Comparative evaluation of Vitek gram-positive identification system and API Rapid Strep system for identification of Streptococcus species of bovine origin

The Vitek Gram-positive identification system (GPI, Vitek Systems, Inc., Hazelwood, MO) and the API Rapid Strep system (Analytab Products, Plainview, NY) were evaluated for species identification of streptococci isolated from bovine mammary glands and compared to conventional biochemical methods. A total of 144 strains including Streptococcus uberis (60), S. dysgalactiae (32), S. agalactiae (15), S. bovis (15), Enterococcus faecium (10) and Ent. faecalis (12) were evaluated. All reference strains were identified correctly by both systems. Vitek GPI card system identified 94.4% of strains, including 95% of S. uberis, 93.8% of S. dygalactiae, 93.3% of S. agalactiae and S. bovis II, 90% of Ent. faecium and 100% of Ent. faecalis. Majority of strains were identified with a 90-99% level of confidence, with an average of 8 h needed for identification. The API Rapid Strep system identified 96.5% of strains correctly, including 95% of S. 96.9% of S. dysgalactiae, 93.3% of S. agalactiae, and 100% of S. bovis II, Ent. faecium, and Ent. faecalis. Majority of strains were identified with excellent level of identification. With the exception of S. uberis, most strains were identified at 4 h of incubation.     

A reagin-like antibody in horse serum II. Anti-human IgE induced reversed cutaneous anaphylaxis-like responses in horse skin

Fc specific anti-human IgE serum induced prolonged reversed cutaneous anaphylaxis (RCA)-like reactions in horse skin. Morphologically and histologically, these reactions resembled passively induced late cutaneous anaphylaxis responses in human skin, but differed from reversed passive Arthus responses induced in horse skin using anti-horse IgG serum. The induction of RCA-like responses in horse skin by anti-human IgE indicates shared Fc antigenic determinants on human IgE and a horse homocytotropic or reagin-like antibody.     

Effect of dexamethasone on the ability of sheep to resist reinfection with nematodes

Five groups of wethers were placed on pasture known to be infected with nematode larvae. Groups I to IV were reared on pasture, and group V was drawn from pen-reared, ‘worm-free’ stock. Groups III and IV and tracers (group V) were drenched at the beginning of the experiment, but groups I and II were not. From day 0, when placed on the infected pasture, groups II and IV were treated twice weekly with dexamethasone trimethylacetate. Faecal egg counts and blood lymphocyte counts were recorded throughout the experiment. On day 56, five animals from each group were slaughtered and their worm burdens counted.Faecal egg counts and worm burdens of dexamethasone-treated sheep were much higher than the respective controls; the tracer animal counts were intermediate. Lymphocyte counts of groups II and IV were significantly lowen than for group I by day 50. Some animals were vaccinated with killed Salmonella typhimurium on day 21; these animals produced antibodies despite treatment with dexamethasone. Titres were, however, lower than for non-dexamethasone-treated animals.     

Degenerative myelopathy in an adult miniature poodle

Degenerative myelopathy was diagnosed at necropsy of an adult Miniature Poodle with a 33-month history of progressive pelvic limb ataxia and proprioceptive deficit. Microscopic examination of the cord revealed diffuse degenerative myelopathy. Degenerative myelopathy is usually seen in adult, large-breed dogs and progresses over a period of months. In this case, the myelopathy progressed slowly and the degree of paralysis became more extensive than usually seen.     

Tetanus in a dog

A three month old dog with tetanus was treated with antitoxin, antibiotic, a sedative and a muscle relaxant. A pharyngotomy tube was placed to facilitate feeding. The dog recovered after 23 days of therapy.     

Observation of bose-einstein condensation in a dilute atomic vapor

A Bose-Einstein condensate was produced in a vapor of rubidium-87 atoms that was confined by magnetic fields and evaporatively cooled. The condensate fraction first appeared near a temperature of 170 nanokelvin and a number density of 2.5 x 10(12) per cubic centimeter and could be preserved for more than 15 seconds. Three primary signatures of Bose-Einstein condensation were seen. (i) On top of a broad thermal velocity distribution, a narrow peak appeared that was centered at zero velocity. (ii) The fraction of the atoms that were in this low-velocity peak increased abruptly as the sample temperature was lowered. (iii) The peak exhibited a nonthermal, anisotropic velocity distribution expected of the minimum-energy quantum state of the magnetic trap in contrast to the isotropic, thermal velocity distribution observed in the broad uncondensed fraction.