Urinary indices of renal function in sheep with induced aminoglycoside nephrotoxicosis

Aminoglycoside nephrotoxicosis (AGNT) was induced in ewes by daily SC administration of gentamicin. Changes in urinary indices of renal function during the development of AGNT are reported. Measurements from timed, volume-measured urine samples were made on days 0, 7, and 8 and included creatinine clearance, total excretion (TE) rates of electrolytes (Na, K, Cl, P) and urine volume. Measurements from free-catch urine samples (without volume measurement) were made daily and included fractional excretion (FE) rate of electrolytes, urine osmolality, and urine-to-serum osmolality and urine-to-serum creatinine ratios. With the onset of AGNT, FE rates of Na, K, Cl, and P- increased many fold above baseline values (200x, 4 to 5x, 6 to 9x, and 70 to 95x, respectively, on days 7 and 8), indicating decreased tubular reabsorption or increased tubular secretion. The increased FE rates were not representative of increases in total electrolyte excretion rates. The total excretion of Na (TENa) was mildly increased, TEK was decreased, TECl was unchanged, and TEP was significantly increased on days 7 and 8. Abnormal urinalysis results, glucosuria, and increased FEP preceded appreciable increase in serum creatinine concentration. Other abnormal urinary indices of renal function coincided with or followed the increase in serum creatinine concentration. Urinary indices may help characterize renal function associated with the disease state, but did not provide early indication of AGNT.     

Attenuation of Borrelia anserina by serial passage in liquid medium

Borrelia anserina (Sakharoff) was successfully grown in a liquid medium (Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly) for 39 passages. By the 12th serial passage in medium, infectivity of B anserina for chicks was lost. Electron microscopy did not reveal structural differences between non-infective and infective cultured organisms. Changes in the protein profiles were found by electrophoresis as the organisms were passed in culture.     

Slide precipitation: a simple method to type Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) pleuropneumoniae

Soluble thermostable antigens prepared from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, as commonly applied in the ring precipitation test, were used in rapid slide tests. This method was easier to perform than the ring precipitation test and showed the same specificity. This specificity was higher than that obtained in slide agglutination tests using whole bacterial cells.     

Observations on blood leucocytes and lymphocyte subsets in sheep infected with bovine leukaemia virus: a progressive study

Haematological parameters and reactivity of lymphocyte antigens to monoclonal antibodies were studied over a 10-month period in sheep experimentally infected with bovine leukaemia virus (BLV). BLV-inoculated animals seroconverted within 1 month and showed a significant lymphocytosis 2-6 weeks after infection. Control animals inoculated with BLV-free lymphocytes showed a stronger and more immediate neutrophil response than those inoculated with BLV-positive lymphocytes. One month after infection, BLV-inoculated sheep showed a relative increase of cells bearing antigens T4, T6, T8 and T19, and 10 months into the trial, MHC II lymphocytes increased, T6 remained elevated, but T4 helper cells were significantly decreased in number. Lymphoma tissue showed the presence of T8 cells, and lymph nodes from seroconverted sheep had areas of concentrated T4 staining cells. These results demonstrate responses in cellular immune mechanisms to infection with BLV.     

Arthropathy associated with Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccination in cattle. II. Experimental studies

Attempts to reproduce in calves the arthropathy associated with Brucella abortus strain 19 (S19) vaccination by direct intra-articular injection of S19 or virulent Brucella cells were unsuccessful. Intra-articular injection of rabbits and a calf with immune complexes isolated from the synovial fluid of a field case produced clinical and histological signs of arthropathy accompanied by the development of rheumatoid factor.     

Notes on the biology of the tick Rhipicephalus bursa (Canestrini and Fanzago, 1877) in Israel

The seasonal distribution of the tick Rhipicephalus bursa in sheep has been studied during one year in two neighbouring flocks of Awassi sheep in an enzootic focus of sheep babesiosis. Rates of tick infestation on the two flocks were very different. Pre-imaginal stages were found on the sheep during the winter months of November-March while adult ticks appeared in the middle of April and persisted until the end of July. First clinical cases of babesiosis in sheep were diagnosed 2 weeks after finding the first adult ticks. The pre-imaginal stages were found mainly in the pinnas while adult ticks preferred in decreasing order the tail, body and head. Few adult ticks were found on the legs.     

Has bovine somatotropin (BST) an effect upon drug disposition? Comparative studies in goats and cattle with sulphadimidine and antipyrine after parenteral administration of BST,zeranol and proligestone

Daily subcutaneous BST injection in lactating cows, bulls and castrated male dwarf goats did not induce significant changes in the pharmacokinetic parameters of antipyrine (AP) and sulphadimidine (SDD). Similarly, no changes were obtained after injection of slow-release BST formulations in lactating cows and non-lactating female goats. In contrast to androgenic hormones, both zeranol and proligestone had no effect upon the disposition of AP and SDD, although both synthetic hormones did induce enhanced plasma somatotropin concentrations. In goats, metabolic effects induced by zeranol and BST included significant reductions in plasma urea values, whereas plasma creatinine levels were somewhat lower after daily BST administration.     

Epidemiological studies of pig diseases: 1. Use of French protocols for risk factor assessment to predict the health status of Australian herds

Objective To determine in Australian pig herds the accuracy of French protocols for risk factor assessment.
Procedure Data on health indicators and risk factors were collected for three syndromes, 'pre-weaning diarrhoea', 'post-weaning diarrhoea' and 'respiratory problems', using the French protocols. The protocols were used on 118 occasions in 32 Western Australian pig herds during 3 years (1988 to 1991).
Results There was a wide variation in pre-weaning performance, for example growth rate was 107 to 273 g/day (< 200 g/day in 33% of herds). Respiratory lesions at weaning were associated with poor pre-weaning performance. Post-weaning (21 days after weaning) growth rate was 114 to 408 g/day (< 250 g/day in 54% of herds). In the grower herds, 91% of herds had pneumonia, and growth rate was 439 to 625 g/day (< 550 g/day in 54% of herds). Pleurisy as well as pneumonia was associated with reduced growth rate. The risk factor most closely associated with respiratory health status was air volume per pig.
Conclusion Risk factors were most accurate at predicting the health status in post-weaning problems. A weaning weight of at least 7.9 kg and weaning age of 30 days optimised weaner performance. Stocking densities and shed designs providing at least 3 m³ air volume and 0.6 m² floor space per pig throughout the growing phase should be considered for an improved respiratory health status. Australian pig sheds often do not provide a satisfactory environment for optimum health. The technique of risk factor assessment as an aid to the maintenance of health in pig herds is applicable in Australia, but further research is necessary to determine the most important Australian risk factors.