Granular cell tumour in an endangered Puerto Rican Amazon parrot (Amazon vittata )

A 3 cm diameter mass from the metacarpus of a Puerto Rican Amazon parrot was diagnosed as a granular cell tumour based on light microscopy. The cytoplasmic granules were periodic-acid Schiff positive and diastase resistant. Ultrastructural characteristics of the cells included convoluted nuclei and the presence of numerous cytoplasmic tertiary lysosomes. This is only the second granular cell tumour reported in a bird. We speculate that most granular cell tumours are derived from cells that are engaged in some type of cellular degradative process, creating a similar morphologic appearance, but lacking a uniform histogenesis.     

Unusual presentation of an Amazon parrot (Amazona species) with hepatocellular carcinoma

Non-haematopoietic hepatic malignancies are uncommon in birds. The clinical presentation (i.e. chronic buphthalmos)and non-specific radiographic findings observed in this adult Amazon parrot (Amazona spp.) were not consistent with previous reports describing the natural behaviour of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma in birds.     

Electrocardiogram of the African grey (Psittacus erithacus) and Amazon (Amazona spp.) parrot

Electrocardiographic reference values and configurations were established in apparently healthy African grey (Psittacus erithacus; n=45) and Amazon (Amazona spp.; n = 37) parrots, using standard limb leads. In 31 of the African grey parrots and 32 of the Amazon parrots electrocardiograms were made during isoflurane-anaesthesia. Significant differences between anaesthetized and unanaesthetized birds were found only for the median heart rate and QT-interval (P<0.05). Significant differences between the two genera were found for the duration of the P- and T-waves, the voltage of the T-wave and for the mean electrical axis. Sinus arrhythmias and ventricular premature beats were present in 5 to 10% of the tracings.     

Isolation of Tettnang coronavirus from man?

A virus, identified as Tettnang virus, was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of an 18 months old child with pharyngitis accompanied by an encephalitic reaction. The isolation of virus was followed by seroconversion. The aetiological role of the virus in the given disease is discussed.     

Granulomatous encephalomyelitis and intestinal ganglionitis in a spectacled Amazon parrot (Amazona albifrons) infected with Mycobacterium genavense

An approximately 30-year-old male spectacled Amazon parrot (Amazona albifrons) was presented with a 2-week history of ataxia, head shaking, weight loss and seizures. Gross findings on necropsy examination included atrophy of the musculature, ruffled feathers and minimal epicardial and abdominal fat. Microscopically, there were perivascular cuffs of macrophages with fewer lymphocytes in the grey and white matter of the brain and spinal cord. These lesions were accompanied by gliosis and mild vacuolation of the white matter. In the small intestine, up to 70% of the intestinal ganglia were effaced by infiltrates of macrophages and fewer lymphocytes. The intestinal lamina propria contained multiple inflammatory aggregates of a similar nature. Ziehl-Neelsen staining revealed the presence of numerous bacilli within the cytoplasm of macrophages in the central nervous system (CNS) and enteric ganglia. Amplification of the DNAJ gene confirmed a mycobacterial infection and subsequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a species-specific primer confirmed the aetiology as Mycobacterium genavense. Infection of the CNS with Mycobacterium spp. is uncommon and has not been previously reported in a parrot. This case is unusual in that the organism exhibited tropism for neural tissue.     

Isolation of a Campylobacter-like organism from healthy Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

A Campylobacter-like organism was isolated from the ilea of normal hamsters. The organism was isolated from an ileal homogenate which was passed through a filter (0.65-micron pore size) and cultured on blood-agar plates in a microaerophilic atmosphere at 37 degrees C. Pinpoint translucent colonies were first observed after 120 h of incubation. The isolated organism measured 2.0 to 3.5 microns in length (excluding flagella) by 0.17 to 0.25 micron in width and typically had a single terminal sheathed flagellum. The organism was oxidase, catalase, and urease positive, reduced nitrates, and was susceptible to nalidixic acid (30-micrograms disk) and resistant to cephalothin (30-micrograms disk). Unlike Campylobacter pylori subsp. mustelae, this organism did not hydrolyze indoxylacetate. Immunofluorescence studies with a Campylobacter species-specific monoclonal antibody (8322-2E6) revealed the presence of numerous positively stained organisms within the crypt epithelial cells of the hamsters from which this organism was isolated. The role of this organism in the pathogenesis of proliferative ileitis in hamsters is uncertain, as is the taxonomic relationship of this organism to other members of the genus Campylobacter.     

一例输入性非典型肺炎患者病原体的分离鉴定及其变异性研究

目的 对一例输入性非典型肺炎病例的病原体进行分离鉴定，研究其变异情况，为该病的诊断和防治提供依据。方法 用Vero E6细胞对病人的咽拭标本进行分离培养，并对分离物使用电镜、间接免疫荧光(IFA)、巢式PCR及S基因核苷酸序列测定等方法进行分析。结果 在该病人的咽拭标本中，成功地分离到一株冠状病毒(R69)，将部分S基因测序并与不同地区非典型肺炎病人分离株进行比较，表明分离到的毒株为一种新型冠状病毒。结论 目前存在冠状病毒的变异株，病毒核苷酸序列与广东省原发性SABS病人分离到的冠状病毒有所不同。     

Isolation and partial characterization of a lentivirus from talapoin monkeys (Myopithecus talapoin).

We have identified a novel lentivirus prevalent in talapoin monkeys (Myopithecus talapoin), extending previous observations of human immunodeficiency virus-1 cross-reactive antibodies in the serum of these monkeys. We obtained a virus isolate from one of three seropositive monkeys initially available to us. The virus was tentatively named simian immunodeficiency virus from talapoin monkeys (SIVtal). Despite the difficulty of isolating this virus, it was readily passed between monkeys in captivity through unknown routes of transmission. The virus could be propagated for short terms in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of talapoin monkeys but not in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or human T cell lines. The propagated virus was used to infect a naive talapoin monkey, four rhesus macaques (M. mulatta), and two cynomolgus macaques (M. fascicularis). All animals seroconverted and virus could be reisolated during a short period after experimental infection. A survey of SIVtal-infected captive talapoin monkeys revealed a relative decrease in CD4(+) cell numbers in chronically (>2 years) infected animals. No other signs of immunodeficiency were observed in any of the infected animals. PCR amplification followed by DNA sequencing of two fragments of the polymerase gene revealed that SIVtal is different from the presently known lentiviruses and perhaps most related to the SIV from Sykes monkeys.     

Isolation of influenza virus from wild ducks (Anas platyrhynchos).

In the course of studies on influenza virus ecology, Influenzavirus A was isolated from a cloacal smear from a wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos) caught in west Slovakia. The strain was identified as A(Hav7Nav1). The results of virus isolation experiments from other species of aquatic and other small birds were negative.     

Isolation of antitumor polysaccharide fractions from Yucca glauca Nutt. (Lilliaceae).

An aqueous alcoholic extract of fresh flowers of Yucca glauca Nutt. showed striking antitumor activity against B16 melanoma in mice. Systematic fractionation of the extract by means of solvent extraction and gel permeation chromatography led to separation of two galactose containing polysaccharide fractions with marked inhibitory activity against B16 melanoma in mice. The extraction, fractionation, purification and preliminary characterization of the active polysaccharide fractions are described. The materials showed no activity against L1210 or P388 leukemias in mice. The implications of the findings for searches for both natural and synthetic anticancer agents are discussed.     

Isolation of coronaviruses antigenically indistinguishable from bovine coronavirus from wild ruminants with diarrhea.

Diarrheal feces from three sambar deer and one waterbuck in a wild animal habitat and one white-tailed deer on a wildlife farm in Ohio contained coronavirus particles which were agglutinated by antiserum to bovine coronavirus (BCV) in immune electron microscopy. Three coronavirus strains were isolated in human rectal tumor cells from the feces of the sambar and white-tailed deer and the waterbuck, respectively. Hemagglutination, receptor-destroying enzyme activity, indirect immunofluorescence, hemagglutination inhibition, virus neutralization, and Western blot (immunoblot) tests showed close biological and antigenic relationships among the isolates and with selected BCV strains. Gnotobiotic and colostrum-deprived calves inoculated with each of these isolates developed diarrhea and shed coronavirus in their feces and from their nasal passages. In a serological survey of coronavirus infections among wild deer, 8.7 and 6.6% of sera from mule deer in Wyoming and from white-tailed deer in Ohio, respectively, were seropositive against both of the isolates and selected BCV isolates by indirect immunofluorescence tests. These results confirm the existence of coronaviruses in wild ruminants and suggest that these species may harbor coronavirus strains transmissible to cattle.     

Isolation of viruses from mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) collected in the Amazon Basin region of Peru

As part of a comprehensive study on the ecology of arthropod-borne viruses in the Amazon Basin region of Peru, we assayed 539,694 mosquitoes captured in Loreto Department, Peru, for arboviruses. Mosquitoes were captured either by dry ice-baited miniature light traps or with aspirators while mosquitoes were landing on human collectors, identified to species, and later tested on Vero cells for virus. In total, 164 virus isolations were made and included members of the Alphavirus (eastern equine encephalomyelitis, Trocara, Una, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis, and western equine encephalomyelitis viruses), Flavivirus (Ilheus and St. Louis encephalitis), and Orthobunyavirus (Caraparu, Itaqui, Mirim, Murutucu, and Wyeomyia viruses) genera. In addition, several viruses distinct from the above-mentioned genera were identified to the serogroup level. Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus was associated primarily with Culex pedroi Sirivanakarn & Belkin, whereas Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus was associated primarily with Culex gnomatos Sallum, Huchings & Ferreira. Most isolations of Ilheus virus were made from Psorophora ferox (Von Humboldt). Although species of the Culex subgenus Melanoconion accounted for only 45% of the mosquitoes collected, 85% of the virus isolations were made from this subgenus. Knowledge of the viruses that are being transmitted in the Amazon Basin region of Peru will enable the development of more effective diagnostic assays, more efficient and rapid diagnoses of clinical illnesses caused by these pathogens, risk analysis for military/civilian operations, and development of potential disease control measures.     

Isolation of Sporothrix schenckii from the nails of domestic cats (Felis catus).

We report the first isolation of Sporothrix schenckii from the nail surfaces of cats. The fungus grew from nail clippings of three cats associated with three household outbreaks of sporotrichosis involving cats and human beings. The identification of the isolates was based on macroscopic and microscopic morphological characteristics at 25 degrees C and conversion of S. schenckii to the yeast-like form at 37 degrees C.     

Isolation of the L-phase variant from toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae C7(beta).

The L-phase variant was isolated from lysogenic strain C7(beta) of Corynebacterium diphtheriae by the penicillin disk tecnnique on an agar medium containing 3.7% brain heart infusion, 3% NaCl, 1.25% Grycine, 1% Noble agar, and 10% horse serum. The L-phase formed a "fried egg" colony; it was resistant to antibiotics that inhibit biosynthesis of bacterial cell walls but was susceptible to antibiotics that act on the protein-synthesizing system. After several transfers of the L-phase initially isolated, the L-phase of strain C7(beta) became stable, forming a typical L-phase colony on the agar even without penicillin. The L-phase variant retained lysogenicity and toxigenicity. The toxin production by this L-phase variant was, like that by the bacterial phase, inhibited by excess iron.     

Isolation of Chlamydia psittaci from naturally infected African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis).

An inclusion-forming agent was isolated from the livers of commercially raised African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) involved in an epizootic of high morbidity and mortality. Original isolation was made in McCoy cells. This agent was identified as Chlamydia psittaci based on the formation of typical intracytoplasmic inclusions which developed within 48 h, were not stained by iodine, and were resistant to sulfadiazine. The isolate from one particular frog (designated as strain 178) was further studied and found to be lethal for 7-day-old embryonated chicken eggs after intra-yolk sac inoculation. This strain was demonstrated not to be pathogenic for mice when inoculated intraperitoneally. The cell culture isolate of C. psittaci was transmitted to uninfected X. laevis, causing disease and death.     

Fatness and overweight in women and children from riverine Amerindian communities of the Beni River (Bolivian Amazon).

Obesity is a worldwide public health problem impacting not only industrialized nations but also developing countries. The main objective of this paper was to analyze risk factors for overweight among Amerindian children and their mothers. Data were collected in 15 Amerindian riverside communities from the Beni River (Bolivia). The total sample was of 195 mothers and 452 children, 0-15 years of age. Information about family activity and dietary patterns was collected, and a clinical examination was performed. Stool samples were collected in children for parasitological screening. Anthropometric measurements, including weight, height, arm circumference, and four skinfolds, were taken. A bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed in mothers. In total, 12.2% (95% confidence interval (CI(95%)) 9.1-15.9%) of the children were considered overweight; less than 1% were overtly obese International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. Among their mothers, 35.3% (CI(95%), 28.7-42.5%) were overweight (BMI (weight/height (2)) >25 kg/m(2)), and 5% (CI(95%), 2.5-5.1%) were obese (BMI >30 kg/m(2)). BMI was moderately related to anthropometric indices of body composition in children, but was highly correlated with fatness in mothers. The risk of overweight was not associated with environmental factors in children. In mothers, there was a significant relationship between BMI, health status, and dietary diversity score. There was a moderate association in boys between fatness and the BMI of their mothers (R(2) = 0.12, P < 0.001), but not in girls. These findings suggest a trend toward accumulation of fat related to possible changes at the economic and agricultural levels, even in remote rural areas.     

Isolation and sequence analysis of canine respiratory coronavirus

Canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) has frequently been detected in respiratory samples from dogs by RT-PCR. In this report the first successful isolation of CRCoV from a dog with respiratory disease is described. The isolate CRCoV-4182 was cultured in HRT-18 cells but failed to replicate in a number of other cell lines. The nucleotide sequence of the 3'-terminal portion of the CRCoV genome was determined including all open reading frames from the NS2 gene to the N gene. Comparison with other coronavirus sequences showed a high similarity to bovine coronavirus (BCoV). The region between the spike and the E gene was found to be the most variable and was used for phylogenetic analysis of several CRCoV strains. CRCoV-4182 showed a mutation within the non-structural protein region downstream of the S gene leading to the translation of an 8.8 kDa putative protein comprising a fusion of the equivalent of the BCoV 4.9 kDa protein to a truncated version of the BCoV 4.8 kDa protein. The culture of CRCoV will enable analysis of the expression and function of this and other CRCoV proteins as well as allowing the study of the role of CRCoV in the aetiology of canine infectious respiratory disease.