Acute intravascular hemolytic anemia in the black rhinoceros: hematologic and immunohematologic observations

To investigate the syndrome of acute intravascular hemolytic anemia in the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), laboratory techniques used in the differential diagnosis of hemolytic anemias were performed on blood samples from 6 black rhinoceroses: 3 nonrelated healthy rhinoceroses, 1 rhinoceros with iron deficiency anemia, and 2 rhinoceroses with intravascular hemolysis. Osmotic fragility, erythrocyte membrane protein composition, hemoglobin electrophoresis, and hemoglobin stability did not distinguish between healthy and affected (anemia or hemolysis) rhinoceroses. Polyclonal antiglobulin reagents were prepared in rabbits, using whole rhinoceros serum and purified rhinoceros immunoglobulin G. These reagents were nonreactive against erythrocytes of the healthy and iron-deficient rhinoceroses. Reactions with RBC from the rhinoceros with fatal hemolytic anemia indicated increased membrane coating by the third component of complement; this was not evident in a second rhinoceros that survived a hemolytic event.     

Influence of oxidised dietary oil and antioxidant supplementation on membrane-bound lipid stability in broiler meat

1. The effects of oxidised oil, dietary alpha-tocopherol and BHA/BHT-supplementation on the fatty acid composition of mitochondrial, microsomal and soluble protein fractions of broiler muscles, and on their lability to metmyoglobin/hydrogen peroxide-catalysed peroxidation were investigated. 2. Oxidised oil in the broiler diets induced rapid oxidation of the membrane-bound lipids and decreased their stability towards metmyoglobin-hydrogen peroxide-catalysed peroxidation. 3. Supplementation of the broiler diets with alpha-tocopherol increased the alpha-tocopherol concentrations in the microsomal and soluble protein fractions of the dark meat as well as the soluble protein fraction of the white meat. This, in turn, stabilised the membrane-bound lipids against metmyoglobin/hydrogen peroxide-initiated peroxidative changes.     

An Alcaligenes faecalis isolate from turkeys: pathogenicity in selected avian and mammalian species

An Alcaligenes faecalis isolate of known pathogenicity for turkeys was examined for adherence and cytotoxicity in tracheal organ cultures of turkeys, chickens, Japanese quail, guinea pigs, hamsters, and mice, and for colonization and pathogenicity in these 6 species. Adherence and colonization were detected by fluorescent antibody staining. Infected and noninfected tracheal rings were examined by phase-contrast microscopy for cytotoxicity (ciliostasis, blebing of the cell membrane, and sloughing of the ciliated epithelium). Alcaligenes faecalis adhered to the tracheal rings of all species examined. Cytotoxicity was apparent in the tracheal rings of turkeys, quail, and chickens. Cytotoxicity was not detected in tracheal rings from the mammalian species. Alcaligenes faecalis colonization of turbinates and tracheas of intact turkeys and quail was detected. Clinical signs of alcaligenes rhinotracheitis were observed and histopathologic characteristics of the disease were detected. Chickens, guinea pigs, hamsters, and mice were refractory to infection with this isolate of A faecalis.     

The effect of 48‐hour fasting on taurine status in healthy adult dogs

Low circulating taurine concentrations may be a risk factor for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. Circulating taurine is typically measured in the clinic 4–5 h after feeding, largely because the impact of later sampling is not known. The objective of this study was to measure taurine in the blood during a 48‐h fast in 12 healthy adult Labrador Retrievers to refine sampling methodology for determination of taurine status. Plasma and whole blood (WB) taurine concentrations did not fall to levels indicative of clinical deficiency throughout fasting; WB was the more reliable indicator of taurine status. This study shows that blood samples can be taken for assessment of taurine status any time up to 48 h after ingestion of a meal in healthy adult dogs.