Trout mortalities as a result of Streptococcus infection.

Excessive mortalities were experienced in the bigger rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) at an efficiently managed trout farm. All tests for known toxins in the feed and water proved to be negative. A faecal Streptococcus which belongs to the Lancefield group D but which could not be identified as belonging to any of the recognized species within this group, was isolated from the spleens, livers and kidneys of affected fish. Pathogenicity studies with this organism proved it to be highly fatal to trout but not to Mozambique bream (Sarotherodon mossambicus), banded bream (Tilapia sparrmenii), carp (Cyprinus carpio) or largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The isolation and biochemical characteristics of the organism are described. The symptoms, gross- and histopathology of this disease are described and discussed. The disease resembles a haemorrhagic septicaemia and appears to be associated with intensification and conditions of stress.     

The susceptibility of chicken kidney and oviduct organ cultures to a vaccine strain of avian infectious bronchitis virus.

The minimal infectious dose of the H52 strain of infectious bronchitis virus for organ cultures of oviduct and kidney was compared in chickens of different ages. Organ cultures of oviduct were found to be highly susceptible to infection regardless of the age of chicken and no difference in susceptibility could be demonstrated between cultures of the magnum and uterus regions of the mature oviduct. Kidney organ cultures were less susceptible and resistance to infection increased significantly (P less than 0.001) with the age of the chicken from which cultures were prepared.     

Intestinal defence of the neonatal pig: interrelationship of gut and mammary function providing surface immunity against colibacillosis.

The neonatal requirements for maternal passive immunity and the lactation immunobiology with regard to sow immunisation for neonatal protection are reviewed. A vaccination protocol which combines oral and parenteral antigen administration to produce antibody activity mediated mainly by IgM is described. Its efficacy in affording protection to neonatal piglets was tested against a lethal oral infection with a virulent strain of Escherichia coli "Abbottstown". Piglets suckled on vaccinated or non-vaccinated sows were exposed to an infective challenge in the gastrointestinal tract and the relative pathology in test and control groups observed over the neonatal period. Death ensued in 76 per cent of piglets suckled on control sows and 26 per cent of piglets suckled on sows vaccinated by two intramuscular injections. Litters suckled on orally vaccinated sows were able to resist a similar infective challenge, there being only one fatality out of 42 piglets.     

The blood volumes and erythrokinetics of Ndama and Zebu cattle experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei.

The responses of susceptible Ndama and Zebu cattle to experimental infection with Trypanosoma brucei were compared using haematological, parasitological and radioisotopic methods. Animals of both breeds became anaemic, but this was more severe in the Zebu cattle, one of which died. Although the prepatent period was the same in animals of both breeds, the levels of the first and subsequent peaks of parasitaemia were higher in the Zebu. The anaemia was due to an accelerated rate of red cell break-down which was more marked in the Zebu cattle. Haemodilution was not a feature. There was no evidence of dyshaemopoiesis but iron reutilisation from degraded erythrocytes was impaired. The greater resistance of the Ndama to T brucei infection could not be attributed to the capacity of this breed to mount a more effective erythropoietic response than the Zebu.     

Detection of the K99 antigen of Escherichia coli in calf faeces by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Summary An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is presented for the detection of the K99 antigen of Escherichia coli in calf faeces. False-positive reactions were not observed with K99-negative strains and with several viral antigens. Only bovine coronavirus caused slight positive reactions which could be eliminated by a blocking test. As compared with the conventional procedure for the detection of the K99 antigen, ELISA seemed to be at least as sensitive and had the advantage that samples could be stored at -20° C before testing. In addition many samples could be handled at the same time and the results became available quickly. By carrying out the assay as a blocking test, specific antibody against K99 in serum or colostrum could be detected and titrated.