Comparison of intradermal and serum testing for allergen-specific IgE using a Fcepsilon RIalpha-based assay in atopic dogs in the UK

Atopic dermatitis in dogs is a common allergic skin disease that affects substantial numbers of dogs in the UK. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of an intradermal test (IDT) and an in vitro test in a large cohort of dogs. Dogs were intradermal tested with Greer allergens (Greer Labs Inc, Lenoir, NC, USA) using standard techniques. At the same time blood samples were drawn and submitted for evaluation by ELISA using the ALLERCEPT Definitive Allergen Panels for allergen-specific IgE, a commercial assay that uses a biotinylated recombinant extracellular domain of the high affinity Fc-epsilon receptor alpha chain protein (Fcepsilon RIalpha). The allergens used in the two tests included grass, tree and weed pollens, moulds, flea saliva/whole flea extract and house dust mite species. The optical density readings from the ELISA for each allergen were compared with the results of the IDT for 265 dogs. The prevalence of positive reactions in the ELISA was equal to or greater than the results of the IDT in the case of almost all of the allergens, but two notable exceptions were the house dust mites Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. These two allergens were the most common positive reactions by IDT (prevalence D. farinae 78.9%, D. pteronyssinus 66.4%). The results of the two tests were significantly different (McNemar's test, P<0.05) for 16 of the 22 allergens. The sensitivities of the ELISA compared to the IDT (where there were more than 3 dogs with positive reactions in both tests) varied between 19.3 and 77.1% (D. pteronyssinus 19.3% and D. farinae 67.9%) and the specificities varied between 64.2 and 96.6% (D. pteronyssinus 96.6% and D. farinae 89.3%).     

A comparative study on the rumen microbial populations,hydrolytic enzyme activities and dry matter degradability between different species of ruminant

A comparative study among Korean native cow (Hanwoo), Holstein dairy cow, Korean native goat and crossbred sheep on the population and marker concentration of ruminal microbes, the activities of carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), xylanase and amylase, and in situ dry matter (DM) degradability were conducted. Twelve ruminally cannulated animals, three of each species, were used. Animals were fed the same diet containing 40% formula feed and 60% rice straw at the level of 2.5% of body weight. Total viable microbial populations in the rumen fluid were significantly (P < 0.01) greater for bacteria and fungi in goat than those of Holstein. The protozoan population among ruminant species was the reverse from that of bacteria. The concentrations of 2,6‐diaminopimelic acid and chitin as markers for bacteria and fungi in the rumen fluid, respectively, were highest in goat, which is in accordance with the above population data. The concentration of aminoethylphosphonic acid as marker of protozoa was highest in Hanwoo and lowest in sheep (P < 0.01). Goat had the highest (P < 0.01) activities of all the enzymes investigated among ruminants. In situ effective degradation of the DM of rice straw was approximately 19% higher in the rumen of goat compared with other animals.     

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius necrotizing fasciitis in a dog

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was implicated as the cause of rapidly progressive and fatal necrotizing fasciitis in a dog. The isolate was methicillin-susceptible and did not contain genes encoding the Panton-Valentine leukocidin. While Streptococcus canis is typically considered to be the main cause of necrotizing fasciitis in dogs, staphylococci should also be considered.     

当代大学生就业中道德缺失问题的思考

大学生就业难是社会普遍关注的焦点问题之一。大学生就业中的伦理道德缺失不容忽视。要解决这一问题，除学校加强道德教育、企业提升自身魅力外，根本在于大学生自身的觉悟与个人素养的提高。     

Polyomavirus infection in hamsters and trichoepitheliomas/cutaneous adnexal tumours

Multiple skin nodules, with histological features of adnexal tumours consistent with trichoepithelioma, were observed on the head and trunk of Syrian hamsters. Skin biopsies from 20 hamsters from five different colonies were affected, and two of the affected hamsters also had lymphoma. Two owners reported that 16 of 70 hamsters and 50 of 100 hamsters in their colonies had similar skin lesions. These tumours have previously been associated in laboratory colonies with hamster polyomavirus (HaPV) infection. Examination of skin tissues by electron microscopy failed to reveal intranuclear virus particles. Using recombinant major capsid protein VP1 of HaPV, VP1-specific antibodies were detected in sera from 12 of 12 affected hamsters and in four of four unaffected in-contact hamsters, by ELISA. The ELISA data were verified by immunoblot analysis. Eleven of 13 serum samples contained antibodies which reacted with at least one recombinant structural HaPV protein (VP2), including samples from three in-contact unaffected hamsters. Nine of the 11 anti-VP2-positive samples also reacted with recombinant VP3 of HaPV, and six reacted with VP1. Amplification by PCR and sequencing detected VP1 -encoding sequences showing a high degree of homology with HaPV. The findings suggest a possible infection by HaPV or a HaPV-like virus and it is likely that such an infection was enzootic within the affected colonies.     

Pemphigus foliaceus in association with systemic lupus erythematosus, and subsequent lymphoma in a cocker spaniel

A seven-year-old neutered male cocker spaniel was presented with an 11-month history of generalised bacterial dermatitis. There were skin lesions over the entire body, which were round, slightly raised and encrusted. Skin biopsies were collected and the histological findings were consistent with pemphigus foliaceus. Immunohistochemical staining by the indirect immunoperoxidase method was positive, with desmosomal deposition of immunoglobulin (Ig) G. Haematological analysis revealed a regenerative anaemia and profound thrombocytopenia, while a Coombs' test was positive for polyvalent canine Coombs' reagent and anti-dog IgG. An antinuclear antibody test was positive, with a titre of 10,240. An ophthalmic examination demonstrated low tear production (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). Seven months after initial referral, the dog was re-presented with severe generalised peripheral lymphadenopathy. Radiographic evaluation of the thorax and abdomen revealed enlarged cranial mediastinal and sublumbar lymph nodes. Tru-Cut biopsy from an enlarged lymph node confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoma, which was phenotyped as a B-cell tumour. The diagnosis in this case was systemic lupus erythematosus, with the unusual feature of pemphigus foliaceus, and subsequent development of B-cell lymphoma. The case adds further to knowledge of the protean clinical presentations of canine autoimmune diseases and provides additional evidence for the potential association between autoimmunity and immune-system neoplasia in this species.     

内蒙古阿拉善左旗红砂荒漠土壤盐分离子含量与其含水量相关关系研究

对内蒙古阿拉善左旗红砂荒漠土壤盐分离子含量和土壤含水量的分布规律进行了研究,并对两者之间做了相关和回归分析。结果表明,阿拉善左旗红砂荒漠土壤中盐分离子的含量,阳离子以Na+为主,阴离子以SO42-为主。在垂直分布上,Mg2+、Na+、Cl-和SO42-含量随着土层深度的增加而增加,而K+、CO32-和HCO3-含量随着土层深度的增加而减少。阿拉善左旗3个地区(乌力吉、长流水和孪井滩)的土壤含水量介于1.39%～8.01%之间,平均含水量为5.02%。3个地区中,红砂荒漠土壤所含盐分离子中的Mg2+、Cl-和SO42-均与其土壤含水量之间存在明显的线性关系。     

Heat stress: A major contributor to poor animal welfare associated with long-haul live export voyages

Recent investigations by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry into high mortalities on live export voyages from Australia to the Middle East during the Northern hemisphere summer suggest that animal welfare may be compromised by heat stress. The live export industry has generated a computer model that aims to assess the risk of heat stress and to contain mortality levels on live export ships below certain arbitrary limits. Although the model must be complied with under Australian law, it is not currently available for independent scientific scrutiny, and there is concern that model and the mandated space allowances are inadequate. This review appraises the relevant literature on heat stress in sheep and cattle, including laboratory studies aimed at mimicking the ambient temperatures and humidity levels likely to be encountered on live export voyages. Animal welfare is likely to be very poor as a result of heat stress in some shipments.