Canine X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency.

Canine X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID) is due to mutations in the common gamma (gamma c) subunit of the IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9 and IL-15 receptors. The most striking clinical feature is a failure to thrive or 'stunted' growth. Recurrent or chronic infections begin at the time of decline of maternal antibody, usually between six and eight weeks of age. Affected dogs rarely survive past three to four months of age. The major pathologic feature of canine XSCID is a small, dysplastic thymus. Grossly identifiable lymph nodes, tonsils, and Peyer's patches are absent in XSCID dogs. During the neonatal period, XSCID dogs have few, if any, peripheral T cells and increased number of peripheral B cells. Some XSCID dogs do develop phenotypically mature, nonfunctional T cells with age, however, the absolute number of peripheral T cells remain significantly decreased compared to age-matched normal dogs. An interesting finding is that as soon as T cells begin to appear in XSCID dogs they rapidly switch from a CD45RA+ (naive) phenotype to a CD45RA- (activated or memory phenotype). One of the characteristic findings in XSCID dogs is an absent or markedly depressed blastogenic response of T cells in response to stimulation through the T cell receptor and when the necessary second messengers for cellular proliferation are directly provided that by-pass signals delivered through ligand-receptor interaction. The proliferative defect is due to the inability of T cells to express a functional IL-2 receptor. Canine XSCID B cells do not proliferate following stimulation with T cell-dependent B cell mitogens, however, they proliferate normally in response to T cell-independent B cell mitogens. Canine XSCID B cells are capable of producing IgM but are incapable of class-switching to IgG antibody production following immunization with the T cell-dependent neoantigen, bacteriophage phiX174. The number of thymocytes in the XSCID thymus is approximately 0.3% of the thymocytes present in the thymus of age-matched normal dogs. The proportion of CD4-CD8- thymocytes in XSCID dogs is increased 3.5-fold and the CD4+CD8+ population is decreased 2.3-fold. These findings demonstrate that (1) a functional gamma c is required for normal B and T cell function, (2) early T cell development is highly dependent upon a functional gamma c, and (3) B cell development can occur through a gamma c-independent pathway.     

Screening of five drugs for efficacy against Babesia felis in experimentally infected cats

The efficacy of 5 drugs was tested against experimental Babesia felis infection in domestic cats. Two of the drugs, rifampicin and a sulphadiazine-trimethoprim combination, appeared to have an anti-parasitic effect, but were inferior to primaquine. The other 3 drugs, buparvaquone, enrofloxacin and danofloxacin, had no significant anti-babesial effect.     

Regulation of atrial fibrillation in horses with oral quinidine sulfate. Discussion of the disease picture in a typical case

Atrial fibrillation is a disorder of cardiac rhythmicity, and its importance in the horse depends on the underlying cause and the function of the horse. Before the decision is taken to start treatment, it has first to be ascertained whether treatment is worthwhile and whether the horse is an appropriate candidate for treatment. This article gives a short overview of current opinion on the cause and treatment of atrial fibrillation in the horse. The most used treatment at the moment, oral chinidine sulphate, is discussed. The hemodynamic consequences of atrial fibrillation and the response of a patient to treatment with chinidine sulphate are also discussed.     

Intravenous administration of levothyroxine for treatment of suspected myxedema coma complicated by severe hypothermia in a dog

A 7-year-old male English Coonhound with suspected myxedema coma complicated by severe hypothermia and metabolic abnormalities was treated with a combination of active external and core rewarming techniques, i.v. and oral administration of levothyroxine, supplemental oxygen, and administration of fluids (0.9% NaCl solution). Myxedema coma develops as a consequence of severe hypothyroidism and is characterized by a hypometabolic, stuporous state. Myxedema coma is associated with a high mortality rate, and most reported cases have involved Doberman Pinschers. Intravenous administration of levothyroxine can be used successfully in combination with oral administration to restore normal metabolic function and assist in warming and thermoregulation, although dosages should be conservative to avoid adverse cardiovascular effects.     

Modulation of peripheral markers of the serotoninergic system in healthy horses

To evaluate the changes in plasma and platelet serotonin (5-HT) as markers of the serotoninergic system in equines, 5-HT content was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in deproteinized plasma obtained from peripheral blood samples of 12 clinically healthy horses, before and after feeding. 5-HT was measured in platelet rich plasma (PRP) and in platelet poor plasma (PPP). 5-HT in platelets (p5-HT) was obtained by subtracting free 5-HT in PPP (f5-HT) from 5-HT in PRP. After food ingestion, significant increases in p5-HT and f5-HT (p < 0.001), and no changes in the f5-HT/p5-HT ratio were recorded. Increase in the total circulating 5-HT might account both for initiating peristaltic activity and for increasing the f5-HT levels. Augmented 5-HT uptake by platelets could reflect the hypothetical increased activity of the serotoninergic neurons. Besides showing the feasibility to obtain f5-HT and p5-HT through HPLC determination of 5-HT in PRP and PPP equine plasma, these findings are consistent with the postulation that 5-HT is released from enterochromaffin cells following a mechanical and chemical stimulation.     

Effects of Supplementing a Basal Diet of Chloris gayana Hay with One of Three Protein-rich Legume Hays of Cassia rotundifolia,Lablab purpureus and Macroptilium atropurpureum Forage on Some Nutritional Parameters in Goats

Growth and digestibility experiments were conducted on growing East African type goats offered Chloris gayana hay supplemented with one of three high-protein (119–128 g CP/kg DM) legume hays, Cassia rotundifolia (cassia), Lablab purpureus (lablab) or Macroptilium atropurpureum (siratro), and crushed maize to investigate the feed intake, digestibility, growth and urinary excretion of purine derivatives. Goats in the supplemented groups had higher total dry matter and nitrogen intakes and higher N retention and body mass gains than unsupplemented counterparts. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fibre were increased by protein supplementation. Animals on supplemented diets had higher fractional outflow rates of particulate matter from the rumen. The production of protein by ruminal microbes and the efficiency of microbial N production were increased by supplementation. It was concluded that a mixture of low-quality grass hay (61.9 CP/kg DM) and either cassia, lablab or siratro hay, and maize grain can provide a productive balanced diet for growing goats.     

Theileriosis in a Missouri beef herd caused by Theileria buffeli: case report, herd investigation, ultrastructure, phylogenetic analysis, and experimental transmission

A 6-year-old Simmental cow infected with Theileria buffeli had a clinical disease characterized by theilerial parasitemia, macrocytic normochromic anemia with acanthocytosis and spherocytosis, lymphoid hyperplasia (lymphocytosis, edematous lymphadenomegaly), dysproteinemia, evidence of liver disease, and a low serum antibody titer against T. buffeli. The cow was in a herd in which all cattle originated in Missouri; 22/75 (29%) of cattle had a theilerial parasitemia and 26/75 (35%) had titers to T. buffeli of > or =1:160. Classification of the Missouri bovine organism as T. buffeli was based on DNA sequencing and comparison to sequences for T. buffeli and Theileria sp. type A obtained from GenBank. Intraerythrocytic veils and piroplasms were seen during transmission electron microscopy. The organism was successfully transmitted to two splenectomized calves, which developed mild anemias while parasitemic. Blood from the second calf was used as the source of T. buffeli antigen for an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. Theilerial isolates from a Missouri white-tailed deer were also sequenced and resembled Theileria sp. types F and G and were not consistent with the bovine organism.     

Repeated manual evacuation for treatment of rectal tears in four horses

Horses with tears that involve all layers of the rectum except the mesocolon (grade IIIb) have a poor prognosis for survival because of the difficulty in treating these wounds and the propensity for them to progress to full perforations (grade IV). Most treatments for grade-IIIb rectal tears involve surgery of some kind, but not all grade-IIIb rectal tears require surgical intervention. We report on 4 horses with grade-IIIb rectal tears that were evaluated via palpation per rectum and endoscopy. Two of 4 horses were admitted with signs consistent with shock and endotoxemia, and evaluation of all peritoneal fluid samples was indicative of nonseptic peritonitis. Horses were treated via administration of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs and repeated manual evacuation of the terminal portion of the small colon and rectum. Treatment centered on preventing further enlargement of the rectal tear by eliminating the storage function of the terminal portion of the small colon and rectum. None of our horses had worsening of the original injury, and horses were discharged within 2 weeks of admission with full resolution of the rectal tear. Outcomes in the horses of our report indicate that repeated manual evacuation can be successful for treatment of horses with grade-IIIb rectal tears.