The pathology of disseminated Aspergillus terreus infection in dogs

Disseminated Aspergillus terreus infection was diagnosed in ten previously healthy adult dogs--nine German shepherds and one dalmatian. The disease was characterized by the presence of multiple granulomas and infarcts in a wide range of organs. The kidney, spleen, and skeletal system were most commonly and severely affected. Fungal hyphae were demonstrated in large numbers within granulomas and thrombi, and A. terreus was readily isolated by culture. This disseminated mycosis appears unique; in this series of cases there was no apparent predisposing factor, portal of entry, or primary focus for dissemination of the infection.     

Evaluation of a Swedish steam-dryer for treatment of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in pine chips

A steam-dryer, designed and manufactured in Sweden, was evaluated for destroying Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in pine chips from southern USA. In a trial, pine chips were treated at different temperature and pressure regimes for 5 or 10min. The lowest time/temperature/pressure combination was to increase the vessel temperature from 85 to 104°C in 5 min at low pressure. Samples of pine chips were assayed for nematodes in laboratories in USA, Sweden, and Finland. No nematodes of any species were recovered from any of the treated pine-chip samples. Large and heterogeneous pieces of wood in the treated samples were also nematode-free. The apparatus was a prototype capable of handling about 400 kg h^-1. The final version would have to be able to process 100-200 th^-1.     

Passive protection of mice with antiserum to neuraminidase fromPasteurella multocida serotype A:3

Antiserum to a partially purified neuraminidase fromPasteurella multocida, type A:3, was adsorbed with protease-digestedP. multocida type 3 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to remove LPS immunoreactivity. The LPS-adsorbed antineuraminidase caused a 77% reduction in the neuraminidase activity of homologousP. multocida in anin vitro enzyme neutralization test. All 14 mice passively immunized with the adsorbed antineuraminidase were protected against challenge infection with homologousP. multocida in a mouse protection test. Ten out of 14 mice in one group that received antisera containing antibodies to both neuraminidase and LPS were protected. In contrast, only 1 out of 14 mice that were immunized with pre-immune serum survived the challenge. These results suggest that antiserum toP. multocida neuraminidase was, at least partly, responsible for the protection observed in this study. Neuraminidase may be one of the immunogenic protective proteins present in aqueous extracts ofPasteurella multocida.     

Skeletal muscle fiber size in untrained and endurance-trained horses.

The mean area and minimal diameter of 3 histochemically determined myofiber types (1, 2A, and 2B; myosin ATPase in acid buffer) were calculated in middle gluteal muscle biopsy specimens from 62 stallions, 47 Andalusians and 15 Arabians, ranging in age from 6 to 12 years. Fourteen Andalusians and 7 Arabians were untrained, and the remainder were actively endurance-trained. The 6-month training schedules involved walking, slow trotting, and cantering. Fourteen Andalusians were moderately endurance-trained, whereas the other 19 Andalusians and 8 Arabians were strongly endurance-trained. Significant differences were not recorded between untrained and endurance-trained Arabians with respect to the area (type 1, 3,194 +/- 869 microns 2 and 3,150 +/- 370 microns 2; type 2A, 3,819 +/- 890 microns 2 and 3,380 +/- 356 microns 2; and type 2B, 4,872 +/- 962 microns 2 and 4,417 +/- 646 microns 2) or minimal diameter (type 1, 52.2 +/- 7.4 microns and 52.8 +/- 3.1 microns; type 2A, 58.1 +/- 6.7 microns and 55.0 +/- 2.8 microns; and type 2B, 65.3 +/- 6.4 microns and 63.4 +/- 4.3 microns) of the 3 fiber types, nor between untrained and endurance-trained Andalusians with respect to the area (untrained, 3,990 +/- 690 microns 2; moderately endurance-trained, 3,882 +/- 347 microns 2; and strongly endurance-trained, 3,758 +/- 510 microns 2) and minimal diameter (untrained, 58.1 +/- 4.7 microns; moderately endurance-trained, 59.7 +/- 2.7 microns; and strongly endurance-trained, 58.7 +/- 4.5 microns) of 2A fibers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Estrogen and progesterone receptor status of mammary carcinomas and correlation with clinical outcome in dogs.

Estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) were measured in cytosol fractions from 18 primary canine mammary carcinomas by use of biochemical assays. One or both receptors were detected (> 10 fmol/mg of cytosol protein) in 11 tumors: 5 ER and PR; 2 ER only; 4 PR only. Mean cytoplasmic receptor concentrations (fmol/mg of cytosol protein) were 22.8 +/- 2.9 (SEM) for ER and 51.0 +/- 10.3 for PR in tumors containing ER and PR, 28.8 +/- 12.1 for ER in tumors containing only ER and 13.2 +/- 1.5 for PR in tumors containing only PR. Estrogen or progesterone receptors or both were identified in 6 of 9 tubular adenocarcinomas, 4 of 5 papillary adenocarcinomas, and 1 of 1 squamous cell carcinoma. These receptors were not identified in solid carcinomas (n = 2) or a single spindle cell carcinoma. Although the number of cases was limited, survival times of dogs tended to be longest in those with tumors containing ER alone or in combination with PR, intermediate in those with tumors containing only PR, and shortest in those with tumors without ER or PR. A correlation was not apparent between receptor status and age, presence of ovaries, tumor size, or histologic classification of the tumor. In the analysis of this series, the extent of surgery (mastectomy of the involved gland vs unilateral or bilateral mastectomy) did not appear to influence the outcome of the disease, and metastasis to regional lymph nodes did not appear to be a reliable prognostic indicator.     

Infection of bovine fetuses at 120 days' gestation with virulent and avirulent strains of bluetongue virus serotype 11.

Bluetongue virus infection in sheep and cattle during fetal development causes neuropathology. Two strains of bluetongue virus serotype 11 designated as UC-2 and UC-8 have different virulence patterns in newborn mice. These viruses have distinctly different electropherotype patterns on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicating a genetic difference in these two viruses of the same serotype. Four bovine fetuses each were inoculated intramuscularly with either UC-2 or UC-8, and one fetus was inoculated with placebo. The inoculation was made intramuscularly through the uterine wall at 120 days' gestation, and the bovine fetuses were recovered by cesarean section 12 or 20 days after inoculation. Fetal blood was collected for virus isolation and serology. Virus was reisolated from brain, blood, lung and liver. Both strains, UC-2 and UC-8, cause severe lesions in the 120 day fetuses. The encephalomalacic lesions occurred earlier and were more severe in fetuses inoculated with UC-8 as compared to those inoculated with UC-2. The subtle differences observed in the fetuses inoculated with the two different strains suggest that there is a difference in pathogenic potential of the two viruses. These differences do not appear to be completely dependent upon the host species.     

New concepts in fetal and placental amino acid metabolism.

Fetal amino acid nutrition and metabolism have been studied primarily in pregnant sheep. The umbilical uptake of amino acids changes during gestation, but at both mid- and late gestation the total supply exceeds that required for growth. Weight-specific protein synthetic rate decreases with increasing gestational age, and these changes are proportional to the changes in metabolic rate. The use of multiple tracer methodology coupled with measurement of net tracer fluxes into and out of fetal and placental tissues can be used to delineate amino acid metabolism in considerable detail. Such studies demonstrate that even essential amino acids can be oxidized extensively by the fetus. The oxidation rate of leucine exceeds its rate of accretion in tissue proteins. Glycine metabolism is unique in several ways; there is a large umbilical uptake of glycine without a measurable uterine uptake. In late gestation there is no significant umbilical uptake of serine, although there is a significant uterine uptake, suggesting net uteroplacental utilization. Glycine is oxidized within the fetal liver and used for serum production. The interorgan exchange of amino acids between the fetal liver and placenta is clearly of major importance for serine and glycine metabolism and is likely to be of major importance for most nonessential amino acids.     

Intravenous catheterisation of foetus and mare in late pregnancy: management and respiratory, circulatory and metabolic effects.

The uterine and umbilical vessels of 12 pregnant ponies were catheterised to study foetal metabolism. The effects of this procedure on maternal and foetal cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic and adrenocortical activity were monitored during and after surgery. Premedication with acepromazine-butorphanol-detomidine was followed by induction of anaesthesia with detomidine and ketamine and maintenance, using mechanical ventilation, with halothane in oxygen and nitrous oxide. Mean maternal arterial blood pressure was greater than 70 mmHg during anaesthesia and arterial oxygen tension remained over 100 mmHg. The foetuses were adequately oxygenated but were hypercapnic and lactic acidaemic. Most maternal and foetal blood gases and metabolites had returned to normal by 24 h, although foetal plasma lactate fell more slowly. The maternal adrenocortical discharge was less severe than reported previously and plasma cortisol had fallen to basal levels by 48 h after surgery. Foetal plasma cortisol remained low and did not change during or after surgery. Arterio-venous metabolite and gas tension differences across the uterine and umbilical circulations were slightly greater at operation than in the recovery period, suggesting that uteroplacental perfusion may have been impaired during surgery. Post-operative recovery of the mare and foetus was satisfactory and subsequent problems associated with the foetal catheters were not related to the anaesthesia or surgery.     

In vitro nitroimidazole resistance of Trichomonas gallinae and successful therapy with an increased dosage of ronidazole in racing pigeons (Columba livia domestica)

Six out of eight different Trichomonas gallinae strains isolated from racing pigeons proved to be resistant to the nitroimidazole drugs ronidazole, carnidazole and metronidazole. The minimal cytocidal concentration of ronidazole was determined in in vitro experiments. Moreover, a therapeutic dose for ronidazole was determined for the control of trichomoniasis in pigeons from which the resistant T. gallinae strains were isolated. It was a 5-fold increase of the recommended ronidazole dosage which eliminated the infection in affected pigeons.     

Populations of Salmonella typhimurium in internal organs of experimentally infected carrier swine.

Experiments were conducted to determine comparative populations of Salmonella typhimurium in the most commonly infected body organs of long-term carrier swine. Naturally farrowed Salmonella-free pigs (n = 58) were orally exposed to S typhimurium when they were 47 days old. Necropsy of 3 to 5 randomly selected pigs was conducted at 3, 7, 10, 14, and 17 days and at 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 weeks after exposure. Mean populations (log10/g) of S typhimurium in palatine tonsils, ileum, cecum (wall and contents), ascending colon (wall and contents), and mandibular and ileocolic lymph nodes were estimated at each necropsy, using a most-probable-number method of bacteriologic examination. Populations of organisms in cecum and colon were similar to each other throughout the duration of the study. Mean populations (log10/g) associated with cecal and colonic walls decreased from 6.1 and 6.6, respectively, during the first postexposure (PE) week to less than or equal to 1.67 from PE weeks 4 to 28. Populations (log10/g) associated with cecal and colonic contents decreased from 5.6 and 5.5, respectively, at PE day 3 to 2.5 and 2.7, respectively, at PE week 4, and remained less than or equal to 2.8 until week 28. Populations (log10/g) associated with intestinal walls and contents were closely correlated during the study. Population (log10/g) in the ileum was greater than or equal to 5.3 from PE days 3 to 17, then varied between 5.4 and -0.4 up to PE week 28.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)