MicroRNA (miRNA) in tissue and liquid samples have been shown to be associated with many diseases including inflammation. We aimed to identify inflammation-related miRNA expression level in the bovine mastitis milk. Expression level of inflammation-related miRNA in milk from mastitis-affected and normal cows was analyzed using qPCR. We found that expression level of miR-21, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-222, and miR-383 was significantly upregulated in California mastitis test positive (CMT+) milk. We further analyzed these miRNA using a chip-based QuantStudio Digital PCR System. The digital PCR results correlated with those of qPCR, demonstrating upregulation of miR-21, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-222, and miR-383 in CMT+ milk. In conclusion, we identified miRNA that are upregulated in CMT+ milk. These miRNA exhibited sensitivity and specificity greater than 80% for differentiating between CMT+ milk and normal milk. Our findings suggest that inflammation-related miRNA expression level in the bovine milk was affected by mastitis, and miRNA in milk have potential for use as biomarkers of bovine mastitis.

Oxidative damage to canine erythrocytes infected with Babesia gibsoni was investigated. B. gibsoni was cultured together with erythrocytes from normal dogs. When parasitemia reached a peak level, concentrations of both methemoglobin (metHb) and malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation, in erythrocytes were significantly higher than at cultivation Day 0. In addition, B. gibsoni-infected dogs with high parasitemia showed significant increases of both metHb and MDA concentration in erythrocytes compared to those in uninfected dogs. Furthermore, erythrocytes from parasitized culture were more susceptible to phagocytosis by bone marrow macrophages from normal dogs than erythrocytes from the control culture. In addition, macrophages ingested not only parasitized erythrocytes but also non-parasitized cells. These results suggested that oxidative damage to erythrocytes was induced by the multiplications of B. gibsoni, and that non-parasitized erythrocytes were also exposed erythrocytes oxidative stress during the infection by B. gibsoni.

Clinico-pathological examinations were conducted on wild white-winged scoters (Melanitta fusca) contaminated with fuel oil (Bunker C oil) from a capsized cargo ship in February 1993 in Japan. The erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value in the oiled seaducks all were decreased and numerous immature erythrocytes were observed in blood smears. In addition, hemosiderosis was observed in the liver, kidney, and lung of some birds. We propose that the sea-ducks suffered from hemolytic anemia induced by ingestion of oil, which occurs when the birds preen their oiled plumage.

Objective—To determine whether dogs given garlic extract developed hemolytic anemia and to establish the hematologic characteristics induced experimentally by intragastric administration of garlic extract. Animals—8 healthy adult mixed-breed dogs. Procedure—4 dogs were given 1.25 ml of garlic extract/kg of body weight (5 g of whole garlic/kg) intragastrically once a day for 7 days. The remaining 4 contol dogs received water instead of garlic extract. Complete blood counts were performed, and methemoglobin and erythrocyte-reduced glutathione concentrations, percentage of erythrocytes with Heinz bodies, and percentage of eccentrocytes were determined before and for 30 days after administration of the first dose of garlic extract. Ultrastructural analysis of eccentrocytes was performed. Results—Compared with initial values, erythrocyte count, Hct, and hemoglobin concentration decreased to a minimum value on days 9 to 11 in dogs given garlic extract. Heinz body formation, an increase in erythrocyte- reduced glutathione concentration, and eccentrocytes were also detected in these dogs. However, no dog developed hemolytic anemia. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The constituents of garlic have the potential to oxidize erythrocyte membranes and hemoglobin, inducing hemolysis associated with the appearance of eccentrocytes in dogs. Thus, foods containing garlic should not be fed to dogs. Eccentrocytosis appears to be a major diagnostic feature of garlic-induced hemolysis in dogs. (Am J Vet Res 2000;61:1446–1450)