Single nucleotide polymorphisms of interleukin-1 beta related genes and their associations with infection in the horse.

In previous work, we found significant associations of horse chromosome 15 (ECA15) microsatellite markers HMSO1 and HTG06 with two horse infections, Rhodococcus equi and Lawsonia intracellularis, respectively. Interleukin-1 beta subunit and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist encoding genes (IL1B and IL1RN) could be considered as candidate genes underlying the associations reported. Therefore, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within three interleukin-1 beta functionally related genes: IL1B, IL1RN and Casp1 (interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme/caspasel encoding gene). Using appropriate restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and/or single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) markers, their associations with the two infections by genotyping foals from the original study were tested. In addition, the physical localization of one of the two closely located genes, IL1RN, was re-assessed by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). A statistically significant association between an intronic SNP of the Casp1 gene with R. equi infection was found. The IL1RN gene was localized to 15q13-q14 in agreement with its originally reported physical position.

Survey of Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli O157 and drug-resistant coliform bacteria from in-line milk filters on dairy farms in the Czech Republic.

AIMS: To determine the occurrence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 and coliform bacteria isolates resistant to antimicrobial agents in dairy herds by examining milk filters and to analyse the influence of management factors and antibiotic use on antimicrobial resistance. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 192 in-line milk filters were sampled on 192 dairy farms in the Czech Republic. Information on feeding, husbandry, production, and antibiotic therapy were obtained by questionnaire. The milk filters were cultured for STEC O157 and coliform bacteria. All recovered isolates were examined for antimicrobial susceptibility and presence of antimicrobial-resistance genes. STEC O157 was detected in four (2%) of the filters. Resistant nonpathogenic E. coli and coliform bacteria isolates with specific genes were detected in 44 (23%) of the filters. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated a high prevalence of resistant coliform bacteria in milk filters obtained on Czech dairy farms. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The occurrence of resistant coliform bacteria in milk filters was significantly higher among isolates from farms where antibiotic therapy against mastitis was employed during the dry period (P < 0.05).

Pathomorphological study on gastroduodenal ulceration in horses: localisation of lesions.

Gastroduodenal ulceration is a prevalent disease in foals and adult horses. Decreased performance as well as fatal complications relate to this syndrome. The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of gastric ulceration in a mixed population of horses by postmortem examination and to evaluate a possible association between equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) and sex or age of the examined horses, to evaluate the localisation of lesions in the proximal part of the gastrointestinal tract and to determine the occurrence of gastric parasites. Postmortem examinations were performed on 71 horses over a period of 24 months. Gastric ulcers were found in 52 horses (73.2%). There was no significant association between age or sex and occurrence of gastric ulcers. In all horses the squamous mucosa lesions were localised near the margo plicatus (100% of the cases), whereas in 23 horses the lesions were near the margo plicatus and lesser curvature and in 7 horses at the greater curvature. In 18 horses the mucosa was affected in the whole extent of the margo plicatus and in 1 horse diffuse lesions of the squamous mucosa were noted. Lesions of the glandular mucosa were localised in 11 horses at the fundic area, in 1 horse they occurred in the pylorus, and in 10 horses diffuse lesions of the glandular mucosa were recorded. A low prevalence of Gasterophilus intestinalis infection was detected (1 horse, 1.4%). We have confirmed that gastric ulcers are a common problem in horses and duodenal or oesophageal ulceration is rare (not a single case of the latter was found in this study). Lesions in the glandular mucosa of the stomach are more frequent in suckling foals than in older animals. Lesions of the glandular mucosa are also common in adult horses, and a complete gastroscopic examination including examination of the pylorus is advisable to evaluate this syndrome.

[Complex therapy of chronic hepatic encephalopathy supplemented with probiotic: comparison of two studies]. / Komplexná liecba chronickej hepatálnej encefalopatie doplnená probiotikom. Porovnanie dvoch stúdií.

BACKGROUND: Several reports about usefulness of probiotics, including Enterococcus faecium in the treatment of chronic hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis have been recently published. The results obtained by the administration of Enterococcus faecium M-74 + selenium will be evaluated and compared with those published by Loguercio et al. for Enterococcus faecium SF 68. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifteen patients with liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension and chronic hepatic encephalopathy were treated, beside the standard therapy, also with one capsule of probiotic "Enterococcus faecium M-74 + Selenium" per day in three four-week periods, separated by two fortnight pauses. During the treatment, every patient was examined 9-times. The severity of chronic hepatic encephalopathy was evaluated with the aid of the portal systemic encephalopathy index, calculated from 5 parameters (mental stage, asterixis, number connecting test, blood ammonia, EEG). The indexes of initial and final values were compared. The time course of blood ammonia levels and that of results from number connecting test in either study were mutually compared on the basis of interval estimates of quadratic regression function. Significant improvement of the portal systemic encephalopathy index after the treatment was found: it decreased in average by 70% (55 to 85%, interval 95% confidence interval). The mental stage improved and the asterixis disappeared. The blood ammonia levels as well as the results from the number-connecting test after 8-9 weeks significantly approached the normal pattern. EEG findings improved and they were often normalised. Our starting blood ammonia levels (increased by 31% above norm) and results from the connecting test (increased by 60%) were significantly lower accordingly the Loguercio et al. (increased by 243 and 238%, respectively). During the treatment, the values in our study decreased by 25% and 30%, in the compared study by 50% and 70%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results proved the hypothetical favourable effect of probioticum Enterococcus faecium M-74 + Selenium on chronic hepatic encephalopathy. Interestingly, a markedly higher relative therapeutic effect has been achieved in more serious disorder in comparison with the less severe disorders in the present study.

Heterotopic pancreas in gastric antrum with macroscopic appearance of gastric polyp.

Heterotopic pancreas is a relatively rare clinical diagnosis, not commonly involved in differential diagnostic considerations of GI symptoms. The authors report a case of heterotopic pancreas discovered endoscopically in the gastric antrum. A 60-year-old woman presented with epigastric pain. The patient took alendronate for osteoporosis. The endoscopic examination revealed Helicobacter pylori positive antral atrophic gastropathy and a well delineated hemispherical polyp, 8 mm in diameter, in the antrum of the stomach. Histology showed antral gastritis and the presence of heterotopic pancreas. After dietary measures and Helicobacter eradication, the patient was relieved of symptoms. According to the authors' opinion, the finding of heterotopic pancreas did not necessitate intervention, and was an incidental finding. The authors discuss the significance of heterotopic pancreas with the conclusion that the resection of the lesion is indicated only if consistent symptoms are present. Fig. 3, Ref. 28.)

Polymorphism of Old Kladruber horses, a surviving but endangered baroque breed.

Analysis of MHC class I and class II polymorphism, as well as data from other polymorphic systems (non-MHC lymphocyte alloantigen, blood groups systems, biochemical polymorphisms and microsatellite loci), was used to characterize the extent and distribution of the genic polymorphism of Kladruber horses. A breed-characteristic distribution of the MHC polymorphism was found. The repertoire of defined MHC class I specificities was restricted, especially in the grey subpopulation and in stallions, but a high frequency of blanks suggests the possible existence of undetected specificities. Despite the small population size and a relatively high degree of inbreeding, high heterozygosity in MHC haplotypes has been conserved. The extent of polymorphism and the degree of heterozygosity in other loci were also relatively high. A comparison of the two existing subpopulations, grey and black, at all the loci tested, including RAPD markers, characterized them as genetically distinct, although clearly related. The genetic distances between them were of the same order of magnitude as between distinct breeds. The results may be useful in defining short-term and long-term breeding policy within the breed and for further studies of associations with disease and other traits.