Assessing the role of long-distance translocation and spatial heterogeneity in the raccoon rabies epidemic in Connecticut

Spatial heterogeneity and long-distance translocation (LDT) play important roles in the spatio-temporal dynamics and management of emerging infectious diseases and invasive species. We assessed the influence of LDT events on the invasive spread of raccoon rabies through Connecticut. We identified several putative LDT events, and developed a network-model to evaluate whether they became new foci for epidemic spread. LDT was fairly common, but many of the LDTs were isolated events that did not spread. Two putative LDT events did appear to become nascent foci that affected the epidemic in surrounding townships.

In evaluating the role of LDT, we simultaneously revisited the problem of spatial heterogeneity. The spread of raccoon rabies is associated with forest cover—rabies moves up to three-times slower through the most heavily forested townships compared with those with less forestation. Forestation also modified the effect of rivers. In the best overall model, rabies did not cross the river separating townships that were heavily forested, and the spread slowed substantially between townships that were lightly forested. Our results suggest that spatial heterogeneity can be used to enhance the effects of rabies control by focusing vaccine bait distribution along rivers in lightly forested areas. LDT events are a concern, but this analysis suggests that at a local scale they can be isolated and managed.     

Biological control of nematode parasites of small ruminants in Malaysia using the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans

Control of nematode parasites of small ruminants in a wet, tropical environment using the nematophagous fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans, was assessed in this study. Two methods of fungal delivery were tested, namely as a daily feed supplement, or incorporated into feed blocks. Initially, pen trials were conducted with individually penned groups of sheep and goats at dose rates of 125,000 spores and 250,000 spores/kg live weight per day. At the lower dose rate this reduction was between 80 and 90% compared with the pre-treatment levels. At the higher dose rate, there was virtually complete suppression (>99% reduction) of larval recovery. Trials using the fungal feed blocks, showed that when animals were individually penned, they consumed only small amounts of the block (particularly goats), hence little effect on larval recovery in faecal cultures was observed. Grouping animals according to species and dose rate induced satisfactory block consumption and subsequent high levels of larval reduction in faecal cultures. These larval reductions were mirrored by the presence of fungus in faecal cultures. This work was followed by a small paddock trial, whereby three groups of sheep were fed either a feed supplement without fungal spores, supplement with spores, or offered fungal blocks. The dose rate of spores in the latter two groups was 500,000 spores/kg live weight per day. Egg counts were significantly reduced in the two fungal groups, compared with the control group and the latter required two salvage anthelmintic treatments to prevent mortality due to haemonchosis. Pasture larval numbers on the two fungal group plots were also much lower than on the control plot.     

Colostrum yield and litter performance in multiparous sows subjected to farrowing induction

The consumption of colostrum at a low level can compromise the survival and growth of piglets. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of farrowing induction on colostrum yield, IgG concentration and the survival and performance of piglets until the weaning. Sows of parity 3 to 7 were assigned into two groups: Control (n = 48), sows with spontaneous farrowing; and induction (n = 48), sows induced to farrow on day 114 of gestation with a PGF₂ analogue. Colostrum and blood samples were collected from the sows, at farrowing and 24 hr later. Blood samples from the piglets were collected at 24 hr after birth. The performance of the piglets was evaluated in a subsample of 28 litters from each group. All piglets were weighed at 7, 14 and 20 days of age. The farrowing length, the number of piglets born alive, stillborn piglets, weight at birth, litter weight at birth and colostrum yield were not significantly affected (p > .05) by farrowing induction. There was no difference between the groups (p > .05) in the percentage of sows with obstetric interventions. Serum IgG concentration, in both sows and piglets, and colostrum IgG concentration were similar between the groups (p > .05). Furthermore, survival rate, piglet weight and litter weight at 7, 14 and 20 days of age were also similar between the groups (p > .05). Therefore, it can be concluded that the farrowing induction performed on day 114 of gestation does not affect the colostrum yield, the IgG concentration in colostrum and serum of piglets, and the litter performance until the weaning.     

COMPARISON OF TRANSVERSE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC EXCRETORY UROGRAPHY IMAGES AND MAXIMUM INTENSITY PROJECTION IMAGES FOR DIAGNOSING ECTOPIC URETERS IN DOGS

Computed tomographic maximum intensity projection (MIP) images have been shown to improve reader confidence in their diagnoses and to improve detection of vascular structures and pulmonary nodules. The objectives of this method comparison study were to compare transverse source computed tomographic excretory urography (CTEU) images to two, five, and 10 slab thick MIP images for diagnosing canine ectopic ureters, compare reader confidence, and evaluate interobserver agreement. Two board‐certified veterinary radiologists and a board‐certified small animal internist blindly reviewed transverse source CTEU and two, five, and 10 slab thick MIP images of 24 dogs enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria included a diagnostic CTEU and either cystoscopic or surgical confirmation of the presence or absence of ureteral ectopia. Eleven dogs were confirmed to have 17 ectopic ureters at surgery and/or cystoscopically. There was no significant difference in reader diagnoses between viewing methods or between viewing methods and the surgical/cystoscopic findings (P < 0.001). Reader confidence was significantly greater on two (P = 0.0080) and five (P = 0.0009) slab thick MIP images with significant interobserver agreement between readers for all viewing methods (P values ranging between 0.0363 and <0.001). In addition, the diagnostic accuracy of MIP images was similar to or better than transverse source CTEU images, when assessed by a radiologist. The study results suggest that CTEU is a reliable imaging technique for diagnosing canine ectopic ureters among specialists of varied experience. In addition, thin slice reconstructed MIP images improve reader confidence and potentially diagnostic accuracy, and thus their use should be considered, especially in more challenging cases.     

Effects of feeding intensity during the dry period on leukocyte and lymphocyte sub-populations, neutrophil function and health in periparturient dairy cows

The objective of this investigation was to study (1) the numbers of leukocytes, (2) the proportions of lymphocytes expressing CD4, CD8, WC1, B or IL2R and (3) neutrophil phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity in blood around parturition in three groups of dairy cows fed different levels of a total mixed ration during the last eight weeks before calving. All cows were fed ad libitum during the first eight weeks of lactation. Serum concentration of the acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA), the milk somatic cell count (SCC) and disease incidence were also recorded. Special emphasis was given to the weeks just before and just after calving as dairy cows are known to be immune suppressed during this period. Dry period diet had only minor effects on leukocyte numbers, and did not influence neutrophil phagocytosis and oxidative burst. In addition, no effect was observed on disease incidence or SAA concentrations. However, an increase in the proportion of B-lymphocytes and a decrease in the proportion of WC1+ T lymphocytes were observed after calving in cows fed high or low energy rations during the dry period, but not in cows fed a medium energy ration. The weeks just before and after parturition were characterised by neutrophilia, eosinopenia, lymphopenia and monocytosis, but time had no effect on neutrophil phagocytosis and oxidative burst. The proportions of CD4+, CD8+, B+ and IL-2R+ lymphocytes increased in early lactation relative to the mid dry period. In addition, the concentration of SAA increased dramatically at calving. The results emphasise the need for more studies to clarify the complex interactions between nutrition and immunity during the peripartum period in dairy cattle.     

Metabolic parameters and blood leukocyte profiles in cows from herds with high or low mastitis incidence

The objective of this study was to determine whether there were differences in metabolic parameters and blood leukocyte profiles between cows in herds with high or low yearly mastitis incidence. In this study, 271 cows from 20 high yielding dairy herds were examined. According to the selection criteria, all herds had low somatic cell counts. Ten of the selected herds represented low mastitis treatment incidence (LMI) and ten herds had high mastitis treatment incidence (HMI). The farms were visited once and blood samples were taken from each cow that was in the interval from three weeks before to 15 weeks after parturition. The eosinophil count was significantly lower among cows from the HMI herds in the period from four weeks to 15 weeks after parturition. The plasma concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, insulin and urea did not differ between groups, but the concentration of nonesterified fatty acids was significantly higher among HMI cows during the period three weeks after parturition. The concentration of the amino acid tryptophan in plasma was significantly lower among the HMI cows prior to parturition. Glutamine was significantly lower in cows from HMI herds during the first three weeks after parturition. Arginine was consistently lower in HMI cows, although the decrease was only significant during the period from four to fifteen weeks after parturition. The results suggest that there were differences in the metabolism and immune status between herds with high or low yearly mastitis treatment incidence indicating an increased metabolic stress in HMI cows.     

The effect of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and white clover (Trifolium repens) in mixed pasture swards on incoming and established nematode infections in young lambs

Lotus corniculatus L., a leguminous plant containing condensed tannins, is now being evaluated in Sweden as a component of mixed pastures. This is because of its high nutritive value, palatability, modest requirement for water, calcium and phosphorous and particularly because it has the ability to survive harsh weather conditions that typify northern Scandinavia. This trial was undertaken to assess the possible parasitological benefits of using L. corniculatus when fed as a minor component in a mixed pasture sward to young sheep. This was compared with similar sheep that were fed pasture with a comparable legume content consisting of Trifolium repens L. Separate groups of lambs, maintained in pens and provided with fresh pasture cuts containing either L. corniculatus or T. repens each day, were trickle-dosed with infective larvae of mixed parasite species. For each pasture type, groups of 6 lambs had either established worm burdens only, received incoming infections only, or had the combination of both adult and incoming infections. Worm burdens were monitored by serial faecal egg counts and at the termination of the study, all animals were slaughtered for worm recovery, identification and enumeration. The results showed that there were no differential effects between L. corniculatus and T. repens on the different stages of development for a range of nematode parasite species recovered from these lambs. Several reasons may account for this: such as the low level of condensed tannins in the L. corniculatus variety tested, the minor proportion of this plant in the diet and/or the variety of L. corniculatus used in this trial which do not provide any benefits to controlling parasites of sheep.