Showing papers in "Japanese Journal of Veterinary Research in 1992"

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in rabbit haemorrhagic disease.

Abstract: Seven rabbits experimentally infected with rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus were examined haematologically and histologically. Haematologically, activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time were markedly prolonged in the terminal phase of the disease, just prior to death (all the animals died between 27 and 40 hr after inoculation with rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus). There was an increase in the titre of fibrin degradation products and a decrease in antithrombin III activity during the same interval. Acute necrotic hepatitis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in many organs, including the lung, kidney, spleen and heart were the characteristic histopathological changes. Thus, the haematological and histological changes suggested that DIC was induced by rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus infection. Severe liver necrosis was considered to be a factor causing DIC by inducing a hypercoagulable condition in the systemic blood circulation.

Histopathological survey of protozoa, helminths and acarids of imported and local psittacine and passerine birds in Japan.

Abstract: A total of 534 psittacine and passerine birds consisting of 241 imported and 293 local birds were examined histologically. As a result, the following parasites were found: Giardia (86 cases), Knemido-coptes (26 cases), coccidia (10 cases), Ascaridia (6 cases), Cryptosporidium (5 cases), Sarcocystis (5 cases), tapeworm (4 cases), microfilaria (2 cases), Hexamita (1 case), and Spiroptera (1 case). High incidences of giardiasis and knemido-coptic infestation were detected in the local birds, but rarely in the imported birds. Giardial trophozoites were observed mainly in the duodenum of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). Knemidocoptic mites burrowed into the epidermis producing proliferative dermatitis in 25 budgerigars and 1 African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus erithacus). This ectoparasite often infested the skin around the cloaca. Coccidiosis was seen only in the small intestines of the finch (Poephila gouldiae gouldiae), African Grey Parrot, Rainbow lory (Trichoglossus haematodus), Indian Ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri manillensis) and peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis). Two parrots (Amazona aestiva aestiva and Psittacus erithacus erithacus) and two budgerigars had intestinal cryptosporidiosis. Conjunctivitis associated with cryptosporidial infection was seen in a lovebird. Sarcocystis cysts containing crescent-shaped bradyzoites were found not only in the thigh and breast but also in the heart and cloacal muscles. Other organisms such as Ascaridia, tapeworm, microfilaria, Hexamita, and Spiroptera were clinically less significant. However, infections such as Giardia and Cryptosporidim might have zoonotic implications.

Immune response to Echinococcus multilocularis infection in the mouse model: a review.

Abstract: Echinococcus multilocularis is a cestode helminth which, along with E. granulosus, E. oligarthus and E. vogeli is a causative agent of hydatid disease in man. In the intermediate host (including man), cysts formed by the metacestode (larval stage) develop in the internal organs, causing functional impairment which often leads to the death of the host. In this review larval E. multilocularis infection in mice, the most popular experimental intermediate host, is examined, and the immune response to the organism is described in detail. Evidence is presented which suggests that cell-mediated immunity (CMI) plays a large role in suppression of larval growth. Congenitally athymic nude mice, and mice treated to remove thymocytes had high susceptibility to infection, while mice strains assessed as having high helper T lymphocyte function showed resistance to infection. The degree of antibody response shown by the host does not correlate with the susceptibility to E. multilocularis. Infection with E. multilocularis is accompanied by immunosuppression, manifested by inhibition of effector cell chemotaxis and receptor expression, suppressor macrophage and lymphocyte activity, decline in helper T-lymphocyte activity and immune-complex deposition.

Latex agglutination test: a simple, rapid and practical method for bovine serum CRP determination.

Abstract: A semi-quantitative latex agglutination test for bovine serum CRP levels has been established by mixing diluted serum (or diluted standard serum) with a 1% latex suspension containing 0.489 #m latex particles coated with affinity-purified antibody at a ratio of 20 #g/mg latex. The agglutination was performed on a glass slide in a moist chamber at room temperature with 45 min. incubation. This test is reliable, reproducible and the results correlate with those of the single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) test. The effect of low temperature stor­ age on CRP concentration revealed a 30% degradation of CRP during 2 years storage at 4°C. The possible role of EDTA addition to prevent a decrease in serum CRP concentration by freezing and thawing is also discussed.

Catarrhal proventriculitis associated with a filamentous organism in pet birds.

Abstract: Catarrhal proventriculitis due to infection by an unidentified organism was diagnosed in 79 of 534 pet birds examined histologically. It was more prevalent in domestic birds (70 cases) than in imported ones (9 cases). A high incidence of the disease was encountered in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and it was occasionally found in finches (Poephila gouldiae gouldiae), parakeets (Psittacula Krameri manillensis), Amazona parrots (Amazona aestiva aestiva) and cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus). The agent was a large filamentous rod, and was stained positively with Gram, GMS and PAS methods. Histologically, it induced a mild to moderate exudative or proliferative inflammation in the proventriculus. All the cases had an erosion in the gizzard. Ultrastructurally, the organism had a eukaryotic nucleus and three cell-wall layers. Concurrent infections were very common, including adenoviruses (37 cases), giardiasis (31 cases), candidiasis (13 cases), papovaviruses (11 cases) and knemidocoptic mites (11 cases).

The relationship between reduced glutathione level and glutathione S-transferase activity in sheep erythrocytes.

Abstract: The relationship between reduced glutathione (GSH) level and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in erythrocytes was examined, using sheep erythrocytes, which have varying GSH concentrations, and dog erythrocytes with an inherited high concentration of GSH. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.529, p < 0.001) between the GSH level and GST activity in sheep erythrocytes. In dog erythrocytes, the GST activity in high-GSH cells was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that in normal-GSH cells. These results indicate that the activity of GST in erythrocytes is directly correlated with the intracellular GSH level.

Effect of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies on Hantaan virus infection of the macrophage P388D1 cell line.

Abstract: The effect of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (N MAbs) on Hantaan virus infection of macrophages was investigated using P388D1 cells, a murine macrophage cell line. MAbs to the G1 protein (G1b) and the G2 protein (G2a and G2c) neutralized viral infectivity in P388D1 cells. N MAbs to G1b showed much higher neutralizing potency than those to G2a and G2c. With each N MAbs, two distinct effects were observed: neutralization of viral infectivity occurring at high concentrations and enhancement of that at low concentrations. Non-neutralizing MAbs, on the other hand, showed only enhancement of viral infectivity even at high concentrations without any inhibitory effects. The Fab fragments of N MAbs showed neither neutralizing nor enhancing activities. However, when the virus-Fab complexes were reacted with the anti-Fab antibodies, both neutralization and enhancement of viral infectivity were restored depending on the dose of Fab fragments. These results indicate that Hantaan virus infection of P388D1 cells is mediated by the Fc portion of the antibodies and neutralization is dependent on the concentration of N antibodies bound bivalently to the neutralization site on the virion.

Development of mouse embryonic nuclei transferred to enucleated oocytes and zygotes.

Abstract: The present study was conducted to examine the development of nuclear transplant embryos produced by transplanting nuclei to either oocytes or zygotes in the mouse. Metaphase II oocytes and one-cell zygotes were enucleated and fused with transferred nuclei from late two-, four- and eight-cell stage embryos. Enucleation of metaphase oocytes was achieved using the interference micro­ scope without staining. Fusion and oocyte activation were performed by means of electric fields. Similar development rates to the blastocyst stage were obtained from enucleated oocytes (28.0%) and zygotes (30.9%) reconstituted with nuclei from late two-cell embryos. Cleavage and blastocoele formation of reconstituted embryos occurred at around the same time as observed in the control embryos, with some exceptions. After transfer to recipient females, live young were obtained from both reconstituted oocytes (9.1%) and zygotes (11. 5%) that received a nucleus from late two-cell embryos. The results indi­ cate that enucleated zygotes as well as oocytes can support development to term of nuclei introduced from late two-cell embryos in which activation of the embryonic genome has occured, which may be a result of the reprogramming of the donor nucleus.

Helminth fauna and ecological analysis of the abomasal helminth community in hokkaido sika deer cervus nippon yesoensis from the ashoro district, hokkaido

Abstract: Helminth fauna of 50 Hokkaido Sika deer Cervus nippon yesoensis, 21 males and 29 females, was examined The animals were collected between March 13 and 18, 1991 in the Ashoro district, Hokkaido Ten species of endoparasites and three species of ectoparasites were obtained, namely: Dicrocoelium dendriticum RUDOLPHI, 1819, Ano­ plocephalidae gen sp, Gongylonema sp, SPiculopteragia yamashitai OHBAYASHI, 1966, Rinadia japonica OHBAYASHI, 1966, Ostertagia ostertagi STILES, 1892, Mecistocirrus sp, Capillaria bovis SCHNYDER, 1906, Nematodirus helvetianus MAY, 1920, Trichuris sp, Haemaphysalis japonica WARBURTON, 1908, Solenopotes sp, Trichodectidae gen sp Age resistance to parasitic infection was observed only for D dendriticum and no significant difference in the incidence was seen between the sexes in the host Intensity of S yamashitai and R japonica infection followed Poisson's and nega­ tive binomial distribution, respectively A multivariate analytical method, Quantifica­ tion I, was used to analyze the factors which were thought to be responsible for these distributions Five parameters; host sex, age, nutritive conditions, habitat and the number of endoparasite species collected were statistically analyzed Although no definitive factor was found among the 5 parameters, the intensity of infection was observed to be slightly different between age and sex This is thought to be due to the difference in social behavior or sexual maturation of the host It is concluded that further study of host ecology with respect to seasonal changes and geographical distribution of helmInths of Hokkaido Sika deer, followed by analysis of the helminth popUlation, is warranted

Ultrasonography of mass lesions in dogs and cats

Abstract: 63 Ultrasonography is an accurate and non-invasive method of depicting mass lesions. The pursoses of this study were: 1) to characterize the images of mass lesions which exist in the subcutis, intra-abdomen and intra-thorax,; 2) to assess the internal architecture of mass lesions; and 3) to evaluate invasive growth of mass lesions in or around the affected organs, including intra-abdominal adhesions. In this study an electronic ultrasound scanner (EUB-450: Hitachi Medical Corp.) with linear or convex transducers (3.5 to 7.5MHz) was used. 24 dogs and 6 cats were surveyed. Another 5 mongrel dogs were also studied for image evaluation of intra-abdominal adhesions. Subcutaneous mass lesions studied here were; lipoma, lymphosarcoma, mastocy­ toma, hemangiopericytoma, myxoma, granuloma and cyst. Ultrasonography is useful for assessing the degree of invasiveness of subcutaneous tumors. Intra-abdominal mass lesions studied were; hepatocellular carcinoma, heman­ giocarcinoma, mesothelioma, lymphosarcoma, liposarcoma, colon carcinoma, transition­ al cell carcinoma, hematometra and cholecystitis. Ultrasonography is useful in con­ firming the origin of these mass lesions and defining the extent of mass lesions in or around the affected organ. Intra-thoracic mass lesions studied were; thymoma and lymphosarcoma. Both air in the lungs and heart movement made clear imaging difficult. The existence of pleural effusion was helpful for imaging intra-thoracic organs and tissues. The mass lesions studied here were malignant tumors, benign tumors and non­ neoplastic lesions. These mass lesions can be differentiated by differences in their echo patterns. Benign tumors displayed homogeneous echo levels and defined mar­ gins of the mass. The mass lesions of the malignant tumous showed irregular margins and were less homogeneous, usually with a focally hypoechoic area. Howev­ er it was difficult to precisely differentiate malignant tumors based on echo patterns. Ultrasonography is useful for assessment of mass lesions, because of its ability to characterize the internal architecture. It is also useful for confirming the organ of origin of mass lesions, and defining the degree of invasion of affected organs.

THE INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF OLIGONUCLEOTIDES, COMPLEMENTARY TO MAREK'S DISEASE VIRUS mRNA TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BamHI-H REGION, ON THE PROLIFERATION OF TRANSFORMED LYMPHOBLASTOID CELLS, MDCC-MSB1

Abstract: An oligonucleotide complementary to the splice donor sequence of the 1.8 kb gene family produced from the BamHI-H region of Marek's disease virus (MDV) DNA inhibited the proliferation of the MDV-derived lymphoblastoid cell line, MDCC-MSB1 (MSB-1), but not that of the avian lymphoid leukosis-derived lymphoblastoid cell line, LSCC-BK3. Colony formation in soft agar was also inhibited by treatment of MSB-1 cells with the antisense oligonucleotide. It is hypothesized that expression of the 1.8 kb gene family produced from the BamHI-H region is directly associated with the maintenance of the tumorigenic state of transformed Marek's disease-derived lymphoblastoid cells.

Detection of equine immunoglobulin-secreting cells by a plaque assay.

Abstract: A protein A-hemolytic plaque assay was applied to detect immunoglobulin (Ig)-producing cells in horse peripheral blood, using pokeweed mitogen as a B lymphocyte activator. A maximum number of Ig-secreting cells was obtained when horse peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured in a medium containing horse serum. The number of Ig-secreting cells in young horses (2 years old) was lower than that in adult horses (6 to 23 years old). In addition, the plaque formation was unchanged from blood samples kept at 4 degrees C for 24 hours, while blood samples kept for 72 hours did not yield plaques. These results indicate that the plaque assay is a reliable and useful method for detecting Ig-secreting cells in the peripheral blood of the horse.

Pathology of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (rhd) : pathology of disseminated intravascular coagulation (dic)

Abstract: Marked hepatic necrosis, mUltiple hemorrhages with congestion and DIC were noted in RHD. This study was carried out to investigate the histopathological lesions and hematological changes in experimentally induced RHD. The pathogenesis of DIC occurring in RHD is discussed. RHD was experimentally induced in domestic rabbits using inoculum made of liver homogenates collected from rabbits infected with RHD virus in Korea after one passage in vivo. Of 18 inoculated rabbits, 7 succumbed to the disease. Blood samples were collected at predetermined time intervals from the time of inoculation until death. All rabbits were necropsied immediately after death and samples were taken for histological study. Survival time from the time of inoculation until death ranged from 27 to 40.5 hours, with an average of 33.2 hours. Histologically, severe, diffuse degeneration or necrosis of hepatocytes was consis­ tently seen in all 7 dead rabbits. DIC was also observed in many organs, especially in the kidneys, lungs, liver, spleen, heart and central nervous system. Congestion and hemorrhage were also seen in many organs. Increases in the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and prothrombin time (PT) were seen. Other hematological changes were hypofibrinogenemia, throm­ bocytopenia, increase of fibrin degradation products (FDP) and decrease of antithrom­ bin III (AT III) activity. These changes were observed immediately before the animal died. The hematological changes clearly indicate that the RHDV infection induced acute DIC in rabbits, and this was confirmed by the histological observation of DIC. Severe liver necrosis is thought to be the factor which causes DIC in RHD by inducing a hypercoagulable condition in the systemic circulation. This could account for the thrombi observed in organs and tissues with large amounts of blood circulation such as the lungs.