On contagious ecthyma and its treatment in muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus)

Contagious ecthyma (CE) has been a frequently occurring disease in captive Norwegian muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus), inflicting heavy losses among calves and adult males; adult females, however, have been little affected.Parapox virus particles from papilloma tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Papilloma tissue excerted a typical cytopathic effect on human continuous lumar cell line. Sera from infected muskoxen contained antibodies reacting with virus antigen from muskoxen papilloma tissue in a complement fixation test.In animals already affected, papilloma tissue was surgically removed at intervals and the lesions injected with active papilloma tissue homogenate emulsified in Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA). Serum antibody titers against CE virus increased 3 times in response to this treatment which reduced papilloma growth, but recovery was slow in adults and all but 1 calf succumbed when offered this treatment only.Isolated purified X-ray inactivated CE virus in FCA injected s.c. 4 weeks post partum was first attempted as a vaccine against CE. This treatment increased serum CE-antibody level, but did not prevent CE in calves experimentally injected with live CE virus. The incubation time of CE in this experiment was 20 days.Adequate protection was, however, obtained with a vaccine consisting of homogenated, glutaraldehyde inactivated, muskox papilloma tissue in FCA injected s.c. 2 weeks post partum. It is assumed that this protection was due to activation of both humoral and cellular immune mechanisms.     

林麝胚胎移植研究初报

用獐子作受体进行林麝的胚胎移植试验。应用PMSG和PGF24诱导供体林麝和受体獐进行同期发情试验，供体林麝在发情配种后8～10天，手术法进行胚胎收集，结果表明，单独应用PMSG或PGF24使供体林麝与受体獐达到了预期同期发情效果，对2头林麝进行手术，发现卵巢上各有数枚黄体存在，在冲卵液中未检到胚胎。研究揭示，手术法可能是适合林麝的胚胎收集方法之一。     

羊口疮的诊治

2008年7月21日,南阳市新野县河西养羊场发生一起羊传染病,根据临床症状、解剖病变、流行特点诊断为羊口疮。该病在南阳市近20年来很少发生,现将诊治情况介绍如下。     

Fiber characteristics of qiviut and guard hair from wild muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus)

In response to increasing commercial interest and the high market value of qiviut (the downy underwool of the muskox), we have employed standards and measurements used in the wool and cashmere industries to describe qiviut fiber characteristics. Fleece samples (qiviut with guard hair) were shaved from the midshoulder of 299 wild muskox hides of known sex and age (1, 2, 3, and 4+ yr) during the Banks Island, Canada, muskox harvest in November 1997. Samples were analyzed for fiber diameter distribution of raw fiber and qiviut, scoured and qiviut yields, and lengths of guard hair and qiviut fiber. We found a sex x age interaction for average fiber diameter (AFD) in raw fiber (P= 0.002) and qiviut (P < 0.001) only. Adult males had significantly coarser AFD than females (21.5 microm, males vs 20.1 microm, females and 18.2 microm, males vs 17.5 microm, females) for raw fiber and qiviut, respectively. Qiviut AFD from yearlings was 1.7 microm finer than the AFD of adult qiviut. Fiber diameter distribution (SD) decreased with age in the raw sample (P < 0.003) and qiviut (P < 0.001) and qiviut SD was greater (P < 0.001) in males than in females. Qiviut theoretical yield (% mass of fibers < or = 30 microm) increased (P < 0.001) with age, and females had higher theoretical yields than males (P < 0.001). Scoured yield did not vary between sexes in any age class and averaged 93.3%. Qiviut staple length did not differ with either age or sex. In summary, differences between the sexes were small up to the 3rd yr, and these differences were not likely to be of commercial importance. However, considering that AFD is a primary commercial criterion of value, AFD changes from 16.5 microm in yearlings to 18.2 microm in adults and from 17.5 microm in adult females to 18.2 microm in adult males would be expected to result in significant differences in commercial value.     

A Serological Investigation into Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in Ethiopia

For a comparison of serological tests for CCPP, sera from 767 goats were examined. They were subjected to three tests: complement fixation test (CFT) with Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae antigen; blocking ELISA (B-ELISA) with Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae antigen; and CFT with Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony type antigen. Antibodies were detected by these three tests in 23%, 2% and 12%, respectively, of sera from districts in which CCPP had not been reported, and in 60%, 83% and 87%, respectively, in sera from areas in which CCPP had been reported. The specificity of the tests is discussed. The use of the B-ELISA test for the diagnosis and for epidemiological studies of CCPP is strongly recommended.     

Variations of the Dorsal Intercostal Arteries in the Ox (Bos taurus)

This paper describes the origin of the dorsal intercostal arteries of 24 young male and female Zebu cattle in Costa Rica. Percentages of the various patterns are given. Their possible significance is given.     

林麝饲用植物叶常规营养成分分析

用国标规定的饲料常规养分分析方法对林麝喜食的勾儿茶等24种野生植物叶样品中的干物质、粗蛋白质、粗纤维、粗脂肪、粗灰分、总能进行测定,并将测定结果与泡桐、苜蓿的营养成分进行比较。结果表明,这些样品的粗蛋白含量介于8．4％～27．4％之间,其中构树、律草、桑的蛋白含量均高于泡桐、苜蓿,分别为27．4％、22．3％、19．0％;干物质含量介于90．1％～93．5％之间,粗脂肪含量介于0．8％～7．1％之间,粗纤维含量介于7．8％～23．0％之间,粗灰分含量介于4．8％～13．2％之间,总能介于14．38～19．73MJ／kg之间。这将为林麝的饲养管理及其营养基础研究提供一定的依据。     

2006年全国饲料工业生产统计(简要)

2006年，我国饲料工业克服高致病性禽流感、猪高热症等动物疫情和瘦肉精中毒、苏丹红鸭蛋等突发公共卫生事件不利影响，仍呈现产量、产值双增长，全国饲料总产量超过1亿t，连续16年稳居世界第2位。[第一段]     

A study on Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in goats at an export oriented abattoir, Debrezeit, Ethiopia

300 goat serum samples from an export-oriented abattoir were tested for contagious caprine pleuropneumonia antibodies by the complement fixation test. The disease prevalence was 31% with no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the regions “Borena”, “Bale”, “Afar” and “Jinka” or the age of the goats (P > 0.05). Gross pathology and histopathology of the lung primary lesions were indicative of pleuropneumonia caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae.     

Participatory investigation of Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in goats in the Hammer and Benna-Tsemay districts of southern Ethiopia

The study was conducted in two selected districts of Southern Omo zones of Ethiopia, namely Hammer and Benna-Tsemay, during November 2004 and May 2005 to determine the status of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP). Participatory disease investigation was conducted in the goat flocks owned by pastoralists of the districts. Participatory methods such as proportionate piling and matrix scoring of diseases were used to characterise major diseases of goats. Clinical and post-mortem examinations and isolation of the causative agent of CCPP were done. Serological tests were conducted using CFT. CCPP (locally termed Sompo) ranked as the first important disease of goats in the study area. Local perception of causes and signs of CCPP were described. Matrix scoring between groups revealed that disease signs and causes showed weak, moderate and good agreement by Kendall’s coefficient concordance (W = 0.21–0.99). The overall sero-prevalence of CCPP was 15.5%. The causative agent was isolated from sick animals in the lab. The characteristic clinical signs, gross lesions, bacteriological isolation of the causative agent supported by participatory epidemiological disease investigation revealed that CCPP is a major disease of goats in the study districts. Participatory epidemiology using indigenous knowledge could efficiently be used to generate sufficient information with minimum cost, local materials and within reasonably short period of time, assisting the designing of feasible disease control programme in developing countries.     

In memorial-Anton Antonov (1977-2012)

About eight years ago we received an email from Bulgaria.It is not uncommon to receive such emails from former Eastern bloc or other countries,particularly from the third world.However,this was a special one.Albeit the English was rather na ve,he asked us if we     

Production of virus-specific antiserum corresponding to sequences in the lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) ORF6 protein

The elucidation of the antigenic structure of the envelope proteins of Arteriviridae which includes lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) will provide further understanding of a mechanism of strict host cell specificity. To analyze the linkage between LDV envelope proteins, M/VP-2 and VP-3, which may play an important role in viral infectivity, we generated specific antibody against M/VP-2 that has not been reported in previous studies. A synthetic polypeptide corresponding to the C-terminal region of LDV strain C (LDV-C) ORF6, which encodes M/VP-2, was chemically synthesized and coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). The peptide was immunogenic in rabbits and induced antibody specific for viral protein. Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis of virion M/VP-2 in infected macrophages showed that the antibody was able to react specifically with authentic virion protein. The immunoreactive antibody against LDV M/VP-2 described in this study will be useful for further studies of the specific roles of the envelope proteins in arterivirus assembly and infectivity.     

Excessive Trichilemmal Keratinisation (flame follicles) In Endocrine Skin Disorders Of The Dog

Abstract— Excessive trichilemmal keratinisation (flame follicle formation) was observed in the skin biopsies from 61 of 403 (15.1 %) dogs with endocrine skin disease. Flame follicles occurred in dogs with hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, hyposomatotropism, Sertoli's cell neoplasm with feminisation and castration-responsive dermatosis. Flame follicles appeared to be a specific histopathological indicator of endocrine skin disease, as they were not observed in the skin biopsies from 2,865 dogs with non-endocrine skin disease. They do not, however, indicate a specific endocrinopathy. Résumé— Une kératinisation pilo-folliculaire excessive (follicules en “flamme”) a été observée sur les biopsies de peau provenant de 61 chiens sur 403 (15.1%) atteints de dermatose d'origine endocrinienne. Des follicules en “flamme” ont été notés chez des chiens souffrant d'hypothyroidie, d'hypercorticisme, d'hyposomatotropisme, de sertolinome avec féminisation et de dermatose répondant à la castration. Les follicules en “flamme” représentent un signe histologique spécifique d'une dermatose d'origine endocrinienne car, ils n'ont pas été observés sur les biopsies de peau provenant de 2,865 chiens atteints de dermatose d'origine non endocrinienne. Toutefois, ils n'indiquent pas une endocrinopathie particuliere. Zusammenfassung— Eine exzessive trichilemmale Keratinisierung (Flammenfollikel) wurde bei Hautbiopsien von 61 von 403 (15,1%) Hunden mit endokrinen Hauterkrankungen festgestellt. Diese “Flammenfollikel” traten bei Hunden mit Hypothyrose, Hyperadrenocortizismus, Hyposomatotropismus, Sertolizelitumoren mit Feminisierung und bei durch Kastration zu beeinflussenden Dermatosen auf. Sie scheinen ein spezifischer histopathologischer Indikator für endokrine Hauterkrankungen zu sein, da sie in Hautbiopsien von 2865 Hunden mit nicht-endokrinen Hauterkrankungen nicht festgestellt werden konnten. Sie geben allerdings keinen Hinweis auf eine spezifische Endokrinopathie.     

Excessive Trichilemmal Keratinisation (flame follicles) In Endocrine Skin Disorders Of The Dog

Abstract— Excessive trichilemmal keratinisation (flame follicle formation) was observed in the skin biopsies from 61 of 403 (15.1 %) dogs with endocrine skin disease. Flame follicles occurred in dogs with hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, hyposomatotropism, Sertoli's cell neoplasm with feminisation and castration-responsive dermatosis. Flame follicles appeared to be a specific histopathological indicator of endocrine skin disease, as they were not observed in the skin biopsies from 2,865 dogs with non-endocrine skin disease. They do not, however, indicate a specific endocrinopathy. Résumé— Une kératinisation pilo-folliculaire excessive (follicules en “flamme”) a été observée sur les biopsies de peau provenant de 61 chiens sur 403 (15.1%) atteints de dermatose d'origine endocrinienne. Des follicules en “flamme” ont été notés chez des chiens souffrant d'hypothyroidie, d'hypercorticisme, d'hyposomatotropisme, de sertolinome avec féminisation et de dermatose répondant à la castration. Les follicules en “flamme” représentent un signe histologique spécifique d'une dermatose d'origine endocrinienne car, ils n'ont pas été observés sur les biopsies de peau provenant de 2,865 chiens atteints de dermatose d'origine non endocrinienne. Toutefois, ils n'indiquent pas une endocrinopathie particuliere. Zusammenfassung— Eine exzessive trichilemmale Keratinisierung (Flammenfollikel) wurde bei Hautbiopsien von 61 von 403 (15,1%) Hunden mit endokrinen Hauterkrankungen festgestellt. Diese “Flammenfollikel” traten bei Hunden mit Hypothyrose, Hyperadrenocortizismus, Hyposomatotropismus, Sertolizelitumoren mit Feminisierung und bei durch Kastration zu beeinflussenden Dermatosen auf. Sie scheinen ein spezifischer histopathologischer Indikator für endokrine Hauterkrankungen zu sein, da sie in Hautbiopsien von 2865 Hunden mit nicht-endokrinen Hauterkrankungen nicht festgestellt werden konnten. Sie geben allerdings keinen Hinweis auf eine spezifische Endokrinopathie.     

Molecular data of UL24 homolog gene (ORF37) from Brazilian isolates of equine herpesvirus type 1

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is associated with abortions, respiratory distress, and neurological disturbances in horses. The ORF37 of EHV-1 encodes a protein homolog to UL24 gene product of human herpesvirus that has been associated with neurovirulence. In the present work, ORF37 PCR fragments derived from two Brazilian EHV-1 isolates, a German isolate and an American reference strain were sequenced and characterized by molecular phylogenetic analysis. This genomic region is highly conserved an allowed to infer genetic distances between EHV-1 strains and other animal herpesvirus.