The function of the immune system was studied in 34 bitches affected by pyometra. The mean age of the animals was 8.1 +/- 2.8 years. Samples of peripheral blood were examined using a battery of immunological tests. Data obtained from four sets of animals, grouped according to the severity of their disease, were compared. Leucocytosis (neutrophilia and partial monocytosis) and lymphopenia were detected in 62 per cent and 35 per cent of the bitches, respectively. The increase in the number of leucocytes was higher in the severely affected bitches. Inhibition of mitogen-driven lymphocyte proliferation was the characteristic feature of the immunological profile in bitches affected by pyometra, and this corresponded with the impairment of the general state of health. Sera from bitches showing functional inhibition of lymphocytes suppressed the activity of lymphocytes isolated from normal dogs. Sera from bitches affected by pyometra also had higher levels of immunoglobulins, lysozyme and circulating immune complexes. It can be concluded that pyometra is associated with an inflammatory response, but also with a marked suppression of immune system activity.
Commercial serological sets were used for the examination of 727 cats kept in larger towns of the Czech Republic. FeLV antigen and antibodies to FIV were demonstrated in 96 (13.2 %) and 42 (5.8 %) of the animals, respectively. Seven (0.96 %) animals were positive for both FeLV and FIV. Most of the FeLV and/or FIV positive patients were intact rambling males aged 1-4 years. Chronic gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases were found in 54.2 % and 43.8 % of the FeLV-positive patients, respectively. Chronic urinary tract diseases and generalized lymphadenopathy were found in 47.6 % and 45.2 % of the FIVpositive patients, respectively. The results of this first survey in the Czech Republic have shown prevalence values and clinical patterns similar to those reported formerly from other European countries. U. S.
The objectives of the present study was to describe different dynamics of humoral immune responses to experimental infection in piglets of different stages of infection and immunity. Two groups of piglets originating from non-immune (group 1) and immune (group 2) sows at the age of 3 weeks were subdivided as follows: a half of each group of piglets was exposed to a low-dose infection with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) strain 9. At the age of 8 weeks, all four groups of piglets were challenged with a high infection dose of APP of the same strain. Isotype characterization of the specific antibodies in sera and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) to a lipopolysaccharide was carried out, besides monitoring clinical signs and post-mortem examinations. A typical primary immune response was observed in specific antibody-free piglets infected with a challenge infection. Colostrum-derived immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibodies persisted in sera and BALF of piglets up to the age of 8 weeks. However, they did not prevent induction of specific-primary antibody response, either in 8 or 4 weeks of age, when levels of specific colostrum-derived antibodies were still high. It was demonstrated by the increase of specific IgM antibodies in sera. The infection induced an increase in the levels of IgA antibodies in BALF regardless the severity of infection and presence of specific colostrum-derived antibodies. The specific antibodies of IgG isotype increased only in BALF from piglets without colostrum-derived antibodies.
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