干燥加工禽用受潮谷物

恶劣天气后收获的小麦非常潮湿,往往不适合作为人类食品的原料使用。因为这种收获条件常常会导致小麦发芽以及含有高水平的淀粉酶和蛋白酶,而这些酶会影响烘焙食品的大小,降低面筋的强度。结果,此类受损的小麦可能会被销往动物饲料市场。     

Effects of temperature and time in transit on polymerase chain reaction detection of feline herpesvirus DNA.

The purpose of this study was to report methods currently recommended by commercial laboratories for collecting, shipping, and processing of samples for feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to determine the effect of temperature and time on the ability of 1 PCR method to detect FHV-1 DNA in experimental and clinical samples. Eleven laboratories offering FHV-1 PCR were surveyed. There was notable variation in sample types and shipping conditions recommended and PCR protocols used by these laboratories. Subsequently, using a single PCR method, FHV-1 DNA was detected in samples exposed to various temperatures within the laboratory. Finally, FHV-1 PCR was performed on paired clinical samples collected from 25 cats and shipped at ambient temperatures via US Postal Service (USPS) or with an ice pack via a courier. Samples sent by USPS were exposed to significantly longer transit time and arrived at significantly higher temperature than did samples sent by courier. Despite this, all sample pairs yielded concordant results when tested for FHV-1 DNA using this PCR method. Although it may not be necessary for samples collected for detection of FHV-1 DNA using this PCR method to be shipped under the most expedient or temperature-controlled conditions, this should be verified for a variety of PCR assays and sample types.     

Dirofilaria immitis in cats from inner Sydney

Two hundred feral cats from the inner suburbs of Sydney were examined post mortem for adult Dirofilaria immitis and circulating microfilariae, and 101 of these cats were tested for heartworm antigens by an ELISA. Only 2 cats (1%) had adult heartworms, the blood sample from another cat contained a single microfilaria. The blood of a further three cats contained small amounts of D immitis antigen. Although D immitis occurs in cats in Sydney, the prevalence is not high enough to warrant prophylactic treatment.     

A novel IS element, ISMpa1, in Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

A novel insertion element belonging to the IS110 family was identified in Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. The IS element, ISMpa1, is 1500 bp and has one ORF encoding a putative transposase. Three copies of ISMpa1 were identified in the M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis genome. The element had inserted into the 3' end of the highly conserved mycobacterial genes prrB and a homologue of M. tuberculosis Rv1593c, and between a putative cytochrome p450 oxygenase and a putative hydrolase. The IS element was present in all (n = 11) M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis strains but not detected in most other mycobacterial species examined, including 10 M. avium subsp. avium isolates of human, avian and porcine origin. However two porcine isolates of M. avium subsp. avium and the reference strain IWGMT49 did harbour ISMpa1. These three strains belong to a previously described subgroup of M. avium subsp. avium based on IS1245 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern and serovars. All of the M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis strains examined had an identical RFLP pattern when probed with sequences corresponding to the 5' end of ISMpa1, whereas a different pattern was seen in the positive M. avium subsp. avium strains. This novel IS element might be a useful tool in strain classification of M. avium subsp. avium and also for the identification of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis when used in combination with IS900.     

Prevalence of cpb2, encoding beta2 toxin,in Clostridium perfringens field isolates: correlation of genotype with phenotype

Beta2 toxin, encoded by the cpb2 gene, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of porcine, equine and bovine enteritis by type A Clostridium perfringens. By incorporating primers to cpb2 into a multiplex genotyping PCR, we screened 3270 field isolates of C. perfringens. Of these, 37.2% were PCR positive for the cpb2 gene. The majority of isolates from cases of porcine enteritis were positive for cpb2 (>85%), and this was even more true for C. perfringens isolated from cases of porcine neonatal enteritis (91.8%). In contrast, isolates from normal pigs only contained cpb2 in 11.1% of cases. The correlation between enteritis in other animal species and the presence of cpb2 was not so strong. cpb2 was found in 21.4% of C. perfringens isolates from cattle with enteritis, and in 47.3% of isolates from calves with enteritis or abomastitis. The prevalence of cpb2 varied with genotype, with type A isolates being positive for this gene in 35.1% of cases. Furthermore, enterotoxigenic type D or type E strains almost always carried cpb2. We cloned a 6xHIS-tagged beta2 (HIS-beta2) and used this protein to raise antiserum against beta2. Culture supernatants from 68 cpb2-positive and 13 cpb2-negative strains were tested for the presence of beta2 by Western blotting. In cpb2-positive isolates of porcine origin, beta2 was almost always detected (96.9%). However, in cpb2-positive isolates from other animal species, only 50.0% expressed beta2 protein. The high rate of cpb2-positivity among strains from neonatal pigs with enteritis and the high correlation of genotype with phenotype, supports the contention that beta2 toxin plays a role in the pathogenesis of these infections. However, it may be important to consider the use of an additional method for the detection of beta2 toxin in non-porcine cpb2-positive isolates when making claims about the role of beta2 in enteritis in non-porcine species.     

Long-term use of cyclosporine in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis

This retrospective study of 51 dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD) treated with cyclosporine (CsA) for a minimum of 6 months assessed the frequency of dosing and the need for continual treatment to control clinical signs. The study evaluated both medical records and information supplied by the owners in the form of written questionnaires and telephone follow-up. Laboratory parameters, possible adverse effects and owner satisfaction were assessed. The dose of CsA was 5 mg/kg orally per day and dogs received CsA for 6-30 months. At the conclusion of the study period, 28 dogs (55%) needed ongoing CsA to control clinical signs of AD: 8 (15%) received CsA 2-3 days per week, 10 (20%) 4-5 days per week, and 10 (20%) daily. CsA was discontinued in 23 dogs (45%) after 6-24 months due to either a limited response (22%) or after achieving a clinical response (24%). The results suggest that some dogs with AD treated with CsA may not require daily or even ongoing treatment to control clinical signs. Laboratory abnormalities were detected in 13 dogs (25%) during their CsA treatment. Two dogs developed oral growths and three developed hirsuitism. Forty owners (78%) reported no adverse events in their dogs during the treatment period. Thirty-six owners (71%) were satisfied with CsA as treatment for their atopic dog.     

Pharmacokinetic profiles of meloxicam after single IV and PO administration in Bilgorajska geese

The purpose of this study was two-fold: I) to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of meloxicam (MLX) in geese after intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) administration and II) to assess tissue residues in muscle, heart, liver, lung, and kidney. Ten clinically normal female Bilgorajska geese were divided into two groups (treated, n = 8; control, n = 2). Group 1 underwent a 3-phase parallel study with a 1-week washout period. In phase I, animals received MLX (0.5 mg/kg) by IV administration; the blood was collected up to 48 hr. In phases II and III geese were treated orally at the same dosage for the collection of blood and tissue samples, respectively. Group 2 served as control. After the extraction procedure, a validated HPLC method with UV detection was used for plasma and organ analysis. The plasma concentrations were quantifiable up to 24 hr after both the administrations. The elimination phase of MLX from plasma was similar in both the administration groups. The clearance was slow (0.00975 L/hr*Kg), the volume of distribution small (0.0487 L/kg), and the IV half-life was 5.06 ± 2.32 hr. The average absolute PO bioavailability was 64.2 ± 24.0%. Residues of MLX were lower than the LOQ (0.1 µg/kg) in any tested tissue and at any collection time. The dosage used in this study achieved the plasma concentration, which provides analgesia in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots for 5 out of 24 hr after PO administration. MLX tissue concentrations were below the LOD of the assay in tissue (0.03 µg/ml). A more sensitive technique might be necessary to determine likely residue concentrations in tissue.     

Challenges of thermal nociceptive threshold testing in the donkey

ObjectiveTo evaluate a thermal nociceptive threshold (TNT) testing device in the donkey, and the influence of potential confounding factors on TNTs.AnimalsTwo groups (Group 1 and Group 2) of eight castrated male donkeys aged 4–9 years, weighing 105–170 kg.MethodsTNTs were measured by heating a thermal probe on skin until an end-point behaviour (threshold temperature) or a cut-out temperature (51 °C) was reached. The withers and the dorsal aspect of the distal limb were used as sites for TNT testing. The effects on TNT of different confounding factors: the limb tested; rate of heating; and ambient temperature were evaluated. Data were analyzed using general linear models, and Mann-Whitney tests, p < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsEnd-point behaviours (skin twitch or donkey looking at test device) when the thermal probe heated the withers were observed in approximately half of tests. TNT was (mean ± SD) 46.8 ± 2.85 °C. Subsequently the limb was evaluated as the test site in Group 1 followed by Group 2 donkeys; end-point behaviour being a foot-lift. In Group 1, 72% of tests ended in an end-point behaviour but the response rate was lower in Group 2 (20%), although TNTs were similar [(47.6 ± 3.3) and (47.3 ± 3.0) °C respectively] for responding animals. Rate of heating, ambient temperature and laterality (right or left) did not affect thresholds, but mean TNT was significantly higher in the forelimb (48.5 ± 2.8 °C) than the hind limb (47.4 ± 2.8 °C) (p = 0.012).ConclusionsWhen a thermal probe cut-out temperature of 51 °C was used in TNT testing in the donkey a high proportion of tests did not produce an identifiable end point behaviour. Higher cut-out temperatures damaged the skin. Under these conditions, thermal nociceptive threshold testing appears not be an appropriate analgesiometry technique in the donkey.Clinical relevanceTNT testing under these conditions is not suitable form of analgesiometry for donkeys.