应用PCR检测隐孢子虫卵囊的研究

隐孢子虫病是一种重要的人畜共患原虫病。为了在临床样品中更准确、快速地检测隐孢子虫卵囊，从初步纯化的含有不同数量隐孢子虫卵囊的样品中和含有不同数量隐孢子虫卵囊的奶牛粪便中，直接提取DNA或用DNA纯化试剂盒对提取的奶牛粪便中卵囊DNA进行纯化之后用作PCR模板，用1对人工合成寡核苷酸作为PCR引物，扩增片段大小为452bp。优化了Mg^2 浓度、引物浓度和dNTP浓度，并进行了特异性检验。建立的PCR具有隐孢子虫属特异性，不仅扩增出新鲜样品DNA提取物中的目的片段，而且扩增出放置6年之久的DNA提取物中的目的片段。样品经过初步纯化之后，最低检测值100个卵囊／ml；从含有隐孢子虫卵囊的奶牛粪便中提取DNA，尔后经过DNA纯化试剂盒纯化，PCR最低检测值为10^5个卵囊/g粪便。     

不同DNA提取方法对隐孢子虫卵囊PCR检测的影响

为了提高隐孢子虫PCR检测的敏感性和效率,采用10种基因组DNA提取方法,对隐孢子虫卵囊DNA进行提取,对提取的DNA进行nested PCR扩增。经过3次重复试验,结果显示,Chelex 100法、FTA试纸法和Wizard DNAClean-Up System试剂盒法敏感性最高,能够稳定地扩增出1×10^2个卵囊提取的DNA,适合隐孢子虫病分子流行病学调查时大量样品DNA的提取。     

用卡片PCR法检测卡耶他环孢子虫

使用FTA卡片法提取卡耶他环孢子虫DNA,利用特异性引物组F1E/R2B、CC719/CRP999进行巢式PCR,得到1条298bp的特异条带。并以柔嫩艾美尔球虫、贝氏隐孢子虫等作为对照,结果显示,除卡耶他环孢子虫外,均无特异性条带。用卡耶他环孢子虫卵囊进行巢式PCR敏感性试验,结果显示敏感度最高达1.0×100个/mL。     

奶牛隐孢子虫Nested PCR—RFLP方法的建立及初步应用

为快速检测并准确鉴别奶牛隐孢子虫种,以隐孢子虫18S rRNA基因的特殊区域为基础,设计内、外引物,并根据软件分析确定相应的内切酶EcoT141,采用Nested PCR-RFLP方法进行虫种种型鉴别分析。在Nested PCR两次PCR反应中,以微小隐孢子虫（Cryptos poridium parvum,C．p）和安氏隐孢子虫（Cryptosporidium andersoni,C．an）卵囊提取的DNA为模板,均能扩增出长约800bp和500bp的明亮条带,且特异性强,其他虫种不能扩增出条带,该方法最低可检测到5个卵囊／g粪便;对于由内引物扩增出的500bp的条带,C.an的PCR产物能被内切酶EcoT141酶切,酶切后的片段分别为416bp和92bp,C.p的PCR产物不能被此酶酶切。用所建立的Nested PCR-RFLP法对上海奶牛389头和进口奶牛200头的共计589份粪样进行检测,Nested PCR的结果表明上海奶牛和进口奶牛的隐孢子虫阳性率分别为19．02％和3．5％,RFLP的结果表明上海奶牛感染的主要是Cp和C．an,进口奶牛感染的主要是C．p。研究结果表明,本研究建立的检测奶牛粪便中的隐孢子虫的NestedPCR-RFLP法,可用于奶牛隐孢子虫流行病学调查并有效鉴别奶牛隐孢子虫种。     

隐孢子虫卵囊部分特性研究

本试验对小球隐孢子虫卵囊、鼠隐孢子虫卵囊以及新发现的隐孢子虫亚型卵囊的抗酸染色特性进行了观察，发现只有小球隐孢子虫卵囊具有酸染色特性。     

应用PCR诊断隐孢子虫病

应用聚合酶链反应（ Ｐ Ｃ Ｒ）建立了一种诊断人及牛等哺乳动物隐孢子虫病的方法。试验采用甘油漂浮 Ｇ３ 耐酸漏斗过滤法纯化隐孢子虫卵囊,以液氮冻融法制备模板 Ｄ Ｎ Ａ,根据隐孢子虫 １８ Ｓｒ Ｒ Ｎ Ａ 序列设计 Ｐ Ｃ Ｒ 引物建立其诊断方法。该方法特异性强,可检出鼠隐孢子虫（ Ｃｒｙｐｔｏｓｐ ｏｒｉｄｉｕｍ ｍ ｕｒｉｓ）和小球隐孢子虫（ Ｃ．ｐａｒｖｕｍ ）卵囊;敏感性高,每克粪便可检出 ４００ 个卵囊。初步应用结果表明,所建立的 Ｐ Ｃ Ｒ 方法适合于人、牛等哺乳动物隐孢子虫病的临床诊断和流行病学调查。     

应用巢式PCR检测隐孢子虫

应用巢式聚合酶链反应(Nested PCR)建立了一种检测隐孢子虫(Cryptosporidium)的方法。试验中隐孢子虫卵囊纯化采用庶糖密度梯度离心法,以液氮-热水浴反复冻融及酚-氯仿抽提冷乙醇沉淀法制备模板DNA,根据隐孢子虫18S rRNA序列高度保守区设计2对引物,建立Nested PCR诊断方法。该方法特异性强,可检出牛源微小隐孢子虫(C.parvum)、羊源微小隐孢子虫(C.parvum)、牛源安氏隐孢子虫(C.andersoni)、鸡源贝氏隐孢子虫(C.baileyi)及猪源隐孢子虫(C.suis);敏感性高,该方法最低核酸DNA检测量达到10fg。初步应用结果表明,所建立的Nested PCR方法适合于隐孢子虫病的诊断和分子流行病学调查。     

应用巢式PCR-RFLP方法鉴别微小隐孢子虫、安氏隐孢子虫和火鸡隐孢子虫的研究

应用巢式聚合酶链反应（Nested PCR）-限制片段长度多态性 （restriction fragment length polymorphism, RFLP）方法对微小隐孢子虫（C．parvum）、安氏隐孢子虫（C．andersoni）和火鸡隐孢子虫（C．meleagrides）的鉴别进行了研究。结果显示C．parvum BOCC2、C．andesoni BOCC2和C．meleagrides CHCC1扩增产物片段大小分别为830bp、828bp和828bp，扩增产物分别经VspI酶切后形成3种不同的RFLP图谱，根据RFLP图谱可鉴别C．parvum、C．andersoni和C．meleagrides。本研究为我国隐孢子虫的分类和隐孢子虫病的分子流行病学研究打下了良好基础。     

人兽共患的隐孢子虫病

隐孢子虫最早由Tyzzer(1907)发现于小白鼠胃腺内而定名,属真球虫目,隐孢科,已报道的有19个种。但Tzipori 等根据不同宿主间可交互感染而认为隐孢子虫仅一种。而Levine 等则认为应归并为4个种,即寄生于热带鱼的鼻隐孢子虫、寄生于爬行类的响尾蛇隐孢子虫、寄生于鸟类的火鸡隐孢子虫及寄生于哺乳类的鼠隐孢子虫。Vpton 等认为寄生于哺乳类的应有两个种,即鼠隐孢子虫及     

隐孢子虫某些生物学特性研究

(1)对长春地区兔、小鼠、牛以及婴幼儿腹泻的隐孢子虫感染情况作了调查,其感染率分别为36%、90%、9/10和1/22;(2)对兔隐孢子虫卵囊排出规律的观察结果表明,每隔6～8d出现一个高峰期,在两个高峰期之间有时检不到卵囊;(3)交叉感染试验,从兔粪便中分离的卵囊经口感染BALB/c乳鼠和雏鸡后,在鼠粪便中检到卵囊,而在鸡粪便中未发现卵囊;(4)建立了兔和鼠的隐孢子虫病动物模型;(5)成功地进行了隐孢子虫体外培养试验;(6)鼠隐孢子虫病的治疗药物筛选结果,10~(-3)mol/L SM520和10~(-6)mol/LSMW在体外对隐孢子虫有杀灭作用;动物试验发现,中药配方I和SMW对鼠隐孢子虫有一定抑制作用.     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein     

Avian brood parasitism — a growing research area in behavioral ecology (part Ⅱ)

正We are pleased to publish the second special issue on avian brood parasitism and to be responsible guest editors for the two special issues of Chinese Birds (Vol. 3, No. 4, 2012 and Vol. 4, No. 1, 2013), entitled "Avian Brood Parasitism - A Growing Research Area in Behavioral Ecology". The first issue was published in December 2012. The goal of the two special issues is to publish accumulated knowledge and some of the recent developments in     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -