Histopathological and biochemical findings of congenital copper deficiency: are these similar to those of caprine arthritis-encephalitis?

This study was done after identifying animals with a twisted carpal joint in goat herd. These included a kid goat walking on its articulus carpii and a newborn goat with a stiff leg. Necropsies of the diseased goats revealed swollen carpal joints that were twisted backwards. Arthritis was observed during microscopic examination of the carpal joints. Very low levels of eosinophil, leucocyte, and lymphocyte cell infiltration were found in the central nervous system and meninges. Serum copper levels were significantly decreased in most of the animals. All of these results led us to diagnose the animals with swayback disease.

Immunohistochemical and histopathological studies of fixed rabies virus in goats.

The purpose of this study was to systematically demonstrate and compare the pathological and immunohistochemical changes in goats which were infected by a fixed rabies virus that was used in vaccine production. In the histopathological examinations, varying degrees of inflammatory, degenerative and necrotic changes were detected in the central nervous system. In the preparations stained by the immunoperoxidase (IP) method, intra- and/or extracellular viral antigens were observed on the cerebellum, cornu ammonis, thalamus, pons, nucleus caudatus, spinal cord, medulla oblongata, Gasserian ganglion, eye and retropharyngeal lymph nodes. In the preparations stained by the immunofluorescence (IF) method, intra- and/or extracellular viral antigens were seen in the same locations with the exception of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes. It was also observed that the antigens were qualitatively and quantitatively well stained with both methods. However, the visibility of antigens in the retropharyngeal lymph nodes and eye, and the facilities of applying made the IP method much more advantageous than the IF method.

Immunologic aspect of testicular torsion: detection of antisperm antibodies in contralateral testicle.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immunologic etiology in unilateral testicular torsion, an experimental study in rats was carried out. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 75 adult Wistar rats included in the study program were divided into six different groups according to a torsion-detorsion procedure. Torsion degree was kept constant for all animals (720 degrees ). Anti-rat immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against spermatozoa antigens were identified in contralateral testicular tissue after 1 month following detorsion and/or orchiectomy of the twisted testicle. RESULTS: We revealed antibody formation in animals subjected to unilateral torsion for 12 and 24 h, which then followed by detorsion of the testicle. IgG was identified especially on basal membrane of the tubules. CONCLUSIONS: As the controversy on the exact mechanism of testicular damage in unilateral torsion still continues, our findings showed that a possible immunological etiology may play an important role in this respect.

Evaluation of basal membrane antibody (immunoglobulin G) formation after high-energy shockwave application in rats.

To evaluate the immune pathologic effects of high-energy shockwave (HESW) application on glomerular and tubular basal membrane antibody (IgG) formation, an experimental study on rats has been performed. Following application of different numbers of shockwaves (100-200-500), the presence of antibody was examined with the direct immunofluorescent technique 2 weeks and 3 months postprocedure. Whereas specimens examined after 2 weeks showed antibody formation in only one animal (500 HESWs), being located in the tubular tissues, all treated kidneys demonstrated various degrees of antibody formation in both tubular and glomerular tissues after 3 months. Antibody formation had a close relation to the number of HESWs applied and the time of examination after shockwave application. Apart from the well-defined functional and morphologic side effects of shockwave therapy, the possibility of immunologic alterations after this form of therapy has to be evaluated thoroughly in both clinical and experimental studies.

Testicular torsion: evaluation of contralateral testicular histology.

Infertility may occur in patients with unilateral testicular torsion whose contralateral testis is intact. Depending on this observation, the physicians have begun to examine the contralateral testis. In the present prospective study we aimed to examine the histopathologic alterations occurring in the contralateral testicle with time. Sixty adult male albino rats were included in the programme, and following experimental torsion the histopathologic findings, especially those in the contralateral testis, were evaluated after 4-12 weeks. Long-term and high degree torsion of the testicle led to varying degrees of deterioration in the germinal epithelium and interstitial cells of the contralateral testicle. Histopathologic alterations were reversed in 12 weeks. Tubular diameter and testicular volume also decreased in accordance with the histopathologic alteration. In our opinion, orchiectomy following torsion of one testicle will limit potential histopathologic alterations in the contralateral testicle.

Sero-epidemiological and pathological studies on enzootic bovine leukosis in Turkey.

The prevalence of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) in Turkey was investigated by serological screenings using the agargel immunodiffusion test (AGID). A total of 4,047 blood samples obtained from 2,780 cattle between one and 14 years of age and taken in 6-8 month-intervals in three dairy farms were tested for the presence of EBL-specific antibodies. A high prevalence of EBL-sero-positive animals was found amongst cattle in two of the farms. Furthermore, recommendations based upon the regulation implemented by an expert group of the European Commission and considering the local dairy management conditions were presented.