Serological characterization of Danish Haemophilus parasuis isolates

A total of 103 Danish Haemophilus parasuis field isolates was collected from diseased pigs in connection with routine diagnostics. The isolates were serotyped using indirect haemagglutination (IHA) and for 57 of the isolates the serotyping was also performed by immunodiffusion. Serovar 5 was the most prevalent (36%), followed by serovar 4 (13%) and serovar 13 (22%), whereas 15% of the strains were nontypeable by IHA. Serovars 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 12, 14, and 15 were only represented by a small number of isolates. Most of the Danish isolates belong to serovars, which earlier have been shown to be virulent. The strains could be divided into two groups depending on whether they were isolated from cases with systemic disease (polyserositis, arthritis or meningitis) or if they only were found in the lower respiratory tract. The most marked differences were observed for serovar 4, which had a higher prevalence in respiratory disease compared to systemic infection, and for the nontypeable isolates, which were mainly found in cases of systemic infection.     

Risk characterisation and management of sewage sludge on agricultural land-implications for the environment and the food-chain

The disposal of sewage wastes may cause severe environmental problems as was graphically demonstrated with pollution on Sydney's ocean beaches in recent years. Sewage sludges contain valuable plant nutrients and organic matter which can improve the fertility and structure of the soil. However, human parasites, pathogenic micro-organisms and chemicals capable of causing soil contamination, phytotoxicity and residues in animal products may also be present. Although sewage sludge is frequently spread on agricultural land overseas, it is not common in Australia and most states do not have specific regulations to minimise risk and promote good practice. A sludge-to-land program began in the Sydney region in 1990. It follows guidelines written by NSW Agriculture to encourage beneficial agricultural use of sludge by adoption of environmentally sustainable practices. This article describes the major risks to the food-chain and the environment, which may be associated with applying sewage sludge to agricultural land. It summarises how the risks are managed, and where further research data are required.     

Characteristics of the Conglutinating Substance of Sheep Serum

The conglutinating factor in sheep serum was characterized utilizing its ability to react with sensitized erythrocytes which had been alexinated with horse complement. The conglutinating substance in sheep serum was inactivated by the action of 2-mercaptoethanol, did not require calcium ions for its activity, was not inhibited by N-acetyl-D-glucosamine or L-fucose sugars and did not react directly with zymosan. All these activities distinguish this serum factor from bovine conglutinin. These data show that the conglutinating factor in sheep serum is an immunoconglutinin. Reactivity of sheep immunoconglutinin with both heterologous and autologous complement was demonstrated.     

Primary anconeal fracture in a boxer

A 14-month-old speyed female Boxer was presented with acute non-weight-bearing lameness in the right forelimb. Radiography revealed separation of the anconeal process, which was thence surgically removed. Histological examination of the anconeal process confirmed a primary fracture. Isolated unilateral anconeal process fracture in the dog is rare and this report includes histopathological findings of a primary anconeal fracture.     

Agglutination tests and their modifications in the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis

This article reviews the effects of using Yersinia enterocolitica serotype: 09 somatic antigen in diagnostic tests for brucellosis. The tests employed include the standard tube agglutination test, the microplate agglutination test, the quantitative plate agglutination test, the growth agglutination test and the indirect hemagglutination technique. Only the growth agglutination technique demonstrated an increased sensitivity over the STAT. Neither the microplate agglutination test nor quantitative plate tests offered any significant advantages over the STAT. The QPAT using Brucella O antigen was clearly subject to false negative results. The indirect hemagglutination technique showed extreme variation in results, the significance of which (if any) was unclear.     

Prevalence of Antibodies to Swine Influenza Virus, Porcine Adenovirus Type 4 and Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae in Quebec Pig Farms with Respiratory Problems

The prevalence of antibodies to three etiological agents involved in swine pneumonia was determined in Quebec pig farms which had experienced problems of mild to severe respiratory problems. Of the 350 sera collected from adults pigs, 67.0%, 18.3% and 46.6% had antibody titers to Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae type 1 and/or 5, to porcine adenovirus type 4 and to swine influenza virus, respectively. Comparatively, the serological prevalence rates for Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae, porcine adenovirus and swine influenza virus were 43.7%, 0% and 3.3% in farms not experiencing respiratory problems.     

Breeding Soundness Evaluation and Semen Analysis for Predicting Bull Fertility

Bull fertility is influenced by numerous factors. Although 20–40% of bulls in an unselected population may have reduced fertility, few are completely sterile. Breeding soundness refers to a bull's ability to get cows pregnant. A standard breeding soundness evaluation identifies bulls with substantial deficits in fertility, but does not consistently identify sub-fertile bulls. In this regard, the use of frozen-thawed semen (from bulls in commercial AI centres) that meets minimum quality standards can result in pregnancy rates that differ by 20–25 percentage points. Although no single diagnostic test can accurately predict variations in fertility among bulls that are producing apparently normal semen, recent studies suggested that a combination of laboratory tests were predictive of fertility. This review is focused on recent developments in prediction of bull fertility, based on assessments at the molecular, cellular and whole-animal levels.     

Co‐culture of Buffalo Preantral Follicles with Different Somatic Cells

The effect of co‐culture of buffalo preantral follicles (PFs) with different somatic cells, i.e, cumulus, granulosa, ovarian mesenchymal and oviductal epithelial cells was studied. Large PFs (250–450 μm) were isolated by microdissecting the trypsin (1%) digested ovarian cortical slices. Cumulus cells were isolated by repeated pipetting of oocytes, granulosa cells were isolated by aspirating from punctured PFs and ovarian mesenchymal cells were isolated from ovarian cortex by scraping the cortical slices and passing through 20 μm filter. Preantral follicles were cultured in standard culture medium without somatic cells or co‐cultured with cumulus cells, granulosa cells, ovarian mesenchymal cells and oviductal epithelial cells for 80 days. The growth rate (μm/day) of the PFs was monitored by measuring follicular diameter on day 0, 30, 60 and 80 days of culture. The viability of PFs was evaluated by trypan blue staining. The results indicated that PFs co‐cultured with cumulus, granulosa and ovarian mesenchymal cells had a better development and survivality compared with control and those co‐culture with oviductal epithelial cells. Maximum growth and survivality of PFs were achieved when cultured with cumulus cells. It is concluded that inclusion of somatic cells in PF culture media had beneficial effect on the growth of PFs and cumulus cells supported maximum growth and survivality of PFs in vitro of all somatic cells tested.