Evaluation of modified vaccinia virus Ankara expressing VP2 protein of infectious bursal disease virus as an immunogen in chickens

A recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus expressing mature viral protein 2 (VP2) of the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) was constructed to develop MVA-based vaccines for poultry. We demonstrated that this recombinant virus was able to induce a specific immune response by observing the production of anti-IBDV-seroneutralizing antibodies in specific pathogen-free chickens. Besides, as the epitopes of VP2 responsible to induce IBDV-neutralizing antibodies are discontinuous, our results suggest that VP2 protein expressed from MVA-VP2 maintained the correct conformational structure. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the usefulness of MVA-based vectors for developing recombinant vaccines for poultry.     

Hoof disorders, locomotion ability and lying times of cubicle-housed compared to pasture-based dairy cows

Forty six spring-calving Holstein–Friesians (12 primiparous, 34 pluriparous) were block-paired (expected calving date, parity, body condition score and genetic merit) and allocated to either a PASTURE or HOUSED system for a full production cycle (− 40 to 305 days relative to calving). Both hind claws were inspected on six occasions (− 40, 10, 35, 85, 120 and 210 days relative to calving) to determine the severity of 5 disorders (sole and white line area haemorrhages, white line disease, heel horn erosion, digital dermatitis and other lesions). Six aspects of locomotion ability (tracking, spine curvature, speed, head bobbing, general symmetry and abduction/adduction) were assessed from 1 (normal) to 5 (abnormal) every 2 weeks. Throughout the study records of clinical lameness were kept for all animals. Lying times of 26 block-paired cows (PASTURE n = 13, HOUSED n = 13) were recorded automatically every 5 min for 48 h at 33, 83 and 193 days post-calving. Data were analysed using mixed models for repeated measures, logistic regression and survival analysis, as appropriate. The severity of hoof disorders was lower for PASTURE compared to HOUSED cows from 85 days post-calving onwards (P < 0.05). HOUSED cows had a greater hazard ratio (P < 0.01) of presenting an abnormal (i.e. scoring ≥ 3) tracking (2.8), spine curvature (2.3), head bobbing (3.6), general symmetry (3.0), abduction/adduction (4.2) and for the average (3.9) of all locomotion aspects investigated (i.e. abnormal locomotion). Furthermore, HOUSED cows had a greater odds ratio (6.5, P < 0.01) of clinical lameness from day 180 post-calving onwards. Mean total lying times per 48 h period were shorter (P < 0.001) for HOUSED compared to PASTURE cows (18.1 h, SE 0.71 vs. 20.5 h, SE 0.73). In summary, from day 85 post-calving to the end of the production cycle PASTURE cows had less severe hoof disorders, better locomotion ability and reduced likelihood of clinical lameness compared to similar cows in a HOUSED system. The PASTURE system also facilitated longer, undisrupted lying times that have beneficial implications for lameness. A PASTURE system therefore improved cow welfare in terms of lameness compared to a HOUSED system.     

Parasitic encephalitis caused by Stephanurus dentatus in a pig in Brazil

A pig was in left lateral recumbency with limb spasticity, accentuated prostration, and strabismus, and was euthanized. During autopsy, yellowing of the leptomeninges at the ventral pons to medulla oblongata was noted. In the cerebellar peduncles, there was a focally extensive black-to-yellow area at the level of the vestibular nuclei. Histologic examination revealed a cross-section of a nematode larva, consistent with Stephanurus dentatus, bordered by edema and marked infiltration of mononuclear cells, plasma cells, and a few eosinophils. Vacuolation of the neuropil, with rare gitter cells and axonal spheroids, was also observed. We diagnosed parasitic encephalitis caused by S. dentatus migration based on the pathology findings and characterization of the parasite.     

Characterization of aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic strains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavi</Emphasis> isolated from corn grains of different geographic origins in Brazil

Aflatoxins can cause great economic losses and serious risks to humans and animals health. The largest aflatoxin producers belong to Aspergillus section Flavi and can occur naturally in food commodities. Studies showed that molecular tools as well as the type of sclerotia produced by the strains could be helpful for identification of Aspergillus species and could be correlated with levels of toxin production. The purpose of this work was to characterize the genetic diversity using AFLP technique, the type of sclerotia and the ability of aflatoxin production by isolated strains from corn of different origins in Brazil, and to verify whether qPCR based on aflR and aflP genes is appropriate for estimating the level of aflatoxin production. All the 75 strains were classified as A. flavus and the AFLP technique showed a wide intraspecific variability within them. Regarding sclerotia production, 34% were classified as S and 66% as L type. Among the aflatoxin-producers, 52.8% produced aflatoxin B₁, while 47.2% aflatoxins B₁ and B₂. Statistical analysis showed no correlation between sclerotia production and aflatoxigenicty, and no correlation between the phylogenetic clusters and aflatoxin production. Concerning the relative expression of aflR and aflP, Pearson’s correlation test demonstrated low positive correlation between the expression of the aflR and aflP genes and the production of AFB₁ and AFB₂, but showed high positive correlation between aflR and aflP expression. In contrast to the other reference strains, A. oryzae ATCC 7282 showed no amplification of aflR and aflP. The results highlight the need for detection of reliable and reproducible markers with a high positive correlation with aflatoxin production.     

Sero-epidemiological survey for toxoplasmosis in wild New World monkeys (Cebus spp.; Alouatta caraya) at the Paraná river basin, Paraná State, Brazil

In this study, we captured 60 wild New World monkeys (Cebus spp.; Alouatta caraya) at the Paraná river basin, Paraná State, Brazil, and modified agglutination test (MAT) was performed to evaluate anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. Prevalence was 30.2% (13/43) in Cebus spp. (capuchin monkeys) and 17.6% (3/17) for A. caraya (black and golden howler monkeys). MAT showed antibody titers of 16 (15/16) and 64 (1/16). Herein, we have observed an odds ratio (OR)=4.67 (1.060.05). The present work is the first report on serum occurrence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in wild capuchin monkeys and in wild black and golden howler monkeys.     

Efficacy and Toxicity of Intracavitary Administration of Pegylated Liposomal Encapsulated Doxorubicin (DOXIL) in Dogs with Hemangiosarcoma

Introduction:  Canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a fatal malignancy and most dogs die within 6–8 months of diagnosis. The spleen is a common primary site, representing 50% of all cases. These dogs typically present with clinical signs due to tumor rupture and intra‐abdominal dissemination; the abdomen is also the main site of disease progression when these patients fail. Direct delivery of chemotherapy into the abdominal cavity may therefore be a rational approach in this malignancy.
Methods:  14 dogs with stage 2 or 3 splenic HSA were recruited. Doxil at a dose of 1 mg/kg was diluted in saline and administered via ultrasound‐guidance into the abdominal cavity. The dogs were scheduled to receive 4 treatments every 3 weeks. Samples of plasma and abdominal fluid were collected for pharmacokinetic analysis. All dogs were monitored for recurrence and complete necropsies were requested at death.
Results:  8 dogs with stage 3 and 6 dogs with stage 2 HSA were enrolled. All 14 dogs have died, 12/14 due to tumor and 2 from other causes. There was no difference in median survival days between stages (stage 2: 244, stage 3: 125, p = .22). All 12 dogs that died due to tumor‐related causes failed with intra‐abdominal recurrence. Necropsies showed that the dogs in this study had relatively fewer extra‐abdominal metastasis compared to dogs treated with systemic chemotherapy. Pk analysis showed detectable plasma doxorubicin 1 and 2 weeks after treatment.
Conclusion:  Direct abdominal administration of Doxil did not prevent intra‐abdominal recurrence; however, it appeared to provide effective systemic coverage.