Ultrasonographic appearance of the coelomic cavity organs in healthy veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis)

Veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) are the most popular chameleons over the world, and consequently, two of the most frequent species presenting to veterinary practices. However, published studies on normal ultrasonographic anatomy for these lizards are currently lacking. The objectives of this prospective anatomic study were to develop an ultrasound protocol for evaluation of the coelomic cavity in these species and describe the normal ultrasonographic anatomy of the coelomic organs. Seventeen healthy veiled chameleons and 15 healthy panther chameleons were included. A linear 18 MHz transducer was used. Chameleons were sedated and restrained in right lateral recumbency by an assistant. Longitudinal and transverse images were acquired, and authors recorded qualitative and quantitative ultrasonographic characteristics of the coelomic structures. The kidneys, liver, caudal vena cava, hepatic veins, portal vein, gallbladder, wall of the stomach and intestine, gonads and, when distended, urinary bladder could be visualized during ultrasonography of the coelomic cavity in both species. The spleen, pancreas, and adrenal glands could not be identified. Findings from the current study supported the use of ultrasonography for veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) with suspected intracoelomic diseases and provided normal reference information for future studies of these chameleon species.     

Computed tomography imaging of a leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis pardalis) with confirmed pulmonary fibrosis: a case report

An approximately 20-year-old, female Leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis pardalis) was presented with dypsnea, wheezing, anorexia and depression. Whole body radiographs revealed generalized diffuse unstructured ‘interstitial lung pattern’ with thickened pulmonary septae while computed tomography (CT) showed emphysematous lung parenchyma and thickened pulmonary septae bordered by irregular ground-glass opacity with smaller areas of ‘honeycombing’. These imaging findings together with histopathologic findings were compatible with chronic, extensive ‘interstitial’ pulmonary fibrosis.     

Field efficacy of an ivermectin jetting fluid for control of the sheep body louse Bovicola (Damalinia) ovis in New Zealand

The efficacy of an ivermectin jetting fluid against the sheep body louse, Bovicola (Damalinia) ovis, in long-woolled sheep was investigated in three field trials. In all trials, louse populations in hand-jetted sheep were reduced to non- detectable numbers within 2 weeks of treatment. By comoarison, shorn and unshorn control sheep maintained detectable infestations for the duration of the trials.     

Phylogenetic characterization of Isospora jaracimrmani oocysts from a veiled chameleon (family Chamaeleonidae; Chamaeleo calyptratus) reared at a zoo in Ishikawa,Japan

Oocysts of Isospora sp. were detected in the feces of a veiled chameleon (family Chamaeleonidae; Chamaeleo calyptratus) kept at a zoo in Ishikawa, Japan. Phylogenetic analysis placed the sequence in the cluster of Isospora spp. isolated from reptiles. Based on a comparison of morphological data of ten previously reported Isospora species from the Chamaeleonidae family, this isolate was morphologically similar to I. jaracimrmani, which has been considered to be a virulent species. This case study suggests the possibility that species of Isospora might not always cause disease because the animal that shed these oocysts showed no symptoms for more than two months.     

临床健康牛外周血淋巴细胞亚类分布的研究

以流式细胞术研究了临床健康牛外周血中CD3、CD4、CD8和γδT淋巴细胞的分布情况.结果表明,牛外周血淋巴细胞中各T淋巴细胞亚类分布差异较大.其中CD3平均值为53.88±8.71%,CD4为17.13±3.22%,CD8为15.10±5.81%,γδT为18.77±8.07%.同时检测了广泛存在于各种淋巴细胞表面的白细胞介素-2α受体(IL-2Rα),发现IL-2Rα百分率与γδT细胞百分率具有正相关关系,即γδT细胞百分率高时,IL-2Rα也高,反之亦然.跟踪3头牛外周血各淋巴细胞亚类分布百分率的实验结果,证明牛外周血中各淋巴细胞亚类分布的差异,与牛的生物节律有着密切关系.     

Butcherbird polyomavirus isolated from a grey butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus) in Queensland,Australia

A novel avian polyomavirus was detected in peri-ocular skin lesions collected from a grey butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus), using a combination of multiply primed rolling circle amplification, nested PCR and long range PCR. The sequence of Butcherbird polyomavirus was determined by combining next generation sequencing and primer walking techniques. The circular double-stranded DNA genome of Butcherbird polyomavirus consisted of 5084 bp, and encoded six open reading frames (ORF-X, VP2, VP3, VP1, small T-antigen and large T-antigen). Phylogenetic analysis placed it amongst other members of the genus Avipolyomavirus, most closely related to Crow polyomavirus. Next generation sequencing enabled the detection of DNA fragments similar to, but distinct from, Canarypox virus within the same lesion from which Butcherbird polyomavirus was amplified, thus confirming an avipolyomavirus-avipoxvirus co-infection in the peri-ocular skin lesions of this grey butcherbird.     

Isolation of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium bovis from a dog in Korea

A 3-year-old female Miniature Schnauzer dog with a week-long history of generalized intention tremor and progressive weight loss for several months was admitted. Mild anemia, fever, splenomegaly, aseptic cerebral meningitis and systemic lymph nodes enlargement were examined through erythrogram, ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Mycobacterium bovis was identified via molecular microbiology having the same molecular type as that of isolates from a cattle farm previously identified. However, the dog was raised in a city. The M. bovis had multidrug resistance (MDR)-bearing mutations in both katG and rpoB genes toward first-line antibiotics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing an MDR M. bovis infection of a dog in Korea.     

Aberrant migration and surgical removal of a heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) from the femoral artery of a cat

A cat was evaluated for an acute‐onset of right pelvic limb paresis. Thoracic radiographs revealed normal cardiac size and tortuous pulmonary arteries. Abdominal ultrasound identified a heartworm (HW) extending from the caudal abdominal aorta into the right external iliac artery and right femoral artery. The cat was HW‐antigen positive. Echocardiography revealed a HW within the right branch of the main pulmonary artery and evidence of pulmonary hypertension. An agitated‐saline contrast echocardiogram revealed a small right to left intracardiac shunt at the level of the atria. Surgical removal of the HW was performed with no substantial postoperative complications. There was return of blood flow and improved motor function to the limb. The cat remains mildly paretic on the affected limb with no other clinical signs.     

牛支原体新基因(P18)的克隆表达及活性鉴定

牛支原体(M.bovis)可以引起犊牛肺炎、关节炎、乳腺炎、角膜结膜炎等疾病,是一种牛的重要呼吸道病原体,目前M.bovis粘附宿主细胞的机制还不明确。研究表明,M.bovis表面存在的多种蛋白与致病菌在宿主体内的侵袭力与传播能力有关。我们通过分离表达多个M.bovis基因,最终获得了一个表达纤溶酶原结合蛋白的新基因,并命名为P18。该基因表达大小约为67ku的重组蛋白。通过western blot鉴定,重组表达的P18蛋白可以被M.bovis抗体识别。进一步的试验表明,P18蛋白还具有纤溶酶原结合活性,从而推测该基因表达的蛋白可能是M.bovis的一个粘附相关因子。     

Genetic relatedness of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) isolated from a dog and the dog owner

In the present study four methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) strains isolated from a dog (n = 3) and the anterior nares of the dog owner (n = 1) were investigated by conventional and molecular methods. The species identity of the four S. pseudintermedius strains was confirmed by conventional methods, by PCR mediated amplification of S. intermedius/S. pseudintermedius specific segments of thermonuclease encoding gene nuc and by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of phosphoacetyltransferase encoding gene pta. Investigation of the four S. pseudintermedius for toxinogenic potential revealed that all four strains were positive for the exfoliative toxin encoding gene siet and the leukotoxin encoding genes lukS, lukF. The oxacillin and penicillin resistance of the four S. pseudintermedius strains could be determined by cultivation of the strains on oxacillin resistant screening agar base, ChromID MRSA Agar and Brilliance MRSA Agar and by multiplex PCR detecting the resistance genes mecA and blaZ. The genetic relatedness of the strains was studied by macrorestriction analysis of their chromosomal DNA using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). According to PFGE all four S. pseudintermedius strains represent an identical bacterial clone indicating a cross transmission between the dog and the dog owner.     

Detection and Identification of a Strain of Renibacterium salmoninarum Sourced from Cultured Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

A chronic and infective disease occurred on the farmed Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshaivytscha) in a farm in Huairou district of Beijing and it caused high accumulative mortality.The typical clinical symptoms indicated that it might be bacterial kidney disease (BKD).The purpose of this study was to confirm its pathogen.The typical clinical symptoms of sick fish,morphology observation of bacteria in kidney tissue smears and sequence analysis of bacteria DNA were conducted.A number of gram positive brevi bacteria were observed in kidney tissue print.16S rDNA sequence of K1 strain was more than 99% homology with that of Renibacterium salmoninarum and they were in the same cluster.383 and 320 bp fragment were amplified by PCR and nested PCR.The fragments were sequenced and analyzed.The results showed the fragment was shared 100% nucleotide identity with P57 surface protein gene of Renibacterium salmoninarum. It was indicated that these diseased fish were suffering from BKD caused by Renibacterium salmoninarum.This was the first report about Renibacterium salmoninarum detected in farmed fish in China.     

一株大鳞大麻哈鱼源鲑肾杆菌的检测与鉴定

北京怀柔某养殖场的大鳞大麻哈鱼发生一种慢性,但累计死亡率很高的流行病,为研究大鳞大麻哈鱼感染病原菌的种类,本试验根据病鱼临床症状观察判断疑似感染鲑肾杆菌.试验对病鱼肾脏组织进行印片染色观察细菌形态特征,抽提病鱼的肝脏、肾脏组织DNA,扩增16S rDNA和鲑肾杆菌P57表面蛋白基因片段,测序并运用BLAST进行同源性比对.结果显示,病鱼肾脏组织印片在显微镜下可见大量形态一致的革兰氏阳性短杆菌;采用病鱼肝脏、肾脏组织扩增的16S rDNA基因构建的系统发育树显示与鲑肾杆菌聚为一支;通过PCR扩增出鲑肾杆菌P57表面蛋白基因DNA片段,测序结果与鲑肾杆菌标准株ATCC 33209完全一致,符合率为100%.结果表明病鱼感染鲑肾杆菌并引发细菌性肾病(BKD).这是中国首次在养殖鱼体内检出鲑肾杆菌.     

Application of a radioimmunoassay for detection of the major internal antigen (p24) of bovine leukemia virus from cultured lymphocytes of cattle

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for the major internal antigen of bovine leukemia virus has been applied to detecting this protein in cultured lymphocytes of infected cattle. The specificity inherent in this assay offers obvious advantages over a previously described syncytium induction assay for infectious bovine leukemia virus, because false positive reactions due to other viruses such as bovine syncytial virus are avoided. Investigations of various culture conditions indicated that maximal amounts of antigen had been produced after incubation for 72 hr at 37°C. Lymphocyte concentrations of 10⁶?5×10⁷ cells/ml gave satisfactory results. Tests of cultured lymphocytes from bovine leukemia virus infected or bovine leukemia virus-free cattle indicated a comparable sensitivity between the radioimmunoassay and syncytium induction assay in the detection of bovine leukemia virus infections.     

Forage seed production and trade as a pathway out of poverty in the smallholder sector: lessons from the Zimbabwe Crop Livestock Integration for Food Security (ZimCLIFS) project

The major challenge to adoption of improved forage technologies in the smallholder farming sector is poor accessibility to seed of improved cultivars. Since 2012, the Zimbabwe Crop Livestock Integration for Improved Food Security (ZimCLIFS) project set out to address such challenges through research-for-development initiatives. The main objective was to demonstrate the potential viability of a pasture seed business using a lead farmer approach, farmer-to-farmer technology dissemination, innovation platforms and field demonstrations. Snapshot surveys were used to map forage seed distribution pathways within and outside project areas. Total land area planted to forages from the 2012/13 to 2014/15 seasons increased by 147% from 14.6 ha. In 2013, Mucuna pruriens (mucuna), Lablab purpureus (lablab) and Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) seed produced was 2 250 kg, 120 kg and 4 450 kg, respectively, and by the third season, total yield increased by 163%. Seed diffusion was within and beyond project boundaries, with mucuna (67%) and lablab (43%) seed produced in the 2013/14 season being distributed outside the project area. Highest amounts received by some farmers were US$800 and US$750 for lablab and mucuna, respectively. It was concluded that there is scope to develop formal pasture seed businesses to increase rural industrialisation and provide a pathway out of poverty in the smallholder sector.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of astaxanthin from Phaffia rhodozyma on lipopolysaccharide‐induced early inflammatory responses in male broiler chickens (Gallus gallus) fed a corn‐enriched diet

Effect of dietary supplementation of astaxanthin (Ax) from Phaffia rhodozyma on lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory responses was investigated in male broiler chickens fed a corn‐based diet. Birds (1 week of age) were fed a corn‐enriched diet containing either 0 or 100 ppm Ax for 2 weeks and were intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/kg body weight). Inflammatory responses were evaluated by determining changes in expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) in cytokines and mediators related to inflammatory responses (interleukin (IL)‐1 beta and ‐6, inducible nitrite synthase (iNOS), interferon (IFN)‐ γ and cyclooxygenase (Cox)‐2 in the liver and spleen after 2 h of LPS injection and plasma ceruloplasmin concentration as an acute phase protein. Birds fed Ax showed significantly higher iNOS mRNA expression in the liver and spleen compared to that of control birds. Ax‐fed birds also showed greater increase in mRNA expression in the liver of IL‐1, IL‐6 and IFN‐γ compared to that of control birds. The enhancing effect of Ax was further progressed when LPS was injected. No difference was found in plasma ceruloplasmin concentration between the Ax‐fed group and control group. The results suggest that feeding supplementation of Ax (100 ppm) to a corn‐enriched diet possibly does not have anti‐inflammatory effect in male broiler chickens.     

A French inventory of gaseous emissions (CH4, N2O, NH3) from livestock manure management using a mass-flow approach

A new methodology based on (1) national data concerning livestock and rearing practices and (2) a mass-flow approach was developed to quantify ammonia (NH₃), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions resulting from manure management in France. A literature review was performed to determine emission factors for each animal type and each management stage. A Microsoft Access® database containing these emission factors, the census data and manure compositions was then developed, allowing the calculation of gaseous emissions by the mass-flow approach. From this database, a national gas emissions inventory resulting from manure management was drawn up for the year 2003. Total NH₃ emissions were estimated at 382 kt N, mainly arising from cattle (72%). Greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 14.0 Tg CO₂-eq. for N₂O and 10.2 Tg CO₂-eq. for CH₄. Most of the N₂O emissions occurred after the deposition of manure on soil during cattle grazing, while the CH₄ was mainly produced during the period where cattle manure remained in livestock buildings and in outside storage facilities. Moreover, an evaluation of the uncertainty was performed considering the standard deviation obtained for the emission factors.