Characterisation of the pig acute phase protein response to road transport

The acute phase protein (APP) response was evaluated after prolonged transportation of pigs under commercial conditions. Elevated serum APP concentrations were observed in two groups of boars immediately after their arrival at a destination farm compared with within-animal control samples obtained one month later. The effect was more pronounced in the first group of pigs conveyed under average transport conditions (Transport 1, 24 h), although the second group was transported for a longer time period (Transport 2, 48 h) but in superior transport conditions. In a second trial, pigs were sampled before transport, on arrival at an abattoir (following 12 h transport), and at the slaughter-line (after 6 h lairage). Significant increases in major acute phase protein (Pig-MAP), haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, C-reactive protein, and a decrease in apolipoprotein A-I, were observed at slaughter. The results demonstrate that shipment of pigs by road can result in an APP response that is probably related to the stress of transport.     

Porcine acute phase protein concentrations in different diseases in field conditions

Five acute phase proteins (APPs) [C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), pig-MAP and albumin] were measured in pigs with naturally occurring infections by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, and in animals with tail and ear bites, arthritis and other acute inflammatory processes. Healthy specific pathogen-free (SPF) pigs were used as controls. In PRRSV-infected pigs, all APPs with the exception of pig-MAP exhibited significant changes compared with controls. In animals affected with ADV only Hp presented changes of statistical significance, whereas pigs with PCV2 showed marked modifications in all APPs tested. Animals affected with Mycoplasmosis showed concentrations of all positive APPs significantly above levels obtained in SPF pigs, though albumin concentrations did not differ from controls. Finally, all APPs studied showed substantial changes in pigs with acute inflammation. The results indicated that an acute phase response was developed in the different diseases studied, this response being higher in animals with clinical signs and concurrent bacterial processes. Haptoglobin would be the APP that better reflects pathological states; however, to get more complete and valuable information it might be advisable to perform APPs profiles including another APP, such as CRP or SAA.     

Acute phase proteins as indicators of calf herd health

The potential for using acute phase proteins (APPs) in the assessment of herd health was studied by examining the levels of serum haptoglobin, serum amyloid A (SAA) and plasma fibrinogen in relation to clinical findings and leukocyte counts in calves. Two groups of calves from conventional dairy farms were studied. The animals were examined 10 times during the first six weeks after introduction into a new environment. Haptoglobin, SAA and fibrinogen were analysed and weight gain, disease symptoms and treatments were recorded. Analysis of antibodies against viral infections was performed. An acute phase reaction (APR) score was established at each sampling by combining the APP results and total leukocyte counts. The health status differed between the two groups, although no manipulation of health had been performed, except that the group with a higher incidence of disease had a concurrent experimental infection with lungworm as part of another study. In the group with a higher incidence of disease, the mean weight gain was significantly lower, and the number of sampling days with elevated serum concentrations of APPs, and the mean maximum concentrations of haptoglobin and fibrinogen were significantly higher compared to the healthier group. The APR score was significantly higher at days 4 and 8 of the study in the group with a higher incidence of disease. The results indicate that measurement of APPs could be a useful tool for evaluation of health in calf herds.     

Relationship between serum acute phase protein concentrations and lesions in finishing pigs

To establish the relationship between serum levels of three acute phase proteins, haptoglobin (Hp), C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA), and the occurrence and severity of lesions at slaughter, a study was carried out using 70 fattening pigs from a finishing unit. Pigs were divided into three groups: Group 1 (25 pigs with clinical signs of disease), Group 2 (25 apparently healthy pigs with lesions at slaughter) and Group 3 (20 apparently healthy pigs with no lesions at slaughter). Serum levels of CRP, SAA and Hp were significantly higher in pigs with clinical signs of disease than in apparently healthy animals. Additionally, in apparently healthy pigs, serum levels of Hp and CRP were significantly higher in animals with lesions than those without lesions. The extent and severity of lung lesions were related to serum levels of Hp.     

猪群的健康检查

对猪进行定期健康检查时该作哪些项目,又该什么时候进行? 应该珍惜身体的健康,因为健康不会是永久的.每个养猪企业或迟或早都可能遇到疾病侵扰而发生经济损失.     

Comparison of milk protein composition in a Swedish and a Danish dairy herd using reversed phase HPLC

Abstract

The milk composition in a Swedish herd, consisting of Swedish Red and White cows (SRB) and Swedish Holstein cows (SLB), and in a Danish herd, consisting of Danish Holstein-Friesian cows (SDM), was evaluated. Concentrations of the major milk proteins (κ-casein, α_S1-casein, β-casein, β-lactoglobulin A, β-lactoglobulin B and α-lactalbumin) of 134 individual milk samples were determined by reversed phase (RP) HPLC. Other parameters determined included milk fat, urea, lactose, calcium, lactoferrin, somatic cell count and protein degradation (determined as level of free amino-terminals). Analysis of variance was used to compare concentrations of analysed milk variables between SRB and SLB or between SLB and SDM. Concentration of total protein, total casein, β-casein and κ-casein were significantly higher in SRB milk compared with SLB milk. Concentration of α-lactalbumin and calcium were significantly higher in SDM milk than in SLB milk. The concentration of urea was higher in SLB than in SDM milk and is suggested to reflect differences in feeding regimes between the investigated Swedish and Danish herd.     

Serum acute phase protein concentrations in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism with and without concurrent inflammatory conditions

Background: Acute phase proteins (APPs) are promising markers of inflammation in dogs, because they are more sensitive than WBC counts in detecting clinical and subclinical inflammation. Endogenous corticosteroids can mask an acute phase response and make it more difficult to identify underlying inflammatory disease. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute phase protein response in dogs with spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) with and without concurrent inflammatory conditions. Methods: Serum concentrations of C‐reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), fibrinogen, and albumin were measured in 44 healthy adult dogs and 39 dogs with HAC; the HAC group was further divided into dogs with and without concurrent infection/inflammation. A fourth group of dogs with severe sepsis and without HAC was compared with the dogs with HAC and severe sepsis. Results: Dogs with uncomplicated HAC had significantly higher Hp and fibrinogen concentrations compared with healthy control dogs (P<.001). Dogs with HAC and severe inflammatory disease also had significantly higher CRP and lower albumin concentrations than control dogs and dogs with HAC without concurrent inflammation. Dogs with sepsis but without HAC had significantly higher CRP concentrations than dogs with HAC and sepsis. Conclusions: Dogs with HAC had increases in the moderate APPs (Hp and fibrinogen), and no significant changes in CRP and albumin compared with healthy dogs. Although concurrent HAC appeared to blunt the CRP response in dogs with sepsis, increased serum CRP concentration in dogs with HAC is likely indicative of severe concurrent inflammation.     

C-reactive protein concentrations in canine acute pancreatitis

Objective: To determine if C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentration is elevated in spontaneously occurring canine acute pancreatitis (AP), and to measure changes in CRP during the course of hospitalization. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine Foster Hospital for Small Animals. Animals: Sixteen client‐owned dogs with AP and 16 healthy controls. Interventions: Blood samples were obtained from the AP group on the day of diagnosis (Day 1), and on Days 3 and 5, unless the dog died or was discharged from the hospital. Blood was obtained from the control dogs once. Measurements and main results: Serum CRP was measured using a commercial immunoassay for each dog with AP and for healthy controls. Day 1 CRP concentrations were significantly higher in the AP group (56.1±12.7 μg/mL) compared with controls (2.8±1.3 μg/mL; P<0.001). For the 7 dogs that had samples collected on all 3 days, the mean CRP concentrations decreased significantly (P=0.043) over the 5 days of measurement. Of the 16 dogs with AP, 14 were discharged from the hospital and 2 were euthanized. Conclusions: Serum CRP concentrations were elevated in this group of 16 dogs with spontaneously occurring AP. In the 7 dogs that had measurements on all 3 days, the mean CRP concentration decreased from the day of diagnosis to the measurement made 5 days later.     

Acute phase protein concentrations in retired racing Greyhounds

Background: Retired racing Greyhounds are popular as pets. Greyhounds have several differences in physiological values compared with other breeds, including lower serum α‐ and β‐globulin concentrations. We hypothesized that lower acute phase protein (APP) concentrations could contribute to lower α‐ and β‐globulin concentrations in this breed. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare serum concentrations of several APPs in Greyhounds with those of other dog breeds. Methods: We measured the serum concentrations of C‐reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), acid‐soluble glycoprotein (ASG), ceruloplasmin (CP), and serum amyloid A (SAA) in 15 clinically healthy retired racing Greyhounds and 11 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy nonGreyhound controls using previously validated methods. Results were compared by Student's t‐tests. Results: The concentration of Hp by both colorimetric and immunoturbidimetric methods was significantly lower in Greyhounds than in nonGreyhound dogs (P=.0009 and .019, respectively). The concentration of ASG was also significantly (P=.007) lower in Greyhounds, but CRP and CP concentrations were not significantly different between groups. SAA concentration was below the detection limit of the method in all dogs. Conclusions: The low serum concentrations of Hp and ASG should be taken into consideration when interpreting APP results in Greyhounds. Because both Hp and some ASG migrate in the α‐globulin fraction, these results may explain the low α‐globulin concentrations in Greyhounds.     

Serum concentrations of acute phase proteins in dogs with leishmaniasis

The concentrations of haptoglobin, C-reactive protein and ceruloplasmin were measured in symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum, and in healthy uninfected dogs to determine the potential value of these proteins for the diagnosis and prognosis of leishmaniasis. The concentrations of the acute phase proteins were significantly higher in the dogs with leishmaniasis than in the control dogs, and the concentration of C-reactive protein was significantly higher in the symptomatic dogs than in the asymptomatic dogs. There were no correlations between the acute phase proteins and the gamma globulins, the albumin/globulin ratio or the titre of anti-leishmanial antibodies.     

Variation of serum selenium concentrations in German sheep flocks and implications for herd health management consultancy

Background

This study was performed to demonstrate the widespread distribution and severity of selenium (Se) deficiency in sheep flocks and to evaluate the impact of influencing factors. In 150 flocks, ten serum samples of adult ewes were analysed for Se concentration. The farmers were interviewed concerning flock size, provision of mineral supplement, predominant form of husbandry (stationary fenced pasture/transhumance), predominant form of water provision (tap water/well/surface water) and predominant soil (sandy, silty/loamy, clay) in the area. The location of the flock was recorded as well as the production stage/season at the time of sampling. Intra-group variation and the validity to analyse pooled samples were tested.

Results

Pools of five samples correlated well with the mean of individually analysed samples. The intra-group range of serum Se concentration varied enormously (mean 45.4 ± 18.8 μg Se/l). About 60% of the flocks showed mean serum Se concentrations below 80 μg/l, 37.4% were below 60 μg Se/l, representing a Se deficient stage. Using mineral supplement in general was no key factor for Se status. Stationary flocks on fenced pasture had constantly higher mean serum Se concentrations during breeding (outdoors, August-November), lambing (mainly indoors, December-March) and lactation (outdoors, April-July), whereas flocks practising transhumance had significantly lower Se status, except during lambing. There was no significant correlation between the soil type and the Se status, but flocks in Southern Germany tend to show a lower Se status compared to Central and Northern Germany. Increasing flock size was associated with lower mean serum Se concentrations. In stationary flocks only, the use of surface water was accompanied by significantly lower Se status.

Conclusion

Se deficiency is widespread in German sheep flocks. More than one third of the flocks showed Se deficiency, indicating the need to optimise the nutritional management. Factors raising suspicion of Se deficiency are large flocks, transhumance during lactation and the breeding season as well as surface water provision in stationary flocks.     

Acute phase protein concentrations in dogs with nasal disease

The concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A, haptoglobin (Hp) and α(1)-acid glycoprotein were measured in dogs with clinical signs of nasal disease and compared with those of healthy dogs in order to determine the expression of these proteins in cases of canine nasal disease. A significant difference (P<0.001) between the symptomatic group and the control group was found for both CRP and Hp. Among the animals with nasal disease, a significant intergroup difference (P<0.05) was found in the expression of Hp between dogs with aspergillosis and those with chronic rhinitis.     

Monitoring the response of canine hyperadrenocorticism to trilostane treatment by assessment of acute phase protein concentrations

Background : Acute phase proteins (APPS) include haptoglobin (Hp), C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA). Increased Hp concentrations may be induced by endogenous or exogenous glucocorticoids in dogs. Objectives : To assess whether control of hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) affects the concentrations of Hp, CRP, SAA, alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) and cholesterol, to determine whether these analytes can be used to assess control of HAC following trilostane treatment, and whether a combination of these tests offers a valid method of assessing disease control. Methods : Hp, CRP, SAA, ALKP and cholesterol were assessed in 11 dogs with spontaneous HAC before and after treatment with trilostane. Adequate control of HAC was defined as post-ACTH cortisol less than 150 nmol/l. Results : Significant reductions in Hp, ALKP, cholesterol and SAA (P<0·05) but not of CRP were found after control of HAC. Only Hp, cholesterol and ALKP were moderately informative (Se & Sp>0·7) of disease control when compared to adrenocorticotropin or corticotropin (ACTH) stimulation test. SAA and CRP were unhelpful (Se & Sp<0·7). The analysis of the combination of the analytes did not improve the correlation with ACTH stimulation test. Clinical Relevance : Relying on these analytes does not provide additional information over ACTH stimulation test results when assessing control of HAC treated with trilostane.     

Efficiency of a herd health program in Swiss dairy herds

A retrospective analysis of the reproductive parameters was conducted in 15 dairy farms using a herd health monitoring system between 1995 and 1998. Five of these farms have used this monitoring process for many years (group 1) while 10 of them only initiated the process in 1996 (group 2). It was the aim of this study to evaluate the economic gain of the farms in each group due to the herd health monitoring program throughout the three year study period, by using Value Based Management (VBM), a model from the economic sciences. The mean calving to conception interval decreased from 93.3 to 84.0 days and from 104.9 to 86.7 days throughout the study period in groups 1 (P>0.05) and 2 (P < 0.05), respectively. The mean percentage of cows with calving to conception intervals below 115 days varied between 68.2% and 82.0% in group 1, while there was an increase form 65.2% to 78.6% in group 2 (P<0.05). There were no apparent trends in the reproductive culling rate throughout the study period (P>0.05), and the majority fell below 10%. Likewise, the first service conception rate varied between 52.7% and 56.6% and between 41.2% and 50.0%, in group 1 and 2, respectively. The number of services per conception varied between 1.6 and 1.8 and between 1.8 and 1.9, in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The number of days between calving and first service varied between 62.7 and 64.8 days in group 1, while it decreased significantly from 69.2 to 59.2 in group 2 (P<0.05). The time between first service and conception decreased from 30.6 to 22.0 days, and from 35.7 to 28.0 days in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P<0.05). Although there was an apparent increase of the detection rate of oestrus from 57.8% to 68.2% throughout the study period in group 1, it was not significant (P > 0.05). In group 2, however, the oestrus detection rate increased significantly from 53.0% to 69.9% (P < 0.05). The percent of detected oestrus within 42 days post partum increased from 33.1% to 38.1%, and from 24.1% to 40.9% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.05). By 1998, four out of five farms in group 1, and five out of the eight farms where information was avail- year study period of CHF 25.- to CHF 609.- per cow and year. The calving to conception interval and the reproductive culling rate were the two most important parameters to determine the reproductive performance of the herd and the economic benefit of the herd health monitoring program. These findings support the implementation of a herd health monitoring program.     

Characterisation of the acute phase response of heifers to a prolonged low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide

The effect of a prolonged low dose infusion of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPs) on acute phase-like reactions was examined in heifers. LPS (2 μg kg⁻¹ dissolved in 100 ml water), or saline was infused (at 1 ml min⁻¹) intravenously for 100 minutes and blood samples were taken at various times before, during and after the infusion. The serum concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-alpha(TNFα), interleukin-Ibeta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum amyloid A (SAA) and the rectal temperature increased in response to the LPS infusion. Serum TNFα increased before the increases in IL-1β and IL-6 and remained high from 20 minutes after the onset of the infusion until the end of the sampling period (six hours). The LPS-induced increases in serum IL-1β and IL-6 were biphasic. Plasma cortisol and lactate concentrations also increased, and plasma glucose and B-hydroxybutyrate concentrations decreased in response to the LPS infusion. The similarity of these reactions to changes observed in response to bacterial infections shows that the prolonged infusion of low doses of LPS is a good model for studying the acute phase response to Gramnegative bacterial infection in heifers.     

Characterisation of transthyretin and retinol-binding protein in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of dogs

The aim of this study was to investigate differences in concentrations of vitamin A, transthyretin (TTR) and retinol-binding protein (RBP) between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in dogs. RBP was detected using ELISA, and both RBP and TTR by Western blot analysis after separation on SDS-PAGE. Vitamin A was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. RBP and TTR as well as vitamin A were detected in all samples but at substantially lower concentrations in CSF compared to plasma. RBP in dog plasma showed a similar molecular mass to that of humans, whereas canine TTR had a lower molecular mass. Comparison between plasma and CSF showed that both RBP and TTR were of lower molecular mass in CSF. In CSF, RBP and retinol were present at 10-100-fold lower concentrations compared to plasma. Retinyl esters were present only in minute amounts in 5/17 samples. In conclusion, the CSF of dogs compared to humans is significantly different in terms of both quality and quantity of transport proteins for vitamin A.     

Secondary polycythaemia associated with high plasma erythropoietin concentrations in a dog with a necrotising pyelonephritis

An 11-year-old mixed breed dog was presented with anorexia, apathy and intermittent macrohaematuria, absolute polycythaemia (packed cell volume, 80 per cent; red blood cell, 12.2 x 10(6)/microl) and elevated erythropoietin concentrations. A renal mass was detected by ultrasonography and, following total nephrectomy, diagnosed as necrotising pyelonephritis. After surgery, the haematological parameters and erythropoietin values returned to normal, suggesting that the pyelonephritis was the cause of the polycythaemia. While secondary polycythaemia because of a non-neoplastic condition of the kidneys occasionally occurs in human beings, it has only extremely rarely been reported in dogs. This is the first case report of a unilateral pyelonephritis causing secondary polycythaemia in a dog.