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J Kösters

Publications and source records attributed to J Kösters.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 isolates from the spinal cord of parrots display a very low virulence.

The spinal cord of 32 psittacines suffering from proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) was investigated. In six cases, a virus was isolated which upon electron microscopic examination revealed morphological details typical of members of the Paramyxoviridae. All isolates were subsequently characterized as avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 (APMV-1) by type-specific polyclonal antisera. According to their reactivity with APMV-1 specific monoclonal antibodies, the six isolates shared epitopes within the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase spike protein, distinct from pigeon-type paramyxoviruses and the LaSota vaccine strain. This grouping was further corroborated by properties of the haemagglutinin: all isolates showed a very thermosensitive haemagglutination activity and were rapid eluters. Virulence of the APMV-1 isolates in 1-day-old specific pathogen free (spf) chicken was very low, with intracerebral pathogenicity indices between 0 and 0.1. In embryonated spf chicken eggs, psittacine isolates replicated to high titres (10(8.6)-10(10.7) EID50/ml). However, they exhibited a reduced lethality over an observation time of 7 days (10(6.1)-10(8.3) ELD50/ml). In a haemagglutination inhibition test with parrot sera from birds with no history of APMV-1 vaccination, sera reacted preferentially with two isolates compared with APMV-1 vaccine strains LaSota and B1. The other four isolates exhibited a differentiated reaction pattern with the parrot sera, indicating an antigenic inhomogeneity. This is the first report of isolating very low virulent APMV-1 from neuronal tissue of parrots and implications for a possible role in slow progressing disease will be discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Surveillance on Salmonella in turkey flocks and processing plants.

The present investigation was carried out to investigate the occurrence and distribution of Salmonella infection on all stages of turkey production. Therefore, samples from turkey parent flocks, hatchery, meat turkey flocks, turkey feed and finally from the surveillanced flocks at different steps in processing plant were examined. Salmonella was isolated from 4 out of 6 turkey parent flocks (66.7%), but none of the examined 485 samples from the hatchery revealed positive Salmonella results. Eight out of 24 monitored meat turkey flocks were free from Salmonella during the entire rearing period (33.3%); seven flocks (29.2%) appeared to be infected with only one serovar and in another 9 flocks (37.5%) two or more different serovars were isolated during the rearing period, in some cases at the same time. In 20 out of 506 examined feed samples Salmonella was isolated (3.95%). During processing, bacteriological investigations on the presence of Salmonella were carried out on the monitored flocks at different processing steps. Cross contamination seems to be very common during processing and even in several flocks contamination appeared to have started already during transport.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1997

[The problem of free living urban pigeons].

The biology and behaviour of urban pigeons is presented in this article. When changes in the population density of pigeons by capture, shooting, or intoxication are intended, the breeding behaviour has to be considered. A constant reduction of pigeons according to the law for the prevention of cruelty against animals can only be achieved by a restricted feeding if feeding at all.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1997

[Appearance of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in different populations of pigeons (Columba livia var. domestica vel urbana].

Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis, can infect both mammals and birds. The purpose of the present survey was to determine the presence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi in different populations of pigeons. 1043 sera from pigeons (carrier-, urban-, show-pigeons) were examined by standard serological methods. B.burgdorferi shows crossreaction with B. anserina. Therefore all sera were evaluated by IFAT and ELISA for both Borrelia species. The results demonstrate no evidence for the pigeons (Columba livia var. domestica vel urbana) to be reservoir for Borrelia burgdorferi.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Ostrich farming from the perspective of veterinarians].

The present paper is an attempt to relate the etiology of 54 cases with diseased/deceased ostriches to criterions of keeping, feeding, climate and infectious diseases. Despite the fact that some of the damages diagnosed seem to be avoidable the criterions of the law for the prevention of cruelty to animals are not to be fulfilled since the adverse climatic circumstances in Germany.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1995

[Some legal aspects of bird keeping under wild or free-flying conditions].

Keeping birds under freeflying conditions means that these birds come back to their owners regularly and by free will. We give some examples for this form of birdkeeping, taking in mind the following legal regulations: the German law for animal protection, the German federal law for nature protection, the German hunting regulation, the German civil law, and others.

Animal Rights↗
PubMed1994

[Determination of the activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase--a method for the diagnosis of lead poisoning in birds].

In avian patients enteral, parenteral and aerogenous lead intoxications are frequently observed. Ingestion of non-metallic lead may not be diagnosed by radiography. Alternatively, estimation of the delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (delta-ALA Dehydratase) activity is a suitable diagnostic test for lead intoxications. The enzyme delta-ALA Dehydratase, which plays a central role in erythropoiesis, is inhibited by lead and is therefore a specific indicator for lead intoxications. The activity of delta-ALA Dehydratase is measured directly in the blood; not the amount of excreted delta-ALA in the urine as in mammals. Blood volumes of 0.45 ml are necessary and thus allow to perform the test in birds as small as 45 g body weight (e.g. Budgerigars). Possible ranges of application as well as a suitable therapy for lead intoxication in birds are presented.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Evaluation of three commercial ELISA test kits for the detection of antibodies against Salmonella enteritidis].

We evaluated three commercial enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) test-kits, using either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or flagellar extracts as antigens, for the demonstration of Salmonella enteritidis (S. e.) antibodies in serum and egg yolk. They were also compared with conventional serological tests, such as the pullorum rapid slide agglutination test (RST), the pullorum slow agglutination tube test and a rapid slide agglutination test, using gm flagellar extracts as antigen. We tested sera and eggs from six different layer flocks. In 84.1 to 90% of the sera and egg yolks tested the three commercial ELISA test kits gave comparable results. There were a number of serological cross-reaction with other serovars, particularly S. typhimurium. However, the possibility of infections with more than one salmonella serovar, other than S. e., cannot be excluded. The ELISA-antibody levels in serum and egg yolk ran parallel and were still high after one year. However, the level of egg yolk antibodies was on an average 33.9% lower than in serum. The S. e.-ELISA seems to be well suited for epidemiological investigations and for preventive and control measures.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1993

Investigations on the antibacterial effect of conifer needle oils on bacteria isolated from the feces of captive Capercaillies (Tetrao urogallus L., 1758).

In winter, free-living Capercaillies feed almost exclusively upon needles of various conifer species. An important part of the energy and protein requirements of captive Capercaillies, however, is supplied by food rich in starch and proteins. The fecal flora of captive Capercaillies is considerably different from the flora of free-living Capercaillies. Bacterial diseases are frequent in captivity. The aim of the present study is to determine whether the essential oils from conifer needles possess antibacterial properties against several bacteria, some of which are facultatively pathogenic for Capercaillies. Needles of Pinus sylvestris contain few tannins, which could be a reason for the Capercaillies' preference for these needles. The needles of Abies alba contain high amounts of tannins and essential oils, which could explain the refusal of Capercaillies to eat these needles. The antibacterial effect of commercially available essential oils on the bacteria is investigated with a filter paper disc method and in a liquid medium. The essential oils possess a bacteriostatic or a bactericidal effect against some of the tested bacteria. Feeding on natural forage plants may help prevent the colonization of the intestines by facultatively pathogenic bacteria. The authors discuss why Capercaillies, especially young birds that are to be released, should be fed with natural forage plants.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1993

Investigations on the aerobic flora and Clostridium perfringens in fecal specimens from free-living and captive capercaillies (Tetrao urogallus L., 1758).

173 fecal specimens from captive Capercaillies and 92 fecal specimens from free-living Capercaillies were examined bacteriologically. With all specimens the bacteriological examination was limited to the aerobic bacteria which can be isolated by the usual methods and to Clostridium perfringens. The occurrence of fungi and parasites was examined as well. The present paper compares the results of these examinations. The identifiable fecal flora of free-living Capercaillies consists of few species with low colony numbers. In about half of the specimens Bacillus spp. are the main aerobic component while only a small number of the fecal specimens contain Escherichia coli and Streptococcus spp. None of the literature to date has stated that Streptococcus spp. do not belong to the autochthonous fecal or intestinal flora of an avian species. Clostridium perfringens cannot be isolated. The identifiable fecal flora of captive Capercaillies consists of many species with high colony numbers. Almost all fecal specimens contain Escherichia coli and various Bacillus spp. Streptococcus spp. can be isolated frequently, other enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium perfringens are present. The results of the examinations for fungi and parasites only differ slightly from those in wild birds.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[The problems of making birds unable to fly and questions of raising waterfowl in ponds from the viewpoint of animal welfare].

From the viewpoint of the current law on animal welfare, the methods of rendering birds flightless are described and evaluated. Besides the animal welfare, other law statutes are to be paid attention to obligatory when waterfowl is kept on ponds. The raising and fattening of ducks and geese without water to swim on, can also be advocated from the angle of animal welfare.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1992

[The aerobic bacterial flora of songbird nests].

In the area around Ober- and Unterschleissheim, a medium term decrease in the singing bird population appears to be happening. Therefore, material from nesting-boxes (used for nesting or sleeping) was examined for bacterial contamination. Mainly gram positive bacteria were isolated which were considered to belong to the normal flora. The occurrence of Streptomyces spp. is described in the nesting material of Passeres probably for the first time. Enterobacteriaceae represent only a fraction of the total isolates, but are demonstrated relatively frequently in the nests of the Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) and nests of other non-identified bird spp., so that colonization of the intestinal tract with Enterobacteriaceae cannot be excluded. Surprisingly, bacteria of the aquatic habitats such as Alcaligenes, Bordetella, Aeromonas, Non-Cholera (NC)-Vibrio were isolated, although in small amounts. The occurrence of NC-Vibrio has not yet been described in singing birds. Nests with high numbers of gram negative rods were successful in most instances, therefore, there was no proof that aerobic bacteria are responsible for the decrease in the population.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Avian mycobacteriosis caused by strains not yet identifiable].

This paper reports on a group of strains of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare recently isolated from various bird species. The strains in question could not be integrated into the known 28 serovars. The host spectrum includes birds of several avian orders. Clinical, serological, pathoanatomical, and histopathological results are being discussed. During observations of the clinical course in some infected birds, it could be shown that the excretion of the agent could cease for several months. The diagnosis of the new group of serovars was possible only by culture. Antibodies of several serovars demonstrated in life birds did not correspond with the isolates. Therefore, these antibodies were interpreted as serological crossreactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

On the importance of bacterial L-forms in pigeons.

Following a definition of bacterial L-forms and a literature review on introduction and reversion of bacteria to and from L-forms, respectively, the results of a study comprising 587 samples (316 pigeons and 271 pigeon eggs) are reported. As a control 25 free living pigeons and 25 eggs of those pigeons were used, because antibiotic treatment of these could be excluded. From 79 samples (75 pigeons and 4 eggs) Salmonella typhimurium var. copenhagen (STMC) was isolated (none from the urban pigeons), of them 11 in the L-form from joints and organs and 3 from eggs. 325 of other bacterial isolates were found as L-forms (= approx. 40%). Out of 168 serum samples investigated, 33.9% showed antibodies against STMC. Corresponding antibodies could only be demonstrated in 73.4% of the pigeons with a STMC isolate. The occurrence of L-forms explains resistance to therapy and the failure of vaccines. The high frequency of L-forms is probably an indication of an inconsequential use of antibiotics in managing pigeon diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Chlamydia isolation from a large aviary for birds of prey].

Antigen against Chlamydia psittaci was detected in 31% to 41% of healthy birds of prey (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes, and Strigiformes) by examination of cloacal swabs and faeces out of 119 birds with antigen-ELISA and cell culture. Chlamydia psittaci-antibodies could be demonstrated in 34% of birds by CF, in 74% by BELISA, and in 71% by Chlamydia-Antibody-ELISA (Chlamydia-AK-EIA). Changes of governmental regulations are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Amazon pox at an import station].

Within this case report from a Bavarian import unit clinical appearance, diagnosis and treatment of Amazonapox infection is described in detail.

Animals↗