Survey of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) for viruses in Morocco

A total of 52 faba-bean (Vicia faba L.) fields, located in the main growing areas in Morocco were surveyed for viruses. From 240 samples with symptoms suggestive of virus infection, the following viruses were detected using electron microscopy, serology, and biological indexing: Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), broad bean mottle virus (BBMV), broad bean stain virus (BBSV), broad bean true mosaic virus (BBTMV), pea earlybrowning virus (PEBV), pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV), pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV), and a complex of luteoviruses including bean leafroll virus (BLRV). This is the first report of the occurrence of BBTMV, PEMV, PSbMV, and the luteoviruses (including BLRV) of faba bean in Morcco. The luteoviruses and BBMV were found to be the most prevalent. They were detected in 56 and 50%, respectively, of the surveyed fields; while AMV, BBSV, and PEBV were found in single fields only. The remaining viruses were less prevalent, and were detected in a range of 4 to 15% of the fields surveyed. The incidences per field of the prevalent viruses varied and ranged from 1 to 33% for BBMV and up to 20% in the case of luteoviruses. BBMV was found confined to the central and northern parts of the country, BBTMV and PEMV mainly occurred in the central area, while the luteoviruses and BYMV were spread over the faba-bean growing regions of the country.     

Landscape-ecological mapping of the Netherlands

The Landscape-ecological Mapping of the Netherlands project (LMN project) started in 1983 with the aim of establishing a landscape-ecological database for use in developing and evaluating national land-use plans. The project, working with grid cells of 1 km², has four working objectives: a) development of mapping potential for basic landscape-ecological data, b) assessment of susceptibility to interventions, c) evaluation of significance for nature conservation and d) production of vulnerability maps, as a combination of susceptibility and significance. In addition to information on soil, groundwater, ecotopes, flora and fauna, the database also incorporates information on physiographical features and entire landscapes. The resulting database is a geographic information system (GIS). This article describes the second phase of the project (1985–1989), covering the Randstad area, and focusses on the methods and the applications potential of the database.     

Comments on the method to test side effects of pesticides on the predatory mitePhytoseiulus persimilis Ath.-Hen

A paper published byKniehase & Zoebelein (1990) describes a new laboratory method to test the side effects of pesticides on the predatory mitePhytoseiulus persimilis and criticizes the laboratory test developed by the International Working Group pesticides and beneficial organisms of the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC), West Palaearctic Regional Section (WPRS). The present publication discusses the advantages and disadvantages of both methods, responds to the criticism and mention the overall concept of the IOBC/WPRS Working Group including semifield and field test methods.In einer Arbeit vonKniehase undZoebelein (1990) wird ein neues Laborverfahren zur Prüfung der Nebenwirkung von Pflanzenschutzmitteln auf die RaubmilbePhytoseiulus persimilis beschrieben. Die genannten Autoren äußern sich kritisch über das seither von der Arbeitsgruppe Pflanzenschutzmittel und Nutzorganismen der International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC), West Palaearctic Regional Section (WPRS) praktizierte Verfahren. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden die Vor- und Nachteile der beiden Prüfmethoden diskutiert. Einer Reaktion auf die Kritik folgt eine kurze Beschreibung der gesamten Konzeption der genannten Arbeitsgruppe, die auf einer Kombination aus Labor-, Halbfreiland- und Feldprüfverfahren beruht.     

Pathophysiologic mechanism of cardiac dysfunction in experimentally induced heartworm caval syndrome in dogs: an echocardiographic study

In dogs with experimentally induced heartworm infection, the onset of caval syndrome (CS) was characterized by a murmur, loudest over the tricuspid valve, and a large worm mass in the right ventricular lumen detectable during diastole by use of M-mode echocardiography. Two-dimensional echocardiography indicated that the worm mass was located in the right atrium and venae cavae and was "flowing" into the right ventricle during rapid diastolic filling. Paradoxical septal motion and vigorous right ventricular cranial wall motion also were observed. Other echocardiographic changes included decreased size of the left atrium and ventricle, aortic root, and ratio of left-to-right ventricular diastolic luminal diameter, compared with values obtained 6 months after experimentally induced heartworm infection. Right ventricular end diastolic diameter increased considerably. Most echocardiographic indices of left ventricular function (fractional shortening, velocity of circumferential fiber shortening, ejection fraction, and preejection period) were not altered appreciably, but estimates of cardiac index and stroke volume were markedly decreased. Electrocardiography revealed ventricular and supraventricular premature complexes in 7 of the 8 dogs studied, evidence of right ventricular enlargement in 6 of the 8 dogs studied, and increased mean heart rate, compared with that measured 6 months after inoculation of infective larvae, before the onset of CS. Cardiac catheterization was performed in 3 days at the onset of CS. Severe pulmonary arterial and right ventricular hypertension and decreased cardiac index (compared with values obtained before inoculation) were observed. Evidence of right ventricular inflow obstruction was not detected. Mean aortic blood pressure decreased with the onset of CS, but right ventricular end diastolic pressure increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Feline struvite crystalluria: a comparison of some commercially available dry cat diets in New Zealand

Thirteen adult cats were each fed consecutively five test diets: firstly a complete canned diet, and then four commercially available dry cat diets (New Formula Biscats, Cat Chow, Go-Cat and Whiskettes) for 7,13, 5, 4 and 4 weeks respectively. Urine samples were tested for pH and presence of struvite crystals. Body weight was recorded weekly. Urine pH was ranked from acid to alkaline as follows: Whiskettes (pH 5.8), canned diet (pH 5.9), Biscats (pH 6.1), Cat Chow (pH 6.45) and Go-Cat (pH 6.5). The pH of urine when cats were fed Whiskettes, Biscats and canned diet was not significantly different. Biscats produced a urine pH significantly higher than Whiskettes but, in each case, these three diets produced a significantly lower urine pH than Cat Chow and Go-Cat. Struvite crystals occurred spontaneously in 9% of urine samples from cats when fed Whiskettes and Biscats, 71% when fed Cat Chow and 38% when fed Go-Cat: spontaneous struvite was not seen in any cat fed CX9. Haematuria was seen in 2.9% (2/69) urine samples from cats fed Cat Chow. One tom cat had a blocked urethra after 24 days on Go-Cat. No abnormalities were observed in any cat when fed canned diet, Biscats or Whiskettes. It was concluded that of the four dry cat diets tested only Biscats and Whiskettes produce urine with an acceptably low rate of spontaneous struvite crystalluria.     

A blind test of the serological response of dogs to infection with Taenia ovis

Fifty six dogs of mixed age and sex were acquired from farms in the Otago/Southland region, and maintained at the Hydatid Research Unit, Taieri, where 43 were each fed two Tueniu ovis cysts. All were bled fortnightly for six or 12 weeks. Coded sera were sent to Wallaceville Animal Research Centre for testing using ELISA, with antigen from T. ovis scoleces. Dog treatments were identified after all tests were complete. A discriminant level was derived from the mean absorbance value plus three standard deviations of 56 sera taken at time zero and 78 sera from serially bled uninfected dogs. None of these 134 sera registered as a false positive using this discriminant level. The data showed no significant deviation from normality, and the expected frequency of the occurrence of false positives is therefore less than 0.14%. Four weeks after infection 63% of dogs proved to be infected were serologically positive, rising to 78% after 6 weeks. When worms were removed by anthelmintic treatment, ELISA absorbance levels decreased. Four weeks after removal 70% of previously infected dogs remained positive, decreasing to 30% after 6 weeks. Six weeks after infection the sensitivity of the test was 78%, and the specificity 63%. However, if dogs with positive ELISA absorbance levels, but which did not purge worms, were regarded as having had worms, the respective figures would be 82% and 100%. The latter figures are similar to our previously published laboratory results. The test is of comparable efficiency to arecoline purgation for surveillance, and has the additional advantage of detecting infection in the majority of those dogs that have been infected for three weeks or more but fail to pass worms on purgation, and a substantial proportion of those infected dogs that were treated by their owners prior to presenting them for purgation in order to avoid detection of infection.