Renal tubular-cell neoplasms in black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes)--38 cases

Thirty-eight cases of renal tubular cell neoplasms were diagnosed in 184 captive, adult (>1-year-old), black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) examined from 1985 to 1996. This prevalence (20.7%) is one of the highest reported for this neoplasm in a population of animals. These tumors rarely metastasized (1/38), and usually were incidental postmortem findings, associated clinical disease being present in only 3 (8%) of the 38 cases. The prevalence of renal tubular cell neoplasms found at postmortem examination increased linearly with age, up to 67% in ferrets >8 years old. Both males (prevalence = 19%) and females (prevalence = 24%) were affected. Multiple renal tumors were common, and seven ferrets (18.4% of affected animals) had bilateral tumors. The cause of this neoplastic syndrome could not be determined. Since most of the animals affected by this condition were in their postreproductive years of life, the impact of this neoplastic syndrome on the captive propagation of this species is negligible.     

Detection of chlamydiae in boar semen and genital tracts

Chlamydiae cause abortion and reproductive disorders in sows. Although organisms can infect the male genital tract, little is known about the disease situation in boars. Hence, we examined the prevalence of chlamydial infection in semen and genital tracts of boars. Samples collected from Swiss boars (group A: n=42), and boars from Germany (group B: n=39) were examined by bacteriology, LPS-ELISA, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The latter methodology involved use of three PCR assays including 16Sig rDNA, IGS-S (intergenic spacer 16S/23S-Short) and IGS-L (intergenic spacer 16S/23S-Long) PCR for comparison methods. PCR sensitivity and the presence of potential PCR inhibitors were determined by spiking semen with Chlamydophila (Cp.) abortus DNA. Detection limits of the 16Sig and IGS-S PCR were 10 templates, while the IGS-L PCR was less sensitive (100 templates). Of 25 semen samples that were collected from group A, one semen sample was positive for Cp. psittaci and two were positive for Chlamydia-like organisms by 16Sig PCR. Screening of sera from Swiss boars revealed three animals with positive reactions in the LPS-ELISA, although we failed to detect chlamydiae within organs of these or sera-negative animals by IHC or IGS-S PCR. In group B, 10 ejaculates were positive for Chlamydia (C.) suis and two were positive for Chlamydia-like organisms by 16S PCR. The identification of DNA from Chlamydia-like organisms in semen from both groups of boars was surprising and a role for these bacteria in reproductive diseases requires further assessment. In conclusion, the prevalence of chlamydial infection was low in group A animals indicating that venereal transmission may not be significant for Chlamydia-associated reproductive diseases in pigs, although rare cases may occur.     

Residues of fluoroquinolone drugs in the cloacal gland and other tissues of Japanese quail

1. In this study we investigated the residues of fluoroquinolone drugs (ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin) in the cloacal gland (a site of foam synthesis) and other tissues such as breast muscle, testes, brain, kidney and plasma. 2. Fifty-four healthy male Japanese quail were selected at random from a flock, maintained under uniform husbandry conditions and divided into three groups, each of 18 birds. Group I (control) received 1 ml vehicle (normal saline 0.9% (w/v) NaCl) daily for 12 d through the intraperitoneal route. Birds of groups II and III received ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin by the same route at the rate of 10 and 12 mg/kg body weight, respectively, every day for a similar period. 3. Birds from each group were killed, at 1, 5 and 10 d after the cessation of treatment, to collect the cloacal gland together with other tissues that were analysed for residual drugs. 4. Cloacal gland retained the maximum drug residues of ciprofloxacin (60%) and pefloxacin (80%) on d 10 compared with that on d 1 after drug withdrawal. The drug residues were found 60 and 80% in ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin groups, respectively, in the cloacal gland tissue even on d 10 after withdrawal of the treatment. 5. In the ciprofloxacin-treated group, all tissues except cloacal gland contained very small amounts of the drug residues on d 10 after treatment ended. In the pefloxacin group the cloacal gland, breast muscle and kidney retained a fairly high amount of drug even on d 10 after treatment ceased. No residues of pefloxacin were detectable in testes and brain throughout. 6. In conclusion, the cloacal gland in Japanese quail acted as the largest sink for the fluoroquinolone drugs. Ciprofloxacin was more widely distributed in different tissues and persisted for a shorter period than pefloxacin.     

Concentration of conjugated linoleic acid in grazing sheep and goat milk fat

The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content of grazing sheep and goat milk fat, throughout their lactation period, was examined. Six sheep and six goat representative farms were selected at random and milk samples were taken at monthly intervals for fatty acids profile determination. Sheep and goat nutrition was based on natural grazing and on supplementary feeding during the winter months. From April onwards, grazing native pastures was the only source of feed for sheep and goats. The University farm whose sheep are kept indoors all year round without any grazing, was also used as reference. Fifteen individual milk samples were also taken in April from a sheep and goat farm respectively, in order to see the variability of CLA inside the farm. The results showed that: a. the CLA content of grazing sheep and goat milk fat increased significantly in April–May (early growth stage of grass) and then declined while that of indoors kept sheep was more or less constant during the same period, b. the isomers cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 of CLA were found in grazing sheep milk fat, while in indoors kept sheep and goats' milk fat only the cis-9, trans-11 isomer was found, c. the CLA content of sheep milk fat was much higher than that of goats, d. a negative correlation between sheep milk fat and CLA content was found and e. there was considerable variation in milk fat CLA content between sheep and goat farms and inside the farms.     

Leg health and performance of broiler chickens reared in different light environments

1. The effects of light source and intensity on leg health and performance of female ROSS 308 broiler chickens were investigated in a 2 x 2 experimental design (8 groups of 275 chicks) of two light sources (Osram biolux and Osram warm-white) and two light intensities (5 and 100 clux, adjusted to fowl-perceived illuminance). 2. At 41 d of age, body weight, gait-score, footpad dermatitis and hock-burn were measured on 50 birds from each light environment. In addition, weekly feed intake and body weight were determined on a group basis and mortality was recorded continuously. 3. The light environment did not affect the severity of the gait-score or hock-burns. The risk of moderate to severe lameness and hock-burns increased with body weight. Birds weighing more than 2400 g had an increased probability of moderate footpad lesions in biolux light. 4. Weight and gait-score, as well as gait-score and hock-burn were positively correlated. Podo-dermatitis was weakly correlated with hock-burn, which contradicts earlier findings. The light environment did not affect feed intake, body weight or mortality. 5. The light sources and intensities employed in this study did not adversely affect production or leg health of broiler chickens reared semi-commercially.     

Epidemiology of flea infestation of ruminants in Libya

The results of an epidemiological and clinical study of flea infestations of farm animals in northern Libya is reported. Of 12,130 sheep examined from 124 flocks, 150 sheep were found to be infested with fleas from 50 different flocks. Likewise 23 goats from 2981 examined, and 11 calves from 1124 cattle examined were infested No fleas were recovered from camels or horses. Of 1861 fleas recovered from farm livestock, 1857 were Ctenocephalides felis strongylus and 4 were Pulex irritans. Dogs from farms and local clinics were also examined. Eight farms dogs were found to be infested with P. irritans. Of 79 infested dogs examined in veterinary clinics, 53 were found infested with P. irritans, 11 with Ctenocephalides felis felis, 12 had a mixed infestation of P. irritans and C. felis felis. Single dogs had mixed infestation of P. irritans and C. canis; C. felis felis and C. canis; and P. irritans, C. felis felis and Echidnophaga gallinacia. C. felis felis was also found on 15 infested cats. C. felis felis was never found on large farm animals despite frequently sharing their environment with dogs or cats. Likewise C. felis stongylus was never isolated from dogs or cats. This is consistent with the hypothesis that C. felis strongylus has become adapted to large farm animals, whilst C. felis felis is better adapted to dogs and cats. However, four stockmen were found infested with a total of 176 C. felis strongylus, which suggests that this subspecies is also a potential zoonosis. A significantly higher proportion of intensive farms had animals with flea infestation compared to semi-intensive farms. Fleas were not found in nomadic herds. Infested farm animals often presented with excoriation, alopecia, pruritis and hyperkeratitis particularly on the lower limbs. These signs are consistent with the generation of flea-bite hypersensitivity.     

Thymic granulomatous lesions in pigs

Rare cases of thymic granulomatous lesions were found in pigs. The lesions consisted of epithelioid cells, multinucleated giant cells, and lymphocytes. Such lesions also were observed in the mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, kidney, and stomach. The cytoplasm of the majority of giant cells and some epithlioid cells was periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive. All cells were positive for vimentin, lysozyme, and desmin. Ultrastructurally, the giant cells were rich in organella and attached to adjacent epithelioid cells by membrane interdigitation. The cells included numerous coated vesicles and granules. No etiologic pathogen, including porcine circovirus type 2, was detected in the lesions. This is the rare case of idiopathic thymic granulomatous lesion in pigs.     

Papillomavirus-associated basosquamous carcinoma in an Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus).

A 5-yr-old female Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) had a small raised pigmented mass removed from the lateral canthus of the left eye. Six additional variably sized, raised, smooth to cauliflower-like skin masses were observed randomly distributed throughout the left wing membranes. Four masses were removed and diagnosed microscopically as basosquamous carcinomas and papillomas. Additional masses, removed 6 mo and 1 yr later, showed bony invasion and squamous differentiation. Immunohistochemistry detected positive intranuclear staining for bovine papillomavirus antibody in all samples. Polymerase chain reaction done on DNA extracts from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue amplified a 450 base-pair segment analogous to the L1 region of human papillomavirus types 96 and 5. Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis of sequenced amplicons suggests a novel chiropteran papillomavirus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of papillomavirus-associated carcinoma in a chiropteran species.     

Factors influencing the incidence and scale of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in southwest England

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) in cattle is a major economic problem in Britain. In the past 25 years, the infection has been concentrated in the southwest region of England. We investigated the effects of agricultural and farm-management characteristics on the occurrence and scale of TB in cattle in the region (1988-1996) using logistic and linear regression. Factors relating to the existence of previous infection in cattle and the management of cattle and badgers are all linked to the incidence of the infection--but those related specifically to the management of cattle are of overriding importance in determining the scale of the problem. Although our analysis was conducted at a large spatial scale, the results suggest that improvements to the procedure for testing and managing TB in cattle, reductions in cattle stocking density, a greater human input in herd management and more-carefully targeted badger culling all might contribute to reducing the incidence and/or number of herd breakdowns.