Occurrence of gaffkaemia in Lobsters in Norway.

Gaffkaemia is a bacterial disease which causes periodic, lethal epizootics in holding facilities for live American (Homarus americanus) and European (Homarus vulgaris) lobsters (Snieszko & Taylor 1947, Roskam 1957). Gaffkaemia, with the causative agent Aerococcus viridans, has been diagnosed in many countries in Europe and elsewhere. Roskam (1957, 1958) reported the disease in lobsters imported to the Netherlands from Norway. In Norway, however, the disease has never before been reported, though an experiment has shown that gaffkaemia could be induced in lobsters from a Norwegian area with injections of the A.T.C.C. type strain no. 10400 of the causative agent (Møllerud 1971).     

A Field Outbreak Caused by Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) caused a large epizootic of acute respiratory disease in Japan in 1968—69 (Inaba et al. 1970, Inaba et al. 1972). A much smaller outbreak occurred in Switzerland (Paccaud & Jacquier 1970). In Belgium the virus has been isolated from an outbreak of respiratory disease (Wellemans et al. 1970). BRSV has later been proved an important causal agent of respiratory disorders in the same country (Wellemans & Leiinen 1975). In England and USA the virus has caused and been isolated from outbreaks of acute respiratory disease in calves (Jacobs & Edington 1971, Rosenquist 1974, Smith et al. 1974). In Denmark BRSV has sporadically been isolated from pneumonic calf lungs (Bitsch et al. 1976).     

Studies on the Decline of Bovine Virus Diarrhoea Virus (BVD V) Maternal Antibodies and Detectability of BVDV in Persistently Infected Calves

Persistently infected (PI) animals play a significant role in spread and transmission of bovine virus diarrhoea virus (B VD V) (Duffell & Harkness 1985). The identification and removal of PI cattle from the herd is of great importance in the control of BVDV. Although PI animals often show various degrees of growth retardation and unthrifty appearance, a significant proportion is clinically normal. PI animals are often seronegative (Duffell & Harkness 1985), but calves may be tested seropositive because of the presence of maternal immunity (Meyling & Jensen 1988). The passively derived BVDV antibodies may interfere with the ability to detect virus. Considering the importance of early recognition of PI calves, it is essential to determine the earliest time when PI animals can safely be diagnosed in the herd.     

Freeze-resistant Trichinella (Trichinella nativa) Established on the Scandinavian Peninsula

Until the 1970’s, Trichinella spiralis (Owen 1835) was considered the only species within the genus Trichinella. Then T. pseudospiralis (Garkavi 1972) was classified as a separate species on the basis of morphological and biological features. The remaining morphologically homogenous “T. spiralis-group” has been split into 4 different species (or subspecies) on the basis of their biological and biochemical characteristics; T. nativa (Britov & Boev 1972), T. nelsoni (Britov & Boev 1972), T. spiralis sensu stricto and T. britovi (Pozio et al. 1992).     

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Seven Dogs with Gastrointestinal Signs

In small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) syndrome the small intestine is colonized by bacteria in excess of 10⁵ colony-forming units (CFU)/ml or g (Batt et al 1983, Williams et al 1987, Strombeck & Guilford 1990). In dogs, SIBO has only recently been recognized as a cause of gastrointestinal signs like diarrhea (Strombeck et al 1981, Batt et al 1983, Batt & McLean 1987, Batt et al 1988). No demonstrable underlying anatomic or functional predisposition is identified in most cases of canine SIBO. However, most of the reported cases have been on German shepherds and dogs suffering from pancreatic insufficiency (Williams etal 1987; Simpson etal 1990).     

Focal Symmetrical Poliomyelomalacia in a Calf

Focal symmetrical poliomyelomalacia (FSP) is a neurological disorder mainly described in pigs in connection with experimental or spontaneous cases of selenium toxicosis (Harrison etal. 1983, Wendtetal. 1992, Wilson etal. 1983 & 1989). However, a few cases of FSP have been reported in other domestic animals including sheep, goat, and cattle (Innes & Plow-right 1955, Cordy et al. 1984, Bonniwell & Barlow 1985, Palmer et al. 1986). Common for reports on FSP in other species than pigs is an unsolved aetiology. In cattle only 1 report on FSP has been published previously describing 2 cases (Palmer et al. 1986). The present report describes a further case of FSP in cattle. A 4-month- old Red Danish × American Brown Swiss calf (♀) suddenly became lame on both fore limbs and unwilling to rise. The calf had a swelling around the coronary band and a temperature of 40°C. The calf was treated with antibiotics by a veterinary surgeon. The condition got severe during the next 24 h, and the calf became unable to stand on the fore limbs while the function of the rear limbs was normal. As the condition progressively got worse during the next week, the calf was euthanized by intravenous injection of pentobarbitone sodium and submitted for necropsy.     

A Case of Neospora Associated Bovine Abortion in Sweden

Neospora caninum is a recently recognized protozoan organism that causes fatal neuromuscular disease in dogs and abortions and stillbirths in cattle and other animals (Dubey & Lindsay 1993). The parasite is morphologically similar and phylogenetically very closely related to the cyst-forming coccidium Toxoplasma gondii (Ellis et al. 1994, Holmdahl et al. 1994). This group of parasites has a two-host life cycle principally involving a carnivorous definitive host and a herbivorous or omnivorous intermediate host. However, with N. caninum, there is as yet no knowledge of any definitive host harbouring sexual stages of the parasite. The only known route of transmission is vertical from mother to foetus (Dubey & Lindsay 1993).     

Lymphocyte Stimulation and Leucocyte Migration Inhibition as Diagnostic Tools for the Detection of Mycobacterium Avium Infection in Cattle

The tuberculin skin test is the conventional method of detecting infections with mycobacteria in animals. A positive reaction is considered to reflect cell-mediated immunity (CMI). CMI against mycobacteria can be studied by in vitro systems using suspensions of blood lymphocytes or leucocytes. The reactivity of these cells to different antigens can be measured in the lymphocyte stimulation (LS) (Muscoplat et al 1975, Bergman 1976, Johnson & Morein 1976), or leucocyte migration inhibition (LMI) (Aalund 1970, Clausen 1973) tests.     

The Occurrence of European Brown Hare Syndrome in Finland

European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) is a viral hepatitis that affects European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and varying hares (Lepus timidus). The disease occurs today in free-living and farmed hares in most European countries (Gustafsson et al. 1989, Gavier-Widén & Mörner 1991). In Sweden and Denmark the EBHS was first observed at the beginning of the eighties, however, in Finland and Norway the disease has not been reported yet.     

A Case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in Denmark

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in cattle, was first described in England by Wells et al. (1987). The infection occurs mainly due to digestion of feedstuffs containing ruminant derived protein in form of meat and bone meal contaminated with a scrapie-like agent (Wilesmith et al. 1991). Later, cases of BSE were diagnosed in the Republic of Ireland, Oman, France, and Switzerland (Marinovic & Senn 1991). This report describes the first case of BSE in Denmark.     

Few alterations in clinical pathology and histopathology observed in a CYP2C18&19 humanized mice model

Background

This study was performed to characterize a gene-addition transgenic mouse containing a BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) clone spanning the human CYP2C18&19 genes (tg-CYP2C18&19).

Methods

Hemizygous tg-CYP2C18&19, 11 week old mice were compared with wild-type littermates to obtain information regarding clinical status, clinical pathology and anatomical pathology. After one week of clinical observations, blood samples were collected, organs weighed, and tissues collected for histopathology.

Results

In males, the tissue weights were lower in tg-CYP2C18&19 than in wild-type mice for brain (p ≤ 0.05), adrenal glands (p ≤ 0.05) and brown fat deposits (p ≤ 0.001) while the heart weight was higher (p ≤ 0.001). In female tg-CYP2C18&19, the tissue weights were lower for brain (p ≤ 0.001) and spleen (p ≤ 0.001) compared to wild-type females. Male tg-CYP2C18&19 had increased blood glucose levels (p ≤ 0.01) while females had decreased blood triglyceride levels (p ≤ 0.01).

Conclusion

Despite the observed alterations, tg-CYP2C18&19 did not show any macroscopic or microscopic pathology at the examined age. Hence, these hemizygous transgenic mice were considered to be viable and healthy animals.     

Evaluation of a Direct Agglutination Test for Detection of Antibodies Against Toxoplasma gondii in Cat,Pig and Sheep Sera

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of the zoonosis toxoplasmosis. In sheep and goats, it is one of the most prevalent causes of infectious abortion. Also in pregnant women, a primary infection can result in miscarriage. Humans acquire the infection either by ingestion of oocysts excreted by cats, the definitive host of the parasite, or by eating raw or undercooked meat from latently infected animals (Dubey & Beattie 1988). In Sweden, toxoplasmosis is a notifiable disease, and cases of clinical disease in humans as well as animals must be reported. In both veterinary and human medicine serological assays based on detecting the humoral antibody response of the host against the parasite are used as diagnostic tools. So far, solid phase assays, such as the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), have been widely used to diagnose T. gondii infection in many species including cats, pigs and sheep (Dubey & Beattie 1988). However, both IFAT and ELISA require appropriate anti-species specific immunoglobulins (Ig) that must be carefully evaluated for each species prior to use. This makes these assays complicated and time consuming. Consequently, alternative, simpler methods that do not require specific antisera would be of great value. The direct agglutination test (DA), which is based on the principle that formalin-treated organisms agglutinate in the presence of specific IgG antibodies, is such an assay (Fulton & Turk 1959). The DA-test is widely used in human medicine as a screening test for T gondii infection but it has not yet been thoroughly evaluated for use in veterinary medicine (Uggla & Buxton 1990).     

Studies on the Anemiogenic Properties of Trimethylamine Oxide,an Etiological Factor in Fish-Induced Anemia in Mink

A hypochromic microcytic iron deficiency anemia associated with light underfur and increased mortality in mink kits is caused by the feeding of various species of raw marine fish, especially coalfish (Gadus virens) and whiting (Gadus merlangus) as first detected in Norway by Helgebostad (1957). The same disorder caused by fish-feeding was later described from other countries (Stout et al. 1960, Jørgensen & Christensen 1966, Kangas et al. 1967). Nutritional anemia has also been induced in rats by feeding a raw coalfish diet as stated by Gjønnes & Helgebostad (1965).     

Evidence for the Colonization of Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Suckling Mink

Lactic acid bacteria are considered indigenous members of the gastrointestinal microflora in a number of animal species (Savage 1977a). Some intestinal strains of lactobacilli and streptococci are aWe to adhere to stratified squamous epithelium of some animals (Tannock et al. 1987), in the non-secreting part of the stomach of piglets (Barrow et al. 1980, Fuller et al. 1978) and rodents (Tannock et al. 1982), and in the crop of poultry (Fuller 1978). The presence of lactic acid bacteria in the digestive tract is believed to be of beneficial value to the host animal (Fuller 1989). The production of organic acids in the stomach or the crop helps maintaining a low pH which may be important for inhibiting the colonization of potentially pathogenic bacteria, particularly in the newborn animal (Barrow et al 1980, Fuller 1977, Fuller 1978). The adhesion of lactobacilli to squamous epithelium is host specific: strains capable of adhering to the epithelium of piglets are usually not able to adhere in rodents or poultry and vice versa (Fuller 1978, Lin & Savage 1984, Tannock et al 1982). Adhesion of lactic acid bacterial strains to other epithelia than stratified squamous epithelium has been reported. Thus, the attachment of lactobacilli to cells from the secreting epithelium of the murine stomach (Kotarski & Savage 1979), to intestinal cells of humans (Goldin & Gorbach 1987), and to columnar epithelial cells of piglets and calves (Mäyrä-Mäkinen et al 1983) has been demonstrated using in vitro methods. In another study the in vivo attachment of Enterococcus faecium to duodenal epithelium of gnotobi-otic chickens was demonstrated (Fuller et al 1981). Recent research indicated that in adult mink lactic acid bacteria are not indigenous members of the intestinal flora, and they do not attach to epithelium in any part of the gastrointestinal tract (Federsen & Jørgensen 1992). The present paper presents evidence that Gram positive cocci may colonize the gut of suckling mink kits and attach to the gut mucosa.     

Induction of Swine Dysentery with a Pure Culture of Treponema Hyodysenteriae in Vitamin E and Selenium Deficient Pigs

Several successful attempts have been made to induce swine dysentery in pigs using pure cultures of Treponema hyodysen-teriae (Taylor & Alexander 1971, Harris et al. 1972, Akkermans & Pomper 1973, Hughes et al. 1975). In these studies, either conventional or specific-pathogen-free pigs were used. In the present study, 2 approximately 8 weeks old conventional pigs (Nos. 1 and 2) were purchased and fed the same basic ration as used by Teige et al. (1977). In addition, 10 % cod liver oil was incorporated in the diet at each feeding. After a feeding period of 25 days rectal swabs were applied and examined for the presence of spirochaetes. The pigs were then fed a 3 days old primary and pure culture of T. hyodysenteriae on TSA-S400 medium (Songer et al. 1976). The culture originated from the colon of a pig with swine dysentery (Pig No. 4, Teige et al. 1977). Each pig received the agar contents of 5 petri dishes which were mixed with the food.     

Patterns of Plasma Oestradiol-17ß in Relation to the Interval from Weaning to Oestrus in Sows

Sows generally are anoestrus during lactation. Weaning the litter normally results in a rapid increase in follicular growth that terminates in oestrus and ovulation. Follicular development after weaning is characterized by an elevation in the blood concentrations of oestradiol-17ß (E₂). Although the post-weaning patterns of E₂ in blood circulation have been reported previously (Cox & Britt 1982, Edwards & Foxcroft 1983, Rojanasthien 1988), the plasma patterns of E₂ in relation to the interval from weaning to oestrus (WOI), to our knowledge, have not been assessed. The purpose of this study was therefore to relate the blood patterns of E₂ to the WOI in sows exhibiting their first oestrus within 10 days after weaning.     

Studies of Aspergillus fumigatus; casein precipitating and proteolytic effects of mycelial filtrate

Schäffer (1900) and Butkewitch (1903) seem to have been the first to focus attention on the proteolytic activity of micro-fungi. The occurrence and properties of proteolytic enzymes from various fungus species were subsequently studied by several authors. Literature in this field was reviewed by e.g. Ito (1950), Gorbach & Koch (1955), Koch & Dedic (1957), Hagihara (1960), Davies (1963) and Roper & Fennell (1965).In connection with investigation of the proteolytic activity of several fungus species, a gelatin hydrolyzing effect of Aspergillus fumigatus (AF) was reported to be exerted by living organisms in pure culture (Jensen 1931), extracted mycelial material (Maxwell 1950, Dingle & Solomons 1952), and by fluid culture medium in which AF was cultured (Dion 1950a, b, Dingle & Solomons). Ay res & Tobie (1943) demonstrated moderate casein hydrolyzing activity in extracted mycelial material from 4 AF strains, and Amatayakul (1955) observed low fibrinolytic activity in 1 strain.Proteolytic activity measured by breakdown of gelatin and casein was demonstrated by Jonsson & Martin (1964) in culture medium in which AF had been cultured. Three activity optima were observed at pH values around 3, 6.5 and 10. A subsequent study indicated that the activity in neutral and alkaline environment was caused by the same enzyme (Martin & Jönsson 1965).By means of electrophoretic separation combined with reactions for enzyme characterization, Tran Van Ky et al. (1966) demonstrated proteolytic activity in mycelial extracts of 21-day AF cultures. A casein precipitating enzyme (CP enzyme) was demonstrated by Sandvik (1967) in the fluid phase of frozen and thawed skimmilk agar cultures from e.g. AF.In addition to haemolysin and toxin (Rutqvist 1965, 1968, Rutqvist & Persson 1966), mycelial filtrates of AF have proved to contain a proteolytic enzyme. An account is given in the following of a study of this enzyme with respect to (1) casein precipitating ability, (2) casein and gelatin hydrolyzing effect, and (3) relation to toxin and haemolysin.     

Infection with Actinobacillus Suis in Pigs

Actinobacillosis in pigs seems to be relatively rare and when it does occur, it usually manifests itself as acute septicaemia during the first weeks of life (Zimmermann 1965). Polyarthritis, pneumonia and heart lesions as well as petechial haemorrhages in skin, viscera and kidneys are also frequently found (MacDonald et al. 1976, Jones & Simmons 1971). Both Actinobacillus suis and Actinobacillus equuli have been isolated from such cases (Pedersen 1977).     

Prevalence of Antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in Swedish Dogs

Neospora caninum is a newly described coccidian parasite which has been found in various species such as the dog, cattle, horse, sheep and goat. Morphologically it resembles Toxoplasma gondii with which it is related (Holmdahl et al. 1994), and with which it has earlier been confused. The life cycle of N caninum is only partially known. Tachyzoites and tissue cysts are the only known stages of the parasite, and transplacental transmission is the only known route of infection. Subclini-cally infected dams can transmit the parasite to their fetuses and successive offspring from the same mother might be born infected (Dubey et al. 1990b). Clinical neosporosis is mostly seen in pups or young dogs, and the majority or all pups in a litter are often affected. The disease is characterized by ascending paralysis of the legs, with the hind legs more severely affected than the front legs, paralysis of the jaw, difficulty in swallowing and muscle flaccidity and atrophy (Dubey 1992, Dubey & Lindsay 1993). Fatal infections with N caninum in dogs have been reported from many countries, e.g. Norway (Bjerkäs & Presthus 1988), USA (Dubey et al. 1988), Sweden (Uggla et al. 1989a,b) and the United Kingdom (Dubey et al. 1990a). Serological surveys for antibodies to N. caninum in dogs from Kansas, USA and England have shown a prevalence of 2 and 13%, respectively (Lindsay et al. 1990, Trees et al. 1993).     

Regional Ileitis in Pigs Isolation of Campylobacter from Affected Ileal Mucosa

In the last few years special interest has been focused on enteric diseases localized to the lower alimentary tract, especially the ileum of weaned pigs. An increasing frequency of disorders of unknown aetiology described as regional ileitis (Emsbo 1951), necrotic enteritis (Jubb & Kennedy 1970), and intestinal adenomatosis (Rowland et al. 1973) has been reported. The changes include thickening of the ileal mucosa with hypertrophy of the muscular wall. The normal structure of villi is replaced by a proliferation of crypt cells. Necrosis of the mucosa and granulation-tissue proliferation in the submucosa occur in later stages. Regional ileitis in man (Crohn et al. 1932) which is described as a chronic enteric disease with granulomatous inflammatory changes localized to segments of the ileum is also attracting increasing attention in medical research (Liljefors 1972). The lesions are also found in the colon, and the presence of a transmissible agent involved in the aetiology of Crohn''s disease has been discussed on the basis of animal experiments (Cave et al. 1973). The disease in pigs is accompanied by haematological changes, including decreased concentration of total serum protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, and zinc (Martinsson et al. 1974, 1976).