Comparative study of early-season prophylaxis using ivermectin with lungworm vaccination in the control of parasitic bronchitis and gastroenteritis in cattle

Twenty-four first-season calves were randomly allocated to three similar groups (1-non-treated controls; 2 - vaccinated against lungworm; 3 - treated with ivermectin 21, 56 and 91 days after turnout) and set-stocked on separate pastures. Parasitic bronchitis became evident in the controls and signs of parasitic gastroenteritis were seen later in the vaccinates, but the ivermectin-treated calves remained healthy. After autumn housing, all were kept as a single group for the winter. The following summer, six of the ivermectin-treated animals and their matching vaccinates were grazed together, without further prophylaxis, along with six first-season calves. The latter displayed evidence of mild but debilitating pulmonary and gastrointestinal parasitic disease while both groups of yearlings remained healthy (with the exception of one diarrhoeic vaccinate). Thus, the immune status of the ivermectin-treated animals appeared to be comparable to that of the vaccinates. This conclusion was supported by parasitological observations and by artificial challenge at the end of the second grazing season.     

Use of ESAT-6 in the interferon-gamma test for diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis following skin testing

The whole blood interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) test has proven to be a practical ancillary test for re-testing cattle for bovine tuberculosis 8-28 days following tuberculin skin testing. An improvement in the specificity of the IFN-gamma test could further reduce culling of false positive animals. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate a single mycobacterial antigen, ESAT-6 in the IFN-gamma test for use in skin test-positive cattle. These skin test-positive cattle comprised 51 Mycobacterium bovis-infected animals from tuberculosis-infected herds and 85 non-infected animals from tuberculosis-free herds. The test based on ESAT-6 had a higher specificity than the test based on purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin, but this was offset by a small decrease in sensitivity. Use of a lower cut-off in the ESAT-6-based test improved the sensitivity, while still maintaining a very high specificity. A secondary aim in the study was to assess the ESAT-6 and PPD-based tests for detecting bovine tuberculosis in skin test-negative animals from a persistently infected herd. The PPD-based test detected the majority of the lesioned or M. bovis-culture positive animals, while the ESAT-6-based test detected a smaller proportion. The false negatives in the IFN-gamma test from both the skin test-negative and positive groups were predominantly M. bovis-culture positive animals with no visible lesions. The current study has shown that a defined specific antigen such as ESAT-6 can markedly improve the specificity of the IFN-gamma test for re-testing skin test-positive animals. An ESAT-6-based IFN-gamma test could be particularly useful to reduce the false positive rate, yet still maintain an acceptable level of sensitivity.     

Effect of diameter of the drill hole on torque of screw insertion and pushout strength for headless tapered compression screws in simulated fractures of the lateral condyle of the equine third metacarpal bone

OBJECTIVE: To compare variables for screw insertion, pushout strength, and failure modes for a headless tapered compression screw inserted in standard and oversize holes in a simulated lateral condylar fracture model. SAMPLE POPULATION: 6 pairs of third metacarpal bones from horse cadavers. PROCEDURE: Simulated lateral condylar fractures were created, reduced, and stabilized with a headless tapered compression screw by use of a standard or oversize hole. Torque, work, and time for drilling, tapping, and screw insertion were measured during site preparation and screw implantation. Axial load and displacement were measured during screw pushout. Effects of drill hole size on variables for screw insertion and screw pushout were assessed by use of Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS: Drill time was 59% greater for oversize holes than for standard holes. Variables for tapping (mean maximum torque, total work, positive work, and time) were 42%, 70%, 73%, and 58% less, respectively, for oversize holes, compared with standard holes. Variables for screw pushout testing (mean yield load, failure load, failure displacement, and failure energy) were 40%, 40%, 47%, and 71% less, respectively, for oversize holes, compared with standard holes. Screws could not be completely inserted in 1 standard and 2 oversize holes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Enlarging the diameter of the drill hole facilitated tapping but decreased overall holding strength of screws. Therefore, holes with a standard diameter are recommended for implantation of variable pitch screws whenever possible. During implantation, care should be taken to ensure that screw threads follow tapped bone threads.     

Clinical effectiveness and safety of a new NSAID, firocoxib: a 1,000 dog study

For the Previcox (firocoxib, Merial) Experience Trial, practicing veterinarians across the United States were asked to enroll dogs diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA). At an initial visit, owners of dogs deemed suitable for NSAID therapy were given Previcox and instructed to maintain a daily diary and to return 10 and 40 days after treatment began. Approximately 86% of the 1,002 enrolled dogs completed the study. The withdrawal rate associated with gastrointestinal side effects was low (2.9% of dogs), and no serious drug-related adverse events were reported. Investigators and Owners rated 93% and 91% of dogs, respectively, as improved, and 86% of owners rated their dogs "happier" or "more active" after treatment with firocoxib. The improvements observed following initiation of firocoxib therapy were independent of gender, breed, starting body weight, age, and prior NSAID use. These results support previous findings indicating that firocoxib is well tolerated and effective when used under field conditions.     

Cyclooxygenase expression and prostanoid production in pyloric and duodenal mucosae in dogs after administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

OBJECTIVE: To assess cyclooxygenase (COX) expression and prostanoid concentrations in pyloric and duodenal mucosae of dogs after administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). ANIMALS: 8 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES: Each dog received carprofen (4.4 mg/kg, q 24 h), deracoxib (2 mg/kg, q 24 h), aspirin (10 mg/kg, q 12 h), and placebo (1 dog treat, q 24 h) orally for 3 days (4-week interval between treatments). Before study commencement (baseline) and on day 3 of each treatment, pyloric and duodenal mucosal appearance was assessed endoscopically and biopsy specimens were obtained for histologic examination. Cyclooxygenase-1 and COX-2 protein expressions were assessed via western blotting, and prostanoid concentrations were measured via ELISAs. An ANOVA was used to analyze data. RESULTS: Treatments had no effect on mucosal appearance and ulceration was not evident histologically. In pyloric and duodenal mucosae, COX-1 expression was unaffected by treatments. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression remained unchanged in pyloric mucosa; in duodenal mucosa, aspirin significantly increased COX-2 expression, compared with effects of deracoxib and carprofen. At baseline, total prostaglandin and thromboxane B2 concentrations in pyloric mucosa were significantly greater than those in duodenal mucosa. Aspirin significantly decreased both prostanoid concentrations in both mucosal tissues, compared with other treatments. In pyloric mucosa, carprofen administration significantly decreased total prostaglandin and thromboxane B2 concentrations, compared with deracoxib administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In dogs, prostanoid synthesis was greater in pyloric mucosa than it was in duodenal mucosa. Nonselective NSAIDs significantly decreased prostanoid concentrations in these mucosae, compared with the effects of a selective COX-2 NSAID.     

Use of laboratory data to reduce the time taken to detect new diseases: VIDA to FarmFile

The analysis of laboratory data can provide information about the health of livestock populations; in Great Britain the Veterinary Investigation Diagnosis Analysis (VIDA) system has provided such data since 1975. However VIDA covers only known diagnoses, with limited epidemiological characterisation. The unexpected outbreak of bse showed that it was necessary to improve surveillance to detect new diseases, and a necessary update of the VIDA database for the millennium date change provided the opportunity. The information required to enhance the value of laboratory data was identified, a new form and database, 'FarmFile', were designed to record it, and they began to be used in 1999. The detection of new diseases depends on making comparisons with the expected or 'usual' levels of unexplained disease. The data are analysed quarterly to assess any changes in the levels of unexplained disease in different species, categorised in terms of clinical sign or body system, by comparison with previous years. No new diseases have been detected either through FarmFile or more traditional means since the new analyses started in earnest in 2004, but they have indicated that an unexplained event was not a new disease of concern, and developments continue to improve the system's sensitivity and specificity.     

The public health and clinical significance of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in domestic animals

Giardia and Cryptosporidium are common enteric parasites of domestic animals, particularly dogs, cats and livestock. Their occurrence is of potential significance from both clinical and public health perspectives yet, until recently, confusion over the taxonomy of these organisms prevented a clear understanding of the epidemiology of infections with both Giardia and Cryptosporidium. The recent application of molecular epidemiological tools has helped to resolve taxonomic issues, allowing cycles of transmission to be determined. In addition, advances have been made in elucidating mechanisms associated with pathogenesis, whereas only limited progress has been achieved in the areas of chemotherapy and prophylaxis.     

A sterile hydroponic system for characterising root exudates from specific root types and whole-root systems of large crop plants

Background

Plant roots release a variety of organic compounds into the soil which alter the physical, chemical and biological properties of the rhizosphere. Root exudates are technically challenging to measure in soil because roots are difficult to access and exudates can be bound by minerals or consumed by microorganisms. Exudates are easier to measure with hydroponically-grown plants but, even here, simple compounds such as sugars and organic acids can be rapidly assimilated by microorganisms. Sterile hydroponic systems avoid this shortcoming but it is very difficult to maintain sterility for long periods especially for larger crop species. As a consequence, studies often use small model species such as Arabidopsis to measure exudates or use seedlings of crop plants which only have immature roots systems.

Results

We developed a simple hydroponic system for cultivating large crop plants in sterile conditions for more than 30 days. Using this system wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants were grown in sterile conditions for 30 days by which time they had reached the six-leaf stage and developed mature root systems with seminal, nodal and lateral roots. To demonstrate the utility of this system we characterized the aluminium-activated exudation of malate from the major types of wheat roots for the first time. We found that all root types measured released malate but the amounts were two-fold greater from the seminal and nodal axile roots compared with the lateral roots. Additionally, we showed that this sterile growth system could be used to collect exudates from intact whole root systems of barley.

Conclusions

We developed a simple hydroponic system that enables cereal plants to be grown in sterile conditions for longer periods than previously recorded. Using this system we measured, for the first time, the aluminium-activated efflux of malate from the major types of wheat roots. We showed the system can also be used for collecting exudates from intact root systems of 30-day-old barley plants. This hydroponic system can be modified for various purposes. Importantly it enables the study of exudates from crop species with mature root systems.

     

Cytologic diagnosis of generalized cutaneous sporotrichosis in a hunting hound

A 1-year-old male Foxhound/Walker Hound mix was presented to the small animal internal medicine service at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine with a 6-week history of progressive, multifocal, ulcerative and draining, well-circumscribed lesions in a generalized distribution. Prior to referral, a presumptive diagnosis was made of sterile pyogranulomatous disease; immunosuppressive therapy was instituted but resulted in clinical deterioration. At presentation, the dog had marked neutropenia (1100 neutrophils/microL), and a mild toxic left shift (400 bands/microL). Cytologic findings in the exudates from a draining skin lesion included high numbers of markedly degenerate neutrophils (about 95% of nucleated cells) as well as low numbers of macrophages, small mature lymphocytes, and eosinophils. Low numbers of intracellular (within neutrophils and macrophages) and extracellular, pleomorphic, cigar-to-ovoid shaped organisms ( approximately 3x9 microm) consistent with Sporothrix were observed. Histopathologic examination of a skin biopsy showed marked, chronic, active, ulcerative, pyogranulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis, with intralesional yeast consistent with Sporothrix sp. The etiologic agent was confirmed as Sporothrix schenckii by macerated tissue fungal culture. The patient was treated with itraconazole, enrofloxacin, and clindamycin, with clinical resolution occurring over a 3-month period. This case is a rare example of the cytologic diagnosis of Sporothrix schenckii in a canine patient. Diagnosis of canine sporotrichosis is often challenging and usually requires tissue culture, as infected dogs typically harbor very few organisms. The patient's prior immunosuppressive therapy likely contributed to higher numbers of organisms in exudates from the cutaneous lesions, facilitating cytologic diagnosis.     

Oncology Virtual Issue Articles

The following three articles have been published online as part of the EVE Oncology Virtual Issue which is available online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/eve