The use of macrolides, lincomycin and tiamulin as animal feed drugs for pigs in Schleswig-Holstein

An evaluation of production orders for medicated feedingstuffs for pigs given in 1998 in Schleswig-Holstein showed macrolides, lincomycin and tiamulin as frequently used antibiotical ingredients. The presented study analyses the production orders which include macrolides, lincomycin or tiamulin in more detail. There were large deviations to the rules of good clinical practise for the use of antibiotics (2000). The applied dosage was often lower than suggested in the literature.     

Air sacculitis in poultry--human relevance of E. coli-isolates from the body cavity of turkeys unfit for human consumption

Air sacculitis is a common lesion found in herds during poultry meat inspection. To support the decision during inspection, 101 carcasses from turkey herds with frequently occurring air sacculitis (unfit for human consumption because of air sacculitis) were examined and 96 E. coil-isolates were collected. The isolates were tested for EHEC/STEC, i.e. gene sequences encoding Shigatoxin 1 and 2, EHEC-hemolysin (hlyEHEC) and intimin (eae). Moreover, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the isolates to 13 antimicrobial substances was tested. Factors determining EHEC or STEC were not identified. MIC to several substances were higher, related to the reference strain. Regarding the farm units, some of the respective strains had more frequently higher MIC. Based on these results, in case of air sacculitis, the decision should depend on macroscopic lesions exclusively.     

Comparative study of three intramuscular anaesthetic combinations (medetomidine/ketamine, medetomidine/fentanyl/midazolam and xylazine/ketamine) in rabbits

OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality of surgical anaesthesia and cardiorespiratory effects of three intramuscular (IM) anaesthetic combinations in rabbits. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized cross-over experimental study. ANIMALS: Nineteen adult female chinchilla mixed-bred rabbits weighing 3.9 +/- 0.8 kg. METHODS: Rabbits were given one of three IM anaesthetic combinations: 0.25 mg kg(-1) medetomidine and 35.0 mg kg(-1) ketamine (M-K), 0.20 mg kg(-1) medetomidine and 0.02 mg kg(-1) fentanyl and 1.0 mg kg(-1) midazolam (M-F-Mz) and 4.0 mg kg(-1) xylazine and 50 mg kg(-1) ketamine (X-K). The effects of anaesthesia on nociceptive reflexes, circulatory and respiratory function were recorded. Statistical analyses involved repeated measures anova with paired Student's t-test applied post hoc. P-values <0.05 were considered as significant. RESULTS: Reflex loss was most rapid and complete in M-K recipients, whereas animals receiving M-F-Mz showed the longest tolerance of endotracheal intubation (78.1 +/- 36.5 minutes). Loss of righting reflex was significantly most rapid (p < 0.05) in the X-K group (114.7 +/- 24.0 minutes). Surgical anaesthesia was achieved in 16 of 19 animals receiving M-K, in 14 animals receiving M-F-Mz, and in seven animals with X-K, but only for a short period (7.1 +/- 11.6 minutes). This was significantly (p < 0.001) shorter than with M-K (38.7 +/- 30.0 minutes) and M-F-Mz (31.6 +/- 26.6 minutes). Heart rates were greatest in X-K recipients; lowest HR were seen in animals receiving M-F-Mz. Mean arterial blood pressure was significantly higher (about 88 mmHg) during the first hour in the M-K group. During recovery, the greatest hypotension was encountered in the X-K group; minimum values were 53 +/- 12 mmHg. Six of 19 animals in the M-F-Mz group showed a short period of apnoea (30 seconds) immediately after endotracheal intubation. Respiratory frequency was significantly lower in this group (p < 0.001). Highest values for arterial carbon dioxide partial pressures (PaCO(2)) (6.90 +/- 0.87 kPa; 52.5 +/- 6.5 mmHg) occurred after induction of anaesthesia in group M-F-Mz animals. There was a marked decrease in PaO(2) in all three groups (the minimum value 5.28 +/- 0.65 kPa [39.7 +/- 4.9 mmHg] was observed with M-K immediately after injection). Arterial PO(2) was between 26.0 and 43.0 kPa (196 and 324 mmHg) in all groups during O(2) delivery and decreased - but not <7.98 kPa - on its withdrawal. Immediately after drug injection, pH(a) values fell in all groups, with lowest values after 30 minutes (7.23 +/- 0.03 with M-K, 7.28 +/- 0.05 with M-F-Mz, and 7.36 +/- 0.04 with X-K). The X-K animals showed significantly (p < 0.001) higher pH values than medetomidine recipients. During 1 hour of anaesthesia pH values in the medetomidine groups remained below those of the X-K group. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical anaesthesia was induced in most animals receiving medetomidine-based combinations. Arterial blood pressure was maintained at baseline values for about 1 hour after M-K. Transient apnoea occurred with M-F-Mz and mandates respiratory function monitoring. Oxygen enrichment of inspired gases is necessary with all three combinations. Endotracheal intubation is essential in rabbits receiving M-F-Mz. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The quality of surgical anaesthesia was greatest with M-K. All combinations allowed recoveries of similar duration. It is theoretically possible to antagonize each component of the M-F-Mz combination.     

Variability in germination and in temperature and storage resistance among Paenibacillus larvae genotypes

There are several methods for cultivation of Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB) in honey bees. Protocols for detection of sub-clinical levels of the bacterium from honey and bee samples include heat treatment of samples. The main objective of this study was to investigate if there is variability in temperature resistance among P. larvae genotypes, potentially leading to biased diagnose and disease monitoring. The variation in germination and proliferation ability among type collection (N = 4) and field isolates (N = 4) of P. larvae representing four different genotypes was investigated. Results demonstrate a significant variability between P. larvae genotypes in germination rate on solid media as well as in endospore resistance to heat treatment and storage. It is concluded that strains of different genotypes should be included in evaluation of standard laboratory protocols for cultivation of P. larvae to avoid bias in disease monitoring and quantification of the pathogen.     

Sternothyroideus Tenectomy Combination Surgery: Treatment Outcome in 95 Thoroughbred Racehorses (1996–2006)

This retrospective case series reports on the clinical experiences of a group of Thoroughbred racehorses in training that were treated surgically for intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) using sternothyroideus tenectomy in combination with soft palate surgery. The 95 horses included in the study were Thoroughbred racehorses in training referred for surgical treatment of intermittent DDSP over a 10-year period. Return to racing was 94% (89/95). Total earnings increased for up to three starts before and after surgery in 65% of horses (62/95, P= .0006). Of the 58 horses that raced in three or more races before and after surgery, 71% (41/58) improved their total earnings. Mean days to first start were 106 days. Performance index improved in 64% of these horses (37/58). Sixty of the 95 horses (63%) raced in six or more races after surgery. Sternothyroideus tenectomy combination surgery had a good prognosis for improving earnings and performance index after surgery in this group of horses that were treated for a working diagnosis of intermittent DDSP.     

Comparative oncology: The paradigmatic example of canine and human mast cell neoplasms

In humans, advanced mast cell (MC) neoplasms are rare malignancies with a poor prognosis. Only a few preclinical models are available, and current treatment options are limited. In dogs, MC neoplasms are the most frequent malignant skin tumours. Unlike low‐grade MC neoplasms, high‐grade MC disorders usually have a poor prognosis with short survival. In both species, neoplastic MCs display activating KIT mutations, which are considered to contribute to disease evolution. Therefore, tyrosine kinase inhibitors against KIT have been developed. Unfortunately, clinical responses are unpredictable and often transient, which remains a clinical challenge in both species. Therefore, current efforts focus on the development of new improved treatment strategies. The field of comparative oncology may assist in these efforts and accelerate human and canine research regarding diagnosis, prognostication, and novel therapies. In this article, we review the current status of comparative oncology approaches and perspectives in the field of MC neoplasms.     

Content of Free Amino Acids in Onion ( Allium cepa L.) as Influenced by the Stage of Development at Harvest and Long-term Storage

The changes in free amino acid (FAA) composition during long-term storage of onions ( Allium cepa L.) were investigated over a 3 year period. The influence of development at the time of harvest on the FAA composition of onions was investigated over a 2 year period. In addition, the composition of FAA in different morphological parts was analysed over a 1 year period. The most abundant amino acids were arginine and glutamine. The results indicated that the later the onions were harvested the lower the content of almost all the FAA in the dry matter. These differences in content were maintained throughout long-term storage. The percentage of FAA in the dry matter increased in relation to the centrality of leaves in the bulb but was independent of storage time.