In vivo biologic effects of recombinant-turkey interferon-gamma in neonatal leghorn chicks: protection against Salmonella enteritidis organ invasion.

Interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) has been demonstrated to have potent stimulatory effects on parameters of cell-mediated immunity in chickens (11). Protection of neonatal leghorn chickens against infection by invasive salmonellae has been associated with enhanced cell-mediated indices of immunity (5). The present investigation evaluated the effect of recombinant-turkey (rt) IFN-gamma on protection of neonatal leghorn chicks from Salmonella enteritidis (SE) organ invasion after experimental challenge in three experiments. In Expt. 1, intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 25 microg rtIFNgamma per chick 30 min prior to per os SE challenge resulted in a 35% reduction (P < 0.01) in SE organ invasion when compared with control (vehicle injected) chicks 24 hr post-SE challenge. However, i.p. administration of 2.5 microg rtIFNy per chick was not efficacious in reducing SE organ invasion. In Expt. 2 and Expt. 3, i.p. administration of 13.75 microg rtIFNgamma per chick 30 min prior to per os SE challenge resulted in significant reductions of 38.4% (P < 0.025) and 31.58% (P < 0.01), respectively, in SE organ invasion as compared with control chicks 24 hr post-SE challenge. Administration of 2.5 or 25 microg rtIFNgamma per chick i.p. had no effect on SE organ invasion in either Expt. 2 or Expt. 3 24 hr post-SE challenge. Additionally, i.p. administration of rtIFNgamma 30 min prior to SE challenge in Expt. 2 and Expt. 3 was not associated with protection against SE organ invasion when organ culture was performed 72 hr postchallenge. Further, the oral administration of 25 microg rtIFNgamma per chick was not efficacious in conferring protection against SE organ invasion at 24 or 72 hr postchallenge when this route of administration was evaluated in Expt. 2. Similarly, the subcutaneous administration of a potential repository injection of 13.75 or 25 microg rtIFNgamma per chick did not protect chicks against SE organ invasion when evaluated 72 hr postchallenge. These data indicate a potential acute immunostimulatory activity of rtIFNgamma in chickens experimentally challenged with SE. Further, these experiments, although preliminary, are suggestive of the potential involvement of IFNgamma in cell-mediated or innate mechanisms of protective immunity against salmonellosis in chickens.     

Evaluation of veterinarian and veterinary student knowledge and clinical use of pulse oximetry

We hypothesized that veterinarians and veterinary students may lack key knowledge about pulse oximetry, which may result in this type of patient monitor not being used on appropriate patient populations or to its full capabilities. A questionnaire was developed to assess an individual's knowledge and understanding of pulse oximetry. Residents and specialists in anesthesiology and critical care at several academic institutions were surveyed first to assess the questionnaire for clarity and to serve as a control group. General veterinary practitioners (GPs) attending continuing education courses at the University of Georgia were surveyed over a 24-month period. Students entering their senior year anesthesiology rotation at the University of Georgia were also surveyed. Residents and specialists (69% correct responses) scored significantly higher than senior students (46%), who scored significantly higher than GPs (34%). Only 15% of GPs and 21% of senior students reported that they had received training in pulse oximetry in school. Those who had received training scored significantly higher than those who did not. Many GPs did not report using a pulse oximeter on their critical patients under anesthesia, a group that would be expected to benefit from its use. Veterinarians have a poor understanding about how pulse oximetry works, the information provided by pulse oximetry, and how to best apply it to their patients. Furthermore, the respondents did not use pulse oximeters in a manner that would derive the most information and result in the greatest benefit to the patient relative to the cost of the instrument. Didactic training in veterinary curricula and during continuing education opportunities continues to be necessary in order to produce veterinarians, who have an understanding of the technologies available that can be used to improve patient care.     

Thyrocalcitonin: cytological localization by immunofluorescence

Thyrocalcitonin was detected in the cytoplasm of all epithelial cells of the thyroid gland of the pig, by means of antibody fluorescence. It was present in those cells whlich normally elaborate thyroglobulin but was not present in the follicular colloid.     

追踪沙门菌病暴发的起源

在1980年代,欧洲和美洲的卫生官员们就注意到由肠炎沙门菌（SE）引起的人类食物源性疾病明显增加,发现这种沙门菌存在于鸡胴体、鸡蛋和蛋产品中。这提示,作为公共卫生问题,SE的出现可能是现代家禽养殖实践和家禽遗传多样性下降的结果。但是,这些假设没有说明为什么其它沙门菌血清型,如鼠伤寒沙门菌（ST）,感染人的数量没有增加。