Serological response of guinea pigs to oily and aqueous inactivated vaccines containing a Brazilian isolate of the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV)

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) is widespread in cattle in Brazil and research shows its large antigenic variability. Available vaccines are produced with virus strains isolated in other countries and may not be effective. In this study, inactivated vaccines containing the Brazilian BVDV-Ib IBSP11 isolate were developed and tested on 6 groups of 10 guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Animals in groups A and C received an aqueous vaccine (aluminum hydroxide); B and D groups received an oily vaccine (Montanide ISA50); Group E positive-control animals were given an imported commercial vaccine with BVDV-Ia Singer; Group F animals were sham vaccinated (negative control). Groups A, B and E received two doses, and Groups C and D, three, every 21 days. Twelve blood samples were taken, at 21-day intervals over 231 days, and evaluated for antibody titer through virus-neutralization (VN), using a homologous strain (IBSP11), and a heterologous strain (BVDV-Ia NADL). Most animals, 42 days following the first dose, seroconverted to both strains and, after the second dose, there was a significant increase of titers in all groups. The oily formulation induced greater response after the third administration. This increase was not observed with the aqueous vaccines, regardless of the virus used in the VN. Antibody decline was more rapid in animals that received aqueous vaccines. The results showed the importance of studying the influence of endemic strains of commercial vaccines, to improve the efficacy of BVD vaccination. Use of the endemic strain in vaccine formulation presented promising results, as well as the use of guinea pigs as a laboratory model.     

Studies with bluetongue virus in Nigeria.

Using an agar gel diffusion test antibody evidence indicates that bluetongue virus is widely distributed in Nigeria and commonly infects cattle, sheep and goats. In a single dairy herd serological conversions were observed in both wet and dry seasons.     

Seasonal and temporal changes in species use of the landscape: how do they impact the inferences from multi-scale habitat modeling?

Context

Multi-scale approaches to habitat modeling have been shown to provide more accurate understanding and predictions of species-habitat associations. It remains however unexplored how spatial and temporal variations in habitat use may affect multi-scale habitat modeling.

Objectives

We aimed at assessing how seasonal and temporal differences in species habitat use and distribution impact operational scales, variable influence, habitat suitability spatial patterns, and performance of multi-scale models.

Methods

We evaluated the environmental factors driving brown bear habitat relationships in the Cantabrian Range (Spain) based on species presence records (ground observations) for the period 2000–2010, LiDAR data on forest structure, and seasonal estimates of foraging resources. We separately developed multi-scale habitat models for (i) each season (spring, summer, fall and winter) (ii) two sub-periods with different population status: 2000–2004 (with brown bear distribution restricted to the main population nuclei) and 2005–2010 (with expanding bear population and range); and (iii) the entire 2000–2010 period.

Results

Scales of effect remained considerably stable across seasonal and temporal variations, but not the influence of certain environmental variables. The predictive ability of multi-scale models was lower in the seasons or periods in which populations used larger areas and a broader variety of environmental conditions. Seasonal estimates of foraging resources, together with LiDAR data, appeared to improve the performance of multi-scale habitat models.

Conclusions

We highlight that the understanding of multi-scale behavioral responses of species to spatial patterns that continually shift over time may be essential to unravel habitat relationships and produce reliable estimates of species distributions.

     

Effect of maternal immunity on the immune response to oral vaccination against rabies in young foxes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effect of maternal antibodies on immune response to oral vaccination against rabies in young foxes. ANIMALS: 250 cubs from 48 vixens. PROCEDURE: Sera were obtained from cubs of 36 vaccinated (maternally vaccinated [MV+]) and 12 nonvaccinated (MV-) vixens between 23 and 71 days of age and tested for neutralizing antibodies. Seventy-one MV+ cubs and 33 MV-cubs were vaccinated orally with modified-live virus vaccine SAD B19. Geometric mean titer (GMT) was determined in these cubs approximately 21, 39, and 57 days after vaccination. In a subsequent experiment, 10 vaccinated MV+ cubs, 6 vaccinated MV- cubs, and 6 control cubs were challenge inoculated with virulent rabies virus approximately 100 days after vaccination. RESULTS: Serum GMT of nonvaccinated MV cubs (0.23 U/ml) was significantly greater than that of non-vaccinated MV- cubs (0.15 U/ml). The GMT of vaccinated MV+ cubs 21, 39, and 57 days after vaccination were 2.85, 2.11, and 0.79 U/ml, respectively, and were significantly less than those of vaccinated MV- cubs (12.19, 6.76, and 4.02 U/ml, respectively). All challenge-inoculated cubs with GMT < 0.5 U/ml succumbed to rabies. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Partially impaired immune response in cubs < 8 weeks old from vaccinated vixens causes insufficient protection against rabies. Inhibition of the immune response persists longer than the period during which maternal antibodies are detectable. Thus, oral vaccination campaigns for young foxes in areas where vaccination has been performed need to be reconsidered.     

Modulation of porcine biotransformation enzymes by anthelmintic therapy with fenbendazole and flubendazole

Fenbendazole (FEN) and flubendazole (FLU) are benzimidazole anthelmintics often used in pig management for the control of nematodoses. The in vivo study presented here was designed to test the influence of FLU and FEN on cytochrome P4501A and other cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms, UDP-glucuronosyl transferase and several carbonyl reducing enzymes. The results indicated that FEN (in a single therapeutic dose as well as in repeated therapeutic doses) caused significant induction of pig CYP1A, while FLU did not show an inductive effect towards this isoform. Some of the other hepatic and intestinal biotransformation enzymes that were assayed were moderately influenced by FEN or FLU. Strong CYP1A induction following FEN therapy in pigs may negatively affect the efficacy and pharmacokinetics of FEN itself or other simultaneously or consecutively administered drugs. From the perspective of biotransformation enzyme modulation, FLU would appear to be a more convenient anthelmintic therapy of pigs than FEN.     

Effect of restricted suckling on milk yield,milk composition and udder health in cows and behaviour and weight gain in calves,in dual-purpose cattle in the tropics

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of restricted suckling (RS) in dual-purpose cows and calves compared to artificial rearing (AR). Twelve Holstein-Zebu cows with calves were assigned to each treatment. Cows were milked once daily in the morning with calves present to stimulate milk let-down. RS calves suckled 30 min after milking and 30 min in the afternoon, whereas AR calves were milk-fed from nipple bottles. The daily saleable milk yield was higher in RS than in AR cows (p < 0.01; 7.44 vs 6.50 kg/day), whereas RS cows had lower milk-fat content (p < 0.001). AR cows had higher California Mastitis Test scores (p < 0.001) and lower lactose content (p < 0.001) compared to RS cows, which indicates an improved udder health in RS cows. AR calves displayed more ‘cross-suck’ during suckling/milk feeding (p < 0.001) and during observations of general behaviour (p < 0.05), and more ‘lick and sniff interior’ during milking (p < 0.05) and suckling/milk feeding (p < 0.01), compared to RS calves. During observations of general behaviour the RS calves were more often observed to ‘walk’ (p < 0.01) and ‘lick self’ (p < 0.05) and less frequently to ‘eat concentrate’ (p < 0.05) than AR calves. Results support the hypothesis that RS increases milk yield, influences milk composition and improves udder health in cows, and decreases abnormal sucking in calves.     

Transdermal absorption of a liposome-encapsulated formulation of lidocaine following topical administration in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine plasma disposition after dermal application of a liposome-encapsulated formulation of lidocaine in cats. ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult cats with a mean (+/- SD) body weight of 4.1 +/- 0.44 kg. PROCEDURE: CBC determination and biochemical analysis of blood samples were performed for all cats. Cats were anesthetized by use of isoflurane, and catheters were placed IV in a central vein. The next day, blood samples were obtained from the catheters before and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 hours after applying a 4% liposome-encapsulated lidocaine cream (15 mg/kg) to a clipped area over the cephalic vein. Plasma concentrations of lidocaine were analyzed with a high-performance liquid chromatography assay. Results-Two cats had minimal transdermal absorption of lidocaine, with lidocaine concentrations below the sensitivity of the assay at all but 1 or 2 time points. In the other 4 cats, the median maximum plasma concentration was 149.5 ng/ml, the median time to maximum plasma concentration was 2 hours, and the median area under the concentration versus time curve from zero to infinity was 1014.5 ng.h/ml. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Maximum plasma concentrations of lidocaine remained substantially below toxic plasma concentrations for cats. On the basis of these data, topical administration of a liposome-encapsulated lidocaine formulation at a dose of 15 mg/kg appears to be safe for use in healthy adult cats.     

Clinical validation of a proANP 31-67 fragment ELISA in the diagnosis of heart failure in the dog

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a polypeptide hormone found in increased concentrations in the plasma of dogs with heart failure. However, problems arise in using ANP as a diagnostic marker for heart failure because of its short half-life in plasma, proteolysis post-collection and the necessity for a radioimmunoassay. The diagnostic utility of a proANP 31-67 ELISA for the detection of heart failure in dogs was evaluated using plasma collected from 31 dogs with clinical and radiographic signs of heart failure and control samples from 40 dogs considered to be free of cardiac disease. Log proANP 31-67 levels were significantly higher in the heart failure group (P < 0.001). In this population of dogs, using a cut-off value of 1,750 fmol/ml, the sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 83.9 per cent and 97.5 per cent, respectively. Using a cut-off of 1,350 fmol/ml, the sensitivity and specificity were 93.5 per cent and 72.5 per cent, respectively. It is concluded that a proANP 31-67 fragment ELISA should prove to be a useful diagnostic aid in naturally occurring canine heart failure.     

Safety of a modified-live combination vaccine against respiratory and reproductive diseases in pregnant cows

A combination vaccine (Bovi-Shield FP4 + L5, Pfizer Animal Health) containing modified-live virus (MLV) components against bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1), bovine viral diarrhea virus BVDV), parainfluenza virus-3 (PI3), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), and inactivated cultures of Leptospira canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae, and pomona was evaluated for safety in pregnant beef and dairy animals. Heifers vaccinated prebreeding with the minimum immunizing dose (lowest antigen level initiating immunizing effects) of the vaccine's MLV BHV-1 or BVDV components and during pregnancy (approximately 200 days of gestation) with vaccine containing 10x doses of the same BHV-1 and BVDV components delivered live, healthy calves that were determined to be serologically negative (titer less than 1:2) for neutralizing antibodies to BHV-1 and BVDV prior to nursing. Additionally, in three field safety studies, previously vaccinated cows and heifers that received a field dose (vaccine containing antigen levels required for commercial sale of the MLV combination vaccine during either the first, second, or third trimester of pregnancy had abortion rates similar to those of pregnant cows and heifers vaccinated during the same stage of pregnancy with sterile water diluent.     

Observations on mouse-infective stocks of Cowdria ruminantium: microscopical demonstration of the Kwanyanga stock in mouse tissue and the carrier-status of the Senegal stock in mice

The behaviour of two different stocks of Cowdria ruminantium was investigated in mice. The mouse-pathogenic Kwanyanga stock of C ruminantium was microscopically demonstrated in mice in capillary endothelial cells of the lung, spleen, kidney, liver and brain. Mice of the ninth passage of the Senegal stock, which is infective but not pathogenic to mice, were kept alive for a year. Their blood and homogenised spleens, inoculated intravenously, caused fatal heartwater in a goat. However, the Senegal stock could not be demonstrated microscopically in mice. These results indicate the possible role of rodents in the epidemiology of heartwater.