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To elucidate the spectra of Prototheca species and P. zopfii genotypes in milk samples from mastitis affected cattle, 200 Prototheca-isolates of 57 German dairy cattle barns were analyzed by species- and genotype- specific PCR and RFLP analysis. The investigations showed that 177 (88.5%) of all isolates represented P. zopfii genotype 2, 21 (10.5%) isolates represented P. blaschkeae and two (1.0%) P. zopfii genotype 1. Therefore mainly P. zopfii genotype 2 but also P. blaschkeae act in the epidemiology of mastitis in cattle, whereas the role of P. blaschkeae in development of bovine protothecal mastitis should be further explored in epidemiological studies. In this study P. blaschkeae was demonstrated for the first time in association with bovine mastitis in Germany.

It was investigated whether there is a linear correlation between the number of applied infective larvae of Ancylostoma caninum and the number of larvae excreted by bitches with the milk. The investigations were carried out with nine bitches that were infected percutaneously each with 5,000, 10,000 or 20,000 third stage larvae of Ancylostoma caninum at the day of conception. A clear linear correlation between the number of applied infective larvae of Ancylostoma caninum and the number of larvae excreted with the milk could be demonstrated only for the first week of lactation. Regarding the total investigated period of 28 days only a tendency towards such a correlation between infective dosage and excretion of larvae with the milk could be found.

Eight kittens born of two Brugia pahangi infected cats have been studied for transplacental passed microfilariae. In the peripheral blood microfilariae could not be demonstrated at any time. However, in the lung of a young cat killed two days post partum ca. 30 microfilariae have been found (microfilaremia of the mother 90 mf/20 mm3). Histological studies suggested two possibilities of transplacental passage--by blood and by secretion of the uterus glands.