Experimental infection with Mycobacterium avium, serotype 2, in pigs. 1. Intravenous inoculations

A porcine strain of Mycobacterium avium, Serotype 2, was used for intravenous inoculation of pigs in doses 5, 1, 10⁻¹, 10⁻² and 10⁻³ mg (1 mg = 78 × 10⁶ viable units), 2 pigs per dose.Dose 5 mg proved fatal for both of the inoculated pigs, which were killed in extremis 64 and 69 days, respectively, after inoculation. Dose 1 mg caused clinical disease in 1 of 2 pigs, but was not lethal. Post mortem, the clinically affected pigs showed a generalized granulomatous tuberculosis. The other pig given 1 mg and the pigs given smaller doses, showed no clinical signs, and lesions and presence of acid-fasts were mostly limited to the lymph nodes of the lung, liver and digestive tract.All the pigs showed delayed hypersensitivity to avian PPD tuberculin (1000 t.u.) and some of them cross-reacted with human PPD tuberculin (1000 t.u.). The clinically affected pigs gave a very weak response to tuberculin, the others a strong response.The smallest dose capable of establishing an infection and producing tuberculous lesions was not determined, but seems to be less than 10⁻³ mg (78000 viable organisms).     

Bacterial endocarditis in the dog

The literature on bacterial endocarditis is reviewed. The condition is illustrated by three cases in which the findings on clinical, radiological, electrocardiographical, bacteriological and post-mortem examinations are described. In one case a 2-year-old Boxer, the causal organism was an atypical Corynebacterium and in another, a 6-year-old Alsatian, it was Proteus vulgaris . Neither of these organisms have been previously associated with canine bacterial endocarditis. The third case is an example of a chronic, long standing lesion, from which no organisms were isolated.     

Neutralizing activity in the gastrointestinal contents of piglets vaccinated with an ethylenimine-inactivated porcine enterovirus.

The T80 strain of porcine enterovirus was rapidly and completely inactiviated by ethylenimine in a reaction which appeared to follow first order kinetics. The virus was effectively concentrated 35- to 88-fold, with recovery rates of 23 t0 53%, by adsorption to the polyelectrolyte PE60. Multiple doses of adjuvanted, PE60-concentrated, ethylenimine-inactivated T80 virus given by both the oral and subcutaneous routes induced the appearance of significant levels of virus neutralizing activity in the gastrointestinal tract of piglets vaccinated at four weeks of age. This activity, found predominantly in large intestine, was present 14 days after administration of the first dose of vaccine and significant levels of activity were still detectable six weeks later. Titres of serum virus neutralizing activity were higher and more persistent than in piglets which received live or formaldehyde-inactivated T80 virus by the oral or intramuscular routes.     

An Evaluation of Cardioplasty for Achalasia of the Oesophagus in the Dog

Abstract— Thirty-one cases of achalasia of the oesophagus in the dog were diagnosed during seven years. Thirteen cases could not be operated upon, because of death before operation or refusal by the owners. In eighteen cases with cardioplasty, seven were lost for a variety of reasons, some concerned with the operation, others not. Asphyxia by aspiration or foreign body pneumonia was shown to be an important cause of death before or after operation.
Résumé— Trente-et-un cas d'achalasie de l'oesophage chez le chien ont été diagnostiqués pendant sept ans. Treize cas n'ont pas pu éCtre opérés à cause de mort avant l'opération ou à cause du refus de leurs matres. De dix-huit cas avec cardioplastie, sept ont été perdus pour une variété de raisons liées ou pas avec l'opération. Asphyxie par aspiration ou pneumonie par corps étrangers ont été des causes importantes de mort, avant ou après l'opération.
Zusammenfassung— Im Laufe von sieben Jahren wurden einunddreissig Fälle von Achalasie der Speiseröhre beim Hund festgestellt. Davon konnten dreizehn Fälle infolge Todes vor der Operation bzw. durch Verweigerung der Besitzer nicht operiert werden. Von achtzehn Fällen entfielen bei Anwendung der Kardioplastik sieben aus Operationsgruenden und anderen Ursachen. Es wurde bewiesen, dass die Todesursache vor und nach der Operation die Erstickung durch Aspirierung oder durch Fremdkörper hervorgerufene Lungenentzündung war.     

An invasive procedure for in utero fetal electrocardiology: recording of fetal electrocardiograms by applying electrodes through the uterus.

An in utero technique was developed that allows direct access to the canine fetus for experimentation. This procedure reduces the need for fetal manipulation and umbilical blood flow compromise and reduces fetal fluid loss. In pregnant bitches, uterine horns could be delivered through a ventral midline incision. By manipulating the fetal membranes, and positioning the fetuses through them, electrodes could be inserted subcutaneously in the fetuses. Electrocardiograms satisfactory for interpretation were obtained from as many as 4 fetuses in a bitch for periods up to postoperative week 3.