The Role of Hepatic Ultrasonography in Small Animal Medicine: From the Identification of the Lesions to Diagnosis

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Outcome of limb amputations in wapiti: 13 cases (1995-2001).

The object of this investigation was to determine the outcome of limb amputation in wapiti. Medical records of 13 wapiti that underwent limb amputation were reviewed to determine age, weight, sex, injury preceding amputation, limb amputated, amputation location, length of hospital stay, complications, and outcome. Ages ranged from 3 months to 8 years and weights from 70 kg to 280 kg. All animals were female. Eleven animals sustained catastrophic long bone fractures prior to amputation. Five animals had front limb amputations and 8 had hind limb amputations. Of these animals, 1 with a front limb amputaiton and 5 with hind limb amputations survived. Postsurgical inability to stand is associated with hospitalization of > 1 day. Of the 13 wapiti reviewed, 5 with hind limb amputations have produced and reared offspring. Hind limb amputation can be considered a viable alternative to euthanasia when catastrophic orthopedic injuries occur in female wapiti.     

Enhanced recovery of avian influenza virus isolates by a combination of chicken embryo inoculation methods.

Since 1993, 14 cases of avian influenza from four different states in the U.S.A. have been diagnosed by virus isolation from eight avian species. Only 11 of the 14 avian influenza virus (AIV) primary isolations would have been successful if only the standard protocol for AIV isolation, i.e., inoculation of specific-pathogen-free embryonating chicken eggs (ECEs) by the chorioallantoic sac (CAS) route, had been followed. Primary isolation attempts were negative for AIV in three cases in which ECEs were inoculated by the CAS route; AIV could not be detected by hemagglutinating activity, agar gel immunodiffusion test or negative stain electron microscopy. However, in these three cases, primary isolations of AIV were achieved by inoculation of ECEs into either the yolk sac or onto the chorioallantoic membrane.     

Detection of feline coronavirus infection in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) by polymerase chain reaction.

Feline coronavirus genetic elements were detected by polymerase chain reaction from blood, fecal samples, and effusive fluid collected from 33 cheetahs in the U.S.A. Feline coronavirus-specific serum antibodies were also measured by indirect immunofluorescence. Ten cheetahs were positive for viral shedding by polymerase chain reaction, whereas 13 were seropositive by immunofluorescence. Results of serology did not consistently correlate with shedding of virus, and the capture antigen used for detection of feline coronavirus-specific antibodies had a significant impact on results. Testing of samples from one population over a 1-yr period indicated chronic infection in some animals. These relatively healthy carrier animals were a source of virus for contact animals. Screening programs in cheetah populations for feline coronavirus infection may be most reliable if a combination of serologic analysis and viral detection by polymerase chain reaction is used.     

Foxtail-induced ulcerative stomatitis outbreak in a Missouri stable.

Twenty of 25 horses in a well-managed Missouri boarding stable were diagnosed with gingivitis/stomatitis. Gross examination of the affected horses revealed varying degrees of gingivitis ranging from mild periodontal swelling to marked swelling and erythema with ulceration and hemorrhage. Fine hair-like material was embedded within the intensely affected areas. Gingival biopsies from 4 affected horses contained pyogranulomatous inflammation with, in some cases, numerous eosinophils and several grass awns in cross and longitudinal section. Numerous foxtail seed heads were identified in hay samples. Examination of the records revealed that all of the affected horses had been fed the suspect hay, with the exception of 1 horse. Although not deliberately fed the suspect hay, this horse did have access to the hay when turned out into the exercise paddock. The lesions resolved following a change in hay source.     

Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in exotic wild felids from Brazilian zoos.

Serum samples from 37 captive exotic felids in 12 zoos from six Brazilian states were assayed for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the modified agglutination test using formalin-fixed whole tachyzoites. Titers greater than or equal to 1:20 were considered positive. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 24 of 37 (64.9%) felids, including one European lynx (Lynx lynx), two jungle cats (Felis chaus), two servals (Leptailurus serval), two tigers (Panthera tigris), three leopards (Panthera pardus), and 14 of 27 lions (Panthera leo). This is the first serologic analysis for T. gondii infection in exotic wild felids from Brazilian zoos.     

鸡沙门氏菌弱毒冻干苗的研制

由减毒鸡沙门氏苗97A疫苗株作为制苗用菌种，经普通琼脂培养，冷冻真空干燥等工艺生产鸡沙门氏菌弱毒疫苗4批，每批疫苗分别以免疫剂量接种6日龄AA肉鸡，免疫第14天时，用强毒株Sg9和Sp4攻击，免疫组死亡保护率均达90％以上，试验结果表明，该苗具有良好的安全性和免疫效果。     

真核表达载体构建表达ＰＲＶ闽Ａ株gE基因表位抗原编码区片段的重组质粒

根据伪狂犬病病毒闽Ａ株gE基因表位抗原编码区的序列与身份种真核表达载体pPICZaA、pAcGP67A序列与特性分别设计了两对ＰＣＲ引物。通过ＰＣＲ方法扩增到了两端具有不同酶切位点的gE基因表位抗原编码片段。将这２个片段分别克隆到pPICZaA与pAcGP67A载体，转化大肠杆菌ＴＯＰ１０菌档及ＸＬ１－Ｂlue菌株，获得了含伪狂犬病病毒闽Ａ株gE基因表位抗原编码区的重组质粒pICZaA-FS与pAcGP67A-FS。序测定结果显示两个重组质粒中插入片段的大小与方向均正确。     

推广小蚕共育 促产业健康发展

种桑养蚕是我国的传统产业。在粤北的翁源县亦有悠久的种桑养蚕历史。据《翁源县志》记载：翁源县在明嘉靖36年(1557年)就有农民养蚕，距今447年。数百年来，种桑养蚕业在翁源县均以零星生产为主，小蚕饲育水平参差不齐，经常出现饲育失败、失收的状况。改革开放以来，尤其是翁源县信达茧丝有限公司组建以来，公司大力推进茧丝产业化，致力构筑“公司 研究所 基地 农户”的经营