Infection exposure, detection and causes of death in perinatal mortalities in Polish dairy herds

peer-reviewedThe objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and types of infections in perinatal mortality (PM) cases from Polish dairy farms and the relevance of the presence of infection to the cause of death. This prospective longitudinal study was carried out on 121 PM and 21 control calves with a gestation of ≥260 days. Six control calves were euthanized and examined using the same protocol as for PM calves. Material was collected over a 20-month period between November 2013 and June 2015. The PM and control calves were collected from 29 to 5 herds, respectively. Blood samples from calves were tested for antibodies to Neospora caninum, glycoprotein B of BoHV-1, BVDV and SBV using ELISAs and Leptospira hardjo and Leptospira pomona with the microscopic agglutination test. Brain and kidney samples from all PM and six euthanized control calves were tested using real time PCR to detect Neospora caninum, pathogenic Leptospira spp., BoHV-1 and SBV; brain was examined histopathologically for detection of N. caninum cysts. Samples from eight inner organs from all PM and six control calves were cultured aerobically, anaerobically and microaerobically. Ear samples from all PM and control calves were tested for BVDV using an antigen ELISA. In total, 21.5% of PM calves were infected (antigen and/or antibody-positive) in utero; none of the control calves were infected. Direct evidence of infection (culture, Ag-ELISA, PCR, histopathology) was detected in 9.1% of PM calves. Gestation length in infected singletons was shorter than in uninfected singletons (274 ± 8 vs. 279 ± 7 days; P < 0.01). The odds ratio for diagnosis of infection in single pregnancies ≤275 days was 3.75 (95% CI:1.2–12.1), (P < 0.05). Infection was the cause of death in 10% of calves. The most common infections detected in these Polish PM calves were parasitic (11.6% of PM cases), viral (7.4%) and bacterial (5%). This study demonstrated that indirect evidence of infection is detected more frequently than direct, coinfection is rare, infection is rarely accompanied by gross lesions and is rarely a cause of death in cases of PM

Association between polymorphisms in the SOX9 region and canine disorder of sex development (78,XX; SRY-negative) revisited in a multibreed case-control study

Testicular or ovotesticular disorders of sex development (DSD) in individuals with female karyotype (XX) lacking the SRY gene has been observed in several mammalian species, including dogs. A genetic background for this abnormality has been extensively sought, and the region harboring the SOX9 gene has often been considered key in canine DSD. Three types of polymorphism have been studied in this region to date: a) copy number variation (CNV) in a region about 400 kb upstream of SOX9, named CNVR1; b) duplication of SOX9; and c) insertion of a single G-nucleotide (rs852549625) approximately 2.2 Mb upstream of SOX9. The aim of this study was thus to comprehensively analyze these polymorphisms in a large multibreed case-control cohort containing 45 XX DSD dogs, representing 23 breeds. The control set contained 57 fertile females. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was used to study CNVR1 and the duplication of SOX9. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to visualize copy numbers on a cellular level. The Sanger sequencing approach was performed to analyze the region harboring the G-insertion. We confirmed that CNVR1 is highly polymorphic and that copy numbers varied between 0 and 7 in the case and control cohorts. Interestingly, the number of copies was significantly higher (P = 0.038) in XX DSD dogs (mean = 2.7) than in the control females (mean = 2.0) but not in all studied breeds. Duplication of the SOX9 gene was noted only in a single XX DSD dog (an American Bully), which had three copies of SOX9. Distribution of the G-nucleotide insertion was similar in the XX DSD (frequency 0.20) and control (frequency 0.14) cohorts. Concluding, our study showed that CNVR1, located upstream of SOX9, is associated with the XX DSD phenotype, though in a breed-specific manner. Duplication of the SOX9 gene is a rare cause of this disorder in dogs. Moreover, we did not observe any association of G-insertion with the DSD phenotype. We assume that the genetic background of XX DSD can be different in certain breeds

Useful immunohistochemical indicators in canine mast cell tumours

Morphological and immunohistochemical analysis of 45 canine mast cell tumours was performed to determine whether the proteins examined are useful for a more precise description of tumour morphology and a more reliable determination of the prognosis in patients. Tissue sections were stained according to the standard haematoxylin and eosin (HE) technique and with toluidine blue to demonstrate cytoplasmic granules. Immunohistochemical studies were performed, using the cell markers CD117 (c-kit), p16 and von Willebrand factor (FVIII). In CD117 three different staining patterns were observed: (1) membranous reaction, (2) intense staining of cytoplasm, and (3) a diffuse, delicate cytoplasmic reaction. Von Willebrand antibody was evaluated on the basis of the number of blood vessels stained. p16 expression was evaluated by scoring positive nuclear reaction. Positive expression was demonstrated for all examined antigens, but their level of expression differed depending on the grades of tumour malignancy. Statistical analysis of the results documented a pronounced positive correlation between the markers studied and the grade of tumour malignancy (P < 0.001). It was shown that each of the cell markers examined represents a useful prognostic indicator for patients with mast cell tumours. The calculated correlation coefficients demonstrate a strong association between the expressions of CD117, FVIII and p16, and the histological malignancy of a tumour

Title Page Viral Hepatitis Services and Providers in Pennsylvania: A Preliminary Survey

Pennsylvania bears a considerable burden of viral hepatitis. Over 800 cases of hepatitis A have been reported in PA since January 2018 as part of large person-to-person outbreaks occurring in the United States. The opioid epidemic has also highlighted the increasing risk of hepatitis B transmission through intravenous drug use and PA remains among the top 10 states with the highest prevalence of chronic hepatitis C infections. The objective of this preliminary survey was to access the availability of hepatitis-related services and providers as well as current barriers to services with the goal of creating a centralized resource through which potential patients could find care. Existing data and surveys conducted through the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) and a prior hepatitis provider map were analyzed for gaps in knowledge regarding hepatitis provider availability and services. An online survey was created in collaboration with pertinent groups including the PADOH survey and communications team to be distributed to providers listed on the 2016 provider map, free and charitable health clinics, and federally qualified health care centers in PA. Phone and email follow-ups were conducted to increase buy-in and promote survey participation. Data collected were then summarized and analyzed utilizing Microsoft Excel and uploaded into ArcGIS Online to create an updated hepatitis provider map to be linked on the PADOH’s hepatitis C webpage. Reliable access to up-to-date information regarding preventive services and treatment is essential to those seeking care and to combatting the spread of viral hepatitis in Pennsylvania. Through this preliminary survey hepatitis-related services, providers, and barriers to care were identified to inform potential solutions to increase access to these services. This preliminary survey highlighted the need for increased funding and training for hepatitis-related services as well as statewide geographic gaps in care. An understanding of current provider availability is imperative to address barriers to care, properly allocate resources, combat the rising spread of viral hepatitis across the state and prevent associated morbidity and mortality of this major public health problem

La preuve par le don (Marcel Mauss et son héritage MAUSSien)

Nous tentons : 1) de montrer qu il existe une grande cohérence entre le projet scientifique de Mauss tel qu il se cristallise dans son Essai sur le don et son projet éthico-politique en faveur d un socialisme démocratique et associationniste ; 2) de montrer que le M.A.U.S.S. - le Mouvement anti-utilitariste dans les sciences sociales - en est le digne héritier ; 3) et que, du coup, le paradigme MAUSSien du don a une supériorité de principe sur les paradigmes de l école de la régulation, de l économie des conventions, et de celui des tenants de l économie solidaire ou plutôt, qu'il en est le lieu de convergence et de vérité.We aim : 1) to show a large coherence between the scientific project of Mauss as is formulated in his " essais sur le don " and his ethical-political project in favor of democratic and associational socialism ; 2) to show that the MAUSS - le Mouvement anti-utilitariste dans les sciences sociales - is the worthy heir ; 3) and that therefore the Maussian paradigm of the donation is superior in principle to the paradigms of the école de la régulation , of the économie des conventions , and of the supporters of a solidarity economy, or rather is the point of convergence and truth.NANTERRE-BU PARIS10 (920502102) / SudocBORDEAUX-SCIENCES PO-IEP (335222203) / SudocSudocFranceF

Immunohistochemical diagnostic of hibernoma in dog

The diagnosis of hibernoma is uncommon in veterinary medicine. In this report, we present an attempt to confirm hibernoma diagnosed in dogs by applying immunohistochemical tests routinely used in human pathology i.e. antibodies specific to protein S100, protein CD31, or smooth muscle actin (SMA)

Morphological analysis of testicles in cats with disorders of sex development

Disorders of sex development (DSD) are rare in cats. They can be caused by chromosomal aberrations, gene mutations or other undefined factors. The aim of the present study was to compare the histological structure and immunohistochemical reactivity of testes in cats with DSD and in healthy cats. The research material consisted of the gonads of four cats – phenotypic males with an incorrect structure of the reproductive system. The control group consisted of the testes of four healthy cats – routinely castrated phenotypical males. The material was fixed with formalin and embedded in paraffin; the sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The immunohistochemical investigation were performed using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies directed against desmin, vimentin, actin of smooth muscles, S100 protein and MCM3 protein. The results obtained allow concluding that the testes of cats with DSD differed in certain respects, mainly in the number of blood vessels, from the normal testes. Moreover, the results of immunohistochemical examination indicate that in the testes of cats with DSD the number of supporting cells is lower, the amount of interstitial cells is comparable and spermatogenesis is correct es compared to those determined in the control gonads. The number of blood vessels in cats with DSD is reduced by about 30%. It confirms the recommendations for castration of these animals in order to eliminate the potential inheritance of sex development disorders