Wheat blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT), initially restricted to South America, is a global threat for wheat after spreading to Asia in 2016 by the introduction of ...contaminated seeds, raising the question about transmission of the pathogen from seeds to seedlings, a process so far not well understood. We therefore studied the relationship between seed infection and disease symptoms on seedlings and adult plants. To accomplish this objective, we inoculated spikes of wheat cv. Apogee with a transgenic isolate (MoT‐DsRed, with the addition of being resistant to hygromycin). We identified MoT‐DsRed in experiments using hygromycin resistance for selection or by observation of DsRed fluorescence. The seeds from infected plants looked either apparently healthy or shrivelled. To evaluate the transmission, two experimental designs were chosen (blotter test and greenhouse) and MoT‐DsRed was recovered from both. This revealed that MoT is able to colonize wheat seedlings from infected seeds under the ground. The favourable conditions of temperature and humidity allowed a high recovery rate of MoT from wheat shoots when grown in artificial media. Around 42 days after germination of infected seeds, MoT‐DsRed could not be reisolated, indicating that fungal progression, at this time point, did not proceed systemically/endophytically. We hypothesize that spike infection might occur via spore dispersal from infected leaves rather than within the plant. Because MoT‐DsRed was not only successfully reisolated from seed coats and germinating seeds with symptoms, but also from apparently healthy seeds, urgent attention is needed to minimize the risks of inadvertent dispersal of inoculum.
To evaluate the transmission, two experimental designs were chosen (blotter test and greenhouse) and the pathogen MoT‐DsRed was recovered from seeds that looked either apparently healthy, shrivelled, or shrivelled + discoloured.
Background
In addition to different types of single-tip ablation catheters for pulmonary vein (PV) reisolation, a newly developed circular mapping and ablation catheter (nMARQ
®
) has been available ...since 2013 and is currently used only in initial PV isolation procedures. In this prospective registry we present feasibility and efficacy data for PV reisolation procedures with a single-catheter approach (nMARQ
®
) compared with a standard approach using a single-tip ablation catheter and a circular mapping catheter.
Methods
We included 35 carefully selected patients in this prospective registry and assigned them in a 2:1 ratio to undergo either PV reisolation with a single-tip ablation catheter together with a steerable circular mapping catheter (group 1) or with the nMARQ
®
catheter only (group 2). The recurrence rate was calculated for atrial tachyarrhythmias with a duration of > 30 s during a mean follow-up of 12.7 months.
Results
Reisolation of all PVs was achieved in all patients of both groups. In group 2, all gaps could be correctly identified with the nMARQ
®
catheter. PV isolation was clearly visible on the nMARQ
®
catheter in all targeted veins. With the nMARQ
®
catheter the ablation time decreased significantly (6.3 ± 3.0 vs. 18.6 ± 13.9 min,
p
< 0.05). The recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation did not differ significantly between the two groups (37.5 vs. 45.5 %,
p
= 0.66).
Conclusion
In selected patients, a complete PV reisolation procedure is feasible with a singular circular mapping and ablation catheter. The 12-months success rate is comparable to a classic approach with a combination of a single-tip ablation catheter and a circular mapping catheter.
Background
Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation with the cryoballoon technique is an effective and safe method to treat patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the optimal treatment ...strategy for patients with recurrences after this ablation is unclear.
Aims
The aim of this single centre study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a “redo” procedure using the cryoballoon in this patient cohort. The secondary study objectives were to determine the rate of reconduction for individual PVs of the patients undergoing “redo” ablation and potential predictors of persistent PV isolation (PVI).
Methods
Between April 2006 and September 2009, all patients with paroxysmal AF recurrences after cryoballoon ablation a “redo” ablation with the cryoballoon was offered. PV conduction was determined and cryoapplications were performed in all reconnected PVs. Every 3 months, 7-day Holter ECG, symptom-driven transtelephonic ECG recordings, and questionnaires were collected for 12 months.
Results
Forty-seven patients underwent “redo” cryoballoon ablation. In all these patients, at least one PV with reconduction was found. Recurrent conduction was documented in 63 % of the left superior PV, 56 % of the left inferior PV, 43 % of the right superior PV, and 56 % of the right inferior PV. In 28 of the 47 patients (60 %), no AF recurrence was detectable during the 12-month follow-up (after 3 months blanking period). Rate of severe complications was low and not significantly different from that of the initial ablations.
Conclusion
“Redo” ablation using cryoballoon technology may be an effective and safe method to treat patients with recurrence of paroxysmal AF after cryoballoon PVI.
ABSTRACTSalmonellosis is an infection caused by specific or non specific serotypes of theSalmonella genus, responsible for losses in the poultry industry. Fowl typhoid, caused by S. Gallinarum (SG) ...is important because it causes elevated mortality in adult birds, leading to economic losses in the poultry industry. This study aimed at quantifying the number of viable SG cells in the liver, spleen, lung, cecum, and reproductive tract (ovary and testicles) of experimentally inoculated Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix), as well as SG shedding in their feces. One hundred and two Japanese quails, with four months of age at the beginning of the experiment, were used. The birds were inoculated with three bacterial cultures containing different concentrations (6x104CFU/0.1mL, 2x105 CFU/0.4mL, or 5x106CFU/0.2mL) of SG resistant to nalidixic acid. On days 1, 4, 7, and 14 after the inoculation (dpi) individual cloacal swabs were collected from six birds per group, which were subsequently sacrificed for organ sampling. The swab samples were streaked directly on plates containing brilliant green agar and nalidixic acid (VBNal). Samples that were negative after 24h, were streaked again. The collected organs were individually macerated and transferred to buffered peptone water at 0.1%. The solutions were immediately diluted serially for CFU counting in VBNal. SG was successfully recovered from one quail, which was inoculated with 2x105 CFU/0.4mL, and from five quails of the group inoculated with 5x106CFU/0.2mL inoculum. All of the analyzed cloacal swab samples were negative. Therefore, this study demonstrated it was difficult to isolate SG from the analyzed organs and that it was not possible to recover thepathogen in the cloacal swabs collected from inoculated quails. These results may be explained by the absence of flagella in SG, inducing weak intestinal immune response in the beginning of the infection and preventing its isolation in cloacal swab samples. The low positivity rate of the analyzed organs may be due to the immune status of the euthanized birds, since the SG dissemination in the animal organism occurs mostly close to death, which was observed in the birds found dead during the experiment.
For the evaluation of residual pathogenicity of Flury HEP strain 675, the vaccinal virus was orally administered to 207 animals belonging to 15 wild-living and 1 domestic species. Rabies virus ...antigen could be demonstrated by FA method in 20 animals. Reisolation of the virus was possible from 23 animals within the first two weeks after application, the titres being very low. During the observation period of 100 days no symptoms of rabies could be observed in the animals tested.