Evaluation of the performance of five diagnostic tests for Fasciola hepatica infection in naturally infected cattle using a Bayesian no gold standard approach

The clinical and economic importance of fasciolosis has been recognised for centuries, yet diagnostic tests available for cattle are far from perfect. Test evaluation has mainly been carried out using gold standard approaches or under experimental settings, the limitations of which are well known. In this study, a Bayesian no gold standard approach was used to estimate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of five tests for fasciolosis in cattle. These included detailed liver necropsy including gall bladder egg count, faecal egg counting, a commercially available copro-antigen ELISA, an in-house serum excretory/secretory antibody ELISA and routine abattoir liver inspection. In total 619 cattle slaughtered at one of Scotland’s biggest abattoirs were sampled, during three sampling periods spanning summer 2013, winter 2014 and autumn 2014. Test sensitivities and specificities were estimated using an extension of the Hui Walter no gold standard model, where estimates were allowed to vary between seasons if tests were a priori believed to perform differently for any reason. The results of this analysis provide novel information on the performance of these tests in a naturally infected cattle population and at different times of the year where different levels of acute or chronic infection are expected. Accurate estimates of sensitivity and specificity will allow for routine abattoir liver inspection to be used as a tool for monitoring the epidemiology of F. hepatica as well as evaluating herd health planning. Furthermore, the results provide evidence to suggest that the copro-antigen ELISA does not cross-react with Calicophoron daubneyi rumen fluke parasites, while the serum antibody ELISA does

Femur Flaps for Tibial Reconstruction

Femoral segments may reconstruct tibial fractures, substituting fibular segments. The femoral segment size superior to the fibular segment and the necessity for femur fixation were determined. In 3-Point Bending, a 40% diaphyseal circumference femoral segment failed 225N higher than the fibula (p=0.047). Using uniaxial compression and FEA, the 40% segment osteotomy initiated yielding in the femur at 2443N (safety factor = 2447N). As a result, the 40% femoral segment is superior to the fibula but requires fixation of the femur

Issledovanija lechenija fasciolleza u skota. III. Kheksakhlorofen (Bilevon-Bayer) i 2,2'-dichlor-4,4'-dinotro-1,1'-dioksidifenil (Bilevon M-Bayer; Bilevon 9015-Bayer)

Hexachlorophen given per os in the aqueous solution in the dosis of 1,7g/100 kg of body weight, in spite of its effectiveness (about 70%) does not lend itself - in authors' opinion - for massive practical use on account of its considerable toxicity and cumbersome application (prior starvation, diet during the therapy, risk of overdosage). Bilevon M-Bayer (Bilevon 9015-Bayer) in the dosis of 0.4 g/100 kg of body weight administered by oral route in aqueous solution is highly effective (75%) and devoid of any appreciable toxic side effect on the treated animals; it may be used without strict diet and is also allowed in the pregnancy

Issledovanija lechenija fasciolleza u skota. III. Kheksakhlorofen (Bilevon-Bayer) i 2,2'-dichlor-4,4'-dinotro-1,1'-dioksidifenil (Bilevon M-Bayer; Bilevon 9015-Bayer)

Hexachlorophen given per os in the aqueous solution in the dosis of 1,7g/100 kg of body weight, in spite of its effectiveness (about 70%) does not lend itself - in authors' opinion - for massive practical use on account of its considerable toxicity and cumbersome application (prior starvation, diet during the therapy, risk of overdosage). Bilevon M-Bayer (Bilevon 9015-Bayer) in the dosis of 0.4 g/100 kg of body weight administered by oral route in aqueous solution is highly effective (75%) and devoid of any appreciable toxic side effect on the treated animals; it may be used without strict diet and is also allowed in the pregnancy

Issledovanija lechenija fasciolleza u skota. I. Vnutrimyshechnye in"ekcii CCl4

The experimental treatment of cows, suffering from fasciolosis, with intramuscular injections of CCl₄ in the mixture with paraffin or rape-seed oil (1 : 1) proved to be ineffective for the therapy of the disease in the province veterinary practice (painfulness, occurrence of pathologic changes in the muscles, etc.)