The isolation and serology of the "FSA" Brucella melitensis Rev. 1 mutant in a flock of sheep

A flock of sheep, known to be infected with the "FSA" mutant of Brucella melitensis Rev. 1, was examined serologically and bacteriologically to determine whether any relationship existed which would help in the control of this infection in the field. An attempt was also made to determine whether vertical transmission occurred. Twenty-one out of 62 sheep were bacteriologically positive. The best organs for isolation were the udder, supramammary lymphnodes and uterus. No significant relationship could be shown between the complement fixation test and bacterial isolation. The absence of any relationship between serological and bacteriological results agrees with a short-lived infection. None of the 24 lambs sacrificed at 5 months showed either serological reactions or were bacteriologically positive, thus no vertical transmission could be shown.     

The prevalence of mastitis in primiparous heifers in eleven Waikato dairy herds

The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of mastitis among primiparous heifers at calving and at drying off in 11 Waikato dairy herds during the 1993-94 dairy production season. Duplicate quarter milk samples were collected aseptically from 458 heifers within 5 days after calving for bacteriological analysis. Mastitis was diagnosed in at least one quarter in 35.6% of these heifers. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were isolated from 21.8% of the heifers. The prevalence of coagulase-negative staphylococci varied between herds from 4.3% to 44.8%. Environmental streptococci caused mastitis in 12.2% of heifers, ranging from 5.6% to 24.1% between herds. Streptococcus uberus was the pathogen identified most frequently at calving and accounted for more than 90% of the streptococcal isolates. Staphylococcus aureus and coliforms were isolated from less than 1% of samples. Clinical mastitis was observed in 8.1% of heifers at calving; environmental streptococci were isolated from 67.6% of these clinical clinical cases. Only 2.8% of heifers developed clinical mastitis during lactation and environmental streptococci were isolated from 38.5% of these cases. The prevalence of mastitis among 428 of the heifers at drying off was 64.7%; a 1.8 fold increase during lactation. Corynebactetium bovis was isolated from 43% of heifers at drying off even though it was not isolated from any heifers at calving. During the season, the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus mastitis increased to 2.8% while mastitis caused by environmental streptococci declined to 2.8%. The prevalence of environmental mastitis pathogens decreased during lactation while contagious pathogens increased in each of the 11 herds. Ineffective post-milking teat sanitation probably contributed to the increase in mastitis caused by contagious pathogens. Specific factors were not determined that affected the variation in prevalence between herds.     

Severe hypophosphataemia associated with the management of hyperlipaemia in a miniature pony

This report describes a case of severe hypophosphataemia associated with the management of hyperlipaemia in a miniature pony following colic surgery. Clinical signs attributed to hypophosphataemia included obtundation, anorexia, tachycardia, tachypnoea and generalised muscle fasciculations. Hyperlipaemia was managed with enteral and partial parenteral nutrition; insulin was also administered to control hyperglycaemia after the initiation of caloric support. Specific therapy for hypophosphataemia consisted of parenteral potassium phosphate at 0.03 mmol/kg bwt/h (i.v.). The pony made a full recovery without further complications. Hypophosphataemia may be an under‐recognised clinical problem in certain populations of critically ill equids, such as those with hyperlipaemia and receiving insulin as part of their management. The routine measurement of phosphate concentration in these cases is recommended.     

The Seismic Structure of the Sun

Global Oscillation Network Group data reveal that the internal structure of the sun can be well represented by a calibrated standard model. However, immediately beneath the convection zone and at the edge of the energy-generating core, the sound-speed variation is somewhat smoother in the sun than it is in the model. This could be a consequence of chemical inhomogeneity that is too severe in the model, perhaps owing to inaccurate modeling of gravitational settling or to neglected macroscopic motion that may be present in the sun. Accurate knowledge of the sun's structure enables inferences to be made about the physics that controls the sun; for example, through the opacity, the equation of state, or wave motion. Those inferences can then be used elsewhere in astrophysics.