The body's early defence in response to trauma, inflammation or infection, the acute phase response, is a complex set of systemic reactions seen shortly after exposure to a triggering event. One of the many components is an acute phase protein response in which increased hepatic synthesis leads to increased serum concentration of positive acute phase proteins. The serum concentration of these acute phase proteins returns to base levels when the triggering factor is no longer present. This paper provides a review of the acute phase proteins haptoglobin, C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A and their possible use as non-specific indicators of health in large animal veterinary medicine such as in the health status surveillance of pigs at the herd level, for the detection of mastitis in dairy cattle and for the prognosis of respiratory diseases in horses.

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Application of acute phase protein measurements in veterinary clinical chemistry.

Escherichia coli is one of the most important causes of postweaning diarrhea in pigs. This diarrhea is responsible for economic losses due to mortality, morbidity, decreased growth rate, and cost of medication. The E. coli causing postweaning diarrhea mostly carry the F4 (K88) or the F18 adhesin. Recently, an increase in incidence of outbreaks of severe E. coli-associated diarrhea has been observed worldwide. The factors contributing to the increased number of outbreaks of this more severe form of E. coli-associated diarrhea are not yet fully understood. These could include the emergence of more virulent E. coli clones, such as the 0149:LT:STa:STb:EAST1:F4ac, or recent changes in the management of pigs. Development of multiple bacterial resistance to a wide range of commonly used antibiotics and a recent increase in the prevalence and severity of the postweaning syndromes will necessitate the use of alternative measures for their control. New vaccination strategies include the oral immunization of piglets with live avirulent E. coli strains carrying the fimbrial adhesins or oral administration of purified F4 (K88) fimbriae. Other approaches to control this disease include supplementation of the feed with egg yolk antibodies from chickens immunized with F4 or F18 adhesins, breeding of F18- and F4-resistant animals, supplementation with zinc and/ or spray-dried plasma, dietary acidification, phage therapy, or the use of probiotics. To date, not a single strategy has proved to be totally effective and it is probable that the most successful approach on a particular farm will involve a combination of diet modification and other preventive measures.

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Escherichia coli in postweaning diarrhea in pigs: an update on bacterial types, pathogenesis, and prevention strategies.

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a herpesvirus of swine, a member of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily, and the etiological agent of Aujeszky's disease. This review describes the contributions of PRV research to herpesvirus biology, neurobiology, and viral pathogenesis by focusing on (i) the molecular biology of PRV, (ii) model systems to study PRV pathogenesis and neurovirulence, (iii) PRV transsynaptic tracing of neuronal circuits, and (iv) veterinary aspects of pseudorabies disease. The structure of the enveloped infectious particle, the content of the viral DNA genome, and a step-by-step overview of the viral replication cycle are presented. PRV infection is initiated by binding to cellular receptors to allow penetration into the cell. After reaching the nucleus, the viral genome directs a regulated gene expression cascade that culminates with viral DNA replication and production of new virion constituents. Finally, progeny virions self-assemble and exit the host cells. Animal models and neuronal culture systems developed for the study of PRV pathogenesis and neurovirulence are discussed. PRV serves as a self-perpetuating transsynaptic tracer of neuronal circuitry, and we detail the original studies of PRV circuitry mapping, the biology underlying this application, and the development of the next generation of tracer viruses. The basic veterinary aspects of pseudorabies management and disease in swine are discussed. PRV infection progresses from acute infection of the respiratory epithelium to latent infection in the peripheral nervous system. Sporadic reactivation from latency can transmit PRV to new hosts. The successful management of PRV disease has relied on vaccination, prevention, and testing.

Molecular Biology of Pseudorabies Virus: Impact on Neurovirology and Veterinary Medicine

Mycotoxin contamination of the feed supply chain: Implications for animal productivity and feed security

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of various aspects of pestiviruses, including diseases they cause and their molecular biology. General diseases caused by the pestiviruses include bovine viral diarrhea and mucosal disease, border disease, and classical swine fever. Molecular cloning and sequencing of pestiviral genomes, as well as expression of defined parts of their polyproteins, allowed crucial conclusions concerning—in particular, the strategy of gene expression, genome organization, composition of virions, relationships of the three species at the molecular level. One remarkable property of pestiviruses is the existence of two biotypes that were recognized according to morphological changes they cause during growth in tissue culture cells. Noncytopathogenic (noncp) pestiviruses replicate without clearly visible effects, while cytopathogenic (cp) viruses lead to lysis of appropriate target cells. The molecular basis for this distinction is the subject of current investigations and is the major focus of this chapter, which arise by nonhomologous RNA recombination.

Molecular Characterization of Pestiviruses

Describes the characteristics of a variety of diseases of swine, and methods for their prevention and treatment.

R. D. Shuman

Papers

Diseases of swine.