Bergeyella (Weeksella) zoohelcum associated with respiratory disease in a cat.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
R Ducatelle
Publications and source records attributed to R Ducatelle.
Flavobacterium columnare (Flexibacter columnaris) associated with severe gill necrosis in koi carp (Cyprinus carpio L).
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Animals↗
Estrogen-alpha and progesterone receptor expression in cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra in the bitch.
Estrogen-alpha receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were examined immunohistochemically in uteri of normal bitches, in uteri of bitches with cystic endometrial hyperplasia-mucometra (CEH-M) and in uteri of bitches with endometritis-pyometra (E-P), under exogenous progesterone treatment. In the CEH-M group, the ER- and PR-scores of all uterine cell types were higher than the ER- and PR-scores of normal uteri, although these differences were not always statistically significant. The ER-scores of E-P group were significantly lower than the ER-scores of the normal uteri and CEH-M group. The PR-scores of the E-P group tended to be higher than the PR-scores of the normal uteri, except for the surface epithelium, although these differences were not statistically significant. Exogenous progesterone treated bitches with CEH-M or E-P showed reduced ER- and PR-scores in the different uterine cell types, compared with the corresponding nontreated CEH-M or E-P group. The differences in ER and PR expression between CEH-M and E-P suggest different factors in the pathogenesis of both entities. Although, these changes in ER and PR expression do not seem to be directly involved in the pathogenesis of CEH-M and E-P. It is suggested that for CEH-M and progestin induced CEH-M a hormone dependent pathway is responsible. For P, the trigger may be bacterial infection.
Anestrus↗
The effect of physical structure in maize silage-based diets for beef bulls.
To investigate the influence of physical structure on zootechnical performances, four feeding regimens were evaluated with 52 Belgian Blue double-muscled bulls starting from 327 kg until slaughter (646 kg). All diets were fed ad libitum and consisted of concentrates and maize silage in different ratios. The structural value (SV), currently used in Belgium as an evaluator of physical structure in the diet for dairy cows, amounted to 0.95 (control group), 0.74 and 0.52 per kg dry matter for the treatments with a high (HSV), medium (MSV) and low (LSV) SV, respectively. The fourth group (LSVs) received the same diet as group LSV, but additional straw was provided ad libitum, as a possible corrector for a lack of physical structure. No significant differences were found for growth rate, intake and feed conversion data. However, between 600 and 650 kg, growth rate and intake of group LSV and LSVs tended to be reduced. The influences on the carcass quality were of minor importance. Remarkably, meat tenderness of the LSV group was improved (32.3 N) in comparison (p=0.08) with the other groups (42.6 N). The height of the rumen papillae was not affected by the diets. Histological examination of the ruminal epithelium revealed that the LSV group showed the severest morphological changes. Examination of the cross-sections of the digits showed no influence of the diet on the incidence of laminitis. From these results, it is concluded that maize silage-based rations with a SV of 0.74 provide enough structure for optimal zootechnical performances of finishing Belgian Blue double-muscled bulls.
Animal Feed↗
Is mechanically induced cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) a suitable model for study of spontaneously occurring CEH in the uterus of the bitch?
CONTENTS: Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) was experimentally reproduced by the intraluminal insertion of a silk wire in the uterus of metestral bitches to obtain a model for the study of spontaneously occurring CEH in the bitch. This mechanically reproduced CEH corresponded histologically very well to spontaneously occurring CEH. With respect to sex hormone receptor expressions, however, there was no similarity. In the mechanically induced CEH, progesterone receptor expression was reduced in the epithelial cells (surface epithelium and endometrial glands) and slightly increased in the stromal fibroblasts and myometrium as compared with the normal metestrus uterus. The oestrogen receptor expression in mechanically induced CEH was reduced in the epithelial cells (surface epithelium and endometrial glands) and more or less unchanged in the stromal fibroblast and myometrium as compared with the normal metestrus uterus. This is in contrast to the increased sex hormone receptor expressions in all uterine cell types, observed in spontaneously occurring CEH. The mechanically induced CEH model corresponds immunohistochemically more to early placentation and to pyometra in the bitch. Thus this experimental CEH model is not suitable for pathogenic studies of spontaneously occurring CEH in the bitch.
Animals↗
The effect of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale vaccination of broiler breeder chickens on the performance of their progeny.
The effect of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale vaccination of broiler breeders on antibody titres and performance of breeders and broilers was investigated. O. rhinotracheale antibody titres and performance data were recorded from 16 different broiler breeder flocks and from 79 of their broiler progeny flocks. Eight breeder flocks were vaccinated with an inactivated O. rhinotracheale vaccine while the other eight breeder flocks were left unvaccinated against this bacterium. Following vaccination, mean O. rhinotracheale antibody titres in the breeders rose to a 6.5 log(2) units higher value than in unvaccinated breeders, and remained at a mean titre of 15 log(2) units during the entire production period. This resulted in significantly higher maternal antibody titres against O. rhinotracheale in the broiler progeny of vaccinated breeder flocks compared with the offspring of unvaccinated flocks. Statistical analyses revealed no differences in performance between vaccinated and unvaccinated breeders. There was a significantly lower mean mortality rate and higher mean production index in the broilers derived from vaccinated breeders.
Animals↗
An alternative model to study the association of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss L.) pathogens with the gill tissue.
This study describes the development of a trout gill perfusion model, consisting of an excised branchial arch from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss L.), perfused via the afferent branchial artery and suspended in a circular organ chamber filled with Ringer solution. Different perfusion fluids were tested: Ringer, Cortland, Ringer + procaine, Ringer + adrenalin, Cortland + procaine, Cortland + adrenalin and Cortland + dextran 1%. The latter perfusion fluid proved to be satisfactory, maintaining the gill tissue in a healthy condition outside the body of the fish for at least 180 min. Using this model, the interaction of damaging agents with the trout gill tissue may be studied under carefully controlled conditions. The trout gill perfusion model leads effectively to a reduction in the number of experimental animals to be used and also involves an elimination of pain and/or suffering, which is as good as complete.
Animal Testing Alternatives↗
Chemical identification of the (causative) lipids in a case of exogenous lipoid pneumonia in a horse.
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Animals↗
Detection of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in cultures from nasal and tonsillar swabs of pigs by a PCR assay based on the nucleotide sequence of a dsbE-like gene.
A PCR assay for the detection of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae was developed based on the amplification of a dsbE-like gene. All of 157 field isolates of A. pleuropneumoniae reacted in the PCR by the amplification of a 342bp product. No reaction was observed with related bacterial species or other bacterial species isolated from pigs, except for A. lignieresii. The lower detection limit of the PCR was 10(2) CFU per PCR test tube and was not affected by the addition of 10(6) CFU Escherichia coli. The PCR was evaluated on mixed bacterial cultures from nasal and tonsillar swabs as well as suspensions of nasal conchae and tonsils obtained from specific pathogen-free (SPF) pigs, experimentally infected pigs, and pigs from farrow-to-finish herds. The results of the new PCR were compared with a PCR based on the detection of the omlA gene coding for an outer membrane protein, with a commercially available PCR (Adiavet APP, Adiagène, Saint-Brieuc, France), and with conventional culturing. No positive reactions were observed with any of the PCR methods in samples of SPF animals. In samples of the other animals, no or low significant differences between nasal swabs and suspensions as well as tonsillar swabs and suspensions were observed in any method. In general, more positive results were obtained from tonsillar samples in comparison to nasal samples. Interassay sensitivity and specificity values were assessed for each test by pair wise comparisons between assays. The agreement between tests was evaluated by calculating Cohen's kappa coefficient. From these analyses the three PCR assays showed a good agreement. The dsbE-based PCR proved to be highly sensitive (95 and 93%) and specific (82 and 74%) in comparison to the omlA-based PCR and the commercially available PCR, respectively. It was concluded that the dsbE-like gene-based PCR is a reliable diagnostic assay for demonstration of A. pleuropneumoniae. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that tonsillar swabs can be used for the detection of the pathogen in healthy carrier animals.
Actinobacillus Infections↗
Cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex in the bitch: should the two entities be disconnected?
The uteri of 26 clinically healthy bitches and 42 bitches with a clinical suspicion of pyometra were examined histologically using a computerized image analysis system. Histologic lesions were characterised mainly by thickening or atrophy of the endometrium and by varying degrees of cystic changes of the glands. These lesions were observed in most of the clinically healthy bitches as well as in all of the clinically ill animals. In most of the ill bitches a variable degree of inflammation also was found. Some bitches with clinical signs indicative for pyometra had no inflammatory reaction in the uterus. These bitches were misdiagnosed as suffering from pyometra, confirming the difficulty of diagnosing pyometra by simple clinical examination. Determination of sex hormone serum levels revealed that all dogs in both groups were either in metestrus or in anestrus. Based on the results of this study the cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex can be divided in two entities: a cystic endometrial hyperplasia-mucometra complex and an endometritis-pyometra complex. Both entities bear many similarities with each other, except for the inflammatory reaction in the endometritis-pyometra complex. It is concluded from this study that the latter complex probably does not necessarily follow the former, but that both can arise de novo.
Animals↗
Non-infectious factors associated with macroscopic and microscopic lung lesions in slaughter pigs from farrow-to-finish herds.
A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in 150 randomly selected farrow-to-finish herds to investigate which non-infectious factors might act as risk indicators for the prevalence and severity of macroscopic and microscopic lung lesions in slaughter pigs. Data were collected during herd visits through inspections of the pigs and through interviews with the farmers. Macroscopic lung lesions of pneumonia and pleuritis were recorded at slaughter from 25 pigs per herd, and microscopic lung lesions of lymphohistiocytic infiltration were recorded from 10 pigs per herd. The median herd level prevalences were 24 per cent for pneumonia, 16 per cent for pleuritis and 60 per cent for lymphohistiocytic infiltration. Pneumonia lesions were negatively associated with pleuritis lesions and positively associated with lymphohistiocytic infiltration. Pleuritis lesions were negatively associated with lymphohistiocytic infiltration. The prevalence and the severity of pneumonia lesions were increased by a high frequency of purchasing gilts and by a slaughter date in January to February. The presence of a growing unit also increased the severity of pneumonia. The prevalence and the severity of pleuritis lesions were higher when there were more pig herds in the municipality, and when there were poor biosecurity measures, and their prevalence was increased by a slaughter date in January to February, and their severity by a slaughter date in March to April. An increase in the airspace stocking density in the finishing unit also increased the prevalence of pleuritis. The prevalence and the severity of lymphohistiocytic infiltration in the lung tissue were higher in herds purchasing gilts. Pigs raised in pens with slatted floors were also at higher risk of more severe lesions of lymphohistiocytic infiltration.
Animal Husbandry↗
The use of a Daphnia magna bioassay for rapid screening of acute intoxications with insecticides in dogs and cats.
Sudden death due to acute insecticide intoxications occurs frequently in dogs and cats. The absence of characteristic lesions at autopsy often renders post-mortem diagnosis dependent on the analysis of samples taken from the carcase at autopsy. In the present study, a bioassay utilizing Daphnia magna was proposed and tested as a rapid screening method for acute intoxications in dogs and cats. The bioassay was shown to be highly sensitive for detecting carbamate and organophosphate insecticides in the stomach contents. Generally. the mean survival time of the waterfleas in the control group was 5.17 h (SD = 1.24) and in the intoxicated group 1.32 h (SD = 1.49). during a 6 h observation period. If a cut-off is set at 4 h, this Daphnia bioassay gave 5.5% false negative results and 18.2% false positive results. using the results of toxicological analyses as a gold standard.
Animals↗
Effect of endobronchial challenge with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 9 of pigs vaccinated with a vaccine containing Apx toxins and transferrin-binding proteins.
The efficacy of a subunit vaccine containing the Apx toxins of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and transferrin-binding proteins was determined. Ten pigs were vaccinated twice with the vaccine. Eight control animals were injected twice with a saline solution. Three weeks after the second vaccination, all pigs were endobronchially inoculated with 10(6.5) colony-forming units (CFU) of an A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 9 strain. In the vaccine group, none of the pigs died after inoculation. Only one pig of the control group survived challenge. Surviving pigs were killed at 7 days after challenge. The mean percentage of affected lung tissue was 64% in the control group and 17% in the vaccine group. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae was isolated from the lungs of all animals. The mean bacterial titres of the caudal lung lobes were 5.0 x 10(8) CFU/g in the control group and 3.0 x 10(6) CFU/g in the vaccine group. It was concluded that the vaccine induced partial protection against severe challenge.
Actinobacillus Infections↗
Pathogenicity of Actinobacillus minor, Actinobacillus indolicus and Actinobacillus porcinus strains for gnotobiotic piglets.
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical significance of Actinobacillus minor, Actinobacillus porcinus and Actinobacillus indolicus strains in gnotobiotic piglets. Twenty-two 6-h-old Caesarean-delivered and colostrum-deprived piglets were intranasally and orally inoculated with 2 x 10(6) colony-forming units of an A. minor (group 2; n = 9), A. indolicus (group 3; n = 5), or A. porcinus (group 4; n = 8) strain. Six other piglets were inoculated in the same way with phosphate-buffered saline solution and used as controls (group 1). All pigs were observed for clinical signs and rectal temperatures were taken until euthanasia 7 days after inoculation. At necropsy, conchae, tonsils, lungs, brains, liver, spleen and kidneys were macroscopically examined for lesions and samples were taken for bacteriology. None of the pigs developed fever. Mild ataxia was observed in one pig from group 3 for 2 days. Clinical signs were not observed in the other animals. In none of the animals were macroscopic lesions detected at necropsy. NAD-dependent Pasteurellaceae were not isolated from control animals (group 1). The A. minor, A. indolicus and A. porcinus strains were isolated from the tonsils of one, two and one pigs, respectively. Actinobacillus porcinus was isolated from the brains of the pig with central nervous symptoms and from the conchae of another pig. The inoculation strains were not demonstrated in the other samples. It was concluded that, using these inoculation routes and dose, the A. minor, A. indolicus and A. porcinus strains had low capacity to colonize the upper respiratory tract of gnotobiotic piglets and demonstrated low or no pathogenicity in such animals.
Actinobacillus↗
p53 expression and apoptosis in melanomas of dogs and cats.
Twenty-seven melanocytic tumours from 20 dogs and four cats were examined for p53 expression and apoptosis. They included tumours that were histologically classified as benign (BM), primary malignant (PMM) and metastatic malignant melanomas (MMM). For all cases clinical follow-up was available. p53 expression was examined immunohistochemically using different monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Apoptosis was detected using the TUNEL technique. The tissue sections were analysed using a quantitative image analysing system. A p53 index (p53I) and an apoptotic index (AI) were determined. p53 over-expression was found infrequently in these canine and feline melanocytic tumours. Apoptosis was observed in some of the malignant tumours. In one feline case of malignant melanoma, p53 accumulation together with apoptosis was seen in three metastases but not in the primary tumour. p53I and AI were not significantly correlated with survival. These results are similar to those reported for human cutaneous melanomas.
Animals↗
PCR detection of bovine papilloma virus DNA in superficial swabs and scrapings from equine sarcoids.
The purpose of this study was to examine if bovine papilloma virus (BPV) DNA can be detected in superficial swabs or scrapings from equine sarcoids. Samples were obtained from 92 sarcoids and 20 non-sarcoidal control lesions. The polymerase chain reaction technique was used with a first primer set to check whether DNA extraction was successful, and with a second primer set specific for BPV-DNA. DNA isolation was successful in 88% of the swabs and 93% of the scrapings. All control lesions were negative for BPV-DNA.
Animals↗
Evaluation of a group-specific 16S ribosomal DNA-based PCR for detection of Helicobacter bizzozeronii, Helicobacter felis, and Helicobacter salomonis in fresh and paraffin-embedded gastric biopsy specimens.
A new specific and sensitive 16S ribosomal DNA-based PCR assay was developed. The assay targets a 78-bp DNA fragment unique to Helicobacter bizzozeronii, Helicobacter felis, and Helicobacter salomonis and can be used with freshly frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gastric biopsy specimens.
Animals↗
Adhesion of Streptococcus gallolyticus strains to extracellular matrix proteins.
Fourteen pigeon Streptococcus gallolyticus strains of differing virulence, were tested for their ability to adhere to immobilised fibronectin, collagen types I, III and IV. Eight, 2 and 13 strains were able to bind fibronectin, collagen types III and IV, respectively. None of the strains adhered to collagen type I. Heat treatment, proteolytic digestion or periodate treatment reduced the binding of S. gallolyticus to fibronectin and collagen type IV, suggesting that surface receptors contain proteins and carbohydrates. Although binding to these extracellular matrix proteins can play a role in the pathogenesis of streptococcosis in pigeons, binding properties could not be related to virulence, indicating that other factors determine differences in virulence among pigeon S. gallolyticus strains. Adhesion to collagen type IV may account in part for the distribution pattern of the lesions observed in naturally and experimentally infected pigeons.
Animals↗