Effects of botulism on ducks drinking saline water. 1988

G Wobeser
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) ducklings (2 wk old) were given water from natural saline wetlands or fresh water as drinking water for 1 or 2 wk prior to, and after, receiving material containing Clostridium botulinum type C toxin. Water with conductivity ranging from 3,460 to 6,690 mu mhos/cm had no detectable effect on the occurrence or severity of clinical signs of botulism. Ducks drinking water with conductivity of 7,130 mu mhos/cm for 1 wk prior to receiving toxin had more severe clinical signs and greater mortality than did birds drinking fresh water. Ducks given the same water for 2 wk prior to receiving toxin did not differ from the controls in response to toxin. Fewer ducks in groups drinking the most saline water tested (conductivity = 13,500 mu mhos/cm) had clinical signs of botulism than in groups drinking fresh water.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009994 Osmolar Concentration The concentration of osmotically active particles in solution expressed in terms of osmoles of solute per liter of solution. Osmolality is expressed in terms of osmoles of solute per kilogram of solvent. Ionic Strength,Osmolality,Osmolarity,Concentration, Osmolar,Concentrations, Osmolar,Ionic Strengths,Osmolalities,Osmolar Concentrations,Osmolarities,Strength, Ionic,Strengths, Ionic
D001905 Botulinum Toxins Toxic proteins produced from the species CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM. The toxins are synthesized as a single peptide chain which is processed into a mature protein consisting of a heavy chain and light chain joined via a disulfide bond. The botulinum toxin light chain is a zinc-dependent protease which is released from the heavy chain upon ENDOCYTOSIS into PRESYNAPTIC NERVE ENDINGS. Once inside the cell the botulinum toxin light chain cleaves specific SNARE proteins which are essential for secretion of ACETYLCHOLINE by SYNAPTIC VESICLES. This inhibition of acetylcholine release results in muscular PARALYSIS. Botulin,Botulinum Neurotoxin,Botulinum Neurotoxins,Clostridium botulinum Toxins,Botulinum Toxin,Neurotoxin, Botulinum,Neurotoxins, Botulinum,Toxin, Botulinum,Toxins, Botulinum,Toxins, Clostridium botulinum
D001906 Botulism A disease caused by potent protein NEUROTOXINS produced by CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM which interfere with the presynaptic release of ACETYLCHOLINE at the NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION. Clinical features include abdominal pain, vomiting, acute PARALYSIS (including respiratory paralysis), blurred vision, and DIPLOPIA. Botulism may be classified into several subtypes (e.g., food-borne, infant, wound, and others). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1208) Botulism, Infantile,Botulism, Toxico-Infectious,Clostridium botulinum Infection,Foodborne Botulism,Infant Botulism,Toxico-Infectious Botulism,Wound Botulism,Botulism, Foodborne,Botulism, Infant,Botulism, Toxico Infectious,Botulism, Wound,Clostridium botulinum Infections,Foodborne Botulisms,Infant Botulisms,Infantile Botulism,Infection, Clostridium botulinum,Toxico Infectious Botulism,Wound Botulisms
D004372 Ducks A water bird in the order Anseriformes (subfamily Anatinae (true ducks)) with a broad blunt bill, short legs, webbed feet, and a waddling gait. Duck
D005618 Fresh Water Water containing no significant amounts of salts, such as water from RIVERS and LAKES. Freshwater,Fresh Waters,Freshwaters,Water, Fresh,Waters, Fresh
D005772 Gastrointestinal Transit Passage of food (sometimes in the form of a test meal) through the gastrointestinal tract as measured in minutes or hours. The rate of passage through the intestine is an indicator of small bowel function. GI Transit,GI Transits,Gastrointestinal Transits,Transit, GI,Transit, Gastrointestinal,Transits, GI,Transits, Gastrointestinal
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001715 Bird Diseases Diseases of birds not considered poultry, therefore usually found in zoos, parks, and the wild. The concept is differentiated from POULTRY DISEASES which is for birds raised as a source of meat or eggs for human consumption, and usually found in barnyards, hatcheries, etc. Avian Diseases,Avian Disease,Bird Disease,Disease, Avian,Disease, Bird,Diseases, Avian,Diseases, Bird
D012965 Sodium Chloride A ubiquitous sodium salt that is commonly used to season food. Sodium Chloride, (22)Na,Sodium Chloride, (24)NaCl
D014867 Water A clear, odorless, tasteless liquid that is essential for most animal and plant life and is an excellent solvent for many substances. The chemical formula is hydrogen oxide (H2O). (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Hydrogen Oxide

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