Absence of circulating TNF alpha in experimental bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis
Espinasse, J.; Peel, J.E.; Voirol, M.J.; Schelcher, F.; Valarcher, J.F.
Veterinary Record 132(12): 303-304
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 8470349 Document Number: 415523
Fifteen male Friesian-Holstein calves aged 10 to 15 days were inoculated with Pasteurella haemolytica A1 (3 intranasal inoculations on 3 consecutive mornings and 2 intratracheal inoculations on the afternoons of the first 2 days) in 3 successive trials. Blood samples taken before inoculation and at different times and intervals until natural death or slaughter were analysed using a radioimmunoassay technique for tumour necrosis factor (TNF). A total of 72 plasma samples were analysed and the limit of detection was 0.2 ng/ml. No significant variation in the concn of plasma TNF alpha could be detected in any of the calves, whether death was natural or by slaughter. Concn were less than 1 ng/ml in all samples except in the cases of 2 calves on the first day of inoculation. Attempts to detect circulating TNF alpha in 20 young bovines between 8 and 12 months old suffering from natural bronchopneumonia either in the acute phase or during convalescence also produced negative results.