Current limitations in control of viral arthritis and tenosynovitis caused by avian reoviruses in commercial poultry.

Avian reoviruses are the causative agent of viral arthritis/tenosynovitis in chickens and turkeys. Clinical signs of disease include swelling of the hock joints accompanied by lesions in the gastrocnemius and digital flexor tendons causing lameness in addition to hydropericardium. The economic impact is significant as it results in poor weight gain, increased feed conversion ratios and condemnations at the processing plant. Vaccination with both live attenuated and inactivated oil emulsion vaccines have been used successfully for decades to control the disease. Current commercial vaccine strains belong to the same serotype and are antigenically and serologically distinct from circulating variant field viruses isolated from clinical cases of tenosynovitis. Since 2012, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of clinical cases of tenosynovitis in commercial poultry and commercial vaccines are unable to provide adequate levels of protection against disease. Producers have elected to use custom inactivated vaccines in the absence of any commercially available homologous vaccines. Identification and selection of field isolates for use in autogenous vaccines can be difficult especially when multiple reoviruses are co-circulating among flocks. In addition, field data suggests that in some cases the custom vaccines are providing adequate protection against disease but as new genetic variants emerge, new vaccines are needed.

Reducing thumb extensor risk in laboratory rat gavage.

Gavage is a common technique for orally administering compounds to small laboratory animals using a syringe. It involves highly repetitive thumb extensor exertions for filling the syringe, a risk factor for DeQuervain's tenosynovitis. As an intervention, a series of bench tests were performed varying fluid viscosity, syringe size and needle size to determine the forces required for drawing fluid. Forces up to 28 N were observed for a viscosity of 0.29 Pa s. A guide is presented to minimize thumb forces for a particular combination of syringe (3 mL, 5 mL and 10 mL), fluid viscosity (0.001 Pa s, 0.065 Pa s, 0.21 and 0.29 Pa s), and needle length (52 mm, 78 mm and 100 mm) based on maximum acceptable exertion levels. In general, a small syringe and large needle size had a greater number of acceptable rat gavages per day due to the lower forces experienced as compared to all other syringe and needle combinations.

Identification of a new reovirus causing substantial losses in broiler production in France, despite routine vaccination of breeders.

Numerous cases of tenosynovitis appeared in France causing high morbidity in free-range and standard broilers. The main clinical findings were lameness, stunting and non-uniform bodyweights. Although the natural mortality was low, the economic losses due to birds that had to be removed from the flock prematurely, downgrading of carcases and lower average weights at slaughter were substantial. Postmortem examinations, bacteriological, virological and serological examination confirmed the aetiology of avian orthoreovirus (ARV)-induced tenosynovitis. The isolated ARVs were analysed serologically and genetically. Sequencing of σC RT-PCR products and phylogenetic analysis revealed a new type of ARV. The virus was not neutralised in serum neutralisation test using monovalent sera from vaccinated chickens. Together with the flock data, epidemiology of these recent reovirus outbreaks in France was reconstructed. It is concluded that these reovirus isolates differ serologically and genetically from the well described reovirus isolates used in commercial vaccines which were not capable of preventing the disease. The outbreaks resulted in substantial losses in broilers from vaccinated breeders.

Management of human and animal bite wounds: an overview.

Serious infections can result from wounds that are caused by bites from animals and humans. Organisms recovered from bite wounds generally originate from the oral cavity of the biting animal, as well as from the patient's skin flora. Anaerobes have been isolated from animal and human bite wound infections, especially those associated with abscess formation. In addition to local wound infections, common complications, such as lymphangitis, septic arthritis, tenosynovitis, and osteomyelitis, and uncommon complications, such as endocarditis, meningitis, brain abscess, and sepsis, may occur. Wound management includes proper local care and, when needed, antimicrobial therapy.

Tenoscopic surgery for treatment of lacerations of the digital flexor tendon sheath.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Lacerations to the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) are a common injury in the horse, but little information is available in the literature regarding prognostic indicators. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether laceration of the DFTS carried a better prognosis if treated by tenoscopic lavage, debridement and repair within 36 h of the original injury. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 39 horses treated surgically for lacerations to the DFTS was performed over a 3 year period. The injury-to-surgery interval was recorded as <36 or >36 h. The structures damaged by the injury were also recorded, as well as age, sex, use and outcome. RESULTS: Sixteen horses had laceration and contamination of the DFTS alone, of which 15 (94%) returned to their original or intended use. Sixteen horses had lacerations involving the superficial digital flexor tendon, of which 12 (75%) made a full recovery. Six horses had lacerations to both superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, 5 were subjected to euthanasia intraoperatively and one is paddock sound. Treatment within 36 h of initial laceration carried a significantly better prognosis for return to intended athletic use (25 of 28 horses allowed to recover from anaesthesia) than treatment after 36 h (2 of 5 P = 0.03; Fisher's Exact Test). CONCLUSIONS: If sepsis is treated early using tenoscopic visualisation, lavage and repositol antibiotics, the limiting factor in return to athletic function is tendon damage. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This study supports anecdotal evidence that early treatment of synovial sepsis improves the prognosis for return to intended use. It also provides information on prognostic indicators including extent of damage to collateral structures.

Baculovirus-expressed muscovy duck reovirus sigmaC protein induces serum neutralizing antibodies and protection against challenge.

Recombinant baculoviruses with sigmaC- or sigmaB-encoding gene from muscovy duck reovirus (DRV) were constructed. Western-blot analysis showed that sigmaC was more immunoreactive than sigmaB. Vaccination of SPF ducks with two injections, 3 weeks apart, of emulsions containing sigmaC or sigmaC + sigmaB elicited DRV-specific neutralizing antibodies. Following challenge, vaccination partially--or even totally in some cases--prevented the appearance of clinical symptoms. Moreover, immunization reduced the severity of reovirus-induced tenosynovitis and prevented pericarditis development during the course of the assay. Thus, DRV sigmaC, alone or co-expressed with sigmaB, appeared as a good candidate for vaccination of ducks (96/100 mots).

Upper limb musculoskeletal disorders in highly repetitive industries: precise anatomical physical findings.

Physical assessment of 146 female workers in highly repetitive jobs found 54% to have evidence of musculoskeletal disorders in the upper limb that are potentially work-related. Many workers had multiple problems, and many were affected bilaterally (33% of workers). Muscle pain and tenderness was the largest problem, both in the neck/shoulder area (31%) as expected and in the forearm/hand musculature (23%), a previously unreported site. Most forearm muscle problems were found on the extensor side. Carpal tunnel syndrome was the most common form of neuritis with 16 people affected (7 people affected bilaterally). De Quervain's tenosynovitis and wrist flexor tendinitis were the most commonly found tendon disorders in the distal forearm (12 people affected for each diagnosis). The results suggest that exposure should be measured bilaterally. They also suggest that muscle tissue is highly vulnerable to overuse. Stressors that affect muscle tissue, such as static loading, should be studied in the forearm as well as in the shoulder.

Arms and the law.

The existence of RSI is, once more, a subject for debate following the recent dismissal of a Reuters journalist's claims for damages. Linda Goldman explains what is required by law to prove a case of work-related upper limb disorder.

Take the strain out of repetitive movement. Management of tenosynovitis and upper limb disorders.

1. Rapid repetitive movements in connection with machine-pacing can lead to the development of upper limb disorders and repetitive strain injuries. 2. The main treatment of these disorders is rest and physiotherapy. 3. Operating VDUs is not a high risk occupation, but can lead to work-related upper limb disorders. 4. Occupational health nurses have a major part to play in preventing repetitive strain injuries in industry.

Apoiador móvel para braço (AMPB) análise na prevençäo das lesöes por esforços repetitivos / Mobile arm holder (AMBB): efficacy analysis in the prevention of repetitive strain injury

Os autores apresentam novo aparelho ergonomico utilizado para repouso dos membros superiores durante o período de digitaçao. O "apoiador móvel para braço" (AMPB) determina uma diminuiçao do esforço muscular estatico e corrige a postura, aliviando a tensao muscular e o stress localizado do membro superior. Trinta e um digitadores foram utilizados na avaliaçao do AMPB; 10 (32,26 por cento) homens e 21 (67,74 por cento) mulheres, com idade variando entre 24 e 41 anos. Vinte e seis (83,87 por cento) possuíam queixas nos membros superiores relacionadas ao serviço. O tempo médio de utilizaçao do aparelho foi de 39 dias. Houve diminuiçao ou eliminaçao dos sintomas em todos os indivíduos sintom ticos. Vinte e nove (93,54 por cento) utilizariam regularmente este novo aparelho ergonomico durante sua jornada de trabalho.

Archery-related injuries of the hand, forearm, and elbow.

The five patients reported herein had various archery-related injuries of the upper extremities. Acute injuries included arrow laceration of a digital nerve and artery, contusion of forearm skin and subcutaneous tissue, and compression neuropathy of digital nerves from the bowstring. Chronic injuries included bilateral medial epicondylitis and median nerve compression at the wrist, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, and median nerve compression at the elbow. Essential measures for archery safety include use of archery protective gear, use of a light-weight bow, conditioning of the forearm flexor muscles, and modifications in drawing the bowstring.