A differential lysis method for the isolation of Cowdria ruminantium DNA

In order to isolate pure Cowdria ruminantium DNA an enzymatic lysis procedure was used to lyse Cowdria-infected bovine endothelial cell cultures differentially. Infected host cells were treated with trypsin followed by DNase digestion and centrifugation. This method resulted in the isolation of intact Cowdria organisms and removed bovine DNA effectively.     

Rationalisation of the mass spectrometric and gas chromatographic behaviour of organophosphorus pesticides: Part 1–substituted phenyl phosphorothioates

The mass spectrometric and gas chromatographic behaviour of a series of O,O-dialkyl O-(substituted phenyl) phosphorothioates, and some related compounds is reported. Several of these compounds are widely used as pesticides. Appraisal of these data has permitted an increased understanding of the influence of phenyl substituents on the appearance of the mass spectra of these compounds. In particular, the nature and extent of mass spectrometric ortho effects, which are associated with weak molecular ion intensity, and/or the generation of rearrangement ions are reported. Examples in which an understanding of these effects has been helpful in the identification of related compounds, such as technical impurities and degradation products, are given. Published mass spectrometric data for some of these compounds are critically appraised.     

The use of a technicon SMA 12/60 multichannel biochemical analyzer in veterinary clinical pathology.

This article has described many of the advantages of using a sequential multichannel autoanalyzer to obtain a biochemical profile on animal blood specimens and how this profile can be used in assessing the patients biochemical status. Precautions concerning the collection of blood samples to avoid spurious results have been emphasized. Hemolysis should, in particular, be avoided. Ideally, plasma should be separated from cells shortly after collection and refrigerated. If this is not possible, storage of whole blood under refrigeration (4 degrees C.) is permissible for a short period. In these cases minor changes in blood glucose, total CO2, and calcium may be expected. Also presented are some of the statistical calculations and manipulations that are possible utilizing a data bank containing the data from the SMA 12/60. This information is being used to update much of our knowledge of veterinary clinical pathology.     

Culture-positive sepsis in neonatal camelids: 21 cases

BACKGROUND: There is limited literature on neonatal bacterial sepsis in New World (NW) camelids. HYPOTHESIS: Bacterial culture-positive crias have clinical differences based on the specific bacterial genera isolated. ANIMALS: Bacterial culture-positive NW camelid crias <21 days of age from 1990 to 2005 were included. METHODS: Historic physical examination and cliniopathologic data were retrieved from medical records as were the identity and antibiograms of bacterial isolates. Cases were categorized by outcome (survival versus nonsurvival) and type of sepsis (gram-negative or gram-positive). Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square testing were used to evaluate differences between groups. RESULTS: Twenty-one crias met the inclusion criteria. Median age was 2 days. Failure of passive transfer was common. There were few differences identified on the basis of outcome or type of sepsis. Crias without gastrointestinal or central nervous system involvement survived in greater numbers. Forty-six percent of isolates were gram-positive. The most common isolates were the following: Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Citrobacter spp. Overall survival was 67% (14/21). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Crias with sepsis do not appear to present with major biochemical, hematologic, or blood gas abnormalities, potentially complicating diagnosis. Affected crias may not have localizing signs at presentation and are not usually febrile, although hypothermia, tachypnea, and tachycardia are relatively common. Total protein concentration was not a substitute for immunoglobulin G measurement in septic crias in this study. Familiarity with the clinical presentation and common pathogens isolated should improve early recognition and treatment and ultimately outcome of crias with sepsis.     

Hepatic encephalopathy in a pregnant mare: identification of histopathological changes in the brain of a mare and fetus

An 11-year-old Thoroughbred broodmare was evaluated for suspected hepatic dysfunction. Clinical signs of hepatic encephalopathy were evident at admission. Hepatic ultrasonographic evaluation revealed an increase in hepatic size, rounded borders and normal echogenicity. There was no evidence of cholelithiasis or bile duct distention. Increased activity of hepatic enzymes, increased bile acid and bilirubin concentration and an increased ammonia concentration were supportive of a diagnosis of hepatic disease and hepatic encephalopathy. Histopathological evaluation of a liver biopsy specimen was consistent with chronic active hepatitis. The mare was treated with intravenous fluids and antimicrobials, pentoxyfilline, branched-chain amino acids and dietary manipulation. Clinical improvement was observed initially; however, 3 weeks later, deterioration in the mare's condition necessitated euthanasia. Pathological lesions at necropsy were restricted to the liver and brain. The liver was diffusely firm with a prominent reticular pattern on the cut surface. A large choledocholith was present in the main bile duct of the left liver lobe. Histopathological examination of the liver revealed severe fibrosis, with hyperplastic bile ducts and mononuclear and neutrophilic inflammation. Pathological changes consistent with hepatic encephalopathy, (Alzheimer type II cells), were evident in the cerebrum of both the mare and the fetus.     

Disease risks associated with free-ranging wild boar in Saskatchewan

This study investigated the disease status of Saskatchewan’s feral wild boar population. Whole carcasses, tissue samples, and/or serum from 81 hunter-killed boars from Saskatchewan were submitted to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) between 2009 and 2014. Serological tests were negative for PRRS, H1N1, and H3N2 swine influenza, PCV-2, and TGE/PRCV in 22/22 boars and for Toxoplasma gondii and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in 20/20 boars. Of 20 boars whose sera were tested 20 were positive for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, with 7 positive for, among other strains, serotype 14; 16 were positive for Lawsonia intracellularis, 1 was positive and 6 were suspicious for Salmonella spp. Polymerase chain reaction tests were negative for PRRS and PCV2 in 58/58 boars and positive for Torque teno virus in 1/8 boars. Digestion assays were negative for Trichinella spp. in 22/22 boars. The high seroprevalence of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 14 is noteworthy as this serotype has not been previously reported in North America.     

Gymnodimine C, an isomer of gymnodimine B, from Karenia selliformis

Gymnodimine C (1), an oxidized analogue of the spiro-imine algal toxin gymnodimine (3), was isolated from extracts of the cells of Karenia selliformis. The structure of gymnodimine C, determined by one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, was found to be isomeric with gymnodimine B (2) at C-18.     

Marine natural products as prototype agrochemical agents

In the interest of identifying new leads that could serve as prototype agrochemical agents, 18 structurally diverse marine-derived compounds were examined for insecticidal, herbicidal, and fungicidal activities. Several new classes of compounds have been shown to be insecticidal, herbicidal, and fungicidal, which suggests that marine natural products represent an intriguing source for the discovery of new agrochemical agents.