Genetic background of CTX‐M‐15‐producing Enterobacter hormaechei ST114 and Citrobacter freundii ST265 co‐infecting a free‐living green turtle (Chelonia mydas)

CTX‐M‐type extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Enterobacteriaceae have become identified in marine ecosystem constituting a serious ecological issue. In this respect, although contamination of coastal waters and seafood, and even colonization of seabirds and fishes have been increasingly reported, molecular data are lacking to elucidate the clinical impact of ESBL producers in infected marine animals. In this study, using a genomic approach, we have analysed the genetic background of CTX‐M‐15‐producing Enterobacter hormaechei (belonging to the international human clone ST114) and Citrobacter freundii (ST265) co‐infecting a free‐living green turtle (Chelonia mydas) suffering from septic arthritis, which progressed to generalized coelomitis and death. Wide resistome of these pathogens contributed to treatment failure and death of the animal.     

Assessment of brachial plexus blockade in chickens by an axillary approach

ObjectiveTo assess the brachial plexus block in chickens by an axillary approach and using a peripheral nerve stimulator.Study designProspective, randomized, double-blinded study.AnimalsSix, 84-week old, female chickens.MethodsMidazolam (1 mg kg⁻¹) and butorphanol (1 mg kg⁻¹) were administered into the pectoralis muscle. Fifteen minutes later, the birds were positioned in lateral recumbency and following palpation of the anatomic landmarks, a catheter was inserted using an axillary approach to the brachial plexus. Lidocaine or bupivacaine (1 mL kg⁻¹) was injected after plexus localization by the nerve stimulator. Sensory function was tested before and after blockade (carpus, radius/ulna, humerus and pectoralis muscle) in the blocked and unblocked wings. The latency to onset of motor and sensory block and the duration of sensory block were recorded. A Friedman nonparametric one-way repeated-measures anova was used to compare scores from baseline values over time and to compare the differences between wings at each time point.ResultsA total of 18 blocks were performed with a success rate of 66.6% (12/18). The latency for motor block was 2.8 ± 1.1 and 3.2 ± 0.4 minutes for lidocaine and bupivacaine, respectively. The latencies for and durations of the sensory block were 6.0 ± 2.5 and 64.0 ± 18.0 and 7.8 ± 5.8 and 91.6 ± 61.7 minutes for lidocaine and bupivacaine, respectively. There was no statistical difference between these times for lidocaine or bupivacaine. Sensory function was not abolished in nonblocked wings.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe brachial plexus block was an easy technique to perform but had a high failure rate. It might be useful for providing anesthesia or postoperative analgesia of the wing in chickens and exotic avian species that have similar wing anatomy.     

Juvenile mortality in captive lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis) at Basle Zoo and its relation to nutrition and husbandry.

Since 1956, when the Basle Zoo (Switzerland) initiated the breeding of lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis), 43% of the lesser kudu juveniles died before reaching an age of 6 mo. In this study, the objective was to obtain the pathological findings, nutritional history, and family tree information in order to evaluate the influence of husbandry on juvenile mortality in these animals. The main cause of death was white muscle disease (WMD), diagnosed in 14 cases (26%) of the deceased juveniles. Although enclosure size had remained constant and animal accessibility to the public was constantly high, both herd size and juvenile mortality had increased from 1956-2004. The diet consumed by the whole group in 2004 had deficient levels of vitamin E and selenium. The increasing linear trend of the mortality rate since the 1960s was significant, and there was a significant correlation between herd size and overall juvenile mortality. In contrast, there was no correlation between herd size and the occurrence of juvenile mortality associated specifically with WMD. Other investigated factors (sex, inbreeding, and season) had no significant effect on overall mortality up to 6 mo of age or on mortality associated with WMD. These results characterize both a dietary and a husbandry problem, and are supported by a lack of similar juvenile mortality in another facility where the diet was supplemented with vitamin E, animal numbers were kept low, and the enclosure structure offered more retreat options for the animals.     

Evaluation of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of blueberries and modelization by artificial neural networks

ABSTRACT

The study aimed at evaluating the influence of different production conditions, conservation, and extraction procedures on the total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of blueberries by DPPH and ABTS methods. The production factors considered were origin, altitude of the farm location, and age of the bushes. The conservation conditions considered were freezing as opposed to the fresh product. The extraction procedures included two different solvents and two orders of extraction. The data analysis was carried out by training artificial neural networks to model the data and extract information from the model.

The results obtained revealed that the type of extract and the order of extraction influenced the concentrations of phenolic compounds as well as the antioxidant activity of the different samples studied. Also the origin of the farms from where the blueberries were harvested significantly influence those properties, showing that the blueberries from Oliveira do Hospital had less phenolic compounds and lower antioxidant activity. Also older bushes at higher altitudes seem to produce berries richer in these properties. Regarding conservation, no influence was observed for phenols but a slight influence could be detected for antioxidant activity.     

Cover Image,Volume 16, Issue 1

The cover image, by Alexandra Keller et al., is based on the Original Article The JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target in canine mastocytoma, DOI: 10.1111/vco.12311

     

Comparison of serological assays for the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis in animals presenting different clinical manifestations

Three serological methods, indirect fluorescent immunoassay (IFI), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and direct agglutination test (DAT) that are commonly employed in the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), have been assessed. A total of 234 domestic dogs, drawn from an area in the municipality of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, endemic for visceral leishmaniasis, were submitted to clinical and parasitological examinations and serological assay. Sera collected from confirmed non-infected dogs (n=20), and from dogs with other parasitic diseases including Trypanosoma cruzi (n=7), Leishmania braziliensis (n=5), Toxoplasma gondii (n=5) and Ehrlichia canis (n=3), were also included in the study. IFI presented a lower sensitivity (72%) than ELISA (95%), although the specificities of these assays were low (52 and 64%, respectively) and both exhibited cross-reactivity with sera from dogs infected with T. cruzi, L. braziliensis and E. canis. In contrast, DAT exhibited a high sensitivity (93%) and a high specificity (95%) and cross-reacted with only one serum sample derived from an E. canis-infected dog. The reproducibilities of the ELISA and DAT assays were excellent, whilst that of IFI was considered to be acceptable. The results produced by ELISA and DAT were in complete agreement, those between ELISA and IFI were at an acceptable level of agreement, whilst the concurrence between the IFI and DAT results were either acceptable or poor depending on the clinical conditions of the group of dogs examined. Since there is no readily accessible method for the diagnosis of CVL that offers 100% specificity and sensitivity, the choice of technique employed must depend on the aim of the investigation.     

High immune diversity in farmed Atlantic salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo salar</Emphasis> L.)

As with any other intensively farmed animal species, the Atlantic salmon has been selectively bred and cross-bred to maximize desirable traits. Selection tends to diminish genetic diversity in target populations, which among other negative effects is hypothesized to decrease their capacity to confront a broad variety of pathogens. We have analyzed mitochondrial (mtDNA) as well as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) DNA sequences from individuals collected from a single aquaculture cage in southern Chile. Interestingly, only two mtDNA haplotypes were obtained; however, several different MH alleles were detected, with divergence values that were compared with those of natural populations of salmonids. Thus, it seems evolutionary processes responsible of keeping MH diversity in the wild managed to retain MH variability in farmed Atlantic salmon, maintaining high immune diversity despite the generally lower levels of observed neutral genetic diversity.     

Sea turtle strandings reveal high anthropogenic mortality in Italian waters

• 1. Spatio‐temporal distribution and anthropogenic mortality factors were investigated in loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) found stranded or floating in the waters around Italy. A total of 5938 records for the period 1980–2008 were analysed concerning loggerhead turtles measuring from 3.8 to 97 cm curved carapace length (mean: 48.3 cm).
• 2. Results highlighted the following conservation issues: (i) in the study area, anthropogenic mortality is higher than natural mortality; (ii) interaction with fisheries is by far the most important anthropogenic mortality factor; (iii) longlines are an important mortality factor in the southern areas; (iv) trawlers are the cause of high numbers of dead strandings in the north Adriatic; (v) entanglement in ghost‐gear or in other anthropogenic debris affects high numbers of turtles; and (vi) boat strikes are an important source of mortality in most areas but mostly in the warm seasons.
• 3. Results also indicate that: (vii) the north Adriatic is the area with the highest turtle density; and (viii) the south Adriatic and to a lesser extent the surrounding areas of the north Adriatic and the Ionian, are important developmental areas for loggerhead turtles in the first years of life.
• 4. Italy is in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea and borders major foraging areas for the loggerhead turtles in the region, and these results confirm previous concerns about the level of anthropogenic mortality in Italian waters. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.