Effect of medicated feed on tracheal infection and population of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in chickens

Six-week-old broilers were fed 50 g tylosin/ton, 400 g chlortetracycline (CTC)/ton, or unmedicated feed and then challenged intratracheally with R strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG). Feed-grade antibiotic medication did not prevent infection, but medication did lower the number of isolations from treated birds compared with controls. Only tylosin significantly lowered MG counts in the trachea. The log10 ID50 of birds receiving tylosin, CTC, or unmedicated feed were 5.8, 4.4, and 2.9, respectively. Six-week-old leghorns were placed on the three diets described previously and challenged with the R strain of MG. Birds were sacrificed at various times up to 10 weeks postchallenge (PC). Compared with the control diet, the tylosin-medicated diet significantly reduced the tracheal MG count from day 1 to 4 weeks PC, whereas the CTC-medicated diet significantly lowered the tracheal MG count only at 3 days PC. In all groups, the MG count gradually declined after 1 week PC; by 8 weeks PC it was essentially the same in all groups. It was concluded that continuous medication has the potential for reducing MG tracheal populations only during the initial phase of an outbreak.     

Granulomatous Dermatitis in Carnivores Associated with Dermatophyte Infection

Nine cases of granulomatous dermatitis in carnivores (eight dogs, one cat) are described. In three cases, in which there were no fungi in hair shafts, nor any other evidence of mycotic infection initially, fungal elements were demonstrated in the granulomas with the aid of special stains (PAS and Grocott). Granulomatous dermatitis in case of dermatophyte infections is thought to be an hypersensitivity reaction and has been reported to occur in a variety of mammals. It is suggested that pyogranulomatous skin reactions and trichogranulomas could be associated with dermatophytes and it is recommended to carry out further laboratory studies in order to detect fungi in such cases.     

Partial characterization of phytoplasmas associated with lettuce and wild lettuce phyllodies in Iran

Phytoplasmas associated with lettuce phyllody (LP) and wild lettuce phyllody (WLP) in southern Iran were partially characterized by molecular analyses and host-range studies. Agents of both diseases were transmitted by Neoaliturus fenestratus , a leafhopper colonizing lettuce and wild lettuce, to lettuce, wild lettuce, sowthistle and periwinkle, but not to safflower, sunflower, calendula and sesame. Both phytoplasmas induced bud proliferation, virescence, phyllody and witches' broom in infected plants. Total DNA extracted from infected lettuce and wild lettuce or from vector tissues was subjected to PCR using phytoplasma-specific primer pair P1/P7 or nested PCR using P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. PCR product of nested PCR (1·2 kbp) was subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RFLP analysis of nested PCR product identified the LP, WLP and N. fenestratus -associated phytoplasmas as members of the pigeon pea witches' broom group, 16SrIX. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence also clustered LP and WLP phytoplasmas with other known members of the 16SrIX group. While no significant differences could be detected between LP and WLP phytoplasmas, both isolates differed from Lebanese wild lettuce phyllody in molecular properties.     

Adenohypophyseal function in bitches treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of treatment with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on canine adenohypophyseal function. Five Beagle bitches were treated with MPA (10mg/kg, every 4 weeks) and their adenohypophyseal function was assessed in a combined adenohypophyseal function test. Four hypophysiotropic hormones (CRH, GHRH, GnRH, and TRH) were administered before and 2, 5, 8, and 11 months after the start of MPA treatment, and blood samples for determination of the plasma concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, GH, IGF-1, LH, FSH, prolactin, alpha-MSH, and TSH were collected at -15, 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 45 min after suprapituitary stimulation. MPA successfully prevented the occurrence of estrus, ovulation, and a subsequent luteal phase. MPA treatment did not affect basal and GnRH-induced plasma LH concentrations. The basal plasma FSH concentration was significantly higher at 2 months after the start of MPA treatment than before or at 5, 8, and 11 months after the start of treatment. The maximal FSH increment and the AUC for FSH after suprapituitary stimulation were significantly higher before treatment than at 5, 8, and 11 months of MPA treatment. Differences in mean basal plasma GH concentrations before and during treatment were not significant, but MPA treatment resulted in significantly elevated basal plasma IGF-1 concentrations at 8 and 11 months. MPA treatment did not affect basal and stimulated plasma ACTH concentrations, with the exception of a decreased AUC for ACTH at 11 months. In contrast, the maximal cortisol increment and the AUC for cortisol after suprapituitary stimulation were significantly lower during MPA treatment than prior to treatment. MPA treatment did not affect basal plasma concentrations of prolactin, TSH, and alpha-MSH, with the exception of slightly increased basal plasma TSH concentrations at 8 months of treatment. MPA treatment did not affect TRH-induced plasma concentrations of prolactin and TSH. In conclusion, the effects of chronic MPA treatment on adenohypophyseal function included increased FSH secretion, unaffected LH secretion, activation of the mammary GH-induced IGF-I secretion, slightly activated TSH secretion, suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, and unaffected secretion of prolactin and alpha-MSH.     

Multiplication of attenuated and virulent porcine parvoviruses in colostrum-deprived, neonatal pigs

Colostrum-deprived, neonatal, 2 days old pigs were inoculated with the attenuated HT-/SK or the virulent 90HS strain of porcine parvovirus (PPV) by the oral or subcutaneous route and sacrificed 2, 4 or 6 days after inoculation. Then, comparison was made on viral multiplication in pigs between the two strains. Pigs inoculated with the HT-/SK strain showed no detectable viremia or HI antibody responses against PPV within 6 days after inoculation. Only in pigs inoculated by the subcutaneous route, a small amount of virus was recovered from the spleen, liver, or mesenteric lymph nodes. These viruses were distinguished from the parental virulent 90HS strain, as examined for rct maker in vitro. When pigs were inoculated with the virulent 90HS strain, viremia appeared in all of them 1 day after inoculation and continued for up to the sacrificed day. Moreover, a considerable amount of virus was also detected from all tissues, including brain, lung, liver, spleen, pancreas, small intestine, and lymph node tissues, in all pigs tested. HI antibodies were first detected 6 days after inoculation.     

Effect of resistant starch on the intestinal health of old dogs: fermentation products and histological features of the intestinal mucosa

The effects of resistant starch (RS) intake on nutrient digestibility, microbial fermentation products, faecal IgA, faecal pH, and histological features of the intestinal mucosa of old dogs were evaluated. The same formulation was extruded in two different conditions: one to obtain elevated starch cooking degree with low RS content (0.21%) and the other lower starch cooking with high RS content (1.46%). Eight geriatric Beagles (11.5 ± 0.38 years old) were fed each diet for 61 days in a crossover design. Food intake, nutrient digestibility, fermentation products, faecal pH, and faecal IgA were examined via variance analysis. Histological results of intestinal biopsies were assessed via Wilcoxon test for paired data. The morphometric characteristics of large intestine crypts were evaluated via paired t tests (p < .05). Protein, fat, and energy digestibilities were higher for the low‐RS diet (p < .05). Dogs receiving the high‐RS diet had lower faecal pH and higher values for propionate, butyrate, total volatile fatty acids, and lactate (p < .05). No differences between diets were found in the histological parameters of the gut mucosa, and only a tendency for deeper crypts in the descending colon was observed for dogs fed the high‐RS diet (p = .083). The intake of a corn‐based kibble diet manufactured with coarse ground raw material and low starch gelatinization to obtain 1.4% of RS affected microbial fermentation products and faecal pH and tended to increase crypt depth in the descending colon of old dogs.     

Using remote sensing to predict outbreaks of Oestrus ovis in Namibia

The Directorate of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development of Namibia issues warnings to farmers in the south of the country about the likelihood of infestation of small-stock by the nasal bot fly, Oestrus ovis. Farmers can then treat their stock at the most appropriate time. The O. ovis puparia develop at shallow depths in the soil and the timing of emergence is directly dependent on climatic conditions, specifically the number of degree-days above a particular threshold soil temperature. Based on temperature measurements from only a few stations scattered throughout the country, the veterinary department warnings lack precision in space and time. This paper presents an attempt to support the programme of warnings with accumulated temperature information from Meteosat satellite images, in order to strengthen predictions of the time of emergence in specific places, and to improve the precision and reliability of warnings given to farmers.     

Pharmacokinetic Behaviour of Albendazole Sulphoxide Enantiomers in Male and Female Sheep

Benzimidazole anthelmintic drugs are widely used in veterinary practice. Albendazole sulphoxide (ABZSO) is a benzimidazole drug with two enantiomers, as a consequence of a chiral centre in the sulphoxide group. The kinetics of these enantiomers were studied in male and female sheep. Plasma samples were obtained from the animals between 0.5 and 72 h after oral administration of 7.5 mg/kg of a racemic formulation of ABZSO (total-ABZSO). After a liquid–liquid extraction, the samples were analysed by HPLC to determine the concentrations of total-ABZSO and of the sulphone metabolite (ABZSO₂). During the chromatographic analysis, the ABZSO peak was collected and reanalysed by an HPLC technique using a Chiral AGP column to quantify the enantiomeric proportion therein. After kinetic analysis, the AUCs obtained for the (+)-ABZSO were 5.8 and 4.0 times higher than those for the (–)-ABZSO in male and female animals, respectively. The mean residence times were 23.4 and 16.1 h for (+)-ABZSO and 22.2 and 17.4 h for (–)-ABZSO for male and female animals, respectively. The only significant difference between the sexes (p<0.05) was in the T _max of the (–)-ABZSO. Comparing both enantiomers within each sex, significant differences were found in all the kinetic parameters. Finally, no kinetic differences were found between sex for total-ABZSO or ABZSO₂.     

Analysis of genomic mutation and immunohistochemistry of platelet‐derived growth factor receptors in canine vascular tumours

We examined whether mutation of the platelet‐derived growth factor receptor protein tyrosine kinase (PDGFR)‐α and PDGFR‐β genes contributes to their overexpression in canine vascular tumours. Genomic sequences of trans‐ or juxtamembrane regions of PDGFR‐α and PDGFR‐β were analysed with immunohistochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction‐direct sequencing using DNA from paraffin‐embedded neoplastic tissues of 27 hemangiosarcomas (HSAs) and 20 hemangiomas (HAs). Immunohistochemically, 75% of the HA cases were positive for PDGFR‐α and almost most of the HA cases were negative for PDGFR‐β. Of the HSA cases, 55.6% were negative for PDGFR‐α and 63% were strongly positive for PDGFR‐β. Among the HA cases, 1 missense mutation was detected in PDGFR‐α exon 18 and 1 in PDGFR‐β exon 17. Two HSA cases had missense mutations in exon 14 and 1 in exon 17 of PDGFR‐β. Thus, genomic mutation of trans‐ or juxtamembrane regions of PDGFRs was not the main mechanism driving the activation of receptors in HSA and HA.