[Isolated lesion of the accessory nerve]. / De geïsoleerde N. accessorius-laesie.

An isolated accessory nerve lesion was diagnosed in three patients. At clinical investigation of patients with this lesion, paresis of the trapezius muscle is found. This finding can be substantiated by electromyography. An accessory nerve lesion is usually caused by trauma (including surgical trauma) or space-occupying lesions such as tumour or abscess. There are also idiopathic forms. The prognosis is poor. Treatment may include electrostimulation, administration of NSAIDs, nerve transplantation and muscle transposition.

Effect of maternal vaccination on the susceptibility of growing pigs to leptospiral infection.

Serum samples were collected from 30 piglets, derived from 17 litters, whose dams had been vaccinated against leptospirosis. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) titres against Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona varied greatly from pig to pig; there was less variation among littermates. Titres declined between 4 and 10 weeks of age, with an uncorrected half-life of 15.5 days, consistent with IgG being the main antibody class involved. Twelve pigs, 4 derived from unvaccinated sows and 8 from sows vaccinated against leptospirosis, were challenged intravenously at 8 weeks of age with leptospires of serovar pomona. Colostrum-derived antibody protected 4 out of 8 pigs, and in 1 of the remaining 4 the serological response was reduced. Three of the protected pigs showed reduced serological responses and in the fourth the response was strong, but delayed. All of the pigs derived from unvaccinated sows developed leptospiraemia and leptospiruria and showed strong serological responses. Protection by colostrum-derived antibody bore an inexact relationship to MAT titre, but a titre of 16 appeared to be sufficient for protection.