Breeding record analysis in pig herds and its veterinary applications--2: Experiences with a large commercial unit.

A computer program was used to analyse data from a large commercial pig unit over two years to assess reproductive efficiency and the efficiency of weaner production. Monthly inspections of the farm and quarterly post mortem examinations of all dead pigs provided further information. The effects of controlled changes in management on production were assessed. Overall the number of piglets reared per sow per year was increased from 15-1 to 17-2 and the eight-week weights improved from a mean of 10-3 kg to 15-0 kg during the two year-study period.     

Studies with bluetongue virus in Nigeria.

Using an agar gel diffusion test antibody evidence indicates that bluetongue virus is widely distributed in Nigeria and commonly infects cattle, sheep and goats. In a single dairy herd serological conversions were observed in both wet and dry seasons.     

Experimental infection of calves with two strains of bovine virus diarrhoea virus: certain immunological reactions

Certain immunological responses of 4-6 month old calves experimentally inoculated with either cytopathic or non-cytopathic bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) were compared with those of uninfected control calves. The tests used to demonstrate the immunological responses were the transformation of lymphocytes by PHA mitogen, the percentage of lymphocytes with surface immunoglobulin, and the antibody titres induced by an intravenous inoculation of killed Brucella abortus. There were no significant differences between the two groups of calves and therefore, the mild experimental disease produced by BVDV did not appear to affect adversely the immunological response.     

Effects of hypertonic saline infusion on the adrenocortical response to thiopental-halothane anesthesia in sheep after premedication with acepromazine

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether hypertonic saline infusion would prevent hypotension and pituitary-adrenocortical axis activation during halothane anesthesia after acepromazine premedication and thiopental induction in sheep. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized crossover study. ANIMALS: Six Welsh Mountain ewes weighing 40+/-2 kg and aged 2 to 3 years. METHODS: The sheep were studied on two occasions with 2 weeks between anesthetics. After acepromazine premedication, anesthesia was induced with thiopental and maintained for 120 minutes with halothane. During the first 15 minutes of anesthesia, 7.5% saline (4 mL/kg) was infused intravenously (HS group), but no infusion was given in the control (CONT) group. Sequential blood samples were taken for blood gas, cortisol, adenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), glucose, and lactate assay. RESULTS: Hypotension developed in both treatments; blood pressure decreased to a nadir of 58+/-5 mm Hg in the HS group and to 63+/-4 mm Hg in the CONT group (P>.05). Plasma cortisol increased significantly in both groups, reaching a peak of 420+/-130 nmol/L in HS and 483+/-157 nmol/L in CONT (P>.05). ACTH increased similarly in both groups, reaching 128+/-64 pmol/L in HS and 134+/-55 pmol/L in CONT (P>.05). pH was slightly higher in CONT, but no other differences were detected between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertonic saline did not ameliorate the adrenocortical response during anesthesia; this may be a result of its failure to prevent the hypotension.     

The pathology of spontaneous paratuberculosis in the North American bison (Bison bison)

Gross and histopathologic examinations were performed on 70 North American bison (Bison bison) from a Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis culture-positive herd. The bison examined were part of a breeding herd totaling 2,800 animals. Eight of 70 (11%) animals had gross findings of intestinal mucosal thickening, and 16 of 70 (23%) of the animals had enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Histologic lesions compatible with Johne's disease were diagnosed in 30 of 70 (43%) bison on the basis of the demonstration of noncaseating granulomatous inflammatory infiltrates and of one or more acid-fast bacilli characteristic of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis. A suspicious diagnosis of Johne's disease was obtained in 11 of 70 (16%) bison on the basis of the observation of noncaseating granulomatous inflammatory infiltrates without demonstrable acid-fast bacteria. Twenty-nine of 70 (41%) animals were assessed as histologically paratuberculosis free. Histologic results were compared to Johne's disease tests such as culture, serology, and polymerase chain reaction, which were performed on some of the cohort animals.     

Treatment of diplomonad intestinal parasites with magnesium sulphate at a commercial rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) facility

Rainbow trout (average weight of 2 g) in fresh water experienced high mortality and were infected with a diplomonad intestinal parasite. Tanks of fish experienced an immediate reduction in mortality after an in-feed treatment with 3% Epsom salts for 2 d. Treatments had to be applied several times, but in each case there was a similar reduction in mortality.     

Usefulness of the murine model to study the immune response against Histoplasma capsulatum infection

The present paper is an overview of the primary events that are associated with the histoplasmosis immune response in the murine model. Valuable data that have been recorded in the scientific literature have contributed to an improved understanding of the clinical course of this systemic mycosis, which is caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Data must be analyzed carefully, given that misinterpretation could be generated because most of the available information is based on experimental host–parasite interactions that used inappropriate proceedings, i.e., the non-natural route of infection with the parasitic and virulent fungal yeast-phase, which is not the usual infective phase of the etiological agent of this mycosis.