Suspected anaphylaxis to leuprolide acetate depot in two elf owls (Micrathene whitneyi)

Two adult female elf owls (Micrathene whitneyi) were treated with leuprolide acetate depot injections to prevent egg laying. The birds were treated for several years without complications. Several years into the treatment regimen, both birds died immediately after receiving an injection of leuprolide acetate. Remaining drug was analyzed, revealing 95.7% potency. We suspect that either an immediate Type 1 hypersensitivity reaction occurred or a contaminant was present, resulting in the fatalities of these elf owls. No reports of anaphylaxis to leuprolide acetate in birds were identified in the literature. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of anaphylaxis when administering this medication to avian patients.     

Ovariohysterectomy of three vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus)

Three sexually mature female common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) housed at the North Carolina Zoological Park, Asheboro, North Carolina, were selected for surgical ovariohysterectomy. All animals were induced and maintained with isoflurane anesthetic gas. Magnification loop glasses were worn by the surgeon for the procedure. A ventral midline incision was made into the abdominal cavity. Simple micro-ophthalmic surgical packs along with hemoclips were used to perform the ovariohysterectomies. The linea alba and muscular layers were closed using a simple continuous suture pattern with 4-0 polydioxanone suture. The skin was apposed using a horizontal mattress suture pattern with 4-0 polydioxanone suture. Animals recovered with minimal deleterious side effects. Animals were housed together in a recovery chamber and administered meloxicam at 0.2 mg/kg placed in their blood meal once daily for 7 days postoperatively, after which they were returned to their normal enclosures.     

Localization of denitrification activity in macropores of a riparian wetland

Soil structure heterogeneity in the form of macropores and preferential flow channels can complicate efforts to quantify the physical and biological characteristics of wetland systems. We collected soil cores from two riparian wetlands to determine whether soil associated with macropores had elevated denitrification potentials compared to bulk soil from the same core. Cores were inspected for obvious macropores, which were distinguished as visible holes in the core, sometimes with decaying root matter, or as highly unconsolidated layers that appeared to have a substantially lower bulk density than the surrounding soil. Denitrification potentials were significantly higher in pores (P<0.05) for six of the 16 cores that were obtained from the Cheraw State Park site. In cores obtained from a second site, denitrification potentials were significantly higher in pores for six of 20 cores and the trend of higher denitrification in pores was present in the majority of cores that had measurable activity. In cores with significant differences, denitrification was often 1-2 orders of magnitude greater in soil surrounding the macropore than in the bulk soil. Denitrification potentials of the bulk soils were similar in magnitude to the potentials measured in composited cores from previous studies. It is possible that the difference between macropore and bulk denitrification rates developed due to preferential flow of nitrate-rich water through the macropores. Previous work showed that water entering these riparian systems in groundwater and storm runoff had elevated levels of NO₃⁻.     

A Bayesian hierarchical model for risk assessment of methylmercury

This article uses a Bayesian hierarchical model to quantify the adverse health effects associated with in-utero exposure to methylmercury. By allowing for study-to-studyas well as outcome-to-outcome variability, the approach provides a useful meta-analytic tool for multi-outcome, multi-study environmental risk assessments. The analysis presented here expands on the findings of a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) committee, charged with advising the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on an appropriate approach to conducting a risk assessment for methylmercury. The NAS committee, for which the senior author (Ryan) was a committee member, reviewed the findings from several conflicting studies and reported the results from a Bayesian hierarchical model that synthesized information across several studies and for several outcomes. Although the NAS committee did not suggest that the hierarchical model be used as the actual basis for a methylmercury risk assessment, the results from the model were used to justify and support the final recommendation that the risk analysis be based on data from a study conducted in the Faroe Islands, which had found a positive association between in-utero exposure to methylmercury and impaired neurological development. We considera variety of statistical issues, but particularly sensitivity to model specification.     

Rescued tolerant CD8 T cells are preprogrammed to reestablish the tolerant state

Tolerant self-antigen-specific CD8 T cells fail to proliferate in response to antigen, thereby preventing autoimmune disease. By using an in vivo mouse model, we show that tolerant T cells proliferate and become functional under lymphopenic conditions, even in a tolerogenic environment. However, T cell rescue is only transient, with tolerance reimposed upon lymphorepletion even in the absence of tolerogen (self-antigen), challenging the prevailing paradigm that continuous antigen exposure is critical to maintain tolerance. Genome-wide messenger RNA and microRNA profiling revealed that tolerant T cells have a tolerance-specific gene profile that can be temporarily overridden under lymphopenic conditions but is inevitably reimposed, which suggests epigenetic regulation. These insights into the regulatory mechanisms that maintain or break self-tolerance may lead to new strategies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmunity.     

Immunizing efficacy of Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated from different hostsEfficacite d'immunisation par differentes souches de Toxoplasma gondii isolees de differents hotes

Studies were carried out to determine the fate of virulent Toxoplasma gondii challenge in immune animals. Toxoplasma strains isolated from human, swine, rabbit and cat hosts were used for the primary immunization of mice. Brains were removed at various intervals after the challenge and subinoculated into normal mice. Prior immunization with one of the nine toxoplasma strains enabled the mice either to eliminate or harbour the challenge organisms without loss of virulence. The outcome of challenge infection was dependent on the parasite strain used for the immunization and the time interval between challenge and subinoculation. Mice immunized with strain KSU isolated from a cat eliminated repeatedly administered challenge from 80% of animals. Strain S 162 isolated from a swine eliminated similar challenge from only 20% of animals. The results indicate that the extent of protection against virulent T. gondii can vary widely and is related to the immunogenicity of the original immunizing strain.     

Naturally transmitted herpesvirus papio-2 infection in a black and white colobus monkey

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 6.5-year-old female eastern black and white colobus monkey (Colobus guereza) was evaluated after acute onset of ataxia and inappetence. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The monkey was ataxic and lethargic, but no other abnormalities were detected via physical examination, radiography, or clinicopathologic analyses. During the next 2 days, the monkey's clinical condition deteriorated, and its WBC count decreased dramatically. Cytologic examination of a CSF sample revealed marked lymphohistiocytic inflammation. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Despite supportive care, the monkey became apneic; after 20 hours of mechanical ventilation, fatal cardiac arrest occurred. At necropsy, numerous petechiae were detected within the white matter tracts of the brain; microscopic lesions of multifocal necrosis and hemorrhage with intranuclear inclusions identified in the brain and adrenal glands were consistent with an acute herpesvirus infection. A specific diagnosis of herpesvirus papio-2 (HVP-2) infection was made on the basis of results of serologic testing; PCR assay of tissue specimens; live virus isolation from the lungs; and immunohistochemical identification of the virus within brain, spinal cord, and adrenal gland lesions. Via phylogenetic tree analysis, the colobus HVP-2 isolate was grouped with neuroinvasive strains of the virus. The virus was most likely transmitted to the colobus monkey through toys shared with a nearby colony of baboons (the natural host of HVP-2). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of natural transmission of HVP-2 to a nonhost species. Infection with HVP-2 should be a differential diagnosis for acute encephalopathy in primate monkeys and humans, particularly following exposure to baboons.     

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy: epidemiological features 1985 to 1990.

Following the identification of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the British cattle population in 1986 epidemiological studies were launched. This paper provides an updated account of the epidemiological features of BSE from 1985, when the first cases, based on clinical histories, occurred, until 1990. The number of cases up to December 1989 represents an annual incidence of 3.9 confirmed cases per 1000 adult animals in Great Britain. Many more dairy herds were affected than beef suckler herds, a difference attributable to the difference in feeding practices between the two herd types. The geographical variation in incidence previously described has persisted with the highest incidence in the south and east of England. Other features of the epidemiology, including the low within-herd incidence, remained unaltered from the earlier findings. The results support the previously suggested hypothesis that the outbreak of BSE was due to the sudden exposure of the cattle population to a scrapie-like agent in 1981/82. There was no evidence of direct transmission between cattle during the period considered.