Experimental Neospora Caninum Infection in Pregnant Dairy Heifers Raises Concentrations of Pregnancy‐Associated Glycoproteins 1 and 2 in Foetal Fluids

Plasma concentrations of PAG‐1 are used for pregnancy diagnosis and as a marker of placental/foetal well‐being, while those of PAG‐2 may be an indicator of abortion risk in Neospora caninum‐infected cows. Studies have shown that N. caninum infection modifies PAG‐1 and PAG‐2 patterns in maternal blood plasma. However, no prior work has examined the effects of N. caninum infection on concentrations of PAGs in foetal fluids. In this study, PAG‐1, PAG‐2 and pH levels were determined in the amniotic and allantoic fluids of foetuses collected at 152 days of gestation from control uninfected dams and from dams experimentally infected with N. caninum on Day 110 of gestation. Foetal fluids from infected foetuses had significantly higher PAG‐2 concentrations (p = 0.026) and pH values (p = 0.02) than fluids from non‐infected foetuses. In infected foetuses, significantly higher concentrations of PAG‐1 (p < 0.001) and PAG‐2 (p < 0.001) were detected in fluid samples showing antibodies against N. caninum than those without antibodies. Moreover, pH values were significantly higher (p = 0.011) in foetal fluid samples with antibodies than in samples from non‐infected foetuses. In conclusion, this is the first report on the effect of N. caninum infection on PAG levels in foetal fluids. Our results indicate that following the experimental infection of dams with N. caninum on Day 110 of gestation, foetal fluids collected from the infected foetuses of these dams featured higher PAG‐1 and PAG‐2 levels and pH values than fluids from non‐infected controls, provided that the samples tested showed the presence of antibodies. The clinical implications of these findings are that following infection with N. caninum, most cows will experience some level of placental damage and that this injury correlates with foetal fluid PAG levels and pH.     

Response of healthy dogs to infusions of human serum albumin

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and immunologic response in healthy dogs to infusions of human serum albumin (HSA). ANIMALS: 9 healthy purpose-bred mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURES: Each dog was administered a 25% HSA solution once or twice. Various physical examination and laboratory variables were serially evaluated. Antibody against HSA was assayed before and after infusion by use of an ELISA. Intradermal testing was also conducted. A repeated-measures ANOVA or Friedman repeated-measures ANOVA on ranks was used to compare results for the variables. RESULTS: Adverse clinical reactions were observed after the first or second infusion in 3 dogs. Anaphylactoid reactions were observed in 1 of 9 dogs during the first infusion and in 2 of 2 dogs administered a second infusion. Two dogs developed severe edema and urticaria 6 or 7 days after an initial infusion. All dogs developed anti-HSA antibodies. Positive responses for ID tests were observed in 8 of 9 dogs. Short-term increases were detected in blood protein, total bilirubin, and calcium concentrations after HSA infusion. Serum cholesterol concentrations and platelet counts decreased after HSA infusion. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of HSA resulted in profound reactions in 2 of 9 dogs administered a single infusion and in 2 of 2 dogs administered a second infusion. This indicates that there is risk of life-threatening adverse reactions to HSA infusion in healthy dogs.     

Effects of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor meloxicam on recovery of ischemia-injured equine jejunum

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of meloxicam and flunixin meglumine on recovery of ischemia-injured equine jejunum. ANIMALS: 18 horses. PROCEDURES: Horses received butorphanol tartrate; were treated IV with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (SS; 12 mL; n = 6), flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg; 6), or meloxicam (0.6 mg/kg; 6) 1 hour before ischemia was induced for 2 hours in a portion of jejunum; and were allowed to recover for 18 hours. Flunixin and SS treatments were repeated after 12 hours; all 3 treatments were administered immediately prior to euthanasia. Selected clinical variables, postoperative pain scores, and meloxicam pharmacokinetic data were evaluated. After euthanasia, assessment of epithelial barrier function, histologic evaluation, and western blot analysis of ischemia-injured and control jejunal mucosa samples from the 3 groups were performed. RESULTS: Meloxicam- or flunixin-treated horses had improved postoperative pain scores and clinical variables, compared with SS-treated horses. Recovery of transepithelial barrier function in ischemia-injured jejunum was inhibited by flunixin but permitted similarly by meloxicam and SS treatments. Eighteen hours after cessation of ischemia, numbers of neutrophils in ischemia-injured tissue were higher in horses treated with meloxicam or flunixin than SS. Plasma meloxicam concentrations were similar to those reported previously, but clearance was slower. Changes in expression of proteins associated with inflammatory responses to ischemic injury and with different drug treatments occurred, suggesting cyclooxygenase-independent effects. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although further assessment is needed, these data have suggested that IV administration of meloxicam may be a useful alternative to flunixin meglumine for postoperative treatment of horses with colic.     

Cerebral Blastomyces dermatitidis infection in a cat

CASE DESCRIPTION: An 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of signs of depression, circling, and visual deficits. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The cat had no cutaneous lesions, and results of an ophthalmologic examination and thoracic radiography were within reference limits. Computed tomography of the brain revealed a mass lesion involving the right parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes; the mass was in broad-based contact with the skull and smoothly marginated and had strong homogenous enhancement after contrast agent administration. During craniectomy, samples of the mass were collected for cytologic and histopathologic evaluations and microbial culture. A diagnosis of Blastomyces dermatitidis-associated meningoencephalitis with secondary pyogranulomatous inflammation was made. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Amphotericin B (0.25 mg/kg [0.11 mg/lb], IV) was administered on alternate days (cumulative dose, 1.75 mg/kg [0.8 mg/lb]). To minimize the risk of nephrotoxicosis, assessments of serum biochemical variables (urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations) and urinalyses were performed at intervals. The third dose of amphotericin B was postponed 48 hours because the cat became azotemic. The cat subsequently received fluconazole (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) for 5.5 months. Six months after discontinuation of that treatment, the cat appeared healthy and had no signs of relapse. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Brain infection with B dermatitidis is typically associated with widespread disseminated disease. The cat of this report had no evidence of systemic disease. Blastomycosis of the CNS should be considered as a differential diagnosis for brain lesions in cats from areas in which B dermatitidis is endemic.     

Effect of diet with thiram on liver antioxidant capacity and tibial dyschondroplasia in broilers

1. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of thiram on liver antioxidant capacity and incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia in broilers. 2. One hundred and twenty Avian commercial broilers were allotted at random to three treatments: control group, low thiram group (50 mg/kg) and high thiram group (100 mg/kg). 3. Blood samples were collected to determine the activity of AST (aspartate aminotransferase). At the end of the trial, broilers were killed and liver samples were collected to determine the activity of SOD (superoxide dismutase), GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase) and MDA (malondialdehyde) content, while the right proximal tibiotarsi were dissected in longitudinal section for assessment of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) incidence and TD score. 4. The results showed that thiram increased the incidence of TD and TD scores, increased serum AST activity and MDA content of liver, and decreased the activity of SOD and GSH-Px in the liver. 5. They suggest that thiram causes TD in broilers by reducing liver antioxidation capability and damaging liver function; this may be one of the mechanisms by which thiram causes TD in broilers.     

Studies on production performance and toxin residues in tissues and eggs of layer chickens fed on diets with various concentrations of aflatoxin AFB1

1. An experiment on 1-week-old, White Leghorn female chicks was conducted to study the effect of aflatoxin AFB1 on weight gain, feed intake, feed gain ratio, age at sexual maturity, production and quality of eggs, retention of nutrients, pathoanatomical and histopathological parameters, and also on AFB1 residues in eggs and muscles of hens. The chicks were assigned to 4 dietary treatments: D1 (without AFB1), D2 (2.50 mg/kg AFB1), D3 (3.13 mg/kg AFB1), D4 (3.91 mg/kg AFB1) up to the age of 40 weeks. 2. At the end of the experiment, the mean body weight gain and feed intake were significantly lower in all aflatoxin-fed groups compared to control. The feed gain ratios were noted as 13.41, 13.59, 13.82 and 14.71, with the group fed the highest concentration of AFB1 showing a significantly poorer ratio than other groups. 3. Age at sexual maturity was also affected adversely by dietary AFB1: 193 d for D4 as compared to as early as 148 d for D1. Hen-d egg production was recorded as 96.92, 74.67, 65.98 and 50.75 in D1, D2, D3 and D4, respectively. 4. Average egg weights at the end of the experiment were 57.77, 57.49, 57.54 and 54.66 for D1, D2, D3 and D4, respectively. Shape index was significantly lower in D4 as compared to control. Contrary to this, albumen index was significantly higher in D4 as compared to D1. The values of yolk indices and eggshell thickness did not differ significantly among treatment groups. However, colour of yolk was reduced in all aflatoxin-fed groups compared to control. 5. Retentions of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, calcium and metabolisable energy were adversely affected at various levels of AFB1 compared to control. 6. Pathoanatomical and histopathological studies showed various adverse changes in liver, kidney, heart, ovaries and bursa of Fabricius in AFB1-fed groups. 7. Different amounts of aflatoxin residues were detected in eggs and breast muscles of hen in all AFB1-fed groups.