Development and evaluation of a real-time quantitative PCR assay for Culicoides imicola, one of the main vectors of bluetongue (BT) and African horse sickness (AHS) in Africa and Europe

The current microscopy method for identifying the Culicoides imicola Kieffer, 1913 species can be time and labour intensive. There is a need for the development of a rapid and quantitative tool to quantify the biting midges C. imicola ss in light trap catches. A reproducible and sensitive real-time polymerase chain reaction method that targets the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) of ribosomal DNA of C. imicola ss species was developed. This real-time PCR assay was first performed on 10-fold serial dilutions of purified plasmid DNA containing specific C. imicola ss ITS-1. It was then possible to construct standard curves with a high correlation coefficient (r2=0.99) in the range of 10(-2)-10(-8) ng of purified DNA. The performances of this PCR were evaluated in comparison with morphological determination on Culicoides trapped along the Mediterranean coastal mainland France. ROC statistical analysis was carried out using morphology as gold standard and the area under the ROC curve had a satisfactory value of 0.9752. The results indicated that this real-time PCR assay holds promise for monitoring C. imicola ss population in both surveillance and research programmes because of its good specificity (92%) and sensitivity (95%).     

The use of compound 48/80 as a positive control in equine intradermal allergy testing

The macroscopic and microscopic effects following the intradermal injection of the mast cell degranulator compound 48/80 were investigated in horses. It was found that a 1000 μg mL⁻¹ solution of compound 48/80 could be used as an alternative to histamine as a positive control in equine intradermal allergy tests. An inflammatory cell infiltration was noted on histological examination, following compound 48/80 injection. This inflammatory cell pattern was similar to that noted for Type-I hypersensitivity.     

非洲马瘟研究进展

非洲马瘟病毒引起的非洲马瘟是马属动物的一种急性或亚急性虫媒传染病,在非洲撒哈拉沙漠以南是地方性流行病。传播媒介是库蠓的某些种类,其中最重要的是拟蚊库蠓（Culicoides. Imicola）。本文概括了非洲马瘟的病原学、流行病学特征、临床表现、诊断及疫苗的研究进展,为进一步了解和研究该病提供依据。     

甘露寡糖对免疫低下小鼠免疫功能的影响

[目的]探讨甘露寡糖对免疫低下小鼠免疫功能的影响,为甘露寡糖相关产品的开发应用提供实验依据。[方法]通过环磷酰胺制造免疫功能低下小鼠模型,给予甘露寡糖11 d后观察小鼠体重、脾脏指数、胸腺指数、巨噬细胞吞噬功能、血清溶血素滴度和迟发型变态反应强度变化。[结果]甘露寡糖组体重、脾脏指数、胸腺指数、巨噬细胞吞噬率、吞噬指数、抗体积数和左右后足重量差均较模型组提高（P〈0.01）。[结论]适当剂量甘露寡糖可提高免疫低下小鼠免疫功能。     

The Clinical and Serological Effect of a Gluten‐Free Diet in Border Terriers with Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome

Background

Canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (CECS) is a paroxysmal movement disorder of Border Terriers (BTs). These dogs might respond to a gluten‐free diet.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to examine the clinical and serological effect of a gluten‐free diet in BTs with CECS.

Animals

Six client‐owned BTs with clinically confirmed CECS.

Methods

Dogs were prospectively recruited that had at least a 6‐month history of CECS based on the observed phenomenology (using video) and had exhibited at least 2 separate episodes on different days. Dogs were tested for anti‐transglutaminase 2 (TG2 IgA) and anti‐gliadin (AGA IgG) antibodies in the serum at presentation, and 3, 6, and 9 months after the introduction of a gluten‐free diet. Duodenal biopsies were performed in 1 dog.

Results

Serum TG2 IgA titers were increased in 6/6 BTs (P = .006) and AGA IgG titers were increased in 5/6 BTs at presentation compared to those of controls (P = .018). After 9 months, there was clinical and serological improvement in all BTs with CECS strictly adhering to a gluten‐free diet (5/5). One dog had persistently increased antibody titers. This dog scavenged horse manure. On the strict introduction of a gluten‐free diet this dog also had an improved clinical and serological response. The diet‐associated improvement was reversible in 2 dogs on completion of the study, both of which suffered a relapse of CECS on the re‐introduction of gluten.

Conclusions

Canine epileptoid cramping syndrome in BTs is a gluten‐sensitive movement disorder triggered and perpetuated by gluten and thus responsive to a gluten‐free diet.     

Pharmacokinetics and effects of cetirizine in horses with insect bite hypersensitivity

Horses with insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) have difficulty in completely avoiding allergens, so effective treatment options are required. A randomised, placebo controlled and double blinded field study was conducted to determine the pharmacokinetics and efficacy in reducing dermatitis of the antihistamine cetirizine given orally at 0.4 mg/kg twice daily for 3 weeks. The influence of protection blankets and stabling were also investigated.The estimated maximum plasma concentration (C_max) and trough plasma concentration of cetirizine were 135 ng/mL and 18 ng/mL, respectively. There was no difference in dermatitis reduction between the treatment and placebo groups (P = 0.77). The findings indicated that cetirizine was of no apparent benefit in treating IBH at the dose rate tested. The use of blankets and stabling were shown to have favourable influence on the dermatitis (P < 0.05) and may be the preferred options to prevent this condition.