THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO

Region I with 13/40 or 32.50% followed by Region XII
with 13/42 or 30.95% and Region IX with 3/13 or 23.08%.
Occurrence of positive reactors per region was highly
significant (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference
between species occurrence of positive reactors (P =
0.31). For both species, the occurrence of more positive
reactors in males (16.3%) than in females (10.9%) was
statistically significant (P < 0.05). In carabaos, there was
a higher occurrence of positive reactors in the 9 to 10 age
group with 7/25 or 28% followed by animals older than 10
years with 36/166 or 21.69% and the 8 to 9 age group with
9/44 or 20.45%. In cattle, more positive reactors were
found in the 5 to 6 group with 12/33 or 36.36, followed by
4 to 5 age group with 7/37 or 18.92% and the 9 to 10 age
group with 6/32 or 18.75%. There was a direct correlation
between the occurrences of positive reactors to the age
group to which they belong (P < 0.01). This study was
able to establish the presence of Brucella agglutinins in
carabaos and cattle from the different regions in the
Philippines and hence, is the first study to document the
occurrence alone and thus, a complementary test should
be used to confirm the present findings. A concerted effort
must be made to really determine and establish the actual
presence of brucellosis in livestock. Such a programme
would greatly aid in the control and eventual eradication of
the disease.
Keywords: Brucella abortus, brucellosis, carabao, cattle,
agglutination test
*Undergraduate thesis, College of Veterinary Medicine,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, 1990
H-8
BACTERIOLOGIC PROFILE OF THE VAGINA AND
UTERUS OF NON-PREGNANT BUFFALO-COWS IN
SELECTED REGIONS OF THE PHILIPPINES*
M. T. T. Balassu, Student
A bacteriologic survey was made on the uterus and vagina
of 13 fertile and 27 infertile buffalo-cows. A sterile cotton
swab and a locally-made endometrial swab instrument
were used to collect vaginal and uterine samples,
respectively. Majority of the vaginal samples were positive
for microorganisms. A greater proportion of these samples
yielded mixed rather than pure cultures of bacteria. The
most frequently isolates were streptococci, corynebacteria
and staphylococci. Non-specific uterine infections were
found to be present even among fertile buffalo-cows.
Staphylococci, streptococci and corynebacteria were the
predominant bacterial species isolated from these animals.
Among infertile buffalo-cows, the incidence of non-specific
132
ABSTRACT OF RESEARCHES ON
THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO
uterine infections was higher in repeat breeders than in
anestrus animals. Mixed uterine infections were found to
be more frequent among repeat breeders than anestrous
buffalo-cows. The most commonly isolated organisms,
however, were the same for both groups and these include
the streptococci and corynebacteria.
Keywords: bacterial isolation, vagina, uterine infections,
buffalo-cows, infertility
*Undergraduate thesis, College of Veterinary Medicine,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, 1992.
H-9
FIELD TRIAL OF HEMOSEP (Pasteurella multocida
TYPE B) VACCINE IN PHILIPPINE BUFFALOES*
E. M. Battad, Student
A vaccine against hemorrhagic septicemia from a crude
capsular extract of P. multocida was tested on 7 buffaloes.
Antibody titers were monitored on day 0, 28, 61, 89, 120
and 150 using IHA test on collected serum samples. There
was significant increase in the serum antibody titer until the
end of the study period (day 150). There was however, no
significant difference in serum antibody titer between those
given a shot at day 0 and those given at day 0 and 28.
Further study can be done on when is the best time to give
the second (booster) shot of the vaccine. The immune
serums of the vaccinated buffaloes were used in the passive
mouse protection test. Results show that the sera of the
three vaccinated buffaloes used were able to protect mice
from P. multocida type B infection. Based on these results,
the vaccine seemed to have good potential in protecting
buffaloes from hemorrhagic septicemia.
Keywords: hemorrhagic septicemia, Pasteurella
multocida, vaccine, buffalo
*Undergraduate thesis, College of Veterinary Medicine,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, 1988.
H-10
A SURVEY OF GROSS LESIONS OF THE HEART
AND ASSOCIATED STRUCTURES IN THE
SLAUGHTERED PHILIPPINE CARABAOS AS A
PRELIMINARY APPROACH IN THE STUDY OF
CARDIAC DISEASE IN THE BUBALINE SPECIES
(Bubalus bubalis Linneaus)*
R.O. Boado, Student
To establish a preliminary report on the prevalence of gross
cardiac abnormalities in the Philippine carabaos, a survey