Cryptosporidiosis in buffalo calves (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bubalus bubalis</Emphasis>): Prevalence and potential risk factors

The objective of the present study was to describe the prevalence and risk factors associated with cryptosporidiosis in buffalo calves in Middle Egypt. During one year, 458 fecal samples were collected from buffalo calves less than 3 month age in 55 small scale herds and examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Data describing age, gender, season, and herd management practices were gathered to assess potential risk factors. Fecal examination showed that 14.19% of the examined calves were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. Calves at 1-15 days were at the highest risk (P < 0.001), and a significant relationship between season and infection (P < 0.05) was recorded. A significant association between infection and hygiene (P < 0.001), type of floor (P < 0.01) and source of water (P < 0.01) was also recorded. Statistical analysis concerning the clinical signs and fecal characteristics revealed a significant association with fecal consistency (P < 0.001), presence of blood (P < 0.01) and mucous (P < 0.01). Moreover, a significant association was found between infection and the desire for suckling (P < 0.05) and tenesmus (P < 0.05). The results of the present study demonstrated the strong relation between infections by Cryptosporidium spp. and diarrhea in buffalo calves.     

人工践踏对无土草坪基质的影响

本试验采用人工践踏的方式,研究了不同组合配比的基质对无土草坪耐践踏性的影响。结果表明,良好的无土草坪基质配比及适合的厚度是保证无土草坪优良的耐践踏性及观赏性的关键。本试验中,草坪草生长基质层和弹性材料层均为25 mm,结构合理、厚度适中,克服了现有草坪基质薄、持水力差的缺点。在相同践踏强度下,能维持较高水平的草层高度、草坪盖度和草坪草分蘖数,分别达到了5.14 cm、97.60%和123.97 个·dm-2,且停止践踏后草坪质量能快速恢复。均匀混合的草坪草生长基质层和弹性材料层,在厚度一致的前提下并不耐践踏,实际效果不好。土壤坪床的处理效果最差。因此,具有独立的草坪草生长基质层和弹性材料层且厚度适中的基质,适用于生产耐践踏性好的无土草坪。     

Potential of auxotrophic Edwardsiella tarda double-knockout mutant as a delivery vector for DNA vaccine in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

To evaluate potential of an auxotrophic Edwardsiella tarda mutant (Δalr Δasd E. tarda) as a delivery vehicle for DNA vaccine in fish, olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) were immunized with the E. tarda mutant harboring plasmids (pG02-ASD-CMV-eGFP) for eukaryotic expression of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) gene through either intraperitoneal (i.p.) or oral route, and the expression of eGFP in the internal organs and generation of antibody against eGFP in fish were analyzed. In fish i.p. injected with 2×10(7)CFU/fish of Δalr Δasd E. tarda harboring pG02-ASD-CMV-eGFP, expression of eGFP was detected in liver, kidney, and spleen from 1 day to 28 days post-injection. In fish orally administered with 1×10(9)CFU/fish of the bacteria, the eGFP band was detected in liver, kidney, and spleen from 1 day to 14 days post-administration, whereas, in intestine, the band was detected only at 1 day post-administration. Either oral or i.p. immunization of olive flounder with recombinant E. tarda that carried eGFP-expressing eukaryotic plasmids was successful to induce humoral adaptive immunity against not only E. tarda that was used as a delivery vehicle but also eGFP that was used as the reporter protein of DNA vaccine, suggesting attenuated E. tarda-vectored DNA vaccine has a potential to be used as a combined vaccine against infectious diseases in fish.     

Seroprevalence of subtype H3 influenza A virus in South Korean cats

To investigate the potential transmission of subtype H3 influenza virus to cats, a serological survey was carried out in South Korea. Serum samples (n = 1027) were obtained from 809 pet cats and 218 domesticated cats living in urban colonies (D-cats) from 2008 to 2010, and tested using an influenza anti-nucleoprotein (NP)-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test, which was recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health. Anti-influenza virus antibodies were detected in 3.12% and 2.43% of cat sera tested using the NP-specific ELISA and HI test, respectively. Anti-H3 antibodies were also identified when the HI assay was used for influenza virus serotyping. These data may indicate the sporadic transmission of subtype H3 influenza virus from other infected species to cats in South Korea.     

一起宠物诊疗纠纷案引发的思考

我市动物卫生监督所于近期接到一起宠物诊疗致死纠纷案。接案后,我所立即派出执法人员进行调查取证,并分别对双方当事人作了询问笔录,现场检查了宠物医院的有关证件,诊疗过程中的病历档案、     

Circulating oxidative stress status in dromedary camels infested with sarcoptic mange

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between radical-generating and radical-scavenging activity, resulting in oxidation products and tissue damage. This study was aimed to evaluate the status of oxidative stress indices in blood of camels naturally infested with S. scabiei. Forty-seven male camels (Camelus dromedaries) were divided according to the extent of the infested area with Sarcoptes scabiei into four groups, mild (MID, n = 12), moderate (MOD, n = 10), severely infested (SEV, n = 10) and healthy control group (n = 15). Blood was used for determination of red cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), serum nitric oxide (NO^•, a free radical), ascorbate and albumin concentrations, and erythrocytic values of malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation), protein carbonyls (PC, an indicator of protein oxidation), glutathione (GSH) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Decreased levels (P < 0.05) of RBC, Hb, PCV, albumin and ascorbate were noticed in MOD and SEV compared to controls with the lowest values (P < 0.05) in SEV except for ascorbate, where MOD did not differ from SEV. Compared to controls, NO^• gradually increased (P < 0.05) in MID followed by MOD and SEV, whereas MDA and PC were higher (P < 0.05) in MOD and SEV. PC was higher (P < 0.05) in MOD than SEV. In addition, the antioxidants GSH, SOD and CAT were higher (P < 0.05) in MID and lower (P < 0.05) in MOD and SEV compared to controls. GSH was lower (P < 0.05) in SEV compared to MOD. Besides, Hb was negatively correlated with NO^• (r = −0.68, P < 0.001), MDA (r = −0.53, P < 0.001) and PC (r = −0.73, P < 0.001). In conclusion, dromedary sarcoptosis is accompanied by a state of oxidative stress process, which increased by increasing the area of infestation, and may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.     

湖南省鸡蛔虫线粒体nad1基因部分序列的测定及分析

本研究旨在阐明鸡蛔虫湖南分离株线粒体烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸(NADH)脱氢酶亚单位1(nad1)基因部分序列(pnad1)遗传变异情况。利用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)扩增鸡蛔虫的pnad1,应用Clustal X 1.81程序对序列进行比对。结果显示,所获得的pnad1序列长度一致,为408 bp。由于鸡蛔虫pnad1序列种内相对保守,种间差异较大,故可作为种间遗传变异研究的标记,从而为鸡蛔虫的分类鉴定及进一步的分子流行病学调查奠定了基础。     

当前实验动物检疫监管分析

规范实验动物检疫监管工作,是有效贯彻落实《动物防疫法》,维护动物卫生监管秩序的重要举措。本文结合实验动物检疫监管现状,分析了当前实验动物监管存在监管主体职责边界交叉,产地检疫规程缺乏,未经强免存隐患,运输环节监管难等问题。这提示应精简行政许可,完善免疫措施和检疫规程,规范实验动物生产及运输管理,加大联合执法力度,以期为加强和完善实验动物的检疫监管提供参考。