Prevalence and molecular characterization of Anaplasmataceae agents in free-ranging Brazilian marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus)

Anaplasmataceae organisms comprise a group of obligate intracellular gram-negative, tick-borne bacteria that can infect both animals and humans. In the present work we investigate the presence of Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Neorickettsia species in blood samples from Brazilian marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus), using both molecular and serologic techniques. Blood was collected from 143 deer captured along floodplains of the Paraná River, near the Porto Primavera hydroelectric power plant. Before and after flooding, marsh deer were captured for a wide range research program under the financial support of S?o Paulo State Energy Company (CESP), between 1998 and 2001. Samples were divided into four groups according to time and location of capture and named MS01 (n=99), MS02 (n=18) (Mato Grosso do Sul, before and after flooding, respectively), PX (n=9; Peixe River, after flooding), and AGUA (n=17; Aguapeí River, after flooding). The seroprevalences for Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were 76.76% and 20.2% in MS01, 88.88% and 5.55% in MS02, 88.88% and 22.22% in PX, and 94.12% and 5.88% in AGUA, respectively. Sixty-one animals (42.65% of the total population) were PCR-positive for E. chaffeensis PCR (100.0% identity based on 16S rRNA, dsb, and groESL genes). Seventy deer (48.95% of the total population) were PCR-positive for Anaplasma spp. (99.0% of identity with A. platys, and in the same clade as A. phagocytophilum, A. bovis, and A. platys based on 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis). Our results demonstrate that Brazilian marsh deer are exposed to E. chaffeensis and Anaplasma spp. and may act as reservoirs for these rickettsial agents, playing a role in disease transmission to humans and other animals.     

Earthworm (Pontoscolex corethrurus) survival and impacts on properties of soils from a lead mining site in Southern Brazil

Biology and Fertility of Soils - The survival and cast production of the tropical endogeic earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus and the changes in chemical and physical characteristics induced by gut...     

Oomycete species associated with Theobroma cacao crops in Colombia

The study of oomycetes associated with crops is highly important due to the economic losses they might cause. In cacao, the genus Phytophthora has been extensively studied, but little is known about other genera and species of oomycetes associated with this plant. This study aimed to determine the oomycetes’ diversity present in Colombian cacao crops. A total of 146 isolates were obtained from diseased plants and soil in 11 departments. Analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (coxI) sequences was performed along with the assessment of morphological characteristics. Nine species were identified, distributed in four genera: Phytophthora (P. palmivora, 54%; P. nicotianae, 1%), Phytopythium (Phy. chamaehyphon, 15%; Phy. cucurbitacearum, 9%; Phy. vexans, 7%; Phy. helicoides, 1%), Globisporangium (G. splendens, 3%), and Pythium (Py. delicense, 1%; Py. inflatum,1%). Additionally, an unidentified and possibly new species of Phytophthora (5%) and three unidentified species of Phytopythium (3%) were found. This is the first report of Globisporangium, Phytopythium, and Pythium in cacao crops of Colombia and the first report of the species Phy. chamaehyphon in the country. Interestingly, some isolates of Phytopythium spp. were isolated from necrotic leaves and vascular section of stems, which may suggest a role in cacao diseases traditionally associated with Phytophthora. Also, it is proposed that the new species of Phytophthora may be contributing significantly to black pod disease in Colombian cacao crops, and we highlight that the study of P. palmivora is urgent because of its distribution all over the country.     

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato associated with anthracnose in Bauhinia forficata

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Bauhinia forficata is an important plant commonly used in traditional medicine, and as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens. Its use as an ornamental plant...     

Effect of concentrate level and live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation on Texel lamb performance and carcass characteristics

An alternative additive that improves the nutrient use by ruminants and reduces the use of antibiotics is desirable in order to promote a sustainable and ecological animal production. The objective of the study was to evaluate the supplementation of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in diets of finishing lambs fed with different concentrate levels on their performance, carcass traits, metabolic profile and eating pattern. The trial was carried out at Institute of Animal Science and Pastures, in Nova Odessa city, Brazil, with 24 Texel lambs, 18.0 Kg±1.14 Kg of initial live weight, and averaging 70 days-old, kept in individual pens. The animals were fed with diets comprising hay and concentrate rations in two different proportions (80 or 60%, on DM basis), supplemented or not with live yeast. A completely randomized blocks design, on a 2×2 factorial arrangement (2 concentrate levels with presence or absence of live yeast), was used to compare the means. Supplementation with live yeast did not affect (P>0.05) DM intake, feed conversion, daily live weight gain, total live weight gain and final live weight, although it increased cold carcass weight (P=0.0135) and external carcass length (P=0.0104) regardless of the concentrate feed proportion in the diet. On carcass traits, supplementation with live yeasts did not modify (P>0.05) cold carcass dressing percentage, compactness index, leg length, external chest depth, buttock circumference, carcass fat cover score, and conformation score. Lambs fed diets with greater concentrate level (80%) significantly increased (P<0.05) DM intake, feed conversion, daily live weight gain, total and final live weight gains, cold carcass weight, compactness index, external carcass length, external chest depth, and buttocks circumference and did not modify (P>0.05) the cold dressing percentage, degree of carcass fat cover score and conformation. The live yeast decreased plasmatic lactate (P<0.05), did not affect (P>0.05) plasmatic glucose, and reduced (P<0.05) serum urea, only on the higher concentrate diets. The proportion of concentrate did not affect (P>0.05) the plasmatic glucose and lactate. Supplementation of live yeasts did not improve (P>0.05) the rib eye dimensions and the carcass subcutaneous fat thickness measured by ultrasound. Lambs on diet with greater concentrate level had smaller (P<0.05) ingestion and rumination time. The supplementation with live yeast increased the rumination time and did not modify the ingestion time. It can be concluded that live yeast supplementation increases the weight and the carcass length, regardless of the amount of concentrate added to the diet.     

Development and validation of a set of standard area diagrams to estimate severity of potato early blight

Standard area diagrams (SADs) to assess the severity of potato early blight (Alternaria grandis) on leaves of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) were developed and validated. The proposed SADs include images of leaves with 10 distinct disease severities (0.1, 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 %). The SADs were validated by 12 raters who had no previous experience in evaluating plant disease. Lin’s concordance correlation analysis of estimated vs. actual disease severity (based on image analysis) showed that precision and accuracy improved for most raters using the SADs, compared to assessments made without the SADs. The SADs improved accuracy (coefficient of bias, C _b ?=?0.97 and 0.99, without and with SADs, respectively) and agreement (Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient, ρ _c ?=?0.91 and 0.98 without and with SADs, respectively) of the estimates of severity. Severity estimates were more reliable when using SADs (coefficient of determination, R ² ?=?0.80 unaided and R ² ?=?0.95 with SADs, and the intra-class correlation ρ?=?0.86 without SADs and ρ?=?0.97 using the SADs). The SADs improved raters’ ability to accurately, precisely and reliably estimate potato early blight severity, and as such can be used to assess severity for several purposes, including breeding for resistance, fungicide screening, and pathotype characterization.     

Effects of sulfated polysaccharide and alcoholic extracts from green seaweed Ulva fasciata on anthracnose severity and growth of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Seaweed compounds can play important roles in either plant growth promoting or plant-pathogen interactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the...     

Effects of physical and chemical immobilization on hematologic and biochemical variables in captive brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

Background: Alterations in cellular and chemical constituents in blood are indicators of physical or chemical restraint in deer. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of physical and chemical restraint on hematologic and biochemical analytes in captive brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira). Methods: Six adult deer were physically restrained and randomly anesthetized in a crossover design using 3 protocols (P). In P1, anesthesia was induced directly with isoflurane using a face mask and was maintained with isoflurane delivered by endotracheal tube. In P2, oral premedication with midazolam was followed 1 hour later by induction and maintenance of anesthesia with isoflurane, as in P1. In P3, intravenous anesthesia with a combination of ketamine, xylazine, and atropine was followed by anesthesia with isoflurane, as in P1. Blood was collected immediately after physical restraint (T0) and during anesthesia at 20‐minute intervals (T15, T35, and T55). Hematologic and biochemical constituents were determined using manual methods or automated analyzers, with cortisol measured by enzyme immunoassay. Results: During physical restraint, following food and water restriction, significant hemoconcentration, increased WBC count, and lower cortisol concentration were observed compared with results at T15, T35, and T55. During anesthesia, lymphocyte count was lower in P2 than P1, urea concentration was decreased at T15 using P2, and plasma glucose concentration was increased after T0 (P<.01). Among the anesthetic protocols, there was a trend for decreased cortisol concentration using P2. Conclusions: Physical restraint and anesthesia affect some blood constituents in captive brown brocket deer, and midazolam premedication may modify the intensity of the stress response.     

Evaluation of a cattle rapid test for early pregnancy diagnosis in sheep

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The early pregnancy diagnosis allows optimizing production and timely management correction, with a greater reproductive output of livestock. The Idexx Rapid...