Serologic survey of birds for West Nile flavivirus in southern Moravia (Czech Republic).

A serosurvey for West Nile virus (WNV) was carried out in 54 domestic birds (geese and ducks bred on fishponds) and 391 wild birds representing 28 migratory and resident species, using a plaque-reduction neutralization microtest with Vero cells and Egyptian topotype Eg-101 strain as test virus. The birds were sampled in the South-Moravian fishpond ecosystem between 2004 and 2006. Antibodies to WNV were not detected in domestic waterfowl, but 23 (5.9%) free-living birds of 10 species showed a positive response. These were the common coot (Fulica atra, 5 positive/18 examined), common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis, 1/1), reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus, 2/80), sedge warbler (A. schoenobaenus, 3/80), marsh warbler (A. palustris, 2/28), Savi's warbler (Locustella luscinioides, 3/12), reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus, 1/28), blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla, 2/11), penduline tit (Remiz pendulinus, 1/14), blue tit (Parus caeruleus, 1/1), and starling (Sturnus vulgaris, 2/4). The antibody titers were comparatively low (1:20-1:40), and the only high titer (1:160) was found in an adult marsh warbler. When 14 of the sera reacting with WNV were titrated in parallel with Usutu Flavivirus, 12 were interpreted as having specific antibodies to WNV, one coot had a higher titer against Usutu virus, and another one could not be attributed to either of the two viruses. In conclusion, 13 (3.3%) of 391 wild birds had specific antibodies to WNV. The results indicate that WNV activity in southern Moravia was limited during 2004-2006.

[Use of personal computers for simulation experiments in the teaching of physiology--methods]. / Vyuzití PC k simulaci pokusu v prubehu praktické výuky fyziologie--metodické sdelení.

The paper describes the use of PC in laboratory courses in physiology for the simulation of animal experiments or for simulation of behaviour of some functional systems of an organism in various experimental situation. It presents simple and non expensive system enabling to a large group of students (up to 24) to follow simultaneously on their monitors the course and results of the computer simulation.

[Computer simulation of the activity of selected functional systems in the body during maintenance of homeostasis]. / Pocítacová simulace aktivity vybraných funkcních systému organismu pri udrzování homeostázy.

A computer with an appropriate software may greatly contribute to the understanding of relationships and interactions among physiological processes in the body and thus to influence the speed and effectiveness of learning. Presented computer model "The Internal Environment", briefly described in this paper, illustrates this fact. This model allows to simulate behavior of some functional systems in various experimental situations. The subsequent evaluation of the activity changes in these systems can help students to understand and interpret principles of the activity of the homeostatic mechanisms. That is why the computer simulation is an appropriate starting point at seminars where problems of the internal environment stability maintenance are to be discussed.

[Botulism in birds living in an aquatic environment in Nové Mlýny in the Breclav District]. / Botulismus ptactva na vodním díle Nové Mlýny (okres Breclav).

Epizootic of wild water birds caused by the toxin Clostridium botulinum of C type occurred in extensive shallow artificial lakes of the Nové Mlýny dam system from May to October 1988 and later on from February to early April 1989. In total more than 3,000 dead or dying birds of 44 species were found, the following orders were prevailing: Anseriformes (56%), Lariformes (33%), Charadriiformes (6%) and Ralliformes (4%). Botulotoxin was detected at high concentrations in sarcophagic fly larvae of Calliphora vomitoria and Lucilia sericata which were collected in bird cadavers, but it was not found in different components of the aquatic environment (water, submersed vegetation, phytoplankton, zooplankton, Gastropoda, Crustacea, Oligochaeta, larvae of Odonata, Chironomidae and Ceratopogonidae). Future development of the epizootic situation in the Nové Mlýny artificial lakes will depend on the water level and meterological conditions in the critical period (May to September).

Auditory brain stem responses recorded and processed by analyser HEAD/TNS: normative data.

In 31 healthy people (14 men, 17 women) the authors analysed the shape of auditory brain stem responses (ABR) registered on short acoustic stimulus (click) in the vertex. Beside the shape of the responses was also evaluated the dependence of the latencies of each peak of ABR on the position of the reference electrode, on the character of the stimulus and on sex. The data obtained made possible producing one's own laboratory norm for measuring the normality of ABR recorded on the registration apparatus, with TNS microcomputer as its central component.

Haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies against arboviruses of the families Togaviridae and Bunyaviridae in birds caught in southern Moravia, Czechoslovakia.

A total of 295 birds belonging to 19 species of 7 families of wild Passeriformes were examined by haemagglutination-inhibition test. The birds were caught for an international research program "Balt" at the time of autumn migration (August-September 1984). Their blood sera were examined for antibodies against 6 arbovirus antigens of the genera Alphavirus (Sindbis-SIN) and Flavivirus (tick-borne encephalitis-TBE, West Nile-WN) and family Bunyaviridae (Tahyna-TAH, Calovo-CVO and Bhanja-BHA). Antibodies against all studied viruses were detected at different frequencies: SIN 6.4%, TBE 7.1%, WN 9.7%, TAH 16.3%, CVO 12.1%, and BHA 1.0%.