The difference in radiographic findings in the distal limbs of working Lipizzan horses, used for dressage or driving.

Introduction: Lameness originating from the distal limb is common in sport horses and can vary depending on the dynamics of movement and the surface, with differences in shoeing exacerbating this variability. Driving horses work primarily on hard surfaces (pavement), whereas dressage horses work primarily on soft surfaces (riding arenas with sand). Driving horses are traditionally shod with small fixed studs made of hard metal, which are attached to the horseshoe at 4 points, while dressage horses are shod with a simple horseshoe. We investigated the hypothesis that there is a difference in the pathological radiographic findings of the distal limbs between driving and dressage horses. The variability in the stable management and training program was minimized by including horses from the same farm. Methods: Twenty horses in a driving training program and 20 horses in a dressage program were included in the study. Radiographs of the both front feet were obtained and quantitatively evaluated for radiographic changes by three surgery/diagnostic imaging specialists. Interrater reliability was measured, and multivariate analysis was performed to compare differences in pathological radiographic findings of the distal limbs between the two groups. Results: Kendal's concordance coefficient indicated an agreement among raters (Kw ≠ 0) for all observations. Radiographic signs of degenerative joint disease of the distal interphalangeal joint were more common in the group of driving horses compared to dressage horses. Conclusion: Our hypothesis was confirmed, as there were significant pathological differences between groups in distal articular margin of middle phalanx, joint space narrowing, and irregular joint surface of the middle phalanx.

Regenerative medicine in lung diseases: A systematic review.

Regenerative medicine has opened the door to the exploration of new therapeutic methods for the treatment of various diseases, especially those associated with local or general disregulation of the immune system. In pulmonary diseases, new therapeutic strategies have emerged that are aimed at restoring functional lung tissue rather than alleviating symptoms. These strategies focus on tissue regeneration using stem cells and/or their derivatives or replacement of dysfunctional tissue using biomedical engineering. Animal health can directly benefit from regenerative therapy strategies and also serve as a translational experimental model for human disease. Several clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the effects of cellular treatment on inflammatory lung disease in animals. Data reported to date show several beneficial effects in ex vivo and in vivo models; however, our understanding of the mechanisms that regenerative therapies exert on diseased tissues remains incomplete.

Effect of intrabronchial administration of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on severe equine asthma.

BACKGROUND: Severe equine asthma (SEA) is a common chronic respiratory disease and a significant health and well-being problem in horses. Current therapeutic strategies improve pulmonary function and clinical signs in some horses, but in the long-term, return to full athletic function appears to be rare. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and the effect of intrabronchial administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC) on pulmonary inflammatory and clinical parameters in horses with SEA. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial. Twenty adult horses diagnosed with SEA were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10), and treated either with a single intrabronchial application of autologous AD-MSC or oral dexamethasone for three weeks. A targeted clinical examination with determination of clinical score, maximal change in pleural pressure during the breathing cycle, and an endoscopic examination of the airways were performed at baseline and three weeks after treatment. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was analyzed cytologically, and IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-8, IL-17, TNFα and IFNγ mRNA and protein concentrations were measured at baseline and three weeks. The horses were then monitored over one year for recurrence of SEA. A non-inferiority analysis and a linear mixed-effects model were performed to assess differences between treatments. RESULTS: The non-inferiority of AD-MSC treatment was not established. However, AD-MSC administration significantly ameliorated the clinical score (P = 0.01), decreased the expression of IL-17 mRNA (P = 0.05) and IL-1ß (P ≤ 0.001), IL-4 (P ≤ 0.001), TNFα (P = 0.02) protein levels, and had a positive long-term effect on SEA-associated clinical signs (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Intrabronchial administration of AD-MSC had limited short-term anti-inflammatory effects but improved the clinical signs of SEA at one year.

Entomological Surveillance and Cantharidin Concentrations in Mylabris variabilis and Epicauta rufidorsum Blister Beetles in Slovenia.

True blister beetles (genus Epicauta, family Meloidae) produce cantharidin, which can cause toxicosis in humans and animals. Some recent reports suggest that poisoning by the blister beetle has occurred in the Mediterranean part of Slovenia, which has never been reported before. Drought and modern harvesting techniques are thought to increase the likelihood of blister beetle forage contamination and cantharidin intoxication in animals. A survey of fields associated with blister beetle contamination was conducted and the Meloid species present were identified. Entomological surveillance was conducted for Mylabris variabilis and Epicauta rufidorsum. Cantharidin concentrations were also measured in both blister beetle species. Cantharidin concentration in Mylabris variabilis (n = 17) ranged from 0.038 to 0.354 µg/mg (mean 0.151 µg/mg). Cantharidin concentration in Epicauta rufidorsum (n = 36) ranged from 0.055 to 0.341 µg/mg (mean 0.142 µg/mg). Both species exhibited variable concentrations of cantharidin that could not be associated with their biology, sex, age, size, and/or reproductive status. Epicauta rufidorsum have never previously been studied as a possible source of forage contamination, nor have cantharidin concentrations been determined in this species. It is the most likely source of forage contamination due to its abundance in the investigated fields, its swarming activity, and its tendency to reside in the green parts of plants immediately after cutting. Delaying the simultaneous processing and storage of forage after cutting would reduce the likelihood of forage contamination by blister beetles, as they can then retreat to the ground or fly away.

Stem Cells in Veterinary Medicine-Current State and Treatment Options.

Regenerative medicine is a branch of medicine that develops methods to grow, repair, or replace damaged or diseased cells, organs or tissues. It has gained significant momentum in recent years. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the capability to self-renew and differentiate into tissue cells with specialized functions. Stem cell therapies are therefore used to overcome the body's inability to regenerate damaged tissues and metabolic processes after acute or chronic insult. The concept of stem cell therapy was first introduced in 1991 by Caplan, who proposed that massive differentiation of cells into the desired tissue could be achieved by isolation, cultivation, and expansion of stem cells in in vitro conditions. Among different stem cell types, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) currently seem to be the most suitable for therapeutic purposes, based on their simple isolation and culturing techniques, and lack of ethical issues regarding their usage. Because of their remarkable immunomodulatory abilities, MSCs are increasingly gaining recognition in veterinary medicine. Developments are primarily driven by the limitations of current treatment options for various medical problems in different animal species. MSCs represent a possible therapeutic option for many animal diseases, such as orthopedic, orodental and digestive tract diseases, liver, renal, cardiac, respiratory, neuromuscular, dermal, olfactory, and reproductive system diseases. Although we are progressively gaining an understanding of MSC behavior and their mechanisms of action, some of the issues considering their use for therapy are yet to be resolved. The aim of this review is first to summarize the current knowledge and stress out major issues in stem cell based therapies in veterinary medicine and, secondly, to present results of clinical usage of stem cells in veterinary patients.

First report of equine parvovirus-hepatitis-associated Theiler's disease in Europe.

BACKGROUND: Equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) has been proposed as the aetiological cause of Theiler's disease, also known as serum hepatitis. EqPV-H-associated Theiler's disease has not been previously reported in Europe. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether EqPV-H infection was associated with a 2018-2019 outbreak of Theiler's disease in four horses on a studfarm. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive case series. METHODS: The medical records of four horses from the same farm diagnosed with fatal Theiler's disease were examined retrospectively. Information collected included a clinical history, physical examination findings, tetanus antitoxin exposure, serum biochemistry and necropsy reports. Liver tissue from all four horses was tested for EqPV-H using PCR and in situ hybridisation (ISH) assays. RESULTS: Three of the horses had a history of recent (7-11 weeks) tetanus antitoxin administration. Liver tissue from all four horses tested positive for EqPV-H with PCR. In situ hybridisation revealed a widespread distribution of viral nucleic acid in hepatocytes in one case, and a more sporadic distribution in the remaining three cases. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Case controls were not available from the farm in question given the retrospective nature of analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This case series documents the first reported EqPV-H-associated Theiler's disease in Europe and the first use of ISH to visualise the viral nucleic acid in liver tissues of horses with Theiler's disease.

Clostridioides difficile in bat guano.

Bats are associated with the emergence of several mammalian diseases. Their sessional migration, and tendency to form large colonies in close proximity to human habitats enables effective intra- and inter-species transmission of pathogens. Clostridioides difficile is an important enteric pathogen in humans and animals; however, the source of its dissemination in the population is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of C. difficile in bats, and to characterize C. difficile isolates. Feces (n = 93) was sampled from bats during their migration across Europe. Eighteen samples (19.4%) were positive for C. difficile; ribotypes 078, 056, and a new ribotype CDB3 were identified. Clostridioides difficile ribotypes 078 and 056 are associated with human and animal diseases. The C. difficile prevalence and ribotypes in this study do not necessarily identify bats as a significant source, but more likely as an indicator of C. difficile perpetuation in the environment.

Risk factors associated with fecal shedding of Listeria monocytogenes by dairy cows and calves.

BACKGROUND: Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is an important foodborne pathogen affecting animals and humans. Listeriosis outbreaks in humans caused by consumption of unpasteurized dairy products are of serious concern. OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors associated with fecal shedding of LM in family dairy farms. ANIMALS: Fecal samples were collected from cows and calves on 20 family dairy farms in 2-week intervals for a period of 1 year. METHODS: Longitudinal study. LM was detected using qPCR. Univariate mixed effect model and multivariate analyses were performed to associate risk factors (dietary change, breed, mastitis, other diseases, antibiotic treatment, other treatments, heat index, and meteorological season) with fecal shedding of LM. RESULTS: LM was isolated from all farms on at least 1 sampling day. The average yearly prevalence was 18.2% (98/540) and 8.4% (43/511) in cows and calves, respectively. Heat index (P = .05) and meteorological season (P = .04) affected fecal shedding of LM on a farm level. Meteorological season only influenced fecal shedding of LM in cows (P = .04), whereas heat index (P = .01) influenced fecal shedding of LM in calves. Spring season was identified as the major risk factor associated fecal shedding of LM on a farm level (P = .01) and in cows (P = .01). Dietary changes were associated with lower odds for fecal shedding of LM in calves (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Fecal shedding of LM is associated with environmental temperatures and the meteorological season. Farmers and veterinarians should use this information when implementing strategies to reduce risks for LM dissemination in animals and in the community.

Quantification of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile in feces of calves of different age and determination of predominant Clostridioides difficile ribotype 033 relatedness and transmission between family dairy farms using multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis.

BACKGROUND: Community acquired Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection (CA-CDI) is a significant health problem in human and veterinary medicine. Animals are often considered as potential reservoirs for CA-CDI. In Europe, family farming is the most predominant farming operation, with a complex interaction between animals and the community. Therefore, it is pertinent to evaluate transmission patterns of C. difficile on such prominent European farming model. Fecal samples from calves (n = 2442) were collected biweekly over a period of one year on 20 mid-size family dairy farms. Environmental samples (n = 475) were collected in a three month interval. Clostridioides difficile was detected using qPCR in 243 fecal samples (243/2442); positive samples were then quantified. Association between prevalence/load of C. difficile and age of the calves was estimated with logistic regression model. Most common C. difficile isolate from calves (n = 76) and the environment (n = 14) was C. difficile ribotype 033, which was further analyzed using multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) to assess intra- and between-farm relatedness. RESULTS: Clostridioides difficile was detected in feces of calves less than 24 h old. Results showed a non-linear statistically significant decrease in shedding load of C. difficile with age (P < 0.0001). A nonlinear relationship was also established between the number of calves and the farm C. difficile prevalence, whereas the prevalence of C. difficile ribotype 033 increased linearly with the number of calves. MLVA revealed close intra-farm relatedness among C. difficile ribotypes 033. It also revealed that the between-farms close relatedness of C. difficile ribotypes 033 can be a direct result of farm to farm trade of calves. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of better hygiene and management measures on farms may help decrease the risk of spreading CA-CDI between animals and the community. Trading calves older than 3 weeks would decrease the possibility C. difficile dissemination in the community because of lower prevalence and lower load of C. difficile in feces.

The fecal bacterial microbiota of bats; Slovenia.

METHODS: Fecal samples were collected from 92 bats in Slovenia, consisting of 12 different species, and the bacterial microbiota was assessed via next generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V4 region. RESULTS: Sequences were assigned to 28 different phyla, but only Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria accounted for ≥1% of sequences. One phylum (Proteobacteria), one class (Gammaproteobacteria), three orders (Pseudomonadales, Lactobacillales, Bacillales), four families (Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Carnobacteriaceae), and five genera (Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Carnobacterium, an unclassified Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter) accounted for 50% of sequences. There were no significant differences in the relative abundances of any phyla between bat species, but various differences were noted at lower taxonomic levels, such as Enterobacteriaceae (P = 0.007, most abundant in M. blythii), Pseudomonadaceae (P = 0.007, most abundant in Rhinolophus hipposideros) and Chlamydiaceae (P = 0.04, most abundant in Myotis myotis). There were significant differences in richness between species in both adults and juveniles/subadults, but there was no impact of sex on any alpha diversity index. When only adults are considered, there were significant differences in community membership between M. blythii and M. emarginatus (P = 0.011), and M. blythii and R. hipposideros (P = 0.004). There were also significant differences in community structure between M. blythii and M. emarginatus (P = 0.025), and M. blythii and R. hipposideros (P = 0.026). When adults of the four main species were compared, 14 OTUs were identified as differentially abundant using LEfSe. Only one difference was identified when comparing R. hipposideros adults and juvenile/subadults, with Klebsiella over-represented in the younger bats. CONCLUSIONS: Bats have a complex and diverse microbiota with a high relative abundance of Proteobacteria. The relevance of this difference is unclear and requires further study. Differences in the microbiota were observed between bat species, perhaps reflecting different diets and environmental exposures.

Pulmonary Circulation Transvascular Fluid Fluxes Do Not Change during General Anesthesia in Dogs.

General anesthesia (GA) can cause abnormal lung fluid redistribution. Pulmonary circulation transvascular fluid fluxes (JVA ) are attributed to changes in hydrostatic forces and erythrocyte volume (EV) regulation. Despite the very low hydraulic conductance of pulmonary microvasculature it is possible that GA may affect hydrostatic forces through changes in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and EV through alteration of erythrocyte transmembrane ion fluxes ( ionJVA ). Furosemide (Fur) was also used because of its potential to affect pulmonary hydrostatic forces and ionJVA . A hypothesis was tested that JVA , with or without furosemide treatment, will not change with time during GA. Twenty dogs that underwent castration/ovariectomy were randomly assigned to Fur (n = 10) (4 mg/kg IV) or placebo treated group (Con, n = 10). Baseline arterial (BL) and mixed venous blood were sampled during GA just before treatment with Fur or placebo and then at 15, 30 and 45 min post-treatment. Cardiac output (Q) and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) were measured. JVA and ionJVA were calculated from changes in plasma protein, hemoglobin, hematocrit, plasma and whole blood ions, and Q. Variables were analyzed using random intercept mixed model (P < 0.05). Data are expressed as means ± SE. Furosemide caused a significant volume depletion as evident from changes in plasma protein and hematocrit (P < 0.001). However; Q, PAP, and JVA were not affected by time or Fur, whereas erythrocyte fluid flux was affected by Fur (P = 0.03). Furosemide also affected erythrocyte transmembrane K+ and Cl-, and transvascular Cl- metabolism (P ≤ 0.05). No other erythrocyte transmembrane or transvascular ion fluxes were affected by time of GA or Fur. Our hypothesis was verified as JVA was not affected by GA or ion metabolism changes due to Fur treatment. Furosemide and 45 min of GA did not cause significant hydrostatic changes based on Q and PAP. Inhibition of Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransport caused by Fur treatment, which can alter EV regulation and JVA , was offset by the Jacobs Stewart cycle. The results of this study indicate that the Jacobs Stewart cycle/erythrocyte Cl- metabolism can also act as a safety factor for the stability of lung fluid redistribution preserving optimal diffusion distance across the blood gas barrier.

Determination of N-acylhomoserine lactones of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in clinical samples from dogs with otitis externa.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial intercellular communication, called quorum sensing, takes place via the production and collective response to signal molecules. In Gram-negative bacteria, like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, these signaling molecules are N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs). P. aeruginosa is a common cause of inflammation of the ear canal (otitis externa) in dogs. It employs quorum sensing to coordinate the expression of host tissue-damaging factors, which are largely responsible for its virulence. The treatment of P. aeruginosa-associated otitis is challenging due to a high intrinsic resistance of P. aeruginosa to several antibiotics. Attenuation of quorum sensing signals to inhibit bacterial virulence is a novel strategy for the treatment of resistant bacterial pathogens, including P. aeruginosa. Therefore, it is important to recognize and define quorum sensing signal molecules in clinical samples. To date, there are no reports on determination of AHLs in the veterinary clinical samples. The purpose of this study was to validate an analytical procedure for determination of the concentration of AHLs in the ear rinses from dogs with P. aeruginosa-associated otitis externa. Samples were obtained with rinsing the ear canals with physiological saline solution. For validation, samples from healthy dogs were spiked with none or different known amounts of the selected AHLs. With the validated procedure, AHLs were analyzed in the samples taken in weekly intervals from two dogs, receiving a standard treatment for P. aeruginosa-associated otitis externa. RESULTS: Validation proved that the procedure enables quantification of AHLs in non-clinical and clinical samples. In addition, a time dependent reduction of AHL concentration was detected for the treated dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is superior in detecting AHLs compared to other chromatographic techniques. This is the first report on determination of AHLs in the clinical samples of veterinary importance. The analytical procedure described in this paper is capable of supporting novel antimicrobial strategies, which target quorum sensing.

Identification of risk factors influencing Clostridium difficile prevalence in middle-size dairy farms.

Farm animals have been suggested to play an important role in the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in the community. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors associated with C. difficile dissemination in family dairy farms, which are the most common farming model in the European Union. Environmental samples and fecal samples from cows and calves were collected repeatedly over a 1 year period on 20 mid-size family dairy farms. Clostridium difficile was detected in cattle feces on all farms using qPCR. The average prevalence between farms was 10% (0-44.4%) and 35.7% (3.7-66.7%) in cows and calves, respectively. Bacterial culture yielded 103 C. difficile isolates from cattle and 61 from the environment. Most C. difficile isolates were PCR-ribotype 033. A univariate mixed effect model analysis of risk factors associated dietary changes with increasing C. difficile prevalence in cows (P = 0.0004); and dietary changes (P = 0.004), breeding Simmental cattle (P = 0.001), mastitis (P = 0.003) and antibiotic treatment (P = 0.003) in calves. Multivariate analysis of risk factors found that dietary changes in cows (P = 0.0001) and calves (P = 0.002) increase C. difficile prevalence; mastitis was identified as a risk factor in calves (P = 0.001). This study shows that C. difficile is common on dairy farms and that shedding is more influenced by farm management than environmental factors. Based on molecular typing of C. difficile isolates, it could also be concluded that family dairy farms are currently not contributing to increased CDI incidence.

Prevalence and molecular characterization of Clostridium difficile isolated from European Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) during migration.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile is an important bacterial pathogen of humans and a variety of animal species. Birds, especially migratory passerine species, can play a role in the spread of many pathogens, including Clostridium difficile. Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) nest in close proximity to human habitats and their biology is closely associated with cattle farming. Therefore, we hypothesized that Barn Swallows can be the reservoir of Clostridium difficile. RESULTS: Barn Swallows (n = 175) were captured on their autumn migration across Europe to sub-Saharan Africa. Droppings were collected from juvenile (n = 152) and adult birds (n = 23). Overall prevalence of Clostridium difficile was 4% (7/175); 4.6% (7/152) in juvenile birds and 0/23 in adults. Clostridium difficile ribotypes 078, 002 and 014 were identified, which are commonly found in farm animals and humans. Three new Clostridium difficile ribotypes were also identified: SB3, SB159 and SB166, one of which was toxigenic, harbouring genes for toxins A and B. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study indicate that Barn Swallows might play a role in national and international dissemination of Clostridium difficile and could serve as a source for human and animal infection. Clostridium difficile ribotype 078 was identified, which has been reported as an emerging cause of community-associated Clostridium difficile infection in humans. Based on this and other studies, however, it is more likely that Barn Swallows have a more indicative than perpetuating role in Clostridium difficile epidemiology.

Acetazolamide attenuates transvascular fluid flux in equine lungs during intense exercise.

During intense exercise in horses the transvascular fluid flux in the pulmonary circulation (Jv-a) represents 4% of cardiac output (Q). This fluid flux has been attributed to an increase in pulmonary transmural hydrostatic forces, increases in perfused microvascular surface area, and reversible alterations in capillary permeability under conditions of high flow and pressure. Erythrocyte fluid efflux, however, accounts for a significant fraction of Jv-a. In the lung the Jacobs-Stewart cycle occurs with diffusion of CO2 into alveolar space with possible accompanying chloride (Cl-) and water movement from the erythrocyte directly into the pulmonary interstitium. We hypothesised that inhibition of carbonic anhydrase in erythrocytes inhibits the Jacobs-Stewart cycle and attenuates Jv-a. Five horses were exercised on a treadmill until fatigue without (control) and with acetazolamide treatment (30 mg kg(-1) 30 min before exercise). Erythrocyte fluid efflux, plasma fluid flux across the lung and Jv-a were calculated using haemoglobin, haematocrit, plasma protein and Q. Fluid fluxes were used to calculate erythrocyte, plasma and whole blood Cl- fluxes across the lung. Cardiac output was not different between control and acetazolamide treatment. During exercise erythrocyte fluid efflux and Jv-a increased in control (9.3±3.3 and 11.0±4.4 l min(-1), respectively) and was higher than after acetazolamide treatment (3.8±1.6 and 1.2±1.2 l min(-1), respectively) (P<0.05). Plasma fluid flux did not change from rest in control and decreased after acetazolamide treatment (-4.5±1.5 l min(-1)) (P<0.05). Erythrocyte Cl- flux increased during exercise in control and after acetazolamide treatment (P<0.05). During exercise plasma Cl- flux across the lung did not change in control; however, it increased with acetazolamide treatment (P=0.0001). During exercise whole blood Cl- flux increased across the lung in control (P<0.05) but not after acetazolamide treatment. The results indicate that Jv-a in the lung is dependent on the Jacobs-Stewart cycle and mostly independent of transmural hydrostatic forces. It also appears that Jv-a is mediated by Cl- and water egress from erythrocytes directly into the interstitium without transit through plasma.

An improved qPCR protocol for rapid detection and quantification of Clostridium difficile in cattle feces.

Clostridium difficile (CD) can cause a significant and transmissible disease in animals and humans, with poorly understood epidemiology. Animals have been suggested as a possible source of infection and environment contamination. It is necessary that a precise and rapid diagnostic tool is available for the detection of CD from clinical and/or environmental samples. A quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) protocol for CD detection defined by Penders et al. (FEMS Microbiol Lett, 243, 2005, 141-147) was modified. The modified protocol, supported by a novel extraction method, was tested on CD-spiked cattle feces and clinical fecal samples from calves. Quantification was performed targeting CD 16S rRNA gene. Three different commonly used TaqMan universal PCR master mixes were also compared. Results indicate that the modified protocol is very sensitive with an LOD of 7.72 CD cells per g CD-spiked feces. The protocol is capable of precise quantification with an LOQ of 77.2 CD cells per g CD-spiked feces, R(2) between 0.9957 and 0.9968, isolation efficiency from 87.89% to 90.96%, and an interassay CV ranging from 3.71% to 9.57%. The qPCR protocol for the detection and quantification of CD from animal feces investigated and described in this article using MIQE guidelines has the lowest detection and quantification limits published to date. Therefore, it can be implemented for precise epidemiological investigations of CD infections in animals and humans.

Hypercapnic respiratory acidosis: a protective or harmful strategy for critically ill newborn foals?

This paper reviews both the beneficial and adverse effects of permissive hypercapnic respiratory acidosis in critically ill newborn foals. It has been shown that partial carbon dioxide pressure (PCO2) above the traditional safe range (hypercapnia), has beneficial effects on the physiology of the respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous system in neonates. In human neonatal critical care medicine permissive hypercapnic acidosis is generally well-tolerated by patients and is more beneficial to their wellbeing than normal carbon dioxide (CO2) pressure or normocapnia. Even though adverse effects of hypercapnia have been reported, especially in patients with central nervous system pathology and/or chronic infection, critical care clinicians often artificially increase PCO2 to take advantage of its positive effects on compromised neonate tissues. This is referred to as therapeutic hypercapnia. Hypercapnic respiratory acidosis is common in critically ill newborn foals and has traditionally been considered as not beneficial. A search of online scientific databases was conducted to survey the literature on the effects of hypercapnia in neonates, with emphasis on newborn foals. The dynamic status of safety levels of PCO2 and data on the effectiveness of different carbon dioxide levels are not available for newborn foals and should be scientifically determined. Presently, permissive hypercapnia should be implemented or tolerated cautiously in compromised newborn foals and its use should be based on relevant data from adult horses and other species.

Le présent article traite des effets bénéfiques et adverses de l'acidose respiratoire hypercapnique permissive chez des poulains nouveau-nés sévèrement malades. Il a été démontré qu'une pression partielle de dioxyde de carbone (PCO2) supérieure à l'écart traditionnel sécuritaire (hypercapnée), avait des effets bénéfiques sur la physiologie des systèmes respiratoire, cardio-vasculaire et nerveux chez les nouveau-nés. En médecine des soins critiques chez les nouveau-nés humains, l'acidose hypercapnique est généralement bien tolérée par les patients et est plus bénéfique à leur bien-être qu'une pression normale de dioxyde de carbone (CO2) ou normocapnée. Même si des effets adverses de l'hypercapnée ont été rapportés, spécialement chez des patients avec une pathologie du système nerveux central et/ou une infection chronique, les cliniciens en soins critiques augmentent souvent artificiellement la PCO2 afin de prendre avantage de ses effets positifs sur les tissus des nouveau-nés compromis. On désigne cette pratique comme étant de l'hypercapnée thérapeutique. L'acidose respiratoire hypercapnique est fréquente chez les poulains nouveau-nés sévèrement malades et a traditionnellement été considérée comme étant non-bénéfique. Une recherche en ligne des bases de données scientifiques a été menée afin de recenser la littérature sur les effets de l'hypercapnée chez les nouveau-nés, avec une emphase sur les poulains nouveau-nés. Le statut dynamique des niveaux sécuritaires de PCO2 et des données sur l'efficacité de différents niveaux de CO2 ne sont pas disponibles pour les poulains nouveau-nés et devraient être déterminés scientifiquement. Présentement, l'hypercapnée permissive devrait être mise en place ou tolérée avec précaution chez les poulains nouveau-nés compromis et son utilisation devrait être basée sur des données pertinentes provenant de chevaux adultes et d'autres espèces.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Zero prevalence of Clostridium difficile in wild passerine birds in Europe.

Clostridium difficile is an important bacterial pathogen of humans and a variety of animal species, where it can cause significant medical problems. The major public health concern is the possibility of inapparent animal reservoirs of C. difficile and shedding of bacteria to noninfected individuals or populations, as well as being a source of food contamination. Migrating birds can be a key epizootiological factor for transmission and distribution of pathogens over a wide geographic range. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether migrating passerine birds can be a source of spread of C. difficile along their migration routes. Cloacal samples were taken from 465 passerine birds during their migration south over the Alps. Selective enrichment was used for detection of C. difficile. Clostridium difficile was not isolated from any of the samples, which indicates that migrating passerine birds are unlikely to serve as a reservoir and a carrier of C. difficile.

Diversity of Clostridium difficile in pigs and other animals in Slovenia.

A study of Clostridium difficile diversity in pigs, calves and horses in Slovenia was conducted. A total of 547 samples were collected and C. difficile was isolated from 247/485 (50.9%) piglet samples, from 4/42 (9.5%) calf samples, and 1/20 (5%) horse samples. The isolates were characterized by toxinotyping, PCR-ribotyping, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) using restriction endonuclease SmaI. Piglet isolates belonged to two toxinotypes (V and 0), four PCR-ribotypes (066, 029, SI 011, SI 010), and six pulsotypes. Bovine isolates were grouped into two toxinotypes (XIa and 0), three PCR-ribotypes (077, 002, 033), and three pulsotypes. The only equine isolate was indistinguishable from one calf isolate (XIa/033) in toxinotype, PCR-ribotype, and pulsotype. None of detected genotypes was present in all three animal hosts.

Equid herpesvirus 2-associated oral and esophageal ulceration in a foal.

A case of a 1-month-old Thoroughbred foal with dysphagia, salivation, pyrexia, oral mucosal pustules, and esophageal ulceration is reported. Swabs from the ulcerated lesions yielded Equid herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) in virus isolation assays, and histopathology of a biopsy from the esophageal lesion identified nuclear inclusions suggestive of herpesviruses. Immunohistochemical staining with antibodies specific for EHV-2 was positive for epithelial cells in the vicinity of the ulcer but not in more distant mucosa. Electron microscopic evaluation of the biopsy showed herpesviral particles in epithelial cells. The foal recovered over 5 days of supportive and gastroprotective therapy, and the esophageal ulcers healed. Serology and immunohistochemistry indicated that this foal likely had lesions associated with EHV-2 and not EHV-1, -4, or -5.