Motile aeromonas infection of striped (grey) mullet Mugil cephalus

Infection of striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) with Aeromonas hydrophila results in an acute septicemic disease. The disease can be experimentally induced by intramuscular injection, skin or gill scarification or by the oral route using pellets purposely seeded with bacteria. The organism was isolated from the blood 1–2 days after infection and from all organs 24 hr or longer after infection. The disease is characterized by early inflammatory and proliferative changes and later necrotic changes. Enteritis and hepatic necrosis are constant findings in aeromonad disease of M. cephalus but surface lesions are not pathognomic for these infections in mullet. Death of infected fish may be attributed to bacterial toxins which cause necrosis of parenchymal organs and soft tissue structure.     

Western equine encephalomyelitis vaccine produced in chick embryo cell cultures

A method was developed for production of a freeze-dried Western equine encephalomyelitis vaccine from virus propagated in chick embryo cell culture monolayers maintained with a serum-free medium. A sufficient concentration of virus accumulated in the cell culture fluids prior to the occurrence of viral cytopathology to permit the production of a vaccine relatively free from serum and cellular proteins. Inoculation with two mouse ld₅₀ doses of virus per 100 tissue culture cells was found to yield reproducible high virus titers at a convenient harvest time. These harvests were inactivated at 22 C by 0.05% formalin within 48 hr. Potency test results, as measured by the protection of immunized guinea pigs against an intracerebral virus challenge, indicated that the vaccine produced from the virus propagated in cell culture was equal in potency to a lot of whole chick embryo vaccine used to immunize laboratory and field workers subject to a high risk of infection.     

Molecular characterization of a rotaviruslike virus isolated from striped bass (Morone saxatilis).

The characteristics of a rotaviruslike (SBR) virus isolated from striped bass (Morone saxatilis) were examined following purification of viruses from infected cell cultures. Virions had a double-layered capsid of icosahedral symmetry and a diameter of 75 nm. Purified viruses contained five polypeptides ranging in molecular mass from 130 to 35 kDa. None of the structural proteins were glycosylated. Treatment with EDTA did not remove the outer capsid. By using enzymes and a chaotropic agent, it was shown that VP5 was the most external polypeptide. The genome of SBR virus was composed of 11 segments of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The electrophoretic pattern of the dsRNA of SBR virus was different from that of reovirus type 1 (Lang) and rotavirus (SA11) dsRNA. The SBR virus was compared with reovirus type 1 and SA11 virus by RNA-RNA blot hybridization. There was no cross-hybridization between any of the genome segments of the SBR, reovirus type 1, or SA11 viruses. Antigenic comparison of SBR virus and SA11 virus by cross-immunoprecipitation and cross-immunofluorescence tests did not show any relationship. These results suggest that SBR virus could represent a new genus within the family Reoviridae.     

DNA viruses associated with diseases of marine and anadromous fish

The association of DNA-containing viruses with diseases of marine and anadromous fish is reviewed. One section of the review describes those diseases with a proven viral etiology. Available information on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the viruses is included. Another section deals with those diseases where a viral etiology is suspected but not established. The primary evidence associating viruses with many of these diseases is the observation of virus particles in electron micrographs of thin sections of tissue samples from diseased fish. Finally, the possible role of pollutants, and other stress factors, in predisposing fish to viral infection is discussed as are the problems associated with studying diseases of wild fish populations.     

Increased Susceptibility of Rainbow Trout to Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus After Exposure to Copper

Exposure of rainbow trout to sublethal levels of copper in water increased their susceptibility to infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus. In most instances, the percent mortality was twice as great in the stressed groups compared with those groups which were not stressed but received the same virus dose. Although the level of copper in the water influenced the mortality rates, the length of exposure did not prove to be critical, as similar results were obtained after 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 days of exposure. When different virus challenges were employed, the percent mortalities were again greater in the stressed fish at all virus doses tested, and at one dose level mortalities were noted in the stressed group but not in the untreated group.     

Effect of neurotensin on pancreatic function in man

The effect of neurotensin on submaximally-stimulated hepatobiliary and pancreatic secretion was studied in 6 healthy subjects. An intravenous infusion of neurotensin 1.4 ± 0.3 pmol/kg/min, designed to reproduce plasma neurotensin immunoreactivity levels within the physiological range, produced a significant increase in pancreatic bicarbonate output. Plasma concentrations of pancreatic polypeptide rose by 83 ± 16 pmol/l and were associated with a small reduction in trypsin, but no significant change in bilirubin outputs.     

Effect of Metalaxyl on the incidence and severity of Pearl millet downy mildew disease in Northern Nigeria

Pearl millet downy mildew (DM) incidence, severity and yield losses of two pearl millet varieties (local and improved) due to the disease were determined in the field. Significant differences in the disease incidence and severity were recorded in the plots sown with metalaxyl-treated seeds and those sown with non-treated seeds, indicating the efficacy of the fungicide on the fungus. Yield losses due to non-treatment of seeds with metalaxyl was 40.88 and 45.39% in a local variety and 43.00 and 18.60% in an improved variety in the 2000 and 2001 cropping seasons respectively. Significant differences between plots sown with metalaxyl-treated and those sown with non-treated seeds were obtained for other yield components such as 1000-grains weight, panicle length and weight.