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Experimental Encephalitozoonosis in the Blue Fox
Eksperimentell encephalitozoonose hos blårev — Kliniske og serologiske undersøkelser av syke valper
Clinical and Serological Examinations of Affected Pups
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 23, pages 503–514 (1982)
Abstract
Two groups of blue fox pups about 1½— 2 and 2½—3 months old, respectively, suffering from experimental encephalitozoonosis, were examined clinically and serologically. Antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniouli were detected in all pups, the titres varying within the range 10–12,800. In addition to unspecific signs of disease the pups showed various neurological disturbances including ataxia, posterior weakness, lameness and circling behaviour, terminaiting in recumbency, paralysis or convulsions. Reduced sight or blindness was observed occasionally. Some of the pups appeared thirsty. Haematological examinations revealed pronounced leukocytosis without any conspicuous shift within the various groups of leukocytes. Biochemical examinations of serum showed significant elevated values of urea nitrogen, creatinine, and magnesium concentrations, reflecting renal dysfunction. Alanine aminotransferase was found significantly depressed in both groups. Raised levels of total protein were demonstrated due to pronounced hyperglobulinaemia. This finding, together with the common occurrence of generalized polyarteritis nodosa and proliferations of plasma cells in clinically affected pups, is probably a result of autoimmune disturbances initiated directly or indirectly by the protozoan infection.
Sammendrag
To grupper blårevvalper i alderen henholdsvis 1½–2 og 2½–3 måneder, begge med eksperimentelt indusert encephalitozoonose, ble undersøkt klinisk og serologisk. Encephalitozoon cuniculi-antistoffer ble påvist hos alle valpene med titre varierende mellom 10 og 12 800. I tillegg til uspesifikke symptomer viste valpene forskjellige neuro-logiske forstyrrelser som svakhet i bakparten, ataksi, halthet, dreid hodeholdning, sirkelbevegelser, kramper og lammelser. Nedsatt syn eller blindhet på grunn av katarakt ble påvist i enkelte tilfelle. Noen valper var påfallende tørste. Hematologiske undersøkelser viste en uttalt leukocyttose uten betydelige forskyvninger mellom de enkelte typer leukocytter. Biokjemiske undersøkelser av serum viste signifikant forøket innhold av urea nitrogen, kreatinin og magnesium som tegn på dysfunksjon i nyrene. Begge grupper viste signifikant redusert aktivitet aν alanin aminotransferase. Konsentrasjonene av totalprotein og globulin i serum var betydelig forøket. Del synes å være en nær sammenheng mellom forandringene i immunglobulinene og de vanlig forekommende vevsskader hos klinisk syke valper i form a v gen er a-lisert polyarteritis nodosa og massive plasmacelleinfiltrasjoner i an-grepne organer. Disse forandringene kan være et resultat av autoimmune forstyrrelser hos valpene indusert direkte eller indirekte etter prenatal infeksjon med Encephalitozoon cuniculi.
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Mohn, S.F. Experimental Encephalitozoonosis in the Blue Fox. Acta Vet Scand 23, 503–514 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03546769
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03546769