Cropping systems for the management of phytonematodes

Damage caused by nematodes is one of the limiting factors in crop production. Traditional nematode management is based on the use of crop rotations, resistant cultivars, nematicides, or combinations of these methods. For a crop like peanut (Arachis hypogaea), cultivars resistant to root-knot nematodes are not available. There are soybean (Glycine max) cultivars resistant to some of the species of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.); however, most fields have nematode infestations composed of mixtures of species. Research at Auburn has shown that tropical crops can be used effectively in rotation to manage nematode problems. Rotations with American jointvetch (Aeschynomene americana), castor (Ricinus communis), hairy indigo (Indigofera hirsuta), partridge pea (Cassia fasciculata), sesame (Sesamum indicum), and velvetbean (Mucuna deeringiana) have resulted in good nematode control and increased yields of peanut and soybean. Some crops (castor, sesame) are considered ‘active’ in that they produce compounds that are nematicidal, whereas others (e.g. corn, sorghum) are simply non-host, that is, ‘passive’.     

Field evaluation of the single intradermal cervical tuberculin test and the interferon-gamma assay for detection and eradication of bovine tuberculosis in Spain

A field comparison of the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) assay and the single intradermal cervical tuberculin (SICT) test for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis was conducted. A total of 1136 cattle belonging to 85 herds placed in 'Castilla y León' (northwestern Spain) were chosen, and 21 of these herds were subjected to the diagnostic assays two or three times at intervals of at least 4 months. All the animals positive to any of the tests were slaughtered and tuberculosis was confirmed by culture isolation method (CIM) and further identification by means of PCR. Only 10.6% of cattle reacted with the bovine PPD in the SICT test, a percentage that increased to 12.8% in the IFN-gamma assay. The sensitivity of the IFN-gamma assay compared to CIM was shown to be higher (84.9%) than that of the SICT test (80.2%), but the combination of both tests offered the highest sensitivity (92.9%). The number of false positive reactors (those animals in which CIM was negative) was considerably higher for the IFN-gamma assay than for the SICT test and, conversely, the number of false negative animals (M. bovis isolation but negative immunological result) was higher for the skin test than for the interferon assay. In the herds tested twice, tuberculosis was eradicated after the second cycle of testing in 50%, and in 75% after the third cycle in herds tested three times. The combination of these two techniques instead of separately seems, therefore, to be useful in eradication programmes against bovine tuberculosis.     

Studies on the transmission of Theileria annulata to cattle by the tick Hyalomma lusitanicum

The role of the ixodid tick Hyalomma lusitanicum Koch 1844 as a vector of Mediterranean or tropical theileriosis (caused by the protozoan parasite Theileria annulata Dschunkowsky et Luhs 1904) in southern Spain was studied. Hyalomma lusitanicum was the most common tick, and the only species of the genus Hyalomma L., found on T. annulata-infected cattle from the theileriosis enzootic area studied (province of Cádiz, southern Spain). Likewise, we found that all sera of the cattle previously considered as suspected of theileriosis by clinical signs, tested for T. annulata antibodies, were positive and all blood samples of these suspected cattle examined had infected erythrocytes. Partially fed H. lusitanicum adults were collected in the field on T. annulata-infected cattle in this enzootic area and fed on an uninfected calf in an experimental farm free of theileriosis and ticks. At approximately 3 weeks post-tick feeding on the calf, this became positive for T. annulata antibodies and T. annulata merozoites were found in erythrocytes from blood smears. These results show the ability of H. lusitanicum to transmit the protozoan parasite T. annulata to susceptible cattle and indicate that H. lusitanicum is probably an important vector of T. annulata in the enzootic area surveyed.     

Liver pathology and immune response in experimental Fasciola hepatica infections of goats

The relationship between the immune response and the pathogenesis of the disease was studied in different primary and secondary experimental Fasciola hepatica infections of goats. The establishment of the infection, measured as percentage of recovered flukes at the necropsy, was similar in primarily and secondarily infected animals (between 19.7% and 24.3%), but the hepatic damage was much more severe in secondarily infected goats, as revealed by the levels of serum hepatic enzymes GGT and LDH. Primary infection evolves to chronic fasciolosis that did not induce the development of resistance, since goats were highly susceptible to secondary infection, showing severe acute and chronic hepatic lesions that led to the death of some animals in each group. The immune response to the infection was proved by the production of specific IgG antibodies to ESP of F. hepatica and the involvement of CD3+ T lymphocytes and lambda IgG+ plasma cells in the hepatic infiltrate. Secondary infection did not induce any difference in either IgG response or in the cellular composition of the infiltrate of hepatic lesions, although this was much more extended. However, neither antibodies nor cell-mediated response were protective: there was no correlation between IgG levels and fluke burden and there was no evidence of cell-mediated killing of the parasite. This suggests the existence of some immune evasion mechanisms in goat infection with F. hepatica. The parasite may depress the local inflammatory and immune response, as suggested by the scarcity of CD3+ T cells in the infiltrate surrounding acute migratory tunnels. Moreover, in secondary infected goats can be suspected an immunological damage of the liver, since a very severe infiltrate of immune cells replaced wide areas of hepatic parenchyma and an immune-mediated damage of hepatocytes could occur.     

Risk factors associated with the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among students at the veterinary school of Zaragoza University

The prevalence and risk factors associated with leptospirosis were studied in veterinary students in Zaragoza. Sera were collected at the beginning and end of the academic year 1994 to 1995 and were tested by ELISA against a pool of Leptospira interrogans serovars bratislava, canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae and pomona antigens. At the beginning of the study the prevalence was 8.14 per cent and at the end it was 11.4 per cent. The incidence of the disease during the study was 0.0394. Risk factors associated with leptospirosis included: taking the course specialising in food inspection and technology, on-farm work, contact with pets in general, and particularly carnivores, and contact with animal traders. The symptoms associated with the disease were myalgia and fever, and the treatment of the symptoms provided some protection.     

Regulation by gonadal steroids of estrogen and progesterone receptors along the reproductive tract in female lambs.

The regulation of estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER, PR) expression by estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) in the oviduct, uterus and cervix of female lambs was studied. The animals received three intramuscular injections of E2, P4 or vehicle with an interval of 24 h and they were slaugthered 24 h after the third injection. Determinations of ER and PR were performed by binding assays and mRNAs of ER alpha and PR by solution hybridization. High levels of ER and PR in both cervix and oviduct were found in the female lamb, differing from other mammalian species. No significant effects by either E2 or P4 treatment on ER and PR levels in the cervix and oviduct could be observed. E2 treatment increased the mRNA levels of ERa and PR more than 3-fold in the cervix, while P4 treatment increased the mRNA levels of ERa and PR in the uterus. The results show differential effects of gonadal steroids on sex steroid receptor expression along the reproductive tract in female lambs, suggesting that steroid target tissues can modulate responses to the same circulating levels of steroid hormones.     

One-step purification of the major rainbow trout immunoglobulin

Salmonid immunoglobulin purification has been hampered by time-consuming, labour-intensive, conventional chromatographic procedures. In this report we describe the use of immunoaffinity chromatography for the purification of immunoglobulins from trout serum in a single step. An anti-heavy chain monoclonal antibody (1G7) which reacts with more than 85% of total trout immunoglobulins was used to purify the trout immunoglobulin. The purity achieved was higher than 95%, and the immunoglobulins recovered were fully immunogenic. This method served equally well in isolating immunoglobulins from the sera of other salmonids (coho salmon and chinook salmon). The procedure should be useful in the standardization of salmonid immunoglobulin reagents.     

Findings of Yersinia in slaughter pigs, synantropic animals and workers in meat products in a defined region

In 15 selected stocks in the Strakonice district, 507 slaughter pigs, 708 small terrestric mammals and 110 free-living birds were examined in a two-year period (1986-1987) to study the occurrence of carriers of yersiniae and their elimination. Rectal smears from 243 persons working in livestock production were examined in the same way. Standard bacteriological methods, recent examination procedures (Aulisio et al., 1980; Aldová, 1981) and a diagnostic antiserum (03 IMUNA Sarisské Michalany) were used for the examination. The following results were obtained: In pigs: 1. yersiniae were detected in 65 cases (12.8%); of this, in 31 cases they occurred in the tonsils, in 35 cases in ileum, and twice in the ileocaecal lymph nodes. 2. Epidemiologically significant Y. enterocolitica 4;03 was detected in 28 cases (5.5%); of this, 22 times in the tonsils, 7 times in ileum, and once in the ileocaecal lymph nodes. 3. The seasonal nature of the occurrence of yersiniae was confirmed in 1986, with maxima in winter-spring, but in 1987 their occurrence declined substantially to less than a quarter. In the small mammals, yersiniae were detected 28 times (4%); of this, 7 times in common field mouse, 11 times in common vole, 5 times in house mouse, twice in shrew, once in Apodemus flavicollis, and once in Apodemus sp. 2. Y. enterocolitica 4;03 was detected twice (0.26%), both cases in the house mouse. Other results: 1. In all the 110 free-living birds the examination for yersiniae had a negative result; 2. in the rectal smears of 243 persons employed in livestock production, yersiniae were identified twice (0.8%)--in one case Y. enterocolitica 1, in the other Y. enterocolitica biovars 1 and 2.