Procedeu-se ao estudo comparativo entre as provas de soroneutralização (SN) e imunofluorescência indireta (IFI) para a avaliação de anticorpos anti-rábicos em soros de cães. A prova de IFI apresentou associação significante de alta ntensidade e elevada concordância com a prova de SN, não se verificando, porém, correlação significante entre os resultados obtidos por ambas as provas. A avaliação do comportamento da vacina anti-rábica, preparada em cérebros de camundongos lactentes e aplicada em cães nunca antes vacinados, revelou pela prova de SN uma ascensão lenta e de pequena magnitude e um declínio rápido, da curva das medianas dos títulos de anticorpos anti-rábicos, já aos 45 dias da vacinação. Relativamente à prova de IFI, a resposta imunitária revelou-se mais intensa, e o declínio da curva das medianas dos títulos de anticorpos ocorreu aos 60 dias da vacinação. / A comparative study was made between the serum-neutralization (SN) and indirect immunofluorescence CIIF) techniques for the evaluation of rabies antibodies in sera from dogs. The IIF technic showed significant association of high intensity and concordance with the SN technic. No significant correlation, however, was observed between the results obtained from both techniques. The evaluation of the suckling-mouse-brain rabies vaccine, applied in dogs never vaccinated before, showed by the SN technic a slow rise of small magnitude and a fast decline of the curve of the median rabies antibodies titers, as early as 4S days after vaccination. With regard to the IIF technic, the immunitary reaction showed itself more sensitive, and the decline of the curve of the median antibodies titers occurred 60 days after vaccination.

M. Tech. Veterinary Technology. / Aims of this study were to: determine the suitable buffers and optimal concentrations of these buffers, to be used in the ISA 206 B oil-based vaccine formulations that will ensure pH levels of &#x2265%x; 7.0; consistent emulsion type and particle sizes following a storage period of at least 24 months at 4 C ; determine the effects of temperature on the stability of the vaccine formulation during storage ; determine the optimal buffer antigen ratio in the water phase of the ISA 206 B oil-adjuvanted FMD vaccine containing SAT serotypes ; determine the effects of saponin (Q-Vac trade mark) on the buffering capacity during storage, in the ISA 206 B oil-adjuvanted FMD vaccine containing the SAT serotypes; and determine the shelf life of this improved (stabilised) oil vaccine. Previous research by the ARC scientists has shown that the immunity elicited by the ISA 206 oil adjuvanted vaccines could persist up to 50 weeks post vaccination in cattle (Cloete et al., 2008; Hunter, 1996). However, they did not show if this immunity was protective or not. Although it is known within the FMD field that sometimes immunity levels do not always translate into protection against an infection, if protection can be shown - even after vaccination using a stored vaccines - achievement of the above mentioned objectives could enable a once-a-year vaccination regimen in the control zone of RSA. Moreover, this once-a-year vaccination regimen could also substantially reduce the logistical costs involved during vaccination campaigns, compared to the current biannual vaccination regimen. Once the shelf life of the vaccine has been established, the vaccine could also be registered as a stock remedy under the Fertilisers, Farm Feed, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 36 of 1947, administered by DAFF. The registration of this vaccine could in turn enable the RSA to supply the vaccine to neighbouring South African Development Community (SADC) countries and the rest of African countries where the SAT serotypes occur.

M. Tech. Veterinary Technology. / Aims of this study were to: determine the suitable buffers and optimal concentrations of these buffers, to be used in the ISA 206 B oil-based vaccine formulations that will ensure pH levels of &#x2265%x; 7.0; consistent emulsion type and particle sizes following a storage period of at least 24 months at 4 C ; determine the effects of temperature on the stability of the vaccine formulation during storage ; determine the optimal buffer antigen ratio in the water phase of the ISA 206 B oil-adjuvanted FMD vaccine containing SAT serotypes ; determine the effects of saponin (Q-Vac trade mark) on the buffering capacity during storage, in the ISA 206 B oil-adjuvanted FMD vaccine containing the SAT serotypes; and determine the shelf life of this improved (stabilised) oil vaccine. Previous research by the ARC scientists has shown that the immunity elicited by the ISA 206 oil adjuvanted vaccines could persist up to 50 weeks post vaccination in cattle (Cloete et al., 2008; Hunter, 1996). However, they did not show if this immunity was protective or not. Although it is known within the FMD field that sometimes immunity levels do not always translate into protection against an infection, if protection can be shown - even after vaccination using a stored vaccines - achievement of the above mentioned objectives could enable a once-a-year vaccination regimen in the control zone of RSA. Moreover, this once-a-year vaccination regimen could also substantially reduce the logistical costs involved during vaccination campaigns, compared to the current biannual vaccination regimen. Once the shelf life of the vaccine has been established, the vaccine could also be registered as a stock remedy under the Fertilisers, Farm Feed, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 36 of 1947, administered by DAFF. The registration of this vaccine could in turn enable the RSA to supply the vaccine to neighbouring South African Development Community (SADC) countries and the rest of African countries where the SAT serotypes occur.

Vergleich der Ausbildung von Tierärzten im Fachbereich Lebensmittelhygiene an den europäischen veterinärmedizinischen Bildungsstätten

Background: The slaughter of pregnant cattle and the fate of the foetuses are relatively new subjects in the field of animal welfare. The Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures relating to Public Health (SCVPH), however, does not believe this topic to be a critical issue because of the hitherto supposed rare occurrence of this practice. Some previous studies though, contradict this assessment, emphasising its relevance to animal welfare. With regard to the heterogeneous study design of previous investigations, the objective of this study is to evaluate the current situation concerning the slaughter of pregnant cattle in different German abattoirs. Additionally, the prevalence was assessed semi-quantitatively on the basis of a cross-sectional, voluntary and anonymous survey that was conducted amongst senior veterinary students of the University of Leipzig from 2010 until 2013. Results: Of 255 evaluable questionnaires, 157 (63.6 %) mention the slaughter of pregnant cattle, corresponding to 76.9 % of all visited abattoirs. Slaughter of pregnant cattle is reported often (>10 % of females) in 6 (3.8 %), frequently (1–10 % of females) in 56 (35.7 %), and rarely (<1 % of females) in 95 (60.5 %) of all cases (n = 157) respectively. About 50 % of these animals were reported to be in the second or third stage of gestation. 15 (10.6 %) of 142 questionnaires providing information about the foetus, state that the foetus showed visible vital signs after the death of the mother, but in one case the foetus was euthanized subsequently. Conclusions: The results show that the slaughter of pregnant cattle is a common and widespread practice in German abattoirs. The SCVPH’s assumption that pregnant cattle are only slaughtered in rare exceptional cases can no longer be maintained. The high proportion of foetuses in the second and third gestational stage must also be considered. In this context the implementation of suitable studies and detailed analysis of the current situation is indispensable to ensure the high standards in animal welfare in Germany and Europe.

Nas últimas décadas, pesquisadores vêm atribuindo crescente importância à ocorrência de agentes patogênicos para a conservação de animais selvagens. Epizootias em carnívoros selvagens na África e América do Norte levaram a declínios significativos nas populações afetadas. Por outro lado, animais selvagens podem agir como reservatórios para agentes que afetam o homem e animais domésticos. O objetivo deste estudo foi pesquisar a exposição de carnívoros selvagens e de animais domésticos da região da RPPN SESC Pantanal a patógenos importantes para a conservação dos carnívoros selvagens e para o homem. Para isto, entre 2002 e 2006, 76 carnívoros selvagens (43 cachorros-do-mato, Cerdocyon thous, 13 guaxinins, Procyon cancrivorous, oito lobos-guarás, Chrysocyon brachyurus, quatro jaguatiricas, Leopardus pardalis, sete suçuaranas, Puma concolor e um cachorro-vinagre, Speothos venaticus) foram capturados e tiveram amostras sangüíneas coletadas. Também foram amostrados 103 cães domésticos em comunidades humanas localizadas ao norte da RPPN e 27 cavalos utilizados no interior da reserva. Para os carnívoros (selvagens e domésticos) foi realizado sorodiagnóstico para o vírus da cinomose (soroneutralização), parvovírus (HI), raiva (SFIMT) e Leptospira spp. (MAT), além do diagnóstico direto para Leishmania spp., através da PCR. A sorologia para Leptospira spp. também foi realizada nos eqüinos. Dentre os carnívoros selvagens, 21 de 75 animais testados apresentaram título >= 8 de anticorpos para o vírus da cinomose, 70 de 76 apresentaram título >= 80 de anticorpos para o parvovírus, 4 de 76 apresentaram título >= 10 UI/ml de anticorpos para o vírus da raiva, 32 de 75 apresentaram título >= 100 de anticorpos para Leptospira spp. e 7 de 21 foram positivos para Leishmania spp. Dentre os cães domésticos, foram diagnosticados 65 positivos à sorologia para o vírus da cinomose dos 79 indivíduos testados, 98 de 102 para o parvovírus, 27 de 102 para o vírus da raiva e 18 de 103 para Leptospira spp. Para Leishmania spp., 20 de 70 foram positivos. As amostras dos animais positivos para Leishmania foram identificadas como pertencentes ao sub-gênero Viannia, sendo duas delas identificadas especificamente como Leishmania (V.) braziliensis. Vinte de 27 cavalos foram positivos sorologicamente para Leptospira spp. Os resultados obtidos indicam que os carnívoros selvagens e cães domésticos foram expostos aos cinco agentes pesquisados, demonstrando a presença destes na região. Isto indica que os carnívoros selvagens da região podem ser ameaçados pela presença dos patógenos que comumente circulam nas populações de cães domésticos. Também demonstram que agentes zoonóticos circulam nestes animais na região. No entanto, nem a mortalidade de carnívoros selvagens em decorrência de doenças nem o papel dos animais selvagens como reservatórios de agentes zoonóticos puderam ser claramente demonstrados. Apesar disto, é evidente a necessidade de implementação de medidas preventivas visando evitar a transmissão de patógenos aos carnívoros selvagens, como vacinação e controle populacional dos cães domésticos, e de um sistema de vigilância para as leishmanioses, para a raiva e para a leptospirose, aliado a um programa de educação em saúde na comunidade de São Pedro de Joselândia e adjacências. / In the last decades, researchers have been giving growing importance to the occurrence of pathogens for the conservation of wild animals. Epizootics in wild carnivores in Africa and North America have led to declines in the affected populations. On the other hand, wild animals may act as reservoirs to pathogens that affect humans and domestic animals. The purpose of this study was to assess the exposure of wild carnivores and domestic animals from the Northern Pantanal region to pathogens that are important for the conservation of wild carnivores and for men. From 2002 to 2006, 76 wild carnivores (43 crab eating foxes, Cerdocyon thous, 13 raccoons, Procyon cancrivorous, eight maned wolves, Chrysocyon brachyurus, four ocelots, Leopardus pardalis, seven pumas, Puma concolor, and one bush dog, Speothos venaticus) were captured and blood samples were collected. Additionally, 103 domestic dogs and 27 horses from the same area were also sampled. Serological tests were performed for wild carnivores and domestic dogs for CDV (SN), CPV (HI), rabies virus (SFIMT) and Leptospira spp. (MAT), along with PCR for Leishmania spp. MAT was also performed for horses. Among wild carnivores, 21 of 75 tested animals had titers >= 8 for CDV antibodies, 70 of 76 had titers >= 80 for CPV antibodies, 4 of 76 had titers >= 10 UI/ml for rabies virus antibodies, 32 of 75 had >= 100 for Leptospira spp. antibodies, and 7 of 21 were positive for Leishmania spp. Among domestic dogs, 65 of 79 animals tested positive for serology for CDV, 98 of 102 for CPV, 27 of 102 for rabies virus and 18 of 103 for Leptospira spp. For Leishmania spp., 20 of 70 were positive. Positive samples for Leishmania spp. were identified as belonging to the sub-genus Viannia. Two of these were identified to the species level as Leishmania (V.) braziliensis. Twenty of 27 horses were serologically positive for Leptospira spp. These results indicate that wild carnivores and domestic dogs were exposed to all five tested pathogens, showing their presence in the region. This indicates that wild carnivores in the region may be threatened by pathogens that commonly circulate among domestic dog populations. It also demonstrates that zoonotic agents circulate among the wild carnivore population in the region. However, neither a greater mortality of wild carnivores due to infectious diseases nor their role as reservoirs of zoonosis have been clearly demonstrated. Nevertheless, the need to act to prevent the transmission of pathogens to wild carnivores, through vaccination of domestic dogs and population control, is evident. The implementation of a surveillance system for rabies, leishmaniasis and leptospirosis, together with a health education program in the human community, would also be very important.

Nas últimas décadas, pesquisadores vêm atribuindo crescente importância à ocorrência de agentes patogênicos para a conservação de animais selvagens. Epizootias em carnívoros selvagens na África e América do Norte levaram a declínios significativos nas populações afetadas. Por outro lado, animais selvagens podem agir como reservatórios para agentes que afetam o homem e animais domésticos. O objetivo deste estudo foi pesquisar a exposição de carnívoros selvagens e de animais domésticos da região da RPPN SESC Pantanal a patógenos importantes para a conservação dos carnívoros selvagens e para o homem. Para isto, entre 2002 e 2006, 76 carnívoros selvagens (43 cachorros-do-mato, Cerdocyon thous, 13 guaxinins, Procyon cancrivorous, oito lobos-guarás, Chrysocyon brachyurus, quatro jaguatiricas, Leopardus pardalis, sete suçuaranas, Puma concolor e um cachorro-vinagre, Speothos venaticus) foram capturados e tiveram amostras sangüíneas coletadas. Também foram amostrados 103 cães domésticos em comunidades humanas localizadas ao norte da RPPN e 27 cavalos utilizados no interior da reserva. Para os carnívoros (selvagens e domésticos) foi realizado sorodiagnóstico para o vírus da cinomose (soroneutralização), parvovírus (HI), raiva (SFIMT) e Leptospira spp. (MAT), além do diagnóstico direto para Leishmania spp., através da PCR. A sorologia para Leptospira spp. também foi realizada nos eqüinos. Dentre os carnívoros selvagens, 21 de 75 animais testados apresentaram título >= 8 de anticorpos para o vírus da cinomose, 70 de 76 apresentaram título >= 80 de anticorpos para o parvovírus, 4 de 76 apresentaram título >= 10 UI/ml de anticorpos para o vírus da raiva, 32 de 75 apresentaram título >= 100 de anticorpos para Leptospira spp. e 7 de 21 foram positivos para Leishmania spp. Dentre os cães domésticos, foram diagnosticados 65 positivos à sorologia para o vírus da cinomose dos 79 indivíduos testados, 98 de 102 para o parvovírus, 27 de 102 para o vírus da raiva e 18 de 103 para Leptospira spp. Para Leishmania spp., 20 de 70 foram positivos. As amostras dos animais positivos para Leishmania foram identificadas como pertencentes ao sub-gênero Viannia, sendo duas delas identificadas especificamente como Leishmania (V.) braziliensis. Vinte de 27 cavalos foram positivos sorologicamente para Leptospira spp. Os resultados obtidos indicam que os carnívoros selvagens e cães domésticos foram expostos aos cinco agentes pesquisados, demonstrando a presença destes na região. Isto indica que os carnívoros selvagens da região podem ser ameaçados pela presença dos patógenos que comumente circulam nas populações de cães domésticos. Também demonstram que agentes zoonóticos circulam nestes animais na região. No entanto, nem a mortalidade de carnívoros selvagens em decorrência de doenças nem o papel dos animais selvagens como reservatórios de agentes zoonóticos puderam ser claramente demonstrados. Apesar disto, é evidente a necessidade de implementação de medidas preventivas visando evitar a transmissão de patógenos aos carnívoros selvagens, como vacinação e controle populacional dos cães domésticos, e de um sistema de vigilância para as leishmanioses, para a raiva e para a leptospirose, aliado a um programa de educação em saúde na comunidade de São Pedro de Joselândia e adjacências. / In the last decades, researchers have been giving growing importance to the occurrence of pathogens for the conservation of wild animals. Epizootics in wild carnivores in Africa and North America have led to declines in the affected populations. On the other hand, wild animals may act as reservoirs to pathogens that affect humans and domestic animals. The purpose of this study was to assess the exposure of wild carnivores and domestic animals from the Northern Pantanal region to pathogens that are important for the conservation of wild carnivores and for men. From 2002 to 2006, 76 wild carnivores (43 crab eating foxes, Cerdocyon thous, 13 raccoons, Procyon cancrivorous, eight maned wolves, Chrysocyon brachyurus, four ocelots, Leopardus pardalis, seven pumas, Puma concolor, and one bush dog, Speothos venaticus) were captured and blood samples were collected. Additionally, 103 domestic dogs and 27 horses from the same area were also sampled. Serological tests were performed for wild carnivores and domestic dogs for CDV (SN), CPV (HI), rabies virus (SFIMT) and Leptospira spp. (MAT), along with PCR for Leishmania spp. MAT was also performed for horses. Among wild carnivores, 21 of 75 tested animals had titers >= 8 for CDV antibodies, 70 of 76 had titers >= 80 for CPV antibodies, 4 of 76 had titers >= 10 UI/ml for rabies virus antibodies, 32 of 75 had >= 100 for Leptospira spp. antibodies, and 7 of 21 were positive for Leishmania spp. Among domestic dogs, 65 of 79 animals tested positive for serology for CDV, 98 of 102 for CPV, 27 of 102 for rabies virus and 18 of 103 for Leptospira spp. For Leishmania spp., 20 of 70 were positive. Positive samples for Leishmania spp. were identified as belonging to the sub-genus Viannia. Two of these were identified to the species level as Leishmania (V.) braziliensis. Twenty of 27 horses were serologically positive for Leptospira spp. These results indicate that wild carnivores and domestic dogs were exposed to all five tested pathogens, showing their presence in the region. This indicates that wild carnivores in the region may be threatened by pathogens that commonly circulate among domestic dog populations. It also demonstrates that zoonotic agents circulate among the wild carnivore population in the region. However, neither a greater mortality of wild carnivores due to infectious diseases nor their role as reservoirs of zoonosis have been clearly demonstrated. Nevertheless, the need to act to prevent the transmission of pathogens to wild carnivores, through vaccination of domestic dogs and population control, is evident. The implementation of a surveillance system for rabies, leishmaniasis and leptospirosis, together with a health education program in the human community, would also be very important.

Brennpunkt Tiermedizin: Klimawandel und One Health; Veterinary Public Health; Versuchstiere; Arzneimittel und Arzneimittelrecht; Toxikologie; Praxismanagement; Anatomie; Kommunikation und Didaktik; Berufsperspektiven; Geschichte;

The prevalence of Brucella canis in South Africa is unknown and suspected to be under-detected. The majority of dogs in South Africa are not tested for Brucella canis, not only because of the level of awareness of Brucella canis in South Africa, but also because of the lack of clinical suspicion. It is not known how the infection entered South Africa. Brucella canis, a zoonotic organism that causes canine brucellosis in dogs, is a significant cause of reproductive failure in dogs worldwide. Canine brucellosis is a chronic infectious zoonotic disease whose main etiological agent, the Brucella canis bacterium, are rough, intracellular proteobacteria in the Brucellaceae family. Clinical signs in bitches are mainly infertility and abortion, while in males, epididymitis and orchitis occur. However, discospondylitis may develop in both sexes. A serological survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Brucella canis infection in dogs from the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan (NMBM) Port Elizabeth (PE) area. A total of 400 samples were collected, 350 of which were collected in seven different townships and 50 were collected in the three different welfare organisations in the study area. Of the 400 serum samples collected, 39 (9.75%) tested serologically positive by using the Tube Agglutination Test (TAT), the 2-Mercaptoethanol-TAT (2ME-TAT) or the Compliment Fixation Test (CFT). The results of the CFT showed that nine of the 39 positive samples had a maximum antibody titre of 784 IU/ml. The prevalence rate varied tremendously between the samples from the townships and those from the welfare organisations. The prevalence rate of seropositive animals in PE ranged between 5% and 16% in the study area. No positive cases were found in KwaMagxaki and the Animal Welfare Society of PE, but both were surrounded by areas that had positive cases of Brucella canis infection. The female dogs in the study area had a higher sero-prevalence of only 0.0169 (95% CI, 0.0631 to 0.1489) differences in proportion, and were thus not significant (p > 0.05). However, the female spayed dogs had a much higher significant difference of 0.1898 (95% iv CI, 0.1058 to 0.2738) in proportion to the male neutered dogs and were thus statistically significant (p < 0.05). Despite those results, out of all the dogs positive for Brucella canis only two were neutered males and five were spayed females, and the rest were all intact. In conclusion, according to the results, Brucella canis antibodies were detected in sera of dogs mostly from the townships surveyed. Preventive measures against this contagion should be taken into consideration to eliminate Brucella canis infection from the entire dog population. Reservoir dogs and actively infected dogs either should be kept in quarantine or should be euthanized, because not only can they spread the disease and end the reproductive life of any breeding animal, but they are also a risk to human health. Even though this is the first survey conducted in the Eastern Cape, the results are still high dogs in the study area had a higher sero-prevalence of only 0.0169 (95% CI, 0.0631 to 0.1489) differences in proportion, and were thus not significant (p > 0.05). However, the female spayed dogs had a much higher significant difference of 0.1898 (95% iv CI, 0.1058 to 0.2738) in proportion to the male neutered dogs and were thus statistically significant (p < 0.05). Despite those results, out of all the dogs positive for Brucella canis only two were neutered males and five were spayed females, and the rest were all intact. In conclusion, according to the results, Brucella canis antibodies were detected in sera of dogs mostly from the townships surveyed. Preventive measures against this contagion should be taken into consideration to eliminate Brucella canis infection from the entire dog population. Reservoir dogs and actively infected dogs either should be kept in quarantine or should be euthanized, because not only can they spread the disease and end the reproductive life of any breeding animal, but they are also a risk to human health. Even though this is the first survey conducted in the Eastern Cape, the results are still high / College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

Background: The slaughter of pregnant cattle and the fate of the foetuses are relatively new subjects in the field of animal welfare. The Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures relating to Public Health (SCVPH), however, does not believe this topic to be a critical issue because of the hitherto supposed rare occurrence of this practice. Some previous studies though, contradict this assessment, emphasising its relevance to animal welfare. With regard to the heterogeneous study design of previous investigations, the objective of this study is to evaluate the current situation concerning the slaughter of pregnant cattle in different German abattoirs. Additionally, the prevalence was assessed semi-quantitatively on the basis of a cross-sectional, voluntary and anonymous survey that was conducted amongst senior veterinary students of the University of Leipzig from 2010 until 2013. Results: Of 255 evaluable questionnaires, 157 (63.6 %) mention the slaughter of pregnant cattle, corresponding to 76.9 % of all visited abattoirs. Slaughter of pregnant cattle is reported often (>10 % of females) in 6 (3.8 %), frequently (1–10 % of females) in 56 (35.7 %), and rarely (<1 % of females) in 95 (60.5 %) of all cases (n = 157) respectively. About 50 % of these animals were reported to be in the second or third stage of gestation. 15 (10.6 %) of 142 questionnaires providing information about the foetus, state that the foetus showed visible vital signs after the death of the mother, but in one case the foetus was euthanized subsequently. Conclusions: The results show that the slaughter of pregnant cattle is a common and widespread practice in German abattoirs. The SCVPH’s assumption that pregnant cattle are only slaughtered in rare exceptional cases can no longer be maintained. The high proportion of foetuses in the second and third gestational stage must also be considered. In this context the implementation of suitable studies and detailed analysis of the current situation is indispensable to ensure the high standards in animal welfare in Germany and Europe.