[Case report: Yersinia enterocolitica septicemia in an American minipig]. / Fallbericht: Yersinia enterocolitica-Septikämie bei einem American Minipig.

A natural, lethal enteritis and septicaemia caused by Yersinia enterocolitica in an American Minipig piglet is reported. The isolated strain was identified as serotype O:3 and biotype 4. Pathomorphological examination of the animal revealed a severe fibrinonecrotic ileitis and typhlocolitis. Pyogranulomatous lesions were detected in regional lymph nodes and several organs.

[Importance of blood serological examinations in the context of rhinitis atrophicans diagnosis]. / Zur Bedeutung blutserologischer Untersuchungen im Rahmen der Rhinitis-atrophicans-Diagnostik.

In a period of three years in 95 breeding-herds, which were free from Rhinitis atrophicans (R. a.), 5001 blood-samples were examined. All samples were examined by the SNT/EBL-cell-culture-test-mostly however by the SNT/ELISA-system- and were free of antibodies against R. a. On the contrary in 6 herds, that had bought swines from latent infected populations, antibodies against the toxin could be found before clinical signs were to be seen and before toxin producing pasteurellas could be discovered, too. In other 4 herds antibodies against R. a. could be found. In the last mentioned herds R. a. was suspected by clinical, bacteriological and pathomorphological examinations. The serological determination of blood may replace the provement of the diameter of the nose by pathomorphological diagnosis. The serological investigation is a good test. After positive results of antibodies comprehensive bacteriological tests should follow. This can be integrated in the diagnostical system of R. a. very easily, because enough blood samples will be taken ordered by the official examinations for European Swinefever- and Aujeszky-disease.

[The genital microflora in the stallion--microbiological study of presecretion samples from 1972 to 1991]. / Zur genitalen Keimflora beim Hengst--Mikrobiologische Untersuchung von Vorsekretproben in der Zeit von 1972 bis 1991.

From 1972 to 1991, presecretion on an average of 183 stallions per year had been examined. Facultatively pathogenic germs were ascertained in 13.5% of the samples. However, the portion showed considerable annual fluctuation, as did the percentage of the different kinds of germs. In most of the cases, only minimal growth had been observed in culture. Except for the total percentage, these results are contradictory to those we found during the examination of cervical swabs of mares. In order to ascertain the importance of the respective results and to render possible a correct interpretation, the constancy of the facultatively pathogenic germs was investigated additionally. It was distinctly dependent on the quantity and--to a lesser extent--on the kind of the germs as well. According to the present results, minimal growth in culture throughout only indicates a temporary colonization of the genitals. These results--except for the indication of CEMO--may be neglected, unless otherwise indicated by clinical findings or by anamnesis.

[Detection of toxin-producing strains of Pasteurella multocida in nasal and tonsil swabs, a possibility for the control of atrophic rhinitis in swine breeding herds? Parallel comparison with other research methods]. / Nachweis toxinbildender Stämme von Pasteurella multocida in Nasen- und Tonsillentupfern, eine Möglichkeit zur Uberwachung von Schweinezucht-beständen auf Rhinitis atrophicans? Gleichzeitig ein Vergleich mit anderen Untersuchungsmethoden.

Nasal, and partly tonsil swabs from pigs have been investigated by cell culture and ELISA respectively on toxigenic Pasteurella multocida strains. The controlled animals are from 89 non atrophic rhinitis- and 42 a.r.-positive herds. Toxin forming strains could not be isolated in non suspicious herds. 23 out of 42 infected herds showed toxigenic Pasteurellae. Despite a high increase in sample numbers, Pasteurella could not be detected in 19 infected herds (45%). When diagnosing atrophic rhinitis, we thus recommend to rely only on positive results of isolation. In all other cases, all other methods will have to be used in combination. Further research is necessary to find safe and fast test methods. According to recent experience, the blood-serological toxin screening test can be considered useful.

[Histomoniasis in pullet stock and its effect on later laying performance]. / Histomoniasis in einer Junghennenherde und deren Auswirkung auf die spätere Leistung.

In a 17 1/2 weeks old pullet stock typhlohepatitis was diagnosed on the occasion of a stock examination by the poultry health service. Liver and gut of randomly selected pullets showed gross and histologic alterations as known in cases of typhlohepatitis in turkeys. Histomonads could be shown using both the PAS-reaction according to McManus and the silverstaining according to Grocott. In the following controls of the herd macroscopic visible alterations of the liver could not be seen, but some of the animals still exhibited gross lesions in the ceca. The course of the development of the herd from point-of-lay to the 9th month of laying period is described.

[Alteration of cartilage by microbial agents and granulocytes]. / Zur Alteration des Knorpels durch mikrobielle Erreger und Granulozyten.

Severe polyarthritis was induced in 42 SPF piglets by subcutaneous and intraarticular infection in one joint of the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (Serotype B, strain T 28), which in its chronic stage morphologically resembles human c.P. The light and electron microscopic examination of the articular cartilage and synovial membrane reveals a parallel evolution of hyaline cartilage degeneration, and activation and proliferation of synovial lining cells. The initial cartilage alteration with demasking of collagen fibrils and focal degeneration of chondrocytes in the erysipelas model is caused by direct action of the microbial agent, fibrin and few granulocytes Erysipelothrix bacteria and neutrophilic granulocytes are able to invade the superficial and intermediate cartilage layers. This model is not considered a suppurative infectious arthritis. In chronic villous erysipelas polyarthritis, which develops without the presence of neutrophils in the cartilage, the invasively growing synovial pannus dominates, which deeply destroys the pre-damaged cartilage, resulting in macroscopic focal or wide-spread cartilage erosion. We consider the poorly vascularized cartilage and the particular fibrosis suitable sites for the extremely long (up to three years) persistence of this microbial agent. The persistence of the agent is considered necessary for the persisting immunological reactions and the perpetuation of erysipelas polyarthritis. With longer duration (1-3 years) of experimental erysipelas polyarthritis the number of bacteriologically positive arthritic joint decreases. Microscopically, the causative bacteria may only sporadically identified.

[13 Years of veterinary mycological routine diagnostics. Isolation of dermatophytes in the years 1965-1977]. / 13 Jahre veterinärmedizinische mykologische Routinediagnostik. Dermatophytennachweise in den Jahren 1965 bis 1977.

Over a thirteen year period (1965 to 1977) a total of 4790 skin scrapings and hair samples of animals were examined mycologically. 887 strains of dermatophytes were isolated out of 885 of these samples (= 18,5%). Most frequently Trichophyton verrucosum was identified in samples from cattle, followed by Microsporum canis isolated from cats, dogs and zoo animals. T. mentagrophytes was mainly found on guinea pigs, chinchillas and dogs and T. equinum on horses. Although the total number of the samples examined within the last 8 years increased, the total of the dermatophytes isolated remained proportionately the same. The relative numbers of the various species of dermatophytes isolated did not change within the period of investigation.

[The significance of coagulation disorders and the inflammatory reaction in an infectious model of rheumatoid arthritis. II. Inhibition trials with antirheumatic drugs in the inflammatory reaction phase of erysipelas polyarthritis in rats]. / Zur Bedeutung von Gerinnungsstörungen und entzündlicher Abwehr bei einer infektiös verursachten rheumatoiden Modellkrankheit. II. Inhibitionsversuche mit Antirheumatika in der entzündlichen Abwehrphase der Rotlaufpolyarthritis bei Ratten

The arthritic activity in the initial phase and during manifestation of experimental erysipelas in rats, an animal model for human rheumatoid arthritis, was studied by plethysmometrical methods. The development of body weight and specific pathologic alterations peculiar to the model such as keratitis, thrombosis of the aorta and gangrene of the tip of the tail served as additional parameters. In the volumetric analysis it could be shown that the first arthritic swelling on both hind legs develops symmetrically up to day 6 post infection in rats with about 200 g of body weight-and in contrast-on the 2nd p.i. in younger animals with about 120 g. The first maximal paw volume was measured on day 9 p. i., the greatest decrease in body weight-a reduction of 25%-on day 10 p. i. In addition the reaction of the animal model following the application of steroid and non-steroid symptomatically as well as cytostatically acting antirheumatic drugs was tested. Daily treatment with acetylsalicylic acid, indomethacine or hydrocortisone provoked more or less significant inhibition of arthritic swelling in the paw. Only at the onset of arthritis acetylsalicylic acid was more effective than the other antiphlogistic drugs. No measurable increase of paw volume during cyclophosphamide treatment could be evaluated. None of the antirheumatics used had a positive effect on body weight developement. In hydrocortisone and also in cyclophosphamide treated rats a greater decrease was obtained than in the infected controls. No thrombosis developed after cytostasis with cyclophosphamide. The advantages of this systemic connective tissue disease with regard to its comparability with human rheumatoid arthritis and due to the course of its arthritic manifestation are discussed, together with the disadvantages specific to the model and the experimental conditions.