Efficacy of nemadectin, a new broad-spectrum endectocide, against natural infections of canine gastrointestinal helminths

Nemadectin, a new broad-spectrum endectocide, was highly efficacious against natural infections of all the major canine gastrointestinal helminths. At single oral dosages of 0.2-0.4 mg kg-1 body weight (BW), a liquid formulation administered in gelatin capsules was 100% effective in eliminating natural infections of Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala. Tablets (267 mg) containing 4.6% nemadectin given at a rate of 1/3 tablet per 20 kg BW (0.2 mg nemadectin kg-1) were 100% active against T. canis, A. caninum and U. stenocephala. With both formulations, an increase in the dose rate to 0.6-0.8 mg kg-1 BW resulted in 99-100% elimination of Trichuris vulpis infections. No adverse reactions were observed in any of the treated dogs.     

Use of Echinococcus granulosus worm antigens for immunodiagnosis of E. granulosus infection in dogs.

Echinococcus granulosus worm excretory/secretory antigens (WES) were used in ELISA for diagnosis of E. granulosus infection in dogs and compared with protoscolex somatic antigens (PSM). Sera from 224 dogs were tested. There was no correlation between ELISA absorbance values and E. granulosus worm burdens using either antigen. There was a significant linear relationship between absorbance values of sera tested in the ELISA using WES (W-ELISA) and the ELISA using PSM (P-ELISA). However, there was a small but significant difference between the absorbance values of the sera tested against the two antigens. Western blot analysis of WES using sera from E. granulosus-infected and uninfected dogs revealed antigenic components of relative molecular mass (Mr) larger than 94,000, Mr 94,000-68,000 and Mr 43,000-39,000 in worms, and these were specific for E. granulosus and not identified in PSM; these antigenic differences may be responsible for differences in reactivity in ELISA. The sensitivities of W-ELISA and P-ELISA were 80.8% and 75.6%, respectively. The specificities of W-ELISA and P-ELISA were 93.7% and 97.9%, respectively. The reduced specificity in W-ELISA was mainly attributable to increased background reactivity of sera from Taenia hydatigena-infected dogs. Despite the reduction in specificity, both ELISAs are valuable epidemiological tools to determine the prevalence of antibody to E. granulosus in dog populations and to monitor the success of hydatid control campaigns.     

Thrombocytopenia in Cats: A Retrospective Study of 41 Cases

The prevalence of feline thrombocytopenia (<200,000 platelets/L) at North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital, from January 1985 to March 1990, was 1.2% (41/3300). Cats were divided into six categories based on clinical diagnoses: 29% (12/41) had infectious disease, 20% (8/41) had neoplasia, 7% (3/41) had cardiac disease, 2% (1/41) had primary immune-mediated disease, 22% (9/41) had multiple diseases, and 20% (8/41) had disorders of unknown etiology. The mean platelet count for all thrombocytopenic cats was 52,000/μL ± 46,000/μL (1 SD) with a range of 1000–190,000/μL. No significant differences were found between groups with respect to platelet count, packed cell volume, or white blood cell count, though anemia and leukopenia were common among the cats as a whole. Bleeding disorders (hemorrhage or thrombosis) were observed in 29% (12/41) of thrombocytopenic cats and were more likely to be associated with neoplasia, cardiac disease, and platelet counts less than or equal to 30,000/μL. Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy was diagnosed in 12% (5/41) of the cats. Infections and/or neoplasia affecting the bone marrow were the most common diseases associated with thrombocytopenia. Feline leukemia virus and myeloproliferative neoplasia accounted for approximately 44% (18/41) of the specific diagnoses in thrombocytopenic cats. (Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 1993; 7:261–265. Copyright © 1993 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)     

Interferon in sheep]

There is only limited information on sheep interferon available. Recent publications have reported on: 1. an interferon (IFN) alpha subtype, which is secreted by the fetal trophectoderm into the lumen of the uterus between the 10th and 21st day of gestation. It was therefore named ovine trophoblast protein (oTP-1), and is responsible for signalling pregnancy to the ewe via high affinity receptors in the endometrium. It is thought that oTP-1 acts by directly influencing prostaglandin metabolism. 2. the role of lentivirus-induced interferon (LV-IFN) in the pathogenesis of Maedi/Visna. The results indicate that LV-IFN limits viral replication and therefore contributes to virus persistence and is also responsible for a chronic inflammatory process. 3. the mitogen- or antigen-dependent induction of ovine interferon gamma (IFN gamma) and its characterization.     

Analysis of a Long-term Experiment with Repeated-measurement Models

Long‐term experiments are a classical case of repeated measurements. Traits are measured on the same experimental unit over many years so that correlations arise between the observations made on the same plot in consecutive years. This paper describes the analysis of a three‐crop‐rotation long‐term experiment. We analysed the yields of the crops and the organic carbon content in the topsoil over 30 consecutive years. Several variance–covariance approaches are discussed and the trait‐specific best fit is interpreted. Mixed models are used to describe the structure of the experiment. Both yields and soil organic carbon show a more or less pronounced variance heterogeneity. Especially for yields, the heterogeneity of cycles and years is dominant. The consideration of correlations results in a better model fit in all cases.