A unique novel reptilian paramyxovirus, four atadenovirus types and a reovirus identified in a concurrent infection of a corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) collection in Germany

In 2009, 26 clinical samples (organs and oral/cloacal swabs) from a total of 24 corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) from a single owner were sent to our laboratory to be tested for the presence of viruses. Paramyxoviruses (PMV), adenoviruses (AdV) and reoviruses were detected by RT-PCR, PCR and virus isolation methods. Three snakes were infected with all three viruses at the same time, while two other snakes had a double infection (PMV and reo, AdV and reo) and nine other snakes had a single infection with any of the three viruses. No viruses were detected in 10 animals. All isolated reoviruses were identical to one another and to the reptilian orthoreovirus isolate 55-02 in the partial RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RDRP) gene sequence. AdV partial polymerase sequences represented four different types, one of which was first described here: most similar to SnAdV-1, while the other three were identical to known types: SnAV-1, -2 and -3. However, the detected single PMV differed distinctly from described reptile PMV and was a new type. According to partial L gene, HN gene and U gene sequences it may be the first described representative of a third squamatid PMV cluster: "group C" within the proposed reptilian PMV genus "Ferlavirus". Nucleotide identity values for the L gene of the new PMV compared to group A viruses range between 76.5 and 80.3%, and between 80.5 and 81.2% compared to group B viruses. For the HN gene, these values were similar: 78.2-80% (A) and 79.9-80.5% (B) and somewhat lower for the U gene: 72.7-75.4% (A) and 69.7-70% (B). No reports on the prevalence of concurrent viral infection in captive snake populations have been published so far. The possibility of concurrent infection with several different viruses and subsequent consequences for animal health should be kept in mind when testing reptile samples for viruses.     

Mucosal responses of brown-marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskål, 1775) following intraperitoneal infection with Vibrio harveyi

Groupers are popular aquaculture species in South-East Asia, but their cultivation is affected by infectious disease outbreaks. Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues provide a first-line defence against pathogens; however, few studies are available relating to cellular or proteomic responses of mucosal immunity in grouper. Skin, gill and intestine were sampled from brown-marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskål, 1775) at 4 and 96 hr post-infection (hpi) and 7 days post-infection (dpi) following intraperitoneal infection with Vibrio harveyi, and stained with haematoxylin/eosin and Alcian Blue/periodic acid–Schiff. Skin mucus was analysed by 2D-gel electrophoresis, and proteins modulated by the bacterial infection identified. In the infected fish, significant increases in sacciform cells in skin and increased levels of nucleoside diphosphate kinase in mucus were detected at 4 hpi. At 96 hpi, goblet cells containing acidic mucins significantly increased in the intestine, while those containing mixed mucins increased in skin and gills of infected fish. Proteasome subunit alpha type-I and extracellular Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase levels also increased in mucus. Rodlet and mast cells did not appear to respond to the infection. Mucosal tissues of grouper appeared actively involved in response to Vibrio infection. This information may help future research on improving grouper health, production and vaccine development.     

Comparative Composition of Volatile Organic Compounds in the Water-Soluble Fraction of Different Crude Oils Produced in Kuwait

Kuwait's desert was inundated, in 1991, with massiveoil-spills from damaged well heads and from oil fires.Large volumes of seawater used for fire-fightingfreely mixed with oil and then seeped into the ground.The dissolved compounds not only contaminated soil butalso threaten to pollute groundwater. The compositionof the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in thewater-soluble fraction (WSF), in seawater, of tendifferent crude oils produced in Kuwait and Kuwaitcrude oil (export) was investigated. The resultsshowed that the composition of the WSFs variedconsiderably (ranging from 5970 μg L^-1 to10494 μg L^-1). On average, about 40 volatilecompounds were identified and quantified in the WSFs.Aromatics formed the bulk of the WSF of all of thecrude oils, amounting to about 90% of the total VOCs.The WSF prepared from Raudatain crude oil containedthe highest total VOCs (benzene and toluene) whilethat of Um-Ghadair contained the lowest. The WSF ofKuwait crude oil (export) was compared with that ofindividual oils and was found to contain relativelysmaller amounts of individual components and the VOCs.Relatively higher amounts of toxic VOCs in the WSF ofRaudatain crude oil has potential to impact the fonaand flora as well as potable ground water in the area.     

Similarities between the discovery and regulation of pharmaceuticals and pesticides: in support of a better understanding of the risks and benefits of each

An argument is presented by which the role of pharmaceuticals and pesticides can both be viewed in terms of contributing to human health. Comparisons are made in terms of discovery and development, regulatory policies and environmental and human impacts. Both technologies target particular biological functions, and in many cases they target similar molecular sites of action. Pharmaceuticals and pesticides undergo a similar registration process; however, both can enter the environment where they can have adverse effects on non-target organisms and, if misused, will have detrimental effects on human health or the environment. It is suggested that the risks associated with the two technologies are similar. The rejection of pesticides by the general public is based primarily on personal value systems and the uncertainty of risk management. It is concluded that plant and animal health are vital to maintaining human health, and that pesticides used in food production are, as with pharmaceuticals, a vital tool used to maintain human health.