A meta-analysis comparing the effect of PCV2 vaccines on average daily weight gain and mortality rate in pigs from weaning to slaughter

The aim of this investigation was, through a meta-analysis, to review the published literature concerning the effect of PCV2 vaccination on the average daily weight gain (ADG) and on the mortality rate in pigs from weaning to slaughter. The review was restricted to studies investigating the effect of vaccines against PCV2 published from 2006 to 2008, identified using computerised literature databases. Only studies that met the following criteria were included: commercial vaccines were used, pigs or pens were assigned randomly to vaccination versus control groups in herds naturally infected with PCV2, and vaccinated and non-vaccinated pigs were housed together. Furthermore, it was a requirement that sample size, age at vaccination, and production period were stated. The levels of ADG and mortality rate had to be comparable to those seen in modern intensive swine production. In total, 107 studies were identified; 70 were excluded because they did not fulfil the inclusion criteria and 13 were identical to results published elsewhere. A significant effect of PCV2 vaccination on ADG was found for pigs in all production phases. The largest increase in ADG was found for finishing pigs (41.5g) and nursery-finishing pigs (33.6g) with only 10.6g increase in the nursery pigs. Mortality rate was significantly reduced for finishing pigs (4.4%) and nursery-finishing pigs (5.4%), but not for nursery pigs (0.25%). Herds negative for PRRS had a significantly larger increase in ADG compared to herds positive for PRRS. The PRRS status had no effect on mortality rate.     

A review of prevalences of paratuberculosis in farmed animals in Europe

Prevalence estimates are used by decision makers such as policy makers and risk assessors to make choices related to certain diseases and infections. Paratuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), is a chronic infection particularly resulting in economic losses among farmed ruminants. Therefore, this infection is of concern for many farming industry decision makers. As a result, multiple studies have been carried out to determine the within-herd and between-herd prevalence of MAP infections. The objective of the present study was to conduct a review and, if possible, compare animal and herd level prevalences of MAP among farmed animals in Europe. European data on prevalences of MAP in all farmed animal species were included from a review of literature. Information on target population and study design, tests used and apparent prevalences were recorded, and subsequently true prevalences were calculated when possible. A critical review of the included studies indicated that although a wide range of studies have been conducted, likely and comparable true prevalence estimates could rarely be calculated. Based on a few studies where the prevalences appeared to be plausible, it was concluded that prevalences of MAP would have to be guesstimates based on available data. The true prevalence among cattle appeared to be approximately 20% and was at least 3-5% in several countries. Between-herd prevalence guesstimates appeared to be >50%. No countries had published sufficient information to claim freedom from MAP or just a near-zero prevalence of MAP infections. No within-flock prevalence estimates were available for goats and sheep. The between-flock prevalence guesstimates were >20%, based only on estimates from Switzerland and Spain. Major critical issues were identified in the majority of the studies, primarily due to lack of knowledge of the test accuracy of the diagnostic test used, or due to studies where the study population did not reflect the target population. Because most of the reported studies did not yield prevalence estimates which were comparable to other studies, there is a continuing need for well-designed studies of the prevalence of MAP infections.     

Facial lesions in piglets with intact or grinded teeth

Background

Piglets are born with eight sharp teeth that during nursing can cause facial lesions on littermates and teat lesions on the sow. Teeth grinding in piglets is therefore often practiced to reduce these lesions. The aim of this study was to assess the consequences of grinding piglet teeth in regard to the occurrence of lesions.In this study the piglets'' teeth were grinded in 28 litters, and in 36 litters the piglets'' teeth were kept intact. Twice, one time during the first week and one time during the second week after birth facial lesions of the piglets were scored and the teats of the sows were examined for lesions. The facial lesion score accounted for the amount and severity of lesions. The individual observations on piglets in the litter were synthesized in a litter facial lesion score.

Findings

69.8% and 43.5% of the piglets had facial lesions in week 1 and week 2 respectively. The effect of treatment was not significant on litter facial lesion score. The litter facial lesion score was higher in week 1 than in week 2 (p < 0.001) and higher in large litters (p = 0.003) than in small litters. Mortality between week 1 and week 2 was higher in litters with intact teeth (p = 0.02). Sow teat lesions only occurred if litters had intact teeth.

Conclusions

According to our results teeth grinding is only justifiable in large litters.     

Endometrial stromal tumor in a chimpanzee.

A 25-year-old female chimpanzee with disseminated tuberculosis also had two uterine tumors. One a typical leiomyoma and the other, which occluded the uterine lumen, was composed of cells resembling normal endometrial stroma in its proliferative phase. It was diagnosed as an endometrial stromal tumor and was similar to that which occurs in the human female. This is the first report of this lesion in a nonhuman primate.     

Influence of Disease Process and Duration on Acute Phase Proteins in Serum and Peritoneal Fluid of Horses with Colic

Background

The acute phase proteins (APP) serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, and fibrinogen are valuable blood biomarkers in equine inflammatory diseases, but knowledge of factors influencing their concentrations in blood and peritoneal fluid (PF) of horses with colic is needed.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of demographics (age, sex, breed), disease process (simple obstruction, strangulating obstruction, inflammatory), disease location, disease duration, hypovolemia, and admission hospital on concentrations of APP, lactate and white blood cell counts (WBC) in horses with colic admitted to 2 referral hospitals.

Animals

The study included 367 horses with colic admitted at 2 referral hospitals.

Methods

Prospective multicenter observational study of clinical data, as well as blood and PF biomarkers. Associations between biomarker concentrations and clinical variables were analyzed using multivariate linear regression analysis.

Results

Increasing pre‐admission duration of colic was associated with increased concentrations of APP in blood and PF. Blood concentrations of SAA and fibrinogen were associated with disease process (inflammatory, strangulations, simple obstructions) in more colic duration groups (5–12 and >24 hours) than any of the other biomarkers. No relevant associations between demographic factors, hospital, or hydration status and the measured biomarkers were found.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

In horses with colic, concentrations of APP are associated mainly with disease process and duration of colic and may thus be used for assessment of disease independently of demographic or geographic factors. Serum amyloid A may be a diagnostic marker for use in colic differential diagnosis, but further evaluation is needed.     

Histopathologic evidence for parvovirus infection in dogs

Two dogs kenneled at a commercial establishment died of a disease manifested as severe hemorrhagic diarrhea. Histopathologic findings in both dogs bore a striking resemblance to those typical of feline infectious enteritis. Viral particles resembling members of the Parvoviridae family were observed in the contents of the small intestine of one of the dogs. The disease was similar to the recently recognized canine gastroenteritis associated with a parvovirus-like agent.     

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths,lungworms and liver fluke in sheep and goats in Norway

The present study describes the occurrence of various gastrointestinal helminths, lungworms and liver flukes in Norwegian sheep and goats as assessed from faecal samples and post mortem examinations performed between 2007 and 2010. Faecal samples for gastrointestinal nematode egg counts were collected from 77 sheep flocks and 30 dairy goat flocks from three geographical regions in Norway. Additionally, thirty-two lambs and 16 adult goats were euthanized for necropsy examination and for identification of adult gastrointestinal nematodes and tapeworms, lungworms and liver flukes. The survey showed that there was a higher mean excretion of trichostrongyle eggs in sheep than in goats at the individual level (392 EPG vs. 154 EPG, p < 0.001). For both host species, the mean prevalence and intensity of excreted trichostrongyle eggs were significantly higher in the southern coastal region compared with the inland and northern regions (p < 0.001). Third stage larvae of Trichostrongylus/Teladorsagia, Haemonchus and Nematodirus type were the most prevalent ones in the coprocultures from sheep, whereas larvae of Trichostrongylus/Teladorsagia and Nematodirus type dominated in goats. The most prevalent gastrointestinal nematode species found at necropsy was Teladorsagia circumcincta (75.0 and 81.2% respectively in sheep and goats), while the largest mean worm burdens were recorded for Haemonchus contortus in sheep (724 ± 623) and T. circumcincta in goats (377 ± 529). Other gastrointestinal nematode species were present at low prevalence or in low numbers.     

Cholinesterase activities in uterus of normal and fenchlorphos treated blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) during various reproductive states

The uterine acetylcholinesterase and total cholinesterase (acetylcholinesterase plus butyrylcholinesterase) activities in normal and fenchlorphos treated blue fox vixens were determined during various reproductive states.AChE and Total-ChE of non-medicated vixens in oestrus were about one half of those in anoestrus. In pregnant uteri (luteal phase) the activities were 25 % and 30% compared to anoestrus.In vixens given 100 mg/kg fenchlorphos for 3 weeks during anoestrus, the remaining activity of AChE in uterus were in average 37%. Pregnant and non-pregnant vixens in the luteal phase medicated prior to mating and during time of implantation, displayed AChE activities which were only moderabely reduced (remaining activities 83% and 72% compared to medicated animals in anoestrus: remaining activity 37%).Plasma ChE-activity increased during pregnancy in the controls while enzyme activity was strongly reduced in animals given 100 mg/kg fenchlorphos daily through the whole pregnancy.It was concluded that the previous reported embryotoxic effect of fenchlorphos in the blue fox did not seem to be directed towards the moderate inhibition of the uterine cholinesterases.     

Latent class analysis of the diagnostic characteristics of PCR and conventional bacteriological culture in diagnosing intramammary infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus in dairy cows at dry off

Background

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of intramammary infections in dairy cows at dry off. Reliable identification is important for disease management on herd level and for antimicrobial treatment of infected animals. Our objective was to evaluate the test characteristics of PathoProof ™ Mastitis PCR Assay and bacteriological culture (BC) in diagnosing bovine intramammary infections caused by S. aureus at dry off at different PCR cycle threshold (Ct)-value cut-offs.

Methods

Sterile quarter samples and non-sterile composite samples from 140 animals in seven herds were collected in connection with the dairy herd improvement (DHI) milk recording. All quarter samples were analyzed using BC whereas all composite samples were analyzed with PathoProof ™ Mastitis PCR Assay. Latent class analysis was used to estimate test properties for PCR and BC in the absence of a perfect reference test. The population was divided into two geographically divided subpopulations and the Hui-Walter 2-test 2-populations model applied to estimate Se, Sp for the two tests, and prevalence for the two subpopulations.

Results

The Se for PCR increased with increasing Ct-value cut-off, accompanied by a small decrease in Sp. For BC the Se decreased and Sp increased with increasing Ct-value cut-off. Most optimal test estimates for the real-time PCR assay were at a Ct-value cut-off of 37; 0.93 [95% posterior probability interval (PPI) 0.60-0.99] for Se and 0.95 [95% PPI 0.95-0.99] for Sp. At the same Ct-value cut-off, Se and Sp for BC were 0.83 [95% PPI 0.66-0.99] and 0.97 [95% PPI 0.91-0.99] respectively. Depending on the chosen PCR Ct-value cut-off, the prevalence in the subpopulations varied; the prevalence increased with increasing PCR Ct-value cut-offs.

Conclusion

Neither BC nor real-time PCR is a perfect test in detecting IMI in dairy cows at dry off. The changes in sensitivity and prevalence at different Ct-value cut-offs for both PCR and BC may indicate a change in the underlying disease definition. At low PCR Ct-value cut-offs the underlying disease definition may be a truly/heavily infected cow, whereas at higher PCR Ct-value cut-offs the disease definition may be a S. aureus positive cow.