Molecular evidence of vector-borne pathogens in dogs and cats and their ectoparasites in Algiers,Algeria

In Algeria, only limited information is currently available on the prevalence of emergent canine and feline vector-borne diseases. The aim of the present work was to detect by qPCR vector-associated bacteria in stray dogs and cats and their ectoparasites from Algiers.18/117 (15.38%) dogs and 2/107 (1.87%) cats were positive for at least one vector-borne agent. Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella henselae were identified in 1/117 (0.85%) dog individually. Ehrlichia canis DNA was detected in 17/117 (14.52%) dogs. 1/107 (0.93%) cat was positive to C. burnetii and another 1/107 (0.93%) to B. henselae.DNA of Rickettsia massiliae, Rickettsia conorii and E. canis was detected in Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Cat fleas were infected with Rickettsia felis, B. henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae. B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii was identified in Xenopsylla cheopis collected from dogs.The findings of this study indicate that dogs and cats from Algeria are exposed to multiple tick and flea-borne pathogens.     

No evidence of Bartonella quintana but detection of Acinetobacter baumannii in head lice from elementary schoolchildren in Paris

The human body louse is the only known vector of Bartonella quintana. However, the presence of this bacterium has recently been detected in the head lice of homeless individuals and Nepalese slum children. Previous studies have reported the isolation of Acinetobacter baumannii from the body lice of homeless individuals. An epidemiological survey including 74 schools was conducted between 2008 and 2009 in Paris. After a first visual examination, the hair of children with suspected pediculosis was combed with a fine-tooth comb to collect live adult head lice. Molecular studies were performed on randomly selected DNA samples to detect B. quintana and A. baumannii by specific quantitative real-time PCR. Among a collection of 288 DNA samples, B. quintana was not detected, but A. baumannii was detected in 95 DNA samples (33%). Further study is needed to determine the significance of the finding of A. baumannii in head lice.     

Molecular detection of the B1 gene of Toxoplasma gondii in blood samples of female sheep and goats in Tebessa,northeastern Algeria

Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a parasitic zoonosis of crucial medical and veterinary importance. It is mainly diagnosed by serological methods which are limited by insufficient sensitivity. Therefore, it is necessary to rely on direct detection of the parasite. The present study was aimed for direct detection of the parasite DNA in the blood samples of sheep and goats using PCR targeting the B1 gene. The study was carried out in 20 small ruminant farms between 2016 and 2018 in Tebessa region, part of north-eastern Algeria, and concerned 227 and 91 aborted female sheep and goats respectively. DNA of T. gondii was detected in 35.24 % and 18.68 % blood samples of sheep and goats respectively (p < 0.001). Molecular prevalence was higher in 13−24 month old female sheep (93.33 %) than 1−12 month old female sheep (14.37 %) (p < 0.0001). While, in goats no significant difference was observed in relation to age. Female sheep that aborted between 1−60 days of gestation were found to be more infected (46.41 %) compared to females that aborted between 61−120 days of gestation (12.16 %) (p < 0.001). Whereas, female goats that aborted between 61−120 days of gestation were found to be more infested (30.77 %) compared to females that aborted between 1−60 days of gestation (16.67 %) (p < 0.001). This study revealed that small ruminants are highly infected with T. gondii, which represents a major risk for the consumer in Tebessa. Further studies are needed to improve our knowledge of the different genotypes of T. gondii infecting small ruminant population.     

A molecular analysis of the patterns of genetic diversity in local chickens from western Algeria in comparison with commercial lines and wild jungle fowls

The objectives of this study were to characterize the genetic variability of village chickens from three agro‐ecological regions of western Algeria: coastal (CT), inland plains (IP) and highlands (HL), to reveal any underlying population structure, and to evaluate potential genetic introgression from commercial lines into local populations. A set of 233 chickens was genotyped with a panel of 23 microsatellite markers. Geographical coordinates were individually recorded. Eight reference populations were included in the study to investigate potential gene flow: four highly selected commercial pure lines and four lines of French slow‐growing chickens. Two populations of wild red jungle fowls were also genotyped to compare the range of diversity between domestic and wild fowls. A genetic diversity analysis was conducted both within and between populations. Multivariate redundancy analyses were performed to assess the relative influence of geographical location among Algerian ecotypes. The results showed a high genetic variability within the Algerian population, with 184 alleles and a mean number of 8.09 alleles per locus. The values of heterozygosity (He and Ho) ranged from 0.55 to 0.62 in Algerian ecotypes and were smaller than values found in Jungle fowl populations and higher than values found in commercial populations. Although the structuring analysis of genotypes did not reveal clear subpopulations within Algerian ecotypes, the supervised approach using geographical data showed a significant (p < 0.01) differentiation between the three ecotypes which was mainly due to altitude. Thus, the genetic diversity of Algerian ecotypes may be under the influence of two factors with contradictory effects: the geographical location and climatic conditions may induce some differentiation, whereas the high level of exchanges and gene flow may suppress it. Evidence of gene flow between commercial and Algerian local populations was observed, which may be due to unrecorded crossing with commercial chickens. Chicken ecotypes from western Algeria are characterized by a high genetic diversity and must be safeguarded as an important reservoir of genetic diversity.     

河南省某地区健康人源及动物源肠球菌种属分布及耐药性差异研究

为了解河南省某地区社区健康人源及动物(鸡、猪)源肠球菌种属分布及对多种抗菌药物的耐受情况,以及研究不同来源肠球菌的流行分布和抗菌药物耐药表型特点,本试验应用肠球菌选择性培养基对220份人源及动物源粪便样本进行肠球菌的分离培养,并对分离菌株采用16S rDNA序列分析结合API生化板条进行种属鉴定,纸片扩散法对分离肠球菌进行9种抗菌药物的敏感性检测.肠球菌分离及鉴定结果显示肠球菌总分离率、粪肠球菌分离率及屎肠球菌分离率在人源、鸡源、猪源3种来源间均差异显著(P<0.05):肠球菌总分离率为70.91%(156/220),猪源肠球菌分离率最高(86.00%),人源肠球菌分离率最低(62.63%),且人源与猪源肠球菌分离率差异显著(P<0.018);人源粪便样本中分离率最高的为屎肠球菌(31.36%),鸡源、猪源肠球菌中粪肠球菌分离率最高,分别为28.17%和32.00%.抗菌药物敏感性结果显示肠球菌对多种药物的耐药率在人源、鸡源、猪源3种来源间差异显著(P<0.05),且3种来源肠球菌的多药耐药率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).人源肠球菌对红霉素(69.35%)、环丙沙星(37.10%)、氨苄西林(19.35%)等抗菌药物耐药率较其他来源的肠球菌要高;鸡源肠球菌对四环素(88.24%)、氟苯尼考(11.76%)、氯霉素(21.57%)等抗菌药物耐药率较其他来源的肠球菌要高;猪源肠球菌对抗菌药物耐药率总体较低,且其多药耐药率(7.84%)也低于人源(35.48%)及鸡源肠球菌(30.19%).提示,健康人及动物粪便样本中肠球菌种属分布不同及对抗菌药物耐药率有差别,并对多种常见抗菌药物耐药率较高,有关部门应加强社区人群及动物等非临床来源肠球菌耐药检查、监测,进而更好的了解中国耐药肠球菌的流行现状,更有效的控制耐药肠球菌的传播.     

Association of intrauterine presence of Lactobacillus spp. with inflammation and pathogenic bacteria in the uterus in postpartum dairy cows

The aim of this study was to clarify the influence of Lactobacillus spp. on the degree of endometrial inflammation in the postpartum period and the relationship between Lactobacillus spp. and pathogenic bacteria in the endometrium of postpartum dairy cows. Endometrial samples were collected from 41 Holstein-Friesian cows at 4 and 8 weeks postpartum using cytobrushes for polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) count and bacterial culture to isolate Lactobacillus spp., Escherichiacoli, and Trueperella pyogenes. The 4-week samples were divided into four groups (E+L+), (E+L−), (E−L+), (E−L−) according to whether endometritis was diagnosed (E+) and Lactobacillus spp. was isolated (L+). The diagnostic criterion for cytological endometritis was > 18% PMN. The average PMN% in the E+L+ group was lower than that in the E+L-group (P < 0.05) at 8 weeks postpartum. There were no significant correlations between the number of colonies of Lactobacillus spp. and E. coli or between that of Lactobacillus spp. and T. pyogenes. Lactobacillus spp. could reduce PMN% in dairy cows with endometritis during the puerperal period. In conclusion, the intrauterine presence of Lactobacillus spp. may have a positive effect on uterine involution in postpartum dairy cows.     

几种小麦族禾草及其杂交后代农艺特性的研究

对几种小麦族多年生禾草及其杂交后代的生育、产草量等农艺特性进行了比较研究,结果表明,加拿大披碱草×野大麦属间杂种F1的生长速度偏向母本,株高呈双亲的中间型,具有父本野大麦的强短根茎特性和果后营养期长的优良特性,表现出很强的分蘖能力和再生能力,其花粉可育率为1.19%,结实率0,杂种平均优势16.98%。蒙古冰草×航道冰草种间杂种F1的生长速度和株高均介于双亲中间,具有父本航道冰草分蘖和再生能力强的特性,花粉可育率为26.75%,结实率5.30%,杂种平均优势19.35%;BC1的生长速度呈双亲的混合型,株高、分蘖性和再生性偏向其回交父本蒙古冰草,花粉可育率为46.67%,结实率14.77%,BC1育性恢复明显。     

A fast,low‐cost and efficient method for the diagnosis of sperm DNA fragmentation in several species

Sperm DNA fragmentation is a condition that interferes directly in the reproductive efficiency. Currently, there are several methods for assessing the sperm DNA integrity, such as Alkaline Comet, TUNEL and Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay. However, many of these techniques are laborious and require high‐precision equipment. Thus, the development of new techniques can optimize the evaluation of sperm DNA damage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to standardize the toluidine blue (TB) stain technique for the analysis of DNA fragmentation of dog, cat, bull, stallion and ram spermatozoa. For this purpose, we used six animals of each specie (n = 30), in reproductive age. Sperm was collected by different methods according to the particularities of each species, and such samples were divided into two aliquots: a sperm sample was kept at 5°C (considered as intact sperm DNA), and the remaining samples were submitted to the induction of DNA fragmentation by exposure to ultraviolet light for 4 hr. Samples were then mixed with the intact sample to obtain known and progressive proportions of sperm with fragmented DNA (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). Semen smears were performed and subjected to staining with TB. Blue‐stained spermatozoa were considered to have DNA fragmentation. We observed high linear regression coefficients between the expected proportion of damaged DNA and the results of TB for dog, cat, ram, bull and stallion samples. In conclusion, TB stain was considered a fast and effective technique for the study of spermatozoa DNA in several species.     

Combining information from surveys of several species to estimate the probability of freedom from Echinococcus multilocularis in Sweden,Finland and mainland Norway

Background

The fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis has foxes and other canids as definitive host and rodents as intermediate hosts. However, most mammals can be accidental intermediate hosts and the larval stage may cause serious disease in humans. The parasite has never been detected in Sweden, Finland and mainland Norway. All three countries require currently an anthelminthic treatment for dogs and cats prior to entry in order to prevent introduction of the parasite. Documentation of freedom from E. multilocularis is necessary for justification of the present import requirements.

Methods

The probability that Sweden, Finland and mainland Norway were free from E. multilocularis and the sensitivity of the surveillance systems were estimated using scenario trees. Surveillance data from five animal species were included in the study: red fox (Vulpes vulpes), raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), domestic pig, wild boar (Sus scrofa) and voles and lemmings (Arvicolinae).

Results

The cumulative probability of freedom from EM in December 2009 was high in all three countries, 0.98 (95% CI 0.96-0.99) in Finland and 0.99 (0.97-0.995) in Sweden and 0.98 (0.95-0.99) in Norway.

Conclusions

Results from the model confirm that there is a high probability that in 2009 the countries were free from E. multilocularis. The sensitivity analyses showed that the choice of the design prevalences in different infected populations was influential. Therefore more knowledge on expected prevalences for E. multilocularis in infected populations of different species is desirable to reduce residual uncertainty of the results.     

Phylogenetic tests of a Cercopithecus monkey hybrid reveal X-chromosomal polyphyly of C. cephus and emerging patterns in the cephus species group radiation

A captive Cercopithecus nictitans × C. cephus male was examined at loci on the X- and Y-chromosomes as a test of previously described phylogenetic methods for identifying hybrid Cercopithecus monkeys. The results confirm the reliability of such assays, indicating that they can be of immediate utility for studies of wild populations in Gabon, where the two species have hybridised. A closer examination of the resultant sex chromosomal topologies, combined with recent mitochondrial studies, reveals two emerging patterns in the evolution of the cephus species group. First, all three genetic systems (X-DNA, Y-DNA and mtDNA) agree that the earliest divergence separates West African from Central African species, consistent with a major faunal transition zone in the vicinity of the Cross River. Second, the X-DNA and mtDNA trees reveal polyphyly of C. cephus lineages. It is unclear at present whether these polyphylies are due to ancestral hybridisation or incomplete lineage sorting, or both.     

三峡消落带几种一年生优势草本枯落物分解及养分释放特征

基于三峡消落带夏汛期水淹特征,设置两种水分处理[无水淹对照组(CK)和水淹组(F)],采用分解袋法,对三峡库区消落带3种具有典型代表性的一年生草本植物狼杷草(Bidens tripartita)、稗(Echinochloa crus-galli)和水蓼(Polygonum hydropiper)地上枯落物干质量损失率和养分释放特征进行研究。结果表明:1) 3种一年生草本枯落物的初始化学组成及其化学计量比差异显著(P <0.05),干质量损失率和元素释放率与初始N、P、K含量及N/P比值显著正相关,而与初始C、木质素含量以及木质素/N和C/N比值显著负相关;2)水淹加速了3种植物枯落物的干质量损失率和元素释放速率,对N、P、K释放率的影响最大;3)除对照组的P元素释放速率和水淹组的K元素释放率外,狼杷草和稗的干质量损失率和元素释放率均显著高于水蓼(P <0.05)。这表明狼杷草和稗对三峡库区的水体和底泥的营养状态具有较大影响,其枯落物的快速分解可能造成水体和底泥N、P含量升高,而水蓼对其的影响较小。因此,建议优先考虑对狼杷草和稗在夏汛期前适时回收、刈割,从而减少其对库区水体及...     

Cross-sectional study of the seroprevalence to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and granulocytic Ehrlichia spp. and demographic, clinical and tick-exposure factors in Swedish horses

A cross-sectional study of the seroprevalence to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and granulocytic Ehrlichia spp. in Swedish horses was conducted to evaluate associations with demographic, clinical and tick-exposure factors. From September 1997–1998, blood samples from 2018 horses were collected from the animals presented to veterinary clinics affiliated with the Swedish Horserace Totalizator Board (regardless of the primary cause for consultation). Standardized questionnaires with information both from owners and attending veterinarians accompanied each blood sample. The apparent seroprevalences to B. burgdorferi s. l. and granulocytic Ehrlichia spp. were 16.8 and 16.7%, respectively. The northern region had the lowest seroprevalences. Four logistic models were developed (controlling for demographic variables). In the disease model of seropositivity to B. burgdorferi s. l., age, breed, geographic region, the serologic titer to granulocytic Ehrlichia spp., season and the diagnosis coffin-joint arthritis were significant. In the tick-exposure model of B. burgdorferi s. l., pasture access the previous year and gender were significant. Age, racing activity, geographic region, season and the serologic titer to B. burgdorferi s. l. were associated with positivity to granulocytic Ehrlichia spp. In the tick-exposure model of granulocytic Ehrlichia spp., pasture access was a risk factor. An interaction between racing activity and geographic region showed that the risk of positive serologic reactions to Ehrlichia spp. was increased in the horse population in the south and middle of Sweden, but only among horses not used for racing. Except for the positive association between coffin-joint arthritis and serologic reactions to B. burgdorferi s. l., there were no significant associations in the multivariable models between non-specific or specific clinical sign or disease with seropositivity to either of these agents.     

The presence of EGF- and IGF-1-receptors in the small intestine of fetal, neonatal and weaned piglets

During development, gut morphology and functions change. Some of these are mediated by milk-borne factors, e.g. insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), of which the effects are in part dictated by the distribution of their receptors (R).

EGFR- and IGF-1R-immunoreactivity (IR) was evaluated in samples of the fetal, neonatal and weaned porcine small intestine.

EGFR-IR first appeared in the neonatal duodenum and was located basolaterally in villar and to a lesser extent in cryptal enterocytes. In weaned pigs, EGFR appeared apically in enterocytes with a region-dependent distribution along the villus–crypt axis. IGF-1R-IR was observed in smooth muscle cells in each age group. From the last trimester of gestation onward IGF-1R-IR was seen at the apical and basolateral side of villar enterocytes and in submucosal arterioles.

Thus, the age- and region-dependent presence of EGFR and IGF-1R has to be taken into account when evaluating effects of EGF and IGF-1 on growth or repair.     

Prevalence of Bartonella species,Rickettsia felis,haemoplasmas and the Ehrlichia group in the blood of cats and fleas in eastern Australia

Objectives To define the prevalence of Bartonella spp., Rickettsia felis, Mycoplasma haemofelis, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ (Mhm) and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ (Mtc) in cats and their fleas in eastern Australia. Design and procedure Conventional PCR assays that detect Bartonella spp., M. haemofelis, Mhm, Mtc, Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp. and Neorickettsia spp. were performed on DNA extracted from blood and fleas collected from 111 cats. Cat sera were assayed by ELISA for IgG of Bartonella spp. Results DNA of M. haemofelis, Mtc and Mhm was amplified from 1 (0.9%), 1 (0.9%) and 17 cats (15.3%), respectively. Only DNA of Mhm was amplified from the 62 of 111 pooled flea samples (flea sets; 55.9%). Overall, the prevalence rates for Bartonella spp. DNA in the cats and the flea sets was 16.2% (18 cats) and 28.8% (32 flea sets), respectively. Bartonella spp. IgG was detected in 42 cats (37.8%), of which 11 (26.2%) were positive for Bartonella spp. DNA in their blood. R. felis DNA was amplified from 22 flea sets (19.8%), but not from cats. Overall, DNA of one or more of the organisms was amplified from 27% (30) of cats and 67.6% (75) of the flea sets. Conclusions This is the first Australian study to determine the prevalence of R. felis and B. clarridgeiae in both fleas and the cats from which they were collected. Flea-associated infectious agents are common in cats and fleas in eastern Australia and support the recommendation that stringent flea control be maintained on cats.     

Detection of Brucella species in the milk of infected cattle,sheep, goats and camels by PCR

One hundred and three milk samples were collected from 52 cows, 21 ewes, 18 goats and 12 camels. The animals tested positive to at least one of the following: (1) standard tube agglutination test (SAT); (2) Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT); (3) milk ring test (MRT). All milk samples were examined by culture and single-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques for detection of Brucella species. The PCR assay amplified Brucella-DNA from 29 bovine milk samples, 10 from sheep, 13 from goats and one from a camel. The direct culture method detected Brucella organisms from 24 samples of cows' milk, 12 from sheep, 10 from goats and failed to detect any Brucella organisms from camels' milk. PCR detected up to 100 colony forming units (CFU) of B. abortus per millilitre of milk in 100% of diluted milk samples, and 1000 CFU of B. melitensis from 70% of milk samples. Although the overall sensitivity of the PCR was higher than the culture method, it should be possible to increase the sensitivity to detect lower numbers of Brucella organisms in field samples. The speed and sensitivity of the PCR assay suggest that this technique could be useful for detection of Brucella organisms in bovine milk, as well as in sheep, goat, and camels milk.     

河北省森林草原区草本植物物种多样性和功能多样性

理解物种多样性和功能多样性之间的关系以及分析它们对环境变化的响应,有利于揭示生物多样性的影响因素。本研究以塞罕坝地区不同植被类型(草地、灌木林和天然次生林)的草本群落为研究对象,分析了物种多样性(物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener多样性和Pielou均匀度)和功能多样性测度指标(功能丰富度、功能均匀度和功能离散度)之间的相互关系,并采用相似性分析检验(ANOSIM)和冗余度(RDA)分析等方法研究了它们随植被类型和环境因子的变化规律。结果表明,草地中草本植物物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数显著高于灌木林和天然次生林中的草本群落(P<0.05),而功能丰富度指数在草地中最低(P<0.05),功能均匀度和功能离散度在灌木林中最低(P<0.05),Pielou均匀度指数在不同植被类型间差异不显著(P>0.05);功能丰富度与物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数显著负相关(P<0.01),功能离散度与物种均匀度显著正相关(P<0.01),而功能均匀度与所有物种多样性指数均不相关(P>0.05);影响物种多样性的主要因子有土壤含水量、土壤有机质、土壤pH值、土壤全氮含量和坡向,影响功能多样性的主要因子有土壤有机质、土层深度、土壤含水量和海拔。物种多样性和功能多样性分布主要受土壤因子的影响,分别占到总解释变异的29.1%和29.8%。本研究结果表明研究区草本植物物种多样性和功能多样性变化相对独立,物种多样性可能主要是由资源可利用程度决定,而功能多样性可能是生态位分化即环境筛选和物种间相互作用共同决定。     

我国中华蜜蜂、熊蜂、黑小蜜蜂感染蜜蜂丝状病毒情况调查

虽然没有单一因素被证实与蜂群的大量损失有直接关系,但是新发及再发感染性病原对蜂群的下降起到了重要作用。蜜蜂丝状病毒(AmFV)首次于1978年鉴定感染于意大利蜜蜂,但是最近发现广泛存在于意大利蜜蜂及独居蜜蜂中,然而蜜蜂丝状病毒是否也存在于我国的中华蜜蜂及其他相关蜂种未见报道。为了深入理解AmFV的发生、流行及分布,本文检测了我国中华蜜蜂、熊蜂、黑小蜜蜂的样本,发现均不同程度感染了该病毒,其中黑小蜜蜂感染率最高,达80%,为深入开展病毒流行与传播提供了基础数据。