The influence of the swine major histocompatibility genes on antibody and cell-mediated immune responses to immunization with an aromatic-dependent mutant of Salmonella typhimurium.

Eighty-two major histocompatibility complex (MHC) swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) defined miniature pigs from 16 litters were examined for serum agglutinating antibody titer and O-polysaccharide (O-ps) specific peripheral blood lymphocyte blastogenesis following two parenteral vaccinations with 1 x 10(8) aromatic-dependent (aroA) Salmonella typhimurium and following oral challenge with 1 x 10(12) virulent parent S. typhimurium. Least mean squares analysis allowed separate determinations of the effects of MHC genotype, dam, sire and litter. In most cases only litter significantly influenced both lymphocyte blastogenesis and antibody titer before and after vaccination and following challenge. However, pig SLA haplotype significantly influenced the degree of O-ps specific lymphocyte proliferation six days after the second vaccination (p < 0.004). Lymphocyte proliferation and serum agglutinating antibody response six days after primary vaccination were negatively correlated (r2 = -0.68, p < 0.001). In most cases, "dd" and "gg" homozygous and "dg" heterozygous pigs, having the same MHC class II region, behaved immunologically as a group distinct from the other genotypes.     

Analyte comparisons on the Coulter Dacos and Kodak Ektachem DT-60 clinical chemistry analyzers

Eighteen analytes were compared using the Coulter Dacos and Kodak Ektachem DT-60 chemistry analyzers. All analytes were significantly linearly related. Correlations were excellent for fifteen analytes (r > 0.95); the correlations for sodium, chloride, and total protein were less than 0.95 but greater than 0.90. Several analytes had slopes significantly different from unity which was likely related to methodological differences. Regression equations are presented for the conversion of data generated using the Kodak Ektachem DT-60 to Coulter Dacos values so that, in the University of Guelph clinical pathology laboratory, one set of reference intervals serves both instruments. These data are directly applicable only in the laboratory in which they were developed. They should not be utilized directly in other laboratories, but can be used as general guidelines until confirmatory studies are done.     

Myelofibrosis: Review of clinical and pathological features in fourteen dogs

A clinicopathological study was performed on 14 dogs with myelofibrosis (MF), in order to correlate clinical, laboratory, and histomorphological parameters and investigate factors of prognostic significance. The clinical signs included fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, and diarrhea. Physical findings included pale mucous membranes and wasting/emaciation. The major laboratory observations were moderate to severe, poorly-responsive anemia with various degrees of marrow cellularity and fibrosis. All dogs with severe, non-responsive anemia should have a bone marrow core biopsy, stained for connective tissue, in order to detect myelofibrosis. Myelofibrosis regressed in six dogs.     

Isolation of Mycoplasma synoviae from infectious synovitis of chickens

This report describes the first isolations of Mycoplasma synoviae from the synovial sheaths and joints of commercial chickens affected with synovitis in Australia. Over 4 years 3 separate outbreaks were investigated in which up to 20% of birds exhibited clinical signs of poor growth and "hot foot" syndrome (swollen inflamed footpads). Once an outbreak occurred, chronic infection of the farm usually ensued. Grossly the hocks and footpads were swollen by a purulent exudate and associated inflammatory changes with histological features of a severe acute synovitis. Seroconversion of the flocks occurred at the time of the development of lesions. M. synoviae specific antibodies were demonstrated by ELISA in the joint fluid of affected birds. It is concluded that the cases described are similar to avian infectious synovitis syndrome caused by M. synoviae previously described overseas.     

On establishing reference values.

In order to establish a range of reference values for any characteristic one can use Gaussian or nonparametric techniques, whichever are most appropriate. One has the choice of calculating tolerance intervals or percentile intervals. A tolerance interval is said to contain, say 95% of the population with probability, say 0.90. A percentile interval simply simply calculates the values between which 95% of the observations fall. If the data can be said to have a Gaussian distribution, the same precision can be obtained with smaller sample sizes than using the nonparametric techniques. In some cases, data which are not Gaussian can be transformed into a Gaussian form and hence make use of the more efficient Gaussian techniques. In both cases, the data should be checked for outliers or rogue observations and these should be eliminated if the testing procedure fails to imply that they are an integral part of the data.     

Early Pathological Changes Associated with Fasciola hepatica Infection in White-tailed Deer

Three white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were inoculated with 1000 metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica and examined on days 7, 14, and 28 postinoculation to determine the early response of a resistant host to this infection. It was concluded that only small numbers of the metacercariae penetrated the intestinal wall into the peritoneal cavity. Flukes that migrated to the liver penetrated through Glisson's capsule, primarily on the parietal surface. Marked fibroplasia and cellular infiltration of the capsule were induced and flukes were killed and destroyed in granulomas immediately beneath the capsule. Migration in hepatic parenchyma was minimal and immature flukes or migratory tracks were not found. There were infiltrations of eosinophils and mononuclear cells, bile duct hyperplasia and fibroplasia in portal areas. A few flukes penetrated through the diaphragm within 14 days postinoculation and on day 28 granulomas were observed on the dorsal surface of the lung where F. hepatica had penetrated this organ. The early reaction of Glisson's capsule to F. hepatica infection in white-tailed deer has not been described in cattle, sheep or swine infected with this fluke.