Isolation,molecular characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility of Aeromonas spp. obtained from Tiger Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) and Marble Goby (Oxyeleotris marmoratus) fish in Sabah,Malaysia

Aeromonads are ubiquitous in aquatic environments and have been implicated in fish and human infections. In this study, we isolated, studied antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and screened the existence of 15 virulence genes in aeromonads from two famously consumed fish species—seven marine Tiger Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) and eight freshwater Marble Goby (Oxyeleotris marmoratus) from the aquaculture hatchery in Sabah, Malaysia. A total of 30 aeromonads (17 A. caviae, 9 A. rivuli, 4 A. dhakensis) were identified using PCR targeting GCAT gene, rpoD‐restriction fragment length polymorphism and multi‐locus phylogenetic analysis. All 30 strains were resistant to amoxicillin and cephalothin and five strains were multidrug‐resistant. Nine virulence genes (lip, ela, eno, fla, aerA, hylA, dam, alt and ser) present in A. dhakensis, suggesting the virulence potential of this species as a fish pathogen. This study offers as a baseline for future studies in monitoring and managing these two fish in aquaculture industry.     

The study of seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus and an investigation into the lifestyle behaviours of the aborigines in Malaysia

Malaysia is a non‐endemic country for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. However, seroprevalence as high as 50% among samples of aboriginal people were reported over two decades ago. A total of 207 samples collected from seven aboriginal villages in rural settlements across two states in Malaysia were analysed for anti‐HEV IgG and IgM by an enzyme‐linked immunoassay. Following the detection of anti‐HEV seroprevalence, we organized health outreach to inform and educate the community. Qualitative interviews were conducted with individuals tested positive for anti‐HEV antibodies. Data derived from interviews and observations were used to investigate possible lifestyle behaviours associated with HEV infection. Anti‐HEV IgG was detected in six samples (5.9%) from the village of Dusun Kubur. Qualitative inquiry and observation study revealed poor dietary and household hygiene, contaminated food and water, contact with animal faeces, unsanitary and domestic waste disposal, and wildlife reservoirs could be the contributing factors for transmission and acquisition of HEV infection. Investigation during health outreach is important to provide insights for future empirical research and implementation for improvement of lifestyle behaviours among the aborigines. Managing the risk of HEV infection in the aborigines may reduce the risk of HEV transmission to the local communities.     

Salmonella Dublin infection in Queensland dairy cattle

Objective: To investigate the presence of Salmonella Dublin in Queensland cattle.
Design: An epidemiological study using diagnostic laboratory information and farm records.
Procedure: Outbreaks of gastroenteritis or pneumonia in calves, and abortions and enteritis in cows were routinely investigated for the presence of salmonellae. Where S Dublin was isolated, attempts were made to gather further epidemiological information.
Results: Prior to 1983 only two outbreaks of S Dublin have been recorded in Queensland dairy cattle. In 1983 S Dublin abortions were diagnosed in dairy heifers introduced from southern Australia to south-east Queensland. Sampling indicated that at least 10% of the 500 introduced heifers were faecal excretors of S Dublin. On 3 of the 7 farms from which S Dublin was recorded, infection spread to other cattle that were in contact. From February 1985 to February 1996, 29 outbreaks of S Dublin in cattle occurred on 29 farms (28 in south east Queensland and 1 in north Queensland). Calves were primarily affected. Continuing outbreaks were confirmed on only 4 of these 29 farms. On 15 farms S Dublin infections were associated with the purchase of infected calves or cows, while another farm adjoined 2 previously infected farms. No source of S Dublin was evident for the other 13 farms, where histories were often inadequate.
Conclusion: There has been a marked increase in S Dublin outbreaks in Queensland dairy cattle since 1983. Introduction of S Dublin carrier and aborting dairy heifers from southern Australia, where S Dublin is not uncommon, was associated with the initial outbreaks.     

Cell Subpopulation‐related Volumetric Parameters: a Complementary Tool of the Modified Hypo‐osmotic Swelling Test on Model of Boar Spermatozoa

It is a general property of the intact animal cell to swell rapidly in response to hypo‐osmotic conditions. The modified hypo‐osmotic swelling test (HOS‐test) is an indicative test to evaluate the integrity of the plasma membrane by means of an electronic cell counter, based on the relative increase of the cell volume in response to hypo‐osmotic conditions. In this study the relationships between the osmotically induced changes of the cell volume of boar spermatozoa as determined by cell counter and the integrity of the membrane as determined by propidium iodide staining (PI) were studied. Boar sperm cell volume distributions were measured under iso‐osmotic (300 mosmolar) conditions and after a hypo‐osmotic stress (150 mosmolar). The relative volume shift of mean and modal volume were calculated as a proportion coefficient of modal and mean values of the cell volume distributions by transition from iso‐osmotic to hypo‐osmotic conditions. The volumetric parameters related to the different cell subpopulations were derived from the different peaks of cell volume distributions. PI‐staining techniques were used for comparison. The values of the volume shift and of derived percentages of the osmotically inactive cells were correlated negatively and positively, respectively (p < 0.05) with the percentage of the PI‐stained cells. This correlation indicates that a relationship exists between membrane functions of the different cell compartments (sperm head and tail) due to the circumstance that the increase of the cell volume in the HOS‐test is associated with the morphological changes in the tail and the PI‐staining is associated with the membrane integrity and permeability of the head region. The advantage of computer‐assisted volume measurement is that a large number of cells (5000–50 000 spermatozoa) can be measured and evaluated during one procedure and in a very short time. The relative volume shift is a quantitative continuous parameter characterizing the osmotic reactivity and membrane functional competence of a cell population and of subpopulations within one ejaculate. This parameter could be useful to evaluate membrane functional competence rapidly and sensitively.     

DDGS和酵母培养物对奶牛生产性能和乳成分的影响

选择16头泌乳天数为127±52d经产荷斯坦泌乳牛用于评价酵母培养物(达农威益康XP)和玉米酒糟及其可溶物(DDGS)在试验日粮中含有限草料纤维数量(草料中的中性洗涤纤维含量为19.3%,干物质基础)之情况下对产奶量和乳成分的影响及其它们之间的互作效应。本次试验采用4重复4×4拉丁方设计,试验时间为4个星期。处理组均按照2×2因子排列而设定,其中:1)日粮中不含酵母培养物和DDGS(对照组);2)日粮中含有20%DDGS,无酵母培养物(DDGS组);3)日粮中含有60g/d的酵母培养物益康XP(XP组);4)日粮中含有20%DDGS和60g/d的益康XP(XP+DDGS组)。本次试验结果表明:各处理组之间对奶牛体重和体况评分无显著的影响。日粮的处理并不影响干物质采食量(DMI),在使用草料纤维含量较低且添加20%DDGS的日粮情况下乳脂率会降低。添加益康XP的确能够提高产奶量及乳蛋白产量,但却不能够完全阻止因DDGS所造成的乳脂率下降的趋势。无论日粮中是否含有DDGS,益康XP都能够提高奶牛的生产性能。     

The response of three soil fungi to dalapon and diuron treatments

Dalapon and diuron are two common herbicides used for the control of weeds. A study of the response of Gliocladium virens, Trichoderma hamatum and T. koningii in cultures to the herbicides was carried out. Changes in fungal colony morphology and growth and sporulation rates in the presence of up to 10⁵ mg herbicide litre^?1 were monitored. The three fungi were not adversely affected at a concentration of 10³ mg litre^?1. Changes in colony morphology and decreases in growth and sporulation rates were evident at the maximum test concentration (10⁵ mg litre^?1) of both herbicides. These generally recovered when the fungi were replated in the absence of the herbicides.     

Vaccination of ducks with recombinant outer membrane protein (OmpA) and a 41 kDa partial protein (P45N') of Riemerella anatipestifer.

The generation of protective immunity against Riemerella anatipestifer infection in ducks were investigated by immunizations with recombinant glutathione sulfatransferase (GST) fusion's proteins of OmpA, a 42kDa major outer membrane protein, and P45N', a 41kDa N-terminal fragment of a newly identified 45kDa potential surface protein from R. anatipestifer. The DNA encoding OmpA and P45N' were isolated from R. anatipestifer serotype 15 (field strain 110/89) and serotype 19 (reference strain 30/90), respectively. Immunoblotting and ELISA results showed that the purified recombinant proteins induced the production of antibodies in immunized ducks. However, neither was protective against subsequent challenge with the virulent serotype 15 strain, 34/90. All the five ducks immunized with formalinized R. anatipestifer strain 34/90 survived the challenge with the homologous strain whereas six out of seven ducks in the non-immunized control group died within a week following the challenge.     

Suppression of testicular function using two dose rates of a reversible water soluble gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine in colts

Objective: To investigate the effect of two dose rates (200 and 400 ng) of a gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine on testicular function. Design: A vaccination dose rate experiment. Procedure: Two injections were administered 4 weeks apart to six colts in each treatment group. To maintain immunosuppression until the end of the breeding season, a third injection was given if antibody titres fell below 1000. Results: Effective antibody titres were present for 12 to 27 weeks. Testosterone concentrations decreased from 2.22 to 0.31 nmol/L 6 weeks after primary vaccination. Androstenedione concentrations decreased from 1.78 to 0.28 nmol/L 5 weeks after vaccination. Testosterone and androstenedione concentrations above 0.69 and 0.87 nmol/L were attained 31 to 43 weeks after vaccination. Mean scrotal widths and lengths decreased over 29 weeks from 9.2 cm and 9.7 cm to 6.7 cm and 7.6 cm. At surgical castration these dimensions were 10.1 cm and 11.0 cm. Mean semen characteristics before vaccination and after recovery were: gel-free volume 16.5 and 13.5 mL, sperm concentration 295.5 times 10⁶ 315.6 times 10⁶/mL, total sperm per ejaculate 4041 times 10⁶ 4657 times 10⁶ live normal spermatozoa 32% and 60%. Histologically, the testes showed active spermatogenesis. The mean testicular parenchyma weights for the 200 and 400 mg groups were 129.0 g and 109.8 g. Daily sperm production per testis and per gram of testis for the 200 and 400 mg groups were 3.7 times 10⁸ 2.8 times 10⁶ 2.3 times 10⁸ 2.0 times 10⁶. Conclusions: Both dose rates suppressed testicular function. Data showed that the vaccine effects were reversible. Individual immune response was less varied in the 200 mg group. Further work is necessary to achieve a less variable response in the immunosuppression of testicular function.