Comparison of 2 Doses of Recombinant Human Thyrotropin for Thyroid Function Testing in Healthy and Suspected Hypothyroid Dogs

Background: Various protocols using different doses of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) in TSH stimulation testing have been described. However, the influence of TSH dosage on thyroxine (T4) concentration has not yet been evaluated in suspected hypothyroid dogs.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of 2 doses of rhTSH.
Animals: Fifteen dogs with clinical signs consistent with hypothyroidism and abnormal stimulation results with 75 μg rhTSH and 18 clinically healthy dogs.
Methods: All dogs were stimulated with 75 and 150 μg rhTSH IV in a 1st and 2nd stimulation test, respectively. Blood samples were taken before and 6 hours after rhTSH administration for determination of total T4 concentration.
Results: Using the higher dose led to a normal test interpretation in 9 of the 15 dogs, in which stimulation had been abnormal using the lower dose. Based on follow-up information, hypothyroidism was excluded in 7 of these 9 dogs. In all 6 dogs with a blunted response to the higher dose, hypothyroidism could be confirmed. Healthy dogs showed significantly higher post-TSH T4 concentrations with the higher compared with the lower dose. Post-TSH T4 concentrations after TSH stimulation were not related to dogs' body weight in either healthy or diseased dogs.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: TSH dose significantly influenced test interpretation in suspected hypothyroid dogs. Differentiation between primary hypothyroidism and nonthyroidal disease was improved with 150 μg rhTSH. Because this effect was independent of the dogs' body weight, the higher dose is recommended in dogs that have concurrent disease or are receiving medication.     

Parasitological diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis: Is intact skin a good target?

The objective of this study was to evaluate intact skin of seroreactive dogs as a possible target for the parasitological confirmation of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). For this purpose, 394 dogs identified in serological surveys carried out in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte were studied. Blood was collected from all animals for serology and a tissue sample was obtained from two sites for parasitological diagnosis. Skin obtained from the ear and scapular region was simultaneously analyzed in 247 animals and lesion samples and ear skin were analyzed in 147 dogs. Leishmania parasites were isolated from 310 (78.7%) animals, and all isolates were identified as Leishmania chagasi. Simultaneous isolation from two sites was possible in 240 of the 310 animals, including ear and scapular skin in 151/247 (61.1%) and ear skin and skin lesions in 89/147 (60.5%). Ours results suggest that intact skin is one of the main target sites for the parasitological confirmation of CVL in seroreactive dogs.     

Molecular diagnosis and equine parasitology

The future implementation of improved and sustainable control strategies for the major equine parasites will be dependent on a greater insight into their basic biology, pathogenicity and epidemiology together with an enhanced ability for accurate diagnosis. This paper will provide a review of the current molecular methods under development for the detection of equine parasites and their application to current scientific questions. In particular, the strongyles are recognised as important pathogens of horses and recent advances made in the study of this parasitic group at the single species level will be addressed. The ribosomal (r)DNA region of the parasite genome has been employed to distinguish between closely related species. Molecular probes designed to this target region were used in combination with PCR technology to allow the identification of individual species within mixed infections. They have been applied to all parasite stages to look at the role of individual species in natural infection, disease and drug resistance. Similar techniques have been developed to detect other equine parasites and these will also be discussed. Further opportunities for employing existing techniques and the need for new diagnostic tools will be highlighted.     

鸡传染性贫血病研究进展

介绍了鸡传染性贫血的流行病学特点,病原、临床症状、诊断方法及临床防治。提出了需要进一步研究的一些问题。     

红棕象甲危害的诊断与防治

[目的]研究红棕象甲的危害症状并提出相应的防治措施。[方法]通过研究红棕象甲的形态特征、生活史、习性、寄主及危害症状,提出相应的防治措施,并分析了综合防治的必要性及方法。[结果]红棕象甲幼虫蛀茎会导致植株心叶脱水垂软,后千枯,或者叶于叶柄或叶轴基部折断,幼虫蛀蚀会在植株羽片或裂片上留下整齐的蛀蚀孔。对红棕象甲应采取综合防治的策略,把化学防治和其他防治方法如农业防治、检疫防治、物理防治及生物防治结合起来,并且要及早防治才能将虫害造成的损失降到最低程度。[结论]该研究为红棕象甲的有效防治提供了依据。     

水貂病毒性肠炎诊断方法研究进展

水貂肠炎病毒（MEV）是一种自主复制性的最小的动物DNA病毒。研究表明,MEV是引起水貂病毒性肠炎的病原体,能够引起水貂剧烈腹泻,具有较高的发病率和死亡率。本文对水貂病毒性肠炎诊断方法进行了阐述。     

2007年3月3～5日东北特大暴雪过程分析

利用常规观测资料、卫星云图等资料,运用天气学分析和物理量场诊断分析,对2007年3月3~5日东北特大暴风雪过程进行分析。结果表明,此次过程的主要影响系统是南方气旋东移北上和500 hPa南北两支高空槽的合并。强暴雪形成的动力机制是高层辐散与低层辐合相配置导致的强上升运动,以及中低层深厚的正涡度的产生和维持。水汽来源是由700 hPa偏南低空急流携带东海和南海2个源地的充沛水汽抵达东北地区。强降水落区与850 hPa正涡度和200 hPa正散度大值区相一致,同时温度平流的强弱及冷暖过渡带位置能够很好地反映降水的强度及落区。     

2010年7月张家界市连续两次暴雨过程诊断分析

利用常规观测资料和NCEP再分析资料,对2010年7月在张家界市发生的连续2次暴雨过程的环流背景与动力、热力、不稳定条件、水汽条件等进行了诊断分析。结果表明,这次张家界市连续2次暴雨过程与副高的南北摆动密切相关,随着副热带高压的每一次南撤,带动中低层切变线和地面弱冷空气南下,在张家界触发强对流,形成了强降雨天气。高低空急流在暴雨形成中起着重要作用,低空急流不但为暴雨区带来丰富的水汽和良好的水汽辐合,且在暴雨区中低层形成不稳定层结和上升运动,是对流不稳定能量的建立者和不稳定能量释放的触发者;暴雨出现在垂直运动发展旺盛的上空,强的上升运动与强降水对应关系很好;水汽通量散度中心未来的移动方向对暴雨落区具有较好的指示作用。当某地K指数由大变小,同时SI指数由小变大,不稳定能量EK由极小值逐渐变大,有利于该地区对流发生和中尺度系统生成,正是该地区暴雨爆发时间段。使用恩施多普勒雷达观测资料分析组合反射率因子（CR37）产品发现,张家界市连续2次暴雨过程降水表现为积云为主的混合性降水回波特征。     

2010年盛夏一次转折性天气过程诊断分析

[目的]分析2010年盛夏山东省滨州市一次转折性天气过程。[方法]从短期预报思路出发,着重从环流形势、物理量场及雷达回波等方面,对2010年8月4-5日滨州市大到暴雨、局部大暴雨过程的成因进行了分析。[结果]西风槽及冷空气是造成这次降水的触发机制,副热带高压边缘暖湿气流和高空低槽是造成这次降水的主要系统;这是一次典型的副高西北侧叠加西风槽的降水过程。前期持续高温,500 hPa冷空气使对流发展加强,是造成这次降水局地性强的主要原因。在预报暴雨中,比湿、K指数、SI指数是一个很好的物理量和参考指标;暴雨形成过程中K指数是一个增大的过程,暴雨结束或雨强减弱过程K指数明显减小,SI指数指示了对流性降水的发展。雷达回波分析发现,此次过程中短时出现了中气旋,由于在移动过程中很快减弱并消失,在滨州西部形成了强降雨和大风,没有生成冰雹。[结论]该研究为今后此类天气的预报提供经验。     

猪圆环病毒的分子生物学与检测方法的研究现状

猪圆环病毒(Porcine Circovirus, PCV)作为引起断奶仔猪多系统衰竭综合征(postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome, PMWS)的主要病原,引起了人们的广泛关注。对猪圆环病毒的分子生物学研究和了解,有利于PMWS的预防和控制。而快速有效的分子生物学诊断技术将有助于PMWS的流行病学调查研究和早期诊断。经过近二十年的系统研究,人们对其病原分子生物学等方面有较深入的了解,本文就猪圆环病毒的分子生物学相关研究进展进行了简单的总结。