Prevalence of Angiostrongylus vasorum in southern Belgium, a coprological and serological survey.

BACKGROUND: Canine angiostrongylosis, a gastropod-borne helminthic infection, is increasingly being described in North America and is now reported in many European countries. In dogs, Angiostrongylus vasorum may cause a wide spectrum of clinical signs. Respiratory distress such as coughing and dyspnoea are the most frequently described manifestations. The aim of the present study was to gain additional information on the distribution, prevalence and risk factors associated with A. vasorum infection in dog from southern Belgium through the combined used of a commercially available in-clinic assay for detection of circulating antigen (Angio Detect, IDEXX, Westbrook, USA) and coprology in two different canine populations: dogs with clinical signs compatible with angiostrongylosis and asymptomatic dogs or dogs presented for unrelated conditions (control). RESULTS: A total of 979 dogs were enrolled in the study from November 2014 until February 2016. Seven hundred fifty-seven dogs were included in the control group, whereas 222 dogs had clinical signs compatible with angiostrongylosis. Forty-six dogs out of 979 (4.7 %) had A. vasorum circulating antigen. There was a highly significant difference between the two populations (3.6 % (27/747) and 8.6 % (19/222) in control and symptomatic dogs, respectively) (P = 0.00379). First stage larvae (L1) of A. vasorum were found in seven out of 24 serologically positive control dogs and in six out of 17 serologically positive symptomatic dogs. Interestingly, L1 of Crenosoma vulpis were detected by Baermann technique in one control and nine symptomatic dogs, respectively. Out of 17 Angio Detect (IDEXX, Westbrook, USA) positive dogs with negative (14) or not performed Baermann test (three), one dog was positive in both in-house ELISAs (Ag and Ab) and one dog was positive for Ag. Statistical analysis was unable to detect any risk factors associated with the direct and/or indirect detection of A. vasorum. CONCLUSIONS: This seroepidemiological study demonstrated for the first time a high seroprevalence in Southern Belgium for A. vasorum. The Angio Detect was found to be suitable in this context as the collection, preservation and examination of stools were difficult. Nevertheless, discrepancies were observed between the different available tests. Additional research is clearly needed. Also, coproscopy remains a very useful tool in dogs infected for less than nine weeks and for the identification of other canine lung nematodes such as C. vulpis. This study also demonstrates that asymptomatic dogs may shed A. vasorum L1 in their faeces and therefore contribute to the maintenance of A. vasorum life-cycle

Fifth European Dirofilaria and Angiostrongylus Days (FiEDAD) 2016

Peer reviewe

Dix années d’éducation populaire artistique à Lyon : « L’arc-en-ciel », 1947-1957

Ten years’ popular artistic education at Lyons : « L’Arc-en-Ciel », 1947-1957. The history of the « Arc-en-Ciel » (rainbow) association which was founded at Lyons in 1947 is part of a broader movement in favour of a democratic and decentralised artistic education, dating back to the initiatives of the Popular Front and of the « Jeune France » (Young France) movement. The period from the Liberation up to the creation of the Maisons de la Culture by André Malraux during the 1960s is often neglected. The study of the activities of an association such as the « Arc-en-Ciel » shows both the dynamic attitudes of certain provincial art critics like René Deroudille at Lyons, and also, in contrast, the relative lack of interest for contemporary art shown by local authorities. The « Arc-en-Ciel » association was inspired by the example of « A cœur joie », a choral society of which Mme Reine Bruppacher was secretary. Both Reine Bruppacher and René Deroudille aimed to make the general public more familiar with art. A method which was successful in music could also be applied to the plastic arts, through a better understanding of the techniques and the history of art and by a greater familiarity with the world of the contemporary arts. The association organised visits to artists’ studios, lectures by art critics, guided tours through Romanesque Burgundy arid visits to exhibitions of contemporary art at the Saint-Pierre Museum in Lyons. Its most exciting innovation, however, was the organisation of its own exhibition of contemporary art and the setting up of workshops of artistic techniques during the Choralies of Vaison-La-Romaine between 1953 and 1962. The question of contemporary town planning was also dealt with, notably in visits to modern churches in the Franche-Comté region or to new housing developments around Lyons. The organisation was entirely run by volunteers, and the lack of any financial aid was the obstacle that finally led to its demise. In general terms, the history of this experiment allows us to draw attention to the dynamic policies of certain provincial museums during the 1950s (museums such as the Saint-Pierre Museum at Lyons, run by René Jullian) and to underline the reticence of local authorities to become involved in cultural programmes dealing with contemporary art.Maréchal Françoise. Dix années d’éducation populaire artistique à Lyon : « L’arc-en-ciel », 1947-1957. In: Histoire de l'art, N°19, 1992. Varia. pp. 87-95

Swimmer's Itch in Belgium: First Recorded Outbreaks, Molecular Identification of the Parasite Species and Intermediate Hosts.

BACKGROUND: Cercarial dermatitis or swimmer's itch is a skin condition in humans due to the larval forms of bird schistosomes of some species of the genus Trichobilharzia. The life cycle of these schistosomes requires freshwater snails (intermediate host) and waterfowl (definitive host). Repeated exposures to cercariae can lead to skin sensitization with the induction of pruritic skin lesions. METHODS: We describe, in this study, two outbreaks of human cercarial dermatitis at the Eau d'Heure Lakes, Belgium. In July and August 2012, a total of, respectively, 78 and 10 people reported a sudden skin rash accompanied by pruritus following recreational activities in the Plate Taille Lake. However, no ocellate furcocercariae were detected following light exposure of the snails collected between September 2012 and September 2013 (n = 402). No outbreaks were recorded in 2013 and 2014. In August 2015, about 30 new cases were recorded. Snails were collected (n = 270) in different locations around the lake. PCR was used to identify accurately the intermediate hosts and the parasite species involved. RESULTS: After light exposure, seven Radix spp. (2.6%) shed ocellate furcocercariae. Molecular identification based on the rDNA internal transcribed spacer 2 sequence ascribed the infected snails to R. balthica ( = R. peregra = R. ovata) (6/7) and R. auricularia (1/7). Based on the amplification of the D2 domain of the 28S rDNA, the cercariae were shown to belong to two different haplotypes of Trichobilharzia franki. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first record in Belgium of T. franki and associated skin condition

Revue de l’écologie des capacités de propagation du vulpin des champs (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.) en relation avec la résistance aux herbicides

Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. (black-grass) has always been a major concern for cereal growers, and the development of herbicide resistance does not improve the situation. This review article summarizes the different traits involved in the dispersal pattern of herbicide resistant black-grass individuals within a susceptible field population. Therefore, the whole life cycle of black-grass is depicted from the seed to the seed. From the early vegetative development to the seed falling, every stage is described, taking into account how herbicide resistance can influence or exert a different impact compared to susceptible plants.Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. (vulpin des champs) a toujours été une préoccupation majeure pour les céréaliculteurs et le développement de la résistance aux herbicides n’améliore pas la situation. Cet article de synthèse résume les différents critères impliqués dans les modèles de dispersion d’individus de vulpin des champs au sein d’un champ ou d’une population sensible. Pour ce faire, le cycle complet du vulpin est décrit de la semence à la semence. Depuis le développement végétatif précoce jusqu’à la chute de la graine, chaque étape est décrite en prenant en compte comment la résistance aux herbicides peut influencer ou exercer un impact différent par rapport à des plantes sensibles.Etude de la dynamique de propagation de la résistance par mutation de cible aux herbicides inhibiteurs de l’AcétoLactateSynthase dans des populations de Vulpin des champs (Alopecurus myosuroides HUDS.

Dispersal capacity of Haematopota spp. and Stomoxys calcitrans using a mark–release–recapture approach in Belgium

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Capacités de croisement de vulpins (Alopecurus myosuroides HUDS.) résistants par mutation de cible de l'ALS

peer reviewedBlack-grass crossings were conducted outdoor for two successive years in a way to determine the percentage of resistant black-grass that can be engendered in one generation, after the introduction of one Target-Site resistant individual. After germination, plants were genotyped and couples of resistant and susceptible individuals were formed, then planted outdoor and enclosed with a pollen-proof cloth to avoid any external pollen contamination. Seeds were collected and tested in glasshouses with herbicide spraying. DNA analyses were also performed on surviving plants to distinguish hetero- from homozygotes. The resistance level of the progeny seems to be fairly high and Mendelean distribution is generally confirmed. The offspring of self-crossings was also observed to assess the facultative autogamy ability, according to the genotype and the presence of mutant ALS alleles (position W-574)