Serum IGFBP4 concentration decreased in dairy heifers towards day 18 of pregnancy

This study was conducted to determine if the main components of the somatotropic axis change during the early phase of pregnancy in the maternal blood system and whether differences exist on day 18 after pregnancy recognition by the maternal organism. Blood samples of pregnant heifers (Holstein Friesian; n = 10 after embryo transfer) were obtained on the day of ovulation (day 0), as well as on days 7, 14, 16 and 18 and during pregnant, non-pregnant and negative control cycles. The oncentrations of progesterone (P₄), oestrogen, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 and -2 (IGF1, -2) and IGF-binding protein-2, -3 and -4 (IGFBP2, -3, -4) were measured. The mRNA expressions of growth hormone receptor 1A, IGF1, IGF2, IGFBP2, IGFBP3 and IGFBP4 were detected using RT-qPCR in liver biopsy specimens (day 18). In all groups, total serum IGF1 decreased from day 0 to 16. Notably, IGFBP4 maternal blood concentrations were lower during pregnancy than during non-pregnant cycles and synchronized control cycles. It can be speculated that the lower IGFBP4 in maternal blood may result in an increase of free IGF1 for local action. Further studies regarding IGFBP4 concentration and healthy early pregnancy are warranted.     

Screening for antibodies against zoonotic agents among employees of the Zoological Garden of Vienna, Schönbrunn, Austria

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against zoonotic agents in employees of the zoological garden of Vienna, Sch?nbrunn, Austria. Sixty out of 120 employees participated in the study. In 97% of them antibodies to at least one zoonotic agent were identified. Only two participants were free of antibodies to the zoonotic agents tested. The following seroprevalences (in brackets) were obtained: Viral zoonotic (and potentially zoonotic) agents: Influenzavirus A/H1N1 (58%), Influenzavirus A/H3N2 (85%), Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (13%), Encephalomyocarditis virus (5%), Orthopox- (Cowpox-) virus and Hantavirus type Puumala (3%). Hantavirus type Hantaan and Borna disease virus (all negative). Bacterial zoonotic agents: Bartonella henselae (65 %), Borrelia burgdorferi (10%), Leptospira interrogans serovar copenhageni and serovar icterohaemorrhagiae as well as Chlamydophila psittoci (2% each). Brucella spp., Coxiella bumetii, and Francisella tularensis (all negative). Parasitic zoonotic agents: Toxoplasma gondii (53%), Toxocara spp. (21%), Capillaria hepatica (2%), Fasciola hepatica, Schistosoma mansoni, E. multilocularis, and E. granulosus (all negative). The remarkably high seroprevalence to the causative agent of cat scratch disease, Bartonella henselae, is probably due to the private contact of the employees to cats. Regarding viral zoonotic agents it has to be mentioned that Influenzavirus vaccination and/or human-to-human transmission of especially A/H3N2 Influenzaviruses probably attributed significantly to the very high seroprevalence to both Influenzavirus types A/H1N1 and A/H3N2. When investigating parasitic zoonotic agents, high prevalence rates were found against Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp., however, it was not possible to establish a causal link between seropositivity and the professional activity in the zoo. Interestingly, in the case of antibodies to T. gondii, the typical correlation with age was not found in this study, while in the case of the Toxocara spp. positive subjects a correlation was identified with both age and duration of employment in the zoo. Regarding the later two zoonotic parasites, employees of the zoological garden showed significantly higher seroprevalences than the average Austrian population. Antibodies to Capillaria hepatica, a hepatic-parasite in rodents which is diagnosed in humans rarely, were identified in one employee and another one showed a questionable positive result. Further investigations did not exhibit clinical infestations with the parasite in these two individuals so far.     

New view on the age-specificity of pig Cryptosporidium by species-specific primers for distinguishing Cryptosporidium suis and Cryptosporidium pig genotype II

Two species of Cryptosporidium are commonly identified in pigs: Cryptosporidium suis and Cryptosporidium pig genotype II. Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. is routinely based on molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) or gene sequencing. However, most of these methods are hampered by low sensitivity to mixed infections. As a solution of this problem, novel species-specific primers were designed and tested in the present study. Sensitivity of our primers was identical to genus-specific primers, but more (1:48) mixed infections were detected using these species-specific primers on 477 DNA samples originating from naturally infected pigs of different age categories. Our results show differences in age-dependent susceptibility of pigs to the infection. Whereas C. suis was found in all tested categories of pigs (1-12 week of age and sows), Cryptosporidium pig genotype II was recorded only in animals older than 6 week of age. Usage of species-specific primers could help to better the understanding of epidemiology of pig specific Cryptosporidium spp. and its occurrence, which, on the basis of our results, is underestimated.     

Comparison of three continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) interfaces in healthy Beagle dogs during medetomidine–propofol constant rate infusions

Objective

To compare the efficacy of three continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) interfaces in dogs on gas exchange, lung volumes, amount of leak during CPAP and rebreathing in case of equipment failure or disconnection.

Metabolic changes associated with anaesthesia and cherry poisoning in a pony

Observations  A case of a pony with severe cyanide intoxication as a result of cherry ingestion is presented. General anaesthesia was performed for colic surgery. Severe metabolic lactate acidosis in combination with a high arterial oxygen partial pressure and clinically good peripheral perfusion parameters were the remarkable signs during anaesthesia. Severe hypothermia was obvious during recovery. Ten hours post-surgery the pony was euthanized as a result of neurological signs. The diagnosis of cyanide intoxication was made post-mortem.
Conclusion  Cherry ingestion can lead to lethal cyanide intoxication in horses indicated by severe nonhypoxic lactic acidosis during anaesthesia.     

Antibodies to selected pathogens in free-ranging terrestrial carnivores and marine mammals in Canada

Antibody titres to selected pathogens (canine adenovirus [CAV-2], feline herpesvirus [FHV], phocine herpesvirus [PHV-1], canine distemper virus, dolphin morbillivirus [DMV], phocine distemper virus [PDV], parainfluenza virus type 3 [PI3], rabies virus, dolphin rhabdovirus [DRV], canine coronavirus, feline coronavirus, feline leukaemia virus, Borrelia burgdorferi and Toxoplasma gondii) were determined in whole blood or serum samples from selected free-ranging terrestrial carnivores and marine mammals, including cougars (Fellis concolor), lynxes (Fellis lynx), American badgers (Taxidea taxus), fishers (Martes pennanti), wolverines (Gulo gulo), wolves (Canis lupus), black bears (Ursus americanus), grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), polar bears (Ursus maritimus), walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) and belugas (Delphinapterus leucas), which had been collected at several locations in Canada between 1984 and 2001. Antibodies to a number of viruses were detected in species in which these infections have not been reported before, for example, antibodies to CAV-2 in walruses, to PDV in black bears, grizzly bears, polar bears, lynxes and wolves, to DMV in grizzly bears, polar bears, walruses and wolves, to PI3 in black bears and fishers, and to DRV in belugas and walruses.     

Resistance of mastitis pathogens in northern Germany

The data of 1692 susceptibility tests acquired from April 2003 through March 2004 in the mastitis laboratory of the Institute for Food Quality and Safety were summarized in order to help veterinarians confronted with acute mastitis in choosing the appropriate antibiotic. Two thirds of the milk samples were infected with gram-positive cocci. One third of these were identified as Streptococcus (S.) uberis, one fourth as Staphylococcus (S.) aureus. All isolates (100%) of S. uberis, S. dysgalactiae, S. agalactiae and Arcanobacterium pyogenes were susceptible to Penicillin and Ampicillin. Concering S. aureus, nearly 100% of the isolates were susceptible to Oxacillin, Cephalothin, Cefacetril, Cefquinom and Neomycin, but only 88% of the isolates were sensitive to Penicillin, Ampicillin and Cefoperazon. The gram-negative rods (Escherichia (E.) coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas spp.) displayed an irregular resistance pattern. More than 93% of all examined isolates including Pseudomonas spp. were susceptible to Colistin. The sensitivity of E. coli and Klebsiella spp.to Marbofloxacin, Enrofloxacin and Cefquinom exceeded 96%. Thus, the susceptibility of gram-positive mastitis pathogens to common antibiotics is favourable. Because the highly effective Colistin is no longer approved for local therapy, the situation for gram-negative bacteria is more difficult.     

Measurement of respiratory system compliance and respiratory system resistance in healthy dogs undergoing general anaesthesia for elective orthopaedic procedures

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate normal values for the dynamic compliance of the respiratory system (Crs) and respiratory system resistance (Rrs) in mechanically ventilated anaesthetized dogs.Study design Prospective clinical study.Animals Forty healthy dogs undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery. Body weight was (mean ± SD) 26.8 ± 10.7 kg (range: 1.9–45.0 kg), age 4.7 ± 2.9 years (range: 0.1–10.6 years).Methods Dogs were premedicated with acepromazine and methadone administered intramuscularly and anaesthesia induced with propofol intravenously. After endotracheal intubation the dog's lungs were connected to an appropriate breathing system depending on body weight and isoflurane in oxygen administered for maintenance of anaesthesia. The lungs were ventilated mechanically with variables set to maintain normocapnia (end‐tidal carbon dioxide concentration 4.7–6.0 kPa). Peak inspiratory pressure, Crs, Rrs, tidal volume, respiratory rate and positive end‐expiratory pressure were recorded at 5, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after start of mechanical ventilation. Cardiovascular variables were recorded at time of collection of respiratory data.Results General additive modeling revealed the following relationships: Crs = [0.895 × body weight (kg)] + 8.845 and Rrs = [?0.0966 × body weight (kg)] + 6.965. Body weight and endotracheal tube diameter were associated with Crs (p <0.001 and p =0.002 respectively) and Rrs (p = 0.017 and p =0.002 respectively), body weight being linearly related to Crs and inversely to Rrs.Conclusion and clinical relevance Body weight was linearly related to Crs while Rrs has an inverse linear relationship with body weight in mechanically ventilated dogs. The derived values of Crs and Rrs may be used for monitoring of lung function and ventilation in healthy dogs under anaesthesia.     

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O26:H11/H-: a human pathogen in emergence

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O26:H11 have emerged as the most important non-O157:H7 EHEC, with respect to their ability to cause diarrhoea and the haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). HUS is a leading cause of acute renal failure in children, and is mainly caused by EHEC expressing Shiga toxins (Stx) 1 and/or 2. Since 1996, EHEC O26, which produce Stx2 only and appear to have enhanced virulence, have been increasingly isolated from HUS patients in Germany. In contrast, EHEC O26 found in cattle predominantly produce Stx1 as the sole Stx. Additional potential virulence factors of EHEC O26 include cytolysins (EHEC hemolysin), serine proteases (EspP), lymphotoxins (Efal) and adhesins (intimin). The genes encoding the virulence factors are located within pathogenicity islands (eae, efa1), bacteriophages (stx) or plasmids (EHEC-hlyA, espP). In addition, EHEC O26 possess, in contrast to other EHEC, the "high pathogenicity island" (HPI), which is also present in pathogenic Yersiniae.This island contains genes involved in the biosynthesis, regulation and transport of the siderophore yersiniabactin. Comparative genomic analyses between EHEC O26 and non-pathogenic E. coli, as well as investigations of mechanisms involved in the transfer of virulence genes, provide a deeper insight into the evolution of EHEC O26.These studies demonstrate how horizontal transfer of virulence genes, even from distantly related organisms, can lead in brief intervals to the rise of a highly virulent clone within a particular E. coli serotype.The classical bacteriological methods are no longer sufficient to determine the risk posed by EHEC O26. However, knowledge of the complete virulence profiles of these pathogens and understanding their stepwise evolution form a foundation for developing new strategies to prevent human infections and new methods for their laboratory diagnosis.     

Luteal Blood Flow and progesterone concentration during first and second postpartum estrous cycle in lactating dairy cows

The aim of the present study was to determine the differences in corpus luteum (CL) functionality between the first postpartum estrous cycle and the following cycle in lactating dairy cows. Luteal blood flow (LBF), luteal size and blood progesterone (P4) concentration were monitored during the first and second postpartum estrous cycle. During the first and second postpartum estrous cycle, the mean LBF value increased (p < .05) from early to late dioestrus, while it decreased rapidly in proestrus, resulting statistically lower (p < .05) than those registered in all previous phases. Statistically significant differences were not observed between overall LBF during first and second postpartum estrous cycle (p > .05). During the first postpartum estrous cycle, P4 blood concentrations showed a significant reduction (p < .05) from dioestrus to proestrus. A different trend of P4 concentrations was observed during the second postpartum estrous cycle, where mean P4 value registered in proestrus resulted statistically lower than those registered in the previous cycle phases (p < .05). The mean P4 concentration registered over the first postpartum estrous cycle resulted statistically lower (p < .05) than that registered during the second one. A significant correlation between P4 concentrations and LBF was registered only during the second postpartum estrous cycle. Results indicate that during the first postpartum estrous cycle, P4 concentration was independent of luteal blood flow and luteal size.