Populations of Salmonella typhimurium in internal organs of experimentally infected carrier swine.

Experiments were conducted to determine comparative populations of Salmonella typhimurium in the most commonly infected body organs of long-term carrier swine. Naturally farrowed Salmonella-free pigs (n = 58) were orally exposed to S typhimurium when they were 47 days old. Necropsy of 3 to 5 randomly selected pigs was conducted at 3, 7, 10, 14, and 17 days and at 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 weeks after exposure. Mean populations (log10/g) of S typhimurium in palatine tonsils, ileum, cecum (wall and contents), ascending colon (wall and contents), and mandibular and ileocolic lymph nodes were estimated at each necropsy, using a most-probable-number method of bacteriologic examination. Populations of organisms in cecum and colon were similar to each other throughout the duration of the study. Mean populations (log10/g) associated with cecal and colonic walls decreased from 6.1 and 6.6, respectively, during the first postexposure (PE) week to less than or equal to 1.67 from PE weeks 4 to 28. Populations (log10/g) associated with cecal and colonic contents decreased from 5.6 and 5.5, respectively, at PE day 3 to 2.5 and 2.7, respectively, at PE week 4, and remained less than or equal to 2.8 until week 28. Populations (log10/g) associated with intestinal walls and contents were closely correlated during the study. Population (log10/g) in the ileum was greater than or equal to 5.3 from PE days 3 to 17, then varied between 5.4 and -0.4 up to PE week 28.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Proposed criteria for classification of acute myeloid leukemia in dogs and cats

Blood and bone marrow smears from 49 dogs and cats, believed to have myeloproliferative disorders (MPD), were examined by a panel of 10 clinical pathologists to develop proposals for classification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in these species. French-American-British (FAB) group and National Cancer Institute (NCI) workshop definitions and criteria developed for classification of AML in humans were adapted. Major modifications entailed revision of definitions of blast cells as applied to the dog and cat, broadening the scope of leukemia classification, and making provisions for differentiating erythremic myelosis and undifferentiated MPD. A consensus cytomorphologic diagnosis was reached in 39 (79.6%) cases comprising 26 of AML, 10 of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and 3 of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Diagnostic concordance for these diseases varied from 60 to 81% (mean 73.3 +/- 7.1%) and interobserver agreement ranged from 51.3 to 84.6% (mean 73.1 +/- 9.3%). Various subtypes of AML identified included Ml, M2, M4, M5a, M5b, and M6. Acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL) was recognized as a specific entity. M3 was not encountered, but this subclass was retained as a diagnostic possibility. The designations M6Er and MDS-Er were introduced where the suffix "Er" indicated preponderance of erythroid component. Chief hematologic abnormalities included circulating blast cells in 98% of the cases, with 36.7% cases having >30% blast cells, and thrombocytopenia and anemia in approximately 86 to 88% of the cases. Bone marrow examination revealed panmyeloid dysplastic changes, particularly variable numbers of megaloblastoid rubriblasts and rubricytes in all AML subtypes and increased numbers of eosinophils in MDS. Cytochemical patterns of neutrophilic markers were evident in most cases of Ml and M2, while monocytic markers were primarily seen in M5a and M5b cases. It is proposed that well-prepared, Romanowsky-stained blood and bone marrow smears should be examined to determine blast cell types and percentages for cytomorphologic diagnosis of AML. Carefully selected areas of stained films presenting adequate cellular details should be used to count a minimum of 200 cells. In cases with borderline diagnosis, at least 500 cells should be counted. The identity of blast cells should be ascertained using appropriate cytochemical markers of neutrophilic, monocytic, and megakaryocytic differentiation. A blast cell count of > 30% in blood and/or bone marrow indicates AML or AUL, while a count of < 30% blasts in bone marrow suggests MDS, chronic myeloid leukemias, or even a leukemoid reaction. Myeloblasts, monoblasts, and megakaryoblasts comprise the blast cell count. The FAB approach with additional criteria should be used to distinguish AUL and various subtypes of AML (Ml to M7 and M6Er) and to differentiate MDS, MDS-ER, chronic myeloid leukemias, and leukemoid reaction. Bone marrow core biopsy and electron microscopy may be required to confirm the specific diagnosis. Immunophenotyping with lineage specific antibodies is in its infancy in veterinary medicine. Development of this technique is encouraged to establish an undisputed identity of blast cells. Validity of the proposed criteria needs to be substantiated in large prospective and retrospective studies. Similarly, clinical relevance of cytomorphologic, cytochemical, and immunophenotypic characterizations of AML in dogs and cats remains to be determined.     

Rearing temperature and the meat yield of broilers

1. One hundred and twenty (60 male and 60 female) 21‐d‐old Ross 1 broiler chicks were reared in cages in rooms kept at 21°C or 31°C and were killed at body weights of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0 kg.

2. Birds reared at either of the two temperatures ate similar quantities of food to reach their slaughter weight although at 31°C they took longer to reach it.

3. The meat yields of the birds at each slaughter weight were similar at both rearing temperatures, but at body weights greater than 2.0 kg, the broilers reared at 21 °C had more breast meat than those reared at 31°C.

4. Females ate more food than males to reach each of the slaughter weights. The females deposited more fat and had a greater skin weight than the males and, although they had a similar amount of total meat, they had more breast meat.     

Comparison of bronchoalveolar lavage findings and measurements of gas exchange during exercise in horses with poor racing performance

Twenty-four Thoroughbred and twelve Standardbred racehorses aged between 2 and 6 years, presented for reported poor racing performance, underwent clinical exercise testing. During the last 10 s of exercise at each speed throughout an incremental speed exercise test on a treadmill inclined at a 10% slope, samples of arterial blood and expired gases were collected. Maximum oxygen uptake and the partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood were determined. These values were compared between the two breeds of horses and also with reference to cytological findings of bronchoalveolar lavage samples, including neutrophil, erythrocyte and haemosiderophage percentage and the total nucleated cell concentration. The results revealed an inverse relationship (Spearman R = -0.45, p < 0.05) between the total nucleated cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage samples and arterial oxygen partial pressure during exercise at 11 m.s(-1). This result suggests that subclinical pulmonary disease may be a more important cause of poor racing performance than previously thought. Also of note was a positive correlation (Spearman R = 0.50, p < 0.05) between maximum oxygen uptake and the percentage of erythrocytes.     

Cytochemical staining characteristics of lymph nodes from normal and lymphoma-affected dogs

Frozen sections and imprint smears were used to evaluate the presence and pattern of cytochemical staining reactions in the B- and T-cell regions of lymph nodes from normal dogs and dogs with lymphoma. Staining procedures evaluated included peroxidase (PER), Sudan black B (SBB), naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase (CAE), alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase (NBE), acid phosphatase (ACP), and leukocyte alkaline phosphatase (LAP). In normal lymph nodes, macrophages and some lymphocytes within the interfollicular (T-cell) region and medulla stained positive with ACP and NBE. Smaller numbers of macrophages also occurred sporadically within the germinal follicles. Cells positive for PER, SBB, and CAE were scattered infrequently throughout all regions of the normal lymph node, consistent with granulocytes and mast cells. The LAP stained cells were predominantly and prominently located within the mantle zone of secondary follicles and to a much lesser extent within the germinal centers, compatible with B-cell lymphocytes derived from follicular center cells. Of the 12 dogs with lymphoma, 7 cases (4 immunoblastic, 2 large noncleaved, 1 small noncleaved) stained diffusely positive with LAP, 4 cases (all lymphoblastic) had numerous focally positive lymphocytes using ACP and NBE, and 1 case (immunoblastic) did not stain positive with any of the cytochemical reactions. Cytochemical staining of canine lymph nodes with NBE, ACP, and LAP proved useful in distinguishing between B- or T-cell regions and detecting different cell types of canine lymphoma.     

Feline arterial thromboembolism: an update.

ATE remains a devastating complication of cardiac disease. Despite some improvements in our understanding of the underlying causes and clinical features of this disease, short-term management remains a challenge, and mortality is high. Long-term mortality is primarily attributable to the severe underlying cardiac disease. Many questions remain to be answered regarding the ideal management approach for feline ATE. The authors' preferred diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for these difficult patients are detailed in Box. 1.     

Effect of feeding different sources of selenium on growth performance and antioxidant status of broilers

ABSTRACT

1. This study was conducted to determine the effect of different sources of selenium (Se) on breast and liver tissue deposition, apparent metabolisable energy (AME), growth performance and antioxidant status of broilers, measured as Se content in liver and breast tissues and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in blood, when used in 0–35 d broiler chicken diets.

2. A total of 200 male Ross 308 broilers were used in the feeding trial, which comprised two dietary phases, a starter from 0 to 21 d and finisher from 21 to 35 d of age. Four treatments with 10 replications each were used. A control diet (C) was formulated that was sufficient in protein and energy (230 and 215 g/kg of crude protein and 12.67 and 13.11 MJ/kg of metabolisable energy, respectively), for both phases, but contained background Se only from the feed ingredients. Diet 2 (IS) was supplemented with 10.35 g/t inorganic, elemental source of Se. Diet 3 (SY) was supplemented with 136.36 g/t selenised yeast, an organic source derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Diet 4 (SS) was supplemented with 0.666 g/t sodium selenite, an inorganic source.

3. Birds fed the SY diet consumed less and weighed less than those fed IS or C (P < 0.05; 0–35 d of age), but there was no difference compared to birds fed SS diets. There were no differences in FCR or dietary AME between broilers fed different Se sources. All diets containing supplementary Se increased concentrations in the liver and breast muscle, and for GSH-Px levels in blood compared to birds fed the C diet (P < 0.001). Birds fed SY diets had greater Se levels in liver and breast tissues compared to birds fed any of the other diets (P < 0.001).

4. Diets supplemented with Se had variable effects on broiler growth performances and antioxidant status. Feeding Se from a yeast source has higher transfer into breast tissues. Feeding different sources and levels of Se to birds in a more challenging situation to induce oxidative stress may bring more conclusive results.     

Soil CO2 emission in sugarcane management systems

Sugarcane management systems affect soil attributes such as the carbon cycle. This fact has stimulated the sugar and alcohol industry to refine the sugarcane production systems by replacing the pre-harvest burning (PB) and manual harvest with mechanized harvesting followed by residue deposition. The aim of this study was to evaluate different management systems with respect to C cycling carbon dioxide and soil parameters (chemical, physical and biological) which were determined over the season. Three sugarcane cultivation systems were evaluated at the following periods: (a) PB, (b) 5-year green harvest and (c) 10-year green harvest. The results indicated that CO₂ emission was 36% greater in the 10-year sugarcane green harvest system than in the PB system. The bulk density and macroporosity were the factors that were most affected by the different sugarcane management systems and that significantly influenced soil CO₂ emissions. The principal component analysis showed that soil CO₂ emission was 18% influenced by base saturation (V%) and 14% by pH, especially in the PB area. Additionally, 19% was affected by carbon and macroporosity in the 5- and 10-year green harvest areas, respectively. From our results, it can be concluded that the most CO₂ emissions are in the areas of sugarcane green, this is due to the higher carbon concentration when compared with the area of burning sugarcane. The parameters that most influenced the CO₂ emissions were bulk density, porosity, macroporosity, pH and V%.     

Relative bioavailability of organic bis-glycinate bound copper relative to inorganic copper sulfate in beef steers fed a high antagonist growing diet

To assess the relative bioavailability of bis-glycinate bound Cu, 90 Angus-cross steers (265 ± 21 kg) were blocked by body weight (BW) to pens with GrowSafe bunks and randomly assigned to dietary treatments (14 to 18 steers/treatment): 0 mg supplemental Cu/kg dry matter (DM; CON), 5 or 10 mg supplemental Cu/kg DM as Cu sulfate (CS5; CS10) or bis-glycinate bound Cu (GLY5; GLY10). Steers received a high antagonist growing diet (analyzed 4.9 mg Cu/kg DM, 0.48% S, and 5.3 mg Mo/kg DM). Steers were weighed at the beginning (days 1 and 0) and end (days 125 and 126) of the trial to determine average daily gain (ADG) and gain:feed (G:F). Blood was collected from all steers on days 0, 28, 56, 84, and 126. Liver samples were collected on days −3 or −2 and day 123 or 124. Data were analyzed using ProcMixed of SAS (experimental unit = steer; fixed effect = treatment and block). Plasma Cu was analyzed as repeated measures (repeated effect = day). Plasma and liver Cu concentrations were regressed against total Cu intake using ProcGLM to calculate relative bioavailability of GLY. Final BW and overall ADG were greatest for CS5 and CS10 and least for CON and GLY5 (P = 0.01). Overall, DMI was not affected by treatment (P = 0.14), but overall G:F tended to be greatest for CS5, CS10, and GLY5 and least for CON (P = 0.08). Total and supplemental Cu intake was greatest for steers supplemented either source at 10 mg Cu/kg DM and least for CON (P < 0.01). However, total and supplemental Cu intake was greater for CS5 than GLY5 (P < 0.01). Final liver Cu concentrations were greatest for CS10, least for CON, CS5, and CS10, and intermediate for GLY10 (P < 0.01). Final plasma Cu was greatest for steers supplemented either source at 10 mg Cu/kg DM (P < 0.01). Relative bioavailability of GLY was 82% compared to CS based on liver Cu (P < 0.01) but did not differ based on plasma Cu (P = 0.60). The lesser bioavailability of GLY relative to CS could be due to a high concentration of dietary antagonists and lower solubility of GLY (68.9% relative to CS) in pH conditions (5.2) similar to the ruminal pH of a beef animal consuming a high concentrate diet. Future studies should examine the effects of bis-glycinate bound Cu fed in blended combination with inorganic Cu sulfate to determine the most effective blend of sources for feedlot cattle experiencing varying amounts of dietary Cu antagonists.     

Influence of amount and frequency of protein supplementation to steers consuming low-quality,cool-season forage: intake,nutrient digestibility,and ruminal fermentation

This experiment evaluated the influence of protein supplementation frequency (SF) and amount offered on intake, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal fermentation by rumen-fistulated beef steers consuming low-quality [2.9% crude protein (CP); dry matter (DM) basis], cool-season forage. Seven Angus × Hereford steers (300 ± 27 kg) fitted with ruminal cannulas were randomly assigned to 1 of 7 treatments in an incomplete 7 × 4 Latin square. Treatments, in a 2 × 3 factorial design plus a non-supplemented control (CON), consisted of 2 levels of supplemental soybean meal, 100% (F) or 50% (H) of the estimated rumen-degradable protein requirement, provided daily (D), once every 5 d (5D), or once every 10 d (10D). Experimental periods were 30 d and dry matter intake (DMI) was measured from days 19 to 28. On days 21 (all supplements provided) and 30 (only daily supplements provided; day immediately prior to supplementation for 5D and 10D treatments) ruminal fluid was collected for ruminal pH, ammonia-N (NH₃), volatile fatty acids (VFA), and determination of ruminal fermentation variables. Forage and total DM, organic matter (OM), and nitrogen (N) intake increased with supplementation (P ≤ 0.04). However, a linear effect of SF × amount of supplement interaction was observed for forage and total DM, OM, and N intake (P ≤ 0.04), with each variable decreasing as SF decreased, but the decrease being greater with F vs. H. Apparent total tract DM, OM, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility was not affected by supplementation or amount of supplement provided (P ≥ 0.10). In contrast, N digestibility increased with supplementation and for F vs. H (P < 0.01). Digestibility of DM, OM, and N increased linearly as SF decreased (P ≤ 0.03). When all supplements were provided, ruminal NH₃, total VFA, and molar proportions of all individual VFA increased with supplementation (P ≤ 0.04), whereas acetate:propionate ratio decreased (P < 0.01). When only daily supplements were provided, none of the aforementioned fermentation parameters were affected (P ≥ 0.09). In summary, reducing the amount of supplemental CP provided to ruminants consuming low-quality forages, when supplementation intervals are >5 d, can be a management tool to maintain acceptable levels of DMI, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal fermentation while reducing supplementation cost.