We present a new experimental setup devoted to the study of gas phase molecules and processes using broad band high spectral resolution rotational spectroscopy. A reactor chamber has been equipped with radio receivers similar to those used by radio astronomers to search for molecular emission in space. The whole Q (31.5-50 GHz) and W bands (72-116.5 GHz) are available for rotational spectroscopy observations. The receivers are equipped with 16×2.5 GHz Fast Fourier Transform spectrometers with a spectral resolution of 38.14 kHz allowing the simultaneous observation of the complete Q band and one third of the W band. The whole W band can be observed in three settings in which the Q band is always observed. Species such as CH3CN, OCS, and SO2 are detected, together with many of their isotopologues and vibrationally excited states, in very short observing times. The system permits automatic overnight observations and integration times as long as 2.4×105 seconds have been reached. The chamber is equipped with a radiofrequency source to produce cold plasmas and with four ultraviolet lamps to study photochemical processes. Plasmas of CH4, N2, CH3CN, NH3, O2, and H2, among other species, have been generated and the molecular products easily identified by their rotational spectrum, and mass spectrometry and optical spectroscopy. Finally, the rotational spectrum of the lowest energy conformer of CH3CH2NHCHO (N-Ethylformamide), a molecule previously characterized in microwave rotational spectroscopy, has been measured up to 116.5 GHz allowing the accurate determination of its rotational and distortion constants and its search in space.

Gallibacterium is a genus within the family Pasteurellaceae characterized by a high level of phenotypic and genetic diversity. No diagnostic method has yet been described, which allows species-specific identification of Gallibacterium anatis. The aim of this study was to develop a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) method allowing species-specific identification and quantification of G. anatis. A G. anatis specific DNA sequence was identified in the gyrase subunit B gene (gyrB) and used to design a TaqMan probe and corresponding primers. The specificity of the assay was tested on 52 bacterial strains. Twenty-two of the strains represented all of the presently available 13 phenotypic variants of G. anatis originating from different geographical locations. Nine strains represented each of the additional six Gallibacterium species and 21 strains represented other poultry associated bacterial species of the families Pasteurellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Flavobacteriaceae. Regarding specificity none of non-G. anatis strains tested positive with the proposed assay. To test and compare the qPCR method's ability to detect G. anatis from field samples, the sensitivity was compared to a previously published conventional PCR method and culture-based identification, respectively. The detection rates were 97%, 78% and 34% for the current qPCR, the conventional PCR and the culture-based identification method, respectively. The qPCR assay was able to detect the gene gyrB in serial dilutions of 10(8) colony forming units (CFU)/ml to as low as 10(0) CFU/ml copies. The proposed qPCR method is thus highly specific, sensitive and reproducible. In conclusion, we have developed a qPCR method that allows species-specific identification of G. anatis.

In the present study, the hemagglutinating activity of seven reference strains, and nine Mexican and three Danish field isolates, of Gallibacterium was investigated by using fresh erythrocytes of 19 different types including chicken (broiler, rooster, layer hen), turkey, pigeon, quail, duck, Harris's hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), cow, sheep, horse, dog, rabbit, pig, and human (groups A, B, AB, and O; Rh+). Agglutination was observed for broiler chicken, layer hen, quail, rabbit, and pig erythrocytes with a subset of Gallibacterium strains, whereas most tested strains agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes. Transmission electron microscopic examination of a hemagglutinating strain demonstrated a close interaction between the bacterial and erythrocyte surfaces. The results indicate that some Gallibacterium strains are able to agglutinate avian or mammalian erythrocytes, or both. However, the mechanisms enabling hemagglutination are not known and will be addressed in future studies.

Abstract. In the present study, the hemagglutinating activity of 9 reference strains (serovars A-I) of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale was investigated by using fresh erythrocytes from 15 different species: chicken (broiler, rooster, hen), turkey, pigeon, quail, duck, Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), cow, sheep, horse, dog, rabbit, pig, human (groups A, B, AB, and O), and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). All 9 strains agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes. None of the strains was able to agglutinate hen, cow, horse, or rainbow trout erythrocytes. The number of positive reactions among the remaining species varied. Results indicate that the use of rabbit erythrocytes is better suited for testing the hemagglutinating activity of O. rhinotracheale.