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Objectives: To establish the proportion of cytology samples sent to a commercial veterinary laboratory that yields diagnostically useful information in the context of current use and perceptions of cytology. Methods: Nine hundred and forty-five cytology submissions were retrospectively collected and categorised according to diagnostic utility. A survey into the use and perceptions of cytology was distributed at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress 2008. Results: A specific diagnosis was reached in 23·1 per cent of samples and a cytological diagnosis in 35·3 per cent. 22·4 per cent of samples yielded some useful information, but 19·2 per cent were unacceptable. Seventy-four participants in the survey took an average of 3·9 cytological samples per week, of which they examined 27·0 per cent in-house only, 21·6 per cent in-house before sending to an external laboratory and 51·4 per cent were sent externally without prior examination. “To obtain a definitive diagnosis” was the principal reason cited for performing cytology. Clinical Significance: Results suggest that cytology is underused and may be applied in an inappropriate context in the UK. It is hoped that illustrating the diagnostic outcome of samples received by a commercial laboratory will encourage increased, appropriate use of cytology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of antigen aerosol-induced desensitization has been investigated in guinea-pigs actively sensitized with antigen, alone or incorporated in Freund's adjuvants. Rates of desensitization, and the ability of animals to regain anaphylactic hypersensitivity following intensive desensitization, have been considered in terms of relative rates of antibody production, levels of circulating antibody, and qualitative differences in the antibody produced. A protective component observed during desensitization in adjuvant-treated animals is considered to be a property both of high levels of circulating antibody and of the presence of certain non-specific factors which interfere with the sensitization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaphylactic hypersensitivity of isolated guinea-pig ileum preparations has been evaluated by investigation of antigen-dose/response relationships, in vitro. The influence of Freund's adjuvants on active sensitization has been investigated. In contrast to the inhibitory influence previously observed in vivo, the degree of hypersensitivity of isolated tissues in vitro was potentiated by the adjuvants. It is thought that high circulating titres of antibody in vivo exerted a protective or neutralizing effect in relation to challenging doses of antigen. Isolated tissues were freed from this influence. Tissues sensitized with the aid of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) revealed the influence of other inhibitory mechanisms, due probably to interaction of various antibody types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]