The effect of estradiol valerate on follicular dynamics and superovulatory response in cows with Syncro-Mate-B implants

Two experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of estradiol valerate on follicular dynamics and superovulatory response in cows with Syncro-Mate-B (SMB)implants. In Experiment 1, 5 mg estradiol valerate (E(2)), injected at the same time as superstimulation treatments were initiated, resulted in fewer corpora lutea (CL), ova/embryos collected and fertilized ova (P<0.05) than if E(2) was administered with the SMB implant 7 days earlier. In Experiment 2, 31 beef cows and 26 Holstein cows were placed in one of four treatment groups. Group I (control) cows were superstimulated on Day 9 (estrus=Day 0). On Day 2, cows in Groups II, III, and IV received SMB and cows in Group III received E(2). On Day 9, cows in Group IV received E(2), and all cows were superstimulated with Folltropin. The number of CL did not differ (P>0.19) among groups. However, there were more follicles < 10 mm and fewer fertilized ova and transferable embryos (P<0.02) in Group IV cows. Ovarian ultrasonography revealed that the diameter of the largest follicle in Group III cows declined from Day 2 to Day 7 and subsequently increased until Day 13. In contrast, Groups I, II and IV were characterized by apparently linear growth between Days 2 and 13. Differences (P<0.05) were detected between Days 5 and 9. Mean diameter of the largest follicle was smaller for cows in Group III than for the remaining groups on Day 9. It was concluded that SMB did not adversely affect superovulatory response and that E(2) administration resulted in atresia of the antral follicles in the cows with SMB implants.     

Insecticidal bacterium isolated from an ant lion larva from Munakata,Japan

Twenty bacteria were isolated from four ant lion larvae. The isolates were classified into three groups by biological characteristics. Since Group I, Group II and Group III were isolated from individual larvae Kuo1, Kuo3, 4 and Kuo2, respectively, with exception of one isolate Kuo2‐1, each ant lion tested had its own dominant bacterial flora. Groups I and II were closer to Serratia liquefaciens and Enterobacter cloacae, respectively, whereas Group III could not be identified by the test used. The phylogenetic analysis of GroEL amino acid sequences revealed that Group I, II and III were related to those of Serratia spp., E. cloacae and Salmonella spp. –Escherichia/Shigella spp., respectively. Among these groups, Group I was highly virulent against Bombyx mori and Periplaneta americana, and caused 100% mortality within 24 h. The other two groups (Group II and III) were avirulent to these insect species. The culture filtrate of Group I caused killing activity to B. mori larvae and the insecticidal substance was purified from culture filtrate of Group I bacterium. Since the insecticidal activity highly correlated with proteolytic activity in the chromatographies, Group I bacterium may secret insecticidal proteinase in vitro.     

Buserelin in a superovulatory regimen for Holstein cows: II. Yield and quality of embryos in commercial herds

The gonadotropin releasing hormone analog, Buserelin, was tested in a superovulatory regimen in cows by administering 8 mug of it at the following times: Group I (12 cows), 48 h after the first prostaglandin F(2) alpha (PGF) injection: Group II (11 cows), 54 h after PGF: Group III (10 cows), 24 h after standing estrus was first observed; and Group IV (12 cows), served as superovulated controls. The cows were lactating Holsteins between 45 and 143 d post partum, with at least one estrus prior to superovulation. The number of embryos collected from Groups I, II, III and IV 7 d after estrus averaged 4.5, 8.1, 6.4 and 5.6, respectively (P>0.05). The fertilization rate in the three groups receiving Buserelin was 83 versus 76% for controls (P<0.10). Blood and milk samples taken just before starting follicle stimulating hormone treatment at the expected estrus and at the time of embryo recovery were tested for progesterone concentration, and results from a rapid ELISA test were useful in identifying cows that a) were unsuitable for superovulation, b) should have been in estrus but were not observed standing and c) produced few, if any, embryos.     

Intrauterine Bacterial Findings and Hormonal Profiles in Post-partum Cows with Normal Puerperium

The post-partum intrauterine bacterial flora, prostaglandin release, uterine involution and resumption of ovarian activity were studied in 9 Swedish dairy cows during the first 8-week period. Uterine involution was monitored by transrectal examinations of the reproductive tract 3 times weekly. Bacteriological examination was performed from twice weekly uterine biopsies. The main PGF2α metabolite (15-ketodi- hydro-PGF2α) was monitored from twice daily blood plasma samples, while morning samples were used for progesterone determinations. The cows were assigned to 2 groups: Group I (n = 7) with an uncomplicated puerperal period and Group II (n = 2) with signs of intrauterine infections. A total of 143 biopsies were collected, of which 129 (90.2%) were found to be bacteriologically negative. Thirteen (9.1%) of the remaining 14 biopsies were bacteriologically positive, while one (0.7%) was probably a contamination on a single occasion. The 13 bacteriologically positive biopsies belonged to the Group II cows from which 31 isolates contained 6 different genera of facultative and obligate anaerobic bacteria. Actinomyces pyogenes along with Bacteroides sp. and Fusobacterium necrophorum were found to predominate in a mixed flora. The bacteria were rapidly eliminated and disappeared completely from the uteri towards the end of the third week post-partum. The average number of days required for completion of uterine involution was 21.8 ± 3.0 for all animals. The plasma levels of the PGF2α metabolite were significantly elevated for the first 12–18, and 18 and 27 days in Group I and Group II, respectively. There was no significant relationship between the duration of PGF2α release and the time required for completion of uterine involution (p>0.05). Progesterone analysis showed resumption of ovarian activity and subsequent ovulation in 4 of the 9 cows 44-55 days post-partum. Thus, intrauterine infections are not commonly seen in cows with normal calving and comparison between the duration of PGF2α release and the time required for completion of uterine involution showed insignificant correlation. However, the longer duration of PGF2α release recorded in the 2 cows with intrauterine infections are related to the increased frequency of infections.     

Identification of Thai isolates assigned to the genus Gluconobacter based on 16S-23S rDNA ITS restriction analysis

Forty-four Thai isolates phenotypically assigned to the genus Gluconobacter were examined for 16S-23S rDNA ITS restriction analysis by MboII and SduI (=Bsp1286I) digestions. The Thai isolates tested were divided into seven groups: Group I for fourteen isolates, Group IX for one isolate, Group X for two isolates, Group V-2 for four isolates, Group XI for three isolates, Group IV for one isolate, and Group III for nineteen isolates. There were no isolates of either Group II or Group V-1 that were identified as G. cerinus. The isolates of Group III, Group IV, and Group XI were subjected to an additional 16S-23S rDNA ITS restriction analysis by AvaII, TaqI, BsoBI, and BstNI digestions. The isolates of Group III were divided into three groups and two subgroups: Group III-2 for five isolates, Group III-6 for two isolates, and Group III-4, which was divided into two subgroups, Subgroup III-4a for four isolates and Subgroup III-4b for eight isolates. The fourteen isolates of Group I were identified as G. oxydans, and the two isolates of Group X were temporarily identified as G. oxydans. The five isolates of Group III-2 and the one isolate of Group IV were identified as G. frateurii. The remaining twenty-two isolates of Group V-2, Group III-4, Group III-6, Group IX, and Group XI were not identified but are candidates for several new species.     

<i>Acetobacter okinawensis</i> sp. nov., <i>Acetobacter papayae</i> sp. nov., and <i>Acetobacter persicus</i> sp. nov.; novel acetic acid bacteria isolated from stems of sugarcane, fruits, and a flower in Japan

Eleven strains of acetic acid bacteria were isolated from stems of sugarcane, fruits, and a flower in Japan. The isolates were separated into three groups, Groups I, II, and III, in the genus Acetobacter according to phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences. The isolates had sequence similarities of 99.8-100% within the Group, 99.3-99.6% to those of the type strains of each related Acetobacter species, and less than 98.4% to those of the type strains of other Acetobacter species. Genomic DNA G+C contents of Groups I, II, and III were 59.2-59.4, 60.5-60.7, and 58.7-58.9 mol%, respectively. The isolates in the Group showed high values of DNA-DNA relatedness to each other, but low values less than 46% to the type strains of related Acetobacter species. A good correlation was found between the three Groups and groups based on DNA G+C contents and DNA-DNA relatedness. All the strains had Q-9 as the main component, and Q-8 and Q-10 as minor components. The isolates in the three Groups did not completely match with any Acetobacter species on catalase reaction, the production of ketogluconic acids from D-glucose, growth on ammoniac nitrogen with ethanol (Hoyer-Frateur medium and Frateur modified Hoyer medium), growth on 30% (w/v) D-glucose, growth in 10% (v/v) ethanol, or DNA G+C contents. On the basis of phylogenetic relationships in the genus Acetobacter and chemosystematic and phenotypic characteristics, the three Groups were regarded as novel species in the genus Acetobacter. Acetobacter okinawensis sp. nov. is proposed for Group I, Acetobacter papayae sp. nov. for Group II, and Acetobacter persicus sp. nov. for Group III.     

Preovulatory LH profiles of superovulated cows and progesterone concentrations at embryo recovery

Forty-two Holstein cows were randomly assigned to three superovulatory treatment groups of 14 cows each. Cows in Group I received follicle stimulating hormone (FSH; 50 mg i.m.); those in Group II received FSH (50. mg i.m.) along with GnRH (250 ug in 2 % carboxymethylcellulose s.c.) on the day of estrus; and cows in Group III were infused FSH (49 mg) via osmotic pump implants. FSH was administered over a 5-d period for cows in Groups I and II (twice daily in declining doses). Cows in Group III received FSH over a 7-d period (constantly at a rate of 7 mg/day). All cows received 25 mg PGF(2)alpha (prostaglandin F(2)alpha) 48 hours after initiation of the FSH treatment. Blood samples were collected from seven cows from each group at 2 hour intervals on the fifth day of superovulation for serum luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration analysis by radioimmunoassay, and blood samples were collected from all cows on the day of embryo recovery for plasma progesterone determination. The LH profile was not altered (P>0.05) by either GnRH administration or by the constant infusion of FSH as compared to FSH treatment alone. Plasma progesterone concentrations were highly correlated with the number of corpora lutea (CL) palpated (r=0.92; P<0.01) and with the number of ova and/or embryos recovered (r=0.88; P<0.01). The accuracy of predicting the number of recoverable ova and/or embryos by the concentration of plasma progesterone was 86%.     

Cholinesterase Levels in Blood Plasma and Erythrocytes from Calves,Normal Delivering Cows and Cows Suffering from Parturient Paresis

Plasma cholinesterase (pChE) levels and erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (eAChE) levels were studied in 6 cows before, during and after parturition (Group I), their calves (Group II), 38 cows suffering from parturient paresis (Group III) and 14 newly delivered non-paretic cows (Group IV). The mean of the pChE level in Group I was 1.5 μkat/1 ± 0.20 before parturition and decreased significantly (P ≦ 0.05) to 1.2 ukat/1 ± 0.16 after parturition. The eAChE level was before parturition ≅ 140 ukat/1 and decreased to ≅ 130 μkat/1 4–5 weeks after parturition. At birth the pChE level was 12.8 ukat/1 ± 5.9 in Group II. After 4 weeks the level had decreased to 2.3 ukat/1 ±0.3. In the bull calves the pChE level started to increase when they were 6 weeks old and reached a level of 5.7 μkat/1 ± 0.6 before slaughter at 6 months of age. The heifers did not show this increase. They had a level of around 2 μkat/1 throughout the investigation. The eAChE level at birth was 119 μkat/1 and increased slowly to a level of 145 μkat/1 at 6 months. No differences between the sexes were found. The cows suffering from parturient paresis had a pChE level of 1.80 μkat/1 ± 0.30 before treatment with calcium (Ca). The level decreased significantly (P ≦ 0.001) after Ca-infusion to a level of 1.67 ukat/1 ±0.29. Group IV had a pChE level of 1.65 μkat/1 ± 0.42 at parturition. Two to 4 months later the cows that had recovered from milk fever had a level of 1.61 μkat/1 ± 0.31 and the control cows 1.66 ukat/1 ± 0.48. No differences between the groups were found for the eAChE level. The findings show that parturition influences the pChE level in cows and that sex influences the pChE level in calves between 6 weeks to at least 6 months of age. Furthermore the elevated pChE level found in the cows suffering from parturient paresis before Ca infusion may be a further sign of a disturbance in the cholinergic system with a special preference to the neuromuscular junctions.     

Pregnancy rates in dairy cows following the administration of a GnRH analogue at the time of artificial insemination or at mid-cycle post insemination

Lactating Holstein dairy cows (n=1,533) were allocated to one of three treatment groups, with Group I (n=514) receiving 10 mug of a GnRH analogue (buserelin) at artificial insemination (AI) and Group II (n=503) receiving 10 mug of the same analogue at both the time of AI and at 12 days post AI. Herdmates in Group III (n=516) were inseminated on the same day and served as contemporary AI controls. The trial was conducted on five large dairy farms during the spring and summer months in Saudi Arabia. Pregnancy rates were determined by palpation per rectum between 33 and 50 days following AI. The first service pregnancy rate for the control cows (42.4%) was lower (P<0.05) than that for cows treated with the GnRH analogue at AI (48.8%) or for the combined treatment at AI and at Day 12 post AI (51.5%). No additive effect on the pregnancy rate was noted from the combined analog treatment. The overall increase in pregnancy rate from the analogue treatment at AI resulted from an 11% increase in pregnancy rate in first parity cows over that of contemporary controls (P<0.05) and a 14.7% increase in pregnancy for cows mated at 40 to 59 days post partum and treated with the analogue at AI over that of the corresponding controls (P<0.05). The pregnancy rates from repeat AI (interval 相似文献   

Oxytocin and estradiol concentrations in follicular fluid as a means for the classification of large bovine follicles

Large antral follicles (13 to 20 mm in diameter) were collected from ovaries of 109 cows and 17 heifers that also had a regressed corpus luteum at slaughter. Thirty percent of the animals had been injected once with prostaglandin F(2)alpha 48 hours before slaughter. Follicles were divided into 3 groups based on estradiol and oxytocin concentrations in the follicular fluid: Group I follicles, estradiol>/=100 ng/ml and oxytocin<65 pg/ml (preovulatory and assumed pre-gonadotropin surge); Group II follicles, estradiol<100 ng/ml and oxytocin>/=65 pg/ml (preovulatory and assumed post-gonadotropin surge); and Group III follicles, estradiol<100 ng/ml and oxytocin<65 pg/ml (atretic follicles). Treatment with prostaglandin F(2)alpha significantly increased the number of viable granulosa cells and estradiol content in Group I follicles. The estradiol: progesterone ratio was significantly higher in Group I vs Groups II and III, but it was similar for Group II healthy follicles and Group III atretic follicles. To ascertain the classification of follicles, PGF(2)alpha was administered on Day 6 of the cycle to induce corpus luteum regression, and a GnRH analog was administered 24 hours later. At 23 hours after GnRH analog treatment, follicular oxytocin levels significantly rose to 103 pg/ml. Concomitantly, estradiol concentrations fell to below 100 ng/ml. This response was not evident by 13 h after injection of the GnRH analog. The results indicate that follicular estradiol and oxytocin concentrations may be used as a means for the physiological classification of large bovine follicles.     

Bacteriophages and indicator bacteria in human and animal faeces

In an attempt to explain the presence of F-specific (RNA) bacteriophages in waste-water, faecal material from humans and a variety of animals was examined. The phages were detected in appreciable numbers only in faeces from pigs, broiler chickens, sheep and calves but not from dogs, cows, horses and humans. Parallel examinations for somatic coliphages, thermotolerant coliforms, faecal streptococci and spores of sulphite-reducing clostridia revealed the consistent presence of these organisms in all types of samples, albeit in variable numbers. The number of F-specific bacteriophages was related to the total number of somatic coliphages, but phage counts were unrelated to bacterial counts. F-specific RNA phages were grouped by serotyping and all animal isolates were found to belong to either group I (MS2 subtype) or IV (four different subtypes). Among the group IV isolates, most belonged to well-known subtypes SP (24 isolates) or FI (18 isolates) but five isolates were related to phage ID2 and one isolate was a new subtype. In contrast with animal isolates, 19 isolates from hospital wastewater belonged to serogroups II or III.     

Bacteriophages and indicator bacteria in human and animal faeces

In an attempt to explain the presence of F-specific (RNA) bacteriophages in waste-water, faecal material from humans and a variety of animals was examined. The phages were detected in appreciable numbers only in faeces from pigs, broiler chickens, sheep and calves but not from dogs, cows, horses and humans. Parallel examinations for somatic coliphages, thermotolerant coliforms, faecal streptococci and spores of sulphite-reducing clostridia revealed the consistent presence of these organisms in all types of samples, albeit in variable numbers. The number of F-specific bacteriophages was related to the total number of somatic coliphages, but phage counts were unrelated to bacterial counts. F-specific RNA phages were grouped by serotyping and all animal isolates were found to belong to either group I (MS2 subtype) or IV (four different subtypes). Among the group IV isolates, most belonged to well-known subtypes SP (24 isolates) or FI (18 isolates) but five isolates were related to phage ID2 and one isolate was a new subtype. In contrast with animal isolates, 19 isolates from hospital wastewater belonged to serogroups II or III.     

The effect of short term calf removal in combination with GnRH treatment and the effect of limited nursing on reproductive performance of postpartum suckled beef cows administered PGF2alpha for ovulation control

Over a two year period, postpartum suckled Hereford and Angus Cows (n=213) were administered two injections of PGF(2)alpha (25 mg/injection) and divided into three groups. No additional treatments were administered to cows in Group I and calves were allowed to nurse their dams ad libitum. In Group II, calves were removed for 48 hours beginning on the third day following the initial PGF(2)alpha injection. These cows were given a subcutaneous injection of 250 mug GnRH dissolved in 2% carboxymethylcellulose midway through the 48 hour period. In Group III, calves were allowed to nurse their dams for only one hour per day for the first 7 days after the initial PGF(2)alpha injection. In year 1, PGF(2)alpha was administered 14 days apart whereas in year 2, PGF(2)alpha was administered 11 days apart. Cows were artificially inseminated at 72 and 96 hours after the second injection of PGF(2)alpha. In year 1, the numbers of cows that conceived to the timed inseminations were similar (P > .10) for the three groups. In year 2, a higher percentage of cows in groups II (P < .10) and III (P < .05) conceived to the timed inseminations than in group I. Other reproductive performance parameters were similar (P > .10) between groups for both years 1 and 2. In summary, limited nursing and short term calf removal in conjunction with GnRH treatment may improve the pregnancy rate in cows administered PGF(2)alpha for ovulation control.     

Neurovirulence of type 1 polioviruses isolated from sewage in Japan.

Sixteen type 1 poliovirus strains were isolated from a sewage disposal plant located downstream of the Oyabe River in Japan between October 1993 and September 1995. The isolates were intratypically differentiated as vaccine-derived strains. Neutralizing antigenicity analysis with monoclonal antibodies and estimation of neurovirulence by mutant analysis by PCR and restriction enzyme cleavage (MAPREC) were performed for 13 type 1 strains of these isolates. The isolates were classified into three groups. Group I (five strains) had a variant type of antigenicity and neurovirulent phenotype. Group II (four strains) had the vaccine type of antigenicity and neurovirulent phenotype. Group III (four strains) had the vaccine type of antigenicity and an attenuated phenotype. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the virulent isolates were neutralized by human sera obtained after oral poliomyelitis vaccine (OPV) administration, and the sera of rats immunized with inactivated poliovirus vaccine. Although vaccination was effective against virulent polioviruses, virulent viruses will continue to exist in the environment as long as OPV is in use.     

Significance of low-temperature growth associated with the fecal coliform response, indole production, and pectin liquefaction in Klebsiella.

In the genus Klebsiella, the growth respnse in nutient broth at 10 degrees C correlates inversely with the operational definition of a fecal coliform and not merely with the ability to grow at 44.5 degrees C. Of the fecal coliform-positive Klebsiella, 97% did not grow at 10 degrees C after 72 h of incubation. Conversely, 97% of the fecal coliform-negative isolates grew at 10 degrees C. The amount of growth at 10 degrees C varied among the fecal coliform-negative isolates and was found to correlate with indole production and pectin liquefaction. Low-temperature growth associated with specific biochemical tests can be used to differentiate several groups in the genus Klebsiella. Three main groups were discerned. Group I consists of indole-negative, pectin-nonliquefying, fecal coliform-positive isolates that do not grow at 10 degrees C. Group II isolates are differentiated from group I by a fecal-coliform-negative response and growth at 10 degrees C. Group III are indole-positive, pectin-liquefying, fecal coliform-negative isolates that grow at 10 degrees C. In our culture collection, isolates of group I are most frequently of human/animal clinical origins, whereas isolates of groups II and III are predominantly derived from the environment.     

Significance of low-temperature growth associated with the fecal coliform response, indole production, and pectin liquefaction in Klebsiella

In the genus Klebsiella, the growth respnse in nutient broth at 10 degrees C correlates inversely with the operational definition of a fecal coliform and not merely with the ability to grow at 44.5 degrees C. Of the fecal coliform-positive Klebsiella, 97% did not grow at 10 degrees C after 72 h of incubation. Conversely, 97% of the fecal coliform-negative isolates grew at 10 degrees C. The amount of growth at 10 degrees C varied among the fecal coliform-negative isolates and was found to correlate with indole production and pectin liquefaction. Low-temperature growth associated with specific biochemical tests can be used to differentiate several groups in the genus Klebsiella. Three main groups were discerned. Group I consists of indole-negative, pectin-nonliquefying, fecal coliform-positive isolates that do not grow at 10 degrees C. Group II isolates are differentiated from group I by a fecal-coliform-negative response and growth at 10 degrees C. Group III are indole-positive, pectin-liquefying, fecal coliform-negative isolates that grow at 10 degrees C. In our culture collection, isolates of group I are most frequently of human/animal clinical origins, whereas isolates of groups II and III are predominantly derived from the environment.     

Characterisation of lactic acid producing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sporolactobacillus</Emphasis> strains from tree barks in Thailand

Eight spore-forming lactic acid producing bacteria were isolated from tree barks in Thailand. They were identified as Sporolactobacillus nakayamae (Group I, three isolates), S. terrae (Group II, two isolates), S. kofuensis (Group III, one isolate) and S. inulinus (Group IV, two isolates) based on their phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. Four isolates in Groups I and II produced DL lactic acid (89.60–114.61 g/L), while three isolates in Groups III and IV produced D-lactic acid (88.01–113.78 g/L). Isolate BK65-3 identified as S. inulinus produced the highest D-lactic acid concentrations (101.42 g/L), productivity (1.41 g/L/h), yields (84.52%) and optical purity of D-lactic acid (100%).     

Comparing early embryo mortality in dairy cows during hot and cool seasons of the year

The objectives of this study were to identify the level and stage of embryonic mortality that occur in dairy cows during hot and cool seasons of the year. Experimental dairy cows, of varying ages, were artificially inseminated with frozen-thawed semen from proven Holstein sires. Females on each dairy unit were then randomly allocated to one of three experimental groups after partitioning by day of artificial insemination, days post partum, parity, and current milk production level. In Group I and Group II, nonsurgical embryo collection was performed on each cow using Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline as the flushing medium. Embryos from cows in Group I were collected on Days 6 or 7 post insemination during the hot (n=93) and cool (n=64) seasons. Embryos from cows in Group II were collected on Days 13 or 14 post insemination during the hot (n=97) and cool (n=63) seasons. In Group III, contemporary control cows were also inseminated during the hot (n=106) and cool (n=106) seasons, and fetal heart beat was evaluated via ultrasound between Days 25 and 35 following insemination. Embryo viability decreased (P<0.05) from 59% at Day 7 to 27% at Day 14 in the hot season, but was not decreased during the cool season (52 vs. 60%). Pregnancy rate at Days 25 to 35 was 21% in the hot season, which was less (P<0.05) than the 36% in the cool season. The percentage of unfertilized ova collected in both the hot and cool seasons suggests that fertilization failure was not affected by season of breeding. In summary, embryonic loss after Day 7 of pregnancy appears to be a problem in this hot, dry climate.     

Identification of Acetobacter strains isolated from Indonesian sources,and proposals of Acetobacter syzygii sp. nov., Acetobacter cibinongensis sp. nov., and Acetobacter orientalis sp. nov

Forty-six strains of acetic acid bacteria newly isolated from flowers, fruits, and fermented foods collected in Indonesia were taxonomically studied. They were Gram-negative rods, produced acetic acid from ethanol, oxidized acetate and lactate to CO(2) and H(2)O, and had Q-9 as the major ubiquinone system. On the basis of DNA-DNA similarity, all strains studied, including type strains and reference strains of the genus Acetobacter, were separated into eleven groups (Groups I to XI). Of the 46 isolates, two isolates were included in Group II and identified as Acetobacter pasteurianus, five in Group IV as A. orleanensis, 16 in Group V as A. lovaniensis, five in Group VII as A. indonesiensis, and three in Group VIII as A. tropicalis. The remaining 15 isolates constituted three new groups based on DNA-DNA similarity; four isolates were included in Group IX, two in Group X, and nine in Group XI. No isolates were identified as A. aceti (Group I), A. peroxydans (Group III), and A. estunensis (Group VI). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences of representative strains of the Groups indicated belonging to the strains of the genus Acetobacter. On the basis of DNA base composition, DNA-DNA similarity, and 16S rDNA sequences, three new species of the genus Acetobacter are proposed: Acetobacter syzygii sp. nov. for Group IX, Acetobacter cibinongensis sp. nov. for Group X, and Acetobacter orientalis sp. nov. for Group XI. The distribution of Acetobacter strains in Indonesia is discussed in light of isolation sources.     

Geographical distribution of genetic polymorphism of the pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum isolated from infected bats, captured in a central zone of Mexico

Fourteen Histoplasma capsulatum isolates recovered from infected bats captured in Mexican caves and two human H. capsulatum reference strains were analyzed using random amplification of polymorphic DNA PCR-based and partial DNA sequences of four genes. Cluster analysis of random amplification of polymorphic DNA-patterns revealed differences for two H. capsulatum isolates of one migratory bat Tadarida brasiliensis. Three groups were identified by distance and maximum-parsimony analyses of arf, H-anti, ole, and tub1 H. capsulatum genes. Group I included most isolates from infected bats and one clinical strain from central Mexico; group II included the two isolates from T. brasiliensis; the human G-217B reference strain from USA formed an independent group III. Isolates from group II showed diversity in relation to groups I and III, suggesting a different H. capsulatum population.