STUDIES ON THE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHIE S OF CATTLE, SHEEP AND CATS(BSE, SCRAPIE, FSE) IN THE HUNGARIAN DIAGNOSTIC INSTITUTES

Between 1989 and 1995, after having excluded rabies, histological exam ination of brains of 1037 cattle, 1494 sheep and 1436 cats with sympto ms of CNS were carried out in the Hungarian diagnostic institutes (Tab le). None of the cases were found alterations characteristic for spong iform encephalopathies (BSE, scrapie, FSE) considering the diagnostic criteria specified in the European communities and USA. These findings confirm that Hungary remains free of spongiform encephalopathy of cat tle, sheep and cats. In cattle and sheep, most frequently listeriosis and other purulent meningitides and/or focal purulent encephalitides c aused by other bacteria, Aujeszky's disease, CCN, as well as encephali tis caused by ruminal acidosis, alkalosis, methaemoglobinaemia, ketosi s, certain toxic matters and plants, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus and chlamydias were found associated with the nervous symptoms observed. In cats, Aujeszky's disease and different poisonings (toxico ses) were most frequently diagnosed. It has been pointed out that besi des the histological investigation of the brains directed to the diagn osis of spongiform encephalopathies, the evaluation of clinical sympto ms observed in vivo (the relatively long course of the disease, extend ing weeks or more frequently months and the gradually progressing, cha racteristic clinical symptoms) is also essential in each suspected cas e.