Management of insect pests in celery and potato crops by pneumatic removal

Over the course of 4 years, five sets of trials were run in celery and potato crops to evaluate the efficacy of a field-scale vacuum (FSV) unit for use in insect pest management. The unit was designed to dislodge insects by blowing air from lateral vents onto the plants while simultaneously vacuuming from above. Efficacy was evaluated by field observations, yellow sticky traps and hand vacuum sampling before and after the FSV. All insects evaluated were effectively removed by the vacuum unit; typically, population reductions of 50–75% were achieved with whiteflies, leafhoppers, and aphids. In some trials, reductions were achieved that lasted from week to week. Additionally, agromyzid leafminers were significantly reduced in number, but population reductions were temporary because of their strong flying ability.     

Unusual case of osteopenia associated with nutritional calcium and vitamin D deficiency in an adult dog

A 6-year-old, spayed female rottweiler was presented for facial enlargement from swelling of the maxilla and mandible. The dog was fed a homemade diet deficient in calcium and vitamin D, suggesting that rubber jaw syndrome was a secondary nutritional disorder. Radiographic and tomodensitometric examinations revealed diffuse bone resorption in the skull. The plasma parathormone concentration was high, and serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentration was low. Based on these findings, nutritional calcium and vitamin D deficiency associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed. Dietary correction resulted in clinical and biological improvement, with an increase in skull mineralization.     

Survey of the seroprevalence of brucellosis in ruminants in Kosovo

A cross-sectional survey of the seroprevalence of brucellosis in sheep, goats and cattle in Kosovo was made in January 2001. A total of 12,000 serum samples, from 7941 cattle, 3548 sheep and 511 goats, were screened using the Rose Bengal test. Doubtful and positive results were further tested with competitive and indirect ELISAS. The overall serological prevalences derived from the samples positive to all three tests, were 6.26 per cent (95 per cent confidence intervals [CI] 5.5 to 7.1 per cent) for sheep, 7.24 per cent (5.3 to 9.8 per cent) for goats and 0.58 per cent (0.43 to 0.77 per cent) for cattle. The survey covered 26 of the 29 municipalities and showed that brucellosis was widely but unevenly distributed throughout the province. Seropositive animals were found in 25 per cent (19 to 32 per cent) of 162 villages surveyed. The risk of cattle being infected on holdings where both cattle and sheep were kept was greater, with a risk ratio of 4.6 (2.2 to 9.6), than on holdings where only cattle were kept. Brucella melitensis probably predominates as the cause of brucellosis in ruminants in the province of Kosovo.