scholarly journals Experimental studies of Elaphostrongylus rangiferi in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus): Clinical observations

Rangifer ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Handeland ◽  
A. Skorping ◽  
S. Stuen ◽  
T. Slettbakk

Clinical observations were made on 12 reindeer calves (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) experimentally infected with 200-1000 infective larvae of Elaphostrongylus rangiferi and autopsied 2.5-196 days post inoculation (p.i). Seven experimental animals autopsied later than 20 days p.i. all developed neurologic signs starting 4-8 weeks p.i. In six of these animals, signs lasted until autopsy 0-12 weeks after onset. The seventh animal recovered completely after a disease period lasting five months. A dose-response relationship between the infective dose and severity of signs was observed. Clinical signs observed in all affected animals were paraparesis, tail paresis and posterior ataxia. Other signs included lowered head, general weakness, lameness, tetraparesis, scoliosis, anal hypotonia, head and neck turn, depression and reduced vision. The prepa-tent period was 4-4.5 months.

1984 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Gaudernack ◽  
O. Halvoresen ◽  
A. Skorping ◽  
K. A. Stokkan

AbstractThe use of an indirect immunofluorescence technique demonstrated that serum from reindeer, Rangifer tarandus tarandus, infected with Elaphostrongylus rangiferi (Nematoda, Metastrongyloidea) contained antibodies directed against antigen(s) on the cuticle of the parasites first-stage larvae (LI). Output of LI from the male reindeer was low in the period June to August, but increased to a higher level during the rutting season (September to October). The titre of specific antibody showed an inverse pattern. In the female reindeer, larval output remained high throughout the sampling period from January to July. During this period antibody titre was low. A relationship between stress (rutting season or calving period), immunity and larval output is suggested.


1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 1200-1202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odd Halvorsen ◽  
Arne Skorping ◽  
Karstein Bye

To test the hypothesis that palearctic cervids are infected with several species of Elaphostrongylus, reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) calves were inoculated with third-stage larvae grown in Arianta arbustorum from first-stage larvae extracted from reindeer, red deer (Cervus elaphus atlanticus), and moose (Alces alces) feces. None of the five reindeer calves inoculated with larvae from red deer and none of the three reindeer calves inoculated with larvae from moose became infected. Twelve of the 14 reindeer calves inoculated with larvae from reindeer became infected. Infection was demonstrated by finding first-stage larvae in the feces and (or) by finding worms at necropsy. These results suggest that several species of Elaphostrongylus parasitize palearctic cervids. In view of our results and the need for further taxonomic work on the group, it is argued that the names Elaphostrongylus cervi and Elaphostrongylus rangiferi should be reserved for worms from red deer and reindeer, respectively. Worms from moose may belong to an undescribed species.


Rangifer ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.K. Morton ◽  
J.F. Evermann ◽  
R.A. Dieterich

Two 8-month reindeer (<em>Rangifer tarandus</em>) and a 1-month-old Hereford-Holstein calf (<em>Bos taurus</em>) were inoculated intranasally with the Singer (cytopathogenic) strain of bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus. Clinical signs in reindeer included loose stools containing blood and mucus, and transient laminitis or coronitis. Signs in the calf were limited to bloody mucus in the stool and lesions in the nasal mucosa. Antibody titers to BVD virus in the reindeer were intermittent, and titers in the calf persisted from days 14 to 63 post-inoculation (PI). Viremia was detected on PI day 4 in one reindeer, days 3-7 in the other, and days 2-7 in the calf. Bovine viral diarrhea virus was isolated from the lung of the calf at necropsy (PI day 63).


2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (10) ◽  
pp. 1431-1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wytamma Wirth ◽  
Lin Schwarzkopf ◽  
Lee F. Skerratt ◽  
Anna Tzamouzaki ◽  
Ellen Ariel

Ranaviral infections cause mass die-offs in wild and captive turtle populations. Two experimental studies were performed to first determine the susceptibility of an Australian turtle species (Emydura macquarii krefftii) to different routes of infection and second examine the effect of viral titre on the morbidity in hatchlings. All inoculation routes (intracoelomic, intramuscular and oral) produced disease, but the clinical signs, histopathology and time to onset of disease varied with the route. The median infectious and lethal doses for intramuscularly inoculated hatchlings were 102 . 52 (1.98–2.93) and 104.43 (3.81–5.19) TCID50 ml−1, respectively. Clinical signs began 14 to 29 days post-inoculation and the median survival time was 22 days (16–25) across all dose groups. For every 10-fold increase in dose, the odds of developing any clinical signs or severe clinical signs increased by 3.39 [P<0.01, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.81–6.36] and 3.71 (P<0.01, 95 % CI: 1.76–7.80), respectively. Skin lesions, previously only reported in ranaviral infection in lizards, were observed in the majority of intramuscularly inoculated hatchlings that developed ranaviral disease. The histological changes were consistent with those in previous reports for reptiles and consisted of necrosis at or near the site of injection, in the spleen, liver and oral cavity. Systemic inflammation was also observed, predominantly affecting necrotic organs. The estimates reported here can be used to model ranaviral disease and quantify and manage at-risk populations.


Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1007
Author(s):  
Javier Sánchez Romano ◽  
Karen K. Sørensen ◽  
Anett K. Larsen ◽  
Torill Mørk ◽  
Morten Tryland

Infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) is a common transmissible ocular disease in semi-domesticated Eurasian tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). In large outbreaks, IKC may affect tens of animals in a herd, with the most severe cases often requiring euthanasia due to the destruction of the affected eyes and permanent blindness. An experimental inoculation with cervid herpesvirus 2 (CvHV2), alone or in combination with Moraxella bovoculi, demonstrated that CvHV2 has the ability to cause clinical signs of IKC in previously unexposed reindeer. Tissues collected from upper and lower eyelids, lacrimal gland and cornea, were processed for light and transmission electron microscopy. Histopathological analysis of the eyes inoculated with CvHV2 showed widespread and severe pathological findings. Mucosal tissues from these eyes showed fibrinous and purulent exudates, hyperemia, hemorrhages, necrosis, vascular thrombosis, vascular necrosis, infiltration of mononuclear cells and neutrophils, and lymphoid follicle reaction, which matches the described histopathology of IKC in reindeer. Characteristic alpha-herpesvirus particles matching the size and morphology of CvHV2 were identified by transmission electron microscopy in the conjunctival tissue. The quantification of viral particles by qPCR revealed high copy numbers of viral DNA in all CvHV2 inoculated eyes, but also in the non-inoculated eyes of the same animals. The histopathology of eye tissues obtained from the CvHV2 inoculated reindeer and the lack of inflammation from bacterial infection, together with the detection of CvHV2 DNA in swabs from the inoculated and non-inoculated eyes of the same animals, verified that CvHV2 was the primary cause of the observed histopathological changes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Tryland ◽  
Terje D. Josefsen ◽  
Javier Sánchez Romano ◽  
Nina Marcin ◽  
Torill Mørk ◽  
...  

Semidomesticated Eurasian tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus, n = 21) were scheduled twice for chemical immobilization with medetomidine–ketamine as part of a scientific experiment in June 2014. During the first round of immobilizations, seven animals developed severe respiratory depression (RD). Three individuals died, and 4 recovered. The ambient temperature during the 2 days of immobilization (June 3 and 4) was high (mean 13.9–17.6°C) compared to the normal mean temperature for these 2 days (7–8°C) based on statistical records. During the second round of immobilizations, using the same anesthetic protocol for the remaining animals as in the first round but conducted under cooler conditions (mean 6.6°C for the period June 9–18), no signs of RD were observed. Clinical and pathological investigations indicated that the animals suffered from circulatory changes possibly caused by high ambient temperatures and granulomatous interstitial pneumonia due to Elaphostrongylus rangiferi larvae. These conditions, together with the cardiovascular effects of medetomidine, were likely causes of RD and the fatal outcome. We conclude that chemical immobilization of reindeer with medetomidine–ketamine should be avoided in May–June due to the potential risk when animals partly in winter coats encounter rising ambient temperatures and usually have parasites developing in their airways.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Ian Bowles ◽  
Jonathan Nicholas Davies ◽  
Nicholas T Van Dam

Objectives: Experimental studies of meditation practice predominantly examine short-term programs and reveal modest benefits. Thus it is not clear to what degree these results represent how contemporary meditators practice nor the dose-response relationship between amount of practice and outcome. This study sought to characterize how contemporary meditators practice; examine any possible dose-response relationships between historical practice and measures of psychological wellbeing; and explore which characteristics of practice most strongly predict positive psychological outcomes.Methods: 1,668 meditators completed demographic and practice characteristics, and outcome measures assessing positive and negative affect, psychological distress, and life satisfaction.Results: We observed a positive relationship between historical meditation practice (accumulated lifetime hours) and improvements in psychological outcomes. Model fit was optimized with a generalized additive model, indicating non-linear effects. The strength of the relationship between practice time and outcomes was generally strongest for the first ~500 hours, before plateauing to some degree. Several practice types, including Vipassana (as taught by S.N. Goenka) and cultivating practices (e.g. compassion, lovingkindness) were more strongly associated with favorable psychological outcomes.Conclusions: Benefits of meditation accrue over time in a non-linear manner, and show variation based on the context within which the meditator practices. These results highlight the importance of understanding how the benefits of meditation accrue over longer time durations than typical standardized programs that have been subject to most empirical investigations in the field.


1962 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph I. Dorfman

ABSTRACT The stimulating action of testosterone on the chick's comb can be inhibited by the subcutaneous injection of 0.1 mg of norethisterone or Ro 2-7239 (2-acetyl-7-oxo-1,2,3,4,4a,4b,5,6,7,9,10,10a-dodecahydrophenanthrene), 0.5 mg of cortisol or progesterone, and by 4.5 mg of Mer-25 (1-(p-2-diethylaminoethoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-2-p-methoxyphenyl ethanol). No dose response relationship could be established. Norethisterone was the most active anti-androgen by this test.


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