The Seroprevalence of Canine Influenza Virus H3N8 in Dogs Participating in a Flyball Tournament in Pennsylvania in 2010: A Follow‐Up Study

Background

Canine influenza virus (CIV) H3N8 infection is thought to be highly contagious and potentially deadly. Low seroprevalence in dogs participating in the sport of flyball in 2009 was reported. It remains unknown if prevalence is changing in dogs at risk.

Objective

To determine seroprevalence of antibodies to CIV H3N8 in a population of pet dogs that participated in an indoor flyball tournament in Pennsylvania in November 2010.

Animals

Dogs participating in a flyball tournament.

Methods

Medical, travel, and activity histories for previous 10.5 months were obtained from consenting owners and serum samples were collected from dogs. Antibodies to CIV H3N8 were measured using hemagglutination inhibition.

Results

Of 251 competing dogs, 103 dogs were tested. Overall, seroprevalence of CIV H3N8 in dogs participating in flyball was 1.9% (95% CI, 0.05–6.8%). Thirty‐five dogs were tested in both 2009 (all titers <8) and 2010 (all titers <8). Ten of 103 dogs had been vaccinated for CIV H3N8. Two dogs had positive titers (>8) and both had been vaccinated twice in the previous month. Titers in remaining 8 vaccinated dogs were undetectable. Seroprevalence in vaccinated dogs was 20% (95% CI, 5.7–50.1%), whereas in unvaccinated dogs it was 0% (95% CI, 0–4.0%). Although 7 dogs had history of respiratory signs, only 1, which was vaccinated, was serologically positive for CIV H3N8.

Conclusions

Consistent with low prevalence of CIV H3N8 exposure previously reported in flyball dogs, unvaccinated dogs had 0% prevalence, suggesting a stable exposure rate. However, low seroprevalence may result in unprotected flyball dogs at risk for developing CIV H3N8.     

LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE S.A. INSTITUTE OF FORESTRY AS AT 1 APRIL 1976

ABSTRACT

Separate volume regression equations for pulpwood, sawtimber and over-mature Eucalyptus grandis are presented. An investigation of Schumacher and Hall's volume equation indicated that a better fit may be obtained by adding a constant to the dbh as predictor variable. The resultant equation is:

log V = ?4,2328 + 1,7154 log (D-2) + 1,1070 log H.     

Structural and Immunochemical Studies of the Lipopolysaccharide from the Fish Pathogen,Aeromonas bestiarum Strain K296, Serotype O18

Chemical analyses and mass spectrometry were used to study the structure of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from Aeromonas bestiarum strain K296, serotype O18. ESI-MS revealed that the most abundant A. bestiarum LPS glycoforms have a hexa-acylated or tetra-acylated lipid A with conserved architecture of the backbone, consisting of a 1,4′-bisphosphorylated β-(1→6)-linked d-GlcN disaccharide with an AraN residue as a non-stoichiometric substituent and a core oligosaccharide composed of Kdo₁Hep₆Hex₁HexN₁P₁. 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy revealed that the O-specific polysaccharide (OPS) of A. bestiarum K296 consists of a branched tetrasaccharide repeating unit containing two 6-deoxy-l-talose (6dTalp), one Manp and one GalpNAc residues; thus, it is similar to that of the OPS of A. hydrophila AH-3 (serotype O34) in both the sugar composition and the glycosylation pattern. Moreover, 3-substituted 6dTalp was 2-O-acetylated and additional O-acetyl groups were identified at O-2 and O-4 (or O-3) positions of the terminal 6dTalp. Western blots with polyclonal rabbit sera showed that serotypes O18 and O34 share some epitopes in the LPS. The very weak reaction of the anti-O34 serum with the O-deacylated LPS of A. bestiarum K296 might have been due to the different O-acetylation pattern of the terminal 6dTalp. The latter suggestion was further confirmed by NMR.     

Fluid therapy in vomiting and diarrhea.

Fluid therapy in the patient with vomiting and diarrhea is essential to correct hypovolemia, dehydration, acid-base imbalance, and serum electrolyte abnormalities. Prediction of acid-base or electrolyte disturbances is difficult; therefore, point of care testing is beneficial to optimize therapy. This article focuses on the pathophysiology and treatment of hypovolemia, dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and acid-base derangements resulting from and associated with vomiting and diarrhea.     

Use of a fast test to detect rotavirus in feces

The commercially available immunoassay "OnSite Rotavirus" was used for the detection of animal rotaviruses in 113 faecal samples. The sensitivity of the test was 88% and the specificity 96% compared with reference methods (EIA, EM). This test would detect approximately 4.4 x 10(6) to 1.8 x 10(7) virus particles per ml. The presence of virus could be demonstrated in fresh faecal samples from cattle, horses and pigs within a few minutes. The rotaviruses of group A were identified independently of the virus serotype. Further results and additional problems of using this test kit are described.     

Effect of cultivated copepods (Acartia tonsa) in first‐feeding of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta) larvae

The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional composition and effects of short periods with cultivated copepod nauplii versus rotifers in first‐feeding. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta) larvae were given four different dietary regimes in the earliest start‐feeding period. One group was fed the copepod Acartia tonsa nauplii (Cop), a second fed enriched rotifers (RotMG), a third fed unenriched rotifers (RotChl) and a fourth copepods for the seven first days of feeding and enriched rotifers the rest of the period (Cop7). Cod larvae were fed Artemia sp. between 20 and 40 dph (days posthatching), and ballan wrasse between 36 and 40 dph, with weaning to a formulated diet thereafter. In addition to assessing growth and survival, response to handling stress was measured. This study showed that even short periods of feeding with cultivated copepod nauplii (7 days) had positive long‐term effects on the growth and viability of the fish larvae. At the end of both studies (60 days posthatching), fish larvae fed copepods showed higher survival, better growth and viability than larvae fed rotifers. This underlines the importance of early larval nutrition.     

Effects of light and short-term temperature elevation on the 48-h hatching success of cold-stored Acartia tonsa Dana eggs

The effects of light and short-term temperature elevation on the 48-h egg hatching success (HS) of cold-stored (2 °C) Acartia tonsa Dana (Copepoda: Calanoida) eggs were examined in the present study. The eggs can be stored for up to 7.5 months and maintain their high hatching rate under optimal conditions. Intensively produced eggs from the copepod A. tonsa may be hatched and used as an inoculum for producing copepod nauplii as live feed for fish larvae. The HS for eggs that were directly exposed to LED light declined rapidly after 1 month of storage (from 91 to 25 %), and these eggs did not hatch at all after 3 months of storage. The highest HS found was for eggs stored in complete darkness. The HS for eggs stored in normoxic (≥7 mg DO L^?1) and anoxic (≤0.03 mg DO L^?1) seawater was not affected by short-term temperature transitions from 2 °C up to 9 or 17 °C for a period of 12 or 24 h, when hatched 1 week post-exposure. The global mean HS for eggs stored in normoxic seawater was 85.9 % and significantly lower compared to eggs stored under anoxic conditions after 3 weeks of storage (91.8 %) (P = 0.001; SNK).     

Adaptation and Validation of Colorimetric Methods in Determining Ammonium and Nitrate on Tropical Soils

Inorganic nitrogen (N) determination in soil extracts is a useful tool in studying soil–N interactions. The main method used worldwide is the steam distillation, but colorimetric methodologies show advantages of being quick, simple, sensitive, and higher yield. However, they are subject to disruption when the extract has interfering organic N, limiting its application in tropical soil. The aim of this study is to evaluate colorimetric methods for the determination of NH₄⁺ (through Berthelot reaction) and NO₃^? + NO₂^? (through Griess-Ilosvay reaction) in saline extracts of tropical soils by addition of activated charcoal during the extraction process. It is recommended to use extraction solution of 2 mol L^?1 potassium chloride (KCl) and reaction time of 30 min. Validation parameters confirmed the best performance of the colorimetric methods, revealing results favorable to the addition of the activated charcoal in the extraction process to increase the accuracy and precision of the colorimetric methods.     

Diagnostic Approaches for the Assessment of Equine Chronic Pulmonary Disorders

Even though the respiratory system is one of the most accessible organs for diagnostic testing, it is not always easy to define chronic lower airway disease in the horse. Diagnostic procedures performed by first opinion veterinarians in the field are often restricted to taking the history and performing clinical examination. Respiratory tract endoscopy, tracheal or bronchoalveolar lavage, and blood sampling are sometimes used but other specific ancillary examinations are seldom performed in stable settings. Therefore, our objectives were to evaluate the diagnostic value of different techniques and examination types routinely used in the diagnostic workup of chronic equine lower airway cases in both stable and clinical circumstances. Another aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of different chronic pulmonary disorders among horses admitted to a Hungarian referral clinic. According to the conditional inference tree method, age of the horse, history, clinical examination, respiratory tract endoscopy, and bronchoalveolar lavage cytology proved to be the most valuable tools to define pathology. It was also concluded that in 22% of cases, more specific ancillary diagnostic modalities, unavailable for the field veterinarian, were needed to establish the final diagnosis. According to our study, the most frequently diagnosed chronic pulmonary disorders in Hungary are of noninfectious origin, principally recurrent airway obstruction. Regardless of the cause, and interestingly including recurrent airway obstruction as well, these diseases occur primarily during the warm months.     

Comparative behaviour studies in horses infested with flying insects treated with insecticide or repellent substances

The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of flying insects (Order Diptera) on the behaviour of grazing horses in relation to the use of insecticide and repellent substances. The investigations were done between June and August in 2008 in 3 periods of 7 days each. As insecticide and repellent two substances were used: "Well-care emulsion" (Co. Essex Tierarznei, München, GER) containing Permethrin and "Bremsen-Frei-Plus" (Co. Dr. Schaette AG, Bad Waldsee, GER) based on etheric oils. Both groups were compared with a non treated control group in a crossover-design. Each group (n = 3-5) was used alternately as control and treatment group. Several climate parameters were taken during the study. Furthermore, the number of insects per animal was estimated at certain times. Once per observation period insects were caught using Malaise traps and differentiated by species. The proportion of horse relevant species of the genera Diptera, especially Culex pipiens and Musca autumnalis, caught was 9% on an average. There was no correlation between the number of Tabanidae caught in the Malaise traps and the number observed near by the horses. Behaviour parameters like tailswishing, headshaking, stamping, skintwitching, snapping at the body, and moving were observed more frequently with increasing insect infestation. When horses were infested with a high number of flying insects, feeding activity was significant lower, whereas locomotion activity was significant higher. Both substances had positive effects for about 50 hours after application with no apparent difference between the substances. However, a lower frequency of headshaking and tailswishing could be observed in the Permethrin treated horses.