Effect of isometamidium on infections by Trypanosoma vivax and T. Evansi in experimentally-infected animals

Assays dealing with the therapeutic and prophylactic activity of isometamidium on experimental infections by Trypanosoma vivax and T. evansi were carried out. The drug was found to be highly effective against T. vivax infection in sheep and cattle in which periods of protection ranging from 118 to 195 days were achieved. No complete effects against infection by T. evansi were observed. The drug was well tolerated in sheep and cattle while side-effects were noted in treated mares. It was concluded that isometamidium could be used to prevent damage and economical losses caused by T. vivax in Venezuela.     

Leptospiral agglutinins among cattle in the Republic of Guyana

Summary Cattle sera collected in the Republic of Guyana during 1981 to 1982 were examined for serologic evidence of leptospirosis. Significant leptospiral agglutinins (1∶100 or higher) were disclosed in 49·1% of 2,935 apparently normal cattle from 734 farms in the three major cattle-raising regions of the country. Seroreactions principally involvedhardjo andwolffi of the Sejroe serogroup,icterohaemorrhagiae, pomona, tarassovi, canicola andgrippotyphosa. A high proportion of reactions to one or more of different leptospiral serovars were observed in each of the three regions. These variations were attributed to differences in environmental conditions and farming practices. The findings provided evidence for the first time of the widespread occurrence of leptospirosis in cattle in Guyana caused by multiple leptospiral serovars.

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Resumen Se examinaron sueros bovinos colectados durante 1981 y 1982, con el propósito de detectar aglutininas de leptospirosis. Mediante los análisis, se evidenció la enfermedad (titulos 1∶100 o superiores) en el 49,1% de 2.935 bovinos aparentemente sanos, en las tres principales regiones ganaderas del país. Las seroreacciones involucraron principalmente a lahardjo ywolffi del serogrupo Sejroe, lo mismo que a laicterohaemorrhagiae, pomona, tarassovi, canicola ygrippotyphosa. Se observó una alta proporción de reacciones a una o más serovars en cada una de las tres regiones estudiadas; estas se atribuyeron a prácticas de manejo diferentes, asi como a condiciones ambientales. El estudio, se concluye, proporcionó evidencia de la amplia distribición de la leptospirosis en Guyana.

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Résumé On a recherché l'existence sérologique de la leptospirose dans des sérums de bovins de la République de Guyana récoltés en 1981 et 1982. Des agglutinines à un taux significatif (1∶100 et plus) ont été détectées chez 49,1% de 2935 animaux apparemment normaux répartis dans 734 fermes des trois grandes régions d'élevage du pays. Les réactions sérologiques touchent principalement les sérotypeshardio etwolfii du sérogroupe Sejroe,icterohaemorrhagiae pomona, tarassovi, canicola etgrippotyphosa. On note une importante proportion de réaction à un ou plusieurs des sérovars leptospiriens dans chacune des trois régions. Ces variations sont attribuées aux différences de conditions d'environnement et aux pratiques d'élevage. Pour la première fois, ces résultats apportent la preuve d'une répartition étendue de la leptospirose bovine en Guyana causée par plusieurs sérovars.

     

Comparative Effects of Autologous and Homologous Seminal Plasma on the Viability of Largely Extended Boar Spermatozoa

Sperm handling, associated to artificial reproduction technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or the use of flow cytometry for cell analysis or sorting imposes volumetric extension of the sperm suspension and decreases sperm viability, presumably because of the removal of seminal plasma (SP) components. This study evaluated whether a 10% v/v of autologous SP (retrieved from the same donor boar) or homologous SP (e.g. from any of the four fertile boars included, other than the one providing the spermatozoa) would differently affect the viability of boar spermatozoa subjected to large extension in a simple saline medium [phosphate-buffered saline and 0.1% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), PBSm] to a concentration of 0.3 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml and incubated for 2 h at 30 degrees C. Sperm viability was monitored as membrane integrity [using the fluorophore carboxyfluorescein diacetate (C-FDA) and propidium iodide (PI)], mitochondrial function (using the fluorophore R-123) and motility characteristics [using Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA)]. Substraction of the SP and extension followed by incubation in PBSm significantly (p < 0.05) decreased sperm viability, which could be restored by addition of autologous SP. Furthermore, exposure of the extended spermatozoa to homologous SP (from any other individual boar) significantly (p < 0.05) varied with the source of the sire; some boars exerting beneficial effects (even surpassing the effects of the autologous SP; p < 0.05) while at least one boar negatively (p < 0.05) influencing the viability of the incubated spermatozoa. It is concluded that SP should be present when incubating highly extended spermatozoa. As a result of the obvious differences among boars, it would be advantageous to examine the ability of SP to maintain sperm viability prior to the use of SP pools during sperm handling in vitro.     

Quantitative Inoculations of Poplars with Melampsora Larici-populina

Four poplar clones were inoculated with four isolates of Melampsora larici-populina at seven spore concentrations (inoculum densities up to 680 spores cm^–2 using a leaf-disc method. Disease reactions were recorded using a digital camera. The number and size of uredinia were examined using image analysis software and the number of spores produced per leaf disc was counted. The infection efficiency was estimated in a range of 0.008–0.167 and the pustule diameter measured 0.75–0.94 mm. Rust resistance/susceptibility was expressed by the differences in both the number and the size of uredinia. Within a clone/isolate combination, pustule diameter and the number of spores produced per pustule did not differ significantly between different levels of inoculum density. There was a close correlation between the pustule area and spore yield. When Spearman rank correlation was tested between the disease variables, a close correlation was found between pustule number and pustule area per leaf disc (0.98) and between the number of spores produced and the pustule area/number per leaf disc (0.94 and 0.92, respectively). There was significant correlation between the number and the diameter of pustules (0.54, P < 0.001).     

Southern bean Mosaic Virus the Causal Agent of a New Disease of Phaseolus vulgaris beans in Spain

Southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV) has been identified as the cause of a new disease in greenhouse-cultivated common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), in the south-east of Spain. The identification was based on host range comparisons, morphological and serological characteristics of the virus, the size of its dsRNA species and the nucleotide sequence of an 810-bp fragment from ORF2. The virus could be clearly discriminated from the related sobemovirus Southern cowpea mosaic virus. This is the first report of SBMV in Spain.     

Progression of a solitary, malignant cutaneous plasma-cell tumour to multiple myeloma in a cat

An 11‐year‐old male domestic shorthair cat was examined because of a soft‐tissue mass on the left tarsus previously diagnosed as a malignant extramedullary plasmacytoma. Findings of further diagnostic tests carried out to evaluate the patient for multiple myeloma were negative. Five months later, the cat developed clinical evidence of multiple myeloma based on positive Bence Jones proteinuria, monoclonal gammopathy and circulating atypical plasma cells. This case represents an unusual presentation for this disease and documents progression of an extramedullary plasmacytoma to multiple myeloma in the cat.     

Renal Ultrasound in Dogs and Cats

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Evaluating grain sorghum hybrids for tolerance to iron chlorosis

Grain sorghum production in calcareous soils is frequently affected by iron (Fe) chlorosis. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to screen sorghum hybrids for their tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) and evaluate the effectiveness of Fe chelate application in alleviating IDC. Treatments in Exp. 1 were a factorial combination of 14 sorghum hybrids and three Fe chelate application rates (0, 3.4 and 6.8?kg product ha^?1) applied in-furrow with the seed at the time of planting. Exp. 2 evaluated two sorghum hybrids (85Y40 and NK5418) and three Fe chelate rates (0 and 3.4?kg product ha^?1) at planting, and a split treatment of 3.4?kg ha^?1. Results showed iron chelate application suppressed IDC and increased leaf chlorophyll content and grain yield in susceptible hybrids. Split application of Fe chelate suppressed IDC and increased grain yield. Our results indicate sorghum hybrids G8G08, 86G32 and 87P06 showed promise for tolerance to IDC.     

Genetic structure of Leptopilina boulardi populations from different climatic zones of Iran

Background  

The genetic structure of populations can be influenced by geographic isolation (including physical distance) and ecology. We examined these effects in Leptopilina boulardi, a parasitoid of Drosophila of African origin and widely distributed over temperate and (sub) tropical climates.