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This study investigated factors associated with two mortality events: avian botulism in waterfowl and mortality associated with hatching asynchrony in prefledgling Franklins gulls (Larus pipixcan). The initial focus of my research was on the spatiotemporal relationship between mortality of Franklins gulls and the onset of botulism outbreaks in waterfowl, and the suitability of gull carcasses for proliferation and toxigenesis of Clostridium botulinum. From 1999 to 2001, dead hatch-year Franklins gulls were by far the most abundant carcasses, and the only source of toxin-laden maggots found on transects prior to the occurrence of avian botulism in waterfowl. Nest density was a significant predictor of hatch-year gull carcass density. High density of toxic material from gull carcasses prior to the onset of botulism in waterfowl coincided with high densities of susceptible birds; hence, mortality of Franklins gulls has the potential to be a major initiating factor for botulism outbreaks at Eyebrow Lake, Saskatchewan. The causes of gull mortality were conditions or diseases associated with starvation, stress, or immunosuppression, and most mortality occurred in third-hatched chicks. To separate effects of laying order from effects of hatching asynchrony on prefledgling survival, a cross-fostering experiment was conducted to create clutches containing asynchronously hatching eggs of the same laying order, and of similar egg mass, egg volume, and female quality. Hatching order, independent of laying order, significantly affected survival to fledging, whereas laying order had no observable effect, indicating that intraclutch variation in egg quality does not predetermine the fate of prefledglings, and may be less important than hatching asynchrony for survival of prefledgling Franklins gulls. Relationships among hatching asynchrony, laying order, mass, corticosterone, immune function, growth, and survival at two stages of development were complex. Hatching asynchrony significantly affected early and late prefledgling survival, and was directly or indirectly associated with mass, corticosterone level, and cell-mediated immune responses at early and later stages of development. Both hatching asynchrony and mass appeared to play key roles in mediating life history trade-offs among cell-mediated immune function, growth, and survival. In contrast to cell-mediated immune responses, primary humoral immune response was not directly affected by hatching order or mass, nor was it associated with survival to fledging. Rather, it was associated with laying order, neonatal testosterone, corticosterone at 2 weeks, growth of leg length, and clutch initiation date, illustrating the importance of examining more than one branch of the immune system in studies of life history trade-offs. This study is a step toward using a multipronged and multidisciplinary approach to demonstrate interactions and trade-offs among life history traits, the physiological mechanisms that produce these relationships, and how these relationships may change depending on stage of development.

This study investigated factors associated with two mortality events: avian botulism in waterfowl and mortality associated with hatching asynchrony in prefledgling Franklins gulls (Larus pipixcan). The initial focus of my research was on the spatiotemporal relationship between mortality of Franklins gulls and the onset of botulism outbreaks in waterfowl, and the suitability of gull carcasses for proliferation and toxigenesis of Clostridium botulinum. From 1999 to 2001, dead hatch-year Franklins gulls were by far the most abundant carcasses, and the only source of toxin-laden maggots found on transects prior to the occurrence of avian botulism in waterfowl. Nest density was a significant predictor of hatch-year gull carcass density. High density of toxic material from gull carcasses prior to the onset of botulism in waterfowl coincided with high densities of susceptible birds; hence, mortality of Franklins gulls has the potential to be a major initiating factor for botulism outbreaks at Eyebrow Lake, Saskatchewan. The causes of gull mortality were conditions or diseases associated with starvation, stress, or immunosuppression, and most mortality occurred in third-hatched chicks. To separate effects of laying order from effects of hatching asynchrony on prefledgling survival, a cross-fostering experiment was conducted to create clutches containing asynchronously hatching eggs of the same laying order, and of similar egg mass, egg volume, and female quality. Hatching order, independent of laying order, significantly affected survival to fledging, whereas laying order had no observable effect, indicating that intraclutch variation in egg quality does not predetermine the fate of prefledglings, and may be less important than hatching asynchrony for survival of prefledgling Franklins gulls. Relationships among hatching asynchrony, laying order, mass, corticosterone, immune function, growth, and survival at two stages of development were complex. Hatching asynchrony significantly affected early and late prefledgling survival, and was directly or indirectly associated with mass, corticosterone level, and cell-mediated immune responses at early and later stages of development. Both hatching asynchrony and mass appeared to play key roles in mediating life history trade-offs among cell-mediated immune function, growth, and survival. In contrast to cell-mediated immune responses, primary humoral immune response was not directly affected by hatching order or mass, nor was it associated with survival to fledging. Rather, it was associated with laying order, neonatal testosterone, corticosterone at 2 weeks, growth of leg length, and clutch initiation date, illustrating the importance of examining more than one branch of the immune system in studies of life history trade-offs. This study is a step toward using a multipronged and multidisciplinary approach to demonstrate interactions and trade-offs among life history traits, the physiological mechanisms that produce these relationships, and how these relationships may change depending on stage of development.

No description available.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:37:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_luciana_aquini_fernandes_gil.pdf: 1257217 bytes, checksum: 0c4055569b5af0eb817b075544551d2f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-08 / Bovine Botulism is a lethal intoxication caused by the ingestion of the neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum types C and D that inhibit the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction leading to death by flaccid paralysis. It produces important economic losses, being a major cause of casualties in cattle in several regions of Brazil. The control of the disease depends on the presence of neutralizing antibodies against botulinum neurotoxins (BONTs) in immunized cattle. Immunization is obtained inoculating toxoids produced from cultures of selected strains of C. botulinum types C and D, whose industrial production has limitations concerning efficiency and productivity. An alternative to the use of these toxoids is the production of recombinant antigens with high levels of purity and antigenicity. The C-terminal fraction of the heavy chain of botulinum neurotoxins has been the main target in the development of recombinant vaccines with promising results. In this work, two recombinant bivalent chimeras for the control of bovine botulism consisting of the neuronal receptor binding domains (NRBDs) of botulinum C and D toxins were efficiently produced in Escherichia coli. They were characterized and evaluated in mice, with promising results. Both the recombinant chimeras rLTB-C-D and rC-D were produced by cloning and expressing a synthetic gene encoding the C-terminal portion of both BONTs. The former also included the preferred codons of the E. coli heat labile enterotoxin B subunit (LTB), a potent humoral immune adjuvant. The levels of expression of the recombinant antigens were satisfactory, yielding approximately 100 mg of each recombinant antigen per liter of culture. An ELISA performed to assess the antigenicity of the molecules showed that both were recognized by sera of immunized mice suggesting the preservation of epitopes with the properties of native BONTs. Both chimeras induced high levels of neutralizing antibodies without undesirable effects. The level of neutralizing antibodies of the groups inoculated with equimolar concentrations of rLTB-C-D and rC-D containing Aluminum Hydroxide as adjuvant were similar, confirming the adjuvant properties of LTB. These results demonstrated that the recombinant chimeras were immunogenic. Sera from mice inoculated with commercial vaccines were also analyzed by ELISA using as antigens rC and rD, corroborating the neutralization. / O botulismo bovino é uma intoxicação letal causada pela ingestão da neurotoxina produzida pelo Clostridium botulinum principalmente dos tipos C e D que atua inibindo a liberação de acetilcolina na junção neuromuscular levando à morte por paralisia flácida, com grande importância econômica e sanitária, sendo uma das principais causas de morte em bovinos adultos no Brasil. O controle imunológico do botulismo bovino depende da presença de anticorpos neutralizantes contra as neurotoxinas botulínicas (NBOTs) no momento da ingestão da toxina pré-formada, por meio de imunização dos animais. Atualmente, a imunização é realizada com toxóides obtidos da detoxificação do extrato de cultivos de cepas selecionadas de C. botulinum dos tipos C e D que apresentam limitações quanto à eficiência e produção. Uma alternativa ao uso dos toxóides clássicos é a produção de vacinas recombinantes usando antígenos específicos de alta pureza e imunogenicidade. A fração C-terminal da cadeia pesada da neurotoxina botulínica tem sido o alvo principal no desenvolvimento de alternativas recombinantes a serem utilizadas como vacinas. Neste trabalho, duas quimeras recombinantes bivalentes compostas pelos domínios de ligação ao receptor neuronal (DLRNs) foram produzidas em Escherichia coli, caracterizadas e avaliadas em camundongos. As quimeras recombinantes rLTB-C-D e rC-D foram produzidas a partir da clonagem e expressão de um gene sintético que codifica a porção C-terminal das NBOTs construído com os códons preferenciais de E. coli e a subunidade B da enterotoxina termolábil de E. coli (LTB), um potente adjuvante da resposta imune humoral. O nível de expressão dos antígenos foi de aproximadamente 100mg de cada antígeno recombinante por litro de cultura. Um ELISA realizado para avaliar a antigenicidade das moléculas mostrou que ambas foram reconhecidas pelos soros padrões, sugerindo conservação de epitopos semelhantes aos dos DLRNs nativos. Ambas as quimeras foram inócuas para os camundongos, os quais não apresentaram lesões no local da inoculação bem como alteração de comportamento. Nos soros dos camundongos inoculados com as quimeras recombinantes foi possível detectar níveis de anticorpos neutralizantes. O grupo inoculado com a rLTB-C-D apresentou nível de anticorpos neutralizantes semelhante ao do grupo rC-D + hidróxido de alumínio confirmando o potencial adjuvante da LTB. As quantidades de antígenos utilizados foram equimolares. Esses resultados demonstram que as quimeras recombinantes foram imunogênicas. Os soros dos camundongos inoculados com as diferentes vacinas também foram analisados por ELISA indireto utilizando rC e rD como antígenos. Os dados obtidos neste ELISA corroboram os dados da soroneutralização.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:38:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_pedro_quevedo.pdf: 852940 bytes, checksum: 646d10b8df90285825807c9a0da507ab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-12-20 / A retrospective study of clostridial diagnosed in ruminants from 1978-2008 in southern Rio Grande do Sul, was conducted in the influence area of the Regional Diagnostic Laboratory of the Federal University of Pelotas. Out of 5.446 bovine specimens sent by practitioners or from necropsies performed 91 (1,67%) were diagnosed as clostridiosis. Of those, 30 (0.55%) were diagnosed as by black leg, 15 (0.27%) as bacillary hemoglobinuria, 9 (0.16%) as botulism, 9 (0.16%) as malignant edema, and 28 (0.51%) as tetanus. Out of 860 sheep specimens 49 (5.69%) were bacterial diseases and 14 (28,57%) of those were diagnosed as clostridiosis, being 10 (1.16%) cases of tetanus, 3 (0.34%) of malignant edema, and 1 (0.11%) %) of enterotoxemia. It was concluded that some clostridiosis cause important losses in livestock in Rio Grande do Sul, mainly black leg. The vaccination of young stock against black leg is recommended in the whole state. Vaccination against botulism is recommended in areas of native pastures where phosphorus deficieny occurs, and vaccination against bacillary hemoglobinuria is recommended in low lands where fasciolosis is enzootic. In cattle, tetanus may occur as outbreaks with significant economic losses, recommending also the vaccination of animals. In sheep clostridioses are less important being tetanus the more frequent. Good hygienic practices, mainly during castration or tail are recommended to prevent the disease. Enterotoxemia is a rare disease in the region, because most sheep are raised in native pastures with limited grass production; vaccination is only recommended in sheep grazing in cultivate pastures or supplemented with concentrates. / Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo dos diagnósticos de clostridioses ocorridos na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul correspondente a área de influência do Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico da Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Pelotas entre janeiro 1978 e janeiro de 2008 e acompanhados os casos de clostridioses diagnosticados nos anos 2009 e 2010. De um total de 5.446 materiais de bovinos provenientes de necropsias ou órgãos enviados 91 (1,67%) correspondiam a enfermidades causadas por bactérias do gênero Clostridium sendo 30 (0,55%) de carbúnculo sintomático, 15 (0,27%) de hemoglobinúria bacilar, 9 (0,16%) de botulismo, 9 (0,16%) de edema maligno e 28 (0,51%) de tétano. De 860 materiais de ovinos 49 (5,69%) diagnósticos corresponderam a doenças bacterianas e desses 14 (28,57%) foram de surtos de clostridioses. Dos 14 surtos de clostridioses observados em ovinos 10 (1,16%) foram de tétano, três (0,34%) de edema maligno e um (0,11%) de enterotoxemia. Concluiu-se que algumas clostridioses causam prejuízos econômicos à bovinocultura da região, principalmente o carbúnculo sintomático, recomendando-se a vacinação sistemática dos bovinos jovens contra esta clostridiose. Recomenda-se, também, a vacinação contra botulismo, em áreas de campo nativo onde ocorre carência de fósforo e contra hemoglobinúria bacilar em áreas de campos baixos onde ocorre infecção por Fasciola hepatica. Em bovinos o tétano pode ocorrer como surtos com prejuízos econômicos importantes, recomendando-se, também, a vacinação dos animais. Em ovinos as clostridioses têm pouca importância, sendo o tétano a mais frequente. Para a profilaxia desta doença em ovinos recomenda-se utilizar práticas de manejo, como descola e castração, em condições adequadas de higiene. Enterotoxemia é uma enfermidade rara na região por que a maioria dos ovinos permanece em campos nativos com limitada produção de foragem; recomenda-se a vacinação somente em animais em pastagens cultivadas ou suplementados com concentrados.

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Background – Feeding horses round bale hay (RBH) has been associated with airway inflammation. The purpose of this study was to determine if horses fed RBH for a 6-week period demonstrated more evidence of airway inflammation than horses fed square bale hay (SBH) of comparable quality. Hypothesis - The respiratory health of horses fed RBH will not differ from horses fed SBH of comparable quality. Animals – Two feeding groups of 15 healthy horses (mixed ages, breeds) from the University riding program. Methods – This was a prospective study performed during fall of 2009. At the beginning and end of a 6- week feeding trial, horses were examined (physical, upper airway endoscopic) and samples (tracheal aspirate (TA), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)) collected for cytology and/or bacterial/fungal culture. Hay was analyzed for nutritional value and bacterial/fungal content. Results – Horses fed RBH demonstrated an increase in pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (p=0.0143) and percentage neutrophils (p=0.0078) in the TA samples post-feeding as compared to pre-feeding values. Nutritional analysis of hay and measurements of bacterial/fungal load did not differ over time and/or between hay types. Conclusions and clinical importance – The identification of airway inflammation in the horses fed RBH indicates that factors associated with the manner in which the hay is fed and consumed contribute to the development of subclinical airway inflammation. RBH affords horses continuous daily exposure to hay and as horses bury their muzzles in the bale, exposure to particulate matter is likely increased. These factors may partially explain the response in horses fed RBH. Further studies are required to confirm these predictions. / Master of Science

No description available.

Descreve-se os achados epidemiológicos e clínico-patológicos das clostridioses diagnosticadas no Setor de Patologia Veterinaria da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul no período 1996-março/2010. Este estudo incluiu uma pesquisa retrospectiva nos arquivos do SPV e uma etapa prospectiva, a qual também teve o objetivo de desenvolver exames complementares específicos para cada clostridiose. As clostridioses mais prevalentes foram tétano (em equinos, bovinos, ovinos e caprinos), botulismo (em bovinos, suínos e aves) e enterotoxemia (em caprinos). Também houve casos de edema maligno em equinos, bem como de carbúnculo sintomático e hemoglobinúria em bovinos. Adicionalmente, foram coletadas amostras de soro sanguíneo de animais afetados por tétano, em diferentes estágios de evolução da doença, para subsequente inoculação em camundongos (testes de bioensaio) e comprovação da técnica no diagnóstico da enfermidade. / This study describes the epidemiological and clinicopathological findings of clostridial diseases diagnosed in the 1996-March, 2010 period in the Setor de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (SPV_UFRGS). A retrospective survey in the files of SPV was complemented with a prospective phase, which also aimed developing complementary diagnostic tests of clostridiosis. The most prevalent clostridiosis were tetanus (in horses, cattle, sheep and goats), botulism (in cattle, pigs and birds), and enterotoxemia in goats. There also were cases of malignant edema in horses, blackleg and bacillary hemoglobinuria in cattle. In addition, blood serum samples from animals affected by tetanus on different stages of the disease evolution were applied in mice bioassay, as a complementary diagnosing test for the disease.