[Serologic and clinical evidence for endemic occurrences of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in North-Eastern Switzerland].

Background: Tick-borne human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) has not been diagnosed in Switzerland, although the HGE agent has been identified in ticks and animal reservoirs and human infections have been suspected on the basis of serological surveys.

Methods: We retrospectively tested sera of 48 persons with antibodies to B. burgdorferi and/or tick-borne encephalitis virus for the presence of antibodies to E.

Seroprevalence of Ehrlichia canis and of canine granulocytic Ehrlichia infection in dogs in Switzerland.

Serum samples from 996 dogs in Switzerland were examined for antibodies to Ehrlichia canis and to the agent causing canine granulocytic ehrlichiosis (CGE). Ehrlichiosis, borreliosis, and systemic illness not associated with ticks were suspected in 75, 122, and 157 of these dogs, respectively. The remainder of the serum samples were obtained from clinically healthy dogs which resided north (n = 235) or south (n = 407) of the Alps.

Experimental oral transmission of Ehrlichia phagocytophila to calves.

Three groups of four calves were used to determine whether Ehrlichia phagocytophila could be transmitted orally to calves via infected milk. Groups 1 and 2 consisted of four-week-old calves and group 3 of newborn calves. The calves in group 1 were fed for several days with milk from cows infected experimentally with E phagocytophila.

Serological evidence of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in Switzerland.

To investigate whether human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) is prevalent in Switzerland, 1515 human serum samples from individuals with different risks for tick exposure were tested for antibodies to Ehrlichia phagocytophila, a surrogate marker of the agent of HGE. The distribution of titres showed marked differences between sera of individuals with no or low risk for tick exposure and those with a high risk. The results of serological testing provided evidence of HGE in Switzerland as well as evidence of two types of coinfections: those with the agent of HGE and Borrelia burgdorferi, and those with the agent of HGE and the central European tickborne encephalitis virus.

Partial protection by vaccination with recombinant feline immunodeficiency virus surface glycoproteins.

In an effort to induce a strong immune response that might protect against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) challenge infection, three groups of five specified pathogen-free (spf) cats each were immunized subcutaneously with different FIV antigen preparations. Immunizations were done at weeks 0, 2, and 4 with 100 microg of recombinant SU from an FIV Zurich 2 (FIV Z2) strain expressed by E. coli (group 1) or the baculovirus expression system (groups 2 and 3) adsorbed on aluminum hydroxyde and administered with QS-21 (groups 1 and 2) or Freund's adjuvant together with the recombinant nucleocapsid protein (protein NC) of rabies virus (group 3).

Laboratory findings in cows after experimental infection with Ehrlichia phagocytophila.

The goal of this study was to assess various hematological variables in 10 cows after experimental infection with Ehrlichia phagocytophila. Blood samples were collected at regular intervals for examination of leukocytes for Ehrlichia organisms and for determination of hematological and biochemical variables. In addition, PCR amplification was performed throughout the disease period on blood and milk samples for the detection of E.

Seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae infection and correlation with disease status in cats in Switzerland.

The prevalence of infection with Bartonella henselae was investigated in cats from different areas of Switzerland. Serum samples of 728 cats were examined for antibodies to B. henselae by immunofluorescent antibody testing, and the results were analyzed with a view to a possible correlation between a positive titer and signalment, clinical signs, infection with feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline coronavirus (FCoV), or feline spumavirus (FeSFV), and the living environments of the cats.

Granulocytic ehrlichiosis in two dogs in Switzerland.

This case report describes two dogs with granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Dog 1 was a male Labrador retriever with clinical signs of lymphosarcoma. Dog 2 was a female Airedale terrier, whose clinical signs included apathy, pyrexia, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Intrauterine infection with Ehrlichia phagocytophila in a cow.

An infection with Ehrlichia phagocytophila, the agent of tickborne fever, can cause abortion or stillbirth in cows in late pregnancy but, to the authors' knowledge, there have been no reports of intrauterine infection in cows followed by clinical signs in the calf. To study the effect of E phagocytophila on the fetus, a cow was infected experimentally after 270 days of pregnancy. It developed the clinical and haematological signs characteristic of tickborne fever six days after infection.

[Serologic studies on the occurrence of bovine ehrlichiosis in the cantons Zürich, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, St. Gallen and Obwalden].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the geographical distribution of bovine ehrlichiosis in the Cantons Zürich, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, St. Gallen and Obwalden. To this end, an indirect immunofluorescence assay was established.

[Vaccination of cats against infection with feline leukemia virus (FeLV): first recombinant vaccine and the effect of a pre-existing infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)].

A new recombinant FeLV vaccine was evaluated in 30 specified pathogen-free cats 10 months of age cats. The vaccine consisted of the non-glycosylated FeLV envelope protein p45, aluminium hydroxide and a saponin adjuvant. The cats (n = 18) were vaccinated twice intramuscularly, 3 weeks apart.

Retrovirus infections in non-domestic felids: serological studies and attempts to isolate a lentivirus.

An African lioness from the Zoo of Zurich had to be euthanized because of an inoperable tumor. The serum tested negative for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) p27 antigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) but was strongly positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibodies by ELISA and Western blot. When her only offspring and mate were tested for FIV, high antibody titers to FIV were also found in their serum.

Vaccination of cats experimentally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus, using a recombinant feline leukemia virus vaccine.

A group of 15 cats experimentally infected with a Swiss isolate of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and a group of 15 FIV-negative control cats were inoculated with an FeLV vaccine containing recombinant FeLV-envelope. High ELISA antibody titer developed after vaccination in FIV-positive and FIV-negative cats. Vaccinated and nonvaccinated controls were later challenge exposed by intraperitoneal administration of virulent FeLV subtype A (Glasgow).

[Feline immunodeficiency virus in Switzerland: clinical aspects and epidemiology in comparison with feline leukemia virus and coronaviruses].

Serum samples from 1421 domestic cats (561 healthy, 860 sick) were tested for FIV-, FeLV- and coronavirus infection. The results were stored in a computer data base and compared with epidemiologic data and clinical findings. All 3 infections were significantly more prevalent in sick than healthy cats: FIV was found in 0.

Anticancer activities as well as antiviral and virus-enhancing properties of aqueous fruit extracts from fifty-six European plant species.

Several plant-derived drugs are used in medical oncology today. Since only a small part of the flora has been tested for any kind of bioactivity intensive further screening may be rewarding. Fifty-six plant extracts were studied attempting to explore the feasibility of an assay that screens cytotoxic, antiviral and virus-enhancing activities in the same test.

[Ring injuries].

At the Clinic for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Kantonsspital Aarau eight cases of ring avulsion injuries in one woman and seven men have been treated during the period 1979-1981. Depending on the soft tissue damage, the ring injuries can be divided into four categories. Representative cases of each group and the special problems and difficulties in the reconstruction of each case are described.

[Free flap-plasty in a larger soft tissue defect of the hip and gluteal region].

The purpose of this paper is to show a case in which we felt at the end, that the chosen procedure did not fulfill our expectations and in which an alternative procedure would have been preferable. In a 47 year old woman a deep, healed soft tissue defect between the left trochanter and the iliac crest was built up with a free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. The original plan was to suture the vessels to the gluteal vessels and the nerve to the gluteal nerve.

[Replantation at the distal finger joint. Indication, technic, result, failure, case reports, alternatives].

In cases of digital replantation distal to the DIP-joint the sequence of steps in the operation procedure has to be changed, compared with replantation in more proximally situated amputations: the arterial microanastomosis has to be carried out before skeletal fixation. In a few case reports the success of this method but also the failure and an alternative method (double neurovascular VY-plasty) are described.

[Organization of a microsurgical emergency service].

Microsurgery will in the future play a definite role in the treatment of hand injuries not only for nerves but also for small vessels. With this in mind, it is shown how in a comparatively small team a microsurgical service for emergencies can be organized. Essential is the possibility to learn and train on small animals in a microsurgical laboratory.

[Microsurgical education].

Equipment and organization of an experimental microsurgical laboratory in a plastic and reconstructive surgery unit of a large size central hospital (Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland) are described. A specially trained technician supervises the laboratory and demonstrates technical details of microsurgical sutures to beginners. In addition to clinical work such regular laboratory training is important for all residents.

[Burkitt's lymphoma in a Swiss patient].

In summer 1978, Burkitt lymphoma was diagnosed in a 23 year old Swiss male. A brief report on this patient appears justified for the following reasons: (1) Burkitt lymphoma is very rarely diagnosed in Switzerland. (2) The tumor cells of this patient could be established as a cell line.