Evidence of probable tuberculosis in Lithuanian mummies.

Tuberculosis has affected Europe for millennia and continues to be a burden upon modern society. It is estimated that one-third of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of this condition. Despite the introduction of control strategies, the disease continues to be one of the most common causes of death globally. Within the framework of the Lithuanian Mummy Project, seven spontaneously mummified human bodies from a church crypt in Vilnius, dating from the 18th and 19th century, were CT-scanned to assess the presence of tuberculosis or other lung diseases. We encountered pulmonary lesions suggestive of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. In addition, one case might have been affected by extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. This report replicates the image findings from previous studies on ancient mummies that provided evidence of tuberculosis in soft tissues, thus helping reconstruct the history of this disease over time.

[Percutaneous fixation--or "doubling" the left-sidedness-- and righting of the displaced abomasum in milk cows]. / Zur perkutanen Fixation--oder das "Dübeln"-des links--und rechtsseitigverlagerten Labmagens bei Milchkühen.

In the time from 1st of May 1991 up to the 30th April 1995 in total 101 percutaneus fixations of displaced amomasi were done according to the method of GRYMER and STERNER (1982). In 90 cases it was a displacement to the left side (plus one rezidiv) and eleven cases to the right side. This method of fixation was not difficult. The milkyields of these cows in the year before the illness was higher than the average of the herds. In the year of the percutaneous fixation the milk yield went down, ever it was higher (655 kg = 9.1%) than the average. That of the young cows in first lactation was a little bit lower than the average (3.2%) but in the following year it was a little bit higher (50 kg). In total 17 patients with left side and four cows with right side displacement died or had be slaughtered. First week after surgery eight cows had to be killed due to: hepatitis (5x), foreign body (1x), peritonitis (1x) after fixation, perforated wall of the abomasum (1x). The examination shows, that a great number of cows after percutaneous abomasopexie according to GRYMER and STERNER (1982) can be used for a longer time with economically satisfying results.

[Examination of the appropriateness of anamnestic and clinical parameters for the prediction of the course of pregnancy under field conditions]. / Zur Uberprüfung geeigneter anamnestischer und klinischer Parameter für eine Abfohlprognose unter Praxisbedingungen.

In this paper, fertility relevant parameters which are routinely examined in practice were evaluated on the basis of their correlation to one another and their influence on the foaling rates and incidence of early embryonic death in 175 brood mares of the Hanover breeding stock. The aim was to evaluate the suitability of these parameters for inclusion in a scheme for increasing the precision of predicting the subsequent course of pregnancy, as compared to such prognoses based exclusively on the histological evaluation of the endometrium. After establishing the breeding history and completing a clinical examination, two swab specimens were obtained for bacteriological culture and cytologic smears and one biopsy specimen was taken from the endometrium for histological examination. The most statistically significant effect on the foaling rate (analysed by logistic regression with two variables) have biopsy grade (p = 0.0087) and mare age (p = 0.0259). A mare between two and nine years of age with a biopsy grade of 1 has a 71% probability of carrying a pregnancy to term. This probability decreases to 43% for a mare 15 years and older with the same biopsy grade. Mare age had a statistically significant effect on biopsy grade (p = 0.005) and on the frequency and degree of endometrosis (p = 0.001). The mare group was significantly correlated (p = 0.012) with the foaling rate (maiden mares 70.6%, foaling mares 60%, problem mares 36.1%). There is a difference of 24% between the foaling rates of foaling and problem mares, although the age and biopsy grade distributions are almost identical in the two groups. The number of barren years had a statistically significant effect (p = 0.0235) on the foaling rate. Mares that bore a foal in the previous breeding period had a foaling rate of 50.7% in the year of examination; mares that had been barren for one year hat a subsequent foaling rate of 40.6%. Mares that had been barren for two years or more had a foaling rate of only 22.7%. The overall impression resulting from the clinical examination was significantly correlated with the foaling rate (p = 0.018%). Mares without abnormal findings had a foaling rate of 54.2%, mares with poor vulval conformation a rate of 46.7%. Mares with a history of pregnancy loss in the current breeding period had a foaling rate of 25% and mares with clinical evidence of endometritis had one of 22.2%.

[Importance of blood serological examinations in the context of rhinitis atrophicans diagnosis]. / Zur Bedeutung blutserologischer Untersuchungen im Rahmen der Rhinitis-atrophicans-Diagnostik.

In a period of three years in 95 breeding-herds, which were free from Rhinitis atrophicans (R. a.), 5001 blood-samples were examined. All samples were examined by the SNT/EBL-cell-culture-test-mostly however by the SNT/ELISA-system- and were free of antibodies against R. a. On the contrary in 6 herds, that had bought swines from latent infected populations, antibodies against the toxin could be found before clinical signs were to be seen and before toxin producing pasteurellas could be discovered, too. In other 4 herds antibodies against R. a. could be found. In the last mentioned herds R. a. was suspected by clinical, bacteriological and pathomorphological examinations. The serological determination of blood may replace the provement of the diameter of the nose by pathomorphological diagnosis. The serological investigation is a good test. After positive results of antibodies comprehensive bacteriological tests should follow. This can be integrated in the diagnostical system of R. a. very easily, because enough blood samples will be taken ordered by the official examinations for European Swinefever- and Aujeszky-disease.

[Consequences of a surgical correction of an insufficient closure of the vulva on genital flora and conception rate in mares]. / Auswirkungen der chirurgischen Korrektur eines mangelhaften Schamschlusses auf die Genitalflora und die Konzeptionsrate bei Stuten.

In this thesis the influence of pneumo-vagina on the microbiological colonization of the genital tract and their manifestation in cytological smears was examined. For mares with poor vulval conformation a comparison of the bacterial growth before and after plastic surgery of the vulva and vestibulum was carried out, as well as the registration of conception rates after operation and insemination. The biggest reduction of the bacterial content in the reproductive tract was found between vestibulum and cranial section of the vagina. The increased number of contaminant bacteria in the cranial section of the vagina during abnormal vulval conformation could be reduced significantly by the plastic surgery of the vulva and vestibulum (p < 0.05). Assuming that an 18-20 days pregnant uterus is free from a colonization with virulent bacteria, a high significant reduction of the increased number of contaminant bacteria in the uterus during vulval incompetence was found after surgical correction (p < 0.01). In mares with poor conformation of the vulva, which had not been operated, the contamination of the reproductive tract had increased at the time of checkup in comparison to the first swab specimens, taken 18-20 days before. The share of mares with a negative bacteriological and positive cytological result was in case of vulval incompetence twice as large as if they had a proper vulval conformation. A decrease of these latent infections was found after plastic surgery of the vulva and vestibulum. From the operated mares a total of 72.9% became pregnant.

[Clinical experiences in the use of para-immunity inducers in cattle during animal exhibitions]. / Klinische Erfahrungen mit Paramunitätsinducern beim Rind anlässlich von Tierschauen.

IBR positive cattle after vaccination with dead vaccine may excrete IBR/IPV (BHV-1) virus when facing a stress situation. On cattle exhibitions the share of such individuals may vary between 8 and 34%. Since 1988 in order to protect animals against infections IBR negative cattle and cows on 7 regional, one national and one international exhibitions were treated with Duphamun and Baypamun, respectively. After returning of animals to their owner IBR outbreaks were confirmed in 8 forms. This is low incidence compared with breeding exhibitions that where held in the same place or elsewhere. For protection against BHV-1 virus infection the use of a para-immunity-inducer is recommended. Nevertheless strict quarantine and following serological investigations are essential.

[Which evidence permits a liver cell smear in cattle with metabolic disorders?]. / Welche Aussage erlaubt ein Leberzellausstrich beim Rind mit Stoffwechselstörungen?

The technique of liver puncture as described by Holtenius (1961) was assessed with regard to its practicability and safety in a preliminary study of 26 cattle and a follow-up study of 108 German black pied cattle. The sample material was smeared, stained and examined by light microscope. All animals with changes of grade 5 had to be slaughtered. Liver puncture is a simple, quick and safe technique which supplies useful information about the various stages of hepatic fatty degeneration in individual cattle.

[Foot-and-mouth disease vaccine damage or thallium poisoning in cattle (expert opinion)]. / MKS-Impfschäden oder Thalliumvergiftung beim Rind (Gutachten).

Some days after vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease a high degree of salivation, trembling of the muscles, colic, hyperemization of the mucosa of the mouth, extreme thirst, and losing of hairs at the end of the tail occurred in cattle. The cause of these symptoms seems not to be the vaccination, but the content of thallium in silage (41 mg/kg) fresh matter, which was bought from abroad. The diagnosis was confirmed by analysis of thallium in several organs (liver, kidney, muscles).

About the importance of colostrum for the newborn calf.

1. Between December and April there was a decrease in the concentration of gamma-globulins in the blood serum of 2 to 3 day old calves. 2. Calves with more symptoms of enteritis or omphalitis had lower concentrations of gammaglobulin. 3. Calves with higher body temperatures had lower concentrations. 4. Calves from primiparous cows had lower concentrations than calves from pluriparous. 5. Calves from young dams had lower concentrations than calves from older dams. 6. Calves, which were born by caesarian section had lower concentrations than calves which were born spontaneously or with other assistance.