Effect of vaccination with live or killed Pasteurella haemolytica on resistance to experimental bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis

Using 6- to 8-month-old beef calves, 3 experiments were conducted to compare the effect of vaccination with live or killed Pasteurella haemolytica on resistance to a transthoracic challenge exposure with the organism and to correlate serum antibody response with resistance. In each experiment, calves were vaccinated twice at 1-week intervals and were challenge exposed 21 days after the first inoculation. Lung lesions were evaluated by a system, such that higher scores indicated the more severe lesions. In each experiment, calves immunized with live P haemolytica had lower lesion scores than calves vaccinated with saline solution or bacterin. In 2 of the experiments, the differences were significant (P less than 0.05). In all experiments, calves vaccinated parenterally with a commercial P haemolytica/P multocida bacterin or with a formalin-killed P haemolytica bacterin had lesion scores that were not significantly different (P greater than 0.05) than for control calves vaccinated with saline solution. Live and killed bacterial preparations induced a significant serum antibody response to P haemolytica as measured by a quantitative fluorometric immunoassay. The antibody response to vaccination was not affected by preexisting titers to P haemolytica. Serum antibody titers were not consistently as high for calves vaccinated with bacterins as for calves vaccinated with live organisms. Although high antibody titers correlated with low lesion scores when calves vaccinated with saline solution or live organisms were analyzed collectively, there was not a significant correlation between the 2 variables when calves, vaccinated with saline solution or with bacterin, were analyzed collectively. These data indicate that, although bacterins may induce a detectable serum antibody response, they do not induce protection against transthoracic challenge exposure to P haemolytica.     

Effect of calf age and Salmonella bacterin type on ability to produce immunoglobulins directed against Salmonella whole cells or lipopolysaccharide.

A commercially available Salmonella bacterin was administered to Holstein calves starting at 1 to 19 weeks of age. Serum samples were obtained before administering bacterin and at 2-week intervals thereafter. An ELISA with Salmonella dublin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or S dublin whole cells as antigen, was used to measure specific IgG and IgM responses. Antibody responses to LPS were not detected from calves < 12 weeks old inoculated with killed bacterin. Immunoglobulin responses to whole-cell antigen were detected from all age groups of calves inoculated with the same killed Salmonella bacterin. Calves < 11 weeks old are able to produce immunoglobulins to some whole-cell antigens, but are unable to produce anti-LPS immunoglobulins when inoculated with killed Salmonella bacterin. This age-related response to killed Salmonella antigens may account, in part, for increased susceptibility to salmonellosis in calves < 12 weeks old. In comparison to the response for killed antigen, 8 calves given modified-live aromatic-dependent S dublin bacterin at 1 to 3 weeks of age had detectable anti-LPS immunoglobulins after immunization, although the response was not as rapid and was of a lesser magnitude than that of older calves given killed Salmonella bacterin.     

The effect of immaturity of the calf on immunological responses to strain 19 and killed 45/20 adjuvant vaccines.

Thirty brucellosis free calves with zero titres to the serum agglutination test (SAT), complement fixation test (CFT) and antiglobulin test (ABGT) were vaccinated with strain 19 at ages from seven hours to 198 days. Calves 75 days of age and older responded with normal serological patterns, developing high titres to all three tests. At 45 days and younger most calves responded with much reduced titres, some were negative to the SAT and CFT but all develped titres to the ABGT. Two of the younger group were subjected to an anamnestic test at about a year old and gave a positive response, indicating that the calf may be effectively primed with S19 as early as the first day of life. Three of the group were colostrumdeprived yet the patterns of their responses were similar to those of the colostrum-fed calves. Seventy-four zero titres calves were vaccinated with killed 45/20 adjuvant vaccine at ages from 60 to 320 days. Up to 200 days of age only seven of 33 calves gave positive response. From 200 to 280 days 18 of 29 responded and from 280 days of age all calves a positive response. The late development of competence to respond to this adjuvant vaccine is somewhat unusual and is discussed. It is suggested that the rough strain 45/20 may be a very weak antigen in cattle.     

Leukocyte changes and interferon production in calves injected with hydrocortisone and infected with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus.

Correlations between leukocyte counts and serum interferon titers were determined in calves given hydrocortisone (HC) and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus. Calves were injected with either 1 mg or 3 mg of HC/kg of body weight every 8 hours for a total of 9 injections each. Control calves were given placebo injections. Viral inoculation was given IV 10 hours after the 1st dose of HC or placebo was given. By the time of viral inoculation, all calves injected with HC had developed neutrophilia, and the calves injected with 3 mg of HC also developed leukocytosis, lymphopenia, and eosinopenia; total leukocyte counts in calves injected with 1 mg of HC were increased, but not as much as in other HC-treated calves. Leukocyte counts in calves given placebo remained essentially unchanged before viral inoculation. At 1 day after IBR virus was inoculated, the number of circulating lymphocytes in HC-treated calves and control calves was decreased by more than 50%, on the average, of the counts taken before the HC injections or inoculation of virus. A significant negative correlation existed between the numbers of circulating lymphocytes and serum interferon titers at 1, 2, and 3 days after inoculation with IBR virus. The interferon response of calves undergoing lymphocyte suppression due to HC was not impaired, but was enhanced.     

Effect of repeated arthrocentesis and single joint lavage on cytologic evaluation of synovial fluid in 5 young calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of repeated arthrocentesis and a single joint lavage on cytologic variables of synovial fluid. The left tarsi of 5 healthy Holstein calves were selected for the study. Samples of synovial fluid were collected daily for 4 d, then every 4 d until day 24. On day 2, joint lavage was performed with lactated Ringer's solution in all the calves. Cytologic examinations, performed by the same clinical pathologist, included the determination of total protein concentration, total leukocyte count, and differential counts (of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes). The presence of lameness or swelling and other results of physical examination were recorded regularly during the study. No clinical signs of joint disease were observed during the study. Bacterial cultures of specimens collected on day 2 were negative for all the calves. All cytologic values but 1 peaked on day 2 and progressively returned to normal. In comparison with the results for day 1, the synovial fluid total leukocyte, neutrophil, and monocyte counts were significantly increased on days 2 and 3, and the total leukocyte and monocyte counts were also significantly increased on day 4. The monocyte and lymphocyte percentages were significantly decreased until day 4, whereas the neutrophil percentages were significantly increased until day 8. The total protein concentrations were significantly increased until day 3. There were no significant differences between values for specimens taken 4 d apart. This study demonstrated that, although arthrocentesis induces a moderate inflammatory response, the joints seem to rapidly adapt. A 4-d interval between arthrocenteses is suitable when studying cellular components of the synovial fluid. However, when arthrocentesis is repeated daily, a minimal interval of 8 d should be respected.     

Neonatal calf serum immunoregulation of lymphocyte blastogenic responses

The ability of lymphocytes from newborn calves to undergo blastogenic responses to the mitogens Concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), or Pokeweed Mitogen (PWM), and immunomodulation of these responses by neonatal calf serum was assessed as a function of age. Lymphocytes were obtained from thymus, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes of 1-, 2- to 3-, 5- to 7-, and 9- to 10-d-old calves, aliquoted and incubated (+/- mitogens) in sera from 1-, 2-, 3-, or 7- to 10-d-old calves. Lymph-node lymphocytes responded least when cultured in sera from 1-d-old calves, regardless of mitogen or age of cell donor; the response increased as age of serum donor increased (P less than .05). Splenic lymphocytes responded similarly (P less than .005). However, when cultured in sera from older calves, splenic lymphocytes from older calves responded greater to PWM than did those from younger calves. Thymic lymphocytes responded minimally to PWM and PHA. Their response to Con A increased (P less than .005) with age of serum donor calf, but the effect was greatest on lymphocytes from 5- to 7-d-old calves. Mixing experiments with varying ratios of 1-d-old calf serum: 10-d-old calf serum suggested that serum from 1-d-old calves contained suppressive activity. Serum cortisol level (measured by radioimmunoassay) was 30 +/- 4.6 ng/ml in calves at 6 h of age and declined to 5.5 +/- 1.1 ng/ml by 10 d. Charcoal treatment to remove steroids did not enhance blastogenesis. Addition of cortisol (50 ng/ml) to charcoal-treated sera resulted in inhibition of response to PHA, but no change in response to Con A or PWM. Further investigation is indicated to characterize this immunosuppressive activity and to establish its relationship to disease susceptibility.     

Immune responses to the capsular polysaccharide of Mycoplasma dispar in calves and mice

Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of M. dispar and polygalacturonic acid (pGaIU—a structurally similar polysaccharide) were investigated in calves experimentally infected with Mycoplasma dispar and in mice immunized with CPS or pGaIU. Sera, tracheobronchial lavage and nasal fluids, collected before and after infection in calves, were checked for the presence of anti-CPS and anti-pGaIU antibodies. The sera from mice injected with CPS or pGaIU were checked for different classes of anti-CPS and anti-pGaIU antibodies. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from calves and splenic lymphocytes from mice were monitored for specific proliferative responses to CPS and pGaIU. At about 2 weeks post-infection, anti-CPS IgM response in serum, anti-CPS and anti-pGaIU IgM and IgA response in lavage fluid and lymphocyte proliferative response was seen in the calves. Mice immunized with CPS and pGaIU gave exclusively IgM responses. No secondary response was seen in mice immunized with CPS in contrast to mice immunized with pGaIU. Antibodies cross-reactive with pGaIU were present in the sera of CPS-immunized mice but antibodies cross-reactive with CPS were not found in pGaIU-immunized mice. No significant blastogenic response was shown by mouse splenocytes to CPS or pGaIU.     

Peritoneal fluid values and collection technique in young,normal calves

Peritoneal fluid from 10 healthy young male Holstein calves was analyzed three times (2 to 3 days, 12 to 15 days and 27 to 30 days) during the first month of life. A new technique for collection of peritoneal fluid from calves positioned in left lateral recumbency was developed. The technique was found to be reliable and without noticeable complications. Mean peritoneal fluid nucleated cell counts, red blood cell counts, and absolute counts for mononuclear cells, lymphocytes and eosinophils did not change significantly (P 相似文献   

Induction of immune responses in cattle with a DNA vaccine encoding glycoprotein C of bovine herpesvirus-1

A DNA vaccine expressing glycoprotein C (gC) of bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) was evaluated for inducing immunity in bovines. The plasmid encoding gC of BHV-1 was injected six times intramuscularly or intradermally into calves at monthly intervals. After immunization by both routes neutralizing antibody and lymphoproliferative responses developed. The responses in the intradermally immunized calves were better than those in calves immunized intramuscularly. However, the intradermal (i.d.) route was found to be less efficacious when protection against BHV-1 challenge was compared. Following intranasal BHV-1 challenge, all immunized calves demonstrated a rise in IgG antibody titre on day 3, indicating an anamnestic response. The control non-immunized calf developed a neutralizing antibody response on day 7 post-challenge. The immunized calves showed a slight rise in temperature and mild clinical symptoms after challenge. The intramuscularly immunized calves showed earlier clearance of challenge virus compared with intradermally immunized calves. These results indicate that DNA immunization with gC could induce neutralizing antibody and lymphoproliferative responses with BHV-1 responsive memory B cells in bovines. However, the immunity developed was not sufficient to protect calves completely from BHV-1 challenge.     

Experimental infection of calves with two strains of bovine virus diarrhoea virus: certain immunological reactions

Certain immunological responses of 4-6 month old calves experimentally inoculated with either cytopathic or non-cytopathic bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) were compared with those of uninfected control calves. The tests used to demonstrate the immunological responses were the transformation of lymphocytes by PHA mitogen, the percentage of lymphocytes with surface immunoglobulin, and the antibody titres induced by an intravenous inoculation of killed Brucella abortus. There were no significant differences between the two groups of calves and therefore, the mild experimental disease produced by BVDV did not appear to affect adversely the immunological response.     

Effects of parenteral supply of iron and copper on hematology, weight gain, and health in neonatal dairy calves

The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of parenteral administration of iron and copper on hematological parameters, weight gain, and health of neonatal dairy calves in the period when iron and copper deficiency could be existed. Twenty-four Holstein calves were used for the experiment and randomly assigned to four different treatments. Treatments consisted of (1) control (no injections of Fe and Cu), (2) test 1 (1000 mg Fe as fe-dextran was injected to each calf at day 2 of age), (3) test 2 (160 mg Cu as methionine-copper complex was injected to each calf at day 14 of age), and (4) test 3 (Fe and Cu were injected to each calf as mentioned previously). Blood samples were collected from all of the calves within 24-48 hours after birth and at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of age for measuring hematological parameters and within 24-48 hours after birth and at 14, 21 and 28 days of age for the determination of iron, copper, TIBC concentrations, and AST activity. Anti-coagulated blood was analyzed shortly after collection for: number of red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), heamatocrit (HCT), total leukocyte count (WBC), Platelet (Plt), MCH, MCV, MCHC, and differential leukocyte counts. The amounts of iron, copper, TIBC, and AST were measured in serum. Group had significant effects on the amounts of HCT, RBC, hemoglobin, MCV, neutrophil, weekly weight gain, and daily gain during each week (p < 0.05). Sampling time had significant effects on the amounts of RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, platelet, fibrinogen, copper, TIBC, AST, weight, weekly gain and, daily gain during each week (p < 0.05). significant interactions between sampling time and group were seen for HCT, RBC, hemoglobin, MCV, platelet, total protein, fibrinogen, iron, and TIBC (p < 0.05). Improved RBC parameters and MCV were seen in calves of group 4 (test 3) in comparing with control group. Total and daily gains were also significantly improved in test groups in comparing with control group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was seen for the days of treatment between groups.     

Enhanced resistance to cattle grub infestation (Hypoderma lineatum de Vill.) in calves immunized with purified hypodermin A, B and C plus monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL).

The influence of an antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune response, stimulated by immunization, on survival of a challenge infestation of Hypoderma lineatum was investigated. Calves immunized with a purified combination of hypodermin A, B and C plus monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) developed a strong antigen-specific cellular immune response by completion of the immunization schedule which persisted to 12 weeks post-infestation. Responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes to the mitogens concanavalin A and pokeweed was also elevated at 4 and 12 weeks post-infestation. Western blot analysis at the time of maximum grub counts demonstrated that immunized calves responded to hypodermin A, B and C while those receiving only MPL or infested controls responded only to hypodermin B and C. The antigen-specific antibody response as measured by ELISA at maximum grub count was significantly higher in vaccinated calves than in infested controls while the response in calves receiving only immunostimulator was also significantly elevated. Immunized (antigen plus MPL) calves produced 5.0 +/- 6.9 grubs per animal which successfully pupated while those receiving MPL alone produced 16.4 +/- 6.1 and infested controls produced 32.2 +/- 10.9 grubs per animal.     

Adverse immune reactions and the pathogenesis of Ostertagia ostertagi infections in calves

The possible development of type-1 hypersensitivity reactions in the abomasal mucosa caused by soluble L3 products of Ostertagia ostertagi was studied in 4-month-old calves sensitized by repeated exposure to L3 over a 50-day period followed by anthelmintic treatment. Four groups each of 4 calves were used. Group 1 served as nonsensitized controls and group 2 as sensitized controls, group 3 was challenge exposed at 2-week intervals beginning at week 10 with a soluble L3 product (OAG), and group 4 was challenge exposed at 2-week intervals with an oral dose of L3, followed by anthelmintic treatment 3 days later. All calves infected with L3 became sensitized, as indicated by a positive reaction to an intradermal skin test. However, a passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was only partly effective in indicating the presence of homocytotropic antibody in the infected calves. Sensitized calves had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher eosinophil counts and plasma pepsinogen values for the entire 14 weeks than uninfected controls. Globule leukocyte and mast cell counts from the abomasal mucosa were also significantly (P less than 0.05) higher. Studies for possible immunomodulation revealed that lymphocyte counts decreased between every 2-week challenge-exposure period for groups-3 and -4 calves. A transient depression of blood lymphocyte (BL) responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a T-cell mitogen, was observed over the first 8 weeks in the infected calves. Increases in BL responses to OAG were also observed. Differences were not observed in BL responses to pokeweed mitogen, a T- and B-cell mitogen. Blood lymphocyte responses to PHA in group-3 calves were low following the initial challenge exposure with OAG.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bronchoalveolar lavage in horses: effect of exercise and repeated sampling on cytology

SUMMARY Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed at weekly intervals in 10 Thoroughbred horses in race training (group 1) and in 4 rested horses (group 2) for 10 weeks. Lavages were continued on a weekly basis in 4 group 1 horses for an additional 9 weeks (group 3). Cytological analysis of samples included leukocyte counts, erythrocyte counts, differential leukocyte counts, and haemosiderophage score. The mean leukocyte concentration was significantly lower in group 1(92.1 ± 4.6 cells/μL) when compared with group 2 (133.5 ± 8.2 cells/μL), P = 0.037. The differential leukocyte data were not significantly different between groups. There was a large amount of variability in the percent-age of macrophages and lymphocytes in the differential counts over time with no obvious trends. The proportion of neutrophils demonstrated a tendency to decrease over time for both groups 1 and 2. Erythrocyte counts and haemosiderin scores were significantly higher in the exercising group than the rested horses. Neither exercise nor the technique itself evoked an inflammatory response in the BAL fluid.     

Effect of transport on feeder calves

One hundred fifty feeder steers (mean body weight, 195 kg) were assigned to 1 of 3 transport groups and were deprived of feed and water (fasted) for 24 hours. Additionally, calves were transported on a commercial livestock trailer for 0 (control-fasted only), 12 (short haul), or 24 (long haul) hours. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein before calves were loaded on the transport vehicle and immediately after calves of the long-haul group returned to the research feedlot. Complete blood counts were performed and 32 mineral, enzyme, and biochemical constituents were measured. Calf morbidity, mortality, and average daily weight gain were evaluated during the next 56 days. Duration of transport did not affect average daily gain; however, calves of the short-haul group had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher morbidity and mortality than did those of the control and long-haul groups. In all groups, results of differential leukocyte counts were indicative of stress response. Significant (P less than 0.05) linear contrasts were observed between duration of transport and erythrocyte, leukocyte, segmented neutrophil, lymphocyte, and eosinophil counts and results of serum enzyme (alanine transaminase, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, total lactate dehydrogenase [LD], and LD-1, LD-3, and LD-4 isoenzymes), iron, urea nitrogen, beta-globulin, glucose, and urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratio determinations. Significant (P less than 0.05) quadratic contrasts were observed between duration of transport and serum unsaturated iron binding capacity, total iron binding capacity, and LD-5 percentage. Calf source had a significant (P less than 0.05) effect on almost all variables tested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Studies on the efficacy of intranasal vaccination for the prevention of experimentally induced parainfluenza type 3 virus pneumonia in calves.

The efficacy of intranasal vaccination in preventing or limiting disease of the lower respiratory tract induced by parainfluenza 3 (PI3) virus was evaluated under experimental conditions, using a commercially available live vaccine containing a temperature-sensitive strain of PI3 virus. In a preliminary study four colostrum-deprived calves were vaccinated intranasally at one week and again at two months of age, and two similar calves were given an intranasal placebo. After the second vaccination serum antibodies to PI3 virus were detected in all four vaccinated calves, but not in the control animals. Seventeen days after the second vaccination all six calves were challenged with virulent PI3 virus, and they were killed six days later. The clinical scores and the extent of pulmonary consolidation were reduced in the vaccinated animals; PI3 virus was detected in the upper and lower respiratory tract of the control calves but in none of the vaccinated calves. In a larger scale study with 14 colostrum-fed calves, seven were vaccinated at one week and again at five weeks of age, and seven were given an intranasal placebo. Two weeks after the second vaccination all 14 calves were challenged with virulent PI3 virus. The clinical scores and lung consolidation were significantly reduced in the vaccinated calves in comparison with the controls. Six days after infection, 10 of the 14 calves were killed; PI3 virus was detectable in the nasal secretions of all seven control calves but in only one of the vaccinated animals, and PI3 viral antigen was detected in the lungs of the control calves but not in those of the vaccinated animals. One of the vaccinated calves had developed a severe clinical response after the challenge, but it had only minor lung consolidation when killed.     

Immune response to Neospora caninum in naturally infected heifers and heifers vaccinated with inactivated antigen during the second trimester of gestation

The objective of this study was to compare the immune response to Neospora caninum in naturally infected heifers and heifers inoculated with a killed whole N. caninum tachyzoite preparation during the second trimester of gestation. Nine Holstein heifers were used in this study; three naturally infected heifers were born from seropositive dams, and six seronegative heifers were born from seronegative dams. Four seronegative heifers were subcutaneously vaccinated with a killed whole N. caninum tachyzoite preparation at weeks 13, 15 and 17 of gestation. A killed whole N. caninum tachyzoite preparation containing 45 mg of protein/5 ml dose was formulated with 70% of mineral oil adjuvant (13% consisting of Arlacel C, 85% Marcol 52 and 2% Tween-80). Similarly, two seronegative heifers (negative controls) were inoculated with mock-infected bovine monocytes in oil adjuvant. Humoral immune responses were tested by using an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting isotype specific antibodies. Cellular immune responses were assessed by lymphocyte proliferation test (LPT) and IFN-gamma production. N. caninum-specific antibody responses increased in immunized cattle by week 15 of gestation (mean reciprocal antibody titers 450+/-252), peaked at week 23 (mean 16,000+/-6400). Maximum antibody response in naturally infected heifers was observed at week 19 of gestation (mean: 3467+/-2810). Mean serum IFAT titers were significantly higher in immunized heifers compared with those in naturally infected heifers from weeks 17 to 25 (P < 0.05). Analysis of isotype specific antibodies in naturally infected heifers revealed a predominant IgG1 response in one heifer and a predominant IgG2 response in the other two. Similar titers of IgG1 and IgG2 occurred in immunized heifers. Control heifers remained seronegative throughout the study by IFAT and ELISA. Significant antigen-specific proliferation responses were only detected in naturally infected heifers in week 19 of gestation. Peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PMBC) from immunized animals produced IFN-gamma in similar concentrations to those of infected animals (P > 0.05). No abortion was seen in any experimental group; however, one calf from a vaccinated heifer died due to dystocia. All calves from vaccinated and control heifers were seronegative by IFAT at 6 months of age; in contrast, calves born from naturally infected heifers remained seropositive with titers > or = 200. Killed vaccine induced similar immune responses to those found in chronically, naturally infected cattle which did not abort; however, different immune pathways may be followed in vaccinated and natural infected heifers with differences in degree of protective immunity.     

Effect of administration of oat beta-glucan on immune parameters of healthy and immunosuppressed beef steers.

In order to assess the effect of oat beta-glucan (ObetaG) administration on immune parameters of beef steers, 3 experiments were carried out. In experiment 1, the in vitro effect of ObetaG on the proliferation of blood lymphocytes, with or without the presence of dexamethasone (DXM), was evaluated. In experiment 2, groups of 12 healthy steers were administered ObetaG or saline solution and immunized with ovalbumin (OVA). Immune parameters studied included IgG antibody levels to OVA, proliferation responses of blood lymphocytes to OVA, and blood leukocyte differential cell counts. For experiment 3, groups of 10 steers were treated with ObetaG and DXM, DXM only, or saline solution, and immunized with OVA and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Serum antibody responses to OVA and KLH, serum IgG concentration levels, blastogenic responses of blood lymphocytes to OVA and KLH, differential blood leukocyte numbers, and iron and zinc concentration in serum were tested to evaluate the effect of ObetaG to overcome immunosuppression. The in vitro treatment of naive blood lymphocytes with ObetaG did not increase their ability to proliferate; however, when ObetaG was added to cultures of DXM-treated lymphocytes, a significant (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) reversion of the immunosuppressive effect of DXM occurred. Administration of ObetaG to clinically healthy steers did not induce significant changes on any of the immune parameters studied. The administration of ObetaG to DXM-treated steers provoked, on Day 25, a significant increase in IgG anti-OVA (P < 0.01) and anti-KLH (P < 0.05) responses vs the DXM only group. On Day 25, the specific proliferation responses of lymphocytes, to both OVA and KLH, were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in ObetaG+DXM group compared to DXM group. On Day 4, a significant increase in the number of leukocytes (P < 0.01) and neutrophils (P < 0.001), and a significant decrease in the number of monocytes (P < 0.05) were observed in the group treated with DXM only compared to ObetaG+DXM group. No significant differences were observed in iron and zinc concentration between ObetaG+DXM and DXM groups. These results indicated that ObetaG did not influence immune responses of naive cells in vitro or of healthy steers in vivo; however, when cells or animals were treated with DXM, ObetaG significantly restored some of the specific and non-specific immune parameters studied.     

Humoral immune response of the bovine fetus to in utero vaccination with attenuated bovine coronavirus

A fetal response to in utero vaccination with attenuated bovine coronavirus (9 to 49 days before parturition) was determined in 8 calves, 5 vaccinated and 3 controls. Calves were derived by hysterotomy before parturition and were maintained in a closed gnotobiotic environment. The IgA, IgM, and IgG values and coronavirus-neutralizing antibody titers were higher in the sera and intestinal loop fluid from vaccinated calves than in those from control calves. Sections of ileum and ileal lymph nodes from 1-day-old vaccinated calves, when stained with monospecific anti-bovine IgG, IgM, and IgA had numerous positively stained plasma cells. Positive fluorescence was not detected in comparable tissues from controls. When the 8 calves were given virulent coronavirus orally at 6 days of age, vaccinated calves did not become ill, whereas control calves had diarrhea in 19 to 22 hours. All calves were killed at 10 days of age. Control calves had lesions characteristic of coronavirus infection, and intestinal epithelial cells were positive by fluorescent antibody tests. In vaccinated calves, lesions of coronavirus infection were absent, and results of fluorescent antibody tests were negative. Although in utero vaccination with a coronavirus vaccine stimulated immunity in the newborn calf, the frequency of abortions (2 of 14 cows inoculated intra-amniotically) and premature births (4 of 14) precluded practical application.     

Effect of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, Corynebacterium parvum and mycobacterium cell wall extract on in vitro blastogenic responses of bovine blood lymphocytes

In vivo inoculation of three-month-old calves with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC), killed Corynebacterium parvum or mycobacterium cell wall extract (MCWE) resulted in an enhancement of in vitro peripheral blood lymphocyte blastogenic responses to mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and Concanavalin A (Con A) in the first three days after treatment. In a separate experiment, blood lymphocytes isolated from a healthy nontreated calf were incubated in vitro in presence of each of the same immunostimulating agents and tested for their blastogenic responses to PHA and Con A. The results showed that all immunostimulants, excepting DTC, enhanced the in vitro blastogenic responses of lymphocytes to PHA and Con A. Finally, addition of MCWE to cultures of blood lymphocytes isolated from calves vaccinated intramuscularly with bovine rotavirus and adjuvant resulted in an enhancement of the in vitro lymphocyte transformation to rotavirus. Our study demonstrated that DTC, killed Corynebacterium parvum and mycobacterium cell wall extract were able to enhance bovine T cell proliferation in vitro.