Myeloperoxidase concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from healthy horses and those with recurrent airway obstruction

The aim of this work was to measure the myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid collected from horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), both in crisis and in remission, as well as from healthy horses. Seven horses with RAO were exposed to moldy hay until the maximum change in pleural pressure was greater than 1.5 kPa. At that point, BAL was performed, and the total cell counts and percentages in the fluid were immediately determined. To measure the MPO concentration in BAL-fluid supernatant, we used a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with polyclonal antibodies against equine MPO. The tests were repeated on the horses with RAO after they had spent 2 mo on pasture. Six healthy horses serving as controls underwent the same tests. The absolute and relative neutrophil counts and the MPO concentration in the BAL fluid were significantly greater in the horses with an RAO crisis than in the control horses. After 2 mo on pasture, the horses that had been in RAO crisis were clinically normal, and their neutrophil counts and MPO levels in BAL fluid had significantly decreased; during remission their neutrophil counts were not significantly different from those in the healthy horses, but their MPO concentration remained significantly higher. This study showed that determining the MPO concentration in a horse's BAL fluid is technically possible and that during remission from RAO the concentration remains higher than normal. Thus, MPO may be a marker of neutrophil presence and activation in the lower airways.     

Effects of Microbial Phytase Supplementation and Dosage on Apparent Digestibility Coefficients of Nutrients and Dry Matter in Soybean Product-Based Diets for Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of microbial phytase (Ronozyme P(L) and dosage on apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, amino acids, and minerals in soybean product-based diets for rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. In experiments 1 and 2, fish were fed soy protein concentrate and soybean meal-based semi-purified diets, respectively. In experiment 3, fish were fed soybean meal-based practical diets. A total of 900 fish (average body weight 100.1 ± 7.4 g) were stocked into 30 150-L fiberglass tanks with 30 fish per tank and two tanks per diet. Phytase was supplemented into soybean product-based diets at 0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 FTU/kg diet. Yttrium oxide (0.01%) was used as inert marker. Feces were collected by hand stripping three times at 3-d intervals. Results of experiments 1 and 2 showed that phytase supplementation significantly increased apparent digestibility coefficients of minerals (except copper and iron), but not dry matter. Experiment 3 showed that phytase supplementation significantly increased apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, amino acids (except tryptophan and tyrosine), and minerals (except copper and iron). The optimum level of phytase supplementation in rainbow trout diets was approximately 500 FTU/kg diet.     

Association of feline leukemia virus with lymphosarcoma and other disorders in the cat.

Two hundred fifty Boston cats with disorders such as lymphosarcoma, myeloproliferative disease, anemia, glomerulonephritis, pregnancy abnormalities, feline infectious peritonitis, toxoplasmosis, and various bacterial infections were examined for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) by immunofluorescence. Antibody titers against feline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen (FOCMA) were tested in 133 of these cats. The tests for FeLV and FOCMA antibody were also conducted among healthy cats not known to have been exposed to FeLV, as well as among healthy cats from households where FeLV was known to be present. Most of the cats with lymphosarcoma and the other aforementioned disorders were infected with FeLV and low FOCMA antibody titers. Healthy cats known to have been exposed to FeLV were often viremic, but those that remained healthy were able to develop high FOCMA antibody titers. Healthy cats without known prior exposure to FeLV were unlikely to be viremic but often had detectable FOCMA antibody titers, indicating that some exposure occurs under natural conditions in the Boston area. The association of FeLV with infections other than lymphosarcoma was assumed to be caused by the immunosuppresive effect of FeLV, thus allowing development of disease.     

Evaluation of a sheep laparoscopic uterine trauma model and repeat laparoscopy for evaluation of adhesion formation and prevention with sodium carboxymethylcellulose

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate topical application of 1% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) for prevention of postoperative adhesions in a laparoscopic model of uterine trauma in sheep. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Fourteen non-pregnant ewes. METHODS: Ewes were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: control (saline solution) or 1% SCMC treatment. By left flank laparoscopy, traumatic forceps were used to create serosal trauma (1.5 x 5 cm) and hemorrhage on the left uterine horn. Either 30 mL saline solution or 30 mL 1% SCMC was applied topically to the traumatized uterine horn. Adhesion formation was evaluated by repeat laparoscopy at days 14 and 21. Sheep were euthanatized on day 28 for necropsy evaluation of adhesions. RESULTS: Five control sheep had adhesions of the uterine horn by day 14, but only 4 had adhesions at day 21, and 2 at day 28. Adhesions did not occur in SCMC-treated sheep. No adhesions occurred elsewhere in the abdomen. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopically created uterine trauma is an effective method for induction of uterine adhesions, and laparoscopy is an excellent method for serial evaluation of adhesion formation. SCMC (1%) was effective at preventing adhesion formation in sheep and no inflammatory response was noted. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: SCMC (1%) should be considered for prevention of adhesions in abdominal surgery in sheep.     

Laparoscopic repair of a small intestinal mesenteric rent in a broodmare

OBJECTIVES : To describe standing laparoscopic repair of mesoduodenal rent inaccessible by ventral median celiotomy. STUDY DESIGN : Clinical case report. SAMPLE POPULATION : A 6-year-old Thoroughbred broodmare with a right displacement of the dorsal colon and small intestinal incarceration in a mesoduodenal rent. METHODS : Two days after correction of a right dorsal displacement of the ascending colon, small intestinal incarceration, and partial closure of mesoduodenal rent, standing left and right flank laparoscopy was used to explore the abdomen to identify the mesoduodenal defect. The mesenteric rent was repaired from right flank portals by approximation with hemostatic clips. RESULTS : Approximation of the mesoduodenal rent was achieved with laparoscopic clips. No further complications or signs of abdominal pain occurred over the following year. CONCLUSIONS : Mesenteric rents in the mesoduodenum can be repaired by laparoscopic techniques in the standing horse. CLINICAL RELEVANCE : Use of laparoscopic techniques in the standing horse should be considered for mesoduodenal rents that are not accessible form a ventral median celiotomy.     

Use of famciclovir for the treatment of endotheliotrophic herpesvirus infections in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus).

Two juvenile Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) presented with an acute onset of facial edema and lethargy. Examination of the oral cavity of each animal revealed cyanosis of the tip and distal margins of the tongue suggestive of endothelial inclusion body disease (EIBD) of elephants. Whole-blood samples were obtained, and polymerase chain reaction tests confirmed the presence of elephant herpesvirus. The animals were administered famciclovir (Famvir, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101, USA), a potent human anti-herpesvirus drug, in the course of their disease, and recovery followed a treatment regime of 3-4 wk. These are the first known cases of elephants surviving EIBD.     

Biological control of Sclerotinia minor using a chitinolytic bacterium and actinomycetes

Isolates of 85 bacteria and 94 streptomycete and 35 nonstreptomycete actinomycetes were obtained from a lettuce-growing field in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates, on colloidal chitin agar, and screened for their ability to produce chitinase. Twenty-three bacteria and 38 streptomycete and 15 nonstreptomycete actinomycete isolates produced high levels of chitinase and were examined in vitro for their ability to suppress the growth of Sclerotinia minor , a pathogen causing basal drop disease of lettuce. The three most suppressive isolates were examined further for their production of β-1,3-glucanase and antifungal activity as well as their ability to colonize the roots and rhizosphere of lettuce in vitro and in planta . The three isolates, Serratia marcescens, Streptomyces viridodiasticus and Micromonospora carbonacea , significantly reduced the growth of S. minor in vitro , and produced high levels of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase. Streptomyces viridodiasticus also produced antifungal metabolite(s) that significantly reduced the growth of the pathogen in vitro . When the pathogen was presented as the sole carbon source, all three isolates caused extensive hyphal plasmolysis and cell wall lysis. Serratia marcescens and St. viridodiasticus were competent to varying degrees in colonizing the roots of lettuce seedlings after 8 days on agar plates and the rhizosphere within 14 days in pots, with their competency being superior to that of M. carbonacea . All three isolates, individually or in combination, were antagonistic to S. minor and significantly reduced incidence of disease under controlled glasshouse conditions.     

Host removal as a potential control method for Phytophthora cinnamomi on severely impacted black gravel sites in the jarrah forest

Removal of living plants from an area of Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) forest on black gravel sites infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi significantly reduced subsequent pathogen recovery. Vegetation, including trees and annual and herbaceous perennial plants, was killed on the sites by herbicide application. To determine whether this treatment efficiently eliminated P. cinnamomi, soil samples were seasonally collected and baited to test for the presence of the pathogen. There were no recoveries on treated sites in autumn, 28 months after removal of all vegetation by herbicide application. To test whether this was the result of the complete elimination of the pathogen or whether inoculum remained, regrowth on sites was not controlled after this period leading to the re‐establishment of annual and herbaceous perennial species, some of which are hosts of P. cinnamomi. Recovery of P. cinnamomi after plant regrowth on the formerly treated sites indicated that for complete pathogen removal, sites need to remain free of vegetation for longer than 28 months. Overall, however, this study confirms that the pathogen is a weak saprophyte, and withdrawal of host material for a period of time may make eventual rehabilitation of these sites possible.