Strong humoral response after Covid-19 vaccination correlates with the common HLA allele A*03:01 and protection from breakthrough infection

Few data exist on the role of genetic factors involving the HLA system on response to Covid-19 vaccines. Moving from suggestions of a previous study investigating the association of some HLA alleles with humoral response to BNT162b2, we here compared the HLA allele frequencies among weak (n = 111) and strong (n = 123) responders, defined as those healthcare workers with the lowest and the highest anti-Spike antibody levels after vaccination. Individuals with clinical history of Covid-19 or positive anti-nucleocapside antibodies were excluded. We found the common HLA-A*03:01 allele as an independent predictor of strong humoral response (OR = 12.46, 95% CI: 4.41-35.21, p < 0.0001), together with younger age of vaccines (p = 0.004). Correlation between antibody levels and protection from breakthrough infection has been observed, with a 2-year cumulative incidence of 42% and 63% among strong and weak responders, respectively (p = 0.03). Due to the high frequency of HLA-A*03:01 and the need for seasonal vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 mutants, our findings provide useful information about the inter-individual differences observed in humoral response after Covid-19 vaccine and might support further studies on the next seasonal vaccines.

Polymorphism of the HLA system and weak antibody response to BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine

The polymorphism of the HLA system has been extensively studied in COVID-19 infection, however there are no data about the role of HLA on vaccine response. We report here the HLA-A, -B, -C, and DRB1 allelic frequencies of n = 111 individuals after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, selected on the basis of lower antibody levels (<5% percentile) after the second dose among a total of n = 2569 vaccinees, and compare them with the frequencies of a reference population. We found that differences in the frequencies of the alleles HLA-A*03:01, A*33:03, B*58:01 and at least one haplotype (HLA-A*24:02~C*07:01~B*18:01~DRB1*11:04) are associated with a weaker antibody response after vaccination, together with the age of vaccinees. Our results might suggest a role played by some HLA alleles or haplotypes in antibody production after the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, giving insights into the tracking of potentially susceptible individuals across populations. Further studies are needed to better define our exploratory findings and dissect the role of HLA polymorphism on response to anti-COVID-19 vaccines.

Correlation of the two most frequent HLA haplotypes in the Italian population to the differential regional incidence of Covid-19

BACKGROUND

Understanding how HLA polymorphisms may affect both susceptibility, course and severity of Covid-19 infection could help both at the clinical level to identify individuals at higher risk from the disease and at the epidemiological one to explain the differences in the epidemic trend among countries or even within a specific country. Covid-19 disease in Italy showed a peculiar geographical distribution from the northern most affected regions to the southern ones only slightly touched.

METHODS

In this study we analysed the regional frequencies for the most common Italian haplotypes from the Italian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (HLA-A, -B, -C and -DRB1 at four-digit level). Then we performed Pearson correlation analyses among regional haplotypes estimated frequency in the population and Covid-19 incidence and mortality.

RESULTS

In this study we found that the two most frequent HLA haplotypes in the Italian population, HLA-A*:01:01g-B*08:01 g-C*07:01g-DRB1*03:01g and HLA-A*02.01g-B*18.01g-C*07.01g-DRB1*11.04g, had a regional distribution overlapping that of Covid-19 and showed respectively a positive (suggestive of susceptibility) and negative (suggestive of protection) significant correlation with both Covid-19 incidence and mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these results, in order to define such HLA haplotypes as a factor effectively associated to the disease susceptibility, the creation of national networks that can collect patients' samples from all regions for HLA typing should be highly encouraged.

PLI: a web-based tool for the comparison of protein-ligand interactions observed on PDB structures

MOTIVATION

A large fraction of the entries contained in the Protein Data Bank describe proteins in complex with low molecular weight molecules such as physiological compounds or synthetic drugs. In many cases, the same molecule is found in distinct protein-ligand complexes. There is an increasing interest in Medicinal Chemistry in comparing protein binding sites to get insight on interactions that modulate the binding specificity, as this structural information can be correlated with other experimental data of biochemical or physiological nature and may help in rational drug design.

RESULTS

The web service protein-ligand interaction presented here provides a tool to analyse and compare the binding pockets of homologous proteins in complex with a selected ligand. The information is deduced from protein-ligand complexes present in the Protein Data Bank and stored in the underlying database.

AVAILABILITY

Freely accessible at http://bioinformatics.istge.it/pli/.

Is left ventricular hypertrophy a powerful predictor of progression to dialysis in chronic kidney disease?

BACKGROUND

The role of cardiovascular factors in predicting renal outcome has not been extensively elucidated. Herein, we report a prospective evaluation of the impact of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) on outcome in non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

We studied 144 patients (99 men; age 62±14 years) with stage 3-4 CKD, with baseline assessment of left ventricular mass index (LVMi) by echocardiography, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by MDRD equation, 24-h blood pressure profile and 24-h proteinuria. Combined end point was progression to ESRD requiring dialysis, or death within 5 years.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients (34%) progressed to dialysis, 24 (17%) died, 57 (39%) were dialysis-free after 5 years and 14 were lost to follow-up. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that increased LVMi (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.17-1.40 for each 10-g/m2 increase, P<0.0001) and reduced eGFR (5% risk increase for each 1-mL/min reduction, P=0.027) were the significant predictors of the combined end point in stage 3 CKD patients, whereas LVMi proved to be the only significant predictor of the combined end point in patients with stage 4 CKD (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09-1.31, P<0.0001). The same analysis showed that LVMi was the only significant predictor of progression to dialysis in stage 3 CKD patients (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.23-1.64 for each 10-g/m2 increase, P<0.0001), while a 20% increase in the risk of progression to ESRD was observed for each 10-g/m2 increase in LVMi (P<0.0001), and a 10% increase for each 1-mL/min reduction in eGFR (P=0.046) in patients with stage 4 CKD. When evaluating the predictive role of LVMi on outcome using AUC-ROC curves, the overall performance of the model including LVMi (AUC 0.877, 95% CI 0.8-0.954) was superior to the model including eGFR (AUC 0.737, 95% CI 0.656-0.817) for the end point of progression to dialysis (P=0.026, Hanley test).

CONCLUSIONS

LVH proved to be the strongest predictor of the risk of progression to dialysis in non-diabetic CKD, especially among patients with less advanced renal dysfunction. Regardless of whether it is a simple marker or a pathogenetic factor, LVH encompasses all factors possibly affecting renal and general outcome in CKD patients.

V.A.S. in the follow-up of turbinectomy

BACKGROUND

Nasal airflow resistance, as measured by rhinomanometry, is frequently impaired in allergic rhinitis (AR). However, rhinomanometry is not widely available. Visual analogue scales (VAS) have been proposed to assess symptom severity in AR.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To verify the suitability of the use of the VAS as a surrogate for rhinomanometry in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis and treated with turbinectomy in quantifying nasal obstruction during the follow-up.

METHODS

Fifty patients (27 males, mean age 23 years, SD 2.24) were studied. VAS for nasal obstruction and rhinomanometry were performed in all patients before turbinectomy and after 6 months.

RESULTS

A significant correlation was observed between VAS for nasal obstruction and nasal airflow resistance (Spearman r = 0.879, p < 0.001) at baseline. Moreover, a significant direct relationship between these two variables was observed (r = 0.567, p < 0.001) also at the follow-up after surgery.

CONCLUSION

The use of VAS for assessing the nasal obstruction appears as clinically relevant, in that it allows with good reliability to quantify this symptom in the absence of rhinomanometry in the follow-up of patients treated with turbinectomy.

Visual analog scale (VAS) and nasal obstruction in persistent allergic rhinitis

OBJECTIVE

Nasal airflow resistance, as measured by rhinomanometry, is frequently impaired in allergic rhinitis (AR). However, rhinomanometry is scarcely available. The aim of this study was to verify the suitability of the use of visual analog scales (VAS) as a surrogate for rhinomanometry in quantifying nasal obstruction in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study on patients with allergic rhinitis.

SETTING

ENT clinic.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Fifty patients (27 males, mean age 23 years, SD 2.24) were studied. VAS for nasal obstruction and other AR symptoms and rhinomanometry were performed in all patients.

RESULTS

A significant, very strong correlation has been observed between VAS for nasal obstruction and nasal airflow resistance (Spearman r = 0.879, P < 0.001). Moreover, a significant correlation exists between VAS for rhinorrhea and resistance (Spearman r = 0.313, P = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

The use of VAS for assessing the nasal obstruction appears clinically relevant in that it allows, with good reliability, the quantification of this symptom in the absence of rhinomanometry.

Soluble HLA-G molecule in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by T helper 2 polarized immune response. The soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) molecule has an immunomodulatory activity. However, so far, no study has investigated this activity in perennial AR (PAR).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate serum sHLA-G levels in PAR patients and in a group of healthy controls.

METHODS

Twenty-five PAR patients were enrolled. A group of 50 healthy non-allergic subjects was considered as control. sHLA-G serum levels were determined by immunoenzymatic method.

RESULTS

Allergic patients had significantly higher levels of the sHLA-G (p < 0.001) molecule than normal controls. Moreover, there was a very strong correlation between sHLA-G and symptom severity and drug use (r = 0.85 and 0.793, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The present study provides first evidence that serum sHLA-G levels are significantly increased in PAR patients. Moreover, sHLA-G might be considered as a biomarker for assessing clinical severity.

Soluble serum HLA-G and HLA-A, -B, -C molecules in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis exposed to pollens

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by a Th2 polarized immune response and soluble HLA (sHLA) molecules play an immunomodulatory role in this response. Previously, it has been reported that these molecules are increased in sera of patients with pollen-induced allergic rhinitis studied outside the pollen season. To date, however, no study has investigated there in AR patients during the pollen season.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate serum sHLA-G and sHLA-A, -B, -C levels in both AR patients and healthy controls.

METHODS

60 symptomatic allergic patients were enrolled. A group of 50 healthy subjects was included as a control. Serum sHLA-G and sHLA-A, -B, -C levels were determined by an immunoenzymatic method. Allergy severity was assessed by VAS for symptoms and drug use.

RESULTS

Allergic patients had significantly higher levels of both sHLA-G (p<0.001) and sHLA-A, -B, -C (p=0.001) than normal controls. In addition, there was a very strong correlation between sHLA-G levels and clinical severity.

CONCLUSION

The present study confirms evidence that serum sHLA-G and sHLA-A, -B, -C molecules are significantly increased in patients with pollen-induced AR also during the pollen season. Moreover, sHLA-G might be considered as a biomarker for assessing clinical severity.

Chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular risk in hypertensive type 2 diabetics: a primary care perspective

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with poor renal and cardiovascular (CV) outcome, and early identification largely depends on the general practitioners' (GPs) awareness of it. Only a few studies have evaluated the prevalence of CKD in type 2 diabetes in primary care, and no studies are available on hypertensive diabetics. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of CKD and its association with CV morbidity in such a population.

METHODS

On the basis of an Italian national project involving GPs and nephrologists, we retrieved demographic, laboratory and clinical data regarding 7582 hypertensive type 2 diabetics (3564 men; age 25-89 years) who were selected using the diagnostic code Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) for diabetes and hypertension. Blood pressure (BP) values, serum creatinine, ECG-diagnosed left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and the occurrence of previous major CV events were obtained for each patient from the GPs' Health Search Database. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated according to the four-variable MDRD equation. CKD was defined as an estimated GFR < 60 mL/min/ 1.73 m2.

RESULTS

CKD prevalence was 26%, although renal disease was diagnosed by GPs in only 5.4% of cases. The prevalence of both LVH and major CV events was 8%. Adequate BP control was only achieved in 10.4% of patients. Patients whose GFR was <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were older, prevalently female, had increased pulse pressure and higher prevalence of dyslipidaemia. Moreover, the prevalence of both LVH and major CV events was higher in patients with CKD as compared to patients with normal GFR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with CKD had a higher risk of LVH and/or CV events adjusted for eight covariates, and this risk increased by 23% with each 21 mL/min/1.73 m2 decrease in GFR.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that CKD is highly prevalent in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients, where it is a strong predictor of CV adverse outcome. However, awareness of CKD by GPs is low. Equations for calculating estimated GFR should be included in the GPs' database in order to detect the presence of CKD and to improve CV outcome of such a high-risk population.

Evaluation of the lateral collateral ligament after fibular head transposition in dogs

Cranial transposition of the fibular head stabilizes the stifle joint by displacing the distal attachment of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The forces applied to the LCL after displacement may cause ligamentous elongation. This investigation evaluated the morphological, histological, and biomechanical changes of the LCL after fibular head transposition (FHT) in dogs. Unilateral cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) excision and FHT were performed on 25 dogs. Cross-sectional area, length, histological, and structural properties of the LCL were evaluated 3 weeks, 4 months, and 10 months after surgery. Ligament length means were significantly increased at week 3, month 4, and month 10 compared with intraoperative length means. No significant changes in elongation were observed after week 3. Fibrovascular proliferation within the LCL increased the cross-sectional area and associated structural properties.

Evaluation of fibular head transposition for repair of experimental cranial cruciate ligament injury in dogs

Unilateral cranial cruciate ligament excision and fibular head transposition (FHT) were performed on 30 adult dogs. Vertical ground reaction forces were determined using force plate data before and after surgery. Cranial drawer motion, tibial rotation, and varus-valgus motion were measured at monthly intervals. Radiographic, gross, and histological examinations of the stifle joints that had been operated on were performed 3 weeks, 4 months, and 10 months after surgery. A scoring system was used to evaluate lameness, osteophyte formation, and meniscal damage. Rank correlation coefficients were calculated between variables tested in pairs. Cranial drawer motion and abnormal tibial rotation were present in all of the joints that had been operated on. Peak vertical force and associated impulse were not restored during the study time period. Meniscal damage was noted in 25% of the dogs at month 4 and in 50% of the dogs at month 10. Progressive gross and histological deterioration of the articular cartilage was observed in all joints. Positive correlations were noted between the degree of stifle joint instability and meniscal injury or radiographic changes. FHT did not control cranial drawer motion and rotational instability, was not successful in restoring limb function, and did not prevent joint degeneration, especially meniscal damage.

Suspensory apparatus prosthesis in the horse. Part 1: In vitro mechanical properties

Mechanical properties of equine suspensory apparatus preparations and three braided synthetic prostheses were evaluated in vitro. Force versus displacement plots and failure modes were recorded from single load-to-failure testing in 18 cadaver limbs before and after replacement of each suspensory apparatus with a prosthesis. Mean load at failure, energy to failure, and stiffness values of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) prostheses were lower than those of the suspensory apparatus and aramid prosthesis. The PTFE prosthesis failed by elongation or rupture of the prosthesis. Mechanical properties of the aramid prosthesis with collar augmentation were not significantly different from the suspensory apparatus. The main site of failure in both aramid prostheses was at the screw fixation to bone.

Suspensory apparatus prosthesis in the horse. Part 2: In vivo evaluation in a suspensory apparatus disruption model

The suspensory apparatus of one forelimb was surgically disrupted in six adult horses by transecting the distal sesamoidean ligaments. A double-braided prosthetic ligament made of aramid yarn was installed to support the flexor surface of the metacarpophalangeal joint. The prosthesis was routed through tunnels in the third metacarpal bone and proximal phalanx, and secured to bone with screws. Evaluation by radiography, synovial fluid analysis, cinematography, and dynamography was performed before surgery and at weeks 16 and 30. Supracondylar cortical lysis and periosteal proliferation were observed on postoperative radiographs. Synovitis and fragmentation of the prosthesis were apparent from synovial fluid evaluation. Weight bearing and metacarpophalangeal joint motion were decreased and loading was transferred in part to the opposite forelimb. Clinical lameness improved and weight bearing increased during the second half of the 30-week period. At necropsy, there was abrasion of the prosthesis and the articular surfaces in contact with the prosthesis. Diffuse granulomatous synovitis developed in response to aramid fiber fragments within the synovium.

Clinical and pathologic features of endometrial hyperplasia, pyometra, and endometritis in cats: 79 cases (1980-1985)

Records of 79 cats determined to have endometrial hyperplasia (EH) with or without pyometra or endometritis were studied. Forty-eight cats (61%) were spayed or died because of complications relating to reproductive tract disease. All other cats were free of clinical signs of disease, and lesions were found incidentally during routine ovariohysterectomy or at necropsy. Prevalence of uterine lesions was greater in cats greater than or equal to 5 years old. Breeding, age at first breeding, and queening could not be correlated with clinical or pathologic signs of disease. Seventy-one percent (34/48) of cats with clinical signs referable to the reproductive tract had histologic evidence of pyometra or endometritis, whereas only 19% (6/31) of cats without clinical signs had histologic evidence of either disease. Only 23% (9/39) of cats without pyometra or endometritis had corpora lutea (CL) in at least one ovary, whereas 40% (16/40) of cats with either pyometra or endometritis had CL. We concluded that the prevalence of EH in cats increases with age in sexually intact female cats, and that most cases of pyometra or endometritis, but not EH, in cats are associated with retained CL.

Epidemiologic survey of diarrhea in foals

Epidemiologic and etiologic data about diarrhea in foals were collected under a planned prospective recording and monitoring study. The survey and monitoring procedures included a survey to obtain an overview of current horse management practices on participating farms, a daily health record survey to obtain information on mares and their foals, and collection of feces from 19 of 144 diarrheic foals and 10 age-matched nondiarrheic foals for electron microscopy, ELISA for rotavirus, and bacteriologic culture. Coronavirus was detected in the feces of diarrheic as well as clinically normal foals. Rotavirus was detected in the feces of diarrheic foals only. With regard to agents found in the feces, there was no significant (P less than 0.05) difference between diarrheic and nondiarrheic foals. Half of the 297 foals on which data were available developed diarrhea. Most foals that developed diarrhea lacked other clinical manifestations of disease. Basic cleanliness at foaling was associated with a lower percentage of foals developing diarrhea. Prophylactic use of antibiotics and vitamins in newborn foals was associated with a higher percentage of foals developing diarrhea. A higher percentage of foals born to visiting mares developed diarrhea, compared with foals born to resident mares.

A modified Cloward's technique for arthrodesis of the normal metacarpophalangeal joint in the horse

A modified Cloward's technique was performed for arthrodesis of one metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint in eight horses. Dorsal arthrotomies were performed medial and lateral to the common digital extensor tendon and two 16 mm holes were drilled through the joint. A perforated cylindrical stainless steel basket filled with cancellous bone was impacted into each hole. The limbs were supported in casts for 8 weeks. The joints were examined and radiographed at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 6 months, and 10 months. One horse was euthanatized at week 14 to assess the progress of the arthrodesis. In the other seven horses, there was clinical fusion at month 6. Dynamographic evaluations were performed 11 months after surgery at the walk and trot. The maximum vertical forces exerted during weight bearing by treated and control limbs were compared. No difference was detected at the walk; however, a significant difference was present at the trot (p less than 0.05). It was calculated that at the trot the horses placed 90% as much force on the treated limb as on the control limb. Eleven months after surgery, the baskets contained compact and cancellous bone. Ingrowth of bone occurred through all openings, completely filling the baskets and fusing the joints.

Pathologic changes in lambs with Ostertagia circumcincta infections associated with decreased infectivity of Haemonchus contortus

Two experiments were done to examine the severity and type of abomasal lesions induced by moderate infections of Ostertagia circumcincta in young lambs and to examine the differences in pathologic changes in lambs with monospecific and combined infections of O circumcincta and Haemonchus contortus. Observations included descriptions of gross and microscopic changes in the abomasums, as well as quantitative analysis of the thickness of the mucosa, numbers of mucus-containing cells, and inflammatory cell accumulations. Seemingly, the changes in the abomasal mucosa of lambs inoculated with O circumcincta were mild and included dilated glands, focal accumulations of lymphocytes, and significant (P less than 0.05) numerical increases of mucus-containing cells, eosinophils, and globule leukocytes, and increase of mucosal thickness when compared with those in noninoculated controls. These differences were less pronounced in lambs given anthelmintic treatment to remove O circumcincta. When H contortus infections were superimposed upon O circumcincta infection, the changes were essentially the same as those described for O circumcincta plus a small, but significant (P less than 0.05), numerical increase of globule leukocytes. Abomasal mucosa of lambs inoculated only with H contortus was more roughened and hyperemic than that of lambs with combined infections, but contained few dilated glands and globule leukocytes. Our conclusions were that moderate infection with O circumcincta did not cause severe or permanent damage to the abomasal mucosa and that such infection decreased the severity of the gross lesions produced by H contortus.

Ataxia and weakness associated with fourth ventricle vascular anomalies in two horses

Two adult horses with progressive neurologic signs were examined clinically and at necropsy. Both horses had signs of progressive ataxia and weakness, clinically diagnosed as spinal cord in origin. Differential diagnoses for cervical spinal ataxia in horses included cervical vertebral malformation, equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy, equine herpes-virus-I myeloencephalopathy, and equine protozoal myeloencephalopathy. Necropsy findings in both horses were similar and consisted of a large hematoma in the fourth ventricle, with upward compression of the cerebellum and downward compression of the pons and rostral portion of the medulla.

Pathogenesis of experimental bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection in sheep

Conventionally reared lambs, seronegative to bovine respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), were inoculated with bovine RSV by an aerosol route. A mild clinical response, characterized by transient fever at postinoculation day (PID) 4, occurred and was accompanied by serous oculonasal secretions in less than 50% of the infected lambs. A decrease in total WBC was observed on PID 6 and 11, with a reduction in the total numbers of lymphocytes. Bovine RSV was recovered from nasal secretions of inoculated lambs from PID 2 to 6. The lambs were euthanatized, and at necropsy, the virus was only isolated from lambs killed between PID 2 and 4. Serum neutralizing antibodies were noticed as early as PID 6 and peaked at PID 13 to 15. Neutralizing antibodies were also detected at low concentration in pulmonary washings. Viral antigen was mainly located in alveolar walls and occasionally in bronchiolar epithelium and alveolar macrophages in lambs killed between PID 2 to 4. Later, specific fluorescence was only present in alveolar walls and was not observed in tissue from lambs killed after PID 22. Budding and free virus-like particles were observed by electron microscopy in type I and type II alveolar epithelial cells. Outstanding macroscopic lesions were not seen. Histologically, mild bronchiolitis and alveolitis were observed.

Cervical vertebral interbody fusion in the horse: a comparative study of bovine xenografts and autografts supported by stainless steel baskets

A modified form of the Cloward technique for anterior cervical fusion in human beings was used in the application of different grafts for evaluation of their effectiveness in stabilizing equine cervical vertebrae. Results of bovine xenograft implants in 8 horses were compared with results of stainless steel baskets (SSB) packed with cancellous autogenous bone in 8 horses. Graft material was incorporated in all cases. Evidence of graft rejection was not present. Both forms of implants decreased the mobility of the intervertebral space in which they were implanted. A fibrous connective tissue union was prevalent after xenograft implantation. Osseous union was prevalent after implantation of the SSB. Reduction in range of motion was greatest at those sites with the SSB.

Cholangiocarcinoma in a yellow-faced Amazon parrot (Amazona xanthops)

A cholangiocarcinoma in a 3 1/2-year-old yellow-faced Amazon parrot (Amazona xanthops) is reported. The parrot presented with a prolapsed cloaca and died after a 6-week clinical course of progressive weight loss. The tumor replaced much of the normal hepatic architecture but apparently did not metastasize. Cholangiocarcinomas have been reported rarely in several species of domestic and captive wild birds, but this appears to be the first reported case in a large psitticiform bird.

Pathologic changes in 3-methylindole-induced equine bronchiolitis

The pathologic features of bronchiolitis were studied in horses and ponies from 30 minutes to 27 days after an oral dose of 3-methylindole (3MI). From 30 minutes to 3 hours, lesions were limited to nonciliated bronchiolar epithelial (Clara) cells, which lost apical caps and cytoplasmic granules and had dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). At 12 hours, necrotic Clara cells were exfoliated; degeneration and necrosis were evident, in bronchiolar ciliated cells. Rare epithelial cells with hyperplastic SER appeared on the denuded basal lamina at 24 hours. Inflammatory cells, epithelia, fibroblastlike cells, collagen, and debris occluded many bronchiolar lumens from 3 to 6 days. Reorganization resulted in a simple columnar bronchiolar epithelium with relatively normal ciliated cells and fewer fibroblastlike cells. However, mature Clara cells were rare at 27 days, and collagenous bands still divided bronchiolar lumens. Thus, 3MI toxicosis is a persistent model of equine bronchiolitis with many morphologic features of the spontaneous disease.

Contagious ecthyma in Alaskan musk-oxen and Dall sheep

In 1976 and 1977, a disease resembling contagious ecthyma was seen in captive musk-oxen (Ovibos moschatus) in Alaska. A similar disease occurred in 1977 in captive Dall sheep (Ovis dalli). Paravaccinia viruses were detected by electron microscopy and isolated in cell cultures from both species. Experimental inoculation in susceptible and immune domestic sheep (Ovis aries) plus fluorescent antibody tests with ecthyma-immune conjugate indicated that the isolate was contagious ecthyma virus.

Nonhematopoietic gastrointestinal neoplasia in cats: a retrospective study of 44 cases

Gastrointestinal neoplasms other than lymphosarcomas and mast cell tumors were diagnosed in 44 cats during a 14-year period at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. All the tumors were malignant; 31 metastasized or recurred. One cat had fibrosarcoma; another, leiomyosarcoma. The other 42 cats had adenocarcinomas, which were subclassified into three histologic patterns: tubular adenocarcinoma; undifferentiated carcinoma; and mucinous adenocarcinoma. The cats averaged 10.6 years of age. There was no sex predisposition. Siamese cats had a higher frequency of adenocarcinomas than other breeds. Osseous and chondroid metaplasia occurred in nine adenocarcinomas.

A canine testicular tumor resembling gonadoblastoma

A tumor of the left testicle resembling a gonadoblastoma was an incidental finding at necropsy in a 15-year-old male Shetland Sheepdog. This neoplasm was characterized by discrete intratubular aggregates of intimately mixed germ cells and smaller cells resembling Sertoli cells. The latter small cells often formed a single cell layer surrounding the margin of eosinophilic, PAS-positive Call-Exner-like bodies. Electron microscopy showed these bodies to be composed of whorled laminae resembling basement membrane.

Bacillus piliformis infection (Tyzzer's disease) in foals in northwestern United States: a retrospective study of 21 cases

From Jan 1, 1967 through June 1980, 21 cases of Bacillus piliformis infection (Tyzzer's disease) in foals were diagnosed at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. Affected foals died between 7 and 35 days of age. Of 4 Arabian foals with the disease, 2 also had combined immunodeficiency.

Pseudomonas pneumonia of mink: pathogenesis, vaccination, and serologic studies

Fulminating pneumonia was produced in mink by the intratracheal administration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The sequence of pulmonary lesions was focal inflammation, focal necrosis, and widespread inflammation and necrosis. Secondary lesions of peracute hemorrhage and necrosis were the result of bacterial spread via the airways. Invasion of vessel walls by P aeruginosa was a terminal event and was secondary to bacillary invasion and necrosis of adjacent tissues. Regional (lymphatic) and systemic spread of bacteria followed the development of pulmonary lesions, but there was little morphologic evidence of tissue damage in other organs. Immunofluorescence studies showed that P aeruginosa antigen was dispersed within pulmonary cells and was free in the lung parenchyma. Mink surviving beyond postinfection hour 60 had a macrophage infiltration into limited pulmonary lesions. A vaccine trial was conducted with P aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides (LPS) used as antigen, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect antibody. Antibody was detected in mink after vaccination with LPS or natural exposure. Mink with antibody to LPS, from vaccination or naturally acquired, were resistant to experimental infection.

Efficacy of avermectin B1a for treatment of experimentally induced nematode infections in cattle

Two formulations of avermectin B1a, C-076 and MK-933, were examined for anthelmintic activity in two trials, each using 20 calves with experimentally produced nematode infections. In one trial, C-076 was given orally, and in the other trial, MK-933 was given by injection at dosages of 50, 100, and 200 micrograms/kg of body weight. Treated calves were held for 7 to 8 days and then, together with nontreated controls, were euthanatized and were examined for nematodes in their gastrointestinal tracts and lungs. Efficacy of C-076 approached 100% for Dictyocaulus viviparus, Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus axei, T colubriformis, and Oesophagostomum radiatum at 50 micrograms/kg. A dosage level of 100 micrograms/kg was required to achieve 97% efficacy against Cooperia punctata. Efficacy of MK-933 at 50 micrograms/kg was variable, but at 100 micrograms/kg, it approached 100% for D viviparus, O ostertagi, Haemonchus placei, T axei, and T longispicularis. Activity against C oncophora was less, reaching 80% efficacy at 200 micrograms/kg.

Intestinal adenocarcinoma in a chicken

An obstructing intestinal stricture 65 cm distal to the pylorus in an aged hen was seen on histologic examination to be caused by a primary intestinal adenocarcinoma.

Cystic lymphangioma in a colt

A 6-month-old Morgan colt was examined because of preputial edema and multiple nodular masses in the left inguinal region. A tentative diagnosis of lymphatic hamartoma was made on the basis of initial biopsy findings. The prognosis for surgical excision was poor due to the progressive expansile growth of the tumor. Secondary infectious complications developed, and the colt was euthanatized at the owner's request. An abdominal and retroperitoneal mass was seen at postmortem examination. The mass was adherent to the left lumbar musculature, the craniodorsal aspect of the pelvic inlet, the midjejunum, the left testicle, and the left kidney. The mass extended through the left inguinal and femoral canals into the deep intermuscular fascia of the hindlimb. Histologic examination of the mass indicated that it was a cystic lymphangioma.

Efficacy of albendazole for treatment of naturally acquired nematode infections in Washington cattle

Albendazole, methyl 5-propylthio-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl carbamate, was given as a bolus (7.68 to 8.18 mg/kg of body weight) to cattle naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes and lungworms in a controlled trial. Over 99% of adult Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus longispicularis, Cooperia oncophora, Nematodirus helvetianus, and Dictyocaulus viviparus were removed by the treatment. Efficacy against immature O ostertagi, early fourth-stage O ostertagi, and Oesophagostomum radiatum was 95.2%, 86.6%, and 96.7%, respectively. In a field trial, the same compound administered in a paste formulation (at approximately 7.5 mg/kg) eliminated over 99% of strongylin and Moniezia eggs from feces of treated cattle.

Swine dysentery. Induction and characterization in isolated colonic loops

The development of the lesions of swine dysentery in surgically isolated colonic loops of growing pigs was studied. Operated, uninoculated pigs served as controls, and test pigs received one of the following preparations: Vibrio coli in saline, V. coli in gastric mucin, crude minced colon from pigs with active dysentery, and filtered minced colon from pigs with active dysentery. A comparison was made of lesions of dysentery in isolated colonic loops with those that developed after oral inoculation of normal pigs. When inoculated into the surgical loops, filtered and unfiltered crude minced colon produced lesions of dysentery within 72 h after inoculation. Intact animals orally inoculated with the same material were unaffected up to 196 h. Use of the isolated loop may be a more sensitive system for the development of lesions of swine dysentery. Direct instillation of loops with V. coli preparations did not produce lesions.