Aeromonas hydrophila-associated skin lesions and septicaemia in a Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus).

Aeromonas hydrophila is one of the most common bacteria associated with the aquatic environment. There are, however, limited data on A. hydrophila infection in crocodilians. The aim of this report is to describe a case of skin lesions and septicaemia associated with A. hydrophila in a Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus). A captive male crocodile in the Zoological Park of Antalya (Turkey) was found dead without showing signs of any disease. Gross examination showed brown or red-spotted skin lesions of varying size. These lesions were mostly scattered over the abdomen and occasionally on the tail and feet. At necropsy, numerous white, multifocal and randomly distributed areas were seen on the liver. Gram-stained smears from skin and liver lesions showed Gram-negative bacilli arranged in clusters. Pure cultures of A. hydrophila were recovered from skin, internal organs and blood. Isolates were found to be susceptible to ceftiofur, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin, danofloxacin, neomycin, gentamicin, and lincomycin + neomycin. A pathogenicity test was performed using this isolate on 4 male 2-year-old New Zealand white rabbits. Local abscesses formed in 2 rabbits injected subcutaneously and the 2 that were injected intraperitoneally died as a result of septicaemia. In conclusion, this report has shown that A. hydrophila may cause skin lesions and even death due to septicaemia in crocodiles.

Investigation of Helicobacter pylori in raw sheep milk samples.

It is known that Helicobacter pylori is a cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease in humans. However the origin and transmission of this bacterium has not been clearly explained. One of the suggested theories is transmission via raw milk from animals to human beings. In this study, the presence of H. pylori was investigated in sheep milk that is commonly consumed as human food. For this purpose, a total of 440 raw sheep milk samples collected from the Burdur region of Turkey were examined by specific cultural procedures, however, H. pylori was not isolated in any sample.

Evaluation of immunogenicity of Campylobacter strains isolated from ovine abortions by laboratory test systems.

A microagglutination test and in vitro serum bactericidal assay were used for testing cross-reactions and cross-bactericidal activities of 15 Campylobacter strains isolated from ovine abortions. Antisera against certain strains of C. fetus subsp. fetus and C. jejuni showed higher microagglutination titres and bactericidal activity against homologous and/or heterologous strains. In both tests, cross-reactions and bactericidal activity were higher among the strains of homologous species than among those of heterologous species. The pregnant guinea-pig model was used for testing the efficacy of experimental campylobacter vaccines. Monovalent bacterins prepared with either C. fetus subsp. fetus or C. jejuni did not produce immunity to cross-challenge with the opposite species. Guinea-pigs immunized with the bivalent bacterin were found to be immune to both groups of Campylobacter when subsequently challenged. In vaccinated guinea-pigs, their in vivo ability to overcome infection is reflected in the in vitro bactericidal capacity of homologous rabbit antiserum.