Exploring the limitations of pathophysiological indicators used for targeted selective treatment in sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus

Identifying which sheep to treat as part of a Targeted Selective Treatment approach to gastro-intestinal nematode control relies entirely on the efficacy of the indicators. Indicators such as FAMACHA© (anaemia), DISCO (diarrhea) and reductions in weight gains were designed specifically to reflect those sheep experiencing symptomatic consequences of infection. Using the gastro-intestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus as a model species, this study explored the utility and sensitivity of these indicators under controlled experimental conditions on 63 adult sheep. The potential effect of sheep with different H. contortus resistance phenotypes on indicator efficacy was compared in three different phenotypes, i.e. high (Blackbelly females), medium (Blackbelly rams) and low resistance (Romane rams). The potential effect of the H. contortus isolate on indicator efficacy was also explored by using four different isolates, with varying anthelmintic resistance capacities, to infect the sheep. We limited the study to the first month of infection to evaluate the interest of these indicators as an early predictive means for controlling infection. The pathophysiological indicators FAMACHA© and DISCO do not reflect infection intensity based on Faecal Egg Counts, nor do reductions in weight gains. FAMACHA© was however a good indicator of anaemia with strong correlations to haematocrit. There was little agreement among the three indicators to identify the same animals in need of treatment and even combining them did not increase their predictive value of infection intensity or relative host damage from infection. The indicator sensitivity was influenced by the H. contortus isolate and sheep resistance phenotype in which they were tested. One isolate was poorly infective but induced high levels of anaemia (FAMACHA©) and diarrhea (DISCO) compared to the three others. The FAMACHA© and DISCO had higher values in the sheep group with a medium resistance phenotype (Blackbelly rams) indicating higher levels of damage compared to the high and low resistance phenotypes. We conclude that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to the use of indicators for Targeted Selective Treatment and the indicators should be calibrated to farm-specific conditions to increase their efficacy.     

Hemophilia A in a Belgian Shepherd Malinois dog: case report

This case report presents a Belgian Shepherd Malinois dog affected by hemophilia A recognized at the age of seven months. The clinical follow-up including all the diagnostic procedures leading to the final diagnosis and the course of this disorder are presented.     

In vitro sensitivity of the amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis to antifungal therapeutics

Chytridiomycosis, a skin disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, has caused amphibian declines worldwide. Amphibians can be treated by percutaneous application of antimicrobials, but knowledge of in vitro susceptibility is lacking. Using a modified broth microdilution method, we describe the in vitro sensitivity of two Australian isolates of B. dendrobatidis to six antimicrobial agents. Growth inhibition was observed, by measurement of optical density, with all agents. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (µg/ml; isolate 1/2) were – voriconazole 0.016/0.008; itraconazole 0.032/0.016; terbinafine 0.063/0.063; fluconazole 0.31/0.31; chloramphenicol 12.5/12.5; amphotericin B 12.5/6.25. Killing effects on zoospores were assessed by observing motility. Amphotericin B and terbinafine killed zoospores within 5 and 30 min depending on concentration, but other antimicrobials were not effective at the highest concentrations tested (100 µg/ml). This knowledge will help in drug selection and treatment optimization. As terbinafine was potent and has rapid effects, study of its pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy is recommended.     

家兔苦马豆素多克隆抗体的制备及其对小花棘豆中毒的治疗效果

采用合成的苦马豆素(swainsonine,SW)人工抗原免疫接种家兔,获得高效价的SW抗血清,分离纯化得到的家兔SW多克隆抗体,复制家兔小花棘豆中毒模型,用SW多克隆抗体治疗小花棘豆中毒家兔,通过检测血清生化指标和免疫学指标,评价SW多克隆抗体治疗家兔小花棘豆中毒的效果。将18只家兔随机分为对照组(6只)、攻毒组(6只)和攻毒治疗组(6只),攻毒组和攻毒治疗组按照10g/(kg·d)的剂量饲喂小花棘豆,攻毒组试验兔出现死亡时(第70天)停止攻毒。攻毒第21天,攻毒治疗组试验兔注射SW多克隆抗体,每只兔每天1mL,连续注射4d。以攻毒试验开始为第0天进行首次采血,试验开始后每7d采血1次,进行血清免疫和生化指标测定。结果显示,攻毒第7天时攻毒家兔血清AKP活性和SW质量浓度显著高于对照家兔(P0.05);第14天时攻毒家兔血清AST和LDH活性显著高于对照家兔(P0.05),血清AMA活性和E-玫瑰花环率均显著低于对照家兔(P0.05);第21天时攻毒家兔血清BUN、CRE和GLU浓度显著高于对照组家兔(P0.05)。攻毒治疗组家兔注射SW抗血清后血清AKP、LDH、AST、ALT活性,BUN、CRE、GLU浓度和SW质量浓度较攻毒家兔显著下降,AMA活性和E-玫瑰花环率显著上升。说明,SW多克隆抗体可有效治疗家兔小花棘豆中毒。     

Research Progress on Application of Constructed Wetland in Wastewater Treatment in China

人工湿地是近几十年发展起来的一种污水生态处理技术,能将污水处理与水资源再利用有机地结合起来,在水体修复与生态建设方面发挥着重要作用。人工湿地自发展以来,以其独特的优势备受人们关注,并广泛应用于处理生活污水、工业废水及矿山废水等。文中综述了国内人工湿地的分类、组成、工艺组合、运行方式及去污机理等,简述了人工湿地处理污染水体技术在国内外的研究进展;并且针对我国人工湿地处理污染水体技术中存在的问题提出了相应的解决方法,建议将构建人工湿地处理系统建设标准体系、开展人工湿地系统稳定地去除氮、磷等营养元素的调控与强化技术,以及系统研究利用人工湿地特有的功能特性来改善和恢复生态环境等作为今后研究的重点。     

中草药复方注射剂治疗仔猪腹泻的试验研究

[目的]探讨中草药复方注射剂对仔猪腹泻的治疗效果。[方法]提取中草药有效成分,制备中草药复方注射剂。用不同剂量(0.25、0.50和1.00 ml/kg)的中草药复方注射剂对人工感染的仔猪腹泻进行治疗试验。[结果]经过3 d治疗后,3个剂量组均有明显的治疗效果,治愈率可达60%~95%,极显著高于感染对照组,剂量以0.5 ml/kg为佳。将制备的复方注射剂和临床用的硫酸庆大霉素、诺氟沙星、头孢噻呋混悬、硫酸黄连素和博落回注射剂对人工感染的仔猪腹泻进行疗效对比试验,结果表明复方注射剂的治疗效果最好,治愈率达98.0%,明显优于其他注射剂。[结论]该中草药复方注射剂是临床上治疗仔猪腹泻的有效药物。     

贵州省石漠化成因与治理综述

贵州是世界上岩溶地貌发育最典型的地区之一,是全国石漠化面积最大、等级最齐、程度最深、危害最重的省份。综述前人研究,总结出贵州省石漠化成因、治理措施、治理模式以及相关建议。     

高浓度氨氮废水的处理技术及发展趋势

高浓度氨氮废水的现有处理技术主要有物化法（吹脱、萃取、沉淀等）和生物强化处理,各种技术均有成熟规范和工程实例,但能耗、效率和二次污染问题始终限制着高浓度氨氮废水的处理.新技术中超声技术和电化学法的能耗也较高,其研究方向在机理和过程;高级氧化去除氨氮的过程仍在研究的起步阶段,过程和影响因素均不明;而微波技术由于节能高效已经进入了中试阶段,是高浓度氨氮废水处理的可行方案,但仍需解决微波设备与处理水量的放大问题.