Anaerobic microflora associated with the pars oesophagea of the pig.

In healthy pigs aged one to 35 days significant populations of microorganisms (5.5 to 6.9 log10 viable count cm-2 of the tissue) were found, by strict anaerobic techniques, to adhere to the pars oesophagea. The genera of anaerobes which were isolated included Actinomyces, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, Lactobacillus, Peptostreptococcus, Streptococcus and Veillonella and facultative anaerobes included Escherichia, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and yeasts. The microbial population adhering to the pars oesophagea varied little from birth till after weaning and Lactobacillus, Clostridium and Eubacterium predominated. There were generally small numbers of facultatively anaerobic microorganisms in the pars oesophagea of healthy sucking or weaned pigs but large numbers of anaerobes, particularly Lactobacillus. In the pars oesophagea of sucking and weaned pigs with diarrhoea, large numbers of facultative anaerobes were frequent but Lactobacillus were also present in large numbers.     

Radioimmunoassay of serum pepsinogen in relation to gastric (pars oesophagea) ulceration in swine herds.

A radioimmunoassay for the detection of serum swine pepsinogens is described. The sensitivity and reproducibility of the assay were satisfactory for its clinical use. In normal pigs, the serum pepsinogen level was 1.51 +/- 0.56 ng/mL. Cases with parakeratosis, erosions and ulcerations of the pars oesophagea had elevated pepsinogen levels (5.15 +/- 1.98 ng/mL).     

Streptococcus suis serotypes associated with disease in weaned pigs

Streptococcus suis was recovered from 9 outbreaks of septicaemia and meningitis in weaned pigs between 1979 and 1983. Fifteen isolates from 7 outbreaks were identified as S. suis type 9, and 3 isolates from 2 outbreaks as S. suis type 2. Three further isolates of S. suis type 2 and an isolate of S. suis type 3 were recovered from cases of bronchopneumonia in weaned pigs from 4 other piggeries.     

Capillaria infection in a pig

Extract

Sir, — A 10-month-old Landrace boar affected with a “leg weakness” syndrome was recently euthanased at the Palmerston North Animal Health Laboratory. An incidental finding during post-mortem examination was the presence of a small number of nematodes of the genus Capillaria. A total of 23 specimens including some mature adults were found.     

Systemic and pituitary pars intermedia antioxidant capacity associated with pars intermedia oxidative stress and dysfunction in horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a deficiency in systemic or local (pars intermedia) antioxidant capacity is associated with pituitary pars intermedia oxidative stress and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses. SAMPLE POPULATION: Blood samples from 20 horses with PPID and 20 healthy client-owned horses, archived paraffin-embedded adrenal gland and substantia nigra tissues from 20 horses, and pituitary gland tissue from 16 horses. PROCEDURES: Total glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were determined in RBCs. Accumulation of a systemic marker of oxidative stress (3-nitrotyrosine) was assessed in plasma and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded adrenal gland and substantia nigra tissues. Local antioxidants (total and manganese superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and total glutathione) were measured in pars intermedia tissues. RESULTS: No significant differences existed in systemic antioxidant enzyme activity or accumulation of 3-nitrotyrosine between horses with PPID and control horses. In pituitary gland tissues, glutathione peroxidase activity was increased in horses with oxidative stress, whereas total glutathione concentration and superoxide dismutase activity remained unchanged. There was an age-associated decrease in manganese superoxide dismutase activity in the pars intermedia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There was no evidence of systemic accumulation of oxidative stress markers or deficiencies in antioxidant capacity in horses with PPID, suggesting that these are unlikely to be major predisposing factors in the development of PPID. Manganese superoxide dismutase activity in the pars intermedia decreased significantly with increasing age. Role of an age-associated decrease in antioxidant capacity for the pars intermedia in the development of PPID in horses warrants further investigation.     

Intestinal changes associated with rotavirus and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection in calves

Newborn calves inoculated with rotavirus, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) serotype 020:K' x 106':K99:HNM, either alone or in combination, became depressed, anorectic, diarrhoeic and dehydrated. ETEC did not adhere to the intestine although there was extensive proliferation in the lumen. Only slight mucosal changes were induced by ETEC and the activity of membrane bound lactase remained normal. More severe mucosal damage and a decrease in lactase activity were found in newborn calves inoculated with either rotavirus or rotavirus and ETEC in combination. The most severe clinical illness was found in calves inoculated with both rotavirus and ETEC. Calves inoculated at 1 week of age with either rotavirus or ETEC remained clinically normal. Rotavirus infection produced slight mucosal changes and a reduction of lactase activity. In contrast, colostrum-fed or suckling calves up to 2 weeks old inoculated with both rotavirus and ETEC became clinically affected, showed severe mucosal damage and decreased lactase activity. There was no bacterial adhesion to the intestinal mucosa as observed by immunofluorescent labelling and light microscopy.     

Some pathophysiological changes associated with infection of Eimeria zuernii in calves.

Twelve Holstein-Friesian calves were divided into two groups, one of which was infected with Eimeria zuernii. Fecal oocyst output, weight changes and various blood, cellular, protein and biochemical constituents were examined for both groups. Maximal fecal oocyst output occurred 21 days after infection. Both groups of calves gained weight in a linear fashion until day 21 postinfection when the infected group lost weight rapidly. The packed cell volume of the infected calves appeared markedly reduced. Although there was a reduction in plasma proteins it did not appear significant. There was a significant reduction in plasma Na+ and Cl- ions of the infected calves. There were no significant changes in the other blood constituents examined.     

Neutropenia associated with osteomyelitis due to Hepatozoon canis infection in a dog

A 4-year-old, intact male Shiba dog was referred to Yamaguchi University Animal Medical Center, Yamaguchi, Japan, for the following complaints: anorexia, lethargy, intermittent fever, gingival bleeding and abdominal purpura. The dog presented with persistent neutropenia. Histopathological examination of a bone marrow sample revealed round to oval structures that resembled Hepatozoon micromerozoites and formed a "wheel-spoke" pattern. Furthermore, mature neutrophils were observed around these structures. PCR and sequencing using bone marrow aspirate confirmed Hepatozoon canis (H. canis) infection. These findings suggest that the neutropenia observed in this case was associated with osteomyelitis due to H. canis infection. This is the first report of neutropenia associated with H. canis infection. H. canis infection can be included in the differential diagnosis in canine cases of neutropenia in areas where the disease is endemic.     

Suspensory ligament degeneration associated with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in horses

In older horses, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and suspensory ligament (SL) degeneration are common. The aim of the present study was to identify histopathological changes in the SL in horses with PPID. SLs of four horses with clinical signs of PPID (17–26 years of age) were compared with SLs from four old horses (18–31 years of age) and three young horses (4–9 years of age). In horses with PPID, there was reduced longitudinal arrangement of collagen fibres in SLs, along with inclusions of cartilage, extracellular matrix and haemorrhage, as well as significant proteoglycan accumulations between SL fibres. These changes are similar to the degeneration of connective tissues in Peruvian Paso horses with SL degeneration and in humans with Cushing's disease or after long term high dose corticosteroid treatments. These findings indicate an association between degeneration of the SL and PPID.