Transrectal ultrasonographic examination of the sacroiliac joints of the horse: Technique and normal images

Transrectal ultrasonography of the sacroiliac joints is routinely performed for the diagnosis of the cause of low back pain and lack of power in the hindlimbs. As a result of the localisation of these small joints, performing and interpreting ultrasonographic images requires a good anatomical knowledge. This paper describes an ultrasonographic procedure that allows imaging of the ventral aspect of the sacroiliac joints. A complete screening should be done to evaluate the articular margins. Moreover, the shape of sacral and iliac wings can vary among individuals especially depending on the gender.     

Field experiments to evaluate the feasibility of eradication of Aujeszky's disease virus by different vaccination schedules.

In the present report, the extent of the reduction in Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) dissemination achieved when pigs were intensively vaccinated with gI-deleted vaccines under field circumstances, was examined. On widely dispersed breeding-fattening farms, a gI-negative status was most rapidly obtained and the rate of new waves of infections was lowest when the attenuated Bartha strain was administered to both the sows and the fatteners. It was more difficult not only to reach but also to keep a gI-negative status on farms on which the sows were vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine and the fatteners with the attenuated Bartha strain or when the fattening pigs were not vaccinated at all. In a densely populated area, 9 of the 17 farms had gI-positive fatteners at the start of the intensive vaccination programme in which the attenuated Bartha strain was given to both the sows and the fatteners. Antibodies were not detected in the sera of the fatteners of each farm at some time during the experiments, but the fatteners on 7 of the 18 farms still showed antibodies against gI after 20 months of vaccination. At the end of the experiment, the percentage of fatteners with antibodies on these farms was markedly reduced compared with the percentage at the start of the experiment. Therefore, elimination of field virus may be feasible if intensive vaccination is carried out over a sufficiently long period of time. However, the high rate of reinfections experienced either due to reintroduction of the virus or to recrudescence should be a warning against too much optimism, particularly in regions with a dense swine population.     

Development of the B- and T-cell compartments in porcine lymphoid organs from birth to adult life: an immunohistological approach.

Using immunohistological techniques, we studied the development over time of B- and T-cell compartments in the lymphoid organs of specific-pathogen-free pigs. Tissue samples were collected at various time-points, starting 2 days before the pigs were born until the pigs were 10 months old. The samples were collected from the spleen, thymus, peripheral lymph node, mesenteric lymph node, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, jejunal Peyer's patch and ileal Peyer's patch. Monoclonal antibodies specific to B- and T-cells were used to identify where the following cells were localized: IgM-B cells (cells positive to surface immunoglobulin), IgM-, IgG- and IgA-containing cells (cells positive to cytoplasmic immunoglobulin), and CD2-, CD4- and CD8-positive cells. The development of the B- and T-cell subpopulations in each organ was analysed. Two days before birth, most organs contained quantities of IgM-B cells. The spleen, lymph nodes, Peyer's patches and, notably, the thymus, contained some immunoglobulin-containing cells (Ig-CC); this finding indicates that pigs have cells that secrete immunoglobulins before birth. Just after birth, the incidence of Ig-CC increased in most organs; first IgM-CC increased, then either IgG- or IgA-CC increased, depending on the organ. T-cell development was observed clearly in spleen and in the lamina propria of the small intestine, in contrast to other organs, in which the T-cell compartments containing various T-cell subpopulations were well developed before birth. Comparison of the incidence of CD4+ and CD8+ cells showed that the CD4:CD8 ratio of these cells in the spleen, lymph nodes, Peyer's patches and small intestine is low, especially in adult pigs, compared with the CD4:CD8 ratio in other species. Weaning had little influence on the incidence of B- and T-cells in lymphoid organs. This study is the first immunohistological survey to describe the development of the major B- and T-cell subpopulations in various lymphoid organs of pigs, and it should be useful for future immunopathological and comparative immunological studies in pigs.     

Responses of calves to treadmill exercise during beta-adrenergic agonist administration.

Calves perorally administered the beta-adrenergic agonist (beta-A) clenbuterol for 28 d were studied before, during, and after a 12-min treadmill exercise. During exercise on d 1 of clenbuterol administration, respiratory rate, respiratory minute volume, and heart rate and blood glucose, lactate, and insulin concentrations increased more in beta-A-treated calves than in controls. Oxygen extraction rate and growth hormone concentrations were lower in clenbuterol-treated calves, whereas oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and blood cortisol concentration increased similarly in the absence and presence of the beta-A. After 2 wk of daily clenbuterol administration, respiratory rate and respiratory minute volume during exercise were still higher and oxygen extraction was still lower, whereas all other measures were similar to those in controls. The increased heart rate in response to isoproterenol after 3 wk of clenbuterol administration was reduced markedly in resting but only slightly in exercising animals, whereas heart rate reduction by propranolol during exercise was similar to that in controls. Seven days after withdrawal of clenbuterol, newly administered clenbuterol evoked the same effects as on d 1. In conclusion, there were marked reactions to the first clenbuterol treatment that were in part enhanced during treadmill exercise. After 2 wk of beta-A administration, animals responded much less to the beta-A and changes were not different from those in controls. Resensitization to the beta-A was observed 7 d after its withdrawal.     

Effects of phenothiazine and thiabendazole on bovine dorsal pedal vein contractility induced by ergonovine and serotonin; Potential for alleviation of fescue toxicity

Phenothiazine and thiabendazole were studied for their ability to antagonize venoconstriction induced by ergonovine, and the biogenic amine serotonin, in the isolated dorsal pedal vein of cattle. The two compounds are commercially available, approved for usage in cattle and have been reported to reverse some of the toxic effects associated with the intake of Acremonium coenophialum-infested fescue forage by cattle. Neither compound had any antagonistic activity against venoconstriction induced by ergonovine. However, thiabendazole did have some activity against venoconstriction induced by serotonin. Ergot alkaloids are known to cause venoconstriction through effects on biogenic amine receptors, including serotonergic receptors, and since thiabendazole has anti-serotonin activity, part of the reported beneficial effects of thiabendazole in alleviating fescue toxicity may be due to the anti-serotonin activity of the drug. Further work is needed to determine if phenothiazine and thiabendazole have any effect on other types of alkaloids that are present in A. coenophialum-infested fescue.     

Reactivity of lichen lectins with blood typed canine erythrocytes

Extracts from 69 species of lichens were tested for their ability to agglutinate untreated and enzyme-modified erythrocytes from a panel of blood typed dogs. Forty-three lichen species reacted positively with either untreated or enzyme-modified cells. Many extracts exhibited differential agglutination among red cells tested. The patterns of differential agglutination observed with the lichen extracts did not correspond to known canine blood groups present on the test red cell panel.     

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy: aspects of the clinical picture and analyses of possible changes 1986-1990.

A standard questionnaire was used to record the presence of specific clinical signs reported for histopathologically confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy observed before June 30, 1990, and the frequencies of these signs were analysed. The signs most frequently recorded were apprehension, hyperaesthesia and ataxia, and there were variations in the frequency with which some signs were recorded in animals observed at different times during the epidemic. These variations were considered to be the result of differences between observers and differences in the duration of the illness, rather than a change in the clinical picture, which could possibly have occurred with a change in the nature of the agent to which the cattle had been exposed, or to a change in their response to the agent.     

The fox (Vulpes vulpes) as a reservoir for canine angiostrongylosis in Denmark. Field survey and experimental infections.

Until recently, Angiostrongylus vasorum was not considered to be an endogenous Danish parasite, since demonstration of this worm had been confined to necropsy findings in 2 dogs, both of which had visited France. During the last 2 years, however, clinical cases have been diagnosed among a considerable number of Danish dogs, none of which had ever been outside Denmark. All these cases have occurred north of Copenhagen, where an endemic focus seems to exist. In this field survey A. vasorum was found for the first time in wild Danish red foxes. Furthermore, experimental infections showed that the parasite can be transferred between foxes and dogs. Consequently, the wild fox population must be considered a potential reservoir for transfer of A. vasorum to domestic dogs.     

The effect of ticlopidine on canine platelets, fibrinogen, and antithrombin III activity

The effect of ticlopidine on platelet function, platelet number, mean platelet volume, antithrombin III activity, and fibrinogen was evaluated in 10 laboratory beagles. Ticlopidine (62 mg/kg) significantly inhibited ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation within 2 days of the beginning of oral administration. Collagen-induced platelet 14C-serotonin release was not inhibited by day 9 of medication but was inhibited by day 20 in two of three beagles given medication for 32 days. Significant increases in mean platelet number were observed on days 2 and 5. The trend toward increased platelet number continued until day 16, at which time platelet number began to decrease toward baseline in three of three dogs treated for 32 days. Mean platelet volume (MPV) was significantly decreased compared to baseline on days 5 and 9. In three dogs treated for 32 days, the lowest MPV was observed on day 9 in two dogs and on day 12 in one dog. Significant changes were not observed in antithrombin III activity or fibrinogen with ticlopidine treatment.     

Thromboxane and prostacyclin production in ponies with colonic volvulus.

Effects of 1 hour of colonic volvulus and 3 hours of reperfusion on concentrations of thromboxane (TXB2) and prostacyclin (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) in portal, pulmonary arterial, and jugular blood were determined by radioimmunoassay to assess the site of production and clearance of these eicosanoids from the circulation in 5 anesthetized ponies. Colonic volvulus had no significant effect on mean arterial pressure or TXB2 concentrations, but significantly (P less than 0.05) increased 6-keto-PGF1 alpha concentrations in all blood samples. Immediately after colonic reperfusion, all eicosanoid concentrations were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased. Then, TXB2 returned to baseline values, whereas 6-keto-PGF1 alpha concentrations remained significantly (P less than 0.05) high for the remainder of the study. Eicosanoid concentrations were significantly (P less than 0.05) greater in portal blood than in pulmonary arterial and jugular blood samples at all periods. This suggests that the splanchnic circulation is the primary site of eicosanoid production during and after colonic volvulus and the liver appears to provide most of the circulatory clearance of thromboxane and prostacyclin.