Comparison of antibody detection assays for the diagnosis of equine herpesvirus 1 and 4 infections in horses

OBJECTIVE: To compare methods of detecting equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV1)- and EHV4-specific antibodies in horse sera. SAMPLE POPULATION: 33 acute and convalescent serum samples from experimentally or naturally infected horses after confirmed EHV1 or EHV4 infection. PROCEDURE: For each sample, serum antibody titers against EHV1 and EHV4 were determined by use of virus neutralization (VN) and complement fixation (CF) assays. The ELISA absorbance values for each serum sample were determined against the EHV1 and EHV4 recombinant ELISA antigens. Values obtained for acute and convalescent sera in each assay were compared. RESULTS: Following experimental infection of foals, EHV1 or EHV4 antibodies that were specific for the inoculating virus were detected only by use of the ELISA. Results of VN and CF assays indicated that the foals seroconverted to EHV1 and EHV4 following infection with EHV4 only. After EHV1-induced abortion, myeloencephalitis, or respiratory tract disease, the VN and CF assay results revealed seroconversion to EHV1 and EHV4, whereas results of the ELISA revealed seroconversion to EHV1 only. Similarly, after confirmed EHV4-induced respiratory tract disease, increases in EHV4-specific antibodies were detected only by use of the ELISA with no indication of an increase in EHV1 antibodies. The CF and, to a lesser degree, VN assays revealed that seroconversion to EHV1 and EHV4 occurred between the time of obtaining acute and convalescent serum samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The EHV1/EHV4 type-specific antibody ELISA clearly identifies horses that have been infected with EHV1 or EHV4 by use of acute and convalescent sera. Results of VN and CF assays indicate that cross-reactive antibodies greatly limit their use.     

Exposure to sulfosulfuron in agricultural drainage ditches: field monitoring and scenario-based modelling

Field monitoring and scenario-based modelling were used to assess exposure of small ditches in the UK to the herbicide sulfosulfuron following transport via field drains. A site in central England on a high pH, clay soil was treated with sulfosulfuron, and concentrations were monitored in the single drain outfall and in the receiving ditch 1 km downstream. Drainflow in the nine months following application totalled 283 mm. Pesticide lost in the first 12.5 mm of flow was 99% of the total loading to drains (0.5% of applied). Significant dilution was observed in the receiving ditch and quantifiable residues were only detected in one sample (0.06 microg litre(-1)). The MACRO model was evaluated against the field data with minimal calibration. The parameterisation over-estimated the importance of macropore flow at the site. As a consequence, the maximum concentration in drainflow (2.3 microg litre(-1)) and the total loading to drains (0.76 g) were over-estimated by factors of 2.4 and 5, respectively. MACRO was then used to simulate long-term fate of the herbicide for each of 20 environmental scenarios. Resulting estimates for concentrations of sulfosulfuron in a receiving ditch were weighted according to the prevalence of each scenario to produce a probability distribution of daily exposure.     

Dry cow therapy with a non-antibiotic intramammary teat seal - a review

: Dry cow antibiotic therapy is used to eliminate existing intramammary infections and to prevent new infections in the dry period. It is implemented as part of a total management system known as the 'Five-Point Plan' for mastitis control. Recent public concerns over the widespread prophylactic use of antibiotics, coupled with an increasing interest in organic farming, have lead to a re-evaluation of the treatment of cows at drying-off. As a result, attention has focussed on the use of novel alternatives to antibiotic therapy at the end of lactation. One such therapy involves the application of a non-antibiotic bismuth-based intramammary teat seal designed for use in cows with low cell counts at the end of lactation. Like the keratin plug that forms naturally in teats of cows that have been dried-off, teat seal forms a physical barrier to invading pathogens. To date, a number of independent studies have shown that teat seal is as effective as traditional dry cow antibiotic products in preventing the occurrence of new infection during the dry period in cows with somatic cell counts of ≤200,000 cells ml-1 at drying-off. This paper reviews the efficacy of teat seal in preventing dry period mastitis in both conventional and organic dairying systems.     

Risk factors for iron-deficiency anaemia among pregnant women living in rural Vietnam

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of anaemia in rural Vietnam and to determine its risk factors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Vietnam, Nghe An Province. STUDY POPULATION: The total number of participants was 439. Of these participants, one was excluded from the study due to a mental disorder. Forty-seven did not participate in the test for parasites and 68 did not complete at least one of the questions. RESULTS: The prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin (Hb) <11.0 g dl(-1)) was 43.2% and of severe anaemia (Hb <8.0 g dl(-1)) was 0.5%. Taking iron tablets, the consumption of eggs and the preference for Western medicine significantly and positively correlated with Hb concentration in the pregnant women in a multiple regression analysis. Pregnancy duration and hookworm infestation significantly and negatively correlated with Hb concentration in the pregnant women. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anaemia in rural Vietnam has remained as high as that found in the national anaemia survey in 2000. The results of the present study could aid in the development of an iron-deficiency anaemia programme among pregnant women in rural Vietnam that emphasises iron supplementation, parasite control and improved diet, including the consumption of eggs. The programme's focus should be on women who prefer traditional medicine to Western medicine.     

Sequence differences in the diagnostic region of the cysteine protease 8 gene of Tritrichomonas foetus parasites of cats and cattle

In order to investigate the genetic variation between Tritrichomonas foetus from bovine and feline origins, cysteine protease 8 (CP8) coding sequence was selected as the polymorphic DNA marker. Direct sequencing of CP8 coding sequence of T. foetus from four feline isolates and two bovine isolates with polymerase chain reaction successfully revealed conserved nucleotide polymorphisms between feline and bovine isolates. These results provide useful information for CP8-based molecular differentiation of T. foetus genotypes.     

A simplified PCR method for genotyping Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony: the aetiologic agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia

Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony is the aetiological agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, a cattle disease endemic to areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Twenty isolates from various geographical locations and the type strain were analysed by multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA). The data generated was then used to develop three PCR primer sets to differentiate these isolates. The PCRs differentiated the isolates into four groups; the type strain (T); isolates of European origin (Eu); isolates from Tanzania (Af1) with a final group consisting of isolates from Namibia and Botswana (Af2). These PCRs offers a rapid and efficient post-identification typing method without the need to sequence and analyse multiple genes.     

Diameter and death of whorl and interwhorl branches in Atlas cedar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cedrus atlantica</Emphasis> Manetti): a model accounting for acrotony

• Introduction   

Branch size and branch status (dead or alive) are important characteristics closely related to tree growth and wood quality. The aim of this study was to design models for the diameter and status of branches in Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica Manetti).