[Antibodies against Hantaviruses in game and domestic oxen in the Czech Republic]. / Protilátky proti hantavirum u lovné zvere a turu domácího v Ceské republice.

Using the test of indirect immunofluorescence, the authors examined sera of animals for antibodies against the strain CG 18-20 of Hantavirus (identical with strain Puumala) and against the Hantaan strain. As a control and supplement of the examination the authors used cells containing the TBE virus, strain Hypr. In a group of 260 hares (Lepus europaeus) in 3.5% antibodies were present against Hantavirus CG 18-20. Of 41 deer (Capreolus capreolus) they were present in 14.1%. Of 11 fallow-deers none had antibodies against hantaviruses. Among 145 specimens of Bos taurus antibodies were present in two incl. one against the strain Hantaan. The findings are discussed in relation to previous research of natural foci of hantavirus infections and infections with the TBE virus in Bohemia and Moravia. The paper reveals hitherto unknown localities of foci and hitherto not studied participants of the circulation of hantaviruses.

[Use of the rose bengal test in the diagnosis of brucellosis in hares]. / Vyuzití rose bengal testu v diagnostice brucelózy zajícu.

The diagnostic effectiveness of the Rose bengal test was verified in a set of 72 samples of the blood of hare shot in a focus of brucellosis; the blood was found to be serologically positive by the following methods: rapid agglutination with serum, surface fixation test, method of slow agglutination, and the complement fixation reaction. The Rose bengal test was found positive in 57 cases (79.17%), the surface agglutination test was positive in 60 cases (83.33%), rapid agglutination with serum in 41 cases (56.94%), slow agglutination in 55 cases (76.39%), and the complement-fixation reaction in 63 cases (87.50%). In nine cases (12.5%) a positive reaction was obtained only when the Rose bengal test was used. The results confirm that the Rose bengal test is a sensitive qualitative serological method of low technical and time requirements, suitable for routine diagnostic uses. In the field epizootological investigations in the foci of hare brucellosis, the Rose bengal test is a good screening serological method.

[The development of morphologic changes and the antibody response in guinea pigs experimentally infected with Brucella suis, biotype 2 bacteria]. / Vývoj morfologických zmen a protilátkové odezvy morcat experimentálne infikovaných baktériemi Brucella suis, biotyp 2.

Sixty-two guinea pigs were infected vaginally, perorally, intranasally, conjunctivally and subcutaneously with the bacteria B. suis, biotype 2. The inoculum contained 13.8.10(9) of brucellas in 1 ml of physiological solution. Subcutaneous infection lasted 151 days, the other types of infection 56 days. All types of infections resulted in brucellotic changes developing in relation to the type and duration of infection. The least marked changes were observed after peroral infection. Brucellosis was chronical and the changes in liver, spleen, lungs, and after subcutaneous infection also in regional lymphoglandulae, were found out incessantly. Microscopically these changes were histiocytic granulomas. The pathogenesis of brucellosis process in guinea pig organism is influenced primarily by haematogenous propagation. The highest serological reactivity was caused by subcutaneous infection, the lowest by peroral infection. In the course of different types of infection the titres of agglutination and complement-fixation antibodies varied and the highest values were recorded between the 21st and 56th day. The diagnostic effectiveness of the surface fixation test was verified and no decrease in its sensitivity, not even in the chronic phase of infection, was observed. An incomplete correlation between morphological changes and serological reactivity in guinea pigs was detected. The highest number of Brucella infections was identified by histopathological examination which helped to reveal the initial stages of granulomas at the time when specific antibodies were not yet determined by serological tests.