Seroprevalence of bovine viral diarrhoea virus in Hungary — situation before launching an eradication campaign

Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is a viral disease appearing in various forms and causing high economic losses in the cattle stocks of Hungary. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) in Hungary through a monitoring survey carried out on samples collected in cattle-keeping units throughout the country. Since no such survey had been carried out in Hungary during the last thirty years, our study may serve as a basis for later monitoring investigations aimed at following the progress of an expected eradication campaign of BVD. The tests were carried out using an ELISA method, on a total of 1200 blood samples submitted from 54 cattle herds. The herds had not been vaccinated against BVDV before the sampling. Out of the 1200 samples, 521 proved to be positive (43.4%), 40 gave doubtful result (3.3%) and 639 were negative (53.3%). In some stocks the samples were collected from cows having completed several lactation periods, and therefore the seronegativity indicates the BVDV-free status of the given stock. Moreover, among the positive herds we found a few where the seropositivity rate was rather low (< 5%). According to the results of the survey, a rather high portion (about one third) of the cattle-keeping units of Hungary can be regarded as BVDV free, which ratio is much higher than had been expected on the basis of surveys carried out on a lower number of samples and in smaller regions of the country. Hence, the chances of an eradication campaign launched in the near future, or carried out parallel to the IBR eradication programme, are better than previously expected

Arterivírusok vizsgálata, különös tekintettel a hazai izolátumok genetikai tulajdonságaira = Investigation of arteriviruses with special regard to the genomic characteristics of local isolates

Az elmúlt négy évben vizsgáltuk a két állategészségügyi szempontból fontos arterivírus, a sertések szaporodásbiológiai zavarokkal és légzőszervi tünetekkel járó tünetegyüttesét előidéző vírus (PRRSV) és a lovak fertőző arteritisét előidéző vírus (EAV) hazai elterjedtségét és megállapítottuk, hogy mindkét vírus hazai előfordulása elmarad a nyugat-európai országokban megfigyelttől. Mindkét vírusfertőzés diagnosztikájában kidolgoztuk és széleskörűen alkalmaztuk az RT-PCR alapú diagnosztikai módszert. Az amplifikációs termékek nukleotid-sorrendjének meghatározása után vizsgáltuk a két vírus filogenetikai viszonyait magyarországi és a környező országokból származó pozitív minták felhasználásával, továbbá összehasonlítottuk ezeket a nemzetközi génbankban elhelyezett szekvenciákkal is. A PriProET és Taqman technikára valamint valós idejű RT-PCR eljárásra alapozott módszerekkel a vírusfertőzések in vitro és in vivo zajló kinetikájáról tudtunk adatokat gyűjteni. Eredményeinket nyolc referált szakfolyóiratben megjelent vagy közlésre elfogadott közleményben és két PhD értekezésben közöltük illetve foglaltuk össze. | In the four years of the study period the occurrence of the two arteriviruses of veterinary significance, the porcine reproduction and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and the equine arteritis virus has been investigated, and it was demonstrated, that the presence of both viruses is lower then in the Western European countries. An RT-PCR based diagnostic method has been developed and routinely applied in the diagnosis of both viral infections. After sequencing the amplicons the phylogenetic relationship of the viruses was investigated using positive samples collected in Hungary and in the neighbouring countries, and these were compared to sequences deposited in the GenBank. Data were collected on the in vitro and in vivo kinetics of the virus multiplication using methods based on PriProET and Taqman technique and real time RT-PCR methods. The results were published and summarised in eight articles published in peer reviewed periodicals and in two PhD theses

Novel adenovirus detected in kowari (Dasyuroides byrnei) with pneumonia

A male kowari (Dasyuroides byrnei) originating from a zoo facility was delivered for post mortem evaluation in Hungary. Acute lobar pneumonia with histopathologic changes resembling an adenovirus (AdV) infection was detected by light microscopic examination. The presence of an AdV was confirmed by obtaining partial sequence data from the adenoviral DNA-dependent DNA-polymerase. Although the exact taxonomic position of this novel marsupial origin virus could not be determined, pairwise identity analyses and phylogenetic calculations revealed that it is distantly related to other members in the family Adenoviridae

Effect of chronic T-2 toxin exposure in rabbit bucks, determination of the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL)

T-2 toxin (T-2) was administered to adult Pannon White (n = 10/group) male rabbits for 65 days, first in a suspension by gavage (0.05, 0.1 or 0.2 mg/animal/day), and secondly mixed into the feed (0.33 and 0.66 mg/kg feed). In the first experiment 0.1 mg T-2 exposure resulted in temporary decrease in feed intake, slower increase in the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) induced testosterone synthesis, slight centrolobular infiltration in the liver and a slight hyperplasia of the Leydig cells. In addition to the temporary feed refusal effect, 0.2 mg T-2 caused a temporary decrease in plasma albumin and urea concentrations, lesser glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the seminal plasma, a greater (by 320%) ratio of spermatozoa with cytoplasmic droplets, slower increase in the GnRH-induced testosterone synthesis, centrolobular infiltration in the liver, slightly hyperaemic testes and increased proliferative activity of the Leydig cells. The two smaller doses applied in feed (0.33 and 0.66 mg/kg) did not cause any significant adverse effect, and no feed refusal was observed. According to these results the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of T-2 for adult rabbit males was found to be <0.1 mg/animal/day (<0.02 mg/kg b.w./day)

Adenoma of the cloacal scent gland in a California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus californiae)

A multiple simple adenoma causing severe distortion of the tail base was identified in the cloacal scent gland of a female California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus californiae). In addition to the normal epithelial layer of the gland and the skin, the tumour cells in the glandular epithelium also showed cross immunereactivity with humanised anti-cytokeratin antibody. This is the first description of an adenoma in the scent gland of a reptile species. Neither epithelial nor mesenchymal tumours arising from the scent gland of reptiles have been reported previously. This report also highlights the possible use of humanised antibodies on reptile species for the fast, reliable and specific differential diagnosis of tumours

Solitary adenoma in the proventriculus of a budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) diagnosed by immunochemistry — Short communication

The authors describe a solitary adenoma in a 5.5-year-old female Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus). The tumour was partially blocking the lumen of the proventriculus and filled it almost completely. Decreased passage of food towards the gizzard and the intestines developed in the bird as result of the obstruction, which periodically hindered the passage, leading to slow emaciation. An epithelial tumour composed of irregular glandular acini was diagnosed by histological examination. Immunohistochemical reaction with pancytokeratin showed a positive cytoplasmic reaction both in the neoplastic and the normal glandular structures

Viral enteritis in certain galliformes - Literature review and own investigations in pheasants

SUMMARY Background: The efficient utilization of nutrients depends on a healthy GI tract, therefore in food animals, the integrity of the GI tract is of paramount importance. This is especially true for the young of the species. Damage to the GI tract early in life could result in irreversible damage to the flock.Objectives: The authors overview the viral enteritis of young chickens and turkeys and they report macroscopic, microscopic, bacteriological and PCR results in nine cases of acute enteritis in Hungarian pheasant farms.Materials and Methods: The pheasants were necropsied for post-mortem examinations. Appropriate tissue samples from the affected organs were fixed in 8% neutral-buffered formalin for 24 hours at room temperature, embedded in paraffin wax; and 3-4μm tissue sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin for light microscopy examinations. Further samples were collected from the intestines for PCR assays to detect nucleic acid of enteral viruses. These samples were stored at -80 °C until completion of the assays. Samples were tested for rotavirus, reovirus, parvovirus, turkey astrovirus, and avian nephritis virus. For routine bacteriological examinations, small intestine content samples were aseptically collected and incubated for 24 hours at 37 °C under aerobic con-ditions on Columbia blood agar and Drigalski lactose agar.Results and Discussion:Of the nine pheasant flocks tested, four were nega-tive for PCR. Presumably, the overgrowth of Escherichia coli has caused disease and death in these flocks, due to poor hygiene conditions. Three of the other five flocks were detected with turkey astrovirus (TAstV), one with rotavirus, and one with avian nephritis virus. The macroscopic and microscopic findings were similar to those found in young galliform poultry species. Based on the results, the authors think that in addition to farm hygiene, various viruses play an important role in the enteritis of young pheasants. For uncomplicated viral enteritis, vitamins and probiotics may be recommended instead of antibiotic therapy

In situ complex adenocarcinoma on the femoral part of the hindlimb in an Asian Leaf Turtle (Cyclemys dentata)

A heterotopic in situ complex adenocarcinoma developing on the hindlimb is reported for the first time from an Asian Leaf Turtle (Cyclemys dentata). The tumour mechanically hampered the movement of the animal. The turtle refused to eat and consequently developed a poor condition. Histopathology of the tumour revealed all characteristics of a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma originating from apocrine gland-like tissue: the irregular, tubular structures varying in size were generally lined by two to four layers of cuboidal to columnar neoplastic epithelial cells. Claudin-5, pancytokeratin, cytokeratin, vimentin, α-SMA and Ki-67 immunohistochemical antibodies were employed for characterising the tumour. The diagnosis was a complex adenocarcinoma originating from apocrine gland-like tissue in a turtle