Suspected fusariomycotoxicosis in sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis): clinical and pathological findings

In 1985 and 1986, large-scale natural die-offs of sandhill cranes in Texas were attributed to fusariomycotoxicosis. These birds demonstrated a progressive loss of motor control to the neck, wings, and legs. Based on necropsy and/or histopathology of 31 cranes, the most common lesions involved skeletal muscle and included hemorrhages, granulomatous myositis, thrombosis, and vascular degeneration. Serum chemistry results revealed that levels of creatinine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were above published normals. However, only alanine aminotransferase was higher in clinically affected cranes than in normal cranes collected from the same area.     

Llama reproduction

The reproductive anatomy, physiology, and breeding behavior of the llama is unique enough to make familiarity with it imperative. Female puberty averages 12 months, while many males are not reproductively functional until after 3 years. Proper management of a breeding pair or herd is necessary to maintain maximum reproductive performance. Proof of pregnancy is suggested by rejection of the male and may/should be confirmed by progesterone assay, rectal palpation, or ultrasound techniques. The postpartum female is notable for breeding back rapidly, with high pregnancy rates resulting. Both male and female factors enter into llama infertility, with each gender having significant incidence of reproductive anatomical abnormalities. Management as well as acquired infertility problems (heat factors, trauma, infection, neoplasia, and hormonal imbalances) contribute to the bulk of infertility cases investigated. Techniques used to diagnose infertility in llamas are quite comparable to the equine species; however, female body size and semen analysis in the male present significant challenges. The approach to therapy has been quite empirical to date, owing to lack of consistent problems and numbers to afford conclusive trials. Alterations of pregnancy include resorption, abortions, and stillbirths. Resorption between 30 to 60 days of gestation is reported regularly. Abortions caused by stress occur regularly. Infection abortions caused by leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, and chlamydiosis are to be expected. Ponderosa pine-related abortions are suspected. In summary, I find use for a broad background in large animal theriogenology to apply to llama infertility. There no doubt are additional diagnostic techniques and therapeutic regimens that have application, and it is up to us all to keep good records and share the information.     

Lipid mobilization by obese and lean pigs infused with the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol

Generally obese and lean pigs in both the fed and fasted states were anesthetized and then acutely infused with increasing concentrations of the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol. Plasma free fatty acid (FFA), blood glycerol, glucose and lactate, and heart rate were monitored during the infusion period. Data were reduced by estimating the parameters of the generalized logistic function (minimum, maximum, ED50 and slope) and subsequently analyzed to compare the lean and obese genotypes within nutritional state. Lactate data could not be fitted to this function because the upper asymptote was not approached during the experiment. The minimum plasma concentration of FFA tended (P less than .1) to be less in obese than in lean pigs. The maximum, ED50 and slope for the responses of FFA were similar for obese and lean pigs in fed pigs and in fasted pigs. In fed pigs, the minimum glycerol concentration was greater in obese than in lean pigs, and the ED50 for heart rate tended to be lower in lean than in obese pigs. All other estimated parameters for the variables were similar in fed obese and lean pigs. In fasted pigs, the maximum glucose concentration was greater in obese than in lean pigs. All other parameters for the variables were similar in fasted obese and lean pigs. The results suggest that there was no major defect in lipid mobilization in these obese pigs (only a lower minimum FFA concentration was detected) and that an increased maximum blood glucose concentration in the fasting state might contribute to the obesity.     

Mucus synthesis in the goblet cells of the small intestine in experimental infection with the coccidium Isospora suis in piglets

The state of mucus synthesis in the goblet cells of the small intestine was studied in conventional piglets infected with a dose of 200,000 oocytes of the coccidium Isospora suis the first and fifth day after parturition. The synthesis of mucus and its chemical characteristics undergo significant changes during the third and fourth day after infection. The activity of acid and neutral mucous substances declines; their level and the physiological synthetic function of goblet cells begin to return to the normal during the period starting on the eight to tenth day after infection. However, there were no fully functioning goblet cells in the broken numerical ratio even at the end of the period of investigation, i.e. the 13th day after infection. The thin surface layer of mucus remained almost unchanged within the whole extent of the small intestine parts studied.     

Toxicity of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae to porcine lung macrophages

Viable Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae bacteria were toxic for porcine alveolar macrophages in vitro. This cytotoxic effect proved to be dose-related. A cell-free extract of H. pleuropneumoniae, heat-killed bacteria, and a Pasteurella multocida field strain were nontoxic. When macrophages were cultured with H. pleuropneumoniae bacteria in a ratio of 100 macrophages to six bacteria, ultrastructural signs of cellular degeneration were observed within 1 h. This degeneration was observed in macrophages with or without phagosomes containing H. pleuropneumoniae. A cytotoxic substance was filtered from a H. pleuropneumoniae culture in Eagle's minimal essential medium supplemented with Earle's salts (EMEM) and 10% foetal calf serum that was incubated for 10 h at 37 degrees C. This substance was destroyed by heating at 65 degrees C for 30 min. Macrophages were less susceptible to the toxic effect of H. pleuropneumoniae when serum of convalescent pigs was added.     

P‐33 Poxvirus infection in two cats

A 3‐year‐old Burmese cat was presented with a history of nonresolving crusted and papular lesions of the face and prior treatment with prednisolone. Skin biopsies revealed typical pox lesions with hyperplasia and ulceration of the epidermis and eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the epidermal cells. In the upper dermis there was prominent diffuse mast cell infiltration and mild neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation. Rare cytoplasmic inclusion bodies were also present in swollen endothelial cells of dermal venules, which showed no other degenerative changes. Histological diagnosis was confirmed by electron microscopic evidence of pox virus particles in inclusion bodies of epidermal cells. The lesions resolved within 6 weeks with systemic antibiotic therapy and supportive care. A 2‐year‐old domestic short‐haired cat was presented with multiple disseminated papular and ulcerative pox lesions with central eschar over the entire body. Histologically, large epidermal inclusion bodies (up to 6 μm in diameter) were present. Widespread haemorrhage and vascular wall necrosis was visible in the dermis and subcutis. Some subcutaneous vessels showed neutrophilic vasculitis. In addition to diffuse dermal neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation, a lymphohistiocytic panniculitis was also present. The cat died as a result of massive haemorrhage and lymphedema, despite supportive care. Funding: Self‐funded.     

Septicaemic Escherichia coli and experimental infection of calves

Three strains of Escherichia coli with a common surface antigen, 31a, capable of adhering to calf enterocytes in vitro were compared to reference strains of septicaemic E. coli (RVC 330 and vir E. coli). The surface antigen 31a was present in the RVC 330 reference strain. E. coli vir had a surface antigen which was not present in E. coli 31a or E. coli RVC 330. The RVC 330 and vir reference strains also adhered to calf enterocytes in vitro. Oral infection of calves not receiving colostrum with E. coli 31a was generally followed by septicaemia and death in less than 48 h. Post-mortem examination revealed pneumonia and oedema of the kidneys and gall bladder. Oral infection of calves receiving colostrum had no effect, but intravenous inoculation produced arthritis within 15 days. The comparison of these results with those previously described by other workers did not lead to the identification of pathognomonic characteristics, which could be clearly correlated with properties specific to E. coli 31a. It is suggested that, like ColV and vir, antigen 31a may be a virulence marker for certain strains of bovine septicaemic E. coli. Furthermore, the 31a antigen appears to be carried on a plasmid.