Hematological and Biochemical Assessment of Two Species of Freshwater Mussels, Quadrula quadrula and Amblema plicata, Following Translocation.

Nondestructive, sublethal, and sensitive health monitoring tools are needed to assess the health of freshwater mussels (family Unionidae). Recent developments to standardize hemocyte characterization have assisted in the hematologic assessment of wild and captive freshwater mussels. In this study, preliminary baseline hematological reference ranges were established for wild mapleleaf mussels Quadrula quadrula (n = 14) and threeridge mussels Amblema plicata (n = 20) collected from the Muskingum River in Devola, Ohio. Mussels were collected from the wild, and hemolymph was sampled from each mussel in the field upon capture (baseline sample). They were then transported live to a propagation facility. Subsequent hemolymph samples were collected at 2 and 4 weeks and quarterly thereafter for 11 months following translocation. Hemocyte counts, hemocyte morphology, and hemolymph chemistry (Na+ , Cl- , Mg2+ , P3- , K+ , Ca2+ , glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase]) were measured from each sample on each sampling occasion. Hemocyte counts were consistently greater in Q. quadrula than in A. plicata following transfer to captivity. Baseline hemocyte morphology and hemolymph chemistry varied between species. This study provides a foundation of reference ranges for hemocyte characterization for Q. quadrula, and A. plicata and a preliminary understanding of how hemocyte character might be expected to change when wild mussels are translocated into captivity, and thus be a useful technique for monitoring the health of freshwater mussels.

Intestinal and blood parasites in Amazon parrots destined for relocation in Guatemala.

Approximately 350 Amazon parrots were destined for relocation in Peten province, northeastern Guatemala. In random sampling of the parrots, 95 blood and 75 fecal samples were examined individually for parasites. Coccidia were present in 6.0% (3/50) of Amazona autumnalis autumnalis, and they were the only parasites detected. There were no blood parasites observed in 64 A. a. autumnalis, four Amazona pionus senilis, 16 Amazona ferinosa guatemala, 10 Amazona albifronsus albifronsus, and one Amazona xantholora. No fecal parasites were observed in four A. p. senilis, 12 A. f. guatemala, eight A. a. albifronsus, and one A. xantholora.

Feline immunodeficiency virus Gag- and Env-specific immune responses after vaginal versus intravenous infection.

To better understand the correlation of mucosal and systemic immune responses with lentiviral containment, we contrasted the early mucosal and systemic immune responses induced by vaginal versus intravenous exposure of cats to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) isolates of differing pathogenicity and clade (i.e., FIV-B-2542 and FIV-A-PPR). We found that despite divergence in viral genotype, the mucosal and systemic immune responses induced differed more with route of exposure than virus isolate. In intravenously exposed cats, Gag-specific antibody (both IgG and IgA isotype) predominated in the serum, saliva, and vaginal wash fluid irrespective of infecting virus isolate. While Env-specific responses were more variable, they were more often detected in vaginally infected cats. Both IgG and IgA directed against Gag and Env were consistently present in vaginal wash fluids independent of route of infection or virus isolate. FIV Gag- and Env-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs) were detected in blood and tissue lymphocytes of cats infected with either virus strain but were greatest in intravenously infected animals. Likewise, FIV-specific CTLs were detected in CD8(+) vaginal lymphocytes of animals infected by either route but were also more frequent in intravenously inoculated animals. In summary, we found qualitative differences in the immune responses following vaginal infection but no evidence (1) that mucosal immune responses were enhanced in vaginally exposed cats, (2) that local mucosal infection led to measurably greater immune responses in either compartment; or (3) that more prominent immune responses correlated with lower viral burden.

Effect of a bioflavonoid dietary supplement on acetaminophen-induced oxidative injury to feline erythrocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a commercial bioflavonoid antioxidant on acetaminophen-induced oxidative injury to feline erythrocytes. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. ANIMALS: 45 healthy age-matched cats. PROCEDURE: Cats were assigned to 3 experimental groups. Groups 1 and 3 received a bioflavonoid antioxidant (10 mg/d) orally for 2 weeks. Groups 2 and 3 received an oxidative challenge with acetaminophen (90 mg/kg [41 mg/lb] of body weight, PO) on day 7. Packed cell volume, percentage of erythrocytes with Heinz bodies, blood methemoglobin concentration, and blood reduced and oxidized glutathione concentrations were determined at various times during the 2-week study period. RESULTS: Adverse effects were not associated with bioflavonoid antioxidant administration alone. Acetaminophen administration resulted in a significant increase in methemoglobin concentration in groups 2 and 3; differences were not detected between these groups. Heinz body concentrations in groups 2 and 3 increased after acetaminophen administration; however, the increase in cats that received the antioxidant was significantly less than in group-2 cats. Total blood glutathione concentrations did not change significantly in groups 2 and 3 after acetaminophen administration; however, ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione concentration increased significantly after administration in group-2 cats, compared with group-3 cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral administration of bioflavonoid antioxidants to cats at risk for oxidative stress may have a beneficial effect on their ability to resist oxidative injury to erythrocytes.

Regression of feline immunodeficiency virus infection.

Regression of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection was observed in seven of nine vertically infected kittens born to two chronically infected mother cats. Both provirus and nonmaternal FIV antibody were detected in all kittens by 4 weeks of age but only three of the seven kittens were positive by blood mononuclear cell coculture. Between 10 and 14 months of age blood mononuclear cells from each of the seven cats were negative at least once by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), but evidence of virus infection was detected by coculture and/or PCR in biopsied lymph node or bone marrow from five of the seven cats. Despite this evidence of persistent tissue provirus, antibody production did not persist in any of the cats beyond 1 year of age. All seven cats remained asymptomatic although CD4 and CD8 T cell counts were in the low normal range throughout the study. By contrast, two additional perinatally infected littermates that were persistently virus isolation positive developed rapid CD4 depletion and progressed to terminal immunodeficiency by 9 weeks of age. Thus FIV infection can be downregulated and/or sequestered to extremely low levels barely detectable with the assays available, although absolute clearance of virus may not occur. These observations are relevant to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in paralleling both the apparent "regression" of HIV infection reported in some perinatally infected infants and the low-level, apparently stable, infection established by attenuated simian immunodeficiency viruses.

Mucosal transmission of cell-associated and cell-free feline immunodeficiency virus.

Mucosal infection by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was assessed via a single exposure of the vaginal or rectal mucosa to either infectious peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), infectious plasma, or cell-free cultured virus. All cats inoculated with cell-free cultured virus (100 or 400 TCID) and 9 of 10 cats inoculated with infected PBMCs (2 x 10(7) or 2 x 10(5)) became persistently viremic within 3 weeks. Neither cat inoculated with 2 x 10(3) PBMCs became viremic. Rectal and vaginal exposure were equally effective routes to induce viremia. CD4+ T cells and mitogen-stimulated PBMC proliferation declined in all infected cats. However, a transient PBMC proliferative response to FIV p24gag occurred in most virus-exposed cats, especially those that did not develop detectable infection. FIV was not transmitted by mucosal exposure to infectious virus in plasma (100 TCID), a dose > 10-fold that needed for infection by parental injection. In vitro studies suggested that a plasma heat-stable virus-neutralizing factor may be associated with failure of plasma virus to establish infection via the mucosal route. Mucosal FIV infection provides a new model with which to study early stages of infection and intervention in transmucosal lentivirus infections.

Malignant histiocytosis in a domestic cat: cytomorphologic and immunohistochemical features.

Malignant histiocytosis (MH) was diagnosed in a 13-year-old neutered male Domestic Shorthair cat on the basis of light microscopic and immunohistochemical findings. Thoracic fluid analysis showed a modified transudate which contained a very few atypical discrete cells. Cytologic and histologic evaluation of mediastinal and splenic masses revealed a pleomorphic population of large, discrete, round cells 10 to 30 micrometers in diameter with marked cellular atypia. Nuclei were oval to reniform, often with prominent, bizarre nucleoli. Multinucleated cells and mitotic figures were commonly seen. Erythro- and leucocytophagia were noted. Immunohistochemistry indicated a scattered positive staining pattern with the histiocytic antigenic marker Mac387 and a minor population of cells showing positive reactivity for lysozyme. This report describes the characterization of MH in a cat and emphasizes that MH should be considered as a differential diagnosis in proliferative disorders of discrete-cells in this species.

Invasive cytology of internal organs. Cytology of the thorax and abdomen.

Invasive cytology of the thoracic and abdominal cavities can provide diagnostic information in a timely manner for the practitioner. The information depends on obtaining a quality sample followed by thorough cytologic evaluation. Diagnostic imaging can enhance the sampling process and minimize the risk. As an adjunct to the historic and clinical information, cytology is valuable in establishing a diagnosis or list of differentials and directing future diagnostics or therapy. The application of cytology of internal organs opens a new window for the differential diagnosis of disease.

Frequent perinatal transmission of feline immunodeficiency virus by chronically infected cats.

Vertical transmission of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was studied in cats infected with either of two FIV clinical isolates (FIV-B-2542 or FIV-AB-2771) prior to breeding and conception. Queens infected 4 to 30 months (mean = 14 months) prior to conception transmitted FIV to 59 of 83 (71%) kittens; 50.6% were virus positive on the day of birth. To examine potential routes of FIV transmission from mother to offspring, kittens were delivered via either vaginal or cesarean birth and nursed by either their virus-infected natural mothers or uninfected surrogate mothers. Comparison of FIV infection rates at birth with those at 6 months of age in kittens delivered by cesarean and surrogate raised demonstrated that late in utero transmission occurred in approximately 20% of kittens. Comparison of kittens nursed by FIV mothers with those by uninfected surrogate mothers demonstrated a 13.5% increase in infection rate of kittens exposed to milk-borne virus. Isolation of virus from 40% of maternal vaginal wash samples and the slightly greater infection rate in vaginally versus cesarean-delivered surrogate-nursed kittens suggested that intrapartum transmission may occur. In addition, we found that low maternal CD4 count (<200 cells per microl), longer duration of maternal infection (>15 months), and maternal symptoms of clinical immunodeficiency correlated with increased rates of mother-to-kitten FIV transmission, paralleling observations in human immunodeficiency virus-infected women. We conclude that FIV infection provides a model in which to explore aspects of human immunodeficiency virus vertical transmission and intervention difficult to address in human patients.

Vertical transmission of feline immunodeficiency virus.

We studied vertical transmission of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) to determine whether it might provide a model with which to study intervention strategies for mother-to-offspring transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We found that pregnant cats acutely infected with FIV (FIV-CSU-2771) transmitted the virus to their offspring via both prenatal and postnatal routes. In utero transmission led to several pathogenic consequences including arrested fetal development, abortion, stillbirth, subnormal birth weights, and birth of viable, virus-infected, and asymptomatic but T cell-deficient kittens. Postnatal milk-borne FIV transmission was demonstrated by the presence of cell-free and cell-associated virus in colostrum and milk and through a foster-nursing experiment. The potential for intrapartum FIV transmission was documented by frequent virus isolation from vaginal wash cells in both the pre- and postpartum periods. FIV transmission was efficient during acute maternal infection, leading to an overall infection rate of 70%. We conclude that FIV vertical transmission may be a useful model with which to evaluate intervention strategies for HIV transmission from mother to child.

Monoclonal gammopathy in a dog with chronic pyoderma.

A monoclonal gammopathy composed of immunoglobulin G, with concurrent light-chain proteinuria and generalized lymph node plasmacytosis, was associated with chronic pyoderma in a dog. A uniform population of plasma cells was observed cytologically and histologically in multiple lymph node specimens. A diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance was eventually made by exclusion of other known causes of monoclonal gammopathy, resolution after antibiotic therapy, and no evidence of lymphoproliferative disease after 11 months of follow-up and subsequent necropsy. This report expands the diagnostic considerations for monoclonal gammopathies in the dog.

Vertical transmission of feline immunodeficiency virus.

We studied vertical transmission of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) to determine whether it might provide a model with which to study intervention strategies for mother-to-offspring transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We found that pregnant cats acutely infected with FIV (FIV-CSU-2771) transmitted the virus to their offspring via both prenatal and postnatal routes. In utero transmission led to several pathogenic consequences including arrested fetal development, abortion, stillbirth, subnormal birth weights, and birth of viable, virus-infected, and asymptomatic but T cell-deficient kittens. Postnatal milk-borne FIV transmission was demonstrated by the presence of cell-free and cell-associated virus in colostrum and milk and through a foster-nursing experiment. The potential for intrapartum FIV transmission was documented by frequent virus isolation from vaginal wash cells in both the pre- and postpartum periods. FIV transmission was efficient during acute maternal infection, leading to an overall infection rate of 70%. We conclude that FIV vertical transmission may be a useful model with which to evaluate intervention strategies for HIV transmission from mother to child.