Antibody response of five bird species after vaccination with a killed West Nile virus vaccine.

West Nile virus has been associated with numerous bird mortalities in the United States since 1999. Five avian species at three zoological parks were selected to assess the antibody response to vaccination for West Nile virus: black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus), little blue penguins (Eudyptula minor), American flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber), Chilean flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis), and Attwater's prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri). All birds were vaccinated intramuscularly at least twice with a commercially available inactivated whole virus vaccine (Innovator). Significant differences in antibody titer over time were detected for black-footed penguins and both flamingo species.     

Hematologic and plasma biochemical values of healthy hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis aureus x Oreochromis nilotica) maintained in a recirculating system.

Tilapia are cultured worldwide and are increasing in popularity among aquaculturalists in the United States; however, data regarding normal health parameters are limited. Few hematologic and plasma biochemical values of clinically normal tilapia have been reported, but these data may be key for identifying and managing disease issues in recirculating systems. Therefore, blood was collected from clinically normal hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis aureus x Oreochromis nilotica) housed in recirculating systems for the purpose of establishing normal hematologic and plasma biochemical reference ranges. Using standard clinical techniques the following hematologic values were determined: packed cell volume, plasma protein, leukocyte counts, leukocyte differentials, and thrombocyte counts. Additionally, the following plasma biochemical values were determined: albumin, total protein, globulins, albumin/globulin ratio, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, urea nitrogen, and creatinine. The condition of the sample was also noted (lipemic, hemolysis, and icterus). The reference ranges reported in this study can be used in the management of cultured tilapia in recirculating systems.     

Factors Associated with Grassland Bird Species Richness: The Relative Roles of Grassland Area, Landscape Structure, and Prey

The factors responsible for widespread declines of grassland birds in the United States are not well understood. This study, conducted in the short-grass prairie of eastern Wyoming, was designed to investigate the relationship between variation in habitat amount, landscape heterogeneity, prey resources, and spatial variation in grassland bird species richness. We estimated bird richness over a 5-year period (1994–1998) from 29 Breeding Bird Survey locations. Estimated bird richness was modeled as a function of landscape structure surrounding survey routes using satellite-based imagery (1996) and grasshopper density and richness, a potentially important prey of grassland birds. Model specification progressed from simple to complex explanations for spatial variation in bird richness. An information-theoretic approach was used to rank and select candidate models. Our best model included measurements of habitat amount, habitat arrangement, landscape matrix, and prey diversity. Grassland bird richness was positively associated with grassland habitat; was negatively associated with habitat dispersion; positively associated with edge habitats; negatively associated with landscape matrix attributes that may restrict movement of grassland bird; and positively related to grasshopper richness. Collectively, 62% of the spatial variation in grassland bird richness was accounted for by the model (adj-R² = 0.514). These results suggest that the distribution of grassland bird species is influenced by a complex mixture of factors that include habitat area affects, landscape pattern and composition, and the availability of prey.     

Molecular characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoma tracheiphila</Emphasis>, causal agent of Mal secco disease of citrus,in Israel

Mal secco disease of citrus caused by Phoma tracheiphila is a devastating disease in the Mediterranean basin. Susceptible citrus species include lemon, citron, lime and others. Trees attacked by the fungus show characteristic symptoms; the smallest twigs die first, followed by the larger branches. Eventually, the whole tree is killed. The symptoms are clear in the orchards but by the time they are visible the disease is already well established. The need for a sensitive, reliable and rapid diagnostic method for the early identification of the fungus in trees and fruit exists. We have developed a PCR-based method for the identification of P. tracheiphila from plant tissues including fruit. Any such method must take into account the genetic variability in the pathogen population. Molecular methods were used to compare different isolates of P. tracheiphila. This study found no significant differences between different isolates from different citrus species from different parts of Israel.     

Improved hepatic and pancreatic localisation of the equine alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor family of serpins using an antigen enhancement technique and a monoclonal antibody

Equine alpha- l-proteinase inhibitor (API) consists of three, occasionally four, serum glycoproteins. This study investigated the immunohistochemical localisation of equine API in paraformaldehyde fixed, paraffin embedded equine tissue samples of liver, lung, stomach, pancreas, jejunum and colon in five horses using affinity purified sheep polyclonal and protein A purified mouse monoclonal antibodies, whose specificities were verified by Western blotting. Exposing tissue sections to boiling citrate buffer greatly enhanced antigen recovery and improved immunostaining with both antibodies, resulting in discovery of novel tissue distribution patterns for the horse. In the horses studied, all hepatocytes showed some degree of cytoplasmic staining, many having perinuclear intense granular inclusions. This finding is contrary to findings in human studies where hepatocytes of Pi MM phenotype have proven difficult to stain for human API, despite evidence at the molecular level suggesting hepatocytes as the major source of serum API. This discrepancy may be due to the use of different tissue fixation and antigen recovery techniques. In all other tissues examined, the distribution of equine API was similar to human studies.     

Disseminated histoplasmosis in an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).

An approximately 37-yr-old female Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) died after a 4-mo illness characterized by intermittent anorexia, lethargy, mild neutrophilic leukocytosis, and mild nonregenerative anemia. At necropsy, the lungs were diffusely consolidated, and histopathology of the lungs revealed severe pneumonia with macrophages containing clusters of numerous yeast cells. Inflammatory lesions and yeast also were found in pulmonary, mediastinal, prescapular, and duodenal lymph nodes, spleen, liver, kidneys, urinary bladder, pancreas, right adrenal gland, and the pyloric stomach. Histomorphology, fungal culture, and polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the fungus was Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum. This is the first report of histoplasmosis in a cetacean.     

Intraocular pressure in normal dairy cattle

Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured in normal dairy cows by applanation tonometry. In the first study of 15 Holstein and 17 Jersey cows the mean IOP by Mackay-Marg tonometry was 27.5 ± 4.8 mmHg (range 16–39 mmHg); no significant differences ( P < 0.92) were observed between the Holstein and Jersey breeds. In the second study of 15 Holstein and 12 Jersey cows, the mean IOPs by Mackay-Marg and TonoPen-XL tonometry were 28.2 ± 4.6 mmHg (range 19–39 mmHg) and 26.9 ± 6.7 mmHg (range 16–42 mmHg), respectively. Comparisons of the Mackay-Marg and TonoPen tonometers indicated no significant differences ( P < 0.16). The mean and range of IOP in normal dairy cows within 2 SD (95% of the population) is 27 mmHg with a range of 16–36 mmHg.