Prenatal broad-spectrum cannabidiol administration prevents an autism-like phenotype in male offspring from a maternal stress/terbutaline rat model.

Recently, the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased from 1 in 150 to every 1 in 36 children in the United States, warranting a need for novel prevention and therapeutic strategies. Broad-spectrum cannabidiol oil, free from delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of cannabis, may be one such therapeutic. It has a high safety profile and is frequently used as a complementary and integrative intervention by persons experiencing symptoms of anxiety, stress, and inflammation.

An isolated white-tailed deer () population on St. John, US Virgin Islands shows low inbreeding and comparable heterozygosity to other larger populations.

This is the first study to document the genetic diversity of the white-tailed deer population on St. John, US Virgin Islands. The island population was founded by a small number of animals, has very limited hunting or predation, and recently experienced a reduction in size following an extended drought in 2015.

Effects of Pelleting, Irradiation, and Autoclaving of Rodent Feed on MPV and MNV Infectivity.

Murine norovirus (MNV) and mouse parvovirus (MPV) are among the most common adventitial viruses seen in laboratory mice, and infections arise in barrier facilities despite rigorous biosecurity programs. Some authors have implicated nonsterilized feed as a source of MPV in rodent facilities, but none have conclusively documented viral particles in the feed. In this study, we hypothesized that both viruses can resist the pelleting process but not subsequent irradiation or autoclaving, thus revealing a potential source of outbreaks in rodent facilities.

Spontaneous Recurrent Absence Seizure-like Events in Wild-Caught Rats.

Absence epilepsy is a heritable human neurological disorder characterized by brief nonconvulsive seizures with behavioral arrest, moderate-to-severe loss of consciousness (absence), and distinct spike-wave discharges (SWDs) in the EEG and electrocorticogram (ECoG). Genetic models of this disorder have been created by selectively inbreeding rats for absence seizure-like events with similar electrical and behavioral characteristics. However, these events are also common in outbred laboratory rats, raising concerns about whether SWD/immobility accurately reflects absence epilepsy as opposed to "normal" rodent behavior.

Hematologic Parameters and Viral Status for Zika, Chikungunya, Bluetongue, and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease in White-tailed Deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) on St. John, US Virgin Islands.

A population of white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) resides throughout the island of St. John, US Virgin Islands, predominately in the Virgin Islands National Park. Adult deer ( n=23), ranging from 1 yr to 8 yr old, were assessed to characterize body condition and health.

Viral Vector Biosafety in Laboratory Animal Research.

Viral vector research presents unique occupational health and safety challenges to institutions due to the rapid development of both in vivo and in vitro gene-editing technologies. Risks to human and animal health make it incumbent on institutions to appropriately evaluate viral vector usage in research on the basis of available information and governmental regulations and guidelines. Here we review the factors related to risk assessment regarding viral vector usage in animals and the relevant regulatory documents associated with this research, and we highlight the most commonly used viral vectors in research today.

Rhipicephalus microplus and Dermacentor nitens (Acari: Ixodidae) Coparasitize White-Tailed Deer on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Ticks parasitizing introduced white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann), on St. John, U.S.

False-positive results after environmental pinworm PCR testing due to Rhabditid nematodes in Corncob bedding.

Modern rodent colonies are housed in individually ventilated cages to protect the animals from contamination with adventitious pathogens. Standard health monitoring through soiled-bedding sentinels does not always detect infections, especially in the context of low pathogen prevalence. Recently proposed alternatives include analyzing environmental samples from the cages or rack exhaust by PCR to improve the detection of rodent pathogens but optimal sampling strategies have not yet been established for different microorganisms.

Correction of refractive errors in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) involved in visual research.

Macaques are the most common animal model for studies in vision research, and due to their high value as research subjects, often continue to participate in studies well into old age. As is true in humans, visual acuity in macaques is susceptible to refractive errors. Here we report a case study in which an aged macaque demonstrated clear impairment in visual acuity according to performance on a demanding behavioral task.

Brain abscess in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) with a cephalic implant.

We report a case of brain abscess after craniotomy and the placement of a recording chamber for electrophysiologic records in an adult rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) enrolled in visual research. Approximately 2 wk after surgery, the macaque presented with nonspecific gastrointestinal signs and showed no evidence of fever, neurologic deficits, increased intracranial pressure, suggestive alterations in the CBC, or abnormal changes in the recording chamber. The macaque responded to symptomatic and antibiotic treatment and showed no behavioral or abnormal clinical signs for 3 wk before collapsing suddenly.

Assessment of hazard risk associated with the intravenous use of viral vectors in rodents.

Viral vectors are emerging as potent basic research tools and gene therapy vehicles in many laboratory animal models. However, little information is available on the potential shedding of these vectors and the consequent exposure risk to investigators and animal care staff from animals over time. This study provides empirical information to Institutional Biosafety Committees and animal care programs, to enhance their ability to perform risk management of laboratory animals treated with viral vectors.

Failure and life cycle evaluation of watering valves.

Automated watering systems provide a reliable source of ad libitum water to animal cages. Our facility uses an automated water delivery system to support approximately 95% of the housed population (approximately 14,000 mouse cages). Drinking valve failure rates from 2002 through 2006 never exceeded the manufacturer standard of 0.

Management strategies for controlling endemic and seasonal mouse parvovirus infection in a barrier facility.

Despite improved diagnostic and rederivation capabilities, research facilities still struggle to manage parvovirus infections (e.g., mouse parvovirus (MPV) and minute virus of mice) in mouse colonies.

Intranasal immunization with recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus expressing murine cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B induces humoral and cellular immunity.

Cytomegalovirus is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among neonatal and immunocompromised patients. The use of vaccine prophylaxis continues to be an effective approach to reducing viral infections and their associated diseases. Murine cytomegalovirus (mCMV) has proven to be a valuable animal model in determining the efficacy of newly developed vaccine strategies in vivo.

Reliability of soiled bedding transfer for detection of mouse parvovirus and mouse hepatitis virus.

Serologic monitoring of sentinel mice exposed to soiled bedding is a common method of detecting viral infections in mice. Because bedding transfer protocols vary, the sensitivity of this method has not been documented sufficiently. We examined the reliability of bedding transfer during various stages of infection with mouse parvovirus (MPV) and mouse hepatitis virus (MHV).

Iatrogenic tension pneumothorax in a rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

The following case report describes a complication after accidental overinflation of the lungs in an anesthetized rabbit. After anesthetic induction, endotracheal intubation, and preparation for surgery, the rabbit's arterial oxygen saturation dropped. Positive-pressure ventilation was administered using manual compression on the reservoir bag.

CD4+ T-cell reconstitution reduces cytomegalovirus in the immunocompromised brain.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common opportunistic infection of the central nervous system in patients with human immunodeficiency virus or AIDS or on immunosuppressive drug therapy. Despite medical management, infection may be refractory to treatment and continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality. We investigated adoptive transfer as an approach to treat and prevent neurotropic CMV infection in an adult immunodeficient mouse model.

Cytomegalovirus induces T-cell independent apoptosis in brain during immunodeficiency.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common opportunistic viral pathogen associated with HIV/AIDS or immunosuppressive therapy. Systemic pathology may be caused either through direct virus-mediated infection or by indirect mechanisms such as 'by-stander' apoptosis. CMV infection of the central nervous system (CNS) occurs late in disease progression and understanding of pathology in the brain is fundamental for selection of appropriate therapies.

Complete protection from papillomavirus challenge after a single vaccination with a vesicular stomatitis virus vector expressing high levels of L1 protein.

We generated an attenuated, recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) expressing high levels of the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) L1 protein from an upstream site in the VSV genome. Rabbits vaccinated once with this VSV-L1 recombinant produced high levels of anti-L1 antibody and were completely protected against papilloma formation after challenge with CRPV. In contrast, animals vaccinated only once with a VSV vector expressing lower levels of L1 from a downstream site in the VSV genome generated lower levels of L1 antibody and demonstrated only incomplete protection from papilloma formation after challenge.

Systemic immune deficiency necessary for cytomegalovirus invasion of the mature brain.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant opportunistic pathogen associated with AIDS and immunosuppressive therapy. Infection of the mature central nervous system (CNS) can cause significant pathology with associated neurological deficits, mental disorders, and cognitive impairment and may have potentially fatal consequences. Using genetically immunocompromised mice, we studied mechanisms of CMV invasion into, and behavior within, the CNS.

Intranasal vaccination with a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus expressing cottontail rabbit papillomavirus L1 protein provides complete protection against papillomavirus-induced disease.

Immunizations with live recombinant vesicular stomatitis viruses (rVSV) expressing foreign viral proteins have successfully protected animals from challenges with several heterologous viruses. We developed an rVSV expressing the major capsid protein (L1) of cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) and tested the efficacy of protection following CRPV challenge. An rVSV expressing L1 of CRPV (VSV-L1) was characterized for the protective ability afforded by intranasal, intradermal, or intramuscular vaccination in rabbits subsequently challenged with CRPV.

Enhanced cytomegalovirus infection of developing brain independent of the adaptive immune system.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been suggested as the most prevalent infectious agent causing neurological dysfunction in the developing brain; in contrast, CMV infections are rare in the adult brain. One explanation generally given for the developmental susceptibility to the virus is that the developing immune system is too immature to protect the central nervous system from viral infection, but as the immune system develops it can protect the brain. We suggest an alternate view: that developing brain cells are inherently more susceptible to CMV infection, independent of the immune system.

Femoral fracture repair and postoperative management in new zealand white rabbits.

Low bone density and large muscle mass predispose rabbits to femoral fractures. However, there are few reports describing treatment and prognosis. Two New Zealand White rabbits presented with unilateral left rear limb abduction and lateral rotation of the distal left rear limb 2 and 17 days after experimental surgery to create a "stair step" in the patellar groove of the left medial femoral chondyle.