Waterbird movement across the Great Dividing Range and implications for arbovirus irruption into southern Victoria

Background Waterbirds are the major hosts of various arboviruses. Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) is an arbovirus native to northern Australia, the major hosts of which are Phalacrocoraciformes (cormorants), Ciconiiformes (herons) and other waterbirds. MVEV is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes and can cause acute encephalomyelitis. In Victoria, MVEV is restricted to the northern side of the Great Dividing Range (GDR), suggesting that waterbirds cannot cross the high country. Methods and results We tested this hypothesis by analysing data on waterbird banding and recovery and discovered that 12 species can cross the GDR. Conclusion Waterbirds have the potential to carry arboviruses, including MVEV, into southern Victoria.     

裂谷热的研究新进展

在非洲,裂谷热引起了严重的公共卫生安全和经济危害的问题,并且该病对世界其他国家和地区构成严重的威胁。该病已作为全球优先防范的跨境动物疫病之一,本文从裂谷热的流行病学特点、传播的风险因素、发病机理、诊断技术和疫苗研究等5个方面概述了其最新研究进展,旨在为研究更加有效的方法来防控裂谷热病毒的传播。     

Halicephalobus gingivalis encephalomyelitis in a horse

An 8-year-old, Arabian mare presented with acute progressive ataxia and a firm swelling over the right mandible. Radiographs revealed multiple radiolucent areas on the mandibles. The mare's neurological signs progressed, she was consequently euthanized. Postmortem examination revealed mandibular granulomatous reactions and meningoencephalitis due to the nematode Halicephalobus gingivalis.     

Laparoscopic‐assisted splenectomy in a horse with splenomegaly

This reports describes the surgical management of a horse evaluated for recurrent colic. These frequent colic episodes were attributed by exclusion to an abnormally enlarged spleen (idiopathic splenomegaly). Splenectomy was elected and performed with a laparoscopic assisted technique. The advantages observed by using this surgical approach were a clear view of the visceral aspect of the spleen and consequently an accurate dissection of the hilus of the spleen and associated vasculature. Ultimately the laparoscopic technique allowed the surgeons to reduce the size of the laparotomy incision required to remove the spleen and the overall invasiveness of the procedure. The horse recovered well from the procedure and ultimately returned to the previous level of competitiveness.     

A giant nonstrangulating mesenteric lipoma as a cause of recurrent colic in a horse

Colic is a major cause of veterinary attendance in general practice and although most colic episodes remain isolated, recurrence may occur and definitive diagnosis can be difficult to obtain. This report describes an unusual presentation of a lipoma in a middle‐aged horse presented for recurrent colic. A massive lipoma causing a nonstrangulating space occupying obstruction of the small intestine was found during an exploratory celiotomy and was considered to be the most likely cause of the recurrent episodes of abdominal discomfort.     

Use of live oocyst vaccine in the control of turkey coccidiosis: Effect on performance and intestinal morphology

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different coccidiosis-preventing programs on performance and intestinal morphology of commercial turkeys. Three hundred fifteen1-d-old female commercial cross turkey poults (British United Turkeys, BUT Big 9) were distributed into 3 treatments with 5 replicates of 21 birds each. Three programs were evaluated from 1 to 70 d of age, where program 1 had no anticoccidial drug and no vaccination against coccidiosis; program 2 had an anticoccidial drug (maduramycin 1%, 5 ppm); and program 3 had a vaccination (commercial vaccine, 4 species of Eimeria). All the groups were challenged with a dose of oocysts sporulated (20,000/bird) of 2 species of Eimeria at 21 d of age. In the growing phase (d 0–28), BW, BW gain, and FCR were significantly greater in treated groups compared with control group. In the fattening phase, the performance was not affected by treatments. Treatments and coccidiosis challenge had no significant effects on intestinal villus height. These observations support other reports that confirm live oocyst vaccination can be used effectively as a preventive against avian coccidiosis in commercially reared turkeys.     

Jejunal myxoma as a cause for jejunoileo‐caecal intussusception in a horse

A 17‐year‐old gelding was presented with mild to moderate signs of colic. Exploratory laparotomy revealed an intussusception of ileum and jejunum into the caecum. The starting point of the intussusception was an intramural mass in the jejunum. Half a metre of jejunum was resected and the horse recovered without complications. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry revealed a myxoma with no myogenic or neurogenic origin.     

PCR技术检测饲料中沙门氏菌的应用研究

用聚合酶链反应(PCR)技术检测饲料中沙门氏菌,对已知被沙门氏菌污染的动物饲料培养物均能检出阳性,说明本方法对检测饲料中沙门氏菌具有特异性高、灵敏、快速等特点,适用于快速、准确地检测饲料中沙门氏菌的需要。     

Review of gastric rupture in the horse

Gastrointestinal rupture is an important cause and complication of equine colic. The stomach is the most commonly affected segment in the gastrointestinal tract involved in gastrointestinal rupture. Gastric rupture can be primary or secondary; however, unless prodromal clinical signs are identified, localised and corrected, the resulting peritoneal contamination with feed, intestinal secretions and bacteria is invariably fatal. Causes for gastric rupture may be known or idiopathic; however, factors that predispose a horse to gastric rupture are poorly understood. Further research is needed to identify underlying causes and pathophysiology of gastric rupture to prevent it from occurring.     

用PCR对鸡毒支原体感染的检测

应用已建立的检测 MG和 MS的 PCR方法 ,对人工接种鸡毒支原体后 2～ 2 0 d的 SPF鸡气管棉拭样品和气管、肺、肝、脾、胸肌、腿肌等器官和组织进行了检测 ;对现场采集的样品同样作 PCR检测。结果表明 ,上述人工样品均检测到病原 ,以气管棉拭样品检出最多 ;现场样品PCR的阳性检出率为 1 0 .2 8% ,分离培养的阳性率为 2 .8% ,敏感性前者高于后者。     

Real-time polymerase chain reaction: a novel molecular diagnostic tool for equine infectious diseases

The focus of rapid diagnosis of infectious disease of horses in the last decade has shifted from the conventional laboratory techniques of antigen detection, microscopy, and culture to molecular diagnosis of infectious agents. Equine practitioners must be able to interpret the use, limitations, and results of molecular diagnostic techniques, as they are increasingly integrated into routine microbiology laboratory protocols. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the best-known and most successfully implemented diagnostic molecular technology to date. It can detect slow-growing, difficult-to-cultivate, or uncultivatable microorganisms and can be used in situations in which clinical microbiology diagnostic procedures are inadequate, time-consuming, difficult, expensive, or hazardous to laboratory staff. Inherent technical limitations of PCR are present, but they are reduced in laboratories that use standardized protocols, conduct rigid validation protocols, and adhere to appropriate quality-control procedures. Improvements in PCR, especially probe-based real-time PCR, have broadened its diagnostic capabilities in clinical infectious diseases to complement and even surpass traditional methods in some situations. Furthermore, real-time PCR is capable of quantitation, allowing discrimination of clinically relevant infections characterized by pathogen replication and high pathogen loads from chronic latent infections. Automation of all components of PCR is now possible, which will decrease the risk of generating false-positive results due to contamination. The novel real-time PCR strategy and clinical applications in equine infectious diseases will be the subject of this review.     

Pulmonary oedema associated with anaesthesia for colic surgery in a horse

A 506 kg Warmblood horse with colic was anaesthetized for exploratory celiotomy. Anaesthesia was complicated by arterial hypoxaemia which persisted throughout surgery from the induction of anaesthesia. After endotracheal extubation in the recovery box, a degree of airway obstruction probably occurred during a brief delay in naso-tracheal intubation. Signs of pulmonary oedema were seen shortly afterwards. Furosemide and oxygen were given. Arterial hypoxaemia was present [PaO2: 6.5 kPa (49 mmHg)] when FIO2 was an estimated 0.3. The horse recovered and stood after 45 minutes. It was re-anaesthetized 3 days later when arterial blood gas analysis did not reveal hypoxaemia. The horse was killed on this occasion; post-mortem examination revealed the presence of pulmonary oedema, which probably resulted from multiple causes.     

山东种公猪精液携带主要病原的检测

采用PCR技术,对2007年-2009年山东部分地区的38个猪场和人工授精站的生产公猪精液样品727份进行了猪瘟病毒(CSFV)、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)、伪狂犬病病毒(PRV)、猪圆环病毒2型(PCV-2)和猪细小病毒(PPV)5种主要病原的检测。结果检出CSFV、PRRSV、PRV、PCV-2和PPV的阳性数和阳性率分别为18份(2.48%)、27份(3.71%)、7份(0.96%)、33份(4.54%)、9份(1.24%),有7份样品为2种以上病原混合感染,其中以PRRSV+PCV-2混合感染最多。结果表明精液传播病毒仍是当前母猪繁殖障碍的重要原因之一,应重点加强对种公猪的疫病净化和公猪精液管理,从源头控制传染源。     

Comparison of methods for the detection ofSalmonella in poultry

The aim of this study was to compare 2 testing methods forSalmonella in poultry. One-day-old specific-pathogen-free chicks were infected via crop installation with aSalmonella test strain (Salmonella Enterititis phage type 4; Bundesintitut für gesundheitlichen Verbraucherschutz und Veterinärmedizin-No. 01–00554; nalidixic acid resistant). Samples were collected at 7 sample occasions to redetect the agent from the animals and the environment. Using conventional techniques and PCR, the test strain was successively detected in the animals as well as in the environment of the flocks. In comparison, PCR was more effective. First positive findings were obtained from cloacal swabs at the third sampling occasion. Most frequentlySalmonella was obtained from ceca and from spleen samples, indicating that these 2 organs are most suitable forSalmonella testing. Cloacal swabs were positive earlier; however, ceca and spleen samples were positive more consistently. Conventional methods as well as PCR were suitable for detection ofSalmonella.