Biological control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ascaris suum</Emphasis> eggs by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pochonia chlamydosporia</Emphasis> fungus

Ascaris suum is a gastrointestinal nematode parasite of swines. The aim of this study was to observe Pochonia chlamydosporia fungus on biological control of A. suum eggs after fungus passage through swines gastrointestinal tract. Eighteen pigs, previously dewormed, were randomly divided into three groups: group 1, treated with the fungus isolate VC4; group 2, treated with the fungus isolate VC1 and group 3 did not receive fungus (control). In the treated groups, each animal received a 9 g single dose of mycelium mass containing P. chlamydosporia (VC1 or VC4). Thereafter, animal fecal samples were collected at the following intervals: 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 h after treatment beginning and these were poured in Petri dishes containing 2% water-agar culture medium. Then, 1,000 A. suum eggs were poured into each dish and kept in an incubator at 26°C and in the dark for 30 days. After this period, approximately 100 eggs were removed from each Petri dish and morphologically analyzed under light microscopy following the ovicidal activity parameters. The higher percentage observed for isolated VC4 eggs destruction was 57.5% (36 h) after fungus administration and for isolate VC1 this percentage was 45.8% (24 h and 72 h) (p > 0.01). P. chlamydosporia remained viable after passing through the gastrointestinal tract of swines, maintaining its ability of destroying A. suum eggs.     

Destruction of Anoplocephala perfoliata Eggs by the Nematophagous Fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia

The in vitro effect of an isolate of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC1) on the eggs of Anoplocephala perfoliata was evaluated. The eggs were morphologically analyzed for their integrity using light microscopy (10× objectives), plated on 9.0-cm diameter petri dishes containing 2% WA culture medium with and without fungal isolate (control), grown for 10 days, and 10 replicates were prepared per group. In all, 1000 eggs of A perfoliata were plated on petri dishes containing 2% water agar culture medium with (VC1) and without the fungal isolate (control). After 3, 5, 7, and 10 days, approximately 100 eggs were removed from each plate and classified on the basis of the following parameters: without alteration; type 1, lytic effect without morphological damage to eggshell; type 2, lytic effect with morphological alteration of embryo and eggshell; and type 3, lytic effect with morphological alteration of embryo and eggshell, in addition to hyphal penetration and internal egg colonization and destruction. The P chlamydosporia fungus demonstrated ovicidal activity (P < .05) on the eggs of A perfoliata in the studied intervals presenting type 3 effects of 35%, 42.5%, 53.83%, and 71.17% for the intervals 3, 5, 7, and 10 days, respectively. P chlamydosporia is a potential biological control agent for the eggs of A perfoliata.     

Predatory activity of Pochonia chlamydosporia fungus on Toxocara (syn. Neoascaris) vitulorum eggs

Toxocara (Neoascaris) vitulorum is a gastrointestinal nematode parasite of young ruminants, responsible for high mortality rates in parasitized cattle and buffalo calves. The objective of this work was to compare the predatory capacity under laboratory conditions of four fungal isolates of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC1, VC4, VC5 and VC12) on T. vitulorum eggs in 2% water-agar (2% WA). T. vitulorum eggs were plated on 2% WA Petri dishes which contained cultured fungal isolates and control plates without fungi. After 10 and 15 days one hundred eggs were removed and classified according to the following parameters: type 1, biochemical and physiological effect without morphological damage to the eggshell, type 2, lytic effect with morphological alteration of the eggshell and embryo and type 3, lytic effect with morphological alteration of eggshell and embryo in addition to hyphal penetration and internal egg colonization. The fungal isolates were effective in the destruction of T. vitulorum eggs presenting the type 3 effect at 10 and 15 days after contact with the fungus. No nematophagous fungi were observed in the control group during the experiment. There was no variation in the predatory capacity of the fungal isolates (P?>?0.01) at the intervals of 10 and 15 days. These results indicate that P. chlamydosporia (VC1, VC4, VC5 and VC12) negatively influenced the development of T. vitulorum eggs and can be considered a potential candidate for the biological control of nematodes.     

The analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">groEL</Emphasis> gene in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella enterica</Emphasis> subspecies <Emphasis Type="Italic">enterica</Emphasis> serovar Typhimurium isolated from avians by PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism method

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhimurium causes food-borne outbreaks and systemic diseases in humans and animals. groEL gene (also known as mopA gene in S. Typhimurium), possessing conserved sequence, plays an important role in invasion of bacteria. The purpose of present study was to identify the polymorphism of groEL gene among different avians in different regions by PCR-RFLP method. Fifty two S. Typhimurium isolates (Broiler (n = 13), Layer (n = 12), Duck (n = 5), Goose (n = 5), Sparrow (n = 8), Canary (n = 3), Pigeon (n = 5) and Casco parrot (n = 1). were identified using serotyping as well as multiplex-PCR. Then, amplification of groEL gene performed and amplified products subjected to restriction digestion with BsuRI enzyme. Three RFLP profiles, A, B and C, generated DNA fragments between approximately 100–1,000 bp in size, were observed. The RFLP profile A was observed in 35 (67.3%), profile B in 14 (26.9%) and profile C in 3 (5.77%) of isolates. S. Typhimurium isolates recovered from 13 broilers (two of which profile A, 9 profile B and 2 profile C) and from 8 sparrows (two of which profile A, 5 profile B and 1 profile C) showed all three profiles, but 12 layers and other avians (including Canary (n = 3), Goose (n = 5), Duck (n = 5), Pigeon (n = 5) and Casco parrot (n = 1)) showed profile A. None of these profiles was allotted for a special region. The result of present study showed that S. Typhimurium undergoes genetic mutations in groEL gene under unpleasant milieu in different regions and in different avians. Thus, genetic diversity, despite conserved nature of groEL gene in S. Typhimurium, may exist but it depends on the condition where bacteria have settled. To our knowledge, three RFLP profiles of groEL gene generated by BsuRI restriction enzyme were not reported previously.     

Methicillin and aminoglycoside resistance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> isolates from bovine mastitis and sequence analysis of their <Emphasis Type="Italic">mecA</Emphasis> genes

Although methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were generally isolated from human beings; these agents were recently isolated from various animal species. It has been shown that MRSA isolates are not only resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, but can also be resistant to the other commonly used antibiotics. In this study, 18 phenotypic methicillin resistant S. aureus isolates from bovine mastitis cases were analyzed by PCR for the presence of mecA gene encoding methicillin resistance and aac(6′)/aph(2″), aph(3′)-IIIa and ant(4′)-Ia genes encoding aminoglycoside resistance. Out of 18 S. aureus isolates (oxacillin MICs, ≥4 μg/ml), 3 were positive for mecA gene. Only one from 3 mecA positive isolates was positive for genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes and this isolate carried aac(6′)/aph(2″) in combination with aph(3′)-IIIa gene. The aph(3′)-IIIa gene was detected in 3 isolates. These three isolates carrying the aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes were resistant to gentamicin, kanamycin and neomycin. The mecA gene of 3 MRSA isolates was sequenced. All three mecA genes of these isolates were identical to that found in human MRSA strains, except a one-base substitution at nucleotide position 757. From the data presented in this study, it can be concluded that MRSA isolated from bovine mastitis may be originated from human beings, but further studies are needed to investigate the possibility of zoonotic transfer of MRSA.     

In vitro predatory activity of nematophagous fungi <Emphasis Type="Italic">Duddingtonia flagrans</Emphasis> on infective larvae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oesophagostomum</Emphasis> spp. after passing through gastrointestinal tract of pigs

One isolate of predator fungi Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) was assessed in vitro regarding the capacity of supporting the passage through pigs' gastrointestinal tract without loss of the ability of preying infective larvae Oesophagostomum spp. Fungal isolates survived the passage and were efficient in preying L₃ since the first 8 h of collection (p < 0.01) in relation to the control group (without fungus). Compared with control, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.01) of 59.6% (8 h), 71.7% (12 h), 76.8% (24 h), 81.0% (36 h), 78.0% (48 h), 76.1% (72 h), and 82.7% (96 h) in means of infective larvae Oesophagostomum spp. recovered from treatments with isolate AC001. Linear regression coefficients of L₃ of recovered Oesophagostomum spp. regarding the collections due to time were −0.621 for control, −1.40 for AC001, and −2.64 for NF34. Fungi D. flagrans (AC001) had demonstrated to be promising for use in the biological control of pig parasite Oesophagostomum spp.     

Market potential for guinea fowl (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Numidia meleagris</Emphasis>) products

The survey evaluated the market potential for guinea fowl (GF; Numidia meleagris) products in the city of Harare, Zimbabwe. Questionnaires were administered to traders/producers (n = 17), retailers (n = 12), cafeteria industry (n = 33) and consumers (n = 1,680) to establish their perceptions on guinea fowl products. The average household size was 6 ± 2. Each trader sold 10 ± 6.30 keets (mean ± standard error), 33 ± 15.05 growers, 20 ± 12.69 breeders and 20 ± 10.1 crates of 30 eggs per month. Each household consumed 2.5 ± 1.39 kg of GF meat and 3 ± 0.65 dozens of GF eggs per month. Retailers purchased 52 ± 44.42 crates of GF eggs and 41 ± 30.50/kg of GF meat whilst cafeteria purchased 33.6 ± 14 crates of GF eggs and 65.5 ± 33.52 kg of GF meat per month. Growers for breeding were the major product for sale by traders (94.1%) at a price of US$7.50 ± 1.74/bird. Different industries were offering different prices for guinea fowl products because of their scarcity on the market. The mean purchase price per crate of 30 guinea fowl eggs sold to the retail and cafeteria were US$7.50 ± 1.74/bird. Different industries were offering different prices for guinea fowl products because of their scarcity on the market. The mean purchase price per crate of 30 guinea fowl eggs sold to the retail and cafeteria were US3.00 ± 0.58 and US$4.50 ± 0.50, respectively. The mean purchase prices for GF meat was lower (P < 0.05) for retailers (US$4.50 ± 0.50, respectively. The mean purchase prices for GF meat was lower (P < 0.05) for retailers (US2.5 ± 0.81/kg) than cafeteria (US$3.67 ± 0.83/kg). The challenges faced by producers in the marketing of guinea fowl products included poor supply due to the absence of good road networks to connect source areas and the market, perishability of dressed chickens due to power cuts and poor publicity. Overall, the study showed that there is greater market potential for guinea fowl products and farmers can channel their products through traders, cafeteria and retail industries.     

In vitro evaluation of the ovistatic and ovicidal effect of the cosmopolitan filamentous fungi isolated from soil on Ascaris suum eggs

The ovicidal activity of seven fungal strains: Acremonium alabamense, Alternaria chlamydospora, Cladosporium herbarum, Fusarium solani, Paecilomyces variotii, Paecilomyces viridis and Penicillium verruculosum isolated from urban soil samples from Poland was determined in vitro. The fungal mycelium was co-cultured with Ascaris suum eggs on plates with 2% water–agar for 28 days. Eggs exposed and unexposed (control) to fungal mycelium were observed weekly by light microscopy and the percentage of malformed eggs were determined. The eggs were classified according to following parameters: type 1 – biochemical and physiological effect without morphological damage to the eggshell; type 2 – lytic effect with morphological alteration of the eggshell and embryo; type 3 – lytic effect with morphological alteration of eggshell and embryo with hyphal penetration and internal egg colonization. All examined species of fungi extended embryogenesis, but the retardation of embryonic development was varied and depended on the species. A. alabamense, A. chlamydospora and P. verruculosum exhibited very high inhibitory activity on A. suum egg development. The fungus-exposed eggs revealed morphological alternations in all stages of embryogenesis. Isolates of F. solani, P. variotii and P. viridis showed hyphal penetration and internal colonization of A. suum eggs (type 3 effect). No appressoria were produced and simple hyphal penetrations were most commonly observed. A. alabamense and P. verruculosum demonstrated morphological destruction, with eggshell destruction. The remaining fungi showed type 1 effect. The results demonstrated that examined strains of F. solani, P. variotii and P. viridis may be considered to be potential limiting factors of parasitic geohelminth populations.     

Comparison of the pathogensis of two isolates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Besnoitia caprae</Emphasis> in inbred BALB/c mice

This study was performed to evaluate the infectivity of bradyzoites of two Besnoitia caprae isolates, BC-1 and BC-2, to inbred BALB/c mice. Each group of inbred BALB/c mice was inoculated intraperitoneally with 1 × 10³, 1 × 10⁴, 1 × 10⁵, 5 × 10⁵ and 1 × 10⁶ of one of the two isolates of B. caprae bradyzoites. The mice were monitored daily for a period of 40 days for survival. After death of each mice, several passages from its peritoneal washing and tissues were analyzed using ribosomal DNA-specific PCR assay. Marked differences in pathogenicity between the isolates were seen. All the inbred BALB/c mice infected with BC-2 survived but all the mice that were administered with 1 × 0⁵, 5 × 10⁵ and 1 × 10⁶ BC-1 bradyzoites were died within 4–9 days post-infection (DPI). Histopathological examination of the tissues of the dead mice revealed hyperemia and necrosis with presence of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cell infiltration in myocardium, spleen and intestines together with interstitial pneumonia and peritonitis. All inbred BALB/c mice in the 1 × 10³ and 1 × 10⁴ groups of BC-1 inoculated mice survived and they were euthanized after 40 DPI. Chronic inflammation with infiltration of mononuclear cells was evident in myocardium, spleen, alveolar septa of the lungs of most of the examined tissues with hemorrhagic enteritis in the mice infected with 1x10⁶ bradyzoites. The mice infected with different doses of BC-2 were euthanized after 40 DPI and no lesion was seen in histopathological sections of their organs. All peritoneal washings and examined tissues were PCR positive in BC-1 group. This experiment is the first report to show inbred BALB/c mice as a relevant model for B. caprae and demonstrates that this strain of inbred BALB/c mice is a suitable animal model for biological studies and examination of pathogenesis for this species of Besnoitia. The present findings also provide evidence for significant differences between the two isolates of B. caprae.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium bovis</Emphasis>, but also <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. africanum</Emphasis> present in raw milk of pastoral cattle in north-central Nigeria

Using deletion typing technique, five mycobacteria isolated from unpasteurised milk samples from cows in north-central Nigeria were characterized as Mycobacterium bovis (n = 4) and M. africanum (n = 1). This report emphasizes that transmission between the animal and human reservoir is a serious threat in Nigeria.     

Investigation of seroprevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Theileria equi</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Babesia caballi</Emphasis> in horses in Nigde province,Turkey

The prevalence of equine piroplasmosis caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in Nigde, in central Anatolia, Turkey has remained unknown. Serum samples were obtained from a total of 125 horses and were tested for antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi using the Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). Twenty-three (18.4%) horses were seropositive for equine piroplasmosis. Anti-T. equi was observed in 16 horses (12.8%) while anti-B. caballi was detected in 12 horses (9.6%). In addition, 5 serum samples were positive for both parasites. The prevalence rates of antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi for female and male horses were statistically indifferent (p = 0.19 and 0.90). The difference between the seropositivity rates to T. equi among age groups was statistically insignificant (p = 0.44) while the difference to B. caballi among age groups is statistically significant (p = 0.01). Seropositivity rates ranged from 2.9% to 25.7% for T. equi and 2.9% to 14.3% for B. caballi from the selected districts in Nigde. A statistically significant difference on seropositivity rates for the study sites was observed for only T.equi (p = 0.03). This study indicates that T. equi is higher than B. caballi in Nigde. This study was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Unit of Nigde University (FEB 2007/08).     

Isolation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vagococcus salmoninarum</Emphasis> in Rainbow Trout, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis> (Walbaum), Broodstocks: Characterization of the Pathogen

Coldwater ‘streptococcosis’, caused by Vagococcus salmoninarum, is an emerging disease of rainbow trout in the European Union, causing mortality rates up to 50% in broodstock during the spawning period, with water temperature of 10–12°C. A study to determine the presence and role of this bacterium was undertaken using classical bacteriological techniques confirmed with polymerase chain reaction. This is the first report of isolation of V salmoninarum in relation to outbreaks of mortality in a rainbow trout farm devoted exclusively to broodstock rearing in Spain. A total of 10 isolates of V salmoninarum were characterized by their morphological, cultural, physiological, biochemical and enzymatic traits. Some differences were observed in parameters such as growth on MacConkey agar, H2S production, acid production from starch, and some other minor variations. Isolates were sensitive to erythromycin and oxytetracycline tested in vitro, but treatments conducted in the field were ineffective. An attempt at vaccination did not provide encouraging results.     

The effects of replacing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dichantium</Emphasis> hay with banana (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa paradisiaca)</Emphasis> leaves and pseudo-stem on carcass traits of Ovin Martinik sheep

A study was done to evaluate banana (Musa paradisiaca) as a forage (leaves and pseudo-stems) for feeding Ovin Martinik lambs (OMK), with the aim to test its impact on carcass quality. Forty four intact OMK male were used after weaning with an initial mean live weight of 14.4 (± 3.3) kg, reared in individual pens. Animals were offered either Dichantium hay (control diet, Dh) or cut chopped leaves and pseudo-stems of banana (experimental diet, Blps). They were fed 200—250 g.d⁻¹ of commercial concentrate. Lambs were slaughtered according to 3 classes of slaughter weight (SW): SW20, SW23 and SW26. Growth and carcass performances of both groups were not significantly different, 77 vs. 81 g.d⁻¹ and 42% vs. 43% hot carcass yield, for Dh vs. Blps, respectively. There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease (31.0 vs. 29.7%) for the dry matter content of the shoulder for lambs fed the banana diet. However, there was no effect observed for the other chemical component (CP, lipid and mineral 585, 317 and 95 g.kg⁻¹DM, respectively). The shoulder (20% of the carcass whatever the SW) was precocious as demonstrated by the allometry coefficient relative to carcass weight (0.894) significantly (P < 0.01) less than 1. It was concluded that, the use of Blps had no significant effect on growth, carcass weights and yields of the OMK lambs, irrespective of the class of the slaughter weight. From these initial results, the use of banana foliages and pseudo-stems could be recommended as sources of forages.     

Predatory activity of the nematophagous fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Duddingtonia flagrans</Emphasis> on horse cyathostomin infective larvae

This work was performed to determine the predatory capacity in vitro of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans (isolate AC001) on cyathostomin infective larvae of horse (L₃). The experimental assay was carried out on plates with 2% water-agar (2% WA). In the treated group, each plate contained 1.000 L₃ and 1.000 conidia of the fungus. The control group without fungus only contained 1.000 L₃ in the plates. Ten random fields (4 mm diameter) were examined per plate of treated and control groups, every 24 h for seven days under an optical microscope (10× and 40× objective lens) for non-predated L₃ counts. After 7 days, the non-predated L₃ were recovered from the Petri dishes using the Baermann method. The interaction there was a significant reduction (p < 0.01) of 93.64% in the cyathostomin L₃ recovered. The results showed that the D. flagrans is a potential candidate to the biological control of horse cyathostomin L₃.     

Serological and molecular detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium avium</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">paratuberculosis</Emphasis> in cattle of dairy herds in Colombia

The objective of this study is the detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) by serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and fecal culture in Colombian dairy herds. Serum and fecal samples from asymptomatic cows (n = 307) of 14 dairy herds were tested for MAP by an unabsorbed ELISA test (ELISA-A). Serum and fecal samples from positive ELISA-A animals (n = 31) were further tested by an absorbed ELISA test (ELISA-B) and PCR. Fecal samples from animals of herds positive by ELISA-A and PCR (n = 105) were inoculated onto three different culture media. ELISA-A produced positive results in 10% of the serum samples and 71% of the herds. ELISA-B and PCR results were positive in two and six serum and fecal samples from positive ELISA-A animals, respectively. Fecal samples were negative for MAP on all culture media. The results of this study confirmed the presence of MAP in local dairy herds and the difficulties of MAP detection in asymptomatic animals by ELISA, PCR, and fecal culture.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Theileria</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Babesia</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">equi</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Babesia caballi</Emphasis> Infections in Horses in Galicia,Spain

The control of equine piroplasmosis is becoming increasingly important to maintain the international market open to the horse industry. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the occurrence of equine piroplasmosis (Theileria equi and Babesia caballi) in Galicia, north-west Spain, and to compare haematological and serum biochemistry parameters between non-parasitaemic horses and horses parasitaemic with T. equi and B. caballi. Sixty serum samples (control group) were taken from healthy horses pastured on two farms, and examined for evidence of equine T. equi and B. caballi infection by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Of the 60 samples, 24 (40%) and 17 (28.3%) samples were positive for T. equi and B. caballi, respectively. Twelve (20%) samples were positive for both parasites. Haematology and serum biochemistry were compared between controls and a series of 36 horses clinically affected by T. equi (25) or B. caballi (11). Compared with the healthy group, there was a 43% and 37% decrease in the haematocrit for T. equi and B. caballi infection, respectively. Parasitaemic horses presented an intense anaemia and serum biochemistry signs of liver damage. The anaemia was more severe in T. equi-infected than in B. caballi-infected horses. Our results suggest that equine piroplasmosis is widespread in the region and is a cause for concern.     

Alterations in coagulation parameters in dairy cows affected with acute mastitis caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. aureus</Emphasis> pathogens

This study was conducted to evaluate alterations in coagulation parameters in dairy cows affected with acute Escherichia coli (E. coli) mastitis and to compare those values to cows affected with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus ) mastitis. Twenty-four, adult Holstein-Friesian dairy cows affected with acute E. coli mastitis and 17 cows affected with S. aureus mastitis were studied. Cows affected with E. coli mastitis had significantly prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (P < 0.01), prothrombin time (PT) (P < 0.05) and decreased (P < 0.05) platelets numbers. Cows with S. aureus mastitis had only significantly prolonged APTT (P < 0.05) and decreased (P < 0.05) platelet counts. In the hematology evaluation, cows affected with E. coli and those affected with S. aureus mastitis had elevated hematocrit values but only significantly (P < 0.05) so in mastitic cows caused by E. coli. Both groups of mastitic cows had significantly (P < 0.05) lower leukocyte counts. Only cows with E. coli mastitis had significantly (P < 0.05) lower neutrophil count. In the plasma biochemical evaluation, creatinine concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in both groups of cows. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration was only significantly elevated in cows affected with E. coli mastitis. Results of this study indicated that dairy cows affected with acute E. coli mastitis are more likely to develop clinical manifestations of disseminated intravascular coagulation than cows affected with S. aureus mastitis.     

Hemagglutinin serotyping of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Avibacterium paragallinarum</Emphasis> isolates from Ecuador

Avibacterium paragallinarum is the causative agent of infectious coryza, an acute respiratory disease of chickens. In this study, a total of 28 isolates of A. paragallinarum from Ecuador were serotyped by the hemagglutinin scheme which recognizes nine serovars. Out of 28 isolates, 17 isolates belonged to serovar A-3, and five isolates to each serovars B-1 and C-1, whereas one isolate was non-typeable. This is the first report of A. paragallinarum serovar A-3 outside Brazil and serovar C-1 outside Japan.     

Comparative analysis of destruction of the infective forms of Trichuris trichiura and Haemonchus contortus by nematophagous fungi Pochonia chlamydosporia; Duddingtonia flagrans and Monacrosporium thaumasium by scanning electron microscopy

The present study aimed to demonstrate by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the in vitro predatory activity of nematophagous fungi Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC1 and VC4 isolates) Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001 isolate) and Monacrosporium thaumasium (NF34a isolate) on eggs of Trichuris trichiura and infective larvae (L3) of Haemonchus contortus. The work was divided into two experimental tests (A and B). In tests A and B, the predatory activity of nematophagous fungi P. chlamydosporia, D. flagrans and M. thaumasium on eggs of T. trichiura and H. contortus L3 was observed. After 6 h, in test A, isolates P. chlamydosporia (VC1 and VC4) had a role in destroying eggs of T. trichiura. For fungi D. flagrans and M. thaumasium the ovicidal activity on T. trichiura eggs was not observed. Test B showed that D. flagrans (AC001) and M. thaumasium (NF34a) were capable of predating H. contortus L3, but no predation by the fungus P. chlamydosporia was seen. These fungi can offer potential for the biological control of nematodes.     

Risk factors for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium avium</Emphasis> subspecies <Emphasis Type="Italic">paratuberculosis</Emphasis> in Fars province (Southern Iran) dairy herds

A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to August 2006 in dairy herds in Fars province, southern Iran to determine the herd-level risk factors for infection with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Statistical analysis using multivariable logistic regression showed that contamination of udders of periparturient cows with manure (OR = 6.4, P = 0.02) and history of having suspected cases of Johne's disease in the herd (OR = 6.7, P = 0.04) were significantly associated with the herd infection status. No relationship between breed, herd size and other management practices with the infection status of the herd were found in this study. Implementing high sanitary measures in the farm, particularly with respect to manure handling and cleaning could be considered as one of the important aspects in controlling disease in the region as well as in the future educational effort.