Detection of chlamydial antibody by fetal serology--an aid to the diagnosis of ovine abortion.

Two serological tests (indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were developed for the detection of fetal antibody to Chlamydia psittaci. Fetal blood and thoracic fluid from 126 field cases of suspected ovine chlamydial abortion were examined using both tests. Placenta and fetal tissues (lung, liver, and kidney) from the same animals were also examined by the following conventional diagnostic methods: isolation in McCoy cells, detection of chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), modified Ziehl-Nielsen staining, and direct fluorescent antibody staining of chlamydia in frozen cryostat sections. Seventy cases were positive by fetal serology, and of these, 68 were also positive by isolation and/or LPS detection. The remaining 56 cases had negative fetal serology, and of these, 39 were positive by isolation and/or LPS detection. Results indicate that fetal serology, although less sensitive than either isolation in McCoy cells or detection of chlamydial LPS antigen, may be of particular use when placenta is not available.     

Skeletal muscle characteristics in young trained and untrained standardbred trotters.

Muscle biopsies were taken from the middle gluteal muscle of 28 Standardbred trotters, 3-4 years of age. The 13 horses in Group T were trained consistently from 18 months of age, whereas the 15 horses in Group UT were not exposed to any systematic training before 3 years of age. Group T horses had a lower percentage of Type IIB fibres (31%) than did Group UT horses (39%). Citrate synthase (CS) activity, representing oxidative capacity, was higher in Group T (72 mmol kg-1 min-1) than in Group UT (47 mmol kg-1 min-1). Biopsies were taken from 4 horses in each group when they were foals and then annually until 3-4 years of age. Results from this study indicate that regular training of Standardbreds from 18 months of age resulted in increased CS activity and a decrease in the percentage of Type IIB fibres. This study shows that training, not growth, is the main factor that induces a high oxidative capacity and a high Type IIA/IIB fibre ratio in muscle of Standardbred trotters.     

COLLAGENASE CHEMONUCLEOLYSIS—A LONG TERM RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY IN NORMAL DOGS

Five clinically normal five year old dogs were used in this study. From a randomised table inter ver tebral discs were each injected with either collagenase or calcium chloride diluent. The surgically exposed cervical discs were injected with 50 units whereas thoracic and lumbar discs were injected under fluoroscopic guidance with 100 units of the enzyme. Postinjection radiographs revealed significant (p ≤ .05) disc space narrowing in enzyme injected discs. The cervical discs had the highest frequency of radiographic narrowing (87%) followed by the thoracic (70%) and lumbar (53%) discs. Spondylosis deformans developed at the sites of cervical enzyme injections. None of the dogs had neurologic abnormalities one year postinjection.     

Book reviews

The Avian Egg: Chemistry & Biology, by R. W. Burley and D. V. Vadehra, 1989. v+472 pp. illustrated. New York. John Wiley & Sons. £66.70. ISBN 0–471–849952.

A Colour Atlas of Avian Anatomy, by J. McLelland. 1990. 127 pp. illustrated. London, Wolfe Publishing Ltd. £30. ISBN 0–7234–1575–7.

The Tropical Agriculturalist—Poultry, by A. J. Smith, 1990. vi + 218 pp. CTA/Macmillan, London. ISBN 0–333–52306–7.     

Book reviews

Recent Advances in Turkey Science. Edited by C. Nixey and T. C. Grey, Poultry Science Symposium Number 21. London, Butterworths, ISBN 0 408 00971 3

Egg and Eggshell Quality. Sally E. Solomon, 1991, 149 pp., illustrated. London, Wolfe Publishing Ltd., £35.00, ISBN 0 7234 1647 8.

Aleen Cust, Veterinary Surgeon, Britain's First Woman Vet. Connie M. Ford, 1990, 109 pp., £5.99, Bristol, Biopress Ltd., The Orchard, Clanage Road, ISBN 0 948737 11 5.

Avian Incubation. Edited by S. G. Tullett, 1991, xiv + 335 pp., illustrated. London, Butterworth‐Heinemann. £00.00, $00.00. ISBN 0–7506–1002–6.

A Colour Atlas of Diseases & Disorders of the Domestic Fowl & Turkey. Edited by C. J. Randall, second edition, 1991, 175 pages, 432 illustrations in colour. London, Wolfe Publishing Ltd, £35, ISBN 0723416281.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FINDINGS IN SPINAL CORD INFARCTION IN THREE SMALL BREED DOGS

Fibrocartilaginous embolization (FCE) of the spinal cord is a common disease in large breed dogs. There are only a few reports about this entity in small breed dogs and it has never been reported in chondrodystrophic breed. For definitive diagnosis histopathologic examination is necessary. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a potential diagnostic tool for intravitam diagnosis of FCE has been mentioned before, but results have not been reported so far. This report describes the neurological findings and MRI results in three small breed dogs, including a Pekingese dog, with FCE of the spinal cord. The disease was suspected in two animals based upon clinical and MRI-appearance and confirmed in the third by histopathological examination. In all three cases, similar focal intramedullary lesions, consisting of hyperintensive signals on T2-weighted images, were detected. Based on these findings, high-field MRI may be used as an antemortem tool for the diagnosis of FCE. It is also shown that FCE can occur in chondrodystrophic dogs.     

Conjunctival habronemiasis in a square‐lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)

A captive female square‐lipped rhinoceros born in 1993 had been showing intermittent signs of bilateral conjunctivitis and conjunctival proliferation since 1998. Periodic improvement was noted, especially in winter, but overall the condition had deteriorated over the years. Treatment with various topical, intralesional, and systemic antibiotics and glucocorticosteroids was largely ineffective, as were repeated dewormings. No primary cause for these lesions was found in biopsies taken in 2000 and 2006, although a severe infiltrate of numerous eosinophils was observed in the latter. As the condition worsened, secondary corneal changes were noted, and eventually vision was lost due to proliferative conjunctival tissue. Aggressive resection of the proliferating tissue in 2013 restored vision and submitted biopsies yielded a diagnosis of severe allergic conjunctivitis, eosinophilic granuloma, and habronematid (Habronema or Draschia) larval infection. As no other rhinoceros in the herd was affected, including two calves born to the patient who were in close contact with their mother, it was concluded the presentation was most likely due to a hypersensitivity reaction to the dead or dying larvae. Fly repellent is now regularly applied around the eye of this rhinoceros, and a protective face mask has been fitted. Ongoing periodic relapses are treated with oral ivermectin, topical antibiotics, and steroids.