Lactococcus lactis, causative agent of an endocarditis valvularis and parietalis thromboticans in the allis shad, Alosa alosa (L.).

Since the 1940s, the anadromous allis shad, Alosa alosa (L.), has suffered population declines throughout its distribution range in Europe. In context of EU-LIFE projects for the reintroduction of the allis shad in the Rhine system, a comprehensive study was started in 2012 to investigate infectious diseases occurring in allis shad. In course of the study, 217 mature and young-of-the-year allis shad originating from the wild population from the Gironde-Garonne-Dordogne system (GGD-system) and the Rhine system as well as 38 allis shad from the breeding population were examined by use of bacteriological and histological methods. In 2012 and 2014, an endocarditis valvularis thromboticans caused by a coccoid bacterium was detected in 16% and 25% of mature allis shad originating from the GGD-system. Results of microbiologic examinations, including biochemical characteristics, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, revealed Lactococcus lactis as causative agent of this infection. This is the first report of an endocarditis valvularis and parietalis thromboticans caused by Lactococcus lactis in fish. Possible sources of infection as well as the impact for the reintroduction programme are discussed.

First report of a cystic malformation on the upper jaw of hatchery-reared allis shad Alosa alosa.

The anadromous allis shad Alosa alosa has suffered dramatic population declines throughout Europe and is currently considered as endangered throughout its entire distribution range. In order to reestablish allis shad in the River Rhine, which formerly housed one of the largest and most important populations, an EU-LIFE Project 'The re-introduction of allis shad in the Rhine system' was started in 2007. In course of the LIFE+ Projects, allis shad larvae bred from genitor fish of the Gironde-Garonne-Dordogne population in France were reared in a pilot ex situ stock plant pilot facility in Aßlar, Germany. At an age of 1-2 months, about 100% of these fish developed approximately 0.5- to 0.8-cm large, fluid-filled, transparent cysts in conjunction with the upper jaw. The performed microbiological, virological, parasitological and histological examinations did not detect any infectious agents. Possible causative agents are discussed with regard to environmental factors and the nutrition of larvae. In conclusion, the observed malformations are considered a sign for a severe health problem and therefore a risk for the successful breeding of allis shad in aquaculture.

[Focal meningitis in a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)--diagnostic procedure and pathology]. / Herdförmige Meningitis bei einem Kalifornischen Seelöwen (Zalophus californianus) - Diagnostik und pathologische Befunde.

A 15-year-old female California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) with progressive lameness of the hindlimbs and a chronic skin lesion was presented for clinical examination. The clinical neurological examination, showing a paraparesis, was completed by magnetic resonance imaging. MR images of the cervical and thoracic spine showed a well-defined muscle infiltrating lesion between the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) and the second thoracic vertebra (T2), which extended through the intervertebral foramina between C7 and T1 into the vertebral canal, causing spinal cord compression and displacement. Pathological examination revealed focal purulent meningitis resulting from widespread fistulas of the chronic skin leasion, which was infected with Escherichia coli var. haemolytica and Clostridium perfringens.

Outbreak of reproductive disorders and mycobacteriosis in swine associated with a single strain of Mycobacterium avium subspecies hominissuis.

In a breeding and fattening pig farm an increasing number of cases of abortion and generalized mycobacteriosis at slaughter occurred. Pathological findings compatible with mycobacteriosis, acid-fast organisms in tissues, and isolation of mycobacteria from tissue samples including fetuses, lungs and reproductive organs from sows, genital swabs, mesenteric lymph nodes, and from a sperm sample revealed the cause of the disease. Bacterial cultures were identified as Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis using IS901-/IS1245-specific PCR. Genotyping of selected isolates from animals as well as from their environment by MIRU-VNTR analysis showed that the herd was infected with one single outbreak strain. The same genotype was also isolated from pigs of two other farms which showed comparable symptoms and were in direct contact with the index farm as well as from their environment. Immunological host responses detected by tuberculin skin test and ELISA gave positive results at herd level only. Despite the detection of other potential pathogens mycobacteria were regarded as the causative agent of the reproductive disorders. To our knowledge this is the first report of an epidemic mycobacterial infection in a pig holding associated with reproductive disorders, which could be attributed to one single virulent strain, and the first report of detection of M. avium subsp. hominissuis in pig sperm.

Quantification of the herpesvirus content in various tissues and organs, and associated post mortem lesions of psittacine birds which died during an epornithic of pacheco's parrot disease (PPD).

This paper reports on the viral content of up to 52 tissue and organ samples of 18 individual large psittacines which died during an epornithic of Pacheco's parrot disease (PPD) caused by psittacid herpesvirus 1 (PsHV1). Associated clinical signs and pathological lesions are described. The large spectrum of samples found to be positive for PsHVl suggests that birds succumb to PPD during viraemia. Tissues and organs from which the virus could be isolated included the integument and associated structures, the muscular, respiratory and circulatory system, bone marrow, the nervous system, thyroid and adrenal glands, spleen and liver, the urogenital tract and the gastro-intestinal tract. Nevertheless, individual and organ (but not species)-specific variation does occur. Virus isolation appears to be most promising from the respiratory, vascular and nervous system and the liver. Highest titres were obtained from heart blood and liver (up to 7.6 log(10)/g tissue), airsac, Nervus vagus and pulp and quill of pin feathers. Pin feathers may therefore be suitable for in-vivo diagnosis. In contrast, HV could not be isolated from any of the feather vanes examined. For the most part, post mortem lesions do not reflect the organ pattern found to be most permissive for virus replication as judged by the success of virus isolation and virus titres. A closer quantitative correlation is indicated for the lungs, spleen and liver, only. Corresponding findings as to frequency of gross pathological lesions and virus quantification appear to be restricted to the liver. In accordance with clinical observations and experimental findings, tissue virus content indicates that horizontal spread of herpesviruses is mediated by cloacal contents or secretions from the respiratory system.

Review of the literature and investigations on the prevalence and consequences of yeasts in reptiles.

Ninety-one reptiles were examined for the presence of yeasts by standard protocols and pathohistological methods. Yeasts were isolated from 42 of the animals. Representatives of herbivorous families (Testudinidae and Iguanidae) carried yeasts more often than animals belonging to carnivorous taxa (Boidae and Emydidae). Yeasts were most often isolated from the gastrointestinal tract, and in 24-6 per cent of cases they could be cultured from the oral cavity and/or cloaca of living animals. Postmortem examination revealed that the intestines of 80-6 per cent of the animals carried yeasts. In all, 56 isolates, belonging to the genera Candida (32), Trichosporon (11), Torulopsis (9) and Rhodotorula (3), and one perfect yeast were obtained. The species included taxa potentially pathogenic to man. However, no sufficiently reliable criteria could be established to prove that positive culture results were associated with disease. In the reptiles examined postmortem, three cases of dermatomycosis were detected histologically. No case of organ mycosis was identified.

[A herpesvirus-caused enzootic--Pacheco's parrot disease--in a psittacine collection]. / Eine Herpesvirus-bedingte Enzootie--Pachecosche Papageienkrankheit--in einem Psittazidenbestand.

After the official confirmation of psittacosis in a collection of psittacine birds a total of 40 of them died during treatment with tetracycline. 36 of them underwent post mortem examination. From 33 birds the causative herpesvirus of Pacheco's parrot disease (PPD) was isolated and/or a non-purulent hepatitis diagnosed, the latter a characteristic for PPD. The cause of the outbreak was assumed to be a latent herpesvirus infection of individual birds which was activated by various stress factors during the psittacosis treatment. The macroscopic and histologic lesions, the results of virological investigations and the in vitro effect of acyclovir on the multiplication of the isolated herpes virus are described.

European brown hare syndrome virus: relationship to rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus and other caliciviruses.

Monoclonal antibodies directed against the capsid protein of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) were used to identify field cases of European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) and to distinguish between RHDV and the virus responsible for EBHS. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of liver extract of an EBHS virus (EBHSV)-infected hare revealed a single major capsid protein species of approximately 60 kDa that shared epitopes with the capsid protein of RHDV. RNA isolated from the liver of an EBHSV-infected hare contained two viral RNA species of 7.5 and 2.2 kb that comigrated with the genomic and subgenomic RNAs of RHDV and were recognized by labeled RHDV cDNA in Northern (RNA) hybridizations. The nucleotide sequence of the 3' 2.8 kb of the EBHSV genome was determined from four overlapping cDNA clones. Sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame that contains part of the putative RNA polymerase gene and the complete capsid protein gene. This particular genome organization is shared by RHDV but not by other known caliciviruses. The deduced amino acid sequence of the capsid protein of EBHSV was compared with the capsid protein sequences of RDDV and other caliciviruses. The amino acid sequence comparisons revealed that EBHSV is closely related to RHDV and distantly related to other caliciviruses. On the basis of their genome organization, it is suggested that caliciviruses be divided into three groups.

Polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in foxes in Germany from 1983 to 1991.

Red foxes served as a biological indicator for the temporal development of environmental contamination with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). The concentration of PCB congeners nos. 28, 49, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180 were analyzed in the body fat of 80 foxes (Canis vulpes) from Germany. The samples were from animals that had been submitted for examination in 1983, 1987, and 1991. Throughout this time period, a reduction was seen in the concentration of the highly chlorinated biphenyls 138, 153, and 180, whereas the concentration of the low-chlorinated congeners PCB nos. 28, 49, and 52 increased. No change in contamination with congener 101 was observed. These results show a trend toward reduction of environmental contamination with highly-chlorinated biphenyls since 1983, while contamination with low-chlorinated congeners is apparently increasing. An interesting observation is the disproportionately higher amount of 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-hepatachlorobiphenyl (PCB 180) over that of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153) in body-fat samples from all foxes analyzed. This phenomenon was also observed in 10 dogs examined as controls. Based on evidence from other authors of experimental toxicological studies on beagles, it appears that the fox possesses a similar cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme that can degrade 2,4,5-trichloro-substituted aromatic compounds. As a consequence, in canines, PCB 180 which is additionally meta-chloro substituted is accumulated to a greater degree than is PCB 153.

Immunocytochemical demonstration of Coxiella burnetii antigen in the fetal placenta of naturally infected sheep and cattle.

Coxiella burnetii antigen was demonstrated immunocytochemically in the placental tissues of aborted fetuses from four cows and two ewes and from one full-term calf. Antigen was observed in cytoplasmic vacuoles of trophoblasts, especially along the base of the chorionic villi. Positive trophoblasts were of normal size or exhibited striking cytoplasmic enlargement. Antigen was also demonstrated in neutrophils, degenerated cells and extracellularly in the intervillous spaces. The chorioallantoic connective tissue, allantoic surface and fetal tissues were devoid of C. burnetii antigen. Ovine placentas showed strong coxiella-specific staining and histological lesions characterized by moderate to severe, multifocal, necrotizing and purulent inflammation. In bovine placentas, the number of immunopositive cells varied from few to moderate and changes were mild or absent. Placental vasculitis consisting of infiltrating mononuclear cells, neutrophils or eosinophils was observed in both of the ovine and two of the bovine fetuses. In addition, a few intravascular thrombi were observed in one ovine and one bovine placenta. Thus the ovine coxiellosis cases were associated with an abundant accumulation of C. burnetii antigen and with severe necrotizing purulent placentitis, whereas in bovine coxiellosis the lesions were mild or absent and the number of organisms demonstrated immunocytochemically was much smaller. These results suggest a relation between species, lesion severity and weight of infection.

Incidence, epizootiology and control of viral haemorrhagic disease of rabbits and the European brown hare syndrome in Germany.

Viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) among domestic and wild rabbits and European brown hares have been observed in most of the Federal states of Germany. Acute outbreaks of viral haemorrhagic disease are most prevalent in small, fancy domestic rabbitries, with mortality varying between 5 and 90%, while mostly sporadic losses due to VHD are seen among wild rabbits. In hares, accumulated losses from the European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) can occasionally be observed in areas where fresh green feed, such as young O.O-rape plants, is available. VHD of rabbits and EBHS are caused by calicivirus strains. The natural virus reservoirs are wild rabbit and hare populations. Mutual infection of rabbits and hares seems to be possible. Transmission and spread of infectious virus occurs by direct contact of animals, or indirectly by contaminated excrement, green feed or living vectors. Calicivirus infections are widespread in several states, with accumulation of losses among domestic and wild rabbits by VHD, or in hares by EBHS, within certain areas. Disease hygiene, together with vaccination, are the officially preferred control measures in domestic rabbitries.

[Erysipelas in the roe deer--a case report]. / Rotlaufinfektion beim Reh--ein Fallbericht.

An infection of a young male roe deer caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae with a pronounced thrombotic endocarditis in the left valves and focal necrosis in the septum of the heart leading to bacterial sepsis is described. Findings of this kind are extremely rare in roe deer. However, they document the wide host range, which is also illustrated by the numerous publications on such infections in other species.

[The etiology of liver dystrophy in the field hare (Lepus europaeus pallas)]. / Untersuchungen zur Atiologie der Leberdystrophie des Feldhasen (Lepus europaeus pallas).

The liver dystrophy of the European Brown Hare is widely distributed in Europe and predominantly called European Brown Hare Syndrome (EBHS) or Hemorrhagic Septicemia Syndrome. The disease could be reproduced by injection of sterile filtered organ material of two field cases in two hares held in captivity. The clinical symptoms and the pathologic alterations are described.

[Liver dystrophy in hares. Pathology and epidemiologic studies of the death of hares in central Hesse]. / Leberdystrophie bei Hasen. Pathologie und epidemiologische Untersuchungen eines Feldhasensterbens in Mittelhessen.

In the area of Central Hesse we observed an unusual frequency of deaths of hares. The characteristic pathological alterations included general icterus, acute liver dystrophy, chromoproteinemic nephrosis, hyperemia in the tracheal mucosa and in the lungs, and splenic vascular congestion and necroses. Affected animals showed an altered behaviour with a diminished escape range and escape distance. Some animals had lost orientation completely. On the basis of sender questioning it appears probable that rape cultivation, as intensified in 1986--particularly newly generated 00-sorts--can be held responsible.

[Experiences with oral immunization of foxes against rabies in Hesse]. / Erfahrungen mit der oralen Immunisierung von Füchsen gegen Tollwut in Hessen.

Since spring 1983 a field trial to immunize foxes by the oral route against rabies has been carried out in a heavily infected area of Hessen measuring about 1,500 km2. The vaccine strain SAD B 19, produced by the Federal Research Institute for Animal Virus Diseases at Tübingen and filled into 2 ml aliquots, was inserted into chicken heads and distributed by forest rangers in the trial area, 15 baits per km2. Up to the present day five baiting campaigns, two per year in spring and autumn, have been completed and in all 110,000 vaccine baits additionally marked with 150 mg tetracycline were layed out. Four baitings have been previously evaluated. With the exception of some rabies cases on the border to the unvaccinated region in the northwest, rabies was reduced impressively. A secondary outbreak in the region of Hausen/Kiedrich, caused by an extremely high density of the fox population, was eradicated by increasing the baits to 25 per km2. The number of rabies cases, which amounted to 238 within 15 months prior to the vaccination trial, went down from 38 in the first 6 months to 6 cases after the fourth baiting. As innocuity control 2,273 wild and domestic animals from the vaccination area were examined for the presence of the vaccine virus. The results were always negative indicating that rabies strain SAD B 19 had not established an infective cycle in wildlife. As could be shown by the marker studies, an average of 78 per cent of the foxes (variation of the baitings from 62 per cent to 82 per cent) had taken up one or more baits. Seroconversion had been achieved in 65 per cent of the foxes (variation from 43 per cent to 70 per cent) as demonstrated by the presence of neutralizing antibodies. From experiences in Switzerland it can be expected, that rabies will be extinguished, if 50 per cent of the population are successfully immunized. This value has been surpassed in the field trial in Hessen. These very promising results have led to the project of an enlargement of the vaccination area to 12,000 km2. The neighbouring states of Rheinland-Pfalz and Nordrhein-Westfalen have joined in this effort, which has started in autumn 1985 with a new artificial vaccine bait developed at the Tübingen research institute.

[Secondary amyloidosis in white Peking ducks]. / Sekundäre Amyloidose bei weissen Pekingenten.

In a research institute numerous cases of amyloidosis were observed in 12 of 70 white Peking ducks kept in cages with wire bottoms. All 12 ducks also suffered from chronic inflammed alterations in the sole of foot zone (bumble-foot). A second flock of 40 white Peking ducks supplied with equivalent feed but kept outdoors showed neither signs of bumble foot nor amyloidosis. Likewise, after the healing of the bumble feet per adjustment of the wire bottoms (installing a wider footing area) no new cases of amyloidosis were noticed among the ducks kept in cages. Histologically deposits of amyloid were found in the liver, which was highly affected, the kidney, spleen, stomach, small and large intestines as well as pancreas. The fact that amyloidosis only appeared under certain circumstances indicates the presence of a secondary form of this illness.