A comparison between the disease status of hospitalized dogs from developed and those from developing communities.

The health status of canine populations within developed and those within developing communities was studied in a retrospective survey and compared. There were significant differences in the prevalence of disease amongst the hospitalised dogs from the 2 communities. Dogs from developing communities were mainly young cross-bred dogs which suffered from infectious diseases (44%), trauma (22%) and parasitic diseases (11%). There was a high mortality rate (30%) and 82% of these patients suffered from diseases that could have been prevented. The dogs from developed communities were mainly adult or old pure-bred dogs that suffered mainly from organ diseases (57%). There was a low mortality rate (10%) while only 31% suffered from diseases that could have been prevented. Based on the epidemiological findings, it was evident that owners of dogs in the developing communities required education in primary and secondary prevention of disease.

Arthritis in slaughter pigs.

Joints obtained from 192 pig carcases were examined by means of standard microbiological and macro- and histopathological procedures. Approximately 32% of the joints were considered normal; 35.5% showed lesions consistent with osteochondrosis and a non-specific synovitis was present in 24.4%. Only 6.1% of joints were arthritic and yielded either Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus spp. The remainder (2.3%) had periarticular lesions such as abscesses. The study emphasises that an accurate diagnosis and correct evaluation of pig carcases showing joint lesions, is absolutely essential if a high standard of meat inspection is to be obtained and unnecessary economic losses are to be avoided.

The isolation of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona and related serological findings associated with a mixed farming unit in the Transvaal.

This is the first known isolation in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) of the serovar pomona from the organs of porcine foetuses as well as from the renal lymph nodes of slaughter pigs showing chronic nephritis. In addition, the serovar pomona was isolated from the kidneys of 87.5% of the slaughter pigs examined. The success of these isolations was attributed in part to the refining of 2 existing isolation techniques which complement each other. Using the microscopic agglutination test, serum samples taken from the same farming unit showed evidence of antibodies to the serovar pomona in 89 out of the 170 bovines (52%), 9 out of the 52 porcines (17%), 2 of the 2 canines (100%), 5 out of the 13 equines (38%) and 2 out of the 152 ovines (1%) that were tested. As far as is known, serological evidence of the serovar pomona in porcines, ovines, equines and canines has never previously been published in the RSA.

Rabies in South Africa: epidemiological trends for the period 1980-1984.

Efficient surveillance and evaluation of data collected is a useful adjunct to a rabies prevention/control programme. Epidemiological analyses were carried out on all rabies cases reported for the period 1980-1984, with emphasis on the frequency and distribution in domestic and wild animals. A significant increase in reported rabies cases since 1982 was noted, with a greater prevalence in domestic animals contributing to the total increase. Rabies in domestic animals was of major importance in Natal, Gazankulu, KwaZulu, Lebowa, Qwa Qwa and Kangwane. Of all the domestic animal rabies cases reported, canines and bovines accounted for 54.5% and 33% of the cases, respectively. The genus Cynictis accounted for 69% of all the wild animal rabies cases reported. The greatest number of rabies cases were reported in the winter months. A definite seasonal trend was demonstrated with domestic animal rabies reaching a peak during August.

High pressure liquid chromatographic determination of zearalenone in chicken tissues.

A method is reported for the extraction and analysis of zearalenone in chicken fat, heart muscle, and kidney tissue by using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Zearalenone is extracted with acetonitrile, cleaned up with hexane, and extracted further with ethyl acetate. Zearalenone is determined by HPLC using a reverse phase radial compression separation system, an ultraviolet absorbance detector, and a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (60 + 40) (v/v). Recoveries of zearalenone added at levels from 50 to 200 ng/g are in the range 82.6-95.1%.

The pathology of infectious polyarthritis in slaughter pigs.

A study was conducted into the macroscopic and microscopic pathology of arthritic joints obtained from 37 freshly slaughtered pigs condemned for infectious polyarthritis. All the affected joints showed varying degrees of subacute to chronic serofibrinous to fibrino-purulent arthritis with or without pathology of the articular cartilage.

A microbiological study of polyarthritis in slaughter pigs.

Arthritic joints obtained from 50 freshly slaughtered pig carcasses condemned for polyarthritis were studied microbiologically. A routine technique was developed for aseptically opening joints to obtain material for microbiological examination. A standard series of culture media for the primary isolation of arthritogenic agents were used in the examination of each affected joint. The microbiological study cultured for isolation of the following microorganisms: Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., Haemophilus spp., Mycoplasma spp., Salmonella spp., Chlamydia, and viruses.E. rhusiopathiae was found to be responsible for 48% of the cases of arthritis and Streptococcus spp., C. pyogenes and S. aureus for 20%, 4%, and 2% respectively; no microorganisms were cultured from 26% of the arthritic joints.

A high pressure liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of zearalenone in chicken blood.

A high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is described to determine zearalenone in chicken blood. Samples are extracted with acetonitrile, followed by a hexane cleanup procedure and extracted further with ethyl acetate. The analysis of zearalenone is by HPLC using a reverse phase radial compression separation system, an ultraviolet absorbance detector and a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water 60:40 (v/v). Recoveries of zearalenone in blood at levels of 50-200 ng/ml are in the range of 66.8-72.6%.

Lymph drainage of the major joints of the porcine forelimb.

The lymph drainage of the major joints of the porcine forelimb was subjected to a critical examination. Commercial India ink was injected into the left elbow joint and right shoulder joint of an experimental pig. The shoulder joint was approached craniolaterally, the injection site being at the cranial border of the tendon of insertion of the infraspinatus muscle. The elbow joint was approached from the dorsolateral aspect. A suitable site for intra-articular injection into the elbow joint was found to be within an imaginary triangle formed caudal to the lateral epicondyloid crest of the humerus, the ventral border of the lateral head of the M. triceps brachii, and a line just dorsal to the olecranon. The lymph nodes of the neck and shoulder region were carefully exposed and examined for any discoloration due to the ink. The dissection of the lymph vessels and lymph nodes showed that the Lnn, axillares primae costae drained the elbow and shoulder joint after the intra-articular injection of India ink.

Inoculation of pigs with Streptococcus spp. isolated from arthritic porcine joints.

The intricacies of the serological grouping of streptococci are discussed. The pathogenicity and accurate classification of streptococci isolated from arthritic porcine joints were in doubt. Pure cultures of these isolates were inoculated intravenously into healthy pigs to ascertain their pathogenicity and in an attempt to fulfil Koch's postulates. The pathogenesis of streptococcal arthritis in swine is discussed. On intravenous inoculation into experimental pigs the streptococcal isolates showed varying degrees of pathogenicity and arthritogenesis.

Porcine arthritis and meat hygiene in South Africa.

The incidence, economic implications, aetiology and possible public health significance or porcine arthritis in South African slaughter pigs is discussed. An investigation into the aetiology and pathology of porcine arthritis as found at a South African abbattoir revealed that Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was present in 48% of the affected joints and Streptococcus spp., Corynebacterium spp. and Staphylococcus spp. in 20%, 4% and 2% respectively. The joints showed various degress of subacute to chronic proliferative sero-fibrinous to fibrinopurulent arthritis regardless of whether bacteria were isolated. It is essential that the Lnn. axillares primae costae which drain the forelimb joints also be examined routinely during meat inspection.

Some aspects of the pathogenesis and comparative pathology of toxoplasmosis.

Some aspects of the pathogenesis and comparative pathology of toxoplasmosis are described. The general pattern of infection, with or without necrosis, and tissue cyst formation as it occurs in all species is dealt with. The wide pathological manifestations of toxoplasmosis as seen in sheep, cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, cats, chinchillas and man are reviewed.

The comparative incidence of subclinical bacterial bovine mastitis in 17 herds when using two sets of diagnostic criteria.

On the single examination of 6804 quarter milk samples during a routine mastitis survey in 17 herds it was found that whereas 12,4% of quarters were diagnosed as subclinically mastitic when using the IDF standard set of diagnostic criteria, only 2,4% were positive when applying the additional criterium of a positive test for bovine serum albumin. The remaining 10% of quarters were then classified as being affected with septic inflammation of the ducts. The ratio of true subclinical septic mastitis to duct and test canal infections is recorded and the implications of the findings are briefly discussed.

Toxoplasmosis as a public health hazard.

Recent advances in the epidemiology and life cycle of toxoplasmosis are reviewed. Cats play a key role. Toxoplasma has a coccidian-type entero-epithelial cycle with oocyst prodlction in the feline host. An extra-intestinal cycle occurs in both feline and non-feline hosts. The worldwide distribution and the public health significance of toxoplasmosis as a zoonosis is discussed, with particular reference to available data regarding Southern Africa.