Immunization against bovine herpesvirus-1 infection. Preliminary tests in calves with a DNA vaccine

A bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) vaccine expressing glycoprotein D, the form with the transmembrane anchor removed, was evaluated for inducing immunity in calves. The plasmid encoding gD of BHV-1 was injected three times to nine calves, using three animals for each of the following routes: intramuscularly (i.m.), intradermally (i.d.), or intranasally (i.n.). Three additional calves were given the plasmid vector only and served as unvaccinated controls. When calves were subjected to challenge infection with BHV-1, all vaccinated calves as well as the controls developed a typical severe form of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis. However, compared to the controls, the vaccinated calves showed earlier clearance of challenge virus. Moreover, the calves given the vaccine i.m. developed neutralizing antibody to BHV-1 between 21 and 42 days following the first injection of vaccine, whereas in calves vaccinated either i.d. or i.n., as well as the controls, antibody first appeared in their sera 14 days post-challenge infection.     

Treatment of Aldosterone‐Secreting Adrenocortical Tumors in Cats by Unilateral Adrenalectomy: 10 Cases (2002–2012)

Background

Primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) in cats occurs as a consequence of excessive hormone production by an adrenocortical tumor. Median survival time, association between tumor type and prognosis, and the likelihood that cats require continued medical therapy after surgery have not been systematically evaluated.

Objectives

To determine the median survival time of cats with PHA treated by unilateral adrenalectomy. To examine if tumor type, anesthesia time, or tumor location (left or right side) affect survival and if affected cats require continued postoperative treatment for persistent hypertension or hypokalemia.

Animals

Ten client‐owned cats.

Methods

Retrospective study. Cats were diagnosed with PHA based on clinical signs, increased plasma aldosterone concentration, and advanced imaging. Cats underwent unilateral adrenalectomy. Survival time (days alive after surgery) was determined for each cat. Factors affecting median survival time were investigated, including histopathology, anesthesia time, and location (side) of the tumor.

Results

Eight of 10 cats survived to discharge from the hospital post adrenalectomy. Overall median survival was 1,297 days (range 2–1,582 days). The only significant factor affecting median survival time was anesthesia time >4 hours. Tumor type and location (side) did not significantly affect median survival time. No cats required continued medical treatment for PHA.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Although PHA in cats is still considered an uncommon condition, it should be considered in middle to older aged cats with hypokalemic polymyopathy and systemic hypertension. Surgical correction by unilateral adrenalectomy is a viable approach to definitive treatment of PHA with no need for continued medical management.     

External quality assurance system for antibiotic resistance in bacteria of animal origin in Europe (ARBAO-II), 2003

Initiated in 2003 by the European Union, ARBAO-II aims to establish a monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility among the veterinary laboratories in all European countries based on validated methodologies. This includes an external quality control system for the most important bacterial pathogens. In 2003 two trials were performed. The first on Salmonella and Escherichia coli involved 31 laboratories in 18 countries and the second on Staphylococcus and Streptococcus included 22 laboratories in 15 countries. For the E. coli strains, 92.8% of the results complied with the reference MICs, for Salmonella 93.7%, for Streptococcus 80.4% and for Staphylococcus 93.1%. Most problems were observed when testing florfenicol (79.2% correct), gentamicin (84.2%) and amoxicillin + cl (84.9%) in E. coli; streptomycin in Salmonella (62.5%); gentamicin (56.7%), lincomycin (71.4%), clindamycin (75.4%), TMP + sulfonamides (75.7%) and chloramphenicol (78.5%) in Streptococcus; erythromycin (81.5%) and oxacillin (78.2.5%) in Staphylococcus. A few laboratories caused most deviations. However, there was no correlation between good performance for one bacterial group and good performance for other groups. This study showed that most laboratories are capable of performing correct susceptibility testing for E. coli and Salmonella, even though performance of some laboratories can be improved, and that some problems exist for Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. This clearly shows the need for continuous harmonisation of methodologies within the EU.     

Governing climate change in Hong Kong: Prospects for market mechanisms in the context of emissions trading in China

Hong Kong continues to struggle over which environmental governance approach is in its best interest while fulfilling its environmental obligations. With regard to climate change, Hong Kong's approach is characterised by a passive form of governance that is highly dependent on China's national policy directions. This is reflected, for example, in Hong Kong having not set its own mitigation targets. Market mechanisms have received little attention in developing a city‐wide climate change strategy. A transformative impulse, China's national emissions trading scheme, may provide momentum to a market‐based approach. However, the necessary conditions for such a market mechanism to be successfully implemented in China remain relatively undeveloped. This raises question about early participation by Hong Kong. Direct benefits are likely to be limited, due to Hong Kong's economic structure and weak demand for emissions reduction. Besides, there are regulatory barriers to enforcing emissions targets and/or recognising emissions allowances and credits from China. We therefore argue that nationwide emissions trading may, at this time, present more challenges than opportunities for Hong Kong to leverage its efforts on climate change mitigation. An alternative is to promote voluntary emissions trading that will require active involvement and leadership by businesses.