Role of wild ruminants in the epidemiology of bluetongue virus serotypes 1, 4 and 8 in Spain

ABSTRACT: Although the importance of wild ruminants as potential reservoirs of bluetongue virus (BTV) has been suggested, the role played by these species in the epidemiology of BT in Europe is still unclear. We carried out a serologic and virologic survey to assess the role of wild ruminants in the transmission and maintenance of BTV in Andalusia (southern Spain) between 2006 and 2010.A total of 473 out of 1339 (35.3%) wild ruminants analyzed showed antibodies against BTV by both ELISA and serum neutralization test (SNT). The presence of neutralizing antibodies to BTV-1 and BTV-4 were detected in the four species analyzed (red deer, roe deer, fallow deer and mouflon), while seropositivity against BTV-8 was found in red deer, fallow deer and mouflon but not in roe deer. Statistically significant differences were found among species, ages and sampling regions. BTV RNA was detected in twenty-one out of 1013 wild ruminants (2.1%) tested. BTV-1 and BTV-4 RNA were confirmed in red deer and mouflon by specific rRT-PCR.BTV-1 and BTV-4 seropositive and RNA positive wild ruminants, including juveniles and sub-adults, were detected years after the last outbreak was reported in livestock. In addition, between the 2008/2009 and the 2010/2011 hunting seasons, the seroprevalence against BTV-1, BTV-4 and BTV-8 increased in the majority of provinces, and these serotypes were detected in many areas where BTV outbreaks were not reported in domestic ruminants. The results indicate that wild ruminants seem to be implicated in the dissemination and persistence of BTV in Spain.     

Anthrax undervalued zoonosis

Anthrax is a non-contagious disease, known since ancient times. However, it became a matter of global public interest after the bioterrorist attacks in the U.S.A. during the autumn of 2001. The concern of politicians and civil authorities everywhere towards this emergency necessitated a significant research effort and the prevention of new bioterrorist acts. Anthrax is primarily a disease that affects livestock and wildlife; its distribution is worldwide; and it can represent a danger to humans but especially more so when it occurs in areas considered to be free and in atypical seasons and climatic conditions. The atypicality of the phenomenon may lead health workers to misdiagnose and, consequently, an inappropriately manage of affected carcasses with a consequent and inevitable increase in the risk of human infection. This article emphasises the importance of paying increasing attention to this zoonosis. The biggest risk is its underestimation.     

Constitutive expression of interferons in swine leukocytes

Interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-γ positive cells were revealed by flow cytometry in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) pigs. A low prevalence of IFN-γ positive cells was also detected in PBMC of some Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus-infected pigs and uninfected, control pigs. IFN-α positive cells showed phenotypes of both monocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. The presence of IFN-α in PBMC was also confirmed by Western blotting. By immunoprecipitation, IFN-α was detected as 32 and 55-57 kDa bands in PBMC of healthy SPF piglets. These samples were also IFN-γ positive; the cytokine was revealed as 24, 37 and 54 kDa bands. The unusual molecular mass values of intracellular interferons were probably due to oligomerization, as previously described for human IFN-α. Swine intracellular IFN-α displayed the expected antiviral activity on bovine MDBK cells. The results indicate that interferons are constitutively expressed in swine leukocytes with peculiar molecular features.     

Preservation of cadavers for surgical technique training

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a technique for preservation of organoleptic tissue characteristics (color, odor, texture, and flexibility) in cadavers used for surgical instruction. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Forty-three canine cadavers. METHODS: Cadavers were preserved with a modified Larssen solution of the Hospital Cochim, Paris and cryopreservation. Tissue handling qualities were evaluated in surgical laboratory sessions. RESULTS: All cadavers kept texture and tissues consistency, especially skin and muscle, similar to those of live animals. Some skin desquamation and pallor of the mucous membranes occurred with repetitive freeze-thaw cycles. CONCLUSIONS: This preservation technique provides acceptable cadaver quality and tissue handling for use in surgical instruction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Preparation of patient cadavers by intravascular injection of modified Larssen solution yielded suitable instructional models for surgical training.     

Supplementing a skimmed milk–egg yolk-based extender with L-carnitine helps maintain the motility,membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity of chilled ram sperm

This study examines the effect of L-carnitine (LC) on chilled ram semen stored for up to 96 hr. Semen samples were collected, placed in a skimmed milk + 6% egg yolk extender, pooled, aliquoted and diluted with the same extender supplemented with different LC concentration: 0 (control), 1 mM (LC1), 2.5 mM (LC2.5), 5 mM (LC5), 7.5 mM (LC7.5) or10 mM (LC10). Sperm kinetics and membranes (plasma, acrosome and mitochondrial) were examined using the CASA system and triple fluorescence staining (PI/ PNA-FITC/Mitotracker). The progressive motility was greater (p < .05) with LC7.5 treatment than the control sperm at 96 hr. The curvilinear velocity (p < .01) and the percentage of sperm with intact membranes (plasma/acrosome/mitochondria) (p < .01) were greater with all LC treatments than the control group at all times. Straight line velocity was greater (p < .01) with LC5 and LC7.5 treatments than the control group after 48 hr. The LC5 group also returned lower ALH values (p < .05) than these seen for the control groups after 48 hr. The fertilizing capacity of LC5 samples stored at 15°C for 2 hr (LC5-15°C-2h) and at 5°C for 24 hr (LC5-5°C-24h) was tested in three ewe groups via cervical fixed-time artificial insemination. In two groups, the fertilizing capacity of the LC5-5°C-24h was reduced (p < .001). In the remaining group, however, no significant difference was seen between the LC5-15°C-2h and LC5-5°C-24h sperm in this respect (pregnancy rates 52.4% versus 42.8%; p > .05). Overall, the present results suggest that supplementing skimmed milk–egg yolk-based extenders with LC has a positive effect on chilled sperm variables and fertilizing capacity.     

Effects of remifentanil infusion regimens on cardiovascular function and responses to noxious stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of 2 remifentanil infusion regimens on cardiovascular function and responses to nociceptive stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats. ANIMALS: 8 adult cats. PROCEDURES: On 2 occasions, cats received acepromazine followed by propofol (6 mg/kg then 0.3 mg/kg/min, i.v.) and a constant rate infusion (CRI) of remifentanil (0.2 or 0.3 microg/kg/ min, i.v.) for 90 minutes and underwent mechanical ventilation (phase I). After recording physiologic variables, an electrical stimulus (50 V; 50 Hz; 10 milliseconds) was applied to a forelimb to assess motor responses to nociceptive stimulation. After an interval (> or = 10 days), the same cats were anesthetized via administration of acepromazine and a similar infusion regimen of propofol; the remifentanil infusion rate adjustments that were required to inhibit cardiovascular responses to ovariohysterectomy were recorded (phase II). RESULTS: In phase I, heart rate and arterial pressure did not differ between remifentanil-treated groups. From 30 to 90 minutes, cats receiving 0.3 microg of remifentanil/kg/min had no response to noxious stimulation. Purposeful movement was detected more frequently in cats receiving 0.2 microg of remifentanil/kg/min. In phase II, the highest dosage (mean +/- SEM) of remifentanil that prevented cardiovascular responses was 0.23 +/- 0.01 microg/kg/min. For all experiments, mean time from infusion cessation until standing ranged from 115 to 140 minutes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although the lower infusion rate of remifentanil allowed ovariohysterectomy to be performed, a CRI of 0.3 microg/kg/min was necessary to prevent motor response to electrical stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats. Recovery from anesthesia was prolonged with this technique.