The limitations of a feed/water based heat-stable vaccine delivery system forNnewcastle disease-control strategies for backyard poultry flocks in sub-Saharan Africa

Backyard poultry are a major contributor to egg and meat consumption in sub-Saharan Africa and an important source of income for many rural producers. Production throughout Africa is severely constrained by continuing outbreaks of Newcastle disease. The livestock-service sector lacks the resources and infrastructure to control Newcastle disease in extensive flocks without the active participation of producers. The development of 'heat-stable' Newcastle disease vaccines offers a potential solution. Trials over the last two decades have examined the effectiveness of heat-stable vaccines in both controlling Newcastle disease and in involving the rural community in control strategies. Constraints highlighted include the reliability of the vaccines using alternative delivery methods and the capacity of rural communities to apply those methods. The search for appropriate Newcastle disease-control strategies in extensive poultry systems should focus on policies and methodologies that incorporate the wider concerns and priorities of extensive producers.     

Regulation of atrial fibrillation in horses with oral quinidine sulfate. Discussion of the disease picture in a typical case

Atrial fibrillation is a disorder of cardiac rhythmicity, and its importance in the horse depends on the underlying cause and the function of the horse. Before the decision is taken to start treatment, it has first to be ascertained whether treatment is worthwhile and whether the horse is an appropriate candidate for treatment. This article gives a short overview of current opinion on the cause and treatment of atrial fibrillation in the horse. The most used treatment at the moment, oral chinidine sulphate, is discussed. The hemodynamic consequences of atrial fibrillation and the response of a patient to treatment with chinidine sulphate are also discussed.     

Intravenous administration of levothyroxine for treatment of suspected myxedema coma complicated by severe hypothermia in a dog

A 7-year-old male English Coonhound with suspected myxedema coma complicated by severe hypothermia and metabolic abnormalities was treated with a combination of active external and core rewarming techniques, i.v. and oral administration of levothyroxine, supplemental oxygen, and administration of fluids (0.9% NaCl solution). Myxedema coma develops as a consequence of severe hypothyroidism and is characterized by a hypometabolic, stuporous state. Myxedema coma is associated with a high mortality rate, and most reported cases have involved Doberman Pinschers. Intravenous administration of levothyroxine can be used successfully in combination with oral administration to restore normal metabolic function and assist in warming and thermoregulation, although dosages should be conservative to avoid adverse cardiovascular effects.     

Effects of Supplementing a Basal Diet of Chloris gayana Hay with One of Three Protein-rich Legume Hays of Cassia rotundifolia,Lablab purpureus and Macroptilium atropurpureum Forage on Some Nutritional Parameters in Goats

Growth and digestibility experiments were conducted on growing East African type goats offered Chloris gayana hay supplemented with one of three high-protein (119–128 g CP/kg DM) legume hays, Cassia rotundifolia (cassia), Lablab purpureus (lablab) or Macroptilium atropurpureum (siratro), and crushed maize to investigate the feed intake, digestibility, growth and urinary excretion of purine derivatives. Goats in the supplemented groups had higher total dry matter and nitrogen intakes and higher N retention and body mass gains than unsupplemented counterparts. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fibre were increased by protein supplementation. Animals on supplemented diets had higher fractional outflow rates of particulate matter from the rumen. The production of protein by ruminal microbes and the efficiency of microbial N production were increased by supplementation. It was concluded that a mixture of low-quality grass hay (61.9 CP/kg DM) and either cassia, lablab or siratro hay, and maize grain can provide a productive balanced diet for growing goats.     

Detection of an Ehrlichia bovis-like Organism in Cultured Buffalo Monocytes

Monocytes from a buffalo were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium following separation of plasma by the erythrocyte sedimentation technique and subsequent separation of mononuclear cells by density gradient centrifugation. Growth of an organism considered to be Ehrlichia bovis was noticed in the cultured monocytes after 10 days. The inclusions were considered to be those of E. bovis from their morphology, staining characteristics and growth characteristics in culture, and by indirect immunofluorescence examination with an anti-E. canis serum. The utility of peripheral blood monocyte cultures opens the possibility of diagnosing the carrier status of ehrlichiosis in animals.     

Theileriosis in a Missouri beef herd caused by Theileria buffeli: case report, herd investigation, ultrastructure, phylogenetic analysis, and experimental transmission

A 6-year-old Simmental cow infected with Theileria buffeli had a clinical disease characterized by theilerial parasitemia, macrocytic normochromic anemia with acanthocytosis and spherocytosis, lymphoid hyperplasia (lymphocytosis, edematous lymphadenomegaly), dysproteinemia, evidence of liver disease, and a low serum antibody titer against T. buffeli. The cow was in a herd in which all cattle originated in Missouri; 22/75 (29%) of cattle had a theilerial parasitemia and 26/75 (35%) had titers to T. buffeli of > or =1:160. Classification of the Missouri bovine organism as T. buffeli was based on DNA sequencing and comparison to sequences for T. buffeli and Theileria sp. type A obtained from GenBank. Intraerythrocytic veils and piroplasms were seen during transmission electron microscopy. The organism was successfully transmitted to two splenectomized calves, which developed mild anemias while parasitemic. Blood from the second calf was used as the source of T. buffeli antigen for an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. Theilerial isolates from a Missouri white-tailed deer were also sequenced and resembled Theileria sp. types F and G and were not consistent with the bovine organism.     

Comparison Between a γ-IFN Assay and Intradermal Tuberculin Test for the Diagnosis of Bovine Tuberculosis in Field Trials in Brazil

Bovine tuberculosis is a major problem in Brazil. The intradermal tuberculin test is the standard test for detection of bovine tuberculosis in Brazil but can lack both sensitivity and specificity. The purpose of this study was to compare a bovine γ-IFN assay with the tuberculin test under field conditions in Brazil. A total of 1632 animals from 13 dairy farms were tested using the single cervical tuberculin test (SCTT). Among those animals, about 15% of each herd, 220 in total, represented a high-risk group and were selected to be tested using the γ-IFN test. Of the 1632 animals tested, 207 presented significant reactions representing 12.7% of the cattle studied. In the selected group the number of animals positive by the γ-IFN assay was 126/220 (57.3%) and the total number of reactive cows on SCTT was 106/220 (48.2%). The real number of infected cattle, following standards, was 120/220 (54.5%). From these results the relative sensitivity rate of γ-IFN test was 100% including the false-positive results and 88.3% for the SCTT — a significant (P < 0.01) difference in favour of the γ-IFN test of 11.7%. The γ-IFN assay also identified some positive animals 60–120 days earlier than the SCTT. In conclusion, we believe that the γ-IFN assay can be used alone or in combination with the SCTT, as a valuable tool for the control of bovine tuberculosis in the Brazilian national herd.     

Evaluation of a high-throughput nucleic acid extraction method for the detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in bovine fecal samples by PCR

Johne’s disease (paratuberculosis) is an economically important disease of cattle worldwide. The disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), a fastidious gram-positive bacterium. PCR is increasingly used in diagnostic laboratories for the detection of MAP in fecal samples given the rapid test turnaround time and sensitivity and specificity comparable to fecal culture. However, efficient extraction of DNA for sensitive detection of MAP by PCR is affected by the complex lipid-rich cell wall of MAP and the presence of PCR inhibitors in feces. We evaluated a high-throughput nucleic acid extraction method (MagMAX core nucleic acid purification kit with mechanical lysis module) in conjunction with an hspX gene PCR for the detection of MAP from bovine fecal samples, which resulted in correct identification of all negative (13 of 13) and positive (35 of 35) proficiency test samples obtained from the National Veterinary Services Laboratories. In addition, all 6 negative and 50 of 51 positive diagnostic specimens tested were categorized correctly.