The P 37/24 modification of the infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus-serum neutralization test.

The applicability of a modified infectious bovine rhino-tracheitis constant-virus/varying-serum neutralization test, with preincubation of virus-serum mixtures at 37°C for 24 hrs. ( test) as against 1 hr. in the conventional () test, was elucidated by examination of about 5000 bovine sera. The sensitivity of the test was studied mainly in parallel testings of sera from animals in two infected herds and of sera taken from a bullock during one month following nasal infection. In agreement with conclusions in previous papers, the test appeared to be inadequately sensitive, and the test regularly gave titers that were about 4 in logs higher than the titers, which means that the test is about 16 times as sensitive as the conventional test. From examinations of 4902 sera from four different groups of cattle it was concluded that with the technique described and with the use of undiluted serum, the specificity of the test would be as good as 0.999. The observed high sensitivity and specificity of the test give high diagnostic values of both negative and positive reactions.     

The IBR-IPV virus-serum neutralization test. Sensitivity and significance of the tissue culture tube test

A modification of the IBR-IPV virus-serum neutralization test (tissue culture tube test) was used in examinations of three groups of cattle: animals at AI centres; selected herds from infected districts; and pregnant cows and heifers from all over the country. In, respectively, 141 samples out of 1335, 215 out of 344, and 46 out of 7928, a virus-neutralizing effect was demonstrated. Within the three groups of samples, respectively, 2.8 %, 29.4 %, and 28.3 % of samples positive by the modified test were negative by the conventional test, even with undiluted serum. The findings gave strong evidence that all positive reactions were results of a preceding infection. All animals with a history of infection responded serologically when examined by the modified test, but still the distribution of the titers recorded in herd examinations indicates the desirability of a further improvement in the sensitivity of the test.     

A comparative examination of swine sera for antibody to Aujeszky virus with the conventional and a modified virus-serum neutralization test and a modified direct complement fixation test.

Sera of pigs from élite breeding herds, of boars and sows collected at slaughter-houses, and of pigs from herds known to be infected, were examined for antibody to Aujeszky virus. The conventional and a modified virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA) test and a modified direct complement fixation (CF) test were employed. In simultaneous titrations of positive sera the modified VNA test gave titers approx. 4 log2 units above the titers obtained by the conventional test. The conventional VNA test was found insufficiently sensitive. Unspecific neutralization in the modified VNA test was infrequent in serum dilution 1/2 and rare in dilution 1/4. The GF tests on sera of slaughter sows and animals from known infected herds showed a remarkable consistency with the VNA tests. Inconsistent results were obtained with but few sera. Abt. 5 % of the sera could not be examined because of complement fixation with control antigen.     

A phagocytosis test for the evaluation of the local immunity status during endometritis therapy with special regard to the use of uterofertil in cattle

After the influence of organic acids or peroxide acids with low concentration upon mucous membranes results a higher activity of the topical defence-situation. The application of a 0.2 per cent solution of peroxyethane acid (drug Uterofertil) into the uterus for endometritis-therapy directs an increase of phagocytosis-activity not only topical but also in the peripheric circulation of blood. The phagocytosis-activity was measured with a test by granulocytes. Other drugs were also tested, which will needed by endometritis-treatment of cattle.     

The extraction particles from winter rapeseed with different glucosinolate fractions in swine with regard to the iodine supply. 3. Apparent digestibility of crude nutrients with special regard to the carbohydrate and nitrogen balance]

In two digestibility and N-balance experiments the following solvent extracted meals were examined in a grain (barley and wheat in equal parts) or in a starch diet with four female pigs/group fitted with urethra catheters during the 5 days sampling period: 48% soyabean meal (SBM) (1), 24% conventional rapeseed meal (RSM) (2), 24 (3) or 48% (4) RSM from a newly bred low glucosinolate variety, groups 1 to 4 with grain, 48% low glucosinolate RSM (5) or 48% SBM (6) both with starch. In numeric order of the groups 88, 85, 86, 84, 79 and 89% N were digested. Pigs responded to the additional faecal N excretion from RSM diets by a lower urinary N excretion and thus they reached the N-balance of the animals fed on SBM. In numeric order of the groups 86, 79, 80, 73, 73 and 92% of the organic matter of the solvent extracted meals were digested. In comparison with SBM even 48% RSM in the feed significantly lowered the digestibility of organic matter. Using detergents the additional faecal organic matter excretion of RSM versus SBM could quantified as two third lignin. In the case of 24% RSM in the diet--i.e. 15% of the carbohydrates given--the carbohydrate digestibility is estimated with a high error, that an energetic feed value should not calculated. Investigating 48% SBM or RSM respectively in a grain diet the net energy content was 9.8 MJ (666 Energetic Feed Units, EFU pig) or 8.3 MJ (569 EFU pig)/kg dry matter (DM). Based on the starch diet, however, little relevant for estimation of normal pig diets, there were evaluated 10.6 MJ (720 EFU pig) for SBM and 8.3 MJ (567 EFU pig) net energy/kg DM for RSM.     

An investigation into the piroplasms of domestic animals in Yunnan province,China

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Preliminary investigations demonstrated that six species of piroplasm parasitised horses, mules, oxen, dairy cattle, buffaloes and pigs in the southern,...     

The efficacy of eprinomectin extended-release injection against naturally acquired nematode parasites of cattle,with special regard to inhibited fourth-stage Ostertagia larvae

The efficacy of eprinomectin in an extended-release injection (ERI) formulation in the treatment of cattle harboring naturally acquired nematode populations (including inhibited nematodes) was evaluated. Five studies were conducted under a similar protocol in the USA, the UK, and in Germany. All study animals were infected by grazing naturally contaminated pastures. The adequacy of pasture infectivity was confirmed by examining tracer calves prior to allocation and treatment of the study animals. The cattle were of various breeds or crosses, weighing 79–491 kg, and aged approximately 6–15 months. In each study, 20 animals were infected by grazing, and then removed from pasture and housed in a manner to preclude further nematode infections for 8–16 days until treatment. Animals were blocked based on descending pre-treatment body weight and randomly allocated to one of two treatments: ERI vehicle (control) at 1 mL/50 kg body weight or eprinomectin 5% (w/v) ERI at 1 mL/50 kg body weight (1.0 mg eprinomectin/kg). Treatments were administered once on Day 0 by subcutaneous injection in front of the shoulder. For parasite recovery and count, all study animals were humanely euthanized 14/15 days after treatment. Cattle treated with eprinomectin ERI had significantly (p < 0.05) fewer of the following nematodes than the controls with overall reduction of parasite counts of ≥94%: adult Dictyocaulus viviparus, Capillaria spp., Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia pectinata, Cooperia punctata, Cooperia surnabada, Haemonchus placei, Nematodirus helvetianus, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Ostertagia lyrata, Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichuris discolor, Trichuris skrjabini, and Trichuris spp.; developing fourth-stage larvae of Ostertagia spp. and Trichostrongylus spp.; and inhibited fourth-stage larvae of Cooperia spp., Haemonchus spp., Nematodirus spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Ostertagia spp., and Trichostrongylus spp.     

Functional morphology of the large intestinal mucosa of horses (Equus przewalskii f. caballus) with special regard to the epithelium

The mucous membrane of the caecum and colon ascendens of adult horses was first studied using light and transmission electron microscopy. In the surface epithelium there was an inconspicuous constellation of organelles, otherwise there was a lot of mitochondria as a source of energy for absorptive performances. Moreover, enlarged intercellular spaces exist as an indication of an increased uptake of water and electrolytes. In the basal region of Lieberkühn's crypts there were single enteroendocrine cells and numerous granules in the apical epithelial cytoplasm. The functional meaning of these granules is contrarily discussed in the literature. There was no epithelial activity of alkaline phosphatase. Against that a small positive reaction of adenosine triphosphatase was observed at the lateral plasmalemata of the epithelial cells. The sense of these findings with regard to the transport of substances in the equine large intestine is discussed.     

Investigations about kind and frequency of mechanical dystocia in ewes with special regard to the vaginal prolapse ante partum

The incidence of dystocia from ewes in nine lambing periods (1992-2000) was recorded at an obstetrical clinic. First we analysed parturition difficulties in normal pregnant sheep (group 1, n = 229). In the second group parturitions of ewes with vaginal prolapse ante partum were investigated (n = 129). In group 1 maternal causes of dystocia occurred more often than fetal ones (50% maternal, 45% fetal). In maternal parturition difficulties ringwomb was the dominating reason (64%), while abnormal presentations, position and/or posture of the lambs occurred most frequently in fetal dystocia (67%). But there was no statistical influence of age and number of parturitions in both groups. The average of the first notice of prolapsed vaginal tissue was 11 days before lambing. There was a predominance in the affection of sheep at first and second pregnancy (52%). Only 26% of the group 2 sheep had a spontaneous delivery. In 58% of the cases a dystocia was diagnosed. A preterm caesarean section had carried out in 12%, five ewes died before parturition because of septicemia (4%). Sheep suffering from vaginal prolapse ante partum showed maternal caused dystocia significant more frequently than members of group 1 (p < 0.001), with ringwomb as dominating reason (70%). The number of born lambs was significant higher in group 2 than in group 1 (p = 0.019).     

Studies on parturient paresis in dairy cows. V. On the composition and calcium binding capacity of two bovine serum protein fractions, with special regard to parturient paresis

In healthy cows unaffected by imminent or recent calving the protein in serum can directly bind the overwhelming proportion of the bound calcium. In recent calvers this capacity is considerably less. When adding ammonium sulphate to blood serum to 62 % of total saturation a protein fraction precipitates which is mainly albumin. This fraction has a far greater calcium binding capacity than the soluble fraction, which contains most of the serum globulin, and the lowering of this capacity after calving is entirely referable to the former fraction. No difference has been found in these respects between normal cows after calving and cows with parturient paresis.An analysis of 10 amino acids in the two protein fractions described above showed that the amino acid composition of both exhibits differences between recent calvers and cows outside the calving period, and likewise that each of the two fractions differs in composition between healthy cows after calving and cows with parturient paresis.     

An investigation into the role of Chlamydophila spp. in bovine upper respiratory tract disease

An outbreak of upper respiratory tract disease was investigated in a group of 17 housed home-bred calves on a mixed dairy, beef and sheep farm in Devon. Conjunctival swabs were collected and tested for Chlamydophila spp. DNA using a PCR test that detects Chlamydophila abortus and Chlamydophila psittaci. Six of the calves tested gave a positive result. Further epidemiological observations and laboratory testing indicated that the adult dairy cows, from which the affected calves originated, were the most likely source of infection.     

An investigation into the efficacy of hatchery disinfectants against strains of Staphylococcus aureus associated with the poultry industry.

The efficacy of 18 commercial disinfectants was investigated using the type strain, isolate 24 (I. 24), of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern related Staphylococcus aureus that have shown to be associated with clinical disease in Northern Ireland broilers. Eight quartenary ammonium compound (QAC), four peroxygen, three amphoteric (AMP), one phenolic along with two chlorine-based disinfectants were tested at their manufacturer's recommended concentration (MRC) and at three 10-fold dilutions of the MRC. The efficacy of disinfectants against I. 24 was assessed in conditions with no hatchery organic matter (HOM) and in conditions with no HOM present. In addition, 17 S. aureus strains, related and non-related to I. 24 and obtained from the poultry industry were screened for any increase in resistance relative to I. 24. All disinfectants were effective against all test strains when tested in the absence of HOM. Products from the QAC and peroxygen groups were the most potent. The performance of all disinfectants was reduced in the presence of HOM. Under these conditions all chlorine-based, two out of three AMP, and one out of eight QAC disinfectants were not effective against I. 24 when tested at the MRC. The results emphasise the importance of proper application on appropriate areas, using the correct concentration and exposure time for the disinfectant.     

An investigation into the epidemiology of Strongylidae infections in the horse in the Netherlands

Summary

In a four‐year survey, the course of pasture infestation with infective larvae of Strongylidae and the pattern of development of the Strongylidae infection in the host were investigated. In this way it was hoped to obtain epidemiological data which might serve as a basis for the control of strongylidosis in the horse.     

An investigation into the detection of the pulse in conscious and anaesthetized dogs

ObjectivesTo record the success rate of veterinary professionals and students at identifying the pulse in conscious and anaesthetized dogs. To explore the influence of clinical experience, pulse location, anaesthesia and likely confounding variables on the success of pulse palpation.Study designProspective, observational, randomized study.AnimalsA total of 54 client-owned dogs scheduled for general anaesthesia.MethodsFor each dog, three participants (senior anaesthetist, anaesthesia resident/nurse, veterinary student/animal care assistant) attempted pulse palpation at three locations (femoral, radial and dorsal pedal pulse) in conscious and anaesthetized dogs. The time to pulse palpation was measured with a stopwatch for each attempt and data were modelled using a multivariate Cox regression survival analysis (significance p < 0.05).ResultsThe overall success rate of pulse palpation was 77%, with a median time of 10.91 seconds (interquartile range 9.09 seconds). Success rate was lower in conscious dogs (67%) than in anaesthetized dogs (87%). There was a 77% lower likelihood of success at the radial than at the femoral pulse [hazard ratio (HR) 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38–0.69, p < 0.001]. Veterinary students/animal care assistants had a 71% lower likelihood of success than senior anaesthetists (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.22–0.39, p < 0.001). Age, weight and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status had no significant influence. Premedication/anaesthetic drugs, heart rate or mean arterial pressure had no significant influence on the time to pulse palpation in anaesthetized dogs. The median time to palpation was less than 10 seconds for all experience groups at the femoral location.ConclusionsPalpation of the femoral location had the greatest likelihood of success with the least amount of time. Monitoring the femoral pulse during induction of anaesthesia is suggested as a method for confirming spontaneous circulation. Pulse palpation improves with clinical experience.     

An investigation into the bacterial contamination of goniolenses in use in clinical practice

Objectives To report the incidence and evaluate the clinical significance of goniolens bacterial contamination in clinical use in dogs with three different usage protocols and one with an added cleaning protocol. Animals Studied and Methods Three groups of twenty dogs undergoing gonioscopy at a private practice in the UK had the goniolenses swabbed for bacteriology culture and identification prior to placement on the cornea. Three protocols of lens use, with 2 different types of goniolens, were studied. One protocol was then repeated with 21 dogs with a lens cleaning protocol prior to storage. Results Low levels of bacterial contamination were found in all 3 initial groups (10‐15%). No correlation was found between usage protocol used and rate of contamination and no correlation was found between length of storage between use and contamination. All bacteria cultured were considered naturally occurring commensals for the canine eye and environment. The group with a cleaning protocol had a 4.7% contamination rate. This was not statistically different from the non‐cleaning groups. Conclusions The rate of bacterial contamination of goniolenses in clinical practice is low and the bacterial contaminants consist of commensal bacteria, unlikely to be of detriment to the eye. Minimal contamination of the goniolenses was found and this did not appear to be of clinical significance. The introduction of a simple cleaning protocol did not produce a statistically significant reduction in bacterial contamination.     

Contribution to the aetiology of synovitis in chickens, with special reference to non-infective factors. IV

Summary The comparative study reported in the present paper was undertaken to collect data on the collagen content and collagen quality of tendons showing high (low) tensile strength levels and a compact (loose) histological structure. It was shown that tendon tissues of these two groups do not differ in this regard. The effect of administering a number of nutrients (known to be essential in collagenesis) was tested during this study. Administration of these nutrients did not prevent synovitis and did not increase tensile strength.