Prevalence of Antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in Swedish Dogs

Neospora caninum is a newly described coccidian parasite which has been found in various species such as the dog, cattle, horse, sheep and goat. Morphologically it resembles Toxoplasma gondii with which it is related (Holmdahl et al. 1994), and with which it has earlier been confused. The life cycle of N caninum is only partially known. Tachyzoites and tissue cysts are the only known stages of the parasite, and transplacental transmission is the only known route of infection. Subclini-cally infected dams can transmit the parasite to their fetuses and successive offspring from the same mother might be born infected (Dubey et al. 1990b). Clinical neosporosis is mostly seen in pups or young dogs, and the majority or all pups in a litter are often affected. The disease is characterized by ascending paralysis of the legs, with the hind legs more severely affected than the front legs, paralysis of the jaw, difficulty in swallowing and muscle flaccidity and atrophy (Dubey 1992, Dubey & Lindsay 1993). Fatal infections with N caninum in dogs have been reported from many countries, e.g. Norway (Bjerkäs & Presthus 1988), USA (Dubey et al. 1988), Sweden (Uggla et al. 1989a,b) and the United Kingdom (Dubey et al. 1990a). Serological surveys for antibodies to N. caninum in dogs from Kansas, USA and England have shown a prevalence of 2 and 13%, respectively (Lindsay et al. 1990, Trees et al. 1993).     

A Case of Neospora Associated Bovine Abortion in Sweden

Neospora caninum is a recently recognized protozoan organism that causes fatal neuromuscular disease in dogs and abortions and stillbirths in cattle and other animals (Dubey & Lindsay 1993). The parasite is morphologically similar and phylogenetically very closely related to the cyst-forming coccidium Toxoplasma gondii (Ellis et al. 1994, Holmdahl et al. 1994). This group of parasites has a two-host life cycle principally involving a carnivorous definitive host and a herbivorous or omnivorous intermediate host. However, with N. caninum, there is as yet no knowledge of any definitive host harbouring sexual stages of the parasite. The only known route of transmission is vertical from mother to foetus (Dubey & Lindsay 1993).     

Evaluation of a Direct Agglutination Test for Detection of Antibodies Against Toxoplasma gondii in Cat,Pig and Sheep Sera

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of the zoonosis toxoplasmosis. In sheep and goats, it is one of the most prevalent causes of infectious abortion. Also in pregnant women, a primary infection can result in miscarriage. Humans acquire the infection either by ingestion of oocysts excreted by cats, the definitive host of the parasite, or by eating raw or undercooked meat from latently infected animals (Dubey & Beattie 1988). In Sweden, toxoplasmosis is a notifiable disease, and cases of clinical disease in humans as well as animals must be reported. In both veterinary and human medicine serological assays based on detecting the humoral antibody response of the host against the parasite are used as diagnostic tools. So far, solid phase assays, such as the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), have been widely used to diagnose T. gondii infection in many species including cats, pigs and sheep (Dubey & Beattie 1988). However, both IFAT and ELISA require appropriate anti-species specific immunoglobulins (Ig) that must be carefully evaluated for each species prior to use. This makes these assays complicated and time consuming. Consequently, alternative, simpler methods that do not require specific antisera would be of great value. The direct agglutination test (DA), which is based on the principle that formalin-treated organisms agglutinate in the presence of specific IgG antibodies, is such an assay (Fulton & Turk 1959). The DA-test is widely used in human medicine as a screening test for T gondii infection but it has not yet been thoroughly evaluated for use in veterinary medicine (Uggla & Buxton 1990).     

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Seven Dogs with Gastrointestinal Signs

In small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) syndrome the small intestine is colonized by bacteria in excess of 10⁵ colony-forming units (CFU)/ml or g (Batt et al 1983, Williams et al 1987, Strombeck & Guilford 1990). In dogs, SIBO has only recently been recognized as a cause of gastrointestinal signs like diarrhea (Strombeck et al 1981, Batt et al 1983, Batt & McLean 1987, Batt et al 1988). No demonstrable underlying anatomic or functional predisposition is identified in most cases of canine SIBO. However, most of the reported cases have been on German shepherds and dogs suffering from pancreatic insufficiency (Williams etal 1987; Simpson etal 1990).     

Studies on the Anemiogenic Properties of Trimethylamine Oxide,an Etiological Factor in Fish-Induced Anemia in Mink

A hypochromic microcytic iron deficiency anemia associated with light underfur and increased mortality in mink kits is caused by the feeding of various species of raw marine fish, especially coalfish (Gadus virens) and whiting (Gadus merlangus) as first detected in Norway by Helgebostad (1957). The same disorder caused by fish-feeding was later described from other countries (Stout et al. 1960, Jørgensen & Christensen 1966, Kangas et al. 1967). Nutritional anemia has also been induced in rats by feeding a raw coalfish diet as stated by Gjønnes & Helgebostad (1965).     

A Field Outbreak Caused by Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) caused a large epizootic of acute respiratory disease in Japan in 1968—69 (Inaba et al. 1970, Inaba et al. 1972). A much smaller outbreak occurred in Switzerland (Paccaud & Jacquier 1970). In Belgium the virus has been isolated from an outbreak of respiratory disease (Wellemans et al. 1970). BRSV has later been proved an important causal agent of respiratory disorders in the same country (Wellemans & Leiinen 1975). In England and USA the virus has caused and been isolated from outbreaks of acute respiratory disease in calves (Jacobs & Edington 1971, Rosenquist 1974, Smith et al. 1974). In Denmark BRSV has sporadically been isolated from pneumonic calf lungs (Bitsch et al. 1976).     

Influence of Neospora caninum intra-specific variability in the outcome of infection in a pregnant BALB/c mouse model

Previous assays in pregnant animals have demonstrated the effect of different host factors and timing of infection on the outcome of neosporosis during pregnancy. However, the influence of Neospora caninum isolate itself has been poorly investigated. Here, we compared the effects on clinical outcome and vertical transmission observed in a pregnant mouse model following infection with 10 different N. caninum isolates. The isolates in our study included the Nc-Liv isolate and nine N. caninum isolates obtained from calves. Female BALB/c mice were inoculated with 2 × 10⁶ tachyzoites at day 7 of pregnancy. Morbidity and mortality, in both dams and offspring during the course of infection, and transmission to progeny at day 30 postpartum were evaluated. The serum IgG1 and IgG2a production in dams were also examined. All dams showed elevated IgG1 and IgG2a responses, confirming N. caninum infection, although signs of disease were only exhibited in dams infected with 4 of the 10 isolates (Nc-Spain 4H, Nc-Spain 5H, Nc-Spain 7 and Nc-Liv). In neonates, clinical signs were observed in all N. caninum-infected groups, and neonatal mortality rates varied from greater than 95% with the isolates mentioned above to less than 32.5% with the other isolates. Vertical transmission rates, as assessed by parasite PCR-detection in neonate brains, also varied from 50% to 100% according to the isolate implicated. These results confirm the wide pathogenic and transmission variability of N. caninum. The intra-specific variability observed herein could help us explain the differences in the outcome of the infection in the natural host.     

Focal Symmetrical Poliomyelomalacia in a Calf

Focal symmetrical poliomyelomalacia (FSP) is a neurological disorder mainly described in pigs in connection with experimental or spontaneous cases of selenium toxicosis (Harrison etal. 1983, Wendtetal. 1992, Wilson etal. 1983 & 1989). However, a few cases of FSP have been reported in other domestic animals including sheep, goat, and cattle (Innes & Plow-right 1955, Cordy et al. 1984, Bonniwell & Barlow 1985, Palmer et al. 1986). Common for reports on FSP in other species than pigs is an unsolved aetiology. In cattle only 1 report on FSP has been published previously describing 2 cases (Palmer et al. 1986). The present report describes a further case of FSP in cattle. A 4-month- old Red Danish × American Brown Swiss calf (♀) suddenly became lame on both fore limbs and unwilling to rise. The calf had a swelling around the coronary band and a temperature of 40°C. The calf was treated with antibiotics by a veterinary surgeon. The condition got severe during the next 24 h, and the calf became unable to stand on the fore limbs while the function of the rear limbs was normal. As the condition progressively got worse during the next week, the calf was euthanized by intravenous injection of pentobarbitone sodium and submitted for necropsy.     

Evidence for the Colonization of Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Suckling Mink

Lactic acid bacteria are considered indigenous members of the gastrointestinal microflora in a number of animal species (Savage 1977a). Some intestinal strains of lactobacilli and streptococci are aWe to adhere to stratified squamous epithelium of some animals (Tannock et al. 1987), in the non-secreting part of the stomach of piglets (Barrow et al. 1980, Fuller et al. 1978) and rodents (Tannock et al. 1982), and in the crop of poultry (Fuller 1978). The presence of lactic acid bacteria in the digestive tract is believed to be of beneficial value to the host animal (Fuller 1989). The production of organic acids in the stomach or the crop helps maintaining a low pH which may be important for inhibiting the colonization of potentially pathogenic bacteria, particularly in the newborn animal (Barrow et al 1980, Fuller 1977, Fuller 1978). The adhesion of lactobacilli to squamous epithelium is host specific: strains capable of adhering to the epithelium of piglets are usually not able to adhere in rodents or poultry and vice versa (Fuller 1978, Lin & Savage 1984, Tannock et al 1982). Adhesion of lactic acid bacterial strains to other epithelia than stratified squamous epithelium has been reported. Thus, the attachment of lactobacilli to cells from the secreting epithelium of the murine stomach (Kotarski & Savage 1979), to intestinal cells of humans (Goldin & Gorbach 1987), and to columnar epithelial cells of piglets and calves (Mäyrä-Mäkinen et al 1983) has been demonstrated using in vitro methods. In another study the in vivo attachment of Enterococcus faecium to duodenal epithelium of gnotobi-otic chickens was demonstrated (Fuller et al 1981). Recent research indicated that in adult mink lactic acid bacteria are not indigenous members of the intestinal flora, and they do not attach to epithelium in any part of the gastrointestinal tract (Federsen & Jørgensen 1992). The present paper presents evidence that Gram positive cocci may colonize the gut of suckling mink kits and attach to the gut mucosa.     

Determination and correlation of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in dogs and cattle from Mexico

The aim of the present study was to determine and to compare through an indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, the presence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in city and farm dogs, as well as in farm cows, and the relationship among them. The correlation between anti-N. caninum antibodies in farm dogs and cattle was also assessed. The research was conducted in the dairy region of Tizayuca, Hidalgo, Mexico. The frequency of anti-N. caninum antibodies was significantly higher in farm dogs (n = 14) (51%) when compared to those from the city (n = 6) (20%) (P < 0.05), suggesting that farm dogs have a higher risk of exposure to the parasite. There was no significant difference in seropositivity between males (n = 11) (39%) and females (n = 9) (33%) (P > 0.05). The frequency of anti-N. caninum antibodies in farm cattle was significantly higher in farms with dogs (n = 158) (58%) when compared to those with no dogs (n = 43) (35%) (P < 0.05). These results suggest the possible transmission of the parasite from dogs to cattle.     

Isolation of Ascaris Suum Eggs for Experimental Purposes

Eggs from the pig roundworm Ascaris suum are easily obtainable in large numbers from uterus of adult worms. It is therefore natural that eggs isolated from that organ have been used almost exclusively in experimental ascariasis, both in the natural host (Kelley & Nayak 1965, Gaafar & Keittevuti 1972, Andersen et al. 1973, Jørgensen et al. 1975 and others) and in small laboratory animals (Jeska et al. 1969, Berger 1971 and others). In some cases no details are given on the origin and preparation of the infective eggs or the eggs may originate both from uteri of adult worms and from pig faeces (Kelley et al. 1957).     

The Occurrence of European Brown Hare Syndrome in Finland

European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) is a viral hepatitis that affects European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and varying hares (Lepus timidus). The disease occurs today in free-living and farmed hares in most European countries (Gustafsson et al. 1989, Gavier-Widén & Mörner 1991). In Sweden and Denmark the EBHS was first observed at the beginning of the eighties, however, in Finland and Norway the disease has not been reported yet.     

Passive hemagglutination for detection of autoantibodies against thyroglobulin in dogs

Primary hypothyroidism in dogs is mainly caused by autoimmune thyroiditis or idiopathic follicular atrophy of the thyroid gland (Gosselin et al. 1982). Serologically, autoimmune thyroiditis can be diagnosed by detection of autoantibodies against thyroid antigens in hypothyroid dogs (Mizejewski et al. 1971, Gosselin et al. 1980). Passive hemagglutination test (PHT) has been the serological test, most widly used for detection of antibodies (Mizejewski et al. 1971, Gosselin et al. 1982, Vollset & Larsen 1987).     

Infectious pancreatic necrosis: first isolation of virus from fish in Norway.

Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is a disease of salmonid fishes. It has been reported in many countries throughout the world (M’Gonigle 1940, Wood et al. 1955, Besse & Kinkelin 1965, Vestergård Jørgensen & Bregnballe 1969, Sano 1971, Ball et al 1971, Ljungberg & Vestergård Jørgensen 1972, Schlotfeldt et al. 1975). Outbreaks of the disease can cause serious losses in populations of hatchery reared salmonids, the mortality rate varying between 10 and 90 % (Vestergård Jørgensen & Kehlet 1971). There are at least four different serotypes of the virus distinguished by neutralization tests (Wolf et al. 1968). Twenty-five isolates of IPN virus in Denmark proved to represent only two serotypes (Sp and Ab) (Vestergård Jørgensen & Kehlet). The present paper reports the first isolation of IPN virus from the stock at a fish farm in Norway.     

Serum Concentrations of Procollagen Type III Aminoterminal Peptide in Growing Dogs with Hip Dysplasia

The aim of the present study was to investigate the use of procollagen type III aminoterminal peptide (PIIINP) measurements in serum as an indicator of progress of fibrosis of coxofemoral joint capsules in hip dysplasia in immature dogs. High serum concentrations of PIIINP may indicate ongoing fibrosis with enhanced synthesis and deposition of fibrillar type III collagen, or an alteration in degradation and elimination of circulating PIIINP (Hørslev-Petersen et al. 1988a). Therefore, high concentrations of PIIINP in serum was expected in dogs with hip dysplasia, which is a developmental condition with capsular fibrosis and osteoarthritis (Gay et al. 1986).     

Development and Evaluation of an ELISA for the Quantitation of Anti‐Lagenidium giganteum forma caninum Antibodies in Dogs

Background

Lagenidium giganteum forma caninum infection causes severe cutaneous and disseminated disease in dogs. Currently, diagnosis requires culture and rRNA gene sequencing.

Objective

To develop and evaluate an ELISA for quantitation of anti‐L. giganteum f. caninum IgG in canine serum.

Animals

Sera were evaluated from 22 dogs infected with L. giganteum f. caninum, 12 dogs infected with Paralagenidium karlingii, 18 dogs infected with Pythium insidiosum, 26 dogs with nonoomycotic fungal infections or other cutaneous or systemic diseases, and 10 healthy dogs.

Methods

Antigen was prepared from a soluble mycelial extract of L. giganteum f. caninum. Optimal antigen and antibody concentrations were determined by checkerboard titration. Results were expressed as percent positivity (PP) relative to a strongly positive control serum.

Results

Medians and ranges for PP for each group were: L. giganteum f. caninum (73.9%, 27.9–108.9%), P. karlingii (55.0%, 21.0–90.6%), P. insidiosum (31.3%, 15.8–87.5%), nonoomycotic fungal infection or other cutaneous or systemic diseases (19.2%, 3.2–61.0%), and healthy dogs (9.9%, 7.6–24.6%). Using a PP cutoff value of 40%, sensitivity and specificity (with 95% CI) of the ELISA for detecting L. giganteum f. caninum infection in clinically affected dogs were 90.9% (72.2–97.5%) and 73.2% (60.4–83.0%), respectively. Specificity in dogs infected with P. karlingii was 41.7% (19.3–68.1%) and with P. insidiosum was 66.7% (43.8–83.7%).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Quantitation of anti‐L. giganteum f. caninum antibodies for detection of this infection in dogs has moderately high sensitivity but poor specificity, the latter because of substantial cross‐reactivity with anti‐P. karlingii and anti‐P. insidiosum antibodies.     

Halothane Sensitivity,The H Blood Group System and Phosphohexose Isomerase (PHI) in Pigs: A Linkage Study Of Physiological Importance

Previous investigations have clearly shown the existence of associations between halothane sensitivity, the H blood group system and the PHI enzyme system in pigs (Rasmusen & Christian 1976, Jørgensen et al. 1976). These associations which have considerable practical interest are most probably linkage phenomenons (Jørgensen 1977, Andresen & Jensen 1977). The major recessive locus for halothane sensitivity (HAL) comprises the two alleles N and n, n being responsible for halothane sensitivity. The distances between this locus and the loci for H and PHI are still not known exactly. This communication aims at clarifying these problems.     

Identification of Actinobacillus Pleuropneumoniae Serotype 2 by Monoclonal or Polyclonal Antibodies in Latex Agglutination Tests

Porcine pleuropneumonia caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A. pleuropneumoniae) is a major problem in modern swine industry worldwide. At present 12 serotypes have been recognized (Nielsen 1990). Serotyping has been based upon capsule associated, heat-stabile antigens of polysaccharide (PS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) nature. A variety of tests have been used for serotyping including slide agglutination (Mittal et al. 1982), immunodiffusion (Gunnarsson et al. 1978, Nielsen & O’Connor 1984), indirect haemagglutination (Mittal et al. 1983a) and coagglutination (Mittal et al. 1983b). Recent studies report on serotyping of A. pleuropneumoniae strains using monoclonal antibodies in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (Lida et al. 1990, Nakai et al. 1990).     

Cholinesterase as an inflammatory marker of subclinical infection of dairy cows infected by Neospora caninum and risk factors for disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy cows, as well as to verify the risk factors for N. caninum infection and inflammatory response in dairy cows. Using the indirect immunofluorescence reaction, the seroprevalence of neosporosis was determined to be 32.82%. Based on regression analysis, the presence of dogs at a farm increased the probability of a cow testing positive for N. caninum (OR = 20.01 [5.21–123.12]). These data suggest that N. caninum has a relevant prevalence in dairy cows of the Microregion of Rio do Sul (Brazil), with elevated frequencies of anti-N. caninum IgG. The data also suggest that the parasite is widely distributed in dairy herds of the micro-region, because 94.4% of properties screened had at least one seropositive animal. The principal risk factors for disease maintenance in herds may be considered the presence of dogs and absence of a diagnostic test when introducing new animals. Blood from these cows was used to measure variables related to the inflammatory response. Serum cholinesterase activity, as well as serum levels of globulins and C-reactive protein were higher in seropositive to N. caninum than in seronegative cows. Furthermore, the infection by parasite causes an intense inflammatory process, contributing to disease pathophysiology.     

A Case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in Denmark

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in cattle, was first described in England by Wells et al. (1987). The infection occurs mainly due to digestion of feedstuffs containing ruminant derived protein in form of meat and bone meal contaminated with a scrapie-like agent (Wilesmith et al. 1991). Later, cases of BSE were diagnosed in the Republic of Ireland, Oman, France, and Switzerland (Marinovic & Senn 1991). This report describes the first case of BSE in Denmark.