VP1 sequences of German porcine parvovirus isolates define two genetic lineages

In order to evaluate the genetic variability of Porcine parvovirus (PPV), the complete capsid protein sequences (VP1/VP2) from seven recent field isolates from Germany, one isolate from the UK and one German vaccine strain were sequenced and analysed, along with two American (NADL-2 and Kresse), three Asian and 22 Brazilian partial PPV sequences retrieved from GenBank. The analysis revealed a high degree of diversity: 1·2–2·6 % at the nucleotide level and 1·2–6·8 % at the amino acid level. Phylogenetic analysis defined two German clusters: one formed by four German isolates and the English, Asian and American sequences; and the second, distinct cluster formed by the other three of the seven German isolates examined. The latter cluster was still observed when the 22 partial sequences (853 nt of the 3′ terminus of the VP2 gene) from the Brazilian isolates were included in the analyses, indicating that the VP2 sequence determines the phylogeny.

Der Klinische Fall: Kohlenmonoxidvergiftung bei Mastschweinen

Gegenstand: Diskussion plötzlicher Todesfälle bei Schweinen. Material und Methode: Fallbericht über 181 verendete Schweine eines Mastbestandes. Ergebnisse: Die Mortalität von nahezu 100% in einem Abteil mit 184 neu eingestallten Mastschweinen wird anhand einer Ausschlussdiagnose auf eine Kohlenmon-oxidvergiftung zurückgeführt. Ursache war eine unsachgemäße Aufheizung des Stallabteils mit einer ölbetriebenen Heizkanone. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Bei Verenden vieler Tiere einer Gruppe sollte immer auch eine Anamnese in Hinblick auf Vergiftungen erhoben werden. Beim Aufheizen von Stallabteilen ist auf eine ausreichende Belüftung zu achten. Brennstoffbetriebene Heizkanonen sollten hinsichtlich ihrer einwandfreien Funktion überprüft werden.

[Prevalence and association of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine parvovirus (PPV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in aborted fetuses, mummified fetuses, stillborn and nonviable neonatal piglets]

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) seems to cause reproductive failure in sows not only in experimental studies. A retrospective study was made with a total of 252 aborted fetuses, mummified fetuses, stillborn and nonviable neonatal piglets to determine the presence of PCV2, porcine parvovirus (PPV) and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) by PCR. PCV2 was found in all stages of gestation in 27.1 percent of samples examined. A statistically significant association could be shown between the detection of PCV2 and PRRSV. However, no significant association was seen between the detection of PCV2 and PPV and between PPV and PRRSV.

Porzines Dermatitis-Nephropathie-Syndrom (PDNS) – eine Übersicht über pathomorphologische Veränderungen

Gegenstand und Ziel: Das porzine Dermatitis-Nephropathie- Syndrom (PDNS) wird in letzter Zeit immer häufiger beobachtet. Meist tritt es nur bei einzelnen oder wenigen Tieren eines Bestandes auf. Ziel dieser Studie war, typische pathomorphologische Befunde und die zeitliche Abfolge der Veränderungen darzustellen. Material und Methoden: Bei 22 Schweinen, die aus 16 verschiedenen Aufzucht- bzw. Mastbetrieben in Bayern stammten, wurde in den Jahren 2001 bis 2004 das porzine Dermatitis-Nephropathie-Syndrom (PDNS) klinisch sowie pathologisch-anatomisch diagnostiziert. Ergebnisse: Klinisch zeigten alle Tieren herdförmige, teils konfluierende Hautveränderungen mit tief reichenden Blutungen sowie multifokale Nekrosen mit krustösen Auflagerungen am gesamten Körper, insbesondere an den Hintergliedmaßen und dem Perineum. Charakteristischer pathomorphologischer Befund war eine hochgradige leukozytoklastische Vaskulitis der in Dermis und Subkutis gelegenen kleinkalibrigen Blutgefäße. In den Nieren fanden sich, neben einer akuten segmentalen nekrotisierenden Glomerulonephritis, chronische Veränderungen mit Verödung einzelner Glomerula sowie multifokale Synechien zwischen der Bowman‘schen Kapsel und den Glomerulumschlingen. Bei 21 Tieren wurde mithilfe der PCR das porzine Circovirus Typ 2 (PCV 2) und in fünf Fällen zusätzlich das Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) in der Lunge nachgewiesen. Schlussfolgerung: Trotz der typischen pathomorphologischen Befunde bleibt die Ätiologie des porzinen Dermatitis-Nephropathie-Syndroms bislang ungeklärt. Diskutiert werden sowohl virale als auch bakterielle Infektionen. Klinische Relevanz: Da die Frühform des PDNS klinisch nicht sicher von der akuten Verlaufsform der klassischen Schweinepest zu unterscheiden ist, kommt dem PDNS eine wichtige seuchenhygienische Bedeutung zu.

Klinische, hämatologische und klinisch-chemische Befunde beim porzinen Dermatitis-Nephropathie-Syndrom (PDNS)

Gegenstand und Ziel: Das porzine Dermatitis-Nephropathie- Syndrom (PDNS) wird erst seit wenigen Jahren beobachtet und ätiologisch mit einer porzinen Circovirus-Typ-2-Infektion (PCV-2) in Verbindung gebracht. Die Arbeit stellt klinische sowie labordiagnostische Befunde insbesondere zur Abgrenzung der klassischen Schweinepest dar. Material und Methoden: Bei insgesamt 46 Schweinen mit PDNS wurden klinische sowie hämatologische und klinisch-chemische Untersuchungen durchgeführt. Ergebnisse: Klinisch ließen sich petechiale bis flächenhafte Blutungen insbesondere im Bereich der Hintergliedmaßen und der Ohren feststellen. Die Inguinallymphknoten waren bei einem großen Anteil der untersuchten Tiere deutlich vergrößert. Die Leukozytenzahl sowie der Anteil an Lymphozyten lagen bis auf zwei Ausnahmen im Referenzbereich. Bei allen Tieren fanden sich eine Neutrophilie sowie deutlich erhöhte Harnstoff- und Kreatininwerte. Schlussfolgerungen: Klinisch ist das PDNS kaum von der klassischen Schweinepest zu unterscheiden. Anhand von hämatologischen und klinisch-chemischen Befunden lassen sich jedoch Unterschiede zur Schweinepest darstellen. Klinische Relevanz: Aufgrund des ähnlichen klinischen Bildes zur klassischen Schweinepest kommt dem PDNS auch eine seuchenrechtliche Bedeutung zu. Die Schweinepest sollte in jedem Fall durch geeignete Methoden ausgeschlossen werden.

Immunhistochemische Untersuchungen von Gehirnen älterer Sauen und Eber auf transmissible spongiforme Enzephalopathie

Gegenstand und Ziel: Es sollte überprüft werden, ob bei älteren Sauen und Ebern in der Obexregion verändertes Prionprotein (PrPsc) und somit die transmissible spongiforme Enzephalopathie nachweisbar ist. Material und Methoden: Zur Untersuchung gelangten 48 Hirngewebsproben, die im Jahr 2002 gesammelt worden waren. Sie stammten von Sauen und Ebern im Alter zwischen zwei und fünf Jahren. Bei den Tieren handelte es sich um Patienten der Klinik für Schweine, Eber aus unterschiedlichen Besamungsstationen, die altersbedingt oder krankheitsbedingt aus dem Deckbetrieb ausgeschieden waren, sowie um ausgemerzte Altsauen, die der Schlachtung zugeführt wurden. Die männlichen Tiere gehörten den Rassen Piétrain, Duroc sowie der Deutschen Landrasse (DL) an, bei den Sauen waren Kreuzungen zwischen DL und Deutschem Edelschwein, reinrassige DL-Sauen sowie eine Schwäbisch Hällische Sau vertreten. Die immunhistochemischen Untersuchungen wurden mit dem allgemein gebräuchlichen Antikörper L42 der Bundesforschungsanstalt für Viruskrankheiten (BFAV) der Tiere, Insel Riems, durchgeführt. Ergebnisse: Eine Bindung dieses Antikörpers an pathologisches durch Konformationsänderung entstandenes Prionprotein (PrPsc) ließ sich nicht nachweisen. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: In Übereinstimmung mit der herrschenden Ansicht weist unsere Studie daraufhin, dass eine natürliche Übertragung von TSE beim Schwein nicht vorkommt.

[Humoral immune response in breeding sows after vaccination with a herd-specific Chlamydophila abortus vaccine]

A chlamydial vaccine efficacy trial with assessment of the clinical acceptability and serum antibody responses was performed in breeding sows. A BGM cell culture derived vaccine containing 10(8)/ml formalin-inactivated purified elementary bodies (Eb.) in sterile 0.15 M saline was prepared from Chlamydophila (Ch.) abortus strain OCHL03/99 which has been isolated in the herd from a sample of vaginal discharge. Vaccination was performed as a randomised trial with parallel treatment of a vaccinated group (25 sows) and non-vaccinated control group (20 sows). Sows received two 2.0-ml doses of vaccine intramuscularly at a three week interval. Control sows were dosed with sterile 0.15 M saline, accordingly. Serological response to vaccination was measured by ELISA with a total of 204 blood serum samples (114 from the vaccine group; 90 from the control group) using crude chlamydial LPS as the antigen. Compared to the control group, vaccinated sows showed a marked primary and secondary IgG serum antibody response following the two vaccinations. Antibody levels peaked between week 7 and 14 after priming vaccination, declined incrementally until week 27 but remained significantly higher than the corresponding sham-immune control levels and the prevaccination values of the vaccine group (p < 0.05). Western blot analysis of solubilized whole Eb. of Ch. abortus, Ch. pecorum, and Chlamydia (C.) suis with pre- and postvaccination sera confirmed that vaccination induced an antibody response preferentially against a range of 13 chlamydial antigens including the 40 kDa MOMP of Ch. abortus. Clinical side effects consisting of a transient mild local inflammatory reaction at the site of injection were observed in approx. 30% of vaccinated sows. These results provide the basis for further clinical evaluation of the Ch. abortus vaccine to protect sows from chlamydia-induced reproductive disorders.

[Clinical signs and differential diagnosis of foot and mouth disease in pigs]

FMD in pigs is primarily a foot disease. It is dominated by rather painful formation of vesicles in the epidermis of the feet (coronary band, interdigital clefts, bulbs) combined with severe lameness. Complications will be seen as detachment of the hoof and secondary infection of disrupted aphthae which may cause purulent arthritis of the pedal joint. Concerning differential diagnosis are to be considered all cases of acute lameness, vesicle-formation as typical lesions of exudative epidermites of pemphigus in the course of infections with S. hyicus or S. aureus as well as degenerative changes after selenium-intoxication, specially near the coronary band, sometimes linked with exungulation.

Zoonotic potential of Enterocytozoon bieneusi

The reservoirs and the modes of transmission of the most frequent microsporidial species in humans, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, are still unknown. We have examined fecal samples of 26 humans and 350 animals from 37 species to find 18 samples containing this parasite from humans, cats, pigs, cattle, and a llama. Genotypic characterization of the internal transcribed spacer of the rRNA gene resulted in 14 different genotypes, 6 of them previously undescribed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the lack of a transmission barrier between E. bieneusi from humans and animals (cats, pigs, and cattle). Thus, E. bieneusi appears to be a zoonotic pathogen.

The acute phase response following implantation of triclosan-bonded vascular prostheses

OBJECTIVE

Infection of prosthetic material is a major complication of vascular surgery. Therapy for it includes implantation of antimicrobial prostheses bonded with different antimicrobial agents. These agents may, however, induce an acute phase reaction following implantation in the host, thus compromising follow-up of the infection. It is not known whether the antimicrobial agent triclosan induces a significant acute phase reaction when bonded to vascular prostheses.

METHODS

To study this, 34 adult swine weighing 20-30 kg were allotted randomly to the following groups: (1) controls with untreated prostheses, (2) control group with triclosan-bonded prostheses, (3) therapy group with untreated prostheses, local infection with Staphylococcus aureus surgical revision, and exchange with new, untreated prostheses, and (4) therapy group with untreated prostheses, local infection with S. aureus, surgical revision, and exchange with triclosan-bonded prostheses. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin values were determined during the 28-day period after surgery. The study was performed at the Institute for Surgical Research of the Ludwig Maximilian University School of Medicine in Munich.

RESULTS

Normal ranges of serum CRP and haptoglobin values were 10.7+/-1.4 microg/ml and 2.5+/-0.3 mg/ml, respectively. Following implantation of untreated and triclosan-bonded vascular prostheses, significantly elevated serum CRP and haptoglobin values were observed. No significant differences between results with triclosan-bonded and untreated prostheses were observed in control or treatment groups. No correlation was found between acute phase reaction and the absence or presence of infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Triclosan is the only antimicrobial agent that bonds to vascular prosthetic material without the need of a sealant. Our data indicate that vascular prosthesis implantation, whether untreated and triclosan-bonded, results in a significant acute phase reaction. No differences between antimicrobial and untreated prostheses were observed, independently of the absence or presence of infection. The antimicrobial agent itself did not induce a severe acute phase response and may, therefore, be used in patients at risk of infection.

[Liver sonography and ultrasound-guided puncture of the gallbladder in pigs: new possibilities for the diagnosis of mycotoxicosis]

60 pigs representing all age groups (suckling pigs, weaner pigs, hogs, gilts and sows; thereof 37 females, 2 males, 21 castrated males) were examined by ultrasound of the liver and by ultrasound guided gallbladder puncture. The visibility of the liver and gallbladder was strongly influenced by the size of the animals. The thickness of the abdominal and thoracic walls in older animals proved to be a highly ultrasound-absorptive medium, which limited the ability to assess the underlying tissue structures. As a result, gallbladder puncture of these animals was possible only with a certain degree of technical difficulty. The gallbladder puncture procedure itself posed little risk to the animal. The primary risk resulted from the general anesthesia required. Autopsy showed no pathological findings due to gallbladder puncture with the exception of minimal, rapidly healing, local infectious processes. The bile proved to be a suitable medium of the detection of mycotoxins and their metabolites. Selective accumulation of these toxins in bile provide a more reliable diagnostic tool than the standard mycotoxicological tests of feed.

[Vitamin D3 poisoning--case report]

Over 650 pigs died within a couple hours in a fattening unit with approximately 3,000 fattening spaces. The pigs showed vomiting, dyspnea, kyphosis, sunken flanks, diarrhea, and polyuria. Another striking symptom of the pigs, besides the apathy, was the aphonia, due to the calcification of the vocal cords. An acute vitamin D3-intoxication was found to be the cause. The pathologic findings, especially the histologic detection of calcification processes of the soft tissues, lead to the suspect of an intoxication with a vitamin D-like substance. Between 39,000 and 196,000 IU/kg of vitamin D3 have been detected in a ready-to-use food mix. 8.8 million IU/kg of crystaline vitamin D3 were found in an open whey bag. An explanation how vitamin D came into the bag could not be clarified to this point.

[Comparative investigations of a combined vaccine against parvovirus and erysipelas and corresponding monovaccines in different vaccination schedules. 1: Field trial]

In a field trial, the development of antibodies of a combined vaccine against the porcine parvovirus (PPV) as well as against swine erysipelas was compared with corresponding mono vaccines. Furthermore, these vaccines were used in different vaccination schedules. The tests were carried out on 109 gilts in three closed farms. In all gilts, a basic immunization repeated twice was carried out at the age of six months and at intervals of three weeks. The revaccination was carried out four months after the basic immunization with half of the animals, and six months after the basic immunization with the remaining gilts. Between the combined vaccine and the mono vaccine no significant differences in the development of antibodies against PPV could be found according to different vaccination schedules. The gilts having been vaccinated with the mono vaccine and boostered six months later showed significantly higher antibody titers against Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Between the remaining vaccination groups no significant difference in the development of the antibodies against swine erysipelas could be found. On only one farm, a continuous decrease of antibody titers against PPV in case of altogether 238 non-vaccinated piglets until the sixth month of life could be observed. On the two other farms, an increase of antibody titers against PPV could be found at different points of time, which indicates an infection of the piglets. Between the individual vaccination groups no significant antibody titers against PPV could be measured in milk tests. With regard to the number of piglets born alive per litter, the number of piglets born dead per litter and the number of mummies, a significant difference could neither be found between the vaccination groups 1-4.

[Effectiveness and disposition of the newly developed cephalosporin cefquinome in puerperal septicemia and toxemia in gilts]

Epizootiological, clinical, bacteriological and haematological studies were carried out to assess the effectiveness of the recently developed cephalosporin preparation Cefquinome in the treatment of the puerperal septicaemia and toxaemia syndrome. Cefquinome was administered at three different doses (1, 2 and 4 mg/kg BW) to 188 sows with feverish puerperal illness. Amoxicillin (7 mg/kg BW) was used as a control drug. In 41% of cases endometritis was a monoinfection whereas in 70% of mammary infections mixed infections were diagnosed. Results showed that for therapy of puerperal septicaemia and toxaemia Cefquinome at doses of 2 mg/kg BW and 4 mg/kg BW is clearly more effective than the control drug Amoxicillin and Cefquinome at its lowest dose of 1 mg/kg BW.

[Brucellosis and Aujeszky's disease in a wild boar enclose. Case report]

In wild boars kept in a paddock of approximately 1.7 square miles Brucella suis biotype 2 was isolated and Aujeszky's disease was diagnosed by serological tests. To clear the paddock, the wild boars were lured by offered food and caught using specially built smaller pens. They were then transported to a location far off their original surroundings and euthanized. Of a total of 297 wild boars kept in the paddock, 71% were caught and 28% shot. Three wild boars (= 1%) were found trapped. The described method could also be used in case of epidemics to catch wild boars living outside existing paddocks. In order to avoid killing the boars which stayed in separate quarantine enclosures, a darting gun was used to anaesthetize the animals with tiletamine/zolazepam. Achieved sedation levels were deep enough to allow for blood samples to be taken from the jugular vein without any problems, i.e. without any defence reactions of the boars. The origin of infection could not be identified.

[Differential diagnosis of the porcine pituitary abscess syndrome (case report)]

In a three years old sow, neurologic signs resulting from lesions of some cranial nerves and similar to the symptoms typical of porcine pituitary abscesses were described. A generalized leukosis with tumor cell infiltration occurring in numerous organs e.g. in the pituitary gland was diagnosed in this animal. The neurologic and pathogenetic differences between the described case and the porcine pituitary abscess syndrome were discussed.

[Porcine proliferative enteropathy in feeders and breeder sows]

Porcine proliferative enteropathy (PPE) was recognized as an important economic factor in pig production. In the following, three cases of PPE in pigs presented for necropsy are discussed. The animals were raised in a stud stock and a weaning production facility in Bavaria. The clinical signs described in the history indicated a herd problem with hemorrhagic diarrhoea and paleness being the cardinal signs. The diagnosis was based upon gross and histopathological findings and was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The different types of manifestation of the disease seen in the two production facilities are discussed in the context of the current literature on etiology and pathogenesis.