Quality of equine veterinary care: Where can it go wrong? A conceptual framework for the quality of equine healthcare,based on court cases against equine practitioners in The Netherlands

Quality control and client satisfaction are topics of considerable current interest in both human and veterinary healthcare. Crucial to this discussion is a proper definition of ‘quality of care’. This study applied, to (equine) veterinary care, a conceptual framework designed for assessing the quality of human healthcare and featuring structural deficiency, procedural inadequacy and disappointing outcome as key elements. This was done using court cases against equine practitioners as a yardstick for client dissatisfaction. Applying a system for evaluating the quality of healthcare may be a good way of monitoring and improving (equine) veterinary services, particularly once reliable indices for client satisfaction have been validated.     

猪乙型脑炎病毒LS株的理化特性及其在BHK-21细胞上增殖特性的研究

对猪乙型脑炎病毒(Japanese encephalitis virus,JEV)LS株的理化特性及其在BHK-21细胞上的增殖特性进行研究,结果表明,该病毒对温度(56 ℃)、酸(pH 5.0以下)、乙醚、胰蛋白酶敏感,反复冻融(-65～20 ℃)3次几乎不影响病毒效价;该毒株在BHK-21细胞上连续传20代,仍能维持较高的病毒滴度(TCID₅₀=10^7.75/mL)和血凝效价(2⁸),且根据其在BHK-21细胞上的增殖规律,得到最佳收毒时间为接毒后28～40 h。本试验为进一步研究JEV LS株的生物学特性奠定基础。     

Trends and advances in the diagnosis and control of paratuberculosis in domestic livestock

Paratuberculosis (pTB) is a chronic granulomatous enteritis caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in a wide variety of domestic and wild animals. Control of pTB is difficult due to the lack of sensitive, efficacious and cost-effective diagnostics and marker vaccines. Microscopy, culture, and PCR have been used for the screening of MAP infection in animals for quite a long time. Besides, giving variable sensitivity and specificity, these tests have not been considered ideal for large-scale screening of domestic livestock. Serological tests like ELISA easily detects anti-MAP antibodies. However, it cannot differentiate between the vaccinated and infected animals. Nanotechnology-based diagnostic tests are underway to improve the sensitivity and specificity. Newer generation diagnostic tests based on recombinant MAP secretory proteins would open new paradigm for the differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals and for early detection of the infection. Due to higher seroreactivity of secretory proteins vis-à-vis cellular proteins, the secretory proteins may be used as marker vaccine, which may aid in the control of pTB infection in animals. Secretory proteins can be potentially used to develop future diagnostics, surveillance and monitoring of the disease progression in animals and the marker vaccine for the control and eradication of pTB.     

C6, a new monoclonal antibody,reacts with the follicle-associated epithelium of calf ileal Peyer's patches

The follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) of Peyer''s patches (PPs) contains M cells that are important for reducing mucosal immune responses by transporting antigens into the underlying lymphoid tissue. We generated a monoclonal antibody (C6) that reacted with the FAE of calf ileal PPs, and analyzed the characteristics of C6 using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. FAE of the ileal PP was stained with C6 during both late fetal developmental and postnatal stages. Neither the villous epithelial cell nor intestinal crypt basal cells were stained at any developmental stage. During the prenatal stages, FAE of the jejunal PP was C6-negative. However, a few C6-positive cells were distributed diffusely in some FAE of the jejunal PPs during the postnatal stages. The protein molecular weight of the antigen recognized by C6 was approximately 45 kDa. These data show that C6 is useful for identifying the FAE in ileal PPs and further suggest that differentiation of the FAE in these areas is independent of external antigens.     

内蒙古鄂尔多斯市市售预包装儿童食品现状调查

对内蒙古鄂尔多斯市东胜区及其周边3个旗的50家超市和小卖店的预包装儿童食品品牌、品种进行了调查分析。结果显示,该市儿童食品品牌多达169个,品种达222种。其中,营养补充类品牌49个(29.0%),品种61种(27.5%);纯粹休闲类品牌120个(71.0%),品种161种(72.5%),且大多属于"垃圾食品"。鄂尔多斯市东胜区在售的儿童食品品牌124个(62.3%),品种180种(59.4%),其他3个旗合计有75个品牌(37.7%),123个品种(59.4%),说明地区经济文化发展水平不同,儿童食品的种类以及档次也存在差异。该次调查的产品包装和标签信息均较为全面,且有QS标识,虽较往年规范了许多,但其品质是否合格尚需进行专业的检验。     

牧民合作社本质特征及发展趋势

“人-草-畜”共生的草原畜牧业生产基础和经营方式与耕种农业不同。因此,以草原畜牧业为基础的牧民合作社受自然条件、文化背景和政策环境等因素影响。牧民合作社是在草原畜牧业生产和生活中以劳动力、资本、土地等生产要素整合方式进行互助互利,形成合伙放牧和繁重体力劳动的社会运动体;继《农民专业合作社法》颁布后,结合牧区经济的特点,牧区地方政府纷纷组织成立草地联户、牲畜饲养、生产资料购买、牧业机械联合、互助基金等生产、流通领域运作的经济体;在互助互利和自由、民主平等原则上组成具有紧密的经济组织体,在生产力发展和市场竞争条件下,形成一种具有合作社章程,理事会、监事会,生产管理、财务管理、劳动管理等一整套经营管理机制的组织性、统一性、持续性的经营体。其发展趋势是以嘎查(村)为单位的集体经济组织。自然环境复杂、人烟稀少、经济基础薄弱的牧区,发展合作社应该从生产合作社开始,从联户型互助组发展为小组型专业合作社和嘎查(村)型综合合作社,在此基础上逐步分离加工、销售、信用专业合作社,最后发展到牧工商一体化产业化联盟的合作社。     

Antimicrobial Resistance Impacts Clinical Outcome of Granulomatous Colitis in Boxer Dogs

Background: Escherichia coli have recently been identified within the colonic mucosa of Boxer dogs with granulomatous colitis (GC). Eradication of invasive E. coli is associated with clinical and histological remission. Objectives: To determine antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of E. coli strains from GC and healthy dogs, and the association of antimicrobial resistance with clinical outcome. Animals: Fourteen Boxer dogs with GC and 17 healthy pet dogs. Methods: Prospective study: E. coli was cultured from GC biopsies and rectal mucosal swabs of healthy dogs. Individual strains were selected by phylogroup and overall genotype, determined by triplex‐ and random amplified polymorphic DNA‐polymerase chain reaction respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by broth microdilution minimal inhibitory concentration. Results: Culture yielded 23 E. coli strains from GC (1–3/dog, median 2) and 34 strains from healthy (1–3/dog, median 2). E. coli phylogroups were similar (P= .18) in GC (5A, 7B1, 5B2, 6D) and healthy (2A, 10B1, 15B2, 7D). Resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin‐clavulanate, cefoxitin, tetracycline, trimethoprim‐sulfa (TMS), ciprofloxacin, and chloramphenicol was greater (P < .05) in GC (21–64%) than healthy (0–24%). Enrofloxacin resistant E. coli were isolated from 6/14 GC versus 0/17 healthy (P= .004). Of the enrofloxacin resistant cases, 4/6 were also resistant to macrophage‐penetrating antimicrobials such as chloramphenicol, rifampicin, and TMS. Enrofloxacin treatment before definitive diagnosis was associated with antimicrobial resistance (P < .01) and poor clinical outcome (P < .01). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Antimicrobial resistance is common among GC‐associated E. coli and impacts clinical response. Antimicrobial therapy should be guided by mucosal culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing rather than empirical wisdom.     

Urinary Catecholamine and Metanephrine to Creatinine Ratios in Dogs with Hyperadrenocorticism or Pheochromocytoma,and in Healthy Dogs

Background: Urinary catecholamines and metanephrines are used for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma (PHEO) in dogs. Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) is an important differential diagnosis for PHEO. Objectives: To measure urinary catecholamines and metanephrines in dogs with HAC. Animals: Fourteen dogs with HAC, 7 dogs with PHEO, and 10 healthy dogs. Methods: Prospective clinical trial. Urine was collected during initial work‐up in the hospital; in dogs with HAC an additional sample was taken at home 1 week after discharge. Parameters were measured using high‐pressure liquid chromatography and expressed as ratios to urinary creatinine concentration. Results: Dogs with HAC had significantly higher urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine and normetanephrine to creatinine ratios than healthy dogs. Urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine, and metanephrine to creatinine ratios did not differ between dogs with HAC and dogs with PHEO, whereas the urinary normetanephrine to creatinine ratio was significantly higher (P= .011) in dogs with PHEO (414, 157.0–925.0, median, range versus (117.5, 53.0–323.0). Using a cut‐off ratio of 4 times the highest normetanephrine to creatinine ratio measured in controls, there was no overlap between dogs with HAC and dogs with PHEO. The variables determined in urine samples collected at home did not differ from those collected in the hospital. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Dogs with HAC might have increased concentrations of urinary catecholamines and normetanephrine. A high concentration of urinary normetanephrine (4 times normal), is highly suggestive of PHEO.     

Prevalence,risk factors and clinical signs predictive for equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in aged horses

Reasons for performing study: Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is an ageing‐related neurodegenerative disorder. The prevalence and risk factors for PPID using seasonally adjusted basal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations in aged horses have not been previously reported. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, risk factors and clinical signs predictive for PPID in a population of horses aged ≥15 years in Queensland, Australia. Methods: Owner‐reported data was obtained using a postal questionnaire distributed to an equestrian group. A subgroup of surveyed owners were visited and a veterinary physical examination performed on all horses aged ≥15 years. Blood samples were analysed for basal plasma alpha melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) and ACTH concentrations, routine haematology and selected biochemistry. Aged horses with elevations above seasonally adjusted cut‐off values for basal plasma ACTH were considered positive for PPID. Positive horses were compared with their aged counterparts to determine risk factors and clinical signs associated with PPID. Results: Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction was prevalent in aged horses (21.2%) despite owners infrequently reporting it as a known or diagnosed disease or disorder. Numerous clinical or historical signs were associated with an increased risk of PPID in the univariable model, but only age (odds ratio (OR) 1.18; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–1.25, P<0.001) and owner‐reported history of hirsutism (OR 7.80; 95% CI 3.67–16.57, P<0.001) remained in the final multivariable model. There were no routine haematological or biochemical variables supportive of a diagnosis of PPID. Conclusions and potential relevance: Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction occurs commonly in aged horses despite under‐recognition by owners. The increased risk of PPID with age supports that this is an ageing associated condition. Aged horses with clinical or historical signs consistent with PPID, especially owner‐reported hirsutism (delayed shedding and/or long hair coat), should be tested and appropriate treatment instituted.     

Marjolin’s Ulcer in Two Horses with Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia

Two Quarter Horse mares with hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA) were diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) associated with chronic nonhealing wounds. The lesions were similar to the development of SCC from chronic nonhealing ulcers, known as Marjolin’s ulcers in humans. The horses showed recurrent skin wounds in the saddle and paralumbar regions and were confirmed by molecular techniques as having HERDA. Both horses were maintained as research animals for prolonged periods and received regular veterinary care and wound treatment. Both horses were ultimately euthanized because of their chronic progressive wounds, coupled with declining health. At necropsy, the nonhealing wounds were found to be complicated by infiltrative SCC; both horses had metastasis to lungs. Chronically inflamed, recurrent skin wounds that heal slowly and incompletely as a consequence of HERDA are proposed as a major pathogenetic factor in tumorigenesis. Consistent findings with respect to proliferation index (Ki-67) and mutations of p53 tumor suppressor gene were confirmed by immunohistochemistry in one horse. SCC consistent with Marjolin’s ulcer has been previously suggested in association with chronic ulcers or burn scars in horses, but this is the first report of an association with chronic poor healing wounds in HERDA horses.