The use of biotin-labeled cDNA probes for the detection of infectious bursal disease viruses

A cDNA library was prepared from the double-stranded RNA genome of the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) strain ST-C. The cDNA molecules were annealed into the plasmid pUC9 and used to transform Escherichia coli strain JM107. A cDNA clone that contained IBDV-specific nucleotide sequences was selected and designated STC-1. Radiolabeled probes were prepared from STC-1 and hybridized to genome segment A of ST-C in a northern blot hybridization assay. The STC-1 cDNA was 448 base pairs in length, and its nucleotide sequence indicated that it is located near the VP-2/VP-4 junction in IBDV genome segment A. Biotin-labeled probes were prepared from STC-1 and used in a dot-blot hybridization assay to detect IBDV. Under relatively low stringency conditions of hybridization, the biotinylated probes detected four subtypes of IBDV serotype 1 and a serotype 2 IBDV isolate.     

Surgical treatment of a mural teat abscess in a cow

A 6-year-old multiparous Holstein cow was admitted for evaluation of progressive milk flow obstruction of one quarter of the udder. Physical examination findings suggested the presence of a mural teat abscess. Ultrasonography substantiated the physical examination findings and delineated the extent of the lesion. Surgical excision of the abscess en bloc yielded satisfactory functional and cosmetic results.     

AGE AND DIET EFFECTS ON RELATIVE RENAL ECHOGENICITY IN GERIATRIC BITCHES

Under controlled, but varied dietary conditions 35 geriatric, uninephrectomized, spayed Beagle bitches (dogs) observed for 4 years, renal cortical and renal medullary echogenicity was measured relative to hepatic and splenic echogenicity. Regardless of the diet fed, 60-75% of these aged dogs had renal cortical echogenicity less than that of either the liver or spleen across time; 25-35% of these dogs had renal cortical echogenicity equal to that of the liver, but less than that of the spleen across time. Less than 3% of these dogs had renal cortical echogenicity greater than that of the liver, but less than that of the spleen. Only 1 (one) of these dogs had renal cortical echogenicity equal to that of the spleen and that occurred at only one of the 14 chronologic assessments. Therefore, in either mature or aged dogs imaged with 4.0 to 5.0 MHz equipment, the renal cortical echogenicity should be considered normal if it is less than or equal to that of the liver and less than that of the spleen. In 29 dogs imaged with the 4.0/5.0 MHz equipment and 6 dogs imaged with 7.5 MHz equipment, there was no significant diet or individual dog effect. The 7.5 MHz (6 dog) group had significantly higher average cortical echogenicity scores than the 4.0/5.0 MHz (29 dog) group. However, the occurrence of renal cortical echogenicity greater than liver echogenicity was seen in only 5 of 83 samples (approximately 6.0%) made on 6 dogs imaged with 7.5 MHz equipment and only 1 of 375 samples (approximately 0.27%) made on 29 dogs with 4.0/5.0 MHz equipment. With the exception of one occurrence, all dogs had renal medullary echogenicity less than that of the liver or spleen regardless of imaging equipment frequency. The renal medulla was always hypoechoic compared to the cortex.     

Microsatellite variation between an African and five European taurine breeds results in a geographical phylogenetic tree with a bison outgroup

Genetic variation is being used extensively for individual identification and linkage analysis, and may be useful for interpopulation studies. Previously, blood groups and biochemical variants in blood cell and serum proteins have been used to study (evolutionary) relationships in mammals. But genetic divergence and gene flow among closely related populations are difficult to measure with these classical markers because their mutation rate is so low that new mutations have not had sufficient time to appear and become fixed. So they have a small number of alleles and a relatively low level of heterozygosity. These markers are now replaced by DNA markers, mostly microsatellites. These microsatellite loci are useful genetic markers at which alleles differ in length due to differences in the number of short sequence motifs arranged adjacent to one another. They are abundantly distributed throughout the mammalian genome. They have a large number of alleles, a high level of heterozygosity and are inherited in true Mendelian fashion. These characteristics make them valuable for parentage control, linkage analysis, genome mapping and phylogenetic studies. In terrestrial vertebrates with limited mobility, genetic differentiation often increases with the distance between populations or corresponds to the extent of geographic and habitat barriers (R oy et al. 1994). Investigations of short tandem repeats yield a considerable volume of genetic data regarding the similarities and divergence times of different cattle populations. Microsatellite markers are suitable for the estimation of these parameters as they are not generally subject to direct selection and environmental influences. Computation of genetic distances based on data from several loci can be used to evaluate the taxonomic relationship between populations. The aim of this study was to estimate the relative genetic variability between Belgian cattle breeds and to reconstruct the evolutionary relationship among them, also using two small genetically isolated cattle-like populations.     

Feather folliculoma in a captive-bred barn owl (Tyto alba).

Proliferative cutaneous lesions are frequently encountered in examination of avian species. Tumors of the skin have been reported in many bird species, although comparatively less is known about the incidence of integumentary neoplasia in nondomesticated species than in production or companion species. An adult male, 9-yr-old, captive-bred barn owl (Tyto alba) was presented for examination of a proliferative skin mass of several months' duration on the left wing. An excisional biopsy was performed, and the owl recovered uneventfully. Light microscopic examination of tissue sections of the mass revealed a focal, unencapsulated, well-demarcated, multiloculated mass that consisted of variably sized cystic spaces lined by stratified squamous epithelium and containing concentric laminations of keratin and foci of feather differentiation. A histopathologic diagnosis of feather folliculoma was made. This neoplasm has not previously been described in owls. Its incidence and documentation are significant in that this neoplasm should be considered as a differential diagnosis of proliferative skin lesions in this raptorial species.     

Production of a falcon herpesvirus vaccine.

Ten common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) were used for this falcon herpes vaccine experiment. Four kestrels were subcutaneously given 1 ml of an attenuated falcon herpesvirus that had originally been isolated from the liver of an American prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus). This virus was then passaged 100 times on chicken embryo fibroblast cells (CEF-cells). Another 4 kestrels were given subcutaneously an inactivated falcon herpesvirus vaccine derived from the same American field strain. This vaccine was concentrated, inactivated by heat and betapropiolactone and emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvans. Two further kestrels served as controls and were not vaccinated. Twenty-one days after vaccination, all 10 kestrels were challenged with passage 3 of the American falcon herpesvirus. The 2 control kestrels died 6 days after challenge and 3 of those given the inactivated herpes vaccine died 9 days after challenge, with typical lesions of herpesvirus inclusion body hepatitis. Before the vaccination experiment, all 10 kestrels were free of serum neutralising antibodies to the falcon herpesvirus. Twenty-one days after vaccination, all 4 kestrels vaccinated with the attenuated vaccine, and one vaccinated with the killed vaccine, had seroconverted, having shown no symptoms to the challenge with a low passage virulent American herpesvirus strain. Following the challenge their antibody titres to falcon herpesvirus increased. No herpesvirus was isolated from any of the cloacal swabs taken during this experiment, indicating that there is no danger for any other birds from the attenuated herpesvirus vaccine. This experiment clearly shows that an attenuated falcon herpesvirus vaccine can protect kestrels from fatal inclusion body hepatitis.     

Attaching and effacing lesions in the large intestine of an eight-month-old heifer associated with Escherichia coli O26 infection in a group of animals with dysentery

Escherichia coli O26:K60, with genetic attributes consistent with a potentially human enterohaemorrhagic E. coli was isolated from the faeces of an eight-month-old heifer with dysentery. Attaching and effacing lesions were identified in the colon of a similarly affected heifer examined postmortem, and shown to be associated with E. coli O26 by specific immunolabelling.     

Extensive umbilical herniation of the large colon in a foal

A 5‐month‐old Warmblood cross colt was presented with focal swelling of the ventral abdomen extending from the umbilicus to the scrotum in the absence of colic signs. Palpation and ultrasound examination revealed the presence of incarcerated large intestine within the subcutaneous space adjacent to the caudal ventral abdomen and prepuce. Surgery was performed and revealed that the umbilical hernia sac had ruptured, and confirmed that the left dorsal and ventral colon were present in the subcutaneous space. The mild degree of vascular compromise of the large colon did not necessitate resection and so it was replaced within the abdomen. The abdominal wall defect was closed and the subcutaneous dead space was reduced by using a walking suture pattern. Herniation of the large colon through the umbilicus with dissection through the subcutaneous tissues of the ventral abdominal wall and prepuce has not been previously reported in foals. Ultrasonography permits differentiation of herniated small intestine from large intestine.