Detection of the German grapevine yellows (Vergilbungskrankheit) MLO in grapevine,alternative hosts and a vector by a specific PCR procedure

A polymerase chain reaction procedure was developed which enables specific amplification of a ribosomal sequence from the mycoplasmalike organism (MLO) associated with German grapevine yellows (Vergilbungskrankheit, VK) and stolbur-related diseases of solanaceous plants. Successful amplification from all samples prepared from various cultivars collected in different viticultural areas indicates that the causal agent is a relatively homogeneous organism. Amplification was also achieved with template DNA prepared from naturally infected weeds in vineyards such asConvolvolus arvensis andSolanum nigrum, and from the planthopperHyalesthes obsoletus that was collected in the vineyards. Feeding of insects of this species on grapevine seedlings resulted in the development of typical yellows symptoms by the grapes.H. obsoletus could therefore be identified as a vector of Vergilbungskrankheit.Abbreviations FD Flavescence dorée - GY Grapevine yellows - MLO Mycoplasmalike organism - PCR Polymerase chain reaction - RFLP restriction fragment length polymorphism - VK Vergilbungskrankheit (German grapevine yellows)     

In vitro effects of temperature and wet periods on infection of oilseed rape by Alternaria brassicae

The influence of temperature and duration of wet periods on infection of oilseed rape by Alternaria brassicae was studied on detached leaves and pods, leaf disks and intact seedlings. Infections increased with age of leaf and the interaction between temperature and leaf age was highly significant. On older leaves infection was optimal at 25°C. There were many infections also at 15, 20 and 29 C but relatively few infections at 10°C. On pods most infections were observed at 20 C, the highest temperature studied. Infection at each temperature increased progressively with duration of surface wetness. The minimum wet periods for infection of leaves were 3 h at 20–25°C, 4 h at 15°C, 6–9 h at 10 C and 12–24 h at 5 C and for infection of pods, between 6 h and 9 h at 10°C and 6 h (or less) at 15°C and 20 C. On leaves, dry periods interrupting wet periods limited lesion development to that obtained with the initial wet period only; on pods some further infections developed when pods were re-wetted. Dry periods of 3 h and 6 h following the inoculation of pods reduced subsequent infection but there was no further reduction by longer periods of drying to 48 h.     

Emended descriptions of indole negative and indole positive isolates of Brachyspira (Serpulina) hyodysenteriae

Two type/reference strains of Brachyspira (B.) hyodysenteriae, 14 Belgian and German indole negative, and 14 Belgian, German and Swedish indole positive field isolates of strongly β-haemolytic intestinal spirochaetes were compared by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns, biochemical reaction patterns, 16S rDNA sequences and MIC determinations of six antibacterial substances. Three tests for indole production, including a spot indole test, were compared with congruent results. All field isolates were classified as B. hyodysenteriae due to a high genetic and phenotypic similarity with the type strains. The Belgian and German indole negative isolates had identical and unique PFGE patterns for the tested restriction enzymes MluI and SalI, as well as identical 16S rDNA sequences, and they could not be differentiated by any of the methods used. Seven unique PFGE patterns were achieved from the 14 indole positive field isolates. The patterns were identical and unique for epidemiologically related isolates. Type/reference strains and isolates without known relation to other tested isolates showed unique banding patterns. The MICs of tylosin, tiamulin, erythromycin, clindamycin, carbadox and virginiamycin were determined in broth for all isolates. In contrast to Belgian and German isolates, the majority of the Swedish field isolates were susceptible to tylosin, erythromycin and clindamycin. Probable pathways of infection for some of the Swedish isolates were determined. The PFGE patterns of epidemic clones of B. hyodysenteriae remained stable for a period of up to 8 years. In vivo development of resistance to macrolide and lincosamide antibiotics due to use of tylosin was clearly indicated for two epidemic clones.     

Experimental camelpox infection in vaccinated and unvaccinated dromedaries

Four dromedaries were infected with a virulent camelpox virus strain which was isolated from the lung of a Saudi Arabian camel. The camels which were infected intradermally and subcutaneously developed severe generalized camelpox. One of these camels had to be euthanized on humane grounds and the second one died 13 days after being infected. This dromedary also developed internal pox. Neither dromedary showed camelpox antibodies before infection. The other two camels which had been vaccinated with Ducapox 6 years prior to the viral challenge did not develop any clinical symptoms when given 5 ml of the field virus intravenously and intramuscularly. They seroconverted after the challenge. Although only two camels were used for this trial, the results indicate that a single dose of Ducapox can protect 1-year-old camels from camelpox infection for several years.     

Molecular and biological characterisation of Cryptosporidium in pigs

OBJECTIVE: Genetic and biological characterisation of 12 isolates of Cryptosporidium from pigs and comparing them with Cryptosporidium isolates from humans and cattle. DESIGN: Cryptosporidium isolates from pigs were compared with those obtained from human and cattle using rDNA sequence analysis. The infectivity of two of the porcine isolates was determined in neonatal mice and the clinical history of the infected pigs recorded. RESULTS: Pig-derived isolates of Cryptosporidium exhibited two distinct genotypes; a porcine genotype and a bovine genotype, which is common to cattle and other livestock. The porcine genotype did not produce any infection in neonatal mice whereas the bovine genotype did. CONCLUSION: Two distinct genetically and biologically differing strains of Cryptosporidium appeared to be associated with acute diarrhoea in pigs. Whether Cryptosporidium was a primary or secondary pathogen is unclear but warrants further investigation. As the bovine genotype is known to infect humans, the results suggest that pigs can act as reservoirs of cryptosporidial infections for humans and other live-stock. The zoonotic potential of the pig-adapted genotype is uncertain and requires further study.     

Presence of cervical vertebral malformation in Dobermann puppies and the effects of diet and growth rate

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between diet, growth rate and the presence of caudal cervical malformation in Doberman puppies. DESIGN: A prospective study of 15 Dobermann puppies from three unrelated litters, aged from 0 to 16 weeks. PROCEDURE: The growth rate in terms of body weight gain and increase in ulna length were measured weekly for all puppies. In addition the nutritional quality of the diets was assessed. Radiographs of the cervical spine were taken at 6 and between 12 and 16 weeks of age and examined for the presence of caudal cervical vertebral malformation. A mixed model for repeated measures data was used to investigate the relationship between the growth rate of the puppies and the fixed effects age, dam, diet, gender and presence of caudal cervical malformation. RESULTS: Five of the puppies had changes consistent with caudal cervical malformation. The diets fed were either balanced or transiently deficient in protein, calcium, phosphorus and/or magnesium. There was no significant association between growth rate and the variables dam, gender and the presence of caudal cervical vertebral malformation. There was no significant association between diet and increase in ulna length, but a trend existed between body weight gain and the feeding of a balanced diet (P = 0.0672). CONCLUSION: Caudal cervical vertebral changes can be detected radiographically as early as 6 weeks of age in some Dobermann puppies. A balanced diet and growth rate are not significant factors in its initial development.     

Efficacy and tolerance of a calcium-magnesium-aspartate solution in the treatment of hypocalcemic parturient paresis in cows

The systemic tolerance of a solution of calcium aspartate and magnesium aspartate was studied in 7 cows. Intravenously administered dosages of 500 ml per cow were well tolerated. A twofold increase of the serum calcium concentration was measured. In 2 cows which were treated with 1000 ml of the solution a threefold increased calcium concentration and heart arrhythmia were found. The clinical efficacy of the solution was demonstrated in a study with 44 hypocalcemic cows. A long lasting increase of the serum calcium as well as an enhanced phosphorus concentration were measurable. In conclusion, the calcium-magnesium-aspartate solution seems to be an efficacious and well tolerated alternative for the treatment of hypocalcemia in cows.     

Bilateral idiopathic femur head epiphyseolysis ("slipped epiphysis") in cats: literature review and case description

One case of a bilateral idiopathic slipped capital femoral epiphysis--"slipped epiphysis"--in a cat is described. The similarities and the differences between the cases in human and small animal medicine concerning the incidence, the hypotheses of the pathogenesis and the treatment options are discussed.     

Efficacy evaluation of the use of oral tilmicosin in pneumonic calves

A trial was carried out on a beef cattle farm to obtain efficacy data for the treatment of naturally occurring bronchopneumonia in calves under commercial production conditions. The treatment was administered by medicating milk with three different tilmicosin doses mixed in the first 80% of the daily milk ration. According to the clinical results, all three treatment regimens proved to be effective. The efficacies of the reduced dose of 12.5 mg tilmicosin/kg body weight daily for 5 days and of the reduced treatment duration with 25 mg/kg b.w. daily for 3 days were equivalent to a previously proven dose of 25 mg/kg b.w. daily for 5 days.