Prevalence of Listeria (spp.) in wild rats captured in the Kanto area of Japan.

In the Kanto area a total of 245 wild rats were captured. All rats captured in Ikebukuro (110 rats) and 9 out of 41 rats in Yokohama were Rattus rattus, and all other 126 rats were Rattus norvegicus. In Kashima and Ikebukuro, listeria was isolated from 28 rats (77.8%) and 27 rats (24.5%), respectively, but in the other 4 areas listeria was isolated from 0-7% rats. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from 12 rats (10.9%) captured in Ikebukuro and 2 rats in Kashima and Numazu. The frequent isolation of L. monocytogenes in buildings suggests the possibility of R. rattus as a reservoir of L. monocytogenes and the continual environmental contamination in buildings by L. monocytogenes.     

野鸭源新城疫病毒的分离及其F基因的克隆与序列分析

用RT-PCR方法扩增从野鸭体内分离到的3株新城疫病毒(newcastle disease virus,NDV)(JS-1/06/wd、JS-2/06/wd和JS-3/06/wd)F基因,并对其序列进行了测定和分析。结果表明该分离株的F基因长1 662 bp,编码553个氨基酸;F基因裂解位点的氨基酸序列为112R-R-Q-K/R-R-F117,符合NDV强毒株的特征。这些毒株间核苷酸同源性为99.8%~99.9%,与鹅源NDV QY971株和ZJ1株的核苷酸同源性也高达96.7%~97.5%;氨基酸同源性为96.8%~97.5%;而与我国标准强毒株F48E9及疫苗株LaSota的核苷酸同源性分别为86.9%和84.5%;氨基酸同源性分别为94.5%和87.0%。系统发育树分析结果表明,野鸭源NDV与鹅源NDV的遗传关系较近,同属于基因Ⅶ型。     

Occurrence of Chlamydiaceae spp. in a wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) population in Thuringia (Germany)

Tissue samples from lungs, pulmonary lymph nodes, large intestine, and uteri of 14 wild boar bagged at a seasonal hunt were examined for the presence of chlamydiae, mycobacteria and mycoplasmas. Nested PCR detected chlamydial DNA in 57.1% of the animals, predominantly in the lung. DNA sequencing identified Chlamydophila psittaci as the predominant species, but Chlamydophila abortus and Chlamydia suis were also encountered. Immunohistochemical staining of tissue sections confirmed the presence of typical chlamydial inclusions in lungs and uteri. While the role of Chlamydiaceae as pathogens in wild boar has yet to be established, the present findings revealed a possible wildlife reservoir of these bacteria.     

Muscle growth in wild and domestic ducks

1. Increases in weight of the M. pectoralis, M. iliotibialis lateralis and M. flexor cruris lateralis were measured in mallards, White Pekins, Muscovies and a Muscovy × White Pekin cross from hatching to 154 days of age. Growth with respect to age was analysed using the Janoschek growth curve. 2. The M. pectoralis was less developed at hatching than both leg muscles. Furthermore, it showed a slower growth to its final weight and a later age at maximum growth than both leg muscles. 3. Pekins exhibited a faster Pectoralis and Iliotibialis lateralis muscle growth than mallards and Muscovies. The latter attained greater weights than Pekins at later ages owing to a higher asymptote. The cross showed the fastest muscle growth. 4. With respect to body weight, the Pectoralis is characterised by isometry followed by strongly positive allometry. This multiphasic allometry implies that relative muscle weights should not be used and the value of the allometric exponent strongly depends on both the beginning and duration of the period of investigation. Leg muscles showed isometric to slightly negative, simple allometry.     

鸭源沙门菌江苏分离株的生物学特性研究

为了解鸭源沙门菌江苏分离株的主要生物学特性,本研究对2012年至2013年从发病或死亡鸭中分离的33株沙门菌分离株进行鉴定,即采用玻片凝集法对分离的沙门菌进行血清学分型,多重PCR方法检测17种毒力基因的分布,按照美国临床和实验室标准化研究所制定的方法进行药物敏感性检测,通过结晶紫半定量法检测分离菌株的生物被膜形成能力.33株鸭源沙门菌的血清学分型结果显示,查理沙门菌占48.5％,为优势血清型.毒力基因检测结果显示,pagC、msgA、sipB、prgH、spaN、tolC、iroN、sopB及pefA为保守基因.药物敏感性检测显示,42.4％的菌株耐受8种以上药物.生物被膜检测显示,有14株细菌生物被膜形成能力为中等以上,其中57.1％的菌株耐8种以上的药物.     

Posthatch growth of the digestive system in wild and domesticated ducks

1. Our study was designed to test the hypothesis that domestication and artificial selection have influenced the posthatch growth and functioning of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of ducks. The mass and length of the GI tract organs, the growth of intestinal villi, the intestinal surface area and the activities of brush border digestive enzymes were measured in a commercial strain of Pekin duck and its wild ancestor, the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), at regular intervals between hatch and 16 weeks of age. 2. The growth of the digestive organs, with respect to body mass, was described using allometry. Allometric mass exponents were then used to calculate body 'mass-corrected', or 'relative' organ masses, relative surface areas and relative enzyme activities. There were appreciable differences between data presented on a mass-specific (g/kg) and a mass-corrected (g/kg(b)) basis, which highlighted the importance of correcting for the complete effects of body mass when comparing the growth and function of the digestive system between strains. 3. While the process of domestication has induced major changes in the absolute characteristics of the GI tract, it has failed to have the same effect on the relative characteristics. During the first 2 weeks posthatch, the relative masses of the majority of digestive organs, and the GI tract as a whole, were the same in both strains. During weeks 3 to 5, domesticated ducks maintained higher absolute growth rates of the body and the GI tract, with the support of relatively smaller digestive organs. The relative masses of the small intestine and the GI tract as a whole were 45 and 66% higher respectively in mallards than in Pekin ducks during this period. 4. Domesticated ducks had elevated digestive enzyme activity and a greater absorptive surface area than mallards throughout development, both in absolute and relative terms. This appears to compensate for the failure of the relative masses of digestive organs in domesticated ducks to accompany the increased body mass and growth rate. 5. At 5 weeks posthatch, the absolute mass of the small intestine in domesticated ducks declined by 38%. There is no obvious explanation for this decline because the masses of other digestive organs, daily feed intake and body mass continued to rise.     

Trialling nutrient recommendations for slow lorises (Nycticebus spp.) based on wild feeding ecology

Slow loris (Nycticebus spp.) captive diets have been based on routine and anecdotes rather than scientific fact. The growing body of evidence contradicts the high fruit diet supported by such anecdotes. Non‐human primate nutrient requirements are grouped into new (based on the common marmoset Callithrix jacchus) or old world (based on rhesus macaques Macaca mulatta) primates. Slow lorises are known to suffer from many health ailments in captivity such as dental disease, obesity, wasting and kidney issues all of which have been linked to diet. This study aimed to estimate nutrient intake from free‐ranging slow lorises and to determine whether this intake can be used as nutrient recommendations. We collected data of nutrient intake, food passage rate and digestibility of captive slow lorises on three diet treatments 1: current captive type diet which is mostly fruits, 2: wild‐type diet made only of food items from their natural diet, 3: new diet made to reflect wild slow loris nutrient intake. In order to validate our nutrient recommendations, diets 2 and 3 would have to be significantly different to Diet 1 in terms of nutrients, but not different from each other. Captive diets were significantly higher in soluble carbohydrates and lower in minerals and fibre fractions than both diets 2 and 3. Diets 2 and 3 led to a significantly increased food passage time and to more effective fibre and calcium digestion compared to Diet 1. We also observed obese individuals lost weight and underweight individuals gained weight. Our nutrient recommendations have been validated by our trials, and new or old world monkey nutrient recommendations are not consistent with our results. Diets should be high in protein and fibre and low in soluble carbohydrates and fats.     

Characterization of Campylobacter spp. from wild birds

Bacteria of the genus Campylobacter were isolated from 28 Rooks (Corvus frugilegus), 1 Red Kite (Milvus milvus), 1 Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), 1 Coot (Fulica atra), 1 Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) and 1 Northern Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Altogether, C. jejuni biovar 1, was isolated 19x, C. jejuni biovar 2 8x and C. coli 5x. Among C. jejuni biovar 1 and 2 there were 5 isolates tolerating a content of 1.5% NaCl in the medium. H2S proof of 3 C. jejuni biovar 2 and 1 C. coli isolates resulted positive or negative dependent on incubation time of the used bacterial inoculum. Concerning Rooks the findings indicate that nestlings are more often infected with campylobacters than older birds. Only 1 campylobacter isolate could be recovered from altogether 54 birds of prey although 16 Buzzards (Buteo buteo) were investigated as nestlings.     

Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in pigs, chickens and ducks in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

In order to determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in domestic animals in 6 provinces of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, 1,098 fecal or intestinal content samples from pigs, chickens, and ducks were examined in the period from July to October, 2000. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 78 (7.1%) of the total samples, which included 23 (5.2%) of 439 pigs, 24 (7.9%) of 302 chickens, and 31 (8.7%) of 357 ducks. From those samples, 80 Salmonella strains were isolated and 25 serovars were identified. The predominant serovars were S. Javiana, S. Derby, and S. Weltevreden. S. Javiana and S. Weltevreden were detected together in pigs, chickens, and ducks. These results indicate that the serovars of Salmonella are widely distributed in domestic animals in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.     

Helicobacter spp. from captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

The gastric fluid of six bottlenose dolphins and the faeces of four polar bears from the same oceanarium were examined for the presence of Helicobacter. As detected by PCR, all dolphins and 8/12 samples collected from polar bears were positive for Helicobacter. Novel sequence types were identified in samples collected from these animals of which several were unique to either the dolphins or the polar bears. At least one sequence type was, however, detected in both animal taxa. In addition, a sequence type from a dolphin shared a 98.2-100% identity to sequences from other Helicobacter species from harp seals, sea otters and sea lions. This study reports on the occurrence of novel Helicobacter sequence types in polar bears and dolphins and demonstrates the broad-host range of some species within these animals.     

Ataxia and disequilibrium in domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos f. dom.) with intracranial lipomas

Four birds in a flock of 125 purebred Crested ducks (Anas platyrhynchos f. dom.) had cerebellar signs of unknown etiology. They had radiographically evident perforations of various sizes in the parieto-occipital calvaria. Gross necropsy of euthanatized ducks revealed yellow intracranial masses in the brain of each. Histologically, these masses were intracranial lipomas consisting of univacuolated fatty tissue separated into lobules by strands of connective tissue. The masses had caused serious deformation of the rostral part of the cerebellum, leading to a nearly complete flattening of cerebellar folia, and were interpreted as the cause for the central nervous clinical signs observed. These intracranial lipomas were similar to those previously reported in other animals and humans.     

云南省葡萄属野生资源调查研究

摘 要 为研究云南省葡萄属野生资源的分布情况。根据文献记载、标本查询以及通过对云南省15个州市的50多个县的葡萄属野生资源进行实地考察和样品收集鉴定,用Arc GIS软件绘制了云南野生葡萄分布图。标本与文献资料记载,葡萄属野生资源几乎在云南全省各个州市均有分布,其中毛葡萄分布最广;桦叶葡萄、葛藟葡萄、刺葡萄、蘡薁次之;小叶葡萄、网脉葡萄、美丽葡萄分布相对狭小;云南葡萄、勐海葡萄、蒙自葡萄、凤庆葡萄则呈孤点分布。实地调查共收集到6个种的葡萄属野生资源,分别是：毛葡萄、蘡薁、刺葡萄、云南葡萄、美丽葡萄和桦叶葡萄,其中毛葡萄也分布最广,其它种的葡萄属野生资源除蘡薁葡萄外均属于零星分布。部分文献记载和标本采集地点的葡萄属野生资源在此次调查中未发现,但发现一些新的葡萄属野生资源分布点。结合文献记载和本次调查结果表明,云南省葡萄属野生资源丰富,且分布较广。对云南野生葡萄资源的调查和鉴定需进一步完善,同时加大力度实现现有资源的有效保护及合理开发利用。     

Biology of cestodes of domestic ducks and wild water birds

Life cycles of 16 cestode species of the families Hymenolepididae and Diploposthidae were studied in 52 ponds of the State Fishery in Bohemia and Moravia. The parasites were recovered from domestic ducks kept on the ponds and from wild birds, mostly of the genera Anas and Aythya, occurring in these water biotopes. Cestode larvae were found in 9 species of Copepoda (9669 out of 1 600 200 examined specimens, i. e. 0.6%) and 3 species of Ostracoda (500 out of 272 300 examined specimens, i. e. 0.18%). Five species of water snails serving as reservoir hosts harboured cysticercoids of 5 cestode species (680 out of 10 212 examined specimens, i. e. 6%). The studies of cestode life cycle under natural conditions were supplemented with 680 successful experiments with intermediate hosts and 179 successful experiments with definitive hosts. The development of larvae was related to the temperature and lasted approximately 13-20 days at 18-25 degrees C. The highest intensity of infection occurred incrustaceans under experimental conditions, a lower intensity was found in crustaceans from duck farms and the lowest in crustaceans from other parts of ponds (e. g., in the case of Fimbriaria fasciolaris in Copepoda, 37, 22 and 10 cysticercoids). The intermediate hosts infected with cestode larvae can live for 3-6 weeks (Copepoda) and 4-7 weeks (Ostracoda) and after invagination of cysticercoids for 20-25 days, on the average. The cysticercoids survive their hosts for 14-18 h at 4-6 degrees C, for 10-11 h at 12-14 degrees C, for 6-7 h at 18-20 degrees C and for 3-4 h at 24-26 degrees C. If they are swallowed by water snails at that time (dead crustaceans are a component of their food), they survive in their digestive tract even for two years (the longest period demonstrated experimentally) and after this time they are able to develop into an adult cestode in the definitive host. The infectivity of cysticercoids increases with their age. It is the lowest immediately after invagination (10-15%), during the stay of cysticercoids in crustaceans it gradually increases (30-60% on days 10-20 after invagination) and it is the highest in cysticercoids from snails (45-55% after 20-50 days in snails, 60-80% after 50-100 days in snails and 70-90% after more than 100 days in snails).     

Neuro-angiostrongylosis in wild Black and Grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus spp)

OBJECTIVE: To identify nematodes seen in histological sections of brains of flying foxes (fruit bats) and describe the associated clinical disease and pathology. PROCEDURES: Gross and histological examination of brains from 86 free-living flying foxes with neurological disease was done as part of an ongoing surveillance program for Australian bat lyssavirus. Worms were recovered, or if seen in histological sections, extracted by maceration of half the brain and identified by microscopic examination. Histological archives were also reviewed. RESULTS: There was histological evidence of angiostrongylosis in 16 of 86 recently submitted flying foxes with neurological disease and in one archival case from 1992. In 10 flying foxes, worms were definitively identified as Angiostrongylus cantonensis fifth-stage larvae. A worm fragment and third stage larvae were identified as Angiostrongylus sp, presumably A cantonensis, in a further three cases. The clinical picture was dominated by paresis, particularly of the hindlimbs, and depression, with flying foxes surviving up to 22 days in the care of wildlife volunteers. Brains containing fifth-stage larvae showed a moderate to severe eosinophilic and granulomatous meningoencephalitis (n = 14), whereas there was virtually no inflammation of the brains of bats which died when infected with only smaller, third-stage larvae (n = 3). There was no histological evidence of pulmonary involvement. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of the recovery and identification of A cantonensis from free-living Australian wildlife. While angiostrongylosis is a common cause of paresis in flying foxes, the initial clinical course cannot be differentiated from Australian bat lyssavirus infection, and wildlife carers should be urged not to attempt to rehabilitate flying foxes with neurological disease.