Genome Changes in the Toxoplasma gondii Strains during Laboratory Passages in Mice

Three strains of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from rabbits (K6 and K9) and a cat (K24) in the Czech Republic in 1994-95 were maintained in a tissue cyst form in laboratory mice by injections of brain homogenate every 4- 6 months. These strains were passaged 12 to 13 times before tachyzoites, from which DNA was isolated, were obtained. PCR/RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) (ROP1 gene/DdeI restriction endonuclease) and RFLP/DNA (RFLP with chromosomal DNA) (TGR1E probe/PstI and SalI restriction endonucleases) were used to characterize their genotypes. In the course of subsequent tissue cyst-tissue cyst passages, the pathogenicity of the strains increased and intraperitoneal passaging of tachyzoites from the peritoneal exudate two times weekly had to be used to facilitate the continuous maintenance. After the pathogenicity increase, the DNA was isolated from the tachyzoites after 6 to 48 tachyzoite-tachyzoite passages. Genotype differences were observed in the strain before and after increasing their pathogenicity. Both PCR/RFLP and RFLP/DNA patterns of the strain before and after increasing their pathogenicity were similar, and even identical, with previously described genotype characteristics of avirulent and virulent strains of T. gondii

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) on chickens (Gallus gallus) from small backyard flocks in the eastern part of the Czech Republic

Abstract One hundred and sixty chickens (Gallus gallus) from 31 small, private backyard flocks in the eastern part of the Czech Republic were examined for chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera). At least one species of chewing lice was found on every bird examined. Seven species of chewing lice were identified in all; they had the following prevalences and mean intensities: Goniocotes gallinae (100%; 110 lice), Menopon gallinae (88%; 50), Menacanthus stramineus (48%; 17), Lipeurus caponis (35%; 12), Menacanthus cornutus (12%; 9), Cuclotogaster heterographus (1%; 4) and Goniocotes microthorax (1%; 3). Just two birds from a single flock were heavily infested with the ischnoceran species G. gallinae.

Association of insularity and body condition to cloacal bacteria prevalence in a small shorebird

Do islands harbour less diverse disease communities than mainland? The island biogeography theory predicts more diverse communities on mainland than on islands due to more niches, more diverse habitats and availability of greater range of hosts. We compared bacteria prevalences ofCampylobacter,ChlamydiaandSalmonellain cloacal samples of a small shorebird, the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) between two island populations of Macaronesia and two mainland locations in the Iberian Peninsula. Bacteria were found in all populations but, contrary to the expectations, prevalences did not differ between islands and mainland. Females had higher prevalences than males forSalmonellaand when three bacteria genera were pooled together. Bacteria infection was unrelated to bird's body condition but females from mainland were heavier than males and birds from mainland were heavier than those from islands. Abiotic variables consistent throughout breeding sites, like high salinity that is known to inhibit bacteria growth, could explain the lack of differences in the bacteria prevalence between areas. We argue about the possible drivers and implications of sex differences in bacteria prevalence in Kentish plovers