Application of a recombinant protein for the serological diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis

This work reports the results obtained by a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test developed for the serological diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis.The new ELISA is based on a recombinant protein obtained by joining different antigens of Leishmania infantum.Test performances have been evaluated through the screening 227 sera of dogs, infected and uninfected by L. infantum. The new ELISA test has been compared to the indirect immunofluorescent-antibody test (IFAT) as a reference assay of canine leishmaniasis, and to a commercial ELISA.Excluding from the total number of IFAT positive sera the 27 sera with IFAT titre 1:40 (considered doubtful), the recombinant ELISA showed 97.0% specificity, 93.9% sensitivity and 95.5% agreement with IFAT. The commercial ELISA showed 78.2% specificity, 94.9% sensitivity and 86.5% agreement with IFAT.The results demonstrate a higher performance of the new recombinant ELISA test for the detection of negative samples, with a greater agreement with the reference test (IFAT).     

Feline hyperthyroidism: spectrum of clinical presentions and response to carbimazole therapy

OBJECTIVE: To determine the spectrum of clinical presentations of hyperthyroidism in cats and response to carbimazole therapy by analysis of historical, clinical and laboratory data. DESIGN: A prospective clinical study involving client-owned cats presenting to a private veterinary practice in Australia. PROCEDURE: Twenty-five cats diagnosed as hyperthyroid during a 23-month period participated in the study with owner consent. Therapy with carbimazole was instituted and revisits were scheduled 2, 6 and 13 weeks after diagnosis. The cats were physically examined and underwent haematological and serum biochemical testing at each revisit. Owners were also asked to assess clinical signs in their cats in the periods between veterinary examinations. Cats with underlying renal disease were managed by alterations or cessation of carbimazole therapy. RESULTS: A high prevalence of lethargic or inappetent cats without detectable underlying nonthyroidal illness was found. There was also a high prevalence of cats less than 10-years-old and cats in good body condition. Fourteen cats treated with carbimazole and monitored for 13 weeks responded favourably to therapy. Side-effects were minor and uncommon. Cats with underlying renal disease that became apparent during the study, responded well to alterations or cessation of carbimazole therapy. CONCLUSION: The trend towards more subtle clinical presentations of hyperthyroid cats reported previously continued in this study. The findings of the current study do not appear to support the traditional view of hyperthyroid cats as being old, hyperactive, hungry and thin. Carbimazole therapy was found to decrease the prevalence of almost all clinical abnormalities in 14 cats and side-effects were minor and uncommon. This study demonstrates the usefulness of medical management of hyperthyroidism in the cat when radioiodine therapy is not possible due to renal compromise or other factors.     

猫泛白细胞减少症疫苗的研究进展

猫泛白细胞减少症是一种由猫泛白细胞减少症病毒引起的,猫科动物常见的接触性传染病,临床发病率和死亡率均较高,疫苗免疫接种是预防和控制该病最经济、最直接的措施.然而,国内几无商业化宠物疫苗,特别是猫用疫苗,国外疫苗进口困难,亟需开发新型宠物用高效疫苗.对国内外猫泛白细胞减少症疫苗现状及不同类型疫苗(灭活疫苗、减毒活疫苗等)...     

菊芋的功能及其在食品中的应用

菊芋是一种具有多种生理功能的天然绿色食品,极具开发价值。论述了菊芋的营养功能、生理功能、生态功能及其在食品中的应用。     

猫病毒性鼻气管炎治疗性药物研究进展

猫病毒性鼻气管炎(Feline viral rhinotracheitis, FVRs)是由1型猫疱疹病毒引起的对猫科动物健康构成严重威胁的病毒性传染病,其传播迅速、潜伏感染的特点一直以来都是宠物临床中诊断与治疗的难点。目前存在多种猫疱疹病毒治疗药物,但是对药物治疗效果的评价存在很大的争议。因此,充分认识抗疱疹病毒药物的研究现状及治疗效果对于FVRs治疗方案的制定十分重要。本文对近年来抗猫疱疹病毒药物及治疗效果的研究进展进行了综述,以期为FVRs的临床治疗提供理论参考。     

猫细小病毒的分离与鉴定

利用F81传代细胞从病死猫脾脏中分离获得1株病毒,该毒株可使培养细胞出现明显的细胞病变（CPE）。并对其进行形态学、理化学、人工感染试验和分子病毒学等鉴定,证明所分离的这株病毒为猫细小病毒。     

猫泛白细胞减少症病毒的血凝及血凝抑制试验检测

猫泛白细胞减少症病毒是由细小病毒引起的传染病,能感染各种猫科动物。通过血凝及血凝抑制试验(HA/HI),检测猫细小病毒的抗原和抗体效价,从而确定一种简易、快速操作简单、敏感、准确的诊断方法,并为免疫程序提供可靠依据。