bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION OF MEAT AND BONE MEAL
Authors: Bensink J. C.
Published: March 2008

The production of meat and bone meal from 8 rendering plants was examined for the presence of salmonellas.

Of 164 samples of final product 114 (69.5%) were contaminated with salmonellas. Of 65 samples, collected at various points from the production line 35 (53.8%), and of 95 samples collected from the processing environment 79 (83.1%) were found to be contaminated with salmonellas. A total of 41 serotypes were found with S. havana, S. eimsbuettel, S. ohio and S. singapore being the most frequently isolated.

Pre‐enrichment of 25g samples in buffered peptone water, followed by enrichment in mannitol selenite cystine broth at 42°C and Muller‐Kauffmann Tetrathionate Broth at 37°C and plating on Bismuth Sulphite Agar was found to yield 98.5% of the salmonella‐positive samples.
THE IMMUNOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF HYDATID DISEASE
Authors: Rickard M. D.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: The tests that have been most commonly employed for the diagnosis of hydatid disease in Australia include the intradermal test (ID or Casoni test), complement fixation test (CFT), indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test, latex agglutination (LA) test, indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and the immunoelectrophoresis test (IEP). More recently developed tests are the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), and countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis (CIE). This paper outlines the uses for immunological diagnosis of hydatid disease and the criteria for determining the test of choice in a particular circumstance. The principles of each test, and their usefulness in terms of the criteria set down is discussed. At the present time, for pre‐treatment diagnosis IHA and LA appear to be the best suited for screening purposes while IEP is the most specific diagnostic test. For postoperative follow up IEP and the CFT are both useful.
HYDATIDS IN AUSTRALIA — THE PRESENT POSITION IN MAN
Authors: Beard T. C.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: In the mainland States the numbers at risk are small relative to the whole population — even the whole rural population — and studies are needed of regional incidence based on the patient's address at the time of admission.

Traditionally the States most affected have been Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. The disease seems to have shown a spontaneous decline in Victoria, and has been reduced by a control program in Tasmania, but in New South Wales there is still an unacceptably high incidence amongst Australian‐born residents of the Northern, Central and Southern Tablelands and Canberra District. The prevalence in the South‐Eastern Statistical Division and the Australian Capital Territory in fact matches that of Tasmania in 1941–50.

An unexpected and important effect of the Tasmanian control program was a simultaneous and substantial drop in incidence in all age‐groups. This means control measures elsewhere can be justified by the expectation of early benefit to the whole rural community, including even the elderly.
HYDATID DISEASE IN MAN — PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Authors: Nott D. B.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: Human hydatidosis continues to be a serious medical problem, particularly in areas associated with the sheep industry. Such an area is the Australian Capital Territory and the experience in the management of the disease in this area exemplifies modern treatment. Improved diagnostic techniques facilitate early diagnosis and define lines of management. New serological tests will constantly improve follow‐up. Mebendazole will not replace surgery but will be invaluable in the less common cases where surgery is impossible. That treatment of any type, medical or surgical, is necessary implies that the most effective line of treatment, prevention, has failed. Prevention remains the best line of treatment and any form of treatment in the future must be primarily aimed at prevention.
EFFECT OF BIRTH WEIGHT ON EFFICIENCY OF BEEF PRODUCTION*
Authors: Dowling D. F.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: The large ‘lean beef’ breeds are vulnerable to calving difficulties and losses. Dystocia is related to high birth weight. Data recorded from evaluation experiments show that the birth weight of the ‘lean beef’taurus crossbreeds was high (39 ± 2.1 kg). Indicus beef genotypes were selected with the birth weight (29 ± 1.9 kg) significantly lower (P < 0.01) without a depression in the final yield of beef.

To increase efficiency of beef production the lower birth weight factor needs be incorporated into genotypes for high viability and growth. Profitability depends on output per dam, in relation to inputs, on a herd basis. Hence, progress may depend on the application of such changes of genotype.
RENAL FAILURE, HYPERPARATHYROIDISM AND HYPERCALCAEMIA IN A DOG
Authors: Watson A.D.J. , Canfield P.J.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: A 4‐year‐old Basset bitch with a 9‐week history of depression, lethargy, inappetence and weight loss was found to have azotaemia, hypercalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia. Laparotomy and kidney biopsy revealed end‐stage renal disease and the dog was killed. Hyperplasia of all 4 parathyroid glands was found at autopsy. The presumptive diagnosis was idiopathic renal failure with resulting tertiary hyperparathyroidism.
SERUM SPERMAGGLUTININS AND SEMEN QUALITY IN THE BULL
Authors: Wright P. J.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Three bulls injected with homologous semen or testis material developed spermagglutinins in serum while one control bull inoculated with egg white did not. In one bull a high spermagglutinin titre was associated with allergic epididymitis, a decreased proportion of motile spermatozoa, and an increased proportion of tail abnormalities. The palpable lesion persisted for 35 days, the spermagglutinin titre and semen abnormalities for a further 2 months. No change in semen quality was associated with the lower serum spermagglutinin titres in the other two treatment bulls or over comparable periods of time in the control bull. No naturally occurring spermagglutinins were found in a population of 50 bulls with varying semen qualities at an artificial breeding centre.
THE IMMUNE RESPONSE OF CHICKENS VACCINATED AGAINST NEWCASTLE DISEASE WITH LIVE NEWCASTLE DISEASE V4 VACCINE
Authors: Ibrahim A. Latif , Chulan Ungku , Babjee A. Mustaffa
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Vaccination of chickens with the commercial Newcastle Disease (ND) V4 vaccine at 21 days old or at 21 and 35 days old, stimulated satisfactory and persistent HI antibody levels. The vaccinated chickens were immune when challenged at 49 days old or 77 days old with the virulent strain of NDV administered intramuscularly, intranasally or by contact. Postmortem findings of the non‐vaccinated and vaccinated chickens that died from the challenge were recorded.
A TRANSMISSIBLE CHICKEN TUMOUR ASSOCIATED WITH RETICULOENDOTHELIOSIS VIRUS INFECTION
Authors: Ratnamohan N. , Grimes T. M. , Bagust T. J. , Spradbrow P. B.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Histiocytic lymphosarcomas of the intestine, liver, spleen and sciatic nerve were found at necropsy in a 36‐week‐old laying hen that was culled from a flock of 1800 birds because of emaciation. Type C particles were observed in ultrathin sections of liver and spleen. The serum of the hen contained reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) antigen, and antibody against REV, but lacked antibodies reactive with Marek's disease virus or subgroups A and B of Rous sarcoma virus.

The tumour was transmitted to chickens using a suspension of the initial tumours. These experimental tumours were then transmitted to further chickens, using cultured spleen cells, viable spleen cells that had been stored frozen, and disrupted spleen cells. The tumours, which developed after incubation periods as short as 2 weeks, were histologically similar to those in the original hen. A few chickens also developed feather abnormalities. The chickens with experimentally transmitted tumours developed antibody against REV and REV antigen was demonstrated in cultured cells from these chickens. The chickens failed to develop antibody against Rous sarcoma virus and only 1 of 29 developed antibody against Marek' disease virus.
EXTENSIONS TO A VETERINARY HEALTH AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM DATA SYSTEM FOR DAIRY HERDS
Authors: Williamson N. B. , Anderson G. A. , Blood D. C. , Malmo J.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY This paper reports additions to our previously described veterinary health and management program for dairy herds. These include a graphical representation of mean milk production per cow per day, a current and historical record of the distribution of the herd in reproduction states, a standardised index of clinical mastitis and an index of the degree of hutritional anoestrus in a herd. For seasonally‐calving herds, new categories of cows requiring examination or consideration have been added to selection lists. These are cows which have no oestrus recorded for 30 days preceding a nominated date for the commencement of breeding and those which have no oestrus recorded for 30 days after the nominated date.
LEPTOSPIRA INTERROGANS SEROVAR HARDJO VACCINATION OF PREGNANT BEEF COWS AND SUBSEQUENT GROWTH RATE OF PROGENY
Authors: Holroyd R. G.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Five experiments with Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo vaccine were carried out over a 6‐year period in pregnant Brahman‐cross and Sahiwal‐cross cows in the dry tropics of northern Queensland. The numbers ranged from 127 breeders aged 2 to 5 years in 1972 to 344 breeders aged 2 to 9 years in 1977. Half of the cows were vaccinated twice in midpregnancy except for 1977, when they were vaccinated once. In 1975–1977 inclusive, half of the heifers were given an additional dose of vaccine at commencement of mating.

Vaccination caused a significant (P<0.01) reduction of prenatal loss but not of perinatal or postnatal losses. Growth rates of calves from vaccinated and unvaccinated dams were similar.
LESIONS CAUSED BY CORYNEBACTERIUM PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS IN THE SCROTUM OF RAMS
Authors: Williamson P. , Nairn M. E.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Palpable lesions within the scrotum but not associated with the testis or epididymis were detected in 20 of 200 merino rams in 3 flocks during routine veterinary examination. In 13 of 15 rams further examined Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was isolated from the lesions, which were typical CLA type abscesses. C. pseudotuberculosis was not shed in semen, and semen quality was normal in all affected rams.
PLASMA ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE AS A SCREENING TEST FOR LOW ZINC STATUS IN BROILER HYBRID CHICKENS AFFECTED WITH ‘CLUBBED DOWN’
Authors: Schuster N. H. , Hindmarsh M.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Broiler chickens affected by clubbed down on a number of Victorian farms had low liver zinc concentrations and low plasma alkaline phosphatase activities.

The results indicated that the zinc status of affected flocks should be considered in future studies and that measurement of plasma alkaline phosphatase activity may be a useful means of screening large numbers of samples. Nutritional and genetic factors may be involved in the aetiology of clubbed down.
DISEASES OF CATTLE IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS
Authors: de Fredrick D. F. , Reece R. L.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Between 1967 and 1977 a study was made of diseases of cattle in the Solomon Islands. Tuberculosis was found in only 3 herds and was eradicated by 1975. Brucellosis serology revealed very few reactors and by 1977 the herds involved were considered free of the disease. Significant serological reactions were found to Leptospira interrogans serovars pomona, hardjo, autumnalis and jez‐bratislava. There was evidence that infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and mucosal disease were present. Seventeen parasites were identified of which Haematobia irritans exigua, Haemonchus placei, Oesophagostomum radiatum and Ceylonocotyle streptocoelium were widely distributed. Nutritional stress occurred under some forms of husbandry but environmental stress was minimal. The Solomon Islands are therefore in a most favourable situation with regard to diseases of cattle.
THE USE OF AMITRAZ (N1‐(2,4‐DIMETHYLPHENYL) N‐[([(2,4‐DIMETHYLPHENYL)IMINO)‐METHYL]‐N‐METHYLMETHANIMIDAMIDE) IN DEMODECOSIS IN DOGS
Authors: Farmer H. , Seawright A. A.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Amitraz topically applied as an 0.025 or 0.05% aqueous suspension once or twice weekly for up to 8 weeks cured 3 cases of generalised squamopapular to pustular demodectic mange and effectively controlled the condition in a fourth dog. Three of these dogs were Dobermans in which the disease was refractory to standard therapy with ronnel. A single wash in 0.025% amitraz suspension was sufficient to cure each of 5 dogs affected with localised demodecosis within 2 to 4 weeks. At these dose levels the drug is non toxic and non irritant to skin and mucous membranes. Recommendations for the use of amitraz include a thorough prewash of the entire skin surface with soap and water followed by application of the drug suspension with vigorous scrubbing, the compound then being allowed to dry on the animal' skin. The availability of amitraz therapy appears to provide a favourable prognosis for the control of severe long standing mange in the dog.
THE IMPORTATION OF THE ONE‐HUMPED CAMEL (CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS) INTO AUSTRALIA DURING 1840–1841
Authors: McCarthy P. H.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY A detailed account is given of the first 2 importations of the one‐humped camel into Australia during the latter half of 1840, and of the third during the first part of 1841. Illustrations of the camels involved in the first and third importations are included.
A COMPLEMENT‐FIXATION TEST FOR ENZOOTIC PNEUMONIA OF PIGS USING A COMPLEMENT DILUTION METHOD
Authors: Etheridge J. R. , Lloyd L. C.
Published: March 2008

Complement‐fixing antibody to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in the serums of pigs experimentally infected with enzootic pneumonia was demonstrated by comparing the haemolytic titre of guinea‐pig complement titrated in the presence of heated test serum, M. hyopneumoniae antigen and unheated normal pig serum with the titre obtained when the antigen was omitted. The haemolytic titres against sensitised sheep erythrocytes were determined after a fixation period of 16 to 18 hours at 5°C. When serums, collected at intervals of 3 to 7 days, from 43 pigs exposed to pigs experimentally infected with enzootic pneumonia were tested, 4.6 or more complement units were first fixed 14 to 44 (mean 23.4) days after contact began. Serums collected subsequently fixed from 4.6 to more than 31 complement units. This positive reaction usually persisted until the pigs were killed 4 to 35 weeks after contact began. Thirty‐three had gross enzootic pneumonia lesions and 9 had lung lesions detected microscopically. Serum antibody was not detected in 73 weaned pigs aged 7 weeks in a pneumonia‐free herd but serums from 9 of 15 unweaned piglets aged 9 to 14 days in the same herd, fixed between 3 and 7 complement units.
INTESTINAL RUPTURE IN SOWS FED WHEY
Authors: McCausland I. P. , Southgate W.
Published: March 2008

A problem of sudden deaths was investigated on a 600 sow piggery after 35 (8%) mature sows died during 10 months. Thirty four (90%) of the sows which died in the following 20 months were all fed whey and had acute severe peritonitis associated with rupture of the large or lower small intestine. No similar deaths occurred in sows, gilts or boars receiving only formulated feed pellets. It is suggested that ruptures resulted from overdistention with gas produced from whey and that the likelihood of their occurrence was directly related to the volume of whey ingested.
LEVAMISOLE VACCINE COMBINATIONS
Authors: Forsyth B. A. , Wynne‐Jones N.
Published: March 2008

Levamisole can be combined with polyvalent clostridial vaccine so as to retain the activity of both components. Antibody response is heightened and the anthelmintic activity of levamisole is unimpaired. Tissue reactions at the injection site are acceptable being within the normal range of each component when given separately.
THE MANAGEMENT OF RECTAL TEARS IN HORSES
Authors: Speirs V. C. , Christie B. A. , Van Veenendaal J. C.
Published: March 2008

Rectal trauma in horses is usually iatrogenic and carries a high mortality. Partial thickness tears heal without surgical assistance. Full thickness tears require surgical repair through the anus or a ventral laparotomy or, if these are not possible because of difficulty in gaining access to the tear in its usual site at the pelvic inlet, a diverting colostomy to allow the rectum to heal is necessary. This paper describes the management of 15 cases of rectal injury, only 3 of which survived. Two of these were partial thickness tears not treated surgically and the third had a temporary diverting colostomy.
THE PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO MEMBERS OF LEPTOSPIRA INTERROGANS IN CATTLE
Authors: Milner A. R. , Wilks C. R. , Calvert K.
Published: March 2008

A total of 1,355 random samples taken from bovine serums submitted for brucellosis testing in Victoria were submitted to the microscopic agglutination test for the presence of antibody to 12 serovars of Leptospira interrogans. The most common reaction obtained was to serovar hardjo, although the percentage of reactors varied from 24.8% in the metropolitan area to 56.3% in north‐eastern Victoria (mean 40.6%). A total of 86.3% of farms from which 3 or more samples were taken had at least one reactor to serovar hardjo. The prevalence of antibody to other serovars was tarassovi (7.8% of reactors), ballum (3.7%), pomona (2.4%), autumnalis (1.8%) and bataviae (1.2%). Reactions to other serovars were observed in serums of less than 1% of cattle tested; serums from 50.8% of cattle did not react to any antigen.
THE EFFECT OF CALFHOOD VACCINATION WITH STRAIN 19 ON THE SEROLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS AND ERADICATION OF BOVINE BRUCELLOSIS
Authors: Koh S. H. , Morley F. H. W.
Published: March 2008

Data from 42,224 cattle from 694 herds collected during the brucellosis eradication campaign were used to examine the effects of calfhood strain 19 vaccination.

The prevalence of infection in vaccinated herds was 1.8% compared with 9.1% in non‐vaccinated herds (p< 0.005). The mean titre in the former group was lower (p< 0.001). Vaccinated herds required 3.3 herd tests to achieve a provisionally free status compared with 4.8 in non‐vaccinated herds (0.001 < p < 0.005). Vaccination did not significantly reduce the number of herd tests in herds with less than 100 breeding females. In tests after the initial herd test only 0.5% reactors were found in vaccinated herds compared with 6.9% in non‐vaccinated herds (p< 0.005).

There were 0.9% false positive to the Rose Bengal plate test in non‐vaccinated and 2.1% in vaccinated animals (p< 0.005) in non‐infected herds. In infected herds this percentage was 3.0% and 4.2% respectively by (p< 0.05).

In the non‐infected herds there were 0.04% false positives to the complement fixation test out of 10,506 non‐vaccinated cattle tested and 0.2% out of 24,734 vaccinated cattle.
ACTIVE IMMUNISATION OF HORSES AGAINST TETANUS INCLUDING THE BOOSTER DOSE AND ITS APPLICATION
Authors: Liefman C. E.
Published: March 2008

Successful active immunisation of horses against tetanus is dependent on a number of factors of which the toxoid preparation used, its method of application and the ability of the individual horse to respond are fundamental. Two immunisation schedules using an aluminium‐based toxoid preparation were examined and the protection determined by monitoring the level of antitoxin afforded by each schedule. The results obtained demonstrated that 2 doses of this toxoid are necessary to ensure 12 months protection in all horses. These results are discussed in relation to the factors involved in active immunisation against tetanus.

Reference is also made to the occurrence of a transient phase of reduced levels of antitoxin following booster doses of toxoid in immunised horses during which it is considered these horses could become more susceptible to tetanus. The effect of a booster dose on immunised horses was examined and while there can be a reduction in the level of antitoxin in some immunised horses following this dose its effect is minimal, short‐lived and for all practical purposes can be disregarded. The application of the booster dose in practice is also discussed.
PATHOLOGY AND TUBERCULIN SENSITIVITY IN CATTLE INOCULATED WITH MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX SEROTYPES 6, 14 AND 18
Authors: Ketterer P. J. , Rogers R. J. , Donald B.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Three strains of Mycobacterium avium complex organisms, serotypes 6, 14 and 18 isolated from typical tuberculous lesions in cattle were examined for pathogenicity and ability to sensitise cattle to avian and bovine tuberculin. Each strain caused tuberculoid granulomas at the site of subcutaneous inoculation but no lesions elsewhere. Sensitisation to bovine tuberculin was detected in the caudal fold test in 11 of 18 inoculated animals 8 weeks after injection. In a simultaneous comparative cervical test, reactions to avian tuberculin were much larger than reactions to bovine tuberculin in all inoculated animals.
EAR MITES(RAILLIETIA MANFREDI AND PSOROPTES CUNICULI) IN GOATS IN NEW SOUTH WALES
Authors: Cook R. W.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The recently described species, Raillietia manfredi was recovered from ears of 24/185 (13%) goats and from 17/23 (74%) herds sampled. Psoroptes cuniculi was recovered from ears of 38/185 (21%) goats and from 5/23 (22%) herds. The youngest goat infested with R. manfredi was 14 days old. Common clinical signs attributed to ear mite infestation included twitching and scratching of ears, and head shaking.
FELINE RESPIRATORY VIRUS CARRIERS IN CLINICALLY HEALTHY CATS
Authors: Ellis T. M.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY In two surveys, feline calicivirus was cultured from 19.7% and 15% of 66 and 201 clinically healthy cats respectively. Feline viral rhinotracheitis virus was cultured also from 1.5% of oropharyngeal swabs collected in both surveys. Feline syncytial virus was isolated from 5.5% oropharyngeal swabs collected in the second survey. The use of serological examination and corticosteroid treatment to stimulate virus shedding demonstrated that 25.8% cats in the first survey were carriers of feline viral rhinotracheitis virus. In the second survey, mercapto‐ethanol treatment of serum was used to differentiate recent from previous infection with feline viral rhinotracheitis virus and some 18.5% cats had FVR antibody that was resistant to treatment with mercapto‐ethanol.
CHRONIC INTERSTITIAL PNEUMONIA IN ASSOCIATION WITH A GRANULOMATOUS ENCEPHALITIS IN A GOAT
Authors: Robinson W. F.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY A 30‐month‐old British Alpine goat had clinical and pathological findings consistent with the diagnosis of a chronic interstitial pneumonia. The goat also had lesions in the brain similar to those described for granulomatous encephalomyelitis (GE) of goats. Lesions similar to GE were reproduced experimentally in feral goats following intracerebral inoculation of a lung homogenate from the naturally occurring case. The differential diagnosis of chronic interstitial pneumonia in goats, the differentiation of GE from viral leucoencephalomyelitis, and the possible aetiological role of retroviruses in these diseases is discussed.
RENAL LEPTOSPIROSIS IN VACCINATED PIGS
Authors: Cargill C. F. , Davost D. E.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The ability of 2 commercial leptospirosis vaccines to prevent renal colonisation with Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona was studied in pigs. Based on bacteriological, pathological and serological findings some degree of protection was found in vaccinates when compared with non‐vaccinates after challenge 4, 7 and 12 months after vaccination. However, the degree of protection was insufficient to prevent colonisation and renal leptospirosis in 6 of 10 pigs at 4 months, 7 of 10 pigs at 7 months and 8 of 10 pigs at 12 months.
EVALUATION OF THE POTENTIAL OF SYSTEMIC SLOW RELEASE CHEMICAL TREATMENTS FOR CONTROL OF THE CATTLE TICK(BOOPHILUS MICROPLUS)USING IVERMECTIN
Authors: Nolan J. , Schnitzerling H. J. , Bird P.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Stall and field trials with cattle infested with various acaricide‐resistant strains of cattle tick, have demonstrated the potential of ivermectin as a systemic tickicide. A dosage of 200 μg/kg, administered subcutaneously to animals naturally infested in the field, gave satisfactory tick control for 21 days, after an initial lag period of 2 days immediately following treatment, during which significant numbers of ticks survived. Daily subcutaneous treatments, administered so as to simulate slow release, indicated that a dosage of 15 μg/skg/day should give complete tick control if the chemical could be released continuously from a subcutaneous implant. The potency of ivermectin, assessed by in vitro tests against engorged adults, suggests that the tickicidal activity could be associated with the parent compound per se rather than a metabolite.
ISOLATION OFCHLAMYDIA PSITTACIFROM CATS WITH CONJUNCTIVITIS
Authors: Studdert M. J. , Studdert V. P. , Wirth H. J.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Chlamydia psittaci was repeatedly demonstrated in stained smears of conjunctival scrapings from a group of cats in a single household and in 5 instances the organism was isolated by yolk sac inoculation of 6‐day‐old specific pathogen free, embryonated hen eggs. Thirteen of 15 cats in the cattery developed conjunctivitis at various times over a 9‐month period. The outstanding features of the disease were its severity, chronicity and refractoriness to treatment. Prolonged (2 week) treatment with tetracycline was required to effect clinical recovery. Nine of 14 cats in the household developed significant complement‐fixing (CF) antibody titres (>128) to the chlamydia group antigen. A single serum from the owner had a titre of 32 although no associated illness was recognised.

Of 134 serums collected from random source cats aged 1 month to 16 years, 17 (12.7%) also contained CF antibody to chlamydia group antigen.

This is the first report of the isolation of chlamydia from cats with conjunctivitis outside North America and the first report to indicate general incidence figures for chlamydia infection of cats where vaccination is not used.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AUSTRALIAN V4 STRAIN OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS AS A VACCINE BY SPRAY, AEROSOL AND DRINKING WATER ADMINISTRATION
Authors: Ibrahim A. Latif , Chulan Ungku , Babjee A. Mustaffa
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY An Australian strain of Newcastle disease virus, was evaluated for use as a vaccine following its administration by drinking water, aerosol and spray to chickens at 1 and 21 days of age. Haemagglutination inhbition antibody was produced and persisted for 11 weeks. Aerosol vaccination induced higher levels of haemagglutination inhibition antibody than the other methods of vaccination. No respiratory disease was observed following vaccination.

Chickens vaccinated by aerosol and spray were fully protected when challenged at 5, 7 and 11 weeks of age with virulent Newcastle disease virus. Mortality of 10 to 30 per cent was observed in chickens vaccinated by drinking water and intranasally following challenge.
A COMPARISON OF FLUORIMETRIC AND COLORIMETRIC METHODS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF α‐MANNOSIDASE ACTIVITY IN BOVINE PLASMA
Authors: Embury D. H. , Whiting C. E. , Sinclair A. J.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY This paper compares both manual colorimetric and fluorimetric methods for the assay of acidic α‐mannosidase activity in bovine EDTA plasma. The effect of variable blood volumes per 10 ml blood collecting tube has been investigated, and the colorimetric assay conditions adjusted (for example, zinc concentration in pre‐incubation buffer) to cope with low blood volumes resulting in high EDTA/plasma ratios. We have shown that with non‐haemolysed EDTA plasma samples, the two methods give similar results, but for haemolysed samples, the colorimetric method yields significantly lower results than those obtained fluorimetrically.

Using the manual fluorimetric method, samples can be assayed more rapidly and simply than by using the colorimetric method. This provides definite advantages in a laboratory receiving variable numbers of samples, or which cannot afford the high cost of automated equipment.
IMMUNISATION AGAINST EXPERIMENTAL STAPHYLOCOCCAL MASTITIS IN SHEEP – EFFECT OF CHALLENGE WITH A HETEROLOGOUS STRAIN OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
Authors: Watson D. L. , Kennedy J. W.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Ewes were immunised in late pregnancy with killed Staphylococcus aureus vaccines prepared from organisms grown either under in vitro (vaccine T) or in vivo (Vaccine V) cultural conditions; other ewes were immunised with a live S. aureus vaccine and a further group remained non‐vaccinated controls. The animals given either of the killed vaccines developed highest titres of agglutinating antibody in serum; there were only trivial levels of agglutinating antibody in milk from ewes in each treatment group. Ewes immunised with the live vaccine developed significantly greater levels of opsonins in serum than did those immunised with the killed vaccines or non‐immunised controls.

AT 30 to 35 days post‐partum the ewes were challenged by intramammary infusion of one million S. aureus of a strain different to the vaccination strain. In 4 of the 5 control ewes this resulted in the development of acute mastitis and a precipitous decline in milk production, whereas there was a considerable degree of resistance recorded in animals in each of the vaccinated groups. On criteria of milk production data, bacteriological status of milk and clinical signs of acute mastitis it was apparent that animals which had been immunised with the live vaccine were better protected from challenge than those immunised with either killed vaccines T or V.
PROTOZOAN AND VIRAL INFECTIONS OF FERAL CATS
Authors: Coman B. J. , Jones E. H. , Westbury H. A.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Identification of protozoan oocysts and serological tests were used to determine the prevalence of infections among 300 mainly adult feral cats in three different habitat types in south‐eastern Australia.

Oocysts of Isospora rivolta and Isospora felis were recovered from 3% and 4% respectively of 300 feral cat samples. Haemagglutination inhibition antibody to Toxoplasma gondii was detected in 20% of 75 cat sera tested.

A high prevalence of specific antibody to feline panleukopaenia virus (79%) and feline calici virus (77%) was demonstrated but the prevalence of antibody to feline herpes virus was low (11%). 15 strains of feline calici virus were isolated from pharyngeal swabs. There were no other virus isolations from the 60 pharyngeal and rectal swabs taken.

These viral and protozoan infections could not be linked with any obvious pathological conditions. Most cats were in good condition with light to moderate fat stores in depot areas. Limb fractures and other skeletal abnormalities occurred infrequently. Major tooth damage or absence of important teeth was evident in about 20% of 164 animals examined. There was no correlation between major tooth damage and poor body condition.
CASE REPORTSMELIOIDOSIS WITH ACUTE MENINGOENCEPHALOMYELITIS IN A HORSE
Authors: Ladds P. W. , Thomas A. D. , Pott B.
Published: March 2008

A case of acute meningoencephalomyelitis caused by infection with Pseudomonas pseudomallei is described. Clinically there was inability to stand, opisthotonus, facial paralysis and nystagmus, rapidly progressing to violent struggling.

Gross examination revealed malacia and haemorrhage in the medulla oblongata and adjacent spinal cord. Microscopically there were disseminated focal neutrophilic accumulations in affected areas, perivascular cuffing with mononuclear cells and lymphocytes and marked oedema. Intracellular bacteria were identified in sections stained by the Giemsa method.
SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY OF TWO MICROTITRE COMPLEMENT FIXATION TESTS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF BRUCELLA OVIS INFECTION IN RAMS
Authors: SEARSON J. E.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: An investigation was made into microtitre complement fixation test (CFT) procedures suitable for the serological diagnosis of naturally occurring Brucella ovis infection in rams. A procedure similar to the Australian standard procedure for bovine brucellosis was unsatisfactory when applied to sheep. Modification of the procedure by use of an initial serum and anticomplementary control dilution of 1:8 and increasing complement fixation time to 60 minutes at 37°C, greatly improved the efficiency of the test. A sensitivity of 100% was recorded for 59 serums from known infected rams and a specificity of 99.9% for 1593 serums from rams known or believed to be free of infection. Some aspects of applying CF tests to sheep serums are discussed.
EFFECT OF CALVING SUPERVISION UPON THE CALVING PERFORMANCE OF HEREFORD HEIFERS
Authors: Hodge P. B. , Wood S. J. , Newman R. D. , Shepherd R. K.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The calving performance of 268 two‐year‐old Hereford heifers was studied in 2 commercial herds and at a research station to compare supervision and non‐supervision during calving. Supervision in the 3 herds involved twice‐daily paddock inspections of calving heifers using a vehicle and the provision of obstetrical aid to those in difficulty. The unsupervised controls were inspected once weekly and were not assisted.

The supervised heifers experienced a higher incidence of live‐natural births and fewer dead calves compared with the unsupervised heifers. Dam survival rates were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in all supervised treatments. Calving supervision was justified by higher survival of both heifers and calves as well as humane considerations. It was endorsed as a worthwhile management practice in commercial herds with significant levels of dystocia in calving heifers.
ATLANTO‐AXIAL MALARTICULATION IN ANGORA GOATS
Authors: Robinson W. F. , Chapman H. M. , Grandage J. , Bolton J. R.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Two male Angora goats presented with ataxia and weakness of the hind limbs. Both tired easily when exercised and often stumbled and fell. In both cases, post‐mortem examination revealed focal areas of gliosis and diffuse Wallerian degeneration in the spinal cord at the level of the atlanto‐axial joint. There were also two areas of myelomalacia in one of the goats. In the other, the caudal articular surfaces of the atlas were unusually convex and the odontoid process of the axis was laterally compressed. It is suggested that these vertebral anomalies resulted in excessive mobility of the joint leading to the development of a compressive myelopathy.
A RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE FOR PELVIMETRY OF UNANAESTHESTISED EWES AND A COMPARISON OF THREE METHODS OF ESTIMATING THE AREA OF THE PELVIC INLET
Authors: HAUGHEY K. G. , GRAY C. H.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY A radiographic procedure is described which enables reliable estimation of the area of the pelvic inlet of up to 150 ewes per seven‐hour day by combining use of a specialized radiographic table, immobilisation of the subject with a blindfold and 2 restraining belts, and a mobile condenser‐discharge x‐ray generator powered by a domestic electrical supply or a portable generator. Six pelvic dimensions, the distances between the medial ischiatic tuberosities, the lateral ischiatic tuberosities, the length of the pubic symphysis, the acetabular, transverse and conjugate diameters and the area of the pelvic inlet computed as the product of the transverse and conjugate diameters (pelvic axes), were estimated by three methods which allowed for magnification resulting from the dimensions of interest lying at varying heights above the film. The estimates were compared by linear regression analysis with their respective values obtained directly from the pelves dissected after slaughter, method A. Method B was isometric, using a perspex vaginal isometer with radiopaque calibrations. Methods C and D applied the theorem of similar triangles. Method C assumed that the dimensions of interest lay in a horizontal plane halfway through the dorso‐ventral or lateral thickness of the subject when thickness was measured on a level with the femoral greater trochanters. Method D assumed that the dimensions of interest lay in the same horizontal plane as the height of the subject's anus above the table top when measured in sternal or lateral recumbency. The test subjects were groups of aged, non‐pregnant Dorset Horn or Merino ewes.

Method B estimated the pelvic axes unreliably in both breeds. Method D, although almost as reliable as method C in Dorset Horn ewes, was not used in merinos because it was cumbersome. Method C was preferred because the estimates were highly correlated with the exact values for both breeds and it was the easiest to apply since measuring body thickness was essential for calculating exposures. Using method C, R values in Dorset Horns for the transverse and conjugate diameters, and the area of the pelvic inlet, were 0.96, 0.78 and 0.81 respectively. For Merinos the corresponding values were 0.88, 0.80 and 0.84 respectively. As method C over‐estimated the area of the pelvic inlet, a prediction equation was derived to minimise this tendency, resulting in revised estimates, accurate within 2.7% and 3.9% respectively, of the values obtained at the autopsy of the merino and Dorset Horn test subjects. All methods were unsatisfactory for estimating dimensions other than the transverse and conjugate diameters, and the area of the pelvic inlet. The procedure recommended has been used in several breeding flocks to determine the role of mature maternal pelvic size in feto‐pelvic disproportion, birth injury to the fetal central nervous system and repeated maternal rearing failure.
EFFECT OF STRESS ON STEROID HORMONE LEVELS IN RACEHORSES
Authors: BAKER H. W. G. , BAKER I. D. C. , EPSTEIN V. M. , HUDSON B.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Cortisol and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay in plasma samples from race horses. None of 6 stressed male horses had Iow cortisol levels but testosterone levels (0.81 ± 0.15 nmol/l) were significantly lower than in healthy horses (1.86 ± 0.31 nmol/l). The conclusion was made that adrenocortical insufficiency is not a common association of stress in race horses. The reduction in testosterone levels is probably a nonspecific response similar to that seen in other species.
Australia and exotic animal diseases*
Authors: GEE R. W.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The Australian economy is vitally dependent on agriculture, livestock health and freedom from major exotic animal diseases. Future exotic animal disease pressures on Australian livestock industries will increase. High category risks include vesicular diseases, arthropod‐borne virus diseases and Newcastle disease. Tighter quarantine control and surveillance alone cannot neutralise the increasing risks. Increasing preparedness to deal promptly with introduced disease demands a national approach and continuing liaison between veterinary authorities, the livestock industries and the many organisations that would be called on to assist in a major eradication effort.
Epidemiological studies on ovine brucellosis in selected ram flocks
Authors: BURGESS G. W. , McDONALD J. W. , NORRIS M. J.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The epidemiology of ovine brucellosis was investigated in 6 ram flocks in which anomalous reactions to the complement fixation test was recorded. It was shown that rams can become infected as young as 4 months of age. Naturally infected animals have an epididymitis and excrete Brucella ovis in their semen or they may only show a serological response for a short time then recover. The base line titres of chronically infected animals stay relatively constant. The importance of abortive infection and possible reinfection is discussed.
Prevalence of leptospiral titres in normal horses
Authors: SLATTER D. H. , HAWKINS C. D.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Serum samples were collected from 479 clinically normal horses from 11 different locations in Queensland. Using a microscopic agglutination test, 157 serums (33%) reacted to one or more serovars of Leptospira interrogans at a minimum serum dilution of 1/30. The prevalences of reactors among all horses to the serovars tested were pomona 30.5%icterohaemorrhagiae 23.9%, tarassovi 18.8%, hardjo 12.2%, canicola 8.6%, grippotyphosa 3.6%, and australis 2%. There was a significantly higher prevalence of reactors in tropical areas than in sub‐tropical areas, but no difference in prevalence between coastal and non‐coastal areas.
Experimental colibacillosis in gnotobiotic piglets exposed to 3 enterotoxigenic serotypes
Authors: TZIPORI S. , CHANDLER D. , SMITH M. , MAKIN T. , HALPIN C.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Three strains of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) (064:KSNT, K88ac; 020:KSNT, K88ac and 08:K85ab, K99) originally cultured from outbreaks of diarrhoea in piglets a few hours old, were administered orally to gnotobiotic piglets. There was a marked age‐related difference in the clinical response to infection between the 3 strains although they all produced heat‐stable toxin. All 3 strains produced severe clinical signs of depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhoea, followed by dehydration and death in one‐day‐old piglets. In piglets infected at 3 days of age the two K88+ ETEC caused diarrhoea and death but the K99+ ETEC induced moderate diarrhoea only. In piglets infected at 7 days of age, the 064 strain produced severe diarrhoea and death, the 020 strain caused mild diarrhoea in 3 of 6 piglets with one death while the 08 strain caused no illness.

Pathological changes in the intestinal tract associated with these infections were minimal, or absent. Immunofluorescent staining with homologous hyperimmune sera demonstrated adherence of the 3 ETEC strains to the brush border of small intestinal epithelial cells. Fluorescing organisms were observed in all infected piglets irrespective of the severity of clinical signs but the degree and extent of colonisation varied with the age of the piglets and the infecting strain. This may explain the difference in clinical response between the 3 strains.
The role of the differential complement fixation test, using rough and smooth brucella antigens, in the anamnestic test
Authors: ALTON G. G. , CORNER L. A. , PLACKETT P.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY To assess the ability of the differential complement fixation test to distinguish vaccinal reactors from infected cattle, approximately 1,000 heifers were tested by the complement fixation test (CFT) using rough and smooth brucella antigens, before the injection of 45/20 vaccine and at 3 and 6 or 10 weeks after vaccination. Before vaccination 91.5% of heifers were negative to the rough antigen but 0.6% were positive with high titre (128). By 10 weeks after injection of 45/20 vaccine 97.6% of heifers were positive to the rough CF antigen, at 8, a majority reaching 128.

Nineteen pre‐vaccinal reactors to the standard CFT were killed and Brucella abortus was isolated from the tissues of 14. Twenty‐six post‐vaccinal reactors were killed and B. abortus was isolated from the tissues of 8. In the 22 B. abortus infected animals the differential CFT classified 9 correctly as infected, 5 incorrectly as vaccination reactions and 8 as inconclusive. The differential CF was ineffective in distinguishing titres resulting from vaccination with 45/20 vaccine from those due to infection.
Assessment of the efficacy of an abductor muscle prosthesis for treatment of laryngeal hemiplegia in horses
Authors: SPEIRS V. C. , BOURKE J. M. , ANDERSON G. A.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYFour variations of abductor muscle prosthesis for treating laryngeal hemiplegia were evaluated in 153 horses by questionnaire, and in the 100 Thoroughbred racehorses in this group survival analysis was used to compare their racing performances and earnings with those of 400 control horses. The questionnaire indicated that the technique which included a ventriculectomy and 2 prostheses was regarded as being the most successful (P<0.01) and resulted in the least residual stertor (P<0.001). Survival analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the treated group of horses and the control horses (P>0.05).
Effect of colostrum deprivation of goat kids on the natural transmission of caprine retrovirus infection
Authors: ELLIS T. , ROBINSON W. , WILCOX G.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY An investigation was conducted to determine if depriving goat kids of colostrum and rearing them away from the herd would prevent transmission of caprine retrovirus infection. Twenty‐four newborn goat kids were deprived of colostrum and reared on cow's milk away from their dams from an endemically infected goat herd. Twenty‐three colostrum‐deprived kids had no evidence of retrovirus infection at birth. One kid had sucked briefly and obained some colostrum resulting in passive transfer of antibody but it did not develop evidence of infection. Nineteen showed no serological evidence of infection over the 370 days of the study. One colostrum‐deprived, segregated goat was subsequently found to be infected and developed arthritis‐synovitis. Three had doubtful positive response in one or 2 serological tests during the period but no evidence of infection in leucocyte co‐cultures.

Cells centrifuged from colostrum of infected goats were co‐cultivated with foetal goat synovial membrane cultures. Caprine retrovirus was isolated from cells in the colostrum from the 3 goats examined.
Detection of leptospires in tissue using an immunoperoxidase staining procedure
Authors: ELLIS T. M. , ROBERTSON G. M. , HUSTAS L. , KIRBY M.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY An immunoperoxidase technique for the localisation of leptospires in sections of formalin fixed paraffin embedded kidney tissue is described. The procedure utilises a two‐layered antibody sandwich with rabbit anti‐leptospiral immunoglobin. Using antiserum to specific leptospiral serovars the presence and distribution of specific serovar in the tissue could be determined. The technique was also used to detect leptospires of given serovars in smears made from infected tissues and fluids. There was good correlation between culture results and results of the immunoperoxidase staining method on kidneys infected with leptospires. The diagnostic possibilities of the technique on formalin fixed tissue specimens are discussed.
Differentiation of meat according to species by the electrophoretic separation of muscle lactate dehydrogenase and esterase isoenzymes and isoelectric focusing of soluble muscle proteins
Authors: SLATTERY W. J. , SINCLAIR A. J.
Published: March 2008

Species identification of fresh meat can be readily achieved by serological techniques with the limitation that closely related species, such as sheep/goat, cattle/buffalo and horse/donkey, cannot be differentiated.

We have examined electrophoretic techniques with particular reference to the identification of meat from closely related species. The results showed that beef and buffalo meat and meat from red and grey kangaroos could be clearly distinguished by isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gel or agarose in the pH range 5.5 to 8.5. Sheep and goat meat, and horse and donkey meat could not be differentiated by this technique, but were clearly distinguished from each other by their esterase isoenzyme profiles obtained after electrophoretic separation on cellulosic membrane strips. Results from this latter technique were available in one hour.

We believe that species identification of fresh meat should involve an initial screening test by serological techniques followed by confirmation of the identity of suspect samples by electrophoretic techniques.