Brucellosis 2003 proceedings - PHIDIAS

Poster Session
Our results showed that fluoroquinolones might be better antimicrobial agent
for treatment of canine brucelllosis instead of aminoglycosides/tetracyclines complex,
most commonly recommended antibiotics.
16- Brucella cetaceae - WHY DOES INFECTION OF DIFFERENT HOST SPECIES
EXHIBIT DIFFERENT PATHOLOGIES?.
G. Foster. SAC Veterinary Science Division, Inverness, U.K.
A wide range of pathology has been reported for Brucella cetaceae infection in
cetaceans. The nature and site of the pathology appears to be influenced to some
extent by the individual host species involved. In particular sub-acute nonsuppurative
meningitis is the most frequent finding associated with Brucella in striped
dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) but has not been observed in other cetaceae. In
contrast harbour porpoise which is the species from which Brucella is most
commonly found has had the organism recovered from brain on several occasions
but the only associated neuropathology thus far has been a suppurative meningitis
with numerous abscesses due to Brucella also seen in other tissues. Porpoise
generally appear more able to cope with Brucella challenge, infection more often
results in localised chronic infection or no associated pathology is evident. Whether
these differences are due to strain variation or properties of the different host animals
is unclear at present.
17- SURVEILLANCE OF BRUCELLOSIS IN WILD BOAR IN SWITZERLAND.
Leuenberger R. 1 , Rüfenacht J. 1 , Boujon P. 2 , Miserez, R. 3 , & Stärk K.D.C. 1 (1) Swiss Federal
Veterinary Office, Bern, Switzerland. (2) Institute Galli-Valerio, Lausanne, Switzerland. (3) Institute of
Veterinary Bacteriology, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Several economically important diseases, such as brucellosis or classical
swine fever, are transmissible between wild boars and domestic animals. In
Switzerland the wild boar population has been constantly increasing since the
1970ies and is still increasing. Consequently, diseases introduced into the wild boar
population are likely to circulate among wild boars for increasing time intervals before
eventually dying out naturally. In addition, wild boars in Switzerland are conquering
geographic areas they did not inhabit previously. Further, keeping cattle and swine in
housings with open front is becoming more and more popular. Therefore, the risk of
transmission of diseases between wild boars and domestic animals is expected to
increase.
A surveillance system may allow to identify newly introduced diseases at an
early stage. Moreover, the impact of actions in order to prevent the further spread of
such diseases can be assessed. Finally, a surveillance system allows documenting
the freedom from disease. A surveillance system for diseases in wild boars in
Switzerland has been initiated in the frame of a PhD-thesis (January 2001 –
December 2003). Blood samples have been collected during two hunting seasons
from wild boars shot. Antibodies against classical swine fever, Aujeszky's disease
and brucellosis are being detected by ELISA. The results from the first hunting
season (pilot study) did not indicate the occurrence of classical swine fever nor of
Aujeszky's disease in the investigated regions. However, 0.8% (5/618) blood
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