Adipose tissue macrophages in non-rodent mammals: a comparative study

The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of adipose tissue in rodents and primates contains mesenchymal stem cells and immune cells. SVF cells have complex metabolic, immune and endocrine functions with biomedical impact. However, in other mammals, the amount of data on SVF stem cells is negligible and whether the SVF hosts immune cells is unknown. In this study, we show that the SVF is rich in immune cells, with a dominance of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) in cattle (Bos primigenius taurus), domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus), domestic sheep (Ovis aries), domestic cat (Felis catus) and domestic dog (Canis familiaris). ATMs of these species are granulated lysosome-rich cells with lamellipodial protrusions and express the lysosome markers acid phosphatase 5 (ACP-5) and Mac-3/Lamp-2. Using ACP-5 and Mac-3/Lamp-2 as markers, we additionally detected ATMs in other species, such as the domestic horse (Equus ferus caballus), wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Feline and canine ATMs also express the murine macrophage marker F4/80 antigen. In the lean condition, the alternative macrophage activation marker CD206 is expressed by feline and canine ATMs and arginase-1 by feline ATMs. Obesity is associated with interleukin-6 and interferon gamma expression and with overt tyrosine nitration in both feline and canine ATMs. This resembles the obesity-induced phenotype switch of murine and human ATMs. Thus, we show, for the first time, that the presence of ATMs is a general trait of mammals. The interaction between the adipose cells and SVF immune cells might be evolutionarily conserved among mammals.University of Ul

Disease caused by mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides LC in Hungarian goat herds

The occurrence of a goat disease caused byMycoplasma mycoidessubsp.mycoidesLC in Hungary is reported. The disease occurred in two goat herds in the spring of 1999. In one herd 25% of the 4–12 weeks old kids (10 animals) while in the other herd 33% of the 6–12 weeks old kids (20 animals) became affected. The goat kids developed polyarthritis. The most severe lesions developed in the carpal joints. All animals died after 3–8 days of disease. Four dead kids were necropsied. All of them had serofibrinous and purulent polyarthritis, and in two animals bronchopneumonia, fibrinous pleuritis and meningitis were also found. In the articular exudates the presence of mycoplasmas was detected by PCR using a general mycoplasma primer. Mycoplasmas were cultured from the joints of all animals, from the abdominal parenchymal organs of two kids and from the lungs of one animal. The cultured mycoplasmas grew in strikingly large colonies, proved to be glucose positive, arginine negative and phosphatase positive, and liquefied the coagulated serum. They survived incubation at 45 °C for more than 24 h. Based upon their biochemical properties, the results of the immunofluorescence (IF) and growth inhibition tests and the sequence analysis of the PCR product, the cultured strains were identified asM. mycoidessubsp.mycoidesLC. Animals purchased in the previous autumn had been introduced to both farms. The disease may have been introduced with asymptomatic carrier animals, as earlier no similar disease had been observed at either farm

Bovine abortion associated with Neospora caninum in Hungary

The authors report the first case of bovine neosporosis in Hungary based on investigations made on an aborted fetus. The diagnostic methods included traditional as well as molecular techniques. This record extends further the geographic range of the disease

Lung aspergillosis in roe deer (Capreolus capreolusLinnaeus, 1758) Case study

SUMMARY Background: The roe deer (Capreolus capreolus,Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most widespread and important game species in Hungary. An adult, approxi-mately 4 years old roe deer was found dead in a hunting area in Békés county by a local hunter and submitted for necropsy and histopathologic and bacteriologic examination to the National Food Chain Safety Office Laboratory of Pathology and Bacteriology of Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate, in Debrecen (NFCSO, Hun-gary). Objectives: Pathogenic mycosis was identified in a wild roe deer, where the lung was quilted with several necrotic granulomas. The authors have also found parasitic infection in the gastrointestinal tract. Materials and Methods: The authors performed the dissection on the roe deer according to the standard ruminant necropsy techniques. Samples from the internal organs were put into 8% buffered formalin for fixation. After sec-tioning slides were examined with Nikon Optiphot-2 microscope. Samples from the lung were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose and Columbia’s agar. The inoc-ulated media were incubated for 24 hours at 24 oC in Labor IncuCell V222 type incubator. Results and Discussion: The lung mycosis was caused by Aspergillussp. The hyphae of the fungi infiltrated the tissues. On the histological slides of the lung granuloma proliferation proceeded from the bronchial wall and several necrotic granulomas of 0.5 cm diameter were found in the lung. Aspergillosis can particu-larly cause pathological lesions when the animal is exposed to immunosuppres-sive effects. In this case, probably the external and internal parasitic infection (Ixodesspp. Trichostrongylusspp.) and poor body condition were the causing agents. Common drugs for the therapy of aspergillosis are itraconazole or ketoconazole but their application on the free-living wild animals of hunting areas is impracti-cal. The infection can be prevented by the eradication of the causative agents, in this case, the feed contaminated by fungi

Poisonings caused by anticoagulant rodenticides between 2010 and 2016

SUMMARY Background: Anticoagulant rodenticides are most commonly used for extermi nation of rodents in Hungary, so this type of poisoning often occurs. Objectives: The aim of this survey was to describe the experiences of toxico logical studies of animal carcasses and other types of test samples received in the laboratory from 2010 to 2016 with suspicion of poisoning with anticoagulant rodenticide. Materials and Methods: During the period under review, 112 animal subjects were examined. In 32 cases, 4 types of 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives (warfarin, coumatetralyl, bromadiolone, brodifacoum) were detected by HPLC, and in 6 cases, the chlorophacinone of the indandione group was tested with GC-MS. In addition to the examination of animal carcasses, 51 baits were analysed for the presence of 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives. Results and Discussion: Traces of four different 4-hydroxycoumarin deriva tives (bromadiolone, brodifacoum, warfarin, coumatetralyl) and one indandione derivative (chlorophacinone) were found in the organs of 38 carcasses (11 dogs, 3 cats, 1 goat, 1 wolf, 1 orangutan, 9 rabbits, 6 deer, 1 otter, 2 foxes, 1 hyena, 1 buz zard, 1 African sacred ibis). Mild to severe coagulation problems were observed in the above cases indicative of anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning. Given the cir cumstances, these deaths were predominantly malicious poisonings, although some of the cases may have been accidental. Among the poisonings 16 of them were caused by bromadiolone, and 13 of them by brodifacoum, which is 76% of the cases. Six different 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives were detected (broma diolone, brodifacoum, difenacoum, fl ocoumafen, warfarin, coumatetralyl) in 41 baits of 51. Since the use of anticoagulant rodenticides is required in the defence against rodents, poisoning of this type should also be expected in the future

Data on the occurrence of paratuberculosis in Hungary - diagnostic improvements and results from 2006–2012

SUMMARY The authors report the first isolation of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) from wild boar, red deer, red fox, swine, and buffalo in Hungary. Since 2006 continuous improvements were implemented and numerous (469) MAP strains were isolated from the whole geographic region of Hungary. The isolates were identified by a specific PCR, and additional molecular biological methods were introduced to distinguish the different MAP types. With the introduction of new culture media the isolation of sheep type MAP strains on solid media became possible. Analysing the data on the origin of the strains, the authors confirm the widespread presence of paratuberculosis in Hungary. MAP was isolated with the highest proportion from Komárom-Esztergom County. The numerous isolates from wild animals highlight the importance of their role as reservoir species in the maintenance and spread of the disease. The authors aim to point out that MAP infection causes significant economic losses to the farmers, which requires measures to get a better understanding of the actual state of paratuberculosis in Hungary

Assessment of the microbiological status of two Hungarian ostrich farms

The aim of this study was to estimate the occurrence of bacterial infection and contamination in two ostrich-producing farms. Compared to other poultry species, the hatchability of ostrich eggs is especially low. In a quest to identify factors that may affect hatchability, we collected faecal samples from adult birds, as well as eggs with dead-in-shell embryos, dead chicks and swab samples from the surface of the eggs and from the environment. The samples were screened for the presence of bacteria by routine bacteriological culture methods. The most prevalent bacteria, detected in the samples, were Escherichia coli, Bacillus spp. and coliform bacteria, whereas Pseudomonas spp. were less frequently found. The intensity and species compositon of the bacterial contamination was comparable in the two farms. Our results revealed that the bacteria, present in the environment, may likely be transmitted to the surface of the eggs. If they are able to penetrate the shell then the embryos and chicks become infected easily. These findings draw the attention to the special importance of enforcing efficient decontamination and disinfection measures to keep the environment and egg surface free from germs. Besides the appropriate egg treatment procedure, the incubation and hatching technology should also be kept under control

Occurrence and significance of Coxiella burnetii and Chlamydiales in abortions of domestic ruminants and in wild ruminants in Hungary, Central Europe

Coxiella burnetii and certain members of the Chlamydiales order are zoonotic, intracellular, Gram-negative bacteria, with abortigenic potential in ruminants. These pathogens have a broad host range and worldwide geographical distribution. The current study aimed to reveal the importance of C. burnetii and Chlamydiales spp. in abortions in domestic ruminants and their occurrence in wild ruminants with real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays, histology, and immunohistochemical staining (IHC). From the 111 abortion cases of domestic ruminants examined, C. burnetii was detected in 33 placenta samples (cattle, n = 22; sheep, n = 10; goat, n = 1), and members of the Chlamydiales order were detected in 32 placenta samples (cattle, n = 14; sheep, n = 16; goat, n = 2) using qPCR. Coinfection with both C. burnetii and Chlamydiales spp. were identified in 12 cases (cattle, n = 3; sheep, n = 8; goat, n = 1) out of the qPCR-positive samples. The presence of the relevant antigen was confirmed by IHC in 20 cases ( C. burnetii, n = 2, in sheep; Chlamydiaceae, n = 17, in sheep [ n = 15] and goat [ n = 2]; and both pathogens in 1 sheep). Coxiella burnetii was identified in 2.2% (2/91) of the wild ruminants, but the samples were negative by IHC. Uncultured Chlamydiales spp. were detected in 4.4% (4/91) of the placenta samples by qPCR. In conclusion, Q fever is widespread among domestic ruminants in Hungary, and, in several cases, C. burnetii was implicated as the primary cause of abortions. Waddlia chondrophila, Parachlamydia spp., and uncultured Chlamydiales spp. were present only sporadically in samples from cattle and wild ruminants