Evaluation of antibodies against human HSP60 in patients with MPO-ANCA associated glomerulonephritis: a cohort study

Background

Human Heat Shock Protein 60 (hHSP60) has been implicated in autoimmunity through molecular mimicry, based on the high degree of homology with HSP65 of micro-organisms leading to autoimmune recognition of the human protein. Additionally, sequence homology between hHSP60 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) has been described. MPO is a major autoantigen in vasculitis associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). We hypothesized that infections may trigger the ANCA response against MPO through hHSP60.

Methods

In 86 consecutive patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), anti-hHSP60 and anti-mycobacterial HSP65 were measured by ELISA. Patients were compared with 69 healthy controls (HC). Continuous data between groups were compared using Wilcoxon signed rank test and Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's post-test when appropriate. Correlations between data were derived using Spearman correlation. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were obtained using Fisher's exact test.

Results

At diagnosis, median anti-mHSP65 level was higher in AAV (median [range]: 42.5 [0–500]), and subsequently in MPO-ANCA (44 [7–500]), compared to HC (22 [0–430]). Anti-hHSP60 levels in AAV were not higher compared to HC (18 [0–319] and 18.5 [0–98], respectively). However, in MPO-ANCA anti-hHSP60 levels were increased (32.5 [0–319]) compared to PR3-ANCA (13 [0–79]) and HC. We could not detect cross-reactivity between hHSP60 and MPO-ANCA. There was a correlation between anti-mHSP65 and anti-hHSP60 levels (r = 0.32, P = 0.003) but not between anti-hHSP60 and MPO-ANCA (r = -0.064, P = 0.69).

Conclusion

Antibodies against mHSP65 are higher in AAV compared to HC, and anti-hHSP60 antibodies are higher in patients with MPO-ANCA than in patients with PR3-ANCA and HC. Although this finding may be indicative for cross-reactivity between MPO-ANCA and hHSP60, additional assays did not support this hypothesis.

     

Reactivity of gluten detecting monoclonal antibodies to a gliadin reference material

People affected by coeliac disease need to adhere to a life-long gluten-free diet to avoid symptoms. ELISA-tests are seen as the mainstay for the detection of gluten in gluten-free food because of their sensitivity. They can, however, yield different gluten amounts depending on the antibody and reference material used. We compared the reactivity of three prominent mouse anti-gliadin-antibodies to a reference gliadin isolated from 28 common bred European wheat varieties. The reference material proteins were labelled with fluorescent dye Cy3. They were then separated by 2DE and transferred by Western blot onto low fluorescent PVDF-membranes, followed by incubation with the three primary anti-gliadin antibodies one by one. Detection of the reacting proteins used anti-mouse antibody which was labelled with fluorescent dye Cy5. The use of this technique made it possible to co-detect the 2DE-image of the reference material proteins (Cy3) and proteins reacting with the respective antibody (Cy5). The three investigated antibodies had dissimilar reactivities with different proteins of the reference gliadin. Antibodies R5 and PN3 reacted mainly with gliadin fractions, antibody 401.21 mainly with high molecular weight glutenins. The results confirm the individual specificity of these antibodies and demonstrate the importance of validating immunochemical methods for gluten detection.     

Prevalence of hypertension among Iranian hemodialysis patients and associated risk factors: a nationwide multicenter study

The aim of this study is to document the prevalence of HTN and characterize risk factors associated with HTN in Iranian hemodialysis patients. Three hundred and thirty seven HD patients from 5 university based HD centers around Iran were enrolled in the study. Urea reduction ratio was calculated using formula: 100 * (1-(urea before HD/urea after HD)). Pearson Chi-square test, independent sample t-test and one way ANOVA were used for evaluations, where appropriate. Multivariate logistic regression model was used for defining independent risk factors. Two sided p < 0.05 were considered significant. Patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension as causes of ESRD significantly were more likely to have hypertension before and after dialysis (p < 0.05). Patients with conventional thrice weekly dialysis (compared to twice), hemodialysis duration of more that 6 months, acetate type of dialysate, ESRD cause when diabetes mellitus and hypertension, were significantly associated with having pre-HD hypertension. We also found that hemodialysis center of the capital city had a significant better measures compared to other cities (p < 0.05). This study revealed a relatively acceptable prevalence of hypertension in our HD population. Nevertheless, because of higher prevalence of HTN in HD centers out of capital city, it seems necessary that we should urgently pay more attention in promotion of these centers toward achieving better outcome with implementing strict guidelines to follow.     

Co-occurrence of autoimmune thyroid disease in a multiple sclerosis cohort

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS), Hashimoto's disease and Graves' disease are autoimmune diseases that may share similar pathogenic mechanisms. The co-occurrence rates and demographic characteristics of Graves' disease and Hashimoto's disease (HT) in our MS population are compared with the general population.

Methods

The prevalence of thyroid disease in our MS patients was determined by chart review and survey. Previous diagnosis of thyroid disease, age at diagnosis, treatment used, and about the use of disease modifying medications used to treat their MS were asked. Chart reviews were used to estimate the population prevalence of Graves' disease and Hashimoto's disease and to estimate the demographics of patients with thyroid disease.

Results

A significant co-occurrence of Graves' disease with MS (p = 0.002), and a non-significant co-occurrence of Hashimoto's disease were noted (p = 0.097). No difference in the age of onset or gender of thyroid disease in MS patients compared to the general population was found.

Conclusion

There is a significant co-occurrence in patients with MS and Graves' disease, and a trend to co-occurrence in patients with MS and Hashimoto's disease. There are no differences in the demographics of patients with thyroid disease in our MS patients compared to the general population.

     

Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus in preoperative patients: potential risk of transmission to health professionals

The aim of present study was to determine the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections in preoperative patients admitted for surgical procedures at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, Nigeria. Two hundred patients (200 samples tested for HIV) and (100 samples tested for HBV) comprising 90 males (45%) and 110 females (55%) were recruited into the study. Sixty-eight of the 200 patients (34%) were scheduled for emergency surgery (group A) and 132 (66%) listed for elective surgery (group B). Seven (3.5%) of the 200 patients tested positive for HIV-1 and 2 using the Well-coenzyme method. Five (2.5%) and 2 (1%) of the 200 patients confirmed HIV-positive were females and males respectively. Sixty-one percent of the 100 patients tested for hepatitis B surface antigen were males and 39 (39%) females. Eighteen percent of the 100 patients examined were positive for (HbsAg). Ten percent of the 18 HBsAg-positive patients were males and 8 (8%) were females. This study showed the prevalence rate of HIV and Hepatitis B in preoperative patients at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and to some reflects the prevalence of HIV and HBV in the general population.     

Hair cortisol concentrations correlate negatively with survival in a wild primate population

Background

Glucocorticoid hormones are known to play a key role in mediating a cascade of physiological responses to social and ecological stressors and can therefore influence animals’ behaviour and ultimately fitness. Yet, how glucocorticoid levels are associated with reproductive success or survival in a natural setting has received little empirical attention so far. Here, we examined links between survival and levels of glucocorticoid in a small, short-lived primate, the grey mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus), using for the first time an indicator of long-term stress load (hair cortisol concentration). Using a capture-mark-recapture modelling approach, we assessed the effect of stress on survival in a broad context (semi-annual rates), but also under a specific period of high energetic demands during the reproductive season. We further assessed the power of other commonly used health indicators (body condition and parasitism) in predicting survival outcomes relative to the effect of long-term stress.

Results

We found that high levels of hair cortisol were associated with reduced survival probabilities both at the semi-annual scale and over the reproductive season. Additionally, very good body condition (measured as scaled mass index) was related to increased survival at the semi-annual scale, but not during the breeding season. In contrast, variation in parasitism failed to predict survival.

Conclusion

Altogether, our results indicate that long-term increased glucocorticoid levels can be related to survival and hence population dynamics, and suggest differential strength of selection acting on glucocorticoids, body condition, and parasite infection.

     

Autoimmune hepatitis-specific antibodies against soluble liver antigen and liver cytosol type 1 in patients with chronic viral hepatitis

Background

Non-organ specific autoantibodies are highly prevalent in patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV). Among them, anti-liver kidney microsomal type 1 (LKM1) antibody – the serological marker of type 2 autoimmune hepatitis (AIH-2)- is detected in up to 11% of the HCV-infected subjects. On the other hand, anti-liver cytosol type 1 antibodies (anti-LC1) – either in association with anti-LKM1, or in isolation- and anti-soluble liver antigen antibodies (anti-SLA) have been considered as useful and specific diagnostic markers for AIH. However, their specificity for AIH has been questioned by some recent studies, which have shown the detection of anti-LC1 and anti-SLA by immunoprecipitation assays in HCV patients irrespective of their anti-LKM1 status. The aim of the present study was to test the anti-LC1 and anti-SLA presence by specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), in a large group of Greek HCV-infected patients with or without anti-LKM1 reactivity as firstly, immunoprecipitation assays are limited to few specialized laboratories worldwide and cannot be used routinely and secondly, to assess whether application of such tests has any relevance in the context of patients with viral hepatitis since antibody detection based on such ELISAs has not been described in detail in large groups of HCV patients.

Methods

One hundred and thirty eight consecutive HCV patients (120 anti-LKM1 negative and 18 anti-LKM1 positive) were investigated for the presence of anti-LC1 and anti-SLA by commercial ELISAs. A similar number (120) of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients seronegative for anti-LKM1 was also tested as pathological controls.

Results

Six out of 18 (33%) anti-LKM^pos/HCV^pos patients tested positive for anti-LC1 compared to 1/120 (0.83%) anti-LKM^neg/HCV^pos patients and 0/120 (0%) of the anti-LKM1^neg/HBV^pos patients (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Anti-SLA antibodies were not present in any of the HCV (with or without anti-LKM1) or HBV-infected patients.

Conclusion

We showed that anti-LC1 and anti-SLA autoantibodies are not detected by conventional assays in a large group of anti-LKM1 negative patients with chronic hepatitis B and C infections. Based on these results we cannot find any justification for the application of anti-LC1 and anti-SLA tests in the routine laboratory testing of viral hepatitis-related autoantibody serology with the only potential exception being the anti-LC1 screening in anti-LKM1^pos/HCV^pos patients.

     

Pollen-pistil incompatibility in a diploid hybrid potato population with cultivated and wild germplasm

The basis of low seed set was investigated in a diploid hybrid population with germplasm from the cultivated speciesSolanum tuberosum spp.tuberosum andS. tuberosum ssp.phureja and the wild speciesS. chacoense. Controlled crosses were performed following an incomplete diallel mating design which included the hybrid population and the parental species. Pollen grain germination and pollen tube growth were observed with fluorescence microscopy in 174 intrapopulation and interspecific combinations of genotypes. Fifty percent of the combinations of genotypes within the hybrid population and 46% of those between this population and the parental species were incompatible; overall, 71% of the interspecific combinations of genotypes were compatible when plants of the hybrid population were used as females, vs. 5% when used as males. Although the site of reaction could vary in a given intrapopulation or interspecific cross with the combinations of genotypes, pollen tube inhibition occurred in the first third of the style in 42% of them. Since the gene pool of the hybrid population had been widened with germplasm from other geographic areas and the genotypes ofS. tuberosum ssp.tuberosum, S. chacoense andS. tuberosum ssp.phureja used in this study were not the ones involved in the original crosses, it is concluded that the S-locus is not controlling the incompatibility reaction but rather that a cross-incompatibility system, possibly governed by more than one locus, is acting.     

The effect of stem population on tuber yield in a trial with single-stem seed pieces

Summary Excised eyes on 5 g of seed tuber tissue were used to grow plants with single stems. These were transplanted in the field at densities of 120 000, 180 000 and 240 000 plants/ha, with in-row spacings of 16 or 33 cm. Total tuber yield was not affected, although more tubers were produced at the high densities. Tuber numbers did not increase in proportion to the number of stems. This was due to the fact that the number of tubers per stem decreased from a mean of 4.8 to 2.9 with increasing stem populations.     

Genetic variation in a population of tetraploid potatoes: Tuber resistance to the tobacco flea beetle

Variation in resistance to tuber damage by the tobacco flea beetle,Epitrix hirtipennis (Melsheimer) was investigated for progeny from a group of parental clones from the USDA potato breeding program. Each of nine clones, used as males, was crossed with three different clones, and the family responses were measured in field tests (Lubbock, Texas, 1967 and 1968) by counting tuber pits made by the flea beetle larvae. Statistically significant differences among families were found. The differences were due mainly to the male parents, since the male variance component, σ _M ² (0.470±0.235), was larger than the variance component of females mated to the same male, σ _F(M) ² (0.080±0.057). Theoretically, each of these components contains one-fourth of the genetic additive variance, and therefore, should be nearly equal if digenic, trigenic, and quadrigenic effects are small (and if no maternal effects are present). Apparently the male and female parents did not, in relation to the frequency of alleles controlling response to the flea beetle, represent the same genetic population. Heritability on an individual basis, calculated with 4 σ _M ² as numerator, equals 0.64±0.36; and at a 10% selection level the genetic advance value predicted for individual selection equals 1.896 SD units. If 100 males were crossed to one female each, and 20 progeny per family tested in 10 replicates, the genetic advance value predicted for selecting the best 10 males on the basis of their family performance equals 0.976 SD units. Thus individual or phenotypic selection appears to be more effective than selection based on half-sib progeny tests.     

Genetic variation in a population of tetraploid potatoes: Foliar resistance to oviposition of the potato leafhopper

Oviposition by the potato leafhopperEmpoasca fabae was measured on detached leaflets from nine half-sib groups (18 full-sib families) of tetraploid potatoes. The parents were clones that had been used in the USDA breeding program. Significant differences occurred among full-sib families, and between full-sib families with a common parent, but not among half-sib groups. The variance component for between full-sib families with a common parent averaged over twice as large as the component due to differences among half-sib groups. Although this could be due to intra-locus interaction, it seemed that common environmental effects were a more likely cause. Previous feeding on beans affected leafhopper oviposition in the first 4-day test period. By the 2nd test period the effect had disappeared, and results in test periods 2, 3, and 4 were consistent with each other. With a procedure including a feeding period on potatoes before testing, phenotypic selection of individuals was shown to be more efficient than selection by progeny testing with half or full-sib families for increasing resistance to oviposition. The ranking of families by the amount of oviposition on detached leaflets and by nymph infestation densities in the field were similar at the extremes of the resistance range, but variable in between.     

Prevalence of isolates of Botrytis cinerea resistant to multiple fungicides in Chilean vineyards

Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) is an important disease of grapevines (Vitis vinifera) and requires several fungicide treatments to achieve a satisfactory control in Chile. Furthermore, a high resistance risk has developed because of the extensive use of specific fungicides with a single-site mode of action. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of resistance to the multiple fungicides currently used against B. cinerea in Chile. During 2007–2009 and 2011, 214 isolates of B. cinerea from 36 commercial vineyards were examined for sensitivity to anilinopyrimidines (cyprodinil or pyrimethanil), demethylation inhibitors (DMIs) (tebuconazole), hydroxyanilides (fenhexamid) and phenylpyrroles (fludioxonil). Of all of the isolates, 62.7% were resistant to anilinopyrimidines, 7.2% to DMIs, 27.1% to hydoxyanilides and 44.8% to phenylpyrrole derivates. Overall, 16 (12.3%) of the isolates were sensitive; although none was resistant to all four of the fungicide classes, and 50 (38.5%), 51 (39.2%), and 13 (10.0%) isolates were resistant to one, two and three fungicides, respectively. In vitro, resistant isolates were capable of causing fruit rot on wounded apples pretreated with any one of the five fungicides at label concentrations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of isolates having simultaneous resistance to anilinopyrimidines, DMIs, phenylpyrroles and hydroxyanilides in B. cinerea populations from grapevines in Chile. Therefore, fungicide resistance is a serious problem that questions the sustainability of the current gray mold control strategy, which relies almost exclusively on fungicides with single-site modes of action.     

Recurrent maternal half-sib selection improves resistance to foliar late blight in a diploid hybridSolanum phureja-solanum stenotomum population

Foliar late blight, caused byPhytophthora infestans, is a devastating disease of potatoes worldwide. In 1996 we initiated a breeding strategy to improve the levels of resistance to late blight in a diploid hybrid population ofSolanum phureja-Solanum stenotomum. The purpose of this study was to determine if resistance to late blight in this diploid potato population could be improved by recurrent maternal half-sib selection. Four clones from each of 72 maternal half-sib families were evaluated for late blight resistance in replicated field trials in Pennsylvania in 1996 and 1997 (cycle 1) and in 2003 and 2004 (cycle 2). ‘Atlantic’ was included as a check cultivar at all sites. Percentage of infected foliage was recorded three times towards the end of the growing season each year and was used to compute area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). Mean AUDPC for Atlantic in cycle 1 and 2 was 863 and 854, respectively. Mean AUDPC of the cycle 1 and cycle 2 diploid clones was 652 and 556, respectively. Narrowsense heritability for resistance in cycle 1 and cycle 2 was estimated as 0.78 and 0.77, respectively; additive genetic variance was estimated as 10960 and 12636, respectively; phenotypic variance was estimated as 14088 and 16375, respectively. Predicted and realized genetic gain from cycle 1 to cycle 2 was ?80 and ?96, respectively. Recurrent maternal half-sib selection is an effective way to improve resistance to late blight in this population and to maintain adequate genetic diversity for further enhancement efforts.     

Genetic variability in duration of pre-heading phases and relationships with leaf appearance and tillering dynamics in a barley population

The stem elongation phase seems critical in yield potential determination in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Extending its duration, without modifying total time to anthesis, has been proposed as a promising breeding tool. A prerequisite for its use is that the duration of phases before and after jointing (that including leaf and spikelet initiation, LS, and that of stem elongation, SE) should be under different genetic control. In addition, little is known about the implications of changes in the duration of LS and SE upon other developmental traits which could affect other aspects of yield generation, such as phyllochron and tillering. Thus, the objectives of the present work were to study the genetic variability in LS and SE, in traits related to leaf appearance and tillering, as well as their relationships, in a double-haploid (DH) population derived from the cross Henni × Meltan. DH lines and both parents were studied in four field trials. Despite the similarity in development between parents, there was significant genetic variability in duration of both LS and SE (i.e. considerable transgressive segregation was observed), with no major genetic correlations found between them. Although some significant genetic correlations were found between duration of phases and leaf appearance and tillering traits, it has been shown that modifying the duration of LS does not necessarily imply concomitant changes in traits that could be important for an early expansion of the crop canopy (i.e. phyllochron, onset and rate of tillering).     

Genetic variation in a population of tetraploid potatoes: Response to the potato leafhopper and the potato flea beetle

Progenies from a group of tetraploid parental clones from the USDA potato breeding program were used to investigate variation in resistance to the potato leafhopper,Empoasca fabae (Harris), and the potato flea beetle,Epitrix cucumeris (Harris). The study utilized two mating designs: i) selfing and testing both the parents and the S₁ progeny; and ii) nine clones, used as males, were each crossed to three different clones, and progenies from the resulting families were tested. Statistically significant differences between families were measured in each test for both insects. Non-additive genetic variance was larger than additive genetic variance in progeny reaction to leafhopper infestation and hopperburin, but was smaller in progeny reaction to flea beetles. Environmental variation contributed heavily to the total variation of plant reaction to both insect species. Selecting individuals was indicated to be slightly more effective than selecting males on half-sib progeny performance but not as effective as selecting clones on S₁ progeny performance. Because of the large environmental variance and small additive variance for both the leafhopper and flea beetle, slow progress in increasing the level of resistance to these two species in this sample population was predicted. Resistance to leafhopper infestation was genetically quite highly correlated (positive) with resistance to hopperburn, but phenotypically the correlation was considerably smaller. Negative genotypic, phenotypic, and environmental correlations between leafhopper infestation and flea beetle infestation suggest that selecting for resistance to one of these species, in the population sampled for these tests, would tend to increase susceptibility to the other.     

Prevalence of the pathogenic chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, in an endangered population of northern leopard frogs, Rana pipiens

Background

Emerging infectious diseases threaten naïve host populations with extinction. Chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease of amphibians, is caused by the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and has been linked to global declines in amphibians.

Results

We monitored the prevalence of Bd for four years in the Northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens, which is critically imperiled in British Columbia (BC), Canada. The prevalence of Bd initially increased and then remained constant over the last three years of the study. Young of the year emerging from breeding ponds in summer were rarely infected with Bd. Some individuals cleared their Bd infections and the return rate between infected and uninfected individuals was not significantly different.

Conclusions

The BC population of R. pipiens appears to have evolved a level of resistance that allows it to co-exist with Bd. However, this small population of R. pipiens remains vulnerable to extinction.

     

Genetic inheritance of cytochrome P450-mediated metabolic resistance to chlorsulfuron in a multiple herbicide resistant Lolium rigidum population

Field evolved resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides in a multiple resistant Lolium rigidum population (VLR69) is known to be mainly due to enhanced rates of herbicide metabolism, likely involving cytochrome P450 monooxygenases. The present study investigates genetic inheritance of P450-mediated metabolic resistance to the ALS-inhibiting herbicide chlorsulfuron. To this end, a P450-mediated, metabolism-based resistant sub-set of VLR69 was carefully selected using plant vegetative cloning, appropriate herbicide screen test and the known P450 inhibitor malathion. Both intermediate and near-dominant nuclear-encoded phenotypic resistance traits were observed in 14 reciprocal F₁ families. The segregation of phenotypic chlorsulfuron resistance in ψ-F₂ families was analysed using genetic inheritance models involving one or two loci. The results from four ψ-F₂ families revealed complex patterns of genetic inheritance of P450-mediated metabolic resistance in genetically diverse and cross-pollinated species L. rigidum: multiple loci are likely involved and interact with herbicide rates and environmental conditions in mediating the resistance phenotype.     

The population dynamics of aphids infesting the potato plant with particular reference to the susceptibility of certain varieties to infestation

Summary The distribution and multiplication of aphids on the potato plant is related to the growth of the plants.Myzus persicae Sulz. prefers senescent leaves and the biggest populations are usually found on the early potato varieties which develop such leaves first. Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thos. infests the tips of the shoots and hence maincrop varieties with many axillary shoots bear bigger populations than early varieties with fewer axillary shoots. Populations ofAphis nasturtii Kltb. are directly related to leaf area and varieties with large haulms are more heavily infested than varieties with smaller haulms.

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Zusammenfassung Die St?rke der Besiedlung der Kartoffelpflanzungen durch migrienrende Blattl?use h?ngt in erster Linie vom Gelingen der Frühjahrsmigration der überwinterungsorten ab. Das weitere Verhalten der L?use und ihrer Nachkommenschaft auf den Kartoffelpflanzen wird jedoch durch physiologische Einflüsse seitens der Wirtspflanzen bestimmt. Der Schwerpunkt der anf?nglichen Besiedlung durch geflügelte Pfirsichblattl?use (Myzus persicae Sulz.) liegt immer auf den untern Bl?ttern des Hauptstengels (Tabelle 1). Von hier aus erfolgt normalerweise die Infektion aufw?rts zu den mittleren, alternden Bl?ttern und ausw?rts zu den achselst?ndigen Sprossen (Abb 2), wo die Bl?tter die gleiche Entwicklung durchlaufen wie am Hauptstengel. Bedingt durch die Bevorzugung der alternden Bl?tter durch diese Blattlausart bilden sich auf der FrühsorteArran Pilot im Vergleich zu den andern untersuchten Sorten st?rkere Populationen, da bei dieser Sorte alternde Bl?tter zuerst vorhanden sind. Dies war sehr deutlich im Jahre 1951 (Taylor, 1955); im Jahre 1952, als die meisten Sorten infolge der Trockenheit bald nach der Frühjahrsmigration der Blattl?use vorzeitigabreiften, war der H?chstbefall durchMyzus persicae bei der SorteArran Pilot nur an den Hauptstengeln gesichert schwerer als bei den übrigen Sorten (Abb, 3,Tabelle: 2), Wird der Blattlausbefall pro Pflanze zum Ausdruck gebracht, das heisst sowohl auf den Hauptstengeln wie auf den achselst?ndigen Sprossen zusammen, so ist dieser aufArran Pilot ?hnlich, wie auf den meisten anderen Sorten. Die Infektion durchMacrosiphum cuphorbiae Thos. erfolgt auf den jungen, wachsenden Bl?ttern an der Spitze der Triebe. Auf den sp?t reifenden SortenKing Edward undStormont Dawn, die eine gr?ssere Zahl von Seitensprossen aufweisen, entwickelten sich gr?ssere Populationen als auf den FrühsortenArran Pilot undUlster Chieftain (Abb 3,Tabelle 2). Ungeflügeite Tiere vonAphis nasturtii,Kltb, zeigen keinerlei Bevorzugung eines bestimmten Blattyps und besiedeln Bl?tter aller Wachstumsphasen. Sofern die Bedingungen für die Entwicklung von grossen Populationen dieser Art günstig sind, wie dies 1952 der Fali war (Abb. 1), ist die vorhandene Blattfl?che der begrenzende Faktor. Die sp?t reifenden SortenKing Edward undStormont Dawn bilden eine gr?ssere Zahl von Bl?ttern als die Frühsorten und bieten demnach mehr M?glichkeit für das Entstehen von gr?sseren Populationen vonAphis nasturii (Abb. 3,Tabelle 2). Unterschiede in den Blattlauspopulationen verschiedener Kartoffelsorten sind eher durch das Pflanzenwachstum bedingt als durch innere geschmackliche Unterschiede. Sorten mit grossem Blattwerk bieten gr?sseren Populationen vonAphis nasturtii Platz als solche mit kleinerem Blattwerk.M. euphorbiae besiedelt in der Regel die Spitzen der Triebe und da die sp?t reifenden Sorten viele achselst?ndige Sprosse bilden, werden sie st?rker infiziert als Frühsorten mit wenig Seitensprossen. Die St?rke des Befalls durchMyzus persicae steht im Zusammenhang mit dem Alter der Bl?tter. Sorten wieArran Pilot, die ihr Wachstum rasch abschliessen, sind deshalb unter normalen Bedingungen immer besser für die Besiedlung durchMyzus persicae und deren Vermehrung geeignet. Bei Bedingungen, unter welchen die Reife der andern Sorten beschleunigt wird, wird auch die Eignung dieser Sorten für Wirtspflanze gef?rdert.

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Résumé Le degré de colonisation des cultures de pommes de terre par les pucerons migrants dépend avant tout du succès du vol de printemps à partir des lieux d'hivernage. Mais ensuite, le comportement des pucerons migrants et de leur descendance est determine par des influences physiologiques de la part de la plante-h?te. Le centre de colonisation initiale par le puceron ailéMyzus persicae Sulz se trouve invariablement sur les feuilles inférieures de la tige principale (Tableau 1) et de là, l'infestation gagne d'ordinaire les feuilles de la partie moyenne de la tige lorsqu'elles commencent à vieillir et, vers la périphérie, les pousses axillaires (Fig. 2). où les feuilles suivent un cycle de croissance analogue à celui des feuilles de la tige principale. par suite de cette préférence marquée qu'elles manifestent pour les feuilles vieillissantes de la plante de pomme de terre, les populations deM. persicae se développent plus nombreuses sur la variété précoceArran Pilot que sur les autres variétés étudiées, parce que les feuilles vieillissantes sont présentées le plus t?t par cette variété. Ce fait se manifesta très nettement en 1951 (Taylor, 1955), mais en 1952. la sécheresse survenue aprés la période de première migration causant un vieillissement prématuré de la plupart des variétés de pommes de terre, seules les trés nombreuses populations deM. persicae sur la tige principale des plantesArran Pilot furent significativement supérieures aux populations trouvées sur les autres variétés (Fig. 3,Tableau 2). Si l'on exprimait la densité de population en nombres de pucerons par plante, e'est-à-dire par tige prineipale avec pousses axillaires, les populations trouvées sur les plantes de la variétéArran Pilot étaient égales à celles de la plupart des autres variétés. L'infestation parMacrosiphum euphorbiae Thos. s'observe sur les jeunes feuilles en développement au bout des tiges. Des populations plus importantes se developpaient sur les variétés tardivesKing Edward etStormont Dawn, dont les pousses axillaires étaient les plus nombreuses, que sur les variétés précocesArran Pilot etUlster Chieftain (Fig. 3,Tabltau 2). Les aptèresAphis nasturtii Kltb. ne manifestent pas de préférence vis-à-vis du type de feuilles et les colonisent à n'importe quel degré de croissance. Lorsque les conditions favorisent le développement d'infestations importantes par cette espèce, comme cela se produisit en 1952 (Fig. 1), le principal facteur limitant le développement de la population est constitué par la superficie du feuillage. Les variétés tardivesKing Edward etStormont Dawn produisaient un plus grand nombre de feuilles que les variétés précoces et, par conséquent, présentèrent des populations plus importantes d'A. nasturtii (Fig. 3,Tableau 2). Les différences de densité de population des pucerons d'une variété de pommes de terre à l'autre sont peut-être dues plut?t à des différences de croissance des plantes qu'à des différences intrinsèques de go?t. Les variétés à fanes fort développées hébergent de plus nombreuses populations d'A. nasturtii que les variétés à fanes peu développées.M. euphorbiae colonise généralement les extrémités des pousses axillaires, de sorte que les variétés tardives à pousses nombreuses sont plus gravement infestées que les variétés précoces, qui ont peu de pousses axillaires. L'infestation parM. persicae se rattache au vieillissement des feuilles et si une variété telle qu'Arran Pilot, dont le cycle de croissance s'accomplit rapidement, convient toujours le mieux à la colonisation parM. persicae et à sa multiplication dans des circonstances normales, les conditions exceptionnelles occasionnant un rapide vieillissement d'autre variétés peuvent rendre ces dernières aussi appropriées comme h?tes.