Use of albumin quotient and IgG index to differentiate blood- vs brain-derived proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid of cats with feline infectious peritonitis

BACKGROUND: Inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS) is a frequent condition in cats but etiology often remains unsolved. Routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis can be extended through the calculation of the albumin quotient (Q(alb)), a marker of the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and IgG index, an estimate of intrathecal IgG synthesis. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to validate nephelometric methods for CSF protein analysis, and to use the Q(alb) and IgG index to discriminate blood- and brain-derived immunoglobulin fractions in cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). METHODS: Cats presented to our clinic between 2001 and 2005 were included in the study based on clinical and laboratory data and histopathologic findings at necropsy. Cats were grouped as having nonneurologic disease (controls; n=37), brain tumors (n=8), FIP involving the CNS (n=12), and extraneural FIP (n=12). CSF-total protein (TP) was measured and albumin and IgG concentrations were measured in paired CSF/serum samples; Q(alb) and IgG index were calculated. Intraassay and interassay precision of the nephelometric assays were determined using pooled samples. RESULTS: Coefficients of variation for the nephelometric assays ranged from 2.7% to 7.2%. In control cats, CSF-TP concentration ranged from 0.06 to 0.36 g/L, Q(alb) ranged from 0.6 to 5.7 x 10(-3), and IgG index ranged from 0.3 to 0.6. Q(alb) and IgG index were significantly higher in cats with brain tumors and cats with CNS-FIP compared with other groups. Compared with control cats, pleocytosis was evident in 8 of 12 (67%) cats and CSF-TP was increased in 3 of 12 (25%) cats with CNS-FIP. CONCLUSION: Nephelometry is a reliable method for measurement of CSF protein, albumin, and IgG in cats. The Q(alb) and IgG index did not identify a CSF protein pattern specific for BBB dysfunction or intrathecal IgG synthesis in cats with CNS-FIP.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF EQUINE NIGROPALLIDAL ENCEPHALOMALACIA

Magnetic resonance imaging (MR) was used to make a diagnosis of equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia in a horse. Equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia is a neurodegenerative disease that has many characteristics with Parkinson-like diseases in humans. Historically, horses were euthanized based on clinical signs and exposure to the toxic weed, yellow star thistle (Centaurea solstitialis). Previously, the disease has only been confirmed on necropsy. MR imaging can provide accurate and sensitive visualization of typical lesions seen in the brain of horses affected with equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia. Lesions were seen on T1-weighted, T2-weighted and proton density images. There was no contrast enhancement following Gd-DTPA administration. Lesions seen on MR were confirmed at necropsy. Using MR to confirm a diagnosis of equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia will prevent unnecessary suffering of horses and expense to owners that would otherwise incur, while further diagnostics are performed.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of a brain abscess in a 10-month-old filly

The purpose of this paper was to correlate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of a mature brain abscess in a horse with histopathologic alterations of brain tissue. Eight months after the onset of clinical signs, MRI of the brain of a 10-month-old filly was performed. A large space-occupying lesion in the right cerebral hemisphere was identified. This space-occupying lesion was delineated by a thick and well-defined capsule that was isointense to brain parenchyma on the T1-weighted images and with a markedly hypointense on the T2-weighted images. The identification of such a capsule is highly diagnostic of a mature brain abscess. The lesion seen on MR images was confirmed at necropsy where a large abscess of the right hemisphere was observed. Streptococcus zooepidemicus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from the abscess. Based on histopathologic examination, the signal characteristics of the capsule on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images were found to be due to the presence of numerous hemosiderin-laden macrophages. These results are in agreement with previous studies on human patients. This report confirms the value of MRI in the diagnosis of equine brain diseases.     

猪脑微血管内皮细胞和星型胶质细胞共培养模拟体外血脑屏障模型

血脑屏障是隔离外周体循环和中枢神经系统的屏障结构.它可以选择性允许血液中的一些物质通过脑微血管内皮细胞进入大脑中.除了脑微血管内皮细胞之外,血脑屏障的组成主要还有星型胶质细胞、周细胞、神经元和细胞外基质.本试验通过原代培养猪脑微血管内皮细胞和星型胶质细胞,以Transwell细胞板为载体构建猪体外血脑屏障的共培养模型.经过4h渗漏试验和TEER电阻的测定试验显示所构建的猪体外血脑屏障的模型具备了血脑屏障基本的生物学特性,可以用于猪血脑屏障相关疾病尤其是人兽共患性疾病致病机制的研究.     

Oral administration of β-alanine modifies carnosine concentrations in the muscles and brains of chickens

Carnosine, and its derivative anserine, are known to function as anti‐oxidants and putative neurotransmitters. They are especially rich in the breast muscle (Musculus pectoralis superficialis, MPS) of chickens. To clarify whether the concentrations of carnosine and anserine are altered by dietary management, the effect of oral administration of their constituent, β‐alanine (β‐Ala), was determined in the MPS and brains of chickens. Birds were orally administered β‐Ala (22 mmol/kg) twice a day for five consecutive days (from 2 to 6 days old). In the MPS, carnosine was increased by β‐Ala, whereas anserine and taurine were decreased. The concentrations of other free amino acids in the MPS were also modified by β‐Ala. In the brain, the oral administration of β‐Ala increased anserine and carnosine and decreased taurine, but caused no changes to other free amino acid concentrations. These results suggest that orally administered β‐Ala increases carnosine concentrations in both the MPS and brains of chickens. However, the effects of β‐Ala on other concentrations differ depending on the tissues.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—METASTATIC HEMANGIOSARCOMA CAUSING CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE IN A DOG

A 9-year-old male Appenzeller mountain dog had progressive severe ataxia and central vestibular syndrome that was localized clinically to the brain stem. The cerebrospinal fluid characteristics were suggestive of hemorrhage into the subarachnoid space. On computed tomography (CT), hyperattenuating masses were found in the left lateral ventricle extending into the cerebrum, and another involving the cerebellum and brainstem. The hyperattenuation of the masses in noncontrast images and the absence of contrast enhancement were consistent with hemorrhage. The dog underwent euthanasia. A metastatic hemangiosarcoma in the brain, causing acute bleeding in the left lateral ventricle and the brainstem, was found. A solitary mass in the left myocardium was thought to be the primary site. CT characteristics of intracranial hemorrhage are reviewed.     

P-糖蛋白与兽医用药

 P-糖蛋白是ABCB1基因的产物,存在于许多组织中,能够有效地排除底物药物,限制许多底物药物进入中枢神经系统及其口服吸收、加速排泄过程。论文综述了P-糖蛋白对药物分布、肠道药物吸收、胆汁和肾药物排泄、犬恶丝虫预防用药中的作用,与血脑屏障的关系,介绍了病畜ABCB１基因型的临床评定及P-糖蛋白与药物的相互作用,为兽药的临床应用提供参考。     

Enolase在鸭疫里默氏杆菌侵袭鸭脑微血管内皮细胞中的作用

旨在明确鸭疫里默氏杆菌烯醇化酶(Enolase)在其侵袭鸭脑微血管内皮细胞(DBMEC)以及血脑屏障(BBB)中的作用。本研究以鸭疫里默氏杆菌RA-LZ01株为亲本株,利用同源重组和结合转移的方法构建enolase基因缺失株ΔEnolase和回复株cΔEnolase,并测定RA-LZ01、ΔEnolase和cΔEnolase对DBMEC黏附和侵袭能力的差异;用上述菌株感染雏鸭,测定雏鸭血液和脑组织中的载菌量。结果表明,与亲本株RA-LZ01相比,缺失株ΔEnolase对DBMEC的黏附率和入侵率均极显著降低;回复株cΔEnolase恢复了对DBMEC的黏附和入侵能力。感染RA-LZ01、ΔEnolase和cΔEnolase菌株的雏鸭的血液载菌量无显著差异;与感染RA-LZ01和cΔEnolase菌株的雏鸭相比,感染ΔEnolase菌株的雏鸭脑组织中的载菌量极显著降低。以上结果说明,Enolase与鸭疫里默氏杆菌黏附和入侵DBMEC以及入侵雏鸭脑组织显著相关,可能为介导鸭疫里默氏杆菌突破鸭血脑屏障的毒力因子。