Leptospirosis in dogs in Slovakia]

Out of 571 serologically investigated dogs from Bratislava and all regions of Slovakia and Moravia, 26.1% presented antibodies reacting with leptospiral antigens. The lowing seropositivity in dogs from Bratislava was found in lap dogs--11.1%, the highest one in farm dogs--35.3% (Tab. I). The seropositivity of police dogs from different regions of Slovakia and Moravia varied from 24.0% to 47.6% (Tab. II). The age of dogs progressing, their seropositivity rose from 3.1% in animals younger than one year to 33.3% in those aged seven years and in older ones (Tab. III). The predominant serovars causing infections of dogs were L. grippotyphosa (58.9% of infections) and serovars of both Sejroe (21.0%) and Icterohaemorrhagiae groups (15.3%). The serovars bratislava/jalna, pomond/mozdok and tarassovi were only rarely involved in these infections, canicola and arborea only exceptionally (Tab. IV). At present, in the Czechoslovak conditions the dogs do not play a significant role as reservoirs of human leptospirosis, and the predominant serovars may only cause irregular and short-time lasting leptospiruria. This is why the reasonableness of actual vaccination of dogs, possibly with the exception of the vaccination against Weil's disease, is doubtful. Dog is a good indicator of the distribution of different leptospiral serovars in its environment. It seems reasonable to practice occasionally serological investigations of these animals in order to detect possible changes in infecting leptospiral serovars. Consequently, adequate epizootological measures could be taken (e. g. modification of the composition of a leptospiral vaccine for dogs).     

Toxoplasma Gondii in Swine in South-Eastern Norway

A total of 407 swine bred in south-eastern Norway have been tested for the presence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in serum by use of the dye-test, and diaphragm muscle from all sero-positive and some sero-negative swine has been tested for the presence of mouse-infective cysts.The prevalence of antibodies was as low as 10.1 %. The prevalence increased with the weight of the swine, but apparently with a decline after passing a weight of 140 kg. Only dye-test titres up to 50 were found. The prevalence of dye-test positive swine was higher in small herds (< 300 swine p.a.) than in larger ones (> 300 swine p.a.). The prevalence of herds with dye-test positive swine in the region surrounding the Oslo-fjord was higher in the coastal than in the inland zone. The incidence of infection was the same during the summer-autumn period as during the winter-spring period. Toxoplasma was recovered from the diaphragm muscle of about % of the dyeπtest positive swine. Parasites were isolated from some pigs with a dye-test titre of 4, and from all the pigs with a titre of 50. Toxoplasma was not isolated from dye-test negative swine. The epidemiological and food-hygienic significance of porcine toxoplasmosis in Norway is discussed according to the present results.     

Scrapie in imported sheep in New Zealand

Extract

The disease known as Scrapie was diagnosed in New Zealand for the first time in June, 1952. Two positive cases and, one suspected case occurred in Canterbury in Suffolk sheep which were imported from England early in 1950. The disease appeared after a typiqally long incubation period and ran a characteristic course in the affected sheep. The outbreak of Scrapie in New Zealand and the drastic measures necessary to control it have placed new emphasis on the difficulty of preventing the introduction of this and other diseases which develop insidiously after a long incubation period, and for which no biological test is available. The same factors have also been responsible for the peculiar difficulties encountered by overseas workers in investigating Scrapie and in establishing clearly the facts of its etiology and transmission.     

动物铅毒性研究进展

铅污染是个严重的社会公共卫生问题,本文综述了动物生产领域对铅的研究结果。内容包括:①动物生产中铅的来源。②铅在动物体内的吸收、分布和代谢。③铅对动物的危害及其机理。④铅与其他养分之间的关系。⑤饲料中铅的最大允许量。     

Enterocolitis in spontaneous cryptosporidiosis infections in calves

The pathology of lesions in the intestines of 48 calves with spontaneous cryptosporidiosis was studied by histological examination and by scanning electron-microscopy (SEM). The animals were 7 to 21 days old, emergency-slaughtered mostly for dehydration and diarrhoea. Identical lesions were observed in the jejunum and ileum. The villi, often infected by cryptosporidia on a mass scale, were shortened, atrophic, markedly curved and shrunk in their ultrastructure, often as a result of the regression of groups of enterocytes with cryptosporidia, the adjacent tissue being affected, at the same time, by nodular hyperplasia. The enterocytes harbouring the protozoans exhibited cuboidal up to squamous metaplasia; in ultrastructure they had not hexagonal shape and showed signs of microvillus regression. The cryptosporidiosis of the small intestine was always accompanied by hyperaemia and inflammatory reactions in lamina propria, mostly non-purulent, with numerous eosinophils. Signs of typhlitis in the caecum--more frequent and intensive than in other parts of the large intestine infected by cryptosporidia--were characterized, in most cases, by lesions in the covering epithelium and by mostly non-purulent inflammatory infiltration with a large admixture of eosinophils in lamina propria. No inflammatory lesions were found in the colon and rectum. Severe cryptosporidial infections of large parts of intestine and the nature of pathological lesions lead to a considerable reduction in the total absorption surface of the intestine and are potential causes of diarrhoea from malabsorption.     

Dehydrogenase activity in small intestine mucosa in experimental coccidiosis in suckling pigs]

The activities of 3-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (EC. 1.1.1.30.; HBD) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (EC. 1.1.1.41; ICD) were evaluated microdensitometrically in the mucosa of duodenum, jejunum and ileum of 19 conventional piglets infected on the first day after parturition (DAP) with oocysts of Eimeria debliecki coccidium (infection dose of 200,000 oocysts). The two investigated enzymes are deposited in mitochondria which are dispersed in the supra-, para- and infranuclear region of absorption cells (Fig. 1). The synthesis of the two dehydrogenases was investigated in the small intestine mucosa in the period of 1st to 10th day after infection (DAI). The HBD and ICD activities were also followed in the small intestine of four control conventional piglets at the age of 2-5 days (Tab. I). The two dehydrogenases could be characterized by a topographic gradient; it means that their activity was increasing in the small intestine mucosa through duodenum in an aboral direction. The ICD activity is higher in the intestinal mucosa of healthy piglets (Figs. 2 and 3), where its topic concentration was more marked while the HBD activity is dispersed in enterocytes (Fig. 4). In infected piglets the density of the two enzymes was demonstrated to decrease already in the starting period of experimental infection, and it reaches the lowest values for the first time on DAI 5-6 (Fig. 5, Tab. II), then on DAIs 9 (HBD; Fig. 6, graph 11)) or 8 (ICD, Fig. 7 and 10). In the period of experimental infection no statistically significant predisposition to the hypoactivity of target dehydrogenases nor its marked shift were observed. Somewhat rapid resumption of synthesis was demonstrated as soon as on DAI 8 in ICD (Fig. 8); its activity on DAI 10 in the intestinal mucosa corresponded to the 93% activity of this dehydrogenase recorded in the small intestine of control piglets. The density of HBD to the same day (DAI 10) reached in the intestinal mucosa of infected piglets the values making only 44.7% of those demonstrated in the intestinal mucosa of the control group of animals.     

Campylobacter jejuni in poultry processed in slaughterhouses

The frequency of occurrence of Campylobacter jejuni germs in dressed poultry was studied for a year. The samples--smears from the body cavities of chickens--were collected during the technological dressing of the chickens; 101 strains of Campylobacter jejuni (i. e. 28.69%) were isolated from the 352 samples analyzed. The occurrence of the germs exhibited a considerable seasonal variance with peak rates in spring and summer. The use of a suitable culture medium, the technique of cultivation and the properties of the isolated strains were studied at the same time. The culture medium (Agar no. 3 IMUNA enriched with supplement C, horse blood and ingredients increasing the aerotolerance of the germs--sodium pyruvate and iron sulphate) used during the investigation was found to be suitable. The technique of cultivation by means of an anaerostat manufactured by the Development Station in Brno, atmosphere regulation (5% CO2) and with a pre-set cultivation temperature (43 degrees C) was found to be suitable for the screening of the Campylobacter jejuni germs.     

胆翘注射液体内外抗炎作用的研究

通过建立二甲苯致小鼠耳肿胀的炎症模型和LPS刺激RAW264.7细胞致炎模型,分别研究胆翘注射液的体内外抗炎作用。体内抗炎试验结果表明,0.025、0.05、0.1 g/（kg·BW）的胆翘注射液能够显著降低模型小鼠的耳肿胀率（P〈0.01）和血清IL-1β、IL-8、TNF-α含量（P〈0.05）;体外抗炎试验结果表明,25、50、100μg/m L的胆翘注射液对LPS诱导的RAW264.7细胞分泌促炎因子TNF-α、IL-1β水平具有显著的抑制作用（P〈0.05）。综上提示,胆翘注射液具有较好的体内外抗炎作用。     

Adenovirus inclusions in the ileum in coccidiosis in suckling piglets

Numerous intranuclear inclusion bodies in enterocytes were detected exclusively in the ileum of two nine-day piglets coming from a litter infected with diarrhea. The inclusion bodies were homogeneous in hematoxylin and eosine (HE), their staining was not clear enough, was amphophilic and they filled nearly the whole nucleus. They were eosinophil less often and had a halo on the periphery. Their staining was clearly orange-red in Feulgen's nuclear reaction after re-staining with G orange and bright green. Intranuclear inclusions were located exclusively on shortened villi and pseudovilli of ileum above the follicles of activated Peyer's patches. The findings of intranuclear inclusions in ileum demonstrate adenovirus enteral infections in suckling piglets.     

湖南山羊附红细胞体病的感染调查

对湖南省2个规模化山羊养殖场进行附红细胞体病的感染调查,结果表明:山羊附红细胞体总感染率为51.4%,其中A场感染率为53.4%,B场感染率为0。将镜检阳性山羊血液人工感染小白鼠,10d后小白鼠体内出现附红细胞体。     

Changes in the hypothalamus in continuously irradiated sheep

Neurosecretion, PAS-positive mucopolysaccharides and the Nissl substance were studied in the neurons of the rostral, medial and caudal hypothalamus of continuously irradiated ewes. The study was performed on 21 ewes of the Slovak Merino breed at the live weight of 34 kg. The animals were in the period of physiological anoestrus and their age was two to three years. The first group of six ewes was the control. The second group included 15 sheep irradiated with a total dose of 6.7 Gy (700 R) for seven days. Co60 was used as the source of irradiation. The animals of this group were killed seven days from treatment. The ewes in the third group were left for the study of mortality. The brains were perfused with 2% buffered paraformaldehyde immediately after the bleeding of the sheep; then the brains were removed from skulls and fixed in buffered picroformol. Paraffin slices were stained with haematoxylin-eosine, aldehyde-fuchsine and alcian blue for neurosecretion, with PAS-reaction for mucopolysaccharides and with cresyl violet for the Nissl substance. As found, the irradiation of the whole body inhibits the activity of neurosecretory cells in rostral and medial hypothalamus, thus reducing neurosecretion. These regions also show a reduced activity of PAS reaction used for the demonstration of mucopolysaccharides. The observed changes also included damage of the endothelium of blood vessels with the occurrence of erythrocyte extravasates and with haemorrhages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Assessment of antibiotic use in farm animals in Rwanda

The irrational use of antibiotics in humans and animals is highly related to the emergence and increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria worldwide. A cross-sectional survey aimed at evaluating the current level of practices regarding antibiotic use in farm animals in Rwanda was carried out countrywide. Interviews were conducted on 229 farmers rearing different types of animals. The study has revealed that almost all respondent farmers could name at least one antibiotic used in farm animals and peni-streptomycin was named by most of them (95.6%). The use of antibiotics in farm animals was observed in the majority of respondents (97.4%). It was found that 44.4 and 26.5% of respondents reported that they used antibiotics for disease prevention and growth promotion, respectively. The use of non-prescribed antibiotics in animals was also reported by more than the half of respondent farmers (55.6%). The majority of farmers had a moderate level of practices regarding antibiotic use in farm animals (73.5%), very few had a high level (26%) and only one respondent had a low level. The high level of practices in regard to antibiotic use in animals was associated with the location of the farm, the type of reared animals, and the rearing system. The results of this study give an insight into antibiotics usage practices in farm animals in Rwanda. The generated information can guide sensitizations and promotions of the prudent use of antibiotics among farmers in order to limit the increase of antibiotic resistance in the country.     

Changes in selected biochemical indicators in blood serum in anestrous gilts

The biochemical profile [levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, chlorides and iron, the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and the concentrations of total protein, albumin, cholesterol, urea, glucose, and vitamins A and E] was studied in the blood serum of 40 anoestrous and 40 control inseminated animals in a production herd with an increased occurrence of anoestrus in gilts. The anoestrous gilts showed significantly lower levels of albumin (P less than 0.01) and glucose (P less than 0.01) and ALP activity (P less than 0.05), and significantly higher concentrations of urea (P less than 0.01), vitamin A (P less than 0.01) and vitamin E (P less than 0.05) and ALT activity (P less than 0.05), as compared with the inseminated controls. An extended enzymatological examination consisting of the evaluation of the activities of ALP, AST, ALT and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GMT) was performed in another set of 22 anoestrous and 20 mated gilts. The anoestrous gilts showed a statistically significant increase in the activities of AST (P less than 0.01), GMT (P less than 0.01) and ALT (P less than 0.05) and an insignificant increase in the activity of ALP in comparison with the control animals. The comparison of the obtained values of the studied biochemical criteria with literary data indicated a lower concentration of magnesium and a higher ALP and ALT activities in the anoestrous and inseminated gilts in both groups under study. A high acidity of fat and a medium to high fungus infestation (Mucor sp., Aspergillus sp.) were found by chemical and mycological examination of the administered feed mixtures. The histological examination of the ovaries of anoestrous animals showed cystically degenerative changes, proliferations of fibrous elements, and partial atrophy of ovarial cortex. It has been inferred from the observations that mycotoxins may be involved in the increase in the occurrence of anoestrus, either by a direct effect on sexual organs or by impairing the function of liver which, secondarily contributes to the rise of ovarial dysfunctions.     

Echinococcus granulosus in animals in northern India

The prevalence of larval Echinococcus granulosus in buffaloes, sheep and goats and in adult stray and shepherd dogs was studied in northern India. A total of 48.1% of 754 buffaloes, 30.5% of 1215 sheep and 21.0% of 447 goats were found to be infected with this parasite. The prevalence of infection in buffaloes was higher in older animals than in younger animals. The lungs and livers appeared to be the sites of predilection. A high percentage of cysts from buffaloes (71.1%) were sterile, whereas a high percentage (90.0%) of cysts from sheep and goats were fertile. Shepherd dogs showed a higher prevalence of infection than stray dogs and the latter examined near the vicinity of slaughter houses had a higher prevalence of infection than those examined in other parts of the city.     

Kidney pathology in non-obstructive urolithiasis in cattle

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the gross and histopathological findings in non-obstructive urolithiasis. Pathological examinations were carried out on 102 cattle kidneys with non-obstructive urolithiasis. The common gross lesions were cyst formations in the kidney lobes, hyperaemia and haemorrhage. The weight of the stones differed from 0.02 to 237.44 g and the colour changed brown to white. The calculi had different shapes. At histopathological examination of the kidneys slight to severe mononuclear cell infiltrations were commonly observed. Haemorrhage and connective tissue proliferations were also seen. Neutrophil leucocyte infiltrations caused by pyelonephritis were observed in some cases and multiple stone formations were found in these cases. Widening of the Bowman's space was a common histopathological finding especially when the stones were big or the inflammatory reaction was severe. Calcium deposits and eosinophylic material were found in the medullary tubules and pelvis renalis lumens in some kidneys. Giant cell formations around the stone reactions were rarely observed. Hyperplasia of the pelvis renalis and tubulus epithelium was another finding which occurred seldom. Whereas sand-like material accumulation seen in urinary bladders in some cases, no obstruction was observed in the urinary canal in this study.     

2020年新疆地区规模化猪场猪PCV2抗体检测与分析

为了解新疆地区2020年规模化猪场猪圆环病毒2型的免疫抗体水平,选择新疆地区6个规模化猪场,针对不同日龄段的猪采集血清样品333份,采用猪圆环病毒2型ELISA抗体检测方法进行抗体检测分析.结果发现,2020年新疆地区规模化猪场猪圆环病毒2型平均抗体阳性率为77.78％(259/333),平均抗体阳性率符合国家标准.但...     

Epizootic of equine influenza in 1969 in Poland

Epidemiological observations on the course and spread of equine influenza in Poland during the 1969 epizootic were carried out. The dynamics of the spread of the disease in the country are shown graphically by voivodship. The disease incidence and mortality rates for the entire country are also shown. The highest incidence of disease and mortality rates were found to be in November 1969. A/equi-2/Warsaw/69 was identified as the causal virus. It caused the largest epizootic in the country since 1954.     

Inclusion body hepatitis in broiler chickens in Iraq

Eighteen outbreaks of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) were identified in broiler chickens in Baghdad in 1977 and 1978. The disease was seen mainly in 4-to-6-week-old broiler chickens. The mortality rate did not exceed 1% in any outbreak investigated. The most common gross findings were stellate or punctiform hemorrhagic areas in markedly fatty livers. Noticed in many cases were enlarged and pale kidneys, hemorrhagic lesions in the skeletal muscles, and pale fattened bone marrow. Histological examination of tissues revealed fat droplets and intranuclear inclusion bodies in degenerated liver cells. Eosinophilic inclusion bodies were seen in all cases. Only five cases had basophilic inclusions along with the eosinophilic ones. The etiologic agent was isolated on chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of 12-day-old embryonated chicken eggs. The disease was produced experimentally in 4-week-old chicks using infected CAM suspension.     

Salmonella in pork cuttings in supermarkets and butchers' shops in Denmark in 2002 and 2006

The prevalence of Salmonella in fresh pork cuttings in Denmark in the years 2002 and 2006 was investigated at retail and compared with the retail supply pattern. A total of 1025 and 3473 samples were taken in 2002 from butcher's shops and supermarkets, respectively. The corresponding numbers in 2006 were 259 from butchers' shops and 628 from supermarkets. In 2002, 1.2% of all samples were positive for Salmonella; butchers' shops and supermarkets had 1.8% and 1.0% positive samples, respectively. The overall prevalence in 2006 was 4.2%, with prevalence of 8.1% and 2.6% for butchers' shops and supermarkets, respectively. Hence, increases around 3- to 5-fold were found. There was neither observed any parallel increase in Salmonella positive carcasses in Danish slaughterhouses during the study period, nor were any changes in supply routes towards slaughterhouses with higher prevalence observed, which could explain the apparent increase. We hypothesize that hygiene levels and ability to avoid cross-contamination and prevent growth of the organism, in the meat processing chain after slaughter were the most likely responsible factors. Results from this study indicate that the hygiene performance, particularly at retail, has a significant impact on the occurrence of Salmonella. This implies that there is no direct link between slaughterhouse Salmonella surveillance data and the level of Salmonella contamination at retail. To improve risk assessment of Salmonella in fresh pork meat, this study underlines the need for comprehensive retail data.