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Levels of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-10 were measured in the serum of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed New Zealand White rabbits naturally infected with Encephalitozoon cuniculi . IFN-γ levels were elevated in infected rabbits, and a synergic effect was observed in animals treated with the immunosuppressive agent dexamethasone (Dex). The role of IL-10 in infected rabbits remains unclear, as IL-10 levels were similar to those of negative controls. Dex appeared to exhibit a proinflammatory effect, as IFN-γ levels were elevated in infected immunosuppressed rabbits. Similarly, Dex exhibited a synergic effect in infected immunosuppressed rabbits, as evidenced by the elevation in IFN-γ production. These data indicate that the immune response to this glucocorticoid should be considered in the design of future animal model studies of immunosuppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first confirmed report of Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) in farm meat rabbits located in Northern Mexico. Eighty young rabbits exhibited clinical signs of this zoonotic emerging disease, like torticollis, ataxia, paresis, circling, and rolling. Samples of brain, kidney, and liver were examined for histology lesions. For the first time the lesions caused by E. cuniculi were graded according to their severity (I, II, and III) and the size of the granulomas (Types A, B, and C). The main cerebral injuries were Grade III, coinciding with the presence of Type C granulomas. The cerebral lesions were located in the cortex, brain stem, and medulla. The renal lesions were also Grade III distributed throughout cortex and renal medulla, with no granuloma formation. The involvement of hypersensitivity Types III and IV is suggested. All of the rabbits were seropositive to E. cuniculi by CIA testing, suggesting that this zoonotic and emerging pathogen is widely distributed among animals intended for human consumption. We believe this work could be used as a guide when examining E. cuniculi and will provide direction to confirm the diagnosis of this pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Resistance to re-infection of rainbow trout to Loma salmonae, a microsporidian gill parasite has been previously documented and this study examined how rapidly this resistance develops. Naive rainbow trout were inoculated intraperitoneally (IP) with an inactivated spore-based vaccine and were then given an oral challenge with a high dose of L. salmonae spores at various weeks after being vaccinated. Non-vaccinated naive fish (exposed group) were challenged alongside of each group of vaccinated fish to ensure that the challenges were relatively standardised. In each group of fish, four weeks after the challenge, numbers of xenomas were counted on a gill arch for all fish. Vaccinated trout were completely resistant to a L. salmonae challenge six weeks after vaccination, although the onset of resistance began at approximately week 3, as observed with a reduction in the percent infected and xenoma intensity. The maximum percent infected for the vaccinated fish was 83% following a challenge two weeks following vaccination, whereas for the exposed group the maximum prevalence of 100% was reached several times. With continued research, a spore-based vaccine for L. salmonae has the potential to become the first commercially available parasite vaccine for fish. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Osteochondrosis (OC) is a term used to describe a wide range of different skeletal lesions between different species. Osteochondrosis is a problem that affects fast growing animals and it has been defined as a failure in the endochondral ossification of the articular-epiphyseal cartilage. This failure leads to cartilage thickening and retention, basal necrosis, subchondral bone damage and loose bone fragments in the articular joint. Osteochondrosis is a multifactorial disease in which nutritional, hereditary, endocrine factors, biomechanical influences, and failures of blood supply to growth cartilage play an important role. The aim of this review is to offer an updated approach to the knowledge of the mechanisms that intervene in the pathogenesis of osteochondrosis, as well as alternatives to its diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El término osteocondrosis (OC) se refiere a una gran variedad de lesiones esqueléticas en diferentes especies. La osteocondrosis es un problema que afecta a los animales de rápido crecimiento y se ha definido como una falla en la osificación endocondral del cartílago articular epifiseal. Dicha falla provoca un engrosamiento y retención del cartílago, necrosis basal, daño al hueso subcondral y desprendimiento de fragmentos óseos en la cavidad articular. La osteocondrosis es una enfermedad de etiología multifactorial donde factores nutricionales, hereditarios, biomecánicos, endocrinos, así como la falla en el aporte sanguíneo del cartílago en crecimiento juegan un papel importante. La finalidad de esta revisión es ofrecer un acercamiento al conocimiento de los mecanismos que intervienen en la patogénesis de la osteocondrosis, así como a las alternativas para su diagnóstico y tratamiento. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α, interleukin (IL) −4 and IL-10, as well as apoptosis and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured in the brain and kidneys of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed New Zealand White rabbits infected with Encephalitozoon cuniculi . All of the animals had clinical signs histopathological lesions compatible with encephalitozoonosis and were E. cuniculi -positive by using a carbon immunoassay test. Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection promoted the expression of TNF-α and NO production in the kidneys of infected rabbits, and a synergic effect was observed in animal treated with dexamethasone. The IL-4 expression was similar in the brain and kidneys of infected rabbits, regardless of their immunologic status. The IL-10 mRNA expression in the brain of infected immunosuppressed rabbits was elevated when compared with positive controls. Apoptosis of granuloma mononuclear-like cells was detected in immunocompetent E. cuniculi –infected rabbits, but it was more evident in infected-immunosuppressed animals. Nitric oxide levels were elevated both in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed infected animals, but it was more apparent in the kidneys. These data suggest that modulation of the immune response by E. cuniculi could contribute to the survival of the parasite within phagocytic cells in granulomas via an as yet undetermined mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]