Survey of ixodid ticks and two tick-borne pathogens in African buffaloes, Syncerus caffer, from the Caprivi Strip, Namibia

A capture operation to ascertain health status in free-ranging buffaloes from six different areas in the Caprivi Strip in the northeast corner of Namibia was conducted in October 2009. Basic information on the ticks and tick-borne pathogens normally found in wildlife from this area are scarce. The objective of this study was to assess the host status of African buffaloes, Syncerus caffer, for ixodid ticks and two selected tick-borne pathogens in the Caprivi Strip, a key area bordering Angola, Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Four different tick species have been identified among the 233 collected specimens, and, of 95 tested buffaloes, 54 (57%) were positive for Theileria parva, whereas only 3 (3%) showed evidence of being infected with Ehrlichia ruminantium.     

Ecological and eco‐social models for the introduction of the abalone Haliotis discus hannai into benthic systems of north‐central Chile: sustainability assessment

• 1. Loop models of ecological and socio‐economic systems were developed to analyse and predict the impact of a possible accidental introduction (escapes) of the abalone Haliotis discus hannai into a benthic community of north‐central Chile.
• 2. Although the ‘new’ ecological system resulting from a successful invasion of abalone would be locally stable, the establishment of a self‐enhanced dynamic of recruits would transform this into an unstable system.
• 3. The harvest of the kelp, Lessonia trabeculata and other macroalgae is not recommended because this destabilizes the system. The harvest of abalone adults is only sustainable if they do not exert a negative effect upon other native invertebrates.
• 4. The eco‐social model showed three important results: (1) if the variables ‘Price’ and ‘Farming’ are in expansion and stationary dynamics, then the models were found unstable; (2) a self‐enhanced dynamic of abalone recruits tends toward instability; and (3) the harvest of the kelp L. trabeculata and other macroalgae would be non‐sustainable.
• 5. Based on our results, the sustainable development of extensive farming of H. discus hannai in the sea would be not reached. If it is done, an intensive monitoring of the community after introduction into the system is strongly recommended. Likewise, the farming of macroalgal species (source of food for abalone) should be promoted in order to avoid harvesting of macroalgae from natural systems.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of weight uniformity, content uniformity and 30-day stability in halves and quarters of routinely prescribed cardiovascular medications

Objectives

Congenital and acquired cardiac disorders are frequently diagnosed in small breed dogs and cats. In order to appropriately dose cardiovascular drugs for small patients, fractions of commercially available tablets must be prescribed. The aims of this study were to evaluate weight and content uniformity and 30-day chemical stability in halves and quarters of 11 drug formulations commonly prescribed to treat cardiovascular disorders in small breed dogs and cats.

Animals, materials and methods

Fifteen tablets from 11 drug formulations were obtained within the same lot. Tablets were split by a single operator using a commercially available pill splitter. Whole tablets, halves and quarters were weighed and stored in plastic containers. High-pressure liquid chromatography or liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry were utilized to determine drug content and repeated 30 days later to estimate chemical stability.

Results

Statistically significant weight variability, content non-uniformity and chemical degradation were found for some formulations. Digoxin showed a significant degradation that should be considered in clinical practice.

Conclusions

It appears that pill splitting is overall a relatively reliable practice; however tablets should not be split ahead of time but only immediately prior to intended usage.     

Effect of potato leaf roll virus on autumn potatoes in Israel

Summary In field trials simulating commercial conditions, secondary PLRV infection of autumn-grown potato crops in Israel significantly reduced yield, although symptoms were not perceptible. Plots containing 7.3% PLRV-infected seed showed an increase in yield per plant of 17%, compared with plots with 36.2% infected seed; in plots with only 1.3% infected seed the increase of yield was 21%. In a second experiment, where individual plants were assayed, the yield of PLRV-infected plants of cv. Blanka was only 68.7% of that of PLRV-free plants; corresponding figures for cv. Up-to-Date and Désirée were 79.2 and 58% respectively. PLRV infection was not associated with reduced emergence or with the yield of deformed tubers.

---

Zusammenfassung W?hrend der ersten zwei Monate der im Herbst liegenden Wachstumszeit der Kartoffel (August-Januar) sind in Israel sehr hohe Temperaturen (mittleres Maximum 34,7° C) und hohe Sonneneinstrahlung; anschliessend fallen die Temperaturen und die Lichteinstrahlung stark ab. Unter diesen Bedingungen bleibt die Infektion mit PLRV meist symptomlos und es gibt vom Pflanzenwuchs her keine Anzeichen dafür anzunehmen, dass der Ertrag beeintr?chtigt ist. Imersten Versuch (A) wurden die Ertr?ge von Best?nden verglichen, die die gleiche Pflanzgutgr?sse (Sorte Désirée) hatten, aber von drei Herkünften I, II und III stammten. Der Anteil der PLRV infizierten Knollen in diesen Herkünften betrug 1,3, 7,8 und 32,6% (Abb. 1A). Der durchschnittliche Ertrag pro Parzelle für Herkunft I, II und III lag bei 12,6 kg, 10,0 kg und 7,6 kg (Abb. 1C); die Differenzen zwischen den Herkünften waren signifikant (P<0,05). Der Unterschied zwischen Herkunft I und II gibt vielleicht die unterschiedlichen Auflaufraten wieder (Abb. 1B), aber die Differenz zwischen den Herkünften II und III scheint eine Folge der Virusinfektion zu sein, und ?hnliche Differenzen wurden beim Vergleich des Ertrages pro Pflanze gefunden (Abb. 1D). Diese Annahme wurde im Versuch B best?tigt, in dem der Ertrag PLRV-infizierter Pflanzen mit dem PLRV-freier Pflanzen verglichen wurde. Die Infektion mit PLRV war nicht mit einer verringerten Auflaufrate oder dem Ertrag an deformierten Knollen verbunden, aber infiziertes Pflanzgut der Sorte Blanka ergab nur 68,7% des Ertrages virusfreien Pflanzgutes, Up-to-Date 79,2% und Désirée 58%; die Verluste waren statistisch signifikant (Abb. 3). Diese Ergebnisse lassen annehmen, dass betr?chliche Ertragsverluste durch die Infektion mit PLRV in den im Herbst gepflanzten Kartoffeln eintreten k?nnen, obwohl die Symptome nicht wahrnehmbar sind. Im Hinblick auf den hohen PLRV-Befall in den Herbstbest?nden (Marco, 1981b), kann es von Vorteil sein die im Frühjahr gepflanzten Best?nde vor einer PLRV-Infektion zu schützen, da sie das Pflanzgut für den Herbst stellen.

---

Résumé Pendant les deux premiers mois de végétation des pommes de terre cultivées à l'automne en Israel (Ao?t-Janvier), les températures sont très élevées (moyenne maximale de 34,7°C) et la luminosité très forte. Puis les températures et l'intensité lumineuse diminuent rapidement. Sous de telles conditions, la contamination par le virus de l'enroulement est généralement existante mais sans l'apparition de sympt?mes; rien ne permet donc d'indiquer en végétation que le rendement est affecté. Dans une première expérience (A), le rendement est comparé pour trois cultures obtenues à partir de plants de même calibre (variété Désirée), mais de sources différentes (I, II et III). Suivant l'origine I, II et III les pourcentages de la contamination par le virus de l'enroulement est respectivement 1,3, 7,8 et 32,6% (fig. 1A). Le rendement moyen obtenu par parcelle est respectivement 12,6, 10 et 7,6 kg (fig. 1C), la différence entre les trois origines étant significative (P<0,05). L'écart de rendement entre les plants de source I et II s'explique sans doute par le taux de levée différent (fig. 1B); mais entre les plants de source II et III, la différence semble provenir de la contamination par le virus et ceci est également observé pour le rendement par pied (fig. 1D). Cette hypothèse est confirmée par l'expérience B ou le rendement obtenu à partir de plants contaminés est comparé à celui du témoin planté avec des tubercules indemnes de virus. L'incidence de la contamination n'est pas correlée au manque à la levée et au rendement des tubercules difformes. Les plants contaminés ont donné pour les variétés Blanka, Up-to-Date et Désirée respectivement 68,7%, 79,2% et 58% du rendement obtenu à partir de tubercules sains, la diminution de rendement étant significative (fig. 3). Les résultats montrent qu'il peut y avoir des

     

Primary hyperoxaluria (L-glyceric aciduria) in a cat

A 7-month-old, male European cat was examined because of weakness and inappetence. The cat was dehydrated, polypnoeic and severely weak. Severe, generalised muscle atrophy was present. Spinal reflexes were all decreased to absent. Blood analysis and urinalysis showed several abnormalities, including intermittent hyperoxaluria. The L-gliceric acid concentration was remarkably increased. Electrodiagnostic tests of the peripheral nervous system were abnormal. At necropsy, generalised muscle atrophy was observed. Microscopically, both kidneys showed intraluminal birefringent oxalate crystals. Motor neuron degeneration and accumulation of neurofilaments were observed in the axons of the spinal motor neurons.     

Relative contributions of hyperplasia and hypertrophy to growth in cattle

The relationship between postweaning DNA accumulation and body weight was calculated for a reference growing steer. Accumulation of DNA (hyperplasia) was calculated from patterns of protein accretion derived from literature data and protein-to-DNA ratios (Pro/DNA) measured in samples of muscles from chuck, round and plate, hides, intestines, rumens and livers of steers slaughtered at body weights ranging from 150 to 700 kg. Amounts of protein relative to DNA found in muscles from chuck, round and plate were used to estimate Pro/DNA changes in carcass. Corresponding values from intestines, rumen and liver were used to estimate Pro/DNA patterns for viscera. This ratio increased in carcass until animals reached body weights of approximately 300 kg and leveled off thereafter. No cell enlargement was evident in viscera. Thus, postweaning protein accretion in carcass results from both cell enlargement (hypertrophy) and DNA accumulation (hyperplasia) until body weights of 300 kg are attained, subsequent growth appeared to be hyperplastic in nature. In viscera, hyperplasia was the primary determinant of protein accretion.     

Serological characterization of the new genotype E of small ruminant lentivirus in roccaverano goat flocks

Maedi visna virus (MVV) and caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) are a heterogeneous group of infectious agents affecting sheep and goats. Due to their natural cross-species infection they are referred to as small-ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV). Recently a new genetic cluster, highly divergent from MVV and CAEV was identified in the north-west part of Italy. A panel of genotype E specific antigens was developed and evaluated in flocks infected with B1 and E strains. The results clearly indicate that a strain specific antigen is required to correctly identify animals infected with different genotypes.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in wild pigs (Sus scrofa) from Spain

Sera collected from 507 hunter-killed wild pigs (Sus scrofa) between 1993 and 2004 from five geographic regions in northern Spain and seven regions in southern Spain were assayed for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 185 (38.4%) of 507 pigs with titers of 1:25 in 71, 1:50 in 111 and > or =1:500 in 3; seroprevalence was significantly higher (P<0.05) in pigs from southern regions. Seroprevalence was density dependent; it was higher in pigs from high stocking per hectare and availability of forage. Statistically significant differences were not observed between T. gondii seroprevalence and hunting estates (open versus fenced), sex or age. Serological results indicate a widespread exposure to T. gondii among Spanish wild boars, suggesting that this population could represent a public health risk for persons that handle or consume raw or undercooked infected wild pig meat.