M.J. Day

Immunologic study of systemic aspergillosis in German Shepherd dogs

Data are presented from a series of eight cases of disseminated canine aspergillosis (A. terreus) in German Shepherd dogs referred to Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital. Immunoglobulin determination revealed depression of serum IgA (cases 1 and 5) and IgM (case 2) levels and elevated levels of IgG in all cases. Total complement activity (CH50) and complement components tests, (C3, C4) were present in normal amounts in all cases. Using agar gel diffusion, serum antibody to A. terreus was found in only one case and aspergillus antigenaemia in two of the remainder. Lectin transformation of lymphocytes in two dogs was found to be depressed relative to normal controls in case 1 and initially in case 2. Two dogs failed to respond to the intradermal injection of A. terreus antigen.

HUMORAL IMMUNITY IN DISSEMINATED ASPERGILLUS-TERREUS INFECTION IN THE DOG

Aspects of humoral immunity were studied in 17 dogs with disseminated aspergillosis (16 cases Aspergillus terreus, 1 case Aspergillus flavipes). All dogs had markedly raised serum IgG levels by single radial immunodiffusion (range 1500-6000 mg dl-1). Despite this, serum antibody to A. terreus was demonstrated in only 7/16 cases by agar gel diffusion, 9/16 cases by counter immunoelectrophoresis, 10/16 by ELISA and 11/16 by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Serum antibody was also detected in 2/5 clinically normal relatives of 2 cases, indicating previous exposure or subclinical infection.

Vector-Borne Diseases - constant challenge for practicing veterinarians: recommendations from the CVBD World Forum

The human-animal bond has been a fundamental feature of mankinds history for millennia. The first, and strongest of these, mans relationship with the dog, is believed to pre-date even agriculture, going back as far as 30,000 years. It remains at least as powerful today. Fed by the changing nature of the interactions between people and their dogs worldwide and the increasing tendency towards close domesticity, the health of dogs has never played a more important role in family life. Thanks to developments in scientific understanding and diagnostic techniques, as well as changing priorities of pet owners, veterinarians are now able, and indeed expected, to play a fundamental role in the prevention and treatment of canine disease, including canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs).The CVBDs represent a varied and complex group of diseases, including anaplasmosis, babesiosis, bartonellosis, borreliosis, dirofilariosis, ehrlichiosis, leishmaniosis, rickettsiosis and thelaziosis, with new syndromes being uncovered every year. Many of these diseases can cause serious, even life-threatening clinical conditions in dogs, with a number having zoonotic potential, affecting the human population.Today, CVBDs pose a growing global threat as they continue their spread far from their traditional geographical and temporal restraints as a result of changes in both climatic conditions and pet dog travel patterns, exposing new populations to previously unknown infectious agents and posing unprecedented challenges to veterinarians.In response to this growing threat, the CVBD World Forum, a multidisciplinary group of experts in CVBDs from around the world which meets on an annual basis, gathered in Nice (France) in 2011 to share the latest research on CVBDs and discuss the best approaches to managing these diseases around the world.As a result of these discussions, we, the members of the CVBD Forum have developed the following recommendations to veterinarians for the management of CVBDs.

Immune-mediated disease in the old English sheepdog

Immunological data are reported from 19 cases of immune-mediated disease recorded in the old English sheepdog breed in Western Australia between 1978 and 1989. The conditions included autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (seven), idiopathic thrombocytopenia (one), Evans syndrome (five), multiple myeloma (two), systemic lupus erythematosus (one), discoid lupus erythematosus (one) and hypothyroidism (two). The most consistent serological findings were raised serum IgG (60 per cent), depressed serum IgM (60 per cent) and the presence of multiple autoantibodies (anti-red blood cell 78 per cent, antinuclear antibody 44 per cent, rheumatoid factor 19 per cent). An underlying, breed-related disorder of immune regulation may account for these observations.

Complement C4 allotype association with and serum C4 concentration in an autoimmune disease in the dog

Serum C4 concentrations and C4 allotypes were determined wherever possible on eight dogs with an autoimmune disorder characterized by antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity, pyrexia, and seronegative arthritis. Three of the six dogs tested serially showed hypocomplementemia at disease onset with return to normal concentrations with clinical remission following steroid therapy. All five dogs C4 allotyped were phenotypically identical. The phenotype (C4-4) was significantly increased in the diseased dogs. Thus C4 allotype may provide a marker for susceptibility to development of an autoimmune disorder in the dog. Serum C4 concentrations may help in disease diagnosis and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy.

A review of major histocompatibility complex-disease associations in man and dog

The organization and biology of the Major Histocompatibility Complexes (MHC) of man (HLA) and dog (DLA) are reviewed, and a summary is presented of laboratory techniques used to define allotypes.The nomenclature of this field and the mechanisms of disease association with the MHC are discussed. Currently recognized HLA-disease associations are enumerated, with emphasis on the value of the complement C4 marker.DLA-disease association studies into autoimmune disease, allergy and neoplasia are reviewed.