Search

Rabbits infected with virulent Francisella tularensis strain Schu S4 or rabbit pox virus (Utrecht strain) showed significant early changes in serum levels of trace metals, neutral fat and alkaline phosphatase activity. With F. tularensis infections a marked early leukopenia and a decrease in serum amino acids were also observed; the effect on amino acid levels was less pronounced in rabbit pox infections. In both diseases these changes preceded the appearance of acute phase globulins in the serum. Vaccination with the live vaccine strain of F. tularensis slightly increased survival times but did not delay the onset of metabolic changes in rabbits subsequently infected with the virulent Schu S4 strain.

An indirect enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) method for the identification of human blood and saliva stains is reported. The method uses a monoclonal antibody which reacts with human immunoglobulin G (IgG) in extracts of blood and saliva stains up to 16 months old. Semen stain extracts gave weak or negative results. For routine screening purposes dilutions of 1:1000 for bloodstain extracts and 1:100 for saliva stain extracts would be suitable. Of 32 other animal species tested, only chimpanzee, mouse, rat, and eel cross-reacted significantly, and the presence of the last three was clearly indicated by appropriate controls. The monoclonal antibody gave poor results in the crossover and gel diffusion techniques.

Treatment with a chemically modified glutaminase was lethal to rabbits and Rhesus monkeys at all but the lowest doses. Changes in the serum levels of triglycerides, glucose, creatinine, urea, cholesterol and protein and in the activities of some serum enzymes were the probable result of the development of lesions in liver, kidney and intestine observed at necropsy. Treatment with unmodified glutaminase induced similar changes in rabbits but not in Rhesus monkeys.

Leptospira interrogans serovars balcanica and tarassovi both induced mild subclinical infections in grivet monkeys. The activities in serum of lactate dehydrogenase, alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and creatine phosphokinase and the level of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin increased in a few days after infection. Concomitant decreases in serum iron levels were observed in some cases. These changes occurred in the absence of any observable clinical signs though there were histopathological lesions in some organs. No haematological changes or alterations in other sreum components were detected.