The incidence of mastitis treated with antibiotics in large-scale Hungarian Holstein-Friesian dairy farms.

Treated mastitis episodes at large Hungarian dairy farms were studied to determine the distribution of mastitis treated with antibiotics among quarters of the udder. Data were detailed records of all mastitis episodes that occurred during 1976 lactations in Farm A infected with Staphylococcus aureus (from May 1995 through July 1998) and 808 lactations in Farm B free from S. aureus (from January 1999 through March 2001). The distribution of treated quarters was compared with mathematical expectations based upon a random distribution in the case of Farm A. Results on mastitis incidences for different lactation stage groups showed an increasing incidence within subsequent lactation stage groups in Farm A. In contrast, in Farm B the mastitis incidence for lactation stage group between 35 and 100 days was the highest, but beyond 100 days the incidence decreased and reached the lowest value. Results gave strong evidence that the four quarters within the udder are not distributed randomly with respect to naturally occurring episodes of treated mastitis. More episodes than expected occurred in which only one or all four quarters were treated. Fewer episodes than expected with two or three treated quarters were observed. In both farms, the mastitis rate for rear quarters was higher than for front quarters, and the incidence of right quarter mastitis episodes was higher than that of left quarter mastitis episodes.

Fly larvicidal activity in the faeces of cattle and pigs treated with endectocide products.

Bioassays were conducted to study the effect of a single therapeutic dose of injectable ivermectin, doramectin or moxidectin given to cattle and pigs and excreted in their faeces, against larvae of the housefly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). Five cattle were treated with each of the test products. Cattle faecal samples were collected before treatment and on days 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 16, 20, 23 and 28 after treatment. Three groups of pigs, each comprising 12-14 pregnant sows and gilts, were used in the experiment. Pig faeces was collected from each group before treatment and on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 20 after treatment. Thirty, first-stage larvae were placed into 100 g of faeces. Five replicates were examined for each time-point and for each endectocide group. Evaluation was based on the number of larvae surviving to adult emergence. Low numbers of adults emerged from samples taken from cattle 1 day after treatment, indicating that ivermectin and doramectin were rapidly excreted in the faeces and affected the development of the house fly. A larvicidal effect of both drugs in cattle faeces was present for a period of about 3-4 weeks and lasted a few days longer in cattle treated with doramectin than with ivermectin. In cattle, the larvicidal activity of moxidectin was first observed in faecal samples collected 2 days post-treatment; however, it killed fewer larvae than the other two drugs. The larvicidal effect of moxidectin subsequently decreased. Ivermectin and doramectin exhibited a pronounced larvicidal effect against the house fly in the faeces of pigs. The effect of doramectin was of longer duration. Moxidectin gave the weakest larvicidal effect in pig faeces. The main difference between the results obtained for the two livestock species is that peak toxicity occurred relatively later and for a shorter duration in pig than in cattle faeces.

Effect of induction of late embryonic mortality on plasma profiles of pregnancy associated glycoprotein 1 in heifers.

Inoculation with Actinomyces pyogenes and administration of prostaglandin (PG)F(2alpha) were used to induce late embryonic mortality (LEM) in heifers (n=8) on Days 30-38 of pregnancy in order to compare the profile for bovine pregnancy associated glycoprotein 1 (PAG1), progesterone and 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF(2alpha) (PGFM). Two pregnant heifers were used as controls. Inoculation into the uterine body caused LEM, as established by ultrasonography in each heifer within 24h of treatment. When the inoculum was injected into the first part of the cervix, LEM occurred in one of two heifers (Heifer A) between 48 and 72 h after treatment. Similarly, PGF(2alpha) treatment caused LEM in three of four heifers. In six of eight heifers, PAG1 started to decrease steadily when it was accompanied by the subsequent death of the embryo. Inoculation through the cervix caused luteolysis in three of four heifers within 6-10 days after induction. After induction of LEM, PGFM concentrations showed a two to 3.8 fold increase in three of four heifers during the following six days, and from that time changed within normal ranges. The results of this study indicate that a PAG1 assay may provide an alternative method to ultrasonography for determining LEM in the cow.

Improved pulmonary adaptation in newborn calves with postnatal acidosis.

The adaptation of newborn calves to extra-uterine life was evaluated by measuring arterial blood gases, acid-base values, blood ions and lung mechanical function parameters in normal and acidotic calves during the first 24 h. Twenty-seven Holstein Friesian newborn calves were divided into two groups according to their immediate post partum arterial blood pH values (Group A blood pH > or = 7.2: normal group; Group B blood pH between 7.2 and 7.0: acidotic group). Pulmonary function parameters were measured and arterial blood samples were analysed for blood gases, acid-base variables and ion content immediately post partum (within 2 min) and then 6 and 24 h after calving. Lung resistance and maximal difference between pressure maximum and pressure minimum (max delta Ppl) decreased, while dynamic lung compliance increased significantly in both groups. Immediately post partum the lung resistance and max delta Ppl were significantly higher in the acidotic group than in the normal group. The arterial blood pH progressively compensated with time in both groups during the first 24 h and there was no difference in arterial blood pH values between the two groups 6 h after birth. These results showed that the compensation of acidosis was associated with the improvement in lung mechanics and these changes occurred mainly during the first 6 h of life. Moderate to pronounced acidosis did not affect the pulmonary adaptation negatively, although some respiratory mechanics parameters (max delta Ppl), blood pH and Ca(2+)ion concentrations remained significantly different between the normal and acidotic groups at 24 h. This might be the result of overcompensation of acidosis and the interdependence between blood pH and Ca(2+)concentrations.

A preliminary study of the ultrasonographic determination of renal size in the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus).

No standard kidney measurements studies are available for guinea pigs and other pet rodents. Because the size of the kidney often is altered due to diffuse parenchymal renal disease, standardized normal values may help in the ultrasonographic detection of renal enlargement or diminution in vivo. We obtained in vivo ultrasonographic renal measurements from 31 clinically healthy guinea pigs. A significant (P < 0.01) positive correlation was found between renal length and calculated volume compared to body weight (r = 0.459 to 0.535). Renal volume data were calculated from a single sagittal ultrasonographic image by using the area-length prolate ellipsoid mathematic model. Renal volume can be calculated from the data of the regression equation, and both linear and calculated volume measurements correlated to body weight.

[Levels of interleukin-4, interleukin-5, tryptase and eosinophil cationic protein of nasal lavage fluid in pollen allergic rhinitis]. / Interleukin-4, interleukin-5, triptáz és eosinophil kationos proteinszintek meghatározása az orrmosó folyadékban rhinitis allergicában.

IL-4, IL-5, tryptase and eosinophil cationic protein levels were measured in nasal lavage fluid from 15 pollen allergic rhinitis beyond pollen season. Allergy was proved by prick test. There were 15 non allergic children in the control group. Specific nasal allergen provocation was performed on the rhinitic group. Nasal lavage were done before, 1 and 12 hours after the provocation. Before the nasal provocation the ECP and IL-4 levels were significantly higher in the allergic group compared to the non allergic group. The levels of tryptase, ECP and IL-4 rose significantly after the provocation. The results reflect to the possibility of an activated immune status in allergic rhinitis even without the presence of the triggering pollens. After the specific provocation elevated tryptase levels were measured, referring to the activity of the early phase of the I. type hypersensitivity reaction, while the ECP and IL-5 elevation to its late phase. According to our examinations it can be said, that tryptase, ECP and IL-5 might be used to detect the activation of the early and late phases of the IgE mediated hypersensitive reaction.

Evaluation of false ultrasonographic diagnoses in cows by measuring plasma levels of bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 1.

Between days 27 and 59 after artificial insemination (AI), 189 ultrasonographic pregnancy diagnoses were made in 56 dairy cows using a 7.5 MHz linear-array rectal transducer. Blood samples were withdrawn from a jugular vein on the day of AI, on day 21, and after each ultrasonographic examination between days 27 and 31, days 34 and 38, days 41 and 45 and days 55 and 59 after AI. Plasma concentrations of bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 1 (bPAG-1) were measured by radioimmunoassay. The results showed that before day 31, ultrasonographic scanning was not very sensitive because six of the 30 calving cows were incorrectly diagnosed as non-pregnant. In five of these animals, the uterus was located far cranial to the pelvic inlet. Five of the cows examined between days 27 and 31 were pregnant on the basis of plasma bPAG-1 levels on the same day, using 0.5 ng/ml as the cut-off point. Plasma levels of bPAG-1 and progesterone proved that four of the cows which had early positive ultrasonographic diagnoses but did not produce a calf, were pregnant when they were examined.

[Multicenter studies of terfenadine-containing suspensions in children with hayfever]. / Multicentrikus vizsgálat terfenadin tartalmú szuszpenzióval szénanáthás gyermekeken.

Authors treated 50 seasonal allergic rhinitis ragweed sensitive patients with a second generation antihistamine, terfenadine containing suspension given twice/day for two weeks in the weeds season of 1996. Nasal (rhinorrhoea, stuffed nose, sneezing, itching) and eye symptoms (hyperaemia, itching, tearing), noted by the physicians and by the patients' diary, blood count, liver function, kidney function and ECG were examined. There was no meaningful difference between the symptoms registrated by the physicians and the patients. It was pointed out that according to both notes at all symptoms there was an improvement already on the 7th day of the treatment, which developed further for the 14th day. The only exception was rhinorrhoea which ameliorated only for the 14th day. ECG deviation related to the terfenadine treatment was not found. Repeated vomiting was experienced at one child. Transitional, slight SGOT, SGPT activity increase appeared in 4 children, the same was observed at two children in se kreatinine and carbamid nitrogen level. Nine patients needed (from the 7th day) supplementary local treatment (cromoglycate eyedrops or nasal spray).

Efficacy of ivermectin and moxidectin injection against larvae of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in sheep.

The therapeutic efficacies of ivermectin (Ivomec injection, Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V.) and moxidectin (Cydectin 1% injection, American Cyanamid Company) were evaluated in sheep naturally infested with larvae of Wohlfahrtia magnifica. Sheep were randomly allocated to one of the 2 groups, each consisting of 19 animals. Sheep in one group received ivermectin and those in the other, moxidectin by subcutaneous injection at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg body weight. Evaluation was performed at 19, 24, 28, 39, 43, 48, 52, 63, 67, 72, 87, 96, 120, 144 and 168 h after treatment. At 144 and 168 h post-treatment, late third-instar larvae were collected from wounds of four sheep in both groups and from untreated, infested sheep. These larvae were reared in the laboratory to assess adult emergence. Neither ivermectin nor moxidectin was effective as a rapid acting treatment or as a long-term, or even short-term, prophylactic. Despite the treatment, 30-40% of sheep had live larvae at every evaluation. Although larvae disappeared from the wounds of some sheep in both groups after the treatment, the wounds in these animals failed to recover and were reinfested by larvae of W. magnifica. On day 7 post-treatment the trial had to be finished because the majority of treated sheep were severely infested by Wohlfahrtia maggots. The average number of infested sheep in the two groups and the number of adults that were produced from larvae collected from treated sheep indicate that ivermectin and moxidectin did not differ significantly in efficacy.

Effect of parental smoking on wheezy bronchitis and bronchial hyperreactivity.

In the course of the follow-up of 206 previously obstructive bronchitis children, the effect of parental smoking upon the occurrence of respiratory diseases, the yearly frequency of wheezing episodes and the age until the obstructive episodes used to return have been investigated. Familial and maternal smoking was more frequent in this group compared to the control group. In spite of this, however, no correlation could be detected between familial smoking and frequency of respiratory diseases, as well as the above mentioned characteristics of obstructive bronchitis. The familial smoking did not seem to influence the bronchial hyperreactivity challenged with acetylcholine, although the prevalence was higher.

The effect of smoking on peripheral blood lymphocytes and on some immunological parameters in old age.

To investigate the influence of smoking on the aging immune system, the following parameters were determined in elderly smokers and non-smokers: presence of emphysema; absolute number of leucocytes, lymphocytes, T cells and B cells bearing membrane-bound IgG; serum IgG, IgA, IgM levels, occurrence of rheumatoid and antinuclear factors, and natural antibody level (against different bacteria). Ultrastructural disorders in lymphocytes were also investigated. The number of leucocytes, the levels of serum IgA, and the prevalence of autoantibodies were higher, and the natural antibody level was lower in smokers than in non-smokers. Giant mitochondria and cytoplasmic disorders were found more frequently in smokers than in non-smokers, and in an even higher rate in smokers with emphysema. These findings suggest that smoking may accelerate the appearance of age-dependent (especially disease-related) immunological changes.

The effect of family background on body weight and on the number and morphological changes of lymphocytes in old age.

The authors examined elderly people (214 males and 304 females) 60 years of age and over, without overt diseases. They studied the relationship between family background and body mass index as well as quantitative changes in circulating lymphocytes as a function of the above parameters. The average age of the examined men was 74 years, 86% of them lived with their families; the average age of the women was 72 years and 51% of them lived with their families. A mathematical analysis of the body weight measurements showed that the drawn sample readily follows a normal distribution. It was also shown with respect to the examined persons that body weight, body height, and body mass index decrease with age and differ with sex. In overweight persons degenerative changes in the mitochondria of the peripheral lymphocytes were more frequent than in persons of normal weight.

The effect of smoking on the presence of antinuclear antibodies and on the morphology of lymphocytes in aged subjects.

The effect of smoking on the presence of antinuclear antibodies and on the occurrence of mitochondrial changes in lymphocytes was studied in 518 subjects over 45 years of age without overt diseases. Antinuclear antibodies could be demonstrated more frequently in smokers than in non-smokers. Smoking did not influence the age dependent degenerative changes in the mitochondria of the lymphocytes, but giant mitochondria could be seen more frequently in smokers than in non-smokers.

Results of bronchial challenge after infantile obstructive bronchitis.

The bronchial hyperreactivity was examined in a follow-up of 206 children having had obstructive bronchitis before two years of age. The acetylcholine challenge was done with 0.5% and 1% Pharmalgen solutions. The bronchial hyperreactivity was established over a 20% decrease of PEF and/or FEV1 values. Summarizing the results produced by 0.5% and 1% solutions a significant difference could be found in the bronchial hyperreactivity between the follow-up and control groups. Similarly the PC20 (provocative concentrations) values were suitable for differentiating the two groups. Upon physical exercise, EIB occurred in 2%. With the skin prick test (SPT) by 10 allergens 3+ or 4+ positivity was found in 17% of the children. Between the bronchial hyperreactivity and SPT positivity a significant correlation could be established.