Genetics of equine bleeding disorders

Genetic bleeding disorders can have a profound impact on a horse's health and athletic career. As such, it is important to understand the mechanisms of these diseases and how they are diagnosed. These diseases include haemophilia A, von Willebrand disease, prekallikrein deficiency, Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia and Atypical Equine Thrombasthenia. Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage also has a proposed genetic component. Genetic mutations have been identified for haemophilia A and Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia in the horse. Mutations are known for von Willebrand disease and prekallikrein deficiency in other species. In the absence of genetic tests, bleeding disorders are typically diagnosed by measuring platelet function, von Willebrand factor, and other coagulation protein levels and activities. For autosomal recessive diseases, genetic testing can prevent the breeding of two carriers.     

Mesh-like vascular changes in copper deficiency-induced rat cardiomyopathy

The pathological effects of copper deficiency (COD) are well known. However, the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy resulting from COD remains unclear. In this study, aimed to elucidate the pathogenesis of COD-induced cardiomyopathy by examining the morphology of the cardiovascular system in copper-deficient rats using histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Changes detected in the myocardium and interstitium were consistent with those reported for COD. Morphological changes included mesh-like changes in the capillary endothelial cells that appear to be a novel finding in COD-induced cardiomyopathy. These changes are hypothesized to result from abnormal vascular remodeling following damage to the basement membrane and due to the mechanical effects of myocardial contractions. Although cardiomyopathy may be associated with microcirculatory disorders arising from these lesions, further investigations are necessary to demonstrate a causal relationship between the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy and the contribution of these lesions to disease progression.     

Relationship between a plant-based ‘vegan’ pet food and clinical manifestation of multiple nutrient deficiencies in two cats

A topical subject in human nutrition is the steadily growing number of people choosing to limit or completely avoid all animal-derived food products either for moral dilemma, health concerns or both. To meet people's will of applying their dietary choices to their domestic animals, the pet food industry answered by launching on the market some plant-based diets. This leads to concerns about whether these diets are adequately formulated to satisfy the target species nutritional requirements, especially for cats which are still considered strict carnivores. This case report follows a 2-year-old male neutered Main Coon and a 1-year-old female spayed Domestic Shorthair cat, presented to the nutrition service of the University of Toulouse, France. Reason for consultation was lethargy with in anamnesis a recent dietary transition to a plant-based pet food. Dysorexia, lethargy and muscle waste were present at first consultation. Progressive weight loss developed during follow-ups. A macrocytic, non-regenerative anaemia with serum folates below reference were the main clinical features. Analysis of pet food showed multiple nutrients below minimum recommendation at the average daily intake of both cats. Folic acid supplementation improved dysorexia, and subsequent reintroduction of animal-derived ingredients in the diet restored appetite, weight and a normal mentation in both cases.     

2020年新疆地区猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒抗体检测与分析

为了解2020年新疆地区猪繁殖与呼吸障碍综合征病毒（PRRSV）抗体水平及其消长规律,本试验采用间接酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）法对1 218份血清中PRRSV免疫抗体水平进行检测和分析。结果显示,PRRSV抗体平均阳性率为78.49%（956/1218）,高于国家规定标准（70%）。S/P的平均值为1.22±0.84,变异系数为69.45%。不同类别猪群抗体平均阳性率在59.19%~91.50%之间,有一定的差异。在调查的10个规模化养殖场中,9个场PRRSV免疫抗体阳性率达到国家标准。不同类别猪群PRRSV变异系数较高,需进一步对现有的免疫程序进行调整和完善,确保各猪群健康。     

Establishment of a Duplex Real-time RT-PCR Assay for the Differential Detection of Nipha Virus and Highly Pathogenic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus

To establish a rapid,sensitive and specific assay for the differential detection of Nipah virus (NiV) and highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (HP-PRRSV),a duplex Real-time RT-PCR was developed with specific primers and probes targeting to the special sequences of NiV M gene and HP-PRRSV nsp2 gene by optimization of reaction conditions.The performance of the assay was linear ranging from 4.6×10¹ to 4.6×10⁷ copies/μL for RNA standard control of NiV M (NiV-M-RNA) and from 4.1×10¹ to 4.1×10⁸ copies/μL for RNA standard control of HP-PRRSV nsp2 (HP-PRRSV-nsp2-RNA),and detection limits of the assay was 46 copies for the NiV-M-RNA and 4.1 copies for the HP-PRRSV-nsp2-RNA,respectively.The coefficients of variation (CVs) of both inter-assay and intra-assay repeatability were less than 2.0%,showing good repeatability.The assay was able to specifically detect NiV and HP-PRRSV simultaneously without cross-reaction with classical swine fever virus (CSFV),porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV),swine influenza virus (SIV),porcine parvovirus (PPV),pseudorabies virus (PRV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2).Of the 236 samples from pigs for both NiV and HP-PRRSV detection by the established assay,all the samples were negative for NiV,8 samples were HP-PRRSV positive.In conclusion,this assay offers a useful approach for the differential detection of NiV and HP-PRRSV in clinical specimens from the pigs.     

高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒双重液相基因芯片检测方法的建立

为了实现快速检测猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)并同步鉴别高致病性PRRSV毒株(HPPRRSV),根据PRRSV囊膜蛋白GP2基因保守序列和HP-PRRSV特有的Nsp2基因区保守序列设计特异扩增引物和杂交探针,通过双重一步法RT-PCR不对称扩增和双重微球杂交反应,建立了双重液相基因芯片方法。对12株PRRSV以及其他12种猪病原体的检测显示,该法能特异性检测12株PRRSV毒株并准确鉴别其中7株HP-PRRSV,与其他病原体无交叉反应;对PRRSV、HP-PRRSV病毒液的检测低限均小于每个反应0.5TCID_(50);其组内、组间检测变异系数均10%;检测55份疑似临床样品并与商品化荧光RTPCR试剂盒比较检测结果,符合率达98.2%(54/55)。研究结果为适应临床快速检测PRRSV提供了一种新的分子生物学检测方法。