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R H Jacobson

Publications and source records attributed to R H Jacobson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Comparison and interpretation of diagnostic tests for feline immunodeficiency virus infection.

Feline sera were submitted to the Cornell Feline Health Center (n = 497) or to the New York State Diagnostic Laboratory (n = 1,565) for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) testing. Some sera (n = 166) were submitted for confirmation of previous FIV-positive results; 151 of these sera had been tested at the referring veterinary practice or laboratory, using an in-house ELISA. Excluding the samples submitted for confirmation, a total of 173 samples (9.1%) were FIV-positive; 11.6% of the clinically ill or high-risk cats and 0.49% of the healthy, low risk cats were positive for FIV antibody. A commercially available ELISA for detection of antibody to FIV was evaluated in relation to the immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test and the immunoblot assay. The ELISA was interpreted according to the manufacturer's instructions, with the ratio of sample optical density to positive control optical density (S/P) determining a positive or negative result. The ELISA results based on the S/P interpretation were compared with a kinetics-based (KELA) interpretation of the ELISA. The KELA values were reported as positive, negative, or equivocal. Using the immunoblot as the standard, ELISA (S/P interpretation) had sensitivity of 0.93 and specificity of 0.98, whereas the IFA test had sensitivity of 0.95 and specificity of 0.98. However, the sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA (S/P interpretation) were markedly reduced for sample results falling in the KELA equivocal range, indicating that equivocal results were valid interpretations for some sera. A high number (22.5%) of the samples submitted for confirmation of a positive result from use of the in-house ELISA were determined to be negative for FIV antibody.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Comparative study of diagnostic testing for feline leukemia virus infection.

Results of commercially available diagnostic test kits and commercial laboratory test results were compared for ability to detect FeLV antigen. Results of the immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test were compared with test kit ELISA results and with results of a system in which samples were applied to an absorbent material, dried, sent to a laboratory, eluted, and assayed by a plate ELISA. Test kits were generally highly sensitive and specific, compared with the IFA test performed at a commercial laboratory. Feline heterophile antibody, specific for mouse immunoglobulin, was detected in approximately 0.14 to 0.57% of the cat population. Test kits B, E, and D contain reagents that correct for antimouse antibodies. During 1989 and 1990, 2,229 feline serum samples were tested for FeLV antigen (gsa p27); positive ELISA results were obtained for 204 (9%) of the samples. Results for 32 (1.4%) samples were interpreted as equivocal (color development slightly exceeded that of the negative control, but was much less than that of the positive control). Collectively, the data indicate that when testing serum or saliva, a negative test result may be a good predictor that a cat is not infected. In populations of cats in which FeLV prevalence is low, a positive test result may not be reliable and thus, a confirmatory test should be performed.

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The effect of immune serum and complement on the in vitro phagocytosis of Babesia rodhaini.

The effect of immune serum and complement on the in vitro phagocytosis of Babesia rodhaini was investigated. Infected erythrocytes and parasites released from erythrocytes by lysis were phagocytosed by mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro when the infected erythrocytes or parasites were exposed to hyperimmune B. rodhaini serum. Complement, in the presence of immune serum, did not reproducibly enhance phagocytosis of infected erythrocytes or parasites alone. When adjusted for its effect on normal erythrocytes and normal serum, complement generally inhibited rather than enhanced phagocytosis. When coupled with other published data, our data suggest that the activation of the immune system in vivo against this species of Babesia involves a series of mechanisms of which phagocytosis is but one.

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An improved ELISA for the detection of antibodies against Babesia bovis using either a native or a recombinant B. bovis antigen.

Two new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the diagnosis of Babesia bovis in cattle are described. The ELISA using a native antigen is more sensitive and less laborious than the assays described previously, because it does not require adsorption of sera with bovine erythrocytes. The second ELISA, using a recombinant B. bovis antigen expressed in Escherichia coli, was both sensitive and specific. It is suitable to replace the native antigen, thus avoiding large batch-to-batch variations in antigen preparations and the need to sacrifice experimental cattle.

Adsorption↗

Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of ClinEase-Virastat saliva test for feline leukemia virus infection.

Detection of virus in saliva using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), ClinEase-VirastatR, was compared to evidence of FeLV infection by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA) and plasma ELISA. The sensitivity and specificity of the saliva ELISA were derived by comparison to IFA and plasma ELISA in 103 cats from a large colony in New York State. The sensitivity of the saliva test in relation to IFA and plasma ELISA was approximately 100% and 93%, respectively. The specificity of the saliva ELISA in relation to IFA and plasma ELISA was approximately 85% and 92%, respectively. This test appears to be particularly suitable as a screening test for FeLV infection, especially in populations where the expected prevalence is low. Because of its high sensitivity, the saliva test has a high negative predictive value, particularly in populations where the disease is rare. Since the specificity is moderate, however, the predictive value of a positive test will be poorest in cats originating from places where the infection is rare (e.g. single cat households, or free roaming cats), and better among cats from environments having a high prevalence of FeLV (e.g. multiple-cat households).

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False-positive reactions associated with anti-mouse activity in serotests for feline leukemia virus antigen.

False-positive reactions were observed in commercial test kits designed to detect FeLV infections in cats. The false-positive reactions were associated with heterophilic antibody in cat serum directed primarily against mouse immunoglobulins. Of 2,830 sera tested, 579 were considered FeLV positive or equivocal via ELISA; of these, 10 were found that did not have FeLV antigen but did have anti-mouse antibody. With 95% confidence, 0.14% to 0.57% of cats would have such false-positive reactions in ELISA, because one in 283 (0.35%) cats had anti-mouse antibodies.

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Sensitivity and specificity of blood test kits for feline leukemia virus antigen.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kits have been used widely to diagnose FeLV infection. Several companies have licensed such kits, but because these test kits are designed somewhat differently, a demonstration of their relative merits was needed. Differences in the sensitivity and specificity of 7 commercial test kits were determined by testing sera that induce false-negative (limiting dilution of FeLV group specific antigen, p27), and false-positive (cat anti-mouse antibody) test results. Among the panels of sera used in this study, significant differences in test kit sensitivity were not observed, but differences in specificity were identified. An interim report of these studies, supplied to the manufacturers, prompted changes in some of the kits, resulting in improved specificities. Generally, FeLV test kits are now more efficient in accurately detecting p27 in blood, serum, or plasma of cats. Nevertheless, some kits still lack specificity attributable to reagents supplied by the manufacturer.

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Clonal groups of Salmonella typhimurium in New York State.

The epidemiology of 278 strains of Salmonella typhimurium isolated from 1973 to 1981 from animals in New York State was studied by using four "fingerprinting" techniques, bacteriophage type (B.R. Callow, J. Hyg. 57:346-359, 1959), biotype (J. P. Duguid, E. S. Anderson, G. A. Alfredsson, R. Barker, and D. C. Old, J. Med. Microbiol. 8:149-166, 1975), plasmid profile, and antibiogram. Phage type with biotype was the most useful marker for distinguishing clonal groups of S. typhimurium. Four clones of S. typhimurium predominated, i.e., phage type/biotypes U275/26, 49/26, 10/3, and 2/3. U275/26 and 49/26 were commonly found until 1976, but clones 10/3 and 2/3 were predominant after 1976. Comparison of results with data from Canada suggested a dissemination of strains of S. typhimurium between Canada and New York. Cattle were a common source of phage type 49, as has been observed in other countries.

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Virulence determinants of Salmonella typhimurium from animal sources.

Two hundred seventy-eight strains of Salmonella typhimurium isolated from 1973 to 1981 from animal sources in New York State were studied for possible virulence determinants and for a serotype-specific plasmid possibly linked with virulence. Of the strains, 98% possessed type-1 fimbriae. All strains possessed flagella and were motile. One hundred twenty-three strains (44%) treated with mitomycin C tested positive for the cholera-Escherichia coli heat labile family of toxins by a kinetics-based ELISA; when treated with mitomycin C and extracted with polymyxin B, 249 (90%) were positive in the kinetics-based ELISA. All strains were negative in the Biken test. A smooth cell wall was found in 99% of the strains. Sixty-one percent (169) of the strains had a 62-Md plasmid. Seventy-six (27%) of the strains had detectable plasmids ranging in size from 1 to 124 Md.

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The gift of life.

A young woman suffers from chronic mental illness, characterized by depression and suicidal impulses. With the implementation of lithium therapy, along with her determination, the patient achieves a state of stabilization.

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Canine protozoan polyradiculoneuritis.

Four pups in a litter of eight Labrador Retrievers suddenly developed hind limb weakness. In three, paralysis ascended rapidly resulting in quadriplegia, cervical weakness, dysphagia and death. Postmortem examination revealed a severe polyradiculoneuritis in which roots, ganglia, and spinal and cranial nerves were heavily infiltrated by lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages and contained abundant protozoan pseudocysts. On sections of the brain and spinal cord protozoa were less frequent and appeared independent of the glial nodules which marked focal areas of necrosis. The organisms initially were thought to be Toxoplasma gondii, but this supposition was not supported by serological, immunocytochemical, or electron microscopic findings. Ultrastructurally the organisms resembled an unidentified sporozoan parasite, which has been reported in the CNS of dogs in Scandinavia. The inflamed spinal roots contained many degenerated and demyelinated axons. Electron microscopic studies indicated that the tachyzoite-like organisms, through their invasive and proliferative activities, brought about many of the degenerative changes in the Schwann cells and axons of the spinal roots and nerves.

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Killing of Brucella abortus by bovine serum.

Studies of the serum bactericidal system in bovine brucellosis were undertaken to investigate the role of the humoral immune response in protection of cattle against the facultative intracellular parasite Brucella abortus. Fresh sera from normal control cattle, infected cattle, and cattle immunized with B. abortus cell envelopes were collected before treatment and during the course of immunization or infection. Normal fresh bovine serum or fresh agammaglobulinemic serum from colostrum-deprived calves was effective in killing smooth virulent B. abortus 2308, but rough strains RB51 (a rough mutant of strain 2308) and 45/20 were much more sensitive to serum. The difference in susceptibility to serum was shown to be correlated with differences in lipopolysaccharide chemotype, with the more resistant strain 2308 having O polysaccharide and the more susceptible strains 45/20 and RB51 lacking O side chains. By treatment of fresh serum with MgCl2 and EGTA [ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid] killing was shown to occur via the classical pathway of complement activation. When antibody to B. abortus was present, killing of strain RB51 increased but killing of smooth strain 2308 decreased. The earliest antibody response in serum from infected animals did not interfere with killing. When affinity-purified bovine immunoglobulins specific for B. abortus smooth lipopolysaccharide were added to fresh normal bovine serum, immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgG2 isotypes blocked killing but IgM and IgA isotypes did not. Thus, it appears that serum from previously unexposed animals or animals early during infection can kill smooth B. abortus, an appropriate defense mechanism before the organism becomes intracellular. At later stages of infection, blocking antibodies predominate.

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Microfilarial surface carbohydrates as a function of developmental stage and ensheathment status in six species of filariids.

The lectin-binding properties of microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus, O. lienalis, Brugia pahangi, Wuchereria bancrofti, Dirofilaria immitis, and Monanema (= Ackertia) marmotae share a number of characteristics. Carbohydrates specific for lectins are associated with the egg shell or sheath. N-acetyl-D-glucosamine is the predominant carbohydrate associated with the ensheathed forms with lesser quantities of D-galactose and/or alpha-lactose and D-galactosamine. The density of these carbohydrates on the sheath surface diminishes as the larvae undergo normal growth and development. Similar carbohydrates are not found on the cuticle as exsheathed microfilariae show virtually no ability to bind lectins.

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Adoptive transfer of resistance to Nematospiroides dubius infections of mice and an assay to measure the in vitro proliferation of lymphocytes reactive with N. dubius antigen.

Spleen and mesenteric lymph node cells from Nematospiroides dubius-infected and normal control mice were cultured in vitro with N. dubius antigen. Proliferation of these cells in response to antigen was measured by the uptake of [3H]TdR. Cells harvested from mice during a primary infection did not proliferate in vitro; however, low levels of specific proliferation could be demonstrated if these mice were treated on Day 5 post-infection with 20 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide i.p. A strong cell proliferative response was measured 6 days following a challenge infection; spleen cells responded more strongly than cells from the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), but the addition of lymph node cells to spleen cell cultures did not suppress the latter response. Responsiveness of spleen cells to concanavalin A (Con A) was two-fold higher in infected mice than in normal controls, but the proliferation of MLN cells to Con A was similar in infected and uninfected mice. When N. dubius-resistant B10.M (H-2f) mice were compared to the susceptible B10.BR (H-2k) mice, no differences were observed in the spleen cell response to N. dubius adult antigen following challenge infections. However, after a tertiary infection, MLN cells from the resistant strain proliferated strongly in comparison to cells from susceptible mice. Spleen or MLN cells from resistant mice transferred immunity to naive recipients provided that the recipients had received a prior injection i.p. with adult N. dubius antigen. The injection alone, or cells in the absence of the injection, failed to protect the recipients from N. dubius challenge.

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The kinetics-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for coronavirus antibodies in cats: calibration to the indirect immunofluorescence assay and computerized standardization of results through normalization to control values.

The computer-assisted, kinetics-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for coronavirus antibodies in cats was calibrated to the conventional indirect immunofluorescence assay by linear regression analysis and computerized interpolation (generation of "immunofluorescence assay-equivalent" titers). Procedures were developed for normalization and standardization of kinetics-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results through incorporation of five different control sera of predetermined ("expected") titer in daily runs. When used with such sera and with computer assistance, the kinetics-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay minimized both within-run and between-run variability while allowing also for efficient data reduction and statistical analysis and reporting of results.

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Effect of pregnancy on the immune response of cattle to a Brucella vaccine.

An experiment was performed to determine whether humoral- or cell-mediated immune responses of cattle to a Brucella abortus vaccine were influenced by the stage of gestation. Heifers were vaccinated 2 mth before and 2 mth after breeding with cell envelopes of B. abortus in an oil adjuvant containing trehalose dimycolate and muramyl dipeptide. Control groups received adjuvant alone or no vaccine. Following breeding, vaccinated animals were divided into pregnant and nonpregnant subgroups. Immune responses to two outer membrane proteins were measured at monthly intervals by ELISA and lymphocyte blastogenesis tests. Skin tests were performed during the ninth month of gestation. Vaccination induced sustained immune responses, but few differences were detected between pregnant and non-pregnant animals. The relative increase in IgA antibodies to group 3 protein in nonpregnant heifers exceeded that in pregnant heifers during months 4 and 6 of gestation (P less than 0.05). Dermal hypersensitivity, measured by changes in double skin thickness, was significantly greater in nonpregnant heifers to porin (P less than 0.01) and group 3 (P less than 0.05) antigens at 24 h post-injection, but no significant differences in skin thicknesses or in the nature of the lesions were observed at 48 h. Animals which received adjuvant alone demonstrated negligible responses. Pregnancy had no significant effect on the responses of lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or Concanavalin A (Con A). However, plasmas from nonvaccinated pregnant heifers taken during the sixth and seventh (but not eight or ninth) months of pregnancy decreased responses of normal donor cells to PHA and Con A when compared with those in autologous plasma (P less than 0.05).

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Coronavirus antibody detection in cats by computer-assisted kinetics-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (KELA): field studies.

A total of 2238 feline serum samples submitted to the New York State Diagnostic Laboratory over a 1-year period were tested for the presence of coronavirus antibodies, using the computer-assisted, kinetics-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (KELA). Cats from which sera were obtained were categorized by sex, age, breed, and disease status, and variations in mean antibody titers for different sub-classifications within each category were analyzed by computerized statistical analysis. As expected, higher mean antibody titers were recorded for cats with feline infectious peritonitis, and for cats with a recent history of possible coronavirus exposure. However, an unexpected inverse relationship between coronavirus antibody titer and age was also found. Certain cattery-oriented pure breeds appeared to have higher mean antibody titers, because their sample populations contained a higher percentage of younger cats and cats of unknown age-groups which, over-all, had higher mean titers. Taken together, the data substantiated the efficacy of the computer-assisted KELA for routine detection of serum coronavirus antibodies in cats.

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