Preparation, control and application of anthrax vaccine in USSR

Reported in this paper are the preparation, testing and application of two live vaccines against anthrax in the USSR. They were STI live vaccine in liquid and lyophilised forms and GHKI live vaccine in lyophilised form. Official tests for purity were conducted, using growth factors of cultures, whereas harmlessness was tested on rabbit and effectiveness on guinea-pig and later on sheep, after some five years had elapsed. Quantitative methods by which to test the effectiveness of VGNKI are now being prepared. Immunisation for prophylaxis or emergency are undertaken, depending on epizootiological situations. Major importance is ascribed to keeping, feeding, general nutrition and performance, latent infections, and meteorological factors which can all be of impact on immunogenicity and postvaccinal complications. Anthrax has been eliminated in the USSR, with only few sporadic outbreaks left, owing to immunisation and complementary action in veterinary hygiene.     

Streptococcal infection as a cause of reproductive tract problems of swine

This study determined that streptococci were the etiological agents responsible for a high percentage of breeding sows experiencing infertility and abortions.No isolations of virus were obtained from fetuses, or placentae. There was no positive serology obtained from sows that aborted when tested for evidence of virus, leptospira, brucella, and eperythrozoon antibodies. Streptococci were the predominant isolates obtained from the genito-urinary tract of sows and boars. Cultures were taken from 75 sows and 46 (61%) yielded hemolytic streptococci; 27 of these streptococci belonged to a specific serogroup. Of the 75 sows studied, 46 were infected, and of these, nine aborted, 14 were infertile, and 23 farrowed normally. There was a significantly (P < 0.02) higher number of sows that had abortions or were infertile in the infected group. A random sample of 18 sows given penicilin therapy indicated a significant benefit from treatment (P < 0.02) in the reproductive performance of infected animals.Twelve out of 16 boars yielded hemolytic streptococci with seven isolated being of a specific serogroup.The percentage distribution of all streptococci isolates belonging to a specific serogroup was 63.4% group C, 22% group D, and 7.3% each fooup A and G.     

Osteomedullography in estimating the consolidation of long bone fractures in the dog

Six canine long bone fractures with delayed or non-union were investigated using osteomedullography. The contrast medium crossed the fracture (positive osteomedullography) in four cases. All contrast medium remained in the distal fragment (negative osteomedullography) in two cases. The fractures with the negative finding were operated upon using bone grafts. Conservative fracture treatment using transfixation or plaster cast was continued in the positive cases. All the fractures united from 9 to 15 weeks after the examination and treatment. Osteomedullography proved to be a reliable method for identifying which non-union fractures require further operative treatment for healing.