Comparison of the Value of Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis,Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA and Amplified rDNA Restriction Analysis for Subtyping Taylorella equigenitalis

Eight strains of Taylorella equigenitalis were identified by a polymerase chain reaction using a primer pair specific to the 16S rDNA of T equigenitalis. These eight strains were chosen because they had previously been shown to represent eight distinct genotypes by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis after separate digestion of the genomic DNA with ApaI or NotI. The eight strains could be classified into six or seven types by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis using different kinds of primers. Amplified rDNA restriction analysis after separate digestion with five restriction enzymes, including AluI and MboI, of the 1,500 bp fragments of rDNA amplified by polymerase chain reaction did not discriminate the genomic variations among the eight strains of T equigenitalis. Thus, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was shown to discriminate these eight organisms better than random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis, while amplified rDNA restriction analysis was found to be unsuitable for subtyping T equigenitalis.     

Primary Aspergillus and Fusarium keratitis in a Holstein cow

A 5-year-old female Holstein cow was examined for ocular discharge, periorbital swelling, an area of full-thickness corneal cellular infiltrate, fibrin, hypopyon, diffuse corneal edema, and miosis. The patient was diagnosed with a corneal stromal abscess and secondary anterior uveitis. Histopathology, mycotic culture, and polymerase chain reaction positive for Aspergillus and Fusarium DNA confirmed the presence of fungal infection. Response to therapy was adequate, and follow-up with the patient 1 year after diagnosis revealed a focal area of corneal fibrosis.     

The prevalence and epidemiology ofAnoplocephala perfoliata infection in Norway

The caecum and the adjacent 30 cm lengths of ileum and large colon of 201 horses from two different regions of Norway (Østlandet and Trøndelag) were examined for the presence ofAnoplocephala perfoliata. In all, 20% of the horses were infested with the cestode (27% in Østlandet and 7% in Trøndelag). The mean number of worms in infected horses from the two regions was 18 and 6, respectively.Information was obtained on the age, sex, breed, type of pasture and anthelmintic treatment after the grazing season for 183 of the 20 horses. The degree of infestation withA. perfoliata was not influenced by age, breed or sex. The odds ratio (confidence limits) for using permanent pastures that had been grazed by horses for at least the 5 last years in succession was 8.8 (3.2–24.4). There was a significantly higher prevalence ofA. perfoliata infestation in Østlandet (odds ratio 3.1 (1.1–9.1). The relatively low prevalence ofA. perfoliata infestation in Norwegian horses compared to the reported prevalences in other countries and the differences in the prevalence between Østlandet and Trøndelag are discussed. Gross pathological examination identified lesions such as mucosal thickening, hyperaemia and/or erosions. These lesions were found in all of the infected horses, compared with only 5% of the non-infected horses.Examination of faecal samples from 26 of the infected horses detected cestode eggs in only three cases. It was concluded that faecal examination is an inadequate method for the diagnosis ofA. perfoliata infestation.     

SYSTEMATIC TESTING OF QUALITY IN GRASS VARIETIES

The degree of precision obtained In the quality testing of grass varieties under two systems of management was examined (1) in a single cut, (2) under a system of proportionate bulking of produce from individual cuts during a season, and (3) after pooling two seasons' data from two centres.
Crude protein, crude fibre, soluble carbohydrate, and in vitro digestible dry matter were determined. The components of variance were analysed and in the data from single cuts varietal differences in digestibility of 2.10 were significant (P=0.05). Using data from two seasons at two centres, a high degree of precision was obtained for all attributes in a grazing management system and varietal differences in digestibility of 1.25% were significant.
Variation due to location and season was greater in hay cuts taken 10 days after ear emergence. In both systems varieties differed more in soluble carbohydrate content than in the other chemical components.     

Improving the specificity of immunodiagnosis for porcine brucellosis

This report describes the use of cell mediated immunity to improve specificity of current diagnosis for Brucella suis. Diagnosis is problematic due to cross reactions that lead to false positive serological reactions (FPSR) in the standard diagnostic tests. A common cause of this cross reactivity is infection with the organism Yersinia enterocolitica O:9. Gottingen™ mini-pigs were experimentally infected with B. suis biovar I field strain or Y. enterocolitica serotype O:9 biotype 3. Infection was followed for 70 days. During this time whole blood stimulation assays were set up using Brucella specific antigen. IFNγ was measured in the supernatants (SN) from these assays by ELISA. Concurrent standard serological tests were carried out. The results indicate that the IFNγ assay is specifically able to distinguish Y. enterocolitica O:9 infection from a B. suis infection in experimentally infected mini-pigs. These results represent an improvement in diagnostic specificity compared to currently used serological tests. Thus suggesting that in a surveillance setting this test could be applied as a confirmatory test in the face of FPSR. The authors are British Civil Servants and as such their work is subject to British Crown Copyright. This means the exclusive copyright for the article cannot be transferred.     

Neural control of gastro-intestinal motility; events following receptor activation

The motility of the mammalian gastro-intestinal tract is regulated by a number of neuronal systems. The postganglionic, intramural parts of these systems are characterized by their neurotransmitters as cholinergic, adrenergic and 'purinergic' nerves, respectively. The transmitter acetylcholine evokes contractions of the smooth muscle cell, whereas both noradrenalin and the transmitter from the 'purinergic' nerves, presumably ATP, induce relaxations of smooth muscles. Agents and actions which influence the neurohumoral transmission and the mechanisms underlying the effects induced by the transmitters in smooth muscle cells are reviewed.