Molecular epidemiology of Pasteurella multocida in turkeys.

Pasteurella multocida isolated from turkeys during an outbreak of fowl cholera was characterized by serotype and heterogeneity of genes encoding rRNA (ribotype) to investigate the epidemiology of the organism. Isolates were collected between October 1985 and July 1986. The M9 or Clemson University fowl cholera vaccine-like strain was detected in 17% of the flocks with fowl cholera. One particular strain, isolated only from breeder flocks, was recovered from 7 of the 10 breeder flocks examined in this study. Intracompany transmission appeared to be common, implying a failure in biosecurity. Circumstantial evidence indicated that in the field; the incubation period of P multocida in a turkey flock may be between 2 to 7 weeks. Wildlife did not appear to be an important reservoir of P multocida for turkeys during this study period. Ribotyping results tended to discount several of the possible interflock transmissions, as suggested by examination of serotyping results alone; however, serotyping in combination with ribotyping proved helpful in understanding the epidemiology of P multocida in turkeys.     

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.     

Survey of 11 western states for heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection, heartworm diagnostic and prevention protocols, and fecal examination protocols for gastrointestinal parasites

Heartworm infection in dogs and cats in the western United States is a fairly new phenomenon, and for this reason it is often considered to be of minimal significance.The purpose of this survey was to collect data from 11 western states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) in an effort to assess awareness of heartworm disease and identify areas in which improvement in understanding is needed. To accomplish this goal, veterinary clinics and hospitals in these states were sent a one-page survey in early 2006. The results of the survey demonstrate that cases of heartworm disease have been reported in all 11 states, illustrating the importance of annual testing and the routine use of preventives.     

Two-year development of southern pine seedlings and associated vegetation following spray-and-burn site preparation with imazapyr alone or in mixture with other herbicides

Eight herbicide combinations containing imazapyr alone or in mixture with glyphosate, triclopyr, or picloram+2,4-D were applied July–August 1991 at each of three upland sites in the southeastern U.S., with or without a subsequent broadcast burn in September. Seedlings of loblolly (Pinus taeda L.) or slash (P. elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii) pine were planted that winter. Second-year (August 1993) vegetation responses indicate that broadcast burning, in combination with herbicides, was associated with increased abundances of grasses, forbs, and shrubs and decreased abundances of vines and hardwood trees. In the presence of burning, imazapyr-in-mixture treatments were associated with a high abundance of grass (53% cover) and a mean size of pines less than that of seedlings growing in imazapyr-alone treatments. In the absence of burning, imazapyr-alone treatments were associated with a high abundance of blackberry (21% cover), an average height of hardwoods (131 cm) exceeding that of pines (71 cm), and a mean size of pines less than that of trees growing in imazapyr-in-mixture treatments. Hardwood height in the absence of burning was less when imazapyr was combined with glyphosate (75 cm) than with triclopyr (102 cm). Regardless of the presence or absence of burning, size of pines and abundance of shrubs and hardwoods did not differ between imazapyr rates of 0.56 and 0.84 kg acid equivalent/ha or among herbicides applied in mixture with imazapyr.     

Phosphorylation by p38 MAPK as an alternative pathway for GSK3beta inactivation

Glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta) is involved in metabolism, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Inhibition of GSK3beta activity is the primary mechanism that regulates this widely expressed active kinase. Although the protein kinase Akt inhibits GSK3beta by phosphorylation at the N terminus, preventing Akt-mediated phosphorylation does not affect the cell-survival pathway activated through the GSK3beta substrate beta-catenin. Here, we show that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) also inactivates GSK3beta by direct phosphorylation at its C terminus, and this inactivation can lead to an accumulation of beta-catenin. p38 MAPK-mediated phosphorylation of GSK3beta occurs primarily in the brain and thymocytes. Activation of beta-catenin-mediated signaling through GSK3beta inhibition provides a potential mechanism for p38 MAPK-mediated survival in specific tissues.     

Effects of testicular biopsy in clinically normal bulls

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether testicular needle biopsy is detrimental to testicular function in clinically normal bulls. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 6 mixed-breed mature bulls. PROCEDURE: A randomly selected testicle from each bull was biopsied with a 14-gauge needle biopsy instrument. Bulls were then evaluated over a 90-day period for changes in scrotal temperature and thermal patterns, ultrasonographic appearance, and quality of spermatozoa. At the end of the 90-day study, bulls were castrated, and testicles were examined grossly and histologically. RESULTS: Changes were detected in scrotal temperatures and thermal patterns and in the breeding soundness examination results during the first 2 weeks of the study. However, there were no long-term changes in semen quality over the course of the experiment. Hyperechoic areas were detected on ultrasonographic examination and corresponded to the areas of penetration by the biopsy instrument. Microscopic lesions that were indicative of testicular dysfunction were not found. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that testicular biopsy is a safe procedure in bulls. Testicular biopsy could possibly be used to further examine bulls that have less than satisfactory results for breeding soundness examinations.     

Characterization of Clostridium difficile isolates from foals with diarrhea: 28 cases (1993-1997)

OBJECTIVE: To determine molecular characteristics of Clostridium difficile isolates from foals with diarrhea and identify clinical abnormalities in affected foals. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 28 foals with C difficile-associated diarrhea. PROCEDURE: Toxigenicity, molecular fingerprinting, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns were determined. Information on signalment, clinical findings, results of clinicopathologic testing, whether antimicrobials had been administered prior to development of diarrhea, and outcome was obtained from the medical records. RESULTS: Twenty-three (82%) foals survived. Toxin A and B gene sequences were detected in isolates from 24 of 27 foals, whereas the toxin B gene alone was detected in the isolate from 1 foal. Results of an ELISA for toxin A were positive for fecal samples from only 8 of 20 (40%) foals. Ten of 23 (43%) isolates were resistant to metronidazole. Molecular fingerprinting revealed marked heterogeneity among isolates, except for the metronidazole-resistant isolates. Sixteen foals had tachypnea. Hematologic abnormalities were indicative of inflammation. Common serum biochemical abnormalities included metabolic acidosis, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, azotemia, hypoproteinemia, hyperglycemia, and high enzyme activities. Passive transfer of maternal antibodies was adequate in all 12 foals evaluated. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that a large percentage of C difficile isolates from foals with diarrhea will have the toxin A and B gene sequences. Because of the possibility that isolates will be resistant to metronidazole, susceptibility testing is warranted. Clostridium difficile isolates from foals may have a substantial amount of molecular heterogeneity. Clinical and hematologic findings in affected foals are similar to those for foals with diarrhea caused by other pathogens.     

Efficacy of moxidectin 6-month injectable and milbemycin oxime/lufenuron tablets against naturally acquired trichuris vulpis infections in dogs

Efficacy of moxidectin injection (ProHeart 6 Sustained Release Injectable for Dogs, Fort Dodge Animal Health) against naturally acquired infections of Trichuris vulpis was compared with that of milbemycin oxime/lufenuron tablets (Sentinel Flavor Tabs, Novartis Animal Health). Eighteen dogs infected with T. vulpis were ranked by egg counts and randomly allocated to treatment with moxidectin (170 micro g/kg), milbemycin (500 micro g/kg)/lufenuron (10 mg/kg), or to an untreated control group (six dogs per treatment). Dogs were euthanized for worm counting 7 days after treatment. Efficacy of milbemycin/lufenuron against T. vulpis was 99.6 %, compared with 67.5 % for moxidectin. The commercial formulation of milbemycin oxime/lufenuron provided excellent control of whipworm infection, whereas moxidectin demonstrated variable efficacy against this parasite.     

Persistence of cellulitis-associated Escherichia coli DNA fingerprints in successive broiler chicken flocks

Avian cellulitis in broiler chickens is primarily caused by Escherichia coli. Previous research found that the E. coli isolates of cellulitis origin were unique to each ranch, suggesting that these E. coli were endemic within the ranch environment. To test the hypothesis that the E. coli associated with cellulitis are endemic in the litter of the broiler house, we designed a study to determine whether E. coli DNA fingerprints associated with cellulitis persist over successive flocks that are grown in the same house. In addition, we assessed the impact of different cleaning and disinfection strategies on this persistence. Two broiler houses were followed on each of five farms over 3-4 flocks. A total of 353 E. coli isolates from cellulitis lesions were analyzed in this study, and 314 of these isolates (89%) were DNA fingerprinted by PFGE. In each ranch, there were several DNA fingerprint patterns that were present over successive flocks, regardless of the cleaning and disinfection strategy utilized. Isolates persisted as long as 191 days, implying that these E. coli are capable of persisting in the broiler house environment for long periods of time. In addition, these E. coli isolates were associated with cellulitis lesions in successive flocks. Thus, the isolates of E. coli that are associated with cellulitis in broiler chickens appear to be endemic in the litter environment of the broiler house.