ABSTRACT
Greyhound kennel owners frequently employ multiple vaccination schedules in an attempt to reduce financial losses incurred as a result of infectious diseases. In order to determine the effects of multiple vaccination schedules on the immune system of racing greyhounds, three litters of greyhound pups raised in laboratory conditions were divided into two groups and subjected to either a maximum or a minimum vaccination schedule. Blood samples were collected biweekly for 6 months beginning at 2 weeks of age and analyzed to establish 'baseline' values for the lymphatic system of greyhounds. Lymphocyte transformation, total and differential leukocyte counts, and flow cytometry were used to evaluate cellular immunity. Humoral immunity was evaluated using serum neutralization and hemagglutination inhibition tests. Proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in response to the mitogen concanavalin A (Con A) was higher for the maximum vaccination groups. The frequency distribution of circulating CD4 and IgG labeled lymphocytes was higher in the minimum vaccination groups. A significant treatment by time interaction in CD4, IgG, and IgM labeled cells was observed, This interaction, however, was not significant at any point in time for CD4 and IgG labeled cells. The percentage of lymphocytes expressing surface IgM was significantly higher in the minimum vaccination groups at 10 and 14 weeks of age. No significant differences were detected in humoral immunity between the maximum and minimum groups of each litter. Results of this study indicate that maximum vaccination schedules do not appear to be more effective or more immunosuppressive than minimum vaccination schedules.
Subject(s)
Dog Diseases/prevention & control , Dogs/immunology , Vaccination/veterinary , Animals , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Antibody Formation , Antigens, Surface/metabolism , Concanavalin A/pharmacology , Distemper Virus, Canine/immunology , Dog Diseases/immunology , Female , Immunity, Cellular , Immunization Schedule , In Vitro Techniques , Lymphocyte Activation , Male , Parvovirus, Canine/immunology , Viral Vaccines/administration & dosageABSTRACT
A double blind study of 134 patients was undertaken to compare the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine sulfate, Plaquenil, and heparin in the prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis. By the 125I fibrinogen scanning technique, deep venous thrombosis was detected in six patients in the placebo group, in one patient in the Plaquenil group and none in the heparin group. These results indicate that both heparin and Plaquenil do diminish the incidence of thrombosis.
Subject(s)
Heparin/therapeutic use , Hydroxychloroquine/therapeutic use , Thrombophlebitis/prevention & control , Adult , Aged , Clinical Trials as Topic , Double-Blind Method , Female , Fibrinogen , Heparin/administration & dosage , Humans , Hydroxychloroquine/adverse effects , Injections, Subcutaneous , Iodine Radioisotopes , Male , Middle Aged , Phlebography , Placebos , Radionuclide Imaging , Thrombophlebitis/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
We report here an experience with five patients, aged 58 to 70, suffering gangrene of the left colon after spontaneous inferior mesenteric artery occlusion. All cases were the result of arteriosclerosis; in two, small aortic aneurysms were present and might have been responsible for emboli to the inferior mesenteric artery. The dead bowel was resected in all patients; three patients survived. No primary anastomoses were done and they are not recommended. Because ligation of the patent inferior mesenteric artery has been done so often without ill effects during aortic surgery, the collateral circulation to the left colon can be considered excellent. Gangrene is therefore rare and requires major interference with collateral circulation by emboli or arteriosclerotic occlusion. The clinical symptoms and signs may be confusing.
