Cellular immunophenotypic profile in the splenic compartment during canine visceral leishmaniasis

To determine the role of the spleen in the pathogenesis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), we analyzed cellular immunophenotypic profiles of 52 dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum, clinically classified as follows: asymptomatic dogs-I (AD-I), seronegative/PCR+; asymptomatic dogs-II (AD-II), seropositive/PCR+; oligosymptomatic dogs (OD) and symptomatic dogs (SD). Seven non-infected dogs (CD) were included as a control group. AD-II presented higher levels of CD8+ T splenocytes and lower TCD4+/TCD8+ ratio in comparison with CD. OD and SD showed lower percentages of CD21+ as compared with AD-II. All seropositive dogs presented lower levels of CD45RA+ than CD. Regardless of the stimuli used, the proliferation index from splenocytes in vitro was inversely correlated with clinical status. After LSA stimulation, there was a higher percentage of specific CD8+ T in AD-II than CD and non-stimulated culture. In contrast, splenocytes from SD under in vitro LSA stimulation induced decreased MHC-II+ expression in comparison with all groups, and non-stimulated culture. In conclusion, the role of CD8+ T splenocytes seems to be important for an effective immunological response, a hallmark of asymptomatic CVL, whereas the pronounced loss of MHC-II expression upon LSA stimulation is a biomarker of symptomatic CVL.     

Immune responses of orange-spotted grouper,Epinephelus coioides,against virus-like particles of betanodavirus produced in Escherichia coli

Betanodaviruses are the causative agents of viral nervous necrosis (VNN), a serious disease of cultured marine fish worldwide. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are one of the good novel vaccine candidates to control this disease. Until now, betanodavirus vaccine studies mainly focused on the humoral immune response and mortality after virus challenge. However, little is known about the activation of genes responsible for cellular and innate immunity by vaccines. In the present study, VLPs of orange-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (OGNNV) were produced in prokaryotes and their ability to enter Asian sea bass cells was the same as native virus, suggesting that they possess a similar structure to OGNNV. VLPs immunogenicity was then determined by intramuscularly vaccinating Epinephelus coioides at different concentrations (1.5 or 15 μg g^?1 fish body weight, FBW) and immunizing frequencies (administration once, twice and thrice). A single vaccination with the dosage of 1.5 μg g^?1 FBW is enough to provoke high titer antibodies (average 3 fold higher than that of negative control) with strong neutralizing antibody titer as early as 1 week post immunization. Furthermore, quantitative PCR analysis revealed that eleven genes associated with humoral, cellular and innate immunities were up-regulated in the liver, spleen and head kidney at 12 h post immunization, correlating with the early antibody response. In conclusion, we demonstrated that VLP vaccination induced humoral immune responses and activated genes associated with cellular and innate immunity against betanodavirus infection in orange-spotted grouper.     

Accidental finding of Hashimoto‐like thyroiditis in male B.U.T. 6 turkeys at slaughter

In the context of a study on the tolerance of rapeseed meal in B.U.T. 6 turkeys, thyroid glands were histologically and immunohistochemically examined because of potential thyreostatic effects. In all groups including the controls with no rapeseed meal in their food, there was a high incidence of lymphocytic infiltration and thyroiditis (14% of thyroids with moderate to severe lymphocytic thyroiditis). Thirty per cent of mononuclear inflammatory cells were immunohistochemically identified as T cells. There were occasional accumulations of PAX‐5 labelled cells, indicating germinal centre development. These lesions resemble Hashimoto's disease in humans. The effect on thyroid function is unknown. Mild hypothyreosis might enhance productivity but also explain dispositions towards diseases seen in context with thyroid dysfunction such as skin diseases (foot pad disease?) and cardiovascular problems. Further studies on thyroid function in these turkeys are needed.     

Septic funiculitis caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi infection with associated immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia

A 2‐year‐old Quarter Horse gelding presented for anaemia, icterus, depression and intermittent colic 2 weeks after routine castration. Bilateral septic funiculitis with Streptoccocus equi ssp. equi with secondary immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia were diagnosed. A blood transfusion was required to facilitate general anaesthesia for surgical excision of the septic funiculitis. Antibiotic therapy was provided initially with chloramphenicol and later enrofloxacin. Immunosuppressive therapy was provided with dexamethasone and later azathioprine. The horse responded well to treatment and was discharged 8 weeks after presentation. Streptococcus equi ssp. equi should be considered in cases with septic funiculitis and the potential for a secondary immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia exists with this bacterial species.     

加减四君子汤对仔猪免疫机能及生产性能的影响

将72头（16.56±0.37）kg长大二元猪随机分为对照组、加减四君子汤组、抗生素组,每组4个重复,每个重复6头（公母各半）。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验1组在基础日粮中添加中草药加减四君子汤,试验2组基础日粮中添加抗生素和高铜,于试验的第14天和第30天分别称重和采血,测定仔猪的生长性能、免疫指标和生理生化指标。结果显示,在试验第一阶段,中草药加减四君子汤组的平均日增重显著低于抗生素组（P〈0.05）,日粮粗蛋白质消化率极显著低于抗生素组（P〈0.01）,料肉比显著高于抗生素组（P〈0.05）,中草药加减四君子汤组的平均日增重、日粮粗蛋白质的消化率、料肉比与对照组相比差异不显著（P〉0.05）;而在试验第二阶段,中草药加减四君子汤组日增重和料肉比与抗生素组差异不显著（P〉0.05）,显著优于对照组（P〉0.05）;中草药加减四君子汤组粗蛋白质消化率显著低于抗生素组（P〈0.05）,与对照组相比差异不显著（P〉0.05）;中草药加减四君子汤组淋巴细胞ANAE阳性率在试验的两个阶段均显著高于抗生素组和对照组（P〈0.05）,对照组和抗生素组差异不显著;淋巴细胞转化率LTT（PHA）在第一阶段3个处理组之间差异不显著（P〉0.05）,在第二阶段中草药加减四君子汤极显著高于抗生素组和对照组（P〈0.01）,而对照组和抗生素组之间差异不显著（P〉0.05）;血清生化指标各处理组在整个试验期间差异均不显著（P〉0.05）。该结果表明,加减四君子汤具有明显的促生长作用,可提高断奶仔猪免疫力,增强机体抗病力,在猪饲料中添加一定剂量的加减四君子汤对动物健康无不良影响。     

中药复方对动物机体免疫功能影响的研究进展

中药复方现代化研究取得了一定的成效。研究证明,中药复方可以通过免疫调节作用增强机体免疫力,进而预防与治疗多种疾病。就中药复方对免疫器官、细胞免疫、体液免疫等方面的影响作一综述,并提出将传统中医药理论及经验与现代医药学理论相结合,应用现代科学技术研究、挖掘中医药学的科学内涵,已成为当前非常重要而紧迫的课题。     

蒺藜苜蓿LysM类受体激酶的研究进展

LysM类受体激酶属于多基因家族,其胞外域直接参与几丁质、肽聚糖和脂壳寡糖等糖化合物的感知,从而激活植物免疫或共生信号转导。豆科模式植物蒺藜苜蓿中第1个LysM受体基因LYK3的功能于2003年被表征。此后,越来越多的LysM类受体激酶的功能相继被鉴定。本文总结了蒺藜苜蓿LysM类受体激酶家族基因功能特征,综述了蒺藜苜蓿LysM类受体激酶家族分别在根瘤共生、菌根共生和免疫感知等方面的研究进展。研究发现,蒺藜苜蓿LysM类受体激酶家族基因数量的扩张导致了功能分化,但也存在部分基因间功能冗余现象。此外,研究还揭示了免疫与共生信号在LysM类受体激酶介导的受体感知层面存在着密切的交联,为后续研究蒺藜苜蓿中LysM类受体激酶家族基因提供有效参考。     

酸化红薯粉渣对肉兔生长性能、免疫器官指数和胃肠pH的影响

为探讨酸化红薯粉渣对肉兔生长性能、免疫器官指数和胃肠pH的影响,试验采用单因子完全随机分组设计,选取128只(公母各半)50日龄体重相近的新西兰兔随机分为4个处理组(对照组、试验1组、2组和3组),每组4个重复,分别饲喂含0%、5%、10%、15%酸化红薯粉渣的饲粮。结果表明,与对照组相比,试验2组和3组肉兔日均采食量、平均日增重、胸腺指数和脾脏指数均显著提高(P<0.05),胃pH显著降低(P<0.05);试验1、2和3组腹泻率、十二指肠pH、盲肠pH均有所降低(P>0.05)。由此可见,在饲料中添加适量的酸化红薯粉渣能提高肉兔的生长性能和免疫器官指数,降低胃肠pH,其中添加量为10%~15%效果较理想。     

酵母细胞壁多糖与铝硅酸盐复合物对猪生长性能、免疫指标及养分消化率的影响

本研究旨在探讨酵母细胞壁多糖(yeast polysaccharide,YP)与铝硅酸盐复合物(alumi-nosilicate complex,AC)对猪的生长性能、免疫指标及养分消化率的影响。试验选用平均体重为(66.18±1.26)kg的杜×长×大三元杂交猪140头,随机分成5组,每组4个重复,每个重复7头猪。各组分别饲喂添加不同剂量复合物的试验饲粮,A组为对照组,不添加复合物;B组添加0.1%YP;C组添加0.1%YP和0.9%AC;D组添加0.1%YP和1.9%AC;E组添加0.1%YP和2.9%AC。试验期51 d。结果表明:1)D、E组平均日增重显著低于对照组(P<0.05),各组平均日采食量和料重比差异不显著(P>0.05);2)与对照组相比,D组血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性及补体3(C3)、免疫球蛋白M(IgM)、免疫球蛋白A(IgA)、免疫球蛋白G(IgG)水平显著提高(P<0.05),血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和补体4(C4)水平无显著差异(P>0.05);3)各组养分消化率无显著差异(P>0.05)。由此可见,YP和AC复合使用降低了育肥猪的生长性能,0.1%YP和1.9%AC同时添加可增强生长猪的免疫功能。