Use of filter paper for blood specimen collection in poultry for use in the detection of antibodies to Newcastle disease virus

Trials were conducted to verify the possibility of poultry blood sampling with filter papers for subsequent examination of the eluates for the presence (and level) of haemagglutination-inhibition antibodies against the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Qualitative examination was performed in 294 paired samples of sera and eluates, representing 10 selective sets, coming from three vaccinated poultry flocks. The numbers of positive sera (dilution ratios 1:20 and higher) and positive eluates of filter papers (dilution ratios of 1: 2 and higher) were compared and it was found that there were 238 positive paired samples (81%) and 30 were negative (10.2%), hence, there were like reactions in 268 paired samples (91.2% of the total number of samples examined). It was only in 25 paired samples that positivity was recorded just in the sera: 22 times with a titre of 1:20 and three times with a titre of 1:40. In one case, positivity was recorded just in the eluate. The final titres were compared in 181 paired samples of sera and eluates, all diluted at a ratio of 1:2, and it was found that the concentration of the haemagglutination-inhibition antibodies in the eluates corresponded to serum dilution ratio of 1:20. Under this assumption, the antibodies were found to have the same titre in 164 paired samples (55.8%) during the quantitative evaluation. A lower titre was recorded in 82 eluate samples (27.9%) and a higher antibody titre in 48 eluate samples (16.3%) (in comparison with the antibody titres in the respective sera). The over-all average geometrical titre (GMT) of antibodies was 1:65 in the eluates and 1:75 in the sera.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Hematological and biochemical analyses of blood and serum in pigs with regional ileitis with special reference to the pathogenesis.

Biochemical and hematological analyses of blood and serum were performed in pigs with regional ileitis and in wasting pigs with a negative necropsy. In sera from pigs with regional ileitis the levels of total protein, albumin, transferrin, alkaline phosphatase and zinc were significantly decreased compared with normal pigs of the same age. The number of white blood cells, and the concentration of Cortisol and α₁-antitrypsin were significantly increased. In wasting pigs with early signs of regional ileitis or with a negative necropsy the same blood changes were observed but to a less degree. It was concluded that a wasting syndrome after weaning may precede regional ileitis. Concerning the etiology of regional ileitis the significance of malabsorption and wasting syndrome in combination with invasion of intestinal intercellular microorganisms is discussed.     

Contribution to the differentiation of cross-reacting antibodies in brucellosis serology--1. Reactions with various Yersinia serotypes and antibody avidity

Brucella and Yersinia enterocolitca O:9 (Y.e.O:9) have antigenic determinants in common causing cross-reactions which interfere strongly in Brucella serology. Hoffmann (1988) observed cross-reactivity between Y.e.O:9, Y.e.O:5, and Y.e.O:6 and used an ELISA for the differentiation between Brucella- and Yersinia antibodies since Y.e.O:5 and Y.e.O:6 produced only low-level cross-reactions with Brucella antigen. The observations of Hoffmann were confirmed and led to the construction of an ELISA with 4 antigens. Sera from natural outbreaks of brucellosis and from artificial infections with Brucella and Y.e.O:9 were properly identifiable by this system. Furthermore, the test material has been used to measure the antibody avidity by a specially designed ELISA. This test produced a further divergence between specific and non-specific reactions.     

Humanized animal viruses with special reference to the primate adaptation of morbillivirus.

This review article discusses the evolution of human viruses with special reference to paramyxoviruses. This family of viruses causes epidemics representing the dissemination of infection from one acutely infected host to the next. Since there is no repository for human paramyxoviruses in animals or in the form of persistent infections in man, the history of epidemics afflicting human civilization is short, presumably not exceeding 4000-5000 years. Evolutionary relationships can be deduced for comparison of nucleotide sequences of genes or even complete genomes. The present paramyxovirus genus will probably in the future be divided into two separate genera. In the genus morbillivirus, two pairs of more closely related virus types can be distinguished: canine and phocid viruses, and rinder-pest and measles viruses, respectively. It is speculated that recombination events may have occurred in the evolution of the morbillivirus archetype.     

The properties and use of penicillins in the veterinary field, with special reference to skin infections in dogs and cats

The use of the penicillins in veterinary dermatology is discussed. An outline is provided of the main penicillins used in the veterinary field. These include benzyl penicillin, penicillin V, ampicillin, amoxycillin, co-amoxiclav and oxacillin. An increase in β-lactamase production among strains of Staphylococcus intermedius , the principal canine pathogen in pyoderma, has been seen in recent years. Thus only those penicillins with resistance to β-lactamase (co-amoxiclav or isoxazolyl penicillins) are likely to be of value in treating canine pyoderma. However, feline, porcine and equine staphylococcal dermatoses, and other veterinary dermatoses such as the actinomycoses, dermatophilosis and erysipelothrix, usually respond well to most penicillins, whether or not they resist β-lactamase.     

Vitamin E requirement of mink with special reference to tocopherol composition in plasma, liver, and adipose tissue

Tissue responses of 4 different tocopherols found in a basal diet (BD) and the effect of 2 physiologic levels of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (25 and 150 mg/kg) on tissue tocopherol content were studied in the mink. The BD contained a total of 7.1 mg vitamin E/kg, with alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol in a ratio of 1:0.07:0.55:0.10, respectively. The corresponding ratios in the tissues were: liver, 1:0.04:0.12:0; plasma, 1:0:0.13:0; and adipose tissue, 1:0:0.19:0. After mink were fed diets containing vitamin E, alpha- and gamma-tocopherol were distributed in similar proportions in plasma and liver, but gamma-tocopherol was in a slightly higher proportion in adipose tissue. Addition of 25 or 150 mg/kg of alpha-tocopheryl acetate to the BD decreased the gamma-tocopherol levels in all 3 tissues; this was considered to be a dilution effect of other tocopherols in BD with added alpha-tocopheryl acetate. The beta-tocopherol content in the liver remained unchanged, irrespective of the dietary amount of alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Plasma alpha-tocopherol had a linear relationship to log dietary dose, with an apparent half-saturation of the vitamin E binding capacity at 13 mg vitamin E/kg diet. At the given dietary levels, liver and adipose continued to accumulate alpha-tocopherol. The correlation between total plasma lipids and plasma alpha-tocopherol was significant (P less than 0.001) only in the group fed the BD. Vitamin E analysis of plasma could be used as a routine method for controlling the vitamin E status of mink.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Intercalated duct cells in the chicken pancreatic islet with special reference to the alloxan administration.

The intercalated duct cells were observed in the A and B islets of the chicken pancreas. These cells adhered with each other by intercellular junctional complexes at the apical side. They had many microvilli projecting into the lumen. Abluminally, they displayed extended slender cytoplasmic processes between islet endocrine cells. Administration of alloxan resulted to denser cytoplasm and a more prominent thickening of cytoplasmic processes of the intercalated duct cells, although the blood glucose levels did not show appreciable changes by the treatment. The intercalated duct epithelial cells appeared clearly as stellate cells. The lysosomes increased in size and number with passage of time after alloxan administration. The present findings may suggest that intercalated ducts are not only anatomically important as a structure passing through the islet but also play physiologically by protecting the islet endocrine cells.     

Neoplasia in food animals with special reference to the high incidence in sheep

Extract

Textbooks on veterinary pathology all draw attention to the relative rarity of neoplasms in domestic mammals, particularly food animals, which are rarely permitted to live long enough to reach a cancer-prone age.     

Inter-relationship between Gasterophilus larvae and the horse's gastric and duodenal wall with special reference to penetration.

The degree of penetration into the stomach and duodenum of the horse by bot fly larvae, Gasterophilus intestinalis (De Geer) and G. nasalis (Linnaeus) (Diptera : Gasterophilidae) was evaluated. Evidence of larval perforation of the stomach or duodenum was not found on gross inspection. Palpation of the intact stomach and duodenum was not effective in establishing the existence of Gasterophilus larvae within the organs. Findings suggest that larvae of both species produce an ulcer of similar depth within the gastrointestinal wall. The ulcer depth produced by larvae did not correlate with the normal, unaffected thickness of the particular stomach or duodenum. Tissue proliferation beneath ulcers of the stomach and duodenum was not correlated with the depth of the ulcer. Proliferation of the tissue beneath the ulcers of the stomach generally exceeded that found under duodenal ulcers. Gastric wall beneath the G. intestinalis ulcer frequently attained a thickness equal to or greater than the normal stomach wall. Histopathological examinations below the ulcer revealed intense fibrosis. Duodenal thickness below the G. nasalis ulcer was typically less than normal and resulted in an attenuated wall. Histopathological analysis of the affected duodenum revealed severe loss of submucosal glands in a sharply demarcated area below and surrounding the lesion. Fibrosis of the underlying lamina propria mucosae and tunica submucosa was appreciable but failed to restore the original thickness of the duodenal wall. Host tissue response and moderation of the parasite' s behavior reduce the chances of direct perforation of the gastrointestinal tissue.     

Fructolysis and Semen Characteristics in Young Bulls with special reference to cytoplasmic droplets

Inhalt: Fruktolyse und Sameneigenschaften bei Jungbullen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der cytoplasmatischen Tröpfchen 45 Ejakulate von 7 Jungbullen wurden bewertet. Zwischen Proben wurden signifikante Korrelationen errechnet zwischen der Fruktolyse und der Massenbewegung, der Spermienmotilität, dem Prozentanteil lebender Spermien (p < 0.01) und der Spermienkonzentration (p < 0.05). Zwischen Bullen konnten signifikante Korrelationen zwischen Fruktolyse und der Motilität sowie den Prorentanteil lebender Spermien (p < 0.01) ermittelt werden. Die Gehalte an freien Cytoplasmatröpfchen waren signifikant korreliert (p < 0.01) mit der Fruktolyse, der Massenbeweyung, Spermienmotilitat, der Spermienkonzentration und dem Prozentanteil lebender Spermien. Mit Hilfe der linearen Regression konnte eine signifikante Beziehung (p < 0.05) zwischen den Konzentrationen für freie Cytoplasmatröpfchen und der Fruktolyse nachgewiesen werden.     

Diseases of the extremities of swine in relationship to the floor condition with special reference to bursitis

In 2 pig farms, 102 sows kept in single ranging on plain concrete floor, 168 sows kept in single ranging on cast-iron grates and 27 fattening pigs kept in group penning on concrete slatted floors were repeatedly examined for the incidence of auxiliary synovial bursae (ASB). The clinical examination was completed by radiological, patho-anatomical and histological examinations of the rear legs. In sows, ASB were found on two prominences of the bones: on the latero-plantar area of the calcaneum and the fourth tarsal bone as well as on the plantar tarsal sesamoid bone. ASB on the rear legs were found in 41.2% of the sows kept on plain concrete floor and in 59.5% of the sows kept on cast-iron grates. The ASB of the sows kept on cast-iron grates were larger than those of the sows kept on plain concrete floor. In 49% of the sows kept on plain concrete floor the skin covering the ASB was reddened, in 45% of the sows kept on cast-iron grates it was covered with scab. Injury and necrosis of the skin as well as injury of the ASB themselves were found only in animals kept on cast-iron grates and made up 5% of the cases. In 30% of the cases, palpation of the ASB induced defensive movement. The palpation of ball-shaped, soft bursae more often caused defensive movement than did the palpation of flat-shaped, hard bursae. The occurrence of ASB was combined with kyphosis of the spine, false posture of the rear legs, dystasia, hyperextension of the fetlock, arthrosis of the ankle joint, and anomalies of the claws. In fattening pigs, the ASB were localized at the lateroplantar area of the calcaneum and the fourth tarsal bone as well as at the posterior surface of the calcaneum. At the end of the fattening period, ASB were detected in 26 out of 27 fattening pigs. All of the 48 ASB that were examined histologically showed signs of inflammation. In 30 cases the inflammation was chronic, in 18 cases it turned out to be florid. The results indicate that ASB cause pain during the developing phase and also in the chronic stage.