Reducing the dilution of breath samples for breath hydrogen testing

Breath hydrogen testing has a diagnostic potential as a gastrointestinal function test that could be performed in general practice. The purpose of this study was to improve techniques for collection of breath samples and transfer of samples to transport vessels. Breath samples from 10 dogs were collected using both a snug-fitting and a loose-fitting standard anesthetic mask attached to a reservoir bag, and a modified snug-fitting system. CO₂ was used as internal standard and mean CO₂ concentrations were 1.19 ± 0.76, 2.17 ± 0.66 and 2.68 ± 0.92, respectively. Additional samples were saved in transport tubes for 19 days, during which the hydrogen and carbon dioxide concentrations remained stable. A reliable method for transferring the breath samples from the reservoir bag to vacuum transport tubes was also identified. Our results demonstrate less contamination of breath samples with air than previously reported, and a reproducible method to transfer breath samples to transport vessels.     

Anthelmintic activity of Swertia chirata against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep

This paper describes in vitro and in vivo anthelmintic activities of Swertia chirata. In vitro studies revealed that at 25 mg/ml (P>/=0.05) the crude aqueous (CAE) and methanolic extracts (CME) of S. chirata whole plant showed an anthelmintic effect on live Haemonchus contortus. Moreover, in the in vivo study, the whole plant of S. chirata administered as crude powder (CP), CAE and CME at the dose of 3 g/kg to sheep naturally infected with mixed species of gastrointestinal nematodes, showed a significant reduction in egg per gram of faeces.     

Identification of predictors of salmonella shedding in adult horses presented for acute colic

Background

Colic has been associated with shedding of Salmonella. Horses with salmonellosis typically develop diarrhea, fever, and leukopenia. Overlooking additional predictors may result in failure to detect shedding horses and increase environmental contamination.

Objectives

Evaluate associations between signalment and clinicopathologic data during early hospitalization and Salmonella shedding in horses treated for acute colic.

Animals

Horses with acute colic admitted to a referral hospital. A total of 59 horses shedding Salmonella compared to 108 Salmonella‐negative horses.

Methods

Retrospective case‐control study evaluating patient and Salmonella culture data. Associations between variables and Salmonella shedding were identified using logistic regression. Two multivariable models were developed pertaining to (1) information available within 24 hours of admission and (2) clinical findings that developed later during hospitalization.

Results

Variables retained for multivariable model 1 indicated that Warmbloods and Arabians had increased odds for shedding Salmonella, as did horses requiring surgery (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.10–5.75) or having more severe gastrointestinal disease (OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.08–6.20). Retained variables for model 2 demonstrated that horses that were treated surgically (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 0.70–3.62), developed fever >103°F (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 0.92–7.87), had abnormal leukocyte count (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.61–3.09), or became inappetent and lethargic (OR, 16.69; 95% CI, 4.08–68.24) had increased odds for shedding Salmonella.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

In horses with acute colic that present without signs of diarrhea, fever, or leukopenia, additional predictors associated with shedding Salmonella could be used to more promptly identify horses likely to shed organisms .     

Intron 1 of the interferon γ gene: Its role in nematode resistance in Suffolk and Texel sheep breeds

Genetic variation at intron 1 of the interferon gamma gene has recently been associated with variation in faecal egg count in Romney, Merino and Soay breeds of sheep. The Texel breed is more resistant to gastrointestinal nematode infection than the Suffolk breed, based on faecal egg count. Hence, the objective of this experiment was to characterise the polymorphisms of intron 1 of the interferon gammagene in Suffolk and Texel sheep, and to determine if the characterised haplotype variants were associated with faecal egg count variation in these breeds. Intron 1 haplotypes and faecal egg measurements were determined for Suffolks (n=113) and Texels (n=135). Four haplotypes were identified in Suffolks (A, B, C and D), two haplotypes as previously described, and two previously unknown haplotypes. However, there was no association between interferon gamma intron 1 haplotype and faecal egg count in Suffolks. In contrast, two previously identified haplotypes (A and B) were present in the Texel breed, and the B haplotype was associated with resistance to nematode infection (P=0.02). These results suggest that intron 1 of the interferon gamma gene has an important role in resistance to nematode infection in the Texel breed.     

Molecular Monitoring of the Main Changes in Bacterial Floral Diversity in the Gastrointestinal Tract of a Thoroughbred Foal with Catarrhal Enteritis by Using PCR-DGGE

In this study, the main changes in bacterial floral diversity in the gastrointestinal tract of a Thoroughbred foal were monitored by using polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). The foal died of catarrhal enteritis of the cecum and large colon. Diarrheal feces and gastrointestinal contents were compared with normal feces. The closest relatives of the bacterium in the samples were Lactobacillus johnsonii (100% similarity), uncultured Bacteroides sp. (92.5% similarity), Bacteroides fragilis (96.3% similarity), and Enterococcus faecium/Enterococcus durans (100% similarity); these were detected by PCR-DGGE using a universal primer set. Monitoring revealed that the numbers of Escherichia coli/Shigella sonnei (97.9% similarity) were significantly higher in the diarrheal feces. Thus, PCR-DGGE is a useful tool for monitoring the main changes in bacterial floral diversity occurring in the gastrointestinal tracts of Thoroughbreds.     

胰岛淀粉样多肽的研究进展

胰岛淀粉样多肽(islet amyloid polypeptide，IAPP)是一种有关调节糖代谢的新激素。为探讨胃肠胰IAPP免疫反应细胞的形态分布，深入了解IAPP的生理作用及疾病状态下的改变，特对其研究进展作一综述。     

Foal-Heat Diarrhea Is Not Caused by the Presence of Yeasts in Gastrointestinal Tract of Foals

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a normal yeast flora is present in the intestine of healthy foals and whether establishing yeast flora or yeast overgrowth might be associated with foal-heat diarrhea. Among the sampled foals, 49% showed foal-heat diarrhea and 28.3% were positive for yeasts. Candida famata was isolated 9 times; Geotrichum sp., 6; Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 5; Cryptococcus laurentii, 4; Rhodotorula sp., 3; Zygosaccharomyces sp., 2; and Candida colliculosa, Candida globosa, and Candida pelliculosa 1 time, respectively. The colony-forming unit ranged from 1 to 10 in all positive cultures. Fifteen of 92 (16.3%) foals with heat diarrhea and 11 of 92 (11.9%) asymptomatic animals yielded positive samples for yeasts. None of the animals shed the same yeast more than 2 times consecutively, and yeasts were found in pure or mixed culture. Equine gastrointestinal tract did not appear to be colonized by yeasts during the first 15 days of life, and yeasts are not involved in foal-heat diarrhea.