A Necropsy Survey of Neurologic Diseases in 4,319 Horses Examined in Normandy (France) from 1986 to 2006

The frequencies of neurologic diseases and various corresponding causes were analyzed in 4,319 Norman horses examined by autopsy between 1986 and 2006. Five hundred forty-three cases of nervous system disorders were detected, or a total prevalence of 12.6%. One hundred eighty-seven of the 543 horses (34.4%) exhibited lesions of a traumatic origin affecting the skull or the vertebral column at different levels. Their frequency was less in foals younger than 1 month of age and higher in horses aged 6 months to 2 years. Eighty-three cases of cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM) (15.3%) were identified. Males and geldings were more often affected than females. CVCM was diagnosed mostly in animals aged 6 months to 2 years. Horses affected with lesions in the mid-cervical region (region C3–C5) were significantly younger than those exhibiting more caudal lesions (region C5–C7). Neonatal maladjustment syndrome was diagnosed in 62 foals younger than 3.5 days (4.8% of the causes of death between birth and 1 month) by using clinical or lesional criteria. The prevalence was higher in Thoroughbreds as well as in the miscellaneous breed category and less in French Standardbreds. Bacterial meningoencephalomyelitis and meningitis represented 9.6% of nervous system disorders (52 cases) and most often affected foals aged 1 to 6 months. The main bacteria identified were beta-hemolytic Streptococci , Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Actinobacillus sp. The other causes diagnosed were, in decreasing order of frequency: grass sickness or equine dysautonomia (6.3% of neurologic diseases), hepatic encephalopathy syndrome (5.2%), septic vertebral arthritis or osteitis mainly caused by Rhodococcus equi (2.6%), congenital defects of the nervous system (2.4%), equine herpesvirus 1 myeloencephalopathy (2.2%), botulism (2.2%), malformations of the vertebral column other than CVCM (2%), and neighboring polyneuritis associated with guttural pouch mycosis (1.5%).     

Chlamydial infections in duck farms associated with human cases of psittacosis in France

Five severe cases of psittacosis in individuals associated with duck farms were notified in France between January and March 2006. Diagnostic examination included serology and/or molecular detection by PCR from respiratory samples. As a consequence, we investigated all duck flocks (n=11) that were housed in the three farms where human infections occurred. While serology by complement fixation test was negative for all samples, cloacal and/or tracheal chlamydial excretion was detected by PCR in all three units. Notably, one duck flock was tested strongly positive in 2 of the 3 affected farms, and Chlamydophila (C.) psittaci strains were isolated from cloacal and/or tracheal swab samples from both farms. Human samples and duck isolates exhibited the same PCR-RFLP restriction pattern, which appeared to be an intermediate between genotypes A and B. Analysis of ompA gene sequences and comparison to those of the type strains showed that the isolates could not be strictly assigned to any of the generally accepted genotypes of C. psittaci. Further analysis by MLVA of the PCR-positive human samples revealed two distinct patterns, which were related to previously isolated C. psittaci duck strains.     

Prioritizing action for recovery and conservation of marine species: a case study based on species of conservation importance around England

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Examining the Effect of Billboards in Shaping the Great Wolf Debate of the American West

Large carnivore reintroductions have become commonplace in modern conservation. Despite the benefits of such initiatives, conflict with humans can jeopardize their success. Reintroductions of grey wolves (Canis lupus) in the American West are particularly polarizing, and opposing views are often popularized through visual media. We examined public billboards, both for and against wolves, in eastern Washington State. We used social science concepts—framing, affect, and the psychology of advertising—to assess the billboards’ role in the wolf debate. We analyzed visual imagery, traced frames in newspaper articles, and conducted interviews with local stakeholders. Our results showed that the billboards attracted attention to the issue and increased tension within the debate. However, they were limited in their ability to stimulate engagement due to a discrepancy between their structure and intended impacts. Results suggested the necessity for careful selection of campaign techniques and focused alignment of imagery and frames.     

Successful management of severe hypoventilation and hypercapnia in an alpaca (Vicugna pacos) with short‐term mechanical ventilation

Objective – To describe the successful management of an alpaca with severe hypoventilation and hypercapnia, suspected to be secondary to an anesthesia‐related event. Case Summary – A 3‐year‐old, female alpaca underwent a routine eye enucleation under general anesthesia after traumatic globe perforation. Severe hypoventilation and associated hypercapnia developed postoperatively resulting in a severe primary respiratory acidosis. The awake alpaca was supported with positive‐pressure ventilation for approximately 20 hours before successful weaning. Recovery to hospital discharge occurred over the subsequent 5 days with the alpaca regaining apparently normal respiratory function. New or Unique Information Provided – To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first report describing positive‐pressure ventilation of an alpaca in the veterinary literature. In this case of severe hypoventilation, ventilatory support was essential to the positive outcome. As South American camelids continue to increase in popularity there may be an increased demand for high‐quality and sophisticated veterinary care for these animals. Mechanical ventilation can be used to help restore and maintain normal PO₂, PCO₂, and respiratory acid‐base status in alpacas with ventilatory dysfunction.     

Potential of Aquatic Macrophytes as Bioindicators of Heavy Metal Pollution in Urban Stormwater Runoff

The concentrations of heavy metals in water, sediments, soil, roots, and shoots of five aquatic macrophytes species (Oenanthe sp., Juncus sp., Typha sp., Callitriche sp.1, and Callitriche sp.2) collected from a detention pond receiving stormwater runoff coming from a highway were measured to ascertain whether plants organs are characterized by differential accumulations and to evaluate the potential of the plant species as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution in urban stormwater runoff. Heavy metals considered for water and sediment analysis were Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and As. Heavy metals considered for plant and soil analysis were Cd, Ni, and Zn. The metal concentrations in water, sediments, plants, and corresponding soil showed that the studied site is contaminated by heavy metals, probably due to the road traffic. Results also showed that plant roots had higher metal content than aboveground tissues. The floating plants displayed higher metal accumulation than the three other rooted plants. Heavy metal concentrations measured in the organs of the rooted plants increased when metal concentrations measured in the soil increased. The highest metal bioconcentration factors (BCF) were obtained for cadmium and nickel accumulation by Typha sp. (BCF = 1.3 and 0.8, respectively) and zinc accumulation by Juncus sp. (BCF = 4.8). Our results underline the potential use of such plant species for heavy metal biomonitoring in water, sediments, and soil.