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Objective: To assess the prevalence of contact dermatitis after deliveries in cattle or sheep among veterinarians., Design: Retrospective., Setting: Provinces of Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe, The Netherlands., Methods: By means of a short inquiry 310 veterinarians were asked whether and how often they had experienced pustular dermatitis after deliveries in cattle and sheep and what course the dermatitis had run. They were also asked about details of the deliveries (type of animal, condition of the foetus, course of the partus), about microbiological investigation, preventive measurements and therapy., Results: The response to the questionnaires was 24.5%. One or more episodes of pustular dermatitis on an arm after a delivery in cattle or sheep was noticed by 62 (81.5%) of the 76 respondents. Sometimes it was associated with secondary symptoms like headache, fever and lymphadenitis. Listeria monocytogenes (7 times out of 13) and Salmonella dublin (4/13) were the agents cultured most often., Conclusion: Contact dermatitis after deliveries in cattle or sheep occurs frequently as an occupational disease of veterinarians.

An outbreak of watery diarrhoea in lambs is described. Seventeen lambs died within 24 hours after the start of the diarrhoea. At necropsy Vibrio cholerae was isolated from the organs and intestines of three lambs. The strains did not react with O1 or O139 antisera, the strains responsible for cholera epidemics among humans. It is concluded that the diarrhoea in the lambs was caused by V. cholerae non-01/non-139. This microorganism had not been described before in lambs in the Netherlands.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of contact dermatitis after deliveries in cattle or sheep among veterinarians., Design: Retrospective., Setting: Provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe, The Netherlands., Methods: By means of a short inquiry 31O veterinarians were asked whether and how often they had experienced pustular dermatitis after deliveries in cattle and sheep and what course the dermatitis had run. They were also asked about details of the deliveries (type of animal, condition of the foetus, course of the partus), about microbiological investigation, preventive measurements and therapy., Results: The response to the questionnaires was 24.5%. One or more episodes of pustular dermatitis on an arm after a delivery in cattle or sheep was noticed by 6(2) (81.5%) of the 7(6) respondents. Sometimes it was associated with secondary symptoms like headache, fever and lymphadenitis. Listeria monocytogenes (7 times out of 13) and Salmonella dublin (4/13) were the agents cultured most often., Conclusion: Contact dermatitis after deliveries in cattle or sheep occurs frequently as an occupational disease of veterinarians.

A Salmonella Dublin infection in young goats has been described. In a period of two weeks, 16 of 70 female-kids died within one day, because of septicaemia. Bad hygiene and management measures were discussed as the main reason for this outbreak.

Sequence analysis of the haemagglutinin protein (H) gene of the morbillivirus (PDV-2) isolated from a Siberian seal (Phoca sibirica) during the 1987/1988 epizootic in Lake Baikal revealed that it was most closely related to two recent isolates of canine distemper virus (CDV) from Germany and different from CDV vaccines currently in use in that region. The virus continued to circulate in seals in Lake Baikal after the 1987/1988 epizootic since sera collected from culled seals in the spring of 1992 were positive in morbillivirus ELISA tests, reacting most strongly with the CDV antigen.

In the summer of 1990 an epizootic infection caused by a morbillivirus (DMV) killed several thousand striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1991 and 1992 the epizootic reached Italian and Greek waters. The infection by DMV in the acute period of the epizootic caused encephalitis, pneumonia and depletion of lymph nodes. After 1990, the systemic infection apparently disappeared from the Catalonian coast, giving way to cases of chronic infection of the CNS. Dolphins that died between 1991 and May 1994 were necropsied, and investigated for lesions due to DMV, and for the presence of morbillivirus antigen in tissues. Encephalitis occurred in 6 dolphins in which DMV antigen was demonstrated in the CNS and which were without lesions or antigen in other, non-nervous tissues. Inflammatory lesions, gliosis, and DMV antigen decreased in density and amount from cerebral grey matter, through the thalamic areas to the medulla oblongata. The cerebellum was usually spared. Lesions consisted of non-suppurative encephalitis, with diffuse gliosis and glial nodules and neuronophagia, and loss of neurons. Perivascular cuffing of lymphocytes and plasma cells was present in the cerebral cortex and the white matter beneath the cortex. Multinucleate syncytia were not detected in any of the dolphins. The haemagglutinin of DMV was detected mainly in neurons in the cerebral cortical areas. There was no clear relationship between the presence and amount of DMV antigen and the density or chronicity of lesions. Viral inclusions were seen in haematoxylin and eosin stained sections in 3/6 dolphins, principally in the nucleus and the cytoplasm of neurons. In the immunoperoxidase stained sections, dense granular deposits of chromogen, similar to viral inclusions, were evident in all 6 dolphins. The change in the distribution of lesions and of DMV antigen, from systemic to localized in the CNS, and the clustering of systemic DMV infections in the first four months of the epizootic, giving rise to sporadic occurrence of local CNS infection in the subsequent four years, as well as the chronic nature of the CNS lesions, which closely resembles subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, strongly support the existence of a chronic morbillivirus infection in the striped dolphin, as a delayed consequence of the 1990 epizootic.

Murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were generated against phocid herpesviruses (PhHV 2557/Han88 and 7848/Han90) isolated from European harbour seals (Phoca vitulina), and against strains of both felid (FHV strain FVR 605) and canid herpesviruses (CHV isolate 5105/Han89). MAbs were characterized with respect to certain biological properties and used to outline antigenicity profiles of isolates of PhHV (n = 8), FHV (n = 7) and CHV (n = 3) in enzyme immunoassays employing fixed infected cells. A close antigenic relationship between herpesviruses derived from pinnipeds and terrestrial carnivores became evident: The majority of the MAbs was directed against epitopes which were expressed by at least two of the viral species tested. A number of MAbs detected epitopes which were conserved between all isolates of PhHV, FHV and CHV. A few MAbs recognized type-specific B-cell epitopes and facilitated the identification of single viral species. Moreover, the PhHV isolate 7848/Han90 was antigenically distinguishable both from seven other phocid herpesvirus isolates and from FHV or CHV. PhHV 7848/Han90 proved to be antigenically distinct from all other viruses tested when examined by cross neutralization utilizing various reconvalescent and hyperimmune sera. Although more data are needed to ensure that PhHV 7848/Han90 indeed is a new genuine seal herpesvirus, the preliminary clustering of two groups of phocid herpesvirus isolates, tentatively designated PhHV-1 (type isolate 2557/Han88) and PhHV-2 (represented by 7848/Han90), seems to be justified. By using selected MAbs an unambiguous identification and typing of herpesvirus isolates derived from marine mammals and terrestrial carnivores is significantly facilitated.

In vitro assays were developed for studies concerning the functioning of the immune system of the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina). Proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were measured after stimulation with different concentrations of the mitogens concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or lipopolysaccharide from Salmonella typhimurium (LPS). Con A and PWM induced strong proliferative responses, while PHA and LPS induced comparatively low proliferative responses. Responses of mitogen stimulated PBMC to recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) and in vitro immunoglobulin production by mitogen stimulated PBMC were measured to discriminate between stimulation of T cells and B cells. It was found that Con A and PHA stimulate phocine T cells, PWM stimulates both T cells and B cells and LPS predominantly stimulates phocine B cells. Antigen-specific immune responses were measured after immunization of seals with an inactivated rabies vaccine and/or with tetanus toxoid. Antigen-specific proliferation of PBMC and the presence of antigen-specific antibody forming cells were demonstrated for both antigens in the PBMC of immunized animals. The responses measured in vitro correlated well with the development of specific serum antibody titers to these antigens.

Since 1987, morbillivirus infections have caused serious disease outbreaks with high mortality among aquatic mammals. Baikal seals (Phoca sibirica) in Siberia were involved in an outbreak caused by a virus closely related to canine distemper virus (CDV) in 1987. Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in north-western Europe were struck by a newly recognised morbillivirus of seals (PDV1). A serological survey has indicated that these morbillivirus infections frequently occur among several pinniped species. Besides pinnipeds, the presence of morbillivirus infections among cetaceans, including whales, dolphins and porpoises, has been demonstrated since the outbreak of PDV among seals in north-western Europe. Morbillivirus was isolated from several stranded harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). This virus proved to be very similar to a virus which was isolated during a disease outbreak with high mortality among striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the Mediterranean area. The viruses isolated from these cetacean species were quite different from the viruses isolated from the seals. They proved more related to the ruminant morbilliviruses, peste des petits ruminants virus and rinderpest virus. The potential transmission of the dolphin morbillivirus to the endangered population of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) has been considered. Studies are presently being conducted into the possibility of inducing protection against morbillivirus infection in this species by vaccination with an immune stimulating complex (ISCOM) preparation based on CDV.

Infections with morbilliviruses have caused heavy losses among different populations of aquatic mammals during the last 5 years. Two different morbilliviruses were isolated from disease outbreaks among seals in Europe and Siberia: phocid distemper virus-1 (PDV-1) and phocid distemper virus-2 (PDV-2) respectively. PDV-1 was characterized as a newly identified morbillivirus, most related to canine distemper virus (CDV), whereas PDV-2 most probably is a strain of CDV. Morbilliviruses were also isolated from porpoises--porpoise morbillivirus (PMV)--and dolphins--dolphin morbillivirus (DMV)--which had stranded on the coasts of Europe. PMV and DMV proved to be closely related to, but distinct from 2 ruminant morbilliviruses, rinderpest virus (RPV) and peste-des-petits-ruminants virus (PPRV). Serological surveys carried out among pinniped and cetacean species in the seas of Europe and North America indicated that infections with these newly discovered morbilliviruses or closely related viruses commonly occur among aquatic mammal species.

Morbillivirus were isolated from Mediterranean striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) dying along the coasts of Italy and Greece in 1991. They were antigenically identical to the morbilliviruses isolated from striped dolphins in Spain in 1990.

A virus with rhabdovirus morphology which proved to be antigenically distinct from rabies virus and vesicular stomatitis virus was isolated from a dolphin that had beached on the Dutch coast. Neutralizing antibodies to this virus were found in several European marine mammal species.

In this review Salmonella dublin infections in cattle are discussed. Pathogenic pathways and clinical symptoms in calves and cows are mentioned in addition to diagnostic methods like post mortem examination, bacteriological methods and serology. Epidemiological aspects like carrier state in cows and the survival of the bacteria in the environment are discussed. Without reliable tests to detect carriers, we suggest that control of this infection on farms must be based on prevention, improved hygiene and therapeutic measures. Vaccination can be used to improve the immunity of the herd.

The virus epizootics which occurred in seals in both Europe and Siberia during 1987/1988 were caused by two different morbilliviruses, referred to as phocid distemper virus (PDV) 1 and 2, respectively. Molecular and serological studies have shown that the European virus is quite distinct from canine distemper virus (CDV), its closest relative in the morbillivirus group. Analysis of tissues obtained from infected seals from a wide geographical distribution over Northern Europe showed that the infectious agent (PDV 1) was identical in all cases. Nucleotide sequence analysis of one of the virus genes suggested that this virus has evolved away from CDV over a long time period and is most probably an enzootic virus of marine mammals. In contrast, the virus (PDV 2) which caused the deaths of many Siberian seals was indistinguishable, both serologically and at the molecular level, from CDV and must have originated from a land source.

The present study was performed to study possibilities of early decision making for appropriate conveyor-line at future slaughtering of normal, clinically healthy finishing pigs. Blood was collected at slaughter from barrows (n = 112). A meticulous examination for subclinical pathological lesions was performed, revealing 5 groups of subjects listed in order of increasing disease-activity: 1--no real disease-activity; 2--with mild subchronic lesions; 3--with subacute lesions; 4--with abscesses; and 5--with fibrinous-necrotic lesions. Significant differences for values of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), protein, albumin, globulins, and plasma viscosity appeared to occur in this series. It is suggested that measuring acute phase reactants in blood of slaughtered pigs in the near future may reveal appropriate modern tools for meat inspection and predicting slaughtered animal quality.

The after-effects of a serious lead intoxication were studied. This intoxication was caused by contaminated feed. Calves and cows of two dairy farms were examined up to half a year after the incident with the contaminated feed in October 1989. Clinical signs were observed and blood samples were taken. Blood parameters like zinc-protoporphyrin (ZPP), haemoglobin, RBC, WBC, MCV, haematocrit, MCHC, and the blood lead levels were analysed. Cattle of one of the most afflicted farms showed severe effects of lead intoxication: blindness, muscle twitching and hyperirritability. Two animals died. Forty percent of the affected cows had to be slaughtered. The ZPP levels in calves of this farm were still elevated after six months. The zinc-protoporphyrin level in blood seemed to coincide better with the clinical signs than the blood lead level. Animals with less than 3 mg ZPP/l RBC showed no irreversible effects of the lead intoxication. It is suggested that ZPP could be a useful predictor for the after-effects of lead intoxication.

Necropsy findings of 1041 fattening pigs, during the period of 1979-1989 are presented. The pigs originated from one veterinary practice association. Enterotoxicosis associated with E. coli serotype O149:K91:K88 was the most prevalent diagnosis, followed by fibrinous pleuropneumonia due to Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. A decrease was noticed for Aujeszky disease during the late years. After 1985 an increase was found for torsio mesenterialis. In 1.7% of the cases no post mortem diagnosis could be made.

During the last century many calves and cows with Salmonella dublin infections are diagnosed in the North of the Netherlands, especially in the province of Friesland. In this paper are retrospectively traced the problems by paratyphoid infections in cattle, from 1919 till now, the diagnosis of which was made at the Animal Health Service in Friesland and North-Netherlands. Over the decennia a decrease is noticed for the percentage of necropsies of calves with S. dublin infections, although some irregular peaks appear. However since 1988 an increase is observed in dairy farms with S. dublin problems, revealing high mortality in calves, abortions and sick cows.

Eight-two bovine Pasteurella haemolytica strains were serotyped. The majority of the strains were isolated from calves which had died from fibrinous pneumonia and small numbers from cases of pleuritis, sepsis and abortion. A total of eight different serotypes were noticed. Serotype A1 was found to be the most prevalent 37.8 per cent, followed by serotype A2 with 20.7 per cent. Antibiotic resistance was found for sulfonamide, tetracycline and penicillin in about half of all strains. Conventional combination of biotype to serotype per strain was not confirmed by the results of arabinose and trehalose fermentation.

A candidate canine distemper virus (CDV) ISCOM vaccine has been shown to be effective in protecting harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from phocid distemper in 1988. However, of the 35 harbour seals receiving this vaccine upon admission to a seal rehabilitation and research centre (Pieterburen, The Netherlands) in 1989, six developed mild inflammatory symptoms of the respiratory tract. Phocid distemper virus-1 (PDV-1) could be isolated from three of these animals. This indicates that the vaccine affords protection from phocid distemper, but may still allow PDV-1 infection of the respiratory tract. Contacts with non-vaccinated seals should then be prevented until no more virus is excreted. It is speculated that this PDV-1 infection of the respiratory tract in CDV-ISCOM vaccinated seals is followed by a lifelong immunity.

Haematological and clinico-chemical profiles of blood of healthy stress-resistant swine collected at the farm and at slaughter were determined to investigate whether values of blood variables can be used to establish stress. The values of most variables investigated showed highly significant changes. It is concluded that haematological and clinico-chemical values may be useful in studies to detect, quantify and reduce stress-provoking conditions in stress-resistant swine., (Copyright © 1992. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Pathology is by definition an entity of major importance in medical science. Within medical care, pathologists are involved in cytopathological, histopathological and post mortem examinations. The value of post mortem examinations is discussed with reference to the value of the autopsy within human medical science. In veterinary medicine, veterinary pathology has to be incorporated in highly qualified veterinary medical care, has to participate in the quality assessment and the quality control of veterinary medical care, and has to be involved in the required continuing education of veterinarians. In addition, veterinary pathology is involved in basic research and research with regard to human health control.

A case of enterotoxicosis in a goat at necropsy is described. The animal had died without clinical signs. Toxigenic Vibrio cholerae non-O:1 was isolated from the intestines. This species has not been reported earlier from healthy or diseased farm animals, such as goats, in the Netherlands.

A four year old Dutch warmblooded mare was born and raised in the province of North-Brabant, the Netherlands. On May 16, 1989, she showed signs of colic, anorexia, depression, ileus, severe dehydration and leukopenia. When the mare collapsed, euthanasia was carried out. Acute colitis and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in macrophages were observed at autopsy. When an indirect immunofluorescence assay was performed, the Ehrlichia risticii titre of the serum was found to be 1:640.

By the end of 1989 a serious lead intoxication of cattle occurred in the northern part of the Netherlands (provinces Groningen and Friesland). This intoxication appeared to be caused by contaminated feed. Over 300 farms were stricken, with about 15,500 animals (mostly dairy cattle). In a period of one to four weeks these animals consumed about 1,000 kg of lead. This resulted in lead levels in milk, livers, and kidneys above the regulatory safety limits. Thanks to the chelating therapy that was rapidly applied by the local veterinarians, only about 30 animals died of an acute lead intoxication. The cooperating governmental and private authorities took action to prevent exposure of consumers to lead-contaminated animal products. Based on careful estimations, predictions were made of the lead levels to be expected in animals products and the time needed for depletion of these levels. The appropriate animals were marked to ensure their identification, and the decline in time of the lead levels in milk and offals was conscientiously monitored. In the second week of 1990 the lead concentrations were decreased to levels well below the regulatory limits, and hence the marks were removed from the animals.

Intrabronchial instillation of a Pasteurella haemolytica type A1 crude cytotoxin preparation in calves resulted in pulmonary gross and microscopic lesions comparable to spontaneous and experimental pasteurellosis. In the acute stage of the lesion electronmicroscopy revealed intravascular accumulation, degeneration and fragmentation of leukocytes in the interalveolar septa. Secondary thrombus formation and increased vascular permeability resulted in alveolar flooding, fibrin deposition, extravasation of erythrocytes and loss of alveolar epithelium. No cytotoxicity was observed for the tracheal (in vitro) and bronchial epithelium (in vivo). The pathogenesis of the vascular lesions and their significance for the development of the typical lesions of pneumonic pasteurellosis is discussed.

During a recent disease outbreak among harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in the North and Baltic seas, more than 17,000 animals have died. The clinical symptoms and pathological findings were similar to those of distemper in dogs. Based on a seroepizootiological study, using a canine distemper virus (CDV) neutralization assay, it was shown that CDV or a closely related morbillivirus (phocid distemper virus-PDV) was the primary cause of the disease. The virus was isolated in cell culture from the organs of dead seals and characterized as a morbillivirus by serology (immunofluorescence neutralization and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) and by negative contrast electron microscopy. Experimental infection of SPF dogs resulted in the development of mild clinical signs of distemper and CDV-neutralizing antibodies. The disease was reproduced in seals by experimental inoculation of organ material from animals that had died during the outbreak. However, seals that had been vaccinated with experimental inactivated CDV vaccines were protected against this challenge. This fulfilled the last of Koch's postulates, confirming that the morbillivirus isolated from the seal organs, was the primary cause of the disease outbreak. The recent demonstration of the presence of a similar virus in Lake Baikal seals (Phoca sibirica), which infected these Siberian seals 1 year before the northwestern European seals were infected, raises new questions about the origin of this infectious disease in pinnipeds.

Forty-nine strains of Pasteurella haemolytica were serotyped in a pilot study. The majority of strains were isolated from sheep which had died from fibrinous pneumonia and small numbers from cases of sepsis, polyserositis, mastitis and meningitis. Serotype A2 was found to be the most prevalent: 69.4 per cent. In addition, serotype A7 with 18.4 per cent and serotypes A1 and A6, both 6.1 per cent, were identified. Biotype T strains were not detected in this study. Further research is required into the seasonal prevalence of P. haemolytica serotypes in sheep and cattle. This knowledge may help to improve herd health schemes for sheep and cattle in the Netherlands.

Recently morbilliviruses were isolated from harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in North West Europe (phocid distemper virus-1: PDV-1) and from Baikal seals (Phoca sibirica) in Siberia (phocid distemper virus-2: PDV-2) during outbreaks of severe disease which resembled distemper in dogs. PDV-1 and PDV-2 were passaged in SPF dogs, in which they caused distemper-like disease symptoms, and were subsequently passaged in Vero cells in which they caused cytopathic changes. PDV-1, PDV-2, and canine distemper virus (CDV) were compared with respect to their biological, morphological, physical, protein chemical, and antigenic properties. It was concluded that PDV-1 should be considered a newly recognized member of the genus Morbillivirus, whereas PDV-2 proved to be quite similar if not identical to CDV.

A prospective study of the bacterial flora of the haircoat, rumen contents and interdigital skin was done as part of investigations on the contamination and prevention of contamination of carcases and livestock products of veal calves in the slaughter line. These constitute a source of contamination of the meat during slaughter. Twenty calves were studied. The coats of these calves were found to be severely contaminated by bacteria of faecal origin. In addition to enterobacteriaceae showing multiple resistance to antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents, large numbers of pseudomonadaceae and Lancefield D streptococci were present in the rumen contents. Small numbers of lactobacilli were identified in the rumen contents. It is concluded that they may have detrimental effects on the safety and quality of the veal and carcases.

Unlabelled: Atrophic rhinitis (AR) is a disease which causes economic loss to the pig breeding industry in the Netherlands. Prospective studies were done to detect AR at the slaughter line. Longitudinal sections of nasal cavities, made and inspected at the slaughter line, were compared with transverse ones made at a later stage. By close visual inspection and using a 5 grade-system, atrophy of the turbinate bones, ranging from mild to severe, could be detected. However, when a speed slaughter line was used, it was hard to differentiate between normal and mild atrophy of the turbinate bones., Conclusion: prevalence and severity of AR as observed on inspection of the longitudinal nasal cavity section at the slaughter line could be valuable in integrated surveillance of the animal and meat production chain.

Two fatal cases of Japanese pieris poisoning in goats are reported. The clinical symptoms of the two animals consisted in vomiting, salivation, excitation and depression. Despite rumenotomy and symptomatic treatment, the goats died within four days after the onset of the symptoms. Pulmonary oedema accompanied by lobular aspiration pneumonia was found to be present in one goat at autopsy. Hyperaemia, pulmonary oedema and acute tubular nephrosis were observed in the other animal.

Deboning pigs' heads is a labour-intensive process. According to information supplied by the industry, mechanical separation of pigs' heads offers good prospects. Data on the hygienic implications of this process were not known. These were studied more closely in an experimental design. The bacteriological and sensory qualities as well as the chemical and histological composition of the product were compared with those of manually obtained pig's head meat. In addition, the yield of the process of separation was determined. Three groups of heads were mechanically separated, viz. untreated heads and heads which had previously been dipped in water having an initial temperature of 100 degrees C for one minute and five minutes respectively. These studies served to verify the fact that mechanical separation of pigs' heads is technically possible. Previous dipping of the heads in water at a temperature of 100 degrees C produced a considerable improvement of the yield in meat, which was due to setting of the rind. The chemical composition of the product was roughly identical with that of manually obtained head meat. However, tissue composition and structure of the tissues differed markedly. An important drawback is the higher count of Enterobacteriaceae in the product. These bacteria are probably released on compression from sites which are difficult of access such as the nose, the pharyngeal cavity and the alveoli. In addition, they may be possibly protected by a covering layer of mucus. Therefore, mechanical separation is not regarded as acceptable from the point of view of hygiene.