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Biomedical subjects

J H Connolly

Publications and source records attributed to J H Connolly.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Serological responses against the pathogenic dimorphic fungus Mucor amphibiorum in populations of platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) with and without ulcerative mycotic dermatitis.

Mucor amphibiorum, a dimorphic fungus, causes ulcerative dermatitis and systemic infections in the platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus in some river systems in Tasmania but apparently not in other regions of Australia. As yet there are no suitable tests for population surveys, nor for detection of internal lesions in live animals. Consequently, immunoglobulins were purified from the serum of platypuses and anti-immunoglobulin antisera were prepared in rabbits in order to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-M. amphibiorum antibodies. Antigens from plate-grown cultures resulted in greater signal-to-noise ratios in indirect ELISA than those from broth-grown cultures. Platypuses with clinical ulcerative dermatitis had elevated anti-Mucor antibody levels compared to apparently unaffected individuals. Seroconversion was observed in one animal coincident with the development of cutaneous ulcers. The results suggested that platypuses in affected rivers were exposed to M. amphibiorum at a higher frequency than the occurrence of clinical disease. Some platypuses from New South Wales had elevated antibody levels but these increased significantly with age suggesting exposure to cross-reactive antigens, although exposure to M. amphibiorum cannot be excluded. Further studies are warranted to determine factors that result in progression from infection to disease, the occurrence of the fungus in areas where disease has not been observed and the specificity of antigen used in ELISA.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Gross, histological and immunohistochemical features of mucormycosis in the platypus.

Nine male and five female adult free-living platypuses, obtained in a prospective capture-release study from northern Tasmania, exhibited gross features of cutaneous mycosis caused by Mucor amphibiorum. The lesions were present on the hind limbs (six cases), front limbs (four), tail (five), dorsal trunk (three) and ventral trunk (one). They varied in size, and ranged from raised red nodules or plaques, which sometimes exuded purulent material, to ulcerated lesions with central cavitation, red exuding centres and raised epidermal margins. Older lesions were covered either partly or fully by thickened and irregular epidermis. Histological examination of skin biopsies revealed discrete, poorly encapsulated granulomas, or more commonly a diffuse granulomatous or pyogranulomatous inflammation. Inflammatory cells consisted of neutrophils or eosinophils, sparse plasma cells and lymphocytes, many macrophages and occasional multinucleated giant cells. Fibrovascular tissue was diffusely and irregularly scattered in the granulomatous regions. Sphaerules characteristic of M. amphibiorum infection were observed in all lesions. The cutaneous distribution of the lesions and the natural history of the platypus indicated that entry of M. amphibiorum may have been via superficial skin wounds. T cells were the predominant infiltrating lymphoid cells in the diffuse lesions, indicating the importance of the cell-mediated response to infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Asymptomatic carriage of Cryptococcus neoformans in the nasal cavity of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).

Over a 22-month period, sequential nasal and skin swabs were obtained from 52 healthy captive koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) from the Sydney region. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated in 17 koalas from 64 of 262 (24%) nasal swabs and from nine of 262 (3%) skin swabs. Prevalence of nasal colonization varied seasonally from 12% (3/25) to 38% (10/26). Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii alone was cultured from 37, var. neoformans alone from 22 and both varieties from five nasal swabs. Of 33 koalas sampled on three or more occasions, organisms were isolated persistently from six, occasionally from eight and never from 19. Two koalas were persistently and heavily (>/=100 colonies/plate) colonized by C. neoformans var. gattii and two with var. neoformans. Isolation of C. neoformans var. gattii from the skin was low grade and sporadic. No koalas from which C. neoformans was persistently isolated showed clinical signs of cryptococcosis and all except one had a negative latex cryptococcal antigen test, therefore the nasal cavity was presumed to be colonized by, rather than infected with, C. neoformans. Preliminary observations of koalas from Coffs Harbour indicated a much higher prevalence of colonization by C. neoformans, suggesting that environmental factors influenced the extent of carriage by C. neoformans.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Histological and immunohistological investigation of lymphoid tissue in the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus).

The gross and histological appearance and the distribution of T and B lymphocytes and plasma cells are described for lymphoid tissues obtained from 15 platypuses. The spleen was bilobed and surrounded by a thick capsule of collagen, elastic fibres and little smooth muscle. White pulp was prominent and included germinal centres and periarterial lymphoid sheaths. Red pulp contained haematopoietic tissue. A thin lobulated thymus was located within the mediastinum overlying the heart. The cortex of lobules consisted of dense aggregates of small and medium lymphocytes, scattered macrophages and few reticular epithelial cells. In the medulla, Hassall's corpuscles were numerous, lymphocytes were small and less abundant, and reticular cells were more abundant than in the cortex. Lymphoid nodules scattered throughout loose connective tissue in cervical, pharyngeal, thoracic, mesenteric and pelvic sites measured 790 +/- 370 microm (mean +/- S.D., n = 39) in diameter, the larger of which could be observed macroscopically. These consisted of single primary or secondary follicles supported by a framework of reticular fibres. Macrophages were common in the germinal centres. The platypus had a full range of gut-associated lymphoid tissue. No tonsils were observed macroscopically but histologically they consisted of submucosal follicles and intraepithelial lymphocytes. Peyer's patches were not observed macroscopically but histologically they consisted of several prominent submucosal secondary follicles in the antimesenteric wall of the intestine. Caecal lymphoid tissue consisted of numerous secondary follicles in the submucosa and densely packed lymphocytes in the lamina propria. Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue was not observed macroscopically but was identified in 7 of 11 platypus lungs assessed histologically. Lymphoid cells were present as primary follicles associated with bronchi, as aggregates adjacent to blood vessels and as intraepithelial lymphocytes. The distribution of T lymphocytes, identified with antihuman CD3 and CD5, and B lymphocytes and plasma cells, identified with antihuman CD79a and CD79b and antiplatypus immunoglobulin, within lymphoid tissues in the platypus was similar to that described in therian mammals except for an apparent relative paucity of B lymphocytes. This study establishes that the platypus has a well-developed lymphoid system which is comparable in histological structure to that in therian mammals. It also confirms the distinctiveness of its peripheral lymphoid tissue, namely lymphoid nodules. Platypus lymphoid tissue has all the essential cell types, namely T and B lymphocytes and plasma cells, to mount an effective immune response against foreign antigens.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Haematological, serum biochemical and serological features of platypuses with and without mycotic granulomatous dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there are haematological, serum biochemical and serological differences between platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) with and without granulomatous dermatitis due to Mucor amphibiorum infection. An additional objective was to establish reference haematological and serum biochemical ranges for the species in Tasmania. DESIGN: A clinicopathological and serological study. ANIMALS: A total of 37 free-living adult platypuses captured from streams and dams in Northern Tasmania were used in the clinicopathological study. Twenty-seven were clinically normal and 10 had mycotic granulomatous dermatitis. A total of 22 platypuses (20 adult and 2 juvenile) were used for the serosurvey. Eighteen were captured from streams in Northern Tasmania, and four were submitted for necropsy. RESULTS: Platypuses with mycotic ulcerative dermatitis had significantly smaller packed red cell volumes, haemoglobin concentrations, lymphocyte counts, serum cholesterol and calcium concentrations, and higher serum globulin and potassium concentrations than clinically normal animals. The lymphopenia and hyperkalaemia were thought to be clinically significant. Numbers of Trypanosoma binneyi in blood smears were similar between the two groups. Diseased platypuses had higher concentrations of serum antibody against Mucor amphibiorum as determined by ELISA compared to clinically normal platypuses. CONCLUSION: Platypuses affected by mycotic granulomatous dermatitis showed haematological and serum biochemical changes when compared to clinically normal animals from the same Tasmanian sites. A serological survey may be a useful method for detecting the prevalence of exposure to Mucor amphibiorum and humoral immunity in platypus populations both in Tasmania and the mainland of Australia.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Diabetes mellitus in a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of diabetes mellitus in a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). DESIGN: A case report with controls. PROCEDURES: We describe clinical and laboratory findings in a 6-year-old, free-living, female koala presented with traumatic injury and subsequently found to have polydipsia, hyperglycaemia and glucosuria. Over a 5 week period, serum biochemical analyses, haematological examinations, urinalyses, measurement of serum insulin and fructosamine concentrations, necropsy, histopathological examination of a range of tissues and immunohistochemical examination of the pancreas for insulin-containing cells were done. For reference purposes, serum insulin and fructosamine concentrations were determined in four and two healthy koalas, respectively, and three healthy koalas' pancreases were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. RESULTS: The koala had persistent hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia and glucosuria. Serum insulin concentration of the diabetic koala was only marginally smaller than that of healthy koalas, but all concentrations were smaller than reference concentrations in dogs and people. Fructosamine concentration did not allow the diabetic koala to be distinguished from healthy koalas and concentrations of all koala analytes were greater than expected for healthy dogs and people. Histopathological examination revealed extensive degeneration of pancreatic islet cells and fatty infiltration of hepatocytes. Immunoperoxidase staining revealed decreased or absent insulin in the beta calls of the affected koala. CONCLUSION: Clinical signs, clinicopathological results and histopathological changes were consistent with diabetes mellitus. The pathogenesis of the condition could not be determined but may have been related to the administration of a parenteral corticosteroid preparation, the stress of capture or tissue damage and inflammation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Lymphoid neoplasia in the koala.

OBJECTIVE: Correlation of immunophenotype with history, anatomical and morphological features of lymphoid neoplasia in the koala. METHODS: Routine necropsies were performed on 51 koalas with suspected lymphoid neoplasia between 1986 and 1997 in New South Wales and Queensland. Immunophenotyping was by an immunoperoxidase method utilising species cross-reactive antibodies raised against human lymphocytes and an antibody raised against koala IgG. Cases were classified according to organs and tissues affected and the morphological features of neoplastic cells. RESULTS: Twenty-six (51%) of the cases were of the T cell immunophenotype, 12 (24%) were of B cell immunophenotype and 13 (25%) did not stain. The age and sex of koalas did not correlate with immunophenotype (P = 0.686 and P = 1.000, respectively). Thirty-two cases were leukaemic and 36 had multiple organ involvement, probably reflecting presentation of koalas at advanced stages of disease. Abdominal tissue involvement was most common (44 cases), followed by nodal (32), atypical (21) and cervicomediastinal (14). The T cell immunophenotype was over-represented among the leukaemic cases (P = 0.013). Generally, the T cell immunophenotype predominated except for many affected atypical tissues. Neoplastic cells were mostly of medium nuclear size with round to oval nuclei. No correlations were found for cell morphology, mitotic index and immunophenotype. CONCLUSION: The prognostic value of an immunophenotypic, anatomical and morphological basis for the classification of lymphoid neoplasia in the koala currently is limited by the need to detect these neoplasms at an early age, the requirement for freshly fixed tissues and the restricted range of available cross-reacting antibodies.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1996

Cytochemical assay for differential respiratory activity in roots and root hairs.

The study of the underground parts of plants is often difficult, and as a result roots are often treated as homogeneous physiological entities with respect to root respiration. In this study we demonstrate a partitioning of respiration within root tissues using nitro blue tetrazolium staining and an incident light optical system that permits detailed observations of intact roots. The assay is rapid and easy to perform, and reveals that respiratory activity in roots is not uniform in space and time. The results show that root hairs in particular may be regions of enhanced respiratory activity in some species or in certain developmental or physiological states. This fact has important implications for the role of root hairs in the overall respiratory budget of roots and the energetics of nutrient assimilation. The results suggest that root respiration studies should consider differential respiratory activities of root cell types within roots.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1993

Prognostic value of Epstein-Barr virus serology in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

We report the results of a study which examined the prognostic value of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serology in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Antibody titres to EBV were estimated by indirect immunofluorescence and correlated with the stage of disease. Neither persistent high titres nor falling titres after treatment were found to be reliable indicators of relapse or survival, respectively, in individual patients. By contrast, four-fold rises in titre, particularly of antibodies to the early antigens of the virus were highly significant predictors of relapse. These increases could be seen well in advance of clinical detection of recurrence of the tumour at the primary or metastatic sites.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Enteroviruses in recreational waters of Northern Ireland.

Virus surveillance of Northern Ireland recreational waters, between April 1986 and May 1989 demonstrated widespread enteroviral contamination of coastal and inland waters. In 1986, enteroviruses were detected in 4 of 46 (8.7%) water samples, collected from 6 coastal bathing waters. In 1987, 49 of 107 (45.8%) samples, from 16 coastal bathing waters, yielded enteroviruses; 33 of the enterovirus positive samples passed one or both of the coliform standards outlined by the European Economic Community (EEC) bathing water directive (76/160/EEC). Enteroviruses were also detected in 33 of 39 (84.6%) samples tested from 3 inland recreational waters.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Hepatitis delta virus infection in Northern Ireland 1970-1989.

The incidence of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection in Northern Ireland (1970-1989) was tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in 401 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive sera. Hepatitis delta antigen (HDAg) was tested in 388 patients and antibody to delta antigen (anti-HD) in 401 patients. Four patients (1.03%) were HDAg positive. Nine patients (2.24%) were positive for anti-HD and after acid pre-treatment of sera from eight of these patients, five were positive for HDAg. The overall incidence of HDV markers was 3.27%, which reflects the low incidence in HBsAg carriers in Northern Ireland (who were in high risk groups for delta hepatitis). The use of acid treatment of the sera to break up antigen/antibody complexes has been a useful technological improvement in the identification of this virus.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Human immunodeficiency virus infection in Northern Ireland 1980-1989.

To 31st December 1989, 71 persons are known to have attended medical practitioners in Northern Ireland with a diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Twenty-one of these persons have had the diagnosis of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and 11 have died. The distribution of reports in the "at risk" categories of homosexual/bisexual males, injecting drug users, heterosexual males and females was significantly different (p less than 0.001) from those reported in the United Kingdom as a whole. Of tests for HIV infection carried out in patients attending the genitourinary medicine department of the Royal Victoria Hospital between 1987-1989, 0.16% have been positive. The prognostic value of the T4 lymphocyte count at presentation for the subsequent development of AIDS was significant (p = 0.0011). The commonest AIDS indicator disease diagnosed was Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia which was seen in seven of the 21 patients (33%).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Zoonotic infections in Northern Ireland farmers.

Evidence of past zoonotic infection was investigated serologically in randomly selected Northern Ireland farmers. The percentage of farmers with antibody was: Brucella abortus (0.7), Leptospira interrogans serovars (8.1), Borrelia burgdorferi (14.3), Toxoplasma gondii (73.5), Coxiella burnetii (28.0), Chlamydia psittaci (11.1) and Hantavirus (1.2). The results show that Northern Ireland farmers have been exposed in the past to zoonotic infections. It is not known if these infections contributed to ill health in farmers but it is now time for the health of farm workers and their medical services to be reassessed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Clinical Q fever in Northern Ireland 1962-1989.

Q fever was diagnosed in 443 patients in Northern Ireland between 1962 and 1989. From 1986 onwards there was an increase, which peaked in 1989 with 107 cases of whom 47 were infected in Ballycastle, Co Antrim. There were three outbreaks and 21 clusters of patients with Q fever. Most cases were in April and May which correlated with the peak lambing and calving season. Q fever mainly affected males in the 40-49 year old age group. County Antrim had the highest prevalence rate of 40/100,000 population and also had the most sheep. The number of sheep in Northern Ireland has doubled in the past ten years. Q fever was strongly associated with occupation and animal contact. Eighty-seven patients (19.6%) drank unpasteurized milk. The commonest presenting illnesses were pneumonia (62.8%), influenza-like illness (24.6%), involvement of the heart (9.0%) and hepatitis (1.6%). Thirty-two patients (7.2%) had endocarditis, 20 of whom had prosthetic valves and three of whom died. Coxiella burnetii was present on valves removed from seven patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Hepatitis B virus infection in Northern Ireland 1970-1987.

In the 18 years between 1970 and 1987, 504 patients were found to have hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in their blood. Acute hepatitis was present in 184 patients and six died (3.3%). The annual incidence of acute hepatitis B virus infection in Northern Ireland was about one-quarter that of England and Wales. A decrease in acute infection occurred in 1986-87, while in England and Wales acute infection has fallen by more than half since the peak in 1984. Hepatitis B virus infection in health care staff and patients in high risk groups were reviewed: 32% were in those of foreign origin or who had known foreign contacts. In blood donors there was a marked fall in incidence of hepatitis B surface antigen carriage from 1982 onwards: the incidence in antenatal patients and those screened for rubella antibody (mainly females) was half that of new blood donors in 1972-81. Carrier rates in blood donors and antenatal patients were less than those from other parts of the United Kingdom. All indices show that Northern Ireland has a lower incidence of hepatitis B virus infection than the rest of the United Kingdom.

Adolescent↗