Interleukin 11 is upregulated in uterine lavage and endometrial cancer cells in women with endometrial carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Interleukin (IL) 11 is produced by human endometrium and endometrial cancer tissue. It has roles in endometrial epithelial cell adhesion and trophoblast cell invasion, two important processes in cancer progression. This study aimed to determine the levels of IL11 in uterine lavage fluid in women with endometrial cancer and postmenopausal women. It further aimed to determine the levels of IL11 protein and its signaling molecules in human endometrial cancer of varying grades, and endometrium from postmenopausal women and IL11 signalling mechanisms in endometrial cancer cell lines.

METHODS

IL11 levels in uterine lavage were measured by ELISA. IL11, IL11 receptor(R) alpha, phosphorylated (p) STAT3 and SOCS3 were examined by immunohistochemistry in endometrial carcinomas and in control endometrium from postmenopausal women and normal cycling women. The effect of IL11 on pSTAT3/STAT3 and SOCS3 protein abundance in endometrial cancer cell lines and non-cancer endometrial epithelial cells was determined by Western blot.

RESULTS

IL11 was present in uterine flushings and was significantly higher in women with Grade 1 carcinomas compared to postmenopausal women (p < 0.05). IL11 immunostaining was significantly elevated in the endometrial tumour epithelial cells from Grade 1 and 3 compared to endometrial epithelium from postmenopausal and cycling women. IL11R alpha immunostaining intensity was increased in cancer epithelium in the Grades 1 and 2 tumours compared to epithelium from postmenopausal women. Both IL11 and IL11R alpha localized to vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells while IL11 also localized to subsets of leucocytes in the cancer tissues. pSTAT3 was found in both the tumour epithelial and stromal compartments but was maximal in the tumour epithelial cells, while SOCS3 was predominantly found in the tumour epithelial cells. pSTAT3 staining intensity was significantly higher in Grade 1 and 2 tumour epithelial cells compared to epithelial cells from cycling and postmenopausal women. SOCS3 staining intensity did not differ between between each tumour and postmenopausal endometrial epithelium but SOCS3 in cycling endometrium was significantly higher compared to postmenopausal and Tumour Grades 2 and 3. IL11 increased pSTAT3/STAT3 in all tumour cell lines, while SOCS3 abundance was increased only in one tumour cell line.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that IL11 in uterine washings may be useful as a diagnostic marker for early stage endometrial cancer. It indicates that IL11, along with its specific receptor, IL11R alpha, and downstream signalling molecules, STAT3 and SOCS3, are likely to play a role in the progression of endometrial carcinoma. The precise role of IL11 in endometrial cancer remains to be elucidated.

Detection of Minchinia occulta in samples of pearl oysters Pinctada maxima infected by Haplosporidium hinei

OBJECTIVE

To determine if juvenile pearl oysters (Pinctada maxima) infected with Haplosporidium hinei are also infected with another haplosporidian parasite, Minchinia occulta.

DESIGN

Archived samples of pearl oysters infected with H. hinei were examined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and in situ hybridisation (ISH) to analyse and identify haplosporidians. A 144-bp and 220-bp region of Minchinia DNA were targeted by PCR and amplified DNA from formalin-fixed H. hinei-infected pearl oyster samples was sequenced. A 25-bp oligonucleotide probe targeting a variable section of the parasite's small subunit rRNA gene was used in ISH.

RESULTS

The results of DNA-based diagnostic assays supported each other. The sequences obtained by PCR were found to be almost identical to M. occulta from rock oysters and the ISH assay demonstrated infection with M. occulta in affected pearl oysters. ISH indicated a prevalence of infection of 26.7% in one of the previous outbreaks.

CONCLUSION

Pearl oyster spat are susceptible to infection by a Minchinia parasite, most likely M. occulta, which was recently identified in rock oysters within the pearl-producing zones of Western Australia and is associated with mortalities of up to 80% in this species. The occurrence of haplosporidian co-infections in pearl oysters suggests the immunocompetence of juvenile oysters may be an important factor in preventing infection and therefore preventing mortalities such as those occurring in the recent outbreaks of pearl oyster oedema disease.

Expression of nodal signalling components in cycling human endometrium and in endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

The human endometrium is unique in its capacity to remodel constantly throughout adult reproductive life. Although the processes of tissue damage and breakdown in the endometrium have been well studied, little is known of how endometrial regeneration is achieved after menstruation. Nodal, a member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, regulates the processes of pattern formation and differentiation that occur during early embryo development.

METHODS

In this study, the expression of Nodal, Cripto (co-receptor) and Lefty A (antagonist) was examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry across the menstrual cycle and in endometrial carcinomas.

RESULTS

Nodal and Cripto were found to be expressed at high levels in both stromal and epithelial cells during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Although immunoreactivity for both proteins in surface and glandular epithelium was maintained at relatively steady-state levels across the cycle, their expression was significantly decreased within the stromal compartment by the mid-secretory phase. Lefty expression, as has previously been reported, was primarily restricted to glandular epithelium and surrounding stroma during the late secretory and menstrual phases. In line with recent studies that have shown that Nodal pathway activity is upregulated in many human cancers, we found that Nodal and Cripto immunoreactivity increased dramatically in the transition from histologic Grade 1 to histologic Grades 2 and 3 endometrial carcinomas. Strikingly, Lefty expression was low or absent in all cancer tissues.

CONCLUSION

The expression of Nodal in normal and malignant endometrial cells that lack Lefty strongly supports an important role for this embryonic morphogen in the tissue remodelling events that occur across the menstrual cycle and in tumourogenesis.

Proteomic characterization of midproliferative and midsecretory human endometrium

This study aimed to identify proteins differentially expressed in the human endometrium between the proliferative and secretory phases of normal menstrual cycles by 2D differential in-gel electrophoresis (DIGE). A total of 196 out of 1017 spots were differentially expressed (p < 0.05). Mass spectrometry identified 76 proteins representing 41 different gene products. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the observed changes in 3 representative proteins (Rho-GDIalpha, CLIC1, PGRMC1). Biological pathway analysis identified the Jnk and EGF signaling pathways as key regulators of protein expression in the midsecretory phase of endometrial proteome.

Extra-ovarian expression and activity of growth differentiation factor 9

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) produced within the ovary plays an essential role during follicle maturation through actions on granulosa cells, but extra-ovarian expression, signalling and actions of GDF9 are less well characterised. The present studies confirm GDF9 expression in the mouse testis, pituitary gland and adrenocortical cancer (AC) cells, and establish its expression in L beta T2 gonadotrophs, and in mouse adrenal glands, particularly foetal and neonatal cortical cells. AC, L beta T2, TM3 Leydig and TM4 Sertoli cells express the requisite GDF9 binding signalling components, particularly activin receptor-like kinase (ALK) 5 and the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/GDF type II receptor, BMPRII (BMPR2). We therefore compared GDF9 activation of these potential extra-ovarian target cell types with its activation of granulosa cells. Recombinant mouse GDF9 stimulated expression of activin/transforming growth factor-beta-responsive reporters, pGRAS-luc or pAR3-lux, in TM4 and AC cells (IC50=145 ng/ml in the latter case), and two granulosa cell lines, KGN and COV434. The ALK4/5/7 inhibitor, SB431542, blocked GDF9 activity in each case. By contrast, GDF9 lacked specific effects on TM3 cells and rat primary pituitary and mouse L beta T2 gonadotrophs. Our findings show that GDF9 regulates the expression of R-SMAD2/3-responsive reporter genes through ALK4, 5 or 7 in extra-ovarian (adrenocortical and Sertoli) cells with similar potency and signalling pathway to its actions on granulosa cells, but suggest that expression of BMPRII, ALK5 (TGFBR1) and R-SMADs 2 and 3 may not be sufficient for a cell to respond to GDF9.

Remission of histiocytic ulcerative colitis in Boxer dogs correlates with eradication of invasive intramucosal Escherichia coli

BACKGROUND

Historically, histiocytic ulcerative (HUC) (or granulomatous) colitis of Boxer dogs was considered an idiopathic immune-mediated disease with a poor prognosis. Recent reports of dramatic responses to enrofloxacin and the discovery of invasive Escherichia coli within the colonic mucosa of affected Boxer dogs support an infectious etiology.

HYPOTHESIS

Invasive E. coli is associated with colonic inflammation in Boxer dogs with HUC, and eradication of intramucosal E. coli correlates with clinical and histologic remission.

ANIMALS

Seven Boxer dogs with HUC.

METHODS

Prospective case series. Colonic biopsies were obtained at initial evaluation in 7 dogs, and in 5 dogs after treatment with enrofloxacin. Biopsies were evaluated by standardized histopathology, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes to eubacteria and E. coli.

RESULTS

Intramucosal E. coli was present in colonic biopsies of 7/7 Boxers with HUC. Clinical response was noted in all dogs within 2 weeks of enrofloxacin (7 + or - 3.06 mg/kg q24 h, for 9.5 + or - 3.98 weeks) and was sustained in 6 dogs (median disease-free interval to date of 47 months, range 17-62). FISH was negative for E. coli in 4/5 dogs after enrofloxacin. E. coli resistant to enrofloxacin were present in the FISH-positive dog that relapsed.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The correlation between clinical remission and the eradication of mucosally invasive E. coli during treatment with enrofloxacin supports the causal involvement of E. coli in the development of HUC in susceptible Boxer dogs. A poor response to enrofloxacin treatment might be due to colonization with enrofloxacin-resistant E. coli.

Growth differentiation factor 9 is a germ cell regulator of Sertoli cell function

Oocyte-secreted growth differentiation factor (GDF) 9 and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 15 are critical regulatory factors in female reproduction. Together, they promote granulosa cell proliferation and stimulate the maturation of preovulatory follicles. Despite their importance in female fertility, GDF9 and BMP15 expression patterns and function during spermatogenesis have not been investigated. In this study we show that the expression and stage-specific localization of both factors are limited to the germ cells of the rat seminiferous epithelium, with GDF9 being principally localized in round spermatids and BMP15 in gonocytes and pachytene spermatocytes. To identify potential cellular targets for GDF9 actions, cells of the seminiferous tubule were isolated and screened for the expression of signaling receptors [activin-like kinase (ALK) 5, ALK6, and BMP receptor, type II)]. Individual receptor types were expressed throughout the seminiferous epithelium, but coexpression of ALK5 and BMP receptor, type II was limited to Sertoli cells and round spermatids. Based on the reproductive actions of related TGFbeta ligands in the ovary and testis, GDF9 was assessed for its ability to regulate tight junction function and inhibin B production in rat Sertoli cell cultures. When recombinant mouse GDF9 was added to immature Sertoli cell cultures, it inhibited membrane localization of the junctional proteins claudin-11, occludin, and zonula occludens-1, thereby disrupting tight junction integrity. Concomitantly, GDF9 up-regulated inhibin subunit expression and significantly stimulated dimeric inhibin B protein production. Together, these results demonstrate that GDF9 and BMP15 are germ cell-specific factors in the rat testis, and that GDF9 can modulate key Sertoli cell functions.

Acute necrotising pulmonary vasculitis and pulmonary hypertension in a juvenile dog

A five-month-old female Jack Russell terrier was presented for investigation of acute lethargy, anorexia, coughing, respiratory distress and weakness. Examination findings included cyanosis, a grade 3 of 6 systolic heart murmur and prolonged capillary refill time. Radiography and echocardiography revealed severe pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale and right-sided heart failure. Indirect measurement of the systolic pulmonary artery pressure estimated pressures over 100 mmHg. Despite treatment the patient died. Post-mortem examination did not identify a congenital cardiovascular anomaly. Histopathology confirmed acute necrotising pulmonary arteritis and immunohistochemistry failed to identify any immune complex or complement deposition.

Cutaneous papillomatosis and carcinomatosis in the Western barred bandicoot (Perameles bougainville)

A progressive wart-like syndrome in both captive and wild populations of the Western barred bandicoot (WBB) is hindering conservation efforts to prevent the extinction of this endangered marsupial. In this study, 42 WBBs exhibiting the papillomatosis and carcinomatosis syndrome were examined. The disease was characterized by multicentric proliferative lesions involving cutaneous and mucosal surfaces, which were seen clinically to increase in size with time. Grossly and histologically the smaller skin lesions resembled papillomas, whereas the larger lesions were most commonly observed to be squamous cell carcinomas. Large amphophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed in hyperplastic conjunctival lesions of 8 WBBs under light microscopy. Conjunctival lesions from 2 WBBs examined using transmission electron microscopy contained a crystalline array of spherical electron-dense particles of 45-nm diameter, within the nucleus of conjunctival epithelial cells, consistent with a papillomavirus or polyomavirus. Conjunctival samples from 3 bandicoots that contained intranuclear inclusion bodies also demonstrated a positive immunohistochemical reaction after indirect immunohistochemistry for papillomavirus structural antigens. Ultrastructural and/or immunohistochemical evidence of an etiologic agent was not identified in the nonconjunctival lesions examined. Here we describe the gross, histopathologic, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical findings of a papillomatosis and carcinomatosis syndrome recently identified in the WBB.

Gall bladder torsion and rupture in a dog

A 6-year-old desexed female German Shepherd dog was referred to the Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital for assessment and management of acute onset vomiting, diarrhoea, polydipsia and lethargy of 2 days duration. Surgical, microbiological and histological findings were consistent with necrotising cholecystitis secondary to gall bladder torsion, resulting in gall bladder rupture and secondary non-septic bile peritonitis. A chronic peritoneopleural perforation resulting from an abdominal cavity foreign body and congenital peritoneopericardial hernia were also present. The dog made a full recovery following cholecystectomy, foreign body removal, repair of the peritoneopleural perforation and peritoneopericardial herniorrhaphy. This is the first recorded case of gall bladder torsion in the dog.

Klossiella quimrensis (Apicomplexa: Klossiellidae) causes renal coccidiosis in western barred bandicoots Perameles bougainville (Marsupialia: Peramelidae) in Western Australia

Previous studies have described a range of Klossiella species parasitic in marsupial hosts. Klossiella quimrensis is the etiologic agent of renal coccidiosis in the peramelid marsupial hosts Isoodon obesulus and Perameles gunnii in Eastern Australia, but there is no previous report of klossiellosis in Western Australian peramelids. This study describes klossiellosis diagnosed by histology of renal tissue sections collected during necropsy of 20 Perameles bougainville between 2000 and 2005. Sporonts, sporoblasts, and macrogametes were identified within parasitophorous vacuoles of epithelial cells located near the renal corticomedullary junction. The prevalence of renal coccidiosis in P. bougainville diagnosed by renal histology is estimated at 30%. Only a single unsporulated sporocyst was detected by examination of cystocentesis-collected urine, indicating that microscopic evaluation of urine samples is an insensitive diagnostic test for detection of K. quimrensis in P. bougainville. This infection in P. bougainville is indirectly associated with mild multifocal interstitial lymphohistiocytic nephritis and is likely to be only minimally pathogenic in otherwise healthy individuals. Our study also extends the host and geographic range of K. quimrensis to include P. bougainville and Western Australia.

A new eimeria species parasitic in western barred bandicoots, Perameles bougainville (Marsupialia: Peramelidae), in western Australia

Feces from western barred bandicoots, Perameles bougainville, examined during routine monitoring of captive breeding colonies and wild populations were frequently found to contain oocysts. Fecal oocysts from 1 individual housed at Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre were allowed to sporulate in 2% potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) at room temperature. Sporulated oocysts are subspheroidal 18.8 X 17.9 (16.9-21.0 x 16.0-19.9) microm, with length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.05 (1.00-1.15), lack a micropyle and oocyst residuum, but they usually have a polar granule within a smooth trilaminate oocyst wall 1.0 (0.7-1.3) microm thick. Sporocysts are ovoid, 9.1 x 7.0 (8.1-10.8 x 6.1-8.6) microm, with L/W ratio of 1.32 (1.04-1.51), have a Stieda body, sporocyst residuum, and 2 comma-shaped sporozoites, each containing 2 spheroidal refractile bodies. Sporulation takes 2-5 days at room temperature. This is the first formal description of an Eimeria species parasitic in the order Peramelemorphia.

Paraspiralatus sakeri n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Spiruroidea, Spirocercidae) from saker falcons, Falco cherrug in Saudi Arabia and the first report of larvae from the subcutaneous tissues of houbara bustards, Chlamydotis undulata macqueeni in Pakistan

A new nematode genus and species, Paraspiralatus sakeri , is described from the stomach of a wild-caught, female saker falcon in Saudi Arabia. This spirurid differs from the nearest genus and species Spiralatus baeri Chabaud, Brygoo & Durette, 1963 in the shape of the pseudolabia, shape of the buccal capsule and absence of a large cephalic vesicle. In addition, third stage spirurid larvae were recovered for the first time from subcutaneous tissues of two houbara bustards. These had died in the Rahim Yar Khan Rehabilitation Center (Houbara Foundation International, Lahore, Pakistan) in Pakistan and were examined at the National Avian Research Center in the United Arab Emirates. The morphology of the larvae and host pathology are described. Comparative studies with the adult spirurids from the saker falcon showed each to have similar cephalic and pharyngeal morphological features to the adults described indicating they are probably the same species. Spirurid nematodes of the suborder Spirurina normally have an arthropod intermediate host. In view of the host, the site from which the larvae were recovered and the fact that this is a rare occurrence, the houbara bustard is considered to be a paratenic host.

Use of trilostane for the treatment of pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism in a cat

Hyperadrenocorticism occurs much less frequently in cats than in dogs and, at present, is more difficult to manage successfully. This report documents the use of the steroid synthesis inhibitor trilostane for the treatment of hyperadrenocorticism in a domestic shorthaired cat with pituitary-dependent disease. Although trilostane was able to alleviate the severity of the clinical signs and was well tolerated, the cat subsequently died of renal failure secondary to a fungal infection of the urinary tract.

Absence of canine oral papillomavirus DNA following prophylactic L1 particle-mediated immunotherapeutic delivery vaccination

In the canine oral papillomavirus (COPV) model, following wart regression, COPV DNA was detected by PCR at the challenge site. However, following particle-mediated immunotherapeutic delivery (PMID) of COPV L1 and subsequent challenge, no COPV DNA could be detected. These data support PMID of COPV L1 as a protective vaccine and suggest that PMID of L1 may induce virus clearance.

Detection of Viral DNA and E4 Protein in Basal Keratinocytes of Experimental Canine Oral Papillomavirus Lesions

We studied experimental canine oral papillomavirus (COPV) infection by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry of weekly biopsies. After 4 weeks, viral DNA in rete ridges suggested a keratinocyte stem cell target. Abundant viral DNA was seen in E4-positive cells only. E4 was predominantly cytoplasmic but also nuclear, being concentrated in the nucleoli during wart formation. Infected cells spread laterally along the basal layer and into the parabasal layers, accompanied by E7 transcription and increased mitoses. Most of the lower epithelium was positive for viral DNA, but, in mature warts, higher levels of E4 expression and genome amplification occurred in only sporadic superficial cells. L1 expression was late and in only a subset of E4-positive cells. During regression, viral DNA was less abundant in deep epithelial layers, suggesting downregulation of replication prior to replacement of infected cells from beneath. Detection of viral DNA in post-regression tissue indicated latent infection.

Regression of canine oral papillomas is associated with infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes

Canine oral papillomavirus (COPV) infection is used in vaccine development against mucosal papillomaviruses. The predictable, spontaneous regression of the papillomas makes this an attractive system for analysis of cellular immunity. Immunohistochemical analysis of the timing and phenotype of immune cell infiltration revealed a marked influx of leukocytes during wart regression, including abundant CD4+ and CD8+ cells, with CD4+ cells being most numerous. Comparison of these findings, and those of immunohistochemistry using TCRalphabeta-, TCRgammadelta-, CD1a-, CD1c-, CD11a-, CD11b-, CD11c-, CD18-, CD21-, and CD49d-specific monoclonal antibodies, with previously published work in the human, ox, and rabbit models revealed important differences between these systems. Unlike bovine papillomavirus lesions, those of COPV do not have a significant gamma/delta T-cell infiltrate. Furthermore, COPV lesions had numerous CD4+ cells, unlike cottontail rabbit papillomavirus lesions. The lymphocyte infiltrate in the dog resembled that in human papillomavirus lesions, indicating that COPV is an appropriate model for human papillomavirus immunity.

Intra-epithelial vaccination with COPV L1 DNA by particle-mediated DNA delivery protects against mucosal challenge with infectious COPV in beagle dogs

Protection against viral challenge with canine oral papillomavirus (COPV) was achieved by immunisation via particle-mediated DNA delivery (PMDD) of a plasmid encoding the COPV L1 gene to cutaneous and oral mucosal sites in beagle dogs. The initial dose of approximately 9 microg of DNA was followed by two booster doses at 6 week intervals. A similar approach was used to vaccinate a control group of animals with plasmid DNA encoding the Hepatitis B virus S gene. Following challenge at the oral mucosa with COPV all animals vaccinated with the COPV L1 gene were protected against disease. However five of six animals in the control group developed COPV induced papillomas at the oral mucosa. Both cell-mediated lymphoproliferative and humoral antibody responses to the DNA vaccine were observed. Our data indicate that PMDD of plasmid DNA can protect against mucosal challenge with papillomavirus.

The immunology of animal papillomaviruses

Papillomaviruses are species- and tissue-specific double-stranded DNA viruses. These viruses cause epithelial tumours in many animals, including man. Typically, the benign warts undergo spontaneous, immune-mediated regression, most likely effected by T-cells (especially CD4, but also CD8 subsets), whereas humoral immunity can prevent new infections. Some papillomavirus infections fail to regress spontaneously and others progress to malignant epithelial tumours. Additionally, the impact of these lesions is greater in immunosuppressed individuals. Many therapies are ineffective, and there is much interest in the potential for immunological intervention in papillomavirus infections of man and animals. Vaccination can be achieved with 'live' virus, formalin-inactivated virus, synthetic virus-like particles, and DNA vaccination. There has been much recent progress in the development of such vaccines for papillomavirus infections in the rabbit, ox and dog. Success in these animal models suggests that similar approaches may prove useful for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against the important human papillomaviruses involved in the development of cutaneous and anogenital warts, laryngeal papillomatosis, and cervical cancer.

Naturally occurring, nonregressing canine oral papillomavirus infection: host immunity, virus characterization, and experimental infection

Papillomaviruses occasionally cause severe, nonregressing or recurrent infections in their human and animal hosts. The mechanisms underlying these atypical infections are not known. Canine oral papillomavirus (COPV) typically regresses spontaneously and is an important model of mucosal human papillomavirus infections. A severe, naturally occurring, nonregressing COPV infection provided an opportunity to investigate some aspects of viral pathogenicity and host immunity. In this case, the papillomas proved refractory to surgical and medical treatments, including autogenous vaccination and vaccination with capsid (L1) virus-like particles. High levels of induced anti-L1 antibodies appeared to have no effect on the infection. The papillomas spread to oesophageal mucosa, perioral haired skin, and remote cutaneous sites. Isolation of COPV from the animal and sequencing of several regions of the viral genome showed no differences to the COPV prototype. Experimental infection of beagle dogs with this viral isolate resulted in the uncomplicated development and regression of oral warts within the usual period, indicating that the virus was not an unusual pathogenic variant. These findings support the hypothesis that the recurrent lesions seen in some human papillomavirus infections, such as recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis, are associated with specific defects in host immunity rather than variations in viral pathogenicity.

Avian paramyxovirus type 1 infection in houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii): clinical and pathologic findings

Clinical and pathologic findings of avian paramyxovirus type 1 (PMV-1) in 19 houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii) imported from Pakistan into the United Arab Emirates and one captive-bred bird are reported. Clinical signs included circling, walking backward, ataxia, opisthotonos, torticollis, recumbency, head tilt, head shaking, head tremor, tucking of head under keel, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, and diarrhea. The length of time imported birds exhibited clinical signs varied from 4 days to 18 mo after importation. Hemagglutinating antibodies against PMV-1 were detected in the sera of all 17 birds from which blood samples were collected, and PMV-1 was isolated from pooled brain, spleen, and lung tissues from two birds with acute clinical signs. There were no distinctive gross lesions at necropsy, and histologic findings were consistent with but not pathognomonic for PMV-1. All houbara bustards managed in a captive breeding and restoration program established by the National Avian Research Center have been vaccinated against PMV-1 since October 1992, and no case of PMV-1 has been reported in this collection since that time.

Fatty liver syndrome in captive bustards: Clinical, pathological and epidemiological findings

Clinical, pathological, and epidemiological findings are presented on fatty liver syndrome mainly in houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii), but also in some other bustard species. Of 72 houbara bustards, 34 (47%) had fatty liver diagnosed post-mortem. Males and females were equally susceptible, and both adults and juvenile birds were affected. Bustards with fatty liver had significantly greater abdominal fat reserves than unaffected birds. Other predisposing factors included poor husbandry, translocation between aviaries, handling and capture paresis.