SUMMARYThe concentrations of the acute-phase proteins, serum amyloid-A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp), were determined in the plasma of healthy cows (n=25) and cows with spontaneous acute (n=6), subacute (n=37), or chronic (n=7) inflammatory diseases. The plasma concentration of SAA alone, Hp alone, and the Hp/SAA ratio, differed significantly (p<0.001) between healthy animals and animals with inflammatory diseases. Plasma Hp concentrations in the group of cows with acute inflammatory diseases were significantly (p<0.01) different from those in the group with chronic inflammatory diseases. Moreover, the Hp/SAA ratio in chronic inflammatory diseases was significantly different from this ratio in acute (p<0.01) and subacute (p<0.05) inflammatory diseases. It is therefore concluded that the plasma concentrations of SAA and Hp and the Hp/SAA ratio are useful parameters to distinguish healthy animals from animals with inflammation and can be helpful in distinguishing between acute and chronic of inflammatory diseases.

The macroscopic and histological appearance of cutaneous incisions closed with polyglecaprone 25 (Monocryl) and polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) suture materials were compared in four dogs. Polyglecaprone 25 compared favourably to polyglactin 910 suture material for closure of canine skin incisions, and was associated with significantly less tissue reaction in the early phases of the healing process than was polyglactin 910 suture material. This difference was not present at later evaluation times.

Summary Reasons for performing study: The occurrence of unexpectedly high numbers of horses with neurological signs during two outbreaks of strangles required prompt in‐depth researching of these cases, including the exploration of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)as a possible diagnostic technique. Objectives: To describe the case series and assess the usefulness of MRI as an imaging modality for cases suspected of space‐occupying lesions in the cerebral cavity. Methods: Four cases suspected of suffering from cerebral damage due to Streptococcus equi subsp. equi infection were examined clinically, pathologically, bacteriologically, by clinical chemistry (3 cases) and MRI (2 cases). In one case, MRI findings were compared to images acquired using computer tomography (CT). Results: In all cases, cerebral abscesses positive for Streptococcus equi subsp. equi were found, which explained the clinical signs. Although the lesions could be visualised with CT, MRI images were superiorin representing the exact anatomic reality of the soft tissue lesions. Conclusions: The diagnosis of bastard strangles characterised by metastatic brain abscesses was confirmed. MRI appeared to be an excellent tool for the imaging of cerebral lesions in the horse. Potential clinical relevance: The high incidence of neurological complications could not be explained but possibly indicated a change in virulence of certain strains of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. MRI images were very detailed, permitting visualisation of much smaller lesions than demonstrated in this study and this could allow prompt clinical intervention in less advanced cases with a better prognosis. Further, MRI could assist in the surgical treatment of brain abscesses, as has been described earlier for CT.

when mechanical head-cutters were introduced during the experiment, because the head is cut at the position of the transponder. Because of this, the transponder was retrieved after the carcasses were scalded. An alternative location such as in the auricle of the pig (7,8) could be considered with a smaller transponder. This would result in a later retrieval while still satisfying the same requirements. ConclusionsThe percentage non-reading of transponders at retrieval was significantly higher than the requirement of 1% in phase 1 for two devices and in phase 2 for all three devices. Only one device met this requirement in phase I. Because of the high variation in location it was not possible to retrieve an acceptable percentage of transponders in the slaughter line. The percentage of inflammation was low; however, the method of injection and disinfection was not optimal. The results show that the method should be improved before such devices are introduced on a larger scale. ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThis research was funded by the Production Board for Livestock and Meat.Thanks are due to drs. B. Engel (GLW-DLO), W. Buist and H.A.J.Laurijsen for statistical analysis and dr. S. Wotton (University of Bristol) for correction of the English text. REFERENCES

Cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) were experimentally infected with Puumala virus (strain Hällnäs), which causes nephropathia epidemica in humans in western Europe. During the first week after intratracheal inoculation, the monkeys exhibited signs of lethargy followed by mild proteinuria and microhematuria. Histopathologic changes during the first 7 weeks after infection were largely confined to abnormalities in medullary tubular cells of the kidneys, which coincided with the demonstration of viral antigen and viral RNA. The development of different classes of virus-specific plasma antibodies to the respective viral antigens were similar to those observed in humans with nephropathia epidemica. This first description of a nonhuman primate model for hantavirus infection shows that the cynomolgus macaque provides a suitable model with which to study the pathogenesis of Puumala virus infections and to evaluate new diagnostic methods, immunization strategies, and therapies.