Comparative diagnostic potential of three serological tests for abortive Q fever in goat herds

Performances of an ELISA, an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and a complement fixation test (CFT) were assessed for detecting antibodies against Coxiella burnetii after Q fever abortions in naturally infected goats. The goal of the study was to provide information useful for veterinary serodiagnosis in regard to categories of goats either experiencing Q fever abortion or not, blood sampling times and recommended cut-offs. The study was conducted on eight goat herds with evidence of C. burnetii abortions. In each herd, at least 5 goats that had aborted and 10 goats prior to parturition or at term were monitored 15, 30 and 60 days (D15, D30, D60) after the onset of Q fever abortion. The overall CFT results distribution did not differ between the two groups of goats and showed poor agreement with the ELISA results. In contrast, the ELISA and IFA results revealed comparable significant differences, but overall the ELISA test was slightly more sensitive than the IFA test. Seroprevalence, according to ELISA and IFA respectively, was higher in the aborting (88% and 82%) than in the non-aborting group (60% and 50%). High levels of serum antibodies were detected in goats post-abortion with an average of 114 %OD using ELISA and a log10(titer) of 2.4 using IFA. Strongly positive ELISA (%OD>80) and positive IFA results (log10(titers)>1.9) were significantly associated with abortion. Sampling on D15 gave the best association with ORs of 10 for ELISA and 6 for IFA. The practical interest of these results is discussed.     

Isolation and characterisation of a xylanase inhibitor Xip-II gene from durum wheat

Cereals contain xylanase inhibitor proteins (XIPs) which inhibit microbial xylanases from glycoside hydrolase families 10 and 11. Here, we report for the first time the isolation and characterisation of a genomic clone containing a xylanase inhibitor gene. This gene, Xip-II, isolated from a durum wheat genomic library (Triticum durum Desf.) encodes a mature protein of 307 amino acid (aa) residues that shares highest aa sequence identity (64%) with the rice RIXI xylanase inhibitor. XIP-II showed inhibition against family 11 xylanases and no chitinase activity. In silico analysis of the 5′ promoter region of Xip-II revealed sequences with similarity to known cis regulatory elements upstream from the initiation codon. In particular, the identification of a number of cis-acting elements controlling the expression of defence and seed-specific genes supports the role for this class of inhibitors in plant defence against pathogens but also provides new clues on a potential role in plant development.     

Presence of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> gall wasp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophelimus maskelli</Emphasis> and its parasitoid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Closterocerus chamaeleon</Emphasis> in Portugal: First record,geographic distribution and host preference

The Eucalyptus gall wasp Ophelimus maskelli (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and its parasitoid Closterocerus chamaeleon (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) were observed for the first time in Portugal, in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Data on the distribution of O. maskelli in Portugal, differences in the susceptibility of two host species, Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and parasitism by C. chamaeleon are given.     

Correlation of in planta endo‐beta‐1,4‐xylanase activity with the necrotrophic phase of the hemibiotrophic fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola

The association of the cell wall degrading enzyme endo‐beta‐1,4‐xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) with pathogenicity of Mycosphaerella graminicola was examined in planta. The enzyme production of two M. graminicola isolates (T0372 and T0491), as well as their ability to infect seedlings of susceptible wheat cv. Scorpion, was first compared. No significant difference was found between the two isolates regarding spore germination rates, mycelial growth on the leaf surface or direct and stomatal penetrations. However, restricted hyphal growth was observed inside leaves inoculated with T0372, whereas successful mesophyll colonization with a strong intercellular fungal growth was found in leaves infected with T0491. Likewise, T0372 was unable to induce lesions bearing pycnidia and to produce endo‐beta‐1,4‐xylanase activity until 22 days post‐inoculation (d.p.i.). On the other hand, significant high increases of both diseased leaf area bearing pycnidia and endo‐beta‐1,4‐xylanase activity were observed between 16 and 22 d.p.i. for T0491 (r = 0·98). The investigation of 24 additional isolates, including the IPO323 and IPO94269 reference isolates, highlighted a strong correlation between endo‐beta‐1,4‐xylanase activity and disease development levels (r = 0·94). This study demonstrates that differences in pathogenicity in M. graminicola are not linked to events on the leaf surface or to frequency of leaf penetration, but to the ability of the fungus to colonize the mesophyll and to produce the cell wall degrading enzyme endo‐1,4‐beta‐xylanase during the necrotrophic phase.     

Effects of the 6/15 Robertsonian Translocation in Saanen Goats

Contents: The effects of a 6/15 Robertsonian translocation on growth and reproductive performance were investigated. One carrier Saanen buck was compared with 36 non-carrier Saanen sires. No significant effect was observed on daily growth, libido, or siminal characteristics. Fertility rate and prolificacy of the carrier and normal males were 58.3% and 1.53 ± 0.79 (m ± sd) vs 48.9% and 1.36 ± 0.58 respectively (p > 0.05 ).
Kidding rate and prolificacy of 30 normal and 32 heterozygous daughters of this carrier buck were 60% vs 59% (p > 0.05) and 1.47 ± 0.57 vs 1.34 ± 0.48 (p > 0.05) respectively. Normal does always demonstrated a higher prolificacy (p > 0.05) independent of breeding pratices and service rank .
Inhalt: Einfluß der 6/15 Robertsonschen Translokation bei Saanenziegen
Es wurde der Einfluß einer 6/15 Robertsonschen Translokation auf Wachstum und Fortpflanzung sleistung untersucht. Ein Trägertier (Saanenbock) wurde mit 36 Nichtträgern verglichen. Es wurden keine Effekte hinsichtlich täglichen Wachstums, Libido und Spermacharakteristika festgestellt. Befruchtungsprozentsatz und Nachkommenrate des Trägertieres und der normalen Böcke war 58,3% und 1,53 ± 0,79 gegenüber 1,36 ± 0,58 (p ±0,05). Ablammrate und Nachkommensrate von 30 normalen und 32 heterozygoten Töchtern des Trägerbocks betrugen 60% gegenüber 59% (p ± 0.05) und 1,47 ± 0,57 gegenüber 1,34 ± 0,48 (p ± 0,05). Normale Ziegen zeigen höhere Nachkommensraten (p ± 0,05) unabhängig von Bedeckungspraxis und Besamungsfolge .     

Survey of nematophagous fungi in South Africa

Three hundred and eighty-four samples of leaf litter, soil, faeces from domestic and game animals, compost and aqueous cultures of infective nematode larvae contaminated with unidentified fungi were plated out on water agar, baited with pure infective larvae of Haemonchus contortus, incubated and examined for the presence of nematophagous fungi. Duddingtonia flagrans was isolated from five samples, and 73 samples were positive for other nematophagous fungi.