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Biomedical subjects

G Steng

Publications and source records attributed to G Steng.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Seroprevalence of Oestrus ovis infection in sheep in southwestern Germany.

The aim of the survey was to determine the seroprevalence of Oestrus ovis infection in flocks in southwestern Germany. Serum samples collected from 1497 sheep (>6 months of age) of 110 flocks in 1997 and 1998 were examined for antibodies to crude somatic antigens of O. ovis second-stage larvae using an ELISA test. Data on the farm management were obtained by a questionnaire. Overall, 76% of the flocks had at least one seropositive animal, and the seroprevalence of anti-Oestrus antibodies was 50% in sheep. Flock size was the only risk factor significantly associated with the detection of antibodies. Larger flocks (>50 ewes) were more likely to be seropositive than smaller ones. These results show that Oestrus infections are widespread in sheep in southwestern Germany. Further investigations are required to estimate the economic importance of oestrosis and the efficiency of control measures.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Foot and mouth disease in sheep and goats].

Small ruminants play an important role in the epidemiology and transmission of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). The main reasons therefore are: FMD is difficult to diagnose as infected sheep not always show typical clinical symptoms or as the cardinal signs mimicked other diseases. Sheep and goats may be carriers. Infected herds which practice transhumance or are nomadic can spread the infection to other herds long before diagnose of the disease is established. Shipping and trade with live sheep and goats is much more common world wide than in other FMD susceptible species. Lack of registration of all sheep and goat herds (especially of small hobby herds) and lack of individual identifications signs (ear tags) may result in incomplete control measurements under FMD conditions. Basing on published experiences with the actual FMD epidemic in the UK and basing on the own experiences with the restrictions to prevent from spreading of the FMD from the UK to Germany suggestions for future disease control are made.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Update on footrot in south-west Germany.

82 Dichelobacter nodosus strains isolated from 9 footrot affected sheep flocks in south west Germany were serotyped and tested for virulence. Serovar B was present in all flocks, representing 64.4% of all isolated D. nodosus field strains. Other serovares found were type A, C, E, G and H. Virulent strains were identified in 5 flocks, while intermediate strains were isolated from all 9 flocks. All serological untypeable strains proved to be avirulent. Based on these epidemiological findings the use of currently available commercial footrot vaccines is appropriate in south west German sheep populations.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Calcinosis in sheep. Case report].

A case of calcinosis outside the typical area of incidence is reported. Problems of diagnosis of the disease are illustrated and epidemiological factors are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Serological studies on Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infections in goats using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was isolated from a goat suffering from caseous lymphadenitis and used for preparation of cell wall antigens and exotoxin for detection of specific antibodies in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In immunoblotting sodium dodecyt sulphate (SDS) extracted cell wall antigens revealed molecular weights ranging from 20 to 120 kDa. The raw exotoxin showed molecular weights of 30 and 55 kDa and an inhibition of the haemolysis of a Staphylococcus aureus strain. For validation of the ELISA 109 goats of known clinical status were examined reaching a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 76% for this test. No serological reactions showed in 191 goats originating from 11 flocks which never had suffered from caseous lymphadenitis. Using this ELISA test 24 goats originating from flocks suffering from caseous lymphadenitis were examined serologically before and after vaccination with a bacterin. Before vaccination one of the five goats with clinical signs showed no positive reaction in ELISA. After vaccination all 24 animals showed positive reactions. Of a total of 1868 goats sampled in Baden-Wuerttemberg 41 (2.2%) in 22 (10%) flocks showed positive reactions in ELISA.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Detection methods for Salmonella abortus ovis and examinations in sheep flocks in northern Baden-Württemberg].

Investigations into the incidence of Salmonella abortus ovis (S. abortus ovis) infections should not be neglected in diagnosis of ovine abortion cases. For detection of this pathogen agent, direct cultivation, as well as pre-enrichment combined with enrichment procedures in tetrathionate or Rappaport-Vassiliadis medium, should be performed with respect to the features of S. abortus ovis. The detection limit of S. abortus ovis using pre-enrichment and enrichment media could be determined using 6.5 x 10(3)-6.5 x 10(4) bacteria. For subsequent cultivation of S. abortus ovis Gassner, XLD or Rambach agar are suitable. In infected sheep showing no excretion of S. abortus ovis, the pathogen can be detected by serological studies using microagglutination or the ELISA test. The ELISA test proved to be more sensitive than the microagglutination test, detecting antibodies against S. abortus ovis in 17% of the 814 sheep tested. The microagglutination test revealed positive results in only 2% of the sheep tested.

Abortion, Septic↗
PubMed1997

[Significance of causes of infectious abortion in sheep flocks in northern Baden-Württemberg with special reference to Chlamydia psittaci].

Investigations on the reasons of infectious abortion cases in sheep flocks in northern parts of Baden-Wuerttemberg eludicate the wide-spreading of Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) and its significance as the most frequent cause of abortions in sheep. Another important pathogen agent causing abortions is Salmonella abortus ovis (S. abortus ovis) which could be demonstrated by using a serological ELISA test. A less important role than C. psittaci and S. abortus ovis plays Coxiella burnetii in abortion of sheep. A high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and border disease infections in sheep flocks could be revealed by serological studies, too. Statistical evaluations of the obtained results demonstrate a significantly increased number of positively reacting female sheep in flocks suffering from abortions in comparison to those deriving from flocks devoid of abortion cases. Serological studies on leptospirosis and brucellosis exclude a participation of these pathogen agents in abortion cases in the investigated flocks at present. The significance of zoonosis originated from sheep is emphasized.

Abortion, Veterinary↗