Zebrafish developmental toxicity assay: A fishy solution to reproductive toxicity screening, or just a red herring?

The zebrafish embryotoxicity/teratogenicity assay is described as a useful alternative screening model to evaluate the effect of drugs on embryofoetal development. Fertilized eggs were exposed to different concentrations of 15 compounds with teratogenic (8) and non-teratogenic (7) potential until 96h post-fertilization when 28 morphological endpoints and the level of compound uptake was assessed. The majority of drugs testing positive in mammals was also positive in zebrafish (75% sensitivity), while a relative high number of false positives were noted (43% specificity).

Gavage-related reflux in rats: identification, pathogenesis, and toxicological implications (review).

After oral gavage dosing of rats, reflux may occur, resulting in serious respiratory effects and mortality. Published information on gavage-related reflux is limited, as it has not yet been a focus of research. Nevertheless, it represents a recurrent challenge in daily toxicology practice of oral gavage dosing.

Unexpected nasal changes in rats related to reflux after gavage dosing.

In a three-week oral gavage toxicity study in rats, a high incidence of respiratory symptoms and high mortality was noted in compound-dosed rats only. Because of audible respiration, an effect in the upper respiratory tract was suspected and the nasal cavity was included for examination. Histology revealed extensive necrosis and purulent inflammation within the nasal passages, indicative of direct irritation.

Pharmacology and placental transfer of a human alphav integrin monoclonal antibody in rabbits.

Background: Intetumumab is a human IgG1 anti-alphav-integrin monoclonal antibody that inhibits angiogenesis. Integrin binding and angiogenesis are important in reproduction including fertilization, implantation, and embryofetal development. These studies were designed to determine the pharmacological relevance of the rabbit for the evaluation of potential effects on embryofetal development and to evaluate the placental transfer of intetumumab in rabbits.

Peptic ulcer disease associated with Helicobacter felis in a dog owner.

The aim of this study was to investigate the identity of the Helicobacter heilmannii-like bacteria found in the stomach of a human patient suffering from stomach ulcers and her asymptomatic pet dog. An elderly woman was referred for gastroscopy because of right hypochondrial pain, nausea, anorexia and vomiting. Gastric ulcers were observed and histology revealed the presence of multiple H.

Helicobacter pullorum in chickens, Belgium.

A total of 110 broilers from 11 flocks were tested for Helicobacter pullorum by polymerase chain reaction; positive samples were reexamined with a conventional isolation method. H. pullorum isolates were examined by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting for interstrain genetic diversity and relatedness.

Detection of non-pylori Helicobacter species in "Helicobacter heilmannii"-infected humans.

Background: A small proportion of patients suffering from chronic active gastritis are diagnosed with gastric Helicobacter species other than Helicobacter pylori. Circumstantial evidence has suggested that these bacteria, also referred to as "Helicobacter heilmannii"-like organisms (HHLO), may be transmitted through animals. The isolation of a Helicobacter bizzozeronii strain from a human patient confirmed this hypothesis.

Identification of non-Helicobacter pylori spiral organisms in gastric samples from humans, dogs, and cats.

Tightly coiled bacteria are a rare cause of gastric pathology in humans and represent a mixture of species for which a zoonotic origin is suspected. Similar organisms are common inhabitants of the gastric mucosae of carnivores and pigs. It was the goal of the present study to determine the actual occurrence of each individual Helicobacter species in human, canine, and feline stomachs in order to better understand the possible zoonotic significance.