Salmonella in Sheep in Iceland

In 1995 several outbreaks of food poisoning in humans occurred in Iceland, that were traced to salmonella contamination of singed sheep heads. This prompted us to study the prevalence of salmonella infection in sheep and to trace where and how infection might have occurred. Faecal, intestinal contents and tonsillar samples were collected in the spring and autumn from sheep on 50 farms in the southwestern part of the country, where salmonellosis had been detected and from 5 farms in the northwestern part of the country. All faecal samples from the southwest were negative, whereas samples from 3 farms obtained in the autumn in the northwest were positive. Tonsillae taken in the autumn were positive in sheep from 3 farms in the southwest and 2 in the northwest. Our results show that salmonella infection is rare in Icelandic sheep but healthy carriers may harbour the bacteria in tonsillae. Salmonella was not detected in drainage from slaughterhouses nor in singed sheep heads.     

2017年河北省蛋鸡养殖场H9N2亚型禽流感病毒的遗传演化和抗原性分析

【背景】H9N2亚型禽流感病毒在鸡群中广泛流行,引起巨大损失。【目的】了解河北省蛋鸡养殖场H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(avian influenza virus,AIV)的基因序列和抗原性的变异情况,为该病原的科学防控提供理论依据。【方法】于2017年从河北省部分蛋鸡养殖场分离鉴定出7株H9N2亚型AIV,对其HA基因进行序列测定,并进行遗传演化、关键氨基酸位点及抗原性分析。【结果】7株分离毒株HA基因同源性在95.5%?97.2%之间;与2016年前的流行毒株相比,分离病毒HA裂解位点均为典型低致病性AIV特征,在受体结合区域出现变异,潜在糖基化位点无明显差异;抗原分析结果显示分离毒株与早期分离株相比抗原性发生了变异,形成了新的抗原群;抗原性相关位点分析显示,分离毒株在9个位点发生了较为明显的突变,可能是导致抗原性变异的分子基础。【结论】河北省蛋鸡养殖场H9N2亚型AIV中的流行毒株在关键功能区发生基因突变,并且抗原性发生变异,提示应持续监测H9N2亚型AIV的遗传变异情况,并及时更换疫苗株。     

Isolation of Salmonella spp. from liquid and solid excreta prior to and following ensilage in ten swine farms located in central Mexico

A study was carried out to define selected bacteriological characteristics of residues from 10 swine farms, 5 with or without prior clinical enteric disease (PCED) and to determine the effect of ensilage on the bacteria present in the solid fraction. At each farm, samples were taken from the sedimentation basin (SB), the solid fraction (SF), and the liquid fraction (LF). For each sample, CFU/g for enteric bacteria were quantified; Salmonella spp. were isolated and typified. Solid phase samples from each farm were used to prepare the ensilage, with a mixture of solids (80%), sorghum (12%) and molasses (8%). The quantity of enteric bacteria was significantly greater in farms without PCED (P < 0.05). Salmonella enterica were isolated from 8/10 of the farms with and without PCED; in 8 from SB; in 6 from LF; and in 5 from SF. Enteric bacteria were not isolated from silage, therefore, ensilage may be an alternative treatment for excreta that allows the elimination of pathogens such as Salmonella spp.     

A study of thermophilic campylobacters in a river system

Fifteen kilometres of a river system traversing rural and urban areas and subject to sewage works effluent discharge was studied during a 12 1/2 month period. A total of 312 samples was collected from 12 sites at 14 d intervals and tested by a glass microfibre filtration method and a most probable number (MPN) method. Campylobacters were found in 43% of samples by the filtration method and 21% by the MPN method. The lowest frequency of isolation and lowest counts (<10 campylobacters/100 ml) were associated with samples collected from rural sites and fast-flowing stretches of river. The greatest frequency of isolation and highest counts (< 10–230 campylobacters/100 ml) were associated with sites adjacent to or downstream of sewage works. There was an obvious seasonal trend; most isolations and highest counts were obtained in late autumn and winter, and fewest isolations and lowest counts in spring and summer. Surface water run-off from adjacent farmland following heavy rainfall also increased the counts of campylobacters in the river system. Biotyping of isolates demonstrated that the most prevalent Campylobacter sp. was Campylobacter jejuni but C. coli, C. laridis and a previously unrecognized group of campylobacters were also isolated. Serotyping differentiated 14 serotypes of C. jejuni , 11 of C. coli and two of C. laridis. Furthermore, serotypes of C. jejuni commonly isolated from enteritis in man were frequently found in river water tested during this study.     

A study of thermophilic campylobacters in a river system

Fifteen kilometres of a river system traversing rural and urban areas and subject to sewage works effluent discharge was studied during a 12 1/2 month period. A total of 312 samples was collected from 12 sites at 14 d intervals and tested by a glass microfibre filtration method and a most probable number (MPN) method. Campylobacters were found in 43% of samples by the filtration method and 21% by the MPN method. The lowest frequency of isolation and lowest counts (less than 10 campylobacters/100 ml) were associated with samples collected from rural sites and fast-flowing stretches of river. The greatest frequency of isolation and highest counts (greater than 10-230 campylobacters/100 ml) were associated with sites adjacent to or downstream of sewage works. There was an obvious seasonal trend; most isolations and highest counts were obtained in late autumn and winter, and fewest isolations and lowest counts in spring and summer. Surface water run-off from adjacent farmland following heavy rainfall also increased the counts of campylobacters in the river system. Biotyping of isolates demonstrated that the most prevalent Campylobacter sp. was Campylobacter jejuni but C. coli, C. laridis and a previously unrecognized group of campylobacters were also isolated. Serotyping differentiated 14 serotypes of C. jejuni, 11 of C. coli and two of C. laridis. Furthermore, serotypes of C. jejuni commonly isolated from enteritis in man were frequently found in river water tested during this study.     

Nocturnal migrants do not incur higher collision risk at wind turbines than diurnally active species

Nocturnally migrating birds, particularly passerines, are known to be vulnerable to collision with man‐made structures such as buildings, towers or offshore platforms, yet information with respect to wind farms is ambiguous. We recorded bird flight intensities using radar during autumn migration at four wind farms situated within a major migration flyway in northern Germany and simultaneously conducted systematic searches for collision fatalities at the same sites. We found that migration traffic rates at rotor height estimated by radar observations were significantly higher during the night, yet strictly nocturnal migrants constituted only 8.6% of all fatalities at the wind farms. In contrast to the situation at other vertical structures, nocturnal migrants do not have a higher risk of collision with wind energy facilities than do diurnally active species, but rather appear to circumvent collision more effectively.     

Farms,pastures and woodlands: the fine‐scale distribution of Palearctic Culicoides spp. biting midges along an agro‐ecological gradient

The spatial epidemiology of Bluetongue virus (BTV) at the landscape level relates to the fine‐scale distribution and dispersal capacities of its vectors, midges belonging to the genus Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Although many previous researches have carried out Culicoides sampling on farms, little is known of the fine‐scale distribution of Culicoides in the landscape immediately surrounding farms. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of Culicoides populations at increasing distances from typical dairy farms in north‐west Europe, through the use of eight Onderstepoort‐type black‐light traps positioned along linear transects departing from farms, going through pastures and entering woodlands. A total of 16 902 Culicoides were collected in autumn 2008 and spring 2009. The majority were females, of which more than 97% were recognized as potential vectors. In pastures, we found decreasing numbers of female Culicoides as a function of the distance to the farm. This pattern was modelled by leptokurtic models, with parameters depending on season and species. By contrast, the low number of male Culicoides caught were homogeneously distributed along the transects. When transects entered woodlands, we found a higher abundance of Culicoides than expected considering the distance of the sampling sites to the farm, although this varied according to species.     

Fungi isolated from contaminated baled grass silage on farms in the Irish Midlands

The incidence of fungal growth on baled grass silage was recorded on 35 farms in the Irish Midlands in 2003. Fungal colonies were visible on 58 of 64 bales examined and the number of colonies per bale ranged from 1 to 12. On average, 5% of bale surface areas were affected. The fungus most prevalent on bales was Penicillium roqueforti, present on 86% of bales and representing 52% of all isolates. Other moulds isolated were Penicillium paneum, Geotrichum, Fusarium and mucoraceous species. Schizophyllum commune was observed protruding through the plastic film on bales on 17 of the 35 farms.     

Persistence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase plasmids among Enterobacteriaceae in commercial broiler farms

To clarify the persistence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers, 13 plasmids from two broiler farms were analyzed. On the farm not using antimicrobials, one plasmid from Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from a day-old chick was similar to that from Escherichia coli isolated a year later, with the deletion of two transposons. On the farm using antimicrobials, most circulating plasmids (eight out of nine) in a flock of 40-days-old chicks were identical, although one from K. pneumoniae had a deletion of a transposon carrying a class 1 integron containing aadA2 and dfrA12. Thus, ESBL plasmids persisted in the farms with or without antimicrobial agent use.     

Isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from raw milk and its environment at dairy farms in Japan

The incidence of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in raw milk from farm bulk tanks and silage was investigated monthly at 20 dairy farms in Aomori prefecture, Japan, from January to July in 1989. Listeria sp. was isolated from one sample (5%) of raw milk collected in May, but L. monocytogenes was not isolated from raw milk. L. monocytogenes was isolated from two samples of silage (10%) collected in June. Silage, cow feces, sawdust bedding, dust and soil in these farms were tested for listerias, and we confirmed listerias contamination of the environment in the dairy farms.     

山东省某地区奶牛源大肠埃希菌的血清型、耐药特性及分子特性

【目的】旨在对从山东省某地区4个健康奶牛养殖场分离到的大肠埃希菌进行优势血清型、耐药特性、Ⅰ类整合子基因盒携带情况以及系统进化群分析。【方法】采集194份来自山东省某地区4个规模化奶牛场奶牛新鲜粪便样品,进行大肠埃希菌分离和鉴定,利用常用大肠埃希菌诊断血清进行血清型鉴定;利用10%的绵羊血平板检测溶血性;利用K-B法检测对14种常规抗菌药物的敏感性;利用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)检测革兰阴性菌常见的6大类24种耐药基因、Ⅰ类整合子基因盒结构并对目的条带测序分析;利用细菌多位点序列分型(Multilocus sequence typing,MLST)技术分析大肠埃希菌的ST型并使用eBURST v3软件分析菌株之间的克隆关系。【结果】从194份新鲜粪便样品中分离到171株大肠埃希菌,其中主要为致病性(19.9%)和侵袭性大肠埃希菌(17.0%),优势血清型分别为O128:K67(12/171)和O143:K7(12/171)。另外,具有溶血性的大肠埃希菌阳性率为9.4%(16/171);药敏试验结果显示多重耐药菌株的比率为22.2%,其中对氨苄西林耐药率最高为33.9%,四环素次之,为24.0%;PCR检测耐药基因和整合子结果显示,59.1%的菌株携带β-内酰胺类耐药基因blaTEM,59.1%的菌株携带氨基糖苷类耐药基因ant(2′),未检测到四环素耐药基因tetA和tetB;Ⅰ类整合子的阳性率为4.1%(7/171),dfrA12-aadA2-sul1为优势基因盒结构(4/171);MLST将大肠埃希菌分为8种ST型,其中,ST155(10/171)和ST58(45/171)形成一个克隆复合物且没有发现新的ST型。【结论】本研究证实,从该地区规模化健康奶牛场新鲜粪便中分离到的大肠埃希菌优势血清型为O128:K67和O143:K7;少部分大肠埃希菌具有溶血性;仅对氨苄西林、四环素等具有较高的耐药率;优势基因盒结构为dfrA12-aadA2-sul1;MLST分型显示不同奶牛场分离出亲缘关系较近的菌株,其分布具有多态性,血清型与ST型之间无相关性。本研究表明源自表观健康的奶牛的大肠埃希菌存在多重耐药现象,具有食品公共卫生安全隐患,该研究对于提升规模化奶牛场奶制品的安全生产与质量评估具有一定的理论指导意义。     

Abundance of Coffee berry borer in feral,abandoned and managed coffee on Hawaii Island

Coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari), the most damaging insect pest of coffee worldwide, was first detected on Hawaii Island in 2010. Poorly managed, abandoned and feral coffee sites on the island have since been thought to harbour coffee berry borer (CBB) populations, which then negatively impact neighbouring coffee farms. In the present study, we sought to quantify CBB abundance in these sites, which vary in management intensity and vegetation structure and diversity. We collected data on trap catch as a measure of CBB flight activity, fruit production and fruit infestation by CBB in eight well-managed farms and sites that were either poorly managed, abandoned or feral (wild) coffee. Sites were sampled bi-weekly over a period of 2 years from 2016 to 2017. We found that CBB flight activity was significantly higher in poorly managed sites relative to abandoned and feral sites, but was not significantly different from well-managed sites. Coffee production in well-managed farms was significantly higher than in abandoned and feral sites, but was not significantly different from poorly managed farms. CBB infestation in poorly managed sites was significantly higher than that observed in well-managed, abandoned and feral sites. We estimated an average load of 11–25 CBB per branch at poorly managed sites, compared to 3–9 per branch at well-managed sites, 1–16 per branch at abandoned sites and 1–3 per branch at feral sites. Our findings suggest that poorly managed sites should be prioritized for implementation of CBB control measures as part of a landscape-level integrated pest management (IPM) programme.     

High mitochondrial DNA diversity of an introduced alien carnivore: comparison of feral and ranch American mink Neovison vison in Poland

Aim Invasive alien species usually exhibit very high adaptation and rapid evolution in a new environment, but they often have low levels of genetic diversity (invasive species paradox). Genetic variation and population genetic structure of feral American mink, Neovison vison, in Poland was investigated to explain the invasion paradox and to assess current gene flow. Furthermore, the influence of mink farming on adaptation of the feral population was evaluated by comparing the genetic structure of feral and ranch mink. Location Samples from feral mink were collected in 11 study areas in northern and central Poland and from ranch mink at 10 farms distributed throughout the country. Methods A 373‐bp‐long mtDNA control region fragment was amplified from 276 feral and 166 ranch mink. Results Overall, 31 haplotypes, belonging to two groups from genetically diverse sources, were detected: 11 only in feral mink, 12 only in ranch mink and eight in both. The genetic differentiation of feral mink from the trapping sites was high, while that among ranch mink from various farms was moderate. There was no significant relationship between genetic and geographic distance. The number of trapping sites where given haplotypes occurred correlated with the number of farms with these haplotypes. The mink from two sites were the most divergent, both from all other feral mink and from ranch mink. Comparison of mtDNA and microsatellite differentiation suggests male‐biased dispersal in this species. Main conclusions American mink in Poland exhibit high genetic diversity and originate from different source populations of their native range. The process of colonization was triggered by numerous escapees from various farms and by immigrants from Belarus. The genetic structure of local feral mink populations was shaped by the founder effect and multiple introductions. The genomic admixture that occurred during mixing of different populations might have increased the fitness of individuals and accelerated the invasiveness of this species.     

A New Porcine Mycoplasma Species: Mycoplasma Suidaniae

In an investigation of the mycoplasma flora in lungs of Danish pigs, 12 strains of an alkali-producing agent were isolated from lungs with catarrhal pneumonia. The pigs in question originated from 9 different farms. Details concerning media and technique are given in a previous paper (Friis 1971).     

Gastrointestinal parasites in goat farms from Bergamo province (Lombardy, north Italy)

A survey on gastrointestinal parasites in goat farms in Bergamo province was carried out from May 2005 to January 2006. Thirty-one dairy goat farms and 836 adult female goats were examined. Faecal sampling was carried out before the antihelminthic treatments, and the sampling times were grouped in three seasonal periods (June-August, September-October and November-March). Faecal exams were carried out by a McMaster method and eggs per gram (EPG) were calculated for each gastrointestinal parasite. Differences in prevalence of Strongylida, Trichuris and Nematodirus were found between farms with goats on pasture and those where animals were permanently housed indoor. Strongyloides spp. showed higher values of prevalence in goats housed indoor. With regard to the sampling seasons, Strongylida eggs were more prevalent in summer while Nematodirus in winter in goats at pasture. Strongyloides occurred more frequently in autumn in stabled goats.     

Plasmid Profiles of Virulent Rhodococcus equi Strains Isolated from Infected Foals in Poland

Rhodococcus equi is an important bacterial pathogen in foals up to 6 months old, widespread in horse farms all over the world. It was found that only virulent R. equi strains expressing 15–17 kDa virulence-associated protein (VapA) and having large virulence plasmid of 85–90 kb containing vapA gene are pathogenic for horses. To date, 12 plasmid types have been reported in VapA positive strains from horses. There are no data concerning plasmid types of Polish field R. equi strains isolated from horses and horse farm environment. The aim of the study is to determine plasmid profiles of virulent R. equi strains isolated in Poland from dead foals as well as from soil samples taken from horse breeding farms. Plasmid profiles of 10 clinical strains derived from 8 farms and 11 environmental strains from 3 farms, confirmed as virulent by PCR, were compared with 12 reference strains containing the known plasmid size and type. Plasmid DNAs were analysed by digestion with the restriction endonucleases BamHI, EcoRI, EcoT22I, and HindIII for detailed comparison and estimation of plasmid sizes. The results of RFLP analysis revealed that all except one isolates used in the study are classified as VapA 85 kb type I plasmid. One strain harboured VapA 87 kb type I plasmid. This is the first report of plasmid types of Polish field R. equi strains. The results of our preliminary investigations on horse farms located in central and eastern Poland indicate that the virulent R. equi strains thus far isolated from diseased foals and horse farms environment represent a highly uniform plasmid pattern.     

Impact of wind farms on soaring bird populations at a migratory bottleneck

Collision with turbines at wind farms is expected to have a greater impact on birds at particular sites where high concentrations of individuals occur, such as migration bottleneck areas. The Strait of Gibraltar (southern Spain) has long been recognized as the most important bottleneck in western Europe for soaring bird migration. Moreover, this area is within one of the most important potential areas for wind energy generation in Spain. Here, we examine monthly migratory soaring bird abundance in relation to long-term avian mortality rates at 21 wind farms located near the Strait of Gibraltar using zero-inflated hurdle negative binomial and gamma models. Best fit models included an effect of season in the collision mortality rates and in the proportion of adult individuals within the total deaths. However, monthly bird abundance was not directly related to the number of fatalities over the year. The accumulated fatalities during autumn migration constitute a small percentage (1%) of the total migrating population size. Moreover, mortality peak during autumn migration is largely attributable to juvenile birds. In contrast, the number of fatalities coinciding with the breeding period constitutes a substantial proportion (6%) of the local population, and it involved substantial losses among adult birds. Our results show that wind farms probably have an individually low impact on the migratory population of soaring birds. On the contrary, annual losses among adult local birds are remarkably high considering the small size of the local populations, and they may have population level effects.     

Effects of tylosin use on erythromycin resistance in enterococci isolated from swine

The effect of tylosin on erythromycin-resistant enterococci was examined on three farms; farm A used tylosin for growth promotion, farm B used tylosin for treatment of disease, and farm C did not use tylosin for either growth promotion or disease treatment. A total of 1,187 enterococci were isolated from gestation, farrowing, suckling, nursery, and finishing swine from the farms. From a subset of those isolates (n = 662), 59% (124 out of 208), 28% (80 out of 281), and 2% (4 out of 170) were resistant to erythromycin (MIC >/= 8 microg/ml) from farms A, B, and C, respectively. PCR analysis and Southern blotting revealed that 95% (65 out of 68) of isolates chosen from all three farms for further study were positive for ermB, but all were negative for ermA and ermC. By using Southern blotting, ermB was localized to the chromosome in 56 of the isolates while 9 isolates from farms A and B contained ermB on two similar-sized plasmid bands (12 to 16 kb). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed that the isolates were genetically diverse and represented a heterogeneous population of enterococci. This study suggests that although there was resistance to a greater number of enterococcal isolates on a farm where tylosin was used as a growth promotant, resistant enterococci also existed on a farm where no antimicrobial agents were used.     

Sheep tick Ixodes ricinus management on Welsh hill farms of designated conservation importance: implications for nationally declining birds

Impacts of sheep ticks Ixodes ricinus on livestock, gamebirds and wildlife are of concern across Europe. The present study describes livestock and tick management by 36 farmers from three upland sites of conservation importance in North Wales, where farmers consider that ticks have increased during the last 25 years. Sheep, average densities of 2.0 animals per ha were treated with pour‐on acaricides in spring, again in July, and also when removed from the moor in autumn. Given acaricide efficacy rates, sheep were susceptible to tick bites for half the period on the moor. Sheep from 17 farms were examined for ticks. Infestations were similar between farms and in relation to the acaricide used, averaging 9.3 ticks per sheep, although they were lower where the interval between successive acaricide treatments was shorter. Repeated sampling of sheep and red grouse chicks showed no annual difference in tick burdens on grouse chicks, which averaged 6.2 ticks per chick, although there were three‐fold fewer ticks on sheep in 2018 than in previous years. Tick bite rates on sheep and grouse were higher than elsewhere in the U.K. Most farmers interviewed would aim to improve their tick management using longer‐lasting acaricides and treating sheep more frequently, although they would need advice and financial help, which is currently unavailable via Government funded agri‐environment schemes.