Evaluation of two antimicrobial therapies in the treatment of Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar hardjo infection in experimentally infected cattle

This study demonstrated the ability of the antimicrobials tulathromycin (Draxxin) and ceftiofur crystalline free acid sterile suspension (Excede) to clear the spirochete Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar hardjo type hardjo-bovis (L. hardjo-bovis) from experimentally infected cattle. Treatment with tulathromycin resulted in clearance of L. hardjo-bovis organisms from the urine and kidney tissue of all animals (9 of 9), and treatment with ceftiofur crystalline free acid resulted in clearance of the organisms from the urine of 8 of 10 heifers and the kidney tissue of all 10 animals. In contrast, 10 of 10 placebo-treated cattle had L. hardjo-bovis organisms in their urine and 8 of 10 had the organisms in kidney tissue.     

Persistence of serum antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona in horses moved from North America to India

BACKGROUND: The study reported here was undertaken to assess the presence of antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona in the serum of horses of North American origin that had been relocated for 1 year or more to India (ie, outside of the known endemic areas for S. neurona). HYPOTHESIS: The presence or absence of such antibodies should provide information concerning the persistence of such antibodies, or support the presence of chronic infection, or both. ANIMALS: A total of 228 Thoroughbred horses were sampled in India, of which 86 were of North American origin that had been in India between 1 and 13 years, 124 were Indian-born horses that had never been out of India, 8 were of Irish origin, 8 were of English origin, and 2 were originally from France. METHODS: Sera were tested using established western blot analysis. RESULTS: Of the Indian-born horses, 0.8% were test positive, and of the North American horses, 42% were test positive. All of the English and Irish horses were test negative, and the 2 French horses were test positive. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These data indicate that antibodies against S. neurona can be detected for many years after horses have been removed from an endemic area and that this may be attributable to long half-life of the antibodies or to chronic infection and ongoing antibody production, or both.     

Ultrasound imaging of the canine tympanic bulla

A procedure for imaging the canine tympanic bulla, external ear canal and adjacent structures using currently available ultrasound equipment was established. Lateral and ventral transducer positions were identified for this purpose and a 6.5 MHz curvilinear transducer was considered to be optimal. The sonographic appearance of these structures in cadavers and live dogs unaffected by ear disease is documented. Fluid was introduced into the tympanic bullae of the cadavers and its presence could be identified through the bony wall of the bulla. The ability of ultrasound to differentiate between gas and fluid within the bulla has important clinical implications as this is a common occurrence in dogs with middle ear disease. Ultrasound has several advantages over other imaging modalities and the examination procedure was well tolerated by unsedated dogs.     

Potassium iodide capsule treatment of feline sporotrichosis

Sporotrichosis is a mycosis caused by Sporothrix schenckii. The most affected animal is the cat; it has played an important role in the zoonotic transmission of this disease, especially in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, since 1998. In order to evaluate the treatment of feline sporotrichosis with potassium iodide, an observational cohort was conducted in 48 cats with sporotrichosis at Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Fiocruz. All cats received potassium iodide capsules, 2.5 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg q24h. The cure rate was 47.9%, treatment failure was 37.5%, treatment abandonment was 10.4% and death was 4.2%. Clinical adverse effects were observed in 52.1% of the cases. Thirteen cats had a mild increase in hepatic transaminase levels during the treatment, six of them presented clinical signs suggestive of hepatotoxicity. Compared to previous studies with itraconazole and iodide in saturated solution, potassium iodide capsules are an alternative for feline sporotrichosis treatment.     

Skin mucus of Cyprinus carpio inhibits cyprinid herpesvirus 3 binding to epidermal cells

ABSTRACT: Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) is the aetiological agent of a mortal and highly contagious disease in common and koi carp. The skin is the major portal of entry of CyHV-3 in carp after immersion in water containing the virus. In the present study, we used in vivo bioluminescence imaging to investigate the effect of skin mucus removal and skin epidermis lesion on CyHV-3 entry. Physical treatments inducing removal of the mucus up to complete erosion of the epidermis were applied on a defined area of carp skin just before inoculation by immersion in infectious water. CyHV-3 entry in carp was drastically enhanced on the area of the skin where the mucus was removed with or without associated epidermal lesion. To investigate whether skin mucus inhibits CyHV-3 binding to epidermal cells, tail fins with an intact mucus layer or without mucus were inoculated ex vivo. While electron microscopy examination revealed numerous viral particles bound on the fins inoculated after mucus removal, no particle could be detected after infection of mucus-covered fins. Finally, anti-CyHV-3 neutralising activity of mucus extract was tested in vitro. Incubation of CyHV-3 with mucus extract reduced its infectivity in a dose dependent manner. The present study demonstrates that skin mucus removal and epidermal lesions enhance CyHV-3 entry in carp. It highlights the role of fish skin mucus as an innate immune protection against viral epidermal entry.     

Liver function in cats with hyperthyroidism before and after 131I therapy

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of high serum concentration or activity of markers of liver damage in cats with hyperthyroidism is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum markers of liver function and damage, and ultrasonographic changes in cats with hyperthyroidism and with high liver enzymes, and to determine if abnormalities resolve after treatment with 131I. ANIMALS: Nineteen cats with hyperthyroidism (15 with high serum activities of liver enzymes) and 4 age-matched healthy control cats. METHODS: Serum bile acids, albumin, ammonia, cholesterol, and blood urea nitrogen concentrations, and activities of liver-derived enzymes, and blood glucose concentrations were measured before and after 131I therapy. These values were compared with those of cats that were euthyroid. In addition, gross liver parenchymal changes detected by abdominal ultrasonographic examination, before and after 131I therapy were evaluated. RESULTS: High serum liver enzyme activities were not associated with abnormalities in hepatic parenchyma and liver functional variables, regardless of the degree of increase. Serum liver enzyme activities return to normal after control of hyperthyroidism with 131I therapy. Cats with hyperthyroidism have a significantly higher serum fasting ammonia concentration than cats who were euthyroid (P = .019). Cats with hyperthyroidism also have significantly lower serum cholesterol (P = .005) and glucose (P = .002) concentrations before compared with after 131I therapy. Nine of 19 cats with hyperthyroidism had trace ketonuria. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These results demonstrate that extensive examination for hepatobiliary disease in most cats with hyperthyroidism is unnecessary.     

Effect of CLA on performance and immune response of weanling piglets

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of CLA on the immune response and performance of piglets when subjected to an immune challenge. A total of 32 weanling pigs (17 to 23 d of age) with an initial BW of 8.9 kg were allotted to a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. There were 3 levels of dietary CLA (0%, 1%, and 2%) and 2 levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge (unchallenged and challenged). Challenged pigs were challenged on d 7 and 21. On d 4 and 18, all pigs were inoculated with BSA for assessment of IgG production. There was no difference in growth performance among piglets receiving different CLA supplementation levels. However, LPS-challenged piglets had poorer BW (P < 0.05), ADFI (P < 0.01), and ADG (P < 0.001) compared with the control group at d 35 postweaning. Lipopolysaccharide-challenged piglets also had increased respiratory rate (P < 0.001) and rectal temperature (P < 0.001), and decreased plasma proteins, hematocrit, and white blood cell counts (P < 0.05). Production of IgG against BSA was increased in the 1% CLA supplementation group (P < 0.001), indicating that CLA has an immunomodulatory effect. Supplementation with CLA did not affect lymphocyte proliferation, percentage of CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells, plasma proteins, red and white blood cell count, respiratory rate, or rectal temperature after LPS challenge. Although CLA supplementation did not influence growth performance or certain immune system measurements, the increased IgG titers with 1% CLA dietary supplementation indicate that it has a beneficial effect on the humoral immune system of weaned piglets.     

Heritability of gastrointestinal nematode faecal egg counts in West African village N'Dama cattle and its relation to age

Offspring-dam regression was used to estimate the heritability of strongyle faecal egg counts (FEC) of traditionally raised West African N'Dama cattle in the Central River Division in The Gambia. Faecal samples were taken monthly from June-October 1992, and again from July-October 1993, including 179-463 dams and their calves sampled on each occasion. The only proven genetic relationship was the dam-offspring relationship. Gastrointestinal strongyle FEC was expressed as epg (eggs per gram faeces). Regression of offspring FEC on dam FEC, showed a heritability (h(2)) of 0.18 (95% Confidence Limits 0.10, 0.25). Heritabilities were higher at the beginning and end of the rainy season than during the months of the peak rainy season. This is in line with earlier suggestions that genetic control of faecal egg counts is most effective during periods of low parasite transmission. There was a significant (p<0.001) increase in heritability of 0.086+/-0.018 with each year of age of the corresponding offspring. In view of the virtual absence of national cattle breeding systems in West Africa, which are a precondition for exploitation of heritable traits in cattle, integrated control using improved management and strategic prophylaxis remain the methods of choice to control gastrointestinal nematodes in the given conditions.     

Comparison of proteolysis in native, heat-treated and aged proteins from turkey meat

1. The present study compared the ability of native, heat-treated and aged turkey breast muscle proteins to undergo proteolysis by digestive tract proteases. 2. Domestic turkey toms were slaughtered under laboratory conditions. Breast muscles were excised immediately post mortem; one was placed under conditions to develop exudative meat by maintaining the muscle at 40 degrees C for at least 30 min and the other was refrigerated under commercial conditions. 3. Meat was collected and stored for 7 d at 4 degrees C. Breast samples removed at d 0 and d 7 were frozen and stored at -80 degrees C until used for determination of solubility, protein surface hydrophobicity and protein oxidation through carbonyl content. Measurements of pepsin and trypsin/chymotrypsin activities were performed in vitro on myofibrillar proteins. 4. Storage increased carbonyl content in control samples while the oxidation increase was not significant in heat-treated myofibrillar protein. Hydrophobicity was not affected by storage time or treatment or protein solubility. 5. Storage significantly increased trypsin + chymotrypsin activity only in the control group. The activities of pepsin and trypsin + chymotrypsin were negatively correlated with protein surface hydrophobicity.