Immunoglobulin concentrations and bovine enterovirus inhibitors in fetal bovine fluids.

Fluids from 53 bovine fetuses ranging in age from 90 to 240 days were examined for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) and neutralizing activity to ten bovine viruses. Non-specific inhibitors to bovine enteroviruses were found in serum, allantoic, and amniotic fluids of most samples tested. In most cases, serum IgG were within normal values. Neither IgG nor IgM was detected in amniotic fluids, whereas 2 samples of allantoic fluid contained traces of IgG.     

Arsenic concentrations in tissues and body fluids of dogs on chronic low-level dietary sodium arsenite.

Twenty-four female Beagle dogs, 7-8 months old, were assigned to 4 groups. Control, low-dosage, medium-dosage, and high-dosage groups were offered 0, 1, 2, and 4 mg of sodium arsenite per kilogram of body weight per day (mg/kg/day), respectively, in their feed (equivalent to 0.0, 33.4, 66.7, and 133.4 micrograms/g in feed). On day 59, the dosage was doubled for the rest of the experiment, which ended on day 183. In general, arsenic concentrations in tissues and body fluids reflected arsenic levels in feed. Arsenic caused a dose-related decrease in food intake. Statistically significant differences in blood, liver, and kidney arsenic were detected, in most cases, between the 2 higher dosage groups and controls. The greatest differences in arsenic concentrations between groups were present in urine and hair. Results indicate that urine and hair would be the most useful specimens for chemical analysis when attempting to confirm low-level dietary inorganic arsenic exposure or poisoning.     

Pharmacokinetics of clarithromycin and concentrations in body fluids and bronchoalveolar cells of foals

OBJECTIVE: To determine pharmacokinetics of clarithromycin and concentrations in body fluids and bronchoalveolar (BAL) cells of foals. ANIMALS: 6 healthy 2-to 3-week-old foals. PROCEDURES: In a crossover design, clarithromycin (7.5 mg/kg) was administered to each foal via IV and intragastric (IG) routes. After the initial IG administration, 5 additional doses were administered IG at 12-hour intervals. Concentrations of clarithromycin and its 14-hydroxy metabolite were measured in serum by use of high-performance liquid chromatography. A microbiologic assay was used to measure clarithromycin activity in serum, urine, peritoneal fluid, synovial fluid, CSF, pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF), and BAL cells. RESULTS: After IV administration, elimination half-life (5.4 hours) and mean +/- SD body clearance (1.27 +/- 0.25 L/h/kg) and apparent volume of distribution at steady state (10.4 +/- 2.1 L/kg) were determined for clarithromycin. The metabolite was detected in all 6 foals by 1 hour after clarithromycin administration. Oral bioavailability of clarithromycin was 57.3 +/- 12.0%. Maximum serum concentration of clarithromycin after multiple IG administrations was 0.88 +/- 0.19 microg/mL. After IG administration of multiple doses, clarithromycin concentrations in peritoneal fluid, CSF, and synovial fluid were similar to or lower than concentrations in serum, whereas concentrations in urine, PELF, and BAL cells were significantly higher than concentrations in serum. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral administration of clarithromycin at 7.5 mg/kg every 12 hours maintains concentrations in serum, PELF, and BAL cells that are higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration (0.12 microg/mL) for Rhodococcus equiisolates for the entire 12-hour dosing interval.     

Pharmacokinetics of oral doxycycline and concentrations in body fluids and bronchoalveolar cells of foals

The objective of this study was to determine the disposition of orally administered doxycycline in foals. Six healthy 4- to 8-week-old foals were used. Doxycycline was administered to each foal via the intragastric (IG) route at dosages of 10 and 20 mg/kg, in a cross-over design. After the first 10 mg/kg dose, five additional doses were administered at 12-h intervals. A microbiological assay was used to measure doxycycline activity in serum, urine, peritoneal fluid, synovial fluid, cerebrospinal (CSF), pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF), and bronchoalveolar (BAL) cells. Following administration at 10 mg/kg, mean+/-SD time to peak serum doxycycline activity (tmax) was 3.0+/-1.2 h, maximum serum activity (Cmax) was 2.54+/-0.27 microg/mL, and terminal half-life (t1/2) was 8.5+/-2.8 h. Administration at a dose of 20 mg/kg resulted in a significantly longer tmax (5.5+/-1.8 h) as well as a tendency toward higher Cmax (2.89+/-0.33 microg/mL) and longer t1/2 (11.9+/-2.6 h). After multiple IG doses, doxycycline activity in CSF was significantly lower than concurrent serum activity, whereas peritoneal fluid, synovial fluid, and BAL cell doxycycline activity was similar to concurrent serum activity. Doxycycline activity in urine and PELF was significantly higher than that found at other sites. Oral administration at a dosage of 10 mg/kg every 12 h would maintain serum, PELF, and BAL cell activity above the minimum inhibitory concentrations of Rhodococcus equi, beta-hemolytic streptococci, and other susceptible bacterial pathogens for the entire dosing interval.     

Examination of body fluids

In dogs, the pericardial sac contains about 0.3 ml, and the pleural and peritoneal cavities 0-15 ml of clear, straw-colored fluid of pH 7.4, specific gravity 1.016, protein content less than 3.0 g/dl and cell count less than 3000/microliter. Fat can be cleared from chylous fluid with NaOH and ether. Inflammation is indicated by a cell count greater than 3000/microliter. Amylase levels in peritoneal fluid are elevated in necrotizing pancreatitis. The percentage of polymorphonuclear WBC exceeds 50% in bacterial inflammations. Normal joints contain less than 1 ml highly viscid, clear or straw-colored synovial fluid with less than 1000 nucleated cells/microliter. Synovial fluid becomes flocculent and less viscid in septic and occasionally in immune-mediated arthritis, often with cell counts greater than 75,000/microliter, with 75-90% polymorphonuclear WBC. Cerebrospinal fluid is normally acellular, clear and colorless but may be red, yellow or brown with intracranial hematomas. Viral or aseptic meningitis is characterized by mononuclear cell counts of less than 500/microliter. In acute bacterial meningitis, nucleated cell counts are greater than 1000/microliter, with most being polymorphonuclear WBC. Gram staining of cerebrospinal fluid is not useful.     

Elevated concentrations in serum immunoglobulins due to infection by ovine progressive pneumonia virus.

Sixty-seven serum samples were obtained from 2 sheep flocks. Agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) was used to separate progressive pneumonia virus (PPV)-infected sheep from noninfected sheep by the presence of precipitating antibodies. Immunoglobulin (Ig), total protein, and albumin concentrations were then measured from all 67 sera to determine whether differences existed between PPV-infected and non-infected sheep. A significant difference (P less than 0.0005) was found in both total protein and Ig concentration between PPV-infected and noninfected sheep. This corresponding difference was absent in albumin measurements. The significant differences (P less than 0.0005) in Ig and total protein concentrations were then used to evaluate a field test for diagnosing progressive pneumonia. The possibility of using either total protein or Ig concentrations as a field test was found to be highly unlikely due to variation in individual values.     

Immunoglobulin and peripheral B-lymphocyte concentrations in Fell pony foal syndrome

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Fell pony foals are affected by a congenital fatal disease that leads to profound anaemia and immunodeficiency. Previous studies comparing healthy and affected foals have shown normal T-cell populations, but a severe B-lymphopenia. OBJECTIVES: To measure the levels of individual immunoglobulin subisotypes in normal and affected Fell ponies and correlate these levels with the number of peripheral B-lymphocytes. METHODS: Serum levels of individual immunoglobulin subisotypes were measured by ELISA and correlated with the number of peripheral B-lymphocytes (measured by flow cytometry). RESULTS: Affected foals had significantly reduced serum levels of IgM, IgGa, IgGb and IgG(T) that coincided with the normal reduction in maternally derived immunoglobulin in foals and, with the exception of IgGb, correlated strongly with the B-lymphopenia. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that affected foals are unable to produce their own immunoglobulins. Therefore, once maternal immunity has waned, it may be the lack of specific foal-derived immunoglobulin that gives rise to the clinical signs of immunodeficiency. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Measurement of IgM after age 4 weeks may provide a more accessible means of confirming the status of future affected Fell pony foals than the measurement of B-lymphocytes (a technique limited to a few specialist laboratories).     

Immunoglobulin concentrations in Scottish Blackface lambs on a hill farm

The serum immunoglobulin concentration in one- to 11-day-old Scottish Blackface lambs born outdoors on a hill farm were very similar to those in Scottish Blackface lambs born indoors on an experimental lowland farm. The concentrations were significantly higher in single lambs than in twins, and in lambs which survived for six months than in lambs which died, and showed significant annual variations which could not be related to the weather. They were significantly correlated with the ages of the dams, the lambs' gains in weight to weaning, but not with the weights or ratios of weights of the lambs and ewes after lambing, nor with the birth-coat types of sexes of the lambs. There were wide variations in the capacities of the abomasums at birth.     

Measurement of IgG concentration in ovine fetal fluids: a useful diagnostic test

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University received 172 aborted ovine fetuses during the 1985-1987 lambing seasons; from 120 of these, body fluids were evaluated for IgG levels. Fifty-two (43%) of the fetal fluids had immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels greater than 15 mg/dl. Forty-five (87%) of the fluids with elevated IgG levels were confirmed or presumed toxoplasma or chlamydia abortions. A mean fetal fluid IgG concentration of 111.5 +/- 78 mg/dl was found for the 26 toxoplasma abortions; for the 19 chlamydia abortions, a mean IgG concentration of 109 +/- 91 mg/dl was found. Antibody titers equal to or greater than 1:40 against Toxoplasma gondii were detected in 23 fetal fluids. Fetal fluid IgG concentration less than 15 mg/dl was found to be associated with bacterial organisms (i.e., Campylobacter sp.) as the confirmed or presumed cause of abortion. These results suggest that measurement of fetal fluid IgG concentration is a useful, supportive diagnostic test in determining the cause of ovine abortion, and should be included as a routine laboratory procedure for ovine abortion diagnosis.     

Pharmacokinetics of azithromycin and concentration in body fluids and bronchoalveolar cells in foals.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pharmacokinetics of azithromycin and its concentration in body fluids and bronchoalveolar lavage cells in foals. ANIMALS: 6 healthy 6- to 10-week-old foals. PROCEDURE: Azithromycin (10 mg/kg of body weight) was administered to each foal via i.v. and intragastric (i.g.) routes in a crossover design. After the first i.g. dose, 4 additional i.g. doses were administered at 24-hour intervals. A microbiologic assay was used to measure azithromycin concentrations in serum, peritoneal fluid, synovial fluid, pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF), and bronchoalveolar (BAL) cells. RESULTS: Azithromycin elimination half-life was 20.3 hours, body clearance was 10.4 ml/min x kg, and apparent volume of distribution at steady state was 18.6 L/kg. After i.g. administration, time to peak serum concentration was 1.8 hours and bioavailability was 56%. After repeated i.g. administration, peak serum concentration was 0.63 +/- 0.10 microg/ml. Peritoneal and synovial fluid concentrations were similar to serum concentrations. Bronchoalveolar cell and PELF concentrations were 15- to 170-fold and 1- to 16-fold higher than concurrent serum concentrations, respectively. No adverse reactions were detected after repeated i.g. administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: On the basis of pharmacokinetic values, minimum inhibitory concentrations of Rhodococcus equi isolates, and drug concentrations in PELF and bronchoalveolar cells, a single daily oral dose of 10 mg/kg may be appropriate for treatment of R. equi infections in foals. Persistence of high azithromycin concentrations in PELF and bronchoalveolar cells 48 hours after discontinuation of administration suggests that after 5 daily doses, oral administration at 48-hour intervals may be adequate.     

Pharmacokinetics and body fluid and endometrial concentrations of ormetoprim-sulfadimethoxine in mares.

Six healthy adult mares were each given an oral loading dose of ormetoprim(OMP)-sulfadimethoxine (SDM) at a dosage of 9.2 mg of OMP/kg and 45.8 mg of SDM/kg, followed by four maintenance doses of 4.6 mg of OMP/kg and 22.9 mg of SDM/kg, at 24 h intervals. Ormetoprim and SDM concentrations were measured in serum, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, urine and endometrium. The highest mean serum OMP concentration was 0.92 micrograms/mL 0.5 h after the first dose; the highest mean SDM concentration was 80.9 micrograms/mL 8 h after the first dose. The highest mean synovial fluid concentrations were 0.14 microgram of OMP/mL and 28.5 micrograms of SDM/mL 12 h after the first dose. The highest mean peritoneal fluid concentrations were 0.19 micrograms of OMP/mL 6 h after the first dose and 25.5 micrograms of SDM/mL 8 h after the fifth dose. The highest mean endometrial concentrations were 0.56 micrograms of OMP/g and 28.5 micrograms of SDM/g 4 h after the fifth dose. The mean cerebrospinal fluid concentrations were 0.08 micrograms of OMP/mL and 2.1 micrograms of SDM/mL 5 h after the fifth dose. Mean trough urine drug concentrations were greater than or equal to 0.4 micrograms of OMP/mL and greater than or equal to 172 micrograms of SDM/mL. Two of the mares were each given a single intravenous (IV) injection of OMP and SDM at a dosage of 9.2 mg of OMP/kg and 45.8 mg of SDM/kg. Excitation and muscle fasciculations were observed in both mares after IV administration and all scheduled blood samples could be collected from only one of the two mares.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)