A seroepizootiologic study of five viruses in a swine-evaluation station.

This serologic study was done to gain information on the spread, maintenance, and effect upon performance of five porcine viruses. Blood samples were taken from two groups of 8- to 11-week-old pigs from a large number of Indiana swine herds in a performance-testing station 1 week after entry, 7 weeks after entry (one group only), and at slaughter. The sera were tested by indirect fluorescent antibody tests for antibodies to transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), swine influenza virus (SIV), hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (HEV), porcine adenovirus (PAV), and pseudorabies virus (PRV). Seroconversions to TGEV, HEV, and PAV occurred in a group of pigs entered in May and slaughtered in August (group 1). In the group that was entered in October and slaughtered in January (group 2), pigs developed antibodies to SIV, HEV, and PAV, but not to TGEV. Only 1 of the 434 pigs tested had antibodies to PRV, and there were no seroconversions to this virus. The only statistically valid effect of infection on performance was found in group 1 pigs, which had seroconverted to TGEV during the first 7 weeks of their stay. These pigs gained 0.077 kg less per day than pigs that did not develop antibodies to TGEV during that period. The pattern of serologic reactions was indicative of a relatively slow spread of these viruses in the groups. We interpret this as supporting the concept that a relatively slow spread of these viruses through large groups of pigs kept under conditions that are less than optimum for virus spread may be an important means of their interepizootic survival.     

Prolactin and colibacillus-induced fluid transport in ligated intestinal segments.

Two experiments, using the ligated intestinal segment technique, were conducted to determine whether the pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL) could reduce Escherichia coli-induced fluid loss into the small intestine of 2- to 3-week-old pigs. Inoculation of 10(6) to 10(8) enteropathogenic E coli organisms into ligated jejunal segments caused a significant accumulation of luminal fluid within 12 hours. In the first experiment, intraluminal inoculation with 0.5 mg of ovine PRL along with the bacteria did not have any effect on fluid accumulation. Systemic IV treatment of the animals with 1.0 mg of ovine PRL at 3-hour intervals, beginning either immediately after or 9 to 10 hours before intestinal ligation, did not significantly (P less than 0.05) reduce fluid accumulation as compared with control animals. In the second experiment, IM administration of 100 microgram of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) at 3-hour intervals, beginning 6 hours before intestinal ligation, significantly (P less than 0.05) increased circulating PRL concentrations, as measured by radioimmunoassay. However, TRH treatment did not reduce the accumulation of luminal fluid in E coli-inoculated segments.     

Cell-mediated immune responses in cattle adult-vaccinated with Brucella abortus strain 19 and in cattle infected with Brucella abortus field strain.

Cell-mediated immune responses in cattle adult-vaccinated with Brucella abortus strain 19, cattle infected with B abortus field strain, and nonexposed cattle were studied by an in vitro lumphocyte-stimulation test (LST). Lymphocytes were prepared from peripheral bovine blood by the Ficoll-diatrizoate technique, and results were assayed for [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Serotests and bacteriologic isolation attempts were conducted simultaneously with LST. Lymphocytes from cattle infected with field strains had significantly (P = 0.01) higher specific lymphocyte-stimulation inexposed controls. The LST, the serum standard-tube agglutination test (STT), the Rivanol (RIV) test, and the complement-fixation (CF) test correctly classified cattle from which field strains and strain 19 of B abortus were isolated. The LST was negative in cattle vaccinated with B abortus strain 19 (nonshedding), but the three serotests had many false-positive reactions. The CF test had the least false-positive reaction, followed by the RIV test, and the STT was the least specific. Well before the three serotests became positive, the LST was positive in samples from some cattle during the incubation period of the infection. There was little or no correlation between cell-mediated immune responses (as measured by LST) and serum antibody responses (as measured by STT, RIV test, and CF test) in vaccinated but culture-negative cattle and in some nonvaccinated cattle during the incubation period.     

Longitudinal studies of naturally acquired Brucella abortus infection in sheep.

Naturally acquired Brucella abortus infections were studied during consecutive pregnancies in eight sheep and in their lambs over a period of 40 months to evaluate epizootiologic aspects of natural infection in sheep. Brucella abortus was isolated from the ewes following 16 of 26 natural terminations of pregnancy: from 5 of 6 ewes in the first year, from six of eight ewes in the second year, from two of six ewes in the third year, and from three of six ewes in the fourth year. Vaginal swab samples and milk samples were the most consistent source of the brucella organisms. Brucella abortus was isolated from three ewes when standard tube test seroagglutination titers were less than 1:100. In contrast, results of supplemental tests (card, 2-mercaptoethanol, complement-fixation, and Rivanol) remained positive during the study. During the 40 months, B abortus was isolated from 4 of 4 aborted fetuses, 2 of 5 stillborn lambs, 10 of 37 living lambs, and as an indicator of continuing infection, from 6 of 12 lambs born during the fourth year. Although B abortus has a definite host preference for cattle, this study demonstrated that under appropriate management conditions, sheep may be naturally infected and may remain infected for more than 40 months. Epizootiologic evaluation of all factors, including husbandry practices and exposure potential, should be utilized in determining the need to test other species that may have been exposed to cattle infected with B abortus.     

Effects of hormonal therapy on the microbiology of seborrheic dogs.

Quantitative and qualitative bacterial assays were performed on the skin of three dogs with endocrine-related primary metabolic seborrhea. After the dogs were treated (thyroid supplementation or castration, bacterial analyses were again performed on the same sites. Before therapy, the dogs had a cutaneous flora composed mainly of Staphylococcus aureus coagulase-positive organisms. After therapy, there was a significantly lower bacterial count, and two of the dogs had floras consisting mainly of coagulase-negative cocci. During the study, the two dogs that reverted bacteriologically to a normal cutaneous microenvironment became normal dermatologically. The third dog improved, but continued to have minor signs of seborrhea.     

Newcastle disease in Cyprus: A review

Summary The first Newcastle disease epidemic in Cyprus was reported in 1949 to 1950 and between 1953 and 1959 there was a second. In November 1977 another Newcastle disease outbreak occurred. Measures implemented immediately were: quarantine of all foci of infection, destruction of diseased and in-contact birds, disinfection of premises and island-wide (Government controlled) vaccination. Within a month the epidemic was brought under control. In all 47 outbreaks were recorded with the loss of about 35,000 birds. Only 2 commercial units were affected, the remaining outbreaks occurring in premises of back-yard poultry keepers. The virus was the Asiatic type.

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La Enfermedad De Newcastle En Chipre: Revisión De La Literatura

Resumen La primera epidemia de Newcastle en Chipre se describio en 1949–50 y la segunda entre 1953 y 1959. En Noviembre de 1977 ocurrio otro brote. Las medidas tomadas fueron: cuarentena de todos los focos de infección, destrucción de todas las aves enfermas y en contacto, desinfección de los galpones y vacunación general. La epidemia se controló en un mes. En los 47 brotes diagnosticados, hubo una pérdida calculada de 35 000 aves. La enfermedad se diagnosticó en dos empresas comerciales y en unidades pequeñas familiares. El virus aislado fue el tipo Asiático.

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La Maladie De Newcastle A Chypre—Revue

Résumé La première appartition de la maladie de Newcastle à Chypre, a eu lieu en 1949–1950, avec une seconde vague entre 1953 et 1959.La maladie est répparue en 1977. Les mesures assitôt prises ont été: la mise en quarantaine des foyers d'infection, la destruction des animaux malades et des animaux contaminés, la désinfection des locaux et une large vaccination, sous contrôle officiel, des volailles de l'Ile. En l'espace d'un mois la maladie a été enrayée. Pour les 47 foyers constatés les pertes se sont élevées à environ 35 000 têtes. Deux élevages commerciaux ont seulement été atteints, les autres foyers étant apparus dans les poulaillers des petits éleveurs.

     

A simple technique to differentiate between animals infected with Yersinia enterocolitica IX and those infected with Brucella abortus.

While both Brucella abortus and Yersinia enterocolitica IX have O antigens in common, they differ significantly with respect to motility. Thus Br abortus is always non-motile while Y enterocolitica is motile when grown at room temperature. The presence of yersinia H agglutinins in serum can be shown to be evidence of previous exposure to Y enterocolitica. These agglutinins are not generated by brucella infection. A rapid H agglutination test will serve to provide this differentiation without interference from cross-reacting O antigens.     

The susceptibility of chicken kidney and oviduct organ cultures to a vaccine strain of avian infectious bronchitis virus.

The minimal infectious dose of the H52 strain of infectious bronchitis virus for organ cultures of oviduct and kidney was compared in chickens of different ages. Organ cultures of oviduct were found to be highly susceptible to infection regardless of the age of chicken and no difference in susceptibility could be demonstrated between cultures of the magnum and uterus regions of the mature oviduct. Kidney organ cultures were less susceptible and resistance to infection increased significantly (P less than 0.001) with the age of the chicken from which cultures were prepared.     

Intestinal defence of the neonatal pig: interrelationship of gut and mammary function providing surface immunity against colibacillosis.

The neonatal requirements for maternal passive immunity and the lactation immunobiology with regard to sow immunisation for neonatal protection are reviewed. A vaccination protocol which combines oral and parenteral antigen administration to produce antibody activity mediated mainly by IgM is described. Its efficacy in affording protection to neonatal piglets was tested against a lethal oral infection with a virulent strain of Escherichia coli "Abbottstown". Piglets suckled on vaccinated or non-vaccinated sows were exposed to an infective challenge in the gastrointestinal tract and the relative pathology in test and control groups observed over the neonatal period. Death ensued in 76 per cent of piglets suckled on control sows and 26 per cent of piglets suckled on sows vaccinated by two intramuscular injections. Litters suckled on orally vaccinated sows were able to resist a similar infective challenge, there being only one fatality out of 42 piglets.