鸡柔嫩艾美耳球虫SO7基因的原核表达及动物免疫试验

为了研究鸡柔嫩艾美耳球虫SO7基因原核表达重组蛋白的免疫效力,分析其在鸡抗柔嫩艾美耳球虫感染中对鸡平均增重、抗球虫指数(ACI)、减少盲肠病变和卵囊数量中的作用,从柔嫩艾美耳球虫孢子化卵囊中提取总RNA作为模板,用RT-PCR扩增出SO7基因片段,再应用DNA重组技术将SO7基因克隆到原核表达载体pET32a(+)中并用IPTG诱导表达。SDS-PAGE结果显示,pET32a(+)-SO7表达的目的蛋白约为40ku,主要以包涵体形式存在。用纯化的重组蛋白进行动物免疫试验显示,SO7重组蛋白在鸡抗柔嫩艾美耳球虫感染中有较好的免疫保护作用,能够显著提高鸡柔嫩艾美耳球虫感染鸡的平均增重和抗球虫指数(ACI),对减少盲肠病变和卵囊数量也有部分作用。     

柔嫩艾美耳球虫两种表面抗原基因的原核表达与鉴定

为进一步研究柔嫩艾美耳球虫表面抗原蛋白,应用RT-PCR从柔嫩艾美耳球虫第2代裂殖子总RNA扩增表面抗原基因SAG19(Q70CD0)和SAGfm(U6L233),与pGEM-T easy载体连接,扩增目的片段后分别双酶切扩增产物与pET-28a(+),连接转化至BL21后,诱导表达,分别获得两种重组蛋白。SDSPAGE结果表明,两种重组蛋白的分子质量均为32ku,为包涵体蛋白形式。分别以感染柔嫩艾美耳球虫的鸡血清和重组蛋白免疫新西兰大白兔获得的多克隆抗体作为一抗,经Western blot分析,结果表明重组蛋白具有良好的免疫原性和抗原性。通过对这两种表面抗原基因的研究,为基因工程疫苗的研究提供一定的理论依据。     

柔嫩艾美耳球虫Cytbc1基因的克隆、序列分析及重组表达

为研究柔嫩艾美耳球虫(Eimeria tenella)细胞色素bc 1复合物(cytochrome bc1,Cytbc1)的生化特性,本研究对其基因进行了克隆和原核表达。根据EupathDB已公布的E.tenella Houghton株Cytbc1基因序列(Contig ID:ETH 00007855)设计特异性引物,运用RT-PCR方法扩增EtCytbc1基因序列,并将其克隆到表达载体pCold43a中,构建重组质粒pCold43a-EtCytbc1,经测序鉴定正确后,将其转化感受态细胞E.coli Rosetta(DE3),并进行IPTG诱导表达。结果表明,EtCytbc1的ORF序列(687bp),编码228个氨基酸;重组菌pCold43a-EtCytbc1能成功诱导表达,pCold43a表达部分可溶性蛋白,表达产物纯化后可用于酶生化特性分析。柔嫩艾美耳球虫Cytbc1基因的成功克隆表达为该酶的功能研究奠定了基础。     

鸡柔嫩艾美耳球虫EtMIC2和SO7蛋白的原核表达及SIgA抗体间接ELISA检测方法建立

【目的】建立检测鸡肠道黏膜柔嫩艾美耳球虫SIgA抗体的间接ELISA检测方法以期对鸡柔嫩艾美耳球虫特异性黏膜免疫水平进行评价。【方法】将鸡柔嫩艾美耳球虫EtMIC2和SO7基因克隆至pET-28a(+)原核表达载体,构建EtMIC2-SO7重组质粒。将重组质粒转化大肠杆菌Rosetta(DE3)感受态细胞,经IPTG诱导表达后,通过SDS-PAGE和Western blotting进行鉴定。采用镍柱亲和层析法对EtMIC2-SO7重组蛋白进行纯化,用Bradford法测定蛋白浓度。以纯化的重组蛋白作为包被抗原,通过方阵滴定法,确定ELISA检测抗原、待检黏膜的最佳工作浓度,通过单一变量法确定最佳待检黏膜孵育时间、封闭液种类、酶标二抗、显色液工作条件,参照ELISA抗体检测试剂盒阴阳性判定标准,以S/P≥0.4为阳性,S/P<0.4为阴性作为黏膜样品阴阳性判定标准,对ELISA检测方法的重复性、特异性、敏感性进行验证并与鸡柔嫩艾美耳球虫全蛋白包被ELISA板检测结果进行符合率比较。【结果】SDS-PAGE和Western blotting结果显示,获得大小约70 ku的EtMIC2...     

柔嫩艾美耳球虫泛素蛋白功能初步研究

泛素是真核生物中普遍存在的一种小分子蛋白,广泛参与细胞内蛋白质的平衡代谢过程,对维持细胞内环境的稳态具有重要作用.为研究泛素在柔嫩艾美耳球虫中的功能,本研究利用PCR方法克隆了柔嫩艾美耳球虫泛素(EtUb)基因,将其亚克隆至原核表达载体pET28a(+),转入大肠杆菌BL21,诱导表达制备rEtUb蛋白,用纯化的重组蛋...     

柔嫩艾美耳球虫表面抗原（EtSAG）基因的分离及鉴定

利用本实验室前期获得的柔嫩艾美耳球虫（Eimeria tenella）孢子化卵囊和未孢子化卵囊差异表达ESTs序列,选取编号为BW4-C03的孢子化卵囊,采用RACE技术,获得该基因全长序列。经BLAST分析,该序列与柔嫩艾美耳球虫表面抗原有72%以上的同源性,命名为EtSAG。利用荧光定量PCR（Real-time PCR）检测发现该基因在孢子化卵囊的转录拷贝数最高,且随着孢子化时间的延长,转录拷贝数逐渐增加。采用原核表达载体pET-28C表达该基因,得到的融合蛋白大小约为36 kDa,符合预期大小。经Western blot分析,该重组蛋白可被兔抗柔嫩艾美耳球虫的多克隆抗血清识别,表明该蛋白具有较好的反应原性。本研究结果为进一步研究该基因的生物学功能奠定了基础。     

鸡柔嫩艾美耳球虫HAP2基因的克隆与生物信息学分析

为研究鸡柔嫩艾美耳球虫HAP2(Hapless2/generative cell-specific)基因的抗原性,根据GenBank发表的HAP2基因的cDNA序列ORF设计一对引物,用RT-PCR方法从柔嫩艾美耳球虫配子体总RNA中扩增HAP2基因,将扩增产物与pMD18-T载体连接后进行测序和序列分析,同时应用生物信息学软件对HAP2基因表达蛋白的结构域和在柔嫩艾美耳球虫生活史的各阶段表达情况进行预测。结果获得867 bp的目的基因扩增片段,经同源性分析比较柔嫩艾美耳球虫HAP2基因与其他艾美耳球虫种HAP2基因同源性在70%以上,该基因所表达的蛋白主要在球虫配子生殖阶段的配子体和未孢子化的卵囊中表达。说明HAP2基因具有作为传播阻断疫苗的候选抗原的可行性。     

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。     

柔嫩艾美耳球虫二氢乳清酸脱氢酶基因注释、克隆与原核表达

二氢乳清酸脱氢酶(DHODH)是催化嘧啶从头合成途径中的关键酶,由于顶复门原虫等低等生物与其宿主的DHODH在分子结构上的差异,可以作为研发新型抗顶复门原虫药物的靶标而成为研究的热点.本研究利用电子克隆策略,以疟原虫DHODH氨基酸基因序列为信息探针,搜索球虫基因库(www.sanger,ac.uk/projects/E-tenella/),拼接注释了柔嫩艾美耳球虫(Eimeria tenella)DHODH的基因序列,以E.tenella广东株第2代裂殖子总RNA为模板,利用RT-PCR技术扩增获得EtDHODH ORF基因序列.构建重组表达载体pCold Ⅰ-EtDHODH,进行原核表达.测序结果显示,EtDHODH的基因大小为1254 bp,SDS-PAGE鉴定结果表明,目的蛋白约45 ku.本研究重组表达并纯化了EtDHODH基因,为建立以EtDHODH为靶点的抗球虫药物筛选奠定了基础.     

柔嫩艾美耳球虫G6-PI基因的克隆、序列分析与原核表达

为研究柔嫩艾美耳球虫(Eimeria tenella)葡萄糖-6-磷酸异构酶(glucose-6-phosphate isomerase,G6-PI)的生化特性,本研究对其基因进行了克隆和原核表达。根据NCBI已公布的E.tenella Houghton株G6-PI的基因序列(GI:298161921)设计特异性引物,运用RT-PCR方法扩增EtG6-PI基因序列,并将其克隆到表达载体pColdI、pCold43a中,构建重组质粒pColdIEtG6-PI、pCold43a-EtG6-PI,经测序鉴定正确后,将其转化感受态细胞E.coli Rosetta(DE3),并进行IPTG诱导表达。结果表明,E.tenella G6-PI的ORF序列(1650 bp),编码550个氨基酸;重组菌pColdI-EtG6-PI、pCold43a-EtG6-PI均能成功诱导表达,其中pCold43a-EtG6-PI表达部分可溶性蛋白,表达产物纯化后可用于酶生化特性分析。柔嫩艾美耳球虫G6-PI基因的成功克隆表达为该酶的功能研究奠定了基础。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.