Incidence of Salmonellae in Captive and Wild Free‐Living Raptorial Birds in Central Spain

A total of 595 faecal samples from raptorial birds, either captive or free‐living, residing in GREFA Wildlife Hospital were bacteriologically examined using various selective media and an Automated Diagnostic Assay System for Salmonella detection. Serotype and phage type of the strains identified as Salmonella was determined. In the captive group, of the 285 samples examined, 21 (7.36%) were positive for Salmonella. Serotyping revealed that most of the individuals were infected by Salmonella serotype Havana. This result suggested that there could be a source of contamination in the Hospital although it could not be established. In the wild free‐living group, over 310 samples examined (4.19%) were positive for Salmonella. The Salmonella isolates showed a major variety of serotypes: Enteritidis, Adelaide, Brandenburg, Newport, Typhimurium, Hadar, Saintpaul and Virchow. Most of them are similar to those commonly described in isolates from human and domestic animals. These results indicate that wild birds could be involved in the dissemination of Salmonella in humans or domestic animals or vice versa.     

Response of gladiolus (Gladiolus spp) plants after exposure corms to chitosan and hot water treatments

The state of Morelos, Mexico has gradually become an important producer of gladiolus. Some preconditioning treatments of corms are empirically done causing uneven emergence and low quality of flowers. In this investigation, before planting, gladiolus corms var. ‘Blanca Borrego’ were dipped in chitosan (chitosan reagent and commercial chitosan Biorend^®), in hot water at various temperatures and in treatments combined with Biorend^® at 1.5% and hot water. Results indicated that the most influenced variables were corm germination, number of flowers per spike, number of cormlets and vase life. Overall, the commercial product Biorend^® at 1.5% accelerated corm emergence in approximately 4 days, the number of flowers increased by 2–7 and the vase life extended for 3 days. The number of cormlets was also duplicated. Corms dipped in the commercial chitosan Biorend^® at 1.5% at different intervals of time were not greatly affected except for the emergence and number of cormlets. However, for this experiment there were significant effects on the number of leaves and flowers because of the interactions between chitosan and the immersion time. The temperature of 55 °C affected plant development because emergence was delayed by 6 days; and there were less number of leaves, flowers and cormlets. On the other hand, the incidence of Fusarium oxysporum in naturally infected corms was 0% at temperatures of 55 °C and 50 °C. Immersion times (0, 10, 15 and 20 min) in hot water at 50 °C did not show significant effects on plant development and vase life. Corms dipped in Biorend^® at 1.5% and hot water at 50 °C accelerated their emergence for about 1–7 days, the number of flowers increased by two, extended the storage life for 1–3 days and increased the number of cormlets. The integration of these two treatments -Biorend^® and hot water- might be a good option for increasing the gladiolus plant quality and vase life.     

First isolation of Tenacibaculum maritimum from wedge sole, Dicologoglossa cuneata (Moreau)

The first isolation of Tenacibaculum maritimum from wedge sole, Dicologoglossa cuneata, is reported. The pathogen was recovered from ulcers of cultured fish, from three different outbreaks. The six isolates obtained were biochemically and serologically characterized and diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers and partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolates constituted a homogeneous phenotypic group; however, they belong to two of the different serotypes described within this species. A virulence evaluation of the isolates using Wedge sole fry was also performed.     

Use of a sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SEA) for the diagnosis of natural Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle from Galicia (NW Spain)

An indirect-enzyme immune-linked immunosorbent assay (IEA) was compared to a sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SEA) to diagnose fasciolosis in naturally infected cattle. By means of a rabbit polyclonal IgG antibody to F. hepatica antigens, captured circulating antigens were detected by an SEA technique. A total of 85.1% of the samples examined was considered positive by using the IEA-test, whereas this percentage was of 37.3% by the SEA test. Using the two enzymatic probes, only the 38.3% resulted positive to both immunoassay probes. Our data indicate that circulating antigen detection assay in combination with results of antibody detection may offer a more reliable diagnostic technique than classic coprologic ones, with results very appropriate for epidemiologic studies carried out on a wide area.     

Arteries of the hindfoot of the llama (Lama glama)

The objective of this study was to describe the arterial distribution of the hindfoot of the llama (Lama glama). Ten adult llamas, preserved in 6% formalin solution at 0 degree C, were dissected. The arterial system was perfused with a solution of 14% coloured plaster; the venous system was perfused with a solution of 17% coloured industrial gelatin. Angiographies were also obtained. In the llama, the arterial distribution is of the saphenous type and this simple sort of irrigation could be used as a didactic model. The caudal branch of the saphenous artery divides into the small lateral plantar artery and the larger medial plantar artery, which continues as the plantar common digital artery III, and it is the main blood supply of the hindfoot. The dorsal pedal artery is underdeveloped and the perforating tarsal artery does not exist in this species. The plantar common digital artery III divides into the plantar proper digital II, III and IV. Branches from the plantar proper digital artery III supply the digits. We compared the arterial distribution of the hindfoot of the llama with that of other domestic animals including the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius).     

Phenotypic variability in different strains of Pseudomonas syringae subsp. savastanoi isolated from different hosts

One hundred and sixty strains of Pseudomonas syringae subsp. savastanoi from Olea europaea, Olea europaea var. sylvestris, Nerium oleander, Fraxinus angustifolia and Retama sphaerocarpa, and four type strains of other pathovars were studied, investigating 102 phenotypic traits, among which we include biochemical characteristics, assimilation of different carbon sources, sensitivity or resistance to antibiotics and indoleacetic acid (IAA) production. Results were analysed with an affinity dendrogram via the Jaccard coefficient. They indicate an influence of environmental factors on the formation of the 15 phenons obtained, since isolated (knot) strains from the same species but different geographical areas are segregated. Segregation, also detected in strains from different hosts within the same area, added to the pathogenicity test helps to characterise these strains as different pathovars.     

Biology,incidence and host susceptibility of Pineus boerneri (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) in Colombian pine plantations

Adelgids (Hemiptera) in the genus Pineus have been reported as introduced insect pests causing serious losses to Pinus plantations worldwide. In 2008, Pineus boerneri was recorded for the first time in Colombia, with infestations noted on Pinus kesiya, P. tecunumanii, P. maximinoi and P. oocarpa. The lack of information on this insect in Colombia prompted investigations of its life cycle and infestation levels as well as host susceptibility of the main Pinus species planted in Colombia. In addition, the possibility of using a Ceraeochrysa species, an already established predator of adelgids in Colombia, for biological control was considered. Results showed that Pineus boerneri in Colombia has an anholocyclic life cycle comprised of four instars with a complete duration of between 49 and 97 d. Infestations were higher in the middle and upper part of trees. Pinus kesiya and P. maximinoi had the highest levels of susceptibility in field as well as in greenhouse trials. A survey of naturally infested trees showed P. tecunumanii to be moderately susceptible, whereas P. patula and P. oocarpa had low levels of susceptibility in a greenhouse trial but were not susceptible in the field. Investigations considering the impact of predation of Ceraeochrysa species showed a high predation rate of up to 140 P. boerneri consumed per day by a single Ceraeochrysa individual. Other predators of P. boerneri were recorded but were not sufficiently common to warrant detailed study.