Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a domestic cat in Finland: Case report

Background

Anaplasmosis is a vectorborne disease caused by the gram-negative bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This species displays positive tropism to granulocytes and can cause illness in several mammalian species, including cats, dogs, and humans. It is considered as an emerging disease in Europe. The clinical signs are nonspecific and include fever, lethargy, and inappetence. The most typical hematologic abnormality is thrombocytopenia. A tentative diagnosis can be made by detecting intracytoplasmic morulae inside neutrophils. The diagnosis is confirmed by PCR and serology in paired serum samples. A sample for PCR analysis should be taken before treatment. Anaplasmosis is treated with doxycycline.

Case presentation

A feline case of anaplasmosis is presented. The history, clinical presentation, diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up are discussed.

Conclusions

This case indicates that Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects cats in Finland. To provide accurate treatment, anaplasmosis should be listed as a differential diagnosis in cats suffering from acute febrile illness with previous tick exposure.     

Prevalence and subtypes of Influenza A Viruses in Wild Waterfowl in Norway 2006-2007

The prevalence of influenza A virus infection, and the distribution of different subtypes of the virus, were studied in 1529 ducks and 1213 gulls shot during ordinary hunting from August to December in two consecutive years, 2006 and 2007, in Norway. The study was based on molecular screening of cloacal and tracheal swabs, using a pan-influenza A RT-PCR. Samples found to be positive for influenza A virus were screened for the H5 subtype, using a H5 specific RT-PCR, and, if negative, further subtyped by a RT-PCR for the 3''-part of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, encompassing almost the entire HA2, and the full-length of the neuraminidase (NA) gene, followed by sequencing and characterization. The highest prevalence (12.8%) of infection was found in dabbling ducks (Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal and Mallard). Diving ducks (Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Scoter, Common Eider and Tufted Duck) showed a lower prevalence (4.1%). In gulls (Common Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull and Kittiwake) the prevalence of influenza A virus was 6.1%. The infection prevalence peaked during October for ducks, and October/November for gulls. From the 16 hemagglutinin subtypes known to infect wild birds, 13 were detected in this study. Low pathogenic H5 was found in 17 dabbling ducks and one gull.     

Characterization of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella enterica serovars Enteritidis and Typhimurium isolates from animal and food in Southern Italy

In the last two decades, the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, among them Salmonella, has become a serious health hazard worldwide, and specifically the high incidence of multidrug resistance has been encountered widely in many European countries. This study examines the antimicrobial supsceptibility of Salmonella enterica strains Typhimurium and Enteritidis isolated in Campania and Calabria region (Southern Italy) from animal and food of animal origin. The relationship of antibiotic resistance phenotype and the presence of some resistance genes has been also investigated. As espected, our results showes that resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulphonamides and tetracycline is common, although resistance to other antibiotics (i.e.:nalidixic acid) and other resistance patterns occur. The genetic resistant patterns have been partially described for this food-borne pathogen but efforts are needed to realize the complete characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes.     

虎耳草不同叶龄光合特性及叶片结构比较

为了发现阴生植物越过强光和高温的光合机制,采用LI-6400光合测定系统和石蜡切片法,对虎耳草的春叶和秋叶的光合生理和叶片结构进行了研究。结果表明：春叶的光合速率、气孔导度等极显著低于秋叶,光合速率的降低受气孔因子限制;通过Pn-PAR曲线方程发现,春叶的补偿点为14.3 μmol photons/(m2?s),光饱和点为346 μmol photons/(m2?s),均极显著高于秋叶,表明春叶对强光有较好的耐受性;叶片解剖结构表明,春叶叶肉组织增加极显著,但栅海比低于秋叶,这证实了不同叶龄虎耳草叶片形态结构与生理功能的一致性。     

Strategies for administration of biosurfactant-producing pseudomonads for biocontrol in closed hydroponic systems

Zoospore-producing oomycetes are major plant pathogens of particular concern in hydroponic systems. Compared with pesticides, biocontrol using antagonistic microorganisms is a sustainable approach to control oomycetes. Previous research has demonstrated that biosurfactants and biosurfactant-producing microorganisms are potentially useful components of a sustainable biocontrol strategy.In this study three ways of supplying a biosurfactant-producing strain to a recirculating hydroponic cultivation system infected with a zoospore-producing plant pathogen were evaluated. The strain Pseudomonas koreensis 2.74 was added as washed cells, in its spent KB broth or in a minimal medium adapted from the nutrient solution, and compared with control treatments. A significant reduction in disease with up to 50% was achieved when a high concentration of washed cells was added weekly to the plant cultivation system. The disease suppression obtained through addition of washed cells equalled the effect achieved when the purified biosurfactant was used. Phytotoxicity was observed when the spent broth was included in the treatment.     

Inheritance of flour paste viscosity is associated with a rice Waxy gene exon 10 SNP marker

Apparent amylose content is a key element for characterizing a rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar for cooking quality. However, cultivars with similar apparent amylose content can have widely varying quality attributes, including major parameters of flour paste viscosity. It has been postulated that the presence of a rice Waxy gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker is associated with elevated Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) properties in specific high amylose rice cultivars. A mapping population derived from a cross between two varieties, Cocodrie and Dixiebelle, having similar high apparent amylose contents, but with different paste viscosity properties and Waxy gene markers was analyzed for the genetic segregation of various pasting properties, measured with RVA instrumentation. Marker inheritance analyses revealed that the Waxy exon 10 SNP marker was associated with the proportion of soluble to insoluble apparent amylose and most RVA pasting measurements. Waxy gene markers can be used to efficiently improve the selection of rice with desirable characteristics, particularly for superior parboiling and canning quality.     

Cloning and expression analysis of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) major lignin and cellulose biosynthesis gene sequences and polymer quantification during plant development

In order to apply state-of-the-art molecular breeding techniques in fibre crop it is necessary to have a good knowledge of major polymer biosynthesis gene sequences and their expression pattern. Polymerase chain reaction was employed to isolate sequences of the major genes for lignin and cellulose biosynthesis in a kenaf cultivar. CeSA, 4cl, c4h, cad, and ccr gene primers were designed according to their conservative regions; partial sequences of lignin and cellulose biosynthesis genes were obtained. One actin II gene sequence was also isolated from the kenaf genome as a housekeeping gene to be employed in qPCR analysis. Expression levels of genes c4h, cad and CeSA in bark and core from plants harvested at three different growth stages were evaluated. Using qPCR analyses it was found that the expression levels of the two biosynthesis lignin genes in bark tissues increased during plant growth, while a negative trend was recorded in core tissues. In both bark and core, the quantity of lignin was positively correlated to plant growth while cellulose content decreased.     

Approaches for delaying sexual maturation in salmon and their possible ecological and ethical implications

ABSTRACT

The aquaculture industry is under pressure to satisfy global demand for marine foods. Atlantic salmon has been bred for more than 40 years, and substantial progress has been made within the culturing and breeding programs. The improved growth rate of Atlantic salmon has been accompanied by an earlier onset of maturation. Among the factors controlling maturation in salmon are photoperiod, temperature, and body composition. Early sexual maturation is detrimental to fish health and quality when viewed from an aquacultural viewpoint. There are several approaches for alleviating this problem: (1) traditional selection, (2) manipulation of external factors affecting puberty (e.g., light), (3) novel biotechnological methods for improving breeding methods, (4) induction of polyploidy, and (5) genetic modification controlling maturation. This article presents the ecological and ethical issues connected to these approaches and argues the importance of acknowledging and discussing such issues in order to ensure that all stakeholder concerns are considered.     

Effects of microcystin-containing cyanobacterial extract on hematological and biochemical parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of a cyanobacterial extract containing microcystins (MCs) on selected hematological and biochemical parameters in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), as well as to determine the accumulation of toxins in fish tissues. The fish were immersed for 5 days in water containing toxins at a final concentration of 12 μg/L of microcystin LR equivalent. Microcystin LR residues were detected in fish liver, reaching 207, 238 and 260 ng/g f.w. of the tissues taken 24 h, 72 h and 5 days after the end of intoxication, respectively. The most substantial changes were found in fish plasma, including increases in creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, ammonia, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. A decline of about 50% in lysozyme activity was observed by the end of the experimental period. Moreover, a marked increase in ceruloplasmin activity was detected 24 h after the end of intoxication with a subsequent decrease in its activity after 72 h and 5 days. This study concludes that not only consumption of food containing toxins but also MCs dissolved in water may pose a threat to fish health. Additionally, detected changes in lysozyme and ceruloplasmin activity may have distinct effects in fish resistance against pathogens or oxidative stress, which should be taken into account in the future studies.