Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates associated with mortality in broiler chicks.

In mid-2000, a broiler chicken company in Alabama experienced high early mortality rates in chicks from two different hatcheries. Five isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, obtained from these contaminated hatcheries and resulting broiler chicks with omphalitis, were selected to determine virulence of the bacteria. One-day-old specific-pathogen-free white leghorn chicks were placed into positive pressure isolation units (10 chicks per unit); feed and water were provided ad libitum. The five isolates of P. aeruginosa (1 x 10(1) or 1 x 10(1) colony-forming units/bird) were used to challenge two replicates of 10 chicks via yolk sac inoculation. Two control groups were injected with 0.1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline, and two groups received no treatment. Mortality was recorded daily, and the chicks that died were necropsied and liver and yolk sacs were cultured. After 14 days, the remaining chickens were euthanatized and necropsied. Bacterial isolates retrieved from liver and yolk sacs were identified by the API 20 NE typing system to confirm that they were the same as the challenge isolate. Virulence varied greatly among the isolates, resulting in mortality rates from 0 to 90%. The challenge isolates produced different and often distinctive postmortem lesion patterns. Antibiotic sensitivity tests showed that all five isolates were resistant to sulfisoxazole, ceftiofur, penicillin, lincomycin, bacitracin, oxytetracycline, erythromycin, naladixic acid, and tetracycline. The isolates varied in sensitivity to other antibiotics, but all isolates were sensitive to gentamicin.

Pathogenic effects on domestic poultry of a mycoplasma gallisepticum strain isolated from a wild house finch.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) has been isolated from wild house finches. The pathogenic effects of MG finch strain (K4058) and MG R-strain were compared after exposure of chickens and turkeys. Gross and histologic lesions, reisolation of the organism, serology, and clinical disease were evaluated. Milder histologic and gross lesions, in addition to lower serologic titers, occurred in birds inoculated with the finch strain. Mortality, concurrent with clinical and gross respiratory signs and lesions, was observed only in chickens challenged with R-strain. Both the MG finch strain and MG R-strain were recovered from the respective challenge groups at 14 and 28 days postexposure. The results show that MG isolated from wild house finches may infect domestic poultry species but causes only mild disease and is less virulent than MG R-strain. Commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits best detected the serologic response of chickens and turkeys to the MG finch strain.

Effect of increasing dietary vitamin A on bone density in adult dogs.

There has been an increase in vitamin A fortification of livestock feeds resulting in increased residual vitamin A in organ meats, which are often used in canned dog foods. The effect on bone density of feeding various concentrations of vitamin A in a canned dog food product was investigated. Thirty-two random-source dogs were assigned to four treatments in a randomized complete block design. The diets contained 15,000, 50,000, 116,000, or 225,000 IU vitamin A/1,000 kcal ME. Diets were fed up to 1 yr. Computed tomography was used to determine bone density of the right tibia at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo. Computed tomography is a more sensitive technique for determining bone density in vivo than conventional x-rays. There were no differences (P > .10) in tibia bone or marrow density in any of the dogs fed the various concentrations of vitamin A. There was no interaction of time x diet on bone density (P > .05) or bone marrow density (P > .05). In addition, there were no changes in serum alkaline phosphatase, calcium, or phosphorus. These results indicate that concentrations of vitamin A three times the recommended maximum safe amount (71,429 IU/1,000 kcal ME) are not detrimental to normal bone health in dogs. Therefore, these data support the hypothesis that canines are less sensitive to excess vitamin A in the diet than some other mammals.

The riboflavin requirement of adult dogs at maintenance is greater than previous estimates.

A study was conducted to determine the riboflavin requirement of adult dogs at maintenance. Twenty adult mixed breed dogs were fed a semipurified meal with one of five riboflavin concentrations: Diet 1, 1.7 mg/kg; Diet 2, 2.7 mg/kg; Diet 3, 3.7 mg/kg; Diet 4, 4.7 mg/kg; and Diet 5, 5.7 mg/kg. The erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRAC) was used to determine biochemical riboflavin deficiency. Dogs fed Diet 1 had a greater (P < 0.05) EGRAC (1.24) on d 56 of the trial compared with that of dogs fed Diet 5 (1.11), indicating marginal riboflavin deficiency in dogs fed Diet 1. On d 84 the mean EGRAC for dogs fed Diet 1 (1.36) was different from EGRAC obtained for dogs fed the other diets (1.19, P < 0.05). The difference in mean EGRAC was still present of d 112 (1.59 vs. 1.27; P< 0.01). There was no difference in d 112 mean EGRAC for dogs fed Diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 (P < 0.05). The broken line requirement estimate for the adult dog at maintenance was determined to be 66.8 microgram riboflavin x kg body wt(-1) x d(-1) using the d 112 EGRAC as the basis for assessing biochemical riboflavin deficiency.

Technology and outpatient review: a preliminary evaluation.

Most health care utilization and cost control programs focus on inpatient care or on high-cost, catastrophic illnesses or injuries. Recently, however, Parkside Health Management Corporation has developed a utilization review program that targets treatments and high-technology procedures performed primarily in an outpatient setting, as well as specific inpatient procedures not included in other review programs. These include chiropractic, podiatric, and physical therapy treatments; cesarean section; and endoscopy, ultrasound in pregnancy, and lithotripsy. The treatments/procedures examined in this program, called Technology and Outpatient Review (TOR), account for approximately 6% of claims expenses. Bigel Institute for Health Policy researchers are evaluating a pilot test to determine TOR's effect on health care costs and utilization, appropriateness, and patient satisfaction.