Enteric pathology and Salmonella-induced cell death in healthy and SIV-infected rhesus macaques

The goal of this study was to morphologically characterize a ligated ileal loop model of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium infection in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and to verify the occurrence of Salmonella-induced cell death in vivo. Eight adult healthy male rhesus macaques were used for ligated ileal loop surgery. Four macaques had been intravenously inoculated with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) mac251. Ileal ligated loops were inoculated with wild-type (WT) S. Typhimurium strain IR715 (ATCC14028 nal (r)), an isogenic noninvasive mutant strain (ATCC14028 nal (r) ΔsipAΔsopABDE2), or sterile Luria Bertani broth. Loops were surgically removed at 2, 5, and 8 hours post-inoculation (hpi). Intestinal samples were processed for histopathology, immunohistochemistry for detecting Salmonella, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL), and transmission electron microscopy. Combined histopathology scores were similar between SIV-infected and control macaques. As expected, the invasion-deficient mutant was less pathogenic than WT S. Typhimurium. Neutrophil infiltrate in the intestinal mucosa correlated with bacterial loads (r = 0.7148; P < .0001) and fluid accumulation (r = 0.6019; P < .0001) in the lumen of the intestinal loops. Immunolabeled WT S. Typhimurium was observed in the epithelium and lamina propria at the tip of the villi at 2 hpi, progressing toward deeper lamina propria at 5-8 hpi. Most TUNEL-positive cells localized to the lamina propria, and some had morphological features of macrophages. Ultrastructurally, bacteria were observed intracellularly in the lamina propria as well as within apoptotic bodies. This study provides morphological evidence of Salmonella-induced cell death in vivo in a relevant nonhuman primate model.     

Management practices to control gastrointestinal parasites in dairy and beef goats in Minas Gerais; Brazil

Parasitic infection is recognized worldwide as a limiting factor in the production of goats, and various control methods are used to reduce economic losses, often without considering the epidemiology of the parasites. This has led to the development of highly tolerant parasite populations and the presence of chemical residues in the beef and milk. The objective of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of goat farmers about parasitic diseases and to correlate this with the epidemiology of endoparasites and parasite control practices in goat farms in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The analysis was based on a questionnaire applied by trained veterinarians. The sample was homogeneous throughout the state, covering 18.4% (157/853) of municipalities. Eighty-four dairy goat farms in 81 municipalities and 200 properties with beef goats in 76 municipalities were evaluated. The herd size per goat farm ranged from 4 to 57 (average 24) for beef herds and from 2 to 308 (average 63) for dairy farms. The majority of the beef herd production was extensive and semi-extensive (98.5%), while the dairy herds were maintained under intensive farming (98.8%). The mixed production of goats and sheep was reported by 36.5% of beef goat farmers and by 20.2% of dairy goat farmers. Among the beef goats farms on which the technological level was determined, 2.0% were categorized as having high technological level, 34.5% as medium, and 63.5% as low. Of the 84 dairy farms, 30% operated at a high, 47% at a medium, and 23% at a low technological level. The adoption of practices to reduce parasitism, such as the quarantine of animals, treatment of newly arrived animals, regular cleaning of the floor, and technical assistance, was significantly higher on dairy farms than on beef farms. Although 85.7% of dairy farmers and 83% of beef farmers medicate their animals, the treatments were performed without technical criteria, and deworming intervals ranged from 30 to 120 days or more. The average interval between treatments was significantly longer in dairy goat herds (4.8 months) than in the beef herds (3.6 months). The most commonly used drugs were macrocyclic lactones (37.7% in dairy and 39.5% in beef herds) and benzimidazoles (48.9% in dairy and 31.5% in beef herds). Goat production in Minas Gerais is still in its infancy, and even though using a control program associated with other health practices, producers still rely heavily on chemicals to get satisfactory results.     

Nutrition and behavior in senior dogs

With increasing age, some dogs develop a neurogenerative disease that is commonly referred to as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). Diagnosis of CDS can be clinical or based on laboratory tests. The main behavioral changes associated with CDS are disorientation, altered interactions with people or other animals, sleep-wake cycle alterations, house-soiling, and changes in activity level. Ruling out medical conditions that can cause similar changes in behavior is important when performing a clinical diagnosis. Management of CDS includes dietary and pharmacological intervention. Dietary treatment of CDS has been based on the use of antioxidants and mitochondrial cofactors, and recent work has shown that long-term supplementation with medium-chain triglycerides can improve cognitive function in aged dogs. CDS must be considered an animal welfare issue and the implications of this are discussed in this article.     

Quality Characteristics of Tilapia Surimi: Effect of Single Washing Cycle and Different Washing Media

Surimi was prepared by washing with single washing cycle with cold water (T-1), alkaline saline (0.2% NaHCO₃ and 0.15% NaCl; T-2) solution, and with calcium chloride and salt (0.2% CaCl₂ and 0.1% NaCl; T-3), respectively, and compared with conventional washed (CW) surimi. T-2 exhibited significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased moisture content, which correlated with increased yield, pH and also significantly decreased lipid and ash content. A significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in expressible moisture content was also observed in T-2, which suggested higher water holding capacity compared to other treatments. Heat-induced surimi gels exhibited highest L* (p ≤ 0.05), followed by surimi in all the treatments. In the case of L*, T-1 showed highest lightness, followed by T-2, which was comparable to CW. The lowest myoglobin content was exhibited by CW surimi (p ≤ 0.05), which is due to repeated washings. T-2 gel showed higher elasticity, texture, and overall acceptability than others (p ≤ 0.05), except for the whiteness. In all the aspects, T-2 was comparable with CW. Washing with one cycle of T-2 solution can not only improve the quality of surimi but can reduce the wastage of water that is released into the environment without further treatment.     

Detection of ‘<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candidatus</Emphasis> Phytoplasma brasiliense’ in a new geographic region and existence of two genetically distinct populations’

‘Candidatus Phytoplasma brasiliense’, a phytoplasma taxon associated with hibiscus witches’ broom disease was first described in 2001 in Brazil. In September 2007, a peach tree (Prunus persica) displaying yellowing symptoms reminiscent of phytoplasma infection was sampled in Guba region of Azerbaijan. A phytoplasma was detected in the diseased peach tree by nested PCR amplification of its 16S rDNA with universal primers for phytoplasmas. Phylogenetical analyses of the amplified 16S rDNA showed that the phytoplasma infecting the peach tree corresponded to ‘Ca. P. brasiliense’, a species never reported in Euro-Mediterranean area. To set up a detection assay, cloning of a ‘Ca. P. brasiliense’ DNA fragment was undertaken by comparative RAPD. The amplified dnaK-dnaJ genetic locus was used to design a nested PCR assay able to amplify all ‘Ca. P. brasiliense’ isolates of the subgroup 16SrXV-A without amplifying the related members of the group 16SrII. This assay also allowed confirming the first detection of ‘Ca. P. brasiliense’ in diseased basil collected in south Lebanon.     

An assessment of caprine tuberculosis prevalence in Lubumbashi slaughterhouse,Democratic Republic of Congo

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Caprine tuberculosis is a major health problem for goats and a major zoonosis of veterinary public health interest. In order to prepare a response to and...     

Effect of three feeding management systems on some reproductive parameters of Scorpion mud turtles (Kinosternon scorpioides) in Brazil

Chelonians have been exploited since ancient times for their meat, eggs, fat, and offal, among other things. Among these animals, there is Scorpion mud turtle (Kinosternon scorpioides) which is an omnivorous turtle with semiaquatic habits and is widely consumed in Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different feeding management systems on the reproductive performance of captive-bred Scorpion mud turtles, including egg quality and chemical composition. Study animals included 15 males and 48 females, divided into three groups. Animals were fed with either a commercial diet or a commercial diet supplemented with one of two different mixes (wet diet). All animals were fed at 1 % BW/day divided on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Treatments were as follows: TR?=?100 % fish food (22 % CP); TRM1?=?70 % fish food?+?30 % mix 1 (bovine offal and fish); TRM2?=?70 % fish food?+?30 % mix 2 (bovine offal, fish, and shrimp). Samples were collected during 7 months, and eggs were identified, weighed, measured, and frozen for later analysis. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, were performed using the program SAEG 9.0. Measurements taken from the nests were compared using the Tukey’s test (P?<?0.05). The different diets were associated with differential egg-laying performance and eggshell thickness. Animals fed with wet diets containing protein of animal origin displayed the best performance. Furthermore, nests with fewer eggs contained eggs of better external quality (e.g., greater length, width, and eggshell thickness). Finally, animals fed with only commercial feed produced eggs with lower saturated fatty acid content.     

Post-fire selective thinning of Arbutus unedo L. coppices keeps animal diversity unchanged: the case of ants

Context

In the Mediterranean area, different post-fire management strategies are used for coppices of resprouting species to promote a more regular forest structure, enhance plant growth, and reduce fire risk. However, the effects of these management treatments on forest-associated fauna are unknown, which in turn could be limiting their beneficial effects.

Aims

The aim of this work was to determine whether forest management of a recently burned area dominated by a vigorous resprouting tree species (Arbutus unedo L.) affects ant communities.

Methods

Ant communities, sampled using pitfall traps, were examined from unmanaged and selective thinning coppices of A. unedo. Ants are here used as bioindicators of ecosystem health and surrogates for other animal groups.

Results

Very limited effects of these post-fire management strategies on the structure and composition of ant communities were found. The lack of effects could be due to the reported small changes in physical conditions among treatments; or either, the most sensitive ant species to these post-fire management treatments might be the same ones affected by fire and, consequently, the ant species that would potentially be affected most were no longer in the study area.

Conclusion

The lack of any significant effects caused by these post-fire management practices on the associated fauna of A. unedo coppices points out the suitability of these treatments in these circumstances.