Intranuclear Inclusions in Cells Infected with Newcastle Disease Virus

Cells infected by Newcastle Disease Virus were observed to contain both intracytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusion bodies. Ultrastructurally, they consisted of twisted strands of about 18–20 nm diameter resembling nucleocapsids. The presence of these inclusions was detected irrespective of host cell or pathogenicity of the virus. In immunofluorescence and immunogold labelling experiments, these structures were tagged by an anti-P protein monoclonal antibody. In summary, we show that intracytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusion bodies, hitherto used as a taxonomic characteristic for the genus Morbillivirus of the Paramyxoviridae, also occur in a member of the genus Rubulavirus.     

Antibiotics for uncomplicated Salmonella enteritis: are they useful? A critical consideration of the literature

This article, a version of an earlier publication (6), reviews the human and veterinary literature on the effect of anti-microbials on uncomplicated Salmonella enteritis. The main conclusion is that there is no evidence for the widely held belief that anti-microbials prolong the time that salmonellae are shed.     

Mycobacterial neuritis in a cat

A 2-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was referred for evaluation of rapidly progressive lameness of the right hind limb, which was paralyzed. Histologic examination of biopsy specimens revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation affecting the sciatic, common peroneal, and tibial nerves, and slender, beaded, acid-fast bacilli within macrophages, nerve fibers, and degenerate axons. A diagnosis of mycobacterial neuritis was made and the cat was treated with clofazimine and enrofloxacin for extended periods. Treatment was partially effective; the goal of returning normal function to the limb was not achieved, but disease progression was halted and the cat remained a viable pet.     

Trait values of growth,carcass and meat quality in Wild Boar,Meishan and Pietrain pigs as well as their crossbred generations

The genetic diversity between European Wild Boar, Pietrain and Meishan and their crossbred generations are described on the basis of performance traits for growth, carcass composition and meat quality. Using the results of 1333 pigs, the highest growth rates were found in crossbred generations, indicating positive heterosis effects. In carcass composition, high meat content is associated with Pietrain and high fat content with Meishan alleles. Weights of organs were greatest in Wild Boar, the weight of the head was greatest in Meishan. Meat quality and stress resistance parameters point to superior gene effects in Wild Boar and Meishan. Crossbred animals of these genetically diverse pig sources generate the maximum variability for all traits, help to demonstrate the range of values for the specified breeds of pig and allow an efficient analysis of the genes influencing performance traits.     

Osteosarcoma at the site of bone infarction associated with total hip arthroplasty in a dog

OBJECTIVE: To report the occurrence of medullary bone infarction in both femoral canals after bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) and the subsequent unilateral development of an osteosarcoma at the site of bone infarction. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical report. ANIMAL POPULATION: An 8-month-old neutered male Samoyed dog. METHODS: Serial physical and radiographic examinations performed at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years after THA. Bone biopsy specimens of the right distal femoral metaphysis were taken 5 years after THA, and a complete necropsy was performed at the time of euthanasia. RESULTS: Bilateral medullary bone infarction was visible in the femoral canals 1 year after THA and remained visible on subsequent evaluations. An osteosarcoma developed in the right distal femoral metaphysis at the site of infarction, 5 years after THA, and was found to have metastasized widely throughout the body. CONCLUSION: Bone infarction may occur in the femoral canal after canine THA. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bone infarction may be a predisposing factor for the development of osteosarcoma in the femora of dogs with THAs.     

Reliability of taurine concentrations measured in single urine samples obtained from dogs eight hours after eating

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability of taurine concentrations measured in a single urine sample obtained from dogs 8 hours after eating, compared with taurine concentrations measured in 24-hour urine samples. ANIMALS: 18 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURE: After emptying the urinary bladder by transurethral catheterization, dogs were fed a canned maintenance diet. Approximately 8 hours later, urine, plasma, and serum samples were obtained for determination of fractional urinary excretion of taurine and urine taurine-to-creatinine concentration ratios (Utaur:Ucr). Results were compared with 24-hour urinary taurine excretion rate. RESULTS: Unbound and total fractional urinary taurine excretion correlated well with unbound and total 24-hour urinary taurine excretion. However, bound fractional urinary taurine excretion correlated poorly with bound 24-hour urinary taurine excretion. Unbound and total Utaur:Ucr correlated well with unbound and total 24-hour urinary taurine excretion. However, bound Utaur:Ucr correlated poorly with bound 24-hour urinary taurine excretion. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Fractional urinary excretion of unbound and total taurine, and unbound and total Utaur:Ucr are reliable indicators of 24-hour urinary unbound and total taurine excretion in healthy dogs. However, determination of 24-hour urinary taurine excretion is recommended for evaluating urinary bound taurine concentrations of dogs.     

Effect of anthelmintic treatment on sexual maturation in prepubertal beef heifers

Heifers treated with ivermectin at weaning have been reported to reach puberty at a younger age and lighter weight than untreated heifers. We tested the hypothesis that heifers administered ivermectin would respond with earlier follicular development and a greater LH response to a 1-mg estradiol-17beta challenge (E2C) than untreated heifers. Fall-born Angus heifers (n = 32) were randomly assigned on 284 +/- 9 d of age (215.5 +/- 20.8 kg) to receive ivermectin (IVR) or albendazole (ALB), IVR + ALB, or to remain as untreated controls (CONT). Each group (n = 8) was housed separately in adjacent pens throughout the trial and managed to gain .8 kg/heifer on a ration containing 13.2% CP, 58.8% TDN, and 49.9% DM. The CONT heifers received an additional 2.27 kg/heifer of corn silage and 1.59 kg/heifer of corn daily to maintain ADG at comparable levels. Individual body weight was recorded weekly, and nematode eggs per gram (EPG) of feces were measured every 21 d. Ultrasonography was performed on alternate days starting 2 wk prior to E2C to characterize follicular wave patterns. Follicles were separated into classes (C1 [3 to 5 mm], C2 [6 to 9 mm], and C3 [10 mm]) and sizes (largest [LF], second [SLF], third [TLF], and fourth largest follicles [FLF]). The sizes of the regressing dominant follicle 1 (DF1) and the progressing dominant follicle 2 (DF2) were also determined. Serum concentrations of LH were determined from hourly jugular blood samples collected 8 to 24 h after injection of E2C. The IVR + ALB treatment group had more C3 follicles than ALB and CONT (P < .07). The IVR-treated heifers had larger TLF than ALB and CONT (P < .04). The IVR- and IVR + ALB-treated heifers had larger FLF and DF2 than ALB and CONT (P < .1). Least squares means for DF2 were 9.5 +/- .5, 8.0 +/- .4, 9.5 +/- .3 and 8.3 +/- .3 mm, for IVR, ALB, IVR + ALB and CONT, respectively (P = .02 for treatment effect). The E2C-induced serum LH concentration did not differ with respect to treatment. We conclude that heifers administered IVR display increased follicular development, supporting our earlier investigations regarding reduced age at puberty in heifers treated with IVR near weaning.     

Influence of sampling site on concentrations and carbohydrate-degrading enzyme activities of protozoa and bacteria in the rumen.

Four ruminally cannulated cows were used to assess the distribution of the concentrations and carbohydrate-degrading enzyme activities of the liquid-associated protozoa (LAP) and solid-associated bacteria (SAB) in the rumen. The cows were fed diets (7 kg of DM/d) of 100% hay (Diet F) or 60% barley plus 40% hay (Diet C) in a 2 x 2 crossover experimental design. Samples of ruminal digesta were collected successively from the dorsal (DS), ventral (VS), and anterior (AS) sacs 1h before and 3 h after the morning feeding on two sampling days with a 2-d interval. Irrespective of diet and sampling time, the greatest proportion of entodiniomorphs, representing the main population of protozoa, was found in the DS (40% mean; P < .05). Low pH values observed in the DS (P < .05) indicated higher fermentative activity in this site than in the other parts of the rumen. Protozoa may contribute more than previously thought to the high digestive potential present at the top of the rumen that has classically been attributed to bacteria. The specific activity of plant cell wall polysaccharide-degrading enzymes in the LAP was correspondingly greater (P < .05) for DS than for VS or AS. For the two diets and sampling times, specific activity of fibrolytic enzymes in the SAB tended to be less in the upper than in the lower parts of the rumen, and less in the VS than in the AS. This tendency became significant (P < .05) for total fibrolytic enzyme activity. Differences in bacterial colonization of particles among the three sampling sites may explain such differences in fibrolytic activity of the SAB. Data suggest a spatio-temporal complementary action of the bacteria and protozoa in ruminal plant cell wall degradation, at least with the barley diet, for which the number of protozoa was highest.