Dokaz protutijela za kugu malih preživača i goveđu kugu u saudijskih ovaca i koza u prirodnim uvjetima.

This study represents the first survey for serum antibodies against peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and rinderpest (RP) viruses, in sheep and goats in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study involved the Eastern region of the country. A total of 1035 serum samples were examined (750 sheep and 285 goats). In order to obtain a genuine insight into the activity of the two viruses as reflected by seroconversion, serum samples were collected only from sedentary, locally-bred, non-vaccinated sheep and goats that were more than one year old. The number of samples collected followed standard epidemiological criteria in similar situations. The prevalence of PPR virus antibodies was 3.1% in sheep and 0.6% in goats, while that of RPV antibodies was 3.6% in sheep and 5.7% in goats. Generally speaking, the prevalence of PPRV antibodies in both species was 2.3%, while that of RPV was 4.3%.The mono-specific reactivity in both species was 93.2 % for rinderpest and 66.7 % for PPR.Rad iznosi prve rezultate istraživanja protutijela za virus kuge malih preživača (KMP) i virus goveđe kuge (GK) u ovaca i koza u Saudijskoj Arabiji. Istraživanjem je bilo obuhvaćeno istočno područje zemlje. Pretraženo je ukupno 1035 uzoraka seruma (750 ovčjih i 285 kozjih). Radi dobivanja stvarne slike aktivnosti ovih dvaju virusa, uzorci seruma bili su sakupljani samo od domaćih, lokalno rasplođivanih, nevakciniranih ovaca i koza starijih od godinu dana. Broj sakupljenih uzoraka bio je u skladu sa standardnim epidemiološkim kriterijima. Proširenost protutijela za virus KMP iznosila je 3,1% u ovaca i 0,6% u koza, dok je proširenost protutijela za virus GK bila 3,6% u ovaca i 5,7% u koza. Općenito prikazana, proširenost KMP u obje vrste iznosila je 2,3%, dok je za GK iznosila 4,3%. Monospecifična reaktivnost u obje vrste bila je 93,2% za GK i 66,7% za KMP

Promatranje prirodne i pokusne infekcije ovaca i koza virulentnim terenskim sojem Capripoxvirusa visokog afiniteta za koze.

A virulent field Capripoxvirus with high affinity to goats was isolated for the first time in Saudi Arabia from a natural disease involving a mixed herd of local breeds of sheep and goats. Observations on both the natural disease and the experimental studies indicated its host preference to goats. The results were discussed in relation to concerns regarding the use of the current Romanian strain of sheeppox vaccine in the country. The epidemiology of Capripoxvirus infection in Saudi Arabia was discussed.Virulentni terenski soj Capripoxvirusa s visokim afinitetom za koze izdvojen je prvi put u Saudijskoj Arabiji iz prirodno oboljelih mješovitih stada lokalnih pasmina ovaca i koza. Promatranje prirodno i pokusno izazvane bolesti pokazalo je da su koze prirodni domaćin te da ovce nisu oboljevale. Rezultati su razmatrani u odnosu na vakcinaciju protiv ovčjih boginja rumunjskim vakcinalnim sojem. Razmatrana je epidemiologija infekcije Capripoxvirusom u Saudijskoj Arabiji

Promatranje prirodne i pokusne infekcije ovaca i koza virulentnim terenskim sojem Capripoxvirusa visokog afiniteta za koze.

A virulent field Capripoxvirus with high affinity to goats was isolated for the first time in Saudi Arabia from a natural disease involving a mixed herd of local breeds of sheep and goats. Observations on both the natural disease and the experimental studies indicated its host preference to goats. The results were discussed in relation to concerns regarding the use of the current Romanian strain of sheeppox vaccine in the country. The epidemiology of Capripoxvirus infection in Saudi Arabia was discussed.Virulentni terenski soj Capripoxvirusa s visokim afinitetom za koze izdvojen je prvi put u Saudijskoj Arabiji iz prirodno oboljelih mješovitih stada lokalnih pasmina ovaca i koza. Promatranje prirodno i pokusno izazvane bolesti pokazalo je da su koze prirodni domaćin te da ovce nisu oboljevale. Rezultati su razmatrani u odnosu na vakcinaciju protiv ovčjih boginja rumunjskim vakcinalnim sojem. Razmatrana je epidemiologija infekcije Capripoxvirusom u Saudijskoj Arabiji

Teška Auzdyk infekcija u jednomjesečnih devinih mladunaca (Camelus dromedarius).

On 11 March 2002 two approximately one-month-old, one-humped camel calves (C. dromedarius) were presented to the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, King Faisal University, Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia (SA), suffering from severe lesions on the lips and hard palates. Samples were collected and virological, pathological and serological investigations were carried out. The disease was confirmed to be Auzdyk. The situation was discussed in relation to the severity of the disease, a condition seen for the first time in this country, in these very young camels,. The results confirmed that fairly young camel calves, 1-month old, can suffer a severe form of the disease.Na sveučilišnu veterinarsku kliniku King Faisal Sveučilišta u Saudijskog Arabiji (SA), dovedena su dva mladunca jednogrbih deva u dobi od približno mjesec dana s jako izraženim lezijama na usnama i tvrdom nepcu. Uzeti su uzorci kako bi se obavile virološka, patološka i serološka pretraga. Potvrđeno je da je riječ o Ausdyk infekciji. Razmatrana je jačina bolesti i njena pojava u mladih deva po prvi put u ovoj zemlji. Rezultati potvrđuju da i sasvim mlade deve, stare mjesec dana, mogu oboljeti s jako izraženim znakovima bolesti

Veterinarsko značenje komarčića roda Culicoides (Ceratopogonidae) u nekim podruèjima Saudijske Arabije.

Despite reports of severe outbreaks of arboviral diseases in domestic animals in Saudi Arabia, very little effort has been made to study the potential local vectors of these diseases. Diseases such as bluetongue and African horse sickness were reported in Saudi Arabia. Such diseases are internationally known to be vectored by Culicoides midges. The present study was undertaken at three localities in Saudi Arabia where arboviral activity had previously been reported. Results revealed the presence of four Culicoides species in the three localities. Two of these species were confirmed as vectors of arboviruses of domestic animals in neighbouring countries. The results were discussed in relation to the epidemiology of arboviral diseases in Saudi Arabia.Usprkos pojave teških arbovirusnih zaraza u domaćih životinja u Saudijskoj Arabiji, vrlo malo pozornosti posvećuje se istraživanjima mogućih vektora. U Saudijskoj Arabiji javljaju se bolesti kao što su bolest plavog jezika i konjska kuga. Poznato je da njih prenose komarčići roda Culicoides. Istraživanje je poduzeto na trima područjima u Saudijskoj Arabiji na kojima je već prethodno dokazana aktivnost arbovirusa. Dokazane su četiri vrste komarčića. Potvrđeno je da dvije od tih vrsta služe kao vektori arbovirusa u domaćih životinja. Rezultati su razmatrani u sklopu epizootiologije arbovirusnih bolesti u Saudijskoj Arabiji

Seasonal abundance of four Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) at Al-Ahsa oasis, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

This report constitutes the first study of Culicoides spp. and their seasonal abundance at Al-Ahsa, the largest oasis in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. New Jersey light traps were used to collect the midges at Mastock farm and Al-Mansura village. The mean monthly abundance was determined from October 1993 to October 1994. The mean monthly number per trap reached its minimum value during January 1994, increasing gradually from February to reach its maximum value during September 1994. During the study period, the following species were collected: Culicoides schultzei group (September), non-spotted group of Culicoides (September), Culicoides imicola (May) and Culicoides newstaedi (March). The potential importance of the Culicoides spp. in relation to arboviral activity in Saudi Arabia is discussed.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat v.9 was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology (Grant No. AT-12-71).mn201

A Spatial Analysis of Rift Valley Fever Virus Seropositivity in Domestic Ruminants in Tanzania

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an acute arthropod-borne viral zoonotic disease primarily occurring in Africa. Since RVF-like disease was reported in Tanzania in 1930, outbreaks of the disease have been reported mainly from the eastern ecosystem of the Great Rift Valley. This cross-sectional study was carried out to describe the variation in RVF virus (RVFV) seropositivity in domestic ruminants between selected villages in the eastern and western Rift Valley ecosystems in Tanzania, and identify potential risk factors. Three study villages were purposively selected from each of the two Rift Valley ecosystems. Serum samples from randomly selected domestic ruminants (n = 1,435) were tested for the presence of specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and M (IgM), using RVF enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Mixed effects logistic regression modelling was used to investigate the association between potential risk factors and RVFV seropositivity. The overall RVFV seroprevalence (n = 1,435) in domestic ruminants was 25.8% and species specific seroprevalence was 29.7%, 27.7% and 22.0% in sheep (n = 148), cattle (n = 756) and goats (n = 531), respectively. The odds of seropositivity were significantly higher in animals sampled from the villages in the eastern than those in the western Rift Valley ecosystem (OR = 1.88, CI: 1.41, 2.51; p<0.001), in animals sampled from villages with soils of good than those with soils of poor water holding capacity (OR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.58, 3.02; p< 0.001), and in animals which had been introduced than in animals born within the herd (OR = 5.08, CI: 2.74, 9.44; p< 0.001). Compared with animals aged 1-2 years, those aged 3 and 4-5 years had 3.40 (CI: 2.49, 4.64; p< 0.001) and 3.31 (CI: 2.27, 4.82, p< 0.001) times the odds of seropositivity. The findings confirm exposure to RVFV in all the study villages, but with a higher prevalence in the study villages from the eastern Rift Valley ecosystem

Neglected Tropical Diseases of the Middle East and North Africa: Review of Their Prevalence, Distribution, and Opportunities for Control

The neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are highly endemic but patchily distributed among the 20 countries and almost 400 million people of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and disproportionately affect an estimated 65 million people living on less than US$2 per day. Egypt has the largest number of people living in poverty of any MENA nation, while Yemen has the highest prevalence of people living in poverty. These two nations stand out for having suffered the highest rates of many NTDs, including the soil-transmitted nematode infections, filarial infections, schistosomiasis, fascioliasis, leprosy, and trachoma, although they should be recognized for recent measures aimed at NTD control. Leishmaniasis, especially cutaneous leishmaniasis, is endemic in Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Morocco, and elsewhere in the region. Both zoonotic (Leishmania major) and anthroponotic (Leishmania tropica) forms are endemic in MENA in rural arid regions and urban regions, respectively. Other endemic zoonotic NTDs include cystic echinococcosis, fascioliasis, and brucellosis. Dengue is endemic in Saudi Arabia, where Rift Valley fever and Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever have also emerged. Great strides have been made towards elimination of several endemic NTDs, including lymphatic filariasis in Egypt and Yemen; schistosomiasis in Iran, Morocco, and Oman; and trachoma in Morocco, Algeria, Iran, Libya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. A particularly noteworthy achievement is the long battle waged against schistosomiasis in Egypt, where prevalence has been brought down by regular praziquantel treatment. Conflict and human and animal migrations are key social determinants in preventing the control or elimination of NTDs in the MENA, while local political will, strengthened international and intersectoral cooperative efforts for surveillance, mass drug administration, and vaccination are essential for elimination

Randomized controlled field trial to assess the immunogenicity and safety of rift valley fever clone 13 vaccine in livestock

BACKGROUND:Although livestock vaccination is effective in preventing Rift Valley fever (RVF) epidemics, there are concerns about safety and effectiveness of the only commercially available RVF Smithburn vaccine. We conducted a randomized controlled field trial to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of the new RVF Clone 13 vaccine, recently registered in South Africa. METHODS:In a blinded randomized controlled field trial, 404 animals (85 cattle, 168 sheep, and 151 goats) in three farms in Kenya were divided into three groups. Group A included males and non-pregnant females that were randomized and assigned to two groups; one vaccinated with RVF Clone 13 and the other given placebo. Groups B included animals in 1st half of pregnancy, and group C animals in 2nd half of pregnancy, which were also randomized and either vaccinated and given placebo. Animals were monitored for one year and virus antibodies titers assessed on days 14, 28, 56, 183 and 365. RESULTS:In vaccinated goats (N = 72), 72% developed anti-RVF virus IgM antibodies and 97% neutralizing IgG antibodies. In vaccinated sheep (N = 77), 84% developed IgM and 91% neutralizing IgG antibodies. Vaccinated cattle (N = 42) did not develop IgM antibodies but 67% developed neutralizing IgG antibodies. At day 14 post-vaccination, the odds of being seropositive for IgG in the vaccine group was 3.6 (95% CI, 1.5 - 9.2) in cattle, 90.0 (95% CI, 25.1 - 579.2) in goats, and 40.0 (95% CI, 16.5 - 110.5) in sheep. Abortion was observed in one vaccinated goat but histopathologic analysis did not indicate RVF virus infection. There was no evidence of teratogenicity in vaccinated or placebo animals. CONCLUSIONS:The results suggest RVF Clone 13 vaccine is safe to use and has high (>90%) immunogenicity in sheep and goats but moderate (> 65%) immunogenicity in cattle

Broad Spectrum Antiviral Activity of Favipiravir (T-705): Protection from Highly Lethal Inhalational Rift Valley Fever

Background:Development of antiviral drugs that have broad-spectrum activity against a number of viral infections would be of significant benefit. Due to the evolution of resistance to currently licensed antiviral drugs, development of novel anti-influenza drugs is in progress, including Favipiravir (T-705), which is currently in human clinical trials. T-705 displays broad-spectrum in vitro activity against a number of viruses, including Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV). RVF is an important neglected tropical disease that causes human, agricultural, and economic losses in endemic regions. RVF has the capacity to emerge in new locations and also presents a potential bioterrorism threat. In the current study, the in vivo efficacy of T-705 was evaluated in Wistar-Furth rats infected with the virulent ZH501 strain of RVFV by the aerosol route.Methodology/Principal Findings:Wistar-Furth rats are highly susceptible to a rapidly lethal disease after parenteral or inhalational exposure to the pathogenic ZH501 strain of RVFV. In the current study, two experiments were performed: a dose-determination study and a delayed-treatment study. In both experiments, all untreated control rats succumbed to disease. Out of 72 total rats infected with RVFV and treated with T-705, only 6 succumbed to disease. The remaining 66 rats (92%) survived lethal infection with no significant weight loss or fever. The 6 treated rats that succumbed survived significantly longer before succumbing to encephalitic disease.Conclusions/Significance:Currently, there are no licensed antiviral drugs for treating RVF. Here, T-705 showed remarkable efficacy in a highly lethal rat model of Rift Valley Fever, even when given up to 48 hours post-infection. This is the first study to show protection of rats infected with the pathogenic ZH501 strain of RVFV. Our data suggest that T-705 has potential to be a broad-spectrum antiviral drug. © 2014 Caroline et al