Middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) serology in major livestock species in an affected region in Jordan, june to September 2013

Between June and September 2013, sera from 11 dromedary camels, 150 goats, 126 sheep and 91 cows were collected in Jordan, wher

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 228 3 409 413 United States

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of ultrasonography to diagnose large colon volvulus (LCV) in horses. DESIGN: Descriptive report. ANIMALS: 4 horses with clinical signs of abdominal pain. PROCEDURE: Each horse was administered analgesic agents for pain control and placed in stocks. Ultrasonographic evaluations were performed with a 3.5-MHz sector scanning transducer that was placed parallel to the long axis of the horse (longitudinal imaging) over an area of the left ventral aspect of the abdomen. The boundaries of the evaluated region included the ventral midline, 2 vertical lines at the level of the left 10th and 17th intercostal spaces, and a horizontal line between the 2 vertical lines at the level of the costal arch of the left 10th intercostal area. RESULTS: In all horses, nonsacculated large colon was identified ultrasonographically in the left ventral portion of the abdomen; this finding was considered indicative of LCV. In 3 horses, the LCV involved intestinal rotation of 180 degrees, whereas in 1 horse, the LCV involved intestinal rotation of 540 degrees. As confirmed by surgical or postmortem findings, the degree and location of the volvulus were correctly estimated from ultrasonographic images. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In horses, this method of diagnosis of LCV appears to be of value regardless of the location at which the rotation of the large colon occurs. Ultrasonographic findings may aid in the earlier diagnosis of LCV in horses, especially at an early stage of the disease when other clinical signs are equivocal

Large Animal Veterinary Rounds 4 3 1 6

Dysphagia is a relatively common disorder encountered by equine practitioners. It can becongenital or acquired, the main problem or part of a multi-systemic condition, and it may beassociated with muscular or neurological diseases. The diagnosis of dysphagia can be challengingand proper management is important.This issue of Large Animal Veterinary Rounds covers the definition, etiological classification,pathophysiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, management, and treatment of dysphagia in horses. Specialreference is given to esophageal obstruction (choke) in adult horses.</B

Large Animal Veterinary Rounds 5 2 1 6

Abnormal urination and weight loss are the most common presenting complaints in horses with urinary tract disease. This issue of Large Animal Veterinary Rounds discusses urinary tract diseases and describes the causes and diagnoses of polyuria/polydipsia and hematuria in horses

Epidemiologic study on Besnoitia besnoiti infection in dairy herds in Jordan

Besnoitia besnoiti is an apicomplexan parasite and the causative agent of bovine besnoitiosis which is considered as a re-emergent disease in Europe. A cross-sectional serological study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and to identify risk factors associated with B. besnoiti infection in 68 dairy herds (n = 806 cows) in Jordan during the period from January to June 2007 and the spring of 2014. Data regarding herd's management was obtained by filling questionnaires through personal interviews with farmers. An indirect ELISA test was used to detect antibodies against B. besnoiti. Chi-square analysis and multivariable logistic regression model were used to identify risk factors associated with seropositivity to B. besnoiti. At the individual cow and herd level, the true prevalence of seropositive animals was 6 and 28.7 %, respectively. Cows between 2 and 6 years of age had significantly higher seroprevalence of B. besnoiti than other age groups. The highest seroprevalence of B. besnoiti was found in Zarqa and Irbid governorates. Multivariable logistic regression model identified that exchanging visits by farm workers to neighboring farms as a risk factor for seropositivity to B. besnoiti, while smaller herd size and twice a day farm cleaning using sweeping and water hosing were identified as protective factors. This is the first study that investigated the seroprevalence of B. besnoiti infection in dairy herds in Jordan. Further studies are warranted to explore the clinical manifestation of B. besnoiti infection as well as to identify the possible presence of other Besnoitia species and definitive hosts for the parasite.Abdelsalam Q. Talafha, Ahmad M. Al-Majali, Mohammad M. Ababneh, Sameeh M. Abutarbus