Objective--To evaluate antimicrobial activity of bovine bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (bBPI)-derived synthetic peptides against mastitis-causing gram-negative bacteria. Sample Population--Bacterial isolates from the milk of cows with clinical mastitis. Procedures--3 peptides were synthesized with sequences corresponding to amino acids 65 to 99 (bBPI6599) or 142 to 169 (bBPI142169) or the combination of amino acids 90 to 99 and 148 to 161 (bBPI9099,148161) of bBPI. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of these peptides against bacterial isolates from cows with mastitis were determined by use of a standardized broth microdilution assay. The ability of these peptides to retain their antimicrobial activity in serum and milk was also evaluated. Finally, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-neutralizing activity of these peptides was assayed with the Limulus amebocyte lysate test. Results--Of the 3 peptides tested, bBPI9099,148161 had the widest spectrum of antimicrobial activity, with MIC and MBC values ranging from 16 to 64 Mg/mL against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter spp and from 64 to 128 Mg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. None of the peptides had any growth-inhibitory effect on Serratia marcescens. The antimicrobial activity of bBPI9099,148161 was inhibited in milk, but preserved in serum. Finally, bBPI142169 and bBPI9099,148161 completely neutralized LPS. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--bBPI9099,148161 is a potent neutralizer of the highly proinflammatory molecule bacterial LPS and has antimicrobial activity against a variety of gram-negative bacteria. The ability of bBPI9099,148161 to retain antimicrobial activity in serum suggests a potential therapeutic application for this peptide in the management of gram-negative septicemia.

Koch (1844) originally described only the male of Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) elliptica (Koch, 1844), which he named Rhipistoma ellipticum. For the past century, however, this name has been considered a junior synonym of Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) leachi (Audouin, 1826), or a nomen nudum. We redescribe here the male and larva of H. (R.) elliptica and describe the female and nymph for the first time. Our redescription is based on the male holotype, plus numerous specimens from southern and East Africa. The adults of this tick parasitize domestic and wild carnivores, and the immature stages infest rodents in these regions. For comparative purposes redescriptions of all parasitic stages of H. (R.) leachi are provided. It parasitizes the same hosts as H. (R.) elliptica in Egypt, and in northeastern, Central, West and East Africa.

Between January 1999 and December 2000 faecal samples from 16 264 cattle at 12 dipping sites in the highveld and nine in the lowveld communal grazing areas of Zimbabwe were examined for gastrointestinal (GI) nematode and cestodes eggs, and coccidia oocysts. Strongyle larvae were identified following culture of pooled faecal samples collected at monthly intervals. The effects of region, age, sex and season on the prevalence of GI nematodes, cestodes and coccidia were determined. Faecal egg and oocyst counts showed an overall prevalence of GI nematodes of 43 %, coccidia 19.8 % and cestodes 4.8 %. A significantly higher prevalence of infection with GI nematodes, cestodes and coccidia was recorded in calves (P < 0.01) than in adults. Pregnant and lactating cows had significantly higher prevalences than bulls, oxen and non-lactating (dry cows) (P < 0.01). The general trend of eggs per gram (epg) of faeces and oocysts per gram (opg) of faeces was associated with the rainfall pattern in the two regions, with high epg and opg being recorded during the wet months. The most prevalent genera of GI nematodes were Cooperia, Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus in that order. Strongyloides papillosus was found exclusively in calves. Haemonchus was significantly more prevalent during the wet season than the dry season (P < 0.01). In contrast, Trichostrongylus was present in significantly (P < 0.01) higher numbers during the dry months than the wet months, while Cooperia and Oesophagostomum revealed no significant differences between the wet and dry season. These findings are discussed with reference to their relevance for strategic control of GI parasites in cattle in communal grazing areas of Zimbabwe.

To establish a statistically reliable sampling strategy for serological surveillance of classical swine fever (CSF) in Korea, antibody test data from CSF surveillance conducted during year 2005 were analyzed. The most appropriate sampling method was determined to be stratified multi-stage random sampling strategy, in which the primary sampling unit is a pig farm and the secondary are the pigs by the strata of breeders and finishers in the selected farm. The optimum sample size was 5 to 19 including 1 to 2 breeders according to the number of pigs in the farm.

Pasteurella multocida D:4 producing Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT) is a causal pathogen in atrophic rhinitis in pigs. To investigate the protective immunity and vaccination effect of recombinant PMT, the gene for PMT was isolated from the infective P. multocida D:4. The 2.3 kb XhoI/PstI fragment (PMT2.3) of PMT gene was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) using the induced expression vector system. The recombinant protein of PMT2.3 having molecular weight of 84 kDa was purified by Ni-affinity column chromatography.

Environmental mastitis has increased particularly in well-managed or low somatic cell count herds that have successfully controlled contagious pathogens. Major pathogens of environmental mastitis are Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Streptococcus uberis. The present study was conducted to investigate the isolation and antibiotic susceptibility of 406 (21.8%) gram-negative bacteria isolated mastitis milk from 1,865 quaters of 241 Korean dairy farms from 2001 to 2004. Prevalence of major gram-negative bacteria isolated from mastitis milk were E. coli (22.7%) and Enterobacter spp. (16.3%) in coliforms and Pseudomoas spp. (10.3%) and Serratia spp. (7.9%) in non-coliforms.

Cutaneous asthenia or dematosparaxis is an uncommon, congenital and inherited connective tissue disease of dog and cat, resembling Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) in man. EDS is characterized by loose, hyperextensible and, fragile skin, it is attributed to mutations in connective tissue gene. These mutations cause defects in type Ⅰ or Ⅲ collagen synthesis and as a result lack of strength or elasticity to skin, joint, ligament and vessels. EDS-affected animals often experience subcutaneous hematomas that have long bleeding times.

A fourteen years old male oriental white stork from Korea Institute of Oriental White Stork Rehabilitation Research was presented to Veterinary Medical Center of Chungbuk National University with anorexia and lameness for 5 days. Bilateral intertarsal joint swellings were observed in physical examination. The radiographic findings indicated degenerative changes of joint cartilage and surrounding bones. In cytologic examination of synovial fluids, mononuclear leukocytic inflammation was identified. In blood films, a few fungal hyphae were observed and 2 fungal colonies were identified in blood culture on Sabroud dextrose agar.

A 3-year-old, intact female, Shih-tzu dog was presented with a 15-day history of vomiting, depression, and anorexia. On physical examination, systolic ejection murmurs with precordial thrill at the left heart base were detected. A diagnosis of congenital pulmonic stenosis (PS) was made mainly from the thoracic radiography, electrocardiography, and echocardiography. On complete blood counts and serum biochemistry profiles, the dog had already chronic renal failure (CRF). Thoracic radiography confirmed that main pulmonary artery was tremendously buldged and electrocardiography was suggestive of severe right ventricular hypertrophy.

Bone graft had been investigated previously to restore bone defects in orthopedics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy on new bone formation in bone autografts by treatment of implants. Cortical bone autografts were transplanted to midshaft of diaphyseal fibulae of 9 rabbits which were divided in 3 groups according to the treatment method of implants. Cortical bone implants for graft were treated with 3 different methods; freezing, freeze-drying, defat-freezing. Autografts were achieved by cross-transplantation method to bilateral fibulae of the presented rabbits after implant treatment procedures.