Identification and isolation of a novel herpesvirus in a captive mob of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus)

A novel herpesvirus was detected in a captive mob of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) during diagnostic workup for individuals with ulcerative cloacitis. Virus was initially detected in tissues using a consensus herpesvirus PCR. No viral inclusions or particles had been evident in routine histologic or transmission electron microscopic sections of cloacal lesions. Virus was isolated from samples and transmission electron microscopy of the resulting isolates confirmed that the virus was morphologically consistent with a herpesvirus. Nucleotide sequencing of the PCR product from tissue samples and from the isolates revealed that the virus was in the subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae and was distinct from other known herpesviruses. The correlation between the lesions and the novel virus remains unknown. Two herpesviruses, both in the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, have previously been described in macropods and are known to cause systemic clinical disease. This is the first reported gammaherpesvirus within the order Marsupialia, and may provide valuable information regarding the evolution and phylogeny of this virus family. Based on current herpesvirus nomenclature convention, the authors propose the novel herpesvirus be named Macropodid herpesvirus 3 (MaHV-3).     

Efficacy of a bivalent vaccine against Marek's disease

A bivalent vaccine was prepared by combining inactivated Marek's disease virus and turkey herpesvirus. The efficacy of this vaccine, compared to turkey herpesvirus and inactivated Marek's disease virus separately, was studied in unsexed White Leghorn chicks which were vaccinated at one day old and then challenged at 21 days old with fowl blood infected with virulent Marek's disease virus. The bivalent vaccine appreciably delayed mortality resulting from Marek's disease and elicited the highest protective efficacy as judged on the basis of Marek's disease-specific mortality and percentage occurrence of lesions. The occurrence, extent and severity of gross lymphomas and microscopic lymphoproliferative lesions in various organs of the bivalent vaccinated birds were less than in the other challenged groups. In addition, the level of viraemia remained consistently and significantly lower in the bivalent vaccinated birds.     

Neurological disease in cattle in southern Brazil associated with Bovine herpesvirus infection.

The occurrence of neurological disease in cattle caused by Bovine herpesvirus in 11 farms from southern Brazil between 1987 and 2007 is described. Twenty-two animals were necropsied. Major clinical signs included excessive salivation, nasal and ocular discharge, circling, recumbency, depression, incoordination, grinding of teeth, and paddling movements. Necropsy findings in 10 of 22 cattle included hyperemia and softening of the rostral portions of the telencephalic cortex, with flattening of gyri, and malacia. Cattle in 10 cases did not show any gross lesions. Histological examination in most cases revealed nonsuppurative and necrotizing meningoencephalitis with acute neuronal necrosis, edema, eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in astrocytes and neurons, and infiltration of gitter cells. No histologic lesions could be detected in 4 cases. The initial diagnosis was based upon the clinical, epidemiological, and pathological findings. The diagnosis was confirmed by virus isolation in cell culture followed by virus identification by a glycoprotein C-based polymerase chain reaction. Seven isolates were identified as Bovine herpesvirus 5, and 4 were identified as Bovine herpesvirus 1.     

Viral encephalomyelitis of pigeons: pathology and virus isolation

A previously unrecorded nervous disease in pigeons was investigated. The disease, characterized by paresis, paralysis of the extremities, head-shaking, and torticollis, is contagious and spreads slowly. The mortality rate of affected pigeons was very high. The disease appeared to spread among pigeon flocks in spring and summer. The predominant gross change in most cases examined was congestion of the visceral organs. Some cases had grayish spots on the pancreas and kidneys. The histologic changes are characterized by neuronal and myelin degeneration with mononuclear cell infiltration and perivascular cuffing. Degeneration of the parenchyma and marked congestion are prominent in the visceral organs. The causal agent, found to be a virus, produced pock lesions on chorioallantoic membranes of developing chick embryos and failed to aagglutinate chicken RBCs. Antisera against Newcastle disease virus and avian encephalomyelitis virus did not neutralize the isolated virus. The virus produced typical signs in experimentally inoculated pigeons.     

Experimental pathogenesis for chickens, turkeys, and pigeons of exotic Newcastle disease virus from an outbreak in California during 2002-2003

Exotic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolated from chickens during the 2002-2003 California outbreak (CA exotic Newcastle disease [END] virus) was inoculated into 4-week-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) White Leghorn chickens, 3-week-old SPF Beltsville White turkeys, 6-week-old commercial Broad Breasted White turkeys, and 10- to 20-week-old racing pigeons, and the clinicopathologic features of disease were compared. Birds were monitored clinically and euthanized sequentially with collection of tissues. Tissues were examined by histopathology, by immunohistochemistry to detect viral nucleoprotein, and by in situ hybridization to detect viral mRNA. Clinically, infected chickens and SPF turkeys showed severe depression, and all died or were euthanized because of severe clinical signs by day 5 postinoculation. In these birds, histologic lesions were widespread and virus was detected in multiple organs. All infected commercial turkeys showed mild depression, and incoordination was observed in some birds. Histologic lesions were mild, and viral distribution was limited. In pigeons, only 1 bird showed overt clinical disease, and histologic lesions and viral distribution were present in limited organs. Consequently, susceptibility to highly virulent NDV was shown to vary among chickens, SPF turkeys, commercial turkeys, and pigeons. Additionally, we have evidence of CA END virus subclinical infections that suggest pigeons could be subclinical carriers of other virulent NDV.     

Vulvovaginitis of goats due to a herpesvirus

Two concurrent outbreaks of genital disease in goats were associated with infection by a herpesvirus that was isolated from vulval and vaginal lesions of affected does. Serum neutralising antibody to the virus was present both in goats with the clinical disease and some unaffected goats. Of 19 goat herds examined only 4 had serum neutralising antibody positive goats with low (5%) to high (60%) incidence of infection. The virus isolate was characterised as a herpesvirus on its physico-chemical and morphological features. It contained DNA and was inactivated at low pH and by treatment with lipid solvents and trypsin. The virus particles were icosahedral, consisting of a nucleocapsid surrounded by an envelope membrane and measured approximately 150 nm in diameter. The virus was serologically related to a New Zealand isolate of caprine herpesvirus (NZ-CpHV), associated with similar genital disease, and was distinct from bovine herpes virus-1 (BHV-1) showing a one way neutralisation pattern.     

Malignant catarrhal fever in cattle experimentally inoculated with a herpesvirus isolated from a case of malignant catarrhal fever in Minnesota USA

A malignant catarrhal fever (MCF)-like syndrome was experimentally induced in three steers, which were under immunization trials with a herpesvirus previously isolated from a case of MCF in a cow in Minnesota USA. The clinical signs observed in the three steers, and the pathological and histological lesions observed in two of these steers which succumbed to the disease syndrome were indistinguishable from those described for MCF. Although seroconversion was readily demonstrated in the three animals, virus was not re-isolated from the blood leucocytes, secretions and tissues obtained from the two animals which succumbed to the syndrome during the course of the disease and after death. However, a herpesvirus which showed cell rounding cytopathic effects (cpe) in bovine thyroid cells (Bth), was re-isolated from the one steer which survived the disease.     

Characterization of Newcastle disease virus (avian paramyxovirus-1) isolated from pigeons

Newcastle disease virus (avian paramyxovirus-1) was isolated from pigeons in 12 states between May 1984 and December 1985. One of the isolates was from a feral pigeon; the remainder were from privately owned pigeon lofts. Use of monoclonal antibodies showed seven of the eight isolates tested to be indistinguishable from the 1982 and 1983 Great Britain and European isolates. Clinical signs were paralysis, torticollis, tremors, incoordination, and death. Pigeons inoculated with the paramyxovirus-1 isolates intravenously or intramuscularly developed clinical disease identical to that described for natural infection; however, only one pigeon inoculated intranasally developed clinical signs. The mean death time for inoculated pigeons was 9.5 days, with a range of 4 to 25. Virus was shed for up to 20 days. Primary lesions observed on necropsy were gastroenterocolitis and pancreatic necrosis. Chickens experimentally infected by the cloacal, intranasal, or caudal thoracic air-sac route remained healthy. However, the intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) in day-old chickens was similar to that observed with velogenic Newcastle disease virus isolates. Four of six isolates inoculated intravenously into 6-week-old chickens induced neurotropic disease.     

Neurotropism of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A/chicken/Indonesia/2003 (H5N1) in experimentally infected pigeons (Columbia livia f. domestica)

This investigation assessed the susceptibility of experimentally infected pigeons to the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 that caused recent outbreaks of avian influenza in birds and humans in several countries of Asia. For this purpose 14 pigeons were infected ocularly and nasally with 10(8) EID50 and clinical signs were recorded and compared with five chickens infected simultaneously as positive controls. The chickens demonstrated anorexia, depression, and 100% mortality within 2 days postinoculation. Three of the pigeons died after a history of depression and severe neurological signs consisting of paresis to paralysis, mild enteric hemorrhage, resulting in a mortality of 21%. Gross lesions in these pigeons were mild and inconsistent. Occasionally subcutaneous hyperemia and hemorrhage and cerebral malacia were observed. Microscopic lesions and detection of viral antigen were confined to the central nervous system of these pigeons. In the cerebrum and to a minor extent in the brain stem a lymphohistiocytic meningoencephalitis with disseminated neuronal and glial cell necrosis, perivascular cuffing, glial nodules, and in one bird focally extensive liquefactive necrosis could be observed. The remaining nine pigeons showed neither clinical signs nor gross or histological lesions associated with avian influenza, although seroconversion against H5 indicated that they had been infected. These results confirm that pigeons are susceptible to HPAIV A/chicken/Indonesia/2003 (H5N1) and that the disease is associated with the neurotropism of this virus. Although sentinel chickens and most pigeons did not develop disease, further experiments have to elucidate whether or not Columbiformes are involved in transmission and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza.     

鸽新城疫油乳剂灭活苗的研制

本文报导了一种源自病鸽的鸽新城疫病毒ＱＬ株制备的灭活油乳剂疫苗。以此种疫苗接种后,接种鸽均正常无任何病症,接种疫苗获得保护能抵抗鸽新城疫病毒株攻击的鸽子数多于接种ＬａＳｏｔａ油乳剂疫苗的鸽子。已在野外以此种疫苗接种了大量的鸽子,效果满意     

Viral infections and bovine mastitis: a review

This review deals with the role of viruses in the aetiology of bovine mastitis. Bovine herpesvirus 1, bovine herpesvirus 4, foot-and-mouth disease virus, and parainfluenza 3 virus have been isolated from milk from cows with clinical mastitis. Intramammary inoculations of bovine herpesvirus 1 or parainfluenza 3 virus-induced clinical mastitis, while an intramammary inoculation of foot-and-mouth disease virus resulted in necrosis of the mammary gland. Subclinical mastitis has been induced after a simultaneous intramammary and intranasal inoculation of lactating cows with bovine herpesvirus 4. Bovine leukaemia virus has been detected in mammary tissue of cows with subclinical mastitis, but whether this virus was able to induce bovine mastitis has not been reported. Bovine herpesvirus 2, vaccinia, cowpox, pseudocowpox, vesicular stomatitis, foot-and-mouth disease viruses, and bovine papillomaviruses can play an indirect role in the aetiology of bovine mastitis. These viruses can induce teat lesions, for instance in the ductus papillaris, which result in a reduction of the natural defence mechanisms of the udder and indirectly in bovine mastitis due to bacterial pathogens. Bovine herpesvirus 1, bovine viral diarrhoea virus, bovine immunodeficiency virus, and bovine leukaemia virus infections may play an indirect role in bovine mastitis, due to their immunosuppressive properties. But, more research is warranted to underline their indirect role in bovine mastitis. We conclude that viral infections can play a direct or indirect role in the aetiology of bovine mastitis; therefore, their importance in the aetiology of bovine mastitis and their economical impact needs further attention.     

Viral infections in pigeons

This review provides a current update on the major viral diseases of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica), based on scientific reports and clinical experience. Paramyxovirus 1, adenovirus, rotavirus, herpesvirus 1, poxvirus and circovirus infections are described according to common clinical signs and target tissues. Since pigeons are sometimes treated as if they were poultry, the review also summarises the common viral infections of poultry for which pigeons are considered resistant. It is hoped that the review will provide a useful reference for veterinarians and others and offer advice on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the major infectious diseases of pigeons.     

An outbreak of vulvovaginitis in goats caused by a caprine herpesvirus

A caprine herpesvirus related to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus but immunologically distinct from that virus was isolated from an outbreak of vulvovaginitis in a herd of Saanen goats. The morbidity rate was 52.5%, with 21 of 40 does showing clinical signs. The lesions healed rapidly with only two goats showing lesions two weeks after the disease was first detected. No effect on subsequent reproductive performance was observed. The mode of transmission of the virus was believed to be venereal.     

An outbreak of vulvovaginitis in goats caused by a caprine herpesvirus

A caprine herpesvirus related to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus but immunologically distinct from that virus was isolated from an outbreak of vulvovaginitis in a herd of Saanen goats. The morbidity rate was 52.5%, with 21 of 40 does showing clinical signs. The lesions healed rapidly with only two goats showing lesions two weeks after the disease was first detected. No effect on subsequent reproductive performance was observed. The mode of transmission of the virus was believed to be venereal.     

An acute outbreak of teat lesions affecting 38% of a dairy herd in Northland

Extract

Teat lesions are common in dairy cattle in New Zealand. Most of the infectious cases are caused by pseudocowpox virus, but lesions similar to those caused by bovine herpesvirus (BHV)-2 have been described clinically and confirmed serologically in New Zealand (Horner and Raynel 1988). BHV-2 and BHV-4 cause an acute viral disease in cattle known as bovine herpes mammillitis or ulcerative mammillitis (Hillerton et al 2001). Presumptive cases have been reported in New Zealand based on the nature and distribution of lesions (Daniel 1970). The disease is probably endemic in New Zealand but is poorly documented and generally considered to be mild and sporadic. The main differential diagnosis is pseudocowpox, which is often also present in herds affected with bovine herpes mammillitis, and dual infections of individual cattle have been reported (Gibbs et al 1972). To my knowledge, neither BHV-2 nor BHV-4 have yet been isolated in New Zealand.     

A novel herpesvirus in 3 species of pheasants: mountain peacock pheasant (Polyplectron inopinatum), Malayan peacock pheasant (Polyplectron malacense), and Congo peafowl (Afropavo congensis)

The mountain peacock pheasant (Polyplectron inopinatum), the Malayan peacock pheasant (Polyplectron malacense), and the Congo peafowl (Afropavo congensis) are all listed as vulnerable to extinction under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Here the authors report fatal infection with a novel herpesvirus in all 3 species of birds. DNA was extracted from the livers of birds with hepatocellular necrosis and intranuclear eosinophilic inclusions consistent with herpesvirus infection. Based on degenerate herpesvirus primers and polymerase chain reaction, 220- and 519-base pair products of the herpes DNA polymerase and DNA terminase genes, respectively, were amplified. Sequence analysis revealed that all birds were likely infected with the same virus. At the nucleotide level, the pheasant herpesvirus had 92% identity with gallid herpesvirus 3 and 77.7% identity with gallid herpesvirus 2. At the amino acid level, the herpes virus had 93.8% identity with gallid herpesvirus 3 and 89.4% identity with gallid herpesvirus 2. These findings indicate that the closest relative to this novel herpesvirus is gallid herpesvirus 3, a nonpathogenic virus used widely in a vaccine against Marek's disease. In situ hybridization using probes specific to the peacock pheasant herpesvirus DNA polymerase revealed strong intranuclear staining in the necrotic liver lesions of an infected Malayan peacock pheasant but no staining in normal liver from an uninfected bird. The phasianid herpesvirus reported here is a novel member of the genus Mardivirus of the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae and is distinct from other galliform herpesviruses.     

Review of the literature on avian influenza A viruses in pigeons and experimental studies on the susceptibility of domestic pigeons to influenza A viruses of the haemagglutinin subtype H7

The scientific literature of the past century is reviewed on fowl plague (presently termed highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI) in pigeons. HPAI viruses cause epidemic disease outbreaks with high rates of losses in many avian species, particularily in chickens and turkeys. Also susceptible to disease are quails, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, ostriches, passerine birds, and birds of prey whereas conflicting reports on the susceptibility of the domestic pigeon exist. Based on literature reports and on own experiments, and applying as criteria for judgements clinically overt forms of disease, virus multiplication plus shedding and seroconversion, it is concluded that domestic pigeons are only partially susceptible to influenza A viruses of the haemagglutinin subtype H7. Infection of pigeons with H7 viruses results only in some of them in signs, virus shedding and seroconversion. Using the same criteria, pigeons appear to be even less susceptible to infection with influenza A viruses of the H5 subtype. Only one of five publications describe in 1/19 pigeons exposed to H5 influenza A virus depression one day before death, and only 2/19 multiplied and excreted virus, and 1/19 developed circulating antibodies. Consequently, pigeons play only a minor role in the epidemiology of H5 influenza viruses. In contrast, following infection with influenza A virus of the subtype H7 clinical signs in pigeons consist of conjunctivitis, tremor, paresis of wings and legs, and wet droppings. H7-infected pigeons multiply and excrete H7 viruses and develop circulating antibodies. Albeit of the status of infection, free-flying domestic pigeons can act as mechanical vectors and vehicles for long-distance transmission of any influenza A virus if plumage or feet were contaminated.     

T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder in an aged rhesus macaque

A CD8+ T-cell leukemia was diagnosed in an aged female rhesus macaque. Although leukemia and lymphoma in nonhuman primates are commonly associated with simian T-lymphotropic virus, gibbon ape leukemia virus, oncogenic herpesviruses, and types C, D, and E retroviruses, this monkey was not infected with any of these viruses. However, the monkey did have antibodies against herpesvirus saimiri. This likely represents cross-reactivity of the herpesvirus saimiri assay with rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV) antibodies; RRV was first described in rhesus macaques that were identified as having antibodies against herpesvirus saimiri. Rhesus rhadinovirus is a gamma herpesvirus, related antigenically to herpesvirus saimiri and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), which have been linked to lymphoproliferative disorders in primates and humans, respectively. Moreover, an oncogene has been recently identified in the RRV genome that is equivalent in position to the herpesvirus saimiri and KSHV oncogenes. Presently, the association of RRV infection with disease in nonhuman primates is unknown.     

BRS virus, PI3 virus and BHV1 infections of young stock on self-contained dairy farms: epidemiological and clinical findings

The role of bovine respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza type 3 virus and bovine herpesvirus 1 as disease agents in 28 groups of young cattle on 19 dairy farms which raised their own replacements was investigated. Bovine respiratory syncytial virus infections occurred in 27, parainfluenza type 3 virus infections in all and bovine herpesvirus 1 infections in three of the 28 groups. Some infections were accompanied by clinical signs while others were entirely subclinical. Clinical respiratory disease was observed on 25 occasions in 20 of the groups. Respiratory disease was associated with a bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection on 15 occasions with parainfluenza type 3 virus infection in four cases and with bovine herpesvirus 1 infection in two cases. In four cases there was no association between the respiratory disease and any of the four virus infections. Bovine respiratory syncytial virus infections caused more serious respiratory problems than parainfluenza type 3 virus infections.     

Newcastle disease outbreaks in fowl in Great Britain during 1984

During February to July 1984, 23 outbreaks of Newcastle disease were confirmed in chickens in Great Britain. Use of available mouse monoclonal antibodies enabled unequivocal identification of the virus responsible for 22 of the outbreaks as similar to the avian paramyxovirus type 1 (A/PMV-1) virus causing neurotropic disease in pigeons during 1983 and 1984. Epidemiological investigations presented evidence that 19 of these outbreaks occurred either directly or indirectly as a result of spread from diseased pigeons infesting food stores at Liverpool docks. Virus was isolated from carcases of pigeons found among the food and samples of the food itself. The remaining outbreak was shown to involve a virus unrelated to the virus infecting pigeons.