Antibody levels following ERA rabies vaccine in cattle.

The humoral response in cattle treated with ERA strain rabies vaccine, was studied utilizing the following criteria: antibody titres determined by RFFIT, seroimmunological monitoring of experimentally vaccinated animals, a comparison of data obtained from cattle vaccinated and maintained under field conditions in the absence of anamnestic information. The average antibody responses in the field experiment are in agreement with the laboratory animal response, both showing highest levels at day 15 after vaccination; at day 30 in both groups the immune response is sensibly lower, to remain then on a constant level after day 90 and stay about 0.5 I.U./ml up to the fifteenth month.

[Control of wildlife rabies in North-Eastern Italy]. / Le contrôle de la rage selvatique dans le nord-est de l'Italie.

The authors describe the propagation of wildlife rabies in the Bolzano province of north-eastern Italy in 1977 by means of the crossing of the Italian-Austrian border, and the disappearance of the infection after a decrease in fox density. They establish a relationship between the intensity of fox decrease at the beginning of rabies contamination of the territory and during the following years and the final disappearance of the infection. In order to show indirectly the supported thesis, they take into consideration the results found in the Udine province nearby, where the struggle resulted in failure because of lack of motivation, organization and funds. They studied at the same time, the development of wildlife rabies on the border of Venetian regions and Austria, which is a steep mountainous barrier 300 km long. During four years, rabies entered Italy from Austria six times. Two times into territory already undergoing fox-decreasing programmes, and kept under control. In the last case, the infection did not propagate, striking only one fox that crossed the border.

Contribution and suggestions of the "Istituto Superiore di Sanità" to the sanitary veterinary activity in Italy.

The general functions and organization of the "Istituto Superiore, di Sanità" are described. A list of the Laboratories into which the Institute is organized is given together with their functions. Special attention is given to the Veterinary Laboratory, with a discussion on the provisions needed to enable it to perform all its duties.