Disseminated mycoses in a dog by Paecilomyces sp

We describe a case of canine mycoses initially diagnosed by clinical signs and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay anti-fungal test, and later confirmed by the isolation of Paecilomyces sp. during the post-mortem examination. The fungus was isolated from lesions in the kidneys, mitral valve, abdominal aorta and vertebral discs. In this kind of process, it is important to identify the responsible agent early in order to make a study of anti-fungal susceptibility and establish effective treatment.     

A serological survey on classical swine fever (CSF), Aujeszky's disease (AD) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus infections in French wild boars from 1991 to 1998

In early 1992, a CSF epizootic was clinically recognised in a wild boar population of approximately 1300 animals within an area of 250km(2) located in the east of France. In order to check the CSF situation in wild boars outside this area, a serological survey was carried out in the rest of France, for 8 consecutive years (1991-1998). This paper reports on the results obtained during this survey which included wild boars shot during the hunting period but also boars reared within fences. Around 1000-2700 sera a year were tested for the presence of antibodies to classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and also to Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV). Out of 12025 sera tested over the whole period, 80 wild boars were found positive for CSF antibodies. Sixty of them were collected on wild boars shot during the years 1992-1994 in the epizootic area located in east of France and 10 were collected in Corsica during the years 1994-1996. The last four positive samples were single reactors coming from areas or farms, which were thereafter confirmed to be serologically negative. These results together with the fact that no disease has been reported so far illustrate that the French wild boar population is probably not concerned by CSF infection (excepted in the east of France where the disease has now become enzootic). Two hundred and forty nine sera were initially detected as CSF positive but confirmed secondarily as positive for border disease (BD) antibodies. This finding shows that wild boars are also susceptible to infection by ruminant pestiviruses. Four hundred and twenty three wild boars have been found positive for ADV antibodies. In addition, from 1993 to 1995, 909 samples were tested for the presence of antibodies to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Thirty three of them were positive. The results on AD and PRRS antibody detection show that wild boars may constitute a reservoir for various infectious diseases of pigs.     

Flystrike prevention on Merino lambs with the insect growth regulator dicyclanil

The efficacy of a ready-to-use 5% dicyclanil pour-on formulation as a preventative of natural flystrike on Merino lambs was investigated in a field trial involving 5 sites in the southern Cape Province. A total of 1,804 lambs treated with dicyclanil were compared with 882 untreated control lambs for up to 25 weeks after treatment. Efficacy was assessed by calculating the weekly cumulative strike rate at each site and aggregated for all sites, as well as by calculating the percentage reduction achieved in treated lambs. Cumulative strike rates for the untreated controls aggregated for all sites at Weeks 9,14 and 19 after treatment reached 6.2, 12.8 and 17.8%, respectively, compared with 0.4, 1.7 and 3.6% for the dicyclanil treated lambs. Percentage control aggregated for all sites at Weeks 9,14 and 19 after treatment was 93, 87 and 80%, respectively. Heavy rains during the 1st half of the trial did not substantially reduce the efficacy of the product.     

Dirofilaria repens in a cat with acute liver failure

Acute liver failure was diagnosed in a 12-year-old cat. Fine needle aspirate cytology revealed high numbers of unsheathed microfilariae and a hepatocellular reaction with no evidence of bacterial infection. The microfilariae were identified as those of Dirofilaria repens by acid phosphatase staining. The high number of microfilariae seen in both the blood and the liver aspirate samples as well as the favourable response to ivermectin amongst other drugs administered, is suggestive that D. repens was the cause of the liver insult. A positive result obtained with an antigen-capture ELISA (Dirochek) for Dirofilaria immitis antigen was interpreted as false. This is the 1st report of Dirofilaria repens for South Africa.     

True Hermaphroditism in Six Female Littermates After Administration of Synthetic Androgens to a Pregnant Bitch

A pregnant bitch was treated with a synthetic testosterone mixture on approximately day 40. The female offspring (six pups) showed an increased anogenital distance, vaginal enlargement and a variable amount of vaginal discharge. The urinary orifice was found dorsally in the vestibulum, stooled on a protruding phallus-like structure. All six pups underwent a laparotomy and subsequent spaying and a modified ventral episioplasty technique to lift up the labia to a more vertical position in order to prevent urine accumulation. Histopathological examination of the genital tracts demonstrated the presence of bilateral ovotestis and remnants of the Wolffian duct system in all cases. The finding of true hermaphroditism of the offspring after exogenous androgen administration during gestation of the bitch has not yet been reported elsewhere.     

Common procedures in reptiles and amphibians.

Reptiles and amphibians continue to be popular as pets in the United States and throughout the world. It therefore behooves veterinarians interested in caring for these exotic species to continually gather knowledge concerning both their proper husbandry and the conditions that require medical and/or surgical intervention.This article covers husbandry, physical examination, and clinical and diagnostic techniques in an effort to present guidelines for the evaluation of the reptile or amphibian patient. Gathering clinical data will aid veterinarians in arriving at the proper diagnosis,increasing the chances of success with treatment protocols, and educating the clients in proper nutrition and husbandry for their pets.     

Development and validation of a radioimmunoassay for thyrotropin in cattle.

In mammals, thyrotropin, or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), assay is used for the diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is the most common type of thyroid disorder in cattle. The aim of this study was to develop and validate, under physiologic and pathologic conditions, a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for bovine TSH (bTSH). Double RIA was performed with purified bTSH and specific bovine antiserum. Laboratory validation included research of minimal detection limit, accuracy, and reproducibility. The physiologic validation included a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) challenge performed on euthyroid cows and a follow-up of bTSH concentration over a 24-hour period. Furthermore, bTSH concentration was assayed in a large population of healthy dairy and beef cows to define reference interval. The pathologic validation was made by assaying bTSH and thyroid hormones on healthy and goitrous newborn calves. The minimum detection limit (MDL) for bTSH assay was 1.3 microU/ml. The recovery was 101% to 106%. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation (CVs) ranged from 5% to 11% and 11% to 15%, respectively. The RIA covered the whole range of physiologic bTSH values, as shown by bTSH values induced by TRH-challenge. A pulsatile secretion of bTSH was observed, accompanied by a diurnal variation with lower night values than day values. Reference intervals of bTSH ranged from 1.3 to 13.0 microU/ml for beef and dairy breeds. Finally, bTSH easily discriminated goitrous newborn calves from healthy ones, leading to the definition of a cutoff value of 35 microU/ml. The bTSH assay positively reacted to physiologic and pathologic conditions. The accuracy and precision of the RIA were satisfying.     

Comparison of Computer-assisted Sperm Motility Analysis Parameters in Semen from Belgian Blue and Holstein–Friesian Bulls

Subjective microscopic sperm motility results have recently been demonstrated to differ between Holstein-Friesian (HF) and Belgian Blue (BB) bulls. However, such assessments are rather imprecise. In the present study, sperm motility was assessed objectively by means of the Hamilton Thorne CEROS version 12.2c computer-assisted sperm motility analyser (CASA), and differences between the BB and HF breed could also be demonstrated. Higher percentages of both totally (p < 0.0001) and progressively (p < 0.0001) motile spermatozoa were encountered in the HF breed compared with the BB breed. Furthermore, a lower kinetic efficiency of the BB spermatozoa, evidenced by a lower beat cross-frequency (p = 0.0007) combined with a higher lateral head displacement (p = 0.0015), was the basis for the lower velocity of BB sperm cells. Additionally, BB spermatozoa move less straight forward, resulting in a lower straightness (p < 0.0001). No sperm motility differences were observed between age groups within the BB breed. The breed differences were observed in the examined bull populations residing at AI centres, in Belgium for the BB bulls and in the Netherlands for the HF bulls. However, these bull populations are selected for fertility. A similar pattern was observed in an unselected bull population of both breeds, although these differences were mostly non-significant for the different CASA parameters. Nevertheless, these data suggest that a genetic component might be responsible for the observed sperm motility breed differences.     

荷兰奶业产业链管理及质量控制

在第四届中国国际奶业展览会及高层论坛上,韩国、日本、德国、荷兰奶业交流专场吸引了众多中外奶业界同仁。国外专家关于本国奶牛养殖业、乳品加工业的精彩报告,使与会代表对各国的奶业发展现状和趋势有了全面而深入地了解。本刊编辑部,对各位国外专家的发言进行了整理,现分韩国篇、日本篇、德国篇、荷兰篇四个部分予以刊登,以飨读者,希望对中国建设现代奶业有所借鉴。     

Impact of controlled fermentation and steeping of high moisture corn on its nutritional value for pigs

High moisture corn (HMC) can undergo fermentation during storage that may improve its nutritional value for pigs. Stored HMC used in this study contained (n = 4) 75% dry matter (DM), and, on a DM basis, 63.8% starch, 0.5% mono and disaccharides, 9.9% protein, 19 mM acetic acid, 18 mM lactic acid (LA), 1.25 × 10⁷ cfu g^− 1 of LA producing bacteria, 2.88 g kg^− 1 total phosphorus (P), and 1.26 g kg^− 1 soluble P. The soluble P content was higher than in freshly harvested HMC (0.27 g kg^− 1 DM) and indicates P release during storage. Studies were aimed at altering the nutritional value of stored HMC by controlled fermentation or steeping. Changes in LA content were not affected (P > 0.05) by addition of exogenous Lactobacillus and Bacillus bacteria. Steeping of HMC with phytase (Ronozyme) was examined at four inclusion levels (0, 500, 750, 1000 FTU kg^− 1) and at either 21 °C or 37 °C. At 37 °C added phytase released virtually all phytate P within 6 h irrespective of the level (levels increased by 1.44 g P kg^− 1 DM); at 21 °C, the increase was maximized at 1.2 g P kg^− 1 DM after 24 h. The feeding value of HMC for pigs can be altered by steeping with exogenous phytase and does not appear to require microbial inoculants.