Occurrence of Listeria spp. in captive antelope herds and their environment.

Two juvenile scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) at the Wild Animal Park Planckendael died from acute septicemia caused by Listeria monocytogenes serovar 4b. Subsequently, Listeria spp. were isolated from the feces, food, and environment of seven antelope species and examined using a two-stage enrichment procedure in Fraser Broth, followed by isolation on PALCAM agar. A total of 40/170 samples (23.5%) was positive for Listeria spp. No organisms were cultured in 83/170 samples (48.8%), and 47 samples (27.6%) were overgrown with Bacillus spp. Nonpathogenic Listeria spp. were isolated from 16/70 fecal samples, 22/40 soil samples, and 2/60 feed samples. Listeria monocytogenes serovar 1/2b was isolated from two soil samples collected in the enclosure of the scimitar-horned oryx.

Isolation of Basidiobolus ranarum from ectotherms in Antwerp zoo with special reference to characterization of the isolated strains.

Ten Basidiobolus ranarum (= Basidiobolus haptosporus) strains, isolated from faeces of 102 different lower vertebrates (ectotherms) exhibited in Antwerp Zoo, or from their environment were studied for their temperature requirements, haemolysis and other enzyme activities in vitro. All isolates grew well at 25 and 37 degrees C. Three strains that produced undulated zygospore walls were haemolytic and positive for hyaluronidase. All the isolates produced urease, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, trypsin, lipase, lecithinase, gelatinase, collagenase and elastase, but failed to produce amylase, keratinase and beta-glucosidase. Three isolates failed to produce phosphatase. Only one strain failed to produce DNase. Aesculin was not hydrolysed. Chitinase activity was inconclusive. The results of this study illustrate the importance of exotic animals kept in temperate regions as carriers of potentially pathogenic organisms. In addition to the morphological characteristics, the identification can be based on enzymatic profiles. Enzymatic activity detection may help to explain the pathogenic mechanism of the fungus.

The presence of a divergent T-lymphotropic virus in a wild-caught pygmy chimpanzee (Pan paniscus) supports an African origin for the human T-lymphotropic/simian T-lymphotropic group of viruses.

We isolated a divergent simian T-lymphotropic virus (STLV) (strain PP1664) from a wild-caught African bonobo (pygmy chimpanzee, Pan paniscus). Molecular and phylogenetic characterization of this virus show that it reliably separates from the two well-established primate T-lymphotropic virus types, HTLV-I/STLV-I (PTLV-I) and PTLV-II, and from a third type isolated from an African-born Papio hamadryas and designated by us as PTLV-L. Four of eight bonobos kept at the Antwerp Zoo, Belgium, showed an aberrant PTLV serology. We amplified and sequenced a 709 bp PTLV proviral tax/rex fragment from one of the reactive bonobos. It differs by about 25 % from the homologous nucleotide sequences of PTLV-I and PTLV-L and by about 17 % from PTLV-II. This is comparable to the differences among the three known types. Including the most divergent STLV-I strains sequenced to date, for example, strain PHSu1 sequenced here, the divergence in this region within PTLV-I is less than 11 % and within PTLV-II less than 4%. Although very divergent, this new bonobo STLV is the closest well-characterized simian relative of HTLV-II, raising the possibility of very divergent new HTLV strains. Our results show that the number of PTLV types should be considered open and that the variety of indigenous viruses in the PTLV group is greatest in Africa. Thus, as for the other primate retroviruses HIV and SIV, PTLV most probably has its origins in Africa.

Mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium genavense in birds kept in a zoo: 11-year survey.

We report on a disease in 27 birds (1 bird belonging to the order Coraciiformes, 3 to Piciformes, 4 to Galliformes, 7 to Psittaciformes, and 12 to Passeriformes) caused by fastidious mycobacteria. All birds were caged at the Antwerp Zoo and died suddenly between 1983 and 1994. Seventeen birds had no previous signs of disease, and 10 birds showed emaciation. Gross necropsy findings were generally nonspecific, but all the birds were smear positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB). Histopathologic evaluation performed on 14 birds revealed predominantly intracellular AFB. Extracellular AFB were more abundant in advanced lesions, especially in necrotic areas. In the intestine the mucosal area was generally heavily infiltrated, suggesting an intestinal origin of the infection. There was extensive invasion of the lungs in most birds. In 11 birds sparse growth was obtained after at least 6 months of incubation on Löwenstein-Jensen medium or on Ogawa medium supplemented with mycobactin. Subculture was unsuccessful in all instances. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the cultured organisms or tissues from seven birds revealed the characteristic signature sequence for Mycobacterium genavense. Direct bird-to-bird transmission in the zoo was unlikely, and the pathogenicity of M. genavense in birds seems to be limited. The source of M. genavense in nature and the epidemiology of the disease in birds remain obscure. As suspected for human cases of M. genavense infection, an oral route of infection has been suggested, and contaminated local water distribution systems may have been the source of the infection. Our study confirms that infections caused by M. genavense should be suspected in birds (especially in Passeriformes and Psittaciformes orders) that die suddenly without previous symptoms and that have AFB in tissues that are difficult to grow on conventional media.

Differences in the distribution and nature of the interstitial telomeric (TTAGGG)n sequences in the chromosomes of the Giraffidae, okapai (Okapia johnstoni), and giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis): evidence for ancestral telomeres at the okapi polymorphic rob(5;26) fusion site.

Intrachromosomal telomeric sequences (TTAGGG)n were analyzed in the two members of the family Giraffidae, the giraffe and the okapi. The giraffe has a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 30, whereas the okapi chromosome number varies from 2n = 46 to 2n = 45 and 2n = 44 due to a "recent" Robertsonian fusion event. The interstitial telomeres that we detected in these species are of two types: (1) In the okapi, a long interstitial telomeric element is present at the fusion site of the rob(4;26). The nature of this interstitial telomeric element suggests that it is a remnant of the telomeres of the ancestral chromosomes that participated in the fusion event. (2) In the giraffe, short stretches or degenerate telomeric sequences which are part of the satellite DNA are present at intrachromosomal sites. The results of this study provide insights into the origin of interstitial telomeric sequences in the Giraffidae.

Maternal differences in infant carriage in golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas).

Infant-carrying behaviour was observed in two families of captive golden-headed lion tamarins. Although the young were raised in almost identical social situations, we found a reversed involvement of mother-father pairs in the amount of time they carried their offspring. In one case, the parental division of carrying behaviour was consistent with the standard description for callitrichids in that the adult male was the primary carrier. In the other family, the mother carried the infant considerably more than the male. Comparison of transfer initiations and transfer times showed that maternal choice operated. It is suggested that maternal behavior may depend primarily on the female's physical and hormonal condition.

A papillomavirus related to HPV type 13 in oral focal epithelial hyperplasia in the pygmy chimpanzee.

An epizootic of focal epithelial hyperplasia (FEH) or Morbus Heck in a pygmy chimpanzee (Pan paniscus) colony is described. Papovavirus-like particles were observed in the nuclei of epithelial cells. Analysis of the DNA of the lesions revealed an episomal papillomavirus-specific band with a molecular size of approximately 8,000 bp. In situ hybridization under high stringency conditions showed cross-hybridization between the chimpanzee papillomavirus DNA and human papillomavirus (HPV) type 13. The latter virus is uniquely associated with oral disease in man. This is the first demonstration of the association of a HPV 13-related pygmy chimpanzee papillomavirus (PCPV) and oral epithelial hyperplasia in a nonhuman primate.

Characterization of a Trichinella isolate from polar bear.

An isolate of Trichinella of polar bear origin was studied by isoenzymatic typing. It was found referable to Trichinella nativa. While the Wistar rats proved nearly refractory to this isolate, the Swiss albino mice were highly susceptible. Ninety-one per cent of the cystic lesions in the diaphragm of the polar bear contained viable larvae after over 20 years of acquisition of the infection by the host which is a case of extreme adaptability of the parasite to its host. The anatomo-pathological aspects of these lesions are studied and the zoonotic significance of this isolate examined.

On the banding patterns of the chromosomes of the Pudu pudu (PUDU).

The cytogenetic study of the Pudu Pudu (Pudu) shows a diploid number of 70 chromosomes (2n = 70). We present here for the first time data on their banding pattern which reveal peculiars C-bands and allow precise identification of the chromosomal set. Homozygous expression of an autosomal fragile sites was found in the largest acrocentric pair.

Haemodynamic, metabolic and physical responses to a neuroleptanalgesic-glyceryl guaiacolate combination in the horse.

A commercial neuroleptanalgesic acepromazine-etorphine combination administered intramuscularly to four horses produced a severe tachycardia and an increase in muscular tone, together with hypoxaemia, hypercapnia, metabolic acidosis associated with an increase in the packed cell volume and hyperglycaemia. No electrolyte changes were found. After reversal of the action of etorphine with diprenorphine, there was a prolonged decrease in the calcium and phosphorus serum concentrations and decreases in the packed cell volume and the total protein serum concentration. In a second experiment on the same four horses, glyceryl guaiacolate (10 g/100 kg body weight intravenously) was given as soon as the horses were anaesthetized with acepromazine-etorphine. The muscular rigidity disappeared and the tachycardia was less evident. There was a more pronounced hypoxaemia but the changes in the other parameters were similar to those in the first experiment. It was concluded that the neuroleptanalgesic-glyceryl guaiacolate combination is not a safe anaesthetic procedure in horses.

On the chromosomes of the okapi. Okapia johnstoni.

The cytogenetic study of the okapi shows 2n = 46 and 2n = 45 respectively. The reduction form 46 to 45 is the result of a Robertsonian translocation between autosome 8 and 21. X-chromosomes in the female are identified applying BrdU-dye technique.

[Cell kinetics and chromosome radiosensitivity of lymphocytes from 4 Cercopithecus species]. / Cinétique cellulaire et radiosensibilité chromosomique des lymphocytes de quatre espèces de cercopithèques.

The harlequin-staining technique has been used to study the cell kinetics and the radiosensitivity of PHA-stimulated lymphocytes from Cercopithecus nictitans. C. aethiops var. cynosorus, C. irus, and C. ascanius. At 48 hours, the fixation time normally used for human lymphocytes, a large heterogeneity appears between the four species, with respect to the incidence of cells in first, second or third mitoses. If analysis of lymphocytes is restricted to Ml dividing cells, the yield of radiation-induced chromosome aberrations does not differ significantly from the incidence observed in irradiated human lymphocytes.

Microscopic pathology of liver of capuchin monkey (Cebus albifrons) infected with Athesmia foxi (dicrocoelidae : trematoda) : a pictorial illustration.

Histopathological changes in the livers of two white fronted capuchin monkeys, Cebus albifrons, associated with Athesmia foxi (Dicrocoelidae : Trematoda) infection are illustrated through photomicrographic plates. The lesions are confined in and around the hepatic biliary system. The bile ducts are greatly distended and thickened because of fibroblastic activity and collagen deposit in its walls. In one of the livers desquamative, necrotic and reorganizational changes are found to be well marked. At places the bile duct lumen contains infiltrating inflammatory cells and shed pieces of biliary epithelia mixed in a scanty necrotic tissue while elsewhere the necrotic changes are more pronounced and the bile duct contents are presented only by homogeneous amorphous debris. The overall picture is that of chronic cholangitis coupled with cholangiectasis.

[Chromosomal anomalies induced by X-rays in lymphocytes of the gorilla]. / Anomalies chromosomiques induites par les rayons X dans les lymphocytes du gorille.

Using the harlequin--staining technique to distinguish the first from later mitotic divisions we have studied the frequency of spontaneous and radiation-induced sister chromatid exchanges and chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes from gorilla, the results being compared with previous findings on man. In spite of the fact that the karyotypes of the two species closely resemble each other the incidence of radiation-induced chromosome aberrations was much higher in gorilla than in man. The mean number of sister chromatid exchanges was not modified by exposure to X-irradiation and was almost similar in the two species.

Chemotherapy of helminthiasis among wild mammals. IV. Efficacy of flubendazole 5% (R17889) against Trichuris trichiura infection of baboons, Papio hamadryas L.

Flubendazole 5%, a parafluor analog of benzimidazole derivative, mebendazole, was found efficient in eliminating Trichuris trichiura infection of baboons when administered orally at a dose rate of 27 to 50 mg of the active ingredient per kg body weight twice daily for five days. The drug was found safe, without toxic effects and its palatability was excellent.