Kimehiko Too

Detection of Antibodies to Leptospiral Genus-Specific Antigen in Human and Animal Sera by Indirect Hemagglutination Test with a Partially Purified Genus-Specific Protein Antigen

Antibodies against leptospiral genus-specific antigen were detected in the sera from clinically diagnosed human leptospirosis and suspected animal leptospirosis by indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test with a partially purified genus-specific protein antigen (GP-Ag). The reaction was positive in the infected humans and animals irrespective of the leptospiral serovars. No significant correlation was found between IHA titer against GP-Ag and microscopic agglutination (MA) titer. IHA titer did not always develop in parallel with MA titers. Sera obtained from healthy individuals were negative in both IHA and MA tests.

Assay of Urinary Enzyme in a Dog

In a dog, gentamicin (10mg/kg) was given every 8 hours for 9 days to produce experimental renal failure. Then urinalysis showed an increase in urine volume, a decrease in urinary specific gravirty, proteinuria, glucosuria, celluria and enzymuria. Elevation in the activities of the urinary enzymes preceded a rise in levels of creatinine (Cr) and BUN in the serum. Activities of serum Cr rose by day 10 and of BUN by day 14. Urinary LDH, T-GTP, NAG and ALP began to rise steadily by day 7 and increased rapidly after that. Urinary LAP rose slightly by day 12 and rapidly after that. Urinary LDH5 increased with a rapid rise of total urinary LDH activity. Renal biopsy specimens on days 5 and 9 were examined histologically, showing granular degeneration of the proximal tubules. Necropsy was made on day 16. The renal lesions were characterized by hydropic degeneration and necrotic changes in the proximal tubules and occasional interstitial infiltration of macrophages. Accordingly, it was suggested that assays of urinary enzymes might be more sensitive indicators of renal damage than conventional renal function tests in the small animal practice.

Ultrasonogram of the fetus of Hokkaido brown bear.

Pregnancy diagnosis by the ultrasonogram method was carried out in a captive 13 years old female Hokkaido brown bear. Two fetuses were detected in the left abdomen. The fetus transverse diameter was 5.2 cm and the heart rate was 180 beats/min. Further improvement is necessary to diagnose the number of fetuses by our method, for she gave birth to 3 cubs 4 days later.