Dietary fibre and indigestible protein increase ileal glycoprotein output without impacting colonic crypt goblet cells in weaned piglets

Mucus plays an important role in gut health by favouring colonisation resistance. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of fibre and protein on mucin recovery in ileal digesta and on goblet cell histochemistry in the proximal colon. A control diet with highly digestible protein and low fibre and three complex diets containing indigestible protein associated with low, soluble or insoluble fibre sources were tested for 14 days in piglets weaned at 28 days of age. Mucin concentration was determined by ethanol precipitation. Goblet cell subtypes in colonic crypts were analysed by histochemistry. The ileal mucin output was higher with the complex diets than with the control diet (31.6 on average vs 21.7 g/kg DM intake). Increases observed with the low and soluble fibre diets were similar (34 g/kg DM intake). This suggests a limited effect of soluble fibre in presence of indigestible protein. Surprisingly, the observed increase was lower with insoluble fibre (27.2 g/kg DM intake). DM and N output and digestibility were not affected by the diets, but a linear relationship was found between DM and mucin output. In proximal colon, crypt depth, goblet cell numbers per crypt and glycosylation subtypes were not affected by the diet suggesting no change in the capacity of mucus to protect the gut. To conclude, introducing highly indigestible protein in the diet increased ileal mucin output, without effects of these factors on crypt goblet cell patterns in the proximal colon. Introducing fibre in a diet containing highly indigestible protein had a marginal effect.     

Activity of mucosubstances and the goblet cell count in the large intestine of piglets infected with the coccidium, Isospora suis

In a group of conventional and gnotobiotic piglets experimentally infected with the Isospora suis coccidia the quantitative presence of acid and neutral mucous substances in the large intestine and the counts of goblet cells in the surface mucosa and in Lieberkühnis crypts (in the following text called just the crypts) were investigated. In conventional piglets infected with the dose of 200,000 oocysts of I. suis coccidia the lowest content of acid mucous substances was recorded from the eighth to tenth day after infection (DAI). A decrease in the activity of neutral mucous substances was somewhat slower. The lowest count of goblet cells was found on DAI 9, especially on the surface mucosa (4.89 to 4.91 goblet cells per 10 enterocytes). There was observed no difference in the piglets infected the first and fifth day after parturition (DAP). Gnotobiotic piglets infected with the dose of 100,000 oocysts of I. suis coccidia on DAP 1 showed the lowest content of mucous substances in the large intestine from the ninth to tenth day after infection. Unlike the conventional piglets, in gnotobiotic piglets there was recorded a decrease in the content of acid and neutral mucous substances. The gnotobiotic piglets had the lowest counts of goblet cells in the surface mucosa (10:4.57) and in the crypts (10:7.71) on DAI 9. As to the quantitative proportions, in the conventional and gnotobiotic piglets neutral mucous substances prevailed on the other days (DAI 3-7 and DAI 11), similarly like on DAI 8. The results of this investigation revealed a functional disease of the large intestine in conventional and gnotobiotic piglets infected experimentally with the Isospora suis coccidia.     

Histochemical and morphometric characterization of broncho-pneumonia in calves caused by infection with Mycoplasma bovis

The aim of this study was to identify morphometric histological features of pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma bovis in calves. Eight three-month-old calves were infected with M. bovis and samples of their lung tissue, three weeks after exposure, compared to samples from four uninfected calves. In the uninfected animals the goblet cells were clustered in the crypt area of the epithelial folds, while in the infected calves they had migrated towards the tips of the folds and were distributed evenly throughout the folds. In infected lung tissue there was goblet cell hyperplasia and metaplasia in the bronchioles and an increased epithelial height. Goblet cell mucin in uninfected calves was acidic, but in infected calves most goblet cells contained neutral mucins. These morphometric and histochemical bronco-epithelial changes may be able to be used as markers of the severity of bovine respiratory mycoplasmosis.     

Glandular structures in the major interlobular and extrapancreatic ducts in the guinea pig

The morphology of the pancreatic duct system did not receive much attention as compared to the microanatomy of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas. The histological peculiarities of the excretory duct system are of major importance especially in laboratory animals like guinea pigs. The paper describes the histological peculiarities of the major interlobular and extrapancreatic ducts in guinea pigs. The pancreatic tissue samples were collected from five guinea pigs. For histological investigation, several pancreatic fragments underwent fixation in 10% buffered formalin and were later processed by the standard paraffin technique. Subsequentially, tissue sections were stained by Goldner's trichrome staining. The mucous substances were assessed by Alcian blue and Periodic acid–Schiff staining methods. The interlobular and main pancreatic ducts in the guinea pig present a simple columnar epithelium surrounded by a thick layer of dense connective tissue. The aforementioned epithelium of the main pancreatic ducts includes principal cells, goblet cells and basal cells. Additionally, the ductal epithelium presents occasional unicellular multiloculated intraepithelial mucous glands and prominent extraepithelial glands. The latter adopts a simple or compound tubular feature. The mucus elaborated by the three glandular types is mostly neutral in goblet cells, predominantly acidic in extraepithelial ductal glands, and a similar amount of acidic and neutral mucin in intraepithelial glands. In conclusion, the epithelium-associated mucous glands in the interlobular and main pancreatic ducts in the guinea pig are restricted not only to goblet cells. A substantial mucous discharge probably with a protecting role against irritative pancreatic juice derives from the main ductal intraepithelial and extraepithelial glands.     

Effect of feed particle size and feed processing on morphological characteristics in the small and large intestine of pigs and on adhesion of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium DT12 in the ileum in vitro

A 2 x 2 factorial experiment with pigs was undertaken to investigate the effect of particle size (fine and coarse) and feed processing (pelleted and nonpelleted) on morphological characteristics in the small intestine, cecum, and colon of pigs and on the adhesion of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium DT12 to the ileum in vitro. Ninety-six pigs (average BW = 33 +/- 7 kg) were fed the experimental diets. After 4 wk, 24 pigs were selected (six pigs per diet) and euthanized, and tissue samples were taken from the mid and distal small intestine, cecum, and distal colon. The effects of particle size and feed processing on villus height and crypt depth in the small intestine were minor. Feeding coarse diets increased (P = 0.05) the crypt depth in the colon. The crypt depth was 420 +/- 12 and 449 +/- 12 microm in pigs fed finely and coarsely ground feed, respectively. Pigs fed pelleted diets had a larger (P = 0.01) staining area for neutral mucins, as well as for acidic and sulfomucins on the villi of the distal small intestine than pigs fed nonpelleted diets. The area was 41, 46, and 33% larger for neutral, acidic, and sulfomucins, respectively. The mucin-staining areas of the crypts in the cecum and the colon were not affected by the experimental diets. Examination of lectin binding characteristics of the distal small intestine and the cecum did not reveal any differences between the experimental diets. Using a pig intestine organ culture model, Salmonella adhered less (P < 0.05) to the ileal tissue of pigs fed the nonpelleted diets than to those fed pelleted diets; the adherence was 60% less in these pigs. Results of this study suggest that pigs fed pelleted diets secrete mucins that are capable of binding Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium DT12 and thereby allowing for colonization. Therefore, pigs fed a nonpelleted diet are better protected against Salmonella infections than pigs fed a pelleted diet.     

Colon Preneoplastic Lesions in Animal Models

The animal model is a powerful and fundamental tool in the field of biochemical research including toxicology, carcinogenesis, cancer therapeutics and prevention. In the carcinogenesis animal model system, numerous examples of preneoplastic lesions have been isolated and investigated from various perspectives. This may indicate that several options of endpoints to evaluate carcinogenesis effect or therapeutic outcome are presently available; however, classification of preneoplastic lesions has become complicated. For instance, these lesions include aberrant crypt foci (ACF), dysplastic ACF, flat ACF, β-catenin accumulated crypts, and mucin-depleted foci. These lesions have been induced by commonly used chemical carcinogens such as azoxymethane (AOM), 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH), methylnitrosourea (MUN), or 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP). Investigators can choose any procedures or methods to examine colonic preneoplastic lesions according to their interests and the objectives of their experiments. Based on topographical, histopathological, and biological features of colon cancer preneoplastic lesions in the animal model, we summarize and discuss the character and implications of these lesions.     

Variability in the localization of cryptosporidia in the intestines of spontaneously infected calves

31 to 37 localities were examined in the small and large intestines of 48 calves spontaneously infected with cryptosporidiosis. It was found that cryptosporidia occurred the most frequently in the distal part of small intestine, within the range of six metres of small intestine, in front of the ostium ileocecale (OIC); at the ileocecal valve the incidence of cryptosporidia dropped rapidly. In none case were the protozoans revealed in duodenum and in the adjacent four to six metres of proximal jejunum. The small intestine was invaded by cryptosporidia in a variable manner, in some cases a major part was continuously invaded, in other cases only one or two metres of distal jejunum without any changes in the ileum and vice versa. Approximately half the calves had cryptosporidia in the cecum, fewer cryptosporidia were found in the transverse colon. Cryptosporidia in the rectum were found in about 25% of cases. Some calves had cryptosporidia only in the large intestine. The intensity of the mucous membrane invasion varied: mass incidence of cryptosporidia was found only in caudal parts of small intestine, with high variability of the extent and with sudden cases of negative findings. In the large intestine only the cecum was invaded more intensively and in a diffusive manner, in the transverse colon and in the rectum the groups of parasites were usually found at the openings and in the wall of Lieberk uhn 's crypts.     

Characterization of mucin gene expression and goblet cell proportion in inflammatory colorectal polyps in miniature dachshunds

Hyperplastic goblet cells and abundant mucus are significant characteristics of inflammatory colorectal polyps (ICRPs) in miniature dachshunds. In this study, selected mucin gene expressions and goblet cell proportions were evaluated in miniature dachshunds with ICRPs and in healthy dogs. Mucin 2 (MUC2) gene expression was not significantly different among the groups, whereas mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) gene expression was significantly higher in the polypoid lesions than in healthy colonic mucosa. Although the percentage of goblet cells in the upper crypt regions did not significantly differ between the groups, that in the lower crypt regions was significantly decreased in polypoid lesions. In conclusion, increased MUC5AC gene expression and goblet cell proportion changes may be associated with the pathogenesis of ICRPs.     

Beneficial Biological Effects of Miso with Reference to Radiation Injury, Cancer and Hypertension

This review describes effects of miso with reference to prevention of radiation injury, cancer and hypertension with a twin focus on epidemiological and experimental evidence. Miso with a longer fermentation time increased crypt survival against radiation injury in mice. When evaluating different types of miso provided by different areas in Japan, miso fermented for a longer period increased the number of surviving crypts, and 180 days of fermentation was the most significant. Dietary administration of 180-day fermented miso inhibits the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and rat colon cancers in F344 rats. Miso was also effective in suppression of lung tumors, breast tumors in rats and liver tumors in mice. The incidence of gastric tumors of groups of rats given NaCl was higher than those of the groups given miso fermented for longer periods. Moreover, the systolic blood pressure of the Dahl male rat on 2.3% NaCl was significantly increased but that of the SD rat was not. However, the blood pressures of the rats on a diet of miso or commercial control diet (MF) did not increase. Even though miso contains 2.3% NaCl, their blood pressures were as stable as those of rats fed commercial diet containing 0.3% salt. So we considered that sodium in miso might behave differently compared with NaCl alone. These biological effects might be caused by longer fermentation periods.     

Dietary carbohydrate effects on histological features of ileal mucosa in White Leghorn chicken

White Leghorn chickens were divided into the control, low-carbohydrate (CHO), and CHO-free groups to investigate dietary CHO’s significance on histological features of chicken ileal mucosa. Paraffin sections of distal ileum from each chicken were stained by periodic acid-Schiff reaction and subjected to morphometrical analysis. Most villi in the control group had a fingerlike shape but those of the experimental groups showed irregular shapes. Villus height, crypt depth and the number of mitotic cells per crypt were significantly lower in the CHO-free group than in the control group. The density of goblet cells also showed a significant decreasing trend with a reduction in dietary CHO level. In conclusion, dietary CHO positively affects the proliferation of epithelial cells in the chicken ileum.     

Intestinal morphology and enzymatic activity in newly weaned pigs fed contrasting fiber concentrations and fiber properties

The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of fiber source and concentration on morphological characteristics, mucin staining pattern, and mucosal enzyme activities in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs. The experiment included 50 pigs from 10 litters weaned at 4 wk of age (BW 8.6 +/- 1.4 kg) and divided into 5 treatment groups. Diets containing fiber of various physico-chemical properties and concentrations were formulated to contain 73, 104, or 145 g of dietary fiber/kg of DM. The diets were based on raw wheat and barley flours. Pectin and barley hulls, representing soluble and insoluble fiber sources, respectively, were used to increase the fiber concentration. The pigs were fed the experimental diets for 9 d, and then the pigs were euthanized and the entire gastrointestinal tract was removed. Tissue samples were taken from the mid and distal small intestine and from the mid colon. Inclusion of pectin in the diets significantly decreased (P < 0.001) ADFI and ADG compared with pigs fed no pectin. The villi and the crypts were shorter in pigs fed pectin-containing diets, but the villous height/crypt depth ratio was unaltered. Pectin significantly decreased the area of mucins in the crypts of the small intestine, indicating that the pigs fed the pectin-containing diet would probably be more susceptible to pathogenic bacteria, although this cannot be separated from the impact on ADFI. The lectin-binding pattern of the intestinal mucosa was unaffected by diet. The activity of lactase and maltase was increased in pigs fed diets with high fiber content, whereas sucrase activity was increased in pigs fed the pectin-containing diets. The activity of the peptidases, aminopeptidase N and dipeptidylpeptidase IV, was increased when feeding high fiber diets, whereas the activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase remained unaffected by the experimental diets. In conclusion, the reduced feed intake observed with the pectin-containing diets could explain the lower villous height and crypt depth observed in this study. However, direct effects of pectin also are possible, and thus further study is warranted. Feeding pigs high insoluble fiber diets improved gut morphology by increasing villi length and increased mucosal enzyme activity when compared with pigs fed pectin-containing diets. The mucin content as determined by staining characteristics suggests that pigs fed high insoluble fiber diets might be better protected against pathogenic bacteria than pigs fed diets high in soluble fiber.     

Histologic features associated with tritrichomonas foetus-induced colitis in domestic cats

Tritrichomonas foetus is a venereal pathogen of naturally bred cattle. In domestic cats, T. foetus colonizes the colon, resulting in chronic, large-bowel diarrhea. The infection is prevalent among young, densely housed cats, and there is no effective treatment. To the authors' knowledge, the characteristic microscopic lesions of T. foetus infection in naturally infected cats have not been described. The aim of the study reported here was to characterize the histologic changes in the colon of seven cats with T. foetus infection and chronic diarrhea. All cats were 1 year old or younger (mean, 6.7 +/- 1.7 months), and a diagnosis of T. foetus infection was made on the basis of direct fecal smear examination (five cats), fecal culture in InPouch TF medium (four cats), single-tube nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of DNA extracted from feces (two cats), or observation of trichomonads in sections of colon followed by PCR confirmation on DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue (two cats). The presence of colonic trichomonads was the most diagnostic histologic feature. Organisms were identified in all cats, but in only 24 of 43 (56%) sections of colon. Trichomonads were generally present in close proximity to the mucosal surface and less frequently in the lumen of colonic crypts. The presence of colonic trichomonads was consistently associated with mild-to-moderate lymphoplasmacytic and neutrophilic colitis, crypt epithelial cell hypertrophy, hyperplasia and increased mitotic activity, loss of goblet cells, crypt microabscesses, and attenuation of the superficial colonic mucosa. In two of the cats, histologic lesions were more severe and were associated with invasion of trichomonads into the lamina propria and/or deeper layers of the colon.     

Effects of diet on acidic and neutral goblet cell populations in the small intestine of early weaned pigs.

Effects of dietary manipulation on Alcian blue-positive (AB+) and periodic acid-Schiff-positive (PAS+) goblet cell populations were determined for the villi and intestinal crypts in the small intestine of early weaned pigs. Pigs were weaned at 21 days of age and samples from the distal portions of the duodenum and the middle and distal portions of the jejunum were obtained when pigs were 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36 days old. Pigs were assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments; all diets contained 20% protein, on the basis of hydrolyzed casein, soybean meal, or corn-soybean meal. By day 24, three days after weaning, the populations of AB+ and PAS+ goblet cells were markedly decreased, regardless of diet. Goblet cell populations in the villi tended to increase from 3 to 15 days after weaning, whereas those in the intestinal crypts remained low throughout the study. Differences between any of the dietary treatments were not apparent for AB+ or PAS+ goblet cell populations in the villi or in the intestinal crypts. It appeared that early weaning per se, and not diet, was the primary cause for decreases in goblet cell populations.     

Tumor promoting effect of phenolphthalein on development of lung tumors induced by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea in transgenic mice carrying human prototype c-Ha-ras gene

In order to examine tumor modifying effects of phenolphthalein (PhP), female transgenic mice carrying human prototype c-Ha-ras gene (rasH2 mice) were given a single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg body weight of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), followed by the diet containing 12,000 ppm PhP for 26-week. Histopathologically, alveolar hyperplasias, adenomas and adenocarcinomas were observed in the ENU + PhP group, but only hyperplasias and adenomas were observed in the ENU alone group. The incidence and multiplicity of adenocarcinomas in the ENU + PhP group was significantly increased as compared to that in the ENU alone group. The combined multiplicity of adenomas and adenocarcinomas in this group was also significantly higher than that of the ENU alone group. In addition, the ratio of area of adenomas in the ENU + PhP group was significantly higher than that in the ENU alone group. The result of our study suggests that PhP has a clear tumor promoting effect in the lung of rasH2 mice.     

Intestinal spirochetosis in wild sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) infected with Brachyspira species

Seven adult free-ranging sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) were examined by histology, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy for intestinal spirochetal infection. Histologically epithelial and goblet cell hyperplasia and edema of the lamina propria mucosa with macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration were observed in the cecum and colon in 6 of the 7 deer. Numerous argyrophilic spirochetes were present in the crypts and some had invaded epithelial and goblet cells and caused degeneration. Immunohistochemically the organisms stained positively with polyclonal antisera against Brachyspira (Serpulina) hyodysenteriae and B. pilosicoli. Ultrastructurally they were 6-14 microm long, 0.2-0.3 microm wide and had 4-6 coils and 13 axial filaments per cell; such features were closely similar to those in the Brachyspira species. These results showed that the spirochetes were capable of inducing enteritis in deer and this intestinal spirochete infection might already be prevalent among wild sika deer in Japan. There is a possibility that this spirochetal colitis is a new syndrome in sika deer and that the same and/or similar spirochetes have infected ruminants, including sika deer and cattle.     

A morphometric study of the canine colon: comparison of control dogs and cases of colonic disease.

The microstructure of the canine colon was described morphometrically. The artifacts induced by administration of enemas and biopsy technique were studied by comparing biopsy specimens to tissues obtained at necropsy from 15 normal dogs. Biopsies from control dogs and clinical cases of colonic disease were then evaluated quantitatively, and histological abnormalities which might clarify mechanisms underlying large bowel dysfunction in the dog were sought. In control dogs, gland length and diameter, epithelial, goblet cell and mucosal mast cell numbers, and intraepithelial lymphocyte and mitotic indices were remarkably uniform throughout the colon. Minor variations were found in the proximal and distal regions of the colon. An apparent shortening of glands, and a reduction in mucous goblets and intraepithelial lymphocytes in biopsies were attributed to suboptimal orientation and irritation caused by enemas. The only significant difference from controls identified by morphometric analysis of biopsies from clinical cases was fewer epithelial cells lining longitudinal sections of glands. It was concluded that failure to identify morphometric variations in the colonic mucosa of clinical cases might reflect either a biased, homogeneously mild clinical syndrome in this group, or the possibility that in many of the clinical cases, a functional rather than physical abnormality was involved. The proprial inflammatory cell population was not examined quantitatively; further investigation of this component is merited.     

The microanatomy of the palatine tonsils of the buffalo (Bos bubalus)

The palatine tonsils play a key role in initiating immune responses against antigens entering the body through the mouth. They are also replication sites of some pathogens. There is no data available about the structure of the palatine tonsils of the Egyptian water buffalo. Therefore, palatine tonsils of 14 clinically healthy buffalo bulls (2–3 years old) were examined macroscopically and microscopically using light, and transmission electron microscopes. The tonsils had an elongated kidney shape with a central invagination (tonsillar fossa) containing a single macroscopic opening leading to a small central cavity (tonsillar sinus). A number of macroscopic crypts originated from this sinus (internal crypts). Besides the tonsillar fossa, also small macroscopic crypts (external crypts) were present. The tonsils were enclosed by a thin connective tissue capsule and septa divided the tonsils into incomplete lobes. Within these encapsulated organs mucous glands were very obvious. Each crypt was highly branched and lined with stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium. Several lymphoid cells infiltrated between the epithelial cells forming patches of lymphoepithelium. The crypt lumen contained lymphocytes, neutrophils and erythrocytes. Lymph nodules with clear germinal centers extended under the epithelial surface. Diffusely distributed lymphocytes were found in the narrow interfollicular region. High endothelial venules, interdigitating dendritic cells, macrophages and plasma cells were observed among the diffuse lymphocytes. Lymphatics filled with lymphocytes drained the tonsils.     

The effect of dietary carbohydrates and Trichuris suis infection on pig large intestine tissue structure, epithelial cell proliferation and mucin characteristics

Two experiments (Exps. 1 and 2) were performed to study the influence of Trichuris suis infection and type of dietary carbohydrates on large intestine morphology, epithelial cell proliferation and mucin characteristics. Two experimental diets based on barley flour were used; Diet 1 was supplemented with resistant carbohydrates from oat hull meal, while Diet 2 was supplemented with fermentable carbohydrates from sugar beet fibre and inulin. In Experiment 1, 32 pigs were allocated randomly into four groups. Two groups were fed Diet 1 and two groups Diet 2. Pigs from one of each diet group were inoculated with a single dose of 2000 infective T. suis eggs and the other two groups remained uninfected controls. In Experiment 2, 12 pigs were allocated randomly into two groups and fed Diet 1 or Diet 2, respectively, and inoculated with a single dose of 2000 infective T. suis eggs. All the pigs were slaughtered 8 weeks post inoculation (p.i.). The worm counts were lower in pigs fed Diet 2 in both experiments, but not significantly so. Both diet and infection status significantly influenced the tissue weight of the large intestine. In both experiments, pigs fed Diet 2 had heavier large intestines than pigs fed Diet 1 and in Experiment1 the infected pigs of both diets had heavier large intestines than their respective control groups. Diet and infection also significantly affected the morphological architecture and mucin production in both experiments. Pigs fed Diet 1 had larger crypts both in terms of area and height than pigs fed Diet 2 and T. suis infected pigs on both diets in Experiment 1 had larger crypts than their respective control groups. The area of the mucin granules in the crypts constituted 22-53% of the total crypt area and was greatest in the T. suis infected pigs fed Diet 1. Epithelial cell proliferation was affected neither by diet nor infection in any of the experiments. The study showed that both T. suis infection and dietary carbohydrates significantly influence the morphological architecture and the production and composition of mucins in the large intestine of pigs and suggests that both factors are important in large intestine function and that carbohydrates may play a role in the susceptibility to intestinal helminth infections.     

Concurrent spirochaetal infections of the feet and colon of cattle in Japan

OBJECTIVE: To describe spirochaetal infections in the feet and colon of cattle affected with papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD) and colitis respectively. PROCEDURE: Eighty-two slaughtered animals were macroscopically examined for the presence of PDD. Tissues of two cattle affected with PDD were examined by histology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and bacteriology for spirochaetal infection. RESULTS: Two adult cattle (a 2-year-old beef bullock and 7-year-old Holstein dairy cow) were affected with PDD. Histologically, numerous argyrophilic and gram-negative filamentous or spiral spirochaetes were found deep in the PDD lesions. Epithelial and goblet cell hyperplasia and oedema of the lamina propria mucosa with macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration were observed in the caecum and colon in the cattle. Numerous spirochaetes were present in the crypts and some had invaded epithelial and goblet cells, and caused their degeneration. Immunohistochemically the organisms stained positively with polyclonal antisera against Treponema pallidum and Brachyspira (Serpulina) hyodysenteriae. Ultrastructurally, the intestinal spirochaetes were similar to the spirochaetes in PDD. They were 6 to 14 pm long, 0.2 to 0.3 pm wide and had 4 to 6 coils and 9 axial filaments per cell. Campylobacter species were isolated from the PDD and intestinal lesions, but spirochaetes were not. CONCLUSION: Concurrent infections with morphologically similar spirochaetal organisms may occur in the feet and colon of cattle in Japan.     

Necrotic colitis in two cats - a description of the lesions

The lesions in two cases of necrotic colitis in old cats are described. Both had gross lesions of a necrotic, hemorrhagic colitis without gross lesions in the small intestine. Histologically the lesions resembled those of feline panleukopenia virus infection, namely: necrosis and loss of crypt epithelium, dilation of crypts and lining of crypts by flattened epithelium, subsequent collapse of the lamina propria and hemorrhage from subepithelial capillaries. Both grossly and histologically these lesions were restricted to the colon without similar involvement of the small intestine.The histories and clinical signs, the virological and hematological studies suggest that feline panleukopenia virus was not the etiological agent in these cases. No other causal agent was identified.