Localized hemibiotrophy in Colletotrichum: cytological and molecular taxonomic similarities among C. destructivum, C. linicola and C. truncatum

The infection process of hemibiotrophic isolates of Colletotrichum linicola (from flax, Linum usitatissimum ) and C . truncatum (from broad bean, Vicia faba and lentil, Lens culinaris ) was studied by light microscopy. Host surfaces were penetrated directly leading to a symptomless, biotrophic phase characterized by the elaboration of large multilobed, multiseptate, vesicular primary hyphae that were restricted to the initially infected epidermal cells. Biotrophy lasted for the first 48 h of the host-pathogen interaction and was rapidly succeeded by a necrotrophic phase during which narrow, secondary hyphae invaded the surrounding leaf tissues and water-soaked spreading lesions with sporulating, monosetate acervuli were produced on infected host surfaces. Molecular taxonomic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the amplified D2 and ITS-2 regions of rDNA revealed very close similarities (97–99%) between these isolates and those of C . destructivum obtained from cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ) and lucerne ( Medicago sativa ), and also of C . truncatum obtained from pea ( Pisum sativum ). This association was consistent with results from a comparative assessment of some in-planta and in-vitro morphological and growth characteristics of these hemibiotrophic fungi. It was concluded that localized hemibiotrophy is an infection strategy utilized predominantly by a closely-related group of pathogens comprising C . destructivum , C . linicola and C. truncatum , and the formation of multilobed primary hyphae restricted to the first penetrated cell might therefore be a key taxonomic character which correlates consistently with ITS sequence data.     

Nucleotide sequence homology to bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 (BVDV 2) in the 5′ untranslated region of BVDVs from cattle with mucosal disease or persistent infection in Japan

Cytopathogenic and non-cytopathogenic bovine viral diarrhea viruses (BVDVs) were isolated from cattle with mucosal disease or persistent infection in Japan. These isolates were compared for antigenic properties by cross-neutralization tests with Japanese reference strains of BVDV belonging to classical type 1. Significantly low cross-reactivity to reference strains was noted, indicating the viruses to possibly represent a new serotype in Japan. Thus, to determine the genotype of the isolates, nucleotide sequences of the 5′ untranslated region were determined and compared with those of previously reported BVDV 1 and 2. The isolates were clearly shown to belong to BVDV 2, not to BVDV 1.     

Neonatal Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 Infection on a Thoroughbred Breeding Farm

Of 17 foals born on a Thoroughbred breeding farm between March and April 1995, infection with equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) was associated with neonatal morbidity in 5 foals, 3 of which died or were euthanized. Morbidity and mortality were associated with pulmonary inflammation, and EHV-1 was identified in the lungs of the 3 foals that died. All neonatal EHV-1 infections occurred in foals of mares housed in the same pasture and barn. No other clinical manifestations of EHV-1 infection (eg, abortion, neurologic disease, or respiratory disease) occurred during this outbreak. Three foals were treated with acyclovir (1 died, 2 survived), which may have influenced the clinical outcome in the surviving foals.     

Streptococcus uberis: A Permanent Barrier to the Control of Bovine Mastitis?

The prevalence of bovine mastitis has been reduced over the past 25 years due to the implementation of a five-point control plan aimed at reducing exposure, duration and transmission of intramammary infections by bacteria. This has markedly reduced the incidence of bovine mastitis caused by bacteria which show a contagious route of transmission, but has had little effect on the incidence of mastitis due to bacteria which infect the gland from an environmental reservoir. Streptococcus uberis is one such bacterium which is responsible for a significant proportion of clinical mastitis worldwide.The inadequacies of the current methods of mastitis control have led to the search for additional measures, particularly vaccines to prevent intramammary infection by this bacterium. Such an approach requires detailed knowledge of the pathogenesis of intramammary infection. Our understanding of this area has grown in recent years but a lack of information still hampers disease control. Both live vaccines and, recently, crude sub-unit vaccines have shown promise against bovine mastitis due to S. uberis. Vaccines against mastitis must, however, be able to control infection without the participation of a marked inflammatory response. This review provides an overview of the recent advances which have been made in our understanding of host-pathogen interactions which promote infection and disease and highlights areas for strategic research aimed at controlling this bacterial infection.     

大菱鲆致病性溶藻弧菌SR1的外膜蛋白及其抗原性分析

用十二烷基肌氨酸钠(Sarkosyl)抽提结合超速离心的方法提取了一株大菱鲆致病性溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)SR1和其他7株弧菌的外膜蛋白。通过SDS-PAGE图谱分析比较了这8株弧菌外膜蛋白的组成,结果表明,8株弧菌的外膜蛋白电泳一般可得到6-12条条带,其分子量多集中在65-106 kD和28-48 kD,其中36 kD的蛋白带为8株弧菌所共有。用兔抗SR1全菌血清进行Western-blot印迹显示,菌株SR1的外膜蛋白条带中有6条发生了阳性反应,其分子量分别为73 kD、48 kD4、5 kD3、9 kD、36 kD和32 kD。而其他7株弧菌的外膜蛋白与兔抗SR1血清也发生程度不等的阳性反应,这些阳性反应条带的分子量集中在65-73 kD、45-48 kD和36-41 kD之间,其中36 kD的外膜蛋白在8株弧菌中均出现明显的阳性反应,说明36 kD的外膜蛋白是这8株弧菌共有的特异性抗原。     

绿海龟源溶藻弧菌的分离鉴定及药敏分析

【目的】腐皮病是绿海龟(Chelonia mydas)龟苗培育中的常见病,传染性极强,发病率和死亡率高。为确定病因及治疗方法,从病龟鳍状肢的腐皮组织中分离病原菌。【方法】从症状明显的稚龟四肢病灶中分离纯化得到疑似病原菌,编号CMRT91026,开展形态特征、生理生化特性、16SrRNA鉴定和系统发育树构建及相关药物敏感试验。【结果】该菌能在TCBS培养基上生长,菌落呈黄色,为革兰氏阴性短杆菌;在1%NaCl葡萄糖磷酸盐胨水、蔗糖、甘露糖和赖氨酸脱羧酶上的生化特性均显示阳性,并且在3%～10%NaCl胨水均能生长;与NCBI上的溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)同源性达100%。药敏结果显示,该菌对恩诺沙星、萘啶酸、左氧氟沙星、米诺环素、头孢吡肟和头孢曲松敏感;对多西环素、氟苯尼考、妥布霉素、大观霉素、诺氟沙星和氨曲南呈中介;对新霉素、复方新诺明、阿莫西林、庆大霉素、丁胺卡那霉素等15种药物有耐药性。【结论】该菌株鉴定为溶藻弧菌,对喹诺酮类药物(如恩诺沙星)、四环素类药物(如米诺环素)及头孢类(如头孢曲松)等药物较为敏感。试验结果为绿海龟稚龟溶藻弧菌病的诊断及病害防控提供了一定参考。     

红鳍东方皮肤溃烂病病原菌的分离与鉴定

从体表溃烂的养殖红鳍东方鲀(Fugu obscurus)病灶处分离到1株优势生长菌,编号为H-06091.分别通过创伤浸泡和注射方式感染健康红鳍东方鲀,发现这两种途径均可引发皮肤溃烂,两种途径的感染率均为100%,2×108 cell/mL.菌浓度注射组死亡率为100%,4×107 cell/mL菌浓度注射组死亡率为50%,创伤浸泡感染未见死亡.药敏实验表明,复方新诺明、呋喃妥因、链霉素、环丙沙星、利福平、红霉素、氟哌酸、氟嗪酸、庆大霉素、阿米卡星、四环素、青霉素G等抗菌素对H-06091有较强的抑制作用.按照<常见细菌系统鉴定手册>进行菌种鉴定并测定其16S rRNA基因序列,结果表明,该菌呈革兰氏染色阴性,氧化酶阳性,接触酶阳性,V-P试验阴性,硝酸盐还原反应阳性等特征,符合哈氏弧菌(Vibrio harveyi)特征,其16s rRNA基因序列与GenBank中哈氏弧菌同源性为99%,因此将H-06091鉴定为哈氏弧菌.     

Experimental infections of a ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis on ornamental fishes

SUMMARY: Experimental infection of Tetrahymena pyriformis was conducted on ornamental fishes with skin wounded by acetic acid treatment. Among fishes used in this experimental infection, guppy Poecilia reticulata , pristella Pristella maxillaris , neontetra Paracheirodon innesi and cherry barbs Puntius titteya proved to be sensitive to challenge, while medaka Oryzias latipes , dwarf gourami Colisa lalia , goldfish Carassius auratus , platy Xiphophorus maculatus and angelfish Pterophyllum scalare were resistant. In catfish Corydoras aeneus infection was unsuccessful. Exposure to Tetrahymena at ≥100 cells/mL at 25 to 30°C and at pH of 6.0 to 8.0 resulted in the successful infection of some sensitive fish species. Histological and bacteriological observations suggest that deeply destroyed skin tissues from the acid-treated method are the primary factors in successful infection.     

噬菌蛭弧菌对乌鳢养殖水质的影响

为了探讨噬菌蛭弧菌制剂净化水质和病害防治的效果,试验以0.75 mL/m2的用量向乌鳢养殖池泼洒浓度为1.0×108pfu/mL的噬菌蛭弧菌制剂,观察7 d内养殖池的pH、DO、NH3-N、NO2--N含量及弧菌总数等主要水质指标以及乌鳢死亡数目的变化。向乌鳢养殖池加入噬菌蛭弧菌后,试验组与对照组相比,NH3-N、NO2--N含量及弧菌总数明显减少(p<0.05),DO明显增大(p<0.05),但pH变化不明显(p>0.05);乌鳢死亡率也明显减少(p<0.05)。试验结果表明,以0.75 mL/m2的用量向乌鳢养殖池泼洒浓度1.0×108pfu/mL的噬菌蛭弧菌制剂,有利于提高DO含量及乌鳢存活率,降低NH3-N、NO2--N含量及弧菌总数。     

Effect of eye fluke infection on the growth of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) —An experimental approach

Effect of the eye fluke Diplostomum spathaceum on fish growth has remained somewhat unclear because 1) the question has not been subjected to experimental examination with treatment-control setup and 2) growth has not been related to the coverage of parasite-induced cataracts in a quantitative manner. We examined effects of the parasite on growth and competitive ability of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) in experimental conditions resembling those at fish farms by maintaining groups of exposed and control fish, as well as mixed groups from both treatments, under optimal conditions for 8 weeks. Contrary to our expectations, we did not observe differences in fish growth between the treatments. However, at the level of individual fish, parasite-induced cataracts had a negative effect on weight of the exposed fish but this took place only when the cataract coverage reached 100% in both eyes. No effect of the infection on competitive ability of fish was observed in mixed treatments which may be related to patterns of food distribution in the tanks or cues received by the fish from less infected conspecifics. Overall, the results suggest that effects of D. spathaceum on fish growth become apparent only in cases of very high cataract coverage, and that feeding regimes and the shape of the cataract coverage distribution in a fish group are important determinants of the magnitude of these effects.