Spectrum of species and infection frequency of endoparasites in bitches and their puppies in south Germany

Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, hookworms, Trichuris vulpis, Strongyloides, Hammondia heydorni, Sarcocystis spp., Isospora canis and Isospora ohioensis and/or Isospora burrowsi of at least 9 species were detected in 100 randomly selected dog families in Southern Germany. Examinations carried out 5 to 9 times at weekly intervals revealed a monoinfection in 37 litters, infection with two parasite species in 28 litters, with three species in 10 litters and with four species in 6 litters. During the investigation period, 29 of the examined litters did not excrete helminth eggs, and, of these, 19 also did not excrete oocysts/sporocysts. In order of decreasing frequency among the dog families, the excretion extent of the litters and their mothers was as follows: Toxocara canis 67% and 45%, Isospora ohioensis/burrowsi 36% and 24%, Sarcocystis spp. 12% and 19%, Isospora canis 16% and 8%, Hammondia heydorni 7% and 6%, hookworms 6% and 7% and Toxascaris leonina 3% and 8%, respectively. Trichuris vulpis and Strongyloides eggs were only detected in 6 and 3 of the bitches, respectively.     

Pathogenicity of peste des petits ruminants virus isolated from Egyptian goats in Egypt

2 Egyptian goats and Boscat rabbits were experimentally inoculated with peste des petits ruminants (PPR) local Egyptian strain (PPR, Egypt 87). The inoculated animals contracted the disease with minor clinical manifestations, accompanied by rise of neutralizing antibodies to PPR virus. Virus was isolated from ocular and nasal secretions, buffy coat, spleen, and liver. No contact infection was observed between inoculated and healthy goats.     

Monoclonal antibodies identify phenotypically and functionally distinct cell types in the bovine lymphoid system

Monoclonal antibodies were produced against bovine lymphoid cells. The reactivities of the antibodies for membrane determinants were examined on both cell suspensions and cryostat tissue sections prepared from bovine blood, thymus, spleen and lymph nodes. The antibodies were putatively grouped into sets which reacted with monomorphic and polymorphic determinants associated with bovine class I and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens (MAbs P12 and P3, and R1 and P2 respectively), or associated with differentiation antigens expressed on T cells and monocytes (MAb P5) or exclusively on monocytes (MAb P8). The antibodies were used to identify the surface phenotypes of cells which stimulate (R1+ P5+ P8+) and proliferate (R1- P5+ P8-) in the bovine mixed leukocyte cultures, and cells which proliferate in response to the mitogen, concanavalin A (R1- P5+).     

Toxic elements in the sex organs of the cow and their relationship to fertility

The content of heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Pb, Cr, Cu and Zn) has been determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in parts of genital organs of cows with and without reproductive disorders, in blood, in placenta, in colostrum, and in the calf blood. The samples were collected in an industrially polluted area and in a relatively non-polluted area. It has been proven in the group of 99 cows that the biological quality of the oestrous cervical mucus is also influenced by toxic elements. The best conception rate after the artificial insemination (80.0%) has been found in cows with the cervical mucus without spermiotoxic properties. The genital organs of 49 cows culled because of reproductive disorders were examined. No significant differences in the content of heavy metals have been found in the separate parts of genital organs. There were also no differences between the cows with and without reproductive disorders. Toxic elements in blood have been found in cows after parturition and in newborn calves both in the polluted and the non-polluted areas. However, significant differences (p less than 0.01) were determined only in the content of Cd and Zn. The average content of all determined toxic elements in the samples of placenta in pluriparous and primiparous cows from the polluted and non-polluted areas was approximately at the same level. The content of Zn was 4.3 times higher than the hygienic standard in the colostrum of cows from the polluted area. The content of Zn exceeded the hygienic standard also in the non-polluted area, and the content of Cd and Hg was close to the hygienic standard there.     

Hemolytic potential of guaifenesin in cattle

The hemolytic effect on bovine red blood cells of 5%, 10%, and 15% guaifenesin solutions in 5% dextrose, 0.9% saline (NaCl), or distilled water was determined in vitro at 2 plasma concentrations (250 micrograms/ml, 500 micrograms/ml). A solution of 5% guaifenesin in a 5% dextrose solution or 5% guaifenesin in 0.9% saline produced minimal hemolysis in vitro. The amount of hemolysis of bovine red blood cells in vitro was related to the concentration of guaifenesin, diluent (5% dextrose, 0.9% NaCl, distilled water) and the plasma concentration of guaifenesin. In addition, plasma hemoglobin was determined in 4 adult dairy cows following the IV administration of 5% and 10% guaifenesin. These studies suggest that a solution of 5% guaifenesin in 5% dextrose is the most suitable solution for clinical use in cattle.     

Clinical and pathological effects of the dermonecrotic toxin of Bordetella bronchiseptica and Pasteurella multocida in specific-pathogen-free piglets

The role of dermonecrotic toxin (DNT) of Bordetella bronchiseptica and Pasteurella multocida, purified by repeated chromatography in Sephacryl S-200 gel, in the pathogenesis of atrophic rhinitis (AR) of swine was studied bacteriologically, clinically and pathologically. Two-week-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) piglets were parenterally treated with 30 micrograms of DNT 3 times at 2-day interval and 7-week-old piglets were treated with 15 micrograms of DNT twice a week for 5 weeks. In 2- to 3-week-old piglets, both B. bronchiseptica DNT and P. multocida DNT produced nasal turbinate lesions with similar severity, characterized by damage of the cilia, epithelial metaplasia, intensive proliferation of osteoblasts, regressive changes, and diffuse osteocytic osteolysis. In 7- to 12-week-old piglets, treatment with B. bronchiseptica DNT failed to produce progressive changes in the nasal turbinates. Histopathological examination revealed osteogenic processes and osteoid synthesis besides the proliferation of osteoblasts and mild osteocytic osteolysis. Moreover, severe gross pathological lesions developed in the stomach, liver, kidneys, and lymphoid organs. The piglets' appetite and body weight gain gradually decreased during the DNT treatment and in the last week when the toxic signs appeared. Treatment of 7- to 12-week-old piglets with P. multocida DNT resulted in progressive AR. Histopathologically, diffuse osteocytic osteolysis was observed in the nasal turbinates. Neither clinical signs nor pathological lesions of the visceral organs developed in these piglets. The authors emphasize that the DNT of B. bronchiseptica basically differs from that of P. multocida in biological properties, though there are certain similarities between the DNTs.     

Pathophysiology of the periparturient egg rise in sheep: the role of prolactin

The involvement of prolactin in the periparturient rise in the faecal nematode egg count in sheep was investigated. Ostertagia circumcincta larvae (5000 third stage larvae three times weekly) were administered to adult immune ewes from three weeks before parturition to three weeks afterwards. Ten ewes were injected twice daily with 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine (bromocriptine), an antagonist of prolactin secretion, for two weeks starting two days after lambing while 10 ewes remained untreated. Bromocriptine treatment was initiated approximately two weeks pre partum in three other ewes. Plasma pepsinogen concentrations rose significantly by one week after the start of O circumcincta larval challenge in all the ewes but faecal egg counts remained negative until approximately one week post partum. Plasma prolactin concentration was reduced to a very low level in all bromocriptine treated ewes but this did not alter the dynamics of the periparturient rise in faecal egg counts. Neither cell-mediated nor humoral immunity of the ewes, as assessed by their sensitivity to BCG inoculation and by antibody titre raised against horse red blood cells, respectively, were impaired during the rise in faecal egg count, nor were these parameters altered by manipulation of plasma prolactin concentration. Lamb growth rate was not retarded by low plasma prolactin concentration in the bromocriptine treated ewes. These results are not consistent with the generally held hypothesis that elevated plasma prolactin concentration is directly associated with the periparturient rise.     

Detection of African horsesickness (AHS) in recently vaccinated horses with inactivated vaccine in Qatar

Two 7-year old Arabian racing horses were reported to show typical AHS symptoms in Qatar and died shortly after. The horses had been vaccinated with formol inactivated vaccine approximately 10 days before the onset of the disease. Blood samples from these horses were collected and AHS virus isolated from one sample after intracerebral (i.c.) inoculation into suckling mice. The virus identity was confirmed by complement fixation test (CFT) using the virus antigen and reference type 9 of AHS virus hyperimmune serum. The serotype of the isolated virus was identified by serum neutralization test (SNT) using reference types of AHS virus. Two possibilities of the original source of this infection were suggested. The infection might be due first to the natural endemic occurrence of the virus in the country and secondly, to the presence of residual infectious virus in the inactivated vaccine.     

Non‐linear thermodynamic laws application to soil processes

An attempt has been made to analyze the possibility to use nonequilibrium thermodynamics for the soil dynamic open systems’ treatment. Entropy change of such a system is expressed by the entropy sum produced within the system and the entropy coming from or going into the outer sphere.

In the steady state, dynamic soil‐formation processes occur within an organized structure and are characterized by stable parameters close to equilibrium. Accordingly, when examining soil, one can proceed from the conventional thermodynamic equilibrium. However, the matter of Onzager‐Prigozhin general phenomenological theory applicability to soil processes is more complicated. To study soil stability it is necessary to go beyond the limits of linear thermodynamics.