Establishment of diagnostic criteria for feline nonflea-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis

Hypersensitivity dermatitides (HD) are commonly seen in cats, and they are usually caused by environmental, food and/or flea allergens. Affected cats normally present with one of the following clinical reaction patterns: head and neck excoriations, usually symmetrical self-induced alopecia, eosinophilic skin lesions or miliary dermatitis. Importantly, none of these clinical presentations is considered to be pathognomonic for HD skin diseases, and the diagnosis of HD is usually based on the exclusion of other pruritic diseases and on a positive response to therapy. The objectives of this study were to propose sets of criteria for the diagnosis of nonflea-induced HD (NFHD). We recruited 501 cats with pruritus and skin lesions and compared clinical parameters between cats with NFHD (encompassing those with nonflea, nonfood HD and those with food HD), flea HD and other pruritic conditions. Using simulated annealing techniques, we established two sets of proposed criteria for the following two different clinical situations: (i) the diagnosis of NFHD in a population of pruritic cats; and (ii) the diagnosis of NFHD after exclusion of cats with flea HD. These criteria sets were associated with good sensitivity and specificity and may be useful for homogeneity of enrolment in clinical trials and to evaluate the probability of diagnosis of NFHD in clinical practice. Finally, these criteria were not useful to differentiate cats with NFHD from those with food HD.     

Trichinella pseudospiralis from a wild pig in Texas

In December 2001, the routine inspection of a wild boar intended for human consumption revealed the presence of Trichinella ssp. larvae. Biological, morphological and genetic analyses demonstrated the parasite to be Trichinella pseudospiralis. This is the second report of T. pseudospiralis in the United States and the first report of the parasite in a food animal species in the U.S.     

Comparative microscopic lesions in reoviral and staphylococcal tenosynovitis

Experimental inoculation of 1-day-old male broiler chickens with avian reo-virus or Staphylococcus aureus caused tenosynovitis of the gastrocnemius and digital flexor tendons. Reovirus inoculation by either the oral or footpad route initiated a diffuse lymphocytic infiltration in the peritendineum, synovial membrane, and epitenon from 1 to 5 weeks postinoculation (PI). Heterophils were not a predominant feature of the inflammatory response, but when present they were localized with fibrin in and around synovial spaces. The prevalence of microscopic tendon lesions was less common with staphylococcal infection than with reovirus infection. With staphylococcus, lesions were localized to the synovial space and membranes and were characterized by heterophils and fibrin but few lymphocytes. Synovial cell hyperplasia and bursal atrophy were common in both groups. From 10 to 20 weeks PI, both groups developed progressive tendon fibrosis. These results indicate that tenosynovitis due to inoculation with reovirus or staphylococcus may be differentiated histologically from 1 through 5 weeks PI. After 10 weeks, this may not be possible, because diffuse fibrosis was the major lesion with both. Perhaps fibrosis predisposes older, heavier broilers to tendon failure and rupture.     

ASAS Centennial Paper: Future needs of research and extension in forage utilization

Forage-animal production agriculture is implementing infrastructure changes and management strategies to adjust to increased energy-related costs of fuel, feed grains, fertilizers, and seeds. The primary objectives of this position paper are to assess future research and extension scientific needs in forage utilization, financial support for the discipline, and changing status and number of scientists. A survey questionnaire returned from 25 land-grant universities in the eastern half of the United States rated the top 4 research needs as 1) pasture systems and efficiency of production; 2) interfacing with energy concerns; 3) forage cultivar evaluations and persistence; and 4) environment impacts. Plant-animal future research needs at 11 USDA-ARS regional locations are targeted at sustainable management and improved livestock performance, ecophysiology and ecology of grasslands, environment impacts, and improved technologies for nutritive value assessments. Extension scientists from 17 southern and northeastern states listed the top 3 needs as forage persistence, soil fertility and nutrient management, and pasture systems and efficiency of production. Grant funds currently provide more than 40% of land-grant university research and extension efforts in forage utilization, and scientists estimate that this support base will increase to 55 to 60% of the funding total by 2013. Reduced allocation of state and federal funding has contributed to a reduction in the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) scientists engaged in forage utilization research and extension activities. The current 25 state FTE conducting research number about 2.8 per state. This includes 10 states with >3, 11 states with <2, and 3 states with <1 FTE. Increased interest in cellulosic energy, climate change, and environmental impact may offer new opportunities for these FTE to participate in integrated cross-discipline research Extension programming, and technology transfer methods will change to accommodate reduced funding but with increasing numbers of novice, recreation-oriented landowners.     

Review on Effects of Fescue Grass Ergot Alkaloids in the Horse and Preliminary Study on Effect of Fescue Grass Ergot Alkaloid in the Stallion

Feed with ergot alkaloids ingested by horses has a deleterious clinical and economic impact on the industry. The clinical manifestation of the effects in mares is early embryonic mortality, abortions, prolonged gestation, dystocia, thickened (edematous) or retained placental membranes, agalactia, and increased rates of newborn mortality. For the stallion, very little is known, although ergot alkaloids decrease the ejaculate volume. However, a large number of breeding stallions graze endophyte infected (E+) pastures. This is especially true in the southeastern United States, and clinically we do not perceive that any stallions have any defined problems that could be attributed to ergot alkaloids. However, the number of spermatozoa produced by any stallion might mask the effects. The effects on fertility may be more subtle and only evident with sperm cell manipulation such as chilling or freezing. A preliminary study was performed on six breeding stallions fed feed containing infected fescue seed. We were not able to determine any significant (P < .05) detrimental effects on sperm motility, number morphology, and sperm morphology when compared with controls.     

Genetic differences in serum-neutralization titers of pigs after vaccination with pseudorabies modified live-virus vaccine

Four-week-old pigs of the Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace, and Yorkshire breeds (n = 518) were vaccinated with a pseudorabies modified live-virus vaccine to determine whether genetic differences existed for immune response after vaccination. All pigs and their dams (sows) were tested before vaccination to determine preimmunization antibody titers, using a microtitration serum-neutralization (SN) test. The SN test results of sows were negative, as were preimmunization tests of the pigs. At 4 weeks after pigs were vaccinated, additional blood samples were collected from the pigs, and end-point SN titers were determined, using a 2-fold dilution scheme. Small, but statistically significant, breed differences existed for antibody response, with Yorkshire and Chester White pigs having the highest response, and Duroc and Landrace pigs, the lowest. Differences among sire progeny groups were small, but there were significant differences among dams. Genetic differences as seen by differences among breeds indicates that the efficacy of vaccines may vary from breed to breed and that vaccine trials should not neglect this potential source of variation.