Monitoring of Lawsonia intracellularis in breeding herd gilts

In modern pig production, proliferative enteropathy is a common cause of diarrhoea and poor growth in young animals. This study aimed to determine the possible spread of Lawsonia intracellularis through the sale of replacement gilts and the possibility to protect the herds by adequate biosecurity measures. This was achieved by repeated sampling of 50 gilts in an infected multiplying herd, from the last day in the farrowing pen and until sale. Further, 60 gilts sold from this herd were tested during their stay in quarantine in a recipient herd. To confirm freedom from infection, 100 growing pigs in the recipient herd were also tested. Individual faecal (n=748) and blood (n=728) samples were analysed by PCR and ELISA, respectively. Transmission of L. intracellularis from the sows to their offspring was not demonstrated. However, the possible transmission between herds by replacement gilts was demonstrated. Peak shedding occurred at 12 and 15 weeks of age, and single animals were also PCR-positive at 24-36 weeks of age in the multiplying herd and in the quarantine in the recipient herd. Further, the possible occurrence of chronically infected carrier animals was suggested. Although L. intracellularis is widely spread, it appears possible to avoid the transmission between herds by employing adequate biosecurity measures. Thus, it would be advisable to establish herd profiles in breeding herds to avoid the selling of infected animals as well as to establish the health status of the recipient herd. Further, the health status of the recipient herds should be known.

Bacillus spore classification via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and principal component analysis

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can provide rapid fingerprinting of biomaterial in a nondestructive manner. The adsorption of colloidal silver to biological material suppresses native biofluorescence while providing electromagnetic surface enhancement of the normal Raman signal. This work validates the applicability of qualitative SER spectroscopy for analysis of bacterial species by utilizing principal component analysis (PCA) to show discrimination of biological threat simulants, based upon multivariate statistical confidence limits bounding known data clusters. Gram-positive Bacillus spores (Bacillus atrophaeus, Bacillus anthracis, and Bacillus thuringiensis) are investigated along with the Gram-negative bacterium Pantoea agglomerans.

A simulation-based study comparing a traditional and an alternative design for studies of experimentally induced intestinal diseases in pigs

A traditional design for studies of pathogenesis of experimentally induced diseases of the large intestine in individual pigs involves euthanasia and necropsy at scheduled times. An alternative design has been developed enabling the sequential in vivo monitoring of events in the intestine of the individual pig before and during disease. The alternative design is based on repeated endoscopy and biopsy sampling to monitor the course of the disease. The purpose of this study was to compare the statistical properties of the two designs. One hundred replicates of a computer-generated simulation of data were performed. In the simulation, data were generated for individual pigs according to the alternative design, i.e. four sequential observations on the outcome of interest, and the 'traditional' design was created by retaining only one observation per pig. Data from the alternative design were analysed with a generalized linear mixed model, accounting for the clustering of observations within animals and the time-dependence between observations within animals, i.e. observations within animals are interdependent and follow a pattern over time. Data from the 'traditional' design were analysed with an ordinary linear model. The results showed that the alternative design was much more efficient than the traditional and that only one-fourth as many pigs were required to achieve the same precision in estimated effects.

Allergen injection immunotherapy for seasonal allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis is the most common of the allergic diseases. Despite improved understanding of the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis and advances in its pharmacological treatment, its prevalence has increased worldwide. For patients whose symptoms remain uncontrolled despite medical treatment, allergen injection immunotherapy is advised. An allergen-based treatment may reduce symptoms, the need for medication and modify the natural course of this disease.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous specific allergen immunotherapy, compared with placebo, for reducing symptoms and medication requirements in seasonal allergic rhinitis patients.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, Issue 1 2006), MEDLINE (1950 to 2006), EMBASE (1974 to 2006), Pre-MEDLINE, KOREAMED, INDMED, LILACS, PAKMEDINET, Scisearch, mRCT and the National Research Register. The date of the last search was February 2006.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All studies identified by the searches were assessed to identify randomised controlled trials involving participants with symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and proven allergen sensitivity, treated with subcutaneous allergen specific immunotherapy or corresponding placebo.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two independent authors identified all studies reporting double-blind, placebo controlled randomised trials of specific immunotherapy in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis due to tree, grass or weed pollens. Two authors independently performed quality assessment of studies. Data from identified studies were abstracted onto a standard extraction sheet and subsequently entered into RevMan 4.2.8. Analysis was performed using the Standardised Mean Difference (SMD) method and a random-effects model; P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The primary outcome measures were symptom scores, medication use, quality of life and adverse events.

MAIN RESULTS

We retrieved 1111 publications of which 51 satisfied our inclusion criteria. In total there were 2871 participants (1645 active, 1226 placebo), each receiving on average 18 injections. Duration of immunotherapy varied from three days to three years. Symptom score data from 15 trials were suitable for meta-analysis and showed an overall reduction in the immunotherapy group (SMD -0.73 (95% CI -0.97 to -0.50, P < 0.00001)). Medication score data from 13 trials showed an overall reduction in the immunotherapy group (SMD of -0.57 (95% CI -0.82 to -0.33, p<0.00001)). Clinical interpretation of the effect size is difficult. Adrenaline was given in 0.13% (19 of 14085 injections) of those on active treatment and in 0.01% (1 of 8278 injections) of the placebo group for treatment of adverse events. There were no fatalities.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review has shown that specific allergen injection immunotherapy in suitably selected patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis results in a significant reduction in symptom scores and medication use. Injection immunotherapy has a known and relatively low risk of severe adverse events. We found no long-term consequences from adverse events.

Survey on the occurrence of Brachyspira species and Lawsonia intracellularis in children living on pig farms

The occurrence of Brachyspira species and Lawsonia intracellularis was investigated by PCR analyses of faeces from 60 children living on European pig farms. In addition, 60 other children were included as controls. Two samples were positive for B. aalborgi but B. pilosicoli and L. intracellularis were not demonstrated.

Consecutive pathological and immunological alterations during experimentally induced swine dysentery - a study performed by repeated endoscopy and biopsy samplings through an intestinal cannula

The development of intestinal lesions after inoculation with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae was followed by repeated endoscopy and biopsy sampling through a caecal cannula. Seven eight-week-old pigs were cannulated and inoculated, two were cannulated but not inoculated, and two pigs were inoculated but not cannulated. Endoscopy, biopsy, and blood sampling to determine SAA (serum amyloid A), haptoglobin, cortisol, and WBC counts were performed at scheduled time-points. At the third day of disease, endoscopy showed a hyperaemic, perturbed mucosa and excessive amount of mucus. Histologically, crypt hyperplasia, depletion of goblet cell mucus, and erosions were noted. Simultaneously, elevated acute phase proteins and circulating monocytes, and decreased number of intraepithelial CD3⁺ cells were observed. After five days the pigs recovered. Intestinal lesions were demarcated and interspersed among apparently normal mucosa and blood parameters returned to initial values. Endoscopy through an intestinal cannula made it possible to follow the development of intestinal alterations in vivo and describe the sequential events during the course of swine dysentery. The number of animals used in a study could thus be minimised and the precision of the experiment increased.

Effects of insulin treatment on heart rhythm, body temperature and physical activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat

1. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy is frequently associated with depressed diastolic/systolic function and altered heart rhythm. 2. The effects of insulin treatment on heart rhythm, body temperature and physical activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats were investigated using biotelemetry techniques. 3. Transmitter devices were surgically implanted in the peritoneal cavity of young adult male Wistar rats. Electrodes from the transmitter were arranged in Einthoven bipolar - Lead II configuration. Electrocardiogram, physical activity and body temperature data were recorded with a telemetry system for 10 days before STZ treatment, for 20 days following administration of STZ (60 mg/kg) and thereafter, for 30 days while rats received daily insulin. 4. Heart rate, physical activity and body temperature declined rapidly 3-5 days after administration of STZ. Pre-STZ heart rate was 362 +/- 7 b.p.m., falling to 266 +/- 12 b.p.m. 5-15 days after STZ with significant recovery to 303 +/- 14 b.p.m. 10-20 days after commencement of insulin. Pre-STZ body temperature was 37.5 +/- 0.1C, falling to 37.2 +/- 0.2C 5-15 days after STZ with significant recovery to 37.5 +/- 0.1C 10-20 days after commencement of insulin. Physical activity and heart rate variability were also reduced after STZ but there was no significant recovery during insulin replacement. 5. Defective autonomic regulation and/or mechanisms of control that are intrinsic to the heart may underlie disturbances in heart rhythm in the STZ-induced diabetic rat.

Daptomycin treatment of Staphylococcus aureus experimental chronic osteomyelitis

BACKGROUND

Infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasingly common in nosocomial and community settings. Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide anti-infective with activity against MRSA, approved for treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections. Daptomycin may be useful in systemic or local treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.

METHODS

We measured mechanical strength of daptomycin- and vancomycin-loaded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), assayed in vivo release of daptomycin and vancomycin from daptomycin- and vancomycin-loaded PMMA, respectively, and compared the efficacy of two systemic doses of daptomycin with that of vancomycin, each with or without the respective anti-infective loaded into PMMA, using a rat model of MRSA chronic osteomyelitis.

RESULTS

Neither tensile nor compressive strength of PMMA was impacted by impregnation with these antimicrobials at a concentration of 7.5% by weight. The peak concentrations of daptomycin and vancomycin in rat tibial bone surrounding a 7.5% daptomycin- and vancomycin-loaded 3 mm PMMA bead were 178 and 49 mg/L, respectively. In the treatment of experimental osteomyelitis, rats assigned to no treatment, daptomycin 50 mg/kg subcutaneously twice daily, daptomycin 60 mg/kg subcutaneously twice daily, and vancomycin 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally twice daily had 6.4, 4.1, 4.0 and 4.5 median log10 cfu/g of bone at the end of 21 days of therapy. All systemic anti-infectives studied were more active than was no treatment. Daptomycin- or vancomycin-loaded PMMA did not, however, exhibit microbiological efficacy alone or adjunctively, as assessed 21 days after implantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Daptomycin is released from PMMA in vivo at a rate similar to that of vancomycin. Systemic daptomycin is as active as vancomycin in a rat model of chronic MRSA experimental osteomyelitis.

The Prevalences of Brachyspira spp. and Lawsonia intracellularis in Swedish Piglet Producing Herds and Wild Boar Population

The aim of the present study was to survey the prevalences of the enteric pathogens Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, Brachyspira pilosicoli and Lawsonia intracellularis in Swedish growing pigs and in the Swedish wild boar population and to relate these findings to clinical signs. The study included 105 randomly selected herds, constituting approximately one third of Swedish herds with a herd size of >100 sows. The herds were located all over the country. In these herds, growth promoters were not used and pigs sampled were not subjected to any medication. From each herd, samples were taken from 10 growing pigs aged 8-12 weeks, corresponding to approximately 2.5% of all growing pigs present in the herd at the sampling occasion. If possible, the samples were taken from pigs with diarrhoea. Forty-eight faecal samples and 71 rectal swabs were also taken from free-living wild boars (31 piglets, 19 growers and 21 adult animals) at shooting. The samples were analysed by culture and biochemical tests for the presence of Brachyspira spp. and by nested PCR for the presence of L. intracellularis. Brachyspira hyodysenteriae was not demonstrated in any sample. Brachyspira intermedia was detected in 22 samples originating from 15 herds, Brachyspira innocens/Brachyspira murdochii was detected in 370 samples from 82 herds and B. pilosicoli was detected in 134 samples originating from 34 herds. In 21 herds and in 534 samples, no Brachyspira spp. were detected. Lawsonia intracellularis was demonstrated in 285 samples from 50 herds. Further, 418 samples from conventional herds were negative with respect to L. intracellularis and in 345 samples the PCR had been inhibited. All samples from the wild boars were negative for Brachyspira spp., 12 of 48 samples were negative for L. intracellularis, and in 36 wild boar samples, the PCR was inhibited.

Long-term effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on the electrocardiogram, physical activity and body temperature in rats

In vivo biotelemetry studies have demonstrated that short-term streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes is associated with a reduction in heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) and prolongation of QT and QRS intervals. This study investigates the long-term effects of STZ-induced diabetes on the electrocardiogram (ECG), physical activity and body temperature. Transmitter devices were surgically implanted in the peritoneal cavity of young adult male Wistar rats. Electrodes from the transmitter were arranged in Einthoven bipolar lead II configuration. ECG, physical activity and body temperature data were continuously recorded with a telemetry system before and following the administration of STZ (60 mg kg(-1)) for a period of 22 weeks. HR, physical activity and body temperature declined rapidly 3-5 days after the administration of STZ. The effects became conspicuous with time reaching a new steady state approximately 1-2 weeks after STZ treatment. HR at 4 weeks was 268 +/- 5 beats min(-1) in diabetic rats compared to 347 +/- 12 beats min(-1) in age-matched controls. HRV at 4 weeks was also significantly reduced after STZ treatment (18 +/- 3 beats min(-1)) compared to controls (33 +/- 3 beats min(-1)). HR and HRV were not additionally altered in either diabetic rats (266 +/- 5 and 20 +/- 4 beats min(-1)) or age-matched controls (316 +/- 6 and 25 +/- 4 beats min(-1)) at 22 weeks. Reduced physical activity and/or body temperature may partly underlie the reductions in HR and HRV. In addition, the increased power spectral low frequency/high frequency ratio from 4 weeks after STZ treatment may indicate an accompanying disturbance in sympathovagal balance.

Short-term effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on the electrocardiogram, physical activity and body temperature in rats

A variety of contractility defects have been reported in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat heart including alterations to the amplitude and time course of cardiac muscle contraction. Transmitter devices were surgically implanted in the peritoneal cavity of young adult male Wistar rats. Electrodes from the transmitter were arranged in Einthoven bipolar lead II configuration. Electrocardiogram (ECG), physical activity and body temperature data were continuously recorded with a telemetry system before and following the administration of STZ (60 mg kg-1). Heart rate (HR), physical activity and body temperature declined rapidly 3-5 days after administration of STZ. The effects became more conspicuous with time and reached a new steady state approximately 10 days after STZ treatment when HR was 255+/-8 beats min-1 in diabetic rats compared to 348+/-17 beats min-1 in age-matched controls. Heart rate variability (HRV) was also significantly reduced after STZ treatment (18+/-3 beats min-1) compared to controls (36+/-3 beats min-1). Reduced physical activity and/or body temperature may partly underlie the reduction in HR and HRV. Reductions in power spectral density at higher frequencies (2.5-3.5 Hz) suggest that parasympathetic drive to the heart may be altered during the early stages of STZ-induced diabetes. Short-term diabetes-induced changes in vital signs can be effectively tracked by continuous recording using a telemetry system.

Routine diagnostics of Lawsonia intracellularis performed by PCR, serological and post mortem examination, with special emphasis on sample preparation methods for PCR

The aim of this study was to find suitable and reliable tools for demonstrating Lawsonia intracellularis in routine clinical diagnosis. Firstly, a method to prepare tissue samples before a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was evaluated in pigs submitted for necropsy. Secondly, seven different faecal preparation methods and four different DNA polymerases were tested in single or nested PCR, with co-amplification of a mimic molecule. Thirdly, in selected pigs submitted for necropsy, tissue and faecal samples were examined histopathologically and by PCR, and blood samples were analysed serologically. Detection of L. intracellularis in tissue preparations by PCR showed good specificity and correlated to lesions found at necropsy. The sensitivity in spiked tissue samples was 10(1)-10(2) mimic molecules per tube. In faecal samples, nested PCR on boiled lysate gave the best result with a sensitivity of 10(2)-10(3) mimic molecules per reaction tube. However, because of the time-consuming procedure and the increased risk for contamination, a commercially available kit was preferred for routine diagnoses, despite a somewhat lower detection rate in subclinically infected pigs. In a few cases, the serological results differed from those obtained by PCR and by necropsy but the reason for this is not clear. This study indicates that the best method for diagnosis of acute enteritis in growers is PCR on faecal or tissue samples. To determine the presence of the bacteria in a herd, serology or repeated faecal sampling for PCR from target animals, or both, should be used.