[Nemaline myopathy detected with respiratory failure and right ventricular heart failure]

We describe the case of a 40-year-old woman who was admitted for dyspnea and pitting edema of the lower extremities. Severe type II respiratory failure and right ventricular heart failure were present. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) improved the symptoms and blood gas values. Since the results of respiratory function tests and computed tomography indicated neuromuscular disease, muscle biopsy was performed and nemaline myopathy was diagnosed. NIPPV was necessary due to severe hypoxia and hypercapnia caused by severe hypoventilation during sleep; however, daytime NIPPV was stopped within a few days, and the patient was discharged with instructions to continue NIPPV at night only. Since discharge, she has been followed-up on an outpatient basis for 8 years. Adult-onset nemaline myopathy with respiratory failure and right ventricular heart failure as presenting features is rare, and NIPPV can be useful in such cases.

Pulmonary microvascular cytology can detect tumor cells of intravascular lymphoma

A 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for indistinct consciousness, progressive dyspnea, night sweats and fever of 2 weeks duration. Hypoxemia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase were found. Computed tomography was negative except for a small bilateral pleural effusion. Chest perfusion scintigraphy showed inhomogeneous perfusion thought unlikely to be pulmonary artery thromboembolism. Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma was suspected, and a pulmonary microvascular cytology specimen was obtained that contained numerous large lymphoma cells. Because the patient's condition was rapidly deteriorating, we started chemotherapy on the basis of the pulmonary microvascular cytology findings, and he improved. Later, atypical lymphocytes similar to those in the pulmonary microvascular cytology specimen were found in a bone marrow specimen. He was diagnosed as having diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Because lymphoma cells were found in the pulmonary microvasculature, intravascular lymphoma was also diagnosed. Pulmonary microvascular cytology was helpful to detect lymphoma cells in the pulmonary microvasculature.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces and cavitary lesion on chest X-ray as the initial complications

A 17-year-old-man developed left-sided pneumothorax in 1995. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a thick-walled cavity in the left lower lobe. Video-assisted thoracic surgery was performed, and pathologic findings of the resected lung showed a cavity, organizing hematoma, and a fibrous nodule. Fragility of connective tissue was suspected, and biochemical and molecular analysis showed reduction of type III collagen production and point mutation of the COL3A1 gene. The patient was diagnosed as having vascular-type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). From 2002, the patient developed hemoptysis and bloody sputum once a year. Chest CT detected several nodules and cavities, which were regarded as hematomas with or without excretion. Several vascular changes including aneurysmal formations have been found since 2002, and an aneurysm of the left ulnar artery was resected. The patient continues to be followed regularly on an outpatient basis. We report a rare case of vascular-type EDS who developed pulmonary symptoms as an initial complication.

Changes in lung function and health status in patients with COPD treated with tiotropium or salmeterol plus fluticasone

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The effects of tiotropium, a long-acting anticholinergic drug, were compared with those of the combination of salmeterol, a long-acting beta(2)-agonist, and fluticasone, an inhaled corticosteroid, in patients with COPD.

METHODS

A 4-month, randomized, open cross-over study of tiotropium, 18 microg once daily, versus salmeterol, 50 microg, plus fluticasone, 200 microg, twice daily, was conducted in patients with COPD. Efficacy was assessed by spirometry and responses to the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). After 4 months, patients were asked to select their subsequent therapy and indicate the reasons for their selection.

RESULTS

A total of 78 patients completed the study. There were no significant differences in the improvements in FEV(1) or SGRQ scores between the therapies. Similar numbers of patients selected tiotropium (42.3%) and salmeterol plus fluticasone (57.7%). However, those who preferred one of the therapies demonstrated greater improvements in SGRQ scores with that therapy. One subgroup of patients (30.8%) showed greater improvements in dyspnoea and FEV(1) in response to tiotropium, and the other subgroup of patients (35.9%) showed greater improvements in dyspnoea and FEV(1) in response to salmeterol plus fluticasone. Some patients (14.1%) selected salmeterol plus fluticasone because of positive effects on sputum expectoration.

CONCLUSIONS

The study was unblinded and the results need to be interpreted with caution. However, tiotropium and salmeterol plus fluticasone had similar overall effects on pulmonary function and SGRQ scores in patients with COPD. Responses to the two therapies were heterogeneous, and the patients who showed greater improvements in FEV(1) or SGRQ scores with one of the therapies preferred it for their subsequent treatment.

[Case of pneumonia caused by beta-lactamase-producing and amoxicillin/clavulanate resistant strains of H. influenzae]

An 80-year-old woman presenting with fever and cough was given a diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia. She was hospitalized and treated with ampicillin/sulbactam (ABPC/SBT) and clarithromycin (CAM). Gram stain images and sputum culture results led us to believe that the causative agent was Haemophilus influenzae. Drug sensitivity testing indicated that the H. influenzae was a beta-lactamase-positive, ABPC-resistant (BLPAR) strain. Treatment with ABPC/SBT was not clinically effective. We considered the possibility of beta-lactamase-positive amoxicillin/clavulanate-resistant (BLPACR) strains. Further testing revealed that the MIC of ABPC was 128 microg/ml, that of SBT/ABPC was 8 microg/ml, and that of AMPC/CVA was 4 microg/ml. Furthermore, genetic analysis indicated the H. influenzae to be a BLPACR-I strain. The poor clinical course eventually led to a diagnosis of BLPACR. When beta-lactamase-producing H. influenzae is cultured, the possibility of a BLPACR strain resistant to ABPC/SBT and AMPC/CVA must be considered.

Genomic organization and chromosomal distribution of rat ID elements

Identifier (ID) elements are members of a family of short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) in rodents. We investigated the genomic organization and chromosomal distribution of the ID elements in the rat, mouse and Chinese hamster. Southern blot hybridization analysis revealed that the ID elements are widespread in the rat genome, but concentrated in the mouse and Chinese hamster genomes, and that the copy of ID elements in the rat is about 5 times and 50 times that in the mouse and Chinese hamster, respectively. FISH analysis showed that the ID elements are predominantly distributed in the R-band regions of rat chromosomes. In mouse and Chinese hamster chromosomes, no specific distribution pattern of the ID elements was found. Furthermore, we found a distinct group of derivative ID elements in the rat, which contain partially repeated ID core domains, by PCR amplification using an ID core sequence. Such derivatives were not found in either the mouse or Chinese hamster. These findings suggest that explosive amplification of the ID elements in the rat has been accompanied by the occurrence of derivative ID elements and a predominant localization to the R-band regions. Similar associations found in the Alu family, one of the human SINEs, allow us to speculate that the rat ID elements and the human Alu family have analogous functions in chromosomal organization.

Tumour suppressor activity of human imprinted gene PEG3 in a glioma cell line

BACKGROUND

Mouse imprinted gene Peg3 encodes a large C2H2 type zinc finger protein with unique characteristics. Peg3 knockout mice were found to show an impairment in maternal behaviour of the adult female. Mouse Peg3 is located on the proximal region of chromosome 7 which is syntenic to the long arm of human chromosome 19. It has been reported that a loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of chromosome 19q occurs frequently in several glioma types.

RESULTS

We isolated human PEG3 cDNA. Both human and mouse PEG3 were strongly expressed in the adult brain and the Peg3 protein was localized in the nuclei of both neurones and glial cells. A significant decrease in PEG3 expression was more commonly observed in glioma cell lines as compared with that in primary cultures of astrocytes. Transfection of PEG3 cDNA in a glioma cell line resulted in a loss of tumorigenicity in nude mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The human PEG3 gene is a paternally expressed imprinted gene. Introduction of PEG3 cDNA into the glioma cells suggests that human PEG3 protein functions as a tumour suppressor. Human PEG3 is located on 19q13.4 and is one of the candidates for tumour suppressor genes that are predicted to be sited in gliomas.

A simple, two-color fluorescence detection method for membrane blotting analysis using alkaline phosphatase and horseradish peroxidase

We have developed a one-step, two-color fluorescence detection method using simultaneously two fluorogenic substrates for both Southern and Western blots on nylon membranes. For this enzyme-mediated reporter system, a mixture of (i) 3-hydroxy-N-2'-biphenyl-2-naphthalenecarboxamide phosphate ester (HNPP), a substrate for alkaline phosphatase and (ii) N-(4-amino-5-methoxy-2-methylphenyl)benzamide (AMMB), a fluorogenic substrate for horseradish peroxidase was used. The reaction with these substrates produces blue (HNPP) and yellow (AMMB) fluorescent signals under ultraviolet light (302 nm). Therefore, this simple method allows the simultaneous visualization of two different targets on a single nylon membrane, e.g. nucleic acids or proteins.

Simultaneous visualization of Q-bands and FISH signals using a novel fluorochrome

We developed a new HNPP-azo dye method for detection of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) signals on Q-banded chromosomes by use of a newly synthesized fluorochrome, HNPP (3-hydroxy-N-2'-biphenyl-2-naphthalenecarboxamide phosphate ester), which reacts enzymatically with alkaline phosphatase and azo dye. The FISH staining method permits simultaneous detection of orange HNPP signals on chromosomal sites labeled by Q-banding, allowing the assignment of small (440-1,200 bp) probes.

Characterization of mycoplasma strains isolated from house musk shrews (Suncus murinus) and their infectivity in mice and rats

Five mycoplasma strains isolated from house musk shrews (Suncus murinus) in the Central Institute for Experimental Animals were characterized and compared with three murine mycoplasma strains, Mycoplasma pulmonis m 53, M. arthritidis PG6, and M. neurolyticum Type A, and with reference strain G3-5 previously isolated from a house musk shrew. These isolates fermented glucose, but did not hydrolyze urea and arginine, passed through membrane filters of 450 nm pore size, were sensitive to digitonin, and formed minute (115 to 231 microns in diameter) colonies on agar medium. All the five unclassified house musk shrew mycoplasma strains and strain G3-5 used as a reference constituted a homogeneous group based on (i) their antigenic properties (determined using the metabolism inhibition test), (ii) their polypeptide profiles (determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the Western blotting assay), and (iii) their genomic properties (determined using DNA cleavage pattern analysis), but were quite distinct from the established murine mycoplasmas on the basis of these findings. In a survey of 56 house musk shrews aged 2 to 45 weeks in our colonies, mycoplasmas were isolated from the oral cavities of all animals examined. No gross or microscopic lesions were observed in the five animals from which the mycoplasma strains were isolated. In experimental infection, the mycoplasma was not infective for mice and rats. The results suggest that this group of mycoplasmas is a common inhabitant of house musk shrews.

Isolation of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus from the gastrointestinal tracts of SCID mice

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus colonization was observed in the gastrointestinal tracts of C.-B17-scid/scid (SCID) mice, while it was not observed in C.B17-scid/+ and C.B17-+/+ mice with normal immunity housed under the same conditions. A. calcoaceticus and other viable enteric bacteria were not isolated from any organs other than gastrointestinal tract in SCID mice. The mice colonized with this organism were apparently healthy and no significant visceral lesion was observed.

Sequence analysis and molecular detection of mouse hepatitis virus using the polymerase chain reaction

Sequence analysis of the nucleocapsid protein genes of five strains of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) disclosed that the 3' region of the nucleocapsid protein gene contains highly conserved sequences unique to MHV. We designed a pair of primers to amplify cDNA from such sequences of MHV by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Six isolates of wild-type MHV, as well as prototype viruses, were amplified successfully and detected in ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels. The sequence identity of PCR products was readily verified by confirming target size and a MflI site within the target. The sensitivity of our PCR assay was estimated to be sufficient to detect a single cell infected with MHV. This new approach may permit more sensitive and rapid detection of MHV in biologic materials than current methods such as virus isolation, the infant mouse bioassay, and the mouse antibody production test.

Application of dried whole blood collected on filter paper disks to ELISA for the detection of Sendai virus and mouse hepatitis virus antibodies in mice

This study was undertaken to simplify the preparation procedures for test specimens by applying whole blood collected on filter paper disks. The results of ELISA obtained using specimens collected in this way for the detection of Sendai virus and mouse hepatitis virus antibodies in mice were comparable to those for ordinary ELISA using serum samples.

Propagation of CAR bacillus in artificial media

CAR bacillus propagated successfully in an artificial medium, and the number of CAR bacillus was about 30 times the original number after 8 days of cultivation. The medium consisted of Eagle's minimum essential medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum and 20% hamster tracheal organ culture soup. By intranasal inoculation to mice, two strains of the CAR bacillus passaged 5 and 6 times in this artificial medium produced the same lung lesions as natural CAR bacillus infection.

Pathogenesis of CAR bacillus in rabbits, guinea pigs, Syrian hamsters, and mice

Cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus isolated from infected mice (designated, CBM) and propagated in embryonated chicken eggs was inoculated intranasally in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) and mice (Mus musculus). Gross and microscopic lesions, localization of CBM antigen in the respiratory tract, development of antibody, and ability to reisolate the CAR bacillus were studied in animals killed at 2-, 4-, or 8-week intervals postinoculation (PI). In rabbits, although no histopathological changes were observed in the respiratory tract, CBM antigen was detected on the ciliated epithelium of the respiratory tract, and serum CBM antibody was also detected 4 and 8 weeks PI. In guinea pigs, no histopathological changes were noted, CBM antigen was detected in the respiratory tract 2 and 4 weeks PI but not 8 weeks PI, and serum CBM antibody was detected 4 and 8 weeks PI. In hamsters, mononuclear cell proliferation in the submucosa of the bronchus and trachea was observed 8 weeks PI. CBM antigen was detected at first in the nasal cavity 2 weeks PI and in the lower respiratory tract 4 and 8 weeks PI and serum CBM antibody was detected 4 and 8 weeks PI. In mice, histopathological changes, CBM antigen and CBM antibody were observed. CBM was reisolated from the tracheal washouts of hamsters and mice 8 weeks PI but not from those of rabbits and guinea pigs. These results confirm and extend previous reports of experimentally-induced CAR bacillus infection in mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits. To this list of susceptible laboratory animals, we now add hamsters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Detection of mouse hepatitis virus antibody by protein A-ELISA in 6 prevalent inbred strains or outbred stocks of mice

Protein A was applied as a reagent for the secondary reaction in ELISA (protein A-ELISA). Mouse hepatitis virus antibody in 6 prevalent mouse strains or stocks reared in a MHV-contaminated room was effectively detected by protein A-ELISA, whereas significant strain differences in the antibody detection rate were demonstrated using the complement fixation test. C57BL/6 mice were particularly reactive in the protein A-ELISA test.

A serological survey on Bacillus piliformis infection in laboratory rabbits in Japan

A total of 544 rabbit sera obtained from 6 commercial breeding facilities and 9 research institutions during 1985-1990 were tested for Bacillus piliformis antibody by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The antibody was detected in 53 (14.2%) rabbits from 3 breeding facilities and 30 (17.4%) rabbits from 6 research institutions, indicating the prevalence of B. piliformis infection among laboratory rabbits in Japan. The overall agreement with ELISA for immune status was 96.9% (527/544) with IFAT. In tests of the ability of ELISA and IFAT to quantitate antibody, a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.86 (P less than 0.01) was obtained by plotting the measured average log of the ELISA titer against the corresponding log of the IFAT titer.

Determination of an antigen suitable for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the antibody to Bordetella bronchiseptica in guinea pigs

To establish an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique for the serological diagnosis of infections caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica (B. bronchiseptica) in guinea pigs, the authors recently assessed the usefulness of three antigen preparations derived from the bacterial cell components: sonication antigen (S-Ag), cell surface antigen (C-Ag) and lipopolysaccharide antigen (L-Ag). The use of S-Ag for ELISA resulted in the most sensitive detection of the antibody to B. bronchiseptica from guinea pig sera immunized with killed bacteria and sera derived from naturally infected guinea pigs. Like C-Ag, S-Ag was highly specific, showing no cross-reactivity with Pasteurella multocida. Assessment of antibody formations in animals with experimentally induced infection using the three antigen preparations revealed that the antibody to S-Ag was formed earlier than antibodies to the other two antigen preparations following growth of the bacterium in the lungs. These results indicate that ELISA with S-Ag as an antigen is a useful tool for the serological diagnosis of infection by B. bronchiseptica.

Differences in susceptibility to peroral inoculation with Bacillus piliformis spores in rats and mice

The median liver lesion producing doses of peroral inoculation with the spores of Tyzzer's organism RJ strain were 10(4. 3) in rats and 10(2. 7) in rats receiving prednisolone treatment for the provocation of Tyzzer's disease. In contrast to rats, liver lesions were detected in few mice inoculated perorally with 10(7) spores. In mice inoculated perorally with 10(7) spores, excretion of infective spores in the feces was detected only on day 1 postinoculation. On the other hand, no difference in susceptibility between rats and mice was detected upon intravenous inoculation with vegetative cells of the RJ strain. These results suggest that germination of the spores in the intestinal tract causes the difference in the susceptibility in rats and mice.

In vitro and in vivo induction of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) in a uterine cervical cancer cell line (SKG-IIIa) with peplomycin and sodium butyrate

In order to investigate the effect of an antisquamous cell carcinoma drug, peplomycin, the new analogue of bleomycin, on the production of a squamous cell carcinoma-associated tumor marker termed "SCC" (or TA-4), we carried out in vitro and in vivo experiments using the uterine cervical epidermoid cancer cell line SKG-IIIa, together with the investigation of the effect of sodium butyrate which was reported to be one of the representative gene modulators. In vitro production of SCC was biochemically and immunocytochemically confirmed in SKG-IIIa cells. Immunocytochemistry using anti-SCC antibody revealed that the total number of SCC-positive cells increased after the treatment with peplomycin (1.6 fold) or sodium butyrate (1.5 fold). The total amount of SCC in cultured medium, intracellular SCC, and cell debris during 5 days of culturation also increased with peplomycin (1.8 fold) and sodium butyrate (1.4 fold). These data strongly suggest that SCC production of SKG-IIIa cells is stimulated by peplomycin and sodium butyrate in vitro. In vivo experiments were also performed by administering peplomycin to nude rats with heterotransplanted tumors of SKG-IIIa, and transient elevations of serum SCC level (113% to 238% of the initial values) were observed, suggesting that SCC production of cancer cells is also stimulated by peplomycin in vivo.

Studies on the development of an ELISA kit for microbiological monitoring. 2. Improvement of the prototype ELISA kit with special references to mouse hepatitis virus antigen

Improvement of the mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) antigen in a prototype ELISA kit was performed. Equivalent divalent antigens of MHV Nu-67 and S strains with a protein concentration of 10 micrograms/ml showed the best sensitivity and specificity for the detection of MHV and sialodacryoadenitis/Parker's rat coronavirus antibodies in mice and rats, respectively. An increase in the reliability of macroscopic evaluation of both antibody tests is expected by using the newly manufactured kit with the improved antigen.

Sensitive detection of Mycoplasma pulmonis by using the polymerase chain reaction

Detection of Mycoplasma pulmonis was examined by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for amplifying a specific DNA sequence. In gel electrophoresis which was conducted to detect the amplified products, only 1 pg of M. pulmonis DNA could be detected following 30 cycles of amplification, while no amplified product was detected even from 1 microgram of M. arthritidis or M. neurolyticum DNA. Furthermore, 10 colony-forming units of M. pulmonis could be detected by direct amplification from the mycoplasma suspension. These results suggest the usefulness of the PCR as a highly sensitive, specific, and rapid method for direct detection of M. pulmonis.

Studies on the development of an ELISA kit for microbiological monitoring. 1. Evaluation of the reliability of the prototype kit by field tests

The prototype of an ELISA kit using protein A as the second reaction reagent for mice and anti-rat IgG for rats was prepared for seromonitoring of the Sendai virus and mouse hepatitis virus (MHV)/sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV)/Parker's rat coronavirus (PCV) infections. The respective antigen strains and protein concentrations were Sendai virus MN strain, 2 micrograms/ml and MHV Nu-67 strain, 5 micrograms/ml. The reliability of this prototype kit was investigated in two field tests performed on a total of 10,094 mouse and rat sera from 147 institutions. The results indicated that the two types of kits for the two species of animals were highly specific, but it is necessary to increase the detection sensitivity of the MHV antigen for the MHV antibody of mice and SDAV/PCV antibodies of rats.

A DNA probe for specific detection of Mycoplasma pulmonis

Mycoplasma pulmonis was specifically detected by using a 2.3 kilobase pair (kbp) cloned DNA fragment derived from M. pulmonis m 53 as a probe. This probe recognized 2.3-kbp DNA fragments of three M. pulmonis strains in Southern hybridization, while it did not hybridize with the DNA of M. arthritidis or M. neurolyticum. Determination of the sensitivity of the probe by dot hybridization revealed that 10 ng of M. pulmonis DNA was detected by a biotinylated probe and 1 ng of M. pulmonis DNA was detected by a radioactive probe.

Genomic DNA analysis of rodent mycoplasmas

Genomic DNA was compared between three typical species of rodent mycoplasmas, Mycoplasma pulmonis, M. arthritidis and M. neurolyticum, and between strains of these species. Each of the three species showed a distinct restriction endonuclease cleavage pattern of genomic DNA. The genetic heterogeneity of these species was revealed by total DNA hybridization as well. In addition, the restriction endonuclease cleavage pattern of genomic DNA was almost identical in three strains of M. pulmonis and in two strains of M. neurolyticum. The genetic hemogeneity among strains of the same species was revealed by total DNA hybridization as well. These data suggest that the genomic DNA sequence of each rodent mycoplasma species has a high degree of species specificity.

[The reactivity of antigens of Mycoplasma pulmonis derived from mice and rats to naturally infected rat sera]

The reactivity of antigens of 4 mouse and 3 rat derived Mycoplasma pulmonis strains to 20 naturally infected rat sera was studied. The optical density values of the same serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the 7 strains as the antigen revealed no marked difference among the strains. M. pulmonis antigens recognized by the antibodies were analyzed by the Western immunoblot method. The antigens with molecular weights of 92 K, 66 K, and 58 K were recognized in the 7 strains at a high frequency.

Expression of Mycoplasma pulmonis antigens in Escherichia coli

The expression of Mycoplasma pulmonis antigen in Escherichia coli was investigated by cloning genomic DNA derived from M. pulmonis m 53, and the DNA fragment participating in antigen expression was identified. When the DNA library of M. pulmonis was screened by colony immunoassay using anti-M. pulmonis serum, 10 recombinant clones expressing seroreactive antigens were obtained. The recombinant plasmids isolated from these clones included 3.7-6.5 kilobase pair (kbp) DNA inserts, while all clones contained a common 2.3-kbp DNA fragment. Subcloning of initial DNA inserts showed that the common 2.3-kbp fragment is essential for antigen expression. Moreover, antiserum against the recombinant antigen generated from the 2.3-kbp DNA fragment recognized a native M. pulmonis antigen. The reactivity of this antiserum was absorbed specifically with M. pulmonis. These results suggest that the cloned 2.3-kbp DNA fragment codes an antigen specific to M. pulmonis.

Cross reactivity of Mycoplasma pulmonis and Mycoplasma arthritidis antigen strains to anti-Mycoplasma pulmonis antibody in the sera of Mycoplasma pulmonis infected rats

Reactivity of Mycoplasma pulmonis (Mp) antigen strains to anti-Mp antibody in the sera of Mp infected rats was examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibody titers to 7 kinds of Mp antigens were measured in the sera of 20 Mp isolated rats and 20 Mp free rats by ELISA and complement fixation test (CF test). ELISA showed that there was no difference in the antibody titer of the same serum among 7 Mp antigen strains employed, and the main cross reaction to anti-Mp antibody took place on the common recognition site (common antigen) in all the Mp antigens. The CF test suggested that the antibody titers largely differed due to the kind of Mp antigen strains, and the detection rate was between 0 and 60%, presumably due to the difference in the reactivity or binding ability of complements but not due to the difference in the cross reactivity of Mp antigen to anti-Mp antibody. When the cross reactivity of anti-Mp antibody to Mycoplasma arthritidis (Ma) antigen was examined in the sera of 33 Mp isolated rats, the CF test exhibited the negative results, but ELISA showed 4 positive cases to support the cross reactivity of anti-Mp antibody to Ma antigen.

Production of Tyzzer's disease in rats by ingestion of bacterial spores

Tyzzer's disease was produced in rats by peroral inoculation with spores of Bacillus piliformis (Tyzzer's organism) of rat origin. After ingestion of 10(6) spores necrotized lesions with intracellular bacterial propagation were seen in the intestines, liver and heart on days 2 to 14 postinoculation (p.i.). A number of B. piliformis were present within enterocytes of the cecum and colon. Infected cells were also seen in the liver, myocardium and intestinal muscle layers on days 3 to 7 p.i. Infective spores were found to be shed in feces during 3 to 10 days p.i.

Pathogenicities of two CAR bacillus strains in mice and rats

Two strains of CAR bacillus from a mouse (CB-M) and a rat (CB-R) which were passaged 11th in embryonated chicken eggs via the allantoic route were inoculated intranasally in ICR mice and Wistar rats. The histopathological changes and the localization of the CAR bacillus in the tracheas and lungs of these animals were investigated microscopically 2, 4 and 8 weeks postinoculation (PI). Histopathological changes similar to those in natural cases of CAR bacillus infection, showing severe peribronchial lymphoid cuffing, were first recognized 4 weeks PI. CAR bacillus was also found on the cilia of the respiratory epithelium. These histopathological changes were more remarkable in mice inoculated with CB-M and in rats inoculated with CB-R.

Detection of Sendai virus antibody in mouse and guinea pig sera by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with protein A

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using horseradish peroxidase (HRPO)-labeled protein A (P-ELISA) was established for detection of Sendai virus (SV) antibody in mouse and guinea pig sera. Sensitivity and specificity of P-ELISA were compared with those of ordinary ELISA using HRPO-labeled immunoglobulin G (IgG-ELISA) and the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. P-ELISA was 100 to 1,000 times more sensitive than the HI test for detection of the antibody in SV-naturally infected mice. P-ELISA and IgG-ELISA showed similar sensitivities for detection of the antibody in naturally infected mouse and guinea pig sera. A high specificity was demonstrated in P-ELISA with a cut-off optical density value of 0.2 (492 nm), while a non-specific reaction was observed when IgG-ELISA was used to both mouse and guinea pig sera at a low dilution (1:10-20). The antibody in rat sera was not detected by P-ELISA although it was realized by IgG-ELISA.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of serum antibody to CAR bacillus

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of CAR bacillus antibody in rat sera was developed by Ganaway et al., in 1985 although the ELISA method was not described in detail. We investigated antigen preparation and test procedures of the ELISA using two strains of CAR bacillus which we isolated from a mouse (CB-M) and a rat (CB-R). Allantoic fluids containing 2.4 X 10(8)/ml of CB-M and 2.0 X 10(8)/ml of CB-R were washed with sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS), resuspended in a 1/5 volume of sterile carbonate buffer (pH 9.8) and sonicated. Then 1/40 and 1/80 dilutions of CB-M and CB-R lysates in PBS, respectively, were used for antigen solutions of ELISA. Briefly, antibodies in sera are reacted with antigens coated on the surface of microtiter plates. The amount of horse radish peroxidase labeled protein-A or anti-rat IgG bound to the antigen-antibody complexes is measured on the spectro photometer at wave length of 492 nm. A total of 180 mouse and 205 rat sera were tested against both antigens. The optical density (OD) values of 140 mouse and 161 rat sera obtained from SPF mice and rats free from CAR bacillus infection were on the average 0.005 and 0.019, respectively. On the other hand, OD values of the sera collected from CB-M or CB-R infected animals ranged from 0.20 to 1.52. According to these results, the cut-off OD value for positive reaction was set at 0.1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Naturally occurring CAR bacillus infection in a laboratory rat colony and epizootiological observations

An epizootic of chronic respiratory disease was found in a rat colony. Lungs of the symptomatic rats showed histopathologically severe peribronchial lymphoid cuffing. Filamentous bacteria were detected on the border of the tracheal and bronchial epithelium by light and electron microscopy. These bacteria did not grown on artificial media but propagated in embryonated chicken eggs. The disease was thus diagnosed as cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus infection. Epizootiological observations of the natural and experimentally induced cases revealed that the disease was highly contagious, slowly progressive and intractable. Contact infection may play a major role in the transmission of this disease.

Inactivation of Bacillus piliformis spores by heat and certain chemical disinfectants

The inactivation of Tyzzer's organism (Bacillus piliformis) spore isolated from rats by heat and various chemical disinfectants was studied. The spores were from B. piliformis-infected rat liver tissues. The spore suspension (10(4) 50% of rat liver lesion producing dose with prednisolone treatment/ml) was treated with heart or disinfectants. Inactivation of the spores was examined in experimentally infected rats. Rats were inoculated perorally with a treated spore suspension and injected subcutaneously with prednisolone. On the sixth day after inoculation, rats were examined grossly for liver lesions. Spores were inactivated at 80 degrees C for 15 min but not at 60 degrees C for 30 min. Spores were inactivated by 0.4% peracetic acid, 0.015% sodium hypochrolite, 1% iodophol, 5% phenol. Alcide and 0.37% formaldehyde solution, but not by 0.037% formaldehyde solution, 70% ethanol, 0.3% benzethonium chloride solution, 3% cresol and soap solution, or 4% chlorhexidine digluconate. These findings suggest that B. piliformis spores are relatively sensitive to heat and certain chemical disinfectants.

Microbiological monitoring in inbred mouse foundation stocks in Japan

Microbiological monitoring on 128 inbred mouse foundation stocks consisted of common 10 inbred strains and inbred strains originated from outbred dd mice was performed by cooperation of 24 organizations. A total of 881 mice were divided into 647 conventional animals from 95 colonies and 234 barrier-sustained animals from 33 colonies. Three viral, one mycoplasmal, 6 bacterial, one fungal and 3 parasitic agents selected as monitoring microbes according to the proposed selection standards. Among conventional colonies, 84.2% were positive for at least one agent. The highest detection rate was 44.2% for S. obvelata, followed by P. pneumotropica and S. muris, P. aeruginosa, G. muris, Sendai virus, M. pulmonis, MHV and E. coli O115a, c: K (B). Of these agents, only one microbe, P. aeruginosa, was detected in barrier-sustained colonies (36.4%), thus the efficacy of barrier system for the microbiological quality control of the inbred mouse foundation stocks was actually demonstrated. The positive rates of MHV (6.3%) and Sendai v. (16.8%) were significantly low compared with those in experimental mouse colonies. Positivity for parasites was rather high and they were infested together with other pathogens in many cases. Thus parasites including G. muris, S. muris and S. obvelata were regarded as useful indicators to see microbiological contaminations in conventional mice. There observed no strain difference in susceptibility to pathogens except for C57BL/6 and AKR mice which seemed to be high antibody responders to MHV.

A serological survey on 15 murine pathogens in mice and rats

A serological survey for 15 murine pathogens was performed on 269 mouse sera collected from 21 conventional and 12 barrier colonies, and on 376 rat sera collected from 21 conventional and 23 barrier colonies. Animals having an antibody against at least one of the antigens were contained in 81.0% of conventional and 16.7% of barrier mouse colonies and also in 81.0% of conventional and 43.5% of barrier rat colonies. Main contaminants were mouse hepatitis virus and Sendai virus in mice, and Sendai virus and pneumonia virus of mice in rats. Results also indicated that antibodies to Toolan's H-1, minute virus of mice and PVM were positive in mice from a considerable number of colonies and those to Kilham rat virus, Mycoplasma pulmonis and Toolan's H-1 were sometimes detected in rats, suggesting prevalences of these pathogens in mice and rats in Japan.

[A comparison of two antigen strains of each of mouse hepatitis virus and mouse adenovirus for detection of complement fixation antibody in mouse and rat sera]

Detection rates of complement fixation antibodies in mice and rats were compared between two antigen strains of each of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and mouse adenovirus (MAV). Among 66 and 47 naturally infected MHV-positive sera of mice (18 facilities) and rats (16 facilities) respectively, 17 mouse and 21 rat sera reacted with both Nu-67 and MHV-2 strains, but 49 mouse and 25 rat sera were positive to Nu-67 strain alone. Only one rat serum reacted with MHV-2 strain alone. In comparison with K87 and FL strains of MAV, all 8 positive mouse sera (3 facilities) reacted with K87 strain alone whereas out of 53 positive rat sera (20 facilities), 43, 6 and 4 sera reacted with K87 strain alone, with FL strain alone and with both the two strains, respectively.

[An outbreak of Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection in a rat breeding stock and its successful control]

An outbreak of dermatophytosis by Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection was observed in a breeding stock of the Wistar-Imamichi rat. Typical cutaneous lesions such as alopecia and hyperkeratosis due to the fungus were observed in 10% and 44% of adult females, and males respectively. No infection was seen in infant, even in those fostered by infected females. By 3 repeated cultivations of the hair, T. mentagrophytes was isolated from 107 (90.7%) of 118 rats clinically diagnosed as dermatophytosis. In order to maintain the original stock, the usual wholesale slaughter program was avoided and the following control measures were taken. After sacrificing all rats with the cutaneous lesions, the breeding colony was transferred temporarily to a separate animal room. The resulting vacant room was then disinfected 3 times with 10% formalin, followed by spraying with 3% sodium propionate solution 3 month later. The progenies from the non-infected mothers were dipped into 3% sodium propionate solution and transferred back into the disinfected animal room for re-colonization. Frequent sterilization of all equipment with iodophor, balsam and formalin was carried out. The room sterilized monthly with iodophor and 70% alcohol. Daily observation of all rats and monthly screening by culture test was done thereafter. As a result, no infection has been detected 4 month after recolonization, except for the 3 rats which were sacrificed immediately after detection. On the basis of the culture test and clinical observation, no infection was observed in the treated rat colony for the next five following years. Therefore, the effectiveness of these procedures of the eradication of T. mentagrophytes infection from a rat colony was shown to be quite reliable.

Spontaneous teratoma in a Sprague-Dawley rat

An 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rat which had undergone no experimental treatment died from enlargement of the abdomen. At necropsy, a spherical mass measuring about 3 X 4cm in diameter was connected to the retroperitoneal region cross to the middorsal line of the body. The tumor was composed of skin, ganglion, striated and smooth muscle, cartilage, bone, pancreas, glands, lymph node, and fibrous and adipose tissue, and diagnosed as teratoma.

An epizootic form of Tyzzer's disease in a rat colony

An epizootic form of Tyzzer's disease was experienced in a rearing facility of laboratory rats with an infectivity and morbidity of 36 to 80% and 5 to 30%, respectively. With liver tissue from an affected rat, a spore-forming causative agent was successfully transmitted to other rats by oral inoculation in association with cortisone, producing 10(6) to 10(7) spores/g liver tissue.

Isolation of Campylobacter jejuni from experimental dogs and monkeys in Japan

Isolation of Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) from experimental dogs and monkeys was undertaken. C. jejuni was detected from 14.7% of the fecal samples obtained from beagles in a production colony, whereas 32% of newly imported beagles harbored the organisms. C. jejuni was isolated from 25% of the young and 3.9% of adult dogs in an animal center. The organisms were isolated from newly imported cynomolgus and rhesus monkeys at high frequencies (49.2% and 38.8%, respectively). Almost all of the strains isolated were highly sensitive to erythromycin, chloramphenicol and gentamicin.