Isolation and experimental challenge of cultured burbot (Lota lota maculosa) with Flavobacterium columnare and Aeromonas sp. isolates

Burbot (Lota lota maculosa) are a potential new species for commercial aquaculture. As burbot culture expands, there is a need to further define pathogen susceptibility and characterize aspects of the burbot immune response in an effort to assess fish health. A recent clinical diagnostic case from juvenile burbot reared at a commercial production facility resulted in the isolation and identification of Flavobacterium columnare along with several Aeromonas spp. The F. columnare isolate was assigned to genetic group 1 via multiplex PCR, a genetic group commonly associated with columnaris disease cases in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Virulence of the F. columnare isolate was assessed in vivo in both juvenile burbot and rainbow trout. Additionally, several of the Aeromonas sp. case isolates were identified via sequencing (16S rRNA, gyrB and rpoD) and a putative A. sobria isolate (BI-3) was used to challenge burbot, along with a known virulent Aeromonas sp. (A141), but BI-3 was not found to be virulent. Burbot were refractory to F. columnare when challenged by immersion, and it is likely that this is a secondary pathogen for burbot. Although refractory in burbot, the identified F. columnare isolate (BI-1) was found to be virulent in rainbow trout.     

Achieving consensus on current and future priorities for farmed fish welfare: a case study from the UK

The welfare of farmed fish has attracted attention in recent years, which has resulted in notable changes within the aquaculture industry. However, a lack of communication between stakeholders and opposing ethical views are perceived as barriers to achieving consensus on how to improve farmed fish welfare. To address these issues, we developed an interactive approach that could be used during stakeholder meetings to (1) improve communication between different stakeholder groups, (2) build consensus on priorities for farmed fish welfare and (3) establish mechanisms to address welfare priorities. We then applied this approach during a meeting of stakeholders to identify current and future priorities for farmed fish welfare in the UK. During the meeting in the UK, stakeholders initially identified 32 areas that they felt were in need of development for future improvements in farmed fish welfare. These were further refined via peer review and discussion to the seven most important “priority” areas. Establishing a “better understanding of what good fish welfare is” emerged as the highest priority area for farmed fish welfare. The second highest priority area was “the need for welfare monitoring and documentation systems”, with mortality recording proposed as an example. The other five priority areas were “[improved understanding of] the role of genetic selection in producing fish suited to the farming environment”, “a need for integration and application of behavioural and physiological measures”, “the need for a more liberal regime in Europe for introducing new medicines”, “a need to address the issues of training existing and new workers within the industry”, and “ensuring best practise in aquaculture is followed by individual businesses”. Feedback from attendees, and the meeting outputs, indicated that the approach had been successful in improving communication between stakeholders and in achieving consensus on the priorities for farmed fish welfare. The approach therefore proved highly beneficial for future improvements in fish welfare in the UK.     

Food insecurity and subsequent weight gain in women

OBJECTIVE: Cross-sectional data indicate that a relationship between household food insecurity and overweight exists among women in the USA. Cross-sectional data cannot determine if food insecurity leads to overweight as some have hypothesised. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship of food insecurity with subsequent weight gain in women using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID). DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Panel data from the 1999 and 2001 PSID, a nationally representative sample of households, were analysed using multivariate regression procedures.RESULTS: Average weight gain among all women (n = 5595) was 1.1 kg on average over the two years. There were no significant differences in the percentages of women who gained a clinically significant amount (2.3 kg) by food insecurity status. Overweight women who were on a weight-gain trajectory during the 2-year period gained less if they were food-insecure. This relationship was not observed among healthy-weight or obese women. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, food insecurity does not appear to be strongly associated with subsequent weight gain in women.     

Red maple (Acer rubrum) leaf toxicosis in horses: a retrospective study of 32 cases

BACKGROUND: Ingestion of wilted red maple leaves by horses can result in severe hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia. Little is known about what factors influence the outcome of red maple leaf toxicosis in horses. HYPOTHESIS: Our hypothesis was that physical examination findings, clinicopathologic variables or therapeutic modalities may predict outcome in horses with red maple leaf toxicity. ANIMALS: Horses with red maple leaf toxicosis presented to referral hospitals in the southeast region of the United States. METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective study was designed to identify factors that predict mortality in horses with red maple toxicosis. RESULTS: Thirty-two horses with red maple toxicosis were identified, 19 of which died. Twenty-nine horses presented with anemia and 24 had clinicopathologic evidence of systemic inflammation. Renal insufficiency was identified in 12/30 (41%) horses. Laminitis (9/28) and colic (13/30) also were identified in horses with red maple toxicosis, but development of these 2 conditions did not have a negative effect on short-term survival. Horses with red maple toxicosis that survived to discharge were likely to have developed pyrexia during hospitalization (P = .030). Horses that were treated with a corticosteroid had a significantly increased likelihood of death (P = .045). There was no significant relationship between initial serum hemoglobin concentration, methemoglobin concentration, or percentage methemoglobin and mortality in this horse series. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study suggests that information obtained on initial examination cannot be used to accurately predict survival in horses with red maple toxicosis, but horses that receive corticosteroids are unlikely to survive.     

Passive surveillance (1987 to 2004) of United Kingdom bats for European bat lyssaviruses

Passive surveillance for European bat lyssaviruses (eblvs) in the uk began in 1987, and between 1987 and 2004, 4,883 bats of European origin (4,871 belonging to 17 UK resident species and 12 belonging to seven non-uk resident species) were tested. The proportions and numbers of each species submitted from different regions varied considerably, partly owing to inherent biases in the passive surveillance, and there were seasonal variations in the numbers, sex and age of the bats. Contact with cats was reported in approximately 30 per cent of the bats submitted. Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii) was the only species found to be positive for lyssavirus infection, with four cases of eblv type 2 identified, in 1996, 2002, 2003 and 2004. No active infection with eblv type 1 was recorded.     

Potential existence of a sylvatic cycle of Taenia ovis krabbei in Patagonia, Argentina

Red deer (Cervus elaphus) were introduced in southern Latin America about a century ago and characteristics of the invasion raise concerns over their epidemiological role for various diseases. We report on the possible occurrence of Taenia ovis krabbei established in a sylvatic cycle in Patagonia. Hook characters, size, appearance, and location of a cysticercus from a wild red deer are consistent with Taenia ovis ovis or T. o. krabbei. Although it is not possible to differentiate between T. o. ovis and T. o. krabbei on morphological grounds with certainty, several biological characteristics indicate the cysticercus may belong to T. o. krabbei. Red deer have been reported to be refractory to T. o. ovis infection whereas other potential intermediate hosts like cattle, goats, pigs and sheep have been shown to be refractory to T. o. krabbei. Other native ungulates sympatric with red deer in Patagonia include Lama guanicoe and the endangered huemul deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus). Possible or known definitive hosts include native felids like Puma concolor, Felis colocolo, F. guigna and canids like Dusicyon griseus, D. culpaeus, and domestic dogs.