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Biomedical subjects

R B Miller

Publications and source records attributed to R B Miller.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Antimicrobial resistance among Pasteurella spp recovered from Missouri and Iowa cattle with bovine respiratory disease complex.

A retrospective study was conducted to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among Pasteurella spp recovered from cattle with bovine respiratory disease complex. The study extended from January 1976 through May 1980, and included a review of the necropsy records of 386 beef cattle. Susceptibility or resistance of the Pasteurella isolants was determined by using the standard disk diffusion susceptibility test. Each isolant was tested for susceptibility with 15 different antimicrobial agents. A high prevalence of resistance (greater than 80%) was found when Pasteurella was tested with triple sulfonamides. For P haemolytica isolants, 57% to 70% were resistant to ampicillin (56/97), penicillin (58/101), and streptomycin (70/100); for unidentified Pasteurella spp isolants, 64% to 91% were resistant to ampicillin (83/129), penicillin (89/129), and streptomycin (118/129). For P haemolytica (21/100) and P multocida (34/146) isolants, 21% to 23% were resistant to tetracycline. Most of the P multocida isolants did not show marked antimicrobial resistance to 9 of the 15 drugs tested. However, 58% of the P multocida isolants (84/145) were resistant to streptomycin and 88% of them were resistant to three combined sulfonamides (126/144).

Animals↗

Ovarian disorders: clinical and morphological observations in 30 mares.

A five year prospective study of equine ovarian problems requiring surgical correction was undertaken at the Ontario Veterinary College. Thirty mares were studied, of which 14 had granulosa cell tumors, six were with anovulatory persistent follicular "structures", five had ovarian hemotoma, two presented ovarian hypoplasia and one each of ovarian dysgerminoma, teratoma and abscessation. The clinical signs manifested by the affected animals were varied. The affected ovaries were removed via flank or midline laparotomy or through colpotomy. Their morphology was studied and representative portions of affected ovaries submitted for laboratory diagnosis. Postsurgical recovery and resumption of reproductive activity were satisfactory.

Animals↗

A quantitative study of the histological morphology of the endometrium of normal and barren mares.

The density of uterine glands, height of surface epithelium, numbers of hemosiderin laden macrophages, inflammatory cells and layers of periglandular fibrosis were evaluated in uterine biopsies from 40 mares. These features were found to be highly variable in normal equine endometrium. Minor pathological changes appeared to be masked by this normal variability. Atrophy of uterine glands was recognized in mares which had been barren for more than three years. No significant differences were found between barren and normal mares in the height of epithelium, number of hemosiderin laden macrophages, inflammatory cells or layers of collagen surrounding glands in the superficial portion of endometrium. The number of layers of fibrosis surrounding glands in the deep part of lamina propria were found to be correlated with years of barrenness. This finding appears to have prognostic potential.

Animals↗

Serum lysozyme (muramidase) activity in dogs with neoplastic disease.

The lysozyme (muramidase) activity was measured in the sera of 84 dogs with neoplastic disease. Neoplasms included 32 lymphomas, 13 primary bone neoplasms, 5 melanomas, 5 thyroid neoplasms, 9 soft tissue sarcomas, 5 mast cell sarcomas, and 15 carcinomas. The sera from 21 healthy dogs served as control. Dogs with neoplastic disease had significantly (P less than 0.005) higher serum lysozyme activity than did the healthy controls. For lymphosarcoma, dogs with clinical signs of systemic disease had significantly higher serum lysozyme activity than did dogs without clinical signs. For bone neoplasms, dogs with metastatic disease had higher serum lysozyme activity than did dogs without metastasis. Increased lysozyme activity may be a useful marker of macrophage-mediated host responses to neoplasms in dogs.

Animals↗

The use of endometrial biopsy in the infertile mare.

The results of a study on endometrial biopsies obtained from 700 infertile mares are reported. Infiltrative endometritis was present in 51% consisting of a combination of an acute and chronic cellular response in 6%, mild chronic infiltrations in 35% and moderate to severe chronic infiltrations in 10%. Demonstrable endometrial fibrosis was found in 88% of the mares with the majority having mild (51%) or moderate (35%) changes. The age of the mares and the average number of years barren gradually increased with the severity of endometrial fibrosis, as did the combined incidence of fetal loss (early embryonic death and abortion) during the three year period preceding the biopsy.A significant decrease in foaling percentage for the year following the biopsy was observed with increasing severity of endometrial fibrosis. Chisquare analysis projected a decrease in foaling rate of 22.8% for each category increase in severity. The number of years barren and the farm management system used also had a significant effect on foaling probability. The foaling rates for mares that were bred artificially (82%) under strict veterinary supervision using an extender incorporating gentamicin were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than for mares bred in a conventional manner under average management conditions (48%). It was concluded that endometrial biopsy is a valuable diagnostic and prognostic technique. When the degree of fibrosis is used to predict foaling probability, the number of years barren and the breeding method to be used should also be considered to arrive at a more accurate prediction.

Animals↗

The effect of prolonged exposure to industrial noise on otosclerosis.

More than 3000 workers referred by the Workmen's Compensation Board of Ontario have been evaluated for pension for industrial hearing loss. They include the normal proportion of otosclerotics, many of whom have had surgical therapy. The operations have been done by a wide variety of surgeons in the province of Ontario, and the results are representative of those which will be obtained in a large section of the Canadian community. The results are significantly worse than generally quoted, and some of the deficiencies are attributable to occupation. These include perilymph fistula from excessive straining and sensorineural hearing loss due to noise exposure. Detailed results will be presented.

Disability Evaluation↗

A rapid spectrophotometric method for the determination of esterase activity.

We have developed a spectrophotometric assay method which continuously records esterase activity at 510 nm by monitoring absorbance changes due to the formation of a diazo dye complex. In our method, alpha-naphthyl ester substrates are hydrolyzed by enzymatic action to alpha-naphthol which couples to Fast Blue RR salt (a diazonium salt) forming a diazo dye complex. Our method is unique in directly monitoring the formation of the diazo dye complex without extracting the color of the complex as in other methods that use naphthyl esters and diazo coupling of reaction products. The method appears to be limited to alpha-naphthyl ester substrates, however, since beta-naphthyl esters did not give a linear change in absorbance in the enzymatic reactions tested. With this assay method, one can use a single substrate both to determine esterase units quantitatively in solution and to detect esterase staining activity on gel electrophoresis.

Animals↗

Experimental induction of cutaneous streptococcal abscesses in swine as a sequela to swinepox.

Streptococcal abscesses were experimentally induced in skin of swine as a sequela to swinepox. Swinepox lesions were more uniform in distribution when infection was induced by IV injection of swinepox virus than when induced by lice (Haematopinus suis) or scarification of skin. The incubation period for swinepox was between 10 and 14 days when virus was administered IV. Cutaneous abscesses developed in swine given IV injection of streptococci 10 and 14 days after they were injected with swinepox virus, but not when they were given the streptococci 7 days after virus injection or simultaneously with virus injection. Abscesses did not develop when streptococci were applied topically to swinepox lesions.

Abscess↗

Hemodialysis and renal transplantation in patients with hypernephroma.

Of five patients with hypernephroma who were maintained on hemodialysis after nephrectomy, four died with metastic disease after having been on hemodialysis for an average of 13.7 months (range 8 to 19). The fifth patient had no evidence of malignancy after 21 months of dialysis; he then received a renal allograft from his sister, and did well for 24 months before he developed liver metastasis. We believe hemodialysis is an appropriate mode of treating the renal failure of patients with hypernephroma after therapeutic nephrectomy. These patients may be considered for renal transplantation after a period of hemodialysis, and we suggest the currently recommended 12-month waiting period before transplantation be extended to 18 to 24 months. Use of living related donor renal allograft in these patients is questionable.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The indirect fluorescent antibody technique as a method for detecting antibodies in aborted fetuses.

In this investigation the indirect fluorescent antibody technique was used to titrate antibodies in bovine sera to parainfluenza 3, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus and bovine viral diarrhea virus. These results were compared to those determined on the same samples by hemagglutination inhibition for parainfluenza 3 virus and serum neutralization for bovine virus diarrhea and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus. The results of the serological methods agreed closely. The indirect fluorescent antibody technique is a rapid and sensitive method for detecting antibodies and the procedure lends itself to use in diagnostic laboratories. In addition to the above viruses the presence or absence of antibodies to bovine coronavirus and bovine adenovirus 3 were determined by the indirect fluorescent antibody technique in thoracic fluids from 100 aborted fetuses and 50 nonaborted fetuses. Results on these samples were not compared to hemagglutination inhibition or serum neutralization as the condition of fluid samples from aborted fetuses renders interpretation of such tests unreliable. Antibodies to one or more viruses were detected in 30 of the 100 aborted fetuses and in seven of the 50 nonaborted fetuses. Antibodies to more than one agent were detected in eleven of the 100 aborted and in one of the 50 nonaborted fetuses. Reasons for this occurrence and application of the test in determination of causes of abortion are discussed.

Abortion, Veterinary↗

Epizootic of concurrent cutaneous streptococcal abscesses and swinepox in a herd of swine.

Concurrent cutaneous abscesses and swinepox were observed in a herd of swine. An ungroupable hemolytic streptococcus was isolated from the abscesses. Tests indicated that streptococci isolated from different swine were similar if not identical. Swinepox lesions were observed on swine only after weaning. Lice (Haematopinus suis) were numerous on the suckling and weaned swine and appeared to be resistant to lindane. Abscesses, swinepox, and lice were eliminated after the swine were treated with an organic phosphate insecticide and antibacterial agents were added to the rations.

Abscess↗

A controlled release papaverine tablet (Papacontin): a study in normal volunteers.

1. A controlled release tablet containing 300 mg of papaverine hydrochloride was compared with a capsule containing the same dose. 2. The in vitro release pattern showed a steady dissolution of the tablet, with release of the papaverine over 10 h, whereas the capsule release time was 40 min. 3. Plasma levels in volunteers who were given the tablet showed a rapid rise to therapeutic levels (150-300 ng/ml) within 1 h, and maintenance of these levels for 10-12 h, with no accumulation on repeated 12 hourly dosage. Administration of the capsule produced early peaking and a subsequent rapid fall in plasma levels.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗

Some lesions observed in calves born to cows exposed to the virus of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis in the last trimester of gestation.

Sixteen pregnant cows were challenged with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus intranasally. One had a mummified fetus, four aborted, one calf was stillborn, two live fetuses were taken at the abattoir and eight calves were born alive. Of the eight born alive, five were dead by 12 days of age. Four of these had the usual lesions of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis as well as lesions in the intestine and peritoneum and two of the four had a fibrinous pneumonia thought to be caused by aspiration of milk. The lesions, results of virus isolation and fluorescent antibody testing are recorded in these four calves. Attention is drawn to the intestinal lesions, the peritonitis and fibrinous pneumonia and the ease with which the underlying infectious bovine rhinotracheitis infection may be overlooked.

Abortion, Veterinary↗