Culture-positive sepsis in neonatal camelids: 21 cases

BACKGROUND: There is limited literature on neonatal bacterial sepsis in New World (NW) camelids. HYPOTHESIS: Bacterial culture-positive crias have clinical differences based on the specific bacterial genera isolated. ANIMALS: Bacterial culture-positive NW camelid crias <21 days of age from 1990 to 2005 were included. METHODS: Historic physical examination and cliniopathologic data were retrieved from medical records as were the identity and antibiograms of bacterial isolates. Cases were categorized by outcome (survival versus nonsurvival) and type of sepsis (gram-negative or gram-positive). Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square testing were used to evaluate differences between groups. RESULTS: Twenty-one crias met the inclusion criteria. Median age was 2 days. Failure of passive transfer was common. There were few differences identified on the basis of outcome or type of sepsis. Crias without gastrointestinal or central nervous system involvement survived in greater numbers. Forty-six percent of isolates were gram-positive. The most common isolates were the following: Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Citrobacter spp. Overall survival was 67% (14/21). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Crias with sepsis do not appear to present with major biochemical, hematologic, or blood gas abnormalities, potentially complicating diagnosis. Affected crias may not have localizing signs at presentation and are not usually febrile, although hypothermia, tachypnea, and tachycardia are relatively common. Total protein concentration was not a substitute for immunoglobulin G measurement in septic crias in this study. Familiarity with the clinical presentation and common pathogens isolated should improve early recognition and treatment and ultimately outcome of crias with sepsis.     

Listeria monocytogenes gastroenteritis in sheep

Extract

Listeria monocytogenes is widely distributed in the environment of farm animals. It is found in soil, faeces and nasal secretions of healthy animals, water troughs and animal feeds. Under certain conditions it becomes pathogenic, causing serious disease in cattle and sheep. Most commonly it causes meningoencephalitis but, on occasion, septicaemic listeriosis results in abortion, and more recently it has been associated with gastroenteritis.     

c-myc蛋白在不同毛色羊驼皮肤中的定位及表达

为了探索c-myc蛋白在羊驼皮肤中的定位及表达情况,以不同毛色的成年羊驼为研究对象,采用免疫组织化学方法检测c-myc蛋白在羊驼皮肤组织中的表达和定位.结果显示,c-myc在羊驼皮肤毛囊毛球部细胞中呈阳性表达,根据光密度值分析得出c-myc在棕色羊驼毛囊中显著表达,其相对表达量是白色羊驼的5.51倍.研究表明c-myc可能参与羊驼毛色形成.     

不同月龄羊驼小肠肥大细胞的数量变化研究

为了揭示不同月龄羊驼的小肠肥大细胞的数量变化及分布规律,本实验分别选择3月龄、12月龄的各3头羊驼的十二指肠、空肠、回肠,利用甲苯胺蓝染色方法进行研究,通过统计学软件分析得出结果:随年龄增长,羊驼十二指肠肥大细胞数量增多,空肠和回肠肥大细胞数量则减少,十二指肠、空肠肥大细胞数量之间差异极显著(P<0.01),回肠肥大细胞数量差异未达极显著(P>0.01);3月龄羊驼十二指肠、回肠之间的肥大细胞数量差异极显著(P<0.01),回肠、空肠之间的肥大细胞数量差异未达极显著(P>0.01);12月龄羊驼十二指肠、空肠、回肠之间的肥大细胞数量差异极显著(P<0.01)。以上结果显示:不同发育阶段的羊驼小肠肥大细胞数量与年龄呈正相关。     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep and alpacas (Llama pacos) in Chile

Serum samples from 408 sheep from different regions of Chile and 447 alpacas (Llama pacos) from the north of the country were tested for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. The indirect haemagglutination test (IHAT) was used in both species and the indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT) was also used on the sheep samples in order to compare the performance of the tests in that species. In both tests, titers ≥1:16 were considered diagnostically significant. Sera from 49 sheep (12%) were positive to T. gondii antibodies by the IHAT. When using the IIFT, 114 sheep sera (28%) were positive. The different results obtained in sheep sera between the tests were significant (p<0.0001). No differences were observed between geographical locations or sex of the sampled sheep regarding serological detection of T. gondii antibodies in sheep. As expected, adult sheep showed higher T. gondii reactivity than young sheep (p=0.0008). The corrected prevalence of toxoplasmosis in alpaca was 16.3% (32 positive out of 447). The rather low prevalence in alpacas may be associated with their extensive management as well as the extreme climatic conditions of The Andes which apparently would not be favorable for the transmission of the parasite.     

B超妊娠诊断技术在羊驼生产中的应用

采用HS-1500兽用B型超声波扫描仪,以胎盘子叶作为主要的判断依据,对85只母羊驼进行早期妊娠诊断,结果表明:在85只B超检测的羊驼中,38只诊断为怀孕,47只诊断为未孕,诊断准确率为100%。     

Outbreak of sarcoptic mange in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and control with repeated subcutaneous ivermectin injections

An outbreak of sarcoptic mange was investigated in an alpaca herd. Clinical disease occurred 2 months after the introduction of four alpacas with dry seborrhoeic skin lesions, the cause of which was not investigated. Initially a group of females was affected, despite repeated topical treatment with ivermectin at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg bodyweight. One female died and post-mortem examination indicated sarcoptic mange as the cause of death. Infection with Sarcoptes scabiei was also demonstrated on microscopic examination of skin scrapes taken from clinically affected cohorts. Later in the outbreak, a separate group of male alpacas was also affected. Treatment using subcutaneous ivermectin injections at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg, administered at 14-day intervals, was evaluated. During this course of treatment, another female died. A successful response in the other alpacas was eventually reached following 12 treatments of the female group and 8 treatments of the male group.     

Diagnosis and treatment of Eimeria macusaniensis in an adult alpaca with signs of colic

A young adult pregnant alpaca was presented with an acute episode of abdominal pain. Hematology revealed mild anemia, neutropenia with a degenerative left shift and moderate toxic changes in neutrophils, hyperfibrinogenemia, hypoproteinemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Abdominal ultrasound showed a small intestinal segment with severely increased wall thickness and collapsed lumen. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a markedly thickened 60 cm jejunal segment with reddened serosa from which a full-thickness biopsy and samples for bacterial culture were obtained. Histopathology revealed severe coccidian enteropathy with secondary bacterial enteritis. Anaerobic culture yielded Clostridium perfringens, while fecal sugar flotation yielded Eimeria macusaniensis and Eimeria punoensis. The alpaca was treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs, sulfadimethoxine, and anti-inflammatory drugs. The alpaca made a gradual recovery and had a term pregnancy. This communication demonstrates the potential pathogenicity of E. macusaniensis in adult alpacas. Coccidian enteropathy should be considered in adult alpacas with gastrointestinal signs including acute abdominal pain and hypoproteinemia.