Blood, Bull Terriers and Babesiosis: further evidence for direct transmission of Babesia gibsoni in dogs

This study reports on the epidemiology of Babesia gibsoni in American Pit Bull Terriers living in a region of western Victoria in southern Australia. Both American Pit Bull Terriers (n = 100) and other dog breeds (n = 51) were screened for B gibsoni using immunofluorescent antibody testing (IFAT) and/or polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). A questionnaire was also completed by each dog owner, ascertaining the husbandry and habits of the dogs sampled. Fourteen dogs were positive for B gibsoni using IFAT and/or PCR-RFLP and all were American Pit Bull Terriers. Dogs that were male and/or had been bitten by or were biters of other American Pit Bull Terriers were more likely to be B gibsoni positive, thus suggesting that blood-to-blood transmission contributes to the spread of this disease between dogs.     

Genomic hypomethylation in neoplastic cells from dogs with malignant lymphoproliferative disorders

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification in which a methyl group is added usually to the fifth carbon position of a cytosine residue. Dysregulation of this process is an important molecular event which has been shown to be associated with neoplastic transformation and tumour progression in humans and mice. Features of methylation dysregulation in many different types of neoplasms include general genomic hypomethylation, focal hypermethylation, and altered expression of genes which encode a series of DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferases. Interestingly, many types of neoplasia that are recognised in humans also develop spontaneously in the dog. By comparing the restriction patterns of MspI and HpaII, this study demonstrates that as in human, genomic hypomethylation is a feature of neoplastic cells in the majority of canine lymphoma cases and approximately one-third of canine leukemia cases confirming that dysregulation of the DNA methylating machinery is implicated in malignant transformation of lymphoid cells in some dogs.     

Acute bronchopneumonia associated with Mycobacterium fortuitum infection in a dog

Mycobacterium fortuitum was isolated in a sample of bronchial fluid collected by transtracheal aspiration from a 1-year-old Corgi dog with a productive cough of 10 days' duration and with radiographic and cytological features of acute suppurative bronchopneumonia. The dog responded favourably to intravenous gentamicin and cephalexin for three days and a six week course of oral ciprofloxacin. Saprophytic mycobacterial pneumonia should be considered in cases of severe pulmonary consolidation in young dogs.     

Transient hypoparathyroidism following successful treatment of hypercalcaemia of malignancy in a dog

A 4-year-old, entire female, English Cocker Spaniel was presented for treatment of lymphosarcoma and secondary hypercalcaemia. After induction chemotherapy the dog became severely hypocalcaemic and showed signs of weakness, muscle fasciculation and facial pruritus. Hormone analysis confirmed inadequate production of parathyroid hormone. Although hypocalcaemia has been previously reported as a component of tumour lysis syndrome, it has not been associated with transient parathyroid hormone deficiency.     

Prevalence of Salmonella in beef feeder steers as determined by bacterial culture and ELISA serology

Results are presented for monitoring Salmonella infection by bacteriological culture and immune response (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and haptoglobin) testing of samples collected from beef cattle at a single feedyard sampled over time. A total of 120 beef steers were examined on entry to the feedyard and at days 30, 60, and at time of slaughter (120-150 days). Isolations of Salmonella decreased over time from 40% of the steers sampled at day 0 to 0% at slaughter, whereas serological results varied by serogroup. Seropositivity increased for Salmonella group B up to day 60, and subsequently decreased to about half of the 60-day positivity rate at the time of slaughter. No significant changes in seropositivity were detected during the course of the study for the four other Salmonella serogroups (C1, C3, D1, and E1). Haptoglobin measurements were not a good indicator of Salmonella infection status. Sequential Salmonella testing either by culture, ELISA, or both could be used to monitor pathogen control practices.     

Dysgenesis of the tubal system in an infertile mare karyotype 63,X:64,XY:65,XXY

A Thoroughbred mare, barren during three years at stud, unresponsive to therapy, and not palpably abnormal anatomically was found to have hypoplasia of the uterine tubes after excision at laparotomy. The cause was an unbalanced genotype. The mosaic karyotype, determined on a blood sample, was indispensible in diagnosis and the case extends the potential for cytogenetic prognostic procedures.     

The Experimental and Commercial Release of Transgenic Crop Plants

With advances in recombinant DNA methods and transformation procedures, it is possible to transfer genes into crop plants from unrelated plants, microbes and animals. Many of the modifications being carried out, or envisaged, are for disease and pest resistance, product quality and tolerance to environmental stress, but there are additional opportunities to modify crops to give specialized products for industrial or pharmaceutical use. Some of the characteristics of transgenic plants are considered, including: transgene copy number, position, expression, stability, pleiotropy, selectable marker genes and somaclonal variation. There have been several hundreds of field trials with transgenic plants, and the first transgenic varieties are likely to be approved for commercial production in 1993. Before releasing transgenic plants, it is necessary to carry out a risk assessment to determine whether the transgenic variety will behave differently from a conventionally bred variety. Assessment procedures are being harmonized internationally by various organizations. There is a growing commitment to apply these genetic modification methods to crops in developing countries, as genes relevant to their crops and environments become available.