In memorial-Anton Antonov (1977-2012)

About eight years ago we received an email from Bulgaria.It is not uncommon to receive such emails from former Eastern bloc or other countries,particularly from the third world.However,this was a special one.Albeit the English was rather na ve,he asked us if we     

Equid Herpesvirus-Associated Abortion in Poland between 1977-2010

Equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) isolation and direct immunofluorescence were performed on tissues from 452 aborted and stillborn foals, which were submitted to the Pathology Department of Wroc?aw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland, from different farms in Poland between 1977 and 2010. Although case submissions were received year-round, the number of submitted abortions peaked in the month of January, and then gradually decreased until June. EHV-1-associated abortion or neonatal death was diagnosed in 106 cases. At the beginning of the investigations (late 70s), there were a few cases of the EHV-1 abortions, but in the first half of the 80s, EHV-1 was not isolated. Until 1990, the percentage of abortion ranged from 0% to 50%, reaching its peak in 1984. A similar situation was observed during the next two decades. In 1991, 1998, 2007, and 2008, there was no isolation, and the highest rate (50%) was noticed in 1996 and 2000. The results of this study indicate that EHV-1 in Poland remains an important cause of pregnancy loss in horses, despite extensive vaccinations.     

Veterinary nursing in South Africa (1977-2000)

The history of the university course in veterinary nursing in South Africa is reviewed from its inception in 1977 to 2000. The motivation for, and initial problems encountered in, its implementation are outlined. Selection criteria and course subjects, including clinical work, are supplied and the changes in these, following the introduction of a new curriculum in 1993/94, are highlighted. Reference is made to the legal status of the nursing profession.     

Renal lymphoma in cats: 28 cases (1977-1984)

Renal lymphoma was diagnosed, staged, and treated in 28 cats. Renal lymphoma staging was done according to clinical findings: 11 cats had stage-2 lymphomas, 5 had stage-3 lymphomas, 6 had stage-4 lymphomas, and 6 had stage-5 lymphomas. All cats were treated with chemotherapy: 17 cats had a complete response, 9 cats had a partial response, and 2 cats had no response. The cats with stage-2 lymphomas that were FeLV-test negative had the best response to treatment.     

Atresia coli in calves: 26 cases (1977-1987)

Atresia coli was identified in 26 calves. In calves with abdominal distension, progressive depression, and the absence of feces since birth, atresia coli should be suspected. Surgery was performed on 24 calves, involving decompression of the distended large intestine followed by colonic anastomosis. Nine calves were subsequently discharged; 3 of those calves reached breeding age. As an adult, 1 of the calves produced 5 offspring unaffected by atresia coli. Early postoperative mortality was associated with hypothermia, peritonitis, and ischemic necrosis of the large intestine. Calves with visible signs of peritonitis at surgery had a poor prognosis. Four calves had motility disturbances of the colon after surgery. These were characteristic of a functional obstruction and were unresponsive to treatment. Surgery was most successful in calves that were bright, alert, and ambulatory.     

Laboratory Diagnosis of Rabies in Western Canada (1968-1977)

The results of laboratory examination of 18,086 specimens for the presence of rabies antigen by the fluorescent antibody and mouse inoculation tests over a ten year period are presented. The submissions were received from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Of those examined, 10.74% were positive: however, the incidence of rabies varied widely in the specimens and species submitted, depending on their origin. The principal wildlife reservoirs of the disease appear to be skunks, foxes and bats. A correlation of almost 99% was obtained between the fluorescent antibody test and the mouse inoculation test, indicating that the diagnostic procedures used were highly reliable in identifying rabies-infected animals.     

The 1977 outbreak of bluetongue in Cyprus.

Bluetongue outbreaks, ranging from isolated cases to widespread infections, have occurred in Cyprus in about half of the years since 1924. Serious outbreaks occurred in 1924, 1939, 1943, 1946, 1951, and 1965. Most cases occurred in September, October, November and December. The last outbreak prior to 1977 was in 1969. Virus types isolated in the past were types 3 and 4. In 1977 the outbreak was serious, affecting 13.1 per cent of 27,837 in-contact sheep; these were scattered in 303 flocks of 65 villages throughout the Government-controlled area. The virus type isolated was type 4. Culicoides were involved in bluetongue transmission in the island.