Campylobacter jejuni isolates of different origins (bovine, broiler meat, human) were screened by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of 4 genes cdtB, cst-II, ggt, and virB11, previously linked to virulence such as adherence, invasion, colonization, molecular mimicry, and cytotoxin production. In addition, the isolates were screened for the presence of the global gene regulator csrA linked to oxidative stress responses, biofilms formation, and cell adhesion. All the C. jejuni isolates were positive for cdtB gene. The csrA gene was detected in 100% and 92% of C. jejuni isolates from human and animal origin and the virB11 gene was detected in 7.3% and 3.6% isolates from chicken and human respectively. All isolates from bovine were negative for the virB11 gene. The isolates showed a wide variation for the presence of the remaining genes. Of the C. jejuni recovered from human 83.6%, and 32.7% were positive for cst-II, and ggt respectively. Out of the isolates from chicken 40% and 5.5% isolates revealed the presence of cst-II, and ggt, respectively. Finally of the C. jejuni isolates from bovine, 97.7% and 22.7% were positive for cst-II, and ggt respectively. We conclude that the genes of this study circulate among humans and animals. These results led us to hypothesize that the isolates associated with enteritis (cdtB positives) are not selected by environmental or host-specific factors. On the other hand, the high frequencies of csrA gene in C. jejuni show that this gene is important for the survival of C. jejuni in animals and humans.

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Piscirickettsia salmonis is an obligate intracellular pathogen that causes the salmonid rickettsial septicemia (SRS) (Branson and Nieto Díaz-Muñoz, 1991; Lannan and Fryer, 1993; Fryer and Mauel, 1997). This disease causes high mortality i n s a l m o n i d s i m p a c t i n g h e a v i l y t h e salmoniculture industry in Chile, where this bacterium was originally isolated. P. salmonis has also been identified in Norway (House et al., 1999), Scotland and Canada (Brocklebank et al., 1993; Jones et al., 1998). Until now prospects for the control of SRS caused by P. salmonis remain bleak. No antibiotic or chemotherapeutic agent has proven to be consistently effective and despite many attempts, development of an effective vaccine has not been achieved (Smith et al., 1997). In our laboratory we have started the isolation and study of P. salmonis genes

Carnivore bocaparvovirus 1 (CnMV) infects dogs worldwide and can be responsible for different clinical signs in neonates and bitches during gestation. There is a limited number of CnMV sequences available in the NCBI database, so far. The present preliminary study aimed to obtain evidence of CnMV infection status among domestic dogs in Chile and evaluate the genetic relatedness of the sequences obtained with any type of bocaparvovirus already reported. Two partial nucleotide sequences of the VP2 coding gene were obtained from forty blood samples and compared with 23 available sequences of Carnivore bocaparvovirus from 1 to 6. Chilean sequences grouped within Carnivore bocaparvovirus 1 group, being sequence 5434 (Accession number, MH544475) more similar to the Japanese strain HM-6 and sequence 5423 (Accession number, MH544476) to the Chinese strain SH1.

ABSTRACT.A 6 week old Plum-headed parakeet (Psittacula cyanocephala) from a private bird collection in the Metropolitan Region of Chile died after presenting depression, ataxia, tremors of the head, subcutaneous hemorrhage and delayed crop emptying. Histological examination of liver tissue revealed intranuclear viral inclusion bodies and focal necrosis. Liver tissues and blood contained both avian polyomavirus (APV) and psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) viral nucleic acids (DNA), indicating dual viral infection. The purpose of this report is to describe the first case of concurrent psittacine beak and feather disease virus PBFDV and APV infection in a psittacine bird in captivity in Chile. PBFDV has not been reported until now in Chile.Key words: avian polyomavirus, psittacine beak and feather disease. RESUMEN.Una cotorra ciruela (Psittacula cyanocephala) de seis semanas de edad de una colección privada de aves en la Región Metropolitana de Chile, murió después de presentar depresión, ataxia, tremor de la cabeza, hemorragia subcutánea y enlentecimiento en el vaciamiento del buche. El examen histopatológico del tejido hepático reveló la presencia de cuerpos de inclusión intranucleares y necrosis focal. Hígado y sangre del ave contuvieron ácidos nucleicos virales de "avian polyomavirus" (APV) y "psittacine beak and feather disease virus" (PBFDV) indicando una infección viral dual. El propósito de esta comunicación es describir el primer caso de infección concurrente por APV y PBFDV en un ave psitácida en cautiverio en Chile. Hasta ahora, PBFDV no había sido reportado en Chile.Palabras clave: virus polioma aviar, enfermedad del pico y pluma de psitácidas.