Co-circulation of multiple genotypes of ARV in poultry in Anhui, China.

ABSTRACTPoultry production in China has been experiencing a high incidence of broiler arthritis /tenosynovitis caused by avian orthoreovirus (ARV) since 2013. In the spring of 2020 severe arthritis cases from broiler flocks were identified in a large-scale commercial poultry company in Anhui Province, China. Diseased organs from dead birds were sent for diagnosis to our laboratory. ARVs, including seven broiler-isolates and two breeder-isolates, were successfully harvested and sequenced. Interestingly, the genotypes of ARVs isolated from infected chickens were inconsistent between different flocks, or even between different houses on the same flocks. Pathogenicity testing in chicks confirmed that the seven broiler-isolates were pathogenic strains, which could cause arthritis in infected chickens. Subsequently, a total of 89.66% serum samples collected from apparently healthy adult broiler flocks not vaccinated against ARV tested positive for ARV antibodies, suggesting that low and high virulence reovirus strains may be co-circulating in the farm. To this end, we collected dead embryos of unhatched chicken eggs for pathogen tracing, and the two ARV breeder-isolates isolated indicated that vertical transmission from breeders to progeny should not be underestimated for the prevalence of ARV within broiler flocks. The findings have implications for the evidenced-based formulation of prevention and control strategies.

Detection and disease diagnosis trends (2017-2022) for Streptococcus suis, Glaesserella parasuis, Mycoplasma hyorhinis, Actinobacillus suis and Mycoplasma hyosynoviae at Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

BACKGROUND: Accurate measurement of disease associated with endemic bacterial agents in pig populations is challenging due to their commensal ecology, the lack of disease-specific antemortem diagnostic tests, and the polymicrobial nature of swine diagnostic cases. The main objective of this retrospective study was to estimate temporal patterns of agent detection and disease diagnosis for five endemic bacteria that can cause systemic disease in porcine tissue specimens submitted to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ISU VDL) from 2017 to 2022. The study also explored the diagnostic value of specific tissue specimens for disease diagnosis, estimated the frequency of polymicrobial diagnosis, and evaluated the association between phase of pig production and disease diagnosis. RESULTS: S. suis and G. parasuis bronchopneumonia increased on average 6 and 4.3%, while S. suis endocarditis increased by 23% per year, respectively. M. hyorhinis and A. suis associated serositis increased yearly by 4.2 and 12.8%, respectively. A significant upward trend in M. hyorhinis arthritis cases was also observed. In contrast, M. hyosynoviae arthritis cases decreased by 33% average/year. Investigation into the diagnostic value of tissues showed that lungs were the most frequently submitted sample, However, the use of lung for systemic disease diagnosis requires caution due to the commensal nature of these agents in the respiratory system, compared to systemic sites that diagnosticians typically target. This study also explored associations between phase of production and specific diseases caused by each agent, showcasing the role of S. suis arthritis in suckling pigs, meningitis in early nursery and endocarditis in growing pigs, and the role of G. parasuis, A. suis, M. hyorhinis and M. hyosynoviae disease mainly in post-weaning phases. Finally, this study highlighted the high frequency of co-detection and -disease diagnosis with other infectious etiologies, such as PRRSV and IAV, demonstrating that to minimize the health impact of these endemic bacterial agents it is imperative to establish effective viral control programs. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this retrospective study demonstrated significant increases in disease diagnosis for S. suis, G. parasuis, M. hyorhinis, and A. suis, and a significant decrease in detection and disease diagnosis of M. hyosynoviae. High frequencies of interactions between these endemic agents and with viral pathogens was also demonstrated. Consequently, improved control programs are needed to mitigate the adverse effect of these endemic bacterial agents on swine health and wellbeing. This includes improving diagnostic procedures, developing more effective vaccine products, fine-tuning antimicrobial approaches, and managing viral co-infections.

Brevundimonas vesicularis isolation from a Labrador Retriever with Bacteremia, Endocarditis, Spinal Epidural Empyema, and Polyarthritis.

A 7 yr old spayed female Labrador retriever was evaluated for progressive nonambulatory tetraparesis, obtundation, joint pain, and pyrexia. The dog was diagnosed with spinal epidural empyema, bacteremia, endocarditis, and polyarthritis based on magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography, joint fluid analysis, and blood culture. Blood culture isolated a rare and atypical pathogen, Brevundimonas vesicularis in conjunction with Escherchia coli. The patient was treated with a 10 mo antibiotic course, and clinical signs quickly resolved. This is the first report of B vesicularis in association with bacteremia, endocarditis, spinal empyema, and polyarthritis in a dog.

Comparative pathogenesis of turkey reoviruses.

Turkey reoviruses have been implicated in multiple disease syndromes resulting in significant economic losses to the turkey industry. It has been known for decades that turkey enteric reovirus (TERV) is involved in poult enteritis complex, but turkey arthritis reovirus (TARV), the causative agent of tenosynovitis in turkeys, emerged in 2011. In 2019, we isolated reovirus from several cases of hepatitis in turkeys and tentatively named it turkey hepatitis reovirus (THRV). The comparative pathogenesis of these viruses, and correlation with their genetic make-up (if any), is not known. In this study, we inoculated nine groups of 1-week-old turkey poults with two THRV, five TARV and two TERV via oral route. A tenth group served as a negative control. A subset of birds from each group was euthanised at 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days post-inoculation (dpi). Tissues were collected for histology and real-time RT-PCR. All nine viruses were found to be enterotropic; the virus gene copy number in the intestine reached a peak at 5 dpi followed by a sharp decline at 7 dpi. All viruses caused a significant decline in body weight gain of birds as compared to the negative control group. Both TARV and THRV strains replicated in tendons and produced histologic lesions consistent with tenosynovitis. Hepatic lesions were produced by THRV only and the virus was re-isolated from liver and spleen of inoculated birds fulfilling Koch's postulates. The results of this study should be helpful in facilitating diagnosis and designing future mitigation plans.

A new S. suis serotype 3 infection model in pigs: lack of effect of buprenorphine treatment to reduce distress.

BACKGROUND: Streptoccocus suis (S. suis) is a major porcine pathogen causing meningitis, septicemia, arthritis and endocarditis. These diseases severely impair welfare of pigs. Experimental studies in pigs are important to better understand the pathogenesis and to identify protective antigens, as so far there is no vaccine available protecting against various serotypes (cps). Due to the severity of disease, application of appropriate refinement strategies in experimental S. suis infections is essential to reduce distress imposed on the piglets without jeopardizing the scientific output. The objectives of this study were to evaluate buprenorphine treatment as a refinement measure and serum cortisol levels as a distress read out parameter in a new S. suis cps3 infection model in pigs. RESULTS: Intravenous application of 2 × 108 CFU of S. suis cps3 (sly+, mrp+) to 6-week-old piglets led to severe morbidity in approximately 50% of the animals. Main pathological findings included suppurative meningoencephalitis and arthritis as well as fibrinosuppurative endocarditis. Buprenorphine treatment (0.05 mg/kg every 8 h) did not prevent signs of severe pain, high clinical scores, moderate to severe pathologies or high levels of serum cortisol in single severely affected piglets. Significant differences in the course of leukocytosis, induction of specific antibodies and bactericidal immunity were not recorded between groups with or w/o buprenorphine treatment. Of note, clinically unobtrusive piglets showed serum cortisol levels at 2 and 5 days post infectionem (dpi) comparable to the levels prior to infection with cps3. Cortisol levels in serum were significantly increased in piglets euthanized due to severe disease in comparison to clinically unobtrusive pigs. CONCLUSIONS: Different clinical courses and pathologies are induced after intravenous challenge of piglets with 2 × 108 CFU of this S. suis cps3 strain. The chosen protocol of buprenorphine application does not prevent severe distress in this infection model. Important parameters of the humoral immune response, such as the level of IgM binding to S. suis cps3, do not appear to be affected by buprenorphine treatment. Serum cortisol is a meaningful parameter to measure distress in piglets experimentally infected with S. suis and to evaluate refinement strategies. In this intravenous model, which includes close clinical monitoring and different humane endpoints, clinics and cortisol levels suggest convalescence in surviving piglets within 5 days following experimental infection.

Mycoplasma bovis-pneumonia and polyarthritis in feedlot calves in Argentina: First local isolation.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most frequent clinical concerns in weaned calves after their arrival at the feedlot. This work reports the first local isolation of Mycoplasma bovis from feedlot calves with pneumonia and polyarthritis in Argentina. Twenty four out of 545 calves showed progressive, subacute to chronic respiratory distress, coughing, and fever. Thirty percent of the affected calves also showed lameness and swelling of elbow or carpal, and knee or tarsal joints. Five necropsies were performed and severe multifocal to coalescent pulmonary nodules, containing white-yellowish caseous exudate encircled by fibrous tissue, and fibrinonecrotic arthritis and tenosynovitis were detected. Mycoplasma was isolated from lung and joint samples. The 16S-23S rRNA ITS consensus sequence obtained from these isolates showed 100% similarity with the same region of M. bovis strains. Since there are no commercially available vaccines in the region for the prevention and control of M. bovis pneumonia and arthritis, surveillance is a priority to reduce the source of disease to naïve animals.

Emerging new avian reovirus variants from cases of enteric disorders and arthritis/tenosynovitis in Brazilian poultry flocks.

1. The objective of this study was to characterise circulating Brazilian avian reovirus (ARV) strains by genetic analysis of the σC protein encoded by segment 1 of the viral genome and compare these with those of viral strains used for immunising commercial poultry.2. The analysis detected the presence of ARV genomes by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-qPCR) in the enteric samples and the joint tissues (JT) of birds with signs of viral arthritis/tenosynovitis. Nucleotide sequencing used 16 strains (three commercial vaccines, 10 from enteric tissues and three from JT). The results indicated high variability in the amino acid sequences of 13 wild strains, showing between 40% and 75% similarity compared with the vaccine strains (S1133 and 2177).3. The sequences were grouped into three well-defined clusters in a phylogenetic tree, two of these clusters together with previous Brazilian σC ARV sequences, and one cluster (VII) that was novel for Brazilian strains. Antigenic analysis showed that there were amino acids within putative epitopes located on the surface of the receptor-binding region of the σC protein with a high degree of variability.4. The study confirmed the presence of ARV genetic variants circulating in commercial birds in Brazil, and according to the antigenic prediction, the possibility of antigenic variants appears to be high.

Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome in a Border Collie.

A 10 wk old female border collie was presented for hemorrhagic diarrhea and pelvic limb lameness. Examination revealed pain and effusion in multiple appendicular joints and pyrexia. Clinicopathologic testing revealed moderate neutropenia as well as nondegenerate neutrophilic inflammation in multiple joints. Radiographs showed capsular joint swelling and heterogeneous metaphyseal lucencies in the distal radius, ulna, femur, and tibia. Genetic testing confirmed a mutation in the vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 13B gene and a diagnosis of trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS). Within 24 hr of initiating prednisone therapy (1 mg/kg, per os, q 12 hr), the dog was afebrile and nonpainful with normal ambulation. Lameness recurred twice over the next 5 mo. At 9 mo of age, diagnostics showed severe erosive polyarthritis of both stifles with an inflammatory leukogram and arthrocentesis findings consistent with septic arthritis, and the dog died despite antibiotic therapy. This is the first case of TNS described in the North American literature, and it is unique in that we had the opportunity to document progression of radiographic abnormalities over more than 6 mo. TNS should be considered in young border collies with signs suggestive of immune-mediated polyarthritis, septic arthritis, or hypertrophic osteodystrophy, combined with neutropenia or gastrointestinal signs.

Pathogenicity and genomic characterization of a novel avian orthoreovius variant isolated from a vaccinated broiler flock in China.

Avian orthoreovirus (ARV) infections of broiler flocks cause arthritis/tenosynovitis syndrome and significant economic losses. ARV variants were detected in the USA and Canada. Viral arthritis/tenosynovitis syndrome has occurred frequently in China in recent years. In this study, a variant ARV strain associated with viral arthritis/tenosynovitis syndrome was isolated from broilers and designated as LY383. Genomic sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the σC nucleic acid and amino acid sequences revealed that the isolate was closely related to ARV field strains Reo/PA/Layer/01224B/14, Reo/PA/Broiler/1551/13, GA/14602/2014, GA/13569/2013 and GA/13542/2013, in cluster V, but distinct from most Chinese field strains or commercial vaccine strains. Experimental challenge showed that the isolate could cause arthritis/tenosynovitis syndrome in broilers, which possessed a high level of maternal antibodies induced by commercial ARV vaccines (S1133, 1733 and T98). Furthermore, viral nucleic acid could be detected in cloacal swabs of all challenged birds throughout the entire test from 5 dpi onward. These results suggest that a novel ARV genotype emerges and might become prevalent in broiler flocks in China. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS A variant avian orthoreovirus was isolated from a vaccinated broiler flock in North China. The ARV field strain was distinct from previous China-origin ARV isolates and vaccine strains. The current commercial ARV vaccine could not provide effective protection of broilers against the field isolate infection. These findings indicated that variant ARV field strains might become frequent in broiler flocks in China and effective measures should be conducted to prevent and control the disease.

Ligament Laxity in Nonerosive Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis in Dogs: Five Cases (2009-2017).

Ligament laxity is a known complication of erosive immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) in dogs. The purpose of this study was to describe the occurrence and clinical features of carpal or tarsal ligament laxity in cases of nonerosive IMPA in dogs for the first time. Five client-owned dogs with a diagnosis of nonerosive IMPA and carpal or tarsal ligament laxity in which the influence of corticosteroids was excluded were identified. Medical records were reviewed, and data including signalment, investigative findings, and treatment regimen (e.g., surgical management) was extracted. Primary care practices were contacted to obtain follow-up, and the data was descriptively analyzed. The affected joints were either carpi and tarsi (n = 3) or carpi only (n = 2). In three cases, surgical arthrodesis was performed. Three dogs were euthanized (1 mo, 12 mo, and 5 yr) as a result of the severity of clinical signs and poor control. In the four dogs surviving >6 mo, multiple episodes of relapse were recorded, and multimodal immunosuppression was needed. The prognosis for the dogs described was poor, with none achieving control of the disease without ongoing immunosuppressive therapy. Damage to soft-tissue periarticular structures may be related to prolonged clinical disease or a more severe presentation. Jaccoud's arthropathy in humans with systemic lupus erythematosus may represent a homologous presentation.

A comparative study on anti-inflammatory drug combinations in domestic pigeons with experimentally induced acute arthritis.

The study compares the effect of one-time administration of nonsteroidal and/or steroidal anti-inflammatory combinations by topical or intramuscular (IM) routes to pigeons with monosodium urate (MSU)-induced arthritis. Forty-five adult domestic pigeons were assigned into nine equal groups: NC, negative control; PC, positive control with arthritis; sham, sham control; T1, meloxicam + hydrocortisone; T2, dexamethasone + piroxicam; T3, meloxicam + dexamethasone; T4, hydrocortisone + piroxicam; T5, dexamethasone + hydrocortisone; T6, meloxicam + piroxicam. Arthritis was also induced in T1 to T6 birds. Meloxicam and dexamethasone were administered by IM injection and the other drugs topically right after the induction of arthritis. Different drug combinations significantly decreased one-leg standing time. Induction of arthritis significantly increased TNF-α and IL-6 levels in synovial fluid and serum corticosterone and epinephrine in the PC group. Administration of drugs to birds of Groups T1 and T5 did not significantly change corticosterone concentration, while all different drug combinations decreased epinephrine level. Drug combinations that demonstrated better analgesic effect more strongly reduced serum epinephrine concentration. Meloxicam + hydrocortisone was the most effective combination in reducing inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, one-time combination therapy with anti-inflammatory agents was effective in the acute management of inflammatory pain due to MSU-induced arthritis in pigeons, even by the topical route.

Multiple midline defects identified in a litter of golden retrievers following gestational administration of prednisone and doxycycline: a case series.

BACKGROUND: The teratogenic effects of immunomodulatory and certain antimicrobial therapies are described in small rodents and humans. While the described teratogenic effects in small rodents have been extrapolated to make conclusions about its use in the pregnant dam, teratogenic effects of prednisone and doxycycline have not yet been reported in the dog. Here we report and describe midline defects observed in a litter of golden retriever puppies exposed to mid-gestational immunosuppressive and antimicrobial therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: Twenty-one days into gestation, the dam of a litter of eight golden retriever puppies was administered prednisone, doxycycline, and tramadol as treatment for immune-mediated polyarthritis. The individuals in the litter were subsequently diagnosed with a variety of midline defects and congenital cardiac defects. This case series describes the variety of identified defects and presents a descriptive account of complex congenital abnormalities that are likely secondary to teratogenic effects of one or more drugs administered during gestation. The available puppies, dam, and grand dam underwent thorough physical examination, complete echocardiogram, and where indicated, advanced imaging with various surgical corrections when possible. Numerous midline congenital defects and congenital heart disease were identified in the puppies evaluated. Ultimately 5 of 8 puppies born to the dam were presented for thorough evaluation. The midline defects include: gastroschisis (1), peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernias (4, PPDH), umbilical hernia (4), unilateral cryptorchidism (1 of 4 males), cleft palate (1), renal agenesis (1), renal abnormalities (1), sternal and vertebral abnormalities (3), remnant liver lobe (1) and malformations consistent with ductal plate malformations with congenital hepatic fibrosis (1). The congenital cardiac defects include: ventricular septal defect (4, VSD) and subaortic stenosis (4, SAS). The presence of greater than one congenital defect was noted in all 5 of the dogs evaluated. Surgical correction was necessary for PPDH in 4 puppies. Medical intervention was recommended for congenital cardiac disease in 1 puppy. CONCLUSION: This case report is the first to describe midline defects in dogs that have been exposed to immunomodulatory therapy during gestation. A causative relationship between mid-gestational immunomodulatory exposure and midline defects cannot be proven, however, this case supports a clear association and provides case-based evidence to support its avoidance when possible.

Granulocytic anaplasmosis in 2 dogs from Quebec.

Two dogs from Quebec were diagnosed with granulocytic anaplasmosis. They both displayed fever, lethargy, and anorexia. Other clinical signs included vomiting, uveitis, polyarthritis, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly. Thrombocytopenia, anemia, and lymphopenia were identified in both cases. Cytoplasmic inclusions were observed within neutrophils, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction in both dogs.

Anaplasmose granulocytaire chez deux chiens au Québec. Deux chiens originaires du Québec ont été diagnostiqués avec une anaplasmose granulocytaire. Les chiens ont manifesté de façon aiguë de la fièvre, un abattement et de l'anorexie. D'autres signes cliniques ont été observés incluant vomissement, uvéite, polyarthrite, hépatomégalie et splénomagalie. Une thrombocytopénie, une anémie et une lymphopénie ont été détectées chez les deux chiens. Des inclusions intracytoplasmques étaient également présentent dans les neutrophiles et l'infection à Anaplasma phagocytophilum a été confirmée par réaction d'amplification en chaîne par la polymérase chez les deux chiens.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Shaggy Lame Fox Syndrome in Pribilof Island Arctic Foxes ( Alopex lagopus pribilofensis), Alaska.

A previously unrecognized condition is described in wild free-ranging Pribilof arctic foxes ( Alopex lagopus pribilofensis) from the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, USA. This condition is called shaggy lame fox syndrome (SLFS) denoting the primary clinical signs first observed. Criteria used to suspect SLFS on gross examination included emaciation, failure to shed winter pelage and moderate to severe polyarthritis. Criteria used to confirm SLFS histologically included polyarthritis (characterized by lymphoplasmacytic synovitis, tenosynovitis, bursitis, periosteal bony proliferation, and periarticular lymphoplasmacytic vasculitis) and systemic leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Other histological lesions often found included renal cortical infarcts, myocarditis with myocardial infarcts, lymphoplasmacytic meningitis, lymphoplasmacytic cuffing of meningeal and a few cerebral vessels, and cavitating infarcts of the brainstem and thalamus. The cause of SLFS is not known at this time; however, the gross and histological lesions suggest that the cause of SLFS may be a bacterial polyarthritis with a secondary immune-mediated vasculitis. These lesions are consistent with changes described with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in domestic dogs; E. rhusiopathiae was identified from the synovial membrane of a swollen stifle joint and the kidney from one fox using real-time polymerase chain reaction and with culture from a fox that had gross and histological lesions of SLFS. Therefore, E. rhusiopathiae is a possible etiological agent for SLFS.

Pharmacological evaluation of a selective bradykinin B1 antagonist in a canine model of arthritis.

The effects of a selective bradykinin 1 receptor antagonist, compound A, were evaluated in a canine model of acute inflammatory model of arthritis. Despite detection of the B1 receptor in canine type B synoviocytes using a fluorescent ligand, oral administration of compound A (9 and 27 mg/kg) did not improve weight bearing of dogs injected intra-articularly with IL-1ß in a force plate analysis. Analysis of the synovial fluid of IL-1ß-treated dogs indicated high levels of bradykinin postchallenge. Excellent exposure, coupled with evidence of the presence of the B1 receptor during an acute inflammatory model of pain, indicates an inability of the receptor to mediate inflammatory pain in canines.

Diversity of Escherichia coli strains involved in vertebral osteomyelitis and arthritis in broilers in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Locomotor disorders and infections by Escherichia coli represent major concerns to the poultry industry worldwide. Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is associated with extraintestinal infections leading to respiratory or systemic disease known as colibacillosis. The most common lesions seen in cases of colibacillosis are perihepatitis, airsacculitis, pericarditis, peritonitis/salpingitis and arthritis. These diseases are responsible for significant economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. E. coli has been recently isolated from vertebral osteomyelitis cases in Brazil and there are no data on molecular and phenotypic characteristics of E. coli strains isolated from lesions in the locomotor system of broilers. This raised the question whether specific E. coli strains could be responsible for bone lesions in broilers. The aim of this study was to assess these characteristics of E. coli strains isolated from broilers presenting vertebral osteomyelitis and arthritis in Brazil. RESULTS: Fifteen E. coli strains from bone lesions were submitted to APEC diagnosis and setting of ECOR phylogenic group, O serogroup, flagella type, virulence genes content, genetic patterns by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST). In addition, bacterial isolates were further characterized through a lethality test, serum resistance test and antibiotic resistance profile. E. coli strains harbored different genetic pattern as assessed by PFGE, regardless of flock origin and lesion site. The strains belonged to seven sequence types (STs) previously described (ST117, ST101, ST131, ST 371 and ST3107) or newly described in this study (ST5766 and ST5856). ECOR group D (66.7 %) was the most frequently detected. The strains belonged to diverse serogroups (O88, O25, O12, and O45), some of worldwide importance. The antibiotic resistance profile confirmed strains' diversity and revealed a high proportion of multidrug-resistant strains (73 %), mainly to quinolones and beta-lactams, including third generation cephalosporin. The percentage of resistance to tetracycline was moderate (33 %) but always associated with multidrug resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that vertebral osteomyelitis and arthritis in broilers can be associated with highly diverse E. coli based on molecular and phenotypic characteristics. There was no specific virulence patterns of the E. coli strains associated with vertebral osteomyelitis or arthritis. Also, E. coli strains were frequently multidrug resistant and belonged to STs commonly shared by APEC and human ExPEC strains.

Immune responses to Mycoplasma bovis proteins formulated with different adjuvants.

Most vaccines for protection against Mycoplasma bovis disease are made of bacterins, and they offer varying degrees of protection. Our focus is on the development of a subunit-based protective vaccine, and to that end, we have identified 10 novel vaccine candidates. After formulation of these candidates with TriAdj, an experimental tri-component novel vaccine adjuvant developed at VIDO-InterVac, we measured humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in vaccinated animals. In addition, we compared the immune responses after formulation with TriAdj with the responses measured in animals vaccinated with a mix of a commercial adjuvant (Emulsigen™) and 2 of the components of the TriAdj, namely polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) and the cationic innate defense regulator (IDR) peptide 1002 (VQRWLIVWRIRK). In this latter trial, we detected significant IgG1 humoral immune responses to 8 out of 10 M. bovis proteins, and IgG2 responses to 7 out of 10 proteins. Thus, we concluded that the commercial adjuvant formulated with poly I:C and the IDR peptide 1002 is the best formulation for the experimental vaccine.

Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii-Induced Arthritis with Encephalitic Dissemination in a Dog and Review of Published Literature.

This article describes the clinical, pathological, and immunohistochemical findings associated with Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii in a 4-year-old female Boxer dog from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. Clinically, there was a swelling at the right metatarsal region and the hock joint with enlargement of regional lymph nodes. Radiographical evaluation revealed lysis of the tarsal bone; cytology demonstrated cryptococcal intralesional organisms at the swollen joint. Despite empirical antifungals therapeutic, the animal developed neurological cryptococcosis and died spontaneously. Significant pathological alterations included arthritis, lymphadenitis, and encephalitic cryptococcomas associated with numerous intralesional narrow-necked budding encapsulated yeasts. Immunohistochemistry utilising monoclonal antibodies that label C. neoformans sp. complex capsule, characterised the yeasts as C. neoformans var. grubii. Collectively, the pathological and immunohistochemical findings of this dog indicate that the intralesional organisms observed within the articular surface of the hock joint, lymph nodes, and the brain were C. neoformans var. grubii, confirming the participation of this fungal pathogen in the development of cryptococcal arthritis. In this case, the most likely pathogenesis was percutaneous inoculation with resultant abscess-like lesion, which resulted in the draining sinus, swelling of the right hind limb with progression to the articular disease. Thereafter, the fungal pathogen probably compromised the adjacent lymph nodes with subsequent haematogenous distribution to the brain, terminating with cryptococcal arthritis, lymphadenitis, and encephalitis.

Comparative evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of sulfadiazine-trimethoprim, oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin and florfenicol on Staphylococcus aureus-induced arthritis in broilers.

Staphylococcus aureus is an important human and veterinary pathogen that causes economic loss in the poultry industry. This study aimed to compare therapeutic efficacy of 4 commonly used antibiotics in poultry on S. aureus-induced arthritis in broilers. Sixty broilers, 8 weeks of age, were assigned at random into 7 groups as follows: (1) negative control (n = 5); (2) vehicle control (n = 5); (3) sulfadiazine-trimethoprim, 250 ml/1000 l drinking water (n = 10); (4) oxytetracycline 20%, 1 mg/l drinking water (n = 10); (5) florfenicol 10%, 1/1000 v/v in drinking water (n = 10); (6) enrofloxacin 10%, 1/1000 v/v in drinking water (n = 10) and (7) positive control (n = 10). Birds in group 2 were injected with 1 ml of sterile TSB medium into the right tibiotarsal joint on d 0 while other birds (except group 1) were challenged with 1 ml of 1.2 × 10(10) CFU/ml suspension of S. aureus bacteria. Antibiotic therapy was started from d 4 post challenge and continued for 5 d. At the end, birds were weighed and clinical severity of arthritis was determined. After blood collection, birds were slaughtered and tibiotarsal and hip joints were evaluated grossly. The content of inflammatory exudates of tibiotarsal joint and the degree of femoral head necrosis were recorded. Mucin clot test and histopathological evaluation were performed on right tibiotarsal joint. Serum interleukin 6 was also assayed. Sulfadiazine-trimethoprim had higher therapeutic efficiency with regard to most of the assayed criteria, whereas none of the antibiotics significantly affected femoral head necrosis and body weight. These data will help clinicians to have better antibiotic choice in field conditions.

Mouse Models of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic debilitating autoimmune disorder characterized by synovitis that leads to cartilage and bone erosion by invading fibrovascular tissue. Mouse models of RA recapitulate many features of the human disease. Despite the availability of medicines that are highly effective in many patient populations, autoimmune diseases (including RA) remain an area of active biomedical research, and consequently mouse models of RA are still extensively used for mechanistic studies and validation of therapeutic targets. This review aims to integrate morphologic features with model biology and cover the key characteristics of the most commonly used induced and spontaneous mouse models of RA. Induced models emphasized in this review include collagen-induced arthritis and antibody-induced arthritis. Collagen-induced arthritis is an example of an active immunization strategy, whereas antibody- induced arthritis models, such as collagen antibody-induced arthritis and K/BxN antibody transfer arthritis, represent examples of passive immunization strategies. The coverage of spontaneous models in this review is focused on the TNFΔ (ARE) mouse, in which arthritis results from overexpression of TNF-α, a master proinflammatory cytokine that drives disease in many patients.