The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (V): biology and role of inflammatory cells in cutaneous allergic reactions.

Numerous inflammatory cells are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis (AD) although, in the past, mast cells were considered the most important. However, evidence for this assumption is lacking. In this paper, we review the literature concerning the role of inflammatory cells in allergic reactions and conclude that a complex interplay exists between a wide variety of cell types. Thus, on the basis of the available evidence, the cells that appear to be the most important in the pathogenesis of canine AD are Langerhans' cells and dermal dendritic cells (both responsible for antigen processing and presentation), B-lymphocytes (responsible for reaginic antibody production), allergen-specific helper T-lymphocytes (responsible for cytokine production leading to activation of B-cells and other inflammatory cells) and mast cells (production of inflammatory mediators leading to inflammation).     

Dietary crude protein concentration does not affect the leucine requirement of growing dogs

The objective of the present study was to examine the interaction between graded levels of leucine and dietary crude protein. Dose–response curves were generated using four 3 × 3 Latin squares (two dogs/square). Each square represented one of two concentrations of crude protein (140 or 280 g/kg diet) and one of two combinations of three concentrations of leucine (5.0, 7.0 and 9.0 g/kg diet or 9.0, 11 and 13 g/kg diet). An additional experiment was performed by feeding crude protein at 210 g/kg diet with either 7.0 or 11 g leucine/kg diet. Weight gain, food intake, nitrogen retention, plasma albumin and plasma amino acids were measured. The requirement was determined to be the minimum leucine concentration required to maximize weight gain and nitrogen retention. For 8–14-week-old male Beagle dogs, 140 g crude protein/kg diet in a diet containing 18 kJ metabolizable energy/g does not appear to support maximal growth. The leucine requirement was not affected by doubling the dietary crude protein level from 140 to 280 g/kg diet. From these results, the leucine requirement of 8–14-week-old Beagle dogs appears to be 11 g leucine/kg diet independent of the level of dietary crude protein, whereas dogs over 14 weeks require only 7 g leucine/kg diet for maximal nitrogen retention.     

The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (VI): IgE-induced immediate and late-phase reactions, two inflammatory sequences at sites of intradermal allergen injections.

Intradermal testing is a common diagnostic procedure used in the evaluation of dogs with suspected atopic dermatitis (AD). To do this, most investigators assess the appearance of wheals that develop at the sites of intradermal allergen injections. However, wheals are rarely seen in dogs with naturally occurring AD. Furthermore, infiltration of inflammatory cells into the injection sites can occur 6-24h later, a phenomenon known as the late-phase reaction. The histological appearance of these late-phase reactions closely approximates that seen in the natural disease, suggesting that they might be more relevant than the immediate reactions. In this paper, we review the literature on immediate and late-phase reactions and re-assess the evidence for using current intradermal testing procedures as a diagnostic test in dogs.     

Immunohistochemical Detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae in Formalin‐Fixed,Paraffin‐Embedded Tissues from Naturally and Experimentally Infected Goats

Samples from the mammary tissue of 14 lactating goats (12 naturally infected and two experimentally infected) were examined for the presence of Mycoplasma agalactiae. A monoclonal antibody (5G12) was applied to formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐wax‐embedded sections and labelled by the avidin–biotin peroxidase complex (ABC) method. Histological examination of tissue sections revealed strong immunoreactivity in all animals included in the study. Mycoplasma agalactiae antigen was mainly detected in the cellular debris at the periphery of purulent exudates present within lactiferous sinuses, and lactiferous and interlobular ducts. In addition, M. agalactiae organisms appeared in the cytoplasm of the epithelium of ducts, and in infiltrating macrophages and neutrophils within the ducts, alveoli, interstitial tissue and regional lymph node sinuses. It is concluded that this monoclonal antibody‐based immunohistochemical technique is an efficient and specific method for the post‐mortem detection of M. agalactiae in cases of clinical mastitis as well as being a useful tool for the study of the route of infection and cellular types involved during mastitis caused by this organism.     

Blood thiamine levels in normal cattle and sheep at pasture

Analysis of whole blood samples from 174 cattle and, 174 sheep from 3 geographical regions of New Zealand over a 10 month period showed a mean (range) thiamine level of 122 nmol/l (71-237 nmol/l) for cattle and 118 nmol/l (67-227 nmol/l) for sheep. Regional and seasonal differences were noted with levels tending to rise over the summer period. A reference range of 75-185 nmol/l is proposed for both cattle and sheep to cover these variations. Levels below 50 nmol/l are considered indicative of deficiency.     

Antibiotic residues in goats milk following intramammary treatment

Two lactational intramammary antibiotic preparations (cloxacillin and oxytetracycline) were each used to treat eight goats by intramammary infusion in one half. The rate of release of the antibiotics was monitored by a diffusion assay based on the sensitive organism Bacillus stearothermophilus var. calidolactis. Cloxacillin was still detectable 156 hours after the final treatment while oxytetracycline was undetectable 108 hours following treatment. A small but significant amount of antibiotic was translocated between treated and untreated halves of the udder in both cases.     

Antibiotic residue release at the beginning of lactation following dry cow therapy

In response to farmer complaints about unfair penalties, for the presence of inhibitory substances in early lactation following the use of dry-cow antibiotic therapy, a two-part study was carried out to try and establish why these unexplained grades occur. A survey of instructions supplied with each of 13 registered dry-cow products suggested that the directions for drug use were in some cases inappropriate for long-acting antibiotics. A residue release study was conducted at the beginning of lactation following antibiotic therapy at various times during the dry period. The results showed, for the-three dry-cow preparations studied, that treatment during the dry period, especially within six weeks of calving, could lead to detectable residues in milk from treated quarters.