Identification of Neofabraea species causing bull's eye rot of apple in Poland and their direct detection in apple fruit using multiplex PCR

Based on partial sequence analysis of the β‐tubulin gene, 19 isolates of fungi causing bull's eye rot on apple in Poland were classified into species: Neofabraea alba, N. perennans and N. kienholzii. To the authors’ knowledge, the detection of N. kienholzii is the second in Europe and the first in Poland. Species affiliation of these fungi was confirmed by a new species‐specific multiplex PCR assay developed on the basis of previously published methods. The new protocol allowed for the specific identification of bull's eye rot‐causing species, both from pure cultures and directly from the skin of diseased or apparently healthy apples. In 550 samples of diseased fruits collected from nine cold storage rooms located in three regions of Poland, in 2011 and 2012, N. alba was detected as the predominant species causing bull's eye rot, occurring on average in 94% of the tested samples. Neofabraea perennans was found in a minority of apple samples, N. kienholzii was found only in two apple samples, while N. malicorticis was not detected in any sample tested. In tests on 120 apparently healthy fruits, only N. perennans was detected in a single sample. The results of genetic diversity analyses of bull's eye rot‐causing fungi based on the β‐tubulin gene sequence and an ISSR (inter‐simple sequence repeat) PCR assay with two primers were consistent, showing the expected segregation of tested isolates with respect to their species boundaries. However, the genetic distance between N. perennans and N. malicorticis was very low, as reported previously.     

Genetic parameters for body weight, reproduction, and parasite resistance traits in the Creole goat

We estimated the genetic parameters for BW, reproduction, and parasite resistance traits to implement a breeding program for the Creole goat. The traits were preweaning BW at 70 d of age (BW70d), BW at 11 mo of age (BW11), fecal egg count at 11 mo of age (FEC11) for all animals, packed cell volumes of lactating does (PCV), and their fertility (FER) and litter size (LS). We analyzed about 30 yr of data, which included 18,450 records on 11,970 animals from the INRA experimental flock in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). Heritability estimates were low for reproduction traits (0.11 ± 0.02 for LS and FER) to moderate for production traits (0.32 ± 0.03 for BW11; 0.20 ± 0.03 and 0.08 ± 0.02 for the direct and maternal heritability estimates of BW70d, respectively). Heritability estimates for gastrointestinal nematode resistance traits were situated in an intermediate range (0.13 ± 0.05 for PCV and 0.18 ± 0.04 for FEC11). Genetic correlations between FER, PCV, BW11, and the maternal effect of BW70d were altogether positive, whereas LS and FEC11 were almost uncorrelated phenotypically and genetically. These correlations are very favorable for setting up a breeding program, making it possible to improve BW, reproduction, and parasite resistance traits simultaneously.     

In vivo lipopolysaccharide injection alters CD4+CD25+ cell properties in chickens

In chickens, thymic CD4(+)CD25(+) cells are characterized as regulatory T cells. The objectives of this experiment were to study the effects of an in vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection on the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+) cells in peripheral organs and the suppressive properties of splenic CD4(+)CD25(+) cells in chickens. Chickens were injected with LPS and CD4(+)CD25(+) cells were analyzed at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 d post LPS injection. The LPS injection increased CD4(+)CD25(+) cell percentage approximately 5-fold in the blood at 1 d post LPS injection (P < 0.001), 3-fold in the thymus at 3 d post LPS injection (P = 0.001), and 2.5-fold in the spleen at 2 d post LPS injection (P = 0.001) compared with the no-LPS-injected group. The LPS injection did not alter the CD4(+)CD25(+) cell percentage in the cecal tonsil (P = 0.162), lung (P = 0.098), or bone marrow (P = 0.071) at any time point measured. At 2 d post LPS injection, splenic CD4(+)CD25(+) cells lost their suppressive ability (P < 0.001). At 5 d post LPS injection, splenic CD4(+)CD25(+) cells not only regained their suppressive ability, but also became supersuppressive (P < 0.001). Splenic CD4(+)CD25(+) cells at 5 d post LPS injection produced 5.5-fold more (P = 0.005) IL-10 mRNA than splenic CD4(+)CD25(+) cells at 0 and 2 d post LPS injection. In conclusion, chicken regulatory T cells are differentially activated to facilitate immune response during the early stage of inflammation and to facilitate immune suppression at a later stage of inflammation.     

Laparoscopic esophagopexy,fundopexy, and hiatal herniorrhaphy for refractory regurgitation in a racing Alaskan husky sled dog

A 2-year-old intact female Alaskan husky sled dog was presented with a history of chronic exercise-induced regurgitation refractory to medical management. Previous diagnostics were unremarkable except for an endoscopic examination and histopathologic evaluation of the upper gastrointestinal tract that revealed the presence of Helicobacter spp. and mild non-specific inflammation of the proximal duodenum. A laparoscopic hiatal herniorrhaphy, esophagopexy, fundopexy, and ovariectomy were performed without complications in anesthesia or surgery and clinical improvement was observed with continued follow-up for 8 months after surgery.Key clinical message:Surgical treatment for hiatal hernia may be considered in racing Alaskan sled dogs with regurgitation refractory to gastric protectant therapy.     

Production of polyclonal antisera against feline immunoglobulin E and its use in an ELISA in cats with experimentally induced asthma

Serum samples from six cats with experimentally induced asthma were used to purify feline IgE using gel filtration and affinity chromatography. The resultant IgE, evaluated for purity by immunoelectrophoresis (IEP) and reactivity by Prausnitz-Kustner (PK) testing, was used to develop polyclonal rabbit anti-feline IgE antisera. Using reverse cutaneous anaphylaxis (RCA), the antisera were determined to be specific for feline IgE. The polyclonal rabbit anti-feline IgE antiserum was then validated in an allergen-specific ELISA. Serum samples from an additional five asthmatic cats sensitized with Bermuda grass allergen (BGA) were evaluated prior to sensitization, after parenteral sensitization, and after aerosol sensitization and challenge. A significant increase in serum BGA-specific IgE was noted over time.     

Dynamics of the change in free blood serum amino acids of broiler chicks under the effect of lithium salts

The effect of lithium glycinate on the adaptive compensatory reaction in poultry during vaccinal stress is studied and its use as a stress protector is suggested.