Radionuclides in lung diagnostics: A new approach

Summary

With a ^99mTc‐labelled aerosol an inhalation (ventilation) image of the lungs was obtained. A lung perfusion image was obtained with ^99mTc‐labelled macro‐aggregates. The data from the gamma camera were stored in a computer and the inhalation‐perfusion (I/P) ratio was calculated for the total lung as well as for one half another selected region, and a local (pixel) area. In the anaesthetised dog in sternal recumbency, the I/P ratio decreased from the cranial to the caudal lung regions. Hence in the dog gravity is not the only determinant of the I/P ratio distribution, as it is assumed to be in man. Position and anaesthesia appeared to influence the distribution of I/P ratios within the lung.     

Mastitis diagnostics and performance monitoring: a practical approach

In this paper a review is given of frequently used mastitis diagnostic methods in modern dairy practice. Methods used at the quarter, cow, herd and regional or national level are discussed, including their usability for performance monitoring in udder health. Future developments, such as systems in which milk-derived parameters are combined with modern analytical techniques, are discussed. It is concluded that, although much knowledge is available and science is still developing and much knowledge is available, it is not always fully exploited in practice.     

Camel trypanosomosis in Morocco 1: results of a first epidemiological survey

An epidemiological survey of camel trypanosomosis was conducted for the first time in Morocco in 1997 and 1998. Five provinces located in the south and southeast of the High Atlas mountain chain were included in this study. A total number of 1460 serum samples were collected and tested by a card agglutination test for trypanosomosis (CATT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (Ab-ELISA) to detect anti-Trypanosoma evansi antibodies. The overall seroprevalence was 14.1% by CATT and 18.2% by Ab-ELISA. Two very active foci were identified in Zagora and Merzouga with high Ab-ELISA prevalences of 43.3 and 35.4%, respectively, for each area. The concordance between the CATT and Ab-ELISA was 94.1%. The age-related distribution of seroprevalence showed a tendency for the infection rate to increase with age up to a maximum in the 7-10 year-old group. Clinical examination revealed that enlargement of lymph nodes was the most frequent sign in seropositive animals (79.7%). The comparison of haematocrit values of seropositive and seronegative animals showed a significant difference that indicated severe anaemia in infected animals. Isolation of the parasite by inoculation of mice allowed us to collect 15 T. evansi isolates from Zagora and three from Merzouga. The study showed that the Saharan provinces of Morocco were slightly affected by camel trypanosomosis but two hyperendemic foci, Zagora and Merzouga, were found to be sources of contamination for the surrounding regions.     

Dystocia in a referral hospital setting: approach and results

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Dystocia in the mare is an emergency in which duration has a profound effect on survival of the foal. Specific examination of the effects of dystocia duration on foal survival provides information to enable horse care personnel and veterinarians to manage these cases more effectively and maximise the chances of obtaining a live foal. HYPOTHESIS: Dystocia duration would have a negative impact on foal survival while method of dystocia resolution would not have an effect on foal survival. Additionally, we were interested in determining the effects of dystocia on subsequent fertility. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the years 1986-1999, 247 dystocias were admitted. Of these, 91 % resulted in survival and discharge of the mare, 42% in delivery of a live foal, and 29% of foals survived to discharge. Period from hospital arrival to delivery for foals alive at discharge (23.0 +/- 14.1 mins) was not significantly different than for foals not surviving (24.8 +/- 10.6 mins) (P > 0.05); and from chorioallantoic rupture to delivery for foals alive at discharge (71.7 +/- 343 mins) was significantly less than for foals not surviving (853 +/- 37.4 mins) (P < 0.05). Average predystocia live foaling rates for all mares with available records was 84%. Overall post dystocia live foaling rates over the entire period of this study were 67%. Of mares bred in the year of the dystocia, 59% had a live foal in the year following. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, dystocia duration has a significant effect on foal survival and resolution methods should be chosen to minimise this time, as the difference between mean dystocia duration for foals that lived and those that did not in this study was 13.6 mins. Post dystocia foaling rates reported here are higher than previously reported for both same-season and overall breedings, indicating same-season breeding may be rewarding for select dystocia cases. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Dystocia resolution methods that minimise delivery time may maximise foal survival. Post dystoicia breeding may be rewarding in select cases.     

Transrectal decompression as a new approach for treatment of large intestinal tympany in horses with colic: Preliminary results

A common feature of colic in horses is tympany in the large intestine and medical treatment of this condition can be unsuccessful. In this article we describe and evaluate a new approach for decompression of large intestinal tympany in equine colic patients using transrectal puncture. We evaluated horses showing colic symptoms and colonic or caecal tympany and the final diagnosis, complications and final outcome were recorded for each horse. A special transrectal decompression device (TDD) was developed and used to perform transrectal decompression (TD) by gas aspiration. In order to assess pain reduction as a result of TD, heart rate (HR) was recorded before and after the decompression procedure. Twenty‐five horses were included in the study. In 17 cases, tympany was recognised as primary in origin while in 8 it was secondary to other conditions. A total of 33 TDs were performed and no horses developed short‐ or long‐term complications. All horses were alive after the first month post TD, while 5 died from diseases not related to TD. The TD could safely and easily be performed in all horses presenting tympany. Transrectal decompression can easily be performed, 2 or even 3 times to treat a single colic episode by using the transrectal device connected to a surgical aspirator. It was not possible from available information to relate the timing of HR decrease to resolution of colic or to administration of drugs because a retrospective study and all such data were not readily accessible. Our clinical results support the relevance of the TD as an elective treatment of primary large intestinal tympany, emergency treatment of tympany secondary to other surgical entities and as palliative treatment in surgical patients, in which surgery could not be achieved.     

Limitations to veterinary applications of new technologies in treatment and diagnostics.

Technology promises to improve the lifestyle and life quality of humankind. As a rule, wherever human medicine goes, veterinary medicine is sure to follow. Nevertheless, the promise of technologic advances does not shine as bright for veterinarians as for human physicians. This trend is echoed in the business of animal health as pharmaceutic company after pharmaceutic company spins off or otherwise eliminates their animal health division. Instead, a small group of strictly animal health-oriented companies compete for the animal health dollar, promising that fewer and fewer expensive technologies are likely to be incorporated into the standard of veterinary practice. All is not lost, however, because as progress is made in the field of human biotechnology, the cost of the technology should eventually come down, permitting at least some of the advances in human medicine to become available to the veterinarian.     

Cysticercus ovis survey: Summary of three years' results

Extract

A survey of the incidence of Cysticercus ovis in New Zealand was carried out in 14 selected meat works by officers of the Meat Division and Biometrics Section of the Department of Agriculture during the meat years commencing October 1, 1967, 1968, and 1969. It involved examination of some 778,000 lambs and 526,000 ewes. The detailed information from the 3 years of this survey has been summarized in the tables presented below.     

Troponin--a new marker in the diagnostics of muscle diseases in animals

The dysfunction of muscles, especially that of the cardiac muscle, is one of the most dangerous for the life pathological states. The determination of biochemical indexes such as AST, ALT, CK, LDH, mioglobin, etc., which has been used so far in animals is not a sufficient diagnostic method. Therefore, new markers, levels of which could reflect the state of a patient more precisely, have been sought. Troponin, a protein found in skeletal and cardiac muscles only, has been considered a reliable index of myocardial ischemia in animals, especially in dogs. Its diagnostic properties have appeared to be a valuable complementation of the other diagnostic methods and thus could have gained a lot of veterinary practitioners interest.     

Conflicting results of serological,PCR and microscopic methods clarify the various risk levels of canine babesiosis in Slovakia: A complex approach to Babesia canis diagnostics

We have performed a survey of Babesia canis prevalence within group of dogs living in Southern and Western Slovakia. Blood samples and sera from 217 dogs, including individuals suspected of having babesiosis, were examined by nested PCR-RFLP, light microscopy and indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). The detection of B. canis DNA revealed the highest number of infected dogs in the region of Nové Zámky, with 23 B. canis-positive blood samples (35.4%, n = 65), followed by an area close to Komárno (both areas of Southern Slovakia), where 1 dog out of 52 collected (1.9%) had detectible B. canis DNA in the blood stream. The serological method revealed an opposing pattern, with only 3 dogs (4.8%, n = 63) sampled at Nové Zámky presenting IgG antibodies against B. canis, while in Komárno region such antibodies were detected in 15 dogs (28.8%, n = 52). This discrepancy may be because the majority of samples from Nové Zámky were dogs suspected of an acute phase of canine babesiosis, whereas dogs at Komárno were sampled during a vaccination campaign, and thus were without any clinical signs of the disease. The latter group contains evidently recovered carriers of IgG against B. canis. Hence, the combination of PCR-based and serological methods enabled us to discover both recently infected as well as recovered dogs, thus obtaining a more realistic view on the epidemiological situation. Remarkably, we did not find any positive samples in the vicinity of Stupava (district Malacky, Western Slovakia), either by PCR-RFLP, microscopy or IFAT (n = 100). Considering the numerous falsely diagnosed cases of canine babesiosis, we suggest that light microscopy as the simplest and most accessible diagnostic test. Southern Slovakia was confirmed as an area of high risk of canine babesiosis, whereas conclusions about B. canis spreading over Western Slovakia should be considered with wariness.     

Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in the horse: results of a detailed clinical, post mortem and imaging study. II. Gross lung pathology

Gross post mortem examinations were performed on the lungs of 26 Thoroughbred horses of known exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) status. The most consistent finding was a variable degree of bilaterally symmetrical, dark discolouration of the dorsocaudal regions of the caudal lung lobes. In more severely affected lungs, the stained areas extended cranially along the dorsal surfaces of the lungs, and in some cases affected approximately one third of the lung surface. Discoloured areas of lung were denser than normal, collapsed less readily, often contained trapped air and were slow to inflate. The subpleural bronchial arteries were more prominent in the discoloured regions. Pleural adhesions were noted in two horses but were not related to the discoloured lung regions. It was concluded that the discoloured lesions have a complex pathogenesis and were related directly to previous bouts of EIPH. Associated with them were signs indicating probable partial small airway obstruction, decreased tissue compliance and direct involvement of the bronchial arterial circulation.     

Summary of the first round analyses of the Third International Workshop on Swine Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens.

The reactivity of 155 monoclonal antibodies submitted to the Third International Workshop on Swine Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens, together with 41 internal standards, was analysed by flow cytometry on 29 different pig cell targets as well as two human cell targets as a means of establishing suitable panels of monoclonal antibodies for more detailed clustering analyses by the various subsections of the workshop. Results were collected either without further gating, with gating based on FS/SS characteristics or with gating based on the co-expression of a reference antibody in two-colour flow cytometry. The CD or SWC reactivity of the internal standards had been established in previous workshops. Data sets were subsequently analysed by statistical clustering using the Leucocyte Typing Database IV software. The resulting 18 cluster groups were allocated to the appropriate second round sections of the workshop, after reviewing the overall cellular reactivity of each cluster as well as the specificity of known standards which clustered in a group.     

Enhancing brain functions in senior dogs: a new nutritional approach

Aging induces many morphological and metabolic changes in the brain, which may eventually lead to cognitive impairment and dementia called cognitive dysfunction syndrome in senior dogs. Cognitive impairment and dementia can adversely affect the quality of life in both dogs and their owners. Progress has been made over the past years to understand how aging affects brain and its functions in humans and animals including dogs. Existing data indicate that aging-induced changes in the brain are gradual and irreversible. Therefore, it is too late to effectively manage dogs with cognitive impairment and cognitive dysfunction syndrome. The best option to manage brain aging successfully is to reduce or prevent aging-induced changes in the brain by correcting early metabolic changes and eliminating risk factors associated with brain aging and dementia. This article reviews behavioral, morphological, and metabolic changes in the brain induced by aging and discusses a novel nutritional solution for the aging-induced metabolic changes in the brain.     

Osteochondrosis of the elbow: a review of the pathogenesis and a new approach to treatment

SUMMARY To test the hypothesis that joint incongruity contributes to the pathogenesis of elbow osteochondrosis, the left and right radius and ulna of 20 young large breed dogs were measured to determine any variation in length and to observe any incongruity of the elbow joint. Both lame and normal dogs were included in the study. Nine of the 20 dogs had marked disparity in radial and ulnar lengths yet only one had obvious elbow joint incongruity. The use of a sliding osteotomy for the treatment of fragmented coronoid process and a lengthening osteotomy for the treatment of an ununited anconeal process is also discussed. All four dogs treated with a sliding osteotomy showed a marked clinical improvement, and two of the three dogs treated with a lengthening osteotomy showed radiographic fusion of the anconeal process.     

Summary of the first round analyses of the Second International Swine CD Workshop

The reactivity of 176 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) submitted to the Second International Swine CD Workshop, together with 19 internal standards, was analyzed by flow cytometry on 16 different cell types as a means of establishing the proper cell subset for later detailed clustering analyses. The exact CD subset reactivity of the 19 internal standard mAb had been characterized in the First International Swine CD Workshop. The flow cytometric analyses resulted in 40 data sets which were then subjected to statistical clustering using the Leukocyte Typing Database IV (LTDB4) software. As result of this work, 22 clusters were defined. After review of these results, panels of mAb from the defined first round clusters were assigned to cell subsets. The respective mAb in those first round clusters were then distributed to subset group researchers for further examination during the second round of the workshop.     

Outline of a new approach to the study of competition

Differential coefficients of five time‐dependent functions are proposed to quantify and define the following: the effect of competition on each of two competing populations, the relative aggressiveness of the populations, the competitive ability of each population with respect to the other, and the total effect of competition on the mixed community. Each coefficient is a certain linear combination of the relative rates of increase of the two populations under study; the populations must be grown separately as well as together if all five coefficients are required. The coefficients may he used best in situations which are characterised by continuous change in the sizes of the competing populations. They enable the change to be meaningfully quantified, using data which may often be ordinarily available.