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.

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.

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.