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Department Of Veterinary And Biomedical Sciences: 2005 Annual Report

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Information and History

Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Personnel
VBMS Teaching Program - Courses 2005
VBMS Grants and Contracts Program, 2005
Publications by VBMS Faculty in 2005
Selected Committees, Editorial and Other Appointments. 2005
Articles Regarding the Department in 2005
Departmental Budget Summaries, 2005
Nebraska Agricultural Statistics, 2004/2005.

Spatial Management Of Wildlife Disease, Richard Horan, Christopher Wolf, Eli P. Fenichel, Kenneth H. Mathews, Jr.

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

The spread of wildlife diseases is a major threat to livestock, human health, resource-based recreation, and biodiversity conservation (Cleaveland, Laurenson, and Taylor). The development of economically sound wildlife disease-management strategies requires an understanding of the links between ecological functions (e.g., disease transmission and wildlife dispersal) and economic choices, and the associated tradeoffs. Spatial linkages are particularly relevant. Yet while ecologists have long-argued that space is important (Hudson et al.), prior economic work has largely ignored spatial issues.

For instance, Horan and Wolf analyzed a case study of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Michigan deer, a problem where the disease appears to …

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Project: 2005 Activities Report And Conference Proceedings

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

On June 7 and 8, 2005, the State of Michigan and U.S. Department of Agriculture hosted the ninth annual bovine Tuberculosis (TB) meeting of scientists, with the intent to share research information and provide updates on policies, regulations and activities regarding bovine TB.

This document is a thank you to stakeholders and serves as an annual report offering insight into the finer points of this multi-agency project. The year 2005 has been one of milestones. The Upper Peninsula received TB-Free Status; only one TB positive farm was found during routine surveillance testing; and the disease prevalence rate in Deer Management …

Molecular Characterization Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex Isolates From Wild Ungulates In South-Central Spain, Christian Gortazar, Joaquín Vicente, Sofia Samper, Joseba M. Garrido, Isabel Fernandez-De-Mera, Patricia Gavín, Ramón A. Juste, Carlos Martín, Pelayo Acevedo, Manuel De La Puentea, Ursula Höflea

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

The role of European wild ungulates in the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) is still under discussion. This study describes the geographical distribution and molecular typing of 77 Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates belonging either to M. bovis or to M. caprae, cultivated from hunter harvested red deer (Cervus elaphus) and European wild boar (Sus scrofa) in 24 Spanish localities, and compares them with spoligotypes detected previously in humans, livestock or wild animals, as described in the literature. The distribution of the molecular type patterns suggests that the population of M. tuberculosis complex strains isolated from Spanish …

Use Of An Electronic Nose To Diagnose Mycobacterium Bovis Infection In Badgers And Cattle, R. Fend, R. Geddes, S. Lesellier, H.-M. Vordermeier, L. A. L. Corner, E. Gormley, E. Costello, R. G. Hewinson, D. J. Marlin, A. C. Woodman, M. A. Chambers

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

It is estimated that more than 50 million cattle are infected with Mycobacterium bovis worldwide, resulting in severe economic losses. Current diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in cattle relies on tuberculin skin testing, and when combined with the slaughter of test-positive animals, it has significantly reduced the incidence of bovine TB. The failure to eradicate bovine TB in Great Britain has been attributed in part to a reservoir of the infection in badgers (Meles meles). Accurate and reliable diagnosis of infection is the cornerstone of TB control. Bacteriological diagnosis has these characteristics, but only with samples collected postmortem. Unlike …

Hidden Effects Of Chronic Tuberculosis In African Buffalo, Anna E. Jolles, David V. Cooper, Simon A. Levin

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

Infectious diseases can bring about population declines and local host extinctions, contributing significantly to the global biodiversity crisis. Nonetheless, studies measuring population-level effects of pathogens in wild host populations are rare, and taxonomically biased toward avian hosts and macroparasitic infections. We investigated the effects of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by the bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium bovis, on African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa. We tested 1180 buffalo for bTB infection between May 2000 and November 2001. Most infections were mild, confirming the chronic nature of the disease in buffalo. However, our data indicate that bTB …

Wildlife-Cattle Interactions In Northern Michigan: Implications For The Transmission Of Bovine Tuberculosis, Jerry Alan Hill

Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Bibliography and Database

Bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) was discovered in northern Michigan white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in 1994, and has been known to exist in Michigan cattle herds since 1998. Despite efforts to eradicate the disease in cattle, infection and re-infection of farms continues to occur, suggesting transmission among cattle, deer, or other wildlife reservoirs. The goals of this study were to document wildlife activity on farms and evaluate the possible role wildlife play in the ecology of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Michigan. Visual observations were conducted on farms in a 5-county area of northern Michigan to document direct …

Role Of The Hypervariable Hinge Region Of Phosphoprotein P Of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus In Viral Rna Synthesis And Assembly Of Infectious Virus Particles, Subash C. Das, Asit K. Pattnaik

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The phosphoprotein (P protein) of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is an essential subunit of the viral RNAdependent RNA polymerase and has multiple functions residing in its different domains. In the present study, we examined the role of the hypervariable hinge region of P protein in viral RNA synthesis and recovery of infectious VSV by using transposon-mediated insertion mutagenesis and deletion mutagenesis. We observed that insertions of 19-amino-acid linker sequences at various positions within this region affected replication and transcription functions of the P protein to various degrees. Interestingly, one insertion mutant was completely defective in both transcription and replication. Using …

Cutting Edge: Cd4+Cd25+ Regulatory T Cells Contribute To Gender Differences In Susceptibility To Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis, Jay Reddy, Hanspeter Waldner, Xingmin Zhang, Zsolt Illes, Kai W. Wucherpfennig, Raymond A. Sobel, Vijay K. Kuchroo

Jay Reddy Publications

Female B10.S mice are highly resistant to proteolipid protein (PLP) 139–151-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and depletion of PLP 139–151- reactive CD4+CD25+regulatory T (Treg) cells can slightly increase their EAE susceptibility. Although male B10.S mice are moderately susceptible to EAE, we report that depletion of Treg cells in male B10.S mice before immunization with PLP 139–151 renders them highly susceptible to severe EAE with more CNS neutrophil infiltrates than nondepleted controls. Increased susceptibility is associated with an enhanced PLP 139–151-specific T cell response and greater production of IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-17. Male CD4+CD25+ effector cells depleted of Treg cells proliferate …

Serologic Survey Of Select Infectious Diseases In Coyotes And Raccoons In Nebraska, Richard Bischof, Douglas G. Rogers

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

To obtain data about select zoonotic and other infectious diseases in free-ranging predators in five ecoregions in Nebraska, sera were collected from 67 coyotes (Canis latrans) and 63 raccoons (Procyon lotor)) from November 2002 through January 2003. For coyotes, antibodies were detected against canine distemper virus (CDV, 61%), Francisella tularensis) (32%), Rickettsia rickettsi) (13%), and flaviviruses (48%). None of the coyote sera had antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, Brucella canis), or six serovars of Leptospira interrogans). Because serologic cross-reactivity exists among flaviviruses, 14 sera from flavivirus-positive coyotes were also tested for St. Louis …

Development And Pathogenesis Of Parelaphostrongylus Odocoilei (Nematoda: Protostrongylidae) In Experimentally Infected Thinhorn Sheep (Ovis Dalli), Emily J. Jenkins, Eric P. Hoberg, L. Polley

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Recently, the protostrongylid nematode Parelaphostrongylus odocoilei has been reported in a new host species, thinhorn sheep (Ovis dalli). For the first time, we completed the life cycle of P. odocoilei in three Stone’s sheep (O. dalli stonei) and two thinhorn hybrids (O. dalli stonei × O. dalli dalli), each infected with 200 third-stage larvae from slugs (Deroceras laeve). The prepatent period ranged from 68 days to 74 days, and shedding of first-stage larvae (L1) peaked at >10,000 L1 per gram of feces between 90 and 110 days postinfection. A total of 75, …

Characterizing The Health Status Of The Louisiana Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus Polyphemus), Orlando Diaz-Figueroa

LSU Master's Theses

Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) populations have experienced precipitous declines from habitat loss, and human and disease related mortality. The goal of this study was to characterize the health status of free-ranging Louisiana gopher tortoises. Gopher tortoises were collected during two distinct trapping seasons: fall (August-October 2002) and spring (April-June 2003). Captured tortoises were given a physical exam and the carapace and plastron length and width, weight, and body temperature were recorded. Blood was collected from the subcarapacial vein and submitted for the following testing procedures: complete blood count, plasma chemistry, infectious disease serology (Mycoplasma), and toxicologic screen (copper, mercury, zinc, …

Animal Health Matters, David H. Zeman

Animal Health MATTERS Newsletter

Head/Director's Message [Page] 1- ADRDL invited to join the NAHLN Diagnostic News [Page] 1- Bovine genital trichomoniasis in western SD [Page] 2- Testing milk for mastitis at ADRDL [Page] 2- Poultry biosecurity [Page] 2- Veterinary poultry specialists sought Research News [Page] 2- VSD/ADRDL professor receives grant to establish research center Extension News [Page] 3- Are white tail deer a threat for spreading BVDV in cattle? [Page] 3- Liver copper concentration in calves [Page] 4- Calendar of events [Page] 4- Holiday hours

West Nile Virus Blood Transfusion-Related Infection Despite Nucleic Acid Testing, Alexandre Macedo De Oliveira, Brady Beecham, Susan P. Montgomery, Robert S. Lanciotti, Jeffrey M. Linnen, Cristina Giachetti, Larry A. Pietrelli, Susan L. Stramer, Thomas J. Safranek

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

BACKGROUND: A case of West Nile virus (WNV) encephalitis associated with transfusion of blood that did not react when tested for WNV by minipool (MP) nucleic acid testing (NAT) is described. A Nebraska man developed clinical encephalitis 13 days after surgery and transfusion of 26 blood components. Antibody testing confirmed WNV infection. An investigation was initiated to determine the source of this infection.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The patient’s family members were interviewed to identify risk factors for WNV infection. Residual samples were retested for WNV RNA using transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assay and two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Blood …

Eradicating Footrot From Western Australia - A Farmer's Guide, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Agriculture reports

Virulent footrot can occur on any farm in the medium to high rainfall zone. Persons who regularly buy and sell sheep take a greater risk, but even properties with a closed breeding flock are at risk from stray sheep. People often associate footrot with properties managed by inefficient farmers. This is a false belief. Many good farmers have found the disease in their sheep, including high profile studs. Footrot can strike anywhere and often without warning. It is important to remember that once it is found; getting to know and understand the disease will help you to beat it. A …

Johne’S Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, And Mycobacterium Paratuberculosis, Ofelia Barletta-Chacon, Luiz E. Bermudez, Raúl G. Barletta

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Johne’s disease is a chronic diarrhea affecting all ruminants. Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), a slowly growing mycobacteria, is the etiologic agent. There is also a concern that MAP might be a causative agent of some cases of inflammatory bowel disease in humans, especially Crohn’s disease. Food products including pasteurized bovine milk have been suggested as potential sources of human infection. This review addresses microbial factors that may contribute to its pathogenicity. In addition, the experimental evidence defining MAP as the cause of Johne’s disease and the issues and controversies surrounding its potential pathogenic role in humans are discussed.

Waccnes Containing Bovine Herpe Svirus 1 Attenuated By Mutation In Latency-Related Gene, Clinton J. Jones

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Vaccines for pathogenic Strains of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) which are based on attenuated BHV-1 having a mutation in the latency-related gene are provided. Live, attenuated vaccines are also provided which express anti gens from other viral or bacterial pathogens and thus form the basis of a variety of vaccines.

Bovine Tuberculosis In Michigan White-Tailed Deer

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Starting in 1995 hunter harvested, road killed, and other dead deer were examined for bovine TB infection. White-tailed deer in Michigan have since been tested year round for bovine TB. Testing revealed that most of the TB positive animals were located in a core area in the northeastern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The core area is located around the four corners where the counties of Montmorency, Alpena, Oscoda and Alcona meet. Antrim, Crawford, Emmet, Iosco, Mecosta, Osceola, Otsego, Presque Isle, and Roscommon Counties have also had animals test positive for bovine TB.

In the U.S. today, the threat of …

Animal Health Laboratories Service Manual 2004-2005, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Agriculture reports

This service manual is designed to help you, the user of services provided by the Animal Health Laboratories (AHL), to get the most from the laboratories. If you have questions on any matters relating to the AHL services or sample collection, please telephone us. If you need to contact someone regarding AHL services or are unsure of which samples to collect, contact staff at AHL by consulting the directory of key personnel. The section on ‘General Instructions’ contains information required for packaging and submission of samples to AHL. Other sections contain information on the type of sample required for each …

Salmonella In Songbirds

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Salmonella is a type of bacterium found in the gut of many species of birds both domestic and wild. During periods of stress it can cause outbreaks of sickness and death. Its importance in songbird populations generally and the occurrence of outbreaks in this province specifically are discussed in this fact sheet.

Parasites Of Caribou (1): Brain Worm Infestation

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Brain worm is the common name for a disease of caribou that was first recognized in Central Newfoundland in the 1970's and has since been seen in other caribou herds including most recently the caribou of the Southern Avalon. Its more scientific name is Cerebrospinal Elaphostrongylosis (CSE) and is caused by the nematode Elaphostrongylus rangiferi.
Infection can cause severe illness and death in affected animals and has a particularly strong impact on herds that have not been previously exposed to this parasite.
As this is primarily a disease of caribou, there is no direct public health threat to humans. Moose …

Parasites Of Caribou (2): Fly Larvae Infestations

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

All wild animals carry diseases. In some cases these might be of concern if they can spread to humans or domestic animals. In other cases they might be of interest if they impact on the health of our wild herds, or simply because the signs of the disease have been noticed and you want to know more.
This fact sheet is one of a series produced on the common diseases of caribou and covers the larval form of two different flies commonly seen in this province. Neither of these are a cause of public health concern.

Parasites Of Caribou (3): Tapeworm Cysts

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

All wild animals carry diseases. In some cases these might be of concern if they can spread to humans or domestic animals. In other cases, they might be of interest if they impact on the health of our wild herds, or simply if they have been noticed by hunters and you would like to know more.
This fact sheet is one of a series produced on the common diseases of caribou and covers the cyst form of three common tapeworms. Two (Taenia hydatigena and Taenia krabbei) exist on both the island of Newfoundland and in Labrador, while the …

Pesticide Poisoning Of Seagulls

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

In April 2000 a major pesticide leak caused the death and illness of a significant number of wild birds. The findings and conclusions of this die-off are detailed.

Parasites Of The Snowshoe Hare (1): Tapeworm Cysts

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

All wild animals carry diseases. In some cases these might be of concern because they can spread to humans or domestic animals. In other cases they may be of interest simply because the signs of the disease have been seen and you want to know more. Though diseases are relatively common in these animals there is usually an increase in reporting when the hare populations are at a peak. High populations mean that there is an increased chance of one animal infecting another. In addition, when there are too many animals in one area, the amount of available food is …

Agribusiness Sheep Updates - 2004 Part 2, Anyou Liu, Clinton Revell, Phil Nichols, Brad Nutt, Darryl Clements, Lucy Anderton, Stephen Gherardi, Chris Oldham, Paul Sanford, John Gladman, G. E. Donald, A. Edirisinghe, D. A. Henry, S. P. Gittins, R. C. G. Smith, Roy Butler, Kelly Pearce, David Masters, David Pethick, Andrew Thompson, Ken Hart, Johan Greeff, Beth Paganoni, Rachel Kirby, Matt Ryan, Kira Butler, Roger Heggarty, David Hopkins, Samantha Giles, Tom Plaisted, Mark Ferguson, Darren Gordon, John Young, Sandra Brown, Ian Mcfarland, John Archer, John Milton, Rob Davidson, Graeme Martin, David Lindsay, Johnathan England, Mandy Curnow, Karina P. Wood, Ashley K. White, B. Lloyd Davies, Paul M. Carberry, Mark Hyder, Mike Freer, Andrew Van Burgel, Kazue Tanaka, Andrew Peterson, Roger Wiese, Gonzalo Mata, Evan Burt, Amanda Miller, Anne Bennett, Felicity Flugge, Amir Abadi, Perry Dolling, Dean Thomas, Mike Ewing, David Lindsay, Emma Kopke, E. A. Dowling, E. K. Crossley, Brien (Ben) E. Norton, John Karlsson, Geoff Pollott, Diana Fedorenko, Darryl Clements, Robert Beard, Brown Besier, Una Ryan, Caroline Bath

Sheep Updates

Precision Pastures

Using Species Diversity to Improve Pasture Performance Anyou Liu and Clinton Revell, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia

New Annual Pasture Legumes for Sheep Graziers Phil Nichols, Angelo Loi, Brad Nutt and Darryl McClements Department of Agriculture Western Australia

Pastures from Space – Can Satellite Estimates of Pasture Growth Rate be used to Increase Farm Profit? Lucy Anderton, Stephen Gherardi and Chris Oldham Department of Agriculture Western Australia

Summer-active Perennial Grasses for Profitable Sheep Production Paul Sanford and John Gladman, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia

Pastures From Space – Validation Of Predictions Of Pasture Growth Rates DONALD, G.E^{.A …}

Agribusiness Sheep Updates - 2004 - Part 1, Mark Dolling, Len Stephens, David Thomanson, Norm Adams, Shimim Liu, Peter Buchman, Mike Paton, Dianne Evans, John Edwards, Scott Champion, Alan Langford, A. C. Schlink, J. C. Greeff, M. E. Ladyman, Kimbal M. S. Curtis, John Stanton, Stuart Adams, Neal Fogarty, Matthew Kelly, James Skerritt, Ian Mcfarland

Sheep Updates

Proceedings of the Agribusiness Sheep Updates - 2004 Forward Dr Mark Dolling Manager, Sheep Industries and Pasture, Department of Agriculture Western Australia Keynotes Australian Wool Innovation Limited DR LEN STEPHENS AUSTRALIAN WOOL INNOVATION LIMITED (AWI) Commercialisation of Sheepmeat Eating Quality Outcomes, David Thomason, General Manger Marketing Meat & livestock Australia Limited PLENARY The Fitness of the Future Merino, Norm Adams and Shimin Liu, CSIRO Livestock Industries Ovine Johne’s Disease – Managing the Disease, Managing the Issues, PETER BUCKMAN, CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WESTERN AUSTRALIA Animal Welfare – Changes in Latitudes Changes in Attitudes, Michael Paton and Dianne Evans, …

Keep Your Cabin Free Of Rodents

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Cabins that have been closed for the winter can become nesting sites for mice, shrews and other rodents. These animals can carry fleas, ticks, viruses or other organisms on their skin, in their droppings or urine. These can cause diseases in humans, especially when you breathe in the dust from their droppings or nesting sites.
Avoid close contact with rodent urine, droppings, nesting materials or with any food or surfaces contaminated with them.
Always wear rubber gloves when handling dead rodents, or when cleaning traps, droppings, nesting sites or other areas that rodents may have visited.

Lyme Disease In Newfoundland

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Lyme Disease, spread by ticks, is an illness affecting both humans and domestic animals. The presence of the bacteria causing this illness was reported for the first time in this province in July 2001. This fact sheet provides details on the disease and its spread.

Hantavirus In Deer Mice

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses recently identified in North America as being a risk for human health. The importance of these viruses and the facts on their presence in Newfoundland are discussed.