Assessment of Selected Immunological Parameters in Dairy Cows with Naturally Occurring Mycotoxicosis before and after the Application of a Mycotoxin Deactivator.

Introduction: Mycotoxins in dairy cows can cause many non-specific symptoms often resulting from immune system overreaction. The study assessed the concentration of selected cytokines and acute phase proteins (APP) in cows with natural mycotoxicosis before and after using a mycotoxin neutraliser. The cytokines were tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 10 (IL-10), and the APP were serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp). Material and Methods: The research was carried out on an experimental group (Exp) of 10 herdmate Holstein-Friesian cows with mycotoxicosis. The control group (Con) was 10 healthy cows of the same breed from a different herd. Cows in the Exp group were administered the mycotoxin deactivator Mycofix for three months. Blood was drawn from Exp cows once before administering Mycofix and a second time after three months of its use. Blood was also drawn from Con cows at the same times. Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, SAA and Hp were assessed using ELISA. Results: The concentrations of all cytokines and Hp in Exp cows were higher before treatment (P < 0.001) than those in Con cows. After three months of administering Mycofix, the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly lower than their pre-treatment levels (P < 0.001). The concentrations of IL-6, IL-10, and Hp were still significantly higher than those in the Con group (P < 0.001). In cows with mycotoxicosis, simultaneous stimulation of antagonistic processes was noted: a pro-inflammatory process in the upregulation of TNF-α and IL-6, and an anti-inflammatory one in the upregulation of IL-10. Conclusion: Despite the absorbent's use and the resolution of clinical symptoms in Exp cows, high levels of IL-10 and Hp and IL-6 were maintained. Assessment of the level of cytokines and APP appears to be a useful and precise tool for the evaluation and application of the appropriate dose of the mycotoxin absorbent or the evaluation of its effectiveness.

Comparative evaluation of cytokine and acute-phase protein concentrations in sera of dairy cows with subclinical and clinical ketosis as a different view of the causes of the disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Ketosis is a common disease occurring during the first stage of lactation in highly productive dairy cows. The aim of the present study was the comparative assessment of selected pro-inflammatory cytokines (including tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α] and interleukin 6 [IL-6]), anti-inflammatory cytokines (including IL-10), and acute-phase proteins (APPs) (including haptoglobin [Hp] and serum amyloid A [SAA]), in the sera of cows with subclinical ketosis (SCK), in those with clinical ketosis (CK), and in healthy cows. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty dairy cows of Holstein-Friesian breed were investigated. The cows were divided into three groups depending on the serum ß-hydroxybutyric acid (ßHBA) level. The control, SCK, and CK groups included healthy cows, cows with SCK, and cows with CK, respectively. BHBA concentration in blood serum was determined using colorimetric method. The blood serum was used for proper tests. Cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10) and APPs (SAA and Hp) concentrations in the investigated samples were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: The SCK group had significantly higher TNF-α, IL-6; IL-10, and SAA values than had the CK group (p<0.01). The SCK group had a lower Hp concentration than had the CK group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the inflammation intensity is higher in the initial phase of the disease and decreases during the advancement, probably due to active anti-inflammatory mechanisms (an increase of IL-10 concentration), which protect animal organism from self-destruction. On the basis of our study, it can be assumed that ketosis development in dairy cows was preceded by the systemic inflammation that may influence the progress of this disease.

Androgen and Estrogen Receptor Expression in Different Types of Perianal Gland Tumors in Male Dogs.

Perianal gland tumors are modified sebaceous glands present in the skin of the perianal region in the dog. Hormonal stimulation may induce hyperplasia of the perianal glands or their neoplastic progression. The presence of androgen (AR) and estrogen (ER) receptors have been demonstrated both in normal perianal glands as well as in perianal tumors. The aim of the study was an immunohistochemical assessment of the expression of estrogen and androgen receptors in perianal gland tumors in dogs as an applicatory marker for antihormonal treatment. Biopsy samples of perianal masses were collected from 41 male dogs. A histopathological examination revealed 24 adenomas, 12 epitheliomas and five carcinomas. The immunohistochemical staining showed a mainly nuclear expression of AR and ER in the neoplastic cells. Both the androgen and estrogen receptors were expressed in adenoma, epithelioma and carcinoma cases; however, the highest expression of the receptors was stated in the adenoma and epithelioma. In the case of the carcinoma, the expression of sex hormone receptors was very weak. The differences of the number of cells expressing AR and ER as well as the observed differentiated intensity of staining in the studies demonstrated that the determination of the expression of the sex hormone receptors may be useful to elaborate a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm.

Effect of universal chlorhexidine decolonisation on the infection rate in intensive care patients.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), particularly intensive care unit-acquired infections (HAI-ICU), are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitals. Most of these infections are caused by multidrugresistant organisms. The results of recent studies have suggested that daily bathing with chlorhexidine (CHX)-universal decolonisation can prevent ICU infections. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of CHX bathing on the rate and type of HAI-ICU in critically ill patients. METHODS: This observational study, conducted in a mixed, 16-bed tertiary ICU, compared the following three 3-month periods: I) pre-intervention (traditional soap-water bathing), II) intervention (bathing with 2% CHX clothes), and III) post-intervention (soap-water bathing). The type and rate of HAI-ICU were registered according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 272 patients were included in the study. During the intervention period, the total infection rate was significantly lower than in the pre-intervention period (12.7% vs 22.2%, respectively). Significant decreases in the rate and density of catheter-related infections (CRI) were observed during the intervention period. A decrease in the isolation rate of multidrug-resistant bacteria was also observed during the intervention and post-intervention periods. CONCLUSIONS: Daily bathing of ICU patients with chlorhexidine-impregnated clothes significantly decreased the rate of HAI-ICU and the acquisition of CRI. This simple hygienic approach can be an important adjunctive intervention with the capability of reducing the burden of healthcare-associated infections in ICUs.

Occupational mercury vapour poisoning with a respiratory failure, pneumomediastinum and severe quadriparesis.

OBJECTIVES: Despite restrictions, mercury continues to pose a health concern. Mercury has the ability to deposit in most parts of the body and can cause a wide range of unspecific symptoms leading to diagnostic mistakes. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report the case of severe mercury vapour poisoning after occupational exposure in a chloralkali plant worker that resulted in life-threatening respiratory failure, pneumomediastinum and quadriparesis. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged mechanical ventilation and treatment with penicillamine and spironolactone was used with successful outcome.