Gyrodactylids parasitizing salmonids in Brittany and Western Pyrénées water basins: epidemiological features of infection and species composition

In the first part of a national survey of gyrodactylid parasites, with spécial référence to Gyrodactylus salaris, funded by French administrations, two water basins harbouring Atlantic salmon were sampled : Brittany (7 rivers and 3 restocking farms) and the Adour basin in the Western Pyrénées (6 rivers and 1 restocking farm). 535 salmonids were collected and examined for G. salaris and other gyrodactylid species investigations. Identification procedure was performed by morphological examination and molecular analysis. Both methods led to the same conclusions with a high degree of consistency : Gyrodactylus salaris was declared absent from the examined samples and, therefore, can be considered absent from the sampled water basins with a high level of confidence (over 99.4%). 99.4 % ) . A new Gyrodactylus species was identified first by morphological examination and confirmed by molecular analysis. This new species is named Gyrodactylus teuchis (CUNNINGHAM et al., in prep.). T his result has been confirmed by an independent study performed in t h e same time (Dr. C.O. CUNNINGHAM, personal communication). G. teuchis shares several morphological and molecular characters with G. salaris. The wrong identification of the latter in France by JOHNSTON et al. (1996) probably originates in their similarities . The absence of Gyrodactylus salaris in both sampled régions, displaying optimal conditions for the parasite's maintenance, leads us to deny its current presence in France. Atlantic salmon parr, mainly parasitized by G. derjavini, are not infected by G. salaris in Brittany and Western Pyrénées. Rainbow trout and brown trout, for which prevalence of gyrodactylids is significantly higher than on salmon parr, are suitable hosts for G. teuchis. This wild fish survey will be extended to other parts of France and probably to farmed salmonids. In t he same way, the actual status towards G. salaris in whole continental Europe needs to be clarified. Biological characteristics of G. teuchis, particularly, its specificity, population dynamics and pathogenesis towards the main host species should be investigated. Besides, further work should be carried out to improve the reliability and efficiency of both identification methods

Proliferative capacity of murine hematopoietic stem cells.

The present study demonstrates a decrease in self-renewal capacity with serial transfer of murine hematopoietic stem cells. Production of differentiated cell progeny is maintained longer than stem cell self-renewal. In normal animals the capacity for self-renewal is not decreased with increasing donor age. The stem cell compartment in normal animals, both young and old, appears to be proliferative quiescent. After apparent recovery from the alkylating agent busulfan, the probability of stem cell self-renewal is decreased, there is a permanent defect in the capacity of the bone marrow for serial transplantation, and the stem cells are proliferatively active. These findings support a model of the hematopoietic stem cell compartment as a continuum of cells with decreasing capacities for self-renewal, increasing likelihood for differentiation, and increasing proliferative activity. Cell progress in the continuum in one direction and such progression is not reversible

Radiation enteropathy and leucocyte-endothelial cell reactions in a refined small bowel model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leucocyte recruitment and inflammation are key features of high dose radiation-induced tissue injury. The inflammatory response in the gut may be more pronounced following radiotherapy due to its high bacterial load in comparison to the response in other organs. We designed a model to enable us to study the effects of radiation on leucocyte-endothelium interactions and on intestinal microflora in the murine ileum. This model enables us to study specifically the local effects of radiation therapy.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A midline laparotomy was performed in male C57/Bl6 mice and a five-centimetre segment of ileum is irradiated using the chamber. Leucocyte responses (rolling and adhesion) were then analysed in ileal venules 2 – 48 hours after high dose irradiation, made possible by an inverted approach using intravital fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, intestinal microflora, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and cell histology were analysed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The highest and most reproducible increase in leucocyte rolling was exhibited 2 hours after high dose irradiation whereas leucocyte adhesion was greatest after 16 hours. Radiation reduced the intestinal microflora count compared to sham animals with a significant decrease in the aerobic count after 2 hours of radiation. Further, the total aerobic counts, <it>Enterobacteriaceae and Lactobacillus </it>decreased significantly after 16 hours. In the radiation groups, the bacterial count showed a progressive increase from 2 to 24 hours after radiation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study presents a refinement of a previous method of examining mechanisms of radiation enteropathy, and a new approach at investigating radiation induced leucocyte responses in the ileal microcirculation. Radiation induced maximum leucocyte rolling at 2 hours and adhesion peaked at 16 hours. It also reduces the microflora count, which then starts to increase steadily afterwards. This model may be instrumental in developing strategies against pathological recruitment of leucocytes and changes in intestinal microflora in the small bowel after radiotherapy.</p