The epizootiology of tuberculosis of cattle in the Federal Republic of Germany

Mycobacterial strains from different outbreaks of tuberculosis of cattle in Germany from 1996 to 2001 were differentiated by two molecular biological methods (Spoligotyping, RFLP IS6110). The causative agent was in one case Mycobacterium (M.) africanum, in 10 cases M. bovis and in 17 cases M. bovis ssp. caprae, respectively. The results of the molecular biological methods are discussed from the perspective of epizootiology and the particular importance of infections by M. bovis ssp. caprae emphasized. Direct contact of the animals, purchase from infected stocks, infected zoo animals and wildlife, as well as livestock handlers are discussed as possible sources of infection.     

Integrated pest management of Tuta absoluta: practical implementations across different world regions

Journal of Pest Science - The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), has invaded most Afro-Eurasian countries and is threatening worldwide tomato...     

Treatment of shrimp farm effluent with omnivorous finfish and artificial substrates

Long‐term environmental sustainability and community acceptance of the shrimp farming industry in Australia requires on‐going development of efficient cost‐effective effluent treatment options. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a shrimp farm treatment system containing finfish and vertical artificial substrates (VAS). This was achieved by (1) quantifying the individual and collective effects of grey mullet (Mugil cephalus L.) and VASs on water and sediment quality, and (2) comparing the retention of N in treatment systems with and without the presence of finfish (M. cephalus and the siganid Siganus nebulosus (Quoy & Gaimard)), where light was selectively removed. Artificial substrates were found to significantly improve the settlement of particulate material, regardless of the presence of finfish. Mullet actively resuspended settled solids and reduced the production of nitrate when artificial substrates were absent. However, appreciable nitrification was observed when mullet were present together with artificial substrates. The total quantity of N retained by the mullet was found to be 1.8– 2.4% of the incoming pond effluent N. It was estimated that only 21% of the pond effluent N was available for mullet consumption. When S. nebulosus was added, total finfish N retention increased from 1.8% to 3.9%, N retention by mullet also improved (78±16 to 132±21‐mg N day^?1 before and after siganid addition respectively). Presence of filamentous macroalgae (Enteromorpha spp.) was found to improve the removal of N from pond effluent relative to treatments where light was excluded. Denitrification was also a significant sink for N (up to 24% N removed). Despite the absence of algal productivity and greater availability of nitrate, denitrification was not higher in treatments where light was excluded. Mullet were found to have no effect on the rates of denitrification but significantly reduced macroalgal growth on the surface of the water. When mullet were absent, excessive macroalgal growth led to reduced dissolved oxygen concentrations and nitrification. This study concludes that the culture of mullet alone in shrimp farm effluent treatment systems does not result in significant retention of N but can contribute to the control of macroalgal biomass. To improve N retention and removal, further work should focus on polyculturing a range of species and also on improving denitrification.     

Long-chain fatty acids of Pasteurella multocida nad Pasteurella haemolytica

The relative contents of long-chain fatty acids in P. multocida and P. haemolytica were investigated. A dependence on the composition of the broth was established. Accordingly, comparative quantitative studies on fatty acid contents have to be conducted using bacteria grown with the same lot of broth medium. As for P. multocida, there were significant differences between the serovars (C14 in TDHM and C16, delta 2C18 in BPL). These differences are, however, not significant to replace serotyping. Highly significant differences were also detected between P. multocida isolates from nasal swabs and pneumonic lungs (interims of C14, delta C16 on BPL and BRU). The largest differences were measured for strains grown on BRU, which is interpreted as an expression of virulence. Significant differences were found between biotypes A and T of P. haemolytica, namely for C14, C16 in TDHM, and C14, delta C16, C16, C18 in BPL medium.