Immunohistochemical diagnosis of persistent infection with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) on skin biopsies.

Detection of persistent infection with BovineViral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) is essential for both epidemiological and clinical reasons. In addition to the classical virological methods such as virus isolation in tissue culture, ELISA and RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry of skin biopsies has become a useful and reliable tool. Assuming that the presence of BVDV antigen in skin structures is restricted to persistent infection, this method could differentiate from transient infection. In order to answer this question, 6 calves were experimentally infected orally with a non-cytopathic genotype 1 BVDV strain belonging to the subtype k.The calves developed fever, mucopurulent nasal discharge, coughing and leucopenia with relative lymphopenia. Immunohistochemistry of skin biopsies taken daily up to day 13-post infection did not reveal any evidence of BVDV infection. BVDV was, however, isolated from blood samples on cell cultures. Anti-NS3-antibody-ELISA and serum neutralization tests showed that all six calves seroconverted. We conclude that in acute BVDV infections, with genotype 1 and the subtypes found in Switzerland (b, e, h and k) viral antigen is not found in epidermal structures of the skin. In contrast, persistently infected animals test positive for BVD viral antigen by immunohistochemistry of the skin.

[Rush pin osteosynthesis of the clavicles as an alternative to conservative treatment]. / Die Rush-Pin-Osteosynthese der Klavikula als Alternative zur konservativen Behandlung.

Fractures of the clavicle in the middle third usually undergo closed treatment by external fixation, because they heal spontaneously in most cases. However, a correct reposition and fixation by external manner is sometimes impossible, and consolidation in malposition with functional and esthetic disturbance occurs. External fixation can be painful and inconvenient to the patient, and congestion and paresthesia of the upper limbs may occur. Therefore the indication for internal fixation has been extended on fractures in persisting severe malposition despite external fixation and painful congestion and paresthesia of the arms. A method of internal fixation by a Rush pin has been used. The fracture is exposed by a minimal incision, and both fragments are bored open axially and exactly reposed. The Rusph pin is inserted from the medial side through a second small incision. The corticalis layer on both sides of the bend of the clavicle is also to be penetrated by the pin. Postoperatively no external fixation is necessary, and the patient is told to move the shoulder as soon as possible. The pin is removed after three to six months on outpatient basis under local anesthesia. 43 cases of clavicle fractures and three cases of painful non-union after closed treatment, operated in this way, have been analyzed. In two cases of the fractures (4.6%) non-union occurred. Both healed after refixation by a plate. 34 of 41 fractures healed without radiologically visible callus. 64% of the registered patients have been handicapped in their daily activities only for two weeks or even less.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)