Investigations on suitability of different materials for carriers to be used for virucidal testing of chemical disinfectants in the veterinary field

Various materials with rough surfaces were tested to determine their suitability for virus carrier tests designed to evaluate virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants. A non-enveloped RNA virus, bovine enterovirus type 1, strain LCR 4 [entero cytopathogenic bovine orphan virus (ECBO)] and an enveloped RNA virus, paramyxovirus type 1 [Newcastle disease virus (NDV), strain Montana] served as test viruses. Experiments with ECBO virus were carried out in four sets, and those with NDV in three sets. In the first set we used poplar wood, frosted glass slides and Sartorius membrane filters. The second set comprised of poplar wood, frosted glass slides, polyamide filters, and cellulose nitrate filters and, in the third set, glass fibre filters and glass fibre pre-filters were added. The fourth test included poplar wood, frosted glass slides, and polyethersulphone ultra filters. Because of their extremely low levels of virus recovery, glass, polyamide, cellulose nitrate and glass fibre filter, glass fibre pre-filter, and polyethersulphone ultra filters are not suitable for sufficient recovery of ECBO virus. Only poplar wood carriers allowed sufficient recovery rates of ECBO virus. In the first and second set of tests, NDV could be sufficiently recovered from poplar wood, glass slides, and polyamide filter. In the third set, the virus recovery from polyamide filter was very low. Poplar wood carrier is recommended as a reliable carrier for the tests with both viruses, but methods for virus recovery must be improved, e.g. by more vigorous and longer shaking or optimizing the ultrasonic treatment.     

Effects of Surgical Wound Infiltration with Bupivacaine on Postoperative Analgesia in Cats Undergoing Bilateral Mastectomy

The analgesic effect of wound infiltration with bupivacaine was evaluated in cats undergoing bilateral mastectomy. Twenty-one female cats with mammary gland tumors were anesthetized with propofol and oxygen-isoflurane anesthesia following premedication with atropine. In the trial group (Group I; n=11), 30 ml of saline containing 2 mg/kg of bupivacaine was infiltrated topically into the surgical wound right after removal of the mammary glands, whereas only saline solution was infiltrated in the control group (Group II; n=10). At the same time, carprofen (4 mg/kg) was also administered subcutaneously in both groups. Behavioral signs of pain were monitored during the recovery period after general anesthesia. In order to examine the behavioral changes associated with acute pain, a questionnaire was prepared and given to the owners to be completed 4 hr and then 10 hr after the operation. According to the owners’ anwers to the questionnaire, a pain score was specified using a “numerical rating scale” for each cat. Although some cats showed mild to moderate pain, the pain score recorded at 4 hr after the operation was significantly lower in Group I (P<0.001). No significant difference was found at 10 hr after the operation between the groups. The incidence of vocalization, aggression and convulsion within 2 hr after the operation was also lower in Group I. In conclusion, wound infiltration with bupivacaine before incisional closure provided reliable analgesia at least 4 hr after bilateral radical mastectomy in cats.     

First genetic characterization of equine adenovirus type 1 (EAdV-1) in Turkey

Equine adenovirus type 1 (EAdV-1) is a cause of repiratory tract infection in equids. In present study for the first time in Turkey, the prevalence of EAdV-1 in nasal swab samples obtained from horses showing respiratory symptoms was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and molecular characterization of the hexon gene detected in the Turkish (TR) strain was performed. Overall, the prevalence of EAdV-1 was found low (1.4%) as indicated by a positive PCR reaction from the nasal swab extracts tested. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial sequences of the hexon gene of a TR-EAdV-1 strain with those of previously isolated AdVs from different mammals and an EAdV-1 M1 strain showed that the EAdV-1 strains were placed into a unique cluster. Although the TR-EAdV-1 strain was closely related to CAV-1, CAV-2 and bat adenovirus reference strains, larger-scale studies are necessary to better understand the molecular epidemiology and population structure of EAdV-1 in Turkey.     

Therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of imidocarb dipropionate on experimental Babesia ovis infection of lambs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of imidocarb dipropionate (IMDP) against babesiosis and to determine specific antibodies against Babesia ovis in experimentally infected lambs. Thirty-six 6-month-old splenectomized lambs were used. The lambs were randomly divided into six groups with six animals each, and were intravenously inoculated with 50 mL B. ovis-infected erythrocytes as follows: group I (therapy group) was treated with IMDP (1.2 mg/kg body weight) starting on the day of onset of clinical signs of babesiosis after the inoculation; group II (untreated control animals) was not treated with any therapeutic treatment after the inoculation; groups III, IV, V and VI (prophylaxis groups) were administered IMDP (2.4 mg/kg body weight) 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks before the inoculation, respectively. The animals were housed in a tick-proof room with water and food ad libitum up to the 30th day post-inoculation (PI). The lambs were monitored from the first day PI by recording the manifestation of clinical disease, rectal temperature, and the degree of parasitaemia. All the lambs became infected with B. ovis, except five animals from group III, which were treated 1 week prior to experimental infection. Other animals showed signs of acute clinical babesiosis. The animals treated with IMDP (group I) were able to clear the parasite from the blood circulation after 48 h post-treatment. The recrudescence of B. ovis was observed in two lambs 7 days after treatment, and they were treated with the second similar dose of the drug. Six lambs (1, 1, 2 and 2 lambs in group III, IV, V and VI, respectively) from the prophylaxis groups died within 7-17 days after showing high parasitaemia and clinical symptoms of the disease. Regardless of the clinical symptoms, 83.30% and 66.66% of the lambs which were administered IMDP 1-2 and 3-4 weeks before, were determined to be protected against the virulent field strain of B. ovis.     

Detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in trigeminal ganglia by avidin-biotin complex method in chickens: short communication

Detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) by avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method was studied in trigeminal ganglia (TRG) during the acute and post-acute or latent period in chickens inoculated with an A96 strain of the antigen. TRG tissue samples were collected from uninoculated (10 chickens) and inoculated (30 chickens) animals at various intervals post inoculation (PI), and stained by the ABC method. The results indicated that no ILTV antigen was detected in the TRG between PI days 3 and 11. However, the antigen was detected in most of the chickens between PI days 13 and 41. It is concluded that the ABC method can be used successfully for the detection of ILTV antigens in TRG during post-acute or latent period.     

Molecular and pathological investigations of EHV-1 and EHV-4 infections in horses in Turkey

The aim of the present study was to investigate abortion storms that occurred in the Marmara region of Turkey in 2008-2009 using a real-time PCR. Two aborted foetuses were necropsied and histo-pathological findings reported herein. Ten lungs, 3 brains and one nasal swab from 10 aborted foetuses, 6 nasal swabs and 3 vaginal swabs from aborting mares were included in this study. EHV-1 was isolated from the lung, liver and brain of 1 aborted foetus. EHV-1 DNA was detected in the lungs, livers and spleens of 2 necropsied foetuses and in 3 lungs from 10 foetuses submitted for diagnosis. A brain from one of the aborted foetuses was also positive for EHV-1 DNA. EHV-4 DNA was detected only in a nasal swab of one of the tested foetuses. Neither EHV-1 nor EHV-4 DNA was detected in the swabs of aborting mares. Sequence analysis of the glycoprotein B of the strains was performed and a phylogenetic tree was generated. The results indicated that 4 of the 5 Turkish EHV-1 strains (TR02, TR03, TR04 and TR05) clustered together; the fifth strain (TR01) was slightly removed from the group and clustered with other EHV-1 from various origins. Single nucleotide polyporphism (SNP in ORF30) associated with neuropathogenesis was not detected in any of the strains. At necropsy, sub-milier focal necrosis in the liver and spleen was observed. Microscopically, focal coagulation necrosis and marked eosinophilic intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the hepatocytes localised around the necrotic areas in the liver. Severe coagulation necrosis in white pulp of the spleen was also observed.     

First Report on the Frequency and Molecular Detection of Neuropathogenic EHV-1 in Turkey

There has been an increase in outbreaks of neuropathogenic equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in the United States and Europe. However, the presence and frequency of neuropathogenic EHV-1 in Turkish horses are not known at present. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of EHV-1 and neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1 in the Marmara Region of Turkey. Samples were analyzed for the presence of EHV-1 and neuropathogenic EHV-1 by real-time PCR TaqMan probe assays. Overall detection rate of EHV-1 was 45.5% (51 of 112). The detection rates were 70.5% (24 of 34) in aborted fetuses, 53.3% (8 of 15) in neonatal deads, 66.6% (4 of 6) in foals, 40% (2 of 5) in dead mares, and 25% (13 of 52) in living mares. Overall detection rate of neuropathogenic EHV-1 was 7.8% (4 of 51), and the real-time PCR results were confirmed by sequencing. Neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1 were detected in the brain and lung of two mares with neurological disease but without a history of abortion, in the brain of a foal that died of respiratory disorder, and in the nasal swab from a mare with a history of abortion. On histopathology, nonpurulent meningoencephalitis, hemorrhages, and vasculitis were seen in the brain. In conclusion, results of this study indicated, for the first time, that the neuropathogenic EHV-1 is circulating in the Marmara Region of Turkey. The results of this study also show that the current risk for non-neuropathogenic strains is high, whereas risk for the neuropathogenic EHV-1-G₂₂₅₄ strain seems to be low. As outbreaks of EHV-1 continue in the Marmara region of Turkey, surveillance for neuropathogenic EHV-1 genotype should be maintained.     

Endometrial adenocarcinoma in two young queens

Endometrial adenocarcinoma is described in two young intact female Persian cats presented with haemorrhagic vaginal discharge. The discharge had been present for 3 and 15 days in each case, respectively. On the basis of signalment, history, clinical, laboratory and diagnostic imaging findings a tentative diagnosis of pyometra was made in each cat and ovariohysterectomy was subsequently performed. Histological examination revealed endometrial adenocarcinoma in both cats together with ovarian luteal cysts and pyometra in one case. Immunohistochemistry revealed a diffuse and strongly positive reaction for oestrogen receptors in the nuclei of glandular epithelium in well‐differentiated areas of the neoplastic tissue. Poorly differentiated areas of solid growth pattern had weak and focal expression of oestrogen receptors. Furthermore, the neoplastic cells within these areas displayed moderate to strong diffuse nuclear staining with Ki‐67 antibody suggestive of a high proliferative capacity. The owners reported that the cats were clinically healthy 23 and 21 months after the surgery. These cases highlight the importance of histological examination of surgically resected tissue even when clinical signs and laboratory findings suggest pyometra.