Interaction of low-pathogenicity reoviruses and low levels of infection with several coccidial species

Various combinations of reoviruses and coccidia were studied to see if interactions would occur. Two reoviruses were used: virus 2035, a moderate to low pathogen, and virus 2177, a nonpathogen. Coccidia used were Eimeria acervulina, E. mitis, and E. maxima at dosages of 10(3) or 10(4) sporulated oocysts/chick and E. brunetti at 10(4) sporulated oocysts/chick. In Hubbard-Hubbard cockerels, a combination of virus 2035 and E. acervulina (10(4) oocysts/chick) or E. maxima (10(3) oocysts/chick) significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) increased the frequency of stunting (% of chicks with body weight less than 80% of controls) and further depressed weight gain over that seen with either virus or coccidia alone. Conversely, virus 2177 ameliorated the same effects in Shaver-Arbor Acre cockerels given 10(4) oocysts/chick of E. mitis or E. maxima. The interaction could not be attributed to changes in the degree of coccidial infection based on oocyst production. Reovirus did not generally change the effect of coccidia on levels of plasma pigment and plasma protein. In Hubbard-Hubbard cockerels, coccidia-induced effects were not ameliorated by virus 2177, suggesting that breed difference in interaction can be expected.     

Sensitivity of populations ofBotrytis cinerea to triazoles,benomyl and vinclozolin

Sensitivity of field isolates (121) ofBotrytis cinerea from France (1992), Germany (1979–1992), Israel (1990) and the Netherlands (1970–1989) to the triazoles tebuconazole and triadimenol, the benzimidazole benomyl and the dicarboximide vinclozolin were tested in radial growth experiments. Resistance to benomyl (in 21 to 100% of isolates tested) and vinclozolin (in 25 to 71% of isolates tested) was common in most countries. EC₅₀s (concentrations of fungicides inhibiting radial mycelial growth ofB. cinerea on B5-agar by 50%) for tebuconazole and triadimenol ranged between 0.01–1.64 and 0.4–32.6g ml^–1, respectively, and were log-normally distributed. The variation factor (ratio between EC₅₀s of the least and most sensitive isolate tested) amounts 164 and 82 for tebuconazole and triadimenol, respectively. These values are comparable to those for azole fungicides applied in control of other pathogens. Hence, variation in sensitivity to triazoles can probably not explain limited field performance of triazoles towardsB. cinerea. Isolates from south west Germany (1992) were significantly less sensitive to tebuconazole than isolates collected earlier in Germany, Israel and the Netherlands. Such less sensitive populations may contribute to the limited field performance of DMI fungicides towardsB. cinerea. The sensitivity of isolates from south west Germany to tebuconazole was similar to that of DMI-resistant mutants generated in the laboratory. These mutants displayed stable resistance with Q-values (ratio between EC₅₀ of resistant mutant and wild type isolate) between 5 and 20. Sensitivity of field isolates and laboratory mutants to tebuconazole and triadimenol was correlated.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—MULTIMODALITY FINDINGS IN AN ADULT DOG WITH PRIMARY SARCOMA OF THE PULMONARY ARTERY AND MYOCARDIAL METASTASES

Intravascular pulmonary artery sarcomas in combination with myocardial metastasis are rare in dogs. We describe the radiographic, echocardiographic, and electrocardiographic‐gated (ECG‐gated) computed tomographic angiography (CTA) findings in a dog with pulmonary artery sarcoma. All imaging studies demonstrated severe main pulmonary artery enlargement. Echocardiography and ECG‐gated CTA revealed a mass occluding the lumen of the right pulmonary artery. In addition, CTA revealed focal left ventricular myocardial contrast enhancement and parenchymal lung changes. Postmortem examination confirmed the presence of a large thrombus associated with arteriosclerosis and an intravascular sarcoma in the right pulmonary artery with metastases to the myocardium, lungs and brain.     

Biodegradation of estrogens in stream water

Estrogens of human and animal origin that reach the aquatic environment may enter human or animal organism and act as endocrine disruptors.To investigate the persistency of estrogens in laboratory experiments, estrone respectively 17beta-estradiol were added to stream water sampled from river Spree in Berlin. The concentration of estrone and 17beta-estradiol was quantified using enzyme-immuno-assay. The estrone concentration decreased to less than 5 % of the starting concentration at storage temperature of 5 degrees C within 56 days and at storage temperature of 20 degrees C within 14 days. If the estrone were added to autoclaved stream water, no biodegradation was observed. Biodegradation was enhanced when activated sludge was added. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorenscens and Aeromonas hydrophila in monoculture did not degrade estrone in autoclaved stream water.The concentrations of 17beta-estradiol and estrone decreased similarly.The logistic function proved to be suitable to describe the course of time for the decrease of concentration.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli from swine, horses, dogs and cats as determined in the BfT-GermVet monitoring program 2004-2006

A total of 417 isolates of Escherichia coli collected from five animal species/organ system combinations from swine [urinary/genital tract (UGT) incl. mastitis metritis agalactia syndrome], horses [genital tract (GT)] and dogs/cats [respiratory tract (RT), UGT and gastrointestinal tract (GIT)] were analysed quantitatively for their susceptibility against different antimicrobial agents by determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations. Regardless of which animal species the strains originated from, resistance appeared most frequently against sulfamethoxazole (18-59%), tetracycline (14-54 %), and ampicillin (14-39%). High percentages of intermediate isolates were observed for cephalothin (39-46 %). In general, low prevalences of resistance were detected for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (1-4%), gentamicin (1-9%), and cefazolin (0-11%). Generally speaking, the antimicrobial resistance situation among E. coli isolates from horses and small animals is relatively good.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica from dogs and cats as determined in the BfT-GermVet monitoring program 2004-2006

A total of 92 canine/feline Pasteurella multocida strains form respiratory tract infections or infections of skin/ear/mouth as well as 42 canine/feline Bordetella bronchiseptica strains from respiratory tract infections were investigated for their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. While the P. multocida strains were susceptible to all antimicrobial agents tested - except sulfonamides -, a considerable number of the B. bronchiseptica strains was resistant or exhibited high MIC values against a number of antimicrobial agents including penicillin G, oxacillin, cefazolin, ceftiofur, cefquinome, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.     

In vivo confocal microscopy in the normal corneas of cats, dogs and birds

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the applicability of in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in veterinary ophthalmology and analyze the morphology of living, healthy cornea. ANIMALS EXAMINED: Thirty-seven dogs, 34 cats and five birds. PROCEDURE: Various corneal sublayers were visualized in the central region using an in vivo confocal corneal microscope (HRTII/RCM). RESULTS: An investigation method was developed and adapted for use on animals with varying skull forms and eye positions. Real-time images of the epithelial cells, the corneal stroma and the endothelial layer were obtained. The corneal stromal nerve trunks and the subepithelial and basal epithelial nerve plexus were visualized. In dogs, full corneal thickness (FCT) was 585 +/- 79 microm (mean +/- SD) and endothelial cell density (ECD) 3175 +/- 776 cells/mm(2) (mean +/- SD). In cats, FCT was 592 +/- 80 microm and ECD 2846 +/- 403 cells/mm(2). There were no significant differences between canine and feline FCT and ECD and no morphologic differences could be seen between dogs and cats. The bird images revealed a number of structural differences. CONCLUSION: Noninvasive IVCM allows accurate detection of corneal sublayers, corneal pachymetry, endothelial cell density and corneal innervation in various animal species. For clinical usage, patients must be under general anesthesia. The confocal images provided anatomic reference images of various healthy corneal structures in dogs, cats and birds.     

Membrane proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum induce high-curvature tubules

The tubular structure of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) appears to be generated by integral membrane proteins, the reticulons and a protein family consisting of DP1 in mammals and Yop1p in yeast. Here, individual members of these families were found to be sufficient to generate membrane tubules. When we purified yeast Yop1p and incorporated it into proteoliposomes, narrow tubules (approximately 15 to 17 nanometers in diameter) were generated. Tubule formation occurred with different lipids; required essentially only the central portion of the protein, including its two long hydrophobic segments; and was prevented by mutations that affected tubule formation in vivo. Tubules were also formed by reconstituted purified yeast Rtn1p. Tubules made in vitro were narrower than normal ER tubules, due to a higher concentration of tubule-inducing proteins. The shape and oligomerization of the "morphogenic" proteins could explain the formation of the tubular ER.     

Metabolism of the pesticide metabolites 4-nitrophenol and 3,4-dichloroaniline in carrot (Daucus carota) cell suspension cultures

The metabolism of [ 14 C]-4-nitrophenol and [ 14 C]-3,4-dichloroaniline (the xenobiotics are degradation products of parathion and propanil, respectively) was studied in cell suspension cultures of carrot (Daucus carota L.). 4-Nitrophenol was transformed almost quantitatively to water-soluble conjugates with minor amounts of non-extractable residues. The conjugates identified were 1-(O-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-nitrobenzene and 1-(6′-O-malonyl-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-nitrobenzene. In addition, two unidentified metabolites were observed, possibly a disaccharide and another malonylated glycoside of 4-nitrophenol. Time-course studies demonstrated that 4-nitrophenol was rapidly taken up and conjugated; all metabolites remained associated with the cells rather than nutrient medium. 3,4-Dichloroaniline was transformed quantitatively to water-soluble conjugates and bound residues (3.6%). The water-soluble metabolites were identified as 6′-O-malonyl-N-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-3,4-dichloroaniline, N-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-3,4-dichloroaniline and N-malonyl-3,4-dichloroaniline. A time-course study showed that the glucosides were formed initially, then decreased, possibly due to hydrolysis. This decrease was paralleled by an increase of the main metabolite, N-malonyl-3,4-dichloroaniline, which was predominantly recovered from the medium.