A novel genetic marker to differentiate feline herpesvirus type 1 field isolates

Five recent field isolates of feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) were compared by digestion with a restriction endonuclease, SalI or MluI. The SalI digestion showed a potentially useful difference in one isolate 00-035 that had an approximately 3.0 kbp fragment instead of a 2.6 kbp fragment in the other strains. After cloning the 3.0 and 2.6 kbp fragments, the nucleotide sequences were analyzed. The result showed that the 3.0 kbp fragment of 00-035 included a complete open reading frame of the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) homologue of the UL17 gene and a 5'-part of UL16 gene and that only one nucleotide substitution was found in the 5'-region of UL17 gene where the SalI site of the 2.6 kbp fragment locates. Based on these nucleotide sequences, two PCR primers were designed to amplify the region around the SalI site in the UL17 gene and the PCR was carried out using 78 field isolates from various parts of Japan. The SalI digestion of the PCR products revealed an interesting profile in that the genotype without the SalI site in UL17 gene was dominant in Tottori and Yamagata prefectures (69% and 75%, respectively) but minor in the other regions of Japan (0-10%). These results suggest that the SalI digestion method described in the present study can be used as a genetic marker to differentiate some FHV-1 field isolates and this is the first report that showed different distributions of FHV-1 genotypes using the novel genetic marker.     

The effect of cisterna chyli ablation combined with thoracic duct ligation on abdominal lymphatic drainage

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of cisterna chyli ablation (CCA) and thoracic duct ligation (TDL) on abdominal lymphatic drainage in normal dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Nine female beagle dogs. METHODS: TDL was performed in 3 dogs and was combined with CCA (CCA-TDL) and local omentalization in 6 dogs. Contrast lymphangiography was attempted in all dogs immediately before and after TDL. Dogs were reanesthetized at 31-37 days for lymphatic studies by new methylene blue (NMB) injection into a mesenteric lymph node and by contrast lymphangiography. RESULTS: In 6 CCA-TDL dogs, 2 had direct shunting of contrast from the lymphatic system into major abdominal veins, 3 had contrast material that dissipated into abdominal vessels within the mesenteric root, and 1 had shunting into the azygous vein. NMB was not observed within the omental pedicle after CCA-TDL. Chylous drainage was by the azygous vein in all 3 TDL dogs. CONCLUSIONS: CCA-TDL disrupted chylous drainage to the thoracic duct and resulted in direct intraabdominal lymphaticovenous anastomoses identified by shunting of lymphatic flow directly into the abdominal vasculature in 5 of 6 CCA-TDL dogs. Omentalization of the cisternal ablation site was not beneficial in augmenting extrathoracic lymphatic drainage and is not recommended with CCA-TDL. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: CCA-TDL represents a novel approach to surgical redirection of chylous drainage to the venous circulation outside of the thorax and may be useful in the treatment of spontaneous chylothorax in the dog.     

Milk antibodies against Ostertagia ostertagi: relationships with milk IgG and production parameters in lactating dairy cattle

The present study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between milk optical density ratios (ODRs) from an indirect Ostertagia ostertagi ELISA, total milk IgG levels and milk production and then establish a correction factor to adjust ODR. Five hundred and sixty composite milk samples collected from 358 cows on four dairy herds in June and August 2002 were used in this analysis. The average ODR was 0.34. A positive correlation was found between ODR and IgG values in milk, days in milk, age and log transformed somatic cell counts (SCC). However, ODR was negatively correlated with milk production. The IgG levels and ODR values were constant from 30 to 200 days in milk. However, ODRs increased from 200 days until the end of the lactation. After controlling for age, season, herd and SCC, an increase in milk production of 13 kg/day was associated with a reduction in ODR values of 0.052. The results of the present study suggest that ODR values are not greatly influenced by production factors. ODR follow the same pattern as the IgG variation across lactation and could be adjusted in order to compare ODR values obtained from high producing cows with those obtained from low producing animals.     

Seroprevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, Neospora caninum, Bovine leukemia virus, and Bovine viral diarrhea virus infection among dairy cattle and herds in Alberta and agroecological risk factors associated with seropositivity

A province-wide, cross-sectional seroprevalence and agroecological risk factor study of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), Neospora caninum (NC), Bovine leukemia virus (BLV), and Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDv) genotypes 1 and 2 (BVDv1 and BVDv2) infection in dairy cattle herds in Alberta was conducted. Among adults, the seroprevalence of MAP, NC, and BLV was 9.1%, 18.5%, and 26.9%, respectively. For MAP, based on a herd test cutpoint of 2 or more seropositive cows, 58.8% of herds were infected. Herd-level seroprevalence for NC and BLV was 98.7% and 86.7%, respectively, based on a herd-test cutpoint of 1 seropositive cow. Among unvaccinated dairy heifers, the seroprevalence for BVDv1 and BVDv2 infection was 28.4% and 8.9%, respectively, while herd-level infection was 53.4% and 19.7%. Seroprevalence for MAP varied moderately by agroecological region, whereas that for NC, BLV, and BVDv1 and BVDv2 did not. For MAP, aridity and soil pH (correlated features of the region) were also important.     

Serotypes and mating types of clinical isolates from feline cryptococcosis in Japan

Most isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans (teleomorph: Filobasidiella neoformans) from human patients and from environmental materials in Japan have been identified as serotype A mating type a by the seroagglutination test and mating experiments. A PCR method using the mating type alpha allele-specific primer of the STE12 gene and the serotype- and mating type-specific primers of the STE20 gene for identification of C. neoformans has been developed. Using the PCR method, conserved strains and clinical isolates from feline cryptococcosis were examined for serotype and the mating type. The results showed that all clinical isolates examined were identified as serotype A, MATalpha, indicating that feline cryptococcsis cases in Japan are caused by C. neoformans serotype A, MATalpha, as is the case in humans.     

Cataract in the UK Leonberger population

OBJECTIVE: To survey the Leonberger, a numerically small breed in the UK, for the presence of cataract and find statistical support for the possible presence of inherited forms of cataract. METHODS: Ocular examinations were carried out by the first author between September 1996 and September 1998 on 211 Leonbergers; results of the ocular examination of further 228 Leonbergers examined between January 1990 and September 1998 by members of the British Veterinary Association/KC/ISDS eye scheme (BVA/KC/ISDS eye scheme) panel were analyzed. Data from all dogs examined were pooled in a composite database of 365 Leonbergers and the relationships between offspring and parents for the identified forms of cataract were examined with appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: Cataracts were diagnosed in 90 Leonbergers, the majority being nuclear (40) or posterior polar subcapsular (31). A subgroup of nuclear cataracts, diagnosed in 11 dogs, is described and named as 'posterior nuclear cataract.' For posterior polar cataract, a positive association between offspring and parents was made in the logistic regression model, supporting the suggestion of inheritance. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of several types of cataract in the UK Leonberger population is described. Statistical support for the inheritance of posterior polar subcapsular cataract is given.     

Personal finance. Young scientists need firm plan to make up for a late start

After what may seem like endless on-the-job training, scientists need to move quickly to map out a sound, long-term financial strategy.     

Personal finance. Making the most of a good thing

Science Careers offers a financial-planning case study of a typical academic family.     

Efficacy of using an internal teat sealer to prevent new intramammary infections in nonlactating dairy cattle

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether insertion of an internal teat sealer (ITS) at the end of lactation would prevent development of new intramammary infections (IMIs) during the nonlactating period. DESIGN: Controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 939 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows from 16 herds. PROCEDURES: Results of bacteriologic culture of milk samples collected 14 days prior to the end of lactation were used to assign cows to groups (group 1 = negative results for all quarters; group 2 = positive results for > or = 1 quarter). Quarters of cows in group 1 were treated with an ITS or a single intramammary dose of cloxacillin; quarters of cows in group 2 were treated with cloxacillin in conjunction with an ITS or with cloxacillin alone. Milk samples were collected at the end of lactation and within 8 days after calving. RESULTS: Regardless of whether the outcome of interest was new IMIs caused by any pathogens, major pathogens, environmental pathogens, or streptococci other than Streptococcus agalactiae, quarters in group 2 treated with both cloxacillin and an ITS were less likely to develop a new IMI than were quarters treated with cloxacillin alone. For cows in group 1, no significant difference in risk of new IMIs was found between treatments. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that for dairy cattle with an IMI late in the lactation period, intramammary administration of cloxacillin at the end of lactation followed by insertion of an ITS enhanced protection against development of new IMIs, compared with use of cloxacillin alone.     

First report of fig mosaic virus infecting common fig (Ficus carica) in Japan

For the first time, fig mosaic virus (FMV) was detected in common fig (Ficus carica) trees in Shimane, Japan. These trees exhibited mosaic, ringspots, or distortion, accompanied by chlorosis on leaves and yellow spots on fruits. Some of the symptomatic trees were infested with the eriophyid mite Aceria ficus. The virus was detected based on RT-PCR, followed by sequencing. The amplified 300 base-pair fragments shared 83.5–91.5% identity with the corresponding region of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene of FMV isolates previously reported in Turkey, Iran, and Italy.