The 2006 American Association of Feline Practitioners Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel report

Vaccination is a medical procedure, and the decision to vaccinate should be based on a risk-based assessment for each cat and each vaccine.     

Npro of Bungowannah virus exhibits the same antagonistic function in the IFN induction pathway than that of other classical pestiviruses

Bungowannah virus is the most divergent atypical pestivirus that had been detected up to now, and does not fit into any of the four approved species: Bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1 (BVDV-1) and type 2 (BVDV-2), Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and Border disease virus (BDV). However, the presence of N^pro and E^rns coding regions, which are unique to pestiviruses, provides clear evidence of a pestivirus. Nevertheless, the amino acid identity of Bungowannah virus N^pro and BVDV-1 N^pro (strain CP7) is only 51.5%. By using a BVDV-1 backbone, a novel chimeric construct was generated, in which the genomic region encoding the non-structural protein N^pro was replaced by that of Bungowannah virus (CP7_N^pro-Bungo). In vitro studies of CP7_N^pro-Bungo revealed autonomous replication with the same efficacy as the BVDV backbone CP7 and infectious high-titer virus could be collected. In order to compare the ability of interferon (IFN) suppression, two reporter gene assays, specific for type-I IFN, were carried out. In virus-infected cells, no significant difference in blocking of IFN expression between the parental virus CP7, Bungowannah virus and the chimeric construct CP7_N^pro-Bungo could be detected. In contrast, an N^pro deletion mutant showed an impaired replication in bovine cells and a marked type-I IFN response.Taken together, our findings reveal the compatibility of non-structural protein N^pro of atypical Bungowannah virus with a BVDV type 1 backbone and its characteristic feature as an inhibitor of type-I IFN induction with an inhibitor-activity comparable to other pestiviruses.     

A new plant-based bioassay for aquatic sediments

Background, Goal and Scope  To date, standardised bioassays for the assessment of the ecotoxicological potential in sediments and dredged material use test organisms like bacteria, algae and crustaceae. This paper presents the development and application of a novel sediment contact test (whole sediment) withMyriophyllum aquaticum, a representative of rooted aquatic macrophytes. The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the value of a sediment contact test with rooted macrophytes as a supplement to existing test batteries in order to improve the assessment of sediment toxicity. Methods  The newly developed sediment contact test withMyriophylhim aquaticum was applied to natural whole sediments. For performing the test, whorls ofMyriophyllum aquaticum were directly planted in the native sediment and incubated in the light at 24°C (cf. section results and discussion). The end points of the test were the number of the shoots and the fresh weight of the whole plants. The duckweed growth inhibition test withLemna minor according to ISO/DIS 20079 was performed in pore waters from sediment samples. The results of the sediment contact test withMyriophyllum aquaticum were compared with each other and with those of the aquatic duckweed test. Results and Discussion  A test protocol for the new plant-based sediment contact test using the aquatic plantMyriophyllum aquaticum as an indicator was developed. The best control sediment proved to be the OECD sediment (OECD 207). A test period of 10 days appeared to be sufficient for the test. The increase of biomass and the derived growth rate were found to be the most suitable evaluation parameters. The growth behaviour ofMyriophyllum aquaticum differed depending on the origin of sediments. Therefore, plant-affecting contamination, that is bound in sediments, was indicated. Conclusions  The novel sediment contact test withMyriophyllum aquaticum can indicate phytotoxic effects in sediments. Therefore, it allows a better assessment of the overall-toxicity in whole sediments. Recommendations and Outlook  The sediment contact test withMyriophyllum aquaticum is a valuable tool for the evaluation of the ecotoxicological risk potential of waters and sediments. It should become a complement to a standardised test battery generally used for the assessment of sediment toxicity.     

Evaluation of genetic resources in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asparagus</Emphasis> for resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asparagus virus 1</Emphasis> (AV-1)

Forty-four Asparagus officinalis cultivars, gene bank accessions and breeding lines as well as thirty-four accessions of wild relatives of Asparagus were evaluated for resistance to Asparagus virus 1. Three different test strategies were developed for the assessment of individual plants: (1) natural infection under field conditions, or two vector-mediated infection assays using the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (2) in an insect-proof gauze cage or (3) in a climate chamber. The AV-1 infections were verified by DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR approaches. All tested 660 individual plants of A. officinalis germplasm were susceptible to AV-1 infection. In contrast, in 276 plants of 29 Asparagus wild accessions no virus infection could be detected. These resistant accessions comprised of nineteen diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid species of both the Eurasian clade and the African clade of the asparagus germplasm. Data of the AV-1 resistance evaluation are discussed in relation to the genetic distance of the resistance carrier and potential application in breeding.     

Effect of the fungicide fenitropan on the metabolism of some higher plants and Fusarium oxysporum

The effect of fenitropan [(1RS, 2RS)-2-nitro-1-phenyltrimethylene di(acetate)], a new fungicide from EGYT Pharmacochemical Works, on the photosynthetic activity, respiration, RNA content and protein synthesis of some higher plants and Fusarium oxysporum, was investigated. The effect on the aminoacylation of tRNAs suggests that fenitropan is an inhibitor of the aminoacyl tRNA ligases accepting aromatic amino acids.     

Diagnostic value of molecular markers for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr</Emphasis> genes and characterization of leaf rust resistance of German winter wheat cultivars with regard to the stability of vertical resistance

Breeding for resistance is an efficient strategy to manage wheat leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina f. sp. tritici. However, a prerequisite for the directed use of Lr genes in breeding and the detection of new races virulent to these Lr genes is a detailed knowledge on Lr genes present in wheat cultivars. Therefore, respective molecular markers for 18 Lr genes were tested for specificity and used to determine Lr genes in 115 wheat cultivars. Results obtained were compared to available pedigree data. Using respective molecular markers, genes Lr1, Lr10, Lr26, Lr34 and Lr37 were detected, but data were not always in accordance with pedigree data. However, leaf rust scoring data of field trials confirmed the reliability of DNA markers. These reliable marker data facilitated the analyses of the development of virulent leaf rust races from 2002 to 2009 based on released cultivars. A sudden change from low infection rates to susceptibility was observed for Lr1, Lr3, Lr10, Lr13, Lr14, Lr16, Lr26 and Lr37 since 2006. Cultivars carrying several leaf rust resistance genes showed no significant shift to susceptibility except one cultivar which revealed an increasing infection rate at a low level. In summary, it turned out that pedigree data are often not reliable and a detection of Lr genes by diagnostic markers is fundamental to combine Lr genes in cultivars for a durable resistance against leaf rust, and to conduct reliable surveys based on released cultivars, instead of ‘Thatcher’ NILs.     

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli in poultry meat products on the Finnish retail market

Background

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria (ExPEC) exist as commensals in the human intestines and can infect extraintestinal sites and cause septicemia. The transfer of ExPEC from poultry to humans and the role of poultry meat as a source of ExPEC in human disease have been discussed previously. The aim of the present study was to provide insight into the properties of ExPEC in poultry meat products on the Finnish retail market with special attention to their prevalence, virulence and phylogenetic profiles. Furthermore, the isolates were screened for possible ESBL producers and their resistance to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin was tested.

Methods

The presence of ExPEC in 219 marinated and non-marinated raw poultry meat products from retail shops has been analyzed. One E. coli strain per product was analyzed further for phylogenetic groups and possession of ten virulence genes associated with ExPEC bacteria (kpsMT K1, ibeA, astA, iss, irp2, papC, iucD, tsh, vat and cva/cv) using PCR methods. The E. coli strains were also screened phenotypically for the production of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and the susceptibility of 48 potential ExPEC isolates for nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin was tested.

Results

E. coli was isolated from 207 (94.5%) of 219 poultry meat products. The most common phylogenetic groups were D (50.7%), A (37.7%), and B2 (7.7%). Based on virulence factor gene PCR, 23.2% of the strains were classified as ExPEC. Two ExPEC strains (1%) belonged to [O1] B2 svg+ (specific for virulent subgroup) group, which has been implicated in multiple forms of ExPEC disease. None of the ExPEC strains was resistant to ciprofloxacin or cephalosporins. One isolate (2.1%) showed resistance to nalidixic acid.

Conclusions

Potential ExPEC bacteria were found in 22% of marinated and non-marinated poultry meat products on the Finnish retail market and 0.9% were contaminated with E. coli [O1] B2 svg+ group. Marinades did not have an effect on the survival of ExPEC as strains from marinated and non-marinated meat products were equally often classified as ExPEC. Poultry meat products on the Finnish retail market may have zoonotic potential.     

Efficacy and safety of once versus twice daily administration of methimazole in cats with hyperthyroidism

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether once daily administration of methimazole was as effective and safe as twice daily administration in cats with hyperthyroidism. DESIGN: Randomized, nonblinded, clinical trial. ANIMALS: 40 cats with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism. PROCEDURE: Cats were randomly assigned to receive 5 mg of methimazole, PO, once daily (n = 25) or 2.5 mg of methimazole, PO, twice daily (15). A complete physical examination, including measurement of body weight; CBC; serum biochemical analyses, including measurement of serum thyroxine concentration; and urinalysis were performed, and blood pressure was measured before and 2 and 4 weeks after initiation of treatment. RESULTS: Serum thyroxine concentration was significantly higher in cats given methimazole once daily, compared with cats given methimazole twice daily, 2 weeks (3.7 vs 2.0 micro +/- g/dL) and 4 weeks (3.2 vs 1.7 microg/dL) after initiation of treatment. In addition, the proportion of cats that were euthyroid after 2 weeks of treatment was lower for cats receiving methimazole once daily (54%) than for cats receiving methimazole twice daily (87%). Percentages of cats with adverse effects (primarily gastrointestinal tract upset and facial pruritus) were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that once daily administration of methimazole was not as effective as twice daily administration in cats with hyperthyroidism and cannot be recommended for routine use.     

Papular cutaneous lesions in a cat associated with feline infectious peritonitis

A 7-month-old-intact male domestic shorthair cat was presented with fever, anterior uveitis in the right eye and respiratory distress when handled. These signs along with mild changes in serum protein levels and the exclusion of other potential causes were suggestive of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). As the disease progressed, more clinical signs consistent with FIP, including renal involvement and later pleural effusion, became evident. Non-pruritic cutaneous lesions, characterized by slightly raised intradermal papules over the dorsal neck and over both lateral thoracic walls, were recognized at the end stage of the disease. The identification of papules in well-haired skin was difficult, and clipping of the fur facilitated their detection. Definitive diagnosis of FIP was made by histopathology and by immunohistochemical demonstration of coronavirus antigen in macrophages within kidney and skin lesions. The case was classified as a mixed form of FIP. Recognition of associated cutaneous lesions may facilitate a diagnosis of FIP in suspicious cases.