Characterization and classification of Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) pleuropneumoniae plasmids.

Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) pleuropneumoniae plasmids were characterized and classified. They were isolated from A pleuropneumoniae strains different in serotype, year isolated, or location from which isolated. Six of 8 plasmids encoded streptomycin (Sm) and sulfonamide (Su) resistance (SmSu). One of the other plasmids, pVM105, encoded ampicillin (Ap) resistance and another, pHM0, encoded no drug resistance. All SmSu plasmids were transferred to Escherichia coli strains by transformation. Among them, pABO and pMS260 were 8.1 kb and incompatible with each other; they were stable in E coli. The other SmSu plasmids, pHM1, pVM104, pVM106, and pKD25, were 4.3 kb and did not replicate stably in E coli. The former SmSu plasmids were mobilized in E coli strains by a plasmid RP4, which belonged to incompatibility (Inc) group P, but the latter plasmids were not. Further, each 8.1-kb SmSu plasmid and each 4.3-kb plasmid had the same respective restriction pattern. These results indicated that there were at least 2 types of SmSu plasmids in A pleuropneumoniae. The 2 types were classified in 2 groups: H1(pMS260 and pABO) and H2(pHM1, pVM104, pVM106, and pKD25). The H1 and H2 plasmids belonged to different Inc groups, and H2 plasmids belonged to a different Inc group from that of pHMO and pVM105.     

Rabies virus infection in Aedes pseudoscutellaris cells: a study on receptorial structures

Rabies virus is able to infect in vitro a wide range of homeothermic and poikilothermic cells but little is known about its multiplication in arthropod cells. In this research the infection of rabies virus in Aedes pseudoscutellaris cells, a mosquito cell line susceptible to mosquito-borne viruses, was studied. After 60 days of incubation at 26 degrees C up to 70% of infected cells showed the synthesis of both viral nucleocapsid and envelope antigens, although viral yield and cell damage could not be detected. Research performed in order to investigate the role of membrane carbohydrate moieties in rabies virus-mosquito cell interaction suggested the participation of galactose and N-acetylglucosamine whereas sialic acid, known to be a rabies binding site in many homeothermic cell lines, was not involved.     

Preliminary field test of lyophilised contagious caprine pleuropneumonia vaccine

Fifty goats were immunised in the field against contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) using a single dose (0.15 mg) of lyophilised, saponin killed Mycoplasma strain F38. Two months after vaccination, these goats together with 50 unimmunised control goats were challenged by contact with goats experimentally infected with CCPP. Twelve vaccinates and 14 controls died of diarrhoea due to salmonella infection during the first two weeks after challenge. The remaining immunised goats (38) with the exception of two goats which had elevated temperatures were protected from CCPP. Of the remaining 36 control goats, 30 contracted CCPP at a mean of 39 (+/- 14.3 SD) days after challenge and 27 of them died. These results show that the lyophilised killed F38 vaccine conferred 100 per cent protection against mortality and 95 per cent protection against clinical disease caused by Mycoplasma species strain F38.     

Health of non-ambulatory, non-injured pigs at processing

Loss of pigs during or after transport is a welfare concern, but also an economic concern for producers. Transport losses include animals that are dead on arrival (DOA) at the plant, pigs that are injured, and pigs which are not obviously injured but unwilling or unable to walk (non-ambulatory, non-injured or NANI). The objective of this research was to assess the health of non-ambulatory, non-injured (NANI) pigs relative to control pigs at the processing plant by looking at a range of measures, including complete blood chemistry, anatomy, and pathology to determine potential factors associated with pigs going down. Data were collected from NANI and control pigs at five plants in the midwest USA. Feet and legs and internal organs were inspected and the severity of the pathology scored. Alveolar macrophages were collected and counted. Blood was collected for analysis of hematology, blood chemistry and cortisol concentrations. Titers to common porcine respiratory viruses were measured in pigs from one plant. Hoof and pad problems did not differ overall between control and NANI pigs, however the percentage of severe foot problems was greater (P < 0.05) in NANI compared with control pigs at plants A and E. The percentage of total ulcers, rhinitis, and empty stomachs differed (P < 0.05) between control and NANI pigs at individual plants, but not overall. Blood hematology and chemistry differed (P < 0.05) between NANI and control pigs. Cortisol concentrations did not differ between NANI and control pigs. Titers to swine influenza virus (SIV) H1N1 and H3N2 and porcine circovirus (PCV) were lower (P < 0.01) among NANI compared with control pigs. However, more (P < 0.01) NANI pigs were positive for SIV H1N1 and H3N2 compared with control pigs. Blood hematology, chemistry, and pathology indicate a large difference between NANI and controls pigs. No single health problem was higher among NANI pigs compared to plant-matched control pigs. Rather, several problems appear to contribute to pigs becoming NANI which may differ from one plant too another.     

Effect of less intensive rearing conditions on litter characteristics, growth performance, carcase injuries and meat quality of broilers

1. The objective was to compare the effect of two litter types (wheat straw and wood shavings) and two different rearing conditions (Treated and Control) on welfare indicators, broiler performance, carcase injuries, particularly hock and foot pad dermatitis (FPD), litter characteristics and meat quality. 2. Treated conditions were characterised by a low stocking density (11 birds/m(2)), short photoperiod (16 h light: 8 h dark) and a large amount of litter (3 to 4.5 kg/m(2), respectively, for wheat straw or wood shavings). Control conditions were a high stocking density (14 birds/m(2)), long photoperiod (23 h light:1 h dark) and small amount of litter (2.3 to 3 kg/m(2), respectively, for wheat straw or wood shavings). In addition, the effects of two widely used litter materials, wheat straw and wood shavings, were investigated. 3. The combined effects of lower stocking density, greater amount of litter material and a photoperiod similar to the natural one, reduced the occurrence of FPD in Treated groups keeping the FPD score under the European threshold. 4. Improved rearing conditions led to faster growth rate associated with inferior feed efficiency, whereas litter type exerted negligible effects on broiler performance. 5. Litter moisture content, nitrogen and ammonia released by the litter were lower in Treated groups than Control groups. The use of wood shavings resulted in lower moisture and nitrogen concentrations in the litter.     

Cellular and cytokine responses in feathers of chickens vaccinated against Marek's disease

In Marek's disease virus infection, feather follicle epithelium (FFE) constitutes the site of formation of infectious virus particles and virus shedding. The objective of this study was to characterize cellular and cytokine responses as indicators of cell-mediated immune response in FFE and associated feather pulp following immunization against Marek's disease. Analysis of feather tips collected between 4 and 28 days post-immunization (d.p.i.) from chickens vaccinated post-hatch with either CVI988/Rispens or herpesvirus of turkeys revealed that replication of these vaccine viruses started at 7d.p.i., peaked by 21d.p.i., and subsequently, showed a declining trend. This pattern of viral replication, which led to viral genome accumulation in feather tips, was associated with infiltration of T cell subsets particularly CD8+ T cells into the feather pulp area and the expression of cytokine genes such as interferon-gamma, which is an indication of elicitation of cell-mediated immune responses at the site of virus shedding.     

The effect of local anaesthesia on anaesthetic requirements for feline ovariectomy

A dose of supplementary ketamine was used to evaluate the anaesthetic sparing effect of adding local anaesthesia to general anaesthesia in cats undergoing ovariectomy. Fifty-six healthy cats were randomly assigned to receive lidocaine 2% (group L) as skin infiltration (1 mg kg(-1)), topical application (splash block) on both the ovaries (2 mg kg(-1), each) and on abdominal muscular layers (1 mg kg(-1)), or an equal volume of NaCl 0.9% at the same sites (group S). Anaesthesia was induced with a mixture of 20 microg kg(-1) medetomidine and 5 mg kg(-1) ketamine administered intramuscularly. Rectal temperature, ECG, heart rate and respiratory rate were measured continuously. Ketamine supplemental boli (1 mg kg(-1), intravenously) were administered in response to movements during surgery. Local lidocaine significantly reduced the need for supplementary ketamine. All animals were returned to their owners without complications. With this protocol, local anaesthetics reduced the need for injectable anaesthetic during feline ovariectomy.