Coping strategies and barriers to coping in climate- vulnerable Bangladesh: a qualitative study

 

With the mental wellbeing of billions of people at risk due to climate change, more research is required to better understand mental health and psychological implications of climate vulnerability. This research contributes to understanding how people in climate vulnerable populations psychologically cope with stress with crucial implications for adaptation efforts. We conducted n = 60 qualitative in-depth interviews with men and women in Bhola, Bangladesh to elicit the lived experiences of a climate vulnerable population. We analysed data following the tenets of Grounded Theory. Through our inductive analysis, we found coping strategies where participants highlighted what they did when encountering stress, such as ‘Resignation’ or ‘Help Seeking'. Barriers to coping were, among others, limited ‘Efficacy', ‘Time’ or ‘Stigma'. We categorized coping strategies with barriers as high-barrier coping strategies and, those without reported barriers, as low- barrier coping strategies. High-barriers restricted participants - especially women - in their coping efforts and led them to using low-barrier coping strategies. Some low-barrier coping strategies can be interpreted as maladaptive if used frequently, as they are unhealthy and draw upon resources needed to adapt for the future. Maladaptive coping strategies can thus impede long-term adaptation by reducing motivation and the ability and willingness to act. To enable adaptive coping, we recommend lifting the barriers to coping through community-led interventions where community workers create platforms for sharing problems and knowledge, such as group support meetings. Sharing and discussing could strengthen efficacy and open new opportunities for functional, adaptive coping. As the negative impacts of climate change will be felt globally with more intensity and frequency, enabling adaptive coping and removing barriers to coping in frontline communities will be essential to supporting physical and mental wellbeing.

Key messages

• Barriers to adaptive coping strategies can lead people to using maladaptive low-barrier coping strategies, which draw upon resources needed for long-term adaptation.

• Enabling adaptive coping by lifting barriers to coping in climate vulnerable populations is crucial to strengthen adaptation efforts.

The implication of autoantibodies in early diagnosis and monitoring of plasmonic photothermal therapy in the treatment of feline mammary carcinoma

Feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) shows great similarities to human breast cancer in the cellular and molecular levels. So, in cats as in humans, the role of immune responses is indicated to detect and follow up the development of tumors. As a new breast cancer therapeutic approach, Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy (PPTT) is an effective localized treatment for canine and feline mammary-carcinoma. Its systemic effect has not been inquired yet and needs many studies to hypothesis how the PPTT eradicates tumor cells. In this study, it is the first time to detect (P53, PCNA, MUC-1, and C-MYC) feline autoantibodies (AAbs), study the relationship between PCNA AAbs and mammary-tumors, and investigate the effect of PPTT on the humoral immune response of cats with mammary-carcinoma through detection of AAbs level before, during, and after the treatment. The four-AAbs panel was evaluated in serum of normal and clinically diagnosed cats with mammary tumors using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. The panel showed 100% specificity and 93.7% sensitivity to mammary tumors. The panel was evaluated in PPTT monotherapy, mastectomy monotherapy, and combination therapy. PPTT monotherapy decreased AAbs level significantly while mastectomy monotherapy and combination therapy had a nonsignificant effect on AAbs level.

Effects of macrophage polarization on gold nanoparticle-assisted plasmonic photothermal therapy

Tumor associated macrophages (TAM) are key pathogenic factors in neoplastic diseases. They are known to have plasticity and can polarize into two opposing phenotypes, including the tumoricidal M1 and the protumoral M2 phenotypes with high prevalence of M2-phentoypes in patients with poor prognosis. Strategies for targeting M2-TAM may consequently increase the efficacy of therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. Gold nanorod-assisted plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) has emerged as a promising treatment for cancer but the effects of macrophage polarization parameters in the performance of this new treatment modality is still unknown. Herein, human monocytic THP-1 cells were polarized into two opposite phenotypic macrophages (M1-TAM and M2-TAM) and their response to PPTT was examined. M2-TAM exhibits a three-fold increase in AuNP uptake compared to M1-TAM. Laser irradiation results in selective killing of pro-tumoral M2-TAM after treatment with AuNPs with limited effects on anti-tumoral M1-TAM. A positive correlation between the expression of CD206 marker and the AuNP uptake may indicate the role of CD206 in facilitating AuNP uptake. Our findings also suggest that the differences in AuNP avidity and uptake between the M1-TAM and M2-TAM phenotypes may be the rationale behind the effectiveness of PPTT in the treatment of solid tumors.

A preferential uptake of gold nanoparticles by macrophages with a protumoral M2 phenotype result in efficient killing upon laser irradiation while keeping M1 phenotypes relatively undamaged.

Gold Nanorod-Assisted Photothermal Therapy Decreases Bleeding during Breast Cancer Surgery in Dogs and Cats

For localized tumors, gold nanorod (AuNR)-assisted plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) is a potentially effective alternative to traditional surgery, in which AuNRs absorb near-infrared light and convert it to heat in order to kill cancer cells. However, for large tumors (volume ≥ 20 cm3), an uneven distribution of AuNRs might cause inhomogeneity of the heat distribution inside the tumor. Surgery is frequently recommended for removing large tumors, but it is associated with a high risk of cancer recurrence and metastasis. Here, we applied PPTT before surgery, which showed improved treatment for large tumors. We divided the animals (eight cats/dogs) into two groups: Group I (control), where three cases were solely treated with surgery, laser, or AuNRs alone, resulting in recurrence and metastasis; and Group II, where animals were treated with PPTT before surgery. In Group II, four out of the five cases had tumor regression without any recurrence or metastasis. Interestingly, we observed that applying PPTT before surgery displayed reduced bleeding during tumor removal, supported by histopathology that showed altered blood vessels. In conclusion, our study showed that applying AuNR-assisted PPTT (AuNRs-PPTT) before surgery could significantly affect blood vessels inside the tumor, leading to a decreased amount of bleeding during surgery, which can potentially decrease the risk of metastasis and blood loss during surgery.

Abstract 175: Combination of plasmonic photothermal therapy with surgery applied to naturally occurring mammary tumors in canines and felines: clinical outcomes and molecular studies

Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy (PPTT) is a cancer therapy where gold nanorods (AuNRs) are injected at the tumor site and near-infrared light (safe to bio-system) is applied to generate localized heat causing cancer cell death. PPTT is a potentially good alternative to replace traditional surgery for localized tumors. However, for large tumors (volume ≥10 cm3), PPTT could be ineffective due to an uneven distribution of injected AuNRs causing possible inhomogeneity of heat. Surgery is frequently recommended in those cases. However, it carries a high risk of cancer recurrence. For effective treatment of large tumors, we combined both PPTT and surgical resection and applied it to naturally occurring tumors in mammary glands of dogs and cats, which could realistically represent their human equivalents at the molecular level. For the experimental design, we divided the animals into three different groups. 20 cases (7 cats and 13 dogs) were all diagnosed with adenocarcinoma; the animals were monitored for 1-2 years after treatments. Group (I): three cases were solely treated by mastectomy (control group); all of them died within a few weeks. Group (II): five cases were treated with mastectomy first. Then, each tumor wound was divided into two halves, and only one half was exposed to PPTT. After treatment, two cases in this group rendered complete remission. In the other three cases, the half wound that was not exposed to PPTT had tumor recurrence causing animal death within one year. Group (III): 12 cases were treated with surgery followed by PPTT treatment. This regime showed complete remission without any recurrence for eight cases. However, four cases died 4-12 months after therapy for reasons such as pneumonia (no tumor found, based on X ray). Histopathology results showed a decrease of cancer grades before (variant grades from 1-4) and after two weeks of treatment via PPTT and surgery (grade 0). Blood tests (conducted 1 year after therapy) showed no obvious change in liver and kidney functions in groups II and III. In addition, X-ray diffraction showed no metastasis 1- 2 years after treatment. We have performed quantitative, real time-PCR analysis two weeks before and after treatment to study the expression levels of several important genes. The genes that are responsible for repairing cancer cells such as BRCA1, BRCA2, and CD163-IL-10 were significantly diminished two weeks after treatment (group III). Furthermore, tumor microenvironment cells such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) were greatly altered after treatment. TAM 1, which retards tumor growth, augmented, and TAM 2, which promotes tumorigenesis, was diminished, which explains the animals’ increased survival rate. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the feasibility of applying PPTT after surgery for large tumors in dogs and cats.

Citation Format: Moustafa R. Ali, Haithem A. Farghali, Hala R. Ali, Ahmed H. Osman, Yousef A. Soliman, Yue Wu, Ibrahim M. Ibrahim, Salah A. Selim, Dong M. Shin, Mostafa A. El-Sayed. Combination of plasmonic photothermal therapy with surgery applied to naturally occurring mammary tumors in canines and felines: clinical outcomes and molecular studies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 175. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-175

Gold Nanorods as Drug Delivery Vehicles for Rifampicin Greatly Improve the Efficacy of Combating Mycobacterium tuberculosis with Good Biocompatibility with the Host Cells

TB remains a challenging disease to control worldwide. Nanoparticles have been used as drug carriers to deliver high concentrations of antibiotics directly to the site of infection, reducing the duration of treatment along with any side effects of off-target toxicities after systemic exposure to the antibiotics. Herein we have developed a drug delivery platform where gold nanorods (AuNRs) are conjugated to rifampicin (RF), which is released after uptake into macrophage cells (RAW264.7). Due to the nature of the macrophage cells, the nanoparticles are actively internalized into macrophages and release RF after uptake, under the safety frame of the host cells (macrophage). AuNRs without RF conjugation exhibit obvious antimicrobial activity. Therefore, AuNRs could be a promising antimycobacterial agent and an effective delivery vehicle for the antituberculosis drug Rifampicin for use in tuberculosis therapy.

Treatment of natural mammary gland tumors in canines and felines using gold nanorods-assisted plasmonic photothermal therapy to induce tumor apoptosis

Plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) is a cancer therapy in which gold nanorods are injected at the site of a tumor before near-infrared light is transiently applied to the tumor causing localized cell death. Previously, PPTT studies have been carried out on xenograft mice models. Herein, we report a study showing the feasibility of PPTT as applied to natural tumors in the mammary glands of dogs and cats, which more realistically represent their human equivalents at the molecular level. We optimized a regime of three low PPTT doses at 2-week intervals that ablated tumors mainly via apoptosis in 13 natural mammary gland tumors from seven animals. Histopathology, X-ray, blood profiles, and comprehensive examinations were used for both the diagnosis and the evaluation of tumor statuses before and after treatment. Histopathology results showed an obvious reduction in the cancer grade shortly after the first treatment and a complete regression after the third treatment. Blood tests showed no obvious change in liver and kidney functions. Similarly, X-ray diffraction showed no metastasis after 1 year of treatment. In conclusion, our study suggests the feasibility of applying the gold nanorods-PPTT on natural tumors in dogs and cats without any relapse or toxicity effects after 1 year of treatment.

Evaluation of ERIC-PCR as genotyping method for Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis isolates

The aim of this study was to evaluate the Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus (ERIC-PCR) as a tool for molecular typing of C. pseudotuberculosis isolates from eight different hosts in twelve countries. Ninety-nine C. pseudotuberculosis field strains, one type strain (ATCC 19410^T) and one vaccine strain (1002) were fingerprinted using the ERIC-1R and ERIC-2 primers, and the ERIC-1R+ERIC-2 primer pair. Twenty-nine different genotypes were generated by ERIC 1-PCR, 28 by ERIC 2-PCR and 35 by ERIC 1+2-PCR. The discriminatory index calculated for ERIC 1, ERIC 2, and ERIC 1+2-PCR was 0.89, 0.86, and 0.92, respectively. Epidemiological concordance was established for all ERIC-PCR assays. ERIC 1+2-PCR was defined as the best method based on suitability of the amplification patterns and discriminatory index. Minimal spanning tree for ERIC 1+2-PCR revealed three major clonal complexes and clustering around nitrate-positive (biovar Equi) and nitrate-negative (biovar Ovis) strains. Therefore, ERIC 1+2-PCR proved to be the best technique evaluated in this study for genotyping C. pseudotuberculosis strains, due to its usefulness for molecular epidemiology investigations.

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction to identify and determine the toxigenicity of Corynebacterium spp with zoonotic potential and an overview of human and animal infections

Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Corynebacterium ulcerans and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis constitute a group of potentially toxigenic microorganisms that are related to different infectious processes in animal and human hosts. Currently, there is a lack of information on the prevalence of disease caused by these pathogens, which is partially due to a reduction in the frequency of routine laboratory testing. In this study, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assay that can simultaneously identify and determine the toxigenicity of these corynebacterial species with zoonotic potential was developed. This assay uses five primer pairs targeting the following genes: rpoB (Corynebacterium spp), 16S rRNA (C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis), pld (C. pseudotuberculosis), dtxR (C. diphtheriae) and tox [diphtheria toxin (DT) ]. In addition to describing this assay, we review the literature regarding the diseases caused by these pathogens. Of the 213 coryneform strains tested, the mPCR results for all toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains of C . diphtheriae, C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis were in 100% agreement with the results of standard biochemical tests and PCR-DT. As an alternative to conventional methods, due to its advantages of specificity and speed, the mPCR assay used in this study may successfully be applied for the diagnosis of human and/or animal diseases caused by potentially toxigenic corynebacterial species.

Humoral and cellular immune responses of a murine model against Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis antigens

Humoral and cellular immune responses were both found to be operative in five groups of Balb/c mice following two subcutaneous inoculations with different antigens of C. pseudotuberculosis. These antigens included toxoid, bacterin, bacterin-toxoid with and without oil adjuvant in addition to the live cell of C. pseudotuberculosis. The responses were assessed, twenty days after the 2nd immunization. Serum antibody levels were determined in an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cellular immune responses to C. pseudotuberculosis antigens were measured by detection of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) in spleen cell culture media of the immunized mice, using commercial mice enzyme immuno-assay kit. All mice were challenged 2 weeks after the last dose of immunization with live C. pseudotuberclosis (2x10(5) CFU/mouse). Protection levels were observed with different degrees between the immunized mice groups.

Oedematous skin disease of buffalo in Egypt

This review covers a historical view and etiology of oedematous skin disease which affects buffalo in Egypt, the microbiology of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis causing the disease: its virulence; clinical signs; mechanism of pathogenesis; histopathology; mode of transmission; immunological aspects; treatment and control. It is concluded that C. pseudotuberculosis serotype II is the main cause of OSD and exotoxin phospholipase D and its lipid contents of the cell wall are the major causes of pathogenesis. After declaring the role of Hippobosca equina in transmission of the causative agent among buffaloes, control of OSD is now available.

Cloning and expression of recombinant MPB70 protein antigen from Mycobacterium bovis BCG for diagnosis of tuberculosis

In a search for developing new skin test reagents, MPB70 protein antigen was a candidate antigen for the Diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis. First M. bovis BCG genomic DNA was extracted purified and the mpb70 gene was amplified by PCR. The gene was then ligated to an expression vector, PQE. After transformation of the expression E. coil M15 host strain with the PQE plasmid, the expression was induced using 10 mM of IPTG. Two bands were seen in the SDS-PAGE analysis the 44 and 50 KDa represents the dimmers of the nonglycosylated and glycosylated form of the reMPB70 antigen. The His-tagged reMPB70 antigen was then purified by metal affinity chromatography using Ni-NTA agarose. Protein refolding was done by the use of the co solvent Polyethylene glycol MW 3000. The diagnostic potential of the re-MPB70 was evaluated using sera from experimentally sensitized guinea pigs with different strains of mycobacteria (M. bovis BCG, M. tuberculosis, M. kansasii and M. intracellular) using ELISA test. The results indicated the efficiency of MPB70 but not bovine PPD to discriminate between M. bovis sensitized guinea pigs and those sensitized with other mycobacterial strains at serum dilution of 1150. In a field trials to using reMPB70 antigen for the serodiagnosis of bovine tuberculosis using ELISA test. Fifty serum samples from tuberculin +ve and 6 from tuberculin -ve cattle were used as well as 10 tuberculin +ve buffaloes. All +ve animals were confirmed to be M. bovis infected by P/M analysis, bacteriological examination. ELISA results revealed that reMPB70 could recognize the tuberculin +ve infected animals at serum dilution of 1/50 and that it could diagnose tuberculosis in cattle as well as buffaloes.

Production and evaluation of a monoclonal antibody to Clostridium perfringens type D epsilon toxin

A monoclonal antibody (mAb) against C. perfringens type D epsilon toxin was produced in hybridoma tissue culture supernatant and in BALB/C mice ascitic fluid. The mAb reacted with single band of the purified epsilon toxin and efficiently neutralized the lethal effect of epsilon toxin in mice. A competitive ELISA (C-ELISA) was developed using this mAb and used to evaluate C. perfringens type D vaccines. Individual serum samples from vaccinated rabbits were tested using C-ELISA and mouse neutralization test (MNT). The mAb based C-ELISA correlated with the conventional MNT for estimation of antitoxin level.

Immune regulation of ovarian function in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalus)

We studied the infiltration of different subsets of immune system cells in the ovarian parenchyma of Egyptian buffaloes during follicular and luteal phases of the estrous cycle. All subsets of leukocytes infiltrated significantly more into corpora lutea (CL) than into Graafian follicles (GF) (P < 0.01) except for plasma cells that were abundant in the GF but not observed in the CL. The number of macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils were significantly greater in mature CL than in corpora hemorrhagica (CH) or regressing CL. Moreover, the regressing CL showed significantly more macrophages, lymphocytes and neutrophils than the CH. Large antral follicles were infiltrated with larger number of leukocytes than growing preantral atretic follicles. Macrophages and neutrophils observed in large antral follicles were significantly more abundant in the theca externa than the theca interna (P < 0.01). Only plasma cells were significantly greater in number in the theca intema (P < 0.01). Leukocytes infiltrated significantly more into large mature follicles than large, growing, preantral atretic follicles (P < 0.01). Results of this study reveal the calling of leukocytes in a significant numbers inside the ovarian tissue of buffaloes around the time of ovulation and at luteolysis. It is possible that leukocytes with their powerful bioactive cytokines (IL-1, TNFalpha, GM-CSF, and INF-gamma) may assist in ovarian functions such as ovulation and luteolysis.

Number of viable bacteria and presumptive antibiotic residues in milk fed to calves on commercial dairies

OBJECTIVE

To assess the number of bacteria and presumptive antibiotic residues in milk fed to calves and to identify those bacteria and the antibiotic susceptibility of selected bacterial strains.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional prospective study.

SAMPLE POPULATION

189 samples obtained from 12 local dairies.

PROCEDURE

Samples of waste milk and milk-based fluids (eg, milk replacer, colostrum, bulk-tank milk) were obtained. Cumulative number of viable bacteria was determined. Bacteria were cultured aerobically, and antibiotic susceptibility testing of selected strains was performed. Presumptive antibiotic residues were detected by use of test kits.

RESULTS

Geometric mean of the cumulative number of bacteria for waste milk samples was significantly higher than for other types of milk or milk-based products. Streptococcus sp (84/165 samples) and Enterobacteriaceae (83/165 samples) were the predominant bacteria identified, followed by Staphylococcus sp (68/165 samples). Escherichia coli was the gram-negative species most commonly isolated (52/165 samples; 32%); however, none were strain O157. Salmonella sp or Mycoplasma sp were not isolated. Of 189 samples, 119 (63%) were positive when tested for beta-lactams or tetracycline by use of 2 commercially available assays. In vitro, some bacteria were resistant to commonly used antibiotics.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Waste milk that has not been effectively treated (eg, pasteurization) to reduce microbial load prior to use as calf feed should be used with caution, because it may contain a high number of bacteria that may be pathogenic to cattle and human beings. Antibiotic residues that would constitute violative amounts and existence of multiple antibiotic resistant bacterial strains are concerns in calf health management and dairy food safety.

The effect of Escherichia coli J5 and modified live Salmonella dublin vaccines in artificially reared neonatal calves

One thousand neonatal calves, allocated in a factorial design into four groups, were vaccinated subcutaneously with two doses each of either killed Escherichia coli (0111:B4) J5 bacterin or a UC Davis modified live, genetically altered (aro-) Salmonella dublin vaccine, or both, or with a placebo. In this prospective double-blind study to determine the immunogenicity and protective effects of both vaccines on bovine neonates in field conditions, calves were observed daily until 2 months of age, and serum samples from selected study calves were obtained at five different time points. No clinical adverse vaccine reactions were observed. Overall mortality was 7.5% (75 of 1000), E. coli and S. dublin infection being the most commonly associated aetiological agents of deaths. Both J5 (p < 0.01) and Salmonella (p = 0.05) vaccines were significantly effective in reducing the mortality rate but without an additive effect. The role of passive transfer was important in calf survival. The E. coli J5 and (aro-) S. dublin vaccination schedule employed significantly (p < 0.001) elevated J5 and Salmonella-specific serum ELISA antibody titres, respectively, by the sixth week of age.

Passive immunotherapy in neonatal calves--II. The efficacy of a J5 Escherichia coli hyperimmune plasma as immunotherapy in neonatal calves

Hyperimmunized bovine plasma containing antibodies to a mutant Escherichia coli O111:B4 (J5) was used to conduct a prospective double-blind clinical trial to evaluate its efficacy as an immunotherapy to bovine neonates in field conditions. Two- to three-day-old calves (N = 150) were randomized into three groups (n = 50) to receive (1) no plasma (NP) or (2) control (traces or no J5 antibody) bovine plasma (CP), or (3) hyperimmune bovine anti J5 plasma (HP) in two subcutaneous total doses of 10 ml kg-1 body weight at a 24 h interval. Various physiological, pathological and clinical parameters of the study subjects were observed up to three weeks while other data such as morbidity, mortality and the effect on heart girth increase were collected up to the end of the eighth week. Weekly serum total protein and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations were preferentially increased from the baseline values in HP calves but not statistically significant (p > 0.05) in group comparison. Mean (geometric) serum J5 ELISA titers in the HP group were significantly (p < 0.001) higher than the other two groups that increased about 1-log by the first week of plasma intervention, followed by a gradual decline by the third week. Out of three total deaths due to septicemia and colitis, one was from the NP group while the other two were from the HP group. Morbidity as measured daily on a 13-point scoring scale were not statistically (p > 0.05) different among the groups. Variation in the mean heart-girth increase was non-significant (p > 0.05) among groups by the eighth week. Higher increase in heart girth was generally associated with higher initial serum IgG (p < 0.01) concentration. Our results suggest that this lot of hyperimmune J5 plasma at this dose was not superior to control plasma or to no intervention in terms of calf morbidity and mortality.

Passive immunotherapy in neonatal calves--I. Safety and potency of a J5 Escherichia coli hyperimmune plasma in neonatal calves

A pair of studies designed to assess the clinical safety and potency of hyperimmune plasma administration was undertaken in neonatal calves. Bovine plasma from Holstein heifers hyperimmunized with a mutant Escherichia coli O111:B4 (J5) vaccine which had a geometric mean (GM) immunoglobulin G (IgG) ELISA titer of 3.5 x 10(4), was administered subcutaneously to < or = 2-day-old calves. In the first (study A) of two prospective trials, hyperimmune plasma was administered in two doses to colostrum-deprived (CD) (n = 7) and colostrum-fed (CF) (n = 16) neonatal dairy calves. Data were collected immediately before (0 h) and 6, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 288 h after the first plasma administration. Total serum protein and serum IgG concentration elevated in both groups with a significant (p < 0.01) rise of E. coli J5-specific IgG from the corresponding baseline by 6 h post-plasma administration. In the second (study B) trial, calves (N = 75) allocated into three protocol groups received two doses of either the hyperimmune (TT) J5 plasma (n = 30) or the control (CT) plasma (n = 30), and the third group (NT) received no plasma (n = 15). Data were collected up to 96 h post-plasma administration. Serum IgG and J5 specific ELISA antibody titer increased significantly (p < 0.01) in TT calves compared to the other group calves. The endotoxin contents of the administered plasma were < or = 1 EU ml-1 by limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) method and the collected physiological and hematological data values were similar in all groups in both trials. In addition, no immediate adverse reaction or death was observed in any phase of the plasma administration. The E. coli J5 hyperimmune bovine plasma, as prepared and administered to neonatal calves in the current trials, proved to be a safe and potent biomedical fluid.

Rotavirus infection in calves in Bangladesh

Faecal samples from 434 calves under 1 year of age (307 diarrhoeal and 127 normal) were collected from three dairy farms and one village in selected areas of Bangladesh. The samples were tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the presence of rotavirus antigen. Of 402 dairy calves tested, 28 (7.0%) were positive, of which 21 (7.2%) were from diarrhoeic calves and 7 (6.3%) from non-diarrhoeic calves. Rotavirus infection varied from farm to farm (2.7-9.2%) and there was no positive response from any of the 32 village calves. Rotavirus was most commonly found in calves of 1 week of age or less (up to 22.2% in one group) but was not found in any calves later than 6 months of age. More than 80% of rotavirus-positive samples from diarrhoeic calves exhibited a titre of 128 or more (geometric mean 345 +/- 4.5), whereas non-diarrhoeal calves had titres less than or equal to 128 (geometric mean = 29 +/- 1.9), suggesting that rotavirus infection in calves in Bangladesh was mostly associated with diarrhoea.

Studies on histoplasmosis farciminosi (epizootic lymphangitis) in Egypt. Isolation of Histoplasma farciminosum from cases of histoplasmosis farciminosi in horses and its morphological characteristics

Isolation of Histoplasma farciminosum from five horses, showing typical signs of histoplasmosis farciminosi (epizootic lymphangitis) was successfully attempted. The mycelial form of H. farciminosum was isolated on Sabouraud dextrose agar enriched with 2.5% glycerol, brain heart infusion (BHI) agar enriched with 10% horse blood and PPLO dextrose glycerol agar. The last medium proved to be the most effective, both for primary isolation and subculturing of the fungus. It was found that on primary isolation, the lag phase of the mycelial form of the fungus was relatively long, involving 4-8 weeks at 25 degrees C. Colonies of the mycelial form of H. farciminosum appeared on subculture as a yellowish, light brown to deep brown, convoluted, waxy, cauliflower-like growth tending to form scant aerial growth. Conversion of the mycelial form to the yeast form of H. farciminosum was successful by subculturing either on BHI agar with 5% blood or on Pine's medium and incubating at 35-37 degrees C. Complete conversion to the yeast form was achieved only after 4-5 repeated serial transfers onto fresh media every 8 days. The yeast colonies were flat, raised, slightly or deeply wrinkled, white to light gray to grayish brown, and were pasty in consistency.

Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans and other yeasts from pigeon droppings in Egypt

Two hundred pigeon droppings, unmixed with soil, and collected from various provinces in lower Egypt (Delta) were cultured to detect yeasts. Yeasts were isolated from 53.5% of the samples; Cryptococcus neoformans was recovered from 30 samples and Candida albicans from 19 samples. Other Cryptococcus and Candida species as well as species of Torulopsis and Rhodotorula were also encountered. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated on 13 occasions.