Animal Science

Lesions espongiformes i inflamatòries concomitants.

Progress

Effect of Heat Stress on Dairy Goats

Due to climate change, increased frequency and intensity of heat waves in the future is expected. The research results show clear differences in the characteristics of the milk of Murciano-Granadin goats subjected to heat stress and benefits of using soybean oil to improve the properties of their milk.

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Progress

Relationship between Mineral Levels and Health in Pyrenean Chamois

The important impact on fertility, growth and disease that the mineral status of living things has is often underestimated in wildlife. The results of a study on macro and trace mineral concentrations in liver samples show that Pyrenean chamois affected by infectious diseases have a higher concentration of certain minerals than healthy chamois.

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Progress

Effectiveness of a New Treatment for Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs

An estimated 10% of dogs suffer atopic dermatitis, a common type of allergy for which there are few treatments. A clinical trial has shown that topical administration of the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, possible thanks to advances in nanotechnology, is effective in reducing the severity of injuries and does not cause adverse reactions.

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Progress

Genetic Studies of Influenza A Viruses Circulating in Pigs in Spain

A genetic study of influenza virus circulating in pigs in the north-east of Spain reveals their belonging to three family subtypes of influenza virus. Those genetically related to other European families indicate a cross-border introduction or reintroduction in Spanish herds. This divergence suggests the persistence of some viruses in certain regions.

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11/2008 -

Prion form atypical scrapie lacks lymphotropism

From the active TSE surveillance programme in Catalonia, the Priocat laboratory of animal health research centre (CReSA) has detected a noticeable lack of lymphotropsim as far as scrapie-associated prion protein deposition is concerned. Results described in the paper, where a viral encephalitis -which implies formation of lymphoid follicles in the brain- is concomitant to a prion disease. In the classical strains the prions show a strong affinity for the lymphoid tissue but not in this case, even when follicles are as close as in the same brain.

References

Lack of PrPsc immunostaining in intracranial ectopic lymphoid follicles in a sheep with concomitant non-suppurative encephalitis and Nor98-like atypical scrapie: A case report.Vidal, E; Tortosa, R; Costa, C; Benavides, J; Francino, O; Sanchez-Robert, E; Perez, N; Pumarola, M.VETERINARY JOURNAL, 177 (2): 283-288 AUG 2008

An initial reactor was obtained with a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) rapid test from an ovine brain sample. After that, through immunohistochemistry confirmed an atypical TSE presentation in that sample closely resembling the previously described Nor 98 cases.

Sequencing of the prnp gene confirmed the presence of the L141F mutation associated with this phenotype. The head, including the brain and cranial lymphoid tissues, was sampled and thoroughly studied. Non-purulent encephalitis, with ectopic lymphoid follicle formation within the brain, was diagnosed concomitant to the TSE. When scrapie-associated prion protein (PrPsc) deposition was studied by immunohistochemistry, a noticeable lack of lymphotropism was evidenced. Brain distribution of PrPsc differed considerably from that of classical scrapie cases.

Astrogliosis and microgliosis were evidenced by histochemical procedures. Other markers, such as cleaved caspase 3, perineuronal nets and gabaergic neural populations, were also evaluated and remained unchanged compared to control animals.

Enric Vidal, R. Tortosa, C. Costa, J. Benavides, O. Francino, E. Sanchez-Robert, N. Pérez i M. Pumarola

Centre for Research in Animal Health (CRESA)

Department of Animal and Food Science

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

enric.vidal@cresa.uab.cat

2024 Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

B.11870-2012 ISSN: 2014-6388