Immunogenicity of multiple-epitope antigen gene of HCV carried by novel biodegradable polymers

In order to develop a promising vaccine candidate utilizing a combined approach to induce both antibody production and T-cell activity, the DNA fragment containing MA of HCV with five conserved epitopes was synthesized. Two types of HCV vaccine candidates (the DNA type and DNA/polymers) were constructed using MA. PLA-PEG-PLA and PLGA-PEG-PLGA were synthesized and used as micelles with encapsulated plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-MA. The preparation of copolymers, the cloning and analysis of recombinant plasmid DNA, in vitro expression, and immunogenicity in transgenic mice were evaluated in detail. The results indicated that even single immunization and oral immunization with DNA/polymers achieved satisfying immune responses in vivo tests. As biodegradable and nontoxic triblock copolymers, the novel copolymers demonstrated a great advantage, as they made long-term and single-immunizing vaccines possible; in addition, the copolymers showed a better adjuvant effect and scarcely any side effects.     

Treatment of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats: review of published studies

The recent literature on the treatment of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats was reviewed. Based upon in vitro studies using isolated infected hairs and controlled or field in vivo studies, the following topical treatments were consistently found to be antifungal (i.e. antidermatophyte): lime sulfur (1:16), 0.2% enilconazole rinses, and a combined 2% miconazole/chlorhexidine shampoo. Animals or hairs were either bathed or rinsed once or twice weekly. Itraconazole, griseofulvin and terbinafine were evaluated in controlled or field studies, most commonly involving cats. Griseofulvin (50 mg kg(-1)) was reported to cure infected animals in 41-70 days. Itraconazole (10 mg kg(-1) once daily or in a combined daily/pulse therapy 10 mg kg(-1) once daily for 28 days and then week on/week off) was reported to cure infected animals in 56-70 days. Low-dose itraconazole (1.5-3.0 mg kg(-1)) in 15-day cycles required 1-3 cycles (15-45 days). Various doses of terbinafine (5-40 mg kg(-1)) were reportedly used to treat dogs or cats. The higher doses of terbinafine (> 20 mg kg(-1)) were required to achieve a mycological cure; the number of treatment days to cure varied from 21 to > 126 days. Lufenuron was reported anecdotally to be an effective cure, however, this was not substantiated in controlled studies. Finally, fungal vaccines were not found to be effective against challenge exposure, however, there is evidence that they may be useful in treatment protocols.     

Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Nepalese domestic dwarf cattle Lulu*

Dwarf Lulu cattle, the only Bos Taurus type of cattle in Nepal, are raised under severe environments in the mountainous zone of that country. In the present study, the body measurement traits, cytogenetic and molecular genetic characteristics of the Lulu cattle are investigated. Blood samples were collected from 31 animals in four villages (altitudes 2590–3550 m) in the southern part of Mustang. The Lulu cattle had a normal karyotype with 2n = 60, XY or XX. Only one male examined had a large submetacentric X‐chromosome and a small submetacentric taurine type Y‐chromosome. The mitochodrial DNA (mtDNA) genotypes were analyzed by PCR mediated restriction fragment length polymorphisms, displacement (D)‐loop region PCR mediated single strand conformation polymorphisms, and D‐loop region sequences. Many base substitutions were found in the D‐loop region, suggesting that the Lulu cattle originated from at least 10 maternal lines. Three types of mtDNA from these cattle were found, the Bos taurus type (n = 23), the Bos indicus type (n = 6), and the Bos grunniens type (n = 2). In the village at the lowest altitude, four of the five cows were of the Bos indicus type. These results indicated that mtDNA types of the Lulu cattle mostly belong to Bos taurus, but have been hybridized with Bos indicus cattle in lower‐elevation regions in their maternal lineage.     

羊驼Cytb基因序列的测定及其研究

测定了羊驼线粒体DNA细胞色素b基因部分序列，并与骆驼科其它物种细胞色素b基因进行同源序列比较，分析了碱基组成及变异情况，并用邻接法和最大简约法构建了分子系统树，在分子水平上探讨了羊驼在骆驼科动物中的分类地位。结果表明，羊驼与骆马和美洲驼存在的遗传差异相对比羊驼与原驼大，为传统分类学中的羊驼是原驼驯化以后的一种家养驼的提法提供了分子学依据。     

植物血凝素对鸡新城疫疫苗免疫效果的影响

试验对植物血凝素在艾维菌雏鸡新城疫疫苗免疫过程中的效果进行了研究.经过雏鸡新城疫母源抗体水平的检测后.选择抗体滴度约为2.5 log2的雏鸡90羽,随机分成3组,分别为溶剂对照组、单免组和PHA组.单免组和PHA组分别于7.21 d接种Ⅳ系LaSota弱毒疫苗,PHA组还同时肌肉注射植物血凝素0.01 mL/只.各组鸡于第1次免疫后的14.21,28.35,42.49和56d测定血液中鸡新城疫特异性抗体水平.结果显示,经2次免疫后PHA组鸡的抗体滴度比单免组和对照组鸡的高.差异显著(P<0.05),说明PHA能显著增强雏鸡对LaSota弱毒苗的免疫反应.     

鸡新城疫、传染性支气管炎、传染性法氏囊病三联弱毒疫苗的试制

用同胚培养的鸡新城疫Lasota株和传染性支气管炎H120（或H52）株以及用鸡胚成纤维细胞增殖的传染性法氏囊弱毒株以适当比例混合为抗原,用蔗糖脱脂乳作保护剂,经真空冷冻干燥制成三联弱毒疫苗。通过三批疫苗室内外各项指标的测试,表明该三联疫苗安全性能可靠,免疫效果确实,使用方法简便。在实验室进行的物理性状检验、无茵检验、支原体检验、剩余水分检验、真空度检查均符合国家标准;用10倍大剂量接种15日龄雏鸡无不良反应;以常规量颈部皮下接种免疫后,7d产生免疫力,免疫后14d抗鸡新城疫、鸡传染性支气管炎、鸡传染性法氏囊病三株强毒攻击的保护率均为,100％。对15日龄雏鸡首免,其免疫期至少为30d,在-25℃保存期为1年。     

坏死梭杆菌病免疫学研究进展

长期以来,国内外研究人员一直致力于坏死梭杆菌的免疫性及免疫作用研究,但进展缓慢,主要原因是坏死梭杆菌免疫作用弱,无法产生保护性免疫。直到20世纪80年代末,对坏死梭杆菌免疫研究才有了新的突破,初步研制出坏死梭杆菌疫苗,并经小群动物试验获得成功。文章就坏死梭杆菌免疫性及免疫作用的初始研究、坏死梭杆菌免疫原筛选研究、抗原间的相互作用、疫苗研究进展进行了综述,并展望了坏死梭杆菌疫苗研究的发展趋势。     

Genotyping of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Viruses Isolated from Cattle in Northern Italy

Following the first official report of a clinically severe outbreak of bovine viral diarrhoea disease occurring in a farm in northern Italy, which had originated from the use of a live vaccine contaminated with a strain of BVD genotype II virus, a retrospective study on the prevalence of BVDV genotypes in Italy became highly relevant. For this purpose, the genotype of 78 BVDV-positive specimens, obtained in 1998–1999 from dairy cattle in an area near to where the outbreak occurred, was characterized by PCR technology. Two sets of primers, spanning the 5 UTR of BVDV genome, were used sequentially in a first round of RT-PCR, performed on viral RNA extracted directly from 15 clinical samples and 63 BVDV-infected cell-culture fluids; a second PCR assay followed to selectively amplify only BVDV genotype II. All the viruses under study were characterized as BVDV genotype I. As well as contributing to a better understanding of the prevalence of BVDV genotypes in the field, the results of the present study illustrate the possibility that novel BVDV strains can emerge in susceptible animals through the use of contaminated immunobiological products for bovine use.     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒感染抑制猪瘟疫苗的免疫应答

对20日龄SPF猪和20日龄猪繁殖与呼吸综合征（PRRS）血清阳性猪，人工感染猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒（PRRSV）北京分离株（BJ－4）后48h接种猪瘟疫苗，利用ELISA方法检测仔猪针对PRRSV和猪瘟疫苗的体液免疫，利用MTS法检测仔猪外周血单核细胞对有丝分裂原ConA的刺激反应。结果表明，不论是SPF仔猪还是带有PRRSV抗体的仔猪，在鼻内接种PRRSV后48h接种猪瘟疫苗，其对猪瘟疫苗的抗体反应显著低于对照组，对有丝分裂原ConA的刺激反应也下降。由此说明，PRRSV感染使仔猪对猪瘟疫苗的免疫应答受到抑制。