The B-type natriuretic peptide of the Congo and Timneh grey parrot.

In captivity, cardiovascular diseases are common in grey parrots. The diagnosis of these diseases in living birds is difficult, and new diagnostic possibilities would be desirable. The heart is an important endocrine organ in which cardiomyocytes synthetise B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and release it into the bloodstream. This hormone has a significant role in cardiovascular and body fluid regulation. The blood concentration of BNP is used in human medicine and small animal medicine as a diagnostic tool in the identification of heart diseases and as a prognostic marker for the risk of mortality. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence of BNP was described in Congo (n = 4) and Timneh (n = 3) grey parrots by PCR after RNA isolation from the atria and ventricles. The results showed a high similarity between the nucleotide sequences of the grey parrots' BNP and the already known sequence of this hormone in chickens. The amino acid sequence of the mature peptide region is consistent in these three species. BNP plasma concentration could be a possible blood parameter for identifying clinically manifest cardiovascular diseases in grey parrots as it is in other species.

Occurrence and Molecular Typing of Giardia psittaci in Parakeets in Germany-A Case Study.

A grey-hooded parakeet (Psilopsiagon aymara) and two budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) from different owners presented with decreased activity, vomitus, and diarrhea. A microscopic examination of feces showed trophozoites of the protozoan flagellate Giardia. A commercial immunochromatographic dipstick test for Giardia sp. antigens confirmed the infection. These findings were assured by PCR of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene and coproantigen ELISA. Sequencing of PCR products of the SSU rRNA (292 bp) and ß-giardin genes (511 bp) identified Giardia psittaci as the species involved. Therefore, our results show that a GSA 65-based coproantigen ELISA, which was established for diagnosis of Giardia duodenalis is applicable for the detection of G. psittaci. A treatment with ronidazole was started. Additionally, fecal examination and dissection of the dead birds revealed coinfection with the fungal pathogen Macrorhabdus ornithogaster. One budgerigar survived and repeatedly tested negative after treatment with ronidazole. The described cases indicate that a single infection with G. psittaci has a good prognosis, whereas the prognosis is poor when coinfections occur, especially with M. ornithogaster.

Reporte de caso- Presentación y tipificación molecular de Giardia psittaci en periquitos en Alemania: Un estudio de caso. Un periquito catita aimará (Psilopsiagon aymara) y dos periquitos australianos (Melopsittacus undulatus) de diferentes propietarios presentaron actividad disminuida, vómito y diarrea. El examen microscópico de las heces mostró trofozoitos del protozoo flagelado Giardia. Una prueba de tira reactiva inmunocromatográfica comercial para antígenos de Giardia sp. confirmó la infección. Estos resultados fueron confirmados por PCR para el gene de ARN de la subunidad pequeña ribosomal (SSU rRNA) y por ELISA de coproantígeno. La secuenciación de los productos de PCR del ARNr de SSU (292 pb) y los genes de ß-giardina (511 pb) identificaron a Giardia psittaci como la especie involucrada. Por lo tanto, estos resultados muestran que el método de ELISA de coproantígeno basado en GSA 65, que se estableció para el diagnóstico de Giardia duodenalis, es aplicable para la detección de G. psittaci. Se inició un tratamiento con ronidazol. Además, el examen fecal y la disección de las aves muertas revelaron coinfección con el patógeno fúngico Macrorhabdus ornithogaster. Un periquito australiano sobrevivió y dio negativo repetidamente después del tratamiento con ronidazol. Los casos descritos indican que la infección única con G. psittaci tiene un buen pronóstico, mientras que el pronóstico es malo cuando ocurren coinfecciones, especialmente con M. ornithogaster. Abbreviations: GSA = Giardia-specific antigen; OD = optical density; rRNA = ribosomal ribonucleic acid; SSU = small subunit.

First detection of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster in wild Eurasian Siskins (Carduelis spinus) in Germany. A case study.

OBJECTIVE: The colonization of the gastric ascomycetous yeast Macrorhabdus (M.) ornithogaster could be associated with a chronic wasting disease in several bird species in captivity. The prevalence and clinical relevance of M. ornithogaster in wild birds is unknown in detail. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the wintering season 2012/13 injured Eurasian Siskins (Carduelis spinus, n = 8) from the area of Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany were examined microbiologically and pathologically. RESULTS: In six out of eight injured Eurasian Siskins M. ornithogaster were detected. The yeast was diagnosed microscopically in wet smears from the gastric isthmus and/or in faecal samples. Histopathological examination (n = 4) of the macroscopically slightly enlarged proventriculus in infected birds demonstrated the growth of M. ornithogaster in the mucosal surface and in the ducts of the glands without an inflammatory reaction. As a possible sign of a lowered fitness, all six infected siskins had a reduced body weight (mean: 11.8 ± 1.64 g) in the lower normal weight range compared to the two injured Eurasian Siskins without M. ornithogaster (15.0 g) as well as to data from the literature. Concurrent intestinal bacterial infections comprised Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens or Salmonella Typhimurium, that are regarded as an abnormal bacterial flora for Eurasian Siskins. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Infections with M. ornithogaster can be found in the wild population of Eurasian Siskins in Germany. The frequent occurrence of secondary bacterial infections associated with M. ornithogaster infections should be considered in the treatment and rehabilitation of finches.

[Current use of ECT in the treatment of depressive disorders]. / Zur Behandlung depressiver Störungen mit modernen Verfahren der Elektrokonvulsionstherapie.

If used with correct indication, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a very effective and safe treatment for some forms of major depression, provided due consideration is given to possibly concomitant somatic conditions and that the cardiovascular reactions during and after the ECT treatments are managed carefully. Despite this, ECT remains controversial, especially in Germany. This article provides an overview of the current state of the art in ECT: appropriate indications, best practice in conducting ECT, side effects and recent developments in the use of ECT as maintenance therapy. This, it is hoped, will contribute to a more factually grounded discussion of the use of ECT.

Elevation of blood levels of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity in patients with shock.

In ten shock patients studied, there was a significant positive correlation between beta-ELIR blood plasma levels and the ratio of pulse rate of radial artery to systolic blood pressure.

Hybridization properties of immunoglobulin mRNA: failure to detect covalently associated IgG mRNA transcripts of reiterated and unique mouse DNA.

Messenger RNAs for antibody heavy (gamma) and light (kappa) chains were isolated from the polysomes of an IgG-producing mouse myeloma cell line. Polysomes engaged in heavy or light chain synthesis were separated by immunoprecipitation using rabbit antibodies specific for the mouse IgG formed. The mRNAs obtained, more than 85% specifying IgG [Legler, M. & Cohen, E. P. (1976) Biochemistry 15, 4390-4399], were used as "probes" in hybridization experiments with sheared mouse liver DNA. To determine whether mRNAs for Ig heavy and light chains contained covalently bound transcripts of unique and reiterated DNA, hybrids were isolated with or without treatment with ribonuclease (RNase) prior to fractionation and the apparent rates of hybridization were compared. A monophasic C(o)t (DNA concentration x incubation time) curve with a C(0)t(1/2) of 4000 moles of nucleotide per liter x sec, corresponding to less than five hybridization sites per haploid genome, was obtained whether or not RNase was used in the isolation protocol. With a similar experimental design, the apparent hybridization rates of heterogeneous nuclear RNA from the same cell source were clearly different. The "stringency" of the reaction was reduced by incubating the hybridization mixtures at lower temperatures in a further attempt to detect a large class of repetitive sequences that would form hybrids with the IgG mRNA used, if such sequences were present. The results, however, were the same; i.e., the apparent rates of hybridization of mRNAs for mouse antibody gamma and kappa chains with sheared mouse liver DNA were essentially the same whether or not RNase was used in the isolation procedure. Reiteration of genes in mouse liver DNA for mouse IgG could not be detected.

Estimation of the number of nucleotide sequences in mouse DNA complementary to messenger RNAs specifying a complete mouse immunoglobulin.

A fraction of ribonucleic acid (RNA) enriched in messenger RNA (mRNA) coding for immunoglobulin G (IgG) was isolated from cells of mouse myeloma RPC5 using specifically purified antibodies to immunoprecipitate polyribosomes engaged in IgG psi heavy and K light chain synthesis. More than 85% of the RNA present consisted of IgG mRNA as determined by an analysis of the products translated in its presence in the wheat germ system. IgG mRNA labeled with 125I was hybridized with mouse liver DNA. Approximately 95% of the RNA hybridized with mouse a Cot 1/2 of 4.0 X 103, indicating that the complementary DNA sequences were present less than five times per haploid genome. In contrast, approximately 75% of poly(adenylic acid) containing RNA prepared from unfractionated polyribosomes of RPC5 cells hybridized with a Cot 1/2 of 3.3 X 103; 25% of such RNA formed hybrids at lower Cot values.