Bacteriology
Comparison of selective media for the isolation of Rhodococcus equi and
description of a new selective plating medium. L. Makrai, L. Fodor, I. Vendég, G. Szigeti, B. Dénes, J. Reiczigel and J. Varga 275
Association
of growth performance with atrophic rhinitis and pneumonia detected at slaughter in a
conventional pig herd in Hungary.
T. Donkó,
Melinda Kovács and
T. Magyar 287
Binding
of mycoplasmas to solid phase adsorbents. Susan Szathmáry,
Nandani Rajapakse, Ibolya Székely, E. Pitlik, Judit Bíró, Noémi Erdei and L. Stipkovits
299
Biochemistry and physiology
Relationship of retinoid and carotenoid metabolism with
caecotrophy in rabbits. Annamária Kerti, L. Bárdos, J. Deli and P. Oláh 309
Protective effect of
L-carnitine against oxidative damage caused by experimental chronic aflatoxicosis in quail
(Coturnix
coturnix). M. Citil, V. Gunes, O. Atakisi, Ayla Ozcan, M. Tuzcu and A. Dogan
319
Effect of
pentoxifylline on endotoxin-induced haemostatic disturbances in rabbits. R. Cöl, E. Keskin and B. Atalay
325
Clinical veterinary medicine
Morphological evaluation of canine platelets on Giemsa- and
PAS-stained blood smears. Dóra Halmay, P. Sótonyi, P. Vajdovich and T. Gaál
337
Urinary GGT/creatinine
ratio and fractional excretion of electrolytes in diarrhoeic calves. B. Ulutas and M. Sahal 351
Nutrition
Use of L-carnitine and humate in laying quail diets. Sakine Yalçin, A. Ergün, Handan Erol, Suzan Yalçin and B. Özsoy 361
Pathology
Study on the role of gastric Helicobacter infection in gross pathological and histological
lesions of the stomach in finishing pigs. L. Szeredi, G. Palkovics, N. Solymosi, L. Tekes and J. Méhesfalvi 371
Virology
Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (pmws) in pigs in
Croatia:
Detection and characterisation of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). Z.
Lipej, J. Segalés, I. Toplak, B. Šoštarić, Besi Roić, M. Lojkić, P. Hostnik, J.
Grom, Darja Barlič-Maganja, Kamelija Žarković and D. Oraić 385
COMPARISON OF SELECTIVE MEDIA FOR THE ISOLATION OF RHODOCOCCUS EQUI AND DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SELECTIVE
PLATING MEDIUM
L. Makrai1, L. Fodor1, I. Vendég1, G. Szigeti2, B. Dénes2, J. Reiczigel3 and J. Varga1
1Department of
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István
University, H-1581 Budapest, P.O. Box 22, Hungary; 2Central Veterinary
Institute, Budapest, Hungary; 3Department of Biomathematics and Informatics,
Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary
(Received January 5, 2005; accepted April
18, 2005)
In order to improve the isolation rate of Rhodococcus equi from animals and soil, the
efficacy of four previously described selective media (CAZ-NB, M3T, NANAT and TINSDALE)
and that of four other media (NC, PNP, TCP and TVP) composed by us was compared and
evaluated. Two selective plating media proved to
be the best for the isolation of R. equi from
contaminated samples. One of them was CAZ-NB containing ceftazidime, novobiocin and
cycloheximide, while the other was the newly composed TCP containing trimethoprim,
cefoperazone, polymyxin B, cycloheximide and potassium tellurite as selective components.
These two media allowed the growth of at least 62–72% of R. equi present in the artificially contaminated
samples, and the inhibition of unwanted contaminant bacteria and fungi was satisfactory
with both media. TCP medium proved to be superior to CAZ-NB since the colony morphology of
R. equi was much more characteristic (shiny,
smooth, black colonies 3–5 mm in diameter) on it, and it inhibited the unwanted
contaminant bacterial and fungal flora more effectively, especially in the case of faecal
and soil samples. Therefore, TCP is recommended as a new, highly selective plating medium
for the isolation of R. equi from contaminated
samples.
Key
words: Rhodococcus equi, isolation, new
selective plating medium, TCP, contaminated samples
Corresponding author: László Makrai; E-mail:
Makrai.Laszlo@aotk.szie.hu; Fax: +36 (1) 251
9260; Phone: +36 (1) 251 9900
ASSOCIATION OF GROWTH PERFORMANCE WITH ATROPHIC RHINITIS
AND PNEUMONIA DETECTED AT SLAUGHTER IN A CONVENTIONAL PIG HERD IN HUNGARY
T. Donkó1*, Melinda Kovács1 and T. Magyar2
1Department of
Physiology and Animal Hygiene, Faculty of Animal Science, Kaposvár University, Kaposvár,
Hungary; 2Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences,
Budapest, Hungary
(Received January 4, 2005; accepted April
18, 2005)
The influence of atrophic rhinitis (AR) and
pneumonia on growth performance was assessed in a conventional farrow-to-finish pig farm
affected by both diseases. All tested pigs (n = 138) were individually weighed at birth,
at weaning, at moving to the growing/finishing unit, and at slaughtering. The extent
(grade) of turbinate atrophy and lung consolidation attributable to pneumonia was
determined in each pig at slaughter. A negative correlation was found between birth weight
and the prevalence of nasal lesions at slaughter, suggesting that pigs born with smaller
weight may be more susceptible to AR. The growth performance of the pigs also showed a
negative correlation with the degree of turbinate atrophy. In the nursery period, the
average daily gain (ADG) of pigs with moderate/severe turbinate atrophy was 13.3% lower
than that of animals with healthy snouts. In the finishing period, pigs with mild AR
lesions had an ADG reduction of 6.2%, while pigs with severe AR lesions had a significant,
9.4% reduction in ADG as compared to the AR-free pigs. The extent of weight gain reduction
over the whole life cycle was very similar (approximately 6%) in the pigs having either AR
or pneumonia alone. In those pigs where both respiratory diseases were present, their
effects seemed to be added up (11.5%); however, nasal lesion scores and percentage of lung
consolidation did not show statistically apparent interactive effects on growth
performance.
Key
words: Swine, atrophic rhinitis, pneumonia,
weight gain
Corresponding author: Tamás Donkó; E-mail:
tdonko@mail.atk.u-kaposvar.hu; Fax: +36 (82) 320 175
BINDING OF MYCOPLASMAS TO SOLID PHASE ADSORBENTS
Susan Szathmáry1,2, Nandani Rajapakse1, Ibolya Székely2, E. Pitlik3, Judit Bíró2, Noémi Erdei2 and L. Stipkovits2
1Clarigen Inc.,
Carlsbad, CA, USA; 2Veterinary Medical Research Institute of the Hungarian
Academy of Sciences, H-1581 Budapest, P.O. Box 18, Hungary; 3Second Department
of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
(Received November 4, 2004; accepted April 18, 2005)
The capture of mycoplasmas (M. hominis, M. buccale, M. fermentans, M. bovis, M.
synoviae, M. gallisepticum and M. arthritidis)
based on lipid structures and adhesion molecules present in the mycoplasmal membrane was
tested using different chromatographic resins (ActiClean Etox, ClarEtox, Heparin-Actigel,
Sulfated Hiflow and SulfEtox). All of the resins efficiently reduced mycoplasma
concentrations in Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) and in Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) by 3–8
logs in a few minutes. This technology could be used for removing mycoplasmas from tissue
culture components such as serum, and for concentrating mycoplasmas in vaccine production.
Key
words: Mycoplasma, chromatography resin
RELATIONSHIP OF RETINOID AND CAROTENOID METABOLISM WITH
CAECOTROPHY IN RABBITS
Annamária Kerti1,2, L. Bárdos1, J. Deli3 and P. Oláh3
1Faculty of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Szent István University, H-2103 Gödöllő,
Páter K. u. 1, Hungary; 2Research Institute for Animal Breeding and Nutrition,
Herceghalom, Hungary; 3Faculty of Medical Science, University of Pécs, Pécs,
Hungary
(Received November 3, 2004; accepted April 18, 2005)
The relationship of retinoid and carotenoid
metabolism with caecotrophy was studied in adult female New Zealand White rabbits kept in
individual metabolic cages. Caecotrophy was prevented by the use of plastic collars. The
dry matter, crude protein, fibre, fat and ash contents of hard and soft faecal samples
were determined. The retinoid (retinol and retinyl palmitate) and carotenoid
(canthaxanthin, ß-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin) levels of the blood,
liver, kidney, caecal content and faeces were also measured by high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC). The prevention of caecotrophy resulted in a significant decrease of
blood retinol (P < 0.001) and retinyl palmitate (P < 0.01) concentration but it did
not cause any significant change in the retinol and retinyl palmitate contents of the
liver and kidney. The caecal content (25.78 ± 6.87 µg/g) and the soft faeces (34.52
± 10.48 µg/g) contained the retinoids in similar amounts. Various carotenoids were found
in considerable amounts in different types of faeces, while in the tissues (blood, liver
and kidney) these pigments did not occur in substantial amounts. Total carotenoid
concentration was similar in the caecal content (11.23 µg/g) and in the caecotroph (13.85
µg/g). On the basis of the results it can be assumed that the retinoid content of rabbit
feed could be lowered in the presence of adequate caecal function and caecotrophy.
Key
words: Retinoid, carotenoid, metabolism,
caecotrophy, rabbit
PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF L-CARNITINE AGAINST OXIDATIVE DAMAGE
CAUSED BY EXPERIMENTAL CHRONIC AFLATOXICOSIS IN QUAIL (COTURNIX COTURNIX)
M. Citil1*, V. Gunes1, O. Atakisi2, Ayla Ozcan2, M. Tuzcu3 and A. Dogan4
1Department of Internal
Medicine, 2Department of Biochemistry, 3Kars Vocational College and 4Department
of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kafkas,
36100 Kars, Turkey
(Received December 17, 2003; accepted April 18, 2005)
This study was designed to evaluate the effect
of L-carnitine supplementation on the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and whole blood reduced
glutathione (GSH) concentrations in experimentally-induced chronic aflatoxicosis in
quails. For this purpose, a total of 80 quails up to 8 weeks old were divided into four
equal groups. Group I served as control, Group II was given L-carnitine at the dose of 200
mg/litre in the drinking water for 60 days, Group III was given 60 µg total aflatoxin/kg
diet for 60 days, and Group IV was given both 60 µg total aflatoxin/kg diet and 200 mg
L-carnitine/litre in the drinking water for 60 days. Aflatoxin treatment caused a
significant increase in plasma MDA and a significant decrease in blood GSH concentrations.
On the other hand, there was a significant decrease in plasma MDA and a significant
increase in whole blood GSH in the L-carnitine-supplemented group. The present study
demonstrated that L-carnitine brought about the inhibition of lipid peroxidation by
enhancing antioxidant capacity in quails with chronic aflatoxicosis.
Key
words: L-carnitine, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, aflatoxicosis, quail
EFFECT OF PENTOXIFYLLINE ON ENDOTOXIN-INDUCED HAEMOSTATIC
DISTURBANCES IN RABBITS
R. Cöl,
E. Keskin and B. Atalay
Department of Physiology, Faculty
of Veterinary Medicine, University of Selcuk, Kampus, 42031 Konya, Turkey
(Received November 10, 2004; accepted December 16, 2004)
Pentoxifylline (PTX, a methylxanthine
derivative) has been found to interrupt early gene activation for tumour necrosis factor,
interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tissue factor production and to improve survival from
experimental sepsis. During endotoxaemia, lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) and
proinflammatory cytokines trigger the development of disseminated intravascular
coagulation (DIC) via the tissue factor-dependent pathway of coagulation. The present
study was undertaken to determine whether pentoxifylline could prevent coagulation
disturbances in LPS-treated rabbits. Endotoxaemia was induced with E. coli lipopolysaccharide in New Zealand White
rabbits. Forty rabbits were used and divided into four equal groups. Group 1 served as a
control group; Group 2: lipopolysaccharide was injected intravenously, Group 3:
pentoxifylline was injected intraperitoneally, Group 4: lipopolysaccharide and
pentoxifylline were injected simultaneously. Blood samples were collected 6 h after the
treatments. In rabbits with endotoxin-induced DIC, platelet count, leukocyte count,
percentage of differential leukocyte values, fibrinogen level, antithrombin III (AT-III)
and protein C (PC) activity were decreased. Moreover, activated partial thromboplastin
time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) were prolonged when compared to the control group.
In conclusion, haemostatic disturbances associated with endotoxin-induced DIC were
moderately suppressed by the administration of PTX.
Key
words: Pentoxifylline, disseminated intravascular coagulation, endotoxin, rabbit
MORPHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF CANINE PLATELETS ON GIEMSA- AND
PAS-STAINED BLOOD SMEARS
Dóra Halmay1, P. Sótonyi2, P. Vajdovich3 and T. Gaál3
1Triovet Veterinary
Surgery, Budapest, Hungary; 2Department of Anatomy and Histology and 3Department
of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, H-1078
Budapest, Hungary
(Received December 3, 2004; accepted December 16, 2004)
The morphology of
canine platelets (changes in size, shape, staining characteristics, degree of activation
and clump formation, distribution of granules, appearance of vacuoles on Giemsa-stained smears) was investigated in 20
healthy control and 181 diseased dogs. In the group of the sick dogs 84 animals suffered
from disorders affecting directly the haematological parameters or the haematopoietic
organs such as bleeding, thymic haemorrhage, haemolytic disorders, lymphoma,
immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, and other 97 dogs were affected by other diseases
(hepatopathy, nephropathy, hepatic, splenic or intestinal neoplasm, skin diseases,
diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s syndrome,
sepsis). The alterations found in platelet morphology were not specific for any disorder.
The most common platelet abnormalities were polychromasia and the presence of giant
platelets. These changes occurred in a high number in disorders accompanied by bleeding or
haemolysis. Anisocytosis was the most frequent finding in hepatic, splenic or intestinal
neoplasms and in certain endocrinopathies. Microcytosis was observed in immune-mediated
thrombocytopenia, hepatic neoplasms and endocrine disorders. Extreme platelet activation
was common in haemolysis, hepatopathies, neoplastic diseases and sepsis. Vacuolisation was
present in thymic haemorrhage, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus and Cushing’s syndrome. A
new morphologic phenomenon, i.e. a ring-like formation of granules, was described in the
cytoplasm of the platelets both in healthy and diseased animals. In addition, two forms of
pathologic granulation were also described for the first time in Giemsa-stained blood
smears: the pseudonuclear and the spot-like formation of granules, which were observed
especially in disorders affecting the blood cells. The granulation and morphological
characteristics of platelets on smears stained by periodic acid–Schiff reaction (PAS)
were also studied. Three localisations of granulation were observed, such as peripheral,
eccentric and diffuse. The ratio of PAS-positive and -negative platelets was evaluated in several diseases. Our findings
support the diagnostic value of platelet evaluation by light microscopy and help
clinicians/clinical pathologists to understand why morphologic changes of thrombocytes
might be expected in several diseases.
Key
words: Platelet, thrombocyte,
light-microscopic morphology, dogs, Giemsa staining,
PAS staining
Corresponding author; E-mail:
Halmay.Dora@aotk.szie.hu; Fax: +36 (1) 478 4137
URINARY GGT/CREATININE RATIO AND FRACTIONAL EXCRETION OF
ELECTROLYTES IN DIARRHOEIC CALVES
B. Ulutas1
and M. Sahal2
1Department of Internal
Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Adnan Menderes University, 09016 Aydin, Turkey; 2Ankara
University, Ankara, Turkey
(Received February 25, 2004; accepted December 16, 2004)
The aim of this study was to monitor renal
function in diarrhoeic calves and to determine the effectiveness of an applied fluid
therapy. A total of 28 diarrhoeic (n = 18) and healthy (n = 10) Holstein-Friesian calves
of different sexes, between 1 and 30 days of age, were used. Blood and urine samples were
obtained from diarrhoeic calves before the treatment and then three more times at 24-h
intervals during the treatment. From healthy calves, samples were taken only once. Therapy
was started by the intravenous administration of 8.4% sodium bicarbonate and 0.9% sodium
chloride solutions for the first 24 h, followed by the oral application of a commercial electrolyte solution (sodium
chloride 3.5 g, trisodium citrate 2.9 g, potassium chloride 1.5 g and glucose
anhydrous 20 g in 1 litre H2O) up to the
48th h of therapy. Before the therapy, the average levels of pH (7.10 ± 0.12), bicarbonate (HCO3–) (16.48 ±
3.80 mmol/l), base deficit (–12.65 ± 5.97 mmol/l) and fractional excretion
(FE) of sodium (0.16 ± 0.11%) and potassium (15.07 ± 8.56%) were significantly lower
while serum urea (17.48 ± 10.32 mmol/l) and creatinine
(Cr) concentrations (169.72 ± 98.12 µmol/l), haematocrit levels (45.13 ±
13.60%) and urinary gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT)/Cr ratio (8.6 ± 4.3 × 1/103 U/µmol)
were significantly higher in diarrhoeic calves than in healthy calves. Alterations in
parameters indicating the presence of renal dysfunction were normalised in the diarrhoeic
calves that survived (83.3%). Three calves with severe metabolic acidosis and azotaemia
died at the beginning of therapy. It was concluded that the FE of Na and K (FENa,
FEK) and urine GGT/Cr ratio may have an important role in assessing renal
function in diarrhoeic calves and in evaluating the effectiveness of an applied fluid
therapy.
Key
words: Calves, diarrhoea, fluid therapy, renal function, fractional excretion, urinary
GGT/Cr ratio
USE OF L-CARNITINE AND HUMATE IN LAYING QUAIL DIETS
Sakine Yalçin1, A. Ergün1, Handan Erol2,
Suzan Yalçin3 and B. Özsoy4
1Department of Animal
Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, 06110 Dişkapi, Ankara,
Turkey; 2Abant Izzet Baysal University, Vocational School of
Mudurnu, Bolu, Turkey; 3Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey; 4Department of Animal
Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
(Received September 27, 2004; accepted December 16, 2004)
This experiment was carried out to determine
the effects of using L-carnitine and humate alone or in combination in quail diets on
laying performance, egg traits and blood parameters. A total of 280 Japanese quails aged
10 weeks, divided into one control group and three treatment groups, were used. The
diets of the first, second and third treatment groups were supplemented with 100 mg
L-carnitine/kg, 1.5 g humate (Farmagülatör® Dry Plus)/kg and 100 mg L-carnitine + 1.5 g humate/kg, respectively. The experimental
period lasted 16 weeks. The addition of L-carnitine and sodium humate alone or
in combination did not significantly affect body weight, feed consumption, egg production,
feed conversion ratio, mortality, egg-shell thickness, egg yolk index and the percentages
of egg-shell, albumen and yolk. Egg weight increased (P < 0.001) with L-carnitine
supplementation. The values of egg albumen height (P < 0.05), egg albumen index (P <
0.01) and egg Haugh unit (P < 0.05) were increased with humate supplementation. Egg
cholesterol content and blood serum parameters were not affected by the supplementation of
L-carnitine with or without humate. The results in this study demonstrated that
L-carnitine supplementation increased egg weight while humate addition increased egg
albumen index and egg Haugh unit of laying quails. However, the combined administration of
L-carnitine and humate did not have any significant effects on the parameters measured.
Key
words: L-carnitine, humate, laying quail, performance, egg traits, blood parameters
STUDY ON THE ROLE OF GASTRIC HELICOBACTER INFECTION IN GROSS PATHOLOGICAL AND
HISTOLOGICAL LESIONS OF THE STOMACH IN FINISHING PIGS
L. Szeredi1,
G. Palkovics2,
N. Solymosi3,
L. Tekes1
and J. Méhesfalvi2
1Central Veterinary Institute,
H-1581 Budapest 146, P.O. Box 2, Hungary; 2Veterinary Institute of Kaposvár,
Kaposvár, Hungary, 3Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University,
Budapest, Hungary
(Received October 12, 2004; accepted December 16, 2004)
The prevalence of gastric Helicobacter infection in finishing pigs and the
influence of this infection on gastric lesions was studied. Stomachs of 89 finishing pigs
from 27 randomly selected herds were sampled at the slaughterhouse. Forty cases (Group A)
were selected based upon the presence of gross pathological lesions in the pars
oesophagea, and further 49 cases were obtained at random (Group B). Three samples of
gastric tissue (junction of pars oesophagea and pars cardiaca, fundic area, and pyloric
area) were collected from each stomach for histological and immunohistochemical
examination. Helicobacter antigen was detected
in 76 cases (85.4%). No association was found between the presence of Helicobacter in the stomach and the occurrence of
gross pathological lesions in the pars oesophagea or gastritis detected on histological
examination. However, a significant association was found between the occurrence of Helicobacter in the pyloric area and the presence
of erosions/ulcers in the pars oesophagea (OR: 7.01, p = 0.022) in Group B. A significant
association was also evident between the presence of Helicobacter
and glandular lesions (dilatation of the glands + glandular abscess + degeneration of
glandular epithelial cells). In conclusion, Helicobacter
infection seems to be a contributing factor to pathological changes in the stomach of
finishing pigs.
Key
words: Helicobacter, Balantidium coli, swine, gastric lesions
POSTWEANING MULTISYSTEMIC WASTING SYNDROME (PMWS) IN PIGS IN CROATIA: DETECTION AND CHARACTERISATION OF PORCINE CIRCOVIRUS TYPE 2
(PCV2)
Z. Lipej1, J. Segalés2, I. Toplak3, B. Šoštarić1, Besi Roić1, M. Lojkić1, P. Hostnik3, J. Grom3, Darja Barlič-Maganja3, Kamelija Žarković4 and D. Oraić1
1Croatian Veterinary
Institute, Zagreb, Savska c. 143, Croatia; 2Department of Animal Health and
Anatomy, Animal Health Research Centre (CReSA), Veterinary Faculty, Autonomous University
of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; 3Veterinary Faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 4Department
of Neuropathology, Clinical Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
(Received June 9, 2004; accepted April
18, 2005)
The objective of this study was to characterise
porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) from pigs with naturally occurring postweaning
multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in Croatia, and to determine the epizootiological, clinical and pathomorphological
features of the disease. During a systematic health monitoring programme conducted in the
period from January 2002 to June 2003, PMWS was suspected on eight different pig-producing
farms in Croatia. The diagnosis of
PMWS met all three key criteria: the presence of compatible clinical signs, the presence
of the characteristic microscopic lymphoid lesions, and the detection of PCV2 within the
lesions by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by in
situ hybridisation (ISH). Moreover, PCV2 DNA from swine tissues was extracted and
sequenced. The phylogenetic analysis of 4 Croatian PCV2 strains showed close relationship
to PCV2 strains isolated in Slovenia, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, China and Hungary. PCV2 was also demonstrated by electron microscopy in the lymph node of an
affected animal. This is the first demonstration of PMWS in Croatia based on all scientifically accepted diagnostic criteria.
Key
words: Postweaning multisystemic wasting
syndrome (PMWS), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), diagnostic criteria, phylogenetic
analysis, Croatia
