Anthrax undervalued zoonosis

Anthrax is a non-contagious disease, known since ancient times. However, it became a matter of global public interest after the bioterrorist attacks in the U.S.A. during the autumn of 2001. The concern of politicians and civil authorities everywhere towards this emergency necessitated a significant research effort and the prevention of new bioterrorist acts. Anthrax is primarily a disease that affects livestock and wildlife; its distribution is worldwide; and it can represent a danger to humans but especially more so when it occurs in areas considered to be free and in atypical seasons and climatic conditions. The atypicality of the phenomenon may lead health workers to misdiagnose and, consequently, an inappropriately manage of affected carcasses with a consequent and inevitable increase in the risk of human infection. This article emphasises the importance of paying increasing attention to this zoonosis. The biggest risk is its underestimation.     

PULSED WAVE-DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF THE COMMON CAROTID ARTERY IN THE RESTING HORSE: PHYSIOLOGIC DATA

A pulsed wave-Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of common carotid arterial blood flow was carried out on 63 healthy Italian Saddlebred horses. Vessel diameter and tracing morphology were evaluated were evaluated and blood flow parameters (systolic, diastolic and mean velocity, acceleration and deceleration of the systolic wave, cartid pulse volume) were calculated and correlated with class variables (sex, age and body weight). On the basis of the presence of an incisure in the ascending branch of the systolic curve, subjects were divided in two groups: one with a bifid systolic curve and the other with a monophasic aspect. Correlations between: 1) diameter of the vessel and body weight and 2) carotid pulse volume and flow velocity (systolic, diastolic and mean) were found. A greater systolic pulse volume was found in male subjects, in subjects with greater body weight and in those which had a monophasic systolic wave.     

Constitutive expression of interferons in swine leukocytes

Interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-γ positive cells were revealed by flow cytometry in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) pigs. A low prevalence of IFN-γ positive cells was also detected in PBMC of some Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus-infected pigs and uninfected, control pigs. IFN-α positive cells showed phenotypes of both monocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. The presence of IFN-α in PBMC was also confirmed by Western blotting. By immunoprecipitation, IFN-α was detected as 32 and 55-57 kDa bands in PBMC of healthy SPF piglets. These samples were also IFN-γ positive; the cytokine was revealed as 24, 37 and 54 kDa bands. The unusual molecular mass values of intracellular interferons were probably due to oligomerization, as previously described for human IFN-α. Swine intracellular IFN-α displayed the expected antiviral activity on bovine MDBK cells. The results indicate that interferons are constitutively expressed in swine leukocytes with peculiar molecular features.     

水质对猪的重要性

即使是最有进取心的养猪生产者也会忽视水质对猪生产性能的影响。尽管水质检验表明猪场水质仍在可接受的范围内,但水管内积聚起的水藻、细     

Pituitary apoplexy-like disease in 4 dogs

BACKGROUND: Pituitary apoplexy in humans is a clinical syndrome resulting from sudden infarction, hemorrhage, or both in a normal or an adenomatous pituitary gland. OBJECTIVE: Describe a clinical syndrome in dogs similar to pituitary apoplexy in humans. ANIMALS: Four dogs exhibiting a sudden onset of neurologic signs. METHODS: A retrospective study was used, including clinical examination, computed tomography (CT), postmortem examination, and histopathology of the brain. Pituitary tissue from 3 of the dogs was subjected to immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Four dogs (2 Mongrels, 1 Bordeaux Dog, and 1 Cocker Spaniel; median age, 11 years; median body weight, 20.5 kg) presented with acute neurologic signs including depression (n = 3), behavioral changes (n = 1), vision loss (n = 1), seizures (n = 1), and collapse (n = 1). CT disclosed suprasellar infarction, hemorrhage, or both associated with a pituitary macroadenoma in 3 dogs and a frank hemorrhage in a nonadenomatous pituitary gland in 1 dog. CT findings were correlated with postmortem findings, and pituitary apoplexy was confirmed by histopathology and immunocytochemistry of the pituitary tissue. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study provides histopathologic evidence of pituitary apoplexy in dogs. The results are relevant for future diagnosis and treatment of pituitary disease in dogs.     

Preservation of cadavers for surgical technique training

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a technique for preservation of organoleptic tissue characteristics (color, odor, texture, and flexibility) in cadavers used for surgical instruction. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Forty-three canine cadavers. METHODS: Cadavers were preserved with a modified Larssen solution of the Hospital Cochim, Paris and cryopreservation. Tissue handling qualities were evaluated in surgical laboratory sessions. RESULTS: All cadavers kept texture and tissues consistency, especially skin and muscle, similar to those of live animals. Some skin desquamation and pallor of the mucous membranes occurred with repetitive freeze-thaw cycles. CONCLUSIONS: This preservation technique provides acceptable cadaver quality and tissue handling for use in surgical instruction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Preparation of patient cadavers by intravascular injection of modified Larssen solution yielded suitable instructional models for surgical training.     

Delayed acute capture myopathy in three roe deer

Delayed acute capture myopathy is the term used to describe the clinical syndrome observed in three roe deer captured by drive-nets and transported to an enclosure for scientific purposes. The animals died 48 h, 60 h and 8 days after being captured. The simultaneous deaths coincided with a previous episode of deliberate human disturbance. The histopathological findings were indicative of acute myopathy and myoglobinaemic nephrosis. These could be related to an ataxic myoglobinuric syndrome brought on by capture and transport operations. The lack of clinical signs and negative prognosis indicators in the period between capture and just before death. the absence of gross muscular lesions in the animal that died after 8 days post-capture, the simultaneous deaths of animals captured at different times and the evidence of deliberate human disturbance in the enclosure are suggestive of death triggered by a second stress episode.