Findings of Yersinia in slaughter pigs, synantropic animals and workers in meat products in a defined region

In 15 selected stocks in the Strakonice district, 507 slaughter pigs, 708 small terrestric mammals and 110 free-living birds were examined in a two-year period (1986-1987) to study the occurrence of carriers of yersiniae and their elimination. Rectal smears from 243 persons working in livestock production were examined in the same way. Standard bacteriological methods, recent examination procedures (Aulisio et al., 1980; Aldová, 1981) and a diagnostic antiserum (03 IMUNA Sarisské Michalany) were used for the examination. The following results were obtained: In pigs: 1. yersiniae were detected in 65 cases (12.8%); of this, in 31 cases they occurred in the tonsils, in 35 cases in ileum, and twice in the ileocaecal lymph nodes. 2. Epidemiologically significant Y. enterocolitica 4;03 was detected in 28 cases (5.5%); of this, 22 times in the tonsils, 7 times in ileum, and once in the ileocaecal lymph nodes. 3. The seasonal nature of the occurrence of yersiniae was confirmed in 1986, with maxima in winter-spring, but in 1987 their occurrence declined substantially to less than a quarter. In the small mammals, yersiniae were detected 28 times (4%); of this, 7 times in common field mouse, 11 times in common vole, 5 times in house mouse, twice in shrew, once in Apodemus flavicollis, and once in Apodemus sp. 2. Y. enterocolitica 4;03 was detected twice (0.26%), both cases in the house mouse. Other results: 1. In all the 110 free-living birds the examination for yersiniae had a negative result; 2. in the rectal smears of 243 persons employed in livestock production, yersiniae were identified twice (0.8%)--in one case Y. enterocolitica 1, in the other Y. enterocolitica biovars 1 and 2.     

Factors leading to spatiotemporal variability of soil moisture and turfgrass quality within sand-capped golf course fairways

Precision irrigation utilizing soil moisture data and valve-in head sprinkler systems may be a viable solution for sustainable water management on complex turfgrass areas. There is currently no research investigating the factors that influence soil moisture and turfgrass quality variability within sand-capped golf course fairways to aid in precision irrigation-related management decisions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to measure several turfgrass and soil characteristics from two sand-capped fairways during dry down events from either rainfall or irrigation to determine their relationship and contribution to soil moisture and turfgrass quality variability. Considerable spatiotemporal variability was observed within the two fairways during the dry down periods. Factors that were found to have a significant influence on soil moisture and turfgrass quality were sand capping depth, elevation, and thatch depth, but these relationships were not consistent between rainfall versus irrigation events, days after dry down, or even the specific fairways. Also, the direction of many of the relationships were opposite of what was expected. These findings highlight the complexity of soil moisture and turfgrass quality variability on sand-capped golf course fairways. To incorporate soil moisture sensor technologies into large-scale precision irrigation practices, mapping soil moisture with an understanding of contributing factors is a necessary preliminary step. Although there are several current practical limitations, the information presented in this study provides a foundation for future research.

     

Incidence of antibodies against leptospira in the blood of breeding sows

Within a year, 4438 blood sera of sows coming from 25 farms of the Strakonice district were subjected to serological examination by the reaction of microagglutination lysis (RMAL) with 12 strains of Leptospira. The reaction was positive in 3.22% of all the blood sera. Separate significant titres were demonstrated in the reaction with the Leptospira organisms of four serological groups, including Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Hebdomadis and Australis. The reactions with the Leptospira of the Canicola serological group were observed only individually as coagglutination with a simultaneous occurrence of antibodies to Leptospira of the Grippotyphosa serological group. The highest number of reactions 119 (75.8%) was demonstrated in titre 400.     

Occurrence of leptospiral antibodies in dogs in Brno and the surrounding area

A serological examination by the microagglutination reaction of lysis (RMAL) was performed with 12 leptospira strains to investigate 1272 blood serums of dogs coming for various kinds of treatment to the outpatient ward of the veterinary hospital. The higher infestation rate was recorded in the dogs from outside the city (14.08%) than in the city dogs (7.96%). A considerably high infestation was found in the dogs of the service breeds (13.47%). The males were infested more frequently (10.99%) than the bitches (7.22%). As for age, young dogs until the age of one year were found to be infested more frequently. Separate significant titres were demonstrated with the leptospira of the Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Sejroe, and Australis (L. bratislava) serological groups. Reactions with the leptospira of other groups were recorded only at low titres: they were as coagglutinations with parallel high-titre reactions with the leptospira of the Grippotyphosa and Icterohaemorrhagiae groups.     

Territorial dissemination of antibodies against leptospirae at individual farms throughout a district, detected on the basis of serological testing of slaughter cattle and pigs

The serological reaction of microagglutination-lysis (RMAL) was performed to examine 4995 head of slaughter cattle and 8211 slaughter pigs for the presence of antibodies to leptospirae. The animals came from 33 farms of the Strakonice district. Antibodies to leptospirae were found in slaughter cattle from 25 (75.75%) farms and in slaughter pigs from 24 (72.72%) farms. As suggested by the examination, the antibodies to leptospirae occur in animals throughout the territory of the district, irrespective of the nature of the landscape. The occurrence of the above-mentioned antibodies on farms occurred within the range from 0.52% to 8.33% in slaughter cattle and from 0.32% to 8.10% in slaughter pigs; only rarely did it exceed 9.0%. The most frequent reactions were those with the leptospirae of the L. grippotyphosa serovar.