performed on frozen and on paraffin-embedded tissues (PET), respectively. From the frozen 5 samples a partial sequence of the putative USUV E and NS1 proteins (1229 bp) was 6 determined, whereas partial sequences of the putative NS3 (278 bp) and NS5 (159 bp) 7 proteins were obtained from PET. Additionally, one partial sequence (163 bp) of the putative 8 3'UTR region was determined from all samples. Sequencing of the amplification products 9 revealed 99.8 to 100% nucleotide identity of the Italian USUV strains to those from other 10 central European countries. 11 12

No abstract

In order to evaluate the effects of dietary addition of probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL on hen performance and egg quality, 160 commercial Hy-Line Brown pullets, 17 weeks old, were divided in control group (C) (N=80) and treated group (T) (N=80), with 4 alternate replicates of 20 animals each per group. C was fed with a "standard diet", whereas the T group received the same diet with an inclusion of 1x10 9 CFU kg -1 of Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL (freeze dried cells). The experimental trial lasted 39 weeks after one week of acclimatization. Hen performance and egg quality (egg production, FCR, egg specific gravity, shell thickness, Haugh Units) were recorded. The results show a higher overall egg production (P<0.01) and better FCR (Kg feed intake/Kg saleable eggs) (P<0.05) in the T birds, but no statistically significant differences were observed in egg weight. The eggs from the T birds were characterized by a higher specific gravity (ESG) (P<0.01) and albumen viscosity (Haugh Units) (P<0.05). No significant differences in egg shell thickness were recorded. In conclusion, Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL improved some important parameters in laying hen performance and egg quality. RIASSUNTO EFFETTO DEL LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS D2/CSL SULLE PERFORMANCE DELLA GALLINA OVAIOLAAl fine di verificare gli effetti del ceppo probiotico denominato Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL, 160 pollastre commerciali Hy-Line Brown di 17 settimane di vita sono state divise in due gruppi omogenei di 80 animali ciascuno, controllo (C) e trattamento (T). Ogni gruppo era composto da 4 ripetizioni, con 20 animali/ripetizione. Il gruppo C era alimentato con la "dieta standard", mentre il gruppo T riceveva la stessa dieta additivata con 1x10 9 UFC kg -1 di Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL (cellule liofilizzate). La raccolta dei dati sperimentali è iniziata dopo una settimana di acclimatamento degli animali ed è proseguita per 39 settimane.

Aethiological studies on an acute fatal disease of Angora rabbits: So-called rabbit viral sudden death. Korean

There is increasing interest in the study of the evolution of sex ratios in birds. Correct assignment of sex to fledgling and juvenile birds is critical for studies that deal with differential sex allocation at nests or sexual variation in survival or dispersion rates. Here we describe a non-intrusive method based on plumage colouration by which juvenile and fully developed nestling greenfinches can be sexed reliably. By measuring the length of the black area on the fifth tail feather rachis, we were able to sex 100% of birds reliably; males had lengths less than 31.44 mm, whereas females were longer. The Greenfinch may, therefore, be a valuable species for the study of sex ratio variation.

No abstract

Isolation of a calicivirus antigenically related to feline caliciviruses fronm feces of a dog with diarrhoea.

Six common buzzards from a bird rescue centre showed wart-like lesions on their toes. The lesions consisted of multiple crusty and proliferative nodules surrounded by skin swelling. Histologically, epithelial cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia with ballooning degeneration and large intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies consistent with avipoxvirus infection were seen. The virus was isolated in embryonated chicken eggs. Positive chorioallantoic membranes and samples of skin lesions were submitted for polymerase chain reaction. Molecular characterization based on the 4b core protein indicates a 100% homology of the isolated poxvirus with avian poxviruses belonging to subclade A2. However, analysis of fpv139 locus does not reveal similarities of the isolate with other avian poxviruses.