Neutrophil Phagocytosis Following Inoculation of Salmonella choleraesuis into Swine

Neutrophils are an important mediator of host defence, especially in early stages of infection. A major function of neutrophils is the uptake and killing of invading microbes. Little is known about the effect of neutrophil activity on the pathogenesis and development of the carrier state in swine following infection with Salmonella choleraesuis. A human whole-blood microassay using flow cytometry was modified to measure the effect of S. choleraesuis infection in vivo on the rate of ingestion, or rate of uptake, of homologous bacteria by porcine neutrophils. Pigs were inoculated intranasally with 5–8×10⁸ CFU S. choleraesuis and blood was collected in heparinized tubes at –5, 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 days post inoculation (PI). Heat-killed S. choleraesuis were labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate and incubated for various times with diluted whole blood. Red blood cells were lysed, external non-phagocytized bacteria were quenched with a commercially available lysing solution, and fluorescence from internalized bacteria labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate was detected by flow cytometry. The rate of uptake by neutrophils did not increase until 2 days PI and then remained elevated to 4 days PI. The minimal uptake of S. choleraesuis early after exposure to these organisms may provide an opportunity for the pathogen to colonize and/or replicate to levels that facilitate establishment of a carrier state or clinical infection in swine.     

Detection of Anti-listeriolysin O and Listeria monocytogenes in Experimentally Infected Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The kinetics of antibody production against listeriolysin O (ALLO) and the recovery pattern of Listeria monocytogenes from bacteriological samples were studied following oral infection of buffalo calves with 3×10⁹ cells each of pathogenic L. monocytogenes. Antibodies to LLO appeared by 7–10 days post infection (PI), with a shallow peak between days 16 and 36 PI, when tested by indirect plate-ELISA. The titres of ALLO in all the animals then declined slowly but remained detectable up to day 70 PI. In dot-ELISA, ALLO could be detected by days 5 to 7 PI, and with higher titres than with the plate-ELISA. The pathogen was recovered at low rates as ALLO first appeared but was absent in the faecal, nasal and blood cultures as production of ALLO peaked.     

Evaluation of age-dependent susceptibility in calves infected with two doses of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis using pathology and tissue culture

The longstanding assumption that calves of more than 6 months of age are more resistant to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection has recently been challenged. In order to elucidate this, a challenge experiment was performed to evaluate age- and dose-dependent susceptibility to MAP infection in dairy calves. Fifty-six calves from MAP-negative dams were randomly allocated to 10 MAP challenge groups (5 animals per group) and a negative control group (6 calves). Calves were inoculated orally on 2 consecutive days at 5 ages: 2 weeks and 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. Within each age group 5 calves received either a high – or low – dose of 5 × 10⁹ CFU or 5 × 10⁷ CFU, respectively. All calves were euthanized at 17 months of age. Macroscopic and histological lesions were assessed and bacterial culture was done on numerous tissue samples. Within all 5 age groups, calves were successfully infected with either dose of MAP. Calves inoculated at < 6 months usually had more culture-positive tissue locations and higher histological lesion scores. Furthermore, those infected with a high dose had more severe scores for histologic and macroscopic lesions as well as more culture-positive tissue locations compared to calves infected with a low dose. In conclusion, calves to 1 year of age were susceptible to MAP infection and a high infection dose produced more severe lesions than a low dose.     

Efficacy of Calcium Fosfomycin for the Treatment of Experimental Infections of Broiler Chickens with Escherichia Coli O78:K80

Two trials were made to assess the efficacy of including calcium fosfomycin in the drinking water or in the feed for four days to control the adverse effects of experimentally induced colibacillosis in broiler chickens. Trial 1 had five groups of 15 chicks each: one group of negative controls; an untreated infected control group and three groups treated with 50, 100 or 200 ppm of calcium fosfomycin in drinking water. Trial 2 had the same groups but the antibiotic was incorporated into the feed. The chickens were infected via their air sacs with 1.7 x 10⁸–3.6 x 10⁸ CFU/chick of Escherichia coli O78:K80. The morbidity and mortality, a score for the gross lesions, the relative weight of the liver and spleen, performance and re-isolation of the challenge bacteria were recorded. Calcium fosfomycin in the drinking water controlled the colibacillosis, particularly in the group treated with 200 ppm. However, no effect of the antibiotic was seen when calcium fosfomycin was incorporated into the feed, the mortality, score of lesions and re-isolation of E. coli from the organs in the three treated groups being similar to those for the infected unmedicated group. The amount of antibiotic ingested in trial 1 was three times more than in trial 2. These results suggest that calcium fosfomycin is best used in the drinking water for the treatment of colibacillosis.     

Setting New Immunobiological Parameters in the Hamster Model of Visceral Leishmaniasis for <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vivo</Emphasis> Testing of Antileishmanial Compounds

To establish suitable immunobiological parameters for in vivo testing of new antileishmanial compounds in the golden hamster model of visceral leishmaniasis, two groups of 8 animals were infected each with 10⁵ or 10⁷ stationary promastigotes by the intracardiac route and the clinical and immunoparasitological features were monitored up to day 155 after infection. All animals became infected at both doses, although significant differences were observed between parasite burdens in liver and spleen. The mean number of parasites in animals infected with 10⁷ promastigotes increased by 9.5 times in liver and by 43.1 times in spleen compared with those infected with 10⁵ promastigotes. In animals given the higher dose, the outcome of the disease occurred between days 75 and 90 after infection, whereas no signs of disease were apparent in those given the lower infecting dose. Positive antibody (IgG) responses were detected earlier (week 5–7 after infection) in animals infected with the higher dose than in those infected with the lower dose (week 8–10 after infection), but these responses did not correlate with individual parasitological loads in liver and spleen. An inverse correlation was observed between infecting doses and in vitro spleen lymphocyte proliferation against mitogens (ConA). The proportion of CD4⁺ and CD19⁺ spleen cell increased in animals given the higher infection, whereas it decreased in those given the lower infection compared to naive controls.     

Muscarinic receptor subtypes in equine tracheal smooth muscle

Selective muscarinic receptor antagonists were used to identify muscarinic receptor subtypes in equine trachealis strips. The M₁ receptor antagonist pirenzepine (10^–7 mol/L to 3 × 10^–5 mol/L) and the M₃ receptor antagonist 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine (4-DAMP, 10^–9 mol/L to 3 × 10^–7 mol/L³) dose dependently inhibited the contractile responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) and exogenous acetylcholine (ACh). Schild plots yielded a pA₂ value for pirenzepine vs ACh of 6.75 ± 0.09, which is consistent with the affinity for M₂ or M₃ receptors, and a pA₂ value for 4-DAMP vs ACh of 8.47 ± 0.09, which is in agreement with the affinity for M₃ receptors. The M₂ receptor antagonist gallamine (10^–5 mol/L and 10^–4 mol/L) did not affect the response of trachealis to exogenous ACh and low-frequency EFS (0.1–2 Hz) but decreased the responses to high-frequency EFS (4–16 Hz). These results suggest that the muscarinic receptors mediating contractions induced by ACh in equine tracheal smooth muscle are of the M₃ subtype. The lack of an increase in the response to EFS following gallamine suggests that functional prejunctional inhibitory M₂ receptors are not present on the cholinergic nerves innervating equine tracheal smooth muscle.     

Bordetella bronchiseptica experimental model development in pigs and efficacy evaluation of a single intramuscular injection of gamithromycin (Zactran® for Swine) against Bordetella bronchiseptica-associated respiratory disease in experimentally infected piglets

In the Bordetella bronchiseptica infection model development study, twenty-eight piglets were inoculated with B. bronchiseptica strain of either canine (10⁹ CFU/ml) or swine (10⁸ and 10⁹ CFU/ml) origin; swine origin strain at 10⁹ CFU/ml was chosen for the efficacy assessment study due to higher incidence and severity of gross and histopathological lesions compared with other strains. To assess efficacy of gamithromycin against B. bronchiseptica, forty piglets were experimentally inoculated on Day 0 and clinical signs were scored as per severity. Animals were then treated either with gamithromycin or saline on Day 3. The Global Clinical Scores in gamithromycin-treated group were consistently lower than the saline-treated control group from Day 4 onwards and were 0 and 40 in the gamithromycin-treated and saline-treated control groups, respectively, on Day 6. Severity and frequency of gross and histopathological observations were significantly lower in gamithromycin-treated animals compared with saline-treated controls. The efficacy of Zactran® for Swine at the label dose for the treatment of B. bronchiseptica–associated respiratory disease was demonstrated based on the faster reduction in clinical signs as early as 1 day post-gamithromycin treatment and based on the significant difference in the severity of macroscopic and microscopic lung lesions 10 days post-gamithromycin treatment.     

Haematological parameters in brown swiss and holstein cattle at high altitude

Summary Standard haematological values have been calculated for female Holstein and Brown Swiss cattle kept at high altitudes in the Andean Sierra. Overall mean values were 5·9 × 10¹² l^–1 for the red cell count, 0·321l^–1 for the packed cell volume, 9·6 gdl^–1 for the haemoglobin concentration, 55·0 femtolitres for the mean corpuscular volume, 30·5 gdl^–1 for the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and 16·7 pg for mean corpuscular haemoglobin. Red cell indices tended to be higher in Holstein cattle than in Brown Swiss kept at the same altitude and were higher in cattle kept at higher altitudes. Mean white cell parameters were 9·7 × 10⁹ l^–1 for total white cells, 2·6 × 10⁹ l^–1 for neutrophils, 0·086 × 10⁹ l^–1 for bands, 6·3 × 10⁹ l^–1 for lymphocytes, 0·7 × 10⁹ l^–1 for eosinophils, 0·073 × 10⁹ l^–1 for monocytes and 0·001 × 10⁹ l^–1 for basophils.

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Parametros Hematologicos En Vacas Pardo Suizas Y Holstein Mantenidas A Gran Altitud

Resumen Se calcularon los valores hematológicos estandar de vacas de raza Holstein y Pardo Suiza mantenidas a altitudes elevadas en los Andes. Los valores medios fueron 5·9 × 10¹²l^–1 para la concentración de eritrocitos, 0·321l^–1 para el valor hematocrito, 9·6 gdl^–1 para la concentración de hemoglobina, 55·0 femtolitros para el volumen corpuscular medio, 30·5 gdl^–1 para la concentración corpuscular media de hemoglobina y 16·7 pg para la hemoglobina corpuscular media. La concentración de eritrocitos tendió a ser superior en vacas Holstein que en vacas Pardo Suizas mantenidas a la misma altitud y fue mayor en animales mantenidos a altitudes superiores. Los parámetros leucocitarios medios fueron 9·7 × 10⁹l^–1 para la concentración de leucocitos totales, 2·6 × 10⁹l^–1 para la de neutrófilos, 0·086 × 10⁹l^–1 para la de neutrófilos en banda, 6·3 × 10⁹l^–1 para la de linfocitos, 0·7 × 10⁹l^–1 para la de eosinófilos, 0·073 × 10⁹l^–1 para la de monocitos y 0·001 × 10⁹l^–1 para la de basófilos.

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Parametres Hematologiques Chez Les Bovins Brown Suisse Et Holstein En Altitude Elevee

Résumé On a calculé les valeurs hématologiques standard pour les vaches Holstein et Brown Suisse élevées dans les hautes altitudes de la sierra andine. En général, les valeurs moyennes ont été de 5,9 × 10¹²l^–1 pour la numération des hématies, 0,321l^–1 pour l'hématocrite, 9,6 gd l^–1 pour la concentration en hémoglobine, 55,0 femtolitres pour le volume globulaire moyen, 30,5 gdl^–1 pour la concentration corpusculaire moyenne en hémoglobine et 16,7 pg pour l'hémoglobine globulaire moyenne. Les indices globulaires ont tendance a être plus élevés chez les Holsteins que chez les Brown Suisses élevées à la même altitude et a être plus élevées pour les bovins élevés à des altitudes plus hautes. Les paramètres moyens pour les leucocytes ont été 9,7 × 10⁹l^–1 pour la numération leucoytaire totale, de 2,6 × 10⁹l^–1 pour les neutrophiles, de 0,086 × 10⁹l^–1 pour les bandes, de 6,3 × 10⁹l^–1 pour les lymphocytes, de 0,7 × 10⁹l^–1 pour les éosinophiles, de 0,073 × 10⁹l^–1 pour les monocytes et de 0,001 × 10⁹l^–1 pour les basophiles.

     

An epidemiological study of canine filarioses in north-west Italy: What has changed in 25 years?

A field survey aimed at updating knowledge of the distribution and prevalence of filarial infections in the Piedmont region was undertaken. Blood samples were collected from 2628 dogs (10–15 dogs/100 km²) which had remained in the local area, were kept in the open overnight, were more than 2 years old and had not previously been treated with microfilaricidal drugs. Infection was diagnosed by a modified Knott test. Comparison of the results with those from a similar survey carried out 25 years ago showed a 3-fold increase in the size of the endemic area, with the colonization of new habitats, and a 4-fold increase in the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection.     

Summer Variation in the Concentration of Steroidal Sapogenins in and the Degree of Fungal Infection on Narthecium ossifragum plants from Møre og Romsdal County,Norway

Thirty-nine leaf samples ofNarthecium ossifragum collected from eight sites in More og Romsdal County, Norway, during June–September 1997 and 41 leaf samples collected at five sites in the same county during June–August 1998 were analysed for the concentrations of steroidal sapogenins using GC-MS. The 1998 samples were also examined for fungal elements (conidia and hyphae) after incubation in a moist chamber for 10–14 days. The highest 1997 and 1998 leaf sapogenin concentrations (4881 and 7115 mg/kg dry matter, respectively) were 13–14 times greater than the lowest sapogenin concentrations found (344 and 531 mg/kg dry matter, respectively). The results did not reveal systematic differences in sapogenin concentrations between the two seasons, or between samples harvested early or late in the same seasons, or between sapogenin concentrations in plants harvested at different sites.Cladosporium magnusianum was the predominant fungus found in the samples. The degree of fungal infection on the samples was in generally low, but the number ofC. magnusianum colonies in the moist chamber preparations and fungal elements (conidia and hyphae) in leaf washings and on leaves tended to increase with time. Factor analysis and multiple regression analysis performed on the chemical and fungal results suggest that sporulation may have occurred in the fungi in response to increase in sapogenin concentrations.     

Serum C-reactive protein and immune responses in dogs inoculated withBordetella bronchiseptica (phase I cells)

Eight Beagle dogs were inoculated intrabronchially with 5×10⁹ live, avirulent cells ofBordetella bronchiseptica L-414 strain (phase I cells) (B. bronchiseptica) to investigate the serum levels of their C-reactive protein, the white blood cell counts, the antibody responses toB. bronchiseptica in the sera and tracheal secretions, and the effects of prednisolone given to four of the dogs on C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cells (WBC) and immune responses. In two Beagle dogs inoculated intrabronchially with sterile physiological saline, the concentrations of CRP and the WBC counts did not increase. CRP was markedly increased one day after inoculation in the dogs inoculated withB. bronchiseptica to 385.0–720.0 µg/ml (mean 498±132 µg/ml) in the group given theB. bronchiseptica inoculation only, and to 372.0–649.0 µg/ml (mean 551±106 µg/ml) in the group treated with prednisolone following inoculation ofB. bronchiseptica, as determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The CRP levels were 23–95 times the pre-inoculation values, which indicated that prednisolone had no effect on the production of CRP. In the prednisolone-treated group, the WBC count increased and stayed at an increased level for approximately 12 days. An indirect fluorescent antibody test led to the detection of anti-B. bronchiseptica IgM and IgG antibodies in the sera from 5 days afterB. bronchiseptica inoculation and S-IgA and IgG anti-B. bronchiseptica antibodies in the tracheal secretions on the day after the challenge exposure toB. bronchiseptica. The increase in CRP after challenge exposure toB. bronchiseptica was significantly (p<0.05) smaller than that found after the first inoculation ofB. bronchiseptica.Abbreviations CRP C-reactive protein - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - FHA filamentous haemagglutinin - IFA indirect fluorescent antibody - WBC white blood cell(s)     

The distribution pattern of Sarcocystis species,their transmission and pathogenesis in sheep in Fars Province of Iran

Of 1362 sheep examined during two years in Fars Province of Iran, 786 (57.7%) were positive for Sarcocystis spp. The prevalence was significantly higher (p<0.05) in animals owned by nomadic Assyrians (67.95%) than in those owned by local people (41.86%). More of the animals above 2 years age were infected (69.98%) than young ones (30.02%). Females had a higher prevalence of infection (61.07%) than males (38.93%) but most of the males were younger. There was no variation in the infection rate during spring, summer or autumn, but it was low in winter. The species observed were Sarcocystis gigantea, predominantly in oesophagus, S. medusiformis, mainly in diaphragm, S. tenella in the oesophagus, diaphragm, tongue and heart, and S. arieticanis in the oesophagus, tongue and occasionally in the diaphragm. In transmission studies, the prepatent period for S. gigantea and S. medusiformis and for the two microscopic species was 11–13, 10 and 8–12 days, respectively. The infection could not be transmitted to hamsters and guinea-pigs. The macroscopic species were almost non-pathogenic but were responsible for economic losses because of rejection of carcases or parts thereof at slaughter. The microscopic species caused tissue damage to the affected organs, resulting in haemorrhages, mononuclear infiltration and necrotic changes.Abbreviations DPI days post infection     

Experimental Infection with Mycobacterium Avium,Serotype 2, in Pigs: 4. Contact Infection from Orally Inoculated Pigs*

In 3 experiments, 13 pigs were inoculated orally with 0.5 mg Mycobacterium avium daily for 5 days (1 mg = 32–68×10⁶ viable units). Five to 8 days after inoculation, 16 non-inoculated pigs were added to the inoculated pigs.Cultures from faeces showed excretion of M. avium from all the inoculated pigs for some time within the period 16 to 65 days after the last inoculation; the greatest numbers of organisms (62000 per 100 g faeces) were found at about the middle of the excretion period (Table 2). Two of the contact pigs were found to excrete M. avium in small numbers, 1 at 15, the other at 37 and 44 days after contact.All the inoculated pigs and 13 of the contact pigs showed positive intradermal tuberculin reactions. Post-mortem examination showed tuberculous lesions in all the inoculated pigs (Table 3). M. avium was transmitted to 15 of 16 pigs by contact. Five of these pigs showed gross lesions, 10 of them microscopic lesions only; in 9 of them the infection was proved by culture.     

Endoparasite infection and Cryptosporidium/Giardia in feral horses on public lands

Two populations of feral horses and one population of domestic horses located in portions of eastern California and western Nevada (Inyo National Forest) were examined for the occurrence of endoparasite infection and the protozoans, Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis. The two groups of feral horses consisted of 24 sedentary horses and 29 nomadic horses; there were a total of 11 domestic horses. The sedentary and nomadic horses were tracked and observed for one to three days, respectively. Fresh fecal samples were collected from the respective groups and examined for parasite eggs using the Cornell-Wisconsin Centrifugal Flotation Technique. A total of 58 fecal samples were collected from the three groups (sedentary, n=16; nomadic, n=31; domestic, n=11). Data (eggs·g⁻¹) were initially analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric statistical method. Mean separation was accomplished by using the Mann-Whitney U-test following an observed significant effect of group (p<0.0001) with the Kruskal-Wallis test. The median numbers of eggs·g⁻¹ for the sedentary, nomadic and domestic groups were 803.0, 69.0 and 321.0, respectively. The interquartile range along with the 25th and 75th percentile for the respective groups were 776.0 (332.0–1108.0), 136.5 (32.0–168.5) and 486.0 (198.0–684.0). The eggs·g⁻¹ for the nomadic group were less than the sedentary horses (p<0.0001) and less than the domestic horses (p<0.02); however, there were no observed differences between the sedentary and domestic groups (p=0.13). The lower number of eggs·g⁻¹ observed for the nomadic group is most likely due to the reduced time spent on the collection site relative to their movement pattern. Separate aliquots of the fecal samples were also analyzed for Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis. All fecal samples were negative for these two organisms.     

Bovine serum transferrin concentration during acuteinfection with Haemophilus somnus

A novel, competitive immunoassay based on time-resolved fluorimetry was developed, and used to measure the serum concentration of bovine transferrin during acute Haemophilus somnus pneumonia. Upper and lower limits of normality were established using serum from healthy cattle (3.72–1.37mgmL⁻¹). Following experimental infection with Haemophilus somnus, transferrin concentration was depressed in all calves but recovered to pre-infection levels in groups of calves which had either no lesions, or mild lesions at necropsy between 5 and 6 days after infection. In a third group, which developed extensive lesions, the transferrin concentration remained depressed. Transferrin levels remained within the normal range for all calves during the experimental period. Those calves which had low transferrin concentrations pre-infection, developed extensive lung lesions following experimental infection with Haemophilus somnus.     

The Effect of Pasteurella haemolytica A2 Infection on Phagocytosis Efficiency of Caprine Broncho‐Alveolar Macrophages

An experiment was designed to study the in vivo effect of Pasteurella haemolytica A2 infection on the phagocytosis activity of caprine broncho‐alveolar macrophages and the extent of pneumonic lesions. Twelve healthy local Kacang goats, about 7 months of age, were divided into two groups of six. Goats in group 1 were inoculated intratracheally with 4 ml inoculum containing 2.8 × 10⁹ colony‐forming units (CFU)/ml of Staphylococcus aureus. Goats in group 2 were inoculated intratracheally with 4 ml of inoculum containing 9.5 × 10⁸ CFU/ml of Pasteurella haemolytica A2 isolated earlier from pneumonic lungs of goat. At intervals of 3 and 7 days post‐challenge five goats from each group were killed and the lungs were washed with sterile phosphate‐buffered saline. Smears were prepared from the lung washing fluid and the number of macrophages with phagocytic activity was determined. At day 3 post‐infection, goats of both groups showed a similar pattern of pneumonic lesion. The lung washing fluid of goats in group 2 was found to contain numerous neutrophils and macrophages. Goats in group 2 showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher extent of lung lesions than group 1. Similarly, the average extent of lung lesions was significantly (P < 0.05) more severe in group 2 at day 7 post‐infection. The lung washing fluid contained mostly macrophages. The phagocytic activity following S. aureus infection was more efficient and significantly (P < 0.01) higher compared with infection by P. haemolytica A2. There were weak correlations between the extent of pneumonic lesion and the phagocytic activity. Thus, goats with poor phagocytic activity were likely to develop more extensive lung lesions.     

Gastric Helicobacter species as a cause of feline gastric lymphoma: A viable hypothesis

Gastric Helicobacter spp. are associated with chronic inflammation and neoplastic transformation in humans as well as domestic and laboratory species. The present study examined the association of Helicobacter heilmannii (Hhe) infection in pet cats with feline gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Tissues were collected via gastric biopsy or at necropsy from 47 pet cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease, including vomiting and inappetance, and classified as gastritis (14/47), lymphoma (31/37), or normal (2/47). Tissues positive for argyrophilic organisms with Warthin–Starry stain (29/47) were assessed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for the presence of Hhe strains 1–4 as well as with a fifth probe that detected Helicobacter salomonis, Helicobacter bizzozeronii, or Helicobacter felis. A significant association of positive Warthin–Starry status with Hhe infection was found in cases of sick cats (22/29; p < 0.05 by Chi-square; χ² = 7.034). Interestingly, a significant association between Hhe status and a diagnosis of lymphoblastic or lymphocytic lymphoma was observed as well in a subset of 24 Warthin–Starry positive lymphoma cases: of lymphoblastic lymphoma cases, 13/17 were positive for Hhe (p < 0.05; χ² = 4.854). Hhe strains 2 and 4 were most commonly found (18/29 and 17/29, respectively) among sick cats, although a higher than expected number of cats was also positive for Hhe1, which initial reports have described as rare in cats and common in humans. The association found between a positive Hhe status with the presence of feline gastric lymphoma, especially lymphoblastic lymphoma, argues for the need to conduct prospective studies to better identify the frequency and strain distribution of Hhe infection in both healthy and clinically ill cats, particularly those cats with gastric lymphoma.     

Tolerance to the Nephrotoxic Component of Narthecium ossifragum in Sheep: The Effects of Repeated Oral Doses of Plant Extracts

Young adult sheep were dosed with extracts of Narthecium ossifragum plants by the oral or parenteral routes and the resulting nephrotoxicity was assessed from the increases in the concentrations of creatinine and urea in the serum. Following single intraruminal or intraperitoneal doses of extracts derived from 30 g N. ossifragum (wet weight) per kg live weight (kg lw), serum creatinine concentrations increased from about 100 mol/L to between 260 and 510 mol/L. The serum urea concentrations increased from about 5–8 mmol/L to between 11 and 66 mmol/L in individual sheep. Daily intraruminal administration of 5–30 g/kg lw to three sheep over a 10- or 15-day period increased creatinine concentrations from 100 mol/L to 300–760 mol/L, and urea concentrations from 5–8 mmol/L to 35 mmol/L. A single intraperitoneal challenge dose of 30 g/kg lw, delivered 7 or 12 days after the final intraruminal dose, did not lead to increased serum creatinine or urea concentrations, indicating that oral treatment had apparently resulted in an increased tolerance to the nephrotoxic principle(s) in N. ossifragum.     

Dietary Bacillus subtilis C-3102 Supplementation Enhances the Exclusion of Salmonella enterica from Chickens

Among the reported probiotic Bacillus strains, B. subtilis C-3102 has the unique potential to improve feed uptake under stress conditions in the broilers, piglets, and cows. In this study, we sought to evaluate the protective effect of feed additive probiotic Bacillus subtilis C-3102 against Salmonella enterica infection of specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicks in floor pens in two experiments. In the experiment-1, the chicks in the control group (n=32) were fed a basal diet and those in the C-3102 group (n=32) were fed a basal diet supplemented with 1×10⁶ CFU/g of feed for 28 days. On day 7 post-challenge with S. enterica, there was no significant change in the body weight between both the groups throughout the test period, whereas detection rates of S. enterica in the C-3102 group were significantly lower in the cecum and liver on days 21 and 14 post-challenge, respectively. In the experiment-2, minimum dosage of C-3102 cells required to protect Salmonella infection was evaluated using 3 dosages. Chicks were divided into four groups, fed with different dosages of C-3102 (1×10⁶, 5×10⁵, 3×10⁵, and 0 CFU/g of feed), and challenged with S. enterica (2.8×10⁸ CFU/chicken). S. enterica infection was completed within 7 days post- challenge and was almost excluded from the liver and spleen on day 21 post- challenge in the control group. Average values showed a trend for higher infection rates in the control group >3×10⁵>5×10⁵>1×10⁶ CFU/g on days 14 and 21 post-challenge. These results suggest that B. subtilis C-3102 supplementation has the potential to reduce S. enterica infection rates and/or to accelerate the exclusion of S. enterica from the chicks.     

Oscillatory measurements,blood gas analysis and clinical observations after intravenous clenbuterol administration in healthy and acutely pneumonic calves

The effects of clenbuterol (Ventipulmin, Boehringer Ingelheim) on respiratory functions were investigated in 6 calves aged 4–6 weeks prior to and after experimental infection withPasteurella haemolytica A1. On days 1–3 (prior to infection) and on days 7–9 (after infection), blood gas analysis, monofrequency forced oscillation techniques and clinical examinations (heart rate, respiratory rate) were conducted for 135 min after the intravenous administration of clenbuterol (0.8 µg/kg body weight). In healthy calves prior toPasteurella infection, intravenous administration of clenbuterol induced a mild tachycardia and a reduction in the mean oscillatory respiratory resistance. Using the same dose of clenbuterol in diseased calves after infection, the statistically significant reduction in oscillatory respiratory resistance was more impressive and it was accompanied by a significant increase in the oxygen pressure of the arterialized blood. Heart rate and respiratory rate did not change significantly after the administration of clenbuterol in infected calves.Abbreviations HR heart rate - IV intravenous - MFOT monofrequency forced oscillation technique - PaO₂ arterial oxygen pressure - R_os oscillatory resistance - RR respiratory rate