Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Rehabilitation of Athletes with Peroneal Tendinopathy: a Prospective Non-randomized Study of 60 Patients

INTRODUCTION. Peroneal tendons pathology is an underestimated cause of pain in the lateral part of the foot in athletes, which is difficult to distinguish from lateral ankle ligament injuries. As a result, the athlete's training and participation in competitions may be restricted for a long time. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have been suggested as a promising method for the treatment of peroneal tendinopathy. AIM. To evaluate the effectiveness of the use of PRP in the complex rehabilitation of athletes with peroneal tendinopathy by comparing the time to return to play (RTP) and the evaluation of pain symptoms. To develop a model for pain evaluation and physical activity dosingin athletes with this pathology, in order to objectify the transition from one rehabilitation stage to another. MATERIAL AND METHODS. This prospective, non-randomised study analyzed the treatment outcomes of 60 male patients, aged 21.0±1.4 years with peroneal tendinopathy. Depending on the treatment, two groups of patients were identified. Group I (30 athletes), in addition to complex rehabilitation (physiotherapy and physical therapy), had percutaneous PRP injections under the ultrasound guidance. Group II (30 athletes) received only physiotherapy and exercise therapy. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. A statistically significant difference in pain symptoms between the groups was observed starting from the 28th day of treatment. The average time for the athletes in group I to return to regular training activities was on average 10 days shorter than for those in group II (p<0.001). CONCLUSION. The use of PRP, in the rehabilitation of athletes with peroneal tendinopathy is more effective than a comprehensive programme. The developed model of pain evaluation makes it possible to determine the degree of physical activity at various stages of the rehabilitation process, as well as to adequately estimate readiness to RTP

Immunobiological Characteristics of the Attenuated African Swine Fever Virus Strain Katanga-350

The African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the cause of a recent pandemic that is threatening the global pig industry. The virus infects domestic and wild pigs and manifests with a variety of clinical symptoms, depending on the strain. No commercial vaccine is currently available to protect animals from this virus, but some attenuated and recombinant live vaccine candidates might be effective against the disease. This article describes the immunobiological characteristics of one such candidate&mdash;the laboratory-attenuated ASFV strain, Katanga-350&mdash;which belongs to genotype I. In this study, we assessed clinical signs and post-mortem changes, the levels of viremia and the presence of viral DNA caused by injection of ASF virus strains Katanga-350, Lisbon-57, and Stavropol 08/01. Intramuscular injection of this strain protected 80% of pigs from a virulent strain of the same genotype and seroimmunotype (Lisbon-57). At least 50% of the surviving pigs received protection from subsequent intramuscular infection with a heterologous (genotype II, seroimmunotype VIII) virulent strain (Stavropol 08/01). Virus-specific antibodies were detectable in serum and saliva samples between 8&ndash;78 days after the first inoculation of the Katanga-350 strain (the observational period). The results suggested that this strain could serve as a basis for the development of a recombinant vaccine against ASF viruses belonging to seroimmunotype I

An Assessment of Diagnostic Assays and Sample Types in the Detection of an Attenuated Genotype 5 African Swine Fever Virus in European Pigs over a 3-Month Period

African swine fever virus causes hemorrhagic disease in swine. Attenuated strains are reported in Africa, Europe, and Asia. Few studies on the diagnostic detection of attenuated ASF viruses are available. Two groups of pigs were inoculated with an attenuated ASFV. Group 2 was also vaccinated with an attenuated porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus vaccine. Commercially available ELISA, as well as extraction and qPCR assays, were used to detect antibodies in serum and oral fluids (OF) and nucleic acid in buccal swabs, tonsillar scrapings, OF, and blood samples collected over 93 days, respectively. After 12 dpi, serum (88.9% to 90.9%) in Group 1 was significantly better for antibody detection than OF (0.7% to 68.4%). Group 1&prime;s overall qPCR detection was highest in blood (48.7%) and OF (44.2%), with the highest detection in blood (85.2%) from 8 to 21 days post inoculation (dpi) and in OF (83.3%) from 1 to 7 dpi. Group 2&prime;s results were not significantly different from Group 1, but detection rates were lower overall. Early detection of attenuated ASFV variants requires active surveillance in apparently healthy animals and is only reliable at the herd level. Likewise, antibody testing will be needed to prove freedom from disease