Feline immunodeficiency virus neurotropism: evidence that astrocytes and microglia are the primary target cells.

To investigate the neuropathogenesis of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in vitro, we have utilized three populations of cultured feline neural cells (astrocytes, microglia, brain endothelium) to assess the relative susceptibility to FIV infection, ability to produce viral antigens, and effects of infection on cell survival. Astrocytes appeared to be the most susceptible to infection, followed by microglia, whereas brain endothelial cells were relatively resistant to infection. Astrocyte infection resulted in syncytium formation and cell death, while microglial cells remained persistently and productively infected, without obvious cytopathic effects. These results suggest that FIV entry into the central nervous system probably does not occur via infected endothelium and that both astrocytes and microglia are more likely target cells for the virus.     

Nutrient intake of horses in Thoroughbred and Standardbred stables

SUMMARY Twenty-five Thoroughbred (TB) and 25 Standardbred (SB) stables were visited to determine their feeding practices. The ingredients of the main feed of the day for a mature gelding of average size in full training were weighed at each stable. Nutrient content of diets was calculated using published data for the individual ingredients. Results are expressed as mean±sd. The estimated body weight of TB horses was 493±34 kg and 437±32 kg for SB horses. There was considerable variation in diet composition and nutrient intake between stables. The TB trainers fed 11.0±2.4 kg and SB trainers 11.8±2.5 kg per day. The concentrate component of the diet weighed 7.8±1.6 and 7.7±2.3 kg for TB and SB stables, respectively, and the roughage component for TB horses 3.3±1.4 and SB horses 4.1±1.4 kg per day. The digestible energy intake of horses at TB stables was 129±29 MJ per day and at SB stables 132±31 MJ per day. Crude protein intake of TB horses was 1452±363 g and SB horses 1442±338 g per day. There were differences in some feeding practices at TB and SB stables. Standardbred trainers fed more roughage than TB trainers. Standardbred trainers fed chaffed lucerne (alfalfa) and cereal hays as the major roughage, whereas TB trainers fed more hay. The major hay type fed by TB trainers was lucerne, whereas many SB trainers preferred clover hay. Both trainers fed oats as the major grain, but TB trainers fed slightly more maize (corn) than SB trainers. The SB trainers fed barley as part of the concentrate component of the diet, whereas TB trainers usually fed boiled barley and linseed oil in winter only. Although many trainers used vitamin and mineral supplements, this appeared unnecessary in many Instances, especially with respect to Iron. Calcium and NaCI supplementation was necessary for some diets. We concluded that while there was a wide range in feed intake and diet composition for both TB and SB horses, average nutrient intakes were similar to National Research Council (1989) recommendations for horses performing intense work.     

B-cell lymphoma in a dog with ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis) and systemic histoplasmosis (Histoplasma capsulatum)

A mixed breed dog treated for ehrlichiosis and systemic histoplasmosis developed a refractory thrombocytopenia. When an abdominal mass was detected, exploratory laparotomy and biopsies confirmed lymphoma, which on immunohistochemical stains was determined to be of B-cell origin. Conceivably, the B-cell lymphoma in this dog was associated with chronic inflammation from ehrlichiosis, histoplasmosis, or both.     

Biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids in continuous culture fermenters during digestion of orchardgrass or red clover with three levels of ground corn supplementation

Diet digestibility and outputs of biohydrogenation intermediates were assessed in a continuous culture of ruminal microorganisms. Orchardgrass or red clover harvested and frozen during spring or fall served as the primary substrates for fermentation. During 10-d incubations, fermenters were fed thawed forage (50 g of DM/d), forage (42 g/d) plus 8 g/d of corn, or forage (34 g/d) plus 16 g/d of corn. Effluents from the last 3 d of incubation were composited for analyses. Starch input increased from 5 to 27% of DM as corn input increased from 0 to 16 g/d. Corn input reduced (P < 0.01) pH, increased (P < 0.01) microbial DM yield, and increased (P = 0.01) digestibility of DM, NDF, CP, and nonstructural carbohydrates. Overall, apparent hydrogenation (percentage) of cis9-18:1, 18:2n-6, and 18:3n-3 was greater (P < 0.05) with orchardgrass than clover. Hydrogenation of cis9-18:1 and 18:2n-6 increased (P = 0.01), but hydrogenation of 18:3n-3 decreased (P = 0.01) linearly due to corn input, regardless of forage. As a result, output of trans11, cis15-18:2 also decreased (P = 0.01). Average output of cis9,trans11-18:2 was greater (P = 0.01) for clover (1.3 mg/d) compared with orchardgrass (0.6 mg/d), but corn input with either forage increased (P = 0.01) cis9,trans11-18:2 output by 205%. Output of trans11-18:1 was greater (P = 0.01) from orchardgrass compared with clover (174 vs. 90 mg/d), but corn increased (P = 0.01) trans11-18:1 output only from clover fermentations. Output of trans10-18:1 was greater (P = 0.01) in response to orchardgrass compared with clover (10 vs. 4 mg/d), but corn addition doubled the output regardless of forage type. Output of trans10,cis12-18:2, which did not differ due to forage type, increased (P = 0.01) twofold in response to corn. Cis9,cis11-18:2 was a primary conjugated isomer produced from forage fermentations, but its output decreased (P = 0.03) in response to corn input. When inputs of 18:2n-6 plus 18:3n-3 were less than 0.9% of total DM (clover), hydrogenation was low (87%). When 18:2n-6 plus 18:3n-3 inputs were from 1.2 to 1.5% of total DM (orchardgrass), hydrogenation averaged 96%. Despite greater hydrogenation, incremental additions of cis9-18:1 and 18:2n-6 from corn grain increased (P < 0.05) outputs of trans10-18:1, trans11-18:1, trans10,cis12-18:2, cis9,trans11-18:2, and trans,trans-18:2 in effluent. Results suggest that forage species alone or in combination with corn grain can alter hydrogenation and profiles of intermediates to varying degrees.     

Plasma pharmacokinetics of selamectin after a single topical administration in the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana).

Parasitism is common in wild and captive amphibians; however, pharmacologic data are lacking for anthelmintic drugs. This study was developed to determine the plasma pharmacokinetics of selamectin after topical administration in bullfrogs. Thirty-two adult American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) were randomly assigned into eight groups of four with each group representing a different collection time point. Seven groups received selamectin (6 mg/ kg) topically and the remaining group served as the untreated control group. One group of frogs was euthanized and blood samples immediately collected on days 0 (control), 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30. Plasma was analyzed for selamectin using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Individual samples were analyzed, then data were reported as the mean of the four frogs at each time point. A histologic evaluation of the lung, liver, kidney, and skin tissues was performed and none of the frogs showed histologic evidence of toxicity due to selamectin administration. The mean peak plasma concentration was 162.5 +/- 42.3 ng/ml, area under the curve was 2,856 ng day/ml, mean residence time was 12.2 days, and disappearance half-life was 1.87 days. Based on the plasma pharmacokinetics, bullfrogs appear to absorb selamectin very efficiently, concentrations reach high levels in the plasma, and there were no apparent histologic effects from single dose administration.     

Clinical evaluation and prerelease management of American river otters in the second year of a reintroduction study

In the first year (1984) of a reintroduction study, 10 American river otters (Lutra canadensis) from Louisiana were transported to Oklahoma, held for 5 days for clinical evaluation, surgical implantation with intra-abdominal radiotelemetry devices, and then released in Oklahoma. Four of 10 otters released died within 32 days. Clinical evaluation indicated that respiratory tract disease, bacterial and parasitic infections, and inanition may have contributed to the death of these otters. In the second year (1985) of the study, an exotic feline diet was fed, and the holding period for 10 otters was increased to provide time for evaluation and treatment before surgery, postsurgical acclimation to Oklahoma, and reevaluation before release. Although the initial clinical findings on otters in the second year were similar to those found in the first year, otter body weights increased, and the prevalence and severity of clinical abnormalities decreased with treatment during the second-year holding period. Three of 10 second-year otters died during the holding period, and contributing causes of death were determined to be: trauma (hepatic hematoma), inanition, renal disease, pneumonia, salmonellosis (Salmonella anatum), and a retropharyngeal abscess (Klebsiella pneumoniae). Seven healthy otters were reintroduced into Oklahoma in 1985, and postrelease deaths were not experienced.