The application of plasma tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase to assess changes in bone resorption in response to artificial menopause and its treatment with estrogen or norethisterone.

Plasma tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TR ACP), urinary hydroxyproline excretion (UH), serum osteocalcin, and bone alkaline phosphatase isozyme were determined in a prospective study in 31 women who had undergone bilateral ovariectomy (OOX). Nine patients were followed up for 1 year without treatment and for the following 3 years when on mestranol (M) substitution. On the basis of UH, 22 patients were identified as having increased bone resorption (BR) within 3 months of OOX. Subsequently, 11 patients were treated with transdermal estradiol (E2) and 11 patients with norethisterone (norethindrone, NE). In untreated patients, the biochemical indices of BR peaked 3-6 months following OOX and biochemical indices of bone formation (BF) continued to increase from 3 until 12 months. The substitution with both E2 or M resulted in normalization in serum and urinary calcium, serum phosphate, renal threshold phosphate concentration (TmPO4/GRF), and biochemical indices of BR within 4 months of treatment. Biochemical indices of BF normalized within 6 months of treatment. In the M-treated group, these effects continued for 3 years of the follow-up. The hormonal substitution had a protective effect on cortical and lumbar spine bone mass. A significant decrease, but not to normal values, in biochemical indices of BR and a persistent elevation in indices of BF were found in NE-treated patients. Unlike E2, NE does not depress osteoblastic function. There is strong evidence supporting the utility of measurements of TR ACP in plasma in examination of women who had ovariectomies and in assessement of the efficacy of treatment.

[Transdermal estradiol in the prevention of the menopause-induced increase in osteoresorption]. / Transdermální estradiol v prevenci menopauzou navozeného zvýsení osteoresorpce.

In the introduction of the paper the authors explain that it is essential to adopt effective preventive provisions to prevent the loss of osseous tissue in women after the menopause and to prevent osteoporotic fractures. In Bohemia and Moravia during the last 20 years the incidence of these frequently fatal or invalidating fractures of the proximal femur has increased substantially and in view of the ageing of the population it may be assumed that this trend will proceed further. Among possible preventive provisions, in order to eliminate undesirable metabolic side-effects of long-term hormonal substitution treatment, it seems best to administer by the parenteral route natural oestradiol by using the transdermal therapeutic Estraderm TTS system. Its effectiveness in suppressing menopause-induced enhanced bone resorption was tested in 11 women where on average within three months after bilateral ovariectomy increased bone resorption was found. In all women in the course of four months treatment all biochemical indicators of bone remodelling became normal - urinary excretion of hydroxyproline, acid plasma phosphatase activity, serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme, and serum osteocalcin. The dynamics of indicators of osteoresorption were similar as in women treated with oral synthetic oestrogen, which may produce, however, serious metabolic side-effects. Substitution treatment with Estraderm improves significantly also other manifestations of the climacteric oestrogen deficiency syndrome. Its safety is further enhanced by combination with progesterone.

Epizootiological features of avian cholera on the north coast of California.

An avian cholera (Pasteurella multocida) epizootic was observed among wildfowl at the Centerville Gun Club, Humboldt County, California (USA) in January 1978. Compared to their live populations and use of the area, coots (Fulica americana) died in proportionately greater numbers than any other species. Coots collected by gunshot were evaluated for sex and age composition, and morphometry from November 1977 through mid-January 1978 at this site. There was no substantial difference in the sex, age or morphometry between birds dying of avian cholera and from those dying from gunshot. Assuming coots dying of gunshot are representative of the general population, it appears there was little selection among coots by P. multocida. There was evidence for a sequential mortality similar to that reported previously at this site: coots were the first birds to die, followed by American wigeon (Anas americana) and northern pintails (A. acuta acuta); northern shovelers (A. clypeata) and mallards (A. platyrhynchos) died late in the epizootic.

[Objective evaluation of the immunogenic effectiveness of polyvalent vaccines against enteral infections of newborn calves under enzootic conditions]. / Objektivní zhodnocení imunogenní úcinnosti polyvalentní vakcíny proti enterálním infekcím novorozených telat v podmínkách probíhající enzootie.

For evaluating the protective effect of polyvalent vaccine against diarrhoea in new born calves caused by rotaviruses, coronaviruses and enterotoxigenic E. coli the method was selected of mathematical and statistical analysis of the set of data characterizing the most important clinical symptoms of the disease during the first three weeks after birth. In two large-scale breeds with a mass occurrence of diarrhoea of the known etiology the state of health of calves before the vaccine application was compared with the state of health of calves born in the period after the vaccination. The following traits were selected for evaluating the severity of the disease: the age of calf at the beginning of the disease, character and intensity of diarrhoea, length of disease and results of treatment. In all the selected indicators, statistically significant differences were determined pointing to the fact that the vaccine used for increasing the immunity against enteropathogenic viruses and bacteria, applied in high pregnant cows and heifers before parturition, protected the sucking calves and calves fed the milk of their mothers against the disease in the first week after birth. The diarrhoea, occurring in the calves of the vaccinated cows and heifers mostly during the second week of age was easy to treat therapeutically and ended in most cases after a short period of a tea diet. After the vaccination, the death loss in both localities decreased more than eight times.

[A new polyvalent vaccine against enteral infections in newborn calves]. / Nová polyvalentní vakcína proti enterálním infekcím novorozených telat.

The most frequent microbial causative agents of massive diarrheas in new-born calves kept on large cattle farms in the CSSR are rotaviruses, coronaviruses and enterotoxigenic strains of E. coli, manifesting themselves as complicated virus-bacterial infections. An inactivated polyvalent adjuvant vaccine has been developed for the prevention and specific prophylaxis of these enteral infections; the vaccine contains bovine rotavirus, bovine coronavirus and three enterotoxigenic serotypes of E. coli with protective antigen K 99. The rotavirus and coronavirus are propagated on the stable cellular line MDBK and inactivated with 0.2% formalin, the Escherichia strains are submersed in the MINCA culture medium during their cultivation and inactivated with 0.5% formalin. The vaccine was prepared as a blend of the same amounts of rotavirus and coronavirus and of such an amount of bacterin so that 1 ml of the vaccine will contain 10(9) bacteria. One part of oil adjuvant was added to five parts of the virus-bacterial blend and the blend was homogenized in the Ultraturax apparatus. The vaccine is to be used for immunization of pregnant cows and heifers; in these animals it induces the production of specific antibodies to all antigens contained in the vaccine. Its immunogenic effects were checked in 32 calves and 38 cows in the herds with the occurrence of diarrheas caused by both enteropathogenic viruses and enterotoxigenic escherichia. It was demonstrated that the inactivation did not influence in either of the viruses the process of inducing the production of specific antibodies, and the antibody response of the calves and heifers after application of 2 ml of complete inactivated vaccine was equally strong as after application of live vaccine containing only rotavirus and coronavirus. The level of the rotavirus antibodies increased on the average 30 times and 200 times, coronavirus antibodies twice and four times. The antibody response to coronavirus was negatively influenced by the relatively high levels of antibodies before vaccination. The antibody response to antigen K 99 was expressive in all cases.

[The complex etiology of epidemic diseases in calves on large-capacity farms and their clinical and epizootic characteristics]. / Komplexní etiologie hromadných onemocnení telat na velkokapacitních farmách a jejich klinická a epizootologická charakteristika.

It is not easy to exactly diagnose the etiology of the mass infections of new-born calves on large farms where considerable losses are suffered. On the basis of the complex epizootological, clinical and laboratory examination in four large calf-rearing facilities, rotaviruses, coronaviruses, the infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus and the bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus, and in some cases also the enteropathogenic E. coli, were found to be etiologically involved in the mass rise of diarrhoea, complicated by respiratory symptoms already during the first days after birth. The clinical picture of the disease, therapeutically difficult and reminding of "pneumoenteritis", has often been observed in stocks where, in addition to rotaviruses and coronaviruses in the faeces, the IBR or BVD viruses (sometimes both at the same time) were detected and identified in the respiratory and enteral tract. The serological examination of a higher number of animals in the stocks of calves under study confirmed the considerable rate of spreading of all the four viruses in the cattle population and, at the same time, demonstrated the very unfavourable immunological profile of the herds. The high percentage of animals low in antibody titres and the serologically negative animals constitute the infection-sensitive part of population in the affected herds. With the high culling rate and with the open herd turnover it is impossible to reach the required immunity through natural disinfection. Loss-free rearing of healthy calves will be achieved on the basis of a well-oriented vaccination programme with a good combination of inoculants.

[Phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes in calves from birth to 3 months of age]. / Fagocytární aktivita krevních leukocytu telat od narození do veku tri mesíce.

Forty-three calves of various age from the day of birth to the age of three months were subjected to the 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) particle phagocytosis test. Significant differences in the phagocytic activity of blood leucocytes were recorded, all depending on age. New-born calves had very low phagocytic activity: only 16.5% of the leucocytes were found to be phagocytic, the phagocytic index being 0.39. A rapid increase in phagocytic activity was recorded during the subsequent days. At the age of three days 43% of the leucocytes of the calves were phagocytic. A decrease in phagocytic activity was found on the sixth to seventh day, and another increase was recorded only from the age of three to four weeks of age. No such changes in the development of phagocytic activity were observed in the calves reared without colostrum administration. Low values were maintained for a longer time after birth without the typical increase on the third to fifth day. Phagocytic activity increased in the zero-colostrum calves experimentally infected with rotavirus.

Antibodies to new variants of subtype A(H3 N2) influenza virus in pigs.

Following an explosive epidemic of A(H3N2) influenza among the human population of Czechoslovakia in 1983, haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies (titre range 10-640) against strains A/Texas/77, A/Bangkok/79 and A/Philipines 2/83 were detected in 93% of sera collected from 135 pigs on three farms. Only 6.6% of sera were negative. Anti-neuraminidase antibodies were detected at rates of 81% and 23% in two and one of the herds, respectively. Antibodies against A/RNP were demonstrated by the immunodiffusion test in only one of the herds in 10 out of 45 sera tested. This herd was also found to possess antibodies against both envelope antigens of a human A(H1N1) subtype strain. Haemagglutination-inhibition tests with strains A/Hong Kong/68 (H3 N2), A/sw/Shope 15/31, A/sw/Bavaria 2/77 and A/New Jersey 8/76 (H1 N1) were negative in the sera from all three herds.

[The present epizootological situation in intensively bred cattle in relation to the morbidity and mortality of calves during their rearing]. / Soucasná epizootologická situace v intenzívních chovech skotu v souvislosti s nemocností a mortalitou telat v prubehu jejich odchovu.

The rise and mass incidence of intestinal and respiratory infections in calves kept in large herds depend on a joint influence of infective agents and numerous endogenous and exogenous factors, mostly with non-specific action. Therefore, purely medical approach fails to provide efficient prevention. Detailed epizootological analysis is needed for taking actual measures; the analysis should concern potential respiratory and intestinal pathogens and should also cover the persistent infections such as IBR, BVD-MD and others. The immunological profile of herd, very unfavorable with the high culling rate, will improve as a result of the introduction of a purpose-oriented vaccination programme, higher level of colostral nutrition, and separate rearing of calves, isolated from the dams, in calf houses managed by the all-in-all-out system.

[Diagnosis of bovine coronaviruses using mouse erythrocyte suspensions stabilized with formalin]. / Diagnostika bovinního coronaviru pomocí suspenzí mysích erytrocytu stabilizovaných formalinem.

Bovine coronavirus isolated from calf faeces diseased with gastroenteritis and passaged to colostrum-free calves agglutinated mouse and rat erythrocytes. The agglutination reaction depended on temperature and took place only at a temperature of 4 degrees C. At a temperature of 37 degrees C the agglutinate broke down within 15 minutes. The coronavirus could be detected by the haemagglutination test in the contents of the small and large intestines and in the faeces of experimentally and naturally infected calves. The agglutination capacity of mouse erythrocytes was not affected by careful fixation of these erythrocytes with formalin and subsequent lyophilization and remained unchanged for as long as 52 weeks of storage at a temperature of 4 degrees C. It was demonstrated by a comparative examination of 182 samples of the faeces of calves suffering from diarrhoea that haemagglutination test was as sensitive as electron microscopy.

[Detection of PI-3 viruses, BVD-MD viruses and parvoviruses in bovine fetuses after experimental intrauterine infections]. / Detekce viru PI-3, BVD-MD a parvoviru, persistujicích v bovinních fétech po experimentální intrauterinní infekci.

Growing organ cultures prepared from foetuses experimentally infected in utero by the viruses PI-3 and BVD-MD or bovine parvovirus proved to be suitable in tests with the re-isolation of these viruses 7, 14, 21, 35, 42 and 70 days after infection. The attempts at demonstrating them by the traditional method of the inoculation of the primary cell culture of foetal kidneys were successful only at the re-isolation of the PI-3 virus seven days after infection. The PI-3 virus without cytopathic effect was demonstrated in the primary cell culture prepared from the spleen, lungs, kidneys and testes of foetuses delivered seven days from infection. The cytopathic effect manifested itself after cell transplantation in the first passage when further multiplication of the virus occurred.

[Multiplication of the IBR, PI-3 and BVD-MD viruses in cell and organ cultures of bovine fetuses after experimental intrauterine infections]. / Multiplikace viru IBR, PI-3 a BVD-MD v bunecných a orgánových kulturách pripravených z hovezích fétu po experimentální intrauterinní infekci.

The intrauterine infection of four- to nine-month-old bovine foetuses with the PI-3, BVD-MD viruses, performed 7 to 72 days prior to their delivery, did not exert any significant influence upon the susceptibility of primary cell cultures from foetal organs and tissues to further viral infection in vitro. The BVD-MD and IBR viruses multiplied in the primary cell cultures from the organs of a foetus infected with the PI-3 virus seven days before delivery even in the presence of endogenous PI-3 virus. Persisting infection with the PI-3 virus also failed to influence the susceptibility of foetal organ cultures to infection with the IBR and PI-3 viruses in vitro. The IBR virus and endogenous PI-3 virus multiplied simultaneously to high titres in the organ cultures of thymus and lungs whereas in the organ cultures of kidneys, spleen and testes the multiplication of endogenous PI-3 virus was suppressed.

[Mucosal disease virus as a cause of enzootic abortion in cattle in Czechoslovakia]. / Virus sliznicní choroby jako prícina enzootických abortu v chovech skotu v CSSR.

Bovine viral diarrhoea -- mucosal disease (BVD-MD) virus was demonstrated on some farms as the causal agent of enzootic abortions in cattle. On the whole, five non-cytopathogenic strains of the BVD-MD virus were isolated from the organs of aborted foetuses of different age and prematurely born calves. The strains were identified by the direct immunofluorescence method. The same method was also used in detecting the virus antigen in the organs and tissues of colostrum deprived prematurely born calves and also calves born at term. The involvement of the BVD-MD virus in the abortions was demonstrated indirectly by detecting virus-neutralizing antibodies in the serum of heifers and cows, in the pre-colostral sera of newly born calves, and in the body fluids of aborted foetuses. The discussion deals with the importance of the BVD-MD virus as a cause of enzootic abortions, foetal malformations and early postnatal mortality of calves.

[Comparison of 2 inactivated vaccines against Aujeszky's disease in pigs]. / Srovnání dvou inaktivovaných vakcín proti Aujeszkyho chorobe u prasat.

Equal efficiency was proved by comparing two inactivated vaccines against Aujeszky's disease (AD) virus manufactured in Czechoslovakia. Fifteen porkers at the age of four weeks were included in the experiment, not possessing any specific antibodies to AD virus. Each vaccine was inoculated intramuscularly to five porkers (2 ml) in the interval of three weeks. The third group of five porkers was control. The samples of blood serum were subjected to the serum neutralizing test and radioimmunoassay (RIA) 21 and 35 days after vaccination. Three weeks after vaccination, antibody titers were demonstrated in nine from ten vaccinated porkers by RIA, in one pig by SNT. All 15 porkers were challenged with live virulent strain of the virus on the 35th day after the start of the experiment. The ten vaccinated porkers survived the infection after a short feverish disorder. Out of the five unvaccinated controls four pigs died; the patho-anatomic findings demonstrated necrotic tonsillitis and lobar bronchopneumonia. The finding in the fifth control porker was identical; the porker was killed 15 days after infection.

[The effect of vaccination on the intrauterine transmission of Aujeszky's disease virus in sows]. / Vliv vakcinace na intrauterinní prenos viru Aujeszkyho choroby u prasnic.

Eight of ten sows of the Large White breed were vaccinated in different stages of pregnancy, with an inactivated vaccine against Aujeszky's disease. The other two sows remained untreated. Two virulent strains of the Aujeszky's disease virus were used for the infection of all sows, either orally or intravenously. Neither of the two ways of infection led to the transmission of the virus to the foetus in any of the eight vaccinated sows. On the other hand, in the two unvaccinated sows, the virus was transmitted to the foetus only after intravenous infection, whereas oral infection did not lead to the transmission of the virus to the foetus.