Ophthalmic mallein for the diagnosis of glanders

Historic, archived document

Do not.assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

BUBBLE TIN. OF HE

foe.) USDEPARTMENT OFAGRCULTURE %

No. ele

Sentibution fievn the pees a Rael Industry, A. D. Melvin, Chief.
January 22, 1915.

(PROFESSIONAL PAPER.)

OPHTHALMIC MALLEIN FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF
GLANDERS.

By Joun R. Monier, Assistant Chief of Bureau, and ApotpH EicHHoRN, Senior
Bacteriologist, Pathological Division.

INTRODUCTION.

It is no longer doubted that in the work of controlling glanders
the destruction of the infected animals should be given prompt con-
sideration, and, if possible, the infection should be traced to its origin.
Unfortunately, the nature of the disease is such that only a compara-
tively small proportion of the cases can be recognized by the ordinary
clinical examination, and as long as we limit our efforts to the destruc-
tion of these cases the disease will continue to spread. An effective
control can be accomplished only by the elimination of all centers of
infection of glanders. Therefore it is essential primarily to have a
means of diagnosing accurately all forms of the disease.

Numerous publications have been issued on the various methods
of diagnosis, and it seems that while some favor a certain method or
methods, others appear to produce sufficient evidence to point out
the inadequacy of these methods. There is no question that in the
last decade important progress has been made in the diagnosis of this
disease. Since the discovery of mallein, competent investigators have
fruitfully studied this phase of the question of the control of glanders,
and at the present time we possess several methods by which we are
reasonably sure of diagnosing practically all cases of glanders. <A
minimum percentage of failures will probably always have to be con-
tended with, as a good many factors enter into the execution of any
test.

In judging a method which would be the most satisfactory for the
diagnosis of glanders various things have to be taken into considera

NotEe.—This bulletin points out the advantageous and satisfactory use of the ontualnie mallein test in
the diagnosis of glanders and the necessity for prompt action on reactors to this test in eradicating this
disease. Of interest to veterinarians and State !ive-stock sanitary authorities.

68247°—15

2 BULLETIN 166, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

tion, but especially the reliability of the test. It should be conven-
ient, the results should be manifested as early as possible, the reaction
should be distinct and well marked, and, probably the most important
of all, it should be possible for the practicmg vetermarian to apply
the test. The last condition musi be seriously considered, since the
standing of the vetermarian in the community and the confidence of
the public in his work would be more manifest if in suspected cases
he could personally decide on the diagnosis instead of having to
depend entirely on the results of serum tests made at some distant
laboratory.

VARIOUS METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING GLANDERS.

It would require a great amount of space to enter into the history
of the various methods of diagnosis and to enumerate the data we
possess on the different tests. The advantages and disadvantages of
the various methods, especially of the subcutaneous mallein tests,
have been repeatedly published and are accessible to all those who
are interested in the subject. There is no question that the sub-
cutaneous mallein test is one of the valuable diagnostic agents for
glanders, but no one can any longer deny that failures from this test
are more numerous than are desirable. As a matter of fact, the
uncertainty of the results from this test caused numerous investi-
gators to seek some other method which might replace the sub-
cutaneous mallein test. Besides the failures resulting from it, the.
technic of executing the test, together with the time required for its
determination, make it unpopular with many veterinarians and sani-
tary officers.

Of the other tests which from time to time have been borden for
the diagnosis of glanders, the precipitation, the opsonic, and the con-
glutination tests will not be considered, since the results obtained
from them are not encouraging.

For laboratory tests the combined agglutination and complement-
fixation test will no doubt remain the most satisfactory, and should
always be applied in cases where doubt arises as to the results of
other tests carried out by the practicing veterinarian. These latter
should be considered as accessory tests and provision should be made
everywhere so that in case of doubt the serum could be subjected to |
the laboratory test mentioned, and the final decision should rest on
its outcome.

THE OPHTHALMIC MALLEIN TEST.

During the last few years the ophthalmic mallein test has gained
great favor in the diagnosis of glanders. The popularity of the test
is rapidly gaining wherever it has been applied, and among its sup-
porters we find at the present time the greatest authorities on the

OPHTHALMIC MALLEIN FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF GLANDERS. 3s

subject of glanders and on clinical diagnosis. This method of testing
is at present officially recognized in. Austria, and the indications are
that ere long it will constitute the official test in other countries.
The results obtained in Austria, where the test has been employed
for several years, are very gratifying, and Prof. Schnurer, of that
country, one of our greatest authorities on glanders, claims that the
control of the disease can be very satisfactorily carried out by the
application of the eye test, supplemented in doubtful cases by the
agglutination test. Bavaria has recently adopted this method of
diagnosis for official testing. In Germany the method is also gaming
in favor, and current veterinary literature contains expressions of
satisfaction with this test from many German authorities. In the
United States the Bureau of Animal Industry, in consideration, of the
favorable results obtained, has recognized this method of diagnosis
for interstate shipments of equines. The test has also been officially
recognized by the Canadian authorities, and thus far no sanitary ofh-
cial connected with any of the States in this country has declined to
approve this test.

The favorable results which have been obtained with this diagnostic
method can no longer be denied. Its practicability is apparent, and
its use in the control of glanders appears to be now an absolute
necessity.

SIMPLICITY OF PROCEDURE.

The ophthalmic test has a great advantage over others because of
its very sumple application. It may be readily executed by any
veterinarian, and its other advantages are that the results are obtained
in a comparatively short time and are, as a rule, distinct and definite.
The simplicity of its application is plainly manifest when compared
to the subcutaneous test, as it is only necessary to drop two to three
drops of concentrated mallein into one of the eyes of the animal to
be tested, or, by a still simpler procedure, to dip a camel’s-hair brush
into mallein and introduce this into the conjunctival sac of the animal.
The reaction usually commences in five to six hours after the intro-
duction of the mallem and lasts from 24 to 36 hours. A positive reac-
tion is manifested by a purulent secretion from the tested eye. This
may be very profuse or slight, sometimes associated with a severe
conjunctivitis and edema of the lids, and at other times without any
inflammatory symptoms being present. At times only a very small
quantity of pus may be present in the inner canthus of the eye. At
other times the reaction may manifest a true pyorrhea.

The reaction manifests itself in varying degrees in the animals, but
the intensity of the reaction has no relation to the extent of the dis-
ease in the reactor.

os BULLETIN 166, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
| RELIABILITY OF THE TEST.

The available data on the ophthalmic mallein test are sufficient to
draw conclusions as to the reliability of the method, and in Austria
alone it has been applied on many thousands of cases with uniformly
good results. :

In considering the good results obtained and the advantages of
this method of testing, a concentrated mallein has been prepared for
this purpose by the Bureau of Animal Industry, and this was made
available to a number of practicing veterinarians who desired to give
this method of testing a thorough trial. It has also been employed
by inspectors of the Bureau of Animal Industry in their field work,
and reports are accessible regarding its action for diagnostic pur-
poses on more than 18,000 cases. The results from all sources were
uniformly satisfactory. Practicing veterinarians who have given.
this method a trial have reported very favorably on the results, and
the tests conducted by the bureau inspectors on several thousand
animals were also satisfactory. ‘The method has been applied here
in Washington whenever possible, and recently in some immunizing
tests of glanders conducted by the Bureau of Animal Industry there
was a good opportunity to repeatedly employ this test. In all these
instances the results were uniformly good. In cases of glanders there»
appeared a marked purulent conjunctivitis, and the reaction at times
was so severe that the animal could not open its tested eye.

BEST RESULTS WITH RAW MALLEIN.

The essential factor in obtaining satisfactory results from the test
appears to be in the use of the right kind of mallein. It must be by
all means a concentrated mallein, and apparently the best results
follow the use of raw mallein, which, as a rule, represents the mallein
obtained after the concentration of the filtrate from the bouillon cul-_
tures of the glanders bacilli. The ordinary mallein used for subcu-
taneous testing is not adaptable, and the failures which have been
reported in the literature swere without doubt, in the majority of
eases, due to the fact that the mallein employed was not sufficiently
concentrated. Marioth! correctly asserts that the reaction does not
depend as much on the quality and quantity of the mallein as on its
concentration. Our experiments in preserving such mallein with the
ordinary quantity of 0.5 per cent carbolic acid showed that it does
not interfere with the results of the test, although the lacrimation
which follows immediately after the introduction of such mallein is
more profuse than when carbolic acid has not been added, but this
disappears within one or two hours after the application of the test.

1 Monatsh. f. prakt. Uerheilk., bd. 24, hft. 7/8, p. 340-373; hft. 9/10, p. 426-456. Stuttgart,1913. _

OPHTHALMIC MALLEIN FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF GLANDERS. 5
PREPARATION OF THE MALLEIN.

The concentrated mallein which has been used for our work and
which gave such satisfactory results was prepared at the request of
the authors by and in cooperation with Mr. A. M. West, of the
Biochemie Division, as follows:

The media consists of bouillon containing 5 per cent glycerin, 1 per cent peptone,
and 5 percent NaCl. The reaction is that of the natural acidity of the meat, no acid
or alkali being added. The flasks of media are inoculated with virulent cultures of
Bacillus mallei and placed in the incubator at 37.5° C. for a period of two months or
more. The stock cultures of B. mallet are kept on agar, and their virulence is re-
newed when necessary by passage through a series of guinea pigs.

The well-grown cultures show a heavy mass of organisms, which generally sinks to
the bottom of the flask. This growth is of a whitish color splotched with brown. The
cultures are then removed from the incubator and heated for one hour in the Arnold
sterilizer. Then they are stored for two weeks in a dark closet to settle. The clear
liquid is then carefully decanted and the growth proper is discarded.

A measured amount of the decanted liquid is concentrated over a steam bath to
one-third its volume. It is then filled into flasks and sterilized and again filtered
while hot, first through one then through three paper filters. Next the clear liquid
is passed through a Berkefeld filter. This is followed by a concentration to one-tenth
its origina] volume and by sterilization.

To the raw mallein, concentrated to one-tenth its original volume, is added 0.5 per
cent carbolic acid and 20 per cent glycerin. Then the liquid is again concentrated
to one-tenth its original volume, filtered while hot through filter paper, and sterilized.
It is kept in a dark place for a week, and if upon inspection a precipitate is found the
mallein is again passed through paper filters and sterilized. The finished product is
a clear, sirupy, dark-brown liquid; with a disagreeable odor. The mallein is then
bottled, under aseptic conditions, in small vials and is ready for use.

It is advisable to provide the mallein for the tests in small vials,
each containing about 1.5 c. c. of mallein, which is sufficient for testing
15 horses. After the vial has been opened and part of the contents
used for testing, especially if the mallein has been taken out with a
camel’s-hair brush, the remainder should not be used for tests applied
on subsequent days, but should be discarded.

THE USE OF DRY MALLEIN.

Another form of mallein which has been used quite extensively for
the eye test is the mallein siccum, or dry mallein. This represents an
alcoholic precipitate of mallein. It is a fine gray powder and must
be dissolved in water before itis used. The solution loses its effective-
ness in a very short time and must be prepared fresh on the day of
the test. Dr. K. F. Meyer, formerly of the University of Pennsyl-
vania and now of the University of California, has used the dry
mallein extensively, and at the present time this preparation is em-
ployed in Pennsylvania for the application of the opti test.
For this purpose two vials are sent out from the laboratories of the
Pennsylvania Livestock Sanitary Board, one containing the pow-

6 BULLETIN 166, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

dered mallein and the other sterile or saline water in quantities which
will make a 5 per cent solution of mallein. The content of the bottle
containing the fluid is poured into the bottle containing the mallein
powder and the test solution is thus prepared. The results with this
form of testing in Pennsylvania appear to be highly satisfactory, as
may be seen from a publication by Dr. Meyer on the “‘ Conjunctival
reaction for glanders,’’ in the May, 1913, number of the Journal of
Infectious Diseases.

The advantages of the use of one as compared with the other of
these forms of mallein for the eye test are not marked, as equally good
results were obtained from the application of both forms of this
product. The fact that the preparation of the raw mallein is less
laborious and expensive than the mallein siccum and that it is ready

for use on opening the vial would probably give this product a greater.

popularity. Itis only natural, however, that in the event subsequent
extensive testings show the superiority of the dry mallein, it will be
given preference over the raw product.

METHOD OF APPLYING THE TEST.

Before the application of the ophthalmic test the animals should be

carefully examined to ascertain whether the eye shows conjunctivitis
or other changes which are associated with suppuration. Should
such be present the test should not be applied.

The. test consists in introducing into the conjunctival sac of the
eye several drops of either undiluted raw mallein or a solution of pre-
cipitated mallein (0.1 to 0.2 ¢. e. per horse). This may be introduced
either with the aid of a camel’s-hair brush or with an eyedropper.
Only one eye is treated; the other serves as a control for comparison
of the reaction. For the testing of horses in the same stable the same
dropper or camel’s-hair brush may be used for all the animals.

The results of the test should be recorded as follows:

N=Negative—eye unchanged.

S=Suspicious—seromucous discharge.

P+=Positive—seromucous discharge with purulent flakes.

P+-+= Positive—distinct purulent discharge.

P++-+= Positive—purulent discharge with swelling of the eyelids.

P+++4+=Positive—strong purulent dischafge with swelling and - gluing
together of both lids.

Si,

ie ee

Law f

OPHTHALMIC MALLEIN FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF GLANDERS. (

The following is a copy of Q. D. Form 69, Record of Ophthalmic

Mallein Test, which is used by the Bureau of Animal Industry to
record all official tests:

{Obverse.]
RECORD OF OPHTHALMIC MALLEIN TEST.

ST yee ae | 5 1 he | £ j a °
Sex Time) Re-
e (stal- ofin-; Timeof | Temperatures, sults
No. lion, stilla-observation.| —_ if taken. it of
of Breed or geld. | Age. | Weight. | tion. Seon ORO 5 acts
ani- markings. ing symptoms. da:
mal ; + ea REIL TD Coan are BEAT cael :
> or . cl-
(Give date and Be- :
TS) hour.) fare: After. sion.
See en J----- +e] - se fee eee ee ele ee ee fe ee ele ee ee ele ee ee ee ele ee ee ee ele ee ee ee ee ee ee we eee
|
| | |
et athe tm oe ners ots os. belted ie est ole ein feof lariat a oho lal mig ewe allo) oe foie ul|lc\ p/m) wi a lele) alfic,a~wiafaleial|=lw ia oa wialose) te ai alol wyea] ml aiiny ee
Fee See he go sae ae Siro leo a I La Pe A ne Rd Ueda in el |S
| ! e |
ps Ste re rere ig at OS a ay era (ee Ce te
1 cae is =e | ba Soe lecucealeadeE soos Bardens 21h otto eraeare fer are
| i a gi ty al ae Up gee 1S Rd Pe eRianed 7 | | ecto ohana Milena fay PEI ns WPS nen ee a tll 2d a ARNT, ok US ral vee) be
228" |Site Se ee Seg el C aii pee ace re ieee relia eta fa top em fo oe [Scare
~~ ewe eee we ere ee ee ee ora 0) RO Ea a SE Sas a RS Bi ea ea eae ye eat Fea Eee He Se pete eg PA Re ier | Went = Ma tye a eee yn ae mee eee
See SEES eee Beene Dene Cees Cees Bee eee eee ee Cees oe
|
~ eee ee emo ace Sa apt | ghey ss jd firas soe || ss eae er ies) halipe peter es eri tees ree TP ae ak ee a i a ae
weer ee SO ds
{ | |

(Decision should be recorded in accordance with results obtained, by use of: [N]=Negative, eye un-
changed. [S]=Suspicious, seromucous discharge. [P-+]= Positive, seromucous discharge with purulent
flakes. [P++]= Positive, distinct purulent discharge. [P++-+J]=Positive, purulent discharge with
Be ot tes eyelids. [P++++]= Positive, strong purulent discharge with swelling and gluing together
of the lids.

(Identify each animal by complete description; if necessary use two lines for an animal.)

8 BULLETIN 166, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

[Reverse.]

RECORD OF REACTORS.

|
ud BF Fs Papeete eae ees a) Eee lla Joe

No. of Disposition of reac- | ~
, tors (slaughtered! Place of slaughter: ...........--
or quarantined). | —

|
Post- t DY 2 ee eee
guia Raa (Q. D. Form 69.) |

| | U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY.

Record of ophthalmic mallein test.

Ree bs ata ba rae et a cia OTs |, Name of person making test:

eo ee Soe ne tp ee ae ee Be, RE doe Owner)... 3: 4 eee

| Number passeds): 2222 e=s ose eee

|

| | a= ar

: ol |: Number suspicious: -.- 22.5 ees seeer
!

|

| Total number testedixe- 2 eee nee

EFFECT OF THE TEST ON GLANDERED AND HEALTHY ANIMALS.

As soon as the mallein is introduced into the eye practically all
animals show a lacrimation, increased reddening of the conjunctiva,
and slight photophobia. No significance should be given to these
symptoms. They disappear in one to two hours.

Glandered animals are hypersensitive to mallein in a way that the -

administration of small quantities of mallein produces local inflam-
matory processes. In larger quantities it produces a febrile general
reaction. The hypersensitiveness appears as a rule during the third
week after the infection, and reaches its height in the first few months
after the infection. In the subsequent course it may subside in
retrogressive cases even to the degree observed in healthy animals,
but even in these cases various conditions may bring on an increased
sensibility.

The characteristic manifestations of the reaction for glanders
commence as a rule in from 5 to 6 hours and last 24 to 36 hours, some-

Bul. 166, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. REATEL I:

Fic. 1.—P + = Seromucous discharge with Fig, 2.—P+ + = Distinct purulent discharge.
: purulent flakes.

Fie. 3.—P++4+ + = Purulent discharge with Fic. 4.—P + + + +=Strong purulent dis-
swelling of the eyelids. charge nate swelling and gluing together
5 of both lids.

VARYING DEGREES OF REACTIONS IN THE OPHTHALMIC MALLEIN TEST FOR GLANDERS.

OPHTHALMIC MALLEIN FOR THE- DIAGNOSIS OF GLANDERS. 9

times longer. The reaction consists of a purulent discharge from
the conjunctival sac which is typical, as well as swelling and gluing
of the eyelids. It is advisable to examine the tested animals in a
good light from 12 to 24 hours after the application of the test.
Varying degrees of reactions are illustrated in Plate I, figures 1 to 4.

A suppurative discharge of varying quantities is considered a
positive reaction. The conjunctiva and the eyeball should also be
included in the examination after examining the discharge. A
pseudo-reaction can be produced by artificial or accidental irrita-
tion of the eye. On the other hand the purulent discharge may
have been removed (either by the stable attendant or by the animals
licking each other, etc.), and the positive result thus obliterated.
In such cases dried pus may be frequently found on the parts around
the eye.

Generally the positive ophthalmic reactions are not accompanied
by fever or systemic disturbances. Occasionally, however, affected
horses are hypersensitive to such a degree that even the few drops
of mallein placed in the eye may enter the circulation and produce
fever. Therefore it is advisable, when possible, to accompany the
ophthalmic reaction with temperature readings. For this purpose
the temperature should be taken twice, the first time when the eye
test is being made and the second time when it is judged. In a
doubtful eye reaction, where there is an increased temperature of
14 degrees F., the test should be considered positive if the animal
had a normal temperature at the time the test was made. As stated
before, it should be remembered that the intensity of the reaction
has no relation to the extent of the disease in the animal tested.

In the absence of any secretion the test should be considered nega-
tive. When there is a mucous secretion or lacrimation during the
period of reaction the test must be considered as atypical, and in
such cases it may be repeated the same day, when, as a rule, the
results are more confirming.

The application of the ophthalmic test should not be repeated
more than three times on the same animal within three months, as
experiments show that the reaction after the third application within
this short period usually loses its intensity in positive cases, and on
subsequent tests may be entirely absent. In cases where the results
of the second test immediately following the first test are atypical,
the blood of such animal may be drawn and forwarded to a labora-
tory for the serum diagnosis. From experience gained with the eye
test such a procedure would become necessary only in a compara-
tively few cases. In the control of glanders, animals may be retested
every six months with satisfactory results.

10 BULLETIN 166, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

REPORT OF THE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ON
THE OPHTHALMIC TEST.

The special committee on the control of glanders of the American
Veterinary Medical Association has issued a most excellent report
on the various phases of diagnosis of glanders. The conclusions on
the value of the eye test offered by this committee are in perfect
accord with our findings, we therefore deem it advisable to include
them in this paper, as follows:

1. The ophthalmic test not only meets all the requirements, but is without doubt
ae most convenient diagnostic method at our command.

. Its reliability compares favorably with any of the other tests available.

3. The reaction is usually very distinct, and doubtful or atypical reactions are
rather infrequent.

4, The ophthalmic test has the advantage that it does not interfere with subsequent

serum or other mallein tests if such are deemed necessary.

5. The test may be repeated within 24 hours on same or control eye. If another
retest is necessary, it should not be made in less than three weeks.

6. The ophthalmic test should be recognized by State and Federal authorities,
since its reliability can no longer be doubted.

7. In all atypical and doubtiul cases of the ophthalmic test, the combined comple-
ment-fixation and agglutination or subcutaneous mallein test should be utilized for
confirmation. Such a procedure would minimize the failure and would assure the
best results in the control of the disease in a single stable or in an entire community.

CONCLUSION.

The results achieved in Austria with the ophthalmic test have
been remarkably successful and deserve the most earnest considera-
tion. The report of Prof. Schnurer on The Results of the Diagnostic
Procedure in Glanders in Austria is a convincing proof as to the
value of the eye test in the control of glanders. The senior writer
received a communication only a short time ago from Prof. Schnurer,
and since it deals principally with the diagnostic value of the eye
test, a quotation from the letter will no doubt be permissible:

Iam at the present contemplating collecting the results of the eradication of glanders
in Austria during the last three years (1910-1912). During this time 60,894 tests

were undertaken on 47,973 horses. Of 272 cases which were found on post-mortem to .

be affected with olanders 240 (88.2 per cent) were positive, 21 (7.7 per cent) gave an
atypical reaction, while 11 (4 per cent) were negative. Of the 47,701 healthy horses,
189 (0.39 per cent) were positive or atypical, the remaining 47,512 (99.61 per cent)
gave a negative reaction. :

According to these results, therefore, the eradication of glanders is only a question
of organization—that is, the malleinization of horses at the border and conscientious
following up of all suspected horses. Such procedure would, without doubt, result
in a complete eradication of glanders. At the Veterinary School of Austria we now
have difficulty in showing the student cases of glanders, and for demonstration pur-
poses we are compelled to infect horses artificially, whereas several years ago we had
every week at least one case of glanders in our clinics.

I use as mallein at the present time a product which I, myseli, prepare, which
represents a bouillon filtrate from seven different strains of glanders bacilli which has
been concentrated to one-tenth of the original volume

OPHTHALMIC MALLEIN FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF GLANDERS. 11

The optimistic view of Prof. Schnurer is certainly justified from
the results he achieved, and clearly shows that with proper organiza-
tion in the control work of glanders the eradication of the disease is
only a question of time.

The eradication of outbreaks of glanders can not, of course, be
altogether attributed to the eye test, since from the report of Never-
mann, veterinary councilor of Prussia, glanders has diminished
remarkably in that country, where they employ the combined
complement-fixation and agglutination test for the diagnosis, while
MecGilvray has practically eradicated glanders from the Province of
Manitoba by means of the subcutaneous mallein test. The method
of testing by means of complement-fixation and agglutination is
undoubtedly the most accurate of any available, but since ‘it can
not be as conveniently applied as the eye test, its disadvantages are
apparent. There is no doubt that with the application of either the
eye test or the combined complement-fixation and agglutination
tests, equally good results may be obtained provided that the work
is conscientiously carried out and that all the reactors are destroyed
without hesitation.

As long as the authorities will limit themselves to the destruction
of clinical cases only and will not take immediate action on reactors
of the occult and latent character, glanders will not only continue
to exist, but it will spread.

WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICD !: 1915

=