Longer-term risk of Mycobacterium bovis in Irish cattle following an inconclusive diagnosis to the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test

In Ireland, new bovine tuberculosis (bTB) cases are detected using both field and abattoir surveillance. During field surveillance, an animal may be deemed a 'standard inconclusive reactor' (SIR) to the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test (SICTT) if the bovine response is >2mm, and from 1 to 4mm greater than the avian response. Little is known about the future infection risk posed by SIR animals that pass a subsequent retest, so-called 'transient SIR' (TIR) animals. The objective of this study was to critically evaluate the future bTB status of TIR animals, by examining the future risk of bTB diagnosis over the 4 years following initial SIR diagnosis and clearance at the subsequent retest. The study included all TIRs that were identified as SIRs in 2005 in otherwise free herds at tests with no other reactors at that test and that were clear at the subsequent retest. The analysis was restricted to cows that were neither sold, other than direct to slaughter, nor exported from the herd during the follow up period (to the end of 2009). Five control cows were randomly selected from each study herd. A parametric survival model with shared frailties, to account for clustering within herds, was developed to model time from passing a retest to future bTB diagnosis. The final parametric survival model contained the variables: TIR status in 2005, inconclusive status during the follow-up period, location, herd restricted during the study, time since last restriction within the herd and age. The time ratio for the TIR status variable was significant (p<0.001) indicating that on average the time to diagnosis with bTB for TIRs was 78% shorter compared to the non-TIRs. The frailty term was significant (p<0.001) indicating that animals within some herds were more likely to become reactors compared to other herds. These results have important implications for national policy and future management of TIR animals. Further, private veterinary practitioners and their clients should be aware of the increased risk associated with TIRs.     

The comparative performance of the single intradermal test and the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test in Irish cattle, using tuberculin PPD combinations of differing potencies

In national bovine tuberculosis (BTB) control programmes, testing is generally conducted using a single source of bovine purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin. Alternative tuberculin sources should be identified as part of a broad risk management strategy as problems of supply or quality cannot be discounted. This study was conducted to compare the impact of different potencies of a single bovine PPD tuberculin on the field performance of the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test (SICTT) and single intradermal test (SIT). Three trial potencies of bovine PPD tuberculin, as assayed in naturally infected bovines, namely, low (1192IU/dose), normal (6184IU/dose) and high (12,554IU/dose) were used. Three SICTTs (using) were conducted on 2102 animals. Test results were compared based on reactor-status and changes in skin-thickness at the bovine tuberculin injection site. There was a significant difference in the number of reactors detected using the high and low potency tuberculins. In the SICTT, high and low potency tuberculin detected 40% more and 50% fewer reactors, respectively, than normal potency tuberculin. Furthermore, use of the low potency tuberculin in the SICTT failed to detect 20% of 35 animals with visible lesions, and in the SIT 11% of the visible lesion animals would have been classified as negative. Tuberculin potency is critical to the performance of both the SICTT and SIT. Tuberculin of different potencies will affect reactor disclosure rates, confounding between-year or between-country comparisons. Independent checks of tuberculin potency are an important aspect of quality control in national BTB control programmes.     

Induced thermotolerance and stress resistance in larvae of the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man, 1879)

Optimal conditions for heat shock (HS) were used to demonstrate induced thermotolerance (ITT) in larvae of the prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Larvae from three different broodstock nutritional regimes exhibited comparable degrees of ITT, which remained high for about 4 days. Survival and growth of larvae given the standard HS treatment (37 °C for 30 min) were not statistically different from those of controls, so the cost of mounting a heat shock response was not sufficient to reduce those parameters. However, the percentage of heat-shocked larvae undergoing metamorphosis appeared to be slightly lower than that of controls. Previously heat-shocked larvae withstood hypersalinity exposures much better than control larvae, but showed the same survival level when both were challenged with ammonia toxicity. We suggest that the use of induced thermotolerance might provide a means to improve the performance of larvae during transport and/or initial inoculation into grow-out ponds. The present paper provides the basis upon which that suggestion might be examined.     

Longitudinal study of antimicrobial-resistant commensal Escherichia coli in the faeces of horses in an equine hospital

The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria represents a considerable problem for human and veterinary medicine, causing complications in the treatment of infections. Resistance in Escherichia coli from horses has been documented in commensal and pathogenic strains, but little information exists regarding the prevalence of such bacteria in hospitalised horses or associated risk factors. A longitudinal cohort study was conducted of 103 horses admitted to a referral equine hospital for more than 48 h, with faecal samples collected on hospital admission and subsequently every two days until discharge. Horses undergoing radioactive gamma scintigraphic examination, un-weaned foals and mares with un-weaned foals were excluded. Data were collected from enrolled animals, including antimicrobial treatment history and hospitalisation details. Samples were cultured for resistant E. coli; isolates had their antimicrobial resistance profile determined. High sample prevalence for resistant E. coli was identified for all antimicrobials examined except co-amoxiclav. The prevalence of resistance was consistently lower at admission, rising to a peak 4 days post-admission. Risk factors were analysed using multilevel, multivariable modelling, which identified significant clustering of resistance outcomes within horses. For all outcomes except trimethoprim resistance, the day the sample was obtained was significant, with increased risk of resistance for samples taken on day 2 or later. Antimicrobial treatment in the previous seven days and increased total daily dosages of cotrimoxazole prescribed in the hospital in the previous 24-48 h were associated with increased risk. Location within the hospital and admission reason were significant risk factors for some resistance outcomes. High levels of multidrug-resistant E. coli (47.7% of samples) and extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli (27.3% of samples) were recovered; such bacteria could significantly complicate treatment if they were the cause of infection and may represent a risk to personnel in close contact with hospitalised horses.     

单宁和聚乙二醇对绵羊和山羊瘤胃纤维降解菌数量的影响

本文旨在研究饲粮中添加不同水平的单宁和高单宁饲粮条件下添加聚乙二醇( PEG )对绵羊和山羊瘤胃纤维降解菌数量的影响。试验选用1.5岁、体重约45 kg、安装永久性瘤胃瘘管的绵羊和绒山羊各4只,采用自身对照试验设计,分4期进行。第1期饲喂基础饲粮(Ⅰ组),第2期在基础饲粮中添加2%的单宁(Ⅱ组),第3期在基础饲粮中添加6%的单宁(Ⅲ组),第4期在基础饲粮中添加6%单宁+12% PEG(Ⅳ组)。每期试验30 d,其中预试期12 d,正试期18 d。每个正试期第1天,采集绵羊和山羊瘤胃内容物,测定瘤胃液pH、氨态氮( NH3-N)和菌体蛋白( MCP)浓度;运用实时定量PCR技术对固相、液相及全食糜中所附着的白色瘤胃球菌、黄色瘤胃球菌、产琥珀酸拟杆菌进行定量检测。结果表明：1)与Ⅰ组相比,添加6%单宁显著降低了山羊瘤胃液NH3-N浓度和绵羊瘤胃液MCP浓度( P<0.05)。添加6%单宁+12% PEG后,这2个指标恢复至与Ⅰ组相当的水平。2)与Ⅰ组相比,添加6%单宁显著降低了绵羊和山羊瘤胃固相、绵羊瘤胃液相白色瘤胃球菌数量( P<0.05);添加2%和6%单宁显著降低了绵羊和山羊固相黄色瘤胃球菌数量( P<0.05),添加6%单宁显著降低了绵羊和山羊瘤胃液相黄色瘤胃球菌数量( P<0.05);添加6%单宁显著降低了绵羊和山羊瘤胃固相、绵羊全食糜产琥珀酸拟杆菌数量( P<0.05)。添加6%单宁+12% PEG后,绵羊和山羊瘤胃这3株纤维降解菌数量恢复至Ⅰ组水平或高于Ⅰ组。由此可见,饲粮单宁添加量达到6%时降低了瘤胃液NH3-N的浓度,影响MCP的合成,抑制瘤胃固相纤维降解菌的增殖;添加PEG可以削弱单宁对瘤胃纤维降解菌生长的负面影响,促进瘤胃发酵。     

基于层次分析法的天然甜型葡萄酒原料种植区划评价

运用层次分析法和模糊数学综合评判方法,对新疆天然甜型葡萄酒原料种植区域进行了研究,并建立了数学模型.结果表明,吐鲁番的评价最高,其次为和田,昌吉为不适宜种植区.     

多壁碳纳米管做吸附剂富集水中有机磷农药残留

目的 研究多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)做固相萃取吸附剂对水中的16种有机磷农药残留的吸附富集效果.方法 MWCNTs SPE柱采用水相净化体系,有机磷农药采用双柱双检测器GC/FPD法测定.结果 优化的净化条件为:水样采用HAc-NaAc缓冲溶液调节pH=5.0,MWCNTs SPE柱用5 mL甲醇和5 mL HAc-...     

不同时期滴灌氮量对冀西北坝上地区洋葱产量和品质的影响

以洋葱品种"红贝特"为试材,设4个施氮水平处理N0、N1、N_2、N3,以CK为对照,测定了膜下滴灌洋葱的植株性状、鳞茎性状、品质和产量等指标,以探讨冀西北坝上地区地膜覆盖洋葱适宜的滴灌氮量,给当地洋葱施肥提供合理施肥依据。结果表明:处理N1的植株性状、鳞茎性状均显著高于CK,产量较CK提高12.26%;处理N1可溶性蛋白质、可溶性固形物、可溶性糖和维生素C含量较CK分别增加27.13%、8.16%、19.15%和60.71%,而硝酸盐含量CK较N1提高85.67%;在该试验条件下,洋葱获得最佳效益时的氮肥施用量和时期分别为苗期追N 31.5kg·hm~(-2),茎叶生长期追N 47.25kg·hm~(-2),鳞茎膨大初期追N 47.25kg·hm~(-2),鳞茎膨大中期追N 31.5kg·hm~(-2),并在整个生长时期配施P_2O_575kg·hm~(-2),配施K_2O 255kg·hm~(-2)。