Dirofilaria immitis: immunohistochemical localization of acid proteinase in the adult worm

The distribution of Dirofilaria immitis acid proteinase in adult worm tissue was examined biochemically and immunohistochemically. About 45% of the total proteinase activity of 700g supernatant, which was obtained from the 0.25 M sucrose homogenate of live adult worms, was found in the 100,000g supernatant by subcellular centrifugation analysis. The distribution pattern of the proteinase activity observed by Percoll density gradient centrifugation coincided with that of glucose-6-phosphatase, a marker cytosolic enzyme, suggesting that the acid proteinase was present in vivo in a membrane-free form, possibly in the cytosol or secretory fluid. Immunostaining for the proteinase in the parasite tissue using the IgG1 (kappa-type) monoclonal antibody, H-1, revealed immunoreactive enzyme primarily inside the cell as small grains, but not on the cell surface, and immunoreactivity was distributed widely in worm tissues such as lateral cords, dorsal and ventral median cords, the anterior end of the parasite, and intestinal epithelial cells in granular form. In the male reproductive system, the testicular wall and germ cells were labeled with the antibody, and in the female, uterine walls, fertilized eggs, and developing eggs as well as microfilaria were labeled. In conclusion, D. immitis acid proteinase is widely distributed in the parasite tissue, possibly functioning not only in nutrition metabolism but also in production of sperm and microfilariae, etc.

Quantitative buffy coat analysis of blood collected from dogs, cats, and horses

Using quantitative buffy coat analysis (QBCA), rapid and accurate measurements can be made of the erythrocyte PCV, total WBC count, and platelet count, and the leukocyte population can be differentiated into total granulocytes (including quantitation of eosinophils), and lymphocytes and monocytes. The QBCA is performed by placing a blood sample (50 to 111 microliters) into a high-precision-bore microhematocrit tube that contains a freely moving, closely fitting, cylindrical plastic float. After centrifugation for 5 minutes, the buffy coat components separate by density. The plastic cylinder floats in the buffy coat, thereby expanding the lengths of the buffy coat layers. The layers are measured in a manner that is similar to that used for measuring PCV. Results of QBCA of blood samples from dogs, cats, and horses indicated that the hematologic values obtained correlated with results obtained by use of conventional methods. The accuracy and ease of use of QBCA and the availability of results while the animal is still being examined make QBCA a useful tool for hematologic evaluation of animals.