Paratuberculosis in cattle: a comparison of three serologic tests with results of fecal culture.

Feces and blood were collected from cattle in 13 herds known to be infected with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis to evaluate a complement-fixation (CF) test, an agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serologic diagnosis of paratuberculosis. M. paratuberculosis was isolated from the feces of 36 of 192 cattle examined. Twenty-three culture-positive animals had CF test titers regarded as suspect or positive, 10 were positive by the AGID test and 34 were suspect or positive by the ELISA. Of the 156 culture-negative animals, the CF test agreed on 136, the ELISA on 129 and the AGID on 151.

Identification of Mycobacterium bovis, using miniaturized thin-layer chromatography and morphologic characteristics.

Lipid analysis was performed on 204 isolates of mycobacteria, using miniaturized thin-layer chromatography (MTLC). A previously described lipid component was found in 92 (96.8%) of 95 isolates of Mycobacterium bovis and in 2 (1.8%) of 109 isolates of other mycobacteria. Using MTLC, an isolate could be identified as M bovis 3 to 4 weeks earlier than by use of conventional biochemical techniques. Examination of isolates for colonial and cellular morphologic characteristics was a useful adjunct in the identification of M bovis by use of MTLC.

Field evaluation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibody to African swine fever virus.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of antibodies to African swine fever virus was evaluated under field conditions in the Dominican Republic. A total of 3,402 swine serums were tested by ELISA. All ELISA-positive serums (n = 224) and 426 of 2,760 ELISA-negative serums were retested by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). There were no antibodies to ASF virus detected by IIF in ELISA-negative serums. By IIF, antibodies were detected in only a small portion of the ELISA-positive serums. The specificity and sensitivity of ELISA and IIF were investigated and discussed. It appears that poor quality serums had an effect in ELISA results. Detection of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM classes of antibodies in the ELISA and IIF-positive serums were also performed and related to longevity of African swine fever virus infection. The ELISA is recommended as an efficient method in testing large number of serums; positive results are to be retested by IIF.

Suspected transportation-associated myopathy in a dolphin.

A pacific bottle-nosed dolphin became depressed and immobile following 22.5 hours of transportation. Creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were increased, suggesting muscle damage. Though a definitive diagnosis was not reached, the condition in the dolphin was similar to that of capture myopathy in wild terrestrial animals.

Stimulation of lymphocytes from a dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) by phytomitogens.

Activation of dolphin peripheral blood lymphocytes by the phytomitogens, concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and pokeweed mitogen, was evaluated. Whole blood culture technique was employed, which eliminated the necessity of lymphocyte isolation or purification procedures. Dolphin lymphocytes responded (by increased [14C]thymidine incorporation) to all 3 mitogens, but concanavalin A consistently produced the highest degree of stimulation.

Cerebral abscess associated with stranding in a dolphin.

A captive Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was examined after being found beached in the shallows of its lagoon enclosure. An abscess was found in the right cerebral hemisphere, and Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the lesion. Histopathologic examination of the brain revealed a pyogenic meningoencephalitis.

Necrotic stomatitis in a dolphin.

Necrotic stomatitis of undetermined etiology was found in an Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. The case history, treatment and hematologic findings are described. The animal remained anorectic throughout the course of the illness, and was force fed on a daily basis for approximately 5 weeks.

A survey of Erysipelothrix insidiosa agglutinating antibody titers in vaccinated porpoises (Tursiops truncatus).

Antibody activity against Erysipelothrix insidiosa was measured in 15 porpoises which had undergone a series of vaccinations, at 6 month intervals, with erysipelas bacterin. Relatively high levels of aggluntinating antibodies were found to persist in the serum for a least 6 months following booster inoculations of the vaccine.