Bluetongue virus serotypes 1 and 3 infection in Poll Dorset sheep

Objective To study the clinical signs following bluetongue virus serotypes 1 and 3 infection in Poll Dorset sheep.
Design A clinical and pathological study.
Procedure Twenty Poll Dorset sheep were inoculated with bluetongue virus serotypes 1 or 3, each inoculum having a different passage history. The sheep were examined daily and their clinical appearance and rectal temperatures recorded. Heparinised and non-heparinised blood samples were taken at intervals for virological and serological study. Gross pathological findings were recorded for several sheep at necropsy and tissue samples were collected from three sheep for virological studies.
Results All inoculated sheep developed clinical disease. The clinical signs and gross pathological changes varied considerably but were consistent with damage to the vascular endothelial system. There was a decline in the titres of infectious bluetongue virus and of antigen in tissues collected between 7 and 12 days after infection.
Conclusions The severity of disease was related to the speed of onset and duration of pyrexia and not the development or titre of viraemia. Generally, those animals with sensitive mouths, depression, coronitis, recumbency and reluctance to move were the most debilitated. Whole blood was the most reliable source of infectious virus from acutely and chronically infected and convalescent animals. However, tissue samples particularly spleen, collected from dead or killed animals suffering from either peracute or acute forms of disease were most appropriate for the rapid confirmation of a clinical diagnosis.     

Effects of housing on the incidence of visna/maedi virus infection in sheep flocks

The incidence of seroconversion to visna/maedi virus (VMV) infection and its relationship with management and sheep building structure was investigated in 15 dairy sheep flocks in Spain during 3–7 years. Incidence rates were 0.09 per sheep-year at risk in semi-intensive Latxa flocks and 0.44 per sheep-year at risk in intensive Assaf flocks and was greatest for the one year old Assaf replacement flock. Separate multivariable models developed for replacement and adult flocks indicated that in both cases seroconversion was strongly associated to direct contact exposure to infected sheep and to being born to a seropositive dam. The latter effect was independent of the mode of rearing preweaning and the risk of seroconversion was similar for sheep fed colostrum and milk from a seropositive or a seronegative dam. These results are further evidence of the efficiency of horizontal VMV transmission by close contact between sheep and also suggest a inheritable component of susceptibility and resistance to infection. In contrast, indirect aerogenous contact with seropositive sheep was not associated with seroconversion as evidenced in replacement sheep housed in separate pens in the same building as adult infected sheep for one year. Consequently, VMV may not be efficiently airborne over short distances and this is important for control of infection. Moreover, there was no relationship between seroconversion and shed open areas. The latter could be related to having examined few flocks in which high infection prevalence dominated the transmission process while ventilation, may depend on a variety of unrecorded factors whose relationship to infection needs to be further investigated.     

A serologic investigation of blue tongue virus (BTV) in cattle,sheep and gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa in southeastern turkey

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a vector-borne disease of ruminants disseminated in the tropic and sub-tropic zone of the world. It is also an important problem in the Middle East. Three serotypes (4–9–16) of the virus have been isolated so far in Turkey. Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa (Goitred Gazella) is native species of Anatolia. Due to risk of extinction, captured Gazelles have been taken under protection in a restricted area at Ceylanpinar state farm. In this study, the presence of Bluetongue virus (BTV) was investigated serologically in 82 Goitred Gazella, 684 sheep and 100 cattle. Seropositivity rates in Gazella, sheep and cattle were detected as 40.2%, 295% and 88%, respectively.     

蓝舌病病毒单克隆抗体的制备与生物学特性的鉴定

用纯化的蓝舌病病毒(BTV)免疫Balb/c小鼠,取免疫小鼠脾细胞与SP2/0骨髓瘤细胞进行细胞融合,经间接ELISA方法筛选,有限稀释法克隆,获得2株稳定分泌抗BTV特异性单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株(1F5和4E5).其细胞培养上清ELISA效价分别为1:512和1:256,腹水ELISA效价分别为1:512 000和1:128 000.亚型鉴定表明,1F5和4E5分别为IgGl和IgG2a.ELISA结果显示,2株单克隆抗体仅与BTV反应,不与其他相关病毒反应,表明2株单克隆抗体特异性良好.2株单克隆抗体1F5和4E5的相对亲和力指数分别为5.14×106mol/L和6.71×106mol/L.这2株单克隆抗体的获得为建立BTV免疫学检测方法奠定了基础.     

Bluetongue virus infection: Activation of the MAP kinase-dependent pathway is required for apoptosis

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a double-stranded RNA virus that induces apoptosis both in mammalian cell cultures and in target tissues. Based on information that members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family (MAPKs) are mediators of apoptosis, we have examined in detail the MAPK-dependent apoptosis in BTV infection. Previously, we have shown that apoptosis in BTV infection requires the participation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathways. In addition, we demonstrated that NF-κB is activated and that its inhibition substantially reduces cellular apoptosis. For the first time, here we demonstrated the activation of MAPKs after BTV infection. Moreover, by pre-treatment with MAPK inhibitors, c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and p38 MAPK, but not extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), significantly decreased the induction of apoptosis. JNK and p38 activation regulated the cytochrome c released from mitochondria and caspase 3 activation. These results strengthen the understanding of BTV infection and contribute to our previous data confirming that BTV infection induces robust apoptosis in mammalian cells and is likely to play a primary role in BTV pathophysiology.     

Bluetongue virus serotype 26: Infection kinetics,pathogenesis and possible contact transmission in goats

The aim of this study was to assess the pathogenicity and infection kinetics of Bluetongue virus serotype 26 (BTV-26) in goats. Out of a group of six goats housed in insect free accommodation, five were experimentally infected with BTV-26 and one was kept uninfected as an in-contact control. Samples taken throughout the study were used to determine the kinetics of infection using a pan specific BTV real time RT-PCR assay and a group specific ELISA. The five infected goats did not show clinical signs of BTV, however high levels of viral RNA were detected and virus was isolated from the blood of all 5 goats. Antibodies against BTV were first detected between 7 and 11 dpi in all 5 experimentally infected goats. Interestingly at 21 dpi viral RNA was detected in, and virus was isolated from, the blood of the in-contact control goat, which also seroconverted. These results suggest that BTV-26 replicates to high levels in goats, causing no obvious clinical disease, suggesting that goats may be the natural host for this virus. Preliminary evidence also indicates that BTV-26 may be spread by contact transmission between goats, however a more detailed study is required in order to confirm this observation.     

Post-vaccination antibodies profile against Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus in sheep and goats of Punjab,Pakistan

A total of 70 sheep and 330 goats were selected randomly. All the animals were kept under same housing and management conditions. Serum samples were collected from all the animals and tested for the presence of antibodies against Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus using competitive ELISA (cELISA). All the animals were found negative showing percentage inhibition (PI) values <50. The animals were vaccinated against PPR with Nig/75/1 strain vaccine of PPR Serum samples were collected from randomly selected 12 sheep and 30 goats at 10, 30 and 45 days post-vaccination. The samples were subjected to cELISA to determine the presence of antibodies against PPRV. The samples with PI >50 were considered as sero-positive. The sheep found positive at 10, 30 and 45 days post-vaccination were 1(8.3%), 7(58.3%) and 12(100%) respectively. In case of goats 3(10.0%), 29(96.6%) and 27(90.0%) animals gave positive results at 10, 30 and 45 days post-vaccination respectively. Mean PI values in sheep at 10, 30 and 45 days post-vaccination were recorded as 37, 65 and 91 respectively, whereas in goats these values were 43, 78 and 86 respectively.     

Characterization of VP2 gene of an Indian Bluetongue virus serotype 2 and its close phylogenetic relationship to the Taiwan isolate

In this study we present the first report on partial amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic relationship of VP2 of the Indian isolate BTV-2. A PCR product of 1135 bp was amplified, cloned and sequenced. About 1063 bp of partial VP2 gene (1792-2854 bp region) of the Indian isolate was subjected to sequence analysis with already published sequences available in the genome database. The percent similarity of 85.2 was observed with Taiwan isolate and 59% with other isolates of BTV-2. However, 46.2% similarity with Australian BTV-1 and no significant similarity were noted with other serotypes. In-silico analysis and restriction enzyme digestion confirmed the presence of conserved SalI site at 2380 bp position in both Indian and Taiwan isolates. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all BTV-2 isolates formed one distinct group in which BTV-2 Indian and Taiwan isolate is more closely related and further demonstrated that BTV’s of the same serotype from different geographical regions were closely related at nucleotide and amino acid level, respectively.     

Integrated control strategies for ectoparasites in Scottish sheep flocks

Ectoparasite infestations of sheep can result in serious animal welfare and financial losses. Many of the veterinary medicines used in their control can be harmful to humans and other species. These undesirable side-effects mean that trade-offs may be necessary and make it difficult to determine ‘the best’ control strategy. This problem is common to many animal health/welfare concerns, and must be addressed if progress is to be made under the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain. This paper describes an approach to such cases using a disease model to identify the financially optimal ectoparasite control strategies at the farm level for Scottish conditions in a climate of changing control restrictions. Our approach takes a wider systems perspective than is usual in cost-benefit studies of animal disease. The findings demonstrate that both flock size and ectoparasite risk are determinants of optimal control strategies. In addition the benefits of livestock biosecurity practices (isolation and treatment of incoming stock) for the control of sheep scab are demonstrated. The importance of dip products for the effective control of ectoparasites is discussed and possible implications if these become unavailable or the cost of their usage increases. Interdependence between stakeholders is highlighted, indicating a need for regional co-operation between farmers and a more integrated approach to control of some farm animal diseases.     

云南江城蓝舌病病毒16型毒株分离鉴定及其L2基因序列分析

为了解近年来云南江城县蓝舌病病毒16型（Bluetongue virus type 16,BTV-16）毒株的流行情况及其L2基因与国外流行株的遗传进化关系,本研究将江城县送检的300份牛肝素钠抗凝血提取红细胞后静脉接种10日龄鸡胚,将收集的鸡胚肝脏捣碎离心,上清液接种于C6/36和BHK21细胞传代。针对出现细胞病变的样品,应用群特异性VP7片段引物进行RT-PCR检测,应用BTV-16 L2基因特异性引物对检测出的BTV核酸阳性样品进行RT-PCR扩增和测序,采用DNAStar和Mega 6.0软件对获得的L2基因编码区序列进行核苷酸、氨基酸同源性比对及遗传进化分析,同时利用BTV-16标准阳性血清对分离到的病毒进行中和试验鉴定。结果显示,江城县发现30个可致细胞病变的样品,其中17个样品经RT-PCR初步确认为BTV;经L2基因序列分析和中和试验鉴定,确定其中6株为BTV-16型毒株;核苷酸、氨基酸同源性比对分析结果显示,6个毒株核苷酸和氨基酸同源性分别在93.4%~98.0%和94.2%~99.1%之间;遗传进化分析发现,其中5株与2001-2008年日本及1982-2011年印度分离的BTV-16毒株亲缘关系较近;1株与1985-1990年日本分离的BTV-16毒株亲缘关系较近。本研究发现,云南江城县BTV-16毒株呈现新旧毒株交叉持续流行态势,但在自然进化中遗传变异不大,有一定的稳定性,本研究在分子水平阐明了云南江城县地方流行BTV-16 L2基因间的遗传和差异,为进一步开展BTV分子流行病学及检测研究提供科学依据。     

Toggenburg Orbivirus, a new bluetongue virus: Initial detection, first observations in field and experimental infection of goats and sheep

A novel bluetongue virus termed “Toggenburg Orbivirus” (TOV) was detected in two Swiss goat flocks. This orbivirus was characterized by sequencing of 7 of its 10 viral genome segments. The sequencing data revealed that this virus is likely to represent a new serotype of bluetongue virus [Hofmann, M.A., Renzullo, S., Mader, M., Chaignat, V., Worwa, G., Thuer, B., 2008b. Genetic characterization of Toggenburg Orbivirus (TOV) as a tentative 25th serotype of bluetongue virus, detected in goats from Switzerland. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 14, 1855–1861].In the field, no clinical signs were observed in TOV-infected adult goats; however, several stillborn and weak born kids were reported. Although born during a period of extremely low vector activity, one of these kids was found to be antibody and viral genome positive and died 3.5 weeks postpartum.Experimental infection of goats and sheep, using TOV-positive field blood samples, was performed to assess the pathogenicity of this virus.Goats did not show any clinical or pathological signs, whereas in sheep mild bluetongue-like clinical signs were observed. Necropsy of sheep demonstrated bluetongue-typical hemorrhages in the wall of the pulmonary artery. Viral RNA was detected in organs, e.g. spleen, palatine tonsils, lung and several lymph nodes of three experimentally infected animals.Unlike other bluetongue virus serotypes, it was not possible to propagate the virus, either from naturally or experimentally infected animals in any of the tested mammalian or insect cell lines or in embryonated chicken eggs.In small ruminants, TOV leads to mild bluetongue-like symptoms. Further investigations about prevalence of this virus are needed to increase the knowledge on its epidemiology.     

青海省牛羊蓝舌病血清学调查

从青海省玉树、共和、格尔木、果洛、大通、祁连、德令哈、同德8个地区采集牛羊血清样品413份,应用琼脂免疫扩散法对蓝舌病进行了血清学调查。结果在被检的209份羊血清中,共检出阳性血清样品4份,平均阳性率为1.91%;而在被检的204份牛血清中则未检测到阳性样品。     

Age-specific seroprevalence of Border disease virus and presence of persistently infected sheep in Basque dairy-sheep flocks

Using p125/p80 antibody and antigen-ELISA tests, age-specific seroprevalence and presence of persistently infected (PI) sheep were investigated in six commercial latxa dairy-flocks, housed for variable periods. The flocks all had a recent history of Border disease (BD). Every flock included seropositive sheep and seven 0.5-3-year-old PI sheep were detected in two of four flocks tested. Age-specific antibody patterns differed according to the presence or absence of PI sheep in the flock. In flocks free of PI sheep, seroprevalence was 6-13% in 1-year-old sheep and 42-93% in older sheep. In contrast, seroprevalence was 67-99% in sheep raised with PI sheep for at least 1 year and 29-33% in replacement 0.5-0.6-year-old sheep (including a PI sheep) indicating that Border disease virus (BDV) transmission in Basque dairy-flocks can be relatively slow. Moderate seroprevalence in young replacement sheep should not discourage further testing to detect PI sheep, and our results highlight the risk of failing to achieve "natural vaccination" prior to pregnancy by mixing PI sheep with BDV-unexposed ewes.     

Acute coenurosis of dairy sheep from 11 flocks in Greece

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: A syndrome of acute neurological dysfunction with increased mortality was observed in lambs of 10 dairy sheep flocks and adult animals in one flock in Central and Northern Greece. Each farmer completed a questionnaire regarding the management and feeding of their flocks. In seven of the 11 flocks the affected animals were grazing pasture, while in the remaining four flocks (5, 8, 9, 10) the animals were fed alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa) and concentrates indoors. A follow-up study of the affected flocks was conducted during the next 12 months.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: Of 42 sheep with acute coenurosis that were examined, the most prominent neurological abnormalities were ataxia, depression, blindness, scoliosis, coma and dysmetria. Except for the four sheep that were comatose, all other animals had normal body temperatures and their appetites remained normal or were slightly decreased. Haematological findings of 15 examined sheep were within normal limits. The affected sheep were subject to euthanasia. A histopathological examination was performed in 13 cases. Faecal samples from dogs associated with these flocks were negative for taeniid infections. During the following 12 months cases of chronic coenurosis in these flocks were observed.

PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: In the 42 animals that were necropsied, the main gross findings were cystic formations between 0.5–1 cm in diameter with translucent walls that were seen lying free on the leptomeninges or partly penetrating the brain tissue, sterile microabscecess and brain necrosis. Histopathological evaluation of tissue sections of 13 brains showed multifocal purulent or pyogranulomatous meningoencephalitis, accompanied by eosinophilic infiltrations. No bacteria were isolated following bacterial culture of brain tissue Parasitological examination of the cysts from five cases revealed whitish specks on the transparent cyst wall and germination membrane representing the scolices.

DIAGNOSIS: Acute coenurosis was diagnosed in all cases studied.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Acute coenurosis can be one of the causes of acute encephalopathy mainly in lambs, but also in adult sheep. This condition is incurable, but can be controlled by changing the feeding regime. Cases of chronic coenurosis may be seen a few months later in the same flock.     

Seroprevalence of Louping Ill virus (LIV) antibodies in sheep submitted for post mortem examination in the North West of Ireland in 2011

Blood samples were collected opportunistically at routine post mortem examination from 199 sheep which came from 152 flocks. The location of each submitting flock was mapped. Sera were tested using a goose blood haemagglutination inhibition assay for louping ill virus. There was an animal level prevalence of 8.5%, and a flock level prevalence of 9.8%. The greatest proportion of seropositive animals was identified among the animals older than 24 months of age. The elevation of the land associated with positive flocks was greater than that of negative flocks. Lesions of non-suppurative meningoencephalitis were observed in three of the 199 animals.     

Prediction of human cases of West Nile virus by equine cases, Saskatchewan, Canada, 2003

In 2003, an outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) occurred in Saskatchewan, Canada from July to September. One-hundred thirty-three horse cases and 947 human cases were recorded and data were analyzed retrospectively for evidence of clustering to determine if clinical infection in the horse population could be used to estimate human risk of infection with WNV. Kulldorff's scan statistic was used to identify spatial-temporal clusters in both the human and horse cases. In most areas, human clusters were not preceded by horse clusters. In one area, a significant cluster of horse cases preceded human cases by 1 week; however, 1 week does not provide sufficient time for human-health authorities to act and provide advance warning for the public.     

青海省海北州藏羊群中牛病毒性腹泻病毒和羊边界病毒的流行病学调查

为掌握青海省海北州藏羊群中牛病毒性腹泻病毒和羊边界病毒的感染情况,本研究采用RT-PCR方法分别对青海省海北州的161份健康藏羊血清样品和34份腹泻藏羊组织样品进行了BVDV和BDV的抗原核酸检测。结果显示：195份样品中BVDV和BDV总阳性率分别为29.74 %和14.36 %;161份健康藏羊血清样品中BVDV和BDV平均阳性率分别为26.71 %和11.80 %,BVDV/BDV混合感染率为4.35 %;34份腹泻藏羊组织样品中BVDV和BDV平均阳性率分别为44.12 %和26.47 %,BVDV/BDV混合感染率为17.65 %。本研究表明青海省海北州健康藏羊群和腹泻藏羊群中均存在BVDV、BDV的单独感染以及混合感染,且感染情况在个别养殖场(户)较为严重,本研究为青海藏羊的综合防控措施提供了指导依据,丰富了我国羊群中BVDV和BDV的流行病学资料。     

Evaluation of bluetongue virus diagnostic tests in free-ranging bighorn sheep

Five bluetongue virus (BTV) diagnostic tests were evaluated for use in free-ranging bighorn sheep. We sampled one bighorn sheep population four times between 1989 and 1995. The tests evaluated included virus isolation (VI), polymerase-chain reaction (PCR), serum neutralization (SN), agar-gel immunodiffusion (AGID), and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). The c-ELISA, AGID and SN tests had high levels of agreement in determining serogroup exposure in bighorn sheep. We used maximum-likelihood algorithms to estimate the parameters of each diagnostic test used. Although the c-ELISA and AGID had high sensitivity and specificity, the SN had perfect specificity but lower apparent sensitivity. Due to the potential of cross-reactions among multiple serotypes, results of the SN must be interpreted with caution when assessing serotype exposure in an area where multiple serotypes are endemic. The PCR assay delineated convalescent antibody titers from more-recent infections, and consequently, was pivotal in distinguishing a different exposure pattern between the bighorn sheep and cattle in an adjacent herd. Based on an increasing seroprevalence (50% to 100%), BTV circulated through this bighorn sheep population between 1989 and 1993. This increase in seroprevalence coincided with a bighorn die-off due to BTV infection in June, 1991. An adjacent cattle herd was sampled in 1995 for comparison. The bighorn sheep and adjacent cattle had different patterns of exposure to BTV between 1994 and 1995. There was no evidence that BTV circulated through the bighorn sheep population from 1994 to 1995. In 1995, seroprevalence to BTV decreased to 72%, none of yearling bighorn was seropositive, and all of the 39 bighorn sheep were PCR-negative. In contrast, all adult cattle were seropositive to BTV by c-ELISA and SN, and 4 of the calves were seropositive; 11 of the 24 cattle were PCR-positive, including all five calves. Overall, the pattern of temporal herd immunity in the bighorn sheep appeared to follow a classic epidemic curve, with the appearance and subsequent disappearance of herd immunity coinciding with the 1991 die-off in this population. As low levels of herd immunity and high proportions of susceptible animals are key factors in the development of epidemics, this population of bighorn sheep may be at increased risk for a BTV epidemic in the future.     

West Nile virus: North American experience

West Nile virus, a mosquito‐vectored flavivirus of the Japanese encephalitis serogroup, was first detected in North America following an epizootic in the New York City area in 1999. In the intervening 11 years since the arrival of the virus in North America, it has crossed the contiguous USA, entered the Canadian provinces bordering the USA, and has been reported in the Caribbean islands, Mexico, Central America and, more recently, South America. West Nile virus has been reported in over 300 species of birds in the USA and has caused the deaths of thousands of birds, local population declines of some avian species, the clinical illness and deaths of thousands of domestic horses, and the clinical disease in over 30 000 Americans and the deaths of over 1000. Prior to the emergence of West Nile virus in North America, St. Louis encephalitis virus and Dengue virus were the only other known mosquito‐transmitted flaviviruses in North America capable of causing human disease. This review will discuss the North American experience with mosquito‐borne flavivirus prior to the arrival of West Nile virus, the entry and spread of West Nile virus in North America, effects on wild bird populations, genetic changes in the virus, and the current state of West Nile virus transmission.     

A serological investigation of caseous lymphadenitis in four flocks of sheep

A double antibody sandwich ELISA developed by ID-DLO, Lelystad to detect Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection was used on 329 sheep from four pedigree Suffolk flocks in which clinical cases of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) had occurred. At subsequent necropsy, typical CLA lesions were seen in 133 sheep, and the diagnosis was confirmed on culture. Lesions were most commonly seen in lungs (n = 46), parotid lymph nodes (n = 44), prescapular lymph nodes (n = 38) and mediastinal lymph nodes (n = 31). The sensitivity of the ELISA test for detecting culture-positive sheep was 0.88, while the specificity of the test was 0.55. The antibody ELISA detected 87.5 per cent of sheep that had CLA lesions restricted to internal organs only. It was concluded that the ELISA test has a valuable role in detecting sheep with both clinical and subclinical CLA.