Changes in structure of lymphatic organs in foals died due to Rhodococcus equi infection.

The aim of this study was to investigate the structure of lymphatic organs in foals which died due to Rhodococcus equi infection. The material for this study consisted of 9 foals, of both genders, various breeds, 6-14 weeks old. The routine histopathological examination and immunocytochemical reaction for cytokeratine-3 receptors revealed the disturbances in the thymus epithelial cells development. This was manifested by a complete lack of cells expressing cytokeratine-3 receptors, as well as absence of normal thymocytes differentiation. The supposed thymus epithelial cells were very few, expressing faint reaction of cytokeratine-3 receptors. The relative deficiencies in the lymphatic tissue development in peripheral lymphatic organs were observed. It was concluded, that the observed pathological changes may indicate the inherited, not described yet gene failure, which was responsible for the thymus epithelial cells developmental disturbances, and was expressed with various intensity in examined foals. The causes of the fatal course of rhodococcosis in foals were primary disturbances in the immune competence.

Polyamines and pyrimidines in blood plasma and urine of dogs bearing mammary tumours.

The blood plasma and urinary pattern of polyamines and pyrimidines in dogs bearing mammary tumours was examined. A large variability of pyrimidines in blood plasma and spermidine, spermine and pseudouridine in urine of healthy and tumour-bearing dogs was observed. The blood plasma level of uracil and uridine as well as urinary concentration of pseudouridine and spermidine/spermine ratio were significantly elevated in dogs with mammary tumours.

The model of allergic encephalomyelitis of nonacute, phase course.

Allergic encephalomyelitis characterized by relapses and remissions was induced in chickens. The contents of M and G immunoglobulins in the serum was observed to increase at disease attacks and to decrease at its remissions. Similar correlation--though not so clear cut was noted with antitrypsin level. The usefulness of this model in pharmacotherapeutic investigations is discussed.

Azimexone and cysteine hydrazide in the treatment of allergic encephalomyelitis.

In the course of allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in chickens, azimexone suppressed the production of the specific IgM immunoglobulins. Moreover, it decreased the level of haptoglobin and sialic acid but stimulated the activity of antitrypsin. It was also observed to reduce the production of the plasmatic cells in the spleen. L-cysteine hydrazide hydrochloride decreased the level of sialic acid in EAE; intensified the activity of trypsin inhibitor and exerted no effect upon the level of antimyelin antibodies.

Humoral immune response in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in inbred chicken lines.

Chickens of the inbred IA line develop clinical signs of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) after immunization with myelin basic protein (MP) or spinal cord tissue (SCT). The disease is accompanied by convulsions and paralysis of wings and legs. EAE leads to a 100% mortality in IA line chickens. On the other hand, no clinical signs appear in WA line and (CB x IA) F1 chickens following immunization with either antigen. The IA line and (CB x IA)F1 chickens develop severe inflammatory changes in brain and spinal cord tissues after immunization with SCT, whereas no such alterations occur in WA line chickens. Immunization with MP does not lead to histopathological changes in any chicken line investigated. MP, however, induces high production of specific IgM antibodies in all lines. IgG antibody levels are elevated only in IA line chickens after immunization with either antigen.

Anti-T and anti-B cell sera in modulation of humoral and cellular reactivity induced by spinal antigen in chickens.

Specific anti-T and anti-B cell sera were used in treatment of allergic encephalomyelitis in chickens. The therapeutic effectivity of anti-T cell serum was very low. Unexpectedly, anti-B as well as normal serum amplified inflammatory reactions in the central nervous system. T and B cell count in peripheral blood was reduced according to the type of antiserum used. Alterations in the anti-myelin IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies level were typical for the course of allergic encephalomyelitis. Mechanisms of activity of anti-T and anti-B cell sera are discussed. We also show that the disease within the central nervous system is accompanied by the symptoms resulting from repeated administration of the xenogeneic sera.

Thymus factor X (TFX) in modulation of immune and inflammatory response in chickens immunized with myelin basic protein (MBP).

The immune response measured by the level of specific anti-myelin antibodies and inflammatory process indicator-haptoglobin, were studied in chickens immunized with myelin basic protein (MBP). The histopathological changes in lymphoid organs were also investigated. The occurrence of specific anti-myelin antibodies was shown in sera of immunized animals. High level of antibodies was found in IgG class. The concentration of anti-myelin antibodies in the remaining immunoglobulin classes showed different levels. High concentration of haptoglobin (up to 2 g/l) was regularly noted in the course of allergic encephalomyelitis. All the above parameters were also evaluated in the course of experimental therapy with thymus factor X (TFX). This preparation distinctly reduced haptoglobin level in serum and had only slight effect on humoral immunity. In the course of inflammatory process plasmatic cells stimulation in the spleen was observed microscopically: this was even enhanced by the thymus hormone. The lymphoid system did not undergo any significant changes. The Harder's gland did not seem to have any influence upon the induction or therapy of MBP-induced inflammation.

Cyclophosphamide in allergic encephalomyelitis in chickens.

The studies concerned the effect of cyclophosphamide on immunological and biochemical indices of MBP-induced encephalomyelitis. Unlike isoprinosine, cyclophosphamide was observed to exert irregular effect. Contrary to the expected, the results obtained in some experimental systems show increased level of the parameters tested-IgG, antitrypsin and sialic acid. A suggestion has been put forward that the reason of the above phenomenon may be attributed not only to the type of drug applied but also to different course of treatment with regard to various affinity of the drug (different doses) to functionally different lymphocytes (suppressor, helper).

[Effect of the administration of large doses of iron on the morphologic picture of various internal organs of piglets]. / Wplyw podawania duzych dawek zelaza na obraz morfologiczny niektórych narzadów wewnetrznych u prosiat.

Iron overload lesions were described in various cells and tissues. Piglets of the group I were given 3.5 ml irondextrandaily (Ferrodex-Polfa) containing 250 mg Fe intraperitoneally during 14 consecutive days. Piglets of this group were sacrificed and examined: I A--just after last injection, I B--after 5 weeks since the last injection, I C--after 6 weeks since the last injection. The II group were control animals. The examined organs were: kidney, spleen, lymph nodes, lung, liver, muscles, heart, jejunum and brain. The following conclusions were drawn: 1) Ferrodex overload caused deposition of iron in reticulo--macrophage system, but not in parenchymal cells. 2) Ferrodex excess caused minimal risk to animal health, as seen as a slight damage, or lack of it, in liver, heart, muscles, lung, brain and jejunum. 3) The only significant lesion were observed in the glomeruli, where due to iron overload focal chronic glomerulonephritis were found.

Modulation of immunological reactivity in the course of allergic encephalomyelitis by isoprinosine.

It was observed that in the course of allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in chickens. Isoprinosine reduced the production of the specific IgA and IgM antibodies against encephalic antigen. Its influence on IgG production was slight. It was also found that isoprinosine reduced the antitrypsine activity in EAE. Its effect upon the level of antibodies and biochemical indices of inflammation was particularly pronounced on days 28-35 after immunization, i.e. at the time of the most intensive microscopic inflammatory changes in the brain. Histological analysis revealed an inhibition of plasmatic cells reproduction in the spleens of chickens receiving isoprinosine. No effect of the drug on the GvH reaction in chickens was found.

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the chicken. Class-specific antibody to myelin basic protein, the ability of T cells to cause GvH reaction, brain and spleen histology, and nonspecific biochemical indicators of inflammation.

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in chickens by injecting human myelin basic protein (MBP) in Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA). Antibodies of IgM, IgA and IgG class to MBP were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The ability of the blood from the experimental chickens to induce graft-versus-host (GvH) reaction was tested in chick embryos. Serum concentrations of sialic acid and antitrypsin were monitored. Substantial inflammatory infiltrations were found in various parts of the central nervous system of the animals injected with MBP, but not in the controls receiving plain CFA. Enlargement of the white pulp and plasmocytosis were found in the spleens of the EAE animals. In the course of the disease, anti-MBP IgM and IgA antibody levels strongly increased, while IgG antibodies remained unchanged. The GvH caused by the blood from EAE animals did not differ from that of control birds. The EAE group showed significantly higher antitrypsin concentration than the controls. The increase in sialic acid concentration was of equal magnitude in the EAE animals and in the CFA controls.

[Activity of various enzymes of the intestinal mucosa in spontaneous colibacteriosis in pigs]. / Badanie aktywnosci niektórych enzymów blony sluzowej jelita w spontanicznej kolibakteriozie prosiat.

The aim of this work was to find out the histochemical activity of alkaline and acid phosphatases, and nonspecific esterases in intestinal mucosa in spontaneous swine colibacillosis. The investigated animals were divided into 3 groups: I--oedema disease (12 pigs), II--enetrotoxemia due to E. coli (8 pigs), III--control animals (5 pigs). The above grouping was based on the clinical, bacteriological and post-mortem examination. A slight increase of alkaline phosphatase activity in the jejunum and ileum of sick pigs was observed. The acid phosphatase activity decreased in the duodenum of oedema diseased pigs, while it increased in the cecum and colon--comparing with the control and enterotoxemia groups of animals. The decrease of acid phosphatase activity was observed in the jejunum and ileum of the enterotoxemia group of animals. The difference in the activity of nonspecific esterases concerned only the cecum and colon of diseased pigs, where its decrease was observed.

Activity of certain enzymes and histomorphological changes in subacute intoxication of rats with selected organophosphates.

The reported investigations were carried out on female Wistar rats which were given at 72-hour interval during 117 days (40 doses) dichlorphos subcutaneously, intragastrically and percutaneously, and chlorphenvinphos, bromphenvinphos, methylbromphenvinphos and phospholine subcutaneously in doses amounting to 5% of LD50. After the 40th dose the animals were weighed and killed, blood and organs were taken for investigations. The activity of AChE was determined in the erythrocytes, brain, tibialis muscle and liver. In the serum the levels of transaminases (AspAT, AlAT), alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and phospholipids were determined. Histomorphological and histochemical investigations included the liver, kidneys, myocardium, femoral muscle, diaphragm, hypothalamus, gastric wall and abdominal sympathetic ganglia. A statistically significant fall of body weight was observed in all intoxicated animals as compared with controls. The mean AChE activity was about 50% of the activity in the control group. A decrease was found also in the cholesterol-phospholipid ratio in the intoxicated animals. Degenerative changes in the parenchymal organs developed independently on the route of poison administration and they included particularly the liver (atrophy of parenchyma) and myocardium (hyperaemia, extravasations, early necrotic changes of muscle fibres, nuclear pyknosis). Necrosis and oedema were observed also in the neurons of sympathetic ganglia. The greatest intensity of the lesions was found after intoxication with the agents which were most potent AChE inhibitors (phospholine and chlorphenvinphos).

Histopathology, histochemistry and acetylcholinesterase activity after repetitive administration of fluostigmine to albino rat.

Histopathological, histochemical and biochemical investigations were performed on the brain, sciatic nerve, skeletal muscle, heart, liver and kidney of rats which were given 5% of LD50 dose of DFP for 10 days. A decrease in AChE activity, degeneration of neurons and necrotic changes in the nuclei of hypothalamus, degeneration of myelin sheaths in sciatic nerve, a decrease in succinic dehydrogenase activity in the myocardium, and a minimal decrease of acid phosphatase activity (AcPh) in the liver were found. The biochemical determination of AChE level indicated about 30% AChE activity in erythrocytes and tibialis muscle, and 40% in the brain 1 hr after the last dose of the inhibitor and 80% and 50% respectively on the 7th day after poisoning in relation to normal values.