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Response of pregnant mares to equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1).

Twenty-one pregnant mares were inoculated with EHV1. Nineteen became infected as evidenced by clinical signs and/or viremia but only one mare aborted a virus-infected fetus. The viremias were leukocyte-associated and appeared to be non-productive, latent infections of these cells. Infectivity, detectable by cocultivation, persisted in the circulating leukocytes for as long as 9 days without resulting in abortion. The data suggest that it is extremely difficult to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines in preventing EHV1 (Rhinopneumonitis) abortion due to the paucity of non-exposed mares, lack of tests which measure residual protection, and an incomplete understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms involved in abortion due to this virus.

Abortion, Veterinary↗

Highly pathogenic avian influenza in magpies (Pica pica sericea) in South Korea.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is an extremely infectious, systemic viral disease of birds that produces high mortality and morbidity. HPAI was diagnosed in the three dead magpies (Pica pica sericea) submitted to the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service. At necropsy, the prominent lesions were multifocal or coalescing necrosis of the pancreas with enlargement of the livers and spleens. Microscopically, there were severely necrotizing pancreatitis and lymphocytic meningoencephalitis. Influenza viral antigen was also detected in areas closely associated with histologic lesions. Avian influenza virus was isolated from cecal tonsils and feces of the magpies. The isolated virus was identified as a highly pathogenic H5N1, with hemagglutinin proteolytic cleavage site deduced amino acid sequence of QREKRKKR/GLFGAIAG. To determine the pathogenicity of the isolate, eight 6-wk-old specific-pathogen-free chickens were inoculated intravenously with the virus, and all birds died within 24 hr after inoculation. This is the first report of HPAI in magpies.

Animals↗

Clostridium difficile: a survey of fecal carriage in cats in a veterinary medical teaching hospital.

Fecal samples collected from 245 cats over a 6-month period were analyzed for the presence of Clostridium difficile. After culture on selective media, isolates were identified by a latex agglutination test, and the presence of toxin A and toxin B gene sequences was determined by polymerase chain reaction. Clostridium difficile was isolated from 23 (9.4%) of the cats, and 34.8% of that group were colonized with toxigenic strains. All of the cats colonized with toxigenic C. difficile had > or = 1 of the risk factors (antibiotic use, antineoplastic therapy, immunosuppressive virus infection) associated with C. difficile infection in humans. Clostridium difficile was not found in any of the cats from a clinically healthy outpatient group of cats examined from the same hospital nor in cats from a specific-pathogen-free research colony on the same campus tested during the same time period. The data obtained in this study confirm the presence of C. difficile in cats at a veterinary teaching hospital. DNA fingerprinting analysis of these isolates allowed separation of the strains into 5 groups. Type 4 strain found in 7 cats was also recovered from the floor drain in the same hospital, suggesting a possible source of infection. Whether the organism is of clinical significance in diarrheal diseases of cats remains to be determined.

Animals↗

Veterinary medicine in the 21st century: the challenge of biosecurity.

The veterinary profession is presently challenged with developing and maintaining on-farm biosecurity protocols to protect the nation's food supply from acts of bioterrorism, from the growing threat of foreign animal diseases, and from multidrug resistance among pathogenic organisms. This challenge comes at a time when the supply of food animal veterinarians in the United States is progressively in decline, and raises the possibility that the profession is not adequately prepared to fulfill its responsibilities to the health and productivity of the US livestock and poultry populations. Causes of the decline in demand for veterinary services are discussed. They include consolidation of the food animal industries and a trend toward transferring performance of tasks traditionally carried out by veterinarians to the province of lay staff. This development potentially reduces veterinary surveillance of food animal populations. It also runs the risk of delay in recognizing and controlling serious health problems when they arise. Several remedies are proposed, including profound changes in the curriculum for educating food animal veterinarians to serve the consolidated but vulnerable livestock and poultry industries suitably. Also advocated is the initiation of training programs for herdsmen on the symptoms of foreign animal diseases, together with advice on when to call a veterinarian. Significant investment of federal or state resources will be required if these changes are to become reality.

Animal Diseases↗

[Use of administrative and economic methods in managing veterinary affairs].

The possibilities are stated of using the administrative and economic methods in the administration of the veterinary service. It is stressed that the two types of methods are applied in combination. Administrative methods are to be employed in the control of epizootics, including zoonoses, and in the veterinary and sanitary control, resp. surveillance and inspection. Both types of methods are equally referred to in the control of parasitic diseases with epizootic course of development as well as in the control of diseases caused by occasionally pathogenic organisms. The use of economic methods is prevailing in the control of noninfectious diseases, and in the administration of bioproduct and drug production.

Animal Diseases↗

Viral and bacterial vectors of immunogenes.

A recent development in the production of experimental vaccines has been the use of the smallpox vaccine virus (vaccinia virus) as a carrier (vector) of the genes (immunogenes) which code for the protection-inducing proteins (immunogens) of unrelated viruses. The potential of these vector vaccines lies in the hope that such a vaccine would be cheaper, safer and/or more effective than existing vaccines to some pathogens. Vaccinia virus as a vector has attracted most attention to date because: several immunogenes can be inserted into its genome without destroying its infectivity; the immunogens appear to be produced normally; vaccinia virus has been used highly successfully to eradicate smallpox; and it has a wide host-range and thus might find veterinary as well as human medical application. Experimental vaccines, successfully tested in animals, have been prepared using immunogenes from influenza virus, hepatitis B virus and herpes simplex virus. Apathogenic enteric bacteria have some potential as vectors, most probably against enteric pathogens, although the potential of viral vectors is likely to be realized first. Parasitic worms and protozoa devastate millions of people. When the immunogens of these organisms have been identified there will be added impetus to investigate the potential of vector vaccines against these pathogens.

Animals↗

Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from dogs in Korea.

Twelve strains of the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) recovered from hospitalized dogs were analyzed for in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence, and were genetically characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Antibiotic susceptibility test showed that nearly all isolates were resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics tested and all the strains were fully susceptible to glycopeptides. There were no inhibitory activities among the aminoglycosides. The 50% lethal dose (LD50) was determined by intraperitoneal injection of cell suspensions and estimated by the Spearman-Kärber method. The mouse lethality of MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) was not significantly different in both normal and cyclophosphamide-treated mice (p>0.05), indicating that they were equally virulent. There was a great difference in the incidence of toxin production between the MRSA and MSSA group; 83.3% (10 of 12) of the MRSA and 14.3% (1 of 7) of the MSSA were toxin producers. The predominant types produced by MRSA was B. All the MRSA strains were capsular type 5 producers, while of 7 MSSA strains, four were type 5, one for type 8, and two were nontypeable. Based on the PFGE analysis, the 12 MRSA isolates generated 9 to 11 fragments in the size range of <48.5 to 630.5 kb, and yielded 6 different patterns. The results indicated that production of toxin and capsule type do not play a role in the pathogenicity to mouse and PFGE is a valuable tool for the characterization of MRSA. This report is the first such cases in the veterinary literature in Korea and may indicate the frequent emergence of MRSA in veterinary clinic hereafter.

4-Quinolones↗

The bacteriological culture of equine uterine contents, in-vitro sensitivity of organisms isolated and interpretation.

A total of 19 pathogenic bacterial species was isolated from uterine swabs of 498 out of 1539 mares over 4 years. The swabs were taken by 5 veterinary clinicians using 2 different techniques. Bacterial contamination during swabbing was minimized by scrupulous attention to cleansing of the external genitalia and the perineal area, and in the handling of the culture specimen. The most prevalent organisms isolated were beta-haemolytic streptococcus (39%), Escherichia coli (27%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (7%). Interpretation of microbiological findings correlated well with clinical findings when number of organisms isolated and endometrial cytology were considered. The use of a bacterial transport medium combined with sophisticated culture methods reflects a more accurate picture of the uterine microflora than can be obtained by previous techniques. Streptococci isolated were uniformly sensitive to penicillins. The sensitivity of E. coli and K. pneumoniae towards chloramphenicol, gentamicin and polymyxin was nearly 100%. The selection of an appropriate antibacterial agent depends upon sensitivity, pharmacological action, genital tract status and cost. This study shows that a Gram stain of uterine cytology can be used to diagnose quickly and select an appropriate antibiotic for treatment prior to culture results if sufficient numbers of organisms are present.

Animals↗

[Carcass disposal in Hungary (author's transl)].

In Hungary more than half of the entire livestock is kept in industrial breeding plants i.e. under mass breeding conditions. So long as the industrial capacity of the plants remains insufficient to process the volume of carcasses, the animal breeding plants are compelled to find their own solutions for the disposal and/or rendering of the carcasses and waste. On some state farms the carcasses are processed into so-called meat-mash which must be utilised as fodder within 48 hours after the death of the animal. High-quality meat-meal can only be obtained from fresh carcasses. Carcasses are processed for reasons of economy, but the methods of carcass disposal are subject to stringent requirements imposed by the public health service, veterinary hygiene inspectorates and by the environment protection authorities. The carcasses or slaughter-house waste destined for processing must not contain any pathogens likely to be injurious to man or animal or to threaten the health of the persons concerned with the carcass processing. For this reason the carcasses must be kept in boilers for 2 to 4 hours at a pressure of 4 atü. The formulation of the factory rules and the technology of processing must make due allowance for these stipulations.

Abattoirs↗

[Local and systemic infections with bacteria of group EF-4 in dogs, cats and in a badger: bacteriologic and pathologico-anatomic results].

Bacteria of Group EF-4 were isolated in 7 dogs and in 5 cats from local purulent lesions in areas of natural openings of the head and from bite wounds, from lungs with focal necrotizing pneumonia in 2 additional cats and from internal organs in a badger with septicemia. The organisms grew mostly in pure culture. In conventional biochemical tests, 12 isolates were shown to belong to biovar EF-4a and 3 isolates to EF-4b. Classification as Group EF-4 was confirmed by assimilation tests performed with the commercially available gallery ATB 32 GN. Results of this study indicate that in veterinary medicine, bacteria of Group EF-4 are not only important from an epidemiological point of view, but that they may be more pathogenic for animals than considered hitherto.

Animals↗

[Contribution to the treatment of acute bovine mastitis with cefquinome].

Cefquinome is the first 4th generation cephalosporin antibiotic developed for use in veterinary medicine. A European multicentre study established a high in vitro activity for this modern antimicrobial drug against a wide spectrum of bovine pathogens. Gram-positive and gram-negative mastitis agents were inactivated even at very low active ingredient concentrations, including Enterobacteriaceae which are often resistant to other drugs. The results of clinical trials using experimental E. coli mastitis as an example demonstrate the efficacy of cefquinome in vivo. Parenteral administration at a dose rate of 1 mg/kg body weight when compared with conventional therapy using a control drug with equally good in vitro activity, produced significantly better therapeutic results.

Animals↗

Transgenic plants for the production of veterinary vaccines.

The expression of antigens in transgenic plants has been increasingly used in the development of experimental vaccines, particularly oriented to the development of edible vaccines. Hence, this technology becomes highly suitable to express immunogenic proteins from pathogens. Foot and mouth disease virus, bovine rotavirus and bovine viral diarrhoea virus are considered to be the most important causative agents of economic loss of cattle production in Argentina, and they are thus optimal candidates for alternative means of immunization. Here, we present a review of our results corresponding to the expression of immunogenic proteins from these three viruses in alfalfa transgenic plants, and we discuss the possibility of using them for the development of plant-based vaccines.

Animals↗

Emerging challenges in public health protection, food safety and security: veterinary needs in the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Meeting the needs of public service practice is a responsibility of the veterinary profession. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has undergone significant change since 1996, when the final rule on Pathogen Reduction and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems and its regulations were published in response to food-borne illnesses and deaths due to E. coli 0157:H7 in undercooked hamburgers. As a result, the role of the veterinarian is changing from a focus on carcass inspection (reactive) to scientific-based systems analysis and enforcement (preventive). With a large pool of veterinarians eligible to retire, a critical shortage of field veterinarians is predicted. The purpose of this article is to raise educators' awareness of this need, of the competencies required, and of the challenges and opportunities for veterinarians in the new public health-focused FSIS. An invitation to collaborate with the agency is offered to help meet emerging workforce requirements in public health practice.

Animals↗

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) coinfections in US field cases of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS).

The prevalence of different pathogens detected in combination with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) was studied retrospectively in field cases of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) diagnosed at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Ames, Iowa, between January 2000, and September 2001. The presence of PCV-2 antigen in lymphoid tissues and/or lung, demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, together with moderate to severe lymphoid depletion and/or granulomatous lymphadenitis, was used as the criteria for the diagnosis of PMWS. A total of 484 cases fulfilled these criteria. Most of the cases (294/369) of PMWS occurred in pigs between the ages of 8 and 18 weeks, with a peak at 10 weeks of age. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus was detected in 51.9% of the cases, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in 35.5%, bacterial septicemia in 14.0%, bacterial pneumonia in 7.6%, swine influenza virus in 5.4%, and PCV-2 alone in 1.9%. In cases with bacterial septicemia the most frequently isolated pathogen was Streptococcus suis. In cases with bacterial pneumonia, Pasteurella multocida was the most prevalent.

Animals↗

The risks of disease transmission by embryo transfer in cattle.

Guidelines for the safe international movement of livestock embryos are provided in the International Animal Health Code of the Office International des Epizooties, and recommendations for embryo processing, based on numerous research papers on embryo-pathogen interaction studies, are given in the Manual of the International Embryo Transfer Society. Risk assessment is the logical extension of these approaches, since it provides veterinary authorities with a complete package of information on which to base their import/export decisions. Risk assessment includes evaluation of disease prevalence, effectiveness of Veterinary Services and competence of the embryo collection team. It also takes account of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the disease concerned. The application of risk assessment for embryo movement is illustrated in this paper by comparisons of the probabilities of transmitting foot and mouth disease, bluetongue and vesicular stomatitis by bovine embryos. The risk scenario pathway was divided into three phases for analysis. The first phase deals with the potential for embryo contamination, which depends on the disease situation in the exporting region, the health status of donor herds and donor cows, and on the pathogenetic properties of the disease agent. The second phase covers risk mitigation by use of the internationally accepted standards for embryo processing, and the third phase considers the risk reductions resulting from post-collection surveillance of donors and donor herds, and also from testing of embryo-collection (flushing) fluids for the disease agent. It was evident from this assessment that low risks of transmitting disease by international movement of bovine embryos depend initially on a low disease incidence in the exporting region and on easily recognisable disease signs. Competent embryo processing was also of great importance, and in the case of bluetongue, vector ecology had a major influence. In addition to providing a logical basis for import/export decisions, risk assessment is useful for evaluating the potential outcome of new research and for assessing the safety of the movement of embryos of other species for which little or no research information is available on embryo-pathogen interactions.

Animals↗