Effect of supplementation with corn oil on postpartum ovarian activity,pregnancy rate,and serum concentration of progesterone and lipid metabolites in F<Subscript>1</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos taurus</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos indicus</Emphasis>) cows

The aim was to evaluate the effect of corn oil supplementation during postpartum anoestrus on ovarian activity, pregnancy rate, progesterone (P₄), and lipid metabolites (cholesterol, CHO; low and high density lipoproteins; LDL and HDL, respectively) concentrations in blood of F₁ (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) grazing cows. Cows were randomly assigned to an experimental group, fed with a supplement containing 4% corn oil on dry matter basis (OG, n = 11), and a control group with the same supplement without corn oil (CG, n = 12). Both supplements contained equivalent amounts of crude protein and metabolizable energy and were fed for 34 days continuously. All cows were induced to estrous 12 days after beginning of supplementation by using a synthetic progestagen and artificially inseminated 56 h after retiring the implants. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by transrectal palpation 45 days after insemination, evaluating simultaneously ovarian activity. P₄ and lipid metabolites (CHO, HDL, LDL) concentrations were determined in blood samples collected at 3-day intervals, from the beginning of corn oil supplementation and up to 10 days after artificial insemination. Ovarian activity was affected by treatment (p < 0.05), finding ovarian structures in 72.7% of OG cows and in 50% of CG cows. Concentration of P₄ and CHO was higher for OG with respect to CG (2.52 ± 0.65 vs 1.88 ± 0.62 ng/ml and 117.79 ± 11.57 vs 85.71 ± 12.11 mg/dl, respectively), whereas pregnancy rate and blood concentrations of HDL and LDL were not affected by treatment (p > 0.05). Addition of corn oil to the supplement stimulated ovarian activity and increased serum concentrations of progesterone and cholesterol in grazing B. taurus × B. indicus cows with low body condition score showing postpartum anoestrus.     

Seroprevalence of antibodies to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neospora caninum</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos javanicus</Emphasis> (‘Bali cattle’) from Indonesia

A cross-sectional survey was performed to obtain first information on the presence of Neospora caninum infection in Bos javanicus (‘Bali cattle’), the predominant beef cattle in the Eastern Islands of Indonesia. Serum samples were collected from 438 Bali cattle of two age classes (<2 years, >2 years) and both genders at three slaughterhouses in the Bali island, and examined for N. caninum-specific antibodies using native NcSRS2 (p38 antigen) as an ELISA antigen. The estimated overall seroprevalence of antibodies was 5.5% (95% CI: 3.5–8.0%). The seroprevalence was not significantly associated with age class or gender of the animals. The results give first serological evidence for the presence of natural N. caninum infection in Bos javanicus and indicate its occurrence in Indonesia.     

Experimental Infection of Pigs with ‘<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candidatus</Emphasis> Helicobacter suis’

‘Candidatus Helicobacter suis’ is a spiral-shaped bacterium that colonizes the stomach of more than 60% of slaughter pigs. The role of ‘Candidatus Helicobacter suis’ in gastric disease of pigs is still unclear. Experimental studies in pigs are lacking because this bacterium is unculturable until now. An inoculation protocol using ‘Candidatus Helicobacter suis’ infected mouse stomach homogenate was used to reproduce the infection in pigs. Control animals were inoculated using negative mouse stomach homogenate. Pigs were inoculated three times with one-week intervals and euthanized 6 weeks post inoculation. Tissue samples were taken from different mucosal stomach regions to detect ‘Candidatus Helicobacter suis’ by PCR and urease test. Mucosal inflammation was evaluated on formalin-fixed tissue samples. Lesions in the pars oesophagea were scored macroscopically. Infection was succesful in all challenged animals, with the antrum and the fundus being predominantly positive. Infection was associated with infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the antral mucosa, evolving to follicular gastritis. No apparent inflammation of the fundic stomach region was detected in the infected animals. A clear link between ‘Candidatus Helicobacter suis’ and pars oesophageal lesions could not be found.     

Endemic status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trypanosoma evansi</Emphasis> infection in a horse stable of eastern region of India – a field investigation

Diagnosis of Trypanosoma evansi infection in a horse stable of Eastern Region of India on the basis of examination of Giemsa stained blood smears have been done. A high percentage (12.74%) of horses of this stable was found suffering from T. evansi infection. This high prevalence of T. evansi in horses, in this area could be considered as an alarming situation which has never been explored previously in horses of Eastern Region of India. After a period of 2 months and 18 days of treatment with quinapyramine sulphate and quinapyramine chloride, reinfection with T. evansi in treated horses of this stable were noticed. Clinical signs of affected horses and possible causes of reinfection have been discussed.     

Effect of protein supplementation on reproductive and productive performance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos indicus</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos taurus</Emphasis> heifers raised in the humid tropics of Costa Rica

In order to evaluate the effect of protein supplementation on the productive and reproductive performance of heifers, 45 Bos indicus × Bos taurus heifers, 673 ± 146 days of age and weighing about 340 kg, were divided into two groups. The control group (n = 23) continued without supplementation, but the supplemented group (SG; n = 22) received concentrate at a rate of 1% BW kg per day. Animals were adapted to the concentrate over a 15-day period and then supplemented for 30 days, after which estrus was synchronized using a progesterone implant. Back fat thickness (BFT) was assessed by ultrasound. The SG had better average daily weight gain than the nonsupplemented group (0.63 ± 0.16 vs. 0.51 ± 0.13 kg/day, P < 0.05) and tended to show a better percentage ovulation (P < 0.10, 77% vs. 57%, respectively). However, this tendency was not reflected in the final pregnancy rates. No differences were observed between groups in dry matter intake and body condition scores. SG with a high BFT (>0.70 cm) showed a better ovulation percentage than those with low BFT (<0.69 cm; P < 0.01). Additionally, the pregnancy rate of supplemented heifers with high BFT tended to be better than heifers with low BFT in this same group (67% vs. 30%, respectively, P < 0.10). It is concluded that protein supplementation improved reproductive performance and that ultrasonography to measure BFT may be used to estimate reproductive performance.     

Molecular detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydophila abortus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coxiella burnetii</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycoplasma agalactiae</Emphasis> in small ruminants’ aborted fetuses in southern Iran

Abortion in sheep and goats has become increasingly important worldwide because of the significant economic losses and potential zoonotic implication of commonly involved pathogens. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted in southern Iran to detect the Chlamydophila abortus and Coxiella burnetii, as zoonotic pathogens, and Mycoplasma agalactiae, as a neglected abortifacient agent in small ruminants’ aborted fetuses, by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). From a total of 300 aborted fetuses (183 sheep and 117 goats), 46 samples (15.5%) were positive by PCR, 11% for C. abortus, 2% for C. burnetii, and 3% for M. agalactiae. Also, the association of suggested risk factors with abortion due to these bacterial agents was investigated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results of the statistical analysis showed significant association of C. abortus with flock size (OR?=?2.82, P?=?0.014), season (P?<?0.05), and the number of pregnancy in the aborted dam (OR?=?2.5, P?=?0.05). Our results indicated that C. abortus has a relatively substantial role in small ruminant abortions, and C. burnetii and M. agalactiae are likely important abortifacient agents in our region, too. Regarding veterinary and/or public health importance of these bacterial agents, more attention from veterinary and/or human health services and, maybe, a surveillance system for control and prevention of them are recommended.     

Epidemiological investigation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Borrelia burgdorferi</Emphasis> in horses in the municipality of Sinop—MT,Brazil

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto is the main etiological agent of Lyme disease (LD) in the USA. In Brazil, it is believed that a similar spirochete is the causal agent of the Baggio–Yoshinari syndrome (BYS), a zoonosis also transmitted by ticks, whose clinical manifestations are similar to those of LD. Despite the epidemiological importance, there are no studies reporting the presence and the prevalence of B. burgdorferi among horses in Mato Grosso State. The aim of this study was to detect and measure the frequency of IgG antibodies anti-B. burgdorferi American strain G39/40 in horses in the municipality of Sinop, MT—Brazil, using the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serological diagnosis. Blood samples from 367 horses were collected in 81 farms. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied during the visits to obtain information related to the animals and the farms. From the 367 horses, 214 were positive for B. burgdorferi sensu stricto according to the results of the ELISA test, representing an apparent prevalence of 54.04% [CI?=?0.4548051–0.6237234]. Concomitantly, 89 blood samples were taken for molecular analysis by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). According to the PCR test results, none of the samples were reactive, although 53 of these samples were reactive according to ELISA. Seventy five farms (92.59%) had at least one reactive horse for B. burgdorferi. Our results support the hypothesis of the presence of anti-Borrelia spp. antibodies in horses in Mato Grosso, reaching a high animal prevalence. Besides that, leisure/sport purposes proved to be a risk factor, with an odds ratio of 3.16. These findings clearly indicate the need of borreliosis control in Sinop and make a significant contribution to the knowledge of the disease in Mato Grosso.     

Doxycycline treatment for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dirofilaria immitis</Emphasis> in dogs: impact on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterococcus</Emphasis> antimicrobial resistance

Doxycycline is an antibiotic that, in addition to the classic antibacterial use, is also prescribed to fight parasitic diseases, like heartworm disease in dogs. Despite the concern that the overuse of this antibiotic may decrease susceptibility of clinically important bacteria, the consequences of the prolonged doxycycline therapy in heartworm-infected dogs have never been studied before. We have analyzed the impact of this therapy on Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus antimicrobial resistance. In this study, 17 heartworm-infected dogs (10 that had completed the doxycycline treatment and 7 dogs that had not yet begun) were included. Twenty-four isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were obtained from two locations of each dog. After treatment, 73.3% of isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic but only 22.2% of isolates before treatment. Most of doxycycline resistant isolates were obtained from dogs that have received treatment. Erythromycin resistance or intermediate susceptibility was detected in 45.6% of isolates, most of them from dogs after treatment. For Enterococci, 48 isolates were obtained from fecal samples (25 before treatment and 23 after treatment). Before treatment, 32% of isolates were resistant at least to one antibiotic while after, this data increase up to 65%. Comparing isolates before and after treatment, a clear increase in resistance to doxycycline (12% against 21.74%) and erythromycin (20% against 39.13%) was observed. Although the present work is a preliminary research, the results encourages the development of further studies to determinate the effect of prolonged doxycycline therapy on antimicrobial resistance.     

The effect of the control of endo- and ectoparasites on weight gains in crossbred cattle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos taurus taurus</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos taurus indicus</Emphasis>) in the central region of Brazil

Endo- and ectoparasite infections are among the most important causes of disease and production losses in beef cattle in tropical and subtropical regions. Nevertheless, most treatments are given without epidemiological information and without evaluating their effect on the development of the animals. In this work we present the results of a study of the effect of treatments against endo- and ectoparasites in crossbred steers, during three cycles of field trials in the Brazilian Cerrado region. Three anthelmintic treatments during the winter and three acaricidal treatments during the spring/summer provided significant additional weight gain in three and two experimental trials, respectively. In the trials, steers treated for gastrointestinal nematodes gained a mean of 33 kg more and those treated for ectoparasites had additional mean weight gains of 13 kg compared with non-treated steers.     

Panton–Valentine leukocidin and some exotoxins of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of staphylococci isolated from milks of small ruminants

The aims of this study were to determine the existence of pvl gene, some toxin genes, and mecA gene in Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from sheep milk and to examine antimicrobial resistance profiles in staphylococci from sheep and goats' milk. The milk samples were collected from 13 different small ruminant farms in Kirikkale province from February to August 2009. A total of 1,604 half-udder milk samples from 857 ewes and 66 half-udder milk samples from 33 goats were collected. Staphylococcus spp. were isolated and identified from the samples. Toxin genes and mecA gene among S. aureus strains were determined by PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility of staphylococci was examined by the disk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar, and interpreted according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. The prevalence of subclinical intramammary infection in both ewes and goats was 5.2%. The most prevalent subclinical mastitis agents were coagulase-negative staphylococci and S. aureus with prevalences 2.8% (n:46) and 1.3% (n = 21), respectively. The prevalence of resistances in isolated Staphylococcus spp. to penicilin G, tetracycline, erythromycin, gentamicin, and enrofloxacin were found as 26.9% (18), 7.5% (5), 6.0% (4), 3.0% (2), and 1.5% (1), respectively. Only 3 of the 21 S. aureus ewe isolates (13.4%) were shown to harbor enterotoxin genes being either seh, sej or sec. However, fourteen (66.6%) of the 21 S. aureus isolates had pvl gene while none of the isolates harbored mecA gene. In conclusion, Staphylococci were shown to be the most prevalent bacteria isolated from subclinical mastitis of ewes and goats and these isolates were susceptible to most of the antibiotics. In addition, S. aureus strains isolated from ewes were harboring few staphylococcal enterotoxin genes. However, Panton–Valentine leukocidin produced by S. aureus could be an important virulence factor and contribute to subclinical mastitis pathogenicity.     

关于发布<饲料药物添加剂使用规范>的通知

各省、自治区、直辖市畜牧(农牧、农业)厅(局、办)、 饲料工作(工业)办公室: 为加强兽药的使用管理,进一步规范和指导饲料药物添加剂的合理使用,防止滥用饲料药物添加剂,根据<兽药管理条例>的规定,现发布<饲料药物添加剂使用规范>(以下简称<规范>),并就有关事项通知如下,请各地遵照执行.     

‘Nano-immuno test’ for the detection of live <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium avium</Emphasis> subspecies <Emphasis Type="Italic">paratuberculosis</Emphasis> bacilli in the milk samples using magnetic nano-particles and chromogen

Early rapid detection of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) bacilli in milk samples is the major challenge since traditional culture method is time consuming and laboratory dependent. We report a simple, sensitive and specific nano-technology based ‘Nano-immuno test’ capable of detecting viable MAP bacilli in the milk samples within 10 h. Viable MAP bacilli were captured by MAP specific antibody-conjugated magnetic nano-particles using resazurin dye as chromogen. Test was optimized using true culture positive (10-bovine and 12-goats) and true culture negative (16-bovine and 25-goats) raw milk samples. Domestic livestock species in India are endemically infected with MAP. After successful optimization, sensitivity and specificity of the ‘nano-immuno test’ in goats with respect to milk culture was 91.7% and 96.0%, respectively. Whereas, it was 90.0% (sensitivity) and 92.6% (specificity) with respect to IS900 PCR. In bovine milk samples, sensitivity and specificity of ‘nano-immuno test’ with respect to milk culture was 90.0% and 93.7%, respectively. However, with respect to IS900 PCR, the sensitivity and specificity was 88.9% and 94.1%, respectively. Test was validated with field raw milk samples (goats-258 and bovine-138) collected from domestic livestock species to detect live/viable MAP bacilli. Of 138 bovine raw milk samples screened by six diagnostic tests, 81 (58.7%) milk samples were positive for MAP infection in one or more than one diagnostic tests. Of 81 (58.7%) positive bovine raw milk samples, only 24 (17.4%) samples were detected positive for the presence of viable MAP bacilli. Of 258 goats raw milk samples screened by six diagnostic tests, 141 (54.6%) were positive for MAP infection in one or more than one test. Of 141 (54.6%) positive raw milk samples from goats, only 48 (34.0%) were detected positive for live MAP bacilli. Simplicity and efficiency of this novel ‘nano-immuno test’ makes it suitable for wide-scale screening of milk samples in the field. Standardization, validation and re-usability of functionalized nano-particles and the test was successfully achieved in field samples. Test was highly specific, simple to perform and easy to read by naked eyes and does not require laboratory support in the performance of test. Test has potential to be used as screening test to estimate bio-load of MAP in milk samples at National level.     

Comparative study on responses of cattle and water buffalo (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bubalus bubalis</Emphasis>) to experimental inoculation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brucella abortus</Emphasis> biovar 1 by the intraconjunctival route—a preliminary report

The preliminary study was conducted to assess the virulence of a strain of Brucella abortus (1969D) and to compare the susceptibility of water buffalo and cattle calves to infection by the intraconjunctival route. Seven of each cattle and water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves aged 3–6 months were inoculated intraconjunctivally with counts ranging from 1.5 × 10⁷ to 1.7 × 10¹⁰ colony forming units of B. abortus. Animals were monitored over an 8-week period for clinical manifestations and serological and hematological evidence of infection. At slaughter, eight lymph nodes from each animal were sampled for bacteriological and histopathological assessments. Lymph nodes from three water buffalo (43%) and five cattle (71%) yielded B. abortus (P = 0.048). Parotid/prescapular lymph nodes were most sensitive in detecting B. abortus. Our data suggest that B. abortus strain 1969D may be used as challenge strain, and water buffalo appeared to have a lower susceptibility to B. abortus infection than cattle.     

贝多芬《c小调钢琴奏鸣曲<悲怆>》曲式分析

<正>贝多芬在钢琴奏鸣曲的发展中作出了突出的贡献。他年轻时是个出色的钢琴家,在创作上,他特别重视钢琴奏鸣曲的创作,将其摆在与交响曲一样的重要地位上。他的钢琴奏鸣曲具有更宽广、更富有戏剧性的音乐效果。其创作不仅扩大了钢琴的演奏音域,增强了力度对比,提高了手指技巧,而且还加强了奏鸣曲式结构内部的对比因素,扩大了展开部的矛盾冲突和发展动力。贝多芬的奏鸣曲大大超过了前人,开创了独特风格。他的钢琴奏鸣曲在钢琴艺术发展中是一座重要的里     

Do camels (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Camelus dromedarius</Emphasis>) play an epidemiological role in the spread of Shiga Toxin producing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> (STEC) infection?

In the present work, faecal and serum samples from 400 camels were investigated for the presence of Shiga Toxin producing E.coli (STEC) and Anti-Shiga Toxin (Anti-Stx) antibodies, respectively. The used samples were obtained from adult male camels of five east African countries (Egypt, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya and Sudan) between the years 2002-2004. One E.coli isolate per camel was randomly selected to be cultured on Gassner, Chromocult and sorbit agar for the detection of O157:H7 strains. In the same time, a Stx-specific PCR screening was performed for the isolates using the shiga toxin specific primers Mk1-Mk2. Vero cells were also used for shiga toxin neutralization assay. None of the investigated isolates reacted positively with the Stx-specific primers. Also, none of the studied sera could neutralize the Stx on tissue culture. The obtained results indicate that camels do not play any significant epidemiological role in STEC infection and transmission. The possible reasons for the absence of STEC in the investigated samples are discussed in brief.     

Cross-sectional survey of brucellosis and associated risk factors in the livestock–wildlife interface area of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nechisar</Emphasis> National Park,Ethiopia

A cross-sectional survey was carried out to investigate the seroprevalence of ovine and bovine brucellosis in the livestock–wildlife interface area of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia. Furthermore, producer’s knowledge about brucellosis and its zoonotic potential was assessed using a structured questionnaire. A total of 268 cattle and 246 goat sera were collected from 50 herds and 46 flocks and subjected to Rose Bengal test (RBT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in parallel to detect anti-Brucella species antibodies. Positive reactions were further confirmed with compliment fixation test (CFT). Flock and herd level seroprevalence rate was 12.8% (95% CI 4.8–25.7) and 32.0% (95% CI 19.5–46.7) in goats and cattle, respectively. An overall animal-level seroprevalence of 4.5% (95% CI 2.25–7.86) and 9.7% (95% CI 6.44–13.89) was recorded for goats and cattle, respectively. Seroprevalence showed an increasing trend with age, where adult cattle >?2 years. Goats (>?1 year) recorded relatively higher seroprevalence, but the differences were not statistically significant. Similarly, female cattle and goats recorded a relatively higher seroprevalence, 11 and 5.6%, respectively, compared to males but the difference was not significant. However, a significant (P <?0.01) variation of seroprevalence was noted for parity (bovine), higher in animals in second parity, and abortion history, in both species, higher in animals that experienced abortion. Interviews revealed lack of awareness about brucellosis and food safety related to the zoonotic potential from consuming raw animal products (milk and meat). Ninety-eight percent of respondents did not consider handling abortion material is risky, and only a very low proportion (8%, n?=?50) was able to mention limited zoonotic diseases (anthrax and Taenia cysticercosis) could be transmissible to people. The study indicated that brucellosis is endemic in domestic animals in the interface area and calls for further broad epidemiological investigation of the disease in livestock, human and wildlife following ‘one health’ unified research approaches beside enhancing public awareness.     

Deduced Amino Acid Sequences Surrounding the Fusion Glycoprotein Cleavage Site and of the Carboxyl-terminus of Haemagglutinin–Neuraminidase Protein of the Avirulent Thermostable Vaccine Strain I-2 of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Newcastle disease virus</Emphasis>

A single-tube RT-PCR technique generated a 387 bp or 300 bp cDNA amplicon covering the F₀ cleavage site or the carboxyl (C)-terminus of the HN gene, respectively, of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain I-2. Sequence analysis was used to deduce the amino acid sequences of the cleavage site of F protein and the C-terminus of HN protein, which were then compared with sequences for other NDV strains. The cleavage site of NDV strain I-2 had a sequence motif of ¹¹² RKQGRLIG¹¹⁹, consistent with an avirulent phenotype. Nucleotide sequencing and deduction of amino acids at the C-terminus of HN revealed that strain I-2 had a 7-amino-acid extension (VEILKDGVREARSSR. This differs from the virulent viruses that caused outbreaks of Newcastle disease in Australia in the 1930s and 1990s, which have HN extensions of 0 and 9 amino acids, respectively. Amino acid sequence analyses of the F and HN genes of strain I-2 confirmed its avirulent nature and its Australian origin.