Comparison of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for the detection of canine IgG1 and IgG2, and associations with infection outcome in Leishmania infantum naturally infected dogs

In murine models of leishmaniasis, IgG subclass expression is a proxy measure for Th1/Th2 cellular immune response bias. However, in dogs, the reservoir of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis, no consistent association has been described between IgG subclass ratios and disease resistance. Inconsistent results may reflect lack of specificity of commonly used commercial antibodies. Our aim was to measure IgG1 and IgG2 responses to crude Leishmania antigen using commercial polyclonal antibodies for comparison with a panel of commercially unavailable monoclonal antibodies, in a cohort of 60 naturally infected dogs, and to compare associations between subclass responses and clinical or parasitological outcomes. IgG1 and IgG2, measured by both antibodies, were higher in clinically symptomatic than in asymptomatic dogs (P ≤ 0.03), reflecting general upregulation of IgG in infected dogs. Unlike the murine model, canine IgG2:IgG1 ratios were not predictive of clinical or parasitological outcomes of infection. Associations between subclass levels and positivity by bone marrow culture and PCR were not consistent when measured with different antibodies. Further research is needed to re-evaluate the specificity of commercially available IgG subclass antibodies.     

Effect of GnRH pretreatment on reproductive performance of postpartum suckled beef cows following synchronization of estrus using GnRH and PGF2alpha

The effect of GnRH pretreatment on estrus detection rate, precision of estrus, and reproductive performance of postpartum beef cows synchronized to estrus using GnRH and PGF2alpha was evaluated. In Exp. 1, Angus cows (n = 87) were randomly assigned by parity, postpartum interval, and body condition score (BCS) to receive either 1) GnRH on d -7 and PGF2alpha on d 0 (GP) or 2) the GP treatment and an additional injection of GnRH on d -16 (GGP). Estrus detection and AI were conducted twice daily from d -3 to d 3. At 72 h after PGF2alpha, all animals not previously detected in estrus were bred by AI and received a concurrent injection of GnRH (TAI). Synchronized pregnancy rates were numerically increased (P = 0.15) in cows treated with GGP (55%) compared with those on the GP treatment (44%). In Exp. 2, 1,276 spring-calving, suckled beef cows in nine herds were randomized to treatments as described for Exp. 1, except that the initial GnRH injection for the GGP treatment was administered on d -14. Herd affected all indicators of reproductive performance (P < 0.05). The percentage of animals detected in estrus prematurely (d -3 to d 0; 7%) was not affected by treatment. Estrus response rate was influenced by postpartum interval (< 60 vs > or = 60; 61 vs 73%; P < 0.01) and a three-way interaction of parity, BCS, and treatment (P < 0.01). Within animals with a BCS > or = 5.5, the GGP treatment tended to increase the detection of estrus in primiparous cows (GP vs GGP; 76 vs 91%; P = 0.11) and decrease detection in multiparous cows (GP vs GGP; 78 vs 72%; P < 0.10). However, because conception rate to TAI in animals with a BCS > or = 5.5 was greater (P < 0.05) in the GGP than in the GP group (28 vs 8%, respectively), this interaction was interpreted to represent a shift in interval to estrus induced by the GGP treatment, rather than a reduction in the synchronization of ovarian function. Conception rates of animals inseminated to an observed estrus did not differ among treatments (P = 0.15). Synchronized pregnancy rate tended (P = 0.06) to be greater in GGP- (53%) than in GP-treated animals (47%). In conclusion, pretreatment with GnRH tended to increase pregnancy rates during a 6-d synchronization period, primarily through enhanced conception rates of cows bred by TAI. In contrast to our hypothesis, GnRH pretreatment did not increase the percentage of animals detected in estrus or the precision of estrus expression.     

Feline thyroid carcinoma: diagnosis and response to high-dose radioactive iodine treatment

This study reports the scintigraphy, histopathology, sole treatment with high-dose radioactive iodine and outcome of eight cases of feline thyroid carcinoma. Scintigraphic findings were variable and in 7/8 cases scintigraphic features could not reliably distinguish whether the thyroid tissue was malignant. Histopathology revealed typical criteria of malignancy in all cases, with mitotic activity described most frequently (7/8 cases), followed by infiltration of local tissues (4/8 cases). Cellular pleomorphism was infrequently observed. Single high-dose (1100MBq I(131)) radioiodine therapy was successful in 6/8 cases, with complete resolution of hyperthyroidism, and was associated with prolonged survival times (181-2381 days). Sole treatment with high-dose radioiodine is a safe and effective treatment for functional thyroid carcinoma. The prognosis for feline thyroid carcinoma successfully treated with radioiodine is good, with extended survival times commonly achieved.     

Individual-based modeling highlights the importance of mortality and landscape structure in measures of functional connectivity

Landscape Ecology - Functional landscape connectivity is vital for the conservation of wildlife species. Landscape connectivity models often overlook factors such as mortality and asymmetry in...     

Aggressiveness and other factors relating to displacement of populations of Phytophthora infestans in England and Wales

Mating type, in vitro sensitivity to the phenylamide fungicide metalaxyl, and mitochondrial (mtDNA) haplotype were determined in some or all of 618 isolates of Phytophthora infestans from the years between 1978 and 1995. A2 mating type occurred infrequently in most but not all years and insensitivity to metalaxyl increased over time. After 1982, the mtDNA Ib haplotype was largely replaced (except for one isolate in 1986 and one in 1995) by two new haplotypes, Ia and IIa. Type Ia was much more common than type IIa.Approximately one quarter of these isolates (165) were compared using two components of fitness associated with aggressiveness (infection frequency × number of sporangia per lesion) on detached leaves of cultivars Maris Piper, Cara and Stirling, which were chosen as exhibiting increasing levels of race non-specific resistance. Isolates were compared with three standard isolates of low, intermediate or high aggressiveness, and the data standardised for comparison between experiments. On cvs. Cara and Stirling, but not on Maris Piper, mtDNA Ia and IIa haplotypes were more aggressive than type Ib in several separate experiments. Similarly, metalaxyl sensitive phenotypes were more aggressive than insensitive phenotypes on Cara and Stirling but not on Maris Piper. The displacement of mtDNA type Ib by types Ia and IIa over this period may have been a result of the lower aggressiveness and lack of complete insensitivity to metalaxyl in type Ib isolates.     

Basal cell carcinoma in a dog with chronic solar dermatitis

A seven‐year‐old, entire male, American Staffordshire bull terrier was diagnosed with chronic solar dermatitis and basal cell carcinoma, based on physical examination, cutaneous cytology and histopathology. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumour cells did not express p53. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first reported case of canine basal cell carcinoma developing as a complication of chronic solar dermatitis.     

Comparison of bronchoalveolar lavage cytospins and smears in dogs and cats

Differences in the cytological interpretation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) after cytospin preparation (CP) or manual smearing of pelleted cells preparation (MSP) were investigated in client-owned dogs and cats with inflammatory or infectious lower respiratory disease. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from healthy cats was also examined. With MSP, cell lysis was more frequently observed, and cellular distribution was more heterogeneous throughout the slide. When samples from healthy and diseased animals were considered together, a significantly greater percentage of neutrophils was seen on CP than on MSP slides (P<0.002). Cytospin preparations were considered of better quality in all individual comparisons. Cytospin preparation is advised in the evaluation of BALF with low total cell count. When only MSPs are evaluated, clinicians should be aware that differential neutrophil counts may underestimate the counts found on CP slides.