Showing papers on "White Muscle Disease published in 1990"

Enteritis in sheep and goats due to Yersinia enterocolitica infection.

Abstract: Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 5, serotype 02,3 was isolated from the intestine of 38 sheep and 8 goats submitted to the laboratory for disease diagnosis. Infected animals were usually young, had diarrhoea and were in poor condition or emaciated. A number were moribund or dead when submitted. Characteristic microabscesses were demonstrated in the intestine of 5 of 38 sheep and 3 of 8 goats and no alternative cause of morbidity or mortality was established in these animals. Of the 33 sheep and 5 goats infected with Y. enterocolitica in which microabscesses were not demonstrated, a number of other diagnoses were made, including internal parasitism (18), selenium deficiency or white muscle disease (6) and cobalt deficiency (2), so that morbidity and mortality were possibly unrelated to Y. enterocolitica infection. Five of 6 sheep exposed experimentally by mouth to Y. enterocolitica biotype 5, serotype 02,3 developed an intestinal infection. Although infected sheep showed no clinical evidence of disease and haematological and biochemical indices remained normal, multiple intestinal microabscesses typical of yersiniosis were demonstrated in 3 of 5 infected sheep. It is concluded that Y. enterocolitica biotype 5, serotype 02,3 is an enteropathogen of sheep and goats. Since sheep and goats may be the specific hosts of this bacterium, its virulence for these species is apparently low. Morbidity and mortality may, therefore, be unusual manifestations of infection.

Selenium Concentrations in Blood of Free-Ranging Mule Deer in California

Abstract: Whole blood samples from 1,695 mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) were collected from 15 geographical herd groups from 1980 to 1988, and analyzed for whole blood selenium (Se). Mean Se concentrations for each group were compared to accepted values for livestock species. Eleven groups bad mean blood Se concentrations <0.10 mg/L (deficient by livestock standards for groups of animals). Two-thirds of the groups bad fint quartile Se concentrations (Ql) that were considered seriously deficient (<0.05 mg/L). Significant (P <0.05) difference in blood Se concentrations were found for geographical location, season (reproductive phase), sex, and resident venus migratory behavior. No significant differences were detected for sub-species or age. 1be likelihood and manifestations of Se deficiency in deer, especially decreased fawn survivability, are discussed with possible explanations for predisposing influences. Selenium (Se) deficiency may be as significant a state-wide problem in California as man-made Se toxicity at specific local sites. The likelihood of selenium-responsive diseases in livestock has been shown to increase as blood Se concentrations fall below certain limits (Puis 1981 ). Selenium deficiency may contribute to neonatal mortality in California mule deer herds (Flueck 1989). Previous studies have documented the distribution of Se in soils and demonstrate a linear correlation between soil Se and the Se content of forage. Additionally, these studies demonstrated a positive correlation between Se content of forage and Se concentration in blood and other tissues of ruminants (Muth 1963, Kubota et al. 1967, Allaway 1973). Surveys of blood Se levels in beef cattle in California have demonstrated an overall Se herd deficiency ( <0.10 mg/L in whole blood) incidence of about 64% (Williams 1980, Dunbar et at. 1988). Severe Se deficiency in domestic ruminants is expressed as white muscle disease or nutritional muscular dystrophy wherein animals die of cardiac failure. Sub-clinical Se deficiency is manifested by reduced rate of growth, reduced feed efficiency, and lowered immune response (Hartley 1963, Sheppard 1984, Reffett et al. 1988). Precise nutritional requirements and blood concentration guidelines for Se have not been established for wild ruminants. The pathology of capture myopathy, a condition of wild ruminants, is 1 Present address:2928 San Antonio Drive, Walnut Creek, CA

Selenium in human environment

Abstract: Selenium belongs to the group of elements which may be regarded as useful only in a very narrow range, while in excess doses they exert a harmful action. The content of the element in soil is usually from 0.1 to 2 mg/kg, with the Scandinavian soils have a low level of selenium, not exceeding 0.3 mg/kg. The highest level, exceeding 3000 mg/kg was noted in Northern Ireland. Selenium content in soil over 500 mg/kg produces chronic selenium intoxication in domestic animals. Selenium accumulation by plants is a selective process and depends on the chemical state of the element in soil and pH of soil. It is considered that the daily requirement for selenium is 50-300 mcg for adults, while the toxic dose is regarded as 5 mg daily. The toxic effects of selenium in the environment include inflammatory processes of the extremities in herbivorous animals (the so called Degnal disease in India and the Alkali disease in Great Britain). Selenium deficiency in the environment leads to the so called white muscle disease in these animals in Great Britain. Selenium is considered also to protect the organism in case of poisoning with lead, mercury or cadmium.