Variance estimation for population attributable risk in a complex cross-sectional animal health survey

Population attributable risk estimates offer a method of combining information on population exposure and disease risk factors into a single measure. Univariate and multivariable methods exist for calculating point estimates and variances under the assumption of equal sampling probabilities. National Animal Health Monitoring System national studies typically use a complex survey design (where selection probabilities vary by design strata), which makes use of these methods of calculating variance inappropriate. We suggest the use of a method called "delete-a-group" jackknife to estimate the variance of population attributable risk when a complex survey design has been implemented. We demonstrate the method using an example of Johne's disease. Advantages of the "delete-a-group" jackknife method include simplicity of implementation and flexibility to estimate variance for any point estimate of interest.     

Preparing the veterinary profession for corporate and trade issues in the Americas: proceedings of a conference on synergism and globalization, Santiago, Chile, May 6-8, 2001

The complex and rapid-paced development of international trade, coupled with increasing societal demands for the production not only of abundant and inexpensive food, but also of food that is safe and has been raised in a humane and environmentally friendly manner, demands immediate attention from the veterinary community. The new culture of global trade agreements, spurred by the development of the WTO, dictates massive changes and increasing integration of public and private sectors. This is a huge growth area for our profession and will require individuals with a skill set we do not yet provide in our educational framework. In North America, veterinary education is parochial and focused on specialization. This strong orientation toward companion animals fails to provide adequate training for those interested in acquiring the necessary skills for the emerging area of globalization and trade. In South America, curricula are less harmonized with one another and there is tremendous variation in degree programs, rendering it difficult to ascertain whether veterinarians are prepared to assume decision-making responsibilities regarding international transport of food. If we do not begin to prepare our graduates adequately for this emerging market demand, the positions will be filled by other professions. These other professions lack broad-based scientific knowledge about animal physiology and disease causation. Decisions made without adequate background could have devastating consequences for society, including incursions of unwelcome diseases, food safety problems, and public health issues. To prepare our new veterinary graduates for the future and this emerging market, it is important to nurture a global mindset within our academic communities and to promote communications, languages, and an interdependent team mentality. Areas of technical expertise that need a place, perhaps a parallel track, in the curriculum include production medicine, public health, food safety, and international veterinary medicine. The major trade corridors of the future regarding animal-based protein flow between North and South America. It is absolutely essential that we find areas of consensus and deficiencies so that we can harmonize our trade agreements and ensure adequate flow of safe food products from one continent to the other.     

Radiographic anatomy of the thoraco-abdominal cavity of the ostrich (Struthio camelus)

This study provides a reference for the radiographic anatomy of the thoraco-abdominal cavity of female ostriches as a representative of ratites. One ostrich cadaver, 2 adult and 2 growing ostriches were used. Right lateral radiographs produced by a 6-frame technique and 2 dorsoventral radiographs produced by an adapted 3-frame technique were selected and schematic illustrations of these were labelled to illustrate normal radiographic anatomy. Differences from other avian species and unique features of the ostrich are briefly discussed.     

TRANSCUTANEOUS ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE ABDOMEN IN THE NORMAL COMMON MARMOSET (CALLITHRIX JACCHUS)

Ultrasonographic examinations were performed on 17 clinically healthy adult common marmosets to gain information about the normal abdominal echoanatomy. The marmosets were 1.5-9 years of age and weighed between 328 and 506g. Marked species-specific differences compared with the cat or dog were noted. Good images of the kidneys, bladder, spleen, adrenal glands, liver, and the gastrointestinal tract could be obtained. The pancreas, caecum, and abdominal lymph nodes were not seen. The spleen was the least echogenic organ, followed by the medium echogenic liver and the sometimes isoechoic, but mostly hyperechoic renal cortex. The kidneys had a poor corticomedullary distinction. The prominent right lobes of the liver extended caudally far beyond the costal arch. The gallbladder had a bi- to multi-lobed appearance with a wide, tortuous cystic duct. The pylorus was centrally positioned. The adrenal glands were readily seen, but should not be confused with the adjacent spleen. A statistically significant (P<0.05) difference between female and male kidney, and right adrenal gland length was present.     

Congenital internal hydrocephalus in a quarter horse foal

Since the normal absorption of CSF occurs in the cerebral veins and venous sinuses, any obstruction to the normal flow and absorption of CSF will result in accumulation of CSF central to the site of obstruction. Such accumulation within the cranium is defined as hydrocephalus.A foal was presented with an enlarged and an abnormally-shaped skull, but with normal behavior. The filly's condition deteriorated. Radiographs showed a domeshaped cranial vault with compression of the frontal sinus region. Massive hydrocephalus with little normal cerebral tissue left was diagnosed with ultrasound.Surgery was attempted to relieve the pressure. Eventually the foal was euthanized. Post-mortem confirmed the radiographic and ultrasound diagnosis. Since there was a lack of demonstrable obstruction, the authors suspected the foal had suffered from the Arnold-Chiari syndrome.     

A report of an outbreak of Salmonella oranienburg in a hybrid mouse colony

Mice in a hybrid breeding colony developed symptoms compatible with a diagnosis of salmonellosis. Salmonella oranienburg was recovered from feces by conventional bacteriological techniques. Active salmonellosis appeared to be precipitated by the stress of pregnancy among breeder female BALB/c mice. Necropsy examination of the BALB/c breeder females revealed diarrhea, roughened hair coats, enlarged spleens, white foci in the liver, and skin abscesses. S. oranienburg was recovered from the spleen, cecum, oropharynx, uterus, and skin abscesses of affected mice. DBA/2N breeder males were asymptomatic and S. oranienburg was recovered from the cecum only. Breeding productivity indices dropped to unacceptable levels in rooms containing infected animals. Relatively normal production was observed among uninfected animals of the same strains in adjacent rooms, thus demonstrating the detrimental effect S. oranienburg had on this breeder colony.     

Distribution of immunoglobulin-bearing cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues of the turkey: effect of antibiotics

Distribution of immunoglobulin (Ig)-bearing cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues of antibiotic treated and untreated control turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) was compared. Antibiotic treatment was similar to a regimen used in commercial turkey production, which included preincubation dipping of fertile eggs in gentamicin solution, injection of turkeys with gentamicin at hatching, and inclusion of chlortetracycline in the diet. Tissues were examined from turkeys at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days of age with a direct immunofluorescence procedure. Cell distribution in control turkeys was as follows: In the bursa of Fabricius, IgA-carrying cells predominated at 3 days of age, but at later intervals, the 3 classes of Ig-bearing cells were in equal numbers. In the cecal tonsils, IgM- and IgA-bearing cells were in larger numbers at 3 days of age, whereas, the IgG-bearing cells were sparsely distributed. By 7 days of age, IgM cells became more numerous in the cecal tonsils and remained numerous until 21 days of age. At 3 days of age, IgA cells predominated in the small intestines and IgM cells predominated in the large intestine. At 7 and 14 days of age, IgM cells were more numerous in the small and large intestines, but by 21 days of age, IgA cell population equaled that of IgM. The IgG cells were generally sparse in the intestines. Antibiotic treatment often resulted in lower numbers of Ig-positive cells, especially those bearing IgM and IgA. Normal development of the bursa of Fabricius was also retarded in this group.