Re: Re: Use of Polymerase chain reaction for the differentiation of Group A bovine rotavirus G6, G8, and G10 genotypes in the North Island of New Zealand

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The authors of the scientific article entitled “Use of polymerase chain reaction for the differentiation of Group A bovine rotavirus G6, G8, and G10 genotypes in the North Island of New Zealand” (Howe et al. 2008 Howe, L, Sugiarto, H and Squires, RA. 2008. Use of polymerase chain reaction for the differentiation of Group A bovine rotavirus G6, G8, and G10 genotypes in the North Island of New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 56: 218–221. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) would like to thank Dr Moffat for his letter of correspondence, and would like to take the opportunity to address the concerns raised by him in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal 57, 68, 2009, entitled, “Re: Use of polymerase chain reaction for the differentiation of Group A bovine rotavirus G6, G8, and G10 genotypes in the North Island of New Zealand”.     

Use of polymerase chain reaction for the differentiation of Group A bovine rotavirus G6, G8, and G10 genotypes in the North Island of New Zealand

AIM: To determine the presence of Group A rotavirus G6, G8, and G10 genotypes in calves in the North Island of New Zealand. METHODS: Faecal samples from 730 calves (<6 weeks old) with diarrhoea were collected during 2006 and 2007 from seven regions in the North Island of New Zealand. The samples were screened for the presence of Group A rotavirus antigen, using a commercial ELISA. Forty-one samples from different farms were randomly selected out of the 385 ELISA-positive samples and tested using PCR for the presence of G6, G8, and G10 genotypes of rotavirus. RESULTS: The PCR analysis of 41 antigen-positive field samples revealed that 37 (90%) contained genotype G6, three (7%) genotype G10, one sample (2%) had both G6 and G10 genotypes, and none contained genotype G8. CONCLUSIONS: Rotavirus genotype G6 was the predominant genotype found in this preliminary study and was present in all seven regions studied. Genotype G10 was also found in some regions of the North Island, whereas genotype G8 was not found in any sample. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first report on rotavirus G genotypes present in calves in the North Island of New Zealand.     

Erratum

In the paper “Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) in slaughtered sheep and cattle in New Zealand, 1984–85” by W.A.G. Charleston, R.C. Kissling, L.A. Petrey, B.L. Marshall and W.A. Royal in Volume 38 Pages 69–71 of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal, the titles of two of the columns in Table I were inadvertently transposed during the typesetting process. Table I is printed correctly below.     

Transmission of Mycobacterium bovis from experimentally infected ferrets to non-infected ferrets (Mustela furo)

There is an error in the list of authors published for the general article by Qureshi et al. in the August issue of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal (Vol 48, 99–104, 2000) entitled, “Transmission of Mycobacterium bovis from experimentally infected ferrets to non-infected ferrets (Mustelafuro)“. The correct list of authors reads: ”T. Qureshi, R.E. Labes, M. Lambeth, J.F.T. Griffin and C.G. Mackintosh“.     

Canine parvovirus

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Sir:- The paper Canine parvovirus in New Zealand: epidemiological features and diagnostic methods by G.W. Horner [N.Z. vet. J. 31 (1983): 164-4] suggests “it is probable that many veterinary clinics were heavily contaminated with CPV” quoting an Australian reference in support of his contention.     

Can sheep become infected by grazing pasture contaminated by cattle with Johne's disease?

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Madam:- Transmission of Johne's disease (JD) under natural conditions from sheep to cattle has been demonstrated in iceland⁽²⁾ but not in New Zealand.⁽¹⁾ The reverse, sheep becoming infected with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis of bovine origin, has been shown experimentally with large inocula (c. 5 × 10⁹organisms/lamb),⁽³⁾ but not under natural conditions. It could be important in New Zealand where sheep may be used to “clean up” pasture grazed by paratuberculous cattle.     

Ovine brucellosis

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Sir,—In an FAO Working Document, “Animal Health Branch Monograph No.5, Livestock Infertility compiled by the Members of the FAO Expert Panel on Livestock Infertility”, FAO, Rome, 1962, the following statement appeared on page 6: “Brucellosis due to Br. melitensis has been reported in France, other Mediterranean countries, Russia, India, China, New Zealand and Australia.”     

Determination of bovine rotavirus G serotype by polymerase chain reaction

A total of 113 diarrheic samples comprising of 68 buffalo calves and 45 cow calves were screened by RNA-PAGE for the detection of presence of rotavirus. RNA-PAGE analysis of these samples revealed 11 (9.73%) was found positive for rotavirus. Out of 68 faecal samples of buffalo calves tested for viral gastroenteritis, 8 (11.76%) were found positive for rotavirus. Similarly, out of 45 faecal samples of cattle calves tested for viral gastroenteritis, 3 (6.66%) was found positive for rotavirus. Rotavirus-positive samples represented long electropherotype. All RNA-PAGE-positive faecal samples for rotavirus subjected to RT-PCR for VP7 gene, ten samples yielded a specific product of 1,013 bp of VP7 gene. All the PCR-positive samples of the present study were subjected to genotyping with primers for G6, G8 and G10 genotype. All positive samples showed G10 genotype. This indicates that G10 may be predominant genotype among bovine calves in Mumbai region in India.     

Guest Editorial—Advances in companion animal gastroenterology

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This issue of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal is dedicated to a Feature Review Series comprising five invited review articles on the theme, “Advances in companion animal gastroenterology.”     

Dual deficiency of copper and cobalt in Hawke's Bay

The comparative efficacy of 13 of the sheep dips currently registered in New Zealand was investigated using sheep infested with the louse Bovicola ovis and carrying wool which was about 10 cm long at the shoulder.

With the exception of one synthetic pyrethroid “pour-on” formulation, all products were able to effect a significant reduction in louse populations, relative to untreated controls, for 37 days after treatment. Only four products proved capable of “eradicating” lice and preventing their re-establishment up to 37 days after treatment.

Variations in manufacturers' recommendations relating to the length of wool at dipping, and mode of application of dips are discussed in relation to the results.     

The finding of the cat fur-mite Lynxacarus radovskyi in New Zealand

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In the letter: A New Zealand record for the cat fur-mite, Lynxacarus (Felistrophorus) radovskyi Tenorio (Acarina: Astigmata: Listrophoridae) by Heath and Mariadass (1999), it is briefly reported “that prior to the cat’s intended release on 31/01/97, a hair sample was taken and mites found”.     

Re: Analysis of the risk of introduction and spread of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus through importation of raw pigmeat into New Zealand

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In the paper by EJ Neumann, RS Morris and M Sujau published in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal 55, 326–336, 2007, entitled, “Analysis of the risk of introduction and spread of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus through importation of raw pigmeat into New Zealand”, the authors sought to analyse the risk of the introduction and spread of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus through importation of raw pigmeat. As cautioned by the International Committee of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), any epidemiological model ultimately depends for its validity on the accuracy and completeness of the data underpinning it.     

Confusion reigns

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Madam:– I am confused. In Appendix 1 of the new Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinarians in New Zealand I am informed that “The performance of surgical procedures for purely cosmetic purposes is deprecated and is totally unacceptable”.     

Routine blood values for New Zealand brushtail possums at capture

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Thank you for the opportunity to reply to Dr Clark's and Ms Cooke's recent letters. As stated in our original letter “Routine blood values for New Zealand brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) at capture”, the brushtail possum is the subject of intense and diverse study throughout the country (Lynch, 1997 Lynch, R, ed. 1997. “Biological Control of Possums”. In Workshop Report. The Royal Society of New Zealand, Miscellaneous Series 45, Wellington: Royal Society of New Zealand.  [Google Scholar]). Part of this study focuses on finding disease agents that may be useful in biological control. At present there are no publications detailing the blood values one might expect to find in a non-diseased, wild New Zealand possum at capture. As noted in our letter, we have not set out to find absolute normal values, rather those blood values an investigator might expect to find in a healthy possum presented with little or no history by a member of the public immediately following capture (hence the use of the word “routine” in the title rather than “normal”).     

Re: Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome in New Zealand

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We wish to record the source of Figures 1a and 2 from the report “Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome in New Zealand” published in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal 56, 94–99, 2008. These images were kindly provided by AF Julian from Gribbles Veterinary, Hamilton, New Zealand, and illustrate the gross cutaneous and renal lesions that were typical of those seen in pigs in the reported disease outbreak. The images were obtained from a pig with porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome submitted by one of the authors (DEBL) from a similar outbreak of the disease that was examined by Gribbles Veterinary, Hamilton. The failure to properly acknowledge this contribution is regretted.     

Rupture of the Flexor Metatarsi Muscle in the Horse

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Sir,—The New Zealand Veterinary Journal has built up an excellent reputation during its relatively short life and this reputation should be jealously guarded. I therefore heartily endorse Mr Thornbury's criticisms of a recent article in his letter headed “Enucleation of Corpora Lutea” published in your September issue. Contributions of the calibre of that which drew his criticism reflect little credit on the authors and will hardly enhance the reputation of our Journal.     

Letters to the editor

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Sir,—I desire to submit my opinions on the adoption of the courtesy title of “Doctor” by the veterinary profession in New Zealand. In doing so, I am taking a long-term view concerned with the ultimate benefit for veterinary science in New Zealand. Veterinary surgeons form today, more than ever they did in the past, an internationally interchangeable body of scientists; therefore, the veterinary profession in New Zealand should follow the great majority of world countries in the usage of the courtesy title of Doctor.     

The bambi syndrome

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Madam:— Over recent years I have read, and penefited from, many articles in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal on the subject of red deer. It distresses me that many of the authors (with notable exceptions) refer wrongly to the off-spring of these animals as “fawns”.     

Re: Severe haemoptysis associated with seizures in a dog

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In the paper by FE James, VS Johnson, ZM Lenard and CS Mansfield published in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal 56, 85–88, 2008, entitled, “Severe haemoptysis associated with seizures in a dog”, the authors reported a case of repeated haemoptysis and radiographically visible severe bilateral alveolar lung pattern in a 7-year-old German Shepherd dog suffering from generalised tonic-clonic seizures. On the basis of several other examination methods, they concluded that “The cause of the haemoptysis could not be defined in this dog, but was considered likely to be due to either severe neurogenic pulmonary oedema or rupture of the pulmonary capillaries secondary to seizures.” Further in the text they stated that “Haemoptysis associated with severe neurogenic pulmonary oedema, rather than traumatic rupture of the pulmon ary capillaries may have occurred in this dog.” I agree with these statements.