Superinfection occurs in Anaplasma phagocytophilum infected sheep irrespective of infection phase and protection status

Background

Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in domestic ruminants is widespread in the coastal areas of southern Norway. The bacteria may persist in mammalian hosts. Several genetic variants of A. phagocytophilum exist. In the present study, we investigate whether superinfection occurs in the acute and persistent phase of the infection.

Methods

Five-month-old lambs of the Norwegian Dala breed were experimentally infected with two 16S rRNA gene variants of A. phagocytophilum, i.e. A. phagocytophilum variant 1 (GenBank accession number {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"M73220","term_id":"148293","term_text":"M73220"}}M73220) and variant 2 (GenBank acc. no. {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AF336220","term_id":"13325085","term_text":"AF336220"}}AF336220). Eighteen lambs were used, two lambs in each group. Eight groups were experimentally inoculated with either variant 1 or 2 on day 0. Six of these groups were then challenged with the other variant on either days 7, 42 or 84, respectively. One group was left uninfected. The occurrence of A. phagocytophilum in blood samples was determined using semi-nested PCR analysis and gene sequencing. Specific antibodies were measured by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA).

Results

A. phagocytophilum variant 1 and 2 differed significantly with regards to clinical reaction and cross-immunity in infected lambs. Both variants were found in the blood after challenge. However, variant 1 was detected most frequently.

Conclusion

The present experiment indicates that superinfection of different genotypes occurs during the acute as well as the persistent phase of an A. phagocytophilum infection, even in lambs protected against the challenged infection.     

Changes in Grain Production,Mechanisms for Sale of Grain and Possible Effects on Grain Quality in Lithuania in the Period 1990-1999

The main objective was to compare the response of grain yield to fertiliser N in a winter wheat-white clover intercropping system with the response in wheat alone. Clover was undersown in spring barley and remained established in two consecutive crops of wheat in two field experiments. Clover reduced grain yield in the first crop of wheat and increased it in the second. There was more inorganic N in the soil and a higher concentration of N in the grains in the intercropping system. The grain and N yield response to fertiliser N was equal or less with intercropped than with wheat alone. The reduction of clover biomass with a herbicide increased grain yield of the first crop of wheat without reducing the clover biomass or the positive residual effect in the second wheat crop. It was concluded that in order to produce large grain yields, competition from clover needs to be kept small when wheat is at the tillering stage.