Preliminary results of an anticircumsporozoite DNA vaccine trial for protection against avian malaria in captive African black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus).

Captive juvenile African black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus) housed in an outdoor enclosure at the Baltimore Zoo have an average 50% mortality from avian malarial (Plasmodium sp.) infection each year without intense monitoring for disease and chemotherapeutic intervention. During the 1996 malaria transmission season, the safety and efficacy of an anti-circumsporozoite (CSP) DNA vaccine encoding the Plasmodium gallinaceum CSP protein against P. relictum were studied. The goal was to reduce clinical disease and death without initiating sterile immunity after release into an area with stable, endemic avian malaria. The birds were monitored for adverse clinical signs associated with vaccination, the stimulation of an anti-CSP antibody response, and protection afforded by the vaccine. The presence of P. relictum in trapped culicine mosquitoes within the penguin enclosure was monitored to assess parasite pressure. Among the vaccinated penguins, the parasitemia rate dropped from approximately 50% to approximately 17% despite intense parasite pressure, as determined by mosquito infection rate. During the year of the vaccine trial, no mortalities due to malaria occurred and no undesirable vaccination side effects occurred. This is the first trial of an antimalarial vaccine in a captive penguin colony.     

Parasitic health of olive baboons in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

This study examined the endoparasite load of a group of olive baboons (Papio cynocephalus anubis) that share their habitat with a population of mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla berengei) in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. During a 2-week period in June 2002, shared habitat was substantiated by noting the ranging patterns of both species and recording observations and trail remains with a global positioning system (GPS). Parasite load was determined by collecting fecal samples preserved in 10% formalin and analyzed by sedimentation techniques and immunofluorescent antibodies (IFA). Bwindi baboons were infected with Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Eimeria, Ascaris spp., Strongyloides spp., Trichuris spp., Hymenolepis spp., and Ternidens diminuta. Of these, the Bwindi mountain gorillas had previously been found to carry Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Strongyloides spp., and Trichuris spp., but not Eimeria, Ascaris, Hymenolepis, or T. diminuta. This study is the first to record Giardia in olive baboons and demonstrates that at least three parasite species in Bwindi baboons have yet to be found in Bwindi gorillas. Early monitoring is essential to the health and well being of both of these sympatric primate species, especially as they continue to interact more often and over a larger area.     

Genetic evaluation of laying performance in the Zatorska goose: contribution to the conservation programme

1. The aim of the study was to estimate the heritability of the laying performance in the cumulative and partial production of eggs and predict the breeding values of native Zatorska geese in a conservation programme using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) methodology. Second, the trajectory of the egg production curve was examined.

2. The data contain information about the laying performance of 1831 individuals in the first year of laying. To describe the trajectory of the laying performance, 10 mathematical models were tested. For the genetic parameter estimation of egg production, data from 1038 birds were used with a production higher than 20 eggs during the first season of laying.

3. The analysis of egg production was based on single and multi-trait models. Heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations between phases of the laying performance as well as breeding values were estimated.

4. The best adaptation to the goose egg laying curve was the Ali and Schaeffer model. The estimates of heritability were 0.20 (0.06 SE) using the single-trait model and ranged from 0.12 to 0.24 using the multi-trait model.

5. The results suggest that the BLUP method can support the conservation programme.     

Biochemical analysis of uterine fluid for identification of indicators for subclinical endometritis in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Alterations in biochemical constituents of uterine fluid have been suggested for diagnosis of subclinical uterine infection in the bovine. This study was undertaken to investigate whether uterine fluid biomolecules could act as tool for diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in the buffalo. Uterine fluid samples from normal (n = 22) and subclinical endometritis (n = 18; diagnosed based on uterine cytology)‐affected buffaloes were subjected to biochemical analysis. Among the different biochemical constituents estimated, urea, urea N, cholesterol, total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in uterine fluid obtained from subclinical endometritis‐affected buffaloes. The extent of difference between normal and subclinical endometritis‐affected buffaloes was highest in ALP (69%) followed by cholesterol (55%), bilirubin (48%), urea (30%) and urea N (30%) concentrations. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that the likelihood ratio (LR) was 3.63 for urea, indicating that buffaloes having less than the threshold concentration (47.5 mg/dl) of urea in their uterine fluid were at 3.6 times more risk to be affected with SE. The LRs for urea N, cholesterol, ALP and bilirubin were 2.33, 2.54, 2.12 and 1.65, respectively. It was concluded that ALP, urea, urea N and cholesterol concentrations in uterine fluid may serve as an aid for diagnosing subclinical endometritis in the buffalo.     

Hyperimmune bovine colostrum treatment of moribund Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) infected with Cryptosporidium sp.

Therapy based on the protective passive immunity of hyperimmune bovine colostrum (HBC) was applied to 12 moribund Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) infected with Cryptosporidium sp. The geckos were lethargic and moderately to severely emaciated, weighing on average 36% of the baseline body weight value. Seven gastric HBC treatments at 1-week intervals each decreased the relative output of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts and the prevalence of oocyst-positive fecal specimens. Histologically, after 8 weeks of therapy, seven out of 12 geckos had only single developmental stages of Cryptosporidium sp. in the intestinal epithelium, and three, one and one geckos had low, moderate and high numbers, respectively, of the pathogen developmental stages. The HBC therapy was efficacious in decreasing the parasite load in moribund geckos. Morphometric and immunologic analysis of Cryptosporidium sp. oocyst isolates originating from Leopard geckos (E. macularius) demonstrated differences between gecko-derived oocyst isolates and isolates of C. serpentis recovered from snakes.     

Screening of Microorganisms for Biodegradation of Simazine Pollution (Obsolete Pesticide Azotop 50 WP)

The capability of environmental microorganisms to biodegrade simazine—an active substance of 2-chloro-s-triazine herbicides (pesticide waste since 2007)—was assessed. An enormous metabolic potential of microorganisms impels to explore the possibilities of using them as an alternative way for thermal and chemical methods of utilization. First, the biotope rich in microorganisms resistant to simazine was examined. Only the higher dose of simazine (100 mg/l) had an actual influence on quantity of bacteria and environmental fungi incubated on substrate with simazine. Most simazine-resistant bacteria populated activated sludge and biohumus (vermicompost); the biggest strain of resistant fungi was found in floral soil and risosphere soil of maize. Compost and biohumus were the sources of microorganisms which biodegraded simazine, though either of them was the dominant considering the quantity of simazine-resistant microorganisms. In both cases of periodic culture (microorganisms from biohumus and compost), nearly 100% of simazine (50 mg/l) was degraded (within 8 days). After the repeated enrichment culture with simazine, the rate of its degradation highly accelerated, and just after 24 h, the significant decrease of simazine (20% in compost and 80% in biohumus) was noted. Although a dozen attempts of isolating various strains responsible for biodegradation of simazine from compost and biohumus were performed, only the strain identified as Arthrobacter urefaciens (NC) was obtained, and it biodegraded simazine with almost 100% efficiency (within 4 days).     

Detection of the important chromosomal regions determining production traits in meat-type chicken using entropy analysis

1. The objective of this study was to indicate the most informative chromosomal regions and candidate genes connected to body weight at 36 d, body weight at 39 d, body weight changes between 39 and 46 d, feed intake between 39 and 46 d and feed conversion ratio of meat-type chicken based on genomic data using entropy analysis.

2. Data contained information about 862 genotyped individuals from a Cobb commercial line using 60K Illumina iSelect chicken array and information from 42 770 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Entropy analysis was employed to detect important chromosomal regions determining the target traits. Locations of genes within the designated regions on each chromosome and for each trait were verified using the Ensembl genome database.

3. The most informative SNPs were located on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and Z, whereas clusters of the most informative pairs of SNPs connected to all recorded traits were located on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 20 and Z. The identified chromosomal localisations overlap with genes functionally connected to the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.     

The effect of single administration of aflatoxin B1 and ACTH on the intensity of acid phosphatase reaction in bursa Fabricii and in periellipsoidal lymphatic tissue of the spleen of ducklings

The experiments were carried out with Peking breed female ducklings which on their second day of life were administered into the crop a single dose of 1.5 micrograms of aflatoxin B1. On the 14th and 15th day from administration of aflatoxin B1 the ducklings were intravenously injected a single dose of ACTH at 1 i.u. per 100 g bodyweight. Disturbances in the ducklings, initiated by aflatoxin and then increased by ACTH, manifested themselves by a change in the intensity of acid phosphatase reaction in the lymphatic organs tested. The occurrence of differentiated APh reaction (but intensified differently as compared to that in control ducklings) within bursa Fabricii and in periellipsoidal lymphatic tissue of the spleen was the expression of unevenly changed reactivity of respective tissues in those organs due to the action of aflatoxin B1. These results seem to present an interesting starting point for further multidirectional experiments, first of all in the range of immunological reactivity in birds.     

Adverse effects associated with high-dose acetylsalicylic acid and sodium salicylate treatment in broilers

1. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and sodium salicylate (SS) are considered safe for poultry and often used in avian medicine. However, information on tolerance and specific side effects of these drugs in birds is lacking.

2. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 14?d administration of high doses (200 or 400?mg/kg) of either ASA or SS on body weight gain, blood biochemistry, white and red blood cell counts and pathology in broilers. In addition, minimal plasma salicylate concentrations were determined on the 1st, 5th, 10th and 14th d of treatment.

3. The results showed that the dose of 400?mg/kg of either ASA or SS decreased weight gain and induced gizzard ulceration. Kidney to body weight ratio was increased in a dose-dependent manner, but serum concentrations of creatinine and uric acid were not affected. A time-dependent decrease in the minimal plasma salicylate concentration was evident.