Gastrointestinal protozoa in non-human primates of four zoological gardens in Belgium

Gastrointestinal parasites are important infectious causes of diarrhoea in captive non-human primates (NHP). However, prevalence data of gastrointestinal parasites in zoological gardens are scarce. Therefore, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to estimate the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in NHP of four zoological gardens in Belgium. Between August 2004 and April 2006, 910 faecal samples were collected from 222 animals housed in 39 groups. The 31 species involved were representatives of prosimians, New World (NW) monkeys, Old World (OW) monkeys and apes. Because individual sampling was impossible, a statistical simulation was performed to estimate a sufficient sample size. All samples were microscopically examined after an acetic acid-ether concentration. Differences in host species susceptibility were examined by non-parametric tests. Entamoeba spp. (44%) and Giardia spp. (41%) were the most prevalent species. Other parasites detected were Endolimax nana (36%), Chilomastix mesnili (21%), Balantidium coli (13%), Trichuris spp. (10%), Iodamoeba bütschlii (5%) and Strongyloides spp. (5%). Parasites for which a significant difference in susceptibility at the level of host taxonomy was noted were Entamoeba spp. (p<0.001) and C. mesnili (p<0.05). Samples containing Entamoeba spp. were the most prevalent in OW monkeys (p<0.0083). Samples collected from OW monkeys contained the highest number of parasite species (p<0.0083).     

Endoscopic removal of esophageal and ruminal foreign bodies in 5 Holstein calves

Endoscopic removal of esophageal and ruminal foreign bodies was successfully performed in 5 Holstein-Friesian calves under sedation or general anesthesia by using an electrocautery snare or a wire-guided Dormi basket. This report describes the endoscopic manipulations, treatment, and outcomes of esophageal foreign body removal in these calves.     

Interleukin-6 and insulin incrase and nitric oxide and adiponectin decrease in blind dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism

In this study, two populations of dogs with pituitary dependent hypercortisolism (PDH) were compared over a 2-year period. One group had normal vision (Group A, n=27) and one group was blind (Group B, n=20). Group B was characterised by the rapid appearance of the clinical signs of PDH that precede blindness. We found increases in pre-adrenocorticotropic hormone cortisol (P=0.002), IL-6 (P=0.0001), insulin, and insulin sensitivity (detected with the Homeostatic Model Assessment, P<0.0001) in Group B but not in Group A. The nitric oxide (NO) and the total adiponectin concentrations decreased (P=0.0001 and P=0.02, respectively) in Group B versus Group A. The IL-6 and insulin concentrations and the HOMA-A index were positively correlated with the cortisol concentration and were negatively correlated with the NO concentration. With the exception of adiponectin, the other variables were associated with blindness. We concluded that blindness in PDH is a haemodynamic event associated with metabolic changes, with the increase in the IL-6 concentration and the decrease in the NO concentration affecting the retinal vasculature and producing a high risk of vision loss.     

Salinomycin toxicosis in horses

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-month-old American Paint filly was evaluated because of sudden onset of ataxia that progressed to recumbency. Five additional horses from the same and neighboring premises developed signs of poor performance, generalized weakness, ataxia, and recumbency; 2 of those horses were also evaluated. A new batch of a commercial feed supplement had been introduced to the horses' diet on each farm within the preceding 3 days. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Other than recumbency, findings of physical and neurologic examinations of the foal were unremarkable. The other 2 horses had generalized weakness and mild ataxia, and 1 horse also had persistent tachycardia. The foal had mild leukocytosis with neutrophilia, hyperglycemia, and mildly high serum creatine kinase activity. Results of cervical radiography, CSF analysis, and assessments of heavy metals and selenium concentrations in blood and vitamin E concentration in serum were within reference limits. Feed analysis revealed high concentrations of the ionophore antimicrobial salinomycin. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The 5 affected horses survived, but the foal was euthanized. At necropsy, a major histopathologic finding was severe vacuolation within neurons of the dorsal root ganglia, which was compatible with ionophore toxicosis. The surviving horses developed muscle atrophy, persistent weakness, and ataxia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In horses, ionophore toxicosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for acute weakness, ataxia, recumbency, or sudden death. Furthermore, ionophore toxicosis should be considered as a cause of poor performance, weakness, muscle wasting, and cardiac arrhythmias in horses. Surviving horses may have impaired athletic performance.     

Reproducibility and Repeatability of Equine Muscle Thickness Measurements with Ultrasound

This study examined the reproducibility and repeatability of muscle thickness (MT) measurements with ultrasound for the following muscles: extensor carpi radialis, extensor digitorum longus (both flexed and extended), gluteus medius, longissimus lumborum, semitendinosus, and supraspinatus. Three examiners measured thickness of these muscles in five Thoroughbreds on 3 consecutive days. The day of measurement did not have any effect on the mean MT value of the muscles examined (P > .05). The left longissimus lumborum muscle was the only muscle for which the second measurement varied from the first and third (P < .05). The examiners had an effect on the mean coefficient of variation (CV) of the thickness of the flexed left extensor carpi radialis and flexed left extensor digitorum longus. The daily measurements varied more in the case of one of the examiners. Mean CVs higher or close to 10% were reported for both sides of the flexed extensor digitorum longus and for the supraspinatus muscles. The lowest CV was calculated for the longissimus lumborum and the extended semitendinosus (<5%). The largest disagreements between the examiners were observed for both sides of the flexed extensor digitorum longus and the supraspinatus (>10%–<20%). The best agreement was measured for the extended extensor carpi radialis and the longissimus lumborum (>3%–<7%). The results showed that for some muscles, it was difficult to locate the exact anatomical site for taking the MT measurements. To reduce CV, it was suggested that only one examiner should take all the measurements and the whole procedure must be such that it is as comfortable as possible for this particular examiner.     

Effect of chiropractic manipulations on the kinematics of back and limbs in horses with clinically diagnosed back problems

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Although there is anecdotal evidence of clinical effectiveness of chiropractic in treatment of equine back pain, little scientific work has been reported on the subject. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the effect of chiropractic manipulations on back and limb kinematics in horse locomotion. METHODS: Kinematics of 10 Warmblood horses were measured over ground at walk and trot at their own, preferred speed before, and one hour and 3 weeks after chiropractic treatment that consisted of manipulations of the back, neck and pelvic area. Speed was the same during all measurements for each horse. RESULTS: Chiropractic manipulations resulted in increased flexion-extension range of motion (ROM) (P<0.05) at trot in the vertebral angular segments: T10-T13-T17 (0.3 degrees ) and T13-T17-L1 (0.8 degrees ) one hour after treatment, but decreased ROM after 3 weeks. The angular motion patterns (AMPs) of the same segments showed increased flexion at both gaits one hour after treatment (both angles 0.2 degrees at walk and 0.3 degrees at trot, P<0.05) and 3 weeks after treatment (1.0 degrees and 2.4 degrees at walk and 1.9 degrees and 2.9 degrees at trot, P<0.05). The lumbar (L3 and L5) area showed increased flexion after one hour (both angles 0.3 degrees at walk and 0.4 degrees at trot P<0.05), but increased extension after 3 weeks (1.4 degrees and 1.2 degrees , at trot only, P<0.05). There were no detectable changes in lateral bending AMPs. The inclination of the pelvis was reduced at trot one hour (1.6 degrees ) and 3 weeks (3 degrees ) after treatment (P<0.05). The mean axial rotation of the pelvis was more symmetrical 3 weeks after the treatment at both gaits (P<0.05). There were no changes in limb angles at walk and almost no changes at trot. CONCLUSIONS: The main overall effect of the chiropractic manipulations was a less extended thoracic back, a reduced inclination of the pelvis and improvement of the symmetry of the pelvic motion pattern. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Chiropractic manipulations elicit slight but significant changes in thoracolumbar and pelvic kinematics. Some of the changes are likely to be beneficial, but clinical trials with increased numbers of horses and longer follow-up are needed.     

Diagnostic and typing options for investigating diseases associated with Pasteurella multocida

Pasteurella multocida is responsible for major animal diseases of economic significance in both developed and developing countries whereas human infections related to this bacterium are infrequent. Significantly, development of a carrier status or latent infections plays a critical role in the epidemiology of these diseases. Aiming at increased knowledge of these infections, we examine potential diagnostic and selected typing systems for investigating diseases caused by P. multocida. Detection of P. multocida from clinical specimen by; (i) isolation and identification, (ii) polymerase chain reaction (PCR), iii) specific hybridisation probes, (iv) serological tests and (v) other alternative methods is critically evaluated. These detection systems provide a wide spectrum of options for rapid diagnosis and for detecting and understanding of latent infections in herd/flock health control programmes, though PCR methods for detecting P. multocida in clinical specimen appear increasingly preferred. For establishing the clonality of outbreak strains, we select to discuss macromolecular profiling, serotyping, biotyping, restriction enzyme analysis, ribotyping and multiplex PCR typing. Although P. multocida infections can be rapidly diagnosed with molecular and serological tests, isolation and accurate species identification are central to epidemiological tracing of outbreak strains. Our review brings together comprehensive and essential information that may be adapted for confirming diagnosis and determining the molecular epidemiology of diseases associated with P. multocida.