Publications (4)4.48 Total impact
-
Article: Passive immunisation of post-weaned piglets using hyperimmune serum against experimental Haemophilus parasuis infection.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The protective role of hyperimmune serum in the prevention of Haemophilus parasuis infections in post-weaned piglets was assessed by experimental challenge. The hyperimmune serum was obtained from a pig vaccinated with a commercial vaccine against Glässer's disease. Thirty-eight weaned piglets were divided into four groups: three groups were immunised intramuscularly with 10 ml of hyperimmune serum and one group consisted of unimmunised control animals. All piglets were subsequently infected intraperitoneally with H. parasuis serotype 5 at different times after immunisation. The use of hyperimmune serum provided the piglets with partial protection against experimental infection. The levels of protection indirectly depend on time between serum inoculation and challenge infection. The best protection of piglets against experimental infection was obtained in the group immunised 1 week before inoculation; the same group in which the highest levels of antibodies were detected at the time of challenge.Research in Veterinary Science 02/2011; 91(2):225-9. · 1.65 Impact Factor -
Article: Lactoferrin in canine sera: a pyometra study.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The concentration of lactoferrin was measured in canine sera from groups of healthy male dogs as well as pregnant and non-pregnant female dogs and was compared with that of bitches with pyometra. Lactoferrin concentrations were higher in bitches with pyometra. The role of elevated lactoferrin concentrations in the suppression of lymphocyte activity was examined in sera from bitches with pyometra in a series of investigations. Although the sera from bitches with pyometra were capable of suppressing lymphocyte activity, lactoferrin was not found to be involved in this action.Reproduction in Domestic Animals 07/2009; 44 Suppl 2:193-5. · 1.36 Impact Factor -
Conference Proceeding: Postnatal Development of the Pig Immune System .
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Pigs belong to the group of animals with a longer gestation period, but development of the immune system is not fully completed at birth. The period from birth to the age of 4 weeks has been described by several authors as a period of immunodeficiency. The aims of this study were to extend knowledge of postnatal development of the pig immune system; to investigate the ability to induce immune responses to intramuscular, intradermal, intranasal and intratracheal administration of model antigen; to study ( in vitro) the ability of lymphocytes in selected compartments of the pig body to be activated at different ages and to study transmission of immunity by colostrum. In accordance with other authors we confirmed that various constituents and functions of the systemic, skin and mucosal immune systems of piglets develop and change during the first days and weeks of life but in general the immune system is quite mature and able to respond to the administration of antigens. Colostrum-derived antibodies could also penetrate the mucosa of the respiratory tract in newborns, perhaps via a so called neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) that has recently been described in lungs. Not only humoral immunity, but also cell-mediated immunity could be transferred by colostrum.Proceedings of the 20th International Pig Veterinary Science Congress, Keynote and Oral PapersProceedings of the 20th International Pig Veterinary Science Congress, Keynote and Oral Papers, Durban, RSA; 01/2008 -
Article: Systemic and local antibody responses after experimental infection with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in piglets with passive or active immunity.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The objectives of the present study was to describe different dynamics of humoral immune responses to experimental infection in piglets of different stages of infection and immunity. Two groups of piglets originating from non-immune (group 1) and immune (group 2) sows at the age of 3 weeks were subdivided as follows: a half of each group of piglets was exposed to a low-dose infection with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) strain 9. At the age of 8 weeks, all four groups of piglets were challenged with a high infection dose of APP of the same strain. Isotype characterization of the specific antibodies in sera and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) to a lipopolysaccharide was carried out, besides monitoring clinical signs and post-mortem examinations. A typical primary immune response was observed in specific antibody-free piglets infected with a challenge infection. Colostrum-derived immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibodies persisted in sera and BALF of piglets up to the age of 8 weeks. However, they did not prevent induction of specific-primary antibody response, either in 8 or 4 weeks of age, when levels of specific colostrum-derived antibodies were still high. It was demonstrated by the increase of specific IgM antibodies in sera. The infection induced an increase in the levels of IgA antibodies in BALF regardless the severity of infection and presence of specific colostrum-derived antibodies. The specific antibodies of IgG isotype increased only in BALF from piglets without colostrum-derived antibodies.Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series B 06/2005; 52(4):190-6. · 1.48 Impact Factor
