An equine joint friction test model using a cartilage-on-cartilage arrangement

This study describes an equine joint friction test using a cartilage-on-cartilage arrangement and investigates the influence of age and load on the frictional response. Osteochondral plugs were extracted from equine shoulder joints (2–5 years, n = 12; 10–14 years, n = 15), and mounted in a pin-on-disc tribometer. The frictional response was then measured under constant conditions (2 N; 20 °C; 5 mm/s), and with increasing load (2 N, 5 N, 10 N). In all experiments, the friction coefficient of young cartilage was significantly (P < 0.001) smaller than obtained from old cartilage, while the application of a greater load resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in friction coefficient only in old cartilage. It was concluded that cartilage ageing was responsible for an increase in friction coefficient under these experimental conditions. Moreover, where young cartilage lubrication remained stable, cartilage ageing may have been responsible for lubrication regime change. The cartilage-on-cartilage model could be used to better understand lubrication regime disturbances in healthy and diseased equine joints, and to test the efficacy of various bio-lubricant treatments.     

Analysis of consumers' preferences and behavior with regard to horse meat using a structured survey questionnaire

In this study, a structured survey questionnaire was used to determine consumers' preferences and behavior with regard to horse meat at a horse meat restaurant located in Jeju, Korea, from October 1 to December 24, 2005. The questionnaire employed in this study consisted of 20 questions designed to characterize six general attributes: horse meat sensory property, physical appearance, health condition, origin, price, and other attributes. Of the 1370 questionnaires distributed, 1126 completed questionnaires were retained based on the completeness of the answers, representing an 82.2% response rate. Two issues were investigated that might facilitate the search for ways to improve horse meat production and marketing programs in Korea. The first step was to determine certain important factors, called principal components, which enabled the researchers to understand the needs of horse meat consumers via principal component analysis. The second step was to define consumer segments with regard to their preferences for horse meat, which was accomplished via cluster analysis. The results of the current study showed that health condition, price, origin, and leanness were the most critical physical attributes affecting the preferences of horse meat consumers. Four segments of consumers, with different demands for horse meat attributes, were identified: origin‐sensitive consumers, price‐sensitive consumers, quality and safety‐sensitive consumers, and non‐specific consumers. Significant differences existed among segments of consumers in terms of age, nature of work, frequency of consumption, and general level of acceptability of horse meat.     

Detection of equine infectious anemia virus in a horse with an equivocal agar gel immunodiffusion test reaction

A horse whose serum reacted equivocally in the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test for equine infectious anemia was studied over a 3-year period. The horse remained afebrile and virus was detected in only 1 of 6 horse inoculation tests. The intensity of AGID test reactions increased temporarily following this evidence for virus. Although the AGID test reaction was equivocal and 5 of the 6 transmission attempts failed, the 1 successful transmission proved the horse was infected.     

Assessing estrogenic activity of pyrethroid insecticides using in vitro combination assays

Pyrethroid insecticides are among the most commonly used classes of insecticides worldwide, but their endocrine disrupting activities remain unclear. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the estrogenic activities of pyrethroid insecticides in E-screen and competition binding assays. In addition, we measured estrogen receptor (ER) protein and pS2 mRNA levels in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 BUS) to clarify the mechanism of their estrogenicity. Seven pyrethroid insecticides (bioallethrine, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, fenvalerate, permethrin, sumithrin, and tetramethrin) were tested because of their worldwide usage. In addition, 17beta-estradiol was tested as a positive control. As expected, 17beta-estradiol significantly increased MCF-7 BUS cell proliferation at concentrations of 10(-11) M and above. Of the pyrethroid insecticides tested, only sumithrin increased MCF-7 BUS cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner; the maximum induction of cell proliferation was observed at a dose of 10(-5) M. In the anti-estrogenic activity test, bioallethrin, fenvalerate, and permethrin significantly inhibited 17beta-estradiol-induced MCF-7 BUS cell proliferation at 10(-6) M, a concentration comparable to the effective dose (10(-9) M) of ICI 182,780, a pure ER antagonist. However, none of the pyrethroid insecticides competitively inhibited the binding of [(3)H]estradiol to rat uterus ERs in competition binding assays. Both 17beta-estradiol (10(-10) M) and sumithrin (10(-5) M) decreased the levels of cytosolic ERalpha and ERbeta protein expression significantly as compared with the vehicle control. In addition, 17beta-estradiol (10(-10) M) increased pS2 mRNA expression markedly, and sumithrin significantly increased pS2 mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. The other six compounds tested in the present study did not affect ER protein levels or pS2 mRNA levels. These results suggest that certain pyrethroid insecticides may be considered to be estrogen-like chemicals that act through pathways other than direct ER binding, and may function as endocrine modulators in both wildlife and humans.     

Use of an ELISA test in the eradication of an equine infectious anaemia focus

Summary An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test and the classic agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test were used as diagnostic methods in the eradication of a focus of equine infectious anaemia from a herd of 86 horses. The ELISA test proved to be more sensitive, detecting positive animals earlier than the AGID test. A group of 16 animals positive only by ELISA also became positive to the AGID when retested one month later, except for 2 animals which showed clinical signs of the disease and died before retesting.

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El Uso De Una Prueba Elisa En La Erradicacion De Un Foco De Anemia Infecciosa Equina

Resumen La prubla ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) y la pruebla clásico de imunodifusión en gel agar (IDGA) fueron utilizados como métodos de diagnóstico para eliminar un foco de Anemia Infecciosa Equina. La pruebla de ELISA fue más sensible, detectando los animales positivos antes que la pruebla de IDGA. Un grupo de animales positivos, que fueron detectados solamente por la pruebla de ELISA, fueron también detectados por la pruebla de IDGA en el reteste después de treinta dias. De los 16 animales de ese grupo, solamente 2 mostrarom signos clinicos de la enfermedad y murieron antes de la realización del reteste.

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L'utilisation Du Test Elisa Dans L'eradication D'un Foyer D'anemie Infectieuse Equine

Résumé Un test d'ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) et un test cassique d'immunodiffusion en gel d'agar (IDGA) ont été utilisés comme méthodes de diagnostic de l'erradication d'un foyer d'Anémie Infectiuse Equine. Le test d'ELISA a été le plus sensible detectant animaux positifs plus tot que le test d'IDGA. Un groupe d'animaux positifs qui ont été detectés seulement par le test d'ELISA ont aussi été detectés par le test d'IDGA lors d'un nouveau test après trente jours. De ce groupe constituté par seize animaux, seulement deux ont montré des signes cliniques de la maladie et sort morts avant la réalisation du nouveau test.

     

Standardization and validation of an agar gel immunodiffusion test for the diagnosis of equine infectious anemia using a recombinant p26 antigen

We developed and validated an agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) test for the diagnosis of equine infectious anemia (EIA) using as antigen the p26 protein of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) produced in the Escherichia coli expression system. The developed rp26-AGID test showed an excellent diagnostic relative sensitivity (100%) and specificity (100%) compared to a commercial AGID assay when 1855 field serum samples were analyzed. In addition, the rp26-AGID demonstrated to be a precise assay with excellent repeatability and reproducibility. In the analytical sensitivity trial, positive sera showed nearly the same endpoint dilutions for both compared tests. No positive-reactions were observed with 35 serum samples with antibodies related to other endemic agents and also with severely hemolysed samples, demonstrating that the rp26-AGID has an excellent analytical specificity. Complete concordance with blind previous results from five proficiency test panels confirmed the capability of the assay of accurate detection of EIAV antibodies. This is the first time that a recombinant AGID assay able to identify EIAV infections has been standardized and validated in Argentina according to international guidelines. Taking into account the results obtained, the p26-AGID could be adopted as an official test method for the diagnosis and control of EIA in this country.     

Clinical biochemistry in veterinary practice: results of a survey by questionnaire

A questionnaire on the use of clinical biochemistry in veterinary practice was circulated round the West of Scotland Division of the British Veterinary Association. The results indicated that clinical biochemistry was used in 9-6 per cent of cases, with liver and kidney function tests being the most useful performed. The analysis of samples either within a practice or by use of a central laboratory were shown to present different problems with quality control being the major problem for practice laboratories and delay in obtaining results being the major problem for central laboratories.     

Detection of equine X chromosome mosaicism in a mare using an equine X whole chromosome painting probe (WCPP)--a case report

An infertile mare with hypoplastic ovaries was subjected to cytogenetic analysis. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) using the equine X whole chromosome painting probe (WCPP) was carried out on a chromosome preparation obtained from blood lymphocyte culture. The number of analysed spreads was high (235) and in the X chromosome aneuploidy in mosaic form was diagnosed. The karyotype formula was 63,X / 64,XX / 65,XXX. The ratio of the three lines was 15%, 82% and 3%, respectively. The application of the FISH technique with WCPP is discussed.     

Current joint therapy usage in equine practice: a survey of veterinarians 2009

Reasons for performing study: Medications are frequently employed to treat intra‐articular (IA) problems in the performance horse. Actual usage of the different IA medications in horses is not available. Objectives: To determine the most common usage of these medications, members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) were surveyed. Methods: An email link to an online survey was electronically sent to 6305 AAEP members and the responses tabulated and analysed with a logistic regression model. Results: A total of 831 survey responses were submitted and tabulated. Eighty per cent of the respondents indicated that they see 100% equine cases in their practice. The majority of respondents (77%) use triamcinolone acetonide (TA) to treat high motion joints and 73% use methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) to treat low motion joints. Veterinarians treating the Western performance and Sport horse were significantly more likely to use TA in high motion joints compared to MPA (P = 0.0201 and P<0.0001, respectively). Triamcinolone acetonide use compared to MPA in high motion joints by racehorse veterinarians was significantly lower compared to other veterinarians (P<0.0001). Polysulphated glycosaminoglycan (Adequan) and hyaluronate sodium (Legend) were the most commonly used disease modifying products (63 and 57% of respondents, respectively). Sport horse practitioners were significantly more likely than race or show horse veterinarians to utilise IRAP products (P = 0.0035 and P = 0.04, respectively). Respondents who had been in practice for more than 10 years were significantly less likely to use antimicrobials in their joint injections compared to those in practice for less than 10 years (P<0.0001). Conclusions: Significant differences existed in usage of medications related to primary discipline treated and years practicing. Potential relevance: The results of this study aid in defining the current usage of different joint therapy medications within equine practice. This knowledge can guide further research as well as education.     

Funisitis associated with leptospiral abortion in an equine placenta

Funisitis, inflammation of the umbilical cord, is well recognized in human placentas. This report describes a case of funisitis associated with leptospiral infection in the placenta of a Thoroughbred foal born prematurely. The umbilical cord had diffuse superficial yellow discoloration along its entire length. Microscopic evaluation showed an exudate of neutrophils admixed with fibrin on the surface. Warthin-Starry staining showed spirochetes in the Wharton's jelly of the umbilical cord. A locally extensive, severe placentitis not involving the star and allantoic cystic hyperplasia were the other lesions observed in the allantochorion. Leptospira funisitis is similar to the funisitis of congenital syphilis in humans, although there are some major microscopic differences. In Leptospira funisitis, lesions were limited to the cord surface, whereas in lesions in human umbilical cords with Treponema pallidum infection, the changes are observed mostly around the vessels and in the Wharton's jelly.     

Successful treatment of an unusually large corneal epithelial inclusion cyst using equine amniotic membrane in a dog

A 10‐year‐old intact male Yorkshire Terrier was referred for investigation of a large raised and nonpainful corneal lesion oculus dexter. Clinical examination revealed a pale, translucent corneal mass, which occupied half of the corneal surface and measured 11 mm × 11 mm × 13 mm. The mass was removed by superficial keratectomy and equine amniotic membrane (AM) was transplanted into the large corneal defect to cover the wound and provide tectonic support for the remaining cornea. The mass was histologically confirmed as a corneal epithelial inclusion cyst. There was no evidence of recurrence or complication at the surgical site 100 days postoperatively. Corneal epithelial inclusion cysts are uncommon in dogs. Although superficial keratectomy is the recommended treatment for corneal inclusion cyst, the combination of superficial keratectomy and AM transplantation had to be considered as an alternative for repair of large corneal defects. This is the first case report of the combined application of AM and superficial keratectomy to successfully treat a corneal inclusion cyst in a dog.     

Target animal safety test of a dexamethasone-prednisolone combination in horses

The target animal safety of a dexamethasone-prednisolone combination was studied on 12 horses divided into two groups of six each. One group of horses received the therapeutic dose of the combination (25 mg/animal dexamethasone pivalate and 75 mg/animal prednisolone) and the second group was given the threefold dose of it. The preparation was administered intravenously for 2 consecutive days. For assessment of safety a wide range of clinical, haematological, biochemical and urine variables were tested as laid down in the guidelines of the FDA. All horses treated by the therapeutic or the threefold therapeutic doses of the preparation remained in good health throughout the entire study. No signs of clinical abnormalities occurred in either group. The physiological variables tested failed to reveal any significant alteration as a consequence of the medications. Of the haematological and biochemical parameters leucocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil and lymphocyte counts, aspartate aminotransferase activity, glucose, phosphor, total and conjugated bilirubin and creatinine concentrations were significantly affected in both groups. In some animals a transient glucosuria occurred. From the direction and magnitude of these changes it was concluded that they did not reflect any toxic actions of the preparation. Nevertheless, the combination is to be administered only with exact therapeutic indications and the uncontrolled misuse of it must be avoided.