Equine amnionitis and fetal loss: The case definition for an unrecognised cause of abortion in mares

A series of abortions occurred in mares in New South Wales during 2004 that involved similar and unusual findings on post mortem examination of aborted fetuses and fetal membranes. The term Equine Amnionitis and Fetal Loss (EAFL) was developed to describe the condition. This form of abortion had not been previously recognised in Australia. The pathology alone is not specific for EAFL and diagnosis requires demonstration of a combination of certain pathological and bacteriological features. The purpose of this paper is to describe patterns considered consistent with EAFL cases as a working case definition for use by veterinarians and veterinary pathologists in identifying future cases of EAFL. More detailed papers are in preparation to fully describe the epidemiological, histopathological, and microbiological aspects of EAFL.     

Anesthetic effects of different volumes of lidocaine for spermatic cord block in cattle

Objective

To evaluate three volumes of lidocaine for spermatic cord block to perform castration in cattle.

Light and electron microscopic comparisons of cutaneous fibromas in white-tailed and mule deer

Cutaneous fibromas of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), when compared with normal skin of the same species, had a thinner basement membrane; thickened stratum spinosum with numerous melanocytes, desmosomes, polyribosomes, and tonofilaments; focal hyperplasia of the stratum granulosum containing numerous large, electron-dense keratohyalin granules with irregular borders and containing occasional cells with diffuse intranuclear virus particles; and a moderately thickened stratum corneum with (although rarely) small crystalline arrays of virus particles. Normal mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) skin was structurally similar to that of the white-tailed deer. Mule deer fibromas were similar to those in white-tailed deer, except for diffuse thickening of the stratum granulosum (the cells of which contained large keratohyalin granules of various electron densities with occasional composite granules) and except for a markedly thickened stratum corneum that contained numerous intranuclear viral inclusions. In negatively stained homogenates of tumors from both deer species, viral particles resembled papillomaviruses.     

Papillary squamous cell carcinoma in three young dogs

Papillary squamous cell carcinomas were located on the gingiva of 3 young dogs. The tumors locally invaded the soft tissues of each dog, and invaded bone in 2 dogs. Surgical excision was unsuccessful in eliminating 2 of the tumors. Surgery and radiotherapy were effective, and recurrence has not been observed in 39 months in 1 dog, 32 months in a second, and 10 months in a third. Superficially, the oral masses resembled papillomas, which are known to be caused by viruses. Cytopathologic indication of productive infection was not evident, and papillomavirus antigens could not be detected by immunohistochemical methods. Electron microscopy failed to identify viral particles in 2 of the tumors. High and low molecular weight DNA extracts from 2 of the tumors contained no detectable papillomavirus genome when probed under conditions of either high or low stringency by Southern blot hybridization with a cloned canine oral papillomavirus genome.     

Detection of papillomaviruses in cutaneous fibromas of white-tailed and mule deer

Naturally occurring cutaneous fibromas affecting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (O hemionus), and cutaneous fibropapillomas of domestic cattle were tested for papillomavirus using indirect immunofluorescence (IF), peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP), and negative-stain electron microscopic techniques. Papillomavirus was consistently detected using rabbit antiserum against papillomavirus group-specific antigen in all mule deer fibromas and bovine fibropapillomas; only 16 of 28 white-tailed deer fibromas tested by IF and 9 of 15 tested by PAP were detected. Normal skin from white-tailed deer or cattle was consistently negative for virus. Similar results were obtained by negative-stain electron microscopic examination of partially purified tumor homogenates. Using deer fibroma virus or bovine papillomavirus type 1-specific antisera, viruses were typed by IF, PAP, and immunoelectron microscopy.     

Polysaccharides in some industrially important softwood species

The content and composition of carbohydrates comprising polysaccharides in sapwood and heartwood of 12 industrially important pulpwood species were analysed. The polysaccharide content was between 60% and 80% (w/w) for all species, with cellulose as the predominant polysaccharide type. The carbohydrate composition suggested that the main non-cellulose polysaccharides were galactoglucomannans, except in Larix heartwood, where arabinogalactans were predominant, while the content of xylans were in the same range as the mannans in Pinus resinosa heartwood and Thuja occidentalis heartwood and sapwood. Pectins, i.e. polygalacturonic acids, were the main acidic polysaccharides in all species. The amount and composition of water-soluble carbohydrates from ground wood samples were also analysed, since these are important in mechanical pulping and as a possible source of bioactive polymers. The main polysaccharides released from the spruce species were mannans, together with starch from sapwood. Especially Abies balsamea stemwood, but also Abies sibirica heartwood, released considerable amounts of pectins, suggesting that fir species may release more troublesome anionic polysaccharides than spruce species. Heartwood of Larix lariciana, Larix decidua, Pinus banksiana, and Pinus resinosa released considerable amounts of acidic arabinogalactans. Thuja occidentalis released mainly arabinogalactans and pectins. Pseudotsuga menziesii heartwood released a large amount of arabinogalactans.     

Stakeholder position paper: pork producer perspective on antibiotic use data

Modern pork production uses a variety of tools to ensure the health, welfare and productivity of pigs. Therapeutic (treatment and prevention of disease) use and use for enhancing growth and feed efficiency (growth promotion) are the two options for use on the farm. Collecting meaningful and accurate antibiotic use data faces significant challenge because of the number and variety of production systems, the need for broad stakeholder analysis of the data and the lack of consistent and science-based definitions of antibiotic use categories. The National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) is one mechanism that estimates uses based on a statistical sample of the nation's swine herd. If, based on sound science, additional information on antibiotic use is considered necessary, stakeholders should discuss the best implementation strategies to achieve the desired result. Producers continue in their science-based commitment to ensure the safety of pork and to maintain consumer confidence.