Altered dopamine transporter densities in alcohol-preferring vervet monkeys.

Altered dopamine (DA) transporter densities have been implicated in mechanisms of vulnerability and relapse in human alcoholics. The regional distribution and density of the DA transporter was studied in alcohol-preferring vervet monkeys to investigate baseline status and regulation of the DA transporter at different stages of chronic alcohol drinking. Combined ligand binding and in vitro autoradiography of the cocaine congener [125I]RTI-55 (beta-CIT) demonstrated a significant increase in DA transporter densities in abstinent alcohol-preferring monkeys over those in alcohol-avoiding monkeys.

Secondary amyloidosis in rhesus monkeys with chronic indwelling venous catheters.

Secondary amyloidosis was diagnosed in five Rhesus monkeys with chronic indwelling venous catheters. Diagnostic enzymology demonstrated normal serum alanine aminotransferase concentration and consistently elevated serum alkaline phosphatase. Serum protein electrophoresis on all five animals showed a typical pattern of decreased albumin and increased gamma globulin.

Contagious ecthyma in lambs and laboratory personnel.

Contagious ecthyma, diagnosed in three lambs, was transmitted to two researchers having direct contact with oral secretions from these lambs. Intracytoplasmic viral particles were demonstrated by electron microscopy in gingival biopsies from one lamb. Lamb to lamb transmission was most likely caused by use of a contaminated gavage feeding tube.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of serum protein SAA in rhesus monkeys with secondary amyloidosis.

Tissue deposits of amyloid protein AA and a concomitant elevation of serum protein SAA have been demonstrated previously in mice and humans with secondary amyloidosis, but not in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). In this study, protein SAA was quantitated in normal and amyloidotic rhesus monkeys using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Protein AA was isolated from the liver of a rhesus monkey with secondary amyloidosis by a combination of water extraction and gel filtration chromatography.