Prevalence, Distribution, and Host Range of Peste des petits ruminants virus, Turkey

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV, genus Morbillivirus), which causes a severe disease in sheep and goats, has only recently been officially declared to be present in Turkey. We carried out a study to determine the prevalence, distribution, and host range of PPRV in Turkey. A total of 1,607 animals, reared in 18 different locations, were monitored for the presence of antibodies to PPRV and the related virus of large ruminants, Rinderpest virus (RPV). Only two farms had animals that were free of antibody responses to either disease. Prevalence for PPRV infection varied (range 0.87%–82.6%) and was higher in sheep (29.2%) than in goats (20%). The overall antibody responses to PPRV and RPV were 22.4% and 6.28%, respectively. Two PPRVs of lineage 4, which comprises many other PPRVs whose origins are in the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and southern Asia, were isolated from Turkish sheep

The first detection and molecular characterization of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in Turkey

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is an important disease that causes severe economic losses in pig industry. PRRSV has two genotypes named as a European (EU) and North American (US). PRRSV appears globally a variety of countries including Canada, USA, South Korea, Germany, Spain, UK, Denmark and Greece. Furthermore, US genotype has been detected serologically in France, Germany and USA in wild boars. So far, no comprehensive information has been generated in Turkey in terms of presence and/or epidemiology of the disease. The aim of this study was to determine presence of PRRSV at initial step and subsequently provide information on possible genotypes that might have occurred in domestic pig and wild boars. The study was carried out on 86 nasal swaps from two different farms and 12 lungs tissue samples from wild boars. A total of 71.4% of samples were found PRRSV- positive by one-step RT-PCR. Prevalence of the virus in Farms 1 and 2 and wild boars was determined as 76.9%, 61.9% and 58%, respectively. Nucleotide sequence analyses performed on ORF 7 of the genome showed that 96.5% and 98.2%, nucleotide homologies in Izmir and Mersin, respectively. In addition, phylogenetic analysis showed that all Turkish PPRSVs was located in the lineage of US like PRRS viruses. This is the first report of PRRSV infection between domestic pigs and wild boars in Turkey

Maturation of immunoglobulin G avidity after inactive gE deleted bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) marker vaccination

Particularly for countries in which the prevalence of infection is high, prevention and control of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) can be done by vaccination programs. Recently, marker vaccines have been used in the control and eradication of bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) infection. Vaccine protection and virus circulation were estimated by individual serological testing using both gB- and gE-ELISA blocking tests. However, the efficacy of vaccines in terms of avidity maturation for BHV-1 infection has not yet been clarified. A total of 40 animals divided into two groups were vaccinated twice at 6-mo intervals with either commercial or in-house killed gE-deleted marker BHV-1 vaccines, respectively. Immunoglobulin G avidity maturation for BHV-1 was monitored in serum samples collected 1 mo postvaccination and compared between groups. The avidity index (AI) was expressed as a percentage and results were presented as mean AI +/- SD. The overall data showed that optical density (OD) values in wells with or without urea treatment had obviously increased. In relation to this, geometric means of AIs increased from 71% to 96% after primary and booster vaccinations, respectively. Based on group-specific data, mean AI was calculated to be 68.99 +/- 24.6 after the primary vaccination, and 96.74 +/- 8.3 after the booster vaccination in group I. For group II, the mean AI for primary vaccination was 57.40 +/- 23.9, and it increased to 97 +/- 8.9 after the booster vaccination. The increase in AI for both groups after the second vaccinations was found to be significant (p < 0.001)

Electrochemical Investigation and DNA-Binding Studies of Valacyclovir-Copper(II) Complex

WOS: 000312984600006The synthesis and the electrochemical characterization of copper(II) complex containing one molecule of antiviral drug, valacyclovir (VAL), is reported. In addition to characterization, the electrochemical properties of the copper(II) complex of VAL ([Cu(VAL)Cl2]) were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) using glassy carbon electrode. The redox properties of the metal complex was reversible and exhibited diffusion controlled process depending on pH. The dependence of intensities of currents and potentials on pH, concentration, scan rate, and nature of the buffer was investigated. The oxidation/reduction mechanism was proposed and discussed. Also, the interaction of copper complex of VAL- with calf thymus double-stranded DNA was studied spectrophotometrically (UV-vis) and electrochemically by using CV at glassy carbon working electrode. Additionally, the cytotoxicity activity of complex has been investigated against the bovine herpes virus type I.TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [109T020]; KSUKing Saud UniversityKahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University [2009/3-10]The authors wish to thank TUBITAK (Project No: 109T020) and KSU (Project No: 2009/3-10) for the financial support

The evaluation of sterile solutions of Ilwensisaponin A and C from Verbascum pterocalycinum var. mutense Hub.-Mor. on antiviral, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities

Antiviral, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the 1% sterile solutions of Ilwensisaponin A and C isolated from the methanolic extract of the flowers of Verbascum pterocalycinum var. mutense Hub.-Mor. were investigated. Antiviral activities of sterile solutions were evaluated against Bovine Herpes Virus Type-1 (BHV-1) (Cooper strain). Both solutions showed cytotoxic effects. However, none of the sterile solutions showed antiviral activity with CPE values. Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive response were obtained at doses of 100 mg/kg. The results of the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activities induced by carrageenan showed that these sterile solutions possess active constituents and diminish cyclooxygenase activitiy. In addition, antinociceptive activities using p-benzoquinone-induced writhing model in mice of tested solutions were found to show notable activity in statistical analysis without inducing any apparent acute toxicity as well as gastric damage. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first investigation of antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of sterile solutions of Ilwensisaponin A and C isolated from Verbascum pterocalycinum var. mutense Hub.-Mor. growing in Turkey. Keywords: Ilwensisaponin A, Ilwensisaponin C, Verbascum, Antiviral activity, Anti-inflammatory activity, Sterile solutio

Bovine Herpesvirus Type 4 (BoHV-4) Vector Delivering Nucleocapsid Protein of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Induces Comparable Protective Immunity against Lethal Challenge in IFNα/β/γR−/− Mice Models

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is the causative agent of a tick-borne infection with a significant mortality rate of up to 40% in endemic areas, with evidence of geographical expansion. Due to a lack of effective therapeutics and control measures, the development of a protective CCHFV vaccine remains a crucial public health task. This paper describes, for the first time, a Bovine herpesvirus type 4 (BoHV-4)-based viral vector (BoHV4-∆TK-CCHFV-N) and its immunogenicity in BALB/c and protection potential in IFN&alpha;/&beta;/&gamma;R&minus;/&minus; mice models in comparison with two routinely used vaccine platforms, namely, Adenovirus type 5 and a DNA vector (pCDNA3.1 myc/His A), expressing the same antigen. All vaccine constructs successfully elicited significantly elevated cytokine levels and specific antibody responses in immunized BALB/c and IFN&alpha;/&beta;/&gamma;R&minus;/&minus; mice. However, despite highly specific antibody responses in both animal models, the antibodies produced were unable to neutralize the virus in vitro. In the challenge experiment, only the BoHV4-∆TK-CCHFV-N and Ad5-N constructs produced 100% protection against lethal doses of the CCHFV Ank-2 strain in IFN&alpha;/&beta;/&gamma;R&minus;/&minus; mice. The delivery platforms could not be compared due to similar protection rates in IFN&alpha;/&beta;/&gamma;R&minus;/&minus; mice. However, during the challenge experiment in the T cell and passive antibody transfer assay, BoHV4-∆TK-CCHFV-N was dominant, with a protection rate of 75% compared to others. In conclusion, vector-based CCHFV N protein expression constitutes an effective approach for vaccine development and BoHV-4 emerged as a strong alternative to previously used viral vectors

The evaluation of sterile solutions of Ilwensisaponin A and C from Verbascum pterocalycinum var. mutense Hub.-Mor. on antiviral, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities

Antiviral, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the 1\% sterile solutions of Ilwensisaponin A and C isolated from the methanolic extract of the flowers of Verbascum pterocalycinum var. mutense Hub.-Mor. were investigated. Antiviral activities of sterile solutions were evaluated against Bovine Herpes Virus Type-1 (BHV-1) (Cooper strain). Both solutions showed cytotoxic effects. However, none of the sterile solutions showed antiviral activity with CPE values. Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive response were obtained at doses of 100 mg/kg. The results of the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activities induced by carrageenan showed that these sterile solutions possess active constituents and diminish cyclooxygenase activitiy. In addition, antinociceptive activities using p-benzoquinone-induced writhing model in mice of tested solutions were found to show notable activity in statistical analysis without inducing any apparent acute toxicity as well as gastric damage. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first investigation of antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of sterile solutions of Ilwensisaponin A and C isolated from Verbascum pterocalycinum var. mutense Hub.-Mor. growing in Turkey. (C) 2019 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University

Serological, Molecular and Entomological Surveillance Demonstrates Widespread Circulation of West Nile Virus in Turkey

<div><p>West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus with significant impact on human and animal health, has recently demonstrated an expanded zone of activity globally. The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency and distribution of WNV infections in potential vectors and several mammal and avian species in Turkey, where previous data indicate viral circulation. The study was conducted in 15 provinces across Turkey during 2011–2013. In addition, the entomological study was extended to 4 districts of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. WNV exposure was determined in humans, horses, sheep and ducks from Mersin, Sanliurfa, Van and Kars provinces of Turkey, via the detection of neutralizing antibodies. WNV RNA was sought in human and equine samples from Mersin, Adana and Mugla provinces. Field-collected mosquitoes from 92 sites at 46 locations were characterized morphologically and evaluated for viral RNA. Neutralizing antibodies were identified in 10.5% of the 1180 samples studied and detected in all species evaluated. Viral nucleic acids were observed in 5.9% of 522 samples but only in horses. A total of 2642 mosquito specimens belonging to 15 species were captured, where <i>Ochlerotatus caspius</i> (52.4%), <i>Culex pipiens</i> sensu lato (24.2%) comprise the most frequent species. WNV RNA was detected in 4 mosquito pools (1.9%), that comprise <i>Oc. caspius Cx. pipiens</i> s.l. and DNA barcoding revealed the presence of <i>Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. perexiguus</i> mosquitoes in infected <i>Culex</i> pools. All WNV partial sequences were characterized as lineage 1 clade 1a. These findings indicate a widespread WNV activity in Turkey, in Eastern Thrace and Mediterranean-Aegean regions as well as Southeastern and Northeastern Anatolia.</p></div