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January 2016 - Vol. 11, No. 1

Top Stories

Porcine Parainfluenza Virus 1

KSVDL team publishes first U.S. characterization of parainfluenza virus formerly identified in Asia

Dr. Ben Hause and Rachel Palinski

The usual suspects are not to blame for recent cases of respiratory disease in domestic pigs. Researchers in the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL) have successfully published the first formal identification and characterization of porcine parainfluenza virus 1 from U.S. pigs, which had previously only been detected in Asia.


New NDV-H5Nx avian influenza vaccine has potential for mass vaccination of poultry

A team of researchers in collaboration with Garcia-Sastre of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, has developed a vaccine that protects poultry from multiple strains of avian influenza found in the U.S., including H5N1, H5N2 and H5N8. The vaccine has the potential to be administered through water or into embryonated eggs, making it easier for poultry producers to vaccinate flocks.

Video Profile

Dr. Yunjeong Kim seeks to develop antivral drugs to treat Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Meet Dr. Yunjeong Kim, associate professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, who is our featured researcher of the month. She talks about her goal of developing antiviral drugs to treat feline coronavirus infections and feline infectious peritonitis.


Video produced by Joseph Chapes and Kent Nelson, technology coordinators from
Computing and Technical Support (CATS). See more CVM videos at our YouTube site: youtube.com/KSUCVM

KSVDL launches new mobile device app so clients can track progress on diagnostic samples for animal patients

New KSVDL mobile device appDiagnostic results are now within touch at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory — thanks to the launch of a brand new app for mobile devices. The KSVDL anticipates the new app will improve customer service and efficiency at delivering results to veterinarians across the country.

Dr. Gary Anderson, director of the KSVDL, said the new app is a significant step forward in helping to deliver results.

More Headlines

Dr. Bob Rowland hosts international symposium in Chicago on swine respiratory syndrome

PRRS symposium

A leading expert on swine disease in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University recently hosted an international symposium in Chicago. Dr. Bob Rowland, a virologist and professor of diagnostic medicine, was the executive director for the North American PRRS Symposium held Dec. 5 and 6 at the InterContinental Hotel. PRRS stands for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, which has cost the U.S. pork industry more than $10 billion since it first appeared in the late 1980s.

VFD discussion ad

Hot Topic: Dr. Susan Nelson says winter preparation important for pets

Dog runs in snow

While you are busy prepping your house and car for winter, a Kansas State University veterinarian says don't forget about the pets, too.

"As temperatures start to drop, it's important to help pets transition into winter," said Susan Nelson, clinical associate professor of clinical sciences at the university's Veterinary Health Center.

Dr. Bruce Schultz Dr. Bruce Schultz writes lead chapter of new book on function of epithelial cells

The tiniest things have the potential to make a big difference in human and animal health. For Dr. Bruce Schultz, a physiology professor at Kansas State University, it starts with how proteins transport chloride through body cells.

Because of his expertise, Dr. Schultz was selected to write the first chapter in a new book called, “Ion channels and transporters of epithelia in health and disease.” The book compiles a wealth of detailed information from multiple authors at research universities and institutions around the world who are all recognized as experts.

VHC Clinical Trials

Regular features

Alumni Events and Continuing Education

Pet Friendly License Plate program in Kansas

The College of Veterinary Medicine has a new way to support shelter medicine in Kansas. The Pet Friendly license plate is available to Kansas residents statewide by visiting your local Kansas county treasurer's office.

News Ticker

More activities and accomplishments in the College of Veterinary Medicine:

Dr. Dean Richardson will be giving this lecture at the 50th anniversary of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges being held in Washington, D.C., March 4-6.

Students in the International Veterinary Study Elective will be in Tanzania for two weeks. Dr. Rose McMurphy organized the computer fundraising event. It was a partnership with Affordable Computers and Technology for Tanzania (ACTT) to obtain computers for their labs. Dr. McMurphy’s fundraising goal was $3K and $3060 was collected.

DCS received an estate distribution from a grateful client, Mary Jo Rahatz for $10K. She asked that it to be used for canine research.

The ophthalmology section received a $9K donation from their wish list to purchase the RETIport ERG System (ERG). The ERG is used to screen for normal retinal function prior to cataract surgery and to diagnose sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS).

Dr. Elizabeth Davis spoke at the AAEP Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. She led the round table discussion on infectious disease.

A group of DCS faculty attended a referring veterinarian event in Olathe, Kansas. The event was to thank the veterinarians in the area for referring their clients/patients to the VHC.

Dr. Mary Lynn Higginbotham was the guest editor for the final Veterinary Cancer Society Newsletter of 2015.

Dr. Melissa Nau and students, Mikaela Vetters and Alvin Hong were featured in an article published in the Manhattan Mercury. The exotics team has been providing ongoing treatment for broken wings for two eagles that arrived at Milford. The eagles are recovering at the Milford’s Nature Center. This was a great teaching opportunity.

Manhattan Mercury story

Dr. Brad Crauer was featured in The Riley County Humane Society December newsletter for keeping community cats out of shelters. This initiative represents an organized, community effort to trap free-roaming cats, and provide surgical sterilization, ear tipping for identification, and rabies vaccination. Cats are then returned to their environment. Dr. Crauer plans to be actively involved with a group from Topeka for the trap and release of community cats. From May-December, 2015, Dr. Brad Crauer reported that 42 senior year veterinary students have rotated through the 4th year shelter medicine elective rotation. They visited 11 different partnered shelter organizations 140 times and have conducted 2320 surgeries.

Riley County Humane Society story

Fourth-year student Lindsey Perkins
Fourth-year student Lindsey Perkins listens to a dog's heartbeat in the K-State Mobile Surgery Unit.

TEDxMHK logoMárcio Gonçalves reminds everyone that the first TEDxMHK will be held Feb. 1 at the Student Union. In 2016, the TEDxMHK is themed after “Fueling Human Existence.” TEDxMHK encourages attendees to see the many different perspectives that fulfill human needs ranging from technology and science to creativity and sustainability. Find more information at: http://tedxmhk.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/tedxmhk

Take the TEDxMHK Challenge: http://www.tedxmhk.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/TEDxMHKChallenge.pdf

Dr. Laxmi Uma Maheswar Rao Jakkula, research associate in Dr. Ganta's group, shared a couple of photos from the 2015 Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases where he received 1st place for his presentation on "Sequence Determinants Spanning -35 motif and Spacer Sequences Impacting Ehrlichia chaffeensis Sigma 70-Dependent Promoter Activity of Two p28 Outer Membrane Protein Genes." In the top photo, Dr. Jakkula is pictured in the middle with Dr. David Banfield (left) and Dr. Roman Ganta (right). In the bottom photo he accepts congratulations from Dr. Bill Stich.

Dr. Laxmi Uma Maheswar Rao Jakkula at CRWAD

Help remember Dr. Wally Cash with a donation to the scholarship in his memory!

Memorial Brick for Dr. Wally Cash
A new memorial brick has been placed in Centennial Plaza to commemorate the late Dr. Wally Cash, longtime anatomy instructor. A scholarship fund has been started in memory of Dr. Cash. If you're interested in contributing to this fund, please contact the CVM's Development Office in 103 Trotter Hall or call 785-532-4378.

New Arrivals/Recent Departures

Lifelines is published each month by the Marketing and Communications Office at the College of Veterinary Medicine. The editor is Joe Montgomery, jmontgom@vet.k-state.edu.

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