A novel herpesvirus associated with chronic superficial keratitis and proliferative conjunctivitis in a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)

An adult great‐horned owl (Bubo virginianus; GHOW) presented with a history of recurrent corneal ulceration of the right eye (OD). Findings included ulcerative superficial keratitis, proliferative conjunctivitis, and iris pigmentary changes. The ulcer was initially nonresponsive to medical therapy, but showed rapid and appropriate healing following diamond burr debridement. Proliferative conjunctivitis markedly improved following topical antiviral therapy with cidofovir 1%, interferon alpha 2B ophthalmic solutions, and oral l ‐lysine. Histopathologic evaluation of a conjunctival biopsy revealed epithelial features suspicious for viral cytopathic changes and intranuclear structures suspicious for viral inclusions, suggestive of a possible viral‐induced papillomatous conjunctivitis. A novel alphaherpesvirus, referred to as Strigid Herpesvirus 1 (StrHV1), was identified using PCR and gene sequencing. This case represents a new clinical manifestation of a previously unreported herpesvirus in the GHOW. Identification of the herpes virus was critical to administration of appropriate therapy and resolution of the conjunctivitis, and corneal epithelial debridement promoted resolution of the chronic corneal epithelial defect.     

Tulathromycin enhances humoral but not cellular immune response in pigs vaccinated against swine influenza

The effect of a standard, single dose therapy with tulathromycin was investigated on the postvaccinal humoral and cellular immune response in pigs vaccinated against swine influenza. Forty‐five pigs, divided into 3 groups, were used (control not vaccinated (C, n = 15), control vaccinated (CV, n = 15), and experimentally received tulathromycin (TUL, n = 15)). For vaccination of pigs, an inactivated, commercial vaccine was used. Pigs from TUL group received single dose of tulathromycin intramuscularly, at the recommended dose (2.5 mg/kg body weight). Pigs from TUL and CV groups were vaccinated at 8 and 10 weeks of age. The specific humoral and cellular immune response against swine influenza virus (SIV) was evaluated. The results of present study showed that humoral postvaccinal response after vaccination against SIV can be modulated by treatment with tulathromycin. In pigs from TUL group, the significantly higher titers of anti‐SIV‐specific antibodies were observed 4 and 6 weeks after booster dose of vaccine. Simultaneously, T‐cell‐mediated immune response against SIV was not affected by tulathromycin. Our recent study confirmed the importance of defining the modulatory activity of tulathromycin because of its influence on the immune response to vaccines. Since the antibodies against hemagglutinin are crucial for the protection against SIV, the present observations should prompt further studies on the practical significance of recent results in terms of clinical implications (postvaccinal protection) in the field conditions.     

Ascorbic acid ameliorates dysregulated folliculogenesis induced by mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in neonatal mouse ovaries via reducing ovarian oxidative stress

Phthalates, including di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), are common industrial chemicals in the environment. Recent evidence indicates that DEHP and its active metabolite mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP) negatively modulate reproductive functions and induce reactive oxygen species. Ascorbic acid (AA) is a dietary requirement for primates, and it acts as a potent free radical scavenger to protect tissues against oxidative stress. In this study, to investigate the toxic effects of MEHP on the follicle development and the beneficial role of AA, neonatal mouse ovaries were treated with different concentrations of MEHP with or without AA for 6 days. Then, the follicle constitution and oxidative status were compared in different groups. Results showed MEHP accelerated primordial follicle recruitment by increasing the percentage of primary and secondary follicles and decreasing the percentage of primordial follicles in the ovaries. Moreover, MEHP-induced ovarian oxidative stress by significantly increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and the expression of GSS and SOD1. When ovaries were co-administrated with MEHP and AA, follicle constitution was normalized, and the oxidative status was significantly decreased. These results suggested that AA ameliorated MEHP-induced ovarian oxidative stress and follicular dysregulation, which attested the clinical significance of AA for ovary protection in the case of MEHP exposure.     

山羊多头蚴及其异位寄生病例的诊治

多头蚴病俗称脑包虫病,是带科多头属多头绦虫的幼虫寄生于牛、羊脑或脊髓内发生的疾病。多头蚴的成虫寄生于狗、狼等肉食动物的小肠内,孕卵节片随粪便排出体外,从孕卵节片内释放出大量虫卵,污染饲草、饲料或饮水,牛、羊等中间宿主吞食后,六钩蚴钻人肠黏膜的毛细血管,随着血液循环带到脑和脊髓等易寄生部位,以脑部寄生为多。     

ELISA对动物舍气载魏氏梭菌型别的研究

采用ELISA方法对从一个犊牛舍空气中分离到的魏氏梭菌进行型别的鉴定。结果显示：88％的菌种属于A型，3.4％为C型，8.6％是D型，B型未能确认。     

Effect of adrenalectomy on cholecystokinin-8-induced Fos-like immunoreactivity in myenteric neurons and the dorsal vagal complex in rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of adrenalectomy on cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8)-induced Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) in the myenteric neurons of the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) in rats. ANIMALS: 16 male Sprague Dawley rats. PROCEDURES: Rats were allocated to 1 of 2 groups and underwent adrenalectomy or a sham adrenalectomy procedure. Rats were challenged with a supraphysiologic dose of CCK-8 (40 microg/kg) or physiologic saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.5 mL) administered IP; after 90 minutes, rats were euthanized, and Fos-LI was quantified in the DVC (at the levels of the area postrema, nucleus tractus solitarii, and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus) and the myenteric neurons of the duodenum and jejunum by use of a diaminobenzidine reaction enhanced with nickel. The Fos-LI-positive cells were counted by use of an automated system and manually in the DVC and intestinal samples, respectively. Counts of Fos-LI in the different hindbrain levels and myenteric neurons were compared between the adrenalectomy--and shamtreated groups and between the CCK-8- and saline solution-treated groups. RESULTS: After adrenalectomy, CCK-8-induced Fos-LI was attenuated only in the myenteric neurons of the duodenum. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that the adrenal gland has a role in the activation of myenteric neurons by CCK-8 in rats.     

Effects of supplemental vitamin E during the mature period on the reproduction performance of Taiwan Native Chicken cockerels

One-day-old Taiwan native male chicks were fed with maize-soybean rearing diets without supplemental vitamin E to 23 weeks of age. From 23 to 52 weeks of age, the cockerels (n = 90) were assigned at random to 5 dietary treatments and fed with maize-soybean diets supplemented with 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg of vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate). Pullets (225) of the same age were fed with standard diets throughout. They were artificially inseminated with one dose of 0.04 ml/bird intact and 5-fold diluted pooled semen at 31 to 43 weeks of age and at 49 weeks of age, respectively. The criteria evaluated included: semen quality, fertility and maximum and effective duration of fertility, blood characteristics, body and testes weight. Supplemental vitamin E did not affect cockerels' effective duration of fertility and percentage of fertility. However, when pullets were inseminated with diluted semen, supplementing 160 mg/kg vitamin E increased the maximum duration of fertility at 49 weeks of age. Cockerels receiving 40 to 160mg/kg supplements had higher sperm viability and motility after 39 weeks of age and those fed 80 mg/kg had higher sperm concentration at 39 weeks of age. Cockerels receiving supplements of more than 40 mg/kg vitamin E had higher body weight gain. Plasma cholesterol and testosterone were not affected by supplemental vitamin E. However, plasma luteinising hormone (LH) concentration was lower in cockerels fed 160 mg/kg. Lack of supplemental vitamin E over 39 weeks was associated with lower semen quality but did not reduce the proportion of fertile eggs laid by inseminated hens, perhaps because the insemination dose compensated for low sperm quality. We found that the maximum duration of fertility might be improved by supplementing 160 mg/kg vitamin E at 49 weeks of age.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS—PYLOROGASTRIC INTUSSUSCEPTION IN A DOG

A 7-year-old female Maltese presented for evaluation of severe vomiting. A diagnosis of pylorogastric intussusception was made during ultrasonographic examination. The intussusception spontaneously underwent reduction by the following morning.     

SHORT COMMUNICATION: Normal aerobic bacterial conjunctival flora in the Crab‐eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) and Coati (Nasua nasua) housed in captivity in pernambuco and paraiba (Northeast,Brazil)

Objective To determine the normal aerobic bacterial conjunctival population of the Coatis and the Crab‐eating raccoons housed in captivity in the Pernambuco and Paraiba states of Brazil. Animals studied Ten healthy Coatis and 10 healthy Crab‐eating raccoons were selected for this study. Animals are from three zoos situated at the Pernambuco and Paraiba States in the north‐east of Brazil. Procedures After ophthalmologic examination, swabs from healthy animals were carefully collected in order to avoid contamination. Samples were identified and submitted to the laboratory. Swabs were plated for culture on ovine blood agar (8%) and agar Levine and incubated at 37 °C and observed 24 and 48 h. Results Staphylococcus spp. was the most common microorganism isolated from conjunctival sac. Shigella spp. comprised the Gram‐negative genera isolated. Escherichia coli were isolated from the right eye of one Coati that had no growth at contralateral eye. Nine eyes from coatis and 10 from Crab‐eating raccoons had no microorganisms isolated. Conclusion Our results were in accordance with previous studies indicating Staphylococcus sp., followed by Corynebacterium spp. as the most common inhabitant of the eyes of most mammalian species.