Use of antiviral medications against equine herpes virus associated disorders

Numerous types of equine herpesviruses (EHV) continue to afflict horses resulting in a variety of clinical manifestations. While many of the clinical manifestations of EHV are self‐limiting or require only supportive care, some clinical expressions of EHV infections cause severe risk to the horse's overall health and can result in abortion, long‐term deficits or death. Antiviral medications are infrequently utilised therapeutics in equine medicine and their exact efficacy is largely unknown. However, the use of antiviral medications may potentially decrease convalescent time and improve outcome in horses with EHV‐related diseases. Thus, equine practitioners should consider the potential use of antiviral medications in the future. The purpose of this article is to familiarise the equine practitioner with current information in regard to antiviral medications and their potential uses in equine medicine.     

Signal detection theory clarifies the concept of perceptual range and its relevance to landscape connectivity

Understanding functional connectivity is critical for several issues in ecology and conservation. When animals actively search for habitat across landscapes, their perceptual range of habitats can profoundly influence connectivity. Nonetheless, conceptual development and estimation of perceptual ranges and their influence on connectivity have been limited. Signal detection theory (SDT) has a long tradition in several disciplines to address the problem of detecting stimuli in noisy and uncertain environments. SDT is particularly useful for understanding perceptual ranges because it acknowledges uncertainty in the detection process and distinguishes between two key parameters that have previously been confounded when interpreting the perceptual range of animals: signal detectability and response bias of individuals. Here we extend SDT to the concept of perceptual range, provide approaches for estimating patch detectability and response bias, and apply this framework to interpreting the perceptual range of cactus bugs (Chelinidea vittiger). We find that signal detectability of habitat by C. vittiger, and thus their perceptual range, is between 1 and 2 m, based on generalized linear models aimed at estimating signal detection parameters. SDT provides new insights into perceptual ranges and functional connectivity, which may help understand intra and interspecific variation in animal responses to modified landscapes.     

Terraclor (PCNB) for control ofRhizoctonia solani. II. PCNB residues in tubers

Terraclor (PCNB) applied to soils by broadcast and row slightly reduced the incidence ofRhizoctonia solani but did not increase yield or per cent of U. S. No. 1 tubers either by weight or numbers. Residues of PCNB in tubers grown in treated soils increased as the rate per acre of PCNB increased. Almost all of the residues were in the tuber peel.     

The implications of controlling grazed sward height for the operation and productivity of upland sheep systems in the UK. 5. The effect of stocking rate and reduced levels of nitrogen fertilizer

The implications for UK upland sheep systems of reducing nitrogen fertilizer application to perennial ryegrass/white clover swards were studied over 3 years. Sward height (3·5–5·5 cm) was controlled for ewes with lambs until weaning using surplus pasture areas for silage; thereafter, ewes and weaned lambs were grazed on separate areas, and sward height was controlled by adjusting the size of the areas grazed and using surplus pasture areas for silage if necessary. Combinations from three stocking rates [10, 6 and 4 ewes ha⁻¹ on the total area (grazed and ensiled)] and four nitrogen fertilizer levels (150, 100, 50 and 0 kg ha⁻¹) provided six treatments that were replicated three times. Average white clover content was negatively correlated with level of nitrogen fertilizer. The proportion of white clover in the swards increased over the duration of the experiment. Control of sward height and the contribution from white clover resulted in similar levels of lamb liveweight gain on all treatments. All treatments provided adequate winter fodder as silage. It is concluded that the application of nitrogen fertilizer can be reduced or removed from upland sheep pastures without compromising individual animal performance provided that white clover content and sward height are maintained. Resting pastures from grazing by changing ensiled and grazed areas from year to year sustained white clover content over a 3-year period.     

Incidence and new records of Mycosphaerella species within a Eucalyptus globulus plantation in Western Australia

Eucalyptus globulus is the predominant exotic hardwood plantation species in Western Australian (WA), and is often planted adjacent to native eucalypt forests. The increase in number of Mycosphaerella species associated with Mycosphaerella leaf disease (MLD) in E. globulus plantations in WA in the past decade has raised concern about the possible movement of pathogens between the native forests and plantations. In order to determine whether the introduction of new E. globulus genetics into WA may have further exacerbated this situation, juvenile and adult foliage were taken from a genetics trial near Albany, WA consisting of 60 full-sib families and Mycosphaerella species identified using morphological and molecular tools. Eleven species of Mycosphaerella were identified from one plantation: Mycosphaerella fori (Pseudocercospora fori) and Mycosphaerella ellipsoidea are new records for Australia; Mycosphaerella tasmaniensis (Passalora tasmaniensis) and Mycosphaerella suttoniae (Kirramyces epicoccoides) are new records for WA; and Mycosphaerella nubilosa, Mycosphaerella cryptica, Mycosphaerella marksii, Mycosphaerella molleriana, Mycosphaerella lateralis, Mycosphaerella aurantia and Mycosphaerella parva, previously recorded for WA. The most frequently isolated species from juvenile foliage was M. marksii (77%) followed by M. nubilosa (33%). M. nubilosa was most frequently isolated from adult leaves (88%) followed by M. parva (7.5%). Three species, M. molleriana, M. lateralis and M. cryptica, were only isolated from adult leaves while M. ellipsoidea was only isolated from juvenile leaves. These records increase the number of known Mycosphaerella species from eucalypts in WA from 10 to 13. The increase in the number, distribution and impact of Mycosphaerella species contributing to MLD in WA is of concern both to the potential productivity of the plantations and the biosecurity of native WA Eucalyptus species. Continued monitoring of the plantation estate is required to understand the dynamics of the host–pathogen interactions.     

Effect of level of protein and supplemental choline on reproductive performance of gilts fed sorghum diets

A total of 214 gilts was used (two trials) to determine the effect of protein level and choline supplementation during gestation on weight gain, conception rate and subsequent reproductive performance. The gilts were fed either a 12 or 16% crude protein sorghum-soybean meal diet containing either a high supplemental choline level or no supplemental choline in a 2 X 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Conception rate was not influenced by either protein or choline level. Choline supplementation increased pig weight at 42 d of age (P less than .14) and litter weight at 21 (P less than .12) and 42 d (P less than .1). Gilts fed the 16% protein diet produced larger pigs at 42 d (P less than .13) and heavier litters at birth, (P less than .1) 21 d (P less than .14) and 42 d (P less than .05) than gilts fed the 12% protein diet. A larger choline effect on litter size and pig and litter weight was observed for gilts fed the 12% protein diet than for those fed the 16% gestation diet, although the protein-choline interaction was not significant for any traits measured. The incidence of spraddle leg condition was low and was not affected by level of dietary protein or supplemental choline.     

Isolation of very virulent Marek''s disease viruses from vaccinated chickens in Australia

Very virulent Marek's disease viruses (vvMDV), defined as isolates against which the herpesvirus of turkey (HVT) vaccine provide poor protection, have been isolated from poultry flocks in both the United States and Europe. Twenty-one samples from vaccinated Australian flocks, experiencing problems with excessive Marek's disease (MD), were tested for the presence of transmissible MD viruses (MDV). Of the 16 samples which contained a transmissible agent, 14 were pathogenic in chickens, based on the development of MD lesions or depression of the bursa/body weight ratio. Of the pathogenic isolates which have been successfully typed 10 were serotype 1, and one was serotype 2 MDV. Pathogenicity of isolates varied. Several isolates caused tumours in 20-30% of both vaccinated and unvaccinated chickens. Two isolates, MPF6 and MPF23, caused tumours in more than 50% of chickens. When MPF6 and MPF23 were tested in vaccine trials bivalent vaccine gave no better protection against development of MD lesions than a monovalent vaccine. Isolate MPF23 was so pathogenic that lesions were produced in all chickens, regardless of the vaccine protocol used. Therefore vvMDV have been isolated in Australia, and unlike the vaccines tested overseas, bivalent Australian vaccines do not appear to provide greater protection against these vvMDV.     

Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies in normal Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eosinophils and in those from birds with experimentally induced eosinophilia

Normal eosinophil development in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) was similar to that described in the fowl and the duck, with granulogenesis occurring in the Golgi apparatus. The characteristic lipid droplets were small in the immature eosinophils, and after staining specifically for lipid, small moieties were also traced to the Golgi apparatus. In mature eosinophils the lipid droplets measured between 1.0 and 1.5 micron in diameter and they were surrounded by profiles of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Eosinophilia was difficult to induce in quails; injections of either horse serum or bovine serum albumin (BSA)/aluminium hydroxide produced a poor response. In some quails in which eosinophilia was produced, however, eosinophil granules showed many crescentic and vacuolated forms. The lipid droplets in the activated eosinophils were fused in many cells to form large intracellular aggregates of lipid. Quail eosinophils, which hitherto have been regarded as peroxidase-negative, had strong activity in the lipid droplets of cells from stimulated birds. It is postulated that this peroxidase-positive reaction may represent a form of ceroid or lipofuscin pigment resulting from lipid peroxidation. Acid phosphatase and trimetaphosphatase reactions were reduced in many activated cells, with a large proportion of granules being non-reactive. The results of dietary manipulations in quails appear to suggest that in stressful situations the eosinophil metabolism is altered and there is a reduction in the number of lipid droplets in the cell.     

Raw mung beans as a protein source for bred gilts

A study involving 546 crossbred gilts from six seasons was conducted to evaluate raw mung beans as a partial replacement for soybean meal in diets for gilts during gestation. Gilts were randomly allotted to either a control sorghum grain-soybean meal diet or a diet in which a portion of the soybean meal was replaced with mung beans. In the first three seasons, gilts were fed diets in which the protein supplement was totally soybean meal or 89% mung beans (high level) and 11% soybean meal. In the last three seasons the level of mung beans in the supplemental protein was reduced to 61% mung beans with 39% soybean meal (moderate level). Feeding the high level of mung beans decreased (P less than .05) weight gain during gestation and reduced (P less than .05) weight loss during lactation compared with gilts fed the control diet or the moderate level of mung beans. Little difference was noted in litter size at birth, but litter size at 21 d for gilts fed moderate levels of mung beans was less (P less than .05) than for gilts fed the control diet or the high level of mung beans. Little difference was noted in survival rate to 21 or 42 d or individual and litter weights at birth and 21 d. Pig and litter weights at 42 d, however were reduced in gilts fed the high level of mung beans (P less than .05 and P less than .10, respectively) compared with the control diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fine structural and cytochemical studies of eosinophils from fowls and ducks with eosinophilia

The ultrastructure and cytochemistry of eosinophils from adult fowl and ducks with either spontaneous or experimentally induced eosinophilia were examined. The results showed that a high proportion of the eosinophils in the peripheral blood of eosinophilic birds had ultrastructural features different from those of normal eosinophils. In both species, there was a reduction in cell size. Fowl eosinophil granules showed similar morphological changes to those seen in the quail with many crescentic and vacuolated forms being present. In eosinophilic ducks, the crystalline interna of the specific granules were often fragmented or were either partially or completely lysed. Cytochemically, peroxidase activity in both species was generally unaltered in abnormal eosinophils compared with those from normal birds. This correlates with the findings in man. However, amounts of acid phosphatase and trimetaphosphatase were reduced in many cells, with a large proportion of granules being non-reactive. The latter observation corresponds with that in quail but differs from man, in which stimulated eosinophils have increased enzymatic activity.