Prevalence and chemical composition of uroliths in fattening pigs in Belgium

The present study investigated the prevalence of uroliths in fattening pigs and assessed the composition of these urinary tract concrements. In total, 2,432 urinary bladders were sampled in the slaughterhouse and checked for abnormal content. Urinary samples were analysed microscopically, and samples of the urinary bladder wall were tested for histological signs of inflammation. The composition of the concrements was examined by infrared spectrophotometry. Macroscopic and microscopic abnormalities were detected in 8.4% and 52.8% of the samples respectively. Magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite), calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD), calcium carbonate (calcite), calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and amorphous crystals were detected. Analysis of stones showed COD in all samples in different proportions. The calcium content of examined stones was always considerable (up to 34%), in contrast to the magnesium content which represented max 1.9%. Struvite was found in one third of the samples, but was never part of stones and grit. COD crystals were the second most common microscopic crystal. These COD crystals and some COD stones had a rectangular shape, and therefore, they can be harmful to the bladder mucosa. In conclusion, uroliths are present in a large proportion of male fattening pigs, and consequently, urinary concrements pose a life‐threatening risk for urethra obstruction in male pigs. Further research is warranted to identify potential risk factors for urolithiasis and microscopic crystals.     

Influence of systemic fluoroquinolone administration on the presence of Pasteurella multocida in the upper respiratory tract of clinically healthy calves

The influence of enrofloxacin administration (5 mg/kg) for five consecutive days on the occurrence of Pasteurella multocida in the upper respiratory tract of two healthy calves was monitored over a 10-day period. From nasal swabs of two additional healthy control calves, which received a placebo saline administration, P. multocida was isolated throughout the study period. In the enrofloxacin treated calves, P. multocida was not demonstrated in the nasopharynx from 48 h after the first injection until two days after the last administration, when P. multocida reappeared and proved to be clonal in nature to the original isolates. During the experiment, no change in minimal inhibitory concentration for enrofloxacin of the P. multocida isolates was detected (MIC ≤ 0.015 μg/mL). Enrofloxacin concentrations were determined in the plasma by a high-performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection. The PK/PD indices AUC/MIC and C_max/MIC ratio were calculated and found to be 1157.7 and 129.8, respectively. Remarkably, the respiratory pathogen Arcanobacterium pyogenes became the predominant recovered organism in the nasopharynx of one animal following enrofloxacin therapy throughout the remaining of the experiment.     

Evaluation of vaccination strategies against infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) based on recombinant viral vectors expressing FIV Rev and OrfA

In recent years it has become clear that cell-mediated immunity is playing a role in the control of lentivirus infections. In particular, cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses have been associated with improved outcome of infection, especially those directed against the regulatory proteins like Rev and Tat, which are expressed early after infection. Therefore, there is considerable interest in lentiviral vaccine candidates that can induce these types of immune responses. In the present study, we describe the construction and characterisation of expression vectors based on recombinant Semliki Forest virus system and modified vaccinia virus Ankara for the expression of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) accessory proteins Rev and OrfA. These recombinant viral vectors were used to immunize cats using a prime-boost regimen and the protective efficacy of this vaccination strategy was assessed after challenge infection of immunized cats with FIV.     

Serum biochemical reference values for gestating and lactating sows

Reference values have been established for serum biochemical parameters in sows from high producing pig herds. In total, 132 clinically healthy sows from eight breeding herds were serially sampled three weeks and one week before farrowing, and at one week and three weeks after farrowing. Fourteen serum biochemical parameters, focusing mainly on energy and protein metabolism, hepatobiliary and kidney function and inflammation, were investigated. The reproductive state significantly influenced the investigated parameters, other than for urea and non-esterified fatty acids. First parity sows showed higher concentrations of gamma-glutamyltransferase, phosphorus and haptoglobin, and higher albumin/globulin and haptoglobin/albumin ratios compared to sows with 2 parities. The concentrations of creatinine, globulin and total protein however were lower in first parity sows. Between-herd variations were especially high (>50%) for gamma-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase and non-esterified fatty acids. Serum biochemical parameters constitute an important diagnostic tool to assess the health status of sows, but to interpret the outcome properly, it is important to consider reproductive state and parity.     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7NSK2-induced Systemic Resistance in Tobacco Depends on in planta Salicylic Acid Accumulation but is not Associated with PR1a Expression

Root colonization by rhizobacteria can induce a systemic resistance in plants that is phenotypically similar to systemic acquired resistance induced by a localized pathogen infection. We used the tobacco–tobacco mosaic virus model to investigate whether the systemic resistance induced by the rhizobacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7NSK2 is mediated by the systemic acquired resistance signal transduction pathway. Experiments with nahG-transformed tobacco revealed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7NSK2-induced resistance depended on in planta salicylic acid accumulation for its expression but not for its induction and is, in this respect, similar to systemic acquired resistance. However, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7NSK2-induced resistance was, unlike systemic acquired resistance, not associated with PR1a expression at the time of challenge with tobacco mosaic virus. This suggests that Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7NSK2 treatment would only potentiate defense gene expression in systemic tissue, which would also explain why its level of resistance is lower than in case of systemic acquired resistance. Because we demonstrated that induced resistance by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7NSK2 exclusively depends on the production of salicylic acid by this strain our conclusions might also account for other salicylic acid-producing and resistance-inducing rhizobacteria.     

Development of a PCR-based selection assay for root-knot nematode resistance ( Rmc1) by a comparative analysis of the Solanum bulbocastanum and S. tuberosum genome

A PCR-based assay has been developed for marker assisted selection of root-knot nematode resistance ( Rmc1) in potato. To this end, a comparative genome analysis was carried out between Solanum bulbocastanum and S. tuberosum to identify PCR-based chromosome 11 alleles linked to Rmc1. The use of co-migrating AFLP markers, obtained by using primer combinations previously applied for AFLP analysis of the S. tuberosum genome, failed to align the AFLP map of the S. bulbocastanum genome with the S. tuberosum map. Apparently, the S. bulbocastanum genome is genetically too distantly related to the S. tuberosum genome for this type of analysis. Cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers were more readily applied for a comparative analysis within the region of interest. Rmc1 could be localized within a 4 cM interval between markers CT182 and M39b. It is demonstrated that the resistance spectrum of Rmc1 includes not only Meloidogyne chitwoodi and the related species M. fallax but also a genetically distinct population of M. hapla. The cost-efficiency of the CAPS markers applied for Rmc1 renders this approach as an attractive alternative for screening large segregating populations of potato for root-knot nematode resistance. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Anaesthetic properties of Propiscin (Etomidaat) and 2-phenoxyethanol in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), neural and behavioural measures

The objective of the study was to evaluate the anaesthetic effects of Propiscin (2% etomidate) and 2-phenoxyethanol on common carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.) by observing neural and behavioural measures. When exposed to the anaesthetic agent, the carp lost equilibrium after approximately 90 s of exposure. They did not breathe and the controls did not respond to tail pinch or prick or 6 V at the skin of the upper jaw. A shift to lower frequencies on the electroencephalogram (EEG) and computing fast Fourier transformation was observed when exposed to water containing Propiscin or 2-phenoxyethanol. Heart rate was reduced after placement in the water containing an anaesthetic agent. It may be concluded from our results that common carp were immobilized and sedated, when exposed to water containing 2 mL L⁻¹ Propiscin and immobilized and anaesthetized in water containing 0.5 mL L⁻¹ 2-phenoxyethanol. In addition, the use of EEG provides for a sound assessment of exposure of carp to these anaesthetics.     

Vertebrate wildlife incidents with pesticides: a european survey

A survey was carried out to investigate terrestrial wildlife incidents with pesticides in 18 European countries over the period 1990–1994. Only in seven countries does a systematic incident registration system exist. Compared with the other countries, relatively high numbers of incidents were registered in France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Over 1000 incidents were investigated to establish their causes: approved use, misuse or deliberate abuse, and the compounds, species and mode of application involved. It was found that most registered incidents are due to deliberate abuse. Approved use is responsible for only a minor fraction of the incidents, and these are due to particular practices such as use of treated seed, bait or wood preservatives and the spraying of grassland. Hardly any incidents were due to crop-spraying. The reason why so few incidents are registered for normal crop-spraying is discussed: do they not occur, or are the casualties not registered? It is doubtful whether incident registration is a reliable instrument for obtaining a proper understanding of the occurrence of the side-effects of agricultural pesticide use. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mineral deficiency status of ranging zebu (Bos indicus) cattle around the Gilgel Gibe catchment, Ethiopia

Mineral deficiencies in cattle, widespread in East Africa, impair optimal health and production and consequently place a great burden on the farmers' income. Therefore, detection of shortages and imbalances of specific minerals is essential. Our objective was to evaluate the mineral status of grazing cattle around the Gilgel Gibe catchment in Ethiopia and associated factors. In study I, individual animal plasma and herd faecal Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, S, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu concentrations were determined in adult zebu cattle (Bos indicus; n?=?90) grazing at three altitudes around the catchment, whilst recording body condition score and sex. In study II, liver samples of adult male zebu cattle (n?=?53) were analysed for Cu, Zn, Fe, Se and Mo concentrations and inspected for parasitic infections. Plasma and liver analyses revealed a Cu deficiency problem in the area, since 68 and 47 % of cattle, respectively, were Cu deprived according to diagnostic criteria for Bos taurus cattle. High hepatic Mo concentrations in 17 % of cases might reflect excessive dietary Mo intake. Liver Se and plasma Na concentrations were too low in 92 and 80 % of cattle. Plasma Mn concentrations were largely below the detection limit. Plasma Cu as well as Ca concentrations were lower in the lowest altitude compared to the highest altitude group (P?<?0.05), whereas lean to medium cattle had lower plasma Cu concentrations (P?<?0.05). No differences in hepatic mineral concentrations were detected between cattle with different types of parasitic infection. In conclusion, bovine mineral deficiencies were present in the Gilgel Gibe area and were associated with grazing altitude and body condition score.     

Species prevalence and disease progression studies demonstrate a seasonal shift in the Alternaria population composition on potato

To assess the incidence of early blight/brown spot (EB/BS) in Flanders (Belgium), potato fields in 22 locations were monitored and scored over the duration of the growing seasons 2014 and 2015. The average disease incidence was shown to be higher in 2014 than in 2015. Soil type, rainfall and temperature were also analysed in relation to disease incidence. In 2014, potato plants grown in sandy soils had more EB/BS disease than those grown in clay or loamy soils. However, the low disease incidence in 2015 meant that differences in disease levels between soil types could not be discerned for that growing season. A windowpane analysis demonstrated that rainfall and humidity accounted for the differences in disease incidence between the two growing seasons. During the course of the survey, the species composition in leaves with symptoms was assessed using real‐time PCR. Remarkably, small‐spored Alternaria species, such as A. alternata and A. arborescens, rather than the more virulent A. solani were the predominant species on potato leaves throughout the growing season. As the disease progressed, the proportion of A. solani increased. In view of these results, the virulence of a collected set of Alternaria isolates was assessed by an in vitro assay. Despite A. solani being more virulent than A. alternata or A. arborescens, the most abundant species isolated from potato leaves with symptoms was A. arborescens.