Evidence of bovine immunodeficiency virus in cattle in Turkey

A seroepidemiological study of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) and bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infections was conducted in four different cattle herds in Turkey. A total of 300 blood samples were analyzed and 12.3% were found to be positive for anti-BIV p26 antibodies by Western blot analysis and 1.6% positive for anti-BLV gp51 antibodies by an immunodiffusion test. BIV infection was confirmed with the detection of BIV-provirus DNA using the nested polymerase chain reaction. This is the first evidence for the presence of BIV in cattle in Turkey.     

Seroprevalence of bovine immunodeficiency virus and bovine leukemia virus in dairy and beef cattle in hokkaido

Serological survey of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) and bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection was conducted in dairy cattle from 10 different regions of Hokkaido, Japan. Among 390 cattle, 11.0% of cattle were BIV-seropositive and 3.3% were BLV-seropositive. Moreover, in two dairy farms, where bovine leukosis has been reported, prevalence of BIV infections were 6.4 and 9.1%, respectively. In contrast, among 150 beef cattle, 16.6% were BIV-seropositive while none was BLV-seropositive. Dual infections with BLV and BIV in dairy cattle were tested by using 107 BLV-seropositive sera, and 20 sera were found BIV-positive (18.7%). These results indicate that BIV infection was widespread in Hokkaido.     

Evaluation of the polymorphonuclear cell functions of bottlenose dolphins

The functions of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) are the important non-specific defense mechanisms in the immune system. Especially marine mammals are protected by these mechanisms from the aquatic environment with a large variety of microorganisms. Therefore, we examined the PMN functions of bottlenose dolphins in order to obtain the normal ranges and to standardize the techniques. PMNs were isolated by using lymphocyte isolate solution whose density was 1.077; superoxide production was assessed by nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test (NBT) and phagocytosis was tested by using polystyrene latex beads. We showed that the optimal incubation time was 30 min in NBT assay and 12 hr in phagocytosis assay for dolphin PMNs.     

Necrotising encephalitis in the Yorkshire terrier: a case report and literature review

A four-year-old, spayed female Yorkshire terrier was presented with a two-month history of lameness in the left forelimb, circling and falling. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination 11 days after presentation revealed dilation of the right lateral ventricle. Following euthanasia, which was performed about 10 months after the onset of clinical signs, there was gross evidence of degeneration and cavitation of the cerebrum and dilation of the lateral ventricle on the right side. Microscopically, cavitation and necrosis were observed in the white and grey matter of the right cerebrum and there was abundant gemistocytic and fibrillary astrocytosis. Haemorrhage and marked perivascular cuffing with mononuclear cells were found in the mesencephalon. Inflammatory lesions consisting of lymphocytic infiltration and glial proliferation were also present in the dorsal funiculus of the cervical spinal cord. This case was diagnosed as necrotising encephalitis in the Yorkshire terrier (NEYT) with involvement of the spinal cord. NEYT is a chronic progressive neurological disorder, resulting from widespread, destructive non-suppurative inflammation of the central nervous system of unknown cause. In the past decade, 12 cases have been documented in adult to aged Yorkshire terriers. Computed tomography and MRI can detect the characteristic multifocal cavitations and ventriculomegaly, facilitating premortem diagnosis.     

The expression of sialyl Lewis X in canine and feline mammary gland tumors

The expression of sialyl Lewis X (sLe(x)) in 93 canine and 15 feline mammary gland tumors (MGT) obtained by surgical resection at Veterinary Medical Center, the University of Tokyo was examined by immunohistochemistry. Their clinicopathological features and prognosis were also reviewed. Approximately 60% of MGT tissues showed sLe(x) positive expressions, while all normal mammary gland tissues were negative. However, its expression was not correlated with clinicopathological features and prognosis significantly. This study suggests that sLe(x) may be a tumor-associated antigen in canine and feline MGTs.     

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in pigs immunosuppressed by thymectomy and treatment with antithymocyte serum

The effect of immunosuppression on Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection was evaluated by comparing data from infected, thymectomized, and antithymocyte serum-treated pigs (group 1) with data from infected (group 2) and noninfected (group 3) healthy pigs. After groups 1 and 2 pigs were inoculated intranasally with M hyopneumoniae, mycoplasmas tended to multiply slightly more in the lungs and bronchial lymph nodes of group 1 pigs than that of group 2 pigs. Organisms were also isolated from the spleen of 1 of 3 group 1 pigs. Pneumonia developed in group 2 pigs and was characterized by massive peribronchial, peribronchiolar, and perivascular lymphoid hyperplasia and exudate consisting mainly of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the alveoli and lumina of the bronchioles and bronchi. In group 1 pigs, perivascular and peribronchiolar cuffings by lymphocytes were less prominent, and the extent of intraluminal exudate was severe and widespread. Bronchial lymph nodes from group 2 pigs had marked hyperplasia of germinal centers and paracortical areas. In group 1 pigs, germinal centers were hyperplastic, whereas in the paracortical areas, depletion of lymphocytes was evident. Seemingly, cell-mediated immune mechanisms are important in the development of pneumonic lesions in enzootic pneumonia of pigs.     

Seroprevalence of bovine immunodeficiency virus and bovine leukemia virus in draught animals in Cambodia

Since bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV), known as bovine lentivirus, has been detected in dairy and beef cattle in various countries around the world, a prevalence study of antibodies to BIV and bovine leukemia virus (BLV) was conducted in draught animals in five provinces in Cambodia, where protozoan parasite infections were suspected in some animals. To clarify the status of draught animals including Haryana, Brahman, mixed-breed, local breed cattle and muscle water buffaloes, a total of 544 cattle and 42 buffaloes were tested, and 26.3 and 16.7%, respectively, were found positive for anti-BIV p26 antibodies determined by Western blotting. There were 5.3% positive for anti-BLV antibodies detected by immunodiffusion test among the cattle, but no reactors among buffaloes and no dual infection for both BIV and BLV was determined in this study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from BIV-seropositive cattle were found to have BIV-provirus DNA, as detected by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent Southern blot hybridization. This is the first evidence for the presence of BIV and BLV infections in draught animals in tropical countries such as Cambodia. This wide distribution of BIV suggests its association with problems in animal health as reported worldwide, and that a primary BIV infection can predispose death of affected animals by other aggressive pathogens or stresses.