Comparison of four methods for early detection of experimental Trichinella spiralis infections in pigs

Four methods employed in the diagnosis of experimental porcine trichinellosis (trichinoscopy, digestion method, immunofluorescence and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)) were compared by eleven laboratories in the countries of the European Economic Community and Sweden. The aim of this study was to test the reliability of ELISA during the onset of T. spiralis infection. Material from conventionally raised pigs infected with 1500 or 10000 larvae was compared to uninfected controls at Day 17 and Day 21 post infection.The serological techniques gave higher percentages of positive results than the direct techniques. Specific antobodies could be demonstrated with ELISA at an earlier stage and at higher percentages than with the other methods. ELISA micro-assay was the most sensitive procedure.     

Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin in neonatal kittens

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin in neonatal kittens and compare the pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin in young and adult cats. ANIMALS: 7 adult cats and 111 kittens (2 to 8 weeks old). PROCEDURE: A single dose of 5 mg of enrofloxacin/kg was administered to adults (i.v.) and kittens (i.v., s.c., or p.o.). Plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin and its active metabolite, ciprofloxacin, were determined. RESULTS: The half-life of enrofloxacin administered i.v. in 2-, 6-, and 8-week-old kittens was significantly shorter and its elimination rate significantly greater than that detected in adults. The apparent volumes of distribution were lower at 2 to 4 weeks and greater at 6 to 8 weeks. This resulted in lower peak plasma concentration (Cmax) at 6 to 8 weeks; however, initial plasma concentration was within the therapeutic range after i.v. administration at all ages. Compared with i.v. administration, s.c. injection of enrofloxacin in 2-week-old kittens resulted in similar Cmax, half-life, clearance, and area under the curve values. Enrofloxacin administered via s.c. injection was well absorbed in 6- and 8-week-old kittens, but greater clearance and apparent volume of distribution resulted in lower plasma concentrations. Oral administration of enrofloxacin resulted in poor bioavailability. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In neonatal kittens, i.v. and s.c. administration of enrofloxacin provided an effective route of administration. Oral administration of enrofloxacin in kittens did not result in therapeutic drug concentrations. Doses may need to be increased to achieve therapeutic drug concentrations in 6- to 8-week-old kittens.     

Amino acid and energy digestibility in ten samples of distillers dried grain with solubles fed to growing pigs

The objective of this experiment was to measure the digestibilities of energy, CP, and AA in 10 samples of corn distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS) and in corn fed to growing pigs. Twelve growing barrows (initial BW: 34.0 +/- 1.41 kg) were allotted to an 8 x 12 Youden square design with 8 periods and 12 animals. Ten of 12 diets were based on the 10 DDGS samples (66.7%), 1 diet was based on corn (97%), and the last diet was a N-free diet based on cornstarch and sucrose. Chromic oxide (0.3%) was included in all diets as an inert marker. Pigs were provided their respective diets at a level of 3 times their estimated energy requirement for maintenance. The apparent (AID) and standardized (SID) ileal digestibilities for CP and AA were measured in the 10 samples of DDGS and in corn using the direct procedure, but the apparent total tract digestibilities for DM and GE were estimated using the difference procedure. The concentration of DE in each sample of DDGS and in corn was also calculated. The results of the experiment indicated variation among the different sources of DDGS in AID and SID for Lys, which ranged from 35.0 to 55.9% and 43.9 to 63.0%, respectively. For Met, the SID varied between 73.9 and 84.7%. However, the variability among samples in the SID for CP, and for the indispensable AA other than Lys and Met, was relatively low and ranged between 6 and 8 percentage units (i.e., from 64.0 to 70.6%, 74.1 to 80.1%, and 67.4 to 75.3% for Thr, Trp, and Ile, respectively). The SID for Trp in corn (72.8%) was lower (P < 0.05) than in DDGS, but for the remaining indispensable AA, except Arg, the SID for corn were greater (P < 0.01) than for DDGS. The DE concentration in the 10 samples of DDGS varied (P < 0.001) from 3,382 to 3,811 kcal of DE per kg of DM. For corn, the DE was 3,845 kcal per kg of DM. It is concluded that the AID and SID for Lys vary among samples of DDGS, but for most other AA the AID and SID are relatively similar and vary only 6 to 8 percentage units among different samples. Future work should focus on identifying the reasons for the variation in the digestibility of Lys to avoid processing procedures that are detrimental to Lys digestibility.     

Influence of glycosidic linkages and molecular weight on the fermentation of maltose-based oligosaccharides by human gut bacteria

A structure-function study was carried out to increase knowledge of how glycosidic linkages and molecular weights of carbohydrates contribute toward the selectivity of fermentation by gut bacteria. Oligosaccharides with maltose as the common carbohydrate source were used. Potentially prebiotic alternansucrase and dextransucrase maltose acceptor products were synthesized and separated into different molecular weights using a Bio-gel P2 column. These fractions were characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight. Nonprebiotic maltooligosaccharides with degrees of polymerization (DP) from three to seven were commercially obtained for comparison. Growth selectivity of fecal bacteria on these oligosaccharides was studied using an anaerobic in vitro fermentation method. In general, carbohydrates of DP3 showed the highest selectivity towards bifidobacteria; however, oligosaccharides with a higher molecular weight (DP6-DP7) also resulted in a selective fermentation. Oligosaccharides with DPs above seven did not promote the growth of "beneficial" bacteria. The knowledge of how specific structures modify the gut microflora could help to find new prebiotic oligosaccharides.     

National diet and nutrition surveys: the British experience

OBJECTIVE: The National Diet and Nutrition Surveys (NDNS) are a series of government-funded surveys of food intake, nutrient intake and nutritional status of individuals, undertaken to support nutritional policy and risk assessment. This paper summarises a review that considered the extent to which NDNS met the needs of users and suggested options for the future. The Food Standards Agency has since progressed favoured options. This paper aims to help others wishing to obtain this type of information within their own populations. DESIGN: A detailed questionnaire was used to probe use of data and gather opinions from users, producers and managers of the NDNS. It asked about general information needs from NDNS and changes that might be made. This was followed by a two-day workshop which included discussion of the main issues and the generation of 19 possible future options for consideration by the Agency. RESULTS: Options to improve effectiveness included methods to prioritise breadth and depth of coverage and possible ways of improving response and compliance. Strategies to make surveys more efficient and timely, such as adopting a rolling programme, disaggregating survey components, integrating with other studies and improving data access, were also suggested. A rolling programme, in which data are collected continuously, was the favoured option to address some of the concerns and a strategy is now in place to achieve this. CONCLUSIONS: There is widespread support for the NDNS from its users. There is no alternative source for such high-quality data on food and nutrient consumption and nutritional status and physical measurements in the same individuals. Useful information, such as the potential value of using a rolling programme from the outset, can be gained from this British experience by others wishing to measure food and nutrient intakes and status in their own populations.     

Aortic rupture and aorto‐pulmonary fistulation in the Friesian horse: Characterisation of the clinical and gross post mortem findings in 24 cases

Reasons for performing study: In horses, aortic sinus of Valsalva aneurysms or tears in the aortic root are well‐recognised conditions in breeding stallions, often leading to sudden death. A more uncommon form of aortic rupture, located proximal to the ligamentum arteriosum has been reported in 3 Friesian horses. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to phenotypically characterise aortic rupture and aorto‐pulmonary fistulation in Friesian horses in terms of clinical and post mortem data based on 24 cases. Methods: Friesian horses that were diagnosed with aortic rupture and aorto‐pulmonary fistulation over a period of 13 years (1997–2010) at the Department of Equine Sciences of Utrecht University (n = 15) and Wolvega Equine Hospital (n = 9), were included in this study. Case history, results of clinical examination and gross post mortem findings were screened and analysed. Results: Some cases were found dead without prior symptoms, but in several cases signs such as recurrent colic, peripheral oedema and sustained tachycardia were present for several weeks prior to cardiac failure. Clinical examination during hospitalisation revealed increased rectal temperature, peripheral oedema and increased jugular pulse with a bounding arterial pulse. In the majority of horses an aortic rupture of the aortic arch near the ligamentum arteriosum, concurrent with a circumferential cuff of perivascular haemorrhage and aorto‐pulmonary fistulation, was found at post mortem examination. Conclusions: Aorto‐pulmonary fistulation in conjunction with aortic rupture is more common in Friesians than previously estimated. In some cases findings demonstrate a progressive pathology rather than acute cardiac failure and sudden death. An appropriate approach is necessary during post mortem examination of the heart in order not to overlook the diagnosis. Potential relevance: Equine practitioners should realise that in Friesian horses presented with a history of recurrent false colic, coughing, sustained tachycardia and/or peripheral oedema, aortic rupture and aorto‐pulmonary fistulation should be included in the differential diagnosis.