Estimation of receiver-operating characteristic curves to determine accuracy of a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the serodiagnosis of Brucella infection in domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and cattle

OBJECTIVE: To estimate receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves for a competitive ELISA (c-ELISA) that is used in serodiagnosis of brucellosis in water buffalo and cattle, to determine the most appropriate positive cutoff value for the c-ELISA in confirmation of infection, and to evaluate species differences in c-ELISA function. SAMPLE POPULATION: Sera from 4 herds of cattle (n = 391) and 4 herds of water buffalo (381). PROCEDURE: Serum samples were evaluated for Brucella-specific antibodies by use of a c-ELISA. On the basis of previous serologic test results, iterative simulation modeling was used to classify animals as positive or negative for Brucella infection without the use of a gold standard. Accuracy of c-ELISA for diagnosis of infection was compared between cattle and water buffalo by comparison of areas under ROC curves. RESULTS: A positive cutoff value of 30% inhibition for c-ELISA yielded sensitivity and specificity estimates, respectively, of 83.9 and 92.6% for cattle and 91.4 and 95.4% for water buffalo. A positive cutoff value of 35% inhibition yielded sensitivity and specificity estimates, respectively, of 83.9 and 96.2% for cattle and 88.0 and 974% for water buffalo. Areas under ROC curves were 0.94 and 0.98 for cattle and water buffalo, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: ROC curves can be estimated by use of iterative simulation methods to determine optimal cutoff values for diagnostic tests with quantitative outcomes. A cutoff value of 35% inhibition for the c-ELISA was found to be most appropriate for confirmation of Brucella infection in cattle and water buffalo.     

A comparative study on certain enzymes of the granulocyte from different ruminant species

In the present study the level of enzyme hydrolases (alkaline phosphatase, myeloperoxidase, elastase, arginase, lysozyme and β-galactosidase) of polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) granules in different ruminant species and their release in response to activation was studied. Buffalo PMN alkaline phosphatase activity was higher (P < 0.01) than in PMNs of cattle and goats. Interestingly, myeloperoxidase was higher in cattle PMNs and least in goat PMNs (P < 0.01), a similar pattern was observed in the distribution of enzyme arginase. As far as lysozyme is concerned, its activity was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in PMNs of buffaloes than in the case of cattle and goat PMNs. On activation, these cells released MPO and elastase, in all the species studied, while lysozyme was secreted only in buffalo PMN cells. Activity of certain enzymes related to oxidant defence systems such as glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were higher in cattle and goats compared to that in buffaloes. These observations are likely to have bearing on immunodefense roles played by PMNs and reflected differences among the ruminant species studied.     

Drying off cows: a comparative study with two dry cow products

From September 1998 to September 1999, at drying off 397 cows on 73 Dutch farms were treated, with two antibiotic containing dry cow products (cloxacillin; penicillin-neomycin). Farms and cows were selected on an increased bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) and individual cow somatic cell count. The objective of the trial was to compare the efficacy of both products under field conditions. Both products proved to be highly effective against streptococci and penicillin sensitive staphylococci. Because of the low incidence of infections caused by Escherichia coli and penicillin resistant staphylococci no conclusions could be drawn on differences in activity for these two pathogens. No significant differences were found between the two products in cure rate of existing infections at drying off, incidence of new infections during the dry period, incidence of clinical mastitis during the dry period and the course of the individual cow cell counts during the trial.     

Variability in seedling emergence for European and North American populations of Abutilon theophrasti

Abutilon theophrasti is a weed that is spreading worldwide and that has had to adapt to different combinations of environmental conditions. Wide interpopulation variability has been reported regarding dormancy and germination. This variability, controlled by the interaction of genetic diversity and maternal effect, could hinder the adoption of Integrated Weed Management (IWM) tools. A collaborative project was conducted to compare emergence dynamics of 12 European and North American populations under diverse environmental conditions. The main aim was to assess interpopulation variability and explain this according to environmental conditions in the seed collection sites. Seeds were sown at six experimental sites, and seedling emergence was monitored. The AlertInf model was tested to evaluate its ability to predict emergence dynamics of the different populations. A wide interpopulation variability was observed for emergence percentage and dynamics with consistent trends across sites and related to different seed dormancy levels. Populations from Catalonia, Iowa and Minnesota reached higher emergence percentage with earlier and concentrated emergence flushes probably due to low dormancy level, while populations from Croatia, Serbia and Hungary, given their low average emergence percentage, presented high dormancy levels. Good predictive accuracy of AlertInf model was obtained at the different sites, confirming the possibility of adopting it across a wide range of environmental conditions. Achieving a better knowledge of interpopulation variability can allow specific control strategies to be designed, facilitating the replacement of solely herbicide‐based management with true IWM.     

Antifeedant and sublethal effects of imidacloprid on Asian citrus psyllid,Diaphorina citri

BACKGROUND: Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, transmits the causal bacteria of the devastating citrus disease huanglongbing (HLB). Because of the variation in spatial and temporal uptake and systemic distribution of imidacloprid applied to citrus trees and its degradation over time in citrus trees, ACP adults and nymphs are exposed to concentrations that may not cause immediate mortality but rather sublethal effects. The objective of this laboratory study was to determine the effects of sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid on ACP life stages. RESULTS: Feeding by ACP adults and nymphs on plants treated daily with a sublethal concentration (0.1 µg mL^?1) of imidacloprid significantly decreased adult longevity (8 days), fecundity (33%) and fertility (6%), as well as nymph survival (12%) and developmental rate compared with untreated controls. The magnitude of these negative effects was directly related to exposure duration and concentration. Furthermore, ACP adults that fed on citrus leaves treated systemically with lethal and sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid excreted significantly less honeydew (7–94%) compared with controls in a concentration‐dependent manner suggesting antifeedant activity of imidacloprid. CONCLUSIONS: Sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid negatively affect development, reproduction, survival and longevity of ACP, which likely contributes to population reductions over time. Also, reduced feeding by ACP adults on plants treated with sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid may potentially decrease the capacity of ACP to successfully acquire and transmit the HLB causal pathogen. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Temperature-dependent development rates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bracon vulgaris,</Emphasis> a parasitoid of boll weevil

The duration of development of Bracon vulgaris Ashmead, parasitoid of the boll weevil Anthonomus grandis Boheman, was determined at nine constant temperatures between 18°C and 38°C. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to test the fit of temperature-dependent development rates to the Sharpe and DeMichele and Lactin et al. models. At the highest tested temperature (38°C) all the parasitoid eggs died before hatching and no evidence of development was observed. The high values of R ² for the models of Sharpe and DeMichele (0.8432 to 0.9834), and Lactin et al. (0.9071 to 0.9795) indicated that these models are suitable to estimate the development rate of B. vulgaris as a function of temperature. B. vulgaris showed tolerance to high temperature which is represented by the high value of H _H (change in enthalpy associated with high-temperature inactivation of the enzyme) for the prepupa stage of this insect obtained with the Sharpe and DeMichele model. According to that model, B. vulgaris exhibits thermal stress at 35.7°C, which indicates that maximum thermal stress estimated by this model was close to the real one.