Chlamydophila felis in cats--are the stray cats dangerous source of infection?

Chlamydophila felis is a causative agent of acute or chronic conjunctivitis, and pneumonia in cats. Natural transmission mostly occurs consequently to close contact with other infected cats, their aerosol and fomites. We have examined 93 cats with symptoms of acute or chronic conjunctivitis, from Kosice region in Slovakia, during the period of 2 years. Conjunctival samples were obtained from 55 domestic cats (59.14%) and 38 stray cats (40.86%). Of the total number of 93 examined animals, 42 cats were positive, which represents 45.16% overall positivity. Out of the 42 positive cats, 25 cats were stray and 17 positive cats were classified as domestic, which means that of 38 stray cats, 25 were positive (which represented 65.78% positivity) and of 55 domestic cats, 17 were positive (positivity was 30.90%). Our results showed that cats, especially stray cats, could be a dangerous source of chlamydiosis for humans.

Evaluation of a human generic formulation of ciclosporin in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis with in vitro assessment of the functional capacity of phagocytic cells.

To compare the efficacy, tolerability and safety of a generic formulation of ciclosporin for human beings with prednisone in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis), human generic ciclosporin A (hgCsA) (5 mg/kg daily) and prednisone (1 mg/kg daily for seven days, followed by 1 mg/kg every second day) were administered to 13 and seven dogs with atopic dermatitis, respectively, for 42 days. Skin changes were assessed using a modified canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (mCADESI-01) and a pruritus intensity scale system. The in vitro functional capacity of phagocytic cells was assessed using the tetrazolium reductase activity and zymosan-stimulated tetrazolium reductase activity tests, as well as measurements of the percentage phagocytic activity and the ingestion capacity of phagocytic cells. Haematological and biochemical parameters were also monitored. There was a greater than or equal to 50 per cent reduction from the baseline in mCADESI-01 scores in 84.6 and 100 per cent of dogs, and a greater than or equal to 50 per cent reduction from the baseline in pruritus scores in 76.9 and 85.7 per cent of dogs, treated with hgCsA and prednisone, respectively. No important adverse physical, haematological or biochemical effects occurred with either drug and no statistically significant changes were detected in any of the four tests assessing the functional activity of phagocytes. The generic formulation of ciclosporin was effective in reducing the severity of physical signs of canine atopic dermatitis and was well tolerated.

[A study of the properties of compacts from a mixed dry binder on the base of alpha-lactose monohydrate and microcrystalline cellulose]. / Studium vlastností výlisku ze smesného suchého pojiva na bázi alpha-laktosy monohydrátu a mikrokrystalické celulosy.

The paper studies the tensile strength and disintegration time of compacts from the mixed dry binder MicroceLac 100. Tensile strength and disintegration time of tablets were tested in connection with the following factors: compression force, compression rate, addition of magnesium stearate, addition of ascorbic acid, the model active principle. The compression forces employed were 5, 6, and 7 kN, compression rates, 20 and 40 mm/min, stearate concentration 0, 0.4, and 0.8%, ascorbic acid concentration, 25 and 50%. With increasing addition of the stearate, the strength of compacts from MicroceLacu 100 was decreased for both compression rates, but with a higher rate, in a concentration of 0.4%, the decrease in strength was more marked. Disintegration time was increased with compression force and the addition of the stearate, but in all cases it was very short. Increased addition of ascorbic acid further intensified the decrease in the strength of compacts and decreased the disintegration time and the effect of the stearate on it. Disintegration time of compacts with ascorbic acid in a concentration of 50% did not increase with compression force.

Immune response in mice infected by Encephalitozoon cuniculi and suppressed by dexamethasone.

Several indicators of immune response were observed in immunocompetent mice of the ICR line and those suppressed by dexamethasone upon their experimental infection with the microsporidia of Encephalitozoon cuniculi. The mice were infected by one-shot intraperitoneal administration of 5 x 10(7) pathogenic spores. On Days 7, 14, 28 and 42 after infection, peripheral blood leukocyte phagocytic activity was determined and compared, including phagocytic index and the blastogenic response in spleen cells to mitogenic activation by concanavalin A and phytohaemagglutinin. The results point to the fact that E. cuniculi itself can cause a significant decrease in phagocytic activity of phagocytic leukocytes in the early stages of infection as well as a remarkable decrease in the proliferative response of spleen cells to T-cellular mitogens.

[Seasonal effect on serum levels of thyroid hormones in German shepherds and dachshunds and their health status]. / Sezónnost a jej vplyv na hladiny tyroidných hormonóv v krvnom sére nemeckých ovciakov, jazvecíkov a ich zdravotný stav.

A relatively frequent prevalence of dermatoses in summer has drawn our attention. Dermatoses of endocrine origin occur very often. We have noticed the deterioration of skin changes in animals with hypothyroidism. Bubeník et al. (1983), Webster et al. (1991), Reiter et al. (1988) reported that changes in concentrations of thyroid hormones were found in fallow-deer, sheep and hamsters due to the effect of temperature and season. Based upon this knowledge we have decided to observe the health status and function of the thyroid gland in two randomly selected groups of various size dogs--German shepherd and dachshund during four seasons. We observed following parameters: concentration of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), cholesterol (Chol) and total lipids (TL) in the blood serum, average temperatures in individual seasons. Blood was always withdrawn fasting in the morning from vena antebrachii. Concentrations of T3 and T4 were determined by the commercial kits RIA-test-T4 and RIA-test-T3 (Human-Lab, Kosice, Slovak Republic). The levels of cholesterol and total lipids were determined by the BIO-LA-tests (Lachema, Brno, Czech Republic). March, April, May were included into spring season; June, July, August into summer; September, October, November into autumn; and December, January, February into winter. The Slovak Hydrometeorologic Institute in Kosice provided the values of average temperatures in observed seasons. The average temperatures in individual seasons were the following: spring +9.8 degrees C, summer +18.4 degrees C, autumn +8.5 degrees C, winter -1.2 degrees C. During the observed period concentrations of cholesterol and total lipids ranged within the reference values in both breeds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Determination of ideal body weight for drug dosage calculations.

Formulas for ideal body weight (IBW) in men and women were derived from the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company height and weight tables. Regression determinations of median weight versus height were performed for men and women. A program for a minicomputer was developed to generate plots for small, medium, and large frame sizes and for subjects of all frame sizes. Equations for ideal body weight were derived from the resulting data. For men of all frame sizes, IBW = 51.65 kg + 1.85 kg/inch of height greater than 5 feet. For women of all frame sizes, IBW = 48.67 kg + 1.65 kg/inch of height greater than 5 feet. More accurate estimates of IBW by frame size can be obtained using equations derived from the plots for men and women of each frame size. Estimates of IBW obtained by the widely used empirical method probably contain only minor errors. However, formulas derived from actual height and weight data should be used in pharmacokinetic determination of dosage regimens for some drugs.