A solitary case of duck plague in a wild mallard

Duck plague was diagnosed on the basis of pathology and virus isolation in a wild female mallard Anas platyrhynchos found dead near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Day-old Pekin ducklings and one of two adult mallards died with lesions typical of duck plague following inoculation of tissue from the wild bird. This is believed to be the only reported case of duck plague in a wild bird since a major outbreak occurred in South Dakota in 1973, and the fourth such report in North America.     

An outbreak of Streptococcus pyogenes infection associated with calcium oxalate urolithiasis in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)

An outbreak of Streptococcus pyogenes infection occurred in a colony of 800 Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs resulting in 364 (46%) deaths involving breeders, sucklings, weaners, but mainly adults used as a source of blood meals for haematophagus flies (Glossina palpalis). Clinical signs included bleeding from the nose, mouth and vagina before death. Necropsy revealed pneumonia with consolidation of one or both lungs, haemopericardium and haemothorax. There were yellowish-grey deposits in the urinary bladder of more than 50% of both affected breeders and adults used for feeding haematophagus flies. Beta-haemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes was isolated in pure culture from many tissues including the urinary bladder. The survivors were treated with oxytetracycline (Terramycin-LA; Pfizer) using the intra-muscular route and the response was good.     

WATERFOWL (ANATIDAE) ON IRRIGATION LAKES IN THE ORANGE FREE STATE

Geldenhuys, J. N. 1975. Waterfowl (Anatidae) on irrigation lakes in the Orange Free State. Ostrich 46:219-235.

The incidence and population size of fifteen duck species were determined on nine irrigation lakes in the Orange Free State, South Africa, during August 1972 to July 1973. Allemanskraal supported the highest average number of Egyptian Goose, South African Shelduck and Yellowbilled Duck. Redbilled Teal and Spurwinged Goose favoured Bloemhof. Cape Shoveller and Cape Teal concentrated on Kalkfontein, and Southern Pochard frequented Erfenis. The most common species were the Egyptian Goose, South African Shelduck, Yellowbilled Duck and Spurwinged Goose, in thit order according to average number of birds per count, Black Duck, Whitefaced Duck, Whistling Duck, Whitebacked Duck, Hottentot Teal, Knobbilled Duck and Maccoa Duck occurred sporadically. Relatively high seasonal population nuctuations were found in the South African Shelduck, Cape Teal, Southern Pochard and to a lesser extent in the Spurwinged Goose and Cape Shoveller.     

Epizootiology of an epizootic hemorrhagic disease outbreak in West Virginia

An outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, serotype 2 (EHDV-2) was responsible for localized white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) mortality in Hardy and Hampshire counties, West Virginia (USA), in the summer and fall of 1993. Using available historical data on regional herd immunity, data opportunistically collected during the epizootic, and postepizootic sampling of hunter-harvested deer, we grossly estimate certain epidemiologic parameters and compare findings to a hypothesis about hemorrhagic disease outbreaks in the Appalachian Mountains. During the epizootic, 57.9 km(2) were actively searched and 228 dead deer were found. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, serotype 2 was isolated from seven of nine deer sampled in Hardy and Hampshire counties. Preepizootic exposure of deer to EHD viruses was unknown, but available data suggest that it was negligible. The geographic distribution of the outbreak was defined by plotting the locations of dead deer found during the outbreak, as well as the locations of deer harvested by hunters after the outbreak that had antibodies to EHDV-2 on a map sectioned into 16.65 km(2) rectangular sections. Sections that included one or more dead deer or hunter-harvested deer with antibodies to EHDV-2 were included in the defined outbreak area. Postoutbreak sampling revealed monospecific EHDV-2 antibodies in 12% of deer harvested by hunters within the defined outbreak area. Based on the available data and accepting certain assumptions, gross calculations suggest that this outbreak appears to have been isolated and probably killed a high percentage of the deer that were infected. This is consistent with the hypothesis that sporadic hemorrhagic disease outbreaks in the Appalachian Mountains are usually localized and severe.     

北京鸭卵磷脂胆固醇酰基转移酶的cDNA和蛋白质的结构分析

为获得不易感动脉粥样硬化动物北京鸭卵磷脂胆固醇酰基转移酶 (LCAT)的cDNA和蛋白质序列 ,分析其结构特点 .以从北京鸭肝脏mRNA反转录获得的cDNA一链为模板 ,应用SMART RACE技术 ,获得了北京鸭LCAT的cDNA序列 ,推导出其蛋白质氨基酸序列 ,应用分子生物学软件对该蛋白的一级、二级结构进行分析和比较 .北京鸭LCATcDNA (在GenBank中的注册号为AF32 4 887)全长 195 3bp ,其中开放阅读框架 135 6bp ,编码 4 5 1个氨基酸 ,包括一个由 2 3个氨基酸构成的疏水性信号肽和一个由 4 2 8个氨基酸组成的成熟蛋白 .该成熟蛋白比人LCAT在C端多 12个氨基酸 ,其与鸡、人、家兔的同源性依次为 98%、83%和 82 % .与其它种属LCAT蛋白序列的比较结果表明 ,北京鸭LCAT蛋白质序列虽然在长度上和结构上与其它种属有一定的差异 ,但序列中与酶催化活性相关的序列均非常保守     

A case of infanticide in the Spot-billed Duck in circumstances of high breeding density

The first observations of infanticide by a precocial avian species, Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha), were recorded on a small pond at Yatsu tidal flat, central Japan, from May to June 2000, where six families of conspecific and one Gadwall A. strepera family, respectively, occupied territories. A female Spot-billed Duck with 11 ducklings attacked ducklings of all the other families killing eight conspecifics and three of the Gadwall. High breeding density (15.0 families/ha) may have increased the aggression of the female. Electronic Publication     

Counts of selected duck species at Corner Inlet, Victoria: changes in relation to local and distant meteorological variations

Numbers of four duck species present within a study area in a tidal embayment (Corner Inlet, south-eastern Australia) were obtained between 1977 and 2002. The species involved were Chestnut (Anas castanea) and Grey (A. gracilis) Teal, Pacific Black Duck (A. superciliosa) and Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides) and counts are compared with local and distant meteorological data. Chestnut and Grey Teal were most, and Australian Shelduck least, abundant. There was considerable monthly and annual variation; generally, teal and Pacific Black Duck were most numerous in summer and autumn, whereas Shelduck peaked somewhat earlier. Peak abundance corresponded to times of higher inter-annual variation and, apart from Shelduck, abundance had significant, usually weak, negative associations with rainfall though not beyond a one season lag. Pacific Black Duck numbers showed larger, more persistent and positive association with streamflows, particularly in south-eastern Australia, whereas associations for Chestnut Teal were negative and included lags of up to seven seasons. Grey Teal counts showed few significant correlations with streamflow, and Australian Shelduck numbers showed none. Abundance in some species was negatively related to the Southern Oscillation Index in the season of the count, but for Australian Shelduck there was a positive correlation for two seasons previously. Few significant relationships occurred between abundance in Corner Inlet and other Australian waterfowl abundance measures, although annual counts at Corner Inlet were positively correlated with Victorian Summer Waterfowl Counts and negatively with wetland area obtained during East Australia Counts. To an extent, results reflect current views on species’ biologies, with birds moving into and out of a saline habitat determined by breeding conditions elsewhere. As found elsewhere, there were some relationships with meteorological variables, though strength and direction varied, perhaps reflecting species’ plasticity in responses to rain events at local or distant scale and time.     

The veterinary management of a laryngeal air sac infection in a free-ranging mountain gorilla.

A purulent laryngeal air sac infection was diagnosed in a free-ranging adult male mountain gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei) in Central Africa. Successful treatment included the administration of antibiotics via blow dart and surgical drainage in the field. This case occurred during an outbreak of respiratory disease of undetermined etiology in this and other gorillas in the population.     

A Novel Psittacine Adenovirus Identified During an Outbreak of Avian Chlamydiosis and Human Psittacosis: Zoonosis Associated with Virus-Bacterium Coinfection in Birds

Chlamydophila psittaci is found worldwide, but is particularly common among psittacine birds in tropical and subtropical regions. While investigating a human psittacosis outbreak that was associated with avian chlamydiosis in Hong Kong, we identified a novel adenovirus in epidemiologically linked Mealy Parrots, which was not present in healthy birds unrelated to the outbreak or in other animals. The novel adenovirus (tentatively named Psittacine adenovirus HKU1) was most closely related to Duck adenovirus A in the Atadenovirus genus. Sequencing showed that the Psittacine adenovirus HKU1 genome consists of 31,735 nucleotides. Comparative genome analysis showed that the Psittacine adenovirus HKU1 genome contains 23 open reading frames (ORFs) with sequence similarity to known adenoviral genes, and six additional ORFs at the 3′ end of the genome. Similar to Duck adenovirus A, the novel adenovirus lacks LH1, LH2 and LH3, which distinguishes it from other viruses in the Atadenovirus genus. Notably, fiber-2 protein, which is present in Aviadenovirus but not Atadenovirus, is also present in Psittacine adenovirus HKU1. Psittacine adenovirus HKU1 had pairwise amino acid sequence identities of 50.3–54.0% for the DNA polymerase, 64.6–70.7% for the penton protein, and 66.1–74.0% for the hexon protein with other Atadenovirus. The C. psittaci bacterial load was positively correlated with adenovirus viral load in the lung. Immunostaining for fiber protein expression was positive in lung and liver tissue cells of affected parrots, confirming active viral replication. No other viruses were found. This is the first documentation of an adenovirus-C. psittaci co-infection in an avian species that was associated with a human outbreak of psittacosis. Viral-bacterial co-infection often increases disease severity in both humans and animals. The role of viral-bacterial co-infection in animal-to-human transmission of infectious agents has not received sufficient attention and should be emphasized in the investigation of disease outbreaks in human and animals.     

Laying date, clutch size and egg size of the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos and Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

The effect of spring temperature on first egg date, laying period and last clutch date was studied in the Mallard and Tufted Duck. Seasonal clutch size and egg size trends were also examined. In years When Mallard laid early, Tufted Duck also did so. The first Mallard clutch was started earlier and laying period was longer in years with a high mean February temperature. The last clutch was started later in years with a high mean June temperature. In Tufted Duck the laying period increased and the last clutch was started later in years with high mean April temperatures.
Mean hatching date of Mallard clutches was later in years when the date of peak chironomid emergence was late.
In both species, clutch size declined through the season. Egg volume was not related to clutch size in either species, but egg volume in the Tufted Duck declined through the season. No difference in Tufted Duck egg size existed between sites, but the significance of egg size on duckling survival is discussed. Genetic factors related to individual consistency in egg size in Mallard may have obscured egg volume trends during the season because of renesting.     

Public Health Investigation of Two Outbreaks of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157 Associated with Consumption of Watercress

An increase in the number of cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 phage type 2 (PT2) in England in September 2013 was epidemiologically linked to watercress consumption. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) identified a phylogenetically related cluster of 22 cases (outbreak 1). The isolates comprising this cluster were not closely related to any other United Kingdom strain in the Public Health England WGS database, suggesting a possible imported source. A second outbreak of STEC O157 PT2 (outbreak 2) was identified epidemiologically following the detection of outbreak 1. Isolates associated with outbreak 2 were phylogenetically distinct from those in outbreak 1. Epidemiologically unrelated isolates on the same branch as the outbreak 2 cluster included those from human cases in England with domestically acquired infection and United Kingdom domestic cattle. Environmental sampling using PCR resulted in the isolation of STEC O157 PT2 from irrigation water at one implicated watercress farm, and WGS showed this isolate belonged to the same phylogenetic cluster as outbreak 2 isolates. Cattle were in close proximity to the watercress bed and were potentially the source of the second outbreak. Transfer of STEC from the field to the watercress bed may have occurred through wildlife entering the watercress farm or via runoff water. During this complex outbreak investigation, epidemiological studies, comprehensive testing of environmental samples, and the use of novel molecular methods proved invaluable in demonstrating that two simultaneous outbreaks of STEC O157 PT2 were both linked to the consumption of watercress but were associated with different sources of contamination.     

An epornitic of duck plague on a Wisconsin game farm.

In April, 1973, an acute disease with a high rate of mortality appeared in a flock of 233 ducks and geese at a private game farm. Most of the flock (220) were black ducks (Anas rubripes) and mortality was restricted to them. In May, the remaining live birds were placed in isolation but mortality continued in black ducks and occurred in other species. The overall rate of mortality for black ducks was 93% and the case fatality rate was 97%. No hemorrhaging from either the bill or vent was observed. The most commonly observed gross lesions were extensive fibrino-necrotic plaques covering the mucosal surface of the esophagus, posterior colon and cloaca. Petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages on visceral organs, particularly the heart, were also common. Virus isolation was attempted from tissues of three black ducks. Duck plague virus was isolated from liver, kidney, spleen and intestine of each. Sixteen black ducks survived the outbreak. Seven of these birds had significant levels of neutralizing antibody to duck plague virus.     

The amino-acid sequence of Northern Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos) hemoglobin

The complete amino-acid sequence of the major hemoglobin component (HbA) of the adult Northern Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos) is presented. A minor component HbD was also detected but in low concentrations. The sequences of alpha A- and beta-chains were established by automatic Edman degradation on tryptic peptides and peptides obtained by specific chemical cleavages. The alignment of the peptides was performed by comparison with the alpha A- and beta-chains of Greylag Goose hemoglobin (Anser anser). Thereby an exchange of five positions in the alpha A-chains and three in the beta-chains was observed. No exchanges were found in the surroundings of the heme, in alpha 1 beta 2-contact points, or allosteric regulatory sites. In the alpha 1 beta 1-subunit interface one amino-acid residue in alpha A-chains and one in beta-chains are exchanged. By comparison with the amino-acid sequence derived from globin genes of Domestic Duck (Anas platyrhynchos), the alpha A-chains differ by two exchanges in the N-terminal region and the beta-chains by five exchanges the in C-terminal region. The comparison of the amino-acid sequence derived from alpha A-globin gene of the Moscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) and alpha A-chains of the Northern Mallard, shows only one replacement.     

术中局部化疗对大肠癌患者预后影响的临床观察

目的：观察术中局部化疗对大肠癌患者的预后影响,探讨提高大肠癌患者临床疗效的辅助治疗方法。方法：选择DuckB期和DuckC期患者76例,根据自愿的原则均分为常规手术组和术中化疗组,常规手术组采取常规手术治疗,术中化疗组在常规手术过程中给予局部化疗治疗,比较两组患者术后第7d血常规、肝肾功能及两组患者术后并发症,并随访两组患者术后12个月和24个月局部复发情况。结果：两组患者在术后血常规、肝肾功能及术后并发症方面比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;术后12个月和24个月局部复发病例比较,差异具有统计学意义①〈0．05）,术中化疗组显著少于常规手术组。结论：在DuckB期和DuckC期大肠癌患者外科手术治疗过程中．应积极采取术中化疗的治疗措施。     

THE FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS OF TUFTED DUCK AYTHYA FULIGULA

The food and feeding habits of Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula are described, based on field observations and on the analyses of the stomach contents of 95 birds, all but one of them having fed inland; 57 were collected from a gravel pit near London, 28 from Northern Ireland and 9 from a number of English inland waters, in the shooting seasons 1959-60 and 1960-61.
The London birds in both seasons had fed primarily on molluscs, mainly Dreissena polymorpha. The Northern Ireland birds, where D. polymorpha does not occur, had a more variable diet, again mainly molluscs, but with some crustaceans, insects and plant seeds. The English birds had a similarly variable diet with the emphasis on crustaceans ( Asellus spp.) and with some molluscs, insects and plant seeds. Brief information is given on the food of young birds.
It is suggested that the spread of D. polymorpha may be one of the factors explaining the recent spread of the Tufted Duck in certain areas. It appears that where one particular food such as D. polymorpha is not plentiful a more variable diet is taken, though molluscs always figure prominently. The type of food taken depends on the type of habitat used, the availability and size of the food items and on the methods of feeding.     

NOTES ON THE NESTING OF THE WHITE-FRONTED SANDPLOVER,Charadrius marginatus,AT GAMTOOS RIVER MOUTH IN 1950

Young, H.G. 1999. Comparative study of the courtship displays of Meller's Duck Anus melleri, Yellowbilled Duck A. undulata and Northern Mallard A. platyrhynchos. Ostrich 70(2): 117–122

The little-known Meller's Duck Anas melleri is a monochromatic species endemic to Madagascar that has been linked to the Northern Mallard A. platyrhynchos, or the African Yellowbilled Duck A. undulata. This study compared group courtship between these species, and analysed the structure and duration of the main display components, the grunt-whistle, head-up-tail-up and down-up. Meller's Duck differed significantly from the other species, and lacked a down-up display. Meller's Duck shows some behavioural similarities to the African Black Duck A. sparsa.     

Dynamics of food availability, body condition and physiological stress response in breeding Black-legged Kittiwakes

1. The seasonal dynamics of body condition (BC), circulating corticosterone levels (baseline, BL) and the adrenocortical response to acute stress (SR) were examined in long-lived Black-legged Kittiwakes, Rissa tridactyla , breeding at Duck (food-poor colony) and Gull (food-rich colony) Islands in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska. It was tested whether the dynamics of corticosterone levels reflect a seasonal change in bird physiological condition due to reproduction and/or variation in foraging conditions.
2. BC declined seasonally, and the decline was more pronounced in birds at the food-poor colony. BL and SR levels of corticosterone rose steadily through the reproductive season, and BL levels were significantly higher in birds on Duck Island compared with those on Gull Island. During the egg-laying and chick-rearing stages, birds had lower SR on Duck Island than on Gull Island.
3. The results suggest that, in addition to a seasonal change in bird physiology during reproduction, local ecological factors such as food availability affect circulating levels of corticosterone and adrenal response to acute stress.     

术中局部化疗对大肠癌患者预后影响的临床观察

目的:观察术中局部化疗对大肠癌患者的预后影响,探讨提高大肠癌患者临床疗效的辅助治疗方法。方法:选择DuckB期和DuckC期患者76例,根据自愿的原则均分为常规手术组和术中化疗组,常规手术组采取常规手术治疗,术中化疗组在常规手术过程中给予局部化疗治疗,比较两组患者术后第7d血常规、肝肾功能及两组患者术后并发症,并随访两组患者术后12个月和24个月局部复发情况。结果:两组患者在术后血常规、肝肾功能及术后并发症方面比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);术后12个月和24个月局部复发病例比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),术中化疗组显著少于常规手术组。结论:在DuckB期和DuckC期大肠癌患者外科手术治疗过程中,应积极采取术中化疗的治疗措施。     

Predation risk associated with nesting in gull colonies by two Aythya species: observations and an experimental test

To reduce nest predation certain duck species nest in association with more aggressive species. For instance, Pochard Aythya ferina and Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula often nest in association with small larids, such as the Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus . I studied nest predation, nesting association and nest site requirements of Pochard and Tufted Duck in central Finland (63°N, 27°E) observing natural and artifical nests. Predation of Pochard and Tufted Duck nests was of similar extent and stronger outside than within gull colonies. An experiment with artficial nests also showed that a higher proportion of nests was preyed upon outside than within gull colonies (0.98 and 0.13, respectively). The results are consistent with the hypothesis that nest predation is lower within than outside gull colonies. Tufted Ducks nest more often with gulls than do Pochards; 61.5% of Tufted Duck nests and 29.3% of Pochard nests were found within gull colonies.     

Can MLVA Differentiate among Endemic-Like MRSA Isolates with Identical Spa-Type in a Low-Prevalence Region?

The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Norway is low, but an endemic-like MRSA clone with Staphylococcal protein A (spa)-type t304 has been established especially in nursing homes in the Oslo region causing several large outbreaks. The challenge was that spa-typing and the gold standard Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) were inadequate in discriminating isolates in outbreak investigations. Additional higher resolution genotyping methods were needed. The aims of this study were a) to evaluate whether Multiple-Locus Variable number of tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA) could differentiate within the PFGE clusters between epidemiologically related and unrelated endemic-like ST8-MRSA-IV-t304-PVL-neg (MRSA-t304) isolates and b) investigate the evolution of the endemic-like MRSA-t304 clone over a 15-year time period. All MRSA-t304 isolates detected in the region from 1998 through April 2013 were included. In total, 194 of 197 isolates were available for PFGE and MLVA analyses. PFGE results on isolates from 1998–2010 have been published previously. Two PFGE clusters subdivided into eight MLVA types were detected. One major outbreak clone (PFGE cluster C2/ MLVA type MT5045) appeared from 2004 to 2011 causing long-lasting and large outbreaks in seven nursing homes and one hospital. Five new MLVA types (N = 9 isolates) differing in only one VNTR compared to the outbreak clone C2/MT5045 were detected, but only one (C2/MT5044) was seen after 2011. We suggest that MLVA can replace PFGE analysis, but MLVA may not be the optimal method in this setting as it did not discriminate between all epidemiologically unrelated isolates. The results may indicate that all eight outbreaks in different locations within the PFGE C2 cluster may be branches of one large regional outbreak. The major outbreak strain C2/MT5045 may now, however, be under control, extinguished or has moved geographically.