Serological detection of phage infection in Chlamydia psittaci recovered from ducks

Antiserum prepared against a phage which infects a Chlamydia psittaci isolate recovered from domestic ducks was used to screen other recent avian C psittaci isolates by indirect immunofluorescence. Two more phage infected strains from ducks were discovered. However, phage was not detected in every isolate examined from common source ducks, although such birds are likely to be infected with the same C psittaci strain. Moreover, phage could not always be demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence in McCoy cell monolayers infected with the phage-containing strain. The results suggest that phage infection is probably an integral part of duck chlamydiosis in the United Kingdom at present, but that the infection is often cryptic.     

A comparison of tine cultivation and ploughing with two methods of straw disposal on the growth, nutrient uptake and yield of winter wheat grown on a clay soil

Abstract. Ploughing and tine cultivation to depths of 5, 15 and 25 cm were used to prepare land before sowing winter wheat. The methods were compared for two years with or without the presence of straw residues from the previous crop and the effects on crop growth and yield were assessed.
Some combinations produced large differences in yield. In 1985–86 volunteer cereals were a problem where straw was not burnt, but deeper ploughing controlled them. In both years the concentrations and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium differed during the early period of growth but not at maturity.     

Increase of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes expressing CD8 antigen following challenge infection with Eimeria acervulina.

Eimerian infection-induced changes in the intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) subpopulations expressing CD8 antigen (cytotoxic/suppressor T cells) or antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) heterodimer alpha beta (TCR2) or gamma delta (TCR1) were investigated in F2 crosses of 15I5 B-congenic chickens differing for the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Duodenum TCR2+ IEL were increased in B2 B2 and B5 B5 chickens 7 days following secondary infection. Two-color immunofluorescence revealed that the majority of CD8+ cells in the duodenum intraepithelium of immune chickens expressed TCR2. A significant increase in the duodenum TCR2+CD8+ and TCR1+CD8+ IEL occurred in B2 B2 chickens, which developed significantly less oocyst production than the B5 B5 chickens following challenge infection. The results suggest that a significant increase in the duodenum CD8+ IEL may reflect an enhanced acquired immunity of B2 B2 chickens.     

Evaluation of primary re-excision after recent inadequate resection of soft tissue sarcomas in dogs: 41 cases (1999-2004)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of primary re-excision alone for treatment of soft tissue sarcomas after recent incomplete resection, the frequency and clinical importance of detecting residual tumor in resected scars, and prognostic factors associated with the procedure. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 41 dogs. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs that had undergone recent incomplete excision of a soft tissue sarcoma at a referring veterinary practice and subsequent re-excision of the scar at the Colorado State University Veterinary Medical Center were reviewed. Owners and referring veterinarians were contacted for follow-up information. Slides from re-excised specimens were reviewed. Dogs that underwent radiation therapy after the re-excision procedure were excluded. RESULTS: 41 dogs met the inclusion criteria, and long-term follow-up information was available for 39 dogs. Median follow-up time was 816 days. Local recurrence of tumor developed in 6 of 39 (15%) dogs, and distant metastasis occurred in 4 of 39 (10%) dogs. Healthy tissue margins of 0.5 to 3.5 cm were achieved at re-excision. Residual tumor was identified in 9 of 41 (22%) resected scars. No tumor-, patient-, or treatment-related variables were associated with local recurrence except for the presence of liposarcoma or fibrosarcoma or whether fine-needle aspiration had been performed prior to surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: After incomplete resection of soft tissue sarcomas, resection of local tissue should be performed, even if excisable tissue margins appear narrow. A long-term favorable prognosis is achievable without radiation therapy or amputation. The presence of residual tumor in resected scar tissue should not be used to predict local recurrence.     

Quantitative variability inPisum seed globulins: its assessment and significance

Five different techniques have been used with sevenPisum (pea) genotypes to demonstrate the existence of extensive genotypic variability in the proportions of the major pea seed globulins, legumin, vicilin and convicilin. The accuracy and reproducibility of each method have been assessed and the significance of the observed variability discussed both in relation to studies of the control of globulin synthesis and to breeding for pea seed protein with higher nutritional quality.     

Traumatic tympanic bulla fracture

A Pekingese dog was presented for evaluation of head trauma with ventral head and neck swelling, puncture wounds, palpable mandibular fractures, and loss of menace, severe miosis, and loss of palpebral reflex of the right eye. Computed tomography confirmed multiple mandibular and zygomatic fractures, a right ear canal avulsion, and a complete right tympanic bulla fracture with ventral displacement. The tympanic bulla fracture was managed conservatively. Topical lubrication and antibiotic ointment was prescribed for the right eye. A subtotal hemimandibulectomy was performed to address the mandibular fractures. A temporary oesophagostomy feeding tube was placed. No short‐term complications developed as a result of the fractured bulla and avulsed ear canal being left in situ, and no complications were reported 18 months after the injury. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first report of a traumatic tympanic bulla fracture in the dog.     

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction in a dog

SUMMARY A three-year-old neutered female Border Collie was presented with in-appetence, vomiting and diarrhoea. Abdominal radiographs revealed an obstructive pattern but no physical obstruction was evident at laparotomy. A diagnosis of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction was made based on histopathological changes in intestinal biopsies. Treatment was unsuccessful and the dog deteriorated progressively until euthanased five weeks after presentation.     

Response of B congenic chickens to infection with infectious bursal disease virus.

Six congenic lines of chickens that differ from the parental inbred line RPRL-15I5 for genes in the major histocompatibility (B) complex were used to study the influence of the B haplotypes on the response of chickens to infection with virulent infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) at 1 day or 4 weeks of age, and on the antibody response to vaccination with live or inactivated oil-emulsion (OE) IBDV vaccines at 7 weeks of age. IBDV-induced immunodepression and lesions in the bursa, spleen, and thymus in chickens infected with virus at 1 day of age were of the same degree of severity, regardless of line of chickens used. The response of blood cells to the mitogens phytohemagglutinin-M and concanavalin A was elevated in chickens infected with IBDV at 1 day of age. In an experiment conducted to study the effect of the B haplotype on IBDV infection in 4-week-old chickens, B congenic line C-12 (B12B12) showed the highest susceptibility to clinical IBD, with mortality of 79%. No detectable difference in the serological response to vaccination with live or OE IBDV vaccines was noted among chickens of various congenic lines. We conclude that the B haplotypes may influence IBDV-induced mortality, but not immunodepression or severity of lesions in lymphoid organs, or the antibody response to live or OE IBDV vaccines.     

Comparison of acetate tape impression with squeezing versus skin scraping for the diagnosis of canine demodicosis

This study compared the sensitivity of acetate tape impression and skin squeezing with that of deep skin scraping for the diagnosis of demodicosis in dogs. Demodex canis was detected in 100% of acetate tape impressions obtained after skin squeezing and in 90% of deep skin scrapings. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) between the techniques in the total number of mites detected. Acetate tape impression with skin squeezing was found to be more sensitive than deep skin scraping and is an alternative diagnostic method for canine demodicosis.