Genetic typing of classical swine fever virus

Three regions of the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) genome that have been widely sequenced were compared with respect to their ability to discriminate between isolates and to segregate viruses into genetic groups. Sequence data-sets were assembled for 55 CSFVs comprising 150 nucleotides of the 5' non-translated region, 190 nucleotides of the E2 envelope glycoprotein gene and 409 nucleotides of the NS5B polymerase gene. Phylogenetic analysis of each data-set revealed similar groups and subgroups. For closely related viruses, the more variable or larger data-sets gave better discrimination, and the most reliable classification was obtained with sequence data from the NS5B region. No evidence was found for intertypic recombination between CSFVs. A larger data-set was also analysed comprising 190 nucleotides of E2 sequence from 100 CSFVs from different parts of the world, in order to assess the extent and global distribution of CSFV diversity. Additional groups of CSFV are evident from Asia and the nomenclature of Lowings et al. (1996) [Lowings, P., Ibata, G., Needham, J., Paton, D., 1996. J. Gen. Virol. 77, 1311-1321] needs to be updated to accommodate these. A tentative assignment, adapting rather than overturning the previous nomenclature divides CSF viruses into three groups with three or four subgroups: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3; 2.1, 2.2, 2.3; 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4. The expanding data-base of CSFV sequences should improve the prospects of disease tracing in the future, and provide a basis for a standardised approach to ensure that results from different laboratories are comparable.     

Epitope-tagged insulin-like growth factor-I expression in muscle

Development of a recombinant insulin like growth factor I (IGF-I) that is distinguishable from its endogenous counterpart would provide a powerful tool for delineating the role of IGF in myogenesis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to create an epitope-tagged IGF-I that retains biological activity and determine whether expression of this construct is possible in muscle tissue following direct DNA injection. Expression vectors were created that encoded porcine IGF-I containing a T7 (11-amino acid) epitope-tag (TIGF). Immunoreactivity of the purified recombinant TIGF was confirmed using monoclonal antibodies. Biological activity was evaluated by examining differentiation of myoblasts cultured with TIGF or transfected with TIGF plasmid DNA. Addition of purified TIGF to myoblast cultures stimulated (P < 0.05) muscle creatine kinase levels similar to insulin (10(-5) M). Likewise, transfection of L6A1 with TIGF DNA hastened (P < 0.01) differentiation compared to control pcDNA-transfected myoblasts. The integrity of the recombinant protein was confirmed using a sandwich-configured enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, recombinant TIGF DNA was injected in porcine muscle and the ability to detect TIGF protein was evaluated. TIGF expression was detected in muscle fibers of injected porcine muscle. These data show that a T7 amino acid tag placed on the amino terminus of the IGF-I protein remains intact during processing and does not interfere with the biological activity of the molecule. Use of this DNA construct is an excellent tool for investigating the role of IGFs in control muscle development and provides a model to investigate other regulators of animal growth.     

Morphology and amplitude values of the electrocardiogram of Spanish-bred horses of different ages in the Dubois leads system

The aim of this work was to record the modifications of the form and amplitude of the electrocardiographic tracings during growth using the Dubois system and to study its sensibility to these physiological changes. This work was carried out on 179 healthy, young and adult Spanish-bred horses (98 females and 81 males). One electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained from each horse using the Dubois leads system. The bifid shape deflection of the P wave was generally more frequent than the simple one in animals at 4 months of age or older. Amplitudes of the P2 component and of the simple positive wave presented significant differences (p < 0.01) between the age groups studied: animals up to 3 months in age and older than 2 years of age (highest amplitudes), and the rest of the animals (lowest amplitudes). Significant variations (p < 0.05) were found for the QS amplitude between animals of 1 month of age, and all the other groups. The multiple range analysis did not define a clear distribution of age groups for the amplitude of the T wave. It may therefore be concluded, that in the Spanish-bred horse up to 1 month of age, the form and amplitude of the QRS complex in the Dubois leads system differ from those of older animals. Thus, this study shows the sensibility of the Dubois leads system for detecting the electrocardiographic changes related to the growing process in the Spanish-bred horse. In addition, it provides standard values of electrocardiographic parameters in the Spanish-bred horse at different stages of growth.     

Clinical application of prong-type tissue anchors in small animal surgery

Prong-type tissue anchors were used in six dogs and one cat in a variety of orthopaedic procedures in order to aid repair and replacement of tendons and ligaments. All animals returned to normal function with minimal problems.     

Pheasant ataxia: a new condition in pheasant poults

Between 1995 and 1997 a neurological condition in pheasant poults from 24 sites in England and Scotland was investigated. Affected birds showed varying degrees of ataxia and incoordinated movements and, in severe cases, recumbency, but generally remained alert with their heads held upright. The condition characteristically affected poults from seven weeks of age and the incidence on any one site was low. No significant bacteria were isolated consistently from brain tissue. The condition was characterised histologically by a non-suppurative meningoencephalitis, in which lesions were found predominantly in the cerebellum in 61 of 81 samples examined (75.3 per cent). A non-suppurative myelitis was recorded in 16 of 20 spinal cords examined. No lesions were recorded in peripheral neural tissue and lesions were rare in other tissues. The condition appeared not to have been recorded previously in pheasants. A viral aetiology was suspected but Newcastle disease virus was not involved.     

The antifungal activity of natamycin toward molds isolated from commercially manufactured poultry feed

The antifungal activity of natamycin, a polyene antifungal compound, was evaluated on molds isolated from commercial poultry feed. The antifungal activity was measured by determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for natamycin on molds growing on semisolid microbiological medium (potato dextrose agar) containing pure natamycin at concentrations ranging from 0 to 200 mg/liter. Natamycin exhibited a high degree of antifungal activity against the 191 isolates of aspergilli used in this study, with average MIC values ranging from 5.08 to 40.1 mg/liter for Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus parasiticus, respectively. Natamycin was also equally effective in inhibiting the growth of nonaflatoxigenic compared with aflatoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Natamycin was also efficacious against molds other than aspergilli, with MIC values ranging from 2.15 to 5.80 mg/liter for Paecilomyces and Rhizopus spp., respectively. Natamycin exhibited apparent sporicidal activity against spores of toxigenic strains of Fusarium moniliforme and A. parasiticus but not Penicillium rubrum. This sporicidal activity was evident only when spores were exposed to an in vitro concentration of natamycin of 25 mg/liter or higher for a period of time of at least 12 hr. The growth inhibiting activity of natamycin was more pronounced compared with the sporicidal activity.     

Radial carpal bone fractures in 15 dogs

Between 1977 and 1992, 15 adult dogs were presented to the Universities of Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool and London with fractures of the radial carpal bone which had occurred without a known episode of violent trauma. Eleven of the dogs were boxers and the other breeds affected were a Pharaoh hound, rottweiler, springer spaniel and a greyhound. The condition was bilateral in three cases. Eleven dogs were treated surgically by cast immobilisation (four cases), fragment removal (one case), lag screw fixation (three cases), pan-carpal arthrodesis (one case) and lag screw reduction followed by pan-carpal arthrodesis (two cases). The remaining four dogs were treated conservatively with rest and tactical use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Follow-up periods ranged from two months to 11 years. Varying degrees of lameness, which tended to be exacerbated by exercise, persisted in all cases. The radial carpal bone appears to have at least three separate centres of ossification which eventually fuse; their planes of fusion correspond approximately to the two main fracture lines. These areas of fusion could be weak points within the radial carpal bone.     

Mendelism in animal breeding as developed by professor Leopold Frateur,Louvain (1877-1946)

Educated as a veterinarian at Cureghem, Leopold Frateur started his scientific career in 1899 as a professor at the Faculty of Sciences of the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, in charge of the course in zootechnology. After a study tour to zootechnical institutes and centres of animal breeding in Europe he was invited by the governmental department of Agriculture and the Belgian Society of Zootechnology to investigate the relevance of the Mendelian laws of heredity for the improvement of cattle breeding. In the early years of the century, Frateur conducted field research in order to determine the characteristics of the cattle breeds in Belgium. In 1908 Frateur founded the Institute of Animal Husbandry at his university. Here he worked out his programme of experimental genetics until his retirement in 1936. The last six years of his professorship he teached also agricultural economics in the Faculty of Economical Sciences. In Frateur's experimental research the following main lines can be distinguished: 1) The analysis of simple and complex hereditary factors in cattle, rabbits and poultry; 2) The study of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of importance for the improvement of animal breeds; 3) The synthesis of genetic factors from different stock in order to obtain higher yielding breeds with stable characteristics; 4) Theoretical study of the relationship between genotype and phenotype and the influence of environment factors; 5) Theoretical exploration of the issue of variability and modification of newly formed characteristics; 6) Research leading to an explanation of telegony and atavism; 7) The formulation of a theory on the creation of new breeds in domestic animals and plants, and the relation between breed and species. Also he was responding to topical needs, e.g. he determined the causal factor of pullorum epidemic in chicken farming, or he investigated the hereditary resistance against diphteric infection amongst chickens. Frateur took the theoretical knowledge on heredity as the starting point for practical application in cattle breeding. During and right after W. W. I. he stated that the current scientific knowledge is enough advanced to consider the start of a large breeding programme for the improvement of cattle livestock. In order to realise this reinstatement Frateur received important support from the authorities (Royal Decree, August 1919). From then onwards he focussed his efforts on the realisation of a national framework for improvement of cattle livestock, in collaboration with regional centres and societies for animal selection, breeding and production. Later he also started programmes for the improvement of chicken and pig breeding, again in a joint effort with official consultants and members of breeding societies. He was not only the architect of these programmes, providing the necessary scientific and technical guidance, but he had also a chair in the governing bodies, supervising the execution and control of the breeding programmes. In order to draw a picture of the research community engaged in animal breeding during the first decennia of the 20th century Frateur's contacts through study tours, congresses and learned societies are investigated. The life and work of Frateur is described by the author in two volumes, published in 1999. The second volume consists of a reprint of 50 selected papers on animal breeding.     

Secondary lactose intolerance in a neonatal goat

A 2-week-old Toggenburg kid was evaluated for persistent diarrhea and poor body condition. The herd had high morbidity and mortality associated with diarrhea in neonatal kids. Lactose intolerance was diagnosed on the basis of results of a lactose tolerance test and glucose absorption test. Clinically normal herdmates were used as control animals. The kid responded to lactase supplementation. Cryptosporidium organisms were detected in feces of several affected kids during episodes of acute diarrhea. Lactose intolerance was presumed to have developed secondary to intestinal cryptosporidiosis.