Plasma lipopolysaccharide elevations in cattle associated with early-stage infection by Fasciola hepatica

Fasciolosis is an endemic zoonotic parasitic disease with significant impacts on human health and both animal health and production. Early post-infection impacts on the host remain unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the changes, if any, to levels of endotoxin in cattle plasma in response to early-stage infection with Fasciola hepatica. Thirty-six (36) commercial bred cattle were experimentally infected with approximately 400 viable metacercariae. Plasma lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) levels were examined on 24 occasions from 0 h before infection to 336 h after infection using the Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate chromogenic end point assay and compared with that of six (6) uninfected control animals. Peak lipopolysaccharide levels in infected animals were reached at 52 h after infection and returned to pre-infection levels at time 144 h after infection. Infected animals had significantly elevated lipopolysaccharide levels between 24 and 120 h after infection when compared to uninfected animals. The mean change in endotoxin units (EU)/mL over time after infection was statistically significant in infected animals. Elevations of lipopolysaccharide occurred in all infected animals suggesting a possible repeatable and titratable endotoxemia conducive to therapeutic agent model development.     

Tolypocladium terricola sp. N., a new mosquito-killing species of the genus Tolypocladium Gams (Hyphomycetes).

A new entomopathogenic species of the genus Tolypocladium, T. terricola is described from a soil sample from Finalnd. From other known Tolypocladium species, T. terricola differs in morphology, production of secondary metabolites and possession of relatively strong mosquitocidal activity. The fungus is characterized by broad oval conidia (2.5 x 2 microns) with one pointed end which are produced in grape-like clusters, and are not firmly adherent. When treated with T. terricola, mosquito larvae show typical features of intoxication characterized by the concentration of larvae in the centre of cup, hanging by their siphons on the surface.     

Rhabdovirus-like particles in the sporocyst of the trematode Brachylaimus fuscatus from terrestrial mollusc Ponsadenia duplocincta

Rhabdovirus-like particles containing nucleoprotein in a helix with eight turns was demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy in subtegumental cells and syncytial layer of tegument in Brachylaimus fuscatus sporocyst. This is the first case of virus infection in trematodes. The possibility of transfer of the virus to intra-molluscan parasitic generations of the trematode is discussed with respect to the peculiarities of the life cycles of the family Brachylaimidae.     

Occurrence of pathogens in associated living bark beetles (Col., Scolytidae) from different spruce stands in Austria

Pathogen occurrence was studied in 16099 adult specimens of 10 different bark beetle species, which live associated on Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Beetles (mainly Ips typographus L. and Pityogenes chalcographus L.) were collected from 6 different localities in Austria (4 secondary spruce stands and 2 natural forest type stands, 9 sampling plots in total) in elevations between 400m and 1600m. Various viral, protozoan, and fungal pathogens could be diagnosed with a light microscope in the examined beetles. Numerous pathogen species were known from former studies, some pathogens were totally new or could be found in a new host species beside their type host. The most dominant pathogen species were Protozoa, Gregarina cf. typographi, Malamoeba cf. scolyti, and Chytridiopsis cf. typographi. Over the whole investigation period, the highest pathogen diversity with eight pathogen species was found in I. typographus. Differences were observed in the pathogen complex of each beetle species from the different collection sites and in different years of investigation. Several species showed an overlapping in their host range and infected various bark beetle species. Furthermore, pathogen occurrence and prevalence differed in bark beetles from 4 different sampling plots in an area (one locality) within a distance of a few kilometres.     

Infection of Tomicus piniperda (Col., Scolytidae) with Canningia tomici sp. n. (Microsporidia, Unikaryonidae)

Canningia tomici sp. n. (Microsporidia, Unikaryonidae) infects the midgut epithelium, the gut muscules, Malpighian tubules, connective tissues, adipose tissues and the gonads of the pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda (L.) (Coleoptera, Scolytidae). The infection is present in populations of Tomicus piniperda in Europe and in the United States. Uninucleate oval single spores occur in two sizes: 2.8±0.4× 1.4±0.4m and 3.8±0.3×2.0±0.2m. The polar filament of this microsporidium is fixed subapically in a flat anchoring disc. The thick posterior lamellae of the binary polaroplast are asymmetric due to the lateral fixation of the polar filament.     

Perspectives and advances in in-clinic laboratory diagnostic capabilities: hematology and clinical chemistry.

The typical technologies used in veterinary hematology and biochemical analyzers are reviewed, along with associated advantages and disadvantages. Guidelines for implementing a successful in-clinic laboratory are provided, including criteria for system evaluation and expectations for comparative performance evaluations. The more common problems and limitations associated with in-clinic laboratory diagnostics and how to best prevent them are also discussed.     

Bluetongue virus serotypes 1 and 3 infection in Poll Dorset sheep

Objective To study the clinical signs following bluetongue virus serotypes 1 and 3 infection in Poll Dorset sheep.
Design A clinical and pathological study.
Procedure Twenty Poll Dorset sheep were inoculated with bluetongue virus serotypes 1 or 3, each inoculum having a different passage history. The sheep were examined daily and their clinical appearance and rectal temperatures recorded. Heparinised and non-heparinised blood samples were taken at intervals for virological and serological study. Gross pathological findings were recorded for several sheep at necropsy and tissue samples were collected from three sheep for virological studies.
Results All inoculated sheep developed clinical disease. The clinical signs and gross pathological changes varied considerably but were consistent with damage to the vascular endothelial system. There was a decline in the titres of infectious bluetongue virus and of antigen in tissues collected between 7 and 12 days after infection.
Conclusions The severity of disease was related to the speed of onset and duration of pyrexia and not the development or titre of viraemia. Generally, those animals with sensitive mouths, depression, coronitis, recumbency and reluctance to move were the most debilitated. Whole blood was the most reliable source of infectious virus from acutely and chronically infected and convalescent animals. However, tissue samples particularly spleen, collected from dead or killed animals suffering from either peracute or acute forms of disease were most appropriate for the rapid confirmation of a clinical diagnosis.     

The clinicopathologic, light, and scanning electron microscopic features of eperythrozoonosis in four naturally infected llamas

The hematologic, biochemical, and light and scanning electron microscopic features of eperythrozoonosis in four llamas are described. One female and three male yearling llamas were presented for evaluation of chronic weight loss. Three of four llamas had historical evidence of chronic inflammatory conditions. On examination, multiple clinical problems were apparent, including poorly to non-regenerative anemia, inflammatory disease, and hypoproteinemia. Coccoid- and ring-shaped basophilic organisms were present on the erythrocytes of all the llamas. On scanning electron microscopy, individual, pairs, and clusters of coccoid-shaped organisms were present on the erythrocytes. The organisms measured 0.4 to 0.6 micron in diameter and caused no marked deformation of the erythrocyte membrane. A rare organism could be found that produced a slight indentation into the erythrocyte membrane. The light and scanning electron microscopic morphologic features suggested that the organism was an Eperythrozoon. Serial evaluation of serum iron concentrations of the llamas showed a decrease serum iron in all animals, with a concurrent decrease in the total iron binding capacity and percent transferrin saturation in two of the llamas. Common abnormalities seen on serum electrophoresis included a decrease in albumin and beta serum fraction in all llamas and a decrease in the gamma globulin fraction of two individuals.     

Untersuchungen zum Auftreten von Pathogenen beiIps typographus L. (Coleoptera,Scolytidae) aus einem Naturschutzgebiet im Schwarzwald (Baden-Württemberg)

Zusammenfassung Die permanenten Probleme mit dem großen achtzähnigen Fichtenborkenkäfer,Ips typographus L., in mittel- und nordeuroäischen Fichtenwäldern waren der Anlaß für qualitative und quantitative Erhebungen zum Pathogen-Komplex bei dieser Borkenkäfer-Art von einem außeralpinen Standort in SW-Deutschland. Zu diesem Zweck wurden erwachsene Käfer in Einzelsektionen im Lichtmikroskop untersucht. Zusätzlich wurde das Käfer-Geschlecht bestimmt. Bei der Auswertung wurden drei Untersuchungsgruppen unterschieden: 1. Käfer, vor dem Schlüpfen (aus den Rinden herausgelöst), 2. Käfer, die in der ersten Schlüpfwoche- und 3. Käfer, die in der zweiten Schlüpfwoche selbsttätig geschlüpft waren.Bei den Untersuchungen konnten neben den bereits bekannten Pathogen-Arten, demI. typographus-Entomopoxvirus, den MicrosporidienChytridiopsis typographis, Nosema typographi undGregarina typographi auch ovale Sporen gefunden werden, bei denen es sich vermutlich um Neogregarinen handelt. An Parasiten konnten die NematodenContortylenchus diplogaster undCryptaphelenchus macrogaster macrogaster sowie in einem Fall Hymenoptern-Larven der ArtTomicobia seitneri gefunden werden. Bei den drei Untersuchungsgrappen konnten zum Til beträchtliche Unterschiede in der Häufigkeit der einzelnen Pathogen-Arten beobachtet werden. So war die Anzahl der Pathogene, bei den selbsttätig geschlüpften Käfern erheblich höher als bei jenen, die aus den Rinden herausgelöst worden waren. Darüber hinaus war die Anzahl infizierter Käfer in der zweiten Schlüpfwoche nochmals deutlch höher als in der ersten. Ebenso war die Anzahl infizierter männlicher Käfer meist größer als die der weiblichen Käfer.Die Ergebnisse werden mit früheren Untersuchungen beiI. typographus von Standorten aus den Kern- und Randgebieten der Ostalpen in Österreich sowie solchen aus der tschechischen Republik verglichen. Die Verbreitung und Häufigkeit der Pathogene wird aus der Sicht ihrer möglichen Wirkung diskutiert.

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Occurrence of pathogen species was qualitatively and quantitatively investigated inIps typographus L. from a nature reserve in the Schwarzwald (Germany). Adult beetles were dissected and examined in a light microscope. Beetles were differentiated by their sex, pathogen frequency was determined seperately in beetles that had been cut out of the bark (before their emergence) or in beetles that emerged normally from the bark. The study revealed the evidence of theI. typographus-Entomopoxvirus and the microsporidiaChytridiopsis typograpbik, Nosema typographi andGregarina typographi. Furthermore, unknown spores could be found which are presumed to belong to the Neogregarine group. Parasitic nematodes (Contortylenchus diphogaster andCryptaphelenchus macrogaster macrogaster) and larvae of the parasitic HymenopteraTomicobia seitneri could be found too.Frequency of pathogens was highest in the late emerging beetles in comparison with the early emerging beetles and especially in comparison with the beetles cut out of the bark. Male beetles showed higher infection rates than female beetles in most cases. Results are discussed with regard to former studies in Austria and in the Czech Republic. Prevalence and frequency of pathogens are explained by the possible efficacy of the distinct pathogen species.

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