Neospora caninum infection as a cause of reproductive failure in a sheep flock

Neospora caninum has been detected only sporadically in cases of ovine abortion, and it has therefore traditionally been considered as an unimportant parasite in small ruminants. This study was carried out with the aim of identifying the pathogen causing serious reproductive problems on a commercial sheep farm. Sera from all rams and ewes tested negative for antibodies against Border disease virus, Schmallenberg virus and Coxiella burnetii, and infections by these agents were therefore ruled out. Nevertheless, seropositivity to N. caninum and/or Toxoplasma gondii was detected, although the seroprevalence was higher in the case of N. caninum. The percentage of lambings and the number of lambs per dam were significantly lower in ewes that were seropositive to N. caninum while no effect on these parameters was detected in ewes that were seropositive to T. gondii. There was also no evidence of infection by T. gondii in the foetal/lamb tissues analyzed by PCR and/or immunohistopathological techniques. On the contrary, the DNA of N. caninum was detected in 13 out of 14 foetuses/lambs descendant from dams seropositive to this parasite. Characteristic lesions caused by N. caninum and/or its antigen were also detected. Genotyping of the N. caninum DNA revealed only two closely related microsatellite multilocus genotypes. The results clearly demonstrate that infection by N. caninum was the cause of the low reproductive performance of this sheep flock.     

The effect of erector spinae plane block on perioperative analgesic consumption and complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy surgery: a retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo compare the perioperative use of analgesics and complication rates in dogs administered an erector spinae plane (ESP) block or a traditional opioid-based (OP) treatment as part of analgesic management during hemilaminectomy.Study designRetrospective cohort study.AnimalsMedical records of 114 client-owned dogs.MethodsGeneral data included demographics, duration of procedure, number of laminae fenestrated, perioperative use of steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Intra- and postoperative analgesics used in 48 hours and complications rates were compared between groups. Opioid use was expressed in morphine equivalents [ME (mg kg^?1)]. Continuous data were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test and incidence of events with a Fisher's exact tests. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate association between perioperative ME consumption (dependent variable) with other independent variables. Data are presented as median (range). Differences were considered significant when p < 0.05.ResultsGroup ESP comprised 42 dogs and group OP 72 dogs. No differences were observed in the general data. Intraoperative ME was 0.65 (0.20–3.74) and 0.79 (0.19–5.60) mg kg^?1 in groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.03). Intraoperative infusion of lidocaine was administered intravenously (IV) to 23.8% and 68% of groups ESP and OP, respectively (p < 0.0001). Intraoperative infusion of ketamine was administered IV to 21% and 40% of groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.04). Regression analysis revealed the ESP block as the only independent variable affecting the perioperative ME consumption. Pharmacological intervention to treat cardiovascular complications was administered to 21.4% and 47.2% of dogs in groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.008). There were no differences in postoperative complication rates.Conclusions and clinical relevanceESP block was associated with reduced perioperative opioid consumption, intraoperative adjuvant analgesic use and incidence of pharmacological interventions to treat cardiovascular complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy.     

SDS-PAGE and Western blot of urinary proteins in dogs with leishmaniasis

Canine leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in the Mediterranean area caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum, which usually produces renal failure. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot using antibodies to IgG and IgA from dogs were carried out in the urine of 22 dogs with leishmaniasis diagnosed by ELISA and confirmed by PCR, and 20 healthy dogs. The results were compared to renal function laboratory tests and to those from a histopathological study of the kidneys from sick animals that died naturally or were euthanized. Five different bands with molecular weights ranging from 10 to 110 kDa were obtained from the electrophoresis of the urine of healthy dogs. 33.5% of total proteins corresponded to low molecular weight proteins and the other proteins had middle and high molecular weights. However, in the group with leishmaniasis, a maximum of 11 different bands with molecular weights ranging from 10 kDa to 150 kDa were displayed in the electrophoresis of the urine. The urine electrophoretic pattern in the sick dogs was classified as mixed (proteins with high and low molecular weights) because low molecular weight proteins made up 57.9% and the rest of the proteins had middle and high molecular weights. In Western blot, none of the healthy dogs showed excretion of IgG and/or IgA, whereas IgG and IgA were detected in the Western blot of urine of 68% and 55% respectively of dogs with leishmaniasis. The results obtained in the leishmaniasis group agreed with glomerular and tubular damage, which were confirmed by the histopathological findings.     

Public perceptions of the transmission of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 from pigs and pork products in Australia

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the height of the pandemic influenza H1N1/09 outbreak in Australia in 2009. The objectives of the study were to evaluate public perceptions about transmission and prevention of the disease, to understand their concerns and preparedness to cope with the disease, and to investigate drivers influencing their behaviour. A questionnaire was designed and administered to 510 customers visiting 15 butcher shops in the Greater Sydney region between 26th June and 2nd August 2009. Data were analysed to estimate the proportion of people with certain perceptions and to evaluate the influence of these perceptions on two binary outcome variables: (1) whether or not people believed that avoiding pork would protect them from contracting H1N1/09, and (2) whether or not they actually made some changes to pork consumption after the outbreak. A majority of the respondents had perceptions based on fact about transmission and prevention of H1N1/09. As many as 96.8% of the respondents believed that washing their hands frequently was likely to protect them from contracting H1N1/09. Similarly, most believed that they could contract H1N1/09 by travelling on public transport with a sick person present (94.1%), by shaking hands with a sick person (89.2%), or by attending a community gathering (73.7%). Women were more likely than men to have factual perceptions about protective behaviours. Misconceptions regarding transmission of the disease were evident, with 21.7% believing that avoiding eating pork could protect them against H1N1/09, 11.1% believing that they could contract H1N1/09 by drinking tap water, 22.8% by handling uncooked pork meat and 15.6% by eating cooked pork. Approximately one third of respondents believed that working in a pig farm or an abattoir increased their likelihood of contracting H1N1/09 (36.9% and 32.3%, respectively). Younger people (<35 years old) were more likely to have these misconceptions than older people. Reduction in consumption of pork, ham or bacon was significantly associated with misconceptions regarding the risk of contracting H1N1/09 from eating pig meat products. It is recommended that in the event of a future disease emergency, communication activities providing factual information and targeting younger people should be used.     

Virulence genes and plasmid profiles in Rhodococcus equi isolates from domestic pigs and wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Brazil

The virulence genes and plasmid profiles of 23 Rhodococcus equi isolates from 258 lymph nodes from domestic pigs (129 nodes with lesions and 129 without lesions) and 120 lymph nodes from slaughtered wild boars (60 nodes with lesions and 60 without) were characterized. R. equi was obtained from 19 lymph nodes of domestic pigs, 17 with, and two without lesions, and from four lymph nodes with lesions, from wild boars. The 23 isolates were tested for the presence of vapA and vapB genes, responsible for the 15–17 and 20 kDa virulence-associated proteins, respectively, by PCR in order to characterize as virulent (VapA), intermediately virulent (VapB) and avirulent. Plasmid DNAs were isolated and analyzed by digestion with restriction endonucleases to estimate size and compare their polymorphisms. Of the 19 domestic pigs strains, seven (36.8%) were avirulent and 12 (63.2%) were intermediately virulent, with the intermediately virulent isolates being plasmid types 8 (8 isolates), 10 (2 isolates), 1 (1 isolate) and 29 (1 isolate). The plasmid type of four strains isolated from wild boars was also intermediately virulent type 8. None of the domestic pigs and wild boar isolates showed the vapA gene. These findings demonstrate a high occurrence of plasmid type 8 in isolates from pigs and wild boars, and the similarity of plasmid types in the domestic pigs, wild boars and human isolates in Brazil.     

Detritivorous earthworms modify microbial community structure and accelerate plant residue decomposition

The impact of detritivorous earthworms (Eisenia andrei) on microbial community structure and function in grape marc, a lignocellulosic enriched plant residue, was investigated in a mesocosm experiment. Analysis of carbon and nitrogen pools was also carried out in order to evaluate how changes in microbial communities affect plant residue decomposition. The grape marc was completely processed after fifteen days as a result of the high density of earthworms present and the rapid gut transit time. Eisenia andrei had a large impact on the structure of the microbial community, as revealed by phospholipid fatty acid analysis. Earthworm activity reduced the abundance of both bacterial (except for Gram-negative bacteria) and fungal PLFA biomarkers relative to the control values. Decreases in microbial activity and in protease and cellulase activities were also attributable to the presence of earthworms. Moreover, earthworms strongly modified the substrate utilization patterns of microbial communities, as revealed by BIOLOG analysis. The presence of earthworms led to an increase in the utilization of some amino acids and polymers, which reached a higher substrate diversity value than that in the control mesocosm. The differences in microbial communities were accompanied by a reduction in the total C content and the labile C pool, relative to the control, although there were no significant differences in either cellulose or hemicellulose contents. However, total N content increased in both mesocosms – with and without earthworms – and the concentration of NH₄⁺ was also enhanced by earthworm activity. The results indicate that detritivorous earthworms play a key role in decomposing fresh plant residues in the short term via their intensive interactions with microbial communities.     

Imaging diagnosis--Ultrasound-guided ethanol sclerotherapy for a simple renal cyst.

Solitary renal cysts are benign and in the majority of instances asymptomatic and do not require treatment. Nevertheless, treatment may be required if abdominal discomfort or pain, hypertension, infection or renal outflow obstruction occur. Under these circumstances, percutaneous management of the cyst is the easiest and fastest procedure, and no major complications are generally encountered. In this report we describe a patient with a solitary renal cyst treated successfully by a single injection of ethanol into the cyst. The sonographic appearance of the cyst changed from a well-defined hypoechoic structure to an ill-defined hyperechoic region. Canine renal cysts may be successfully managed in some instances by a single ethanol injection.     

Anaesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of romifidine/ketamine combinations in cats

ObjectiveTo study the anaesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of intramuscular (IM) administration of different combinations of romifidine and ketamine in cats.Study designProspective, randomized, cross-over experiment.AnimalsSeven healthy adult cats weighing (mean ± SD) 3.4 ± 0.7 kg and aged 4.6 ± 3.2 years.MethodsAnimals received romifidine 100 μg kg^?1 with ketamine 7.5 (R100/K7.5) and 10 mg kg^?1 (R100/K10), romifidine 200 μg kg^?1 with ketamine 5 (R200/K5), 7.5 (R200/K7.5) and 10 mg kg^?1 (R200/K10) by IM injection. The time required to perform orotracheal intubation (IT) was measured and the ease of intubation assessed. The onset of anaesthesia (OA), duration of anaesthesia (DA) and anaesthesia recovery times (AR) were measured. Analgesia and muscle relaxation scores were recorded every 5 minutes for 60 minutes after OA. Heart rate, systolic arterial pressure, arterial haemoglobin saturation, respiratory rate, end-tidal carbon dioxide and oesophageal temperature were also measured.ResultsThe IT, OA and DA were not significantly different between the treatments. The analgesia and muscle relaxation scores were similar between all treatments at most time points. The cardiorespiratory variables were not significantly different between the treatments in most cases. The adverse effects were dose dependent and similar to those previously described for other combinations of α₂-agonists and ketamine.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAnaesthesia produced by the studied combinations of romifidine and ketamine may only be reliable when conducting brief and noninvasive procedures in cats. The OA times were slower and the DA shorter than those reported for other alpha-2 agonists combined with ketamine. A dose-related increase in the intensity of the anaesthetic effects could not be demonstrated in this study.     

Interactions of aflatoxin and the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene in two-week-old chicks

Two-week dietary administration of 2500 ppb aflatoxin was sufficient to cause a decrease in bursal weights and a reduction in the number of splenic leukocytes in chicks. No significant effects on weight gain or feed efficiency were evident. The chicks also had elevated heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratios, suggesting a heightened reaction to stress. This effect could be blocked by dietary administration of the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) at a concentration eight-fold over that normally present to preserve control feed. The BHT treatment increased the activities of the enzymes glutathione-S-transferase, aniline hydroxylase and O-demethylase, which metabolize aflatoxins in the liver.