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Biomedical subjects

W Hermanns

Publications and source records attributed to W Hermanns.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Bone-marrow changes in infectious diseases and lymphohaemopoietic neoplasias in dogs and cats--a retrospective study.

Bone-marrow changes in infectious diseases due to feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), parvovirus (PV, canine and feline) and canine distemper virus (CDV), and in the lymphohaemopoietic neoplasias (LHNs) usually associated with feline leukaemia virus infection were studied in samples obtained from 204 cats and 82 dogs at necropsy. The study demonstrated (1) no changes, (2) non-specific reactive changes, and (3) disease-specific changes (similar to those occurring in extramedullary sites) in: 51.2, 48.8 and 9.7% of 41 cases of FIPV infection, respectively; 0, 100 and 0% of nine cases of FIV infection, respectively; 1.3, 0 and 92% of 75 cases of canine PV infection, respectively; 5.3, 3.9 and 84% of 76 cases of feline PV infection, respectively; 71.4, 28.6 and 0% of seven cases of CDV infection, respectively; and 35.9, 52.6 and 11.5% of 78 cases of LHN, respectively. The distribution of the disease-specific bone-marrow changes was either diffuse or focal; diffuse changes were frequently found in cases of feline and canine PV infection, and focal changes were found inconsistently in FIPV infections and feline LHN. To the extent that the bone marrow showed any changes in FIV and CDV infections, they were mostly reactive and not pathognomonic.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

No evidence for a role of modified live virus vaccines in the emergence of canine parvovirus.

In this study the early evolution and potential origins of canine parvovirus (CPV) were examined. We cloned and sequenced the VP2 capsid protein genes of three German CPV strains isolated in 1979-1980, as well as two feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) vaccine viruses that were previously shown to have some restriction enzyme cleavage sites in common with CPV. Other partial VP2 gene sequences were obtained by amplifying CPV DNA from paraffin-embedded tissues of dogs which were early parvovirus disease cases in Germany in 1978-1979. Sequences were analysed with respect to their evolutionary relationships to other CPV and FPV isolates. Those analyses did not support the hypothesis that CPV emerged as a variant of an FPV vaccine virus. Neither did they reveal ancestral sequences among the very early CPV isolates examined. Other possible sources for the origin of CPV are examined, including the involvement of viruses from wild carnivores.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Large granular lymphocyte leukemia/lymphoma in six cats.

This report describes six cases of feline large granular lymphocyte lymphoma identified by light microscopy on the basis of their characteristic azurophilic granulation in Giemsa-stained plastic sections and by electron microscopy on the basis of their typical granules. Although the granules of all the tumor cells were negative for peroxidase activity, they all demonstrated chloroacetate-esterase and acid phosphatase activity. All the tumors reacted with cross-reacting antibodies against the CD3 antigen (epsilon chain) and did not react with a cross-reacting monoclonal antibody directed against epitopes on cytoplasmic domains of the CD20 antigen. Three tumors had a positive reaction with a monoclonal human CD57-like antibody. This is highly suggestive of either a cytotoxic T cell or a natural killer cell origin of the neoplasias. In three cats, although other abdominal organs were affected to a variable extent, the main neoplastic lesions were localized in the gastrointestinal tract and the jejunal lymph nodes. In contrast, in the other three cats, organ involvement was more widespread, affecting the lung (two), myocardium (two), precardiac mediastinum (one), salivary gland (one), and spinal cord (one); in addition, leukemia was present in two of these cats. The data presented indicate that tumors made up of large granular lymphocytes occur more frequently in cats than previously assumed and that they share many characteristic features with specific subtypes of clonal disorders of large granular lymphocytes in humans.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1998

[Malignant catarrhal fever in zoo ruminants].

An outbreak of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) in Indian gauer (Bos gaurus gaurus) and Javan banteng (Bos javanicus javanicus) occurred in the year 1964 and killed almost all animals of the groups of these species kept at the Munich zoo at that time. In the consecutive years at highly irregular intervals cases of the head-and-eye-form of MCF occurred sporadically at the zoo in European and American bison (Bison bonasus, B. bison' bison, B. bison athabascae), elk (Alces alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus), Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus) and again in gaur and banteng. The clinical and pathomorphological observations, including those of prophylactic and tentative treatment are reported. The subspecies of caprinae and alcelaphinae potentionally latently infected with viral agents of MCF kept at the zoo over the reported period are listed. Some details concerning housing, taking care of the animals etc. of the latently infected carriers of the family caprinae and the susceptible species of bovidae and cervidae are also given as far as they are of epidemiological interest. The results of the retrospective analysis and the results of testing paraffin-embedded tissue samples for the presence of ovine herpesvirus-2 (OHV-2)-specific DNA and alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 (AHV-1)-specific DNA from 1964 up to 1997 are discussed. The negative results for OHV-2-specific DNA suggest that MCF at Munich zoo until 1979 could have been "wildebeest-associated", also because until 1974 blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus taurinus) and until 1983 white-tailed gnu (Connochaetes gnou) were kept. However, positive results for OHV-2-specific DNA in the tissues collected from 1985 onwards, strongly suggest the "sheep-associated" MCF.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Identification of lambda light chain amyloid in eight canine and two feline extramedullary plasmacytomas.

Amyloid deposition in varying amounts and with variable patterns of distribution (focal or diffuse) was demonstrated in eight canine and two feline extramedullary plasmacytomas expressing lambda light chains. Frequently, the neoplastic plasma cells had been displaced by the amyloid deposits. Foreign-body giant cells were regularly detected in the vicinity of the amyloid. In all 10 cases, Congo-red staining of the amyloid was resistant to potassium permanganate oxidation. Immunohistochemically, the amyloid reacted positively with cross-reacting antibodies against human and equine A lambda amyloids. Extramedullary plasmacytomas accompanied by localized AL amyloidosis have so far been described in human beings, dogs, cats and horses.

Amyloidosis↗
PubMed1997

Actions and interactions of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-II: body and organ growth of transgenic mice.

To characterize long-term actions and interactions of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) on postnatal body and organ growth, hemizygous phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK)-human IGF-II transgenic mice were crossed with hemizygous PEPCK-bovine GH transgenic mice. The latter are characterized by two-fold increased serum levels of IGF-I and exhibit markedly increased body, skeletal and organ growth. Four different genetic groups were obtained: mice harbouring the IGF-II transgene (I), the bGH transgene (B), or both transgenes (IB), and non-transgenic controls (C). These groups of mice have previously been studied for circulating IGF-I levels (Wolf et al., 1995a), whereas the present study deals with body and organ growth. Growth curves (week 3 to 12) were estimated by regression with linear and quadratic components of age on body weight and exhibited significantly (p < 0.001) greater linear coefficients in B and IB than in I and C mice. The linear coefficients of male I and C mice were significantly (p < 0.001) greater than those of their female counterparts, whereas this sex-related difference was absent in the bGH transgenic groups. The weights of internal organs as well as the weights of abdominal fat, skin and carcass were recorded from 3.5- to 8-month-old mice. In addition, organ weight-to-body weight-ratios (relative organ weights) were calculated. Except for the weight of abdominal fat, absolute organ weights were as a rule significantly greater in B and IB than in I and C mice. IGF-II overproduction as a tendency increased the weights of kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas and uterus both in the absence and presence of the bGH transgene. Analysis of relative organ weights demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) effects of elevated IGF-II on the relative growth of kidneys (males and females) and adrenal glands (females), confirming our previous report on organ growth of PEPCK-IGF-II transgenic mice. In females, IGF-II and GH overproduction were additive in stimulating the growth of spleen and uterus, providing evidence for tissue-specific postnatal growth promoting effects by IGF-II in the presence of elevated IGF-I.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1997

Canine neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas: a study using image analysis techniques for the discrimination of metastatic versus nonmetastatic tumors.

Canine pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors were studied using different image analysis techniques (nuclear image histometry, analysis of argyrophilic proteins of nucleolar organizer regions, determination of the mouse anti-Ki 67 antigen proliferation index, and DNA densitometry) to correlate their biological behavior with objective phenotypic markers. The methods were compared to determine the best method for distinguishing between metastatic and nonmetastatic tumors. Discrimination between the two types of tumor was possible using nuclear image histometry in combination with morphometric analysis of argyrophilic proteins of nucleolar organizer regions. In contrast, the mouse anti-Ki 67 antigen proliferation index, DNA measurement, and immunohistochemical parameters revealed no significant difference between the two types of tumors.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Ductuloendocrine cell proliferation in the pancreas of two young dogs with diabetes mellitus.

Two cases of diabetes mellitus in juvenile dogs (a 3-4 month-old Golden Retriever and a 2-month-old Labrador Retriever) are described here in terms of their clinical, histologic, and immunohistologic findings. Only very few insulin-positive cells were demonstrated immunohistochemically in one dog. In the second dog, the alterations of the pancreas consisted of hydropic vacuolar degeneration of B cells in the islets of Langerhans. In both cases, hyperplasia of the vacuolated cells was prominent. These cells formed tubular structures and were immunohistochemically positive for cytokeratin and proliferating cell antigen (MIB-1). Furthermore, within these vacuolated areas, some cells were positive to varying degrees for insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide. Apoptotic cells could be seen in the exocrine pancreas, in vacuolated areas, and occasionally in the islets of both dogs. We interpret these alterations as ductuloendocrine cell proliferation, probably as an idiopathic compensatory response.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

[Adenovirus-induced pneumonia in two guinea pigs].

Two cases of a rare virus-induced disease of Guinea pigs are described. The animals had died because of a pneumonia. Large intranuclear viral inclusion bodies could be demonstrated in the endothelial cells of the lungs. In the second case inclusion bodies could be found additionally in macrophages of the spleen and in macrophages, hepatocytes and endothelial cells of the liver. By means of electron microscopy the virus could be specified as adenovirus.

Adenoviridae Infections↗
PubMed1997

[Porcine proliferative enteropathy in feeders and breeder sows].

Porcine proliferative enteropathy (PPE) was recognized as an important economic factor in pig production. In the following, three cases of PPE in pigs presented for necropsy are discussed. The animals were raised in a stud stock and a weaning production facility in Bavaria. The clinical signs described in the history indicated a herd problem with hemorrhagic diarrhoea and paleness being the cardinal signs. The diagnosis was based upon gross and histopathological findings and was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The different types of manifestation of the disease seen in the two production facilities are discussed in the context of the current literature on etiology and pathogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Enzootic spinal ataxia in fallow and wild red deer in Upper Bavaria].

Since 1993 several cases of spinal ataxia occurred in adult red and/or fallow deer in four farms in Southern Bavaria. The disease based on a secondary copper deficiency due to a high level of molybden and a low level of copper content in the feed. Some of the animals suffer from a severe disturbance of motion. In most cases the animals are shot at the beginning of illness. Histologically the most important lesions are in the spinal cord consisting mainly in a bilateral symmetric degeneration of dorsolateral and ventral areas of the white matter. Degeneration is caused by lamellar disintegration of the myelin connected with deposition of fine-granulated substances detectable by electronmicroscopical investigation. In the liver and other organs we always found a hemosiderosis which is also believed to be caused by copper deficiency.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Histopathological findings in pigs of various ages suffering from spontaneous infection with the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV).

A retrospective study was carried out to investigate the morphology of 29 routinely necropsied German Landrace pigs of various ages, namely five fetuses, eight neonates, five suckling piglets and 11 weaners, being either serologically PRRSV-positive or born or aborted from PRRSV positive sows. Virus antigen was immunohistochemically demonstrated in 12 out of 27 (44%) lungs tested. The distinguishing histopathological features of PRRSV-induced spontaneous disease are interstitial pneumonia accompanied by secondary inflammatory alterations that become more and more pronounced with increasing age, and vascular alterations hitherto not described in animals of these age groups. The latter consist of vasculitis of the medium-sized arteries and occasionally of the veins, mainly in the lungs but also in other organs, and of perivascular lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates of various degrees of frequency and organ distribution, but present above all in the CNS-including the meninges and in the lungs. These findings, which suggest vasculotropism on the part of the PRRSV, may facilitate the histopathological diagnosis of PRRSV infections in routinely examined material.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Immunohistochemical examination of light-chain expression (lambda/kappa ratio) in canine, feline, equine, bovine and porcine plasma cells.

Five species of domestic animals were examined immunohistochemically and the light-chain ratios of the immunoglobulins produced by plasma cells analysed. Forty dogs, 11 cats, 10 horses, 11 cattle and 14 pigs were tested using the sequential indirect immunoperoxidase and immunophosphatase methods. Tissues from the tonsils, spleen and cervical lymph nodes were analysed. It could be seen that the lambda/kappa ratio in dogs, cats, horses and cattle is largely dominated by the lambda chains (lambda/kappa ratio in dogs: 91/9%, in cats; 92/8%; in horses: 96/4%; in cattle: 91/9%). A more or less balanced ratio was observed only in the case of the pigs (52/48%).

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Freund's complete adjuvant in the chicken: efficient immunostimulation with severe local inflammatory reaction].

To quantify the enhancing activity of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), the humoral immune response of hens to the antigen human serum albumin (HSA) injected intramuscularly combined with FCA was measured. Local tissue reaction was examined on macroscopic and microscopic level. Other hens were injected with HSA in physiological sodium-chloride solution and served as controls. The immunization of hens without using FCA resulted in a short-term rise in immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titres, while the hens injected with HSA and FCA developed a long-term response (plateau-form of antibody titres). Local tissue reaction after injection of HSA in sodium-chloride solution was a mild and transient form of interstitial myositis. The immunization with HSA combined with FCA regularly resulted in a persisting granulomatous myositis. It is therefore a matter of animal protection to demand restricted use of FCA and to promote adjuvants of comparable efficiency, but better tolerance.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Helicobacter-like organisms: histopathological examination of gastric biopsies from dogs and cats.

Gastric biopsies from the fundic gland region of 122 dogs and 127 cats were subjected to histopathological examination. The aim of the study was to determine infection rates and degrees of colonization by Helicobacter-like organisms (HLOs), and to ascertain their possible relationship to histopathological changes. In all, 82% of the dogs and 76% of the cats had an HLO infection. The most striking histopathological changes were glandular degeneration with accumulation of lymphocytes and neutrophilic granulocytes (dogs, 21%; cats, 39%), fibrosis of the lamina propria mucosae (dogs, 41%; cats, 58%), oedema in the lamina propria mucosae (dogs, 54%; cats, 23%), lymphoid follicles (dogs, 17%; cats, 19%) and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates. A relation between the degree of colonization by HLOs and the extent of histopathological changes could only be discovered in the cats. It was not possible to ascertain whether these bacteria, irrespective of the degree of colonization, were responsible for the histopathological changes in the dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effects of growth hormone overproduction on grip strength of transgenic mice.

Growth hormone (GH) is used by athletes like bodybuilders to increase muscle strength and weight gain. On the other hand, chronic hypersecretion of GH in active acromegaly may result in outwardly hypertrophied but functionally weaker muscles. As a model for studying long-term effects of GH on muscle strength, we analysed transgenic mice (TM) carrying rat phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-bovine GH (PEPCKbGH) fusion genes, which are expressed in liver and kidney but not in skeletal muscle. Circulating GH levels in TM ranged between 0.5 and 3 micrograms/ml, resulting in increased (p < 0.001) body weight (wt) as well as increased (p < 0.01) weights of forelimb and hindlimb muscles. However, muscle weight/body wt ratios of TM were 16-20% smaller than in controls (p < 0.05). Forelimb grip strength of hemizygous TM (16 males, 132 +/- 45 days old, body wt = 56.8 +/- 8.3 g; 32 females, 146 +/- 38 days old, body wt = 54.9 +/- 6.1 g) and non-transgenic controls (28 males, 127 +/- 47 days old, body wt = 40.5 +/- 2.9 g; 33 females, 126 +/- 47 days old, body wt = 32.1 +/- 3.6 g) was determined using an automated grip strength meter. Data were computed by analysis of variance, taking into account effects of group, sex and age. Least-squares means estimated for the grip strength (N) of male TM (1.91) and controls (1.92) were significantly (p < 0.05) greater than those of female TM (1.78) and controls (1.61). A significant difference between groups was only seen in females (p < 0.01). Least-squares means estimated for grip strength/body wt ratios (N/10 g) of male (0.34) and female TM (0.33) were 29% and 35% lower than those of male (0.48) and female controls (0.51), respectively (p < 0.001). In summary, long-term elevated GH levels in TM increased muscle weight less efficiently than body weight, and muscle strength did not increase proportionally with muscle weight.

Analysis of Variance↗