Filling the gaps in the Argentinian distribution of orthohantavirus: First finding of Lechiguanas virus in rodents from Corrientes,Argentina

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by orthohantaviruses in the Americas. In Argentina, since 1995, several reservoirs and virus variants have been described, but the northeastern and central endemic zones in the country include an area without human or rodent infections, despite sharing rodent species with areas with that disease. The aim of this study was to search for orthohantavirus in rodent communities that inhabit this area, which borders two endemic areas of HPS. Small rodents were captured in June of 2022 through a total effort of 644 trap nights distributed in five grids located in the Iberá National Park, Corrientes, Northeastern Argentina. All rodents were sexed, weighed, and the species was recorded. Blood samples were extracted to detect ANDV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), and to extract the RNA virus. Trimmed sequences were mapped against reference sequences from GenBank. We captured a total of 36 Oligoryzomys flavescens and 15 Oxymycterus rufus. We detected the O. flavescens species infected with Lechiguanas orthohantavirus in the camping area of the National Park. A nucleotide comparison with previously published sequences shows a 98.34% similarity to the virus obtained from a human case of HPS reported in the adjacent Misiones province. This study demonstrated, for the first time, that O. flavescens is a host of the Lechiguanas orthohantavirus in this zone and contributes to closing information gaps on the distribution of orthohantavirus in Argentina. Additionally, the high similarity with the hantavirus found in the human case of Misiones suggests that the reservoir in that province would also be O. flavescens (not previously confirmed). This information permits us to focus on the preventive measurements to protect the human population.     

Fungicidal activity and chemical constitution. xxii. substituted cyclopentylphenols

Twenty-two substituted 2- and 4- cyclopentylphenois were prepared and tested against apple powdery mildew, highest activity being shown by 2-cyclopentyl-6-iodo-4-nitrophenol. The cyclopentyl compounds were only marginally superior to the corresponding cyclohexyl analogues.     

Induction of inflammatory host immune responses by organisms belonging to the genera Chlamydia/Chlamydophila

Chlamydia/Chlamydophila are a family of intracellular gram-negative bacteria that infect their hosts primarily via mucosal epithelia. Chronic disease associated with bacterial persistence, inflammation and tissue damage are common sequelae of infection with these organisms. Human epithelial cell lines respond to infection by releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, and upregulating the expression of mRNA encoding Iκ-B, the endogenous inhibitor of NF-κB. However, Iκ-B is not upregulated in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The failure of epithelial cells to respond to LPS is associated with the absence of surface expression of CD14. Identification of the components of Chlamydia/Chlamydophila that can induce pro-inflammatory mediators coupled with the mechanisms by which epithelial cells detect infection and respond accordingly will advance the development of preventative strategies.     

Carmustine, vincristine, and prednisone in the treatment of canine lymphosarcoma

A chemotherapeutic protocol using carmustine in combination with vincristine and prednisone was tested in dogs with multicentric malignant lymphosarcoma. Of seven dogs treated, six (85.7%) achieved complete remission. A partial response occurred in one dog. Median survival time was 224 days (mean 386 days), and median duration of remission was 183 days (mean 323 days). Marked neutropenia was observed following carmustine administration. There were no significant alterations in platelets and red blood cell counts during treatment, and no abnormalities attributable to the chemotherapy were found in serum biochemical profiles. Results of this study showed that carmustine is an effective alternative option in the treatment of canine lymphosarcoma.     

RADIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THORACIC CONFORMATION AND THE RISK OF GASTRIC DILATATION-VOLVULUS IN DOGS

To test the hypothesis that breeds of dogs with a deeper and narrower thorax have an increased risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), thoracie depth, width, and length were measured for 437 dogs of 17 different breeds using radiographs on file at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine for the period of 1977 to 1993. These data were applied to risk estimates of GDV that were generated from a separate case control study using the Veterinary Medical Data Base. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to relate the mean thoracie measurements and the ideal, adult body size of the breeds to the risk of each breed developing GDV. When the risk of GDV was evaluated as a function of the mean thoracie depth/width ratio alone, or as a function of the thoracie depth/width ratio plus ideal adult breed weight, 37% (p = 0.022), respectively, of the variability in GDV risk was explained. These findings support the hypothesis tested and suggest that selective breeding can be used to decrease a breed's risk of GDV over time.     

Fungicidal activity and chemical constitution. XVIII. The activity of 4-(1-cyclo-, 1-iso- and 1-n-propylalkyl)-2, 6-dinitrophenols against powdery mildews

The synthesis of seven 4-(1-cyclopropylalkyl)- and eight 4-(1-isopropylalkyl)-2, 6-dinitrophenols is described. When tested, together with six 4-(1-n-propylalkyl)-2, 6-dinitrophenols, several of these compounds showed high protectant activities against apple and cucumber powdery mildews. Their activities are discussed in relation to π values obtained from g.l.c. retention times, and to hydrogen bonding characteristics (both intra-and inter-) derived from infrared spectroscopic data.     

Frequency, body distribution, and population size of Malassezia species in healthy dogs and in dogs with localized cutaneous lesions.

Malassezia species are commensal organisms of human and animal skin that occasionally act as opportunistic pathogens. The lipid-dependent species are associated with human skin disorders, whereas the non-lipid-dependent species (Malassezia pachydermatis) is considered as an opportunistic secondary pathogen affecting the canine skin surface and ear canal. This study evaluated the relationship between Malassezia yeasts, their population size, and the occurrence of skin lesions from healthy and skin-diseased dogs. The efficiency of cytological examination and fungal culture for Malassezia detection was also evaluated. From March 2002 to July 2003, 33 healthy dogs and 54 dogs with pruritic localized skin diseases were examined; skin swabs (1218) were collected from 7 anatomical sites for culture and cytological examination. Malassezia prevalence according to anatomical site and the agreement between cytological results and fungal cultures were statistically analyzed. Differences in mean colony forming unit counts between positive healthy and diseased dogs were evaluated using the Bonferroni test for post hoc pair-wise comparisons. In healthy dogs, Malassezia yeasts were most frequently isolated in the perianal and perioral areas. The frequency of isolation and population size of Malassezia species were higher in dogs with localized dermatitis, especially in affected areas, indicating a role for Malassezia in the occurrence of skin lesions. Malassezia pachydermatis was the species most commonly cultured from the skin and external ear canal of healthy and diseased dogs; isolation of lipid-dependent yeasts from healthy dogs was less frequent. Using fungal culture as the gold standard, cytological examination showed good relative specificity (95%) but very low relative sensitivity (30%).     

Molecular characterization of Phaseolus vulgaris L. genotypes included in Bulgarian collection by ISSR and AFLP™ analyses

Seventy-eight (33 Bulgarian and 45 foreign) common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes included in Bulgarian collection were screened for ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) and AFLP™ (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) markers. ISSR analysis was performed with 13 primers, and 55 (36.7 %) out of the 150 bands observed were polymorphic. One hundred and sixty-four AFLP™ fragments were obtained with three primer combinations, of which 54 (32.9%) were polymorphic. UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method Arithmetic Averages) analysis was performed using DICE coefficient and dendrograms were constructed using either the data from each method (ISSR and AFLP™) separately or combined in a single joint matrix. Despite some genetic heterogeneity observed in both pools (Middle American origin: M and Andean origin: A) the genotypes were separated in to main groups: one gathering genotypes mainly from pool M and the other more genotypes from pool A. Moreover, Bulgarian genotypes were spread over the two groups suggesting that they are not subject to genetic erosion and that the Phaseolus genetic diversity is conserved.     

Pituitary macroadenoma in a cat with diabetes mellitus, hypercortisolism and neurological signs

A 13-year-old neutered male European short-hair cat was presented because of blindness and behavioural abnormalities. On physical examination, abnormal behaviour, compulsive walking, circling, continuous vocalization and blindness were the main neurological signs. In addition, abdominal alopecia, thin and inelastic skin, weight loss despite polyphagia, polyuria and polydipsia were present. Laboratory investigation revealed diabetes mellitus and pituitary-dependent hypercortisolism. Diagnostic imaging showed bilaterally enlarged adrenals and a large pituitary mass. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis of an ACTH-producing pituitary macroadenoma.