Effects of hormonal therapy on the microbiology of seborrheic dogs.

Quantitative and qualitative bacterial assays were performed on the skin of three dogs with endocrine-related primary metabolic seborrhea. After the dogs were treated (thyroid supplementation or castration, bacterial analyses were again performed on the same sites. Before therapy, the dogs had a cutaneous flora composed mainly of Staphylococcus aureus coagulase-positive organisms. After therapy, there was a significantly lower bacterial count, and two of the dogs had floras consisting mainly of coagulase-negative cocci. During the study, the two dogs that reverted bacteriologically to a normal cutaneous microenvironment became normal dermatologically. The third dog improved, but continued to have minor signs of seborrhea.     

Endotoxin absorption in hay-fed and lactic acidotic sheep.

Absorption of endotoxin from the gastrointestinal tract was evaluated in hay-fed and lactic acidotic sheep duodenally infused with 10 mg of Escherichia coli endotoxin, and in lactic acidotic sheep not infused. The effect of abomasal fluid on biological activity of endotoxin was also evaluated. Leukopenia was the criterion used for detecting endotoxemia. Absorption of endotoxin from the gastrointestinal tract was not detected in either hay-fed or lactic acidotic sheep. Endotoxin appeared to maintain its activity after incubation with abomasal fluid, and the presence of endogenous endotoxin in abomasal contents was indicated. The results indicate that endotoxin of alimentary origin may not be involved in the lactic acidosis syndrome in ruminants.     

Intranuclear cisternal and vesicular structures in canine circumanal gland carcinoma cells

Intranuclear cisternal and vesicular structures, bound by a single membrane, were observed for the first time in some glandular "bird's eye" cells of canine circummanal gland carcinomas. The role of these intranuclear structures is not clear. It is suggested that they may be involved in cellular adaptation to an environment of nutrient deficiency, as a result of cell overcrowding.     

Trout mortalities as a result of Streptococcus infection.

Excessive mortalities were experienced in the bigger rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) at an efficiently managed trout farm. All tests for known toxins in the feed and water proved to be negative. A faecal Streptococcus which belongs to the Lancefield group D but which could not be identified as belonging to any of the recognized species within this group, was isolated from the spleens, livers and kidneys of affected fish. Pathogenicity studies with this organism proved it to be highly fatal to trout but not to Mozambique bream (Sarotherodon mossambicus), banded bream (Tilapia sparrmenii), carp (Cyprinus carpio) or largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The isolation and biochemical characteristics of the organism are described. The symptoms, gross- and histopathology of this disease are described and discussed. The disease resembles a haemorrhagic septicaemia and appears to be associated with intensification and conditions of stress.     

Isoenzyme variation in piroplasms isolated from bovine blood infected with Theileria annulata and T parva.

Blood from calves infected with Theileria annulata and T parva was freed from host cell elements and the piroplasms liberated from the red cells by ammonium chloride lysis. Lysates of the purified piroplasms and control host cell material were examined electrophoretically for several enzymes. Zymograms stained for glucose phosphate isomerase showed distinct differences between the host cell enzyme pattern and parasite enzyme patterns. The isoenzyme pattern of T annulata piroplasms differed from the isoenzyme pattern of T parva piroplasms.     

Theileria mutans in Nigeria.

Two strains of bovine Theileria from northern Nigeria were shown to be identical to Theileria mutans in the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. One of the strains was transmitted by the tick Amblyomma variegatum; large macroschizonts, typical for T mutans, could be demonstrated in infected cattle. It is concluded from these experiments and from the literature that there is reliable evidence so far for the occurrence in Nigeria of only two bovine Tehileria species, T mutans and T velifera.