Suppression of acute Ixodes scapularis-induced Borrelia burgdorferi infection using tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-2, and interferon-gamma.

Down-regulation of mammalian cytokine production has been demonstrated during tick feeding. To examine the hypothesis that reconstitution of cytokines during tick feeding could facilitate immune containment of Borrelia burgdorferi, the following experiments were done. C3H/HeJ mice were given cytokines for 10 days after Ixodes scapularis attachment.

Gliding bacterial adjuvant stimulates feline cytokines in vitro and antigen-specific IgG in vivo.

Gliding bacterial adjuvant (GBA) has been previously characterized as a potent immune modulator, stimulating the growth of murine B lymphocytes, inducing murine NK cell activity, and promoting the release of several murine cytokines. Based on these studies and our interest in potentiating the effectiveness of feline vaccines, GBA was tested for its ability to stimulate feline T cells in vitro and act as a vaccine adjuvant in vivo. In vitro, GBA stimulated feline PBLs to proliferate and release interferon (IFN) and IL-2.

Chemoprophylactic effects of milbemycin oxime against larvae of Dirofilaria immitis during prepatent development.

Three studies were conducted to determine the efficacy of milbemycin oxime in the prevention of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs. Dogs were given single or multiple experimental inoculations with infective third-stage D immitis larvae and were treated with milbemycin oxime at a target dosage of 0.5 mg/kg of body weight either once or at monthly intervals at various times after inoculation.