Prevalence of equine herpesvirus type 2 (EHV-2) DNA in ocular swabs and its cell tropism in equine conjunctiva

Equine herpes virus 2 (EHV-2), a gamma(2)-herpesvirus, is common in horses of all ages. Its role as a primary pathogen is unclear but there is an association between EHV-2, respiratory disease and keratoconjunctivitis. The purpose of this study was to gain more information on the prevalence of EHV-2 DNA in conjunctival swabs from horses with and without ocular disease and to define the anatomical site and cell type harbouring viral genome or antigen. By polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 22 out of 77 (28.6%) ocular swabs of clinically healthy and only 4 out of 48 (8.3%) samples from diseased horses were positive. To define the main virus reservoir ocular tissue from 13 randomly selected horses without pathological evidence of ocular disease were analysed by nested PCR. In two horses optic nerve, lacrimal gland and conjunctiva, in further two cases lacrimal gland and conjunctiva and in four horses the conjunctiva only were EHV-2 PCR positive. For specifying the target cell we focused on conjunctivae and selected 3 out of 15 clinically healthy slaughterhouse horses positive for EHV-2 by PCR. In situ hybridisation on sections of these paraffin embedded conjunctivae localized viral genome in histiocyte-like cells of the submucosa. Immunohistochemical staining with an EHV-2 or S100 specific polyclonal antiserum demonstrated that Langerhans cells were co-localized in the same region of the sample section where virus positive cells were detected. Furthermore, we concluded that detection of viral antigen revealed a productive virus infection.     

Prevalence of Pasteurella multocida and other respiratory pathogens in the nasal tract of Scottish calves

The prevalence of Pasteurella multocida, a cause of bovine respiratory disease, was studied in a random sample of beef suckler and dairy farms throughout Scotland, by means of a cross-sectional survey. A total of 637 calves from 68 farms from six geographical regions of Scotland were sampled between February and June 2008. Deep nasal swabs were taken, and samples that were culture-positive for P multocida were confirmed by PCR. Prevalence of P multocida was 17 per cent (105 of 616 calves); 47 per cent of farms had at least one positive animal. A higher prevalence was detected in dairy calves than beef calves (P=0.04). It was found that P multocida was associated with Mycoplasma-like organisms (P=0.06) and bovine parainfluenza type 3 virus (BPI-3) (P=0.04), detected by culture and quantitative PCR of nasal swabs, respectively. Detection of P multocida was not associated with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) or bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). Mycoplasma-like organisms, BPI-3, BRSV, BoHV-1 and BVDV were detected in 58, 17, four, 0 and eight calves, on 25, five, two, 0 and five of the 68 farms, respectively.     

Bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1 induces a latent/reactivable infection in goats

Latent infection is a common mechanism used by several alphaherpesviruses to persist in their host but it is not clear whether this mechanism is also triggered in heterologous infections. Cross-species infections have been documented repeatedly for alphaherpesviruses of ruminants, a group of closely related viruses. Herewith we report latent infection with bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1 (BuHV-1) in experimentally infected goats and subsequent virus reactivation after treatment with dexamethasone (DMS) at 10 months after infection. After DMS treatment, the virus was isolated in one such animal in the nasal swabs from day 3 to 9 post treatment and in the ocular swabs at day 6. The goat was euthanized 48 days after DMS treatment and viral DNA was detected by PCR in the trigeminal ganglia and in two cervical ganglia. Additionally, BuHV-1 DNA was detected by PCR in the trigeminal ganglia of the other 3 goats.     

Prevalence of selected infectious organisms and comparison of two anatomic sampling sites in shelter cats with upper respiratory tract disease

In order to describe the isolation rates of potential pathogens and to compare anatomic sampling site suitability, nasal and pharyngeal swabs were taken from cats with acute clinical upper respiratory disease in a humane society. DNA of feline herpesvirus-1 was amplified from 51 of 52 cats sampled, Mycoplasma species were cultured or detected by PCR in samples from 34 of 42 cats sampled for both culture and PCR, and Bordetella bronchiseptica was isolated from three of 59 cats sampled for aerobic culture. A single swab was positive for calicivirus and no swabs were positive for Chlamydophila felis. Mycoplasma, Pasteurella and Moraxella species were all isolated from at least one cat in which no primary pathogen was identified. With the exception of B. bronchiseptica, which was detected in nasal swabs only, recovery rates for all suspect primary pathogens were comparable between sampling sites.     

Multiple diagnostic tests to identify cattle with Bovine viral diarrhea virus and duration of positive test results in persistently infected cattle

Several tests for Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) were applied to samples collected monthly from December 20, 2005, through November 27, 2006 (day 0 to day 342) from 12 persistently infected (PI) cattle with BVDV subtypes found in US cattle: BVDV-1a, BVDV-1b, and BVDV-2a. The samples included clotted blood for serum, nasal swabs, and fresh and formalin-fixed ear notches. The tests were as follows: titration of infectious virus in serum and nasal swabs; antigen-capture (AC) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), or ACE, on serum, nasal swabs, and fresh ear notches; gel-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of serum, nasal swabs, and fresh ear notches; immunohistochemical (IHC) testing of formalin-fixed ear notches; and serologic testing for BVDV antibodies in serum. Of the 12 animals starting the study, 3 died with mucosal disease. The ACE and IHC tests on ear notches had positive results throughout the study, as did the ACE and PCR tests on serum. There was detectable virus in nasal swabs from all the cattle throughout the study except for a few samples that were toxic to cell cultures. The serum had a virus titer ≥ log₁₀ 1.60 in all samples from all the cattle except for 3 collections from 1 animal. Although there were several equivocal results, the PCR test most often had positive results. The BVDV antibodies were due to vaccination or exposure to heterologous strains and did not appear to interfere with any BVDV test. These findings illustrate that PI cattle may be identified by several tests, but differentiation of PI cattle from cattle with acute BVDV infection requires additional testing, especially of blood samples and nasal swabs positive on initial testing. Also, calves PI with BVDV are continual shedders of infectious virus, as shown by the infectivity of nasal swabs over the 11-mo study.     

Relevance of feline calicivirus, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, feline herpesvirus and Bartonella henselae in cats with chronic gingivostomatitis

Despite its common occurrence, the aetiology of chronic gingivostomatitis in cats remains uncertain. Aetiology is likely multifactorial, and several infectious agents may be associated with chronic gingivostomatitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of feline calicivirus (FCV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline herpesvirus (FHV), and Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) in cats with chronic gingivostomatitis and in an age-matched control group. In addition, other factors, e. g., environmental conditions were investigated. In 52 cats with chronic gingivostomatitis and 50 healthy age-matched control cats, the presence of FCV ribonucleic acid (RNA), and FHV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (polymerase chain reaction [PCR] from oropharyngeal swabs), and B. henselae DNA (PCR from oropharyngeal swabs and blood), as well as FeLV antigen (serum), and antibodies against FCV, B. henselae, and FIV (serum) were examined. FCV RNA was significantly more common in cats with chronic gingivostomatitis (53.8%, p < 0.001) than in controls (14.0%); a significant difference was also found in the prevalence of antibodies to FCV between the cats with chronic gingivostomatitis (78.8%, p = 0.023) and controls (58.0%). Of the other infectious agents investigated, there was no significant difference in the prevalence between the cats with chronic gingivostomatitis and the controls. The results of this study allow the conclusion that FCV, but no other infectious agents, is commonly associated with chronic gingivostomatitis in cats.     

Use of a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae nested polymerase chain reaction test to determine the optimal sampling sites in swine.

A number of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic tests have been developed for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, including one from this research group. This report presents further development, optimization, and standardization of a nested PCR test. Detection sensitivity was 1 fg of M. hyopneumoniae chromosomal DNA (approximately 1 organism). This exceeded the sensitivity of or compared favorably with other published PCR tests. Polymerase chain reaction primers to porcine beta2-microglobulin were included as internal controls for amplifiable chromosomal DNA from porcine samples. To standardize the test, a number of samples from experimentally infected pigs, including nasal, tonsil, tracheobronchial swabs, lung tissue, bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and tracheobronchial brush samples, were examined by PCR. Samples obtained from BAL fluid and tracheobronchial sites were most predictive of infection, whereas nasal swabs and lung tissue were not reliable indicators of experimentally induced infection. In conclusion, the nested PCR developed for this study was found to be a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tool for M. hyopneumoniae, but the enhanced sensitivity may be unnecessary if the proper sites are sampled.     

Pandemic A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus in swine, Cameroon, 2010

Although swine origin A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus (hereafter "pH1N1″) has been detected in swine in 20 countries, there has been no published surveillance of the virus in African livestock. The objective of this study was to assess the circulation of influenza A viruses, including pH1N1 in swine in Cameroon, Central Africa. We collected 108 nasal swabs and 98 sera samples from domestic pigs randomly sampled at 11 herds in villages and farms in Cameroon. pH1N1 was isolated from two swine sampled in northern Cameroon in January 2010. Sera from 28% of these herds were positive for influenza A by competitive ELISA and 92.6% of these swine showed cross reactivity with pandemic A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus isolated from humans. These results provide the first evidence of this virus in the animal population in Africa. In light of the significant role of swine in the ecology of influenza viruses, our results call for greater monitoring and study in Central Africa.     

PCR detection of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) DNA in blood, tonsillar and faecal swabs from experimentally infected pigs

PCV2 infection is now recognized as the major factor in the development of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). In this study we evaluated the use of PCR to detect the presence of PCV2 DNA in blood, faecal and tonsillar swabs collected from 12 pigs experimentally infected with PCV2 and sampled at selected time points post-infection. The PCR results were evaluated together with the presence of PMWS typical histopathological lesions and the presence of PCV2 antigen. PCV2 DNA was present in the blood of all 12 infected pigs at the end of the experiment and faecal and tonsillar swabs of 11 of the 12 pigs. The rate of PCR-positive serum and plasma samples was significantly higher in four pigs that showed virological and pathological evidence of PMWS, than in infected pigs without evidence of disease. In conclusion this study confirms that PCR cannot substitute for the traditional methods used for diagnosis of PMWS, however, PCR amplification of PCV2 DNA from serum or plasma could be a useful tool to support an early diagnosis of PMWS in live animals.     

Experimental intravaginal infection of goats with caprine herpesvirus 1

Three adult goats, seronegative to caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV.1), were intravaginally inoculated with BA.1 strain of CpHV.1. The animals were kept under observation for 1 month and daily both clinical examinations and white blood cell count were performed. Ocular, nasal, rectal and vaginal swabs and heparinized blood samples were collected every day to attempt virus isolation on cell cultures and detect viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The virus was isolated and detected by PCR only from the vaginal swabs for 5-7 days post-infection. The animals showed transient fever and leukopenia and typical necrotic lesions on the vulva and vagina.     

Evaluation of a multiple-antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in captive elephants.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis has become an important agent of disease in the captive elephant population of the United States, although current detection methods appear to be inadequate for effective disease management. This investigation sought to validate a multiple-antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for screening of M. tuberculosis infection in captive elephants and to document the elephant's serologic response over time using a cross-sectional observational study design. Serum samples were collected from 51 Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and 26 African elephants (Loxodonta africana) from 16 zoos and circuses throughout the United States. Infection status of each animal was determined by mycobacterial culture of trunk washes. Reactivity of each serum sample against six antigens was determined, and the linear combination of antigens that accurately predicted the infection status of the greatest number of animals was determined by discriminant analysis. The resulting classification functions were used to calculate the percentage of animals that were correctly classified (i.e., specificity and sensitivity). Of the 77 elephants sampled, 47 fit the criteria for inclusion in discriminant analysis. Of these, seven Asian elephants were considered infected; 25 Asian elephants and 15 African elephants were considered noninfected. The remaining elephants had been exposed to one or more infected animals. The specificity and sensitivity of the multiple-antigen ELISA were both 100% (91.9-100% and 54.4-100%, respectively) with 95% confidence intervals. Mycobacterium bovis culture filtrate showed the highest individual antigen specificity (95%; 83.0-100%) and sensitivity (100%; 54.4-100%). Serum samples from 34 elephants were analyzed over time by the response to the culture filtrate antigen; four of these elephants were culture positive and had been used to calculate the discriminant function. Limitations such as sample size, compromised ability to ascertain each animal's true infection status, and absence of known-infected African elephants suggest that much additional research needs to be conducted regarding the use of this ELISA. However, the results indicate that this multiple-antigen ELISA would be a valuable screening test for detecting M. tuberculosis infection in elephant herds.     

Experimental infection of possums with macropodid herpesvirus 1

AIM: To determine whether macropodid herpesvirus 1 (MaHV-1) could infect brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and whether such infection would lead to latency in possums. METHODS: Possums (n=9) were instilled with 1.9 x 10(8) TCID50 of MaHV-1 into the conjunctivae and nostrils, while controls (n=3) were administrated with sterile saline. For virus isolation, all possums were swabbed from the conjunctivae and nasal cavities prior to inoculation, and on Days 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 post-inoculation (p.i.), and then at weekly intervals for up to a further 6 weeks. Sera were collected on Day 0 immediately prior to inoculation and fortnightly thereafter, for the measurement of antibody. Corticosteroids were administrated to 4/9 virus-inoculated possums on Days 36 and 41 p.i. to determine whether latent MaHV-1 infection could be reactivated. Trigeminal ganglia and other tissues were collected at necropsy for viral detection. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the DNA-dependent DNA polymerase (DNA pol) gene of the herpesviruses using degenerate primers was conducted on DNA samples isolated from the ganglia and livers from the possums, and blind-passaged cell cultures, for viral detection. RESULTS: A mild conjunctivitis was observed in the majority of the virus-inoculated possums between Days 3 and 21 p.i. Virus was recovered from the conjunctiva and/or nasal swabs from 8/9 virus-inoculated possums on Days 1 and 3 p.i. and from 3/9 on Day 7 p.i., but not following administration of corticosteroids. No virus was recovered from the trigeminal ganglia of the virus inoculated possums and possum DNA samples were negative for viral DNA following nested PCR. All of the virus-inoculated possums produced a virus neutralisation antibody response by Day 28 p.i., and five had a titre >/=512. The sequence of a 133 base pair (bp) segment of the MaHV-1 DNA pol gene was considerably different from that of other published data. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that MaHV-1 might have established a transient infection at the inoculation sites, and the inoculation of MaHV-1 via intranasal and conjunctival routes could elicit MaHV-1-specific antibody responses in possums. However, systemic and latent infection of MaHV-1 in possums was not demonstrated.     

Endotheliotropic elephant herpes virus (EEHV) infection. The first PCR-confirmed fatal case in Asia

Since 1995, 4 suspected cases of Endotheliotropic Elephant Herpes Virus (EEHV) infection, i.e. based on clinical presentation, have occurred in Asia without resulting in epidemic outbreaks as expected. In order to confirm the presence of EEHV on the continent of Asia, viral DNA particles from liver samples of a wild-caught 3-year-old elephant found dead at a Cambodian elephant sanctuary and clinically diagnosed with EEHV, were PCR processed using known EEHV strain primers. The presence of EEHV viral nucleic acids was confirmed and the nucleic acids had a 99% sequence similarity to the U.S.A strain (gene bank locus: AF117265) and 97% sequence similarity to the European strain (gene bank locus: AF354746) assigning this case to the EEHV-1 cluster. More than the confirmation of EEHV on the continent of Asia, is the phylogenic relationship to the USA and European strains with no corresponding contact or transport of USA or European elephants to Asia. Thus, this brings many of the traditional theories into question. Although almost forgotten, this disease is still ramped in captive elephant populations worldwide and continues to devastate particularly the neonatal and weaning-age population. Special attention and continued research are needed specifically in the area of basic virology and epidemiology.     

Identification of equine herpesviruses 1 and 4 by polymerase chain reaction

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate specific, sensitive and rapid (< 8 hour) diagnostic tests using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of abortion and respiratory disease caused by equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1; equine abortion virus) and EHV4 (equine rhinopneumonitis virus). DESIGN: Primer sets based on nucleotide sequences encoding glycoprotein H (gH) of EHV1 and gB of EHV4 were designed and used in single round and second round (seminested) PCRs, and in a multiplex PCR for the diagnosis of EHV1 and EHV4 infections. METHODS: Oligonucleotide primers were designed for each virus, PCR conditions were defined and the specificity and sensitivity of the assays were determined. The tests were applied to tissue samples from aborted equine foetuses and to nasopharyngeal swabs from horses with acute febrile respiratory disease. RESULTS: Individual single round and a second round (seminested) EHV1 and EHV4 PCRs were specific in that EHV1 primers amplified all (n = 30) EHV1 isolates and did not amplify EHV4. Similarly EHV4 primers amplified all (n = 6) EHV4 isolates and did not amplify EHV1. Both PCRs were sensitive in that the first round EHV1 PCR detected 1220 molecules of EHV1 plasmid DNA and the first round EHV4 PCR detected 7280 molecules of EHV4 plasmid DNA. The EHV1 second round PCR was 100 times more sensitive in that it detected 12 molecules of EHV1 DNA and the EHV4 second round PCR was 1000 times more sensitive in that it detected 8 molecules of EHV4 DNA. There was a high correlation between detection of EHV1 by virus isolation and PCR when tissue samples from 71 aborted foetuses were examined; all samples positive by virus isolation were positive by PCR. Similarly the EHV4 PCR was at least as sensitive as virus isolation when applied to nasaopharyngeal swabs from horses with respiratory disease in that all samples positive by virus isolation were also positive by PCR. CONCLUSION: Individual single round and second round (seminested) PCRs and a seminested multiplex PCR were developed that enabled reliable, rapid detection of EHV1 and EHV4 in aborted foetal tissues and nasopharyngeal swab samples.     

Field investigation of Mycoplasma gallisepticum infections in house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) eggs and nestlings.

We conducted a field study to investigate the occurrence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) in eggs and nestlings from nests of house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus). Forty-three nests were located between the months of April and August 1998 and were followed with one to three sampling efforts. Vitelline membrane of fresh eggs, whole embryos, or swabs from the choanal cleft or conjunctiva of nestlings were inoculated into mycoplasma broth for MG isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. No isolation of MG was made from 39 eggs or 110 nestlings sampled during the study. Pooled choanal and conjunctival swab samples from two broods of nestlings, however, tested positive for MG by PCR. None of the nestlings examined showed clinical signs of conjunctivitis, and no nestling mortality could be linked to MG infection. Serologic tests from 37 older nestlings were negative for antibodies to MG. The results suggest transmission of MG is occurring between breeding adults and their dependent offspring (pseudovertical transmission). Evidence supporting transovarian transmission of MG was not found in these house finches.     

Australian surveillance for avian influenza viruses in wild birds between July 2005 and June 2007

Objective   To identify and gain an understanding of the influenza viruses circulating in wild birds in Australia.
Design   A total of 16,303 swabs and 3782 blood samples were collected and analysed for avian influenza (AI) viruses from 16,420 wild birds in Australia between July 2005 and June 2007. Anseriformes and Charadriiformes were primarily targeted.
Procedures   Cloacal, oropharyngeal and faecal (environmental) swabs were tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the AI type A matrix gene. Positive samples underwent virus culture and subtyping. Serum samples were analysed using a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for influenza A virus nucleoprotein.
Results   No highly pathogenic AI viruses were identified. However, 164 PCR tests were positive for the AI type A matrix gene, 46 of which were identified to subtype. A total of five viruses were isolated, three of which had a corresponding positive PCR and subtype identification (H3N8, H4N6, H7N6). Low pathogenic AI H5 and/or H7 was present in wild birds in New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. Antibodies to influenza A were also detected in 15.0% of the birds sampled.
Conclusions   Although low pathogenic AI virus subtypes are currently circulating in Australia, their prevalence is low (1.0% positive PCR). Surveillance activities for AI in wild birds should be continued to provide further epidemiological information about circulating viruses and to identify any changes in subtype prevalence.     

Prevalence of feline herpesvirus 1, Chlamydophila felis, and Mycoplasma spp DNA in conjunctival cells collected from cats with and without conjunctivitis

OBJECTIVE: To use PCR assays to determine the prevalence of feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), Chlamydophila felis, and Mycoplasma spp DNA in conjunctival cells collected from cats with and without conjunctivitis; to compare results of conventional and real-time fluorogenic PCR assays for amplification of FHV-1 DNA; and to determine whether copy numbers of FHV-1 DNA are correlated with conjunctivitis. ANIMALS: 55 cats with active conjunctivitis, 39 healthy cats that never had conjunctivitis, and 32 cats with a history of conjunctivitis that had been resolved for at least 3 months. PROCEDURES: Samples were obtained by rolling cotton-tipped applicators on the ventral conjunctiva of awake cats treated topically with proparacaine. The DNA was extracted from the swab specimens and assessed in PCR assays to detect DNA of FHV-1 (fluorogenic PCR assay and conventional PCR assay), Mycoplasma spp (conventional PCR assay), and C felis (conventional PCR assay). RESULTS: Overall prevalence rates of FHV-1, C felis, and Mycoplasma spp as assessed by the conventional PCR assays were 6.7%, 3.2%, and 9.6%, respectively. Percentage concordance between conventional PCR and fluorogenic PCR assays for FHV-1 was 92.5%. There were no significant differences among the 3 groups of cats for the mean copy number of FHV-1 divided by the copy number of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mycoplasma spp were the most prevalent organism detected and was associated with conjunctivitis. This study could not confirm that there are increased copy numbers of FHV-1 DNA in cats with conjunctivitis, compared with the copy numbers for cats without conjunctivitis.     

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) influences infection dynamics of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) subtypes PCV2a and PCV2b by prolonging PCV2 viremia and shedding

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection on porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) subtypes a (PCV2a) or b (PCV2b) viremia and shedding characteristics in oral, nasal and fecal samples in experimentally infected pigs. Twenty-three, 2- to 6-week-old pigs were randomly divided into five groups: negative control (n=3), PCV2a-I (n=5), PCV2a-PRRSV-CoI (n=5), PCV2b-I (n=5), and PCV2b-PRRSV-CoI (n=5). Blood, oral, nasal and fecal swabs were collected in regular intervals from day post inoculation (dpi) 0 until dpi 70 and tested by quantitative real-time PCR for the presence and amount of PCV2 DNA and by ELISA for the presence of PCV2-specific antibodies. The results indicate that there were significantly (P<0.05) higher loads of PCV2a and PCV2b DNA in serum, oral swabs, nasal swabs and fecal swabs and a higher prevalence of detectable PCV2 antigen in tissues of pigs concurrently infected with PCV2 and PRRSV compared to pigs singularly infected with PCV2 further confirming that PRRSV enhances replication of PCV2. Moreover, PRRSV infection significantly prolonged the presence of PCV2 DNA in serum and increased the amount of PCV2 DNA in oral and nasal secretions and fecal excretions in the later stages of infection between dpi 28 and 70. Shedding patterns were similar between groups infected with PCV2a and PCV2b, indicating that there was no subtype-specific interaction with the PRRSV isolate used in this study. The results from this study highlight the interaction between PRRSV and PCV2 and the importance of controlling PRRSV infection in order to reduce PCV2 virus loads in pig populations.     

A visual health assessment of captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) housed in India

A visual health assessment and survey questionnaire was conducted on 81 Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) housed in 10 animal facilities throughout India between November 2004 and February 2005. The survey questionnaire consisted of 10 questions that evaluated the health of the elephants, and they were completed after visually assessing each individual elephant. The information collected was ranked on a scale that was used to statistically compare the health among the study subjects. This study documented that 43.21% of the captive elephants surveyed exhibited hyperkeratosis. A significant proportion of the elephants owned by tourist camps had poor skin condition when compared with elephants from zoos and at a forest camp. Similarly, captive-born individuals were found to have better skin condition than animals that were caught from the wild. Sixty (74.1%) of the captive elephants that were observed during this study had fissures in their footpads, 20% of which were severe. The prevalence of foot fissures was significantly higher in females. A greater proportion of elephants owned by tourist camps displayed vertical and horizontal toenail cracks in comparison with the forest camp and zoo elephants. It was noted that 76.9% of the wounded animals and 80% of those having abscesses were housed at temples and tourist camps. Also, approximately 8.5% of the captive elephant population observed during this study had eye-related problems, and they were all housed at temples and tourist camps. In conclusion, it was evident that elephants housed at temples or tourist camps exhibited poor skin condition with wounds and abscesses. These findings suggest that the overall condition of the elephants housed at tourist camps was poor compared with elephants housed at zoos and at the forest camp.     

Prevalence of the Bacterium Coxiella burnetii in Wild Rodents from a Canadian Natural Environment Park

Zoonotic diseases impact both wild and domestic animal populations and can be transmitted to humans through close contact with animal species. Reservoir species acting as vectors are major traffickers of disease. Rodents contribute to the transmission of Coxiella burnetii although little is known about its prevalence in wild animal populations. DNA was extracted from genital swabs collected from woodland jumping mice, deer mice, Southern red‐backed voles, Eastern chipmunks, North American red squirrels, as well as Southern and Northern flying squirrels collected from Algonquin Park, Canada. The presence of C. burnetii was determined through real‐time PCR. All species sampled had some prevalence of infection, except Eastern chipmunks, indicating wild rodents in Algonquin Park are reservoirs for C. burnetii. Emerging zoonotic diseases are linked to increasing globalization. Contact amongst individuals increases as crowding, habitat loss and fragmentation increase within wild spaces. Parks often act as a last refuge for wildlife but may also be an important transmission zone of wildlife disease to humans. Investigations that attempt to discover wild reservoir species of zoonotic disease are critically important to understanding the risk of pathogen exchange between wild and human populations.