Vaccination of rabbits and fur animals

Short survey of vaccination programmes for rabbits and fur animals and of vaccines, available in Western Germany. Rabbits: myxomatosis, pasteurella infection, dysenteria; mustelides (mink, polecat a.o.): distemper, virus enteritis, botulism, pseudomonas infection; fox: leptospirosis, distemper, fox encephalitis; ocelot: panleukopenia; chinchilla: pseudomonas infection, coli infection, yersinia infection.     

Ocular manifestations of selected zoonoses in humans]

A report is given on the epidemiology and clinical signs of some selected zoonoses that may be of significance for ocular infections in man: brucellosis, leptospirosis, Lyme borreliosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, Newcastle Disease, ornithosis (chlamydiosis), rabies, Streptococcus suis infection, larva migrans ocularis by Toxocara canis or Baylisascaris procyonis, toxoplasmosis and tularemia.     

Diagnosis and prevention of feline toxoplasmosis

At the "Small Animal Clinic of the University of Veterinary Science" in Brno during four years 442 sick and 178 clinically normal cats were examined in regard to incidence and diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. Using the Sabin-Feldman reaction, antibodies against T.gondii were found in 40.3% of the cats (titer 4-128), whereas by means of complement fixation reaction and microprecipitation in agar gel, antibodies were found in 23.2% (titer 5-80) and 17.1% of the cats, respectively. Eight cats (1.3%) excreted T.gondii oocysts. The number of animals having specific antibodies increased statistically significant with age (P less than 0.01) and with particular hunting habits: it was higher in cats which were usually catching small rodents (P less than 0.01). A lower toxoplasmosis incidence was observed in indoor-cats (P less than 0.005) and in cats fed with boiled food only (P less than 0.005). In 35% of the cats showing no clinical symptoms of toxoplasmosis, there were found antibodies against T.gondii. Comparison of clinically normal and sick cats revealed that antibodies against T.gondii occurred significantly more often in cats with enlarged lymph nodes (P less than 0.01), with a disease of the digestive tract (P less than 0.01), of the liver (P less than 0.01), and of the nervous system (P less than 0.01). Several recommendations for diagnosis and prophylaxis of toxoplasmosis in cats are given.     

The clinical diagnosis of protozoal myositis syndrome (Neospora caninum) of puppies

Nine puppies suffered from progressive paresis with muscle wasting, hyporeflexia and extensor rigidity. CK-activity in serum was elevated and electrodiagnostic findings were indicative of lower motor neuron disease. Although lesions were also found in the CNS, additional neurological signs were rare, but CSF examination revealed the presence of inflammatory lesions. On pathologic examination, all animals had a disseminated necrotizing myositis. In addition, a disseminated encephalomyelitis was found as well as, in 2 cases, a neuritis. In the lesions of 6 animals protozoal organisms were found which were immunocytochemically identified as Neospora caninum. Our results show that the protozoal myositis-encephalitis syndrome in puppies can be diagnosed in the clinic with high probability. A clinical differentiation between toxoplasmosis and Neospora caninum infection is presently difficult.     

The surgical therapy of equine recurrent uveitis]

Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is the most frequently encountered cause of eye problems and blindness in horses. Classic treatment of ERU includes mydriatics, corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Despite vigorous topical and systemic treatment, however, in many cases, the prognosis for preserving vision remains poor. Experiences with surgical treatment of chronic endogenous uveitis in human patients have shown that vision-impairing axial opacities in the vitreous body can be removed by pars plana vitrectomy, and that a considerable decrease in the frequency and severity of uveitic relapses results. So far, 11 eyes of 10 horses were subjected to vitrectomy. All horses had suffered from 3 or more uveitic attacks and had a hazy vitreous. In all cases, at discharge from the clinic, the vitreous chamber was less hazy compared to preoperative findings. At follow-up examinations, 8 eyes (8/10) had normal i.o. pressure, and 2 (2/10) had subnormal i.o. pressure and the vitreous chambers were clear or contained only small floaters. Uveitic attacks had not been observed in the operated eyes. Postoperative complications included fibrinous, or fibrinous-haemorrhagic exudate in the anterior chamber of all eyes, and in one eye, a minor haemorrhage in the vitreous chamber. Our preliminary results indicate that pars plana vitrectomy assuring proper case selection and accurate surgical technique, may contribute to improvement of vision and may delay the progression of uveitic complications in horses.     

Symptomatology and diagnosis of Borna encephalitis of horses. A case analysis of the last 13 years

In a retrospective study of 38 horses with Borna encephalitis which were clinically and histopathologically examined in the "I. Medizinische Tierklinik" in Munich between 1977 and 1990, the epidemiology, the clinical symptomatic and the diagnostic procedures available are presented. Indirect immunofluorescence showed antibodies in the serum of 12 out of 29 cases (41%) and in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 17 out of 28 cases (61%). The evaluation of 23 cases in which indirect immunofluorescence of serum and CSF, and also the post mortem virological and histopathological examination of the brain were performed, showed that a diagnosis was made in 61% of the cases before death. In 39% the diagnosis of Borna disease could only be reached post mortem.     

Infection with Leptospira interrogans, serovar mozdok, in cattle]

In East Germany the same serovar, Leptospira mozdok, of the Pomona serogroup is found in cattle as well as in swine populations (Zieris 1989). Nowadays cases of bovine leptospirosis caused by infection with L. pomona have no significance. There are marked epizoological differences between infection with L. mozdok and L. pomona. The main source of infection with L. mozdok for cattle is the black striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius). Secondary homonomous transmission occurs among the cattle. The clinical course of both infections is the same--including peracute, acute and chronic forms. Important prophylactic measures are effective rodent control and optimising hygiene conditions both in housing and on pasture. Veterinarians in abattoirs must consider leptospirosis in the differential diagnosis in cases with icteric signs, especially when the meat is derived from emergency slaughter.     

Immune intervention in Borna disease]

Borna disease is a naturally occurring meningoencephalomyelitis of sheep and horses. After experimental infection of rats with Borna disease virus a biphasic disease with initial gait disturbances and later paresis and paralysis can be observed. The disease symptoms in these experimental animals resemble those of the natural hosts. The disease is not caused by the infecting virus itself but rather by a CD4+ T cell-mediated immune response. After the pathogenesis had been elucidated new strategies for the therapy of Borna disease by interfering with the immune reaction have been developed. Treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, with monoclonal antibodies directed against certain immune cells and with mediators of the immune reaction resulted in an inhibition or significant reduction of Borna disease symptoms.     

Endometrial cysts in the mare. 1. Post-mortem studies: occurrence and morphology

During macroscopic post-mortem examinations of the genital tract in 104 mares endometrial cysts occurred in 14 (13%) cases. Whereas in mares up to the age of 10 years cystic changes were absent, endometrial cysts occurred in 19% of the animals above the age of 10 years. In 6 mares only 1-2 cysts per uterus were found, and in 8 animals there were between 5 and 18 cystic changes per organ. The cysts were equally distributed in the uterus body and horns. Sporadically occurring cysts were about 11 mm in diameter with a decreasing size to a mean value of 5 mm in multiple cysts. Predominantly in the uterus body very large cysts were found. The largest endometrial cyst was of 30 mm in diameter. Classification into lymphatic cysts and glandular cysts was made based on histological examinations.     

Immunization of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Fouquet): killed versus live vaccines

Abstract. Fish surviving infection with the pathogenic ciliated protozoan, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Fouquet, 1876), become resistant to subsequent infection by the parasite. The acquired immunity suggests that development of a vaccine against the parasite may be possible. Because of the advantages of immunoprophylaxis for treatment of the disease, an effort has been made to determine whether fish exposed to killed parasite preparations can resist subsequent lethal challenge. Both the route of administration and the effects of stage specific antigens have been examined. Channel catfish vaccinated by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection or bath immersion with killed I multifiliis tomites show 100% mortality following a standard challenge protocol. Similarly, 100% mortality was observed in test groups injected with tomite cilia. In both cases, a consistent difference in days to death between control and test group animals was observed. Although complete mortality was seen with fish injected with tomite preparations, fish vaccinated with killed trophonts (the feeding stage of the parasite) had a much greater degree of protection with approximately 50% of fish surviving an otherwise lethal challenge. Finally, animals injected intraperitoneally with live tomites showed nearly complete immunity and were identical in their response to fish which survive natural infection. The response of fish vaccinated with live parasites indicates that animals injected intraperitoneally can develop surface immunity and that i.p. injection is a suitable route of administration for potential I. multifiliis vaccines.     

Infectious haemolytic anaemia causes jaundice outbreaks in seawater-cultured coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum), in Chile

In the last 9 years, epizootics of an icterus condition has affected coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum), reared in seawater cages in southern regions of Chile. At necropsy, fish from field cases exhibited signs of jaundice accompanied by pale light-brown livers and dark spleens. Histopathological and haematological results indicated that these fish presented haemolytic anaemia. After microbiological examination no bacterial or viral agents could be identified as aetiological agents of this disease. In an infectivity trial, coho salmon, Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), were inoculated intraperitoneally with a filtrate of an organ homogenate (0.45 microm) from a diseased coho salmon and held for 60 days in tanks supplied with fresh water. The disease was only reproduced in coho salmon in which mortalities, beginning at day 23 post-inoculation (p.i.), reached a cumulative value of 24% at day 27 p.i. This condition was transmitted to non-inoculated cohabiting coho salmon suggesting that it is a waterborne disease. Thus, this icteric condition is caused by an infectious form of haemolytic anaemia, probably of viral aetiology, and coho salmon are more susceptible than either Atlantic salmon or rainbow trout.     

Borna virus infection (Borna disease) in naturally and experimentally infected animals: its significance for research and practice

In this survey article on Borna Disease-many years after the review of Zwick (1939)-again a modern comprehensive summary of "Borna Disease virus infection" is given. The infection occurs in horses and sheep, furthermore, in laboratory animal species inoculated experimentally; its clinical, virological and neuropathological features have been described in numerous presentations. Clinical symptoms in naturally and experimentally infected animals are characterized by initial alterations in the sensorium. The neurological symptomatology of the disease (disturbances in coordination, motor, sensory and vegetative symptoms) reflect the presumed localisation of the virus in various brain areas and the course of the disease supports the assumption of intraneural spread of the agent. In horses the incidence is highest during spring. Experimental infections show an exceptionally broad spectrum of infectible animals extending from higher mammals to birds. Our investigations make it clear that we have to differentiate between infections followed by disease (e.g. horse, rabbit, older rat) and persistent infections without overt clinical symptoms (mouse, chicken). Persistent infections are sometimes associated with fine alterations in behaviour (tree shrew) or decreased learning ability (mice). Borna Disease virus, which has not been characterized up to now, is known to grow without any cytopathic effect in tissue cultures. All tested cell lines (including those from man) could be infected. The investigations indicate that Borna Disease virus comprises an enveloped RNS-containing agent. The infection induces the production of specific antigens such as a complex known as the soluble antigen, and a 14500 dalton protein. Under natural conditions and in experimentally infected animals antibodies are produced against such soluble proteins and determinants involved in neutralization of the virus. In the central nervous system (CNS) a local immune response accompanied by the production of oligoclonal immunoglobulins is demonstrable. Besides the humoral reaction it was possible to study the influence of cellular defence mechanisms on the disease process in monkeys, rats and rabbits. Histopathologically, Borna Disease is characterized by a non-purulent inflammation of the brain and the spinal cord. Most alterations are found in the grey matter, mainly in the Ammon's horn, olfactory lobe, caudate nucleus, thalamus, lamina quadrigemina and in he cerebellar nuclei. The perivascular infiltrations, consisting of lymphocytes, histiocytes and plasma cells are most conspicuous. Occasionally, degenerative alterations are observed in ganglion cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Stomach ulcers in the horse--clinical and gastroscopic findings in 12 horses (1989-1990)

Twelve horses with clinical symptoms of a gastric disorder were studied by gastroscopy. Symptoms of gastric disorders were periprandial colic, bruxism, ructus and reflux. Preliminary to gastroscopy the horses were fasted for 24 h. Access to water was not restricted. The gastroscopy could be conducted easily using a fiberscope 2.5 m in length and 11 mm in outer diameter. While ulcers were present in the squamous fundus of all horses only one horse showed ulceration of the glandular fundus. Solitary ulcers near the margo plicatus were found in horses with mild clinical symptoms. In contrast, diffuse gastroesophageal ulceration was accompanied by severe clinical symptoms. Four horses were affected by an acute gastroesophageal ulceration with gastric reflux and subsequent aspiration pneumonia. Two of those horses suffered from acute gastric ulceration 3-4 days following laparatomy. All horses were treated with cimetidine (5 mg/kg bwt/q.i.d.) until clinical symptoms ceased.     

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.     

Myocardial fibrosis of cattle in Hesse]

Between 1986 and 1989 there were 9 cases of idiopathic congestive heart failure at this clinic. Normally heifers in the last 1/3 of pregnancy and young cows aged between 2.5 and 3.5 years were affected, but the disease also occurred in one younger (1.5 years), one older (6 years) and in one male animal. In contrast to other reports, myocardial fibrosis in the State of Hesse was only seen in the Rotbunte breed. The animals suffered from a severe heart failure with venous congestion and congestive edema of the brisket, the submandibular area and the ventral abdomen. In most cases there is no precise difference in history, clinical findings and laboratory findings between myocardial fibrosis, traumatic pericarditis and endocarditis valvularis. Only pathological and histological examinations of the heart confirm a suspected myocardial fibrosis: The heart is enlarged and dilatated and seems to be non-elastic. Microscopically a scattered interstitial fibrosis and signs of myocardial degeneration are visible.     

The treatment of insertion desmopathy in the metatarsus of horses

Metacarpal or metatarsal exostoses were diagnosed in 112 horses used for sport purposes between January 1976 to December 1987. Fourteen of these patients were treated surgically by subperiosteal removal of the exostosis. All animals which could be followed up had returned to their original use. The average time of use after discharge from the clinic was 38.4 months. Surgery was successful in completely removing the exostoses in 58.3% of these horses. The indications for anaesthesia and resection of the ulnar nerve are discussed.     

Infection of the yellow head baculo-like virus (YBV) in two species of penaeid shrimp, Penaeus stylirostris (Stimpson) and Penaeus vannamei (Boone)

Abstract. Yellow head baculo-like virus infection and disease were demonstrated experimentally in the two main species of penaeid shrimp cultured in Hawaii and the Western hemisphere. Viral infection was induced by intramuscular inoculation of a 10% suspension of cephalothorax tissue filtrate prepared from two tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon Fabricius, infected with yellow head disease, into sub-adult (3–10g) P. stylirostris (Stimpson) and P. vannamei (Boone). Signs of disease appeared as early as 2 days post infection (p.i.), and in most cases mortality reached 100% within 5–7 days p.i. Histopathological examination of the infected animals revealed extensive cellular necrosis in ectodermal and some mesenchymal tissues. Electron microscopical examination of thin sections of the gill and hepatopancreas from the infected shrimp revealed non-occluded rod-shaped baculo-like virus particles measuring 130–197 & 45–58 nm which were primarily localized within the cytoplasm of infected cells. The virus particles were contained within cytoplasmic vacuoles, and occurred singly or in small groups of two or more particles.     

The effectiveness and safety of an immunization against parvovirus and rabies in anesthetized puppies

The efficacy and safety of a vaccination during anaesthesia was examined in 20 puppies from 8 litters of one kennel. The animals were vaccinated in a state of reflex-free anaesthesia (neuroleptanalgesia in combination with halothane, nitrous oxide and oxygen). 20 puppies from the same litters were used as controls. A parvovirus living vaccine (Canimed) and a rabies vaccine from inactivated viruses (Rabisin) were used for the vaccinations. The titers of neutralizing antibodies against rabies virus were significantly lower in the group of anaesthetized animals compared to the control group on the 10th and 20th day p.vacc. The average titers of antibodies against parvovirus of both groups, however, do not allow any statistically significant statements. It is nevertheless remarkable that 6 of the anaesthetized puppies (three different litters) showed no increase in antibodies. The results of the investigations lead to the recommendation not to vaccinate anaesthetized puppies. The risk of reducing the efficacy of vaccinations with vaccines from inactivated agents is greater than with living vaccines.     

Corynebacterium suis infections in swine. 2. Morphological findings in the urinary tract with special reference to the bladder

Morphological investigations of the urethra, urinary bladder (2 localizations), ureter, renal pelvis and kidneys were performed in sows with Corynebacterium suis infection. The first stages of the disease were characterized by changes of the transitional epithelium in the bladder where epithelial vacuolisation, goblet cell differentiation, leucocytic infiltrations, and haemorrhages occurred. In chronically affected animals different stages of a mucopurulent, partly erosive to ulcerative cystitis were observed. Furthermore, chronic cystitis was characterized by polypoid mucosal proliferation and bacterial accumulations. Ureter and urethra showed signs of a mild purulent inflammation. In the renal pelvis there was a severe fibrinopurulent and necrotizing pyelitis which was accompanied by bacterial invasions. The parts of the renal pelvis without desquamation of the transitional epithelium undergo mucoid degenerations. The final stage of the disease is characterized by severe fibrosing chronic interstitial nephritis leading to death of the animals due to uraemia.