Assessment of a new selective chromogenic Bacillus cereus group plating medium and use of enterobacterial autoinducer of growth for cultural identification of Bacillus species.

A new chromogenic Bacillus cereus group plating medium permits differentiation of pathogenic Bacillus species by colony morphology and color. Probiotic B. cereus mutants were distinguished from wild-type strains by their susceptibilities to penicillin G or cefazolin. The enterobacterial autoinducer increased the sensitivity and the speed of enrichment of B. cereus and B. anthracis spores in serum-supplemented minimal salts medium (based on the standard American Petroleum Institute medium) and buffered peptone water.

[Zoonoses in working- and wild animals and their significance in Germany. An overview]. / Zoonosen der Nutz- und Wildtiere und ihre Bedeutung in Deutschland. Eine Ubersicht.

The control of infectious diseases transmitted from animals to humans (zoonoses) was recently put on a new basis in the European Union when a new Zoonoses Directive entered into force. Brucellosis, campylobacteriosis, echinococcosis, listeriosis, salmonellosis, trichinosis, and the respective causative agents, tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis, and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli must be included in monitoring. Additional zoonoses and zoonotic agents are to be monitored according to the epidemiological situation. Against this background, the current knowledge on important zoonoses transmitted from livestock and some wildlife animals to humans as well as the epidemiological situation in Germany with regard to these diseases is summarized.

Influences of naturally occurring and experimentally induced porcine pneumonia on blood parameters.

It had been the objective of the studies described to establish local and systemic changes by naturally occurring pneumonia or pneumonia experimentally induced by Pasteurella multocida and Haemophilus parasuis in swine. Acute and chronic pneumonia was found to alter the cytokine level of lung lavage fluid and affect the composition and function of blood cells, especially with regard to phagocytosis, radical formation and cell surface receptors. Interleukin-6 levels in blood plasma rose 24h after experimental intrabronchial infection. The influences of the changes on growth and meat quality are discussed.

[Examination of primary SPF swine after experimental infection with Haemophilus parasuis. Clinical symptoms, changes in hematological parameters and in the parameters of the cerebrospinal fluid]. / Untersuchungen an primären SPF-Ferkeln nach experimenteller Infektion mit Haemophilus parasuis. Klinische Symptomatik, Veränderungen von hämatologischen Parametern und von Parametern des Liquor cerebrospinalis.

The objectives of this work were to cause the Glässer's disease (GD) in primary specific pathogen free piglets after experimental infection, to observe the clinical symptoms and to examine the influence of the infection on the haematological parameters. GD was caused by experimental infection of Haemophilus parasuis in seven to eight weeks old specific pathogen free piglets. In relation to the infection route the morbidity was high (83-100%) and 20% of the infected piglets died. Based on the physical examination fever, respiratory distress, cramps and paralysis were observed which are typical for GD. Arthritis and nerval symptoms are also typical but less common in Glässer's disease. PCV was significantly decreased and WBC significant increased before the piglets were euthanatized.