Medical Supplies – Medical Products

The aim of this work was to detect the concentrations of some heavy metals inmilk collected from ewes from three farms in Calabria and five farms in Campania (date not given)and to evaluate the extent of the presence of these metals in dairy products for human consumption.The sampling sites are located in places with different pollution impact (high volume of traffic,industrial plants, dumps, waste incinerators, metropolitan areas, small-medium towns, intensiveagricultural activities). Samples of milk, ricotta and caciotta cheese at different ripening timeswere analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry to detect chromium, cadmium, lead andmercury. Results of the analysis showed that chromium was the metal detected at highest levels inmilk (0.40 micro g/g) and lead was highest in fresh (1.15 micro g/g), mature cheese (1.07 micro g/g)and in ricotta (0.70 micro g/g). The metals detected at lowest concentrations were cadmium in milk,fresh and mature cheese (0.05, 0.05 and 0.06 micro g/g, respectively) and chromium in ricotta (0.03micro g/g). The lead and chromium levels detected were higher than those reported in literature formilk and dairy sheep samples collected in other sites of Italy. The different patterns of heavymetal contents in milk, ricotta and cheese samples were influenced by the chemical and physicalproperties of the manufacturing process like ripening and curdling. No significant differences inthe correlation between pollution degree at sampling sites and metal levels in milk and cheesesamples were observed. Although the levels of some metals were higher than those reported inliterature, the results of this study indicate that sheep milk and milk products from the tworegions of Italy investigated are safe for human consumption based on the Provisional TolerableDaily Intake reported by the joint FAO/WHO expert on food additives.

Anastasio, A　Caggiano, R　Macchiato, M　Paolo, C　Ragosta, M　Paino, S　Cortesi, M L
2006 done

Endotoxaemia in bitches with pyometra can cause severe systemic effectsdirectly or via the release of inflammatory mediators. Plasma endotoxin concentrations were measuredin ten bitches suffering from pyometra with moderately to severely deteriorated general condition,and in nine bitches admitted to surgery for non-infectious reasons. Endotoxin samples were taken onfive occasions before, during and after surgery. In addition, urine and uterine bacteriology wasperformed and haematological, blood biochemical parameters, prostaglandin F2 alpha metabolite15-ketodihydro-PGF2 alpha (PG-metabolite), progesterone and oestradiol (E2-17 beta ) levels wereanalysed. The results confirm significantly increased plasma levels of endotoxin in bitches withpyometra and support previous reports of endotoxin involvement in the pathogenesis of the disease.Plasma concentrations of PG-metabolite were elevated in pyometra bitches and provide a goodindicator of endotoxin release since the concentrations were significantly correlated to theendotoxin levels and many other haematological and chemistry parameters. The gamma -globulin serumprotein electrophoresis fraction and analysis of PG-metabolite can be valuable in the diagnosis ofendotoxin involvement if a reliable, rapid and cost-effective test for PG-metabolite analysisbecomes readily available in the future. Treatment inhibiting prostaglandin biosynthesis and relatedcompounds could be beneficial for bitches suffering from pyometra.

Hagman, R　Kindahl, H　Lagerstedt, A S

Three experiments were carried out to examine the consequences of concurrentinfections with Ascaridia galli and Escherichia coli in chickens raised for table egg production.Characteristic pathological lesions including airsacculitis, peritonitis and/or polyserositis wereseen in all groups infected with E. coli. Furthermore, a trend for increased mortality rates wasobserved in groups infected with both organisms which, however, could not be confirmedstatistically. The mean worm burden was significantly lower in combined infection groups compared togroups infected only with A. galli. It was also shown that combined infections of E. coli and A.galli had an added significant negative impact on weight gain.

Permin, A　Christensen, J P　Bisgaard, M

Treatment with defocused CO2 laser can have a therapeutic effect on equineinjuries, but the mechanisms involved are unclear. A recent study has shown that laser causes anincrease in equine superficial tissue temperature, which may result in an increase in bloodperfusion and a stimulating effect on tissue regeneration. However, no studies have described theeffects on equine tissue perfusion. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect ofdefocused CO2 laser on blood perfusion and to correlate it with temperature in skin and underlyingmuscle in anaesthetized horses. Differences between clipped and unclipped haircoat were alsoassessed. Eight horses and two controls received CO2 laser treatment (91 J/cm2) in a randomizedorder, on a clipped and unclipped area of the hamstring muscles, respectively. The significantincrease in clipped skin perfusion and temperature was on average 146.3+or-33.4 perfusion units(334%) and 5.5+or-1.5 degrees C, respectively. The significant increase in perfusion and temperaturein unclipped skin were 80.6+or-20.4 perfusion units (264%) and 4.8+or-1.4 degrees C. No significantchanges were seen in muscle perfusion or temperature. In conclusion, treatment with defocused CO2laser causes a significant increase in skin perfusion, which is correlated to an increase in skintemperature.

Bergh, A　Nyman, G　Lundeberg, T　Drevemo, S

Trials were conducted on 3 commercial sheep farms in Sweden to assess theeffect of administering spores of the nematode trapping fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans, together withsupplementary feed to lactating ewes for the first 6 weeks from turn-out on pastures in spring.Also control groups of ewes, receiving only feed supplement, were established on all 3 farms. Groupswere monitored by intensive parasitological investigation. The ewes and their lambs were moved inlate June to saved pastures for summer grazing, the lambs receiving an anthelmintic treatment atthis time. After approximately 6 weeks on summer pasture the lambs were weaned, treated a secondtime with anthelmintic, and returned to their original lambing pastures for finishing. Decisions asto when lambs were to be marketed were entirely at the discretion of the farmer co-operators. Nodifference in lamb performance was found between the two treatments on all three farms. This wasattributed to the high levels of nutrition initially of the ewes limiting their postpartum rise innematode faecal egg counts in spring, which in turn resulted in low levels of nematode infection onpastures throughout the autumn period. Additionally, pastures were of good quality for the lambsduring the finishing period, so they grew at optimal rates as far as the farmers were concerned.

Waller, P J　Ljungstrom, B L　Schwan, O　Martin, L R　Morrison, D A　Rydzik,A

In 2003, a feed-borne outbreak of Salmonella Cubana occurred in Sweden as aresult of contamination in a feed plant. Salmonella Cubana was detected in 49 out of 77 pig farmshaving received possibly contaminated feed. In this study, potential risk factors for farms beingSalmonella-positive were examined, and a survival analysis was performed to investigate risk factorsaffecting the restriction period for Salmonella-positive farms. The median restriction time for all49 farms was 17 weeks. An increased risk for farms being Salmonella-infected (positive in feedand/or faeces) was seen for fattening farms and farms feeding soya. The survival analysis showedthat herds with a low level of infection and farms with a high hygiene level had shorter restrictiontimes. This study is unique as it investigates a real outbreak of feed-borne Salmonella, where thesource of infection was reliably identified, the period of exposure could be defined and data werecollected from all exposed farms.

Osterberg, J　Vagsholm, I　Boqvist, S　Lewerin, S S

The principal aim of this study was to evaluate dissociative anaesthesia forcastration of colts during field conditions. Three dissociative anaesthetic protocols were evaluatedduring castration of colts in an animal hospital. The protocol considered to be the most suitablewas thereafter evaluated during castration of colts under field conditions. Respiratory andhaemodynamic parameters and the response to surgery were determined during anaesthesia. All horsesbreathed air spontaneously during anaesthesia. Under hospital conditions, 26 colts were randomizedto receive one of three anaesthetic protocols: romifidine and tiletamine-zolazepam (RZ);acepromazine, romifidine and tiletamine-zolazepam (ARZ); or acepromazine, romifidine, butorphanoland tiletamine-zolazepam (ARBZ). The surgeon was blinded to the anaesthetic protocol used anddecided whether supplemental anaesthesia was needed to complete surgery. Under field conditions 31colts were castrated during anaesthesia with the ARBZ protocol. All inductions, anaesthesia andrecoveries were calm and without excitation under both hospital and field conditions. Surgery wasperformed within 5-20 minutes after the horses had assumed lateral recumbency during both hospitaland field castrations. Under hospital conditions some horses needed supplemental anaesthesia withall three anaesthetic protocols to complete surgery. Interestingly, none of the horses castratedwith protocol ARBZ under field conditions needed additional anaesthesia. Cardiorespiratory changeswere within acceptable limits in these clinically healthy colts.

Marntell, S　Nyman, G　Funkquist, P