Leaf necrosis and twig dieback of sweet persimmon (Dyospiros kaki L.) caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae in Italy

In spring 1996, extensive leaf necrosis and twig dieback were observed on young sweet persimmon (Dyospiros kaki L.) trees, cultivars O'Gosho, Hachija, Mercatelli and Kaki-tipo planted in the Abruzzo region (central Italy). Many trees were killed. When the dieback reached the trunk, in many cases, new vegetation was noticed above the graft point. The cultivar Jiro-C was not affected by the disease. During 1997, no symptoms were observed on any plant. The orchard was planted in a clay soil with a very low content of organic matter. Biochemical, nutritional and pathogenicity tests indicated Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae van Hall as the causal agent of the disease. This is the first report of this bacterium as a pathogen of sweet persimmon in Europe.     

Isolation of Bartonella henselae from a serologically negative cat in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Sera collected from apparently healthy 6-12-month-old cats (n = 31) presented to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Veterinary Clinic in Bloemfontein for neutering were tested for antibodies reactive to Bartonella henselae (Houston-1 strain) by indirect fluorescent antibody testing. Whole blood collected from the cats was used in isolation experiments and subsequent identification of Bartonella species was based on comparison of the nucleotide base sequence of polymerase chain reaction-amplified citrate synthase gene fragments. While none of the cats had antibodies reactive with B. henselae at titres > or =1/64, an organism with a partial citrate synthase gene sequence identical to that of B. henselae (Houston-1) was isolated from 1 cat.     

Genetic parameters of product quality and hepatic metabolism in fattened mule ducks

Genetic parameters of traits related to hepatic lipid metabolism, carcass composition, and product quality of overfed mule ducks were estimated on both parental lines of this hybrid: the common duck line for the maternal side and the Muscovy line for the paternal side. The originality of the statistical model was to include simultaneously the additive genetic effect of the common ducks and that of the Muscovy ducks, revealing a greater genetic determinism in common than in Muscovy. Plasma metabolic indicators (glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol contents) were heritable, in particular at the end of the overfeeding period, and heritabilities increased with the overfeeding stage. Carcass composition traits were highly heritable in the common line, with values ranging from 0.15 for liver weight, 0.21 for carcass weight, and 0.25 for abdominal fat weight to 0.32 for breast muscle weight. Heritabilities of technological outputs were greater for the fatty liver (0.19 and 0.08, respectively, on common and Muscovy sides for liver melting rate) than for the pectoralis major muscle (between 0.02 and 0.05 on both parental sides for cooking losses). Fortunately, the processing industry is mainly facing problems in liver quality, such as too high of a melting rate, than in meat quality. The meat quality appraisal criteria (such as texture and cooking losses), usually dependent on pH and the rate of decline of pH, were also very lowly heritable. This study demonstrated that genetic determinism of meat quality and ability of overfeeding is not similar in the common population and in the Muscovy population; traits related to fattening, muscle development, and BW have heritability values from 2 to 4 times greater on the common line than on the Muscovy line, which is relevant for considering different selection strategies.     

Radiography, myelography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging of the spine.

Various methods of documenting pathologic change in the spine and spinal cord are available to the veterinary practitioner. Intimidation caused by the imaging modality and the fear that one will not be able to recognize or diagnose a lesion are the factors that limit the use of diagnostic imaging. One needs only to be able to recognize the variations of normal anatomy to be successful. Once an abnormal area has been identified, the diagnosis is soon to follow. Therefore one should concentrate on improving the simple skills associated with image interpretation and normal anatomy. Lesion identification and definitive diagnoses will follow by natural progression.     

The persistence of Brucella melitensis in experimentally infected ewes through three reproductive cycles

The authors studied the persistence of infection in 46 ewes experimentally infected with Brucella melitensis biovar 3 and monitored through three subsequent reproductive cycles. The entire experimental period lasted for 151 weeks. Infection of ewes and elimination of Brucella in milk, or its presence in vaginal discharges, persisted throughout the duration of the trial, as demonstrated by recurrent elimination of Brucella in milk and vaginal discharges. Brucella melitensis was recovered from the tissues of one ewe killed at the end of the trial. The strain was recovered from vaginal swabs and milk following parturition in the third reproductive cycle from an ewe that had aborted in the first cycle but was not pregnant in the second cycle. From a public health point of view, the periodical recovery of Brucella from the milk during the entire trial period illustrated that brucellosis in sheep remains a continuous occupational risk and a significant public health problem for consumers of fresh milk and milk products. That risk may persist for at least 3 years following the initial infection of the flock. Lamb antibody titres became negative in all lambs within 5 months after birth. This suggested that serological tests on lambs may have no practical diagnostic significance if performed during the first 5 months of life. Nevertheless, the birth of three infected lambs suggested that the phenomenon of latent carrier state may represent another way for B. melitensis to persist in a flock.     

The effect of Harderian adenectomy on the antibody response in chickens

Intact chicks and those that had their glands of Harder (GH) removed (GHx) at 1 day of age were studied for their response to optically or intraperitoneally (IP) applied antigens. Following exposure of the chicks to sheep red blood cells (SRBCs), killed Brucella abortus, or bovine serum albumin (BSA), serum and tear samples were collected and assayed for antibodies. Of the two sources of antibodies, the serum generally had higher levels than did the tears. The only exception to this occurred in the intact chicks inoculated by the eye, in which serum and tear levels were equivalent. With SRBCs, no difference could be detected between the two routes of inoculation. However, IP inoculation produced higher levels of antibody in the serum of intact and GHx chicks inoculated with B. abortus or BSA and in the tears of the GHx chicks exposed to B. abortus. Removal of the GH resulted in a consistent decrease in antibody levels in the tears, regardless of the route of exposure. Although this effect was noted with all three antigens, it was more pronounced in the trials using B. abortus and BSA. This finding is discussed in terms of describing the importance of the GH as a source of antibodies to optically applied antigens, and its importance as a route of circulating antibody egress. Furthermore, the feasibility of using the antibody response in tears to a test antigen is discussed as a means of measuring the immune status of a functioning GH.     

Repair of fracture of the proximal portion of the radius and ulna in a llama

Repair of a comminuted fracture of the proximal portion of the radius and ulna in a 4-month-old llama was achieved by use of internal fixation. An 8-hole narrow dynamic compression plate was applied to the lateral aspect of the radius and a 7-hole narrow dynamic compression plate was applied to the cranial aspect of the radius. One year after surgery, the llama had a normal gait and the cosmetic appearance of the limb was excellent.