Enterotoxigenic porcine and human isolates ofYersinia enterocolitica in Sweden

The production of heat-stable and heat-labile enterotoxins byYersinia enterocolitica was studied in 69 strains from healthy swine and in 24 strains from humans with acute diarrhea. All of the human strains were of serotype O3, and 20 (83%) of them produced heat-stable enterotoxin detectable in the infant mouse assay. All were negative in the Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell test for detection of heat-labile enterotoxin. Of the 69 porcine strains, which were of twelve serotypes plus 9 nontypable strains, 26 (38%) gave a positive infant mouse test. Of the porcine isolates of serotype O3, 42% were enterotoxigenic. A high incidence of enterotoxigenicity was also apparent among six other serotypes (53%). All porcine strains were negative in the CHO cell test. However, of seven culture supernatants from these porcine strains, three gave positive reactions in rabbit skin permeability tests, two of which were also positive in rabbit loop tests. Heat treatment of the supernatants abolished the reactivity in both tests. It is concluded that production of a heatstable enterotoxin is fairly common in porcine and human strains ofY. enterocolitica of serotype O3 in Sweden.     

Antibodies to Clostridium botulinum toxins in free-living birds and mammals.

Naturally-occuring antibodies against Clostridium botulinum toxins were found in Cathartes aura (turkey vultures), Canis latrans (coyotes) and Corvus brachyrhynchos (crows) by the passive hemagglutination (PHA) test and verified by the serum neutralization (SN) test. The prevalence of IHA antibodies was 18 of 20 vultures (90%), 5 of 12 crows (42%) and 25 to 110 coyotes (23%). Vultures and coyotes were seropositive by the PHA test against A, B, C, D, and F toxins. The highest antibody titer 1:8192 was in vulture serum against type C. In descending order, the highest antibody levels were against type C, D, F, E, A and B toxins.     

Regional Ileitis in Pigs Isolation of Campylobacter from Affected Ileal Mucosa

In the last few years special interest has been focused on enteric diseases localized to the lower alimentary tract, especially the ileum of weaned pigs. An increasing frequency of disorders of unknown aetiology described as regional ileitis (Emsbo 1951), necrotic enteritis (Jubb & Kennedy 1970), and intestinal adenomatosis (Rowland et al. 1973) has been reported. The changes include thickening of the ileal mucosa with hypertrophy of the muscular wall. The normal structure of villi is replaced by a proliferation of crypt cells. Necrosis of the mucosa and granulation-tissue proliferation in the submucosa occur in later stages. Regional ileitis in man (Crohn et al. 1932) which is described as a chronic enteric disease with granulomatous inflammatory changes localized to segments of the ileum is also attracting increasing attention in medical research (Liljefors 1972). The lesions are also found in the colon, and the presence of a transmissible agent involved in the aetiology of Crohn's disease has been discussed on the basis of animal experiments (Cave et al. 1973). The disease in pigs is accompanied by haematological changes, including decreased concentration of total serum protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, and zinc (Martinsson et al. 1974, 1976).     

Periurethral aerobic microflora of pregnant and non-pregnant women.

Seventy-two pregnant and 88 non-pregnant women were examined to see whether the periurethral region had been colonised with group B streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae), enterococci, and Gram-negative rods belonging to the Enterobacteriaeceae. A semi-quantitative method was used for periurethral sampling, and paired urethral swabs were also collected to compare the isolation rates of group B streptococci from the two sites and with the two sampling methods. A higher isolation rate was found with periurethral sampling. Most specimens showed no or scanty growth of Gram-negative rods. Pregnancy was often associated with heavy growth of enterococci. Sampling performed during menstruation and while oral contraceptives were being used produced high isolation rates of group B streptococci. These results seem to suggest that the periurethral area might protect against genital colonisation with group B streptococci as it does against urinary tract infection and that hormonal factors influence the carriage of these organisms.