Interferon in sheep]

There is only limited information on sheep interferon available. Recent publications have reported on: 1. an interferon (IFN) alpha subtype, which is secreted by the fetal trophectoderm into the lumen of the uterus between the 10th and 21st day of gestation. It was therefore named ovine trophoblast protein (oTP-1), and is responsible for signalling pregnancy to the ewe via high affinity receptors in the endometrium. It is thought that oTP-1 acts by directly influencing prostaglandin metabolism. 2. the role of lentivirus-induced interferon (LV-IFN) in the pathogenesis of Maedi/Visna. The results indicate that LV-IFN limits viral replication and therefore contributes to virus persistence and is also responsible for a chronic inflammatory process. 3. the mitogen- or antigen-dependent induction of ovine interferon gamma (IFN gamma) and its characterization.     

Functional pyloric stenosis in sheep]

The clinical findings, the autopsy and the histology of functional pyloric stenosis in three sheep between four and eight years old are described. A chronic ulcer with structural alterations of the pyloric protuberance was found in the first animal. In the second sheep there were several polyps in the pylorus, and in the third erosions throughout the whole pylorus, and a few hyperplastic areas of epithelium at the junction between pylorus and duodenum. The abomasum was moderately to extremely congested and the contents weighed between 6.7 and 13 kg. In addition to these findings chronic and unspecific abomaso-duodenitis was found in all three sheep. These three cases can be attributed to the distal functional pyloric stenosis (Hoflund syndrome).     

Necessary provision of newborn lambs with sheep colostrum]

Twenty new-born lambs of each of the breeds Schwarzkopf, Texel and Finnish were fed with 600 ml of pooled colostrum (0-12 h) on the first day of life. The total allocation was fed in portions ranging from 25 to 150 ml at intervals of 1, 2, 3, or 6 hours. The effect of the different intervals and portion volumes on the transintestinal passage of immunoglobulins, the onset of endogenous synthesis, the growth performance of the lambs and the mortality rate was investigated. The concentrations of IgG1, IgG2, IgM and IgA in the sera were analyzed over the course of a nine-week period. 1. The extent of passive immunization by transintestinal passage remained essentially unaffected by different feeding schedules. 2. There was also no effect on the onset of endogenous Ig synthesis. 3. Growth performance and mortality rate likewise showed no discernible differences.     

The cell count in sheep and goat milk]

The udder health of 404 sheep from 23 flocks and 397 goats from 15 herds in Lower Austria was examined. In order to determine cell levels, the Schalm Test (equivalent to the California mastitis test) and a fluoroscopic "Fossomatic" cell count appliance were employed. The resultant physiological median levels of somatic cell content were established as 71,000 cells/ml for sheep milk and 415,000 cells/ml for goat milk. Significant factors influencing the cell count levels were the milking technique in both species and age in sheep but not in goats. The pathogens most frequently isolated as causes of chronic or latent mastitis were coagulase-positive and -negative cocci.     

Clinical aspects of infection with feline leukemia virus in cats

The leukemia-sarcoma complex constitutes the most common group of malignancies in the cat. Epizootiology of FeLV infections and pathogenesis, which can be divided into three stages, are described. Diagnosis can be made by immunofluorescent, ELISA and virus isolation techniques, as well as FOCMA-antibody tests. Symptomatology of FeLV related illnesses is presented. Feline lymphoma can be categorized into four anatomic types: thymic, alimentary and multicentric type and true leukemia. Forms, which do not fit this classification, are classified as miscellaneous. Treatment of these forms and prevention and control of FeLV infections are discussed.     

Therapy of central nervous system listeriosis in sheep]

Twenty-two sheep and 4 goats suffering from central nervous listeriosis were treated with a therapy that had proved to be successful in cattle. For one week they received daily subcutaneous injections of 50,000 IU Procaine Penicillin G per kg live weight and 5 to 10 mg Vitamin B1 per kg body weight. The base excess was tested by blood gas analysis, and it was compensated by intravenous infusion of Na-bicarbonate. Animals that could not eat or swallow received water and rumen liquid by stomach tube. Eight of 26 patients (31%) were healed. The prognosis of central nervous listeriosis depends mainly on the time of initial treatment and on the degree of general disturbances: More than 90% of the animals that were recumbent (16 of 17) or showed dysphagia (12 of 13) at the beginning of treatment died or had to be euthanized because of persistent central nervous disturbances. The correction of blood-pH was of no therapeutic benefit when the disease was already in progress. Treatment of central nervous listeriosis seems to be effective as long as the patients can stand and swallow. When patients received care at this early stage of disease, 77% (7 of 9) were healed and returned to the flock.     

Egtved virus: temperature-dependent immune response of trout to infection with low-virulence virus

Abstract. The present report deals with experiments concerning the theoretical basis for development of a live, attenuated vaccine against viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, on the basis of a virus strain derived from the Egtved virus reference strain F, the pathogenicity of which has been strongly reduced by in vitro passage. It is shown that the low pathogenicity of the virus (designated the Reva strain) is a genetically stable feature and that the protection against VHS induced by infection with the virus is due to an immune response. Following immunological priming at 10°C partial protection developed at 5° 10° and 15° but not at 20°C, whereas neutralizing antibody was produced at all four temperatures by some of the fish. The duration of virus persistence in trout was found to be inversely proportional to the water temperature.     

Bacteriologic studies of aborted sheep fetuses with special reference to chlamydiae]

A total of 467 tissue specimens recovered from 165 aborted ovine fetuses were examined for chlamydiae microscopically and by means of cell culture. Chlamydiae were detected by microscope in 34 fetuses (20.6%) and by cell culture in 60 fetuses (36.4%). Of the 467 tissue specimens, 51 (10.9%) were microscopically positive, whereas chlamydiae were recovered from 181 specimens (38.8%) using the routine method of BGM cell culture. A total of 87 specimens of fetal organs was tested by the BGM cell culture technique and simultaneously by an enzyme amplified immunoassay to detect chlamydial antigen. Although not as sensitive as cell culture isolation, the ELISA has the advantage of rapidity and of detecting antigen from non-viable chlamydiae in sheep abortion material.     

The problems of vaccination against chlamydial abortion in sheep]

Different vaccines used against chlamydial abortion in sheep are described. Problems associated with insufficient immunity after vaccination are discussed. Reasons for failure of certain vaccine preparations are addressed. Finally new developments in vaccine production are introduced which might be useful in solving problems still existing in the prevention of chlamydial abortion in sheep by vaccination.     

First description of a natural infection with spleen and kidney necrosis virus in zebrafish

Zebrafish has become a popular research model in the last years, and several diseases affecting zebrafish research facilities have been reported. However, only one case of naturally occurring viral infections was described for this species. In 2015, infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) was detected in zebrafish from a research facility in Spain. Affected fish showed lethargy, loss of appetite, abnormal swimming, distention of the coelomic cavity and, in the most severe cases, respiratory distress, pale gills and petechial haemorrhages at the base of fins. Cytomegaly was the most relevant histopathological finding in organs and tissues, sometimes associated to degenerative and necrotic changes. ISKNV belongs to the relatively newly defined genus Megalocytivirus, family Iridoviridae, comprising large, icosahedral cytoplasmic DNA viruses. This is the first case of naturally occurring Megalocytivirus infection in zebrafish research facilities, associated with morbidity. The virus has been identified based on both pathologic and genetic evidence, to better understand the pathogenesis of the infection in zebrafish and the phylogenetic relationship with other iridoviruses. Given the ability of megalocytiviruses to cross‐species boundaries, it seems necessary to implement stringent biosecurity practices as these infections may invalidate experimental data and have major impact on laboratory and cultured fish.     

Listeriosis of lambs, its occurrence in a large sheep flock and experiences with a possible immunization]

There are regional differences in the aetiology of the CNS form of listeriosis; whereas in some flocks it is predominantly the adult animals which are affected, other units encounter substantial lamb losses with only small numbers of diseased ewes. Attempts at treatment are only likely to be successful with the septicaemic form of the disease. The evaluation of a vaccine to reduce lamb losses caused by listeriosis is problematic. The fact that the live vaccine which is usually tested is a highly virulent vaccine, which may under certain circumstances cause listeriosis in lambs, makes its further use indefensible in our opinion.     

Double ovulation in mares. Clinical, hormone analytical and sonographic studies]

108 mares with a total of 135 oestrous cycles were examined. 30% of the mares showed development of double follicles, found by palpation and ultrasonography. Eight cases of double ovulation, four of them synchronous and four asynchronous, were examined closely. These cases of double ovulation showed different growth and different development of the follicular wall. This occurred at the same time in cases of synchronous double ovulation whereas it differed in case of asynchronous double ovulation. The later ovulating follicle was still growing while the first one had already burst. With both forms of double ovulation an equal concentration of progesterone was detected in peripheral blood. On the day of ovulation the rate of progesterone was low (1 ng/ml blood plasma) and it first started rising from the day +1 on. Double follicles matured slower than single follicles. Mares with synchronous double ovulation showed the typical oestrus behavior. This behavior was less distinct after the first ovulation in mares with asynchronous double ovulation. All four mares with asynchronous and two mares with synchronous double ovulation became pregnant. Twins did not occur. A possible relationship between double ovulation and twin pregnancy is discussed.     

The significance of sheep and goats as carriers of zoonoses in this country]

The significance of sheep and goats in this country in connection with the zoonoses rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, contagious ecthyma, Q-fever, chlamydiosis, brucellosis, campylobacteriosis, echinococcosis and toxoplasmosis is discussed.     

Epidemiology and clinical aspects of FIV infection in Bavaria]

In a comprehensive epidemiological study at the I. Medizinische Tierklinik at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich within the last two years, the spread and frequency of FIV infection as well as the clinical symptoms of FIV positive cats were evaluated. 5129 serum samples from clinically healthy and ill cats were tested by means of an ELISA test for antibodies to FIV. The infection is widespread in Bavaria. 116 cats, that is 2.3%, were tested FIV positive. 77% of the FIV positive cats were male. The average age was 6.5 years.     

神经坏死症病毒对长缟鲹仔鱼的感染及在体内的传播

以长缟鲹(Pseudocaranx dentex)孵化仔鱼为材料，通过神经坏死病毒(Nervous Necrosis Virus，NNV)浸浴感染实验，明确病毒浓度越高，供试鱼被病毒感染的时间越早，病毒检出率越高；运用细胞组织病理学和酶联免疫(Enzyme-1inked immunosorbent assays，ELISA)的原理和方法，了解了神经坏死病毒的侵入、感染和在神经组织中的扩散方式；利用ELISA技术，结合电子显微镜对NNV感染细胞进行超显微观察，确认育苗水环境中神经坏死病毒可水平感染供试鱼皮肤上皮的基底细胞；病毒感染细胞发生细胞质内质网膨胀、细胞核变性、细胞小器官数减少等病理变化；病毒感染细胞质中病毒粒子有散布、类结晶和二者兼有3种存在形式。本研究成果可为了解海水鱼类人工育苗的病毒性神经坏死症感染途径、传播和预防病毒性神经坏死症的发生提供科学依据。     

Experimental infection of European crustaceans with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)

Eight European marine and freshwater crustaceans were experimentally infected with diluted shrimp haemolymph infected with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Clinical signs of infection and mortalities of the animals were routinely recorded. Diagnosis was by direct transmission electron microscopy (TEM), DNA hybridization (dot-blot and in situ hybridization) using WSSV probes and by PCR using WSSV specific primers. High mortality rates were noted between 7 to 21 days post-infection for Liocarcinus depurator , Liocarcinus puber , Cancer pagurus , Astacus leptodactylus , Orconectes limosus , Palaemon adspersus and Scyllarus arctus . Mortality reached 100%, 1 week post-infection in P. adspersus . When infection was successful, direct TEM observation of haemolymph revealed characteristic viral particles of WSSV, some observed as complete virions (enveloped), others as nucleocapsids associated with envelope debris. WSSV probes showed strong positive reactions in dot-blots and by in situ hybridization in sections and specific virus DNA fragments were amplified successfully with WSSV primers. White spot syndrome virus was pathogenic for the majority of the crustaceans tested. This underlines the epizootic potential of this virus in European crustaceans.     

Comparison of susceptibility of various fish species to experimental infection with channel catfish virus

Channel catfish virus (CCV) disease is an acute haemorrhagic disease in juvenile channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ). To date channel catfish is the only species affected by natural outbreaks of the CCV but juvenile large mouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides ) and silurus ( Silurus meriaionalis ) have suffered high mortalities in recent years in China. Histopathological phenomenon of sick fish is similar to CCV disease, and the identified virus was CCV. In this report, the pathogenicity of infectious CCV was examined by infection trials on the first known host species, the channel catfish and other teleosts. Our results indicated that there were higher detection rates of CCV from large mouth bass and silurus fish. Channel catfish virus did not induce mortality in other cypriniformes, but histopathological studies revealed that carp might be infected by both bathing and intraperitoneal infection. No deaths, clinical or histopathological signs, were found in the six other species exposed by immersion or injection. Experimental infection studies confirm that CCV infect not only channel catfish but also other species (large mouth bass, silutus and carp). The outbreaks of CCV disease only occurred when the cultured temperature was above 25 °C.