An experimental vaccine composed of two adjuvants gives protection against Mycoplasma bovis in calves.

Mycoplasma bovis is a major pathogen affecting cattle causing bronchopneumonia, mastitis, and other disorders. Only autogenous vaccines made specifically for individual farms are available in parts of Europe and the United States. A novel experimental vaccine composed of a field M. bovis isolate combined with saponin and Emulsigen(®) adjuvants was evaluated. Eighteen 3-4 week old calves were placed in three equal groups: vaccinated (Vac), positive control (PC) and negative control (NC). The Vac calves were subcutaneously injected with 8ml of the vaccine; the PC and NC calves received phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Three weeks later the Vac and PC calves were challenged with a virulent M. bovis strain, the NC group received PBS. Throughout the study clinical observations, microbiology and immunological tests were carried out. Three weeks post challenge two calves from each group were euthanased for necropsy and histopathological examination. The vaccine effectively stimulated the humoral immune response, with high titres of anti-M. bovis specific antibodies and total Ig concentration. This vaccine also intensified the IgA response. A clinically protective effect of the vaccine was demonstrated as it also reduced the gross pathological lung lesions and nasal shedding of M. bovis.

Mixed infection by fowlpox virus and Chlamydophila psittaci in a commercial laying hen flock.

An outbreak of fowlpox occurred in a commercial laying hen flock in one of the western provinces of Poland. Clinical signs suggested fowlpox and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological detection of Bollinger bodies within the epithelial cells. Detailed ultrastructural examination revealed an additional concurrent infection with chlamydia-like particles. The particles were identified by PCR as fowlpox virus and Chlamydophila psittaci. It is worth noting that both pathogens can generate morphologic forms capable of prolonged survival and inducing latent and persistent infection. We suggest a possible interaction between the two pathogens on ultrastructural level and assess the clinical consequences of the mixed infection. This study also demonstrates a potential of the transmission electron microscope (TEM) for identifying a superinfection with another pathogen (in this case C. psittaci), which may remain undetected by routine techniques.

Pandemic influenza in the 2009/2010 season in central Poland: the surveillance study of laboratory confirmed cases.

We retrospectively studied confirmed cases of influenza obligatorily reported to health authorities in central Poland during the 2009/2010 season. Each case was traced and examined with a questionnaire. The samples were tested for influenza A and B by RT-PCR. A total of 561 cases of influenza, including 185 in children under 14 years old, were detected. Four hundred and eighty four people were hospitalized, including 142 children under 14. Thirty two patients died, all with pre-existing risk factors. The most common complications were pneumonia, cardiac arrest, septic shock, circulatory insufficiency, multi-organ failure and myocarditis. The majority of patients (388/484) were treated with oseltamivir. Fifty three patients were mechanically ventilated, 52 patients were given oxygen. Only 11 out of the 561 patients were immunized against seasonal influenza. In conclusion, pandemic influenza affects all age groups, but it is more common in younger patients. Pandemic influenza is becoming an emerging health risk for the Polish population.