Host Range and Characterization of Sunflower mosaic virus

ABSTRACT Sunflower mosaic is caused by a putative member of the family Potyviridae. Sunflower mosaic virus (SuMV) was characterized in terms of host range, physical and biological characteristics, and partial nucleotide and amino acid sequence. Cells infected with SuMV had cytoplasmic inclusion bodies typical of potyviruses. Of 74 genera tested, only species in Helianthus, Sanvitalia, and Zinnia, all Asteraceae, were systemic hosts. Commercial sunflower hybrids from the United States, Europe, and South Africa were all equally susceptible. The mean length of purified particles is approximately 723 nm. The virus was transmitted by Myzus persicae and Capitphorus elaegni, and also was seedborne in at least one sunflower cultivar. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests with a broad-spectrum potyvirus monoclonal antibody were strongly positive. SuMV-specific polyclonal antisera recognized SuMV and, to a lesser extent, Tobacco etch virus (TEV). When tested against a panel of 31 potyvirus-differentiating monoclonal antibodies, SuMV was distinct from any potyvirus previously tested. SuMV shared four epitopes with TEV, but had a reaction profile more similar to Tulip breaking virus (TBV). SuMV did not possess epitopes unique only to TBV. The predicted coat protein had a molecular weight of 30.5 kDa. The 3' end of the virus genome was cloned and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the coat protein amino acid sequence revealed that SuMV is a distinct species within the family Potyviridae, most closely related to TEV.     

UNIQUE TOPOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF GREYHOUND NONSUPPURATIVE MENINGOENCEPHALITIS

Greyhound nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis is an idiopathic breed‐associated fatal meningoencephalitis with lesions usually occurring within the rostral cerebrum. This disorder can only be confirmed by postmortem examination, with a diagnosis based upon the unique topography of inflammatory lesions. Our purpose was to describe the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of this disease. Four Greyhounds with confirmed Greyhound nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis were evaluated by MR imaging. Lesions predominantly affected the olfactory lobes and bulbs, frontal, and frontotemporal cortical gray matter, and caudate nuclei bilaterally. Fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T2 weighted spin‐echo (T2W) sequences were most useful to assess the nature, severity, extension, and topographic pattern of lesions. Lesions were predominantly T2‐hyperintense and T1‐isointense with minimal or absent contrast enhancement.     

Right cranial lung lobe torsion after a diaphragmatic rupture repair in a Jack Russell terrier

A seven-year-old male Jack Russell terrier was presented with a history of coughing, generalised weakness and lethargy 10 days after an abdominal coeliotomy to repair a large diaphragmatic rupture. Thoracic radiographs demonstrated a soft tissue mass in the midcaudal right thoracic cavity. Ultrasonographic studies, bronchoscopy and subsequent exploratory thoracotomy confirmed a diagnosis of a right cranial lung lobe torsion (LLT), with an anomalous caudodorsal displacement of the affected lobe. LLT should be considered as a differential diagnosis for respiratory tract disease following diaphragmatic rupture repair.     

Bronchoalveolar lavage cytology from captive badgers

Background: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid is evaluated for the diagnosis and study of lung disease and airway inflammation. Cytologic profiles for BAL fluid have not been reported for badgers and may be useful in understanding the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases such as Mycobacterium bovis. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate cytologic and microbial findings in BAL fluid from captive European badgers (Meles meles) and identify correlates with the results of concurrently collected blood and fecal samples. Methods: BAL fluid (by a nonbronchoscopic method) and jugular venous blood samples (for routine CBC) were obtained from 23 captive tuberculosis‐free anesthetized badgers on 2 occasions 4 weeks apart. Fecal samples were collected for routine parasitology. Morphologic evaluation and 100‐cell differentials were done on cytocentrifuged BAL specimens. Pellets from centrifuged BAL were aerobically cultured for bacteria. Results: With the 2 BAL samples from each of the 23 badgers combined, the median (range) cell percentages were 73.0% (5–95%) neutrophils, 7.5% (2–16%) macrophages, 8.0% (0–27%) lymphocytes, and 9.5% (0–92%) eosinophils. Macrophages frequently contained silica‐like crystals. Other findings included ciliated epithelial cells, goblet cells, mucus, and Aelurostrongylus sp. larvae. A light growth of Streptococcus, Pasteurella, or Escherichia coli was cultured in 6 badgers. Trypanosoma pestanai were identified in blood from 10 badgers and fecal parasites (mainly coccidia) were found in 20 badgers. No correlation was found between BAL and CBC results and the presence of parasites. Conclusions: The predominance of neutrophils in BAL fluid from badgers differs from the predominance of macrophages found in BAL from other species. This difference may reflect the burrowing lifestyle or the unique immune response of badgers.     

Detection of nitrification in a stagnohumic-gley soil

Summary Three different nitrification assays (short-term nitrifier activity, assimilatory nitrate reductase activity of Lolium perenne, and nitrate accumulation in the absence of plants) were performed either on soil from a naturally acidic stagnohumic-gley or on leaves from L. perenne grown in this soil. Before the investigation the soil was limed and fertilised in a manner consistent with established agricultural pasture improvement strategies. Short-term nitrifier activity was only detected in soils above pH 5.6. However, nitrate reductase activity and nitrate accumulation both showed a near linear increase between soil pH 3.8 and 6.8. These findings are attributed to the nature of the assays, each of which considers a different component of the soil nitrifier population.