Brucella canis infection in a young dog with epididymitis and orchitis.

INTRODUCTION: The following case report describes the clinical and diagnostic procedure for suspected brucellosis infection in a dog. A 21 month old intact male Border Collie was presented with an enlarged right testicle and epididymis. The dog was imported to Switzerland from Germany at the age of three months, but was never abroad since then. Clinical and laboratory diagnostic investigation included bacteriology and histology. An initial serological evaluation by means of rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT) was negative. Repeated examination of the same serum by a chromatographic immunoassay (ICT) revealed a positive result. Brucella canis infection was confirmed by culture. The present case is intended to underline the importance of the suspected diagnosis of 'brucellosis' in the presence of reproductive tract problems in dogs. In addition, Brucella canis has zoonotic potential and it is imperative to comply with strict hygiene management.

INTRODUCTION: Le rapport de cas suivant décrit la procédure clinique et diagnostique en cas de suspicion d'infection par la brucellose chez un chien. Un Border Collie mâle intact de 21 mois a été présenté avec un grossissement du testicule et de l'épididyme droits. Le chien avait été importé d'Allemagne en Suisse à l'âge de trois mois, mais n'avait si non jamais été à l'étranger depuis lors. Des examens diagnostiques cliniques et de laboratoire, notamment bactériologie et histologie ont été effectués. Une première évaluation sérologique au moyen du test d'agglutination rapide sur lame (RSAT) était négative. Un examen ultérieur du même sérum par une immunoanalyse chromatographique (ICT) a révélé un résultat positif. L'infection à Brucella canis a été confirmée par culture. Le présent cas souligne l'importance du diagnostic présumé de «brucellose¼ en présence de problèmes de l>appareil reproducteur chez le chien. De plus, Brucella canis a un potentiel zoonotique et il est impératif d'appliquer des mesures d'hygiène strictes.

Pathotyping and antibiotic resistance of porcine enterovirulent Escherichia coli strains from Switzerland (2014-2015).

INTRODUCTION: A total of 131 porcine E. coli were isolated in 2014 and 2015 from the gut of 115 pigs raised in Switzerland and suffering from diarrhea. The isolates were tested for antibiotic resistance, serotypes, virulence factors and genetic diversity. Serotypes were assigned by agglutination tests and virulence genes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiotic resistance profile was determined by the measurement of the MIC of 14 antibiotics and by the detection of the corresponding genes using microarray and PCR approaches. Genetic diversity was determined by repetitive palindromic PCR (rep- PCR) revealing a heterogenous population. Half of the E. coli isolates possessing virulence factors could not be assigned to any of the 19 serotypes tested, but contained toxins and adhesins similarly to the sero-typable E. coli isolates. The most prevalent E. coli serotypes found were K88ac (18%), O139:K82 (6%), O141:K85ac (5%), O108:K`V189` (5%), O119:K`V113` (3%) and O157:K`V17` (2%). The combination of toxins EAST-1, STb and LT-I and adhesin F4 characterizing ETEC was the most frequent. The shigatoxin Stx2e (STEC) and intimin Eae (EPEC) were also detected, but less frequently. Seventy percent of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic and 29% were resistant to more than 3 antibiotics. Isolates exhibited resistance to tetracycline (50%) associated to resistance genes tet(A), tet(B) and tet(C), sulfamethoxazole (49%) [sul1, sul2 and sul3], trimethoprim (34%) [dfr], nalidixic acid (29%), ampicillin (26%) [blaTEM-1], gentamicin (17%) [aac(3) -IIc, aac(3) -IVa and aac(3) -VIa], chloramphenicol (17%) [catAI and catAIII], and ciprofloxacin (8%) [mutations in GyrA (S83L) and ParC (S80I)]. All isolates were susceptible to 3rd generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, colistin and tigecycline. Pathogenic E. coli isolates from pigs in Switzerland could frequently not be assigned to a known serotype even if they contained diarrhea-causing virulence factors. They also harbor resistance mechanisms conferring resistance to antibiotics which are commonly used in pig husbandry, except for colistin. A careful identification of the causative agent and antibiotic susceptibility testing is highly recommended for targeted therapy and prudent use of antibiotics.

INTRODUCTION: Dans la cadre de cette étude, on a isolé, durant les années 2014 et 2015, 131 souches d'E.coli provenant des intestins de porcs suisses souffrant de diarrhée. Ces souches ont été testées quant à leurs résistances aux antibiotiques; en outre on a déterminé leurs sérotypes, leurs facteurs de virulence et leur diversité génétique. L'attribution des isolats d'E.coli aux divers sérogroupes a été réalisée au moyen d'une séro-agglutination et les facteurs de virulence ont été déterminés par PCR. Les profils de résistance aux antibiotiques ont été déterminés par la mesure des concentrations inhibitrices minimales de 14 antibiotiques. Les gènes qui y étaient associés ont été identifiés par puces à ADN et PCR. La diversité génétique a été déterminée au moyen de PCR répétitives palindromiques (rep PCR). La moitié des isolats d'E.coli qui possédaient des facteurs de virulence n'ont pas pu être classés dans un des 19 sérotypes testés, bien qu'ils aient possédé les mêmes toxines et adhésines que les isolats qu'il a été possible de typiser. Les sérotypes les plus fréquemment trouvés étaient (18%), O139:K82 (6%), O141:K85ac (5%), O108:K`V189` (5%), O119:K`V113` (3%) et O157:K`V17` (2%). La combinaison des toxines EAST-1, STb et LT-I et de l'adhésine F4, qui est caractéristique pour les E.coli entérotoxiques (ETEC), a été le plus fréquemment trouvée. La shigatoxine Stx2e (STEC) et l'Intimin Eae (EPEC) étaient par contre plutôt rares. Les résultats des rep PCR montraient une population hétérogène. 70% des isolats présentaient une résistance face à au moins un antibiotique et 29% étaient résistants à plus de 3 antibiotiques. Les isolats montraient des résistances vis-à-vis de la tétracycline (50%) associée avec les gènes de résistance tet(A), tet(B) et tet(C), du sulfaméthoxazole (49%) [sul1, sul2 et sul3], du trimethoprime (34%) [dfr], de l'acide nalidixique (29%), de l'ampicilline (26%) [blaTEM-1], de la gentamicine (17%) [aac(3) -IIc, aac(3) -IVa et aac(3) -VIa], du chloramphenicol (17%) [catAI and catAIII] et de la ciprofloxacine (8%) [mutations dans GyrA (S83L) et ParC (S80I)]. Tous les isolats étaient sensibles aux céphalosporines de troisième génération, au carbapénèmes, à la colistine et à la tigecycline. Les E.coli pathogènes des porcs en Suisse n'ont souvent pas pu être attribués aux sérogroupes connus, bien qu'ils possèdent les facteurs de virulence causant la diarrhée. En outre on a découvert divers mécanismes de résistance contre des antibiotiques qui sont régulièrement utilisés dans la production porcine. En conséquence, une identification rigoureuse et soignée des germes responsables de maladie et un testage de la sensibilité avant traitement est de première importance.

Pododermatitis in Captive and Free-Ranging Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus).

Pododermatitis is frequent in captive flamingos worldwide, but little is known about the associated histopathologic lesions. Involvement of a papillomavirus or herpesvirus has been suspected. Histopathologic evaluation and viral assessment of biopsies from 19 live and 10 dead captive greater flamingos were performed. Selected samples were further examined by transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Feet from 10 dead free-ranging greater flamingos were also evaluated. The histologic appearance of lesions of flamingos of increasing age was interpreted as the progression of pododermatitis. Mild histologic lesions were seen in a 3-week-old flamingo chick with no macroscopic lesions, and these were characterized by Micrococcus-like bacteria in the stratum corneum associated with exocytosis of heterophils. The inflammation associated with these bacteria may lead to further histologic changes: irregular columnar proliferations, papillary squirting, and dyskeratosis. In more chronic lesions, hydropic degeneration of keratinocytes, epidermal hyperplasia, and dyskeratosis were seen at the epidermis, as well as proliferation of new blood vessels and increased intercellular matrix in the dermis. Papillomavirus DNA was not identified in any of the samples, while herpesvirus DNA was seen only in a few cases; therefore, these viruses were not thought to be the cause of the lesions. Poor skin health through suboptimal husbandry may weaken the epidermal barrier and predispose the skin to invasion of Micrococcus-like bacteria. Histologic lesions were identified in very young flamingos with no macroscopic lesions; this is likely to be an early stage lesion that may progress to macroscopic lesions.

[Findings in uteri and ovaries from Eringer cows slaughtered due to fertility problems]. / Befunde von Uterus und Ovarien geschlacbteter Eringerkühe mit Fruchtbarkeitsproblemen.

Eringer cows are often slaughtered due to fertility problems which result from inflammatory and degenerative changes of the uterus or hormonal imbalances. Twenty-one genital tracts from Eringer cows suffering from fertility problems were collected in the abattoir. The purpose of the study was the macroscopic evaluation of the ovaries and the uterus followed by a histological and microbiological analysis of the uterus. Data from inseminations and calvings were provided by the Eringer breeding association and through the internet portal www.agate.ch. Median age of the cows was 6.9 years, number of calves per cow was 2.5 and median period between last calving and slaughter was 1.5 years. In 13 from 21 of the urogenital tracts examined, macroscopic abnormalities of the ovaries and/or histologic or microbiologic findings in the uterus could explain fertility-associated slaughter.

Follow-up of 100 dogs with acute diarrhoea in a primary care practice.

This study aimed to examine the aetiology of acute diarrhoea and the relapse rate in 100 client-owned dogs presented to a first-opinion clinic. History, physical examination, faecal testing and owner questionnaire data were collected at initial presentation (T0) and at either the time of relapse or at a recheck performed within 3 months. All dogs received treatment according to their clinical signs. Of 96 dogs that completed the study, 37 (38.5%) relapsed during the study period, 21 (21.9%) relapsed within 3 months, and 16 others (16.6%) at 3 months to 1 year after initial examination. Dogs that had undergone a change in housing location within 1 month prior to presentation and dogs <1 year old were significantly more likely to have positive parasitological analyses (P=0.02 and P=0.001, respectively). Pica was a risk factor for relapse (P=0.0002).

Detection of Clostridium perfringens type C in pig herds following disease outbreak and subsequent vaccination.

Immunisation of sows using Clostridium perfringens type C toxoid vaccines is recommended to prevent necrotising enteritis (NE) on pig breeding farms. Absence of disease, however, oftentimes leads to the false assumption of pathogens being eradicated. The prevalence of C perfringens type C was determined by PCR in faecal samples of piglets and sows in three Swiss pig breeding farms two to four years after implementation of a vaccination programme following disease outbreaks. C perfringens type C could still be detected several years after an outbreak despite absence of NE. In-herd prevalence of the pathogens varied significantly between the farms and was also lower compared with a farm which experienced a recent outbreak. In conclusion, C perfringens type C can be detected on once-affected farms, even in the absence of NE for several years.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of canine Clostridium perfringens strains from Switzerland.

Fifty Clostridium perfringens strains were isolated from individual dogs with acute diarrhoea that were not given antibiotics. Toxin types and minimal inhibitory concentrations of 15 antibiotics were determined for each of them. All strains harboured the alpha-toxin gene, 12 of them had both the alpha- and entero-toxin gene and 5 had both the alpha- and beta2-toxin gene. Eighteen percent of the isolates showed resistance to tetracycline and 54 % showed decreased susceptibility to metronidazole which is one of the most frequently used antibiotics in the treatment of canine diarrhoea. Apart from that, all isolates were susceptible to the remaining antibiotics tested. These findings lead to the conclusion that despite a general susceptibility to antibiotics in C. perfringens, resistance is developing in isolates from dogs. Therefore, careful identification of the pathogenic agent and antibiotic susceptibility testing should be performed prior to therapy in order to minimise further selection of antibiotic resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance in Swiss laying hens, prevalence and risk factors.

Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging concern to public health, and food-producing animals are known to be a potential source for transmission of resistant bacteria to humans. As legislation of the European Union requires to ban conventional cages for the housing of laying hens on the one hand, and a high food safety standard for eggs on the other hand, further investigations about the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in alternative housing types are required. In this study, we determined antimicrobial resistance in indicator bacteria from 396 cloacal swabs from 99 Swiss laying hen farms among four alternative housing types during a cross-sectional study. On each farm, four hens were sampled and exposure to potential risk factors was identified with a questionnaire. The minimal inhibitory concentration was determined using broth microdilution in Escherichia coli (n=371) for 18 antimicrobials and in Enterococcus faecalis (n=138) and Enterococcus faecium (n=153) for 16 antimicrobials. All antimicrobial classes recommended by the European Food Safety Authority for E. coli and enterococci were included in the resistance profile. Sixty per cent of the E. coli isolates were susceptible to all of the considered antimicrobials and 30% were resistant to at least two antimicrobials. In E. faecalis, 33% of the strains were susceptible to all tested antimicrobials and 40% were resistant to two or more antimicrobials, whereas in E. faecium these figures were 14% and 39% respectively. Risk factor analyses were carried out for bacteria species and antimicrobials with a prevalence of resistance between 15% and 85%. In these analyses, none of the considered housing and management factors showed a consistent association with the prevalence of resistance for more than two combinations of bacteria and antimicrobial. Therefore we conclude that the impact of the considered housing and management practices on the egg producing farms on resistance in laying hens is low.

Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain JF3835 reduces mortality of juvenile perch, Perca fluviatilis L., caused by Aeromonas sobria.

Motile aeromonad septicaemia caused by Aeromonas sobria is a cause of disease in farmed perch, Perca fluviatilis L., in Switzerland. We have evaluated the potential of a Pseudomonas chlororaphis isolate, obtained from perch intestine, to control A. sobria infection. Inoculation of juvenile perch with P. chlororaphis strain JF3835 prior to infection with A. sobria caused a reduction in A. sobria associated mortalities. Infection of perch with xylE-labelled P. chlororaphis indicated the bacterium is able to transiently colonize juvenile fish and fingerlings.