Bronchopneumonia and polyarthritis due to Mycoplasma bovis in a calf

This case report describes gross lesions and histopathological findings in a 3-months-old calf originating from a feedlot with approximately 400 cattle. In this animal and additional 14 cattle of similar age, which were kept together in the same stable, swollen joints had occurred suddenly. The examination of this calf showed that a severe polyarthritis induced by haematogenous spread of Mycoplasma bovis following bronchopenumonia was present, which was characterised by necrotising lesions of the joint capsules and severe cartilage erosions.     

Presumptive primary central nervous system T cell lymphoma in a deer (Capreolus capreolus)

This report describes the morphological and immunohistochemical findings in an approximately 7-year old wild European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) with an infiltrative primary central nervous system T cell lymphoma. The roebuck had lost its timidity and was shot by a hunter. It was submitted for necropsy to exclude rabies. Gross examination revealed besides a verminous pneumonia no abnormal findings. Histologically, there was a highly cellular, not well demarcated, unencapsulated, and infiltrative neoplasm within basal parts of the brain. Tumour cells were round, up to 15μm in diameter and loosely arranged in sheets with a multifocally predominant perivascular infiltration. Immunohistochemically, tumour cells were positive for CD3 antigen. Whilst secondary lymphomas of the central nervous system emerge by metastatic seeding of tumour cells, primary lymphomas originate within the neuroparenchyma. This is the first report of a primary central nervous system lymphoma in an European roe deer.     

Distribution of mast cell subtypes and immune cell populations in canine intestines: evidence for age-related decline in T cells and macrophages and increase of IgA-positive plasma cells

The distribution and numbers of leucocytes and mast cells (MC) in the canine gastrointestinal tract of three different age groups was investigated immunhistochemically. In all age groups, CD3+ T cells were more prominent in the villus region than in the crypt areas without differences between intestinal segments, whereas macrophages were more randomly distributed. Kresylecht-violet and tryptase-positive MC were prominent in pericrypt regions with statistic significances. Chymase-bearing mast cells, IgA-, IgG- and IgM-containing cells did not show significant differences in their distribution but, except for IgG-positive cells, subjective trends with increasing numbers towards the crypts exist. The reasons for the distribution of T cells, macrophages, immunoglobulin-containing cells and mast cells are not clear. Lamina propria CD3+ T cells and macrophages significantly decreased whilst a significant increase of IgA-containing plasma cells with increasing age was found. For mast cell subtypes, IgG- and IgM-containing cells no significant changes in numbers with increasing age exist.     

Eosinophilic granulomatous gastroenterocolitis and hepatitis in a 1-year-old male Siberian Husky

A case of eosinophilic granulomatous gastroenterocolitis and hepatitis in a 1-year-old male Siberian Husky is described. The dog presented with a history of diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and anorexia of several months' duration. Hematologic and biochemical examinations, abdominal ultrasonography, computer tomography, and exploratory laparotomy were performed. Histopathologic examination of full-thickness biopsies from the gastrointestinal tract and liver revealed the presence of eosinophilic granulomatous lesions in the submucosa and tunica muscularis of stomach, jejunum, ileum, colon, and liver. Infectious agents were not detected by light microscopic and electron microscopic examination or by immunohistochemistry. On the basis of the findings, it is concluded that the disease in this dog represents an unusual manifestation of chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease.     

Structural and functional changes of neuronal and glial components of the feline enteric nervous system in cats with chronic inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Immunohistochemical examinations of the enteric nervous system (ENS) were performed on biopsies of healthy cats and compared to findings in cats suffering from inflammatory bowel disease or intestinal lymphoma. In lymphocytic–plasmacytic enterocolitis all affected samples had significant reductions in glial fibrillary acidic protein and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and mostly of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) possibly reflecting alterations in enteric glial cells and neurons. In cases with eosinophilic gastroenterocolitis significantly reduced phosphorylated neurofilament (PN) expression was present suggesting a disturbance in neuronal cytoskeleton, whereas cats with fibrosing enteropathy had reduced expression of NSE, non-phosphorylated neurofilaments (NPN), PN and VIP, possibly reflecting neuronal disturbances. In cases with intestinal lymphoma only the reduction in PN and the increase in NPN were obvious suggesting direct damage or interference of neoplastic cells with enteric neurons. In conclusion, structural and functional alterations of the ENS may contribute to clinically evident signs of vomiting and/or diarrhea.     

Numbers and distribution of immune cells in the tunica mucosa of the small and large intestine of full-thickness biopsies from healthy pet cats

In this study, CD3(+) T lymphocytes and IgA(+) , IgG(+) and IgM(+) plasma cells were quantified in the tunica mucosa of the intestinal tract of 12 pet cats without gastrointestinal diseases. The study included full-thickness biopsies of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon. The distribution and quantification of CD3(+) T cells, IgA(+) , IgG(+) and IgM(+) plasma cells within the intestinal tunica mucosa was performed by using immunohistochemical methods and computer-aided morphometry. CD3(+) T cells were significantly prominent in the villi and their numbers increased from duodenum to ileum but decreased towards the colon. The predominant type of plasma cells was IgA(+) cells, followed by IgM(+) cells. The number of IgG(+) cells was generally low compared to the other plasma cell types investigated. The results of the vertical distribution showed that IgA(+) and IgM(+) plasma cells were most numerous in the lower crypt areas, whilst IgG(+) plasma cells accumulated in the upper crypt region with a decline towards the villi and the lower crypt areas of control cats. All types of plasma cells showed a general decline from the duodenum towards the caudal sections of the intestinal tract regarding the horizontal distribution of plasma cells. This study provides a comprehensive overview on the vertical and horizontal distribution and the number of CD3(+) T cells and IgA(+) , IgG(+) and IgM(+) plasma cells in the intestinal tunica mucosa of pet cats.     

Acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase: filamentous nature of the animal enzymes

Acetyl coenzyme A carboxylases purified from several animal tissues exist as enzymatically active polymeric filaments of high molecular weight and have simillar electron microscopic, hydrodynamic, and catalytic properties. These filaments reversibly dissociate into inactive protomers of uniform size. Their re-assembly into catalytically active filaments is promoted by the presence of an allosteric activator.     

Contributions of pesticide residue chemistry to improving food and environmental safety: past and present accomplishments and future challenges

The principles of modern pesticide residue chemistry were articulated in the 1950s. Early authors pointed out the advantages of systematizing and standardizing analytical methods for pesticides so that they could be widely practiced and the results could be reproduced from one laboratory to the next. The availability of improved methods has led to a much more complete understanding of pesticide behavior and fate in foods and the environment. Using methods based largely upon gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled increasingly with mass spectrometry (MS) and MS(n) as the detection tool, residues can be measured at parts per billion levels and below in a variety of food and environmental matrices. Development of efficient extraction and cleanup methods, techniques such as ELISA, efficient sample preparation techniques such as QuEChERS, and automated laboratory and field instrumentation has also contributed to the tools available for use in modern pesticide residue analysis. As a result, great strides have been made in improving food and worker safety and in understanding environmental behavior and fate of pesticides. There are many challenges remaining in the field of pesticide residue chemistry that will continue to stimulate analytical chemists. New chemistries are emerging, often patterned on complex natural products. Analyzing for the parent chemicals and potentially multiple breakdown products will require analytical ingenuity. The development of more sensitive bioassays and knowledge of unintended side effects will challenge residue chemistry as well, as in the case of following the fate of environmental endocrine disruptors associated with some pesticides as well as nonpesticide contaminants from packaging materials and other familiar articles. Continued funding and other resources to ensure better training, international cooperation, and accelerated research and development activities will be a constant need in pesticide residue chemistry as it is for all areas of science that aim to mitigate or eliminate contaminants that can affect human and environmental health and safety.