Animal Research Institute

About: Animal Research Institute is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Babesia bovis. The organization has 1512 authors who have published 2109 publications receiving 55683 citations.

The distribution and prevalence of Theileria buffeli in cattle in Queensland.

Abstract: SUMMARY The distribution and prevalence of Theileria buffeli in Queensland cattle were investigated using serum samples and blood films collected primarily for brucellosis surveillance and tick fever diagnosis. Serums from 8654 cattle from 357 farms throughout Queensland were examined by an indirect fluorescent antibody test for antibody to T buffeli. In addition, 347 peripheral blood films collected from 147 farms in south-eastern Queensland were examined for plroplasms of T buffeli. The overall herd and animal prevalences for T buffeli were 75% and 41%, respectively. There was significant variation among regions in both herd and animal prevalences (P <0.001). Herd and animal prevalences were highest in the north and east decreasing westward. The results indicate that T buffeli is more widespread in Queensland than previously thought.

Indigofera spicata (creeping indigo) poisoning of three ponies

Abstract: Three ponies continuously grazed a pasture containing an estimated 24% Indigofera spicata (wet weight basis) for 4–6 weeks in April and May 2004. They developed ataxia, paresis, depression, muscle fasciculations, dysphagia, ptyalism and halitosis. Two also developed corneal opacity. One pony recovered with supportive treatment, but the other two were euthanased and necropsied. Neuropathology was not present in either case, but both livers had periacinar and periportal lymphocytic infiltrations and hydropic degeneration of mid-zonal hepatocytes, with mild to moderate periacinar necrosis also evident in one. The I. spicata contained 2.66 mg 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA)/g dry matter and 1.5 mg indospicine/g dry matter. Indospicine, but not 3-NPA, was detected in serum from both of the euthanased ponies and indospicine was detected in heart, liver and muscle from the one pony in which this assay was performed. The clinical syndrome closely resembled ‘Birdsville horse disease’ caused by I. linnaei and was similar to that reported in horses poisoned by the closely related species I. hendecaphylla and to 3-NPA poisoning of other animals, including humans. 3-NPA is thought to cause this neurological syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first authenticated report of I. spicata poisoning in grazing animals. We also report here the first published evidence that 3-NPA and indospicine exist in naturalised I. spicata in Australia and of the formation of indospicine residues in tissues of animals grazing paddocks infested with I. spicata.

Epidemiological observations on helminth infections of calves in southern Ghana.

Abstract: This paper describes helminth infections in three groups of calves of different ages grazing naturally infested pastures from March 1987 to May 1988. Calves in which the faecal egg output was followed from birth showedToxocara vitulorum eggs as early as two days after birth and maximum patency occurred after two months. The fall inToxocara egg output coincided with a rise in that of the strongylates;Haemonchus spp.,Trichostrongylus spp. andOesophagostumum spp. The influence of rainfall in dictating strongylate nematode infection was clear with high egg output during high rainfall and low egg counts when the rainfall was lower. There was an indication that calves carry the infection from the end of the minor rainy season in November to the beginning of the next rains in March and then contribute to pasture contamination. However, calves born in December may remain uninfected until the onset of the rains.