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Recently, bovine viral diarrhoea virus type 2c ( BVDV-2c) was responsible for a severe outbreak in cattle in northern Europe. Here, we present the results of an epidemiological survey for pestiviruses in ruminants in southern Italy. Pooled serum samples were obtained from 997 bovine, 800 ovine, 431 caprine and eight bubaline farms, and pestiviral RNA was detected by molecular methods in 44 farms consisting of 16 cattle and one buffalo herds and of 21 sheep and six goat flocks. Twenty-nine and 15 farms were infected by BVDV-1 and BVDV-2 strains, respectively. BVDV-1 strains were recovered mainly from cattle and were heterogeneous, belonging to the subtypes 1b, 1u, 1e, 1g and 1h. In contrast, all BVDV-2 viruses but two were detected in sheep or goats and were characterized as BVDV-2c by sequence analysis of 5′ UTR. These strains displayed high genetic identity to BVDV-2c circulating in cattle in northern Europe and were more distantly related to a BVDV-2c isolate recovered from a cattle herd in southern Italy more than 10 years before. The circulation of a BVDV-2c in small ruminants suggests the need for a continuous surveillance for the emergence of pestivirus-induced clinical signs in southern Italian farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine hepacivirus is the closest homologue of hepatitis C virus. Limited data on the clinical features of this infection are available. We report the identification of a horse with high-titre viremia by equine hepacivirus. Over a 15-month follow-up, the clinical signs and the viremic status persisted, suggesting a chronic evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical features and economic impact of the infection caused by an emerging group of pestiviruses, namely HoBi-like pestivirus, in a cattle herd of southern Italy are reported. In 2011, the virus was first associated with respiratory disease, causing an abortion storm after 1 year and apparently disappearing for the following 3 years after persistently infected calves were slaughtered. However, in 2014, reproductive failures and acute gastroenteritis were observed in the same herd, leading to a marked decrease of productivity. A HoBi-like strain closely related to that responsible for previous outbreaks was detected in several animals. Application of an intensive eradication programme, based on the detection and slaughtering of HoBi-like pestivirus persistently infected animals, resulted in a marked improvement of the productive performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parvoviruses represent the most important infectious agents that are responsible for severe to fatal disease in carnivores. This study reports the results of a 10-year molecular survey conducted on carnivores in Bulgaria ( n = 344), including 262 dogs and 19 cats with gastroenteritis, and 57 hunted wild carnivores. Real-time polymerase chain reaction ( qPCR), followed by virus characterization by minor groove binder (MGB) probe assays, detected 216 parvovirus positive dogs with a predominance of canine parvovirus type 2a (CPV-2a, 79.17%) over CPV-2b (18.52%) and CPV-2c (2.31%). Rottweilers and German shepherds were the most frequent breeds among CPV-positive pedigree dogs ( n = 96). Eighteen cats were found to shed parvoviruses in their faeces, with most strains being characterized as FPLV ( n = 17), although a single specimen tested positive for CPV-2a. Only two wild carnivores were parvovirus positive, a wolf ( Canis lupus) and a red fox ( Vulpes vulpes), both being infected by CPV-2a strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), the aetiological agent of haemorrhagic enteritis in dogs, includes three antigenic variants, types 2a, 2b and 2c. CPV-2c has been detected initially in Italy and subsequently in Vietnam. We report the first identification of this novel antigenic variant in Spain, where it caused an outbreak of fatal enteritis in basset hound pups in association with canine coronavirus type I and type II. We suggest that this new antigenic variant of CPV-2 could spread throughout Europe and that there is a subsequent need to update current CPV vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterization of the canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is sometimes ambiguous, frequently requiring more than one technique for definitive prediction of the viral type. Taking into account the single-nucleotide polymorphisms encountered in the VP2-protein gene between types 2a and 2b and between type 2b and Glu-426 mutant (type 2c), two different minor groove binder (MGB) probe assays were developed for rapid identification of the CPV-2 variants. A total of 315 samples collected from dogs with diarrhoea were screened for CPV-2 by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay capable of detecting all CPV-2 types. In order to compare the type-specific assays with the traditional techniques [haemagglutination inhibition with monoclonal antibodies, PCR-restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP), sequence analysis] for prediction of CPV-2 antigen specificity, the 203 samples tested CPV-2 positive were analysed using the different methods. The results showed a 100% concordance between the MGB probe assays and the combined conventional methods, with 116 samples characterized as type 2a, 32 as type 2b and 55 as type 2c. Therefore, the MGB probe assays represent a quick, reliable tool for prediction of CPV-2 antigen specificity, with regard to the more time-consuming assays currently used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent identification of unusual canine parvovirus (CPV) mutants in cats and dogs suggests that CPV type 2 (CPV-2), which emerged suddenly in the late 1970s, is undergoing continual genetic and antigenic variations. A peculiarity of parvoviruses is that single-nucleotide substitutions may determine drastic phenotypic changes. The effects of either natural or artificial mutations on CPV phenotypic properties have been largely investigated, and this sets up CPV as an interesting model to study virus evolution. By monitoring the evolution of CPV-2 in Italy, we observed the onset and quick spread of a Glu-426 mutant, antigenically different from the pre-existing variants that were partially displaced within a few years of the initial identification of the new mutant. The identification of CPV-2 variants raises several questions concerning their impact on the efficacy of the current CPV-2 vaccines, based on the original CPV-2 strain that no longer exists in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two stray pups (A and B), three and five months old, respectively, both naturally infeded with canine coronavirus (CCoV), were studied for 180 days. The virus was detected intermittently in the pups' faeces by PCR for periods of 156 and 146 days, respectively. Sequence analysis of a fragment of the gene encoding the M protein revealed that the viruses detected at the onset of the infection were very similar to typical strains of CCoV, whereas from 42 days after infection in pup A and 40 days after infection in pup B the viruses had nucleotide and amino acid mutations resembling sequences in feline coronavirus. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An outbreak of dual infection in dogs with canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) and canine coronavirus (CCV) infection is reported in an animal shelter that comprised approximately 200 adults stray dogs and 30 puppies. Twenty puppies died 7–8 days after the onset of the clinical signs (severe enteritis, leucopoenia, respiratory distress and dehydration). Both CAV-1 and CCV were isolated from tissue or swab samples. Antibodies to CCV and, at high levels, to CAV-1 also were detected in several puppies. The principal histological findings were atrophy of small intestinal villi, lymphoid depletion, hepatitis and bronchopneumonia. The persistence of CCV in the faeces, observed by the polymerase chain reaction assay, was longer than previously reported. Results demonstrated the serious consequences which may occur with dual infections by CAV-1 and CCV in assembled groups of dogs that are housed in poorly managed kennels with inadequate vaccination programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The results of vaccination trials carried out on pups with maternally derived antibodies (MDA) to canine parvovirus (CPV), using a modified-live CPV-2b variant vaccine (29-97/40 strain), are reported. The vaccine was able to overcome the obstacle of MDA, and to elicit protective immunity in 100% of the pups whose antibody titres were 1:10–1:40, 83% of the pups with titres of 1:80, 57% of the pups with titres of 1:160, and even in 60% of the pups with antibody titres of 1:320. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modified live canine parvovirus (CPV) vaccine was used to vaccinate intranasally twenty-five pups with maternal antibody. The vaccine was able to overcome the interference of maternal immunity in rates of 100 %, 72.7 % and 17.6 % in pups with haemagglutination inhibition antibody titre of 40, 80 and 160 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cats in the primary stage of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) infection and FIV seronegative cats were vaccinated with a modified live Feline Panleukopenia virus vaccine (FPV-MLV). The FPV-MLV strain was not pathogenic for FIV seronegative cats, whereas in FIV infected cats it produced severe clinical signs, similar to those typically observed in cats naturally infected with field strains of FPV (fever, diarrhoea, leukopenia). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The duration of immunity was evaluated for a period of seven months in pigs vaccinated with a monovalent foot and mouth disease vaccine inactivated with formaline and bromoethylenimine, combined with an oil adjuvant. A satisfactory degree of immunity was recorded at one month post-vaccination and the antibody levels were substained for the period under study. The vaccine also induced a good protection to the challenge even after seven months following a single administration of the vaccine. Zusammenfassung Immunitätsdauer bei Schweinen nach Impfung mit einer monovalenten Maul- und Klauenseuche-ölemulsions-Vakzine Die Dauer der Immunität bei Schweinen, geimpft mit einer monovalenten MKS-Vakzine mit Formalin und Bromethylenimin als Inaktivierungsmitteln und kombiniert mit öl-Adjuvans, wurde über einen Zeitraum von 7 Monaten verfolgt. Eine ausreichende Immunität konnte einen Monat post vacc. festgestellt werden und die Antikörperspiegel hielten sich über den gesamten Versuchszeitraum aufrecht. Die Vakzine bewirkte auch einen guten Schutz gegenüber einer Belastungsinfektion 7 Monate nach der einmaligen Impfung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The susceptibility of different cell lines to rabies virus and their use as an alternative to the biological assay for diagnosis of rabies infections was evaluated. The results confirm that detection of viral antigens in cell systems is correlated with the concentration of virus present in the infected material. They also indicate that without a previous cell adaptation it is not always possible to detct rabies antigens in brain tissues of animals naturally infected with street strains because of the very low concentration of virus present therein. Conversely, it is confirmed that it is possible to detect rabies antigens without previous cell adaptation from brain tissue of laboratory animals experimentally infected with either the fixed or the street strains. The results support the fundamental role of the suckling mice inoculation test as the choice biological assay for rabies diagnosis where the immunofluorescence test is negative; however, it shows that cell culture systems are generally preferable to mouse inoculation test because of its simplicity of the fast read-out time. Finally the study confirms that NA cells are more sensitive than BHK-21 and A-72 cells to infection with street strains. Zusammenfassung Empfindlichkeit verschiedener Zellinien für die Isolierung des Tollwutvirus Die Empfänglichkeit verschiedener Zellinien für Tollwutvirus und ihre alternative Verwendung zum biologischen Nachweis in der Diagnose von Tollwutinfektionen wurde ausgewertet. Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Studie bestätigen, daß die Erfassung viraler Antigene über Zellsysteme mit der Konzentration des Virus im infektiösen Material in Beziehung steht. Ferner zeigte sich, daß es ohne vorhergehende Zelladaptierung nicht immer möglich ist, Tollwutantigene aus Gehirngewebe von mit Straßenvirus natürlich infizierten Tieren nachzuweisen, weil nur sehr schwache Viruskonzentrationen vorliegen. Andererseits bestätigte sich die Möglichkeit, Tollwutantigene ohne vorangehende Zelladaptierung aus Gehirngewebe von Laborversuchstieren zu erfassen, die experimentell mit Virus fixe- oder Straßenvirusstämmen infiziert wurden. Die Studie bekräftigt die fundamentale Bedeutung des Infektionsversuchs an Säuglingsmäusen als die Methode der Wahl für die Tollwutdiagnose, wenn der Immunofluoreszenz-Test negativ ausfällt. Sie zeigt jedoch auch die allgemeinen Vorteile der Zellkultursysteme gegenüber dem Mäuse-Inokulationsversuch, die in der Vereinfachung und raschen Ablesbarkeit liegen. Schließlich bestätigt die Studie die größere Empfindlichkeit von NA-Zellen für Straßenvirusstämme im Vergleich zu BAK-21- und A72-Zellen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty strains of rabies virus were recovered by tissue culture technique from 32 samples of different animal brains collected between 1984 and 1986 in North Italy in the course of routine rabies diagnosis: they were characterized by using specific Wistar antirabies monoclonal antibodies (Mo-Abs). It was of interest to identify the isolated virus strains to avoid doubts of possible vaccine induced rabies since an experiment with oral wildlife immunization, using live SAD strain vaccine was being carried out for the last two years and is still on-going in different areas of North Italy (provinces: Brescia, Trento, Bolzano). All the isolates were found to be street rabies viruses resembling the fox strains of rabies virus currently present in Europe to date. Different aspects of rabies virus isolation, using tissue culture technique, are discussed. Zusammenfassung 20 Tollwutvirus-Stämme wurden mittels Zellkulturtechnik aus 32 Proben von verschiedenen Tiergehirnen isoliert, die zwischen 1984 und 1986 in Norditalien im Zuge der Routine-Diagnostik gesammelt wurden: sie wurden mit spezifischen Wistar-Antitollwut-monoklonalen Antikörpern charakterisiert. Die Identifizierung dieser Stämme war von Interesse, um Zweifel an einer möglichen, impfbedingten Tollwutvirusinfektion auszuräumen, da seit zwei Jahren ein Versuch mit oraler Immunisierung an Wildtieren mit dem lebenden Impfstamm SAD im Gange ist und weiterhin in verschiedenen Gebieten Norditaliens (Provinzen: Brescia, Trento, Bozen) durchgeführt wird. Alle Isolate waren Tollwutvirus-Feldstämme, die den gegenwärtig in Europa auftretenden Tollwutvirus-Stämmen von Füchsen ähnelten. Verschiedene Aspekte der Tollwutvirus-Isolierung mittels Zellkulturtechniken werden diskutiert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four red foxes seronegative to canine parvovirus were inoculated intravenously with canine parvovirus. During the two-week observation period the animals did not present any clinical signs of disease but there was leukopenia, viral presence in faeces (positive haemagglutination test and viral isolation in tissue culture) and also the presence of a haemagglutination inhibition antibody in the sera of the foxes. Zusammenfassung Experimentelle Infektion von Rotfüchsen mit caninen Parvoviren Vier Parvovirus-seronegative Rotfüchse wurden intravenös mit caninen Parvovirus infiziert. Während der zweiwöchigen Beobachtungsperiode zeigten die Tiere keinerlei Krankheitsanzeichen. Trotzdem wurde Leukopenie, Virusausscheidung im Kot (positiver Hämagglutinationstest und Virusisolierung in Zellkulturen) und schließlich Anwesenheit von hämagglutinationshemmenden Antikörpern im Serum festgestelllt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of the researches are reported on the diffusion and latency of vaccinal virus SAD/BHK21 in the brains, salivary glands and tonsils of 30 healthy foxes (Group A) and of 14 foxes treated with corticosteroids (Group B). All the animals of the two groups receive by oral way one dose of antirabies vaccine SAD/BHK21 in vaccinal bait. Fourteen foxes were injected with 2 mg/kg of methyl-prednisolone acetate daily for five days beginning two days before vaccination. The antigen rabies presence in the vaccinated foxes is performed by fluorescent antibody test (FAT). The isolation of SAD vaccinal strain is performed in mouses and in tissue cultures. To execute these tests, the foxes are euthanized according this plan: Group A (8-14-16-21-22-30-42 days after vaccination), Group B (7-10-14-15-30-70 days after vaccination). Experiments on red foxes showed that: - The live attenuated vaccine SAD/BHK21 appeared to be harmeless for the foxes. - Rabies antigen in the brains, in the salivary glands and in tonsils of all vaccinated foxes was not detected by FAT. - Rabies vaccinal virus was reisolated from vaccinated foxes in mouses. The viral isolation in BHK21 cell cultures was obtained only in one fox. - The results of viral isolation were: 2/30 in healthy foxes and 2/14 in foxes immunosuppressed with corticosteroids. - The presence of vaccinal virus in healthy foxes is only detected into the tonsils; in immunosuppressed foxes the virus is detected in brain (one fox), salivary glands and tonsils. The time of viral reisolation is different between two groups: 7 days after vaccination in healthy foxes, 8 and 14 days after vaccination in immunosuppressed foxes. Zusammenfassung Die Ergebnisse dieser Forschungsarbeit berichten über die Verteilung und Latenz des Impfvirus SAD/BHK21 in Gehirnen, Speicheldrüsen und Mandeln von 30 gesunden Füchsen (Gruppe A) und 14 mit Corticosteroiden behandelten Füchsen (Gruppe B). Alle Tiere dieser beiden Gruppen erhielten oral eine Dosis der Antitollwutvaccine SAD/BHK21 in Impfködern. Vierzehn Füchsen wurde täglich, 2 Tage vor der Vaccination beginnend, 2 mg/kg Methyl-Prednisolon-Acetat 5 Tage lang injiziert. Der Tollwutantigennachweis in den geimpften Füchsen wurde im Fluoreszenzantikörpertest (FAT) durchgeführt. Die Isolierung des SAD-Impfstammes wurde in Mäusen und Zellkulturen vorgenommen. Zur Durchführung dieser Tests wurden die Füchse nach folgendem Plan euthanasiert: Gruppe A (8-14-16-21-22-30-42 Tage nach der Impfung), Gruppe B (7-10-14-15-30-70 Tage nach der Impfung). Die Untersuchungen an Rotfüchsen zeigten, daß: - Die attenuierte Lebendvaccine SAD/BHK21 für die Füchse unschädlich zu sein scheint. - In allen geimpften Füchsen kein Tollwutantigen in Gehirnen, Speicheldrüsen und Mandeln mit dem FAT nachgewiesen werden konnte. - Das Tollwut-Impfvirus von geimpften Füchsen in Mäusen reisoliert werden konnte. Die Virusisolation in BHK21-Zellkulturen gelang nur von einem Fuchs. - Die Ergebnisse der Virusisolation waren: 2/30 von gesunden Füchsen und 2/14 von Füchsen, die durch Corticosteroide immungeschwächt waren. - Die Anwesenheit des Impfvirus in gesunden Füchsen wurde nur in den Mandeln festgestellt; in immungeschwächten Füchsen konnte das Virus in Gehirn (ein Fuchs), Speicheldrüsen und Mandeln nachgewiesen werden. Der Zeitpunkt der Virusisolation zwischen beiden Gruppen ist unterschiedlich: 7 Tage nach der Impfung in gesunden Füchsen, 8 und 14 Tage nach der Impfung in immungeschwächten Füchsen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines a severe case of parvovirus in as 12-year-old dog, which received yearly vaccination with a canine parvovirus- (CPV)-2-based vaccine. It cites controversial issue on the case due to the strange age of the affected dog since CPV commonly infects to 12-week old puppies, which are prone to acquire the virus at an age when maternally derived antibodies wane. Meanwhile, it notes the a single dose of CPV vaccine shows progressive recovery of the dog.

Three adult goats, seronegative to caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV.1), were intravaginally inoculated with BA.1 strain of CpHV.1. The animals were kept under observation for 1 month and daily both clinical examinations and white blood cell count were performed. Ocular, nasal, rectal and vaginal swabs and heparinized blood samples were collected every day to attempt virus isolation on cell cultures and detect viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The virus was isolated and detected by PCR only from the vaginal swabs for 5–7 days post-infection. The animals showed transient fever and leukopenia and typical necrotic lesions on the vulva and vagina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]