The susceptibility of Trypanosoma congolense isolated in Zambézia Province, Mozambique, to isometamidium chloride, diminazene aceturate and homidium chloride

Resistance to trypanocidal drugs has been detected in various African countries and is a serious impediment to the control of livestock trypanosomosis. To determine whether drug resistant trypanosome strains are present in the Zambézia Province of Mozambique a study was initiated. To assess the effect of the farming system and the drug-use regimen on the development of drug resistance, trypanosome isolates were collected from cattle from subsistence and commercial livestock production systems. The susceptibility of seven isolates against isometamidium chloride, diminazene aceturate and homidium chloride was tested in mice using a multiple-dose test. In four of the seven isolates high levels of drug resistance to diminazene aceturate and isometamidium chloride were detected. In most cases the observed levels of drug resistance correlated with the drug-use practices in the particular livestock production system.     

Protection of chicken against very virulent IBDV provided by in ovo priming with DNA vaccine and boosting with killed vaccine and the adjuvant effects of plasmid-encoded chicken interleukin-2 and interferon-��

The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of in ovo prime-boost vaccination against infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) using a DNA vaccine to prime in ovo followed by a killed-vaccine boost post hatching. In addition, the adjuvant effects of plasmid-encoded chicken interleukin-2 and chicken interferon-γ were tested in conjunction with the vaccine. A plasmid DNA vaccine (pcDNA-VP243) encoding the VP2, VP4, and VP3 proteins of the very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) SH/92 strain was injected into the amniotic sac alone or in combination with a plasmid encoding chicken IL-2 (ChIL-2) or chicken IFN-γ (ChIFN-γ) at embryonation day 18, followed by an intramuscular injection of a commercial killed IBD vaccine at 1 week of age. The chickens were orally challenged with the vvIBDV SH/92 strain at 3 weeks of age and observed for 10 days. In ovo DNA immunization followed by a killed-vaccine boost provided significantly better immunity than the other options. No mortality was observed in this group after a challenge with the vvIBDV. The prime-boost strategy was moderately effective against bursal damage, which was measured by the bursa weight/body weight ratio, the presence of IBDV RNA, and the bursal lesion score. In ovo DNA vaccination with no boost did not provide sufficient immunity, and the addition of ChIL-2 or ChIFN-γ did not enhance protective immunity. In the ConA-induced lymphocyte proliferation assay of peripheral blood lymphocyte collected 10 days post-challenge, there was greater proliferation responses in the DNA vaccine plus boost and DNA vaccine with ChIL-2 plus boost groups compared to the other groups. These findings suggest that priming with DNA vaccine and boosting with killed vaccine is an effective strategy for protecting chickens against vvIBDV.     

Treatment of dairy cows with PGF2α or NSAID,in combination with antibiotics,in cases of postpartum uterine inflammation

Background

The aim of the study was to test the effect of two treatments in cases of acute puerperal metritis (APM) and clinical metritis (CM).

Methods

Cows with APM and CM (n = 40)) were matched according to plasma fibrinogen levels (Fb) into three groups. Two negative control groups D (n = 11) and E (n = 17) were composed of healthy cows. The proportion of animals with APM and CM was similar within the groups. Treatment was started on the 3rd day postpartum (PP). In group A (n = 15), intramuscular (i.m.) administration of ceftiofur was used for five days in combination with flunixin for three days. Group B (n = 15) received i.m. administration of ceftiofur for five days followed by two injections of prostaglandin F2_α, with an interval of 8 h, on the 8th day PP. Group C (n = 10) served as a control group with no treatment. The general health status, body temperature (BT) and vaginal discharge were evaluated daily. Endometrial biopsies for bacteriology were taken once a week for seven weeks PP. Blood samples for the analysis of acute phase proteins were collected once a week for six weeks PP. Samples for progesterone analysis were taken twice a week for seven weeks PP. Fertility performance data were recorded.

Results

The area under the curve of BT was higher in group B than in group D cows (P < 0.05). No differences were found for vaginal discharge. There were no differences in bacterial growth, start of ovarian activity or serum amyloid-A or fibrinogen levels among the groups. The haptoglobin concentration was higher in the first and second weeks PP in group B compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). The number of days open was higher in group A than in both groups B and D (P < 0.05). The pregnancy rate after the first two services was higher (P < 0.05) in groups B and D than in groups A and C. The number of services per pregnancy was lower in group B than in group C (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Regardless of more severe uterine inflammation found in animals from group B, these cows showed the same fertility parameters as healthy animals.     

Is the expansion of the pine processionary moth,due to global warming,impacting the endangered Spanish moon moth through an induced change in food quality?

Recent climate change is known to affect the distribution of a number of insect species, resulting in a modification of their range boundaries. In newly colonized areas, novel interactions become apparent between expanding and endemic species sharing the same host. The pine processionary moth is a highly damaging pine defoliator, extending its range northwards and upwards in response to winter warming. Its expansion in the Alps has resulted in an invasion into the range of the Spanish moon moth, a red listed species developing on Scots pine. Pine processionary moth larvae develop during winter, preceding those of the moon moth, which hatch in late spring. Using pine trees planted in a clonal design, we experimentally tested the effect of previous winter defoliation by pine processionary moth larvae upon the survival and development of moon moth larvae. Feeding on foliage of heavily defoliated trees (>50%) resulted in a significant increase in the development time of moon moth larvae and a decrease in relative growth rate compared to feeding on foliage of undefoliated trees. Dry weight of pupae also decreased when larvae were fed with foliage of defoliated trees, and might, therefore, affect imago performances. However, lower defoliation degrees did not result in significant differences in larval performances compared to the control. Because a high degree of defoliation by pine processionary moth is to be expected during the colonization phase, its arrival in subalpine pine stands might affect the populations of the endangered moon moth.     

Comprehensive literature review of the sources of infection and transmission routes of Coxiella burnetii,with particular regard to the criteria of “evidence-based medicine”

The present review aims to compile the currently available literature since 1936 according the sources of infection of the Q fever pathogen (Coxiella (C.) burnetii) as well as the transmission from animal to man and also from human to human. In terms of quality and validity, the existing publications were reviewed systematically. For this purpose, firstly a structured literature search was carried out using various databases and search engines supplemented by a manual literature search. For critical appraisal, 1444 relevant publications were identified for the moment and evaluated. A total of 73 publications describing a transmission of C. burnetii from animals to man or a human-to-human transmission were discovered. The identified publications are 29 case series, two case reports, 21 cohort studies and 21 case-control studies. With regard to the sources of infection, 25 publications describing the transmission of C. burnetii from sheep to humans could be identified.     

Determination of the effective dosage of tiletamine–zolazepam–ketamine–xylazine,with or without methadone,in dogs

ObjectiveTo determine the effective dosage of the combination tiletamine–zolazepam–ketamine–xylazine (TKX), with or without methadone, in dogs.Study designProspective, randomized, experimental study.AnimalsA total of 29 dogs.MethodsDogs were randomly administered TKX (group TKX, n = 13) or combined with 0.3 mg kg^–1 of methadone (group TKXM, n = 16) intramuscularly. The TKX solution contained tiletamine (50 mg mL^–1), zolazepam (50 mg mL^–1), ketamine (80 mg mL^–1) and xylazine (20 mg mL^–1). The effective dosages for immobility in 50% and 95% of the population (ED₅₀ and ED₉₅) were estimated using the up-and-down method. Approximately 20 minutes after drug administration, a skin incision was performed and the response was judged as positive or negative if the dogs moved or did not move, respectively. The TKX volume for the subsequent dog in the same group was increased or decreased by 0.005 mL kg^–1 if the response of the previous dog was positive or negative, respectively. Heart and respiratory rates, and sedation/anesthesia scores (range 0–21) were recorded before and 15 minutes after drug administration.ResultsEstimated ED₅₀ and ED₉₅ (95% confidence intervals) were: TKX, 0.025 (0.020–0.029) and 0.026 (0.010–0.042) mL kg^–1; TKXM, 0.022 (0.018–0.025) and 0.033 (0.017–0.049) mL kg^–1. Median (interquartile range) scores for sedation/anesthesia were 17 (16–18) and 17 (15–20), and times until lateral recumbency were 5 (4–6) and 6 (4–10) minutes in TKX and TKXM, respectively (p > 0.05). In both groups heart and respiratory rates decreased, but values remained acceptable for anesthetized dogs.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe results provide a guide for volumes of TKX and TKXM in dogs requiring restraint for minimally invasive procedures. Inclusion of methadone in the TKX combination did not influence ED₅₀.     

Treating Cloned Embryos,But Not Donor Cells,with 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine Enhances the Developmental Competence of Porcine Cloned Embryos

The efficiency of cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has remained low. In most cloned embryos, epigenetic reprogramming is incomplete, and usually the genome is hypermethylated. The DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) could improve the developmental competence of cow, pig, cat and human SCNT embryos in previous studies. However, the parameters of 5-aza-dC treatment among species are different, and whether 5-aza-dC could enhance the developmental competence of porcine cloned embryos has still not been well studied. Therefore, in this study, we treated porcine fetal fibroblasts (PFF) that then were used as donor nuclei for nuclear transfer or fibroblast-derived reconstructed embryos with 5-aza-dC, and the concentration- and time-dependent effects of 5-aza-dC on porcine cloned embryos were investigated by assessing pseudo-pronucleus formation, developmental potential and pluripotent gene expression of these reconstructed embryos. Our results showed that 5-aza-dC significantly reduced the DNA methylation level in PFF (0 nM vs. 10 nM vs. 25 nM vs. 50 nM, 58.70% vs. 37.37% vs. 45.43% vs. 39.53%, P<0.05), but did not improve the blastocyst rate of cloned embryos derived from these cells. Treating cloned embryos with 25 nM 5-aza-dC for 24 h significantly enhanced the blastocyst rate compared with that of the untreated group. Furthermore, treating cloned embryos, but not donor cells, significantly promoted pseudo-pronucleus formation at 4 h post activation (51% for cloned embryos treated, 34% for donor cells treated and 36% for control, respectively, P<0.05) and enhanced the expression levels of pluripotent genes (Oct4, Nanog and Sox2) up to those of in vitro fertilized embryos during embryo development. In conclusion, treating cloned embryos, but not donor cells, with 5-aza-dC enhanced the developmental competence of porcine cloned embryos by promotion of pseudo-pronucleus formation and improvement of pluripotent gene expression.     

The influence of in ovo injection with the prebiotic DiNovo~? on the development of histomorphological parameters of the duodenum,body mass and productivity in large-scale poultry production conditions

Background: Among various feed additives currently used in poultry nutrition, an important role is played by bioactive substances, including prebiotics. The beneficial effect of these bioactive substances on the gastrointestinal tract and immune system give rise to improvements in broiler health and performance nutrition, thus increasing the productivity of these birds. An innovative method for introducing bioactive substances into chickens is the in ovo injection into eggs intended for hatching. The aim of the study was to evaluate the development of histomorphological parameters of the duodenum and productivity in chickens injected in ovo with the prebiotic DiNovo~?(extract of Laminaria species of seaweed, BioA tlantis Ltd., Ireland) on d 12 of incubation, under large-scale, high density poultry production conditions.Results: There was no significant impact of the injection of DiNovo~? prebiotic on the production parameters of broiler chickens(body weight, FCR, EBI and mortality) obtained on d 42 of rearing. No significant impact of the DiNovo~? injection on the duodenum weight and length was observed, as wel as on the CSA, diameter and muscular layer thickness of the duodenum. The in ovo injection of DiNovo~? significantly increased the width of the duodenal vil i(P 0.05) and crypt depth(P 0.01) of chickens on d 21 of rearing. Other histomorphological parameters of duodenal vil i at d 42 of chickens rearing such as: the height, width, and cross section area of vil i were significantly greater in chickens from the control group compared to those from the DiNovo~? group(P 0.05 and P 0.01).Conclusions: In conclusion, this study demonstrates that injection of DiNovo~? prebiotic into the air chamber of egg significantly influences the histomorphological parameters on d 21 of rearing without negatively affecting productivity in chickens at the end of rearing.     

Improvement of Cattle Productivity through Rapid Alleviation of African Animal Trypanosomosis by Integrated Disease Management Practices in the Agropastoral Zone of Yalé, Burkina Faso

Investigations to identify the causes of high mortalities in cattle in the agropastoral zone (ZAP) of Yalé started in March 1993. African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) was found to be the major constraint, with incidence rates exceeding 30%, justifying a tsetse control programme, which started in March/April 1994. The treatment of all cattle at bimonthly intervals with deltamethrin 1% pour on and the display of 1500 insecticide impregnated targets during the 6 months of the dry season each year helped to reduce the tsetse populations (Glossina tachinoides and G. morsitans submorsitans) by more than 90%. In less than 7 months, the incidence of AAT dropped below 5% and remained there throughout the intervention until June 1996, in spite of an increase to 3 months in the interval between the treatments. Mean PCV values increased significantly from 26.5–30.9%, before, to 30.7–36.3% during the intervention. The improvement in the overall health resulted in a resumption in fertility and milk production, allowing the sale of dairy products in Léo, thus creating a gross income of about $US3/day for the Fulani women.     

A mammal survey of the Serra Jeci Mountain Range,Mozambique, with a review of records from northern Mozambique’s inselbergs

The mountains of northern Mozambique have remained poorly studied biologically until recent years with surveys covering a variety of taxonomic groups highlighting their biological and conservation value. Even so, the medium and large mammal fauna remains poorly known and to date no systematic mammal surveys have been published from any of Mozambique’s mountains. We present results of a medium and large mammal survey of Serra Jeci’s Mt Chitagal, Mt Sanga and the Njesi Plateau in Niassa, northern Mozambique; the first mammal diversity data collected from these isolated mountains. We recorded 27 mammal species, of which six represent range expansions; Sykes’s monkey (Cercophitecus mitis), Mozambique dwarf galago (Paragalago granti), Smith’s red rock hare (Pronolagus rupestris), lesser cane rat (Thryonomys gregorianus), rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). We also reviewed and collated records of medium and large mammals from previously published fieldwork on northern Mozambique’s mountains, amounting to a total of 34 large mammal species from seven montane areas, highlighting the lack of mammalian knowledge in Mozambique’s Afromontane habitats.     

The occurrence of cpb2-toxigenic Clostridium perfringens and the possible role of the β2-toxin in enteric disease of domestic animals,wild animals and humans

The virulence of Clostridium perfringens, a bacterium causing enteritis and enterotoxaemia in domestic and wild animals and humans, results largely from its ability to produce toxins. In 1997, an unknown toxin of C. perfringens, the β2-toxin, and its encoding gene cpb2 were described. Since that time numerous studies have been published dealing with a possible association of cpb2-harbouring strains of C. perfringens and the occurrence of enteric disease in domestic and wild animals and humans. This article offers an overview of the current literature on the spread and pathological significance of cpb2-harbouring C. perfringens. Unambiguous conclusions on the prevalence of cpb2 and the contribution of β2-toxin to the disease cannot be drawn from existing studies but in some animal species a strong correlation between the presence of cpb2-harbouring C. perfringens, the β2-toxin and enteric disease has been reported.     

Investigating the effects of peptide-based,MOS and protease feed additives on the growth performance and fecal microbial composition of weaned pigsOA

Background: Digestive disorders in weaning pigs remain a major challenge for swine producers. Different types of commercial feed additives have been developed to promote gut health and development in young pigs, but their effects on resident gut microbial communities remain largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a peptide-based product(Peptiva) in combination with mannose oligosaccharides(MOS) and an exogenous protease on the performance and fecal microbiome o...     

Concentrations of interleukin-6, -8, -10 and tumour necrosis factor-α in the faeces of dogs with acute diarrhoea

Aim: To compare the concentration of faecal cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, -8, -10, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in dogs with acute diarrhoea with clinically normal (non-diarrhoeic) dogs.

Methods: A total of 14 dogs presenting with acute diarrhoea, and 25 dogs with no history of gastrointestinal signs in the 2 months prior to enrolment, were recruited from two veterinary hospitals in Melbourne, Australia. Concentrations of IL-6, -8, -10, and TNF-α were measured in faecal samples using canine-specific ELISA.

Results: The diarrhoeic dogs were diagnosed with or managed for acute gastroenteritis (n?=?6), extra-intestinal neoplasia (n?=?2), parvoviral enteritis (n?=?1), hepatopathy (n?=?1), acute pancreatitis (n?=?1), hypoadrenocorticism (n?=?1), gastric dilatation volvulus (n?=?1) and myelopathy (n?=?1). IL-6 was detectable in the faeces of 10/14 (71%) diarrhoeic and 7/25 (28%) non-diarrhoeic dogs, and median concentrations were 10.8 (min 0.0, max?54.0) and 2.0 (min 0.0, max15.0) pg/mL, respectively (p?=?0.01). IL-8 was detectable in the faeces of all diarrhoeic and 11 non-diarrhoeic dogs, and median concentrations were 149.7 (min 3.72, max?730.1) and 3.4 (min 0.0, max?22.5)?pg/mL, respectively (p?<?0.001). TNF-α was detected in the faeces of two of the diarrhoeic dogs (3.4 and 15.6?pg/mL) and none of the non-diarrhoeic dogs. IL-10 was not detected in the faeces of any dog.

Conclusions: Faecal concentrations of IL-6 and -8 were higher in diarrhoeic compared to non-diarrhoeic dogs, and are therefore potential candidates for non-invasive biomarkers to assess the severity and resolution of acute intestinal disease in dogs. However their correlation with disease progression and severity needs to be further investigated before their full clinical application can be determined.