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R F Ross

Publications and source records attributed to R F Ross.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Comparison of complement fixation test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of early infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.

The relative merits of the complement-fixation test (CF) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of the early antibody response to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae were evaluated. Discriminant analysis, a statistical procedure, was used to avoid difficulties associated with variation in background color and nonspecific reactions obtained with ELISA with different sera. Specific-pathogen-free pigs were exposed by contact to other specific-pathogen-free pigs which had been inoculated with M hyopneumoniae intratracheally (experiment A) or intranasally (experiment B) 18 to 21 days previously. Sera were collected from each pig before contact exposure and once a week until necropsy. Antibodies were detected by CF at postexposure (PE) week 3 in animals in experiment A (6 of 18) and at PE week 5 in experiment B (3 of 12). The ELISA antibodies were detected at 2 weeks after beginning of contact exposure in experiments A (4 of 18) and B (1 of 12). Examination of pooled data for experiments A and B indicated that ELISA was substantially (P less than 0.05) more sensitive for detection of antibodies than was the CF test at 3 to 5 weeks after contact exposure began. At PE weeks 6 and 7, both tests were similarly effective in detecting M hyopneumoniae antibodies.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Characteristics of protective activity of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccine.

Protective activity of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccines prepared from whole cells or crude extracts was evaluated in an experimentally induced mycoplasmal pneumonia swine model. Swine were obtained at 7 to 10 weeks of age from a surgically derived herd free of porcine mycoplasmas. Vaccines prepared from whole cells, freeze-thaw-saline solution extract, supernate of culture, or saline wash of cells were treated with 0.15% formalin, incorporated with Freund incomplete adjuvant, and administered IM in 2 doses. Twenty-five to 42 days after the 1st dose of vaccine was given, pigs were challenge exposed intratracheally with supernate of lung homogenate containing only M hyopneumoniae. Necropsies were done 27 to 38 days after challenge exposure. For evaluation of protective efficacy of vaccines, determination of proportion of lung with gross lesions gave better results than histologic, fluorescent antibody or mycoplasmal isolation procedures. Whole cell vaccine containing 10(9) color-changing units of M hyopneumoniae, an amount attainable in log-phase cultures, protected swine against development of pneumonia. Whole cells, supernate of culture, and saline wash of cells induced comparable protection. Protective activity of whole cell vaccine resisted heating at 80 C. Extracts prepared according to a freeze-thaw procedure were variable in protective activity and, in some instances, enhanced lesion development.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Effect of age on susceptibility of pigs to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae pneumonia.

The effect of age on susceptibility of pigs to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae was compared in 2 experiments. In experiment A, pigs 3, 6, and 12 weeks of age were contact-exposed to pigs with established M hyopneumoniae infection for 27 days and then evaluated for pneumonia at necropsy done at 42 days after exposure began. In experiment B, pigs 3 and 11 to 12 weeks of age were contact-exposed for 20 days and then placed in separate, isolated hog houses until necropsy was done at 49 days after exposure began. Evaluations at necropsies revealed that no differences existed between age groups concerning occurrence or severity of pneumonia. Likewise, immunofluorescence and culture evaluations of lung tissue revealed that no significant differences existed among age groups concerning detection of M hyopneumoniae or time of seroconversion to the organism. Under conditions of this study, no differences were detected in susceptibility of pigs between 3 and 12 weeks of age.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1983

Long-acting oxytetracycline for control of induced Pasteurella multocida rhinitis in swine.

A long-acting oxytetracycline formulation was evaluated for control of rhinitis induced experimentally in pigs with a capsular type A, toxin-negative, low-passage strain of Pasteurella multocida. The pigs were 6 to 7 weeks old and were naturally infected with Haemophilus parasuis. The H parasuis infection was thought to predispose to establishment of P multocida in the nasal cavity. A long-acting oxytetracycline formulation was given IM at the rate of 20 mg/kg, 4 times at 5-day intervals. Medication reduced (P less than 0.05) the severity of turbinate atrophy and the proportion of pigs with P multocida and H parasuis in their nasal cavities. Numbers of colonies of P multocida and H parasuis isolated were also less in medicated pigs.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Comparison of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae strains by serologic methods.

Six field strains of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae isolated from pneumonic lungs of pigs, reference strains 11 and J of M hyopneumoniae, Ms 42 strain of Mycoplasma flocculare, and BTS 7 strain of Mycoplasma hyorhinis were compared serologically, using hyperimmune antisera produced in rabbits. All strains of M hyopneumoniae were closely related as determined with the disk growth-inhibition test; however, differences in zone sizes indicated that some antigenic heterogeneity existed. Cross-reactions were not detected between M hyopneumoniae, M flocculare, and M hyorhinis with the growth-inhibition test. The metabolic-inhibition test was more useful for detection of intraspecies antigenic difference than was the growth-inhibition test, since antigenic diversity was clearly detected among M hyopneumoniae strains. Slight cross-reactions were observed between M hyopneumoniae and M flocculare. Using 2-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis, antigenic differences were observed among M hyopneumoniae strains, although many common components also were detected in electropherograms. Mycoplasma flocculare possessed a close antigenic relationship to M hyopneumoniae, as determined by two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis, whereas both organisms were less related to M hyorhinis. Evidence obtained in this study indicated that strains of mycoplasmas tentatively identified as M hyopneumoniae were similar antigenically, but evidence was obtained also of some diversity in antigenic structure among these strains.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Susceptibility of sows to experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis.

A study was conducted to compare susceptibility of sows from 2 herds to experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis. Four sows each from herds R and S were inoculated intramammarily at postpartum hour 8 with a strain of E coli shown previously to be capable of producing mastitis. After inoculation with E coli, sows from herd S had higher temperatures, lower WBC counts, and lower plasma protein:fibrinogen ratios than did sows from herd R. Inoculated sows from herd S lost 83% of newborn pigs due to starvation by 14 days after inoculation, whereas sows from herd R lost none. Control, noninoculated sows from both herds had normal temperatures, normal hematologic values, and minimal mortality of piglets. Levels of antibodies (complement fixing, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and agglutinating) to E coli in preinoculation sera from the 2 populations of sows did not differ. Assay of lactoferrin by radial immunoassay revealed comparable concentrations in milk of sows from both herds during the first 24 hours after sows had delivered, but significantly higher values were detected in milk from sows of herd S at postpartum days 2 and 3. The basis for the marked difference in susceptibility to E coli-induced mastitis was not determined except that "susceptible" sows (herd S) were from a conventional herd and "resistant" sows (herd R) were from a specific-pathogen-free herd.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Depression of polymorphonuclear leukocyte function associated with experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis in sows.

In a study of susceptibilities of sows from 2 herds to experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis, a marked difference was seen. The "susceptible" sows were from a conventional herd and "resistant" sows were from a specific-pathogen-free herd. The purpose of the study was to determine whether deficient neutrophil function was associated with increased susceptibility to E coli-induced mastitis. Four in vitro procedures were used to evaluate polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function: (i) random migration under agarose, (ii) ingestion of 125I-iododeoxyuridine-labeled Staphylococcus aureus, (iii) quantitative nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, and (iv) iodination. After parturition and intramammary inoculation with E coli, sows from the susceptible herd were neutropenic and the neutrophils which were present in the peripheral blood had reduced function. Specifically, there were depressed random migration under agarose, S aureus ingestion, and iodination when compared with PMN function in resistant sows. These data indicate that susceptibility to E coli mastitis was associated with deficiencies in PMN numbers and function. Potential causes of the neutrophil dysfunction are discussed and include possible systemic hormonal aberrations or the presence of an inapparent viral or bacterial infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Prevalence of antibodies to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in Iowa swine.

The prevalence of complement-fixing antibodies to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae was determined in 7,321 sera collected from breeding swine of various ages. Samples were selected randomly in approximate proportion to the number of hogs marketed annually from each of 9 crop-reporting areas in Iowa. Testing was accomplished by means of a Microtiter complement-fixation test. Of the 7,321 sera, 22% had antibody titers of 1:4 or greater to M hyopneumoniae. Of the 597 herds sampled, 60% or 357 had at least 1 animal with a titer of 1:4 or greater. Use of the chi-square association test indicated that animals which were M hyopneumoniae-positive were more often Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae-positive than those that were M hyopneumoniae-negative.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Comparison of seven isolates of Mycoplasma meleagridis.

A comparative study of seven isolates of Mycoplasma meleagridis indicated that they were indistinguishable morphologically. Two isolates, E2 and 8M92, induced hemagglutination of red blood cells of several different species while the others did not. Metabolic inhibition, growth inhibition and growth precipitation tests revealed minor differences among the seven isolates. According to these differences, isolates were divided into three groups: antiserum-sensitive isolate 1466, less sensitive isolates N, 8M92, RY3, 529 and E2 and insensitive isolate 1940. One dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cell proteins revealed that all isolates of M. meleagridis had virtually identical patterns and that they were electrophoretically distinct from Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae. When nonhemagglutinating isolate N, and hemagglutinating isolate E2 were examined by simple immunoelectrophoresis, no differences were detected. However, minor antigenic differences were detected between the two strains by means of two dimensional immunoelectrophoresis.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1982

Antibody response of swine experimentally infected with Mycoplasma hyosynoviae.

Antibody responses of swine inoculated intranasally with M. hyosynoviae were determined using complement-fixation, latex-agglutination, metabolic-inhibition, and mycoplasmacidal tests. The infected swine developed latex-agglutinating antibodies by 6 days postinoculation, complement-fixing and metabolic-inhibiting antibodies by 9-12 days, and mycoplasmacidal antibodies which were first detected from 12 days to 8 weeks postinoculation. Antibody titers persisted for as long as 6 months postinoculation. Complement-fixing and mycoplasmacidal antibodies were mainly IgG, and latex-agglutinating antibodies were IgM. Early metabolic-inhibiting antibodies were IgM while later antibodies were mainly IgG. None of the pigs had detectable complement-fixing antibodies to Mycoplasma hyorhinis.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Applications of peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining technique for detection of transmissible gastroenteritis virus in pigs.

The peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) staining technique was used for the detection of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) in small intestines of TGEV-infected 8-week-old pigs and in infected McClurkin pig testicle cells by means of light microscopy. The specific-positive reaction was characterized by the presence of many brown granules of various sizes in the cytoplasm of infected cells. Nonspecific granules caused by endogenous peroxidases in the cytoplasm of eosinophils stained by PAP were darker, larger, more round, and more uniform in size than were specific granules. Acetone fixation was superior to fixation with periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde or 10% formalin. Our results indicate that the PAP staining technique is a sensitive, specific technique for detection of TGEV in the small intestines of pigs.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Changes in gut-associated lymphoid tissues of the small intestine of eight-week-old pigs infected with transmissible gastroenteritis virus.

The responses of the interepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) and aggregated lymph nodules (ALN; Peyer's patches) of the small intestines of 8-week-old pigs to transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) infection were characterized at 12, 18, and 24 hours after pigs were inoculated. There was no significant difference in numbers of IEL between control and TGEV-infected pigs at 12 and 18 hours. However, in pigs examined at 24 hours, there was a significant decrease in the number of IEL in the duodenum and cranial portion of the jejunum and an increase of IEL numbers in the nuclear level of the intestinal epithelium. Number and distribution were unchanged in the middle portion of the jejunum and the ileum. Microscopic changes in TGEV-infected pigs included microulceration of the dome epithelium (DE) over the ALN, especially in the cranial portion of the intestine, and villous atrophy in the entire length of the small intestine. Generally, TGEV was found by means of peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining in areas where microscopic lesions occurred. Electron microscopy revealed that M cells and ordinary microvillus-covered epithelial cells in the DE embraced one or more lymphocytes, and formed a specialized cell complex or DE complex. Most of the lymphocytes in the DE complex possessed many organelles indicative of an active cell state. The TGEV was found between microvilli, in the cytoplasmic vesicles of M cells and microvillus-covered epithelial cells in the DE, and in the cytoplasm of macrophages and lymphocytes and some degenerated cells of unidentified origin in the domes of the ALN. The virus was also commonly found in cytoplasmic vesicles of macrophages and degenerated cells in the intestinal lumen near the base of the dome of the ALN.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Prevalence of antibodies to Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae in Iowa swine.

The prevalence of complement-fixing (CF) antibodies to Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae in Iowa swine was determined by testing samples collected randomly from each of 9 crop-reporting areas (9 to 12 counties) in Iowa in approximate proportion to the number of swine marketed annually from each area. For testing, a pooled antigen composed of serotypes 1 to 5 of H pleuropneumoniae was used in a modified direct Microtiter complement-fixation test. Of 7,348 sera tested, 2,362 or 32.1% had CF antibodies (titer greater than or equal to 1:4) to the organism. On a herd basis, 417 of 597 herds or 68.8% had at least 1 animal with CF antibodies (titer greater than or equal to 1:4) to the organism. The clinical problem with H pleuropneumoniae has become significant in recent years, but by no means is the overt disease as prevalent as animals or herds with CF antibodies to the organism.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Bacteriologic study of sow agalactia.

Necropsy of 13 agalactic and 11 normally lactating sows at 1 to 2 days after parturition revealed that 7 of the agalactic and 4 of the clinically normal sows had lesions of mastitis. Escherichia coli, Streptococcus equisimilis, and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the predominant organisms isolated. The organisms were isolated as pure and as mixed cultures and all 3 were isolated from normal appearing, as well as mastitic, glands. Pure culture isolation of E. coli (44 gland segments) was significantly associated with microscopic lesions of mastitis, regardless of the number of colonies isolated, whereas pure culture isolation of Streptococcus equisimilis or S epidermidis in low to moderate numbers was not. Isolation of large numbers of beta-hemolytic streptococci (2 gland segments) or of S epidermidis (6 gland segments) was associated with microscopic evidence of mastitis. Cultural examination of uterus and cervix revealed 5 isolates of strict anaerobic bacteria, all different species, from 4 of the 24 sows. Culture of 2 mammary glands from each sow revealed no strict anaerobes. Phase-contrast microscopic examination of specimens from mammary glands, uterus, and cervix of each sow revealed no spirochetes. Attempts to isolate mycoplasmas and chlamydiae from mammary gland, uterine tube (fallopian tube), uterus, cervix, and urethra of the 24 sows were negative. The evidence confirms previous reports that coliforms are the most significant bacteria in mastitis of the sow.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Isolation of Mycoplasma arginini from swine and from a swine waste disposal system.

Mycoplasma arginini was isolated from the pharynges and tonsils of 4 of 6 swine necropsied during an epizootic of respiratory tract diseases and lameness. The organism was also isolated from 2 of 16 asymptomatic swine examined in the same herd approximately 10 months after the epizootic. In addition, M arginini, Acholeplasma laidlawii, and other acholeplasmas were isolated from recycled effluent of an anaerobic lagoon used for disposal of waste from the swine herd. This observation represents the 1st report of a Mycoplasma species isolated from a lagoon or sewage system. The pathogenicity of a strain of M arginini isolated during the epizootic was examined by inoculating young swine intranasally, intratracheally, intravenously, and intraperitoneally. The agent colonized in the pharynges of 2 pigs inoculated intranasally, but did not produce overt signs of clinical disease. Although neutralizing antibodies to M arginini were not detected, 1 animal that had been infected naturally and 2 that had been inoculated intravenously did develop complement-fixing antibodies. The findings indicate that M arginini can colonize in the nasal and pharyngeal mucosae of swine, but that it is not highly pathogenic for these animals.

Acholeplasma laidlawii↗