Measuring laboratory-based influenza surveillance capacity: development of the 'International Influenza Laboratory Capacity Review' Tool.

OBJECTIVES: The 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) emphasized the importance of laboratory capacity to detect emerging diseases including novel influenza viruses. To support IHR 2005 requirements and the need to enhance influenza laboratory surveillance capacity, the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Influenza Division developed the International Influenza Laboratory Capacity Review (Tool). STUDY DESIGN: Data from 37 assessments were reviewed and analyzed to verify that the quantitative analysis results accurately depicted a laboratory's capacity and capabilities. METHODS: Subject matter experts in influenza and laboratory practice used an iterative approach to develop the Tool incorporating feedback and lessons learnt through piloting and implementation. To systematically analyze assessment data, a quantitative framework for analysis was added to the Tool. RESULTS: The review indicated that changes in scores consistently reflected enhanced or decreased capacity. The review process also validated the utility of adding a quantitative analysis component to the assessments and the benefit of establishing a baseline from which to compare future assessments in a standardized way. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the Tool has provided APHL, CDC and each assessed laboratory with a standardized analysis of the laboratory's capacity. The information generated is used to improve laboratory systems for laboratory testing and enhance influenza surveillance globally. We describe the development of the Tool and lessons learnt.

Effect of ovariohysterectomy on canine postsurgical leukocyte function.

The effect of surgery on phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes and mitogen-induced blastogenesis of lymphocytes was studied in fourteen dogs. Simple ovariohysterectomy with anaesthesia induced by ketamine and xylazine or by ketamine, xylazine and halothane caused a short nonsignificant depression of phagocytic activity that persisted for four hours after surgery. Ingestion capacity of leukocytes decreased significantly immediately after surgery. Mitogen-induced blastogenesis of lymphocytes was depressed significantly in the first 48 hours and despite partial recovery this parameter did not reach the value of the control groups until the end of observation (7 days). A more conspicuous decrease of blastogenic response of blood lymphocytes to mitogens was found after the use of ketamine and xylazine in a dose maintaining anaesthesia. Anaesthesia with ketamine and xylazine in the lower dose and maintained with halothane resulted in a later improvement of the blastogenic response of lymphocytes.

A survey for BVDV antibodies in cattle farms in Slovakia and genetic typing of BVDV isolates from imported animals.

A serological survey for bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) antibodies on a collection of 1295 serum samples obtained from 6-12 months old cattle originating from 45 farms in Slovakia was carried out. On 13 farms more than 90% of the examined animals were seropositive, on 14 farms 71-90% seroprevalence was observed, on 13 farms only 50-70% animals were found to be positive for BVDV antibodies, while the remaining 5 farms showed fewer than 50% seropositive animals. The average incidence of BVDV antibodies (around 70%) was similar as determined 30 years ago. Of 84 serum samples from seronegative animals originating from 14 farms in which 70-98% seropositivity was observed, six were positive in Ag-BVDV ELISA indicating persistently infected (PI) cattle. On a farm to which animals were imported from abroad, a BVD outbreak was observed. Of 110 animals tested, four were positive in Ag-ELISA indicating the presence of PI cattle on this farm. Genetic typing of two isolates from imported animals performed by RT-PCR (324/326 primers from 5'-UTR), sequencing of PCR products and computer-assisted phylogenetic analysis revealed that they belong to BVDV-1 h group.

[Immunomodulatory effect of levamisole and administration of amitraz in dogs with uncomplicated generalized demodicosis]. / Imunomodulacný efekt levamizolu pri pouzití amitrazu u psov s nekomplikovanou generalizovanou demodikózou.

The immunomodulatory effect of levamisole (Decaris tbl.) in the course of acaricide therapy with amitraz (Taktic) on the functional activity of blood neutrophils (% of phagocytizing cells and ingestion capacity) and lymphocytes (blastogenic response to Con A) in dogs with uncomplicated generalized demodicosis (NGD) was studied. The level of examined parameters was evaluated before treatment, week 3 and 7 after the first application of these preparations; and compared with the values of NGD dogs treated only with amitraz and with those in clinically healthy dogs. In comparison with healthy dogs the initial level of examined activities of both cell populations was significantly depressed. A significantly earlier (4 weeks earlier) increase (when compared with values before treatment) of investigated activities of neutrophils and lymphocytes occurred in dogs treated with amitraz and levamisole in comparison with those in dogs treated only with amitraz. It was manifested especially significantly in phagocytosis, the ingestion capacity of neutrophils at this time of therapy has reached the level of those in healthy dogs. Functional activity of lymphocytes in both groups of NGD dogs has not reached a comparable value with that in healthy dogs either at the end of observation. The presented results indicate that significantly earlier improvement of functional activity of phagocytes and lymphocytes in demodectic dogs treated with amitraz and levamisole was connected with the immunorestorative effect of levamisole.

Lymphocyte blastogenesis to concanavalin A in dogs with localized demodicosis according to duration of clinical disease.

The aim of the study was to determine the degree of Con A induced lymphocyte blastogenesis in dogs with localized demodicosis (LD) within 1-3 and 6-8 weeks from appearance of the clinical signs. Ethidium bromide fluorescence assay was used for evaluation. In observation 9 clinically normal dogs, 6 dogs with LD a 4 dogs with generalized demodicosis (GD) were used. The results showed a statistically significant depression (P < 0.01) of blastogenesis in the LD dogs in comparison with that in the healthy dogs (Fig. 1). Responses to Con A were normal in dogs with LD in 1-3 weeks. However, a significantly depressed response to Con A (P < 0.025-0.001) was demonstrated in the LD dogs in 6-8 weeks (average 6.7 weeks) and it was comparable with that in the GD dogs with the duration of clinical disease on average for 8.7 weeks (Fig. 2; Tab. II). Thus, immunosuppression is not a necessary condition for dogs to develop spontaneous clinical LD and immunosuppression develops with the clinical signs of disease.

The immunomodulatory effect of the soluble fungal glucan (Pleurotus ostreatus) on delayed hypersensitivity and phagocytic ability of blood leucocytes in mice.

The effect of fungal and yeast glucan on different immune functions in mice was examined and compared. The simultaneous administration of glucan and a sensitizing dose of DNFB on the different sites significantly stimulated delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response only when using fungal glucan. Both glucans tested, when administered before sensitization, significantly increased DTH response, but with a significantly higher level at the beginning of the investigation (on day 7) when using fungal glucan. The increase in phagocytic activity by the blood leucocytes started in the 1st week after fungal-glucan treatment, and in the 2nd week after yeast-glucan treatment, and took longer after administration of fungal glucan. The values of the phagocytic-activity index were significantly influenced only after fungal-glucan injection. The results of the study indicate that fungal glucan isolated from Pleurotus ostreatus could be a prospective immunomodulating substance.

Evaluation of canine lymphocyte blastogenesis prior and after in vitro suppression by dog demodicosis serum using ethidium bromide fluorescence assay.

The mitogen induced blastogenic response of lymphocytes from normal dogs and dogs with generalized demodicosis (GD) was measured by the ethidium bromide (EB) fluorescence assay. Serum from GD dogs significantly suppressed the in vitro reactivity to Con A of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from normal dogs and GD dogs, however with a different percentage of suppression 40.6 and 81.2%, respectively. As a result, the degree of lymphocyte blastogenesis suppression in GD dogs did not parallel the immunosuppressive potency of their serum (Tab. IV). The data indicate that PBL obtained from GD dogs did not respond to Con A as well in the presence of serum from normal dogs as did PBL from normal dogs (Tab. IV). In one third of examined GD dogs a similar situation was described also by Hirsh et al. (1975). The basis for this cellular modified response is unknown. It does not appear that the age or the chronicity of the disease are related to this observation. Further studies are necessary to elucidate this relation. The GD dogs showed not only a significant depression of the lymphocyte response to Con A but also enhancement of the ability of unstimulated cells to proliferate was also observed (Tab. IV). Similar observation was reported by others (Barriga et al., 1992). The meaning of this is not clear at present. This finding is discussed in the light of proposed different effects of the parasite or the host's reactivity to the parasite on different subsets of lymphocytes. No significant difference of PBL responsiveness to Con A between healthy dogs with respect to the age (Tab. III) and the time of examination (compare results in Tabs. I and IV) was observed. Autologous serum showed a better responsiveness of normal canine lymphocytes to Con A than fetal calf serum (FCS). It is suggested that the use of FCS might lead to an erroneous judgement (Tab. I). Both lectins, Con A and PHA induced cell proliferation of healthy dogs in very similar amount (Tab. II). Our results indicated that EB fluorescence assay is a useful method for detection a respondence of canine lymphocyte blastogenesis.

[Use of selected parameters in the serum and blood of calves in the evaluation of nitrogen and energy metabolism]. / Vyuzitie vybraných parametrov v sére a krvi teliat pri posudzovaní úrovne dusíkového a energetického metabolizmu.

Concentrations of total proteins, albumin, total serum immunoglobulins, urea and total lipids in the blood serum and glucose concentrations in the blood were investigated in the periods of milk nutrition and weaning, and the results were evaluated with respect to their differences from the range of reference values. Concentrations of total proteins (TP) in the blood serum significantly decreased if the starting values at the age of two weeks (65, 45 g/l) were compared with the values at the age of five weeks, and they began to increase to the age of 11 weeks. The average TP values at the age of 11 weeks were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than the starting values (Fig. 1, Tab. I). TP concentrations were above the upper limit of the reference range since weaning (nine weeks of age). Subnormal TP values were recorded in individual animals at the age of two, five weeks, at weaning, at 11 weeks in the animals on all-vegetable diet in 4.8%, 19.1%, 4.8% and 9.5% of the calves, respectively (Fig. 2). The albumin concentrations were increasing from the age of five weeks but the changes in the values were statistically insignificant and the average values remained in the reference range (Fig. 1). The reduced albumin concentrations were recorded in individual animals in 28.6% of the calves at the age of two weeks, in 19.1% of the calves at the age of five weeks, in 42.9% of the calves at weaning, and in 38.1% at the age of 11 weeks. The concentrations of total serum immunoglobulins (TS-Ig) were increasing since the animal collection with their growing age (Fig. 1) while in comparison with the starting values the increases were significant at the age of five weeks (p < 0.05), nine and eleven weeks (p < 0.01). The average TS-Ig values rose to the reference range at the age of five weeks. In individual animals, the reduced TS-Ig values were recorded in the serum at the age of two weeks in 71.4% of calves, at the age of five weeks in 42.9%, at weaning in 33.3% and at the age of 11 weeks it was only in 9.5% of the calves (Fig. 2). The urea concentration in the serum was decreasing from the age of five weeks to weaning. In comparison with the starting values, the differences in the average values were statistically insignificant and the average values remained within the reference range (Fig. 1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[The effect of primary BHV-1 infection on the dynamics of T and B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and levels of specific serum antibodies in calves treated with glucan]. / Efekt primárnej BHV-1 infekcie na dynamiku T a B lymfocytov periférnej krvi a hladinu specifických sérových protilátok u teliat osetrených glukánom.

In the present study we investigated the dynamics of circulating T and B lymphocytes and serum specific antibodies in calves experimentally infected with IBR virus (I group) and in calves administered glucan (seven days before infection) and the infected (GI group). The percentages of T and B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood were determined from analyses by rosette methods; the titer of serum anti-IBR antibodies was determined by virus-neutralizing test on cell cultures. The dynamics of the percentage of circulating T lymphocytes showed a similar decreasing trend in both groups, with significant values on days 3 to 5 after infection (AI). In comparison with the calves of I group, the outset of T cell reduction was found to be less pronounced (within the first two days after infection), with a statistically significant difference on day 2 AI (P < 0.05), Fig. 1. A decrease in the percentage of T lymphocytes was related to an increase in the percentage of circulating B lymphocytes, with maximum on days 3 and 4 AI (P < 0.05), Fig. 1. All the calves before experiment beginning were free of serum anti-BHV 1 antibodies. They started responding to the experimental infection with IBR virus by production of serum antibodies between week 1 and 2 AI. The dynamics of serum anti-IBR antibodies showed an identical course in both experimental groups, with the more pronounced outset (P > 0.05) of immunological response in the calves of GI group (Fig. 2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Delayed hypersensitivity and the primary antibody reaction after administration of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis inactivated oil vaccine to calves premedicated with glucan]. / Uroven oneskorenej precitlivelosti a primárnej protilátkovej odpovede po aplikácii inaktivovanej olejovej IBR vakcíny u teliat premedikovaných glukánom.

The level of delayed skin hypersensitivity (DSH) to DNFB and of the primary immune reaction was evaluated in the calves immunized with an inactivated oil IBR vaccine (V group) and in the calves premedicated with glucan (seven days before vaccine administration) and subsequently immunized with the mentioned vaccine (GV group). The DSH test did not reveal an alteration of cellular immunological reactivity in the calves immunized with an inactivated oil IBR vaccine; after the vaccine administration there was no significant difference in the DSH level from the value before vaccine administration nor in comparison with the value of control calves (K group), Tab. I. But in the immunized calves which were glucan-premedicated (from Pleurotus ostreatus; 10 mg/kg l.w.) a significantly higher DSH level was determined not only in comparison with the initial value (P < 0.05) before glucan administration but also with the value of control calves (P < 0.05), Tab. I. The categorization of calves according to the DSH level also points to the immunomodulating effect of glucan in this sense (Fig. 1); while the value of skin test ranged from 3.6 to 6.5 mm in the highest percentage of the calves of V and K groups on the dates before and after administration of the mentioned preparations, a marked increase (on the date after administration) in the number of calves (from 22 to 67%) with the value of skin test higher than 6.5 mm was observed in the calves of GV group. The vaccine administration in itself (V group) did not induce the production of measurable amounts of serum IBR antibodies till day 14 after immunization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Preventive and metaphylactic use of Alga and Algalev in diarrheal and respiratory syndromes]. / Preventívne a metafylaktické pouzitie preparátov Alga a Algalev pri diarhoickom, resp. respiracnom syndróme.

Two gammaglobulin preparations have been developed: Alga (10% injection solution of serum bovine gamma-globulin and albumin) and Algalev (with addition of levamisole 10 mg/ml, patented under PV 4069/87); their administration to calves in field conditions was evaluated. The Alga preparation at a rate of 1 ml/kg liveweight (two administrations) had good preventive effects in the diarrhoeic syndrome of new-born hypogammaglobulinaemic calves. In comparison with the untreated calves, these parameters were determined: lower incidence of diarrhoea (41% against 75%; Tab. I), its later onset (by 24 hours), shorter duration (by 50 hours; P < 0.01), lower intensity and easier therapeutical handling (Tab. II). The Algalev preparation (two administrations at a rate of 1 ml/kg liveweight) was suitable for metaphylactic use (combined with antibiotic application) in the respiration syndrome of calves. In comparison with the untreated calves, these parameters were determined: lower incidence of this disorder (42% against 78%), lower intensity of clinical symptoms (intensive symptoms in 20% of the calves against 72%) and importantly higher daily weight gains (0.64 kg against 0.26 kg; Fig. 3). The concentrations of total serum Ig (CS-Ig), serum proteins (SB) and serum albumin (S-Alb) were similar in the compared groups of calves in the whole period of observation (Fig. 1). Certain differences were observed in the dynamics of anti-PI 3 titre of serum antibodies as shown by investigation of specific serum antibodies (Fig. 2); the level of their production was in agreement with morbidity incidence and clinical symptom intensity in both groups of calves.

[The effect of fungal and yeast glucan and levamisole on the level of the cellular immune response in vivo and leukocyte phagocytic activity in mice]. / Vplyv fungálneho a kvasinkového glukánu a levamizolu na úroven celulárnej imunitnej odpovede in vivo a fagocytárnu aktivitu krvných leukocytov u mysí.

The level of cell-mediated immune response in vivo was investigated using the test of delayed hypersensitive reaction (DHR) to DNFB, along with the phagocytic activity (PA) of blood leucocytes in mice after subcutaneous implantation of fungal and yeast glucan and levamisol in dependence on the dose and administration schedule. The soluble form of fungal glucan (Pleurotus ostreatus) potentiated the DHR significantly at a dose of 10 mg/kg (but not at a dose of 50 mg/kg) while it was administered during DNFB sensitization (P < 0.05)-Tab. I and when its pre-medication effect was investigated (days -7 and -14; P < 0.05) with regard to the time of sensitization (Tab. II). The identical dose of glucan also had a positive effect (P < 0.05 or 0.01) on the percentual proportion of phagocytic cells (PC) reaching the maximum in the 2nd and 3rd week of investigation, as well as on the phagocytic activity index (P < 0.05; 3rd week) and percentage of neutrophil granulocytes (P < 0.05; 2nd week)-Tab. III. Yeast glucan (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) showed a potentiating effect on the DHR to DNFB only in the case of its pre-medication use; its soluble form was effective at both doses (10 mg and 50 mg/kg) in days -7 and -14 (P < 0.05), and its corpuscular form at a dose of 50 mg/kg on days -7, -14 and -21 (P < 0.05 or 0.01)-Tab. II. PA parameters of blood leucocytes displayed a stimulative effect only on the PC percentage. The most significant effects in this case were observed in the soluble form (both doses) in the 2nd and 3rd week (P < 0.01 and 0.05, resp.) and in the insoluble form (both doses) in the 3rd and 4th week of observation (P < 0.05 and 0.01, resp.). An increase in the number of neutrophil granulocytes was significant in the 2nd (P < 0.05 or 0.01; corpuscular form) and 3rd week of the experiment (P < 0.01; soluble form)-Tab. III. Levamisol affected both investigated parameters (DHR and PA) only at a dose 20 mg/kg (10 mg/kg-no effect). Its potentiating effect on the DHR level was observed both for its administration at the time of sensitization (P < 0.05) and for its administration on days 7 (P < 0.05) and 14 (P < 0.01) before DNFB sensitization (Tabs. I and II). A statistically significant increase in PC was recorded in weeks 2, 3 and 4 (P < 0.05 or 0.01), a statistically significant increase in the number of neutrophil granulocytes in the 3rd week of investigation (P < 0.05). The phagocytic activity index was not affected.

[The effect of administration of non-soluble fungal glucan on the level of delayed skin hypersensitivity and phagocytic activity of leukocytes in the blood of calves]. / Vplyv aplikácie nerozpustného fugálneho glukánu na úroven oneskorenej koznej precitlivelosti a fagocytárnu aktivitu krvných leukocytov u teliat.

The level of delayed skin hypersensitivity (DSH) was evaluated in vivo after dinitrofluorobenzene induction (3rd and 7th week of the experimental) while the level of phagocytic activity (FA) of blood leucocytes (in weekly intervals during six weeks of observation) was evaluated in calves (4.5 to 5.5 months of age) after administration of particular fungal glucane (from oyster mushroom) at a dose of 10 mg/kg live weight. In calves which were administered glucane (abbr. G), a significantly stronger cell-mediated immune response was recorded by means of DSH test in the 3rd week of observation, namely in comparison with its starting value (P < 0.01) and also with the value of control animals (P < 0.01; K group)-Tab. I. In the seventh week of the experiment there was not a statistical difference in the average values of DSH any more (Tab. I). But at that time 100 percent of calves showed a skin reaction above 6.5 mm (mean = 7.64 +/- 0.55) evoked by the used sensibilizer in the G group; this reaction was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in comparison with the value of DSH in a majority (80%) of calves of the K group (mean = 6.15 +/- 0.21)-Fig.1. The immunostimulating effect of the used glucane on the FA of blood leucocytes was less significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Use of the skin test in the evaluation of true levels of cellular immunity and levels after experimental administration of glucan and levamisole in feed-lot bulls]. / Vyuzitie kozného testu pre hodnotenie aktuálnej úrovne celulárnej imunity a jej úrovne po experimentálnej aplikácii glukánu a levamizolu u výkrmových býckov.

Applicability of a skin test induced by dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) to quantification of the actual level of cellular immunity (CI) in vivo and its level after an experimental immunomodulation intervention were evaluated in two breeds (40 animals in each) of fattening bulls (10-11 months old). At the selected methodical procedure of intensity determination of the delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH), its average value reached 4.5 +/- 1.5 mm in 80 animals, while in 77.5% of bulls its level ranged from 3.6 to 9.6 mm, in 18.7% from 2.0 to 3.5 mm and in 3.8% remained less than 2.0 mm. Evident expression of the reaction points to the possibility of application of the used methodical procedure of the skin test using DNFB to quantify the level of CI response in vivo in cattle. Percentual representation of animals according to the intensity of skin reaction (Tab. I) and concentration of total serum immunoglobulins (Cs-Ig) and serum IgG (Tab. II) indicates the different cellular and humoral state of animals in investigated breeds. This is also confirmed by the recorded average values of mentioned parameters which were significantly lower (P less than 0.01; or 0.05) in animals of the first breed (4.0 +/- 1.3 mm; 28.3 +/- 4.4 U ZST, 18.4 +/- 3.5 g.l-1) than in breed 2 (4.9 +/- 1.6 mm; 32.5 +/- 3.8 U ZST; 20.3 +/- 3.5 g.l-1). The animals of each breed were divided into four experimental groups with the approximately equal actual levels of DTH (Tab. III).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes and level of serum immunoglobulins and albumin after parenteral administration of zinc during vaccination against trichophytosis in calves]. / Uroven fagocytárnej aktivity krvných leukocytov, koncentrácie sérových imunoglobulínov a albumínu po parenterálnej aplikácii zinku pri vakcinácii proti trichofytóze teliat.

The study dealt with the evaluation of the contents of the total serum immunoglobulins (CS-Ig), serum albumin, and with the phagocytic activity of blood leucocytes in trichophytosis-affected calves (aged 4 months), in dependence on the doses (revaccination) of the live avirulent vaccine against trichophytosis (the calf group R) and its administration with a zinc based-injection preparation (calf group ZnR). In calf group ZnR (5 mg Zn.kg-1 l. w.) there was a potentiating effect on the percentual proportion of potential blood phagocytes (compared with data before administration: P less than 0.01 on the first day, P less than 0.05 on the third, eighth and thirtieth day; in comparison with the group of calves R: P less than 0.01 during a 24h experiment) and on the percentage of phagocytic cells (compared with data before administration: P less than 0.05 the first and 30th day; compared with calf group R: P less than 0.05 in a 24h experiment. No effect on the index of phagocytic activity was observed. In both groups positive statistical significance was stated in the level of CS-Ig, as compared with the value before administration (on the 8th, 15th, 30th and 60th day of investigation, P less than 0.05, resp. 0.01), but there was no significance when the groups were compared with each other. Significant increase was stated in serum immunoglobulin concentration on the 15th day of examination within each group of calves. Its concentration in calf group ZnR was lower at the beginning of the experiment and at the end of the experiment it was almost exactly the same as in calf group R.

[Effect of blood derivatives with immunomodulators on the immunoprotein profile in calves under clinical conditions]. / Vplyv krvného derivátu s imunomodulátorom na imunobielkovinový profil u teliat v klinických podmienkach.

The data on the selected humoral and cellular parameters of the immuno-protein profile were evaluated in calves in a critical period of the availability of immunoglobulins (Ig), in dependence on the administration of the blood derivative with levamisole (group AL) and on the administration of levamisole solution (group L). The preparations were administered intramuscularly at a rate of 10 mg levamisole per 1 kg of live weight. No statistical significance was recorded in the comparison of the humoral parameters after repeated administration (interval of five days) of the Algalev (AL) and levamisole (L) preparations. During the same investigation, the administration of AL produced a significant increase in the T lymphocytes of the blood both in comparison with the T lymphocyte concentration before treatment (P less than 0.05 on the 5th, 7th, 11th, 14th and 20th day of experiment) and in comparison with the calves of group L (P less than 0.05 on the 7th, 11th, 14th, and 20th day); in the case of B lymphocytes an increase was recorded only in comparison with the initial value (P less than 0.01 on the 2nd, 5th and 7th day). Administration of levamisole alone led to a positive change in T lymphocyte concentration (P less than 0.05 on the 5th, 7th, 11th, 15th and 20th day) but not in the concentration of the B cells (P greater than 0.05). In another experiment, administration of the AL preparation (repeatedly after six days) led to a significant increase in the percentage of T lymphocytes (P less than 0.01 the 8th day and P less than 0.05 the 2nd, 6th, 15th, 21st and 35th day) and B lymphocytes (P less than 0.01 the 15th and 21st day), in comparison with their levels before administration as well as in comparison with the control (T lymph.: P less than 0.01 the 6th day and P les than 0.05 the 8th, 15th, 21st and 35th day; B lymph.: P less than 0.05 the 15th day). The maximum percent proportion of T lymphocytes after administration of the AL preparation was recorded on the seventh and eighth day after the first administration.

[Phagocytosis in calves and its dynamics after experimental treatment]. / Fagocytóza tel'at a jej dynamika po experimentálnom zásahu.

We evaluated the phagocytic capacity of blood neutrophils and monocytes in calves after nonspecific stimulations of the organisms by colloidal charcoal and concentrated blood derivative administered alone, or enriched by immunomodulator (levamizol). Each of the above-mentioned preparations could be characterized by a specific response of the organism with respect to the phagocytic capacity. After administration of colloidal charcoal, both the phagocytic activity (percent of phagocytizing cells) and the particle-ingesting ability, i.e. phagocytic index, which showed two-phase changes in relation to the administration, were simulated. An increase in the phagocytic index was retained until the end of observation (four weeks), but the phagocytic activity (percent of phagocytizing cells) dropped to the level before administration as soon as in 24 hours. The phagocytic activity was also positively stimulated by the concentrated blood derivative administered alone, and the particle-ingesting ability was not influenced very much. The concentrated blood derivative with immunomodulator could be characterized by a fast increase in the phagocytic activity, accompanied by a successive short-time rise of the phagocytic index. A joint feature of all three preparations was a simultaneous increase in the percent of potential phagocytes and in the values of phagocytic activity. In none of the cases was, however, the increase in phagocytic activity accompanied by a rise in the phagocytic index.

[Experimental use of gamma globulin preparations and their effect on serum immunoglobulin levels in calves]. / Experimentálne pouzitie gamaglobulínových prípravkov a ich vplyv na hladinu sérových imunoglobulínov u teliat.

The saturation effect of a serum and colostrum immunoglobulin preparation on the humoral immunity system of calves was studied during the first days after birth. The positive effect of the preparations depended on the dose and on the immunity level acquired through colostrum. The serum immunoglobulin preparation was used at three doses (1.2 ml, 1.6 ml, 2.2 ml per kg live weight). In the calves suffering from hypogammaglobulinaemia, a significant saturation effect was recorded only at the dose of 2.2 ml per kg live weight. This dose represented an amount greater by up to 79% than the recommended maximum therapeutic dose. The administration of the recommended dose of the colostral immunoglobulin preparation (20 ml per calf) positively influenced the concentration of serum immunoglobulins in 26% of the test calves, but these suffered from hypogammaglobulinaemia. In none of the cases of calves with a normal level of gammaglobulins and calves with diarrhoea was an increase in the concentration of serum immunoglobulins recorded. An increase in the concentration of serum immunoglobulins in the calves after the administration of the above mentioned preparations was so small that it appears impossible to use them in the saturation therapy in calves affected by hypogammaglobulinaemia and agammaglobulinaemia. Some of the mechanisms of the action of gammaglobulin preparations are discussed for the cases where the results of the administration of the preparations were positive.