Distribution of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and Lawsonia intracellularis in healthy and diarrhoeic pigs

Although Brachyspira (B.) hyodysenteriae and Lawsonia (L.) intracellularis are widely distributed in pigs in Germany, there exists limited information on their clinical relevance.To get more insight into their potential role in swine diarrhoeal disease, in 2002 and 2003 faecal specimens from healthy pigs (n=1445) as well as from diarrhoeic pigs (n=2002) were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of both agents. Of the specimens from healthy pigs L. intracellularis and B. hyodysenteriae were detected in 7.3% and 6.7%, respectively. In contrast, of the diarrhoeic pigs the ratios of positive samples amounted to 19.4% for L. intracellularis and 17.9% for B. hyodysenteriae. Concerning the age of the diseased animals, in growing pigs the detection rates of L. intracellularis and B. hyodysenteriae were nearly identical (16.4% and 14.2%, respectively). In fattening pigs a significant higher number of animals were affected with B. hyodysenteriae (35.8%) than with L. intracellularis (28.2%). On the other hand, in sows L. intracellularis (35.6% positive samples) was dominant compared to B. hyodysenteriae (21.2% positive samples). Considering the nearly threefold higher percentage rates of L. intracellularis and B. hyodysenteriae in diarrhoeic pigs in comparison to healthy pigs, it is concluded that both agents play an important role in swine diarrhoeal disease. The results further indicated that in fattening pigs B. hyodysenteriae and in sows L. intracellularis have a dominant role, respectively.     

Coxiella burnetii plasmid types QpDG and QpH1 are closely related and likely identical

Strains and isolates of Coxiella burnetii, an obligate intracellular bacterium, carry a single plasmid or a plasmid-homologous sequence integrated into the chromosome. The plasmids QpH1, QpRS, QpDV and the chromosome-integrated plasmid-homologous region have been completely sequenced, whereas no sequence data are available for the QpDG plasmid. In this study, we used total genomic DNA from reference strain C. burnetii Dugway 5J108-111 to demonstrate and characterize the QpDG plasmid by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and Southern hybridization. Primers derived from regions shared among C. burnetii plasmids were used to construct a physical map of the QpDG plasmid by extra long (XL) PCR. Both approaches, Southern hybridization and XL PCR indicated that QpDG and QpH1 represent a closely related and likely identical plasmid.     

Expression of the bovine leukemia virus transactivator protein p34 by a recombinant vaccinia virus

In order to characterize the bovine leukemia virus transactivator protein, a recombinant vaccinia virus (v-LOR) containing the BLV post-envelope long open reading frame was constructed. v-LOR was shown to encode a functional protein able to transactivate the BLV long terminal repeat-directed gene expression in the infected cells. The encountered level of transactivation was about one third of that measured in BLV-infected fetal lamb kidney cell lysates.     

Three-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping and radiofrequency ablation as a novel treatment for atrioventricular accessory pathway in a horse: A case report

We describe the diagnosis and treatment of an atrioventricular accessory pathway (AP) in a horse using 3-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping (3D EAM) and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). During routine evaluation of the horse, intermittent ventricular pre-excitation was identified on the ECG, characterized by a short PQ interval and abnormal QRS morphology. A right cranial location of the AP was suspected from the 12-lead ECG and vectorcardiography. After precise localization of the AP using 3D EAM, ablation was performed and AP conduction was eliminated. Immediately after recovery from anesthesia an occasional pre-excited complex still was observed, but a 24-hour ECG and an ECG during exercise 1 and 6 weeks after the procedure showed complete disappearance of pre-excitation. This case shows the feasibility of 3D EAM and RFCA to identify and treat an AP in horses.     

Hydrostatic pressure and temperature dependence of wood moisture sorption isotherms

By expressing wood moisture content data as a function of adsorption energy, an interesting scaling capability is obtained, wherefrom the general hydrostatic pressure and temperature dependence of wood moisture content is determined. The scaling law is fully consistent with the thermodynamics of swelling. It can be used to transform room condition sorption isotherms to other temperatures and hydrostatic pressures, provided that the wood matrix is not irreversibly modified. A special procedure is suggested for the case of an irreversibly changing wood matrix, as in thermal modification and thermo-hydro-mechanical treatments. Using the present scaling theory, several fundamental aspects of wood moisture sorption are explained, such as the absence of a significant quantity of strongly bound wood moisture, the internal stress generation by sorption hysteresis in the wood cell wall, and the reason for the reversible disappearance of the sigmoid shape of the sorption isotherm at higher temperature. The results of this research may be useful (a) for transformation of known sorption data to other conditions, notably where in situ moisture measurements are difficult to perform and (b) to quantify the effects of internal stresses in the ultrastructure of the cell wall on moisture content.     

Major Carbohydrate, Polyol, and Oligosaccharide Profiles of Agave Syrup. Application of this Data to Authenticity Analysis

Nineteen pure agave syrups representing the three major production regions and four processing facilities in Mexico were analyzed for their major carbohydrate, polyol, and oligosaccharide profiles, as well as their physicochemical properties (pH, °Brix, total acidity, percent total titratable acidity, and color). Additionally, the detection of intentional debasing of agave syrup with four commercial nutritive sweeteners (HFCS 55 and 90, DE 42 and sucrose) was afforded by oligosaccharide profiling employing both high performance anion exchange liquid chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAE-PAD) and capillary gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (CGC-FID). Results showed that the major carbohydrate and polyol in agave syrups were fructose and inositol with mean concentrations of 84.29% and 0.38%, respectively. Oligosaccharide profiling was extremely successful for adulteration detection with detection limits ranging from 0.5 to 2.0% for the aforementioned debasing agents. Also, all four of these possible adulterants could be detected within a single chromatographic analysis.     

Detection of the origin of atrial tachycardia by 3D electro‐anatomical mapping and treatment by radiofrequency catheter ablation in horses

BackgroundAtrial tachycardia (AT) can be treated by medical or electrical cardioversion but the recurrence rate is high. Three‐dimensional electro‐anatomical mapping, recently described in horses, might be used to map AT to identify a focal source or reentry mechanism and to guide treatment by radiofrequency ablation.ObjectivesTo describe the feasibility of 3D electro‐anatomical mapping and radiofrequency catheter ablation to characterize and treat sustained AT in horses.AnimalsNine horses with sustained AT.MethodsRecords from horses with sustained AT referred for radiofrequency ablation at Ghent University were reviewed.ResultsThe AT was drug resistant in 4 out of 9 horses. In 8 out of 9 horses, AT originated from a localized macro‐reentrant circuit (n = 5) or a focal source (n = 3) located at the transition between the right atrium and the caudal vena cava. In these 8 horses, local radiofrequency catheter ablation resulted in the termination of AT. At follow‐up, 6 out of 8 horses remained free of recurrence.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceDifferentiation between focal and macro‐reentrant AT in horses is possible using 3D electro‐anatomical mapping. In this study, the source of right atrial AT in horses was safely treated by radiofrequency catheter ablation.