Jaagsiekte Sheep Retrovirus Can Reach Peyer's Patches and Mesenteric Lymph Nodes of Lambs Nursed by Infected Mothers.

Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is a contagious lung cancer of sheep caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV). It is generally accepted that transmission by the respiratory route occurs under natural conditions. However recent studies strongly indicate that JSRV can also be transmitted to lambs perinatally via colostrum and milk (C/M). The aim of this work was to confirm that C/M can transmit JSRV infection to lambs under natural conditions and investigate the initial events associated with this transmission route. We have analyzed the presence of JSRV in C/M samples from 22 naturally infected, asymptomatic ewes throughout a lactation period, and in various tissues collected from a group of 36 of their lambs that were fed naturally. The lambs were euthanized at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours and at 5 and 10 days after birth. We detected JSRV-provirus by PCR in the somatic C/M cells from 10/22 ewes (45.45%). The virus was also detected in 9/36 lambs (25%). JSRV-infected cells, with lymphoreticular-like morphology, were observed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) in Peyer's patches (PP) from the small intestine of the youngest lambs and in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) from lambs older than 72 hours. The virus was also detected by PCR in white blood cells (WBC) in 2/36 lambs (5.5%). These results confirm colostral transmission of JSRV to lambs under natural conditions. Infected lymphoreticular cells contained in C/M appear to be involved. These cells can cross the intestinal barrier of newborn lambs, reach the MLN and enter into circulation.

Effect of addition of soybean trypsin inhibitor to colostrum on immunological status in goat kids.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of soybean trypsin inhibitor (TI) on immunoglobulin G (IgG) serum levels and growth in neonatal goat kids. Twenty-four newborn kids were fed with natural colostrum (group A), and 24 kids received the same colostrum with 1 g of TI per litre (group B). Blood samples were obtained at birth and on days 1, 2 and 4 of life to analyze serum proteins, IgG and haematological parameters. There were no clinical signs of disease and no significant differences in body weight between the groups. Haematological parameters were not affected by treatment. The peak of serum IgG was reached at 24 h of life, but no effects of soybean TI was observed on serum IgG levels. The apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG was similar in both groups (group A 24.5% vs. group B 25.2%, p > 0.05). The addition of TI to colostrum did not change the concentration of serum proteins and their fractions in goat kids. The correlation between serum IgG and gamma-globulin was positive and significant (p < 0.01, r = 0.64) in group A, but not in group B (p > 0.05, r = 0.08), suggesting a negative influence of soybean TI on gamma-globulin absorption. These results show that addition of soybean TI to colostrum did not improve the performance or immunological status in goat kids.

Perioperative and short-term advantages of mini-open approach for lumbar spinal fusion.

It has been widely reported a vascular and neurologic damage of the lumbar muscles produced in the classic posterior approach for lumbar spinal fusions. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate a better clinical and functional outcome in the postoperative and short term in patients undergoing minimal invasive surgery ("mini-open") for this lumbar spinal arthrodesis. We designed a prospective study with a 30 individuals cohort randomized in two groups, depending on the approach performed to get a instrumented lumbar circumferential arthrodesis: "classic posterior" (CL group) or "mini-open" approach (MO group). Several clinical and functional parameters were assessed, including blood loss, postoperative pain, analgesic requirements and daily life activities during hospital stay and at the 3-month follow-up. Patients of the "mini-open approach" group had a significant lower blood loss and hospital stay during admission. They also had significant lower analgesic requirements and faster recovery of daily life activities (specially moderate efforts) when compared to the patients of the "classic posterior approach" group. No significant differences were found between two groups in surgery timing, X-rays exposure or sciatic postoperative pain. This study, inline with previous investigations, reinforces the concept of minimizing the muscular lumbar damage with a mini-open approach for a faster and better recovery of patients' disability in the short term. Further investigations are necessary to confirm these findings in the long term, and to verify the achievement of a stable lumbar spinal fusion.

Influence of colostrum treated by heat on immunity function in goat kids.

The aim was to evaluate the influence of goat colostrum treated by heat on immune function in kids. Thirteen newborn kids were fed untreated colostrum (group A) and 13 kids were fed colostrum treated by heat (56 degrees C, 30 min) (group B). Blood samples were obtained at eight time points between the ages of 0 h to 28 days. Serum protein fractions, IgG levels and phagocytic activity of neutrophils were determined. A delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) test was used, clinical status and body weight was recorded. There were no clinical signs of disease and no differences (P>0.05) on body weight between groups were noted. Kids from group B had less total protein levels and gamma-globulins than kids from group A (P<0.05). A decrease in serum IgG levels (P<0.05) was observed in kids from group B during all experiment. DTH response in kids from group B was lower (P<0.01) than group A, suggesting alteration on cellular immune system. No effects on phagocytic activity of the neutrophils were observed when both groups were compared (P>0.05). These results showed that colostrum treated by heat impaired some immunological parameters in kids, but these changes did not affect on clinical status or performance.

Faecal thiaminase, plasma lactate and pyruvate concentrations and erythrocyte transketolase activity changes in apparently normal replacement ewes after the initiation to the pasture.

A study was made to investigate faecal thiaminase and the thiamine-related biochemical changes in apparently normal replacement ewes with a feed change, after the initiation without adaptation to the new pasture. Twenty-four female ewes were divided into two groups. Group A was managed in a system based on pasture and was compared with group B system based on a diet of concentrate and straw until moving to pasture 9 weeks after. Blood samples for lactate, pyruvate and erythrocyte transketolase activity determinations and faeces for thiaminase estimation were evaluated chronologically. At the end of a 126 days experimental period, live weights of groups were similar. We confirmed that clinically normal sheep may have thiaminase activity in the faeces and concluded that the thiaminase release increased during the diet changes, from concentrate to pasture, and that their continued excretion could develop some degree of thiamine deficiency.

High prevalence of ulcerative posthitis in Rasa Aragonesa rams associated with a legume-rich diet.

This study describes an outbreak of ulcerative posthitis that eventually affected 76 of 80 of rams in a flock of Rasa Aragonesa sheep on a legume-rich diet. Lesions were confined to the prepuce and varied from mild hyperaemia to ulcerations. Corynebacterium renale was isolated from the lesions. Treatment of an initial group of 17 was based on a change of diet and topical treatment with Veterin Banedif with prednisolone once a day for 15 days and was successful. Lesions in this group were completely resolved after 15 days. The relationship between a legume-rich diet, ruminal alkalosis, elevated urine pH and posthitis is discussed.

Biochemical changes in apparently normal sheep from flocks affected by polioencephalomalacia.

Blood samples were obtained for determination of the activities of lactate, pyruvate and erythrocyte transketolase, and faeces as samples for estimation of thiaminase, from 190 apparently healthy sheep from 19 flocks in which at least one animal had been diagnosed with polioencephalomalacia (PEM), from 59 control animals and from 7 affected by PEM. Feed and pasture grass samples were collected for thiaminase analysis and thiaminase was assayed in ryegrass and fescue. Decreased erythrocyte transketolase activity, accompanied by a corresponding rise in the thiamin pyrophosphate effect, and estimation of the thiaminase content in faeces, may be useful diagnostic procedures by which to identify periods of greater risk, during which animals could develop PEM. The changes in the diet probably acted as a primary factor for microbial production of thiaminases in replacement ewes. In these, the prevalence was higher in the spring months.

Efficacy of calcium fosfomycin for the treatment of experimental infections of broiler chickens with Escherichia coli O78:K80.

Two trials were made to assess the efficacy of including calcium fosfomycin in the drinking water or in the feed for four days to control the adverse effects of experimentally induced colibacillosis in broiler chickens. Trial 1 had five groups of 15 chicks each: one group of negative controls; an untreated infected control group and three groups treated with 50, 100 or 200 ppm of calcium fosfomycin in drinking water. Trial 2 had the same groups but the antibiotic was incorporated into the feed. The chickens were infected via their air sacs with 1.7 x 10(8) - 3.6 x 10(8) CFU/chick of Escherichia coli O78:K80. The morbidity and mortality, a score for the gross lesions, the relative weight of the liver and spleen, performance and re-isolation of the challenge bacteria were recorded. Calcium fosfomycin in the drinking water controlled the colibacillosis, particularly in the group treated with 200 ppm. However, no effect of the antibiotic was seen when calcium fosfomycin was incorporated into the feed, the mortality, score of lesions and re-isolation of E. coli from the organs in the three treated groups being similar to those for the infected unmedicated group. The amount of antibiotic ingested in trial I was three times more than in trial 2. These results suggest that calcium fosfomycin is best used in the drinking water for the treatment of colibacillosis.

Control of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 experimental infection by fosfomycin in newly hatched chicks.

One hundred and twenty 1-day-old broiler chickens were divided into four groups: group I unmedicated and orally challenged with 1.5 x 10(8) cfu of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4; group F infected and treated with 300 ppm of fosfomycin in their drinking water; group CF uninfected and treated, and group C maintained as a control group. Their performance, clinical signs, S. enteritidis PT4 reisolation and biochemistry variables were compared. Group F showed fewer symptoms and gross lesions than those from group 1. Fosfomycin treatment at 300 ppm improved body weight at 7 days of age by 42.3%. S. enteritidis PT4 reisolation in group I was higher than in the treated group, but total decontamination of challenged birds was not achieved. There was an increase in the levels of total protein and globulins in group I but not in the treated group. Fosfomycin caused no adverse effects on chickens from group CF, assessed by performance and biochemical variables. The results indicate that fosfomycin could be used in the treatment of S. enteritidis PT4 experimental infection.

Evaluation of canine serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentration: comparison of three analytical procedures.

A comparative study of 3 analytical methods (immunoradiometric assay, enzyme immunometric assay, and chemiluminescent immunometric assay) for canine serum thyrotropin (TSH) was performed. Ninety-six dogs were included in the study. The within- and between-run precision was evaluated for each method, and correlations for the results obtained with each method were examined. The best within- and between-run precision was obtained with the chemiluminescent immunometric assay. Satisfactory correlations for the 3 analytical procedures were obtained but varied in relation to serum TSH concentration.

Fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin in the assessment of glycaemic control in dogs.

Fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations were measured simultaneously in 222 dogs (96 healthy and 126 sick dogs). The dogs were divided into 3 groups according to the glucose concentration: hypo, hyper and euglycaemic dogs. Serum fructosamine concentrations were measured by the reduction test with nitroblue tetrazolium. A turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay and specific polyclonal antibodies were used to evaluate glycated hemoglobin concentrations. A significant correlation was found between glucose concentration and either fructosamine (r = 0.63, p < 0.0001) or glycated hemoglobin (r = 0.82, p < 0.0001). The correlation was higher in hyperglycaemic dogs for fructosamine (r = 0.80, p < 0.0001) and in hypoglycaemic dogs for glycated hemoglobin (r = 0.91, p < 0.005). We found a significant correlation between serum fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001 ) when all the dogs were studied. A significant correlation was observed between serum fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin only in hyperglycaemic dogs (r = 0.82, p < 0.0003). Thus, fructosamine and HbA1c may be considered for use in screening tests for diabetes mellitus in dogs and clinical tests for monitoring control and evaluation of the diabetic animal's response to treatment. The choice of the analytical assay depends on the characteristic and analytical opportunities of the laboratory, as well as the number of serum samples to be analysed.

Clinical value of fructosamine measurements in non-healthy dogs.

Ninety-three unhealthy dogs (including some with diabetes mellitus or insulinoma) of different ages, sex and breeds were divided into 10 groups according to their pathology. Serum fructosamine concentrations were determined using a commercial colorimetric nitroblue tetrazolium method. Diabetic dogs had the highest fructosamine concentrations (454.85 +/- 149.34 micromol/L). Dogs with insulinoma had significantly lower fructosamine concentrations (202.80 +/- 31.22 micromol/L), similar to those with leishmaniosis (202.83 +/- 99.83 micromol/L). Fructosamine concentrations in non-healthy dogs, except those with diabetes mellitus, insulinoma or leishmaniosis, were within the reference limits previously reported.

Glycosylated haemoglobin in dogs: study of critical difference value.

Measurement of glycated proteins can be of use in diagnosis and monitoring of diabetic dogs. Its use in monitoring can be facilitated by comparison of results with a reference interval derived from levels in normal dogs. In this study, a commercial immunoturbidometric assay was used to measure glycosylated haemoglobin in 15 normal dogs over a 5-week period. Following statistical analysis of the results a critical difference value of 0.38 per cent was obtained.

Glycosylated haemoglobin assay of canine blood samples.

A method for assaying canine glycosylated haemoglobin was evaluated. The method is a turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay and the final reaction is bichromatically measured using a multichannel automatic analyser. Within-run coefficients of variation (2.07 to 4.46 per cent) were permissible, but between-run coefficients of variation (2.10 to 8.25 per cent) were slightly more elevated. The detection limit of this assay is 0.052 per cent. A sample dilution of 10 microliters of sample and 500 microliters of haemolysing reagent is recommended for routine analysis of canine blood samples. A normal reference interval of 1.39 +/- 0.70 per cent was obtained from the glycosylated haemoglobin analysis in 82 healthy dogs and no statistically significant differences in relation to age or gender were observed. Some changes in glycosylated haemoglobin concentrations were noted throughout the ovarian cycle, although differences between dogs were evident. Since this assay specifically measures the glycosylated haemoglobin content in canine blood samples, it could be very useful for monitoring diabetic dogs.

Blood glycated hemoglobin evaluation in sick dogs.

Blood glycated hemoglobin concentration reflects long-term serum glucose levels in dogs. In this study, the effects of several diseases on blood glycated hemoglobin levels have been evaluated. For this study, blood samples were drawn from 93 unhealthy dogs. The animals were distributed into 10 groups according to pathological process (group 1, digestive problems; group 2, leishmaniasis; group 3, anemia; group 4, dermatological disorders; group 5, urinary problems; group 6, cardiorespiratory problems; group 7, diabetes mellitus; group 8, insulinoma; group 9, general diseases; group 10, control group). Blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin concentrations and hemoglobin and hematocrit values were analyzed in all the animals. In diabetic dogs, a strong increase in blood glycated hemoglobin was observed when compared with the other groups (P < 0.01). In contrast, dogs with insulinoma showed a decrease in blood glycated hemoglobin, though significant differences were not reported in all cases. No change in blood glycated hemoglobin concentrations were reported in dogs affected by other diseases. So, we can suppose that only the chronic alterations in glucose metabolism (chronic hyper- or hypoglycemia) can induce significant changes on the blood glycated hemoglobin concentrations in dogs.

Effect of acute hyperglycaemia on the serum fructosamine and blood glycated haemoglobin concentrations in canine samples.

The effect was studied of an acute and non-persistent hyperglycaemia on the serum fructosamine and blood glycated haemoglobin concentrations in canine samples. Five dogs were given glucose solution intravenously and blood samples were taken from each dog before and at 5, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min and 24 h after the infusion. There was an intense hyperglycaemia 5 min after the injection was given, but no statistically significant differences in the serum fructosamine and glycated haemoglobin were observed. It was concluded that an acute and transient hyperglycaemia does not cause significant changes in the glycated haemoglobin and fructosamine concentrations in healthy dogs.