First recovery of A/equine/Fontainebleau/1/79 influenza viruses in Italy

In Italy epizootics of equine influenza often occur, but no virus isolation has been reported since 1971. This paper describes the antigenic and biochemical characterization of two equine influenza viruses isolated in Italy from 1985 to 1989. The virus isolates were shown to differ antigenically from earlier strains of the same subtype, A/equine/Miami/1/63 (H3N8). Monoclonal antibody analysis showed that the haemagglutinins of these strains were serologically indistinguishable from A/equine/Fontainebleau/1/79, a variant of A/equine/Miami, never isolated in Italy before. One of the two virus isolates was obtained from a horse immunized with a bivalent inactivated influenza vaccine, not containing A/equine/Fontainebleau/79 antigens.

The vaccine failure underlines the importance of antigenic relatedness between currently circulating viruses and vaccine strains. Therefore, to improve the protection afforded by equine immunization, the vaccine composition should be decided according to the results of a virological surveillance activity, systematically conducted among horses.     

Einsatz von 3H-Aktynomyzin/3H-AMD/ in den mikroautoradiographischen Untersuchungen der Alterungsprozesse eines langfristig in flüssigem Stickstoff aufbewahrten Bullenspermas

Mit dem mikroautoradiographischen Verfahren unter Einsatz von ^/3 H-Aktynomyzin/ ³ H-AMD/ wurde bereits im Verlauf des Einfriervorganges eine Störung des Gleichgewichtszustandes im Bereich der DNP-Komplexe des Spermienkopfes ermittelt. Diese Erscheinung zeigt sich in einer ansteigenden Anzahl von Einschlussen von ³ H-AMD. Es wurde eine Abhängigkeit dieses Proresses aber nicht nur von den Einfrierphasen, sondern auch vom Alter der Bullen und der Zeitdauer der Konservierung des Spermas nachgewiesen. Die niedrigsten Werte der Einschlüsse von ³ H-AMD wurden bei einer Aufbewahrungsdauer der Spermienproben von 3 Monaten bis 5 Jahre ermittelt. Die aus den 6–9 Jahre aufbewahrten Samenproben gewonnenen Spermien waren durch einen hohen Markierungsgrad charakterisiert, was auf Störungen der elektrostatischen Einwirkungen zwischen DNP und Kernproteinen dieser Samenzellen hindeutet .     

Cardiopulmonary effects of diazepam/ketamine/isoflurane or xylazine/ketamine/isoflurane in foals undergoing abdominal surgery

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cardiopulmonary effects of anesthetic induction with diazepam/ketamine or xylazine/ketamine with subsequent maintenance of anesthesia using isoflurane in foals undergoing abdominal surgery. Seventeen foals underwent laparotomy at 7–10 days of age and a laparoscopy 7–10 days later. Foals were randomly assigned to receive xylazine (0.8 mg kg^?1)/ketamine (2 mg kg^?1) (X/K)(n = 9) or diazepam (0.2 mg kg^?1)/ketamine (2 mg kg^?1) (D/K)(n = 8) for induction of anesthesia for both procedures. In all foals, anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen with the inspired concentration adjusted to achieve adequate depth of anesthesia as assessed by an individual blinded to the treatments. IPPV was employed throughout using a tidal volume of 10 mL kg^?1 adjusting the frequency to maintain eucapnia (PaCO₂ 35–45 mm Hg, 4.7–6.0 kPa). Cardiopulmonary variables were measured after induction of anesthesia prior to, during, and following surgery. To compare the measured cardiopulmonary variables between the two anesthetic regimes for both surgical procedures, results were analyzed using a three‐way factorial anova for repeated measures (p < 0.05). During anesthesia for laparotomy, mean CI and MAP ranged from 110 to 180 mL kg^?1 minute^?1 and 57–81 mm Hg, respectively, in the D/K foals and 98–171 mL kg^?1 minute^?1 and 50–66 mm Hg in the X/K foals. Overall, CI, HR, SAP, DAP, and MAP were significantly higher in foals in the D/K group versus the X/K group during this anesthetic period. During anesthesia for laparoscopy, mean CI and MBP ranged from 85 to 165 mL kg^?1 minute^?1 and 67–83 mm Hg, respectively, in the D/K group, and 98–171 mL kg^?1 minute^?1 and 48–67 mm Hg in the X/K group. Only HR, SAP, DAP, and MAP were significantly higher in the D/K group versus X/K group during this latter anesthetic period. There were no significant differences between groups during either surgical procedure for end‐tidal isoflurane, PaO₂, PaCO₂, or pH. In conclusion, anesthesia of foals for laparotomy and laparoscopy with diazepam/ketamine/isoflurane is associated with less hemodynamic depression than with xylazine/ketamine/isoflurane.     

Seroprevalence of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis in humans and animals

The presence of antibodies against Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) and Encephalitozoon intestinalis (E. intestinalis) was examined in 215 samples from humans and in 488 samples from five different species of domestic and companion animals in Slovakia. The 215 human samples and samples from 90 swine, 123 non-infected cattle (cattle), 24 cattle infected with bovine leukosis virus (BLV-positive cattle), 140 sheep and 111 dogs were examined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples with serum titres 1:200 or higher were considered as positive. Specific anti-E. cuniculi antibodies were found in humans (0.9%), swine (52%), cattle (2%), sheep (9%) and dogs (15%) except for the BLV-positive cattle at the titre of 1:200. The titre of 1:400 was detected only in humans (0.5%). The presence of specific anti-E. intestinalis antibodies at the titre of 1:200 was confirmed in humans (6%), swine (51%), cattle (11%), BLV-positive cattle (13%) and dogs (6%) but not in sheep. The anti-E. intestinalis antibodies reached the 1:400 in humans (1%), swine (4%) and BLV-positive cattle (17%). The presence of specific anti-E. intestinalis antibodies at the titre of 1:600 was observed only in one swine (1%). Significant differences were observed in animals at titres 1:200 and 1:400 (chi-squared test: p < 0.0001) for both pathogens and in humans only for E. cuniculi at the titre of 1:400 (chi-squared test: p < 0.0075).     

鸭源流感病毒人工感染鸡的病毒抗原定位动态

研究了由南京地区分离的鸭源流感病毒A/duck/Nanjing/21/95（H9N2？）感染商品来航鸡后，各组织脏器中病毒分离情况和病毒抗原分布。结果表明，禽流感病毒（AIV）可以从肾脏、肺脏、脾脏和心脏中分离出来，接种后3d(PI3），病毒在组织中的分离率最高，且又以肾脏的分离率最高。病毒抗原主要分布在肾小管上皮细胞、呼吸系统单核细胞和少量上皮细胞的胞核内，PI3时病毒抗原的检出率最高。这些结果表明，肾脏是该毒株复制的主要部位，肾脏的病变是病毒直接损伤的结果，而且该株AIV具备在呼吸系统内复制的潜力。     

Utilization of F1 information in estimating QTL effects in F2 crosses between outbred lines

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis in designed experiments is investigated using a mixed model framework through the modification of segment mapping techniques. Allele effects are modelled in the F₁ generation allowing the estimation of additive substitution effects while accounting for QTL segregation within lines and differences in mean QTL effects between lines. The resulting approach is called F₁ segment mapping. Simulation is used to illustrate the method and its properties. F₁ segment mapping has advantages over F₂ segment mapping in the derivation of exact additive genetic covariances and in the computation time for variance component estimation.     

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒ck/CH/LHB/100801株的分离鉴定及分子特征研究

本研究于2010年8月从河北省某鸡场鸡群中分离一株病毒,通过对分离株进行电子显微镜观察、鸡胚致病性试验、血凝特性试验等生物学特性及鸡传染性支气管炎病毒(IBV)核蛋白基因RT-PCR方法鉴定,结果表明分离株为IBV,命名为ck/CH/LHB/100801.根据GenBank中登录的IBV基因组序列,设计扩增病毒全基因组的19对引物,并扩增病毒基因组,采用3-RACE和5-RACE技术,扩增得到该病毒全部基因组序列.通过与已发表的参考病毒株全基因组序列比较表明,该分离株基因组全长为27 675bp,共有10个开放阅读框,其基因排序为:5'-cap-Replicase-S-3a-3b-3c-M-5a-5b-N-poly(A)-3',纤突蛋白裂解位点为534RRFRR538.序列分析表明ck/CH/LHB/100801与台湾分离株TW2296/95的结构蛋白序列相似性高达99.8%,进化亲缘关系最近,推测两分离株间可能具有相同的进化来源.     

猪流感病毒A/Swine/Inner Mongolia/547/01分离株神经氨酸酶基因的克隆及真核表达

根据GenBank中登录的猪流感病毒参照序列设计了扩增神经氨酸酶(NA)基因的特异性引物.从猪流感病毒A/Swine/Inner Mongolia/547/01(H3N2)株感染的鸡胚液中直接提取病毒RNA,经RT-PCR扩增后将其克隆到pMD18-T载体上,进行序列测定和拼接.用HindⅢ酶切后,亚克隆到杆状病毒转移载体pMelBacB上,得到重组转移载体pMelBacNA,然后与线性化杆状病毒DNA(Bac-N-BlueTMDNA)共转染于sf9昆虫细胞.经3轮噬斑纯化,提取其DNA经PCR鉴定,获得重组杆状病毒株.SDS-PAGE结果显示,目的基因已获得表达,Western blot和神经氨酸酶活性检测结果显示表达产物具有良好的免疫原性和神经氨酸酶活性,为SIV亚单位疫苗和NA基因的深入研究奠定了基础.     

Agreement of SpO2, SaO2 and ScO2 in anesthetized cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

Objective To assess the agreement between three measurements of arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂, SaO₂ and ScO₂) in anesthetized cynomolgus monkeys. Study Design Prospective study. Animals Eleven mature, male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fasicularis). Methods Monkeys were anesthetized with intramuscular ketamine followed by intravenous propofol. The trachea of each was intubated and the lungs ventilated. Arterial oxygen saturation was measured with a Nonin 8500 V pulse oximeter, using a lingual clip on the cheek. Arterial blood samples were taken from an indwelling catheter. Inspired oxygen concentration was varied from 12 to 20%, and 88 paired arterial blood samples and saturation measurements were taken. Arterial oxygen saturation in the blood samples was measured using a cooximeter. The saturation was also calculated from the arterial oxygen tension using the Adair equation. The results were compared using Bland and Altman's method. Results The pulse oximeter readings were 2.7% higher than that of the cooximeter, with a limit of agreement of ?3.9 to 9.3%. The pulse oximeter readings were 1.8% higher than the calculated saturation, with a limit of agreement of ?6.5% to 10.1%. The cooximeter readings were 0.9% lower than the calculated saturation, with a limit of agreement of ?5.6% to 3.8%. Conclusions The agreement between SpO₂ and other measurements of arterial oxygen saturation in this study is typical for this technique. The bias and limits of agreement are consistent with reports in other species. Clinical relevance The Nonin 8500 V is a useful pulse oximeter for clinical use in primates.     

禽传染性支气管炎病毒单克隆抗体的制备及其B细胞抗原表位的鉴定

为鉴定传染性支气管炎病毒(IBV)的抗原表位,本研究将IBV ck/CH/LDL/091022株免疫6周龄～8周龄BALB/c小鼠,将小鼠脾脏细胞与骨髓瘤细胞SP2/0融合,经过有限稀释法克隆筛选,得到一株针对IBV核衣壳(N)蛋白的单克隆抗体(MAb)2F2,经鉴定其染色体数目为101条,MAb亚类鉴定其重链属于IgG1,轻链属于K链.用肽扫描方法将IBV ck/CH/LDL/091022株N基因截短为具有相互部分重叠的23段,表达带GST标签的重组蛋白,与MAb 2F2进行western blot和ELISA反应后,鉴定其表位为397INWGDSAL404.将表位序列进行Blast结果表明,本研究鉴定的表位在大部分IBV株中均为保守抗原表位,为进一步建立IBV的检测方法奠定了基础.     

Comparative study of three intramuscular anaesthetic combinations (medetomidine/ketamine, medetomidine/fentanyl/midazolam and xylazine/ketamine) in rabbits

OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality of surgical anaesthesia and cardiorespiratory effects of three intramuscular (IM) anaesthetic combinations in rabbits. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized cross-over experimental study. ANIMALS: Nineteen adult female chinchilla mixed-bred rabbits weighing 3.9 +/- 0.8 kg. METHODS: Rabbits were given one of three IM anaesthetic combinations: 0.25 mg kg(-1) medetomidine and 35.0 mg kg(-1) ketamine (M-K), 0.20 mg kg(-1) medetomidine and 0.02 mg kg(-1) fentanyl and 1.0 mg kg(-1) midazolam (M-F-Mz) and 4.0 mg kg(-1) xylazine and 50 mg kg(-1) ketamine (X-K). The effects of anaesthesia on nociceptive reflexes, circulatory and respiratory function were recorded. Statistical analyses involved repeated measures anova with paired Student's t-test applied post hoc. P-values <0.05 were considered as significant. RESULTS: Reflex loss was most rapid and complete in M-K recipients, whereas animals receiving M-F-Mz showed the longest tolerance of endotracheal intubation (78.1 +/- 36.5 minutes). Loss of righting reflex was significantly most rapid (p < 0.05) in the X-K group (114.7 +/- 24.0 minutes). Surgical anaesthesia was achieved in 16 of 19 animals receiving M-K, in 14 animals receiving M-F-Mz, and in seven animals with X-K, but only for a short period (7.1 +/- 11.6 minutes). This was significantly (p < 0.001) shorter than with M-K (38.7 +/- 30.0 minutes) and M-F-Mz (31.6 +/- 26.6 minutes). Heart rates were greatest in X-K recipients; lowest HR were seen in animals receiving M-F-Mz. Mean arterial blood pressure was significantly higher (about 88 mmHg) during the first hour in the M-K group. During recovery, the greatest hypotension was encountered in the X-K group; minimum values were 53 +/- 12 mmHg. Six of 19 animals in the M-F-Mz group showed a short period of apnoea (30 seconds) immediately after endotracheal intubation. Respiratory frequency was significantly lower in this group (p < 0.001). Highest values for arterial carbon dioxide partial pressures (PaCO(2)) (6.90 +/- 0.87 kPa; 52.5 +/- 6.5 mmHg) occurred after induction of anaesthesia in group M-F-Mz animals. There was a marked decrease in PaO(2) in all three groups (the minimum value 5.28 +/- 0.65 kPa [39.7 +/- 4.9 mmHg] was observed with M-K immediately after injection). Arterial PO(2) was between 26.0 and 43.0 kPa (196 and 324 mmHg) in all groups during O(2) delivery and decreased - but not <7.98 kPa - on its withdrawal. Immediately after drug injection, pH(a) values fell in all groups, with lowest values after 30 minutes (7.23 +/- 0.03 with M-K, 7.28 +/- 0.05 with M-F-Mz, and 7.36 +/- 0.04 with X-K). The X-K animals showed significantly (p < 0.001) higher pH values than medetomidine recipients. During 1 hour of anaesthesia pH values in the medetomidine groups remained below those of the X-K group. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical anaesthesia was induced in most animals receiving medetomidine-based combinations. Arterial blood pressure was maintained at baseline values for about 1 hour after M-K. Transient apnoea occurred with M-F-Mz and mandates respiratory function monitoring. Oxygen enrichment of inspired gases is necessary with all three combinations. Endotracheal intubation is essential in rabbits receiving M-F-Mz. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The quality of surgical anaesthesia was greatest with M-K. All combinations allowed recoveries of similar duration. It is theoretically possible to antagonize each component of the M-F-Mz combination.     

山东省某地区牛、羊肠道病毒感染的流行病学调查

牛、羊肠道病毒感染为国内新近报道的动物传染病,其流行病学本底在国内缺乏。为了解牛、羊肠道病毒感染的情况,本研究应用双抗体夹心ELISA方法对采集于山东省某地区的奶牛、肉牛、绵羊和山羊粪便样品进行了肠道病毒的检测。同时对ELISA检测为阳性的部分样品进行了病毒分离,并以免疫过氧化物酶单层试验对分离毒株进行了鉴定。结果发现,奶牛的肠道病毒感染率为25.0%,肉牛群的感染率为7.6%,绵羊的肠道病毒感染率58.6%,山羊的肠道病毒感染率为48.5%,该结果为肠道病毒感染的防制提供流行病学的理论依据。     

Shiga/verocytotoxins and Shiga/verotoxigenic Escherichia coli in animals.

Vero/Shiga toxins (VT/Stx) have an A-B structure: the A subunit carries the enzymatic activity and the B subunit binds the toxin to the membrane receptor (Gb3 or Gb4). The VT/Stx inhibit protein synthesis in the target eucaryotic cells, mainly the endothelial cells of blood vessels. The VT/Stx are subdivided into two families. VT1/Stx1 is a homogeneous family of toxins identical to the Stx of Shigella dysenteriae. VT2/Stx2 is a more heterogeneous family of toxins more distantly related to this Stx toxin. The VT2/Stx2 variants can be distinguished by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or the reaction with monoclonal antibodies. The VT/Stx-producing Escherichia coli are also subdivided into two main groups on the basis of the presence or absence of additional properties: the enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) induce the formation of attaching/effacing lesions and carry a 60 MD plasmid encoding a specific haemolysin (the enterohaemolysin); the vero/shiga-toxigenic E. coli (VTEC/STEC) do not show these properties. The EHEC are isolated from humans and ruminants, especially young calves. They are associated with haemorrhagic enterocolitis and its sequelae in humans, the haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS). The VT/Stx play a role in the occurrence of blood in the faeces and in the HUS by their action on the endothelial cells of blood vessels in the intestinal submucosa and in the renal glomeruli, after resorption through the intestinal walls. The VTEC/STEC are isolated from piglets, calves and humans. In recently weaned piglets, they cause the oedema disease, an enterotoxaemia characterized by subcutaneous, mesenteric and cerebral oedemas, with nervous disorders as main clinical signs. The oedema disease is the consequence of the action of the VT/Stx on the endothelial cells of blood vessels in various organs. In calves and humans, the role in disease of VTEC/STEC is controversial, but they could be associated with some cases of diarrhoea and HUS. The case of the O157:H7 EHEC which are present in healthy cattle of various ages, but are highly virulent for humans is of special interest. The potential zoonotic aspect of VT/Stx-producing E. coli infections in animals is detailed chapter by chapter. Prophylaxis of these infections by vaccination is the subject of the discussion on the future of the research studies on these pathogenic bacteria.