Biomedical subjects

M G Hart

Publications and source records attributed to M G Hart.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1982

Haematological findings in healthy and sick African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus).

Full blood counts and fibrinogen estimations were carried out on 11 clinically normal, adult African grey parrots. Reference values derived from these tests were used to identify abnormalities in the blood counts of 11 sick parrots thought to be suffering from bacterial infections. All sick birds showed higher than normal heterophil counts, paralleled in some cases by lymphocytosis, monocytosis, thrombocytosis and increased fibrinogen levels. Anaemia was present in two birds and several others showed minor red cell abnormalities. The findings indicate that clinical haematology can make a useful contribution to the differential diagnosis of infection in African grey parrots. The findings also suggest that the development of anaemia can be a significant complicating factor in infectious conditions in these birds.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Haematological findings in red-necked wallabies (Protemnodon rufogrisea) with necrobacillosis.

Results of blood counts on 17 red-necked wallabies (Protemnodon rufogrisea) with confirmed necrobacillosis have been compared with those of 36 clinically normal animals. The most common abnormality in infected animals was a raised fibrinogen level, found in all of the cases tested. Neutrophilia occurred in 10 individuals and neutrophil morphology was abnormal in 15. Some infected animals showed monocytosis, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rates, high platelet counts and changes in their red cells. The findings provide useful information about the response of the blood to severe bacterial infections in red-necked wallabies and demonstrate the potential diagnostic use of clinical haematology in this species.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

Novel patterns of ultraviolet mutagenesis and Weigle reactivation in Staphylococcus aureus and phage phi 11.

The effects of u.v. irradiation on the survival of Staphylococcus aureus and its phage phi 11 were studied. The recA and uvr mutations affected their survival in a similar way to synonymous mutations in Escherichia coli. Weigle reactivation (W-reactivation) of phi 11 occurred in wild-type S. aureus and in a uvr mutant but to a lesser extent than has been found for phage lambda in E. coli. Reactivation was recA-dependent and was accompanied by u.v.-induced mutagenesis in a temperature-sensitive mutant of phi 11. Bacterial mutation to streptomycin resistance was induced by u.v. and was also recA-dependent. In S. aureus, as in E. coli, u.v. was a more effective mutagen in the uvr genetic background. However, a dose-squared response for u.v.-induced mutation of wild-type and uvr strains of S. aureus to streptomycin resistance, and of a trp auxotroph to tryptophan independence, was found only with u.v. doses below 1 J m-2. We suggest that, in relation to the Uvr mechanism of DNA repair, u.v. mutagenesis in S. aureus involves both repairable and non-repairable lesions. As in E. coli, the uvr genetic background reduced the u.v. dose required for maximal W-reactivation of u.v.-irradiated phage. However, there was no enhancement of W-reactivation by post-irradiation broth incubation of S. aureus. Our results are compatible with a non-inducible mechanism for this phenomenon.

DNA Repair↗

PubMed1978

The influence of anaesthetics on the haematology of the patas monkey, Erythrocebus patas.

The effects of phencyclidine, ketamine and an alphaxalone-alphadolone mixture on the haematology of the patas monkeys have been compared. In animals sedated with phencyclidine or ketamine the only significant difference detected was in the mean cell volume. Statistically significant differences in white-cell count and blood coagulation and fibrinolytic activity were found in monkeys which had received alphaxalone-alphadolone. It is suggested that ketamine is a suitable alternative to phencyclidine for haematological studies in these monkeys.

Alfaxalone Alfadolone Mixture↗

PubMed1975