Chronic superficial keratitis in the dog – II. Results of a combined non–surgical treatment

The results obtained in the treatment of chronic superficial keratitis in the dog by means of local cauterization with alcoholic iodine solution, subconjunctival application of prednisolone and intravenous ascorbic acid injections are described.
During the period 1970-75, 29 dogs were treated of which 17 recovered without relapse after one full treatment, while 6 recovered after two–to–four full treatments. Two dogs were treated with eye ointment on relapse, and four others were put down after having relapsed according to the owners.
The method of treatment described is simple and requires little special equipment. To ensure a favourable outcome early treatment is essential.     

Bovine cystic ovarian disease: plasma hormone concentrations and treatment.

Ovarian function in 91 dairy cows with cystic ovarian disease was assessed by rectal palpation and by plasma hormone analysis before and after treatment. Plasma analysis showed that 84% of the cysts were correctly classified clinically and only these cows are considered further. Luteinised cysts occurred in 59 cows whereas only 18 had non-luteinised cysts. The mean plasma concentrations of luteinising hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone, oestradiol and testosterone were not significantly different when compared with values at relevant stages of the oestrous cycle in normal cows. Success of treatment with progesterone, a synthetic prostaglandin, human gonadotrophin (HCG), or gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) was not dependent upon prior hormone concentrations, except for the prostaglandin which required active luteal tissue. LH and FSH concentrations in cows with luteinised cysts were not significantly different before and after successful treatment with GnRH or progesterone. Normal luteal function was not always established after treatment of non-luteinised cysts with GnRH.     

THE ISOLATION OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANT COLIFORMS FROM MEAT AND SEWAGE

Beef and pig carcases, meat products, frozen chickens, and sewage were examined in 3 separate surveys for antibiotic resistant coliforms. Escherichia coli was isolated from 18 of 50 beef carcases; the numbers were low and resistance was found only to tetracycline. E. coli was isolated from 45 of 50 pig carcases; the numbers were high and showed a range of patterns of multiple antibiotic resistance. In meat products, the proportion of E. coli in contaminating organisms was low, and most resistance found was to tetracycline and streptomycin. E. coli was isolated from 66 of 75 chickens and these gave 23 patterns of antibiotic resistance, often multiple. Sewage from hospital or domestic origin and abattoir effluent yielded approximately 10⁶ coliforms/ml, most of which were resistant to one or more antibiotics; few of those from hospital or domestic origin however, were classified as E. coli of faecal origin. Twenty-four patterns of resistance were found in coliforms from domestic sewage, 19 from hospital sewage and 11 from abattoir effluent. Transfer of resistance, often multiple, was achieved from 55% of 447 resistant strains to an E. coli K₁₂ recipient. Much more information is required on the prevalence of R-factors in bacteria associated with food producing animals and their products.     

A survey for Bursaphelenchus spp. in pine forests in Norway

Wood samples from pine trees were taken from 429 sites throughout Norway. The samples were selected as being either from (1) healthy trees, (2) trees suffering from stress, either physical or pathological or (3) dead trees. Nematodes were recovered from 39% of samples, most from dead wood and least from healthy trees. Species of Bursaphelenchus were recovered from 12% of dead trees and 5% of stressed trees, but were never found in healthy wood. B. mucronatus was found at just one site and in this sample it was associated with Monochamus sutor , only one of two sites at which the beetle was detected. Based on the information gained from the survey and from other sources, an assessment is made of the risk of introduction of B. xylophilus from outside Europe on imported wood and its survival, spread and disease potential in European forests.     

木霉T6和青霉K菌株混合培养的溶磷促生效应

为拓展木霉T6与青霉K两种生防菌的使用范围,将二者混合培养后测定其溶磷能力及其培养液的促生作用。解磷试验结果表明:木霉T6和青霉K混合培养溶磷量呈现先增高后逐渐稳定的趋势,混合培养溶磷量较木霉T6和青霉K单独培养时的解磷量分别增加了646.52%和17.82%。第7 d的溶磷量达到最大,为614.06μg/mL。且两种菌株混合培养后溶磷量的变化趋势与混合发酵液pH值的变化趋势相反;盆栽试验结果表明,木霉T6与青霉K的混合培养液对小麦和白菜幼苗的生长具有明显的促生作用,能够显著增加幼苗根长、株高、鲜干重及叶绿素含量,且促生效果高于木霉T6和青霉K单独处理后的效果。由此得出,木霉T6与青霉K菌株混合培养具有很好的溶磷促生作用。     

Effects of body condition score (BCS) on steroid‐ and eicosanoid‐metabolizing enzyme activity in various mare tissues during winter anoestrus

The objective of this study was to determine the activity of steroid‐ and eicosanoid‐metabolizing enzymes in horses with varying BCSs. The BCSs of twenty non‐pregnant, anoestrous mares were determined prior to euthanasia, and tissue samples were collected from the liver, kidney, adrenal gland, ovary and endometrium. Cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A), 2C (CYP2C), 3A (CYP3A) and uridine 5′‐diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activities were determined using luminogenic substrates. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used to test the effect of BCS on enzyme activity and differences between tissues. Activity of CYP1A in adrenals was increased (p ≤ .05) in BCS 5 versus BCSs 4 and 6. Activity of CYP1A in the liver was increased (p = .05) in BCS 4 versus BCSs 5 and 6. Activity of CYP1A was 100‐fold greater (p < .0001) in the liver than in the adrenal, ovary and kidney. Activity of CYP2C was 100‐fold greater (p < .0001) in the liver than in the adrenal, ovary and endometrium. Activity of CYP3A was only detectable in the liver. Activity of UGT in the kidney was decreased (p = .02) in BCS 4 versus BCSs 5 and 6. Activity of UGT was threefold greater (p < .0001) in the liver than in the kidney, whereas activity of UGT was ninefold greater (p < .0001) in the kidney than in the ovary and endometrium. In general, BCS did not alter the activity of steroid‐ and eicosanoid‐metabolizing enzymes in horses. However, tissue differences in these enzymes indicated abundant hepatic metabolism in horses, which is similar to other livestock species.     

Microbiological and histopathological features of canine acral lick dermatitis

The purpose of this study was to investigate microbiological and histopathological features of canine acral lick dermatitis (ALD). Microbial characteristics of ALD are poorly described in current literature. If infection is recognized, antimicrobial selection is usually empirical, based on appearance, cytology or surface culture, rather than deep tissue culture. It was hypothesized that cultures obtained from deep tissue would yield different results than predicted by surface culture and cytology, and that isolates from ALD have unpredictable susceptibility patterns showing resistance to antibiotics routinely administered for canine pyoderma. Biopsies were obtained from 31 lesions and submitted for aerobic, anaerobic and fungal culture, and histopathological evaluation. Surface aerobic culture and susceptibility and cytology were obtained for comparison in 22 dogs. Skin scrapings and dermatophyte culture were performed. Bacteria were isolated in 30 of 31 cases. Staphylococcus intermedius was isolated in 58% of deep cultures. Twenty per cent of deep isolates were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species. Forty-eight per cent of cases yielded organisms defined as multidrug resistant on deep culture. Only 57% and 55% of bacteria isolated from tissue culture were sensitive to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cefazolin, respectively. Cytology and superficial cultures did not correlate well with deep cultures. Surface culture predicted deep tissue isolates in eight of 22 cases. Microsporum gypseum was isolated from one dog. Histopathological features included acanthosis, follicular elongation, lymphoplasmacytic dermal inflammation, folliculitis, furunculosis, perihidradenitis, hidradenitis and vertical streaking fibrosis. Lesions associated with ALD warrant tissue bacterial cultures as the majority of cases yielded positive growth of bacteria differing from superficial culture and often resistant to empirical drugs.