Immunogenicity and Effects on Fecal Microbiome of an Electron-Beam Inactivated Rhodococcus equi Vaccine in Neonatal Foals

Rhodococcus equi is a bacterium commonly isolated from soil that primarily causes pneumonia in foals and immunocompromised adult horses. Many vaccines were designed and tested to protect foals from developing pneumonia; however, to date, there is no vaccine that will protect foals from intrabronchial challenge with R. equi, except live, virulent R. equi. To evaluate electron-beam (e-beam) irradiation as a method of inactivation of R. equi, 2 concentrations (Concentration 1, 1 × 10^(8) colony-forming units/ml [CFU/ml] or Concentration 2, 1 × 10^(9) CFU/ml) of R. equi were submitted to a range of e-beam radiation doses, ranging from 0 to 7 kGy. All microorganisms of Concentrations 1 and 2 were adequately inactivated by 4 and 5 kGy, respectively, and the bacterial cell wall remained intact, whereas heat-inactivated samples indicated a compromised cell wall. Both concentrations were tested for immunogenicity and effects on fecal microbiome in neonatal foals. Mucosal and serum antibody responses were studied, as well as cell-mediated immune responses. Enteral administration of e-beam inactivated R. equi increased IFN-γ production and generated naso-pharyngeal R. equi-specific IgA in newborn foals. The inactivated vaccine appeared safe and immunogenic in neonatal foals in the presence of maternal antibody. No impact of treatment on fecal microbiome composition or diversity was observed among vaccinated foals; however, marked and significant differences in microbial communities and diversity were observed between foals at 32 days of age relative to 2 days of age regardless of treatment. In conclusion, electron-beam irradiation is an appropriate method for inactivation of R. equi, and e-beam irradiated R. equi vaccine is immunogenic in neonatal foals. Also, age-related changes in immune responses and the fecal microbial population occurred in healthy foals vaccinated enterally with e-beam inactivated R. equi. Mucosal vaccination does not result in major changes of the fecal microbiome in foals

HOMOIMPLANTE ORTOTÓPICO DE TENDÃO CALCÂNEO EM CÃES: CONSERVAÇÃO, ASSEPSIA E IMPLANTAÇÃO ORTHOTOPIC HOMOLOGOUS COMMON CALCANEOUS TENDON GRAFT IN DOGS: CONSERVATION, ASEPSIS AND IMPLANTATION

Foi elaborado um modelo experimental de conservação, assepsia e implantação de tendão homólogo ortotópico, para avaliar a resposta orgânica, em 48 cães. Os implantes foram conservados em glicerina a 98%, durante 45 dias a seis meses e, após, reidratados e submetidos à ação anti-séptica do iodo durante 24h antes da implantação. A avaliação clínica e histopatológica após 11, 22, 44 e 132 dias de evolução não evidenciou qualquer sinal de infecção ou rejeição. Tendões homólogos ortotópicos conservados em glicerina a 98% estão indicados para corrigir perdas tendíneas.An experimental model of conservation, asepsis and implantation of homologous glycerine 98%-stored tendon graft is presented in order to evaluate the tissue reaction to implantation in 48 dogs. Grafts were preverved in sterile glycerin from 45 days to six months period. Before implantation grafts were placed in isotônic saline with iodine, during 24h period for rehydration and asepsis. Clinical evaluation and histopathologic analisis of biopsies were made at 11st , 22nd, 44th and 132nd post-operative day. There was not evidence of infection or graft rejection. Orthotopic homologous glycerine-stored tendon graft are indicated in reconstructive tendon surgery

Rumenostomy with placement of flexible cannula in sheep

A colocação de cânulas no sistema digestório é freqüentemente requisitada para estudos experimentais de digestibilidade, principalmente em animais de produção. A colocação de cânulas impede o extravasamento de gás e conteúdo ruminal durante os intervalos de coleta, sendo utilizada em várias espécies e porções do trato digestório. O objetivo deste trabalho é a descrição de uma técnica cirúrgica de rumenostomia com colocação de cânula flexível de borracha em ovinos. Foram utilizados 14 ovinos machos inteiros adultos hígidos destinados a experimentação em nutrição de ruminantes. Após sedação e anestesia local, os animais foram submetidos à rumenostomia com colocação de cânulas flexíveis de borracha. A técnica se mostrou adequada para produção da fístula, apenas um dos animais apresentou extravasamento em torno da cânula após a implantação da mesma. A rumenostomia para implantação da cânula flexível é de fácil realização e ajuste anatômico em ovinos, proporcionando boa adaptação dos animais.The placement of cannula in the digestive system is frequently requested for experimental studies of digestibility, mainly in farm animals. The placement of cannula avoids the leakage of gas and rumen content during the collection intervals, being used in several species and portions of the digestive system. The objective of this study is to describe a surgical technique of rumenostomy with placement of flexible rubber cannula in sheeps. Fourteen healthy adult male sheeps destined to the experimentation in nutrition of ruminant were used. After sedation and local anesthesia, the animals were submitted to the rumenostomy with placement of flexible rubber cannula. The technique was appropriate for the fistulae producing, and just one of the animals presented leakage around the cannula after the implantation of it. The rumenostomy for implantation of the flexible cannula is a simple method and produces appropriate anatomical adjustment in sheeps, providing good adaptation of the animals