The effect of feeding a commercial feedstuff on gastric squamous gastric disease (ESGD) healing and prevention of recurrence.

Feedstuffs are often recommended to mitigate potential damage from acid associated with equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD). In acidic conditions, pectin alters its structure to one like mucus and binds the stomach mucosa, whilst alfalfa has a strong intrinsic acid buffering capacity. The study aimed to determine whether feeding a commercial beet pulp/alfalfa/oat fibre mix aids ESGD healing and/or prevention of recurrence. Ten adult horses with naturally occurring ESGD were included. All animals were treated with omeprazole as per the attending veterinarian's recommendation and randomly allocated to also be fed a commercial beet pulp/alfalfa/oat fibre mix (1Kg/horse divided into 2 meals/day; n=5) or no additional feed (n=5) for one month. Gastroscopy was then repeated to assess response to therapy. If the ESGD had healed, omeprazole therapy was discontinued, and the commercial feed given to all horses for a further month. Gastroscopy was repeated to determine ESGD recurrence. The mean (±SD) age of the horses was 11.6 (±3.8) years; 4 mares and 6 geldings; various breeds were represented; and the median (range) initial ESGD grade was 2 (2-4). ESGD had healed (grade 0/4) in all animals after one month. After a further month, ESGD had recurred in significantly (p=0.04) more animals that did not receive the commercial feed initially (3/5; 60%; mean [range] ESGD grade 3 [0,4]) compared to those that did (0/5; 0%; mean [range] ESGD grade 0 [0,0]). Thus, the commercial beet pulp/alfalfa/oat fibre mix aided prevention of ESGD recurrence when fed during the healing and prevention phases.

Jejunal perforation and septic abdomen resulting from a choristoma in a dog.

A 4.6-year-old spayed female German shepherd dog was admitted to a specialty hospital emergency service upon referral for suspected gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction. Free abdominal fluid was collected, and results of cytologic evaluation were consistent with a septic abdomen. An abdominal barium study revealed free gas and intraperitoneal barium, along with an obstructive gas pattern within the small bowel. Ultrasonography revealed a full-thickness jejunal perforation. On exploratory laparotomy, the perforation was noted to be located mid-jejunum with no associated mass or foreign material. A resection and anastomosis were completed. Histopathologic evaluation of the affected jejunal tissue showed aberrant gastric glandular epithelium consistent with a gastric choristoma, or heterotopic gastric tissue. Key clinical message: Clinicians should consider gastric glandular choristoma as a differential diagnosis in cases of seemingly idiopathic small intestinal perforation with no known cause (i.e., foreign body penetration, neoplasia, NSAID use), and histopathologic evaluation should always be done to obtain a definitive diagnosis.

Perforation jéjunale et abdomen septique résultant d'un choristome chez un chien. Une chienne berger allemand stérilisée âgée de 4,6 ans a été admise dans le service d'urgence d'un hôpital spécialisé après avoir été référée pour une suspicion d'obstruction gastro-intestinale par un corps étranger. Du liquide abdominal libre a été prélevé et les résultats de l'évaluation cytologique étaient compatibles avec un abdomen septique. Un examen abdominal à l'aide de baryum a révélé du gaz libre et du baryum intrapéritonéal, ainsi qu'un patron de gaz obstructif dans l'intestin grêle. L'échographie a révélé une perforation sur toute l'épaisseur jéjunale. Lors d'une laparotomie exploratoire, il a été constaté que la perforation était située au milieu du jéjunum, sans masse ni corps étranger associé. Une résection et une anastomose ont été réalisées. L'évaluation histopathologique du tissu jéjunal affecté a montré un épithélium glandulaire gastrique aberrant compatible avec un choristome gastrique ou un tissu gastrique hétérotopique.Message clinique clé :Les cliniciens doivent considérer le choristome glandulaire gastrique comme diagnostic différentiel dans les cas de perforation de l'intestin grêle apparemment idiopathique sans cause connue (i.e. pénétration d'un corps étranger, néoplasie, utilisation d'AINS), et une évaluation histopathologique doit toujours être effectuée pour obtenir un diagnostic définitif.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Characterization of gastrointestinal inflammatory cell type in equine glandular gastric disease.

OBJECTIVE: To compare small intestinal inflammation with gastric inflammation in horses with and without equine gastric glandular disease (EGGD), we evaluated endoscopic, macroscopic, and microscopic findings of the glandular stomach and microscopic findings of the small intestine. ANIMALS: 36 horses. METHODS: Horses underwent endoscopy and were scored for EGGD. After euthanasia, stomachs were collected and macroscopically evaluated. Normal pyloric mucosa, glandular lesions, and small intestinal (duodenum, mid-jejunum, and ileum) samples were collected and processed for microscopic examination. Cellular infiltrate was scored. Immunohistochemistry (CD3, CD20, and Iba-1) was performed on the ventral pylorus and small intestine of horses with mild to moderate lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. A Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship of EGGD grade with gastric glandular inflammation, and the relationships of cellular infiltrate type and severity among glandular stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. RESULTS: Gastrointestinal inflammation was common, with gastric inflammatory infiltrate identified in 92%, duodenal inflammatory infiltrate in 83%, jejunal inflammatory infiltrate in 92%, and ileal inflammatory infiltrate in 92% of horses. Endoscopic evidence of gastric disease (hyperemia or EGGD grade ≥ 2/4) was not associated with the presence or severity of duodenal, jejunal, or ileal inflammation. Gastric lymphoplasmacytic inflammation grade ≥ 2 was associated with duodenal lymphoplasmacytic inflammation grade ≥ 2. This was a convenience sample of horses presenting for euthanasia. Medical history (including deworming history) was unknown. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Gastric lymphoplasmacytic inflammation is associated with duodenal lymphoplasmacytic inflammation but not more distal small intestinal inflammation. Intestinal inflammation is not associated with endoscopic findings (hyperemia or EGGD grade ≥ 2/4).

Helicobacter delphinicola infection and the risk of gastric disease in common bottlenose dolphin.

Gastritis and gastric ulcers are well-recognized conditions in cetaceans; bacteria of the genus Helicobacter are considered the primary cause of these diseases. Dolphins have been shown to be susceptible to infection by at least 2 gastric species of Helicobacter, H. cetorum and H. delphinicola, both of which are closely related to the human pathogen H. pylori. In the present study, we evaluated the carriage rate and relationship to gastric disease of H. cetorum and H. delphinicola, based on a study population of 82 dolphins maintained at 21 facilities in Japan. Of these 82 dolphins, 79 (96.3%) and 45 (54.9%) were positive for H. cetorum and H. delphinicola, respectively; H. delphinicola infection was significantly associated with chronic gastric diseases (odds rate: 5.9; 95% CI: 2.1-16.9), but no such association was detected for H. cetorum. Of the 21 facilities, 20 (95%) and 11 (55%) housed H. cetorum- and H. delphinicola-positive dolphins, respectively, and our study suggested that the transmission between dolphins occurs quickly within pools. These findings indicate that methods will need to be established to prevent the transmission of Helicobacter infections within facilities housing dolphins.

Investigation of gastrointestinal injury-related biomarkers in dairy cattle with displaced abomasum.

BACKGROUND: Displaced abomasum (DA) is one of the most important metabolic disorders of dairy cattle. In DA, ischaemic damage may occur as a result of impaired perfusion due to abomasal displacement, which may result in gastrointestinal mucosal damage. OBJECTIVE: Investigation of gastrointestinal tissue damage in cattle with right displacement of the abomasum (RDA) and left displacement of the abomasum (LDA) using intestinal-related biomarkers. METHODS: Forty-eight DA (24 LDA, 24 RDA) and 15 healthy Holstein dairy cows were enrolled between March 2021 and July 2022. Serum biomarkers including gamma-enteric smooth muscle actin (ACTG-2), liver-fatty acid binding proteins (L-FABP), platelet activating factor (PAF), trefoil factor-3 (TFF-3), leptin, claudin-3 and interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentrations were measured from venous blood samples. RESULTS: L-FABP concentrations in the LDA group and TFF-3 concentrations in the RDA group were lower than in the control group. The leptin concentration of the RDA group was higher than that of the other groups. There was a negative correlation between lactate, leptin and IL-8 concentrations. There was a negative correlation between lactate and TFF-3, whereas leptin and lactate were positively correlated. Leptin was the more reliable biomarker for discriminating between RDA and LDA cases. CONCLUSION: Changes in serum L-FABP, TFF-3 and leptin concentrations in cattle with DA may reflect acute intestinal injury and the subsequent repair phase. However, these biomarkers had poor diagnostic performance in discriminating between healthy and cattle with DA, while leptin emerged as the most useful marker in differentiating LDA from RDA cases.

Clinical presentation and outcome of gastric impactions with or without concurrent intestinal lesions in horses.

BACKGROUND: Gastric impactions (GI) have been identified as primary lesions (lone GI; LGI) or associated with other intestinal lesions (concurrent GI; CGI). Anecdotally, CGI resolve more rapidly with a better prognosis than LGI. OBJECTIVES: To determine clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic findings, and short- and long-term survival in horses with GI. We hypothesized that LGI carries a worse prognosis than CGI. ANIMALS: Seventy-one horses from 2 referral hospitals (2007-2022). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Gastric impactions were defined as feed extending to the margo plicatus after ≥24 hours of fasting. Clinical, diagnostic and outcome findings were compared between LGI and CGI. Long-term survival was determined by a questionnaire. RESULTS: Twenty-seven horses had LGI, 44 had CGI. Large intestinal lesions (32/44) were more common than small intestinal lesions (12/44). Concurrent gastric impactions resolved more slowly than LGI (LGI median 2 days, range 0-8; CGI median 4 days, range 1-10; P = .003). Short- (LGI 63%, 17/27; CGI 59%, 26/44; P = .75) and long-term survival (LGI 3.5 ± 1.9 years; CGI 2.3 ± 2.3 years; P = .42) were not significantly different. However, Lone gastric impactions were more likely to experience gastric rupture (LGI 29.6%, 8/27; CGI 11.4%, 5/44; P = .05). Lone gastric impactions were 8.7 times more likely to require dietary changes (LGI 72.7%, 8/11; CGI 25%, 4/16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53-49.22; P = .01). Gastric impactions recurred in 21.7% (LGI, 6/20; CGI, 4/26; P = .23) of affected horses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Lone gastric impactions and CGI present similarly with a comparable prognosis, but LGI are more likely to rupture. Long-term dietary changes are often necessary for horses with LGI.

Effect of diet composition on glandular gastric disease in horses.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional factors are suggested to influence the incidence and severity of glandular gastric disease (GGD) in horses. OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively assess whether dietary fermentable carbohydrates increase the severity of GGD and to prospectively evaluate whether the partial substitution of concentrates by dehydrated alfalfa would decrease GGD severity scores. ANIMALS: In total, 82 trotters from 4 training centers exercised ≥5 days/week. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective observational study, and prospective 2-arm randomized trial. Glandular mucosae were observed by gastroscopy and scored (0-4 severity scale) at day 0 (D0). Biochemical composition of the diet fed was compared between ulcerated and nonulcerated groups. After D0, horses either received the same diet (control, n = 41) or pelleted dehydrated alfalfa substituting 50% concentrates (alfalfa, n = 41). Glandular scores were recorded in both groups after 21 (D21) and 42 days (D42). The first end point was a successful outcome, defined as a horse with a glandular score of 2 to 4 on D0, decreasing to a score of 0 to 1 on days 21 or 42. RESULTS: Horses scored 0 to 1 at D0 ingested more (P = .01) soluble sugars from concentrates than those scored 2 to 4 before D0 (77.5 g/kg BW; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 71.1-84.0, vs 59.1 g/kg BW; 95% CI: 48.0-70.3), whereas starch intake did not differ between groups (P = .24). Among horses scored 2 to 4 at D0, fewer were scored 2 to 4 in the alfalfa group (1 out of 6) compared with the control group (6 out of 6) at D42 (P = .02). Clinical success was 47.7 times more likely in horses fed alfalfa compared with horses in the control group (95% CI: 1.6-1422.8). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Relationships were found between diet composition and integrity of the glandular mucosa. Feeding pelleted dehydrated alfalfa could help to reduce the incidence and severity of GGD.

Medical causes of poor performance and their associations with fitness in Standardbred racehorses.

BACKGROUND: Poor performance is a multifactorial syndrome of racehorses, commonly associated with subclinical disorders, which can be diagnosed by exercise testing. OBJECTIVES: Describe the prevalence of medical causes of poor performance in Standardbreds unassociated with lameness, and evaluate their relationships with fitness variables measured by exercise treadmill test. ANIMALS: Hospital population of 259 nonlame Standardbred trotters referred for poor performance. METHODS: The horses' medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Horses underwent a diagnostic protocol including resting examination, plasma lactate concentration, treadmill test with continuous ECG and assessment of fitness variables, creatine kinase activity, treadmill endoscopy, postexercise tracheobronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and gastroscopy. The prevalence of different disorders was evaluated, including cardiac arrhythmias, exertional myopathies, dynamic upper airway obstructions (DUAOs), exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), moderate equine asthma (MEA), and gastric ulcers (EGUS). The associations of these disorders with fitness variables were investigated individually and using multivariable models. RESULTS: Moderate equine asthma and EGUS were the most common disorders, followed by EIPH, DUAOs, cardiac arrhythmias, and exertional myopathies. Hemosiderin score was positively correlated with BAL neutrophils, eosinophils, and mast cells; increased creatine kinase activity was associated with BAL neutrophilia, DUAOs, premature complexes, and squamous gastric disease. Treadmill velocity at a plasma lactate concentration of 4 mmol/L and at heart rate of 200 beats per minute was negatively affected by BAL neutrophilia, multiple DUAOs, exertional myopathies, and squamous gastric disease. CONCLUSIONS: The multifactorial nature of poor performance was confirmed, with MEA, DUAOs, myopathies and EGUS representing the main diseases involved in fitness impairment.

One-step laparoscopy-guided abomasopexy versus omentopexy via right flank laparotomy to treat left displaced abomasum in dairy cows, in relation to return of milk yield.

This study compared two surgical techniques for treating left displaced abomasum (LDA) in dairy cows. The two techniques were compared in terms of milk production at different time intervals: before surgery; on the day of the surgery; and at 8, 15 and 30 days after surgery. The surgical techniques used in this study were laparoscopy-guided abomasopexy and right flank laparotomy omentopexy. A total of 126 lactating Holstein-Friesian cows with LDA were included, 63 of which were treated with laparoscopy, and 63 with right flank laparotomy. Cows with retained foetal membranes, metritis or natural delivery (dystocia) were included and registered on field sheets for subsequent statistical analysis. Cows with clinical mastitis were excluded. A blood sample (5 mL) was obtained from the medial coccygeal vein and analyzed for total proteins, total bilirubin, total calcium, glucose, b-hydroxybutyrate, sodium, potassium, and chloride. No differences were found between the two groups of operated cows with respect to the number of lactation days, body condition score (BCS), rectal temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate before surgery. No differences were observed between groups regarding the biochemical parameters (P > 0.05) analyzed, except for chloride, which presented lower average values in the omentopexy group (P <0.05). Return of milk yield within the study period did not differ significantly between the laparoscopy and laparotomy groups (P > 0.05), although a significant change in post-surgery time was observed. .

Left and right displaced abomasum and abomasal volvulus: comparison of clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings in 1982 dairy cows.

BACKGROUND: Although left and right displacement of the abomasum and abomasal volvulus are well-known disorders of cattle, a comparative evaluation of the clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings of these types of abomasal displacements has not been undertaken. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare these conditions in a large population of cows. The medical records of 1982 dairy cows with left displaced abomasum (LDA, n = 1341), right displaced absomasum (RDA, n = 338) and abomasal volvulus (AV, n = 303) were searched for the results of clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic evaluations. RESULTS: The main clinical findings were an abnormal demeanour in 48.2% of the cows, reduced rumen motility in 89.7% and decreased intestinal motility in 61.1%. Ballottement and simultaneous auscultation and percussion and simultaneous auscultation were positive on the left side in 96.9% of the cows with LDA and on the right in 98.5% of the cows with RDA and in 99.3% of the cows with AV. Ultrasonography was useful for diagnosing LDA in 97.9% of the cows and RDA/AV in 90.2% of the cows. The laboratory findings characteristic of abomasal reflux syndrome varied in severity; 83% of the cows had hypokalaemia, 67% had increased rumen chloride concentration, 67% had an increased base excess and 50% had haemoconcentration. Based on the clinical signs, a definitive diagnosis was made in 75.0% of the cows with LDA and in 22.5% of the cows with RDA/AV. Ultrasonography was required for a definitive diagnosis in another 22.0% of the cows with LDA and in 53.0% of the cows with RDA/AV. Laparotomy or postmortem examination was required for reliable differentiation of RDA and AV. CONCLUSIONS: LDA, RDA and AV differ with respect to the severity and the frequency of several abnormal clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings as well as the methods required for a diagnosis.

Altered Fecal Microbiome and Correlations of the Metabolome with Plasma Metabolites in Dairy Cows with Left Displaced Abomasum.

Left displaced abomasum (LDA) in postpartum dairy cows contributes to significant economic losses. Dairy cows with LDA undergo excessive lipid mobilization and insulin resistance. Although gut dysbiosis is implicated, little is known about the role of the gut microbiota in the abnormal metabolic processes of LDA. To investigate the functional links among microbiota, metabolites, and disease phenotypes in LDA, we performed 16S rDNA gene amplicon sequencing and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) of fecal samples from cows with LDA (n = 10) and healthy cows (n = 10). Plasma marker profiling was synchronously analyzed. In the LDA event, gut microbiota composition and fecal metabolome were shifted in circulation with an amino acid pool deficit in dairy cows. Compared with the healthy cows, salicylic acid derived from microbiota catabolism was decreased in the LDA cows, which negatively correlated with Akkermansia, Prevotella, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), and ß-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) levels. Conversely, fecal taurolithocholic acid levels were increased in cows with LDA. Based on integrated analysis with the plasma metabolome, eight genera and eight metabolites were associated with LDA. Of note, the increases in Akkermansia and Oscillospira abundances were negatively correlated with the decreases in 4-pyridoxic acid and cytidine levels, and positively correlated with the increases in NEFA and BHBA levels in amino acid deficit, indicating pyridoxal metabolism-associated gut dysbiosis and lipolysis. Changes in branched-chain amino acids implicated novel host-microbial metabolic pathways involving lipolysis and insulin resistance in cows with LDA. Overall, these results suggest an interplay between host and gut microbes contributing to LDA pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE LDA is a major contributor to economic losses in the dairy industry worldwide; however, the mechanisms associated with the metabolic changes in LDA remain unclear. Most previous studies have focused on the rumen microbiota in terms of understanding the contributors to the productivity and health of dairy cows; this study further sheds light on the relevance of the lower gut microbiota and its associated metabolites in mediating the development of LDA. This study is the first to characterize the correlation between gut microbes and metabolic phenotypes in dairy cows with LDA by leveraging multi-omics data, highlighting that the gut microbe may be involved in the regulation of lipolysis and insulin resistance by modulating the amino acid composition. Moreover, this study provides new markers for further research to understand the pathogenesis of the disease as well as to develop effective treatment and prevention strategies.

Characterization of metabolic profile, health, milk production, and reproductive outcomes of dairy cows diagnosed with concurrent hyperketonemia and hypoglycemia.

The objective of this prospective cohort study was to characterize the metabolic profile, health, milk production, and reproductive outcomes of cows diagnosed with hyperketonemia (HK; ß-hydroxybutyrate ≥1.2 mmol/L), hypoglycemia (HG; glucose ≤2.2 mmol/L), or concurrent HK and HG (HKHG). Glucose and ß-hydroxybutyrate concentrations in whole blood were assessed using a handheld device (Precision Xtra, Abbott Laboratories) in lactating dairy cows (n = 2,418) between 3 and 9 d postpartum. Cows were categorized into 4 groups: no HK or HG (healthy; Norm = 1,821), HK only (HK = 232), HG only (HG = 161), and concurrent HK and HG (HKHG = 204). Subsequent milk production, along with health and reproductive outcomes, as recorded by farm personnel, were analyzed according to metabolic category. Serum collected on the day of cow-side diagnosis of hyperketonemia and hypoglycemia was evaluated for total calcium (tCa), magnesium (Mg), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides (TG), and urea using an automated chemistry analyzer (Randox Daytona; Randox Laboratories Ltd.). Statistical analysis was carried out using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc.). Hyperketonemia in multiparous cows was associated with greater incidence of metabolic abnormalities (hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, and elevated NEFA and urea). Hyperketonemia in primiparous and multiparous cows led to increased adverse health events (culling rate, retained fetal membranes, puerperal metritis, clinical ketosis, left displaced abomasum) relative to Norm cows. Multiparous cows with HKHG had fewer metabolic disturbances (hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, elevated NEFA) than HK cows. Cows with HKHG had an increased incidence of clinical ketosis and left displaced abomasum relative to Norm cows. Cows with HG had similar metabolic profiles to Norm cows and had lower incidence of retained fetal membranes and puerperal metritis than cows with HK. Multiparous cows with HG produced more milk than Norm cows from wk 10 to 20, whereas multiparous cows with HK produced less milk than Norm cows. For primiparous cows, HK did not have a negative effect on milk production compared with Norm cows.

Gastroesophageal intussusception in a 4-week-old German shepherd puppy.

The surgical treatment of a gastroesophageal intussusception (GEI) in a 4-week-old male intact German shepherd puppy is described in this report. Bilateral gastropexies were performed; an incisional gastropexy on the right and a gastrostomy tube gastropexy on the left. The dog recovered well and is thriving long-term with no clinical signs of persistent megaesophagus. With the combination of early detection and surgical correction of GEI, mortality rates may be lower than the 95% mortality rate that has been reported in previous literature and supports new studies that have reported a 65% survival rate long-term. Key clinical message: Young animals presenting with vague clinical signs require thorough evaluation to identify uncommon, yet life-threatening diseases such as GEI. Early detection and interventions can subsequently lead to successful outcomes.

Intussusception gastro-oesophagienne chez un chiot berger allemand de 4 semaines. Le traitement chirurgical d'une intussusception gastro-oesophagienne (GEI) chez un chiot berger allemand mâle intact âgé de 4 semaines est décrit dans ce rapport. Des gastropexies bilatérales ont été réalisées; une gastropexie incisionnelle à droite et une gastropexie par tube de gastrostomie à gauche.Le chien a bien récupéré et se porte bien à long terme sans aucun signe clinique de mégaoesophage persistant.Avec la combinaison de la détection précoce et de la correction chirurgicale de la GEI, les taux de mortalité peuvent être inférieurs au taux de mortalité de 95 % qui a été rapporté dans la littérature antérieure et soutient de nouvelles études qui ont rapporté un taux de survie à long terme de 65 %.Message clinique clé :Les jeunes animaux présentant des signes cliniques vagues nécessitent une évaluation approfondie pour identifier des maladies rares, mais potentiellement mortelles, telles que la GEI. Une détection et des interventions précoces peuvent ensuite conduire à des résultats positifs.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Prophylactic effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract on phenylbutazone-induced Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD).

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), like phenylbutazone (PBZ), are prescribed to treat pain and inflammation in the equine. However, experimentally their use has been associated with the development of Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD). To evaluate the prophylactic effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra root extracts (GGRE) on EGGD induction following oral administration of PBZ, 12 donkeys were used. Animals were divided into three equal groups (A, B and C) in a randomized block design. A: placebo, B: PBZ (4.4 mg/kg PO q 12 h) and C: PBZ plus GGRE (17.6 mg/kg PO q 24h). Gastroscopy and blood sampling for CBC, biochemical tests and antioxidant status were performed days 0 and 7. All but 1 animal had no EGGD lesions on day 0, but on day 7, severe EGGD lesions were seen in group B animals (grade 1/4 (× 1), grade 2/4 (× 2), and grade 3/4 (× 1)). Only mild changes were seen in group C animals, the most severe lesions being grade 1/4 lesions in 2 animals. No change was observed in Group A. Hematology and serum antioxidant status did not change significantly in any group. In group B glucose decreased and ALT and ALP increased, while in group C only ALP increased. In conclusion, GGRE reduced the severity of EGGD caused by PBZ. Further, GGRE prevented PBZ induced hypoglycemia and might reduce the possible hepatic injury of PBZ.

Long read sequencing revealed proventricular virome of broiler chicken with transmission viral proventriculitis.

BACKGROUND: Transmissible viral proventriculitis (TVP) causes significant economic loss to the poultry industry. However, the exact causative agents are obscure. Here we examine the virome of proventriculus from specified pathogen free (SPF) chickens that reproduced by infection of proventricular homogenate from broiler chicken with TVP using long read sequencing of the Pacific Biosciences RSII platform. The normal SPF chickens were used as control. RESULTS: Our investigation reveals a virome of proventriculitis, including three Gyrovirus genera of the Aneloviridae: Gyrovirus homsa1 (GyH1) (also known as Gyrovirus 3, GyV3) (n = 2662), chicken anemia virus (CAV) (n = 482) and Gyrovirus galga1 (GyG1) (also known as avian Gyrovirus 2, AGV2) (n = 11); a plethora of novel CRESS viral genomes (n = 26) and a novel genomovirus. The 27 novel viruses were divided into three clusters. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the GyH1 strain was more closely related to the strains from chicken (MG366592) than mammalian (human and cat), the GyG1 strain was closely related to the strains from cat in China (MK089245) and from chicken in Brazil (HM590588), and the CAV strain was more closely related to the strains from Germany (AJ297684) and United Kingdom (U66304) than that previously found in China. CONCLUSION: In this study, we revealed that Gyrovirus virome showed high abundance in chickens with TVP, suggesting their potential role in TVP, especially GyH1. This study is expected to contribute to the knowledge of the etiology of TVP.

A study comparing the healthy and diseased equine glandular gastric microbiota sampled with sheathed transendoscopic cytology brushes.

The role of the equine gastrointestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) is poorly understood. To investigate whether the glandular gastric microbiota is altered in horses with EGGD. Prospective longitudinal study. Five Thoroughbred racehorses from one training center underwent gastroscopy as part of poor performance investigation. Samples were taken from EGGD lesions and adjacent normal mucosa using sheathed transendoscopic cytology brushes and frozen at -80°C. DNA was extracted for 16S rRNA sequencing, and sequences compared against a database to generate taxonomic classification of the microbiota. The same horses were sampled 6 months later. Normal glandular mucosal samples were characterized by a higher proportion of Proteobacteria (46.3%) than EGGD lesions (18.9%). Relative abundance of Firmicutes was lower in samples from normal mucosa (20.0%) than EGGD lesions (41.2%). Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) confirmed a greater proportion of Firmicutes species was characteristic of samples collected from EGGD lesions due to a very high relative abundance of Sarcina (up to 92.4%) in two horses with EGGD. We were unable to comment on the stability of the glandular gastric microbiota over time. Small sample population. None of the horses examined had grossly normal gastric mucosa. The gastric microbiota appears altered in EGGD, although we are unable to demonstrate a causative effect. Sarcina was particularly increased in abundance in EGGD and may be a useful biomarker of disease. Sheathed cytology brushes were an effective method for sampling the gastric mucosa.

Transition cow nutrition and management strategies of dairy herds in the northeastern United States: Part II-Associations of metabolic- and inflammation-related analytes with health, milk yield, and reproduction.

The objectives were as follows: (1) establish cow-level thresholds for prepartum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and postpartum NEFA, ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and haptoglobin (Hp) concentrations associated with negative health events; (2) evaluate cow-level associations between biomarkers and 305-d mature equivalent milk at the fourth test day (ME305) and reproductive performance; and (3) identify herd-alarm levels (proportion of cows sampled above the critical threshold) for biomarkers that are associated with herd-level changes in disorder incidence (displaced abomasum and clinical ketosis), reproductive performance, and ME305. In a prospective cohort study, 1,473 cows from 72 farms were enrolled from the northeastern United States. Blood samples were collected from the same 11 to 24 cows per herd during the late-prepartum and early-postpartum periods. Whole blood was analyzed for postpartum BHB concentrations; plasma was analyzed for prepartum and postpartum NEFA and postpartum Hp concentrations. Critical thresholds for the biomarkers associated with health events for all cows were established using a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Poisson, linear mixed effects, and Cox proportional hazards models investigated the association of the biomarkers with health and performance. The prepartum NEFA and Hp threshold associated with culling was ≥0.17 mmol/L and 0.45 g/L, respectively. The postpartum NEFA and BHB thresholds associated with diagnosis of metritis, displaced abomasum, or clinical ketosis were ≥0.46 mmol/L and ≥0.9 mmol/L, respectively. Multiparous cows with prepartum NEFA concentration ≥0.17 mmol/L produced 479 kg less ME305. Multiparous and primiparous cows with postpartum NEFA concentration ≥0.46 mmol/L produced 280 kg less and 446 kg more ME305, respectively. Cows with BHB concentration ≥0.9 and ≥1.1 mmol/L produced 552 kg more ME305 and had a 20% decreased risk of pregnancy within 150 d in milk, respectively; however, multiparous cows with BHB concentration ≥1.5 mmol/L produced 376 kg less ME305. Cows with Hp concentration ≥0.45 g/L produced 492 kg less ME305 and had 28% decreased risk of pregnancy within 150 DIM. Cows with Hp concentration ≥0.45 g/L had 19% decreased pregnancy risk to first service (PRFS). Herds above the herd-alarm levels for prepartum NEFA had a 6.0-percentage unit increase in disorder incidence and a 6.0-percentage unit decrease in 21-d pregnancy rate (PR) for multiparous cows, a 3.9-percentage unit increase in PR and a 5.8-percentage unit increase in the probability of pregnancy for primiparous cows. Herds above the herd-alarm levels for postpartum NEFA had a 5.8- and 4.2-percentage unit increase in disorder incidence for multiparous and primiparous cows, respectively, a 789 kg decrease in ME305 for multiparous cows, and a 6.8- and 6.3-percentage unit decrease and increase in PR and PRFS for multiparous cows, respectively. Herds above the herd-alarm levels for BHB had an 8.5-percentage unit increase in disorder incidence, a 332 and 229 kg increase in ME305 for primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively, and a 3.2-, 5.2-, and 7.0-percentage unit decrease in PR, probability of pregnancy, and PRFS, respectively. Herds above the herd-alarm levels for postpartum Hp had a 5.3-percentage unit increase in disorder incidence. At the cow level and herd level, elevated biomarker concentrations were associated with an increased disorder risk and varied performance responses.

Assessment of agreement using the equine glandular gastric disease grading system in 84 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) is a common condition causing signs of gastric pain although lesions are highly variable in their appearance. The only definitive method to diagnose EGGD ante-mortem is gastroscopy. The current recommended method for describing these lesions is the European College of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) guidelines; however, repeatability between users is variable. This study aimed to validate the reliability of lesion descriptions using ECEIM consensus guidelines, using four blinded equine internal medicine diplomates. METHODS: Ninety-two horses with EGGD with pre- and post-treatment gastroscopy images were identified using the electronic record at a UK equine hospital between 2012 and 2019. Eight horses were excluded due to non-diagnostic images. Four blinded observers used the recommended grading system to describe images and outcomes. Intraclass correlation coefficients and Krippendorff's alpha were used to determine reliability and agreement, respectively. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficient for severity was 0.782 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.722-0.832), for distribution was 0.671 (95% CI 0.540-0.763), for the descriptor raised was 0.635 (95% CI 0.479-0.741), fibrinosuppurative was 0.745 (95% CI 0.651-0.812), haemorrhagic was 0.648 (95% CI 0.513-0.744), hyperaemic was 0.389 (95% CI 0.232-0.522) and for outcome was 0.677 (95% CI 0.559-0.770). Krippendorff's alpha for severity was 0.466 (95% CI 0.466-0.418), for distribution was 0.304 (95% CI 0.234-0.374), for the descriptor raised was 0.268 (95% CI 0.207-0.329), fibrinosuppurative was 0.406 (95% CI 0.347-0.463), haemorrhagic was 0.287 (95% CI 0.229-0.344), hyperaemic was 0.112 (95% CI 0.034-0.188) and for outcome was 0.315 (95% CI 0.218-0.408). There was moderate reliability determined between observers using intra-class correlation coefficients and unacceptable agreement determined between observers using Krippendorff's alpha. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that the current grading system is not comparable between observers, indicating the need to review the grading system or define more robust criteria.

Evaluation of the treatment of equine glandular gastric disease with either long-acting-injectable or oral omeprazole.

BACKGROUND: Equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) is common in domesticated horses and can be challenging to treat. Oral omeprazole (ORLO) is used widely but the clinical response is frequently poor. OBJECTIVES: To compare rates of EGGD healing and improvement between ORLO and a long-acting injectable omeprazole preparation (LAIO). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. METHODS: The case records and gastroscopy images of horses presenting to masked for peer review over a 12-month period were reviewed, with images blindly assessed by one of the authors. Treatment responses to 4 mg/kg LAIO administered every 7 days for 2 and 4 weeks were compared with ORLO 4 mg/kg PO q24hrs for 4 weeks. Data were compared using a Mann-Whitney U test with post-hoc Dunn's test, Chi-squared test and a Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Thirty-three horses that received LAIO and 12 that received ORLO were identified. Nine horses in the LAIO had received other treatments previously. The groups were comparable in signalment and EGGD lesion severity. Long-acting injectable omeprazole was found to be non-inferior to ORLO. LAIO was associated with better healing rates than ORLO at 4 weeks (LAIO-80%; ORLO-42%; p = 0.02), and reduction in lesion severity at 2 and 4 weeks in the LAIO group but not in the ORLO group at 4 weeks. Eighteen percent of horses in the LAIO group and 50% in the ORLO group did not heal at 4 weeks. There was no association between rate of healing or improvement and resolution or improvement of clinical signs. Six localised and self-limiting injection site reactions were identified in 4 horses treated with LAIO (6.7%). MAIN LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design, small numbers and the use of other treatments prior to use of LAIO. CONCLUSIONS: LAIO was found to be non-inferior to oral omeprazole for EGGD. Larger blinded randomised clinical trials are justified.

TISSUE AND GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES OF COLONIZING NINE-BANDED ARMADILLOS AT THE EDGE OF THEIR NORTHERN RANGE.

Originally endemic to South America, the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) has recently expanded its range northward to Illinois. With this range expansion comes concern regarding potential incoming pathogens; our research, conducted during 2012-2020, consisted of screening armadillos for the presence of helminths, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Mycobacterium leprae. We screened for the presence of T. cruzi and M. leprae, 2 pathogens known to infect humans, using polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. All 80 samples screened for T. cruzi and all 25 samples screened for M. leprae were negative. No parasite specific to the nine-banded armadillo, such as Aspidodera sogandaresi, was detected. This lack of infection is consistent with the idea that animals may be isolated from their common parasites during periods of range expansion. Lack of infection by T. cruzi in an endemic area suggests that these mammals may not be exposed to the infective stages at this early phase of their colonization. Presently, the armadillo has become established in Illinois, yet they have not introduced their parasites into the area. Our study represents the first effort to document the parasitological record of the expanding armadillo within 30 yr of their initial record in Illinois and the American Midwest. This helminthological record of armadillos in Illinois sets the timeline to observe the establishment of A. sogandaresi in the Midwest.