Staphylococci in canine urolithiasis: species identification, using a commercially available tray micromethod

Fifty-one coagulase-positive staphylococcal isolates from canine urinary calculi or from the urine of dogs with documented urolithiasis, and 17 coagulase-positive staphylococcal isolates from human beings and cattle were identified by a commercially available tray micromethod, as well as by conventional methods. Canine isolates had previously been classified as Staphylococcus aureus on the basis of a positive tube coagulase test. After 5 hours' incubation, the tray method identified all 51 canine urolithiasis isolates as S intermedius, rather than S aureus. All human and bovine isolates were identified as S aureus. Conventional methods supported these findings.     

Effects of Interferon‐Tau and Steroids on Cytochrome P450 Activity in Bovine Endometrial Epithelial Cells

The objective of the current study was to examine cyclooxygenase (COX), cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) and 2C (CYP2C) activity in bovine endometrial cell cultures following exposure to oxytocin (OT), interferon‐τ (IFN), estradiol (E2) and/or progesterone (P4). Bovine endometrial epithelial cells were treated with OT, IFN, a combination of OT+IFN or control (CON) media for 24 h. For the second experiment, cells were treated with E2, P4, a combination of E2 + P4 or CON media for 24 h. Treatments were performed in triplicate, and the experiment was repeated four times (n = 12 per treatment). Treatment with OT alone increased (p < 0.01) activity of COX compared with CON; however, OT alone did not alter activity of CYP1A (p = 0.55) or CYP2C (p = 0.46) compared with CON. Activity of CYP1A and CYP2C was decreased in cells exposed to IFN (p < 0.01) or OT+IFN (p < 0.01) compared with CON. Treatment with E2 alone did not alter activity of CYP1A (p = 0.64) or CYP2C (p = 0.06) compared with CON. Activity of CYP1A and CYP2C was decreased (p < 0.01) in P4 vs CON. In summary, IFN exposure, irrespective of OT treatment, decreased the activity of CYP1A and CYP2C. Activity of CYP1A was decreased following P4 treatment alone, while that of CYP2C was decreased following both P4 and E2 + P4 treatment. The mixed function monooxygenase enzymes, CYP1A and CYP2C, have been implicated in synthesizing embryotoxic compounds; therefore, downregulation in the endometrium may be necessary during maternal recognition of pregnancy.     

Assessment of the quality of multi-institutional data for population-based epidemiological studies: a case study of atoxoplasmosis in Bali mynahs (Leucopsar rothschildi)

To evaluate the potential to conduct population-based epidemiologic studies using multi-institutional data, the quality of data extracted from the MedARKS system was evaluated with regard to atoxoplasmosis in Bali mynahs (Leucopsar rothschildi). Data extracted for 338 Bali mynahs from 34 institutions were analyzed for completeness, correctness, and consistency and subjectively analyzed for accessibility. Data completeness was ascertained by analysis of missing records, tests, and blank fields. Two hundred and sixty four records had animal enclosure information missing, nine records were missing from the parasitology module, and 85 records did not include tests or results. Data correctness was assessed by evaluation of unclear and inaccurate results. From 2,432 parasitology records, 81 tests (3.3%) were not definitive because of uninterpretable entries. Data consistency was assessed by comparing the problem list to positive tests in the parasitology module and listing of buffy coat smears in the clinical pathology module. Overall, six different terms with 28 values were used to denote "positive for Atoxoplasma sp.," and a substantial number of discrepancies were found between problem lists, parasitology modules, and test findings among these data records. In general, this study showed that the data contained in a computer patient record (CPR) system for zoos has great promise for population-level studies if specific areas are addressed, including 1) reduced reliance on free-text data entry, 2) universal use of a standardized vocabulary, 3) use of methods to identify and track individual animals accurately and easily, 4) integration of data checks and maintenance methods, and 5) concerted use of "centralized" animal medical record information.     

Effects of initial and extended exposure to an endophyte-infected tall fescue seed diet on faecal and urinary excretion of ergovaline and lysergic acid in mature geldings

Abstract

AIM: To determine the amount of ergovaline and lysergic acid retained or excreted by geldings fed endophyte-infected seed containing known concentrations of these alkaloids, and the effects of exposure time on clinical expression of toxicosis.

METHODS: Mature geldings (n=10) received diets containing either endophyte-free (E-) or endophyte-infected (E+) tall fescue seed during three experimental phases. The first phase (Days ?14 to ?1) was an adaptation phase, to allow all horses to adapt to a diet containing E- tall fescue seed. The second (Days 0 to 3) was the initial exposure phase to E+ tall fescue seed, used for the delivery of ergovaline and lysergic acid at 0.5 and 0.3 mg/kg of diet, respectively, to test the initial effects of exposure on routes and amounts of elimination of alkaloid. During this phase, half the geldings were exposed to an E+ diet while the rest served as controls by remaining on the E- diet. Once assigned to treatments, geldings remained on the same diet through the third phase (Days 4 to 21), which served as the extended exposure phase. Total outputs of faeces and urine were collected within each phase, to determine retention of ergovaline and lysergic acid and nutrient digestibility. Serum was collected weekly and analysed for activities of enzymes and concentrations of prolactin. Bodyweights (BW) and rectal temperatures were recorded weekly.

RESULTS: BW, rectal temperature, enzyme activities and concentrations of prolactin in serum, and nutrient digestibility were not affected by treatment. Total intake of ergovaline by geldings on the E+ diet was 3.5 and 3.6 (SE 0.20) mg/day, and 2.1 and 2.3 (SE 0.11) mg/day were not accounted for in initial and extended phases, respectively. Lysergic acid was excreted in the urine (4.0 and 4.9 (SE 0.97) mg/day) and faeces (2.5 and 2.7 (SE 0.35) mg/day) at greater amounts than that consumed (2.0 and 1.9 (SE 0.09) mg/day) during the initial and extended exposure phases, respectively. Animals exposed to E+ seed for a period of 20 days appeared to excrete more (1.5 vs 1.2 mg/day; SE 0.08; p=0.03) ergovaline in the faeces than those exposed for only 4 days.

CONCLUSIONS: Exposure time to the ergot alkaloids had a limited effect on the route of elimination or the amounts of ergovaline or lysergic acid excreted by horses. The primary alkaloid excreted was lysergic acid, and urine was the major route of elimination. These data will aid future research to improve animals′ tolerance to toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue.