Subconjunctival filariasis due to Onchocerca sp. in dogs: report of 23 cases in Greece

In the present study, we describe a series of 23 cases of ocular subconjunctival parasitic granulomas in dogs, admitted to the Clinic of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, between 1997 and 2000. The ophthalmic manifestations in all animals were periorbital swelling, discomfort, photophobia, conjunctival congestion, and discharge. A more detailed examination revealed the presence of periocular masses (nodules) on the subconjunctival bulbar space. Granulomatous or cyst-like formations were extracted surgically, and were found to contain thread-like nematode parasites. A histologic and parasitologic examination of tissues and parasites was carried out. Diagnosis of parasitic granulomas was made and the parasite was identified as Onchocerca sp. This is the largest series of cases reported of aberrant Onchocerca infections in dogs coming from one geographic location.     

A study on ghrelin and LH secretion after short fasting and on ghrelin levels at perioestrual period in dairy cattle

In two experiments, we studied (a) the changes of LH secretion in heifers under different feeding schedules and (b) total ghrelin concentration at oestrus in cows and heifers. In experiment one, synchronized heifers were allocated in three groups (R, regularly fed controls; F, fasted; and F‐F fasted‐fed). One day after the completion of the oestrous induction protocol, group F and F‐F animals stayed without feed for 24 hr; thereafter, feed was provided to R and F‐F cattle; 2 hr later, GnRH was administered to all animals. Blood samples were collected for ghrelin, progesterone, LH and cortisol concentrations. Fasting caused increased ghrelin concentrations in groups F and F‐F, while in response to GnRH, LH surge was significantly attenuated in groups F and F‐F compared to R. In experiment 2, lactating cows and heifers were used. On day 9 of a synchronized cycle, PGF2α was administered, and blood samples were collected twice daily until the third day after oestrus and analysed for progesterone, estradiol, ghrelin, glucose and BHBA concentrations. No difference was recorded between groups in steroids and BHBA concentrations. In comparison to mid‐luteal values, ghrelin concentrations significantly increased at perioestrual period in cows, but not in heifers. This study provides evidence that starving‐induced elevated ghrelin concentrations can have suppressing effect on LH secretion, even after ghrelin's restoration to basal values and that during oestrus, ghrelin secretion is differently regulated in cows and heifers, likely being independent from oestradiol concentrations. Further research is required to identify the determining factors that drive the different regulation of ghrelin secretion in cows and heifers.     

Social network analysis of sheep grazing different plant functional groups

Social Network Analysis (SNA) is used for the first time to investigate the relations between plant functional groups and social structure of grazing sheep. The research was conducted on a grassland in Crete's island Lefka Ori, Greece during 2016. A flock of 20 sheep of Sfakion race was analysed as a network and the sheep as nodes. The focal sampling technique was applied during four experimental periods of four consecutive days × eight hours/day. The plant species selected by sheep during grazing were categorized into four functional groups (grasses, broad‐leaved forbs, shrubs and trees), and the proximity and conflict relations that were developed among the flock members were recorded. The tools of SNA were defined and interpreted in the sheep flock, and the Visone software is used to calculate the network variables of proximity and conflicts relations of nodes. Correlations between the plant functional groups and network variables were examined by Spearman's bivariate correlation test. Sheep collectivity was enhanced while grazing grasses and simultaneously, a tendency for hierarchization within the flock was identified. Similarly, the proximity of sheep increased during forbs’ grazing while their individualism was strengthened. When grazing shrubs, the proximity of sheep was only in part maintained while the grazing of trees seems as the most deconstructive forage option of sheep proximity relations. In general, the grazing of all plant functional groups decreases conflicts among sheep except that of trees, which was insignificant for developing such relations.     

Integrative diagnosis and molecular phylogeny of dagger and needle nematodes of olives and grapevines in the island of Crete,Greece, with description of Xiphinema cretense n. sp. (Nematoda,Longidoridae)

The occurrence and geographic distribution of longidorid nematode species inhabiting the rhizosphere of cultivated and wild olive and grapevine in Crete Island were investigated. Morphological and morphometrical studies identified five Longidorus and six Xiphinema species, with frequencies of prevalence (for wild and cultivated olives and grapevines, respectively) as follows: Longidorus closelongatus (2.0–13.3 %), L. cretensis (1.0–6.7 %), L. moesicus (13.3 % only in grapevines), L. orientalis (3.3 % only in grapevines), L. pseudoelongatus (7.0 % only in olives), Xiphinema cretense n. sp. (3.0 % only in olives), X. index (3.0–23.3 %), X. israeliae (6.3 % only in olives), X. italiae (3.3–10.0 %), X. pachtaicum (26.7–42 %) and X. simile (3.3 % only in grapevines). Xiphinema cretense n. sp. is characterized by a body size 3,872–6,135 μm long, lip region anteriorly rounded, separated from the rest of the body by a depression, odontostyle and odontophore 140.6 and 80.3 μm long respectively, vulva position at 46.0–50.5 %, female tail 31.0–38.0 μm long, nearly hemispherical with curvature essentially dorsal and with a tip completely rounded or presenting a very short bulge, c ratio (119.1–186.9), c’ ratio (0.7–0.8). Molecular characterisation using D2-D3 expansion regions of 28S rRNA, 18S rRNA and ITS1-rRNA was carried out and maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analysis were used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among these species and with other longidorids.     

Isolation and Antimicrobial Resistance of Staphylococcus spp. in Freshwater Fish and Greek Marketplaces

The presence and antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus spp. in freshwater fish and the environment of fish markets of Northern Greece were investigated. A total of 269 samples were examined, consisting of 71 rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), 65 gibel carp (Carassius gibelio), and 133 environmental samples swabbed from various surfaces at fish markets.Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from 27% of the samples, and 16%, 9%, 0.7%, 0.4% and 0.4% were found to be positive for S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. warneri, S. hominis-hominis, and S. haemolyticus, respectively. All isolates were examined for their susceptibility to 20 antibiotics. None of the S. aureus isolates were resistant to oxacillin and glycopeptides. Three S. epidermidis, two S. Warneri, and one S. haemolyticus isolates were resistant to oxacillin (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus, MRS). All isolates, except one, showed resistance to as many as 15 antibiotics. The population of Staphylococcus spp. in fish did not exceed 1.0 log CFU/g. Freshwater fish and the environments of retail fish markets were found to harbor multi-drug resistant staphylococci. Whether these findings present a real health risk for humans and to what extent needs to be evaluated.     

Detection of Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 in association with an Aeromonas sobria infection of Carassius carassius (L.), in Italy

Sixteen specimens of female crucian carp, Carassius carassius (L.), during the breeding season, were investigated for post‐mortem and full diagnostic examination during a mortality outbreak in a tributary stream of the Arno River in Tuscany in 2011. Necropsy highlighted the presence of a swollen anus and widespread haemorrhages in the body, fins, gills and eyes. Haemorrhages in internal organs and spleen granulomas were also observed. Bacteria isolated from the brain, kidney and spleen of affected fish were identified as A. sobria. Microscopic lesions observed in gills were characterized by necrosis of the secondary lamellae, congestion and multifocal lamellar fusion. The kidney showed necrosis, oedema, fibrin exudation and areas of haemorrhages, while in the spleen the main lesions were by multifocal necrosis of the lymphoid tissue. In the gills, transmission electron microscopy revealed herpesvirus‐like particles, subsequently identified as Cyprinid herpesvirus‐2 (CyHV‐2) with a nested PCR protocol. Although it was not possible to attribute a pathogenic role to CyHV‐2 in this mortality event, the identification of this herpesvirus in crucian carp increases the concern about its potential role in this species.     

Genetic characterization of central Mediterranean stocks of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) using mitochondrial and nuclear markers,and conservation implications

1. that the north Adriatic, the Tunisian continental shelf, the waters around Malta and the Italian Ionian Sea represent important areas for the conservation of rookeries in Greece, Libya and Turkey, respectively;
2. that waters off the Italian peninsula and the islands of Lampedusa and Malta are mainly inhabited by individuals of Mediterranean origin, with a major contribution from the nearest and largest colonies, while Atlantic turtles are restricted to the western areas;
3. that specific migratory routes exist from rookeries to foraging grounds;
4. a poor bi‐parental genetic structuring, which suggests a high male‐mediated gene flow in the Mediterranean;
5. mixing of small turtles in waters distant from natal rookeries, and recovery of structuring for large‐sized individuals; and
6. that uncommon mtDNA haplotypes are more powerful markers than microsatellite alleles in assessing an individual's origin, owing to their higher geographic specificity.

Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

THE DETERMINANTS OF CONSUMPTION FOR ORGANIC AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS—EVIDENCE FROM GREECE

This study investigates Greek consumers' behavior towards organic aquaculture products, identifying possible distinct consumer groups and examining possible linkages between consumer characteristics and marketing aspects of organic aquaculture. Using data from an in-person field survey, a two-step cluster analysis demonstrated different attitudes among consumers with different profiles and also identified two distinct consumer groups differentiated primarily by income: the low-potential consumers and the high-potential consumers, representing 34% and 66% of the total sample, respectively. This study provides evidence that consumers' socioeconomic and demographic characteristics are key factors determining the consumers' purchasing behavior for organic aquaculture products. Thus, a market segmentation strategy is needed to allow organic aquaculture production to take advantage of the significant potential for growth in the near future.     

Germplasm diversity and genetic relationships among walnut (Juglans regia L.) cultivars and Greek local selections revealed by Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers

Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers were used for the assessment of genetic diversity among walnut (Juglans regia L.) selections from Greek native populations in comparison to internationally cultivated walnut genotypes. Similarity coefficient values from 0.13 to 0.93 (with an average of 0.48) were found among the 56 accessions examined, which indicated the presence of a high degree of genetic variability. Most international cultivars were grouped together while most Greek native populations could not be placed into a distinct group. The Greek native population genotypes were found more diverse than the international cultivars. The mean similarity coefficient values for the former and latter were 0.44 and 0.56, respectively. In the cultivar group, two subgroups were distinguished; one consisted of genotypes involving ‘Payne’ and the other ‘Franquette’ in their pedigrees. Some cultivars and populations could not be grouped according to their pedigrees or collection area. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that a larger part of the genetic variation exists among Greek walnut populations within a collection region (89%) than among the regions (11%). The pairwise regional PhiPT values indicated that the most geographically distant regions are the most genetically differentiated. The high variability existing in the Greek germplasm in combination with their valuable agro-morphological traits suggested that it would be beneficial to utilize this native germplasm pool in walnut breeding programs and germplasm management activities to maximize genetic diversity in cultivated walnut.