Detection of antiplatelet antibody: comparison of platelet immunofluorescence,agglutination, and immunoinjury tests using rabbit antiequine platelet serum

Immunofluorescence, tube agglutination, and platelet factor-3 immunoinjury tests for detecting antiplatelet antibody were compared using a heterologous system of equine platelets and rabbit antiequine platelet serum. Platelet immunofluorescence tests were performed using paratormaldehyde-fixed platelets in suspension as well as in air-dried smears on glass slides (solid phase). Bright homogeneous, membranous, specific fluorescence was seen in both assays with anti-immunoglobulin G (IgG) and protein G fluorescein isothiocynate conjugates (FITC-conjugates). Protein A conjugate gave nonspecific fluorescence irrespective of normal or antiserum treatment. Anti-IgG and protein G conjugates in suspension immunofluorescence tests with the same antiserum yielded antibody titers of 1:1024 and 1:128, respectively. Similarly, respective titers of 1:512 and 1:64 were obtained with solid phase immunoassay. Platelet suspension assay was slightly better than the solid phase assay. These observations indicated that anti-IgG was more sensitive than protein G in detecting antiplatelet antibody by fluorescence microscopy, while protein A was ineffective because of its nonspecificity. Chloroquine treatment of platelets failed to reduce the nonspecific fluorescence. Platelet agglutination and platelet factor-3 tests were relatively less sensitive to detect equine antiplatelet antibody.     

Comparison of body temperature in cats using a veterinary infrared thermometer and a digital rectal thermometer

The purpose of this study was to determine if the temperatures obtained using a veterinary infrared (IR) thermometer agreed with a digital rectal thermometer in a group of research cats, half of which had transient fevers. The thermometers were weakly correlated (r=0.62). The mean difference was 0.13 degrees F (0.07 degrees C), and the limits of agreement were 2.6 degrees F (1.43 degrees C) and -2.5 degrees F (-1.36 degrees C), which were unacceptable for clinical purposes. The results of this study indicate that, while the IR thermometer was easy to use, it cannot be used interchangeably with the rectal thermometer.     

HIV decline associated with behavior change in eastern Zimbabwe

Few sub-Saharan African countries have witnessed declines in HIV prevalence, and only Uganda has compelling evidence for a decline founded on sexual behavior change. We report a decline in HIV prevalence in eastern Zimbabwe between 1998 and 2003 associated with sexual behavior change in four distinct socioeconomic strata. HIV prevalence fell most steeply at young ages-by 23 and 49%, respectively, among men aged 17 to 29 years and women aged 15 to 24 years-and in more educated groups. Sexually experienced men and women reported reductions in casual sex of 49 and 22%, respectively, whereas recent cohorts reported delayed sexual debut. Selective AIDS-induced mortality contributed to the decline in HIV prevalence.