Bacteriological investigations and resistance patterns in beef and goat's meat in Colombo's slaughter-house.

A high contamination rate was found in meat of slaughtered cattle and goats at the time of this study. Certain organisms were isolated from meat and also from wounds of slaughter workers. A high antibiotic resistance pattern was found - in some instances. Following observations of high surface meat contamination, associated with high antibiotic resistance, it must be assumed, that these highly resistant organisms can also be directly transmitted to humans by transport, transaction and by food preparation. This must be taken into consideration in the actual therapeutics.

[Transmission of visceral leishmaniasis with studies of dogs in Greece]. / Zur Frage der Verbreitung der visceralen Leishmaniose mit Untersuchungen bei Hunden in Griechenland.

According to our results the public fear in Greece of infection from dogs or the dog as a possible reservoir could not be confirmed. A total of 749 dogs were investigated. Positive findings were demonstrated successfully in 10 cases of 19 clinical cases and serologically confirmed in 10 cases. Strains were isolated in the experimental animal the hamster.

[Serological studies of cytomegalovirus in the Melut district, South Sudan]. / Serologische untersuchungen auf Cytomegalie im Distrikt Melut, Südsudan.

Out of 1071 investigated patients had antibodies in 73.7% against Cytomegalovirus. 99 ambulant Kala-Azar-patients reacted positive in 33%. Inhabitants of different villages have shown 35.2 to 50% positive reactions. Patients with hepato-splenomegaly in 94% and patients with diarrhoea and fever in 81% were positive.

[Ornithosis in domestic and imported bird species]. / Ornithose bei heimischen und importierten Vogelarten.

In investigations of imported bird species, domestic fowl and feral birds, ornithosis antibodies were found also in feral city pigeons and sparrows which live among them.

Serological investigations of the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Styria. 2. Report.

From 1975 to 1982 investigations of 64 hedgehogs for anthropozoonoses and infectious diseases were carried out in all regions of Styria, Austria. The serological investigations revealed positive results against rickettsiosis, (Q-fever and RMSF-groups antigen), (ornithosis, toxoplasmosis, listeriosis, against adenoviruses and herpesvirus). Other studies by NOSEK et al. (1967); TROGER et al. (1976); KAASERER et al. (1976) and STUNZNER et al. (1976) report on the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) as indicator for the distribution of infectious diseases. The present study should help to clarify this indicator function in a FSME (tick-borne encephalitis) and Q-fever region, furthermore; hedgehog trails of up to 9 km could be traced with the help of identification markings. Tick species, Ixodes hexagonus and Ixodes ricinus were found in all forms on the hedgehog. Ixodes hexagonus populations were frequently found in hedgehog's nests; of the large number found 128 were female, 89 male and 296 nymphs.

Rare transmission mode of FSME (tick-borne encephalitis) by goat's milk.

An infection presumed to have been transmitted by raw cow's milk was reported in Southern Styria (Remschnig locality), furthermore an FSME infection was demonstrated in two patients as having been transmitted by raw goat's milk. Both patients (an elderly couple) had no left their house or garden and had nourished themselves mainly with goat's milk. Neither patient had evidence of tick bites. The goats were severely parasitized with Ixodes ricinus; the place of dwelling lies in an FSME-natural foci region.

[Incidence of Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsiae from the RMSF group in the sub-Alpine region in Austria]. / Zum Vorkommen von Coxiella burneti und Rickettsien aus der RMSF-Gruppe in der subalpinen Region in Osterreich.

Investigations were carried out on small mammals to determine further distribution of Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia RMSF-group in the Alpine and sub-Alpine regions. In altitudes of 1,200-2,400 m antibodies against Clethrionomys glareolus, Apodemus flavicollis, Sorex alpinus, Sorex minutus and Microtus agrestis were demonstrated. These findings emphasize that in the entire Alpine and sub-Alpine regions of Austria the occurrence of C. burnetii and RMSF-group rickettsia is to be expected.

Serological investigations of small mammals in waste disposal sites in Austria. 2nd report.

In serological investigations of small mammals in waste disposal sites, in Austria, antibodies were demonstrated against Q-fever, RMSF-Rickettsia, listeriosis, TBE (FSME) and West-Nile Virus.

[Serologic studies of domestic animals for listeriosis, Q-fever, and brucellosis in Cairo]. / Serologische Untersuchungen von Haustieren auf Listeriose, Q-Fieber, Brucellose in Kairo.

First serological investigations among domestic animals (donkey, goat, sheep, swine, dog) and rats (Rattus norvegicus) carried out in the surroundings of persons from waste disposal sites in Cairo indicate the occurrence of listeriosis, Q fever and brucellosis.

Brucellosis in the upper Nile region--Melut district, Sudan (report).

In the Melut district, South Sudan human and animal blood samples were investigated for Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis. 9.2% of the investigated cattle and 16.2% of the green long-tailed monkies were Brucella abortus-positive. School children revealed a 3.7% positivity rate, Melut's hospital patients 5.2% and village children and adults 2.2%. However, only a small number of hospital patients was investigated. A small percentage of sheep and goats was investigated for Brucella melitensis revealing 12% positive results. 8.7% of cattle were positive. 2.2% of school children reacted in high titers against Brucella melitensis, 5.2% of Melut's patients and in the Melut district 3.6% of children and adults.

Serological investigation of measles (morbilli) in the Melut district, South Sudan.

In Sudan, measles are often not identified and are diagnosed and treated as "fever". Apart from this, the unimmunized population is an important factor, however, cold storage of the vaccine is not always possible. For this reason detailed instruction and introduction in diagnostic identification was given by our team of doctors. The contamination rate and antibody verification varies according to region. The highest percentage of 83% was reached in Melut among hospitalized patients. At the time of our investigation, immunization had not been carried out in this region.

Serological examinations of crows in Colombo's slaughter-house Sri Lanka.

Crows from Colombo's slaughter-house were examined serologically towards ornithosis, Rickettsia, Newcastle Disease and Adenovirus. Positive reactions were shown in ornithosis, Q-fever, RMSF-Rickettsia-group and Adenovirus.

Serological examinations of dogs (Canis familiaris) in Colombo/Sri Lanka.

In Colombo/Sri Lanka wild dogs were investigated for various zoonoses. Based on the poor general conditions the contamination rate was relatively high. 27 of the 30 dog sera reacted positive against Listeriosis. 17 of the 29 samples reacted against Q-fever in low titers, however, because of the highly purified antigen used these are evaluated as positive. The contamination rate was 100%. 18 sera reacted positive against the RMSF-group antigen. 14 samples reacted positive against Chlamydiasis. 17 samples reacted positive against Echinococcosis and in the Brucellosis samples 3 were positive. 7 positive reactions were found against Adenovirus.

Serological examinations for antibodies against West Nile virus, Semlikivirus and chikungunyavirus in laboratory mice, parasitized by nidicole fauna from swallow's nests.

Experimental mice in swallow's (NMRI) nests highly infested with swallow bugs (Hirundo rustica) revealed antibodies against West Nile virus, Semliki virus and Chikungunya virus. Additional nidicole ectoparasites were not controlled and could also play a role in the occurrence of infection in experimental mice. Swallows and sparrows (Passer domesticus) additional nest inhabitants appear to be the ultimate link in this infection pathway as swallow bugs seldom migrate into dwellings to infest humans. RMSF-group antibodies and antibodies against ornithosis are rather seldom found. The import of West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus and Semliki virus to Austria through bug-parasitized swallows or other nidicole mites and insects can be assumed based on the presented results.