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Porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) is considered to be a non-pathogenic virus detected in cell cultures, vaccines or products used for cell culture preparations, all of them of porcine origin. Serological evidence and genetic studies suggested that PCV1 was widespread in domestic pigs. The presence of PCV1 in wild boars in Germany was also described using serological methods. This paper reports the first detection of PCV1 in Hungarian wild boars. Samples were collected at slaughterhouses and processed for polymerase chain reactions. The complete genome of PCV1 detected in the samples was determined and compared with the available PCV1 sequences of the GenBank database. The genomes formed two distinct clusters with minimum differences, where the Hungarian wild boar PCV1 (WB-H8) grouped together with genomes originating from domestic swine from China and Australia and with a genome detected in a porcine pepsin product.
Csagola, A. Kiss, I. Tuboly, T.
Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent Istvan University, H-1143 Budapest, Hungaria krt. 23-25, Hungary.
The study of allergies in creatures living together without being relatives can help us understand the impact of environmental influences. We tested the association of allergies in humans and their pets. A nested unmatched case-control study was performed in a random sample of 4261 inhabitants, aged 25-74 years, of the City of Augsburg, Germany and two adjacent counties (September 1999-August 2001). Using standardized computer-assisted face-to-face interviews, we determined and compared the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed atopic diseases (hay fever, asthma and atopic dermatitis) in the study subjects and veterinarian-diagnosed allergies in their pets. Pets were kept in 48.0% of the households (cats, 26.1%; dogs, 20.1% and rodents, 9.7%) and allergy was diagnosed in 3.9% of the animals (cats, 3.3%; dogs, 4.7% and rodents, 1.2%). Atopic diseases were diagnosed in 20.2% of the study subjects (asthma, 6.1%; hay fever, 13.7% and atopic dermatitis, 5.1%). After adjustment for age, sex, parental predisposition and social status, a significant association between hay fever in the study subjects and allergies in their pets was observed [odds ratio (OR) 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-2.97]. This association was more pronounced when investigating dogs only (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.32-5.77) where in addition, an association with the overall prevalence of atopic diseases in the study subjects reached significance (OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.16-4.58). We conclude that there is indication for a concomitant occurrence of allergies in humans and pets. Shared environmental factors are the most likely explanation.
Schafer, T. Merkl, J. Klemm, E. Wichmann, HE Ring, J.
Department of Social Medicine, Medical University Lubeck, Beckergrube 43-47, 23552 Lubeck, Germany.
Artificial insemination with frozen-thawed spermatozoa is commonly used in cattle breeding. A simple and fast procedure is needed for routine evaluation of the acrosomal status of frozen-thawed bovine sperm. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test two staining procedures used to determine the viability and integrity of acrosome of frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa. Double staining and Hoechst/FITC-Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA) labelling were tested for evaluating the viability and acrosome reaction induced by calcium ionophore of bull spermatozoa. In our experiments no significant differences were detected in the frequency of acrosome-reacted sperm either by double staining (37.98%) or by FITC-PSA labelling (39.33%). The viability of sperm stained by the double staining method was 67.17%, and a higher portion of viable sperm (82.67%) was observed by staining with the Hoechst procedure (P<0.01). On the basis of the results obtained it is concluded that both methods can be used for detecting the acrosome reaction of frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa.
Jankovicova, J. Simon, M. Antalikova, J. Horovska, L.
Institute of Animal Biochemistry and Genetics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Moyzesova 61, 900 28 Ivanka pri Dunaji, Slovakia.
The efficacy of melengestrol acetate (MGA) to shorten the vernal transition of mares by synchronizing and accelerating the first ovulation of the year after 60 days of phototherapy was determined by ultrasonographic monitoring. A total of 16 mares in late transition were fed two doses of MGA (100 and 150 mg/mare/day) for 10 days. A luteolytic dose of prostaglandin was administered to each mare one day after the end of MGA treatment. The presence and duration of oestrus, follicular growth, uterine oedema and presence of ovulation were monitored by ultrasonography and the cervical tone was evaluated by rectal palpation. Results revealed that ovulation was detected in 87.5% of the mares treated with 150 mg MGA/mare/day for 10 days, while 62.5% in mares receiving 100 mg MGA/mare/day for 10 days. This was statistically different (P=0.03) from the untreated control mares which showed an ovulation rate of 20%. Mares that received 150 mg MGA/day for 10 days had a mean treatment to ovulation interval of 13.1+or-5.97 days after the end of treatment, while mares that received 100 mg MGA/day for 10 days had a mean of 25.6+or-10.50 days (P=0.01) to ovulation. It is concluded that MGA can be used for synchronizing and hastening the first ovulation of the year in mares.
Lopez-Bayghen, C. Zozaya, H. Ocampo, L. Brumbaugh, GW Sumano, H.
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacan, Mexico City 04510, Mexico.
The cerebella of 12 dogs infected with canine distemper virus (CDV) and those of three normal dogs were examined. The avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique was used to detect alpha B-crystallin ( alpha B-c) immunoreactivity and immunolocalisation of the CDV antigen. CDV antigens, immunopositive astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and granular neurons were seen in both the white and grey matter of the infected dogs. In the controls, alpha B-c immunopositive glial cells were seen in the white matter and around the Purkinje cells. In dogs with distemper, alpha B-c immunoreactivity was not observed in some of the glial cells around the Purkinje cells. A significant negative correlation of P<0.01 level was found between areas of severe demyelination and the number of alpha B-c immunopositive cells in dogs infected with CDV. Such correlation was not observed between mild and moderate demyelinating areas and alpha B-c immunostaining. The alpha B-crystallin/total number of cells ratio was found to be significant in severely affected demyelinating areas (P<0.05). These data indicate that there was a relationship between the degrees of CDV associated with demyelination and the level of alpha B-c expression in the glial cells.
Guvenc, T. Yarim, M. Gulbahar, MY Kabak, YB
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ondokuz Mayis, Kurupelit, 55139 Samsun, Turkey.
Two cases of feline vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma (FVAF) are reported. The excised tumours were both characterised as well circumscribed, subcutaneous, firm and white with central necrosis. Histopathologically, they consisted of well-differentiated and variably sized and shaped anaplastic cells, characterised by marked nuclear and cellular pleomorphism including giant cells. The mitotic activity was low. Aluminium was demonstrated in the central necrosis and giant cells. Neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin and negative for desmin and cytokeratin. The presence of feline sarcoma virus and feline immunodeficiency virus could not be detected by PCR in either case.
Deim, Z. Palmai, N. Cserni, G.
Department of Mammal Pathology, Central Agricultural Office, Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate, H-1149 Budapest, Tabornok u. 2, Hungary.
Severe disease induced by porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) was observed in three pigs originating from a large herd affected by respiratory and digestive signs as well as wasting. Proliferative and necrotising pneumonia (PNP) was diagnosed in two animals, while severe acute interstitial pneumonia characterised by the presence of abundant hyaline membrane in the alveoli and fibrin in the bronchioles was found in one pig. In all cases, large amounts of PCV2 antigen were found in each tissue sample collected from the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes. Neither porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) nor swine influenza virus (SIV) was detected, and no bacteria could be cultured in any of the cases. Vascular lesions, e.g. degeneration of endothelial cells, perivascular and intramural oedema, fibrinoid necrosis, vasculitis, perivasculitis, and vascular thrombi were observed in all cases, associated with the presence of PCV2 antigen. The viral antigen was present in the intravascular mononuclear cells, endothelial cells, myocytes and infiltrating inflammatory cells in lymph and blood vessels. In one case, obliterating thrombi in the lymph and blood vessels were directly connected to areas of tissue necrosis and were associated with abundant PCV2 antigen. The results further suggest the causative role of PCV2 infection in PNP, and the importance of the vascular system in the pathogenesis of PCV2-associated diseases of swine.
Szeredi, L. Szentirmai, C.
Central Agricultural Office, Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate, H-1149 Budapest, Tabornok u. 2, Hungary.
The applicability of an anti-Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) antibody-based immunohistochemistry (IHC) procedure was investigated using everyday veterinary pathological samples collected from 13 different animal species. Fifty-one formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue samples were selected for this study. Forty, 4 and 7 tissue samples contained different species of bacteria, fungi and protozoa, respectively. Three serial sections were prepared in each case. Two sections were pre-treated with enzyme and heat, respectively, while the last section was not pre-treated. In seven cases the sensitivity of histochemical staining (HSM), IHC and bacteriological culture were compared. Heating of the sections in a microwave oven was the most effective method in the case of almost all pathogens used. Strong or moderate positive reactions were observed for 26 bacterial species, all fungal and 2 protozoal species, while weak reactions occurred for 2 bacterial and 1 protozoal species. Only 4 protozoal and 12 bacterial species, including Leptospira and all the five Mycoplasma species examined, showed no reaction in this test. IHC had almost the same sensitivity as bacteriological culture and was more sensitive than HSM. The IHC method presented here should be preferred to HSM as a general screening tool in cases where pathological lesions suspicious for infections are evident and no microorganism can be cultured in vitro or only formalin-fixed tissue samples are available for the laboratory examination.
Szeredi, L. Glavits, R. Tenk, M. Janosi, S.
Central Agricultural Office, Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate, H-1149 Budapest, Tabornok u. 2, Hungary.
Blood samples were collected from 330 cats in Hungary in order to evaluate their seroconversion to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis was 47.6%, the prevalence being 22.4% among urban, 50% among suburban and 61.3% among rural animals. Significantly more cats had high IFAT titres (1:640 to 1:5120) in the countryside. Female cats were more frequently infected with T. gondii than males (53.3% vs. 39.3%), and seropositivity increased with increase in the age of animals. The prevalence (0.6%) and titre (1:40) of antibodies to N. caninum was low. 62 cats were also screened for seroconversion to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus. Higher titres to T. gondii were more frequently detected among FIP-positive cats, but this difference was non-significant due to the small number of cats with concurrent infection.
Hornok, S. Edelhofer, R. Joachim, A. Farkas, R. Berta, K. Repasi, A. Lakatos, B.
Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent Istvan University, H-1078 Budapest, Istvan u. 2, Hungary.
Eggs from a broiler line were incubated at two different altitudes and hatched. Relative heart and lung weights, volumes of the heart, lung and thoracic cavity, incidence of right ventricular hypertrophy and ascites, and related physiological parameters were followed in the day-old chickens hatched from the above eggs. Lung and heart weights as a percentage of body weight, lung and heart volumes relative to the volume of the thoracic cavity after removing the heart and lungs were higher in chickens hatched at high altitude. Additionally, embryonic triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels relative to cardiopulmonary parameters were higher in day-old chickens that hatched at high altitude as compared with chickens hatched at low altitude. This was associated with a lower incidence of right ventricular hypertrophy and ascites in chickens hatched at high altitude. Our data indicate that chronic hypoxia interacting with the endogenous functions of embryos during embryonic development at high altitude, as adaptation mechanisms, changed the developmental trajectories of cardiopulmonary parameters in postnatal chickens. This important development facilitates an increase in the gas exchange area in broiler chickens, thus lowering their susceptibility to pulmonary hypertension and ascites.
Hassanzadeh, M. Buyse, J. Decuypere, E.
Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14155-6453, Tehran, Iran.