Seroprevalence of Chlamydia psittaci-specific antibodies in small stock in Namibia--epidemiological study with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

An IgG (H+L)-ELISA was applied as a screening test for antibodies against Chlamydia (C.) psittaci in sera of goats and sheep in Namibia. In 576 (27.3%) of a total of 2,107 sera (299 = 25.2% of 1,185 caprine and 277 = 30.0% of 922 ovine sera) chlamydial antibodies could be detected. 86% of all farms tested revealed seropositive animals. Chlamydial infections were prevalent in all the geographical regions tested. The infection rates per State Veterinary District varied from 12.0% (Otjiwarongo) to 50.0% (Otavi) in goats and from 13.3% (Otjiwarongo) to 41.7% (Windhoek) in sheep. The regional distribution of chlamydial infections was not related to geographical or climatic factors. Sera from herds showing symptoms indicative for chlamydial infections showed significantly higher antibody rates (35% in goats and 39% in sheep) than sera from herds without health problems (18% in goats and 24% in sheep). Considering only sera from farms with clinical history of chlamydiosis, high seroprevalences were correlated to the symptoms abortion and keratoconjunctivitis. As in other countries, enzootic abortion seems to be the main manifestation of chlamydial infection in small ruminants in Namibia. C. psittaci might also play a considerable role in the etiology of infectious keratoconjunctivitis, whereas association with other clinical entities seems to be rare.     

A comparison between the v‐gel supraglottic airway device and the cuffed endotracheal tube for airway management in spontaneously breathing cats during isoflurane anaesthesia

ObjectiveTo compare airway management using the v-gel supraglottic airway device (v-gel SGAD) to that using an endotracheal tube (ETT), with respect to practicability, leakage of volatile anaesthetics and upper airway discomfort in cats.Study designProspective, randomized clinical trial.AnimalsTwenty European Shorthair cats (9 males, 11 females), weighing 3.3 ± 0.7 kg.MethodsCats were randomly allocated to one of two groups, in which the airway was managed by either the v-gel SGAD or a cuffed ETT, and anaesthetized for neutering procedures. The dose of propofol necessary to insert the ETT or v-gel SGAD; time from the first injection of propofol to the first clinically acceptable reading on the capnograph; leakage of isoflurane around the airway device; and upper airway discomfort scores during recovery and during the first 24 hours after anaesthesia were recorded. Continuous and discrete variables were analyzed with the Mann–Whitney U-test and the Pearson chi-squared test, respectively. Results were considered statistically significant if p < 0.05.ResultsTime from the first injection of propofol to the first clinically acceptable reading on the capnograph was significantly shorter in the v-gel group. The ETT group showed significantly more stridor during recovery. No other significant differences were found.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAirway management with the v-gel SGAD is a sound and practicable alternative to endotracheal intubation with an ETT. However, larger prospective trials will be needed to draw firm conclusions on the benefits and/or drawbacks of the use of v-gel SGAD for airway management in cats.