Detecting Migrants in Populations of Rhizoctonia solani Anastomosis Group 3 from Potato in North Carolina Using Multilocus Genotype Probabilities

ABSTRACT The relative contribution of migration of Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 3 (AG-3) on infested potato seed tubers originating from production areas in Canada, Maine, and Wisconsin (source population) to the genetic diversity and structure of populations of R. solani AG-3 in North Carolina (NC) soil (recipient population) was examined. The frequency of alleles detected by multilocus polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms, heterozygosity at individual loci, and gametic phase disequilibrium between all pairs of loci were determined for subpopulations of R. solani AG-3 from eight sources of potato seed tubers and from five soils in NC. Analysis of molecular variation revealed little variation between seed source and NC recipient soil populations or between subpopulations within each region. Analysis of population data with a Bayesian-based statistical method previously developed for detecting migration in human populations suggested that six multilocus genotypes from the NC soil population had a statistically significant probability of being migrants from the northern source population. The one-way (unidirectional) migration of genotypes of R. solani AG-3 into NC on infested potato seed tubers from Canada, Maine, and Wisconsin provides a plausible explanation for the lack of genetic subdivision (differentiation) between populations of the pathogen in NC soils or between the northern source and the NC recipient soil populations.     

Evaluation of the adhesive capacity of Escherichia coli isolates associated with avian cellulitis

It has been shown that Escherichia coli isolates from lesions of cellulitis belong to a limited number of clonal groups distinct from those of isolates found in the environment of these birds. In this study, different in vitro methods were used to evaluate adherence properties of E. coli isolates from cellulitis lesions and environments of high- and low-cellulitis prevalence broiler flocks. One hundred isolates were tested by hemagglutination. Adherence to frozen sections of chicken skin and binding to soluble fibronectin were examined for 40 of these 100 isolates by immunofluorescence and by immunocytofluorometry, respectively. Localization of bacterial adherence to skin tissues was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. It was demonstrated that O78:K80 isolates from cellulitis lesions adhered to skin sections to a much greater extent in deeper than in superficial tissue layers. A greater bacterial adherence following growth in TSB at 37 C was demonstrated for isolates from flocks with high prevalence of cellulitis than for isolates from flocks with low prevalence of cellulitis. MANOVA analysis results showed a significant difference between superficial and deep tissue layers only for one set of isolates from flocks with high prevalence of cellulitis. Hemagglutinating activity was variable among the O78:K80 isolates obtained from flocks with high prevalence of cellulitis. The results obtained for some O78:K80 isolates following growth in TSB suggest a role for type 1 fimbriae or F1 in adherence to skin sections. This was reinforced by the finding that adherence was inhibited by D-mannose. Poultry E. coli isolates that express F1 had no affinity for soluble fibronectin, although localization of the adherence in skin sections suggested a role for extracellular matrix components such as collagen and insoluble fibronectin.     

Population pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin in aqueous humor after intravenous administration in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, by use of population pharmacokinetics, the disposition of marbofloxacin in the aqueous humor after IV administration in dogs and identify its potential usefulness in the prophylaxis and treatment of intraocular infection. ANIMALS: 63 dogs. METHODS: Dogs received a single dose of marbofloxacin (2 mg x kg(-1), IV) at various time intervals before cataract surgery. Aqueous humor and blood samples were collected at the beginning of surgery. Marbofloxacin concentrations were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Data were analyzed with a nonlinear mixed-effect model and, by use of population pharmacokinetic parameters, the time course of aqueous humor concentration was simulated for single doses of 3, 4, and 5.5 mg x kg(-1) IV. Pharmacodynamic surrogate markers and measured aqueous humor concentrations were used to predict in vivo antimicrobial activity. RESULTS: A maximum marbofloxacin concentration of 0.41 +/- 0.17 microg x mL(-1) was reached in the aqueous humor 3.5 hours after IV administration. In the post-distributive phase, marbofloxacin disappeared from aqueous humor with a half-life of 780 minutes. The percentage penetration into the aqueous humor was 38%. Predictors of antimicrobial effects of marbofloxacin (2 mg x kg(-1), IV) indicated that growth of the enterobacteriaceae and certain staphylococcal species would be inhibited in the aqueous humor. Marbofloxacin administered IV at a dose of 5.5 mg x kg(-1) would be predicted to inhibit growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and all strains of staphylococci but would not eradicate streptococcal infections. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Marbofloxacin administered IV can penetrate the aqueous humor of canine eyes and may be suitable for prophylaxis or treatment of certain anterior chamber infections.     

Spontaneous in vitro contractile activity of specimens from the abomasal wall of healthy cows and comparison among dairy breeds

OBJECTIVE: To characterize and compare in vitro contractility patterns of sections of abomasal wall harvested from cattle of 3 dairy breeds. SAMPLE POPULATION: Longitudinal and circular smooth muscle preparations harvested from the antrum and body of the abomasum of 30 recently slaughtered Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Simmental X Red Holstein cows. PROCEDURE: Spontaneous isometric contractions of specimens in tissue baths of modified Krebs solution were recorded during a 4-hour period. Maximal amplitude, frequency of contractions, and change of basal tension were used to characterize contractility. Statistical analyses were used to test for differences among time periods, among breeds, between specimen locations, and between fiber orientations. RESULTS: Myoactivity patterns of abomasal smooth muscle preparations are highly variable and differ on the basis of location and fiber orientation. Frequency of contractions differed significantly among time periods for longitudinally oriented specimens with decreasing frequencies of contractions over time. Maximal amplitude of the longitudinally oriented specimens from the antrum increased significantly, whereas maximal amplitude of the circularly oriented specimens from the antrum decreased significantly. Values did not differ significantly among breeds. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patterns of spontaneous contractility of abomasal wall specimens are not homogeneous. During a 4-hour recording period, maximal amplitude and frequency of contractions of specimens varied significantly with respect to orientation and location; however, spontaneous contractile myoactivity did not differ significantly among breeds. Therefore, breed predisposition for displaced abomasum is not correlated with spontaneous activity of smooth muscle specimens.     

Neuroendocrine-immune interactions in fish: a role for interleukin-1

Bi-directional communication between the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis and the sympathetic nervous system with the immune system is crucial to ensure homeostasis. Shared use of ligands and especially receptors forms a key component of this bi-directional interaction. Glucocorticoids (GC), the major end products of the HPA-axis differentially modulate immune function. Cytokines, especially interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), ensure immune signalling to the neuroendocrine system. In addition, hormones from leukocyte origin such as corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and beta-endorphin, as well as centrally synthesised and secreted cytokines, contribute to the communication network.In teleost fish cortisol is the major product of the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal (HPI)-axis which is the teleost equivalent of the HPA-axis. Moderate and substantial increases in cortisol during stressful circumstances negatively affect B-lymphocytes, whereas rescue of neutrophilic granulocytes may support innate immunity. Recent elucidation of lower vertebrate cytokine sequences has facilitated research into neuroendocrine-immune interactions in teleosts and the first evidence for a significant function of interleukin-1 in the bi-directional communication is discussed.     

Serological Evidence for Borrelia burgdorferi Infection Associated with Clinical Signs in Dairy Cattle in Slovakia

In the course of epizootological research on Lyme borreliosis in domestic and farm animals, the serological evidence for the occurrence of this zoonosis in cattle was screened. An ELISA showed that 25.2% of cattle from seven geographical areas in Slovakia were positive for anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies. In particular localities, the seroprevalence ranged from 0.6% to 34.3%. Of 33 cases with clinical signs, 20 ELISA-positive samples were also confirmed in Western blots. The most frequent clinical signs were lameness and swollen joints, but most of the cases were asymptomatic. The occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies and suspected clinical signs in cattle of Slovak regions indicates that veterinarians should pay attention to this disease in their clinical practice and include it within the differential diagnosis.