ACTH stimulation test in the captive cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

L.S Koster,D.G.A Meltzer,J.P Schoeman

doi:10.4102/jsava.v78i3.304

Abstract

Serum cortisol response was assessed in 8 captive cheetahs, of varying ages, after the intravenous administration of 500 microg of tetracosactide (Synacthen Depot, Novartis, Kempton Park) while maintained under general anaesthesia. In addition, 8 cheetahs were anaesthetised and given an equal volume of saline in order to establish baseline cortisol concentrations at similar stages of anaesthesia. A significant difference in the median cortisol concentration measured over time was found following ACTH administration in the ACTH group (P < 0.001). There was no difference between the median cortisol concentrations in the ACTH group at time-points 120, 150 and 180 min after ACTH stimulation (P = 0.867). Thus it appears appropriate to collect serum 120 to 180 min after tetracosactide administration to assess maximal stimulation of the adrenal in the cheetah. No statistically significant rise was seen in the anaesthetised control group following the injection of saline (P = 0.238).

Highlights

Rift Valley fever (RVF) and lumpy skin disease (LSD) are both economically important diseases, initially endemic to sub-Saharan Africa but which have expanded into North Africa and recently the Middle East (Israel, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman) (Abraham & Zissman 1991; Fagbo 2002; Imam, Darwish & El-Karamany 1979)
This study investigated the seroprevalence of lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) in stored sera of buffaloes obtained from the Kruger National Park (KNP) and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP), South Africa during an inter-epidemic period using an indirect ELISA (I-ELISA) and serum neutralisation test (SNT). doi:10.4102/jsava.v85i1.1075
From a total of 138 samples taken in the KNP, Lower Sabie (2004) had the highest percentage of LSDV indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) immunoglobulin G (IgG) (10 of 41; 24.4%) followed by Satara with 5 positive samples (5 of 21; 23.8%)

Summary

Introduction

Rift Valley fever (RVF) and lumpy skin disease (LSD) are both economically important diseases, initially endemic to sub-Saharan Africa but which have expanded into North Africa and recently the Middle East (Israel, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman) (Abraham & Zissman 1991; Fagbo 2002; Imam, Darwish & El-Karamany 1979). Both diseases have the potential for global emergence (Britch & Linthicum 2007; Tuppurainen & Oura 2012). The isolation of RVFV from mosquitoes and detection of RVFV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) in animal and human populations during inter-epidemic periods are indicative of RVFV activity (LaBeaud et al 2008; Linthicum et al 1985; Rostal et al 2010)

Results

Discussion

Conclusion