ISOLATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF BOVINE HERPESVIRUS MAMMILLITIS VIRUS AND ITS PATHOGENICITY FOR CATTLE

Ten viruses isolated from swabs and vesicular fluid collected from the teats of dairy cattle on 4 properties in Northern Victoria were identified as bovine herpes mammillitis (BHM) viruses by their physico-chemical and morphological properties and serological relationship to each other and a Scottish Strain of BHM virus. The viruses, isolated in bovine kidney and testicular cell cultures, produced cytopathic effects characterised by very large syncytia and eosinophilic intranuclear inculsion bodies. The intradermal inoculation of BHM virus into two cattle produced necrosis and ulceration of the skin of the teats about the area of inoculation and the development of serum neutralising antibody. After healing of the ulcers on day 37 after inoculation, the cattle were intravenously inoculated with corticosteroid for 6 days but BHM virus was not re-isolated from the teat skin or vaginal or nasal swabs.     

Seroprevalence of psittacine beak and feather disease in wild psittacine birds in New South Wales

SUMMARY A haemagglutination inhibition assay was used to detect antibody to psittacine beak and feather disease virus in sera from wild sulphur crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita), galahs (Eolophus roseicapillus), short-billed corellas (Cacatua sanguinea), eastern long-billed corellas (Cacatua tenuirostris) and other psittacine birds in New South Wales. The seroprevalence of psittacine beak and feather disease ranged from 41% to 94% in different flocks, indicating infection with the virus is widespread in wild populations.     

Identification of toxigenic Pasteurella multocida in atrophic rhinitis of pigs by in vitro characterisation

Toxigenic strains of Pasteurella multocida were readily differentiated from non-toxigenic strains by an agarose overlay method using bovine turbinate cells or bovine lung cells. Cells which were young and densely confluent were best suited to this assay. The incubation period required to distinguish toxigenic strains was dependent on the confluence of the monolayers, which was affected by the seeding rate, cell passage level and growth time prior to overlay. The agarose overlay method correctly identified 11 of 11 reference strains of Pasteurella multocida, and visible cytotoxic changes were present in the monolayers after 48 to 65 h. Outbreaks of the enzootic form of atrophic rhinitis in 2 New South Wales piggeries were associated with the isolation of toxigenic type D strains of P. multocida.     

The effects of antigenic competition on the efficacy of multivalent footrot vaccines

SUMMARY A multivalent footrot vaccine has been developed, containing pilus antigens produced in recombinant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and representing all nine serogroups of Dichelobacter (Bacteroides) nodosus commonly recognised in the field. The responses of sheep to the multivalent vaccine have been compared with those to monovalent vaccines representing only a single serogroup. Antigenie competition between serogroups occurred in sheep immunised with the multivalent formulation, but high levels of protection were still achieved. The study showed that in multivalent footrot vaccines, antigenic competition is predominantly due to the presence of a family of immunologically-related pilus antigens rather than to interference by extraneous proteins.     

Infestation in the dog by the paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus 2. Blood-gas and pH, haematological and biochemical findings

Arterial blood-gas and pH, haematological and biochemical estimations were carried out on 8 dogs infested with Ixodes holocyclus and 2 uninfested controls. The arterial blood-gas and pH measurements did not change significantly until the dogs were recumbent and unable to lift their heads. When affected dogs became moribund, moderate hypoxaemia with acute ventilatory failure was present. The significant haematological and biochemical abnormalities were difficult to interpret individually, but taken together could reflect sympathetic stimulation of the adrenal cortex or medulla.     

Interactive dressings used in the management of human soft tissue injuries and their potential in veterinary practice

Abstract Interactive dressings have been successfully used in human wound management to modify the microenvironment at the wound interface to improve the conditions for tissue repair. Only minimal investigation has as yet been carried out to determine the comparative performance of these products in veterinary practice. Some confusion exists with reference to the performance profiles and composition of the product groups. This review will attempt to clarify these differences and indicate their potential for use in veterinary practice. Resumen En la especie humana, se han utilizado favorablemente vendajes interactivos en el manejo de heridas, para la modificación del microambiente a nivel de la interfase de la herida, mejorando las condiciones para la reparación del tejido. Solamente se ha llevado a cabo hasta el momento una investigación mínima para determinar el efecto comparativo de estos productos en veterinaria. Existe una cierta confusión por lo que refiere a los perfiles de rendimiento y composición de los distintos productos. Esta revisión intenta clarificar estas diferencias e indicar su potencial uso en veterinaria. [Turner, T.D. Interactive dressings used in the management of human soft tissue injuries and their potential in veterinary practice (Vendajes interactivos utilizados en el manejo de heridas en tejidos blandos humanos y su potencial en veterinaria). Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 235–242] Zusammenfassung Interaktives Verbandsmaterial wird in der Humanmedizin zur Wundversorgung erfolgreich angewendet, um die Mikroumwelt an der Wundoberfläche zu beeinflussen und so die Bedingungen zur Wundheilung zu verbessern. Bis jetzt wurden nur wenige Untersuchungen durchgeführt, die die Leistungsfähigkeit dieser Produkte in der Veterinärmedizin vergleichen. Es bestehen Unklarheiten bezüglich der Leistungsprofile und Zusammensetzung der Produktgruppen. In dieser Übersicht wird der Verusch unternommen, die Unterschiede herauszuarbeiten und das Verwendungspotential dieser Produkte in der Veterinärmedizin darzustellen. [Turner, T.D. Interactive dressings used in the management of human soft tissue injuries and their potential in veterinary practice (In der Humanmedizin verwendetes interaktives Verbandsmaterial und dessen Potential in der Veterinärmedizin). Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 235–242] Resumé Les pansements interactifs ont été utilises avec succès dans le traitement des plaies pour modifier le microenvironnement à l'interface des plaies afin d'améliorer les conditions de cicatrisation des tissus. Peu d'investigations ont été réalisées pour déterminer la performance comparative de ces produits en pratique vétérinaire. Des confusions existent concernant le profile de performance et la composition des groupes de produits. Cette revue essaye de clarifier ces différences et indique leur potentiel dans leur utilisation en pratique vétérinaire. [Turner, T.D. Interactive dressings used in the management of human soft tissue injuries and their potential in veterinary practice (Pansements interactifs utilisés dans le traitement des plaies des tissus mous chez l'humain et leur potentiel en pratique vétérinaire). Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 235–242]