牛病毒性腹泻病毒纳米抗体文库构建与筛选

旨在获得牛病毒性腹泻病毒(BVDV)特异性纳米抗体。通过用BVDV-E0重组蛋白对羊驼进行免疫,分离血液中的淋巴细胞。利用噬菌体展示技术,构建噬菌体展示文库,经过连续3次生物淘筛获得与BVDV-E0蛋白结合的噬菌体,对所得VHH序列进行测序和基因比对。用ELISA筛选出抗BVDV-E0的高亲和力纳米抗体,并验证纳米抗体的亲和力和活性。结果成功构建了插入率为86%、库容量为1.3×1011 cfu的噬菌体表达文库,经过筛选获得5个BVDV-E0阳性单克隆,将这些基因克隆至原核表达体系,表达和纯化后获得了高纯度的BVDV-E0纳米抗体,经亲和力的鉴定获得2个不同的高亲和力的VHH基因,并且能结合人工抗原E0,还能够被竞争抗体所阻断。研究结果为用于组装检测BVDV试剂盒和研制BVDV疫苗奠定了基础。     

抗犬瘟热病毒VHH抗体噬菌体库的构建与筛选

为构建特异性犬瘟热病毒(CDV)的纳米抗体库,获得抗CDV的VHH抗体,本试验利用CDV免疫羊驼,四免后采集外周血淋巴细胞,提取总RNA反转录为cDNA,利用巢式PCR扩增纳米抗体序列。将目的片段连接至pComb3x噬菌体展示载体,并电转至TG1宿主菌,挑取40个克隆进行菌液PCR验证,随机挑选13个阳性单克隆进行测序,计算抗体库库容量,加入辅助噬菌粒拯救获得的噬菌体展示抗体库。经过3轮淘选,富集对CDV结合力高的噬菌体。利用毕赤酵母系统表达两株结合力高的噬菌体,经Ni柱纯化后,利用ELISA进行噬菌体结合力的鉴定。结果表明,四免后羊驼血清效价达1∶25 000,达到建库要求,构建的噬菌体展示文库库容量达3.41×10~9 PFU。经过3轮淘选,特异性抗体库经稀释100倍后,ELISA检测仍为阳性,表明特异性结合CDV的噬菌体得到明显的富集。ELISA结果表明,两株纯化的纳米抗体与CDV的反应性显著高于对照组。以上结果提示,本研究成功筛选出2株特异性结合CDV的VHH抗体,为VHH抗体在犬瘟热的诊断和治疗方面的应用奠定了基础。     

抗犬瘟热病毒VHH抗体噬菌体库的构建与筛选

为构建特异性犬瘟热病毒（CDV）的纳米抗体库,获得抗CDV的VHH抗体,本试验利用CDV免疫羊驼,四免后采集外周血淋巴细胞,提取总RNA反转录为cDNA,利用巢式PCR扩增纳米抗体序列。将目的片段连接至pComb3x噬菌体展示载体,并电转至TG1宿主菌,挑取40个克隆进行菌液PCR验证,随机挑选13个阳性单克隆进行测序,计算抗体库库容量,加入辅助噬菌粒拯救获得的噬菌体展示抗体库。经过3轮淘选,富集对CDV结合力高的噬菌体。利用毕赤酵母系统表达两株结合力高的噬菌体,经Ni柱纯化后,利用ELISA进行噬菌体结合力的鉴定。结果表明,四免后羊驼血清效价达1：25 000,达到建库要求,构建的噬菌体展示文库库容量达3.41×10⁹ PFU。经过3轮淘选,特异性抗体库经稀释100倍后,ELISA检测仍为阳性,表明特异性结合CDV的噬菌体得到明显的富集。ELISA结果表明,两株纯化的纳米抗体与CDV的反应性显著高于对照组。以上结果提示,本研究成功筛选出2株特异性结合CDV的VHH抗体,为VHH抗体在犬瘟热的诊断和治疗方面的应用奠定了基础。     

一种犬细小病毒基因工程抗体的制备

本研究旨在利用HEK-293细胞系制备鼠源犬细小病毒(canine parovirus,CPV)基因工程抗体并检测其生物活性。通过抗体亚型检测试剂盒检测CPV单克隆抗体亚型;采用间接ELISA检测CPV单克隆抗体的亲和力和特异性;经RACE-PCR获得CPV单克隆抗体的可变区序列,将可变区序列与鼠源抗体恒定区序列连接;分别构建真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)-L和pcDNA3.1(+)-H,将载体共转染HEK-293细胞,采用血凝抑制与中和试验的方法检测鼠源CPV基因工程抗体生物活性;采用HEK-293F细胞悬浮表达并用间接ELISA方法检测鼠源CPV基因工程抗体的表达量;用Protein A亲和层析柱纯化鼠源CPV基因工程抗体后进行SDS-PAGE鉴定;间接免疫荧光检测纯化后鼠源CPV基因工程抗体的活性。结果显示,CPV单克隆抗体亚型为IgG_(2b),亲和力常数6个Ka平均值为1.02×10~(11) L/mol,只与CPV VLPs发生反应。琼脂糖凝胶电泳结果显示,试验成功构建真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)-L和pcDNA3.1(+)-H;HEK-293和HEK-293F细胞培养上清液血抑效价分别为1∶2~4和1∶2~6,中和试验结果显示,HEK-293和HEK-293F细胞培养上清液中和效价分别为1∶152和1∶1 290;鼠源CPV基因工程抗体在HEK-293F细胞中的表达量为5.97 mg/L,SDS-PAGE分析在55和25 ku处出现条带,表明鼠源CPV基因工程抗体成功在HEK-293F细胞中表达并纯化。间接免疫荧光检测结果表明,纯化后鼠源CPV基因工程抗体具有良好的生物活性。本研究在HEK-293F细胞中成功表达具有中和活性、纯度较高的鼠源CPV基因工程抗体,为今后CPV基因工程抗体药物的研发奠定基础。     

羊驼免疫库的制备及抗孔雀石绿纳米抗体的筛选

孔雀石绿（malachite green,MG）是一种易溶于水和乙醇等的基础染料,可在多种行业应用,并曾用于水生动物多种疾病如真菌病、寄生虫病、细菌性疾病等的治疗。但因其具有致癌等毒副作用,目前已被禁用。然而市场上仍有在水产品违法使用MG的现象,因此需要加强对该药品残留的检测。本研究选择羊驼免疫库筛选抗MG纳米抗体,通过噬菌体ELISA筛选高亲和力和特异性的纳米抗体。通过辅助噬菌体M13的救援,使得纳米抗体基因（VHH）与噬菌体外壳蛋白基因融合表达,从而使得VHH蛋白展示在噬菌体表面,通过有限稀释筛选和多次洗脱的办法,获得含有目的基因的单个噬菌克隆;将重组质粒PMES4-VHH转化到表达细胞中,进行体外表达。最后采用NI-NTA柱进行His标签纯化,得到抗MG纳米抗体,并进行SDS-PAGE电泳鉴定。结果显示：噬菌体文库成功构建,库容为3.2×108 cfu/mL;通过ELISA筛选,得到16个具有抑制效果的噬菌体克隆,经对噬菌体基因测序并翻译,得到2种氨基酸序列;将重组质粒转化至表达菌株表达、纯化,最后得到大小约为15 kDa的抗MG纳米抗体,从而为MG的下一步检测奠定了基础。     

一种犬细小病毒基因工程抗体的制备

本研究旨在利用HEK-293细胞系制备鼠源犬细小病毒（canine parovirus，CPV）基因工程抗体并检测其生物活性。通过抗体亚型检测试剂盒检测CPV单克隆抗体亚型；采用间接ELISA检测CPV单克隆抗体的亲和力和特异性；经RACE-PCR获得CPV单克隆抗体的可变区序列，将可变区序列与鼠源抗体恒定区序列连接；分别构建真核表达载体pcDNA3.1（+）-L和pcDNA3.1（+）-H，将载体共转染HEK-293细胞，采用血凝抑制与中和试验的方法检测鼠源CPV基因工程抗体生物活性；采用HEK-293F细胞悬浮表达并用间接ELISA方法检测鼠源CPV基因工程抗体的表达量；用Protein A亲和层析柱纯化鼠源CPV基因工程抗体后进行SDS-PAGE鉴定；间接免疫荧光检测纯化后鼠源CPV基因工程抗体的活性。结果显示，CPV单克隆抗体亚型为IgG_2b，亲和力常数6个Ka平均值为1.02×10¹¹ L/mol，只与CPV VLPs发生反应。琼脂糖凝胶电泳结果显示，试验成功构建真核表达载体pcDNA3.1（+）-L和pcDNA3.1（+）-H；HEK-293和HEK-293F细胞培养上清液血抑效价分别为1∶2⁴和1∶2⁶，中和试验结果显示，HEK-293和HEK-293F细胞培养上清液中和效价分别为1∶152和1∶1 290；鼠源CPV基因工程抗体在HEK-293F细胞中的表达量为5.97 mg/L，SDS-PAGE分析在55和25 ku处出现条带，表明鼠源CPV基因工程抗体成功在HEK-293F细胞中表达并纯化。间接免疫荧光检测结果表明，纯化后鼠源CPV基因工程抗体具有良好的生物活性。本研究在HEK-293F细胞中成功表达具有中和活性、纯度较高的鼠源CPV基因工程抗体，为今后CPV基因工程抗体药物的研发奠定基础。     

牛病毒性腹泻病毒NS3蛋白纳米抗体的筛选及反应原性检测

本研究旨在获得高效特异性的牛病毒性腹泻病毒(BVDV)NS3(P80)非结构蛋白的纳米抗体。用BVDV灭活疫苗免疫羊驼,测得抗体效价后分离全血中的淋巴细胞。通过噬菌体展示技术构建羊驼重链抗体可变区噬菌体展示文库。经过连续3次吸附-洗脱-扩增的生物筛淘,从中挑选出与BVDV-NS3蛋白结合的噬菌体。对经菌液PCR、琼脂糖凝胶电泳鉴定到的单域抗体(VHH)克隆进行基因测序和同源性比对。用ELISA方法验证筛选出的纳米抗体的反应原性,找到与BVDV-NS3蛋白亲和力高的纳米抗体。结果表明,获得插入率为92.8%、库容为1.84×1014 CFU/mL的噬菌体展示文库。ELISA结果和氨基酸序列分析显示,成功得到1条与BVDV-NS3蛋白具有良好反应性且与VHH同源性较高的纳米抗体序列。本研究利用大肠杆菌成功表达BVDV-NS3抗原蛋白,建立BVDV纳米抗体噬菌体展示文库,筛选到针对BVDV重要抗原蛋白相应的纳米抗体且与VHH同源性较高。试验结果为牛病毒性腹泻/黏膜病的防控、诊断、治疗及纳米抗体药物的研制提供参考。     

牛病毒性腹泻病毒NS3蛋白纳米抗体的筛选及反应原性检测

本研究旨在获得高效特异性的牛病毒性腹泻病毒（BVDV）NS3（P80）非结构蛋白的纳米抗体。用BVDV灭活疫苗免疫羊驼,测得抗体效价后分离全血中的淋巴细胞。通过噬菌体展示技术构建羊驼重链抗体可变区噬菌体展示文库。经过连续3次吸附-洗脱-扩增的生物筛淘,从中挑选出与BVDV-NS3蛋白结合的噬菌体。对经菌液PCR、琼脂糖凝胶电泳鉴定到的单域抗体（VHH）克隆进行基因测序和同源性比对。用ELISA方法验证筛选出的纳米抗体的反应原性,找到与BVDV-NS3蛋白亲和力高的纳米抗体。结果表明,获得插入率为92.8%、库容为1.84×10¹⁴ CFU/mL的噬菌体展示文库。ELISA结果和氨基酸序列分析显示,成功得到1条与BVDV-NS3蛋白具有良好反应性且与VHH同源性较高的纳米抗体序列。本研究利用大肠杆菌成功表达BVDV-NS3抗原蛋白,建立BVDV纳米抗体噬菌体展示文库,筛选到针对BVDV重要抗原蛋白相应的纳米抗体且与VHH同源性较高。试验结果为牛病毒性腹泻/黏膜病的防控、诊断、治疗及纳米抗体药物的研制提供参考。     

新城疫病毒F蛋白纳米抗体的筛选及活性鉴定

旨在筛选新城疫病毒(NDV)F蛋白的纳米抗体,并对筛选的抗体活性进行初步鉴定。以NDV F蛋白中和表位构建诱饵,利用酵母双杂交技术对双峰驼天然重链抗体可变区(VHH)酵母双杂交文库进行筛选,获得4株VHH抗体序列。挑选其中2株最符合VHH特征的进行原核表达与纯化,并对2株VHH活性进行鉴定。ELISA结果显示,VHH1与VHH2与NDV病毒的反应性显著高于阴性对照(P0.05),表明VHH与NDV病毒反应活性良好;Western blot结果显示,2株VHH可特异性识别F蛋白;细胞中和试验结果表明,2株VHH抗体均具有一定的中和活性。以上结果提示本研究成功筛选出2株活性较好的抗NDV F蛋白的VHH抗体,为VHH在NDV防控中的应用奠定了基础。     

牛病毒性腹泻病毒NS5A蛋白纳米抗体的筛选与鉴定

为防控牛病毒性腹泻的流行，淘选得到抗BVDV-NS5A的纳米抗体序列，并探究其结合活性。通过重组质粒pET30a-NS5A诱导表达并纯化蛋白，免疫羊驼，获得重组质粒pCANTAB 5E-VHH,构建了一个初始的抗BVDV-NS5A纳米抗体展示文库。利用3轮固相亲和筛选，对筛选后的单克隆抗体通过ELISA验证其特异性与结合力并测序、分析。构建出具有较好多样性的噬菌体展示文库，测得库容为5.3×10⁷ CFU/mL,插入率73.9%。通过评价和分析显示，得到20株不同氨基酸序列的纳米抗体，其中7株与NS5A蛋白具有较好反应性。针对抗BVDV-NS5A蛋白淘选纳米抗体，并证明得到的纳米抗体有较好的结合力。研究结果有望用于研发BVDV诊断试剂盒、抗BVDV的候选药物，同时也为后续BVDV的致病机制研究奠定了基础。     

白术、微米白术和白术多糖对断奶仔猪生长性能和肠道形态及微生态区系的影响

试验选用96头平均体重14.82 kg左右的杜×长×大断奶仔猪,随机分成4组,每组3栏,每栏8头(公母各半)。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验1、2、3组分别添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖和1%微米白术。试验期30 d。结果表明:在生长性能方面,与对照组相比,1%微米白术添加组可显著提高日增重(P0.05)、降低饲料增重比和腹泻率,而且效果优于1%80目白术组和0.2%白术多糖组,在肠道形态和肠道微生态区系方面,与对照组相比,日粮添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖、1%微米白术均可不同程度的提高十二指肠和空肠的绒毛高度,加深十二指肠和空肠的隐窝深度,并且增加肠道微生态区系的多样性,其中以1%微米白术添加组的效果最佳。     

Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia

Sissay, M.M., Uggla, A. and Waller, P.J., XXXX. Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, XXXX. A 2-year abattoir survey was carried out to determine the prevalence, abundance and seasonal incidence of gastro-intestinal (GI) nematodes and trematodes (flukes) of sheep and goats in the semi-arid zone of eastern Ethiopia. During May 2003 to April 2005, viscera including liver, lungs and GI tracts were collected from 655 sheep and 632 goats slaughtered at 4 abattoirs located in the towns of Haramaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga in eastern Ethiopia. All animals were raised in the farming areas located within the community boundaries for each town. Collected materials were transported within 24 h to the parasitology laboratory of Haramaya University for immediate processing. Thirteen species belonging to 9 genera of GI nematodes (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Nematodirus filicollis, N. spathiger, Oesophagostomum columbianum, O. venulosum, Strongyloides papillosus, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Trichuris ovis, Cooperia curticei and Chabertia ovina), and 4 species belonging to 3 genera of trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, Paramphistomum {Calicohoron} microbothrium and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) were recorded in both sheep and goats. All animals in this investigation were infected with multiple species to varying degrees. The mean burdens of adult nematodes were generally moderate in both sheep and goats and showed patterns of seasonal abundance that corresponded with the bi-modal annual rainfall pattern, with highest burdens around the middle of the rainy season. In both sheep and goats there were significant differences in the mean worm burdens and abundance of the different nematode species between the four geographic locations, with worm burdens in the Haramaya and Harar areas greater than those observed in the Dire Dawa and Jijiga locations. Similar seasonal variations were also observed in the prevalence of flukes. But there were no significant differences in the prevalence of each fluke species between the four locations. Overall, the results showed that Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Fasciola and Paramphistomum species were the most abundant helminth parasites of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia.     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Y‐chromosomal variation of local goat breeds of Turkey close to the domestication centre

Genetic variations in chromosome Y are enabling researchers to identify paternal lineages, which are informative for introgressions and migrations. In this study, the male‐specific region markers, sex‐determining region‐Y (SRY), amelogenin (AMELY) and zinc finger (ZFY) were analysed in seven Turkish native goat breeds, Angora, Kilis, Hair, Honaml?, Norduz, Gürcü and Abaza. A SNP in the ZFY gene defined a new haplotype Y2C. All domestic haplogroups originate from Capra aegagrus, while the finding of Y1A, Y1B, Y2A and Y2C in 32, 4, 126 and 2 Turkish domestic goats, respectively, appears to indicate a predomestic origin of the major haplotypes. The occurrence of four haplotypes in the Hair goat and, in contrast, a frequency of 96% of Y1A in the Kilis breed illustrate that Y‐chromosomal variants have a more breed‐dependent distribution than mitochondrial or autosomal DNA. This probably reflects male founder effects, but a role in adaptation cannot be excluded.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Feline intracranial neoplasia: retrospective review of 160 cases (1985-2001)

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of different tumor types within a large cohort of cats with intracranial neoplasia and to attempt to correlate signalment, tumor size and location, and survival time for each tumor. Medical records of 160 cats with confirmed intracranial neoplasia evaluated between 1985 and 2001 were reviewed. Parameters evaluated included age, sex, breed, FeLV/FIV status, clinical signs, duration of signs, number of tumors, tumor location(s), imaging results, treatment, survival times, and histopathologic diagnosis. Most of the cats were older (11.3 +/- 3.8 years). Primary tumors accounted for 70.6% of cases. Metastasis and direct extension of secondary tumors accounted for only 5.6 and 3.8% of cases, respectively. Twelve cats (7.5%) had 2 or more discrete tumors of the same type, whereas 16 cats (10.0%) had 2 different types of intracranial tumors. The most common tumor types were meningioma (n = 93, 58.1%), lymphoma (n = 23, 14.4%), pituitary tumors (n = 14, 8.8%), and gliomas (n = 12, 7.5%). The most common neurological signs were altered consciousness (n = 42, 26.2%), circling (n = 36, 22.5%), and seizures (n = 36, 22.5%). Cats without specific neurological signs were common (n = 34, 21.2%). The tumor was considered an incidental finding in 30 (18.8%) cats. In addition to expected relationships (eg, meninges and meningioma, pituitary and pituitary tumors), we found that lesion location was predictive of tumor type with diffuse cerebral or brainstem involvement predictive of lymphoma and third ventricle involvement predictive of meningioma.     

A brief history of the prevention of infectious diseases by immunisations

Infectious diseases have always been a terrible scourge for humans. The appearance of these plagues, as they were called without distinction, was generally connected to various conditions: asters, climatic changes or religious reasons. The concept of contagious, and then infectious, diseases came slowly. Variolation, i.e. transmission of ‘virulent’ matter to induce a natural disease and the immunity against it, was brought from Constantinople to England by Lady Montague, in 1721. This ‘variolation’ technique was also often performed in veterinary medicine against diseases like sheep-pox or pleuropneumonia. As ‘vaccination’ is the term generally accepted for ‘immunisation’, variolation can be the word designating such a technique. The second period of the history of immunisation began, in 1880, with the studies of Pasteur and his collaborators. A great number of bacterial vaccines were developed: dead, live but attenuated or only parts of pathogens. The viruses were produced in animals, then in eggs and at last, in tissue cultures. Second generation vaccines appeared with genetic engineering: recombinant vaccines, vector vaccines, nucleic acids vaccines, and markers vaccines, among others. These novel technologies can permit the development of new ones and improve the quality of the vaccines already existing.