Necrotizing typhlocolitis associated with a spirochete in rheas (Rhea americana).

Necrotizing typhlocolitis was diagnosed in 13 juvenile common rheas (Rhea americana) from three separate of geographically isolated Ohio flocks, with mortality ranging from 25% to 80%. At postmortem examination, a diphtheritic membrane covered ulcerated cecal mucosa. Histologically, cecal sections showed necrosis and granulomatous-to-suppurative inflammation that extended into the submucosa and often surrounded large eosinophilic colonies of bacteria. Warthin-Starry staining showed these colonies to be composed of entangled spirochetes that invaded the submucosa and frequently were present transmurally. Similar organisms were identified by Warthin-Starry staining in the cecum of a juvenile rhea from a fourth flock that histologically had mild lymphocytic typhlitis. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of a spirochete in the ceca. Anaerobic culture yielded a gram-negative, beta-hemolytic spirochete. Coccidia, histomonads, and Salmonella spp. were consistently absent.     

Effects of recombinant canine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on white blood cell production in clinically normal and neutropenic dogs.

Recombinant canine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rcG-CSF) was administered to clinically normal dogs, cyclic-hematopoietic dogs, and dogs undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation, to determine whether rcG-CSF could be used to stimulate WBC production and function in normal and neutropenic dogs. To the normal dogs, rcG-CSF was administered by SC injection at rates of 1 microgram/kg of body weight, q 12 h; 2 micrograms/kg, q 12 h; or 5 micrograms/kg, q 12 h. A significant dose-dependent increase in the WBC count resulted from the stimulation of bone marrow progenitor cells. The increased WBC count was characterized by mature neutrophilia and monocytosis. Neutrophil myeloperoxidase and phagocytic activity were normal in rcG-CSF-treated normal dogs, demonstrating the production of normal functional neutrophils in response to rcG-CSF treatment. Recombinant canine G-CSF prevented neutropenia and associated clinical signs but did not completely eliminate the cycling of neutrophils in cyclic-hematopoietic dogs when it was administered at rates of 1 microgram/kg, q 12 h, and 2.5 micrograms/kg, q 12 h. The time to bone marrow reconstitution was not decreased in dogs treated with rcG-CSF at a rate of 2.5 micrograms/kg, q 12 h, for 13 days following autologous bone marrow transplantation. On the basis of our findings, we suggest that treatment with rcG-CSF is an effective way to stimulate myelopoiesis in dogs, but that the dose of rcG-CSF required to stimulate WBC production will vary depending on the cause of neutropenia. Recombinant canine G-CSF should be useful in stimulating production and maintaining function of WBC for treatment of clinical diseases seen commonly in veterinary practice.     

Common and stage-specific antigens of Theileria annulata.

Western blot analysis of Theileria annulata antigens was carried out using sera collected from cattle which had been immunised and challenged with either T. annulata sporozoites or schizont-infected cells. Three antigens between 71 and 73 kDa proved to be common to the three stages of parasite studied: sporozoites, schizonts and piroplasms. An antigen was found at 32 kDa which was specific to T. annulata piroplasms. Results were reproducible using sera from Morocco and the UK. At least one of the proteins at 71-73 kDa, but not that at 32 kDa were also recognised by sera from animals infected with Babesia species.     

The effect of biological isolation and a molt-inducing regimen on the recovery of Mycoplasma gallisepticum from commercial Leghorn hens

Two trials were conducted to determine the effect of induced molt on the reisolation of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) from commercial leghorn hens that had been eyedrop-inoculated with MG at 10 weeks of age. Chickens were maintained in a conventional floored chicken house on dry litter through 100 weeks of age. At age 64 weeks, 4 days (Trial 1), and at 100 weeks (Trial 2), hens were swabbed and cultured for MG and then molted in biological isolation units. Swabs were again taken at the end of each molt. No difference was observed in the number of MG isolations between molted hens and controls that did not undergo molting. However, a significant decrease in MG isolations was observed in both trials from swabs obtained when hens were housed on dry litter floors as compared with swabs taken from the same hens after 18 days (Trial 1) or 21 days (Trial 2) of confinement in isolation units.     

The appearance of ovarian cysts in young sows after treatment with gonadotropin preparations for estrus induction

In 72 (46%) of 155 gilts discarded for genetic reasons after performance testing and housed under fattening conditions no heat could have been detected during the first 30 days. The gilts were assigned alternatingly to a control group and four different treatments of delayed puberty. The induction of puberty was carried out by injections of 1000 iu PMSG, 400 iu HCG and 2 mg oestradiol benzoate, 400 iu PMSG and 200 iu HCG and 800 iu PMSG and 400 iu HCG. If there was no estrus gilts were slaughtered 12 days later for examination of the ovaries. Those coming into estrus were slaughtered 8 days after disappearance of estrus. Estrus could be induced in 69 to 94% of the gilts, whereas 40% of the untreated showed estrus signs. After treatment with PMSG and HCG in 40 and 87% of the gilts cysts were found whereas none of the untreated and 26 and 29% of those treated with PMSG und HCG + oestradiol benzoate revealed ovarian cysts. In addition, those gilts that had come into estrus during the first 30 days were given injections of either 1000 iu PMSG or 800 iu PMSG and 400 iu HCG. The injections were made either on the 5th, 10th or 15th day of cycle. In both latter groups significantly more gilts showed standing heat than after treatment at cycle day 5. The results of inspection of the ovaries at slaughter and steroid hormones could not be assigned to a defined stage of the physiological ovarian cycle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Eosinophilic leukaemoid reaction in a dog

A haematological disorder in a dog characterised by a massive leucocytosis, mainly composed of eosinophils and their precursors is reported here. The normal composition of cells in the bone marrow was displaced in favour of the eosinophils and their precursors. No apparent cause for the pronounced eosinophilia could be determined by clinical, haematological, clinical-chemical, radiological or pathological examinations. A diagnosis of eosinophilic leukaemoid reaction was suggested as the criteria for the diagnosis of eosinophilic leukaemia in the dog but this was not firmly established.     

Effects of Two Underseed Species, Medicago polymorpha L. and Scorpiurus muricatus L., on the Yield of Main Crop (Durum Wheat) and Subsequent Crop (Teff) Under Humid Moisture Regimes in Ethiopia

Mixed cropping of leguminous underseed species and cereal crops may increase productivity and serve some additional purposes. Two leguminous weed species which are widely distributed in annual crops of the Ethiopian highlands have been studied with varying coverage in greenhouse trials in Ethiopia with regard to their suitability as underseeds and with wheat ( Triticum turgidum [L.] Thell. var. durum [Desf.] MacKey) as a main crop. The competitive effects of Scorpiurus muricatus L. on the grain yield of wheat were smaller than those of Medicago polymorpha L. (-14.1 % and -23.6 % respectively, compared with the underseed free control) which is mainly ascribed to differences in their speed of development and shoot height. The residual effects of the underseed's root masses on the grain yield of the successive teff crop (Eragrostis tef [Zucc] Trotter) were significantly higher with Scorpiurus muricatus (+99.3 %) than with Medicago polymorpha (+63.6 %). The results are discussed with regard to the specific site conditions in the cereal-dominated cropping systems of the Ethiopian highlands.     

Efficacy of the morantel sustained release trilaminate matrix against gastrointestinal nematodes in beef calves

The effectiveness of the morantel sustained release trilaminate (MSRT) in controlling gastrointestinal nematodes through a grazing season was evaluated using 60 yearling beef stocker calves randomly divided into 2 groups of 30 animals each. In April 1985, the calves comprising the treatment group each received an MSRT designed to release morantel tartrate continuously for 90 days while those of the control group remained unmedicated. All animals were weighed and samples of rectal feces were taken at 14-day intervals, beginning on Day 0, until trial termination (Day 168). At trial termination, 10 control and 10 treated calves were necropsied for recovery of gastrointestinal nematodes. Three sets of parasite-na?ve tracer calves were utilized to evaluate the initial, interim and final levels of pasture contamination by nematode larvae. Overall, the use of the MSRT resulted in a 75.5% reduction (P less than 0.001) in output of nematode eggs from the principals, an 81.8% reduction (P less than 0.001) in numbers of gastrointestinal nematodes in principals (at trial termination), and a 96.9% reduction (P less than 0.05) of pasture larval nematode contamination (as indirectly indicated by parasite burdens in tracer calves). The mean weight advantage of treated calves was 16.6 kg per head (P less than 0.001).     

Influence of age on the febrile response to E. coli and S. typhimurium endotoxins in growing pullets.

1. The effect of bacterial endotoxin injection was studied in growing pullets of different ages. Commercial chicks were divided into 5 groups according to age. Bacterial endotoxins (E. coli and S. typhimurium) were injected intravenously and rectal temperature was measured over a period of 300 min. 2. The results showed no significant effect of age on the febrile response induced by bacterial endotoxins, but a slight tendency towards a reduced fever peak was observed with increasing age. The response latency also increased with age.     

Synchronization of estrus in dairy goats given norgestomet and estradiol valerate at various stages of the estrous cycle.

Dairy goats were given subcutaneous implants with 3 mg of norgestomet (NOR) and IM injections of 0.625 mg of estradiol valerate and 0.375 mg of norgestomet on day 0 of the estrous cycle (estrus; NOR 0, n = 18), on postestrus day 4 (NOR 4, n = 18), or on postestrus day 11 (NOR 11, n = 15). Ear implants were removed after 9 days. Mean (+/- SE) hours from removal of ear implants to onset of estrus and proportion of goats responding were 36 +/- 3.8 and 83%, 33 +/- 4.0 and 61%, and 36 +/- 2.7 and 93% for groups NOR 0, NOR 4, and NOR 11, respectively. There were no significant differences between treatment groups in time to onset of estrus. The percentage of goats in group NOR 11 that had signs of estrus was significantly greater than the percentage of goats in group NOR 4. Of the goats in groups NOR 0, NOR 4, and NOR 11 that had signs of estrus, 53, 55, and 86%, respectively, had onset of behavioral estrus between 24 and 48 hours after implant removal. All goats that had signs of estrus had onset of behavioral estrus between 12 and 72 hours after implant removal. Mean (+/- SE) hours from removal of ear implants to time of peak concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) were 49 +/- 4.1, 49 +/- 3.8, and 49 +/- 4.0 for groups NOR 0, NOR 4, NOR 11, respectively (not different). The percentage of goats in group NOR 11 that had LH peaks was significantly greater than the percentage of goats in group NOR 4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)