Validation and method comparison of the use of densitometry to quantify monoclonal proteins in canine sera.

Background: Densitometric quantitation using serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) is used to monitor monoclonal proteins (M-proteins) in human patients but has not been validated in the dog. Serum globulin concentrations, species-specific radial immunodiffusion (RID), and ELISAs are currently used in veterinary medicine.

Objective: We aimed to compare four methods that quantify M-proteins using densitometry and biuret protein (dM-protein) measurements.

Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella enterica transmission associated with starling-livestock interactions.

Bird-livestock interactions have been implicated as potential sources for bacteria within concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO). European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in particular are known to contaminate cattle feed and water with Salmonella enterica through their fecal waste. We propose that fecal waste is not the only mechanisms through which starlings introduce S.

Detection of different serotypes of Salmonella enterica in experimentally inoculated equine fecal samples by commercially available rapid tests.

Background: Salmonella enterica can significantly impact management of animal facilities. Comprehensive screening is essential for effective control in high-risk populations. Availability of reliable point-of-care diagnostic tests would facilitate these efforts.

Rapid Salmonella detection in experimentally inoculated equine faecal and veterinary hospital environmental samples using commercially available lateral flow immunoassays.

Reasons For Performing Study: Salmonella enterica is the most commonly reported cause of outbreaks of nosocomial infections in large animal veterinary teaching hospitals and the closure of equine hospitals. Rapid detection may facilitate effective control practices in equine populations. Shipping and laboratory testing typically require ≥48 h to obtain results.

Comparison of two sampling and culture systems for detection of Salmonella enterica in the environment of a large animal hospital.

Reasons For Performing Study: Nosocomial salmonellosis is an important problem in veterinary hospitals that treat horses and other large animals. Detection and mitigation of outbreaks and prevention of healthcare-associated infections often require detection of Salmonella enterica in the hospital environment.

Objectives: To compare 2 previously published methods for detecting environmental contamination with S.

Environmental Salmonella in agricultural fair poultry exhibits in Colorado.

Salmonella enterica is a common zoonotic pathogen in humans. Transmission typically occurs through consumption of contaminated food products or contact with infected animals, including poultry or their environment. The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency of Salmonella contamination in the environment in poultry exhibits at agricultural fairs.

Efficacy of intranasal administration of a modified live feline herpesvirus 1 and feline calicivirus vaccine against disease caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica after experimental challenge.

Background: Studies suggest that intranasal vaccination can stimulate nonspecific immunity against agents not contained within the vaccine, but this effect is not reported for cats.

Hypothesis: A modified live feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV) intranasal vaccine will reduce clinical signs of disease caused by experimental infection with Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Animals: Twenty specific pathogen-free 12-week-old kittens.

Isolation of Vibrio cholerae from the brain of a feedlot heifer with meningoencephalitis.

A 700-pound, 9-month-old Angus heifer from a feedlot presented with acute neurologic signs, characterized by circling, posterior weakness, and nonresponsiveness, followed by death. Histologically, the frontal lobe and the thalamus contained multiple foci of liquefaction that contained numerous degenerative neutrophils and foamy macrophages. Some of these foci were centered on blood vessels that contained fibrin thrombi and exhibited varying degrees of fibrinoid necrosis of the vessel wall.

Use of a simulation model to evaluate sampling strategies for characterization of antimicrobial resistance in non-type-specific Escherichia coli isolated from dairy cows.

Objective: To evaluate various sampling strategies for potential use in measuring prevalence of antimicrobial susceptibility in cattle.

Sample Population: 500 isolates of non-type-specific Escherichia coli (NTSEC) isolated from the feces of 50 cows from 2 dairy farms (25 cows/farm and 10 isolates/cow).

Procedures: Diameters of inhibition zones for 12 antimicrobials were analyzed to estimate variation among isolates, cows, and farms and then used to determine sampling distributions for a stochastic simulation model to evaluate 4 sampling strategies.

Hydrochlorothiazide efficacy and polymorphisms in ACE, ADD1 and GNB3 in healthy, male volunteers.

Objective: The antihypertensive effect of thiazide diuretics has recently been associated with genetic variation in the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), alpha-adducin (ADD1) and the G protein subunit beta3 (GNB3). Analysis of short-term diuretic effects may provide insight into the mechanisms behind these findings.

Methods: A total of 103 male volunteers took 25 and 100 mg hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) after a placebo day, each.

Identification of two phylogenetically related organisms from feces by PCR for detection of Salmonella spp.

Two previously reported PCR methods were evaluated to determine whether they are as sensitive and specific as conventional culture methods in detecting Salmonella spp. from feces. Bovine and equine feces were enriched overnight in brain heart infusion broth and assayed using PCR methods and primer sets described by other investigators.

Population-based study of fecal shedding of Clostridium perfringens in broodmares and foals.

Objective: To determine the percentage of broodmares and foals that shed Clostridium perfringens in their feces and classify the genotypes of those isolates.

Design: Prospective cross-sectional study.

Animals: 128 broodmares and their foals on 6 equine premises.