Kinetics and role of antibodies against intimin β in colostrum and in serum from goat kids and longitudinal study of attaching and effacing Escherichia coli in goat kids

The presence of antibodies to the intimin β-binding region (Int280-β) of attaching and effacing Escherichia coli (AEEC) in serum from 20 goat kids from 2 herds, as well as in goat colostrum, was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, the onset and subsequent pattern of shedding of AEEC from the same goat kids over a 6-mo period was investigated. All the colostrum and serum samples tested contained antibodies against Int280-β. The association between the antibody titer and the isolation of AEEC suggests that antibodies to intimin β do not prevent colonization of the intestine by AEEC in goat kids. The AEEC were generally shed only transiently. Most AEEC isolated from the kids belonged to serogroup O26. Three isolates belonged to serogroup O157. These data show that goat kids may be a reservoir of AEEC that are potentially pathogenic for humans.     

Hydrometra in a ferret-case report.

A desexed female ferret was presented with bilateral alopecic changes. Clinical examination revealed generalized alopecia and abdominal distension. A polycystic mass was found behind the right kidney, and the whole abdomen was filled with a large turgid mass. Radiography and ultrasonography confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of a hydrometra. Hematology and serum biochemistry showed regenerative anemia with light azotemia. Laparotomy showed the presence of a neoplastic mass at the location of the right ovary, a massive enlargement of the uterus filled with a clear fluid, and a subcapsular cyst on the left kidney. After surgery, histopathologic examination of the tissues diagnosed a leiomyoma of the right ovary with hyperplasia of the uterine wall.     

Human Dirofilaria repens infection in Hungary: a case in the spermatic cord and a review of the literature

Orchiectomy was performed in a 37-year-old Hungarian man exhibiting a swelling in his right testicle. Histology revealed a nodule attached to the spermatic cord, consisting of a granulomatous tissue around sections of a nematode. The worm was identified as Dirofilaria repens, an uncommon parasite in Hungary. As the patient had been abroad only in Italy where cases of dirofilariosis in dogs and humans are relatively frequent, it is assumed that the infection might have been acquired in that country 5 years earlier. This is the fifth case, published so far in the world, of such a localization in a human. The human cases of dirofilariosis reported in Hungary are reviewed.     

Demographics of cattle positive for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis by faecal culture,from submissions to the Cork Regional Veterinary Laboratory

The demography of bovine infections caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in Ireland is poorly defined. The objective of this study was to describe the demographics of cattle positive to MAP on faecal culture, based on submissions to the Cork Regional Veterinary Laboratory (Cork RVL) from 1994 to 2006. The study focused on all available faecal samples from adult cattle with non-responsive chronic diarrhoea that were submitted by private veterinary practitioners to Cork RVL for MAP culture. For each MAP-positive by faecal culture animal, data were collated from Cork RVL and Cattle Movement Monitoring Scheme (CMMS) records. Johne's disease (JD) was confirmed in 110 animals from 86 herds by the Cork RVL between 1994 and 2006, with a rate of positive cases between 15% and 18% over last four years of the study. Two breeds (Holstein/Friesian or Limousin) made up 78% of submissions. Movements were assessed for the 57 study animals with available movement information, 90% died within one year of the test and 26% tested positive in the herd they were born into. The study provides preliminary information about movement trends and demographics of animals with MAP positive submissions. Although the study area is restricted, it includes the most intensive (and economically-important) dairy region in Ireland. The demographics of JD infection from the study area are in agreement with international reports. Further work is required to determine demographic trends, incidence and prevalence of JD throughout Ireland. It is hoped this work may contribute to the development of a surveillance strategy for MAP by regional veterinary laboratories.     

Mycobacterium bovis cultured from commercially pasteurized cows' milk: laboratory cross-contamination

The ability of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis to survive the commercial pasteurization process of raw milk remains controversial. In a study undertaken in Venezuela to culture M. paratuberculosis from commercially pasteurized cows' milk, 83-200 ml containers of milk were processed and cultured on Herrold's egg yolk slants. No M. paratuberculosis was cultured but a total of six colonies of Mycobacterium bovis were isolated from one container each from two different milk providers. Because laboratory cross-contamination was suspected, the laboratory records were reviewed and spoligotyping was carried out on the isolated individual colonies. On the day before these milk specimens were processed, the biological safety cabinet had been used for the isolation of M. bovis from lymph nodes from infected cattle. Spoligotyping showed that that the colonies isolated from the milk all had the same pattern as the strains isolated from the lymph nodes that were processed the previous day. As far as we know, this is the first report of cross-contamination in a veterinary mycobacterial laboratory. False-positive cultures in the mycobacterial laboratory are not rare. In this setting M. bovis was isolated because it is the most common manipulated organism in this laboratory. We believe that reports on the isolation of M. paratuberculosis from commercially pasteurized milk should exclude cross-contamination before reporting, especially when this organism is routinely isolated from animal material in the same lab.     

Magnetic resonance imaging appearance of the brain and cervical spinal cord in an edema disease affected pig

A 7‐week‐old male pig was presented with signs of a central nervous system disorder. An MRI of the head and cervical spine was performed immediately after euthanasia. The MRI revealed multifocal bilaterally symmetric T2‐weighted hyperintense lesions in the brain and spinal cord, likely due to a toxic metabolic process. Histopathological examination supported the MRI findings and confirmed the diagnosis of edema disease due to Shiga‐like toxin produced by Escherichia coli. This is the first case published of the MRI findings in an edema disease affected pig.     

Reproductive seasonality in Saanen goats kept under tropical conditions

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study aimed to verify the reproductive seasonality in Saanen goats from distinct parity orders (nulliparous, primiparous, and pluriparous) throughout an...     

First report of porcine circovirus type 2 infections in Cuba

To obtain information about the porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection status of pigs in Cuba and the probable association of PCV2 with other porcine viruses, tissue samples collected from ill pigs were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR analysis showed that 67.7% of the samples (23/34) from seven swine herds of six different geographic regions were detected to be positive for PCV2. Ten of the 23 PCV2 positive samples (43.5%) shown a concurrent infection with porcine parvovirus (PPV) and 17 of 23 PCV2 positive samples (73.9%) exhibited a concomitant infection with classical swine fever virus (CSFV). This study is the first report of PCV2 infecting pigs with different clinical conditions in Cuban swine herds and provides evidence of PCV2 co-infection with PPV and CSFV in the field.     

Granulocyte and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factors as therapy in human and veterinary medicine

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs) and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSFs) are endogenous cytokines that regulate granulocyte colonies and play a major role in the stimulation of granulopoiesis (neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils) and in the regulation of microbicidal functions. There are numerous pathological conditions in which neutrophils are decreased, the most common being neutropenia associated with cancer chemotherapy, which increases the risk of serious microbial infections developing with the potential for high morbidity and mortality. New methods in molecular biology have led to the identification and cloning of CSF genes and biopharmaceutical production. Since then, CSFs have been widely used for the prevention and treatment of neutropenia associated with cancer chemotherapy, for mobilising haematopoietic cell precursors, and for other neutropenia-related pathologies. This review focuses on the use of CSFs within both human and veterinary medicine. Clinical applications, pharmacology, tolerability and the potential role of these factors in veterinary medicine are considered.     

Structural changes in femoral bone tissue of rats after subchronic peroral exposure to selenium

Background

The role of selenium (Se) on bone microarchitecture is still poorly understood. The present study aims to investigate the macroscopic and microscopic structures of femoral bone tissue in adult male rats after subchronic peroral administration of Se.

Methods

Twenty one-month-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups. In the first group (Se group) young males were exposed to 5 mg Na₂SeO₃/L in drinking water, for 90 days. Ten one-month-old males without Se administration served as a control group. At the end of the experiment, macroscopic and microscopic structures of the femurs were analysed using analytical scales, sliding instrument, and polarized light microscopy.

Results

The body weight, femoral length and cortical bone thickness were significantly decreased in Se group rats. These rats also displayed different microstructure in the middle part of the femur, both in medial and lateral views, where vascular canals expanded into the central area of the bone while, in control rats, these canals occurred only near the endosteal surfaces. Additionally, a smaller number of primary and secondary osteons was identified in Se group rats. Histomorphometric analyses revealed significant increases for area, perimeter, maximum and minimum diameters of primary osteons’ vascular canals but significant reductions for all measured variables of Haversian canals and secondary osteons.

Conclusions

Se negatively affected the macroscopic and microscopic structures of femoral bone tissue in adult male rats. The results contribute to the knowledge on damaging impact of Se on bone.