bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tissue Penetration and Pharmacokinetics of Tigecycline in Diabetic Patients with Chronic Wound Infections Described by Using
In Vivo
Microdialysis
Authors: Bulik Catharine C. , Wiskirchen Dora E. , Shepard Ashley , Sutherland Christina A. , Kuti Joseph L. , Nicolau David P.
Published: October 2010

Tissue penetration of systemic antibiotics is an important consideration for positive outcomes in diabetic patients. Herein we describe the exposure profile and penetration of tigecycline in the interstitial fluid of wound margins versus that of uninfected thigh tissue in 8 adult diabetic patients intravenously (IV) administered 100 mg and then 50 mg of tigecycline twice daily for 3 to 5 doses. Prior to administration of the first dose, 2 microdialysis catheters were inserted into the subcutaneous tissue, the first within 10 cm of the wound margin and the second in the thigh of the same extremity. Samples for determination of plasma and tissue concentrations were simultaneously collected over 12 h under steady-state conditions. Tissue concentrations were corrected for percent
in vivo
recovery by the retrodialysis technique. Plasma samples were also collected for determination of protein binding at 1, 6, and 12 h postdose for each patient. Protein binding data were corrected using a fitted polynomial equation. The mean patient weight was 95.1 kg (range, 63.6 to 149.2 kg), the mean patient age was 63.5 ± 9.4 years, and 75% of the patients were males. The mean values for the plasma, thigh, and wound free area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (fAUC
0-24
) were 2.65 ± 0.33, 2.52 ± 1.15, and 2.60 ± 1.02 μg·h/ml, respectively. Protein binding was nonlinear, with the percentage of free drug increasing with decreasing serum concentrations. Exposure values for thigh tissue and wound tissue were similar (
P
= 0.986). Mean steady-state tissue concentrations for the thigh and wound were similar at 0.12 ± 0.02 μg/ml, and clearance from the tissues appeared similar to that from plasma. Tissue penetration ratios (tissue
f
AUC/plasma
f
AUC) were 99% in the thigh and 100% in the wound (
P
= 0.964). Tigecycline penetrated equally well into wound and uninfected tissue of the same extremity.
Surface Expression of MPT64 as a Fusion with the PE Domain of PE_PGRS33 EnhancesMycobacterium bovisBCG Protective Activity againstMycobacterium tuberculosisin Mice
Authors: Sali Michela , Di Sante Gabriele , Cascioferro Alessandro , Zumbo Antonella , Nicolò Chiara , Donà Valentina , Rocca Stefano , Procoli Annabella , Morandi Matteo , Ria Francesco , Palù Giorgio , Fadda Giovanni , Manganelli Riccardo , Delogu Giovanni
Published: October 2010

To improve the current vaccine against tuberculosis, a recombinant strain ofMycobacterium bovisbacillus Calmette-Guérin (rBCG) expressing aMycobacterium tuberculosisvaccine candidate antigen (MPT64) in strong association with the mycobacterial cell wall was developed. To deliver the candidate antigen on the surface, we fused thempt64gene to the sequence encoding the PE domain of the PE_PGRS33 protein ofM. tuberculosis(to create strainHPE-ΔMPT64-BCG), which we have previously shown to transport proteins to the bacterial surface. In a series of protection experiments in the mouse model of tuberculosis, we showed that (i) immunization of mice withHPE-ΔMPT64-BCG provides levels of protection significantly higher than those afforded by the parental BCG strain, as assessed by bacterial colonization in lungs and spleens and by lung involvement (at both 28 and 70 days postchallenge), (ii) rBCG strains expressing MPT64 provide better protection than the parental BCG strain only when this antigen is surface expressed, and (iii) theHPE-ΔMPT64-BCG-induced MPT64-specific T cell repertoire when characterized by β chain variable region-β chain joining region (BV-BJ) spectratyping indicates that protection is correlated with the ability to recruit gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-secreting T cells carrying the BV8.3-BJ1.5 (172 bp) shared rearrangement. These results demonstrate thatHPE-ΔMPT64-BCG is one of the most effective new vaccines tested so far in the mouse model of tuberculosis and underscore the impact of antigen cellular localization on the induction of the specific immune response induced by rBCG.
Evidence for the Horizontal Transfer of an Unusual Capsular Polysaccharide Biosynthesis Locus in Marine Bacteria
Authors: Nakhamchik Alina , Wilde Caroline , Chong Henry , Rowe-Magnus Dean A.
Published: October 2010

The most intensely studied of the
Vibrio vulnificus
virulence factors is the capsular polysaccharide (CPS). All virulent strains produce copious amounts of CPS. Acapsular strains are avirulent. The structure of the CPS from the clinical isolate ATCC 27562 is unusual. It is serine modified and contains, surprisingly,
N
-acetylmuramic acid. We identified the complete 25-kb CPS biosynthesis locus from ATCC 27562. It contained 21 open reading frames and was allelic to O-antigen biosynthesis loci. Two of the genes,
murA
CPS
and
murB
CPS
, were paralogs of the
murA
PG
and
murB
PG
genes of the peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway; only a single copy of these genes is present in the strain CMCP6 and YJ016 genomes. Although MurA
CPS
and MurB
CPS
were functional when expressed in
Escherichia coli
, lesions in either gene had no effect on CPS production, virulence, or growth in
V. vulnificus
; disruption of 8 other genes within the locus resulted in an acapsular phenotype and attenuated virulence. Thus,
murA
CPS
and
murB
CPS
were functional but redundant. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that while completely different CPS biosynthesis loci were found in the same chromosomal region in other
V. vulnificus
strains, most of the CPS locus of ATCC 27562 was conserved in another marine bacterium,
Shewanella putrefaciens
strain 200. However, the average GC content of the CPS locus was significantly lower than the average GC content of either genome. Furthermore, several of the encoded proteins appeared to be of Gram-positive and archaebacterial origin. These data indicate that the horizontal transfer of intact and partial CPS loci drives CPS diversity in marine bacteria.
Interleukin-17 Is Not Required for Classical Macrophage Activation in a Pulmonary Mouse Model ofCryptococcus neoformansInfection
Authors: Hardison Sarah E. , Wozniak Karen L. , Kolls Jay K. , Wormley Floyd L.
Published: October 2010

Cryptococcus neoformansis an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes disease in individuals with suppressed cell-mediated immunity. Recent studies in our laboratory have shown that increases in pulmonary Th1-type and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) cytokine production, classical macrophage activation, and sterilizing immunity are elicited in response to infection with a gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producingC. neoformansstrain, H99γ. IL-17A-treated macrophages, compared to IL-4-treated macrophages, have been demonstrated to exhibit increased microbicidal activityin vitro, a characteristic consistent with classical macrophage activation. The purpose of these studies is to determine the role of IL-17A in the induction of classically activated macrophages following infection withC. neoformans. Immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were used to characterize the macrophage activation phenotype in lung tissues of mice treated with isotype control or anti-IL-17A antibodies and given an experimental pulmonary infection withC. neoformansstrain H99γ. The pulmonary fungal burden was resolved, albeit more slowly, in mice depleted of IL-17A compared to the fungal burden in isotype control-treated mice. Nonetheless, no difference in classical macrophage activation was observed in IL-17A-depleted mice. Similarly, classical macrophage activation was evident in mice deficient in IL-17A or the IL-17 receptor A, which mediates IL-17A signaling, following pulmonary infection with wild-typeC. neoformansstrain H99 or H99γ. These studies suggest that IL-17A may play a role in the early immune response toC. neoformansbut is not required for classical macrophage activation in mice experimentally infected withC. neoformans.
Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of teicoplanin against intramammary infections in sheep
Authors: Naccari C. , Niutta P. P. , Trombetta D. , De Domenico A. , Pizzimenti F. , Cagnardi P. , Carli S. , Naccari F.
Published: October 2010

The pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin were evaluated in 10 healthy sheep. After intravenous injection it showed monophasic behaviour, with a short mean (sd) elimination half‐life (5 [0.24] hours). After intramuscular injection its bioavailability was 100 per cent but it was absorbed slowly; its elimination half‐life was satisfactorily slow (9.23 [0.74] hours). Its efficacy was evaluated in 26 crossbreed sheep with milk positive to strains of Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase‐negative staphylococci and Streptococcus agalactiae, and clinical signs of disease. In 19 of them a single intramuscular dose of 6 mg/kg bodyweight resulted in a complete resolution of the clinical signs, and no microorganisms were detected in milk by the fifth day; in the other seven sheep, with more severe intramammary infections, three consecutive daily intramuscular doses of 6 mg/kg bodyweight were necessary. There were no local or systemic side effects and no relapses during 30 days after the treatments in any of the sheep.
Variations in the concentration of ionised calcium in the plasma of captive tortoises (Testudo species)
Authors: Eatwell K.
Published: October 2010

The concentration of ionised calcium was measured in the plasma of 13 Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni boettgeri), nine spur‐thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca ibera), two marginated tortoises (Testudo marginata) and six Horsfield's tortoises (Testudo horsfieldi) maintained under natural unfiltered sunlight in the UK. The numbers were too small to analyse the differences between the species, sexes or the time of the year statistically, but the concentrations of ionised calcium were generally higher in all the tort oises in the samples taken in August than in the samples taken in March and June
Comparative studies of the efficacy of a recombinant feline leukaemia virus vaccine
Authors: Jarrett O. , Ganière J.‐P.
Published: October 2010

The efficacy of three feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) vaccines was compared. Kittens were immunised with either a recombinant subunit vaccine, Leucogen, or one of two inactivated virus vaccines, Leukocell 2 or Leucat. On subsequent challenge by intraperitoneal inoculation of FeLV of subgroup A (FeLV‐A), only Leucogen gave significant protection. In a second experiment, kittens vaccinated with Leucogen were protected against oronasal challenge with a phenotypic mixture of FeLV of subgroups A, B and C. These results indicate that a recombinant vaccine, containing only the protein moiety of the surface glycoprotein of FeLV‐A, can provide better protection than the inactivated virus vaccines tested against challenge with virus of the same subgroup, and can also protect against challenge by all three subgroups of FeLV.
Effect of post‐coital intrauterine inoculation of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus on conception in gilts
Authors: Lager K. M. , Mengeling W. L. , Brockmeier S. L.
Published: October 2010

The effect of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) on early gestation was investigated by exposing susceptible gilts to the virus shortly after they had been bred naturally. Sixteen gilts were exposed intrauterinely to PRRSV and 23 gilts received a sham inoculum. One day after exposure, and on or about seven, 14, and 30 days after exposure, the gilts were bled and the serum was tested for PRRSV and homologous antibody. The pregnancy status of each gilt was determined on day 30 by ultrasound, and near or at term either by necropsy or by allowing the gilts to farrow naturally. All 16 gilts exposed to PRRSV became infected, as evidenced by the detection of PRRSV in seven of the gilts and homologous antibody in the serum of all of them, whereas all the 23 gilts exposed to a sham inoculum remained free of both virus and antibody. Ten of the 16 infected gilts conceived, and 19 of the 23 uninfected gilts conceived, but the difference in conception rate was not statistically significant. Moreover, the mean numbers of live fetuses or pigs per litter of the infected and uninfected gilts were similar (9.7 and 9.3). These results suggest that the intrauterine infection of susceptible pigs with PRRSV at or near the time of conception may have little or no effect on their reproductive performance.
Estimation of the liveweight and body condition of working donkeys in Morocco
Authors: Pearson R. A. , Ouassat M.
Published: October 2010

The age, sex, liveweight and body measurements (heart girth, umbilical girth, height, length from elbow to tuber ischii and circumference of the foreleg cannon bone) of 516 donkeys used to transport goods in Morocco were recorded. There were few donkeys over 12 years of age. For adult donkeys weighing from 74 to 252 kg, the best equation with only one variable for predicting liveweight was: liveweight (kg) = heart girth (cm)2.65 /2188. The inclusion of two variables improved the prediction marginally, but the addition of further variables gave little further improvement. The best prediction equation for adult donkeys was: liveweight (kg) = (heart girth [cm]2.12 x length [cm]0.688)/380. For donkeys under three years of age, weighing from 52 to 128 kg, the best prediction equation was: liveweight (kg) = (umbilical girth [cm]1.41 x length [cm]1.09)/1000. Other liveweight prediction equations for donkeys and horses were tested on the data and tended to overestimate the weight of these working donkeys. A supjective method for assessing the body condition of the donkeys was developed, using a scale from 1 (emaciated) to 9 (obese).
Ageing horses by an examination of their incisor teeth: an (im)possible task?
Authors: Muylle S. , Simoens P. , Lauwers H.
Published: October 2010

It is generally considered that the age of a horse can be determined by examining its incisor teeth. However, the criteria used to determine age from dental configurations differ widely. The existence of this variety of rules and guidelines was the challenge for the present examination. Detailed descriptions of the incisor teeth of 212 horses of registered age were recorded and the results were compared with the age criteria of various authors. The time at which teeth were shed and the appearance of dental stars seemed to be more reliable features than the disappearance of the cups. The disappearance of the marks occurred four years later than usually stated. Other criteria, such as the presence of the seven‐year notch and Galvayne's groove, were too variable and inconsistent to be reliable for the determination of age.
Changes in the body composition of cats during weight reduction by controlled dietary energy restriction
Authors: Butterwick R. F. , Markwell P. J.
Published: October 2010

Thirteen overweight domestic short‐haired cats were fed a commercial low calorie diet for 18 weeks at an energy intake to lose weight; they lost an average of 18.1 per cent of their starting weight. An evaluation of their body composition by dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry before and after the study suggested that most of the weight lost was composed of fat. The cats' lean bodyweight did not change significantly, but increased as a proportion of total bodyweight.
Observations on the transmission of scrapie in experiments using embryo transfer
Authors: Foster J. D. , Hunter N. , Williams A. , Mylne M. J. A. , McKelvey W. A. C. , Hope J. , Fraser H. , Bostock C.
Published: October 2010

This investigation studied the maternal transmission of scrapie in sheep by using embryo transfer to examine the viability of highly susceptible offspring derived from scrapieaffected and uninfected donors. The study also examined the effect of washing the embryos. Scrapie occurred in both washed and unwashed embryo‐derived Sip sAsA progeny from both groups of donor ewes. As a result, the earlier observation that scrapie might pass via the unwashed embryo to develop as disease in adult sheep has to be reassessed. Several other implications of the work are considered, including the possibility that natural scrapie is not purely a genetic disease.
Epidemiology of lameness in dairy cattle: description and analysis of foot lesions
Authors: Murray R. D. , Downham D. Y. , Clarkson M. J. , Faull W. B. , Hughes J. W. , Manson F. J. , Merritt J. B. , Russell W. B. , Sutherst J. E. , Ward W. R.
Published: October 2010

Information from 37 dairy farms, in four regions of England and Wales provided data on 8991 lesions and the preventive trimming of 4837 cows' feet. Of the total of 13,828 forms returned, veterinary surgeons treated 32 per cent and farmers or stockmen 46 per cent. Of the 8645 lesions associated with episodes of lameness, lesions in the hindlimbs accounted for 92 per cent, of which 65 per cent were in the outer claw, 20 per cent in the skin and 14 per cent in the inner claw. Sole ulcers (40 per cent) and white line lesions (29 per cent) were the predominant diseases of horn, and digital dermatitis (40 per cent) was the most common disease of the skin. Subjective assessments showed that sandcrack, penetration of the sole by foreign bodies and interdigital necrobacillosis were associated with the most severe cases of lameness. There was a significant seasonal effect in the reporting of lesions.
Aversive reactions of turkeys to argon, carbon dioxide and a mixture of carbon dioxide and argon
Authors: Raj A. B. M.
Published: October 2010

The reactions of turkeys to the presence of either 90 per cent argon in air (anoxia), 72 per cent carbon dioxide in air or a mixture of 30 per cent carbon dioxide and 60 per cent argon in air with 3 per cent residual oxygen were tested. The majority of the turkeys did not avoid a feeding chamber containing either argon or the mixture of carbon dioxide and argon, but 50 per cent of the turkeys avoided a feeding chamber containing 72 per cent carbon dioxide in air. It is concluded that from the point of view of welfare, either 90 per cent argon in air or a mixture of 30 per cent carbon dioxide and 60 per cent argon in air, would be preferable to a high concentration of carbon dioxide for stunning/killing turkeys.
Evaluation of flea control programmes for cats using fenthion and lufenuron
Authors: Fisher M. A. , Jacobs D. E. , Hutchinson M. J. , Dick I. G. C.
Published: October 2010

Four groups of six cats were kept in carpeted pens similarly infected withCtenocephalides felis. One group was left untreated, but the other groups were treated every 28th day with either an insecticide (fenthion at 30 mg); or an inhibitor of insect development (lufenuron at 133 or 266 mg) or with both. A sudden upsurge in the numbers of fleas occurred on the control cats after 50 days. At this time, the three control strategies had reduced the counts by 91.3, 72.5 and 98.6 per cent, respectively. Thereafter, welfare considerations demanded the limitation of the flea burden on the control cats, but conditions were shown to be favourable for flea development throughout the study. The mean numbers of fleas on the treated groups after six months were 1.2, 11.0 and 0.4, respectively. After this, in addition to the fleas acquired in the pen, the cats were each infected weekly with five fleas to mimic roaming animals introducing extraneous fleas into the home. This produced no obvious effect on the counts and the mean values three months later were 0.5, 11.0 and 0.2, respectively. None of the strategies eradicated the flea population but they all reduced the numbers considerably and worked equally well whether or not small numbers of new fleas were introduced into the system. Significantly lower flea counts were maintained in the early and later stages of the study by the strategies including the insecticide.
Clinical comparison of medetomidine with xylazine/l‐methadone in dogs
Authors: Kramer S. , Nolte I. , Jöchle W.
Published: October 2010

Seventy‐two healthy dogs required sedation and analgesia for a variety of procedures causing discomfort or pain. They were treated either with the α2‐agonist medetomidine at 40 μg/kg (15 intravenously and 17 intramuscularly), or 80 μg/kg (15 intravenously and 15 intramuscularly) or with xylazine plus 1‐ methadone (1.0 mg) (10 intravenously). The levels of sedation, analgesia and safety were compared clinically and by measurements of the effects on the electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood gases, body temperature, haematology and clinical chemistry. Sedation was achieved reliably with both medetomidine and xylazine plus I‐methadone but its onset, depth and duration were influenced by the dose and route of administration. In the medetomidine‐treated dogs, intravenous administration resulted in more rapid sedation and the effects of the higher dose were deeper and longer lasting. The small dogs receiving 40 μg/kg may have been underdosed. The initial analgesic effects in response to a pin prick to the body surface were sufficient and similar for both drugs, except for the intramuscular dose of 40 μg/kg medetomidine. Analgesia for the clinical procedures was less reliable with medetomidine and was not always adequate even at the high dose, but xylazine plus 1‐methadone assured analgesia in almost every case. Medetomidine resulted in marked bradycardia, lasting as long as the sedation and the ECG revealed a sinus arrhythmia with sinoatrial and atrioventricular blocks grade I and II as a sign of interference with transduction. The bradycardia with xylazine plus 1‐methadone was less pronounced. A decrease in respiratory rate accompanying sedation had no influence on blood gases and blood acidity in the dogs treated with medetomidine but caused a respiratory acidosis with xylazine plus 1‐methadone. Body temperature decreased with all treatments for the duration of the period of sedation. Blood glucose concentration increased to a similar extent in all treatment groups, but all other haematological and clinicochemical variables remained unchanged. Treatment with the specific α2 antagonist, atipamezole, reversed the sedation and cardiovascular and pulmonary effects due to medetomidine within minutes.
Sensitivity of strains of Serpulina hyodysenteriae isolated in Hungary to chemotherapeutic drugs
Authors: Molnár L.
Published: October 2010

The sensitivity of 332 strains of Serpulina hyodysenteriae isolated in Hungary between 1978 and 1992 was tested against seven chemotherapeutic drugs frequently used for the treatment of swine dysentery, and the changes in the patterns of resistance were also monitored. All the strains remained sensitive to carbadox, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of only 0.05 to 0.40 μg/ml at present. The susceptibility of the strains to dimetridazole has gradually decreased, but about half of the strains are still sensitive, with large numbers of ‘moderately sensitive’ strains; the MIC values varied within wide limits (0.1 to 50 μg/ml). Most of the strains were resistant to tylosin, with MIC values from 0.1 to 100 μg/ml. The number of strains resistant to lincomycin has gradually increased, but about half of the strains remain sensitive; the MIC values ranged from 0.2 to 100 μg/ml. Recently, tiamulin has proved the most effective antibiotic, but some resistant strains have already emerged (MIC values 0.05 to 50 μg/ml). Monensin was good for the prevention of swine dysentery, but resistance may evolve quickly; the MIC values ranged from 0.4 to 25 μg/ml. For sedecamycin, the MIC values (6.25 to 100 μg/ml) were much higher than expected.
BSE in Great Britain: consistency of the neurohistopathological findings in two random annual samples of clinically suspect cases
Authors: Simmons M. M. , Harris P. , Jeffrey M. , Meek S. C. , Blamire I. W. H. , Wells G. A. H.
Published: October 2010

Two annual, random samples of clinically suspect cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) were taken in 1992–93 (year 1,1500 cases) and 1993–94 (year 2,1000 cases). From each sample, 100 positive cases were examined in detail to establish the severity of the vacuolation in 17 specific neuroanatomical locations. The resultant 'lesion profiles' were compared with the profile obtained from a similar sample of BSE‐affected cattle from early in the epidemic (1987–89); the comparison showed that the distribution and severity of vacuolation in BSE has remained unchanged. The cases not confirmed as BSE on histological examination (172 in year 1 and 162 in year 2) were examined for evidence of any alternative neurohistological diagnosis. As in previous studies, the majority of these cases showed no significant lesions (61.6 and 61.7 per cent). The remainder consisted of bilateral focal spongiosis of unknown significance (26.7 and 21.0 per cent), inflammatory conditions (8.1 and 11.1 per cent) and a small number of cases with tumours, cerebrocortical necrosis or idiopathic brainstem neuronal chromatolysis. No evidence was found of any cases of BSE with an atypical distribution of lesions. These findings support the theory that the BSE epidemic is sustained by a single, stable strain of the BSE agent, and confirm that the existing statutory diagnostic criteria continue to be appropriate.
Disposition of antimony after the administration of N‐methylglucamine antimoniate to dogs
Authors: Valladares J. E. , Alberola J. , Esteban M. , Arboix M.
Published: October 2010

A study was carried out in dogs to define the pharmacokinetic profile of antimony and to define a better therapeutic protocol for the treatment of canine leishmaniasis. Six healthy beagle dogs received 100 mg/kg of N‐methylglucamine antimoniate containing 27.2 per cent of antimony intravenously, intramuscularly and subcutaneously. After intravenous administration the plasma concentration of antimony decreased rapidly and after 240 minutes it was lower than the ED50 values suggested for Leishmania donovani. The pharmacokinetic parameters and bioavailability of antimony were calculated after each route of administration in each dog. The curves of plasma concentrations vs time were best described by a triexponential open model with a mean (sd) half life t½α of 9.4 (4.4) min, a t½pβ of 45.3 (4.5) min and a t½γ of 618.0 (93.5) min. The mean volume of distribution at steady state was 0.25 (0.03) litres/kg and the total body clearance was 0.25 (0.04) litres/h/kg. The peak plasma concentration (Cmax) after intramuscular administration was 27.2 (3.1)μg/ml, and after subcutaneous administration it was 25.5 (4.5) μg/ml; they were reached after 73.6 (11.9) min and 85.6 (11.3) min, respectively. The bioavailabilities after intramuscular and subcutaneous administration were 91.7 (7.1) and 92.2 (7.1) per cent, respectively. More than 80 per cent of the antimony was excreted in the urine in the first nine hours.
Haematological and biochemical values of 10 green iguanas (Iguana iguana)
Authors: Divers S. J. , Redmayne G. , Aves E. K.
Published: October 2010

Ten clinically healthy green iguanas (Iguana iguana) imported from South America were examined, and haematological and biochemical measurements were made on samples of blood. This paper describes the methods of blood sampling, handling and laboratory analysis, and presents the results as a set of normal blood ranges for the green iguana.
Stillbirth/perinatal weak calf syndrome: a study of calves with an abnormal thyroid gland
Authors: Smyth J. A. , Goodall E. A. , McCoy M. A. , Ellis W. A.
Published: October 2010

Data collected from 365 calves dead from stillbirth/perinatal weak calf syndrome were analysed to determine the predictive value of thyroid gland weight as an indicator of abnormality of the thyroid gland, and to examine the relationships between abnormality of the thyroid gland and other findings in the calves and also the parity of the dam. There was a significant relationship (P<0.001) between the thyroid gland weight and bodyweight for the calves with a histologically normal thyroid gland, but there was no such relationship for calves with an abnormal thyroid gland. Only 1.1 per cent of the histologically normal thyroid glands weighed more than 30 g, indicating that there is a very high probability that glands weighing more than 30 g are abnormal. However, 76.0 per cent of moderately to severely affected glands weighed less than 30 g. The following significant differences between calves with an abnormal and those with a normal thyroid gland were established. Abnormal thyroid glands were significantly heavier (P<0.01), constituted a significantly greater percentage of the calf's bodyweight (P<0.01) and had a significantly lower iodine concentration (P<0.001). A significantly higher proportion of calves with an abnormal thyroid gland had uninflated lungs (P<0.01), and a significantly higher proportion had pneumonia (P<0.01). Abnormal thyroid glands were associated with a low selenium concentration in the kidneys. There were no associations between abnormalities of the thyroid gland and the parity of the dam, the presence of skeletal fractures, the weight or sex of the calf, infection with leptospira, Salmonella dublin, Bacillus species, Actinomyces pyogenes or Aspergillus species, the quantities of hepatic iron pigment, liver vitamin E concentration or serum cholesterol concentration.
Effects of transporting horses facing either forwards or backwards on their behaviour and heart rate
Authors: Waran N. K. , Robertson V. , Cuddeford D. , Kokoszko A. , Marlin D. J.
Published: October 2010

The effects of transporting horses facing either forwards or backwards were compared by transporting six thoroughbred horses in pairs in a lorry on one journey facing in the direction of travel, and on another journey facing away from the direction of travel, over a standard one‐hour route. Heart rate monitors were used to record their heart rate before, during and after the journey and the horses' behaviour was recorded by scan sampling each horse every other minute. The average heart rate was significantly lower (P<0.05) when the horses were transported facing backwards, and they also tended to rest on their rumps more (P=0.059). In the forward‐facing position, the horses moved more frequently (P<0.05) and tended to hold their necks in a higher than normal position and to vocalise more frequently (P=0.059). During loading the average peak heart rate was 38 bpm lower (P<0.05) when the horses were backed into the horse box for rear‐facing transport than when they were loaded facing forwards. However, there was no difference between transport facing forwards or backwards in terms of the peak unloading heart rate, or the average heart rate during loading or unloading. The horses seemed to find being transported less physically stressful when they were facing backwards than when they were facing forwards.
Effects of feeding, watering and resting intervals on lambs transported by road and ferry to France
Authors: Knowles T. G. , Warriss P. D. , Brown S. N. , Kestin S. C. , Edwards J. E. , Perry A. M. , Watkins P. E. , Phillips A. J.
Published: October 2010

Three lorry loads, each of approximately 530 lambs, were monitored during August 1994 while they were transported from the Midlands to France. Each lorry underwent a similar journey, designed to study the effects of a) 22 hours on a lorry broken by two hours of feed, water and rest after 15 hours, b) 34 hours on a lorry broken by eight hours of feed, water and rest after 24 hours and c) 24 hours on a lorry and lairage for the following 48 hours. Measurements were made on 180 lambs in each load, of liveweight, plasma betahydroxybutyrate (BHB), non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), urea, total protein, albumin, osmolality, creatine kinase (CK), cortisol and glucose, before, during and after transport. Twenty‐four hours of transport resulted in changes in some of the variables measured that were little different from those observed after 24 hours of feed and water deprivation; however, the high ambient temperatures during the transport resulted in a greater degree of dehydration. For journeys longer than 15 hours a two‐hour rest in lairage with access to water and a palatable food source was beneficial in allowing some slight recovery. Although all the differences were in the direction that would be expected with recovery, they were often small and, within the sensitivity of the study, were only significant for NEFA and CK. For journeys longer than 24 hours, an eighthour rest in lairage with access to water and a palatable food source was beneficial and allowed material realimentation and rehydration before further transport for up to 10 hours. After 24 hours of transport, however, liveweight, plasma urea, total protein and albumin had only returned to basal levels after 24 hours in lairage and plasma BHB, CK and osmolality after 48 hours of lairage.
Protein markers in cerebrospinal fluid from BSE‐affected cattle
Authors: Jones V. , Martin T. C. , Keyes P. , Dawson M.
Published: October 2010

Two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to analyse cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 75 suspect cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), 61 of which were confirmed by post mortem brain histopathology, and 38 normal cattle. CSF samples were also examined from cattle killed at periodic intervals through the incubation period following experimental challenge. Consistent changes were recorded in all CSF samples from the confirmed cases of natural BSE and also from cattle showing early signs of experimental disease. The changes consisted of an increased intensity of staining of apolipoprotein E and the presence of two protein spots, as yet unidentified, of molecular weights 35 and 36 kDa, both with a pl of 5.5. These changes were absent in the CSF samples from the normal cattle, from the clinically suspect cattle which were not confirmed as BSE and from the experimentally challenged cattle in the preclinical phase of infection.
Natural transmission of orf virus from clinically normal ewes to orf‐naive sheep
Authors: Nettleton P. F. , Gilray J. A. , Yirrell D. L. , Scott G. R. , Reid H. W.
Published: October 2010

The apparent natural transmission of orf virus from clinically normal ewes to susceptible sheep was observed during a border disease vaccine experiment. The 14 susceptible sheep were persistently infected with border disease virus and had been reared indoors in isolation from other sheep since birth. Their ages ranged from two to four years and they were housed in two groups: group 1 consisted of four sheep persistently infected with the Moredun strain of border disease virus and group 2 consisted of 10 sheep persistently infected with the Oban strain of the virus. On day 0, six sheep were removed from group 2 and rehoused. To the remaining four sheep in each group were added eight four‐ to six‐year‐old pregnant conventionally reared ewes at 48 days gestation. Fourteen days later the four sheep in group 1 were moved to another pen housing eight similar five‐year‐old pregnant ewes at 48 days' gestation, and the four sheep from group 2 were rehoused with their original stallmates. Twenty‐one days later lip lesions typical of orf were first observed on the sheep from both groups and the disease spread to all the sheep persistently infected with border disease virus over the next four weeks. Virological and serological evidence demonstrated that the source of infection for the sheep was almost certainly the conventionally reared ewes, on which no lesions resembling orf were observed at any time during the study.
Progress and setbacks in the oral immunisation of foxes against rabies in Europe
Authors: Stöhr K. , Meslin F. ‐M.
Published: October 2010

The oral immunisation of foxes has led to a substantial decrease in the number of rabies cases in Europe. Between 1989 and 1994 the prevalence of rabies in animals was reduced to less than 20 per cent of the 1989 level in countries which had been conducting oral immunisation campaigns since 1992 or before. Since 1978 more than 73.7 million baits have been spread over an area of 4.9 million km2. However, large areas have not yet been declared rabies‐free, so the economic and public health benefits stemming from the reduced prevalence of rabies have so far remained marginal. Setbacks have occurred which have slowed the progress of vaccination, particularly towards the end of the 1980s and during the early 1990s. The reasons for the territorial differences in progress are discussed and the factors which have contributed to greater success in vaccination campaigns are identified. Unfortunately, the many positive and negative experiences with oral immunisation of foxes in Europe have resulted in only a limited number of scientifically validated recommendations for strategies to be applied under the different ecological and epidemiological conditions in Europe. Solutions have not yet been found to questions such as the duration of vaccination campaigns, the level of surveillance during and after campaigns and the appropriate countermeasures to compensate for the obvious increase in the density of the fox population.
Birth of a male lamb derived from an in vitro matured oocyte fertilised by intracytoplasmic injection of a single presumptive male sperm
Authors: Catt S. L. , Catt J. W. , Gomez M. C. , Maxwell W. M. C. , Evans G.
Published: October 2010

The developmental competence of in vitro matured ovine oocytes, cytoplasmically injected with single male or female chromosome‐bearing sperm, was investigated. Eighty‐five unsorted, 92 ‘female‐sorted’ and 74 ‘male‐sorted’ ram sperm were injected into in vitro matured sheep oocytes and, two to four hours later, placed into the oviducts of 28 oestrous sheep. The sperm were separated according to sex by analysis of their DNA content with a flow cytometer. One pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasound after 55 days and a 3 kg male lamb was born after 150 days gestation. This lamb was derived from an oocyte injected with ‘male‐sorted’ sperm.
Rapid identification of porcine Serpulina species by colony blot assay using a genus‐specific monoclonal antibody
Authors: Achacha M. , Mittal K. R.
Published: October 2010

An immunoglobulin G monoclonal antibody (mAb C9E8) recognising a genus‐specific epitope on the 26 kDa protein of porcine Serpulina species organisms was used in a simple colony blot assay to detect Serpulina in cultures grown directly on blood agar plates from pig faeces and tissues. The mAb detected even a few colonies of the organism in the presence of an abundant growth of non‐Serpulina organisms. The whole procedure was completed in less than three hours. A total of 123 strains of S hyodysenteriae and S innocens were correctly identified by the colony blot assay whereas all the 26 non‐ Serpulina Gram‐negative organisms commonly isolated from faecal material or tissues of pigs remained negative. The assay was rapid, highly specific and sufficiently reliable to be used with confidence for identifying porcine Serpulina colonies directly on blood agar plates.
Risk factors for perinatal and postnatal mortality in lambs
Authors: Nash M. L. , Hungerford L. L. , Nash T. G. , Zinn G. M.
Published: October 2010

Factors associated with preweaning mortality in lambs were identified by developing risk profiles with logistic regressions for perinatal and postnatal mortality. Compared with heavy lambs, lambs of low birth weight had almost twice the risk of perinatal mortality (odds ratio [OR]=1.9) and lambs of average weight had a slightly lower risk (OR=0.7). Two of four lambing location categories affected perinatal mortality, with lambs born at unmonitored areas at greatest risk (OR=2.7). Multiple births increased the risk of perinatal mortality (OR=1.5), especially among Targhee lambs (OR=4.0). Breed variations in perinatal mortality were significant in Suffolk lambs (OR=1.9) and Booroola Rambouillet lambs (OR=2.1). Lambs born weak had an increased risk of postnatal mortality while strong lambs had a decreased risk (OR=3.7 and 0.6, respectively) if the dam had an adequate milk supply. Poor milk supply increased the risk of postnatal mortality for lambs of average vigour (OR=3.3), but did not change the risk for weak or strong lambs. Male lambs castrated at 30 days of age were at less risk of postnatal mortality (OR=0.3) than females. There were slight increases in the risk of postnatal mortality for intact males (OR=1.3), low birth weight lambs (OR=1.6), and lambs born in sheds (OR=1.3). Suffolk lambs (OR=1.8) and Targhee lambs (OR=1.6) had a higher risk of postweaning mortality.
A comparison of serological tests and gross lung pathology for detecting contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in two groups of Italian cattle
Authors: Nicholas R. A. J. , Santini F. G. , Clark K. M. , Palmer N. M. A. , De Santis P. , Bashiruddin J. B.
Published: October 2010

Western and dot blotting techniques were compared with complement fixation tests (CFT), indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), mycoplasma culture and gross lung pathology to detect Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides sc, the cause of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), in two groups of Italian cattle. None of the animals showed any clinical signs before slaughter. In group A, seven of the 20 cattle had characteristic lung lesions of acute and chronic CBPP but only six were positive by CFT. Western blotting detected antibody in eight of the animals, of which six had lesions and significant CFT titres (>50 per cent fixation at a serum dilution of 1/10) and two had neither. In group B, seven of the 17 cattle had lesions characteristic of CBPP, and 12 were seropositive by CFT. Western blotting detected antibody in 13 of the animals including one which had a negative CFT titre. The ELISA was less sensitive than either CFT or Western blotting, detecting antibody in five animals in group A and nine animals in group B. The dot blotting test correlated well with Western blotting but gave a small number of ambiguous results. The causative organism was isolated from four of the 20 cattle in group A and six of the 17 cattle in group B.
Norgestomet implants, plasma progesterone concentrations and embryo transfer pregnancy rates in cattle
Authors: Smith A. K. , Broadbent P. J. , Dolman D. F. , Grimmer S. P. , Davies D. A. R. , Dobson H.
Published: October 2010

A study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that supplementation with exogenous progestagen at the time of embryo transfer would enhance pregnancy rates in recipients. Twohundred‐ and‐seventy‐two oestrus‐synchronised crossbred heifer and cow recipients received 200 grade 1 and 72 grade 2 Simmental embryos transferred non‐surgically. Heparinised blood samples were taken on day 6 and day 7 (oestrus = day 0) for the assessment of the endogenous plasma progesterone concentration. Half the recipients received an ear implant impregnated with 3 mg norgestomet on the day of embryo transfer. The pregnancy rates were 51.9 and 49.6 per cent for the norgestomet‐treated and control groups, respectively. The pregnancy rate for grade 1 embryos was 56.0 per cent and for grade 2 embryos 36.1 per cent (P<0.01). The breed of recipient, weekday of transfer, operator and condition score had no effect on pregnancy rate. The maiden heifers had a higher pregnancy rate (54.2 per cent) than the cows (46.2 per cent). The mean plasma progesterone concentrations of the pregnant and non‐pregnant groups on day 6 were 6.7 ng/ml and 6.6 ng/ml, respectively, and 7.6 ng/ml in both groups on day 7.
Evaluation of the persistence of the effect of ivermectin and abamectin against gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes in cattle
Authors: Barth D. , Ericsson G. F. , Kunkle B. N. , Rehbein S. , Ryan W. G. , Wallace D. H.
Published: October 2010

The persistence of the effect of ivermectin and abamectin against gastrointestinal nematodes and lungworm in cattle was evaluated in two trials, each involving 28 animals. Groups of seven cattle either remained untreated, or were treated topically with ivermectin at 500 μg/kg bodyweight or subcutaneously with either ivermectin or abamectin at 200 μg/kg bodyweight. Starting on the day of treatment the cattle were given daily trickle infections with various infective nematode larvae for two weeks (Haemonchusspecies,Trichostrongylus axeiandCooperiaspecies), three weeks (Ostertagia ostertagiandOesophagostomum radiatum) and four weeks (Dictyocaulus viviparus). The cattle were killed 49 to 51 days after treatment and their worm burdens measured. An efficacy of >99 per cent was recorded in all the groups demonstrating that the products controlledHaemonchusspecies,T axei, C oncophora, C punctataandC surnabadafor at least two weeks,O ostertagiandO radiatumfor at least three weeks andD viviparusfor at least four weeks.
Surgical repair of the parotid gland in a gelding
Authors: Newton S. A. , Knottenbelt D. C. , Daniel E. A.
Published: October 2010

The surgical repair of a traumatic injury to the parotid (Stenson's) duct of an adult horse is described and compared with previous reports. The diagnosis was confirmed by the analysis of a flow of saliva‐like fluid observed while the horse was eating. The repair was attempted under general anaesthesia three days after the injury. Surgical anastomosis was considered to have improved the rate of healing. However, there was some evidence of leakage of saliva from the site for three days after the removal of the in‐dwelling catheter, seven days postoperatively. A full recovery followed.
Comparison ofChlamydia psittacifrom cats with upper respiratory tract disease by polymerase chain reaction analysis of theompAgene
Authors: Sykes J. E. , Studdert V. P. , Anderson G. , Browning G. F.
Published: October 2010

Conjunctival swabs were taken from 168 cats with clinical signs of acute or chronic upper respiratory tract disease and tested forChlamydia psittaciby the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify theompAgene coding region. Twenty‐two (13 per cent) were positive forC psittaci. The PCR products from positive samples were subjected to restriction endonuclease analysis with the restriction enzymesAluI andMseI. The fragments of DNA were detected on silver‐stained polyacrylamide gels and the results were compared with the results obtained from chlamydial isolates from cats in Japan, France, the USA and the UK. All the strains had identical restriction patterns. When PCR is used as an epidemiological tool, feline chlamydial strains worldwide appear very similar
Oesophageal injury associated with the administration of an anthelmintic bolus to calves
Authors: Mannion P. A. , Jackson P. G. G. , White R. A. S. , Herrtage M. E.
Published: October 2010

Six of 18 calves from a suckler herd which were dosed with a sustained‐release anthelmintic bolus, using appropriate equipment, developed clinical signs related to oesophageal perforation. Two died as a direct result of the injuries sustained, one required surgical removal of the paraoesophageal bolus and the remaining three were managed medically. The calves were in the approximate weight range advised by the manufacturers as suitable for dosing, but some were younger than the minimum recommended age. These animals were of a fractious nature having been relatively little handed.
Transient hyperlipidaemia and anaemia in kittens
Authors: Gunn‐Moore D. A. , Watson T. D. G. , Dodkin S. J. , Blaxter A. C. , Crispin S. M. , Gruffydd‐Jones T. J.
Published: October 2010

Severe fasting hypertriglyceridaemia (5 to 126 mmol/litre) and anaemia (packed cell volume <11 per cent) was observed in 12 litters of kittens around the time of weaning; the entire litter was usually affected, with significant mortality. Lipid analysis revealed marked increases in chylomicrons and moderate increases in very low density lipoproteins. Supportive measures for the treatment of anaemia and weaning on to a low fat diet resulted in a rapid resolution of the clinical signs, anaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia. On recovery, plasma was collected from kittens from five of the affected litters, plus a number of closely related cats and unrelated cats living in the same environment. The lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity was mildly but significantly lower in the previously affected kittens, their parents and unaffected siblings, than in the unrelated cats. The cats had normal apolipoprotein C‐TI function, normal heparin binding activity and no evidence of a circulating inhibitor to LPL. They did not have the LPL gene mutation reported previously in LPL‐deficient cats from New Zealand.