Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Detectable Antibodies in Equids in Alabama

A cross-sectional serological survey was carried out to screen the equine population of the nonendemic state of Alabama for the presence of detectable antibody titers against Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. A second objective was to determine the association of detectable titers with risk factors such as exposure to ruminants or previous travel to endemic states. A total of 342 equine serum samples from 40 Alabama counties were analyzed using the synergistic hemolysis inhibition test (SHI). The prevalence of detectable antibody titers (≥1:8) was 52.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 47%–57.9%). Titers ≥1:128 were detected in 2.63% (95% CI, 1.2%–4.9%), and titers ≥1:512 were detected in 0.3% (95% CI, 0%–1.6%) of the sampled population. In the final generalized linear model, age (P < .001), breed (P = .023), and contact with cattle (P = .05) were associated with increasing SHI titers. Contact with goats was associated in the initial but not in the final analysis (P = .19). Previous travel was not associated with increasing SHI titer (P = .97). The results demonstrated a high prevalence of low detectable titers and low prevalence of titers ≥ 1:128 in a nonendemic population. Further evaluation of SHI cutoff titers and accuracy is warranted to reduce the risk of a false positive diagnosis.     

Presumed immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia in two foals with Rhodococcus equi infection

Objective – To describe the clinical presentation, case management, and outcome in 2 foals with Rhodococcus equi infection associated with presumptive severe immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia. Series Summary – Two foals diagnosed with R. equi pneumonia on the basis of tracheal wash cultures, thoracic radiographs, and thoracic ultrasonography were concurrently diagnosed with hemolytic anemia. Both foals required whole blood transfusions, and were treated with the antimicrobial combination of rifampin and a macrolide (eg, clarithromycin, erythromycin, or azithromycin). Dexamethasone was used to prevent further hemolysis in both foals, and to treat acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome in 1 of the foals. Both foals survived, and required prolonged antimicrobial therapy. New or Unique Information Provided – Although extra‐pulmonary disorders are commonly diagnosed in foals infected with R. equi, hemolytic anemia is rarely described. Dexamethasone is considered the treatment of choice for immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia, but may be contra‐indicated in foals with severe bacterial infections. In these foals, a relatively low dose and short duration of dexamethasone was utilized in an attempt to minimize immune suppression, although early discontinuation in 1 foal precipitated a second hemolytic crisis.     

抗体形成细胞介导的溶血空斑和溶血试验

研究了用绵羊红细胞免疫大鼠，其脾脏中抗体形成细胞中，免疫后第４天平均有８２３个抗体形成细胞。免疫后第３天细胞介导的溶血平均为２２．９９％，免疫后第４天为９２．４５％。讨论了溶血空斑法的条件并与溶血法作了比较。     

苜蓿皂苷对小白鼠体内溶血的研究

为了探究摄入苜蓿皂苷(alfalfa saponin, AS)是否会引起血管内溶血,选取180只健康小白鼠,按体重和性别随机分为6个处理,每个处理3个重复,每个重复10只。将1mL 0.0125、0.025、0.05、0.1、0.2 g·mL^-1皂苷分别灌胃Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组小鼠,对照组灌胃等量的生理盐水(1 mL),试验期为30 d。检测红细胞数目(red blood cell, RBC)、形态、压积(hematocrit, HCT)、平均红细胞体积(erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume, MCV)、平均血红蛋白浓度(mean corpuscular hemoglobin, MCH)、血浆游离血红蛋白(free hemoglobin, FHb)、网织红细胞计数(reticulocyte count, RET)及红细胞渗透脆性最大、最小抵抗值(maximum/minimum osmotic fragility of red blood cells, OF_max/OF_min),采血和骨髓制作观察血涂片及骨髓涂片,制作实质性器官心、肝的切片。结果表明: 1)灌胃苜蓿皂苷后,小白鼠血常规中红细胞数目和血细胞比容均降低且Ⅴ组显著低于对照组(P<0.05),平均血红蛋白浓度均高于对照组且Ⅳ、Ⅴ组与对照组相比差异显著(P<0.05)。2)Ⅳ、Ⅴ组血浆游离血红蛋白含量极显著高于对照组(P<0.01);Ⅳ组网织红细胞计数极显著高于对照组(P<0.01)。3)随着灌胃剂量的加大,红细胞逐渐出现轻度大小不等,着色较深,形态异常的现象。4)红细胞渗透脆性最大抵抗值显著升高且差异显著(P<0.05),最小抵抗值有逐渐升高的趋势。5)灌胃后粒系比有不同程度的降低,Ⅴ组与对照组相比差异显著(P<0.05);红系比则有不同程度的升高,Ⅴ组与对照组相比差异显著(P<0.05);粒红比不但降低而且变化明显,Ⅳ、Ⅴ组显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。 6)灌胃对实质性器官没有影响但是组织更易碎。综上,高剂量的苜蓿皂苷能够引起血管内溶血。     

全自动换血治疗G-6-PD缺陷症并发急性溶血的疗效观察

目的 :观察全自动换血治疗危重G 6 PD缺陷症并发急性溶血的疗效。方法 :对 1 0例危重G 6 PD缺陷症并发急性溶血采用全自动换血治疗。结果 :总胆红素由换血前 (5 33.1 4± 1 1 5 .6 5 ) μmol/L下降至换血后 (2 95 .5 0± 88.5 1 )μmol/L ,换出率是 4 4 .5 7% ,血红蛋白增加 34.1 2 % ,红细胞增加 4 3.30 % ,换血过程无明显不良反应。结论 :全自动换血是抢救危重G 6 PD缺陷症并发急性溶血的简单、实用、安全、有效的方法     

不同疏水性氨基酸对α-螺旋抗菌肽生物学活性的影响

天然抗菌肽具有较强的杀菌能力,但其较高的细胞毒性会使肽的细胞选择性降低。为了提高抗菌肽的选择特异性,本研究拟探讨不同疏水性氨基酸对α-螺旋抗菌肽生物学活性的影响及其抑菌机制。笔者采用α-螺旋肽GRX_2RX_3RX_2RG作为模板,分别以疏水性氨基酸色氨酸(Try,W)、苯丙氨酸(Phe,F)、缬氨酸(Val,V)、丙氨酸(Ala,A)、亮氨酸(Leu,L)和异亮氨酸(Ile,I)来替换X位置,得到了一系列富含疏水氨基酸的肽GW、GF、GV、GI、GA和GL。本研究检测了抗菌肽的二级结构、溶血活性、抑菌活性、盐离子活性,并对其抑菌的作用机制进行了研究。结果表明:通过CD光谱试验检测出GF、GI、GA和GL在细胞膜模拟环境中均表现出典型的α螺旋结构,而GV只在TFE中呈现α螺旋结构;溶血试验结果表明,GV和GA在浓度为128μmol·L^-1未表现出溶血活性,而其他肽均表现出较高的溶血活性;抑菌试验发现GV的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)的几何平均值为3.7μmol·L^-1,并具有最高的治疗指数(TI);盐离子稳定性试验表明,在NH_4^+、Zn²⁺和Fe³⁺中GV对大肠杆菌25922(E.coli ATCC 25922)的抑菌能力较稳定。进一步通过扫描电镜和内膜通透性试验对抗菌肽GV的抑菌机制进行分析,结果观察到GV能够通过穿透E.coli ATCC 25922和金黄色葡萄球菌29213(S.aureus ATCC 29213)促使细胞内容物流出而导致细菌死亡,以及通过时间和剂量依赖的方式穿透细菌内膜。综合以上结果,富含Val的GV具有较高的细胞选择性和成为高效抗菌药物的发展潜力。     

The effect of hemolysis on plasma antithrombin activity as determined by a chromogenic method

BACKGROUND: The concentration of free hemoglobin (Hgb) in plasma can markedly affect the outcome of laboratory tests by interfering with the spectrophotometric absorbance of biochemical tests read at wavelengths within the absorbance range of Hgb (400-440 nm). Little is known about the effects of hemoglobinemia on antithrombin (AT) activity in human plasma samples, and we are unaware of data for canine plasma samples. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the degree of interference by Hgb on plasma AT activity and to determine if the interference is proportional to the concentration of plasma Hgb. METHODS: Two pools of test plasma, designated AT100 and AT70, were prepared. Hemolysate was prepared by washing and freeze-thawing packed red cells in a small volume of saline, followed by collection of the filtrate. Solutions of decreasing Hgb concentration were prepared and added to the test plasma pools to create a series of samples with final calculated and measured Hgb concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5 g/L. AT activity, expressed as a percentage of normal human plasma, was determined using a functional chromogenic assay. RESULTS: Increasing concentrations of Hgb resulted in a linear decrease in AT activity. Using linear regression analysis on the 70% and 100% plasma pools, the slopes for samples containing <1.5 g Hgb/L were not significantly different from zero. Slopes for samples containing Hgb concentrations >or=1.5 g/L were significantly (P > .0001) different from zero for both plasma pools, indicating interference with the assay. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest it may be possible, using a conversion equation, to accurately determine AT activity in hemolyzed samples, facilitating evaluation of coagulation status in patients with intravascular hemolysis.