Six-week consumption of a wild blueberry powder drink increases bifidobacteria in the human gut

Wild blueberries are a rich source of polyphenols and other compounds that are highly metabolized by the intestinal microbiota and may, at the same time, affect the intestinal environment itself. A repeated-measure, crossover dietary intervention on human volunteers was designed to study the effect of six week consumption of a wild blueberry ( Vaccinium angustifolium ) drink, versus a placebo drink, in modulating the intestinal microbiota. Relative to total eubacteria, Bifidobacterium spp. significantly increased following blueberry treatment (P ≤ 0.05), while Lactobacillus acidophilus increased after both treatments (P ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were observed for Bacteroides spp., Prevotella spp., Enterococcus spp., and Clostridium coccoides . Bifidobacteria, which have been largely proposed to be of benefit for the host, appeared to be selectively favored suggesting an important role for the polyphenols and fiber present in wild blueberries. Results obtained suggest that regular consumption of a wild blueberry drink can positively modulate the composition of the intestinal microbiota.     

Expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin in equine recurrent airway obstruction

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine involved in lymphocyte development. In humans and mice, TSLP drives the differentiation of T helper 2 (Th2) cells and the development of allergic inflammation. The equine TSLP gene has been previously identified and characterized, but its role in the pathogenesis of equine allergic diseases is not known. Our objective was to assess the expression of TSLP in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells and in primary bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) isolated from horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). RNA was isolated from BAL cells sampled from clinical cases of RAO (n=8) and from control horses (n=12). Furthermore, BAL samples were taken from an additional group of 8 RAO-susceptible and 8 control horses when on pasture (remission) and after 30 days of exposure to moldy hay (exacerbation). In order to study epithelial cells as a potential source of TSLP, cultures of primary bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) were established from 6 RAO-affected and 6 healthy horses and stimulated in vitro with hay dust solution (HDS). Expression of TSLP mRNA was assessed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qPCR). Clinical RAO-cases had higher TSLP expression in BAL than control horses (p<0.05). In an experimental group of horses there was no difference between healthy and susceptible horses in remission, whereas after 30-day experimental exposure to moldy hay, all susceptible horses upregulated TSLP expression in BAL (p=0.008, average 6.36-fold increase), whereas in healthy horses there was no significant increase in TSLP expression. BEC generated both from healthy and RAO-affected horses strongly upregulated TSLP expression after 6 h stimulation with HDS, which identifies epithelial cells as potential sources of TSLP in RAO. Finding of increased TSLP expression by BAL cells of RAO-affected horses is in agreement with the contribution of Th2-driven allergic inflammation in the pathogenesis of RAO.     

Guttural pouch empyema caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in a pregnant mare

During medical management of mild colic in a 12‐year‐old Quarter Horse, mid‐gestation mare, unilateral purulent nasal discharge from the right nostril was noted. Endoscopic examination revealed guttural pouch empyema. Culture was positive for Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and negative for Streptococcus equi ssp. equi. A synergistic haemolysis inhibition titre of 1024 was consistent with C. pseudotuberculosis infection. Treatment included serial lavages and local infusion of antibiotics into the guttural pouches along with a 6‐week course of oral trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole and rifampicin. Overall, no additional sites of infection were identified and the mare responded well to treatment, delivering a healthy, full‐term foal. This case emphasises that C. pseudotuberculosis, although uncommon, should be considered as a differential for guttural pouch empyema.     

Comparison of various methods for estimating body fat in dogs

Obesity is considered one of the most common forms of malnutrition occurring in dogs. Laboratory methods of evaluation of body composition in live dogs have included dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and deuterium oxide (D(2)O) dilution. Clinical methods of evaluation include assigning a body condition score (BCS) based on visual observation, palpation, and morphometric measurements. This study used these four methods to evaluate 23 healthy, adult, client-owned dogs. Good correlation (coefficient of determination [r(2)]=0.78) was found between measurements of percent body fat (%BF) determined by the D(2)O dilution method and the DEXA scan. Percent body fat can also be estimated using BCS (r(2)=0.92 comparison with DEXA) or by using morphometric measurements with simple calculations (r(2)=0.92 comparison with DEXA).