R.H. Sutton

The refractometric determination of the total protein concentration in some animal plasmas.

Abstract Extract Refractometry has been used for serum or plasma total, protein determination since the beginning of this century and while at times the value and accuracy of the technique has been open to question (see Lines and Raine, 1970a,b), many studies have shown close agreement between refractometric determination of serum total protein and estimation by such techniques as the Biuret method and the Kjeldahl nitrogen determination (Lines and Raine, 1970b; Barry et al., 1960; Drickman and McKeon, 1962).

Eperythrozoon wenyoni - a blood parasite of cattle. A first report in New Zealand.

Summary This paper records, for the first time in New Zealand, the occurrence of Eperythrozoon wenyoni in the blood of a cow. Inoculation of infected blood into two splenectomized calves resulted in a heavy parasitaemia with a moderate anaemia in one calf The other calf remained refractory to infection. The possible importance of E. wenyoni is discussed.Summary This paper records, for the first time in New Zealand, the occurrence of Eperythrozoon wenyoni in the blood of a cow. Inoculation of infected blood into two splenectomized calves resulted in a heavy parasitaemia with a moderate anaemia in one calf The other calf remained refractory to infection. The possible importance of E. wenyoni is discussed.

Eperythrozoon ovis — A blood parasite of sheep

Abstract Extract Eperythrozoon ovis is an epi-erythrocytic blood parasite of sheep which may produce an anaemia. It has been found in association with ill-thrift of young sheep (Sheriff et al, 1966).

The value of plasma fibrinogen estimations in cattle: A comparison with total leucocyte and neutrophil counts

Abstract Extract Fibrinogen is one of the major protein constituents of blood plasma. It has the largest molecular weight of the plasma proteins (approximately 330 000), is produced solely in the liver, and is classed as a globulin (Putnam, 1960; Adelson, 1968). The main function of fibrinogen is its role in the clotting of blood(see Laki, 1968), but it has been shown that increased plasma levels can occur in inflammatory states, not only when clinical disease, is obvious, but also when a subclinical condition exists (Kaneko and Smith, 1967; Schalm, 1970a, b; Schalm et al., 1970: McSherry et al., 1970). The recent development of a quick and simple technique for its estimation has now made it possible for fibrinogen levels to be measured as part of the routine haemogram (Kaneko and Smith, 1967).

Observations on the pathology of Eperythrozoon ovis infection in sheep

Abstract The main pathological features of experimental Eperythrozoon ovis infection were an increase of spleen weight by up to 250% at the peak of parasitaemia and an increase in liver weight by 36%. Haemosiderin was present in the kidneys, livers and spleens of all infected sheep at the peak and late stages of parasitaemia. Control sheep had haemosiderin in the spleen only. On the basis of these findings, intravascular haemolysis appears to be the predominant mode of red cell removal. Although not observed histologically, some erythrophagocytosis by the spleen and liver probably occurs in the course of the infection.

Experimental Eperythrozoon ovis infection of sheep.

Abstract Extract Eperythrozoon ovis is an epi-erythrocytic sheep parasite of uncertain classification with a world-wide distribution (Sutton, 1970), but whether eperythrozoonosis is a disease of economic importance remains unresolved. In Scotland, Foggie and Nisbet (1964), found that experimentally E. ovis caused a clinical anaemia, occasionally with jaundice, but there was no significant difference in weight gain between infected and control sheep. Similar observations in naturally infected sheep were recorded in Norway by Overas (1969), and in Australia by Harbutt (1969b), Other Australian authors have found infection by this parasite; associated with outbreaks of ill-thrift in lambs (Sheriff et al., 1966) and severe anaemia with some mortality (Littlejohns, 1960; Maxwell, 1969; Campbell et al., 1971). Although the presence of strains of different pathogenicity has been suggested (Foggie and Nisbet, 1964, 1966; Harbutt, 1969a), other factors influencing the disease should also be considered (Littlejohns...

Myeloproliferative disease in the cat: A granulocytic and megakaryocytic disorder

Abstract The history, clinical, laboratory and post-mortem findings of a myeloproliferative disorder in a cat are described. The main features in peripheral blood were the presence of a high proportion of cells with abnormal morphology, and a large number of platelets, many of which were large and had immature staining characteristics. The abnormal cells had some characteristics of the granulocytic cell line. There was a proliferation of megakaryocytes within the spleen. The findings were characteristic of a granulocytic leukaemia with some evidence of a megakaryocytic myelosis.

An anaemic state in a horse associated with a cold-acting antibody.

Abstract Extract Auto-immune, haemolytic anacmias (AHA) of man (Dacie, 1963) and domestiicated animals (Schalm, 1965; Farrelly et al., 1966; Lapras and Oudar, 1971) are classified either as idiopathic or secondary to an underlying disease process (Pirofsky, 1969). In both categories antibodies active against the indivuals own erythrocytes are formed. These auto-antibodies are of two types being either warm or cold-acting. Warm-acting antibodies are most effective at 37°C, belong to the IgG class of immunoglobulins, and are incomplete in that, generally, they do not cause autohaemagglutination. Coldacting, or cryopathic, antibodies show maximum activitv at 4°C, are of the IgM immunoglobulin class and are capable of effecting autohaemagglutination. The two types of antibodies also differ in their prevalence. In man warm-acting antibodies occur infrequently and are always pathological (Dacie, 1963) while low titres of cold antibodies occur in most normal sera (Finland et al., 1945; Ellenhorn and Weiner, 195...

Auto-immune haemolytic anaemia in a horse.

Abstract A case of auto-immune haemolytic anaemia (AHA) in a 7-year-old, pony gelding is described. Diagnosis was based on a strong, positive reaction to the direct Coombs antiglobulin test and the presence of erythrophagocytosis and spherocytosis in peripheral blood smears. The condition was complicated by an infected haematoma, posterior paresis and urinary incontinence. The triggering mechanism behind the antibody response against the red cells is unknown.

Measurement of certain plasma and serum enzymes in the horse

Abstract The study of the use of serum or plasma enzymes in the horse is reviewed. Analyses of such enzymes in the horse have been performed mainly for the detection and monitoring of abnormalities which affect liver tissue and muscle fibres. Examples of muscle disorders are post-anaesthetic forelimb lameness and the clinical myopathy syndrome which varies from a mild “tying-up” to a severe paralytic myoglobinuria (EPM). Measurements have also been made during training periods in an endeavour to assess the effects of exercise on muscle tissue. One of the benefits of such a study could be the prediction of the period of optimum performance. The two enzymes most frequently used for. muscle studies have been glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) (aspartate aminotransferase) and creatine Phosphokinase (CPK). The former, while not muscle specific and less sensitive than CPK to small amounts of muscle tissue damage, has a slower clearance rate from blood than CPK. Determination of both enzymes together has so...