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Biomedical subjects

U Wernery

Publications and source records attributed to U Wernery.

68 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Analysis of the camelpox virus thymidine kinase gene.

The thymidine kinase (TK) gene from camelpox virus has been cloned using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The oligonucleotides used in the PCR amplification were based on residues conserved amongst the orthopoxviruses on the 5' and 3' sides of the TK gene. The oligonucleotides were also designed to contain HindIII cleavage sites to facilitate subsequent cloning. A fragment of approximately 700 base pairs was amplified from camelpox virus infected tissue culture cells. This fragment was then cleaved with HindIII and cloned into the M13mp19 sequencing vector which had also been cut with HindIII. The nucleotide sequence of the TK gene was then determined and compared to other poxvirus TK sequences. The possibilities of producing TK- camelpox virus vaccines and of using camelpox virus as a vaccine vector for the expression of genes from other camel pathogens are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The prevalence of Salmonella infections in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the United Arab Emirates.

One hundred and eighty-seven salmonella strains were isolated from 4006 samples collected from camels in the United Arab Emirates between 1987 and 1991. One hundred and sixty-five (4.3%) strains were isolated from 3801 faecal and 22 from 205 organ samples of 62 autopsied camels. In total, 28 different serotypes were identified with S. saintpaul being the most frequent (69), followed by S. frintrop (31) and S. hindmarsh (15). Salmonella typhimurium was isolated from only two faecal specimens. All salmonellas isolated from faecal samples originated from carrier camels, and those isolated from organs were secondary findings. The camels from which salmonella organisms were found died from diseases other than salmonellosis. Most of the S. saintpaul isolates originated from one herd suffering from Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxaemia which suggests that salmonella infections may predispose camels to clostridial enterotoxaemias.

Animals↗

Characterization of the camel skin cell line Dubca.

A skin fibroblast cell culture was established from a 2-month-old dromedary foetus. The cells were transformed by infection with SV40 and cloned in soft agar. The established cell line is now designated Dubca cells (Dubai camel) and has been in permanent culture for 95 passages. The cell culture was examined morphologically, chromosome preparations made and DNA fingerprinting performed by hybridization with the oligonucleotide probe (GTG)5. SV40 large T antigen was detected by western blotting. The viral host range was determined by infection with viruses of different families. Camelpox virus (CaPV) bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1), vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and border disease virus (BDV) could be propagated in these cells.

Animals↗

Bumblefoot and lack of exercise among wild and captive-bred falcons tested in the United Arab Emirates.

In the 1990s, bumblefoot posed a major health problem to the falcons in the United Arab Emirates. This retrospective study based on statistical field research showed that in captivity wild falcons need a training frequency of twice a day to reduce the bumblefoot morbidity rate. In this context, they responded very well to free flight in aviaries during the molting season. In contrast, captive-bred falcons did not show a highly significant difference regarding training frequencies. Wild falcons tested fed with pigeons, bustards, and ducks suffered significantly less from bumblefoot compared with those fed a diet of quail. Apart from the disease-reducing impact of beef and mice, captive-bred falcons tested did not show any significant difference regarding the influence of diet on the bumblefoot occurrence.

Animal Feed↗

Bacterial infertility in camels (Camelus dromedarius): isolation of Campylobacter fetus.

This study constitutes the first reported isolation of C. fetus subsp. venerealis from cervical swabs in breeding camels. 9 of 30 camels which were barren for a long period were found to be positive for C. fetus. The methods of isolation are described. Additionally, cervical flora of 30 camels were examined. 9 different bacterial species were isolated of which Staphylococcus aureus was most frequently found. All samples were negative for Trichomonas sp. and Streptococcus zooepidemicus.

Animals↗

Postmortem findings in bustards in the United Arab Emirates.

A review was conducted of 236 postmortem examinations of six species of captive and imported bustards in the United Arab Emirates for the period 1979-94. The most common causes of death in adult imported houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii) were euthanasia due to Newcastle disease, aspergillosis, and post-transportation-related deaths. Helminth parasites were a common finding in imported houbara bustards, and large parasite burdens occasionally caused intestinal obstruction and death. The most common causes of death in adult captive houbara bustards were trauma-related deaths and euthanasia for or death following treatment for capture myopathy. Fatty liver change was an important postmortem finding of captive adult houbara bustards. The main cause of death in juvenile houbara bustards was yolk-sac infection and septicemia. The most common causes of death in adult kori bustards (Ardeotis kori) were capture myopathy and handling injuries or euthanasia following these injuries. The most common causes of death in adult rufouscrested bustards (Eupodotis ruficrista) were post-transportation deaths in imported birds and trichomoniasis and trauma in captive birds. Juvenile rufous-crested bustards appeared to be highly susceptible to gizzard impactions and foreign-body obstructions of the gastrointestinal tract. Nutritional bone disease is an important disease of all juvenile bustards, particularly kori and houbara bustards. Aspergillosis was also a common postmortem finding in captive and imported adult houbara bustards and also caused mortality in juvenile kori and houbara bustards.

Animals↗

Antimicrobial resistance and minimum inhibitory concentrations of bacteria isolated from bustards in the United Arab Emirates.

The resistance to 11 antimicrobial agents of bacteria isolated from clinical and postmortem cases of five species of bustards maintained in captivity in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 1995 to 1997 was determined by disc sensitivity. Of 226 isolates, 169 (74.8%) were gram-negative bacilli, with the majority identified as Escherichia coli (28.8%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19%). The isolates of E. coli showed a high prevalence of resistance to amoxycillin (69%), tetracycline (66.7%), and sulphamethoxazole (43.3%). Moderate resistance to enrofloxacin was observed in E. coli (30%) and P. aeruginosa (19%) isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to seven antimicrobial agents were determined for 133 bacterial isolates from bustards during 1996 to 1997. Enrofloxacin (concentration required to inhibit 50% of the isolates [MIC50] < 0.5 microgram/ml) and gentamicin (MIC50 < or = 1.0 microgram/ml) exhibited good activity against both gram-negative bacilli and staphylococci isolated from bustards. Enrofloxacin (MIC50 < or = 1.5 micrograms/ml), gentamicin (MIC50 < or = 2.0 micrograms/ml), and piperacillin (MIC50 < or = 4.0 micrograms/ml) exhibited good activity against P. aeruginosa isolates. Amoxycillin/clavulanic acid showed good activity (concentration required to inhibit 90% of the isolates [MIC90] < or = 2.0 micrograms/ml) against gram-positive cocci and moderate activity (MIC50 < or = 3.0 micrograms/ml) against E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Klebsiella spp. Amoxycillin exhibited good activity (MIC50 < or = 0.5 microgram/ml) against gram-positive organisms and moderate activity (MIC50 < or = 1.0 microgram/ml) against Salmonella spp. These results provide information on the prevalence of resistant bacterial strains and the MICs of organisms derived from bustards in the UAE.

Amoxicillin↗