First report on natural infection with Leishmania infantum in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) in Spain.

A pet domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) with a papular lesion involving the right pinna was diagnosed with chronic pyogranulomatous dermatitis by histopathologic examination. Intralesional, intracytoplasmic oval microorganisms compatible with Leishmania spp. or Histoplasma spp. were observed in macrophages and multinucleate giant cells. Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) infection was diagnosed by PCR, culture in Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle medium, and immunohistochemistry. Abnormal clinicopathological results included increased alanine transferase, alkaline phosphatase, serum gamma glutamyl transferase and polyclonal gammpathy. Anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence antibody test and western blot using L. infantum antigen. Immunoreactivity against the 16 kDa specific L. infantum antigen fraction was observed by western blot. PCR performed in blood samples obtained from this patient after positive parasite isolation detected L. infantum DNA. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first diagnosis and isolation of L. infantum in a domestic ferret naturally infected in an endemic region (Spain) where canine and feline leishmaniosis is frequently detected. According to these findings, ferrets should be included as potential reservoir hosts of L. infantum. Future investigations should analyze the epidemiological role of ferrets in L. infantum infection including the prevalence of infection.

Effect of addition of soybean trypsin inhibitor to colostrum on immunological status in goat kids.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of soybean trypsin inhibitor (TI) on immunoglobulin G (IgG) serum levels and growth in neonatal goat kids. Twenty-four newborn kids were fed with natural colostrum (group A), and 24 kids received the same colostrum with 1 g of TI per litre (group B). Blood samples were obtained at birth and on days 1, 2 and 4 of life to analyze serum proteins, IgG and haematological parameters. There were no clinical signs of disease and no significant differences in body weight between the groups. Haematological parameters were not affected by treatment. The peak of serum IgG was reached at 24 h of life, but no effects of soybean TI was observed on serum IgG levels. The apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG was similar in both groups (group A 24.5% vs. group B 25.2%, p > 0.05). The addition of TI to colostrum did not change the concentration of serum proteins and their fractions in goat kids. The correlation between serum IgG and gamma-globulin was positive and significant (p < 0.01, r = 0.64) in group A, but not in group B (p > 0.05, r = 0.08), suggesting a negative influence of soybean TI on gamma-globulin absorption. These results show that addition of soybean TI to colostrum did not improve the performance or immunological status in goat kids.

Influence of colostrum treated by heat on immunity function in goat kids.

The aim was to evaluate the influence of goat colostrum treated by heat on immune function in kids. Thirteen newborn kids were fed untreated colostrum (group A) and 13 kids were fed colostrum treated by heat (56 degrees C, 30 min) (group B). Blood samples were obtained at eight time points between the ages of 0 h to 28 days. Serum protein fractions, IgG levels and phagocytic activity of neutrophils were determined. A delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) test was used, clinical status and body weight was recorded. There were no clinical signs of disease and no differences (P>0.05) on body weight between groups were noted. Kids from group B had less total protein levels and gamma-globulins than kids from group A (P<0.05). A decrease in serum IgG levels (P<0.05) was observed in kids from group B during all experiment. DTH response in kids from group B was lower (P<0.01) than group A, suggesting alteration on cellular immune system. No effects on phagocytic activity of the neutrophils were observed when both groups were compared (P>0.05). These results showed that colostrum treated by heat impaired some immunological parameters in kids, but these changes did not affect on clinical status or performance.

High prevalence of ulcerative posthitis in Rasa Aragonesa rams associated with a legume-rich diet.

This study describes an outbreak of ulcerative posthitis that eventually affected 76 of 80 of rams in a flock of Rasa Aragonesa sheep on a legume-rich diet. Lesions were confined to the prepuce and varied from mild hyperaemia to ulcerations. Corynebacterium renale was isolated from the lesions. Treatment of an initial group of 17 was based on a change of diet and topical treatment with Veterin Banedif with prednisolone once a day for 15 days and was successful. Lesions in this group were completely resolved after 15 days. The relationship between a legume-rich diet, ruminal alkalosis, elevated urine pH and posthitis is discussed.

Effect of aflatoxin on performance, hematology, and clinical immunology in lambs.

Twenty-four female lambs were intoxicated with a diet contaminated with 2 ppm aflatoxin for a period of 37 d. Twelve lambs were maintained as the control group. After this period, the lambs were left for 35 d without aflatoxin in their feed. Performance, hematology and clinical immunology were examined in the intoxicated lambs. A non-significant decrease in body weight was observed in the intoxicated lambs during the intoxication period, whereas a significant decrease (P<0.001) in average daily gain was noted on the last day of intoxication and during the clearance period. No significant differences were observed in erythrocyte count, white blood cell count or differential leukocyte count between the groups. Bacteriostatic activity of the serum was lower in the intoxicated lambs, however, there was no effect on serum opsonic activity. Phagocytosis by the neutrophils was higher during the intoxication period and the levels of IgG were elevated in the intoxicated lambs. In vivo cellular immunity was assessed by intradermal injection of phytohemagglutinin; the response was lower during intoxication period. These results indicate that a lowering in the average daily gain was the most sensitive indicator of aflatoxicosis in lambs, and that the immune response was altered, which could render the animals more susceptible to infectious diseases.

Efficacy of phosphomycin in the control of Escherichia coli infection of broiler chickens.

Seventy-five 25-day-old broilers were divided into three groups: group I unmedicated and challenged with E. coli O78:K80; group F infected and treated with 150 ppm of phosphomycin in their drinking water, and group C acted as a control. Their weights, feed intake, clinical signs, macroscopic lesions, E. coli reisolation, and serum biochemistry were compared. Group F showed fewer symptoms and gross lesions than those from group I while the average daily gain, bodyweight, and feed intake were similar to the control group. E. coli was reisolated in 32 per cent of the livers and spleens from group I, compared with 4 per cent of liver and 8 per cent of spleens from group F. There was an increase in the levels of total protein and globulins in group I but not in group F. These results provide evidence of the therapeutic efficacy of phosphomycin in the control of an experimental E. coli infection in broiler chickens.

Serological serum protein fraction and responses to Brucella melitensis in lambs fed aflatoxins.

Twenty-four lambs were given 2 ppm aflatoxins (AF) in their diet for 37 d and 12 were kept as a control group. After this time, toxic feed was removed for a further 35 days (clearance period). On day 17 all lambs were vaccinated with B melitensis strain Rev-1, and blood samples were taken regularly to determine the levels of antibodies and serum proteins. Aflatoxins decreased titers of Rose Bengal test and optical densities of ELISA, both in the intoxicated and clearance periods. Complement fixation titers were lower in intoxicated lambs, except on the 23rd day of intoxication, but not statistically different (P > 0.05). No effect of AF was noted on total serum proteins, but albumin and alfa-globulin levels were lower for intoxicated lambs than for the control group. Beta-globulin concentration did not change, and increases in gamma-globulins levels in dosed lambs were observed throughout the experiment. These results suggest that AF causes a failure in the acquired immunity system of lambs by decreasing antibody production and altering serum profile proteins.

Effect of breed on the muscle glycogen content and dark cutting incidence in stressed young bulls.

Observations have shown relevant differences in the behaviour of Brown Swiss bulls and Pirenaico bulls. Because temperament is involved in the development of dark cutting beef (DC), the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of breed on muscle glycogen content and on the incidence of DC condition. Twenty-four Brown Swiss bulls and 24 Pirenaico bulls were used. The animals were divided into a stressed group (S) and a control group (C). In group S, bulls were mixed with unfamiliar animals overnight before slaughter. In group C, bulls were slaughtered immediately after arrival at the abattoir. The results show that the glycogen concentrations in m. longissimus dorsi and m. sternomandibularis from unstressed animals were similar in both the Brown Swiss and the Pirenaico breeds. The muscle glycogen concentration was depleted in all stressed bulls, nevertheless some low concentrations were insufficient to adversely affect the meat ultimate pH value. Finally, there was no influence of breed on the incidence of the dark cutting condition.

Changes in the prothrombin time, haematology and serum proteins during experimental aflatoxicosis in hens and broiler chickens.

Two groups of 32 laying hens and two groups of 32, 23-day-old broiler chickens were given 2.5 and 5 mg kg-1 of aflatoxin in their diet for four, eight, 16 and 32 days; 16 hens and 32 broiler chicks served as control groups. In the laying hens, aflatoxicosis was characterised mainly by an increase in prothrombin time, and decreases in total plasma proteins and albumin levels; there were increases in red blood cell (RBC) counts and haematocrit which were greater in the group fed 5 mg kg-1. There was a decrease in beta-globulins and an increase in gamma-globulins. In the broiler chickens, there was only a slight increase in prothrombin time and a decrease in RBC counts. This data proves the good sensitivity and utility of prothrombin time values as an indicator of aflatoxicosis in birds.

Changes in the coagulation profile of lambs intoxicated with aflatoxin in their feed.

Twenty-three male lambs were intoxicated with 2.5 ppm aflatoxins in their feed for a period of 3 weeks. Thirteen lambs were maintained as a control group (0 ppm aflatoxins in their feed). The coagulation profiles were determined from blood samples that were obtained at 0, 7, 14 and 21 d during the intoxication period and at 1, 2, 4 and 8 d of an 8-d clearance period. Aflatoxicosis in the animals was characterized by an increase in prothrombin time (P < 0.01) from d 14 of the intoxication period until the end of the experiment. An increase (P < 0.05) in fibrinogen concentration was detected beginning on d 21, instead of the expected decrease. This was probably due to the inflammation found in the lungs of the intoxicated animals. No difference in activated partial thromboplastin time was found between intoxicated and control animals. These results suggest that there was a significant change in some coagulation factors of the extrinsic pathway in the intoxicated lambs and that prothrombin time determination could be used as an indicator of aflatoxicosis in lambs.

Variations of clinical biochemical parameters of laying hens and broiler chickens fed aflatoxin-containing feed.

Two groups of 32 laying hens (Hyssex Brown) and two groups of 32 23-day-old (Hybro) broiler chickens were fed 2.5 and 5 parts/10(6) of aflatoxin in their diet for 4, 8, 16 and 32 days; 16 hens and 32 chicks were maintained as control groups (0 parts/10(6)). After the intoxication period, a clearance period was established of 1, 2, 4 and 8 days. Relative weights of liver and kidneys significantly increased in intoxicated hens, but not in broiler chickens. Histological lesions in both types of bird consisted of hepatic cell vacuolation with fatty infiltration. There was a significant decrease (P< 0.001) in egg production in the 5 parts/10(6) group, which started to recover during the clearance period. No morbidity or mortality due to the aflatoxicosis were observed in either type of bird. In intoxicated laying hens, cholesterol levels were not significantly (P> 0.05) different from control values, but triglyceride levels decreased (P< 0.001) in both intoxicated groups. The effect of aflatoxin on calcium and phosphorus levels was important, because on the 4th day their values decreased significantly. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) serum levels remained normal, whereas alanino aminotransferase (ALT) activity decreased in both intoxicated groups. The activity of serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and gammaglutamil transferase (GGT) increased significantly. In intoxicated broiler chickens, aflatoxins did not alter (P> 0.05) the biochemical parameters studied, except that the serum calcium concentration was lower in the 5 parts/10(6) group. These data indicated that in intoxicated laying hens, a severe clinical biochemical alteration was produced, and that this together with the hepatic lesions observed in hens and broilers may aid disease diagnosis.