Mosquitocidal activity of two Bacillus bacterial endotoxins combined with plant oils and conventional insecticides

The full whole culture (FWC), containing parasporal protein toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis israelinsis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus 2362 (Bs), either singly or in combination with plant oils and commercial insecticides, was tested against larval and adult stages of Culex pipiens mosquitoes under controlled laboratory conditions. In terms of LC₅₀ values recorded after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, the bacterial toxins showed high potency towards both larvae and adults of mosquitoes in a dose-dependent manner. Generally, the Bti toxin seemed to be more potent than the Bs toxin. For example, the Bti toxin showed a 24 h LC₅₀ of 8.2 ppm against mosquito larvae compared to 13.6 ppm for the Bs toxin. In the adult bioassay, the obtained 24 h LC₅₀ values were 0.064 and 0.085 mg/cm², respectively for the two bacterial toxins. The bacterial toxins mixed with plant oils or insecticides at equitoxic doses (e.g., LC₂₅ values) mostly showed potentiation effects, either against larvae or adults of the tested insect. Among a total of 14 paired mixtures, only the joint action estimated for the mixture of malathion + Bti or Bs was accounted as additively. Combining Bti or Bs endotoxins at LC₀ with different plant oils and insecticides at LC₅₀ concentration levels each, has resulted in considerable synergism against either larvae or adults. In the case of larval bioassays, the maximum synergistic factor (SF) obtained (ca. 2.0) was entitled to the mixture of Bti + spinosad. In the adult bioassays, the mixtures containing Curcuma longa or Melia azedarach oil extracts with Bti or Bs toxins achieved a SF accounted to 2.0. The results of the present study may be considered as an additional contribution to the area of joint toxicity of biocidal agents combining bacterial toxins, plant oils and traditional insecticides. The reached findings may encourage future research to elucidate its performance under practical field conditions.     

Effect of probiotics on the survival, growth and challenge infection in Tilapia nilotica (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the potential benefit of Bacillus pumilus and a commercial product (‘Organic Green'^?) as a probiotic in the culture of the tilapia nilotica. Two doses of B. pumilus (10⁶ and 10¹² g^?1 diet fed) and Organic Green^? (1 and 2 g kg^?1 diet fed) were used as feed additives and administered for periods of 1 (groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively) and 2 (groups 6, 7, 8 and 9 respectively) months; group 1 served as a control. Each group consisted of 4 equal replicates of 320 fish. Body weight, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) activity, haematocrit values and total and differential leucocytic counts (TLC and DLC) were recorded in each group after 1 and 2 months. At the end of the experiment (8 months), survival and individual body weights were recorded. Challenge infections were performed after 1, 2 and 8 months using 0.5 mL culture suspension of a pathogenic reference strain of Aeromonas hydrophila (10⁸ bacteria mL^?1). The NBT values were increased significantly in all treated groups, except those administered B. pumillus (groups 3 and 6). There were significant changes in haematocrit values and TLC and DLCs in the treated groups, except group 3, which showed a significant increase in TLC, lymphocytes and monocytes. There was a statistically significant increase in the individual body weight in groups 5, 6, 8 and 9. The survival rates of all treatment groups were higher than the control group, the differences being statistically significant in groups 3 and 9. The challenge infection showed a variable response with the type and dose of treatment and the period of application. The highest relative levels of protection were an average increase of 62.5% after 1 month (groups 3 and 5), 55.6% after 2 months (group 7) and 15.8% after 8 months (groups 8 and 9). Overall, both types of probiotics induced a similar effect. The results show the potential of using probiotics to enhance immune and health status and improve disease resistance in Oreochromis niloticus, thereby improving growth performance. However, further extensive testing, including a full commercial cost–benefit analysis, is necessary before recommending their application in aquaculture.     

Relation of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) seasonal reproductive activity to hematology,serum biochemistry,histopathology, and Brdt gene expression

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - This study aimed to find the relation of Sparus aurata (gilthead seabream) reproductive activities to some blood parameters as complete blood count, liver...     

Molecular and biological characterization of a naturally occurring recombinant subgroup B avian leukosis virus with a subgroup J-like long terminal repeat

Infection of broiler chickens with subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV) results in the induction of myeloid tumors. However, although egg-type chickens are susceptible to infection with ALV-J, the tumor incidence is very low, and on rare occasions the tumors observed are of the myeloid lineage. We recently described the isolation of an ALV (AF115-4) from commercial egg-type chickens suffering from myeloid leukosis. AF115-4 was initially identified as an ALV-J isolate based on PCR analysis of the long terminal repeat (LTR). However, further characterization of the viral envelope indicated that the virus is recombinant with subgroups B envelope and J LTR. Here we further characterize this recombinant virus at both the molecular and biological levels. We show that the AF115-4 isolate expresses a recombinant envelope glycoprotein encoded by a subgroup B gp85 region and a subgroup E gp37 region. The host range ofAF115-4 was analyzed using cells resistant to infection by subgroups A/B, J, or E; this shows that no ALV-J was present in the isolates obtained from the affected chickens. Additional antigenic characterization of AF115-4 using chicken sera specific for subgroups B or J indicated that no ALV-J was present in the samples examined. Inoculation of AF 115-4 into ALV-susceptible 1515 X 71 chickens resulted in the induction of lymphoid leukosis but not the expected myeloid leukosis affecting the commercial chickens. These results suggest that differences in the genetic makeup of the chickens from which AF115-4 was isolated and the line 1515 X 71 used in the present experiments may be responsible for the observed differences in pathogenicity. In addition, the results suggest that ALV-J continues to evolve by recombination, generating new viruses with different pathological properties.     

抗J亚群禽白血病病毒囊膜糖蛋白特异性单克隆抗体的研制及其特性

J亚群禽白血病病毒（ALV-J）是一种主要感染肉用型鸡的反转录病毒。本研究用表达ALV-J囊膜蛋白基因产物的Sf9细胞免疫Balb/c小鼠，取其脾脏细胞与骨髓瘤细胞NS1进行融合，获得了4株特异性抗ALV-J的单克隆抗体。免疫荧光分析结果表明，3株单克隆抗体仅与所试验的ALV-J毒株反应，而不能与ALV的A、B、C、D和E亚群的毒株反应。有趣的是，有一株单克隆抗体可以与所有试验的外源性ALV毒株反应，但不与内源性的E亚群反应。Western Blot和免疫沉淀试验结果表明，单克隆抗体识别的ALV-J囊膜糖蛋白的分子量为90-94kD，识别未糖基化的囊膜蛋白分子量约为53kD。用这些单克隆抗体能检测出ALV-J病毒感染鸡胚成纤维细胞中的病毒抗原。这些结果提示这些单克隆抗体可用于ALV-J疾病的诊断和流行病学调查。     

Reproductive response and development of three soil predaceous mites utilizing the acarid miteTyrophagus casei Oud. as an alternate diet

The reproductive potential and development of the three soil predaceous mitesHypoaspis miles (Berlese),Laclaspis zaheri Shereef & Soliman andLasioseius africanus Hafez & Nasr were tested using the acarid mite,Tyrophagus casei Oudemans as an alternate prey. Laboratory studies revealed thatT. casei proved to be a promising diet for the reproduction ofH. miles, while the reproductive response of the other two predaceous mites to such prey was poor although their larvae developed to the adult stage when fed on it.     

The Immune Response to Microsporum canis Induced by a Fungal Cell Wall Vaccine*

Abstract— An experimental infection model was used to assess induction of specific immunity against Microsporum canis in cats with an M. canis cell wall vaccine preparation. Kittens 8–9 weeks old (n= 12) received five doses of either vaccine or placebo at biweekly intervals. Specific immunity was monitored via plasma anti-dermatophyte antibody titers and lymphocyte blastogenesis (LB) to dermatophyte antigens. After vaccination, cats were challenged with viable M. canis spores, and lesion development was monitored. Vaccinated cats developed higher anti-dermatophyte IgG, but not IgM, titers than controls, beginning after the second dose of vaccine (P < 0.001). During the vaccination period, specific cellular immunity as measured by LB was absent in control cats, but developed to a limited degree in vaccinated cats (P < 0.05). After challenge with 10⁵ fungal spores per cat, both control and vaccinated cats developed active infections. The vaccine appeared to induce an antibody titer quantitatively similar to that produced by infection, but less measured cellular immunity than was seen with infection and recovery. These results suggest that induction of high titers of serum IgG or IgM antibody against Microsporum canis is not protective against challenge exposure.     

Inability of Short-duration Treatment with a 5-Lipoxy-genase Inhibitor to Reduce Clinical Signs of Canine Atopy

Abstract— Products of the 5-lipoxygenase metabolic pathway may be important mediators of inflammation in canine skin. Pharmacologic blockade of this pathway may therefore decrease clinical signs associated with canine atopy. To test this hypothesis, 31 dogs were entered on a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial to assess the efficacy of an investigational oral 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor (WY-50295) in treating canine atopy. Dogs were treated for 11 days with the drug and 11 days with the placebo, in random order, with a 3-day washout period between the treatment periods. Clinical signs were assessed daily by the owner in all 31 dogs, using a subjective scoring scale. Twelve of the dogs were additionally evaluated at intervals by the investigators and similarly scored. Analysis of variance revealed no significant differences ( P > 0.05) in owner or investigator scores assigned during placebo treatment, drug treatment, and no treatment periods. In an end-of-study evaluation, 24.1 per cent of owners reported satisfactory response to placebo capsules and 17.2 per cent reported satisfactory response to the drug, demonstrating a strong placebo effect. Short-duration treatment with WY-50295 did not appear to be effective in reducing clinical signs of atopy.