Invasive infection with Haemophilus influenzae type b in spite of complete vaccination

Five patients, 4 boys and 1 girl aged 13-41 months, developed invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease (2 epiglottitis, 3 meningitis) despite full (or at least 3 times) vaccination. At admission as well during convalescence, 3 out of 5 had IgG anti Hib antibody levels < or = 5 U/ml. Serum immunoglobulin levels, including IgG subclasses, as well as complement were normal in all cases. In 2 of the 3, booster vaccinations with Hib conjugate vaccine elicited adequate antibody titres. Since the incorporation of the conjugated Hib polysaccharide tetanus toxoid vaccine (HibTT) in the National Vaccination Programme in the Netherlands, the number of invasive infections caused by Hib has dropped significantly. Causes of Hib conjugate vaccine failures are mostly unknown. In about one-third of the cases serum immunoglobulin levels are deficient, most often IgG2 or IgM. Susceptibility to Hib infection is in part also genetically determined. In the follow-up of Hib vaccine failures, anti Hib antibody titres should be determined. Booster vaccinations may be necessary.     

The influence of diflubenzuron on several weight characteristics in growing male broiler and layer chickens

Diflubenzuron (Dimilin, TH-6040; N-[[(4-chlorophenyl)-amino] carbonyl]-2,6-difluorobenzamide) was fed to male broiler and layer chickens at levels of 0, 2.5, 25, and 250 ppm from 1 day to 98 days of age. Characteristics measured were body weights, grams of feed per gram of body weight, testes weights, liver weights, comb weights, and feet weights. There were no consistent significant differences among the control, 2.5, 25, or 250 ppm groups in any of the characteristics measured. There was a trend for higher body weights in the chickens fed diets containing diflubenzuron.     

Effects of vaccination with a Moraxella bovis bacterin on the subsequent development of signs of corneal disease and infection with M bovis in calves under natural environmental conditions

A vaccination study was conducted for infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) in 440 purebred Hereford cattle (cows and their newborn calves) of the USDA Meat Animal Research Center cattle herd at Clay Center, Ne. The cattle were allotted to 4 groups: 60 calves were vaccinated with an autogenous Moraxella bovis bacterin (group 1); 60 calves that were matched with group 1 calves were designated nonvaccinated matched controls (group 2); 99 calves were peer group nonvaccinated controls (group 3); and 219 cows, the dams of the calves, were nonvaccinated consorts (group 4). The infection rates in cattle groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 during the summer were 96.6, 98.3, 100, and 79.1%, respectively, and the disease rates were 90, 93, 85, and 20%. The infection and the disease rates were significantly (P less than 0.01) different between claves and cows. The disease rate was also significantly different between older and younger cows. A larger percentage of the affected calves and cows had mild or moderate (61%) signs of IBK rather than severe (39%) signs. The rate of body weight gain was reduced in calves with severe signs of IBK. The results seemed to indicate that little would be gained by vaccinating cattle against IBK under the conditions of study.     

Effects of added lard fed to broiler chickens during the starter phase. 2. Serum lipids

The effects of lard added to starter diets on various serum lipids were determined in broiler chickens between 14 and 42 d of age. Nonisocaloric starter diets were formulated to contain either 0, 3, or 7% added lard, where the megacaloric percentages of all major nutrients were held constant. Birds received either 0, 3, or 7% added lard in starter diets through 10 d of age (S1), followed by either 3 or 7% added dietary lard through 21 d of age (S2). All possible combinations of the three S1 diets and two S2 diets yielded six total dietary treatments. A common grower diet was provided after 21 d. Concentrations of various serum lipids were determined weekly from 14 to 42 d of age. The effects of both the S1 and S2 diets on total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) were inconsistent and were influenced by sex between 14 and 42 d of age. However, serum triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations showed progressive increases over the 14 to 42 d period in birds that received dietary lard at either level in the S1 diet. These same serum constituents also increased to the greatest extents over the same period when birds were provided 3% added lard in the S2 diet. It was concluded that the response of broiler chickens between 14 and 42 d to different levels of dietary lard were influenced by age of feeding during the starter period. Furthermore, the specific effects of the diets on serum cholesterol, LDLC, and HDLC concentrations between 14 and 42 d varied with the sex and age of the bird.     

Diversity and prevalence of Arcobacter spp. in broiler chickens

Ninety-nine strains of Arcobacter spp., isolated from 10 chicken carcasses purchased from a supermarket and 15 chicken carcasses collected from a poultry abattoir, were speciated using a variety of phenotypic identification methods. All were tested using API Campy test strips and the 16-test (Preston) identification scheme developed for campylobacters. Fifty strains were selected for examination using a more comprehensive probabilistic identification scheme, and the identity of representative strains confirmed by protein profiling using SDS-PAGE. All 25 carcasses yielded Arcobacter butzleri. Three supermarket and 10 abattoir carcasses also carried A. cryaerophilus, and two abattoir carcasses carried A. skirrowii. The API Campy scheme proved unsatisfactory for identifying these strains: only 20 of 99 strains were accurately identified, all of which were A. cryaerophilus, the only Arcobacter sp. included in the database. Moreover, 76 of 99 strains were misidentified. The 16-test scheme identified all the arcobacter strains as A. cryaerophilus, since neither A. butzleri nor A. skirrowii had been described when the scheme was developed. The computer-assisted probabilistic scheme succeeded in identifying all but one strain, the identity of which was clarified by the use of SDS-PAGE. To our knowledge this is the first time that arcobacters other than A. butzleri have been reported in poultry meat or any other food of animal origin. Their high prevalence in poultry products may be of significance to public health.     

Effects and interactions of dietary levels of vitamins A and E and cholecalciferol in broiler chickens

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects and interactions of feeding different levels of vitamins A, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), and E on broiler chicks. In Experiment 1, chicks were fed marginal vitamin D3 (500 IU/kg) and increasing dietary levels of vitamin A (5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 40,000, 80,000, and 160,000 IU/kg). Bone ash was reduced by 10,000 IU/kg of vitamin A in the diet and at vitamin A levels above 20,000 IU/kg of diet body weight was reduced. In Experiment 2, two levels of vitamin A (1,500 and 15,000 IU/kg) and six levels of vitamin E (10, 500, 1,000, 2,500, 5,000, and 10,000 IU/kg) were added to the basal diet. High levels of vitamins A and E significantly (P < 0.001) reduced bone ash. The vitamin A x E interaction was significant (P < or = 0.05) for rickets. In Experiment 3, the same two levels of vitamin A as Experiment 2 and six levels of vitamin D3 (500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500, and 3,000 IU/kg) were added to the basal diet that contained 10,000 IU/kg of vitamin E. Body weight and bone ash were increased by increasing vitamin D3 with a corresponding reduction (P < or = 0.05) in rickets. In Experiment 4, three levels of vitamin A (1,500, 15,000, and 45,000 IU/kg), three levels of vitamin D3 (500, 1,500, and 2,500 IU/kg), and three levels of vitamin E (10, 5,000, and 10,000 IU/kg) were added to the basal diet. Significant negative responses (P < or = 0.05) to increasing dietary vitamin A were observed for bone ash, rickets, and plasma and liver vitamin E. A significant (P < 0.001) increase in bone ash and plasma calcium with a corresponding reduction in rickets was observed by increasing vitamin D3. Increasing dietary vitamin E adversely affected (P < or = 0.01) bone ash, plasma calcium, and plasma and liver vitamin A concentrations. These results indicate the need for making feed with the proper ratios of vitamins A, D3, and E.     

Effects of a hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (T-Bind) on mycotoxicosis in young broiler chickens

Experiments were conducted to determine the ability of a hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (T-Bind) sorbent to reduce the toxicity of aflatoxins (AF) or T-2 toxin in male broiler chickens from day of hatch to 21 d of age. In Experiment 1, the sorbent was added at 0.250 or 0.375% to diets containing AF at 5 or T-2 toxin at 8 mg/kg of diet. When compared with controls, AF reduced BW gain by 27% and T-2 toxin reduced BW gain by 17%. The addition of the sorbent at 0.250 or 0.375%, in the absence of added mycotoxins, did not alter the performance of the chicks. The sorbent reduced the toxic effects of 5 mg AF/kg of diet on BW gain by 43% but did not significantly diminish the toxic effects of 8 mg T-2 toxin/kg of diet. The decreased efficiency of feed utilization and the increased relative organ weights caused by AF were significantly diminished to differing degrees by the sorbent. Oral lesions caused by T-2 toxin were not affected by the sorbent. In Experiment 2, the sorbent was added at 0.80% to a diet containing 8 mg T-2 toxin/kg of diet. The sorbent did not diminish the toxic effects of T-2 toxin when added at 0.80% of the diet. These data demonstrate that this specific sorbent can provide protection against the toxicity of AF, but not T-2 toxin, in young broiler chicks.     

Embryo vaccination of chickens with infectious bronchitis virus: histologic and ultrastructural lesion response and immunologic response to vaccination

The present study examined the effects of instruction type and boredom proneness (BP) on vigilance performance, workload, and boredom. Subjects completed the Boredom Proneness Scale and were assigned to high and low groups based on their scores. They then monitored a VDT for critical signals. Half the subjects were instructed to detect "critical" flickers (detection emphasis), and the remaining subjects were instructed to relax but to respond to any flickers observed (relaxation emphasis). Subjects also provided pre- and postvigil ratings of workload, stress, and boredom. A performance decrement was observed for all conditions. Low-BP subjects outperformed high-BP subjects and reported less boredom. Thus the results from the present study provide evidence for the long-sought, elusive link between trait boredom and performance in vigilance. In addition, subjects who received relaxation-emphasis instructions reported lower workload, frustration, and stress for the vigil than did those receiving detection-emphasis instructions. These results are discussed in terms of a recent dynamic model of stress as it relates to sustained attention.     

Relationship of dietary fat and lysine level with body composition in broiler chickens

Recent evidence indicates that neocortical electrocorticographic (ECoG) activation depends critically on cholinergic (ACh) inputs from the basal forebrain and serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) inputs from the midbrain raphe to the neocortex. It appears that ACh and 5-HT block synchronized ECoG activity and induce cortical activation by a direct, local action in the neocortex that is not mediated by secondary systems. Concurrent blockade of cholinergic and serotonergic inputs to the cortex abolishes all ECoG activation, suggesting that: (a) together, ACh and 5-HT are essential for cortical activation to occur; and (b) other systems cannot maintain cortical activation in the absence of the cholinergic and serotonergic inputs. Nevertheless, additional neural systems (amygdala, locus coeruleus-noradrenaline (-NA), superior colliculus, orbitofrontal cortex, dopamine, histamine, glutamate) also modulate the ECoG and can produce cortical activation. In contrast to ACh and 5-HT, however, none of these systems are essential for the maintenance of cortical activation. Further, rather than producing activation via direct inputs to the neocortex, these systems appear to produce cortical activation by stimulating the cholinergic or serotonergic inputs to cortex. Thus, neocortical activation is maintained by multiple, parallel systems; cholinergic and serotonergic pathways are essential for activation and produce activation directly and locally in the neocortex, whereas additional pathways are not essential and contribute to activation indirectly by acting through these two direct activating inputs to the cortex.     

The response of broiler chickens and turkey poults to steam-pelleted diets supplemented with fat or carbohydrates

The responses of growth and feed efficiency to pelleted feed was investigated in 4- to 7-wk-old broiler chickens, and in 8- to 12- and 16- to 20-wk-old turkeys. In all cases, the growth and feed efficiency responses were linear within the ranges of dietary energy tested. When energy was added by carbohydrate supplementation, weight gain and feed efficiency responses were parallel for both mash and pellets, but due to the growth response to pellets, the elevation was higher for pellets than for mash. When energy was added by fat, the growth response to pellets also resulted in an increase in function elevation but the slope of the response was lower than in mash feeding, possibly due to a decline in pellet quality as dietary fat increased. Grinding of pellets completely abolished the growth and feed efficiency responses observed when the physical form was preserved. In chickens, comparisons of ground pellets to mash suggested some decline in nutritional quality due to the process of pelleting when either carbohydrates or fat were increased in the diets. In both chickens and turkeys, the feeding of pelleted diets resulted in an increase in abdominal fat.     

The resistance to infection of digestive sutures. Experimental study (author''s transl)

In the antimycin--resistant mutant anar-8 of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Sch.p.) spontaneous mutants were isolated showing high resistance to the aminoglycoside antibiotic paromomycin. All mutants were resistant to the structurally related antibiotic neomycin. Tetrad analysis, mitotic segregation analysis, and mitotic haploidization revealed extrachromosomal, very likely mitochondrial inheritance. In contrast to the rapid segregation of mitochondrial markers in zygotic clones of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S.c.) the heteroplasmic state of diploids proved to persist for at least 50 generations after zygote formation. Stationary cultures of the paromomycin-resistant mutants parr-106 and parr-112 contain up to 6% respiratory-deficient mutants, but no reversion to paromomycin-sensitivity was observed among 1700-1800 colonies tested. The ability of mutant anar-8 to produce spontaneously respiratory-deficient mutants could be separated from the antimycin-resistant phenotype of anar-8.     

Effects of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, synthetic zeolite and bentonite on serum biochemical and haematological characters of broiler chickens during aflatoxicosis

Angiotensin II (Ang II) may induce arterial hypertrophy either directly or through an increase in arterial pressure. To separate these 2 mechanisms, rats were implanted with osmopumps delivering either Ang II (100 ng x kg-1 x min-1) or saline. 5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was delivered to both groups by osmopump (2.5 microg x kg-1 x min-1). Half of the rats in each group were given minoxidil (9 mg x kg-1 . d-1) in their drinking water. After 14 days, systolic blood pressure was 117+/-2, 124+/-3, and 115+/-2 mm Hg in the control, Ang II-minoxidil, and minoxidil groups, respectively, and 181+/-6 mm Hg in the Ang II group (P<0.05). After perfusion-fixation, the thoracic aorta, carotid artery, small mesenteric artery, external spermatic artery, and kidneys were harvested, paraffin-embedded, and used for morphological measurements, immunohistochemistry for BrdU, and in situ hybridization with a 35S-labeled riboprobe for platelet-derived growth factor-A chain (PDGF-A) mRNA. The walls of the aorta and carotid arteries hypertrophied in the Ang II group only. There were no significant morphological differences in the small arteries. BrdU was negative in all arteries but positive in the renal tubules. Expression of PDGF-A was elevated 8-fold in the thoracic aorta of the Ang II group (P<0.05). These results show that (1) arterial hypertrophy from Ang II infusion occurs in response to elevated arterial pressure, (2) hypertrophy was not associated with hyperplasia or polyploidy of vascular smooth muscle cells, and (3) PDGF-A expression correlated with elevated pressure and arterial wall hypertrophy.     

Serological and bacteriological observations on experimental infection with Salmonella hadar in chickens

Over the past 3 years the frequency of Salmonella hadar infections has increased in Belgium in both poultry and humans. Therefore, the course of infection with S. hadar in poultry was investigated. One day-old and 4 week-old specific pathogen-free chickens were orally infected with one of two S. hadar strains, SH1 or SH2. Mortality was 6% (SH1) and 17% (SH2) in birds infected at 1 day-old. Chickens infected at 1 day-old with SH2 showed a mild diarrhoea. The S. hadar faecal excretion in birds infected at 1 day-old remained high throughout the experiment until 12 weeks post-inoculation (pi). Faecal excretion was lower in older birds. Antibodies to S. hadar were observed from 2 weeks pi (SH2, infected at 1 day-old) or 4 weeks pi (SH1, both groups; SH2, chickens infected at 4 weeks of age). The percentage of chickens with antibodies was higher after infection at 1 day-old than after infection at 4 weeks of age. In a second experiment 1 day-old chicks were infected with SH1 and autopsied at regular intervals until 42 days pi. SH1 was isolated from the caeca from 3 h pi onwards and from the liver and spleen from 18 h until 14 days pi. Serous typhlitis and omphalitis were the main lesions. The number of macrophages in the lamina propria of the caecal tonsils was slightly increased from 18 h until 2 weeks pi. In the liver, inflammation was observed in the portal triads and in the sinusoids. This study indicates that infections with S. hadar lead to intense colonisation of the gut and extensive faecal shedding. It may also cause invasive infections in 1 day-old chickens.     

Effects of instructions on children's attention to stimulus components.

In 3 experiments, 5-, 8-, 9-, and 12-yr-olds were given a component-selection task with instructions to attend to one component or another or with no specific instructions. Ss at all age levels varied their attention to the nondominant component (color) in accord with instructions. Thus, children even as young as age 5 are capable of altering their manner of attention deployment. In another respect, however, data suggest a developmental change in the way children respond to varying task demands: Ss at 8 yrs of age and beyond, but not the 5-yr-olds, reduced their attention to the dominant component (shape) in response to instructions to concentrate on the nondominant component. During the early school years, children apparently develop a tendency to employ "attentional trading," withdrawing attention from a normally dominant stimulus component when it becomes advantageous to increase attention to another feature. Results are discussed as calling for modification of earlier hypotheses concerning development of attention. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of environmental temperature on muscle protein turnover and heat production in tube-fed broiler chickens

The present experiments were undertaken to investigate the effects of environmental temperatures on growth, abdominal fat content, rate of muscle protein turnover, and heat production in tube-fed intact male broiler chickens. Plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and corticosterone (CTC) were also examined. Chicks (15 d old) were kept at different environmental temperatures (16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34 degrees) and given the experimental diet (200 g crude protein/ kg, 13.57 MJ/kg metabolizable energy) by tube three times daily throughout the 12 d experimental period. In the hot conditions, except for 34 degrees, body-weight gain was significantly higher than in the cold conditions. Thus, food conversion ratios (food:gain ratios) were lower when the birds were exposed to the hot conditions other than 34 degrees. Likewise, abdominal fat content was significantly increased, and heat production was lower in the groups kept under the hot conditions other than 34 degrees. The rate of skeletal muscle protein turnover and plasma concentration of CTC were decreased when the birds were exposed to hot conditions other than 34 degrees, suggesting a role of CTC in the regulation of muscle protein turnover. Plasma concentrations of T4 and T3 were significantly decreased as environmental temperature increased. These results clearly show that plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones and CTC are associated with accelerated muscle protein turnover and heat production.     

Changes in the somatosensory evoked potentials and spontaneous electroencephalogram of broiler chickens during exposure to gas mixtures

1. Six week-old broiler chickens implanted with electroencephalogram (EEG) recording and somatosensory stimulating electrodes were exposed to either 90% argon in air, a mixture of 30% carbon dioxide and 60% argon in air or a mixture of 30% oxygen and 40% carbon dioxide (balance nitrogen) for 2 min, to determine the times to onset of changes in spontaneous EEG and the loss of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and thus unequivocal loss of consciousness. 2. In addition, after a 2 min exposure to the carbon dioxide-oxygen mixture, some broilers were allowed to recover in air and their EEGs and SEPs were continuously recorded until the return of normal EEG and SEPs. During this period, the time to return of response to comb pinching was also determined in 10 broilers. 3. All broilers exposed to either argon or the carbon dioxide-argon mixture died within 2 min, whereas, only 3 out of 17 broilers died during the 2 min exposure to the carbon dioxide-oxygen mixture. 4. During exposure to argon, unlike the other 2 gas mixtures, the majority of broilers showed high amplitude, low frequency electrical activity in the EEG on average at 10 s. The mean times to onset of EEG suppression were 17, 19 and 40 s after exposure to argon, the carbon dioxide-argon mixture and the carbon dioxide-oxygen mixture, respectively. An isoelectric EEG occurred on average at 58 and 41 s after exposure to argon and the carbon dioxide-argon mixture, respectively. An isoelectric EEG did not occur in broilers which were exposed to the carbon dioxide-oxygen mixture. 5. The SEPs were abolished in broilers on average 32 and 24 s after exposure to argon and the carbon dioxide-argon mixture, respectively. During exposure of broilers to the carbon dioxide-oxygen mixture the SEPs were abolished in the majority of birds on average at 47 s, however, 2 out of 14 birds retained their SEPs for the entire period of 2 min exposure to this gas mixture. 6. During the recovery after exposure to the carbon dioxide oxygen mixture, response to comb pinching and SEPs returned either at the time of, or soon after, the onset of high frequency electrical activity in the suppressed EEG of broilers. The mean times to return of response to comb pinching and SEPs were 52 and 43 s, respectively. 7. Based on the time to onset of EEG suppression or loss of SEPs, exposure of broilers to either 90% argon in air, or a mixture of 30% carbon dioxide and 60% argon in air, resulted in quicker loss of consciousness than during exposure to a mixture of 40% carbon dioxide, 30% oxygen and 30% nitrogen. The time to return of consciousness after a 2 min exposure to the carbon dioxide-oxygen mixture was also found to be rapid.     

Human hepatitis B virus and hepatocellular carcinoma. I. Experimental infection of tree shrews with hepatitis B virus

A cross-sectional study involving 771 children under the age of one year, was carried out in a traditional area of urban Ilorin, Nigeria, to determine how socio-economic conditions and feeding practices relate to diarrhoeal disease among infants. After adjustment has been made (through logistic regression) for covariates, five factors had significant association with diarrhoeal disease. These are the age of the child, parity, mother's education, availability of household kitchen and the feeding of semi-solid food to the infants. The lowest diarrhoeal rate occurred in infants aged 0-3 months while the highest rate occurred among infants seven to nine months old (Odds Ratio = 4.2). Children who were of the fifth or higher birth order had significantly higher risk of diarrhoea when compared with those who were of the first or second birth order (OR = 1.62; P < 0.05). Children of mothers with secondary education had significantly higher risk of diarrhoea compared with children of illiterates (OR = 1.9; P < 0.05). Households that had no kitchen had significantly higher risk of infantile diarrhoea than households with kitchen facilities (P < 0.01). Finally, infants receiving semi-solid food had higher risk of diarrhoea compared to those children not receiving semi-solid food (P < 0.05). Diarrhoeal disease awareness campaign to educate mothers on the dangers of childhood diarrhoea and how to prevent it, through proper hygiene, especially, food hygiene, is advocated.     

Decreased cell-mediated immunity and lack of skeletal problems in broiler chickens consuming diets amended with fusaric acid

Young female broiler chickens fed diets amended with 0, 35, 75, and 150 mg fusaric acid (FA)/kg diet for 3 weeks showed no aberrations in behavior, feed intake, weight gain, or appearance of the visceral organs. Furthermore, there was no correlation between the dietary concentration of FA and incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia and leg-shape deformities. Ash content of dry fat-free tibiae was not influenced by FA; thus, no rickets was present in these chickens. FA enhanced the humoral response to sheep erythrocytes but significantly reduced cell-mediated cutaneous response to phytohemagglutinin-P.