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J P Akkermans

Publications and source records attributed to J P Akkermans.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Review of the activities from the former State Institute for Serum Production].

This article describes the foundation and development of the State Institute for Serum Production (Rijksseruminrichting) in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, during the period 1904-1959. It describes the work of Dr J. Poels, the founder of the Institute, and the production of antisera in terms of the selection of animals, immunization protocols, blood sampling and collection, and the preservation and use of antisera in practice. Attention is also paid to the production of vaccines and diagnostic tests and to research on animal diseases. Envisaged research goals were not achieved because of a lack of adequate financial support and staffing, and poor laboratory facilities.

Animal Diseases↗
PubMed1994

Ovine lentivirus induced indurative lymphocytic mastitis and its effect on the growth of lambs.

The effect of the indurative lymphocytic mastitis caused by infection with maedi-visna virus was quantified by comparing the pre-weaning growth of lambs from infected and uninfected ewes under the same conditions. A total of 73 infected, but clinically healthy, ewes and 75 ewes from a maedi-visna virus-free source were purchased to form a new flock; they were all three years old. The ewes were mated and the flock was managed as a normal field flock. Serum samples were taken at regular intervals and tested for antibodies to maedi-visna virus. The lambs were weighed at birth and at 14, 30, 50 and, finally, 80 days old, when they were weaned. The ewes were slaughtered, their udders were examined histologically, and the lesions were assessed by counting the typical lymphocytic follicles. Sixty-six per cent of the ewes that were seropositive at slaughter appeared to have follicles. A statistically significant association was found between the number of follicles in the udder and the reduction in the growth rate of the lambs. Lambs from ewes with the mean number of follicles weighed 1.7 kg less at weaning.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Streptococcal infections as cause of death in pigs brought in for necropsy].

Research was carried out into the prevalence of streptococcal types isolated from pigs that died of septicaemia, meningo-encephalitis, endocarditis, and pneumonia and which were brought in for investigation from 1 january 1988 to 31 December 1991. Cultures were prepared from the liver, spleen, kidneys, and brains of all animals and from the heart valves, joints, bronchi, and lungs of animals with pathological changes. The results are presented in six tables. As a group, streptococci were a major source of bacterial infection in septicaemia (38%), meningo-encephalitis (21%), and endocarditis (74%). Of the streptococcus types. Streptococcus suis type 2 was isolated the most often in sepsis (36%), meningo-encephalitis (52%), and endocarditis (36%). Streptococcus suis type 1 was found not only in piglets up to the age of weaning but also in older pigs and was a common pathogen in pigs with endocarditis. The discussion takes into consideration data from the literature. It is concluded that the significance of streptococcus infections, and those involving Streptococcus suis types 1 and 2 in particular, has increased under the influence of environmental and management factors (scaling-up of production, import of pigs from abroad, extermination and control of other pig diseases).

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Findings in goats at necropsy].

An overview is given of the results of diagnostic investigations into the cause of death of 463 goats performed by the Animal Health Service of West and Middle Netherlands during the period 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1991. The results are discussed and analysed with regard to the age of the animals, the anamnesis, and the abnormalities found at post-mortem examination and with regard to the results of further parasitological, bacteriological, and virological investigations. Enterotoxaemia caused by (epsilon-toxin-positive) Clostridium perfringens was present in 9% of the animals and fibrinous pneumonia with pasteurella in 15% of the animals. Animals with Aujeszky's disease did not show the 'itching' symptom. There were few parasitic infections.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed1993

[Evaluation of histological studies of brains in pigs].

The aim of this study was to formulate guidelines to determine whether, on the basis of the anamnesis, the age of the animal at slaughter, and the post-mortem findings, histological examination of the brain is necessary to arrive at a reliable diagnosis. In total 3159 animals were examined at the laboratory of the Animal Health Service in Gouda over the period from 1 August 1988 to 1 August 1990. Histological examination is recommended for pigs that show nervous signs, motor disturbances, and poor appetite without a clear cause of death, and for fattening pigs in which the post-mortem examination fails to detect abnormalities severe enough to cause death. Histological examination is also recommended when the animal has an overfilled stomach and/or a hard colon content. The examination is not necessary for pigs with intestinal disturbances or for pigs with endocarditis, polyserositis, or visible abnormalities of the brain. The occurrence of meningitis and encephalitis add little to the diagnosis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

[Results of studies with aborted cattle fetuses].

The laboratory of the Animal Health Service of South Holland investigated 2410 cases of spontaneous abortion (twins (112) were considered one case). Seventy-eight afterbirths without foetuses were also examined. The aim of the study was not only to find the cause of abortion but also to see whether there was a relation between the results of the different bacteriological, virological and histological tests used. The presence of IgG in the blood of foetuses older than 5 months was also determined. A micro-organism was isolated from 25% of the foetuses. On the basis of results of other tests, it is probable that microbial infection played a role in a further 21% of the abortions. BHV was isolated in 2.5% of the cases. Actinomyces pyogenes was found in 6% of the foetuses and fungi in 3.5%. More infections with Actinomyces pyogenes, Listeria monocytogenes and fungi were observed when the cattle were kept indoors. It is emphasised that both foetuses as well as placental membranes should be examined, and both foetuses of twins. In stable enzooties in the Netherlands, the following infections should be taken into consideration: Brucella abortus, BHV, BVD, Chlamydia psittaci and Leptospira hardjo. The authors stress the need for a more standardised approach to research, the more so because the results could have consequences not only for monitoring activities (checks for Br. abortus) but also for liability.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed1991

[Towards a better health status in pig farming].

UNLABELLED: The Dutch pig-farming industry is on the verge of sweeping changes due to national and European legislation and changes towards a buyers market. An improved health-status is a necessity. Such improvements must fall in line with changes in the industry. This paper presents the characteristics of primary, secondary and tertiary infectious disease, and methods by which improvements can be achieved. These are: stamping out; systematic vaccinations; systematic pre-medications; improved husbandry; in-line production; breeding for improved disease-resistance; the SPF system; and Early Medicated Weaning. In the Dutch pig-farming industry the number of farms will decrease to approx. 10,000. These farms will be organised in vertically integrated production systems. IN CONCLUSION: improvement of the national pig-health status is acquired through vertically integrated production systems under improved husbandry conditions. Particular infectious microorganisms will be banned through EEC regulations; other diseases will be minimised by vaccination. Selection for disease-resistance will contribute to some extent to an improved health-status in the future.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1991

[Changed health problems in a changing pig-farming concern in The Netherlands until 1980].

In 1905 Poels published 'Disease of swine in the Netherlands'. This book dealt predominantly with swine fever, erysipelas, tuberculosis and 'pneumonia'. Between 1920 and 1940 others reported on streptococci, lobular haemmorrhagic pneumonia, bordetellosis, Aujeszky's disease and postweaning diarrhoea. After the second world war, particularly after 1960, the Dutch pig-farming industry developed at a tremendous rate. As a consequence, the health problems changed. Certain diseases became less important: tuberculosis, erysipelas, Leptospira tarrasovi, enteroviruses. Yet other diseases including postweaning diarrhoea, atrophic rhinitis and Aujeszky's disease became problems of increasing importance. At the end of the seventies the knowledge of E. coli toxin types was substantial. On the other hand, information concerning the pathogenesis and pathophysiology was very limited. Bordetella bronchiseptica was still considered to be the most important agent in AR, zootechnical factors being predisposing. However, one was aware of missing links. Aujeszky's disease was obscure until the late fifties. Until 1972 only occasional reports were made. In that year, an epidemic occurred in the Gelderse Vallei. Another epidemic occurred in 1974 in the provinces of Brabant and Limburg. By 1980 proper vaccines were available and Aujeszky's disease was not yet a political problem.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Use of milk samples and monoclonal antibodies directed against BLV-p24 to identify cattle infected with bovine leukemia virus (BLV).

An indirect double-antibody sandwich (IDAS) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using milk samples was developed to identify cows infected with bovine leukemia virus (BLV). Two monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) were used. One, which was directed against BLV core protein p24, was used to coat ELISA plates; the other was used to prepare a horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugate directed against bovine immunoglobulin. The IDAS-ELISA detected antibodies directed against BLV-p24 in 97% of the milk samples collected from known seropositive cows identified by the agar gel precipitation test (AGTP). Even when milk samples were diluted 1:50, 93% of the seropositive cows were identified. Only 0.43% of the 4000 milk samples collected in The Netherlands reacted nonspecifically. Nonspecific binding disappeared, however, when these samples were diluted 50 times in BLV-negative milk. In a comparative evaluation of BLV test-kits in various European laboratories, our IDAS-ELISA using McAb directed against p24 was one of the most sensitive.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Encephalitozoon cuniculi in a rabbit-breeding colony].

A case of Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection in a rabbitry is reported. After the introduction of new rabbits in 1984, problems arose accompanied by serious losses among rabbits of all ages. Affected animals showed muscular weakness, emaciation, polydipsia and polyuria and died within various periods. Some of the affected animals also showed neurological symptoms. When two animals were examined at autopsy lesions typical of encephalitozoonis were observed: small granulomas in the brain and chronic interstitial nephritis associated with tubular degeneration. Encephalitozoon cuniculi was identified in the affected renal tubules and, in small numbers, also in the brain and the liver. The pathogenesis, epidemiology and possibilities of control are briefly discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Swine erysipelas: from yesterday to today].

The history of swine erysipelas in the Netherlands is reviewed, with special reference to the significance of vaccination and the views on epidemiology. The paper of D. A. de Jong Jzn. (1891) is discussed. The activities of the National Serum Institute in Rotterdam in this regard are discussed in detail. In conclusion, it is stated that vaccinations designed to prevent swine erysipelas are no longer required under conditions prevailing in the Netherlands.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Q fever in the Netherlands: a sero-epidemiological survey among human population groups from 1968 to 1983.

A sero-epidemiological survey, using an indirect immunofluorescence test for IgG against Coxiella burnetii (phase II), was carried out in the Netherlands. Serum samples taken in 1968, 1975, 1979 and 1983 were tested. Occupational groups with a supposedly high risk of infection (veterinarians, residents of dairy farms and taxidermists) showed a significantly higher percentage of seropositives than defined controls. The percentage of seropositive amateur wool spinners was significantly higher than that of the controls from the same region. Since 1968 there has been no increase in the percentage of infected persons, indicating that, contrary to earlier assumptions, Q fever has been endemic in The Netherlands for a long time already. The increase in numbers of notified cases of overt Q fever is considered to be the result of the recent introduction of a sensitive indirect immunofluorescence test for IgM antibodies against C. burnetii. Antibody percentages in all age classes between 1 and 64 years were much alike, suggesting that most infections occur in early childhood. This is in accordance with the finding that 35% of our patients are younger than 3 years. The possibility of infection related to childbirth and lactation is discussed.

Adolescent↗