Clinical pathology of amphibians: a review

Amphibian declines and extinctions have worsened in the last 2 decades. Partly because one of the main causes of the declines is infectious disease, veterinary professionals have increasingly become involved in amphibian research, captive husbandry, and management. Health evaluation of amphibians, free‐living or captive, can benefit from employing the tools of clinical pathology, something that is commonly used in veterinary medicine of other vertebrates. The present review compiles what is known of amphibian clinical pathology emphasizing knowledge that may assist with the interpretation of laboratory results, provides diagnostic recommendations for common amphibian diseases, and includes RIs for a few amphibian species estimated based on peer‐reviewed studies. We hope to encourage the incorporation of clinical pathology in amphibian practice and research, and to highlight the importance of applying veterinary medicine principles in furthering our knowledge of amphibian pathophysiology.     

Demonstration of non-inferiority of a novel combination intramammary antimicrobial in the treatment of clinical mastitis

AIM: To test the non-inferiority of a novel combination intramammary product containing penicillin and cloxacillin to a reference intramammary product containing oxytetracycline, oleandomycin, neomycin and prednisolone with regard to bacteriological cure and clinical cure.

METHODS: Clinical cases of mastitis were sourced from 30 spring-calving dairy farms in the Southland region of New Zealand. Affected quarters were infused three times at 24 hourly intervals with either the novel combination product containing 1?g penicillin and 200?mg cloxacillin, or a reference product containing 200?mg oxytetracycline, 100?mg oleandomycin, 100?mg neomycin and 5?mg prednisolone. Cows were enrolled when a farmer detected a case of clinical mastitis. Milk samples were collected for microbiological culture immediately before treatment (Day 0) and on Days 9, 16 and 23. Bacteriological cure was compared for 187 and 178 quarters treated with the reference and novel product, respectively, and clinical cure was compared for 235 and 223 quarters, respectively. Non-inferiority was assessed by calculating the difference in cure rates between the two products and constructing a 95% CI around the difference, using the variance inflation factor to account for herd level clustering. The non-inferiority margin was 20% for both bacteriological and clinical cure. Generalising estimating equation models were used to determine predictor variables.

RESULTS: The bacteriological cure percentage, adjusted to account for herd-level clustering, was 8.5 (95% CI=?1.7–21.8)% higher for quarters treated with the novel than the reference product. The adjusted clinical cure percentage was 0.3 (95% CI=?11.2–12.0)% higher for clinical quarters treated with the novel than the reference product. Bacterial species was the only covariate for bacteriological cure (p=0.003), and quarter score at enrolment (indicating udder inflammation) was the only covariate for clinical cure (p=0.032) in the multivariable models.

CONCLUSION: The novel combination product was demonstrated to be non-inferior to the reference product with regards to both bacteriological cure and clinical cure.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinicians treating mastitis now have access to this novel combination intramammary product, and demonstration of its non-inferiority compared to the existing reference product will provide options for treatment approaches. The novel product contains fewer antimicrobials; which are of a narrower spectrum of activity.     

Inverse age resistance to experimental Babesia divergens infection in cattle

Two groups of calves, 1.5-2 and 7-11 months old respectively, and dairy cows were inoculated i.v. with 3 x 10(7) erythrocytes infected with Babesia divergens. High parasitaemia, fever and other clinical signs of babesiosis occurred among adult animals. A very low parasitaemia and a slightly increased body temperature but no other symptoms occurred in calves. these findings substantiate the conclusion that there exists an inverse age resistance against Babesia divergens. The kinetics of B. divergens IgG antibody formation were similar in all age groups. Consequently this antibody response was not the factor determining the development of the primary parasitaemia and thus the inverse age resistance phenomenon. However, age is not necessarily the only factor involved in the clinical expression of babesiosis. The kinetics of antibody formation was not associated with the intensity of the parasitaemia. In fact only about half the animals had a demonstrable parasitaemia although the antibody responses were similar in all age groups.     

电针在兽医临床中的应用

作者从兽用电针治疗机的种类、治疗神经系统疾病、消化系统疾病、生殖系统疾病及电针麻醉等方面概述了电针在兽医临床的应用。     

RT-PCR快速检测猪繁殖与呼吸综合征临床组织样品的研究

根据猪繁殖和呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)已发表的核苷酸序列 ,在其核衣壳蛋白基因 (ORF7)保守区设计了一对跨幅约 380bp的特异性引物N1/N2 ,对已知PRRSVJK10 0 1毒株和PRRS临床病料进行RT PCR扩增 ,均扩增出约 380bp的特异片段。用此方法检测 5份疑似PRRS病例肺组织病料 ,结果均为阳性 ,对 2个阳性样品扩增产物进行克隆、测序 ,全长均为 372bp ,与PRRSVVR 2 332毒株ORF7同源性为 95%,证实为PRRSV的核衣壳蛋白基因。结果表明 ,建立的RT PCR检测PRRS临床组织病料特异、快速 ,可用于PRRS临床病料检测     

猪胃切开术的探讨

试验通过临床手术取出滞留在患猪胃腔中的毛丛或毛球,以探讨猪胃切开术的临床应用方法。采用术前禁食24h以上,经麻醉后手术取出胃内异物和冲洗胃的具体方法,对4头淘汰猪实施了胃切开手术,手术成功率为100%。结果表明,胃切开手术具有快速有效地清除胃内异物的优点,但整个过程需要严格的无菌操作和术后护理,才能保证手术的成功率。     

Clinical pathological and epidemiological assessment of morphologically and immunologically confirmed canine leukaemia

Traditionally, classification of leukaemia in dogs has relied on morphological examination and cytochemical staining patterns, but aberrant cellular morphology and stain uptake often curtails accurate categorization, and historical data based on this classification may be unreliable. Immunophenotyping is now the gold standard for classification of leukaemias. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the clinical pathological and epidemiological features of a population of dogs with morphologically and immunologically confirmed leukaemia and to compare them within categories: acute and chronic lymphoid leukaemia (ALL and CLL), and acute and chronic myeloid leukaemia (AML and CML). There were 64 cases of morphologically and immunologically confirmed leukaemia: 25 cases of ALL, 17 cases of CLL and 22 cases of AML. Prevalence of B and T immunophenotypes in ALL and CLL was not statistically different. Dogs with AML were significantly younger than those with ALL at presentation (P = 0.04). Golden Retriever dogs in the study population were overrepresented in comparison with a control population of dogs (6/25 ALL cases, 8/64 leukaemia cases). No sex was overrepresented. Dogs with ALL had significantly more severe neutropenia (P = 0.001) and thrombocytopenia (P = 0.002) than those with CLL and had significantly more cytopenias. The severity and numbers of cytopenias seen in ALL and AML were not significantly different. Twenty‐one of the leukaemia cases showed one cytopenia, fourteen had two cytopenias and twenty‐one cases had pancytopenia. Anaemia was the most common cytopenia seen in isolation (17/21). No dogs had neutropenia without anaemia and/or thrombocytopenia. Total white blood cell counts were not different between the groups. The atypical cell counts within the peripheral blood were significantly higher in ALL than AML; both in isolation and as a percentage of the total white blood cell count (P = 0.03). This study strengthens the hypothesis that acute leukaemias give rise to more profound cytopenias, affecting more cell lines, than chronic leukaemias.     

伊维菌素不同制剂在兽医临床的应用

对近年来伊维菌素的研究及其制剂的应用情况做了详细的综述,并分析了该类药物制剂在研究及应用中存在的问题。     

Measures taken by Veterinarians in Sweden in Cases of Bovine Mastitis

A questionnaire concerning the diagnosis and treatment of bovine mastitis was sent to all 350 Swedish food animal practitioners. 287 (82%) of the questionnaires were returned. One of the main aims was to establish if Swedish food animal practitioners used a common therapeutic regime that could be used as a control treatment in future clinical trials.It was found that many factors of importance for the clinical diagnosis of mastitis such as body temperature, duration of the symptoms etc. often were not considered. On the other hand 60–70% of the practitioners regularly took milk samples to obtain a bacteriological diagnosis. Approximately 40% of the veterinarians cultured the milk samples in their home laboratory.Basic measures like frequent emptying of the udder were recommended by only 40–50% of the veterinarians.All responding field veterinarians used the systemic route for administering antibiotics when treating cases of acute, clinical bovine mastitis. The drug of choice, initially, in these cases was benzylpenicillinprocain, which was used by 65–75% of the veterinarians. Twentyfive percent used a broadspectrum antibiotic, most commonly a combination of penicillin and streptomycin. A minority (5%) directed their initial therapy towards gramnegative bacteria.About 30–40% supported the systemic therapy with intra-mammaries. Other drugs such as NSAID, corticosteroids and oxytocin was used, on a regular basis, by only about 10% of the practitioners.     

Germ cell weakness as a cause of testicular hypoplasia in bulls.

Sporadic cases of testicular hypoplasia were earlier found in bulls of the Swedish Red and White breed. An accumulation of cases have occurred since 1970 in sons of 2 outstanding progenytested bull sires, 2 F and 27 U, which had a common father, 545 B. The history and clinical examination of affected bulls varied. Some had azoospermia and very small testes at a young age, while others could be normal in all respect when they were young but had a short reproductive life and had to be culled at about 3 years of age. Most of the affected bulls were between these 2 extremes. The histologic examination showed principally different degrees of testicular degeneration. There were always some germ cells left in all affected seminiferous tubules indicating that there was not a lack of germ cells causing the hypoplasia. Germ cell weakness is obviously a hereditary condition. The sires 545 B, 2 F and 27 U had a relatively low fertility. In their pedigree were several bulls known to have had a low fertility. No sons of 2 F and only a few sons of 27 U were used for A.I. services and at present only few cases of testicular hypoplasia are seen.     

ALTERNATIVES FOR IMPROVING VETERINARY MEDICAL STUDENTS' LEARNING OF CLINICAL SONOGRAPHY

With the widespread clinical use of sonography there is a need to introduce the topic into the curriculum. A new problem-based course in clinical sonography without lectures was developed to emphasise experiential learning, and engage students actively in individual and collective acts of discovery. Four different approaches were used to deliver the new course to 141 veterinary medical students over four semesters. The physical principles of sonography were taught by computer-assisted instruction and a practical class, clinical examinations were introduced during a session with a tutor, and finally each student wrote an essay on a sonographic topic of their choice. To evaluate the new course, students' responses to a questionnaire were analyzed. Students gained reasonable understanding of the physical principles of sonography and had some confidence in conducting a sonographic examination of an animal. Of most use to student learning was discussion with the teachers. Surprisingly, half the students thought the topic should also be taught by lectures. The students learned the material and acquired the sonographic skills through processes which required more independence and self-responsibility than traditional teaching methods. The teachers' interaction with students on an individual basis, as they encountered individual problems, was the most important resource in learning about sonography. The continued request for lectures suggests an insecurity in some students caught between two different paradigms of teaching and learning (experiential, problem-based learning versus lectures).     

"灭蚕蝇"临床效果的测定

蝇蛆病是养蚕业的重要病害,应用"灭蚕蝇"是目前生产中最为常用的防治方法。本试验从市场抽取"灭蚕蝇"样本,对其化学有效成分进行了测定,并进行了临床药效的测定。结果表明:目前市场上的"灭蚕蝇"存在有效成分含量严重不足的现象;推荐浓度的药效指数可达50.83;推荐减半浓度剂量将导致临床效果的极显著下降;推荐加倍浓度剂量不能显著增加临床效果,但会导致家蚕部分经济性状的下降;有效成分不足的"灭蚕蝇"虽然可以通过降低稀释倍数达到防治效果,但同时造成较为明显的副作用。基于有机磷农药对环境的不良作用和养蚕作业安全的需要,研究和开发取代"灭蚕蝇"的防治方法将是一项重要的工作。     

糜鹿血液生理指标和血清化学成分指标的研究

大丰麋鹿保护区自１９８６年８月从英国重引进３９头麋鹿，经过几年的风土再驯化已重新适应原产地的自然生态环境。研究表明：大丰麋鹿群与美国麋鹿群的血液生理指标和血清化学成分指标相比各年龄段的血红蛋白含量低３３．５６％～４７．１３％，仔麋鹿、成年雄麋鹿红细胞数低６．２５％～１７．５８％，仔麋鹿、成年麋鹿、亚成体雄麋鹿红细胞压积低７．１２％～１９．１５％；仔麋鹿和成年麋鹿的总蛋白含量低４．０５％～１１．２９％；仔麋鹿的血糖浓度低３６．４９％～４１．４４％。血清尿酸含量为４．０～５．２ｍｇ／ｄＬ，远高于报道的０．０５～１．２ｍｇ／ｄＬ。其余指标比较相似。这些数据显示生态环境的改变已引起体内明显的生理代谢变化，与麋鹿饲养地的海拔高度、日粮结构、水、土壤等因素密切相关，麋鹿在自然状态下抗逆能力和耐受力增强。     

环丙沙星的临床应用与合理用药

环丙沙星是第3 代喹诺酮类抗菌作用较强的药物,抗菌谱广,对细菌、支原体都有强烈的抑制和杀灭作用,对临床分离的一些耐青霉素类、头孢菌素类、氨基糖苷类抗生素的菌株也有较强的抗菌活性。临床上广泛用于控制由敏感病原体引起的胃肠道感染、肺部感染、泌乳和生殖系统感染和局部感染等,也用于水生动物和家禽的疾病防治。文章就其抗菌谱、临床应用、与其他抗菌药的联合应用以及不良反应等方面进行综述。     

分子生物学技术在病毒性传染病中的临床应用

分子生物学方法目前是病毒检测和定性的一部分。PCR 技术可以检测传统病毒学方法检测不到的病毒,为病毒学进一步研究提供了技术平台。分子方法不仅能检测到抗生素抗性基因,而且还能进行病毒株基因分型,为公众提供健康信息。通过对抗病毒治疗应答的监控可检测到病毒抑制和病毒量,大大提高病毒的治疗水平。随着多重 PCR、实时定量荧光 PCR 出现和自动化效率的提高,分子检测方法价格将不断降低,分子方法发挥的作用将进步增加。这篇文章将重点叙述分子生物学方法在临床病毒学检测中的应用情况,通过一些例子阐明这些方法如何改变实验室诊断,达到防治病毒性传染病的目的。     

雏鸭铜中毒的实验观察

1日龄天府肉鸭健雏210只随机分为三组,分别喂给铜12.16mg/kg(对照或1组)、850mg/kg(2组)和1050mg/kg(3组)日粮7周。结果表明,后两组雏鸭分别于3周龄和2周龄开始出现临床症状,生长发育迟缓,并出现死亡;血红蛋白含量和红细胞数量显著低于对照组(p<0.05),红细胞变形、变性,大小不等;血清铜含量和肝铜含量极显著高于对照组(p<0.01)。     

猪场爆发猪繁殖与呼吸综合征的临床诊断及实验检测

摘 要: 猪繁殖与呼吸综合征是由猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)引起的猪繁殖和呼吸道接触性传染病。临床特征为母猪流产、死胎和木乃伊胎增多,仔猪出现呼吸道症状和断奶前死亡率增高以及免疫抑制,严重危害种公猪和繁殖母猪及其仔猪。本文参考 GenBank上PRRSV LV和VR-2332毒株核苷酸序列,设计并合成一对特异性引物,以提取来自贵州某猪场猪繁殖与呼吸综合征疑似病料（包括血液、肝、肺、肾、淋巴结、心、脾组织）的总RNA为模版,应用反转录-聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)方法,经94℃ 预变性2 min;94℃变性45s,60℃退火 1min,72℃延伸1min进行35个循环;72℃ 再延伸10min进行扩增。扩增产物经0.8%琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测,结果表明所扩增的目的DNA条带大小约750bp,与预期大小相似。扩增产物经回收纯化后,应用pMD18－T 载体进行克隆后测序。测序结果表明,所扩增DNA片段大小为739bp,该核苷酸序列与湖南发现的PRRSV序列同源性为100%。本实验说明临床诊断及实验RT-PCR检测方法作为猪繁殖与呼吸综合征的诊断方法是快速有效的,可为猪繁殖与呼吸综合征诊断提供参考依据。     

Inhibin: Regulation of reproductive function and practical use in females

Inhibins are gonadal glycoprotein hormones selectively and potently inhibiting follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion from the pituitary gland. Inhibins are produced mainly by the ovary and are purified from follicular fluid. Inhibins were shown to be produced in two forms through dimeric assembly of an α‐subunit and one of two closely related β‐subunits to form inhibin A (α‐βA) and inhibin B (α‐βB). Although inhibin subunits are expressed in various tissues, the gonads are the major source of circulating inhibins. While inhibins may act as a paracrine or autocrine factor in some tissues, their best understood roles are as endocrine regulators of pituitary FSH. In this review we focus our attention on more recent developments in inhibin research. We describe patterns of inhibin A and B secretion during the estrous cycle. We also review the immunization against inhibin α subunit as a practical method for superovulation. Superovulation has been induced successfully by passive or active immunization against the inhibin α‐subunit in several species such as mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, cows, mares, ewes and goats. Furthermore, several studies have shown that oocytes superovulated with immunization against inhibin α‐subunit have the ability to develop normally, suggesting that inhibin immunization could be used as a practical method for superovulation in a wide range of animal species.