The problem of escalating resistance of Haemonchus contortus to the modern anthelmintics in South Africa

During the past decade in South Africa there has been a continual increase in sheep of strains of gastrointestinal helminths resistant to the modern anthelmintics. Five strains of Haemonchus contortus are described in this paper. Despite the fact that 2 of the 5 strains were tested for susceptibility only to ivermectin, a total of 10 instances of resistance were found. Four of the 5 strains were resistant to ivermectin, 2 to closantel, 2 to rafoxanide and 2 to the benzimidazoles. One of these strains was concurrently resistant to 3 different anthelmintic groups, namely, the ivermectins, the benzimidazoles and the salicylanilides. Resistance to ivermectin developed in 2 strains of H. contortus after a history of only 3 treatments with this compound in one instance and 11 treatments in the other. In the latter case drenching with ivermectin was well interspersed with that of other anthelmintics. This rapid development of resistance suggests that there may be cross-resistance between ivermectin and another anthelmintic group. Two of the ivermectin resistant strains were recovered from separate properties in the south-western Cape Province, where Ostertagia circumcincta, which is usually the dominant parasite in this region, was virtually eliminated by the anthelmintic treatment. On each of these properties it was apparently replaced by a resistant strain of H. contortus. A serious threat to control is the dissemination of worm strains with multiple resistance to anthelmintics. The strain of H. contortus resistant to 3 anthelmintic groups has already been widely dispersed, as the farmer concerned suddenly decided to give up farming with sheep and to sell his flock.     

Effect of virginiamycin on carbohydrate and protein metabolism in the rumen in vitro

The effect of virginiamycin in incubations of rumen fluid with carbohydrate or protein substrate was investigated. In carbohydrate incubations, methane production was partially inhibited while propionate proportions increased. Total microbial growth was slightly decreased, but net microbial growth was considerably lower. Protein degradation was slightly lowered after addition of virginiamycin. These effects were compared with results obtained with other rumen manipulating additives.     

Influence of time of transition from night to day temperature regimes on incidence of Didymella bryoniae and influence of the disease on growth and yield of glasshouse cucumbers

The influence of transition from night to day temperature 3 h before, 1 h before, 1h after and 3 h after sunrise on the incidence ofDidymella bryoniae was studied both on inoculated and on uninoculated glasshouse-grown cucumber plants. The effect of inoculation on plant growth and fruit production was studied as well.The later the transition to day temperature took place, the longer were the periods with a high relative air humidity and of condensation of water on fruits.The time of transition had no effect on plant growth, yield, disease incidence on growing tips, number of lesions on the main stems of uninoculated plants and external fruit rot. The later the transition to day temperature took place, the more lesions on the main stem of inoculated plants appeared and the higher was the incidence of internal fruit rot.Inoculation of plants increased the number of lesions on the main stem, the disease incidence on growing tips, the production of misshapen fruits and the internal and external fruit rot. The number of secondary side shoots was incrreased but the total number of their internodes was reduced by inoculation.Inoculation caused an 18% reduction in number of internodes over a period of four weeks and a 10% reduction in number of fruits in the corresponding harvest period.The consequences of a more humid glasshouse climate and of a high infection pressure ofD. bryoniae for the grower are briefly discussed.Samenvatting De invloed van het 3 uur vóór, 1 urr vóór, 1 uur na en 3 uur na zonsopgang overgaan van de nacht-naar de dagtemperatuur op het optreden vanDidymella bryoniae werd zowel op geïnoculleerde als op niet-geïnocullerde planten van kaskomkommers onderzocht. De invloed van inoculatie op de groei van de planten en de produktie van vruchten werd eveneens nagegaan.Hoe later naar de dagtemperatuur werd overgegaan, hoe langer de perioden met een hoge relatieve luchtvochtigheid waren en hoe langer de perioden waarin condensatie van water op vruchten optrad.Het tijdstip van overgang had geen effect op de groei van de planten, de opbrengst, de aantasting van groeipunten, het aantal lesies op de hoofdstengel van niet geïnoculeerde planten en uitwendig vruchtrot. Hoe later naar de dagtemperatuur werd overgegaan, hoe meer lesies na vier weken op de hoofdstengel van geïnoculeerde planten en hoe meer vruchten met inwendig rot voorkwamen.Door inoculatie van de planten nam het aantal lesies op de hoofdstengel, de aantasting van groeipunten, de produktie van stekvruchten en het aantal vruchten met inen uitwendig rot toe. Het aantal zijscheuten van de tweede orde nam toe, maar het totaal aantal internodiën ervan nam door inoculatie af. Inoculatie reduceerde het aantal internodiën met 18% over een periode van vier weken en die van het aantal vruchten met 10% in de overeenkomstige oogstperiode. De praktische consequenties van eenSeconded to the Glashouse Crops Research and Experiment Station, Zuidweg 38, 2671 MN Naaldwijk, the Netherlands     

Effect of primary and recurrent infections bovine rhinotracheitis virus infection on the bovine ovary

Six heifers were inoculated IV at estrus with the Iowa or Colorado isolates of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV). Subsequent measurements of plasma progesterone indicated that corpus luteum function was depressed in all heifers. In the 1st estrous cycle after inoculation, progesterone values did not exceed 2 ng/ml in 3 heifers given the Iowa isolate. Although maximal progesterone values were greater than or equal to 2 ng/ml in 3 heifers given the Colorado isolate, values were lower than those in later cycles. Five heifers had maximal diestrual progesterone values greater than or equal to 5 ng/ml within 5 weeks after inoculation, but in the 6th heifer, this amount of progesterone was not present until 8 weeks after inoculation. Three to 5 months after inoculation, all heifers were given 5 daily injections of dexamethasone, 2 heifers each during metestrus, diestrus, or proestrus. Subsequent recrudescence of IBRV was demonstrated in all heifers by the isolation of virus from vaginal or nasal swab samples. The heifers were killed 10 to 17 days after initiation of dexamethasone treatment and their reproductive organs were examined for lesions and IBRV. Lesions were not seen, and IBRV was isolated only from the corpus luteum of a heifer given dexamethasone during diestrus.     

Levamisole pharmacokinetics and bioavailability in dogs

Levamisole was given intravenously and orally (with and without food) to six dogs. All dogs reacted adversely to intravenous dosage and one died. For the remaining five, intravenous data fitted a one compartment model with first order elimination and a mean half-time of elimination of 1.8 hours. In fasting dogs drug absorption from the gut was rapid and the mean fraction absorbed (F) was 0.64. When levamisole was given with food, drug bioavailability was impaired, as absorption was slowed and possibly reduced (F = 0.49). The effect of ingesta on bioavailability of levamisole could affect treatment efficacy and side effects.     

Isolation of pure Babesia equi and Babesia caballi organisms in splenectomized horses from endemic areas in South Africa

Both Babesia equi and Babesia caballi are endemic in large parts of South Africa. Attempts were made to obtain pure local isolates of both B. equi and B. caballi for the purpose of developing serological tests to study the epidemiology of equine babesiosis in this country. The indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to screen horses for B. equi and B. caballi in an endemic area. Seven horses and 3 donkeys between 3 and 36 months of age that tested negative were subsequently splenectomized. The splenectomy operation was performed through the abdominal approach. A 100% survival rate was achieved through this method, probably because it reduced the risk involved in the operation. Blood collected from naturally infected horses and passaged in fully susceptible splenectomized horses and a donkey, under laboratory conditions, produced 2 isolates of Babesia caballi and 1 of B. equi. Microscopical and serological examinations confirmed that these were pure isolates.     

Preputial foreign body in a bull

A preputial foreign body caused severe preputial swelling and depression in a 4-year-old Shorthorn bull. Disruption of the preputial epithelium by the foreign body resulted in abscess formation lateral to the prepuce. A patent urethral fistula, probably a complication of prior fibropapilloma excisional surgery, was also detected on the distal portion of the glans penis. Foreign body removal, antimicrobial administration, and warm hydrotherapy resolved the swelling and abscess. Electroejaculation was used to extend the penis and to minimize preputial adhesions. Breeding soundness examinations were used to evaluate breeding potential.     

The relationship between the microtitration serum agglutination and complement fixation tests in bovine brucellosis serology

The relationship between antibody titres in the microtitration serum agglutination test and the complement fixation test in bovine brucellosis is described. For low and high MSAT values there is good agreement between the 2 tests. This is not the case for MSAT values between 54 and 338 IU/ml. For practical reasons, results falling into this category cannot all be repeated. Repetitions are so structured that less than 4% of the tests need to be repeated. If the level of repetitions should show an increase above 4%, it is assumed that technical or human error has occurred.