Monitoring of classical swine fever in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Slovenia.

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious multi-systemic haemorrhagic viral disease of pigs. Not only domestic pigs, but also wild boar appear to play a crucial role in the epidemiology of CSF. Spleen (n = 739) and blood coagulum (n = 562) sampled from wild boars (Sus scrofa) shot in 2002, and serum samples from 746 wild boar shot in 2003 and 2004, were tested throughout Slovenia. In 2002, 17 samples were positive on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for antibodies against classical swine fever virus (CSFV). Positive ELISA test was confirmed by a virus neutralization test. All other samples were negative. This is the first report that describes the epidemiology of CSFV from 2002 on, and the monitoring of the wild boar population in Slovenia at present.

Atmospheric flash injuries in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).

The pathological and histopathological examination of two female roe deer found dead after a severe thunderstorm is described. One of the two roe deer was killed by a direct hit of atmospheric flash, while the other animal, lying 1.5 m from the first one, died as a consequence of ground current strike. The major part of the coat and skin of the animal that was killed by a direct hit was covered with scorched streaks. The trachea and bronchi of both animals contained a considerable amount of aspirated light-red foam. Necropsy revealed diffuse haemorrhages over the epicardium of the right atrium with a diameter of 1 millimetre. The liver and the kidney exhibited severe congestion.

A serological survey of selected pathogens in wild boar in Slovenia.

Serum samples collected from 178 shot wild boars (Sus scrofa) were tested for the presence of antibodies against classical swine fever virus, Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus, swine influenza virus, porcine parvovirus (PPV), swine vesicular disease virus, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Salmonella spp., Brucella spp. and Haemophilus parasuis (HPS) throughout Slovenia during the hunting season 2003/2004. The number of samples corresponds to 3% of the total hunting bag. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibodies against ADV were detected in 55 sera (31%), against PRCV in five sera (3%), PPV in 87 sera (49%), APP in 93 sera (52%), M. hyopneumoniae in 38 sera (21%), Salmonella spp. in 85 sera (47%) and HPS in 33 sera (18%).

Characterisation of Mycoplasma gallisepticum strains involved in respiratory disease in pheasants and peafowl.

Two cases of Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection in different avian species in backyard gamebird operations in Slovenia were investigated. In the first case, M gallisepticum was associated with severe respiratory disease with almost 20 per cent mortality in pheasants, whereas the infection was less pathogenic for chickens and turkeys reared at the same site. The M gallisepticum isolates from pheasants had a unique pMGA gene sequence containing a repeat of 12 nucleotides, and they contained only small amounts of the cytadhesins MGC1 and MGC3 and no PvpA protein. However, they expressed some typical M gallisepticum proteins and several proteins which were immunogenic for pheasants, chickens and turkeys. A strain of M gallisepticum isolated from the sinus of a pheasant was highly pathogenic for chicken embryos. In the second case, the M gallisepticum strain that was associated with respiratory disease and mortality in peafowl also affected chickens. M gallisepticum strain ULB 992 was isolated from the infraorbital sinus of a dead peafowl. The ULB 992 strain synthesised a small amount of MGC3, a truncated form of MGC1 and lacked PvpA. However, it expressed several proteins which were immunogenic for the birds infected with M gallisepticum at both gamebird operations.

Fasciola hepatica: effects on blood constituents and liver minerals in fallow deer (Dama dama).

Haematological and serum biochemical constituents as well as the liver mineral concentrations can be affected by Fasciola hepatica. The present study compares the blood and liver constituents in 19 fallow deer with fascioliosis and in 43 without it. Blood samples, gastro-intestinal tract, lungs and liver were taken from 62 male and female fallow deer that were shot, aged 6 months and over, in enclosures, between 1999 and 2001 in Slovenia. Samples were analysed and the means of various parameters of blood and liver were determined. Significant differences in blood were found in the mean cell volume, total serum proteins, sodium, and calcium; and in liver and calcium and copper were higher in animals without fascioliosis. Mean cell haemoglobin concentration, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, alanine aminotransferase, urea, glucose and copper in blood were significantly higher in animals with fascioliosis. It has been concluded that some of the values in fallow deer like in other domestic ruminants are the sensitive indicators of liver cell damage in fascioliosis.

Rabies: doubtful and discordant results in fluorescent antibody test.

By a fluorescent antibody test animal brain samples were examined for the rabies antigen. Two observers read the results. Doubtful, suspicious or weak results in the test were reanalyzed in a virus isolation test on the murine neuroblastoma cell line. From 37 samples estimated doubtful by the fluorescent antibody test, 17 were positive in the virus isolation test.

Immunohistochemical study of normal and mange (S. scabiei var. rupicaprae) infested chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra L.) skin.

The immunohistochemical study of chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra L.) skin showed that a limited number of available monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies expressed reactivity with skin cell components. These included cytokeratins, vimentin, desmin, neuron-specific enolase and S-100 protein with almost the same distribution pattern as already described in the skin of humans and animals. Antibodies used for labelling skin-associated lymphoid tissues and other cells with the immunologic function in human skin failed to demonstrate these cells in the chamois skin with the exception of LCA and OKT6 antibodies. Epidermal Langerhans cells were reliably demonstrated only by the enzyme histochemical method for adenosine triphosphatase, while the majority of mononuclear cells in dermal infiltrates showed a strong immunoreaction with OKT6 antibody. The histologic and histochemical analysis showed that the dermal infiltrations in infested skin consisted of macrophages, lymphocytes, granulocytes, mastocytes and fibroblasts. The chamois skin affected with sarcoptes mange showed a significant loss of cytokeratins in the epidermis and its derivatives. Particular keratinocytes showing nonspecific staining with several antibodies were also described and discussed in this paper.