Experimental thyroid autoimmunity in the dog

Thyroid autoimmunity was induced in 6 crossbred dogs by a single injection of thyroid extract in complete Freund's adjuvant alone, or followed by reimmunization with thyroid extract and incomplete Freund's adjuvant or peanut oil. Total thyroxine levels, autoantibodies to thyroglobulin and thyroid microsomal antigen and thyroid histopathological changes were sequentially monitored for up to 150 days. All dogs developed fluxuating levels of thyroid autoantibodies detectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent-assay (ELISA). Histopathological damage was observed in one or more thyroid gland biopsies in 4 of the dogs, in 3 cases the lesions were of lymphocytic thyroiditis, in the fourth dog the lesion was a granulomatous reaction. Histopathological thyroid damage was observed in biopsies taken during periods of maximal autoantibody titer. Fixed immunoglobulin was not demonstrable in thyroid gland biopsies by direct immunofluorescence. In 5 dogs total thyroxine levels fell to below the normal range at some period during the study. However in only one dog did this correlate with a time when biopsy findings revealed histopathological thyroid damage. High levels of thyroid autoantibody may indicate histopathological thyroid damage in dogs, however lower levels of thyroid antibody may be found without evidence of histological damage or alteration in thyroid function.     

Demonstration of rabies viral antigen in paraffin tissue sections: comparison of the immunofluorescence technique with the unlabeled antibody enzyme method

The immunofluorescence technique and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method were used to demonstrate rabies antigen in a retrospective study on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain tissues from 34 naturally infected wild and domestic animals. Rabies was confirmed with immunofluorescent staining on fresh brain tissue at the time of necropsy of the animals. There was a perfect correlation (serial sections from a given brain area were always positive by both methods), but the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique was preferred, since no trypsin digestion was required. Twenty six of the 34 animals were immunohistochemically positive and had encephalitis, and in 21 of these 26, the hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections contained detectable intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in at least 1 brain area. Of the remaining 8 animals (with no inflammatory lesions), 7 were positive for rabies antigen and 2 had no inclusion bodies. Rabies antigen was apparent in 62% of the brain areas in which inclusion bodies were not found in the corresponding hematoxylin and eosin stained sections. Thus, together with the inclusion body positive areas, which were all immunohistochemically positive, it was possible to diagnose rabies in a total 84% of the areas examined. Both techniques greatly facilitate the diagnosis of rabies and may be a reliable help to the diagnostic pathologist when only formalin-fixed tissues are available. However, the methods should not be considered substitutes for the immunofluorescence technique and the mouse inoculation test with fresh brain tissue.     

Specificity of scolex and oncosphere antigens for the serological diagnosis of taeniid cestode infections in dogs

Groups of dogs raised free of helminths were monospecifically infected with the common nematodes Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum and Trichuris vulpis. Serums from these dogs, and a group of dogs of unknown history but infected with Dirofilaria immitis and Dipylidium caninum, had levels of antibody to their homologous nematode antigens readily detectable by ELISA. No cross-reactions were apparent when these serums were tested by ELISA using oncosphere antigens of Taenia hydatigena, T. pisiformis and T. ovis, scolex excretory/secretory antigens of T. hydatigena, T. pisiformis and Echinococcus granulosus or protoscolex antigen of E. granulosus.     

Evaluation of a serological test system for the diagnosis of natural Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs using E. granulosus protoscolex and oncosphere antigens

Serum antibody responses in feral or domesticated dogs naturally infected with Echinococcus granulosus or/and other common helminths were examined in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using antigens prepared from E. granulosus protoscoleces or oncospheres. The ELISA using the protoscolex antigen was optimised with serums from experimental dogs monospecifically infected with E. granulosus or other helminth parasites, and helminth-free dogs. Anti-protoscolex antibody was detected in 16 of 22 (72.7%) serums from feral dogs with E. granulosus burdens ranging from 300 to 302,600 worms per dog. Seven serums from feral dogs which did not harbour E. granulosus at autopsy but which originated from an endemic hydatid region were tested using protoscolex antigen, and 1 serum gave a positive reaction. One hundred and two serums from dogs known never to have been infected with E. granulosus all gave negative reactions to protoscolex antigen. The sensitivity of the ELISA test proved to be superior to that which has been achieved by arecoline purging as a method of diagnosis for E. granulosus infection in dogs. For use of the assay in hydatid control or eradication campaigns, its sensitivity can be increased by choosing a lower absorbance discrimination value above which serums are regarded as having positive reactions. However, this does introduce positive reactions of some serums from dogs infected with helminths other than E. granulosus. In further development of the assay, use of defined recombinant antigens may improve both sensitivity and specificity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Immunopathology of vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus in the rough collie and Shetland sheepdog: a canine homologue of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus in humans

Clinical and histological features of an erosive disease in the rough collie and Shetland sheepdog are most consistent with a vesicular variant of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (VCLE). This paper reports the immunopathological findings of canine VCLE using samples from 17 affected dogs. Lesional skin sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies specific for CD3 (11 dogs) or a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for leukocyte antigens (two dogs). Apoptotic cells were detected using the TUNEL method in 12 cases. Direct (14 dogs) and indirect immunofluorescence tests (five dogs) were also performed. Circulating antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) were surveyed in 11 dogs by immunoblotting and ELISA. The predominant cells at the dermal-epidermal interface were identified as CD3(+) T lymphocytes expressing CD4 or CD8 and CD1(+) dendritic antigen presenting cells. In 7/12 dogs (58%), apoptosis of basal keratinocyte nuclei was present. Up-regulation of MHCII and ICAM-1 was observed on basal keratinocytes from the two dogs examined. Direct immunofluorescence revealed deposition of immunoglobulins bound to the cytoplasm of keratinocytes (6/14 dogs; 43%), to the dermal-epidermal junction (7/14 dogs; 50%), or to superficial dermal venules (13/14 dogs; 93%). Circulating IgG auto-antibodies targeting one or more ENA were detected in nine (82%) and eight (73%) of 11 dogs by immunoblotting and ELISA, respectively. These auto-antibodies recognized Ro/SSA and/or La/SSB in four (36%) and six (55%) of 11 dogs respectively by these two methods. Altogether, results of these studies provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that canine VCLE is an immunological homologue of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus in humans.     

A re-examination of islet cell cytoplasmic antibodies in diabetic dogs

Serum samples were obtained from 48 dogs with recently diagnosed untreated diabetes mellitus. Serums were tested for cytoplasmic autoantibodies to normal canine pancreatic islet antigens by indirect immunofluorescence, peroxidase-anti-peroxidase, and avidin-biotin complex, immunohistochemistry. Autoantibodies were not detectable in any of the samples. Serums were also examined from 20 diabetic dogs maintained on exogenous insulin therapy for periods of one month to five years. Positive reactions were seen in 11 dogs. These positive responses were completely absorbed by preincubation of serums with commercial insulin preparations or with purified pork or beef insulin. Newly diagnosed diabetic dogs do not have readily detectable autoantibodies to islet cytoplasmic antigens. Our previous report (Haines and Penhale, 1985) of islet antibody in diabetic dogs with unknown clinical histories was likely demonstrating antibody to insulin in patients treated with exogenous insulin. Antibodies to insulin were detected in approximately half of the insulin treated dogs tested. These antibodies were induced by commercial beef and pork insulin preparations and were found to be broadly cross-reactive recognizing epitopes on canine, bovine and porcine insulins.     

Simultaneous double labelling of routinely processed paraffin tissue sections using combined immunoperoxidase, immunofluorescence, and digital image editing

An innovative image editing system based on a sequential immunoperoxidase-immunofluorescence technique on routine histological sections is described. With this technique it is possible to identify different antigens in different cells, as well as co-localised antigens in the same cell. The method uses digital image editing to mix two independently captured images into one merged image. The technique was performed with indirect immunoperoxidase, followed by sequential indirect immunofluorescence, digital image acquisition and image editing. Multiple staining examples using anti-cytokeratin, anti-vimentin and anti-calbindin antibodies on canine skin and cerebellum, and feline pleural mesothelioma sections were performed in order to investigate the capabilities of the proposed technique. Our data demonstrated that this method can be easily used to assess multiple protein staining studies with minimum laboratory equipment, and that it allows a better structural visualisation of the tissue morphology compared to double immunofluorescence. Moreover, in contrast to double-immunoperoxidase, with this method it is possible to easily co-localise two different antigens in the same cell compartment.     

非洲猪瘟间接ELISA诊断试剂盒的研究

用带有编码非洲猪瘟病毒衣壳蛋白Ｐ７２ 基因的重组杆状病毒（Ｂａｃｐ７２）作载体,在ｓｆ９细胞中表达并得到重组Ｐ７２蛋白,ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ可得到分子量在 ７２ｋＤａ左右的电泳带。用标准阳性非洲猪瘟血清对 Ｐ７２蛋白进行 ＥＬＩＳＡ检测,证明该蛋白具有生物学活性。用Ｐ７２作为间接法的包被抗原,对ＥＬＩＳＡ反应条件进行了优化。确定最佳包被液为ＰＢＳ（ｐＨ７．２）、最佳封闭液为１％ＰＣＴ、最佳血清稀释液为４％ＰＥＧ６０００／ＰＢＳ、最佳冲洗液为０．５Ｍ ＮａＣｌ／０．５％Ｔｗｅｅｎ－２０／ＰＢＳ（ｐＨ７．２）。本实验反应体系采用５０μｌ的微量法,可节约试剂及抗原。反应在２小时内即可完成,达到了快速诊断的目的。包被了抗原并用封闭液封闭后的酶标板密封后保存于－２０℃的冰箱中,至少可以保存５个月。阻断试验和交叉试验表明ＥＬＩＳＡ法有良好的特异性。间接ＥＬＩＳＡ比Ｄｏｔ－ＥＬＩＳＡ法具有更高的灵敏性。血清学调查没有得到阳性结果,与我国实际情况相符。用Ｂａｃｐ７２表达的非洲猪瘟病毒Ｐ７２蛋白抗原作为间接ＥＬＩＳＡ的检测抗原来检测非洲猪瘟血清具有快速、简单、无感染的特点。本实验为非洲猪瘟ＥＬＩＳＡ检测试剂盒的最终组装提供了实验依据。     

ELISA and direct immunofluorescence test to detect equine arteritis virus (EAV) using a monoclonal antibody directed to the EAV-N protein

A monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against the equine arteritis virus (EAV) nucleocapsid (N) protein was used for indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) using viral antigen from different sources. The same mAb was labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate for direct immunofluorescence tests (DIFTs). The N-specific mAb appeared to be suitable for the detection in both ELISA and DIFT of different EAV strains and field isolates from semen and tissue samples after passage in lines of RK-13, Vero and fetal equine kidney cells. The ELISA described is an easy and fast method which can be used in most cases to replace the microneutralization test to prove the EAV specificity of the cytopathic effect of cell cultures. The DIFT, however, is more sensitive than both the ELISA and the microneutralization test because EAV antigen can be detected even in cell cultures without or with very weak cytopathic effect.     

ELISA and Direct Immunofluorescence Test to Detect Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV) using a Monoclonal Antibody Directed to the EAV‐N Protein

A monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against the equine arteritis virus (EAV) nucleocapsid (N) protein was used for indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) using viral antigen from different sources. The same mAb was labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate for direct immunofluorescence tests (DIFTs). The N‐specific mAb appeared to be suitable for the detection in both ELISA and DIFT of different EAV strains and field isolates from semen and tissue samples after passage in lines of RK‐13, Vero and fetal equine kidney cells. The ELISA described is an easy and fast method which can be used in most cases to replace the microneutralization test to prove the EAV specificity of the cytopathic effect of cell cultures. The DIFT, however, is more sensitive than both the ELISA and the microneutralization test because EAV antigen can be detected even in cell cultures without or with very weak cytopathic effect.     

Immunohistochemical detection of feline calicivirus in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens.

An immunohistochemical technique was developed for detection of feline calicivirus (FCV) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cultured cells and tissues. Initial trials with cultured cells indicated that the indirect immunoperoxidase method using rabbit antiserum to FCV strain 255, and horseradish peroxidase-labelled antibodies to rabbit immunoglobulin G lacked sensitivity and showed excessive diffuse background staining despite trypsin digestion of sections before staining. An amplified indirect immunoperoxidase technique using commercially available biotinylated antirabbit antibodies and avidin-biotin-peroxidase or streptavidin-peroxidase (SP) complexes proved highly successful. When optimal conditions, including those for trypsinization, inactivation of endogenous peroxidase and blocking were determined, the SP technique was preferred. Applied to tissue of cats in the acute phase of FCV infection, the technique provided clear identification of cells containing FCV antigens in sections in which histological detail was well preserved.     

Identification of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in formalin-fixed porcine lung, using an indirect immunoperoxidase method

An indirect immunoperoxidase staining technique was evaluated for detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded porcine lung. Lungs from swine with induced (n = 4) or naturally occurring M hyopneumoniae infection (n = 31) were examined grossly, by light and immunofluorescent microscopy, and by an indirect immunoperoxidase test, using antibody raised in swine against M hyopneumoniae as the primary antibody. Organisms stained by the indirect immunoperoxidase method were identified in tissue sections as pleomorphic brown-staining structures corresponding to those observed with immunofluorescence. Mycoplasma hyosynoviae, M hyorhinis, and Acholeplasma laidlawii did not stain with the indirect immunoperoxidase method, using antibody raised against M hyopneumoniae.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using canine coronavirus-infected CRFK cells as antigen for detection of anti-coronavirus antibody in cat

From the reasons that canine coronavirus (CCV) grows more efficiently than feline coronavirus in a cell culture and they are mutually related in their antigenicities, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using CCV-infected feline kidney (CRFK) cells as substrate antigens was developed for detection of anti-coronavirus antibodies in cats. It was indispensable for generating coronavirus-specific ELISA antibody activities that the sample was applied to the mock-infected, normal CRFK cells in parallel with the CCV-infected cells and then the optical density values given by the mock-infected cell antigen were subtracted from those given by the virus-infected cell antigen. On the basis of ELISA antibody titers obtained in sera from the cats experimentally infected with CCV and from the spontaneous feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) cases, the ELISA described in the present study was found to be applicable as a simple and easy serologic test which was able to detect anti-coronavirus antibodies as efficiently as the indirect immunofluorescence assay with homologous FIP virus.     

THE USE OF A FORMOLISED ANTIGEN AS A SCREENING TEST FOR LEPTOSPIRAL ANTIBODIES IN HORSES

Six hundred and thirty-two equine serums were examined for the presence of leptospiral antibodies. A positive reaction to one or more antigenic pools of a formolised leptospiral antigen (used in the rapid macroscopic slide agglutination test) was recorded in 41% of cases.
One hundred samples were tested with 5 formolised antigen pools and 19 live antigens (by the microscopic agglutination test). Of 20 samples in which the live antigen test suggested leptospiral infection with serotypes known to occur in the region, 17 (85%) were confirmed with the formolised antigens.
When the results of both tests were compared, there was agreement in 42 samples (30 positive and 12 negative). Forty-one samples produced equivocal results and 17 gave doubtful reactions to the formolised antigens, 15 of which were negative to the live antigens.
Dilution of the serums 1:1 with normal saline or heat inactivation had no effect in increasing the specificity between the formolised and live antigens. Agreement between operators in the use of the formolised antigen was poor. It is concluded that the formolised antigen has too wide a divergence to be of use for screening horse serums.     

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies to porcine cytomegalovirus.

The ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence test were compared on 56 porcine sera which were tested for antibodies to porcine cytomegalovirus. Viral antigens were prepared in cells of a pig fallopian tube line. The ELISA was found to be a sensitive reproducible and practical test to measure specific antibodies to this infection.     

Serological cross-reactivity of porcine reference antisera to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, M. flocculare, M. hyorhinis and M. hyosynoviae indicated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, complement fixation and indirect hemagglutination tests.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) indicated significant cross-reactivity between the antigens of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae ( HyoP ) and M. flocculare (Floc), another porcine mycoplasma of wide distribution but uncertain pathogenic significance, when porcine antisera of each specificity were tested against HyoP antigen. The titers of the anti-Floc sera ranged from threefold to 13-fold less than the titer of the anti- HyoP reference serum at different times after immunization. These values ranged from onefold less than to fourfold greater than the minimal positive titer of 80. The antisera to the other porcine mycoplasmal antigens [i.e. M. hyorhinis ( HyoR ) and M. hyosynoviae ( HyoS )] reacted less strongly to HyoP antigen but titers only slightly less than to slightly greater than the minimal positive titer were noted for some sera. Cross-reactivity was also detected by the complement fixation test, although the titers for this test were generally lower than for the ELISA, presumably reflecting lower sensitivity of the complement fixation test. Positive indirect hemagglutination titers to HyoP antigen were also observed for both anti-Floc sera obtained at one or more times during the immune response. With two exceptions (one anti- HyoR serum with a complement fixation titer of 16 and one anti- HyoR serum with an indirect hemagglutination titer of 10), none of the anti- HyoR or anti- HyoS sera had detectable indirect hemagglutination or complement fixation titers to HyoP antigen at any time after immunization. The levels of cross-reactivity detected by the complement fixation test and indirect hemagglutination and, especially, the ELISA would be of significance for the development of any practical sero-diagnostic test for mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine.     

Computer-assisted image analysis of neovascularization in thyroid neoplasms from dogs

OBJECTIVE: To develop a computer-assisted image analysis procedure for quantitation of neovascularization in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens of thyroid gland tissue from dogs with and without thyroid gland neoplasia. SAMPLE POPULATION: 47 thyroid gland carcinomas, 8 thyroid gland adenomas, and 8 specimens of thyroid tissue from dogs without thyroid gland abnormalities (normal). PROCEDURE: Serial tissue sections were prepared and stained with antibodies against human CD31 or factor VIII-related antigen (factor VIII-rag). The areas of highest vascularity were identified in CD31-stained sections, and corresponding areas were then identified in factor VIII-rag-stained sections. Image analysis was used to calculate the total vascular density in each section, and neovascularization, expressed as a percentage, was determined as the absolute value of the total vascular density derived from factor VIII-rag-stained sections minus the vascular density derived from CD31-stained sections. RESULTS: Mean vascular density of thyroid gland carcinomas derived from CD31-stained sections was significantly greater than density derived from factor VII I-rag-stained sections. This incremental difference was presumed to represent degree of neovascularization. However, significant differences were not detected between vascular densities derived from CD31 and factor VIII-rag-stained sections for either normal thyroid gland tissue or thyroid gland adenomas. No significant correlations were found between vascular density in thyroid gland carcinomas and survival time following surgery. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A computer-assisted image analysis method was developed for quantifying neovascularization in thyroid gland tumors of dogs. This method may allow identification of dogs with tumors that are most likely to respond to treatment with novel antiangiogenesis agents.     

Pemphigus in the dog: comparison of immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase method to demonstrate intercellular immunoglobulins in the epidermis

In 3 dogs with pemphigus vulgaris and 4 dogs with pemphigus foliaceus, intercellular immunoglobulins were demonstrated in the epidermal stratum spinosum. The immunofluorescence technique on cold ethanol-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections was compared with the immunoperoxidase method on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections. The results of both methods were identical. However, the advantage of the unlabeled antibody-enzyme method was that the same formalin-fixed tissue specimens could be used for conventional light microscopy, as well as for immunohistologic studies.     

Specific antibody responses to Taenia hydatigena, Taenia pisiformis and Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs

Groups of dogs reared free of both nematodes and cestodes were infected with Taenia hydatigena, Taenia pisiformis or Echinococcus granulosus. After infections with the Taenia spp became patent, dogs were purged to remove the worms. They were later reinfected and the second infections again removed by purging after patency. A group of 3 uninfected worm free dogs was kept as age-matched controls. The dogs were bled at intervals of 5 days and their serums tested for antibodies using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with excretory/secretory (ES) antigens collected during in vitro incubation of evaginated scoleces (scolex ES antigen) and oncosphere antigens. Antibodies to scolex ES antigen were detected by 3 weeks after infection with each cestode species whereas antibodies to oncosphere antigen were not detected until about one week after eggs were found in the faeces of the infected dogs. Antibody responses to both oncosphere and scolex ES antigens decreased rapidly following removal of the worms by purging. Uninfected control dogs were invariably negative to both oncospheral and scolex ES antigens. There were cross-reactions between the serums from dogs infected with T. pisiformis and T. hydatigena when tested with scolex ES antigens, but oncospheral antigens showed a high degree of species specificity. Scolex ES antigens from E. granulosus were compared with those prepared from T. hydatigena and T. pisiformis for their ability to discriminate between antibodies in serums collected from dogs 31 and 32 days after infection with 100,000 protoscoleces of E. granulosus or dogs infected with Taenia spp.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A urease-ELISA for the detection of mycoplasma infections in poultry

An ELISA utilising a urease-antibody conjugate specific to chicken IgG was examined as an alternative to the serum agglutination and the haemagglutination inhibition tests in the diagnosis of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M. synoviae infections in poultry. Use of a urease conjugate allowed the serum reactions to be appraised without the need for expensive photometric equipment. Non-specific binding of conjugate to antigen was eliminated by treatment of antigen coated microplates with 10% foetal calf serum in phosphate buffered saline. Some chicken serums produced non-specific reactions. These reactions were reduced without any loss of test sensitivity by making the initial 1:5 dilution of chicken serum in whole sheep serum rather than diluting buffer. Tests on serums from experimentally infected chickens showed that the urease ELISA was specific, and was as sensitive as the serum agglutination test but more sensitive than the haemagglutination inhibition test.