Molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium isolates from pet reptiles

In this study, we investigated the presence of Cryptosporidium in 171 faecal samples from reptiles commonly used as pet animals. These include lizards belonging to the genera Eublepharis, Pogona, Chlamydosaurus, Hemiteconyx, Teratoscincus, Tiliqua, Iguana, and Chamaeleo, snakes of the genera Lampropeltis, Elaphe, Python, Boa and Corallus, and tortoises belonging to the genera Testudo and Kinixys. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected by immunofluorescence using a commercially available kit and cryptosporidial DNA by amplification of a polymorphic fragment of the 18S rDNA and the HSP70 locus.Cryptosporidium was detected in 38.6% and 25.1% of the samples analysed by immunofluorescence and PCR, respectively. Molecular characterisation of the isolates confirmed that C. serpentis and C. varanii (syn. C. saurophilum) are the main species involved in infection in pet reptiles but also showed the presence of C. parvum and C. muris, as well as other species or genotypes of this parasite including the Cryptosporidium mouse genotype and Cryptosporidium tortoise genotype previously described in reptiles. In addition, a Cryptosporidium sp. was isolated from a chameleon and a python.     

Complex cardiac congenital defects in an adult dog: An ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance imaging study

This article describes a complex and not previously reported combination of congenital cardiac defects. Echocardiography showed dilation of right and left chambers, accompanied with patent ductus arteriosus, persistence of the left cranial vena cava, atrial septal defect (ASD), subaortic stenosis, and tricuspid dysplasia. The interatrial wall was examined and the diameter of the ASD was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).     

Effect of increasing densities of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu on Eucalyptus urograndis initial development in silvopastoral system

In silvopasture system, the coexistence of eucalyptus seedlings with other species may result in growth reduction, especially during eucalyptus early development.Therefore, studies elucidating how forage species affect the eucalyptus growth can provide important information for their rational management aiming to obtain the maximum gain of the system. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of increasing densities of Urochloa brizantha cv.Marandu in the early development of Eucalyptus urograndis. An experiment was conducted in 20 L pots, in an open and semi-controlled area, during 90 days after planting of eucalyptus. A completely randomized design with four replications was used, in a 6 9 7 factorial system, meaning six evaluation periods and seven densities of U. brizantha: 0(control), 22, 33, 44, 67, 89 and111 plants m^-2. Fortnightly, eucalyptus height, stem diameter and chlorophyll fluorescence(Fv/Fm) were evaluated. At the end of experimental period, the net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of eucalyptus plants were determined, in addition to the dry matter of eucalyptus(leaves and stem) and U. brizantha (leaves). In coexistence with 111 plants m^-2, eucalyptus had reduction of 63.9% on total dry matter and 72.7% on leaf area, compared to the control. From the density of22 plants m^-2, U. brizantha negatively interfere significantly the growth of E. urograndis. Up to 8 plants m^-2 there are no reductions greater than 5% in eucalyptus height and stem diameter.     

Improved Microbial and Chemical Reduction of Direct Blue 71 Using Anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate Immobilized on Granular Activated Carbon

The aim of this study was to evaluate the redox mediating capacity of anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) immobilized on granular activated carbon (GAC) during the reductive decolorization of direct blue 71 (DB71) under microbial and chemical conditions. The immobilization of AQDS on GAC was conducted by adsorption, and it has obtained an uptake capacity of 0.227 mmol g^?1. The anchorage of AQDS on GAC improved its electron transfer capacity (ETC) up to 2.05 times higher than the raw material. Similarly, the addition of GAC-AQDS increased up to 1.75- and 1.16-fold the rate of decolorization (k _d ) of DB71 under microbial and chemical conditions, respectively, in comparison to the unmodified GAC. Surprisingly, a higher k _d value was achieved in incubations without either GAC or GAC-AQDS because of the generation of aromatic amines, from the reduction DB71, taking into account that these species may act as a catalyst in the DB71 reduction process. In contrast, adsorption of aromatic amines on either GAC or GAC-AQDS decreased its redox mediating capacity as evidenced by spectrophotometric screenings of the decolorized solution and the supporting material. The development of materials with enhanced both redox and adsorption properties, as the GAC used in this study, offers a promising way to increase the redox conversion of recalcitrant pollutants commonly found in industrial wastewaters.     

Epidemiological description of the sea lice (Caligus rogercresseyi) situation in southern Chile in August 2007

Salmon sea lice represent one of the most important threats to salmon farming throughout the world. Results of private monitoring efforts have shown an increase in the number of positive cages and cage-level abundance of sea lice in southern Chile since 2004. As a consequence, the Chilean Fisheries Service implemented an Official Surveillance Program in the main salmon production area of southern Chile to assess the situation of sea lice in fish farms. Results showed that the prevalence of sea lice in the fish farms was 53.4%, ranging from 3.5% in Puerto Aysén to 100% in the Seno de Reloncaví zone. The average sea lice abundance was 11.8 per fish (Geometrical mean (GM)=8.61, 95% CI (2.1-6.9)). The highest levels were found in Seno de Reloncaví (GM=24.99, 95% CI (15.9-39.2)), Hornopirén (GM=14.7, 95% CI (10.4-20.8)) and Chiloé norte (GM=9.75, 95% CI (1-1.9)), and the lowest loads were observed in Puerto Aysén (GM=1.35, 95%CI (1-1.9)) and Puerto Cisnes (GM=1.67, 95%CI (1.1-2.6)). Salmo salar and Oncorhynchus mykiss had the highest abundance levels (GM=6.93, 95% CI (5.7-8.5), and (GM=5.55, 95% CI (3.6-8.5), respectively). O. kisutch showed lower levels (GM=1.34, 95% CI (1-1.7)), apparently being more resistant to infestation. Sea lice in farmed salmon are widely distributed in different zones of southern Chile, and are becoming a serious threat to this industry. Prevalence and abundance levels were found to be generally high, decreasing in southern zones.     

Neospora caninum infection as a cause of reproductive failure in a sheep flock

Neospora caninum has been detected only sporadically in cases of ovine abortion, and it has therefore traditionally been considered as an unimportant parasite in small ruminants. This study was carried out with the aim of identifying the pathogen causing serious reproductive problems on a commercial sheep farm. Sera from all rams and ewes tested negative for antibodies against Border disease virus, Schmallenberg virus and Coxiella burnetii, and infections by these agents were therefore ruled out. Nevertheless, seropositivity to N. caninum and/or Toxoplasma gondii was detected, although the seroprevalence was higher in the case of N. caninum. The percentage of lambings and the number of lambs per dam were significantly lower in ewes that were seropositive to N. caninum while no effect on these parameters was detected in ewes that were seropositive to T. gondii. There was also no evidence of infection by T. gondii in the foetal/lamb tissues analyzed by PCR and/or immunohistopathological techniques. On the contrary, the DNA of N. caninum was detected in 13 out of 14 foetuses/lambs descendant from dams seropositive to this parasite. Characteristic lesions caused by N. caninum and/or its antigen were also detected. Genotyping of the N. caninum DNA revealed only two closely related microsatellite multilocus genotypes. The results clearly demonstrate that infection by N. caninum was the cause of the low reproductive performance of this sheep flock.     

SDS-PAGE and Western blot of urinary proteins in dogs with leishmaniasis

Canine leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in the Mediterranean area caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum, which usually produces renal failure. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot using antibodies to IgG and IgA from dogs were carried out in the urine of 22 dogs with leishmaniasis diagnosed by ELISA and confirmed by PCR, and 20 healthy dogs. The results were compared to renal function laboratory tests and to those from a histopathological study of the kidneys from sick animals that died naturally or were euthanized. Five different bands with molecular weights ranging from 10 to 110 kDa were obtained from the electrophoresis of the urine of healthy dogs. 33.5% of total proteins corresponded to low molecular weight proteins and the other proteins had middle and high molecular weights. However, in the group with leishmaniasis, a maximum of 11 different bands with molecular weights ranging from 10 kDa to 150 kDa were displayed in the electrophoresis of the urine. The urine electrophoretic pattern in the sick dogs was classified as mixed (proteins with high and low molecular weights) because low molecular weight proteins made up 57.9% and the rest of the proteins had middle and high molecular weights. In Western blot, none of the healthy dogs showed excretion of IgG and/or IgA, whereas IgG and IgA were detected in the Western blot of urine of 68% and 55% respectively of dogs with leishmaniasis. The results obtained in the leishmaniasis group agreed with glomerular and tubular damage, which were confirmed by the histopathological findings.     

Endoscopic removal of esophageal and ruminal foreign bodies in 5 Holstein calves

Endoscopic removal of esophageal and ruminal foreign bodies was successfully performed in 5 Holstein-Friesian calves under sedation or general anesthesia by using an electrocautery snare or a wire-guided Dormi basket. This report describes the endoscopic manipulations, treatment, and outcomes of esophageal foreign body removal in these calves.     

Small intestinal strangulation caused by a mesodiverticular band and diverticulum on the mesenteric border of the small intestine in a horse

A 4-year-old Quarter horse stallion was presented for acute abdominal pain. Exploratory celiotomy revealed a mesenteric diverticulum of the jejunum and mesodiverticular band that were associated with small intestinal strangulation. Resection and anastomosis were performed. A second celiotomy was performed due to adhesions. The horse recovered completely and returned to training.