Effects of Nylon and Polyglactin 910 Suture Material on Perilimbal Corneal Wound Healing in the Dog

The effects of fine suture materials on corneal wound healing in the dog were studied. In 20 dogs, standardized perforating perilimbal clear corneal wounds were made and closed with either monofilament Polyglactin 910 or nylon. Five dogs each were euthanized 8,12,16, and 21 days postoperatively. Results of gross, biomicroscopic, and histologic examinations at 8,12,16, and 21 days showed nylon and Polyglactin 910 to cause similar inflammatory responses. Epithelialization and suppuration around the suture tracts were observed more frequently when Polyglactin 910 was used. Both materials were associated with a foreign body (granulomatous) response. There was no loss of wound integrity with either material. Strengths of the incised corneal tissues with and without the sutures intact were determined. At day 16 postsurgery, there was a statistically significant difference in tissue strengths between cases in which sutures were and were not intact. This difference was not apparent at 21 days postsurgery, which suggested that the suture dependent phase ends between the 16th and 21st postsurgical days. In addition, at day 16 there was no statistical difference between the tissue strength of wounds sutured with nylon or Polyglactin 910. Corneal suture materials studied should remain in place for at least 16 days, and absorbable material is only appropriate if it retains tensile strength for 16 days.     

Effect of levamisole on the clinical and immunologic responses to oral vaccine of Treponema hyodysenteriae

Conventionally raised crossbred Hampshire pigs were vaccinated orally with attenuated Treponema hyodysenteriae in combination with an anthelmintic, levamisole or dichlorvos. Pigs in group I (n = 9) were treated with levamisole and vaccinated with attenuated T hyodysenteriae and those in group II (n = 9) were treated with levamisole and permitted to commingle (contact exposure) with group I. Pigs in group III (n = 9) were vaccinated in a similar manner and were treated with dichlorvos. Pigs in group IV (n = 9) were treated with dichlorvos and permitted to commingle with group III. Control pigs (group V; n = 9) were not given any anthelmintic, nor were they vaccinated; they were housed separately. During the 8-week interval between vaccination and challenge inoculation, 4 total days and 8 total days of diarrhea were observed in pigs in groups I and II, respectively. Likewise, 5 total days and 10 total days of diarrhea were seen in groups III and IV, respectively. In all groups, the pigs tended to shed the organism in their feces after they were vaccinated or challenge inoculated, as determined by a fluorescent antibody technique (FAT) and culture procedure (CP). Overall mean shedding patterns of 5.5% and 24.5% identified by CP and FAT, respectively, were seen in the 2 levamisole-treated groups (I and II). In contrast, mean shedding patterns of 4% and 18% of the isolation attempts were detected by CP and FAT, respectively, in the 2 dichlorvos-treated groups. Diarrhea and shedding of T hyodysenteriae in the controls (group V) did not occur.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Retrospective study of bacterial infective arthritis in 31 dogs

OBJECTIVES: To characterise the presenting signs and pathological changes of canine bacterial infective arthritis in 31 dogs, and to document the response to different treatment regimens. Risk factors that may predispose joints to bacterial infective arthritis and influence the success of treatment were also investigated. METHODS: A retrospective review of cases of bacterial infective arthritis that were presented to three university veterinary referral hospitals over a five-year period (January 1997 to January 2002) was performed. RESULTS: The elbow joint (38 per cent) and stifle joint (44 per cent) were most commonly affected. Radiographic changes consistent with pre-existing osteoarthritis were identified in 14 joints, which had no history of previous surgery (articular or periarticular) or penetrating wound. No significant difference (P = 0.78) was identified between the outcome of combined surgical and medical management, and medical management alone. There were trends for poorer outcomes with increased bodyweight of the dog, longer duration of lameness and a higher nucleated cell count of the affected joint fluid at presentation. The overall infection rate for articular surgical procedures at one institution was 1-3 per cent. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Medical and/or surgical management were usually successful in resolving infection (94 per cent). However, they were frequently unsuccessful in restoring full joint function; this may in part have been due to the nature of the underlying joint     

TerraRossa: A Mid-Season Specialty Potato with Red Flesh and Skin and Resistance to Common Scab and Golden Cyst Nematode

TerraRossa (POR01PG20–12) is a mid-season specialty potato, released by Oregon State University, and is a product of the Northwest Potato Variety (Tri-State) Development Program. This cultivar is unique among commercially available potato cultivars in that plants produce small- to medium-sized smooth, oblong- to long-shaped tubers with red skin and red flesh. Total tuber yields of TerraRossa are similar to Dark Red Norland and less than Red La Soda. Average tuber size (136 g) is less than both of the comparison cultivars, reflecting inherent differences in tuber size distribution. TerraRossa tubers have total antioxidant levels higher than traditional white fresh varieties and comparable to the All Blue purple potato, known for its high antioxidant levels. Sensory evaluations of TerraRossa tubers indicated that it has good culinary attributes following boiling, baking, and microwaving. Potato chips made from TerraRossa tubers retained their unique red color, which represents a novelty in the chipping industry. TerraRossa could be a good candidate for the organic sector due to its tolerance to common scab (Streptomyces scabies) and tuber late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and its resistance to golden cyst nematode (Globodera rostochiensis). Due to its high yields, high chipping quality, good culinary properties, high antioxidant content and disease resistance, TerraRossa is a good candidate for opening new specialty type markets, adding diversity to the marketplace.