A pig rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (PRUM59) was established, and the immuno(histo)chemical and cytogenetic characterization of these cells was determined. At various swine farms in the Netherlands, pigs were observed that had solitary or multiple skin nodules, which were diagnosed as rhabdomyosarcomas. Cells of a tumor derived from a 3.5-week-old female pig were cultured for immunochemical and cytogenetic analyses. The cell line had characteristic features of undifferentiated muscle cells, similar to those observed in tumor tissue sections; they contained titin, a high-molecular weight protein specific for striated muscle, as dot-like aggregates and as filaments, desmin filaments and cross-striations, smooth muscle actin stress fibers, and vimentin filaments. The cells stained positively for striated muscle actin and tropomyosin as well. The immunohistochemical staining results were supported by results of immunoblotting experiments. Karyotyping of the cells revealed a deletion of a major part of Xq24-qter, a part of the long arm of 1 of the 2 X chromosomes. The other X chromosome and all autosomes appeared to be normal.

Colostrum-deprived calves (n = 34) were fed various amounts of colostrum, colostrum substitute, or milk replacer to establish a range in titer of passively acquired viral neutralizing antibody in serum. The calves were then challenge exposed intranasally with a virulent, noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV-890). After viral challenge exposure, calves were monitored for fever, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and diarrhea. In addition, viral isolation and viral titration were performed on specimens of nasal secretions, buffy coat cells, and serum obtained from the calves. Fever and systemic spread of virus were detected in calves that had viral neutralizing titer of 256 or lower. Calves that had viral neutralizing titer lower than 16 developed severe clinical disease manifested by fever, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and diarrhea. Seventy and duration of signs of disease decreased as titers of passively acquired viral neutralizing antibody increased. These results indicate that low to intermediate titers of passively acquired viral neutralizing antibody were not sufficient to fully protect calves from virulent bovine viral diarrhea virus.

Paired blood samples were collected from the postoccipital venous plexus and jugular vein of desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) for hematologic and plasma biochemical analyses. Comparison of hematologic values revealed significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) lower PCV, RBC count, WBC count, and hemoglobin values for samples obtained from the occipital site. When comparisons were made between plasma biochemical values for the 2 sites, significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) differences were measured for: glucose, potassium, chloride, uric acid, calcium, phosphorous, total protein, albumin, globulin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and total cholesterol. Significant differences between hematologic and plasma biochemical values from the occipital region samples vs jugular vein samples were attributed to hemodilution of the occipital region samples with extravascular fluid or lymph or both.

Interstitial and bronchointerstitial pulmonary patterns are commonly observed in thoracic radiographs of Thoroughbreds. Prominent interstitial and bronchointerstitial pulmonary patterns are observed in clinically normal horses, and in horses with respiratory tract disease. Until recently, the relevance of these pulmonary patterns was not known. Previous studies indicated that bronchiolitis, bronchiolar epithelial hyperplasia, epithelial metaplasia, and bronchial arteriolar recruitment correlated strongly with the prominence of the interstitial and bronchointerstitial pulmonary patterns observed radiographically. We examined the content and distribution of collagen in the lungs of 7 clinically normal Thoroughbreds in race training. After standardized fixation, lung tissue was treated with a compound that selectively stains collagen. Standard morphometric techniques were used to determine the volume density of parenchymal tissue and parenchymal airspace, mean linear intercept (estimate of alveolar size), alveolar surface area-to-volume ratio, percentage of parenchyma composed of collagen, percentage of airway wall composed of collagen, and airway wall thickness. These values were compared with radiographic and histopathologic scores obtained from the same horses. The volume density of parenchymal tissue and small airway wall thickness correlated strongly with the prominence of the bronchial and bronchointerstitial pulmonary patterns observed radiographically. Small airway thickness was also highly correlated with the perceived prominence of the interstitial pulmonary patterns observed radiographically, and morphometric estimates of parenchymal tissue and parenchymal collagen. There were also strong correlations between the volume density of parenchymal tissue, the percentage of parenchymal collagen, peribronchiolar mononuclear cell infiltrates, and bronchiolar mucosal plication estimates. In horses with more prominent bronchiolar mucosal plication, there was a strong direct relation to the observed prominence of peribronchiolar and submucosal blood vessels, and the bronchial and bronchointerstitial patterns observed radiographically. Horses with prominent peribronchiolar mononuclear cell infiltrates also had more obvious interstitial and bronchointerstitial pulmonary patterns observed radiographically. There also was a direct correlation between the percentage of parenchymal collagen and the observed prominence of peribronchiolar and submucosal blood vessels in these horses. In all horses, there was a strong negative correlation between the estimated average alveolar size and the observed severity of the vascular and bronchial patterns observed radiographically. Four horses with the greatest estimated airway wall and interalveolar collagen had more prominent interstitial and bronchointerstitial densities and histopathologic evidence of bronchiolitis. These horses had evidence of epithelial basement membrane disruption, with disorganized collagen fibers running between the adventitial layer and the epithelial basement membrane. Amounts of collagen were greater in the adventitia and interalveolar septa, with the fibers appearing larger and more coarse and disorganized. In horses with the greatest percentage of interalveolar septal collagen, accumulations of collagen were larger in the interalveolar septal tips. These findings suggest that horses with prominent interstitial and bronchointerstitial pulmonary patterns radiographically have undergone previous episodes of pulmonary injury, which has resulted in deposition of increased amounts of collagen in interalveolar septa and airway walls.

Serum samples from 593 white-tailed deer in Pennsylvania that were killed by hunters in 1991 were examined for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, by use of the modified agglutination test. Sixty percent (357/593) of the deer had T gondii antibodies; 10% had titer of 25, 23% had titer of 50, and 27% had titer greater than or equal to 500. Sex-specific differences in prevalence were not detected.

Six scapulohumeral joints (3 normal joints and 3 joints with radiographic evidence of osteochondrosis) underwent conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR scapulohumeral arthrography to evaluate delineation of the articular cartilage. The MR arthrography was performed, using 5 ml of 500 micromolar gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) as a contrast medium. Delineation of normal articular cartilage and cartilage defects was less accurate after intra-articular administration of Gd-DTPA. Therefore, it was concluded that MR arthrography with Gd-DTPA is unrewarding for evaluation of osteochondrosis lesions.

Microvascular permeability of the jejunum of clinically normal equids and microvascular permeability associated with 60 minutes of ischemia (25% baseline blood flow) and subsequent reperfusion were investigated. Eight adult horses were randomly allotted to 2 equal groups: normal and ischemic/repertusion injury. Lymphatic flow rates, mesenteric blood flow, and lymph and plasma protein concentrations were determined at 15-minute intervals throughout the study. Microvascular permeability was determined by estimates of the osmotic reflection coefficient, which was determined when the ratio of lymphatic protein to plasma protein concentration reached a constant minimal value as lymph flow rate increased (filtration-independent lymph flow rate), which occurred at venous pressure of 30 mm of Hg. Full-thickness jejunal biopsy specimens were obtained at the beginning and end of each experiment, and were prepared for light microscopy to estimate tissue volume (edema) and for transmission electron microscopy to evaluate capillary endothelial cell morphology. The osmotic reflection coefficient for normal equine jejunum was 0.19 + 0.06, and increased significantly (P < 0.0001) to 0.48 + 0.05 after the ischemia/reperfusion period. Microscopic evaluation revealed a significant increase (P < 0.0001) in submucosal and serosal volume and capillary endothelial cell damage in horses that underwent ischemia/ reperfusion injury. Results indicate that ischemia/reperfusion of the equine jejunum caused a significant increase in microvascular permeability.

Mycobacterial culture was performed on colostrum, milk, and feces from 126 clinically normal cows of a single herd with high prevalence of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis infection. Thirty-six (28.6 degrees h) cows were determined to be shedding the organism in the feces. Of the 36 fecal culture-positive cows, M paratuberculosis was isolated from the colostrum of 8 (22.2%) and from the milk of 3 (8.3%). Cows that were heavy fecal shedders were more likely to shed the organism in the colostrum than were light fecal shedders.

Four colostrum-deprived calves each were immunized passively with antisera to whole Pasteurella haemolytica, leukotoxin-containing supernatants of P haemolytica, P haemolytica lipopolysaccharide, or newborn calf serum. Calves were challenge exposed intrabronchially with 5 X 10(9) P haemolytica, and 24 hours later, the resulting lesions were evaluated. The greatest protection against challenge exposure was provided by the antiserum to whole P haemolytica (lesion score = 6.3), whereas newborn calf serum provided the least protection (lesion score = 28.3). Calves that received antiserum to P haemolytica supernatants were moderately protected (lesion score = 16.3), and the antiserum to lipopolysaccharide provided minimal protection (lesion score = 21.8). Antibodies that were unique to whole P haemolytica antiserum and produced dense bands on immunoblots were detected to antigens at 66, 50, and 30 kd. Antibodies in the supernatant preparation that produced prominent bands reacted to antigens between 100 and 90 kd. Collectively, antibodies to these antigens may be responsible for enhancing resistance to experimentally induced pneumonic pasteurellosis. Antibodies to antigens in P haemolytica lipopolysaccharide provided little to no protection.

The effect of oxytetracycline (OTC) on bovine blood mononuclear cells and neutrophil functions was examined in vitro. Neutrophil functions tested include respiratory burst, peroxidase, and antibacterial activities. Neutrophils were treated with OTC (10 to 1,500 > microgram/ml) before exposure to either opsonized zymosan or bacteria. A dose-response inhibition of antibacterial activity to high concentrations of OTC (500 to 1,000 microgram/ml) was observed. Beginning at a concentration of 15 microgram/ml, OTC treatment of neutrophil Iysates resulted in decreased peroxidase activity. A dose response was not observed. In contrast, respiratory burst, measured by nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction, increased after OTC exposure, but only at high concentrations (500 and 1,000 microgram/ml) of OTC. Mitogen-induced proliferation of blood mononuclear cells cocultured with OTC and concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin-P, or pokeweed mitogen was inhibited at an OTC concentration of 100 microgram/ml at 48 and 72 hours of culture. These results indicate that blood mononuclear cells are more sensitive to the inhibitory effects of OTC than are neutrophils. Furthermore, the OTC-mediated inhibition of neutrophil antimicrobial activity is inversely related to the increase in nitroblue tetrazolium reduction. This suggests that OTC is uncoupling the hexose monophosphate shunt from production of secreted oxygen radicals. These results also suggest that the peroxidase enzyme system has a large biological reserve capacity.