Serum amylase values in callitrichids.

We determined the amylase levels in serum samples from six callitrichid species. The normal serum amylase values for all of these species was within or higher than the normal human range. Amylase values higher than the normal range occurred not only in association with pancreatitis but also pyometra, bone fracture, abscesses, diabetes mellitus and gastrointestinal conditions leading to diarrhea. We concluded that although serum amylase activity may be helpful in diagnosing pancreatitis, it is, as in humans, not specific for this condition in callitrichids.

[Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in New World monkeys]. / Yersinia pseudotuberculosis bei Neuweltaffen.

It is reported on four cases of pseudotuberculosis in 2 Saimiri sciureus, 1 Callithrix jacchus/penicillata hybrid and 1 S. oedipus. The animals came from two different groups, one being infected with Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype I, the other with Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype II. All cases showed intestinal infection of thermophile Campylobacter. Remarkable were severe haemorrhagic components and the distinct RHS-proliferation, especially in the mesenteric lymphatic nodes.

Experimental infection of macaques with HIV-2ben, a novel HIV-2 isolate.

Ten rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and six fascicularis (Macaca fascicularis) macaques were inoculated with HIV-2ben using three different virus preparations and two routes of inoculation. Thirteen of the 16 inoculated macaques seroconverted 2-6 weeks after infection. Three M. mulatta remained seronegative. The seroconverted animals developed antibody titres from 80 to 40,000. Their antibodies reacted with gp160 and gp130 and, in varying degrees, with gp32 and core proteins. Virus could be re-isolated from 11 of the 16 macaques. M. mulatta were transiently viraemic 6-14 weeks after infection whereas all M. fascicularis were persistently viraemic 2-7 weeks after infection onwards. In the 6-18 months after infection one M. mulatta lost 20% of its body weight and two M. fascicularis showed transient lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly; the other animals remained clinically normal. A re-isolated virus from a M. mulatta was indistinguishable from the inoculated HIV-2ben by genomic restriction enzyme analysis. M. mulatta and M. fascicularis are infectable by a single intravenous injection of cell-free HIV-2ben. Persistent viraemia in M. fascicularis represents a valuable and reliable parameter for studies on antivirals and vaccines.

Bilateral posterior parietal atrophy in an infant rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

A case of severe neurological deficiency syndrome marked by visual impairment, motor disturbances, and bilateral extensive glial scarring of the posterior parietal cortex is described in an infant rhesus monkey. Although morphologically resembling perinatal asphyxia, the possibility of a perinatal or postnatal Herpesvirus simiae infection is discussed.

Use of carfentanil and a ketamine-xylazine mixture to immobilise wild grey seals (Halichoerus grypus).

Carfentanil was used to anaesthetise 46 adult grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) on 78 occasions during two breeding seasons. The mean dose was 9.92 micrograms/kg bodyweight during the first season and 10.22 micrograms/kg during the second. Naloxone hydrochloride was used as the antagonist, averaging 0.53 mg/kg and 1.73 mg/kg over the two periods although the latter is probably unnecessarily high. Ketamine and xylazine at a ratio of 5:1 were also used during the same two seasons, 57 seals being anaesthetised on 104 occasions. The average dose of ketamine was 4.96 mg/kg and 5.15 mg/kg with xylazine in proportion. Complications arose on a number of occasions and these are discussed.