Records |
Author |
Muscatello, G.; Anderson, G.A.; Gilkerson, J.R.; Browning, G.F. |
Title |
Associations between the ecology of virulent Rhodococcus equi and the epidemiology of R. equi pneumonia on Australian thoroughbred farms |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Applied and Environmental Microbiology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl Environ Microbiol |
Volume |
72 |
Issue |
9 |
Pages |
6152-6160 |
Keywords |
Actinomycetales Infections/epidemiology/microbiology/*veterinary; Air Microbiology; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Australia/epidemiology; Colony Count, Microbial; DNA, Bacterial/genetics; Ecosystem; Horse Diseases/epidemiology/*microbiology; Horses; Pneumonia, Bacterial/epidemiology/microbiology/*veterinary; Rhodococcus equi/genetics/isolation & purification/*pathogenicity; Soil Microbiology; Virulence |
Abstract |
The ecology of virulent strains of Rhodococcus equi on horse farms is likely to influence the prevalence and severity of R. equi pneumonia in foals. This study examined the association between the ecology of virulent R. equi and the epidemiology of R. equi pneumonia by collecting air and soil samples over two breeding seasons (28 farm-year combinations) on Thoroughbred breeding farms with different reported prevalences of R. equi pneumonia. Colony blotting and DNA hybridization were used to detect and measure concentrations of virulent R. equi. The prevalence of R. equi pneumonia was associated with the airborne burden of virulent R. equi (both the concentration and the proportion of R. equi bacteria that were virulent) but was not associated with the burden of virulent R. equi in the soil. Univariable screening and multivariable model building were used to evaluate the effect of environmental and management factors on virulent R. equi burdens. Lower soil moisture concentrations and lower pasture heights were significantly associated with elevated airborne concentrations of virulent R. equi, as were the holding pens and lanes, which typically were sandy, dry, and devoid of pasture cover. Few variables appeared to influence concentrations of virulent R. equi in soil. Acidic soil conditions may have contributed to an elevated proportion of virulent strains within the R. equi population. Environmental management strategies that aim to reduce the level of exposure of susceptible foals to airborne virulent R. equi are most likely to reduce the impact of R. equi pneumonia on endemically affected farms. |
Address |
School of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. mug@unimelb.edu.au |
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English |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0099-2240 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Conference |
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Notes |
PMID:16957241 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2622 |
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Author |
Burke, D.; Cieplucha, C.; Cass, J.; Russell, F.; Fry, G. |
Title |
Win-shift and win-stay learning in the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2002 |
Publication |
Animal Cognition |
Abbreviated Journal |
Anim. Cogn. |
Volume |
5 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
79-84 |
Keywords |
Animals; Echidna/*psychology; Ecology; Female; *Learning; *Memory; *Predatory Behavior; Reinforcement (Psychology) |
Abstract |
Numerous previous investigators have explained species differences in spatial memory performance in terms of differences in foraging ecology. In three experiments we attempted to extend these findings by examining the extent to which the spatial memory performance of echidnas (or “spiny anteaters”) can be understood in terms of the spatio-temporal distribution of their prey (ants and termites). This is a species and a foraging situation that have not been examined in this way before. Echidnas were better able to learn to avoid a previously rewarding location (to “win-shift”) than to learn to return to a previously rewarding location (to “win-stay”), at short retention intervals, but were unable to learn either of these strategies at retention intervals of 90 min. The short retention interval results support the ecological hypothesis, but the long retention interval results do not. |
Address |
Department of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. darren_burke@uow.edu.au |
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English |
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Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1435-9448 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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Notes |
PMID:12150039 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2605 |
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Author |
Boucher, J.M.; Hanosset, R.; Augot, D.; Bart, J.M.; Morand, M.; Piarroux, R.; Pozet-Bouhier, F.; Losson, B.; Cliquet, F. |
Title |
Detection of Echinococcus multilocularis in wild boars in France using PCR techniques against larval form |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Veterinary Parasitology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Vet Parasitol |
Volume |
129 |
Issue |
3-4 |
Pages |
259-266 |
Keywords |
Animals; Base Sequence; DNA, Helminth/chemistry/genetics; Echinococcosis/parasitology/pathology/*veterinary; Echinococcus multilocularis/*isolation & purification; Electron Transport Complex IV/chemistry/genetics; France; Histocytochemistry/veterinary; Liver/parasitology/pathology; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary; Sequence Alignment; Sus scrofa/*parasitology; Swine Diseases/*parasitology/pathology |
Abstract |
Recently, new data have been collected on the distribution and ecology of Echinococcus multilocularis in European countries. Different ungulates species such as pig, goat, sheep, cattle and horse are known to host incomplete development of larval E. multilocularis. We report a case of E. multilocularis portage in two wild boars from a high endemic area in France (Department of Jura). Histological examination was performed and the DNA was isolated from hepatic lesions then amplified by using three PCR methods in two distinct institutes. Molecular characterisation of PCR products revealed 99% nucleotide sequence homology with the specific sequence of the U1 sn RNA gene of E. multilocularis, 99 and 99.9% nucleotide sequence homology with the specific sequence of the cytochrome oxydase gene of Echinococcus genus and 99.9% nucleotide sequence homology with a genomic DNA sequence of Echinococcus genus for the first and the second wild boar, respectively. |
Address |
AFSSA Nancy, Laboratoire d'Etudes et de Recherches sur la Rage et la Pathologie des Animaux Sauvages, Domaine de Pixerecourt-B.P. 9, Malzeville F 54220, France |
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English |
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Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0304-4017 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Area |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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Notes |
PMID:15845281 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2629 |
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Author |
Traversa, D.; Giangaspero, A.; Iorio, R.; Otranto, D.; Paoletti, B.; Gasser, R.B. |
Title |
Semi-nested PCR for the specific detection of Habronema microstoma or Habronema muscae DNA in horse faeces |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2004 |
Publication |
Parasitology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Parasitology |
Volume |
129 |
Issue |
Pt 6 |
Pages |
733-739 |
Keywords |
Animals; DNA, Helminth/*analysis; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/*chemistry; Feces/*chemistry; Female; Horse Diseases/*diagnosis/parasitology; Horses; Male; Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods; Species Specificity; Spirurida Infections/diagnosis/*veterinary; Spiruroidea/*genetics |
Abstract |
Habronema microstoma and Habronema muscae (Spirurida: Habronematidae) are parasitic nematodes which infect the stomach and/or skin of equids. The accurate diagnosis of gastric habronemosis is central to studying its epidemiology, but data on its distribution and prevalence are lacking, mainly due to the limitations of clinical and coprological diagnosis in live horses. To overcome this constraint, a two-step, semi-nested PCR-based assay was validated (utilizing genetic markers in the nuclear ribosomal DNA) for the specific amplification of H. microstoma or H. muscae DNA from the faeces from horses (n = 46) whose gastrointestinal parasite status had been determined at autopsy and whose faeces were examined previously using a conventional parasitological approach. Of these horses examined at autopsy, some harboured adults of either H. microstoma (n= 19) or H. muscae (n =4), and others (n = 7) harboured both species. Most of them were also infected with other parasites, including strongylid nematodes (subfamilies Cyathostominae and Strongylinae), bots and/or cestodes; there was no evidence of metazoan parasites in 2 horses. Larvated spirurid eggs were detected in the faeces of 1 of the 30 horses (3.3 %) shown to be infected with Habronema at autopsy. For this set of 46 samples, the PCR assay achieved a diagnostic specificity of 100 % and a sensitivity of approximately 97 % (being able to specifically detect as little as approximately 0.02 fg of Habronema DNA). The specificity of the assay was also tested using a panel of control DNA samples representing horse, the gastric spirurid Draschia megastoma and 26 other species of parasites from the alimentary tract of the horse. H. microstoma, H. muscae and D. megastoma could be readily differentiated from one another based on the sizes of their specific amplicons in the PCR. The results of this study showed that the performance of the PCR for the diagnosis of gastric habronemosis was similar to that of autopsy but substantially better than the traditional coprological examination procedure used. The ability to specifically diagnose gastric habronemosis in equids should have important implications for investigating the epidemiology and ecology of H. microstoma and H. muscae. |
Address |
Department of Biomedical Comparative Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy. traversa@unite.it |
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English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0031-1820 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Area |
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Conference |
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Notes |
PMID:15648696 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2631 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Traversa, D.; Giangaspero, A.; Galli, P.; Paoletti, B.; Otranto, D.; Gasser, R.B. |
Title |
Specific identification of Habronema microstoma and Habronema muscae (Spirurida, Habronematidae) by PCR using markers in ribosomal DNA |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2004 |
Publication |
Molecular and Cellular Probes |
Abbreviated Journal |
Mol Cell Probes |
Volume |
18 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
215-221 |
Keywords |
Animals; Base Sequence; DNA, Ribosomal/blood/*genetics; Feces/parasitology; Genetic Markers; Horses/*parasitology; Molecular Sequence Data; Muscidae/*genetics; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Spirurida Infections/genetics; Spiruroidea/*genetics; Stomach/*parasitology |
Abstract |
Gastric or cutaneous habronemosis caused by Habronema microstoma Creplin, 1849 and Habronema muscae Carter, 1865 is a parasitic disease of equids transmitted by muscid flies. There is a paucity of information on the epidemiology of this disease, which is mainly due to limitations with diagnosis in the live animal and with the identification of the parasites in the intermediate hosts. To overcome such limitations, a molecular approach, based on the use of genetic markers in the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) of ribosomal DNA, was established for the two species of Habronema. Characterisation of the ITS-2 revealed sequence lengths and G+C contents of 296 bp and 29.5% for H. microstoma, and of 334 bp and 35.9% for H. muscae, respectively. Exploiting the sequence difference (approximately 40%) between the two species of nematode, primers were designed and tested by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for their specificity using a panel of control DNA samples from common equid endoparasites, and from host tissues, faeces or muscid flies. Effective amplification from each of the two species of Habronema was achieved from as little as 10 pg of genomic DNA. Hence, this molecular approach allows the specific identification and differentiation of the DNA from H. microstoma and H. muscae, and could thus provide a molecular tool for the specific detection of Habronema DNA (irrespective of developmental stage) from faeces, skin and muscid fly samples. The establishment of this tool has important implications for the specific diagnosis of clinical cases of gastric and cutaneous habronemosis in equids, and for studying the ecology and epidemiology of the two species of Habronema. |
Address |
Department of Biomedical Comparative Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy |
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English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0890-8508 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Area |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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Notes |
PMID:15271381 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2634 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Gasser, R.B.; Hung, G.-C.; Chilton, N.B.; Beveridge, I. |
Title |
Advances in developing molecular-diagnostic tools for strongyloid nematodes of equids: fundamental and applied implications |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2004 |
Publication |
Molecular and Cellular Probes |
Abbreviated Journal |
Mol Cell Probes |
Volume |
18 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
3-16 |
Keywords |
Animals; DNA, Helminth; DNA, Ribosomal/analysis; Equidae/*parasitology; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/*methods; Parasitic Diseases, Animal/diagnosis; Strongylida/classification/genetics; Strongylida Infections/*diagnosis/epidemiology/etiology/veterinary |
Abstract |
Infections of equids with parasitic nematodes of the order Strongylida (subfamilies Strongylinae and Cyathostominae) are of major veterinary importance. In last decades, the widespread use of drugs against these parasites has led to problems of resistance within the Cyathostominae, and to an increase in their prevalence and intensity of infection. Novel control strategies, based on improved knowledge of parasite biology and epidemiology, have thus become important. However, there are substantial limitations in the understanding of fundamental biological and systematic aspects of these parasites, which have been due largely to limitations in their specific identification and diagnosis using traditional, morphological approaches. Recently, there has been progress in the development of DNA-based approaches for the specific identification of strongyloids of equids for systematic studies and disease diagnosis. The present article briefly reviews information on the classification, biology, pathogenesis, epidemiology of equine strongyloids and the diagnosis of infections, highlights knowledge gaps in these areas, describes recent advances in the use of molecular techniques for the genetic characterisation, specific identification and differentiation of strongyloids of equids as a basis for fundamental investigations of the systematics, population biology and ecology. |
Address |
Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia. robinbg@unimelb.edu.au |
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English |
Summary Language |
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Series Editor |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0890-8508 |
ISBN |
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Conference |
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Notes |
PMID:15036364 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2636 |
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Author |
Passler, S.; Pfeffer, M. |
Title |
Detection of antibodies to alphaviruses and discrimination between antibodies to eastern and western equine encephalitis viruses in rabbit sera using a recombinant antigen and virus-specific monoclonal antibodies |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Journal of Veterinary Medicine. B, Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Public Health |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Vet Med B Infect Dis Vet Public Health |
Volume |
50 |
Issue |
6 |
Pages |
265-269 |
Keywords |
Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*immunology; Antibodies, Viral/*analysis/blood; DNA Primers; Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine/genetics/*immunology; Encephalitis Virus, Western Equine/genetics/*immunology; Encephalomyelitis, Equine/*diagnosis/*virology; Epitopes; Fluorescent Antibody Technique/*veterinary; Horses; Rabbits; Recombination, Genetic; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary |
Abstract |
Three arthropod-borne alphaviruses, western equine encephalitis viruses (WEEV), eastern equine encephalitis viruses (EEEV) and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses are the aetiological agents of a sometimes severe encephalomyelitis in equines and humans in the New World. With regard to the different ecology and epidemiology of these viruses, a method applied in serological screening should be able to distinguish between them as well as other related members of the genus Alphavirus in the American continent. However, this has been hampered in the past by (a) the close antigenic relationship between alphaviruses in traditional serological assays, especially in the routinely used haemagglutination-inhibition, and (b) the need of biosafety level 3 facilities to grow the viral antigens. An epitope blocking assay using an EEEV glycoprotein E1-expressing recombinant Sindbis virus and virus-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) binding to the E1 of EEEV (strain NJ/60) and the E1 of Sindbis virus was established using automated flow cytometry. The test was evaluated using sera of infected and vaccinated rabbits. A cut-off value of 30% inhibition for antigenic complex-specific seroconversion was found to be sufficient for the detection of the respective infection. By using three different mAbs in parallel, we were able to detect alphavirus genus-, EEEV- and WEEV-complex-specific serum antibodies. As this test is based on the inhibition of binding of virus-specific mAbs, sera of every origin other than mouse can be tested. Thus, this assay may prove useful in the serological screening of a variety of animal species during an outbreak investigation. |
Address |
Institute for Medical Microbiology, Infectious and Epidemic Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany |
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English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0931-1793 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Conference |
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Notes |
PMID:14628996 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2639 |
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Author |
Sebastiani, F.; Meiswinkel, R.; Gomulski, L.M.; Guglielmino, C.R.; Mellor, P.S.; Malacrida, A.R.; Gasperi, G. |
Title |
Molecular differentiation of the Old World Culicoides imicola species complex (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae), inferred using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2001 |
Publication |
Molecular Ecology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Mol Ecol |
Volume |
10 |
Issue |
7 |
Pages |
1773-1786 |
Keywords |
Africa; Animals; Ceratopogonidae/*classification/*genetics; Ecology; Evolution, Molecular; Female; *Genetic Markers; Madagascar; Phylogeny; *Polymorphism, Genetic; *Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; Variation (Genetics) |
Abstract |
Samples of seven of the 10 morphological species of midges of the Culicoides imicola complex were considered. The importance of this species complex is connected to its vectorial capacity for African horse sickness virus (AHSV) and bluetongue virus (BTV). Consequently, the risk of transmission may vary dramatically, depending upon the particular cryptic species present in a given area. The species complex is confined to the Old World and our samples were collected in Southern Africa, Madagascar and the Ivory Coast. Genomic DNA of 350 randomly sampled individual midges from 19 populations was amplified using four 20-mer primers by the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. One hundred and ninety-six interpretable polymorphic bands were obtained. Species-specific RAPD profiles were defined and for five species diagnostic RAPD fragments were identified. A high degree of polymorphism was detected in the species complex, most of which was observed within populations (from 64 to 76%). Principal coordinate analysis (PCO) and cluster analysis provided an estimate of the degree of variation between and within populations and species. There was substantial concordance between the taxonomies derived from morphological and molecular data. The amount and the different distributions of genetic (RAPD) variation among the taxa can be associated to their life histories, i.e. the abundance and distribution of the larval breeding sites and their seasonality. |
Address |
Department of Animal Biology, Laboratory of Zoology, University of Pavia, Piazza Botta 9, I-27100 Pavia, Italy |
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English |
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Series Editor |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0962-1083 |
ISBN |
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Notes |
PMID:11472544 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2647 |
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Author |
Cilnis, M.J.; Kang, W.; Weaver, S.C. |
Title |
Genetic conservation of Highlands J viruses |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1996 |
Publication |
Virology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Virology |
Volume |
218 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
343-351 |
Keywords |
Alphavirus/*genetics; Alphavirus Infections/transmission/veterinary/virology; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Base Sequence; Conserved Sequence; Disease Outbreaks; Encephalitis, Viral/veterinary/virology; *Evolution, Molecular; Horses; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; RNA, Viral/genetics; Sequence Alignment; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Turkeys; Variation (Genetics)/*genetics |
Abstract |
We studied molecular evolution of the mosquito-borne alphavirus Highlands J (HJ) virus by sequencing PCR products generated from 19 strains isolated between 1952 and 1994. Sequences of 1200 nucleotides including portions of the E1 gene and the 3' untranslated region revealed a relatively slow evolutionary rate estimated at 0.9-1.6 x 10(-4) substitutions per nucleotide per year. Phylogenetic trees indicated that all HJ viruses descended from a common ancestor and suggested the presence of one dominant lineage in North America. However, two or more minor lineages probably circulated simultaneously for periods of years to a few decades. Strains isolated from a horse suffering encephalitis, and implicated in a recent turkey outbreak, were not phylogenetically distinct from strains isolated in other locations during the same time periods. Our findings are remarkably similar to those we obtained previously for another North American alphavirus, eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus, with which Highlands J shares primary mosquito and avian hosts, geographical distribution, and ecology. These results support the hypotheses that the duration of the transmission season affects arboviral evolutionary rates and vertebrate host mobility influences genetic diversity. |
Address |
Department of Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0116, USA |
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English |
Summary Language |
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Series Editor |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0042-6822 |
ISBN |
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Notes |
PMID:8610461 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2657 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Birch, H.L.; Bailey, A.J.; Goodship, A.E. |
Title |
Macroscopic 'degeneration' of equine superficial digital flexor tendon is accompanied by a change in extracellular matrix composition |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1998 |
Publication |
Equine Veterinary Journal |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J |
Volume |
30 |
Issue |
6 |
Pages |
534-539 |
Keywords |
Animals; Collagen/analysis; DNA/analysis; Extracellular Matrix/*chemistry; Glycosaminoglycans/analysis; Horses/injuries/*physiology; Immunohistochemistry; Rupture/veterinary; Tendon Injuries/metabolism/pathology/veterinary; Tendons/chemistry/*pathology; Water/analysis |
Abstract |
Injuries to the superficial digital flexor tendon are common in horses required to gallop and jump at speed. Partial rupture of this tendon usually occurs in the central core of the midmetacarpal region and may be preceded by localised degenerative changes. Post mortem examination of apparently normal equine flexor tendons has revealed an abnormal macroscopic appearance in the central core, characterised by a reddish discolouration. We have previously shown that there is also physical damage to the collagen fibres. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that the abnormal appearance is accompanied by changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix of the tendon. Biochemical analysis of the extracellular matrix demonstrated an increase in total sulphated glycosaminoglycan content, increase in the proportion of type III collagen and decrease in collagen linked fluorescence in the central core of 'degenerated' tendons relative to tissue from the peripheral region of the same tendon. Dry matter content and total collagen content were not significantly different between tendon zones or normal and 'degenerated' tendons. These changes suggest a change in cell metabolism and matrix turnover in the central core of the tendon and are likely to contribute to a decrease in mechanical properties in this part of the tendon, predisposing to the characteristic partial rupture of the tendon. |
Address |
Veterinary Basic Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hatfield, UK |
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English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0425-1644 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Area |
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Conference |
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Notes |
PMID:9844973 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
3794 |
Permanent link to this record |