Bactericidal properties of pradofloxacin against veterinary pathogens

Pradofloxacin is a new veterinary 8-cyano-fluoroquinolone developed for use against bacterial infections in dogs and cats involving both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The minimal bactericidal concentrations have been determined against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida, Streptococcus canis, Proteus spp., Fusobacterium spp., Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella species. A subset of these species was selected, and the in vitro rate of kill by pradofloxacin was determined. For 27 of the 30 tested aerobic strains the pradofloxacin MBC was within two doubling dilutions of the MIC. For the remaining strains, the MIC and MBC were within three to four doubling dilutions. Pradofloxacin also demonstrated bactericidal activity against all anaerobic strains, and the MBC was equal to the MIC for four of the strains, within 1 doubling dilution for three strains, within 2 dilutions for a further 3 strains and within 3 dilutions for the remaining five strains. As pradofloxacin concentration was increased, a faster rate of killing was observed; bactericidal effects were seen in all cases at concentrations ≤ 0.25 μg/mL. The bactericidal activity against the anaerobic strains was marked, of particular relevance was the complete absence of regrowth even at 48 h at concentrations as low as 0.125 μg/mL. In conclusion, pradofloxacin exhibits clear bactericidal activity in terms of MBC and kill kinetics against aerobic and anaerobic clinical isolates from dogs and cats at concentrations that are greatly exceeded within the systemic circulation after administration of the recommended therapeutic doses to the target animals. It is expected that such a rapid rate of kill will play a significant role in clinical efficacy. These data demonstrate the complete and rapid killing of anaerobic bacteria by a veterinary 8-cyano-fluoroquinolone.     

Molecular biological method cascade for detection, specific isolation and characterization of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in food

Shigatoxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and their subgroup, the enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) are known since about 25 years. Only EHEC can cause diseases in humans. A molecularbiological method cascade is described in this article. It contains the following steps: preenrichment, enrichment, preparation of samples (DNA extraction), screening PCR, specific STEC isolation by using DNA DNA hybridization, verification of isolates as STEC by using PCR, characterization of STEC isolates. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis and DNA sequencing are additional methods for the detection of clonal correlations. They should be performed in special labs, only. Furthermore, some information about an interlaboratory ring trial within Germany and some conclusions are given.     

Canine brucellosis--a case report

Brucella (B.) canis was isolated from ejaculate of a 4-year old Korthals-Griffon male dog after occurrence of epididymitis and orchitis. Despite several trials of therapy with different antibiotics relapes occurred, with B. canis being isolated from ejaculate, blood and urine samples, respectively. Bacteriological examinations were added by serological testing over a period of about 1.5 years. During the study SAT serum titre steadily dropped from 1:200 to 1:50. By CFT, B. canis antibodies were detectable at the beginning with a titre of 1:320 and to the end of the study with titres between 1:80 and 1:160.     

Atmospheric blocking and Atlantic multidecadal ocean variability

Atmospheric blocking over the northern North Atlantic, which involves isolation of large regions of air from the westerly circulation for 5 days or more, influences fundamentally the ocean circulation and upper ocean properties by affecting wind patterns. Winters with clusters of more frequent blocking between Greenland and western Europe correspond to a warmer, more saline subpolar ocean. The correspondence between blocked westerly winds and warm ocean holds in recent decadal episodes (especially 1996 to 2010). It also describes much longer time scale Atlantic multidecadal ocean variability (AMV), including the extreme pre-greenhouse-gas northern warming of the 1930s to 1960s. The space-time structure of the wind forcing associated with a blocked regime leads to weaker ocean gyres and weaker heat exchange, both of which contribute to the warm phase of AMV.     

Biotechnische Regulierung der Kohlmottenschildlaus in Kohlgem��se �C Sachstand und Perspektiven

The cabbage whitefly,Aleyrodes proletella, has developed to a key pest in brassica vegetable crops throughout Germany. In a 3-year project we investigated a biotechnical approach employing netting (0.8?×?0.8 mm meshsize) in combination with the native parasitoidEncarsia tricolor in an inoculative-inundative approach in organic Brussels sprouts under field conditions. In small scale plot experiments continuous netting from transplanting in May till October alone reduced whitefly larval densities by 77 % at peak infestation in all years. Remaining whitefly infestation under net was associated with the necessity of temporary net removal for the purpose of mechanical weeding, which caused primary whitefly infestation. Release of mass rearedE. tricolour under net at the first signs of larval infestation significantly increasedA. proletella-parasitation and reduced infestation compared to netted controls without release. Furthermore, at highest dosage in 2009,E. tricolor had a significant enhancing effect on raw yield and the quality level of marketable yield. Additional on-farm experiments without netting in 2008 and 2009 confirmed the control potential ofE. tricolor. Although the most important project mile stones have been achieved, namely (a)E. tricolour-establishment under net and in the open field, (b) enhanced parasitation corresponding with pest density decline and (c) a positive impact on yield and quality parameters, further research will be necessary. The focus should be on the initial infestation period, optimizing the timing, frequency and required dosage.     

Surgical decompression,with or without adjunctive therapy,for palliative treatment of primary vertebral osteosarcoma in dogs

Vertebral osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common primary vertebral tumor in dogs, however studies examining the survival time after surgical decompression of these tumors are limited. There is also limited information regarding the benefit of adjunctive treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy in these patients. The goal of this study was to determine survival time of dogs with primary vertebral OSA after palliative decompressive surgery alone and combined with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Records from 22 client‐owned dogs diagnosed with primary vertebral OSA and treated with decompressive surgery were collected retrospectively from eight referral institutions. Survival time was assessed for dogs treated with surgery alone as well as dogs who received adjunctive radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Median survival time in the 12 dogs treated with surgery alone was 42 days (range: 3‐1333 days). The three dogs treated with surgery and chemotherapy had a median survival time of 82 days (range: 56‐305 days). Only one dog was treated with surgery and radiation therapy; this dog survived 101 days. Six dogs were treated with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy; these dogs had a median survival time of 261 days (range: 223‐653 days). Cause of death in all cases that survived the initial postoperative period was euthanasia secondary to confirmed or suspected tumor regrowth. The results of this study suggest that definitive radiation therapy, possibly combined with concurrent chemotherapy, significantly improves survival in dogs treated with palliative decompressive surgery for vertebral OSA and should be the treatment of choice in selected cases.     

Distribution of muscle fiber type in fetal equine gluteus medius muscle

The gluteus medius muscles were removed from a four-year-old female Welsh pony and her nine-month-old fetus. The muscles were divided into sections which were histochemically examined to determine the variation in the distribution of fast-twitch-glycolytic (FG), fast-twitch oxidative glycolytic (FOG), and slow-twitch oxidative (SO) muscle fibers throughout the entire cross-section of the muscle. The fetal muscle had a larger percent of FOG fibers and smaller percent of SO fibers than the same muscle from the mare. Variation in the distribution of muscle fiber type within the fetal gluteus medius was found. This is the first study of fiber type variation in fetal equine muscle.     

Prevalence of bovine genital campylobacteriosis and trichomonosis of bulls in northern Nigeria

Background

A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of campylobacteriosis and trichomonosis, and their concurrence with brucellosis, in cattle in three states of northern Nigeria.

Methods

A total of 602 preputial samples was collected from bulls in 250 herds and tested using culture and identification. Various indigenous and exotic breeds were studied and four major management systems were encountered. Age of the cattle was estimated using dentition, farm records or cornual rings.

Results

The estimated true animal-level prevalence of Campylobacter fetus infection was 16.4% (95% CI: 13.0-20.7), of which 18.5% was C. f. fetus and 81.5% was C. f. venerealis. Of the latter, 92% were C. f. venerealis biovar intermedius strains. Animal-level prevalences in Adamawa, Kano and Kaduna states were 31.8%, 11.6% and 8.3% respectively, and were highest in bulls >7 years old (33.4%) and in the Gudali breed (28.8%). Of the 250 herds, 78 (25.5%, 95% CI: 19.4-32.7) had at least one infected bull, and herd prevalence was highest in the pastoral management system (43.5%). After adjustment for confounding using multivariable analysis, the odds of C. fetus infection were highest in Adamawa state (P < 0.01), in the pastoral management system (P < 0.01), and in bulls >7 years old (P = 0.01), and tended to be higher in Bos taurus breeds (P = 0.06). There was a strong positive association between the presence of campylobacteriosis and brucellosis (P < 0.01), both within bulls (OR = 8.3) and within herds (OR = 16.0). Trichomonosis was not detected in any herds.

Conclusion

Bovine genital campylobacteriosis is prevalent particularly in the pastoral management system in northern Nigeria, with C. f. venerealis biovar intermedius as the major aetiology. There was a strong positive correlation between the occurrence of campylobacteriosis and brucellosis. No evidence of trichomonosis was found in herds in this study.