[Hygienic quality of feedstuffs for small mammals sent to the consultation service]. / Hygienestatus eingesandter Futtermittel für Kleinsäuger in der Heimtierhaltung.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the hygienic status of feedstuffs for small mammals, including rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchilla, kept as pets. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 356 feedstuffs that had been sent to the consulting service of the institute with a usable case history between January 2000 and April 2011 were analysed by sensory testing and microbiological examination. The interpretation of the microbiological results was performed with regard to benchmarks given by the working group "feed microbiology of section VI of the VDLUFA" for hay, straw and further feedstuffs. RESULTS: Within the sensory evaluation, the parameters "texture" (indicating the moisture content of a feed) and "smell" (mouldy or yeasty nuances) provided the first important information on feed quality. Deviations in these parameters were observed in 29.0% and 41.2%, respectively, of the analysed roughages and in 27.4% and 15.1% of mixed feeds, respectively. In about 10% of the feeds, pests (mites, Psocoptera as an indicator of mould infestation) were diagnosed microscopically. Using the differentiation of the germs as described above, faults in the hygienic quality could be detected mainly in roughage (hay, straw) and the so-called coloured feed (mixed feed based on ingredients including oat, barley or corn) whereas they occurred rarely in commercial pelleted mixed feeds based on green meal. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In cases of hygienic deficits in feedstuffs, it was often unclear whether the reduced hygienic quality resulted from the production conditions (i.e. in the factory) or by improper storage of the feedstuffs by traders or pet owners. A general recommendation should be given to the owner to check the feed using a critical sensory evaluation to avoid health disorders in pets due to higher levels of germs or poisonous plants.

[Mycologic investigation of foodstuff]. / Mykologische Futtermitteluntersuchung.

This short communication presents a review on the work of the mycological laboratory of the Institute of Microbiology and Epidemics, Hannover, Germany, concerning the mycological investigation on feeding stuff. Out of the routine diagnostic work, examining more than 4000 probes in the last 10 years, some selected investigations on scientific questions will be mentioned. Different subjects as the influence of homogenisation of feeding stuff on the mycological evidence rate, the microbiological status of germinating feeding stuff for pet birds the contamination of wheat with Fusarium spp. after fungicidal treatment will be discussed. Out of the great number of diagnostic investigations the most often examined feeding stuffs, those for pigs, will be looked at more closely. The evidence rate of yeasts and moulds and the number of isolated fungi are demonstrated.

Characterization of Malassezia species by means of phenotypic characteristics and detection of electrophoretic karyotypes by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

A total of 220 isolates of the genus Malassezia obtained from affected skin of animals and humans were included in this study. The isolates were examined for their belonging to the known species Malassezia pachydermatis, Malassezia sympodialis, Malassezia furfur, Malassezia obtusa, Malassezia restricta, Malassezia globosa and Malassezia slooffiae by means of phenotypic and biochemical characteristics as well as their ability to assimilate polyethylen(20)-sorbitan-esters (Tween 20, 40, 60, 80). The electrophoretic karyotypes of all isolates were studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Of the 220 Malassezia isolates examined, 217 were identified as M. pachydermatis and three were classified as M. sympodialis. Moreover, the proof of limited lipid-dependence of M. pachydermatis indicated that the commonly used criterion 'lipid-independence' is not sufficient to differentiate this species from the other known Malassezia species.

[Phenotypic characterization of equine Dermatophilus congolensis field isolates]. / Phänotypische Charakterisierung von equinen Dermatophilus congolensis-Feldisolaten.

In 1993 and 1994 a highly increased occurrence of equine dermatophilosis was observed, and a study was initiated to determine phenotypic heterogeneity among 120 clinical isolates using biochemistry, antibiotic resistance profiles, membrane protein profiles and Western blotting. The biochemical examinations contained 1% equine serum in medium. Moreover, the API ZYM-test from bioMérieux was used. The biochemical reactions were suited to identify Dermatophilus congolensis but did not allow a differentiation among the various isolates. Antibiotic resistance in one or more isolates was observed against polymyxin B, enrofloxacin, oxacillin, neomycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazol. All isolates were sensitive penicillin G, ampicillin, streptomycin, gentamicin, lincomycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, bacitracin and ceftiofur. The evaluation of silver-stained and immuno-stained membrane protein profiles showed minor differences among several isolates. In total, all isolates appeared to be closely related and the minor differences observed did not correlate with the geographic origin of the respective isolates.

[The pig as dead-end host of Trichophyton verrucosum? A case report]. / Das Schwein als Fehlwirt von Trichophyton verrucosum? Ein Fallbericht.

A dermatomycosis of swine caused by Trichophyton verrucosum is reported. Trichophyton verrucosum could be identified in skin scrapings of pigs and contacting calves by fluorescence microscopy and culture. The mode of transmission and the rare isolation of Trichophyton verrucosum from pigs are discussed.

[Case report: decreased laying performance as a contributing problem]. / Fallbericht: Verminderte Legeleistung als Bestandsproblem.

In 2 laying hen flocks (housed in aviary systems) depressed performance, increased mortality and cannibalism were observed. Specific infectious diseases were excluded. The hygienic quality of the diet, however, based on self produced feed ingredients, was impaired. High concentrations of bacteria, moulds, and yeasts were found in the complete diet and also in the ingredients. These problems were eliminated by providing the birds with good quality feed ingredients. In a diagnostic feeding trial with a change in housing conditions hens showed a good performance. The poor feed quality, as demonstrated in this report, is regarded to be one of several factors, which have contributed to the problems observed in these flocks. Other negative environmental factors such as housing have to be eliminated.

Comparative studies on keratinase production of Trichophyton mentagrophytes strains of animal origin.

Over a period of 28 days, 10 Trichophyton mentagrophytes strains were examined for their ability to secrete keratinolytic enzymes. Production of enzymes was stimulated by various keratins used as substrates. Duration and intensity of keratinase secretion were strongly influenced by the keratinous substrate. Duration and intensity of the enzyme production also differed among the 10 dermatophyte strains. Five different enzymes were isolated with molecular weights ranging from 28 kDa to 65 kDa. The different enzymes might be produced by different varieties of the species Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Studies on growth, spore-forming ability and virulence of the vaccine strain TV-M-310 of the vaccine Bioveta against ringworm.

We determined the intensity of growth, the ability to form spores and virulence in guinea pigs of the vaccine strain of the Czech live vaccine Bioveta. Comparative investigations were carried out with the vaccine strain of the Russian live vaccine LTF 130 and Trichophyton verrucosum field strains. Growth of the vaccine strains was faster than growth of the field strains on solid media and in broth. Later the vaccine strains formed many microconidia. In experimentally infected guinea pigs the virulence of the vaccine strain Bioveta was highly dependent on the infectious dose. At 10(1) CFU ml-1 (according to the number of CFUs in the Russian live vaccine) the vaccine strain Bioveta was nearly avirulent. Resuspended according to the manufacturer's instructions (at least 10(10) CFU ml-1) virulence of the vaccine strain Bioveta could be observed.