The epizootology of caprine herpesvirus (BHV-6) infections in goat populations in Greece

Previous preliminary studies had shown that caprine herpesvirus (BHV-6) infections exist in many countries where goats play an economical role. The extensive serum survey made in Greece reveals that the virus must be widespread because more than 50% of the goats have antibodies. The bucks were found to have a higher evidence of infections than the female goats. The kids possessing maternal antibodies became seronegative at the age of 4 months and new antibodies appeared at the age of 7–8 months. Observations in 2 closed goat herds showed that the virus does not spread during the mating and lactating period. Neutralization titres increased or new infections in seronegative animals occurred after the summer when breeding took place. The virus is present in a latent state and recurrent infections are assumed to occur. In spite of that all our efforts to isolate the virus were unsuccessful, even after experimental immunosuppression.     

Insektizide Flächenbehandlung im „Ultra-low-volume”-Verfahren

Zusammenfassung Technisch reines Malathion mit 96% Wirkstoffgehalt kann mit Flugzeugen in einer Aufwandmenge von 0,3–1,2 l/ha ausgebracht werden. Wasser, Öl, Netzoder Haftmittel sind bei dieser neuen Methode (Ultra-low-volume) nicht erforderlich. Wegen des außergewöhnlich geringen Spritzbrühebedarfs sind bei großflächiger Anwendung große Kosteneinsparungen zu erreichen. Es werden kurz Einzelheiten aus den in Kreta zur Bekämpfung der Olivenfliege durchgeführten Versuchen mitgeteilt. Nachdem aufgrund von neuen Versuchen das Verfahren nicht nur von Starrflügelflugzeugen, sondern auch von Hubschraubern und Bodengeräten angewendet werden kann, zeigt sich hier ein neuer Weg des gezielten Einsatzes von Pflanzenschutzmitteln, der auch im kleinparzellierten Mitteleuropa von Interesse sein dürfte. Die Auswirkungen des Verfahrens in toxikologischer und biologischer Hinsicht werden aufgezeigt und zur Diskussion gestellt.(Anm. der Schriftleitung: Das vom Verf. behandelte Verfahren wirft noch ungelöste Probleme in toxikologischer Hinsicht auf, so z. B. wie ist die Rückstandssituation in Verbindung mit der Tolerierung von Insektizid-Höchstmengen? Zurückhaltung bei der Empfehlung der Übertragung auf unsere Verhältnisse erscheint zunächst gerechtfertigt.)     

Influence of the degree of substitution and pretreatments on the surface structure of cellulose nitrate fibres

Summary Cellulose nitrate fibres of three different degrees of substitution (DS) were prepared by heterogeneous reaction. The fibre surfaces were observed in the scanning electron microscope. Apart from the DS the influence of pretreatments such as prenitration and boiling of the fibres prior to nitration was studied. The results reveal an interaction between the cell wall layers and the esterification and swelling capacity of the nitration medium. In all cases the DS was determined by the composition of the nitration medium. A pretreatment influenced the fibre surfaces after nitration. The peculiar role of the primary wall during esterification is emphasized.Supported by the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology (BMFT)     

A dual indicator set to help farms achieve more sustainable crop protection

BACKGROUND: Farmers are being called to use plant protection products (PPPs) more consciously and adopt more sustainable crop protection strategies. Indicators will help farmers to monitor their progress towards sustainability and will support their learning process. Talking the indicators through in farmers' discussion groups and the resulting peer encouragement will foster knowledge acquirement and can lead to changes in attitudes, norms, perception and behaviour. RESULTS: Using a participatory approach, a conceptual framework for on‐farm sustainable crop protection practices was created. The same participatory approach was used to design a dual indicator set, which pairs a pesticide impact assessment system (PIAS) with a farm inquiry. The PIAS measures the risk for human health and the environment exerted by chemical crop protection. The inquiry reveals the farmers' response to this risk, both in terms of the actions they take and their knowledge, awareness and attitude. CONCLUSIONS: The dual indicator set allows for implementation in four tiers, each representing increased potential for monitoring and social learning. The indicator set can be adjusted on the basis of new findings, and the participatory approach can be extrapolated to other situations. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a dog: identifying the causative agent using PCR

A diagnosis of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection was confirmed in a two-year-old male golden retriever displaying few clinical and haematological abnormalities. This was achieved by demonstrating ehrlichial organisms in circulating neutrophils, by indirect immunofluorescence assay using A phagocytophilum as an antigen, and by detecting DNA specific for the 16S rRNA gene of granulocytic Anaplasma by PCR. After treatment with doxycycline for 10 days the dog showed improvement and the laboratory values returned to normal.     

Sero-epidemiological survey for toxoplasmosis in wild New World monkeys (Cebus spp.; Alouatta caraya) at the Paraná river basin, Paraná State, Brazil

In this study, we captured 60 wild New World monkeys (Cebus spp.; Alouatta caraya) at the Paraná river basin, Paraná State, Brazil, and modified agglutination test (MAT) was performed to evaluate anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. Prevalence was 30.2% (13/43) in Cebus spp. (capuchin monkeys) and 17.6% (3/17) for A. caraya (black and golden howler monkeys). MAT showed antibody titers of 16 (15/16) and 64 (1/16). Herein, we have observed an odds ratio (OR)=4.67 (1.060.05). The present work is the first report on serum occurrence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in wild capuchin monkeys and in wild black and golden howler monkeys.     

Prevention of salmonella infections in laying hens by vaccination]

After multiple infections with S. enteritidis in humans and demonstration of S. enteritidis in egg products, S. enteritidis (lysotype 6, plasmid profile 40) could be isolated from organs of hens, anal swab tests of chicken, liquid manure, egg shells and non pasteurized egg contents. Because of the largeness of the hen farm prophylactic vaccinations seemed to be advisable additionally to improvement of the management and hygiene. A vaccine registered in 1987 for use in pigeons and water fowl "Zoosal oral Dessau" was used. As a test three were vaccinated three times and artificially infected. Cross immunity against S. enteritidis could be demonstrated. In October 1987 all chicken of the farm were vaccinated three times at the age of 4, 6 and 7 weeks; random samples were tested for immunity and cross immunity. Until the end of the laying period immunity against S. typhimurium could be proven in 98% of the hens, against S. enteritidis in 95%.     

Vertebral heart scale in the beagle dog

OBJECTIVE: To determine if Buchanan's vertebral heart scale can be applied to beagle dogs to establish reference values for this breed and to determine the possible influence of optimal lung inflation on the cardiac measurements. METHODS: The cardiac health of 19 beagle dogs was examined by echocardiography, electrocardiogram, non-invasive blood pressure measurement, complete blood count and serum chemistry profile. Right and left lateral recumbent radiographs of the thorax were obtained while the dogs were conscious and while under general anaesthesia with optimal lung inflation. The vertebral heart scale was measured in all radiographs. RESULTS: The mean (sd) vertebral heart scale in the beagle dogs was 10.3 (0.4) v, showing a significant difference from the mean vertebral heart scale of 9.7 (0.5) v in Buchanan's original study with dogs of different breeds. Degree of inspiration had no significant effect on the vertebral heart scale. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The vertebral heart scale provides the veterinarian with a possible way of objectively evaluating canine heart size without having to rely on echocardiography. However, the results should be interpreted critically and breed-specific differences should be taken into account, especially with values slightly above the reference range.