Arnold Theiler and colleagues: a -successful cooperation between -Switzerland and South Africa.

INTRODUCTION: The start of the Swiss-South African connection and cooperation dates back to the late 19th century, when a shortage of veterinarians in Transvaal (South African Republic, ZAR) motivated Arnold Theiler to seek his chance there. He became successful and famous fighting a smallpox epidemic and rinderpest after a difficult start as practicing veterinarian. Prior to the establishment of the «Veterinary Bacteriological Laboratories of the Transvaal¼ in 1908 Theiler as the head of the institution could motivate some Swiss veterinarians to come and work with him. The opening of the new laboratory made e. g. Walter Frei, later professor for veterinary pathology at Zurich and Karl Friedrich Meyer, becoming an eminent scientist in the USA later taking the opportunity to work with Theiler. World War I interrupted Theiler's hiring activities of more Swiss veterinarians. Only after the establishment of the veterinary faculty at Onderstepoort in 1920 he was able to recruit more Swiss veterinarians, e. g. Werner Steck, who later became professor at the veterinary faculty in Berne. Many of the other veterinarians at the faculty were sent to Switzerland to obtain further qualification or to obtain the degree of Dr. med. vet. and thus continued the successful cooperation started by Theiler.

INTRODUCTION: Le début des relations et de la coopération Suisse-Afrique du Sud remonte à la fin 19ème siècle, quand une pénurie de vétérinaires au Transvaal (République sud-africaine, RSA) a motivé Arnold Theiler à y tenter sa chance. Après un début difficile en pratique vétérinaire, il y obtint un succès dans une célèbre campagne de lutte contre une épidémie de variole et de peste bovine. Avant même la création des «Laboratoires bactériologiques vétérinaires du Transvaal ¼ en 1908, la présence de Theiler à la tête de l'institution a pu motiver certains vétérinaires suisses à venir travailler avec lui. L'ouverture du nouveau laboratoire a fait par exemple que Walter Frei, plus tard professeur de pathologie vétérinaire à Zurich, et Karl Friedrich Meyer, devenu un éminent scientifique aux États-Unis, ont saisi l'occasion de travailler avec Theiler. La Première Guerre mondiale a interrompu les efforts de Theiler visant à embaucher plus de vétérinaires suisses. Ce n'est qu'après la création de la faculté vétérinaire d'Onderstepoort à 1920, qu'il a pu recruter davantage de vétérinaires suisses, par exemple Werner Steck, qui devint plus tard professeur à la Faculté vétérinaire de Berne. De nombreux autres vétérinaires de la faculté a été envoyée en Suisse pour se perfectionner ou obtenir leur doctorat en médecine-­vétérinaire. C'est ainsi qu'a continué la fructueuse co­opération entamée par Theiler.

[Veterinary pathological collections: yesterday - today - tomorrow]. / Veterinärpathologische Sammlungen: Gestern ­ Heute ­ Morgen.

INTRODUCTION: History, relevance and development of veterinary pathological collections are presented by analyzing and comparing the collections from Berlin, Munich, Vienna and Zurich of the 19th and 20th century. The indices of the collections are analyzed according to the frequency of animal species, body parts, organs and disease processes or etiologies respectively. Collection differences allow to draw conclusions on the founder of the collection and historical significance. Each collection was part of a university and thus involved in teaching and research. This often ensured the continuous existence of the collections. Nevertheless, changing teaching methods made pathological collections increasingly redundant. A comparison with other university collections, such as those of the University of Zurich, show new application aspects for existing collections and required measurement are discussed.

INTRODUCTION: En analysant et en comparant les collections pathologiques vétérinaires du 19e et 20e siècle de Berlin, Munich, Vienne et Zurich, on illustre l'histoire, la signification et le développement de ces collections. Les catalogues des collections sont analysés par rapport à la fréquence des espèces animales, des parties du corps ou d'organes et des maladies respectivement des étiologies. Les différences permettent des conclusions quant au créateur de la collection et aux circonstances temporelles de la création de la collection. Chacune des collections examinées faisait partie d'une université et étaient donc liée à l'enseignement et à la recherche. Cela a souvent assuré la pérennité des collections. Les changements dans l'enseignement universitaire ont rendu les collections de plus en plus superflues. Une comparaison avec d'autres collections universitaires telles que celles de l'Université de Zurich montre de nouveaux aspects d'utilisation des collections existantes. Les mesures nécessaires pour cela sont discutées.

Feline Injection Site Sarcomas: Data from Switzerland 2009-2014.

Feline injection site sarcomas (FISS) were first described in the early 1990s. Despite extensive research, the pathogenesis of these tumours has not been elucidated conclusively. Their appearance and the marked increase in their incidence has been mainly connected to the injection of vaccines, and it is assumed that a chronic inflammatory reaction at the injection site triggers subsequent malignant transformation. The role of alum-based adjuvants has been discussed, but is controversial. The present study of the Swiss Feline Cancer Registry (SFCR) with data from 2009 to 2014 revealed a marked decrease of the incidence of fibrosarcomas compared with the previous observation period. Notably, this drop occurred after a non-adjuvanted feline leukaemia virus vaccine was introduced in Switzerland in 2007. This observation, together with the previous findings of the SFCR, further supports the notion that alum-adjuvanted vaccines are involved in the genesis of FISS and that non-adjuvanted vaccines might be safer for cats.

[Leonhard Riedmüller: Swiss public enemy or pawn sacrifice?] / Leonhard Riedmüller: Schweizer Staatsfeind oder Bauernopfer?

INTRODUCTION: On June 9, 1945 the Zurich cantonal government issued the lifetime deportation from Switzerland for Prof. Dr. med. vet. Leonhard Riedmüller (1898-1976) and his spouse Helena, née Eltze (1910-1990), both German citizens on grounds of Riedmüllers' membership in the NSDAP, "Landesgruppe Schweiz". Riedmüllers' several attempts to appeal at court were not successful. Riedmüllers biography shows that he served in the German Army at the Western front during WW I. Following the war he studied Veterinary Medicine at the University of Munich where he received the degree of Dr. med. vet. Moving to Zurich in 1926, Riedmüller took a position as veterinary bacteriologist at the University of Zurich. In 1941 he was promoted and became head of the Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology. He left Europe in 1947 for Brazil and took a position as a veterinary bacteriologist at a government laboratory. After retiring from his position in Brazil he returned to Germany where he passed away in 1976. Based on available documents from several Swiss archives the question is discussed whether Riedmüllers' deportation as public enemy in 1945 was appropriate or if Swiss authorities might have been tempted to sacrifice Riedmüller as a pawn in consideration of Switzerlands international political position immediately after the end of WW II.

The Post-mortem Examination in Ruminants and its Possible Benefit to Ruminant Clinical Medicine.

To highlight the important role of post-mortem examination of ruminants and to identify possible benefits for modern ruminant medicine, a comparison of clinical and pathological diagnoses was conducted and influencing factors were identified. For this purpose, results from 2,000 ruminants that had undergone necropsy examination at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, were analysed retrospectively. Both clinical and pathological diagnoses were available for 81.40% of cattle, 80.22% of sheep and 66.66% of goats; no diagnoses were available for 3.86% of cattle, 3.30% of sheep and 7.41% of goats. In the remaining cases, either the pathological diagnosis or the clinical diagnosis was unavailable. The greatest influences on the presence of diagnoses were the way in which the animal died, the type of necropsy examination and the age of the animal. The majority of diagnoses were attributed to digestive and respiratory disorders in cattle and digestive, neurological and urinary disorders in small ruminants. The main clinical diagnoses was confirmed pathologically in 86.20% of cattle, 85.51% of sheep and 82.00% of goats, while 7.03% of diagnoses in cattle, 12.26% in sheep and 11.00% in goats could not be confirmed by post-mortem or histopathological examinations. Relevant additional information or specification of diagnoses was given in 70.87% of cattle, 45.21% of sheep and 56.66% of goats. The concurrence of diagnoses and diagnosis specification was most influenced by the way in which the animal died, the type of necropsy examination that was conducted, the performance of histopathology following the necropsy examination and whether the animal was submitted in connection with a livestock health problem. This study highlighted the abiding importance of the post-mortem examination in modern ruminant medicine, despite technical advances in clinical technologies, both as a diagnostic tool and for quality control.

Comparison of Clinical and Pathological Diagnoses in Cats and Dogs.

The comparison of clinical ante-mortem and pathological post-mortem diagnoses is a prerequisite for quality control, but is rarely done in veterinary medicine. This study reports the occurrence and concurrence of clinical and pathological diagnoses linked to death in 1,000 cats and 1,000 dogs examined and subjected to necropsy examination at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. Potential factors influencing the correlation between diagnoses were examined retrospectively. In 5.8% of cats and 5.2% of dogs no diagnosis was made; in 2.6% and 3.8% of cases only a clinical, and in 17.8% and 11.2%, respectively, only a pathological diagnosis was available. Of the 73.8% of cats and 79.8% of dogs with both diagnoses present, 38.3% and 36.2% were in agreement, while there was disagreement in 17.9% and 16.0%, respectively. The remaining cases (43.8% and 47.8%) had different levels of further diagnostic procedures following necropsy examination. In both species, the manner of death, the clinical discipline submitting the animal for necropsy examination and the quality of the necropsy submission request, as well as the timespan between death and necropsy examination in dogs, proved to influence the concurrence between diagnoses. In contrast, the organ system affected and the type of disease entity were, for both species, the most influential factors in the concurrence of diagnoses. Therefore, in veterinary medicine, even in times of improving diagnostic abilities, necropsy examination still reveals important information for quality control and education.

Swiss Canine Cancer Registry 1955-2008: Occurrence of the Most Common Tumour Diagnoses and Influence of Age, Breed, Body Size, Sex and Neutering Status on Tumour Development.

This study is based on the Swiss Canine Cancer Registry, comprising 121,963 diagnostic records of dogs compiled between 1955 and 2008, in which 63,214 (51.83%) animals were diagnosed with tumour lesions through microscopical investigation. Adenoma/adenocarcinoma (n = 12,293, 18.09%) was the most frequent tumour diagnosis. Other common tumour diagnoses were: mast cell tumour (n = 4,415, 6.50%), lymphoma (n = 2,955, 4.35%), melanocytic tumours (n = 2,466, 3.63%), fibroma/fibrosarcoma (n = 2,309, 3.40%), haemangioma/haemangiosarcoma (n = 1,904, 2.80%), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 1,324, 1.95%) and osteoma/osteosarcoma (n = 842, 1.24%). The relative occurrence over time and the most common body locations of those tumour diagnoses are presented. Analyses of the influence of age, breed, body size, sex and neutering status on tumour development were carried out using multiple logistic regression. In certain breeds/breed categories the odds ratios (ORs) for particular tumours were outstandingly high: the boxer had higher ORs for mast cell tumour and haemangioma/haemangiosarcoma, as did the shepherd group for haemangioma/haemangiosarcoma, the schnauzer for squamous cell carcinoma and the rottweiler for osteoma/osteosarcoma. In small dogs, the risk of developing mammary tumours was three times higher than in large dogs. However, small dogs were less likely to be affected by many other tumour types (e.g. tumours of the skeletal system). Examination of the influence of sex and neutering status on tumour prevalence showed that the results depend on the examination method. In all sampling groups the risk for female dogs of developing adenoma/adenocarcinoma was higher than for male dogs. Females had a lower risk of developing haemangioma/haemangiosarcoma and squamous cell carcinoma than males. Neutered animals were at higher risk of developing specific tumours outside the genital organs than intact animals. The sample size allows detailed insight into the influences of age, breed, body size, sex and neutering status on canine tumour development. In many cases, the analysis confirms the findings of other authors. In some cases, the results are unique or contradict other studies, implying that further investigations are necessary.

[The history of detained Polish veterinarians in Switzerland 1940-1947]. / Zur Geschichte internierter polnischer Tierärzte in der Schweiz 1940-1947.

As part of the recent history of veterinary medicine in Switzerland, in Poland and in other countries biographies ofveterinarians among Polish soldiers detained to Switzerland during WWII are described. The information is derived from a number of Swiss and Ukrainian archives and personal contacts with descendants and colleagues of these veterinarians living in Switzerland and abroad.

Swiss Feline Cancer Registry 1965-2008: the Influence of Sex, Breed and Age on Tumour Types and Tumour Locations.

Cancer registries are valuable sources for epidemiological research investigating risk factors underlying different types of cancer incidence. The present study is based on the Swiss Feline Cancer Registry that comprises 51,322 feline patient records, compiled between 1965 and 2008. In these records, 18,375 tumours were reported. The study analyses the influence of sex, neutering status, breed, time and age on the development of the most common tumour types and on their locations, using a multiple logistic regression model. The largest differences between breeds were found in the development of fibrosarcomas and squamous cell carcinomas, as well as in the development of tumours in the skin/subcutis and mammary gland. Differences, although often small, in sex and neutering status were observed in most analyses. Tumours were more frequent in middle-aged and older cats. The sample size allowed detailed analyses of the influence of sex, neutering status, breed and age. Results of the study are mainly consistent with previous analyses; however, some results cannot be compared with the existing literature. Further investigations are necessary, since feline tumours have not been investigated in depth to date. More accurate comparisons would require the definition of international standards for animal cancer registries.

Swiss Feline Cancer Registry: A Retrospective Study of the Occurrence of Tumours in Cats in Switzerland from 1965 to 2008.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in companion animals. Information on the epidemiology of cancer is instrumental for veterinary practitioners in patient management; however, spontaneously arising tumours in companion animals also resemble those in man and can provide useful data in combating cancer. Veterinary cancer registries for cats are few in number and have often remained short-lived. This paper presents a retrospective study of tumours in cats in Switzerland from 1965 to 2008. Tumour diagnoses were coded according to topographical and morphological keys of the International Classification of Oncology for Humans (ICD-O-3). Correlations between breed, sex and age were then examined using a multiple logistic regression model. A total of 18,375 tumours were diagnosed in 51,322 cats. Of these, 14,759 (80.3%) tumours were malignant. Several breeds had significantly lower odds ratios for developing a tumour compared with European shorthair cats. The odds of a cat developing a tumour increased with age, up to the age of 16 years, and female cats had higher risk of developing a tumour compared with male cats. Skin (4,970; 27.05%) was the most frequent location for tumours, followed by connective tissue (3,498; 19.04%), unknown location (2,532; 13.78%) and female sexual organs (1,564; 8.51%). The most common tumour types were epithelial tumours (7,913; 43.06%), mesenchymal tumours (5,142; 27.98%) and lymphoid tumours (3,911; 21.28%).

The Swiss Canine Cancer Registry: a retrospective study on the occurrence of tumours in dogs in Switzerland from 1955 to 2008.

Diagnostic records are a key feature of any cancer epidemiology, prevention or control strategy for man and animals. Therefore, the information stored in human and animal cancer registries is essential for undertaking comparative epidemiological, pathogenic and therapeutic research. This study presents the Swiss Canine Cancer Registry, containing case data compiled between 1955 and 2008. The data consist of pathology diagnostic records issued by three veterinary diagnostic laboratories in Switzerland. The tumours were classified according to the guidelines of the International Classification of Oncology for Humans on the basis of tumour type, malignancy and body location. The dogs were classified according to breed, age, sex, neuter status and place of residence. The diagnostic data were correlated with data on the Swiss general dog population and the incidence of cancer in dogs was thus investigated. A total of 67,943 tumours were diagnosed in 121,963 dogs and 47.07% of these were malignant. The most common tumour location was the skin (37.05%), followed by mammary glands (23.55%) and soft tissue (13.66%). The most common tumour diagnoses were epithelial (38.45%), mesenchymal (35.10%) and lymphoid tumours (13.23%). The results are compared with data in other canine registries and similarities in tumour distribution and incidence are noted. It is hoped that this study will mark the beginning of continuous registration of dog tumours in Switzerland, which, in turn, will serve as a reference for research in the fields of animal and human oncology.

Pulmonary Arterial Lesions in New World Camelids in Association With Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Fasciola hepatica Infection.

In Switzerland, dicrocoeliasis is regarded as the most significant parasitic infection of llamas and alpacas. Fasciola hepatica infestation is also a problem but less common. The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the lungs of New World camelids (NWCs) for evidence of arterial hypertension in association with liver changes due to liver fluke infestation. The lungs of 20 llamas and 20 alpacas with liver fluke infestation were histologically evaluated. The hematoxylin and eosin and van Gieson (VG)-elastica stains as well as immunohistology for the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were used to visualize the structures of arterial walls. Parasitology of fecal matter (11 llamas and 17 alpacas) confirmed that most of these animals were infested with both Dicrocoelium dendriticum and other gastrointestinal parasites. In most cases (10/12 llamas, 4/6 alpacas), liver enzyme activity in serum was elevated. Histologically, arteries in the lungs of 9 of 20 llamas (45%) and 3 of 20 alpacas (15%) showed severe intimal and adventitial and slight to moderate medial thickening, which was confirmed with α-SMA and VG-elastica staining. All animals exhibited typical liver changes, such as fibrosis and biliary hyperplasia, in association with the presence of liver flukes. This study shows that liver flukes can induce proliferative changes in lung arteries in NWCs that resemble those seen with pulmonary arterial hypertension due to liver parasites in humans. However, the degree of liver fluke infestation was not correlated with the extent of liver damage, or with the amount of thoracic or abdominal effusion or pulmonary arterial changes.

Chlamydiosis in British Garden Birds (2005-2011): retrospective diagnosis and Chlamydia psittaci genotype determination.

The significance of chlamydiosis as a cause of mortality in wild passerines (Order Passeriformes), and the role of these birds as a potential source of zoonotic Chlamydia psittaci infection, is unknown. We reviewed wild bird mortality incidents (2005-2011). Where species composition or post-mortem findings were indicative of chlamydiosis, we examined archived tissues for C. psittaci infection using PCR and ArrayTube Microarray assays. Twenty-one of 40 birds tested positive: 8 dunnocks (Prunella modularis), 7 great tits (Parus major), 3 blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), 2 collared doves (Streptopelia decaocto, Order Columbiformes), and 1 robin (Erithacus rubecula). Chlamydia psittaci genotype A was identified in all positive passerines and in a further three dunnocks and three robins diagnosed with chlamydiosis from a previous study. Two collared doves had genotype E. Ten of the 21 C. psittaci-positive birds identified in the current study had histological lesions consistent with chlamydiosis and co-localizing Chlamydia spp. antigens on immunohistochemistry. Our results indicate that chlamydiosis may be a more common disease of British passerines than was previously recognized. Wild passerines may be a source of C. psittaci zoonotic infection, and people should be advised to take appropriate hygiene precautions when handling bird feeders or wild birds.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour in the nasopharynx of a cow.

This case describes the findings in a Swiss Braunvieh cow with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) in the nasopharynx. The major clinical signs were mixed dyspnoea with inspiratory and expiratory noises. Radiographic views of the head revealed an irregular mass with soft-tissue density in the nasopharynx originating from the dorsal pharynx and occupying and restricting the pharyngeal cavity. Endoscopic examination showed a lobulated mass obstructing almost the entire lumen of the aboral nasal passages and nasopharynx. Postmortem examination revealed a lobulated mass in the choanae with a broad attachment to the dorsal pharynx and histologically a soft tissue sarcoma with tumour cells positive for the S-100 and p75NTR (neurotrophin receptor) proteins and negative for CNPase. Electron microscopic examination showed few structures that indicated that the tumour originated from Schwann cells.

[Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) in Switzerland in the years 2003 - 2006]. / «Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome¼ (PMWS) und «Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome¼ (PDNS) in der Schweiz in den Jahren 2003 - 2006.

In Switzerland postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), caused by porcine circovirus type 2, was detected for the first time in 2001. To comprise the PMWS epizooty in 2003 - 2006 retrospectively, individual animals were diagnosed according to internationally accepted criteria and temporal and regional patterns of the epizooty were reconstructed. Occurrence of PMWS was predominantly in regions with a high frequency of swine farms (central and eastern Switzerland). Apparently it was spread to other, less affected regions, through trade of infected fattening pigs. Concurrently, disease was found in different establishments of production. Affected were mainly weaners or fattening pigs. In 40 % of the breeding farms and in 25 % of the fattening farms mortality rate was higher than 5 %. Starting in 2003, also a higher frequency of porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) diseased pigs was diagnosed. In the years 2004 to 2006 they accounted for about 10 % of the diagnosed PCV2-associated diseases. Besides the characteristic skin- and kidney lesions approximately half of the PDNS cases showed wasting and lymphoid lesions with high quantities of PCV2 antigen. We termed these mixed forms PMWS-PDNS-hybrid forms.

[The seroconversion of Chlamydia abortus in sheep from the region of Vorarlberg before and after Alpine pasturing]. / Untersuchung der Serokonversion auf Chlamydia abortus von Schafen aus der Region Vorarlberg vor und nach der Alpung.

In total, 796 serum samples of sheep on commune alpine pastures in the region of Vorarlberg were investigated by a commercial ELISA kit for antibodies against Chlamydia abortus, the agent of ovine enzootic abortion. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence within this region and to compare these results with the seroprevalence in the neighboring canton Graubünden as well as to obtain data on the seroconversion after alpine pasturing. Therefore, 421 samples were collected before and 375 samples after alpine pasturing, whereas corresponding serum samples were available from 359 sheep. Within the region of Vorarlberg, a mean seroprevalence of 9.2 % was calculated with a threshold of 60 %. Seroconversion for C. abortus occurred in 5.0 % of animals with corresponding serum samples. Seroprevalence values were comparable to Swiss regions with similar management systems, although the neighboring canton Graubünden is known to have a much more higher seroprevalence of 43 %. In conclusion, the traditional animal exchange between these two regions is not significantly favoring the spread of C. abortus.

Waddlia, Parachlamydia and Chlamydiaceae in bovine abortion.

The etiology remains unknown in many cases of bovine abortion in Switzerland. Bacteria of the Chlamydiales order are known abortive agents, therefore cases of bovine abortion from three representative regions of Switzerland were investigated in this study. Particularly Chlamydiaceae as well as the Chlamydia-like organisms Waddlia and Parachlamydia were of interest, especially because of their possible zoonotic potential. Placenta samples (n=343) were tested for these bacteria by different PCR-methods, immunohistochemistry and serology for Chlamydia abortus. Additionally an attempt for the isolation of Waddlia and Parachlamydia was made by co-cultivation in amoebae. In 67.3% of the 343 cases a necrotizing and/or purulent placentitis was found histologically. By real-time PCR, 0.9% (3/343) of the cases were positive for Waddlia, 13.4% (46/343) positive for Parachlamydia and 14.6% (50/343) positive or questionable positive for Chlamydiaceae. Of these samples, confirmation by immunohistochemistry was possible in 2/3 cases for Waddlia, 25/46 for Parachlamydia and 4/50 for Chlamydiaceae. Of the 50 cases positive or questionable positive for Chlamydiaceae, species-identification by ArrayTube Microarray or 16S rRNA PCR resulted in 41 cases positive for C. abortus whereas the presence of Chlamydia suis was confirmed in four and Chlamydia pecorum in one case. This study brought evidence for the importance of different members of Chlamydiales in different regions of Switzerland although Waddlia is not occurring in a high prevalence. On the other hand mixed infections with different Chlamydiales as well as with other abortigenic agents could be found.

Clinical findings and treatment in 63 cows with haemorrhagic bowel syndrome.

The clinical, haematological and biochemical findings, treatment and outcome of 63 cows with haemorrhagic bowel syndrome are described. The general condition and demeanor were moderately to severely abnormal in all the cows. Signs of colic occurred in 27 cows, decreased rectal temperature in 46 and tachycardia in 44. With the exception of one cow, intestinal motility was decreased or absent. Transrectal palpation revealed dilatation of the rumen in 47 cows and dilatation of the small intestine in 18. Faecal output was markedly reduced or absent, and the faeces were dark brown to black and contained blood. Nine cows were euthanized immediately after physical examination. Conservative medical therapy was instituted in two cows; however, both were euthanized a few days later because of deterioration in condition. Exploratory right flank laparotomy was carried out in 52 cows. Of these, 22 were euthanized intraoperatively because of severe lesions. In 27 cows, intestinal massage to reduce the size of blood clots was carried out; 11 were euthanized several days postoperatively because of deterioration in condition. In three other cows, intestinal resection was carried out and all survived. Of the 63 cows, 19 (30.2%) survived and were healthy at the time of discharge from the clinic.

From disease to etiology: historical aspects of Chlamydia-related diseases in animals and humans.

A first description of the etiology of trachoma was published in 1907. During expeditions to Java to study the transmission of syphilis, Halberstaedter and von Prowazek infected orangutans with conjunctival scrapings from trachoma patients and such agents in conjunctival smears. They called them "chlamydozoa". J. Ritter in 1879 published the first case description of psittacosis, describing a mini-epidemic in which three of seven patients died, and identified the source of infection, determined the incubation period and the nontransmissibility of the disease from human to human. In 1895 the term psittacosis was first applied. In 1893, Nocard isolated a Gram-negative bacterium from parrots dying of psittacosis (Bacillus psittacosis). This organism was subsequently found in human or avian subjects and was later diagnosed as Salmonella. The inconsistent bacteriological findings prompted a search for a filterable virus during the pandemic of 1929-1930. Almost simultaneously, Levinthal (1930), Coles (1930) and Lillie (1930) described small, filterable bodies in infectious material called "Levinthal-Coles-Lillie (L.C.L.) bodies". Bedson first suggested the biphasic development cycle in 1932 after having studied tissues from inoculated mice. In 1935, Burnet and Rountree propagated "the virus" on the chorioallantoic membrane of embryonated chicken.

Molecular evidence for chlamydial infections in the eyes of sheep.

Ocular infections by chlamydiae are associated with ocular disease manifestations such as conjunctivitis and keratitis in humans and animals. Limited evidence exists that members of the order Chlamydiales can also cause ocular disease in sheep. In the current study, the prevalence of chlamydiae in the eyes of sheep was investigated by using PCR methods. Data obtained in sheep by broad-range 16S rRNA order Chlamydiales-specific PCR were compared to the prevalence of antibodies against chlamydiae detected by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Flocks tested included a clinically healthy flock and two flocks suffering from ocular disease and with histories of Ovine Enzootic Abortion (OEA). PCR detected DNA of Chlamydophila (Cp.) abortus and Cp. pecorum in the eyes of both healthy and sick animals but also identified Chlamydia (C.) suis and a variety of uncultured chlamydia-like organisms. Good correlation was found between the presence of Cp. abortus DNA in sheep conjunctival samples and seropositivity detected by cELISA. Despite these findings, no association was found between the presence of chlamydial DNA in the sheep conjunctival samples and the onset of clinical disease. These results suggest that the biodiversity of chlamydiae in the eyes of sheep is greater than that previously thought. Further investigations are needed to determine whether a causal relationship between infection by chlamydiae and ocular disease exists in these animals.