Montenegro's skin reactions and antibodies against different Leishmania species in dogs from a visceral leishmaniosis endemic area

In this study, humoral (circulating anti-Leishmania antibodies) and cellular (Montenegro's skin test) immune responses of dogs from an endemic area of visceral leishmaniosis were tested using Leishmania chagasi, Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis antigens. The antibody response was tested in three animal groups, selected according to their anti-L. chagasi antibody activity, as measured by ELISA in the serum: 19 negative (O.D. below 0.30), seven with undefined (O.D. between 0.40 and 0.70) and 12 positive (O.D. above 1.0) ELISA result. In the group of animals with positive ELISA, the antibody activity against L. chagasi antigens (mean O.D.=1.31) was significantly higher (ANOVA, P<0.01) than against L. amazonensis (mean O.D.=0.88) or L. braziliensis (mean O.D.=0.87) antigens. The Montenegro's skin test results obtained with L. chagasi and L. braziliensis antigens showed a fair agreement (kappa=0.309). The same was observed when antigens from L. braziliensis and L. amazonensis were compared (kappa=0.374), whereas a moderate agreement between the results from tests performed with L. chagasi and L. amazonensis antigens was observed (kappa=0.530). The induration areas obtained with L. braziliensis antigen were smaller than those obtained with the other antigens. The data presented herein indicate that the use of antigens from different Leishmania species may interfere with the results of the immunological tests performed in dogs in an endemic area of visceral leishmaniosis.     

Effect on Rendement Napole genotype on metabolic markers in Ossabaw pigs fed different levels of fat

We investigated effects of Rendement Napole (RN ) genotype on metabolic markers in Ossabaw pigs fed diets with different levels of dietary fat. Thirty‐two pigs, belonging to either the wild‐type (WT , rn⁺/rn⁺) or carrier (CAR , RN ^?/rn⁺) genotypes (n  = 16/genotype), were divided into two dietary groups, (high fat [HF ] or low fat [LF ]) diets, for 12 weeks (n  = 8 pigs/genotype/diet) after which pigs were killed for gene expression analysis by RT ‐PCR . Feeding HF diet caused increased daily gain (ADG , p  <  .05) and final body weight (BW ) (p  <  .05) in comparison with the LF diet (p  <  .05). Feed efficiency (gain:feed) was higher (p  <  .05) in pigs on the HF and was higher (p  <  .05) in CAR pigs compared to WT . There was genotype × diet interaction (p  =  .05) on final BW such that CAR animals on LF diet had the same final BW as animals of both genotypes on HF diet. Carrier pigs on LF diet had higher (p  <  .05) average daily gain and gain:feed than WT pigs. There was a trend (p  <  .08) for a higher feed consumption in pigs on the LF diet. Backfat thickness was higher (p  <  .01) in pigs on the HF diet. Serum triglyceride was higher (0.62 vs. 0.33 mg/dl, p  <  .01) in pigs on HF diet. Serum insulin was higher (p  <  .05) in CAR versus WT pigs (0.40 vs. 0.015 μg/ml). Pigs on the HF diet had a higher (p  <  .05) serum insulin compared to those on the LF diet (0.032 vs. 0.023 μg/ml). Carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1‐alpha was higher (p  <  .05) in the longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus muscles of pigs on HF diet. Acyl‐CoA oxidase I was elevated (p  <  .05) in the liver of pigs on HF diet. Fatty acid synthase was lower in the longissimus dorsi muscle, liver and mesenteric fat (p  <  .05) of carrier pigs. The RN gene regulates specific metabolic markers in the Ossabaw pigs.     

Raw mechanically separated chicken meat and salmon protein hydrolysate as protein sources in extruded dog food: effect on protein and amino acid digestibility

Protein quality was evaluated for mechanically separated chicken meat (MSC) and salmon protein hydrolysate (SPH), and for extruded dog foods where MSC or SPH partially replaced poultry meal (PM). Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in the protein ingredients and extruded foods was determined with mink (Neovison vison). The extruded dog foods included a control diet with protein from PM and grain, and two diets where MSC or SPH provided 25% of the dietary CP. Nutrient composition of the protein ingredients varied, dry matter (DM) was 944.0, 358.0 and 597.4 g/kg, CP was 670.7, 421.2 and 868.9 g/kg DM, crude fat was 141.4, 547.8 and 18.5 g/kg DM and ash was 126.4, 32.1 and 107.0 g/kg DM for PM, MSC and SPH respectively. The content of essential AA (g/100 g CP) was more than 10.0 percentage units lower in SPH than in PM and MSC. The ATTD of CP differed (p < 0.001) between protein ingredients and was 80.9%, 88.2% and 91.3% for PM, MSC and SPH respectively. The ATTD of total AA was lowest (p < 0.001) for PM, and similar (p > 0.05) for MSC and SPH. In the extruded diets, the expected higher ATTD of CP and AA from replacement of PM with MSC or SPH was not observed. The ATTD of CP was determined to be 80.3%, 81.3% and 79.0% for the PM, MSC and SPH extruded foods respectively. Furthermore, the ATTD of several AA was numerically highest for the PM diet. Possibly, extrusion affected ATTD of the diets differently due to different properties and previous processing of the three protein ingredients.     

The EFSA quantitative approach to pest risk assessment – methodological aspects and case studies

A new method for pest risk assessment and the identification and evaluation of risk‐reducing options is currently under development by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Plant Health Panel. The draft method has been tested on pests of concern to the European Union (EU). The method is adaptable and can focus either on all the steps and sub‐steps of the assessment process or on specific parts if necessary. It is based on assessing changes in pest population abundance as the major driver of the impact on cultivated plants and on the environment. Like other pest risk assessment systems the method asks questions about the likelihood and magnitude of factors that contribute to risk. Responses can be based on data or expert judgment. Crucially, the approach is quantitative, and it captures uncertainty through the provision by risk assessors of quantile estimates of the probability distributions for the assessed variables and parameters. The assessment is based on comparisons between different scenarios, and the method integrates risk‐reducing options where they apply to a scenario, for example current regulation against a scenario where risk‐reducing options are not applied. A strategy has been developed to communicate the results of the risk assessment in a clear, comparable and transparent way, with the aim of providing the requestor of the risk assessment with a useful answer to the question(s) posed to the EFSA Plant Health Panel. The method has been applied to four case studies, two fungi, Ceratocystis platani and Cryphonectria parasitica, the nematode Ditylenchus destructor and the Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma. Selected results from these case studies illustrate the types of output that the method can deliver.     

Intraocular pressure in normal dairy cattle

Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured in normal dairy cows by applanation tonometry. In the first study of 15 Holstein and 17 Jersey cows the mean IOP by Mackay-Marg tonometry was 27.5 ± 4.8 mmHg (range 16–39 mmHg); no significant differences ( P < 0.92) were observed between the Holstein and Jersey breeds. In the second study of 15 Holstein and 12 Jersey cows, the mean IOPs by Mackay-Marg and TonoPen-XL tonometry were 28.2 ± 4.6 mmHg (range 19–39 mmHg) and 26.9 ± 6.7 mmHg (range 16–42 mmHg), respectively. Comparisons of the Mackay-Marg and TonoPen tonometers indicated no significant differences ( P < 0.16). The mean and range of IOP in normal dairy cows within 2 SD (95% of the population) is 27 mmHg with a range of 16–36 mmHg.     

Evaluation of success rate of laparoscopic castration without orchidectomy in 32 mature horses

The surgical success of laparoscopic castration without orchidectomy results from avascular necrosis of the testes. However, failures and subsequent production of testosterone and stallion‐like behaviour have been previously identified. Laparoscopic castration without removal of the testes was performed in 32 horses with 2 normal descended scrotal testes between July 2006 and October 2012. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the success rate of laparoscopic castration without orchidectomy on descended testes in our population and assess complications and recovery time. Endocrine tests were performed after surgery and owners also asked to report on their horse's behaviour and ability to resume exercise. Castration was deemed successful if endocrine test results were in accordance with gelding values. Failed horses were castrated using a conventional technique and histology performed when possible. Basal testosterone levels decreased below 3 nmol/l after surgery in 30/32 cases. However, in 2 horses, stallion behaviour persisted and histological evaluation after inguinal castration showed residual viable tissue. Two horses maintained high testosterone levels after surgery associated with stallion‐like behaviour. Based on these results, 12.5% of horses (4/32 horses) failed to be considered a gelding based on either endocrine tests and/or histology. All horses, with one exception, were able to resume exercise less than a week after the procedure. Laparoscopic castration without orchidectomy appears to be a safe procedure. When assessing the success of laparoscopic castration, our total failure rate was 12.5% (4/32 horses) which is significantly higher than previously reported.     

Mastitis severity induced by two Streptococcus uberis strains is reflected by the mammary immune response in vitro

Streptococcus uberis is the most common environmental mastitis pathogen causing udder inflammations of different severities in dairy cows. The aim of the study was to investigate if the different clinical outcome of mastitis induced by different strains of S. uberis can be reflected in the mammary immune response. Mammary epithelial cells and somatic milk cells were treated with heat inactivated and living S. uberis of strain A and strain B in vitro. Strain A was repeatedly isolated from a chronically infected quarter during 8 months, and persisted in the quarter despite antibiotic treatment. Strain B caused an acute clinical mastitis and was not further isolated after a single antibiotic treatment. Treatment with Strain B induced a more pronounced increase of mRNA-expression of various immune factors (interleukin-8, interleukin-1beta, RANTES, and lactoferrin) in mammary epithelial cells than strain A. In contrast to mammary epithelial cells the response of removed somatic milk cells showed no differences between the stimulation with two S. uberis strains. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA expression was not differently induced by the two strains. In conclusion, the characteristics of different severities of mastitis that are induced by different S. uberis strains in vivo can also be reflected at the level of the immune response of the mammary gland in vitro.     

Tenosynovitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath and annular ligament constriction syndrome caused by longitudinal tears in the deep digital flexor tendon: a clinical and surgical report of 17 cases in warmblood horses

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Inflammation of the digital flexor tendon sheaths is a chronic and nebulous condition often unresponsive to medical and surgical treatment. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence of longitudinal tears (LT) as the underlying cause of chronic tenosynovitis and annular ligament constriction syndrome (ALCS) in warmblood horses. METHODS: The records of 25 horses with chronic tenosynovitis and ALCS in which tenoscopical inspection of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) was performed between 1999-2000 were reviewed. Of 25 horses, 17 were diagnosed with an LT in the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). All horses had a history of distension of the DFTS and/or signs of an ALCS. All cases presented typical signs of a chronic inflamed DFTS on ultrasonography and 11 horses showed ultrasonographic changes (echogenic material or an irregular outlining) at the lateral or medial border of the DDFT. The diagnosis of LTs of the DDFT was established in all cases by tenoscopy. Surgical treatment consisted of removal of the torn collagen fibrils using a mechanical resector and decompressing the fetlock canal by a transection of the palmar annular ligament (PAL) using a hook knife under tenoscopic control. RESULTS: Ten horses became sound and resumed their previous level of work, 3 horses remained lame, 4 horses returned to previous level of work but needed intrasynovial treatment of the DFTS and reduced competition frequency to remain sound. CONCLUSIONS: Horses presented with chronic inflamed DFTS and/or ALCS might suffer from LTs in the DDFT; however, the diagnosis cannot be established with absolute certainty using only ultrasonography. Longitudinal tears should be suspected if ultrasonographic changes are present lateral or medial to the border of the DDFT but tenoscopical examination of the tendon sheath is essential to establish an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The presence of these LTs might explain why some cases of chronic tenosynovitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath and/or ALCS do not respond on surgical transection of the PAL alone without tenoscopy.     

Glasser's disease and prevalence of subclinical infection with Haemophilus parasuis in swine in southern Ontario

Glasser's disease accounted for less than 1% of total swine mortalities in an 11 year retrospective postmortem survey of swine submissions at three provincial government diagnostic laboratories in southern Ontario. However, Glasser's disease was suspected in 17 of 83 boar mortalities at the Record of Production Boar Test Station between 1983 and 1985 and was much more common in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) boars than in conventional boars. The prevalence of the causative organism, Haemophilus parasuis, was determined for 19 SPF herds in Ontario classified as "Excellent" under the Ontario Swine Herd Health Policy. Nasal swabs from two-month-old pigs were cultured on chocolate agar containing 1.5 mug/mL lincomycin, 5 mug/mL bacitracin, and 0.1 mug/mL crystal violet. Three herds were negative for H. parasuis infection; 16 herds contained clinically healthy carrier pigs.