Thirty-five juvenile (mean age 6.3 weeks) and 35 adult (mean age 2.0 years) healthy degus (Octodon degus) were studied to investigate selected haematological and plasma biochemistry parameters. Animals were anaesthetised with isoflurane, and blood was withdrawn from the cranial vena cava. Erythrocyte, haematocrit and neutrophil counts (including the percentage of neutrophils) were significantly higher in the adult degus than in the juveniles. In contrast, the reticulocyte count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, number of platelets and percentage of lymphocytes were significantly lower in the adult animals. Total protein and globulin levels were significantly higher in the adult degus. The albumin:globulin ratio and plasma levels of urea nitrogen, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, potassium, total calcium and inorganic phosphorus were significantly lower in adults than in juveniles.

• MeSH
• alanintransaminasa krev   MeSH
• alkalická fosfatasa krev   MeSH
• aspartátaminotransferasy krev   MeSH
• biochemická analýza krve veterinární   MeSH
• erytrocytární znaky veterinární   MeSH
• hematologické testy veterinární   MeSH
• krevní glukóza analýza   MeSH
• objem erytrocytu veterinární   MeSH
• Octodon krev   MeSH
• počet leukocytů veterinární   MeSH
• počet lymfocytů veterinární   MeSH
• referenční hodnoty MeSH
• sérový albumin MeSH
• stárnutí krev   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The purpose of this study was to gain information concerning chronology of postnatal dental eruption in degus (Octodon degu). Specific findings pertain to the estimation of postnatal age at tooth emergence through the gingiva and to the age when a particular tooth is in functional occlusion. Fifty newborn degu pups were included in this study. The oral cavity endoscopy was carried out under isoflurane anesthesia in all animals 3 to 4 and 24-hours after birth, then at 1-day intervals until the age of 40-days, and subsequently at 2-day intervals until 75-days of age. Tooth emergence was considered to have occurred when any portion of the crown had penetrated the gingiva. The stage when the teeth come into occlusion was defined as the functional occlusion. The degus were born with completely erupted permanent incisors that were already in functional occlusion. All the premolar teeth and all the first molar teeth erupted on days 2 - 3 and 4 - 5 of life, respectively. The first signs offunctional occlusion ofall the first 2 cheek teeth were observed on days 9 - 11. Maxillary and mandibular second molar teeth emerged between days 17 - 19 and 18 - 20, respectively. First signs of functional occlusion were observed on days 30 - 31 and 31 - 33for maxillary and mandibular second molar teeth, respectively. Maxillary third molar teeth emerged on days 38 - 44 and erupted into occlusion on days 48 - 58. Mandibular third molar teeth emerged on days 39 - 46 and erupted into occlusion on days 58 - 72.

• MeSH
• diagnóza stomatologická MeSH
• endoskopie veterinární   MeSH
• moláry růst a vývoj   MeSH
• novorozená zvířata MeSH
• Octodon fyziologie   MeSH
• prořezávání zubů fyziologie   MeSH
• řezáky růst a vývoj   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Stimulation with polyclonal activators is a tool to increase antibody secretion in B cells. The aim of the present study was to select the most effective common commercially available polyclonal activators of rabbit B cells. Specifically, type B oligodeoxynucleotides with unmethylated deoxycytidyl-deoxyguanosine dinucleotides (CpG-ODN), recombinant rabbit interleukin-2 (rrIL-2), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and Resiquimod (R848) were tested on B cells isolated from blood and spleen by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Based on the obtained data, stimulation with CpG-ODN induced the highest antigen-specific antibody levels detected by ELISA in supernatants when a single activator was used. In contrast, LPS, PWM and R848 showed a weak or no stimulatory effect. Stimulation with a mix of activators was more effective than CpG-ODN alone, which indicates a synergistic effect in the stimulation of antibody production.

• MeSH
• alfa-makroglobuliny aplikace a dávkování   imunologie   MeSH
• B-lymfocyty imunologie   MeSH
• králíci MeSH
• oligodeoxyribonukleotidy aplikace a dávkování   imunologie   MeSH
• tvorba protilátek účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• králíci MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Encephalitozoonosis is a common infectious disease widely spread among rabbits. Encephalitozoon cuniculi, is considered as a zoonotic and emerging pathogen capable of infecting both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts. The aim of the study was to describe in detail the spread of the E. cuniculi in a rabbit organism after experimental infection and the host humoral and cellular immune response including cytokine production. For that purpose, healthy immunocompetent rabbits were infected orally in order to simulate the natural route of infection and euthanised at 2, 4, 6 and 8-weeks post-infection. Dissemination of E. cuniculi in the body of the rabbit was more rapid than previously reported. As early as 2 weeks post-infection, E. cuniculi was detected using immunohistochemistry not only in the intestine, mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, liver, kidneys, lungs and heart, but also in nervous tissues, especially in medulla oblongata, cerebellum, and leptomeninges. Based on flow cytometry, no conspicuous changes in lymphocyte subpopulations were detected in the examined lymphoid organs of infected rabbits. Cell-mediated immunity was characterized by ability of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to proliferate after stimulation with specific antigens. Th1 polarization of immune response with a predominance of IFN-γ expression was detected in spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. The increased expression of IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA in mixed samples from the small intestine is indicative of balanced control of IFN-γ, which prevents tissue damage. On the other hand, it can enable E. cuniculi to survive and persist in the host organism in a balanced host-parasite relationship. The Th17 immunity lineage seems to play only a minor role in E. cuniculi infection in rabbits.

• MeSH
• buněčná imunita * MeSH
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi fyziologie   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza imunologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• humorální imunita * MeSH
• imunokompetence MeSH
• králíci * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• králíci * MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The impact of pelleted diets with different mineral compositions on the crown size of the mandibular cheek teeth, as well as the mandibular bone and cheek teeth density, in degus (Octodon degus) was investigated. A total of 28 animals were randomly divided into four groups and fed different calcium or phosphorous dietary content, in the presence or absence of UV light, for 14 months. Dental radiographs and CT images of the head were taken, and the crown size of premolar and molar teeth was recorded. Apical and coronal crown elongation of all cheek teeth and significantly smaller relative cheek teeth and mandibular densities were recorded in degus fed a high-phosphorus diet with an improper calcium:phosphorus ratio. A diet with a calcium:phosphorus ratio of 1:1 was also responsible for the rapid development of dental disease with subsequent severe health impairment.

• MeSH
• dieta veterinární   MeSH
• fosfor dietní aplikace a dávkování   farmakologie   MeSH
• kostní denzita účinky léků   účinky záření   MeSH
• krmivo pro zvířata analýza   MeSH
• mandibula účinky léků   účinky záření   radiografie   MeSH
• minerály analýza   MeSH
• moláry účinky léků   účinky záření   MeSH
• nemoci hlodavců etiologie   MeSH
• Octodon MeSH
• stomatologické nemoci etiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• ultrafialové záření škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• vápník dietní aplikace a dávkování   farmakologie   MeSH
• zubní korunka (anatomie) účinky léků   účinky záření   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an obligate intracellular pathogen that has wide host distribution, but primary affects rabbits. This study presents a seroepidemiological study of E. cuniculi infection in 500 pet rabbits from the Czech Republic using ELISA capable of measuring IgM and IgG antibodies. Specific IgM antibodies, reflecting acute, reactivated infection or reinfection, were detected in 32.4% of all rabbits. IgG antibodies indicating chronic infection, were presented in 68.0% of all rabbits. The highest detection rate of IgM (54.4%) and IgG (86.1%) antibodies was ascertained in rabbits with neurological symptoms (n=79, group I). In rabbits with renal disorders (n=47, group II) 36.2% animals were specific IgM and 80.9% IgG positive. Out of 9 rabbits with ocular disorders (group III), 44.4% were positive for anti-E. cuniculi IgM and 77.8% for IgG antibodies. In rabbits with multiple signs (neurological and renal or ocular, n=16, group IV), 43.8% animals were specific IgM and 68.8% IgG positive. Out of 287 rabbits with other disease (group V), 26.5% were positive for anti-E. cuniculi IgM and 64.1% for IgG antibodies. However, the high presence of IgM (24.2%) and IgG (51.6%) antibodies was detected in clinically healthy rabbits (n=62, group VI). Toxoplasma gondii infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis for neurological and ocular disorders in rabbits. Using ELISA, 19.2% from all rabbits were positive for specific anti-T. gondii IgG. The highest seropositivity was detected in group III (44.4%). Simultaneous testing of IgM and IgG specific antibodies give an indication of the infection status. Presence of IgM antibodies is indicative for active infection with requirement to institute proper antimicrosporidial therapy. As active infection was detected in considerably high numbers of rabbits with clinical signs that are not usually associated with E. cuniculi, and even in asymptomatic rabbits, detection of both isotypes of specific antibodies should be a routine part of a health check in rabbits.

• MeSH
• ELISA veterinární   MeSH
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza diagnóza   imunologie   mikrobiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• hospodářská zvířata imunologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• imunoglobulin G krev   MeSH
• imunoglobulin M krev   MeSH
• králíci imunologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• protilátky bakteriální krev   MeSH
• rozdělení chí kvadrát MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• králíci imunologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

Rabbits are often used as animal models for experimental purposes; in many cases steroid-induced immunosuppression is necessary. The aim of this study was to characterise a model of immunosuppression in rabbits, based on changes in the lymphocyte subset distribution, changes in proliferative capacity of lymphocytes and activity of neutrophils 1, 3 and 7 days after the administration of 2mg/kg dexamethasone phosphate (DXP) three times at 6-h intervals. In peripheral blood, neutrophilia and lymphopenia together with eosinopenia, monocytopenia and basopenia in the absence of leukocytosis was detected. One day after DXP administration the absolute numbers of all lymphocyte subsets decreased in the blood, whereas in bone marrow, absolute numbers of all lymphocyte subsets increased significantly, except CD79alpha(+) cells that increased only in relative numbers. The effect of DXP on lymphocytes from the spleen, mesenteric and popliteal lymph nodes was less pronounced. In the thymus, DXP led to a marked reduction of the relative and absolute numbers of CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes. The proliferative capacity of lymphocytes after concanavalin A stimulation was lower in the peripheral blood and spleen only on day 1, no changes were detected in lymph nodes or in bone marrow. A marked increase in proliferative capacity was detected in the thymus. Spontaneous production of reactive oxygen metabolites by neutrophils was reduced on days 1 and 3 after DXP administration. The present results demonstrate clearly that this DXP application protocol is useful for the experimental induction of relatively short-lasting immunosuppression in rabbits.

• MeSH
• dexamethason farmakologie   MeSH
• financování organizované MeSH
• imunosupresiva farmakologie   MeSH
• imunosupresivní léčba MeSH
• králíci MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• náhodné rozdělení MeSH
• podskupiny lymfocytů imunologie   účinky léků   MeSH
• proliferace buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• králíci MeSH
• zvířata MeSH

Although Pasteurella multocida serogroup F has been described as an avian-adapted serogroup, it was recently found in rabbit nests in the Czech Republic. Therefore, the ability of 2 avian P. multocida serogroup F strains to induce disease in rabbits was investigated. Two groups of 18 Pasteurella-free rabbits were intranasally challenged with strains isolated from chickens and turkeys. Half of the animals in each challenge group were immunosuppressed using dexamethasone. All of the challenged rabbits exhibited clinical signs of peracute septicemic disease, ending with shock, and died or were euthanized in the terminal stages of the disease 1 to 2 d post-infection. Gross pathological changes included systemic vascular collapse and vascular leak syndrome. Hyperemia, hemorrhage, edema, inflammatory cell infiltrates, focal necrosis, and degenerative changes were observed histologically in parenchymatous organs. This is the first study directly demonstrating that avian P. multocida serogroup F strains are highly virulent in rabbits and that avian hosts cannot be excluded as a possible source of rabbit infection with serogroup F.

• MeSH
• cholera veterinární   MeSH
• DNA bakterií analýza   genetika   MeSH
• infekce bakteriemi rodu Pasteurella mikrobiologie   patologie   přenos   veterinární   MeSH
• králíci mikrobiologie   MeSH
• krocani mikrobiologie   MeSH
• kur domácí mikrobiologie   MeSH
• multilokusová sekvenční typizace veterinární   MeSH
• nemoci drůbeže MeSH
• Pasteurella multocida klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   patogenita   MeSH
• pulzní gelová elektroforéza veterinární   MeSH
• techniky typizace bakterií veterinární   MeSH
• virulence MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• králíci mikrobiologie   MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an obligate intracellular pathogen that has a wide host distribution, but primarily affects rabbits. The aim of this study was to characterize both the cell-mediated and the antibody response in rabbits after experimental infection using 2 different infection routes: oral and ocular. SPF rabbits were infected with low (10³ spores) and high (10⁷ spores) infection doses. Monitored parameters included clinical signs, detection of spores in urine, antibody response detected with ELISA, and cell-mediated immunity detected by antigen-driven lymphocyte proliferation. At week 13 post-infection, half of the rabbits in each group were suppressed by intramuscular administration of dexamethasone. At week 18 post-infection, animals were euthanized. Clinical signs were mild with exacerbation after immunosuppression. Spores in urine and antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity were detected from weeks 5 and 4 post-infection, respectively. Specific IgM was detected 1 week after infection, and IgG antibodies followed 1 week later in rabbits infected with the high dose. Immunological responses were dose dependent. The authors can conclude that both oral and ocular experimental infection with E. cuniculi resulted in an immune response of the infected animals. Rabbits could be used as an experimental model for the study of ocular microsporidiosis.

• MeSH
• aktivace lymfocytů MeSH
• buněčná imunita MeSH
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi imunologie   patogenita   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza imunologie   parazitologie   patologie   MeSH
• imunoglobulin G krev   MeSH
• imunoglobulin M krev   MeSH
• králíci MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• nemoci úst imunologie   parazitologie   patologie   MeSH
• oční infekce imunologie   parazitologie   patologie   MeSH
• outbrední kmeny zvířat MeSH
• protilátky protozoální krev   MeSH
• tvorba protilátek MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• králíci MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

• MeSH
• finanční podpora výzkumu jako téma MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus krev   MeSH
• odběr vzorku krve metody   MeSH
• vena cava superior MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus krev   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH