The genome of the African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei

African trypanosomes cause human sleeping sickness and livestock trypanosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. We present the sequence and analysis of the 11 megabase-sized chromosomes of Trypanosoma brucei. The 26-megabase genome contains 9068 predicted genes, including approximately 900 pseudogenes and approximately 1700 T. brucei-specific genes. Large subtelomeric arrays contain an archive of 806 variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes used by the parasite to evade the mammalian immune system. Most VSG genes are pseudogenes, which may be used to generate expressed mosaic genes by ectopic recombination. Comparisons of the cytoskeleton and endocytic trafficking systems with those of humans and other eukaryotic organisms reveal major differences. A comparison of metabolic pathways encoded by the genomes of T. brucei, T. cruzi, and Leishmania major reveals the least overall metabolic capability in T. brucei and the greatest in L. major. Horizontal transfer of genes of bacterial origin has contributed to some of the metabolic differences in these parasites, and a number of novel potential drug targets have been identified.     

Genetic parameters of drinking and feeding traits of wean-to-finish pigs under a polymicrobial natural disease challenge

Background:The pork industry faces unprecedented challenges from disease,which increases cost of production and use of antibiotics,and reduces production efficiency,carcass quality,and animal wellbeing.One solution is to improve the overall resilience of pigs to a broad array of common diseases through genetic selection.Behavioral changes in feeding and drinking are usually the very first clinical signs when animals are exposed to stressors such as disease.Changes in feeding and drinking behaviors in diseased pigs may reflect the way they cope with the challenge and,thus,could be used as indicator traits to select for disease resilience.The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters of feeding and drinking traits for wean-to-finish pigs in a natural polymicrobial disease challenge model,to estimate genetic correlations of feeding and drinking traits with growth rate and clinical disease traits,and to develop indicator traits to select for disease resilience.Results:In general,drinking traits had moderate to high estimates of heritability,especially average daily water dispensed,duration,and number of visits(0.44 to 0.58).Similar estimates were observed for corresponding feeding traits(0.35 to 0.51).Most genetic correlation estimates among drinking traits were moderate to high(0.30 to 0.92)and higher than among feeding traits(0 to 0.11).Compared to other drinking traits,water intake duration and number of visits had relatively stronger negative genetic correlation estimates with treatment rate and mortality,especially across the challenge nursery and finisher(?0.39 and?0.45 for treatment rate;?0.20 and?0.19 for mortality).Conclusion:Most of the recorded drinking and feeding traits under a severe disease challenge had moderate to high estimates of heritability,especially for feed or water intake duration and number of visits.Phenotypic and genetic correlations among the recorded feeding traits under disease were generally low but drinking traits showed high correlations with each other.Water intake duration and number of visits are potential indicator traits to select for disease resilience because of their high heritability and had moderate genetic correlations with treatment and mortality rates under severe disease.     

Envelope-constrained neutralization-sensitive HIV-1 after heterosexual transmission

Heterosexual transmission accounts for the majority of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infections worldwide, yet the viral properties that determine transmission fitness or outgrowth have not been elucidated. Here we show, for eight heterosexual transmission pairs, that recipient viruses were monophyletic, encoding compact, glycan-restricted envelope glycoproteins. These viruses were also uniquely sensitive to neutralization by antibody from the transmitting partner. Thus, the exposure of neutralizing epitopes, which are lost in chronic infection because of immune escape, appears to be favored in the newly infected host. This reveals characteristics of the envelope glycoprotein that influence HIV-1 transmission and may have implications for vaccine design.     

Thrombocytopathia and Light-Chain Proteinuria in a Dog Naturally Infected With Ehrlichia canis

A 6–year-old dog was presented for evaluation of recurrent epistaxis. Platelet counts, biochemical tests, and coagulation tests were within the normal range, but a mucosal bleeding time was prolonged; there was hyperproteinemia and a monoclonal gammopathy. Heterogeneity of light chains appeared in urine, however, thus suggesting that the gammopathy was polyclonal. Platelet aggregation tests showed decreased responsiveness to collagen. An Ehrlichia canis indirect fluorescent-antibody titer was positive (1:40). Treatment with tetracycline, melphalan, and prednisone resulted in a rapid clinical improvement that persisted for at least 3 years.     

Proximate Composition, Lipid Oxidation, and Sensory Characteristics of Fillets from Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Fed Diets Containing 10% to 30% Lipid

This study was conducted to determine the effects of increasing dietary lipid concentrations on fillet characteristics of post-juvenile rainbow trout. A feeding trial was conducted with fish meal based diets containing 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30% lipid for 24 wk. Menhaden oil was the lipid ingredient. Weight gain was significantly greater in fish fed the 30% lipid diet than in fish fed either 10%, 15% or 20% lipid diets. There were no significant differences in visceral somatic index. Fillet lipid concentration of fish fed the 30% lipid diet (9.2-g lipid/ 100-g fillet) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than fish fed either the 10% or 15% lipid diets (5.8- and 6.9-g lipid/100-g fillet, respectively). In samples stored for 3 d at 5 C or S wk at -20 C, sensory panelists reported that the cooked fillets from fish fed the 30% lipid diet were "more fishy" than fish fed the 15% lipid diet, and preferred the cooked fillets from the 15% lipid treatment over the 30% lipid treatment. Triangle tests and fillet colorimetry showed no significant differences between fillets from fish fed the 15% and 30% lipid diets at any sampling time point. No significant differences in fillet concentrations of thiobarbituric reactive substances were observed among dietary treatments stored at either 5 C or -20 C. These results suggest that two main effects of feeding a 30% lipid diet (with fish oil as the lipid source) are a higher lipid concentration in the fillet and a "fishier" aroma compared to fillets from fish fed a 15% lipid diet.     

Variation in foot conformation in lame horses with different foot lesions

Foot conformation in the horse is commonly thought to be associated with lameness but scientific evidence is scarce although it has been shown in biomechanical studies that foot conformation does influence the forces acting on the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and the navicular bone (NB). The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between foot conformation and different types of lesion within the foot in lame horses. It was hypothesised that certain conformation parameters differ significantly between different types of foot lesions. Conformation parameters were measured on magnetic resonance images in the mid-sagittal plane of 179 lame horses with lesions of their deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), navicular bone (NB), collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joints and other structures.Conformation parameters differed significantly between lesion groups. A larger sole angle was associated with combined DDFT and NB lesions, but not with NB lesions alone. A more acute angle of the DDFT round the NB was associated with DDFT and NB lesions, and a lower heel height index with DDFT injury. The larger the sole angle the smaller the likelihood of a DDFT or NB lesion with odds ratios of 0.86 and 0.90, respectively. This study shows an association between foot conformation and lesions but it does not allow the identification of conformation as causative factor since foot conformation may change as a consequence of lameness. Future studies will investigate foot-surface interaction in lame vs. sound horses, which may open a preventative and/or therapeutic window in foot lame horses.     

Evidence of Bartonella sp. in questing adult and nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks from France and co-infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Babesia sp

Ticks are known vectors for a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. Their role in the transmission of some others is so far only suspected. Ticks can transmit multiple pathogens, however, little is known about the co-existence of these pathogens within questing ticks. We looked for the presence of DNA from three micro-organisms, Bartonella sp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Babesia sp. which are known or suspected tick-borne pathogens, using a cohort of 92 questing Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from pastures in northern France. DNA was extracted from each individual tick and the presence of the three pathogens was investigated using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification. Nine among 92 samples (9.8%) demonstrated PCR products using Bartonella specific primers, 3 among 92 (3.3%) using Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato specific primers and 19 among 92 (20.6%) using Babesia specific primers. Seven among 92 samples (7.6%) were PCR positive for at least two of the pathogens and one sample was positive for all three. Adult ticks (12/18; 67%) showed significantly higher infection rates compared to nymphs (11/74; 15%) for all three pathogens (P < 0.001). This study is the demonstration of the simultaneous presence of Bartonella sp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Babesia sp. in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks.     

The metabolism of [14C] cymoxanil in the rat

A rat, given a single oral dose of [¹⁴C] cymoxanil, 1-(2-cyano-2-methoxyimino-[2-¹⁴C]-acetyl)-3-ethylurea, eliminated 91% of the radioactivity within 72 h. The urine contained 71%, the faeces 11%, and the expired air about 7% of the radiolabel; no ¹⁴C residue was found in the internal organs. Greater than 70% of the radioactivity in the urine was identified. The major metabolite was characterised as glycine, both free and conjugated, as hippuric acid and phenylaceturic acid [N-(phenylacetyl)-glycine], and probably in the form of polypeptides of low molecular weight. The other metabolites identified included 2-cyano-2-methoxyiminoacetic acid, 2-cyano-2-hydroxyiminoacetic acid and 1-ethylimidazolidine-2, 4, 5-trione. The minor metabolites included succinic acid and 2-oxoglutaric acid which indicated reincorporation of metabolic ¹⁴C. Cymoxanil, as such, was not detected in the urine.     

Clostridium difficile shedding by healthy dogs in Nigeria and Malawi

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and characteristics of Clostridium difficile shedding in owned dogs in Nigeria and Malawi. Clostridium difficile was isolated from 31/120 (26%) dogs in Nigeria and 11/92 (12%) dogs in Malawi (p = 0.012). Overall, 22/42 (52%) isolates were toxigenic; 17/31 (55%) from Nigeria and 5/11 (45%) from Malawi. All toxigenic isolates possessing tcdA and tcdB, and only one also possessed cdtA/B. Sixteen different ribotypes were found, ten (63%) of which were non‐toxigenic. Most isolates corresponded to ribotypes that have been previously identified in humans or livestock. The role of dogs in transmission of C. difficile and the clinical implications of C. difficile shedding in dogs remain unclear. These data indicate that dogs could act as a source of C. difficile for exposure of other species, including humans; however, the true risk is unknown. Further study of the ecology of C. difficile and the role of dogs in disease of humans and other domestic animals is indicated.