Delayed-type skin hypersensitivity and in vitro lymphocyte immunostimulation responses of swine following inoculation with Mycobacterium avium cell walls and a mycobacterial immunopotentiating glycolipid

Miniature swine (n = 5 per group) were inoculated intradermally with mineral oil-in-water emulsions containing either 150 μg of mycobacterial immunopotentiating glyco-lipid P3 (EP3), 150 μg of lyophilized Mycobacterium avium (serotype 8) cell walls (E-MaCW), or 150 μg P3 and 150 μg M. avium cell walls (EP3-MaCW). Swine vaccinated with E-MaCW and EP3-MaCW developed antigen-sensitive lymphocytes detectable with delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin tests and lymphocyte transformation assay. Swine injected with EP3 were not sensitized. In general EP3-MaCW evoked a more pronounced in vivo DTH tuberculin skin test and in vitro lymphocyte transformation responses than E-MaCW. Time-course studies indicated a more persistent response in swine injected with EP3-MaCW than in those given E-MaCW. Commercial type Yorkshire swine (n = 5) inoculated intradermally with EP3-MaCW developed cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses to avian tuberculin detectable in vivo with delayed-type skin hypersensitivity and in vitro with lymphocyte immunostimulation responses.     

Oligonucleotide fingerprint analysis of the genomes of two variants of bluetongue virus serotype 2 isolated in the U.S.A.

The genome segments of two electrophoretically distinct variants of bluetongue virus (BTV) Serotype 2 (Ona A and Ona B) from the U.S.A. were analyzed by double-dimension gel electrophoresis of RNase T1 produced oligonucleotides. Segments 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 were examined individually after separation by SDS-PAGE; and Segments 2 and 3, and 8 and 9, which were difficult to resolve, were fingerprinted as pairs. The Ona A and Ona B strains appeared to be closely related since corresponding segments were comparable, sharing 53–89% of the large oligonucleotides counted. Since the strains with the Ona A electropherotype preceded Ona B infection in Florida, U.S.A. and since Ona A was indistinguishable from the early African isolate of Serotype 2, Ona B was thought to be a variant of an Ona A strain. These data tend to support the hypothesis that Ona B could have evolved from Ona A as the result of point mutations or genetic drift.     

NITRALIN AND TRIFLURALIN INCORPORATION BY RAINFALL AND IRRIGATION

Summary. Pigweed ( Amaranthus sp.) control was not satisfactory where furrow irrigation was substituted for mechanical incorporation of nitralin or trifluralin on loam. Trifluralin concentrations in soil were twice as high after mechanical incorporation compared to furrow irrigation alone. In some instances, nitralin gave excellent pigweed control when rainfall occurred within 1 day after application. However, weed control was not consistent over a 3-year period. When herbicides were applied through a sprinkler irrigation system, chemicals were retained in the upper 5 cm of loamy sand and did not leach. However, herbicide distribution was not uniform due to irregular water movement by wind during application. Trifluralin did not control pigweed when applied and incorporated by sprinkler irrigation. Under the same conditions, nitralin gave good to excellent control.
Incorporation de la nitraline et de la trifluraline par la pluie et par I'irrigation     

Recent developments in nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in cats

Pain, particularly chronic pain, is an underestimated ailment in cats. Veterinarians tend to under-diagnose and under-treat pain in this aloof and stoic species. Until recently, there was only one analgesic (i.e., butorphanol) approved in the United States for use in cats; but many analgesics, particularly opioids, have been used extra-label for this purpose. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been used sparingly in cats because of safety concerns, which are less of an issue with the newer agents. Meloxicam is the only NSAID labeled for use in cats in the United States, but other agents are available in this country and are labeled for use in cats in other countries.     

Histopathology of Pleuronectes platessa L. from Aber Wrac'h and Aber Benoit, Brittany, France: long-term effects of the Amoco Cadiz crude oil spill

Abstract. Organ samples were collected from plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L., captured in the highly oiled Aber Wrac'h and Aber Benoit at five intervals during the period 1978-1980, following the Amoco Cadiz crude oil spill. Reference plaice were obtained along the western and southern coasts of Brittany. Tissue samples were fixed, processed and stained by routine histologic procedures for qualitative and quantitative histopathological examination. The predominant lesions and conditions which characterized fish from the oiled estuaries were: fin and tail necrosis, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of gill lamellar mucous cells, gastric gland degeneration, decreased hepatocellular vacuolation (lipid), increased concentration of hepatic macrophage centres and lateral trunk muscle fibre degeneration. Dilation of Bowman's space, glomerular hypertrophy and abdominal muscle fibre degeneration were pronounced at the last sampling interval. Other types of lesions were seen at a lower frequency: hyperplasia and fusion of gill lamellar epithelium, telangiectasis of gill capillaries, hepatopancreatic degeneration and hepatic necrosis. Fish muscle and liver collected for biochemical analysis to detect the presence or absence of petroleum hydrocarbons were negative for Amoco Cadiz oil fractions. At the same time oysters, Crassostrea gigas Thunberg, collected from the oiled estuaries throughout the study period, showed high levels of Amoco Cadiz oil fractions. These data, along with the type and frequency of lesions observed, suggested that the plaice had been chronically-exposed to petroleum hydrocarbons of Amoco Cadiz origin. Some relief from chronic pollutant exposure was indicated by a decrease in gill mucous cell concentration at the last sampling interval. An increase in abdominal muscle fibre degeneration and an increase in the frequency of dilation of Bowman's space with glomerular hypertrophy at the last sampling interval suggested a latent response to the polluting agent.     

The protective effect of pretreatment with killed Corynebacterium parvum against acute babesiosis in calves

Yearling calves were pre-treated intravenously (IV) with a 0.20 mg kg^?1 dose of Corynebacterium parvum and challenged after 30 days by IV inoculation of 3 × 10⁹Babesia bigemina. The relatively low 0.20 mg kg^?1 dose of C. parvum enhanced resistance as indicated by lower mean Babesia parasitemias and less severe decreases in packed-cell volumes than in non-treated calves, but failed to stimulate a significant (P ≤ 0.05) level of protection against B. bigemina challenge.     

Repetitive propofol administration in dogs and cats

A bolus of propofol was administered to 10 dogs (6 mg/kg intravenously [IV]) and 10 cats (10 mg/kg IV) on three consecutive days. The occurrence of apnea, heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, time to movement, and changes in a complete blood count and biochemical profile were recorded. Apnea was not seen in the dogs but was seen in three cats. Slight increases in the number of Heinz bodies were seen in six cats, but the increases were not considered clinically significant. No apparent cumulative adverse effects were seen from a bolus of bisulfite-containing propofol, administered on three consecutive days.     

Pharmacokinetics and clinical effects of a subanesthetic continuous rate infusion of ketamine in awake horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pharmacokinetics and clinical effects of a subanesthetic, continuous rate infusion of ketamine administered to healthy awake horses. ANIMALS: 8 adult horses. PROCEDURES: Ketamine hydrochloride was administered to 2 horses, in a pilot study, at rates ranging from 0.4 to 1.6 mg/kg/h for 6 hours to determine an appropriate dose that did not cause adverse effects. Ketamine was then administered to 6 horses for a total of 12 hours (3 horses at 0.4 mg/kg/h for 6 hours followed by 0.8 mg/kg/h for 6 hours and 3 horses at 0.8 mg/kg/h for 6 hours followed by 0.4 mg/kg/h for 6 hours). Concentration of ketamine in plasma, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, physical activity, and analgesia were measured prior to, during, and following infusion. Analgesic testing was performed with a modified hoof tester applied at a measured force to the withers and radius. RESULTS: No signs of excitement and no significant changes in the measured physiologic variables during infusion rates of 0.4 and 0.8 mg of ketamine/kg/h were found. At 6 hours following infusions, heart rate and mean arterial pressure were decreased, compared with preinfusion measurements. An analgesic effect could not be demonstrated during or after infusion. Pharmacokinetic variables for 0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg/h infusions were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ketamine can be administered to awake horses at 0.4 or 0.8 mg/kg/h without adverse behavioral effects. The observed pharmacokinetic values are different than those reported for single-dose IV bolus administration of this drug.