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Biomedical subjects

K A Eaton

Publications and source records attributed to K A Eaton.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Role of Helicobacter felis in chronic canine gastritis.

Five gnotobiotic Beagle dogs were orally inoculated with a pure culture of Helicobacter felis. The remaining two littermates served as contact controls. Thirty days after infection, all animals were euthanatized and specimens were collected for evaluation. In infected dogs, H. felis was recovered from all areas of the stomach. Colonization was heaviest in the fundus and antrum. H. felis was not cultured from any segment of the gastrointestinal tract distal to the duodenum. Two weeks after infection, all five infected dogs had detectable IgM and IgG serum antibody to H. felis, whereas control dogs had no measurable H. felis serum antibody throughout the study. Histopathologic changes in the stomachs of infected dogs included large numbers of lymphoid nodules throughout all regions of the gastric mucosa and were most numerous in the fundus and body. A mild, diffuse lymphocytic infiltrate with small numbers of plasma cells and eosinophils was also present in the subglandular region of all portions of the gastric mucosa. Electron microscopic examination revealed large numbers of spiral-shaped H. felis in gastric mucus adjacent to or superimposed over the areas of inflammation. Occasionally, however, H. felis was observed within the canaliculi of gastric parietal cells. Histopathologic changes in the stomachs of the contact control dogs were limited to focal infiltrates of eosinophils and small aggregates of lymphocytes in the subglandular portions of the gastric mucosa in one animal. Infection with H. felis is a likely cause of naturally occurring lymphofollicular gastritis.

Animals↗

The way forward.

At the end of November the Department of Health held a seminar in London on the topic of oral health education. An invited audience of 60 heard presentations about the problems in this field and how Department-funded experimental projects have sought to overcome them. These presentations were followed by a discussion about possible ways forward.

Health Education, Dental↗

Essential role of urease in pathogenesis of gastritis induced by Helicobacter pylori in gnotobiotic piglets.

A mutant strain of Helicobacter pylori with weak urease activity was created by using N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. The urease activity of the mutant (0.036 +/- 0.009 nmol of urea per micrograms of bacterial protein per min) was 0.4% of that of the parental strain (8.20 +/- 2.30 nmol of urea per micrograms of bacterial protein per min). The mutant was otherwise indistinguishable from the parental strain. Both demonstrated prominent catalase and oxidase activities, and both produced vacuolating cytotoxin. Restriction endonuclease and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) patterns and ultrastructure were identical for the two strains. The mutant was fully motile, as evaluated by spreading in soft agar and by direct microscopic examination. Growth rate and colony size and morphology were identical for the mutant and parental strains. Seventeen gnotobiotic piglets were challenged with either the mutant or the parental strain and sacrificed 3 or 21 days after challenge. Gastric tissue was examined histologically and cultured for H. pylori. Of seven piglets challenged with the parental strain, all became infected. H. pylori was not recovered from any of 10 piglets challenged with the urease-negative strain. Lymphofollicular gastritis was present in all seven piglets challenged with the parental strain but in none of the piglets challenged with the urease-negative strain. These results suggest that prominent urease activity is essential for colonization by H. pylori.

Animals↗

Gastric spiral bacilli in captive cheetahs.

Two kinds of gastric spiral bacilli were identified in the stomachs of captive cheetahs with naturally occurring gastritis. One type was morphologically similar to 'Gastrospirillum hominis'. This organism could not be cultured in vitro. Some of these bacteria had superficial helical filaments, and others did not. The other type was morphologically, biochemically, and bacteriologically similar to Helicobacter pylori. This organism is most likely a new species of Helicobacter. One or both of these bacteria may have been responsible for the gastritis seen in these cheetahs.

Acinonyx↗

Persistence of Helicobacter pylori in conventionalized piglets.

Gnotobiotic piglets were challenged at 3 days of age with Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori and then transferred to conventional housing at 24 days of age. Piglets were sacrificed 43-45, 57-60, and 87-90 days after challenge. H. pylori was recovered from the stomachs of all piglets challenged except for two piglets sacrificed 45 days after challenge. H. pylori was not recovered from uninfected control piglets. In addition to H. pylori, Lactobacillus and Bacillus species were recovered from conventionalized piglets. Serum from infected piglets contained H. pylori-specific IgG, IgM, and IgA. IgM titers peaked at 14 days after challenge and then declined. IgG and IgA titers continued to rise over the course of the experiment. Piglets in both uninfected control and challenged groups demonstrated lymphofollicular gastritis, but the gastritis was more severe in challenged piglets.

Animals↗

Helicobacter pylori gastric infection in gnotobiotic beagle dogs.

Establishment of infection with Helicobacter pylori and gastritis in nonhuman species is currently only successful in gnotobiotic piglets. This study was designed to determine whether H. pylori will colonize the gastrointestinal tract of gnotobiotic dogs. Gnotobiotic beagle pups were derived by standard methods. Group A (five dogs) was orally challenged with 3 x 10(8) H. pylori at 7 days of age. Group B (two dogs) received only peptone water but was contact-exposed beginning on day 23 postinfection (p.i.). Necropsy was performed on dogs on day 30 p.i. H. pylori colonized the stomach of all dogs (groups A and B). Urease map analysis correlated with the microbiologic findings and indicated that the density of colonization was less than that observed in human tissue. Organisms were also recovered from the pharynx, esophagus, duodenum, and rectum of 1, 2, 2, and 1 dog, respectively. All group A and one group B dog developed serum immunoglobulin G specific for H. pylori by day 30 p.i. Gross lesions were restricted to the stomach and consisted of small (less than 1 mm) lymphoid follicles. Microscopically, there were focal to diffuse lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates with follicle formation and mild to moderate infiltration of neutrophils and eosinophils in the gastric lamina propria. With the Warthin-Starry silver stain, organisms were seen on the surface of the gastric epithelial cells, beneath the mucus layer. We conclude that H. pylori colonizes the stomachs of gnotobiotic dogs for at least 1 month and the lesions resemble those seen in humans. H. pylori is transmissible by contact from infected to noninfected dogs.

Animals↗

Caval syndrome in a Dirofilaria immitis-infected dog treated with dichlorvos.

In the dog of this report, lesions found were compatible with death attributable to acute circulatory collapse induced by caval syndrome and compounded by microfilarial death. Hepatic centrilobular hemorrhage and necrosis were suggestive of circulatory collapse, renal hemosiderosis was suggestive of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and multifocal subacute hepatic inflammation associated with microfilariae was similar to lesions attributed to microfilarial death. Treatment with dichlorvos may have precipitated these events. Previous descriptions of dichlorvos toxicity in microfilaremic dogs have suggested that death is attributable to shock, but pathogenic mechanisms have not been established. Although generalizations from a single case must be made with caution, lesions in this dog suggest that toxic effects may be mediated through effects on adult and larval heartworms.

Animals↗

Evaluation of simple periodontal screening technique currently used in the UK armed forces.

The need to prioritise resources for periodontal care within the UK Armed Forces has led to the development and introduction of a simple periodontal screening technique, the Periodontal Index for Treatment (PIT), based upon the clinical assessment of six teeth (all first molars and the maxillary right and mandibular left central incisors) with a specially designed periodontal probe (the PIT probe) and the use of bitewing radiography. This paper describes the evaluation of the technique. This was carried out by examining 406 subjects aged from 16 to 64 yr in four groups. All subjects received a full mouth periodontal assessment, performed by one of two periodontists with standardised bitewing radiography of their premolar and first and second molars. They were then categorised as periodontally healthy (PIT 0), with gingivitis but no pocketing exceeding 4 mm (PIT 1), with pocketing 4-5 mm (PIT 2), or with 6 mm + pocketing (PIT 3). The subjects were then examined and categorised by one of 32 General Dental Practitioners using the PIT technique upon the six test teeth and subsequently viewing the bitewing radiographs. The results of the two types of examination, with and without bitewing radiographic evidence, were tested for sensitivity and specificity to detect pocketing in excess of 4 mm and/or bone loss. The results showed that, when used without bitewings as an adjunct, the PIT technique showed a specificity of 95-100% but a low sensitivity in three groups (36%, 52% and 59%) and of 94% in the fourth group who had in fact been referred for periodontal treatment. When bitewing radiographs were used as an adjunct to periodontal probing, the PIT technique showed a specificity of 100% in each group and a sensitivity of 89-100% when screening for pockets and/or bone loss. It was concluded that, in the subjects studied, the PIT technique when used in conjunction with bitewing radiography provided simple, rapid and reliable periodontal screening.

Adolescent↗

Campylobacter pylori virulence factors in gnotobiotic piglets.

Thirty-three gnotobiotic piglets from four litters were challenged with motile and nonmotile strains of Campylobacter pylori. The most motile strain, 26695, was the most virulent, with a 100% infection rate. The least motile strain, Tx30a, was the least virulent, with an infection rate of only 17%. Strain 60190 was weakly motile and had intermediate virulence, with an infection rate of 40%. Strains recovered from piglets were more motile than the challenge strains. The challenge strains also differed in cytotoxin production. The least virulent strain, Tx30a, was nontoxigenic, while the other two strains produced high levels of cytotoxin. Thus, virulence of C. pylori for gnotobiotic piglets correlated very well with motility and not as well with cytotoxin production.

Animals↗

Visceral leishmaniasis in an English foxhound from an Ohio research colony.

Visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed in a 5-year-old English Foxhound born and housed in an Ohio research colony. Physical examination revealed pyrexia, hematochezia, panuveitis, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. Hematologic and serum biochemical abnormalities consisted of anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, azotemia, and proteinuria. Postmortem examination revealed widely disseminated (spleen, bone marrow, lymph node, liver, kidney, lungs) Leishmania amastigotes within macrophages.

Animals↗

Assessment of plaque by image analysis.

The uneven distribution and pattern of staining, revealed on root-planed, periodontally-involved root surfaces by the application of a plaque-disclosing solution, precludes the use of conventional plaque scoring indices or other methods of assessment based on planimetric and gravimetric techniques. A method has been developed and evaluated to quantify stained areas using image analysis. The method is reproducible, with an error factor of 1.32%, and represents a comparatively simple, yet effective technique for quantifying plaque on irregular root surface areas.

Dental Plaque↗

The removal of root surface deposits.

The importance of adequate root surface instrumentation has received increasing emphasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which root planning could produce surfaces free of stainable deposits. Initial laboratory investigations on extracted, periodontally involved roots demonstrated that after meticulous root preparation, totally non-stainable surfaces could be obtained. These surfaces were shown to consist of either thin cementum or dentine. The efficacy of instrumenting periodontally involved buccal root surfaces on the anterior teeth of 33 patients, undergoing routine periodontal flap surgery was then evaluated. Root surfaces were instrumented either before or after the reflection of surgical flaps. Remaining bacterial deposits were disclosed with a gentian violet solution and the root surfaces then photographed. Further root planing, disclosure and photography were then carried out. These photographic slides were analysed for stainable deposits on the root surfaces using an image analysis system, based on densitometric principles, to measure the areas of stainable root surface deposits. The findings revealed that root planning under direct vision at the time of surgery was more effective than blind instrumentation. However, in no instance was any root surface found to be completely free of stainable deposits.

Adolescent↗

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in a colony of macaque monkeys.

A naturally occurring immunodeficiency syndrome has been seen in a captive colony of macaque monkeys. This syndrome is seen primarily in the species Macaca cyclopis. Affected animals died with lymphomas (a rare disease in macaques) or such opportunistic infections as Pneumocystis carinii and noma (necrotizing gingivitis). These M. cyclopis exhibited anemia, neutropenia, and a circulating bizarre immature monocyte. In addition, liver function tests suggested hepatitis. Pokeweed mitogen-, concanavalin A-, and xenogeneic cell-stimulated proliferative responses by lymphocytes of animals with the syndrome were dramatically diminished. The T4 (helper, inducer)/T8 (suppressor, cytotoxic) ratio in the peripheral blood mononuclear T-cell populations of M. cyclopis in this colony are decreased when compared with those from either Macaca mulatta in the same colony or normal humans. Epidemiologic evidence implicates a common source agent in this syndrome. The similarity of this syndrome in macaques to human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome suggests that it may provide an important model for studying the human syndrome.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Size dependent platelet subpopulations: relationship of platelet volume to ultrastructure, enzymatic activity, and function.

A method for the separation of platelets on the basis of their size has been developed using counterflow centrifugation. Platelets were separated, free of plasma proteins and other cells, into seven subpopulations. The smallest-sized platelets, designated as Fraction 1, had a mean platelet volume (MPV) of 3.94 +/- 0.60 micrometer 3 (SD). Each successive fraction had a progressively larger MPV. The MPV for the largest-sized platelets, designated Fraction 7, was 8.19 +/- 0.64 micrometer 3. The MPV for the original platelets prior to fractionation was 6.57 +/- 0.61 micrometer 3. The mean density of Fraction 1 platelets was 1.067 +/- 0.002 g/cm3, while Fraction 7 had a mean density of 1.072 +/- 0.001 g/cm3. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that Fraction 1 had 4.3 +/- 0.9 dense bodies per platelet, and Fraction 7 had 12.6 +/- 2.4 dense bodies per platelet. Platelet LDH activity showed that the Fraction 1 platelets had 4.77 +/- 0.92 iu per 10(10) platelets; Fraction 7 platelets had 14.88 +/- 1.23 iu per 10(10) platelets. The LDH activity in the platelets before separation into subpopulations was 9.47 +/- 1.45 iu per 10(10) platelets. Platelet function was measured by ADP-induced aggregation, serotonin uptake, and thrombin-induced release. Progressively more rapid and more complete aggregation was observed as the platelet size increased over the seven fractions. Serotonin uptake was 4.2 times greater in the Fraction 7 platelets than in the Fraction 1 platelets. Quantitative release of serotonin following thrombin stimulation was significantly greater in the larger-sized platelets than in the smaller-sized platelets. The observed differences in platelet aggregation, dense body content, LDH activity, and serotonin uptake and release suggest that large platelets may be functionally more important than smaller platelets.

Adult↗

Gastritis induced by Helicobacter pylori in gnotobiotic piglets.

Helicobacter pylori has recently been recognized as a gastric pathogen in humans. Experimental oral inoculation of gnotobiotic piglets with this organism results in gastritis that exhibits many features of the corresponding disease in humans. In piglets the organism is restricted to the gastric microenvironment and persists in that location despite prompt humoral and cellular responses to antigens of H. pylori. The gnotobiotic piglet model is useful for delineation of the role of suspected bacterial virulence factors (i.e., motility and urease production) in gastric colonization and for preclinical determination of the efficacy of various antimicrobial substances.

Animals↗

Inheritance of polycystic kidney disease in Persian cats.

Polycystic kidney disease in Persian cats culminates in chronic renal failure after a variable clinical course. An affected 6-year-old Persian cat was used to establish a colony of cats with polycystic kidney disease. In affected cats, cysts could be detected by ultrasonography as early as 7 weeks of age. Absence of cysts on ultrasound examination at 6 months of age was correlated with absence of polycystic kidney disease at necropsy. Both males and females were affected and, of progeny from affected x unaffected crosses, 42% were affected and 58% were unaffected. In affected x affected crosses, 73% of progeny were affected and 27% were unaffected. These results are compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance of this trait. Polycystic kidney disease in Persian cats resembles autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in human beings, and represents a valuable animal model of the human disease.

Animals↗