Repetitive Sequence-derived PCR Profiling Using the BOX-A1R Primer for Rapid Identification of the Plant Pathogen Clavibacter Michiganensis Subspecies Sepedonicus

Repetitive sequence-derived PCR using the BOX-A1R primer was used to generate genomic fingerprints of Clavibacter michiganensis subspecies sepedonicus, the causal agent of bacterial ring rot disease of potato. A total of 35 C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus strains were selected for study in order to represent the widest possible historical, morphological and geographical diversity of the organism. Comparison was made with genomic fingerprints of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, C. michiganensis subsp. insidiosus, C. michiganensis subsp. tessellarius, C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis as well as other related Gram positive plant pathogens. The resultant genomic fingerprints and subsequent cluster analysis show C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus to form a remarkably homogeneous group with approximately 84% similarity between all of the strains tested. There was no evidence to suggest that fingerprints varied with historic, morphological or geographic diversity. In addition, C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus isolated from asymptomatic sugar beet had the same fingerprint as those which were isolated as potato pathogens. This group was easily distinguished from the clusters formed by the other subspecies of C. michiganensis and Gram positive plant pathogens. The potential for this technique to be used as a relatively rapid method to replace the time consuming and sometimes inconclusive eggplant bioassay test is discussed.     

Use of medetomidine for capture and restraint of cassowaries (Casuarius casuaris)

OBJECTIVE: To examine the use of medetomidine for the sedation of captive and wild cassowaries (Casuarius casuarius). DESIGN: Clinical evaluation after administration of medetomidine by IM injection. PROCEDURE: Nine captive and two wild birds were chemically restrained, with the drug being administered by dart to 10 birds and hand injected to one. Doses of 0.26 to 0.31 mg/kg IM provided light sedation sufficient to allow approach and limited handling. Doses of 0.38 to 0.54 mg/kg IM provided heavy sedation adequate for full clinical examination. Body weights were estimated in six birds and measured in five birds and ranged from 40 to 66 kg. Sternal recumbency occurred in six birds, three in each dose range. In nine birds sedation was reversed with atipamezole at a dose of 15 to 80 mg/kg IM, which produced a return to alertness in 40 to 139 min. Forceful sneezing occurred during recovery in three birds. CONCLUSION: Medetomidine is a safe and reliable alternative to manual restraint in cassowaries.     

The epidemiology of subfertility in non-seasonal calving dairy herds in the Camden region of New South Wales: preliminary investigation of risk factors

OBJECTIVE: To investigate relationships between biographic, reproductive, production and disease traits and subfertility among 965 Holstein cows from 10 non-seasonal calving dairy herds in the Camden region of New South Wales. DESIGN: A retrospective case-control study METHODS: Biographical, disease and reproductive data were collated from computerised records for cows with lactations that commenced between 1 July 1995 and 30 June 1996 and univariable and bivariable associations with subfertility were determined. RESULTS: Records from 965 cows that conceived were considered for risk factor analyses. Associations between subfertility and a number of risk factors (P < 0.3) were detected. Significant (P < 0.05) risk factors for subfertility in multiparous cows included herd of origin and, after controlling for the effect of herd, subfertility in the previous lactation, greater than 62 days dry, parity greater than five, interval between calving and first recorded heat, metritis and cystic ovarian disease. Herd of origin and, after controlling for herd effects, dystocia, metritis and percentage of milk fat plus protein at the time of first service were significant (P < 0.05) risk factors for subfertility in primiparous cows. The direction and magnitude of these associations are presented. CONCLUSION: Subfertility has a similar rate of occurrence in the herds examined to that reported overseas. Although herd of origin has a substantial effect on individual risk of subfertility, cow-level risk factors for subfertility are likely to exist. Exposures differ between primiparous and multiparous cows.     

Risk factors for repeat-breeder syndrome in New South Wales dairy cows

A retrospective case-control study involving 1041 cow lactations from 10 commercial dairy herds in Australia determined relationships between biographic, production, reproductive and disease factors and repeat-breeder syndrome (RBS) (conception to greater than two inseminations). The study population was stratified into primiparous- and multiparous-cow sub-groups and logistic regression was used. Effects of herd were examined by including this variable alternatively as a fixed and a random effect. In the primiparous-cow fixed-effect model, the risk of RBS was increased with post-calving metritis, stillbirth, and with increasing days taken to reach peak milk yield, and reduced following dystocia. An inverted U-shaped relationship with total milk-solids percentage at the time of first service was detected. In the multiparous-cow fixed-effect model, the risk of RBS was increased in cows with chronic metritis, cystic ovarian disease (COD), in cows of parity >5 and in cows that were sub-fertile in the previous lactation. Increasing days to first recorded heat (DFH) reduced risk of RBS and a non-linear relationship with average 120-day milk-protein percentage was found. When herd was fitted as a random effect, stillbirth and 120-day average milk-protein percentage were no longer significant in the primiparous and multiparous models, respectively. The study emphasises the need to control appropriately for the clustering effect of herd and supports the need to minimise periparturient disease and improve nutrient balance to achieve optimal fertility in dairy herds.     

Non-coagulopathic spontaneous hemothorax in dogs

Objective: To determine the history, clinicopathologic findings, underlying causes, and outcomes for dogs with non‐coagulopathic spontaneous hemothorax. Design: Retrospective case series. Setting: University referral hospital. Animals: Sixteen client‐owned dogs. Interventions: The medical records database was searched for dogs with hemothorax. Dogs with trauma, secondary coagulopathy, recent thoracic surgery, or pericardial intervention were excluded. For the remaining dogs, signalment, clinical signs, clinicopathologic findings, radiographic findings, histopathologic findings, interventions, and outcome were recorded. Measurements and main results: The most common presenting signs were tachypnea (n=9) and lethargy (n=5), typically of <1‐week duration. The most common cause of non‐coagulopathic spontaneous hemothorax in dogs was neoplasia, which was diagnosed in 14 patients (88%). Identified malignancies included hemangiosarcoma (n=1), malignant mesothelioma (n=1), metastatic ovarian carcinoma (n=1), osteosarcoma (n=2), and pulmonary carcinoma (n=2). An intrathoracic mass was visualized in 7 other dogs; however, histopathology was not obtained. Pancreatitis and lung lobe torsion were each diagnosed in 1 dog, and survival was prolonged with both surviving at least 1 year post discharge. Only 6 of 14 dogs that were diagnosed with neoplasia were discharged from the hospital. For the 4 dogs with cancer with available outcome data, median survival time was 16 days (range 1–70 days). Two dogs were lost to follow‐up and had unknown survival times. Conclusions: The development of non‐coagulopathic spontaneous hemothorax warrants a high‐index suspicion for neoplasia, in particular thoracic wall neoplasia.