The prevalence of ocular diseases in polish Arabian horses

Background

Equine ocular diseases pose a medical challenge due to long-lasting and cost-consuming therapies as well as economic issues associated with potential decrease in value of affected horses. The scale of the problem is significant but difficult to precisely define because epidemiological data is limited and lacks consistency in presentation. To date, no retrospective studies specifically investigating Arabian horses have been published.

Results

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence of ocular lesions and define the ocular diseases present in Arabian horses from breeding farms in Poland. Clinical and ophthalmic examination of 615 Arabian horses at Polish breeding farms (15% of Arabian population in Poland) were performed and medical history from the previous 5 years was analyzed. Data was obtained from review of veterinary archives and epidemiological interview of the resident veterinarian at each farm. The prevalence of ocular diseases was 9.75%. The following pathologies were diagnosed (with their respective prevalence): equine recurrent uveitis (ERU; 5.5%); cataract not related to ERU (3.3%); non-visual eyes (1.13%); posttraumatic lesions (0.8%); glaucoma (0.16%).

Conclusions

In this study, ERU was the most common ocular disease identified in Arabian horses in Poland. Its prevalence was lower than usually reported in Europe and the United States. There was no sex or farm predisposition but ocular disease prevalence increased with age. Other severe ocular pathologies were also observed, confirming that ocular diseases remain an important clinical problem.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-017-1252-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Molecular characterization of Rhodococcus equi isolates from horses in Poland: pVapA characteristics and plasmid new variant, 85-kb type V

Background

Rhodococcus equi is one of the most significant bacterial pathogens affecting foals up to 6 months of age worldwide. Rhodococcosis is present in Poland however information about molecular characterization of R. equi isolates is scarce.

This study describes molecular characterization of Rhodococcus equi infection on 13 horse breeding farms in Poland between 2001 and 2012. Samples were collected by tracheobronchial aspiration from pneumonic foals or during necropsy. The R. equi isolates were genotyped by plasmid profiling and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Results

Totally, 58 R. equi isolates were investigated. One isolate lost its plasmid. Among the 57 VapA-positive isolates, 48 contained 85-kb type I plasmid (82.8%), 8 contained 87-kb type I plasmid (13.8%). One isolate (1.7%) had a unique restriction cleavage pattern and the 2nd fragment of EcoRI digests of this plasmid DNA was about 2600 bases smaller than that of the 85 kb type I. This new plasmid variant was designated as the “85-kb type V”.

Among the 58 isolates typeable with VspI-PFGE, ten PFGE clusters were detected. The majority of foals were infected mostly with isolates of low genetic diversity.

Conclusions

Most of clinical isolates of R. equi from foals in Poland contain pVapA 85-kb type I and 87-kb type I similarly to the other European countries and the United States. However, the new variant of pVapA 85-kb type V was identified.

The chromosomal variability was detected among some of the investigated isolates and the presence of farm-specific isolates might be possible.

Evidence of low prevalence of mycobacterial lymphadenitis in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Poland

Mycobacterium spp. and Rhodococcus equi are generally regarded as the main causes of lymphadenitis in pigs and wild boars. In Poland, mycobacterial submandibular lymphadenitis was first diagnosed in a wild boar in 2012 but Mycobacterium spp. infections are also present in the Polish population of European bison (Bison bonasus). The prevalence of lymphadenitis in Polish wild boars has been found to 8.4% (95% CI 6.2–11.3%) and it has been proved that R. equi is not an important cause of purulent lesions in these animals. The current study was carried out to assess the prevalence of mycobacterial lymphadenitis in the Polish wild boar population. Submandibular lymph nodes with purulent lesions collected from 38 wild boars in 2010/2011 and negative for R. equi were included. Calculations based on the hypergeometric approximation were used to determine the probability that at least one positive individual would be detected if the infection had been present at a prevalence greater than or equal to the design prevalence. All 38 samples were negative for Mycobacterium spp. [0% (95% CI 0, 9.2%)]. Epidemiological analysis showed that the true prevalence was 95% likely to be lower than 10%. In conclusion, mycobacterial lymphadenitis seems to occur rarely in wild boars in Poland. Due to the presence of Mycobacterium spp. infections in other wildlife, the surveillance of mycobacterial infections in wild animals in Poland remains an important issue.

Ante-mortem and post-mortem tuberculosis diagnostics in three European Bison from the enclosure in Bukowiec in the Bieszczady National Park in Poland

The ante-mortem diagnostics of tuberculosis in wildlife constitutes a major problem due to the difficulties in collecting samples for examination. Therefore, tuberculosis in free-living animals is usually diagnosed post mortem. Ante-mortem examinations for bovine tuberculosis (BTB) were conducted in three European bison living in an acclimatisation enclosure in Bukowiec in the Bieszczady National Park in Poland. The reason for performing these examinations was the documented contact between the aforementioned animals and tuberculous European bison from a free-living herd present in the area. The three European bison were pharmacologically immobilised. Next, their blood samples were collected for immunological studies (interferon-gamma release assays), complete blood count and blood biochemistry tests. Moreover, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from the lower respiratory tract, two nasal cavity swabs and one throat swab were taken from each animal. Tuberculin testing was also performed. The findings of all these examinations indicated the possible infection of the European bison with the tubercle bacillus. Ultimately, the decision was taken to euthanize the animals.

Molecular epidemiology of Rhodococcus equi in slaughtered swine, cattle and horses in Poland

Background

Rhodococcus equi is an emerging zoonotic presumably foodborne pathogen. Since the data on the worldwide prevalence of R. equi in meat animals are scarce, the present study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology of R. equi in swine, cattle and horse carcasses intended for human consumption in Poland.

Results

Totally 1028 lymph node samples were examined. R. equi was isolated from 26.6 % (105/395) swine and 1.3 % (3/234) bovine healthy submaxillary lymph nodes. In horses, R. equi was isolated only from 0.5 % (1/198) samples of middle tracheo-branchiales lymph node while no lymphocentrum retropharyngeum sample was positive (0/198). The purulent lesions were observed only in 0.8 % swine submaxillary lymph nodes samples (3/398) and in two of them R. equi was detected.

All bovine and most of swine isolates (98.1 %) were vapB-positive. 87.9 % of swine isolates carried 95-kb type 5 plasmid, 3.7 % type 1 and plasmid types: 4, 7, 10, 11, 21, 31 were carried by a single isolate (0.9 %). All bovine isolates carried VAPB type 26. Single horse isolate was vapA-positive and carried plasmid VAPA 85-kb type I.

Conclusions

The prevalence of vapB-positive R. equi in investigated healthy swine intended for human consumption was very high.

Not only swine, but also even apparently healthy cattle or horse carcasses should be considered as a potential source of R. equi for humans, especially in countries where undercooked or raw beef or horsemeat is traditionally consumed.

Multiple etiologies of equine recurrent uveitis--A natural model for human autoimmune uveitis: A brief review

Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) has various etiologies, with Leptospira infection and genetic predisposition being the leading risk factors. Regardless of etiology, expression of ocular proteins associated with maintenance of the blood-ocular barrier is impaired in ERU. The recurring-remitting cycle of ERU repeatedly disrupts the blood-ocular barrier, allowing the previously immune-privileged ocular environment to become the site of a progressive local autoimmune pathology that ultimately results in tissue destruction and vision loss. The immune-mediated process involves humoral and cellular mechanisms. Intraocular antibodies either produced in the eye or that leak through the blood-ocular barrier, are often present at higher levels than in serum and react with antigens in ocular tissue of horses with ERU. Ocular infiltration of auto-aggressive lymphocytes occurs with each uveitis episode and is the most crucial contributor to inflammation and eye damage. Recurring uveitis episodes may be initiated when epitopes of an ocular antigen become visible to the immune system (intramolecular spreading) or another autoantigen (intermolecular spreading), resulting in a new inflammatory reaction.

Prevalence and genetic diversity of Rhodococcus equi in wild boars (Sus scrofa), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Poland

BACKGROUND

Rhodococcus equi is now considered an emerging zoonotic pathogen. Sources and routes of human infection remain unclear but foodborne transmission seems to be the most probable way. Strains of pig or bovine type are most often isolated from human cases and moreover R. equi is present in submaxillary lymph nodes of apparently healthy pigs and wild boars intended for human consumption. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of R. equi in submaxillary lymph nodes in wild boars, roe deer and red deer.

RESULTS

Samples were collected from 936 animals and 27 R. equi strains were isolated, from 5.1 % of wild boars (23/452), 0.7 % of red deer (2/272) and 0.9 % of roe deer (2/212). Genetic diversity of all 27 isolates was studied using VspI-PFGE method, resulting in the detection of 25 PFGE patterns and four PFGE clusters. PFGE patterns of the isolates were compared with virulence plasmid types and no concordance was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

R. equi was present in wild animal tissues and consumption of the game may be a potential source of R. equi infection for humans. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first epidemiological report of R. equi prevalence in tissues of roe deer and red deer. However, risk associated with wild ruminant consumption seems marginal. Investigation of R. equi transmission between animals and humans based exclusively on types of virulence plasmids seems to be insufficient to identify sources of R. equi infection for people.

Development of ELISA test for determination of the level of antibodies against Rhodococcus equi in equine serum and colostrum

Rhodococcus equi infection occurs worldwide and is one of the major causes of losing foals in the first six months of life. The application of serological tests in the diagnostics of rhodococcosis is limited, however they play a crucial role in immunological studies. The objective of this study was to develop and standardize ELISA test for the determination of the level of antibodies against Rhodococcus equi in equine serum and colostrum.Bacterial cell lysate was used as antigen. The test was standardized on 175 sera obtained from adult horses kept on rhodococcosis-free and endemic farms. Positive and negative control sera were used. The test detected IgG antibodies mainly against VapA protein, which was confirmed by Western blot analysis. The test was easy to perform, did not require inactivation of sera and had low well-to-well variation. The shelf life of antigen-coated ELISA plates was 21 days.The test allowed to reveal significant increase of R. equi-specific antibodies in both serum and colostrum in response to the vaccination (p<0.001). Therefore it can be applied to the evaluation of efficacy of immunization. Moreover, no statistically significant difference in the baseline antibody level in adult horses from rhodococcosis-free and endemic farm was revealed (α=0.05).

Duration of hepatic vascular inflow clamping and survival after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the duration of hepatic vascular inflow clamping (Pringle time) on the survival of patients with any type of liver background (not only cirrhosis) undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Patients who underwent liver resection between April 2000 and December 2008 for HCC using the Pringle manoeuvre were identified retrospectively from an institutional database and divided into two groups: group 1 had a Pringle time of 60 min or less, and group 2 a Pringle time of more than 60 min. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify predictors of postoperative survival. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare overall survival between the groups.

RESULTS

A total of 357 patients were enrolled; 242 patients had a Pringle time of 60 min or less (group 1), and 115 patients had a Pringle time of more than 60 min (group 2). Patients in group 2 had a shorter overall survival than those in group 1 (P = 0·010). Univariable analyses showed that type of HCC (primary versus recurrent), maximum tumour diameter, hepatic venous infiltration, platelet count, serum protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II level, blood loss (700 ml or less versus more than 700 ml), duration of operation (300 min or less versus more than 300 min) and Pringle time (60 min or less versus more than 60 min) were predictive of postoperative survival. Multivariable analysis indicated that only Pringle time was associated with postoperative survival (odds ratio 1·83, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·08 to 3·10; P = 0·024).

CONCLUSION

Longer Pringle time is an important predictor of shorter postoperative survival in patients undergoing liver resection for HCC.

[Rhodococcus equi infections in animals and humans]

Little is known about the occurrence of R. equi infection in humans at the present time. However, an increasing number of R. equi infections mainly in immunocompromised patients has been reported recently and R. equi is now considered an emerging zoonotic pathogen. Nevertheless sources and routes of human infection are not fully understood. Recently R. equi was detected in tissues of animals intended for human consumption. Clinical course of infection is often diversified and atypical. The physicians are frequently unaware of R. equi pathogenic potential due to little epidemiological and risk factors data.

The effect of heterotypic infections of older horses with equine influenza virus type-2 on some clinical and immunological parameters

Twelve horses, all of them 10 years old, were vaccinated intramuscularly on 0 and 28 days of the experiment with inactivated vaccine containing only antigens of A-equi-2/Miami/63. Another three unvaccinated horses, each at the age of 10 years, were the negative control group. One, ten-year-old horse was vaccinated with commercial inactivated vaccine containing both antigens of A-equi-2/Miami/63 as well as A-equi-1/Praha/56 as positive control. Three horses were challenged intranasally with homotypic strain of Miami/63, while six other were challenged with heterotypic strains--three with Suffolk/89 and three with Kentucky/86. Three horses vaccinated with vaccine containing only strain A-equi-2/Miami/63 were not challenged. In the group of three unvaccinated horses, each one was challenged intranasally with different strains studied in this experiment. The horse vaccinated with commercial vaccine was not challenged. Replication of each strain was done in chick embryos. During the experiment blood from horses was collected for hematological and immunological examinations (antigen-specific and antigen-nonspecific lymphocyte transformation tests, lymphocyte immunophenotyping, antigen-specific leukocyte migration inhibition test and hemagglutination inhibition test). The statistical analysis showed that the dynamics of lymphocyte immunological reactivity in horses vaccinated with inactivated vaccine containing antigens of A-equi-2/Miami/63 in response to further antigen stimulation (in vitro) was different comparing the homotypic or nearly homotypic challenging with Miami/63 and Suffolk/89 respectively, to the more heterotypic one with the strain Kentucky/86. In horses challenged with classical homotypic strain of Miami/63 no clinical signs were observed. These results confirm that the vaccine shall consist of the strains currently circulating in the horse population.

Clinical assessment of oral malodor intensity expressed as absolute value using an electronic nose

OBJECTIVES

In our previous study, scores determined via a multiple linear regression method (EN-MLR) involving an electronic nose provided objective halitosis-related measurements; however, this model afforded only relative expression exclusively. The objective of this investigation was to assess clinically oral malodor intensity expressed as an absolute value using an electronic nose.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Sixty-six subjects were evaluated based on results of an actual organoleptic test (OLT), measurements of volatile sulfur compound (VSC) concentrations, a score representing malodor intensity (EN-MI) as the absolute value and EN-MLR measured with an electronic nose system. Oral health parameters were also examined.

RESULTS

The OLT score served as a benchmark. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) plots of EN-MI score (0.975) was significantly larger than that of log VSC (0.896) (P = 0.036); however, the area did not differ significantly from that of EN-MLR score (0.932). Percentage of teeth with pocket depth greater than or equal to 4 mm, tongue coating score and plaque control record displayed meaningful association with EN-MI score in multiple logistic regression analyses.

CONCLUSION

Oral malodor intensity expressed as an absolute value employing an electronic nose may be a suitable method for clinical evaluation of oral malodor.

Some morphological, biochemical and immunological blood parameters in European bison with or without lesions in the digestive, respiratory, urinary and reproductive tracts

Ninety-seven bison (39 males and 58 females) were culled out during three successive winter seasons. No infection with BHV-1 and BHV-5 or other viruses was detected by PCR and SN methods. Advanced pathological lesions observed in males exhibiting symptoms of posthitis/balanoposthitis are probably due to secondary infection by microorganisms present in the prepuce (Corynebacterium spp., Bacillus spp., Fusobacterium necrophorum, Staphylococcus spp. (coagulase negative) and Staphylococcus hyicus). Histopathological examinations of sections from prepuce and lips of pudendum showed the presence of Onchocercinae nematode (Onchocerca sp.). A comparison of biochemical and morphological blood parameters in the bison with or without lesions in the digestive (presence of parasites), respiratory, urinary and reproductive tracts revealed that the most variable parameter during reproductive organ disorder is the leukocyte count, while disorders in the urinary and digestive tracts coincided with the age of animals. In cases of digestive disorder most changes were observed in the number of neutrophils and concentration of urea. The number of red blood cells, monocytes, the level of alkaline phosphatase (AP) and hematocrit negatively correlated with age. Negative correlation was also observed between the number of neutrophils, level of creatinine and lymphocyte proliferation index. However, positive correlation was seen between erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Spearman's correlation coefficient), level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and protein, and age of the bison. Positive correlation was also observed between the lymphocyte count and lymphocyte proliferation index. The attempt to determine the reference values for blood biochemical and morphological parameters showed similarities to those of cattle.

Seroprevalence of selected viral and bacterial pathogens in free-ranging European bison from the Białowieza Primeval Forest (Poland)

Blood was collected from bison that were selected between 1991 and 2001 for poor body condition, cachexia, lameness and balanoposthitis. Sera were tested for antibodies to bovine herpes virus type 1 (BHV-1), bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI-3), Brucella abortus, Chlamydophila abortus, Coxiella burnetti, and Leptospira interrogans. The results of serological tests showed a prevalence of low titers of a serological reaction to Chlamydophila abortus (45.1%), bovine viral diarrhoea virus (29.5%), Leptospira interrogans (21.3%) and parainfluenza virus type 3 (13.9%). There were differences in the prevalence of antibodies to Ch. abortus between female and male bison. Futhermore, a relationship between age and antibodies to BVDV was observed in older bison. These results suggest that there is some transmission of bacterial and viral pathogens occurring between domestic and wild ruminants grazing in the same pastures in the peripherial areas of Bialowieza Primeval Forest.

A case of symptomatic Morgagni's hernia and a review of Morgagni's hernia in Japan (263 reported cases)

An 81-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency room of our hospital with complaints of respiratory distress, abdominal ache, nausea, and intermittent vomiting. A plain X-ray of the abdomen and chest revealed air-fluid levels on the abdomen and the right side of the chest. Laboratory tests showed severe acidemia with a blood base excess level of -24.9 mmol/L. Since the patient was considered to have acute intestinal obstruction due to transverse colon herniation into the thorax through a foramen of Morgagni, emergency surgery was performed. Operative findings revealed that the retrosternal diaphragm had a defect of 5 cm in diameter and 20 cm in length with the transverse colon herniated into the thorax. The diaphragm defect was sutured first, and partial resection of the transverse colon was performed. After the operation, the patient had no symptoms and no recurrence has been observed during the 1-year follow-up. There have been 263 reported cases of Morgagani hernia in Japan. The case of the Morgagni hernia is reported here with some bibliographical comments.

Changes in structure of lymphatic organs in foals died due to Rhodococcus equi infection

The aim of this study was to investigate the structure of lymphatic organs in foals which died due to Rhodococcus equi infection. The material for this study consisted of 9 foals, of both genders, various breeds, 6-14 weeks old. The routine histopathological examination and immunocytochemical reaction for cytokeratine-3 receptors revealed the disturbances in the thymus epithelial cells development. This was manifested by a complete lack of cells expressing cytokeratine-3 receptors, as well as absence of normal thymocytes differentiation. The supposed thymus epithelial cells were very few, expressing faint reaction of cytokeratine-3 receptors. The relative deficiencies in the lymphatic tissue development in peripheral lymphatic organs were observed. It was concluded, that the observed pathological changes may indicate the inherited, not described yet gene failure, which was responsible for the thymus epithelial cells developmental disturbances, and was expressed with various intensity in examined foals. The causes of the fatal course of rhodococcosis in foals were primary disturbances in the immune competence.

Prevalence of the suilysin gene in Streptococcus suis strains isolated from diseased and healthy carrier pigs

Knowledge of virulence factors of Streptococcus suis is limited. Several virulence factor candidates have been proposed, among them suilysin, which is responsible for a toxic effect on epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to detect the suilysin gene sequence in Streptococcus suis strains of various origin. In total 63 Streptococcus suis isolates were investigated. Forty four of them originated from tissues of streptococcosis affected animals. The remaining 19 strains were isolated from tonsils of healthy carrier pigs. Suilysin gene specific sequence was detected in 79% of the strains tested. In isolates obtained from pigs with signs of streptococcosis this gene sequence was recorded in 85% of cases. In Streptococcus suis strains isolated from healthy carrier pigs the suilysin gene was detected in 63% of the isolates. It seems that suilysin toxic activity is only one of the many steps involved in the pathogenesis of Streptococcus suis infection and that strain's virulence cannot be stated only on the basis of suilysin gene sequence presence.

The occurrence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with systemic sclerosis hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology and Internal Diseases Medical University of Białystok in years 2003-2004

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is one the most fatal complications of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of PH in SSc patients hospitalized in Department of Rheumatology and Internal Diseases University Hospital of Bialystok in years 2003-2004. PH was defined as pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) higher than 35 mmHg as evaluated by ECHO-Doppler. We found PH in 23 out of 53 (43%) SSc patients included in the study. In the majority of patients 20/23 (87%) PH coexisted with the presence of scleroderma lung disease as evaluated by high resolution computed tomography of the lungs. In the remaining 3/23 (13%) patients isolated (arterial) PH was detected. Patients with isolated PH tend to have higher values of PASP (82 +/- 39.0 mmHg) than those with PH and interstitial lung disease (42.5 +/- 6.4 mmHg). The results of our study indicate that PH is a frequent complication of SSc.

Clinical assessment of oral malodor by the electronic nose system

A recently developed electronic nose has not yet been clinically applied to evaluations of oral malodor. This investigation sought to determine whether an electronic nose could clinically assess oral malodor. Twenty-nine healthy adults and 49 patients were assessed by results of an actual organoleptic test, a score representing malodor strength with an electronic nose in "top-note" mode (top-note score), and measurements of volatile sulfur compound (VSC) concentrations. The correlation coefficient between top-note and actual organoleptic scores (r = 0.71) was comparable with the log VSC and actual organoleptic scores (r = 0.63). However, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic plots for top-note score was significantly larger than that for log VSC. In logistic regression analyses with top-note score as a dependent variable, probing depth, tongue coating, and plaque control record each had independent associations. Our findings suggest that the top-note score from an electronic nose examination may be useful for the clinical evaluation of oral malodor.

Acute CO2 tolerance during the early developmental stages of four marine teleosts

Ocean sequestration of CO2 is proposed as a possible measure to mitigate climate changes caused by increasing atmospheric concentrations of the gas, but its impact on the marine ecosystem is unknown. We investigated the acute lethal effect of CO2 during the early developmental stages of four marine teleosts: red sea bream (Pagrus major), Japanese whiting (Sillago japonica), Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), and eastern little tuna (Euthynnus affinis). The percentages of larvae that hatched and survived were not affected by exposure to water with a PCO2 of 1.0 kPa (= 7.5 mmHg) within 24 h. Median lethal PCO2 values for a 360-min exposure were 1.4 kPa (cleavage), 5.1 kPa (embryo), 7.3 kPa (preflexion), 4.2 kPa (flexion), 4.6 kPa (postflexion), and 2.5 kPa (juvenile) for red sea bream; 2.4 kPa (cleavage), 4.9 kPa (embryo), 5.9 kPa (preflexion), 6.1 kPa (flexion), 4.1 kPa (postflexion), and 2.7 kPa (juvenile) for Japanese whiting; 2.8 kPa (cleavage) and > 7.0 kPa (young) for Japanese flounder; and 11.8 kPa (cleavage) for eastern little tuna. Red sea bream and Japanese whiting of all ontogenetic stages had similar susceptibilities to CO2: the most susceptible stages were cleavage and juvenile, whereas the most tolerant stages were preflexion and flexion.

The use of chosen serological diagnostic methods in Lyme disease in horses. Part II. Western blot

In this investigation the Western blot test was treated as a method verifying results of the IFA, commercial ELISA and standardized ELISA tests (described in Part I). The verifying investigations were performed on 82 serum samples, which in the commercial ELISA were positive in 36 cases, dubious in 31 cases and negative in 15 cases as well as on 5 serum samples obtained from horses infected with Leptospira spp., which in the ELISA commercial were dubious (total of 87 sera samples). The antigens, against which the immunological response in horses was directed, were also established. The Milenia--Blot--Borrelia IgG test (MIDBO IgG-Kit 30 TESTS: DPC Bierman GmbH) was used in the investigation. In view of species differences, rabbit anti-horse IgG (whole molecule) alkaline phosphatase conjugate, no A6063 SIGMA-ALDRICH was used interchangeably. Also the control sera were substituted with the horse control sera. It was demonstrated that the Western blot test is the most reliable in the serological diagnosis of B. burgdorferi infection in horses. The commercial ELISA and standardized ELISA tests represent a lower diagnostic value than the Western blot test, although similar to each other, while the value of the IFA is minimal. In the Western blot test antigens were established against which the immunological response in horses in mostly directed. In the sera evaluated in this test as positive the presence of antibodies, mainly against antigens with the following molecular weights: 41 kDa, 62/60 kDa, 93 kDa, 72 kDa, 34 kDa (OspB), 66 kDa was noted. At the same time, antibodies contained in the sera accepted as negative, in 55.5% cases also reacted with the antigen of 41 kDa. It points to its minimal specificity. On the basis of the results obtained it is recommended that serological examination of horses should be with the ELISA and that positive or dubious results should be verified with the Western blot test.

The use of chosen serological diagnostic methods in Lyme disease in horses. Part I. Indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

The investigations aimed to establish the reliability of the chosen serological tests designed for the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis in horses. The investigations were carried out in five Horse Breeding Centres (OHK). Statistical analysis methods were used to determine sample size for particular centres: Krasne (Kr)--49, Łack (Ł)--21, Walewice (W)--111, BogusŁawice (B)--17, Kozienice (K)--61. The experimental material comprised the chosen horses from which blood samples were collected in order to obtain sera. The test used for indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA No 75941, Bio-Mérieux) is commercially designed for the investigation of human sera and thus needed a prior species adaptation and standardization; ELISA (MRL DIAGNOSTICS, No EL0400G) which was also species adapted and stardandized and ELISA commercially assigned for the examination of dog or horse sera (Die System Diagnostica GmbH Borrelia burgdorferi Veterinary ELISA No. 122.00 Genzyme Virotech GmbH). In the IFA test the highest share of positive results was obtained in respect of the sera from OHK in (K)--60.7% and then in (B)--52.9%, (Ł)--42.9%, (W)--40.5%, (Kr)--38.7%. In the standardized ELISA the highest percent of positive results, amounting to 33.3%, was obtained in respect of the sera from (Ł), and then from (W)--20.7%, (K)--11.5%, (Kr)--10.2% and (B)--5.9%. The percent of positive results obtained in the commercial ELISA also agreement on a high level: the sera originating from (W) were positive in 18.9%, from (K)--9.8%, (Ł)--9.5%. (B)--5.9% and (Kr)--4.1%. Both ELISAs showed high agreement although the standardized test was characterized by a greater tendency for suggesting the presence of B. burgdorferi infection and the agreement of these two ELISAs with the IFA was not so strong. The IFA showed the highest tendency for suggesting the presence of the B. burgdorferi infection, being characterized by the highest percent of false positive results.

Relationships among ecology, demography and diseases of European bison (Bison bonasus)

The bison population in the Bialowieza Forest in Poland has now grown to approximately 300, while the herds in the Belarusian part of the forest total about 240 bison. The first signs of a health problem in these herds appeared in 1980, when two cases of balanoposthitis were detected in two bulls (2 and 5 years of age). Since 1980 research has been conducted to explain the cause of diseases, particularly balanoposthitis, and to monitor the health of bison in Bialowieza Forest. A total number of 614 bison (294 male and 320 female) of different ages was eliminated between 1980 and 2000. Not all the culled bison were examined (postmortem analysis, histopathological, bacteriological, virological and toxicological examinations, serological tests, molecular research). Based on the increase in numbers, reproduction in this population for the past 21 years is generally considered successful. Among 182 male bison eliminated during 1990-2000, only 85, or 47%, of the animals had balanoposthitis. Thus, the percentage of balanoposthitis cases went from 100% during the 1980s down to 47% in the past decade. It appears that the culling process has been a major factor leading to this decrease. It can be assumed that a set of factors is involved in the appearance of the disease (Corynebacterium spp., Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Ureoplasma spp, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Streptoccocus spp., Staphyloccocus spp.) while opportunistic infections including nematodes (Onchocerca spp.) are responsible for the occurrence of secondary lesions.

Laparoscopic intragastric resection of gastric leiomyoma using needlescopic instruments. Case report

Laparoscopic intragastric resection of gastric leiomyoma was performed using needlescopic instruments. The patient was a 71-year-old man who had a 2-year history of gastric submucosal tumor 2 cm in diameter located near the esophagocardiac junction. After getting informed consent, we performed a laparoscopic intragastric tumor resection under an oral endoscope. There were no intra- or postoperative complications. The patient was discharged uneventfully. Histopathologic diagnosis of the tumor was leiomyoma. Laparoscopic intragastric resection of a benign gastric submucosal tumor using needlescopic instruments is technically feasible and as safe as a less invasive procedure.

Flow cytometric examination of DNA ploidy, p53 and bcl-2 expression in primary squamous epithelial pulmonary carcinoma

The aim of this study was answering the question whether cytofluorimetric determining of DNA ploidy, p53 and bcl-2 expression in tumour cells may enhance the diagnosis of squamous epithelial lung carcinoma. Samples of neoplastic tissue were taken from 11 operated patients. DNA staining was performed with propidium iodide. p53 and bcl-2 expression was evaluated by using monoclonal antibodies. By assessing of DNA ploidy we observed increased proliferative activity and, at the same time, high rate of the cell necrosis. In the analysis of p53 protein the presence of antigen was observed on average in 7.1 +/- 2.4, 15.1 +/- 3.9, and 19.8 +/- 4.1% of normal cells of the pulmonary tissue, the peripheral part of the tumour and cells of the central part of the tumour, respectively. bcl-2 was found on average in 7.3 +/- 2.2, 9.9 +/- 3.1, and 12.4 +/- 3.19% of the above cells, respectively. These results show that the technique of cytofluorimetric evaluation of p53 and bcl-2 proteins can be useful in diagnosis of pulmonary cancer in addition to classic histological and immunohistochemical methods.

Epizootic of equine influenza in 1969 in Poland

Epidemiological observations on the course and spread of equine influenza in Poland during the 1969 epizootic were carried out. The dynamics of the spread of the disease in the country are shown graphically by voivodship. The disease incidence and mortality rates for the entire country are also shown. The highest incidence of disease and mortality rates were found to be in November 1969. A/equi-2/Warsaw/69 was identified as the causal virus. It caused the largest epizootic in the country since 1954.

Effectiveness and patient satisfaction with screening flexible sigmoidoscopy performed by registered nurses

BACKGROUND

Our aim was to compare the effectiveness and patient satisfaction with flexible sigmoidoscopy performed by a registered nurse, general surgeons, and gastroenterology fellows.

METHODS

Consecutive outpatients referred for sigmoidoscopy were assigned to have the procedure performed by the first available provider. Depth of insertion of the sigmoidoscope, complications, duration of the procedure, and percentage of patients with adenomas were recorded. After the procedure, patients completed a validated patient satisfaction questionnaire.

RESULTS

Mean depth of insertion was less for general surgeons compared with the nurse and gastroenterology fellows (50 vs 53 vs 54 cm, respectively; p = 0.01). Mean duration of procedure was longer for the nurse compared with general surgeons and gastroenterology fellows (8.3 vs 7.6 vs 6.8 min, respectively; p = 0.0001). Percentage of patients with adenomas was similar among patients who underwent sigmoidoscopy by the endoscopists (7% vs 8% vs 9%; p = 0.81). No differences were detected between endoscopists for overall satisfaction (p = 0.60), technical skills of the endoscopist (p = 0.58), communication skills of the endoscopist (p = 0.61), or interpersonal skills of the endoscopist (p = 0.59).

CONCLUSION

No clinically significant differences in effectiveness or patient satisfaction were detected with flexible sigmoidoscopy performed by a registered nurse, general surgeons, or gastroenterology fellows.