A model to assess the use of caecal and faecal inocula to study fermentability of nutrients in rabbit

An in vitro gas production trial was conducted using 10 Hyla rabbits to evaluate the use of caecal and faecal inocula in fermentability studies. Caecal content (CI) and hard faeces (FI) were used as inocula. Six legume and six cereal concentrates were used as substrates. Gas production was recorded 19 times at 2–24 h intervals throughout fermentation (120 h). The fermentation characteristics (degraded organic matter, OMd; potential gas production, A; volatile fatty acid, VFA; ammonia, NH₃) were measured by testing the inoculum and substrate (legumes vs. cereals). The inocula were different (p < 0.01) in OMd (818.2 vs. 799.4 g/kg OM for CI and FI respectively), A (255.0 vs. 267.1 ml/g OM), total VFA (67.3 vs. 53.2 mmol/g OM) and NH₃ content (21.2 vs. 19.8 mmol/l). Moreover, the significant differences in the (acetate + propionate)/butyrate ratio (5.02 vs. 4.09 for CI and FI respectively, p < 0.01) and in the branched chain proportion (isobutyrate + isovaleriate)/total VFA (0.044 vs. 0.031, p < 0.01) indicate that the inocula differed in fermenting legumes or cereals, but the equations for estimating caecal fermentation characteristics from those of faeces showed R² values from 0.673 to 0.975 (p ≤ 0.01). Our results confirm that in vitro fermentation characteristics of faeces were highly related to those of caecal content.     

Extra hepatic expression of the acute phase protein alpha 1-acid glycoprotein in normal bovine tissues

Combined quantitative (real-time) polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the expression of the minor acute phase protein alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP, orosomucoid) in bovine extrahepatic tissues. AGP was produced mainly in the salivary glands and spleen, whereas minor expression was detected in all other tissues sampled, including lung, lymph nodes, uterus, ovary, kidney and tongue. The findings were consistent with immunohistochemical results. In view of the immunomodulatory and direct antibacterial activity of AGP, its expression in the salivary glands may signal an involvement in the regulation of the local immunity, even in non-pathological conditions.     

1例规模化猪场暴发高致病性繁殖与呼吸综合征（HPPRRS）与圆环Ⅱ型（PCV-2）混合感染的诊治

四川省邻水县的1个规模化猪场60-60日龄猪只430头相继暴发疲病,采集15头病猪血清样品和2头病死猪肺和脾脏组织病料,采用HPPRRSV RT—PCR试剂盒（军事兽医研究所涂长春教授惠赠）检测,结果是8份血清（占55．8％）和2份病料（100％）为阳性。同时,6份血清和2头病死猪肺和脾脏组织病料用PCV-2 PCR试剂盒（自制）检测,结果是3份血清（占50％）和2份病料（100％）为阳性;结果表明：该猪场暴发了HPPff,RSV和PCV2混合感染。     

致弱过程中高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒HuN4株部分生物学特性的研究

为了研制高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征(HP-PRRS)弱毒疫苗,将高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(HP-PRRSV)HuN4株进行了致弱驯化,在Marc-145细胞上对其进行了3次蚀斑克隆和连续传代.该毒株的病变速度随着代次增高逐渐加快,传至80代以后其病毒滴度达到最高并保持稳定;电镜观察发现低代次病毒粒子形态以棒状为主,高代次病毒粒子形态以球形为主;蚀斑形态比较发现低代次病毒形成的蚀斑大小不一,而高代次病毒形成的蚀斑大小均一;序列分析和病毒抗原性分析表明HuN4株传代过程中GP5蛋白羧基端1个主要抗原表位(196QWGRL200)发生突变即196Q突变为196R,针对该表位的单克隆抗体只与HuN4株低代次病毒反应而不与高代次病毒反应.以上结果表明:在Marc-145细胞上经蚀斑克隆和连续传代致使HP-PRRSV HuN4株部分生物学特性发生改变,这些特性的改变在病毒弱化过程中的作用还有待进一步的研究.     

Genetic immunization with the immunodominant antigen P48 of Mycoplasma agalactiae stimulates a mixed adaptive immune response in BALBc mice

A DNA vaccine against contagious agalactia was developed for the first time, encoding the P48 of Mycoplasma agalactiae. Specific immune responses elicited in BALB/c mice were evaluated. Both total IgG and IgG1 were detected in mice vaccinated with pVAX1/P48. Proliferation of mononuclear cells of the spleen, levels of gamma interferon, interleukin-12, and interleukin-2 mRNAs were enhanced in immunized animals. Results indicate that pVAX1/P48 vaccination induced both T_h1 and T_h2 immune responses. Nucleic acid immunization could be a new strategy against M. agalactiae infections and may be potentially used to develop vaccines for other Mycoplasma diseases.     

Influenza surveillance in birds in Italian wetlands (1992-1998): is there a host restricted circulation of influenza viruses in sympatric ducks and coots?

We report the results of a 6-year serological and virological monitoring performed in ducks and coots in Italy, in order to assess the degree of influenza A virus circulation in these birds during wintering. A total of 1039 sera collected from 1992 to 1998 was screened by a double antibody sandwich blocking ELISA (NP-ELISA): seroprevalence of antibodies to influenza A viruses was significantly higher in ducks compared to coots (52.2% vs. 7.1%, respectively). The hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assay, performed on NP-ELISA positive sera, showed that 16.9% of these duck sera and 33.3% of these coot sera had antibodies to at least one influenza virus HA subtype: ducks showed HI antibodies against most of the HA subtypes, except for the H3, H4, H7, and H12; coots were seropositive to the H3 and H10 subtypes, only. From 1993 to 1998, 22 virus strains were obtained from 802 cloacal swabs, with an overall virus isolation frequency of 2.7%. Viruses belonging to the H1N1 subtype were by far the most commonly circulating strains (18/22) and were isolated mainly from ducks (17/18). The remaining viruses were representative of the H10N8, H5N2 and H3N8 subtypes. Our data indicate some differences between influenza A virus circulation in sympatric ducks and coots and a significant antigenic diversity between some reference strains and viruses recently isolated in Italy.     

Sequence analysis of the msp4 gene of Anaplasma ovis strains

Anaplasma ovis (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) is a tick-borne pathogen of sheep, goats and wild ruminants. The genetic diversity of A. ovis strains has not been well characterized due to the lack of sequence information. In this study, we evaluated bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from Montana for infection with A. ovis by serology and sequence analysis of the msp4 gene. Antibodies to Anaplasma spp. were detected in 37% and 39% of bighorn sheep and mule deer analyzed, respectively. Four new msp4 genotypes were identified. The A. ovismsp4 sequences identified herein were analyzed together with sequences reported previously for the characterization of the genetic diversity of A. ovis strains in comparison with other Anaplasma spp. The results of these studies demonstrated that although A. ovismsp4 genotypes may vary among geographic regions and between sheep and deer hosts, the variation observed was less than the variation observed between A. marginale and A. phagocytophilum strains. The results reported herein further confirm that A. ovis infection occurs in natural wild ruminant populations in Western United States and that bighorn sheep and mule deer may serve as wildlife reservoirs of A. ovis.     

Antiapoptotic activity of bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BHV-1) UL14 protein

Viruses have evolved different strategies to interfere with apoptotic pathways in order to halt cellular responses to infection. One previous study showed that transient transfection of bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BHV-1) UL14 protein is efficient in protecting Madin Darby kidney (MDBK) and human chronic myelogenous leukemia (K562) cells from sorbitol-induced apoptosis. This protein corresponds to a putative protein of BHV-1, which shares aminoacid sequence with a part of the peptide-binding domain conserved in human heat shock protein (HSP70) family. The pBK-CMV-UL14 plasmid transfected MDBK cells treated with sorbitol did not show caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation with respect to non-transfected MDBK cells (UL14 negative). Furthermore, we report that the expression of the full length sequence of BHV-1 UL14 is evident after 7 h of infection of BHV-1 on MDBK cells which were then treated with sorbitol. These results indicate that UL14 gene product has important implications to enhance cell survival in response to apoptotic stimuli.     

槲皮素对PEDV感染幼龄仔猪的生长性能、血液生化指标和肠道吸收与屏障功能的影响

【目的】 试验旨在探讨槲皮素在防治仔猪感染猪流行性腹泻病毒（PEDV）中的作用。【方法】 选取18头体重相近、健康的7日龄仔猪（杜×长×大）,随机分为3组（对照组、PEDV组和PEDV+槲皮素组）,每组6个重复,每个重复1头猪,试验期共11 d。经过3 d适应期后,于试验第4~10天给PEDV+槲皮素组仔猪口腔灌服10 mg/kg BW的槲皮素,其他组仔猪口腔灌服等体积的人工乳,于试验第8天给PEDV组与PEDV+槲皮素组仔猪口腔灌服1×10^4.5TCID₅₀的PEDV,对照组灌服等体积的PBS溶液。试验第11天早上空腹称重,全部仔猪灌服D-木糖（0.1 g/kg BW）,1 h后经前腔静脉采血,检测血液生化指标、血浆二胺氧化酶（DAO）活性和D-木糖含量;将所有仔猪屠宰取空肠黏膜,检测肠道屏障相关基因,包括肠绒毛蛋白（villin）,紧密连接蛋白-1（claudin-1）,闭合蛋白（occludin）和肠型脂肪酸结合蛋白（iFABP）的相对表达量。【结果】 与对照组相比,PEDV组仔猪平均日增重显著下降（P<0.05）,粪便评分显著升高（P<0.05）;血液中高密度脂蛋白含量显著降低（P<0.05）,肌酐和尿素氮的含量显著提高（P<0.05）;血浆中D-木糖含量显著降低（P<0.05）;空肠claudin-1、iFABP基因的相对表达量显著下调（P<0.05）。与PEDV组相比,PEDV+槲皮素组仔猪平均日增重和血浆D-木糖含量显著升高（P<0.05）;血液中肌酐和尿素氮的含量显著降低（P<0.05）;空肠claudin-1、villin和iFABP基因的相对表达量显著上调（P<0.05）。【结论】 10 mg/kg BW槲皮素可在一定程度上缓解PEDV感染导致的仔猪生长抑制和肾功能损伤,增强肠道吸收与屏障功能。     

Complete uterine prolapse without uterine mucosal eversion in a queen

A five‐year‐old female cat weighing 3 kg was presented by the owner after noticing a large pink, bilobed mass protruding through the vulva during labour. The cat was in good condition, with appropriate lactation, and the newborn kittens were nursing normally. The uterus was not reverted or invaginated at examination, and there was rupture of the mesovarium, mesometrium and uterine‐vaginal connection around the cervix. Manual reduction of the prolapsed uterus was not possible because of torn ligaments. A coeliotomy was performed to remove the ovaries, and the apex of the uterine horns was passed by the vaginal route. The remaining part of the mesometrium was disconnected, and the prolapsed uterus was removed. The queen and kittens were discharged from the hospital on the second day after surgery. An unusual feature of this case is that the prolapse was complete, without eversion of any part of the uterus through a vaginal tear.