Genotypic Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Human and Animal Sources in Egypt

Two different techniques for the molecular typing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used to study the epidemiology of P. aeruginosa strains. Colonization with P. aeruginosa was studied by taking samples of human origin collected from urine, sputum samples of patients suffering from lung manifestations and patients exposed to third‐degree burns. In addition, samples of animal origin were collected from mastitic milk and lung tissues of slaughtered calves and from the internal organs of diseased chickens. Typing of 18 isolates was performed by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis and amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis. Computer‐aided cluster analysis indicated that similar groups of related isolates were obtained by each method.     

Effects of Oral Sunflower Oil on Serum and Cutaneous Fatty Acid Concentration Profiles in Seborrheic Dogs

Abstract— Twenty-one dogs with chronic seborrhea were evaluated in this study. Serum fatty acid concentration profiles of the seborrheic dogs were within normal reference ranges. However, cutaneous fatty acid concentration profiles showed elevations in oleic acid and arachidonic acid with decreased levels of linoleic acid. Following supplementation with oral sunflower oil (1.5 ml/kg body weight/day) for 30 days, the cutaneous fatty acid concentration profiles returned to near normal values and clinical signs of seborrhea lessened in severity. Clinical signs of seborrhea in dogs may be partly attributable to a localized deficiency of linoleic acid and/or elevated levels of arachidonic acid in the skin. Résumé— Cette étude a porté sur vingt et un chiens présentant une séborrhée chronique. Les concentrations plasmatiques d'acides gras des chiens séborruélaques étainet dans les limites des valeurs usuelles. Toutefols, les concentration d'acides gras au niveau cutané ont montré des élévations des concentrations d'acide oléique et d'acide archidonique et une diminution des concentrations d'acide linoléqiue. Après 30 jours d'une supplémentation à base d'huile d'onagre (0,5 ml/kg PV/j), les concentrations cutanées d'acides gras étaient revenues àla normales et les signes cliniques de séborrhées avaient diminué. Les signes cliniques de la séborrhée chez le chien pourraient en partie être dus à une concentration cutanée trop élevée d'acide obéique et d'acide arachidonique et/ou trop faibie d'acide linoléique. Zusammenfassung— In dieser Studie wurde chronische Seborrhoe bei einundzwanzig Hunden ausgewertet. Die Konzentrationsprofile der Serumfettsäuren der Hunde mit Seborrhoe lagen innerhalb der normalen Referenzbereiche. Die Konsentrationsprofile der kutanen Fettsäuren zeigten eine Erhöhung der öl-und Arachidonsäure sowie verminderte Mengen an Linolsäure. Nach einer oralen Ergänzung mit Sonnenblumenöl (1,5 ml/kg Körpergewicht und Tag) über 30 Tage kehrten die Konzentrationsprofile der kutanen Fettsäuren nahe an die Normalwerte zurück und die klinischen Symptome der Seborrhoe verminderten sich in ihrem Ausmaß. Die klinischen Veränderungen der Seborrhoe bein Hund können teilweise durch einen lokalisierten Mangrel an Linolsäure und/oder durch einen erhöten Spiegel an Arachidonsäure in der Haut bedingt sein. Resumen En este estudio se evaluan 21 perros con seborrea de tipo crónico. Los valores de las concentraciones de acídos grasos en el suero resultaron hallarse dentro del rango normal. Sin embargo, las concentracions du ácido oleico y araquidónico en la piel entaban aumentadas, y las de ácido linoleico reducidas. Después de una suplementación con aceite de girasol, (1.5 ml/kg de peso corporal/día), por un periodo de 30 días, la concentración de ácidos grasos cutáneos se vió casi normalizada y los signos clínicos de seborrea disminuyeron de severidad. El cuadro clínico de seborrea en perros podria ser atribuido parcialmente a la deficiencia local de ácido linoleico, y/o a la elevación de ácido araquidónico en la piel.     

Response of white leghorn chickens of various B haplotypes to infection at hatch with subgroup J avian leukosis virus

White leghorn chickens from seven 15.B congenic lines (genetically similar except for genes linked to the major histocompatibility complex [MHC] B haplotype) and two Line 0.B semicongenic lines were infected at hatch with strain ADOL Hc-1 of subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J). At 5, 8, 16, and 36 wk of age, chickens were tested for viremia, serum-neutralizing antibody, and cloacal shedding. Chickens were also monitored for development of neoplasia. In the 15.B congenic lines (B*2, B*5, B*12, B*13, B*15, B*19, and B*21) there were no significant differences in the incidence of viremia between B haplotypes. In fact, infection at hatch in all of the 15.B congenic lines induced tolerance to ALV-J because 100% of these chickens were viremic and transient circulating serum-neutralizing antibody was detected in only a few chickens throughout the 36 wk experiment. However, at 16 wk of age more B*15 chickens had antibody and fewer B*15 chickens shed virus than did the 16-wk-old B*2, B*5, or B*13 chickens. Moreover, compared with B*15 chickens, a higher percentage of B*13 chickens consistently shed virus from 8 wk postinfection to termination at 36 wk postinfection. The B haplotype had a transient effect on viral clearance in Line 0.B semicongenics, as more B*13 than B*21 chickens remained viremic through 5 wk of age. Very few (0%-18%) of the Line 0.B semicongenic chickens shed virus. By 36 wk of age, all Line 0 B*13 and B*21 chickens produced serum-neutralizing antibodies and cleared the virus. These results show that following ALV-J infection at hatch the immune response is influenced transiently by the B haplotype and strongly by the line of chicken. Although this study was not designed to study the effect of endogenous virus on ALV-J infection, the data suggest that endogenous virus expression reduced immunity to ALV-J in Line 15I5, compared with Line 0, a line known to lack endogenous virus genes.     

Pathogenicity of two recombinant avian leukosis viruses

We have recently described the isolation and molecular characteristics of two recombinant avian leukosis subgroup J viruses (ALV J) with an avian leukosis virus subgroup A envelope (r5701A and r6803A). In the present study, we examined the role of the subgroup A envelope in the pathogenesis of these recombinant viruses. Chickens of line 151(5) x 7(1) were inoculated at 1 day of age with r5701A, r6803A, Rous-associated virus type 1 (RAV-1), or strain ADOL-Hcl of ALV-J. At 2, 4, 10, 18, and 32 wk postinoculation (PI), chickens were tested for avian leukosis virus (ALV)-induced viremia, shedding, and neutralizing antibodies. All except one chicken inoculated with the recombinant viruses (98%) developed neutralizing antibodies by 10 wk PI compared with only 16% and 46% of the ADOL-Hcl and RAV-1-inoculated birds, respectively. ALV-induced tumors and mortality in the two groups inoculated with recombinant viruses were different. The incidence of tumors in groups inoculated with r5701A or RAV-1 was 100% compared with only 9% in the groups inoculated with r6803A or ADOL-Hcl. The data suggest that differences in pathogenicity between the two recombinant viruses might be due to differences in the sequence of the 3' untranslated region (presence or absence of the E element), and, therefore, not only the envelope but also other elements of the viral genome play an important role in the pathogenesis of ALV.     

A Review of Systemic Antifungal Agents

Résumé— Cet article est une revue des antifongiques systémiques communément utilisés. Sont présentés les origines des diverses substances, leur pharmacocinétique, leur mode d'action, leurs effets secondaires et enfin, leurs indications en médecine vétérinaire. [Hill, P.B., Moriello, K.A., Shaw, S.E. A review of systemic antifungal agents (Antifongiques systémiques: une revue).
Abstract— This paper is a review of commonly used systemic antifungal antibiotics. Included is a review of the origins of the drugs, pharmacokinetics, modes of action, adverse effects and clinical uses in veterinary medicine.     

Immunological Reactivity to Intradermal Dermatophyte Antigens in Cats with Dermatophytosis

Abstract— To study the immune response of cats to dermatophyte infection, ten healthy cats and five cats previously infected with Microsporum canis were injected intradermally with dermatophyte glycoprotein extracts. Injection sites were observed for immediate and delayed reactions and biopsied at 24 and 48 hours after injection. All five previously-infected cats but only two of 10 control cats had immediate positive reactions to M. canis antigen. Four out of five previously-infected cats and one of 10 control cats also had reactions to Trichophyton rubrum antigen, suggesting antigenic crossreactivity between these fungal species. At 24 h after injection, four out of five previously-infected cats had delayed reactions to M. canis antigen at the injection sites; equivalent sites in all control animals were negative. The histological appearance of the delayed reactions was a superficial perivascular dermatitis, with lymphohistiocytic cells, eosinophils, mast cells, and neutrophils. This pattern is consistent with a delayed-type hypersensitivity response to fungal antigens. Special stains revealed no evidence of cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity in these reactions. Our data suggest that naturally-occurring feline dermatophytosis is accompanied by development of both humoral and cellular immune responses to the organism. Intradermal skin testing with dermatophyte antigens is a useful tool for investigating the immune response of cats to dermatophytosis. Résumé— Afin d'étudier la réponse immunitaire des chats à une infection par des dermatophytes, des intradermoréactions à l'aide d'extraits glycoprotéiques de dermatophytes ont été pratiquées sur 10 chats sains et 5 chats antérieurement infectés par Microsporum canis. Les sites d'injection ont cté observés pour lés réactions immédiates et retardées et biopsiés à 24 et 48 heures. Les 5 chats antéricurement infectés et seulement 2 des chtas témoins ont présenté des réactions immédiates à l'extrait antigénique de Microsporum canis, 4 des 5 chats antérieurement infectés et 1 des 10 chats témoins ont aussi présenté des réactions àTríchophyton rubrum, suggérant l'existence de réactions croisées entre ces deux espèces de dermatophytes. 24 heures après l'injection, 4 des 5 chats antérieurement infectés ont présenté des réactions retardées àMicrosporum canis au point d'injection. Ces mêmes tests étaient négatifs chez les animaux témoins. L'aspect histologique des réactions retardées etait celui d'une dermite périvasculaire superficielle à celles lymphohistiocylaires, éosinophiles, neutrophiles, et mastocytes. Cet aspect est compatibles avec une réaction d'hypersensibilité retardée aux antigènes fongiques. Des colorations spécifiques n'ont pas permis de mettre en évidence une hypersensibilité cutanée à basophiles dans ces réactions. Ces résultats suggèrent que l'infection naturelle par des dermatophytes chez le chat entraine le développement d'une réaction immunitaire humorale et cellulaire spécifique de ces organismes. Les intradermoréactions à l'aide d'extraits antigéniques de dermatophytes sont un bon moyen d'exploraton de la réponse immunitaire des chats lors de dermatophytle. Zausammenfassung— Um die Immunantwort von Katzen auf die Infektion mit Dermatophyten zu untersuchen, wurden bei zehn gesunden Katzen und fünf Tieren mit vorausgegangener Microsporum canis-Infektion Extrakte von Dermatophyten-Glykoprotein intradermal injiziert. Die Injektionsstellen wurden auf Sofortund Spätreaktionen kontrolliert sowie 24 und 48 Stunden nach der Injektion biopsiert. Alle fünf Katzen mit vorausgegangener Infektion, aber nur zwei der 10 Kontrolltiere zeigten eine positive Sofortreaktion auf M. canis-Antigen. Vier der fünf früher infizierten Katzen und eine der 10 Kontrollkatzen zeigten gleichzeitig Reaktionen auf Tríchophyton rumbrum-Anúgen. Dies legt den Verdacht nahe, daß zwischen diesen Pilzspezies Kreuzreaktionen auf Antigene auftreten. 24 Stunden nach der Injektion zeigten vier der fünf früher infizierten Katzen Spätreaktionen auf M. canis-Antigen an den Injektionsstellen. Entsprechende Hautstellen waren bei alien Kontrolltieren negativ. Das histologische Bild der Spätreaktionen bestand in einer oberflächlichen, perivaskulären Dermatitis mit lymphohistiozytären Zellen, eosinophilen Granulozyten, Mastzellen und neutrophilen Granulozyten. Diese Muster stimmt mit einer Hypersensibilitätsreaktion vom Spättyp auf Pilzantigene überein. Spezialfärbungen erbrachten keinen Hinweis auf eine Hypersensibilität der kutanen basophilen Granulozyten bei diesen Reaktionen. Unsere Befunde deuten en, daß natürlich auftretende Dermatomykosen bei Katzen von der Entwicklung sowohl humoraler als auch zellulärer Immunantworten auf diese Organismen begleitet werden. Intradermale Hauttests mit Dermatophytenantigenen sind ein nützliches Verfahren um die Immunantwort von Katzen auf Dermatomykosen zu untersuchen. Resumen Para estudiar la respuesta inmune de los gatos hacia la infección por dermatofítos, diez gatos sanos y cinco gatos previamente infectados con Microsporum canis fueron inyectados intradérmicamente con extractos de glicoproteina de dermatofito. En los lugares de inyección se observaron las reacciones inmediatas y posteriores y se, realizaron biopsias a los 24 y 48 horas después de la inyección. Tuvieron reacciones positivas inmediatas hacia el antígeno M. canis los cinco gatos prevaimente infectados y uno de los diez “gatos control”. Cuatro de los gatos previamente infectados y uno de los diez “gatos control” tambien reaccionaron ante el antígeno Tríchophyton rubrum, sugeriendo reactividad cruzada, antigénica entre estas especies fúngicas. A los 24 horas después de la inyección, cuatro des los cinco gatos previamente infectados presentaron reacciones posteriores hacia el antígeno M. canis en los lugares de la inyección; los lugares equivalentes en todos los animales control fueron negativos. La aparición histológica de las reacciones posteriores consistía en una dermatitis perivascular superficial, con celulas linfohistiocíticas, eosinofilos, mastocitos y neutrofilos. Este patrón es consistente con una hipersensibilidad de dipo retrasado en respuesta a antígenos fúngicos. Manchas especiales revelaron la no evidencia de hipersensibilidad de basófilos cutaneous en estas reacciones. Nuestros datos sugieron que la dermatofitosis felina producida de forma natural va acompañada del desarrollo de respuestas inmunes humorales y celulares hacía el organismo. La prueba intradérmica con antígenos dermatofítos es útil para investigar la respuestra inmunológica de los gatos hacia dermatofitosis.     

Antagonistic potential of Trichoderma spp. against Rhizoctonia solani and use of M13 microsatellite-primed PCR to evaluate the antagonist genetic variation

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Rhizoctonia solani is the most important pathogen involved in cotton seedling disease in Egypt. Variations in the antagonistic activity of 20 isolates...     

Surface Ultrastructure of Ultimobranchial Remnants in the Thyroid Gland of Buffalo (Bos bubalis)

The remnant of ultimobranchial (UB) body in the thyroid gland of adult buffalo was studied. This remnant appeared in the form of irregular and elongated follicles of various size and shape with folded lumen. These structures occupied a peripheral location beneath the capsule, as well as being embedded mostly in the vascular connective tissue of the thyroid. Calcitonin cells were predominantly localized in the UB follicles. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that surface of most UB follicular cells was almost flat and polyhedral or hexagonal in shape. Other follicles possessed cells with dome shaped apical surface demarcated by a shallow intercellular depression. The luminal surface of the follicular cell lining was studded with microvilli that appeared with various density and length and were numerous at the cellular borders. Interestingly, most of UB follicular cells were provided with single cilium, projecting over the cell surface. Notably some UB follicles presented various stages of apocrine activities.