Results from an indirect fluorescent antibody test using three different strains of Ehrlichia canis

An indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test is usually performed to detect antibodies in dogs naturally infected by Ehrlichia canis. In this work, results obtained using three different E. canis strains as antigen (a commercial antigen, the E. canis Oklahoma strain and the E. canis Madrid strain) were compared. One hundred and forty-nine serum samples obtained from dogs living in the centre of Spain were analysed. When qualitative results were evaluated, identical results were detected in 87.2% of samples for the three antigens tested. When comparing antibody titre results, differences between the Madrid strain and the commercial antigen, and between the Madrid and Oklahoma strains were statistically significant (P < 0.0001). No differences were found when comparing the Oklahoma strain with the commercial antigen (P = 0.562). Subtle intra-laboratory variations shown in this study suggest a higher sensitivity of the IFA test when an autochthonous strain is used as antigen.     

Application of mycorrhizal roots improves growth of tropical tree seedlings in the nursery: a step towards reforestation with native species in the Andes of Ecuador

Most tree species in tropical mountain rain forests are naturally associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Previous studies in southern Ecuador of 115 tree species revealed that only three species were not associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Seedlings of tropical tree species raised in the nursery may need to be associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to survive transplantation shock in higher numbers. Methods for establishing plantations with native tree species are not yet established for Ecuador. Thus, we investigated the feasibility of using mycorrhizal roots of seedlings of Inga acreana, Tabebuia chrysantha, Cedrela montana and Heliocarpus americanus that had trapped mycorrhizal fungi from forest humus in the nursery to inoculate C. montana and H. americanus with native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Inoculation with either a mixture of mycorrhizal roots from the four species or only with mycorrhizal roots from the same tree species were compared with effects of moderate fertilization. Assessment of plant growth and mycorrhizal status of 6-months-old Cedrela montana and Heliocarpus americanus revealed an improvement in growth and diverse associated fungi through mycorrhizal root inoculation in comparison with moderate fertilization. Moderate fertilization did not suppress mycorrhization.     

Determinants for successful reforestation of abandoned pastures in the Andes: Soil conditions and vegetation cover

The Andes of Ecuador are known for their outstanding biodiversity but also as the region with the highest deforestation rate in South America. This process is accompanied by accelerating degradation and loss of environmental services. Despite an extraordinary richness in native tree diversity, more than 90% of all forest plantations established in Ecuador consist of exotic species, primarily Eucalyptus spp. and Pinus spp. This is mainly due to the lack of information about the autecological and synecological requirements of the native species.     

Dysautonomia in a cat

Autonomic dysfunction was diagnosed in a 2.5-year-old spayed domestic shorthair cat. The cat had an 8-day history of progressive anorexia, signs of depression, constipation, weight loss, and intermittent regurgitation. Physical examination findings were signs of depression, dehydration, cachexia, bradycardia, bilateral nonresponsive mydriasis, prolapse of both nictitating membranes, dry oral and nasal mucous membranes, and urinary bladder atony. Thoracic radiography revealed megaesophagus. The cat lacked esophageal motility and had a decreased gastric emptying rate. Providing adequate fluid intake, electrolyte balance, and nutrition is a major problem in the management of dysautonomic cats. We were able to provide adequate nutritional support for this patient, using total parenteral feeding and, later, enteral nutrition using a nasogastric tube. Results of an ocular pharmacologic study indicated that the mydriasis and prolapse of the nictitating membrane were attributable to complete autonomic denervation of the eye. Using the method described, topical, autonomic-stimulating agents may assist the clinician in diagnosing dysautonomia in the feline. This report describes a syndrome that is well recognized in the United Kingdom and has the potential to develop in the United States.     

Sperm granuloma in the dog: Complication of vasectomy

This report presents a case of bilateral sperma-tocoele-sperm granuloma in the dog caused by an improperly performed vasectomy.     

Genetic characterization of Anaplasma (Ehrlichia) platys in dogs in Spain

This paper reports the first genetic characterization of Anaplasma (Ehrlichia) platys in Spain from a naturally infected dog. The dog presented clinical signs compatible with canine ehrlichiosis. After DNA extraction and PCR amplification, 16S rRNA gene and citrate synthase gene ( gltA) of this agent were amplified. The GenBank accession number for the nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene of this strain is AY530806. The A. platys strains registered in France and Japan showed the highest similarity to the 16S rRNA gene sequence obtained from the Spanish strain. In the amplification of the gltA gene, a 1443 bp fragment was obtained, and three nucleotide differences were detected in comparison with other strains sequences. These data confirm the presence of A. platys in a dog showing clinical signs compatible with ehrlichiosis in Spain.     

Biodegradation of sunflower hulls with different nitrogen sources under mesophilic and thermophilic incubations

The decomposition of sunflower hulls and mixtures of sunflower hulls and other crop residues was examined under mesophilic (25°C) and thermophilic (50°C) temperatures during a 45-day incubation. Four treatments were set up: sunflower hull, sunflower hull+5% alfalfa, sunflower hull+5% vetch, sunflower hull+0.1% urea, to asses the efficiency of composting. Changes in total organic C (TOC), oxidizable C, N, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and different fibre fractions—cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin—were determined. TOC decreased by 13–21% at 25°C and 25–41% at 50°C and the largest loss of C was for hulls amended with vetch residues and urea. Loss of oxidizable C was not affected by either the temperature or the treatments. The largest loss of cellulose occurred at 50°C in all the treatments. The hemicellulose content of the sunflower hulls alone and in the treatment with urea was significantly different with respect to the other treatments, whereas lignin content showed either a small increase (1.6% in sunflower hulls amended with alfalfa at 50°C and 1.8% in sunflower hulls with urea at 25°C) or a decrease of between 2.5% and 19% in the other treatments. The C/N ratio never fell below 50:1 and the highest decrease was for the thermophilic incubation. Increases in EC and pH values accounted for 3 and 1.5 units, respectively, and occurred after a 45-day incubation for mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. In general the incubation at 50°C facilitated the decomposition of sunflower hulls with high C/N ratios and little N addition.     

Problematical Pleistocene artifact assemblage from Northwestern Spain

Interdisciplinary study of a Paleolithic site at Budi?o, Louro Valley (province of Pontevedra), Spain, shows the presence of various tool-making techniques and types of tools in a single undisturbed site complex found in situ within Middle Würm colluvial deposits.