RESEARCH BRIEFS
Making a ‘promise to elephants’ Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences has partnered with two Oklahoma zoos to study elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), a blood-clotting disorder affecting juvenile Asian elephants. Dr. Joao Brandao, an assistant professor at OSU’s Veterinary Medical Hospital, said EEHV is endemic in the elephant population and can kill young animals. “By the time an elephant shows signs of EEHV, many times treatment is ineffective,” he said.
Detecting the virus early may be the difference between life and death, Brandao said. Researchers will look at blood samples from healthy Asian elephants to establish baseline clotting data to lead to larger studies. Dr. Jennifer D’Agostino, OKC Zoo director of veterinary services, calls the participation in the project “our promise to elephants.” The Tulsa Zoo is also participating. “The Oklahoma City Zoo is committed to providing the best possible care for its Asian elephants
and part of this mission is studying and researching natural diseases that affect elephants, such as EEHV,” D’Agostino said. “Sometimes we forget that for wildlife species there is still a lack of the basic medical knowledge such as, ‘what is a normal clotting time for this species.’ Without basic research, it is difficult to know normal from abnormal and that’s what makes this type of practical clinical research so important. We are proud to be partners in this project,” said Dr. Kay Backues, director of animal health at the Tulsa Zoo.
OSU wins grant to fight obesity crisis The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded Oklahoma State University $3.9 million to tackle an obesity crisis in Oklahoma. The program will start in Adair and Muskogee counties, which have obesity rates above 40 percent. OSU will
82 W I N T E R 2 0 1 8
develop and deploy healthy eating initiatives and physical activity options. OSU's College of Human Sciences and Center for Health Systems Innovation partnered with the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.
Dr. Deana Hildebrand, an associate professor in OSU’s Department of Nutritional Sciences, said the project will link health care clinics and doctors with Extension programs. Call 918-696-2253 in Adair County or 918-686-7200 in Muskogee County to learn more.