雏番鸭细小病毒病快速诊断方法的建立

番鸭三周病、番鸭细小病毒型“白点病”以及番鸭小鹅瘟在临床上发病日龄非常相似,也是各个养鸭场经常出现的疾病,它们有时会出现混合感染或继发感染,给诊断带来了困难。针对这种情况,本文通过对三周病病原、番鸭细小病毒型“白点病”病原以及番鸭小鹅瘟病原核酸的分析比较,在三周病病原的特异性区域设计了一对特异性引物,通过PCR检测,能够快速、准确的诊断出雏番鸭细小病毒病。     

鸡白介素18成熟蛋白的发酵工艺及其对新城疫疫苗的免疫增强作用

为探讨重组鸡白介素18（mChIL-18）毕赤酵母工程菌在5L发酵罐中大规模发酵的工艺及其对新城疫疫苗的免疫增强作用,复苏工程菌GS115/pPIC9K-mChIL-18于YPD培养基,在其D600值达到5.2左右时转入发酵罐中,采用分批补料方式对毕赤酵母工程菌进行高密度发酵。控制和优化各种发酵条件,经历84h结束发酵。将发酵液离心,用6×His镍柱对上清中的表达产物进行纯化,并将纯化后的mChIL-18用脂质体包被后和新城疫疫苗一起对鸡群免疫。结果显示,毕赤酵母工程菌在5L发酵罐采用甲醇诱导补料批式发酵,在pH5.5,溶氧值20%～30%,温度28℃,诱导72h,mChIL-18的表达产量为560mg/L,发酵上清经纯化后纯度可达70%以上;用0.2mL的mChIL-18脂质体能够显著增强机体的免疫力,其中HI抗体效价和淋巴细胞亚群CD4＋、CD8＋含量均显著高于对照组。这表明mChIL-18毕赤酵母工程菌在5L发酵罐高密度发酵成功,并能显著增强新城疫疫苗的免疫效果,为IL-18在生产实践得到更好的应用奠定了基础。     

缓释复方免疫增强剂对4种鸡传染病疫苗免疫增强效果研究

为了验证缓释复方免疫增强剂对鸡减蛋综合征(EDS-76)、鸡新城疫(ND)、鸡传染性支气管炎(IB)和鸡传染性法氏囊病(IBD)4种疫苗的免疫增强作用,试验选用30日龄海兰褐蛋鸡80只,随机分为4组,每组又均分为试验组和对照组,分别注射EDS-76、ND、ND-IB和IBD疫苗,同时对试验组雏鸡投服缓释复方免疫增强剂1粒/只,在免疫前、免疫后12、27 d采血测定抗体效价(或阳性率)、T淋巴细胞花环形成率和ANAE阳性率。结果表明,试验组鸡EDS-76、ND、IB抗体效价和IBD抗体阳性率、T淋巴细胞花环形成率和ANAE阳性率均显著或极显著高于对照组。以上结果说明,缓释复方免疫增强剂可以提高EDS-76、ND、ND-IB和IBD4种疫苗抗体效价(或阳性率),增强鸡体液免疫功能和细胞免疫功能。     

Day-to-Day variation of the urine protein: creatinine ratio in female dogs with stable glomerular proteinuria caused by X-linked hereditary nephropathy

BACKGROUND: Interpretation of serial urine protein:creatinine (UPC) values is confounded by a lack of data regarding random biologic variation of UPC values in dogs with stable glomerular proteinuria. HYPOTHESIS: That there is minimal day-to-day variability in the UPC of dogs with unchanging proteinuria and the number of measurements needed to reliably estimate UPC varies with the magnitude of proteinuria. ANIMALS: Forty-eight heterozygous (carrier) female dogs with X-linked hereditary nephropathy (XLHN) causing stable proteinuria. METHODS: Urine samples were obtained daily by cystocentesis for 3 consecutive days on 183 occasions (549 samples). The UPC was measured for each sample with a single dry-film chemistry auto-analyzer. Data were analyzed retrospectively by a power of the mean model because the variance of UPC values within the 3-day evaluation periods increased as the magnitude of proteinuria increased. RESULTS: To demonstrate a significant difference (P < .05) between serial values in these proteinuric dogs, the UPC must change by at least 35% at high UPC values (near 12) and 80% at low UPC values (near 0.5). One measurement is adequate to reliably estimate the UPC when UPC <4, but 2-5 determinations are necessary at higher UPC values. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These guidelines for interpretation of serial UPC values in female dogs with XLHN may also be helpful for interpretation of UPC values in dogs with other glomerulopathies.     

Investigation of the immediate analgesic effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for treatment of navicular disease in horses

OBJECTIVES: To measure the acute analgesic properties of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in horses with navicular disease using objective ground reaction forces (GRF). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: Nine client-owned horses with unilateral forelimb lameness caused by navicular disease. METHODS: Horses were trotted at 3 m/s over a force plate to record pre-treatment GRF of the lame and contra-lateral forelimbs. After ESWT of the lame limb, applied with a radial unit to each of the frog and heel bulb areas with 1500 pulses at 4 bar and 10 Hz, GRF measurements were repeated at 15 minutes and 24-hour intervals for 7 days. From the 5 trials recorded at each time, peak vertical force (PVF) was calculated and averaged. Data were compared between limbs and over time using a 2-way repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Mean (+/-SD) PVF was significantly different between lame (day 1; 4339+/-626 N) and contra-lateral (day 1; 5236+/-515 N) limbs pre-treatment (P<.05). After ESWT treatment, this difference remained unchanged at 15 minutes and from days 1 to 7. To confirm navicular disease, palmar digital analgesia significantly reduced the lameness (lame 5144+/-430 N; contralateral 5082+/-586 N; P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Single ESWT treatment applied in this manner does not influence lameness in horses with navicular disease. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although many equine regulatory commissions currently ban the use of ESWT before competition, our results suggest that such regulations may be unfounded. Further research is required to determine the long-term analgesic properties of this frequently used treatment modality in equine athletes.     

Immunohistochemical studies of cone photoreceptors and cells of the inner retina in feline rod-cone degeneration

Previous studies using electroretinography and immunohistochemistry have shown normal cone function and structure in early stages of hereditary rod‐cone degeneration of Abyssinian cats. To further investigate the cone photoreceptors and the inner retina of dystrophic cats, antibodies against green‐ and blue‐sensitive cones and specific cell types of inner retina were used in seven cats with the recessively inherited rod‐cone degeneration, and three normal European short‐haired cats. There was a reduction in number of both types of cones early in the disease. Changes at early stages of disease also occurred among horizontal cells in which there was an extension and a thickening of their lateral processes. The regular configuration of bipolar cells was changed in the more advanced stages of disease and their apical dendrites were lost. Abnormalities were not observed in the amacrine cells and in the ganglion cell layer in any of the present cases. This study shows that the cone system is morphologically abnormal in young cats at an earlier stage of disease than previously shown. The present findings also support the assumption that the inner retina is largely preserved throughout the disease process.     

Plasma and Pulmonary Fluid Endothelin in Horses with Seasonal Recurrent Airway Obstruction

Background: Summer pasture-associated recurrent airway obstruction (SPA-RAO), a seasonal airway obstructive disease of horses, is characterized by clinical exacerbation after exposure to pasture during warm months of the year. Endothelin (ET)-1, potent bronchoconstrictor, mitogen, secretagogue, and proinflammatory mediator, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma and equine heaves.
Hypothesis: Immunoreactive ET-1 concentrations increase during clinical exacerbation and return to basal values during periods of disease remission.
Animals: Twelve horses, 6 affected with SPA-RAO and 6 nonaffected.
Methods: Prospective, observational study. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), arterial and venous plasma samples, and clinical variables were obtained from affected horses during clinical exacerbation and remission. Samples and data of nonaffected horses were collected during the summer and winter on dates similar to affected horses. Immunoreactive ET-1 was determined using a commercial ELISA.
Results: The median and range ET-1 concentrations (pg/ml) in arterial (1.3, 0.7–1.8) and venous (1.3, 1.2–1.7) plasma and in BALF (0.3, 0.2–0.4), and pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF) (25.5, 21–50) were greater in affected horses during clinical exacerbation compared with remission ( P < .01). The concentrations of immunoreactive ET-1 were greater in affected horses during clinical exacerbation compared with nonaffected horses ( P < .05).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: During clinical exacerbation of SPA-RAO, ET-1 is increased in circulation and pulmonary secretions. Intervention with ET receptor antagonists should provide further information on the role of ET-1 in SPA-RAO.     

Distribution De Quelques Espèces De Cercopithecidae En Relation Avec Les Zones De Végétation De L’Afrique

The reproductive physiology of the impala was studied in the Kruger National Park. The data concerning the hypophysial hormones, the androgenic hormones and ovarian histology are discussed in relation to the behaviour of the animal.

It was found that the male animal shows the most profound behavioural changes which occur during the mating season. These changes are induced by an increase of interstitial cell-stimulating hormone which leads to an increase in androgenic hormone. The female shows relatively few behavioural changes during the mating season, the only change being at the time of oestrus.

On the basis of the data presented and information reported for domestic animals, it is postulated that the behaviour of the male impala plays an important role in determining the breeding season.     

Protection by iron salts against sporidesmin intoxication in sheep

A number of iron compounds have been shown to protect sheep against the harmful effects of the facial eczema toxin, sporidesmin. Various salts were found to be effective; the oxidation state of the metal was not important although water-solubility did appear to be a prerequisite for prophylactic activity. The effect of iron salts was additive with that of zinc, and it is suggested that the protective action of these compounds results from their ability to inhibit the absorption of copper, consistent with the previously-proposed freeradical mechanism for sporidesmin toxicity.     

Pasteurella haemolytica infections in sheep

Summary

Pasteurella haemolytica causes two distinct disease syndromes in sheep. P. haemolytica biotype A causes septicaemia in young lambs and pneumonia in all ages of sheep. Biotype T produces an acute systemic disease affecting principally the upper alimentary tract and lungs in young adult sheep. The bacteriology, epidemiology and clinical and necropsy findings of the two diseases are described and the current situation regarding their experimental reproduction and immunology is reviewed.