Generation of three different fragments of bound C3 with purified factor I or serum. II. Location of binding sites in the C3 Fragments for Factors B and H, complement receptors , and bovine conglutinin

The many different recognized functions of C3 are dependent upon the ability of the activated C3 molecule both to bind covalently to protein and carbohydrate surfaces and to provide binding sites for as many as eleven different proteins. The location of the binding sites for six of these different proteins (factors B and H, complement receptors CR(1), CR(2) and CR(3) and conglutinin) was examined in the naturally occurring C3-fragments generated by C3 activation (C3b) and degradation by Factor I (iC3b, C3c, C3d,g) and trypsin (C3d). Evidence was obtained for at least four distinct binding sites in C3 for these six different C3 ligands. One binding site for B was detectable only in C3b, whereas a second binding site for H and CR(1) was detectable in both C3b and iC3b. The affinity of the binding site for H and CR(1) was charge dependent and considerably reduced in iC3b as compared to C3b. H binding to iC3b-coated sheep erythrocytes (EC3bi) was measurable only in low ionic strength buffer (4 mS). The finding that C3c-coated microspheres bound to CR(1), indicated that this second binding site was still intact in the C3c fragment. However, H binding to C3c was not examined. A third binding site in C3 for CR(2) was exposed in the d region by factor I cleavage of C3b into iC3b, and the activity of this site was unaffected by the further I cleavage of iC3b into C3d,g. Removal of the 8,000-dalton C3g fragment from C3d,g with trypsin forming C3d, resulted in reduced CR2 activity. However, because saturating amounts of monoclonal anti-C3g did not block the CR(2)-binding activity of EC3d,g, it appears unlikely that the g region of C3d,g or iC3b forms a part of the CR(2)-binding site. In addition, detergent-solubilized EC3d (C3d-OR) inhibited the CR(2)-binding activity of EC3d,g. Monocytes and neutrophils, that had been previously thought to lack CR(2) because of their inability to form EC3d rosettes, did bind EC3d,g containing greater than 5 × 10(4) C3d,g molecules per E. The finding that monocyte and neutrophil rosettes with EC3d,g were inhibited by C3d-OR, suggested that these phagocytic cells might indeed express very low numbers of CR(2), and that these CR(2) were detectable with EC3d,g and not with EC3d because C3d,g had a higher affinity for CR2 than did C3d. A fourth C3 binding site for CR(3) and conglutinin (K) was restricted to the iC3b fragment. Because of simultaneous attachment of iC3b to phagocyte CR3 and CR(3), the characteristics of iC3b binding to CR3 could only be examined with phagocytes on which the CR(1) had been blocked with anti-CR(1). Inhibition studies with EDTA and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine demonstrated a requirement for both calcium cations and carbohydrate in the binding of EC3bi to CR3 and to K. However, CR(3) differed from K in that magnesium cations were required in addition to calcium for maximum CR(3) binding activity, and NADG produced less inhibition of CR(3) activity than of K activity

Herd-level animal management factors associated with the occurrence of bovine neonatal pancytopenia in calves in a multicountry study

Since 2007, mortality associated with a previously unreported haemorrhagic disease has been observed in young calves in several European countries. The syndrome, which has been named ‘bovine neonatal pancytopenia’ (BNP), is characterised by thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia and a panmyelophthisis. A herd-level case-control study was conducted in four BNP affected countries (Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands) to identify herd management risk factors for BNP occurrence. Data were collected using structured face-to-face and telephone interviews of farm managers and their local veterinarians. In total, 363 case farms and 887 control farms were included in a matched multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis. Case-control status was strongly associated with the odds of herd level use of the vaccine PregSure® BVD (PregSure, Pfizer Animal Health) (matched adjusted odds ratio (OR) 107.2; 95% CI: 41.0–280.1). This was also the case for the practices of feeding calves colostrum from the calf’s own dam (OR 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–3.4) or feeding pooled colostrum (OR 4.1; 95% CI: 1.9–8.8). Given that the study had relatively high statistical power and represented a variety of cattle production and husbandry systems, it can be concluded with some confidence that no other herd level management factors are competent causes for a sufficient cause of BNP occurrence on herd level. It is suggested that genetic characteristics of the dams and BNP calves should be the focus of further investigations aimed at identifying the currently missing component causes that together with PregSure vaccination and colostrum feeding represent a sufficient cause for occurrence of BNP in calves

Manual of rapid diagnosis of animal virus diseases by enzyme immunoassay methods

44 páginas. Series Salud Animal. Publicación Científica (IICA) no. 15.Versiones en inglés y español El diagnóstico de enfermedades virales de los animales, por lo general, se hace aislando el agente etiológico en cultivos celulares. Este procedimiento tiene desventajas para el diagnóstico rápido de estas enfermedades. Dada esta situación, se hace necesario desarrollar métodos de diagnóstico de enfermedades virales más rápidos y sensibles. En los últimos años, las técnicas inmunoenzimáticas, más conocidas como ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Inmuno-Sorbent Assay), han sido desarrolladas para el diagnóstico rápido de las enfermedades en humanos, animales y plantas. Su alta sensibilidad, especificidad, rapidez y economía las convierten en instrumentos esenciales para el diagnóstico, al ser superiores a muchas técnicas serológicas convencionales. Son aplicables, con grandes ventajas, en el campo de la virología, la microbiología, la toxicología y en la biotecnología moderna. Este documento contiene un manual que sirve de guía para el diagnóstico rápido de enfermedades virales en los animales mediante la utilización de este tipo de pruebas inmunoenzimáticas.Diagnosis of viral diseases in animals is generally made by isolating the etiologic agent in cell culture. This procedure has disadvantages for the rapid diagnosis of these diseases. Given this situation, it is necessary to develop faster and more sensitive diagnostic methods for viral diseases. In recent years, enzyme-linked immunosorbent techniques, better known as ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay), have been developed for the rapid diagnosis of diseases in humans, animals and plants. Their high sensitivity, specificity, speed and economy make them essential tools for diagnosis, being superior to many conventional serological techniques. They are applicable, with great advantages, in the field of virology, microbiology, toxicology and in modern biotechnology. This document contains a manual that serves as a guide for the rapid diagnosis of viral diseases in animals using this type of immunoenzymatic tests