In vitro susceptibility of field isolates of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica recovered in Spain to several antimicrobial agents

Forty-two recent (1997-1999) Spanish isolates of Francisella tularensis subsp.holarctica were tested in a broth microdilution method for their susceptibilities to 29 antimicrobial agents, including penicillins, cephalosporins, cephamicins, monobactams, penems, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, macrolides, quinolones, chloramphenicol and fosfomycin. The isolates were resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics and susceptible to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and norfloxacin.     

Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 as a potential biological control agent for carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Australia: susceptibility of non‐target species

Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) is a pest species in Australian waterways, and cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV‐3) is being considered as a potential biological control (biocontrol) agent. An important consideration for any such agent is its target specificity. In this study, the susceptibility to CyHV‐3 of a range of non‐target species (NTS) was tested. The NTS were as follows: 13 native Australian, and one introduced, fish species; a lamprey species; a crustacean; two native amphibian species (tadpole and mature stages); two native reptilian species; chickens; and laboratory mice. Animals were exposed to 100–1000 times the approximate minimum amount of CyHV‐3 required to cause disease in carp by intraperitoneal and/or bath challenge, and then examined clinically each day over the course of 28 days post‐challenge. There were no clinical signs, mortalities or histological evidence consistent with a viral infection in a wide taxonomic range of NTS. Furthermore, there was no molecular evidence of infection with CyHV‐3, and, in particular, all RT‐PCRs for viral mRNA were negative. As a consequence, the results encourage further investigation of CyHV‐3 as a potential biocontrol agent that is specific for carp.     

The nature and consequences of co-infections in tilapia: A review

Co-infections commonly arise when two or multiple different pathogens infect the same host, either as simultaneous or as secondary concurrent infection. This potentiates their pathogenic effects and leads to serious negative consequences on the exposed host. Numerous studies on the occurrence of the bacterial, parasitic, fungal and viral co-infections were conducted in various tilapia species. Co-infections have been associated with serious negative impacts on susceptible fish because they increase the fish susceptibility to diseases and the likelihood of outbreaks in the affected fish. Co-infections can alter the disease course and increase the severity of disease through synergistic and, more rarely, antagonistic interactions. In this review, reports on the synergistic co-infections and their impacts on the affected tilapia species are highlighted. Additionally, their pathogenic mechanisms are briefly discussed. Tilapia producers should be aware of the possible occurrence of co-infections and their effects on the affected tilapia species and in particular of the clinical signs and course of the disease. To date, there is still limited information regarding the pathogenicity mechanisms and pathogen interactions during these co-infections. This is generally due to low awareness regarding co-infections, and in many cases, a dominant pathogen is perceived to be of vital importance and hence becomes the target of treatment while the treatment of the co-infectious agents is neglected. This review article aimed at raising awareness regarding co-infections and helping researchers and fish health specialists pay greater attention to these natural cases, leading to increased research and more consistent diagnosis of co-infectious outbreaks in order to improve control strategies to protect tilapia when infected with multiple pathogens.     

Some Factors Affecting the Rate of Pregnancy after Embryo Transfer Derived from the Brazilian Jumper Horse Breed

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of certain embryo transfer parameters on the pregnancy rate after equine embryo transfer of the Brazilian Jumper Horse breed. The size, embryonic development stage, embryo quality, and synchronization of ovulation between the donor (n = 120) and recipient (n = 420) were evaluated in 396 embryos. Embryo recovery was performed on Day 6-9 after ovulation (Day 0 = day of ovulation). The recipient mares were chosen on the day of embryo recovery, and the transfers were performed that same day. The embryo size (diameter including envelopes; n = 396) ranged from 150 to 3000 μm; 67.1% measured between 400 and 1199 μm. The embryo size (400-1199 μm vs. ≤399 μm); stage of development (n = 396; blastocyst and expanded blastocyst versus compact morula and early blastocyst); quality (n = 396; grade 1 [excellent]), 2 [good], or 3 [poor]); and synchronization of ovulation between the donor and recipient (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 days versus −1, 5, and 6 days, respectively) all affected pregnancy rate (P < .05). The pregnancy rate did not differ significantly among transfers performed on Days 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. In conclusion, embryos measuring 400-1199 μm produced higher pregnancy rates in recipients than embryos measuring 150-399 μm, and blastocysts and expanded blastocysts produced pregnancy more efficiently than morulae and early blastocysts. The embryo quality also affected the pregnancy rate. Synchronization of donor and recipient ovulation to Days 0-4 improved the efficiency of embryo transplant.     

Cloning and expression analysis of innate immune genes from red sea bream to assess different susceptibility to megalocytivirus infection

As suggested by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), fishes belonging to the genus Oplegnathus are more sensitive to megalocytivirus infection than other fish species including red sea bream (Pagrus major). To assess the roles of the innate immune response to these different susceptibilities, we cloned the genes encoding inflammatory factors including IL‐8 and COX‐2, and the antiviral factor like Mx from red sea bream for the first time and performed phylogenetic and structural analysis. Analysed expression levels of IL‐1β, IL‐8 and COX‐2 and the antiviral factor like Mx genes performed with in vivo challenge experiment showed no difference in inflammatory gene expression or respiratory burst activity between red sea bream and rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus). However, the Mx gene expression levels in red sea bream were markedly higher than those in rock bream, suggesting the importance of type I interferon (IFN)‐induced proteins, particularly Mx, during megalocytivirus infection, rather than inflammation‐related genes. The in vitro challenge experiments using embryonic primary cultures derived from both fish species showed no difference in cytopathic effects (CPE), viral replication profiles, and inflammatory and Mx gene expression pattern between the two fish species.     

湖北白猪Ⅲ系额窦发育的解剖观察

猪额窦的发育与其年龄的增长成正相关。湖北白猪Ⅲ系的额窦发育也遵循这一规律。它在胎儿期,额骨的鼻额部汉是一层柔软骨板,出生后形成骨松质,到15公斤体重时,骨松质开始形成小腔室,30公斤体重时,形成主窦和许多侧窦,以后主窦加大并向后伸展,侧窦逐渐融合与主窦相通,到90—120公斤体重阶段,主窦和侧窦合并向额骨后端伸展,到达两眼眶后缘的连线。随着年龄的增长还可扩大到顶骨。在这一进展的过程中,通城猪(早熟品种)额窦发育最快,长白猪的较慢,湖北白猪Ⅲ系则界于两者之间,这与它全身发育界于两者之间是一致的。说明额窦的发育与品种的成熟程度有密切关系。从这一点出发,也可看出湖出白猪Ⅲ系生长发育的成熟程度界于两者之间而偏早熟。它属于优良的瘦肉猪新品种之一。     

中国美利奴羊OLA-DQB1基因exon2遗传多态性与布鲁氏菌病易感性的关联分析

本试验采用PCR-SSCP方法对148只布鲁氏菌阴性和60只布鲁氏菌阳性中国美利奴羊白细胞表面抗原DQB1(OLA-DQB1)基因exon 2单核苷酸多态性(SNPs)进行了检测,之后挑选不同等位基因进行PCR产物测序,旨在确定该基因的多态性位点,并对每个SNP位点的等位基因频率、基因型频率进行统计分析,从而分析其多态性与布鲁氏菌病易感性的相关性.测序结果表明,在270 bp的序列内共检测到43个SNPs,其中G196A位点的等位基因频率在病例组和对照组中的分布存在极显著差异(P< 0.01),其基因型频率存在显著差异(P< 0.05);C211T位点的等位基因频率在病例组和对照组中存在显著差异(P< 0.05).由此表明,OLA-DQB1基因exon 2多态性与中国美利奴羊布鲁氏菌病易感性呈显著相关.     

不同绵羊品种脂肪组织中挥发性脂肪酸的组成分析

【目的】研究绵羊品种对其脂肪组织中挥发性脂肪酸(C4~C10)组成的影响,为深入研究羊肉膻味的形成机理奠定基础。【方法】采用同时蒸馏萃取和气相色谱技术,对小尾寒羊、滩羊和同羊皮下脂肪组织中的挥发性脂肪酸进行了定量分析。【结果】采用同时蒸馏萃取和气相色谱技术可在绵羊脂肪组织中检测到对羊肉膻味贡献较大的4-甲基辛酸和4-甲基壬酸。小尾寒羊、滩羊和同羊的总挥发性脂肪酸含量分别为261.109,169.124和271.898mg/kg;其中直链脂肪酸含量分别为217.792,143.036和229.059 mg/kg,支链脂肪酸含量分别为43.317,26.088和42.839 mg/kg。4-甲基辛酸和4-甲基壬酸是对羊肉膻味贡献较大的挥发性脂肪酸,其在小尾寒羊、滩羊、同羊脂肪组织中的含量分别为20.317和9.772,14.150和5.597,12.835和6.403 mg/kg。【结论】应用此方法可以检测到对羊肉膻味有主要作用的挥发性脂肪酸,且不同绵羊品种对其脂肪组织中挥发性脂肪酸的组成有一定影响,小尾寒羊脂肪组织中4-甲基辛酸和4-甲基壬酸含量有大于滩羊和同羊的趋势。     

亚致死浓度氯虫苯甲酰胺对小菜蛾药剂敏感度和解毒酶活性的影响

采用叶片药膜法,使用亚致死浓度(LC10、LC25)的氯虫苯甲酰胺对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella(L.)3龄幼虫连续处理5代后,试虫对氯虫苯甲酰胺的敏感度分别比敏感品系下降了57.3% 和67.7%,同时对多杀菌素的敏感度也分别下降了60.2% 和51.5%,但对毒死蜱和高效氯氰菊酯的敏感度变化不明显。采用该浓度的氯虫苯甲酰胺分别处理小菜蛾3龄幼虫24、48和72 h,可诱导其羧酸酯酶(CarE)比活力上升,但对细胞色素P450 O-脱乙基酶(ECOD)、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)和芳基酰胺酶(AA)有明显的抑制作用;连续处理5代后,小菜蛾CarE和ECOD的比活力显著高于对照组,分别为对照组的1.16、1.40倍和1.65、1.56倍,但GSTs和AA的比活力则分别比对照下降了11.0%、27.5%和43.6%、52.5%。结果表明,小菜蛾对氯虫苯甲酰胺产生抗性的风险较高;羧酸酯酶和多功能氧化酶可能与小菜蛾对氯虫苯甲酰胺的敏感度下降有关。