Generation of Salmonella ghost cells expressing fimbrial antigens of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and evaluation of their antigenicity in a murine model

Salmonella Typhimurium ghost cells expressing K88ab, K88ac, K99, and FasA fimbriae of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) in their envelopes were constructed. The genes encoding the fimbriae were individually cloned into an expression plasmid, pMMP81, carrying the asd gene, which was subsequently electroporated into the Δasd S. Typhimurium mutant. Plasmid pJHLP99, carrying the phiX174 lysis gene E, was also subsequently electroporated into the Salmonella mutant. The presence of the individual fimbriae on the ghost cells was examined by Western blot analysis. Forty BALB/c mice were equally divided into 2 groups of 20 mice each. Group A mice were intramuscularly vaccinated with a mixture of the 4 ghost cells expressing the individual fimbriae. The group B mice were inoculated with sterile phosphate-buffered saline as a control. The antigen-specific serum IgG concentrations were significantly higher in group A than in group B from week 2 until week 6 after inoculation. In addition, the antigen-specific IgA concentrations in fecal samples were significantly higher in group A than in group B at week 2 after inoculation. A large difference between the groups in the number of antigen-specific IgA-secreting cells in the small intestine was observed by immunohistochemical study. Also, the splenic lymphocyte proliferative responses were significantly greater in group A than in the control mice. These results suggest that vaccination with our Salmonella ghost cells can induce both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and that the increased number of antigen-specific IgA-secreting cells in the small intestine may be correlated with the elevated fecal IgA immune response.     

Effects of thermo‐resistant non‐starch polysaccharide degrading multi‐enzyme on growth performance,meat quality,relative weights of body organs and blood profile in broiler chickens

This research was conducted to study the performance and carcass parameters of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with heat‐treated non‐starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme. A total of 432 one‐day old Ross 308 broiler chickens were allocated to five treatments: (i) CON (basal diet), (ii) E1: CON + 0.05% multi‐enzyme, (iii) E2: CON + 0.1% multi‐enzyme, (iv) E3: CON + 0.05% thermo‐resistant multi‐enzyme and (v) E4: CON + 0.1% thermo‐resistant multi‐enzyme, each treatment consisted of six replications and 12 chickens in each replication. The chickens were housed in three floor battery cages during 28‐day experimental period. On days 1–7, gain in body weight (BWG) improved by feeding the diets supplemented with thermo‐resistant multi‐enzyme. On days 7–21 and 1–28, chickens fed the diets containing thermo‐resistant multi‐enzyme showed improved (p < 0.05) BWG and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to CON group. Supplementing the diets with multi‐enzyme or thermo‐resistant multi‐enzyme affected the percentage of drip loss on d 1 (p < 0.05). Drip loss percentage on days 3 and 5 and also meat colour were not affected significantly. Supplementing the diets with multi‐enzyme or thermo‐resistant multi‐enzyme did not affect the relative weights of organs but compared to CON group, relative weight of breast muscle increased and abdominal fat decreased (p < 0.05). Among measured blood constituents, chickens fed supplemented diets with thermo‐resistant multi‐enzyme showed higher (p < 0.05) IgG. Counts of red and white blood cells and lymphocyte percentage were not affected. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that supplementing pelleted diets with thermo‐resistant multi‐enzyme improved performance of broiler chickens.     

Tibial plateau symmetry and the effect of osteophytosis on tibial plateau angle measurements

A novel technique was developed to estimate the caudal medial tibial plateau landmark in the face of osteophytosis to improve accuracy in tibial plateau angle measurements. Using this technique, tibial plateau angles were evaluated in 31 normal dogs before and 8 months after right cranial cruciate ligament transection. There was no significant difference in mean tibial plateau angle before or after induction of osteophytosis. Additionally, it was determined that 90% of dogs had a difference of =2 degrees between right and left tibial plateau angles, which was considered symmetrical.     

A peptide of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype Asia1 generating a neutralizing antibody response, and an immunostimulatory peptide

The epitopes of the capsid of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) play important roles in the construction of highly immunogenic subunit vaccines. However few epitopes have been found for FMDV serotype Asia1. In this study we screened for epitopes of the VP1 and VP2 proteins of FMDV serotype Asia1 isolate, YNBS/58. Fragments consisting of amino acids 133-163 of VP1 and amino acids 1-33 of VP2 contained epitopes, and both induced lymphoproliferation in guinea pigs. Only the VP1 fragment induced neutralizing antibodies but the VP2 peptide dramatically increased the neutralizing antibody response induced by the VP1 peptide.     

Comparison of the rebound tonometer (TonoVet) with the applanation tonometer (TonoPen XL) in normal Eurasian Eagle owls (Bubo bubo)

OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility and accuracy of a handheld rebound tonometer, TonoVet, and to compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) readings of the TonoVet with those of an applanation tonometer, TonoPen XL, in normal Eurasian Eagle owls. ANIMALS STUDIED: Ten clinically normal Eurasian Eagle owls (20 eyes). PROCEDURES: Complete ocular examinations, using slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy, were conducted on each raptor. The IOP was measured bilaterally using a rebound tonometer followed by a topical anesthetic agent after 1 min. The TonoPen XL tonometer was applied in both eyes 30 s following topical anesthesia. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD IOP obtained by rebound tonometer was 10.45 +/- 1.64 mmHg (range 7-14 mmHg), and by applanation tonometer was 9.35 +/- 1.81 mmHg (range 6-12 mmHg). There was a significant difference (P = 0.001) in the IOP obtained from both tonometers. The linear regression equation describing the relationship between both devices was y = 0.669x + 4.194 (x = TonoPen XL and y = TonoVet). The determination coefficient (r(2)) was r(2) = 0.550. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that readings from the rebound tonometer significantly overestimated those from the applanation tonometer and that the rebound tonometer was tolerated well because of the rapid and minimal stress-inducing method of tonometry in the Eurasian Eagle owls, even without topical anesthesia. Further studies comparing TonoVet with manometric measurements may be necessary to employ rebound tonometer for routine clinical use in Eurasian Eagle owls.     

Bradyarrhythmia in an anaesthetised, elderly, hypertensive cat

A 14-year-old neutered male domestic shorthaired cat was presented to the University Veterinary Centre Sydney for evaluation and treatment of dental disease. This cat developed an unusual bradyarrhythmia under anaesthesia. The possible causes and treatment of the dysrythmia are discussed.     

The organic acid profiles in the feces of pigs at Brachyspira hyodysenteriae- or B. pilosicoli-positive farms

We observed a significant difference in the organic acid profile of diarrheal feces between pigs infected with and free from pathogenic spirochetes. Diarrhea and loose feces were collected from growing pigs, held at 15 different commercial farms. A total of 106 samples were measured for organic acid concentration by HPLC and were checked for the presence of B. hyodysenteriae and B. pilosicoli by PCR. B. hyodysenteriae was detected in 3 samples collected from one farm. B. pilosicoli was detected in 5 samples collected from another farm. Lower concentrations of iso-butyrate and iso-valerate were likely associated with development of pathogenic spirochete infection.     

Effects of electroacupuncture on intraocular pressure and hemodynamic parameters in isoflurane anesthetized dogs

The effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on intraocular pressure (IOP) and hemodynamic parameters were evaluated in isoflurane anesthetized 10 (5 males, 5 females) normal mongrel dogs (8.1-9.8 kg, 6-8 years old). After determination of baseline IOP and hemodynamic parameters (cardiac index, systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure, heart rate and systemic vascular resistance index), EA was applied at 3 acupoints (LI-4, LIV-3 and GB-37) for 20 min. After the EA treatment, IOP was significantly decreased in the both eyes (p<0.05). However, there were not significant differences in hemodynamic parameters between those of before and after EA treatment. From these results, the EA treatment at LI-4, LIV-3 and GB-37 would be considered one of the valuable methods for the IOP treatment in dogs.