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Johne's disease: a hidden threat.

Paratuberculosis, which is also known as Johne's disease, is a chronic, progressive enteric disease of ruminants caused by infection with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. Cattle become infected with M. paratuberculosis as calves but often do not develop clinical signs until 2 to 5 yr of age. The clinical disease is characterized by chronic or intermittent diarrhea, emaciation, and death. Although animals with clinical disease are often culled from the herd, animals with subclinical paratuberculosis may cause economic losses because of reduced milk production and poor reproductive performance. Although the economic impact of paratuberculosis on the national cattle industry has not been determined, it is estimated to exceed $1.5 billion/yr. The diagnosis of subclinical paratuberculosis is difficult. Bacteriologic culture is the most definitive method of diagnosis, but culture is time consuming and labor intensive. Serological assays are not very useful because animals do not develop an antibody response until the clinical stages of disease. Development of assays to measure cell-mediated immunity is critical to accurate detection of paratuberculosis in subclinically infected animals. Although not considered a zoonotic agent, M. paratuberculosis has been identified in intestinal biopsy tissue from patients with Crohn's disease, an inflammatory enteritis in humans. Currently, the potential human health risk is being addressed by research evaluating pasteurization of dairy products in the US.

Animals↗

Regression of a presumed meningioma with the antiestrogen agent mepitiostane. Case report.

This 68-year-old woman underwent a distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer in August 1994. A presumed meningioma of the falx was found incidentally on a staging examination of the gastric cancer, but the meningioma was not treated with surgery. Instead, after gastrectomy the patient received tegafur as adjuvant chemotherapy until February 1996, when she was readmitted to the hospital because of loss of appetite and emaciation but with no recurrence of the gastric cancer. A computerized tomography scan obtained during this second admission showed no change in the meningioma. To improve her general condition, tegafur was discontinued and she was started on a course of the antiestrogen agent mepitiostane. Administration of mepitiostane for approximately 2 years resulted in a marked regression (73%) of the meningioma. This is the first reported case of a presumed meningioma that regressed as a result of use of the antiestrogen agent mepitiostane.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗

[Prophylactic and therapeutic studies on intestinal giant-cystic disease of the Israel carp caused by Thelohanellus kitauei. I. Course of formation and vanishment of the cyst].

In an attempt to develop prophylactic and therapeutic measures of the intestinal giant-cystic disease caused by Thelohanellus kitauei in the Israel carp, Cyprinus carpio nudus, pathological observations were conducted upon the carps which were hatched in May 1988 and raised in a net cage fish farm at the Soyang lake, managed by Horim Fisheries for the period of 21 months with 1-2 months interval. After a gross inspection of the carps, necropsy was carried out periodically in order to clarify the pathological changes in various internal organs and muscular tissues. Also, the prevalence of the disease was checked during the period from 1988 to 1990. Gross inspections revealed that the infected carps showed some degree of fading in body and gill color, back-emaciation symptoms, reddish anus accompanying erosion and relaxation and pot-belly, as well as discharge of yellowish white mucoid material from the anus. However, most carps died eventually of intestinal obstruction. Other significant necropsy findings included cyst formation of various size in the intestinal mucosa, ascites, anemic condition through internal organs and muscular tissues, hyperemia and dilation of intestines with decreased tension, thinness and fragility, and full contents of semi-fluid or yellowish white mucoid material in the intestinal canals. Based on the morphological characteristics of the spores found in the cysts, parasitic location in the intestines, macro- and microscopic findings of the lesions, the parasites were identified as Thelohanellus kitauei Egusa et Nakajima, 1981. Although monthly changes of water temperature were distinct, the extrusion rates of the polar filaments of the spores stayed constant throughout the year with an exception of a lower rate in July. The lesions initiated from mucosa and submucosa in early July became large swellings and then complete mature forms following the peracute course. From late August the upper cysts were gradually opened and most of the spores were dispersed from anus into the surrounding water through December but only a few lasted until next April. The cysts were completely recovered until next September. Comparing the incidence and prevalence of the disease by year tremendous infection and death rates were checked in the first prevalent year, 1988, but the rates were significantly decreased in the second year, and showed an almost normal status in the third year, 1990. As the above summarized results showed, the disease entity might come to an end in three years after the first prevalent year, however, the spores must be strictly prevented because they could be infective in the water for one year.

Animals↗

Pathology and morphology of Ichthyophonus hoferi in naturally infected fishes off the Swedish west coast.

The pathology and morphology of Ichthyophonus hoferi was studied in naturally infected Atlantic herring Clupea harengus, in sprat Sprattus sprattus, and in flounder Pleuronectes flesus from the west coast of Sweden. The pathogen was found in all organs examined, with the intensity of infection varying in different organs of the different fish species. Two main phases in the life of infecting parasites were identified, 'active' and 'passive', the latter being able to switch to active. The active phase of the infection in herring was usually accompanied by a lean and slender appearance of the body, a drastic decrease in intestinal fat, emaciation of the somatic muscles, swelling of the visceral organs, poor quality of flesh texture and a distinctive off-odour. The most characteristic macroscopic sign of ichthyophonosis in herring and flounder was the occurrence of creamy white nodules on the heart. The infection causes a chronic systemic granulomatous inflammation. The nature of the granulomatous inflammation was host- and tissue-dependent. The pathogenicity of the parasite in its active form and the side effects of host defence cells were also reflected in dramatic tissue damage and loss of structure and function of the infected organs. Three kinds of spores were identified: 'un-developing spore', 'developing spore' and 'plasmodio-spore'. The formation and spread of 'plasmodia', from plasmodio-spores, as a secondary infection agent is documented. Transmission electron microscopy revealed I. hoferi to be multinucleated, containing different organelles and structures. These included a cell wall, an undulating cell membrane, a thin paramural endoplasm, an endoplasmic reticulum, polymorphic but usually spherical mitochondria with short tubulo-vesicular cristae, dictyosomes with plate-like cristernae, large electron-dense lipid droplets and electron-lucid vacuoles, probably containing glycogen.

Animals↗

Single and nested polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of Microsporidium seriolae (Microspora), the causative agent of 'Beko' disease in yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata.

Single and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were developed for the detection of the microsporidian parasite Microsporidium seriolae, which is responsible for emaciation and even death in farmed Japanese yellowtail. Extremely high rDNA identities exist between this parasite and other members of the as yet unclassified genus, necessitating the design of generic, rather than species-specific primer sets. The nested PCR was several orders of magnitude more sensitive than the standard single PCRs, with visible target product amplified from as little as 0.01 pg of parasite DNA (equivalent to that extracted from a single spore). The specificity of the assays was tested against a range of potential host fishes and 6 other microsporidians infecting either fish or the musculature of their hosts. Single PCRs were found to be specific to the target genus, but the nested PCR replicated rDNA from several different microsporidian genera, limiting its utility. This study highlights problems associated with the use of the rRNA gene for PCR assays of certain microsporidians, but nevertheless provides a rapid and sensitive means for the detection of pre-spore forms not possible by current staining methods. Consequently, these assays may be employed for further studies on the portals of entry, migration to the musculature and transmission of this economically important pathogen.

Animals↗

Prey, parasites and pathology associated with the mortality of a juvenile gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) stranded along the northern California coast.

An eastern Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) stranded off Pelican Point, Tomales Bay, California, USA, was examined for physiological parameters, prey, parasites and associated pathology. The whale was emaciated, and hematological examination revealed an elevation in hematocrit, serum sodium, potassium, electrolyte values and hypoglycemia. Parasites recovered included 5 species, 1 ectoparasite (Cyamus scammoni), and 4 helminths (Anisakis simplex, Ogmogaster antarcticus, Ogmogaster pentalineatus, Bolbosoma balanae) with the latter causing multifocal transmural abscesses. Histological examination indicated severe acute lung congestion, minimal, multifocal, lymphocytic, interstitial myocarditis, and mild hepatocellular and Kupffer cell hemosiderosis. The prey taxa present in the stomach indicated the whale was feeding on hard bottom communities prior to death.

Animals↗

A model of salmon louse production in Norway: effects of increasing salmon production and public management measures.

Salmon lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis Krøyer have caused disease problems in farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. since the mid-1970s in Norway. High infection intensities and premature return of wild sea trout Salmo trutta L. were first reported in 1992. Later emaciated wild Atlantic salmon smolts carrying large amounts of lice have been observed both in fjords and offshore. The Norwegian Animal Health Authority regulations to control the problem, which came into operation in 1998, included compulsory louse level monitoring in farms and maximum legal numbers of lice per fish. Here, we present a model of salmon louse egg production in Norway and show that the effect of the current public management strategy is critically dependent on the yearly increase in salmon production. This is because the infection pressure is the product of the number of fish in the system, and the number of lice per fish. Due to the much larger number of farmed than wild salmonids, it is highly likely that lice originating from farmed salmon infect wild stock. Estimated tolerance limits for wild salmonids vary widely, and the level of louse egg production in farms which would be needed to decimate wild populations is not known. Two possible thresholds for total lice egg production are investigated: (1) 1986 to 1987 level (i.e. before adverse effects on sea trout were recorded), and (2) a level corresponding to a doubling of the estimated natural infection pressure. The farm lice per fish limits that would have to be observed to keep louse production within the 2 thresholds are calculated for the period 1986 to 2005. A steady decrease in the permitted number of lice per fish may keep the total louse production stable, but the number of salmon required for verification of lice numbers will increase as the prevalence to be verified is decreased. At threshold (2), the model estimated that lice limits should have been 0.05 louse per fish in 1999. This would require 60 fish from each pen to be collected, anaesthetised and examined for a good estimate at a confidence level of 95%. Such sample numbers are likely to be opposed by farmers. The use of national delousing programs to solve the problem is discussed.

Animals↗

Neurological symptoms in tricolor sharkminnow Balantiocheilos melanopterus associated with Myxobolus balantiocheili n. sp. infecting the central nervous system.

A new species, Myxobolus balantiocheili, is described from the central nervous system of wild and cultured tricolor sharkminnow Balantiocheilos melanopterus from Thailand. The infection was associated with emaciation and severe neurological symptoms, including sudden uncoordinated darting, rolling and pitching. Whitish cysts of varying shape, measuring 70 to 500 microm, were located in the brain, spinal cord and in the meninx, and were sometimes accompanied by haemorrhages. In the brain, most cysts were located in the medulla oblongata and the mesencephalon. Cysts with a segmental distribution were observed in the meninx of the spinal cord. Single di- to hexasporic pansporoblasts, and free mature spores, were frequently seen in both the white and grey matter of the brain and spinal cord, mostly associated with blood vessels. Mature spores varied in shape from oval to ellipsoid, measuring 12.3 +/- 0.59 (range 10.6 to 13.3) x 10.0 +/- 0.47 (9.2 to 10.9) x 6.9 +/- 0.20 (6.7 to 7.1) microm. Spore size and morphology, in addition to fish-host species and apparently narrow tissue tropism, clearly distinguishes this new Myxobolus. No marked inflammatory response or gliosis was associated with the lesions, but compression and degeneration of the nervous tissue surrounding large cysts was observed. We suggest that the high temperature of the fish hosts' tropical habitat may have increased the rate of development and the virulence of M. balantiocheili.

Animals↗

Toxicity of Aspergillus ochraceus contaminated wheat and different chemical forms of ochratoxin A in broiler chicks.

The toxicity of Aspergillus ochraceus contaminated wheat and various chemical forms of ochratoxin A (OA) were compared by feeding diets containing A. ochraceus contaminated wheat (3.0 micrograms OA/g diet) and 3.0 micrograms/g of purified OA in the K salt, Na salt, or organic acid form to broiler chicks from hatching to 4 weeks of age. All OA diets caused listlessness, emaciation, dehydration, and occasional diarrhea. Cumulative mortalities were 0, 13, 17, and 10% for the control, contaminated wheat, OA Na salt, OA K salt, and OA acid, respectively. Necropsies at the end of the experiment revealed pale friable livers, enlarged pale kidneys, and enlarged gall bladders in all OA treatments. Body weights and gain were significantly depressed throughout the experiment, and cumulative feed conversion ratios were significantly increased by all forms of OA. Relative kidney and liver weights were also significantly increased by all forms of OA. Serum analysis revealed significant decreases in total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, and phosphorus concentrations and significant increases in uric acid concentrations in chicks fed all forms of OA. Determinations of median lethal dose (LD50) were conducted by dosing day-old chicks and recording mortality for 10 days. LD50 values were 4.41, 3.95, and 2.69 mg/kg for OA acid, Na salt, and K salt, respectively. These results indicated that the K salt of OA was more toxic than the Na salt in acute oral dosing. During the feeding study, results also suggested that chemical form of OA affected its toxicity, but after feeding 3.0 micrograms/g OA for 4 weeks, no significant differences in toxicity were caused by the various chemical forms of OA or the A. ochraceus contaminated diet.

Animal Feed↗

Streptococcus phocae infections associated with starvation in Cape fur seals.

Mortalities and abortions associated with starvation occurred at Cape Cross, Namibia, in Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus). Affected seals showed lethargy and emaciation, and the most common pathological signs were those of a respiratory infection, both in adults and offspring. Streptococcus phocae was isolated from adult seals, a cub and aborted foetuses.

Animals↗

The first reported case of equine nocardioform placentitis in South Africa.

Since the late 1980s a distinct form of focally-extensive mucoid to mucopurulent uterine body chronic placentitis,caused by nocardioform organisms, hasbeen recognised in horses in the USA state of Kentucky and possibly in other areas. This disease has led to increasing numbers of foal losses from late abortions, still-births, prematurity, or early neonatal deaths. The foals are usually not infected, but may be small or emaciated. Modes of infection and transmission are as yet unknown. Nocardia spp. and related nocardioform bacteria as causes of equine infertility, endometritis and foal death are briefly reviewed. A case of near full-term abortion involving a Friesian mare in the Pretoria district of Gauteng Province in South Africa during February 2000, with the same placental lesion as described in the Kentucky cases, is presented. Nocardioform organisms were visualised on impression smears and histological sections of affected foetal membranes, and were also cultured. The organism has been identified at the Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center of the University of Kentucky as an Amycolatopsis sp. of the less-commonly diagnosed group of nocardioforms causing placentitis in the USA. The organism was cultured from the uterus of the mare 18 days post-foaling, but after a 2-week course of oral trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole, based on antibiogram sensitivity testing, a uterine flush yielded no growth. A semen sample from the sire of the aborted foal did not yield any Gram-positive filamentous branching bacteria. The mare subsequently conceived to a single insemination.

Abortion, Veterinary↗

Renal medullary AA amyloidosis, hepatocyte dissociation and multinucleated hepatocytes in a 14-year-old free-ranging lioness (Panthera leo).

A 14-year-old lioness, originating from Etosha in Namibia, and a member of a pride in Pilanesberg National Park since translocation in 1994, was euthanased due to fight-related vertebral fracture and spinal injury, incurred approximately 6-8 weeks previously. Blood specimens collected at the time of death showed mild anaemia and a leukogram reflecting stress and chronic infection. Necropsy conducted within 2 hours of death was on a dehydrated, emaciated animal with hindquarter wasting and chronic traumatic friction injuries from dragging her hindlegs. There was cellulitis in the region of bite-wounds adjacent to the thoraco-lumbar vertebral fracture, at which site there was spinal cord compression, and there was marked intestinal helminthiasis. The outer renal medullae appeared pale and waxy and the liver was macroscopically unremarkable. Histopathology and electron microscopy of the kidneys revealed multifocal to coalescing deposits of proximal medullary interstitial amyloid, which fluoresced strongly with thioflavine T, and was sensitive to potassium permanganate treatment prior to Congo Red staining, thus indicating inflammatory (AA) origin. There was diffuse hepatocyte dissociation, as well as numerous binucleated and scattered multinucleated (up to 8 nuclei/cell) hepatocytes, with swollen hepatocyte mitochondria, in liver examined light microscopically. Ultrastructurally, the mono-, bi- and multinucleated hepatocytes contained multifocal irregular membrane-bound accumulations of finely-granular, amorphous material both intra-cytoplasmically and intra-nuclearly, as well as evidence of irreversible mitochondrial injury. The incidence and relevance in cats and other species of amyloidosis, particularly with renal medullary distribution, as well as of hepatocyte dissociation and multinucleation, as reported in selected literature, is briefly overviewed and their occurrence in this lioness is discussed.

Amyloidosis↗

Common conditions leading to cattle carcass and offal condemnations at 3 abattoirs in the Western Province of Zambia and their zoonotic implications to consumers.

From a total of 32 717 cattle slaughtered, 183 whole carcass condemnations were attributable to 9 diseases and conditions, namely, tuberculosis (TB), cysticercosis, emaciation, generalised lymphadenitis, jaundice, abscesses, moribund, sarcosporidiosis and odour. Bovine TB was the most important cause of condemnations (152/183, 83.1%). Bovine cysticercosis and sarcosporidiosis accounted for 5/183 (2.7%) and 8/183 (4.4%), respectively, while each of the remaining conditions contributed less. Among the many conditions responsible for offal/organ condemnations were fascioliasis, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, hydatidosis and TB. In terms of number and weight, Fasciola gigantica infections made livers and lungs the most condemned offals (20.1% and 0.7%, respectively). Hydatidosis was the cause of 0.9% lung and 0.1% liver losses. Cysticercus bovis contributed to only 0.05% of all inspected tongues, hearts, and heads. TB was very rare in heads (0.01%). The financial impact of whole carcasses and offals condemned during the study period was enormous and deprived livestock farmers of the much needed revenue and consumers of protein sources. Much or all of the condemned material that could have been useful was wasted by not being retrieved for conversion to processed meat, bone meal or pet food. Failure to detect lesions of potential zoonotic diseases at slaughter poses a health risk to consumers especially when meat is eaten undercooked.

Abattoirs↗

Leishmania donovani-derived lipophosphoglycan plus BCG induces a Th1 type immune response but does not protect Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) and BALB/c mice against Leishmania donovani.

The efficacy of Leishmania donovani-derived lipophosphoglycan (LPG) plus Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) as a vaccine candidate against visceral leishmaniosis in susceptible BALB/c mouse and Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) models was investigated. Following a triple vaccination with a total dose of 150 microl BCG plus 60 microg or 30 microg of LPG for hamsters and BALB/c mice respectively, there were no noticeable side effects both locally and systemically; implying that the molecule was safe at this dosage level. Vaccinated animals demonstrated an activation of both the humoral as well as cell-mediated responses to LPG, which correlated with resistance against the disease. Protection by LPG plus BCG, was however, poor as the remaining immunized animals showed disease progression leading to severity of the disease as illustrated by emaciation, mass loss and heavy splenic parasitaemia in hamsters. These data nevertheless suggest that it may be rewarding to further evaluate the potential of LPG as a vaccine candidate in leishmaniosis using other adjuvants, which may enhance its immunogenicity.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

A preliminary investigation of tuberculosis and other diseases in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.

A survey to determine the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis and certain other infectious diseases was conducted on 42 free-ranging African buffaloes, (Syncerus caffer) from May to June 1997 in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. Using the gamma interferon test, exposure to M. bovis was detected in 21.6% of the buffaloes. One dead buffalo and an emaciated warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) that was euthanased, were necropsied; both had miliary granulomas from which M. bovis was isolated. None of the buffaloes sampled in Sector A of the park, which has no cattle interface, tested positive for bovine tuberculosis (BTB) exposure. The prevalence and distribution of BTB does not appear to have changed significantly since the 1960s, but this may be due to fluxes in the buffalo population. Serological testing for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) demonstrated positive exposure of 57.1% of the buffaloes sampled, with types A, O and SAT 1-3, which is the first known report of FMD antibodies to A and O types in free ranging African buffaloes. Foot-and-mouth disease virus types SAT 1 and SAT 3 were isolated from buffalo probang samples. Two percent of the buffaloes had been exposed to brucellosis. None of the buffaloes tested had antibodies to rinderpest, leptospirosis or Q fever.

Animals↗

Balantidiasis in the gastric lymph nodes of Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia): an incidental finding.

A 4-year-old female Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) was found dead in the Gwangju Uchi Park Zoo. The animal had previously exhibited weakness and lethargy, but no signs of diarrhea. The carcass was emaciated upon presentation. The main gross lesion was characterized by severe serous atrophy of the fat tissues of the coronary and left ventricular grooves, resulting in the transformation of the fat to a gelatinous material. The rumen was fully distended with food, while the abomasum evidenced mucosal corrugation with slight congestion. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of Balantidium coli trophozoites within the lymphatic ducts of the gastric lymph node and the abdominal submucosa. On rare occasions, these organisms may invade extra-intestinal organs, in this case the gastric lymph nodes and abomasum.

Abomasum↗

Canine renal failure syndrome in three dogs.

Three dead dogs were brought to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University for study. Clinically, all the dogs showed emaciation, anorexia, depression, hemorrhagic vomiting and diarrhea for 7-10 days before death. All the clinical signs were first noted for about one month after feeding the dogs with commercial diets. At necropsy, all 3 dogs had severe renal damage with the same green-yellowish colored nephroliths in the renal pelvis. They also showed systemic hemorrhage and calcification of several organs, which might have been induced by uremia. Microscopically, necrosis, calcification and calculi were detected in the renal tubules, and especially in the proximal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney. These findings were supportive of a mycotoxic effect, and especially on their kidneys. However, the precise cause of the toxic effect in these cases of canine renal failure could not be determined.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Pathology of Bolivian Hemorrhagic fever in the African green monkey.

Gross and microscopic pathological findings are presented for an African green monkey model of fatal Bolivian hemorrhagic fever. Six animals were inoculated with 1,000 plaque-forming units of Machupo virus, the etiological agent of Bolivian hemorrhagic fever. Five of the monkeys died within 13 days with signs of fever, anorexia, shock, and hemorrhage. The sixth monkey survived until the 24th day and died with signs of central nervous system disease. Gross lesions in the five monkeys that die in the acute stage included hepatic necrosis, necrotic enteritis, bronchopneumonia, and hemorrhages in the subcutis, lungs, intestine, liver, and lymph nodes. Microscopically, necrosis was consistently seen in liver, intestine, skin, oral cavity, and adrenal cortex. Acute thrombosis was observed in four monkeys, in blood vessels of the intestine, lung and choroid of the brain. Gram-negative bacteria were seen in many tissues, suggesting terminal bacteremia. The sixth monkey was emaciated and had bronchopneumonia, but did not have the necrotic hepatic and enteric lesions observed in the other five monkeys. The significant microscopic lesions in this monkey included encephalomyelitis, ganglionitis, and bronchopneumonia.

Animals↗