Do Toxocara canis larval antigens used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for visceral larva migrans cross-react with AB isohemagglutinins and give false positive results?

A variety of helminth parasites have A and B blood group antigens on their surface. These antigens may cross-react with elevated concentrations of A and B isohemagglutinins in some patients and give false-positive results in the serologic diagnosis of visceral larva migrans caused by T. canis.

Neurobehavioral changes among shipyard painters exposed to solvents.

Painters in three shipyards, exposed to a wide variety of solvents, were examined. A short battery of performance tests, a detailed occupational history, and a special questionnaire to assess acute (prenarcotic, transitory) and chronic (persistent) neurologic symptoms was administered. The results of the neurobehavioral performance tests demonstrated decrements in central nervous system function in painters when compared with a control group matched for age, sex, race, and education.

Saccadic eye movements among copper smelter workers.

Saccade accuracy was studied in 87 copper smelter workers. Findings were compared with those obtained in 52 lead-exposed automobile production workers and 52 controls examined as part of a separate study. Both groups of workers showed a decrease in saccade accuracy compared to controls.

Serodiagnosis of ocular toxocariasis: a comparison of two antigens.

This study was designed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serodiagnosis of ocular toxocariasis using Toxocara canis embryonated egg antigen (TEE) and toxocara excretory-secretory or exoantigen (TEX) produced in vitro. TEE and TEX ELISA were comparably sensitive, but TEX ELISA was better able to discriminate between serum samples from patients with ocular toxocariasis and those from patients with retinoblastoma. In addition, preabsorption of sera with Ascaris suum embryonated egg antigen seemed to be essential to prevent false positive results with TEE ELISA but was not so critical for TEX-ELISA.

Toxocara antigen and mitogen-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis for diagnosis of visceral larva migrans: clinical and experimental findings in macaques and human beings.

Peripheral lymphocytes from macaques inoculated with Toxocara canis and from children with serologically confirmed visceral larva migrans (VLM) were assayed for blastogenic responses using Toxocara antigen and standard mitogens. Macaques were given single or multiple larval infections. Lymphocyte responses of inoculated macaques were compared with responses from noninoculated macaques.

Serologic pattern of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection.

A total of 602 dogs at the Louisiana State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital were tested for antibodies to Dirofilaria immitis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using a purified adult dirofilaria-derived antigen. Most dogs also were evaluated for heartworm infection by a complete WBC count and a Knott test for circulating microfilariae. The serologic prevalence of heartworm infection was 34.

Helping people adjust to the death of a pet.

Recently the bond that exists between people and their pets and its impact on physical and mental health have become topics of interest. This descriptive study examines the provision of social work services in a veterinary hospital to individuals who are distressed about a pet's illness or death and considers the implications of this kind of service delivery for social work.

Occupational lead exposure. Effects on saccadic eye movements.

Quantitative measures of saccadic eye movements were examined in 52 lead exposed autobody shop workers and 52 age matched controls with no history of occupational lead exposure. Three characteristics of saccadic eye movements were studied: 1) saccade accuracy; 2) number of overshoots; and 3) maximum velocity. The results indicated that workers exposed to inorganic lead showed a decrease in saccade accuracy and an increase in overshoots compared with controls.

Experimental Toxocara canis infection in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis).

Visceral larva migrans was produced in 16 cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) experimentally inoculated with 45,000 embryonated eggs of Toxocara canis as a single bolus or in 3 divided doses. The hematologic and serologic changes were similar to those observed in children with visceral Toxocara infection. Neurologic signs developed in 3 animals and were characterized by ataxia and nystagmus.

Mesothelioma in pet dogs associated with exposure of their owners to asbestos.

Pet dogs with spontaneous mesothelioma were used to identify environmental exposures that might increase their owner's risk of asbestos-related disease. These animals share man's domicile environment, yet do not indulge in activities (e.g.

Epidemiology of canine heartworm infection.

Factors affecting transmission of D. immitis between dogs are summarized in table 4. Although this list may not be exhaustive, it illustrates the complexity of heartworm epidemiology.

Intrathecal dextrose to prevent seizures after metrizamide myelography in dogs.

Seizures are possible complications of metrizamide myelography. The protective effect (as measured by reduction in seizure incidence) of dextrose in solution with metrizamide was studied by conducting a double-blind trail. Fourteen dogs each had two myelograms at five- to 16-day intervals in a crossover study, while ten additional dogs each had a single myelogram.

Epizootiologic patterns of diabetes mellitus in dogs.

A case-control study of spontaneous diabetes mellitus in dogs was undertaken, using 2 veterinary data bases. The Veterinary Medical Data Program (VMDP) contained records of 1,019 cases of canine diabetes from 14 university-affiliated veterinary hospitals. The Animal Medical Center (AMC), a private veterinary hospital which has not participated in the VMDP, contained records of 449 diabetes cases.

Veterinary nosocomial (hospital-acquired) Klebsiella infections.

In March 1978, 3 cases of Klebsiella infection occurred in dogs in the intensive care unit at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. The hospital staff was concerned about the possibility of a common-source epidemic, and a record review was conducted for the period January 1977 to April 1978, to examine the past pattern of nosocomial Klebsiella infection. Twenty-three dogs and 1 cat were identified as having had nosocomial Klebsiella infection; the incidence among hospitalized dogs for the 6-month period was 0.

Behavioral effects of lead and Toxocara canis in mice.

Adult mice were administered the common parasite Toxocara canis or lead or both. The parasite clearly altered mouse performance on tests of exploration, activity, learning, and motor coordination; behavioral effects in mice receiving lead alone were less general. Consequence of Toxocara administration appeared attenuated in animals receiving both agents.

Intranasal vaccine trial for canine infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough).

Two field trials were conducted during periods of endemic (summer) and epizootic (winter) canine infectious tracheobronchitis activity to evaluate the efficacy of three intranasal vaccines in a closed commercial beagle breeding kennel. A trivalent vaccine containing Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza, and canine adenovirus-2 was administered at 3 weeks of age. The vaccine was 71.