A survey of gastrointestinal helminths of the common helmet guinea fowl (Numida meleagris galeata) in Burkina Faso

Guinea fowls in Burkina Faso (Africa) harbored 13 species of helminth parasites. The two most abundant species were Subulura suctoria and Ascaridia numidae, which comprised 89% of the nematodes. The other nematode species (Gongylonema congolense, Eucoleus annulatus, Synhimantus spiralis, Tetrameres fissispina, and Cyrnea parroti) occurred at low levels. Five species of cestodes and one acanthocephalan were also present. It is likely that guinea fowl act as important reservoir hosts of chicken nematodes.     

An outbreak of histomoniasis in turkeys infected with a moderate level of Ascaridia dissimilis but no Heterakis gallinarum.

Histomoniasis was diagnosed in a commercial turkey flock. All morbidity and mortality occurred in one house. Birds exhibited lesions characteristic for histomoniasis, and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination. Affected turkeys were infected with moderate levels of Ascaridia dissimilis but not Heterakis gallinarum. Compression smears of hepatic tissues showed typical histotrophic phase Histomonas meleagridis, whereas cecal smears exhibited large numbers of Trichomonas gallinarum. A challenge experiment was conducted in which turkey poults were placed on contaminated litter. Although histomoniasis was not reproduced in the experiment, the birds did become infected with low numbers of A. dissimilis.     

湖南省鸡蛔虫线粒体nad1基因部分序列的测定及分析

本研究旨在阐明鸡蛔虫湖南分离株线粒体烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸（NADH）脱氢酶亚单位1（nad1）基因部分序列（pnad1）遗传变异情况。利用聚合酶链式反应（PCR）扩增鸡蛔虫的pnad1,应用Clustal X 1.81程序对序列进行比对。结果显示,所获得的pnad1序列长度一致,为408 bp。由于鸡蛔虫pnad1序列种内相对保守,种间差异较大,故可作为种间遗传变异研究的标记,从而为鸡蛔虫的分类鉴定及进一步的分子流行病学调查奠定了基础。     

Helminths of guineafowls in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Between July 2005 and November 2006 the gastro-intestinal helminths of 15 Helmeted guineafowls and a single Crested guineafowl from Musina, Limpopo Province were examined, and in July and August 2005 helminths were collected from five Helmeted guineafowls from Mokopane in the same province. The acanthocephalan Mediorhynchus gallinarum, the cestodes Abuladzugnia gutterae, Davainea nana, Hymenolepis cantaniana, Numidella numida, Octopetalum numida, Ortleppolepis multiuncinata, Porogynia paronai, Raillietina angusta, Raillietina pintneri, Raillietina steinhardti and Raillietina sp. and the nematodes Ascaridia numidae, Cyrnea parroti, Gongylonema congolense, Hadjelia truncata, Sicarius caudatus, Subulura dentigera, Subulura suctoria, Subulura sp., Tetrameres numida and an unidentified subulurid were recovered. A single trematode species, Dicrocoelium macrostomum, was present in the liver. Mediorhynchus gallinarum, A. gutterae, O. multiuncinata, H. truncata and S. caudatus are recorded for the first time from Helmeted guineafowls, as well as from South Africa. South Africa is a new geographic record for D. macrostomum, G. congolense and D. nana. Subulura suctoria, G. congolense and H. truncata from the Crested guineafowl constitute new host-parasite associations.     

湖南省鸡蛔虫线粒体nad1基因部分序列的测定及分析

本研究旨在阐明鸡蛔虫湖南分离株线粒体烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸(NADH)脱氢酶亚单位1(nad1)基因部分序列(pnad1)遗传变异情况。利用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)扩增鸡蛔虫的pnad1,应用Clustal X 1.81程序对序列进行比对。结果显示,所获得的pnad1序列长度一致,为408 bp。由于鸡蛔虫pnad1序列种内相对保守,种间差异较大,故可作为种间遗传变异研究的标记,从而为鸡蛔虫的分类鉴定及进一步的分子流行病学调查奠定了基础。     

Virus characterization, clinical presentation, and pathology associated with H7N3 avian influenza in British Columbia broiler breeder chickens in 2004

Low-pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) subtype H7N3 was diagnosed on a two-age broiler breeder farm in Abbotsford, British Columbia (BC), in early February 2004. The presenting complaint in the older index flock was feed refusal, with 0.5% mortality over 72 hr that resolved over the following week Ten days after the initial complaint in the index flock, a younger flock in an adjacent barn experienced an abrupt spike in mortality (25% in 48 hr). The gross lesions of tracheal hyperemia and hilar pulmonary consolidation were subtle and nonspecific, and the diagnosis of avian influenza required laboratory confirmation. Two different viruses were isolated from the index farm: a LPAI (H7N3) was isolated from the older flock and a high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) (H7N3), which had an additional 21 base insertion at the hemagglutinin-cleavage site, was isolated from the younger flock. The presence of this insertion sequence and the similarity of adjacent sequences indicate that the LPAI had mutated into HPAI at some point between the first and second barn. Despite enhanced on-farm biosecurity measures, the virus was not contained on the index farm and eventually spread to over 40 commercial poultry facilities before massive depopulation efforts enabled its eradication.     

Economic effects of clinical chicken anemia agent infection on profitable broiler production.

An outbreak of anemia dermatitis syndrome caused by chicken anemia agent (CAA) occurred in 15 broiler flocks. An average of 29% of chickens in these flocks were derived from a common breeder flock. The breeder flock had no antibody to CAA at 20 weeks of age but had seroconverted by 31 weeks. Diseased broiler flocks were derived from eggs laid by the breeder flock between 25 and 30 weeks of age. CAA infection in the breeder flock was subclinical, with no apparent effects on mortality or performance. A strategic program of therapeutic and/or prophylactic antibiotic therapy was begun in affected broiler flocks as soon as the disease was diagnosed. Nevertheless, when the cost of therapy was taken into account, affected broiler flocks had a net income 17.3% to 19.6% lower than normal flocks. Average bird weights were 3.3% to 3.5% lower in affected flocks than in unaffected flocks, and affected flocks had a significantly greater proportion of lighter birds. Average mortality in affected flocks was 2.0% to 2.3% higher than in normal flocks, with peak mortality occurring in the third week of life. There was no apparent effect on feed-conversion ratio.     

鹅蛔虫ITS rDNA的分子特征及种类分析

为探究从广东省清远的鹅体内采集的蛔虫(Ascaridia anseris)的种类,对临床采集的鹅蛔虫样品,在形态观察的基础上,用保守引物NC5和NC2扩增鹅蛔虫的ITS rDNA基因片段,将扩增产物经克隆测序后,获得大小为1 009bp的鹅蛔虫ITS rDNA基因序列(GenBank登录号为KC905082)。序列比对和系统进化分析表明,鹅蛔虫5.8SrRNA基因与GenBank收录的鸡蛔虫(登录号为AJ001508)同源性为96%,而与不同地理株的鸽蛔虫的同源性在91%~96%之间;禽蛔科的鸡蛔虫、鸽蛔虫和鹅蛔虫同一进化分支,鹅蛔虫、鸡蛔虫和鸽蛔虫处于各自的独立进化分支。上述证明,鹅蛔虫是不同于鸽蛔虫的一个独立有效种,在系统发生关系上与鸡蛔虫更亲近。     

禽白血病病毒J亚群自然感染商品蛋鸡致瘤性新特征

2009年8月,山东省邹城市某海兰褐蛋鸡群,160日龄发病,死亡率为7％.患鸡经大体剖检、病理组织学、PCR和免疫组织化学等检测,确诊为禽白血病病毒J亚群(ALV-J)感染.病理组织学检测发现,病鸡单独患血管瘤,或髓细胞瘤和纤维肉瘤多发性出现,由ALV-J自然感染引起同一鸡体出现髓细胞瘤和纤维肉瘤尚属国内外首次报道.肝脏研磨接种DF-1细胞培养7d后传3代,细胞无病变,ELISA检测感染细胞上清ALV p27抗原阳性,进一步确诊此鸡群为ALV感染.对病变严重的鸡进行病毒分离及ALV-J gp85基因同源性比较显示与原型株HPRS-103的同源性最高,达94.1％.本研究丰富了ALV-J感染的临床诊断依据,并为ALV-J在我国蛋鸡群中多潜能致瘤机制的研究提供了科学基础.     

Monensin toxicity in turkey breeder hens

High mortality in two flocks of 1900 turkey breeder hens accidentally fed 280 g monensin/ton of complete feed is described. Mortality attributed to the poisoning was 76% in flock 1 and 18% in flock 2. Clinically, turkeys were found dead, exhibited respiratory distress with wings extended laterally, had fine tremors, or showed posterior paresis and inability to rise. The most striking finding at necropsy was the almost complete absence of gross lesions. Some turkeys had severely congested lungs; however, many did not. A few birds had pale streaks within the adductor muscles of the legs. Microscopic lesions included myofiber degeneration and necrosis of skeletal and myocardial muscle. Serum phosphorus, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase were markedly elevated, whereas potassium, chloride, and calcium values were lowered.     

Molecular characterization of Ascaridia galli from Bangladesh and development of a PCR method for distinguishing A. galli from Heterakis spp.

We analyzed the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and ITS2 sequences for Bangladesh isolates of Ascaridia galli, and we determined that the sequences were unreliable as molecular markers for distinguishing A. galli from other Ascaridia species, because the sequences showed high identity with that of A. columbae. However, the ITS1 sequences were available for designing PCR primers distinguishable between Ascaridia galli and Heterakis spp. Bangladesh isolates of A. galli constituted a monophyletic clade along with other geographical isolates in the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) phylogenetic tree, however, we could not clarify the phylogenetic relationships between A. galli and other Ascaridia spp., because their available sequences in GenBank were very few. The developed PCR method using DNA from A. galli and Heterakis spp. eggs would enable differential diagnosis of the individual infections in the future.     

A cross-sectional study to investigate the occurrence and distribution of intestinal spirochaetes (Brachyspira spp.) in three flocks of laying hens

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a commercial egg-producing farm with a history of wet litter. A total of 600 fresh caecal faecal samples were obtained from under cages of laying hens in three sheds each containing flocks of approximately 5400 hens. Samples were cultured for intestinal spirochaetes, and growth on the primary isolation plate was observed under a phase contrast microscope and subjected to PCRs specific for the intestinal spirochaetes Brachyspira intermedia and Brachyspira pilosicoli. Spirochaete isolates obtained in pure culture were assessed for their ability to cause haemolysis on blood agar and to produce indole, and were typed using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). A 1250 base pair portion of the 16S rRNA gene of three B. intermedia and five unidentified isolates was sequenced, and the sequences compared with those of other Brachyspira species. Overall, 121 (20.2%) of the faecal samples contained spirochaetes as determined by growth on the plate and microscopy. Using PCR on the primary growth from these positive samples, 43 (7.2% overall) were shown to contain B. intermedia, 8 (1.3%) to contain B. pilosicoli, and 70 (11.7%) were PCR negative. Only 24 isolates of B. intermedia and five isolates of unknown species were obtained in pure culture. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence identified the non-B. intermedia isolates as belonging to the proposed species "Brachyspira pulli". PFGE analysis of the B. intermedia strains identified them as having four major banding patterns. Individual patterns were found in hens from different flocks, suggesting cross-transmission of strains between flocks. No environmental sources of infection were identified. The youngest flock had a significantly lower level of colonisation with B. intermedia than the flock of intermediate age (P = 0.004), suggesting that following initial infection of individual young hens on this farm there was amplification and transmission of infection amongst members of the flock.     

Selective breeding for rearing ability as an aid to improving lamb survival

Lamb mortality to weaning age was compared in Merino flocks selectively bred from maternal ancestors with high or low lifetime rearing ability. The High Efficiency (HE) flock comprised the descendants of ewes that had reared lambs on 3 or all occasions from 4 rearing opportunities. The Low Efficiency (LE) flock comprised descendants of ewes that had failed to rear any progeny on 2, 3 or all occasions from 4 rearing opportunities. During the first 3 years of testing the response to selection the mean mortality to weaning among HE single lambs was 19.5% of lambs born compared with 32.3% in the LE flock (p less than 0.001). Mean mortality of twin lambs in the HE flock was 21.5% compared to 36.3% in the LE flock (p less than 0.01). In the HE flock significantly fewer single lambs died during and within 3h of birth and significantly fewer twins died during birth and shortly thereafter, and between 3h and 2 days of age. The viability of LE singles and twins may have been lower overall as the mortality rate in most periods was higher than that of their HE counterparts. The results highlighted the major impact of intrinsic maternal and, or foetal defects on lamb survival. It was concluded that rearing ability was heritable, and that selection for rearing ability offers excellent prospects for alleviating the hitherto intractable problem of high perinatal lamb mortality.     

Diseases of indigenous chickens in Bokaa village, Kgatleng district, Botswana

This study examined flock size and management, level of internal and external parasite burden and seroprevalence of antibodies to poultry pathogens in indigenous chickens in Bokaa village, Kgatleng district, Botswana. The mean flock size was 22.6 +/- 6.85 with a range of 11-34. The mean body weights of cocks and hens were 2.28 +/- 0.56 kg and 1.70 +/- 0.38 kg, respectively. Housing and commercial poultry feed were not provided. Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum and Syngamus trachea were found in some birds. Although the chickens were not vaccinated against any poultry diseases, serum antibodies to Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease and infectious bronchitis were detected.     

Infection dynamics of Ascaridia galli in non-caged laying hens

The infection dynamics of Ascaridia galli in laying hens was investigated in six commercial non-caged flocks. Three flocks were managed in accordance with the regulations for organic production and had outdoor access, whereas three flocks were housed indoors in aviaries or traditional floor systems. Faecal egg counts and total worm burdens were determined at specified intervals during the first 50 weeks of the production period. In two conventional flocks the efficacy of flubendazole on lumenal stages was investigated. All flocks became infected following the arrival of the birds (post placement) with residual infective eggs derived from the previous flock. In four flocks (two organic and two conventional) parasite eggs were first detected in faeces 6-7 weeks post placement, whereas parasite eggs were not detected until after 17-18 weeks in two flocks. This delay was observed in two of three flocks that were housed in barns that had been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by chlorocresol. In three flocks (two conventional and one organic) flubendazole was administered to the birds in the drinking water for approximately one week. Both conventional flocks were dewormed twice approximately 20 weeks apart, whereas the organic flock was dewormed only once about 40 weeks post placement. Parasite eggs reappeared after deworming in all flocks, often within 2-4 weeks, followed by a rapid increase in parasite egg expulsion. Our results suggested impairment of host immunity post treatment, as the egg counts exceeded pre-treatment levels after 7-8 weeks on both conventional farms. Accordingly, the way by which anthelmintics and/or disinfectants are used in non-caged chicken flocks must be refined.     

Estimating the day of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H7N7) virus introduction into a poultry flock based on mortality data

Despite continuing research efforts, knowledge of the transmission of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus still has considerable gaps, which complicates epidemic control. The goal of this research was to develop a model to back-calculate the day HPAI virus is introduced into a flock, based on within-flock mortality data. The back-calculation method was based on a stochastic SEIR (susceptible (S) - latently infected (E) - infectious (I) - removed (= dead; R)) epidemic model. The latent and infectious period were assumed to be gamma distributed. Parameter values were based on experimental H7N7 within-flock transmission data. The model was used to estimate the day of virus introduction based on a defined within-flock mortality threshold (detection rule for determining AI). Our results indicate that approximately two weeks can elapse before a noticeable increase in mortality is observed after a single introduction into a flock. For example, it takes twelve (minimum 11 - maximum 15) days before AI is detected if the detection rule is fifty dead chickens on two consecutive days in a 10 000 chicken flock (current Dutch monitoring rule for notification). The results were robust for flock size and detection rule, but sensitive to the length of the latent and infectious periods. Furthermore, assuming multiple introductions on one day will result in a shorter estimated period between infection and detection. The implications of the model outcomes for detecting and tracing outbreaks of H7N7 HPAI virus are discussed.     

A syndrome in commercial turkeys in California and Oregon characterized by a rear-limb necrotizing skeletal myopathy.

A necrotizing skeletal myopathy of rear limbs was diagnosed in 17 flocks of commercial turkeys. The mean mortality attributed to the myopathy was 2.29% (range = 0.13-9.7%) over a mean period of 9.6 days (range = 6-14 days). The mean age of the birds at the time of onset was 7.4 weeks (range = 4-10.5 weeks). Clinically, birds experienced an episode of watery droppings and high-pitched crying, followed by rear-limb paresis or paralysis. Creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase were markedly elevated in birds with the myopathy. Grossly, a few birds had pale streaking in the muscles of the thighs and legs. Histologically, acute and subacute degeneration was present in myofibers of the legs, abdomen, thighs, back, and tail. The subacute lesion was characterized by marked sarcolemmal cell proliferation. Feed analyses ruled out selenium deficiency and the presence of mycotoxins as etiologies. Monensin was present in approved usage or only slightly elevated levels. A known potentiating antibiotic was being used concurrently with monensin in only one flock.     

Salpingitis in Pekin ducks associated with concurrent infection with Tetratrichomonas sp. and Escherichia coli.

Increased mortality (1.5% per week) and low egg production (5-10% lower than normal) were observed in a flock of domestic breeding Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). At necropsy, salpingitis and peritonitis were the most significant findings. Histologically, there was accumulation of necrotic debris in the lumen of the oviduct. Numerous bacteria and trichomonads were observed histologically in the lumen of the vagina and occasionally in the shell gland. Escherichia coli and a trichomonad were isolated from the oviduct. The trichomonads were oval (6-8 microm long, 4.5-6 microm wide) and had 4 anterior flagella and an undulating membrane extending over the entire length of the body, finishing in a long posterior flagellum. Morphology was consistent with trichomonads of the genus Tetratrichomonas. Comparative sequence analysis of the 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene and the flanking internal transcribed space regions of the trichomonad isolate did not closely match with available sequences of the same region of other trichomonadid protozoa.     

鸡蛔虫线粒体cox1基因的克隆及序列分析

本研究旨在阐明鸡蛔虫分离株线粒体细胞色素c氧化酶第Ⅰ亚基(cox1)基因部分序列(pcox1)的遗传变异情况,并用pcox1序列构建其与其他蛔虫的进化关系。应用聚合酶链反应(PCR)扩增鸡蛔虫虫株的pcox1,将测定获得序列应用Clustal X 1.81程序进行比对,然后用Phylip 3.67程序MP法和Mega 4.0程序NJ法绘制种系发育树,并用Puzzle 5.2程序构建最大似然树。所获得的pcox1序列长度一致,均为250 bp,种内变异在0~2.5%之间。种系发育分析表明,8个鸡蛔虫分离株位于同一分枝。由于鸡蛔虫pcox1序列种内相对保守,种间差异较大(6.9%~15.3%),故可作为种间遗传变异研究的标记,研究结果为进一步研究鸡蛔虫的群体遗传结构奠定了基础。     

Evaluation of Ewe Performance in 795 Selected Sheep Flocks in South-Eastern Norway

A study of ewe performance was undertaken in 795 sheep flocks based on data from the Norwegian Sheep Recording System. Herd level data included in the annual report for 1998 were used as the basis for the study. Average flock size was 75.3 ewes. The material was considered as representative of the better and more motivated sheep farmers in the mountain valley regions in south-eastern Norway. The average number of lambs born per ewe, inclusive (and exclusive) of barren ewes, was 1.89 (2.02), and of autumn lambs (those surviving from birth in the spring to autumn) 1.60 (1.66). The average autumn weight of the lambs corrected to 145 days of age was 42.4 kg, giving an overall performance of 67.9 kg lambs live weight per ewe. When including artificially reared lambs, overall performance was 70.4 kg per ewe. Artificial rearing of lambs, mostly triplets which had been removed from the ewe, was practised on 395 of the farms. In the 74 flocks with a rate of artificial rearing of more than 10% of all lambs, overall performance per ewe was 13.3 kg higher than in flocks with no artificial rearing. Total lamb mortality from birth to autumn recording, including stillborn lambs, was 12.44%. Mortality had a skewed distribution, some flocks having very high mortality figures. The arithmetic means (and medians) for mortality were as follows: 2.75 (2.29)% stillbirths, 2.93 (2.30)% died during the indoor feeding period, 0.88 (0.00)% at spring pasture, and 6.16 (4.40)% at summer pasture. In regression models using Proc Genmod in SAS^®, it was found that average number of autumn lambs per ewe was negatively associated with the rate of barren ewes, late lambing date (flock average day in year when lambing took place), and total lamb mortality. The corrected autumn weight of the lambs was positively associated with the average number of lambs born per ewe and non-fertility rate, and negatively associated with flock size and total lamb mortality. The Dala breed had a positive effect on number of autumn lambs per ewe, and Spæl breed a negative effect on corrected autumn live weight of the lambs.