A study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of fosfomycin in controlling streptococcosis in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of fosfomycin against multiple S. iniae isolates showed a sensitivity range of 12.5- 25 'g/mL. The fosfomycin dose levels tested were 40, 60, and 80 mg of active ingredient per kilogram fish per day. Administration of medicated feed started one day after infection by immersion exposure to S. iniae and continued for eight days. Survival rates of fosfomycin treated groups were 90, 100 and 96.6% with an average survival of 95. 53 %. On contrary, survival rates of infected non treated groups were 3.3%. All survivors and negative control groups showed no clinical signs, no gross pathology together with negative S. iniae re-isolation.

A total of 100 fat samples were collected from slaughtered cattle at Beni-Suef slaughter house. Animals were randomly selected from the slaughter line. The age of the slaughtered cattle was normally less than three years (18-30 months). Samples were separately packed in plastic bags, identified and stored at -18°C until analysis. The analysis was conducted at Max Rubbner Institute, Kulmbach, Germany for PCDDs, PCDFs and dl-PCBs. The average concentration sum for PCDD calculated as upper bound pg WHO-TEQ/g was 1.71 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat. While the average concentration sum for PCDFs was 4.93 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat. The average concentration sum of dl PCBs including non-ortho and mono-ortho PCBs was 5.091 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat. The total TEQ value for PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs was 11.74 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat. The residual levels of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in the examined beef fat samples were higher than the proposed maximum permitted levels set by the European Commission (2006).

Free-range rural chickens (FRCs) dominate the poultry industry in developing countries and chickens are exposed to multi-host infections, including Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The knowledge about the characteristics of NDV from FRCs is limited. This study investigated the persistence, spread and risks of NDV from FRCs. NDV isolates (n = 21) from unvaccinated FRCs in Tanzania were characterised by conventional intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) and sequence analysis of a partial region of the deduced fusion protein encompassing the cleavage site. Results showed that five isolates were screened as lentogenic, nine as mesogenic and six as velogenic. Phylogenetic analysis of the 21 isolates compared to reference sequences revealed three, four, nine and five isolates in genotypes 1, 2, 3c and 4a, respectively. Genotype 3c also included published sequences of Tanzanian isolates obtained from exotic birds and chicken isolates from Uganda. The analysis showed that NDV were persistently present among chicken populations and possibly spread through live chicken markets or migration of wild birds. Differences in amino acid sequences detected around the cleavage site separated the isolates in six types. However, cleavage site pattern could not fully differentiate mesogenic isolates from velogenic isolates.

Injury due to burning is known to impact on coagulation and haemostasis by disturbing the coagulation cascade and is also associated with impaired fibrinolysis. Also, venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and hypercoagulability are common during thermal injury. Using a Wistar albino rat model, we investigated in this study whether burn injury affects the ultrastructure of the fibrin networks. A typical fibrin network will contain mostly major, thick fibres with minor, thin fibres distributed amongst them. We found that the clot architecture changes after burn injury, showing more prominent minor, thin fibres in a netted appearance. Also, the clot showed areas of matted fibrin. We suggest that the thrombotic events associated with burn injury are due to the thickened and netlike areas formed when thrombin activates the coagulation cascade. This is due to impaired fibrinolysis activities, causing the resulting fibrin clots not to be successfully disseminated. Small fragments of these netted, clumped areas may therefore break loose and lead to thrombotic events after burn injuries. The current study therefore provided morphological evidence for thrombotic events associated with burn injury.

This study investigated the prevalence, risk factors and species composition of ticks, fleas and lice infesting dogs and cats in and around Hawassa in southern Ethiopia. In total, 200 dogs and 100 cats were examined from November 2008 to April 2009. Of the dogs and cats examined, 99.5% and 91.5%, respectively, were infested with one or more species of ticks, fleas or lice. The overall prevalence was higher in dogs than in cats. A total of six different species of ectoparasites were collected and identified from dogs, but only three species from cats. Ctenocephalides felis was the predominant species amongst the animals, with a prevalence of 82.9% on dogs and 67% on cats. Other prevalent species on dogs included Ctenocephalides canis (73.8%), Heterodoxus spiniger (4%), nymphs of Amblyomma spp. (3.5%), Pulex irritans (2.5%) and Haemaphysalis leachi (0.5%). C. canis (18%) and P. irritans (6%) were also found on cats. More female than male fleas and lice were observed. The study revealed that the prevalence of fleas, ticks and lice on dogs was not significantly different between male and female animals or between young and adult dogs. However, the prevalence of these ectoparasites was significantly higher in female than in male and in adult than in young cats. The study showed that the prevalence of ectoparasites on both dogs and cats was significantly higher on animals with flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) than those without FAD, and on animals with lesions on their skin compared with those without lesions.

Gentamicin is an effective aminoglycoside antibiotic against severe infections. In spite of inducing nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage, gentamicin is used clinically due to its wide spectrum of activities against Gram negative bacterial infections. Its nephrotoxicity occurs by selective accumulation in renal proximal convoluting tubules. Its nephrotoxicity involves renal free radical generation and reduction in antioxidant defense mechanisms. A potential therapeutic approach to protect or reverse gentamicin-induced oxidative stressand nephrotoxicity would have more importance for clinical consequences. Therefore, thepresent study was designed to investigate the possible antioxidant protective effects of oxytocin and silymarin against gentamicin-induced renal damage in rats. A total of 40 adult male albino rats were divided into four groups. The first group is the control group that received normal saline (1ml/kg/i.p/day for 8 consecutive days), the second group was treated withgentamicin(80mg/kg/i.p/day for 8 days), the third group was treated with gentamicin (80mg/kg/i.p/day for 8 days) and oxytocin (5 I.U/kg/i.p/day for 8 days) and the fourth group was treated with gentamicin (80mg/kg/i.p/day for 8 days) and salymarin in a dose of (50 mg/kg orally/day for 8 days). Some biochemical and histopathological examinations of kidneys were performed after treatment for evaluation of the oxidative stress and renal nephrotoxicity. Gentamicin treatment significantly increased serum urea and creatinine levels and AST activities. Also gentamicin significantly decreased the total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity in renal tissues. Renal tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) has a non significant increase, while renal reduced glutathione (GSH) wasn't changed. Study of renal morphology showed degenerative changes in the form of cloudy swelling, hydropic degeneration and glomerular necrosis in gentamicin group. Administration of oxytocin and silymarin with gentamicin ameliorated to some degree the biochemical changes and oxidative stress parameters against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. It was concluded that treatments with these antioxidants could have beneficial effects in treatment of gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity.

Intestinal contents were collected from eight impala at three different localities during the winter hunting season (2005–2009), as well as from another 24 animals from a one-year trial at a game farm called Ditholo (2003–2004). Gas production, protozoa counts and several other physiological parameters were measured from both rumen and caecum or colon contents. Only higher ophryoscolecid and Isotrichidae species of protozoa were counted and identified. Ostracodinium gracile was present in all 32 impala. Eudiplodinium maggii was present in 31 animals and Eudiplodinium impalae and Epidinium (either ecaudatum or caudatum) in 30 animals. Dasytricha ruminantium was present in only 11 of the impala. Concentrations of protozoa were correlated with the season of sample collection and highly correlated with the animals living on the game farm. Gas production (mL/g of wet rumen ingesta) was weakly correlated with protozoa concentration but not with the season of collection.

Objective—To quantify changes in hoof wall strain distribution associated with exercise and time in Standardbreds. Animals—18 young adult Standardbreds. Procedures—9 horses were exercised 4 d/wk for 30 to 45 minutes at a medium trot for 4 months; 9 nonexercised horses served as the control group. Rosette strain gauges were used to measure the principal surface strains at the toe, lateral quarter of the hoof wall (LQ), and medial quarter of the hoof wall (MQ) of the right forefoot at the beginning and end of the experiment. Midstance maximal (msepsilon1) and minimal (msepsilon2) principal and peak minimal principal (pkepsilon2) surface strains were measured; SDs of each of those variables were also calculated. Results were compared through ANOVA of time and exercise effects between and within the groups. Results—Both the exercised and nonexercised groups had changes in strain distribution in their hooves over time. The msepsilon1 did not change significantly with exercise; however, it changed significantly in both groups at both hoof quarters over time. At the beginning of the study, mean msepsilon2 and pkepsilon2 values were significantly higher in the exercised group than in the control group at the MQ and LQ but not at the toe. At the end of the study, these values were significantly higher in the control group than in the exercised group at the toe but not at the MQ or LQ. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Detected changes in hoof wall surface strain may indicate the ability of hoof capsule material to respond to exercise. A better understanding of hoof adaptation to applied forces may allow implementation of proper trimming and shoeing techniques to promote adaptation to exercise loads in horses.

Objective—To provide a detailed computed tomography (CT) reference of the anatomically normal equine stifle joint. stifle joints. Procedures—CT of the stifle joint was performed on 8 hind limbs. In all limbs, CT was also performed after intra-articular injection of 60 mL of contrast material (150 mg of iodine/mL) in the lateral and medial compartments of the femorotibial joint and 80 mL of contrast material in the femoropatellar joint (CT arthrography). Reformatted CT images in the transverse, parasagittal, and dorsal plane were matched with corresponding anatomic slices of the 8 remaining limbs. Results—The femur, tibia, and patella were clearly visible. The patellar ligaments, common origin of the tendinous portions of the long digital extensor muscle and peroneus tertius muscle, collateral ligaments, tendinous portion of the popliteus muscle, and cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments could also be consistently evaluated. The cruciate ligaments and the meniscotibial ligaments could be completely assessed in the arthrogram sequences. Margins of the meniscofemoral ligament and the lateral and medial femoropatellar ligaments were difficult to visualize on the precontrast and postcontrast images. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—CT and CT arthrography were used to accurately identify and characterize osseous and soft tissue structures of the equine stifle joint. This technique may be of value when results from other diagnostic imaging techniques are inconclusive. The images provided will serve as a CT reference for the equine stifle joint

Objective—To directly assess microcirculatory changes associated with induced hemorrhagic shock by use of sidestream dark field microscopy (SDM) and correlate those values with concurrently measured macrovascular and blood gas variables in healthy anesthetized dogs. Animals—12 adult dogs. Procedures—Dogs were anesthetized and splenectomized. Instrumentation and catheterization were performed for determination of macrohemodynamic and blood gas variables. Hemorrhagic shock was induced via controlled hemorrhage to a mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) of 40 mm Hg. Dogs were maintained in the shock state (MAP, 35 to 45 mm Hg) for 60 minutes. An SDM device was used to image microcirculation of buccal mucosa, and vascular analysis software was used to determine microcirculatory variables. These values were compared with other cardiovascular and blood gas variables to determine correlations. Results—Following hemorrhage, there was a significant decrease in microvascular variables (mean ± SD), including proportion of perfused vessels (82.77 ± 8.32% vs 57.21 ± 28.83%), perfused vessel density (14.86 ± 2.64 mm/m2 vs 6.66 ± 4.75 mm/m2), and microvascular flow index (2.54 ± 0.52 vs 1.59 ± 0.85). Perfused vessel density individually correlated well with macrovascular variables, with heart rate (zero order, partial correlation, and part correlation coefficients = −0.762, −0.884, and −0.793, respectively) and oxygen extraction ratio (−0.734, −0.832, and −0.746, respectively) being the most important predictors. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—SDM allowed real-time imaging of the microvasculature and has potential as an effective tool in experimental and clinical applications for monitoring microcirculatory changes associated with hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation in dogs.