Evaluation of novel adjuvant Eimeria profilin complex on intestinal host immune responses against live E. acervulina challenge infection

The effects against avian coccidiosis of two novel adjuvants, Quil A/cholesterol/dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide/Carbopol (QCDC) and QCDC/Bay R1005 (R)/cytosine-phosphate-guanosine (CpG) oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN [T]) (QCDCRT) emulsified with profilin, a conserved Eimeria recombinant protein, were determined in broiler chickens. Chickens were subcutaneously immunized with isotonic saline (control group), profilin (P), profilin emulsified with QCDC (P-Q), or profilin with QCDCRT (P-QR) at 2 and 9 days post-hatch and orally challenged with 1.0 x 10(4) sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina (EA) at 7 days postimmunization. All profilin-immunized groups showed increased body weight gain when compared to the control group, and the P-QR group had significantly higher body weight gain than did those of the P and P-Q groups following EA challenge infection. All groups immunized with profilin showed significantly decreased intestinal lesions compared with the control group, with the P-QR group showing the lowest intestinal lesions among the profilin-treated groups. Finally, the P-QR group showed greater CD4+/CD8+ and TCR1+/TCR2+ splenocytes and higher antiprofilin serum antibody titers compared with the P and P-Q (or both) groups following EA challenge infection. These results further suggest that vaccination of chickens with profilin, in combination with the QCDCRT adjuvant, may provide a novel control strategy against EA infection in commercial flocks.     

Platelet function and association of bovine viral diarrhea virus with platelets of persistently infected cattle

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether viral involvement with platelets obtained from cattle persistently infected (PI) with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is associated with altered platelet function or decreased platelet counts. SAMPLE POPULATION: Platelets obtained from 8 cattle PI with BVDV and 6 age-, sex-, and breed-matched uninfected control cattle. PROCEDURE: Manual platelet counts were determined, and platelet function was assessed through optical aggregometry by use of the aggregation agonists ADP and platelet-activating factor. Identification of BVDV in serum and preparations of purified platelets was determined by use of virus isolation tests. RESULTS: No significant difference in platelet counts was detected between cattle PI with BVDV and control cattle. In response to the aggregation agonists, maximum aggregation percentage and slope of the aggregation curve were not significantly different between cattle PI with BVDV and control cattle. We isolated BVDV from serum of all PI cattle and from purified platelets of 6 of 8 PI cattle, but BVDV was not isolated from serum or platelets of control cattle. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Isolation of BVDV from platelets in the peripheral circulation of cattle immunotolerant to BVDV does not result in altered platelet function or decreases in platelet counts.     

Penetration of a topically applied nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug into local tissues and synovial fluid of dogs

OBJECTIVE: To investigate penetration of a topically applied nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) into tissues and synovial fluid. ANIMALS: 5 Greyhounds. PROCEDURE: Dogs were anesthetized and microdialysis probes placed in the dermis and gluteal muscle over each coxofemoral (hip) joint. Methylsalicylate (MeSA) was applied topically over the left hip joint. Dialysate and plasma (blood samples from the cephalic and femoral veins) were obtained during the subsequent 5 hours. Dogs were euthanatized, and tissue samples and synovial fluid were collected and analyzed for salicylic acid (SA) and MeSA by use of high-pressure liquid chromatography. RESULTS: SA and MeSA concentrations increased rapidly (< 30 minutes after application) in dialysate obtained from treated dermis. Salicylic acid also appeared in plasma within 30 minutes and reached a plateau concentration after 2 hours, although combined drug concentrations (SA plus MeSA) in plasma obtained from femoral vein samples were twice those measured in plasma obtained from the cephalic vein (SA only). Treated muscle had a progressive decrease in NSAID concentration with increasing depth (SA and MeSA), but it was significantly higher than the concentration in untreated muscle. Substantial amounts of SA and MeSA were also measured in synovial fluid of treated joints. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Topically applied NSAIDs can penetrate deeply into tissues and synovial fluid. Local concentrations higher than circulating systemic concentrations are suggestive that direct diffusion and local blood redistribution are contributing to this effect. Systemic blood concentrations may be inadequate to describe regional kinetics of topically applied drugs.     

Evaluation of a rebound tonometer for measuring intraocular pressure in dogs and horses

OBJECTIVE: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements obtained with a rebound tonometer in dogs and horses with values obtained by means of applanation tonometry and direct manometry. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 100 dogs and 35 horses with clinically normal eyes, 10 enucleated eyes from 5 dogs, and 6 enucleated eyes from 3 horses. PROCEDURES: In the enucleated eyes, IOP measured by means of direct manometry was sequentially increased from 5 to 80 mm Hg, and IOP was measured with the rebound tonometer. In the dogs and horses, results of rebound tonometry were compared with results of applanation tonometry. RESULTS: For the enucleated dog and horse eyes, there was a strong (r2 = 0.99) linear relationship between pressures obtained by means of direct manometry and those obtained by means of rebound tonometry. Mean +/- SD IOPs obtained with the rebound tonometer were 10.8 +/- 3.1 mm Hg (range, 5 to 17 mm Hg) and 22.1 +/- 5.9 mm Hg (range, 10 to 34 mm Hg) for the dogs and horses, respectively. Mean IOPs obtained with the applanation tonometer were 12.9 +/- 2.7 mm Hg (range, 8 to 18 mm Hg) and 21.0 +/- 5.9 mm Hg (range, 9 to 33 mm Hg), respectively. Values obtained with the rebound tonometer were, on average, 2 mm Hg lower in the dogs and 1 mm Hg higher in the horses, compared with values obtained with the applanation tonometer. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that the rebound tonometer provides accurate estimates of IOP in clinically normal eyes in dogs and horses.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of disinfectant footbaths as used in veterinary hospitals

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy of 2 disinfectants as used in footbaths in veterinary hospitals for reducing bacterial contamination of footwear. DESIGN: Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Bacteria collected from the soles of rubber boots after experimental contamination and exposure to disinfectant solutions or control conditions. PROCEDURES: Investigators contaminated boots by walking through soiled straw animal bedding. Swab samples were collected from the sole of 1 boot (right or left) without treatment. The other boot was briefly immersed in a disinfectant solution (either a quaternary ammonium compound [QAC] or a peroxygen compound) or water, and samples were collected after 7 minutes. Differences associated with the experimental treatments were analyzed statistically. Veterinary teaching hospitals (VTHs) in the United States and Canada were contacted to obtain information about the use of footbaths. RESULTS: Mean bacterial concentrations from peroxygen-treated boots were 67% to 78% lower, compared with samples taken from untreated boots. In contrast, there were no statistically detectable differences in mean bacterial concentrations in samples taken from QAC- or water-treated boots, compared with control boots. Disinfectant footbaths were reportedly used in 30 of 31 VTHs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Disinfectant solution containing peroxygen applied in a footbath reduced bacterial concentrations on rubber boots under conditions representative of those found in VTHs. Footbaths are commonly used as a method to control infectious diseases in veterinary hospitals. Disinfectant footbaths should not be expected to sterilize footwear, but they may help in reducing the risk for nosocomial infection when used with effective disinfectants.