A 474-base pair segment covering the hypervaible region of VP2 gene from six Korean infectious bursal disease virus(K-IBDV) isolates(K1, K2, SH/92, 225, 269, 310) and one attenuated IBDV(DAE) were amplified using RT-PCR, sequenced, and compared with published sequences for IBDV. K-IBDV isolates(K1, K2, SH/92, 225, 269) and foreigh very virulent(vv) IBDV strains had 94.93-100% amino cid sequence similarity. K-IBDV isolate 310 and other K-IBDV isolates had 84.31%-86.07% amino acid sequence similarity. Attenuated strain(DAE), like other attenuated strain, has substitution at positions 279(D to N) and 284(A to T) as well as in the serine-rich heptapeptide region. Five K-IBDV isolates except 310 isolate share unique amino acid residues at positions 222(A), 256(I), 294(I) which are not present in other standard and attenuated strains. At the two hydrophilic region, K-IBDV isolates except 310 isolate had identical amino cids comparing with Belgium vv IVDV 894VB but had four amino acid substitutions comparing with Chinese vv IBDV F9502. The SWSASGS heptapeptide is conserved in all KIBDV isolates. The sequence of K-IBDV isolate 310 was markedly different from other IBDV strains, evolving from a separate lineage than the others. By phylogenetic analysis, Five K-IBDV isolates except 310 isolate were categorized in one group with foreign vv IBDV isolates but K-IBDV isolate 310 was categorized ina separate group which was differentiated form other compared IBDV strains.

peer reviewed | Objective-To evaluate efficacy of intra-articular injection of gadolinium tetra- azacyclododecane tetraacetic acid (gadolinium-DOTA) for delineating fragmented medial coronoid processes (FMCP) and lesions on the medial aspect of the humeral condyle (MAHC). Sample Population-14 cubital joints in 9 dogs. Procedure-Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed with and without intra-articular injection of a solution of 2 mmol of gadolinium-DOTA/L. Arthrographic images obtained after injection of contrast medium were compared with those obtained without contrast medium. Evidence of contrast medium around or in the medial coronoid process and infiltration of contrast medium in subchondral bone lesions was recorded, Twenty-four hours after imaging, arthroscopy was performed, and lesions detected were correlated with results of MRI. Results-An abnormal coronoid process was diagnosed in 13 of 14 joints. A fragmented process (free) was seen in 7 of 14 joints; nondisplaced mineralized medial tin situ) coronoid processes were evident in 4 joints; and nondisplaced unmineralized medial coronoid processes were evident in 2 joints. Lesions on the MAHC were diagnosed in 4 of 12 joints. In 5 joints, a hyperintense signal resulted from contrast medium that infiltrated between the fragmented process and ulna. In 2 joints, contrast medium did not infiltrate completely around the process and was stopped by an isointense structure tie, abnormal cartilage). Subchondral bone lesions were enhanced by use of contrast medium. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance-Use of arthrography enabled us to identify FMCP easily, but did not provide important additional information about changes on the medial coronoid process, compared with MRI performed without contrast medium.

peer reviewed | OBJECTIVE: To assess sensitivity of scintigraphic alveolar clearance rate as an indicator of alveolar epithelium damage in horses. ANIMALS: 5 healthy horses (group A) and 5 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; group B). PROCEDURE: Horses underwent clearance rate (k [%/min]) determination. Clearance rate of group-B horses was determined after remission of the disease following 2 months at pasture (remission 1), stabling in a controlled environment (remission 2), and during crisis induced by exposure to moldy hay and straw. Methacholine challenge test was performed at each investigation period to determine nonspecific pulmonary airway hyperresponsiveness. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) also were performed, and cell populations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were determined on another occasion. RESULTS: Group-B horses had significantly faster mean clearance rate during crisis (k = 4.30+/-0.95%/min), compared with that for remission 1(k = 1.98+/-0.55%/min), which did not differ from the rate in group-A horses (k = 1.95+/-0.33%/min). Despite lack of clinical signs of COPD during remission when stabled in a controlled environment, an intermediate value was found (k = 3.20+/-0.72%/min). CONCLUSIONS: This technique allowed grading of lung damage induced by COPD, whereas use of PFT and determination of BAL fluid cell populations failed to differentiate between remission 1 and remission 2. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Determination of alveolar clearance rate by use of scintigraphy is a sensitive indicator of lung damage. A modified clearance rate was found despite the lack of clinical and functional changes

peer reviewed | OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of inhalation of feed flour dust and dustborne endotoxin on respiratory tracts of pigs. ANIMALS: 29 healthy Belgian Landrace pigs. PROCEDURE: Pigs housed in an environmental chamber were exposed for 6 days to feed flour dust (1 to 15 mg/m3) and dustborne endotoxins (50 to 2,500 ng/m3). Effects were evaluated by measuring albumin concentration, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, cell composition of nasal lavage (NL) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids and blood, and percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in blood and lavage fluids. Dustborne endotoxin was obtained by mixing endotoxins from Escherichia coli (serotype O127:B8) with feed flour before spraying the flour in the environmental chamber. RESULTS: Exposure did not affect cell composition of NL fluid or blood. Total cell counts of BAL fluids were increased in all groups exposed to dust. Macrophage counts were increased in pigs exposed to inhalable dust concentrations as low as 4.4 mg/m3, and lymphocyte counts were increased in groups exposed to high dust concentrations. Percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in blood and lavage fluids were unchanged. In all dust-exposed groups, albumin content of BAL fluid was increased, whereas LDH activity was unaffected. Macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration and edema in the bronchi were identified by light microscopy. Effects attributable to E. coli endotoxin exposure were not identified. CONCLUSIONS: Inhalation of feed flour dust did not affect nasal mucosa but did induce bronchial airway inflammation. Dustborne endotoxins did not have effects attributable to endotoxin alone.

peer reviewed | OBJECTIVE: To evaluate left and right ventricular filling and ejection performances by use of Doppler echocardiography in healthy, conscious dogs submitted to dobutamine stress testing. ANIMALS: 10 unsedated, healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURE: Doppler echocardiography was performed during cardiac stress testing on each dog twice at 24-hour intervals. Dobutamine was infused in 10 micrograms/kg of body weight/min incremental dosages, from 12.5 to 42.5 micrograms/kg/min. Duration of each step was 15 minutes. Doppler measurements were recorded at baseline and at each stage of dobutamine infusion, whereas aortic diameter was measured at baseline and at peak dosage by use of two-dimensional echocardiography. RESULTS: Dobutamine infusion induced a significant increase in velocity time integrals and in peak flow velocities at the aortic, pulmonic, mitral, and tricuspid valves. Acceleration time-to-deceleration time ratio at the aortic wave also was increased significantly. On the other hand, ejection time, acceleration time, and deceleration time at the aortic and pulmonic valves and peak flow velocity of the E wave-to-peak flow velocity of the A wave ratio at the mitral and tricuspid valves decreased significantly during the test. The acceleration time-to-deceleration time ratio at the pulmonic wave was unchanged. A significant, progressive increase in cardiac index also was observed during dobutamine infusion, with a maximal increase of 104% from baseline. This was mediated initially by an increase in stroke index and, at higher dosages, by an increase in heart rate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Doppler echocardiography performed during dobutamine stress testing may be a reliable method of assessing myocardial function in dogs with cardiovascular disease.

peer reviewed | Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a specific enzyme of neutrophil azurophilic granules with a strong oxidative activity. Thanks to a radioimmunoassay of equine myeloperoxidase, the authors have observed a significantly higher plasma level of MPO in horses operated for strangulation obstruction of the large intestine (n = 6) than in horses suffering from a non-strangulating displacement of the large intestine (n = 9). For the 2 groups, 3 phases were distinguished: reception (P1), intensive care (P2) and terminal phase (P3). The mean peak values of MPO for these phases were 121.6 ng/mL (P1), 168.6 ng/mL (P2), and 107.0 ng/mL (P3) for the non-strangulating group, and 242.6 ng/mL (P1); 426.0 ng/mL (P2), and 379.5 ng/mL (P3) for the strangulation group. The variations of the mean peak values of plasma MPO were significantly different between the 2 groups and between the different phases. A significant increase of the least square means of MPO was observed between P1 and P2. A significant decrease of the least square means of the number of circulating leukocytes was observed between P1 and P3. Polymorphonuclear neutrophil activation could play a major role in the pathogenesis of acute abdominal disease and endotoxic shock.

Digital color doppler ultrasonographic system(DCDUS) has a lot of diagnostic functions. One of these is a detection of low velocity vessels in the organs of abdominal cavity. The purpose of study was to determine the clinical usefulness of DCDUS. Interlobar artery resistive index(RI), pulsatility index(PI) and systolic diastolic ratio(SDr) were measured for diagnosis of obstructed urinary tract. RI, PI and SDr were a measure of intrarenal blood flow impedance. This study was consisted of 2 groups. The normal group was studied in 16 normal adult dogs and the study group was studied 7 dogs with surgically induced, unilateral ureateral obstruction. In the study group, parameters were checked in nirmal condition and on 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10th day after ligation. The result were summarized as follows. In the normal group, RI, PI and SDr of the left kidney was 0.65+_0.04, 1.25+_0.12 and 292.45+_29.40, respectively. RI, PI and SDr of the right kidney were 0.64+_0.05, 1.28+_0.20 and 282.25+_37.26, respectively. In the study group, RI of the left kidney induced ligation was increased sighificantly on 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10th day. RI of the left kidney on 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10th day wee 0.75+_0.05, 0.71+_0.03, 0.74+_0.04, 0.74+_0.02, 0.73+_0.02 and 0.73+_0.04, respectively. PI of the left kidney was increased significantly on 1, 3, 5 and 7th day. PI of the left kidney on 1, 3, 5 and 7th day were 1. 57+_0.21, 1.54+_0.24, 1.60+_0.15 and 1.60+_0.26, respectively. SDr of the left kidney increased significantly on 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7th day. SDr of the left kidney on 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7th day were 412.18+_86.69, 352.14+_47.05, 399.77+_65.54, 369.43+_48.34 and 365.57+_22.46, respectively(p0.05). In the study group, RI of the left kidney was more increased than that of the right kidney on 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10th day. PI of the left kidney was more increased than that of the right kidney on 1, 3, 5, and 7th day. SDr of the left kidney was more increased than that of the right kidney on 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7th day(p0.05). RI was effective in the diagnosis of an acute unilateral ureteral obstruction. PI and SDr were insufficient in the diagnosis of an acute unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Porcine Proliferative Ebterophthy(PPE) is an infectious enteric disease and a major cause of economic loss in swine industry due to weight loss, poor growth and sudden death in growing and finishing pigs at 6 tp 20 weeks of age. PPE has been diagnosed by clinical sighs, syndrom and lesions in the intestine in Korea. However, the diagnostic method had several problems in the detection of infected or carrier pigs. Therefore, in this study, we established the polymerase chain reaction(PCR) which ws a fast, specific and sensitive method for identification of Lawsonia intracellularis(L intracellularis). We designed and synthesized primer on the 16S rDNA and p78 gene encoding L intracellularis. Specificity of the method was confirmed by comparison of the PCR results using other enteric bacteria and the study has shown that PCR method was sensitive to detect 1ng of genomic DNA as a template. Identity of the PCR products was confirmed by comparison of pattern of restriction endonclease analysis with restriction enzyme HaeIII and PstI. Also, the PCR method was applicable to the naturally affected pigs with PPE. Based on the results from this study, the PCR method could be used as a fast and specific diagnostic tool for PPE.

To investigate the regional distribution and relative frequency of the neurotensin-, pancreatic polypeptide(PP)- and gastrin/cholecystokinin(Gas/CCK)-immunoreactive cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the bullfrog(Rana catesbeiana) with developmental stages, group of bullfrogs subdivided into the tadpole withhindlegs, metamorphosed bullfrog with tail, 2 weeks after metamorphosed bullfrog and adult bullfrog, were stained by immunohistochemical methods(PAP methods). Neurotensin-immunoreactive cells were observed from the pylorus of the metamorphosed bullfrog with tail, but these cells were not detected after that periods. PP-immunoreactive cells were dectected from the adult bullfrog in the pylorus, duodenum and ileum. These cells were most predominant in the pylorus. Gas/CCK-immunoreactive cells were observed from the adult bullfrog in the pylorus. According to these results, most of immunoreactive cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the bullfrog were appeared after the complete metamorphosed periods, in which the complete differentiation of structure of gastrointestinal tract were occurred, and variable changes of the regional distribution and relative frequency with developmental stages were observed.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effect of chitosan-oligosaccharides(CHIOL) on hydrophobicity of pathogenic E coli including a field isolate from suckling piglet with diarrhea, E coli-0157:H7, and E coli-O149:K88ac. E coli field isolate appeared adhesion of 100% to n-hexadecne between 0.00125% and 0.05% CHIOL. E coli-O157:H7 occurred adhesion of 69% and 64% under the level of 0.00125% and 0.025% CHIOL, respectively. E coli-O149:K88ac showed adhesion of 100% in higher than 0.025% CHIOL. For cationic action, the adhesion of E coli isolate and E coli-O149:K88ac to n-hexadecane were inhibited at level of higher than 10mM Ca2+ but did not induce any difference among the concentrations used(p0.01). However,the adhesion of E coli-O157:H7 to n-hexadecane was inhibited at level of higher than 50mM Ca2+. In a field trial, control piglets showed average mortality of up to 58% during 3 days after the onset of diarrhea. In contrast, the prevalence of E coli-induced diarrhea in CHIOL-treated groups without mortality was dropped down to average 34% on the 1st day after the treatment of CHIOL, and average 2% on the 4th day. After then, piglets with diarrhea was not present. In conclusion, the low concentrations of CHIOL were most likely to associate with the enhancement of hydrophobicit to pathogenic E coli. Calcium inhibited the hydrophobicity of E coli by CHIOL. These results suggested that CHIOL could be played an efficient and reliable role in treating enteric colibacillosis of piglets.