Donkey klossiellosis in Kenya.

Out of eight donkeys examined, two had gametogonic and sporogonic stages of Klossiella equi in their kidneys. Gametogonic stages included microgametocytes and macrogametocytes, some of them in syzygy. They were found in enlarged parasitophorous vacuoles situated in epithelial cells of the renal tubules. Sporonts were seen in the epithelial cells protruding into the tubular lumen while sporoblasts, sporocysts and sporozoites were found freely in the tubular lumen. Entire sporocysts were rarely encountered but sporozoites liberated from the ruptured sporocysts could be seen. No inflammatory reaction could be attributed to the presence of these parasites.

Comparison of four serological tests in the diagnosis of caprine brucellosis.

Results from four serological tests for diagnosing brucellosis--serum tube agglutination (SAT), agar gel immunodiffusion (AGIT), Rose Bengal plate (RBPT) and complement fixation (CFT)--were compared using sera from goats from farms infected with Brucella melitensis. Ninety-two goats were negative and 29 positive to all four tests. The remaining 85 reacted to one or more tests. The RBPT was the most sensitive test and the AGIT the most specific, when compared with the CFT. The results suggest that the SAT adds little information when used with other tests but that RBPT and AGIT are useful for testing caprine brucellosis where facilities for the CFT are not available.

Further observations on canine spirocercosis in Kenya.

The close association of the parasite Spirocerca lupi with oesophageal sarcomas suggests aetiological involvement of S lupi. Further investigations may yield results of significance with respect to comparative oncology. This paper records detailed observations made over an 11 year period, on the incidence and pathological variations of S lupi infections in Kenya.