Immunogenetics: A review and future prospects

The following areas of immunogenetics are briefly reviewed: red cell and histocompatibility antigens; immune response genes; general genetic immune responsiveness; allotypes; and immunodeficiencies. The emphasis is placed on basic principles and on farm animals. Some applications and future prospects within the field of immunogenetics are also discussed.     

Vaccination of cattle against bovine schistosomosis: current status and future prospects: a review

Bovine schistosomosis, caused by Schistosoma bovis, constitutes a serious veterinary problem in many parts of the world. The vaccination approaches for the control of bovine schistosomosis include the use of irradiation-attenuated S. bovis cercarial or schistosomular vaccines, S. bovis adult worms or whole-egg antigens and defined antigen vaccine. Irradiated S. bovis cercarial or schistosomular vaccines provide partial protection against S. bovis infection. However, this type of vaccine requires live infectious cercariae or viable schistosomula for induction of protection. Unfortunately, experimental immunizations with dead schistosome antigens have been largely unsuccessful. The surge of new techniques in cellular immunology and molecular biology has made possible the development of potential candidate vaccine antigens from various species of schistosomes including S. bovis. The efficiency of these vaccines has been evaluated in experimentally infected calves. These vaccines will probably replace the irradiated S. bovis vaccines. A broad-spectrum antischistosome vaccine which can kill a variety of human and animal schistosome species is yet to be produced.     

Alternatives to antibiotics as growth promoters for use in swine production:a review

In the past two decades, an intensive amount of research has been focused on the development of alternatives to antibiotics to maintain swine health and performance. The most widely researched alternatives include probiotics, prebiotics, acidiflers, plant extracts and neutraceuticals such as copper and zinc. Since these additives have been more than adequately covered in previous reviews, the focus of this review will be on less traditional alternatives. The potential of antimicrobial peptides, clay minerals, egg yolk antibodies, essential oils, eucalyptus oil-medium chain fatty acids, rare earth elements and recombinant enzymes are discussed. Based on a thorough review of the literature, it is evident that a long and growing list of compounds exist which have been tested for their ability to replace antibiotics as feed additives in diets fed to swine. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these compounds produce inconsistent results and rarely equal antibiotics in their effectiveness. Therefore, it would appear that research is still needed in this area and that the perfect alternative to antibiotics does not yet exist.     

Alternatives to antibiotics as growth promoters for use in swine production: a review

In the past two decades, an intensive amount of research has been focused on the development of alternatives to antibiotics to maintain swine health and performance. The most widely researched alternatives include probiotics, prebiotics, acidifiers, plant extracts and neutraceuticals such as copper and zinc. Since these additives have been more than adequately covered in previous reviews, the focus of this review will be on less traditional alternatives. The potential of antimicrobial peptides, clay minerals, egg yolk antibodies, essential oils, eucalyptus oil-medium chain fatty acids, rare earth elements and recombinant enzymes are discussed. Based on a thorough review of the literature, it is evident that a long and growing list of compounds exist which have been tested for their ability to replace antibiotics as feed additives in diets fed to swine. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these compounds produce inconsistent results and rarely equal antibiotics in their effectiveness. Therefore, it would appear that research is still needed in this area and that the perfect alternative to antibiotics does not yet exist.     

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: a review

The increasing use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in small animals has resulted in the development of new and innovative additions to this class of drugs. Examples of NSAIDs now available for use in small animals include aspirin, etodolac, carprofen, ketoprofen, meloxicam, deracoxib, and tepoxalin. The purposes of this article are to review the pathophysiology of prostaglandin synthesis and inhibition, the mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological effects, and potential adverse reactions of aspirin and the newly released NSAIDs.     

螺旋藻的开发及利用前景

1螺旋藻的营养价值、特点及医疗保健功能螺旋藻有“明天最理想和最完美的食品”的美誉,全世界已分离出螺旋藻品种35个,而目前开发利用较多的是产于乍得湖的钝顶螺旋藻和产于墨西哥的极大螺旋藻。它是20世纪60年代以来国际上生物学工作者十分关注、广泛研究和开发利用的一种新的植物蛋白质资源,现已有许多国家对螺旋藻的生产和应用开展了大量的研究工作,如美、德、墨西哥等国已把螺旋藻用来补充人们的日常营养和防治疾病。1.1螺旋藻的营养价值、特点螺旋藻的营养价值之高在植物界实属罕见,它是纯绿色食品的代表。根据螺旋藻的大量营养成份分…     

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in cats: a review

OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence regarding the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in cats. DATABASES USED: PubMed, CAB abstracts. CONCLUSIONS: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be used with caution in cats because of their low capacity for hepatic glucuronidation, which is the major mechanism of metabolism and excretion for this category of drugs. However, the evidence presented supports the short-term use of carprofen, flunixin, ketoprofen, meloxicam and tolfenamic acid as analgesics in cats. There were no data to support the safe chronic use of NSAIDs in cats.     

The susceptibility of isolates of Corynebacterium equi to antimicrobial drugs

Fifty-one isolates of Corynebacterium equi recovered from pigs and horses belonging to two capsular serotypes were tested for susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. No clear differences were detected in sensitivity between isolates of different sources or serotypes. All isolates were sensitive to <0.25 μg/ml of erythromycin and gentamicin. The following minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antimicrobial agents were determined for ≤90% of isolates: methicillin >16 μg/ml, clindamycin 1–2 μg/ml, tobramycin ≤1 μg/ml, cephalothin 8–64 μg/ml, kanamycin 2–8 μg/ml, amikacin ≤1–2 μg/ml, penicillin 2–≤4 μg/ml, ampicillin 2–8 μg/ml, trimethoprim-sulfa 4/76–32/608 μg/ml tetracycline 1–4 μg/ml and chloramphenicol 8–16 μg/ml.     

In vitro susceptibility of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale to several antimicrobial drugs

As part of the basic characterization of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale, the minimal inhibitory concentrations of 10 antimicrobial drugs were determined for reference strains and Mexican isolates by a broth microdilution method. For optimal growth of the organisms, a supplemented brain-heart infusion broth was used. The susceptibility of O. rhinotracheale to amoxicillin, enrofloxacin, and oxytetracycline was variable. However, consistent higher minimal inhibitory concentrations values were obtained for gentamicin, fosfomycin, trimethoprim, sulfamethazine, sulfamerazine, sulfaquinoxaline, and sulfachloropyridazine. Obtained results among Mexican isolates indicate a marked antimicrobial drug resistance trend.     

Present and future of veterinary viral vaccinology: a review

This review deals briefly with some key developments in veterinary vaccinology, lists the types of vaccines that are used for vaccinations commonly performed in food animals as well as in companion animals, and indicates that the practising veterinarian can select the best vaccine by comparing the results of efficacy studies. Diva (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals; also termed marker) vaccines and companion diagnostic tests have been developed that can be used for progammes aimed to control or eradicate virus infections. Vaccine-induced herd immunity, which can be measured relatively easily when diva vaccines are used, is a crucial issue in such programmes. Current vaccine research follows many routes towards novel vaccines, which can be divided into non-replicating ('killed') and replicating ('live') vaccines. Promising trends are the development of DNA vaccination, vector vaccines, and attenuation of DNA and RNA viruses by DNA technology. The lack of (in vitro) correlates of vaccine protection markedly hampers progress in vaccine research. Various characteristics of an 'ideal' vaccine are listed, such as multivalency and the induction of lifelong immunity after one non-invasive administration in animals with maternal immunity. Future research should be aimed at developing vaccines that approach the ideal as closely as possible and which are directed against diseases not yet controlled by vaccination and against newly emerging diseases.     

Porcine antimicrobial peptides: new prospects for ancient molecules of host defense

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small, endogenous, polycationic molecules that constitute a ubiquitous and significant component of innate immunity. These natural antibiotics have broad microbicidal activity against various bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses. Because most AMPs kill bacteria by physical disruption of cell membranes, which may prevent microorganisms from developing resistance against these agents, they are being explored as possible alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Pigs, like many other mammals, produce an impressive array of AMPs, which are synthesized predominantly by host leukocytic phagocytes or mucosal epithelial cells. Currently, more than a dozen distinct porcine AMPs have been identified and a majority belongs to the cathelicidin family. This review briefly summarizes recent advances in porcine AMP research with an emphasis on the diverse biological functions of each peptide. Mechanisms of action of these AMPs and their role in the resistance to infections are considered. Finally, the current status of pharmaceutical and agricultural uses of AMPs as well as future prospects for their application in the food animal industry is discussed.     

Veterinary pharmacology: history,current status and future prospects

Veterinary therapeutics, based on the art of Materia Medica, has been practised for countless centuries, but the science of veterinary pharmacology is of very recent origin. This review traces the contribution of Materia Medica to veterinary therapeutics from the Egyptian period through to the Age of Enlightenment. The first tentative steps in the development of the science of veterinary pharmacology were taken in the 18th century, but it was not until the mid 20th century that the science replaced the art of Materia Medica. This review traces the 20th century developments in veterinary pharmacology, with emphasis on the explosion of knowledge in the 35 year period to 2010. The range of factors which have influenced the current status of the discipline are reviewed. Future developments are considered from the perspectives of what might be regarded as desirable and those innovations that might be anticipated. We end with words of encouragement for young colleagues intent upon pursuing a career in veterinary pharmacology     

Pharmacokinetics of anti-epileptic drugs in the dog: a review

Frey, H.-H. & Löscher, W. Pharmacokinetics of anti-epileptic drugs in the dog: a review. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 8, 219–233.
Dr H.-H. Frey, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, Koserstrasse 20, D-IOOO Berlin 33, West Germany .