Possible immunoenhancement of persistent viremia by feline leukemia virus envelope glycoprotein vaccines in challenge-exposure situations where whole inactivated virus vaccines were protective

Kittens immunized with purified native FeLV-gp70 or -gp85 envelope proteins developed ELISA, but not virus neutralizing, antibodies in their serum to both whole FeLV and FeLV-gp70. Kittens vaccinated with envelope proteins and infected with feline sarcoma virus (FeSV) developed smaller tumors than nonvaccinates, but a greater incidence of persistent retroviremia. Similarly, FeLV-gp70 and -gp85 vaccinated kittens were more apt to become persistently retroviremic following virulent FeLV challenge exposure than nonvaccinates. Kittens vaccinated with inactivated whole FeLV developed smaller tumors after FeSV inoculation and had a lower incidence of persistent retroviremia than nonvaccinates. The protective effect of inactivated whole FeLV vaccine against persistent retroviremia was also seen with FeLV challenge-exposed cats. Protection afforded by inactivated whole FeLV vaccine was not associated with virus neutralizing antibodies, although ELISA antibodies to both whole FeLV and FeLV-gp70 were induced by vaccination.     

Experience with Cyclosporin-A After Renal Allografting in Two Dogs Research Note

After renal allografting, cyclosporin-A was administered to one partially nonmatched dog that was followed for 79 days. Cyclosporin-A and prednisolone were administered to one nonmatched dog that was followed for 805 days. Side effects encountered with cyclosporin-A included lymphocytic dermatitis, papillomatosis, bacterial and fungal infections, and B lymphocyte hyperplasia.     

Seasonal changes in the histochemical properties of the olfactory epithelium and vomeronasal organ in the Japanese striped snake, Elaphe quadrivirgata

Seasonal changes in the histochemical properties of the vomeronasal and olfactory epithelia of the Japanese striped snake were examined in four seasons, viz. the reproductive, pre-hibernating, hibernating and post-hibernating seasons. In the vomeronasal and olfactory supporting cells, secretory granules were much more abundant in the hibernating season than in the other seasons. In the vomeronasal and olfactory receptor cells, the lipofuscin granules were much fewer in the post-hibernating season than in the other seasons. In histochemical studies with 21 lectins, several lectins stained the vomeronasal and olfactory epithelia (receptor cells, supporting cells and free border) more weakly in the hibernating season than in the reproductive season. However, all lectins stained both epithelia in the hibernating season after sialic acid removal in a similar manner as in the reproductive season after sialic acid removal. These lectin histochemical studies indicate that sialic acid residues in the vomeronasal and olfactory epithelia are more numerous in the hibernating season than in the reproductive season. The results suggest that during hibernation, the vomeronasal and olfactory receptor cells possibly undergo rapid cell turnover, and that during this time, the vomeronasal and olfactory epithelia are securely protected from pathogens by an innate immune defence system.     

Classical swine fever outbreak containment using antiviral supplementation: a potential alternative to emergency vaccination and stamping-out

Classical swine fever (CSF) outbreaks may result in huge economic losses to countries with densely populated pig areas (DPLAs). The EU minimum control measures require depopulation of infected farms, movement restrictions, zoning and surveillance (EU Minimum strategy). Emergency vaccination is authorised for DPLAs although the EU Minimum strategy plus culling in a 1-km ring around infected premises is preferred. Nonetheless, vaccination in a 2-km ring has been found equally effective as 1-km ring culling using stochastic modelling. Alternatives control measures (e.g. antiviral agents, in particular small molecule inhibitors of the CSFV replication) are being explored. Hence, the present study was set up to simulate inter-herd CSFV spread when antiviral molecules are supplemented to pig feed in a 1-km ring around infected farms. The effectiveness of the antiviral strategy for containing CSF outbreaks was compared to six other control scenarios including the EU Minimum strategy, the EU preferred policy for DPLAs and the use of 2-km ring vaccination. The InterSpread Plus model was adapted to the 2006 Belgian pig population and outbreak simulations were performed with a fast spreading CSFV strain entering a DPLA in Belgium. Four out of the seven control strategies resulted in outbreaks that were controlled by the end of the simulation period (i.e. 365 days). The distributions of the number of infected herds and the duration of the predicted outbreaks for these four control strategies were not different. This is the first report investigating CSF outbreak containment using antiviral molecules. Although antiviral supplementation was not found to perform any better than some other conventional strategies, such as pre-emptive culling and emergency vaccination, it might be worthwhile considering it further as additional tool in a response to CSF outbreaks.     

Role of ginger against the reproductive toxicity of aluminium chloride in albino male rats

The aim of the current study was to evaluate reproductive disorders concomitant with aluminium chloride (AlCl₃) toxicity in Albino male rats. Attention was also directed to study the protective influence of ginger against this toxicity. Forty‐five mature Albino Wistar male rats were equally divided into three groups; the first group was served as control group while those of the second group (AlCl₃) were daily treated with 34 mg/kg bw. AlCl₃ orally. The third group (AlCl₃ + ginger) was treated daily with AlCl₃ as in group 2 in combination with ginger (40 mg/kg bw), which started 2 weeks prior to AlCl₃. Five animals from each group were sacrificed on days 30, 45 and 60 of treatment. AlCl₃ administration significantly decreased serum testosterone levels, increased testicular homogenate malondialdehyde and deteriorated semen picture with increased testicular DNA fragmentation. Histopathological examination revealed degenerative changes of the seminiferous tubules with focal areas of necrosed spermatogenic cells, marked degeneration and desquamation of the lining epithelial cells of epididymis as well as multiple calcified material in prostate gland following 60 days of aluminium treatment. Ginger treatment started to improve significantly all studied parameters after 60 days as compared with AlCl₃‐treated group. In the current study, it was concluded that AlCl₃ had a destructive effect on all the studied reproductive parameters. Treatment with ginger has an ameliorating effect against AlCl₃ toxicity after 60 days post‐treatment.     

Virucidal efficacy of four new disinfectants

Virucidal efficacy was evaluated for four recently available disinfectants: chlorine dioxide, potassium peroxymonosulfate, a quaternary ammonium compound, and citricidal (grapefruit extract). Sodium hypochlorite (3%) and tap water were used as positive and negative controls respectively. Feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, and feline parvovirus were exposed to the manufacturers' recommended dilutions of the evaluated disinfectants. Both chlorine dioxide and potassium peroxymonosulfate completely inactivated the three viruses used in this study. These disinfectants can aid in controlling nosocomial transmission of viruses with less of the deleterious effects of sodium hypochlorite. The quaternary ammonium compound evaluated in this study and citricidal were not effective against feline calicivirus and feline parvovirus.     

Evaluation the Clinitek status automated dipstick analysis device for semiquantitative testing of canine urine

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the Clinitek status™ analyser using Multistix10SG™/Microalbustix™ dipsticks (all: Siemens Dx) for canine urine (n = 101) compared to reference methods: visual reading (Combur9 dipstick, Roche), refractometry, microscopy, and quantitative protein/creatinine analysis (Pentra400, AxonLab). The automated analyses were done twice and visual tests were performed by two examiners.An excellent to good concordance was demonstrated between the first/second analysis with the Multistix10SG and the Combur9 dipstick, respectively with Cohen’s κ-values ranging from 0.776 to 1.000. Agreement between both dipsticks was good for glucose (κ = 0.753), blood (κ = 0.793), protein (κ = 0.788), and moderate for bilirubin (κ = 0.431) and ketones (κ = 0.540). In 6/101 specimens, false positive ketone reactions were obtained with the Multistix10SG™. Multistix10SG™ could not be used for determination of pyuria or specific gravity. Semiquantitative/quantitative protein results correlated well (ρ = 0.90) and creatinine measurements moderately (ρ = 0.76). Due to automated data transmission to the laboratory information system, the Clinitek status™ is of advantage in veterinary laboratories/clinics.     

Vitamin D Status in Different Stages of Disease Severity in Dogs with Chronic Valvular Heart Disease

Background

In humans with heart disease, vitamin D deficiency is associated with disease progression and a poor prognosis. A recent study showed that serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration, the hallmark of vitamin D status, was lower in dogs with heart failure than in normal dogs, and a low concentration was associated with poor outcome in dogs with heart failure.

Objectives

To elucidate the vitamin D status of dogs with chronic valvular heart disease (CVHD) at different stages of disease severity.

Animals

Forty‐three client‐owned dogs with CVHD.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, dogs were divided into 3 groups (14 dogs in Stage B1, 17 dogs in Stage B2, and 12 dogs in Stage C/D) according to ACVIM guidelines. Dogs underwent clinical examination including echocardiography. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured in each dog.

Results

Serum 25(OH)D concentration was significantly lower in Stage B2 (median, 33.2 nmol/L; range, 4.9–171.7 nmol/L) and C/D (13.1 nmol/L; 4.9–58.1 nmol/L) than in Stage B1 (52.5 nmol/L; 33.5–178.0 nmol/L) and was not significantly different between Stage B2 and Stage C/D. Among clinical variables, there were significant negative correlations between 25(OH)D concentration and both left atrial‐to‐aortic root ratio and left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter normalized for body weight.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

These results indicate that vitamin D status is associated with the degree of cardiac remodeling, and the serum 25(OH)D concentration begins to decrease before the onset of heart failure in dogs with CVHD.     

Detection of infectious bursal disease virus in experimentally infected chickens by in situ hybridization

In situ hybridization was used in a pathogenesis study of three vaccine pathotypes (Delaware variant A, D78, and BursaVac) of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Tissues were excised (bursa, thymus, spleen, proventriculus, and cecal tonsils), fixed in formalin, and paraffin embedded at 12, 24, 48, 72, and 120 hr postinoculation (HPI). With an antisense VP2 gene probe, viral nucleic acid was detected in bursas from both D78- and BursaVac-infected chickens at 24, 48, 72, and 120 HPI. However, viral RNA was detected only in the Delaware variant A-infected birds at 72 HPI. Thymus and spleen were positive in the D78-infected birds at 48 HPI and in the BursaVac-inoculated group at 72 HPI. Viral nucleic acid was not present in detectable levels among any of the tissues tested at 12 HPI. However, by 24 hr, scattered positive lymphoid cells were visualized in the bursal follicles of chickens infected with D78 and BursaVac. In addition, low levels of viral nucleic acids were detected in the thymus and spleen among the D78- and BursaVac-infected birds. The sites of viral replication were consistent between the two vaccine-infected groups (D78 and BursaVac), whereas the chickens infected with Delaware variant A had limited IBDV replication in the bursa.