The emergence of Clostridium difficile PCR ribotype 078 in piglets in the Czech Republic clusters with Clostridium difficile PCR ribotype 078 isolates from Germany,Japan and Taiwan

Clostridium difficile is a major nosocomial pathogen in humans with an increasing incidence in the community. The “one-health” approach of research is needed to investigate possible reservoirs of C. difficile and route of its transmission. The objective of this study is to investigate the occurrence of C. difficile in pigs in the Czech Republic with characterisation of the isolates to determine their genetic relatedness to C. difficile isolates from European and Asian pigs. A total of 198 pig faeces samples from 23 farms were investigated and of those 57 samples (55 piglets, 2 sows) from 11 farms were confirmed as C. difficile positive. The majority of C. difficile isolates belonged to the sequence type 11 and clade 5. The predominant ribotypes were 078 (n = 23), 078-variant (n = 5), 033 (n = 10) followed by RTs 150 (n = 7), 011 (n = 5), 045 (n = 4), 126, 014, 002 (n = 1, each). All isolates were susceptible to metronidazole, vancomycin and tetracycline. Isolates of RTs 150 and 078-variant were moxifloxacin resistant (MIC≥32 mg/L) and carried the amino acid substitution Thr82Ile in the GyrA. A multi-locus variable number tandem-repeats analysis (MLVA) revealed a clonal relatedness of isolates within individual farms and in C. difficile RT078 isolates between two Czech farms. Czech C. difficile RT078 isolates clustered with German C. difficile RT078 isolates and Czech C. difficile 078-variant isolates clustered with C. difficile RT078 isolates from Japan and Taiwan. This study found an emergence of C. difficile RT078 in Czech piglets that was related genetically to C. difficile RT078 isolates from Germany, Japan and Taiwan.     

Comparative effect of ochratoxin A on inflammation and oxidative stress parameters in gut and kidney of piglets

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a secondary metabolite produced by fungi of Aspergillus and Penicillium genra. OTA is mainly nephrotoxic but can also cause hepatotoxicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity. As recent studies have highlighted the close relationship between gastrointestinal tract and kidney, as principal organs involved in absorption and respective excretion of xenobiotics, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of a subchronic exposure (30 days) to 0.05 mg/kg OTA on immune response and oxidative stress parameters at the level of intestine and kidney of young swine. The experiment was realised on twelve crossbred weaned piglets randomly allotted to both control group or toxin group fed 0.050 mg OTA/kg feed. Our results have shown that a subchronic intoxication with a low dose of OTA for 30 days affected the immune response and the anti-oxidant self-defense at gut and kidney level. The gene expression of both markers of signaling pathways involved in inflammation and inflammatory cytokines were affected in a much higher extent in the gut than in the kidney Of OTA intoxicated piglets.     

扣式两仪闭合器关闭房间隔缺损的动物实验研究

作者用自行研制的扣式两仪房间隔缺损（ＡＳＤ）闭合器对１２头小猪行非手术方法关闭ＡＳＤ，１０例行闭合术，８例成功。术后处死的动物均见闭合器两仪紧密相贴；１５天可见闭合器表面有一层由纤维组织和内皮细胞构成的灰白色膜状物覆盖；２０天后见闭合器与心脏组织不易分离。闭合术中ＥＣＧ监测未见严重的心律失常。统计学处理采用质反应开放型单向序贯分析，实验线触及序贯检验图上界ｕ，表明在方法学上，此闭合器关闭ＡＳＤ是可行的。     

Effect of Fermented Soybean Meal on Intestinal Morphology and Digestive Enzyme Activities in Weaned Piglets

The objective of the current experiment was to investigate the effect of Bacillus subtilis fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on intestinal morphology and digestive enzyme activities in piglets. Sixty crossbred (Duroc×Landrance×Yorkshire) piglets at an average weight of 8.62 kg were randomly allotted to two treatments and fed diets containing soybean meal (SBM) and FSBM, respectively. At the end of the experimental period, six piglets of each treatment were slaughtered humanly to collect the contents and tissue samples at three different locations in small intestine. Light microscopy and scanning electron indicated that piglets fed FSBM had a higher (P<0.05) villus height at three different locations of small intestine and had la ower (P<0.05) crypt depth in the duodenum compared to piglets fed SBM. The results showed that activities of total protease and trypsin at the duodenum and jejunum of piglets fed with FSBM increased (P<0.05) compared with the control. The trypsin activity in the pancreas of piglets decreased (P<0.05) when they were fed with FSBM. The results showed that FSBM improved intestinal morphology and digestive enzyme activities in weaned piglets.     

胰岛素对子宫内生长迟缓新生仔猪小肠生长发育的影响

目的:研究胰岛素是否能促进子宫内生长迟缓(IUGR)新生儿肠道的生长发育. 方法:以IUGR新生仔猪为模型,比较了饲喂配方奶粉(P组)和配方奶粉中补加胰岛素(I组)3天后仔猪小肠的重量和长度,组织形态学结构,黏膜DNA、RNA含量和浓度及小肠黏膜麦芽糖酶、乳糖酶、氨基肽酶和碱性磷酸酶的活性. 结果:I组与P组相比,小肠的重量、长度、组织形态学结构及小肠黏膜氨基肽酶和碱性磷酸酶的活性差异均无显著性意义(P>0.05).但I组的仔猪小肠黏膜DNA、RNA含量及麦芽糖酶和乳糖酶的活性均较P组有明显的提高(P<0.05). 结论:口饲胰岛素能刺激小肠黏膜上皮细胞的增生和小肠黏膜麦芽糖酶、乳糖酶总活性的升高.     

Parenteral aluminum induces liver injury in a newborn piglet model

Purpose

Parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis remains a significant problem, especially for the surgical neonate. Aluminum is a toxic element known to contaminate parenteral nutrition. We hypothesize that parenterally administered aluminum causes liver injury similar to that seen in parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis.

Methods

Twenty 3- to 6-day-old domestic pigs were divided into 5 equal groups. A control group received daily intravenous 0.9% sodium chloride. Each subject in experimental groups received intravenous aluminum chloride at 1500 μg/kg per day for 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks. At the end of the study, blood was sampled for direct bilirubin and total bile acid levels. Liver, bile, and urine were sampled for aluminum content. Liver tissue was imaged by transmission electron microscopy for ultrastructural changes.

Results

Transmission electron microscopy revealed marked blunting of bile canaliculi microvilli in all experimental subjects but not the controls. Serum total bile acids correlated with the duration of aluminum exposure. The hepatic aluminum concentration correlated with the duration of aluminum exposure.

Conclusions

Parenterally infused aluminum resulted in liver injury as demonstrated by elevated bile acids and by blunting of the bile canaliculi microvilli. These findings are similar to those reported in early parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease.     

Prenatal flavor exposure affects growth, health and behavior of newly weaned piglets

Young animals can learn about flavors from the maternal diet that appear in the amniotic fluid and mother's milk, which may reduce neophobia for similarly flavored food types at weaning. Flavor learning may be beneficial for piglets, which after the rather abrupt weaning in pig husbandry frequently show a period of anorexia, reduced health, and stress-induced behaviors. We investigated the effects of pre- and postnatal flavor exposure through the maternal diet on acceptance of a similarly flavored food and subsequent growth, health and behavior of newly weaned piglets.Sows were offered anise-flavored (F) or control (C) food during late gestation. Piglets were cross-fostered after birth, with each sow fostering 5 piglets from an F sow and 5 from a C sow. During lactation, sows were offered F or C food, resulting in FF, CF, FC and CC piglets. Piglets were weaned on day 25 and were given both control and flavored food for two weeks using a double food choice approach.The flavored food was not preferred. Yet, prenatally exposed animals showed a higher food intake and a higher body weight in the first days after weaning, and a lower occurrence of diarrhoea than non-exposed piglets. Prenatal exposure also increased the latency to fight, and reduced oral manipulation of pen mates and mounting during the first two weeks after weaning.Prenatal exposure, but not postnatal exposure alone, to anisic flavor through the maternal diet reduced weaning-associated problems in piglets and enhanced their health and welfare in the period after weaning.     

部分液体通气对急性肺损伤幼猪心肺功能的影响

目的 研究部分液体通气对急性肺损伤幼猪心肺功能的影响.方法 12只上海小白猪,随机分为对照组(n=6)和治疗组(n=6).内毒素60 μg/kg静脉维持诱导肺损伤.治疗组成模后予高氟化碳(C10F18)10 ml/kg灌入气管.于基础状态,成模时,成模后1、2、4 h分别行血气分析、记录心率、血压、呼吸、肺动态顺应性、气道阻力、脉搏轮廓心输出量、全身血管阻力.结果 两组动物成模时氧合指数、肺动态顺应性、脉搏轮廓心输出量均明显下降,各参数组间比较无统计学差异.2 h后对照组氧合指数193.8±47.5,肺动态顺应性(0.8±1.7) ml/(cm H2O·kg),4 h后心输出量(2.1±0.7) L/min;治疗组2 h后氧合指数为261.5±25.8,肺动态顺应性(1.2±0.7) ml/(cm H2O·kg),4 h后心输出量(3.1±0.2) L/min,较对照组均有改善,差异有显著性(P＜0.05).结论 部分液体通气可明显改善肺损伤动物心肺功能.     

Suppression of spontaneous breathing during high-frequency jet ventilation

Conditions which suppress spontaneous breathing activity during high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) were analysed in Yorkshire piglets under pentobarbital anesthesia. The highest P_aCO₂ at which the animals did not breathe against the ventilator (apnea point) was established during different patterns of ventilation, either by changing the minute volume or by adding CO₂ to the inspiratory gas. Arterial oxygen tension was maintained throughout the study above 80 mm Hg. An elevation of ventilatory rate increased the apnea point, suggesting a progressive suppression of spontaneous breathing. This suppression did not depend on the amount of lung stretch during insufflation, because at higher rates lower tidal volumes were used. Suppression also appeared to be independent of insufflatory flow, i.e. the velocity of lung stretch. At higher frequencies end-expiratory airway pressure (P_EE) increased and there appeared to be a positive relationship between the apnea point and P_EE. In a separate series this positive relationship between the apnea point and P_EE was confirmed. A hysteresis effect in this relationship, however, suggests that other than jet frequency, lung volume rather than positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a major determinant of suppression of spontaneous breathing activity during HFJV.