Bacteriology
Improved diagnostic and
real-time pcr in rapid screening for Salmonella in the poultry
food chain. Annamária Szmolka, Éva Kaszanyitzky and B. Nagy
297
Aetiology of caprine footrot in
Extremadura region, Spain.
Angela Lacombe-Antoneli, S. Píriz and S. Vadillo 313
Biochemistry and Physiology
Effects of environmental temperature on thyroid hormones
in the barn owl (Tyto alba). Á. Klein, Margit Kulcsár, Virág
Krízsik, R. Mátics, P.
Rudas, J. Török and Gy. Huszenicza
321
Rumen
fermentation response to a direct-fed xylanase enzyme preparation from Thermomyces lanuginosus
in sheep. V. Jurkovich, J. Kutasi, Hedvig Fébel, J.
Reiczigel, E. Brydl, L. Könyves and P. Rafai
333
Influence
of the type of management system on corticosterone transfer into eggs in laying hens. B. Sas, G. Domány, Ilse Gyimóthy, Katalin Gaál Kovácsné and M. Süth
343
Clinical veterinary medicine
Prevalence and features of canine atopic dermatitis in Hungary. Noémi Tarpataki, Kinga Pápa, J. Reiczigel, P.
Vajdovich and K. Vörös 353
Clinical
manifestations of canine babesiosis in Hungary (63 cases). Á. Máthé, K. Vörös, L. Papp
and J. Reiczigel 367
Repeatability
and reproducibility of distraction indices in Pennhip
examinations of the hip joint in dogs. M. M. D. Ginja, A. J. A. Ferreira, M. Silvestre,
J. M. Gonzalo-Orden and M. P. Llorens-Pena 387
Genetics
Effect of myog
genotypes on growth rate and production traits in Hungarian Large White pigs. I. Anton, A. Zsolnai, I.
Komlósi, A. Király and L. Fésüs 393
Parasitology
Distribution of Toxocara infection in the environment and in definitive and
paratenic hosts in Estonia. Heli Talvik, Epp Moks, Erika Mägi, T. Järvis and Illa Miller
399
First
report on Encephalitozoon intestinalis infection of swine in Europe. Alexandra Valenčáková, P. Bálent, M. Húska,
F. Novotný and Lenka Luptáková
407
Reproduction
Gh and igf-i
increase leptin receptor expression in prepubertal pig ovaries: The role of leptin in
steroid secretion and cell apoptosis. Ewa L. Gregoraszczuk, Agnieszka Rak, Anna Wójtowicz, Anna Ptak, Tatiana
Wojciechowicz and K. W. Nowak 413
IMPROVED DIAGNOSTIC AND REAL-TIME PCR IN RAPID SCREENING FOR SALMONELLA IN THE POULTRY FOOD CHAIN
Annamária Szmolka1, Éva Kaszanyitzky2 and B. Nagy1
1Veterinary Medical
Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-1143 Budapest, Hungária
krt. 21, Hungary; 2Central
Veterinary Institute, Budapest, Hungary
(Received 20 December 2005; accepted 13 February 2006)
The goal of this
study was to improve the diagnostic applicability of genus- and serovar- (S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium) specific PCR systems in screening
faecal and caecal samples of poultry, poultry feed and poultrymeat for Salmonella, by keeping the opportunity to obtain Salmonella cultures from positive samples. Peptone
broth pre-enrichment cultures of the samples were tested by PCR. In faecal and caecal
samples from broiler chicks a strong inhibitory action was frequently observed. This could
be reduced markedly by the addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) acting as amplification
facilitator. The results of testing pre-enrichment cultures from artificially contaminated
faecal, poultry feed and poultrymeat samples (using S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium
and S. Hadar as contaminants) suggest that the
sensitivity of the above systems is 101–102 CFU g–1
sample. The testing of 95 caecal samples from slaughtered chicks resulted in 49%
culture-positive and 76% PCR-positive samples. The suitability of a generic real-time PCR
for testing faecal samples of poultry was also studied. Its detection limit for these
samples was found to be lower than that of the diagnostic PCR system. Both methods reduced
the time required for Salmonella detection to 24–30
h, and the advantage of the real-time PCR was its increased sensitivity. We have
established a diagnostic and a real-time PCR system for rapid and reliable genus- and
serovar- (S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium) specific detection of Salmonella
for monitoring purposes in the poultry food chain. Sensitivity is equal to, or higher
than, that of the standard bacterial culture method, and the method still provides the Salmonella culture if needed.
Key
words: PCR, real-time PCR, Salmonella detection, poultry
AETIOLOGY OF CAPRINE FOOTROT IN EXTREMADURA REGION, SPAIN
Angela Lacombe-Antoneli, S. Píriz and S. Vadillo
Unit of Microbiology, Department
of Medicine and Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
(Received 30 December 2004; accepted 13 February 2006)
The present study reports on the location of
major foci of footrot in goats in the Extremadura region of Spain by the determination of locally occurring strictly anaerobic microorganisms
involved in the pathogenesis and development of this disease. The most commonly isolated
microorganisms belonged to the genera Dichelobacter,
Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas and Prevotella; these were found in conjunction with
other species of minor importance. The species most frequently isolated were Fusobacterium necrophorum (40%), Dichelobacter nodosus (31.7%), Porphyromonas asaccharolytica (21.1%) and Prevotella melaninogenica (12.9%). Virulence
factors identified in the isolated microorganisms included haemolysins, elastases and
lecithinases, which enabled the organisms involved to initiate and/or aggravate the
disease. Serotyping was performed for Dichelobacter
nodosus isolates, since this species is responsible for triggering the process of
infection. A and C were the most frequently isolated serovarieties (representing 40.7% and
25.9% of the cases, respectively).
Key
words: Footrot, goat, aetiology, Dichelobacter
nodosus, Fusobacterium necrophorum
EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE ON THYROID HORMONES
IN THE BARN OWL (TYTO ALBA)
Á. Klein1,
Margit Kulcsár2, Virág Krízsik3, R. Mátics4, P.
Rudas2, J. Török1 and Gy. Huszenicza2
1Behavioural Ecology
Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, H-1117
Budapest, Pázmány P. sétány 2, Hungary; 2Faculty of Veterinary Science,
Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary; 3Department of Genetics, Eötvös
Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; 4Faculty of Medicine, Institute of
Medical Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
(Received 2 November 2005; accepted 13
February 2006)
The basic patterns of thyroid hormones
[thyroxine (T4) and 3,3’,5-triiodothyronine (T3)] and the T4 and T3 responses induced by
thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) are reported in captive female barn owls (Tyto alba) during the non-breeding period. The
main findings of the study, conducted on a total of 10 owls, are as follow: (1) The
thyroid gland of barn owl can be stimulated by the classical TRH stimulation test. (2) T3
response was much more pronounced both under cold (around 10 °C) and warm
(around 20 °C) conditions, whereas T4 response ranged so widely that we
could not point out any significant change in it. (3) Basal T3 plasma level was
significantly (p = 0.036) higher in birds exposed to cold temperature, and they responded
to TRH treatment with a lower plasma T3 elevation than the birds kept in a warm chamber.
This pattern, however, cannot be explained by increased food intake, but is in agreement
with the fact that enhanced T3 level may account for higher avUCP mRNA expression, which
results in higher heat production on the cell level. From the results it is concluded that
altering T3 plasma level plays a significant role in cold-induced thermoregulation.
Key
words: Thyroid hormones, thyrotropin releasing hormone, barn owl, temperature,
thermoregulation
RUMEN FERMENTATION RESPONSE TO A DIRECT-FED XYLANASE ENZYME
PREPARATION FROM THERMOMYCES LANUGINOSUS IN
SHEEP
V. Jurkovich1, J. Kutasi2, Hedvig Fébel3, J. Reiczigel4, E. Brydl1, L. Könyves1 and P. Rafai1
1Department of Animal
Hygiene, Herd Health and Veterinary Ethology and 4Department of Biomathematics
and Informatics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, H-1400 Budapest,
P.O. Box 2, Hungary; 2Department of Plant Anatomy, Eötvös Lóránd
University, Budapest, Hungary; 3Research Institute for Animal Breeding and
Nutrition, Herceghalom, Hungary
(Received 16 June 2005; accepted 13
February 2006)
A study was conducted to obtain data on the
effects of a fungal fibrolytic enzyme preparation (Rumino-zyme, with 250 FXU/g xylanase
activities) from Thermomyces lanuginosus on some
rumen fermentation parameters in sheep. Ruminal fluid samples were taken just before the
morning feeding and then 2 h and 4 h after feeding. Xylanase activity, pH, concentration
of ammonia and volatile fatty acids were measured. The enzyme supplementation did not
affect the pH but increased the xylanase activity and the total VFA concentration of the
rumen fluid. The molar proportion of acetate increased, propionate was not affected and
butyrate decreased after enzyme administration. The concentration of ammonia also
decreased after supplementation with the enzyme product. It can be concluded that the
xylanase enzyme preparation from T. lanuginosus
induced favourable changes in the major rumen fermentation parameters in sheep.
Key
words: Xylanase, ruminal fermentation, Thermomyces
lanuginosus, sheep
INFLUENCE OF THE TYPE OF
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ON CORTICOSTERONE TRANSFER INTO EGGS IN LAYING HENS
B. Sas1, G. Domány1, Ilse Gyimóthy2, Katalin Gaál Kovácsné3 and M. Süth1
1National Food
Investigation Institute, H-1465 Budapest 94, P.O. Box 1740, Hungary; 2University
of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria; 3Faculty of Agricultural and
Food Science, University of Western Hungary, Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary
(Received 10 June 2005; accepted 13
February 2006)
The effect of free-range versus cage management
system on corticosterone transfer into the eggs was studied in laying hens. Hungarian
Yellow laying hens (age: 21 weeks, body weight: 2.0 ± 0.5 kg) were divided into two
groups in the spring: Group I, free-range keeping (n = 15 layers, density: > 0.5 bird/m2)
in outdoor runs, with continuous access to a commercial layer feed; Group II, hens kept in
battery cages (n = 17 layers, density: 2 birds/m2, natural light, continuous
access to feed and water). Eggs were collected after a one-week adaptation period on days
2, 7 and 16. Corticosterone (CST) was extracted from
homogenised egg samples using an ASE-200 Accelerated Solvent Extractor and then assayed by
liquid chromatography linked with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) [Thermo Quest
Surveyor high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) interfaced via Atmospheric
Pressure Chemical Ionisation (APCI) ion source to Finnigan/Thermo Quest LCQ Deca MS/MS]
using dexamethasone as internal standard with positive APCI ionisation. CST concentrations
of whole eggs laid by free-range hens on days 2, 7 and 16 were 0.370 ± 0.218, 0.259 ±
0.066 and 0.915 ± 0.745 ng·g–1, respectively, while those of eggs laid by
caged hens were 0.206 ± 0.157, 0.223 ± 0.165 and 0.184 ± 0.110 ng·g–1 at
the above sampling times. It is concluded that in free-range laying hens the sharp changes
of environmental weather conditions significantly increased the corticosterone content of
eggs, while the environmentally controlled and closed battery cage management technology
resulted in relatively uniform corticosterone concentrations in the whole eggs.
Key words: Egg, corticosterone, laying
hens, free-range management, battery cage, animal welfare, weather conditions, stress
PREVALENCE AND FEATURES OF CANINE ATOPIC DERMATITIS IN HUNGARY
Noémi Tarpataki1, Kinga Pápa1, J. Reiczigel2, P. Vajdovich1 and K. Vörös1
1Department and Clinic
of Internal Medicine and 2Department of Biomathematics, Faculty of Veterinary
Science, Szent István University, H-1400 Budapest, P.O. Box 2, Hungary
(Received 8 November 2005; accepted 13
February 2006)
Medical records of 600 dogs diagnosed with
atopic dermatitis were reviewed and evaluated with reference to history, geographical
distribution, breed predilection, clinical signs and positive reactions to allergens as
determined by intradermal skin testing (IDT) manufactured by Artuvetrin Laboratories. In 66.6% of dogs, the age of onset of atopic
dermatitis was between 4 months and 3 years. Dogs living in the garden suburb of Budapest were more sensitive to house dust mites,
fleas and moulds, and dogs from the western part of Hungary were more sensitive to weeds than to other allergens (p < 0.01). Positive
reactions were most common to Dermatophagoides
farinae followed by human dander. The breed distribution found in the present study
was consistent with that reported in the literature, except for the breeds Hungarian
Vizsla, Pumi, French bulldog, Doberman Pinscher and Bobtail which were over-represented
among atopic dogs compared to the breed distribution of the general dog population of a
large city in Hungary. Breeds with
verified adverse reaction to food were Cocker spaniels, French bulldogs, Bullmastiffs,
Bull terriers, St. Bernards, Tervurens, West Highland White terriers and American
Staffordshire terriers (p < 0.05). The clinical signs of atopic dermatitis and their
occurrence are in accordance with the data described in the literature.
Key
words: Dog, atopic dermatitis, IDT,
statistical analysis
Corresponding author; E-mail: Tarpataki.Noemi@aotk.szie.hu; Fax: 0036 (1)
478-4137; Artu Biologicals, P.O. Box 612, 8200
AP Lelystad, The Netherlands, www.artuvetrin.com
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF CANINE BABESIOSIS IN HUNGARY (63 CASES)
Á. Máthé1, K. Vörös1, L.
Papp1 and
J. Reiczigel2
1Department and Clinic
of Internal Medicine and 2Department of Biomathematics and Informatics, Faculty
of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, H-1400 Budapest, P.O. Box 2, Hungary
(Received 20 October 2005; accepted 13
February 2006)
Clinical observations of Babesia canis infection in 63 dogs during a 1-year
period are summarised, demonstrating the pathogenicity of the Babesia strain endemic in Hungary. Most patients had babesiosis in the spring and autumn, correlating with the
seasonal activity of ticks. Male animals appeared in higher numbers, probably due to an
overrepresentation of outdoor dogs. Uncomplicated babesiosis was diagnosed in 32 cases.
The disease affected dogs of any age in this study. Symptoms were similar to those
published from other parts of the world: lethargy, fever, splenomegaly, pallor, icterus,
haemoglobinuria and presence of ticks were the most common observations. Thrombocytopenia,
lymphopenia and neutropenia were frequent haemogram changes. Imidocarb appeared to be
highly effective in eliminating the Babesia
infection. Thirty-one animals demonstrated babesiosis with complications. Most Rottweilers
(7/9) developed complicated disease. Old age was a risk factor for multiple complications.
Multiple organ manifestations had poor prognosis. Hepatopathy (44%), pancreatitis (33%),
acute renal failure (ARF; 31%) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC; 24%) were
frequent complications, while immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA; 10%), acute
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS; 6%) and cerebral babesiosis (3%) were rarely
observed. There was a significant difference between the mean age of dogs having
uncomplicated disease, babesiosis with a single complication and babesiosis with multiple
complications (3.4, 4.8 and 8.6 years, respectively, p < 0.001). The recovery rate
(78, 68 and 25%, respectively, p = 0.005) and mortality rate (3, 21 and 67%, respectively,
p < 0.001) also tended to differ significantly in these groups. Systemic inflammatory
response syndrome (SIRS) and DIC are two possible pathways leading to multiple organ
dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in babesiosis. DIC was found to predict MODS more sensitively
in this study than SIRS: there were 6 animals developing MODS out of 11 identified with
DIC, while only 5 dogs developed MODS out of 22 having SIRS.
Key
words: Babesia canis, complications,
diagnosis, treatment, Central Eastern Europe, imidocarb
REPEATABILITY AND REPRODUCIBILITY OF DISTRACTION INDICES IN
PENNHIP EXAMINATIONS OF THE HIP JOINT IN DOGS
M. M. D. Ginja1, A. J.
A. Ferreira2, M. Silvestre3, J. M. Gonzalo-Orden4 and M. P. Llorens-Pena5
1Department of
Veterinary Sciences-CETAV and 3Department of Zootechny-CECAV, University of
Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal; 2Department of Clinic-CIISA, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal; 4Department of
Animal Pathology: Animal Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, University of Léon, Spain; 5Department
of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, University Complutense of Madrid,
Spain
(Received 5 October 2005; accepted 13
February 2006)
Repeatability and reproducibility of Distraction
Index (DI) measurements in the PennHIP method were evaluated in 100 dogs. The PennHIP
distraction views sent to the PennHIP Analysis Center (PAC) were duplicated, digitalised,
and identified with a code, and an adequate computer software was used for DI
measurements. One examiner performed two DI measurement sessions, evaluating individually
200 hip joints. The scoring repeatability and reproducibility were estimated calculating
the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) between the two DI measurement sessions and
between the second DI measurement session and the DI in PAC reports, respectively. The ICC
for repeatability was 0.97 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.96 to 0.98], and the ICC for
reproducibility was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.93 to 0.96). The results suggest that the DI
measurement method described is repeatable and can reproduce the PAC reports with
confidence. Distraction indices measured in different PennHIP studies, using this DI
measurement method and performed by trained researchers, can be considered
interchangeable.
Key
words: PennHIP, distraction index, hip dysplasia, dog
EFFECT OF MYOG GENOTYPES ON GROWTH RATE AND PRODUCTION TRAITS
IN HUNGARIAN LARGE WHITE PIGS
I. Anton1, A. Zsolnai1, I. Komlósi2, A. Király1 and L. Fésüs1
1Research Institute for
Animal Breeding and Nutrition, H-2053 Herceghalom, Gesztenyés u. 1, Hungary; 2Centre of Agricultural
Science, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
(Received 3 October 2005; accepted 13
February 2006)
The effect of the porcine myogenin (Myog) 3’
polymorphism on birth weight, growth rate, carcass weight, lean weight, lean meat
percentage and backfat thickness has been investigated in Hungarian Large White pigs. MYOG
genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP assay. The obtained MYOGA frequency value
was 0.6275. Due to the small number of BB piglets the effect of the MYOG genotypes on
birth weight was not significant; however, an increasing tendency was observed from
genotype AA to BB. The growth rate difference between MYOG genotypes was significant: BB
animals showed the highest growth rate values during the fattening period. Since few
results are available on the possible use of MYOG gene polymorphism in selection to
improve carcass and growth traits, by this study the authors hope to provide additional
data on this particular subject.
Key
words: Pig, myogenin, PCR-RFLP, growth rate, carcass traits
DISTRIBUTION OF TOXOCARA
INFECTION IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND IN DEFINITIVE AND PARATENIC HOSTS IN ESTONIA
Heli Talvik1, Epp Moks2, Erika Mägi1, T. Järvis1 and Illa Miller1
1Institute of
Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi
62, Tartu 51014, Estonia;
2Institute of Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
(Received 20 July 2005; accepted 13
February 2006)
The aim of the study was to elucidate the
distribution and possible transmission routes of Toxocara
spp. infection in Estonia. Out of 454
faecal and sand samples collected from park lawns and sandpits in the town of Tartu, 19 were Toxocara positive (4.2%). Out of the 45 sandpit
samples 17.8% were Toxocara positive. Cat
faeces was found in 21 sandpit samples. Parasitological necropsies were performed on 41
euthanised stray dogs and 27 cats in the Tallinn Dog Home. Additionally, 13 wild
free-roaming brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) were
captured from the Tallinn Dog Home territory, necropsied and studied for the presence of Toxocara larvae. Toxocara canis adults were found in 14.6% of the
dogs and Toxocara cati (syn. mystax) adults in the small intestines of 48.2% of
the cats examined. Larval infection was detected in the kidney and liver in 5 dogs
(12.2%). Our study demonstrated only low-level larval Toxocara infections in adult dogs. Toxocara larvae were not found in cats and brown
rats. According to the results of this study, cats more often carry Toxocara infection than dogs. Under our conditions,
stray and free-roaming cats are the main contaminators of the environment with Toxocara eggs. Children playing in sandpits are the
main risk group for larval toxocarosis.
