Antiviral Effect of Bovine Lactoferrin against Enterovirus E

Enterovirus E (EV-E), a representative of the Picornaviridae family, endemically affects cattle across the world, typically causing subclinical infections. However, under favorable conditions, severe or fatal disorders of the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems may develop. There is no specific treatment for enterovirus infections in humans or animals, and only symptomatic treatment is available. The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro antiviral effect of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) against enterovirus E using virucidal, cytopathic effect inhibition, and viral yield reduction assays in MDBK cells. The influence of lactoferrin on the intracellular viral RNA level was also determined. Surprisingly, lactoferrin did not have a protective effect on cells, although it inhibited the replication of the virus during the adsorption and post-adsorption stages (viral titres reduced by 1–1.1 log). Additionally, a decrease in the viral RNA level in cells (by up to 75%) was observed. More detailed studies are needed to determine the mechanism of bovine lactoferrin effect on enterovirus E. However, this highly biocompatible protein ensures some degree of protection against infection by bovine enterovirus, which is particularly important for young animals that receive this protein in their mother’s milk

Enterovirus E infects bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Implications for pathogenesis?

Enterovirus E (EV-E) is a common viral pathogen endemic in cattle worldwide. Little is known, however, about its potential interactions with bovine immune cells

Nebulization as complementary therapy for dogs with respiratory tract infections

Respiratory tract infections in dogs pose a significant problem and often require prolonged treatment. The effectiveness of pharmacological therapy can be improved through the administration of nebulized compounds to liquidize mucus and promote its evacuation from the respiratory tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nebulized 0.9% NaCl in dogs with respiratory tract infections. Respiratory functions were assessed based on the results of arterial blood gas analyses, and the patients’ clinical status was determined by evaluating the severity of symptoms on a point grading scale. Inhalation of nebulized 0.9% NaCl significantly accelerated improvement in the patents’ clinical status (normalization of body temperature, decreased cough frequency, decrease/elimination of nasal and ocular discharge, improved appetite) and improved pulmonary gas exchange by reducing partial pressure and total content of carbon dioxide and increasing partial pressure and total content of oxygen in blood

The BCO2 Genotype and the Expression of BCO1, BCO2, LRAT, and TTPA Genes in the Adipose Tissue and Brain of Rabbits Fed a Diet with Marigold Flower Extract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of the BCO2 genotype and dietary supplementation with marigold flower extract on the expression of BCO1, BCO2, LRAT, and TTPA genes in the adipose tissue and brain of rabbits. The concentrations of lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, retinol, and α-tocopherol were determined in samples collected from rabbits. Sixty young male Termond White rabbits were allocated to three groups based on their genotype at codon 248 of the BCO2 gene (ins/ins, ins/del, and del/del). Each group comprised two subgroups; one subgroup was administered a standard diet, whereas the diet offered to the other subgroup was supplemented with 6 g/kg of marigold flower extract. The study demonstrated that the BCO2 genotype may influence the expression levels of the BCO2, LRAT, and TTPA genes in adipose tissue, and TTPA and BCO1 genes in the brain. Moreover, an increase in the amount of lutein in the diet of BCO2 del/del rabbits may increase the expression of BCO1, LRAT, and TTPA genes in adipose tissue, and the expression of the BCO2 gene in the brain. Another finding of the study is that the content of carotenoids and α-tocopherol increases in both the adipose tissue and brain of BCO2 del/del rabbits

The Effects of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate (HMB) on Chemotaxis, Phagocytosis, and Oxidative Burst of Peripheral Blood Granulocytes and Monocytes in Goats

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) on the chemotactic activity, phagocytic activity, and oxidative metabolism of peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes in goats. Goat kids aged 30 ± 3 days were divided into two groups of 12 animals each: I—control, and II—experimental. Experimental group animals were fed a diet supplemented with HMB in the amount of 50 mg/Kg BW; whereas the diets of control goats were not supplemented. At the beginning of the experiment (day 0) and on experimental days 15, 30, and 60, blood was sampled from the jugular vein to determine and compare chemotactic activity (MIGRATEST® kit), phagocytic activity (PHAGOTEST® kit), and oxidative metabolism (BURSTTEST® kit) of peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes by flow cytometry. The analyses of the chemotactic and phagocytic activity of granulocytes and monocytes revealed statistically higher levels of phagocytic activity in the experimental group than in the control group, as expressed by the percentage of phagocytic cells and mean fluorescence intensity. HMB also enhanced the oxidative metabolism of both granulocytes and monocytes, expressed by the rate of oxidative metabolism and mean fluorescence intensity after stimulation with Escherichia coli bacteria and PMA (4-phorbol-12-β-myristate-13-acetate)

The <i>BCO2</i> Genotype and the Expression of <i>BCO1</i>, <i>BCO2</i>, <i>LRAT,</i> and <i>TTPA</i> Genes in the Adipose Tissue and Brain of Rabbits Fed a Diet with Marigold Flower Extract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of the BCO2 genotype and dietary supplementation with marigold flower extract on the expression of BCO1, BCO2, LRAT, and TTPA genes in the adipose tissue and brain of rabbits. The concentrations of lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, retinol, and α-tocopherol were determined in samples collected from rabbits. Sixty young male Termond White rabbits were allocated to three groups based on their genotype at codon 248 of the BCO2 gene (ins/ins, ins/del, and del/del). Each group comprised two subgroups; one subgroup was administered a standard diet, whereas the diet offered to the other subgroup was supplemented with 6 g/kg of marigold flower extract. The study demonstrated that the BCO2 genotype may influence the expression levels of the BCO2, LRAT, and TTPA genes in adipose tissue, and TTPA and BCO1 genes in the brain. Moreover, an increase in the amount of lutein in the diet of BCO2 del/del rabbits may increase the expression of BCO1, LRAT, and TTPA genes in adipose tissue, and the expression of the BCO2 gene in the brain. Another finding of the study is that the content of carotenoids and α-tocopherol increases in both the adipose tissue and brain of BCO2 del/del rabbits

Early cytokine response after vaccination with Coxiella burnetii phase I in an infected herd of dairy cattle

Introduction:Coxiella (C.) burnetii, the aetiological agent of Q fever, is able to modulate the macrophage/T-lymphocyte axis in an infected organism and impair synthesis of monokines and lymphokines

Does Aleutian Disease Occur among Domestic Ferrets in Poland? Results of Preliminary Studies Conducted in Two Regions of Poland

Although ferrets are becoming increasingly popular as companion animals, their population in households is still far lower compared to cats or dogs. This results in a much smaller number of ferret specialists, and thus poorer diagnosis of various diseases, including the Aleutian disease. Aleutian disease is a slowly progressing viral disease which can cause different symptoms in these animals. The virus can also cause symptoms in different species of animals, but in the case of ferrets, there is relatively less information on about both the prevalence and symptoms of this disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the presence of antibodies and the virus itself in ferrets from two regions of Poland. Blood samples and rectal swabs were obtained from 61 domestic ferrets from Mazowieckie and Dolno&#347;l&#261;skie voivodships. The presence of antibodies was determined using serological methods and real-time PCR analysis was performed to determine presence of viral DNA. Serological analyses demonstrated that 49% (n = 30) of the ferrets had antibodies against Aleutian disease virus (ADV). No relationship was observed between the prevalence of antibodies and age, sex, habitual residence or origin of ferrets. The real-time PCR did not confirm DNA of the ADV in any of the blood and rectal swab samples. Obtained results suggest that ADV circulates in the analyzed population of ferrets, therefore further studies in this direction should be carried out

Complete genome sequences of Aeromonas and Pseudomonas phages as a supportive tool for development of antibacterial treatment in aquaculture

Abstract Background Aquaculture is the fastest growing sector of food production worldwide. However, one of the major reasons limiting its effectiveness are infectious diseases among aquatic organisms resulting in vast economic losses. Fighting such infections with chemotherapy is normally used as a rapid and effective treatment. The rise of antibiotic resistance, however, is limiting the efficacy of antibiotics and creates environmental and human safety concerns due to their massive application in the aquatic environment. Bacteriophages are an alternative solution that could be considered in order to protect fish against pathogens while minimizing the side-effects for the environment and humans. Bacteriophages kill bacteria via different mechanisms than antibiotics, and so fit nicely into the ‘novel mode of action’ concept desired for all new antibacterial agents. Methods The bacteriophages were isolated from sewage water and characterized by RFLP, spectrum of specificity, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and sequencing (WGS). Bioinformatics analysis of genomic data enables an in-depth characterization of phages and the choice of phages. This allows an optimised choice of phage for therapy, excluding those with toxin genes, virulence factor genes, and genes responsible for lysogeny. Results In this study, we isolated eleven new bacteriophages: seven infecting Aeromonas and four infecting Pseudomonas, which significantly increases the genomic information of Aeromonas and Pseudomonas phages. Bioinformatics analysis of genomic data, assessing the likelihood of these phages to enter the lysogenic cycle with experimental data on their specificity towards large number of bacterial field isolates representing different locations. Conclusions From 11 newly isolated bacteriophages only 6 (25AhydR2PP, 50AhydR13PP, 60AhydR15PP, 22PfluR64PP, 67PfluR64PP, 71PfluR64PP) have a potential to be used in phage therapy due to confirmed lytic lifestyle and absence of virulence or resistance genes