Detection and confirmation of reptilian adenovirus infection by in situ hybridization.

Adenovirus infections are documented in at least 12 different species of reptiles. In contrast to their mammalian and avian counterparts reptilian adenoviruses are not well characterized as to their pathogenic potential and their ability to cause primary disease. In the diagnostic setting, fresh tissues are often not available for virus isolation, and the confirmation of reptilian adenovirus infections is dependent largely upon electron microscopy for the identification of intranuclear viral inclusions associated with histopathologic changes. The diagnosis of adenovirus infection in 2 different species of snake was confirmed by the application of DNA in situ hybridization. Using an aviadenovirus specific oligoprobe, adenoviral DNA was observed in the nuclei of hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, endothelial cells, and enterocytes. Electron microscopy of the liver confirmed the presence of intranuclear viral particles morphologically consistent with an adenovirus. DNA in situ hybridization on formalin-fixed tissues can serve as a suitable alternative to electron microscopy in the diagnosis of reptilian adenovirus infections. Both affected snakes had other concurrent diseases, suggesting that the adenovirus may not have been the primary pathogen.     

Experimental Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar hardjo infection of pregnant cattle

Objective To observe the effect upon the foetus of experimental infection of pregnant cattle with Leptospira borg-petersenii serovar hardjo .
Design A disease transmission study using pregnant cattle.
Procedure Fourteen heifers serologically negative to L hardjo were artificially inseminated and later challenged with a north-Queensland isolate of L hardjo by conjunctival inoculation. The heifers were serologically monitored and their urine examined for the presence of leptospires using culture and fluorescent-antibody tests at appropriate intervals. Elective caesarean sections were performed on pregnant heifers at 6.5 weeks after the challenge. Foetuses were examined using serological, histopathological, microbiological and fluorescent-antibody tests.
Results Ten of the heifers became pregnant, but three subsequently aborted before challenge. After challenge, all 14 heifers seroconverted and L hardjo was isolated from the urine of 6 of the 7 pregnant heifers. No evidence of foetal L hardjo infection was detected. Two of the foetuses had histopatho-logical lesions consistent with Neospora s p infection.
Conclusion It is likely that the isolate of L hardjo used in this study does not normally infect the foetus. Neospora s p may be a more significant cause of bovine reproductive wastage.     

PERIPHERAL NEUROBLASTOMA IN A DOG

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors are composed of primitive neuroepithelial cells and include tumors of the central and peripheral nervous system. Neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma and retinoblastoma are examples of these rare malignant tumors that usually occur in young patients. This report describes aperipheral neuroblastoma in a 2 year old Boxer that presented with signs of renal disease and a palpable abdominal mass. The purpose of this paper is to describe the clinical presentation, imaging and immunohistological studies of this abdominal tumor in a young dog and to review the literature.     

PET FISH RADIOGRAPHY: TECHNIQUE AND CASE HISTORY REPORTS

Radiography can be used to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of pet fish diseases. Handling, restraint and radiographic technique for the radiographic examination of pet fish is described. Quality diagnostic images can be obtained with standard radiographic equipment and radiographic techniques. Fishes with undifferentiated sarcoma, swim bladder herniation and scoliosis are three clinical examples that are described where radiography was used in the management of the patient. Conventional radiography appears to be best for evaluating skeletal and swim bladder diseases. Alternate imaging techniques such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging may enhance the evaluation of coelomic soft tissue structures.     

SCINTIGRAPHIC DETECTION OF SUBCUTANEOUS METASTASIS IN A DOG WITH APPENDICULAR OSTEOSARCOMA

This report describes the detection of subclinical soft tissue metastasis of an appendicular osteosarcoma in a dog using bone scintigraphy. A 7-year-old spayed female Rottweiler was presented with a biopsy confirmed diagnosis of osteosarcoma. Initial radiographs revealed an aggressive bone lesion of the left distal radius. At presentation, there was no clinical or radiographic evidence of metastasis; however, a nuclear bone scan showed the primary bone lesion of the distal left radius and numerous soft tissue lesions consistent with diffuse soft tissue metastases. A left foreleg amputation was performed and cisplatin chemotherapy was given post-operatively. A second bone scan performed one month following initial presentation showed progression in size and number of soft tissue masses. Many of the lesions had become apparent on physical exam and survey radiographs. Excisional biopsy was performed on one of the soft tissue masses and a diagnosis of metastatic osteosarcoma was made. The dog was euthanized 2 months after initial presentation at the owners request due to deterioration of the animals physical condition.     

Health survey of wild and captive bog turtles (Clemmys muhlenbergii) in North Carolina and Virginia.

Blood samples, fecal samples, and cloacal swabs were collected from 42 bog turtles (Clemmys muhlenbergii). including 14 wild males, 22 wild females, three captive males, and three captive females, in Virginia and North Carolina, USA. Samples were analyzed for hematologic and plasma chemistry values, Mycoplasma sp. antibodies, intestinal parasites, and normal cloacal flora.     

Analysis of the molecular basis of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato resistance in tomato

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) cultivars that contain the Pto bacterial resistance locus also exhibit sensitivity to fenthion, an organophosphorous insecticide. Resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) encoded by the Pto gene and sensitivity to fenthion cosegregate in large F₂ populations and were apparently introgressed together into tomato from the wild species Lycopersion pimpinellifolium. In order to isolate the genes responsible for these two phenotypes and to study their molecular basis, a multistep map-based cloning project was initiated. A closely linked RFLP marker was used to isolate a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clone that spanned the Pto region. Transcribed sequences within the Pto region were identified by isolating cDNA clones that hybridized to the YAC clone. Transformation of candidate cDNA clones into a Pst-susceptible, fenthion-insensitive tomato line succeeded in identifying a cDNA conferring Pst resistance and a separate cDNA conferring sensitivity to fenthion. The cDNA clones represent members of a tandemly repeated gene family and encode putative serine-threonine protein kinases. The role of these kinases in recognizing a signal from Pst or the fenthion molecule and in activating the plant response is currently being investigated.Abbreviations Pst Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato - RAPD random amplified fragment polymorphism - RFLP restriction fragment length polymorphism - YAC yeast artifical chromosome     

Chromosome and chromosomal arm locations of genes for resistance to Septoria glume blotch in wheat cultivar Cotipora

Summary Septoria glume blotch, caused by Stagonospora nodorum, is an important disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Separate genetic mechanisms were found to control flag leaf and spike resistance. Genes for resistance to S. nodorum were located on different chromosomes in the few wheat cultivars studied. These studies only partially agree on the chromosome locations of gene in wheat for resistance to S. nodorum, and chromosomal arm locations of such genes are not known. The objectives of this study were to determine the chromosome and chromosomal arm locations of genes that significantly influence resistance to S. nodorum in wheat cultivar Cotipora. Monosomic analysis showed that flag leaf resistance was controlled by genes on chromosomes 3A, 4A, and 3B whereas the spike resistance was controlled by genes on chromosomes 3A, 4A, 7A, and 3B (P=0.01). Additionally, genes on chromosomes 6B and 5A influenced the susceptibility of the flag leaf and spike reactions, respectively (P=0.01). Telocentric analysis showed that genes on both arms of chromosome 3A, and the long arms of chromosomes 4A and 3B were involved in the flag leaf resistance whereas genes on both arms of chromosome 4A, the short arm of chromosome 3A, and the long arm of chromosome 3B conferred spike resistance.