Cholecystography and cholecystoduodenostomy in the diagnosis and treatment of bile duct obstruction in a dog

A common bile duct obstruction was documented in a dog, by performing cholecystography haparoscopic visualization facilitated performance of the cholecystography. Target cells were a consistent hematologic finding. Cholecystoduodenostomy, an easily performed surgical technique, allowed for restoration of bile flow and resolution of clinical signs.     

Some Characteristics of Campyloracter Fetus Sursp. Jejuni Isolated from Pigs,Rirds and Man By

One hundred and two strains of Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni isolated from pigs, various avian species and man were subjected to biochemical characterization including hydrolysis of hippurate, tolerance of 3.5 % saline, H₂S production in TSI medium, growth on TTC agar and antibiotic sensitivity. On this basis the porcine strains could be classified into 4 groups, while the avian and human strains could each be divided into 2 groups. The avian and human strains had the same biochemical characteristics as 2 of the porcine groups.     

Chemiluminescence and chemotaxis assay of canine granulocytes: a methodological study

Chemiluminescence (CL) of isolated granulocytes and of whole blood from dogs was evaluated. Chemiluminescence of whole blood samples created an undesired quenching effect by the red blood cells which makes the assay difficult to apply in pathological cases with low formation of oxygen metabolites. This problem was avoided when chemiluminescence was determined, using isolated granulocytes. A cell concentration of 5 x 10(9)/l was needed to create optimal conditions. The Boyden chamber technique was used for study of random migration and chemotaxis. Casein (0.1%), zymosan activated serum with and without epsilon-amino-n-caproic-acid and homologous serum were effective chemoattractants for canine granulocytes, while FMLP (formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanin) did not attract canine granulocytes.     

On the transferrin concentration in serum of sows and growing pigs and in sow colostrum

Immunologically pure transferrin was isolated from swine serum by means of ammoniumsulphate precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography. Rabbit anti-swine transferrin serum was prepared and used for immunological determinations of transferrin in serum and colostrum. The transferrin concentration in serum from piglets was 180 ± 56 mg/100 ml at birth and rather constant by the first days of life. The levels increase to 610 ± 78 mg/100 ml at 6 weeks after birth. The transferrin level of colostrum was 100 mg/100 ml and decreased rapidly. A negative correlation was established between the concentration of haemoglobin and transferrin. The importance of transferrin is discussed.     

Best among unequals? Effect of size grading and different social environments on the growth performance of juvenile Atlantic halibut

In order to study the effect of rearing juvenile halibut in different social environments, individually tagged juvenile halibut were size-graded into two size classes (Large, L, and Small, S) with ungraded fish as control. After ca 6 weeks, the two size-graded groups were again graded into two size classes creating four experimental groups: Large of the Large (LL), Small of the Large (SL), Large of the Small (LS), and Small of the Small (SS). Grading (overall mean of the four grading groups) improved growth rate by 10% compared with ungraded controls, but the effect was also significantly affected by social environments, because in the latter half of the experiment overall growth was improved by 11 and 12% in the two groups with larger size variation (i.e. SL and LS, respectively) compared with the two other groups (i.e. LL and SS). Significant size rank correlations were maintained during the experiment, these were higher in the ungraded (Control) group and the SS and LL groups than in the SL and LS groups. Further, the degree of mean rank position changes varied between the experimental groups and was higher in the SL (20.7) and LS (25.6) groups than in the Control (10.5), LL (15.1), and SS (15.4) groups. This could possibly indicate a stronger social hierarchy in the last three groups. Growth rate differences may be the product of different degrees of interactions among individuals, and based on the higher overall growth rates in the groups with larger size variation (i.e. SL, LS) it is concluded that juvenile halibut should not be too intensively size graded. Imsland and Jenssen have contributed equally.     

The relation between age at first maturity and growth in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) reared at four different light regimes

The effect of extended photoperiods on growth and age at first maturity was investigated in 166 (79 females and 87 males) individually tagged Atlantic halibut. The halibut were reared at 11°C on four different light regimes from 10 February to 6 July 1996: simulated natural photoperiod, (LDN), continuous light (LD24:0), constant 8 h light and 16 h darkness (LD8:16) and LD8:16 switched to continuous light on 4 May 1996 (LD8:16–24:0). From 6 July 1996 to 9 February 1998 the LD24:0 and LD8:16–24:0 were reared together under continuous light and the LDN and LD8:16 together under natural photoperiod. Juveniles subjected to continuous light exhibited faster growth than those experiencing a natural photoperiod or a constant short day. Moreover, the results suggest an overall growth enhancing effect of continuous light in females, but not in males. No females matured during the trial, but the proportion of mature males differed between the photoperiod groups, with significantly fewer males maturing in groups reared at continuous light. Independent of photoperiod regime and maturation status, females were significantly bigger than males from 14 April 1997 onwards. Immature males were bigger than maturing males from 23 March 1996 onwards. As continuous light reduced maturation at age 2+ in males, this could be used to reduce precocious maturation in males.     

Clinical Trial: Marine Lipid Suppositories as Laxatives

Cod-liver oil and other marine products containing polyunsaturated fatty acids have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects and may be useful in the treatment of various inflammatory and infectious diseases. We developed suppositories and ointment with 30% free fatty acid (FFA) extract from omega-3 fish oil. Our purpose was to evaluate the safety of marine lipid suppositories and ointment in healthy volunteers and to explore the laxative effect of the suppositories. Thirty healthy volunteers were randomized either to a study group administrating 30% FFA suppositories and applying 30% FFA ointment to the perianal region twice per day for two weeks, or to a control group using placebo suppositories and ointment in a double blinded manner. Results: No serious toxic effects or irritation were observed. In the study group 93% felt the urge to defecate after administration of the suppositories as compared to 37% in the control group (P = 0.001). Subsequently 90% in the study group defecated, compared to 33% in the control group (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The marine lipid suppositories and ointment were well tolerated with no significant toxic side effects observed during the study period. The suppositories have a distinct laxative effect and we aim to explore this effect in further clinical trials.     

Revised definition of Actinobacillus sensu stricto isolated from animals. A review with special emphasis on diagnosis

The taxonomy of the members of the genus Actinobacillus associated with animals has been reviewed with focus on classification and identification including molecular based characterization, typing and identification. Out of the 22 species or species like taxa reported as Actinobacillus, 19 are associated with animals. When classified on the basis of 16S rRNA sequence based phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridizations and phenotypic analysis, Actinobacillus sensu stricto is restricted to include A. lignieresii, A. pleuropneumoniae, A. equuli subsp. equuli, A. equuli subsp. haemolyticus (taxon 11 of Bisgaard), A. hominis, A. suis, A. ureae, A. arthritidis (taxon 9 of Bisgaard), Actinobacillus genomospecies 1 and 2 and the taxa 8 and 26 of Bisgaard. The remaining 11 species of Actinobacillus are unrelated to A. sensu stricto and should consequently be grouped with other genera or be renamed as new genera depending on new data. Identification of members of Actinobacillus at species level is possible through phenotypic characterization combined with information on host of isolation. PCR tests are available for specific detection of A. pleuropneumoniae. Only A. pleuropneumoniae is presently considered as a primary pathogen. Based on different types of RTX genes it is possible to PCR type A. pleuropneumoniae to serotype level. PCR might also be used for the specific detection of A. equuli subsp. haemolyticus. Epidemiological investigations and surveillance have so far included serotyping, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE), ribotyping and restriction fragment length profiling.     

Association of myocarditis with high viral load of porcine circovirus type 2 in several tissues in cases of fetal death and high mortality in piglets. A case study.

During a period of 1.5 months, a newly established pig herd experienced a high number of mummifications and stillbirths, a high neonatal mortality rate, and many piglets with congenital tremors or hind leg ataxia. After clinical and histological investigations, the submitted animals were divided into 4 groups: mummified or stillborn (N = 6), live born with myocarditis (N = 5) (average age 22.8 days), live born without myocarditis (N = 14) (average age 20.0 days), and control animals from a different herd (N = 5) (newborn). Statistically significant differences were observed in the mean porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) load among the 4 groups in the liver (P < 0.0001). The presence of PCV2 antigen within the myocardial lesions was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. A high load of PCV2 DNA was observed in myocardium, liver, and spleen from mummified or stillborn piglets (>1 x 10(7) copies per 500 ng DNA), lower in piglets with myocarditis (>1 x 10(5) copies per 500 ng DNA), and even further lower in pigs without myocarditis (<1 x 10(5) copies per 500 ng DNA), whereas no PCV2 DNA was detected in the control animals. Myocardium, liver, and spleen were well suited for routine testing of fetuses and young piglets by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Neither porcine parvovirus nor encepaholomyocarditis virus was detected. These results indicate that the PCV2 infection might have been of etiological importance for the fetal deaths and piglet mortality observed in this herd.