Autoinducer 2-like activity in poultry-associated enteric bacteria in response to subtherapeutic antibiotic exposure

The autoinducer-2 molecule, AI-2, is considered to be a universal signal for regulating a wide variety of physiological processes in bacteria by modulating gene expression. Studies were conducted to observe how Escherichia coli cells would respond to subtherapeutic tetracycline concentrations under continuous culture (chemostat) conditions, to observe AI-2 activity within the probiotic chicken microbial consortium (Preempt CF3; MS Bioscience, Dundee, IL) under in vitro conditions simulating a chicken cecum, and to observe the AI-2 activity in vivo within a chicken cecum as a function of exposure to subtherapeutic levels of chlortetracydine, tylosin, and vancomycin. The AI-2 activity in the E. coli continuous culture showed a 20-fold increase over baseline conditions for up to 24 hours. When the E. coli culture was subsequently exposed to pulses of chlortetracydine additions at subtherapeutic concentrations (2 microg/ml), AI-2 activity increased with increasing levels of tetracycline additions. The probiotic Preempt CF3 culture, however, did not exhibit any AI-2 activity in Viande Levure (VL) medium in the presence or absence of subtherapeutic levels of tetracycline. In vivo studies in the cecum of poultry chicks demonstrate that though AI-2 activity increased initially in the presence of vancomycin, there was no significant increase in AI-2 activity in the presence of tetracydine or tylosin. These results indicate that detectable levels of AI-2 activity are not evident within the probiotic culture (CF3) or within the chicken cecum. Understanding the relationships between AI-2 activity and microbial consortia characteristics could provide dues regarding the vulnerability of poultry chicks to enteric bacterial pathogen colonization.     

Plasmid profile and phage type of Salmonella typhimurium strains encountered in different regions of India

A total of 190 Salmonella typhimurium strains encountered in different parts of India were characterized on the basis of plasmid profile, phage type and antimicrobial resistance pattern. Recent trends in the epidemiology of R-plasmids were also studied.

The majority of S. typhimurium strains (90.5%) were untypable by phage typing. Only 18 strains (9.5%) were phage typable. The phage untypable strains isolated from northern (57) central (65), and southern (50) regions of India could be subgrouped into 24, 12 and 16 different plasmid profiles respectively. Heterogeneity was the prominent feature although most of the plasmid profiles were related among strains isolated from particular place. A great diversity among small plasmids (2.7–8.3 kb) made subgrouping of majority strains (71%) with R-pattern ApCmKmSmSuTcTp possible. Conjugation studies and plasmid profile analysis of transconjugants revealed all the strains to harbour non conjugative non-auto transmissible plasmids with the exception of 7.2 and 2.7 kb plasmids which were not mobilizable.     

Zero-water exchange shrimp farming systems (extensive) in the periphery of Chilka lagoon, Orissa, India

The extensive zero-water exchange shrimp farming system in the periphery of Chilka lagoon (Orissa, India) was studied. The study aimed to describe this unique farming system with special reference to dynamics of macrozoobenthos, production characteristics and economics. The study conducted was based on a general survey as well as monitoring of five individual farms over a complete production cycle. The farming practice in this area is characterized by complete absence of water exchange during rearing. Ponds in this area are generally shallow (mean 72 cm). Most of the water and soil quality characteristics of these farms are within acceptable levels. Macrozoobenthos belonging to 12 taxa were collected, amphipods (81%) and polychaetes (13%) being most numerous. Overall macrobenthic density of farms studied varied from 968 to 11,470 individuals/m² with a gross mean of 5644 individuals/m². There was no general pattern to the variation in abundance of various taxa in different phases of the rearing cycle, suggesting a low predatory pressure by shrimp in the farms studied. Shrimp production was highly variable (91–250 kg/ha), but generally low with a mean of 145 kg/ha. The net income of these farms was estimated to be Rs. 63,250 per crop per ha. Compared with shrimp farming system with regular water exchange in the same area, Chilka farms generated high benefit-cost ratio indicating high profitability and sustainability.     

Gross signs and histopathology of branchiostegal blister disease (balloon disease): an idiopathic disease of farmed Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man)

The giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is facing increased threat due to disease as its culture becomes more widespread. A disease characterized by the swelling of the branchiostegal region and deformities of the appendages, named balloon disease by farmers, has caused considerable economic loss in the Nellore region of Andhra Pradesh, India. Clinical signs of diseased animals include a voluminous hypertrophy of some gill filaments and the inner area of the branchiostegite. By histology, hypertrophied areas at the level of the gill filaments or branchiostegite had an identical structure corresponding to a large cyst filled with a fluid containing a few free haemocytes, limited on one side by the cuticle and on the other by the subcuticular epithelial layer. Analysis of the diseased prawns did not reveal any pathogenic agent leading us to conclude that the disease is idiopathic, probably due to suboptimal water quality conditions.     

Effect of d-Lys6 salmon sGnRH alone and in combination with domperidone on the spawning of common carp during the late spawning season

The effect of [d-Lys6] salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone alone (sGnRH) and in combination with domperidone, a dopamine antagonist, on the spawning of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, was investigated during the late spawning season (when mature fish stop spawning under natural conditions when males and females are put together). Fish were induced to spawn by [d-Lys6]-sGnRH salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (sGnRH-X) only when injected in combination with domperidone at doses of 10 g kg-1 and 20 mg kg-1 body weight respectively. [d-Lys6]-sGnRH-X alone did not induce spawning at a dose as high as 100 g kg-1 body weight. Fish injected with domperidone alone did not spawn either. These results demonstrate that [d-Lys6]-sGnRH-X in combination with a dopamine antagonist is effective in inducing spawning during the late spawning season.     

Determination of 129i in water and air samples near a reprocessing plant by neutron activation analysis

The neutron activation analysis was used to determine ¹²⁹I in water and air samples collected in the neighbourhood of a reprocessing plant. The method involved preconcentration of ¹²⁹I on AgI from water samples, separation of Ag⁺, followed by distillation, loading on Dowex-1, irradiation and post irradiation purification steps. Filter air samples were wet oxidised follwed by distillation and other chemical procedure steps as described for water samples. The concentration of ¹²⁹I in rain water and air samples ranged from 0.155×10^?3 to 0.327×10^?3 Bq L^?1 and 0.054×10^?6 to 0.295×10^?6 Bq m^?3 respectively. The average concentration of ¹²⁹I in seawater samples was 0.157×10^?3 Bq L^?1. The concentration of ¹²⁹I obtained in these samples have been translated to dose rates to an individual and have been found to be insignificant.     

Natural radionuclides in a tropical river subjected to pollution

The radionuclide concentrations in Periyar river at the industrial zone showed significant reduction, by factors ranging form 3 to 5 during the post-1980 period as compared to pre-1980 due to better effluent treatment practices adopted by industrial units situated on the river bank. The studies revealed that nearly 90% of Po-210 in the river environment was unsupported, showing atmospheric pathway of deposition by decay of Rn-222. The mass and activity (Ra-228) median diameters of sedimented particels of less than 63 µ were 15 ± 2.8 µm and 18 ± 2.5 µm. respectively. The particle size followed log-normal distribution. Depth distribution of Ra-228 in sediment was investigated for its concentration. This nuclide showed highest concentration at depths ranging from 10 to 30 cm. The studies have helped to identify that particles of less than 63 µm present in the sediment layer up to 30 cm were mainly responsible for transport of radionuclides in the river and its estuary.     

Development of a radioimmunoassay procedure for aflatoxin B1 measurement

A radioimmunoassaay (RIA) procedure to measure aflatoxin B(1) (AfB(1)) in agricultural commodities was developed. AfB(1) oxime derivative was synthesized, characterized, and used for preparation of (125)I-labeled AfB(1). Antiaflatoxin B(1) serum was raised in-house using AfB(1)-bovine serum albumin conjugate as immunogen. The assay system was optimized in the range of 0.2-5 ng/mL, using a liquid phase (PEG) as well as a solid phase (coated polystyrene beads) separation system. Inter-assay and intra-assay variations, recovery, and parallelism studies validated the assay. AfB(1) analysis was carried out in nearly 130 samples of different agricultural commodities. The correlation coefficient was determined using commercial ELISA and in-house-developed RIA methods.