Canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations associated with intervertebral disc disease in 84 dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the differences in serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity between dogs with intervertebral disc herniation and healthy control dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-four client-owned dogs with intervertebral disc herniation, diagnosed by neurologic examination and imaging, and 18 healthy control dogs. Samples of whole blood were collected within 90 minutes of admission. Serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations were measured by a commercial immunoassay and evaluated for association with intervertebral disc herniation, signalment, neurolocalisation and the preadmission administration of glucocorticosteriods or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. RESULTS: Serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations were statistically increased in dogs with intervertebral disc herniation (P<0·01, n=38). A subgroup of dogs (19/38) with elevated canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations was re-evaluated between 2 and 4 weeks later, and 15 had resolution of clinical signs and values less than 200 µg/L. Serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations were not significantly correlated with clinical gastrointestinal disease, neurolocalisation or the preadmission administration of corticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest that serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations are significantly elevated in dogs with intervertebral disc herniation.

Subchronic inhalation of triethylamine vapor in Fischer-344 rats: organ system toxicity.

Male and female F-344 rats were exposed at 0, 25, or 247 ppm triethylamine (TEA) vapor, 6 hr per day, 5 days per week for up to 28 weeks in order to characterize the subchronic organ system toxicity. Rats were weighed biweekly and scheduled sacrifices were performed following about 30, 60, and 120 days of exposure. No statistically significant treatment-related effects on organ weights, hematology, clinical chemistry, or electrocardiographic indices were observed. Body weight gain was not affected by TEA treatment. No physiologic or pathologic evidence of cardiotoxicity was seen in rats exposed to either TEA concentration for up to 28 weeks. No gross or histopathologic lesions attributable to TEA exposure were noted in any of the organs examined, including the nasal passages. This latter finding is in marked contrast to previously reported findings from this laboratory in which squamous metaplasia, suppurative rhinitis, and lymphoid hyperplasia were found in the respiratory epithelium of F-344 rats exposed to the structurally related chemical, diethylamine, under the same conditions as this study (Lynch et al., 1986).

Quality assurance for pathology in rodent carcinogenesis tests.

A large scale national carcinogenesis testing program requires quality assurance procedures for each scientific discipline, including pathology. The NCl Carcinogenesis Testing Program's pathology procedures involve the necropsy examination, histology, histopathologic diagnosis, data recording, and report writing. Each phase of the program requires specific quality assurance procedures, some of which are clerical, others scientific. In the latter case, a consensus from a group of pathologists serves to resolve differences of opinion. Only with the implementation of quality assurance procedures will the confidence in these tests be assured and quality maintained. Subsequently, modifications to established protocols may be discussed and accurately evaluated.

Experimental induction of cervical lymphadenitis in guinea-pigs with group C streptococci.

Streptococcal lymphadenitis with macroscopic abscesses was induced in guinea-pigs when an isolate of Lancefield's group C streptococci of guinea-pig origin was sprayed orally. The disease was also produced in guinea-pigs when another isolate was injected sublingually but not when it was sprayed orally. Treatment with prednisolone did not increase the susceptibility to the latter isolant when sprayed orally. Abscesses could not be induced in the cervical lymph nodes of guinea-pigs exposed by injecting group E streptococci sublingually, although the organism was isolated from the cervical lymph nodes 2 days after inoculation. Neither could abscesses be induced by injecting these streptococci sublingually in guinea-pigs treated with prednisolone.

Association between macrophage activity and serum haptoglobin levels.

Serum haptoglobin is elevated by treatment of mice with thioglycollate, B.C.G. or silica. Haptoglobin concentrations were followed for a two week period following treatment and were found to correlate with the known effect of the stimulants upon macrophage activity. The numbers and characteristics of peritoneal exudate cells present following intraperitoneal thioglycollate inoculation suggest a relationship between phagocytic activity and serum haptoglobin levels and support the idea that serum haptoglobin levels may be controlled by mediators released during the process of phagocytosis.

Carcinogenicity of three dose levels of 1,4-Bis(4-fluorophenyl)-2-propynyl-N-cyclooctyl carbamate in male Sprague-Dawley and F344 rats.

Feeding 1,4-bis(fluorophenyl)-2-propynyl-N-cyclooctyl carbamate to F344 or Sprague-Dawley male rats at 125-500 ppm in the diet led to many carcinomas of the small intestine and ear duct (Zymbal's gland tumors) in addition to lymphomas and leukemias. A high incidence of mammary adenocarcinomas was found in the Sprague-Dawley rats. Only a few colon or liver tumors were observed in each strain.

Left displacement of the abomasum in a clinically normal cow.

A cow with left displacement of the abomasum (lda) was found to be clinically normal for 1 1/2 years. During this period, the cow calved twice and ate and produced milk normally. Auscultation and percussion at approximately weekly intervals revealed the continuing abomasal displacement, which was confirmed at necropsy.

Murine ovarian teratoma.

A unilateral ovarian teratoma was observed in a C3H/HeN breeder mouse. Tissues originating form the 3 embryonal germ layers were present in the tumor. A focus suggestive of epithelial malignant transformation was noted; however, neither metastasis nor invasion into the surrounding capsule was found.

A direct fluorescent antibody test for identification of group E streptococci.

A rapid and specific direct fluorescent antibody test was developed for the identification of group E Streptococci (GES). Tests for specificity included an inhibition test and application of the conjugate to smears of Staphylococcus aureus, Pasteurella multocida, and streptococci of Lancefield's groups, A, B, C, D, E (types I, IV and untypeable), F and G. With the inhibition test, a specific blocking reaction occurred and the conjugate cross-reacted only with group C Streptococci (GCS). Adsorption with GCS eliminated the cross-reaction and rendered the conjugate specific for GES.