Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency: in vitro assessment of neutrophil function and leukocyte integrin expression.

Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) was identified in a two-month-old Holstein heifer calf using DNA-polymerase chain reaction analysis of the affected calf and other clinical parameters. Neutrophil integrin expression (CD18, CD11a, CD11c), aggregation, and transendothelial migration were studied in vitro. Neutrophils were isolated from the affected calf and from normal, healthy, age-matched control Holstein calves. Neutrophils isolated from the affected BLAD calf had decreased expression of leukocyte integrins on their cell surface, decreased ability to aggregate in response to chemotactic stimuli, and decreased ability to migrate across bovine endothelial cell monolayers in vitro. Transendothelial migration of neutrophils from normal calves was reduced to levels comparable to the BLAD neutrophils by treatment with an anti-CD18 monoclonal antibody (MAb 60.3). Peripheral-blood lymphocytes from the BLAD calf also expressed negligible levels of leukocyte integrins, similar to their neutrophil counterparts. Our experimental findings in vitro correlate well with the clinical observations of decreased leukocyte trafficking and diminished host defense in leukocyte adhesion-deficient animals. The syndrome of BLAD may be a suitable model for one of the human leukocyte adhesion deficiency disorders.     

Efficacy of difloxacin in calves experimentally infected with Mannheimia haemolytica

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of difloxacin, a novel fluoroquinolone antibiotic, in calves experimentally infected with Mannheimia haemolytica (formerly Pasteurella haemolytica). ANIMALS: Seventy-two 3-month-old Holstein calves. PROCEDURES: Calves were inoculated with M haemolytica intratracheally; after they developed clinical signs of pneumonic pasteurellosis, they were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 groups (n = 12/group). Calves in each group were treated with 10% difloxacin (2.5 or 5 mg/kg of body weight), 5% difloxacin (2.5 or 5 mg/kg), enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg), or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (control group), once daily for 5 days, and clinical signs were scored daily. On day 15, calves were euthanatized, and the percentage of diseased lung tissue was calculated. Swab specimens of the lungs were submitted for bacterial culture. RESULTS: Mortality rate and percentage of diseased lung tissue were significantly higher and cure rate and average daily gain were significantly lower for control calves, compared with calves in the treatment groups; however, no significant differences were found among treatment groups. Mannheimia haemolytica was isolated from the lungs of 10 control calves and from at least 2 calves in each of the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that difloxacin and enrofloxacin were equally effective for treatment of calves with experimentally induced pneumonic pasteurellosis. However, treatment of infected calves with difloxacin or enrofloxacin may not eliminate the organism.     

Serodiagnosis of equine monocytic ehrlichiosis in selected groups of horses in Minnesota

Antibody titer to Ehrlichia risticii was determined, in 2,549 equine serum samples, using an indirect fluorescent antibody assay. During 1986, samples were obtained from the Minnesota State-Federal Equine Infectious Anemia Diagnostic Laboratory, the Minnesota Racing Laboratory, from horses admitted to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and as a result of field investigations of horses with acute diarrhea. Results of the study revealed antibody prevalence of 33, 24, 47, and 25% for the respective groups. There was no statistical association between seropositive status and age, sex, breed, or clinical problem of horses referred to the teaching hospital. There was an increase in the total percentage of seropositive samples over the duration of the sample collection period, suggesting a seasonal exposure pattern, and E risticii was associated with clinical and subclinical infections in horses of Minnesota.     

Interaction of bovine respiratory syncytial virus with bovine alveolar macrophages in vivo: effects of virus infection upon selected cell functions.

The effect of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) upon alveolar macrophage (AM) function was investigated using an in vivo calf inoculation model. Alveolar macrophages were collected sequentially from live calves at multiple time points during the 14 day period following viral inoculation. Alveolar macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavage fluids were purified by density gradient centrifugation (> 95% AM) prior to in vitro evaluation of cell functions. There were significant but variable and inconsistent differences in the functions of AM from the BRSV inoculated calves compared to the control calves. Fc-receptor mediated phagocytosis was either increased or unchanged by BRSV inoculation. Nonopsonized phagocytosis was decreased during the early postinoculation period and later increased. There was a variable effect on AM phagosome lysosome fusion with increased fusion activity on postinoculation days 2 through 5, 7 and 12 but reduced activity on days 6 and 10. The AM respiratory burst, as measured by nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction, was essentially unaffected with a reduction in activity on day 10 only. In this model, BRSV inoculation of calves primarily resulted in an alteration of the membrane associated phagocytic functions of the alveolar macrophages (p < 0.05).     

Lactose Intolerance in a Calf

Lactose intolerance was identified as the cause of bovine neonatal diarrhea. Glucose and xylose oral absorptions were normal whereas lactose absorption was reduced relative to normal calves. Lactase deficiency is common in people but rarely reported in animals. The treatment of whole milk with lactase alleviated the diarrhea.