Rabbit Feces Research Articles

Fluorescent-antibody techniques for the identification of group D streptococci: direct staining method.

Fluorescent-antibody (FA) techniques were employed in an attempt to develop a rapid test for the identification of group D streptococci. Fresh isolates were obtained from sewege and feces of sheep, cattle, horses, rabbits, chickens, geese, and rats. Identification to species were made by the conventional physiological, biochemical, and serological tests. Both whole and disrupted cells of representative strains of each species were used for the preparation of the group D streptococcus vaccine. Globulin fractions of individual and pooled antisera were labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate, and the resulting conjugates were tested with homologous and heterologous antigens. The specificity of the conjugates and staining was assessed by adsorption and inhibition tests utilizing controls with homologous and heterologous antigens. Employing the direct staining method and individual and pooled conjugates, it was possible to obtain 84 and 85% positive FA reactions, respectively, with group D streptococcal strains. Trypsinization of the smears prior to staining eliminated all FA cross-reactions observed with non-group D streptococci and staphylococci. These findings suggest that the direct staining method will be of value in the rapid identification of group D streptococci.

Fluorescent-Antibody Techniques for the Identification of Group D Streptococci: Direct Staining Method1

Fluorescent-antibody (FA) techniques were employed in an attempt to develop a rapid test for the identification of group D streptococci. Fresh isolates were obtained from sewege and feces of sheep, cattle, horses, rabbits, chickens, geese, and rats. Identification to species were made by the conventional physiological, biochemical, and serological tests. Both whole and disrupted cells of representative strains of each species were used for the preparation of the group D streptococcus vaccine. Globulin fractions of individual and pooled antisera were labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate, and the resulting conjugates were tested with homologous and heterologous antigens. The specificity of the conjugates and staining was assessed by adsorption and inhibition tests utilizing controls with homologous and heterologous antigens. Employing the direct staining method and individual and pooled conjugates, it was possible to obtain 84 and 85% positive FA reactions, respectively, with group D streptococcal strains. Trypsinization of the smears prior to staining eliminated all FA cross-reactions observed with non-group D streptococci and staphylococci. These findings suggest that the direct staining method will be of value in the rapid identification of group D streptococci.

Experimentally Induced Patent Infections of Ascaris suum in Rabbits

The development of Ascaris suum was studied over a 13-week period in experimentally infected rabbits. Eighteen of 47 rabbits, each orally inoculated with 2,000 infective A. suum larvae, har- bored immature and mature adults when necropsied between 20 to 93 days postinoculation. Length of worms recovered ranged from 0.70 to 19.0 cm. Patent infections with A. suum were compared with those reported in the literature for pigs. Size of ascarid eggs from feces of rabbits was slightly less than that of eggs from pigs. Patency was detected in 3 rabbits at 46, 54, and 57 days after exposure. Fecal worm egg counts were determined for 39 days in one rabbit. Eggs from the uteri of worms were cul- tured and used to infect other rabbits. In this second passage, 5 of 14 rabbits had worms when ne- cropsied 65 to 91 days postinfection.

REACTION OF ANTIGENIC SUBSTANCE IN FECES OF RABBITS INFECTED WITH SCHISTOSOMA JAPONICUM

The existence of Schistosoma japonicum antigen was ascertained in feces of rabbits infected with S. japonicum by means of precipitin reaction between anti-S. japonicum rabbit serum. In some example, no positive reaction was found. This may be depend on the quantitative relation of antigen and antibody in such examples.

Demonstration of antibody in rabbit feces after active or passive parenteral immunization.

Alimentary secretions and fecal extracts were assayed for specific antibody in rabbits actively or passively immunized parenterally against a soluble protein antigen, bovine serum albumin (BSA). In contrast to earlier studies with anti-ovalbumin, circulating anti-BSA was demonstrated to pass readily into the gastrointestinal contents of either the actively or passively immunized animals. These data indicate that at least some of the antibody detectable in intestinal contents can be derived from the blood stream ratherthan from the local gut-associated lymphoid tissue.

Colorimetric Determination of Ingested Food Dyes Passed in Feces of Domestic Rabbits

Colorimetric Determination of Ingested Food Dyes Passed in Feces of Domestic Rabbits

Biology of Cooperia punctata (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae) in the Domestic Rabbit

Young, domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), maintained under controlled conditions, are suitable hosts for the propagation of Cooperia punctata (v. Linstow, 1907) Ransom, 1907, an intes- tinal nematode parasite of domestic ruminants. Normal cooperid eggs, passed in the feces of infected rabbits, were cultured to secure characteristic infective third-stage larvae. The prepatent period for these infections ranged from 11 to 16 days (average 13 days) and was comparable to the prepatent period for infections in calves, a normal host. The length of the prepatent period was not influenced by the source and size of the larval dose nor by the sex and breed of the rabbit. However, age of the host appeared to influence susceptibility. The number of nematodes collected from an infected rabbit varied from 10 to 9,863 (average 1,796), which was in the range of 0.01 to 9.20% (average 2.52%) of the dosage administered. The number of nematodes that developed in relation to the dosage administered appeared to be affected by the sex of the rabbit, 3.37 and 1.55% for males and females, respectively. The infectivity of C. punctata in rabbits did not seem to change in a series of five suc- cessive passages. The patent period, based on the rabbit host, ranged from 3 to 38 weeks (average 12 weeks). It was not affected by age and breed of host nor by the source and size of the larval dose, but was affected by sex. The patent period for male rabbits ranged from 3 to 38 weeks (average 14 weeks), and for female rabbits from 5 to 16 weeks (average 9 weeks). The postpatent period ranged from 1 to 13 weeks (average 3 weeks). The distribution of nematodes in the small intestine of rabbits varied with the period of infection and shifted from the posterior to the anterior half of the intestine with increased duration of the patent period.

ON THE BILE ACID AND NEUTRAL FECAL STEROID EXCRETION IN MAN AND RABBITS FOLLOWING CHOLESTEROL FEEDING. BILE ACIDS AND STEROIDS 150.

AbstractThe effect of cholesterol feeding on bile acid turnover and neutral fecal steroid excretion was studied in rabbits and human subjects. In rabbits the addition of 1% cholesterol to a low fat pellet diet (on the average 700 mg of cholesterol per day) caused a marked increase of the serum cholesterol level but a reduction of the turnover and the fecal elimination of deoxycholic acid. On the subsequent feeding of a semisynthetic cholesterol free diet, the serum cholesterol level decreased in spite of a further reduction of the fecal bile acid excretion. When human subjects received a diet containing egg yolk lipids, which provided 1.4 g cholesterol per day, the serum cholesterol level increased moderately over the control values, but there were no consistent effects on either the biliary bile acid composition or on the turnover of cholic acid. The amount of cholesterol excreted as neutral fecal steroids during the cholesterol feeding period corresponded on the average to 80 and 77% of the amount of cholesterol given to rabbits and human subjects respectively. Cholesterol and the plant sterols β‐sitosterol and methylcholesterol were metabolized into neutral compounds that were the same in rabbit and in human feces. Rabbit feces contained proportionally more 5α‐sterols than human feces.

On the Composition of the Bile Acid Fraction of Rabbit Feces and the Isolation of a New Bile Acid: 3α,12α-Dihydroxy-5α-cholanic Acid: BILE ACIDS AND STEROIDS 136

On the Composition of the Bile Acid Fraction of Rabbit Feces and the Isolation of a New Bile Acid: 3α,12α-Dihydroxy-5α-cholanic Acid: BILE ACIDS AND STEROIDS 136

Metabolic fate of orally administered H3-norethynodrel in rabbits.

The distribution of radioactivity in the urine, bile and feces of female rabbits following the oral administration of randomly tritiated 17α-ethynyl-17β-hydroxy- 5(10)-estrene-3-one has been measured. In 5 animals with bile drainage cannulae, 33 % of the administered radioactivity was excreted in the bile, 21% in the urine and 17% in the feces during 7 days. These results indicate that over 70% of the radioactivity was absorbed from the gut. In a control group of 3 normal and 2 sham-operated rabbits, 52% of the radioactivity was in the urine and 16 % in the feces, indicating that much of the activity in bile is reabsorbed and excreted in the urine. Less than 1 % of the radioactivity in bile was unconjugated, 81 % was conjugated as glucosiduronate and 18% as another conjugate, probably sulfate. Most of the glucosiduronate fraction was identified as 17α-ethynyl-3β,17β- dihydroxy-5(10)-estrene. In the urine, 1–2% of the radioactivity was unconjugated, 35–40% was glucosiduronate and 10–15% was sulfate. In the...

Coccidiosis in Wisconsin Cottontail Rabbits in Winter

Since coccidiosis is generally considered a disease of the warm months of the year, little research has been conducted on its importance and incidence in over-wintering hosts. Boughton (1937), in a study of Isospora infection in the English sparrow in Wisconsin, noted 100 per cent incidence of the coccidia in winter, while Fitzgerald (1959) noted in Utah cattle a decline in incidence from 95 per cent in November to 30 per cent in March. Preliminary sampling of fresh feces of the cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) in Wisconsin indicated that occasional large showers of oocysts occurred in the middle of the winter. To clarify the winter status of this disease, a fecal survey was made during the winters of 1959 to 1960, and 1960 to 1961 near Green Bay, Wisconsin. Although comparative data from the summer months are lacking, this short paper will explore the potential importance of winter infection in the epizootiology of this disease in wild cottontails.

The influence of diet on the vitamin B12 activity in the serum, urine and faeces of rabbits.

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On the isolation, ecology and taxonomy ofSaccharomycopsis guttulata

A simple procedure is described for the isolation of pure cultures ofSaccharomycopsis guttulata from rabbit feces. Sporulation occurs best on YM agar at 18°C., whereas vegetative growth takes place only between 35° and 40°C. On solid media growth occurs only in an atmosphere saturated with water vapor. Vegetative cells are diploid and uninucleate. Upon reduction division two to four nuclei could be observed after staining with Azure A, resulting in asci with one to four spores. Viability of the spores is low. In mass cultures, spores in some asci germinated after conjugation in pairs and in some, single spores germinated. During germination an exosporium is evident. A tentative life cycle has been proposed.S. guttulata is short lived at room temperature or above. However, at 5°C. a vegetative culture remains viable for about 2 months and a sporulating culture for at least six months. The ecology and natural cycle ofS. guttulata have been described and related to the habit of coprophagy in rabbits. A complete description ofS. guttulata is given, including its morphological and physiological properties. The genusSaccharomycopsis is considered to be valid.

Failure of mepacrine hydrochloride to eliminate oocysts from the faeces of rabbits chronically infected with E. stiedae.

THE proposal to introduce lapinized virus as a prophylactic agent in the control of rinderpest in cattle in Nigeria has raised a number of problems associated with the maintenance of large colonies of rabbits. A survey carried out to determine the incidence of infection with E. stieœ in existing stock showed that one of the most important of these problems would be that of controlling coccidiosis among them. This survey showed that all the forty rabbits examined were passing oocysts in the faeces. As this did not appear to be an entirely satisfactory prelude to the inauguration of extensive breeding activity, it was decided to try the effects of one of our newer coccidiostatic agents, mepacrine hydrochloride, in the treatment of coccidiosis, when this, as in the case of the animals referred to above, had reached the chronic stage.

Effect of Thyroid Feeding on Androgen Excretion Following Testosterone and Testosterone Propionate Injections in Rabbits

We have been unable to detect any comb growth-promoting substance in the urine of untreated normal adult male rabbits or in the feces of male rabbits even when they were given 10 mg of testosterone or testosterone propionate daily for 4 or 5 days. On the other hand, the above mentioned doses of these androgens regularly lead to the excretion of considerable amounts of androgen in the urine. This result is confirmatory of the observations of McCullagh, et al.,1 Hoskins, et al.,2 Dorfman and Hamilton,3 and many others, and is at variance with the observations of Kochakian.4In these experiments 5 mg of testosterone or testosterone propionate∗ in 1 cc of sesame oil were injected into the abdominal wall twice daily for 4 or 5 days with or without the daily oral administration of 100 mg of desiccated thyroid for similar periods. Desiccated thyroid administration was begun 1 day before the first dose of androgen. The urine was collected under benzene and extracted according to the method of Dingemanse and Laqueu...

Decomposition of the Group A Substance in Horse Saliva by a Myxobacterium

The results of chemical investigation of preparations of the group A substance in horse saliva which indicated that their activity may depend upon carbohydrate groupings suggested testing the effect upon the saliva substance, of a microorganism known to attack carbohydrates. The discovery of a bacterium producing an enzyme which destroys the polysaccharide of Pneumococcus type III was made by Avery and Dubos. Several other bacteria capable of splitting Pneumococcus polysaccharides have been found since by Sickles and Shaw. While the action of the Avery and Dubos bacterium appeared to be specific, a Myxococcus which decomposes a variety of bacterial polysaccharides, was isolated from vegetable matter by Morgan and Thaysen. The strain of Myxobacterium was sent to us through the kindness of Dr. Morgan. The culture was maintained on an aqueous extract of rabbit feces, 50 gm. to the liter, to which were added 0.05% (NH4)2SO4 and 0.01% K2HPO4. The medium was used at pH 7.4 after Berkefeld filtration or in agar slants. The organism does not grow on most common nutrient media. The substance from horse saliva was dissolved in the fluid medium mentioned or in a simple mineral medium in concentrations of 0.008% to 0.04%, and 3 cc. amounts were inoculated with 0.1 cc. of a 3 or 4 day fluid culture and kept at 37°C. The activity of the saliva preparation was determined by inhibition of the hemolysis of sheep cells by antisera prepared with human A blood. In these experiments the substance was found to be destroyed during growth of the Myxococcus. Partial decomposition was noted after 2 days, and after a week only 2 to 10% of the original activity remained.

The Use of Fecal Extracts in the Cultivation of Endamoeba Histolytica

During an investigation of the methods used in the cultivation of E. histolytica, it was found that the number of organisms produced in vitro could be significantly increased by the addition of extracts of human feces to the culture fluid. This has been studied quantitatively in various commonly used media.The use of fecal material in media devised for the purpose of cultivating human protozoa has been mentioned in the publications of Kartulis (1889), Boyd (1918–19) and Boeck and Drbohlav (1925). Kartulis used sterile emulsions of rabbit and pigeon feces in an attempt to cultivate his dysentery-producing amoebae. Boyd employed fecal material when he first successfully cultivated Trichomonas hominis. Boeck and Drbohlav tested the effects of aqueous extracts of human feces in Lock-Egg-Serum medium and found that the bacteria multiplied so rapidly that the medium soon ceased to be a favorable environment for the amoebae.

STUDIES ON THE TWORT-D'HERELLE PHENOMENON

1. The experiments here reported were carried out with a lytic principle isolated from the feces of normal rabbits. 2. It seems that bacteriophage is constantly present in the feces of caged laboratory rabbits. 3. A lytic filtrate active for Strain Shiga 73 (in a dilution of 1:1,000,000) and for the typhoid bacillus (in a dilution of 1:1,000), after twenty successive passages with Shiga bacillus was active, for its homologous strain, in a dilution of about 1:10,000,000,000 but no longer possessed any lytic activity for the typhoid strain. The same filtrate, after twenty successive passages with typhoid bacillus, was similarly active in a dilution of 1:10,000,000,000 for the typhoid strain but was only feebly active for the Shiga strain. 4. The passage of the lytic principle through collodion membranes was never observed. 5. No appreciable diminution in the activity of the filtrates was observed after exposure to cholesterol or lecithin. Killed bacterial suspensions, however, were found to exert a considerable neutralizing effect on the active principle. 6. Formol titrations of lysed cultures lead to the conclusion that the bacteriolysis caused by the bacteriophage is not a true proteolysis but rather a simple plasmolysis of the bacterial cell and not a splitting effect of the protein molecule. 7. We have never obtained active filtrates with the leucocytes of immune animals by the method of Lisbonne, Boulet, and Carrère (14). 8. It would appear, from the experiments, that the immunization of rabbits with the lytic principle results in the disappearance of the bacteriophage from their intestines. 9. All the sera from rabbits immunized with antityphoid or antiShiga filtrates agglutinated respectively the typhoid or Shiga bacilli. 10. Similarly, these sera fixed complement strongly in the presence of the homologous antigen. Five or six times the amount of serum was required to fix complement in the presence of heterologous antigen. 11. All of the immune sera were found to be more or less antilytic. In no case was a strictly specific antilysin obtained.

The Examination of the Faeces of Rabbits fed on a Diet of Cabbage for the occurrence of a Phytosterol, including a Note on the Phytosterol in Cabbage Seeds and that in Grass Fruits

The Examination of the Faeces of Rabbits fed on a Diet of Cabbage for the occurrence of a Phytosterol, including a Note on the Phytosterol in Cabbage Seeds and that in Grass Fruits