Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from small and exotic animals at a university hospital during routine microbiological examinations

Clinical specimens of small animals (n=869) were screened for the occurrence of methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA; MRSA) during routine microbiological examinations, and results were confirmed by a multiplex PCR strategy. The genetic relatedness of all mecA-positive S. aureus isolates was further investigated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), PCR for Panton-Valentine leukocidine genes (PVL) and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec-typing (SCCmec). A total of 61 S. aureus isolates were found during a 20-month period of investigation, 27 (44.3%) of them harbouring the mecA gene for methicillin-resistance. The majority of MRSA were isolated in specimens from dogs (n=18) and cats (n=4). One guinea pig and one rabbit were found to be positive for an MRSA infected site. Similarly, three exotic animals, a turtle, a bat and a parrot, were found to be infected with MRSA. PFGE and MLST analysis revealed a certain genotype ("A" and "A-1") dominating the isolate collection (23 of 27). Furthermore, one isolate showed homologous PFGE pattern to the German epidemic strain Barnim ("BE") and another one ("BE-1") was considered to be closely related. A third genotype ("B") was detected in two cases. Two different sequence types (ST) were identified among the 27 MRSA isolates. PFGE type "A" and both strains related to the Barnim epidemic strain were assigned to ST22, whereas ST239 was associated to PFGE profile "B". The present data show that certain MRSA genotypes are capable of infecting a wide spectrum of small and exotic animals, especially in clinical facilities.     

Immunohistochemical characterization of the extracellular matrix in normal mitral valves and in chronic valve disease (endocardiosis) in dogs

This study aimed to characterize the composition and distribution of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components in normal canine mitral valves (MV) and in chronic heart valve disease (CVD).MV of 50 dogs (normal (n = 9), mild (n = 13), moderate (n = 17), severe (n = 11) CVD) were investigated macroscopically, histologically (H.-E., picrosirius red) and immunohistochemically (collagen I, III, IV, V, VI, elastin, laminin, fibronectin, heparan sulphate).In normal MV, ECM components were expressed in a typical layered pattern. In mild CVD, basement membrane components (laminin, collagen IV, fibronectin) were increased. Advanced CVD was characterized by myxomatous nodular lesions displaying a marginal and a central region comprised mainly of collagen I, VI and fibronectin in the former and collagen I and III in the latter. Collagen IV and laminin appeared multifocally in marked CVD.In conclusion, not only an accumulation of proteoglycans, but also a distinctly altered expression of basement membrane components, and collagens characterizes CVD.     

Body and claw measurements as well as pressure distribution under the claws in heifers of different cattle breeds

In 56 heifers of the three breeds German Holstein (GH), German Brown (GB) und German Red (GR) the body weight and height were determined at the age of 350 to 550 days in intervals of 6 to 8 weeks. At the right front limb and the left hind limb the claw measurements dorsal wall length, diagonal length, heel length and height, the angle of the dorsal wall and the hardness of the claw were taken. Furthermore, the punctual pressure under the medial and the lateral claw of the right front limb and the left hind limb were determined using an electronic measuring system. The GH heifers weighing 387.3 kg on an average and having a mean height of 132.3 cm at the sacral bone in the course of the present study were the heaviest and tallest breed at the age of 12 to 18 months. GB had a weight of 366.2 kg and 106.2 cm height at the sacral bone. The GR were the smallest breed (126.0 cm) and weighed 337.7 kg. The heel at the front limb was on the average 1 cm shorter than at the hind limb and it was 0.5 cm lower. The angle of the dorsal border was 4-5 degrees higher at the hind limb. The GR had the flattest claws. The animals showed a larger average weight load on the medial claws than on the lateral claws especially of the front limbs. The highest pressures per cm2 were found underneath the rear part of the medial claw in all breeds. At the front limb, the GB showed significantly higher average pressures per cm2 under the front sectors of the claws than GH and GR, while the other values did not differ significantly between the breeds. The GH tended to have lower average pressures per cm2 underneath the claws of the hind limb, but this was only significant at the front medial sector of the claw.     

How does the harvest index affect water‐use efficiency and nutrient‐utilization efficiency of sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.)?

Besides oilseed rape and soybean, sunflower is one of the most important annual oilcrops. Apart from seed yield, which is the most important trait in many crops, oil yield is of utmost interest for sunflower breeders and farmers. Compared to the seed yield of sunflowers, their total biomass is often very high, and it is of great agronomic interest to increase the ratio of both parameters, which is defined as harvest index. With an increase in harvest index, improvements of resource‐use efficiencies can be expected. To generate an adequate seed yield, water and nutrients are key factors and their efficient use becomes increasingly important under conditions of aridity and higher production goals. A pot experiment was conducted in summer 2017 to determine differences in harvest index of various sunflower genotypes which could have an influence on the use efficiencies of water and nutrients (N, P, K). In total, 25 genotypes of different origin and with various morphological traits were investigated under optimal growth conditions. The harvest index varied from 29% to 47% and showed significant differences among some genotypes. The harvest index was less affected by the total biomass of the plants but more by the seed yield. The seed yield itself was mainly determined by the single seed weight rather than by the number of seeds. The experiment also confirmed significant positive correlations between harvest indices and all use efficiencies. Genotypes with high harvest indices were characterized by high oil concentrations in the seeds and particularly by high oil yields. In conclusion, cultivation of sunflower genotypes with high harvest indices most likely results in high water‐use efficiency and high nutrient‐utilization efficiencies as well as in high oil yields.     

Assessment of the antifungal activity of selected biocontrol agents and their secondary metabolites against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium graminearum</Emphasis>

Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph: Gibberella zeae) is the causal agent of several destructive diseases in cereal crops worldwide. In the present study we have evaluated the potential of two strains of Trichoderma sp. (T23, and T16), a strain of Paecilomyces sp. (PS1), and their secondary metabolites (SMs) in suppressing F. graminearum. Results from dual culture experiments show that in the presence of either Trichoderma sp., or Paecilomyces sp. mycelial growth of F. graminearum is considerably inhibited. Strain T23 causes the greatest inhibition (83.8%), followed by strain T16 (72.2%), and strain PS1 (61.9%). Likewise, mycelial growth of the pathogen is completely inhibited (≥ 98%) when grown under exposure to volatile metabolites excreted from Trichoderma cultures. Bioautographic analyses using culture filtrates revealed that several antifungal SMs are excreted. Among five metabolites tested, 6-pentyl-alpha-pyrone (6PAP) from strain T23, and PF3 from strain PS1 exhibit pronounced antifungal activity against F. graminearum. A new method for mass production of perithecia of F. graminearum which is simple and more effective than traditional methods was developed, which allows an increase in perithecial formation of more than 5-fold. Using this method, we found, that in the presence of SMs perithecial formation was negatively affected. Perithecial production was suppressed by 81.4% and 76.6% using 200 μg ml^?1 of either 6PAP or PF3, respectively. Moreover, ascospore discharge was significantly suppressed (67.0%) when perithecia were exposed to the metabolite F116 produced by T16. Including 6PAP or PF3 in conidial suspensions impeded germination of conidia completely. Similarly, both metabolites strongly inhibited ascospore germination (? 90%).     

Castration of piglets: the analgesic effects of intratesticular and intrafunicular lidocaine injection

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of intratesticular and intrafunicular lidocaine for the surgical castration of piglets and to investigate the degree of nociception induced by lidocaine injection. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective controlled experimental study. ANIMALS: Forty-seven male Norwegian landrace piglets with normal testicular anatomy, aged 22 (+/-2.6 SD) days and weighing 7.4 +/- 1.4 kg. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anaesthesia was induced and maintained using halothane delivered in oxygen. End-tidal halothane was stabilized at 1.3% for 20 minutes before mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) pulse rate and electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring began. After 5 minutes of data collection, scrotal skin was desensitized with lidocaine before either an intrafunicular (IF) (n = 15) or an intratesticular (IT) (n = 16) lidocaine injection was made. Pigs in the control group (n = 16) did not receive lidocaine. Ten minutes later, a scalpel and an emasculator were used to cut the funiculus spermaticus. The MAP, pulse rate and EEG were monitored continuously for 5 minutes after castration. RESULTS: During castration, MAP increased significantly, while pulse rate and EEG theta power fell significantly more in control, compared with the IT or IF groups. EEG alpha power fell more in the control group than in the IF group. No significant differences were found between the IF and IT groups. EEG, MAP and pulse rate responses to castration in the control group were significantly larger than the response to lidocaine injection. CONCLUSION/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Injecting lidocaine into the funiculus spermaticus or into the testes is effective in reducing signs of nociception caused by castration. Lidocaine injection is less noxious than castration without local anaesthetic.     

Toxic mushrooms.

Poisonous mushrooms contain toxins that are as diverse as the mushrooms themselves. Clinical syndromes often involve multiple organ systems, and progression of clinical signs is often directly related to the quantity eaten. Diagnostic detection of the toxins is rarely an option; rather, diagnosis is based on a history of possible exposure and identification of mushroom species in the stomach contents and environment. Treatments are usually based on clinical signs, as most mushroom toxins are without an antidote. There are exceptions, however, and prompt identification of mushroom species involved is vital whenever possible. Collection of the toxicologic minimum database and gastrointestinal decontamination are important in all cases where mushroom ingestion is suspected.     

Wirkung einer simulierten Dauerbelastung durch HgCl2 auf die Generationsfolge der FeldheuschreckeAcrotylus patruelis (H.-S.) (Orthoptera,Acrididae)

A continuous treatment of the environment was investigated under simulated conditions using mercury and the acridideAcrotylus patruelis (H.-S.) as test animal. The insects were fed by wheat germs in hydroculture and rolled oats, both treated with mercury. The females layed their eggs in glass pots filled with sand treated with various amounts of HgCl₂. Two generations were bred under continuous treatment. By feeding treated food the oviposition increased significantly reaching the threefold number of eggs in the P-Generation. In the F₁ even more eggs were produced. Mercury stimulated the function of the ovaries. In this way the females have the possibility to prevent a toxic accumulation of Hg in their bodies. The increase of oviposition can be considered as a mechanism of decontamination. The females of both generations were not able to measure the content of mercury in the soil. At all investigated concentrations larvae hatched but in those higher than 6.05 mg HgCl₂/kg a significant reduction of hatching could be found. The hatching of the larvae of the F₂ generation was much less than that of the F₁. Larval development depended highly on the concentration of mercury. The larval period was prolonged up to 40% by feeding of contaminated wheat germs. By continuous contamination of the soil and of the food the larval period was increased up to twofold compared with the control. The imaginal rate was reduced by increasing mercury content in the soil. At least only 30% reached the adult stage. The imaginal life span also depended on the Hg amount of the soil in which the eggs developed and on the contamination of the food. At least only 20 days were reached (normally 3–4 months). The body weight of the treated adults did not differ from that of the control. During the larval period the accumulation of mercury in the body was threefold compared with the control insects. The mercury content was reduced at the beginning of oviposition. The amount of the heavy metal increased mainly in the gut and in the gonads of the males.