Canine infectious tracheobronchitis: effects of an intranasal live canine parainfluenza-Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine on viral shedding and clinical tracheobronchitis (kennel cough).

A modified-live intranasal (IN) canine parainfluenza (CPI)-virus Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine was evaluated in dogs for efficacy against laboratory-induced canine infectious tracheobronchitis. The comparative efficacies of IN and parenteral administrations of the CPI virus fraction were also evaluated. The frequency and duration of clinical tracheobronchitis, blood serum agglutination titer, humoral antibody response, and duration of CPI virus and B bronchiseptica shedding were measured. Group A dogs were vaccinated subcutaneously or IM with an experimental CPI vaccine and challenge exposed with CPI virus. Group B dogs were vaccinated IN with avirulent CPI virus-B bronchiseptica live antigens and challenge exposed with virulent CPI virus and virulent B bronchiseptica. The IN vaccination (group B) significantly reduced (P less than or equal to 0.001) the occurrence of clinical tracheobronchitis by 96%. The combined challenge exposure of virulent CPI and virulent B bronchiseptica produced a synergistic enhancement of the clinical signs of kennel cough. The percentage of days after challenge exposure that virus shedding was detected for controls equaled 70% as compared with 50% and only 1% for parenterally and IN vaccinated dogs, respectively. Isolation of virulent B bronchiseptica microorganisms was reduced 89% in dogs vaccinated IN compared to controls. The geometric mean humoral antibody titers to CPI virus after 2 parenteral vaccinations and 1 IN vaccination were 1:43 and 1:34, respectively.

Appendicitis in premature babies.

From 1st January, 1973, to 30th September, 1977, 11 cases of appendicitis were observed in premature babies. All patients were subjected to operation. One patient was lost. For the diagnosis, anamnestic data concerning infections, the general and localized symptoms, laboratory data and X-ray findings should be taken into consideration. Close observation of the patient is necessary for determining the optimum time for surgery. This and rational antibiotic and postoperative therapy are essential in the treatment of the condition.

Characterisation of an epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus.

A high titre of epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus was obtained from roller bottles of African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells. Cell associated EHD virus was purified by use of Genetron-113 and sonication. Purified viral particles were probably icosahedral with a diameter of 58 nm and contained capsomeres which appeared to be composed of five and six subunit structures. Phenol extracted nucleic acid from purified EHD virus when treated with orcinol or diphenylamine gave colour reactions and ultraviolet absorption spectrums characteristic for ribonucleic acid (RNA). EHD viral RNA had a melting temperature of 86 degrees C in 0.015 M NaCl-0.0015 M sodium citrate. RNA from EHD virus did not react with formaldehyde, but after it was heated at 102 degrees C for 10 min hyperchromicity was observed. Electrophoresis of EHD-RNA in 5 per cent polyacrylamide gels showed the genome to be composed of at least five different segments.