Protein-losing enteropathy associated with cystic mucoid changes in the intestinal crypts of two dogs

Two dogs were emaciated and hypoalbuminemic due to protein-losing enteropathy associated with a severe, focal, mucoid, cryptal ectasia of the duodenum and marked villus atrophy. In one case, diseased portions of the duodenum were obvious endoscopically and were limited to discrete, focal areas in the small intestine, with apparently more undiseased tissue than diseased tissue being present. The signs and lesions in one dog resolved after initiating combination dietary and pharmacological therapy.     

Effect of administration of a phospholipid emulsion on the initial response of horses administered endotoxin

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a phospholipid emulsion (PLE) on the initial response of horses to administration of endotoxin. ANIMALS: 12 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES: Horses were assigned to 2 treatment groups (6 horses/group). The control group was administered 1 L of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, and the treated group was administered PLE (200 mg/kg, IV); treatments were administered during a period of 120 minutes. An infusion of endotoxin was initiated in both groups starting 1 hour after initiation of the saline or PLE solutions. Physical examination and hemodynamic variables were recorded, and blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin-6, thromboxane B2 (TxB2), 6 keto-prostaglandin F (PGF)1alpha, total leukocyte count, and PLE concentrations. An ANOVA was used to detect significant differences. RESULTS: Administration of PLE resulted in significantly lower rectal temperature, heart rate, cardiac output, right atrial pressure, and pulmonary artery pressure and higher total leukocyte counts in treated horses, compared with values for control horses. The TNF-alpha concentration was significantly less in treated horses than in control horses. The TxB2 and 6 keto-PGFF1alpha concentrations were significantly different between treated and control horses at 30 minutes (TxB2) and at 30 and 60 minutes (6 keto-PGF1alpha). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Prior infusion of PLE in horses administered a low dose of endotoxin decreased rectal temperature, heart rate, pulmonary artery pressure, and TNF-alpha concentrations. Results of this study support further evaluation of PLE for use in the treatment of horses with endotoxemia.     

Characterisation of a resource population of pigs screened for resistance to salmonellosis

The degree of resistance to Salmonella choleraesuis infection in a reference family purposely bred to map resistance genes was assessed. Aspects of the innate and specific immune system were studied to find a parameter that might predict the resistance of pigs to salmonellosis. The family was bred from commercial full-sister pairs of F1-gilts and four boars. One boar (G398) was identified as breeding susceptible offspring, and one boar (G402) as breeding resistant offspring on the basis of pyrexial responses and numbers of Salmonella in liver and spleen post mortem. The other two boars were classified as 'possible resistant' (Y2008) and 'unknown' (Y6101) respectively. Functional differences in immune cells (neutrophils and lymphocytes) between the offspring of G398 and G402 were detected. The most resistant piglets had a higher number of circulating neutrophils and better polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) function, but a lower mitogenic response of lymphocytes both pre- and post-infection and a lower antibody response. Between the offspring groups of Y2008 and Y6101 no differences were found in the number of viable Salmonella in liver and spleen at post mortem or in immune cell function, however, the survival rate of these offspring groups was clearly different. Twenty three percent of the Y2008-offspring and 33% of the Y6101-offspring reached the predetermined humane clinical endpoint before the end of the experiment. Our findings suggest a role for several inherited immunological traits, including PMN function and lecithin-induced mitogenic proliferation, which appear to influence resistance to salmonellosis.     

Presence of human Giardia in domestic,farm and wild animals,and environmental samples suggests a zoonotic potential for giardiasis

Giardia lamblia which parasitize humans belong to either of two genotypes, A or B, based on specific signature sequences in the 5' end of the small subunit (16S) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. These two genotypes also were found in cysts from fecal samples of animal origin such as dogs, cats, some farm animals and wild animals. In addition, trophozoites recovered from cysts obtained from environmental samples belonged to these two genotypes as well, suggesting that the G. lamblia genotypes A and B are widespread and possibly zoonotic. Trophozoites were recovered from rats and these isolates might belong to another genotype of G. lamblia. Deer mice and one dog appeared to be parasitized by genotypes of Giardia with close affinity to G. microti. This species, therefore, also consists of a genotype complex.     

Blood lead levels of wild Steller's eiders (Polysticta stelleri) and black scoters (Melanitta nigra) in Alaska using a portable blood lead analyzer.

Sea duck populations are declining in Alaska. The reasons for the decline are not known; environmental lead exposure is one suspected cause. Thirty wild Steller's eider ducks (Polysticta stelleri) and 40 wild black scoter ducks (Melanitta nigra) were tested for blood lead levels using a portable blood lead analyzer (LeadCare; ESA, Inc., Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824, USA). Sixty-seven and one-tenth percent of the sea ducks had undetectable blood lead levels, 30.0% had values indicating normal or background lead exposure, and 2.9% had values indicating lead exposure. None of the birds had values indicating lead toxicity, and no birds demonstrated clinical signs of toxicity. Birds in areas with higher human population density had higher blood lead levels than those in less densely populated areas. This is the first time a portable blood lead analyzer has been utilized with sea ducks in a field setting. Because it provides immediate results, it is valuable as a screening tool for investigators carrying out surgical procedures on birds in the field as well as establishing baseline blood lead data on sea ducks. Lead exposure does occur in wild sea ducks, and the study indicates that additional research is needed in order to determine the role environmental lead plays in declining sea duck populations.     

A retrospective study of pathologic findings in the Amazon and Orinoco river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) in captivity.

River dolphins are especially susceptible to negative human impacts. For their conservation, attempts of relocation or procreation ex situ may become important in the future to avoid their extinction. Additional knowledge and medical experiences of river dolphin management in captivity may aid such conservation efforts. The medical records and necropsy and histopathology reports on 123 captive Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) were re-viewed. Of these 123 animals, 105 were necropsied and 70 necropsies were supported with histopathology. Eighteen animals were not necropsied. Among wild-born animals, mortality was highest in the first 2 mo immediately postcapture and transport, accounting for 32 of 123 deaths. Pneumonia and skin lesions (cutaneous and subcutaneous ulcerations and abscesses) were the most common findings, found in 44 of 105 (42%) and 38 of 105 (36%) of gross diagnoses, respectively. At least 10 of 44 cases of pneumonia diagnosed grossly included a verminous component. Cachexia, from a variety of causes, was a major gross finding in 21 animals. Fifteen animals had histologic evidence of significant renal pathology, and this was the primary cause of death in 13 cases. Hepatic pathology was found in 18 cases, and bacterial sepsis was confirmed via histology in 16 cases. Based on these findings, it may be concluded that keys to successful maintenance of this species include 1) prophylactic anthelminthic and antibiotic therapy immediately post-capture; 2) maintenance of animals in larger enclosures than in past attempts, in compatible groups, and in facilities capable of separating aggressive animals; 3) maintenance in microbiologically hygienic water quality at all times; and 4) a proactive program of preventive medicine during the immediate postcapture, quarantine, and maintenance period of captivity.     

Real time polymerase chain reaction for rapid and quantitative determination of Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum on the surfaces of apple,pear, and sweet cherry fruit

The objectives of this study were to develop primers and a real time PCR protocol for the postharvest biocontrol yeast Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum (Cim). The application of this technology was developed to quantify Cim on the surfaces of apple, two pear cultivars, and sweet cherry fruit treated over a range of concentrations. Statistically significant relationships were observed between Cim DNA on fruit surfaces, expressed as μg/m², and CFU/L of dip suspensions for apple, pear, and sweet cherry. In addition, the relationship for each fruit was significantly different from the other three fruits. Threshold values of concentrations of Cim DNA on the fruit surface were calculated based on regression equations and a dose of 2.0 × 10¹¹ CFU/L of dip suspension, the dose for optimum decay control, and were 4.8, 7.0, 16.5, and 25.2 μg/m² for Bosc pear, Lapins sweet cherry, d’Anjou pear, and Golden Delicious apple, respectively. Monitoring Cim DNA concentration on fruit surfaces will assure that Cim is being properly applied to fruit and that a sufficient number of cells are present for optimum decay control.     

Detection of a chitinase-like protein in the roots of Douglas-fir trees infected with Armillaria ostoyae and Phellinus weirii

Protein was extracted from root bark of 11- and 25-year-old interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) trees that were naturally infected with Armillaria ostoyae (Romagnesi) Herink. The proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Root bark tissue adjacent to infected areas had a significantly higher protein concentration than healthy tissue (P < 0.05), whereas the protein concentration of infected tissue was consistently lower (P < 0.05) than that of healthy tissue. The SDS-PAGE profiles of healthy, infected, and adjacent-to-infected root bark tissues revealed significant differences in concentrations of a 29.3-kDa protein. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 29.3-kDa protein displayed significant homology (P = 0.013) to a basic endochitinase. Use of a polyclonal antibody raised against the 29.3-kDa putative endochitinase-like protein (ECP) indicated differences in the quantities of ECP in healthy roots compared with roots infected with A. ostoyae in 11- and 25-year-old interior Douglas-fir trees. The antibody was also used to screen for the presence of the 29.3-kDa protein in roots of 24-year-old coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) trees that were artificially inoculated with and colonized by Phellinus weirii (Murr.) Gilbn. The amount of ECP was elevated in root bark of coastal Douglas-fir in response to P. weirii infection, although in lower quantities relative to those found in the A. ostoyae-interior Douglas-fir pathosystem. The sequence homology of the ECP with a basic chitinase, together with its increased synthesis in response to two fungal pathogens, indicate a possible role for this protein in the defense of Douglas-fir against fungal pathogens.     

Sapstain fungi on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus radiata</Emphasis> logs – from New Zealand Forest to export in Japan

Supply of clear, unstained logs from an export country is important economically as well as in reducing the biosecurity risk to an importing country such as Japan. Although conditions found within the holds of ships containing logs are thought to be ideal for rapid colonization of sapstain fungi, no research has been conducted. Research-focussed log export trials were designed to determine the extent of sapstain colonisation at specific points in the processing of logs from harvesting to arrival at the export destination. Two trials were established, in the austral summer and winter, in which mature Pinus radiata logs were harvested in New Zealand and shipped to export ports in Japan. Data loggers placed above and below deck of the ships recorded microclimatic conditions. Nine species of sapstain fungi were isolated from logs during the summer trial; the most common species isolated were Ophiostoma floccosum, Ophiostoma querci, and Ophiostoma setosum. In contrast, ten sapstain species were detected during the winter trial, with Sphaeropsis sapinea, O. querci, O. floccosum, and O. setosum most commonly isolated. This research was the first successful attempt at measuring visual sapstain development and isolating sapstain fungi from the time of harvesting to arrival at an export destination.