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This Commentary article reviews the history of veterinary immunology in Australia from the 1980s and discusses the key people and areas of research during this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge gained from veterinary immunology has played an important role in the control of microbial and parasitic diseases in New Zealand through the development and use of vaccines and diagnostic tests. In this article celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Journal, I follow the development of important discoveries in veterinary immunology which have led to major advances in the control of animal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the threat of vaccination problems and antibiotic resistance, more appropriate approaches are desired to breed disease resistance animals that are now practiced in cattle, sheep, chicken, and fish farming. Over the recent century, breeding programs based on the productive characteristics have increased animals' overall growth rate and productivity. Despite the benefits, livestock breeding with this method has caused many physiological disorders as well as a reduction in overall immunocompetence. This issue highlights the importance of genetic considerations during the process of breeding. One of the most crucial gene clusters identified in animals is the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which plays a crucial role in the immune system to distinguishing self from non-self. Recent studies have demonstrated that some MHC regions are highly polymorphic. Also, a significant association between different MHC alleles and susceptibility/resistance to various diseases has been found. This review summarizes the recent research on MHC polymorphism and its association with immune responses in domestic animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabies is one of the deadliest zoonoses that have existed for decades, affecting wide range of hosts globally. In Nigeria, there is paucity of data on routine antibody check of antirabies vaccinated dogs as quality assurance. This study was designed to investigate the seroprevalence of canine rabies virus in both vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs within Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and eighty-two (182) blood samples collected from dogs were transported to the Virology and Immunology Laboratory of the University of Ilorin Veterinary Teaching Hospital for processing. Sera were harvested from the blood samples and rabies IgG was qualitatively determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Overall seroprevalence of 11% (20/182) was recorded in this study. One hundred and twenty-one (66.5%) and Sixty-one (33.5%) of the dogs used in this study had vaccination and non-vaccination status respectively. The study also revealed that several dogs (78.7%; 48/61) that were said to be vaccinated did not have rabies antibodies while some unvaccinated dogs (5.8%; 7/121) had rabies antibodies. There was a significant (χ2 = 11.177, df = 4, P = 0.025) association between age group and rabies virus antibodies detection. The same significant (χ2 = 9.995, df = 1, P = .002) association was observed for vaccination status of dogs sampled. On the other hand, sex has no significant (χ2 = 0.71, df = 1, P = .790) association with rabies virus antibodies. Poor attitude to vaccination of dogs used for hunting in rural and semi-urban areas was generally observed compared to dogs kept for other purposes in urban areas. There is need for increased rabies awareness campaign, vaccine subsidies, and wider sero-surveillance activities engaging the relevant stakeholders with government sponsorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytokines are important molecules that orchestrate the immune response. Given their role, cytokines have been explored as drugs in immunotherapy in the fight against different pathological conditions such as bacterial and viral infections, autoimmune diseases, transplantation and cancer. One of the problems related to their administration consists in the definition of the correct dose to avoid severe side effects. In the 70s and 80s different studies demonstrated the efficacy of cytokines in veterinary medicine, but soon the investigations were abandoned in favor of more profitable drugs such as antibiotics. Recently, the World Health Organization has deeply discouraged the use of antibiotics in order to reduce the spread of multi-drug resistant microorganisms. In this respect, the use of cytokines to prevent or ameliorate infectious diseases has been highlighted, and several studies show the potential of their use in therapy and prophylaxis also in the veterinary field. In this review we aim to review the principles of cytokine treatments, mainly IFNs, and to update the experiences encountered in animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several observations in the world of comparative immunology in plants, insects, fish and eventually mammals lead to the discovery of trained immunity in the early 2010's. The first demonstrations provided evidence that innate immune cells were capable of developing memory after a first encounter with some pathogens. Trained immunity in mammals was initially described in monocytes with the Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine (BCG) or prototypical agonists like β-glucans. This phenomenon relies on epigenetic and metabolic modifications leading to an enhanced secretion of inflammatory cytokines when the host encounters homologous or heterologous pathogens. The objective of our research was to investigate the trained immunity, well-described in mouse and human, in other species of veterinary importance. For this purpose, we adapted an in vitro model of trained innate immunity in dogs. Blood enriched monocytes were stimulated with β-glucans and we confirmed that it induced an increased production of pro-inflammatory and anti-microbial compounds in response to bacterial stimuli. These results constitute the first demonstration of trained immunity in dogs and confirm its signatures in other mammalian species, with an implication of cellular mechanisms similar to those described in mice and humans regarding cellular epigenetics and metabolic regulations.

Several observations in the world of comparative immunology in plants, insects, fish and eventually mammals lead to the discovery of trained immunity in the early 2010's. The first demonstrations provided evidence that innate immune cells were capable of developing memory after a first encounter with some pathogens. Trained immunity in mammals was initially described in monocytes with the Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine (BCG) or prototypical agonists like β-glucans. This phenomenon relies on epigenetic and metabolic modifications leading to an enhanced secretion of inflammatory cytokines when the host encounters homologous or heterologous pathogens. The objective of our research was to investigate the trained immunity, well-described in mouse and human, in other species of veterinary importance. For this purpose, we adapted an in vitro model of trained innate immunity in dogs. Blood enriched monocytes were stimulated with β-glucans and we confirmed that it induced an increased production of pro-inflammatory and anti-microbial compounds in response to bacterial stimuli. These results constitute the first demonstration of trained immunity in dogs and confirm its signatures in other mammalian species, with an implication of cellular mechanisms similar to those described in mice and humans regarding cellular epigenetics and metabolic regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyclonal antibodies against kappa light chain are used to diagnose diseases producing free light chain. The kappa and lambda light chains are products of immunoglobulin synthesis and released into the circulation in minor amounts such as serum, cerebrospinal fluid, urine and synovial fluid in normal condition. The purpose of this study was the production and purification of polyclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) against human kappa light chains. In this study, early human IgG was purified by ion-exchange chromatography, reduced with Dithiothreitol and heavy and light chains were separated with size-exclusion chromatography. Afterward, affinity chromatography with protein L Sepharose at pH 2.00 was displayed to be a dominant condition for the separation and purification of the kappa light chain of immunoglobulins from human serum. Eventually, the rabbit was immunized by human kappa light chains. The rabbit IgG was purified and labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was planned to determine the titer of HRP conjugated rabbit IgG against the human kappa light chain. The optimum titer of anti-kappa IgG was 1:16000. At the result, purified polyclonal anti-kappa is useful tool in biomedical and biochemical researches and diagnostic kits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • RVA vaccination program reduces the frequency and intensity of diarrhea in dairy calves. • The vaccination immune pressure can select specific genotypes in RVA field strains. • RVA genotype G10P[11] in fecal samples of calves from G6P[5] vaccinated dairy cattle herds. Abstract Worldwide, neonatal diarrhea is one of the most important health issues affecting dairy calves, and rotavirus A (RVA) is one of its primary causes. Among the measures to mitigate the risk of diarrhea outbreaks, cow vaccination stands out as one of the most important. However, the immune pressure resulting from routine vaccination may be able to select specific G and P genotypes in RVA field strains. This study aimed to determine the frequency and intensity of neonatal diarrhea and the incidence of RVA and attempted to monitor the G and P genotypes present in the RVA strains circulating in a high milk yield cattle herd vaccinated with RVA G6P[5] strain. Fecal samples (n = 1220) from 122 Holstein heifer calves between 0–30 days old that were born from RVA-vaccinated cows were collected at 10 different time points, regardless of the presence or absence of diarrhea. The presence of RVA in fecal samples was determined by the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) technique and confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). G and P amplicons from 10 RVA-positive fecal samples from calves of different ages and collections were subjected to nucleotide sequencing. The proportion of the calves and fecal samples that were positive for RVA were 62.3% (76/122) and 8.1% (99/1220), respectively. Using sequence analysis, all 10 RVA field strains presented genotype G10P[11]. The protection of G6P[5] vaccination is clear, as this genotype was not detected in this study, and it is known that vaccination against RVA reduces the incidence of diarrhea independent of genotype involved. This result demonstrates the importance of epidemiological monitoring of RVA genotypes circulating in vaccinated dairy cattle herds to the early detection of new potential pathogenic RVA strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • P. multocida isolates with high sulfonamide/trimethoprim MICs were detected in 3/29 farms. • These P. multocida isolates were related in their ApaI and SmaI PFGE patterns. • All of them harboured a plasmid of 6050 bp that was closely related to a plasmid of A. pleuropneumoniae. • The plasmid carried intact sul2 and dfrA14 genes, the latter was integrated into a strA gene. Abstract Pasteurella multocida is an important respiratory tract pathogen in intensive livestock farming, especially in pigs. Antimicrobial agents are frequently used to combat infections caused by this pathogen. In a study on antimicrobial resistance among respiratory tract pathogens of pigs from 30 German pig-producing farms, P. multocida isolates (n = 9) with high minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 16/304 mg/L (n = 2), 32/608 mg/L (n = 3) or ≥64/1216 mg/L (n = 4) for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (1:19) and of ≥512 mg/L (n = 9) for trimethoprim (TMP) were detected in three of these farms. The genetic relatedness of the isolates was investigated via capsule-specific PCR and macrorestriction analyses with Apa I and Sma I. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed indistinguishable restriction patterns per farm, with slight differences between the three farms. All isolates represented capsular type A. Four representative isolates, that were subjected to whole genome sequencing, shared the multi-locus sequence type (ST) 3. Their plasmids were transformed into E. coli TOP10 with subsequent selection on TMP-containing agar plates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and plasmid analysis of the transformants confirmed that they were resistant to sulfonamides and trimethoprim and carried only a single small plasmid. This plasmid was completely sequenced and revealed a size of 6050 bp. Sequence analyses identified the presence of a resistance gene cluster comprising the genes sul2-ΔstrA-dfrA14-ΔstrA-ΔstrB. Further analysis identified a dfrA14 gene cassette being integrated into the strA reading frame. Neither the gene dfrA14 nor this gene cluster have been detected before in P. multocida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Novel variant IBDVs were first identified in China.. • The Chinese novel variant IBDVs were obviously different from the American variant IBDV.. • The serious threat of the variant IBDV to chicken was further confirmed by animal experiments. Abstract Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is one of the most important immunosuppressive diseases that seriously threaten poultry farming and food safety worldwide. The variant strain of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) has been greatly neglected for more than 30 years. Recently, the subclinical infection of suspected IBD, causing considerable economic losses, occurred in the main chicken-farming regions of China. Through RT-PCR, sequencing, and phylogenic analyses, novel variant IBDVs were first identified in six provinces of eastern China. Immunological detection further confirmed the antigenic variation of the Chinese variant IBDVs. The Chinese IBDV variants were obviously different from the American IBDV variants, with less than a 97.7% (VP1) or 98.7% (VP2) amino acid sequence identity. Animal experiments further confirmed the serious threat of the variant IBDVs to chickens, demonstrating irreversible damage to the central immune organ, obvious immunosuppression, and growth retardation. This study not only identified the pandemic nature of the novel variant IBDVs for the first time but also discovered the distinct molecular epidemiological characteristics of these viruses, which will contribute more to the control of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Chicken anaemia virus infection influences the course of consecutive infection with LPAI H9N2 and IB viruses. • Higher titres of LPAI-H9N2 or IB viruses have been detected in the oropharyngeal swabs, tracheas and kidneys in CAV previously infected chickens. • Pre-infection with CAV directly correlates with elevated levels of IL-6 (in lung) and IFNγ (in lung and spleen). Abstract Immunosuppressive viral diseases have a great economic importance in the poultry industry due to the increased susceptibility to secondary infections. Chicken anaemia virus (CAV) is one of the major immunosuppressive diseases in chickens. In addition, low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) of subtype H9N2 and infectious bronchitis (IB) viruses are among the most frequently reported respiratory viral diseases in poultry worldwide. In the present study, specific pathogen free chickens were used to understand the impact of CAV on secondary infection with LPAI-H9N2 or IB viruses. Clinical outcomes, viral shedding dynamics, and cytokine levels wereassessed. The results exhibit that chickens previously infected with CAV produceconsiderablyhigher titresof LPAI-H9N2 or IB viruses in the oropharyngeal swabs (P < 0.05), tracheas and kidneys. In addition, the immunologic effect of CAV provokedthe development of clinical signs of LPAI-H9N2 and IB virus infections. Moreover, results suggested that pre-infection with CAV directly correlated with elevated levels of IL-6 and IFNγ. These findings underline the importance of CAV pre-infection on LPAI-H9N2 or IB infection in chickens, and indicate that co-circulation of CAV can contribute to the spread and evolution of LPAI H9N2 and IB viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The intestine organ transcriptome of kuruma shrimp were constructed. • 63,458 and 44,350 unigenes were obtained from the mock and the WSSV infection sample, respectively. • 12,920 DGEs were identified. • Some immune genes were analyzed. Abstract Intestine is not only the nutrients digestion and absorption centers, but also an important place of microbial infection. Therefore, intestine immunity plays a key defense means for the host against the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, we use kuruma shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus) as a model to study the intestine immune characteristics of shrimp against WSSV through next-generation sequencing technique. A total of 63,458 and 44,350 unigenes were generated from the control sample and the WSSV infection sample, respectively. Based on homology searches, KEGG, GO, and COG analysis, 39,520 unigenes were annotated. Among them, 12,920 differentially expressed genes were identified. Some of them, including mucin, peritrophin, chitinase, et al., are involved in immune response. These results contribute to a better understanding of the intestine immune response of the shrimp to WSSV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The property of chMDA5(483aa) used as adjuvant was investigated. • ChMDA5(483aa) delivered by adenovirus enhanced chicken humoral and cell-mediated immune response to inactivated NDV vaccine. • ChMDA5(483aa) expressed by adenovirus improved the protective efficacy of inactivated NDV vaccine. • It gained a new method to strengthen the immune efficacy of NDV inactivated vaccine. Abstract Melanoma Differentiation-Associated protein 5 (MDA5) is a cytoplasmic sensor for viral invasion and plays an important role in regulation of the immune response against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in chickens. MDA5 was used as an adjuvant to enhance the humoral immune response against influenza virus. In the current study, truncated chicken MDA5 [1–483 aa, chMDA5(483aa)] expressed by recombinant adenovirus was administered to specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens to improve the immune response induced by inactivated NDV vaccine. A total of 156 SPF chickens were divided into six groups, and after two rounds of immunization, the humoral immune response, cell-mediated immune (CMI) response and the protective efficacy of the vaccines against NDV challenge were evaluated. The results showed that co-administration of chMDA5(483aa) expressed by adenovirus increased the NDV-specific antibody response by 1.7 times and chickens received chMDA5(483aa) also gained a higher level of CMI response. Consistently, the protective efficacy of the inactivated NDV vaccine against virulent NDV (vNDV) challenge was improved by co-administrate with chMDA5(483aa), as indicated by the reduced morbidity and pathological lesions, lower levels of viral load in organs and reduced virus shedding. Our study demonstrated that chMDA5(433aa) expressed by adenovirus could enhance the immune efficacy of inactivated NDV vaccine in chickens and could be a potential adjuvant candidate in developing chicken NDV vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C-type lectins (CTLs), a superfamily of glycan-binding receptors, play a pivotal role in the host defense against pathogens and the maintenance of immune homeostasis of higher animals and humans. CTLs in innate immunity serve as pattern recognition receptors and often bind to glycan structures in damage- and pathogen-associated molecular patterns. While CTLs are found throughout the whole animal kingdom, their ligand specificities and downstream signaling have mainly been studied in humans and in model organisms such as mice. In this review, recent advancements in CTL research in veterinary species as well as potential applications of CTL targeting in veterinary medicine are outlined.

The article focuses on history of veterinary immunology follows closely the history of vaccinology. Topics include the protect animals from infectious diseases has been inoculation with attenuated versions, the pathogen has discovered to afford some degree of protection from field challenge, and the challenge with fresh cultures of the organism, the chickens failed to become infected.

Contents: This study reports the gene expression and immunolocalization of the low‐affinity neurotrophin receptor, p75, in accessory glands (prostate and bulbourethral glands) and epididymis (caput and cauda) of male rabbits during sexual maturation. We showed that p75 was expressed in all tissues studied with similar mRNA levels during this period. However, it was differentially immunolocalized in bulbourethral glands and stereocilia of epididymis. These findings may be related with some remodeling processes in the accessory glands during sexual maturation, which could be associated with sperm maturation. The interaction of p75 with neurotrophins in rabbit male reproductive tract suggests the possible implication of this system in sexual maturation in rabbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife and humans are increasingly competing for resources worldwide, and a diverse, innovative, and effective set of management tools is needed. Controlling abundance of wildlife species that are simultaneously protected, abundant, competitive for resources, and in conflict with some stakeholders but beloved by others, is a daunting challenge. Free-ranging horses (Equus caballus) present such a conundrum and managers struggle for effective tools for regulating their abundance. Controlling reproduction of female horses presents a potential alternative. During 2009–2017, we determined the long-term effectiveness of GnRH vaccine (GonaCon-Equine) both as a single immunization and subsequent reimmunization on reproduction and side effects in free-ranging horses. At a scheduled management roundup in 2009, we randomly assigned 57 adult mares to either a GonaCon-Equine treatment group (n = 29) or a saline control group (n = 28). In a second roundup in 2013, we administered a booster vaccination to these same mares. We used annual ground observations to estimate foaling proportions, social behaviors, body condition, and injection site reactions. We found this vaccine to be safe for pregnant females and neonates, with no overt deleterious behavioral side effects during the breeding season. The proportion of treated mares that foaled following a single vaccination was lower than that for control mares for the second (P = 0.03) and third (P = 0.08) post-treatment foaling seasons but was similar (P = 0.67) to untreated mares for the fourth season, demonstrating reversibility of the primary vaccine treatment. After two vaccinations, however, the proportion of females giving birth was lower (P <0.001) than that for control mares for three consecutive years and ranged from 0.0–0.16. The only detectable adverse side effect of vaccination was intramuscular swelling at the vaccination site. Regardless of vaccine treatment (primary/secondary), approximately 62% (34/55) of immunized mares revealed a visible reaction at the vaccine injection site. However, none of these mares displayed any evidence of lameness, altered gait or abnormal range of movement throughout the 8 years they were observed in this study. Our research suggests that practical application of this vaccine in feral horses will require an initial inoculation that may provide only modest suppression of fertility followed by reimmunization that together could result in greater reduction in population growth rates over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bio‐Strath® is a plasmolyzed yeast product enriched with herbs, malt, honey and orange juice. In this study, the effect of Equi‐Strath®, the adapted product for horses, on the equine immune system was evaluated. A routine influenza booster vaccination was used as a model to study the effects of Equi‐Strath® supplementation on the immune response. Twenty healthy Franches‐Montagnes stallions with pre‐existing antibody levels were randomly divided into a study group (SG, n = 10) receiving 0.06 mL/kg bodyweight of Equi‐Strath®, and a control group (CG, n = 10), receiving the same amount of placebo, daily. The supplement and placebo were given from week 1 until week 14 of the trial. After 10 weeks, the horses were vaccinated with a commercial vaccine containing equine influenza strains of the H3N8 subtype. Antibody titres in blood were measured at day 0 before vaccination, and 14 and 32 days after vaccination. In addition, a complete blood count (CBC) was performed on day 0 and day 32. A linear increase of haemagglutination inhibition titres in both groups was observed after vaccination, but with no difference between treatment groups. CBC components remained unaffected by treatment. In conclusion, daily Equi‐Strath® supplementation did not affect the adaptive immune response in stallions after a routine commercial H3N8 influenza booster vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunological memory is elicited after either vaccination or natural exposure to a pathogen and is essential for protection against re-exposure. Despite its critical importance, the ability to interrogate the veterinary animal memory immune response has long been hindered by a paucity of tools to assess immunological memory. As a result, the evaluation and analysis of protective immune responses that predict immune protection in food and fiber animals and facilitate vaccine development are obstructed. To fill this gap in knowledge in swine, we created a B cell tetramer to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) nonstructural protein 7 (nsp7) to efficiently and effectively investigate the memory B cell response, a hallmark of anti-viral immunity. This novel reagent was validated by using a modified capture ELISA, tetramer pulldowns, and flow cytometry, and it was shown to detect rare, antigen-specific B cells that were present at a frequency of about 0.001% of total B lymphocytes in immune animals. The nsp7-B cell tetramer will help to characterize the PRRSV-specific memory B cell response, which is fundamentally important for understanding immunological competence and animal variation in resistance to PRRSV infection. We expect that the method will be widely applicable to the exploration of immunity to veterinary pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People with critical illness (CI) commonly develop various forms of immune dysfunction, however, there is limited information concerning immune dysfunction in dogs with CI. Hypothesis: The immune response in CI dogs differs from that of healthy dogs. Animals: Immunologic variables were compared between 14 dogs with CI, defined as APPLEfast score of >20 points, admitted to the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center Small Animal Clinic Intensive Care Unit and healthy controls (n = 15). Methods: Cohort study evaluating constitutive and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐10 production, phagocytosis of opsonized E. coli and respiratory burst capacity after opsonized E. coli or phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) stimulation, peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotype, and monocyte expressions of HLA‐DR and TLR‐4. Results: Lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated leukocyte TNF‐α (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 49, 49, 120; control, 655, 446, 1174 pg/mL; P = < 0.001), IL‐6 (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 49, 49, 64; control, 100, 49, 166 pg/mL; P = 0.029), and IL‐10 (CI, 49, 49, 56; control, 96, 49, 203 pg/mL; P = 0.014) production and both E. coli (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 60.5, 43, 88.5; control, 86.6, 81, 89.2%; P = 0.047) and PMA (CI, 40, 11.7, 70; control, 93, 83, 97.6%; P = < 0.001)‐stimulated respiratory burst capacity significantly decreased in CI dogs. Percentage of monocytes expressing TLR‐4 greater in the CI dogs (median, Q1, Q3; CI, 46.9, 24.3, 64.2; control, 16.4, 9.4, 26.2%; P = 0.005). Conclusion: These findings suggest dogs with CI develop immune system alterations that result in reduced respiratory burst function and cytokine production despite upregulation of TLR‐4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunocastration has proved to be an effective strategy to prevent sexual development and boar taint in pigs. Previous results indicate that immunocastrated (IC) pigs exhibit better performance than surgically castrated (SC) pigs. In addition to animal welfare benefits, this fact could be of interest for Iberian pigs, as their growth capacity rapidly diminishes as animal ages. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of immunocastration on Iberian pig performance, protein utilization, and carcass traits under different dietary protein concentrations. Pure Iberian pigs (n=27) were used as follows: 3 sexes (IC males, IC females, SC males); 3 isoenergetic diets (160, 140 and 120 g CP/kg DM); 3 pigs/group. Pigs were vaccinated against Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone at 4.3 months (40 kg) and 6 months (70-80 kg) of age. Experimental diets were offered to individually-housed pigs from 40 to 100 kg BW. Digestibility and N-balance assays were performed at 50 and 90 kg BW, respectively. Pigs were slaughtered at 100 kg BW. Preliminary results indicate greater growth rate for IC males (803 vs 706 and 696 g/d, for IC males, SC males and IC females, respectively; P < 0.001). Feed efficiency (G:F) was greater for IC males (0.289 vs 0.260 and 0.263; P < 0.01). Moreover, IC males exhibited increased carcass length and greater relative weights for most lean cuts, but they also had smaller carcass yield and belly proportions than the rest of groups. No relevant differences related to dietary treatments were detected. Further research would help to elucidate possible effects of immunocastration on Iberian pig lean growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voluntary end of male pig castration is expected in the EU in the near future, but standard immunocastration (IC) protocols need to be adapted for Iberian (IB) pig males due to their long life cycle. Our team developed a 3-dose protocol that needs a further adjustment to suit montanera (MT; free-range acorn feeding) chronology. Our hypothesis is that improving homogeneity of body condition at the start of MT will enhance and homogenize testicular atrophy. Pure IB males (n=35) reared in extensive system were feed-restricted during the growth phase (pre-montanera) as usual. Of these animals, Control pigs (C; n=18) were immunized against GnRH at 10.5, 12 and 13.5 months (m)of age. Treated pigs (T; n=17) were immunized at 10.5, 11.5 and 13 m, with a 15-day ad libitum (AL) feeding period starting at the 3rd dose. Both groups started the MT period at 13.5 m, coinciding with the 3rd dose of C and the end of the AL period of T, and both were slaughtered at 16 m. To further validate the effect of nutritional level, an additional group was fed ad libitum during growth and finishing phases with commercial feedstuff in a regular outdoor rearing system (Adlib; n=15 IB x Duroc males), with the vaccinations taking place at 8, 9 and 11 m and slaughter at 13 m (earlier, due to genotype and unrestricted feeding). Testes and epidydimides were significantly smaller in Adlib and T than C pigs. Similarly, bulbourethral glands were significantly smaller in T than C pigs. Testes parenchyme color "a" (green to red) was highly correlated (r=0.87) with testes weight. Backfat androstenone and skatole were below detection limits for all the animals. Foreleg, loin and prime-cut yields were significantly greater for Adlib than for C and T pigs. In conclusion, nutritional level can be used to improve the efficacy of male IC, and testes colorimetry can be used to monitor this efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is currently limited information on the factors influencing the outcome of rabies vaccination in dogs based on the primary immunization schedule. The objective of this study was to investigate whether selected variables (signalment, number of vaccinations, vaccine brand and multivalence, and time interval between the most recent vaccination and blood sampling) were associated with the achievement of an acceptable titer threshold (based on international standards) and with absolute antibody titers in young dogs vaccinated with commercially available vaccines. Serologic data from 662 dogs tested prior to their first annual booster for rabies were retrospectively reviewed. Neutralizing antibody titers were determined using a fluorescent antibody neutralization test. An acceptable titer threshold (≥0.5 IU/ml) was achieved in 86.5% of the dogs. Dogs that had been vaccinated twice had significantly ( P < 0.001) higher antibody titers compared with dogs vaccinated once. The odds of achieving seropositivity and the median absolute antibody titer tended to decrease with increasing time between vaccination and blood sampling. Dogs vaccinated with monovalent vaccines were more likely to achieve an acceptable titer than dogs vaccinated with polyvalent vaccines. Dogs that were vaccinated after 3–6 months of age were more likely to develop higher antibody titers. These results indicate that the administration of two vaccines rather than one vaccine in the primary immunization schedule for rabies, result in a superior vaccination response and may be a more beneficial policy for ensuring pre-exposure prophylaxis and for travel certification of young dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological, immunological, and epidemiological factors enable bats to transmit an increasingly recognized spectrum of zoonotic agents, and bartonellae are among those emerging pathogens identified in bats and their arthropod ectoparasites. Current data reveal a multifaceted disease ecology where diverse host species distributed around the world interact with a number of Bartonella spp. and several potential vectors. This review summarizes the methods and findings of studies conducted since 2005 to illustrate that Bartonella bacteremia varies by bat species, location, and other potential variables, such as diet with a very high prevalence in hematophagous bats. Among bat families, Bartonella prevalence ranged from 7.3% among Nycteridae to 54.4% in Miniopteridae. Further research can build on these current data to better determine risk factors associated with Bartonella infection in bat populations and the role of their ectoparasites in transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of bee glue (BG) on the performance, relative visceral weights, some blood parameters, and immune status of broilers. A total of 200 male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments: basal diet (BD), and basal diet supplemented with 600, 700, 800, and 900 mg kg−1of BG. Each of the 5 diets was fed to 4 replicates of 10 chicks each from 0 to 42 days of age. The results indicated that the highest body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, carcass weight, and carcass yield were observed in broilers offered 800 mg kg−1of BG (P < .05). Inclusion of BG improved the feed conversion ratio compared with the control group (P < .01). The calculated European broiler index and crop percentage were greater for the birds received 800 and 900 mg kg−1of BG compared with that of the control birds (P < .05). Inclusion of 900 mg kg−1of BG significantly increased the relative weight of spleen and bursa, but reduced total triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, and LDL: HDL ratio than the control group (P < .05). The serum IgG and IgM levels were increased for the birds received 700 to 900 mg kg−1BG (P < .01), and addition of BG to the basal diet significantly increased antibody response against sheep red blood cell at 35 days of age (P < .05). It was concluded that an addition of 800 mg kg−1BG to diet improves economic efficiency possibly by creating miniscule improvement in FCR and promoting immune response of broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]