Objective-To compare sensitivity of several methods of bacteriologic culture of pooled bovine fecal samples for detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis and evaluate homogeneity in number of M paratuberculosisin pooled fecal samples. Sample Population-Feces from 10 dairy cows that shed M paratuberculosis at various concentrations and 1 dairy cow known to be free of infection with M paratuberculosis. Procedure-5 fecal pooling methods, 2 culture methods, and 2 pool sizes were evaluated. Each pooled sample contained 1 infected sample and 4 or 9 uninfected samples. Results-Sensitivity of detection of M paratuberculosis was greater with smaller pool size (5 vs 10 samples/ pool). Detection sensitivity was also associated with concentration of bacteria in the infected sample. Results indicated that, compared with concurrent bacterial culture of individual infected samples, 37 to 44% of pooled samples with low bacterial concentrations yielded positive culture results and 94% of pooled samples with high bacterial concentrations yielded positive results. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Bacteriologic culture of pooled fecal samples may provide a valid and cost-effective method of detecting M paratuberculosis infection in cattle herds.

Objective-To estimate pharmacokinetic variables and measure tissue fluid concentrations of meropenem after IV and SC administration in dogs. Animals-6 healthy adult dogs. Procedure-Dogs were administered a single dose of meropenem (20 mg/kg) IV and SC in a crossover design. To characterize the distribution of meropenem in dogs and to evaluate a unique tissue fluid collection method, an in vivo ultrafiltration device was used to collect interstitial fluid. Plasma, tissue fluid, and urine samples were analyzed by use of high-performance liquid chromatography. Protein binding was determined by use of an ultrafiltration device. Results-Plasma data were analyzed by compartmental and noncompartmental pharmacokinetic methods. Mean +/- SD values for half-life, volume of distribution, and clearance after IV administration for plasma samples were 0.67 +/- 0.07 hours, 0.372 +/- 0.053 L/kg, and 6.53 +/- 1.51 mL/min/kg, respectively, and half-life for tissue fluid samples was 1.15 +/- 0.57 hours. Half-life after SC administration was 0.98 +/- 0.21 and 1.31 +/- 0.54 hours for plasma and tissue fluid, respectively. Protein binding was 11.87%, and bioavailability after SC administration was 84%. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Analysis of our data revealed that tissue fluid and plasma (unbound fraction) concentrations were similar. Because of the kinetic similarity of meropenem in the extravascular and vascular spaces, tissue fluid concentrations can be predicted from plasma concentrations. We concluded that a dosage of 8 mg/kg, SC, every 12 hours would achieve adequate tissue fluid and urine concentrations for susceptible bacteria with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.12 µg/mL.

Objective-To use antibodies produced by calves in response to infection with Mannheimia haemolytica in immunoaffinity chromatography for the identification and subsequent isolation of the dominant immunogenic antigens from bacteria grown in irondeficient media. Sample Population-Serum from 10 calves actively infected with M haemolytica. Procedure-An outer membrane protein fraction was obtained from sonicated salt-extracted M haemolytica cells by extraction with N-lauroyl sarcosinate. The immunoglobulin fraction of serum from calves actively infected with M haemolytica was used to prepare an immunoaffinity column. The immunoaffinity column was used to isolate the dominant immunogenic proteins from the outer membrane protein fraction. The resultant immunogenic protein fraction was subjected to ELISA and immunoblot methods as well as carbohydrate quantification. Sequencing of the N-terminal was performed on the most prominent protein. Results-5 immunogenic proteins with molecular weights of 42, 30, 24, 20, and 15 kd were isolated. The immunogenic protein fraction was found to contain 51% carbohydrate. The immunoaffinity column capacity was 1 µg of immunogenic protein/mL of gel. The N-terminal sequence of the 42-kd protein was Tyr-Gln-Thr-Tyr-Gln-Ser-X-Leu-Gln, where X could not be identified. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Immunogenic proteins were isolated by use of immunoaffinity chromatography. A substantial amount of carbohydrates was co-purified in the process. Additional experiments are needed to determine whether the carbohydrates would hinder or enhance development of vaccine preparations. This method could potentially allow a more rapid production of antigens for use in vaccines.