Comparative genome analysis of three eukaryotic parasites with differing abilities to transform leukocytes reveals key mediators of Theileria-induced leukocyte transformation.

We sequenced the genome of Theileria orientalis, a tick-borne apicomplexan protozoan parasite of cattle. The focus of this study was a comparative genome analysis of T. orientalis relative to other highly pathogenic Theileria species, T.

Establishment of a quantitative bovine CXCL8 sandwich ELISA with newly developed monoclonal antibodies.

Three IgG class anti-bovine CXCL8 (bCXCL8) monoclonal antibody (mAb)-secreting hybridomas, SH8-8D7, SH8-12A5 and SH8-2A1, were developed. SH8-8D7 was IgG2a, and SH8-12A5 and SH8-2A1 were IgG1. All three mAbs detected recombinant bCXCL8 (rbCXCL8) by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting.

Oral vaccination against mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine using a live Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae vaccine strain as a vector.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Koganei 65-0.15 strain, the live swine erysipelas vaccine for subcutaneous injection, has been shown to colonize the tonsils of pigs after oral inoculation. We thus evaluated the possible use of the strain as a vector for oral vaccination against mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine.

Effects of intramammary infusions of interleukin-8 on milk protein composition and induction of acute-phase protein in cows during mammary involution.

The effects of interleukin-8 (IL-8) on bovine mammary functions such as milk protein secretion and the blood-milk barrier during mammary involution were evaluated. Following the final milking, recombinant bovine (rb) IL-8 (5 or 25 microg) and a saline placebo were individually infused into the left- and right-front teat cisterns of 6 cows, respectively. Three cows without treatment at the final milking were also used as controls.

The secretion of acute phase proteins and inflammatory cytokines during Trypanosoma congolense infection is not affected by the absence of the TNF-alpha gene.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a role in the host's defence against infections with African trypanosomes. It helps to control the blood stream form of the parasite and in Trypanosoma congolense infections, it also prolongs survival. The mechanisms by which this cytokine can influence parasitemia and survival are unknown.

Transport stress increases somatic cell counts in milk, and enhances the migration capacity of peripheral blood neutrophils of dairy cows.

The present study was designed to determine the effects of physiological stress on milk-somatic cell counts (SCC) and function of bovine peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). Nine healthy lactating cows were used in the examination. Five cows were transported 100 km for 4 hr (transported group; TG), and 4 cows were penned (non-transported group; NTG).

Cytokine and inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expressions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and related clinical characteristics in Theileria orientalis sergenti-infected calves.

Eight splenectomized calves were inoculated with Theileria orientalis sergenti (Tos)-infected tick gland homogenate (5 calves) or infected erythrocyte suspension (3 calves). Clinical characteristics were different in calves post-infection. Animals were divided into 3 groups on the basis of susceptibility as high, middle, and low.

The influence of oxidative bursts of phagocytes on red blood cell oxidation in anemic cattle infected with Theileria sergenti.

The primary clinical symptom of Japanese bovine theileriosis, caused by the intraerythrocytic protozoan Theileria sergenti, is anemia, but the underlying mechanism of this anemia remains unknown. To elucidate the pathogenesis of anemia developing in bovine theileriosis, we investigated the relationship between oxidative bursts of peripheral blood phagocytes (neutrophils and monocytes) and the oxidation of red blood cells (RBC) to the development of anemia in cattle experimentally infected with T. sergenti.

Oxidative damage and phosphatidylserine expression of red blood cells in cattle experimentally infected with Theileria sergenti.

In order to elucidate the mechanism of anemia in Japanese bovine theileriosis, we investigated the oxidative alteration of red blood cells (RBCs) in cattle infected with Theileria sergenti. As an index of RBC oxidation, the levels of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin-diacetate (DCFH) oxidation and malondialdehyde-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (MDA-TBARS), and phosphatidylserine (PS) expression accompanying anemia were examined in experimentally infected cattle. Before the development of anemia, the concentrations of DCFH oxidation and MDA-TBARS were low, and PS expression on the surfaces of RBCs was hardly seen.

Increase in apoptotic polymorphonuclear neutrophils in peripheral blood after intramammary infusion of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.

A transient increase in apoptotic polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) as revealed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl, transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique in bovine jugular and milk vein blood was observed 4 h after intramammary infusion of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (jugular vein; before infusion 10.1%, 4h 58.3%: milk vein; before infusion 13.

Increase in oxidized proteins in Theileria sergenti-infected erythrocyte membrane.

As a part of the elucidation of the pathogenesis of anemia in Theileria sergenti infection, oxidized-erythrocyte membrane proteins (OEMPs) collected from T. sergenti-infected calves were examined. The amount of OEMPs were seen to increase with the progress of the anemia and showed a maximum value around the crisis period of the infection.