Moderne Nagetiervertilgungsmittel

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Reproducibility of bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP) via the application of colostrum

A haemorrhagic diathesis has been observed in young calves since 2007 which is described as bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP) and presents a completely new disease. The objectives of our investigation were to test if BNP could be reproduced using colostrum of cows with a BNP history and pre-colostral calves from farms where BNP has not been observed. In the present experiment, 22 German Holstein calves from BNP-free farms were fed four to six hours after birth 2.5 l colostrum from cows which had been reported to have had at least one calf with BNP in the last lactation. We distinguished three different experimental groups according to the composition of the colostrum. In experimental group I, each of the six calves received colostrum of a single cow, in experimental group II all six calves received colostrum from the same cow and in experimental group III each of the ten calves received a colostrum mix from ten different cows. Clinical signs of BNP were observed in 50% of the calves in experimental group I, 67% of the calves in experimental group II and all calves in experimental group III. The lethality in the three experimental groups was significantly different with rates of 16.7%, 66.7% and 80%, respectively. Calves fed with a colostrum-mix in experimental group III had the highest lethality. Neither the farm nor the amount of the colostrum fed had a significant effect on the occurrence and course of BNP. The profiles for thrombocytes, leucocytes and erythrocytes significantly differed in dependence of the severity of BNP signs. Calves with non-lethal BNP showed thrombocytopenia with values below 100 G/l on the 1th to 3rd and the 7th to 11th day of life. In calves with lethal BNP, thrombocytes decreased under 50 G/l from day 5. In calves with non-lethal BNP, a decrease of the leucocytes under the threshold was present only for a short period of time. In calves with lethal BNP, leucocytes decreased in the first 5 days after birth continuously and increased on the 6th to the 8th day to normal values and then a rapid decrease occurred. Erythrocytes decreased under the normal threshold just in the last two days before the calves died or were euthanized. Thus, the present experiments showed that colostrum of cows with a BNP-history and vaccination with PregSure BVD from Pfizer caused lethal BNP. We can assume that the different reactions of the calves are due to immunogenetic reactions to colostral alloreactive antibodies. The reaction spectrum of calves depends on the presence of antigens which can react with these colostral antibodies. The experimental results can explain the different incidences of BNP within and among farms as well as between breeds.     

Quantitative correlation of parasitological and serological techniques for the diagnosis of Trypanosoma congolense infection in cattle

A comparison was made between serological and parasitological techniques for the diagnosis of bovine trypanosomiasis in Zambia. Overall sero-prevalence rates as determined by IFAT and ELISA were respectively 2.7-fold and 2.9-fold greater then the percentage of samples found positive with the dark ground/phase contrast buffy coat technique (DG). The results obtained by the two serological techniques were found to be closely correlated (94.2%) agreement) and titres obtained by ELISA tended to be slightly higher than those obtained by IFAT. Linear regression analysis of the results obtained by the IFAT and DG techniques revealed a highly significant correlation. This finding would permit the use of only one of the techniques in an epidemiological survey and to extrapolate the results from the regression line.     

Classification of Dutch and German avian reoviruses by sequencing the sigma C protein

We have amplified, cloned and sequenced (part of) the open reading frame of the S1 segment encoding the sigma C protein of avian reoviruses isolated from chickens with different disease conditions in Germany and The Netherlands during 1980 up to 2000. These avian reoviruses were analysed phylogenetically and compared with sequences of avian reoviruses in the Genbank database. The avian reoviruses could be grouped in 5 different genotyping clusters and this classification was identical when the sequences were compared of the 5' end, the 3' end or the whole open reading frame of the sigma C protein. Therefore sequencing of either part of the gene encoding the sigma C protein seems to be reliable for classification. We were unable to identify a correlation between sigma C sequences of the avian reoviruses and the disease condition they were isolated from. The sequences found in The Netherlands and in Germany are, like those in Taiwan, more dispersed than the known avian reovirus sigma C sequences in the USA and Australia. We did not establish temporal or geographic differences in the avian reoviruses studied.     

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Onchocerca lupi and its Wolbachia endosymbiont

The morphology of Onchocerca lupi, responsible for canine ocular onchocercosis, is unique within the genus. Earlier analyses of the 5S ribosomal RNA gene spacer region sequence of the parasite and the 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence of its Wolbachia endosymbiotic bacteria (Rickettsiales) supported the morphological and biological arguments that O. lupi is a distinct species. However, the exact phylogenetic position of O. lupi and its endosymbiont could not be unambiguously determined. Herein we report analyses based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene of the filarial species and the Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) and the bacterial cell-cycle ftsZ genes of their wolbachiae. Our results indicate that O. lupi separated from other Onchocerca spp. early in evolution. This is in line with the previous morphological analysis demonstrating that O. lupi is an atypical Onchocerca species showing both primitive and evolved characters. The phylogenetic trees generated for the COI sequences of filariae and the wsp and ftsZ sequences of their wolbachiae were congruent with each other, which supports the hypothesis that nematodes and their Wolbachia endobacteria share a long co-evolutionary history.     

Pathological Lesions in Swine at Slaughter: I. Baconers

An extended disease recording programme in pigs has been carried out by the meat inspection service at Sentralslakteriet, Forus, Stavanger. A data system including 57 disease codes has been applied. In the period 1975–1977 an average of 85,000 baconers were slaughtered yearly. About 39 % of these were given disease remarks; 42–47 % of the lesions were directly related to the parasites Sarcoptes scabiei (rind lesions) and Ascaris suum (white spots in the livers). The thoracic cavity was the most commonly affected part of the body with 30–35 % of all recorded lesions.Sixteen disease codes occurred at frequencies above 0.3 %, and they encompassed approx. 97 % of all recorded lesions. Scabies occurred at an average of 12 % of the fatteners. Parasitic hepatitis of severe and moderate degrees were seen in about 11 %, pleurisy in 7 %, pneumonia — severe and moderate — in 5.4 %, pericarditis in 4.3 %, pyaemia and abscess/-es in 2.5 %, tail lesions in 2.3 %, perihepatitis and other non-parasitic liver lesions in 2.2 %, polyarthritis and arthritis in 1.7 %, tuberculous lesions in the cervical lymph nodes in 0.9 %, peritonitis in 0.9 % and atrophic rhinitis — external lesions — in 0.8 % of the carcasses. The majority of the other 41 disease codes occurred at frequencies below 0.1 %.A seasonal variation was pronounced in scabies, numerous white spots in the liver, and tuberculous lesions in the cervical lymph nodes. It could be noted in pleurisy, pericarditis, perihepatitis and other non-parasitic liver lesions, arthritis and atrophic rhinitis, but not in pneumonias, moderate number of white spots in the liver, tail lesions, pyaemia, abscess/-es, peritonitis and polyarthritis.     

The metabolite products of chlorocholine chloride (CCC) in eggs and meat of laying hens fed 15N-CCC containing diets

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the metabolic products of chlorocholine chloride (CCC) in eggs and meat of laying hens fed a diet containing (15)N-CCC. Ten brown laying hens were randomly divided into two groups of five each. One group was offered (15)N-CCC free diet while the other group received a diet with 100 ppm (15)N-CCC for 11 days. Samples of eggs and meat from the laying hens were collected. Egg yolks and albumen were separated. Meat was collected from the breast and femur. The metabolic products of CCC were measured using ion trap electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ion trap-ESI-MS/MS). Determination of CCC or its metabolites in eggs and meat showed that CCC was metabolised to choline. Corresponding MS/MS spectra were obtained for m/z 104 (choline) or 105 ((15)N-choline), whereas nothing was detected at m/z 122 (CCC) or 123 ((15)N-CCC). The results from this study indicate that CCC will be metabolised in tissues of laying hens.     

Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp.--recent developments and future needs

Cryptosporidia, widely distributed protozoan parasites of vertebrates have recently attracted increasing interest due to several serious waterborne outbreaks, the life-threatening nature of infection in immunocompromised patients, and the realization of economic losses caused by these pathogens in livestock. Genetic polymorphism within Cryptosporidium spp. is being detected at a continuously growing rate, owing to the widespread use of modern molecular techniques. The aim of this paper is to review the current status of taxonomy, genotyping, molecular phylogeny, and characterization of cryptosporidia, and to highlight the need for polyphasic typing, i.e. an integrated approach comprising standardized morphologic, biologic, and molecular methods for describing Cryptosporidium species and isolates, and for establishing "virtual" reference strains.     

Playing God? Critical consideration of biotechnology

The ethics must do justice to the man who can freely decide and should pose to him the proper questions that can lead to a good choice. 'Playing God' is out of the question, because the biblical God has taken the enchantment out of the creation and produced man for him to shape and keep her. The zygote is already a human being in gestation. But not all stages of gestation of man have the right to the same reverence. The end justifies the means. Reason why this growing respect should be weighed against the use and meaning of the modifying action. The goal should be human in order to have a justifiable effect. Man is not determined by his genes but conditioned by them: they are pliable. Prenatal diagnostic tests and cloning should not be allowed to lead to the moulding of an 'Ubermensch'. It is indeed not yet technologically possible. Germination technology is justifiable provided that it is safely performed. DNA-profiling for identification of criminals is allowed. If only the profile and not the DNA were kept one could consider making a profile-bank. The patenting of discoveries should not stop developing countries from getting cheap medicines (e.g. for AIDS). Not everything that is possible is also allowed. Every time the reason and the benefit should be weighed against the damage and there must be a humane authority.