Atopy.

Atopy should be considered an immunological disorder that may result in several clinical conditions including respiratory disease, allergic dermatitis, food allergy dermatitis, and perhaps flea allergy dermatitis. The clinical course of the disease tends to fluctuate from season to season, which makes objective evaluation of injection therapy difficult. The disease is subject to both familial and environmental influences, and dogs maintain the atopic state throughout their life. The disease cannot be cured; however, a combination of symptomatic and specific injection therapy usually provides adequate control of the clinical signs. Owners of atopic dogs should appreciate that their pet has inherently itching skin, a cure for which is unlikely to be found.     

Structure of the sheep epidermis.

The stratum corneum measured on fresh frozen sections was found to be considerably thicker than previously reported. It was uniformly permeated with sebum, which also formed an intact film over the skin surface and it could readily be divided into two zones. The living epidermis was approximately half as thick as the stratum corneum.     

The blood volumes and erythrokinetics of Ndama and Zebu cattle experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei.

The responses of susceptible Ndama and Zebu cattle to experimental infection with Trypanosoma brucei were compared using haematological, parasitological and radioisotopic methods. Animals of both breeds became anaemic, but this was more severe in the Zebu cattle, one of which died. Although the prepatent period was the same in animals of both breeds, the levels of the first and subsequent peaks of parasitaemia were higher in the Zebu. The anaemia was due to an accelerated rate of red cell break-down which was more marked in the Zebu cattle. Haemodilution was not a feature. There was no evidence of dyshaemopoiesis but iron reutilisation from degraded erythrocytes was impaired. The greater resistance of the Ndama to T brucei infection could not be attributed to the capacity of this breed to mount a more effective erythropoietic response than the Zebu.     

Detection of the K99 antigen of Escherichia coli in calf faeces by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Summary An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is presented for the detection of the K99 antigen of Escherichia coli in calf faeces. False-positive reactions were not observed with K99-negative strains and with several viral antigens. Only bovine coronavirus caused slight positive reactions which could be eliminated by a blocking test. As compared with the conventional procedure for the detection of the K99 antigen, ELISA seemed to be at least as sensitive and had the advantage that samples could be stored at -20° C before testing. In addition many samples could be handled at the same time and the results became available quickly. By carrying out the assay as a blocking test, specific antibody against K99 in serum or colostrum could be detected and titrated.     

Prevalence of antibodies to equine viruses in the Netherlands

Summary The prevalence of antibodies to various viruses was investigated in a series of serum samples collected from horses in the Netherlands between 1963 and 1966 and from 1972 onwards. Neutralizing antibodies to equine rhinopneumonitis virus, equine arteritis virus and to equine rhinovirus types 1 and 2 were detected in respectively 76%, 14%, 66% and 59% of the equine serum samples tested. The observed incidence of serum samples positive to equine adenovirus in the complement fixation test was 39%. Precipitating antibodies to equine infectious anaemia virus were detected only in serum samples from two horses imported from abroad. Haemagglutination inhibiting antibodies to Myxovirus influenzae A / equi-1, M. Influenzae A / equi-2, and Reovirus types 1, 2, and 3 were present in respectively 82%, 50%, 10%, 33% and 3.6% of the serum samples tested. The most frequently observed incidence of antibodies to the various equine respiratory viruses occurred in the groups of horses having repeatedly contact with other horses.     

Residues of polychlorinated biphenyls and DDT in water and sediment of the St. Lucie Estuary, Florida, 1977.

sigma DDT residues in the St. Lucie River bottom sediments increased after Lake Okeechobee water was discharged through the St. Lucie Canal into the area. sigma DDT levels were highest in sediment samples from the Palm City area, ranging from 1.8 ppb to 6.15 ppb. Sediment samples from the A1A Highway Bridge area contained 1.6-6.8 ppb Aroclor 1254. Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and sigma DDT in sediment samples from the junction of the St. Lucie and Indian Rivers were not detectable. Surface water samples from the estuary did not show any detectable DDT or PCB residues.     

Activated coagulation times of normal cows

The Activated Coagulation Time (ACT) was determined on 10 normal cows. Duplicate samples were taken from each cow. The mean ACT was 145 seconds with a range of 120-180 seconds. Standard deviations were 18 and 13 for the first and second sampling, respectively. Repeatability of the ACT was acceptable.