Showing papers on "Animal mortality published in 2005"

Wild animal mortality monitoring and human Ebola outbreaks, Gabon and Republic of Congo, 2001-2003.

Abstract: All human Ebola virus outbreaks during 2001–2003 in the forest zone between Gabon and Republic of Congo resulted from handling infected wild animal carcasses. After the first outbreak, we created an Animal Mortality Monitoring Network in collaboration with the Gabonese and Congolese Ministries of Forestry and Environment and wildlife organizations (Wildlife Conservation Society and Programme de Conservation et Utilisation Rationnelle des Ecosystemes Forestiers en Afrique Centrale) to predict and possibly prevent human Ebola outbreaks. Since August 2001, 98 wild animal carcasses have been recovered by the network, including 65 great apes. Analysis of 21 carcasses found that 10 gorillas, 3 chimpanzees, and 1 duiker tested positive for Ebola virus. Wild animal outbreaks began before each of the 5 human Ebola outbreaks. Twice we alerted the health authorities to an imminent risk for human outbreaks, weeks before they occurred.

Effect of salinity on Pseudo-nitzschia species (Bacillariophyceae) growth and distribution

Abstract: Salinity varies widely in coastal areas that often have a high abundance of Pseudo-nitzschia H. Peragallo. Pseudo-nitzschia is abundant in Louisiana waters, and high cellular domoic acid has been observed in natural samples but no human illness has been reported. To assess the threat of amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), we examined the effect of salinity on Pseudo-nitzschia occurrence in the field and growth in the laboratory with special emphasis on the salinity range where oysters are harvested (10-20 psu). In Louisiana coastal waters, Pseudo-nitzschia spp. occurred over a salinity range of 1 to >35 psu, but they occurred more frequently at higher rather than lower salinities. Seven species were identified, including toxigenic species occurring at low salinities. In culture studies, seven clones of three species grew over a salinity range of 15 to 40 psu, some grew at salinities down to 6.25 psu, and most grew at salinities up to 45 psu. Tolerance of low salinities decreased from Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima (Cleve) Heiden to P. multiseries (Hasle) Hasle to P. pseudodelicatissima (Hasle) Hasle emend. Lundholm, Hasle et Moestrup. In conclusion, although Pseudo-nitzschia was more prevalent in the field and grew better in the laboratory at higher salinities, it grew and has been observed at low salinities. Therefore, the probability of ASP from consumption of oysters harvested from the low salinity estuaries of the northern Gulf of Mexico is low but not zero; animal mortality events from toxin vectors other than oysters at higher salinity on the shelf are more likely.

Carnosine protects the brain of rats and Mongolian gerbils against ischemic injury: after-stroke-effect.

Abstract: Carnosine, a specific constituent of excitable tissues of vertebrates, exhibits a significant antioxidant protecting effect on the brain damaged by ischemic-reperfusion injury when it was administered to the animals before ischemic episode. In this study, the therapeutic effect of carnosine was estimated on animals when this drug was administered intraperitoneally (100 mg/kg body weight) after ischemic episode induced by experimental global brain ischemia. Treatment of the animals with carnosine after ischemic episode under long-term (7-14 days) reperfusion demonstrated its pronounced protective effect on neurological symptoms and animal mortality. Carnosine also prevented higher lipid peroxidation of brain membrane structures and increased a resistance of neuronal membranes to the in vitro induced oxidation. Measurements of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) in brain homogenates showed its increase in the after brain stroke animals and decreased MDA level in the after brain stroke animals treated with carnosine. We concluded that carnosine compensates deficit in antioxidant defense system of brain damaged by ischemic injury. The data presented demonstrate that carnosine is effective in protecting the brain in the post-ischemic period.

Locomotive disorders associated with sow mortality in Danish pig herds.

Abstract: Given the increase in sow mortality in Danish pig herds over the last 10 years, we have investigated the causes of spontaneous death and killing of sows, especially those due to locomotive disorders. A total of 265 culled sows (93 spontaneously dead sows and 172 killed sows) from 10 different herds were sent for complete necropsy, and grouped according to primary diagnoses. From 35 of these sows, tissue for histological evaluation and samples for bacteriological cultivation were also collected, and secondary diagnoses and body condition were recorded. The main causes for killing were related to the locomotive system (72%), arthritis (24%) and fractures (16%) being the most frequent lesions. The main causes of spontaneous death were related to the gastrointestinal system and spleen (45%) and the reproductive system (24%). Arthrosis was a secondary diagnosis in 88% of the killed sows and in 92.5% of the spontaneously dead sows. Arcanobacterium pyogenes was the main cause of arthritis. The killed sows had significantly lower body condition compared with spontaneously dead sows. The first two parities and the time around farrowing were associated with the highest mortality in both groups. Hopefully, these observations can guide breeding units attempting to monitor, control and reduce sow mortality.

Carcass Composting for Management of Farm Mortalities: A Review

Abstract: For the last two decades, carcass disposal by burial is being replaced with alternatives such as composting. Improper animal mortality disposal may generate various environmental and health hazards such as odor nuisance (resulting from the anaerobic breakdown of proteins) that can reduce the quality of life and decrease property values. Pathogens, which may still be present in the decomposed material, are capable of spreading diseases in soil, plants, animals and humans. The potential leaching of harmful nitrogen and sulfur compounds from animal mortalities to ground water is another concern. To control these side effects, compost facility operators need to know and understand the science and guidelines of carcass composting. While basic principles of carcass composting are similar to those for composting of organic materials, its management issues, including appropriate composting methods for large or small scale carcass composting, quantities and types of carbon sources, composting time, odor and leachate control, and equipment requirements differ from composting of organics. The purpose of this study is to review the previous works related to carcass composting and provide information on recent advances in small and large-scale carcass composting enabling higher decomposition rates, minimum usage of carbon source materials, easier and shorter management control strategies and reduced land requirement while producing a useful end product and avoiding negative impact on public safety and environmental parameters.

Anthrax: a continuing concern in the era of bioterrorism

Abstract: Anthrax, a potentially fatal infection, is a virulent and highly contagious disease. It is caused by a gram-positive, toxigenic, spore-forming bacillus: Bacillus anthracis. For centuries, anthrax has caused disease in animals and, although uncommonly, in humans throughout the world. Descriptions of this naturally occurring disease begin in antiquity. Anthrax is primarily a disease of herbivores, which are infected by ingestion of spores from the soil. With the advent of modern microbiology, Pasteur developed the first successful anthrax vaccine in 1881. The incidence of the disease has continually decreased since the late 19th century, and animal vaccination programs drastically reduced the animal mortality from the disease. However, anthrax spores continue to be documented in soil samples from throughout the world. Research on anthrax as a biological weapon began more than 80 years ago, and today at least 17 nations are believed to have offensive biological weapons programs that include anthrax. Recent events in the USA have shown how society is affected by both hoax and real threats of anthrax bioweapons. This fourth article in the series on weapons of biowarfare/bioterrorism summarizes the historical background of anthrax as well as clinical and laboratory information useful for bioterrorism preparedness.

Inflammatory/cardiovascular-metabolic responses in a rat model of burn injury with superimposed infection.

Abstract: Infection remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality in burn patients. Furthermore, the use of antibiotics in such patients has led to the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant microbial infections; one such infection in intensive care unit turns out to be caused by the enterococcal organisms. Our laboratory studies have used a rat model of bum injury and Enterococcus faecalis infection. Sprague-Dawley male rats ( approximately 250 g) were initially given an intragastric gavage of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin for 3 days. This procedure allowed for decontamination of intestine of gram-negative and some gram-positive organisms. The remainders of the gram-positive organisms were, to a large extent, Enterococci. After the decontamination procedure, rats were intra-abdominally inoculated with E. faecalis; inoculation involved preparation of sterilized rat fecal pellets impregnated with E. faecalis (10 colony-forming units) and their implants through a midline abdominal wall incision. Some of the rats that were implanted with the fecal pellets were subject to full-thickness skin bums ( approximately 30% total body surface area; 95 degrees C water for 7 s). Sham abdominal infection rats received a sterile pellet only; sham bum procedure consisted of exposing the skin to room temperature water. All sham and bum and/or E. faecalis infection procedures were carried out on rats under pentobarbital anesthesia. Inflammation and innate host defense-related responses were assessed via measurements of neutrophil effector responses, i.e., oxygen anion free radical (O2)/eIastase production, CD11b/CD18 expression, apoptosis, and tissue infiltration. Determining epithelial lactulose permeability, microvascular albumin leakage, and epithelial tight junction integrity assessed the status of intestinal function/structural derangements. The animals' metabolic and cardiovascular integrity was evaluated determining blood pH, p02, pC02, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output. Whereas the aforementioned measurements were carried out at 24 to 48 h postbum injury with and without the Enterococcal infection, animal mortality was determined for up to 5 days after the experimental injuries. The results of the studies indicated that whereas bum or E. faecalis infection alone did not produce significant mortality, the dual insult with bum and E. faecalis infection resulted in significant animal death accompanied by relatively more profound metabolic and cardiovascular derangements. Inappropriately heightened neutrophil effector responses were present with bum alone as well as with the dual bum and infection complications. These studies suggest that animal models of bum injury with Enterococcal infection complications simulate the adverse outcomes bum patients infected with Enterococcal organisms.

Probiotic additive and method for production thereof

Abstract: FIELD: biotechnology and agriculture, in particular probiotic-containing compound feed for domestic animals, birds and fish. ^ SUBSTANCE: claimed additive is prepared by mixing of subtilis B-2250 and/or Bacillus licheniformis B-2252 biomass and carrier-sorbent and moisture capacitive filler as auxiliary substances. As carrier-sorbent hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances are used, and as moisture capacitive filler cation exchanging resins are used in predetermined ratio of dry mass. Probiotic additive in dry microcapsulated form is obtained by capillary sorptive drying of component mixture up to finished product humidity of 8-25 %. ^ EFFECT: probiotic additive with stable properties capable to improve feed conversion, to increase weight increment and to reduce animal mortality. ^ 2 cl, 2 tbl, 4 ex

032 The Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3 médiates influenza A virus-induced acute pneumonia

Abstract: Introduction Influenza is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease that causes considerable mortality every year. The etiological agent is the ssRNA influenza A virus (LAV). IAV is a major health challenge due to antigenic variation and animal reservoirs. Although vaccines and antiviral substances to control influenza have been developed, these treatments are not available Worldwide and their efficacy is not optimal. Therefore, research work on the pathogenesis of influenza infection and analysis of host immune response against the virus are still needed. Recently, we demonstrated that the innate immunity receptor TLR3 and its signaling-associated molecule TRIF play a key role in the immune response of respiratory epithelial cells to IAV (J Biol Chem 2005 ; 280 : 5571). Here, we evaluated the role of TLR3 in influenza-mediated acute pneumonia using an experimental animal model. Methods Wild-type and TLR3-/- mice were infected by 300 pfu influenza A/Scotland/20/74(H3N2) virus and the time-course of several dynamic parameters were assessed, including animal mortality and weight, leukocyte recruitment into the airspaces, increase of alveolocapillar permeability and secretion of critical mediators. Results We first showed that expression of TLR3 in the lungs of mice is constitutive and markedly up-regulated following IAV infection. Remarkably, TLR3-/- mice were significantly more resistant (28% survival) to an IAV lethal challenge than wild-type animals (0% survival). Next, the respiratory distress index Penh and total protein amount as well as the secretion of inflammatory mediators were evaluated in the BAL fluids of TLR3-/- and wild-type animals at Day 3 post-infection (this time point was chosen as it corresponds to the peak of the viral load in the lungs of both animal groups). The Penh index was significantly diminished in TLR3-deficient mice compared to control mice, i e. 0.95 ± 0.12 vs. 1.74 + 0.2, respectively. Likewise, total protein, RANTES, IL-12 and IL-6 amounts were significantly higher in wild-type than in TLR3-/- mice. Paradoxically, while control animals had almost cleared the virus from their lungs at day 9 post-infection, the virus persisted in TLR3-I- mice (»300 times above that of wild-type mice). Conclusions TLR3 contributes to the debilitating effects of a detrimental immune response triggered by IAV infection. The current investigation suggests that a strategy to regulate or inhibit TLR3 might be of therapeutic potential during influenza pneumonia.

Radiobiological effects of olipifat during radiation exposure.

Abstract: Preventive injections of olipifat to rats (intramuscularly in a single dose of 250 mg/kg 24 h before γ-exposure in a dose of 7.6 Gy) decrease animal mortality from 70 to 50%, the mean life span of dead rats remained unchanged. Injection of olipifat before exposure in a dose of 5.2 Gy did not change animal mortality in comparison with irradiated controls, but stimulated postradiation recovery of leukocyte count (mainly the granulocytic component and less so the increase in lymphocyte count). No appreciable effects of olipifat on the postradiation changes in individual fractions of blood leukocytes were observed in animals exposed in a dose of 7.6 Gy.

Endogenous Livestock Development — Can it Help the Poor?

Abstract: The consumption of meat and milk in developing countries is expected to double in the next two decades. Enhanced demand and trade liberalization have triggered the expansion of industrial livestock production in the South, promising to revolutionize and intensify the livestock sector in many developing countries. What options do poor herders and farmers have if they want to continue livestock keeping? Some development professionals recommend vertical integration and contract farming. But these strategies appear inappropriate for pro-poor development as they commonly combine high labour productivity with low employment. Alternatives include (a) helping poor livestock keepers to build strong associations and empower them to argue for their rights and (b) reforming service delivery institutions. “Endogenous livestock development” (ELD) is an approach to livestock development that puts livestock keepers at the centre of development efforts rather than pursuing enhanced production. It recognizes that pastoralists and smallholders are geared towards risk-aversion instead of maximizing production per animal, so supports the resilience of livestock keeping households, for instance by securing their access to land and grazing rights. Recognition and respect of indigenous knowledge and local culture are important aspects of ELD projects, as are the integration of local and modern knowledge, initiating a dialogue with politicians and scientists, linking people to support institutions, and helping them explore niche markets and voice their needs. Other potential strategies are lobbying for the legalization of informal markets, lowering animal mortality in low-input husbandry systems, and helping people fulfil the required standards of hygiene and (zoonotic) disease control. This paper analyses such approaches and discusses their results and impacts, drawing on a pilot study of 15+ people-centred livestock projects, additional project documents and literature, and field experience in several countries in Asia, Africa, South America and Europe. 2 Background Livestock is getting back on the national and international development agenda. Cities and populations in the South are growing, and with them, the demand for livestock products. This has triggered a livestock revolution in developing countries. Since the early 1980s, meat production has grown by 230 % and milk production by 200 %. Globalized markets offer additional opportunities to enhance national income and improve nutrition. But they also pose risks to livelihoods, human health, and the environment. Especially vulnerable are the 600 million poor livestock producers – pastoralists, small farmers and landless people – estimated to live in rural, often marginal areas (FAO, 2005). How can these livestock keepers benefit from the livestock revolution if they want to continue livestock keeping? Which development activities can support them?