Distribution of lesions in ovine salmonellosis

SUMMARY Four forms of salmonellosis were recognised in feedlots and during transport by sea: septicaemic, and acute, subacute and chronic enteric. The severity and distribution of lesions in the enteric forms varied according to the progression of the pathological process. The acute disease involved the abomasum and small intestine whereas the subacute disease centred on the lower small intestine and upper large intestine. Chronic disease involved considerable mucosal repair in the ileum, caecum and proximal colon. Septicaemic salmoneiiosis was often accompanied by acute enteritis and occasionally by cholecystitis. S typhimurium was the most frequently encountered serotype.     

Ultrastructural observations on the cellular response of carp, Cyprinus carpio L., to eggs of the blood fluke Sanguinicola inermis Plehn, 1905 (Trematoda: Sanguinicolidae)

Abstract. The cellular response, within the kidney of experimentally infected carp to the presence of eggs of the blood fluke Sanguinicola inermis has been investigated using transmission electron microscopy. Initially, 0–1-wcck-old eggs were surrounded by host eosinophils which degranulated and broke down adjaeent to the egg shell. Infiltration by neutrophils and monocytes occurred around 1–2-week-old eggs. Eggs at 2–3 weeks of age began to become encapsulated, although the first signs of structural damage appeared when the eggs were 5–6 weeks of age.     

Evidence that superficial branchial colonies on the gills of Salmo salar L. are not Aeromonas salmonicida

Abstract. The indirect immunoperoxidase technique (IPT) was used to examine specific superficial colonies of organisms observed on the gills of salmonids. The evidence obtained suggested that the superficial colonies were not a form of Aeromonas salmonicida , the causative agent of furunculosis. Application of the IPT to bacterial smears and previously stained histological sections from a case of furunculosis, confirmed the sensitivity of the technique and suggested the presence of common antigens between A. salmonicida and members of the Vibrionaceae, Pseudomonaceae and Enterobacteriaceae.     

Histopathology of vitamin C deficiency in a cichlid, Cichlasoma urophthalmus (Günther)

Abstract. This paper describes the histopathological changes observed in the Mexican native cichlid Cichlasoma urophthalmus (Günther) when try with an initial weight of between 160 and 170 mg were fed with diets deficient in vitamin C for 90 days. The epidermis showed an extensive inflammatory response, with spongiosis and also degenerative changes in the basal cells. Muscle showed a range of pathological changes including inflammation, changes in the number and position of the nuclei, vacuolation and necrosis, granular degeneration, and fibre loss. Gills showed thickening of the primary lamellae, oedema, hyperplasia, telangiectasis and atrophy of the bony supporting structures. Ganglia and neurones of nervous tissue were abnormal with changes which ranged from slight inflammation to central chromatolysis. The hepalopanereas was also affected and focal necrosis of the hepatocytes was frequently observed. The pancreas showed major changes with shrinkage of the acinar cells and reduction of zymogen granule content. Fish fed diets containing 0 and 40 mg vitamin C kg^-1 of diet were infected with Mycobacterium sp. and miliary tuberculosis was found affecting kidney, spleen, choroid gland, stomach, heart and muscle. The association between fish tuberculosis and vitamin C deficiency is discussed.     

Further consideration of the haematology of proliferative kidney disease (PKD) in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

Abstract. A study of selected haematological parameters in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, exposed to proliferative kidney disease (PKD) under field conditions is described. Changes in the blood picture are related to kidney pathology at different stages of the disease. As extensive renal vascular pathology, haemoglobin crystallization and inflammatory lesions developed, there were progressive decreases in haemoglobin and packed cell volume values, erythrocyte numbers declined to less than 50% of those in control fish, and numbers of misshapen erythrocytes increased. Leucopenia, neutrophilia and thrombocytopenia developed, especially in oedematous fish. With recovery, most values were similar to those of control fish. In recovered, re-challenged fish, erythrocyte counts, packed cell volume and haemoglobin values decreased in infected fish compared with uninfected fish. The results of the study are compared with those of other authors and the type of anaemia in PKD is discussed.     

Development of monoclonal antibodies to PK'X', the causative agent of proliferative kidney disease

Abstract. Two monoclonal antibody probes were produced against PK'X' cells. The parasites were partially purified by filtration and centrifugation of kidney tissue from rainbow trout with proliferative kidney disease and used as antigen for immunization of mice. The resulting monoclonal antibodies reacted with PK'X' cell antigens in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry tests. One antibody (Mab 12) appeared to be specific for PK'X'in kidney tissue, while the other (Mab 18) cross-reacted with host cell antigens in the kidney tubules. These probes are invaluable tools for the investigation of parasite surface antigens and life cycle studies.     

Chemical Composition, in vitro digestibility and in vitro VTA concentrations of New Mexico native forages

Comparative chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, and in vitro volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration and molar proportions of current year's growth of twelve important native New Mexico forage species were evaluated. Volatile fatty acid data were collected on forage samples subjected to 12-h in vitro digestion using two different inoculum sources. Forbs and shrubs had higher ( P <0·05) total nitrogen and total available- nitrogen concentrations than grasses; however available nitrogen as a percentage of total nitrogen did not differ ( P >0·05) among grasses forbs and shrubs. in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) was higher (PKOOS) for forbs and shrubs than grasses for all incubation periods (24, 48, 72 hours). Lucerne hay and prairie grass hay inocula gave similar IVOMD results. Based on 24-h IVOMD divided by 72-h IVOMD, forbs were digested more rapidly than grasses ( P <0·05). Total VFA concentration and molar proportion differences among grasses, forbs and shrubs were small