Sexual dimorphism of the kidney in the NMRI mouse as shown by Dolichos biflorus agglutinin labelling

The histological affinity pattern of Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) in kidneys from mice (NMRI, Balb/c, CBA) and rats (Wistar) fixed by perfusion with formalin, Bouin, or HgCl2 was investigated with a horseradish peroxidase conjugate. The animals were examined from fetal stage to adulthood. Adult female NMRI mice exhibited constant DBA labelling, with DBA binding to cells of the proximal and collecting tubules. Moreover the vascular endothelium of the renal papilla was found to be DBA-positive in 50% of adult female animals. In contrast, there was only very little DBA binding in the kidneys of male adult NMRI mice. There was no sexual dimorphism in lectin labelling in kidneys from other strains of mice or from rats.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF THE FETUS AND INTRAUTERINE ENVIRONMENT IN HEALTHY MARES DURING LATE GESTATION

Mares with uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 33) underwent transabdominal sonography to evaluate fetal well-being, obtain measurements of fetal size and characterize the intrauterine environment. Data from the last examination obtained prior to parturition were used for statistical analysis. All mares had one active fetus with good fetal tone. The maximal vertical depth of amniotic fluid (7.9 ± 3.5 cm) was less than allantoic (13.4 ± 4.4 cm) and fewer echogenic particles were detected in amniotic fluid. The maximal uteroplacental thickness was 1.38 ± 0.23 cm (retrospective) and 1.15 ±± 0.24 cm (propspective). In 3 mares small anechoic spaces were imaged between the uterus and placenta. Fetuses had a regular cardiac rhythm with a mean heart rate of 75 ± 7 beats/minute and breathing movements. The diameter of the fetal aorta (mean = 22.8 ± 2.15 mm) was significantly correlated with neonatal foal weight (P<0.0008, r = 0.72) and maternal prepartum weight (P<0.002, r = 0.86). This information of the normal intrauterine environment and fetal well-being can be used to develop a biophysical profile specific for the equine fetus.     

Evaluation of risk factors for the spread of low pathogenicity H7N2 avian influenza virus among commercial poultry farms

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors associated with the spread of low pathogenicity H7N2 avian influenza (AI) virus among commercial poultry farms in western Virginia during an outbreak in 2002. DESIGN: Case-control study. PROCEDURE: Questionnaires were used to collect information about farm characteristics, biosecurity measures, and husbandry practices on 151 infected premises (128 turkey and 23 chicken farms) and 199 noninfected premises (167 turkey and 32 chicken farms). RESULTS: The most significant risk factor for AI infection was disposal of dead birds by rendering (odds ratio [OR], 73). In addition, age > or = 10 weeks (OR for birds aged 10 to 19 weeks, 4.9; OR for birds aged > or = 20 weeks, 4.3) was a significant risk factor regardless of poultry species involved. Other significant risk factors included use of nonfamily caretakers and the presence of mammalian wildlife on the farm. Factors that were not significantly associated with infection included use of various routine biosecurity measures, food and litter sources, types of domestic animals on the premises, and presence of wild birds on the premises. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that an important factor contributing to rapid early spread of AI virus infection among commercial poultry farms during this outbreak was disposal of dead birds via rendering off-farm. Because of the highly infectious nature of AI virus and the devastating economic impact of outbreaks, poultry farmers should consider carcass disposal techniques that do not require off-farm movement, such as burial, composting, or incineration.     

Comparative genetic characterization of Porcine Circovirus type 2 samples from German wild boar populations

PCV-2 is involved in "postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome" (PMWS), "porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome" (PDNS), respiratory and reproductive disorders, and thereby plays a crucial role in today's swine production world-wide. The virus is apparently ubiquitous in domestic pigs and has also been demonstrated in wild pigs. Up to now, a characterization of PCV-2 samples from wild pigs, which might help to estimate the possible role of wild pigs as sources of domestic pig infection, has not been carried out. Spleen samples from 16 PCV-2-positive wild pigs from hunting grounds of four regions in Germany were used for the analysis of the viral genome. In one sample, the complete sequence of the genome was determined. In the other, a 742 nucleotide fragment from the highly variable capsid sequence of the ORF2 was sequenced. Analysis of the sequences led to the identification of three PCV-2 strains. One strain, representing 14 of the 16 samples, was closely related with Chinese, but not with German strains. The genome of this strain was shortened by one nucleotide by a deletion close to the end of ORF2. The deletion led to a shift of the stop-codon and to the insertion of a further codon. Two further strains differed in up to 4.7% of nucleotides and up to 10.5% of amino acids (aa). These strains were aligned with clusters of PCV-2 samples from mainly French and German domestic origin.     

Isolation of Feline Herpesvirus 1 from the Trigeminal Ganglia of Acutely and Chronically Infected Cats

Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) is one of the most common viral infections of domestic cats worldwide, estimated to cause 50% of all respiratory infections in this species. Feline herpesvirus 1 is also an important ocular pathogen of cats, causing conjunctivitis, epithelial and stromal keratitis, symblepharon formation, keratocon-junctivitis sicca, and corneal sequestration. Despite the importance of this viral disease, major questions remain unanswered concerning the pathogenesis of its most important manifestation, the recrudescent infection. Although the taxonomic classification of FHV-1 as an alpha herpesvirus implies the ability of FHV-1 to establish neural latency, attempts at recovering the virus from the trigeminal ganglia of latently infected cats have typically yielded negative results. This failure has stimulated speculation that neural tissue is not an important site for latent FHV-1. However, in the most successful of such studies, FHV-1 was isolated from the trigeminal ganglia of 3 of 17 cats using an explant technique. In the present study, we describe the successful isolation of FHV-1 from the trigeminal ganglia of cats using a similar tissue culture method.     

SPONTANEOUS RESOLUTION OF A PSEUDOANEURYSM IN A HORSE FOLLOWING ANGIOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS

Angiography in a horse was used to confirm a pseudoaneurysm of the dorsal metatarsal artery originating from trauma. Gradual clinical resolution of the pseudoaneurysm occurred within days following the procedure. A follow-up angiogram confirmed the clinical impression. An etiology of the spontaneous resolution is presented. Probable influences included technical factors of the injection procedure that caused prolonged presence of the contrast medium within the aneurysmal sac and factors that enhance thrombus formation during angiography.