scholarly journals Detection of Antibodies against Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus in Zoo Animals Using Non-Invasive Blood Sampling with Medicinal Leeches (Hirudo medicinalis)

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 952
Author(s):  
Pavel Kvapil ◽  
Marjan Kastelic ◽  
Nuša Jež ◽  
Kamil Sedlák ◽  
Nikola Kašpárková ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Hirudo Medicinalis ◽  
Ovis Aries ◽  
Blood Sampling ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Zoo Animals ◽  
Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus ◽  
Medicinal Leeches

Reports on non-invasive blood sampling are limited, and there are only a few studies on using kissing bugs (Reduviidae) and medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) for hematology and biochemistry testing in various zoo animal species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of non-invasive blood sampling with medicinal leeches for arbovirus epidemiological investigations in various animal species from one zoo collection. Medicinal leeches were manually applied on 35 animals of 11 species. Control blood samples were obtained by venipuncture of the jugular vein. Antibodies to tick-borne encephalitic virus (TBEV) were detected by using the immunoenzymatic method or an immunofluorescent assay (IFAT), depending on the animal species. One of the 35 animals (2.9%) was seropositive (Ovis aries), whereas the rest of the samples were seronegative in both methods of sampling (non-invasive by leeches vs. invasive by venipuncture). Blood sampling using medicinal leeches showed promising results. It is likely a good alternative to other more complex and invasive methods, and it can provide significant advancement in blood sampling for preventive medicine and epidemiological studies in zoo animals.

scholarly journals Detection of Antibodies Against Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus and Other Flaviviruses in a Zoological Collection in Slovenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Kvapil ◽  
Joško Račnik ◽  
Marjan Kastelic ◽  
Pavlína Pittermannová ◽  
Tatjana Avšič-Zupanc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Encephalitis Virus ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Tick Borne Encephalitis ◽  
Zoo Animals ◽  
Exotic Animal ◽  
Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus

Monitoring infectious diseases is one of the most important pillars of preventative veterinary medicine in zoological collections. The zoo environment offers a great variety of different animal species living in proximity and in contact with small wild animals and vectors (e.g., ticks and mosquitos). In this context, tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Usutu virus (USUV), and West Nile virus (WNV) causing vector-borne diseases are emerging pathogens that raise concern. The aim of the study was to detect antibodies to selected flaviviruses in various animal species in the Ljubljana Zoo, Slovenia. In total, 874 sera from 96 animal species were tested for antibodies to TBEV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA); positive samples were confirmed by a virus neutralization test (VNT) using TBEV, WNV, and USUV antigens. Antibodies to TBEV were detected by ELISA in 3.9% (34/874) of zoo animals, with 4% (30/753) in mammals and 5% (4/86) in birds; the sera of reptiles (n = 34) and amphibians (n = 1) were negative. Antibodies to TBEV were confirmed by VNT in 11 mammals; one bird was positive for both WNV and USUV. The mixture of exotic animal species and their contact with wild animals and vectors such as ticks and mosquitos suggest that screening of infectious diseases in zoo animals might provide good insight into the epizootological situation of the area. This is the first survey of TBEV, WNV, and USUV in a zoological collection in Slovenia.

scholarly journals Transcutaneous billirubinometry to estimate total serum bilirubin in neonatal jaundice

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andra Kurnianto ◽  
Herman Bermawi ◽  
Afifa Darmawanti ◽  
Erial Bahar
Keyword(s):  
Neonatal Jaundice ◽  
Serum Bilirubin ◽  
Subcutaneous Tissue ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Total Serum Bilirubin ◽  
Blood Sampling ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Transcutaneous Bilirubin ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Transcutaneous Bilirubinometry

Background The gold standard for diagnosis of neonatal jaundice is total serum bilirubin (TSB) measurement. This method, however, is invasive, painful, and costly in terms of workload, time, and money. Moreover, repeated blood sampling may lead to significant blood loss, which is of particular concern in preterm infants. To overcome these drawbacks, non-invasive methods of bilirubin measurement have been proposed. Transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TcB) determines the yellowness of the subcutaneous tissue of a newborn infant by measuring the difference between optical densities for light in the blue and green wavelength regions.Objective To evaluate the accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubinometry for estimating TSB levels in neonatal jaundice.Methods Subjects were infants aged < 28 days with jaundice who had never been treated with phototherapy or exchange transfusion. The study was done from February to July 2016 in Mohammad Hoesin Hospital. Subjects underwent transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) and TSB assays, with a maximum interval of 15 minutes between tests.Results One hundred fifty patients were included in this study. The TcB values > 5 mg/dL were correlated to TSB > 5 mg/dL, with 100% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity. This cut-off point was obtained from a receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve with AUC 99.3% (95%CI 97.9 to 100%; P< 0.001).The correlation coefficients (r) for TSB and TcB measurements on the forehead were 0.897 (P<0.001).Conclusion Transcutaneous bilirubinometry can be used to accurately estimate TSB levels in neonatal jaundice, and may be useful in clinical practice as a non-invasive method to reduce blood sampling.

scholarly journals Ultrasound call detection in capybara

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 663-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selene S.C. Nogueira ◽  
Kamila S. Barros ◽  
Márcio H. Almeida ◽  
Janine P. Pedroza ◽  
Sérgio L.G. Nogueira Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Vocal Repertoire ◽  
Additional Tool ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Poor State

The vocal repertoire of some animal species has been considered a non-invasive tool to predict distress reactivity. In rats ultrasound emissions were reported as distress indicator. Capybaras[ vocal repertoire was reported recently and seems to have ultrasound calls, but this has not yet been confirmed. Thus, in order to check if a poor state of welfare was linked to ultrasound calls in the capybara vocal repertoire, the aim of this study was to track the presence of ultrasound emissions in 11 animals under three conditions: 1) unrestrained; 2) intermediately restrained, and 3) highly restrained. The ultrasound track identified frequencies in the range of 31.8±3.5 kHz in adults and 33.2±8.5 kHz in juveniles. These ultrasound frequencies occurred only when animals were highly restrained, physically restrained or injured during handling. We concluded that these calls with ultrasound components are related to pain and restraint because they did not occur when animals were free of restraint. Thus we suggest that this vocalization may be used as an additional tool to assess capybaras[ welfare.

Association between CAI microsatellite, multilocus sequence typing, and clinical significance within Candida albicans isolates

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Mu Wu ◽  
Chih-Hua Lee ◽  
Yi-Chuan Cheng ◽  
Jang-Jih Lu ◽  
Shao-Hung Wang
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Clinical Significance ◽  
Multilocus Sequence Typing ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetics ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital ◽  
Strain Typing ◽  
Clinical Scenario

Abstract Candida albicans bloodstream infection (BSI) is epidemiologically important because of its increasing frequency and serious outcome. Strain typing and delineation of the species are essential for understanding the phylogenetic relationship and clinical significance. Microsatellite CAI genotyping and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed on 285 C. albicans bloodstream isolates from patients in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou (CGMHL), Taiwan from 2003 to 2011. Data regarding demographics, comorbidities, risk factors, and clinical outcomes were recorded within adult patients with C. albicans BSI. Both CAI genotyping and MLST yielded comparable discriminatory power for C. albicans characterization. Besides, the distribution of CAI repetition showed a satisfactory phylogenetic association, which could be a good alternative method in the molecular phylogenetics of C. albicans and epidemiological studies. As for the clinical scenario, clade 17 isolates with CAI alleles either possessing 29 or more repetitions were related to higher 14-day and 30-day mortality, and shorter median survival days.

scholarly journals Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Pharmacokinetics: Classical Blood Sampling Versus Image-Derived Analysis of [18F]FAZA and [18F]FDG in a Murine Tumor Bearing Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1s) ◽  
pp. 32s-47s ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans-Soenke Jans ◽  
Xiao-Hong Yang ◽  
Dion R Brocks ◽  
Piyush Kumar ◽  
Melinda Wuest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inferior Vena ◽  
Vena Cava ◽  
Blood Sampling ◽  
Tumor Uptake ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Tumor Bearing ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
18F Fdg ◽  
Derived Data

Purpose: Pharmacokinetic (PK) data are generally derived from blood samples withdrawn serially over a defined period after dosing. In small animals, blood sampling after dosing presents technical difficulties, particularly when short time intervals and frequent sampling are required. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a non-invasive functional imaging technique that can provide semi-quantitative temporal data for defined volume regions of interest (vROI), to support kinetic analyses in blood and other tissues. The application of preclinical small-animal PET to determine and compare PK parameters for [18F]FDG and [18F]FAZA, radiopharmaceuticals used clinically for assessing glucose metabolism and hypoxic fractions, respectively, in the same mammary EMT6 tumor-bearing mouse model, is reported here. Methods: Two study groups were used: normal BALB/c mice under isoflurane anesthesia were intravenously injected with either [18F]FDG or [18F]FAZA. For the first group, blood-sampling by tail artery puncture was used to collect blood samples which were then analyzed with Radio-microTLC. Dynamic PET experiments were performed with the second group of mice and analyzed for blood input function and tumor uptake utilizing a modified two compartment kinetic model. Heart and inferior vena cava vROIs were sampled to obtain image-derived data. PK parameters were calculated from blood samples and image-derived data. Time-activity curves (TACs) were also generated over regions of liver, kidney and urinary bladder to depict clearance profiles for each radiotracer. Results: PK values generated by classical blood sampling and PET image-derived analysis were comparable to each other for both radiotracers. Heart vROI data were suitable for analysis of [18F]FAZA kinetics, but metabolic uptake of radioactivity mandated the use of inferior vena cava vROIs for [18F]FDG analysis. While clearance (CL) and blood half-life (t½) were similar for both [18F]FDG and [18F]FAZA for both sampling methods, volume of distribution yielded larger differences, indicative of limitations such as partial volume effects within quantitative image-derived data. [18F]FDG underwent faster blood clearance and had a shorter blood half-life than [18F]FAZA. Kinetic analysis of tumor uptake from PET image data showed higher uptake and longer tumor tissue retention of [18F]FDG, indicative of the tumor’s glucose metabolism rate, versus lower tumor uptake and retention of [18F]FAZA. While [18F]FAZA possesses a somewhat greater hepatobiliary clearance , [18F]FDG clears faster through the renal system which results in faster radioactivity accumulation in the urinary bladder. Conclusions: The present study provides a working example of the applicability of functional PET imaging as a suitable tool to determine PK parameters in small animals. The comparative analysis in the current study demonstrates that it is feasible to use [18F]FDG PET and [18F]FAZA PET in the same model to analyze their blood PK parameters, and to estimate kinetic parameters for these tracers in tumor. This non-invasive imaging-based determination of tissue kinetic parameters facilitates translation from pre-clinical to clinical phases of drug development. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.

Seasonal Changes in Diet Preferences of Free-Ranging Red Kangaroos, Euros and Sheep in Western New South Wales.

1977 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
BA Ellis ◽  
EM Russell ◽  
TJ Dawson ◽  
CJF Harrop
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Ovis Aries ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Red Kangaroo ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Selective Eating ◽  
Free Ranging

Stomach contents of free-ranging animals were analysed botanically for low Atriplex shrubland in western New South Wales, Australia, during 1972-74 in good seasons producing abundant growth and diversity of vegetation. Red kangaroo (Megaleia rufa), euro (Macropus robustus) and sheep (Ovis aries) selected grass and forbs when those were readily available. In poorer pasture sheep selected mainly flat-leaved chenopods (saltbush) and kangaroos selected mainly grass with different amounts of flat- or round-leaved chenopods. Euros were the most selective, eating grass even when there was little grass present. Potential overlaps in diet between kangaroos and sheep were greatest in good pasture and least in the poorest conditions. The other groups of plants considered were non-chenopod shrubs and browse. Extent of overlap was not clear, because animals may have eaten different species within the groups of plants. The study period did not include any severe drought, in which overlap in diet and competition between animal species would have been most significant.

Other investigations

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Archer ◽  
Nicky Manning
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Blood Sampling ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Fetal Electrocardiography

This chapter considers other fetal cardiovascular investigations, including discussion on invasive testing, examination of sample, non-invasive testing, parental blood sampling, fetal electrocardiography, and magnetic resonance imaging.

scholarly journals Non-invasive genetic approaches for estimation of ungulate population size: a study on roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) based on faeces

2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-275
Author(s):  
C. Ebert ◽  
◽  
j. Sandrini ◽  
B. Spielberger ◽  
U. Hohmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Microsatellite Analysis ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Western Germany ◽  
Consensus Genotypes

Estimating population size is particularly difficult for animal species living in concealing habitats with dense vegetation. This is the case for roe deer as for many other ungulates. Our objective was to develop a non–invasive genetic capture–mark–recapture approach based on roe deer faeces collected along transects. In a pilot study, we collected 1,790 roe deer faeces during five sampling days in a forested study area in south western Germany. We extracted DNA from 410 of these samples and carried out microsatellite analysis using seven dinucleotide markers. The analyses resulted in 328 useable consensus genotypes which were assigned to 174 individuals. The population size estimated using a Bayesian approach was 94 (82–111) male and 136 (121–156) female roe deer. Our study shows that non–invasive genetic methods are a valuable management tool for roe deer.

scholarly journals Catalogue of alien animal species in the Czech Republic

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 151-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hana Šefrová ◽  
Zdeněk Laštůvka
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
North America ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Stored Products ◽  
Local Fauna ◽  
Forest Pests ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Stored Product Pest ◽  
Invasive Status

The catalogue of alien animal species registered in the Czech Republic, with data on their origin, date on the first observation, way of introduction (accidental, deliberate, spontaneous), invasive status (casual, non-invasive, post-invasive, invasive), habitat (eusynanthropic, urban, agricultural, natural), trophic requirements and possible influences (plant or stored-product pest, biodiversity influence). In total 595 species are listed, i.e. 1.8% of the fauna of this country; of these, 22 species of molluscs (8.8% of the local fauna), 451 spp. of arthropods (1.5%), 383 spp. of insects (1.4%), and 55 spp. of vertebrates (9.2%). Among the registered species, 248 spp. (41.8%) are confined to closed and heated spaces by their occurrence, and 287 spp. have become naturalized (48.2%). Of these 113 spp. are considered invasive (19% of alien spp.). 65 spp. (10.9% of aliens) are pests of stored products, 84 spp. (14.1%) are parasites of important animals, 53 spp. (8.9%) are pests of plants grown in heated rooms (above all, glasshouses), 28 ssp. (4.7%) are agricultural or forest pests, and 39 spp. (6.6%) may influence local biodiversity. The origin of the naturalized alien species is mostly in North America (70; 24.4%), the Mediterranean (61; 21.3%), E Asia (44; 15.4%), Central and SW Asia (43; 15%), and S or SE Asia (30; 10.5%).

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