Microsoft word - df front winter 2006.doc

Winter 2006

FROM THE DIRECTOR
H. Leon Thacker, DVM, PhD
As this is written, winter has been mild and quite pleasant compared with some
of those of past years. OK with me if it continues. Activity in the ADDL
continues to be high; the faculty and staff of the Laboratory continue to provide
dedicated, beyond the call of duty, hustle to diagnostic requests and
submissions. We have recently completed testing by the immunohistochemistry
method samples from 1256 hunter-killed deer from Indiana; all samples were
found to be ‘no resistant prions detected, i.e. no prions diagnostic of Chronic
Wasting Disease of deer were found. We continue to support the national
surveillance program for detecting Scrapie of sheep and goats. We are running
600-1000 samples by IHC per week. The federally assisted state program for
Johne’s disease surveillance in Indiana continues to generate samples for fecal culture or serum ELISA testing for Johne’s disease. Our laboratory was recently selected as one of the members of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network laboratories to participate in an interlaboratory comparison study for a newly developed Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory multiplex system capable of testing for a number of diseases from the same animal tissue/fluid sample by multiplex polymerase chain reaction methodology. High technology equipment has been installed and calibrated in the ADDL and we have two technicians in addition to the head of our molecular diagnostics area, Dr. Ramesh Vemulapalli, who have been trained on the equipment operation. I was recently presented with a letter of resignation from Dr. Zheko Kounev who has been a member of our faculty for the past three years as avian diagnostician and food safety specialist. Dr. Kounev was presented with an opportunity with an Illinois nutrition company who will assign Dr. Kounev to activity in Bulgaria for major timeframes as part of his employment responsibilities. As Zheko and his wife are natives of Bulgaria and they yet own properties there, it was an opportunity that felt they could not decline. We wish Zheko and his family the best of times in the future. ADDL will begin a search for a replacement for Dr. Kounev’s avian activities ASAP. We continue to receive queries regarding Avian Influenza presence and testing. To date, we have tested birds of several species, the most numerous being chickens and turkeys; we have found no evidence of AI presence in Indiana. Tests available in ADDL for AI include PCR, virus isolation, antigen capture ELISA and agar gel immunodiffusion. In August of 2005, we sent out a survey of ADDL laboratory users to get ideas of means whereby we can improve services. We were very well pleased with the satisfaction reflected by the returned survey results. Some areas of perceived needed improvement were identified; we are working on them. We hope to see many of the veterinarians who receive this newsletter at the annual meeting of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association in Indy the end of this month. FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Bone Marrow Fat Analysis as a Measure of Starvation in Animals………………………. 1 Leptospiral Reproductive Losses in Cattle……………………………………………………………………. ADDL 2006 Schedule……………………………………………………………………………………………. 3 Equine Mandibular Juvenile Ossifying Fibromas……………………………………………………………… Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME) in Dogs…………………………………………………. On the Road………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ADDL News.…………………………………………………………………………………………. 7 Auto-faxing. 8 Testing for Persistently Infected BVD Animals by Antigen Capturing ELISA. 8 Antibiotic sensitivities. 9 bad teeth, parasitism, neoplasia, toxins, or FINAL DIAGNOSIS: This column in the
Winter 2006 issue is being replaced by an Starvation is characterized by a lengthy and article written by Carla Vega de la Cruz, continuous deprivation of food (Stedman’s, 1995). They both can be caused by diseases, injuries, management conditions, and/or the environmental conditions in which the animals live. In the northern hemisphere, winter can Bone Marrow Fat Analysis as a
bring on additional stress to outdoor livestock Measure of Starvation in Animals
due to a lack of food-related negative energy Summary: Making a definitive diagnosis of
quality/inadequate forages, cold weather, and starvation in animals is difficult because there increased energy demands (Radostits, 2000). are few quantitative measures of starvation In wild ruminants such as deer and moose, available at postmortem examination. The analysis of bone marrow fat content by various Toxicology and Analytical Chemistry section of methods has been used for several decades for the Purdue ADDL is currently developing a diagnosis of starvation because, following harsh method which will be used to relate severely winters, bones are frequently the only sample decreased bone marrow fat to clinical starvation. which can be found for evaluation (Cheatum, This will be done by developing an analytical 1949, Bischoff, 1954, Greer, 1968, Neiland, 1970, Verme and Holland, 1973, Franzmann establishing a database of values for the normal and Arneson, 1976). In those studies, a fat percentage of bone marrow fat in domestic solvent extraction method was generally found animals, and relating severely decreased bone to provide the most consistent results when marrow fat to clinical starvation. At this time, we compared to other methods even though some welcome inquiries regarding the submission of of the other air-drying or compression methods are more rapid and easier to perform in the field Rationale and Significance: Malnutrition is
a state in which a diet does not provide the Holland, 1973). In wildlife, the femur has been optimal amount of nutrients. The long-term effect of inadequate intake of food is starvation. marrow fat content (Ballard, 1995). The femur is Inadequate food intake can be exacerbated by a used because it is readily obtained, has a large physiological condition or disease state as well marrow content, an abundant blood supply, and as by extreme environmental factors such as is one of the last fat sources to be utilized. The those that occur in winter. Malnutrition and bone marrow of a normal healthy animal is solid, starvation are a natural cause of death in white and waxy due to the high fat content wildlife. Management practices resulting in (Cheatum, 1949). In a state of malnutrition, the malnutrition and starvation can also occur in bone marrow is red, solid, and slightly fatty to domestic livestock. When this occurs, there can the touch (Cheatum, 1949). In an advanced be legal ramifications related to mismanagement state of starvation, the bone marrow is red to and mistreatment. However, diagnostically, yellow, gelatinous, and glistening and wet to the touch due to the high water content (Cheatum, starvation available at post-mortem examination. 1949). In addition to the applicability of the This is why making the definitive diagnosis of solvent extraction method, findings of those starvation is many times difficult, especially if the wildlife studies pertinent to domestic livestock cause and time of death are unknown (Ballard, include: 1) with a high degree of accuracy, a 1995). Therefore, a need exists for a validated, gelatinous bone marrow ,regardless of its color, quantitative analytical method which can be is indicative of a poor animal resulting directly or used to support a post-mortem diagnosis of indirectly from malnutrition as in one study, 95% of gelatinous marrows were found in poor deer Literature Review: Malnutrition is defined as
and 97% were low in marrow fat (low defined in the inadequate intake and/or malabsorption of that study as less than 19%, Bischoff, 1954), 2) any required nutrients (Stedman’s, 1995). This no definite conclusion can be made from a solid can occur in an animal which is eating, but is not marrow concerning deer condition as in some able to ingest, digest, absorb, and/or utilize a sufficient quantity of nutrients (Radostits, 2000). approximately 40%-50% fat (Bischoff, 1954), 3) In addition to simple lack of food/nutritional tibia marrow does not correspond to femur intake, malnutrition can be related to injuries, marrow (Bischoff, 1954), 4) in another study, femur bone marrow fat content (by solvent extraction) in winter-killed elk was less than References:
0.25% (n=12) although the fat content in other 1) Ballard WB, Gardlner CL, Weslund JH, Miller live elk at the end of winter could be as low as SM: 1981. Use of mandible versus longbone to 1% (Greer, 1968), and 5) in an additional study, evaluate percent marrow fat in moose and femur bone marrow fat from winter-killed moose was as low as 6.1% fat in calves and 5.5% in 2) Ballard WB: 1995. Bone marrow fat as an adults by a dry-weight method which includes indicator of ungulate condition-How good is it? non-fat residue (Franzman and Arneson, 1976). 3) Bischoff AI: 1954. Limitations of the bone performed on wildlife, there are no published marrow technique in determining malnutrition in reports of the use of bone marrow fat for deer. Proc West Assoc State Game and Fish diagnosis of starvation in domestic livestock. (carbohydrates, protein and fat) for energy. carbohydrate in the form of glycogen. However, 5) Franzmann AW, Arneson PD: 1976. Marrow glycogen stores are relatively rapidly exhausted fat in Alaskan moose femurs in relation to and the next source for energy is predominantly mortality factors. J Wildlife Management 40 (2): fat. Bone marrow fat is one of the last body stores of fat to be used. Late in the course of starvation, when glycogen and fat stores have indicates fat content of elk (wapiti) femur been depleted, the only source available for marrows. J Wildlife Management 32(4): 747- energy is protein, the catabolism of which results in the development of ketosis (ketone bodies in 7) Hungerford TG: 1990. Diseases of Livestock blood and urine). If this negative energy 9th ed. McGraw-Hill Co., New York, NY. pp balance is not corrected the animal will die. In general, clinical signs and gross pathological 8) Neiland KA: 1970. Weight of dried marrow as findings related to malnutrition/starvation include indicator of fat in caribou femurs. J Wildlife animals that are weak and underweight, have a loss of skin turgor, have dull hair coats, sunken 9) Radostits OM, Gay CC, Blood DC, Hinchcliff eyes, tucked-up abdomens, prominence of the bones of shoulders, ribs, vertebra and pelvis, Diseases of Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Goats and atrophy of muscles, and a decrease or absence Horses, 9th ed. WB Saunders Co. New York, of subcutaneous, perirenal, pericardial and bone marrow fat which can be described as serous 10) Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. 26th ed. Williams and Wilkins. Baltimore MD 1995. Objective: Our goal is to develop and validate
11) Verme LJ, Holland JC: 1973. Reagent-dry an analytical method for the quantification of assay of marrow fat in white-tailed deer. J bone marrow fat from the femur and utilize that method to establish a database of normal values in different animals for use in suspected cases of starvation. The ADDL Toxicology and Analytical Chemistry section has begun to develop and validate the analytical method. We will then develop a database of normal values that can be used to determine cases of starvation in animals. - edited by the Toxicology and Analytical Chemistry Section Dr. Steve Hooser, Section Head Dr. Robert Everson, Analytical Chemist Christina Wilson, Assistant Chemist Kim Meyerholtz, Laboratory Technician way vaccines, but the new Spirovac vaccine for Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar hardjo (type: Leptospiral
hardjo-bovis) is necessary. Spirovac is safe and Reproductive Losses
effective in calves as early as 4 weeks of age. in Cattle
Initial vaccination includes 2 doses at 4-6 weeks apart. Once the entire herd is initially vaccinated, annual vaccination is required to Traditionally, leptospiral abortions were thought maintain protection. Additionally, any additions of as late-term losses and the source of infection to the herd should be isolated and follow the was a contaminated environment due to wildlife, same treatment and vaccination schedule used dog, or swine reservoirs. These late-term abortions are caused by several serovars including Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo -edited by Dr. Leon Thacker, ADDL Director (type: hardjo-prajitno), Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona, Leptospira interrogans serovar References:
1. ABS Global Technical Services: 2003. L. icterohemorrhagiae, and Leptospira kirschneri hardjo-bovis: Preventing the Silent Profitability serovar grippotyphosa. The standard 5-way leptospiral vaccines provide protection from all 2. Heath SE, R Johnson: 1994. Leptospirosis. of these pathogens; however, an additional leptospiral threat exists, Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar hardjo (type: hardjo- Development, Infectious Disease, and Diag- For hardjo-bovis, cattle are the maintenance nostic Features in Cases of Pregnancy Failure. host. The reproductive tracts and kidneys are Proceedings Society for Theriogenology Annual colonized and cattle serve as the source of infection in a herd. The traditional late-term 4. Wikse SE: 2004. At Last: An Effective Control abortions can occur, but the real effect is overall Program for Leptospira hardjo-bovis. Veterinary reduced reproductive performance. Herds see 5. Wikse SE: 2003. Practitioner’s Approach to increased early embryonic losses, and stillbirths Investigation of Abortions in Beef Cattle. Proceedings of the Society for Theriogenology Eliminating carriers is key to minimizing losses Annual Conference and Symposium. 214-220. associated with leptospirosis once a diagnosis diagnose a herd problem with hardjo-bovis, serum and urine samples are required from a representative sample of the herd. Any open cows should be included in that sampling. To Purdue ADDL and Heeke ADDL will be closed facilitate flushing the leptospiral organisms from on the following University holidays in 2006. the kidneys, cows are given furosemide and the urine sample is collected from dilute urine that is January 16…………….Martin Luther King Day voided after the initial concentrated urine is voided. The urine is chilled in red-top tubes. July 4………………….Independence Day September 4………….Labor Day Although serology is typically more useful with the L. interrogans and L. kirschneri serovars, serum samples should also be collected from the same animals that provided the urine samples. If aborted fetuses are available, useful samples include kidney, liver, lung, urine, and thoracic or abdominal fluids. Contacting your diagnostic laboratory for guidance on what samples to submit and how to package them for established, carriers are eliminated by treatment with oxytetracycline. A diligent herd vaccination program that includes not only the traditional 5- Equine Mandibular Juvenile
It is controversial whether the juvenile Ossifying Fibromas
mandibular ossifying fibroma is caused by trauma, or whether an undetected, immature Although equine tumors are fairly uncommon, a fibroma causes the bone to be brittle and more significant portion of those that do arise occur in susceptible to minor trauma. Many of the the head and neck region. Specifically, tumors reported cases cite an injury as the cause of the of the oral cavity may originate in the mandible, bony proliferation. Trauma affecting the gums, tongue, etc., often extending into the mandible through a fall, kick or self-inflicted surrounding tissues. One of these tumors is the injury (e.g., running into objects), will often result ossifying fibroma that tends to develop from the in gingival ulcerations and tears that will not heal intramembranous bone of the mandible. This tumor has a high occurrence in young (2-14 progressing to the growth of a prominent hard structure at the site of injury. The ossifying predilection has been shown, and genetic fibroma arises from mutations in normal bony predisposition has yet to be determined. Many remodeling that would otherwise reconstruct the believe this tumor can be diagnosed through mandible. The mass will proliferate until the lips history, signalment, physical examination and are no longer apposed (allowing visualization of radiographic findings, as it presents with highly the mass), prehension difficulty is noted, and characteristic features. Nevertheless, in order to weight loss occurs as a result of not eating. definitively diagnose an ossifying fibroma and Many feel that the trauma sustained by the distinguish it from similar proliferative lesions in mandible should not be substantial enough to the mandible (osteoma, osteosarcoma, fibrous elicit such an injury with obvious prolonged dysplasia, fibrous osteodystrophy), histo- healing time. Therefore, another facet to the pathology should be key in the diagnostic plan. trauma theory is that the ossifying fibroma This neoplasm is locally aggressive, with already existed in the bone, had weakened its extensive bony proliferation and trabecular trabecular structure, and made the mandible destruction, yet there are no reports of it more susceptible to minor injury. Extensive and possessing metastatic qualities. Medical and/or rapid growth is then stimulated by the trauma. surgical options may be employed to successfully treat the neoplasm, avoiding further occurrence. However, as with other invasive neoplastic processes, inadequate resection of margins or incomplete treatment often leads to rapid, extensive and increased regrowth. Prognosis is often dependent on the extent of
mandibular involvement (prehension difficulty)
and aesthetic appearance of the horse (owner’s
visual value).
Clinical Presentation and History: Clinical
signs associated with the juvenile ossifying Diagnosis: A tentative diagnosis can be made
fibroma depend on location and size of the based on the history, as well as on the gross, clinical and radiographic aspects of the lesion. prehension, lymphadenopathy, and intermittent Histological examination of the mass is used to oral mucosal bleeding. Early diagnosis is not confirm the presumptive diagnosis. This can be often made because the anatomy of the oral done on a core biopsy or an en bloc excisional cavity allows for a considerable amount of biopsy. The juvenile mandibular ossifying involvement and progression of the ossifying fibroma is characterized by well differentiated, fibroma before obvious clinical signs are noted. moderately vascularized, abundant, dense When clinical signs are apparent, advanced fibroblastic stroma, with isomorphic fibroblasts local infiltration is often present. The most transforming into osteoblasts that rim bony common presentation is as a sub-gingival, bony spicules. The histologic alterations tend to be proliferation on the rostral mandible in a young very uniform in appearance throughout the horse. The mass is uniformly firm and does not elicit signs of pain when manipulated. The To distinguish the juvenile mandibular ossifying fibroma from other closely resembling non- mucosa covering the mass is usually ulcerated. neoplastic and neoplastic lesions, histologic Upon palpation, the teeth in the affected area morphology plays an important role. Unlike ossifying fibroma, bony spicules in fibrous dysplasia are rarely lined by osteoblasts, and of radiation to the tumor tissues. Radiation only mature lesions contain deposits of lamellar therapy can be delivered through brachytherapy bone. Another differential diagnosis can be or, more commonly, through an external beam. osteoma. These are bony growths that are External beam therapy includes gamma or X- initially formed of cancellous bone with rays from megavoltage equipment with Cobalt- intertrabecular fatty or hematopoietic marrow; they may become increasingly compact with time. Because of the morphological similarity treating the ossifying fibroma with a bilateral between ossifying fibroma and some cases of parallel opposed pair technique. The radiation osteoma, it is thought that ossifying fibromas margins should include the tumor and a border of normal, healthy tissue. After several osteosarcomas, neoplastic cells have a high successive treatments, the mass initially mitotic index and are pleomorphic, features which are lacking in ossifying fibromas. radiodense using diagnostic imaging. Over Treatment: Treatment includes surgical
time, the ossifying fibroma progressively (mandibulectomy, hemi-mandibulectomy) and decreases in size to the point of no visible Combinations of these therapies may also be As with radiation treatment, serial follow-up radiographs are extremely important in the Surgical management requires the extensive surgical post-operative monitoring of the patient. structures (teeth), with achievement of adequate surgery; surgery can be used to either debulk clean margins. It has been widely reported that the mass for radiation therapy or used in en bloc local excision of a juvenile mandibular ossifying excision to expose transitional margins primed fibroma often results in rapid and proliferative recurrence unless the surgical excision includes In summary, mandibular juvenile ossifying wide surgical margins. The choice of which fibroma is a locally invasive, proliferative, fibro- surgical procedure to use is based on diagnostic osseous tumor that is most commonly found in graphy), which determines the extent of bony aggressive in nature, the neoplasm is benign, as involvement. If diagnosed or suspected early in no incidents of metastasis have been reported. the growth process, a rostral mandibulectomy or Grossly it is very distinct, yet in order to rostral hemi-mandibulectomy may suffice as definitively diagnose this mass, histopathology proper treatment. If there is significant bony involvement, more drastic surgical procedures significant mandibular involvement, treatment options yield a fair to good prognosis. Both mandibulectomy) are recommended. When the surgical and radiation therapies have resulted in ossifying fibroma has grown from the rostral extremely low recurrence rates when adequately mandible, involved the entire mandibular employed, with the horse returning to normal prehension, activity and visual aesthetics post mandibles, internal fixation (metal implants) must be used to create a pseudosymphysis upon removal of the neoplasm. This allows for proper apposition of dentition, as well as stabilization of the grinding forces of the jaw during mastication. If complete removal of the References
juvenile ossifying fibroma is achieved, there is a very low probability of recurrence, even years Minute Veterinary Consult-Equine. Lippincott, post surgery. If regrowth is to occur, most Williams and Wilkins. Iowa State University, studies have shown that this takes place within 2. Collins JA: 1998. Ossifying fibroma/osteoma Radiation therapy, the other therapeutic option in the proximal tibia of a mature gelding. Vet in cases of mandibular ossifying fibromas, uses ionizing radiation to treat the neoplasm and to 3. Hance SR, Bertone AL: 1993. Neoplasia. Vet Clin North Am Eq Pract. 9(1):213-234. surpassing the normal tissue tolerance of the 4. Morse CC, Saik JE, Richardson DW, Fetter healthy tissue surrounding the ossifying fibroma, AW: 1988. Equine juvenile mandibular ossifying radiation therapy delivers a sufficient lethal dose 5. Orsini JA, Baird DK, Ruggles AJ: 2004. a) Focal GME – this is a chronic progressive Radiotherapy of a recurrent ossifying fibroma in condition (3-6 months) and the clinical signs the paranasal sinus of a horse. J Am Vet Med occur secondary to nodular granuloma formation and mimic the effects of space occupying 6. Richardson DW, Evans LH, Tulleners EP: 1991. Rostral mandibulectomy in five horses. J b) Multifocal or disseminated GME – This is an acute, progressive condition (2-6 weeks). The 7. Roberts MC, Groenendyk S, Kelly WR: 1978. most common sites affected are lower brain Ameloblastic odontoma in a foal. Equine Vet J stem, cervical spinal cord and meninges. Up to 25% of the dogs are dead within a week (Wong 8. Robbins SC, Arighi M, Ottewell G: 1996. The use of megavoltage radiation to treat juvenile c) Ocular form- this can be acute, progressive or mandibular ossifying fibroma in a horse. Can static and can affect eyes unilaterally or 9. www.vin.com (search juvenile ossifying Depending on the location of the lesions, the clinical signs can vary, but neurological deficits common.
Pathology: At necropsy, gross lesions are
evident if the angiocentric inflammation is severe and can be seen as areas of swelling and yellow to gray discoloration. Histopathologic lesions Please remember…
are characterized by perivascular cuffs of cellular whorls that can evolve into nodular granulomas (Ryan et al (Ryan et al, 2001). Immunohistochemical characterization of the Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis
inflammatory cells in the granulomatous lesions (GME) in dogs
of GME showed that the lesions consist of MHC class II and CD3+ T-cells indicating a T-cell GME is an acute, progressive inflammatory mediated delayed hypersensitivity reaction disease of the central nervous system (CNS) of dogs. GME is a common differential for dogs Diagnosis: GME diagnosis is supported by the
that are affected by focal or diffuse neurological exclusion of neoplastic, infectious and other diseases. An inflammatory disease like GME inflammatory conditions (e.g., canine necrotizing can cause severe and often irreversible damage meningoencephalitis, NME). CT and MRI can sometimes be of use in detection of the CNS understanding of the disease is essential. lesions but it is difficult to differentiate the Etiology: GME has been reported around the
lesions from neoplasia. Cell characteristics world and can affect most breeds and ages of such as cytologic atypia and mitotic figures dogs; however, middle aged, small breed dogs might be useful to differentiate this condition from neoplasia or neoplastic reticulosis. susceptible (Thomas, 1998). GME accounts for Granulomatous inflammation due to viruses up to 25% of all canine CNS disorders reported (e.g., rabies or canine distemper), protozoa (e.g., Toxoplasma and Neosporum), and fungi specific etiological agent has been described for (e.g., Cryptococcus) can be ruled out by demonstration of specific antigens in CSF or Clinical signs: The clinical signs of the disease
serum antibody titers for the various etiologic are variable depending on the location of the agents. NME can be differentiated based on lesion in the CNS. Three syndromes of GME breed predilection (small-size breeds, especially have been recognized based on the location of Treatment: B) Corticosteroids are the mainstay
of treatment for GME. Response to therapy is
variable and discontinuation results in
recurrence of clinical signs and progression of
the disease. B) Leflunomide a de novo
pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor can also be used
Drs. Leon
Thacker, Greg Stevenson, Bob Everson, Ching
mediated) in the disease. However, these drugs Ching Wu, Duane Murphy, Steve Hooser, Jose
are expensive and controlled clinical trial results Ramos-Vara, Ramesh Vemulapalli, Roman
are not available. C) Radiation therapy can Pogranichniy, and Linda Hendrickson and
prolong the mean survival (MST) of dogs. Steve Vollmer attended the annual meeting of
Prognosis: The prognosis is generally poor for
GME. MST for all dogs with GME is 14 days Laboratory Diagnosticians in Hershey, PA, (range 1-1215 days – Munana, 1998). Dogs with focal signs in forebrain have an MST of >359 days while dogs with focal signs elsewhere Drs. Roman Pogranichniy and Ching Ching
have an MST of 59 days. Dogs with multifocal Wu attended the Conference for Research
signs have an MST of 8 days. Dogs that receive Workers in Animal Diseases/International PRRS radiation therapy for focal signs can survive >404 days. Corticosteroid therapy may induce a transient remission of clinical signs and can Drs. Margaret Miller, Ingrid Pardo and Gopa
Gopalakrishnan attended the annual American
College of Veterinary Pathologists meeting in Graduate Student
References:
1. Cuddon PA and Smith-Maxie L: 1984.
Reticulosis of the central nervous system in the dog. Comp Cont Educ Pract Vet 6:23-32. 2. Kipar A, Baumgartner W, Vogl C, Gaedke K and Wellman M: 1998. Immunohistochemical characterization of inflammatory cells in brains of dogs with granulomatous encephalomyelitis. ADDL NEWS
3. Munana K and Lutgen P: 1998. Prognostic Our congratulations to Dr. Gopa Gopalakrishnan
and Dr. Alok Sharma, ADDL Graduate Students,
meningoencephalomyelitis: 42 cases (1982- both of whom were presented awards at the recent American College of Veterinary Pathologists 4. Ryan K, Marks SL and Kerwin SC: 2001. Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis in Gopalakrishnan was awarded one of three ACVP dogs. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet 23(7): Young Investigator Awards for his poster presentation in the Diagnostic Pathology category 5. Thomas JB: 1998. Inflammatory diseases of entitled “Esophagitis in Camelids: Report of 3 the central nervous system in dogs. Clin Tech Dr. Sharma was awarded the C.L. Davis DVM Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis in Foundation Student Scholarship Award in Veterinary Pathology, an award given to a student who displays superior knowledge of pathology as Reporting Results
In an effort to provide results to our users 1. Ear notches should be taken with a sharp processes to enable “AutoFaxing”. This allows case reports to be generated, posted to the website, and faxed shortly after the NOT recommended; the sample they
provide is too small for an accurate test. system, even if it is after hours or on week- If you would prefer to have your case results emailed instead of (or in addition to) being samples need to be approximately 1 cm x
1 cm in size.
• Avoid testing scabby or frostbitten ears. • DO NOT put samples in formalin.
• Samples should be submitted fresh and days), samples can be refrigerated at 4º From the Virology Section
Testing for Persistently Infected BVD
3. Package individually in snap cap tubes (size
animals by antigen capturing ELISA
the following vendors: Fisher Scientific at Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) belongs to the family Flaviviridae, the genus pestiviruses. There are several members of the genus and two types of BVD viruses. All of them are highly • DO NOT use Whirl packs to submit
infectious and economically important to the livestock industry. If a fetus becomes infected in utero with BVD virus in the early stages of persistently infected (PI) without immune response to this virus for the rest of its life. This • It is not recommended to submit pooled animal will shed the BVD virus in the herd and samples for testing or to request pooling infect other animals. If a PI animal is not identified in the herd, it will be a source of • If submitting more than 200 ear notches, infection until it is removed. Elimination of BVD from the herd requires removing PI animals from There are several assays available to identify PI animals: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), virus isolation (VI), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and antigen capturing (Agc) ELISA. The AgcELISA for BVD virus is a rapid diagnostic tool that can identify PI animals in the herd if appropriate samples are submitted. Serum and ear notch samples are suitable for PI animal testing by AgcELISA for BVD viral antigen. To provide optimum service on this assay, the following guidelines should be followed when sending ear notch samples to Purdue ADDL for AgcELISA Percent of Micro-organisms that are Resistence to Selected Antibiotics from Jul.- Dec. 2004 and Jan.-June 2005.
Percent of Micro-organisms that are Resistence to Selected Antibiotics from Jul.- Dec. 2004 and Jan.-June 2005.

Source: https://www.addl.purdue.edu/newsletters/2006/Winter/Winter2006.pdf