Plasma and tissue pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin in experimentally infected chickens with Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Escherichia coli

The plasma and tissue pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin in chickens experimentally infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Escherichia coli were studied. Marbofloxacin was given to 66 infected chickens by oral administration at a dosage of 5 mg/kg b.w., once a day for three days. Plasma, brain, kidney, liver, lung, muscle and trachea were collected and marbofloxacin concentrations were analyzed by a high performance liquid chromatography method. In the infected chickens, maximal marbofloxacin concentrations in plasma, brain, kidney, liver, lung, muscle and trachea were 1.84, 1.33, 7.35, 5.61, 3.12, 2.98, and 4.51 g/mL (g); the elimination half‐lives of marbofloxacin were 6.8, 2.74, 9.31, 8.45, 9.55, 11.53 and 5.46 h for plasma, brain, kidney, liver, lung, muscle and trachea, respectively. AUC were calculated to be 9.68, 8.04, 45.1, 27.03, 20.56, 19.47, and 32.68 μg/mL (g) ·h for plasma, brain, kidney, liver, lung, muscle and trachea, respectively. Marbofloxacin concentration in tissues except for brain exceeded marbofloxacin concentration in plasma, with AUC_tissue/AUC_plasma ranging from 2.01 to 4.66 and Peak_tissue/Peak_plasma ranging from 1.62 to 3.99. The results showed that a marbofloxacin dosage of 5 mg/kg administered orally at 24 h intervals may provide successful treatment of chicken with MG and E. coli infection.     

Detection and characterization of Leptospira spp. in dogs diagnosed with kidney and/or liver disease in Selangor,Malaysia

Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals. A wide range of symptoms have been described in humans; the disease in dogs is commonly associated with kidney and/or liver disease. In Malaysia, information about the common serovars infecting dogs is limited. Therefore, we investigated the occurrences of leptospirosis in 124 pet dogs diagnosed with kidney and/or liver disease. Blood, urine, abdominal effusion, and/or kidney and liver were collected from the dogs. Based on microscopic agglutination testing, 53 of 124 (42.7%) dogs were seropositive for leptospiral exposure. Sera were frequently positive to serovars Bataviae (n = 12), Javanica (n = 10), and Icterohaemorrhagiae (n = 10). Direct detection using PCR showed that 42 of 124 (33.9%) of the whole blood and 36 of 113 (31.9%) urine samples were positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. By PCR, 2 of 23 (9.1%) kidney and 2 of 23 (9.1%) liver were positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. Abdominal effusion from 4 dogs were PCR-positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. The species detected were L. interrogans, L. borgpetersenii, L. kirschneri, and L. kmetyi by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. We further identified and characterized 11 Leptospira spp. isolates from 8 dogs as serovars Bataviae, Javanica, and Australis. The mortality rate of the Leptospira-infected dogs was high (18 of 53; 34%).     

Determination of optimal dietary selenium levels by full expression of selenoproteins in various tissues of broilers from 1 to 21 d of age

The current NRC dietary selenium (Se) requirement (0.15 mg/kg) of broilers is primarily based on growth performance data reported in 1986. Our study aimed to determine optimal dietary Se levels of broilers fed a practical corn-soybean meal diet for the full expression of selenoproteins in various tissues. A total of 384 one-d-old male broilers (n = 8 replicates/diet) were fed a basal corn-soybean meal diet or the basal diet supplemented with 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 or 0.5 mg Se/kg in the form of Na₂SeO₃ for 21 d. Regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the optimal dietary Se levels using broken-line, quadratic or asymptotic models. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the plasma, liver, kidney and pancreas, iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO) in the plasma, liver and pancreas, and thioredoxin reductase (Txnrd) in the liver and pancreas, the mRNA levels of Gpx1, Gpx4, Dio1, selenoprotein (Seleno) h, Selenop and Selenou in the liver, Gpx4, Dio1, Txnrd1, Txnrd2, Selenoh, Selenop and Selenou in the kidney, and Gpx1, Gpx4, Selenoh and Selenou in the pancreas, and the protein levels of GPX4 in the liver and kidney of broilers were influenced (P < 0.05) by added Se levels, and increased quadratically (P < 0.05) with the increase of added Se levels. The estimates of optimal dietary Se levels were 0.07 to 0.36 mg/kg based on the fitted broken-line, quadratic or asymptotic models (P < 0.001) of the aforementioned selenoprotein expression in the plasma, liver and kidney, and 0.09 to 0.46 mg/kg based on the fitted broken-line models (P < 0.001) of the aforementioned selenoprotein expression in the pancreas. The results indicate that the optimal dietary Se levels would be 0.36 mg/kg to support the full expression of selenoproteins in the plasma, liver and kidney, and 0.46 mg/kg to support the full expression of selenoproteins in the pancreas of broilers fed a practical corn-soybean meal diet from 1 to 21 d of age.     

Evidence for the vertical transmission of Sunshine virus

Sunshine virus is a paramyxovirus of pythons associated with neurorespiratory disease and mortalities. This report provides evidence for its vertical transmission. In a collection of over 200 Australian pythons, a dam and a sire, both carpet pythons (Morelia spilota), were PCR-positive for Sunshine virus at a time when the dam was likely to have been gravid. A clutch of 21 eggs was laid and three non-viable eggs were tested for the presence of Sunshine virus by PCR. One egg had been incubating for 34 days while the other two had been incubating for 49 days. The surface of all three eggs was negative for Sunshine virus but swabs of the allantois and amnion were positive in all three eggs. Embryo tissue samples were tested from the two 49 day old eggs. From one embryo, a sample of brain and a pooled sample of lung, liver, kidney and intestine were positive, while for the other embryo, a pooled sample of lung, liver, kidney, intestine and brain was positive. Fourteen of the 21 eggs hatched and all hatchlings were tested by PCR at least once between the ages of 53 and 229 days old. All hatchlings were PCR-negative for Sunshine virus.     

Oxidative and biochemical responses in Brycon amazonicus anesthetized and sedated with Myrcia sylvatica (G. Mey.) DC. and Curcuma longa L. essential oils

Objective

To investigate the effects of rapid anesthesia and long-term sedation with the essential oils (EOs) of Myrcia sylvatica (EOMS) and Curcuma longa (EOCL) on biochemical and oxidative parameters in matrinxã.

Listeriosis in sheep. Isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from organs of slaughtered animals and dead animals submitted for post-mortem examination

The udders from 13 culled ewes and liver, spleen, kidney, lung and brain from 15 lambs, 11 months old, were examined for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) at slaughter. Lm was isolated from 1 of 13 udders, from 6 of the 15 brains and from 0–4 of the other organs from each of the 15 lambs.Internal organs from 68 sheep submitted for post-mortem examination were examined in the same way. Lm was isolated from 25 of these animals. Lm was isolated from the brain of 7 of 9 animals with encephalitis, and from 0–3 of the other 4 organs examined. Lm was also isolated from 10–20 % of the organs from animals with other diagnoses. Altogether 9 of 10 animals with encephalitis and 16 of 58 with other diagnoses (28 %) were found to harbour this organism.     

Clinical evaluation of urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein for the diagnosis of renal diseases in dogs

Liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) is a biomarker for the early detection of renal diseases in humans. L-FABP is a cytotoxic oxidation product secreted from the proximal tubules under ischemic and oxidative stress conditions. First, L-FABP gene expression in the kidney and liver was evaluated. Next, the urinary L-FABP concentrations in dogs with or without renal diseases were measured using a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Urinary L-FABP was normalized relative to urinary creatinine (uCre) concentrations (µg/g uCre). Finally, the relationships between urinary L-FABP and renal biomarkers used in canine medicine or serum alanine transaminase (ALT) as an indicator of liver damage were examined. Serum and urine samples from 94 client-owned dogs including 23 dogs with renal diseases and 71 dogs without renal diseases were used for analysis. Relative L-FABP gene expression was confirmed both in the liver and kidney. Dogs with renal diseases had a significantly higher urinary L-FABP than those without, and its predictive cutoff value was 26 µg/g uCre. Urinary L-FABP was significantly correlated with serum creatinine (r=0.4674, P<0.01), urea nitrogen (r=0.4907, P<0.01), urine specific gravity (r=−0.5100, P<0.01), and urine protein/creatinine ratio (r=0.7216, P<0.01), but not with serum ALT. Hence, dogs with a high urinary L-FABP value were more likely to have renal diseases.     

Alterations on vitamin C synthesis and transportation and egg deposition induced by dietary vitamin C supplementation in Hy-Line Brown layer model

In ovo feeding of vitamin C (VC) has positive effects on the growth performance, immune and antioxidant function in poultry, which indicates that increasing VC content in eggs may be of benefit. This study was to investigate the effects of dietary VC supplementation on VC synthesis and transportation and egg deposition. In Exp. 1, in order to select a suitable animal model, VC content was detected in different eggs from different layer species. Vitamin C content was lower in ISA Brown breeder eggs and Hy-Line Brown layer eggs (P < 0.05) then in Arbor Acres breeder eggs. In Exp. 2, a total of 24 Hy-Line Brown layers (42-week-old) were randomly divided into 3 treatments with 8 replicates and fed a basal diet with VC at 0, 200 and 400 mg/kg. Sodium-dependent VC transporter 1 and 2 (SVCT1 and SVCT2) expressions were higher in ileum than in duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.05). SVCT1 expression was higher but SVCT2 expression was lower in the magnum than in the ovary (P < 0.05). L-Gulonolactone oxidase (GLO) and SVCT1 expressions were higher but SVCT2 was lower in the kidney than in the liver (P < 0.05). Dietary VC supplementation at 400 mg/kg increased SVCT1 expression in duodenum, ovary and magnum, but decreased GLO and SVCT1 expression in liver (P < 0.05). Dietary VC supplementation at 200 and 400 mg/kg increased SVCT2 expression in duodenum, but decreased GLO and SVCT1 expression in kidney and SVCT2 expression in liver (P < 0.05). Dietary VC supplementation promoted VC absorption in duodenum and jejunum, but reduced endogenous VC synthesis in liver and kidney. Although dietary VC supplementation enhanced VC transportation in ovary and magnum, it did not increase VC deposition in produced eggs.     

Yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) and bank voles (Myodes glareolus) as zoomonitors of environmental contamination at a polluted area in Slovakia

Background

Free-living wild rodents are often used as zoomonitors of environmental contamination. In the present study, accumulation of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in critical organs of yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) and bank voles (Myodes glareolus) trapped in a polluted area in Nováky, Slovakia was investigated.

Methods

Yellow-necked mice (n = 8) and bank voles (n = 10) were collected using standard theriological methods for wood ecosystems. All animals were adult males in good physical condition. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn in the liver, kidney, and bone were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Results

The highest concentrations of Cd and Zn were found in the bone of both species while Cu and Fe accumulated mainly in kidney or liver. Significant higher concentrations of Cd and Cu were detected in the liver of bank voles than in yellow-necked mice. Similar significant higher levels of Cd and Zn were found in the bone of bank voles. In contrast, significant higher concentrations of Cu and Fe were present in the kidney of yellow-necked mice.

Conclusions

In the yellow-necked mouse and bank vole, bone seems to accumulate Cd and Zn following prolonged exposure. On the contrary, kidney and liver store Cu and Fe after a long-term environmental exposure. In the present study, bank voles seemed to be more heavy metal loaded zoomonitors than yellow-necked mice.     

Pathogenic Effects of Cloned Genomic DNA of Porcine Circovirus-like Virus P1 on Neonatal Mice via Different Inoculation Routes

[Objective] The paper was to explore the pathogenicity of cloned genomic DNA of porcine circovirus-like virus P1 to neonatal mice via different inoculation routes(brain, liver and muscle). [Method] Cloned genomic DNA of P1 was inoculated to neonatal mice via different routes of brain, liver and muscle. Tissues of heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and brain were taken from neonatal mice at 7, 14 and 21 d post inoculation, re-spectively. P1 in various tissues were qualitatively and quantitatively detected by using ordinary PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. Meanwhile,histopathological changes were analyzed. [Result] P1 was detected in neonatal mice inoculated through three different routes. The viral load of tis-sues at 7 d post inoculation was significantly higher than those at 14 and 21 d post inoculation. Moreover, muscle inoculation led to the highest vi-ral load in all tissues of neonatal mice. [Conclusion] P1 infection caused different degrees of pathological damage to heart, liver, lung, kidney and brain in neonatal mice.     

Determination of optimal dietary selenium levels by full expression of selenoproteins in various tissues of broilers from 22 to 42 d of age

The current NRC dietary selenium (Se) requirement (0.15 mg/kg) of broilers from 22 to 42 d of age is primarily based on a previous study reported in 1986, which might not be applicable to modern classes of rapidly growing broilers. The present experiment was conducted to determine the optimal dietary Se level for meeting metabolic and functional Se requirements of broilers fed a corn-soybean meal diet from22 to 42 d of age. A total of 336 Arbor Acres male broilers at 22 d old were randomly assig...     

Evaluation of a Bacillus stearothermophilus tube test as a screening tool for anticoccidial residues in poultry

A Bacillus stearothermophilus var. calidolactis C953 tube test was evaluated for its ability in detecting the residue of selected anticoccidial drugs in poultry, specically sulfamethazine, furazolidone, and amprolium. Various concentrations of each drug were injected into chicken liver and kidney tissues and these tissues were tested to determine the drug detection limits for each drug. The detection limit was defined as the drug concentration at which 95% of the test results were interpreted as positive. The limits of detection in liver tissue were 0.35 µg/ml for furazolidone, 0.70 µg/ml for sulfamethazine and 7.80 µg/ml for amprolium. In kidney tissues, they were 0.30 µg/ml for furazolidone, 0.54 µg/ml for sulfamethazine, and 7.6 µg/ml for amprolium. It was concluded that this tube test could be used to screen for the residue of these three drugs in poultry.     

Bovine viral diarrhea virus subgenotype 1a in a mummified fetus from a Brazilian dairy cattle herd

We describe the molecular analysis of a wild-type field strain of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) identified in a mummified fetus from a small Brazilian dairy cattle herd. Nucleic acids extracted from samples of the lung, liver, heart, spleen, and kidney were tested by PCR assays for bovine alphaherpesvirus 1, Neospora caninum, Leptospira spp., Histophilus somni, and Brucella abortus, a nested PCR assay for Mycoplasma bovigenitalium and Ureaplasma diversum, and a RT-PCR assay for BVDV. Amplicons were only obtained in the RT-PCR assay for the partial amplification of the BVDV 5′UTR (288 bp) in kidney and spleen samples and the N^pro (438 bp) gene in the kidney sample. Nucleotide sequencing of the amplified products and phylogenetic analyses based on the 2 BVDV genomic regions enabled the BVDV strain to be classified as subgenotype 1a.     

Acute lead poisoning in western Canadian cattle — A 16-year retrospective study of diagnostic case records

This study describes the epidemiology of acute lead poisoning in western Canadian cattle over the 16-year period of 1998 to 2013 and reports background bovine tissue lead concentrations. Case records from Prairie Diagnostic Services, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, identified 525 cases of acute lead toxicity over the investigational period. Poisonings were influenced by year (P < 0.0001) and month (P < 0.0001). Submissions were highest in 2009 (15.6%), 2001 (11.2%), and 2006 (9.9%). Most cases were observed during May, June, and July (62.3%). Cattle 6 months of age and younger were frequently poisoned (53.5%; P < 0.0001). Beef breeds were predominantly poisoned. Mean toxic lead concentrations (mg/kg wet weight) in the blood, liver, and kidney were 1.30 ± 1.70 (n = 301), 33.5 ± 80.5 (n = 172), and 56.3 ± 39.7 (n = 61). Mean normal lead concentrations in the blood, liver, and kidney were 0.036 ± 0.003 mg/kg (n= 1081), 0.16 ± 0.63 mg/kg (n = 382), and 0.41 ± 0.62 mg/kg (n = 64).     

Meningoencephalomyelitis in a foal due to Salmonella agona infection

CASE HISTORY: A neonatal Thoroughbred foal was presented with rib fractures and left forelimb lameness secondary to dystocia.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: The foal developed a head tilt, seizures and watery diarrhoea during hospitalisation and died at 7 days of age. Histological examination of the brain and spinal cord revealed a suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis with vasculitis, and numerous intralesional, gram-negative bacilli. Similar microscopic lesions were noted in the lungs, renal medullary interstitium, and umbilicus. Bacilli in the brain, spinal cord and umbilicus were identified immunohistochemically as Salmonella group B. Salmonella agona was isolated in pure culture from the brain, lung, liver, kidney, and intestine.

CONCLUSION: This is the first report of meningoencephalomyelitis and septicaemia due to Salmonella infection in an equine neonate.     

Effects of acute cold exposure on oxidative balance and total antioxidant capacity in juvenile Chinese soft‐shelled turtle,Pelodiscus sinensis

Acute cold exposure may disturb the physiological homeostasis of the body in ectotherms. To date, there has been no information on the effects of cold exposure on homeostasis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or antioxidant defense response in the Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis. In this study, P. sinensis juveniles were acclimated at 28 °C, transferred to 8 °C as cold exposure for 12 h, then moved back to 28 °C rewarming for 24 h. We measured the ROS level and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the brain, liver, kidney and spleen at 2 and 12 h cold exposure, and at the end of the rewarming period. Malonaldehyde (MDA) and carbonyl protein were used as markers of oxidative damage. Turtles being maintained simultaneously at 28 °C were used as the control group. Cold exposure did not disturb the ROS balance in all 4 tissues, while rewarming raised the ROS level in the brain and kidney of P. sinensis. Cold exposure and rewarming decreased the TAC in the brain, liver and spleen but did not change the TAC in the kidney. MDA and carbonyl protein levels did not increase during the treatment, indicating no oxidative damage in all 4 tissues of P. sinensis. Our results indicated that extreme cold exposure did not impact the inner oxidative balance of P. sinensis, but more ROS was produced during rewarming. P. sinensis showed good tolerance to the harsh temperature change through effective protection of its antioxidant defense system to oxidative damage. This study provides basic data on the stress biology of P. sinensis.     

Oxidative stress in farmed minks with self-biting behavior

Self-biting behavior (SBB) is a serious behavioral disorder in farmed minks, but little is known about the biological basis of this disorder. The present study examined for the first time the hepatic and cerebral oxidative stress biomarker levels in SBB minks and compared them with those in normal ones to study the association of oxidative stress and SBB in minks. Calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Ca²⁺ATPase) activities were also determined to investigate whether the Ca²⁺ pump in brain is affected. Twenty male SBB minks and 20 male normal minks were chosen in December. The brain and liver of each mink were harvested immediately after slaughter to test oxidative stress biomarkers. All parameters were determined by using a spectrophotometer. Our findings were as follows: SBB minks produced more malondialdehyde with 51% increase in brain (P < 0.01) and 22% increase in liver (P < 0.01) compared with normal minks. Similarly, the hepatic and cerebral protein carbonyls in SBB minks were 18.5% (P < 0.01) and 30% higher (P < 0.001), respectively. Glutathione peroxidase activities in brain and catalase activities in both tissues of SBB minks were markedly lower than those of normal group (P < 0.01). However, SBB minks had higher total superoxide dismutase (SOD), Cu/Zn-SOD, and Mn-SOD activities in both tissues (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Significant depletion of glutathione and vitamin E levels were observed in SBB minks (P < 0.01 or P <0 .05). Calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase activities in the brain of SBB minks were inhibited (P < 0.01). Our results supported the oxidative stress hypothesis in minks with SBB.     

Immunohistochemical identification of Toxoplasma gondii in tissues from Modified Agglutination Test positive sheep

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic agent of great importance in veterinary and public health. The aim of this study was to identify T. gondii by IHC (immunohistochemistry) in different sheep tissues and to determine if an association exists between the results obtained by this method and those obtained by the Modified Agglutination Test (MAT). Tissue specimens of twenty-six sheep seroreactive for T. gondii were selected for histopathological evaluation. The presence of T. gondii was investigated in brain, liver and heart samples by IHC and a possible anti-T. gondii antibody cross reactions with other parasites. McNemar's, Chi-square and Fisher's Exact Tests were applied for the statistical analysis of the results. The analysed tissues showed at least one of the following histopathological changes: mild-to-moderate congestion, focal polymorphonuclear inflammatory infiltrate and multifocal or focal mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate. Sarcocystis spp. were identified in the histological sections from both the heart and diaphragm tissues of 88.5% (23/26) of the animals. A total of 46.2% (12/26) of the T. gondii seroreactive sheep was also positive for T. gondii by IHC in at least one organ (brain, liver or heart). The liver IHC-positivity for T. gondii was statistically equivalent to the global individual IHC-positivity, according to McNemar's test. In addition, IHC allowed the detection of T. gondii in infected animals regardless of the titration observed in the MAT. The statistical difference observed between the three organs when comparing the low titration group, suggested that the heart might be the most suitable organ to detect T. gondii infection by IHC. The IHC results in this study revealed that almost half of MAT positive animals could serve as potential sources of infection for humans because bradyzoites were identified in different tissues, regardless of the MAT titration.     

Effectiveness of maifanite in reducing the detrimental effects of aflatoxin B1 on hematology,aflatoxin B1 residues,and antioxidant enzymes activities of weanling piglets

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of maifanite, which is mainly composed of aluminosilicate, in reducing the adverse effects of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) on hematology, AFB₁ residues, and antioxidant enzymes activities in weaning piglets. A total of 32 (9.28±0.17 kg BW) individually housed crossbred piglets (Duroc×Landrace×Large white) were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with 8 replicates per treatment. The dietary treatments included 2 AFB₁ levels (5.3 and 372.8 μg/kg) and 2 maifanite levels (0% and 1%). No differences in average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and gain to feed ratio were observed among treatments. Ingestion of the AFB₁-contaminated (AF) diets (372.8 μg/kg of AFB₁) reduced (P<0.05) the numbers of neutrophil, monocyte, and total leukocyte. There were no effects of AFB₁ on gamma glutamyltransferase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase activities, and total protein, albumin, urea N, total bilirubin, IgG, IgA, and IgM concentrations in serum. Aflatoxin B₁ was found in the liver and kidney of piglets fed the AF diets. Piglets fed the AF diets reduced (P<0.05) the total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities in serum. However, total superoxide dismutase activity in the liver was increased (P<0.05) in piglets fed the AF diets compared with those fed the basal diets (5.3 μg/kg of AFB₁). There was an interaction (P=0.003) in erythrocyte, but piglets fed the diets containing maifanite had greater erythrocyte and lymphocyte (P=0.035) numbers than those fed the diets without maifanite. The AFB₁ levels in the liver and kidney of piglets fed the AF diet containing maifanite were 29.6% and 41.2% lower, respectively, than those of piglets fed the AF diet alone. Although there was an interaction (P=0.011), piglets fed the diets containing AFB₁ and maifanite had greater serum T-SOD activity compared with those fed the diets with no maifanite. In conclusion, the addition of maifanite to the AF diet resulted in partial restoration of hematology and antioxidant enzymes activities and reduced AFB₁ levels in the liver and kidney.