Onchocerca lesions in moose (Alces alces L.).

Inflammatory discolorated granulomas occurred in 98% of investigated moose, 1.5 years of age or older. In moose calves no lesions were observed. The lesions were mainly located in tendineous tissues. Predilection sites were the insertions of M. sartorius and M. semitendinosus at the tibia. Lesions also occurred in peritendineous and subcutaneous tissues. The lesions were caused by Onchocerca worms. The character of the inflammatory reaction was benign and onchocercal lesions in moose appeared to be of minor importance for the health and mobility of the animals, and also from meat hygiene aspects. The found worm shows similarities regarding morphology and localization to O. tarsicola. As the worm, however, is very common in moose and seems to be well adapted to this animal, the presence of an Onchocerca species or strain specific to moose, can not be ruled out.

Comparison of three methods for detection of prolonged experimental trichinellosis in pigs.

Three methods were employed for the diagnosis of porcine trichinellosis. The pooled sample digestion method and trichinoscopy served as European Community (EC) reference techniques, whereas the reliability of the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was tested by 11 laboratories of the European Community and Sweden. Three groups of 6 piglets each were orally inoculated with 50, 150 and 1500 Trichinella spiralis larvae into each animal. Another group of 6 animals served as a non-infected control. Animals were slaughtered and serum and muscle samples were collected at Weeks 4, 12 and 40. The material was mailed under code and examined in all participating laboratories. ELISA proved to be a sensitive technique. ELISA micro assay was the most sensitive procedure. Of the direct techniques the reference pooled sample digestion method was more sensitive than trichinoscopy. It was concluded that both micro and macro ELISA can be used with confidence for the detection of low grade, longstanding experimental T. spiralis infections in swine.

Comparison of four methods for early detection of experimental Trichinella spiralis infections in pigs.

Four methods employed in the diagnosis of experimental porcine trichinellosis (trichinoscopy, digestion method, immunofluorescence and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)) were compared by eleven laboratories in the countries of the European Economic Community and Sweden. The aim of this study was to test the reliability of ELISA during the onset of T. spiralis infection. Material from conventionally raised pigs infected with 1500 to 10000 larvae was compared to uninfected controls at Day 17 and Day 21 post infection. The serological techniques gave higher percentages of positive results than the direct techniques. Specific antibodies could be demonstrated with ELISA at an earlier stage and at higher percentages than with the other methods. ELISA micro-assay was the most sensitive procedure.