Immunoglobulin G antibody profiles against Anopheles salivary proteins in domestic animals in Senegal

Although domestic animals may not be permissive for Plasmodium, they could nevertheless play a role in the epidemiology of malaria by attracting Anopheles away from humans. To investigate interactions between domestic animals and mosquitoes, we assayed immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies directed against the salivary proteins of Anopheles gambiae in domestic animals living in Senegalese villages where malaria is endemic. By Western blotting, sera from bovines (n=6), ovines (n=36), and caprines (n=36) did not react with Anopheles whole saliva. In contrast, equine sera recognized proteins in both saliva and salivary gland extracts. Two of the major immunogens (32 and 72 kDa) were also reactive in extracts from other major mosquito genera (Aedes and Culex), but reactions toAnopheles-specific antigens were detected in 12 of 17 horses. These data suggest that horses strongly react to Anopheles bites, and further experiments on horses are warranted to investigate the impact of this domestic animal species on the transmission of human malaria.     

Protection against anthrax with recombinant virus-expressed protective antigen in experimental animals.

We previously described the cloning and expression of the protective antigen (PA) gene of Bacillus anthracis in both vaccinia virus and a baculovirus. The antigenicity of the PA products was characterized. PA expressed by the recombinant vaccinia viruses elicited a partial protective immune response against a lethal B. anthracis spore challenge in guinea pigs and mice. The WR strain vaccinia virus recombinant (WR-PA) protected 60% of male mice and 50% of guinea pigs. WR-PA elicited high anti-PA antibody titers in mice but not in guinea pigs. Connaught strain vaccinia virus recombinants failed to protect any immunized animals. PA purified from baculovirus recombinant-infected cultures plus adjuvant partially protected male CBA/J mice and completely protected female Hartley guinea pigs from challenge. Both the recombinant and nonrecombinant PA preparations combined with adjuvant elicited high anti-PA antibody titers in Hartley guinea pigs and CBA/J mice. These data demonstrate that the recombinant baculovirus- and vaccinia virus-produced PAs were immunogenic in both guinea pigs and mice, that the baculovirus-PA recombinant was a useful source of immunogenic PA, and that vaccinia virus-PA recombinants may be feasible live anthrax vaccine candidates worthy of consideration for further development as live vaccines.     

Specific antibody production against a soluble antigen in the Harderian gland of the domestic fowl.

Three groups of chickens were immunized with bovine serum albumen (BSA). One group received the antigen i.v., the second had BSA dropped into the orbit and the third group was immunized both systemically and by topical application of BSA. Agar-gel diffusion studies showed antibodies to BSA to be present in the tears and sera of the first and third groups but only in the tears of the second group. Immunofluorescence revealed positive anti-BSA staining in lymphoid cells of the spleens of the first and third groups and in plasma cells of Harderian glands of all three groups. It is concluded that systemic and/or topical applications of BSA affect the tears and Harderian gland whereas only systemic injections produce an effect in the spleen and serum. The Harderian gland may have an important part to play in the local immunologic mechanism of the eye and upper respiratory tract of the fowl.     

The genomes and history of domestic animals

This paper reviews how mammalian genomes are utilized in modern genetics for the detection of genes and polymorphisms (mutations) within domesticated animal (mostly livestock) genomes that are related to traits of economic importance to humans. Examples are given of how genetic analysis allows to determine key genes associated with the quality and quantity of milk in cattle and key genes for meat production. Various questions are reviewed, such as how contemporary methods of genome sequencing allow to maximise the effective detection of coding and regulatory DNA polymorphisms within the genomes of major domesticated mammals (cattle, sheep and pigs) and the history of their formation from the standpoint of genetics.     

Comparative titration of three antivenin serums used against sub-Saharan African snakes

The standardisation of serotherapy is necessary in Africa mainly because of the frequency of envenomations and the lack of alternative treatments. Comparative titrations of FAV-Afrique (Aventis Pasteur), Polyvalent serum (Serum Institute of India = SII) and Polyvalent antivenin (South African Vaccine Fabricants Ltd = SAIMR) were carried out on venoms of Echis ocellatus from Cameroun, E. ocellatus from Mali, E. leucogaster and Naja melanoleuca. The 50% protective doses (ED50) of the antivenoms were given according either to i) the in vitro method which consists of inoculating 5 batches of 5 mice with a mixture containing 3 DL50 of venom and increasing volumes of antivenom incubated for 30 mn at 37 degrees C and ii) the in vivo method which consists of successive administration of venom and then antivenom after a 30 to 60 mn interval. The three antivenoms showed a similar efficacy against all the Echis venoms. Interestingly, the SAIMR proved to be effective against the venom of E. leucogaster and E. ocellatus although no venom of Echis was used to immunise horses during the preparation of antivenom. Conversely, this paraspecificity did not exist with the Naja melanoleuca venom against which FAV Afrique showed a higher efficacy. The electrophoresis pattern of FAV-Afrique performed on acetate gel strips showed only one protein fraction (76 g.l-1), whereas both the SII and SAIMR antivenoms showed four fractions whose protein concentrations was respectively 64 g.l-1 and 145 g.l-1.     

A review of the primary dysautonomias of domestic animals.

Primary dysautonomias appear to be the result of initial damage to the protein synthetic pathway of a specific neuronal population, but despite detailed morphological study of several species there is, as yet, no indication of the precise lesion or the nature of the causal agent. The very marked similarities between the species with regard to lesion type, distribution, the age group affected and the geographical restrictions of occurrence would suggest a very similar, if not common, aetiology. There is no explanation, however, for the 70 year gap between its appearance in horses and its subsequent occurrence in other species or why it is these species, with very different physiology, habits and habitats, that are affected. No reference could be found in the literature to any infectious agent or toxin causing a similar range of structural effects with a similar species specificity or lesion distribution. Many questions about dysautonomias remain. Why is the lesion distribution so specific? At what level of the synthetic pathway does the primary lesion occur? What are the unusual compounds demonstrated in "acute phase" serum from affected horses; are they a neurotoxic agent(s) and/or its metabolites, or the abnormal product of an affected animal? Why did the experimental ponies which developed autonomic lesions not become ill? When do the clinical signs appear in relation to the occurrence of the primary lesion? Why are adolescent and young adult animals most commonly affected? As the general understanding of neuronal function and the numerous factors which influence it improves, the many subtle distinctions and similarities amongst the myriad sub-populations of neurones will become clearer and common features may emerge which will link the seemingly disparate neuronal types involved in the primary dysautonomias.     

Application of different strains for determining IgM antibodies against cytomegalovirus-induced late antigen

Summary In 15 serum specimens of pregnant women containing IgM antibodies against cytomegalovirus (CMV)-induced late antigen (LA) of the strain AD 169 IgM antibodies could also be detected against the LA of further 8 CMV strains.     

Localization of specific antigen in organs of animals inoculated with different batches of live measles vaccine

The location of the specific antigen in the walls of the cerebral blood vessels and in neurons and glial cells was studied by an immunofluorescence method in newborn albino rats and Syrian hamsters inoculated subcutaneously with four different batches of live measles vaccine. Pathomorphological examination of the brain revealed mainly vascular disorders. The results are evidence of the presence of residual neurotropism in attenuated measles virus (strain L-16).Laboratory of Immunopathology, D. I. Ivanovskii Institute of Virology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. M. Zhdanov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 85, No. 5, pp. 567–569, May, 1978.     

A geometric description of the ascending colon of some domestic animals

In this study, a geometric recognition of the ascending colons of some domestic animals such as pig, ruminants (only the ansa spiralis coli) and dog is presented. The ascending colon of these animals can be considered a tubular shape along a special curve.