Effects of interferon-alpha on cytopathic changes and titers for feline herpesvirus-1 in primary cultures of feline corneal epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of interferon (IFN)-alpha on viability of feline corneal epithelial cells, replication of feline herpesvirus (FHV)-1, and virus-induced cytopathic changes. SAMPLE POPULATION: Healthy eyes from 10 recently euthanatized cats. PROCEDURE: 4 replicate primary cultures of feline corneal epithelial cells were grown after the addition of 10(2) to 10(6) IU of IFN-alpha/mL. Cultures were examined every 24 hours for evidence of cytotoxic changes. Viable cell counts and percentage of viable cells were determined 48 hours after initiation of culture. In a separate experiment, cultures of corneal cells were inoculated with FHV-1 and cultured for 72 hours with or without 10(5) IU of IFN-alpha/mL. The FHV-1-infected cultures were evaluated for viral-induced cytopathic effects, and viral titers were determined in samples of culture supernatant. RESULTS: Interferon-alpha did not have cytotoxic effects on corneal epithelial cells at concentrations ranging from 10(2) to 10(6) IU of IFN-alpha/mL. Interferon-alpha at a concentration of 10(5) IU/mL significantly reduced the cytopathic changes and FHV-1 titers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lack of in vitro cytotoxic effects and efficacy against FHV-1 infection in primary cultures of feline corneal cells suggests that the in vivo therapeutic effect of IFN-a should be assessed in controlled clinical trials.     

Seroepidemiological studies of zoonotic infections in hunters in southeastern Austria--prevalences,risk factors,and preventive methods

The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalences to zoonotic pathogens in hunters, to propose preventive measures and to obtain more information about the occurrence of zoonotic pathogens in local wild animal populations. From 146 male and 3 female hunters originating from the south-eastern Austrian federal states of Styria and Burgenland blood samples were taken and anamnestic data were obtained using a questionnaire. The serological investigations included the following viral, bacterial and parasitic zoonotic agents or zoonoses, respectively (antibody-seroprevalences in brackets): encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV, 15%), Puumala-Hantavirus (10%), Newcastle Disease virus (NDV, 4%), borreliosis (IgG 42%, IgM 7%), brucellosis (1%), chlamydiosis (3%), ehrlichiosis (IgG 15%, IgM 3%), leptospirosis (10%), tularaemia (3%), Q fever (0%), Echinococcus multilocularis/E. granulosus (5%/11%), toxocariasis (17%). Out of a control group of 50 persons (urban population, no hunters) only one person was found to be seropositive for Toxocara canis and NDV and four for EMCV, all other results were negative in the control group. The high seroprevalences especially to Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Ehrlichia spp., Leptospira interrogans, E. granulosus, E. multilocularis, encephalomyocarditis virus and Puumala virus demonstrate that hunters are particularly exposed to zoonotic pathogens. It should also be noted that one hunter was seropositive for Brucella abortus and five exhibited antibodies to Francisella tularensis. In these cases, as well as in the cases of the 15 seropositives for Leptospira interrogans, the suspected source of infection may--besides rodents--also include wild boars and brown hares. The infections with NDV and Chlamydophila psittaci may be traced back to contact with certain species of birds (potential risk: aviaries). For Hantaviruses, rodents are considered to be the main source of human infections.     

Serum-haptoglobin concentration in Danish slaughter pigs of different health status

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 617 finishing pigs aged 10–25 weeks in 11 commercial herds of different health statuses as defined by the Danish monitoring program for specific-pathogen-free (SPF) herds. A standard clinical examination was performed and a blood sample was obtained from each pig for determination of haptoglobin concentration in serum.

Pigs aged 10–14, 15–19 and 20–25 weeks in conventional herds had higher haptoglobin concentrations than high-health SPF (SPF-x) pigs of the same age. There was no significant difference between SPF-x pigs of different ages. Conventional pigs aged 15–19 and 20–25 weeks had higher haptoglobin concentrations than conventional pigs aged 10–14 weeks. Herd influenced the haptoglobin concentration. Lame pigs and pigs with tail or ear bite had elevated haptoglobin concentrations. No significant effect of respiratory symptoms or umbilical hernia was found.     

Über die Wirkung von mittelharten und harten Röntgenstrahlen aufPisum sativum L. unter besonderer Berücksichtigung einer Vorbehandlung mit bleihaltigen Lösungen

Zusammenfassung Das Wachstum von Erbsenkeimlingen wird durch Einwirkung harter Röntgenstrahlen (ab 800 r) gehemmt, ein sofortiger Wachstumsstillstand trat auch bei höheren Dosen nicht ein. Die größte Strahlungsempfindlichkeit besitzt dabei die Wurzelmeristemzone.Bestrahlungsversuche (15–20 kr) ergaben bei mit Bleisalz vorbehandelten und nicht vorbehandelten Erbsensamen starke Schädigungen; gequollenes Saatgut ist empfindlicher als lufttrockenes. Gewächshaus- und Freilandversuche zeigen, daß sich bereits eine Dosis von 4 kr keimungs- und entwicklungshemmend auswirkt, stärkere Dosen hatten auch eine Hemmung des Wurzelwachstums zur Folge. Eine Sensibilisierung durch Bleisalzvorbehandlung des Saatgutes ist unbedeutend oder nicht nachweisbar. Unterschiede in der Wirksamkeit zwischen harter und mittelharter Strahlung sind nicht eindeutig festzustellen.

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Summary The growth of pea seedlings is inhibited by the influence of hard X-rays (800 r and more). However a sudden growth stop does not happen even by application of higher doses. The most sensible zone against radiation lies within the root meristem. — Radiation experiments (15–20 kr) yielded serious damages in pea seeds, the effect being the same in by lead salts prepared seeds and in unprepared seeds. Soaked seeds are more sensible than dry ones. Experiments in the green house and in the field prove that already a dose of 4 kr is inhibiting the germination and plant development, higher doses effect also an inhibition of the root development. A sensibilization by preparation with lead salts is hardly or not at all to be proved. Differences in the effectivity between hard and middle hard radiation are not distinctly to be observed.

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( 800), . . (15 000–20 000p) ; — . , 4000 ; . , . .

     

A field evaluation of two vaccines against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in pigs

Background

A field trial was carried out with two Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccines in order to investigate the benefit of vaccination under field conditions in modern Danish pig production facilities with pigs being positive for M. hyopneumoniae. The M. hyopneumoniae infection of the herd was confirmed through blood samples that were positive for antibodies against M. hyopneumoniae combined with gross lesions of the lungs related to M. hyopneumoniae at slaughter and detection of M. hyopneumoniae by polymerace chain reaction in these lesions.

Results

A total of 2,256 pigs from two herds were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 received 2 mL ThoroVAX^®VET, Group 2 received 1 mL Ingelvac^®MycoFLEX, and Group 3 was a non-vaccinated control group. The vaccination was performed by a person who was not involved in the rest of the trial and vaccination status thereby blinded to the evaluators.The prevalence of lung lesions related to M. hyopneumoniae were significantly lower for pigs vaccinated with ThoroVAX^®VET but not for pigs vaccinated with Ingelvac^®MycoFLEX^®, when compared to non-vaccinated pigs. There was no significant effect of vaccination on growth rate, antibiotic consumption or mortality.

Conclusion

This trial demonstrated that vaccination with Thoro^®VAX VET was effective in reducing the prevalence of lung lesion in pig units infected with M. hyopneumoniae.     

A rabbit model of non-typhoidal Salmonella bacteremia

Bacteremia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in humans. In this study, we focused on the development of an animal model of bacteremia induced by non-typhoidal Salmonella. New Zealand White rabbits were inoculated with a human isolate of non-typhoidal Salmonella strain CVD J73 via the intra-peritoneal route. Blood samples were collected at specific time points and at euthanasia from infected rabbits. Additionally, tissue samples from the heart, lungs, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys were obtained at euthanasia. All experimentally infected rabbits displayed clinical signs of disease (fever, dehydration, weight loss and lethargy). Tissues collected at necropsy from the animals exhibited histopathological changes indicative of bacteremia. Non-typhoidal Salmonella bacteria were detected in the blood and tissue samples of infected rabbits by microbiological culture and real-time PCR assays. The development of this animal model of bacteremia could prove to be a useful tool for studying how non-typhoidal Salmonella infections disseminate and spread in humans.     

Transnational Ecosystem Services: The Potential of Habitat Conservation for Waterfowl Through Recreational Hunting Activities

This article explores transnational ecosystem services in North America, provided by winter habitat for waterfowl in western Mexico coastal lagoons, and the hunting industry supported by these birds in the United States. This article shows that the number of waterfowl harvested in the United States is related to the abundance of waterfowl wintering in Mexico. On average, this flow of ecosystem services annually yields US$ 4.68 million in hunting stamp sales in the western United States. A demand curve, fitted to duck hunting licenses as a function of stamp price and previous-year waterfowl harvest, estimated US$3–6 million in consumer surplus produced in addition to governmental stamp sales revenue. This strongly suggests that waterfowl wintering habitat in western Mexico is economically valuable to U.S. hunters. Because hunters may benefit substantially from these habitats they may be willing to pay for conservation efforts in western Mexico that can result in transnational benefits received in the United States.