Search

The serovar Mozdok related leptospirosis in humans were not yet feasibly diagnosed using merely the standard micro-agglutination test (MAT) what was perhaps due to the impossibility to distinguish them from illnesses that are caused by Leptospira strains belonging to other serovars of the serogroup Pomona. On the contrary, leptospires of the Mozdok serovar were cultured from rodents and domestic animals world-wide including Central Europe where only Leptospira strains of the serovars Pomona and Mozdok are known to be present till now.The aim of the study was to discover if leptospires of Mozdok serovar may cause human leptospirosis that remained hidden till now among infections diagnosed merely by MAT as Pomona illnesses.The reference Leptospira strains of Pomona and Mozdok serovars (Pomona and 5621), as well as three endemic, and in some tests only two strains of human and pig origin (Šimon, S-23, Pöštényi), and two strains of rodent provenance - Apodemus agrarius (M-210/98 and M-71/01) were used for this purpose. First, the endemic strains were assigned to one of the afore-mentioned two serovars by agglutinin cross-absorption tests performed using rabbit immune sera, monoclonal antibodies and random amplified polymorphic DNA methods. Afterwards, twenty-one sera of patients with a Pomona leptospirosis confirmed by MAT were examined by agglutinin absorption test (AAT).Based on the results of the mentioned laboratory method used, the endemic Leptospira strains of human and pig origin could be affiliated to the serovar Pomona, while those of rodent origin were classified as serovar Mozdok strains. Out of the 21 patients sera, an illness caused by the serovar Mozdok strains was found out in 13 cases and a disease caused by serovar Pomona strains in 8 cases. Their differentiation was made on the strength of the following results of AATs: All strains from the serovar Mozdok have completely absorbed antibodies (anti-Pomona and anti-Mozdok) from the tested sera, however following the absorption of these sera with the Pomona strains, high levels of residual antibodies reacting in MAT with the Mozdok strains have still persisted. In this way, it was possible to prove the Mozdok infection in thirteen patients. On the contrary, following the absorption of the sera with the strains of the serovar Pomona, a complete absorption of all antibodies (anti-Pomona and anti-Mozdok) was achieved in seven cases using the strain Šimon, and in one case with the strain S-23, whereas after absorption using the Pomona strain, the residual antibodies were still present in all sera, and also in the majority of them when they were absorbed using the strains S-23 and Pöštényi. In this context, the Pomona infection was determined in the case of eight patients. Hence it follows that not all strains of the Pomona serovar were suitable for the AATs.The presence of the human Mozdok leptospirosis was confirmed for the first time by the use of the agglutinin absorption test. A clear correlation between the habitat areas of the A. agrarius and the patients who were infected with the strains of the Mozdok serovar was determined.

Zusammenfassung In der vorgelegten Arbeit wird der Schutz von Absetzferkeln gegen Colidiarrhoe durch die perorale Immunisierung der Saugferkel mit Krankheitserregern diskutiert. Experimentell konnte gezeigt werden, das die Verabreichung abgetoteter enteropathogener E. coli der Serogruppe 0149 K 91 K 88 ac (L) ST+ LT+ an 3 bis 5 Wochen alte Tiere diese nach einem Challenge mit dem homologen Stamm gegen Todesfalle schutzt. Neben einer wesentlichen Reduktion der Todesrate wurden die Morbiditat sowie Dauer und Starke der Ausscheidung der enteropathogenen homologen Keime stark herabgesetzt. Im Darmligaturtest wurden bei nichtvakzinierten Tieren im Vergleich zu vakzinierten wesentlich starkere Reaktionen auf die Inokulierung des homologen E.-coli-Stammes festgestellt. Die Darmschleimhaut der immunisierten Ferkel war uberdies in weit geringerem Ausmas mit enteropathogenen E. coli besiedelt als die der Kontrollferkel. Aufgrund des Ergebnisses der Darmligaturteste und des Verhaltens der vakzinierten Ferkel nach dem Challenge (80 % der Tiere erkrankten 1—2 Tage lang an leichten Diarrhoen, alle Tiere schieden den Erreger mehr als 2 Tage lang aus) ist die erreichbare Immunitat als labil und nicht sehr belastbar einzustufen. Trotzdem scheint die perorale Immunisierung der Saugferkel das Mittel der Wahl zu sein, um gegen Chemotherapie resistente Colidiarrhoen der Absetzferkel zu bekampfen. Bei einem Vakzinationsprogramm ist ein hoher Hygienestandard im Stall zu entwickeln, um eine Kumulation pathogener Keime in der Umgebung der Ferkel zu vermeiden. Summary Studies on immunoprophylaxis of coli-diarrhoea in weaned pigs Protection of the weaned pig against coli-diarrhoea by peroral immunization of the sucking pig with disease causal agents is discussed. It was shown experimentally that giving killed enteropathogenic E. coli of sero-groups 0149 K 91 K 88 ac (1) ST+ LT+ to 3—5 week-old animals protected them against challenge with the homologous strain. In addition to a significant reduction in mortality rate, the morbidity rate and the duration and severity of excretion of the enteropathogenic homologous organism were markedly reduced. In the gut ligation test the unvaccinated animals showed a much more marked reaction than the vaccinated ones to inoculation of the homologous E. coli strain. The gut mucosa of the immunized piglets was much less heavily seeded with the enteropathogenic E. coli than that of the control piglets. On the basis of the gut ligation tests and the behaviour of the vaccinated piglets after challenge (80 % of the animals had slight diarrhoea for 1—2 days and all excreted the agent for more than 2 days), the immunity is seen as labile and not very long-lasting. Nevertheless, peroral immunization of sucking piglets seems to be the method of choice in treating coli-diarrhoea of weaned pigs caused by E. coli strains resistant to chemotherapy. When using a vaccination programme it is advisable to employ a high standard of hygiene in order to reduce the load of pathogenic organisms in the environment. Resume Recherches sur l'immunprophylaxie de la diarrhee colibacillaire du porcelet sevre La protection du porcelet sevre contre la diarrhee colibacillaire par une immunisation per os du porcelet a la mamelle avec des germes de la maladie est discutee. On a pu montrer experimentalement que l'application d'E. coli enteropathogene tue du serogroupe 0149 K 91 K 88 ac(L)ST+ LT+ a des animaux âges de 3 a 5 semaines protegeait ces derniers contre des cas mortels apres une infection avec une souche homologue. A cote d'une diminution marquee des taux de mortalite, la morbidite, la duree et l'intensite de l'excretion des germes enteropathogenes homologues furent fortement diminuees. Des reactions nettement plus fortes a I'inoculation de la souche homologue E. coli ont ete observees dans le test de ligature chez les animaux non vaccines. La muqueuse intestinale des porcelets immunises fut beaucoup moins colonisee par E. coli enteropathogene que celle des animaux de controle. Sur la base des resultats des tests de ligature et du comportement des porcelets vaccines apres l'infection (80 % des porcelets ont souffert d'une legere diarrhee durant 1—2 jours, tous les animaux excritkrent le germe durant plus de 2 jours), l'immunite obtenue doit etre consideree comme labile et pas tres prononcee. L'immunisation per os du porcelet sous la mge semble etre pourtant la methode de choix pour combattre les diarrhees colibacillaires resistantes a la chimiotherapie chez le porcelet sevre. Un standard eleve d'hygiene doit etre developpe dans l'ecurie lors d'un programme de vaccination pour eviter une cumulation des germes pathogknes dans l'environnement des porcelets. Resumen Estudios sobre la profilaxis inmunitaria de la colidiarrea del lechon destetado En el trabajo presente se discute la proteccion de los lechones destetados frente a diarrea coli mediante la inmunizacion peroral de los lechones lactantes con agentes etiologicos. De forma experimental, se pudo mostrar que la administracion de E. coli enteropatbgenos, matados, del grupo serologico 0149 K 91 K 88 ac (L)ST+ LT+, a animales de 3 hasta 5 semanas de edad, protege a los mismos tras un desafio con la estirpe homologa contra casos mortales. Al lado de una reduccion esencial de la tasa de mortandad, se redujeron bastante la morbididad asi como la duracion e intensidad de la eliminacion de germenes enteropatogenos homologos. En la prueba de la ligadura intestinal se comprobaron en los animales no vacunados, en comparacion con los vacunados, unas reacciones bastante mas intensas a la inoculacion de la estirpe E. coli homologa. Ademas, la mucosa intestinal de los lechones inmunizados estaba anidada en un grado mucho mas escaso con E. coli enteropatogenos que la de los lechones testigos. A la vista del resultado de las pruebas de ligaduras intestinales y del comportamiento de los lechones vacunados tras el desafio (80 % de los animales enfermaron durante 1—2 dias de diarreas leves, todos los animales eliminaron el agente durante mas de 2 dias), la inmunidad lograda se tiene que encuadrar como libil y no muy gravable. A pesar de ello, parece ser que la inmunizacion peroral de los lechones lactantes es el medio a elegir para luchar contra las colidiarreas de los lechones destetados resistentes a los quimioterapicos. Al establecer un programa de vacunaciones hay que desarrollar un estandar elevado de higiene en la porqueriza para poder impedir una acumulacion de germenes patogenos en las inmediaciones de los lechones.

Summary Cell-free B-material adhesin(s) of enteropathogenic E. coli (ETEC) was immunogenic in sheep. Ewes vaccinated subcutaneously once (20 mg) or twice (10 and 20 mg) had a serum and colostrum antibody response which was considerable during the first week after lambing. The time-course of agglutinin formation against B-material was very similar in both immunized groups. Subcutaneous immunization of pregnant sheep with B-material protected against experimental colibacillosis of newborn lambs. All lambs born to vaccinated ewes survived the challenge, whereas only five to twelve of lambs of control ewes survived. Excretion of the challenge strain and severe diarrhoea for 3—5 days were observed in the control lambs, but not in lambs of immunized ewes; the latters showed mostly only a mild diarrhoea and excreted the challenge strain for only 24 hours. Zusammenfassung Muttertierimmunisierung bei Schafen mit E. coli-Oberflachenproteinen gegen die experimentelle Colidiarrho Ein zellfreies B-Adhasin von enterotoxischen E. coli-Keimen (ETEC) war immunogen fur Schafe. Einmal (20 mg) oder zweimal (10 und 20 mg) subkutan geimpfte Mutterschafe bildeten spezifische Serum- und Kolostrumantikorper aus. Der hochste Antikorpergehalt wurde in der ersten Woche nach dem Ablammen festgestellt. Die Kinetik der Agglutininbildung war bei den einmal oder zweimal geimpften Tiergruppen in etwa gleich. Uber die subkutane Impfung trachtiger Schafe mit „B-Material” konnten neugeborene Lammer passiv gegen eine experimentelle Coliinfektion geschutzt werden. Alle von geimpften Schafen stammenden Lammer uberlebten eine Testinfektion, wahrend 5 von 12 Kontrollammern starben. Auserdem schieden die Lammer von nicht geimpften Mutterschafen den Infektionsstamm uber 3 bis 5 Tage aus und hatten im selben Zeitraum starken Durchfall. Die Lammer geimpfter Schafe zeigten fast nur milden Durchfall und schieden den Infektionsstamm fur 24 Stunden aus. Resume Immunisation de brebis gestances avec des proteines de surface d'E. coli contre la diarrhee experimentale a coli Une adhesine B sans cellules de germes d'E. coli enterotoxique (ETEC) fut immunogene pour des moutons. Les brebis gestantes vaccinees par voie sous-cutanee une fois (20 mg) ou 2 fois (10 et 20 mg) ont forme des anticorps seriques et colostraux specifiques. Le taux d'anticorps le plus eleve fut etabli dans la premiere semaine apres l'agnelage. La cinetique de la formation d'agglutinines fut a peu pres la meme chez les groupes d'animaux vaccines une ou deux fois. Des agneaux nouveauxnes furent proteges passivement contre une infection experimentale avec E. coli par une vaccination sous-cutanee des brebis gestantes avec du materiel «B». Tous le agneaux des brebis vaccinees ont survecu a une infection-test, alors que 5 agneaux de controle sur 12 ont peri. Les agneaux des brebis non vaccinees ont en outre excrete la souche infectieuse durant 3 a 5 jours et presenterent une forte diarrhee durant cette periode. Les agneaux des brebis vaccinees ne presenterent qu'une legere diarrhee et n'excreterent la souche infectieuse que durant 24 heures. Resumen La inmunizacion de ovejas madres con proteinas superficiales de E. coli como proteccion contra la colidiarrea experimental Una adhesina B, libre de celulas, de germenes E. coli enterotoxicos (ETEC) era inmunogena para ovejas. Las ovejas madres inyectadas una vez (20 mg) o dos veces (10 y 20 mg) por via subcutanea formaban anticuerpos sericos y calostrales especificos. El contenido maximo de anticuerpos se detecto en la primera semana siguiente al parto. La cinetica de formacion de aglutininas era mas o menos igual en los grupos de animales vacunados una o dos veces. A traves de la vacunacon subcutanea de ovejas gestantes con «material B» se pudieron proteger los corderos recien nacidos de forma pasiva frente a una coliinfeccion experimental. Todos los corderos procedentes de ovejas vacunadas sobrevivieron una infeccion de prueba, mientras que murieron 5 de 12 corderos testigos. Ademas eliminaron los corderos de ovejas madres no vacunadas la estirpe infectiva a lo largo de 3 hasta 5 dias y presentaban en el mismo espacio de tiempo una diarrea pertinaz. Los corderos de las ovejas vacunadas casi solo tenian una diarrea moderada y eliminaron la estirpe infectiva durante 24 horas.

ZusammenfassungUnterschiedliche Nachweisverfahren zur Erfassung der Lawsonia-intracellularis-Infektionen des Schweines wurden miteinander verglichen. Zum direkten Erregernachweis dienten eine modifizierte Ziehl-Neelsen-Färbung, die In-situ-Hybridisierung sowie die PCR. Der serologische Nachweis L.-intracellularis-spezifischer Antikörper erfolgte mittels indirekter Immunfluoreszenz (IFAT). Bei 65 Schweinen mit Durchfallproblematik erzielte im direkten Erregernachweis die PCR mit 31% positiver Proben die höchste Sensitivität, gefolgt von der In-situ-Hybridisierung (23% positive Proben) und der modifizierten Ziehl-Neelsen-Färbung (17% positive Proben). Bei 46% der Tiere konnten überdies Antikörper gegen L. intracellularis nachgewiesen werden.Bei 580 Tieren aus 47 L.-intracellularis-positiven Betrieben wurden vergleichend Kotproben mittels PCR und Serumproben mittels IFAT untersucht. Bei 18,6% der Schweine konnten eine Erregerausscheidung und bei 51,4% der Tiere Antikörper nachgewiesen werden.Der IFAT kann als Verfahren zum Herdenscreening eingesetzt werden, zur weiteren Abklärung bzw. Interpretation der Ergebnisse ist ein direkter Erregernachweis anzuschließen.

BACKGROUND In a previous study (5), the constructed phylogenetic tree for leptospires belonging to 12 different serovars common in Central Europe made the prediction of serovar from knowing the genotype and vice versa possible. OBJECTIVE The study was aimed at investigation of the usefulness of such procedure to distinguish in between at present to us available and worldwide accepted reference strains of pathogenic Leptospira serovars. MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred and seventy seven Leptospira strains representing different serovars were tested. DNA fingerprints of these strains were performed, digitally captured and as described earlier of those phylogenetic tree using different fingerprinting software was constructed using UPGMA clustering method with band matching by the Dice coefficient (5). RESULTS At this tree, 145 of 177 Leptospira strains tested each took a unique position, and the remaining 32 strains were distributed at 15 different positions (each of 14 positions taken by two different strains and one position taken by four strains). CONCLUSION The constructed phylogenetic tree likely to be very useful in prediction of Leptospira serovar in most cases of an infection so the saving time and being helpful in serovar identification of the pathogenic agent (Fig. 1, Ref. 9).

A serologic survey study of 5,076 Austrian cattle farming herds was carried out in the period of December 1988 till March 1990. One animal was randomly selected from each herd and the antibody titer against Anaplasma marginale in blood serum samples was evaluated by means of the complement fixation test. The number of these tested blood samples was 3.6% of 140,081 cattle herd farms of Austria. 109 (2.1%) of the tested animals showed positive titers (1:10) against Anaplasma marginale, in relation to the 140,081 cattle herds 0.08%, 4,786 (94.3%) blood serum samples were sero-negative, 188 (3.8%) reacted anticomplementary. The highest number of antibody-positive animals of 8 tested Austrian districts could be found in Carinthia (46 = 5.7%). In Burgenland all tested sera turned out to be negative. Concerning the distribution of sero-positive animals in Austria it can be stated that a decrease of positive reactors from southern to northern region is evident. A connection between the occurrence of anaplasmosis in Italy, Yugoslavia, Switzerland and Hungary, is postulated as a result of the different systems of keeping cattle in the provinces and the regional increase of tick invasion. Possibly an intensive animal transportation is of importance due to the introduction of the disease mentioned before. The results obtained show that anaplasmosis does occur in different areas of Austria. For control of this disease in Austria it is proposed that all imported cattle should be tested serologically for antibodies against Anaplasma marginale. Other diseases in connection with anemia should be excluded by clinical, serological, blood-, as well as pathological examinations.

Summary Investigations on Taylorella equigenitalis: cell wall proteins, DNA-fingerprints, plasmids, adhesion and cytotoxicity In this study 55 strains of Taylorella equigenitalis isolated from horses of four different studs in Austria, and a comparative strain from the Federal Republic of Germany were investigated by different methods. These investigations were carried out with the help of SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting, the analyses of genoms and by proof of plasmids. Furthermore, pathogenic mechanisms such as adhesion or the formation of toxins were investigated in vitro. On the basis of the results carried out by means of SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting all tested strains of Taylorella equigenitalis were alike, whereas by DNA analyses the strains could be divided into five groups. The comparative strain from the FRG, which clearly differed from the Austrian strains, formed one group all by itself. From three studs, which are related to each other because of an intensive exchange of horses, representatives (n = 53) of three DNA fingerprint groups were isolated. These three fingerprint patterns were very similar to each other, while the hybridisation patterns from the other two Austrian strains were very different. One of these strains, isolated from a diseased mare, could not be distinguished from the other strain isolated from a clinical healthy stallion from the same stud by this method. Only 47.3 % from the investigated strains showed attachment to HeLa cells, while cell extracts of all of them caused morphological changes of a varying degree of both Y1 and Vero cells. There were no connexions between these adhesion-cytotoxicity-properties and the DNA fingerprint groups as well as the studs, respectively. No plasmids were found in the Taylorella equigenitalis strains used in this study. Zusammenfassung Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden 55 Stamme von Taylorella equigenitalis, die in Osterreich aus vier Betrieben isoliert worden waren (drei dieser Betriebe sind als ein Bestand anzusehen), und ein Vergleichsstamm aus Deutschland mit verschiedenen Verfahren charakterisiert. Mit Hilfe von SDS-PAGE, Immunblotting, DNA-Hybridisierung und Plasmidnachweis wurden diese vergleichenden Untersuchungen durchgefuhrt. Daruber hinaus wurde versucht, mehr uber die Pathomechanismen wie Adhasion oder Toxinbildung zu erfahren. Auf Grund der Ergebnisse aus SDS-PAGE und Immunblotting waren alle Taylorella-equigenitalis-Stamme einheitlich, jedoch konnten bei DNA-Analysen funf Gruppen unterschieden werden. Der Vergleichsstamm aus Deutschland, der sich deutlich von den osterreichischen Stammen unterschied, bildete eine DNA-Fingerprint-Gruppe fur sich. Die Stamme, die von Pferden aus den drei Gestuten, die durch einen regen Tieraustausch miteinander verbunden sind, isoliert worden waren, konnten von den Stammen aus Pferden des anderen Betriebes deutlich unterschieden werden, wobei innerhalb dieser drei zusammenhangenden Bestande drei verschiedene Hybridisierungsmuster bei den Stammen auftraten. Diese drei Muster waren sich aber sehr ahnlich, wohingegen die zwei Stamme des anderen Betriebes sich wesentlich von den oben beschriebenen unterschieden. Von den zwei letztgenannten Stammen, die dasselbe Muster aufwiesen, wurde einer aus einer erkrankten Stute und der andere aus einem klinisch gesunden Hengst isoliert. Adhasion an HeLa-Zellen war nur in 47,3 % der untersuchten Stamme nachweisbar. Die Extrakte aller untersuchten Stamme fuhrten zu morphologischen Veranderungen unterschiedlichen Grades sowohl an Y1- als auch an Verozellen. Weder bei der Adhasion noch bei dem Grad der Bildung zytotoxischer Substanzen war ein Zusammenhang mit den Betrieben oder mit den DNA-Fingerprint-Gruppen ersichtlich. Plasmide waren bei allen untersuchten Stammen nicht nachweisbar.

SUMMARYA phylogenetic tree, which distinguishes between the serovars and serogroups of leptospires common in Central Europe was constructed using an established RAPD procedure together with digital reading and evaluation (using different computer software programs) of the generated amplified DNA patterns. The application of this procedure has revealed a consistent correspondence between serogroup and genotype (position in constructed tree) in 69 cases, and serovar and genotype in 72 cases, of wild strains of leptospires. There was an agreement between serovar and genotype in cases of strains of Grippotyphosa, Pomona, Mozdok, Arborea and Sorexjalna as well as between serogroup and genotype in cases of Australis, Bataviae and Sejroe. With the procedure used in this study, it was not possible to distinguish between reference strains of serovars Jalna, Bratislava and Lora (all serogroup Australis) as well as between serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae and Copenhageni (both of serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae). In contrast to this, wild strains belonging to serogroup Sejroe were distributed between Polonica, Istrica, Saxkoebing and Sejroe serovars. Endemic strains of leptospires tested, were also distinguishable.

Serum samples from healthy, infected (n=11) and diseased (n=2) cattle as well as positive (n=17) and negative (n=41) reference sera were tested for antibodies to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis with two ELISA-methods (A-ELISA, Allied Monitors, Fayette, USA; H-ELISA, Institute of Microbiology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary University Hannover). Fecal samples of these animals were examined by PCR and culture. Also field serum samples found to be positive (n=664) or inconclusive (n=1589) by A-ELISA during a survey done on 11 028 cattle of 2757 farms at different districts in Austria were retested with H-ELISA ( Gasteiner et al., 1999 ). In both ELISA-methods total agreement between antibody detection and shedding of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis (PCR, culture) in cases of diseased animals during the testing period was found. In subclinically infected animals H-ELISA showed a better correlation with the results of PCR and fecal culture. Reference serum samples of culturally negative cattle were negative in 98% by H-ELISA and in 82% by A-ELISA, and those of positive animals were positive in 59% by H-ELISA and in 82% by A-ELISA. The 664 A-ELISA positive field serum samples were positive in 20.5%, inconclusive in 32.5% and negative in 47% by H-ELISA. A-ELISA inconclusive sera gave positive reactions by H-ELISA in 5.2%, negative in 74.8% and inconclusive results in 20%. The highest prevalence of antibodies (7.9% by A- and 2.2% by H-ELISA) against M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis were found in cattle at the age of six and seven years. Seropositive animals were found at all tested ages. The A-ELISA gave two to three times more positive reactors than the H-ELISA. Also both tests showed the highest prevalence of reagents among Holstein Friesian (6.2% by A-ELISA, 2.5% by H-ELISA) followed by other cattle breeds. Seropositive cattle were observed in all districts of Austria in 3.3–7.1% and in 0.5–1.8% of herds according to A- and H-ELISA, respectively.

The polymerase chain reaction and cultural method was applied to detect Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (M. p.) in fecal samples of 165 suspected and of 35 diseased cattle, 18 intestinal tissues and 14 lymph nodes of diseased ruminants as well as organ material (n = 10) were also tested. An agreement (+/+, -/-) in the results between both methods was found in 89.7% of all cases examined. 12.7% of samples of suspected and 9.1% of diseased animals were only positive by PCR. In cases of intestinal lymph node and tissue as well as udder tissue of diseased cattle a total agreement between PCR and culture was observed. Lymph node of lung of one diseased cow was positive only in PCR.

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of the progressive and non-progressive atrophic rhinitis of Upper Austrian swine herds. Further on the resistance pattern of the pathogens involved to chemotherapeutics was tested. In the period of May 1993 to June 1996 a total of 56 Upper Austrian swine herds were examined and on the occasion of the animal herd health management 997 nasal swab-samples of young pigs taken. The area of this investigation included 14 Upper Austrian districts and the herds examined were divided into 3 types. Type 1 were swine herds of the swine breeding association (SZV), type 2 piglet producing farms (FP) and type 3 closed swine herds (GB). Sucking- and weaning piglets aged from 4 to 10 weeks were selected for these examinations. On the average 10 nasal swab-samples (2 swabs per animal) per herd were taken, microbiologically examined and the toxin by means of ELISA-tests determined. In terms of resistance testing (antibiogram) 20 different chemotherapeutics, which consisted of 11 different groups of drugs, were used. As a result of 997 nasal swab-samples examined, 304 (30.5%) P. m., 111 (11.1%) tox. P. m. and 35 (3.5%) B. b. were isolated. 50% of the Upper Austrian swine herds showed PAR by means of microbiological examination and ELISA-tests as well. The resistance pattern of P. m. and B. b. exhibited significant differences. Penicillin and lincospectin were highly resistant concerning isolates of B. b., but were highly sensitive for P. m. Enrofloxacin turned out as the most effective drug to the P. m.-toxin-negative- and B. b.-strains tested, because no resistance was observed. Finally efficient PAR control programmes of swine herds belonging to the Upper Austrian swine herd health service are described.

An intravenous regional antibiosis using 10 Mega I.U. Sodium-Benzylpenicillin was carried out during surgery in 14 dairy cows affected with spontaneous occurring digital diseases. Blood serum and milk serum levels were determined over a period of 48 hours by means of a micro agar diffusion method using Sarcina lutea Stamm BGA Berlin as a test germ. Even before opening of the rubber tourniquet, penicillin traces were detectable in the blood serum of 6 cows. Maximal concentrations ranging from 0.43 mcg/ml to 8.63 mcg/ml were determined after 45 minutes to 4 hours. 24 hours after intravenous regional antibiosis no levels above the limit of detectability were determined. Significant lower maximal concentrations were found in claw amputation cases as compared with claw preserving surgical interventions. Milk serum levels showed delayed and lower maximal concentrations, ranging between 2.09 and 0.09 mcg/ml. In 5 animals no positive levels were detected. After 48 hours, penicillin levels were below the limit of detectability in the milk of all examined animals.

21 swine fattening units (17 closed and 4 open swine herds), their pigs suffering from chronic respiratory disease since a long time were investigated concerning fattening period, morbidity, mortality, lung lesions by slaughtered swine, microorganisms involved, husbandry and management conditions, stall climate (indoor temperature, relative air humidity, contents of NH3, CO2, H2S, air microorganisms and dust). We estimated annual fattening periods of 137.4 +/- 6.8 days, morbidity of 49.1 +/- 12.2% and mortality of 6.8 +/- 3.7%. About 55-96% of lungs of slaughtered pigs showed pneumonic lesions in different degrees. Bacteriological examination of such lesions revealed up to 9 and not less than 3 different bacteria species per unit. Continuous producing systems were used by 19 units, only 2 units were managed by all in all out system. Pigs of 70 kg weight have air spaces of 1.7-3.1 m3, indoor temperature were between 21-26 C degrees and relative air humidity between 83.9 +/- 13.7%. Concentration of NH3 was found between 3-35 ppm, of CO2 between 500-3500 ppm, the numerical content of bacteria was within 900-1620 cfu (colony forming units) and of fungi between 2-80 cfu per litre air. There were also E. coli with and without haemolysis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, beta-haemolyzing streptococci and staphylococci in stall air. 2 swine houses gave 3-5, 15 houses 12-50 and 4 houses more than 50 cfu/cm2 blood agar plates exposed for 1 minute to the stable air (sedimentation method to judge stall dust). Animals of the later mentioned 4 houses showed the highest incidence of respiratory disorders (50% of pigs).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Eight hundred and fifty-four piglets which died or were euthanized due to pneumonia or rhinitis atrophicans, were investigated during the period of 1986-1990. Of the animals, 569 showed bronchopneumonia, 218 had pleuritis, pericarditis and peritonitis, 165 had rhinitis atrophicans, 58 pleuropneumonia, and 9 animals had fibrinous pneumonia. Pasteurella multocida, Haemophilus parasuis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and Pasteurella haemolytica were isolated in 59.1%, 29.5%, 27.8%, 3.7%, and 2.3% cases of bronchopneumonia respectively. Samples from pigs with pleuritis or rhinitis atrophicans showed Pasteurella multocida in 63.8 and 68.5%, Bordetella bronchiseptica in 28.4 and 39.4%, streptococci in 28.9 and 3.9%, Haemophilus parasuis in 25.2% and 20.6%, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in 5.1 and 5.5%, and Pasteurella haemolytica in 3.2 and 3.0%, respectively Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae was found in 51 of 58 cases of pleuropneumonia and in 5 of 9 cases of fibrinous pneumonia; 55.6% and 44.4% respectively of those forms of pneumonia were positive for Pasteurella multocida. In the agar diffusion test, 36.8-82.6% of bacterial isolates showed resistance to streptomycin, 7.7-45.5% to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, 5.7-44.6% to tetracycline, 0.2-32.8% to ampicillin, 0.0-16.3% to lincospectin, 2.0-81.2% to furazolidone, 0.4-4.5% to chloramphenicol, 1.3-78.1% to penicillin and 0-0.3% to enrofloxacin.

Serological examination of 420 domestic animals for the presence of antilegionella antibodies indicates their high exposure to legionellae. On examination by the microagglutination reaction with a serum dilution of 1:64 or more the highest positive values were recorded in horses which reacted with antigens of L. pneumophila 1-14 in 36.2% and with antigens of another 19 types of legionellae in 47.8%. In pigs positive values recorded in 16.2% and in 21.1%; in cattle in 3.8% and 29.5%, in sheep in 7.5% and 11.3% and laboratory rabbits were quite negative. The importance of these findings with regard to the possible role of animals in the ecology of legionellae is obscure.

In this study 55 strains of Taylorella equigenitalis isolated from horses of four different studs in Austria, and a comparative strain from the Federal Republic of Germany were investigated by different methods. These investigations were carried out with the help of SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting, the analyses of genomes and by proof of plasmids. Furthermore, pathogenic mechanisms such as adhesion or the formation of toxins were investigated in vitro. On the basis of the results carried out by means of SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting all tested strains of Taylorella equigenitalis were alike, whereas by DNA analyses the strains could be divided into five groups. The comparative strain from the FRG, which clearly differed from the Austrian strains, formed one group all by itself. From three studs, which are related to each other because of an intensive exchange of horses, representatives (n = 53) of three DNA fingerprint groups were isolated. These three fingerprint patterns were very similar to each other, while the hybridisation patterns from the other two Austrian strains were very different. One of these strains, isolated from a diseased mare, could not be distinguished from the other strain isolated from a clinical healthy stallion from the same study by this method. Only 47.3% from the investigated strains showed attachment to HeLa cells, while cell extracts of all of them caused morphological changes of a varying degree of both Y1 and Vero cells. There were no connexions between these adhesion-cytotoxicity-properties and the DNA fingerprint groups as well as the studs, respectively. No plasmids were found in the Taylorella equigenitalis strains used in this study.

Three strains of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli which adhered, colonized intensively, and caused disease in pig intestine, but which did not produce pili of the K88, K99, or 987P antigen types were designated 3P − ETEC. The 3P − ETEC caused mannose-resistant hemagglutination, adhered to porcine intestinal epithelial cells in vitro, and produced pili. However, most bacteria taken directly from the intestine of pigs infected with 3P − ETEC appeared to be nonpiliated. Two preparations were isolated from the 3P − ETEC. One (material A) contained pili, caused mannose-sensitive hemagglutination, and did not inhibit adhesion of whole bacteria to epithelial cells in vitro. The other (material B) had no demonstrable pili, caused mannose-resistant hemagglutination, and blocked ahesion of bacteria to epithelial cells in vitro. Antiserum against an acapsular mutant (K − ) of one 3P − ETEC strain was absorbed to remove antibodies directed against somatic (O) antigen. The absorbed antiserum agglutinated all three 3P − ETEC strains grown in the K − form at 37°C, but not when they were grown at 18°C. The absorbed antiserum blocked the hemagglutinating activity of material B, but not of material A. It also reacted (via indirect immunofluorescence) with all of the 3P − ETEC when they were grown in pig intestine. The results were interpreted to indicate that: (i) the epithelial adhesive and mannose-resistant hemagglutinating activities of the 3P − ETEC strains may be mediated by an antigen contained in material B; (ii) this antigen either is not pilus associated or is associated with pili that are not demonstrable by the methods used here; (iii) the 3P − ETEC strains produce type 1 pili which do not mediate their adhesion to intestinal epithelium of pigs.