Characterization of ovine strains of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis by restriction endonuclease analysis and DNA hybridization.

Restriction endonuclease analysis and DNA hybridization revealed five ovine strains of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis from South Africa had identical DNA patterns to an ovine strain from Canada. Genetically this strain type has features in common with the two major groups of M. paratuberculosis.     

A Tremor Syndrome With a Central Axonopathy in Scottish Terriers

A central axonopathy in 2 male and 1 female Scottish Terrier puppies from 3 different but related litters is reported. Clinical signs consisting of severe whole-body tremors and ataxia were first detected at the age of 10 to 12 weeks. They worsened with activity and excitement and diminished during rest or sleep. Two dogs also had paraparesis. In 1 dog the neurological deficits progressed over several months. Neuropathological examination revealed widespread axonal changes, vacuolation, and gliosis in the white matter of the central nervous system.     

Effect of Collection Rhythms and Season on Rabbit Semen Production

The effects of collection regimen and time of year on rabbit semen production were determined in this study. A total of 14 crossbreed Hyla bucks were used in winter and summer. In each season, rabbits were assigned to two groups. In group 1, (n = 7) rabbits were subjected to an extensive collection regimen (two ejaculates per male, once daily/week) and in group 2, (n = 7) a semi‐intensive semen collection regimen was performed (two ejaculates per male, twice weekly). The traits recorded for each sample were libido, volume, pH, motility, sperm concentration, percentage of alive spermatozoa and sperm abnormalities. The results obtained in this study indicate that when increasing collection frequency, the rate of useful collections decreased (from 0.81 ± 0.017 to 0.69 ± 0.016; p < 0.01). The rate of useful collection also decreased in the transition from winter to summer (from 0.79 ± 0.018 to 0.70 ± 0.017; p < 0.01). Among the ejaculate characteristics studied, only volume/ejaculate (from 0.64 ± 0.015 to 0.53 ± 0.017; p < 0.01) and spermatozoa/ml (from 406 ± 15 to 359 ± 13 million; p < 0.01) appeared negatively affected by collection. In winter fewer volume/ejaculates were produced (0.55 ± 0.015 vs 0.60 ± 0.016 ml; p < 0.01) and fewer spermatozoa/ml (360 ± 14 vs 394 ± 16 million; p < 0.01) than in summer. The doses produced per ejaculate decreased as collection frequency increased, but the number of doses produced per week was higher in the semi‐intensive than the extensive rhythm (26.5 ± 2.1 vs 20.9 ± 1.5; p < 0.01). The results suggest that a semi‐intensive rhythm may be viewed favourably.     

Different biological behaviour of Waldenström macroglobulinemia in two dogs

Waldenström Macroglobulinemia is a low‐grade immunosecretory disorder associated with lymphoid tumours, which is rarely reported in veterinary medicine. In this study, we describe two clinical cases of this rare syndrome in dogs, each characterized by a different onset and clinical course. In one case, a hyperacute onset and aggressive behaviour of the neoplasm was observed. Absolute serum viscosity (SV) was retrospectively evaluated in order to explain clinical findings. Rotational viscosimetry showed good precision in measuring SV. Both dogs had SV values higher than a control groups of healthy dogs although only one subject developed hyperviscosity symptoms and complications. At high paraprotein concentrations, a slight reduction of the M‐component was associated with a marked decrease in SV. Thus, this work suggests that SV assessment is a relevant tool for managing monoclonal gammopathies, whose usefulness should be further confirmed in larger cohorts of dogs.     

Use of computer tomography for imaging of Crassicauda grampicola in a Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus).

A mature male Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) stranded along the coasts of Friuli Venezia Giulia, northeast Italy, in May 2001. Parasitic infection with Crassicauda grampicola is often found in the tympanic bullae and pterygoid sinuses in many of the Risso's dolphins examined from the same area. For this reason, it was decided to perform computed tomography of the head to assess this imaging technique for the diagnosis of crassicaudosis in dolphins. A full postmortem examination confirmed the pathologic findings of the computed tomography scan. This technique can be considered a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of cranial crassicaudosis in live dolphins.     

Polyarthritis secondary to septic thrombophlebitis in an Arabian mare

A 3‐year‐old Arabian mare presented with diarrhoea and depression. During hospitalisation, the mare developed septic thrombophlebitis associated with a jugular catheter. One week later, she developed secondary bilateral tarsocrural joint septic arthritis. Following surgical intervention and intensive medical therapy, the mare recovered successfully. The case highlights an unusual and previously unreported complication of septic thrombophlebitis.     

内蒙古羊屠宰场致泻性大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌污染状况分析

为了解内蒙古地区羊屠宰场各屠宰环节致泻性大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌的携带情况,评估是否存在污染风险,选取不同规模屠宰场,用棉拭子法分别采集不同屠宰环节样品349份,36 h内进行试验;应用PCR方法分离鉴定病原菌,对鉴定为致泻性大肠杆菌的分离株进行16S r DNA测序并构建系统发育树。结果显示:从刚宰杀的羊胴体表面和环境中共分离到致泻性大肠杆菌12株,其中11株携带毒力基因elt,1株携带毒力基因eae和elt;大中型屠宰场(1.21%)的致泻性大肠杆菌阳性率低于小型屠宰场(5.43%),不同规模屠宰场的预冷间均未检出致泻性大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌;从屠宰环境中分离出1株携带inv A基因的沙门氏菌,阳性率为0.29%;经高压冲洗和排酸预冷等屠宰工艺后,在羊胴体表面均未发现致泻性大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌。