Characterisation of porcine monocyte-derived dendritic cells according to their cytokine profile

The influence of interferon (IFN)-alpha on the in vitro differentiation of myeloid porcine dendritic cells (DC) was evaluated as the ability of the DC to stimulate to cell proliferation in a mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR), and as their ability to produce cytokines at exposure to bacterial and viral preparations. Porcine monocytes were enriched from purified peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by plastic adherence and cultured in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-4 or in GM-CSF, IL-4 and IFN-alpha. After 5 days of culture, the cells developed a dendritic morphology and the proportion of cells expressing MHC class II and B7 molecules was increased as determined by flow cytometry. Dendritic cells, differentiated for 5 days in GM-CSF, IL-4 and IFN-alpha, were able to stimulate both allogeneic and syngeneic PBMC to proliferation in an MLR. The DC produced the Th1 associated cytokines IFN-alpha at Sendai virus stimulation, and IL-12 at stimulation with plasmid DNA (pre-incubated in the presence of lipofectin), heat-inactivated Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, UV-inactivated Aujeszky's disease virus and live Sendai virus. The heat-inactivated bacteria and Sendai virus also induced production of the Th2 associated cytokines IL-10 and IL-6. The addition of IFN-alpha during differentiation of DC in GM-CSF and IL-4 enhanced their ability to stimulate allogeneic and syngeneic MLR, but did not alter their ability to produce cytokines.     

Characterisation of the third component of canine and feline complement

Canine and feline C3 have been found by immune precipitation to have a molecular weight of 198K and 197K respectively. Each comprises two polypeptide chains α and β (canine α - 126K β - 72K; feline α - 125K β - 72K). The α chain is subsequently cleaved by C3b ina to produce two fragments α^edc (canine 65K; feline 64K) and α^fb (canine 40K; feline 46K). The findings are compared to the documented molecular structure of human C3.     

Characterisation of major and minor Dermatophagoides allergens in canine atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a well-recognised chronic inflammatory skin disease of humans and dogs. Most atopic dogs are sensitised to Dermatophagoides mites. The aim of this study was to characterise allergens in different Dermatophagoides species using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to canine IgE. Western blots were prepared from crude extracts of D farinae, D pteronyssinus and D microceras, and purified group 1 and 2 allergens under reducing and non-reducing conditions. They were probed with sera from atopic (n = 33) and healthy (n = 27) dogs. There was no significant difference in the sensitivity or specificity between the polyclonal and monoclonal sera in detecting Dermatophagoides -specific IgE. Major allergens common to both D farinae and D pteronyssinus were detected at 97-98 kDa, 103-104 kDa and 134-139 kDa on both reducing and non-reducing blots. Major allergens at 84-85 kDa, 65-69 kDa and 44-45 kDa were only recognised on reducing blots, suggesting that these are fragments of the larger allergens. Only a few sera recognised group 1 or 2 allergens on blots of crude extracts or purified allergens. These results confirm that, in atopic dogs, high molecular weight allergens are the most important Dermatophagoides allergens, rather than the low molecular weight group 1 and 2 proteins.     

Canine and feline atopic dermatitis: A review of the diagnostic options

Atopic dermatitis is an inherited pruritic skin disease in dogs and cats. This pruritic skin condition is due to the animal having an allergic reaction to environmental allergens. The environmental allergens that an individual dog or cat is allergic to are specific for that individual animal. Management options for affected dogs and cats include identification of the offending environmental allergens and subsequent avoidance of that allergen, or allergen-specific immunotherapy. Several diagnostic tests are available to veterinarians to try to identify these allergens. The pros and cons of each of these diagnostic tests will be addressed.     

Clinical management of the feline urological syndrome

The management of cases of the feline urological syndrome (FUS) is described with particular reference to urethral obstruction in the male cat. Treatment of the obstructive episode and in the post–obstruction period and the prevention of recurrence of blockage in the longer term are discussed and a technique for perineal urethrostomy described.     

Experimental transmission of a feline mycobacterial skin disease (feline leprosy)

Non-culturable acid-fast bacteria from two spontaneous cases of so-called feline leprosy were transmitted to rats and cats and further passaged in rats or cats. Two to six months after infection, cats developed cutaneous lesions that were indistinguishable from spontaneous cases, including the occurrence of nasal granulomata in one cat. When injected into rats, the mycobacteria caused a generalized mycobacteriosis and the granulomatous reaction was composed chiefly of macrophages without polymorphonuclear granulocytes. Infection of cats with Mycobacterium lepraemurium did not produce any lesions. The feline disease may be a suitable model for the study of human leprosy (Hansen's Disease).     

Characterisation of canine parvovirus strains isolated from cats with feline panleukopenia

Unlike the original canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), CPV-2 variants have gained the ability to replicate in vivo in cats but there is limited information on the disease patterns induced by these variants in the feline host. During 2008, two distinct cases of parvoviral infection were diagnosed in our laboratories. A CPV-2a variant was identified in a 3-month-old Persian kitten displaying clinical sign of feline panleukopenia (FPL) (acute gastroenteritis and marked leukopenia) and oral ulcerations, that died eight days after the onset of the disease. Two pups living in the same pet shop as the cat were found to shed a CPV-2a strain genetically identical to the feline virus and were likely the source of infection. Also, non-fatal infection by a CPV-2c strain occurred in a 2.5-month-old European shorthair kitten displaying non-haemorrhagic diarrhoea and normal white blood cell counts. By sequence analysis of the major capsid protein (VP2) gene, the feline CPV-2c strain showed 100% identity to a recent canine type-2c isolate. Both kittens had been administered multivalent vaccines against common feline pathogens including FPL virus. Whether and to which extent the FPL vaccines can protect cats adequately from the antigenic variants of CPV-2 should be assessed.     

An epidemiological survey of the feline urological syndrome

An epidemiological survey of the feline urological (or urolithiasis) syndrome (FUS) was carried out from 1 October 1973 to 30 September 1974. Details of 437 FUS cases were recorded by veterinary surgeons in thirty-three practices. An independent market research organisation collected corresponding details, where applicable, of 604 pet cats selected randomly from the pet cat population of the practice areas.
Total incidence of reported cases was estimated at about 0.64% of the domestic cat population in one year. The number of cases of FUS was highest in the autumn and winter of 1973 and then decreased to the end of the survey period.
Comparison of clinical and control surveys showed an association of the disease with several factors. These included age, diet and neutering (especially of male animals). By comparison with the controls, FUS cats tended to drink less, to be fed on dry cat food, to be considered lazy, taking little exercise, to have less freedom to leave the house at will and to be provided with indoor urinating facilities. There was also some evidence of an association with the brand of dry cat food and with the number of cats in the household. These factors were not necessarily either causative agents or additive in effect. A follow-up survey revealed a FUS mortality of 22% (90/403 cats) at 6 months after the survey episode, the majority dying or being put down in the first week. The death-rate was higher in males. Further episodes were noted in 32% of the cats followed up. The rate of recurrence was the same in those cats (68%) whose diet had been changed after the initial episode.