Pilot study of the effect of acemannan in cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus.

Acemannan, a complex carbohydrate shown to stimulate interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha and prostaglandin E2 production by macrophages, has also demonstrated antiviral activity in vitro against human immunodeficiency virus, Newcastle disease virus and influenza virus. A pilot study was undertaken to determine acemannan's effect in 49 feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infected cats with clinical signs of disease (Stage 3, 4 or 5), 23 of which had severe lymphopenia. Cats received acemannan either by intravenous (Group 1) or subcutaneous (Group 2) injection once weekly for 12 weeks, or by daily oral (Group 3) administration for 12 weeks. Upon entry into the study, cats were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. Laboratory analyses were performed at the beginning of the study and at Weeks 6 and 12. Cats were allowed to continue with a predetermined maintenance regimen of acemannan after completing the 12-week study. Thirteen cats died during the course of treatment. Upon necropsy, the most frequent histopathologic findings were neoplastic, kidney and pancreatic disease. Friedman's two-way ANOVA test showed no significant differences in efficacy among groups administered acemannan by the different routes. Therefore, groups were combined and a signed-ranks test was used to determine changes over time. A significant increase was seen in lymphocyte counts (P < 0.001). Neutrophil counts decreased significantly (P = 0.007), as did incidence of sepsis (P = 0.008). When cats entering with lymphopenia were analyzed separately, a much greater increase in lymphocyte counts was noted (235%) compared with non-lymphopenic cats (42%). A survival rate of 75% was found for all three groups. Thirty-six of 49 animals are alive 5-19 months post-entry. These results suggest that acemannan therapy may be of significant benefit in FIV-infected cats exhibiting clinical signs of disease.     

Use of 64Copper Measurements to Diagnose Canine Copper Toxicosis

Inherited canine copper toxicosis is a serious problem in Bedlington terriers and West Highland White terriers, and may also be a problem in other less-studied breeds. Affected dogs become ill at midlife with progressive and ultimately fatal liver disease. Treatments for removal of copper and prevention of copper accumulation are available, but are most effective if begun before the dog becomes ill. Until recently diagnosis has not been available until the dog is 1 year of age, and then only by an invasive liver biopsy with determination of liver copper concentration. The authors studied the use of 64copper for early diagnosis of canine copper toxicosis. Two procedures were evaluated. The first involved measuring the concentration of 64copper in blood 24 hours after oral administration of the radioisotope. At this time, 64copper was associated primarily with ceruloplasmin secreted into the blood by the liver. This procedure is useful in the diagnosis of the human counterpart, Wilson's disease. However, the authors found it to be nondiscriminatory between affected and unaffected dogs. In contrast, the second procedure, which involved measuring 64copper excreted in stool during 48 hours after an intravenous dose of radioisotope, yielded results that differentiated most affected and unaffected dogs.     

Characteristics of Salmonella isolated from an outbreak of equine salmonellosis in a veterinary teaching hospital

During an outbreak of equine salmonellosis in a veterinary teaching hospital 20 Salmonella isolates were cultured from sick horses (13 isolates) or from the hospital environment (7 isolates). Three serotypes were isolated from the environment including: S. give, S. newportand S. agona. The serotypes isolated from horses included: S. give, S. newport and S. anatum. Examination of antibiotic profiles, presence of plasmids, production of bacteriocins and hemagglutination of erythrocytes implied a common origin for the equine and environmental isolates.     

Accuracy of the thermodilution method in estimating high flow - an in vitro study

The accuracy of thermodilution for measuring flow rates of 10–40 L/min was evaluated using a commercially available thermodilution cardiac output computer in an in vitro model. Water (36.5–37.5°C) was directed through a mixing chamber via a constant flow pump. Thermodilution estimates of flow using four different volumes (10, 20, 30, 40 ml) of iced water injectate were compared to simultaneous measurements of timed samples of effluent from the mixing chamber. Injectate volume had a significant impact on the accuracy of thermodilution estimation (p < 0.05). Thermodilution overestimated measured flow when 10 and 20 ml of injectate were used to determine flow rates < 20 L/min but underestimated flow when injectate volumes of 30 and 40 ml were used, or when measured flow was > 25 L/min. The discrepancy between thermodilution flow and measured flow increased as rate of fluid flow increased.     

Preliminary investigations into factors that affect plasma aldosterone concentrations in horses

The effect of feeding diets with low, adequate and high sodium contents on plasma aldosterone concentrations in horses and ponies was evaluated using human immunoassay kits. The effect of moderate to high intensity exercise of up to six minutes duration on plasma aldosterone concentrations in three thoroughbred- horses was also investigated. On an adequate sodium diet plasma aldosterone concentrations increased to a peak around four hours after feeding. Little daily variation was found in the pre-feeding aldosterone concentrations over three days. Feeding additional salt resulted initially in no increase in plasma aldosterone concentrations in three out of four animals. After five days all four animals had lower pre-feeding concentrations, an increase in the magnitude of the response to feeding but a decreased rise in absolute concentration. Feeding a diet with a decreased sodium content for several months did not result in a consistent change in the pre-feeding aldosterone concentrations although there were times when all three animals showed an increase in the magnitude of the aldosterone response to feeding. No correlation between changes in the fractional electrolyte excretion values determined and alterations in aldosterone response was found. Exercise resulted in a marked increase in aldosterone concentrations. The expected biological response to feeding and exercise was demonstrated with an acceptable level of reproducibility and repeatability. Samples had similar values when assayed by either of the kits evaluated.     

Releases in israel ofAphelinus perpallidus,a recently introduced parasite of the pecan blackmargined aphid,Monellia caryella

Six shipments totaling 3452 mummies of the blackmargined aphid,Monellia caryella (Fitch), parasitized withAphelinus perpallidus Gahan, were obtained by air freight during the years 1982-1985 from Texas A&M Research Center, El Paso, Texas. About two-thirds of the mummies did not yield parasites. A colony ofA. perpallidus was established in the laboratory. Under laboratory conditions the percentage of emerged parasites was higher than that in the imported mummies, and the parasite had very limited impact on the aphid population. Field releases of the parasite were made but no establishment ofA. perpallidus was observed through the years.     

Lung sounds in cattle, horses, sheep and goats

The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance of pulmonary auscultation for the clinician. It suggests a clarification and simplification of the terminology to be used which would be helpful to veterinary students and allow better communications between veterinarians. The interpretation of these sounds and the relationships to conditions and diseases of the lungs in cattle, horses, sheep and goats are discussed.     

;hycomyces: Interference Between the Light Growth Response nd the Avoidance Response

Phycomyces sporangiophores showl a growth response to a light stimus and an avoidance bending response to a physical barrier. A bluie-light stimnlluts Imninisteredl in conjunction with a barrier interferes with the avoidance bending sponse. This interference begins ifter a latency of abotit 3 minultes atndt continues a period of 4 to 5 minutes.