Quarantine requirements for the importation of black rhinoceros from Zimbabwe into Australia

SUMMARY The proposal by the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales to import 10 southern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) from Zimbabwe as part of an international project for conservation of the species presented the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) with a unique challenge. This importation is, at least in the modern era, the first importation of live herbivores from the African continent. Many of the serious animal diseases in the world are endemic in parts of Africa. Knowledge of which of these diseases infect wild species and may be transmitted from the wild species to domesticated species, is limited. This paper describes the strategies adopted by AQIS to facilitate the importation of rhinoceros while maintaining protection of Australian consumers, rural industries, domestic livestock and fauna against the entry and spread of unwanted pests and diseases.     

Feline Leprosy: A Review of Forty-four Cases from Western Canada

Forty-four files of cats diagnosed as having feline leprosy were reviewed. All except one were from along the Pacific coast in the Province of British Columbia. The majority of cats were between one and three years of age and there was an increase in the number of diagnosis during the winter months.

Two types of granulomatous responses similar to the tuberculoid and lepromatous phases of human leprosy were recognized. In spite of the overall similarities in the cellular response to human leprosy there were, however, significant differences such as areas of caseous necrosis and constant lack of nerve involvement. Still as there is presently no way to prove that Mycobacterium leprae is not the cause of feline leprosy the public health significance remains uncertain

The treatment of choice would appear to be surgical removal.

     

Review: The strobilurin fungicides

The original article to which this Correction refers was published in Pest Management Science 58 (7): 649–662 (2002).Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

UROLITHIASIS IN ANIMALS

SUMMARY Urolithiasis is a disease of multifactorial origin. Prominent amongst the causes of disease outbreaks are nutritional factors. Alteration of diet is probably one of the most effective means of prevention, depending of course on the nature of the uroliths formed. In this regard analysis of the stones formed is an essential prelude to understanding, adequately treating the disease and preventing its recurrence.     

Diagnosis of trichomoniasis in 'virgin' bulls by culture and polymerase chain reaction

The diagnostic test for Tritrichomonas foetus in bulls is microscopic examination of cultured preputial samples. Trichomonads other than T. foetus can be present in a preputial sample. Both a staining technique and a polymerase chain reaction assay were useful in differentiating between T. foetus and another trichomonad observed in samples from virgin bulls.     

Detection of Porcine circovirus type 2 viremia and seroconversion in naturally infected pigs in a farrow-to-finish barn

Porcine serum was assayed by 2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols (nested PCR [nPCR] and non-nested PCR) and a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine when Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) viremia and a rise in the serum level of PCV2-specific antibody occurred in pigs raised in a large Canadian farrow-to-finish barn. Eight serial blood samples were collected from each of 40 pigs from 5 to 156 (+/- 1.5) d of age; 6 pigs were removed from the study for various reasons at various times. Viremia was not detected in the samples collected before 72 d of age but was detected in those collected on or after 72 d: of 33 pigs, 7 (21%) had only 1 serum sample positive for PCV2 DNA by nPCR after day 72; 11 (33%) were intermittently positive by nPCR, non-nested PCR, or both between 72 and 156 d; and the remaining 15 (45%) were repeatedly positive (in 2 to 4 samples). The level of serum antibody against PCV2 declined after weaning and increased between 72 and 107 d of age, only after PCV2 was detected in serum. Our results show that PCV2 viremia persists in the presence of elevated levels of PCV2-specific antibody.