Leptospires in wildlife from Trinidad and Grenada

Serum samples from 894 wild animals (representing 31 species) from Trinidad and Grenada were examined by the microscopic agglutination test for leptospiral antibodies; 198 were positive. These included 39 bats, 88 mongooses, six opossums, 10 peridomestic rodents, 15 forest rodents, 10 lizards, and 30 toads. Thirteen pathogenic serogroups were involved. Thirty-nine Leptospira isolates were reported from mongooses, opossums, rodents and toads.     

Substructure within Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica isolates from Australian wildlife

Multilocus sequence typing of 56 Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica strains isolated from Australian wildlife hosts was performed. The results of population assignment algorithms revealed that the 56 strains could be subdivided into two distinct clades. Strains belonging to the two clades were further distinguished phenotypically, genotypically, and with respect to host distribution.     

Isolation and characterization of Salmonella enterica from Antarctic wildlife

In recent years, the human presence in Antarctica has increased and as a consequence, the possibility of microorganisms’ introduction. The aims of this work were to determine the presence of Salmonella enterica in Antarctic seabirds and sea mammals, to characterize the isolates identified, and to determine the genetic relation of Antarctic S. enterica isolates among them and compare with isolates of human, animal, and food sources recovered in Argentina. During the summer 2000 and 2002 in Potter Peninsula, and during the summer 2001 and 2003 in Hope Bay, a total of 1,739 fecal samples from Antarctic animals were collected and analyzed. In summer 2000, S. Newport and S. Enteritidis were isolated from 8.9% of southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus). In summer 2003, S. Enteritidis was isolated from 1.5% of Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), from 5.5% of skuas (Stercorarius sp.), from 5.4% of kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus), and from 5.6% of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddelli). All the isolates belonging to the same serovar showed indistinguishable genomic profiles by Pulse-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) with XbaI and BlnI restriction enzymes and by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR). In addition, these Antarctic strains were different from S. enterica isolates from different sources identified in Argentina during the same or close time periods.     

Retrospective and longitudinal study of salmonellosis in captive wildlife in Trinidad

Morbidity and mortality of captive wildlife at the Emperor Valley Zoo, Trinidad from 1993 to 1996 were analysed to determine involvement of Salmonella spp. A 6 mo longitudinal study was conducted to determine the frequency of isolation of Salmonella spp. from apparently healthy, sick and dead wild mammals, birds, and reptiles. The antibiograms of Salmonella isolates were determined using the disc diffusion method. Fecal samples randomly selected from animal enclosures and cloacal swabs of snakes were cultured for Salmonella spp. following enrichment in tetrathionate and selenite cystine broths. For the 1993-96 period, Salmonella spp. was implicated in 17 (12%) of 141 sick or dead animals and the predominant serotype was S. typhimurium. During the 6 mo prospective study in a mean animal population of 1,186, there were 20 (2%) and 14 (1%) animals that were sick and died respectively; Salmonella spp. was implicated in only one mortality. Overall, of 1,012 samples from apparently healthy wildlife cultured, 66 (7%) yielded 24 serotypes of Salmonella. The predominant serotype were S. seigburg (16 isolates), S. gaminara (6 isolates), and S. thompson (6 isolates). None of the samples yielded S. typhimurium. The frequency of isolation of Salmonella spp. in reptiles (14%) was significantly higher than found in either mammals (7%) or birds (3%). Sixty-five (99%) of 66 Salmonella spp. isolates exhibited resistance to one or more of the nine antimicrobial agents tested. Resistance was high to cephalothin (92%), moderate to streptomycin (35%) and tetracycline (29%), but significantly low to gentamicin (2%), chloramphenicol (0%), and sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (0%). The prevalence of asymptomatic infections by Salmonella spp. in zoo animals was high and the very high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance could be a problem when treating salmonellosis.     

Absence of Escherichia coli O157 in a survey of wildlife from Trinidad and Tobago

Fecal, cloacal, or rectal swabs of free-ranging and captive mammalian and avian wildlife in Trinidad and Tobago were cultured for non-sorbitol fermenting Escherichia coli and tested for O157:H7 strains. Ability of E. coli strains to produce hemolysin and mucoid colonies also was investigated. Of 271 free-ranging mammals tested, 158 (58%) yielded E. coli; only one (< 1%) bacterial isolate was a non-sorbitol fermenter which was not agglutinated by O157 antiserum. All isolates were negative for hemolysin production and mucoid colonial growth. Two hundred and sixty-three (90%) of 293 free-flying birds were positive for E. coli and all isolates were sorbitol fermenters and negative for production of hemolysin and mucoid growth. Of 175 captive wild animals from individual backyard farms and a government demonstration farm, 145 (83%) yielded E. coli with four (2%) non-sorbitol fermenters; all were negative for O157 strains, hemolysin production, and mucoid colonial growth. Of 373 animals in a zoo, 250 (67%) were positive for E. coli with only two (0.5%) non-sorbitol fermenters. All strains were non-hemolytic and non-mucoid farms. It appears that free-ranging and captive avian and mammalian wildlife are not important reservoirs of O157:H7 strains of E. coli in Trinidad and Tobago.     

A preliminary health risk assessment of heavy metals in local and imported rice grains marketed in Trinidad and Tobago,W.I.

Abstract

Within recent times, heavy metal contamination in rice (Oryza Sativa) has been of growing concern particularly due to its implications on human health via consumption. Twenty-one different brands of rice marketed in Trinidad and Tobago were investigated for their heavy metal content (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Lead was not detected in any of the samples, while both Cadmium and Nickel were detected in only one sample each at 0.27 and 1.79?µg/g, respectively. The average metal concentrations decreased in the following order: Zinc?> Manganese?> Copper?>?Chromium with concentrations ranging from 1.00–4.35, 1.72–29.92, 5.87–43.56 and 0.06–1.16?µg/g, respectively. The target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) values for all samples were less than one, indicating no risk of non-carcinogenic effects to consumers.     

The establishment of two parasites of the diamond-back mothPlutella xylostella [Lep.: Plutellidae] in Trinidad,W.I.

The diamond-back moth,Plutella xylostella (L.) is a major pest of cruciferous crops in Trinidad, West Indies. Pesticides are applied as a control measure but it is now resistant to several of them. Indigenous parasitesApanteles aciculatus (Ashm.),Apanteles sp. (glomeratus group),Spilochalcis hirtifemora (Ashm.) andTrichogramma brasiliensis (Ashm.) are unable to exert economic control.Apanteles plutellae (Kurdj.) andTetrastichus sokolowskii Kurdj. were introduced and are now well established. It is recommended to introduce additional parasitesMacromalon sp. andThyraeella collaris (Grav.) in order to obtain complete biological control.     

Plagiprospherysa trinitatis [Dipt.: Tachinidae], A parasite ofElasmopalpus lignosellus [Lep.: Phycitidae] in Trinidad,W. I.

Increased damage to sugarcane byElasmopalpus lignosellus associated with preharvest burning in Barbados, has prompted an investigation of its natural enemies in Trinidad. Three parasitesPlagiprospherysa trinitatis Thompson,Macrocentrus sp. andAgathis rubricinctus Ashmead were reared. Laboratory techniques for breedingP. trinitatis as well as its host are described. Attempts to utilize related species for biological control are reviewed and the possibilities of utilizingp. trinitatis are discussed briefly.     

Avian wildlife reservoir of Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni, Yersinia spp., and Salmonella spp. in Norway.

Cloacal swabs from 540 wild-living birds were cultured for Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni, Yersinia spp., and Salmonella spp. The carrier rates detected were as follows: C. fetus subsp. jejuni, 28.4%; Yersinia spp., 1.2%; and Salmonella spp., 0.8%. All birds were apparently healthy when captured. C. fetus subsp. jejuni was isolated from 11 of the 40 bird species examined. Among birds inhabiting the city of Oslo, the highest isolation rate was found in crows (Corvus corone cornix) (89.8%), followed by gulls (Larus spp.) (50.0%) and domestic pigeons (Columba livia domesticus) (4.2%). The gulls and crows scavenge on refuse dumps. High carrier rates were also detected among the following birds from nonurban, coastal areas: puffin (Fratercula arctica) (51.3%), common tern (Sterna hirundo) (5.6%), common gull (Larus canus) (18.9%), black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus) (13.2%), and herring gull (Larus argentatus) (4.2%). The list of species harboring C. fetus subsp. jejuni also includes the Ural owl (Strix uralensis), goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), and reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus). The following five Yersinia strains were isolated: Y. kristensenii (two strains), Y. intermedia (two strains), and "Yersinia X2" (one strain). Four strains belonging to the genus Salmonella were isolated from three different species of gulls. These isolates were identified as S. typhimurium, S. indiana, and S. djugu. The results indicate that campylobacters are a normal component of the intestinal flora in several bird species, whereas Salmonella and Yersinia carriers are more sporadic.     

Avian wildlife reservoir of Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni, Yersinia spp., and Salmonella spp. in Norway

Cloacal swabs from 540 wild-living birds were cultured for Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni, Yersinia spp., and Salmonella spp. The carrier rates detected were as follows: C. fetus subsp. jejuni, 28.4%; Yersinia spp., 1.2%; and Salmonella spp., 0.8%. All birds were apparently healthy when captured. C. fetus subsp. jejuni was isolated from 11 of the 40 bird species examined. Among birds inhabiting the city of Oslo, the highest isolation rate was found in crows (Corvus corone cornix) (89.8%), followed by gulls (Larus spp.) (50.0%) and domestic pigeons (Columba livia domesticus) (4.2%). The gulls and crows scavenge on refuse dumps. High carrier rates were also detected among the following birds from nonurban, coastal areas: puffin (Fratercula arctica) (51.3%), common tern (Sterna hirundo) (5.6%), common gull (Larus canus) (18.9%), black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus) (13.2%), and herring gull (Larus argentatus) (4.2%). The list of species harboring C. fetus subsp. jejuni also includes the Ural owl (Strix uralensis), goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), and reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus). The following five Yersinia strains were isolated: Y. kristensenii (two strains), Y. intermedia (two strains), and "Yersinia X2" (one strain). Four strains belonging to the genus Salmonella were isolated from three different species of gulls. These isolates were identified as S. typhimurium, S. indiana, and S. djugu. The results indicate that campylobacters are a normal component of the intestinal flora in several bird species, whereas Salmonella and Yersinia carriers are more sporadic.     

Transmission of Salmonella between wildlife and meat-production animals in Denmark

Aims: To investigate the transmission of Salmonella spp. between production animals (pigs and cattle) and wildlife on production animal farms in Denmark. Methods and Results: In the winter and summer of 2001 and 2002, 3622 samples were collected from Salmonella-infected and noninfected herds of pigs and cattle and surrounding wildlife. Salmonella was detected in wildlife on farms carrying Salmonella-positive production animals and only during the periods when Salmonella was detected in the production animals. The presence of Salmonella Typhimurium in wild birds significantly correlated to their migration pattern and food preference. Conclusions: Salmonella was transmitted from infected herds of production animals (cattle and pigs) to wildlife that lived amongst or in close proximity to them. Significance and Impact of the Study: Salmonella in animal food products is associated with the occurrence of Salmonella in primary animal production. Strategies to control the introduction and spread of infection should include wildlife management, as the nearby wildlife may act as reservoirs for Salmonella spp. and/or may be passive carriers of the bacteria.     

Purification of pseudouridylate synthetase I from Salmonella typhimurium.

Pseudouridylate synthetase from Salmonella typhimurium has been purified 1,000 fold and is about 90% pure. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 50,000 daltons. In the presence of tRNA there is a change in molecular weight from 50.000 to 100.000. This change does not seem to be due to the formation of a tRNA-enzyme complex but rather to a tRNA induced dimerization. Other properties of the enzyme are described.