Deer as a potential wildlife reservoir for Parachlamydia species

Wildlife populations represent an important reservoir for emerging pathogens and trans-boundary livestock diseases. However, detailed information relating to the occurrence of endemic pathogens such as those of the order Chlamydiales in such populations is lacking. During the hunting season of 2008, 863 samples (including blood, conjunctival swabs, internal organs and faeces) were collected in the Eastern Swiss Alps from 99 free-living red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 64 free-living roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and tested using ELISA, PCR and immunohistochemistry for members of the family Chlamydiaceae and the genus Parachlamydia. Parachlamydia spp. were detected in the conjunctival swabs, faeces and internal organs of both species of deer (2.4% positive, with a further 29.5% inconclusive). The very low occurrence of Chlamydiaceae (2.5%) was in line with serological data (0.7% seroprevalence for Chlamydia abortus). Further investigations are required to elucidate the zoonotic potential, pathogenicity, and distribution of Parachlamydia spp. in wild ruminants.     

Performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus suber</Emphasis> L. at nursery stage—application of two bio-inoculants under two distinct environments

Key message

Despite the fact that the technique of application of bioinoculants improved the quality of Quercus suber L. seedlings produced in nurseries, these benefits are dependent on the ecological conditions of the site and the composition of the applied inoculum, which interferes with the profile of the local fungal community.

Context

Quercus suber L. plays a key ecological and socio-economical role in the Iberian Peninsula. Symbiotic ectomycorrhizal fungi-ECM are crucial partners of several tree species, and assessing the efficacy of bioinoculants at nursery stage helps devising tools to increase plant resilience.

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two inocula formulations of mixed ECM fungi and bacteria on the quality of seedlings produced in two forest nurseries, differing in environmental conditions and forest embedment.

Methods

Quercus suber L. seedlings were inoculated with a commercial product containing Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers) Coker & Couch, Scleroderma sp., and six bacterial species and with a non-commercial fungal and bacterial dual inoculum (Suillus granulatus (L.) Roussel + Mesorhizobium sp.). Biometric and nutritional parameters and morphological quality indexes were determined on seedlings. The ECM community was assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and cloning-sequencing.

Results

In both nurseries, the seedling quality index in inoculated was up to 2-fold higher than in non-inoculated seedlings. Plant biomass differed significantly among nurseries. The inoculum influenced the profile of the fungal community. S. granulatus and P. tinctorius persisted for 6 months in the inoculated seedlings.

Conclusion

The nursery ecosystem influenced plant growth. Inoculation treatments increased plant performance; however, the dual inoculum resulted in more consistent improvements of Q. suber at nursery stage, highlighting the importance of inocula selection.

     

Retrospective evaluation of renal disease in captive black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya).

Six of 15 (40%) inactive medical records of adult black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) at one zoological institution included either a pre- or postmortem diagnosis of renal disease. In these six cases, significantly abnormal hematologic and serum chemistry values were reported at onset of azotemia, onset of clinical signs, and at euthanasia. Average age of onset of azotemia was 14.8 +/- 2.9 yr, with clinical signs of disease noted at 17 +/- 4.7 yr. In four of the cases (66.6%), azotemia was documented earlier than the onset of clinical signs of renal disease. Average duration of clinical disease was 2.83 +/- 1.6 yr, with an average age at euthanasia of 18 +/- 4.7 yr. Chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis with secondary glomerular sclerosis was present in all cases. Thirteen of an additional 20 institutions in the United States that have held Alouatta caraya responded to a survey for prevalence of renal disease. These institutions showed a lower prevalence (15.1%) of renal disease in complete, inactive records, a higher prevalence of glomerulonephritis, and similar significant clinicopathologic values.     

Evidence for 2,4‐D mineralisation in Mediterranean soils: impact of moisture content and temperature

BACKGROUND: The 2,4‐D degradation ability of the microbiota of three arable Mediterranean soils was estimated. The impact of soil moisture and temperature on 2,4‐D degradation was investigated. RESULTS: The microbiota of the three soils regularly exposed to 2,4‐D were able rapidly to mineralise this herbicide. The half‐life of 2,4‐D ranged from 8 to 30 days, and maximum mineralisation of ¹⁴C‐2,4‐D ranged from 57 to 71%. Extractable ¹⁴C‐2,4‐D and ¹⁴C‐bound residues accounted for less than 1 and 15% respectively of the ¹⁴C‐2,4‐D initially added. The highest amounts of ¹⁴C‐2,4‐D bound residues were recorded in the soil with the lowest 2,4‐D‐mineralising ability. Although all three soils were able to mineralise 2,4‐D, multivariate analysis revealed that performance of this degrading microbial activity was dependent on clay content and magnesium oxide. Soil temperature affected the global structure of soil microbial community, but it had only a moderate effect on 2,4‐D‐mineralising ability. 2,4‐D‐mineralising ability was positively correlated with soil moisture content. Negligible 2,4‐D mineralisation occurred in all three soils when incubated at 10 or 15% soil moisture content, i.e. within the range naturally occurring under the Mediterranean climate of Algeria. CONCLUSION: This study shows that, although soil microbiota can adapt to rapid mineralisation of 2,4‐D, this microbial activity is strongly dependent on climatic parameters. It suggests that only limited pesticide biodegradation occurs under Mediterranean climate, and that arable Mediterranean soils are therefore fragile and likely to accumulate pesticide residues. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry