Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: C. Tothova Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovak Republic Author-Name: O. Nagy Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovak Republic Author-Name: G. Kovac Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovak Republic Title: Acute phase proteins and their use in the diagnosis of diseases in ruminants: a review Abstract: The acute phase response is a complex systemic early-defence system of reactions activated by trauma, infection, tissue damage, inflammation, stress or neoplasia. One of the most important elements of this response is the increased hepatic synthesis of some plasma proteins, collectively known as acute phase proteins. The discovery of these new biomarkers has allowed the clinical monitoring of different diseases; therefore, their clinical application has been studied widely in human medicine in order to improve the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, prognosis and therapeutics of many diseases. Although a wide range of studies have been carried out to determine the usefulness of acute phase proteins in several diseases also in animals, they are still relatively under-utilised in veterinary medicine, predominantly in farm animals. The acute phase response and clinical application of acute phase proteins in ruminants are reviewed in this article, including their diagnostic use in clinical practice and application in the monitoring of treatment, which is one of the most promising practical uses of these proteins. Keywords: cattle, small ruminants, acute phase proteins, biomarkers, diagnostics Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 163-180 Volume: 59 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 DOI: 10.17221/7478-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7478-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201404-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:59:y:2014:i:4:id:7478-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: L.A. de la Cruz-Cruz Author-Workplace-Name: National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico Author-Name: I. Guerrero-Legarreta Author-Workplace-Name: Metropolitan Autonomous University, Mexico City, Mexico Author-Name: R. Ramirez-Necoechea Author-Workplace-Name: Metropolitan Autonomous University, Mexico City, Mexico Author-Name: P. Roldan-Santiago Author-Workplace-Name: Metropolitan Autonomous University, Mexico City, Mexico Author-Name: P. Mora-Medina Author-Workplace-Name: National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico Author-Name: R. Hernandez-Gonzalez Author-Workplace-Name: National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Salvador Zubiran, Mexico Author-Name: D. Mota-Rojas Author-Workplace-Name: Metropolitan Autonomous University, Mexico City, Mexico Title: The behaviour and productivity of water buffalo in different breeding systems: a review Abstract: This review examines the behaviour and productivity of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) under different breeding systems and in relation to meat and milk production. At present, the steady increment in the consumption of products and sub-products of this species has generated the need to increase the number of animals incorporated into production by progressively expanding the use of stabling systems, reducing the space available to these animals, and applying techniques developed previously for meat and milk production in bovines. However, because such adaptations often fail to take into account important biological and behavioural features of these animals, they may result in serious problems of animal welfare. On the other hand, it is known that water buffaloes adapt well to humid tropical climates, especially in systems that provide extensive, continuous pastureland. These species are highly susceptible to thermal stress, a fact that leads them to constantly perform wallowing behaviour. For all these reasons, open-air and, above all, silvopastoral, systems represent attractive options because they combine the presence of forage plants with trees that provide natural shade and serve as wind barriers, thus attenuating the negative effects of tropical climes. These measures help increase productivity by promoting greater forage consumption and fostering the expression of the species' natural behaviours, but the reduction in human contact affects their welfare. Hence, this review concludes that welfare is a fundamental concept that must be taken into account in the development of systems for water buffalo production. Keywords: outdoor systems, productivity, production systems, animal welfare, stress Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 181-193 Volume: 59 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 DOI: 10.17221/7479-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7479-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201404-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:59:y:2014:i:4:id:7479-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Garcia-Diez Author-Workplace-Name: Centre of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Tras-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal Author-Name: A.C. Coelho Author-Workplace-Name: Centre of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Tras-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal Title: Causes and factors related to pig carcass condemnation Abstract: Ante mortem and post mortem carcass condemnation records could be of use as a potential database for the study of swine diseases, epidemiology or animal welfare. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the causes of ante mortem rejections and post mortem carcass condemnation of pigs intended for human consumption during a 78-month period. The records considered for study were, date of slaughter, total pigs slaughtered and total number of ante mortem rejections (deaths during transportation and deaths in the pens) and post mortem carcass condemnations (osteomyelitis, caseous lymphadenitis, erysipelas, cachexia, pale, soft and exudative meat (PSE), bloody meat, muscular necrosis, purulent nephritis, purulent metritis, jaundice, meats from febrile pigs and peritonitis). The influence of several factors such as year, season, mandatory fulfilment of a food chain information form (FCIf) and compulsory certification of swine drivers/transporters on ante mortem rejections and post mortem carcass condemnation was also studied. A total of 161 001 pigs slaughtered resulted in 238 (0.15%) ante mortem deaths, 160 763 pigs processed for meat consumption (99.7%) and 392 (0.24%) carcass condemnations. The ante mortem rejections revealed that 146 pigs (61.3%) died during transportation whereas 92 (38.7%) were rejected due to death in pens. The main causes of carcass condemnations were osteomyelitis (38.5%), granulomatous lymphadenitis (22.7%) and pleurisy/pneumonia (21.2%). A relationship was found between the month and ante mortem condemnations (P < 0.01), death losses during transport (P < 0.01) and between compulsory certification of animal transporters and deaths by transportation (P < 0.05). During the cold season, the probability of ante mortem rejections (OR = 1.84; CI 95%: 1.32-2.59) and death in pens (OR = 1.62; CI 95%: 1.02-2.57) was higher. The compulsory fulfilment of a food chain information form was not revealed to be significantly linked with the total number of carcass condemnations although the odds of ante mortem rejections were higher (OR = 2.10; CI 95%: 1.44-3.08) when it was not mandatory. Higher post mortem condemnations compared to ante mortem condemnations can be explained by the fact that several post mortem findings are asymptomatic in live animals. A progressive decrease in losses during transport was associated with on-farm improvements in animal welfare measures in addition with compulsory training of animal transporters. However, the consistent values of deaths in pens throughout the study period, with an increase during the winter, indicate a need for an improvement in the thermal conditions of the holding area in slaughterhouse. Regarding the post mortem condemnations, the improvement in animal welfare conditions may explain the decrease in osteomyelitis condemnations while the environmental origin of granulomatous lymphadenitis may be associated with region, climate or with the presence of hosts that may explain the influence of the time of year on its variations. The FCIf was implemented as a measure to improve the transparency of food safety and animal health in the food chain from farm to fork. Although osteomyelitis and granulomatous lymphadenitis condemnations were influenced by the FCIf, this relationship cannot be fully explained due to the scarce information related to disease prevalence and/or diagnostics at the farm level. Consequently, the improvement in food safety elicited by this measure is not entirely clear. Data on carcass condemnation could be used to verify the emergence, evolution and control of swine diseases as well as to improve animal health, food safety and veterinary public health programs and/or strategies according to the epidemiological context, with the ultimate aim of guaranteeing public health. Keywords: carcass, ante mortem, post mortem, condemnation, transportation Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 194-201 Volume: 59 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 DOI: 10.17221/7480-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7480-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:59:y:2014:i:4:id:7480-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Bartoskova Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Ondrackova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Leva Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Vitasek Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Novotny Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Janosovska Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Faldyna Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Title: The effects of in vitro exposure to progesterone and estradiol-17β on the activity of canine neutrophils Abstract: To date, only limited information about the influence of ovarian hormones on canine immune system cells has been available. The study investigated the in vitro influence of progesterone and estradiol-17β on the activity of canine neutrophils. Treatment of cells by both hormones led to a significant decrease in phagocytosis-induced oxidative burst as detected using luminometry after stimulation with opsonised zymosan. The increase in oxidative burst, not connected with phagocytosis, was recorded after stimulation with a soluble stimulator. Using flow cytometry, the tendency of both hormones to decrease the production of reactive oxygen species associated with phagocytosis of Escherichia coli was also evident, although not significant. Suppression of canine neutrophil activity is not connected with pathogen recognition capabilities, since the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 was unaffected. This study reveals that both hormones have a suppressive effect on the activity of canine neutrophils and thus might contribute to the aetiology of pyometra. Keywords: TLR4, flow cytometry, oxidative burst, phagocytosis, pyometra, dog Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 202-209 Volume: 59 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 DOI: 10.17221/7481-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7481-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201404-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:59:y:2014:i:4:id:7481-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M.D. Duarte Author-Workplace-Name: National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research, Lisboa, Portugal Author-Name: A.M. Henriques Author-Workplace-Name: National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research, Lisboa, Portugal Author-Name: C. Lima Author-Workplace-Name: National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research, Vairao VCD, Portugal Author-Name: C. Ochoa Author-Workplace-Name: National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research, Vairao VCD, Portugal Author-Name: F. Mendes Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Clinic de Azemeis, Lugar de Passos, Oliveira de Azemeis, Portugal Author-Name: M. Monteiro Author-Workplace-Name: National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research, Lisboa, Portugal Author-Name: F. Ramos Author-Workplace-Name: National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research, Lisboa, Portugal Author-Name: T. Luis Author-Workplace-Name: National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research, Lisboa, Portugal Author-Name: R. Neves Author-Workplace-Name: MSD Animal Health Lda., Quinta da Fonte, Ed Vasco da Gama, Paco de Arcos, Portugal Author-Name: M. Fevereiro Author-Workplace-Name: National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research, Lisboa, Portugal Title: Fatal canine adenovirus type 1 acute infection in a Yorkshire Terrier puppy in Portugal: a case report Abstract: This study reports the diagnostic algorithm followed for the identification of a fatal canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) infection in an unvaccinated 56 day-old puppy to overcome the limitations imposed by inconclusive histopathology hampered by body freezing. The animal was submitted to necropsy after a clinical history of lethargy, dehydration, vomiting and haemorrhagic diarrhoea. Pathological features, suggestive of infectious illness, included generalised gelatinous subcutaneous oedema, petechial, ecchymotic haemorrhages of the subcutaneous tissues and a friable uniformly yellow mottled liver. Differential diagnosis based on PCR ruled out the presence of most common gastrointestinal canine viruses and bacteriology and coprology confirmed that pathogenic bacteria and intestinal parasites did not account for the puppy's death. Strong amplification of CAdV-1 DNA was obtained from liver samples. Isolation of CAdV-1 in MDCK cells was subsequently demonstrated and sequencing analysis showed high similarity with CAdV-1 isolates from Europe. In the absence of serum, antibodies against CAdV-1 were investigated in lung tissue extracts. The presence of CAdV-1 infectious particles and absence of immune response was consistent with rapid progression of the infection and death of the animal two days after the onset of clinical signals, allowing a final diagnosis of the acute form of ICH. Antibodies against CAdV-1 were detected in sera collected from clinically healthy dogs from the same premises, 14-months after the index case, suggesting that the virus had circulated in the breeding kennel. We believe this to be the first report of CAdV-1 in Portugal where canine infectious hepatitis is considered a rare infection. Keywords: canine adenovirus type 1, CAdV-1, infectious canine hepatitis, Mastadenovirus Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 210-220 Volume: 59 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 DOI: 10.17221/7482-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7482-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-201404-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:59:y:2014:i:4:id:7482-VETMED