Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the ridgetail white prawn Exopalaemon carinicauda.

The ridgetail white prawn Exopalaemon carinicauda is one of the major economic shrimp species cultured in China. In this study, 30 microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for the ridgetail white prawn E. carinicauda using a microsatellite-enriched library. Polymorphisms were tested in 30 individuals from a single wild population. The number of alleles at each locus ranged from 2 to 14. The observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.1000 to 0.8000 and from 0.2299 to 0.9228, respectively. The PIC value ranged from 0.2002 to 0.8939. These new loci will be useful in the study of population genetic structure and genetic diversity in this species.

Responses of antioxidant systems and LPO level to benzo(a)pyrene and benzo(k)fluoranthene in the haemolymph of the scallop Chlamys ferrari.

The effects of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) and their mixture on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels of haemolymph of scallop (Chlamys ferrari) were studied. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of 0.5 microg/L and 1.0 microg/L were significantly higher than controls (P<0.05), while it increased at beginning and then dropped (lower than controls) in the end at 10.0 microg/L and 50.0 microg/L PAHs groups. The catalase (CAT) activities were very little during the whole experimental time. The glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in each PAHs group all increased significantly (P<0.05). LPO levels all increased significantly (P<0.05) with time at each PAHs group except for the 0.5 microg/L group of less than hour 12. The toxicity of PAHs in a descending order was BaP>BkF>mixture of BaP and BkF. The changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and LPO level in haemolymph could reflect the detoxification functions and damage levels of whole organism.

Mycologic investigation on Rhizomys pruinous senex in Guangxi as natural carrier with Penicillium marneffei.

To study the natural carrier of P. marneffei experiments were done in 16 Rhizomys pruinous senex, a species of bamboo rats trapped in various districts of Guangxi. The results of mycological cultivation demonstrated that the natural positive carrier rate of bamboo rats was 93.1%. Among the internal organs taken for culture, the lung had the highest positive rate, 87.5%; next in decreasing order was the liver (56.3%), spleen (56.3%) and mesentery lymph node (50%). Thus, it is reasonable to consider that bamboo rats are a reservoir host of P. marneffei. In this paper, the colony shape and microstructure of P. marneffei, isolated from bamboo rats, are described. A preliminary discussion is given on the epidemiological relations between bamboo rats and human Penicilliosis marneffei.

Disseminated penicilliosis marneffei in China. Report of three cases.

Three cases with disseminated Penicilliosis marneffei (PSM) are reported. They are all natives of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Among them, 2 died and 1 remains alive. Their clinical features were characterized by multiple organ involvement, multiple subcutaneous abscesses, inflammatory papules, nodules and pustulae, and enlargement of superficial lymph nodes with chills, fever, anemia and leukocytosis. The mycology and histopathology of PSM are also discussed. The authors propose that the medical profession in Guangxi should be vigilant against the disease and reduce the mortality by early diagnosis and treatment.