Blood parasites of sheep in the Netherlands. I. Anaplasma mesaeterum sp.n. (Rickettsiales,Anaplasmataceae)

Summary

On two occasions an anaplasm was isolated from sheep on the Dutch island of Ameland. The organism proved to be highly pathogenic for splenectomised sheep; a non‐splenectomised animal recovered spontaneously after the packed cell volume had decreased by 40%.

Treatment with oxytetracycline was effective. Its pathogenicity for goats appeared to be low, and the organism was apparently not infective to splenectomised cattle. This anaplasm differs from Anaplasma ovis in that less than 30% of the organisms are marginally situated in the red cell, as against over 70% in A. ovis; cross‐immunity with A. ovis was incomplete and the latter appeared to be far more pathogenic to goats than the Dutch anaplasm, for which the name Anaplasma mesaeterum sp.n. is proposed. Its ultrastructure is similar to that of A. marginale and A. ovis. The vector is either Ixodes ricinus or Haemaphysalis punctata. Its practical importance remains to be ascertained.     

Effect of lameness (hoof disorders) on productivity of Karan Fries crossbred cows

In present study production performance of 96 lame cows was compared with 67 healthy cows. No significant effect of parity and year of calving on milk yield were observed but the effect of season of calving was significant (P < 0.01). Effect of lameness on milk yield at the second, third and fourth months and 305 days was highly significant (P < 0.01), and was also significant (P < 0.05) on lactation yield of the fifth and tenth months. The effect of lameness on monthly and 305‐day milk yield was significant (P < 0.01) only for those cows diagnosed lame before calving and during the first month of lactation. The differences in mean monthly yield were highly significant (P < 0.01) at the second, third and fourth months; and significant (P < 0.05) in the first and fifth months. The loss in the first lactation month of cows which were diagnosed as lame in the second month, was found to be significant (P < 0.05). Thus the yield of the month previous to the diagnosis (sub‐clinical stage) was also affected. A significant (P < 0.01) total loss of 498.95 kg of milk yield was observed during a period of 305 days.     

A preliminary passive surveillance of clinical diseases of cart pulling camels in Faisalabad metropolis (Pakistan)

We identified clinical disorders of all 200 city-dwelling cart pulling male camels attending the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during a 7-year period (1993–1999). Data were collected prospectively on a predesigned form and collated. Diagnoses of different diseases/disorders were based on clinical examination supplemented with relevant laboratory tests. A total of 463 entries of 34 different clinical diseases/disorders were recorded. Sarcoptic mange (35% of 200 camels) followed by anhidrosis (23%) and trypanosomosis (19%) were the three most frequently encountered disorders. The body system most often involved was the integument (31%) followed by gastrointestinal (21%), locomotory (12%), thermoregulatory (6%), blood (6%), urogenital (6%), lymphatic (3%), nervous (3%), respiratory (3%) and ocular (3%).     

Effect of the analgesic butorphanol on activity behaviour in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

During fattening, the bodyweight of modern broad-breasted turkeys increases considerably within a very short space of time. In particular, the breast muscles increase disproportionately. This leads to a disadvantageous distribution in weight, and as a consequence, to a disturbed leg position and skeletal deformations like antitrochanteric degeneration, tibial dyschondroplasia, bending, twisting and rotation of the tibia, osteochondrosis, osteomyelitis, rickets, and epiphyseolysis of the femoral head increases. This cases of degenerative joint disease cause severe pain in humans and there are indications that this is also true for turkeys. The purpose of this study was to determine if behaviour indicative of such pain in turkeys of the B.U.T. Big 6 breeding line could be attenuated by administering a quick-acting analgesic, butorphanol. Twelve pairs of turkeys were tested at the ages of 7 and 12 weeks. One bird in each pair received an analgesic opioid injection, while the other one received a control injection of physiologically balanced saline solution. The time the birds spent putting weight on their legs, i.e., 'walking' and 'standing' and the distance covered by the birds were recorded during the 30 min periods before and after the application of the drug. At week seven the treated birds spent significantly more time putting weight on their legs than control birds. At week 12, the same tendency was observed. No significant differences were found in the distances covered by the animals. It is concluded that fattening turkeys reduce the time they are putting weight on their legs because these behaviours may be associated with pain.     

Evaluation of Kits for the Detection of Fibrin(ogen) Degradation Products in Dogs

The sensitivities and specificities of 3 commercial serum fibrin(ogen) degradation product (FDP) kits and 1 plasma FDP kit for the detection of FDPs in dogs were determined. Blood was collected for measurement of serum and plasma FDP concentrations from 30 healthy dogs and from 20 dogs that fulfilled clinical and laboratory criteria for disseminated intravascular coagulation. To determine the effect of hemolysis on FDP results, blood was collected simultaneously into Bothrops atrox venom-based and thrombin-based serum collection tubes for measurement of FDPs using a single serum FDP kit. The sensitivity (80-95%) and specificity (90-100%) for a positive or negative FDP result, regardless of concentration, was similar for all kits. Kits yielded discordant results in individual dogs and FDP concentrations obtained from 1 serum FDP kit were consistently higher than those from the other kits. Serum prepared from venom-based collection tubes was significantly more hemolyzed than serum prepared from thrombin-based collection tubes or citrated plasma. Hemolysis did not affect the FDP results. On the basis of these results, we conclude that commercial latex agglutination kits for detection of FDPs in serum and plasma samples from human patients are valid for use in dogs. The plasma FDP assay is a viable alternative to currently used serum FDP assays and has the advantage of using a single (citrated plasma) sample for measuring coagulation parameters and FDP concentration.     

A Clinical Survey Evaluating the Prevalence of Incisor Disorders in Zamorano-Leonés and Mirandês Donkeys (Equus asinus)

Recent clinical and post-mortem studies documented a high prevalence of dental disorders in donkeys, but less information appears to be available specifically about incisor disorders in donkeys. A study to investigate the prevalence of oral and dental disorders affecting incisor teeth was performed, in two endangered breeds of donkeys: the Mirandês Donkey and the Zamorano-Leonés Donkey, through a prospective cross-sectional study in 800 donkeys, divided in 7 age groups (ranging 0-34 years), in 86 villages inside their geographic area of distribution, thinking on welfare and genetic preservation issues. The 74% of donkeys suffer from incisors disorders, ranging from 56.8% in the youngest group to 90.3% in group 7. Craniofacial abnormalities (49.25%), abnormalities in the occlusal surface (21.63%), fractures (17%), periodontal disease (16.13%) and diastemata (14.38%) were the main disorders recorded. Incisors disorders are significant, presenting at a much higher prevalence when compared to other studies involving the incisor teeth of equids, affecting all ages but particularly in older animals. This study provide essential information in dentistry applied to donkeys but also highlighted the importance of regular dental care in endangered breeds, improving their welfare and preserving a unique genetic heritage.     

Equine paranasal sinus disease: a long-term study of 200 cases (1997-2009): treatments and long-term results of treatments

Reasons for performing study: There is limited objective information available on the treatment and the long‐term response to treatment of the different types of equine sinus disease. Objectives: To document the treatments and long‐term response to these treatments in 200 cases of equine sinus disease (1997–2009). Methods: The treatments of horses affected with subacute primary sinusitis (n = 52); chronic primary sinusitis (n = 37); dental sinusitis (n = 40); sinus cyst (n = 26); traumatic (n = 13); dental‐related oromaxillary fistula (n = 8); sinus neoplasia (n = 10); mycotic sinus disease (n = 7); and intrasinus progressive ethmoid haematoma (n = 7) and the long‐term response to these treatments were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Treatments evolved throughout the study and latterly were as conservative as possible, including sinoscopic lavage and standing sinusotomy, with a maxillary sinusotomy approach preferred for the mainly mature horses treated in this study. Removal of intrasinus inspissated pus, including transendoscopically (by sinusotomy and via existing sinonasal fistulae), was the main treatment for chronic primary sinusitis and sinonasal fistulation was seldom performed latterly. Attempted oral extraction of infected cheek teeth, even if unsuccessful, facilitated subsequent dental repulsion, resulting in few post operative problems. Sinus cyst removal carried an excellent prognosis. Except for cases of sinus neoplasia (only 22% cured), an excellent long‐term response to treatment (91% fully cured, 7% partially cured) was obtained for all other types of sinus disease following a median of one treatment. Conclusions: More conservative treatments, including removal of intrasinus inspissated pus by sinoscopy, pre‐existing sinonasal fistula or sinusotomy, are effective for chronic primary sinus disease. Standing sinusotomy, mainly using a small maxillary site, was suitable for most cases of sinus disease in mature horses.     

Incidence of respiratory disorders during housing in non-weaned Charolais calves in cow-calf farms of Pays de la Loire (Western France)

We assessed the incidence rate of respiratory disorders during the 1999–2000 housing period in non-weaned calves reared in a specific cow–calf farming system in western France, examined its variations according to age of the calf, housing facility and meteorological conditions, and described the different time-distribution patterns of incident cases within the barns. Treatments for respiratory disorders were recorded by the farmers on a specific sheet according a written definition provided. A case “occurred” on a given day if the calf concerned was treated for respiratory disorder on this day but not in the previous 14 days. At the barn level, episodes of respiratory disorder were determined based on the time-distribution of incident cases. An episode started on a given day if at least one case occurred on this day in the barn concerned without any cases occurring in the previous 14 days. Data were suitable for analysis for 6813 calves, in 199 barns, located in 137 farms, where no metaphylactic treatment (mass treatment of ill and not-ill calves at the barn level) was implemented. The incidence rate of respiratory disorders was 1.89 cases per 1000 calf-days at-risk. The proportion of reoccurrent cases was 8.6%. During the 1999–2000 housing period, cases occurred more frequently between 1 November and 20 January. The incidence rate of cases peaked between 14 and 20 days of age and was lower after 105 days of age. Large variation in incidence existed among barns. In one-third of the buildings, no case was observed. A higher incidence of cases was observed in loose-housing yards compared to tied-cow stalls. No clear trend between daily meteorological measurements and daily incidence rate of cases was evidenced. A total of 11 barn-level episodes occurred in 9 tied-cow stalls and 229 barn-level episodes occurred in 120 loose-housing yards. Large variations in the characteristics of episodes (duration, incidence of sick calves) and in their time-distribution existed between barns.     

Systemic alterations of bovine hemostasis due to Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus infestation

The tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is a hematophagous ectoparasite that causes considerable economic losses to cattle breeding. Although R. microplus saliva contains several molecules that interfere with the blood coagulation process, so far the systemic alterations in the host hemostatic system have not been described. This study aims to determine if R. microplus infestation induces any disturbance to the host’s hemostatic system. To address these questions, six calves were experimentally infested with 20,000 R. microplus larvae and their blood was collected before and 7, 14 and 21 days post-infestation. Collagen and ADP-induced platelet aggregation as well as coagulation (activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time) decreased in infested bovines. Platelet blood count and fibrinogen increased during the course of infestation, probably as a compensatory response. These alterations may play a role in host health status, and show that the host cannot fully counteract the tick anti-hemostatic mechanisms.     

Myasthenia gravis in dogs with an emphasis on treatment and critical care management

Objective – To review the human and veterinary literature on the pathophysiology of myasthenia gravis (MG) and describe treatment options for clinical use in people and animals. Data Sources – Human and veterinary clinical reports, studies and reviews, textbooks, and recent research findings in MG from 1996 present, with a focus on treatment and patient management. Human Data Synthesis – MG is a well‐described condition in people with new research and treatment options available. Many of the newest therapeutic options available in veterinary medicine for MG are based on current strategies used in people with this condition. Seronegative MG is well described in people and provides insight to clinical cases encountered in veterinary medicine when the index of suspicion is high though serologic tests are negative. Veterinary Data Synthesis – Previous studies in veterinary medicine focused on the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors as the main form of treatment in canine MG. Recent studies, mainly case series and case reports, emphasize the use of immunomodulatory treatments as an alternative for long‐term treatment. However, there are no randomized, controlled studies on treatment with immunomodulatory therapy for MG in dogs available to assess the efficacy of this treatment strategy. Conclusions – Although early recognition of clinical signs is most important in the outcome of patients with MG, further understanding the pathophysiology of MG may lead to earlier diagnosis and novel treatment strategies. The discovery of additional autoantibodies against striated muscle proteins in dogs, should enhance our understanding of diseases affecting the neuromuscular junction. In addition, clinical data for canine MG could be applied to other autoimmune disorders.     

Thoracic Ultrasonography Technique in Newborn Calves and Description of Normal and Pathological Findings

The aim of this study was to establish whether thoracic ultrasonography is a viable screening method for detecting respiratory disorders in newborn calves. Thoracic ultrasonography was performed on 66 newborn calves. There were 10 normal control animals with healthy lungs and 56 newborn calves suffering from respiratory disorders such as lung atelectasis, aspiration of amniotic fluid, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, and lung abscesses. Ultrasonography of the lung enabled rapid classification of the severity, extent and type of pulmonary lesion found, thus supplementing the clinical examination. Processes deep to the pleura were not amenable to thoracic diagnosis by ultrasonography. This is due to the inability of sound waves to penetrate normally ventilated lung. Despite this problem, ultrasonography of the lung is suitable for assessment of clinically unclear respiratory disorders in calves.     

Efficacy of oral famotidine and 2 omeprazole formulations for the control of intragastric pH in dogs

Background: Little is known about the efficacy of commonly used acid suppressants on intragastric pH in dogs. Objective: To compare the effect of oral famotidine, 2 formulations of omeprazole, and placebo on intragastric pH in dogs with a catheter‐free, continuous pH monitoring system. Animals: Six healthy adult mixed‐breed colony dogs. Methods: Utilizing a randomized, 4‐way cross over, open‐label study, dogs were administered famotidine PO (1.0–1.3 mg/kg q12h), omeprazole tablet (1.5–2.6 mg/kg q24h), omeprazole reformulated paste (RP) (Gastrogard, 1.5–2.6 mg/kg q24h), and placebo for 7 days followed by a 10‐day washout period. Radiotelemetric pH capsules were placed with gastroscopy assistance to continuously record intragastric pH for 4 days (days 4–7 of dosing). The percentage of time that intragastric pH was ≥3 and ≥4 was compared among treatment groups using repeated measures of analysis of variance. Tukey's Studentized range test was used to determine which groups were different with α= 0.05. Results: Mean ± SD percent time intragastric pH was ≥3 and ≥4 was 22 ± 8% and 14 ± 6% for famotidine, 63 ± 14% and 52 ± 17% for omeprazole tablet, 54 ± 17% and 44 ± 18% for omeprazole RP, and 6 ± 6% and 5 ± 5% for placebo. Both omeprazole formulations significantly increased intragastric pH compared with famotidine and placebo, but omeprazole tablet and RP was not significantly different from each other. Conclusion: Oral omeprazole tablet and RP provide superior gastric acid suppression to famotidine, and should therefore be considered more effective for the treatment of acid related disorders in dogs.     

抗CP型、NCP型牛病毒性腹泻病毒高免卵黄抗体的制备

本研究采用致细胞病变（cytopathic,CP）型牛病毒性腹泻病毒（bovine viral diarrhea virus,BVDV）标准毒和非致细胞病变（noncytopathic,NCP）型新疆优势毒株免疫产蛋鸡,用改良PEG法提取卵黄抗体(IgY),并对提取的IgY采用SDS-PAGE检测纯度,间接ELISA检测免疫后每隔7 d的抗体效价,并测定所得抗体对NCP型BVDV的中和效价。结果表明,用该法提取的IgY纯度较高;间接ELISA结果证明,经过4次免疫后,抗CP型BVDV的效价达到1∶32000,抗NCP型BVDV的效价达到1∶40000,3个月后再次检测,卵黄抗体效价未见明显下降。最后一次免疫14 d的抗体对NCP型BVDV的中和效价达到1×10_^-3。     

柑橘大实蝇的发生及综合防治

柑橘大实蝇是柑橘生产的重大害虫,目前柑橘大实蝇疫情呈逐年加重趋势,特别是“蛆柑事件”（大实蝇幼虫）给广大橘农造成了巨大的经济损失,严重制约了柑橘产业的健康发展。本文论述了柑橘大实蝇的形态特征、发生规律、传播途径和综合防控措施。     

乳铁蛋白及乳铁蛋白肽的基因工程研究进展

近年来,随着对乳铁蛋白和乳铁蛋白肽作用机制和空间结构的研究趋于成熟,国内外研究者逐渐将研究重点倾向于乳铁蛋白和乳铁蛋白肽的开发应用.主要介绍了乳铁蛋白和乳铁蛋白肽基因工程的研究进展,尤其是对原核表达系统和真核表达系统进行了综述.     

Immunogenicity of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV1) and equine rhinovirus type 1 (ERhV1) following inactivation by betapropiolactone (BPL) and ultraviolet (UV) light

Some kinetic data on the inactivation of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV1) and equine rhinovirus type 1 (ERhV1) by betapropiolactone (BPL) and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation are reported. 0.25% BPL at 37 degrees C for 1 h reduced the titre of EHV1 by greater than 10(3 . 4) and of ERhV1 by greater than 10(4 . 1) TCID50/ml. UV irradiation (334 microW/cm2) produced similar reductions in titre after 2 min. These data were used as a basis for inactivating EHV1 and ERhV1 by the combined action of BPL and UV irradiation. Viruses were exposed to 0.1% BPL for 1 h at 4 degrees C with constant stirring, followed by UV irradiation for 2 min, followed by incubation for 3 h at 37 degrees C. Inactivated EHV1 elicited secondary immune responses only in horses whereas ERhV1 produced primary immune responses in mice (including athymic nu/nu mice), rabbits and probably in horses.     

Hemolytic assay for goat (caprine) and swine (porcine) complement

Optimal conditions for assaying hemolytic complement of goat (caprine) and swine (porcine) sera were determined. Effects of the following were tested: pH, ionic strength, calcium and magnesium ion concentrations, time and temperature of incubation, and ethylenediamine tetracetate concentration. Guinea pig erythrocytes sensitized with goat or cattle antibodies were the most sensitive target cells for goat complement. Sheep and cattle erythrocytes sensitized with rabbit hemolysin were the best target cells for swine complement. Barbital buffer, pH 7.3, ionic strength of 90 nmM relative salt concentration, containing 0.5 mM CaCl2 and 1 mM MgCl2 was the best for swine complement assay. Goat complement lysed best in a barbital buffer, pH 8, ionic strength of 90 to 120 mM of relative salt concentration, in presence of 0.5 mM CaCl2 and 1 mM MgCl2. The optimal incubation temperature was 37 degrees C for both complements. The complement dependent lysis required 75 minutes to reach its maximum. Ethylenediamine tetracetate in 4 mM concentration completely inhibited lysis by both species complements. The CH50 for goat sera varied between 18 and 75 per ml, in swine sera between 75 and 210 per ml.