Sequential production of specific antibodies in serum and at the skin surface of cattle following intradermal vaccination with Dermatophilus congolensis

Studies of the temporal changes in specific antibody titres to D. congolensis in serum and washings from inoculated and uninoculated skin indicate that production of IgG1 and IgG2 antibody at the skin surface is a transudative process related to serum antibody concentration. Transport of IgM is likely to be based on a similar mechanism but that of IgA appears to depend on a local secretory process.     

Type-I hypersensitivity as a component of eosinophilic myositis (muscular sarcocystosis) in cattle

Eight bovine hearts with lesions of eosinophilic myositis (EM) and 2 bovine hearts without EM lesions were collected at slaughter. Blood samples from these 10 hearts, and the heart of a newborn calf also were collected. Histologically, Sarcocystis cruzi was identified in the 8 hearts with EM lesions and the 2 hearts without EM lesions, but not in the heart of the newborn calf. Serum was harvested from the 10 blood samples and was used in homologous, modified, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis tests. Antigen was prepared from S cruzi bradyzoites isolated from the 2 hearts without EM lesions. Serum samples from the 8 cattle with EM lesions reacted positively to S cruzi antigen. When heat-inactivated IgE in serum (56 C for 4 hours) was used, all passive cutaneous anaphylaxis responses were considered negative. Using ELISA, serum IgE concentrations from the 10 cattle with and without EM lesions were 2.2 to 9 U/ml. As determined by radial immunodiffusion, IgM concentrations were 80 to 215 mg/dl. Immunoglobulin G concentrations were 420 to 2,050 mg/dl, but most were less than or equal to 1,700 mg/dl. Immunoglobulin A concentrations were 0 to 62 mg/dl; 1 steer with EM lesions had 0 mg/dl. Double-gel immunodiffusion confirmed the presence of Sarcocystis-specific precipitating antibodies. Sera from the 10 cattle with and without EM lesions formed at least 1 precipitin band.     

Rabies-like inclusions in dogs

Inclusion bodies, indistinguishable from rabies inclusion bodies (Negri bodies), were found in the brains of 8 nonrabid dogs. The inclusions were compared to Negri bodies present in neurons of rabies-positive animals and examined for the presence of rabies virus by a combination of immunoperoxidase staining (7 cases), fluorescent antibody (FA) staining (1 case), and transmission electron microscopy (4 cases). Positive immunoperoxidase staining for rabies was obtained in brain tissues from FA rabies-positive animals. All brain tissues from the 7 dogs stained by the immunoperoxidase method and the brain from the 1 dog stained by the FA method were negative for rabies. Rabies virus was not found in inclusion-containing neurons in the cases examined by transmission electron microscopy. These results emphasize the importance of FA testing and mouse inoculation for the diagnosis of rabies.     

Restoration of the anterior dentition of a Canadian beaver (Castor canadensis)

An eight-year-old beaver lost one of its upper central incisors through unknown causes. As the anterior teeth of this species continually erupt in a similar manner to rodents' teeth, the unopposed lower incisor had over-erupted perforating the palate and entered the nasal cavity. The height of the lower incisor tooth was reduced and a cobaltchromium alloy bridge was constructed which was attached to the remaining upper incisor. The occlusal surface of the bridge was of sufficient width that both incisors could contact it. It was cemented into place with composite resin cement and cross-pinned through the labial surface of the metal into the tooth substance. It is unknown how such treatment will affect the biological processes underlying the continually erupting incisor and the animal is being monitored for any adverse effects.     

Growth-related changes in the pulmonary function of goats

Growth-related changes in pulmonary function values were investigated in 20 healthy French Alpine goats, aged between 20 and 550 days, weighing 7–55 kg. Pulmonary ventilation, mechanics of breathing and arterial oxyten tension were measured using standardized techniques and methods adapted for goats of different body sizes. The Ppl values and the tI/tTOT ratio showed no significant changes with age and body size. The ventilation values (Vt, Ve, mVI and mVE) increased linearly with growth. There was a significant correlation of age and body weight with dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), total pulmonary resistance (RL), viscous work of breathing (Wvis tot) and minute viscous work (Wvis min) throughout the age range studied. Cdyn, Wvis tot and Wvis min increased and RL decreased with age and body weight. Arterial blood gases (PaO₂ and PaCO₂) did not show significant changes over the age range studied. Regression equations for each pulmonary function parameter are given with body weight as the independent variable. Data for the mechanics of breathing were compared with those elsewhere for cattle, horses, man and dogs.