The seroprevalence and seroconversion to Aino virus infection were epidemiologically analyzed in Fukuoka Prefecture, by a cohort study, in 1990. Serum samples (872) were taken from 436 cattle of 128 farms in five different districts at twice sampling with four month-intervals and were tested by a serum neutralizing test with Aino virus. In the first sampling (May-July), 38.3% of sera and 40.6% of farms tested were positive and 33.3% of cattle and 40.6% of farms were sero-converted during the period of September-November in 1990. Significant differences were found in seroprevalence of farms and seroconversion of cattle/farms among five districts; there was, however, a highly significant correlation between seroprevalence and seroconversion of farm. Consequently, five districts of Fukuoka Prefecture were classified into four epidemic areas according to seroprevalence and seroconversion factors of a principal component analysls.

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The effect of protein malnutrition and alcohol consumption on the yield of chromosomal damage induced by cycloPhosphamide (CP) was studied. Chromosomal damage induced in bone marrow cells of BALB/c mice was established by scoring the frequency of dicentric chromosomes in C-banded slides. Results obtained showed that CP induced a significant increase of chromosomal damage in comparison with untreated mice. In addition, the yield of dicentric chromosomes was higher in mice fed with the hypoproteic diet. The animals which received ethanol in drinking water before treatment with CP exhibited the highest frequency of dicentric chromosomes, with no relation with the diet. Statistical analysis of these results showed the additive effect of diet and CP and are explained taking into account the metabolic pathways of CP as well as the decrease of enzymatic levels and the physiological condition in under-nourished mice.

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Deciduoma was induced in 5 bitches by introducing a silk suture into their uteri which were in the nonpregnant luteal stage of their estrous cycles. The histological changes in the uteri were characterized by the cystic glandular hyperplasia of the endometrium, although, this condition varied according to the positional relations between the endometrium and the inserted suture. As notable histological features in these variations, regulated proliferation and dilatation of the uterine glands were seen in all the animals and these had a very similar structure to normal differentiation of the glands in the early placentation. These histological findings suggested that silk suture might act as a similar biological stimulus to fertilized ova and thus could induce a deciduoma which was closed to normal implantation "decidual reaction".

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To elucidate whether or not gangliosides on the bovine erythrocytes serve as a receptor for Theileria sergenti merozoites, the reactivities of the T. sergenti piroplasms with gangliosides were studied by the liposome agglutination test. The parasites reacted weakly with I-active ganglioside containing N-acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc) and strongly with I-active ganglioside containing N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc). However, none of the other gangliosides expressed on the bovine erythrocytes, such as GM3(NeuAc), GM3(NeuGc), sialosylparagloboside(SPG) (NeuAc), SPG(NeuGc), i-active ganglioside(NeuAc), and i-active ganglioside(NeuGc), were recognized. After infection with T. sergenti, furthermore, the content of I-active ganglioside(NeuAc) was less p < 0.05), and I-active ganglioside(NeuGc) content was much less in the erythrocytes (p < 0.01), though the contents of other NeuAc- and NeuGc-containing gangliosides did not so vary with T. sergenti infection. These results suggest that the parasites recognize the I-active ganglioside as their receptor and bind preferentially to NeuGc-carrying I-active ganglioside rather than to NeuAc-type in the target cell membranes, and that the reduction of the contents of I-active gangliosides(NeuAc and NeuGc) on the erythrocytes was related to T. sergenti infection.

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Six clonal cells were established from a canine osteosarcoma cell line (POS) by a limiting dilution method using feeder cells. Whereas histology of mass developed in nude mice by transplantation of POS cells revealed various cell types, clonal cells were morphologically consistent in size and shape. Doubling time of clonal cells ranged from 30±1.4 to 54±1.3 hr and alkaline phosphatase activity ranged from 0.040±0.001 to 2.61±0.435 μmol/min/mg protein depending on the cell types. When transplanted into nude mice, each clonal cell type formed following four histological types; osteoblastic, chondroblastic, fibroblastic, and undifferentiated types. Since each histological feature was found simultaneously in the primary tumor, osteosarcoma tissue might be a complex of various types of cells having different characteristics. Therefore, POS clonal cells may be useful as a potential tool for the studies of differentiation, Phenotypic expression, and a new therapeutic modality of osteosarcoma.

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Thc effects of several commercially available vaccinations pre- and post-surgery on immune responses by monitoring the blastogenic responses of lymphocytes and humoral antibody responses in dogs were examined. Twenty clinical patients presented for surgery were studied. Canine parvovirus (CPV) serum antibody titers increased by twofold or more in 17 of 20 dogs and many dogs had an increase by day 7. In 3 of 4 dogs moderate hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers (128 to 256) at the time of vaccination increased by twofold or more. Canine distemper virus serum antibody titers in 4 of 8 dogs with HI titers (< or = 32) at the time of vaccination had increased by twofold or more. In the blastogenic responses of lymphocytes to Concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin, most dogs responded with a slight decrease following vaccination, but no significant change was noted. No adverse reaction caused by vaccination was noted and comparatively good production of serum antibody titers (CPV especially) was seen. Vaccination pre- and post-surgery neither induce severe immunosuppression, nor potentiate the severity of concurrent discase, and did not cause inapparent infection to become clinically apparent.

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To investigate systemic oxygen (O₂) transport, we calculated the oxygen delivery index (Do₂I), oxygen consumption index (Vo₂I) and oxygen extraction ratio (ER) in dogs with heartworm (HW) disease. The Do₂I was 770±331 ml/min/kg in dogs mildly affected with pulmonary HW disease Showing respiratory signs, mild anemia and mild cardiac insufficiency (n=34); 238±155 ml/min/kg in dogs with ascitic pulmonary HW disease (n=7); and 577±320 ml/min/kg and 333±263 ml/min/kg in dogs with caval syndrome (CS) which survived (n=15) or died (n=7) after surgical HW removal. The Do₂I was lower (P < 0.01) in all HW-infected groups, especially in ascites and CS-non-surviving dogs, than in HW-free dogs (n=11, 1041±264 ml/min/kg). The Vo₂I was higher in some mildly affected dogs (161±88 ml/min/kg), and lower (P < 0.01) in ascitic dogs (45±53 ml/min/kg) than in HW-free dogs (123±44 ml/min/kg). The ER was higher (P < 0.01) in all HW-infected groups than in HW-free dogs. The Do₂I correlated significantly with Vo₂I (r=0.84, P < 0.01), and the Vo₂I correlated significantly with ER (r=0.48, P < 0.01). The Do₂I correlated significantly with arterial O₂ tension (r=0.33), serum LDH (r=-0.46) and CK (r=-0.46) activities, serum urea nitrogen (UN, r=-0.32) and lactic acid (LA, r=-0.39) concentrations and cardiac index (r=0.64). The Vo₂I correlated significantly with serum LDH (-0.43) and CK (r=-0.41) activities, serum UN (r=-0.29) and LA (r=-0.37) concentrations, cardiac index (r=0.53) and body weight (r=-0.34). The ER correlated significantly with mixed venous O₂ tension (r=-0.38) and serum ALT activity (r=0.31). The delivery and consumption of O₂ may be closely associated with organ injury in dogs with HW disease.

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Effects of estrogen and progesterone on the first abdomino-inguinal mammary gland and associated blood vessels in ovariectomized adult mice were investigated morphometrically and by light and electron microscopy. Although there were no significant differences in the area of the mammary gland fat pad among ovariectomized groups, development of mammary parenchyma reached maximal degree in ovariectomized mice treated with estradiol (E) + progesterone (P). Epithelial cells of the mammary buds and ducts contained a small number of mitochondria and ribosomes, under-developed Golgi apparatus and rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, and lipid droplets. Each organelle was more abundant in E+P treated mice than in other experimental groups. In adipose tissues of the mammary stroma in intact mice, fat cells were of a multilocular type in peripheral regions around the main vessel in the rear of the inguinal lymph node and of a unilocular type in other regions. In E and E+P treated mice, however, most of fat cells were unilocular. These findings suggest that mammary fat tissues may be formed in advance of mammary parenchyma. Blood capillaries around buds and ducts of the mammary gland were most densely distributed in E+P treated mice. Although there were no significant differences in the density of pinocytotic vesicles of endothelial cells of blood capillaries among the overiectomized groups, marginal folds and microvillous processes reached maximal length in E+P treated mice. The diameters of blood vessels supplying the mammary gland, i.e., V. circumflexa ilium profunda and V. epigastrica caudalis superticialis, reached maximal size in ovariectomized mice treated with E+P. These observations prove that administration of E+P induces development of the mammary gland and associated blood vessels in ovariectomized mice.

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The effects of tea polyphenols on fecal flora and fecal metabolic activities were studied in eight 30-day-old pigs fed a basal diet (control) or the diet supplemented with 0.2% of tea polyphenols for 2 weeks. During tea polyphenol administration compared to before administration, the levels of lactobacilli were increased significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 on days 7 and 14 of administration, respectively), whereas the levels of total bacteria (P < 0.01) and bacteroidaceae (P < 0.0l and P < 0.001 on days 7 and 14 of administration, respectively) were decreased significantly. The detection rate of lecithinase positive clostridia including Clostridium perfrigens showed a tendency to decrease during administration. No detectable change occurred in the levels of other organisms throughout the experimental period. Fecal concentrations of ammonia were decreased significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 on days 7 and 14 of administration, respectively). Fecal phenol (P < 0.001), p-cresol (P < 0.05), and skatol (P < 0.01) were reduced significantly on day 14 of administration compared to before administration. The amounts of fecal short chain fatty acids, acetic acid (P < 0.05) and lactic acid (P < 0.05) were increased significantly on day 14 of administration. The pH values were decreased slightly during administration. The odour of the feces was reduced remarkably during tea polyphenol administration.

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The prevalence of antibodies to hantavirus among Rattus norvegicus in Nagoya city was examined during the period from 1986 to 1993. Eight sera of 675 were antibody positive in an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Antibody positive rats were found in 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1992 and the numbers of rats were 1, 1, 3 and 3, respectively. A hantavirus strain was isolated from a rat captured in 1990 at a residential area adjoining to a pier in Nagoya port. The virus strain, named NR-9, was identified antigenically as the Seoul type of hantavirus in a neutralization test. Suckling rats inoculated with NR-9 strain survived, while those with SR-11 strain succumbed. A difference between the virulence of strains, NR-9 and SR-11 was demonstrated.

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The holocrine secretion of the uropygial gland has been explained as autolysis due to intracellular lysosomal enzymes. In the present study, the distribution of transglutaminase, a marker of epidermal differentiation, in quail uropygial glands was observed by histochemical methods to confirm whether a mechanism similar to epidermal differentiation also exists in the uropygial gland. The transglutaminase activity was positive in the deep and shallow portions of the secretory tubules as well as the transitional and degenerating cell layers of the uropygial gland. This activity was stronger in the deep portions than the shallow portions. These findings suggest that the process of secretion in the quail uropygial gland involves not only the autolysis due to lysosomal enzymes but also a mechanism similar to that of epidermal differentiation, and that a phenomenon similar to epidermal differentiation is more evident in the deep portions than the shallow portions.

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DNA detection with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a mean of identifying Salmonella infection in chickens was compared with the conventional culture procedure. DNA was extracted from organs of experimentally infected chicks with either S. Gallinarum or S. Typhimurium. The pair of primers used were those directed at the InvA gene. Bacteria isolation was done by inoculating the pre-enrichment media with samples. As was expected a 284 bp fragment DNA was amplified from extracted DNA of infected organs by PCR. The results of our studies indicate that the PCR method is more sensitive than the conventional culture procedure since we were able to detect both S. Gallinarum and S. Typhimurium DNA not only in samples positive for bacteria isolation but also in negative samples. It was possible to detect Salmonella DNA in 15 out of 20 organ samples from chicks infected with S. Gallinarum 21 hr after infection, but, only five were positive for bacteria isolation. Salmonella DNA was detected throughout the entire test period. The results of this study confirm that PCR is a useful tool for the detection of Salmonella infection in poultry.

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Although feline syncytial virus (FSV) is normally highly cytopathogenic in Crandell feline kidney cells, a non-cytopathic persistent infection was established in the cells after cocultivation of the initially infected cells with uninfected cells 4 times. More than 90% of the persistentiy infected cells were positive for FSV antigen, and electron microscopy showed that the culture produced morphologically normal FSV. Virus from the carrier culture was infectious, however, the titer of the virus from the culture was lower than that from the cytocidally infected CRFK cells.

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The present study deals with histological changes of the canine decidual reactions of the endometrium stimulated by intraluminal injection of olive oil with or without scratching injury using a wire. Olive oil caused conspicuous proliferation of the superficial endometrial glands. When olive oil injection was carried out after the scratching, cystic hyperplasia of basal glands as well as proliferation of superficial glands occurred. The results suggest that olive oil stimulates only proliferation of the superficial endometrial glands and the occlusion of the glandular orifices by some stimuli such as the traumatical injury would be needed to induce cystic hyperplasia of the basal glands.

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The microvasculature of bovine corpora lutea during pregnancy was studied by scanning electron microscopy using corrosion casts. Only one spiral arteriole branched directly from the ovarian artery entered the blood vascular bed of the pregnant corpora lutea. The bed consisted of numerous lobular sinusoidal capillary plexuses during pregnancy, and were characteristic to the microvasculature of a large corpus luteum. At the late stage of pregnancy, arteriovenous anastomoses were situated within the lobular sinusoidal capillary plexus composed of thin sinusoidal capillaries. These anastomoses may induce a decrease in blood flow to the lobular sinusoidal capillary plexus, suggesting that they may have an important role to induce the initial degeneration of the bovine pregnant corpora lutea.

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The effect of CV-3988, a platelet activating factor antagonist, in the treatment of endotoxic shock was evaluated from the changes in plasma 6-keto-PGF_1α and thromboxane B₂ concentrations. The animals consisted of 10 beagle dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium and divided into a treatment group (n=5) and a control group (n=5). Endotoxic shock was experimentally induced in both groups by intravenous administration of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, 3 mg/kg). The treatment group was intravenously given 10 mg/kg of CV-3988 for 10 min from immediately after endotoxin. Mean aortic pressure, cardiac output and urine volume were remarkably decreased after the administration of endotoxin to both groups. These parameters were higher after the administration of CV-3988, in the treatment group than in the control group. Furthermore, the increase in plasma 6-keto-PGF_1α and thromboxane B₂ concentrations was significantly inhibited. These results suggest the effectiveness of CV-3988 in the treatment of endotoxic shock.

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The postnatal development of motoneurons in two tail muscles, the extensor caudae medialis (ECM) and extensor caudae latcralis (ECL), and that of ECL muscle fibers were studied in cats 1 week to 2 months old. The location of ECL and ECM motoneurons in cats of different ages did not change postnatally. Somal size (average of maximal and minimal diameters) of ECL and ECM motoneurons gradually increased, and the size distribution of ECL was bimodal at 2 months. The activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) were studied to determine oxidative and glycolytic activities in ECL growth. SDH activity rapidly decreased between 1 week and 2 weeks of age, while PFK activities increased gradually.

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A comparative study was carried out on the glucose metabolism in Babesia microti (BM) and Babesia rodhaini (BR) by analyzing the enzyme activities. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in BM showed significantly lower values than that in BR, whereas citrate synthase (CS) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activities were remarkably higher in BM. In addition, pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDH), and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activities also tended to be higher in BM. Then, the change of enzyme activities related to the proliferation of parasites was examined. In BM infected mice, the parasitemia increased from day 15 to day 19 after inoculation (a.i.). While BM showed decrease of G6PD and LDH activities at day 19 a.i., it showed remarkably increased activities in CS and MDH (368 and 8, 842 nmol/min·mg protein, respectively). In addition, PDH, ICDH, KGDH, and SDH activities also tended to increase from day 15 to 19 a.i. In BR infected mice, parasitemia increased from day 9 to day 12 a.i. LDH activity showed a considerable increase at day 12 a.i. (12, 920 IU/mg·protein). Although CS and MDH activities also showed a slight increase at day 12 a.i., the activities of PDH, ICDH, KGDH and SDH didn't change from day 9 to 12 a.i. Since these changes observed in the enzyme activities of BM and BR seemed to be correlated with their proliferation, it was suggested that BM and BR depended on aerobic and anaerobic pathways, respectively, for their glucose metabolism.

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Cardiopulmonary effects of medetomidine (20 μg/kg)-midazolam (0.3 mg) (Me-Mi) were compared with those of medetomidine alone (80 μg/kg) (Me80) in dogs. The intramuscular administration of this combination caused bradycardia and transient mild pressor response. Heart rate decreased soon after the administration and remained significantly below the baseline value with average values of 50-70 beats/min. Blood pressure increased to its maximum within 5 to 10 min then decreased gradually. Cardiac index decreased corresponding the decrease in heart rate. However these changes were less profound than those of Me80 indicating significantly higher values in cardiac index and lower values in systemic vascular resistance. Effects on the respiratory function were slight. The reduction of the dose of medetomidine to one-fourth in Me-Mi was effective to reduce the adverse effect of medetomidine, especially in peripheral vasoconstriction. Atipamezole effectively reversed cardiopulmonary effects induced by medetomidine-midazolam. Heart rate and cardiac index increased and systemic vascular resistance decreased significantly after administration of atipamezole. The possible use of an antagonist as a reversal agent might enhance the value and availability of medetomidine-midazolam as a chemical restraint agent in dogs.

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Canine patellar luxation is seen in toy and miniature breeds, and in the majority of cases the problem is medial patellar luxation. When the luxation is left alone, it causes deformity and disorder in the growth of the affected limb. In severe cases, the limb may cease to afunction. Early surgical correction is therefore essential, but the owners are not able to detect the disorder at an early age and surgical intervention in most cases will take place after 6 months of age. The authors were able to have the opportunity to operate at an earlier age by educating breeders and owners. Various techniques have been developed and implemented to correct this disorder with varying Therapeutic results. The authors have devised a unique surgical method which has been applied to the numerous cases with good results since 1985. The procedure is to make a longitudinal groove on the medial cortical bone of the tibial tuberosity along the tibial crest, and to place small pieces of artificial ceramic bone or autoplastic bone grafts in the groove, thus laterally transposing the tibial tuberosity and crest. This method makes it possible to put the quadriceps muscles of the thigh, the patella and the patellar ligament in the correct alignment over the femoral trochlea. It is considered appropriate to conduct this operation at 1.0-3.0 months of age when the dog has matured enough to be able to withstand anesthesia and surgical stress.

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We collected 220 ticks from 58 dogs infected with Hepatozoon canis from 1990 to 1992 in Yamaguchi and Fukuoka prefectures, the western provinces of Japan. These ticks were identified as Haemaphysalis campanulata, H. longicornis, H. flava, Ixodes ovata, and I. nipponensis. By histopathological examination of these ticks, two oocysts which seemed to be those of H. canis were observed in the haemocoele of an adult female H. longicornis and a nymph H. flava tick. The oocyst, about 300×150 μm in size, was composed of 50 to 70 sporocysts with 10 to 16 banana-shaped sporozoites each.

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Plasmid profi1es of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from horses were examined. Thirty-nine strains of K. pneumoniae capsular type 1 (K1) is()lated from cervical swabs of mares suffering from metritis, and from semen of stallions showed similar plasmid profile patteI.ns, and al1 strains possessed a 125 megadaltons (Md) plasmid. There was no difference in plasmid profi1es between the heavily-cncapsulated and the less hcavily-encapsulated strains of K. pneumoniae Kl. Non-capsulated variants derived from the strains of Kl showed thc same plasmid profile pattern as the parent strains. Plasmid proft1es of K. pneumo/liae other than K1 were various, and nonc of these strains possessecl the 125 Md plasmid.

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The development of Babesia gibsoni in the salivary glands of larval Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks was morphologically studied for 4 days of feeding of tick on rabbits. Babesia gibsoni showed two forms (sporont and sporozoite) in the budding process. Sporozoites were formed in the acinar cells of salivary glands and released from the hollow cytoplasmic area of these cells by day 4 of feeding. The morphology of B. gibsoni in the salivary glands of R. sanguineus shows a close similarity to those of B. gibsoni in Haemaphysalis longicornis.

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Serum anti-erythrocyte membrane (RBCm) antibodies and anti-RBCm antibodies eluted from erythrocytes of Babesia gibsoni-infected dogs were examined for immunologic characteristics by immunoblotting analysis. Serum anti-RBCm antibodies of the dogs before and after the experimental inoculation with parasitized erythrocytes reacted with cytoskeletal (bands 1, 2, 2.1, 4.1, 4.2 and 5) and transmembrane structural (band 3) proteins of either self or non-self RBCm. Anti-RBCm antibodies eluted from erythrocytes of B. gibsoni-infected dogs reacted with bands 3 and 4.2 of self and non-self RBCm.

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A routine detection assay of Campylobacter jejuni was developed with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A pair of oliginucleotide primers from the flaA of C. jejuni were used in detection by PCR. Although the primer pair specifically detected C. jejuni strains, they did not detect strains of C. coli, C. fetus, Salmonella spp. or Escherichia coli. In litter inoculated with C. jejuni, specific detection of C. jejuni was obtained by PCR with this primer pair.

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Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and their isoenzyme patterns in B. rodhaini (BR) and B. microti (BM), the two major causative species of murine babesiosis, were examined. G6PD and LDH activities were higher in BR than those in BM, whereas MDH activity was lower in BR than that in BM. No differences were observed between BR and BM in the mobility of isoenzyme bands of G6PD and MDH. On LDH isoenzyme pattern, at least 5 bands were detected in BR, while only one band in BM. Since each subunit of LDH is known to be coded by different gene, these results suggests that BR and BM are able to be differentiated genetically.

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Surgical removal of an intrathoracic tumor derived from a vagus nerve was undergone in a dog with hypertrophic osteopathy. The tumor was pathologically diagnosed as malignant schwanoma. Soft tissue swelling, lameness, and itchiness in four limbs disappeared within 7 days after sugery. The proliferated periosteal osteophytes of the four limbs was progressively reduced with time by follow-up radiography on the 58th day after surgery. On the 710th day after surgery, these osteophytes were greatly decreased as compared to the Preoperative radiograms.

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Salmonella Typhimurium was isolated from a fresh fecal sample of zebra finches (Poephila guttata) in December 1992 on an aviary where a large scale outbreak of S. Typhimurium infection among bengalees (a variety of Lonchura striata) in 1991 had been recorded. The isolates from zebra finches were examined for antibiotic sensitivity and plasmids, which were 60 Mdal, then they showed the same pattern as those of S. Typhimurium isolated at the previous outbreak. This is the first report of S. Typhimurium isolation from zebra finches.

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Ten beagle dogs (4-8 years of age) with benign prostatic hypertrophy were treated daily for 7 or 14 days by a daily oral administration of chlormadinone acetate (CMA), an anti-androgenic preparation, at a dose of 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg/day. The groups of dogs treated with CMA at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg showed a greater reduction of the prostatic volume during 7 or 14 days of treatment than the group treated with 0.5 mg/kg of CMA. At 56 and 84 days after the start of CMA treatment, prostate volume was reduced to 63 and 79% of the pre-administration volume, respectively. No marked decrease in plasma LH or testosterone was found after the CMA treatment. These results indicate that the therapeutic effects of 7-day oral treatment with CMA at 2.0 mg/kg/day in dogs with BPH last for about three months or longer without side effects.

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Duplication of the jejunum in a dog was morphologically reported. A solitary lesion with a diameter of 4 mm was incidentally found near the mesenteric side of the intestinal wall. On the intestinal mucosa, a crater-like focus was observed. Histologically the nodular lesion was detected as a round and clearly circumscribed canal within the normal muscular layer of the small intestine. The inner surface of the canal had mucosa which was similar to the normal intestinal mucosa with villi in light and electron microscopy.

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Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) isolated from cats suspected for feline viral rhinotracheitis could be divided into 3 genotypes (C7301, F2 and C7805 types) by digestion pattern with a restriction enzyme M1uI [16]. Variation of immunogenic products of 77 isolates were examined by immunoblot analysis using a polyvalent cat serum against C7301 strain, Japanese prototype strain of FHV-1. The result showed that a 36 kDa band was detected in 31 out of the 63 isolates belonging to C7301 type. However the band was not observed in the remaining 32 isolates of C7301 type and 14 isolates belonging to either F2 or C7805 type. In one isolate (91-58) of C7301 type, approximately 75 kDa band instead of 70 kDa band was observed, although the other bands were commonly observed in the remaining 76 isolates. From the results of the present and previous studies, FHV-1 field isolates could be divided into at least 4 groups and this grouping might be applicable for epidemiological studies of FHV-1 infection in the field.

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A dwarf male Large White neonate showing various external abnormalities was diagnosed to be chondrodysplasia. Microscopy revealed massive accumulation of eosinophilic homogeneous substance in the renal glomeruli, mainly along the caillary walls. The homogeneous substance, mainly consisted of type-III collagen, was not found in the primitive glomeruli in the superficial cortex, and was most frequently and intensely deposited in the mature glomeruli in the deep cortex. Electron microscopically, the deposits consisted of the collagen fibrils with various structural abnormalities. Glomerular fibrosis might be attributed to in situ Production of type-III collagen by glomerular cells with differentiation and maturation, most likely by the mesangial cells.

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The optimum technical conditions for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the central nervous system (CNS) in the 3-week-old kitten were investigated with a low (0.2T) magnetic field MRI unit equipped with a custom-made solenoid radio frequency (RF) coil. In the brain, T1 weighted images (TR/TE=500/38 msec) and T2 weighted images (TR/TE=1, 800/110 msec) clearly delineated each anatomical portion of the brain. In the spinal cord, T2 weighted images (TR/TE=1, 500/110 msec) demonstrated structures distinctly. These results suggest that even low magnetic field MRI can be used for noninvasive scanning of small animals including new born animals.

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Marek's disease virus (MDV) DNA in latently infected lymphoblastoid cell lines is considerably methylated. Treatment of the MDV-derived lymphoblastoid cell lines MDCC-MSB1 (MSB1) and MDCC-RP1 (RP1) with 5-azacytidine (5-AzC) results in hypomethylation of MDV DNA. An increase in mRNA from certain portions of MDV DNA, including the BamHI-H region, was observed in 5-AzC-treated MSB1 cells, but not in the agent-treated RP1 cells. After the treatment of cells with 5-AzC, a site hypersensitive to digestion with DNaseI appeared in the BamHI-H region of MDV DNA in MSB1 but not in RP1. These results suggested that the enhancement of mRNA synthesis by 5-AzC is associated with changes in the nucleosomal structure of MDV DNA in lymphoblastoid cell line MSB1.

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In order to investigate the prevalence of infections with three feline retroviruses feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline syncytial virus (FSV) in Taiwan, we collected a total of 75 blood samples from cats from veterinary hospitals, a breeding cattery and a homeless shelter in 1993 and 1994. We examined the presences of anti-FIV and FSV antibodies and FeLV-p27 antigen in these samples by the indirect immunofluorescence and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. All of the serum samples positive for FIV were obtained from homeless cats and the overall FIV positive rate was 47%. The overall positive rates of FSV and FeLV were 28% and 1.3%, respectively. From these results, together with previous seroepidemiological surveys by others, it was revealed that the prevalence of FIV and FeLV infections appeared to be lower in Taiwan than in the United States or Japan. In contrast, the prevalence of FSV infection in Taiwan was as high as that in Japan.

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The presence of canine natural killer cytotoxic factor (NKCF) and the mechanism of the release of the NKCF by canine natural killer (NK) cells were studied. The cytotoxicity in the culture supernatant of effector cells cultured with target cells was dependent on the count of NK cells. Therefore, this suggests that the cytotoxic factor in this culture supernatant is NKCF. The NK-sensitive live target cells stimulated the release of NKCF from NK cells, but the NK-insensitive target cells did not. Moreover, NKCF was also released from NK cells stimulated with either killed target cells or their cytoplasmic membrane as well as live target cells. These findings suggest that the structure of the cytoplasmic membrane of target cells is involved in the recognition, binding and the release of NKCF by NK Cells.

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Antigens of Eimeria tenella sporulated oocysts were applied to detect serum antibody of calf infected with Eimeria. Polypeptides of E. tenella oocyst were strongly proved with the infected bovine serum in immunoblotting. The infected serum also showed higher absorbances than that of normal serum in enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using E. tenella oocyst antigen. Suitable conditions for the ELISA were obtained by using soluble antigen of E. tenella oocysts at 2.5μg/ml and bovine serum at 200 fold dilution.

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The authors evaluated the effect of terdecamycin, a novel antibiotic, on experimentally induced Serpulina (S.) hyodysenteriae infection in pigs. In a prophylactic test, feed containing terdecamycin was fed to pigs for 7 days before inoculation and 21 days after inoculation. Dysenteric diarrhea, development of lesions in the large intestinal mucosa and colonization of S. hyodysenteriae in colonic mucosa were completely inhibited by treatment With 5 ppm or 10 ppm terdecamycin. In the therapeutic test, an unmedicated feed was fed to pigs inoculated with S. hyodysenteriae, until the typical mucohemorrhagic diarrhea appeared after inoculation, and was then changed to the medicated feed for 10 days. By treating with 20 ppm terdecamycin, the clinical signs in the pigs were improved and S. hyodysenteriae was completely eradicated.

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Seventy-three fattening calves ranging from 6 to 15 months old on a farm were affected by ataxia over a period of four months. About 10 ataxic animals recovered after the administration of various kinds of vitamins and needle puncture therapy. The principal lesions in 14 ataxic animals examined were characterized by bilateral vacuolation with axonal degeneration confined to the spinal white matter. Ultrastructurally, the vacuoles were present in the periaxonal areas and bounded by dissociated myelin lamellae. No pathogen was isolated from the visceral organs of the animals. The serum copper remained within the normal range. Possible etiological factors remain unknown in the ataxic disease.

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Mitogenic response of peripheral blood lymphocytes from ketotic cows and effect of ketone bodies on lymphocyte blastogenesis were investigated. Glucose consumption index (GCI) values for phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in the ketotic cows were significantly lower than those in the healthy dry cows. A significant negative correlation was observed between the GCI values and serum concentrations of total ketone and β-hydroxybutyric acid. When lymphocytes from healthy dry cows were preincubated in the medium with acetoacetic acid or β-hydroxybutyric acid, the GCI values for PHA and PWM were significantly lower than those in the lymphocytes without ketone bodies. These findings indicate that increased serum concentrations of acetoacetic acid and β-hydroxybutyric acid in ketotic cows suppress lymphocyte blastogenesis.

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