Contribution to the aetiology of synovitis in chickens, with special reference to non-infective factors. IV

Summary The comparative study reported in the present paper was undertaken to collect data on the collagen content and collagen quality of tendons showing high (low) tensile strength levels and a compact (loose) histological structure. It was shown that tendon tissues of these two groups do not differ in this regard. The effect of administering a number of nutrients (known to be essential in collagenesis) was tested during this study. Administration of these nutrients did not prevent synovitis and did not increase tensile strength.     

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.     

Nitrogen metabolism in growing swine with special reference to the efficacy of lysine from various lysine sources

The results of measurings of N-metabolism in relation to the utilisation of the limiting amino acids are discussed on the basis of N-balance experiments with 20 growing female pigs (live weight 35-40 kg) with lysine-limited, highly digestible synthetic feed mixtures. Based on an N-utilisation model (Gebhardt, 1963), conclusions are drawn concerning the effectivity of lysine from various lysine sources. In accordance with literature, differences between synthetic lysine and microbial lysine concentrate could not be observed.     

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.