Multiple apparent Sarcocystis abortion in four bovine herds

Foetuses recovered from multiple abortions in four dairy herds had multifocal nonsuppurative encephalitis, myocarditis and hepatitis. Focal placentitis was usually present. Sarcocystis-like protozoa were found in the brains of foetuses from two of the outbreaks. Apart from excess salivation in a few cows in one herd, farmers reported no clinical abnormalities prior to the abortions, and all cows remained normal after the abortions. Dogs and cats fed an affected foetus and neonatal calves from the affected herds failed to excrete protozoa in their faeces. The identity of the protozoa in the foetal brain was not confirmed.     

Efficacy of fenbendazole against inhibited larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi in yearling cattle

Efficacy of fenbendazole, at doses of 7.5 and 10.0 mg/kg of body weight, against inhibited early 4th-stage larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi and other nematodes of the abomasum and intestinal tract, was investigated in naturally infected yearling heifers in late May 1982. In Louisiana, this is near the end of the period (March to May) in which maximal numbers of inhibition-prone larvae are acquired. The mean numbers of O ostertagi in 10 untreated control cattle were: adults, 4,880; developing 4th-stage larvae, 12,546; and inhibited early 4th-stage larvae, 167,931. At the 7.5 mg/kg dose level (10% liquid suspension) in 10 cattle, percentage reduction of O ostertagi in comparison with controls was: adults, 95.7%; developing 4th stages, 91.1%; and inhibited 4th stage, 55.0%. Percentage reductions of other genera were as follows: abomasum--Trichostrongylus axei, 99.6%; Haemonchus sp, 95.1%; intestinal tract--Cooperia spp, 97.8%; Trichostrongylus colubriformis, 100.0%; and Oesophagostomum radiatum 4th stage and adults, 100.0%. At the 10.0 mg/kg dose (10% liquid suspension) in 11 cattle, the percentage reduction of O ostertagi in comparison with controls was: adults, 98.6%; developing 4th stages, 92.9%; and inhibited 4th stage, 80.0%. Percentage reductions of other genera were: abomasum--T axei, 99.9%; Haemonchus sp, 98.8%; intestinal tract--Cooperia spp, 99.3%; T colubriformis, 100.0%; and Oes radiatum 4th stage and adults, 100.0%. Variability of efficacy against inhibited larvae was observed, particularly at the 7.5 mg/kg dose; at this dose, 7 of the 10 heifers in the group yielded in excess of 54,000 surviving larvae.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (Imuthiol) on lymphocyte function and growth in weanling pigs

Mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and growth performance were evaluated in 3-week-old pigs treated with imuthiol. Lymphocyte proliferative responses to Con A and PWM were reduced (P < 0.05) in pigs treated with imuthiol at 25 mg/kg; PHA proliferative responses were not influenced by imuthiol treatment. Imuthiol at 2.5 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg lowered IL-2 production when compared to saline-treated controls. Delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to PHA were higher in 25 mg/kg imuthiol-treated pigs; however, 2.5 mg/kg imuthiol-treated pigs had lower DHT reactions. Imuthiol at 2.5 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg reduced (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake. These data suggest that in vivo imuthiol treatment in pigs lowers lymphocyte proliferative responses, IL-2 production, and growth performance.     

Effect of chemotherapy on semen characteristics of Balami rams infected with Anaplasma ovis

Six intact Balami rams were experimentally infected with Anaplasma ovis. Another six were infected one month after splenectomy and six others served as controls. Clinical manifestations of the disease, first observed between 5 to 7 days post-infection, were more severe and prolonged in the splenectomised-infected than in the intact-infected group. There was progressive deterioration in semen quality, which was also significantly more severe and prolonged in the splenectomised than in the intact-infected rams. Following treatment with long-acting terramycine, clinical recovery occurred earlier in the intact-infected (1–4 weeks) than in the splenectomised-infected group (5–7 weeks). A similar pattern was observed in post-treatment improvement in the spermiogram. However, although the infected animals recovered clinically by 1–7 weeks post-treatment, restoration of the reproductive potential did not occur for 20 to 25 weeks. It appears that stress factors may aggravate the deliterious effects of anaplasmosis.     

African horse sickness in Zimbabwe: 1972 to 1981

Summary During the nine years from October 1972 to September 1981 African horse sickness (AHS) virus was isolated from 23 suspected cases of the disease in Zimbabwe and complement fixation antibody titres indicative of recent infection were detected in a further 49 horses. The 23 isolations belonged to seven of the nine known serotypes of AHS virus. In response to a questionnaire in 1980 the owners of 20% (1,654/8,000) of the horses in Zimbabwe indicated that they had recorded 207 cases of clinically diagnosed AHS with 107 deaths from 1975 to 1980. Fifty-six cases with 50 deaths had occurred in foals and many of the other cases occurred in horses which had been vaccinated. It was concluded that the immunity induced by vaccine and maternal immunity warranted further investigation.

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Peste Equina Africana En Zimbabwe: 1972–1981

Resumen Se aisló virus de peste equina africana de 23 casos sospechosos de la enfermedad en Zimbabwe, detectándose infecciones recientes mediante fijación de complemento, en 49 caballos más. Los 23 aislamientos pertenecían a siete de los nueve serotipos conocidos de la enfermedad. Veinte por ciento de propietarios de equinos que respondieron a una encuesta formulada en 1980 (1654/8000), indicaron que habían reconocido 207 casos de la enfermedad, diagnosticados clínicamente, entre 1975 y 1980. Cincuenta y seis casos con 50 muertes ocurrieron en potros y los demás en caballos que habían sido vacunados. Se concluye, que se necesitan más investigaciones en cuanto a la inmunidad materna y aquella inducida por la vacuna ahora en al mercado.

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La Peste Equine Au Zimbabwe: 1972 À 1981

Résumé Durant les neuf ans allant d'octobre 1972 à septembre 1981, le virus de la peste équine a été isolé à partir de 23 cas de maladie suspectée au Zimbabwé, et par la fixation du complément, des titres indicateurs d'une infection récente ont été détectés chez 49 autres chevaux. Les souches isolées appartenant à sept des neuf sérotypes connus du virus. En réponse à un questionnaire de 1980, les propriètaires de 20% (1654/8000) des chevaux du Zimbabwé ont indiqué qu'ils ont recontré 207 cas de peste équine diagnostiquée cliniquement, avec 107 mortalités entre 1975 et 1980. Cinquante-cinq cas, dont 50 mortaliltés, se sont produits chez des poulains, et beaucoup des autres cas ont été observés chez des chevaux qui avaient été vaccinés. Il est conclu que l'immunité engendrée par le vaccin, ainsi que l'immunité maternelle, nécessite d'autres recherches.

     

Identification of Histoplasma organisms in circulating eosinophils of a dog

Disseminated histoplasmosis was diagnosed in a 10-year-old dog that had chronic diarrhea, weight loss, fever, and anemia. The diagnosis was based on detection of Histoplasma organisms in circulating neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils. The dog had severe histoplasmal fungemia, which may have been caused by treatment with prednisolone.