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Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a high risk for infection. Pneumonia related to influenza and pneumococcal infection is one of the most common infection-related complication in IBD. Our aim was to evaluate the immunogenicity of pneumococcal and influenza vaccination in patients with IBD receiving different treatment. Methods We searched four databases for studies evaluating seroprotection and seroconversion rates after influenza or pneumococcal vaccination in IBD. In meta-analysis, odds ratios (OR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Twelve studies (1429 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. The seroconversion rate after pneumococcal vaccination was significantly lower in the immunosuppressed group and in the subgroup of patients with anti-TNF mono- or combination therapy compared to the non-immunosuppressed patients (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.23–0.62, OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.15–0.53, and OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.15–0.49, p < 0.001, respectively). Following influenza vaccination there was no significant difference in the seroprotection rate between immunosuppressed and non-immunosuppressed patients (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.34–1.03, p = 0.065). Seroprotection rate was not significantly reduced in patients with immunomodulator compared to anti-TNF monotherapy or combination therapy (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 0.62–3.38, p = 0.84 and OR = 0.91 95% CI: 0.37–2.22, p = 0.391, respectively). Following both vaccinations, the seroresponse was not significantly reduced in patients treated with immunomodulator monotherapy compared to non-immunosuppressed patients. Conclusion Our results suggest that response rate is reduced in patients treated with anti-TNF therapy but not in patients treated with immunomodulator monotherapy. Patients treated with immunosuppressive treatment should be vaccinated against pneumococcus and influenza despite immunosuppressive therapy.

Die Exposition gegenuber nicht physiologisch im Organismus verwendeten Metallen erfolgt durch Hautkontakt, Nahrung und Inhalation sowie durch Metalle, die aus verschiedener (zahn)medizinischer Indikation eingebracht wurden. In selteneren Fallen gelangen die Metalle durch Verletzung mit Metallgegenstanden oder Schussverletzungen in den Korper. Das klinische Bild der Sensibilisierung der Haut gegenuber Metallen ist durch Kontaktekzeme gepragt. Diese konnen anamnestisch und klinisch meist gut einer Verursachung zugeordnet werden und konnen in der Regel durch Epikutantestung hinreichend zuverlassig diagnostiziert werden. Die anderweitigen Inkorporationen nicht physiologischer Metalle verursachen abhangig von der ausgelosten Immunreaktion sehr unterschiedliche klinische Symptome. Neben den toxischen Effekten bei hoher Exposition werden bei chronischer Belastung im Bereich niedriger Dosis sehr viel haufiger spezifische und unspezifische T-Zell-Reaktionen, Typ-III-Allergien, Autoimmunitat und in seltenen Fallen auch Typ-I-Allergien oder Mastzelldegranulation ausgelost. Die systemischen Effekte konnen durch Epikutantestung nicht geklart werden. Fur die Diagnostik mussen immunologische Verfahren genutzt werden, die systemische Reaktionen des Immunsystems nachweisen konnen. Hierzu zahlt die Bestimmung von zirkulierenden Immunkomplexen, von Komplement und die Messung von Effektorzytokinen. Fur die Untersuchung systemischer T-Zell-Reaktionen ist der Lymphozytentransformationstest (LTT) die Methode der Wahl.

Die Verbindung der Parodontitis mit einer Reihe weiterer Krankheiten wie Hypertonie, kardiovaskularen Krankheiten, Schlaganfall und Diabetes ist inzwischen unbestritten. Es bleibt unklar, ob die Parodontitis Ursache der assoziierten Krankheiten ist, oder ob sie durch gleiche oder ahnliche Mechanismen ausgelost wird und eine Manifestation einer gleichen oder ahnlichen funktionellen Storung ist. Schwieriger ist die Beurteilung bei endodontischen Prozessen, deren bildgebende Dokumentation ungenau und die Zuordnung zu anderen Gesundheitsstorungen diffizil ist. Chronische Entzundungsprozesse steigern infolge der standigen Freisetzung von proinflammatorischen Zytokinen den Energieverbrauch deutlich und verandern auch die Funktion der neuroendokrinen Stressachse. Die Bildung von Kynurenin wird deutlich erhoht und gleichzeitig die Serotoninproduktion gesenkt. Es wird die Beteiligung des chronischen Herdgeschehens und der Parodontitis an der Entwicklung von psychischen Symptomen und den chronischen Multisystemerkrankungen diskutiert. Die mit der Inflammation zudem einhergehende Immunreaktion steigert nicht nur den Energieverbrauch erheblich, sondern die damit verbundene Aktivierung der Stickoxid/Peroxinitrit-Kaskade. Sie inhibiert die Produktion von Adenosintriphosphat (ATP) in den Mitochondrien und schrankt hierdurch das Leistungsvermogen zusatzlich ein. Durch das ATP-Defizit wird zudem die Fahigkeit gemindert, die durch Katecholamine induzierten Stressreaktionen zu kompensieren, da die Synthese des dafur erforderlichen S-Adenosylmethionin ATP-abhangig erfolgt.

Eight Swedish crossbred heifers, about two-and-a-half years old, were given a single intramuscular dose of dexamethasone-21-isonicotinate between nine and 15 days after they had calved and eight similar heifers were left untreated. The treatment had no significant effects on the lipolytic activity of the heifers' fat tissues, and no effect on the concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate in blood or the triacylglycerol content of the liver. However, there were significant increases in plasma glucose concentrations two days after the injection and in plasma insulin concentrations two and four days after the injection.

In this study, we developed a flow cytometry technique for studying Leishmania (L.) mexicana phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) and monocytes. Leishmania promastigotes are elongated in shape and flagellated. This influences the light scatter when phagocytosis is measured by flow cytometry. Accordingly, we developed an oxidative burst method for measuring the phagocytic process. As this is an indirect marker of phagocytosis, we used confocal, light and electron microscopy to verify that promastigotes were, indeed, internalized by the phagocytes. For both PMNs and monocytes, the optimal conditions for achieving high sensitivity in flow cytometry detection were 5% pooled human serum and 15 min. incubation time. Incubations at 35, 37 and 39°C were also equally efficient for both PMNs and monocytes. Optimal parasite ratios were 10 parasites per PMN and 20 parasites per monocyte. Under these conditions, Leishmania were readily phagocytosed by human PMNs and monocytes and the effects of other influences, such as treatment, would be readily detectable. This indicated that these cells may play a role in the immune response against Leishmania.

This paper presents a model of network failure recovery based on a scheme for reallocating bandwidth in path-oriented transport networks. We first describe the bandwidth reallocation scheme where, at specified time points, bandwidth can be switched to those routes that (possibly temporarily) value it most highly. This is done entirely according to local rules and without centralised control.We next describe our model of network failure recovery. We consider a protection switching recovery model which works with pre-established reserve-on-demand recovery routes. A reserve-on-demand recovery route allocates required resources after a failure on the working path has been detected. The bandwidth reallocation scheme is used to distribute bandwidth between the working routes before and after a failure, and between the working and recovery routes during the recovery cycle.To support the efficacy of such a system, we present a simulation model of failure recovery in a 30-node 46-link network. The simulation study reveals that bandwidth reallocation allows rapid recovery after the failure of a single link. Traffic is restarted on a recovery route within one round trip time and the recovery path attains the same Grade of Service (GoS) as its working counterpart within 0.1 call holding times.

Neutrophil migration into the airways and pulmonary tissue is a common finding in bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infections. Although neutrophil trans-endothelial migration in general depends on beta2-integrins, alternative integrins such as the alpha4-integrins have been implicated. In this study, rolling and firm adhesion of peripheral blood neutrophils isolated from healthy and BRSV-infected calves to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha activated pulmonary endothelium was investigated under flow conditions in vitro. For neutrophils obtained from healthy animals, inhibition of the beta2-integrin reduced firm adhesion to 63% and inhibition of alpha4-integrin to 73% compared with untreated controls. Inhibition of both integrins reduced firm adhesion to 25%. Rolling velocity, which is used as a parameter for integrin involvement in neutrophil rolling, increased 1.7-fold by blocking beta2-integrin and was significantly augmented to 2.5-fold by blocking both alpha4- and beta2-integrins. For neutrophils obtained from BRSV-infected animals, however, rolling velocities at 10 days after infection (p.i.) were not influenced by blocking adhesion of alpha4- and beta2-integrins, indicating that these integrins did not support neutrophil rolling. In addition, the inhibition of firm adhesion by blocking both alpha4- and beta2-integrins was reduced significantly 9 days post-infection, resulting in a residual 68% neutrophil binding at 9 days p.i. Non-blocked firm adherence was not reduced, indicating that binding was achieved by other mechanisms than through alpha4- and beta2-integrins. These results demonstrate an important function for alpha4- and beta2-integrins in rolling and firm adherence of bovine neutrophils, to TNF-alpha-activated endothelium and show the dynamic use of these integrins for adhesion and migration by neutrophils in the course of BRSV infection.

A case of sporadic lymphosarcoma in a cow is described. The animal showed a tumorous mass in the area of the right orbita accompanied by conjunctival oedema. Clinical investigation showed an enlargement of a number of internal and external lymph nodes. Haematological and clinicochemical investigations revealed no alterations besides a slight shift to the right in the white blood picture. Blood serum was negative for antibodies directed against bovine leucosis virus. Necropsy showed leucotic and tumorous alterations in a number of organs.

As left-displaced abomasum (LDA) often occurs in cows with high contents of fat in the liver (fatty liver), a postpartum fatty liver-inducing regimen was applied to 16 cows. The main interest of the study was whether there were productive or metabolic changes in cows prior to LDA. Therefore, feed intake and milk production were monitored and blood samples were collected from the cows. The LDA occurred in 4 out of 16 dairy cows that were included in the feeding regimen. Compared to cows not developing LDA, LDA-cows had a significantly lower feed intake, 6.5 kg/d less, and milk production, 8 kg/d less, prior to clinical diagnosis of LDA. In the 10-d period preceding clinical diagnosis of LDA, blood concentrations of calcium, glucose, and insulin were significantly lower, whereas blood concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate, as well as aspartate aminotransferase activities were significantly elevated compared to cows not developing LDA. These preclinical changes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of LDA. It is not certain, however, whether there is a causal association between these parameters and LDA.

The position of the abomasum in six cows was examined by ultrasonography at regular intervals for six weeks after they had calved. Its position was established by determining the distance between the margin of the left side of the abomasum and the ventral midline at two sites. During the last weeks of pregnancy, the abomasum was positioned in a small region of the left ventral side of the abdominal cavity. At parturition it was positioned high on the left side and then descended. The abomasum was furthest from the midline immediately after parturition. Its position was related to the interval after calving, the cow's feed intake, and the pH and osmotic pressure of the rumen fluid. There was considerable variation between the cows in the position of the abomasum, which was in part due to analytical variation, and in individual cows it had a circadian rhythm.

Myophosphorylase deficiency in cattle is a muscle disease induced by a C-->T point mutation in codon 489 of the myophosphorylase gene, which until now has only been diagnosed in the Charolais breed. The disease seems to be inherited in an autosomal monogenic recessive manner. A calf of double muscled phenotype was suspected of suffering from myophosphorylase deficiency based on typical symptoms, i.e. brown-coloured, transparent urine, occurring after exercise; exercise intolerance; symptoms of pain; and an elevated level of plasma creatine kinase. The presence of the previously described mutation was excluded using a newly developed, improved polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) procedure to identify easily heterozygous carriers and homozygous affected animals.

The pH value of the abomasal contents in adult cattle is normally constant and has a value of 2. Abomasal contents with pH values of 5.5 and higher could give rise to bacterial fermentation with subsequent gas production. The accumulation of gas is thought to form a key event in the pathogenesis of abomasal displacement. The aim of the present study was to determine the pH values of abomasal contents of dairy cows in the first 3 weeks after calving. The pH of the abomasal contents was, over several days. higher than the pH value of the abomasal juice in mid-lactation cows. The highest pH values were measured on day 14 after calving, thereafter the pH declined. Possible explanations for the rise in the pH value of the abomasal contents are discussed.

Since Spring 1999, a number of dairy farms have reported problems with wasting in cattle. After calving, the physical condition of the cows deteriorated for reasons unknown. Chronic wasting is also associated with disorders such as lameness, abortion, endometritis, mastitis, and respiratory problems. Between April 1999 and March 2000, 19 cows were sent to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for further investigation of the chronic wasting. Clinical and pathological investigations resulted in a broad range of diagnoses such as mastitis, abomasal displacement, and claw disorders. The latter, characterised severe laminitis, were predominant and could explain a number of secondary symptoms (inflammation of the bursa, metastatic processes). There were no clear consistent changes compatible with a certain agent, with the exception of one case in which a virus was shown to be the causative agent. The results indicate that wasting disease is not a distinct entity but is characterized by a broad range of diseases in which acute laminitis may be the original problem. The disease profile of chronic wasting disease is very similar to that of 'concrete disease' described by Rebhun in 1995.

Vom 26. bis zum 27. Mai 1998 fand das 15. Jenaer Symposium im Bundesinstitut fur gesundheitlichen Verbraucherschutz und Veterinarmedizin (BgVV) in Jena jachbereich BakterielleTierseuchen und Bekampfung von Zoonosen, statt.

Im Mittelpunkt dieses Beitrages steht die Frage nach der Entwicklung der Zusammenarbeit zwischen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland und ihren ostlichen Nachbarstaaten, deren Ziel in der Minimierung grenzuberschreitender Umweltbelastungen besteht. Einleitend soll — u.a. anhand einiger Pressenotizen — auf das Thema hingefuhrt werden.

Blood was obtained from 61 neonatal Holstein calves originating from a farm in Germany with a high incidence of bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP). In order to detect alterations that might be related to BNP, selected haematological analytes were determined. Haematological examinations demonstrated alterations in at least two of the three cell lineages in 10 calves (16.39 per cent). Six animals (9.84 per cent) developed a bleeding disorder indicative of BNP at approximately two weeks of age. None of these animals showed alterations in complete blood cell count at sampling in the first week of life. In weeks when calves with BNP were born, an increase in the number of apparently healthy calves demonstrating decreases in blood cell counts was observed.

Isolates of the barley mildew pathogen from the air spora over a large part of Europe and from fields of variety mixtures, were tested for virulence against 12 host resistance alleles. Subsamples were tested for their response to triadimenol fungicide and analyzed for 10 DNA loci using RAPD markers and PCR. There was a large range of haplotypes spread over Europe; irregularity in the distribution was probably due mainly to non-uniform use of the corresponding host resistances and fungicides. A large range of variation was also detectable within individual fields. Positive gametic disequilibria distorted the distribution of virulence alleles among haplotypes and reduced the number of haplotypes detectable in the sample. Analysis of the spread of the newly selected Val3 allele into different European sub-populations indicated that gene flow throughout the population may be rapid for alleles that have a selective advantage.

Isolates of Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei derived from airborne conidia and progeny of specific crosses were screened for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) variation detected with 10-base primers. Using two DNA samples, 58 of 76 primers yielded good amplification products. Twenty-seven primers were screened further on a test set of 16 E. g. hordei isolates collected from throughout Europe. Approximately 119 resolvable bands were reproducibly amplified, 56 bands were variable, and each primer yielded at least one polymorphism. A subset of 10 of these primers detected 30 polymorphisms in the European test set but only 19 variable bands in 48 isolates collected with a stationary spore trap