In vitro activity of danofloxacin, tylosin and oxytetracycline against mycoplasmas of veterinary importance

The activities of danofloxacin, a novel fluoroquinolone, and two other antimicrobials were determined in vitro against field isolates of seven Mycoplasma species of veterinary importance isolated from cattle, swine and poultry in five European countries. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of danofloxacin, tylosin and oxytetracycline were determined against a total of 68 isolates. Danofloxacin showed excellent activity against isolates of all Mycoplasma species (range 0·008 to 0·5 μg ml⁻¹), but in some isolates there was evidence of reduced sensitivity to tylosin (range 0·008 to 2·0 μg ml⁻¹) and oxytetracycline (range 0·008 to over 16·0 μg ml⁻¹). Danofloxacin was more active than other antimicrobials against, M hyopneumoniae, M dispar and M bovigenitalium, and showed activity similar to that of tylosin against M bovis and M gallisepticum. Tylosin was the most active against M synoviae and M hyosynoviae. Generally, oxytetracycline showed the poorest activity, but was superior to tylosin against M bovigenitalium. A second (final) MIC reading was taken for all isolates 14 or 21 days after the initial reading, and MIC values rose during that time. However, the increase seen in danofloxacin values (typically one to two dilutions) was less than that seen for tylosin and oxytetracycline. It is concluded that danofloxacin is highly active in vitro against all of the Mycoplasma species tested, and thus shows great potential for the treatment of respiratory and other infections caused by Mycoplasma species in cattle, pigs and poultry.     

Interactions between Escherichia coli and allophane—I. Adsorption

Sorptive interactions between Escherichia coli (ATCC 11303B) and a purified allophane clay fraction were studied quantitatively using electronic particle counting and electrophoresis. Adsorption was influenced by pH and ions present at the allophane surface. These effects could be rationalized by considering changes in the net surface charge of the components. Electronic particle counting studies at pH 5.5 and above gave adsorption isotherms that obeyed single-term Langmuir kinetics. At pH 4.5, a more complex two-step isotherm was obtained, which was attributed to aggregation of unadsorbed cells by Al solubilized from the allophane surface.     

Conservation of the jackass penguin (Spheniscus demersus (L.))

The jackass penguin Spheniscus demersus (L.) is confined to the coastal waters of southern Africa, and breeds on 18 islands predominantly within the region of the cold, nutrient rich Benguella current. Since the early 1900s the species' population has declined in numbers of unknown magnitude. The decline appears to be continuing, although the absence of reliable census data precludes an accurate measurement of the rate of change. The initial fall in numbers was undoubtedly due to severe disturbance of nesting birds and excessive commercial exploitation of eggs. The average annual egg crop for the period 1900-30 exceeded 450,000 eggs from Dassen Island alone. Egg collection has been suspended temporarily, but the species now appears to be threatened by oil pollution, and by competition with a pelagic shoal fish industry. Threats to breeding colonies are posed by harbour developments. These factors are discussed and evaluated. South African marine organisms are considered officially to be an economic resource and are heavily exploited. Legislation governing the control of this resource is the concern of the Ministry for Economic Affairs. There is no provision for any government body to investigate the status and biology of economically insignificant, but yet integral, components of the marine ecosystem. The major priority of conservations is to safeguard the jackass penguin population at its present level. This includes proclamation of several offshore islands and their surroundings as national nature reserves. We consider current efforts to rescue, clean and rehabilitate oiled seabirds as contributing little to conservation in real terms, even though the activity has an important humanitarian and educational function. Research priorities include a comprehensive census of the jackass penguin and other seabird populations in southern Africa; a study of mortality and recruitment, with particular attention to factors affecting the rates of these processes; a study of the dynamics of the penguin/prey interaction, with special reference to the possible effects of competition with the pelagic fishing industry; an evaluation of the degree of disturbance that nesting penguins can tolerate; an investigation into the temporal and spatial patterns of oil pollution incidents, oil slick occurrence and movement, and the development of methods of keeping birds away from oil slicks; and, lastly, an evaluation of the efficacy of rehabilitating oiled penguins as a contribution to maintaining or increasing the current jackass penguin population. The responsibility for these projects rests with the South African government.     

Hyperzincaemia in a pet African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse, 1840)

Presented is an African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus) following zinc ingestion. The sick rat was lethargic, withdrawn, had soft, mucus-impregnated faeces and diahorrea, foot twitching and icterus. Comparative age, sex and body weight (b.wt.)-matched analyses were made with a healthy giant rat. Twelve-hourly Urine volume (UV), Haematocrit (Hct), urinary glucose, plasma zinc and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) were performed over an 8-week period. Full blood counts were performed and differential WBC counts and microscopic observations were made on blood smears obtained from both healthy and sick rats. Consecutive blood samples were drawn at the end of each week (Weeks <2-6 treatment; Weeks 7-8 post-treatment). Treatment involved oral vitamin B12 supplement at 4 microg/day and 2 ml diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) intramuscular injections at 1 ml/450g b.wt./5 wks (Week 2 - 6). Day 1 showed neutropaenia, Heinz bodies on RBCs (reticulocytes and immature forms). Zinc (Day 1 - end Week 7), glucose (Day 1 - end Week 4), ALP (Day 1 -Week 4) and UV were elevated (Day 1 - end Week 6). Indications of moderate zinc toxicosis following ingestion and stress-associated glucosuria were concluded.     

Nitrate leaching loss following application of organic manures to sandy soils in arable cropping.

Abstract. Experiments were set up at two sites to measure nitrogen (N) leaching loss from applications of separated pig/cattle slurry and cattle farmyard manure(FYM), during winters 1990/91–1993/94 (site A) and from broiler litter and FYM, during winters 1990/91–1992/93 (site B). The manures were applied at a target rate of 200 kg ha^-1 total N during the autumn and winter to overwinter fallow or top dressed onto winter rye. The total N in leachate was calculated from leachate N concentrations, in samples collected using ceramic cups buried at 90 cm, and an estimate of drainage volume. Nitrogen losses were greatest following manure applications in September, October and November but losses following applications in December or January were not significantly elevated above those from untreated controls. Losses were consistently lower from FYM than from broiler litter or separated slurry. The presence of a cover crop (winter rye) significantly reduced overall N leaching compared with the fallow, but only reduced the manure N leaching losses at one site during one winter when a high proportion of drainage occurred late. The incorporation of a nitrification inhibitor (DCD) with manures applied in October did not significantly reduce the manure N leaching.     

New method for detecting cellular transforming genes

Tumor induction in athymic nude mice can be used to detect dominant transforming genes in cellular DNA. Mouse NIH 3T3 cells freshly transfected with either cloned Moloney sarcoma proviral DNA or cellular DNA's derived from virally transformed cells induced tumors when injected into athymic nu/nu mice. Tumors were also induced by cells transfected with DNA from two tumor-derived and one chemically transformed human cell lines. The mouse tumors induced by human cell line DNA's contained human DNA sequences, and DNA derived from these tumors was capable of inducing both tumors and foci on subsequent transfection. Tumor induction in nude mice represents a useful new method for the detection and selection of cells transformed by cellular oncogenes.