Treatment of natural ovine malignant theileriosis with a chloroform extract of the plant Peganum harmala

One hundred sheep naturally infected with Theileria lestoquardi were treated with a chloroform extract of the plant Peganum harmala. The treatment was continued for 5 days, the dose of extract being 5 mg/kg per day. Sixty-five of the sheep responded to treatment and recovered but 35 did not and died. The cure rate was 65%.     

Antitrichomonal activity of Peganum harmala alkaloid extract against trichomoniasis in pigeon (Columba livia domestica)

1. This study was designed to evaluate the antitrichomonal effects of P. harmala alkaloid extract against T. gallinae, both in vitro and in vivo, as well as comparing it to that of metronidazole, conventional antitrichomonal medication and harmine and harmaline, the two alkaloids present in P. harmala.

2. T. gallinae were collected by the wet mount method from infected free-living pigeons. The in vitro assay was performed using multi-well plates containing test compounds in final concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50 or 100 μg/ml. The in vivo assay was done on 60 experimentally infected pigeons dosed with metronidazole at 50 mg/kg body weight (BW) or alkaloids at 25 mg/kg BW.

3. The 24 h minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of alkaloid extract was 15 µg/ml while that of metronidazole was 50 µg/ml. Harmine and harmaline revealed 24 h MIC of 30 and 100 µg/ml, respectively. Treatment of infected pigeons with alkaloids led to a full recovery after 3 d but with metronidazole total eradication of trophozoites was not achieved.

4. In conclusion, data of the present study suggested P. harmala is a potent natural anti-trichomonal agent, effective against T. gallinae.     

Ni和Cu胁迫对骆驼蓬抗氧化酶活性的影响

采用温室盆栽法,研究Ni、Cu单一处理对金昌Ni/Cu尾矿库先锋植物骆驼蓬幼苗Ni、Cu积累、膜脂过氧化程度与抗氧化酶系统的影响。结果表明,骆驼蓬幼苗叶片及根部Ni、Cu含量随土壤介质中Ni、Cu含量的增加而增加,Ni主要富集在骆驼蓬的叶片,而Cu主要富集在骆驼蓬的根部;叶片及根部丙二醛(MDA)含量总体随Ni、Cu处理浓度升高而增加,膜脂过氧化程度加剧;Ni胁迫下,骆驼蓬叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸酶(APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性较对照均有所增强,共同组成植物体内一个有效的活性氧自由基(ROS)清除系统,根部SOD、APX和CAT活性受到抑制,POD和GR受诱导活性增强,在减轻Ni胁迫引起氧化损伤方面起重要作用;Cu胁迫下骆驼蓬叶片SOD、POD、CAT、APX及GR活性较对照均有所提高,减弱了Cu胁迫引起的氧化损伤;根部APX活性受抑制,SOD、POD、CAT及GR活性受诱导增强,在缓解Cu胁迫引起氧化损伤方面发挥重要作用。     

Experimental transmission of intestinal coccidiosis to piglets: clinical, parasitological and pathological findings.

Twenty-eight piglets coming from a "specific pathogen free" herd were inoculated at three days of age with 50 000 or 100 000 sporulated oocysts of Isospora suis. Fecal samples were examined for oocyst shedding daily and several clinical parameters were recorded. Ten piglets were used as normal controls. Groups of piglets were euthanized from three days to 12 days postinoculation and routine necropsies were performed. Bacteriological, virological, parasitological and histopathological examinations were made on the intestinal tracts. The incubation period was four to five days. Clinical signs and microscopic intestinal lesions observed in the experimentally infected animals were similar to those reported in spontaneous cases of porcine neonatal coccidiosis. Lesions of villous atrophy in the small intestine seemed to result from the destruction of villous epithelial cells mainly during the peak of asexual reproduction which occurred around four to five days postinoculation. Intracellular coccidial organisms were difficult to find during the late atrophic and villous regrowth stages of the intestinal lesions. The prepatent period varied from four to seven days and the most common was five days. Eighty percent of the piglets kept alive more than four days postinoculation have shed oocysts. Piglets dosed with old sporulated oocysts (ten months old) shed many more oocysts than those infected with a fresh inoculum (less than two months old). The patent period was not determined precisely with the design of the experiment but some of the infected piglets shed oocysts for at least five days.     

Clinical, pathological and epidemiological findings in three outbreaks of ovine protozoan myeloencephalitis

Ovine protozoan myeloencephalitis is a disease of sheep associated with the apicomplexan protozoan Sarcocystis tenella. This paper describes the clinical, pathological and epidemiological findings in three affected flocks from a well-defined geographical area. Clinical signs were restricted to sheep under one year old in their first winter and were first observed at least 42 days after they had been moved off the hill grazing areas to low ground pasture, or after they were given conserved forage. The findings are discussed in relation to the timescale of the life cycle of S. tenella and it is suggested that clinical disease was precipitated by the change from a low level of exposure to infection on the hill to a high level of exposure through contaminated pasture or forage. Possible preventive strategies are discussed.     

Hyalomma impeltatum (Acari: Ixodidae) as a potential vector of malignant theileriosis in sheep in Saudi Arabia

Little is known about tick-borne diseases in Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding the prevalence of theileriosis in small ruminants. This survey studied the potential vectors of malignant theileriosis in Saudi Arabian sheep. Blood, lymph node and tick samples were collected from animals being treated or necropsied at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Jeddah, Makkah (western region), and Bureida, Al-Qasim (central region). Blood and lymph node smears were prepared and examined for Theileria species. Theileria hirci (=T. lestoquardi) was found in lymph node smears of one out of 36 sheep (2.8%) in Jeddah and six of 25 sheep (24%) in Bureida. The erythrocytic forms were detected in 5-8% of RBCs. Ticks were found in relatively less number of sheep in Bureida and Jeddah, 17/180 and 26/125, respectively. All Theileria-infected sheep were infested with Hyalomma impeltatum except the one that carried Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum. This suggests that H. impeltatum is a potential vector of malignant theileriosis in Saudi Arabia.     

Suspected fusariomycotoxicosis in sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis): clinical and pathological findings

In 1985 and 1986, large-scale natural die-offs of sandhill cranes in Texas were attributed to fusariomycotoxicosis. These birds demonstrated a progressive loss of motor control to the neck, wings, and legs. Based on necropsy and/or histopathology of 31 cranes, the most common lesions involved skeletal muscle and included hemorrhages, granulomatous myositis, thrombosis, and vascular degeneration. Serum chemistry results revealed that levels of creatinine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were above published normals. However, only alanine aminotransferase was higher in clinically affected cranes than in normal cranes collected from the same area.     

Feline cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma (Merkel cell tumour): clinical and pathological findings

A case of a feline Merkel cell tumour is described. An 8-year-old, female cat developed a round, alopecic, reddish mass on the nose. Wide excisional surgery was performed with cartilage resection. Histologically the mass was composed of solid islands of mostly basophilic densely packed cells with a scant cytoplasm, which was suggestive of a neuroendocrine origin. Results of immunohistochemical studies using antibodies against neurone-specific enolase, chromogranin, synaptophysin and pan-cytokeratin allowed classification of the lesion as a Merkel cell tumour. Ultrastructurally, dense core granules were identified in the cytoplasm. In a 2-year follow-up no relapses or metastases were observed. The clinical course recorded is in contrast with the malignant nature of a Merkel cell tumour recently described in a cat and of the human Merkel cell tumour, but is similar to the course of the canine Merkel cell tumour which is often benign. Early diagnosis along with the use of wide surgical excision might be considered an important factor in preventing relapse of this tumour.     

Effect of resinous extract from Commiphora swynnertonii (Burrt) on experimental coccidial infection in chickens

A crude resinous extract from Commiphora swynnertonii was tested against an experimental coccidial infection in local chickens. A total of 80 growing chickens were randomly assigned into five groups, which received different treatments. Chickens in G1 were not infected with coccidian oocysts and therefore served as a negative control. All chickens in G2, G3, G4 and G5 were infected through oral administration of coccidian oocysts suspension at a dosed rate of 1.5?×?10⁴ Eimeria spp. oocysts per bird. Starting from day 3 post-infection (p.i), chickens in different groups were treated for 7 consecutive days as follows: G1 and G2 (positive control) received 5 ml of normal saline as placebo, G3 and G4 were given the extract at 400 and 800 mg/kg bodyweight whereas G5 received anticoccidial drug. Clinical signs, bodyweights, oocysts counts and mortality rates were observed regularly. Results showed that oral administration of the resinous extract to chickens with coccidiosis significantly reduced mortality rate from 94 to 25 % and oocysts counts from 1.03?×?10⁵ to 6.55?×?10³ oocysts/g faeces (p?<?0.05). Also a body condition score chart indicated less severe clinical signs of the disease in the groups which received the extract. Mean daily body weights were slightly reduced by the administration of the extract but this effect disappeared by day 7 p.i. These findings clearly indicate that resinous extract from C. swynnertonii has significant anticoccidial effect against experimental Eimeria spp. infection in chickens. A larger field trial to validate the use of the extract in chickens naturally infected with Eimeria spp. is required.     

Immunohistochemical and histopathological findings of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (Jaagsiekte) in Egyptian sheep

Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is a naturally occurring retrovirus-induced transmissible lung cancer in sheep. Lungs and associated (bronchial and mediastinal) lymph nodes of seven sheep with OPA were examined. Lungs had few multifocal consolidated slightly elevated gray to white masses ranging from 0.5 to 3 cm in diameter. Histopathologically, these masses appeared as well-differentiated acinar adenocarcinoma with little evidence of anaplasia. The acini composed of well-differentiated cuboidal to low columnar epithelium with clear or vacuolated cytoplasm and low mitotic index. No metastases were observed in the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes of any animal. The presence of Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) was demonstrated in the lungs by immunohistochemistry. JSRV protein was detected in all tumor epithelial cells, histologically normal alveolar type II cells, and few bronchiolar epithelial cells, alveolar macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. This study is the first to confirm the presence of natural OPA in Egypt.     

A parasitological survey of wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from the province of Guadalajara, Spain

An epizootiological survey of leishmaniosis, coccidiosis and parasitic helminths in 67 foxes (Vulpes vulpes) was conducted in Guadalajara (central Spain). Examination for parasitic protozoa revealed prevalences of 74% Leishmania (determined by molecular methods) and 2.9% coccidia oocysts (fecal flotation). Survey of parasitic helminths (fecal flotation/necropsy) demonstrated the presence of nine species, including six nematodes, two cestodes and one trematode. Nematodes were the most common parasites of foxes, followed by cestodes and trematodes. Greater levels of nematodes like Uncinaria, with a free-living stage in its life-cycle, were found in foxes in areas where moist soils were likely to exist, in contrast to areas of semiarid characteristics, where Toxascaris leonina or Trichuris vulpis were predominant. With regard to helminths of importance as human pathogens, trichinoscopy revealed the presence of a relatively high number of foxes (8.9%) infected with Trichinella spiralis. Finally, Toxocara canis infection was less frequent (4.4%) than trichinellosis.     

Clinical and pathological findings in two Mauritian pink pigeons (Columba mayeri)

Two Mauritian pink pigeons (Columba mayeri) from a captive breeding programme, with locomotor disorders were examined clinically and post mortem. One bird was unable to fly owing to a permanent luxation of the left elbow. The other bird had an inclined foot caused by a medial curvature and outward rotation of the tarsometatarsal bone, a deformity similar to the previously recorded 'inclined feet' in birds bred in Mauritius.     

Trypanosoma evansi experimental infection in the South American coati (Nasua nasua): clinical, parasitological and humoral immune response.

The course of Trypanosoma evansi infection in coatis (Carnivora, Procionidae) was followed for 262 days. Parasites were detected in all infected animals from day 2 post infection until the end of the study. No correlation between temperature and parasitemia was observed. Animals of the infected group demonstrated depression, weakness, lethargy and pale mucous membranes. Indirect fluorescent antibody tests detected anti-T. evansi antibodies within 7 to 14 days post infection and showed high levels until the end of the experimental period. The persistent parasitemia in coati and their relative tolerance to clinical signs suggested that this species develops a chronic disease and plays an important role in the epidemiology of trypanosomosis due to T. evansi in enzootic regions.     

多裂骆驼蓬中生物碱类物质对玉米幼苗生长及某些生理特性的影响

通过室内培养和盆栽试验研究多裂骆驼蓬生物碱提取液浸种对玉米种子萌发和幼苗生长及一些生理特性的影响。结果表明,随着水溶性生物碱和总生物碱提取液浸种浓度的提高,玉米种子的萌发率及萌发种子的活力指数、呼吸速率及淀粉酶和蛋白酶活性降低,其中大于0.10g/mL浓度处理差异达显著水平,脂溶性生物碱不影响种子的萌发。脂溶性、水溶性和总生物碱提取液浸种处理的幼苗根系活力增强,根系吸收面积增大,叶绿素含量增加,硝酸还原酶(NR)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性提高;幼苗根体积、株高及根系和地上部干重增加。其中根系干重分别增加1 5.0%,2 7.9%和3 5.4%;地上部干重增加9.3%,8.5%和30.9%,达显著水平。说明多裂骆驼蓬水溶性和脂溶性生物碱促进玉米幼苗的生长,但水溶性生物碱抑制种子的萌发。     

Comparison of inoculation regimes for the experimental production of swine erysipelas arthritis: I Clinical, pathological and bacteriological findings

The arthritic form of swine erysipelas was induced in pigs by multiple intravenous inoculation of 2 strains of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. The strains differed significantly in their arthritogenicity but not in the number of cases of lameness induced. The use of 3 intravenous inoculations instead of 5 did not significantly affect the outcome. In a second trial, the more arthritogenic strain was injected in ten-fold dilutions from 5 x 10(9) to 5 x 10(4) organisms. Pigs receiving the lower doses showed high variability in their arthritic responses that precluded sensitive analysis of the dose effects on the number of arthritic and infected joints. However, slaughter weights showed a significant negative correlation with dose. Mean slaughter weights in treatment groups varied by 14.6 kg per pig, an average weight loss of 3 kg per pig for each ten-fold rise in dose of the highly virulent strain, and significantly correlated with the number of arthritic and infected joints. Culture of homogenised synovial membrane through selective horse meat-serum broth containing kanamycin, neomycin and vancomycin identified 66% and 59% more infected joints than primary blood agar culture of synovial fluid or synovial membrane homogenate, respectively.     

Intra-nasal inoculation of American bison (Bison bison) with ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) reliably reproduces malignant catarrhal fever

Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) due to infection with ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) is common in commercial herds of American bison ( Bison bison). Inability to propagate OvHV-2 in vitro has been a constraint on experimental studies of the disease. We sought to establish whether nasal secretions from sheep that shed OvHV-2 might induce the disease in bison and to define a minimum challenge dose. Fourteen bison were nebulized with sheep nasal sections containing 10(3)-10(7) OvHV-2 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) copies. Most challenged bison (11/14, 78.6%) developed clinical signs at 29-52 days postnebulization (DPN). The mean incubation time was 42.18 (+/-7.33 SD) DPN. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, we detected OvHV-2 DNA in peripheral blood leukocytes at 21-31 DPN. All bison that developed MCF had antibodies against the MCF group viruses. Gross and histologic lesions were typical of the acute disease. There was no morphologic evidence of a dose-related difference in the severity or distribution of lesions. This is the first successful reproduction of MCF in bison using a nasal route of exposure. Experimentally challenged bison are more susceptible to MCF, compared with experimentally challenged domestic cattle in a previous experiment. Bison are a pertinent ruminant species in which the pathogenesis of the disease can be investigated.     

Failure of experimental vaccines to protect against infection with ovine progressive pneumonia (maedi-visna) virus

Cell culture medium was harvested from cells infected with ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP) virus and used to prepare killed virus vaccines. Virus was inactivated by either heat, formalin, or ethyleneimine and used either without adjuvant, with Freund incomplete adjuvant, or with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant to vaccinate sheep. The sheep produced precipitating antibody against the virus but were not protected against infection when challenged with live OPP virus.