Abortion and foetal lesions induced by Neospora caninum in experimentally infected water buffalos (Bubalus bubalis).

The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is an important species in several countries for its milk and meat production, as well as for transport and other agricultural activities. It is, in general, considered more resistant than cattle to different parasitic diseases, also less demanding for forage quality. It has been postulated that buffalo may be resistant to abortion caused by neosporosis, because of high serological prevalences found in buffalo herds from different localities, with no description of Neospora caninum-related abortion. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential impact of neosporosis in pregnant water buffalo cows. In this work, three pregnant buffalo cows were experimentally infected with Nc-1 strain of N. caninum, and abortion was detected 35 days post-infection. Molecular and histopathological results found in post-mortem tissues are described and discussed, confirming the susceptibility of water buffalos to abortion caused by N. caninum.

Evidence of congenital transmission of Neospora caninum in naturally infected water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) fetus from Brazil.

The aim of this study was to determine the congenital infection by Neospora caninum in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), a natural intermediate host. Nine pregnant water buffalos, raised under free-grazing condition, were slaughtered, and their fetuses were collected. Samples of brain and thoracic fluid were obtained from those fetuses, with gestational ages ranging from 2 to 5 months. The DNA of N. caninum was detected and identified in the brain of one of those fetuses, using two PCR assays, one directed to the Nc5 gene and the other, to the common toxoplasmatiid ITS1 sequence. The DNA fragments produced on PCR were sequenced, and N. caninum was confirmed in the samples. No antibodies to N. caninum were detected on any sample of thoracic fluid by immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT < 25). This is the first confirmation of congenital transmission of N. caninum in water buffalos.

New Insights about Antibiotic Production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A Gene Expression Analysis.

The bacterial resistance for antibiotics is one of the most important problems in public health and only a small number of new products are in development. Antagonistic microorganisms from soil are a promising source of new candidate molecules. Products of secondary metabolism confer adaptive advantages for their producer, in the competition for nutrients in the microbial community. The biosynthesis process of compounds with antibiotic activity is the key to optimize their production and the transcriptomic study of microorganisms is of great benefit for the discovery of these metabolic pathways. Pseudomonas aeruginosa LV strain growing in the presence of copper chloride produces a bioactive organometallic compound, which has a potent antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms. The objective of this study was to verify overexpressed genes and evaluate their relation to the organometallic biosynthesis in this microorganism. P. aeruginosa LV strain was cultured in presence and absence of copper chloride. Two methods were used for transcriptomic analysis, genome reference-guided assembly and de novo assembly. The genome referenced analysis identified nine upregulated genes when bacteria were exposed to copper chloride, while the De Novo Assembly identified 12 upregulated genes. Nineteen genes can be related to an increased microbial metabolism for the extrusion process of exceeding intracellular copper. Two important genes are related to the biosynthesis of phenazine and tetrapyrroles compounds, which can be involved in the bioremediation of intracellular copper and we suggesting that may involve in the biosynthesis of the organometallic compound. Additional studies are being carried out to further prove the function of the described genes and relate them to the biosynthetic pathway of the organometallic compound.

Transcriptomic Study on Ovine Immune Responses to Fasciola hepatica Infection.

BACKGROUND: Fasciola hepatica is not only responsible for major economic losses in livestock farming, but is also a major food-borne zoonotic agent, with 180 million people being at risk of infection worldwide. This parasite is sophisticated in manipulating the hosts' immune system to benefit its own survival. A better understanding of the mechanisms underpinning this immunomodulation is crucial for the development of control strategies such as vaccines. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This in vivo study investigated the global gene expression changes of ovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) response to both acute & chronic infection of F. hepatica, and revealed 6490 and 2364 differential expressed genes (DEGS), respectively. Several transcriptional regulators were predicted to be significantly inhibited (e.g. IL12 and IL18) or activated (e.g. miR155-5p) in PBMC during infection. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis highlighted a series of immune-associated pathways involved in the response to infection, including 'Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFß) signaling', 'Production of Nitric Oxide in Macrophages', 'Toll-like Receptor (TLRs) Signaling', 'Death Receptor Signaling' and 'IL17 Signaling'. We hypothesize that activation of pathways relevant to fibrosis in ovine chronic infection, may differ from those seen in cattle. Potential mechanisms behind immunomodulation in F. hepatica infection are a discussed. SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion, the present study performed global transcriptomic analysis of ovine PBMC, the primary innate/adaptive immune cells, in response to infection with F. hepatica, using deep-sequencing (RNAseq). This dataset provides novel information pertinent to understanding of the pathological processes in fasciolosis, as well as a base from which to further refine development of vaccines.

Bovine paramphistomes in Ireland.

Paramphistome infections have been associated with significant morbidity, caused chiefly by the activity of juvenile flukes in the intestine of the ruminant final host. Most cases have been reported in tropical and sub-tropical areas. However, recent reports of an apparent increase in the incidence of rumen fluke and its geographical range in Europe have renewed interest in a parasite previously thought to be of little significance in temperate regions. Moreover, the identity of rumen flukes present in the British Isles is currently being revised. As a result, work is underway throughout Europe to review and re-assess the clinical and economic significance of rumen flukes. During the present study, historical diagnostic laboratory records were interrogated for recent changes in the incidence of rumen fluke in Ireland. Three cattle herds were monitored for the presence of paramphistome eggs using coprological analysis over a period of 2 months (in the case of a group of housed steers) and 14 months (in the case of two extensively operated farms), respectively. Adult rumen fluke collected following slaughter were weighed and typed in two loci. We found that Calicophoron daubneyi is the most common if not only paramphistome species present in Ireland and that infections in cattle are now much more prevalent than was the case five or six years ago. The pylogenetic relationship of our isolates to the only published sequence and to C. daubneyi isolates from Northern Ireland was analysed. Genetic heterogeneity was similar all over the island and comparable to that of Fasciola hepatica, a fact that may have implications for the parasite's ability to develop resistance to the very limited number of drugs currently available for treatment. The same haplotypes predominated throughout the island. Although the clinical significance of C. daubneyi is still uncertain, considering the apparent pervasiveness of the parasite, rumen fluke should be considered a differential diagnosis when treating scour or ill-thrift in young calves, and goats and sheep of any age.