LEPTOSPIRAL AGGLUTININS IN DOGS IN SYDNEY

From June 1971 to June 1972, sera from 600 dogs in Sydney were tested for leptospiral agglutinins by a rapid slide agglutination method. The end-point titre was taken at 50 percent agglutination of the live organisms. Forty-one samples (6.8 percent) had a significant leptospiral titres (100 or greater) and 5 of these reacted to 2 serotypes. Thirty serums (5 percent) contained agglutinins against L. copenhageni, and 6 (1 percent) against L. pomona, while a few samples reacted against hardjo, tarassovi, australis, grippotyphosa or pyrogenes serotypes. No significant titres were found to L. canicola, L. hebdomadis, L. autumnalis or L. bataviae.     

LEPTOSPIRAL TITRES IN PIGS AFTER VACCINATION

Two groups of 8 pigs were vaccinated and given a booster vaccination 6 weeks later each with a commercial dual L. pomona and L. tarassovi killed vaccine. Serum from bloods collected before and up to 30 weeks after vaccination had agglutinating antibodies only after the 0ooster vaccination and then only with 1 vaccine. Titres persisted less than 8 weeks when tested against L. pomona but up to 16 weeks when tested against L. tarassovi at the 1:300 dilution and up to 20 weeks at the 1:100 dilution.     

BOVINE MELIOIDOSIS IN SOUTH-EASTERN QUEENSLAND

Acute fatal infection with Pseudomonas pseudomallei caused pneumonia, placentitis and endometritis in a pregnant cow. Pneumonia was also present in the foetal lung. Mononuclear cell response with extensive karyorrhexis occurred in maternal and foetal lung and the same cellular pathology, but with diffuse distribution, was responsible for plaques on the endometrium. A more chronic disease with encapsulated caseous lesions in the lung, together with arthritis, occurred in a bull on the same property. Nutritional and physical stress caused by a flood were thought to be predisposing factors. An unusually wet summer with prolonged flooding apparently provided suitable environmental conditions for saprophytic growth of Ps. pseudomallei in an area far south of the region in which infection of animals with this organism commonly occur.     

BOVINE ENZOOTIC HAEMATURIA IN QUEENSLAND

Bovine enzootic haematuria was diagnosed in Queensland in coastal areas in association with bracken fern (Pteridium esculentum) on 3 properties or with mulga fern or rock fern (Cheilanthes sieberi) on 4 properties, and in inland areas in association with C. sieberi on 3 properties. In the absence of bracken fern, long-term ingestion of C. sieberi is suggested as a cause of bovine enzootic haematuria. Haemangiomas, haemangiosarcomas, transitional cell carcinomas, papillomas, fibromas and an adenoma were detected in the urinary bladders of 19 affected cattle and were accompanied by chronic cystitis.