Canine serum protein patterns using high-resolution electrophoresis (HRE)

Serum protein values were determined in 26 healthy dogs using agarose gel electrophoresis (SPE), splitting the electrophoretic separation into six regions: albumin, alpha(1), alpha(2), beta(1), beta(2)and gamma globulins. High-resolution electrophoresis (HRE) was used to separate single proteins. Serum proteins from dogs (26 healthy and 20 affected by various diseases) were then characterized by electrophoretic immunofixation (IFE) and Sudan black staining on HRE film. Haemoglobin and normal canine plasma and serum were used to identify haptoglobin and fibrinogen, respectively.In the standard pattern, determined by HRE, the following proteins were identified: albumin, alpha(1)-lipoprotein (alpha(1)-region), haptoglobin and alpha(2)-macroglobulin (alpha(2)-region), beta -lipoprotein and C3 (beta(1)-region), transferrin and IgM (beta(2)-region), IgG (mostly in gamma -region and partly in beta(2)-region). The HRE pattern shown by healthy dogs could be compared with those of dogs affected by various diseases to obtain clinical information.     

Experimental camelpox infection in vaccinated and unvaccinated dromedaries

Four dromedaries were infected with a virulent camelpox virus strain which was isolated from the lung of a Saudi Arabian camel. The camels which were infected intradermally and subcutaneously developed severe generalized camelpox. One of these camels had to be euthanized on humane grounds and the second one died 13 days after being infected. This dromedary also developed internal pox. Neither dromedary showed camelpox antibodies before infection. The other two camels which had been vaccinated with Ducapox 6 years prior to the viral challenge did not develop any clinical symptoms when given 5 ml of the field virus intravenously and intramuscularly. They seroconverted after the challenge. Although only two camels were used for this trial, the results indicate that a single dose of Ducapox can protect 1-year-old camels from camelpox infection for several years.     

Efficacy of fenbendazole against inhibited larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi in yearling cattle

Efficacy of fenbendazole, at doses of 7.5 and 10.0 mg/kg of body weight, against inhibited early 4th-stage larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi and other nematodes of the abomasum and intestinal tract, was investigated in naturally infected yearling heifers in late May 1982. In Louisiana, this is near the end of the period (March to May) in which maximal numbers of inhibition-prone larvae are acquired. The mean numbers of O ostertagi in 10 untreated control cattle were: adults, 4,880; developing 4th-stage larvae, 12,546; and inhibited early 4th-stage larvae, 167,931. At the 7.5 mg/kg dose level (10% liquid suspension) in 10 cattle, percentage reduction of O ostertagi in comparison with controls was: adults, 95.7%; developing 4th stages, 91.1%; and inhibited 4th stage, 55.0%. Percentage reductions of other genera were as follows: abomasum--Trichostrongylus axei, 99.6%; Haemonchus sp, 95.1%; intestinal tract--Cooperia spp, 97.8%; Trichostrongylus colubriformis, 100.0%; and Oesophagostomum radiatum 4th stage and adults, 100.0%. At the 10.0 mg/kg dose (10% liquid suspension) in 11 cattle, the percentage reduction of O ostertagi in comparison with controls was: adults, 98.6%; developing 4th stages, 92.9%; and inhibited 4th stage, 80.0%. Percentage reductions of other genera were: abomasum--T axei, 99.9%; Haemonchus sp, 98.8%; intestinal tract--Cooperia spp, 99.3%; T colubriformis, 100.0%; and Oes radiatum 4th stage and adults, 100.0%. Variability of efficacy against inhibited larvae was observed, particularly at the 7.5 mg/kg dose; at this dose, 7 of the 10 heifers in the group yielded in excess of 54,000 surviving larvae.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ultrasonography of the spleen in 50 healthy cows

This paper describes the ultrasonographic appearance, location and size of the spleen in 50 healthy commercial milk cows destined for slaughter. The intercostal spaces of the left thoracic wall were scanned with a 3.5 MHz linear transducer. In each intercostal space, the appearance of the splenic parenchyma, the dorsal and ventral margins and the distance between them, and the diameter of the splenic vessels were recorded. The spleen was seen in intercostal spaces 7-12. It was 2.0-5.0 cm thick, and tapered ventrally. The splenic capsule appeared as an echogenic line. The splenic parenchyma consisted of numerous small regularly spaced echoes, and vessels within the parenchyma appeared as anechoic round to oval or elongated images. The long axis was oblique, running caudodorsal to cranioventral. The distance from the dorsal margin of the spleen to the midline of the back was greatest in the 7th intercostal space (60.9+/-6.81) and smallest in the 12th intercostal space (12.7+/-2.85 cm). The extent of the spleen was greatest in the 8th intercostal space (24.9+/-10.77 cm) and smallest in the 12th intercostal space (9.5+/-5.38 cm). The mean diameter of the splenic vessels ranged from 0.66+/-0.28 to 0.90+/-0.65 cm, depending on the intercostal space scanned. Ultrasonography of the spleen in healthy cows provides information that can be used as a reference when examining cattle with suspected splenic disease.     

Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) up-regulates telomerase activity in MDBK cells

The proliferative capacity of mammalian cells is regulated by telomerase, an enzyme uniquely specialised for telomeric DNA synthesis. The critical role of telomerase activation in tumor progression and maintenance has been well established in studies of cancer and of oncogenic transformation in cell culture. Experimental data suggest that telomerase activation has an important role in normal somatic cells, and that failure to activate sufficient telomerase also promotes disease. Evidence regarding the role of telomerase in the pathogenesis of several viruses including human immunodeficiency virus has led to an increased interest in the role of telomerase activity in other virus infections. In this research we evaluated the telomerase modulating activity of Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) in MDBK cells. MDBK cells were infected at different multiplicity of infection with BHV-1 Cooper strain and telomerase activity at different times post-infection was measured by the TRAP assay. Our data indicate that BHV-1 significantly up-regulates telomerase activity at 3 and 6h post-infection decreasing after the 24h post-infection. Our data, showed that the effect was mediated by an immediate-early or early viral gene, and use of the protein translation inhibitor cycloheximide confirmed that an immediate early gene is primarily responsible.     

Parasitology and urban livestock farming in nigeria: prevalence of ova in faecal and soil samples and animal ectoparasites in Makurdi

Domestic environmental pollution resulting from urban livestock farming was investigated in Makurdi using parasitological techniques. The test tube flotation technique was used for the parasitological analysis of animal faecal matter and soil samples collected from residential premises. Ectoparasitic fauna of dogs, goats, sheep and cattle cohabiting with humans within the same residential compound were also collected and identified. The hand-picking and body brushing methods were employed to search for ticks, fleas, lice and mites. Of the 150 soil samples examined, 55 (36.7 %) were positive for 1 or more eggs of helminth parasites. There was no significant difference in the distribution of eggs in the soil samples from the 3 areas sampled (Chi2 = 0.046, df = 2, P > 0.05). Ascaris species were the dominant parasite eggs found. Of the 180 faecal samples examined, 107 (59.4 %) were positive for 1 or more eggs of helminth parasites. Chi-square analysis showed no significant difference in the level of infection of different animal faeces sampled (Chi2 = 5.74, df = 4, P > 0.05). Ascaris species were again the dominating helminth parasite eggs found. There was also no significant difference in the prevalence of helminth eggs in the animal faecal samples from the 3 areas sampled (Chi2 = 5.99, df = 4, P > 0.05). A total of 1908 ectoparasites was recovered (ticks: 32.80 %; lice: 22.43 %; fleas: 22.06 % and mite: 22.69 %). There was no significant difference in infestation animals between sexes (Chi2 = 0.10, df = 4, P > 0.05). The predominant genus encountered for ticks were Amblyomma, while Linognathus (43.90 %), Ctenocephalides (97.38 %) and Sarcoptes (58.89 %) were most predominant for lice, fleas and mites respectively. The public health implications of the findings, especially as these relate to the increasing incidence and prevalence of zoonotic infections, are discussed.     

Intra-tumoral gene delivery of feIL-2, feIFN-gamma and feGM-CSF using magnetofection as a neoadjuvant treatment option for feline fibrosarcomas: a phase-I study

Despite aggressive pre- or postoperative treatment, feline fibrosarcomas have a high relapse rate. In this study, a new treatment option based on immune stimulation by intra-tumoral delivery of three feline cytokine genes was performed. The objective of this phase-I dose-escalation study was to determine a safe dose for further evaluation in a subsequent phase-II trial. Twenty-five client-owned cats with clinical diagnosis of fibrosarcoma - primary tumours as well as recurrences - entered the study. Four increasing doses of plasmids coding for feIL-2, feIFN-gamma or feGM-CSF, respectively, were previously defined. In groups I, II, III and IV these doses were 15, 50, 150 and 450 microg per plasmid and a corresponding amount of magnetic nanoparticles. Two preoperative intra-tumoral injections of the magnetic DNA solution were followed by magnetofection. A group of four control cats received only surgical treatment. Side effects were registered and graded according to the VCOG-CTCAE scale and correlated to treatment. Statistical analyses included one-way anova, post hoc and Kruskal-Wallis tests. ELISA tests detecting plasma feIFN-gamma and plasma feGM-CSF were performed. One cat out of group IV (450 microg per plasmid) showed adverse events probably related to gene delivery. As these side effects were self-limiting and occurred only in one of eight cats in group IV, this dose was determined to be well tolerable. Altogether six cats developed local recurrences during a 1-year observation period. Four of these cats had been treated with dose IV. Regarding these observations, a subsequent phase-II trial including a representative amount of cats should be tested for the efficacy of dose IV as well as dose III.