Determination of the adhesive capability of canine polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes using a fluorometric microtiter plate cellular adhesion assay.

A rapid fluorometric cellular adhesion assay in microtiter plates was evaluated for canine polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes (PMN) using the fluorescent indicator calcein acetoxymethyl ester (Calcein AM). Optimum adhesive responsiveness occurred in bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated plates after 30 min incubation at 37 degrees C with 5 x 10(5) PMN in 100 microl per well using phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, 100 ng/ml) as stimulant. The adhesive responsiveness for 15 laboratory beagle dogs was determined and the mean percentage of adherence for unstimulated (2.9%) and stimulated (74.3%) PMN and corresponding 95% confidence intervals was determined. The mean intra-assay coefficient of variation (CVintra) for unstimulated and stimulated adhesion in the assay was: CVintra = 12.9% and CVintra = 4.1%, respectively. The mean inter-assay coefficient of variation (CVinter) for unstimulated and stimulated adhesion, respectively, in the assay was: CVinter = 22.9% and CVinter = 5.6%. The assay was highly reproducible and labelling with Calcein AM neither reduced PMN viability nor activated the PMN.     

The relationship between cellular radiosensitivity and radiation-induced DNA damage measured by the comet assay

The relationship between deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and the cell death induced by gamma-irradiation was examined in three kinds of cells, Chinese hamster ovary fibroblast CHO-K1, human melanoma HMV-II and mouse leukemia L5178Y. Cell survival was determined by a clonogenic assay. The induction and rejoining of DNA strand breaks induced by radiation were measured by the alkaline and neutral comet assays. L5178Y cells were the most radiosensitive, while CHO-K1 cells and HMV-II cells were radioresistant. There was an inverse relationship between the survival fraction at 2 Gy (SF2) and the yield of initial DNA strand breaks per unit dose under the alkaline condition for the comet assay, and also a relationship between SF2 and the residual DNA strand breaks (for 4 hr after irradiation) under the neutral condition for the comet assay, the latter being generally considered to be relative to cellular radiosensitivity. In the present analysis, it was considered that the alkaline condition for the comet assay was optimal for evaluating the initial DNA strand breaks, while the neutral condition was optimal for evaluating the residual DNA strand breaks. Since the comet assay is simpler and more rapid than other methods for detecting radiation-induced DNA damage, this assay appears to be a useful predictive assay for evaluating cellular clonogenic radiosensitivity of tumor cells.     

Fluorometric measurement of IgG antibody responses in cattle vaccinated with Tritrichomonas foetus.

A photometrically-measured indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test was developed to measure antibody levels in three heifers vaccinated intramuscularly with two injections (two-week interval) of a vaccine containing formalin-killed Tritrichomonas foetus in oil adjuvant; a separate animal served as a nonvaccinated control. Sera were collected weekly and tested for specific IgG against T. foetus. Antibodies were detectable within two weeks of the initial injection and reached reciprocal titers as high as 7700 as estimated from previously tested reference sera. Titers peaked at six to eight weeks and remained at relatively high levels for the eleven-week study period. The fluorometric assay was easily developed and economical to perform; in addition, it more accurately estimated IgG levels than standard slide IFA tests.     

Colloidal Centrifugation of Stallion Semen Results in a Reduced Rate of Sperm DNA Fragmentation

Stallion spermatozoa recovered and examined immediately after colloidal centrifugation resulted in a higher straight‐line velocity (VSL) than sperm processed using direct conventional centrifugation (p = 0.000), but there was no differences in the progressive motility or sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) as determined by the sperm chromatin dispersion assay. However, when centrifuged spermatozoa were incubated at 37°C for 24 h to determine the rate of SDF (r‐SDF), a lower r‐SDF (p = 0.0011) was observed in those sperm recovered after colloidal separation (0.5 ± 0.1%/h) compared to direct (1.2 ± 0.4%/h) or no centrifugation (r‐SDF = 1.2 ± 0.3%/h). These results confirm that colloidal separation of stallion spermatozoa results in prolonged sperm DNA longevity, but these differences were only apparent following a period of incubation and dynamic assessment. Consequently, we strongly recommend the use of the dynamic form of the SDF assay for evaluating centrifugation and/or other ex vivo procedures, as a single basal assessment of SDF may inadvertently result in a false‐positive evaluation of DNA quality.     

TaqMan荧光定量PCR检测鸡产蛋下降综合征病毒方法的建立及应用

根据GenBank公布的鸡产蛋下降综合征病毒六邻体蛋白基因的高度保守序列,设计了2对特异性引物和1条TaqMan探针.以构建的阳性重组质粒为标准品,绘制标准曲线,建立了一种快速检测鸡产蛋下降综合征病毒的TaqMan荧光实时定量PCR方法.该方法最小检出量达10 copies·μL-1,在1.0×102～1.0×108copies· μL-1检测范围间有良好的线性关系,特异性、稳定性和重复性也较好.用建立的本方法检测感染鸡产蛋下降综合征病毒鸡群的产蛋分离物,与普通PCR相比,该荧光实时定量PCR方法具有更高的敏感性,可更好地用于鸡产蛋下降综合征病毒的临床检测.     

A Quantitative Flurometric Assay for the Measurement of Antibody to Pasteurella haemolytica in Cattle

A rapid, simple fluorometric method is described for measuring antibody to Pasteurella haemolytica in sera of cattle. Various antigen preparations were compared for the test including live, formalin-killed and phenol-killed P. haemolytica. A preparation composed of formalin-killed organisms from a 22 hour culture gave consistent results and was used in the studies. The test was reproduciable with percent coefficients of variation for fluorescent signal unit values on ten or more replicate samples ranging from 5.7 to 28.0. Sera from calves vaccinated by aerosol exposure to live P. haemolytica had up to a five-fold increase in antibody titer as measured by the flurometric method test during a 21 day period. Fluorometric method titers were comparable to those obtained by the indirect bacterial agglutination test. There was no seroconversion to P. haemolytica in calves vaccinated by aerosol exposure of P. multocida. The major advantages of the fluorometric method test over conventional methods are that the assay does not require serial dilutions of serum samples and thus limits time and effort to determine antibody titers.     

兔病毒性出血症病毒次要结构蛋白（VP2）的表达和细胞内定位分析

病毒蛋白VP2是兔出血症病毒（Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus,RHDV）的一种次要结构蛋白。本文旨在构建VP2与绿色荧光蛋白融合的真核表达载体,进而利用它研究VP2在细胞内的定位情况。首先在大肠杆菌中表达GST-VP2融合蛋白,然后用纯化的重组蛋白免疫小鼠制备抗VP2的抗血清。对制备的抗VP2抗血清进行特异性分析,再利用该抗体对转染pEGFP-VP2的BHK-21细胞进行检测,以研究VP2蛋白在细胞内的定位情况。结果表明,pEGFP-VP2转染BHK-21细胞后,不仅VP2蛋白得到了成功表达,而且通过检测偶联的绿色荧光蛋白可判断出VP2蛋白主要分布于BHK-21细胞的细胞质。本研究成功构建了VP2与绿色荧光蛋白融合的表达载体,并在真核细胞内实现了表达,通过检测荧光蛋白,发现VP2主要在细胞质内表达并分布,为深入探讨VP2的生物学功能奠定了基础。     

Temporal dynamic changes in synthesis of chondroitin sulfate isomers in canine articular chondrocyte culture

To investigate temporal dynamic changes in the synthesis of chondroitin 6-sulfate (CS6) and chondroitin 4-sulfate (CS4) in vitro, normal articular cartilage of femoral heads was harvested from three dogs. Chondrocytes were isolated and cultured in alginate microspheres for 21 days. On days 7, 14 and 21, DNA content was quantified by fluorometric assay using Hoechst 33258. On days 14 and 21, proteoglycans were extracted, and the amounts of CS6 and CS4 were quantified after chondroitinase ABC digestion using capillary electrophoresis. The DNA content and amounts of CS6 and CS4 increased during the culture period. The amounts of CS6 and CS4 divided by DNA content revealed that the synthesis of CS6 was more up-regulated than CS4.     

Evaluation of a fluorometric method for the quantitative assay of fecal hemoglobin in the dog

Feces from 27 dogs were evaluated to establish baseline fecal hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations when the dogs were fed diets containing varying amounts of Hb. Fecal Hb concentration was measured, using a quantitative fluorometric assay that was based on the conversion of nonfluorescing Hb heme to fluorescing porphyrins. Mean fecal Hb concentration was 0.31 mg/g of feces when the dogs were fed a dry diet low in Hb. This corresponded to a daily fecal blood loss of 0.043 ml/kg of body weight. The fecal Hb concentration was directly related to the dietary Hb concentration. The average recovery of orally ingested blood was 41% in 4 dogs. This fluorometric assay quantitatively detected small amounts of gastrointestinal bleeding over a wide range of fecal Hb concentrations for which feces appeared normal. Results of this study establish dietary conditions necessary for quantitative evaluation of experimental and clinical gastrointestinal bleeding.     

Effect of embryo age on the viability of equine embryos after cooled storage using two transport systems

The aim of this study was to compare the viability of 7- and 8-day-old equine embryos cooled and stored for 6 or 24 hours in two different transport systems. Embryos (n = 97) were recovered on day 7 or 8 and assigned to 10 groups (n = 10/group). Embryos within the same age group (D7 or D8) were evaluated immediately after collection (Group-0h) or after storage in an Equitainer at 5°C for 24 hours in 5 ml Emcare Holding Solution (EHS) (Group-E-24h) or 5 ml Ham's F10 (Group-H-24h) or in a refrigerator at 5°C in 500 ml Emcare Flushing Solution (EFS) for 6 hours (Group-B-6h) or 24 hours (Group-B-24h). After collection or storage, embryos were incubated in 1 μg/ml DAPI to determine the percentage of dead cells per embryo (DAPI positive, fluorescent cells). Subsequently, embryos were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and re-stained with DAPI to determine the total number of cells. The percentage of dead cells in group-0h and B-6h was similar and significantly lower than for embryos stored for 24 hours in groups B-24h, E-24h, and H-24h. The percentage of dead cells was similar for embryos stored in an Equitainer (groups E-24h and H-24h) and was significantly higher for embryos stored 24 hours in EFS (Group B-24h). Within each storage system (0h, B-6h, B-24h, E-24h, and H-24h) no significant difference in the percentage of dead cells was observed between 7- and 8-day-old embryos. Storage in 500 ml EFS at 5°C for 6 hours resulted in embryos of better quality than after the traditional 24-hour storage in an Equitainer, suggesting that this simplified system offers a good alternative for short-term storage and transport.     

鸭坦布苏病毒TaqMan荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法的建立

根据鸭坦布苏病毒(DTMUV)BYD-1株基因序列设计特异性引物和TaqMan探针,建立了快速检测DTMUV的实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法。特异性结果显示,DTMUV显示阳性,而3株非鸭坦布苏病毒均显示阴性,说明该方法具有高度特异性。其表达式为Ct=-3.32×lg Copy number+41.151,R2=0.998,R循环效率Eff%=100.072,DNA拷贝数在101～108范围内检测曲线有良好的线性关系,对质粒标准品最低检测限为1.0×101拷贝/μL,变异系数低于5%。利用该方法分别对攻毒感染具有典型鸭新型黄病毒病临床症状和病理变化的蛋鸭的脾脏和肝脏组织进行检测,阳性率均为100%,而用本实验室建立的普通RT-PCR方法检测的阳性检测率为85%(17/20)和75%(15/20)。建立的方法具有敏感性高、特异性好、稳定性强的特点,可用DTMUV早期感染的快速诊断和流行病学调查。     

A comparison of diagnostic assays for the detection of type A swine influenza virus from nasal swabs and lungs.

Nasal swabs and lung samples from pigs experimentally infected with H1N1 swine influenza virus (SIV) were examined for the presence of SIV by the indirect fluorescent antibody assay, immunohistochemistry, cell culture virus isolation, egg inoculation, and 2 human enzyme immunoassays (membrane enzyme immunoassay, microwell enzyme immunoassay). Egg inoculation was considered to be the gold standard for assay evaluation. The 2 human enzyme immunoassays (EIA) and egg inoculation agreed 100% for the prechallenge nasal swabs. Agreement on SIV identification in nasal swabs with egg inoculation following challenge was considered to be good to excellent for membrane EIA (kappa = 0.85) and microwell EIA (kappa = 0.86). Agreement on SIV identification in lung tissue with egg inoculation following challenge was good to excellent for membrane EIA (kappa = 0.75), fair for microwell EIA, fluorescent antibody, and cell culture virus isolation (kappa = 0.48, 0.64, 0.62, respectively), and poor for immunohistochemistry (kappa = 0.36). No assay was 100% accurate, including the "gold standard," egg inoculation. In light of this information, it is important to consider clinical signs of disease and a thorough herd history in conjunction with diagnostic results to make a diagnosis of SIV infection.     

Molecular and serologic evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in cats in North America

Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA was detected in blood of clinically ill cats from Massachusetts (n = 4) and Connecticut (1) by use of polymerase chain reaction assay and DNA sequencing. All 5 cats were allowed outdoors, and Ixodes scapularis were found on 3 cats. Clinical signs of fever, anorexia, and lethargy resolved quickly after treatment with doxycycline or tetracycline. Serum samples from each cat reacted with A. phagocytophilum morulae via an indirect fluorescent antibody assay; positive antibody titers persisted even after 21 to 30 days of treatment with tetracycline. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of A. phagocytophilum infection of domestic cats in North America. Results suggest that infection with the organism may be associated with clinical illness in some cats.     

A real-time PCR assay for rapid detection and quantitation of canine parvovirus type 2 in the feces of dogs

We describe a rapid, sensitive and reproducible real-time PCR assay for detecting and quantifying canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) DNA in the feces of dogs with diarrhea. An exogenous internal control was added to control the assay performance from extraction to amplification. The method was demonstrated to be highly specific and sensitive, allowing a precise CPV-2 DNA quantitation over a range of eight orders of magnitude (from 10(2) to 10(9) copies of standard DNA). The reproducibility of the CPV-2 real-time PCR assay was assessed by calculating the coefficients of variation (CV) intra-assay and inter-assay for samples containing amounts of CPV-2 DNA spanning the whole range of the real-time PCR standard curve. Then, fecal specimens from diarrheic dogs were analyzed by hemagglutination (HA), conventional PCR and real-time amplification. Comparison between these different techniques revealed that real-time PCR is more sensitive than HA and conventional gel-based PCR, allowing to detect low viral titers of CPV-2 in infected dogs.     

Direct detection of equine herpesvirus type 1 DNA in nasal swabs by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)

We evaluated loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) as a means of detecting equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) DNA directly from nasal swabs. To increase the sensitivity, we added a step in which the samples were heat-treated to the original LAMP procedure. The detection limit of the LAMP assay with heat treatment was 10 times more sensitive than the original LAMP assay even when the DNA extraction step was omitted. In addition, the LAMP assay with heat treatment was more sensitive than the original LAMP assay and the polymerase chain reaction using clinical samples. The LAMP assay with heat treatment is easy to perform and so should be applicable to the diagnosis of EHV-1 infections in clinical laboratories.     

饲料及动物性食品中山羊源性和绵羊源性成分双重荧光PCR检测方法的建立

目的建立一种能同时检测饲料及动物性食品中的山羊和绵羊源性成分的双重荧光PCR方法,应用于动物源性饲料及动物性食品的快速检验.方法分别根据山羊、绵羊线粒体种间保守序列,设计合成针对山羊和绵羊的特异性引物及TaqMan探针,通过荧光PCR反应体系和反应条件的优化筛选,建立可同时检测饲料及动物性食品中的山羊和绵羊源性成分的双重荧光PCR方法.结果本研究所建立的双重荧光PCR检测方法可同时快速检测饲料及动物性食品中的山羊和绵羊源性成分,应用本方法检测山羊肉和绵羊肉模板的检出限均为10-5,与相应的单重荧光PCR方法的检出限一致,比国标法(GB/T20190-2006)的灵敏性高100倍.结论本研究建立的双重荧光PCR检测方法特异性好、敏感性强,适用于饲料、肉制品、乳制品等动物源性食品的快速检测     

Evaluation of the colonization capabilities of Salmonella Enteritidis in Quails using an RT-PCR approach

We used a real-time PCR assay and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay to detect genomic DNA of Salmonella Enteritidis in the internal organs of quails after an oral challenge. The results showed that S. Enteritidis was detected in all the samples at different time points. This study will assist a future understanding of the pathogenesis of S. Enteritidis.     

Development of a specific biotinylated DNA probe for the detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum.

A specific DNA probe for the identification of Renibacterium salmoninarum, the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease (BKD), was developed from one of 3 clones pRS47, pRS49, and pRS26 of 5.1 kb, 5.3 kb, and 11.3 kb, respectively. The biotinylated pRS47/BamHI insert probe was tested on 3 dilutions of DNA extracted from 3 strains of R. salmoninarum and from 1 strain each of Arthrobacter protophormiae, Aeromonas salmonicida, Corynebacterium aquaticum, Carnobacterium piscicola, Listonella anguillarum, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Vibrio ordalii, and Yersinia ruckeri. In a dot blot assay, this probe hybridized only with the DNA from the R. salmoninarum strains. When used on kidney samples from fish challenged with R. salmoninarum, the dot blot hybridization assay with the probe was found to be as sensitive as culture. In a fluorescent antibody test, samples that were negative in culture and dot blot hybridization showed no more than one fluorescing cell in 50 microscopic fields examined. This DNA probe, therefore, has the potential for use in the diagnosis of BKD of fish.     

Quantification of total bacteria, enterobacteria and lactobacilli populations in pig digesta by real-time PCR

Jejunum digesta samples were taken from weaning pigs in order to evaluate real-time PCR (qPCR) as a method for quantifying pig gut bacteria. Total bacteria, lactobacilli and enterobacteria were quantified by qPCR and the results were compared with those obtained with traditional methods: 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI staining) for total bacteria, selective culture for lactobacilli and enterobacteria. Real-time PCR showed higher values in terms of 16S rRNA gene copies than DAPI counts or CFU. Despite the differences, the lactobacilli:enterobacteria ratio was similar between methods (2.5 +/- 0.58 for qPCR and 3.1 +/- 0.71 for selective culture, P = 0.39). Possible reasons for the higher PCR counts are discussed considering both an overestimation with PCR by quantification of dead bacteria or free DNA and also an underestimation with conventional methods. Inherent differences in the pre-treatment of the samples could partially explain the discrepancies observed. Regardless of the numerical differences between methods, values obtained by qPCR and traditional methods showed a significant correlation for lactobacilli and total bacteria. In the light of these results, real-time PCR seems a valid method to quantify microbial shifts in the gastrointestinal tract.     

小反刍兽疫病毒及山羊痘病毒N-ITR基因二联实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法的建立

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) and goat pox virus (GTPV) are the causative agents of two kinds of goats’ diseases-peste des petits ruminants and goat pox which can cause disaster economic losses. In order to detect the two viruses simultaneously and quickly, two sets of primers and relative probes were designed based on the nucleoprotein (N) gene of PPRV and the inverted terminal repeat (ITR) segment of GTPV， respectively. In order to work together in the same reaction, the probes were labeled with different fluorescent materials 5′FAM-TAMRA3′and 5′JOE-Eclipse3′，respectively. Results showed that the duplex Real-time RT-PCR assay was identified to be specific for PPRV and GTPV only and specific fluorescent signal could be detected, but the related viruses including fowl pox virus（FPV）and canine distemper virus (CDV) had no specific fluorescent signal. Positive recombinant plasmids (PPRV pMD18-T-N and GTPV pMD18-T-ITR) were built and used for positive quantitative templates to establish duplex standard curves. The developed assay based on the probe N-ITR was found to be highly specific and sensitive with a detection limit of 10² copies/μL cDNA and 10³ copies/μL DNA for PPRV and GTPV， respectively. Finally, the duplex Real-time RT-PCR assay for simultaneous detection of PPRV and GTPV was established preliminarily in the study.