Lymphoma associated with an epizootic of lymphocytic choriomeningitis in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

A hamster-associated epizootic of lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus infection in medical center personnel at the University of Rochester in 1973 necessitated prompt termination of the Syrain hamster colony. Necropsies were performed on 130 hamsters, blood speciments were obtained from 60 for serotest, and viral isolation procedures were done on 47. Active virus infection, as shown by virus isolation, was associated with the presence of lymphoreticular infiltrate in liver and kidney. Intraabdominal lymphoma was seen only in groups of hamsters from which LCM virus was isolated, but LCM virus was not isolated from many of the hamsters with lymphoma. Although frequency of intraabdominal lymphoma could be markedly increased in LCM-positive hamsters treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, lymphoma was not induced in LCM-negative hamsters with this carcinogen.     

Common membrane neoantigens on bovine papilloma virus-induced fibroma cells from cattle and horses.

Cultured cells from bovine papilloma virus (BPV)-induced fibroblastic tumors and normal dermis of cattle, horses, and hamsters were examined for cell membrane or internal neoantigens, using the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Sera from cattle and horses bearing BPV-induced fibromas cross reacted with cell membranes of tumor, but not with normal dermal cells of both species. The reaction could be blocked with homologous, but not heterologous, serum of these 2 species. Immunofluorescence was not detected with sera from hamsters bearing BPV-induced sarcomas if incubated with bovine, equine, or hamster cells. Internal neoantigens were not found in any of the acetone-fixed tumor cells, using sera from the 3 species. Both tumor and normal cells were all found free of BPV antigen, using direct immunofluorescence.     

Two epizootics of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus occurring in laboratory mice despite intensive monitoring programs.

Two epizootics of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in mice occurred within two months in one research facility consisting of several widely separated rooms. These outbreaks developed despite intensive institutional monitoring policies designed to prevent introduction and spread of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Evidence derived from serological and virological assays and interviews with the concerned investigators suggested that a single transplantable tumor carried in mice may have been responsible for spread of the virus. However, the tumor was not contaminated with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus at the time of its introduction into the mouse facility. The origin of the virus responsible for the outbreaks was not definitively established although data supported an hypothesis that the virus was introduced into the research facility by a wild or feral mouse. Virus spread from infected mice to humans did not occur, as measured by serological tests. However, a large and valuable animal facility was depopulated for safety reasons. Absorption of sera with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus antigen proved a necessary and reliable method for confirming specificity of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus fluorescence-positive reactions.     

Turkey respiratory tract adenoviruses: oncogenic potential in neonatal hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

The tumorigenic properties of 3 turkey adenoviruses (CUA, NC-K, and MST) isolated from turkeys with respiratory tract disease and injected into neonatal hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) have been determined. One of 30 adenovirus isolates (CUA) induced tumors at the site of inoculation (subcutaneously or intracranially) in neonatal hamsters. The tumors were identified as fibrosarcomas and undifferentiated sarcomas. The tumors were found to be free of infective virus, but hamsters which had tumors produced antibody to the virus-specific tumor antigen detectable by the complement-fixation test. The antibody titers for the tumor antigen were from 1:8 to 1:16. Abnormalities were not observed in the major organs collected from hamsters inoculated with the virus. Inoculations of hamster embryo cells and of adult and baby hamster kidney cells with the 3 turkey adenoviruses at a high multiplicity of infection did not produce transformed cells in monolayers. Hamster cells were permissive for CUA virus, since cytopathic effect was observed in 3 to 5 days after inoculation.     

Hereditary hydrocephalus in laboratory-reared golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

A colony of golden hamsters had an ongoing problem with hydrocephalus. In an attempt to clear the colony of the problem, new breeders from another supplier had been purchased. At termination of a behavioral study, the brain was collected from 35 animals (four of which had died with hydrocephalus during the study) and was examined macroscopically and by light microscopy. Although no animals manifested obvious behavioral changes, 31 of 35 (88.6%, 13/15 males and 18/20 females in control and manipulated groups) had hydrocephalus. Twenty-five animals had macroscopically identifiable hydrocephalus, and six had hydrocephalus identified microscopically. Neither teratogenic concentrations of metals nor mycotoxins were detected in tissues or food, and sera from breeders tested negative for antibodies to Sendai virus, reovirus 3, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Trial matings of breeders expected to produce hydrocephalic offspring resulted in affected offspring, and mating of breeders expected to produce normal offspring resulted in normal or less-affected offspring. Hydrocephalus was confirmed retrospectively in some breeders. Hereditary hydrocephalus appears to be widespread in hamster stocks in Central Europe. Affected animals do not manifest signs of disease and usually die without obvious premonitory signs. Despite severe hydrocephalus, the animals can breed, and animal handlers do not identify motor deficits or abnormal behavioral activity. This entity is unlike the previously described, hereditary hydrocephalus of hamsters that is phenotypically identifiable and usually is lethal before they attain breeding age.     

Antibody to alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 (AHV-1) in hamsters experimentally infected with AHV-1 and the 'sheep-associated' agent of malignant catarrhal fever

Malignant catarrhal fever was induced in four groups of hamsters by the inoculation of cells infected with either the C/500 isolate of alcelaphine herpes-virus-1 (AHV-1) or the sheep-associated agent derived from cattle, red deer or Père David's deer. Using an indirect immunofluorescence assay, antibody to AHV-1 was detected in sera of clinically affected animals of all four groups. The reaction of sera from hamsters affected with malignant catarrhal fever induced by AHV-1 caused diffuse cytoplasmic staining while that from sera of hamsters with the sheep-associated form of the disease stained particulate nuclear antigens. Tests employing three other bovid herpesviruses were negative and no reaction was found with sera from normal hamsters. These studies provide convincing evidence that a virus antigenically related to AHV-1 is the cause of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever and that the same virus probably causes this form of the disease in both cattle and deer.     

Polyomavirus infection in hamsters and trichoepitheliomas/cutaneous adnexal tumours

Multiple skin nodules, with histological features of adnexal tumours consistent with trichoepithelioma, were observed on the head and trunk of Syrian hamsters. Skin biopsies from 20 hamsters from five different colonies were affected, and two of the affected hamsters also had lymphoma. Two owners reported that 16 of 70 hamsters and 50 of 100 hamsters in their colonies had similar skin lesions. These tumours have previously been associated in laboratory colonies with hamster polyomavirus (HaPV) infection. Examination of skin tissues by electron microscopy failed to reveal intranuclear virus particles. Using recombinant major capsid protein VP1 of HaPV, VP1-specific antibodies were detected in sera from 12 of 12 affected hamsters and in four of four unaffected in-contact hamsters, by ELISA. The ELISA data were verified by immunoblot analysis. Eleven of 13 serum samples contained antibodies which reacted with at least one recombinant structural HaPV protein (VP2), including samples from three in-contact unaffected hamsters. Nine of the 11 anti-VP2-positive samples also reacted with recombinant VP3 of HaPV, and six reacted with VP1. Amplification by PCR and sequencing detected VP1 -encoding sequences showing a high degree of homology with HaPV. The findings suggest a possible infection by HaPV or a HaPV-like virus and it is likely that such an infection was enzootic within the affected colonies.     

天津地区猪流感血清学调查

2002年-2005年期间,采用血凝抑制试验对天津市10个区县44个养猪场进行了猪流感病毒抗体检测,结果75%的被调查猪场抗体检测结果有阳性,检测的648份血清样品中,69.6%为阳性。流感病毒抗体亚型调查结果显示该地区流行的猪流感病毒主要为H1和H3亚型,抗体阳性率分别为55.4%和39.4%。部分猪群中存在抗H9亚型流感病毒抗体,阳性率为5.4%,但未发现H5亚型流感病毒抗体。此外,部分猪群中同时存在2种或3种亚型(H1,H3和H9)流感病毒的抗体,表明这些猪曾经同时被2种或3种不同亚型的流感病毒感染。     

Bovine serum panel for evaluating foot-and-mouth disease virus nonstructural protein antibody tests.

A panel of 36 sera has been assembled from experimental cattle that had been infected by inoculation or contact exposure with 4 serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) with or without prior vaccination. Virus replication and persistence had been characterized in all of the animals. The proportion of the sera scored positive by 5 tests for antibodies to the nonstructural proteins of FMDV varied, suggesting that the panel can discriminate between the sensitivity with which such tests are able to identify infected cattle. Use of this panel will help in assessment of new tests and quality control of existing methods.     

A simple, rapid syncytial-inhibition test for antibodies to bovine leukemia virus.

Cocultivation of equal numbers of cells from a fetal lamb kidney line infected with bovine leukemia virus and African green monkey (Vero) cells results in the rapid production of syncytia. The effect was blocked or inhibited by serum containing antibodies to bovine leukemia virus. A serological test based on syncytial inhibition was compared to the agar gel immunodiffusion test and the modified direct complement fixation test for the detection of bovine leukemia virus antibodies in sera from leukosis-free cattle, cases of adult enzootic bovine lymphosarcoma and cattle from herds in contact with enzootic lymphosarcoma. The results showed the syncytial inhibition test to react positively with sera from all cases of adult enzootic lymphosarcoma, but to be much less sensitive than the other tests in detecting bovine leukemia virus antibodies in sera of exposed animals.     

Experimental infection of hamsters with avian paramyxovirus serotypes 1 to 9

ABSTRACT: Avian paramyxoviruses (APMVs) are frequently isolated from domestic and wild birds throughout the world and are separated into nine serotypes (APMV-1 to -9). Only in the case of APMV-1, the infection of non-avian species has been investigated. The APMVs presently are being considered as human vaccine vectors. In this study, we evaluated the replication and pathogenicity of all nine APMV serotypes in hamsters. The hamsters were inoculated intranasally with each virus and monitored for clinical disease, pathology, histopathology, virus replication, and seroconversion. On the basis of one or more of these criteria, each of the APMV serotypes was found to replicate in hamsters. The APMVs produced mild or inapparent clinical signs in hamsters except for APMV-9, which produced moderate disease. Gross lesions were observed over the pulmonary surface of hamsters infected with APMV-2 & -3, which showed petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages, respectively. Replication of all of the APMVs except APMV-5 was confirmed in the nasal turbinates and lungs, indicating a tropism for the respiratory tract. Histologically, the infection resulted in lung lesions consistent with bronchointerstitial pneumonia of varying severity and nasal turbinates with blunting or loss of cilia of the epithelium lining the nasal septa. The majority of APMV-infected hamsters exhibited transient histological lesions that self resolved by 14 days post infection (dpi). All of the hamsters infected with the APMVs produced serotype-specific HI or neutralizing antibodies, confirming virus replication. Taken together, these results demonstrate that all nine known APMV serotypes are capable of replicating in hamsters with minimal disease and pathology.     

Hematological findings and antibody responses in Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) infected with Babesia microti

Hematological findings during the course of infection and the antibody response in Syrian hamsters infected with Babesia microti were examined. A macrocytic hypochromic anemia with an increase of the reticulocyte count was detected as a rise in the parasitized erythrocyte rate. White blood cell counts also remarkedly increased with the increases of both neutrophils and active-shaped monocytes, and thus they particularly play an important role in eliminating the parasite. In Western blotting with the sera from the hamsters infected with B. microti, a 38 kDa protozoan antigen reacted to the early-term sera, and additionally 28, 32, and 34 kDa antigens also reacted to the medium- and latter-term, and convalescent sera. These antigens were immunodominant and the antibodies against these antigens had also important roles for inhibition of this parasite.     

Tumor-associated antigen on bovine leukemia virus-induced bovine lymphosarcoma

Specific tumor-associated antigen (TAA) was detected on enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) cells by monoclonal antibodies against TAA. One of the monoclonal antibodies, c143, reacted with all EBL tumor cells tested but not with bovine leukemia virus (BLV) antigens. c143 reacted slightly with bovine fetal thymus and mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes from BLV-free cows but not with normal bovine lymphoid cells. TAA may be a good tumor marker of EBL tumor cells. We sacrificed eight TAA-positive but clinically normal animals and examined them in order to elucidate whether or not they had gross or histological tumors. At necropsy, four animals had tumors macroscopically. Three animals had no tumors histologically but had initial lesions showing follicular hyperplasia and the TAA on affected lymph nodes. The one remaining showed medullary hyperplasia in the spleen but there were no findings of tumors. Thus, c143 is a useful tool not only for diagnosing EBL, but also for screening of BLV-infected cattle with potential to develop tumors in the future.     

The nature of immunity to Snyder-Theilen fibrosarcoma virus induced tumors in cats

Snyder-Theilen fibrosarcoma virus (ST-FeSV) induced tumors evoked a vigorous immune response in adolescent cats. The response was characterized histologically by a lymphoid and histiocytic cell infiltrate beginning around the 9th day post inoculation. Hyperemia edema, hemorrhage, and necrosis of the tumors occurred shortly thereafter. Gross regression of the tumors commenced around the 15th day. Viable fibrosarcoma cells could be recovered as almost pure cultures from tumors biopsied on the 9th day. Biopsies taken between days 9 and 15 contained progressively fewer tumor cells and increasing numbers of lymphoid cells, histiocytes, giant cells, and normal fibroblasts. Tumor cells in such mixed cultures did not replicate as fast as normal and died out within 7 to 14 days. Viable tumor cells were not recovered from biopsies taken after day 15. Fibrosarcoma regression was associated with the appearance of tumor cell specific cytotoxic lymphocytes and antibodies in the blood. Cell mediated immunity, as determined by a chromium release assay, consisted of both antibody dependent and independent mechanisms. Fluorescent and complement dependent cytolytic antibodies were detected in the blood at the same time as cytotoxic lymphocytes, but persisted after regression. In a preliminary experiment, serum from tumor regressor cats was injected into susceptible kittens, and the kittens were then challenged with ST-FeSV transformed fibroblasts or whole FeSV. Immune serum did not prevent the appearance of initial growth of tumors, but did slow their subsequent growth and increased the rate of regression. Immune serum had a much more dramatic inhibitory effect on the accompanying retrovirus infection.     

Antigens and antibodies of malignant catarrhal fever herpesvirus detected by immunodiffusion and counter-immunoelectrophoresis

Using hyperimmune rabbit and cattle sera, immunodiffusion (ID) and counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) tests detected three or four and two or three malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) virus antigens, respectively, in infected cells. The ID test detected precipitating antibodies to MCF virus in $\text{3}\text{9}$ experimentally infected rabbits, $\text{0}\text{14}$ experimentally infected cattle, $\text{1}\text{13}$ naturally infected cattle, $\text{62}\text{176}$ wildebeest and $\text{3}\text{20}$ hartebeest. The CIEP test detected specific antibodies in $\text{3}\text{9}$ rabbit sera, but non-specific reactions prevented its use with bovine sera.The CIEP test was 2 to 4 times more sensitive than ID for detecting antibodies to MCF virus, but both tests were less sensitive than indirect immunofluorescence.The ID test demonstrated an antigenic relationship between wildebeest and hartebeest strains of MCF virus. Neither ID nor CIEP detected MCFV antigens in tissues infected with MCF virus.     

The potential role of Syrian hamsters and other small animals as reservoirs of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

The history of human infections with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is briefly reviewed, with special reference to those of recent years associated with pet Syrian hamsters. Many human infections have been too trivial to have come to the attention of a physician but others have required long periods of convalescence. There is also evidence that foetal damage has arisen from infection during pregnancy.
The virus is perpetuated by vertical transmission in those colonies of wild house mice which are tolerantly infected. These mice excrete the virus throughout life at a high titre in urine and saliva. Experimental evidence is presented which demonstrates the transfer of infection from such mice to Syrian hamsters when natural conditions are simulated. Hamsters infected before weaning may appear healthy while excreting the virus at a high titre for several months, during which they are a serious health hazard to their owners. This secondary reservoir of the virus brings the source of infection one step nearer to the veterinarian in practice, and to his clients, and he will be in a key position to inform or assist his medical colleagues if this hazard is suspected.     

Reaction of convalescent bovine antisera with strain-specific antigens of parapoxviruses

Two strains of papular stomatitis (PS) virus, 1 of milker's nodules (MN) virus and 1 of contagious ecthyma (CE) virus possessed 2 distinct external structures when examined by electron microscopy. The innermost, designated coat was closely apposed to the tubular surface, whereas the outer envelope loosely surrounded the virion. When convalescent sera from cattle infected with PS virus were used for immunoelectron microscopy, antibody reacted with coats and envelopes of the PS virus strains, but only with coats of MN and CE viruses. Convalescent sera from cattle infected with PS or MN virus contained complement-dependent antibodies cytolytic to cells infected with the homologous virus. In an indirect immunofluorescence test, the sera reacted with homologous strains to higher titers than with heterologous strains.     

Syncytium-induction inhibition test with complement for detection of antibodies against bovine leukemia virus.

A modified syncytium-induction inhibition test which is more sensitive than the immunodiffusion test, was developed using rabbit complement. In this test, fetal lamb kidney cells continuously infected with bovine leukemia virus were used as effector cells, and the CC81 cat cells transformed with murine sarcoma virus, were used as indicator cells. The syncytium-induction inhibition effect of anti-bovine leukemia virus serum was enhanced significantly by the addition of rabbit complement. The syncytium-induction inhibition titers had a statistically significant correlation with the immunodiffusion titers and were four to 64 times higher than immunodiffusion titers. In 12 experimentally infected cattle, the syncytium-induction inhibition test detected the antibodies earlier than the immunodiffusion test and continuously detected them when immunodiffusion antibody changed to negative. In the 81 sera from naturally infected herds, 35 (43.2%) were positive by the immunodiffusion test and 55 (67.9%) by the syncytium-induction inhibition test.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of antibodies to Marek's disease virus

A reproducible enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using Marek's disease virus (MDV)-infected cells for the detection of antibodies to MDV is described. The optimum number of MDV-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) was 5 X 10(4)/well, and test sera were positive at 1:400 dilutions. Compared with a purified virus preparation, MDV-infected CEF produced high specific and low nonspecific reactivities. Wells coated with whole cells could be stored at 4 C or -20 C for at least 3 months without loss of reactivity. With antibody-negative sera, the cutoff absorbency was 0.20 units. The ELISA was 20-to-40-fold more sensitive than indirect immunofluorescence. Homologous combinations of antisera in wells coated with CEF infected with different MDV serotypes were more reactive at higher dilutions than were heterologous combinations. The procedure described is specific and suitable for large-scale screening of both chicken and monoclonal antibodies against MDV.     

A versatile flow cytometry-based immunofluorescence inhibition assay for the detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus-specific antibodies

A fast, sensitive and reliable flow cytometry-based (FACS = fluorescence activated cell sorting) immunofluorescence inhibition assay (FACS-IFI) for the detection of virus-specific antibodies in sera is described. The method was evaluated using sera from cattle experimentally infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Virus-infected cells, which were fixed and permeabilized, were incubated with diluted sera from immunized or control animals. Monoclonal antibodies (mabs) against different viral proteins were added, and detected with ALEXA488-conjugated goat-antimouse antibodies. The fluorescence signals were detected by flow cytometry and determined as mean channel values. Results were expressed as percent fluorescence inhibition compared to standardized negative sera. The FACS-IFI test with sera from experimentally infected animals was highly sensitive and specific. Comparison of the FACS-IFI results with a commercially available blocking ELISA, an indirect ELISA and the standard serum neutralization test showed a strong correlation. Furthermore, the detection of protein-specific antibodies was possible using the FACS-IFI test.