酵母添加水平对断奶仔猪生产性能和免疫功能的影响

选用200头(公母各半)体重相近(6.83±0.65)kg的杂交(杜长大)健康断奶仔猪,随机分为5个处理组,探讨不同酵母添加水平对断奶仔猪生产性能、腹泻频率和机体免疫功能的影响。试验仔猪分别饲以含有活性酵母菌0、0.5×107、1×107、2×107、4×107CFU/g的日粮,试验共4周。在试验结束时分析不同酵母添加水平对断奶仔猪采食量、日增重、料重比、腹泻频率、血清IgG及细胞因子(IL-2、IL-4、IL-10、IFN-γ)水平的影响。活性饲料酵母粉对断奶仔猪生长性能和腹泻频率的影响结果表明:不同添加水平活性饲料酵母粉对断奶仔猪料肉比的影响极不显著(P>0.10);对腹泻频率虽然没有显著影响(P>0.05),但有随着添加水平的升高而降低的趋势(P<0.10);对日采食量和日增重,处理组间差异极显著(P<0.01),随着活性饲料酵母粉添加水平的升高,仔猪的日采食量和日增重均显著提高,但达到4×107CFU/g的添加水平时具有二次曲线下降趋势(P<0.10)。活性饲料酵母粉对断奶仔猪免疫功能的影响结果表明,不同添加水平活性饲料酵母粉对断奶仔猪血清IL-2和INF-γ没有显著影响(P>0.10),对血清IgG、IL-4和IL-10的水平虽没有显著影响(P>0.05),但有随着添加水平的升高而升高的趋势(P<0.10)。结论:①在断奶仔猪日粮中添加活性饲料酵母粉能改善生产性能,随着活性饲料酵母粉添加水平的升高,仔猪的日采食量和日增重均显著提高,达到2.0×107CFU/g的添加水平时其改善生产性能的作用最显著。②在断奶仔猪日粮中添加活性饲料酵母粉能增强断奶仔猪免疫功能,但其增强断奶仔猪免疫功能的作用机制及其最佳添加水平有待进一步研究。     

凝结芽孢杆菌对黄羽肉鸡生产性能、血清生化指标及抗氧化功能的影响

本试验旨在研究凝结芽孢杆菌对黄羽肉鸡生产性能、血清生化指标及抗氧化功能的影响。选取1日龄黄羽肉鸡360羽,随机分为4组(每组6个重复,每重复15羽):Ⅰ组(对照组)饲喂基础饲粮,Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组饲喂分别添加100、200、300 mg/kg凝结芽孢杆菌(活菌数为1×109CFU/g)的试验饲粮,试验期70 d。结果表明:与对照组相比,1)饲粮添加200 mg/kg凝结芽孢杆菌显著提高了全期肉鸡平均日增重、成活率和胸肌率(P<0.05),显著降低了全期料重比(P<0.05);2)饲粮添加200 mg/kg凝结芽孢杆菌显著或极显著提高了28、70日龄肉鸡血清碱性磷酸酶活性(P<0.05或P<0.01)、70日龄血清白蛋白和总蛋白含量(P<0.05),极显著降低了70日龄血清尿素氮含量(P<0.01);3)饲粮添加200 mg/kg凝结芽孢杆菌显著提高了肉鸡28、70日龄血清中总抗氧化能力、超氧化物歧化酶活性和70日龄血清过氧化氢酶活性(P<0.05),极显著或显著降低了28、70日龄血清丙二醛含量(P<0.01或P<0.05)。由此可见,结合生产性能、血清生化指标及抗氧化功能指标,1~70日龄黄羽肉鸡饲粮添加200 mg/kg(2×108CFU/kg)凝结芽孢杆菌效果最佳。     

活性酵母对脂多糖应激黄羽肉鸡肠道健康的影响

本试验旨在研究活性酵母对脂多糖(LPS)应激黄羽肉鸡肠道健康的影响。选取480羽1日龄黄羽肉公鸡,随机分成6个组,分别为抗生素组(基础饲粮+0.025‰抗生素)、抗生素+LPS组(基础饲粮+0.025‰抗生素,注射LPS)、0.05%活性酵母组(基础饲粮+0.05%活性酵母)、0.05%活性酵母+LPS组(基础饲粮+0.05%活性酵母,注射LPS)、0.50%活性酵母组(基础饲粮+0.50%活性酵母)和0.50%活性酵母+LPS组(基础饲粮+0.50%活性酵母,注射LPS),每组8个重复,每个重复10只鸡。试验期56 d。抗生素+LPS组、0.05%活性酵母+LPS组和0.50%活性酵母+LPS组的试验鸡于21、23、25和27日龄每只鸡肌肉注射2 mL 0.2 mg/mL LPS,其余试验鸡肌肉注射等量生理盐水。于21和27日龄注射LPS或生理盐水后2、4、6、8、10、12和24 h测量试验鸡的直肠温度,并检测27和56日龄试验鸡的肠道细胞凋亡指数以及27、35和56日龄试验鸡的肠道食糜微生物数量和肠道形态结构。结果表明:1)与注射生理盐水相比,LPS刺激显著提高了21日龄注射后2 h和27日龄注射后2和4 h黄羽肉鸡的直肠温度(P0.05),显著降低了21日龄注射后12 h和27日龄注射后8 h黄羽肉鸡的直肠温度(P0.05);饲粮中添加活性酵母对黄羽肉鸡的直肠温度无显著影响(P0.05);饲粮中添加活性酵母与肌肉注射LPS对黄羽肉鸡的直肠温度无显著交互作用(P0.05)。2)与注射生理盐水相比,LPS应激显著提高了27日龄黄羽肉鸡的十二指肠和回肠细胞凋亡指数(P0.05);饲粮中添加活性酵母对黄羽肉鸡的肠道细胞凋亡指数无显著影响(P0.05);饲粮中添加活性酵母与肌肉注射LPS对黄羽肉鸡的肠道细胞凋亡指数无显著交互作用(P0.05)。3)与抗生素相比,饲粮中添加0.05%和0.50%的活性酵母显著提高了27、35和56日龄黄羽肉鸡回肠食糜酵母菌数量(P0.05);与注射生理盐水相比,LPS应激对黄羽肉鸡回肠和盲肠食糜微生物数量无显著影响(P0.05);饲粮中添加活性酵母与肌肉注射LPS对黄羽肉鸡肠道食糜微生物数量无显著交互作用(P0.05)。4)与抗生素相比,饲粮中添加0.50%活性酵母显著提高了35日龄黄羽肉鸡的空肠绒毛高度(P0.05);与注射生理盐水相比,LPS应激显著提高了56日龄黄羽肉鸡的十二指肠隐窝深度(P0.05);饲粮中添加活性酵母与肌肉注射LPS对黄羽肉鸡的肠道形态结构无显著交互作用(P0.05)。综上所述,LPS能成功诱导黄羽肉鸡的免疫应激反应,饲粮中添加活性酵母能够提高黄羽肉鸡肠道绒毛高度和食糜中酵母菌数量,改善肠道黏膜及菌群结构,但肌肉注射LPS与饲粮中添加活性酵母无显著交互作用。     

酵母精华替代阿美拉霉素对黄羽肉鸡生长性能的影响

本试验选用1日龄黄羽肉鸡384羽,随机分为4个处理组,每个处理组8个重复,每个重复12只鸡。对照组为阿美拉霉素组,试验组在基础日粮上分别添加100、200、400 g/t酵母精华。通过饲养试验考察酵母精华替代阿美拉霉素对黄羽肉鸡生长性能指标(平均日增重、平均日采食量、料肉比、死淘率)以及新城疫抗体水平的影响。结果表明:同等添加量(100 g/t)情况下,与阿美拉霉素组相比,酵母精华组黄羽肉鸡生长性能参数无显著差异(P0.05),添加400 g/t酵母精华42日龄黄羽肉鸡体重显著提高13.35%,死淘率降低4.91%;同时,酵母精华组黄羽肉鸡新城疫抗体水平显著提高(P0.05)。综上,酵母精华在饲料中替代阿美拉霉素,对黄羽肉鸡生长性能无负面影响,同时可增强黄羽肉鸡免疫水平。     

产朊假丝酵母对奶牛体外瘤胃发酵参数及日粮营养物质消化率的影响

本研究采用体外发酵技术探讨产朊假丝酵母添加水平对奶牛瘤胃发酵参数及日粮营养物质消化率的影响。分别取添加产朊假丝酵母(0、3.3×106、1.65×107、3.3×107、1.65×108、3.3×108CFU/mL)的6个试验组日粮2 g,在体外混合30 mL瘤胃液和60 mL磷酸缓冲液,在39℃厌氧培养24 h。结果表明:产朊假丝酵母所有添加水平均对pH以及干物质、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维、纤维素和半纤维素的消化率没有显著影响(P>0.05);1.65×108、3.3×108CFU/mL添加水平较其他水平显著提高累积产气量(P<0.05);3.3×107、1.65×108、3.3×108CFU/mL添加水平较空白组显著提高了瘤胃氨态氮、总挥发性脂肪酸和丙酸的浓度(P<0.05),降低了乙酸及乙酸:丙酸值。试验表明,产朊假丝酵母在改善奶牛能量负平衡上具有良好的应用前景。     

枯草芽孢杆菌对肉鸡生长性能和肠黏膜抗氧化及免疫功能的影响

试验旨在研究肉鸡日粮中添加枯草芽孢杆菌对其生长性能及其肠黏膜抗氧化和免疫功能的影响。将600羽1日龄健康振宁雏公鸡随机分成4组,每组设3个重复,每个重复50羽。处理组Ⅰ为对照组,饲喂基础日粮;处理组Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ分别在基础日粮中添加0.25、0.50、0.75 g/kg的枯草芽孢杆菌制剂(活菌数为108 CFU/g)。试验期77 d。结果表明:与对照组相比,处理组Ⅱ和Ⅲ组肉鸡的日增重有所提高但无显著差异,处理组Ⅳ显著提高了6.86%(P<0.05);空肠黏膜中总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、维生素C和黄嘌呤氧化酶(XOD)含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05),丙二醛(MDA)明显降低(P<0.05);盲肠和回肠黏膜中细胞因子IL-2、IL-4、IL-10和TNF-α含量均比对照组极显著提高(P<0.01)。提示肉鸡日粮中,添加适量的枯草芽孢杆菌制剂能改善其肠黏膜的抗氧化和免疫功能,从而提高肉鸡的生长性能。     

地衣芽孢杆菌对肉鸡肠道菌群和小肠形态学的影响研究

将408只青脚麻鸡随机分配成4组,每组3个重复,每个重复34只。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中分别添加地衣芽孢杆菌,依次为低剂量组(1×107 CFU/g),中剂量组(5×107 CFU/g),高剂量组(1×108 CFU/g)。试验期为56d,结果显示:在各添加组中,盲肠内容物中肠杆菌,肠球菌和葡萄球菌的数量显著低于对照组(P<0.05),肠乳杆菌和双歧杆菌数量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。在各芽孢杆菌添加组中,十二指肠、空肠和回肠的肠绒毛显著高于对照组(P<0.05),十二指肠和回肠的隐窝深度显著低于对照组,肉鸡小肠绒毛高度与隐窝深度的比值(V/C值),显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。研究提示:给肉鸡饲喂地衣芽孢杆菌可以显著改善肠道菌群和促进小肠绒毛的发育。     

酵母细胞壁在白羽肉鸡生长性能及免疫功能方面的效应

为了研究酵母细胞壁对白羽肉鸡生长性能指标以及新城疫抗体水平的影响,试验选用1日龄科宝肉鸡432羽,随机分为6个处理组,每个处理组6个重复,每个重复12羽。对照组A饲喂基础日粮,B组饲喂含金霉素(50 mg/kg)的基础日粮,C、D、E、F组饲喂添加不同含量(0.5、1、2、10 kg/t)的酵母细胞壁的基础日粮。结果表明:日粮中添加酵母细胞壁能提高肉鸡的生长性能,出栏体重较对照组分别提高6.16%、9.45%、5.09%、1.09%;同时酵母细胞壁可提高肉鸡的新城疫抗体水平和免疫器官指数,增强肉鸡免疫水平。在本试验条件下,添加1 kg/t酵母细胞壁,增重及抗体水平最高。     

葡萄糖氧化酶对肉鸡生长性能、养分代谢率、肠道pH及盲肠微生物的影响

本研究旨在探讨在无抗日粮中添加葡萄糖氧化酶对肉鸡生长性能、养分代谢率、肠道pH及盲肠微生物的影响。试验选取1960羽健壮、活泼的肉仔鸡,随机分为4组,每组7个重复,每个重复70羽。对照组的日粮为基础日粮;抗生素组的日粮为基础日粮和有计划添加一些物质组成的日粮(1~21日龄添加金霉素500g/t+那西肽250g/t,22~39日龄添加那西肽250g/t,40~42日龄不添加任何物质);试验1组的日粮为基础日粮+100g/t葡萄糖氧化酶;试验2组日粮为基础日粮+150g/t葡萄糖氧化酶。试验结果:⑴生长性能:1~21日龄阶段,试验1组和试验2组末重、日增重均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),耗料增重比显著低于对照组(P<0.05),与抗生素组无显著差异,其中试验2组生长性能最佳;22~42日龄阶段,抗生素组、试验1组和试验2组末重、日增重均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),耗料增重比显著低于对照组(P<0.05),试验1组生长性能最佳;1~42日龄阶段,抗生素组、试验1组和试验2组末重、日增重均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),耗料增重比显著低于对照组(P<0.05);各阶段每日平均采食量及成活率均无显著差异。⑵养分代谢率:抗生素组、试验1组和试验2组的粗蛋白消化率(P<0.05)和表观代谢能(P<0.05)均显著高于对照组。⑶肠道pH:试验2组22d空肠pH显著低于对照组(P<0.05),试验1组和试验2组43d空肠pH显著低于抗生素组,其他各组间差异不显著;⑷肠道微生物菌群数量:抗生素组、试验1组和试验2组在22d和43d盲肠大肠杆菌(P<0.05)和沙门氏菌(P<0.05)数量均显著低于对照组,抗生素组和试验1组的盲肠乳酸菌数量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)和试验2组(P<0.05)。因此,葡萄糖氧化酶能够降低肉鸡肠道pH,优化肠道菌群,提高营养物质消化利用率,改善肉鸡生长性能;葡萄糖氧化酶前期添加300U/kg,后期添加200U/kg是一种优化添加方案。     

酵母蛋白粉替代肉鸡日粮中鱼粉的效果研究

选用1日龄AA肉鸡600羽随机分成5组,每组设6个重复,每个重复20羽,分别饲喂鱼粉对照日粮和用酵母蛋白粉等能等蛋白替代对照日粮中25%、50%、75%和100%鱼粉的试验日粮,研究用活性酵母蛋白粉替代鱼粉作为蛋白源对肉鸡生长性能以及养分利用率的影响。结果表明:100%替代组的后期增重较对照组提高0.84%(P>0.05),100%替代组的后期及全期料重比较对照组降低2.20%和1.56%,但差异均不显著(P>0.05)。各组之间营养物质的利用率差异不显著(P>0.05)。100%替代组可以降低饲料成本和增重成本。酵母蛋白粉替代肉鸡日粮中的鱼粉是可行的。     

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.     

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.