A MSFD complementary approach for the assessment of pressures, knowledge and data gaps in Southern European Seas: The PERSEUS experience.

PERSEUS project aims to identify the most relevant pressures exerted on the ecosystems of the Southern European Seas (SES), highlighting knowledge and data gaps that endanger the achievement of SES Good Environmental Status (GES) as mandated by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). A complementary approach has been adopted, by a meta-analysis of existing literature on pressure/impact/knowledge gaps summarized in tables related to the MSFD descriptors, discriminating open waters from coastal areas. A comparative assessment of the Initial Assessments (IAs) for five SES countries has been also independently performed. The comparison between meta-analysis results and IAs shows similarities for coastal areas only. Major knowledge gaps have been detected for the biodiversity, marine food web, marine litter and underwater noise descriptors. The meta-analysis also allowed the identification of additional research themes targeting research topics that are requested to the achievement of GES.

Multiple biomarkers of pollution effects in caged mussels on the Greek coastline.

A suite of biomarkers was measured in caged mussels at areas impacted by different anthropogenic activities along the Greek coastline to assess biological effects of environmental pollution. Mussels were caged at coastal sites in the vicinity of major cities, in areas influenced by major industries, agricultural practices and in islands away from known sources of pollution. Biomarkers indicative of neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase, AchE), oxidative stress (catalase, CAT), phase II biotransformation of xenobiotics (glutathione S-transferase, GST), metal exposure (metallothioneins, MTs) and protein synthesis (RNA:DNA ratio) were measured to assess effects of various types of pollutants. AchE activity proved to be the most responsive biomarker with decreased values at sites influenced by agricultural, urban and industrial activities. Decreased CAT and GST activities and increased MTs levels were recorded at a number of anthropogenic-impacted sites. RNA:DNA ratio showed a biphasic response as both high and low values were found at impacted sites. Principal component analysis clearly distinguished sites receiving pollution inputs from non-polluted sites. The combination of the selected biomarkers used in caged mussels resulted useful in the assessment of the effects of environmental pollution.

Assessment of the environmental quality of French continental Mediterranean lagoons with oyster embryo bioassay.

In order to better understand environmental disturbances in the French coastal Mediterranean lagoons, we used an ecotoxicological approach based on the measurement of the toxicity of the sediments using oyster embryo bioassay that provides a basis for assessing the effects on the fauna of contaminants adsorbed on the sedimentary particles. The study covers all of the main lagoons of the French Mediterranean coasts of Languedoc Roussillon, Camargue, and Provence (Berre and Bolmon lagoons), where 188 stations were sampled. The toxicity tests provide evidence of variable levels of toxicity in sediments. Contaminated lagoons such as La peyrade, Le canet, and Ingrill and locally affected lagoons such as Bages-Sigean, Vaccares, Bolmon, and Berre have sampling stations with 100% of larval abnormalities during 24-h development. In all of the lagoons, the toxicity was mainly located close to local harbors and rivers. Salses Leucate (Languedoc roussillon) lagoon was found very clean, with no important toxicity. The results are discussed in terms of environmental disturbances of the coastal lagoons and with regard to the long-term monitoring of the impact of contaminants on the coastal environment.

Tributyltin along the coasts of Corsica (Western Mediterranean): a persistent problem.

Despite optimistic forecasts by various scientists after regulatory measures were taken in the 1980s, coastal tributyltin (TBT) contamination is still a major problem. The present study concerning Corsica (Western Mediterranean) shows that contamination is not limited to harbour areas, but extends along the coast, involving protected nature reserves. The concentrations measured in harbours, which can reach 200 ng TBT l(-1), tend to incriminate both pleasure craft and ferries providing regular service between the island and the continent. Contamination as high as 7 ng TBT l(-1) has been measured in waters of the Scandola nature reserve, which is quite excessive given the no effect concentrations (NOEC) for marine fauna are around 1-2 ng TBT l(-1). The inadequacy of current regulations and their application are a major factor in this situation.

Chlamydiosis in a captive group of Houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata).

A chlamydiosis outbreak occurred in a Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata) captive breeding group in Saudi Arabia, inducing peracute deaths, highly variable clinical signs, and pathological and histological lesions. Typical inclusion bodies in stained impression smears of spleen and prevalence (80%) of antibodies against Chlamydia, detected by a competitive enzyme immunoassay test, provided the bases for the diagnosis. This is the first report on a chlamydiosis outbreak in birds of the family Otididae.

Picorna-like viruses of young turkeys: pathogenesis of a disease of poults caused by a picorna-like virus.

A strain of picorna-like virus cultivated in the yolk sac membranes of inoculated eggs was inoculated into 6-day-old turkeys. Clinical signs and mortality were observed between two and three weeks. Virus was seen in the faeces. The post-mortem and histological changes in the organs of infected birds were highly suggestive of a viral aetiology. The virus was reisolated from organs of sick and dead poults by inoculating SPF embryonated eggs.

Respiratory disease (rhinotracheitis) of turkeys in Brittany, France. III. Interaction of multiple infecting agents.

A candidate breeder flock of turkeys was studied during and after an outbreak of rhinotracheitis. Laboratory studies revealed the presence of three pathogens during the acute phase of the disease. These agents were hemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV), paramyxovirus type 2 (PMV2), and chlamydia. Twenty-five turkeys in the flock were individually identified, and blood samples from these birds were collected for serological studies each week for 21 weeks. The serological results revealed high titers for HEV and chlamydia but very low titers for PMV2.

Respiratory disease (rhinotracheitis) in turkeys in Brittany, France, 1981-1982. I. Field observations and serology.

During the summer of 1981, a respiratory disease epidemic occurred in turkeys in Brittany, France. Since this initial epizootic, which lasted through fall, epizootic waves similar to the initial one have occurred at approximately 6-month intervals, with smaller peaks at 2-month intervals. The epidemiology, clinical signs, and postmortem findings were highly suggestive of an epizootic of chlamydiosis. Serological tests for chlamydia, paramyxoviruses, avian influenza, adenovirus 127, mycoplasma, and Alcaligenes faecalis were conducted. The chlamydia tests were the only ones consistently positive.

Respiratory disease (rhinotracheitis) in turkeys in Brittany, France, 1981-1982. II. Laboratory findings.

After discovering that numerous turkey flocks experiencing rhinotracheitis in Brittany, France, had antibodies against chlamydia, laboratory studies were conducted to determine whether chlamydia and/or viruses would explain the respiratory disease observed. Although both lentogenic paramyxoviruses of type 1 (Newcastle disease virus) and Chlamydia psittaci were isolated, it was concluded, based on epidemiologic and other laboratory findings, that C. psittaci was the primary cause of the disease.

[A case of influenza infection of zoo touracos]. / UN cas d'infection a influenza chez des touracos de parc zoologique.

A respiratory disease occurred in a colony of 14 touracos in a zoological garden. Birds developed signs of disease during a period of 2 weeks and three died. Gross lesions consisted of hyperaemia of lungs, liver and kidney. An avian orthomyxovirus serotype Hav3 (or H11) was isolated. Five and 11 months after the outbreak antibodies against this serotype were present in the previously affected birds. Disease signs were not observed in another group of 14 touracos housed at the exit to the Zoo, and these birds did not contract the disease when they were moved into the building where the outbreak had taken place 4 1/2 months before. Antibodies against influenza virus were not found in these birds. It is concluded that the disease was caused by the influenza virus isolated.

[Not Available]. / Les diarrhees du dindonneau: Un bilan des recherches virales effectuees (rotavirus, reovirus, adenovirus, pseudopicornavirus).

Thirty-five flocks of young turkeys with diarrhoea were studied and four different viruses were incriminated. The techniques used for these studies and the results all described. The observations on the sick flocks and the laboratory findings, and the possible presence of pararotavirus in turkeys in France, are discussed.

[Avian mycoplasmosis: Comparative study of the plate agglutination test, haemagglutination inhibition test and metabolic inhibition test for detection of antibody against Mycoplasma gallisepticum]. / Depistage serologique des mycoplasmoses aviaires: Agglutination rapide sur lame, inhibition de l'hemagglutination, inhibition metabolique, techniques appliquees au serodiagnostic des infections a Mycoplasma gallisepticum.

This study was performed with the use of the MG/S6 strain of Mycoplasma gallisepticum, reference sera, sera from vaccinated chickens (given at inactivated vaccine) and sera from infected turkeys in the field. Titres of antibody detected were well correlated for the three tests. However, the plate agglutination test (PAT) allowed the earliest detection, and metabolic inhibition test (MIT) was as sensitive and specific as the haemagglutination inhibition test (HIT). MIT allowed a good repeatability of results, and discriminated very well between positive and negative sera. Serological studies with MIT using a constant dilution of sera gave results comparable with titration by MIT, with a valuable saving of time and material. PAT was found to be one of the best techniques for mass serological screening. Results with MIT and HIT confirmed the PAT results, but MIT was more easily interpreted, particularly with sera taken during the late phase of antibody decrease.

[Observations and isolation of pseudopicornavirus from sick turkeys]. / Observations et isolements de pseudopicornavirus a partir de dindonneaux malades.

Forty-nine sick turkeys (from 31 flocks), 2- to 6-week-old, were examined. They had enteritic and respiratory signs. Direct electron microscopy, inoculation of embryonated eggs by the yolk sac route and inoculation of young SPF turkeys with materials from affected turkeys showed in several cases presence of picornalike virus. Two strains of virus were isolated.

[Electron microscopical observations on materials from diseased turkeys]. / Observations au microscope electronique a partir de prelevements de dindes presentant des troubles pathologiques.

Many types of infectious agent have been observed during the past 2 years in studies on diseased turkeys in Brittany. Electron microscopy was found to be a very useful tool. This paper presents illustrations of a variety of infectious agents seen in the material examined by negative staining or in ultrathin sections.

[The early death phenomenon related to sensitization of mice with rabies antigen--qualitative study and kinetics]. / Le phénomène de mortalité précoce dû á l'antigenè rabique chez la souris sensibilisée--étude qualitative et cinétique.

Protection against challenge following rabies vaccination occurs early in the mouse. However, before this protection appears, vaccinated mice die earlier than control mice receiving a placebo. Study of this 'early death' shows that this phenomenon occurs when challenge is made with the CVS fixed virus and a field isolate from the salivary glands of the fox; by different routes of inoculation and for various infectious doses, and finally, when this challenge is made before or after vaccination. This phenomenon can be transferred via spleen cells or plasma of vaccinated animals into infected recipients. Lack of thymus in the mouse prevents early death, but reduction of B lymphocytes population by cyclophosphamide have no effect on this death. Kinetic studies of different parameters, taken into account when studying this phenomenon, show fluctuations of the survival time after challenge in inoculated mice, as well as in controls. As a consequence of these fluctuations, a shift between mortalities of vaccinated animals and controls is observed.

A model in mice for the study of the early death phenomenon after vaccination and challenge with rabies virus.

The reactions of mice were studied for a period of 10 days after their vaccination with an inactivated rabies vaccine. The kinetics of their resistance to an intracerebral challenge and neutralizing antibody activity of their serum were determined daily. Protection began on the fourth day after vaccination and was approximately correlated with virus-neutralizing antibody titres from the sixth to the tenth day. However, in vaccinated mice still unprotected, death following the intracerebral challenge occurred earlier than in unvaccinated control mice. This "early death phenomenon" is proposed as a model for immuno-pathological study of reaction to rabies vaccines.

[Kinetics of the reactions to experimental infection in mice after or without vaccination against rabies: study of etio-pathogenesis (author's transl)]. / Cinétique des réactions à l'infection expérimentale de la souris vaccinée ou non contre la rage: étude étio-pathogénique.

When challenged by intramuscular route with the rabies strain CVS, mice treated with cyclophosphamide and then vaccinated died during the four days following vaccination in larger numbers and earlier than controls which had been treated but not vaccinated. This phenomenon can be transferred, via splenocytes of mice treated with cyclophosphamide and then vaccinated, into syngenic mice infected 24 h earlier by a large amount of virus (10.000 LD50 by intracerebral route). On the other hand, mice infected with a small amount of virus (1 LD50 by intracerebral route) can be protected by transferred splenocytes. These data suggest that an immunopathological phenomenon is involved in experimental rabies of mice, supported by direct or indirect action of T lymphocytes against infected target cells. Possible implications of this hypothesis in pre- or post-exposure vaccination are discussed.