Immunocytochemical study of tissues from clinically normal dogs and of neoplasms, using keratin monoclonal antibodies.

Three commonly used keratin monoclonal antibodies (MAB)--AE1:AE3, CAM 5.2, and MAK-6--were compared with routinely used cytokeratin antibody. The expression of these antibodies was analyzed in several tissues obtained from clinically normal dogs and in a variety of neoplasms from dogs. Using appropriate enzymatic digestion, paraffin-embedded tissues processed in routine manner retained their typical keratin expression. Differentiated and poorly differentiated epithelial neoplasms, lymphomas, and melanomas were studied by use of the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. All 4 of the aforementioned antibodies had similar staining profiles. Of 3 anaplastic carcinomas, 2 had positive reaction to all 4 antibodies. All lymphomas, plasma cell tumors, and amelanotic melanomas had negative reaction to MAK-6, CAM 5.2, AE1:AE3, and cytokeratin MAB. Three basal cell epitheliomas had positive reaction to all 4 antibodies, whereas 1 basal cell tumor with a solid pattern had negative staining reaction. Two carcinoids had negative reaction to all markers and 1 of 2 malignant chemodectomas and 1 transitional cell carcinoma had staining reaction to only AE1:AE3 MAB. Comparing the 4 antibodies, use of AE1:AE3 MAB produced the strongest staining intensity followed by cytokeratin, MAK-6, and CAM 5.2 MAB. All 4 antibodies had low background staining. In conclusion, AE1:AE3 and MAK-6 MAB are as useful as cytokeratin MAB for identification of poorly differentiated epithelial neoplasms in dogs and cats.     

Presentation of postweaning Escherichia coli diarrhea in southern Ontario, prevalence of hemolytic E. coli serogroups involved, and their antimicrobial resistance patterns

Post-weaning Escherichia coli diarrhea (PWECD) in Ontario was investigated using a case-control study involving 50 Ontario nurseries. The clinical signs and the impact on productive parameters were determined by means of a producer survey. The hemolytic E. coli serogroups involved in PWECD (O149:K91:K88) were examined in this study. Based on a polymerase chain reaction test, the hemolytic E. coli from 82% of the case herds were positive for 3 enterotoxins (STa, STb, and LT), those from 12% of the case herds were positive for STb and LT only, and those from one herd (6%) were positive for 3 enterotoxins, as well as for verotoxin and F18 pili. The E. coli involved in disease were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Case farms commonly used a wide variety of antibiotics either in the feed or water, or as injectable drugs. The most common antibiotic used to treat PWECD on the study farms was apramycin, but evidence of resistance to this antibiotic was noted. The PWECD problem was commonly seen within a week of weaning but onset of diarrhea was reported as late as the grower-finisher stage. Growth rate was poorer in case herds and mortality was higher than in control herds, demonstrating that PWECD is an economically important disease in Ontario.     

Accelerating invasion rate in a highly invaded estuary

Biological invasions are a major global environmental and economic problem. Analysis of the San Francisco Bay and Delta ecosystem revealed a large number of exotic species that dominate many habitats in terms of number of species, number of individuals and biomass, and a high and accelerating rate of invasion. These factors suggest that this may be the most invaded estuary in the world. Possible causes include a large number and variety of transport vectors, a depauperate native biota, and extensive natural and anthropogenic disturbance.     

Total intravenous anesthesia with ketamine–medetomidine–propofol in horses

Propofol is a potentially useful intravenous anesthetic agent for total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) in horses. The purpose of this study was to compare the anesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of TIVA following the administration of propofol alone(P–TIVA) and ketamine–medetomidine–propofol (KM–P–TIVA) in adult horses. The carotid artery was translocated to a subcutaneous position during TIVA with P–TIVA (n = 6) or KM–P–TIVA (n = 6). All horses were premedicated with medetomidine [0.005 mg kg^–1, intravenously (IV)]. Anesthesia was induced with midazolam (0.04 mg kg^–1 IV) and ketamine (2.5 mg kg IV). All horses were orotracheally intubated and breathed 100% oxygen. The KM drug combination (ketamine 40 mg mL^–1 and medetomidine 0.05 mg mL^–1) was infused at a rate of 0.025 mL kg^–1 hour^–1. Subsequently, a loading dose of propofol (0.5 mg kg^–1, bolus IV) was administered to all horses; surgical anesthesia (determined by horse response to incision and surgical manipulation, positive response being purposeful or spontaneous movement of limbs or head) was maintained by varying the propofol infusion rate as needed. Arterial blood pressure and HR were also monitored. Both methods of producing TIVA provided excellent general anesthesia for the surgical procedure. Anesthesia time was 115 ± 17 (mean ± SD) and 112 ± 11 minutes in horses anesthetized with KM–P–TIVA and P–TIVA, respectively. The infusion rate of propofol required to maintain surgical anesthesia with KM–P–TIVA was significantly less than for P–TIVA (mean infusion rate of propofol during anesthesia; KM–P–TIVA 0.15 0.02 P–TIVA 0.23 ± 0.03 mg kg^–1 minute^–1, p = 0.004). Apnea occurred in all horses lasting 1–2 minutes and intermittent positive pressure ventilation was started. Cardiovascular function was maintained during both methods of producing TIVA. There were no differences in the time to standing after the cessation of anesthesia (KM–P–TIVA 62 ± 10 minutes versus P–TIVA 87 ± 36 minutes, p = 0.150). The quality of recovery was good in KM–P–TIVA and satisfactory in P–TIVA. KM–P–TIVA and P–TIVA produced clinically useful general anesthesia with minimum cardiovascular depression. Positive pressure ventilation was required to treat respiratory depression. Respiratory depression and apnea must be considered prior to the use of propofol in the horse.     

Mycotoxicosis produced in swine by cultural products of an isolate of Aspergillus ochraceus. II. Clinicopathologic changes

Rice culture of a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus ochraceus was fed at a concentration of 25% to weanling pigs for 10 days. The clinicopathological abnormalities reflected renal damage. Activities of lactic dehydrogenase, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase and isocitrate dehydrogenase were increased in the urine but not in the serum. Serum concentrations of urea nitrogen and creatinine were high. Cellular and granular casts, blood, protein, and glucose were in the urine of pigs fed toxic diet. Serum concentrations of K+, Na+ and Cl- were unchanged, but concentrations of these electrolytes were reduced in the urine.     

Ingress of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis into Tomato Leaves Through Hydathodes

ABSTRACT Hydathodes of tomato leaves served as extremely efficient infection courts for the bacterial canker pathogen, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. Chlorotic lesions developed at the tips of leaflet lobes about 2 weeks after inoculation of guttation droplets. Lesions expanded along the leaflet margins and became necrotic. Movement of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis from the inoculated leaflet into the rachis was slow and erratic. Histological observations revealed that pathogen populations first developed within large intercellular spaces lying beneath the stomata, which serve as water pores in tomato hydathodes. Bacteria were first observed within vessels of the large marginal fimbriate veins 7 days after inoculation. By 14 days after inoculation, large populations could be seen within the vessels; and by 21 days after inoculation, tissue collapse was widespread and masses of bacteria could be seen in the intercellular spaces and within necrotic cells.