and a curtain of chains. When the pigs touched the chain curtain with their noses, they received a current flow which lasted for more than 2 seconds, and they developed cardiac arrest or fibrillation. The pigs which touched the chain curtain with their rumps vocalised and became recumbent immediately. An automatic electrocution unit was constructed with a conveyor (negative electrode) and 3 curtains of chains (positive electrodes). Over 6000 pigs infected with a notifiable disease were killed with the apparatus. Only 2 piglets younger than 1 week old were not killed by the current (1000 V, greater than 2 s.). From the point of view of animal welfare the automatic electrocution apparatus is an efficient method for killing large numbers of pigs (older than 1 week of age) infected with a notifiable disease.