Retrospective cohort study of changes in hip joint phenotype of dogs in the United States

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether there had been a significant improvement in hip joint phenotype of dogs in the United States by comparing results of evaluations done by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals of dogs born between 1972 and 1980 with those of dogs born between 1989 and 1992 and determining whether there had been an increase in the percentage of dogs classified as having excellent hip joint phenotype.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SAMPLE POPULATION

270,978 evaluations.

PROCEDURE

Numbers and percentages of dogs classified as having excellent hip joint phenotype during each period and change between periods in percentages of dogs classified as having excellent hip joint phenotype were calculated.

RESULTS

Percentage of dogs born between 1989 and 1992 that were classified as having excellent hip joint phenotype (15,289/143,668; 10.64%) was significantly higher than percentage of dogs born between 1972 and 1980 that were classified as having excellent hip joint phenotype (9,960/127,310; 7.82%). The increase in percentage of dogs classified as having excellent hip joint phenotype was significantly higher for male (51%) than for female (27%) dogs.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Results suggest that there has been an improvement in the hip joint phenotype of dogs in the United States between the 1970s and early 1990s and that the improvement has been greater among male than among female dogs.

The inheritance of osteochondritis dissecans and fragmented coronoid process of the elbow joint in labrador retrievers

Five matings between dogs bilaterally affected with osteochondritis dissecans and fragmented coronoid processes resulted in a distribution of lesions in the elbows of the offspring that indicated the diseases were inherited independently as polygenic traits.

Inheritance of histiocytosis in Bernese mountain dogs

One hundred and twenty-seven cases of histiocytosis in Bernese mountain dogs (BMD) were evaluated to determine if the tumour is inherited. Family data ruled out autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant and sex-linked modes of inheritance. The trait was determined to be inherited with a polygenic mode of inheritance. The salient points permitting this conclusion are: pedigrees developed from independently selected propositi link up allowing the tracing of all cases through several generations; multiple cases occur in the same litter; multiple cases have been produced by given dams and sires; there is a higher frequency of the disease among offspring of affected parents when compared to offspring of normal parents that produced histiocytosis and all offspring in the general population of BMDs; the fact that histiocytosis is common in BMDs and rare in eight other breeds and accounts for 25.4 per cent of the 500 tumours studied in this breed. The heritability of this trait was calculated to be 0.298.

Studies of adenine nucleotide biochemistry in the Chediak-Higashi syndrome

The Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is an inherited disorder of humans and of several animal species, characterized by partial albinism, pseudohemophilia, increased susceptibility to disease, and large inclusions in all granule-forming cells. In this study, various parameters of adenine nucleotide biochemistry were examined in beige mouse kidney tissue and in peripheral blood leukocytes from CHS mink. There were no differences in the total protein content, total ATPase activity or the magnesium (Mg2+) ATPase or the sodium-potassium (Na(+)-K+) ATPase activities, the concentrations of ATP, ADP, and AMP, or the adenylate energy charge (AEC) in kidney extracts from beige and normal mice. In studies of leukocytes, there were no differences in the concentrations of ATP, ADP, AMP, and cAMP or the AECs in total leukocyte preparations and in extracts from granulocytes or nongranulocytes. These results can be explained by any one of several hypotheses: no storage pool of adenine nucleotides exists in the tissues examined; or the alleged storage pool is not affected by CHS; or the quantity of nucleotides in the alleged storage pool is too minute to be evaluated by current techniques; or the CHS defect might cause a shift from the storage pool to the metabolic pool.

Platelet aggregation and dense granule secretion in a colony of dogs with spontaneous hypertension

AIM

Since canine hereditary essential hypertension has been previously reported in a colony of Siberian husky dogs, we tested the suitability of this model for use in studies on the platelet defect identified in humans with essential hypertension.

METHODS

Platelet aggregation and dense granule ATP secretion were measured in dogs with essential hypertension and normotensive control dogs.

RESULTS

The platelets from the hypertensive group showed significantly increased aggregation and secretion in response to stimulation with ADP. There was no significant increase in aggregation or secretion when platelets from hypertensive dogs were stimulated by platelet-activating factor, thrombin, calcium ionophore A23187 or phorbol myristate acetate.

CONCLUSION

The increased aggregation and secretion responses in platelets from the hypertensive dogs suggest that a defect similar to that reported in humans with essential hypertension exists and that further investigation is warranted.

Cellular basis of decreased rate of longitudinal growth of bone in pseudoachondroplastic dogs

Regulation of growth of long bones occurs in cartilage growth plates, where proliferation of chondrocytes, matrix synthesis, and an increase in vertical height in the direction of growth all contribute to the final length of a bone. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that an increase in chondrocytic vertical height is a major variable that accounts for the decreased rate of growth of long bones in Scottish deerhound dogs that had pseudoachondroplasia. The diagnosis of pseudoachondroplasia is based, primarily, on the demonstration of alternating electron-dense and electron-lucent lamellae with a periodicity of 100 to 150 nanometers in dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum. These ultrastructural changes are similar to those seen in humans who have pseudoachondroplasia. In Scottish deerhounds that have the disease, growth of bone is approximately 65 per cent of that in normal animals. There were striking differences in the diameters of proliferating and hypertrophic chondrocytes in pseudoachondroplastic animals compared with normal animals. Specifically, the horizontal diameter of proliferating chondrocytes was 22.7 micrometers in normal animals and 11.3 micrometers in pseudoachondroplastic animals. The vertical diameter of proliferating chondrocytes was 4.8 and 7.6 micrometers in normal and pseudoachondroplastic animals. In the distal 100 micrometers of the hypertrophic zone, the mean horizontal diameter of hypertrophic chondrocytes was 29.6 and 19.1 micrometers and the mean vertical diameter was 22.8 and 18.6 micrometers in normal and pseudoachondroplastic animals. All these differences were statistically significant. The changes in vertical height resulted in a significant difference in the incremental difference in vertical height between chondrocytes from the proliferative and hypertrophic zones in normal animals (18.0 micrometers per chondrocyte) and pseudoachondroplastic animals (11.0 micrometers per chondrocyte). Each chondrocyte in the abnormal plates achieved only 61 per cent of the incremental difference of chondrocytes in normal plates. The mean cellular volume of chondrocytes in the hypertrophic zone was 13,050 cubic micrometers in the normal animals and 10,740 cubic micrometers in the pseudoachondroplastic animals. This difference was not statistically significant. These results are discussed in relation to current theories of the role of the shape and change in volume of chondrocytes in the regulation of longitudinal growth of bone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Mink as a predictive model in toxicology

This paper reviewed the biomedical and toxicological database concerning the use of mink as a predictive model of human responses. It is concluded that substantial information exists on the mink genetics, physiology, metabolism, nutritional requirements, and susceptibility to infectious disease; and provides a foundation upon which interspecies extrapolation may be considered. In addition, information on the response of mink to several dozen toxic substances revealed that mink respond in a qualitatively and quantitatively similar manner to other more commonly employed species as well as humans. Our conclusion does not infer that mink should be used routinely in toxicological testing for estimation of human responses. However, it indicates that toxicological data from this species may be a useful complement in risk assessment processes based upon data obtained from traditionally employed models such as rats and dogs.

Clinical, radiographic, pathologic, and genetic features of osteochondrodysplasia in Scottish deerhounds

Clinical, radiographic, pathologic, and genetic features of a form of osteochondrodysplasia in 5 related Scottish Deerhound pups from 2 litters were evaluated. All pups appeared to be phenotypically normal at birth. At approximately 4 or 5 weeks, exercise intolerance and retarded growth were observed. Kyphosis, limb deformities, and joint laxity gradually developed. Radiography of the affected pups revealed skeletal changes characterized by abnormalities in long bones and vertebrae, with involvement of epiphyses, growth plates, and metaphyses. Short long bones and vertebrae and irregular and delayed epiphyseal ossification were most noticeable in younger pups; in older pups, bony deformities became more prominent. In skeletally mature dogs, osteopenia and severe deformities were seen. The histologic changes of the growth plate were compatible with a diagnosis of chondrodysplasia. Growth plate chondrocytes contained periodic acid Schiff-positive, diastase-resistant cytoplasmic inclusions. A single autosomal recessive mode of inheritance was suspected.

Lesions in Brangus cattle with Chediak-Higashi syndrome

Hair, peripheral blood leukocytes, and other tissues from two related Brangus calves with phenotypic characteristics of Chediak-Higashi syndrome were examined by light and electron microscopy. Enlarged, pleomorphic, cytoplasmic granules, morphologically compatible with lysosomes, were seen in several neutrophils, many eosinophils, renal tubular epithelial cells, and Kupffer cells. Hair shafts of the calves showed irregular distribution and clumping of melanin granules. Severe infection and a possible hemorrhagic tendency were recognized. These Brangus calves represent the third breed of cattle affected with this genetic disease.

Primary hypertension in a colony of dogs

A 5-year-old female Siberian husky that was diagnosed as an essential hypertensive was bred several times over a 5-year period, producing a colony of 39 offspring. Thirty of the 39 animals were subjected to biweekly systemic arterial blood pressure determinations with femoral arterial puncture and were placed into two hypertensive and two normotensive groups based on mean blood pressure: Group 1 (mean blood pressure, 128 +/- 12 mm Hg), Group 2 (mean blood pressure, 121 +/- 3 mm Hg), Group 3 (mean blood pressure, 114 +/- 8 mm Hg), and Group 4 (mean blood pressure, 101 +/- 9 mm Hg). Groups 1, 2, and 3 had mean blood pressures significantly higher than that of Group 4 (p less than 0.05). Ten dogs (representatives from Groups 1, 2, and 3) were subjected to more detailed clinical testing including angiography, echocardiography, ophthalmic examination, plasma catecholamine and renin activity measurements, plasma lead and cadmium determinations, cerebrospinal fluid examination, renal profile, and serum chemistry and hematological analysis. Five unrelated normotensive Siberian huskies were compared with colony dogs by using echocardiography. Groups 1 and 2 showed a clear but statistically insignificant upward trend in left ventricular wall thickness indexed against body weights when compared with that in Group 3 and in the unrelated five normal Siberian dogs. Thus, the only specific difference from group to group in the colony at the termination of this study was the difference in mean blood pressure. Based on these data, it is possible and likely that aging will reveal changes secondary to chronic primary hypertension. The pathogenesis of this hereditary disorder remains unknown.

Canine essential hypertension: probable mode of inheritance

Essential hypertension (EH) in dogs is a relatively recently reported phenomenon. In this colony the canine disorder follows family lines and has a probable polygenic mode of inheritance, although the specific mode of inheritance has not been defined since an autosomal dominant trait has not clearly been ruled out. Direct intra-arterial femoral punctures are used to monitor blood pressure elevations, which tend to increase with advancing age. As in man, there are dogs with blood pressures intermediate between affected and normal dogs.

The mode of inheritance of craniomandibular osteopathy in West Highland White terrier dogs

Craniomandibular osteopathy is a disease of several breeds of dogs, principally West Highland White and Scottish terriers. It is characterized by a non-neoplastic proliferation of bone on the ramus of the mandible and/or the tympanic bulla. The disease in various respects resembles Paget's disease and infantile cortical hyperostosis of humans. A retrospective pedigree analysis of a kindred of West Highland White terriers was performed to determine if the trait was inherited and to determine mode of inheritance. This study indicated that in West Highland White terriers, the condition is an autosomal recessive trait.

Transplantation of pancreatic islets in dogs

Dispersed pancreatic islet tissue, prepared by collagenase digestion without separation of exocrine and endocrine components, was transplanted into the splenic pulp of 12 dogs made diabetic by total pancreatectomy. Four dogs (group 1) were given autotransplants, and all became euglycemic 4.5 +/- 1.5 days (mean +/- SE) after the transplantation was done. Three of these dogs remained euglycemic until splenectomized 60 days after transplantation was done. Four dogs (group 2) given allogeneic transplants from histocompatible littermates within the same group were administered cyclosporine (40 mg/kg of body weight/day; starting 2 days before transplantation was done until dogs were splenectomized), and 3 of these dogs became euglycemic 8.0 +/- 2.0 days after the transplant was done. Two of the 3 dogs that became euglycemic remained so until splenectomized 60 days after transplantation was done, and the 3rd was euglycemic until 31 days after transplantation. Four dogs (group 3) given allogeneic islet transplants from nonrelated histocompatible donors within the same group were given cyclosporine (40 mg/kg/day; as described for group 2), and none became euglycemic.

Genetic disorders affecting reproduction and periparturient care

There are numerous genetic diseases influencing reproduction and periparturient care in dogs including such disorders as anasarca, cleft palate, swimmers, congenital heart disease, and the various conditions that cause excessive bleeding. It is probable that all breeds of dogs are at risk for these or other traits that influence whelping and neonatal care. Therefore, genetic counseling should be considered as an important aspect of prenatal and pediatric veterinary medicine.

The familial occurrence of lymphocytic thyroiditis in borzoi dogs

A group of related borzoi dogs were studied over a 6-year period to ascertain the cause of primary hypothyroidism. Four generations of dogs were analyzed. Two littermates with lymphocytic thyroiditis were mated and the 10 offspring were all diagnosed, on the basis of thyroid biopsy evaluation, as having lymphocytic thyroiditis by age 2.5 years. A wide range of thyroid gland lesions was demonstrated in this litter of dogs. This report documents the occurrence of lymphocytic thyroiditis in three successive generations of an inbred group of borzoi dogs. An autosomal recessive mode of inheritance for the trait in this group of dogs is proposed.

Clinical and histological features of primary progressive, familial thyroiditis in a colony of borzoi dogs

A six-year study of clinical data and the morphologic changes involved in lymphocytic thyroiditis in a colony of related borzoi dogs was conducted. Lesions observed included initial degenerative thyroidal parenchymal changes which progressed to subacute inflammation with subsequent fibrosis and end stage thyroid gland disease. This study encompasses three successive generations of this borzoi colony and documents the progression of the histologic changes from the initial thyroid gland degenerative lesions to the end stage parenchymal atrophy. Spontaneous, familial thyroiditis has not been reported previously in the borzoi breed.

Angiostrongylosis in a greyhound

Angiostrongylus vasorum infection was diagnosed at necropsy of a Greyhound imported from Ireland. Granulomatous masses and pulmonary arterial thrombosis were associated with adult and larval stages of metastrongyle nematodes. Hemorrhages, widespread in subcutaneous tissue and muscle masses and at serosal surfaces, were suggestive of the onset of the bleeding disorder that has been seen in angiostrongylosis in Europe. The mollusks that can serve as intermediate hosts are known to be common in the United States, and therefore establishment of this parasite from imported racing or breeding stock is possible.

Abnormal release of storage pool adenine nucleotides from platelets of dogs affected with basset hound hereditary thrombopathy

Platelets from dogs affected with Basset Hound Hereditary Thrombopathy (BHT), have a thrombasthenia-like aggregation defect but release storage pool ATP in quantities not significantly different from normal controls or BHT heterozygotes when stimulated with 1 X 10(-5)M ADP and 0.22 U/ml thrombin. However, the release occurs so rapidly in the BHT platelets stimulated with ADP that it is complete in approximately one-sixth of the time required for release from normal control and heterozygote platelets. Sequential electron micrographs reveal early release of BHT dense body constituents 30 seconds after stimulation with 1 X 10(-5)M ADP while resting BHT morphology is indistinguishable from normal control animals.

Dwarfism in Alaskan malamutes: a disease resembling metaphyseal dysplasia in human beings

In a study of 300 Alaskan Malamutes, dwarfism was shown to be an autosomal recessive inherited disease with complete penetrance that resulted in disturbed endochondral bone formation. Osseous growth disturbance was manifest at the metaphyses of tubular bones. Clinical and radiographic changes were very similar to those of rickets, although appositional bone formation rates were normal. Serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase were within normal limits. Urinary excretion of calcium, phosphate, and amino acids were normal. Excess matrix was formed in the zone of cartilage cell proliferation, and the matrix persisted in the growth plate. Normal stresses resulted in microfractures in the metaphyses with subsequent interference of vascular penetration into the zone of degenerated cartilage cells.

Prolonged bleeding time in Aleutian mink associated with a cyclo-oxygenase-independent aggregation defect and nucleotide deficit in blood platelets

A prolonged mean template bleeding time of 13 minutes was present in nine Aleutian mink affected with Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) compared with 4 minutes in dark control mink. The concentrations of blood platelets in normal and affected animals did not differ significantly. However, in mink with CHS, a marked disturbance of platelet response to collagen was present. Administration of aspirin and indomethacin completely blocked CH platelet response to collagen. Blood platelet adenosine triphosphate and adenosine diphosphate values from mink with CHS were significantly less than those of normal mink, and the platelet adenosine triphosphate/adenosine diphosphate ratios were 10.31 in affected mink and 2.74 in normal mink. These findings are consistent with our previous investigations in affectd cattle and persons and indicate that a "storage pool disease" of platelets exist in the mink with CHS.

Decreased nucleotide and serotonin storage associated with defective function in Chediak-Higashi syndrome cattle and human platelets

Prolonged mean template bleeding time of 14 min observed in seven cattle with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) prompted the examination of platelet function in these animals. There was no distinguishable difference in concentration of circulating platelets between CHS and control cattle. CHS bovine platelets failed to aggregate in vitro in response to concentrations of acid-soluble collagen which induced aggregation in all normal samples. The primary platelet response to 5 muM ADP was normal in CHS cattle. A markedly decreased amount of serotonin (1.2% of normal) was detected in CHS bovine platelets. Bovine CHS platelet ATP and ADP contents were significantly less than normal, and the ATP/ADP ratios were 5.04 in normal and 29.38 in CHS platelets. Results of these animal investigations prompted a similar study of two patients with CHS. In humans, an increased bleeding time greater than 15 min and an in vitro impaired aggregation response to acid-soluble collagen and 5 muM adrenaline were discovered. Both ATP and ADP were reduced in CHS human platelets, and the ATP/ADP ratio was 3.96, compared to a ratio of 1.52 for platelets of two normal subjects. These findings suggested the presence of a "storage pool disease" of CHS platelets.

Inherited progressive epilepsy of the dog with comparisons to Lafora's disease of man

A familial progressive form of epilepsy in the beagle dog is clinically characterized by intermittent seizures, often of grand mal type. If not properly treated, the seizures may lead to status epilepticus. The seizures are often elicited by external stimuli, especially a change in noise or light in the surroundings. Histologically, intracytoplasmic inclusions, 2-10 mum in diameter, occur in glial and neuronal cells in the brain, especially the thalamus. The inclusions are strongly positive for carbohydrate stains, weakly metachromatic, and lipid negative. They are spherical with a dense core and an often radiating, less dense periphery. Histologic changes in other organs include basophilic myocardial degeneration, degeneration and variation in diameter size of skeletal muscle fibers, and deposition of periodic acid-Schiff positive material in the cytoplasm of reticuloendothelial cells of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Based on clinical and morphologic manifestations, the beagle disorder resembles Lafora's disease of man. This disorder will provide a useful model for comparative studies with progressive myoclonic epilepsy (Lafora's disease) of man and for defining the pathomechanisms of other forms of epilepsy.

Muscular dystrophy of mink: a new animal model

Muscular dystrophies comprise an important group of inherited disorders of man. Although the disease has been studied extensively, little is known about the underlying primary pathomechanisms. Consequently, treatment of patients is difficult and prognosis is poor. An animal model of muscular dystrophy is a useful research tool for approaching the basic problems of pathogenesis in muscle diseases. An inherited progressive muscular dystrophy of mink which resembles the amyotonic forms of human muscular dystrophy is currently under study. Clinically, the earliest sign is progressive muscular weakness and atrophy. Muscle enzyme activities in serum are usually elevated to pathologic levels. Urinary creatine/creatinine ratio is elevated. Pathologic changes are limited to skeletal muscle and are typical of those seen in amyotonic forms of human muscular dystrophy. These changes include variation in diameter size of muscle fibers, centralized nuclei, floccular and hyaline degeneration of scattered muscle fibers, increase in connective tissue in endomysial and perimysial areas, and regenerative attempts. Both type I and type II muscle fibers are involved in the disease process. Genetic studies indicate an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Although the primary defect in muscular dystrophy is traditionally thought to reside in skeletal muscle, recent studies have produced theories of primary involvement of other tissues and organ systems. These theories are presented and relationships to the traditional theory are discussed.

Ataxia, depression, and dermatitis associated with the use of dichlorvos-impregnated collars in the laboratory cat

Ataxia and depression developed in 21 of 50 (42%) laboratory cats wearing flea collars impregnated with 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (dichlorvos or DDVP) in a warm dry environment. Five (10%) of the cats died. Whole blood cholinesterase (ChE) activity was significantly (P smaller than 0.001) reduced in all cats and cervical dermatitis occurred in 37 (74%) of them.

Feline congenital erythropoietic porphyria associated with severe anemia and renal disease. Clinical, morphologic, and biochemical studies

A feline erythropoietic porphyria was studied in an affected female Siamese cat and 2 male offspring. The principal elevated porphyrins were Type I isomers of uroporphyrin and coproporphyrin; the porphyrin precursors, porphobilinogen and sigma-aminolevulinic acid, were also detected. Porphyrins were present in the blood and in all the viscera, teeth, bones, and excreta. There was severe macrocytic hypochromic anemia, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and uremia associated with a renal disease characterized by mesangial hypercellularity and proliferation (resulting in narrowing of glomerular capillaries) and ischemic tubular injury. There was thickening of tubular basement membranes and tubular epithelial lipidosis, degeneration, and necrosis. Electron microscopic studies of bone marrow and kidney revealed the presence of membrane-enclosed lamellar bodies 150 to 1000 nm in diameter in cytoplasmic and extracellular locations.

Defective mononuclear leukocyte chemotaxis in the Chediak-Higashi syndrome of humans, mink, and cattle

Chemotaxis of mononuclear leukocytes from humans, mink, and cattle was evaluated in vitro using a morphologic Boyden chamber technique and a new 51-Cr-labeled mononuclear radioassay with a double micropore filter system. Significantly decreased mononuclear leukocyte chemotactic response were noted when human, mink, or cattle Chediak-Higashi cells were tested using autologous serum or endotoxin-activated autolotous serum. A similar Chediak-Higashi mononuclear leukocyte defect was noted in humans when kallikrein or dialyzable transfer factor were used as the chemotactic stimulus. Studies using smaller pore filters in the chemotactic chamber exaggerated the chemotactic defect. Serum from Chediak-Higashi subjects had normal chemotactic activity. Additional studies on the spontaneous (random) locomotion of Chediak-Higashi mononuclear leukocytes revealed normal results when a capillary tube assay system was used, but abnormal results were obtained when a Boyden chamber micropore filter assay was used, demonstrating fundamental differences in these two assays of random locomotion. It is clear from these studies that defective mononuclear leukocyte chemotaxis is another feature of the imparied host defenses in the Chediak-Higashi syndrome that may contribute to the marked susceptibility to pyogenic infections so characteristic of this dease.

Genetic studies of a muscular dystrophy of mink

Analysis of breeding data revealed that the muscular dystrophy trait in a pedigree of mink is transmitted in an autosomal recessive manner. Variation in skeletal muscle fiber diameter size is the most pronounced and consistent change in the dystrophic mink. Other changes include centralization of nuclei, degenerative change, increase in endomysial and perimysial connective tissue, and regenerative attempts. These changes are not present in known heterozygotes.

Leukocyte dysfunction in the bovine homologue of the Chediak-Higashi syndrome of humans

The increased susceptibility to pyogenic infections noted in cattle with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome trait has been related to an impairment of leukocyte function at the cellular level. Investigations of the relationship of abnormal granule formation to increased susceptibility to infection, conducted with cell suspensions containing high concentrations of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, revealed a bactericidal defect that was associated with abnormal intracellular killing and not due to defective particle ingestion. The in vitro bactericidal defect was associated with a metabolic anomaly in the hexose monophosphate shunt, but not with an alteration in the capacity to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium dye. Ultrastructural histochemical studies of phagocytosis and phagolysosome formation in polymorphonuclear leukocytes suggest that the impairment in bactericidal capacity is correlated also with either a delay or failure of primary granules to degranulate.

Defective function of renal lysosomes in mice with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome

Morphologically abnormal lysosomes demonstrated in individuals with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) suggested a defect in the function of these abnormal lysosomes. To gain direct experimental evidence of such a defect, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected intravenously into CHS and control mice, the mice killed at varying intervals and the kidneys studied by ultrastructural cytochemistry. No morophologic difference was observed in the absorption and uptake of HRP by proximal convoluted tubules in the two groups of mice. In CHS mice, however, some of the HRP fused with enlarged lysosomes. By 48 hours after injection, the lysosomes of normal mice had digested all but trace amounts of HRP, whereas large amounts were still present in CHS mice at this time. In CHS mice, moderate amounts were still present at 72 hours and trace amounts 96 hours post injection. This slowed rate of digestion of HRP by lysosomes of the proximal convoluted tubule cells of CHS mice suggests a similar defect in all cells in CHS individuals in which there is a lysosomal degradation of protein or other matter obtained by endocytosis. Such a defect may explain some manifestations of impaired host defense observed in CHS.

Ultrastructure of cells in bone marrow and peripheral blood of normal mink and mink with the homologue of the Chediak-Higashi trait of humans. II. Cytoplasmic granules in eosinophils, basophils, mononuclear cells and platelets

Images

Giant neutrophil granules in the Chediak-Higashi syndrome of man, mink, cattle and mice

The percent of conventionally stained circulating neutrophils containing abnormal giant granules in Chediak-Higashi mink, cattle and mice is highly variable and strikingly less than the 100% found in neutrophils from similarly affected humans. In contrast, using either peroxidase or Sudan Black, it can be demonstrated that 100% of circulating neutrophils in all affected individuals of the four species studied contain the abnormal granules. Minor species differences in the shape of the granules were noted. The significance of these findings as well as the variations in granular staining by the several techniques employed are discussed.