Cross protection studies on Bordetella bronchiseptica in mice using an intracerebral challenge model.

Protective activities of heat-inactivated (60 degrees C for 30 min) merthiolate preserved Bordetella bronchiseptica and B. pertussis bacterins were compared in intraperitoneally immunized mice challenged intracerebrally (i.p./i.c.) or intraperitoneally (i.p./i.p.). In the i.p./i.c. assay (Kendrick test), a B. pertussis bacterin protected mice against challenge with B. pertussis 18-323, as well as against phase I cytotoxic and non-cytotoxic strains of B. bronchiseptica. A B. bronchiseptica bacterin, prepared from a phase I cytotoxic strain, gave protection against two phase I B. bronchiseptica strains, irrespective of their cytotoxin-production. A non-cytotoxic phase I strain of B. bronchiseptica elicited protection against the homologous strain only. Neither cytotoxic nor non-cytotoxic B. bronchiseptica strains protected mice challenged with B. pertussis 18-323. Vaccines prepared from phase III strains of B. bronchiseptica were not protective at all against any of the challenge strains. No such differences in the protective activities of the bacterins could be detected by the i.p./i.p. method. They seem to cross-protect equally well. The results indicate that the Kendrick test may be useful in testing potency of different B. bronchiseptica bacterins.     

Effect of birthweight, total protein, serum IgG and packed cell volume on risk of neonatal diarrhea in calves on two California dairies.

The objective of the study was to determine if there was a relationship between hematological, immunological and physiological variables of newborn calves and risk of diarrhea during the neonatal period. Four hundred and seventeen heifer calves from two dairies (A and B) in the San Joaquin Valley of California were enrolled at birth and scored daily, to 28 days of age, for evidence and severity of diarrhea (0 to 3). Calves were weighted at birth and blood sampled at two to five days of age to determine packed cell volume (PCV), total protein (TP) and IgG serum concentration. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine if age at onset of the first diarrhea episode and length of the first episode were associated with the hypothesized variables (PCV, TP, IgG and birthweight). The IgG concentration was not associated with the age at onset of diarrhea (p = 0.6052, Dairy A; p = 0.4393, Dairy B) but a high IgG concentration was associated with a decreased length of episode (p = 0.0325, Dairy A; p = 0.0912, Dairy B), particularly for calves born in the winter on dairy A (p = 0.0211). For calves born in the winter, those with either a high or a low birthweight had diarrhea at a younger age (p = 0.0102, Dairy A; p = 0.0020, Dairy B). Associations were also found for PCV and TP with both the age at onset and length of the first episode of diarrhea. Results suggest that parameters measurable at, or shortly after birth may have important prognostic value in evaluating risk of calf diarrhea.     

The anti-proteolytic activity of blood and ovarian follicular fluid in sheep after stimulation with serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and administration of Antisergon]

The synthesis and secretion of trypsin (trypsin model serine protease) inhibitors are regulated in ovarian follicles by gonadotropins. The superovulation stimulations with 400 IU FSH, 1000 IU PMSG, 1000 IU HCG, 750 IIU PMSG + 750 IU HCG influence in a different way the trypsin inhibiting activities (TIA) of blood plasma (BP) (Figs 1 and 2) and follicular fluid (fig. 3); this points to a possibility of local effects. An increase in the average values of TIA in BP was statistically significant during the whole experiment: P less than 0.05 to P less than 0.001 (following the administration of PMSG+HCG, or PMSG, and HCG); Antisergon administered in 68 hours after PMSG reduced this increase. The changes in the fraction of low-molecular TIA in BP (after BP treatment with perchloric acid) were of converse nature; a decrease in the average values ranged from P less than 0.02 to P less than 0.001 (following PMSG or other stimulations). Antisergon did not influence this decrease. The changes observed on particular days of the trial (Figs. 1 and 2) also indicate different effects of the preparations, mainly of the component LH, which resulted in the occurrence of large nonovulating follicles (greater than 10 mm--"cystic" ones). No such follicles were observed in nonstimulated ewes and after FSH stimulation. The administration of antisergon (goat's antiserum against PMSG) 68 hours after PMSG administration did not prevent their creation. The TIA of follicular fluid (FF) of antral follicles was on average tenfold in comparison with that of blood plasma; and the TIA FF of follicles greater than 10 mm was higher (up to P less than 0.001) than the TIA FF of follicles less than 10 mm. The administration of Antisergon in shorter intervals following PMSG administration (12, 24, 48 and 58 hours) influenced the average values of TIA BP in 120 hours (since PMSG administration) in dependence on time (Tab. I). The effects of Antisergon administered in 12 and 24 hours after PMSG administration on the TIA BP were insignificant if it was administered in 48 and 58 hours the TIA BP increased (P less than 0.02; P less than 0.001) in comparison with the interval of 12 hours. The TIA FF of follicles less than 5 mm, 5-10 mm and greater than 10 mm varied in dependence on the time intervals of Antisergon administration (Fig. 4). The statistical significance of these changes in shown in Tab. II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of malignant tumors in dogs and cats: a report of 102 cases

Fine needle aspiration biopsy is a fast and inexpensive technique well tolerated by animals. Its efficacy for the diagnosis of malignancy and determination of cellular origin was investigated for 97 malignant tumors and five benign lesions in 83 dogs and 19 cats. Histological examination of the lesions was performed in each case. Malignancy was detected by cytology in 69% of the malignant tumors. The cellular origin of the lesion was determined in 74% of the cases. Confirmation of malignancy and determination of cellular origin permitted an early diagnosis and prognosis. Since fine needle aspiration biopsy and cytology cannot definitely rule out malignancy, a surgical biopsy and histopathology should be done when malignancy is suspected clinically and not confirmed cytologically. Specimens of good quality, adequate collaboration between the cytologist and clinicians, and sufficient knowledge of pathology and cytology are basic requirements for obtaining good results with fine needle aspiration biopsy and cytology.     

Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder in a Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)

A transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder was found in a beluga whale stranded in the St. Lawrence middle estuary. Various organs of this animal were submitted to high resolution gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry analysis. High frequency of urinary bladder cancer in the human population of the same area and the presence of carcinogenic compounds in the marine environment of this animal are discussed.

Concurrent isolation of Edwardsiella tarda from various organs of this whale is also reported.

     

Evaluation of an in-office allergy screening test in nonatopic dogs having various intestinal parasites

An in-office allergy screening kit was evaluated in 10 dogs that had no clinical signs of atopy but had various intestinal parasites. All 10 dogs had a positive reaction to the dust mite Dermatophagoïdes farinae, and four dogs had positive reactions to at least one other group of allergens. The kit as presently marketed gives numerous false positive results in parasitized nonatopic dogs.