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Amplified fragments of the rDNA coding for 16S rRNA of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) were blotted on nylon membranes, followed by dot-blot detection with two species-specific digoxigenin-(DIG)-labeled oligonucleotide probes. The sensitivity and specifity of the tests were determined in titration studies with purified homologous and heterologous DNA. With the detection protocol used, the MSYV8/31 probe showed 100% specifity for MS, while both MG and the related species Mycoplasma imitans were recognized by the MGAV8/31 probe. Both DIG-labeled oligonucleotides gave positive results in the colorimetric assay with 10 to 100 ng homologous non-amplified DNA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplificates of 100 fg homologous template DNA. There was no reaction with heterologous strains when amplificates starting with a 106-fold amount of template DNA (100 ng) were tested in dot-blots. The suitability for field samples was demonstrated with tracheal swabs from turkeys and chickens, and the results were compared with mycoplasma growth in cultures of the same swabs. Both tests had an accuracy of over 95%, a high sensitivity and specificity, and high predictive values of positive or negative results. There was no significant difference between the results obtained by the two methods. PCR in combination with dot-blotting is a relatively simple method for the detection of mycoplasma infections, and a valuable extension of current diagnostic tools.

Zusammenfassung Insgesamt 16 Haemophilus-Isolate aus Vogeln der Ordnung Psittaci, Columbi-, Grui- und Anseriformes wurden kulturell, morphologisch und biochemisch charakterisiert. Alle Stamme benotigen zum Wachstum den V-Faktor (NAD) nicht aber den X-Faktor (Hamin) und wuchsen sowohl unter mikroaeroben als auch unter aeroben Bedingungen. Die Keime der 16 Isolate erwiesen sich als gramnegativ, unbeweglich und von sehr unterschiedlicher Stabchenmorphologie. Das Koloniewachstum war rund und glatt mit konvexer Oberflache. In der Erstpassage waren alle Isolate bei kurzer Bebrutungszeit bekapselt und zeigten im schragen Licht nach Henry Irideszenz. Nach mehreren Nahrbodenpassagen gingen diese Eigenschaften bei einigen Stammen verloren. Die biochemischen Leistungen der Stamme zeigten z. T. Gemeinsamkeiten. Kein Stamm glich jedoch vollstandig einem anderen. Summary Occurrence of bacteria of the genus Haemophilus in various avian species A total of 16 isolates identified by morphology, culture and biochemical reactions as Haemophilus were obtained from birds of the Psittaciformes Columbiformes, Gruiformes and Anseriformes. All the isolates required the V-factor (NAD) for growth but not the X-factor (haemin) and were able to grow both as microaerobes and as aerobes. All 16 isolates were Gram-negative, non-motile and of very varying rodshape morphology. The colonies were round and smooth, with a convex surface. In the first passage all the isolates were capsulated after a short period of incubation and in oblique illumination (Henry) they showed iridiscence. After several passages some strains lost these characters. The biochemical properties showed some similarities between strains but no one strain was completely different from all the others. Resume Apparition de bacteries du genre Haemophilus chez differentes especes d'oiseaux On a caracterise en culture, morphologiquement et biochimiquement 16 souches d'Haemophilus isolees chez des oisseaux appartenant aux Psittacidae, Columbidae, Gruidae et Anatidae. Toutes les souches exigerent le facteur V (DPN), mais pas le facteur X (hemine) et pousserent aussi bien en atmospere microaerophile qu'aerobie. Les germes des 16 souches furent gram negatif, immobiles et en forme de bâtonnets tres polymorphes. Les colonies etaient rondes et lisses avec une surface convexe. Tous les isolements etaient encapsules au premier passage apres une courte incubation et presenterent une iridescence a la lumiere oblique selon Henry. Certaines souches perdirent ces caracteres apres plusieurs passages in vitro. Les proprietes biochimiques furent en partie identiques entre les souches. Aucune souche ne fut cependant semblable a une autre. Resumen Incidencia de bacterias del genero Haemophilus en diversas especies aviarias Se caracterizaron cultural, morfologica y bioquimicamente un total de 16 aislamientos Haemophilus de pajaros del orden Psittaci, Columbi, Grui y Anseriformes. Todas las estirpes precisan para el crecemiento el factor V (NAD), aunque no el factor X (hemina), y crecieron tanto bajo condiciones microaerobias como aerobias. Los germenes de los 16 aislamientos se mostraron gramnegativos, inmoviles y presentaban una morfologiia bacilar muy diversa. El crecimiento de las colonias era redondo y liso con superficie convexa. En el pasaje primero se hallaban capsulados todos los aislamientos tras un periodo breve de incubacion y mostraban iridiscencia a la luz oblicua segun Henry. Tras varios pases por medios nutritivos se perdieron estas propiedades en algunas estirpes. Los rendimientos bioquimicos de las cepas mostraban comunidades en parte. Sin embargo, ninguna cepa se asemejaba del todo a otra.

Zusammenfassung Bei den folgenden vier beim Tier vorkommeiiden Haemophilus-Arten H. gallinarum (er mus als H. avium angesprochen werden), H. suis, H. piscium und H. haemoglobinophilus konnten die Enzyme Neuraminidase und N-Acetylneuraminat-Pyruvat-Lyase nachgewiesen werden. Die Substratspezifitat der untersuchten Arten weist betrachtliche Unterschiede auf. H. gallinarum zeigt ein breites Substratspektrum und spaltet alle angebotenen Substrate: N-Acetylneuraminyllaktose (= NL), Colominsaure (= Col), bovines Sub-maxillarismucin (= BSM) und Erythrocyten-Stroma. H. suis und H. haemoglobinophilus greifen nur NL, BSM und Erythrocyten-Stroma an, aber nur in geringem Mase Col. Daraus last sich schliesen, das die beiden Arten nur das in α, 2–3 und α, 2–6-Stellung gebundene N-Acetylneuraminat (= NAN) aber nicht oder nur langsam das in 2–8-Stellung gebundene NAN abspalten konnen. Die H. piscium-Neuraminidase schlieslich greift nur BSM und Erythrocyten-Stroma deutlich an, aber schwer NL und Col. Daraus folgt, das dieses Enzym nur das in α, 2–6-Stellung gebundene NAN prompt spalten kann. Bei H. haemoglobinophilus wurde eine Schleimkapsel aus Colominsaure oder einem Colominsaure-ahnlichen Material beobachtet. Die Arbeit wurde im Rahmen des Sonderforschungsbereiches 54 (Rheumatoide Krankheiten des Tieres) von der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft unterstutzt. Summary Occurrence and Significance of Neuraminidase and N-Acetylneuraminate-Pyruvate-Lyase in Some Haemophilus Species in Animals The enzymes neuramidinase and N-acetylneuraminate-pyruvate lyase were found in the following Haemophilus species: H. gallinarum (which should be designated H. avium), H. suis, H. piscium and H. haemoglobinophilus. The substrate specificity in the 4 species shows wide differences. H. gallinarum has a wide substrate spectrum and splits all the selected substrates: N-acetylneuraminyllactose, colominic acid, bovine submaxillary mucin and erythrocyte stroma. H. suis and H. haemoglobinophilus attack 3 of these four substrates — they do not split Colominic acid. This shows that the two species can split N-acetylneuraminate only in the α, 2–3 and α 2–6 positions and not at all or only slowly in the 2–8 position. The H. piscium Neuraminidase attacks distinctly only bovine submaxillary mucin and erythrocyte stroma, its action being slow and difficult with the other two substrates. This shows that this enzyme can split promptly N-acetylneuraminate bound only in the α 2–6 position. With H. haemoglobinophilus a mucin capsule of colominic acid or a colominic acid-like material was observed. Resume Apparition et signification de neuraminidase et de N-acexylneuraminate-pyruvate-lyase chez 4 especes animales d'Haemophilus Les enzymes neuraminidase et N-acetylneuraminate-pyruvate-lyase ont ete mises en evidence chez 4 especes d'Haemophilus suivantes rencontrees chez l'animal: H. gallinarum (doit etre considere comme H. avium), H. suis, H. piscium et H. haemoglobinophilus. La speificite de substrat des especes examinee a montre de nettes differences. H. gallinarum presente un large spectre de substrat et dissocie tous les substrats offerts: N-acetlyneuraminyllactose (= NL), acide colominique (= Col), mucine sous-maxillaire bovine (= BSM) et le stroma des erythrocytes. H. suis et H. haemoglobinophilus n'attaquent que NL, BSM et le stroma erythrocytaire et dans une faible mesure Col. On peut conclure que les deux especes peuvent dissocier N-acetylneuraminate (= NAN) seulement en position α, 2–3 et α, 2–6 mais pas ou lentement dans la position 2–8. La neuraminidase d'H. piscium attaque seulement et nettemeiit BSM et le stroma erythrocytaire, mais difficilement NL et Col. Il s'en suit que cette enzyme ne peut dissocier la liaison NAN qu'en position α, 2–6. On a observe une capsule muqueuse faite d'acide colomique ou d'une substance semblable chez H. haemoglobinophilus. Resumen Presencia e importancia de la neuraminidasa y N-acetilneuraminato-piruvato-liasa en cuatro especies Haemophilus animales En las cuatro especies Haemophilus que se presentan en animales, H. gallinayurn (se tiene que encuadrar como H. paravium), H. suis, H. piscium y H. haemoglobinophilus, se pudieron indentificar las enzimas neuraminidasa y N-acetilneuraminato-piruvato-liasa. La especifidad de substrato de las especies examinadas muestra diferencias considerables. H. gallinarum revela un espectro de substrato amplio y desdobla todos los substratos que se le han ofrecido: N-acetil-neuraminil-lactosa (= NL), acido colominico (= Col), mucina submaxilar bovina (= BSM) y estroma de eritrocitos. H. suis y H. haemoglobinophilus atacan solo la NL, BSM y el estroma de eritrocitos, tambien el Col en grado ecaso. Se puede derivar de aqui que las dos especies pueden desdoblar solo el N-acetilneuraminato (= NAN) ligado en las posiciones α, 2–3 y α, 2–6, mientras que no o solo muy lentamente el NAN ligado en la posicion α, 2–8. Por ultimo, la neuraminidasa de H. piscium ataca solo con claridad la BSM y el estroma de los eritrocitos, pero con dificultades la NL y Col. Se desprende de esto que la enzima mencionada solo puede desdoblar en el acto el NAN ligado en posicion α, 2–6. En H. haemoglobinophilus se observo una capsula mucosa de acido colominico o un material similar a dicho acido.

Zusammenfassung Die Ergebnisse morphologischer, kultureller und biochemischer Untersuchungen von 7 Bakterien-Stammen der Gattung Bordetella, von denen 5 aus der Pute und je eines aus Huhn und Ente (Cairina moschata forma domestica) isoliert worden waren, werden mitgeteilt. Bis auf die fehlende Ureaseaktivitat und eine erst nach 48–72stundiger Inkubation auftretende schwache positive Oxydasereaktion waren die Eigenschaften der Feldstamme denen der Species Bordetella bronchiseptica sehr ahnlich. Experimentell konnte nachgewiesen werden, das Bordetellen als primar pathogene Erreger bei der Pute Erkrankungen des Respirationstraktes verursachen konnen. Diese Erkrankung ist anfangs klinisch durch Nasenausflus, Konjunktivitis, Atemgerausche und Dyspnoe charakterisiert. In der klinisch apparenten Erkrankungsphase dominieren exsudative Prozesse wie katarrhalisch-eitrige Rhinitis, Konjunktivitis, Tracheitis und katarrhalisch-fibrinose Bronchopneumonie, wahrend in der sich anschliesenden klinisch mehr inapparenten Phase chronische Tracheitis und Bronchitis sowie Peribronchitis und interstitielle-granulomatose Pneumonie im Vordergrund stehen. Nach Abklingen der klinischen Symptome waren 28 Tage p. i. histopathologische Alterationen bei 12 von 20 Tieren noch nachweisbar und konnten aus allen Putenkuken Bordetellen aus dem Respirationstrakt isoliert werden. Antikorper gegen das hitzelabile Antigen traten bereits 6 Tage p. i. auf und liesen sich im Serum-Schnellagglutinations- und Langsamagglutinations-Test 28 Tage p. i. bei allen Tieren feststellen. Kreuzreaktionen zwischem dem thermostabilen somatischen Antigen der Puten-Bordetellen und eines Bordetella bronchiseptica-Stammes aus dem Schwein sprechen fur die Existenz eines gemeinsamen O-Antigens. Summary Experimental studies on turkey bordetellosis The results of morphological, cultural and biochemical investigations of 7 strains of the species Bordetella, of which 5 had been isolated from the turkey and one each from the chicken and the duck (Cairina moschata forma domestica) are presented. The properties of these field strains are similar to those of the species Bordetella bronchiseptica with the exception of their weak positive oxydase reactions not before 48–72 hours incubation and their negative urease reactions. The results of the experiments demonstrate that bordetellae can be a primary pathogen for the respiratory tract of turkeys. The most prominent clinical signs were nasal exudate, conjunctivitis, tracheal rales and dyspnoea initially. A more exudative inflammatory response characterized by catarrhal-suppurative rhinitis, conjunctivitis, tracheitis and catarrhal-fibrinous bronchopneumonia was observed macroscopically and microscopically in the first clinically apparent phase of the disease. Chronic tracheobronchitis, peribronchitis and interstitial-granulomatous pneumonia could be determined in the following more inapparent clinical phase of bordetellosis. At necropsy 28 days post inoculation (p. i.) histopathological lesions were seen in 12 of 20 birds and bordetellae could be recovered from the respiratory tract of all turkeys without clinical symptoms. Agglutination antibodies first appeared 6 days p. i. and were demonstrable 28 days p. i. in all the infected birds by the rapid slide agglutination and tube agglutination tests using the heat-labile Bordetella antigen. Cross-reaction could be observed between the heat-stable somatic antigen of turkey bordetellae and a Bordetella bronchiseptica strain from swine, which indicates the existence of a common O-antigen factor. Resume Recherches experimentales sur la bordetellose du dindon Les resultats de recherches morphologiques, culturelles et biochimiques de 7 souches bacteriennes du genre Bordetella dont 5e furent isolees chez le dindon et une chacune chez la poule et le canard (Cairina moschata forma domestica) sont exposes. Excepte l'absence d'un urease et l'apparition tradive d'un reaction oxydase positive apres 48–72 heures d'incubation, les proprietes des souches sauvages furent tres semblables a celles de l'espece Bordatella bronchiseptica. On a pu demontrer que des bordetelles pouvaient etre primairement pathogenes et provoquaient des affections du systeme respiratoire chez le dindon. Cette maladie se manifeste cliniquement au debut par un ecoulement nasal, une conjonctivite, des sifflements respiratoires et une dyspnee. Dans la phase cliniquement apparente de la maladie dominent des processus exsudatifs tels qu'une rhinite catarrhale et purulente, une conjonctivite, une tracheite et une bronchopneumonie catarrhale et fibrineuse. Une tracheite chronique, une bronchite, une peribronchite et une pneumonie interstitielle granulomateuse dominent durant la phase clinique terminale moins apparents. Apres la disparition des symptomes cliniques, des lesions histopathologiques ont ete constatees 28 jours apres l'infection chez 12 animaux sur 20 et des bordetelles ont pu etre isolees du systeme respiratoire chez tous les dindonneaux. Des anticorps anti-antigene thermolabiles sont apparus 6 jours apres l'infection et ont ete demontres 28 jours apres l'infection dans les tests d'agglutination rapide et lente. Des reactions croisees entre l'antigene somatique thermostable des bordatelles du dindon et une souche de Bordatella bronchiseptica du porc indiquent l'existence d'un antigene O commun. Resumen Estudios experimentales sobre la bordetelosis en los pavos Se informa sobre los resultados de examenes morfologicos, culturales y bioquimicos de 7 cepas bacterianas del genero Bordetella, 5 de las cuales habian sido aisladas en pavos y una cada vez en una gallina y en un pato (Cairina moschata forma domestica). Exceptuando la actividad ausente de la ureasa y la reaccion ligeramente positiva de la oxidasa que aparece a las 48–72 horas de incubacion, las propiedades de las cepas campales eran muy parecidas a las de la especie Bordetella bronchiseptica. Se pudo probar de forma experimental que las bordetelas son capaces de originar enfermedades en el tracto respiratorio de los pavos como agentes patogenos primarios. Esta enfermedad se caracteriza clinicamente, al principio, por flujo nasal, conjuntivitis, ruidos respiratorios y disnea. En la fase de enfermedad clinicamente aparente dominan los procesos exudativos, tales como rinitis catarral-purulenta, conjuntivitis, traqueitis y bronconeumonia catarral-fibrinosa, mientras que en la fase siguiente, clinicamente mas inaparente, se encuentran en primer plano traqueitis y bronquitis cronicas, peribronquitis y neumonia intersticial-granulomatosa. Tras desaparecer los sintomas clinicos, se identificaron aun a los 28 dias p. i. alteraciones histopatologicas en 12 de 20 animales, y de todos los pavipollos se pudieron aislar bordetelas del tracto respiratorio. A los 6 dias p. i. aparecieron ya anticuerpos contra el antigeno termolabil y se pudieron comprobar en la prueba de aglutinacion rapida y en la de aglutinacion lenta con el suero sanguineo a los 28 dias p. i. en todos los animales. Las reacciones cruzadas entre el antigeno somatico termoestable de las bordetelas de pavos y una estirpe de Bordetella bronchiseptica porcina abogan a favor de la existencia de un antigeno O comun.

Zusammenfassung Als Erreger von sporadisch oder gehauft bei Legehybriden in mehreren Geflugel-Intensivbetrieben aufgetretenen Augenerkrankungen konnten Mycoplasmen nachgewiesen werden. Ein den Spontanerkrankungen gleichendes Bild lieβ sich bei Versuchskuken durch intraokulare Injektion von Mycoplasmen erzeugen. Die Erkrankung ist gekennzeichnet durch eine klinisch in Form von Farbabweichungen der Iris in Erscheinung tretende Entzundung der Iris und des Ciliarkorpers (Iridocyclitis). Die klinischen und pathologisch-anatomischen Erscheinungen dieser im Auge lokalisierten Mycoplasmen-Infektion sind dem fur die sog. “okulare Form” der Marek'schen Geflugellahme beschriebenen Bild ahnlich und machen eine genaue diagnostische Abgrenzung erforderlich. Summary Eye disease in poultry in relation to mycoplasma infection Mycoplasmas were shown to cause eye disease in sporadic cases and also in larger numbers of hybrid birds in several intensive poultry establishments. A similar condition was produced experimentally in chicks by intraocular injection of mycoplasma. The disease can be recognized clinically by colour changes in the iris resulting from inflammation of the iris and ciliary body (iridocyclitis). The clinical and pathological features of this disease caused by localized ocular infection with mycoplasma resemble those in the so-called “ocular form” of Marek's disease and so require precise diagnostic differentiation. Resume Affections oculaires chez des poules en relation avec des infections a mycoplasmes, avec 2 tableaux Comme agent des affections oculaires ayant fait leur apparition, soit sporadiquement, soit en grand nombre, chez des pondeuses hybrides, dans de nombreuses exploitations aviaires intensives, on a pu mettre en evidence des mycoplasmes. On obtient une image identique a ces affections spontanees en injectant des mycoplasmes par voie intra-oculaire a des poussins d'experience. La maladie se caracterise par une inflammation de l'iris et du corps ciliaire (irido-cyclite), qui se manifeste cliniquement sous forme d'aberrations chromatiques de l'iris. Les manifestations cliniques et anatomo-pathologiques de cette infection a mycoplasmes localisee dans l'oeil ressemblent a la forme dite «oculaire» de la paralysie aviaire de Marek et rendent indispensable un diagnostic differentiel. Resumen Oftalmopatias en gallinas relacionadas con infecciones mycoplasmaticas Como agentes etiologicos de las oftalmopatias que aparecen de forma esporadica o acumulativa en ponedoras hibridas de varias granjas avicolas intensivas, se pudieron identificar mycoplasmas. Un cuadro semejante a las enfermedades espontaneas se logro producir en pollitos de ensayo mediante inyeccion intraocular de mycoplasmas. La enfermedad se halla caracterizada por la inflamacion del iris, que clinicamente se manifiesta en forma de variaciones de color del mismo, y del cuerpo ciliar (iridociclitis). Las manifestaciones clinicas y anatomopatologicas de esta infeccion mycoplasmatica localizada en el ojo se asemejan al cuadro descrito para la llamada «forma ocular» de la paralisis aviar enzootica de Marek, precisandose la delimitacion diagnostica exacta.

Zusammenfassung Broiler verschiedenen Alters erhielten bei 20 Stunden Kunstlicht 0,1% Sulfamethazin- (SM) oder 0,05% Sulfaquinoxalin- (SQ) -haltiges Trinkwasser uber 3 Tage ad libitum verabreicht. Am 3. Tag nach Versuchsbeginn wurden zu verschiedenen Zeitpunkten das freie Sulfonamid im Blut und nach Absetzen der Medikamente in der Leber und der Muskulatur bestimmt. Weiterhin wurde der Einflus der verabreichten Sulfonamide auf die Trinkwasser- und Futteraufnahme kontrolliert. Es konnte nachgewiesen werden, das SM (17–25%) eine hohere Reduktion der Trinkwasseraufnahme (und damit auch der Futteraufnahme) als SQ (6–15%) bewirkt. Die Blutspiegel fur beide Medikamente lagen bei den jungeren Broilern signifikant hoher als bei den alteren. Der postulierte, therapeutisch wirksame Mindestwert von 5 mg% wurde nur bei den SM-Blutwerten einiger 40 Tage alter Broiler nicht erreicht. Nach der SQ-Aufnahme waren erheblich hohere Blutwerte als nach SM-Gaben nachweisbar. 72 Stunden nach Entzug der Sulfonamide konnten keine Sulfonamidruckstande im Blut, in der Leber und in der Muskulatur mehr nachgewiesen werden. Summary Blood and tissue levels of Sulphamezathine and Sulphaquinoxaline in broilers after administering medicaments in the drinking water Broilers of varying ages received, under conditions of 20 hours artificial light, 0.1% Sulphamezathine (SM) or 0.05% Sulphaquinoxaline (SQ) in the drinking water (given ad lib) for 3 days. On the 3rd day and at various times the levels of free Sulphonamides were measured in the blood and, at autopsy, the levels in liver and muscles. The effect of the Sulphonamides on water and food intake was also studied. SM resulted in a greater reduction (17–25%) of water intake (and of food) than did SQ (6–15%). The blood levels of both drugs were significantly higher in younger broilers than in older ones. The postulated minimal therapeutic dose of 5 mg.% was only not reached in the case of the SM levels of some of the 40-day-old birds. SQ gave higher blood levels than SM. No Sulphonamide residue could be detected in blood, liver or muscle 72 hours after withdrawal of the drugs. Resume Taux de sulfamethazine et de sulfaquinoxaline dans le sang et les tissus chez des «Broilers» apres application de medicaments avec l'eau de boisson On a donne ad libitum a des «Broilers» d'âges differents, pendant 3 jours et avec une lumiere artificielle de 20 heures, une eau de boisson contenant 0,1% de sulfamethazine (SM) ou 0,05% de sulfaquinoxaline (SQ). On a determine au troisieme jour apres le debut de l'essai et a differents moments le sulfonamide libre dans le sang et, apres l'arret du medicament, dans le foie et la musculature. On a controle en outre l'influence du sulfonamide applique sur la consommation de l'eau et du fourrage. Il a ete constate que SM (17–25%) provoque une plus forte reduction de la consommation d'eau (egalement du fourrage) que SQ (6–15%). Le taux sanguin fut pour les deux medicaments significativement plus eleves chez les jeues «Broilers» que chez les animaux plus âges. La valeur therapeutique minimale preve de 5 mg% ne fut pas atteinte seulement avec des valeurs sanguines pour SM chez quelques «Broilers» âges de 40 jours. On a trouve des valeurs sanguines nettement plus elevees apres la prise de SQ qu'apres celle de SM. On n'a trouve aucun reste de sulfonamide dans le sang, le foie et la musculature 72 heures apres la cessation d'application. Resumen Niveles sanguineo e histico de sulfametazina y sulfaquinoxalina en broilers tras administracion de los medicamentos a traves del agua de bebida Broilers de edades diferentes recibieron con 20 horas de luz artificial agua de bebida conteniendo 0,1% de sulfametazina (SM) o 0,05% de sulfaquinoxalina (SQ) a lo largo de 3 dias ad libitum. En el tercer dia desde comienzo de la experiencia se valoraron en tiempos diversos la sulfonamida libre en sangre y, despues de cesar con los medicamentos, en el higado y en la musculatura. Ademas se controlo el influjo de las sulfonamidas administradas sobre el consumo de agua de bebida y de pienso. Se pudo probar que la SM (17–25%) ocasiona una reduccion elevada de la ingestion de agua de bebida (y con ello tambien de la incorporacion de pienso) que la SQ (6–15%). Los niveles sanguineos para ambos medicamentos se hallaban en los broilers jovenes significantemente por encima de los de los mas viejos. El valor minimo terapeutico activo postulado de 5 mg.% solo bastante mayores que tras las administraciones de SM. 72 horas despues de retirar las sulfonamidas no se pudieron poner de manifiesto mas residuos de sulfonamidas en sangre, higado y musculatura.

Zusammenfassung Es wird ein Fall von Septicaemia anserum exsudativa (Riemer, 1904) beschrieben. Gleichzeitig lag bei einem Teil der untersuchten Gansekuken eine durch Aspergillus fumigatus bedingte Aspergillose vor. Der Erreger der sogenannten Ganseinfluenza wurde auf Grund seiner morphologischen kulturellen und biochemischen Eigenschaften als Movaxella septicaemiae eingeordnet. Summary Moraxella septicaemiae infection in geese A case of Septicaemia anserum exsudativa (Riemer, 1904) is described. In addition aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus was observed in some of the geese examined. On the basis of the morphological, cultural and biochemical properties the etiological agent of the so called goose influenza was classified as Movaxella septicaemiae.

Summary The heat-stable antigens of 40 Haemophilus paragallinarum strains were analyzed with the double immunodiffusion technique. The antigens used were heat-stable saline extracts of the organisms and the antisera were produced in rabbits using formalinized bacterin. Among the H. paragallinarum strains containing one or two heat-stable antigenic determinants, serotypes 1.2; 2 (1); 3; 4; 5 and 6.7 could be determined. Serotype 1.2 and 2, (1) had common antigenic determinants of which serotype 2, (1) possesses only small quantities of component 1. With the homologous antiserum two distinct heat-stable precipitates were only formed by serotype 6.7. Of 40 strains tested, 2 could be identified as serotype 1.2; 16 as serotype 2, (1); 2 as serotype 3; 14 as serotype 4; 2 as serotype 5 and 4 as serotype 6.7. Serotyping of H. paragallinarum by the gel diffusion precipitin test proved to be suitable for characterizing strains. Zusammenfassung Hitzestabile Antigendeterminanten von Haemophilus paragallinarum-Stammen Die hitzestabilen Antigene von 40 Haemophilus paragallinarum-Stammen wurden mit Hilfe der doppelten Immunodiffusion analysiert. In physiologischer gepufferter Kochsalzlosung extrahierte Antigene dienten als Prazipitinogene. Die erforderlichen Antiseren wurden uber Kaninchen unter Verwendung einer Formaldehyd-haltigen Vaccine hergestellt. Bei jedem der Haemophilus paragallinarum-Stamme wurden ein oder zwei hitzestabile Antigendeterminanten nachgewiesen. Es konnten 6 Serotypen mit den Antigendeterminanten 1,2; 2 (1); 3; 4; 5 und 6,7 unterschieden werden. Die Serotypen 1,2 und 2, (1) besitzen gemeinsame Determinanten, wobei Typ 2 (1) den Faktor 1 nur in sehr geringer Quantitat enthalt. Mit dem homologen Antiserum bildete nur der Serotyp 6,7 zwei voneinander getrennte Prazipitationslinien. Von den 40 gepruften Stammen gehoren zwei dem Serotyp 1,2, sechzehn dem Serotyp 2 (1), zwei dem Serotyp 3, vierzehn dem Serotyp 4, zwei dem Serotyp 5 und vier dem Serotyp 6,7 an. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse zeigen, das der Agargelprazipitationstest fur die serologische Charakterisierung von H. paragallinarum geeignet ist. Resume Determinants antigeniques thermostables chez des souches d'Haemophilus paragallinarum Les antigenes thermostables de 40 souches d'Haemophilus paragallinarum ont ete analyses avec la double immunodiffusion. Les antigenes extraits dans une solution physiologique tamponnee ont servi de precipitogenes. Les antiserums necessaires ont ete produits sur des lapins en utilisant un vaccin contenant de la formaldehyde. Un ou deux determinants antigeniques thermostables ont ete mis en evidence chez chacune des souches d'Haemophilus paragallinarum. On a pu differencier 6 serotypes avec les determinants antigeniques 1,2; 2, (1); 3; 4; 5 et 6,7. Les serotypes 1,2 et 2 (1) possedent des determinants communs, le type 2 (1) ne contenant le facteur 1 qu'en tres faible quantite. Seul le serotype 6,7 a forme deux lignes de precipitation separees avec l'antiserum homologue. Des 40 souches examinees, deux appartenaient au serotype 1,2, seize au serotype 2 (1), deux au serotype 3, quatorze au serotype 4, deux au serotype 5 et quatre au serotype 6,7. Les resultats obtenus montrent que le test de precipitation sur gel d'agar est valable pour la caracterisation serologique d'H. paragallinarum. Resumen Determinantes antigenicos termoestables en estirpes de Haemophilus paragallinarum Se analizaron los antigenos termoestables de 40 estirpes de Haemophilus paragallinarum con ayuda de la inmunodifusion doble. Como precipitinogenos sirvieron los antigenos extraidos en una solucion salina fisiologica tamponada. Los antisueros necesarios se produjeron en conejos utilizando una vacuna que contenia formaldehido. En cada una de las cepas de Haemophilus paragallinarum se ponian en evidencia uno o dos determinantes antigenicos termoestables. Se pudieron diferenciar 6 serotipos con los determinantes antigenicos 1,2; 2 (1); 3; 4; 5 y 6,7. Los serotipos 1,2 y 2 (1) poseen determinantes comunes, conteniendo el tipo 2 (1) el factor 1 en cantidad muy escasa. Con el antisuero homologo solo formaba el serotipo 6,7 dos lineas de precipitacion separadas entre si. De las 40 estirpes analizadas pertenecen dos al serotipo 1,2, y dieciseis al serotipo 2 (1), dos al serotipo 3, catorce al serotipo 4, dos al serotipo 5 y cuatro al serotipo 6,7. Los resultados presentes muestran que la prueba de precipitacion en gelosa de agar resulta apropiada para la caracterizacion serologica de H. paragallinarum.

Zusammenfassung Drei Gruppen von je 20–24 sieben Wochen alten kommerziellen Putenkuken wurden mit etwa 5 × 107 vermehrungsfahigen Bakterien je Tier eines pathogenen Bordetellen-Stammes intranasal inokuliert (Gruppen I, II und III). Die Infektion der Gruppe IV erfolgte durch die Ubertragung des Erregers auf indirektem, wahrscheinlich aerogenem Wege. Nachdem die Tiere der Gruppen I u. II zu 90 bis 100% erkrankt waren, wurde Gruppe II mit Tetracyclin HCl und Gruppe III mit Sulfaquinoxalin/Trimethoprim (SQ/TMP) fur 5 Tage uber das Trinkwasser behandelt. In der Gruppe IV wurde nach Auftreten der ersten kranken Tiere 3 Tage Tetracyclin HCl und darauffolgend 5 Tage lang SQ/TMP eingesetzt. Im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe I, in der bis zum 41. Tage p. i. vereinzelte Tiere klinische Symptome zeigten, konnte durch die Tetracyclin-Behand-lung die Erkrankungsrate um 60 % gesenkt und die Erkrankungsdauer um 6 Tage verkurzt werden. Hingegen breitete sich die Erkrankung in Gruppe IV trotz der Tetracyclin-Behandlung weiter aus. Durch die SQ/TMP-Behand-lung wurde der Anteil klinisch kranker Tiere auf 10 (Gruppe III) bzw. auf 0 % (Gruppe IV) gesenkt. Nach Behandlungsende stieg die Erkrankungsrate erneut auf uber 80 % an. Die Behandlung bewirkte, das agglutinierende Antikorper spater als in der Kontrollgruppe auftraten. In allen Gruppen konnte der Erreger am 42. Tag p. i., dem Ende der Versuche, auch aus symptomfreien Tieren kulturell insbesondere aus der Trachea nachgewiesen werden. Summary The therapeutic value of tetracycline HCl and sulphaquinoxaline/trimethoprim in Bordetellosis in turkeys Three groups of 20–24 7-week-old commercial turkey pouts were inoculated intranasally with 5 × 107 multiplying bacteria of a pathogenic Bordetella strain (Groups 1–3). Group 4 was exposed to infection by contact, by indirect, probably the aerogenous route. When 90–100 % of birds in Groups 1 and 2 were sick, Group 2 was treated with tetracycline HCl and Group 3 with sulphaquinoxaline/trimethoprim (SQ/TMP) for 5 days in the drinking water. In Group 4, when the first birds showed symptoms, treatment was given for 3 days with tetracycline HCl and then for 5 days with SQ/TMP. Compared with control Group 1, where individual birds showed symptoms up to day 41 after infection, the tetracycline treated birds showed a reduction in sickness rate of about 60 % and the duration of illness was reduced by about 6 days. In contrast, the disease became more widespread in Group 4 despite tetracycline treatment. Treatment with SQ/TMP resulted in reduction of sick birds to 10% (Group 3) and 0 % (Group 4). After treatment ended the sickness rate rose again to over 80 %. Treatment effected that agglutinating antibodies appeared later than in the control group. In all groups the causal organism could be cultured on day 42 after infection, especially from the trachea including from birds without symptoms. Resume Action therapeutique de la tetracycline HCL et du sulfaquinoxaline-trimethoprim dans la bordetellose du dindon Trois groupes de 20–24 poussins de dinde du commerce âges de 7 semaines ont recu par animal et par voie intranasale environ 5 × 107 bacteries d'une souche pathogene de Bordetella (groupes I, II et III). L'infection du groupe IV s'est deroulee de facon indirecte, probablement par voie aerienne. Lorsque les groupes I et II furent malades de 90 a 100%, on a traite le groupe II avec de la tetracyclin-HCL et le groupe III avec du sulfaquin-oxyline-trimethoprim (SQ/TMP) durant 5 jours dans l'eau de boisson. Apres l'apparition des premiers animaux malades dans le groupe IV, on a traite 3 jours avec de la tetracycline-HCL et 5 jours avec SQ/TMP. Par comparaison avec le groupe I dans lequel quelques animaux presenterent des symptomes cliniques jusqu'au 41e jour apres l'infection, le taux de morbidite fut abaisse a 60 % par le traitement a la tetracycline et la duree de la maladie raccourcie a 6 jours. La maladie s'est par contre etendue dans le groupe IV malgre un traitement a la tetracycline. Avec le traitement SQ/TMP, le nombre d'animaux malades fut abaisse a 10 (groupe III) et a 0 % (groupe IV). Le taux de morbidite est remonte a plus de 80 % a la fin du traitement. Le traitement a provoque une montee plus tardive des anticorps agglutinants que dans le groupe de controle. L'agent infectieux a pu etre isole par culture en particulier de la trachee dans tous les groupes au 42e jour apres l'infection (fin de l'experience) et egalement chez les animaux qui n'avient pas presente de symptomes. Resumen Sobre la actividad terapeutica de clorhidrato de tetraciclina y sulfaquinoxalina/trimetoprima en la bordetelosis de los pavos Se inocularon tres grupos de cada vez 20–24 pavipollos comerciales de siete semanas de edad por via intranasal (grupos I, II y III) con unas 5 × 107 bacterias reproducibles por animal de una estirpe patogena de bordetelas. La infeccion del grupo IV se verifico mediante la transmision del agente etiologico por via indirecta, tal vez aerogena. Cuando habian enfermado los animales de los grupos I y II en un 90 hasta 100 %, se trato el grupo II con clorhidrato de tetraciclina y el grupo III con sulfaquinoxalina/trimetoprima (SQ/TMP) durante 5 dias a traves del agua de bebida. En el grupo IV se aplico tras la aparicion de los primeros animales enfermos clorhidrato de tetraciclina durante 3 dias y SQ/TMP durante los 5 dias siguientes. En comparacion con el grupo testigo I, en el cual hasta el dia 41° p. i. mostraban algunos animales sintomas clinicos, se pudo reducir mediante el tratamiento a base de tetraciclina la tasa de enfermedad en un 60 % y abreviar el tiempo de enfermedad en unos 6 dias. Sin embargo, seguia difundiendose la enfermedad en el grupo IV a pesar del tratamiento con tetraciclina. Mediante la medicacion con SQ/TMP se redujo la parte de animales enfermos clinicamente a 10 (grupo III) resp. a 0 % (grupo IV). Tras el final del tratamiento aumento de nuevo la tasa de enfermedad a mas del 80 %. El tratamiento ocasiono el que apareciesen los anticuerpos aglutinantes mas tarde que en los grupos testigos. En todos los grupos se pudo indentificar culturalmente el agente etiologico el dia 42° p. i., al final de la experiencia, incluso de los animales libres de sintomas, sobre todo de la traquea.

A collection of 43 unclassified members of the Pasteurellaceae, most of which were obtained from lesions, were investigated using an extensive battery of phenotypical tests as well as by ribotyping. The isolates had been made from Anser anser forma (f) domestica (d), Agapornis fischer, Amazona spp., Ara macao, Columba livia f.d., Melanopsittacus undulatus, and Psittacus erithacus. Comparison of results with those obtained from reference strains allowed classification of 25 strains. Three strains were identified as Pasteurella dagmatis, P. sp. A, and [P.] aerogenes, respectively. Twenty strains were classified as taxon 3 and two as taxon 14. Eighteen strains, all originating from psittacine species, belonged to two new taxa, tentatively named Bisgaard taxon 33 and taxon 37. Characters obtained with taxon 33 allowed classification within the family Pasteurellaceae, while the final classification of taxon 37 remains to be investigated. The present investigation underlines the problems confronting diagnostic laboratories attempting to identify members of the family Pasteurellaceae isolated from birds.

Summary Seven Vibrio-like field strains of German origin were isolated culturally from diseased domesticated ducks, muscovy ducks and geese, and were compared with reference strains NCTC 8443 (type strain) and NCTC 11170 of Vibrio metschnicovii using classical phenotypic and chemotaxonomic tests. Some V. cholerae strains were included in the chemotaxonomic tests for comparative purposes. On the basis of the classical phenotypic characteristics studied and the numerical analysis of the whole-cell fatty acid patterns, the Vibrio-like field strains were identified as Vibrio metschnicovii. The identification tables and the database of the computer software of two commercial micro-identification kits (API-20 NE, ID-32 E) did not identify the field strains. Of the reference strains used, only NCTC 8443 was correctly identified by the ID-32 E software.

One hundred and twenty-one Riemerella anatipestifer field strains from wild birds, domesticated poultry and pigs were examined for their ability to produce acid from carbohydrates by using conventional biochemical and buffered single substrate (BSS) test methods. The type strains of the species R. anatipestifer and taxometrically related genera Chryseobacterium and Bergeyella were included in the study. In contrast to 10 indole-positive R. anatipestifer variant strains, only a few of the 111 typical indole-negative R. anatipestifer strains produced acid from dextrin (32%), glucose (17%), maltose (14%) and trehalose (5%) when the conventional test procedure was used. Using the BSS test all the field isolates and the type strain of R. anatipestifer produced acid from one or more carbohydrates, most of them from dextrin (96%), maltose (91%), glucose (87%), mannose (83%), less frequently from fructose (38%) and only in some cases from trehalose (19%). One hundred and six (87%) of the R. anatipestifer strains could be assigned to 8 biovars, based on the diversity of the carbohydrate acidification patterns. The remaining 16 R. anatipestifer isolates gave delayed reactions and displayed 13 different carbohydrate acidification profiles. The Chryseobacterium and Bergeyella type strains also produced acid from more carbohydrates when the BSS test was used. The BSS-carbohydrate acidification pattern of the Chryseobacterium indologenes strain was similar to that of R. anatipestifer biovar 3.

Chlamydiosis of domestic poultry (chickens, pheasants, guinea fowl, quail, ducks, geese, and turkeys) is reviewed with emphasis on psittacosis as an occupational disease. The article covers literat...

Ten strains recognized on the basis of a computer-assisted numerical comparison of whole-cell protein patterns as members of a novel species belonging to the family Alcaligenaceae were examined by using an integrated phenotypic and genotypic approach. This species, for which we propose the name Bordetella trematum sp. nov., was more closely related to the type species of the genus Bordetella (Bordetella pertussis) than to the type species of the genus Alcaligenes (Alcaligenes faecalis) and had the general characteristics of members of this family (i.e., a DNA base ratio in the range from 57 to 70 mol%, a fatty acid profile characterized by high percentages of 16:0, 17:0 cyclo, and 14:0 3OH, nonsaccharolytic metabolism, and several classical biochemical characteristics, including aerobic and microaerobic growth, catalase activity, assimilation of citrate, an absence of anaerobic growth, and an absence of acetylmethylcarbinol and indole production, gelatin liquefaction, and esculin hydrolysis). A reevaluation of the criteria used to classify Alcaligenes denitrificans Rüger and Tan 1983 and Achromobacter xylosoxidans Yabuuchi and Ohyama 1971 as subspecies of Alcaligenes xylosoxidans and additional evidence provided in recent studies revealed that, consistent with present standards, it is appropriate to consider these two taxa distinct species of the genus Alcaligenes.

Summary Prevalence of Motile Salmonellae in Egg-laying Hens at the End of the Laying Period A total of 3504 hens of the layer-type from 122 flocks (belonging to 89 farms), each with more than 10,000 animals, were culturally examined at the time of slaughter. Of these hens, 2112 (60.3 %) from 74 flocks (60.7 %) were obtained from 21.3 % of the laying-hen farms in a selected region of Lower Saxony in Germany. The other hens came from the remaining part of Lower Saxony and seven other German states (Brandenburg, Mecklenburg Vorpommern, North Rhine Westphalia, Schleswig Holstein, Saxony, Saxony Anhalt, and Thuringia). After arrival at the slaughter house, a random sample of 29 layers was collected from each of the flocks, and liver and spleen, as well as cecal samples, were separately cultured for each bird. Motile salmonellae could be proved in 365 (10.4 %) layers from 67 flocks (54.9 %). In the selected region, 48 out of 74 flocks (64.9 %) and 289 out of 2112 layers (13.7 %) were Salmonella-positive. However, the isolation frequency of salmonellae did not differ significantly between flocks of brown and white layers. These Salmonella (S.) isolates could be serologically assigned to 6 different serovars, namely S. enteritidis (SE), S. infantis (SI), S. livingstone (SL), S. typhimurium (ST), S. Indiana (SID) and S. cerro; only one isolate of serogroup D1 was incompletely serotyped. SE was detected in 5.8 % of the hens from 47.5 % of the tested flocks, of which 4.6 % of the animals and 32.8 % of the flocks came from the selected region in Lower Saxony. The SE isolates were classified into 12 different lysotypes. In 41 out of 58 SE-positive flocks (70.7 %), the isolates belonged to lysotype (lt) 4, in 12 flocks (20.7 %) to lt 8, in 5 flocks (8.6 %) to lt 7, and in 3 flocks (5.2 %) to lt 11. A total of 190 (93.1 %) out of 204 isolates of the serovar SE carried plasmids. All the plasmid-positive SE-strains harboured the serovar-specific 37 MD virulence-plasmid, nine of them (4.4 %) in conjunction with a second and eight strains (3.9 %) with a second and a third smaller plasmid. Zusammenfassung Insgesamt wurden 3504 Huhner des Legetyps aus 122 Herden mit mehr als 10,000 Tieren (89 Bestande) am Ende der Legeperiode auf Salmonellen untersucht. Von diesen Legehuhnern kamen 2112 (60,3 %) aus 74 Herden (60,7 %) einer ausgewahlten Region Niedersachsens, in der mit 21,3 % der Bestande ein reprasentativer Anteil in diese Studie einbezogen wurde. Die ubrigen Legehennen stammten aus anderen Teilen Niedersachsens und 7 weiteren Bundeslandern (Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Schleswig-Holstein, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt und Thuringen). Stichprobenartig wurden einer jeden Herde nach dem Eintreffen auf dem Schlachthof 29 Tiere entnommen und Leber und Milz sowie Caecaltonsillen eines jeden Tieres einzeln kulturell untersucht. Der kulturelle Nachweis von beweglichen Salmonellen erfolgte in 67 Herden (54,9 %) und in 365 der untersuchten Huhner (10,4 %). In der ausgewahlten Region waren 48 von 74 Herden (64,9%) und 289 von 2112 untersuchten Legehuhnern (13,7%) kulturell Salmonella-positiv. Im Hinblick auf die Salmonellennachweishaufigkeit war zwischen den Herden brauner und weisgefiederter Legehennen kein signifikanter Unterschied erkennbar. Es wurden sieben verschiedene Serovare, namlich S. enteritidis (SE), S. infantis (SI), S. livingstone (SL), S. typhimurium (ST), S. Indiana (SID), S. cerro (SC) und ein nicht weiter bestimmbares Isolat der D1-Serogruppe serologisch identifiziert. SE wurde in 47,5 % der untersuchten Herden und 5,8 % der Legehennen nachgewiesen, von denen 32,8 % der Herden und 4,6 % der Legehennen in die ausgewahlte Region gehorten. Die SE-Stamme liesen sich 12 verschiedenen Lysotypen zuordnen. In 41 von 58 SE-positiven Herden (70,7%) gehorten die Isolate dem Lysotyp 4, in 12 (20,7%) dem Lysotyp 8, in funf (8,6 %) dem Lysotyp 7 und in drei (5,2 %) dem Lysotyp 11 an. Als Trager von Plasmiden erwiesen sich 190 (93,1 %) von 204 SE-Stammen. In allen diesen Plasmid-positiven SE-Stammen lies sich das serovarspezifische 37 MDa-Virulenz-plasmid nachweisen. Bei neun Stammen (4,4 %) waren ein weiteres und bei acht Stammen (3,9 %) zwei weitere kleine Plasmide auffindbar.

The whole-cell fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles of Salmonella (S.) gallinarum and Salmonella (S.) pullorum strains were compared in the computer-linked gas-liquid chromatography. The profiles of whole cellular FAMEs allow the separation and identification S. gallinarum and S. pullorum by the Microbial Identification System and so can be used for their differentiation.

The isolation of a strain of Bordetella for which the species could not be determined but which most closely resembled Bordetella avium is reported. The strain was isolated in mixed culture from an ear swab of a patient suffering from chronic otitis media. The bacterium showed the typical biochemical reactions of Bordetella avium but differed in antimicrobial resistance pattern, protein and fatty acid composition, and DNA-DNA and DNA-rRNA hybridization. Further studies will clarify the taxonomic status of this strain within the Bordetella-Alcaligenes ribosomal RNA cluster.

We have recently reported that three distinct size- and phase-variable surface lipoproteins (Vsps) of the bovine pathogen Mycoplasma bovis possess a common epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody 1E5. In the present study, we show that this epitope is also present on a size-variant protein (PvpA) of the avian pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Application of monoclonal antibody 1E5 in Western immunoblot analysis of Triton X-114 phase-fractionated proteins and in colony immunoblots, as well as in trypsin and carboxypeptidase digestion experiments, has demonstrated that (i) PvpA is an integral membrane protein with a free C terminus, (ii) the shared epitope is surface exposed, and (iii) PvpA is subjected to high-frequency phase variation in expression. By using serum antibodies from M. gallisepticum-infected chickens, we were able to demonstrate the immunogenic nature of PvpA and identify three additional highly immunogenic Triton X-114 phase proteins (p67, p72, and p75) also undergoing high-frequency phase variation spontaneously and independently. Metabolic labeling experiments with [14C]palmitate and [14C]oleate revealed that PvpA, in contrast to p67, p72, and p75, is not lipid modified. Southern blot hybridization with restriction fragments carrying the pvpA gene of M. gallisepticum or the vspA gene of M. bovis against digested genomic DNA of the two Mycoplasma species indicated the absence of genetic relatedness between the pvpA and vspA genes. The apparent complexity of the antigenic variation phenomenon in M. gallisepticum is discussed.

Despite the fact that no firm evidence was obtained, epidemiological investigations of a recent Danish outbreak of fowl typhoid indicated that the infection might have been introduced by contaminated crates from a German slaughterhouse. Fourteen Danish and five German isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum biovar gallinarum obtained from recent outbreaks in Denmark and Germany were characterized by phenotypic and genomic methods. Phenotypic characters, plasmid profiling, plasmid restriction profiling and ribotyping strongly indicated that Danish and German isolates were of the same clone. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA digested with Xba I, however, separated Danish and German isolates. This observation was confirmed when Not I was used for digestion of DNA. This enzyme also separated German isolates into two groups. However, differences observed between pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles of Danish and German isolates did not exclude the possibility of epidemiological relatedness. The use of several molecular methods is consequently highly recommended when conducting epidemiological investigations of outbreaks at the level of individual isolates.

The whole-cell carbohydrate patterns of 14 Haemophilus-like strains isolated from diseased birds were examined by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The analysis of the peracetylated aldononitrile and O-methyloxime derivatives allowed the differentiation between the phenotypically and genetically different isolates. Starting from a pure culture the procedure needs only 5 hours for the preparation of the samples and 30 minutes for subsequent analysis and is of special value for rapid diagnosis.

The phylogenetic position of the causative agent of septicemia anserum exsudativa, now most often referred to as [Moraxella] anatipestifer (brackets indicate a generically misnamed taxon) or ''[Pasteurella] anatipestifer,'' was established by performing rRNA cistron similarity studies. [Moraxella] anatipestifer belongs to rRNA superfamily V, together with the genera Flavobacterium, Cytophaga, Flexibacter, Weeksella, Capnocytophaga, and Sphingobacterium. The detailed structure of rRNA superfamily V, which now contains five major rRNA homology groups, is described. An analysis of various phenotypic parameters, including new data (cellular proteins and fatty acids) and previously published data (respiratory quinones, enzyme activities, and classical phenotypic features), revealed that [Moraxella] anatipestifer differs in many aspects from its closest relatives, Flavobacterium indologenes, Flavobacterium gleum, Flavobacterium indoltheticum, Flavobacterium balustinum, Flavobacterium meningosepticum, and Weeksella zoohelcum. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicate that this organism should be placed in a separate genus; the name Riemerella anatipestifer gen. nov., comb. nov. is proposed for this bacterium. The specific epithet anatipestifer is kept in order to avoid nomenclatural confusion. However, it should be emphasized that the illness caused by this organism is a septicemic disease which is not restricted to ducks.

Summary The whole cell carbohydrate composition of 20 strains of Haemophilus paragallinarum including strains representing all established serotypes and two NAD‐independent strains, was determined by capillary gas‐liquid chromatography. Selected strains of H. paragallinarum were analysed for their cellular fatty acids and phospholipids compositions. The gas chromatographic analysis in combination with the mass spectrometric identification of the carbohydrate derivatives revealed similar patterns with all strains investigated.

The suitability of commercial PCR-based test kits for the detection of either Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) or M. synoviae (MS) was compared to detection by culture. The MG and MS kit detected six and five homologous strains respectively in broth cultures and there were no reactions with thirteen het-erologous species including M. imitans, a species phylogenetically closely related to MG. Tracheal and lung/air-sac swabs were collected from twenty 17-week-old commercial pullets which were seropositive for MS and were compared for detection of MS by kit and by culture. The results were in agreement for 13 positive and 22 negative swabs, while the remaining five swabs were either PCR-positive only (two) or culture-positive only (three). Tracheal swabs taken from seventy-six 31-week-old layers from a MS seropositive commercial flock which had been experimentally infected with MG were used to compare the MG DNA probe kit and culture. Of 76 swabs 39 were MG positive and 12 were negative by both methods. MG was detected by PCR test only in 23 other specimens, while only two swabs were negative by PCR but positive by culture. The difference between the detection methods was significant (McNemar test, P0.001). Concurrent MS infection was detected by the PCR-based kit in 45 of these hens.

Summary After a 5‐day medication with drinking water containing 50 ppm enrofloxacin, Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) was culturally reisolated in only one of 80 broiler chicks and specific antibodies to MG were detected in none of the 40 birds tested. Medication with 50 ppm for 3 days and 25 ppm for 5 days was only slightly less effective. A significant decline in efficacy was observed, however, when enrofloxacin was added to the drinking water at 50 ppm for 1 day or 12.5 ppm for 5 days. Tiamulin was also significantly effective (250 ppm, 3 days). However, measured by the cultural reisolation of the pathogen and the presence of antibodies to MG. enrofloxacin (50 ppm, 3 days) proved to be more effective. Treatment with tylosin (50 ppm. 5 days) conferred no significant protection.

We performed hybridizations between labeled rRNAs from seven representative members of the family Pasteurellaceae and from three other taxa on the one hand and DNAs from 53 strains known or presumed to belong to the Pasteurellaceae on the other hand. The members of the Pasteurellaceae are most closely related to members of the Enterobacteriaceae, the Vibrionaceae, the Aeromonadaceae, and the genus Alteromonas. The family Pasteurellaceae is very heterogeneous. There are at least seven rRNA branches. Several organisms with the same genus name are dispersed over the entire dendrogram. The "Histophilus ovis," [Haemophilus] ducreyi, [Actinobacillus] actinomycetemcomitans, and [Haemophilus] aphrophilus rRNA branches are separate and quite remote from the three authentic genera in this family; this might justify eventual later separate generic status. DNA-rRNA hybridization with suitable, labeled rRNA probes is an excellent method to establish whether an organism belongs in the Pasteurellaceae; e.g., some strains of Bisgaard's taxa 7, 13, and 16 and of the gas-producing "SP" group certainly belong in this family, whereas three bovine lymphangitis organisms (strains NCTC 10547, NCTC 10549, and NCTC 10553), [Haemophilus] piscium ATCC 10801T (T = type strain), and [Pasteurella] piscicida ATCC 17911 belong in the Enterobacteriaceae, the Aeromonadaceae, and the Vibrionaceae, respectively.

Riemerella columbina, Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale and Coenonia anatina were initially recognized in the course of long-term studies on the etiology of respiratory tract infections in birds as phenotypically unusual isolates. The reclassification of the organism known as Pasteurella anatipestifer and Moraxella anatipestifer (Segers et al., 1993) triggered a series of taxonomic studies leading to the stepwise characterization and description of O. rhinotracheale (Vandamme et al., 1994), C. anatina (Vandamme et al., 1999) and R. columbina (Vancanneyt et al., 1999). There have been no additional studies since the original description of the latter two organisms. However, the formal description of O. rhinotracheale led to a wealth of studies on this bacterium because of its recognition as an economically important pathogen in turkey and chicken husbandry. Rather unexpectedly, although not closely related, Riemerella, Ornithobacterium and Coenonia turned out to belong to the same major phylogenetic lineage, now known as the family Flavobacteriaceae (Bernardet et al., 1996).

Summary Cloacal swabs from adult breeding geese of both sexes from six separate farms were culturally examined for mycoplasmas. Geese from these flocks did not show any clinical signs of illness, increased mortality or drop in egg production during the reproductive season. The results revealed the presence of mycoplasmas in all the flocks tested. Mycoplasma (M.) cloacale was found in 6 flocks, M. anseris in 4 flocks, Mycoplasma species 1220 in 3 flocks and non-identifiable Mycoplasmas in 2 flocks. More than one Mycoplasma species was simultaneously isolated from 14 out of 37 geese.

The semisynthetic streptogramin combination quinupristin/dalfopristin (Synercid) is a promising alternative for treatment of infections due to multiply resistant gram-positive bacteria including vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. Resistance is mediated by acetyltransferases SatA (VatD) or SatG (VatE). Recent papers have indicated a possible link between the use of the streptogramin virginiamycin S/M as a feed additive in commercial animal husbandry and a selection of quinupristin/dalfopristin-resistant E. faecium (QDRE). We screened manure samples from two different turkey farms and from six different pig farms (using virginiamycin), samples from a sewage water treatment plant, 24 broiler carcasses, 10 pork samples, and 200 stool samples of nonhospitalized humans for QDRE. Our strain culture collection of hospital E. faecium isolates from the last 2 years was also reviewed for QDRE. All manure and sewage samples were positive for QDRE, as well as 11 from broiler carcasses (46%), 1 from pork (10%), and 28 from human stool specimens (14%). Thirty-six hospital isolates of E. faecium exhibited resistance to quinupristin/dalfopristin. In 141 QDRE of different origin satA (vatD) and satG (vatE) genes were detected (seven isolates from humans with an unknown resistance mechanism). Streptogramin resistance determinants were tansferable in filtermating experiments for 5 of 10 satA (vatD) and 9 of 22 satG (vatE) isolates. Different EcoRI patterns of satG (vatE) plasmids and corresponding hybridizations of the satG (vatE) gene indicated nonhomologous resistance plasmids in isolates of different origin. The results of this study indicate a common gene pool for streptogramin resistance in E. faecium of different ecological origin. A selection of QDRE using the streptogramin virginiamycin S/M as a feed additive and a spread of the resistance via the food chain to humans is probable.

Classical phenotypic characterisation and numeric analysis of whole-cell fatty acid patterns of twenty-one type strains of hitherto reported Riemerella anatipestifer serovars revealed that the type strain of serovar 20 does not belong to the species Riemerella anatipestifer sensu stricto and, therefore, it has to be excluded as a representative Riemerella anatipestifer serotype strain.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed in a homologous system with bacterial ultrasonic-treated proteins as the antigen and antisera from chickens infected orally and subcutaneously with the strain Campylobacter jejuni serovar 6 (CJ 6). The cut-off level was determined using antisera from non-infected specific-pathogen-free chickens up to the age of 10 weeks. The suitability of the ELISA system was verified using antisera taken from chickens orally infected at the age of 4 weeks with CJ 1, 6, 28 or 36 or with Campylobacter coli serovar 28 (CC 28). The development of antibodies was monitored up to 6 weeks post-infection (p.i.). Sera from chickens infected with CJ 1, 6, 36 or CC 28 contained specific antibodies to Campylobacter, whereas in those infected with CJ 28 no specific antibodies were found. Distinct cross-reactions were observed between CJ 6, 28 and CC 28 antigens and their antisera 6 weeks p.i., while poor cross-reactions were found with antisera to CJ 1 and 28. Antibodies to strains of all heterologous serovars were successfully detected with an antigen pool comprised of CJ 1, 6 and 36 antigens. In 11 out of the 12 field sera obtained from 5- and 9-week-old broiler chickens suffering from campylobacteriosis, high specific antibody titres to Campylobacter jejuni were found.

Taxon 1502 was originally described as a Riemerella anatipestifer-like bacterium causing exudative septicaemia in ducks and geese. In the present study, an integrated genotypic and phenotypic approach was used to elucidate the phylogenetic affiliation and taxonomic relationships of 12 strains of taxon 1502. Whole-cell protein and fatty acid analyses and an extensive biochemical examination by using conventional tests and several API microtest systems indicated that all isolates formed a homogeneous taxon, which was confirmed by DNA-DNA hybridizations. 16S rDNA sequence analysis of a representative strain (LMG 14382T) indicated that this taxon belongs to the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides phylum and revealed a moderate but distinct relationship to species of the genus Capnocytophaga (overall 16S rDNA sequence identities were 88.8-90.2%). Taxon 1502 is concluded to represent a single species that should be allocated to a novel genus, and the name Coenonia anatina gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The DNA G + C content of representative strains was 35-36 mol% and the type strain is LMG 14382T.

The examination of acute or chronically altered phallus-tissues of ganders revealed microorganisms belonging to the genera Mycoplasma, Bacteroides, Clostridium, Streptococcus, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Lactobacillus, Corynebacterium, Escherichia, Campylobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas and Candida and to the family Pasteurellaceae, isolated in different frequencies. Bacteriologic examinations of the phallus-tissues and cloacal mucous membranes of healthy juvenile ganders showed microorganisms of the same genera or family, except Mycoplasma and Candida spp. Pathogenesis and possibilities of treating phallus-inflammations in ganders are discussed.

Samples of sera from broiler chicken and broiler chicken breeder flocks of North Western Germany were examined for presence of antibodies against Ornithobacterium (O.) rhinotracheale with a self-developed ELISA system. A total of 3600 samples of sera from 190 broiler flocks in 70 different farms were tested. In 332 samples of sera (9.4%) from 25 flocks (13.2%) in 22 farms specific antibodies were detected. Additionally, serum samples from the breeder hens, taken between the 9, and 61, weeks of age were tested. In 28 from 29 flocks (96.6%) specific antibodies were detected using this ELISA-system. First detectable antibodies were found between the 14, and 36, week of age in the parent breeder flocks. These results show that infections with O. rhinotracheale are widely distributed in the parent-breeder chicken broiler flocks. The significance of this bacterium as the cause of respiratory diseases in chickens are discussed.

A total of 3504 hens of the layer-type from 122 flocks (belonging to 89 farms), each with more than 10,000 animals, were culturally examined at the time of slaughter. Of these hens, 2112 (60.3%) from 74 flocks (60.7%) were obtained from 21.3% of the laying-hen farms in a selected region of Lower Saxony in Germany. The other hens came from the remaining part of Lower Saxony and seven other German states (Brandenburg, Mecklenburg Vorpommern, North Rhine Westphalia, Schleswig Holstein, Saxony, Saxony Anhalt, and Thuringia). After arrival at the slaughter house, a random sample of 29 layers was collected from each of the flocks, and liver and spleen, as well as cecal samples, were separately cultured for each bird. Motile salmonellae could be proved in 365 (10.4%) layers from 67 flocks (54.9%). In the selected region, 48 out of 74 flocks (64.9%) and 289 out of 2112 layers (13.7%) were Salmonella-positive. However, the isolation frequency of salmonellae did not differ significantly between flocks of brown and white layers. These Salmonella (S.) isolates could be serologically assigned to 6 different serovars, namely S. enteritidis (SE), S. infantis (SI), S. livingstone (SL), S. typhimurium (ST), S. indiana (SID) and S. cerro; only one isolate of serogroup D1 was incompletely serotyped. SE was detected in 5.8% of the hens from 47.5% of the tested flocks, of which 4.6% of the animals and 32.8% of the flocks came from the selected region in Lower Saxony. The SE isolates were classified into 12 different lysotypes. In 41 out of 58 SE-positive flocks (70.7%), the isolates belonged to lysotype (lt) 4, in 12 flocks (20.7%) to lt 8, in 5 flocks (8.6%) to lt 7, and in 3 flocks (5.2%) to lt 11. A total of 190 (93.1%) out of 204 isolates of the serovar SE carried plasmids. All the plasmid-positive SE-strains harboured the serovar-specific 37 MD virulence-plasmid, nine of them (4.4%) in conjunction with a second and eight strains (3.9%) with a second and a third smaller plasmid.

In a cooperative study, the impact of different broiler housing conditions (see communication BUCHENAUER) on clinical, post-mortem and laboratory diagnostic (microbiological, parasitological, serological, immunological) parameters was investigated in the course of three different fattening period. Clinically, it was observed, that lower stocking densities allowed a relatively higher motility of the birds. On the other hand, necropsy findings, microbiological, parasitological, serological and immunological findings gave no indications that these parameters were influenced statistically significant by either one of the broiler keeping systems.

The whole cell fatty acids of 7 field isolates of smooth (S)-type S. Gallinarum strains and 3 isolates of rough (R)-type S. Gallinarum strain 9R were determined by the liquid-gas-chromatography using the Microbial Identification System (MIS, Microbial ID, Inc. [MIDI, Newark, Delaware USA]). The profiles of the bacterial cellular fatty acids of the S- and R-type isolates differ in the number as well as in the quantity of the fatty acids. On the basis of these differences the S-type isolates could be distinguished from the R-type cultures.

Turkeys from 8 commercial flocks, of which were 6 clinically healthy, were examined by use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay systems for genus-specific Chlamydia antigens and also for antibodies against Chlamydia psittaci in 4 flocks. Results of the tests indicate the presence of Chlamydia psittaci infections in all 8 flocks. The percentage of combined cloacal and conjunctival swabs positive for Chlamydia antigen ranged from 20-91% [20-70%] whereas the percentage of antibody-positive serum samples ranged from 81-100%. Our findings suggest, that the prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci infections in clinically healthy turkey flocks is higher than hitherto suspected.

The outbreak of the disease occurred in a large multiple-age farm with about 50,000 meat turkeys, where groups of 6-8000 one-day-old birds were stalled up every 14 days. All the turkey poults housed were affected mostly in the 1.-3. week of the life. The respiratory disease spread rapidly within the flocks and were characterised clinically by inclination of huddle, ruffled feathers, anorexia, stunted growth, swelling of the infraorbital sinus and nasal discharge. The clinical apparent disease lasted 3 to 4 weeks on the average in the affected flocks and were associated with a mortality from 7-20 percent. The main pathoanatomical lesions were catarrhal-fibrinopurulent rhinitis, sinusitis, tracheitis, bronchopneumonia and air sacculitis as well as atrophy of the thymus. Fibrinous adhesive peri- and epicarditis, perihepatitis, miliary necrotic foci in the liver and diarrhea have been found less frequently. The results of cultural and serological examinations of moribund and dead turkey poults of 6 different flocks indicate that Bordetella avium and Chlamydia psittaci are the primary inciting agents of the respiratory disease. However, the following severe course of the disease were mainly caused by concurrent infections with Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens. In some cases coccidiosis with lesions in ceca were additionally diagnosed. Campylobacter jejuni could be always isolated culturally from the liquid cecal content of diseased birds.

Summary Results of post-mortem and laboratory examinations of broilers sampled randomly or selected by clinical symptoms were compared. The male: female-ratio was in all cases nearly equal for randomly sampled and selected birds. Regarding post-mortem findings, differences dependent on selection criteria were observed: in randomly-sampled birds the frequency of breast-blisters and plantar inflammations was higher than in selected broilers, whereas in the latter osteodystrophy and bursal atrophy were seen more frequently. Alterations of joints and tendon-sheaths caused by a reovirus-arthritis in one flock were seen in same frequency in randomly sampled and selected birds, respectively. Parasitological examinations revealed the highest coccidial lesion scores in selected birds with lameness or slightly retarded growth but when dwarfish birds were included into calculations, there was no significant difference among both groups. Results of bacteriological and serological examinations showed no differences between the groups.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is of increasing diagnostic importance especially in human medicine. To evaluate possible side effects of this technology, embryonated chicken eggs were used as a model. Different fields (static magnetic field [1 oder 4 T], variable magnetic field [gradient] or high frequency field) were applied before the beginning and at the fifth day of incubation for different times (18.8, 37.6, 56 or 75.1 min, resp.). According to the criteria embryo-mortality, hatching-rate or vitality of the chickens, influences of the NMR-treatment were not observed.

Bordetella avium is proposed as the name of a new species containing 28 avian strains that cause coryza (rhinotracheitis) in turkey poults. The type strain is Hinz 591-77 (= ATCC 35086). The majority of the strains investigated were previously known as Bordetella-like or Bordetella bronchiseptica-like bacteria; one of the strains was previously referred to as Alcaligenes faecalis. The B. avium strains were compared with more than 50 culture collection strains belonging Bordetella bronchiseptica, Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis, Alcaligenes faecalis, “Alcaligenes odorans,” Alcaligenes denitrificans, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Pseudomonas pertucinogena, and unnamed groups IVc-2 and IVe. The properties of B. avium and its taxonomic position relative to the above-mentioned taxa were determined by morphological, physiological, nutritional, and serological studies and by a numerical analysis of protein electropherograms, deoxyribonucleic acid-ribosomal ribonucleic acid hybridizations, and pathogenicity tests for turkey poults. The 28 B. avium strains formed a tight cluster, sharing very similar phenotypic features and protein gel electropherograms. We observed no significant differences among strains isolated from turkeys in different geographical areas. The 28 strains were strictly aerobic, gram-negative, peritrichously flagellated, urease-negative rods; the deoxyribonucleic acid base composition ranged from 61.6 to 62.6 mol% guanine plus cytosine. The phenotypic and serological characteristics, together with the properties of the deoxyribonucleic acid-ribosomal ribonucleic acid hybrids, indicated that this new species is a member of the genus Bordetella. The Alcaligenes denitrificans-Achromobacter xylosoxidans cluster is the closest neighbor of Bordetella, which is clearly different from all of the other taxa examined. B. avium has been isolated from the respiratory tracts of turkeys and from some other birds, such as a chicken, a duck, and a goose. All of the B. avium strains investigated caused coryza in turkey poults. An extensive phenotypic description of B. avium is given, and this species is differentiated phenotypically from the following taxa: B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, B. bronchiseptica, Alcaligenes faecalis, Alcaligenes denitrificans, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, and groups IVc-2 and IVe.

Zusammenfassung Von zwei Haemophilus (H.) avium‐ und drei H. paragallinarum‐Stammen wurde die Wirkung ihrer Neuraminidase auf das Serum von 1‐tagigen, 8‐wochigen und 2‐jahrigen Huhnern, auf Humanserum sowie auf N‐Acetyl‐neuraminosyl‐D‐lactose (NL), N‐Acyl‐neuraminsaure‐glycoproteid (BSM) und Colominsaure (Col) gepruft. Auβerdem wurde der N‐Acetyl‐Neuraminat‐Gehalt (NAN) in Huhner‐ und Humanserum bestimmt. Die Enzymuntersuchungen zeigen, daβ der NAN‐Gehalt im Serum von Eintagskuken etwa gleich hoch wie im Humanserum war. Hingegen konnte im Serum von 8 Wochen bzw. 2 Jahre alten Huhnern ein 3‐bzw. 10‐fach niederiger NAN‐Gehalt festgestellt werden. Dies spricht dafur, daβ NAN‐haltige Glycoproteine bei Kuken als ein Faktor des unspezifischen Abwehrsystems Bedeutung haben konnten. Die Neuraminidasen beider Haemophilus‐Species waren durch ein unterschiedliches Aktivitatsspektrum gekennzeichnet. H. avium spaltete die α‐ketosidische Bindung des NAN in der 2 ? 3, 2 ? 6 und 2 ? 8 Position. Bei insgesamt erheblich ni...

Summary Biochemical and serological identification of Yersinia strains isolated from birds Examinations were made on the biochemical and serological behaviour of 51 Yersinia strains isolated from different birds. On the basis of biochemical reactions, proposed by Bercovier et al. (1980) 34 strains were classified as Yersinia (Y.) pseudotuberculosis, 6 strains belonged to Y. enterocolitica biotype 1, 4 strains belonged to Y. enterocolitica biotype 3, 3 strains belonged to Y. intermedia, 2 strains belonged to Y. frederiksenii and 2 strains belonged to Y. kristensenii. 23 respectively 11 strains of Y. pseudotuberculosis belonged to serotype I respectively serotype II. 1 strain of Y. enterocolitica biotype 1 belonged to serotype 0:6,30 und 0:32 each, a further two strains to serotype 0:10, 1 strain of Y. enterocolitica biotype 3 belonged to serotype 0:16, 1 strain of Y. intermedia belonged to serotype 0:17, 1 strain of Y. frederiksenii belonged to serotype 0:4 while 2 strains of Y. kristensenii belonged to serotype 0:12 and 0:25, respectively. 3 strains of Y. enterocolitica biotype 3, 2 strains of Y. enterocolitica biotype 1 respectively Y. intermedia and 1 strain of Y. frederiksenii could not be serotyped by using specified 33 0-antisera according to Wauters (1972) antigen classification. Zusammenfassung Das biochemische und serologische Verhalten von 51 Yersinia-Stammen, isoliert von verschiedenen Vogelarten, wurde uberpruft. Aufgrund des Ausfalls, der in Anlehnung an Bercovier und Mitarbeitern (1980) durchgefuhrten biochemischen Reaktionen, konnten 34 Stamme Y. pseudotuberculosis, 6 Stamme Y. enterocolitica Biotyp 1, 4 Stamme Y. enterocolitica Biotyp 3, 2 Stamme Y. intermedia sowie je 2 Stamme Y. frederiksenii und Y. kristensenii zugeordnet werden. Die Serotypisierung ergab bei Y. pseudotuberculosis 23mal Typ I und 11mal Typ II, bei Y. enterocolitica Biotyp 1 je 1mal Serotyp 0:6,30 und 0:32 sowie je 2mal Serotyp 0:10, bei Y. enterocolitica Biotyp 3 1mal Serotyp 0:16, bei Y. intermedia 1mal Serotyp 1:17, bei Y. frederiksenii 1mal Serotyp 0:4 sowie bei Y. kristensenii je 1mal Serotyp 0:12 und 0:24. 3 Stamme von Y. enterocolitica Biotyp 3, je 2 Stamme von Y. enterocolitica Biotyp 1 und Y. intermedia sowie 1 Stamm von Y. frederiksenii konnten mit den zur Verfugung stehenden 33 0-Antiseren nach dem Antigenschema von Wauters (1972) nicht serotypisiert werden.

Summary Twenty six embryonated goose eggs which had not hatched at term were investigated bacteriologically. Moraxella anatipestifer was isolated from seven of them. This suggests that vertical transmission is possible and might explain the problems of eradicating Moraxella infection by hygienic means only.

The enzyme neuraminidase ( = sialidase, N-acetylneuraminate glycohydrolase) occurs in Haemophilus avium and H. paragallinarum which are both pathogens of poultry. The neuraminidases of these organisms have different properties, i.e., Michaelis constants (K m ) and substrate specificity. The substrates investigated were N-acetylneuraminyllactose (NL), colominic acid sodium salt (Col), and bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM), which bear α-ketosidic 2→3, 2→8, and 2→6 linkages of N-acetylneuraminic acid, respectively. The nuraminidase of H. paragallinarum had a narrow substrate spectrum, splitting only the α-ketosidic 2→6 linkage of N-acetylneuraminic acid of BSM. In contrast, the neuraminidase of H. avium had a broad substrate spectrum and split all linkages investigated in the different substrates, i.e., the 2→3, 2→6, and 2→8 linkage, with slight preference for the 2→8 linkage, The temperature of optimal activity of the neuraminidase of H. avium was between 44 and 52°C. Heat inactivation was found to occur between 52 and 60°C with some reactivation of the neuraminidase at 68°C. Finally, there was an inactivation by EDTA.

Zusammenfassung Zur Immunisierung gegen die Bordetellose wurden eine Gruppe von Putenkuken einmalig am 4. Lebenstag sowie eine zweite Gruppe am 4. und am 27. Lebenstag mit einer Mineralol‐Vaccine subkutan im Nackenbereich geimpft. Die Impfung rief am 4. Lebenstag bei einem Drittel der Kuken und im Alter von 4 Wochen bei fast allen Tieren eine Reaktion in Form einer Granulombildung hervor. Nach einer Challenge‐Infektion am 41. Lebenstag waren Bordetellen bei der Halfte der Tiere mit einmaliger Vaccination und bei nur 25% der Kuken mit zweimaliger Vaccination aus der Trachea reisolierbar. In einer nicht vaccinierten Kontrollgruppe waren dagegen zum gleichen Zeitpunkt Bordeteilen in allen Fallen nachweisbar. Klinische Symptome werden durch eine einmalige Impfung weitgehend und durch eine wiederholte Impfung vollig ausgeschaltet. Histologische Untersuchungen des Respirationstraktes bestatigen den Impferfolg. Antikorper gegen das hitzelabile Antigen der Bordeteilen waren bei fast allen Tieren 7 Tage nach der C...

Characterization of the reference strains of avian mycoplasma serovars (serotypes) C, D, F, I, and L, namely CKK (= ATCC 33553 = NCTC 10187), DD (= ATCC 33550 = NCTC 10183), WR1 (= ATCC 33551 = NCTC 10186), 695 (= ATCC 33552 = NCTC 10185), and 694 (= ATCC 33549 = NCTC 10184), respectively, indicates that the serovars are distinct species, and the following names have been suggested for them: M. pullorum, M. gallinaceum, M. gallopavonis, M. iowae, and M. columbinasale, respectively. The above-mentioned reference strains are designated as the type strains of their respective species. Further biochemical and serological examination of the properties of Mycoplasma synoviae also confirm this to be a separate species.

Summary Cultural and biochemical characteristics, electrophoretic patterns of soluble proteins, and pathogenicity in turkey poults, of 30 avian gram‐negative nonfermentable bacterial strains acquired from various geographical regions, of which 26 had been isolated from turkeys and one each from a chicken, duck, goose and sharp‐tailed munia, were compared to those of Bordetella bronchiseptica, Alcaligenes faecalis, Alcaligenes denitrificans, Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Bordetella parapertussis. With the exception of two turkey isolates, the avian nonfermentable strains constituted a very homogeneous taxon with characteristics of the turkey coryza agent, which has been tentatively designated as a Bordetella‐like bacterium. On the basis of the features studied it could be clearly differentiated from B. bronchiseptica, A. faecalis and the other bacteria, suggesting that the Bordetella‐like bacterium occupies a distinct taxonomic position. No relevant differences were found between the strains of turkey cor...

Thirty-one isolates of Haemophilus organismus, most of them isolated from respiratory organs of sick chickens, and 3 Haemophilus gallinarum strains from California (USA) were culturally and biochemically investigated. Two groups of Haemophilus strains were differentiated. Of the 23 isolates belonging to group I, 22 were obtained from chickens with Coryza contagiosa gallinarum. One strain was isolated from the eye of a sick chicken. These microaerophilic strains required the V factor only and failed to grow aerobically in serial passage on tryptose agar. Six isolates required chicken serum (not X factor) besides V factor for growth on tryptose agar and they fermented solely xylose. All strains were primarily capsulated and showed iridescent colonies on tryptose agar. They were catalose- and indole negative, produced nitratase; fermented glucose, fructose, mannose, but not trehalose, inulin, salicin, dulcitol, galactose and lactose. Not all of them were capable of fermenting saccharose, maltose, dextrin, sorbitol, xylose and mannitol. The strains 0083 and 0222 from USA were similar to isolates of group I, however they showed a partially different fermentation pattern from that described by Page (1962). After the proposal of Biberstein and White (1969) the Haemophilus strains of group I should be named Haemophilus paragallinarum by reason of their X factor independence and the rules of nomenclature. The 8 isolates of group II grew well aerobically, showed iridescence, were primarily capsulated and required the V factor. These strains were catalase positive, indole negative and produced nitratase; fermented glucose, fructose, mannose, galactose, saccharose and trehalose; but not lactose, inulin, salicin and dulcitol. Some isolates fermented also xylose, maltose, dextrin, sorbitol and mannitol. On the basis of the results of cultural and biochemical investigations these strains were assigned to the group of apathogenic Haemophilus strains described by Page (1962) and Robert et al. (1964).