Evaluation of a commercially available hyperimmune plasma product for prevention of naturally acquired pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi in foals

OBJECTIVE: To determine efficacy of a commercially available hyperimmune plasma product for prevention of naturally acquired pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi in foals. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. ANIMALS: 165 foals. PROCEDURE: Foals were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups (hyperimmune plasma or nontreated controls). Foals with failure of passive transfer (FPT) of immunity were treated with hyperimmune plasma and evaluated as a third group. Foals that received plasma were given 950 ml between 1 and 10 days of age and between 30 and 50 days of age. A tracheobronchial aspirate was obtained from foals with clinical signs of respiratory tract disease for bacteriologic culture. RESULTS: A significant difference in incidence of pneumonia caused by R equi in foals with adequate passive transfer was not detected between foals that received plasma (19.1%) and nontreated foals (30%). Of 13 foals without FPT that received plasma and developed pneumonia caused by R equi, 12 developed disease prior to administration of the second dose of hyperimmune plasma. Incidence of undifferentiated pneumonia of all causes was not different between groups. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intravenous administration of the commercially available hyperimmune plasma was safe, and the product contained high concentrations of anti-R equi antibodies. However, within this limited foal population, the difference in incidence of pneumonia caused by R equi observed between foals that received plasma and control foals was not significant.     

Use of a reverse saphenous skin flap for the excision of a grade II mast cell tumor on the hind limb of a dog

A 7-year-old, neutered, male Labrador retriever was diagnosed with a tarsometatarsal grade II mast cell tumor. Metastasis was identified in the popliteal lymph node. Amputation was not an option. A reverse saphenous skin flap was used to cover the skin defect caused by excision of the tumor. Surgery was followed with adjunctive chemotherapy.     

Effects of nutrient supply and dietary bulk on O2 uptake and nutrient net fluxes across rumen,mesenteric- and portal-drained viscera in ewes

We assessed the effects of nutrient supply and dietary bulk, both increasing with hay intake, on O2 uptake and nutrient net fluxes across the portal-(PDV) and mesenteric- (MDV) drained viscera, and the rumen in adult ewes. Four ewes, fitted with a ruminal cannula, with catheters in the mesenteric artery, the portal, mesenteric and right ruminal veins, and with a blood flow probe around the right ruminal artery, were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of 500 g DM/d hay (LL, low bulk and low nutrient supply), 500 g DM/d hay + infused nutrients (LH, low bulk and high nutrient supply), 750 g DM/d hay + infused nutrients (MH, medium bulk and high nutrient supply), and 1,000 g DM/d hay (HH, high bulk and high nutrient supply). Infused nutrients consisted of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and casein dissolved in salts and infused continuously in the rumen to provide the same amount of metabolizable energy (7.6 MJ/d) and digestible protein (63 g/d) for LH, MH, and HH. Both increases in bulk and nutrient supply increased O2 uptake in the MDV and PDV. Dietary bulk stimulated mainly blood flow, whereas nutrient supply stimulated mainly O2 extraction rate. The O2 uptake by the rumen was not significantly affected by hay intake, although blood flow increased due to nutrient supply. Increase in hay intake had no effects on portal net release of lactate and net uptake of glucose but increased VFA, 3-D-hydroxybutyrate, ammonia, and amino acids (AA) net release and urea net uptake across PDV. The increase in portal nutrient net fluxes with hay intake was entirely related to the increase of nutrient supply for VFA, 3-D-hydroxybutyrate, ammonia, and urea, irrespective of the amount of casein infused for AA. Dietary bulk had no effect on total energy net release in the portal vein. We conclude that despite the increase in portal O2 uptake, increasing dietary bulk had no significant impact on portal recovery of energy. In ruminal tissues, which were the main site of energy absorption, O2 uptake appeared low and was not sensitive to dietary manipulation. In contrast, in mesenteric tissues, which contribute poorly to energy absorption with forage diets, O2 uptake appeared high and very sensitive to dietary manipulation.     

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acids on the distribution of fatty acids in serum lipoprotein fractions and different tissues of growing pigs

The effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on blood lipids [total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triacylglycerols (TAG)] and the fatty acid distribution of the lipoprotein fractions, backfat, muscle fat, and liver lipids were examined in an experiment with two groups of 40 pigs [Pietrain x (Landrace x Large White)] each. The 20 female and 20 male castrated pigs of each group were fed with isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets supplemented with either 20 g/kg rapeseed oil (control) or 20 g/kg CLA-TAG. The CLA preparation contained 54.2% pure CLA consisting of approximately two-thirds cis,trans/trans,cis-isomers and one-third trans,trans-isomers. The fatty acids of lipoproteins, backfat, muscle lipids and liver lipids were analysed by gas chromatograph (GC). CLA supplementation did not significantly influence blood lipids and the LDL to HDL ratio. In the CLA-fed pigs the very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) contained higher saturated fatty acid (SFA) concentrations at the cost of the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). The percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) remained unchanged. The highest CLA content was analysed in VLDL (4.00%) followed by LDL (2.78%) and HDL (1.45%). The ratio of cis,cis to trans,trans isomers increased from VLDL over LDL to HDL. The content of SFA, probably in backfat and muscle lipids, increased whereas the part of MUFA decreased as a result of reduced Delta9-desaturase activity. The percentage of PUFA (without CLA) was higher in backfat of the control group in accordance with the dietary PUFA supply. This shift in the fatty acid distribution was not observed in the liver lipids. In all the three tissues analysed, the CLA-fed pigs had a significantly increased CLA content: the highest increase was in the backfat (5.65%), followed by liver lipids (2.41%), and muscle lipids (1.47%). An isomer-specific accumulation was observed for cis,cis-CLA isomers in muscle, and for trans,trans-CLA isomers in backfat. We conclude that CLA supplementation results in a higher SFA content in backfat and muscle lipids but not in liver lipids. There is a discrimination of the trans-10, cis-12 isomer and the trans,trans isomers in the formation of the cell membranes.     

Sternal recumbency or suspension by the hind legs immediately after delivery improves respiratory and metabolic adaptation to extra uterine life in newborn calves delivered by caesarean section

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of body positioning immediately after delivery on respiratory and metabolic adaptation to extra-uterine life in newborn calves. One hundred and one Belgian White and Blue calves were delivered at term by an elective caesarean section and were assigned into three categories according to the body position imposed immediately after umbilical cord rupture: 71 calves were placed in lateral recumbency; 16 calves were placed in sternal recumbency and 14 calves were suspended by the hind legs for less than 90 seconds (75 +/- 5 s). Following this initial body position, the calves were allowed to move without restraint. They were examined at birth, 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes, and 2, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after birth by the following measurements: physical examination, heart rate, arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function tests using the esophageal balloon catheter technique, arterial and venous blood acid-base balance analysis, rectal temperature, jugular venous blood sampling for the determination of blood glucose, plasma lactate and serum cortisol concentrations, haematologic variables and passive immune transfer variables. Body positioning immediately after delivery clearly influenced respiratory and metabolic adaptation to extra-uterine life in term calves delivered by an elective caesarean section. Systematic sternal recumbency and suspension by the hind legs for less than 90 seconds immediately after umbilical cord rupture had a positive functional impact on postnatal pulmonary mechanics and gas exchange and on postnatal correction of mixed acidosis present at birth, contributing in turn to an enhanced passive immune transfer. These two body positions should be encouraged to improve adaptation at birth in healthy term calves delivered by an elective caesarean section. Evaluation of possible side-effects is required before application in severely asphyxiated calves.     

Mechanisms of resistance to fungicides in field strains of Botrytis cinerea

Field strains of Botrytis cinerea Pers ex Fr, the causal agent of grey mould diseases, were collected from French vineyards between 1993 and 2000. Several phenotypes have been characterized according to the inhibitory effects of fungicides towards germ-tube elongation and mycelial growth. Two types of benzimidazole-resistant strains (Ben R1 and Ben R2) could be detected; negative cross-resistance to phenylcarbamates (e.g. diethofencarb) was only found in Ben R1. Benzimidazole resistance was related to point mutations at codon 198 (Ben R1) or 200 (Ben R2) of the beta-tubulin gene. Most dicarboximide-resistant strains were also weakly resistant to aromatic hydrocarbon fungicides (e.g. dicloran) but remained sensitive to phenylpyrroles (e.g. fludioxonil). These resistant field strains (Imi R1) contained a single base pair mutation at position 365 in a two-component histidine kinase gene, probably involved in the fungal osmoregulation. Three anilinopyrimidine-resistant phenotypes have been identified. In the most resistant one (Ani R1), resistance was restricted to anilinopyrimidines, but no differences were observed in the amino-acid sequences of cystathionine beta-lyase (the potential target site of these fungicides) from Ani R1 or wild-type strains. In the two other phenotypes (Ani R2 and Ani R3), resistance extended to various other groups of fungicide, including dicarboximides, phenylpyrroles and sterol biosynthesis inhibitors. This multi-drug resistance was probably determined by over-production of ATP-binding cassette transporters. The hydroxyanilide fenhexamid is a novel botryticide whose primary target site is the 3-keto reductase involved in sterol C-4 demethylations. Apart from the multi-drug-resistant strain Ani R3, three other fenhexamid-resistant phenotypes have been recognized. For two of them (Hyd R1 and Hyd R2) fenhexamid-resistance seemed to result from P450-mediated detoxification. Reduced sensitivity of the target site could be the putative resistance mechanism operating in the third resistant phenotype (Hyd R3). Increased sensitivity to inhibitors of sterol 14 alpha-demethylase recorded in Hyd R1 strains was related to two amino-acid changes at positions 15 and 105 of this enzyme.     

Adaptations of glucose metabolism in multiparous sows: effects of pregnancy and feeding level

This experiment was undertaken to determine whether pregnancy affects glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in sows fed at different levels. Four replicates of six multiparous Large White sows were involved. In each replicate, four sows were inseminated on the first postweaning estrus (pregnant group) and the two remaining were kept nonpregnant. Half of the sows of each group were fed 2.5 kg/d (low level) and the others 4 kg/d (high level) of the same standard pregnancy diet. Jugular catheters were implanted 2 to 3 d after estrus. Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and FFA were determined before and during the 4 h following the morning meal at 10, 30, 59, 87, 93, 101, and 110 d of gestation and at equivalent periods for the nonpregnant sows. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed at 33, 71, 85, 96, and 108 d by i.v. injection of 0.5 g glucose/kg BW. Compared with the glycemia before the meal, all the sows showed hyperglycemia 30 min after the initiation of the meal and hypoglycemia thereafter, with a minimum reached at approximately 75 min. Insulinemia increased from 20 min after food access, reached a maximum at 40 min, and returned to the basal level after 180 min. The higher feeding level increased plasma insulin and lowered plasma glucose levels. Glycemia and insulinemia profiles changed from 87 d onward in the pregnant sows. The peak of glucose induced by the meal was higher, and the subsequent period of hypoglycemia almost disappeared. The area under the insulin curve was unchanged, but insulin secretion was delayed. The glucose tolerance tests showed that between d 85 and 108 the half-life of injected glucose increased and insulin secretion was delayed in the pregnant sows. Compared to the following stages, plasma FFA were high before and after the meal at 10 d, which most likely was a residual effect from the previous gestation/lactation cycle. They were lower from 30 to 101 d in the pregnant and nonpregnant sows. At 110 d, fasting FFA were high again in the pregnant sows only, very likely in relation to the preparation for lactation. This experiment showed that insulin sensitivity decreases after 85 d of pregnancy in multiparous sows.     

A serological survey on classical swine fever (CSF), Aujeszky's disease (AD) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus infections in French wild boars from 1991 to 1998

In early 1992, a CSF epizootic was clinically recognised in a wild boar population of approximately 1300 animals within an area of 250km(2) located in the east of France. In order to check the CSF situation in wild boars outside this area, a serological survey was carried out in the rest of France, for 8 consecutive years (1991-1998). This paper reports on the results obtained during this survey which included wild boars shot during the hunting period but also boars reared within fences. Around 1000-2700 sera a year were tested for the presence of antibodies to classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and also to Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV). Out of 12025 sera tested over the whole period, 80 wild boars were found positive for CSF antibodies. Sixty of them were collected on wild boars shot during the years 1992-1994 in the epizootic area located in east of France and 10 were collected in Corsica during the years 1994-1996. The last four positive samples were single reactors coming from areas or farms, which were thereafter confirmed to be serologically negative. These results together with the fact that no disease has been reported so far illustrate that the French wild boar population is probably not concerned by CSF infection (excepted in the east of France where the disease has now become enzootic). Two hundred and forty nine sera were initially detected as CSF positive but confirmed secondarily as positive for border disease (BD) antibodies. This finding shows that wild boars are also susceptible to infection by ruminant pestiviruses. Four hundred and twenty three wild boars have been found positive for ADV antibodies. In addition, from 1993 to 1995, 909 samples were tested for the presence of antibodies to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Thirty three of them were positive. The results on AD and PRRS antibody detection show that wild boars may constitute a reservoir for various infectious diseases of pigs.