Detection of Neospora caninum in semen of bulls

In cattle, transplacental infection is the main route of Neospora caninum transmission, but postnatal transmission by the oral uptake of sporozoite-containing oocysts shed by dogs may also be possible. Other routes of horizontal transmission, such as the venereal route, have not been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the presence of N. caninum DNA by a nested-PCR in fresh non-extended semen and frozen extended semen straws of five Holstein-Friesian bulls with naturally-acquired neosporosis. The infection status was assessed by an immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and confirmed by immunoblotting (IB). Because of inhibitory components of semen, a protocol was developed to purify N. caninum DNA from bovine semen. Sporadically, N. caninum DNA was detected in non-extended fresh semen samples and frozen extended semen straws of the five seropositive bulls. In all positive samples, specific DNA was consistently found in the cell fraction of semen and not in seminal plasma. The parasite mean load in positive fresh semen samples determined by a real-time PCR was low oscillating between 1 and 2.8 parasites/ml of semen (maximum parasite load detected in one sample was 7.5 parasites/ml of semen). In parallel, another three similar but uninfected bulls acted as controls and no N. caninum DNA was amplified in any of their fresh and straw semen samples assayed. Whether venereal transmission plays a role in the spread of bovine neosporosis needs to be determined.     

Comparison between tail and jugular venipuncture techniques for blood sample collection in common chameleons (Chamaeleo chamaeleon)

The most common technique used for collecting blood samples from chameleons, ventral tail caudal venipuncture (Reptile care. An Atlas of Diseases and Treatments, Vol. II, T.F.H. Publication, New Jersey, 1991) sometimes presents undesired effects. Here we compared tail versus jugular vein venipuncture techniques in the common chameleon. In the first experiment, we collected 0.25% of the chameleon's body mass in blood from either tail or jugular sites in size-matched pairs of animals to check for secondary effects. In a second experiment, we measured white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), total plasma protein and uric acid in blood samples collected from both sites in the same individual. We found few secondary effects following the use of either venipuncture site although skin darkening was observed in few specimens when using the ventral tail vein. Blood profiles were similar between samples. The repeatability of measurements was similar in RBC and WBC counts and remarkably low (<0.90). Despite the few differences recorded, we recommend jugular venipunction in chameleons as skin darkening is unlikely, blood volumes are easily obtained and collection time is shorter.     

Annulotrematoides bryconi sp. n. (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) parasitic on Brycon cephalus (Osteichthyes: Characidae) from Brazil

Annulotrematoides bryconi sp. n. is described and illustrated from specimens collected from gills of characiform fish, Brycon cephalus (Günther, 1869), in pisciculture ponds from Pirassununga, S?o Paulo, Brazil. Diagnostic characters of the new species are the tegument of trunk showing annulations, except on the cephalic regiona, and copulatory complex comprising sclerotized male copulatory organ coiled in 1 1/2 rings. This is the first record of monogeneans parasitic on the gills of B. cephalus.     

Rapid Identification of Agrobacterium Species By Staircase Electrophoresis of Low Molecular Weight RNA Profiles

Several plant species are infected by different species of the genus Agrobacterium. One problem is that no rapid and sensitive method is available for the identification of isolates of Agrobacterium at the species level. The usefulness of LMW RNA profiles for the identification of Agrobacterium species was examined. The profiles of strains belonging to the proposed species were identical to those of the type strain of each species except in two cases. In A. radiobacter, two groups of strains with different tRNA profiles were detected and in A. rhizogenes two groups with different 5S rRNA zones were found. Nevertheless, with the LMW RNA profiles it was possible to assign any isolate to one of each group within these species. The results obtained showed that all isolates studied here can be assigned to a species of Agrobacterium and hence that LMW RNA profiles offer a suitable method for the identification of tumor-inducing bacteria.     

A double-blind,randomized, placebo-controlled study of pimobendan in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted to examine the effect on heart failure class and survival of pimobendan, an oral calcium-sensitizing inodilator, in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Pimobendan (0.3-0.6 mg/kg body weight/d) or placebo was administered to English Cocker Spaniels (CSs; n = 10) and Doberman Pinschers (DPs: n = 10) that had DCM in addition to background therapy of furosemide, enalapril, and digoxin. Addition of pimobendan to standard triple therapy was associated with a significant improvement in heart failure class, regardless of breed (P < .02, Mann-Whitney rank sum test). Overall, 8 of 10 animals in the pimobendan-treated group, and 1 of 10 animals in the placebo group improved their heart failure status by at least I modified New York Heart Association functional class after initial stabilization (P = .005, Fisher's exact test). Pimobendan had no significant effect on survival in the CSs (P = 0.77, log-rank test), but DPs treated with pimobendan had significantly longer survival times compared with placebo (P < .02, log-rank test), with a median survival time of 329 days in the pimobendan group compared with 50 days in the placebo group, and a hazard ratio of 3.4 (95% confidence interval 1.4-39.8). Pimobendan resulted in significant improvement in heart failure class when added to standard therapy in this group of dogs with DCM, and may have contributed to improved survival in DPs.     

Note: Current status ofBemisia tabaci in Coastal Croatia

Bemisia tabaci was first noted in Croatia in 2000, when it was identified in Split County, Dalmatia. Thirty-one plant species were identified as hosts of this pest in the central Adriatic region during 2001–2002. Four adult populations were analyzed at CIDA (Spain) by comparing a fragment of the COI gene of the mitochondrial DNA, and by examining a single microsatellitelocus. The results indicated a predominance of the Q biotype. The population dynamics ofB. tabaci was examined in outdoor conditions by observing populations fromIpomoea purpurea in 2002. The pest population appeared at the beginning of June and increased in number until its decline at the beginning of October. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 20, 2004.     

Survey for Haemoproteus spp., Trichomonas gallinae, Chlamydophila psittaci, and Salmonella spp. in Galapagos Islands columbiformes.

Endemic free-ranging Galapagos doves (Zenaida galapagoensis) and introduced rock doves (Columba livia) were surveyed in several islands of the Galapagos archipelago to establish sample prevalence of hemoparasites, Trichomonas gallinae, Chlamydophila psittaci, and Salmonella species. A Haemoproteus sp., the only hemoparasite identified, was found in 89% of the Galapagos doves sampled but not in the rock doves. Trichomonas gallinae was detected by polymerase chain reaction in 44% of rock doves from San Cristobal but in none of the Galapagos doves. Chlamydophila psittaci was detected from cloacal swabs in 6% of the Galapagos doves but in none of the rock doves sampled. All positive cases of C. psittaci occurred on Espa?ola, where the crude sample prevalence was 24%. A polymerase chain reaction-based Salmonella test failed to show evidence of this organism from any birds sampled.