Vector-borne parasitic zoonoses: emerging scenarios and new perspectives

Changing climate is not the only driver for alterations in the dynamic interaction between arthropod vectors of zoonotic parasites and their hosts, including humans. A suite of other factors ranging from urbanization and deforestation to changing demographics in both developing and developed countries, the impact of the recent economic crisis, increased global movement of people and animals and follow-on effects of major catastrophes. This article reviews the most important vector-borne parasites of zoonotic concern that are changing/expanding their distribution patterns in both endemic and/or previously non-endemic areas. We include the discussion of the changing aspects of malaria, leishmaniasis, babesiosis, Chagas disease as well as of some spirurid and filarioid nematodes.     

Evolution of clinical, haematological and biochemical findings in young dogs naturally infected by vector-borne pathogens

Longitudinal studies evaluating the evolution of clinical, haematological, biochemical findings in young dogs exposed for the first time to multiple vector-borne pathogens have not been reported. With the objective of assessing the evolution of clinical, haematological and biochemical findings, these parameters were serially monitored in naturally infected dogs throughout a 1-year follow-up period. Young dogs, infected by vector-borne pathogens based on cytology or polymerase chain reaction, were examined clinically and blood samples were obtained at seven different follow-up time points. Dogs were randomized to group A (17 dogs treated with a spot-on formulation of imidacloprid 10% and permethrin 50%) or to group B (17 dogs untreated). In addition, 10 4-month-old beagles were enrolled in each group and used as sentinel dogs. At baseline, Anaplasma platys was the most frequently detected pathogen, followed by Babesia vogeli, Bartonella spp., Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis. Co-infections with A. platys and B. vogeli, followed by E. canis and B. vogeli, A. platys and H. canis and A. platys and Bartonella spp. were also diagnosed. In dogs from group B, abnormal clinical signs were recorded at different time points throughout the study. No abnormal clinical signs were recorded in group A dogs. Thrombocytopenia was the most frequent haematological alteration recorded in A. platys-infected dogs, B. vogeli-infected dogs and in dogs co-infected with A. platys and B. vogeli or A. platys and Bartonella spp. Lymphocytosis was frequently detected among dogs infected with B. vogeli or co-infected with A. platys and B. vogeli. Beagles were often infected with a single pathogen rather than with multiple canine vector-borne pathogens. There was a significant association (p<0.01) between tick infestation and A. platys or B. vogeli, as single infections, and A. platys and B. vogeli or A. platys and Bartonella spp. co-infections. This study emphasizes the clinical difficulties associated with assigning a specific clinical sign or haematological abnormality to a particular canine vector-borne disease.     

Betaines in fruits of Citrus genus plants

Numerous compounds, many of them osmolytes, were quantified in natural juices and in frozen concentrate juices from fruits of plants of the Citrus genus. L-proline, N-methyl-L-proline (hygric acid), N,N-dimethyl-L-proline (stachydrine), 4-hydroxy-L-prolinebetaine (betonicine), 4-hydroxy-L-proline, γ-aminobutyric acid (Gaba), 3-carboxypropyltrimethylammonium (GabaBet), N-methylnicotinic acid (trigonelline), and choline in the fruit juices of yellow orange, blood orange, lemon, mandarin, bitter orange (Citrus aurantium), chinotto (Citrus myrtifolia), and grapefruit were analyzed by sensitive HPLC-ESI-tandem mass spectrometry procedure. It was found that the most represented osmolytes in the juices, that is, L-proline, stachydrine, and betonicine, can be quantified with minimal sample preparation and short analysis time (about 1 min) also by flow injection analysis (FIA) ESI-MS/MS with the same results as obtained by HPLC ESI-MS/MS. In all of the juices, discrete amounts of choline and trigonelline were present. Conversely, GabaBet was always below detection limits. Notably, N-methyl-L-proline and 4-hydroxy-L-prolinebetaine, which were discovered for the first time in the juice of bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso et Poit), are also present in all of the citrus juices examined.     

Detection of thermotolerant Campylobacter in ostriches (Struthio camelus) in Italy

During the period January 2004 to December 2005 four different ostrich farms were investigated to evaluate the presence of thermotolerant Campylobacter. A total of 150 ostriches were examined and all were found to be clinically healthy. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 60/150 cloacal swabs. Among the isolates, 48 were identified as Campylobacter jejuni whereas the remainder were identified as Campylobacter coli. Campylobacter lari was not isolated. The ostriches, although apparently in a healthy body condition, can be considered, theoretically, as potential Campylobacter carriers.     

Effect of passive transfer status on preweaning growth performance in dairy goat kids

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of passive transfer status (determined from measurements of serum IgG concentration at 24 hours after parturition [sIgG-24]) on preweaning growth performance in dairy goat kids. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. ANIMALS: 20 healthy nursing dairy doe kids in a natural nonintensive breeding environment. PROCEDURES: For each kid, sIgG-24 was measured. Body weight was measured at birth and at the time of weaning 30 days (ie, 29 to 31 days) after birth; average daily gain from birth to day 30 and weight at day 30 were used as measures of preweaning growth performance. Regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between sIgG-24 and measures of preweaning growth performance. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD sIgG-24 was 31.7 +/- 10.3 mg/mL. Mean body weights at birth and weaning were 4.105 +/- 0.981 kg (9.031 +/- 2.158 lb) and 9.310 +/- 2.554 kg (20.482 +/- 5.619 lb), respectively; average daily gain was 0.174 +/- 0.072 kg/d (0.383 +/- 0.158 lb/d). No significant association was detected between sIgG-24 and birth weight. However, sIgG-24 was significantly associated with average daily gain (R(2) = 0.48) and weight at day 30 (R(2) = 0.56). Each increase in sIgG-24 of 1 mg/mL was associated with an increase in average daily gain of 0.005 kg/d (0.011 lb/d) and an increase in weight at day 30 of 0.185 kg (0.407 lb). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that passive transfer status (determined as sIgG-24) was a significant source of variation in preweaning growth performance in dairy doe kids reared in this nonintensive breeding environment.     

Risk factors for canine neosporosis in farm and kennel dogs in southern Italy

Neosporosis by Neospora caninum causes losses to livestock production through abortion in cattle while, in dogs, it induces neuromuscolar disease. This study investigated neosporosis seroprevalence associated risk factors (including the seropositivity to leishmaniosis) in dogs of southern Italy, determined the prevalence of N. caninum oocyst shedding and examined the relationship between seroprevalence of neosporosis in farm dogs and cattle. Using an inhibition ELISA, 20.9% of 306 dogs had percent inhibition values >10 (indicative of exposure) and farm dogs had a significantly (p<0.001) higher seroprevalence than dogs in a rescue kennel. Whilst N. caninum seroprevalence was associated with increasing age in dogs (p< or =0.01) there was no association between seropositivity for N. caninum and for Leishmania infantum. Oocysts of N. caninum were not detected in faecal samples from 230 dogs including 160 farm dogs. The results indicated that neosporosis infection is common in southern Italy both in dogs and in cattle and that dogs at higher risk of exposure are free-ranging ones living in farms. The lack of correlation between canine seroprevalence for N. caninum and L. infantum assumes a particular significance in an endemic area for leishmaniosis.     

UseoftheEndospermBalanceNumber(EBN)inPotatoGeneticsandBreeding

在马铃薯初花期喷施植物生长调节剂多效唑,试验结果表明:多效唑显著抑制植株的高度,单株结薯数下降,大薯率上升,当每667m2喷施多效唑75g,浓度在2.5g.L-1时是本试验中提高产量的最佳浓度,干物质和淀粉均有明显的提高。说明喷施多效唑具有控上促下的作用,从而有利于提高产量和品质。     

Resistance traits and AFLP characterization of diploid primitive tuber-bearing potatoes

Worldwide, a variety of pathogens negatively affect potato production, resulting in an estimated 22% annual yield reduction. Wild Solanum species represent a unique gene pool where all the traits necessary to improve the cultivated potato can be found. Therefore, breeding efforts for improved disease resistance and research aimed at characterizing wild germplasm have been extensively made. In this paper, sources of resistance to Phytophthora infestans, Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora, Fusarium solani and Globodera spp. have been investigated in several clones of two Solanum species originating from Central Mexico (S. bulbocastanum and S. cardiophyllum). Interestingly, we found sources of combined resistance to late blight and bacterial soft rot. This is an important finding considering that the development of resistant potato varieties has been hindered by the scarcity of resistant germplasm. In addition, we explored molecular differences within and between the two species generating AFLP fingerprints. By means of six primer pair combinations, we found 13 and 16 putative species-specific AFLP markers for S. bulbocastanum and S. cardiophyllum, respectively, and a bounty of markers useful for mapping, MAS, and cloning purposes. The phenotypic and molecular information associated to S. bulbocastanum and S. cardiophyllum for designing strategies of assisted selection are discussed.     

Karyomorphological and heterochromatin similarities among fourVigna species

Summary Karyomorphological similarities among four species of the genusVigna, V. unguiculata, V. luteola, V. oblongifolia andV. vexillata, were evaluated. Two different approaches were followed: cytomorphometrical determinations, carried out with an automated image analysis system to improve resolution, yielded some karyotypical indices; the distribution of heterochromatin bands was interpreted using a recently reported algorithm. Both methods led to similar results: the most karyologically similar species toV. unguiculata appears to beV. luteola, whileV. oblongifolia appears to be the least related one.