A rapid MTT colorimetric assay to assess the proliferative index of two Indian strains of Theileria annulata

A study was undertaken to compare the proliferative index of macroschizont-infected lymphoblastoid cells of two Indian strains [Izatnagar (IZT) and Parbhani (PBN)] of Theileria annulata by an in vitro MTT [3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide], colorimetric assay. Culture conditions were standardized to define the optimal cell concentration in 96-well microculture plates to yield nearly 100% living cells for measurement of the metabolized formazan activity. A cell concentration of 1.5x10(5) cells/ml was found to be optimal for effective discrimination of the parasite strains. On the basis of conversion of MTT by the actively proliferating lymphoblastoid cells, the PBN strain of T. annulata stimulated a 2.5-fold increase in formazan activity in comparison to the IZT strain. The in vitro MTT assay was found to be a simple and convenient method for assessing the cell activation rate and growth, obviating the need for radioactive material for the assay. The results of the proliferation assay are discussed in relation to previously documented information on the biological characteristics of this important pathogen of cattle.     

Efficacy of cobalt-60 radiation therapy for the treatment of nasal cavity nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma in the dog

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of cobalt-60 radiotherapy in the treatment of nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity in dogs and to compare this treatment group to historical controls. Six dogs with histopathologically confirmed nasal cavity nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma were treated with cobalt-60 radiotherapy to a total dose of either 63 Gy or 54 Gy. Overall survival times ranged from 30 days to 330 days, with a median survival time of 165 days. Nasal cavity nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma in the dog is an aggressive tumor that responds poorly to radiotherapy.     

Evaluation of an oscillometric blood pressure monitor for use in anesthetized cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine accuracy of an oscillometric blood pressure monitor used over a wide range of pressures in anesthetized cats. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 6 healthy cats. PROCEDURE: 4 female cats and 2 male cats that weighed 2.7 to 4.5 kg (5.9 to 9.9 lb) and were 2 to 8 years old were anesthetized. Blood pressure was measured directly with an arterial catheter placed in the right femoral artery and indirectly from the left antebrachium by use of an oscillometric monitor. A series of diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) measurements were obtained during hypotension, normotension, and hypertension. Values obtained indirectly and directly were compared. RESULTS: The oscillometric monitor was accurate for DAP and MAP throughout the entire pressure range and met the standards of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (mean +/- SD difference from values obtained directly, < or = 5 +/- 8 mm Hg). The SAP was increasingly underestimated with increasing overall pressure; mean differences from direct measurements were -5.2, -12.1, and -17.7 mm Hg during hypo-, normo-, and hypertension, respectively. Standard deviations for SAP were all < or = 8 mm Hg. The monitor gave readings during all attempts. The direct blood pressure recording system appeared to perform well with neither under- nor overdamping. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Except for a minor underestimation of SAP during normo- and hypertension, the oscillometric monitor yielded reliable and easily obtainable blood pressure measurements in anesthetized cats.     

Effects of dietary ingredients on manure characteristics and odorous emissions from swine

Two feeding studies were conducted to examine the impact of dietary inclusion of specific feed ingredients on manure characteristics and manure odor. In one study, 72 finishing pigs were used to evaluate the effects of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on pig performance, manure characteristics, and odorous emissions. Three diets containing 0, 5, and 10% DDGS were fed during six 4-wk feeding periods. Week 1 served as a dietary adjustment period. Animals were housed in two feeding rooms (six pigs/room) with one treatment/room. A new group of animals (average initial BW = 85.8 kg) was used for each feeding period. Diets were replicated four times. Rooms were equipped with individual shallow manure storage pits that were cleaned once weekly (d 7). On d 4 and 7 of each week, manure pit samples, for chemical analyses, and air samples, for olfactometry analysis, were collected from each room. Odor dilution threshold was greater on d 7 than on d 4 of manure storage across all treatments (P < 0.01). No treatment differences in manure composition were noted. In the second study, weaned pigs (approximately 5 wk old) were fed isonitrogenous diets containing 0, 1.5, or 3% bloodmeal. Pigs were housed by diet (three pigs/diet) in one of four individual feeding rooms. A new group of pigs was used for each of the two, 4-wk feeding periods. During period 1, the 3% bloodmeal diet was fed in two of the four rooms; the 0% bloodmeal diet was fed in two rooms during period 2. Manure samples, for chemical analyses, and air samples, for olfactometry analysis, were collected 2 d per week (d 4 and d 6) from each room during wk 2 through 4. No significant treatment differences were observed for odor dilution threshold (P = 0.30). Longer manure storage time, 6 d vs 4 d, resulted in a larger odor dilution ratio (P < 0.01). Manure composition was unaltered by storage time. Results suggest that odor intensifies during storage.     

Effect of wean-to-finish management on pig performance

In each of three trials, 240 crossbred barrows weaned at 17 d of age (5.1 kg BW) were assigned to one of three experimental treatments based on light and heavy weight outcome groups. Experimental treatments were 1) wean-to-finish at 0.69 m2/pig and 15 pigs/pen; 2) wean-to-finish double-stocked at 0.35 m2/pig, 30 pigs per pen for 8 wk and then randomly split into two pens (either stayed in same pen or moved to new pen) for growth to slaughter at 0.69 m2/pig; and 3) nursery facility for 8 wk at 0.35 m2/pig and 15 pigs/pen followed by move to the same grow-finish facility housing wean-to-finish and double-stocked pigs and maintaining pen integrity. Beginning at 38 kg BW, diets were supplemented with either bacitracin methylenedisalicylate at 33 mg/kg to slaughter or tylosin at 44 mg/kg to 59 kg BW and 22 mg/kg thereafter. There were no trial x treatment interactions, even though there was considerable variation in health status among trials. At the end of the 56-d nursery period, wean-to-finish pigs weighed more than nursery (28.7 vs 27.7 kg; P = 0.071) and double-stocked pigs (28.7 vs 26.9 kg; P = 0.002), due to greater ADG (wean-to-finish vs nursery; P = 0.062; wean-to-finish vs double-stocked; P = 0.002) and greater ADFI (wean-to-finish vs nursery; P = 0.024; wean-to-finish vs double-stocked, P = 0.002). There was no effect of treatments (P > 0.1) on ADG, feed conversion, carcass lean percentage, or lean gain during the growing-finishing period. There was also no effect of treatment (P > 0.1) on ADG or ADFI from weaning to slaughter. There was no difference (P > 0.1) between bacitracin methylenedisalicylate and tylosin for ADG, feed conversion, carcass lean percentage, or daily lean gain. These data suggest that housing 5-kg weaned pigs in fully slatted growing-finishing facilities from weaning to slaughter was not detrimental to overall performance. In this experiment, dietary additions of bacitracin methylenedisalicylate or tylosin from 38 kg BW to slaughter weight resulted in similar growth performance.     

Carbon fibres and plasma-preserved tendon allografts for gap repair of flexor tendon in bovines: gross,microscopic and scanning electron microscopic observations

The efficacy of carbon fibres and plasma-preserved tendon allografts for gap repair in the superficial digital flexor tendon in the mid-metatarsal region was evaluated in 12 crossbred calves. Experimental tenectomies were performed, followed by implantation of carbon fibres in group I (12 legs) and plasma-preserved tendon allografts in group II (12 legs). Gross observations in group I showed filling of the defect with granulation tissue with more vascularity on day 7, which was less prominent at day 14. On day 30, the neotendon formed was slightly thicker and comparable to normal tendon in appearance and texture. On day 90, it exhibited all the characteristics of a fully developed tendon. Whereas, in group II increased vascularity at the site and encapsulation of the graft with connective tissue in early periods was observed. The gap between graft and host was filled with fibrous connective tissue. Peritendinous adhesions were maximum on day 7 which were gradually reduced in both groups. Microscopically, an acute inflammatory reaction in the periphery of carbon fibres was observed on day 7. Immature fibroblasts were arranged in a haphazard pattern at this stage. By day 14, numerous newly formed capillaries and comparatively more mature fibroblasts were present in between and around the carbon fibres which were aligning parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tendon. By day 30 the healing tissue exhibited longitudinal orientation of collagen fibres and was at a more advance stage of maturation. By day 90, the neotendon formed simulated the picture of normal tendon. In the grafted tendon group, there was normal healing tissue at the functional sites between host and grafted tendon. The fibroblastic activity appeared to be both extrinsic and intrinsic in origin. The connective tissue had invaded the graft to a variable distance and there was resorption of graft which was replaced by newly formed connective tissue on day 90. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed formation of neotendon between carbon fibre strands, resulting in thickening of the implant. In later stages parallel collagen fibres resembling normal tendon were observed in both groups.     

Identification of immunoreactive polypeptides of Babesia equi parasite during immunization

This study was carried out to identify immunoreactive polypeptides in Babesia equi merozoite antigen. Three fractions of killed B. equi merozoite antigen viz.; whole merozoite (WM), cell membrane (CM) and high speed supernatant (HSS) antigens were prepared from the parasite infected erythrocytes. These antigenic preparations along with ghost antigen from non-infected erythrocytes were fractionated on 12% sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotted with sera showing high antibody titres. On SDS-PAGE, 16 polypeptides with molecular weight (Mr) in the range of 112-17kDa were obtained from the WM and CM antigens. But only six polypeptides were detected (96.5-28kDa) in the HSS antigen. On immunoblotting with high titred serum collected from donkeys following two immunizations with a killed B. equi merozoite immunogen, 11 polypeptides were observed in the WM and CM antigens (Mr 112-18kDa). Of these, four polypeptides (Mr 112, 45, 33 and 18kDa) were identified as most immunoreactive. Besides these, a 28kDa was observed as strong immunoreactive protein in WM and CM antigens. The HSS antigen showed only six polypeptides and one peptide (28kDa) was identified as immunoreactive. When high titred serum collected from immunized donkeys following challenge with B. equi infected blood and was used for immunoblotting, the protein profile of WM and CM antigens remained the same. However, three additional polypeptides (Mr 81, 54.5 and 39kDa) were detected in HSS antigen.     

Peste des petits ruminants has been widely present in southern India since, if not before, the late 1980s

Because previous authorities had suggested that small ruminants were playing a part in the dissemination of rinderpest, and a rinderpest-eradication campaign was about to begin, it was necessary to make precise virus identifications from a number of small-ruminant “rinderpest” outbreaks. When this was done using a database created from passive disease reports, we found that epidemics—reportedly due to rinderpest—were in fact due to peste des petits ruminants (PPRs). Although such cases had been common in India for a number of years, earlier clinical and laboratory reports no longer should be regarded as definitive. PPR outbreaks have been frequent in recent years. Further, we suggest that PPR is not a recent invader of India.     

Risk factors for metritis in Danish dairy cows

A retrospective longitudinal study of metritis was conducted in Denmark on data collected during 1993-1994. Data on herd size, breed, parity, and treatment of disease were obtained from the Danish Cattle Database. Management and production-facility data were collected using a questionnaire, conducted as a telephone interview in 1994. The study included 2144 herds from three regions in Denmark (102,060 cows). Herd-level variables included were: herd size, housing, flooring, grazing, calving measures, and calving supervision. Cow-level variables were: parity, breed, calving season and whether the cow had been treated by a veterinarian for dystocia or the diseases: retained placenta, reproductive disease, ketosis, milk fever, or dry cow mastitis.Marginal multivariable logistic-regression analyses were performed. The cow with highest odds of metritis was a first or greater than or equal to third parity cow, of large breed, that calved during November-April, in a zero-grazing herd. The cow had been treated for dystocia, retained placenta, and at least one other reproductive disease, but not for ketosis.