The effect of two different oxytetracycline treatments in experimental Ehrlichia phagocytophila infected lambs

The effect of 2 different oxytetracycline treatments in acute E. phagocytophila infected lambs was investigated. Twenty 5-month-old lambs of the Dala and Rygja breeds were used. Ten lambs were inoculated intravenously with a stabilate of an ovine E. phagocytophila strain. On the third day of fever, 4 lambs were given long-acting oxytetracycline (Terramycin prolongatum vet, Pfizer) (20 mg/kg) intramuscularly and another 4 lambs were given short-acting oxytetracycline (Terramycin vet, Pfizer) (10 mg/kg) intravenously for 5 consecutive days. The lambs were examined for the presence of Ehrlichia infection by blood smear evaluation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antibody titre against E. equi. One month after the last antibiotic treatment, 250 ml citrate blood from each of these lambs were inoculated into each of 10 susceptible lambs, which were observed during the following 6 weeks. The results indicate that oxytetracycline given in the acute stage of the infection may effectively terminate the development of fever, rickettsemia and weight reduction in E. phagocytophila infected lambs. No difference was observed between the 2 treatment groups. However, at least 3 of 8 antibiotic treated lambs (37.5%) were still infected with granulocytic Ehrlichia 3 months after treatment.     

The Pharmacokinetics of a Long-acting Oxytetracycline Formulation in Healthy Dogs and in Dogs Infected with Ehrlichia canis

The pharmacokinetic properties of oxytetracycline were studied following a single injection of a long-acting formulation (20 mg/kg body weight) into the semimembranosus muscle of healthy dogs and of dogs that had been experimentally infected with Ehrlichia canis. The disposition curves of the long-acting oxytetracycline formulation before and after infection were best described by a bi-exponential decline after a first-order absorption. The mean maximum serum concentration (C _max) following infection was significantly lower and the time taken to attain this concentration (t _max) was significantly shorter than that in the healthy dogs. The mean apparent elimination half-life (t _1/2) was significantly increased following infection. The corresponding rate constant () was significantly decreased. The absorption half-life (t _1/2ab) was significantly decreased after infection. The volume of distribution at steady state (V _dss) increased significantly following infection. It was concluded that the pharmacokinetic behaviour of a long-acting oxytetracycline in dogs after intramuscular administration is characterized by a two-compartment model with a slow elimination phase. This could be due to flip-flop kinetics. The febrile reaction in experimental E. canis infection affected some pharmacokinetic parameters of oxytetracycline.     

Genotyping of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Viruses Isolated from Cattle in Northern Italy

Following the first official report of a clinically severe outbreak of bovine viral diarrhoea disease occurring in a farm in northern Italy, which had originated from the use of a live vaccine contaminated with a strain of BVD genotype II virus, a retrospective study on the prevalence of BVDV genotypes in Italy became highly relevant. For this purpose, the genotype of 78 BVDV-positive specimens, obtained in 1998–1999 from dairy cattle in an area near to where the outbreak occurred, was characterized by PCR technology. Two sets of primers, spanning the 5 UTR of BVDV genome, were used sequentially in a first round of RT-PCR, performed on viral RNA extracted directly from 15 clinical samples and 63 BVDV-infected cell-culture fluids; a second PCR assay followed to selectively amplify only BVDV genotype II. All the viruses under study were characterized as BVDV genotype I. As well as contributing to a better understanding of the prevalence of BVDV genotypes in the field, the results of the present study illustrate the possibility that novel BVDV strains can emerge in susceptible animals through the use of contaminated immunobiological products for bovine use.     

Two new variants of the Rhodococcus equi virulence plasmid, 90 kb type III and type IV, recovered from a foal in Japan

Calves were vaccinated orally, subcutaneously or intraperitoneally with a smooth, plasmid-cured strain of Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium, strain 81. Oral vaccination was not effective, as only 1/5 calves survived challenge with virulent S. typhimurium. Strain 81 was attenuated for calves, as only a slight rise in rectal temperatures was detected after vaccination. The organism was excreted by some calves in the faeces, but no signs of diarrhoea were observed after vaccination. After parenteral vaccination, strain 81 was able to reach the intestines, gastric associated lymphoid tissues and other internal lymphoid tissues and remained viable for up to 14 days in the bovine host. After oral challenge with a virulent strain, 9/10 vaccinated calves survived challenge as opposed to 4/10 control calves (p<0.5). Diarrhoea was present in all calves of the control groups, but in only 4/10 of the vaccinated calves. The clinical reactions of the vaccinated calves were milder than in the control calves, as the rises in rectal temperatures were lower, diarrhoea was less severe, and the challenge strain was present in fewer organs from vaccinated calves than control calves. This study showed that parenterally administered Salmonella vaccines can induce both mucosal and systemic immunity, and it is postulated that this capability of strain 81 is related to its colonisation of lymphoid tissues and other systemic and intestinal tissues. This study confirmed that plasmid-cured strains were attenuated in the bovine host and conferred significant protection after parenteral vaccination, but not oral vaccination.     

Biology of leptin in the pig

The recently discovered protein, leptin, which is secreted by fat cells in response to changes in body weight or energy, has been implicated in regulation of feed intake, energy expenditure and the neuroendocrine axis in rodents and humans. Leptin was first identified as the gene product found deficient in the obese ob/ob mouse. Administration of leptin to ob/ob mice led to improved reproduction as well as reduced feed intake and weight loss. The porcine leptin receptor has been cloned and is a member of the class 1 cytokine family of receptors. Leptin has been implicated in the regulation of immune function and the anorexia associated with disease. The leptin receptor is localized in the brain and pituitary of the pig. The leptin response to acute inflammation is uncoupled from anorexia and is differentially regulated among swine genotypes. In vitro studies demonstrated that the leptin gene is expressed by porcine preadipocytes and leptin gene expression is highly dependent on dexamethasone induced preadipocyte differentiation. Hormonally driven preadipocyte recruitment and subsequent fat cell size may regulate leptin gene expression in the pig. Expression of CCAAT-enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) mediates insulin dependent preadipocyte leptin gene expression during lipid accretion. In contrast, insulin independent leptin gene expression may be maintained by C/EBP auto-activation and phosphorylation/dephosphorylation. Adipogenic hormones may increase adipose tissue leptin gene expression in the fetus indirectly by inducing preadipocyte recruitment and subsequent differentiation. Central administration of leptin to pigs suppressed feed intake and stimulated growth hormone (GH) secretion. Serum leptin concentrations increased with age and estradiol-induced leptin mRNA expression in fat was age and weight dependent in prepuberal gilts. This occurred at the time of expected puberty in intact contemporaries and was associated with greater LH secretion. Further work demonstrated that leptin acts directly on pituitary cells to enhance LH and GH secretion, and brain tissue to stimulate gonadotropin releasing hormone secretion. Thus, development of nutritional schemes and (or) gene therapy to manipulate leptin secretion will lead to practical methods of controlling appetite, growth and reproduction in farm animals, thereby increasing efficiency of lean meat production.     

“黄白散”对兔接种RHD疫苗后免疫功能的影响

在注射兔病毒性出血症 (RHD)疫苗后 ,30只兔随机分为 2组 ,试验组兔饲喂含 1 5 %黄白散的饲料。从接种到第 1 80天 ,每组取兔 8只 ,每隔 1 5d采血 1次 ,检测血凝抑制 (HI)抗体 ;在接种前 1天及接种后 5、 1 0、 1 7、 2 4、 31、 41、 5 1d ,每组取兔 1 0只 ,采血检测ANAE+淋巴细胞百分率 ;在 1 80、 2 4 0、 30 0d时 ,每组分别取兔 5只做攻毒保护试验。结果表明 :2组兔HI抗体峰值分别为 7 3log2和 9 8log2 ,差异极显著 (P <0 0 1 ) ;试验组疫苗保护期可延长 60d ;试验组ANAE+率从第 1 0天至 5 1天与对照组比较 ,差异极显著(P<0 0 1 )。所以黄白散可增强兔接种RHD疫苗后的特异性免疫功能 ,增强RHD疫苗的免疫效果。     

玉米纹枯病拮抗内生细菌的筛选

从玉米成株期根、茎组织中分离获得232株内生细菌,在离体条件下筛选获得20株对玉米纹枯病菌具有显著拮抗作用的内生细菌,其中7株为枯草芽孢杆菌,占拮抗菌株的35%.B20-120、B20-006、B20-122、B21-072、B21-016、B20-070等6株拮抗细菌的发酵液对玉米种子萌发没有影响,进一步对其内生性(以抗利福平120 mg·mL-1为标记)及其对玉米的促生作用和玉米纹枯病的防治效果进行了研究.结果表明,供试6个拮抗菌株对玉米生长没有抑制作用,有的甚至有促进作用,并且能在体内繁殖,具可转移性.拮抗菌株B20-006和B20-120对纹枯病的防治效果最好,菌液浸种处理苗期防治效果分别为67.9%和62.3%,成株期分别为40.2%和39.1%.     

油乳剂疫苗中硬脂酸铝含量与油相水相比例关系研究

进行了鸡新城疫、传染性支气管炎、产蛋下降综合征三联油乳剂疫苗生产中降低油相比例的试验.当油乳剂疫苗的油相中硬脂酸铝含量分别为2%、1%、0.5%,对应的油相:水相分别为3:1、2:1和1:1时进行的乳化试验结果表明:随着油相中硬脂酸铝含量降低,油相和水相的比例相应降低,呈正比例关系.当油相中硬脂酸铝含量与油/水比分别为2%和3:1、1%和2:1、0.5%和1:1时,制备的油苗质量均达到了国家标准.     

转基因植物疫苗研究进展

众多研究表明,病毒的抗原决定簇及细菌毒素亚单位均能在转基因植物中成功表达,并保持良好的免疫原性.与现有的疫苗生产体系相比,植物生产疫苗具有安全、经济、稳定、高效等优势.本文概述了利用不同受体植物生产疫苗的研究现状、免疫原性评价及免疫原基因的优化表达策略.     

炭疽芽孢杆菌疫苗研究进展

炭疽病是一种人畜共患的烈性传染病.该病由炭疽杆菌所致,传播迅速,潜伏期短,死亡率高.炭疽杆菌在生物武器中占有重要地位.本文简述了现用疫苗及各国正在开发的新疫苗,探讨了疫苗研发的新思路,客观评价了人用炭疽疫苗的安全性及有效性.