Vertical transmission of a fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli within an integrated broiler operation

The epidemiology of an enrofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli clone was investigated during two separate outbreaks of colibacillosis in the Danish broiler production. In total five flocks were reported affected by the outbreaks. Recorded first-week mortalities were in the range of 1.7-12.7%. The clone was first isolated from dead broilers and subsequently demonstrated in samples from associated hatchers and the parent flock with its embryonated eggs, suggesting a vertical transmission from the parents. The second outbreak involved two broiler flocks unrelated to the affected flocks from the first outbreak. However, the clone could not be demonstrated in the associated parent flock. Furthermore, samplings from grand-parent flocks were negative for the outbreak clone. The clonality was evaluated by plasmid profiling and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. None of the recognized virulence factors were demonstrated in the outbreak clone by microarray and PCR assay. The molecular background for the fluoroquinolone-resistance was investigated and point mutations in gyrA and parC leading to amino-acid substitutions in quinolone-resistance determining regions of GyrA and ParC were demonstrated. Vertical transmission of enrofloxacin-resistant E. coli from healthy parents resulting in high first-week mortality in the offspring illustrates the potential of the emergence and spreading of fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria in animal husbandry, even though the use of fluoroquinolones is restricted.     

Complementary Hotspot Inventory - A method for identification of important areas for biodiversity at the forest stand level

Forest stands are the basic planning units of managed forest landscapes, and the structural composition of these units is important for conservation of biodiversity. We present a methodological approach for identification and mapping of important structural and environmental features of forest stands. Based on an analysis of habitats of red-listed species and a synthesis of results from research on spatial distribution of forest species, we developed a habitat inventory approach (Complementary Hotspot Inventory, CHI) that is currently used in forestry planning in Norway. The CHI maps fine-scale hotspots for 12 habitat types that are further classified according to positions along main environmental gradients (productivity and humidity). Consisting of different substrates in different environments, these habitats to a large degree support different species assemblages. By incorporating both the hotspot and the complementary approach, the CHI produces data tuned for later conservation measures. The high spatial resolution of data facilitates the use of conservation measures at different spatial scales, from single-tree retention to forest reserves. A validation test of habitats identified by CHI showed that the density of red-listed species was four times that of randomly selected old forests.     

Thinner Eggshells of Dipper (Cinclus Cinclus) Eggs from an Acidified Area Compared to a Non-Acidified Area in Norway

Eggs of dippersCinclus cinclus from a chronically acidified area in Southern Norway were compared with eggs from a non-acidified area in Central Norway. There were no differences in egg size, as measured by volume, weight, length and calculated surface area, between the two areas. Eggshells were 7.0% lighter and 6.1% thinner, as measured by the Ratcliffe index and 7.0% as measured by the eggshell index (shell weight/surface area) in Southern Norway than in Central Norway. The Ratcliffe and eggshell indices were highly correlated. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the palisade layer of eggshells of eggs from the acidified area was 10.7% thinner than that of eggshells of eggs from the non-acidified area. Eggshell vapour permeability was not significantly influenced by area. Since the moderately lower thickness in Southern Norway was not accompanied by higher vapour permeability, this indicates that the reduced eggshell thickness did not cause desiccation of dipper eggs in the acidified area. The possibility of underestimating the environmental effects of acidification on dippers is discussed.     

Occurrence of weak mutators among avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolates causing salpingitis and peritonitis in broiler breeders

A collection of 46 avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolates was examined for the presence of mutators by determining the rate of mutation to rifampicin resistance. The collection included 34 E. coli isolates obtained in pure culture from chronic lesions of salpingitis and peritonitis in 34 broiler breeders, of which 12 were associated with the development of secondary septicemia. Twelve additional isolates were obtained from a clonal outbreak (ST95) of E. coli peritonitis syndrome (EPS), the lesions of which changed gradually over time into a subacute/chronic form. The hypothesis of the present study was that mutation rates would be higher for chronic infection isolates than for isolates from acute infections/exacerbations. The distribution of mutation rates followed a pattern similar to that found for other clinical isolates of E. coli, with a modal/median value of 1.47 × 10⁻⁸. Of the 46 isolates, 24% (n = 11) were weakly hypermutable (2.00 × 10⁻⁸ ≤ μ < 2.00 × 10⁻⁷), however, no strong mutators were detected (μ ≥ 2.00 × 10⁻⁷). Chronic salpingitis isolates had the highest proportion (45%, P = 0.001) of weak mutators and also, significantly higher mutation rates (P = 0.003) compared to isolates that caused septicemia (4%). In addition, mutation rates were significantly lower among ST95 isolates (P < 0.0005), and among isolates from the same clonal group as ST95 (P = 0.027), when compared to isolates from other groups. Although a clear association with the time phase of infection (as lesions of EPS became more chronic) could not be observed (ρ = 0.523, P = 0.081), a higher frequency of weak mutators among chronic infection isolates suggests that increased mutation rates play a role in adaptation of APEC to long-term persistence in an infected host environment.     

Pervasive fungicide resistance in Botrytis from strawberry in Norway: Identification of the grey mould pathogen and mutations

Control of grey mould, caused by Botrytis spp., is a major challenge in open field strawberry production. Botrytis was isolated from plant parts collected from 19 perennial strawberry fields with suspected fungicide resistance in the Agder region of Norway in 2016. Resistance to boscalid, pyraclostrobin and fenhexamid was high and found in 89.1%, 86.0% and 65.4% of conidia samples, respectively. Multiple fungicide resistance was common; 69.6% of conidia samples exhibited resistance to three or more fungicides. Botrytis group S and B. cinerea sensu stricto isolates were obtained from 19 and 16 fields, respectively. The sdhB, cytb, erg27 and mrr1 genes of a selection of isolates were examined for the presence of mutations known to confer fungicide resistance to boscalid, pyraclostrobin, fenhexamid and pyrimethanil plus fludioxonil, respectively. Allele-specific PCR assays were developed for efficient detection of resistance-conferring mutations in cytb. Among B. cinerea isolates, 84.7%, 86.3% and 61.3% had resistance-conferring mutations in sdhB, cytb and erg27, respectively. A triplet deletion in mrr1, resulting in ΔL497, commonly associated with the multidrug resistance phenotype MDR1h, was detected in 29.2% of Botrytis group S isolates. High frequencies of resistance to several fungicides were also detected in Botrytis from both imported and domestically produced strawberry transplants. Fungicide resistance frequencies were not different among fields grouped by level of grey mould problem assessed by growers, indicating factors other than fungicide resistance contributed to control failure, a fact that has important implications for future management of grey mould.     

Modeling and Simulation of Food Products in Superchilling Technology

The food superchilling process is of increasing importance because of its benefit in achieving food quality and extending shelf life of food products. The rate of the superchilling process is critical to the products’ quality and to the productivity of the process, and therefore the superchilling dynamics are of extreme importance. The objective of this work was to develop a one-dimensional implicit finite difference numerical model for predicting partial freezing time necessary to achieve an optimal degree of superchilling in foods and to validate the model experimentally. The evaluation of degree of superchilling was determined using finite slab and measured by using a calorimetry method. There is a good level of agreement between numerical simulation and laboratory experimental results.     

Transmission dynamics of pancreas disease (PD) in a Norwegian fjord: aspects of water transport,contact networks and infection pressure among salmon farms

Pancreas disease (PD) in marine salmon farming is caused by salmon pancreas disease virus (SPDV). Virus survival, infection pressure and contact networks among farms influence the potential of PD to spread. The present study aims to explore contact networks and infection pressure and their ability to explain transmission dynamics of PD in a Norwegian fjord. In this study, we included all records of PD by subtype 3 (SPDV3) in the study population from the first reported in August 2006 to the last reported in November 2009. Using logistic regression analyses, we found that contact network by water transport explained better transmission of PD than contact networks defined by ownership or close distance to infected farms. Hydrodynamic modelling can be a valuable tool to forecast the spread of PD and thereby take actions to reduce the transmission. Knowing the risk of getting infected, it is important to avoid water transport from infected farms when new cohorts are transferred to sea water, and to have conscious control regarding management operations between farms.     

A mycobacterial coinfection in a dog suspected on blood smear

A 4‐year‐old neutered female crossbred Shepherd was referred for a history of 10 days of anorexia, polyuria, polydipsia, polyadenomegaly, and diarrhea. On physical examination, the dog appeared quiet, responsive, and apyretic, with generalized and severe lymphadenomegaly. Hematologic abnormalities included neutrophilic leukocytosis with left shift, and lymphopenia. Blood smears revealed intracytoplasmic bacilli negatively stained with May–Grünwald–Giemsa in neutrophils and monocytes. Lymph node smears revealed pyogranulomatous adenitis with calcified deposits and many negative‐staining rod structures, both within the cytoplasm of neutrophils and macrophages, and free in the background. An acid‐fast stain (Ziehl–Neelsen) confirmed the diagnosis of mycobacterial infection. The dog was euthanized for public health and ethical reasons, and the postmortem examination revealed severe and generalized granulomatous and necrotizing lymphadenitis, panniculitis, and hepatitis, and infiltration of epithelioid macrophages in the lungs, colon, and spleen. Numerous acid‐fast bacilli, consistent with mycobacterial infection, were observed both in the cytoplasm of epithelioid macrophages and giant cells, and free in the background. Mycobacterium bovis was first confirmed by conventional PCR of organ extracts. Mycobacterium avium was detected in a culture of the same organs. Further PCR amplifications and sequencing revealed a coinfection with 2 different species of mycobacterium, one belonging to the Mycobacterium avium complex and the other to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.     

Distended, water-filled stomach in sea-farmed rainbow trout

A syndrome of abdominal distension has been described in sea-farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The anomaly was investigated with respect to changes in morphology, osmoregulation and nutritional status in 0.7-2-kg fish. The fish were visually classified according to the degree of abdominal distension as normal, moderately affected or markedly affected. The thickness of the abdominal wall was greatly reduced in the affected compared to the normal fish. The mean stomach contents of the moderately and markedly affected fish were two and six times higher than the normal, respectively. There was an increased amount of water in the stomach contents of both groups of affected fish, while no differences in stomach dry matter content were documented between the three groups. In about half of the normal group and in most of both the affected groups there was a marked accumulation of fat in the stomach, visible as a distinct dark-coloured oil layer. There were no intergroup differences in the water, fat or dry matter contents in the small and large intestine digesta. Both groups of affected fish had less visceral and muscle tissue fat than normal fish. The occurrence of an opaque, whitish blood plasma was greater among the affected than the normal fish. The affected fish had a higher mean blood plasma osmolality and Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentration than the normal fish. An increased plasma concentration of glucose and insulin, but a decreased cholesterol concentration, were also measured in the affected fish. There were no intergroup differences in the condition factor of the fish.     

Short‐term effects of dietary soybean meal and lactic acid bacteria on the intestinal morphology and microbiota of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the intestinal microbiota in soybean meal enteritis. Three groups of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were fed for 35 days with different diets: a control diet (CD) containing 510 g kg^?1 fishmeal, diet 1 (D1) containing 378 g kg^?1 of soybean meal and diet 2 (D2) containing D1 supplemented with two viable lactic acid bacteria (LAB). As expected, the fish fed with D1 showed clear signs of distal intestinal inflammation during the study compared with the fish fed CD. For the fish fed with D2, the addition of LAB diminished the inflammation at day 28, but did not abolish it. Microbiological analysis demonstrated that specific bacterial groups were not correlated with the development of enteritis, but were correlated with the three diets. Microbacterium, Pseudomonas, Lactococcus lactis sp. cremoris and Aeromonas VIa were correlated with the CD, Aeromonas VIb and Sporosarcina aquimarina were correlated with D1, and Alcaligenes, Acinetobacter, L. lactis sp. lactis and Carnobacterium maltaromaticum were correlated with D2. Shewanella was not affected by the diet and was present in all fish intestines. Our study suggests that LAB may modulate intestinal inflammation; however, the role of the microbiota in the aetiology of enteritis in fish still requires further study.