Upper respiratory tract disease and mycoplasmosis in desert tortoises from Nevada

A population of desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) at Yucca Mountain (Nevada, USA) was monitored during four sampling periods using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to determine the percentage of individuals that had been exposed to Mycoplasma agassizii, a causative agent of upper respiratory tract disease. Respiratory tract disease has been considered a significant factor in the decline of desert tortoise populations in the Mojave Desert (USA). Few differences between sexes in ELISA values or percentages testing positive were noted. From 15 to 23% of samples per period tested positive for exposure to the mycoplasma. However, we noted few clinical signs of upper respiratory tract disease. This is in contrast to an earlier study which reported a similar proportion of seropositive tortoises as well as a high percentage of tortoises with clinical signs. However, our results are consistent with that study's conclusion that seropositivity for M. agassizii was a poor predictor of the likelihood to exhibit clinical signs of upper respiratory tract disease. Earlier reported epizootics of mycoplasma-associated respiratory disease occurred mainly during times of drought. Our samples were collected during a period of average to above-average rainfall, suggesting that manifestation of clinical signs of the disease may depend upon the physiological condition of tortoises which, in turn, is related to environmental conditions.     

Characterization of an Anaplasma ovis isolate from desert bighorn sheep in southern California

The aim of the present study was to validate an in vitro assay for quantifying resistant starch (RS) in foods against an in vivo model. The amount of starch escaping digestion in the small intestine of ileostomates was compared with that observed by using the in vitro assay. Subjects with ileostomies were fed five foods containing different types and amounts of RS (baked beans, pearl barley, cornflakes, and whole and ground rice). The total amount of starch escaping digestion and recovered in the effluent (ranging from 5.7% in baked beans to 0.7% in ground rice) was compared with results obtained by using the in vitro assay with an incubation time of 6 h. The assay was found to be a good qualitative predictor (r = 0.90, P < 0.05), but a poor quantitative predictor of RS amounts. Increasing the duration of incubation with alpha-amylase and amyloglucosidase to 15 h resulted in a very close agreement between results from the in vitro technique and the in vivo model. These data indicate that for a variety of foods the in vitro assay produced an excellent estimate of starch escaping digestion in the small intestine of humans.     

Serosurvey of selected viral and bacterial diseases in wild swine from Oklahoma

Blood samples collected from 120 wild swine (Sus scrofa) in thirteen Oklahoma (USA) counties during 1996 were tested for antibodies against six viral and two bacterial diseases. No antibodies to swine brucellosis, pseudorabies, transmissible gastroenteritis, and vesicular stomatitis were detected. Antibody titers to one or more leptospiral serovars were found in 44% of the samples, the two most frequent serovars being Leptospira interrogans serovars bratislava (29%) and pomona (27%). Antibody against porcine parvovirus and swine influenza virus was detected in 17% and 11% of the swine, respectively. Two samples (2%) were positive for antibody to the recently emerged porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.     

Seroepidemiologic studies of hantavirus infection among wild rodents in California

To assess the functional significance of putative proteins encoded by alternately spliced mRNA of the sheep testicular FSH receptor, a short form cDNA comprising of the first four exons (117 residues mature protein) was engineered for expression in Escherichia coli. The expressed protein of molecular mass 15 kDa was purified to homogeneity and verified by reaction with an antibody against a synthetic peptide sequence unique to the amino (N)-terminal region FSH receptor. The purified FSH receptor domain protein bound 125I-labeled hFSH in a ligand blot on polyvinylidine difluoride membranes. Further analyses by slot blot revealed high affinity of the immobilized protein with significant reaction at 10 pmol. As the immobilized receptor protein also reacted with structurally related hormones (125I-labeled LH/125I-labeled human chorionic gonadotropin), we confirmed that interaction most probably occurred via the common alpha-subunit of these glycoprotein hormones. Our results reveal that this N-terminal portion of the FSH receptor contain(s) major site(s) for hormone recognition that could be mediated via the alpha-subunit. A rabbit antibody to the receptor inhibited FSH action in receptor bearing cells, revealing the utility of such recombinant FSH receptor protein(s) for modulation of hormone action.     

Serologic incidence of some diseases in Kansas wild turkeys

Whereas humans use aspartame as a sugar substitute, evidence to date from rats suggests that aspartame does not taste sweet or, more generally, hedonically positive to them. The present study provided a strong test of the appetitive properties of aspartame in rats by examining consumption of aspartame and, for comparison, several sugars by two lines of rats selectively bred for high (HiS) versus low (LoS) saccharin consumption. The HiS and LoS lines differed in consumption of fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, and saccharin solutions. Overall, the rats showed a weak but significant preference for aspartame. However, no line differences in aspartame consumption were observed. Thus, even among rats specifically bred on the basis of their responsiveness to sweet tastes, aspartame tastes minimally sweet or good.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild and domestic animals in northern California

Wild and domestic animals from 3 geographic-climatologic areas in northern California were tested for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. A total of 2,796 serum samples representing 37 species of wild mammals, 35 species of wild birds, and 5 species of domestic animals were tested by the indirect hemagglutination test. Of 1,174 wild mammal serums tested, 10.8% were positive, which compared with 14.7% of the 1,221 domestic mammal serums. Of 229 wild carnivores tested, 45% were seropositive, including 69% of 86 bobcats, 28% of 58 coyotes, 48% of 25 raccoons, 27% of 26 gray foxes, 22% of 32 striped skunks, a civet cat, and a mink. Serologic evidence of infection was found in 38% of 47 rural domestic cats, but none of the 7 dogs tested was seropositive. Of 160 murid rodents (rats and house mice) in rural habitats, 4% were seropositive, which compared with 2% of 399 cricetine rodents (mostly deer mice) collected from wilderness habitats. Seven percent of 56 wild Artiodactyla (deer and feral pigs) were seropositive, which compared with 15% of 1,048 domestic sheep tested. Of 401 birds tested, 3.5% had antibodies against T gondii. The highest prevalence of antibodies among birds was in crows (14%). Toxoplasma was isolated from 1 raven, by mouse inoculation. In general, the highest prevalence of seropositive carnivores, rodents, and sheep was in the coastal region below 100 ft elevation, where the weather is cool and damp for much of the year. In the central valley the highest prevalence among sheep was in areas under irrigation. The prevalence of antibodies was lowest in the mountain areas, where climatologic extremes prevail at various seasons of the year.     

Chronic rhinitis associated with herpesviral infection in captive spur-thighed tortoises from Spain

An epidemic of chronic rhinitis in a population of 50 captive spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca graeca) from Palafrugell (Girona, Spain) is described, in which eight animals died and 12 were euthanatized to perform necropsies and post-mortem studies. The main clinical sign was a bilateral, seromucous rhinitis often accompanied by stomatitis and glossitis. Hematology and serum biochemistry were performed in 33 of the 50 ill animals and in 29 healthy tortoises from three disease-free populations. Lymphocyte count, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, and alpha-globulin levels were significantly higher in the animals from the sick population. The heterophil count was significantly lower in the sick animals. Some of the diseased tortoises also showed a normocytic-normochromic anemia. Lesions were restricted to the respiratory system and oral cavity. Marked epithelial hyperplasia and presence of a severe mixed inflammatory infiltrate in the epithelium of the oral, nasal, and tracheal mucosae were observed. Electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of intracytoplasmic and intranuclear viral particles of the size, shape, and distribution pattern typical of a herpesvirus.     

Seroepidemiology of emerging tickborne infectious diseases in a Northern California community

A seroprevalence and risk factor study of emerging tickborne infectious diseases (Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis) was conducted among 230 residents of a semirural community in Sonoma County, California. Over 50% of residents reported finding a tick on themselves in the preceding 12 months. Samples from 51(23%) residents were seroreactive to antigens from one or more tickborne disease agents: 1.4% to Borrelia burgdorferi, 0.4% to Ehrlichia equi, 4.6% to Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and 17.8% to the Babesia-like piroplasm WA1. Only 14 (27%) of these seroreactive residents reported one or more symptoms compatible with these diseases. Seroreactivity was significantly associated with younger age (<16 years), longer residence in the community (11-20 years), and having had a physician's diagnosis of Lyme disease. In northern California, the risk of infection with these emerging tickborne diseases, particularly in children, may be greater than previously recognized.     

Pathology of interdigital glands in a wild Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) infected with parapoxvirus

The interdigital glands of a Japanese serow infected with parapoxvirus had severe papular and nodular lesions that completely occupied the sac and duct of the gland. The lesions were characterized by acanthosis with hyperkeratosis. Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were detected in the vacuolated prickle cells. By electron microscopy, mature and immature viral particles were present in the cytoplasm. These glands act as scent glands, and lesions in this organ probably affected the ecological adaptation of this individual.     

Antibodies against orthopoxviruses in wild carnivores from Fennoscandia

Pressure ulcer incidence has been reduced but not eliminated. A few patients still develop pressure ulcers despite using air-fluidized beds and other specialty beds. In the future, very high-risk patients may possibly be sent to space clinics to recuperate in zero gravity for extended periods. Another possibility is the creation of suspension devices to keep a patient off the areas of the body where pressure sores might occur. Being informed of what is available and and aware how to use it optimally is currently the best solution.     

Gastric cryptosporidiosis in a wild frilled lizard from Australia

An adult male frilled lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingi) was found dead in Northern Territory (Australia). On physical examination it was found to be severely emaciated. At necropsy the stomach was found to be firm with mild thickening of the gastric mucosa. Gastric rugae were prominent and the mucosa was red with a thin layer of dark red mucus on its surface. Light microscopic examination revealed a mild diffuse gastritis with infiltration of the lamina propria by lymphocytes, plasma cells, and heterophils. Large numbers of small, round amphophilic to basophilic (2 to 4 microns in diameter) organisms morphologically consistent with cryptosporidia were seen on the surface of the mucosal epithelium and free in the gastric lumen. The gastric lesions seen in this frilled lizard did not involve atrophy, as previously described in lizards with gastric cryptosporidiosis, and were similar to those described in snakes. The possibility that more than one species of Cryptosporidium parasitizes reptiles could explain the different lesions. This is the first report of cryptosporidiosis in a frilled lizard.     

Simplified Estimation of Reference Evapotranspiration from Pan Evaporation Data in California

Evaporation pan (Ep) data are often used to estimate reference evapotranspiration (ET0) for use in water resource planning and irrigation scheduling. This paper reviews equations to estimate ET0 from Ep and provides a simpler method to make this conversion for arid climatic conditions like in California. The new method accounts for fetch differences by first adjusting the Ep rates to values expected for 100?m of grass fetch. Then it relies on an empirical relationship between ET0 and the adjusted Ep to determine Kp values; thus, eliminating the need for relative humidity and wind speed data that are often unavailable. The method is conceptually simpler, easier to code into computer applications, and within California, it gave better results than methods based on relative humidity and wind speed. However, the method might require calibration in more humid or windier climates.     

Detection of the agents of human ehrlichioses in ixodid ticks from California

Methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(L-lysine) dendrimer was designed to form a water-soluble complex with plasmid DNA. The copolymer was synthesized by the liquid-phase peptide synthesis method. It was characterized by 1H NMR and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrum. Agarose gel electrophoresis and DNase I protection assay proved that this linear polymer/dendrimer block copolymer assembled spontaneously with plasmid DNA, forming a water-soluble complex which increased the stability of the complexed DNA. Atomic force microscopy of the complex was evaluated at various charge ratios showing that the copolymer/DNA complex was like a globular shape.     

Pathology of AIDS in children

AIDS in children is a multisystem disease. The various infections, degenerative, proliferative and vascular lesions can be classified into three categories based on the known, presumed or undetermined pathogenesis. The primary lesions are due to HIV infection. The associated lesions are related to direct or indirect sequelae of HIV infection or its treatment. The third category is of lesions of undetermined pathogenesis. The pediatric pathologist plays an important role in the study and management of AIDS by demonstrating new pathologic lesions, by making the etiologic diagnosis of infection in children with AIDS, and by providing clinicopathologic correlation which leads to better understanding of the disease process and its natural history. Diagnosis of neoplastic disorders is also made by the pathologist. There is a dearth of systematic pathologic study of AIDS in children in developing countries. Although no basic differences between pathologic lesions in pediatric AIDS in Western countries, and in developing countries is expected, such a study would lead to better understanding and better management of the disorder as it affects children from the developing countries.