Dog erythrocyte antigens 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 7, and Dal blood typing and cross‐matching by gel column technique

Background: Testing for canine blood types other than dog erythrocyte antigen 1.1 (DEA 1.1) is controversial and complicated by reagent availability and methodology. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to use available gel column technology to develop an extended blood‐typing method using polyclonal reagents for DEA 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 7, and Dal and to assess the use of gel columns for cross‐matching. Methods: Dogs (43–75) were typed for DEA 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 7, and Dal. Methods included tube agglutination (Tube) using polyclonal reagents, a commercially available DEA 1.1 gel column test kit (Standard‐Gel) using monoclonal reagent, and multiple gel columns (Extended‐Gel) using polyclonal reagents. Blood from 10 recipient and 15 donor dogs was typed as described above and cross‐matched using the gel column technique. Results: Of 43 dogs typed for DEA 1.1, 23, 25, and 20 dogs were positive using Standard‐Gel, Extended‐Gel, and Tube, respectively. Typing for DEA 1.2 was not achievable with Extended‐Gel. For 75 dogs typed for DEA 3, 4, and 7, concordance of Extended‐Gel with Tube was 94.7%, 100%, and 84%, respectively. Dal, determined only by Extended‐Gel, was positive for all dogs. Post‐transfusion major cross‐matches were incompatible in 10 of 14 pairings, but none were associated with demonstrable blood type incompatibilities. Conclusions: Gel column methodology can be adapted for use with polyclonal reagents for detecting DEA 1.1, 3, 4, 7, and Dal. Agglutination reactions are similar between Extended‐Gel and Tube, but are more easily interpreted with Extended‐Gel. When using gel columns for cross‐matching, incompatible blood cross‐matches can be detected following sensitization by transfusion, although in this study incompatibilities associated with any tested DEA or Dal antigens were not found.     

Distribution and characterization of class 1 integrons in Salmonella enterica serotype Gallinarum biotype Gallinarum

Fowl typhoid caused by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Gallinarum biotype Gallinarum is the most important chicken disease in Korea. Due to appearance of new or multiple antibiotics resistances in the recently isolated strains, it was difficult to control the disease using antibiotics in our country. Therefore, the prevalence and genetic contents of class 1 integrons in biotype Gallinarum isolated between 1992 and 2001 were investigated by PCR and direct sequencing, respectively. Out of 90 strains, 35 (39%) carried class 1 integrons. The 1.0, 1.6 and 2.0kbp amplicons were amplified in 32 strains (36%), 2 strains (2%) and 1 strain (1%), respectively. The 1.0, 1.6 and 2.0 kbp amplicons contained one (aadA1a), two (aadB-aadA1b) and three cassettes (dhfrXII-orfF-aadA2), respectively, providing resistances against aminoglycosides (aadA1a, aadA1b, aadB, and aadA2) and trimethoprim (dhfrXII). The integron-carrying strains of biotype Gallinarum appeared in 1996 and acquired additional cassettes in 2000. Although the resistances to ampicillin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol are unrelated to class 1 integrons, relatively high prevalence of integron in biotype Gallinarum may be a dormant threat to the chemotherapy of the disease in the near future because of potency to acquire additional antibiotics resistances.     

Central nervous system dysfunction associated with Rocky Mountain spotted fever infection in five dogs

Five dogs from the northeastern United States were presented with clinical signs of neurological disease associated with Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) infection. Four of the five dogs had vestibular system dysfunction. Other neurological signs included paresis, tremors, and changes in mentation. All of the dogs had an elevated indirect fluorescent antibody titer or a positive semiquantitative enzyme screening immunoassay titer for Rickettsia rickettsii at the time of presentation. Although a higher mortality rate has been reported for dogs with neurological symptoms and RMSF infection, all of the dogs in this study improved with appropriate medical therapy and supportive care.     

Comparative study on calretinin immunoreactivity in gerbil and rat retina

Expression of calretinin in retina has been ascribed to multiple biological and functional aspects in the visual system. In this study, we examined the distribution patterns of calretinin immunoreactivity in gerbil and rat retina. In the gerbil, calretinin immunoreactivity was present in bipolar and amacrine cells of the inner nuclear layer and in neurones of the ganglion cell layer. In the rat, amacrine and ganglion cells showed calretinin immunoreactivity, but bipolar cells did not contain calretinin immunoreactivity. In both species, calretinin immunoreactivity was absent in cones, cone bipolars, and horizontal cells. In conclusion, gerbil as well as rat has a rod-dominant retina. The differences in calretinin expression between rat and gerbil require further investigations under various functional and developmental conditions.     

Treatment of pigs with enrofloxacin via different oral dosage forms – environmental contaminations and resistance development of Escherichia coli

BackgroundAntibacterial agents play important roles in the treatment of bacterial infections. However, the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and carry-over of substances into the environment are several problems arising during oral treatment of bacterial infections. We assessed AMR development in commensal Escherichia coli (E. coli) in enrofloxacin treated and untreated animals. In addition, we examined fluoroquinolone in the plasma and urine of treated and untreated animals, and in sedimentation dust and aerosol.MethodsIn each trial, six pigs were treated with enrofloxacin via powder, granulate or pellet forms in two time periods (days 1–5 and 22–26). Four pigs served as untreated controls. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined to evaluate AMR development. Analysis of enro- and ciprofloxacin was performed with high performance liquid chromatography.ResultsNon-wildtype E. coli (MIC > 0.125 µg/mL) was detected in the pellet treated group after the first treatment period, whereas in the other groups, non-wildtype isolates were found after the second treatment period. E. coli with MIC > 4 µg/mL was found in only the pellet trial. Untreated animals showed similar susceptibility shifts several days later. Bioavailability differed among the treatment forms (granulate > pellet > powder). Enro- and ciprofloxacin were detected in aerosols and sedimentation dust (granulate, powder > pellet).ConclusionsThis study indicates that the kind of the oral dosage form of antibiotics affects environmental contamination and AMR development in commensal E. coli in treated and untreated pigs.     

First Report on Molecular Detection of Equine Upper Respiratory Infectious Viruses in Republic of Korea

The prevalence of equine respiratory virus infections among a suspected population of race horses was examined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One or more of five equine respiratory viruses were detected in the nasal swabs of 45 of 89 horses (50.6%), and the detection rate of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4), equine herpesvirus type 5 (EHV-5), equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV) and equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV) were 5.6%, 7.9%, 39.0%, 2.2%, and 6.7%, respectively. Among the 45 infected horses, 7 were co-infected with EHV and/or equine rhinitisvirus (ERV). Equine influenzavirus and equine arteritisvirus were not detected in any samples. Specific antibodies to EHV-1 and/or EHV-4 were detected in 59 of 73 tested sera (80.8%), using a virus neutralization test. This investigation suggests that equine respiratory viruses are endemic at Seoul Race Park and that the impact of viral infections on race horses’ health in Republic of Korea should be evaluated.     

Program of vaccination and antibiotic treatment to control polyserositis caused by Haemophilus parasuis under field conditions

The present study investigated the effects of vaccinating sows and piglets or piglets alone against Haemophilus parasuis on the prevalence of H. parasuis in nasal swabs, on the humoral and cellular immune responses, and on the production parameters of piglets at 3 Korean farms with a clinical history of polyserositis caused by H. parasuis. Piglets born to vaccinated or non-vaccinated sows were subdivided into 3 groups: vaccinated sows and vaccinated pigs (VS-VP), non-vaccinated sows and vaccinated pigs (NVS-VP), and non-vaccinated sows and non-vaccinated pigs (NVS-NVP). The proportion of piglets with positive nasal swabs was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the vaccinated animals (VS-VP and NVS-VP groups) than in the non-vaccinated animals (NVS-NVP group) at 35 and 60 d of age at the 3 farms. The overall growth performance (from 7 to 60 d of age) of the vaccinated piglets was significantly better (P < 0.05) than that of the non-vaccinated piglets at the 3 farms. Piglets in the VS-VP group had significantly higher levels (P < 0.05) of H. parasuis-specific IgG antibodies, lymphocyte proliferation, and interferon-γ-secreting cells than piglets in the NVS-VP and NVS-NVP groups on days 1, 7, 21, 35, and 60 after birth at the 3 farms.     

Ventricular pneumocephalus and septic meningoencephalitis secondary to dorsal rhinotomy and nasal polypectomy in a dog

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-year-old sexually intact female French Bulldog was evaluated because of lethargy, anorexia, and chronic rhinitis-sinusitis. The dog had nasal discharge of 18 months' duration; dorsal rhinotomies were performed 3 months and 2 weeks prior to referral. CLINICAL FINDINGS: On initial evaluation, intraventricular pneumocephalus and sinusitis were diagnosed; CSF analysis revealed high total protein concentration and mononuclear pleocytosis. The dog's condition improved with treatment. Two weeks after discharge, it was treated by a local veterinarian because of upper airway obstruction; 3 days later, the dog was referred because of seizures. Computed tomography revealed a large fluid-filled, left lateral ventricle and a soft tissue mass protruding through a cribriform plate defect. The mass was histologically consistent with brain tissue. Findings of clinicopathologic analyses were unremarkable. Results of cytologic examination of a CSF sample were indicative of septic, suppurative inflammation, and bacteriologic culture of CSF yielded Escherichia coli. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Amputation of the herniated olfactory bulb and antimicrobial treatment resolved the septic meningoencephalitis, but neurologic deficits recurred 6 weeks later. Definitive correction of the cribriform plate defect with bone and fascial grafts was attempted. Postoperative rotation of the bone graft resulted in cerebral laceration and hemorrhage, and the dog was euthanized. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggest that following dorsal rhinotomy and nasal polypectomy surgery, the dog developed herniation of the left olfactory bulb, intra-ventricular pneumocephalus, and septic meningo-encephalitis because of a cribriform plate defect. Care must be taken to prevent rotation of bone grafts used in cribriform defect repair.     

Evaluation of intrarenal mesenchymal stem cell injection for treatment of chronic kidney disease in cats: a pilot study

The feasibility of autologous intrarenal mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) was investigated. Six cats (two healthy, four with CKD) received a single unilateral intrarenal injection of autologous bone marrow-derived or adipose tissue-derived MSC (bmMSC or aMSC) via ultrasound guidance. Minimum database and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) via nuclear scintigraphy were determined pre-injection, at 7 days and at 30 days post-injection. Intrarenal injection did not induce immediate or long-term adverse effects. Two cats with CKD that received aMSC experienced modest improvement in GFR and a mild decrease in serum creatinine concentration. Despite the possible benefits of intrarenal MSC injections for CKD cats, the number of sedations and interventions required to implement this approach would likely preclude widespread clinical application. We concluded that MSC could be transferred safely by ultrasound-guided intrarenal injection in cats, but that alternative sources and routes of MSC therapy should be investigated.