Reference intervals and age-related changes for platelet count, mean platelet volume and plateletcrit in healthy pre-weaning piglets in Italy

Platelet count (PLT) mean platelet volume (MPV) and plateletcrit (PCT) were determined for 117 Landrace x Large White piglets aged 3-21 days; counts were performed with an automated blood cell counter (ABX Pentra 120). Reference values were estimated following the guidelines of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) and the International Committee for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH). The calculated central 95% reference limits for PLT was 49.9-516.2 x 10(9)/1, for MPV 6.71-9.91 fl and for PCT 0.009-0.395%. When observations are divided into three age groups (about 1 week each) there is an increase in mean PLT count and PCT in 2-week piglets, and a decrease in MPV from the first to the third week of life. These reference values provide guidelines for interpreting for experimental and clinical observations, as well as for monitoring of the health status of similar aged piglets determined using automated impedance-light focusing methodology.     

Detection of papillomavirus-DNA in mesenchymal tumour cells and not in the hyperplastic epithelium of feline sarcoids

Abstract We examined 12 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded feline skin tumours which had the histopathological features of fibropapillomas for the presence of papillomavirus (PV) DNA using touchdown polymerase chain recation (PCR), DNA sequencing and nonradioactive in situ hybridization. Nine of the tumours contained a 102-bp PCR product demonstrated using consensus PV primers that amplify a portion of the L1 gene. The nucleotide sequences are closely related, but not identical to that of ovine PV type 2, rabbit oral PV and reindeer PV. The deduced amino acid sequences had strong homologies with the major capsid protein L1 of deer PV, bovine papillomavirus (BPV) 1 and BPV 2, and European elk PV. Although PV antigens were not detected in any of the tumours by immunohistochemistry, PV DNA was demonstrated in individual mesenchymal cells or cell nests of 4/12 tumours by in situ hybridization. A nonproductive infection of mesenchymal fibroblast-like tumour cells with a papillomavirus would explain the lack of PV antigen expression and the absence of PV DNA in the hyperplastic epithelium. Because these tumours and their pathogenesis are similar to equine sarcoids, we suggest that they should be reclassified as 'feline sarcoids' instead of fibropapillomas.     

Risk assessment models for wheat fusarium head blight epidemics based on within-season weather data

ABSTRACT Logistic regression models for wheat Fusarium head blight were developed using information collected at 50 location-years, including four states, representing three different U.S. wheat-production regions. Non-parametric correlation analysis and stepwise logistic regression analysis identified combinations of temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall or durations of specified weather conditions, for 7 days prior to anthesis, and 10 days beginning at crop anthesis, as potential predictor variables. Prediction accuracy of developed logistic regression models ranged from 62 to 85%. Models suitable for application as a disease warning system were identified based on model prediction accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and availability of weather variables at crop anthesis. Four of the identified models correctly classified 84% of the 50 location-years. A fifth model that used only pre-anthesis weather conditions correctly classified 70% of the location-years. The most useful predictor variables were the duration (h) of precipitation 7 days prior to anthesis, duration (h) that temperature was between 15 and 30 degrees C 7 days prior to anthesis, and the duration (h) that temperature was between 15 and 30 degrees C and relative humidity was greater than or equal to 90%. When model performance was evaluated with an independent validation set (n = 9), prediction accuracy was only 6% lower than the accuracy for the original data sets. These results indicate that narrow time periods around crop anthesis can be used to predict Fusarium head blight epidemics.     

Bacteriocin-Like Substances from Tomato Race 3 Strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria

ABSTRACT Tomato race 3 (T3) strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria are antagonistic in vitro to tomato race 1 (T1) strains of the bacterium. All T1 strains and 11 strains of other X. campestris pathovars tested were inhibited by T3 strains. Sensitivity of tomato race 2 (T2) strains was variable. No strains from other bacterial genera tested were inhibited. Cell-free filtrates from T3 strains were inhibitory to sensitive strains. The inhibitory activity of these filtrates was lost after treatment at temperatures above 80 degrees C and with selected protease enzymes. However, treatment with trypsin or DNase had no effect on their activity. Seven cosmid clones from a genomic library of a T3 strain were selected for their ability to consistently inhibit a sensitive indicator strain in plate assays. Southern hybridization analysis placed these into three bacteriocin (BCN)-producing groups designated BCN-A, BCN-B, and BCN-C. The BCN-like groups could be differentiated by variations in inhibitory spectra and levels of activity in plate assays. Mutations that inactivated expression of each BCN group individually in a wild-type T3 strain had inhibitory activity confirming that multiple BCNs are present in the T3 strain. T3 strains were inhibitory to a sensitive indicator strain in tomato leaf tissue, but this effect was observed only when T3 strains were applied in advance of the sensitive strain. BCN-A was the major BCN-like substance involved in the suppression of the sensitive indicator strain in tomato leaf tissues.     

Does the Presence of Detached Root Border Cells of Zea mays Alter the Activity of the Pathogenic Nematode Meloidogyne incognita?

ABSTRACT The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita is a major pathogen of a range of important crops. Currently, control is typically achieved by the use of nematicides. However, recent work suggests that manipulating the ability of roots to slough off border cells, which then act as a decoy to the nematode, can significantly decrease damage to the roots. We investigated the attractiveness of border cells to M. incognita and the response of the nematode to border cells in close proximity. We found very limited attraction, in that nematodes did not preferentially alter direction to move toward the border cells, but a large and significant increase in nematode speed was observed once they were in the immediate vicinity of border cells. We discuss the results in the context of physical and biological mechanisms in relation to the control of pathogenic nematodes.     

Electron Microscopy and Molecular Characterization of Phytoplasmas Associated with Strawflower Yellows in the Czech Republic

Strawflower (Helichrysum bracteatum) with symptoms resembling those associated to phytoplasma infection were observed in several areas in the Czech Republic during the period 1994–2001. Plants with leaf bronzing, reddening and necrosis, proliferation of secondary shoots, flower abnormalities and dwarfing died in advanced stages of the disease. The disease incidence ranged from 2% to 70% and caused significant loss to the flower and seed production. Transmission electron microscopy showed phytoplasmas in sieve cells of affected plants, but not in healthy ones. Association of phytoplasmas with the disease was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction using phytoplasma universal ribosomal primers R16F2n/R16R2. An amplification product of the expected size (1.2 kb) was observed in all samples of the symptomatic strawflowers. The restriction profiles obtained following separate digestion with three endonucleases (AluI, HhaI, MseI) showed that phytoplasmas infecting strawflowers from different localities in the Czech Republic were uniform and undistinguishable from aster yellows (subgroup 16SrI-B). Sequence analysis of 1771 bp of the ribosomal operon amplified with primers P1/U3, R16F2n/R2 and 16R758/P7 indicated that the closest related phytoplasmas were those associated with 'Rehmannia glutinosa var. purpurea', both originating from Bohemia. This is the first report on the occurrence of a phytoplasma-associated disease of strawflower in the Czech Republic.     

Antegrade pyelography for suspected ureteral obstruction in cats: 11 cases (1995-2001)

OBJECTIVE: o determine sensitivity and specificity of radiography, ultrasonography, and antegrade pyelography for detection of ureteral obstructions in cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 11 cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records of cats that had radiography, ultrasonography, and antegrade pyelography performed for suspected ureteral obstructions were examined. Ultrasound-guided pyelocentesis and fluoroscopic-assisted antegrade pyelography were performed on 18 kidneys in 11 cats. Obstructive ureteral lesions were confirmed in all cats by surgical or necropsy examination. Sensitivity and specificity of survey radiography, ultrasonography, and antegrade pyelography for identification of ureteral obstructions were calculated. Surgical or necropsy findings were used as the standard for comparison. RESULTS: All cats were azotemic. Mean +/- SD serum creatinine and BUN concentrations were 10.2 +/- 6.1 and 149 +/- 82 mg/dL, respectively. Fifteen of 18 ureters were found to be obstructed at surgery or necropsy. Sensitivity and specificity were 60 and 100% for radiography and 100 and 33% for ultrasonography, respectively, in identification of ureteral obstructions. Leakage of contrast material developed in 8 of 18 kidneys during antegrade pyelography and prevented diagnostic interpretation in 5 of 18 studies. For the 13 diagnostic studies, specificity and sensitivity were 100% by use of the antegrade pyelography technique. Correct identification of the anatomic location of the ureteral obstruction was obtained in 100% of diagnostic antegrade pyelography studies and in 60% of radiography or ultrasonography studies. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Antegrade pyelography can be a useful alternative in the diagnosis and localization of ureteral obstructions in azotemic cats, although leakage of contrast material may prevent interpretation of the study.     

Use of a polymerase chain reaction assay to detect bovine herpesvirus type 2 DNA in skin lesions from cattle suspected to have pseudo-lumpy skin disease

Beef cattle from a herd in north Alabama were examined because of an outbreak of nonfatal skin disease characterized by discrete circumscribed areas of inflammation that developed on the skin from the neck to the hips. Areas of inflammation, which tended to be superficial, underwent necrosis and scabbed over. The scabs eventually dropped off leaving discrete, round, whitish, hairless lesions that were 1.2 to 2.5 cm diameter. Because clinical signs were consistent with those expected with pseudo-lumpy skin disease (PLSD) caused by bovine herpesvirus type 2 (BHV-2), samples from 16 representative animals were submitted for BHV-2 testing. All 16 animals were seropositive for BHV-2, but the virus could not be isolated from skin biopsy specimens or buffy coat samples. Results of a polymerase chain reaction assay incorporating primers designed to amplify 2 DNA sequences from BHV-2 were positive for 3 of the 10 cattle, suggesting that skin lesions in these cattle were a result of PLSD. Our findings suggest that PLSD may be more common and widespread in the United States than suggested by the frequency with which BHV-2 has been isolated from cattle with PLSD-like skin lesions.     

Efficacy of Giardia vaccination in the treatment of giardiasis in cats

OBJECTIVE: To assess efficacy of Giardia vaccination as a treatment for giardiasis in experimentally infected cats. DESIGN: Original study. ANIMALS: 16 young-adult cats. PROCEDURE: Cats were experimentally infected by orogastric administration of Giardia cysts. On weeks 4, 6, and 10, cats in the treatment group (n = 8) were given Giardia vaccine SC. For the first 28 weeks after infection, 3 fecal samples from each cat were examined weekly for Giardia cysts, and cyst numbers were counted. Fecal consistency was scored daily for the duration of the study. Results from vaccinated and unvaccinated cats were compared by logistic regression. RESULTS: All cats became infected and were shedding Giardia cysts by the end of week 2. Throughout the study, diarrhea was rare and was mild and transient when it did occur. By week 28, 5 of 8 vaccinated cats and 7 of 8 control cats had patent Giardia infections. Magnitude of infection, based on number of fecal samples with cysts and number of cysts per sample, decreased progressively in both groups over time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of 3 doses of a Giardia vaccine did not completely eliminate the organism from experimentally infected cats in the study period. Since clinical signs were minimal in both groups of cats, it could not be determined whether vaccination lessened severity of clinical disease. Results may have been negatively influenced by the large inoculation dose. Whether Giardia vaccination is an effective treatment for giardiasis in naturally infected cats remains to be determined.