Development and clinical application of methods for detection of antineutrophil antibody in serum of the cat

Two techniques, leukoagglutination and indirect immunofluorescence, were adapted to test for the presence of antineutrophil antibody in cat serum. The leukoagglutination test was analogous to an indirect Coombs' test. The test was performed on freshly isolated cat blood neutrophils, with the test results read from stained smears (Wright's stain) made from sedimented antiserum-treated neutrophils. A positive test response was indicated by agglutinated neutrophils on the stained smear. The indirect immunofluorescence test was performed by incubating paraformaldehyde-fixed cat blood neutrophils with test serum, after which the neutrophils were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate-tagged antiglobulin. A positive test response was a ring of fluorescence surrounding the cells, as viewed through a UV microscope. Serum samples (n = 55) from clinically neutropenic cats were tested for the presence of antineutrophil antibody by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Ten positive-control sera (rabbit anti-cat neutrophil serum) and 10 negative-control sera (normal cat serum) were included. Only the positive control sera exhibited neutrophil fluorescence, indicative of antineutrophil antibody. None of the 55 samples of clinical origin showed any appreciable fluorescence.     

Effects of an insecticidal dip containing d-limonene in the cat

A study was undertaken to determine the effects of a single dermal application of a commercial insecticidal dip containing 78.2% d-limonene in cats. At the manufacturer's recommended concentration of 1.5 oz/gal of water, no clinical signs or lesions of toxicosis were seen. At 5 times the recommended concentration, clinical signs were mild and consisted of hypersalivation of short duration, ataxia, and muscle tremors resembling shivering. At 15 times the recommended concentration, clinical signs included hypersalivation lasting 15 to 30 minutes, moderate-to-severe ataxia lasting 1 to 5 hours, muscle tremors resembling shivering lasting 1 to 4 hours, and severe hypothermia beginning soon after treatment and lasting 5 hours. Gross lesions were confined to excoriation of the scrotal and perineal areas of the treated male cats at the 15 X concentration. No deaths or other lasting effects were seen at any dosage.     

Homologous and heterologous antibody reactions in sera from cattle naturally infected with bovine ephemeral fever group viruses

Four viruses belonging to the bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) group have been isolated from bovine blood. Infection of cattle with BEF virus was associated with neutralizing antibody responses to BEF, Kimberley (KIM), Berrimah (BRH) and Adelaide River (ADE) viruses, with highest antibody titres to BEF and KIM viruses. Infection of one cow with KIM virus was associated with a homologous neutralizing antibody response and nil or minimal responses to the other three viruses. Infection of a steer with ADE virus was associated with a rise in neutralizing antibody levels to ADE virus and to KIM virus, but not to BEF or BRH viruses. Infection of a steer with BRH virus was associated with marked neutralizing antibody rises to BRH and BEF viruses and small rises to KIM and ADE viruses. An antibody rise to BEF virus did not necessarily indicate recent BEF virus infection, and should be considered of diagnostic value only when taken in conjunction with clinical signs of disease.     

Evaluation of antineutrophil IgG antibodies in persistently neutropenic dogs

BACKGROUND: Immune-mediated neutropenia (IMN) is one of several causes of persistent neutropenia in dogs. A test to detect IMN in dogs is not available. HYPOTHESIS: A flow cytometric immunofluorescence assay will provide a sensitive method for detection of antineutrophil antibodies in dogs. ANIMALS: The study included 12 neutropenic dogs and 20 healthy dogs. METHODS: An indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to detect immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding to dog neutrophils. Leukoagglutination was evaluated by light microscopy. Neutrophil distribution in scatter plots, neutrophil fluorescence intensity, and the percentage of neutrophils with increased fluorescence intensity was evaluated by use of flow cytometry. RESULTS: Antineutrophil antibodies were detected in the serum of 5 of 6 dogs with a clinical diagnosis of IMN. Leukoagglutination was present in 3 dogs. Four dogs had altered neutrophil distribution in forward-angle versus side-angle light scatter plots. Five of 6 dogs had increased neutrophil fluorescence intensity and 4 of 6 dogs had an increased percentage of neutrophils with increased fluorescence intensity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The flow cytometric test for antineutrophil antibodies detects dogs with a clinical diagnosis of IMN. Testing for antineutrophil antibodies should include observation for leukoagglutination, observation of scatter plots for altered distribution of the neutrophil population, observation of the shape of the fluorescence histogram, determination of neutrophil fluorescence intensity, and determination of the percentage of neutrophils with increased fluorescence intensity.     

Relationship between anti-insulin antibody production and severe insulin resistance in a diabetic cat

A 5-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis and severe insulin resistance. Although the conventional treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis was provided, the cat required frequent hospitalization because of severe dehydration and repeated diabetic ketoacidosis. We detected anti-insulin antibodies for human in this cat. Serum insulin-binding IgG levels were markedly elevated compared with those in healthy cats and other diabetic cats. We initiated prednisolone to suppress the effects of anti-insulin antibodies. After initiation of prednisolone, the cat was gradually recovered with increasing activity and appetite. Furthermore, satisfactory glycemic control was achieved with combined subcutaneous injection of insulin detemir and insulin degludec.     

Detection of serum adiponectin in the cat, bear, and horse using antibody from a commercial ELISA kit

Adiponectin is a hormone secreted from adipose tissue that closely associates with insulin resistance. In contrast to other adipokines, adiponectin levels decrease as fat mass increases. The ability to measure adiponectin in veterinary species will allow researchers to assess hormone function and may lead to improved screening tests and treatments for insulin resistance and type II diabetes. A commercial ELISA kit (B-bridge International) is available for adiponectin quantification in mice and rats. To test this assay's ability to bind adiponectin in several veterinary species known to develop insulin resistance with obesity, we conducted a Western blot analysis comparing mouse, cat, bear, and horse serum using the antibody provided with the assay. The proteins were subjected to denaturing SDS-PAGE and transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane. Blocking was performed in 5% milk solution. The membrane was then incubated with the rabbit anti-mouse adiponectin antibody provided with the ELISA kit, followed by incubation with peroxidase-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG. Detection of bound antibody was performed using enhanced chemoluminescence. Bands corresponding to the adiponectin monomer (30 kDa) were apparent for each sample tested. Therefore, the antibody provided in the ELISA kit appears to bind with adiponectin in all species tested. Our laboratory has previously validated the ELISA mouse/rat adiponectin kit for use in cats. High DNA homology across species and strong antibody binding at the 30 kDa site warrant validation of the kit's accuracy in other species at risk for insulin resistance (eg. horses and bears).     

重组白细胞介素-2提高PRRS抗体阳性猪的猪瘟疫苗免疫效果试验

观察了重组白细胞介素-2（IL-2）对健康成年猪和PRRS抗体阳性猪的猪瘟疫苗免疫效果的影响。结果显示,重组IL-2和猪瘟疫苗一起免疫健康猪,20d后间接血凝抗体滴度达到1∶64的猪的比例为87.5％,而不注射IL-2的对照组抗体滴度可以达到这一水平的比例只有25％。给经2次猪瘟疫苗免疫但抗体滴度在1∶32以下的PRRS抗体阳性猪单独注射IL-2,20d后,注射前检测不到抗体的猪都检测到了抗体,注射前抗体滴度在1∶8～1∶16之间的猪的抗体滴度提高到1∶32～1∶64。再次用猪瘟疫苗和IL-2共同免疫,可使抗体滴度提高4倍以上。而不注射的对照组抗体滴度则略有下降。说明重组IL-2可以减轻PRRS感染所引起的免疫抑制,提高猪瘟疫苗的免疫效果。     

Effects of megestrol acetate on glucose tolerance and growth hormone secretion in the cat

Long-term administration of relatively high therapeutic dosages of megestrol acetate to cats produced a progressive deterioration in glucose tolerance, with a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in mean fasting plasma glucose concentrations and decrease in mean plasma glucose clearance rates after six and 12 months of treatment. There appeared to be no relationship, however, between the development of glucose intolerance and circulating growth hormone (GH) concentrations in the cats of this study, since no significant rise in plasma GH concentrations was detected during the 12 month period of megestrol acetate treatment. Administration of megestrol acetate also produced a progressive decrease in both resting plasma cortisol concentrations and cortisol concentrations after ACTH stimulation. Three months after discontinuation of megestrol acetate, the elevated fasting plasma glucose concentrations, decreased glucose clearance rates and subnormal plasma cortisol concentrations all returned to normal pretreatment values, indicating resolution of glucose intolerance and hypoadrenocorticism. The results of this study demonstrate that administration of megestrol acetate to cats can produce a state of moderate to severe glucose intolerance, which is usually reversible after cessation of treatment. Although the exact mechanism of the glucose intolerance and overt diabetes mellitus induced by progestagen treatment of cats remains unclear, it is likely that these alterations in glucose metabolism result primarily from the glucocorticoid activity intrinsic to megestrol acetate.     

Demodicosis in the cat

The available reports upon the occurrence of mites of the Demodicidae in the cat are reviewed and current knowledge of the biology is discussed. The conclusion is drawn that demodicosis of the cat is more prevalent than previously supposed. It is found in both male and female, in long- and shorthaired coat types, and in several breeds. Infestation may be found in the absence of frank signs, or it may be associated with systemic diseases. However, it remains unclear whether the parasite can itself cause clinically apparent disease.     

Thyroidectomy in the cat

Thyroidectomy in cats is most commonly indicated to treat hyperthyroidism because of adenomatous hyperplasia of the thyroid glands. Preoperative stabilization of the hyperthyroid cat with antithyroid drugs is preferred to minimize anesthetic and surgical complications. Multiple surgical techniques for thyroidectomy have been reported, and results of surgery and complications differ between techniques. The extracapsular technique offers the most complete removal of abnormal thyroid tissue, while still being associated with a low incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism. Important postoperative considerations are to carefully monitor serum calcium concentrations and treat hypocalcemia if necessary, and to monitor the cat for evidence of relapse of hyperthyroidism.     

Hypocalcaemia in the cat

Extract

Hypocalcaemia (“milk fever”) is not uncommon in the bitch, but few, if any, cases are to be found recorded in the literature of this condition in the queen.     

Eclampsia in the cat

A survey of eclampsia in the cat on the basis of a literature study is given and a case in which diagnosis was verified by blood mineral analysis, is described. A plasma calcium level of 6·6 mg/100 ml was found, as compared with the normal range in the non-lactating cat of 9–11 mg/100 ml.
Résumé. On fait un exposé d'une éclampsie chez le chat en se basant sur une étude des documentations et on décrit un cas dans lequel le diagnostic a été vérifié par une analyse minérale du sang. On a trouvé un taux de calcium du plasma de 6,6 mg/100 ml, en comparaison du taux normal de 9–11 mg/100 ml chez le chat qui n'allaitait pas.
Zusammenfassung. Eine Übersicht von Eklampsie in Katzen auf Grund einer Literaturstudie ist gegeben und ein Fall in dem die Diagnose durch Blutmineralanalyse bestätigt war, wird be-schreiben. Man fand einen Plasma Kalkspiegel von 6,6 mg/100 ml verglichen mit dem normalen Bereich in der nicht-säugenden Katee von 9–11 mg 100 ml.