Detection of European bat lyssavirus 2 (EBLV-2) in a Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii) from Magdeburg, Germany

In Europe bat rabies in Daubenton's bats (Myotisdaubentonii) and in Pond bats (Myotis dasycneme) caused by the European bat lyssavirus 2 (EBLV-2) has been confirmed in less than 20 cases to date. Here we report the second encounter of this virus species in Germany. A Daubenton's bat found grounded in the zoological garden in Magdeburg died shortly after. In the frame of a retrospective study the bat carcass was eventually transferred to the national reference laboratory for rabies at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute for rabies diagnosis. Lyssavirus was isolated and characterized as EBLV-2.     

First isolation of EBLV-2 in Germany

In Europe, rabies in bats is caused by European Bat Lyssavirus (EBLV) type 1 (EBLV-1) or type 2 (EBLV-2) which form two distinct genotypes (gt 5 and 6) within the genus Lyssavirus of the family of Rhadoviridae. Spill-over infections of EBLV in humans have caused fatal rabies encephalitis and highlighted the relevance of this wildlife disease for public health. The vast majority of the 831 European bat rabies cases reported between 1977 and 2006 were identified as EBLV-1. Only few virus isolates originating from Switzerland, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom were characterized as EBLV-2. Here we report the first EBLV-2 case detected in Germany in a Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii) in August 2007. The bat showed clinical signs of disorders of the central nervous system and subsequently tested positive for rabies. The virus was isolated and characterized as EBLV-2 based on its antigen pattern and by nucleotide sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis indicated an association to EBLV-2 isolates from Switzerland which correlates with the origin of the bat close to the Swiss border.     

Detection of antibodies to bovid herpesvirus 2 infection of cattle in Syria

Neutralising antibody to bovid herpesvirus 2 was demonstrated in the serum of 31 (10.8%) of 286 heads of cattle in north, south, and west Syria. 38% of titres were 1:2 to 1:8. There is no published report on isolation of this virus in Syria.     

Impact of PIT tagging on recapture rates, body condition and reproductive success of wild Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii)

A successful and safe methodology for the subcutaneous insertion of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags in a small- to medium-sized bat (average mass 9 g) under isoflurane-induced anaesthesia is described. Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging had no significant impact on the rate of recapture, body condition index (BCI) (bodyweight/forearm length) and reproductive success of tagged individuals, and no visible injuries or health problems were observed in any of the recaptured bats. Tagging success, in terms of retention and function, was 92 per cent (n=61) by the third year of using the method. Sixteen per cent (n=39) of bats tagged during the three-year study period were not producing positive scans with the microchip reader when recaptured after previously successful tag insertion, indicating that the tags were either working their way out of the bats or ceasing to function.     

Detection of antibodies to Francisella tularensis in cats

Blood samples were obtained from privately owned cats in Connecticut and New York State, USA in 1985-1990, and analyzed for evidence of Francisella tularensis, the etiologic agent of tularemia. Of the 91 sera tested by microagglutination (MA) methods, 11 (12%) contained antibodies to F. tularensis. Analyses of the same sera by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) staining methods revealed 22 (24%) positives. There was good agreement in results of both tests (73% concordance). However, we measured higher titers (1:80 to 1:640) with IFA analysis than by MA methods (1:80 to 1:160). Both tests were suitable for general screening purposes. The DNA of F.tularensis was not detected in the 24 antibody-positive sera tested. Cats living in Connecticut and New York State were naturally exposed to F.tularensis or a closely related organism. With exposure to ticks, other biting arthropods, mice, and rabbits, cats are at risk for acquiring F.tularensis infections and can be an important source of information on the presence of this agent in nature.     

Isolation of a European bat lyssavirus type 2 from a Daubenton's bat in the United Kingdom

European bat lyssavirus type 2 (EBLV-2) has been isolated once previously from a bat in the UK in June 1996. In September 2002, a Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii) found in Lancashire developed abnormal behaviour, including unprovoked aggression, while it was in captivity. Brain samples from the bat were tested for virus of the Lyssavirus genus, which includes EBLV-2 (genotype 6), and classical rabies virus (genotype 1). A positive fluorescent antibody test confirmed that it was infected with a lyssavirus, and PCR and genomic sequencing identified the virus as an EBLV-2a. Phylogenetic comparisons with all the published sequences from genotype 6 showed that it was closely related to the previous isolate of EBLV-2 in the UK and suggested links to isolates from bats in The Netherlands. The isolation of EBLV-2 from a bat found on the west coast of England provides evidence that this virus may be present within the UK Daubenton's bat population at a low prevalence level.     

New insights into the genetics of EBLV-1 from Germany

Previous epidemiological studies on EBLVs indicated a distinct geographical distribution of EBLV-1 in Germany. In this study, 48 isolates were selected to further investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of EBLV-1 variants in Germany. The nucleoprotein-gene (N), the nucleoprotein-phosphoprotein spanning untranslated region (NP-UTR) and the UTR between G- and L-gene of each isolate were sequenced using direct cycle sequencing. Results of the subsequent phylogenetic analysis of the N-gene confirmed previous studies on EBLVs, showing a high sequence identity among German EBLV-1a isolates, and a correlation between genetic and temporal and spatial distance, respectively, was shown. Our results indicate that the GL-UTR is not suitable for phylogenetic analyses. Interestingly, 6 nt insertions in two isolates as well as a single nucleotide insertion in a different isolate were detected in the N-P UTR. Within the UTR between G- and L-gene one isolate showed a 35 nt deletion. The effect of those changes on viral properties remains elusive as such mutations have not been described for lyssaviruses before.     

Detection of antibodies to mycoplasmas in South American camelids

Indirect haemagglutination tests on sera from 757 South American camelids (alpacas, llamas and vicunas) carried out in the Andean region of Peru, revealed evidence of exposure mainly to Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides LC. The incidence of detectable antibodies to this mycoplasma in 554 alpacas was 5.0 per cent and in 141 llamas 15.6 per cent. Antibody to Mycoplasma capricolum and the F38 biotype was detected in 0.9 per cent and 0.2 per cent of alpacas, respectively. In a group of 62 vicunas only one reactor to both M m mycoides LC and M capricolum was observed. No reactors to M mycoides subspecies capri or M agalactiae were observed in the flocks examined. Antibodies to mycoplasma were also detected in nine out of 10 goat flocks tested. The incidence of antibodies to M m mycoides LC was 13.8 per cent, 3.8 per cent for M capricolum and 1.8 per cent for the F38 biotype. In a group of 110 sheep, six reactors (5.5 per cent) to M m mycoides LC and one (0.9 per cent) to F38 were observed. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to the involvement of mycoplasmas in existing disease in camelids in Peru.     

用间接ELISA试剂盒检测鸡传染性支气管炎抗体消长规律

自 1 930年在美国北达科他州首先发现鸡传染性支气管炎以来 ,该病给养鸡业生产造成严重的经济损失[1] ,因此对于该病的诊断以及防制引起了国内外科研工作者广泛的关注并展开了大量的研究工作。由于 IB病毒型别多 ,临床表型多样化 ,以及容易发生变异等 [2 ] ,所以如何找到有效的免疫检测方法和制定正确的免疫程序 ,成为 IB研究中的重要难题。针对这一问题 ,本试验利用具有群特异性的 IBV抗体检测试剂盒对鸡的 IBV抗体消长规律进行了探索。1　材料与方法1 .1　材料　 ( 1 )试验鸡 ,购自北京某鸡场的 1日龄雏鸡。( 2 )自制 IBV抗体检测试…     

Detection of rinderpest antibodies

Rinderpest antibodies were detected by employing the fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and the immunoperoxidase test (IPT) and the results were compared with the counterimmuno electrophoresis test (CIE). FAT was found to be the most sensitive in detecting post-vaccinal antibodies followed by IPT and CIE tests.     

Detection of antibodies to bovid herpesvirus 4 by ELISA

An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for antibodies to bovid herpesvirus 4 was developed using antigen prepared by detergent lysis of infected cell cultures. The assay was used to study the immune responses of experimentally-immunised calves. The results correlated well with the indirect fluorescent antibody method. A viral neutralizing antibody response could not be demonstrated in the calves.     

Detection of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in domesticated ruminants by recombinant truncated SAG2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Tropical Animal Health and Production - An antibody detection recombinant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specific for Toxoplasma gondii was laboratory standardized using recombinant...     

Detection of antibodies to mycoplasmas using an immunoenzyme method

Detection of the antibodies to the species Mycoplasma bovis in the serum and milk of dairy cows coming from a mastitis-infected herd is a good example of utilization of the ELISA immunoenzymologic method in the mycoplasmology. Examining the samples from 75 dairy cows and applying the indirect hemagglutination test, good correlation of the results of the two tests was determined. The antibodies to the species Ureaplasma diversum were demonstrated by the ELISA method both in the bovine serum and in the milk of dairy cows infected slightly with mastitis. We chosen that strain which detected the maximum titres in the selected samples of the sera out of four antigens prepared from various strains of U. diversum. Rabbit sera hyperimmune to 26 strains of the mycoplasmas of various species were used to identify two antigens (after removing the antibodies to the components of the media). Specific reaction was obtained with the antisera to M. hyorhinis and M. arginini.     

Detection of antibodies to Mycobacterium johnei by counterimmunoelectrophoresis.

Counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) was applied in the detection of antibodies to Mycobacterium johnei in 110 sheep, 11 goat and 31 cattle sera and compared to immunodiffusion (ID) test. One per cent Noble agar, 7 ml per slide of 5 cm x 10 cm; barbitone-tris buffer, mu = 0.03, pH 8.6; a constant current of 5 mA per slide and M johnei protoplasmic antigen at 4 mg per ml were found to impart high sensitivity to CIE and give rapid results. CIE detected 97 sheep, 11 goat and 31 cattle positive sera, a total of 139, as compared to 44, 11, 28 and 83 respectively, detected by ID. Strongly positive sera could be demonstrated within 30 minutes by CIE and the test was run for only 90 minutes while earliest reactions were not observed before 18 hours and some reactions took 144 hours to develop in ID test.