A survey of Salmonella spp and Campylobacter spp in dairy goat faeces and bulk tank milk in the Murcia region of Spain

This study was designed to investigate the occurrence of Salmonella spp and Campylobacter spp in faeces samples from 222 healthy Murciano-Granadina dairy goats reared on 12 farms in Spain and in samples of bulk tank milk from 11 of those herds. Neither Salmonella spp nor Campylobacter spp were isolated from any of the samples. Our results suggest that, under the management practices applied to this breed in Spain, Murciano-Granadina goats are not likely to be a significant reservoir for these food-borne pathogens.     

Evaluation of three immunoserological techniques in the detection of porcine trichinellosis

Three immunoserological tests (IST) used for the detection of porcine trichinellosis, immunofluorescence (IF), enzyme-inmunoanalysis (EIA), and Western blot (WB), were compared. Three groups of animals were analyzed: Group 1, animals naturally infected with parasite burdens (PB) of <1 muscle larvae (ML)/g (n = 18); Group 2, animals naturally infected with PB of ≥2 ML/g (n = 23); Group 3, animals raised and home-slaughtered on farms in Argentina (n = 59). Animals from Groups 1 and 2 were identified in outbreaks and were analyzed by individual artificial digestion (AD) of ≥30 g of muscle. Animals in Group 3 were subjected to AD of 5 g of muscle.The detection percentages in sera of swine with the lower PB were 100% for IF, 72% for EIA, and 50% for WB. Eighty-three percent of the animals were serologically positive by two or three techniques. In pigs with the higher PB, the detection percentage was similar for IF and EIA (100% vs. 91%, respectively), and was lower for the WB (61%). Ninety-six percent of the animals were serologically positive by two or three techniques. Group 3 animals had similar detection percentages for the three techniques (IF, 30%; EIA, 29%; WB, 42%). Twenty-five percent of the animals were serologically positive by two or three techniques. Two animals were positive by AD with PB of 0.33 and 2.4 ML/g, and were positive for IF and WB, or IF, EIA, and WB. Results indicate that the sensitivity of each technique depends on the PB, and always ranked in sensitivity as IF > EIA > WB. For the lower PB, the decrease in the sensitivity is more pronounced for the EIA. Although the WB has a low sensitivity, the detection of the specific bands for Trichinella spiralis makes it a useful confirmatory tool. Considering that more than 83% of the parasitologically positive animals had 2 or 3 positive serological results using the techniques tested here, for the diagnosis of porcine trichinellosis, pigs positive by two of these serological techniques must be regarded as truly infected pigs.     

Identification of an RNA silencing suppressor encoded by Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3

GLRaV-3, a member of the Closteroviridae family and type member of the genus Ampelovirus, is involved in the grapevine leafroll disease. Until now no RNA silencing suppressor has been found among viruses of this genus, contrary to what happens with a large number of other viral genera. In the sister genus Closterovirus, RNA silencing suppressors are present in the 3’ end of the genome and have molecular weights close to 20 KDa. To test for RNA suppressing activity screening of p21, p19.6 and p19.7 proteins, coded for in an analogous genomic location of the GLRaV-3 was undertaken. Only p19.7 revealed suppressor activity demonstrated in diverse silencing inducing systems. This suppressor is able to overcome strong silencing inducers and shares several properties with the BYV p21-like family of suppressors of the closteroviruses. This is the first report of an RNA silencing suppressor in the genus Ampelovirus.     

Xylanases from microbial origin induce syrup formation in dough

Syrup formation in refrigerated doughs is a problem since it reduces the doughs’ shelf life. Microbial exogenous xylanases associated with wheat kernels were found to play a role in this syruping phenomenon. Using xylanase-producing microorganisms isolated from wheat kernels, we investigated their potency to induce syruping in dough. Growth of the fungal xylanase producer Fusarium sp. (10² colony forming units (CFU)/g dough) and the bacterial xylanase producer Paenibacillus sp. (10⁴ CFU/g dough) in synthetic media and their respective addition to wheat dough could not bring about a significant amount of syruping. However, when these species were grown on moist wheat kernels and an extract of these kernels containing both the organisms and its xylanases was made and added to dough, intensive syruping was noted. This effect was primarily attributed to the xylanases present in the extract. These findings suggest that the involvement of xylanase-producing microorganisms in the syruping phenomenon is situated prior to harvest. Additional quantitative analyses of microbial biomass present on wheat kernels revealed that the fungi in particular could be correlated to higher microbial exogenous xylanase activities on wheat. Our results indicate that the syruping is linked to fungal xylanase production on the wheat kernels in the field.     

Evaluation of inciting causes, alternative targets, and risk factors associated with redirected aggression in cats

OBJECTIVE: To identify inciting causes, alternative targets, and risk factors associated with redirected aggression in cats. DESIGN: Case-control study. ANIMALS: 19 cats with a history of redirected aggression and 64 cats with no such history. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed to identify cats evaluated for problems with redirected aggression (case cats), in which the primary inciting stimulus and alternative target of aggression were clearly identifiable. Data obtained from the records and from follow-up interviews included details about the cats and incidents of redirected aggression. Owners of control cats were interviewed via telephone to obtain similar information on their cats. RESULTS: 22 incidents of redirected aggression were reported for the 19 case cats. In 95% of those incidents, loud noises or interactions with other cats were identified as the inciting stimuli. Case cats most commonly redirected their aggression toward the owner, followed by another cat living in the same household. Compared with control cats, case cats were more likely to have a sound phobia but were less likely to be outdoor cats. In addition, case cats were more likely to be from small households (相似文献   

Detection of a novel genotype of Cryptosporidium in Antarctic pinnipeds

A study was conducted to investigate the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Antarctic marine mammals. A total of 270 faecal samples from different species of pinnipeds from different locations in the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula were analysed by immunofluorescence microscopy and PCR. Cryptosporidium was detected by PCR in three samples from Southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) and 2 Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii). However, no oocysts were observed in any of the samples by immunofluorescence microscopy. Molecular characterisation of the isolates, using the 18S rDNA, the HSP70 and the COWP loci, revealed the presence of a Cryptosporidium sp., previously reported from an Antarctic Southern elephant seal, in the elephant seals and a novel genotype in Weddell seals. Giardia could not be detected in any of the samples analysed.     

Monitoring glyphosate residues in transgenic glyphosate-resistant soybean

The availability of Roundup Ready (RR) varieties of soybean has increased the use of glyphosate for weed control in Argentina. Glyphosate [(N-phosphonomethyl)glycine] is employed for the eradication of previous crop vegetation and for weed control during the soybean growing cycle. Its action is effective, and low environmental impact has been reported so far. No residues have been observed in soil or water, either of glyphosate or its metabolite, AMPA (aminomethylphosphonic acid). The objective of this work was to monitor glyphosate and AMPA residues in soybean plants and grains in field crops in Santa Fe Province, Argentina. Five sites were monitored in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Individual soybean plants were sampled from emergence to harvest, dried and ground. Analysis consisted in residue extraction with organic solvents and buffers, agitation, centrifugation, clean-up and HPLC with UV detection. In soybean leaves and stems, glyphosate residues ranged from 1.9 to 4.4 mg kg(-1) and from 0.1 to 1.8 mg kg(-1) in grains. Higher concentrations were detected when glyphosate was sprayed several times during the crop cycle, and when treatments approached the flowering stage. AMPA residues were also detected in leaves and in grains, indicating metabolism of the herbicide.     

Association between cellulitis (enlarged sternal bursa) and focal ulcerative dermatitis in Ontario turkeys at the time of processing

We conducted a processing plant survey to determine the prevalence of cellulitis (enlarged sternal bursa) and focal ulcerative dermatitis (FUD) in Ontario turkeys during the summer and to establish whether the two conditions were associated. A total of 11,772 birds from 24 different farms were observed at three processing plants in Ontario between June and August 2001. Each bird was examined for the presence of cellulitis and FUD. The severity and location of lesions were also noted. The overall prevalence of severe cellulitis (requiring either extensive trimming or condemnation of the bird) was 8.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.7, 10.9) and the overall prevalence for FUD was 22.6% (19.3, 25.9). The Pearson correlation coefficient between the prevalences of the two lesions was 0.56 (P = 0.0043), suggesting farms with a high prevalence of FUD in their birds also had a high prevalence of cellulitis. More specifically, birds with FUD were, on average, 10.8 times more likely to have cellulitis than birds without FUD (Mantel-Haenszel summary odds ratio = 10.8; 95% CI = 9.5, 12.3). Our observations suggest FUD may predispose birds to cellulitis, in which case, preventing FUD may reduce the occurrence of cellulitis condemnations in turkeys.     

Thermal decomposition and isomerization of cis-permethrin and beta-cypermethrin in the solid phase

The stability to heart of cis-permethrin and beta-cypermethrin in the solid phase was studied and the decomposition products identified. Samples heated at 210 degrees C in an oven in the dark showed that, in the absence of potassium chlorate (the salt present in smoke-generating formulations of these pyrethroids), cis-permethrin was not isomerized, although in the presence of that salt, decomposition was greater and thermal isomerization occurred. Other salts of the type KXO3 or NaXO3, with X being halogen or nitrogen, also led to a considerable thermal isomerization. Heating the insecticides in solution in the presence of potassium chlorate did not produce isomerization in any of the solvents assayed. Salt-catalysed thermal cis-trans isomerization was also found for other pyrethroids derived from permethrinic or deltamethrinic acid but not for those derived from chrysanthemic acid. The main thermal degradation processes of cis-permethrin and beta-cypermethrin decomposition when potassium chlorate was present were cyclopropane isomerization, ester cleavage and subsequent oxidation of the resulting products. Permethrinic acid, 3-phenoxybenzyle chloride, alcohol, aldehyde and acid were identified in both cases, as well as 3-phenoxybenzyl cyanide from beta-cypermethrin. A similar decomposition pattern occurred after combustion of pyrethroid fumigant formulations.