Characterization of Escherichia coli strains associated with canine pyometra.

The purpose of this study was to characterize E. coli isolates from canine pyometra which were isolated in pure culture. The E. coli strains were obtained in 128 cases, from 143 animals which were submitted to ovariohisterectomy. Biochemical analysis of all strains examined was possible on separation of 10 primary biotypes. The majority of the strains (87.5%) belonged to biotype 9, 1, 13 and 15. Dulcitol was fermented by 93% of all isolates. Haemolysin and colicin production was found in 53.9% and 26.6% of the strains, respectively. Approximately 37% of strains expressed resistance to two or more antibacterial agents. No plasmid was detected in 4.6% of the isolates. Plasmid profiles of all plasmid-containing isolates revealed plasmid bands corresponding to molecular weight ranging from 1 kb to 160 kb. Many of the strains examined had a single plasmid of 110 kb (46.1%), or two plasmids 110:65 kb (18.8%). Both plasmids appearing alone or in combination with other plasmids were detected in 90.1% of isolates with plasmid content. It was established that among haemolytic, colicinogenic and motile strains, the presence of both plasmids was 91.3, 94.1 and 91.4%, respectively. The appearance of both plasmids among dulcitol-positive and raffinose-negative strains was estimated at 88.2 and 88.3%, respectively. In a group of colicinogenic strains the presence of a single plasmid of molecular weight 110 kb was estimated at 5.9%. When both plasmids were present (profile 110:65), the percentage of these strains was 70.6%.

The effect of nonspecific immunostimulation of pregnant mares with 1,3/1,6 glucan and levamisole on the immunoglobulins levels in colostrum, selected indices of nonspecific cellular and humoral immunity in foals in neonatal and postnatal period.

The objectives of the studies were to evaluate the effect of levamisole and 1,3/1,6 glucan applied in pregnant mares on parameters of non-specific cellular and humoral immunity of foals. Eighteen mares in three experimental groups (six animals in each) and their progeny were examined. Multiparous mares, crossbreed of Polish, full-blood and Hannover lines (400-500 kg), 4-9 years old, originated from four different farms. They were kept under identical zoohygienic and nutritional conditions. The animals were randomly chosen in experimental groups. None of mares had been previously vaccinated. In group I, levamisole was injected three times at 7-day intervals at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg of body weight. Group II was injected at the same periods of time and manner with 1,3/1,6 glucan at a dose of 0.19 mg/kg of body weight, whereas mares in group III served as controls. Injection of the immunostimulators started in mares 4-6 weeks before expected parturition. Blood was taken from foals before the first dose of colostrum, then 18 and 36 h after the first dose of colostrum and on Days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56 of life. The parameters determined in blood were reduction of NBT by PMNs, phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, test of intracellular killing and in blood sera were total protein, gamma-globulin fraction, lysozyme activity, level of IgG, IgG(T), IgM and IgA. In the first dose of colostrum taken just after parturition, specific gravity, total protein, gamma-globulin complex, lysozyme activity, level of IgG, IgG(T), IgM, IgA were determined. Colostrum of mares immunostimulated with levamisole or 1,3/1,6 glucan were characterized by a high content of IgG and IgG(T) compared to the colostrum of nonstimulated mares. The level of immunity was higher in foals from dams immunostimulated with levamisole or 1,3/1,6 glucan. Clinical examinations in neonatal and postnatal period did not show any abnormalities in these foals.

Adjuvant properties of killed Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 in vaccination of dogs against canine parvovirosis.

Immunomodulating and adjuvant properties of Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 (PA), a potent stimulator of the macrophage-monocyte system and inducer of endogenous interferon, were tested in healthy dogs and in dogs vaccinated against canine parvovirosis (CPV). A single subcutaneous injection of PA (0.5 mg/kg b. m.) was administered either 10 days before or simultaneously with CPV immunization. The immunomodulating properties of PA were expressed by enhancement of phagocytic and bactericidal activities of blood leukocytes, accompanied by elevated serum levels of interferon-gamma and interleukin-1 and higher Con-A-induced transformation rates of lymphocytes. Titres of CPV antibodies were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in dogs vaccinated and treated with PA either 10 days prior to or simultaneously with immunization. It is concluded that PA may be applied as a potent and safe adjuvant in vaccination of small animals and additionally, it provides enhancement of non-specific antibacterial and antiviral resistance of the organism.

[Experimental studies of the location of neural centers in the bovine uterus]. / Badania doswiadczalne nad lokalizacja osrodków nerwowych macicy u krowy.

Three cows of the black-and-white breed were used for the studies. In cow N.1 the ovary, oviduct and the uterus were excised. In cow N.2 the uterus cornua were excised. The control was cow N.3. The animals were slaughtered after 21 days from the operation and the following material was taken: medulla oblongata, the thoraco-lumbosacral segment of the spinal cord together with bilateral spinal ganglia and the sympathetic trunk ganglia, as well as nerve ganglia and plexi of the abdominal and pelvic cavities. The material was fixed in alcohol, embedded in paraffine and cut into 15 micron thick clises which were stained according to Nissel'a modified method. The analysis of the preparations ahowed that the central nervous system sends directly to the uterus a small number of nerve fibres from the following nuclei; of the vagus nerve (medulla oblongata), intermediolateralis, intermedio-medialis and of the cerebello-spinal tract (spinal cord). Most fibres innervating the uterus of the cow come from the ganglia and plexi of the peripheral vegetative system; mesenteric anterior, hypogastric, pelvic, visceral, mesenteric posterior and also form ganglia of the sympathetic trunk and spinal ganglia.

[Evaluation of the usefulness of histological studies of the uterus of cows for confirmation of past pregnancies]. / Ocena przydatnosci badan histologicznych macicy krów do potwierdzenia przebytej ciazy.

The material for studies were uteri of heifers, primiparous and multiparous cows taken directly after slaughter. From the excised uterus segments (uterus corni) histological preparations stained with hematoxylin and eosin were made. The studies did not show any observable differences in the histological structure of the uteri of heifers and primiparous cows. However, such differences were found in multiparous cows. They were found in the structure of the vascular layer, which distinctly separated the orbicular layer from the oblong muscular coat in multiparous cows. In heifers and primiparous cows the vascular layer was formed by single agglomerations of blood vessels distributed in the muscular layer of the uterus.

[Experimental studies of the localization of neural centers in the ovaries and fallopian tubes in cows]. / Eksperymentalne badania nad lokalizacja osrodków nerwowych jajnika i jajowodu u krowy.

For the studies 4 sexually mature cows were used, in which ovaria and oviducts were cut out bilaterally or unilaterally. The fourth cow was the control of the experiment. The operated animals were kept alive for 21 days and then slaughtered. For studies were taken: the brain stem, spinal cord from the segments Th9 - Th13 and L1 - S4, bilateral spinal ganglions, bilaterally the sympathetic chain from the segment Th10 - S4, and also ganglions and visceral-plexi, anterior mesenteric, intermesenteric, posterior mesenteric, hypogastric and pelvic. The material was fixed in alcohol, embedded in paraffin and cut into 15 micron sections. The sections were stained by Nissel's method. For examinations subsequent sections were taken. Due to the operations performed degeneration changes occurred in nervous cells in the central and peripheral nervous system. They were the basis for determination of the localization of the nervous centres for ovarium and oviduct. The source of preganglionic sympathetic visceromotor fibres for these organs is nucleus intermediolateralis in the segment L2 - L3. The sympathetic postganglionic fibres originate from cells of the sympathetic chain from L1 to L3 and from the posterior mesenteric ganglion and hypogastric plexus. The source of parasympathetic fibres for ovarium and oviduct are cells of nucleus parasympathicus nervi vagi in the segment located somewhat posteriorly from obex. The source of viscerosensory fibres for the discussed parts of the sexual organs in the cow are cells of the spinal ganglions in the segment Th9 - Th13 and cells of nucleus tractus spinocerebellaris dorsalis localized in neuromers L2 and L3.

[Changes in the central and peripheral nervous system in cows after laparotomy]. / Zmiany w osrodkowym i obwodowym ukladzie nerwowym po laparotomii u krowy.

Two sexually mature cows were used for the studies in which operations were performed, consisting in cutting the abdominal tunics at a length of 30 cm in the left iliac region. The cows were kept alive for 21 days after the operation. Then they were slaughtered, taking the following material for studies: The spinal cord, bilateral spinal ganglions, bilateral subvertebral sympathetic ganglions and autonomous ganglions of abdominal and pelvic cavities. The material was embedded in paraffin and cut into 15 n sections, which were stained with methylene blue according to Nissel. Regressive changes in cells of many nervous centres due to the operations performed were found. They were found in: spinal ganglions of the lumbar and sacral segment, nuclei of spinal grey matter (nucleus motorius, nucleus dorsalis, nucleus intermediomedialis, nucleus intermediolateralis) in the lumbar and sacral segment and in the sympathetic subvertebral ganglions of the lumbar and sacral segment. Degeneration changes of the cells were observed only on the operated side.