Observations on transplacental infection with bluetongue virus in sheep

Twenty-four ewes were inoculated with 1 of 2 strains of bluetongue virus type 4 at 40, 60, or 80 days of gestation. Two ewes aborted, 2 ewes died, and 1 was killed during the experiment, but their fetuses were recovered. At term, 2 mummified fetuses, 4 dead lambs, and 17 clinically healthy lambs were produced by 12 sheep, and the remaining 7 sheep were barren. Porencephaly and cerebellar dysgenesis were found in term lambs born to sheep inoculated at 40 and 60 days of gestation. Radiographic examination of 12 fetuses showed developmental ages far less than their chronologic age; 8 fetuses had skeletal growth-retardation lines, which were also observed in the dead lambs. A systemic lymphoreticular hyperplasia was observed in the dead lambs and in all lambs at 12 weeks of age; in 4 of the latter, granulomatous reactions were present in the liver and kidney. Lungs of the full-term lambs were reduced in weight and showed poor alveolar development and mononuclear cell infiltration, which persisted in the 12-week-old lambs. It was concluded that bluetongue virus is capable of causing not only gross abnormalities of the CNS, but also generalized growth retardation and fetal lymphoreticular hyperplasia.     

Comparative antigenic analysis of extracellular proteins of Bacteroides nodosus isolated from virulent and benign ovine footrot

Antigens in the extracellular protein (ECP) complexes of Bacteroides nodosus, isolated from sheep with either benign or virulent footrot, were studied by immunoelectrophoresis (IEP). Rabbit antisera against ECP from virulent and benign strains, were used in homologous and heterologous crossed IEP. Four precipitin peaks unique to the virulent strain, and five peaks unique to the benign strain were identified. In an attempt to characterize the different antigens in ECP, rabbit antisera were raised against an outer membrane protein (OMP, mol. wt. 35 000 daltons), pili and various proteases of virulent and benign strains of B. nodosus. No precipitin band was observed when ECP from both B. nodosus strains were reacted against anti-OMP and anti-pilus antisera. However, single precipitin bands unique to one protease from the benign strain and one protease from the virulent strain were identified. The results suggest that specific antigens other than proteases or pili are important in determining whether a B. nodosus isolate is virulent or benign.     

Neutrophil function in the dog: shape change and response to a synthetic tripeptide

Isolated dog neutrophils exposed to known chemotactic factors assumed a bipolar configuration in suspension. This response was initiated within 2 minutes with a gradual return to spherical shape. The rate of return to sphere was positively correlated with the dose of stimulant. Dog neutrophils exposed to N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) did not adapt to bipolar conformation and did not bind radiolabeled fMLP. These findings are consistent with other species (pig and cow) that also did not respond to fMLP.     

Periodontal disease. Etiology and pathogenesis

Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of the early loss of teeth in dogs and cats. Some of the factors in the adult animal that play a major role in the development of periodontal diseases are discussed in this article, including overcrowding, malocclusions, diet, developmental defects, and metabolic and systemic disease.     

Crystalluria. Observations, interpretations, and misinterpretations

Crystalluria results from oversaturation of urine with crystallogenic substance. However, oversaturation may occur as a result of in vitro as well as in vivo events. The microscopic appearance of crystals only represents a tentative identification of their composition because variable conditions associated with their formation, growth, and dissolution may alter their appearance. Definitive identification is dependent on physical methods such as optical crystallography, x-ray diffraction, and electron microscopic analysis.     

Les insectes nuisibles aux eucalyptus en Italie: importance des dégats et méthodes de lutte1

Des informations sur la biologie et la diffusion des principaux insectes nuisibles aux eucalyptus en Italie sont données, ainsi que sur l'importance de leurs dégats et sur les méthodes de lutte les plus couramment employées. En plus des quelques espèces polyphages, qui peuvent causer des dégats sporadiques, les phytophages vivant exclusivement aux dépens d'Eucalyptus spp. en Italie sont Phoracantha semipunctata, Gonipterus scutellatus et Ctenarytaina eucalypti. La première espèce est nuisible aux eucalyptus cultivès pour la production du bois et est répandue en Italie centrale et méridionale, en Sicile et en Sardaigne, alors que les deux autres espèces endommagent surtout les eucalyptus destinés aux marchés de fleurs (fleurs et rameaux) et ne sont prèsentes qu'en Ligurie occidentale. La lutte contre P. semipunctata est conduite par des interventions d'ordre sylvicultural, consistant essentiellement è recéper des peuplements sérieusement attaqués; le parasite oophage Patasson nitens, importé d'Afrique du Sud, permet de controler G. scutellatus alors que les larves de plusieurs syrphes prédatrices agissent efficacement contre C. eucalypti.     

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.