The family of paramyxoviruses has received growing attention as several new species have been identified recently, notably two different clusters in domestic cats, designated as feline morbillivirus ...(FeMV) and feline paramyxovirus (FPaV). Their phylogenetic origin and whether wild felids also harbor these viruses are currently unknown. Kidney samples from 35 guignas (
), a wild felid from Chile, were investigated for paramyxoviruses using consensus-RT-PCR. In addition, thirteen serum samples of guignas were screened for the presence of FeMV-specific antibodies by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Viral RNA was detected in 31% of the kidney samples. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two well-supported clusters, related to isolates from domestic cats, rodents and bats. No significant histopathology changes were recorded in infected guignas. Serology identified two samples which were positive for FeMV-specific antibodies. Our study highlights the diversity of paramyxovirus infections in felids with special emphasis on guignas from Chile.
Paramyxoviruses constitute a large family of enveloped RNA viruses including important pathogens in veterinary and human medicine. Recently, feline paramyxoviruses, genus morbillivirus, were detected ...in cats from Hong Kong and Japan. Here we describe the discovery of several new feline paramyxoviruses. Infections with these diverse viruses were detected in urine samples from cats suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). No viral RNA was found in cats without clinical signs of uropathy highlighting an association between feline paramyxovirus (FPaV) infections and CKD. Phylogenetic analyses of the detected viruses showed that they represent at least two different species, one of them representing the feline morbilliviruses detected previously in Hong Kong and Japan. In addition, a new FPaV was detected sharing only 73 % homology on the nucleotide level of the viral L-gene to currently known paramyxoviral species.
In Europe, cowpox virus (CPXV) infection in South American camelids occurs as a so-called spill-over infection. Although infected animals generally have a mild form of the disease and survive, cases ...of fatal generalised CPXV infection have also been described. Prevention by prophylactic vaccination is the only way to protect animals from disease. In the present study, modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vaccine, which has been successfully used in many animal species, was used in a prime-boost vaccination regimen in two alpaca herds with a history of CPXV infection. The focus of the study was the prevention of further clinical cases, and to determine the safety and immunogenicity of the MVA vaccine in alpacas. The MVA vaccine was well tolerated and safe in the 94 animals vaccinated. An indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using MVA as an antigen showed that the seroprevalence of antibody after booster vaccination was 81.3% in herd I and 91.7% in herd II. Detectable antibody titres declined to 15.6% in herd I and 45.8% in herd II over a 12-month period after booster vaccination. Animals could be divided into four groups based on individual antibody titres determined over one year: Group 1 consisted of 19.3% of animals that were seropositive until the end of the trial period; Group 2 consisted of 58.0% of animals that were seropositive after booster vaccination, but seronegative one year later; Group 3 consisted of 14.7% of animals that were not seropositive at any time point; and Group 4 consisted of 7.9% of animals that were seropositive after initial immunisation, seronegative six months later, but seropositive or intermediate in IFA one year after immunisation, likely because of natural exposure. In new-born crias born to MVA-vaccinated mares, specific maternal antibodies were detected in 50.0% of animals up to 14 weeks of age. Our results confirm that MVA vaccination is a feasible tool for the prevention of CPXV disease in alpacas. Long-term studies are needed to verify future vaccination regimen in CPXV affected herds.
Influenza virus infections in dogs and cats Harder, Timm C.; Vahlenkamp, Thomas W.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology,
03/2010, Letnik:
134, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
During the last decade reports of influenza A virus infections in dogs and cats draw considerable attention to veterinary practitioners and scientists in the fields of virology and epidemiology. ...Earlier experimental studies showed that dogs and cats are susceptible to influenza A virus infection, but animals did not develop clinical signs. In recent years transmission of influenza virus of subtype H3N8 from horses to dogs, however, was accompanied by severe clinical signs and the infection was shown to be transmitted to other pet dog populations in the US. In Asia respiratory disease caused by influenza virus H3N2 was documented in dogs and also a fatal infection with the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 was reported. Transmission of HPAIV H5N1 from infected poultry or wild birds to large felids and domestic cats has been reported from eight countries in Asia and Europe which caused considerable problems and concerns for both veterinary and public health in recent years. Experimentally the infection could also be transmitted from diseased to naive cats. Due to the heterogeneity of influenza viruses in their natural reservoirs of water fowl and the recent clinical natural infections in carnivores with influenza viruses of the subtypes H3 and H5, influenza virus infections should also be considered in dogs and cats with lower respiratory disease. The transmission of influenza A virus to carnivores from different mammalian and avian species may allow viral adaptation and therefore the epidemiological role of infected dogs and cats needs close attention.
A recent study revealed that organically raised Bronze turkeys showed a high prevalence of green liver discoloration. This alteration is commonly associated with the Turkey Osteomyelitis Complex and ...potentially caused by opportunistic bacteria. Therefore, 360 organically fattened Bronze turkeys were examined post-mortem throughout two fattening trials with two examinations each to determine possible infectious risk factors and reduce disease prevalence. Clinical and pathoanatomical examinations were performed on every hen. Histopathological, bacteriological, parasitological, and virological examinations were performed on at least six hens without and, if applicable, six hens with green livers on each examination date. Overall, 9.0% of all hens had a green liver without a correlation with bacterial or parasitological findings but multiple health impairments. The discoloration correlated significantly with the detection of immunosuppressive turkey hemorrhagic enteritis virus at the early stage and macro- and histological joint/bone lesions at the late fattening stage, indicating the presence of two different predisposing pathogeneses. Flocks not being vaccinated against hemorrhagic enteritis but having a virus-positive sample showed the highest prevalence of green liver discoloration and developed worse in various parameters. In conclusion, an adequate vaccination schedule and the prevention of field infections may lead to a decreased risk of performance reduction and improved animal health.
Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus accounting for large-scale deaths in resident bird populations. In this study, we show the introduction of USUV to Eastern Germany resulting in ...massive death of birds, particularly blackbirds (Turdus merula). We found that three diverse USUV lineages ("Europe 3," "Africa 2," and "Africa 3-like") circulated simultaneously. Moreover, we detected USUV in Culex pipiens in a region where no dead birds were reported, strengthening the need for mosquito monitoring to uncover the spread of arboviruses. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses revealed that mutations accumulated, in particular, in the NS3 region within short time periods. In addition, comparison of whole-genome sequences showed that diverse isolates of the cluster "Africa 3-like" are cocirculating in Germany due to independent introduction events.
Experiments that exposed influenza virus (H5N1)-infected cats to susceptible dogs did not result in intraspecies or interspecies transmission. Infected dogs showed increased body temperatures, viral ...RNA in pharyngeal swabs, and seroconversion but not fatal disease.
In the present study, four very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV) isolates from flocks of chickens with vaccination failure in Egypt in 2003, 2007, 2010 and 2014 were characterized. ...The four viruses, designated USC2003, USC2007, USC2010 and USC2014, were detected by reverse transcription PCR, subjected to sequencing of both genomic segments (A and B) and compared with geographically and phylogenetically diverse IBDV strains. Phylogenetic analysis of segment A (complete) and B (partial) revealed a close relationship between Egyptian and vvIBDV reference strains of European and Asian origin. The sequences of segments of A and B the current Egyptian isolates were 96.1-98.2% and 96.5-98.7% identical, respectively, to those of other known vvIBDV isolates. The deduced amino acid sequences of VP1, polyprotein (pVP2-VP4-VP3) and VP5 revealed the presence of putative virulence determinants of Egyptian isolates compared with vvIBDV and less virulent (classical and variant) strains. The Egyptian isolates also possess unique amino acids substitutions within the hypervariable region of VP2 that differ from those of other reference IBDV strains. Further studies may be necessary to determine the pathogenic significance of these amino acid substitutions to fully understand the molecular epidemiology and evolution of IBDV.
West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are important flaviviruses circulating in Germany. While USUV was first reported more than 10 years ago, WNV has only reached the country in 2018. Wild ...birds are important amplifying hosts for both viruses. Therefore, we have been monitoring the bird population in different regions of Germany by a previously established network for many years. This report summarizes the results of molecular and/or serological methods of 2345 blood samples from birds of 22 different orders and over 2900 bird carcasses from 2019 and 2020. USUV RNA circulation was found in different regions of Germany, with emphasis on USUV lineages Europe 3 and Africa 3. Increased evidence of USUV lineage Europe 2 was detected in eastern Germany. WNV RNA was found only in birds from the eastern part of the country. The seroprevalence for USUV was between 3.11% and 7.20% in all three regions investigated, whereas the WNV seroprevalence spanned from 14.77% to 16.15% in eastern Germany, with a noticeable tendency for a westward and southward expansion in both years. Thus, wild bird monitoring for WNV and USUV can serve as an early warning system for a human exposure risk.
Group A rotaviruses (RVAs) are enteric pathogens with well-documented zoonotic transmissions to humans. The segmented genome of the virus enables reassortment events which might alter host ...susceptibility and/or disease course. Genetic analysis of rotavirus in dogs has so far only revealed RVAs with the VP7 and VP4 genome constellation G3P3. RVA G3P3 have also been found in cats, humans, monkeys and bats. In the present study, we described an unusual RVA of genotype G8P1 which was isolated from an asymptomatically infected young dog. The dog did not show signs of diarrhoea. Analysis of full-length segments of VP2, VP6 and VP7 as well as NSP1-NSP5 revealed a typical bovine-like genotype constellation G8-P1-I2-Rx-C2-Mx-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3. Phylogenetic analysis supported the hypothesis of an interspecies transmission from a bovine/artiodactyl species or from humans to the young dog. The isolate was likely to represent a multiple reassortant virus.
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