One thousand two hundred and sixty seven isolates of Bacteroides nodosus from 292 sheep in 58 flocks were examined. Of these, 1260 could be classified by slide agglutination into 8 serogroups designated A to H. Up to 6 serogroups were detected in individual flocks, with up to 4 serogroups being detected in a single foot. Of the 292 sheep examined, 38 (13%) carried mixed serogroup infections. Determination of the range of serological types infecting a flock frequently required the examination of a number of isolates from each of a number of sheep. Cross-tube agglutination tests carried out on 44 isolates and their antiserums indicated that members of some serogroups could be divisible into subgroups or serotypes. These results suggested that 16 or more serotypes of B. nodosus might exist. The nature of the antigens responsible for both slide and tube agglutination reactions needs to be determined.
Observations on 2 bulls from a brucella-infected property are reported. Bull 1 gave serological reactions to Br. abortus in both the SAT and CFT from day 0 to day 141. Br. abortus was not recovered from semen and the bull remained clinically normal. The serological status of bull 2 changed from negative to positive to negative over a 203 day period and remained negative for a further 74 days. Semen agglutinins were only detected on one occasion (20 iu). The first clinical sign observed was epididymitis followed by orchitis, which became apparent on day 122. Br. abortus was not recovered from semen but at autopsy, on day 363, Br. abortus biotype 1 was isolated from the right seminal vesicle and ampulla. The histology of the lesion is described. The literature relating to Br. abortus infection in the bull is discussed. Recommendations are made regarding the diagnosis of Br. abortus infection in bulls.
154 strains of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae from pigs, sheep, turkeys and man were serotyped by using the double diffusion gel precipitation test. Ten of the 18 serotypes were detected in 151 of the strains. Three strains failed to react with any of the type specific antisera. It was found that serotype 1a shared an antigen(s) with serotype 1b, and that serotype 6 shared an antigen(s) with serotype 14. Serotype 2a and 2b were difficult to distinguish. Since serotypes 1 and 2 were isolated from cases of septicaemia in pigs, and since serotypes 1, 2, 4 and 7 were isolated from cases of arthritis, it was suggested that factors other than serotype were important in causing the various forms of swine erysipelas. The fact that the distribution of serotypes 1a, 1b and 2b between septicaemic and arthritic pigs was similar supported the conclusion that arthritis was consequent to bacteraemia. Serotypes 1a, 1b, 2b, 5, 12 and 15 were isolated from cases of arthritis in sheep, and serotypes 1a and 5 from cases of erysipelas in turkeys. Serotype 2b was isolated from a human specimen.
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