Veterinary Virology

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the antiviral activity of Pterois volitans phospholipase A2 (PV-PLA2) from Indonesia to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Materials and Methods: Fresh venomous fin parts of wild PV specimens were collected from Java Sea waters. Then, it washed using phosphate buffer pH 7.0 and immersed in phosphate buffer pH 7.0 0.01 m containing CaCl2 0.001 m for 24 h. The immersed fin then allowed for extraction process by sonicating for 2×8 min with 80% pulse and 20 kHz output with temperature controlling to avoid denaturation. The crude venom (CV) extracted from the fin is allowed for purification by 80% ethanol (ET) precipitation and ammonium sulfate fractionation method. The purified PV-PLA2 then analyzed using Lowry's method, Marinette's method, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and 3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazol-2yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. After determining the purest and safest sample of six samples analyzed...

There has been some debate recently about the cause of the decline of water hyacinth on Lake Victoria. While much of this evidence points to classical biological control as the major factor, the El Niño associated weather pattern of the last quarter of 1997 and the first half of 1998 has confused the issue. We argue first that the reductions in water hyacinth on Lake Victoria were ultimately caused by the widespread and significant damage to plants by Neochetina spp., although this process was increased by the stormy weather associated with the El Niño event; second that increased waves and current on Lake Victoria caused by El Niño redistributed water hyacinth plants around the lake; and third that a major lakewide resurgence of water hyacinth plants on Lake Victoria has not occurred and will not occur unless the weevil populations are disrupted. We conclude that the population crash of water hyacinth on Lake Victoria would not have occurred in the absence of the weevils, but that it may have been hastened by stormy weather associated with the El Niño event.

Background and Aim: There is insufficient information about the successfully managed Lassa fever (LF) patients in Nigeria. This study aimed to utilize the One Health approach to identify the risk factors for LF infection among LF patients who were managed and on follow-up at the Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 101 LF survivors who were managed and on follow-up at the Federal Medical Center. The data were collected using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The respondents were assessed for symptoms and factors that might have predisposed them to LF, and the data were analyzed with SPSS version 23 (IBM Corp., NY, USA). Those who had more than 3 identifiable risks were categorized as high risk. Descriptive statistics were done, and the association between sociodemographic characteristics and high risk was explored using Chi-square test. Results: The median age of the respondents was 33 ye...

Fish diseases have a significant negative influence on the Malaysian aquaculture industry. Since the 1980s, the sector has grown in size, which has resulted in a rise in the prevalence of infectious outbreaks affecting both freshwater and marine cultured fish species. Demand for commercially available fish vaccinations is predicted to increase as infectious disease outbreaks continue to occur. In Malaysia, aquaculture vaccine research and development (R&D) are still in its infancy, with most efforts concentrating on producing vaccines against bacterial infections, most notably streptococcosis, vibriosis, and motile Aeromonas septicemia. Despite several attempts, no homegrown vaccine has been effectively introduced into the manufacturing pipeline to date. At the moment, only three imported aquatic vaccines have received full permission, a far cry from the 314 and 60 vaccines licensed in the poultry and porcine industries, respectively. This review will describe recent findings regard...

Background and Aim: Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) is an important viral disease of small ruminants particularly in dairy goats with severe social and economic implication. Hence, this study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of CAE virus (CAEV) among goat population in selected small ruminant farms in Selangor and the risk factors associated with the occurrence of the disease.

Background and Aim: Since 2017, there have been epidemics with respiratory disorders in the laying hen farms in Algeria, as signs and lesions, respiratory difficulties, and hemorrhagic tracheitis, which closely like laryngotracheitis. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological, serological, and clinical indicators, as well as the risk factors, of infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) in layer hen flocks in Algeria.

Materials and Methods: A total of 1728 layer hens were sampled randomly from 48 poultry houses. Blood samples were collected from each hen at the wing vein area, and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was done using an IDvet® kit.

Results: The flocks showed 56.25% seroprevalence. Clinical signs and gross lesions of ILT suspect cases included respiratory signs characterized by hemorrhagic tracheitis and sinusitis; conjunctivitis; egg drop; and a low mortality rate varying from 5% to 20%. Statistical analyses showed the effect of risk factors on the seropositivity for ILT in 48 layer flocks. When the vaccination was not applied, flocks were significantly more seropositive by 54% (odds ratio OR=1.54, p=0.01) compared to vaccinated flocks. Furthermore, flocks with poor hygiene were more seropositive by 68% (OR=1.68, p=0.002) compared to those with good hygiene. Finally, flocks with decreased egg production between 10% and 30% were significantly more seropositive by 42% (OR=1.42, p=0.04) than those with egg production >30%.

Conclusion: The serological survey revealed anti-ILT virus antibodies, signifying the circulation of this virus in layer hen farms in Algeria. Correct vaccination protocol, strict biosecurity measures, rapid diagnosis, and detection of latent carriers are necessary to control and eradicate the disease from layer farms.

(UNESP) at Jaboticabal in 2010, and received her Master's degree in Veterinary Surgery from the same institution in 2012 with a dissertation on Diagnostic Imaging. Today, she is a veterinary sonographer in Canoas, RS, Brazil. She also teaches online courses on veterinary ultrasound, and provides mentorship to veterinary sonographers in Brazil through an online program called Ultrasound Club, which is currently under expansion to become international (https://veterinaryultrasoundclub.com). Visit Adriana's website: https://vetadrianameirelles.com.br Like Adriana on Facebook: facebook.com/vetadrianameirelles Follow Adriana on Instagram: instagram.com/vetadrianameirelles Veterinary Ultrasound Club's profile on Instagram: instagram.com/veterinaryultrasoundclub * The values shown are averages. Minimal, mild and moderate distensions correspond to 0.5 ml/kg, 2 ml/kg, and 4 ml/kg, respectively. * These values are based on computed tomography (CT). The ureteral diameter observed on post-contrast CT scans measured up to 0.34 cm. * Maximal height (cutoff value) of the caudal pole in sagittal plane. Length is too variable and not significantly important for evaluation of adrenal gland alterations in dogs.

Background and Aim: Rabies remains a public health concern in Indonesia, and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has stymied rabies prevention and control efforts. There is a need to transform the rabies program to be adaptable to pandemic situations to improve program coverage on dog vaccination and rabies surveillance. This study aimed to create a rabies control (RaCon) mobile application for a community-based rabies surveillance system during COVID-19 in Bali, Indonesia.

Materials and Methods: We employ the Design Science Research methodology. Surveillance officers, veterinarians, community leaders, outreach workers, and dog owners participated in a series of offline in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The RaCon prototype was evaluated using the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ) framework, which included the system's usefulness, information quality, and interface quality. In this study, we used both a qualitative (n=50) and quantitative (n=342) approach.

Results: According to the findings of this study, integrating public health and animal health into the rabies surveillance system are critical to supporting the One Health approach and encouraging community engagement in rabies programs. The RaCon prototype is expected to include features such as pet ownership, case report, news and announcements, nearest vet, health information, outbreak radar, emergency call, and app feedback. The RaCon prototype passed both qualitative and quantitative evaluations, indicating that it could be used to support the rabies surveillance system, particularly in the COVID-19 situation.

Conclusion: The RaCon prototype was accepted by the users and got positive feedback in terms of the system's usefulness, information quality, and interface quality dimension. As a result, this prototype has the potential to be integrated into the rabies surveillance system in Bali, particularly to strengthen the community-based rabies surveillance system. Even though this prototype received positive feedback, this study focuses solely on the design development and evaluation of its user interface. As a result, further development is required before incorporating RaCon into the rabies prevention and control program.

Background and Aim: Manipulating lighting colors and regimens is considered an effective mean for improving broiler productivity. The influence of red, blue, and white light-emitting diode (LED) was investigated using three different regimens of lighting and darkness; continuous 23 h light (L):1 h dark (D), continuous 18 h L:6 h D, and intermittent 16 h L:8 h D hours on the performance, carcass weight (CW), feed and water intake (WI), serum glucose (GLUCO), triglycerides (TG), and cholesterol (TC), intestinal bacterial load, growth and metabolic hormones, and efficiency of Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine.

Materials and Methods: A total of 252 1-day-old Ross broilers on deep litter were divided into nine groups. The 1st, 4th, and 7th groups were exposed to continuous 23L:1D, the 2nd, 5th, and 8th groups were exposed to continuous 18L:6D, and the 3rd, 6th, and 9th groups were exposed to intermittent 16L:8D (4L:2D, 4 times) lighting regimen using red, blue, and white LED lights, respectively. A total of 1350 samples (225 sera, 225 swabs, and 900 organ samples) were collected.

Results: Blue LED group revealed a highly significant increase (p<0.01) in live body weight, body weight gain, performance index, CW, spleen, heart, and liver weights, and anti-ND antibody titer, as well as a highly significant decline (p<0.01) of feed intake, WI, GLUCO, TG, TC, growth hormone, insulin, tri-iodothyronine (T3), tetra-iodothyronine (T4), total bacterial count (TBC), and total Enterobacteriaceae count compared to red and white LED lights in all tested lighting regimens. Continuous 23L:1D and 18L:6D regimens were significantly (p<0.01) superior to intermittent 16L:8D in their influence on the performance, CW, biochemistry, hormonal profile, and bacterial load.

Conclusion: The blue LED light associated with continuous 18L:6D or 23L:1D h regimen is highly recommended in broiler houses for their enhancing the productive performance, growth, and immunity.

Background and Aim: Rabies is considered a highly fatal zoonotic disease and many deaths in humans have been associated with dog bites. This study was designed to prepare an oral anti-rabies vaccine in the form of baits to eliminate the disease in free-roaming dogs and subsequently protect humans from dog bites.

Materials and Methods: The Evelyn Rokintniki Abelseth (ERA) rabies virus strain was propagated in baby hamster kidney cell cultures and adjusted to the recommended dose for application. Four forms of oral baits were employed with the rabies vaccine, which was evaluated for safety, acceptability, and potency in different dog groups. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and the serum neutralization test (SNT) were used to determine the protective rabies antibody titer in the sera of vaccinated dogs.

Results: According to the results, a dose of 3 mL of the ERA strain, containing a viral titer of 107.6 TCID50/mL, induced a mean antibody titer of 25.6 by SNT, and the PI% was 75.7 by Block ELISA, providing a protective level of the rabies antibody in 100% of vaccinated dogs. All used baits were found to be safe, inducing no abnormal general post-vaccination signs (the signs are limited to mild fever, mild loss of appetite, and mild-to-moderate loss of energy for 24-36 h after vaccination).

Conclusion: It was found that most of the accepted and highly potent bait types consisted of a mixture of wheat flour, vegetable oil, sodium alginate, corn starch, meat meal, cellulose gum, and water. This dog meal was covered with bran and edible wax to seal the bait cavity after inserting the vaccine sachet. This bait was able to induce a protective level of rabies antibodies in 100% of vaccinated dogs after receiving one bait/dog. Hence, such a bait could be recommended for use in the protection of free-roaming dogs and the elimination of the disease.

Fish diseases have a significant negative influence on the Malaysian aquaculture industry. Since the 1980s, the sector has grown in size, which has resulted in a rise in the prevalence of infectious outbreaks affecting both freshwater and marine cultured fish species. Demand for commercially available fish vaccinations is predicted to increase as infectious disease outbreaks continue to occur. In Malaysia, aquaculture vaccine research and development (R&D) are still in its infancy, with most efforts concentrating on producing vaccines against bacterial infections, most notably streptococcosis, vibriosis, and motile Aeromonas septicemia. Despite several attempts, no homegrown vaccine has been effectively introduced into the manufacturing pipeline to date. At the moment, only three imported aquatic vaccines have received full permission, a far cry from the 314 and 60 vaccines licensed in the poultry and porcine industries, respectively. This review will describe recent findings regarding the development of aquaculture vaccines for certain fish species and diseases in Malaysia. In our opinion, R&D on fish vaccines is critical to the aquaculture industry's viability.

Background and Aim: Serological assays are widely used to monitor the performance of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines to estimate vaccination coverage and to ensure that vaccinated animals generate adequate immune responses. This study aimed to measure the FMD virus (FMDV)-specific responses in cattle and sheep after a single dose of a trivalent FMD vaccine containing serotypes A, O, and Asia-1, and to use these sera to calibrate virus neutralization tests (VNTs) and serotype-specific serological enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISAs) that can measure post-vaccination responses.

Materials and Methods: Sera were collected from cattle (n=10) and sheep (n=10) on 0, 21, and 56 days after immunization with an imported aqueous formulated FMD vaccine. These samples were tested by VNT using field FMDV isolates that are representative of the epidemiological risks in Central Asia (A/ASIA/Iran-05, A/ASIA/GVII, O/ME-SA/Ind-2001, O/SEA/ Mya-98, O/ME-SA/PanAsia, and Asia-1 Shamir). Heterologous VNT antibody responses were compared to those measured using commercial FMDV-specific ELISAs for serotypes O, A, and Asia 1.

Results: Administration of the FMD vaccine increased FMDV-specific antibody titers for both species in sera collected on day 21, but these elevated titers were short-lived and were decreased by day 56.

Conclusion: These results highlight the short duration of immunity with a single dose of this aqueous vaccine and motivate further studies to assess immune responses in cattle and small ruminants after a two-dose course vaccination schedule. Further comparative data for VNT and serotype-specific ELISAs are needed to define cutoffs that can be used to monitor post-vaccination immune responses in low-containment laboratories where it is not possible to handle live FMDVs.

An increasingly asked question is ‘can we confidently link bats with emerging viruses?’. No, or not yet, is the qualified answer based on the evidence available. Although more than 200 viruses – some of them deadly zoonotic viruses – have been isolated from or otherwise detected in bats, the supposed connections between bats, bat viruses and human diseases have been raised more on speculation than on evidence supporting their direct or indirect roles in the epidemiology of diseases (except for rabies). However, we are convinced that the evidence points in that direction and that at some point it will be proved that bats are competent hosts for at least a few zoonotic viruses. In this review, we cover aspects of bat biology, ecology and evolution that might be relevant in medical investigations and we provide a historical synthesis of some disease outbreaks causally linked to bats. We provide evolutionary-based hypotheses to tentatively explain the viral transmission route through mammalian intermediate hosts and to explain the geographic concentration of most outbreaks, but both are no more than speculations that still require formal assessment.

APPLICATION OF PRIMERS TO RNA IN MOLECULAR - GENETIC IDENTIFICATION STRAIN OF H1N1 AND H7N9 INFLUENCE VIRUS A. Influenza viruses belong to the family of Orthomyxoviridae viruses, which are characterized by their segmented RNA-negative genome. The segmented influenza virus genome causes it to be re-assorted in the host cells, leading to the emergence of new viruses. Some combinations of genes can cause viruses with pandemic potential. Selected primers and amplification mode for PCR. The specificity of the method is determined.

Background and Aim: Infectious bursal disease (IBD) or Gumboro disease is one of the most detrimental diseases in the poultry industry worldwide. Previous scientific studies have shown that live IBD vaccination might induce transient immunosuppression, leading to suboptimal vaccine responses, and therefore lack of protection against other infectious diseases; therefore, selecting an IBD vaccine in commercial farms is a concern. This study aims to compare two commercially attenuated IBD vaccines (intermediate and intermediate-plus strains) in terms of safety and antibody response to IBD and Newcastle disease viruses (NDV) in commercial broilers.

Materials and Methods: Overall, 216 Cobb broiler chickens were divided into three groups based on the IBD vaccine strain administered: V217 strain (Group 1), M.B. strain (Group 2), and an unvaccinated group (Group 3). Groups 1 and 2 were orally vaccinated with Hitchner B1 NDV vaccine strain 7 days after IBD vaccination. Blood samples were collected at IBD vaccination day (15 days of age) and at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days post-IBD vaccination. The immunosuppressive effects of the IBD vaccination were determined by NDV antibody response, the bursa:body weight (B:BW) ratio, and the histopathological lesion scores of the bursa of Fabricius. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed.

Results: Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the M.B. strain belonged to a very virulent IBD strain, whereas the V217 strain belonged to a classical IBD virus strain. NDV antibody titers of the two vaccinated groups increased after ND vaccination, reaching their maximum at 14 days post-ND vaccination and decreasing thereafter. The V217 group presented the highest NDV humoral response from 7 days post-vaccination (dpv) to the end of the study. The mean NDV antibody titer of the V217 group was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of the M.B. group at 14 dpv. In addition, the V217 strain-induced lower bursal lesions post-IBD vaccination and a higher B:BW ratio at 7 and 21 dpv compared to the M.B. group. The higher B:BW ratio, lower bursal lesions, and higher ND antibody response present in the V217 group indicate that the V217 strain induces lower immunosuppressive effects compared to the M.B. strain.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that IBD vaccine selection merits consideration, as avoiding the immunosuppressive effects induced by live IBD vaccination and the consequent impact on response to other vaccines is important.

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the current epidemiological situation of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and rift valley fever virus (RVFV) infection of camels originating from Sudan " smuggler " and Egypt as part of our future plan for a national surveillance program in Egyptian provinces, which will aid in establishment of control strategy for animal diseases. Materials and Methods: This investigation was accomplished using serological diagnostic and molecular biology techniques. A total number of 200 blood samples were collected from camel (120 originated from Sudan " smuggler " and 80 from local breed) and were subjected for testing both BVDV and RVFV occurrence with different age and sex. Results: Sixty-six of the 200 camels (33%) were positive for BVDV antibodies, and 44 (22%) for BVDV antigen (Ag), and 27 of the 200 camels (13.5%) were positive for RVFV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. On the other hand, the seroprevalence of BVDV for antibodies (47.5%), Ag (31.6%), and RVFV IgG antibodies (16.6%) was higher in camel originated from Sudan " smuggler " than of local breed which was 11.2% for BVDV antibodies and 7.5% for BVDV Ag, while it was 8.7% for RVFV IgG antibodies. The incidence of BVDV antibodies, Ag, and RVFV IgG antibodies was the highest in male, up to 9 years of age. The frequency of positive cases was significantly different according to the origin of samples and sex and age of camel for BVDV and RVFV. In addition, seven serologically positive samples for BVDV and five serologically positive samples for RVFV were submitted as a buffy coat for molecular detection by one-step – reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results demonstrated that three samples were positive for BVDV of camel originated from Sudan (smuggler), while no RVFV Ag was detected in all five samples. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the amplicons obtained from positive RT-PCR samples (three samples) indicated 100% nucleotide homology with Sudan strain 2015 except only one (missense point mutation) by substitution of A to T at position 345 that changed the coded amino acids from T (Threonine) to S (Serine) at residue 115. Conclusion: Camels act as risk animals for the introduction of many infectious diseases from Sudan to Egypt, especially transboundary animal diseases, so strict quarantine measures should be taken during importation of live animals from Sudan to prevent the spread of such diseases.

Purpose: This study was focused on (i) detection of BVDV specific antibodies in selected cattle farms, (ii) identification of persistently infected (PI) animals, and (iii) genetic typing of selected BVDV isolates. Methods: BVDV antibodies were detected in 1023 blood samples collected from three cattle farms in the Kharkiv region during 2011-2012. The total number of animals was 815 on the first farm, 900 and 5500 animals on the second and third farms, respectively. PI animals were identified by the RT-PCR method utilizing the pan-pestivirus 324/326 primers for BVDV detection in samples from antibody-negative cattle. Selected PCR amplicons were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of 5’-UTR (245 bp fragment) was used for the genetic typing of BVDV isolates into subgenotypes. Results: BVDV specific antibodies were detected in 694 out of 1023 samples analyzed (67.8%). This number is in agreement with findings in many cattle herds around the world. However, the number of positive samples differed in the herds. While 43 samples out of 250 (17.2%) were identified in the first herd, 398 out of 473 (84.1%), and 253 out of 300 (84.3%) animals were seropositive in the second and third herds, respectively. The BVDV's RNA was detected in a high number of animals in all herds. The RT-PCR assay detected 143 out of 1023 samples analyzed (14.1%). 32 samples out of 250 (12.8%) were detected in the first herd, 79 out of 473 (16.7%), and 32 out of 300 (10.7%) were found in the second and third herds, respectively. The total number of PI animals detected in the cattle herds was in accordance with our previous serological findings. Genetic typing of 12 isolates indicated that all viruses belonged to the BVDV-1b subgenotype and all of them contained an identical 5’-UTR region. It is not excluded that identical isolates may be the result of a live BVDV vaccine usage on those farms but this hypothesis has yet to be verified. Conclusion: Our results indicated that the BVDV infection is widespread in cattle herds in the Kharkiv region. Better characterization of viral isolates, as well as the introduction of the biosecurity programs on farms, are in progress under the ongoing Swiss-Ukraine-Slovak SCOPES project.

Eight captive-bred horned parakeets (Eunymphicus cornutus) and four captive-bred Major Mitchell cockatoos (Cacatua leadbeateri) from the same aviary tested positive for psittacine circovirus (PsCV) DNA in whole blood by nested–polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The chronic form of disease with feather fragility and loss was observed in three horned parakeets. Infection in other individuals was subclinical. Immunosuppression, either hematologically or as susceptibility to secondary infections, was not observed. Treatment consisted of the administration of β-(1,3/1,6)-d-glucan from oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). Excluding two accidentally dead parakeets, four out of the original six horned parakeets, and all Major Mitchell cockatoos were negative for PsCV DNA in whole blood in 7–9 mo after the treatment was started. Even though the absence of PsCV DNA in blood does not signify elimination of the virus from the whole organism, these preliminary results indicate a possible effect of β-glucan in the treatment of PsCV infection. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of PsCV in horned parakeets.

It was shown that PCR is a more specific, sensitive, and accurate diagnostic method compared to RID, as 40.6% of RID positive samples did not contain genetic material of leukemia virus when analyzed with PCR. It was also proven that PCR analysis detected positive samples at the earlier stages of disease than RID was able to. PCR screening for leukemia virus can help to prevent the spread of infection between animals or begin the recovery of farms as soon as possible. In our work, it was proven that selective molecular genetic testing of cattle at the initial and final stages of a farm’s recovery from leukemia is necessary.

Background: West Nile fever is a disease of horses, humans, and several avian species caused by a Flavivirus. Wild birds act as a reservoir for West Nile virus (WNV). Wildlife populations should be monitored for WNV using modern surveillance techniques. Ukraine is located in the migration pathways of wild birds connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. These birds pose a risk for the introduction of WNV into Ukraine. The goal of this work was to develop a protocol for the detection of viral RNA using conventional PCR. Materials: Specific primers were developed for a 280 bp region of the gE gene of WNV based on GenBank published sequences of viral cDNA. The amplification reaction was optimized based on a gE recombinant template derived from the WNV vaccine seed. PCR master mix reagents from a Russian Federation manufacturer were used. The protocol was validated according to the OIE requirements for diagnostics techniques. Results: The gE gene sequences from the GenBank were analyzed for the conserved regions, and four of them were selected for the primer design. The forward and reverse primer pair, flanking 280 bp region of the gE gene, was designed. The protocol for the conventional PCR was a 40-cycle reaction with an annealing temperature of 57 ̊C. The reaction mix volume was 30 ml with 5 U of Taq polymerase, 1.5 mM Mg, and 20 pM of each primer. The PCR was able to detect viral cDNA in samples of vaccine virus and plasmid DNA (5-7 pg/ml). The PCR was validated with cDNA test panels and recognized as 95 % sensitive, 100 % specific, repeatable, and accurate. Screening of the blood and blood sera panels from wild birds, collected in Ukraine (n = 63), demonstrated the absence of the WNV in the specimens. Conclusion: A conventional PCR for WNV detection was developed and validated. Screening of field samples from wildlife demonstrated the absence of the virus. Further work is needed for the development of surveillance systems for WNV in wildlife and synanthropic birds in Ukraine.

Aim: The present study was examined the virucidal activity comparison between fresh charcoal ash (FCA) and slaked lime (SL) against avian influenza virus (AIV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV), using powder and liquid forms, either in the absence or presence of organic materials. In addition, both FCA and SL were evaluated for the persistence of virucidal activity in wet and dry conditions and stability of the solution. Materials and Methods: Two hundred milligrams of FCA or SL powders were mixed with 100 μl of AIV or NDV in the absence of organic material or 33% of organic materials. In the same time, 400 μl of 1%, 5%, or 10% solution samples were mixed with 100 μl of each virus and then incubated at room temperature for an indicated time. After that, the mixed solution was stop activity of sample using 500 μl of 1M Tris-HCl pH 7.2. Each treatment was titrated onto Madin-Darby canine kidney cells or chicken embryo fibroblasts for AIV or NDV, respectively, for determining the effic...

Background and Aim: Two endemic capripox infectious diseases, sheeppox (SP) and goatpox (GP) are common in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Sheep and goats, in general, are considered current assets of small and marginal farmers and have significant economic value in terms of meat, wool, and skin/hide production. Sheep and goat populations in India total 148.88 million and 74.26 million, respectively. Capripox caused US$ 2.3 million (Indian Rupee [INR] 105 million) in economic damages in Maharashtra (India) alone, and it took over 6 years for a flock to recover from the outbreak. The projected yearly loss at the national level is US$ 27.47 million (INR 1250 million). As a result, Capripox diseases put small and marginal farmers under much financial strain. The present study estimates the seroprevalence of SP and GP diseases in the Asian and African continents using systematic review and meta-analysis. The results of the study will help researchers and policymakers to understand the spatial and temporal distribution of the disease and its burden. In addition, the results are also helpful to design and implement location-specific prevention and eradication measures against these diseases.

Materials and Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines of Cochran collaborations were used for systematic review and subsequently meta-analysis were used. The literature was collected from various databases. Initial search string resulted in more than nine thousand articles for the period 2000 to 2020 using the different combinations of keywords and Boolean operators (or not) asterisk∗ and quotation marks. Out of 9398 papers, 80 studies were chosen for complete test reviews and quality bias evaluation using the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, 21 articles were used for the meta-analysis. The statistical study employed fixed effects and random effects models using R.

Results: Seroprevalence of SP and GP was calculated using studies with a cumulative sample size of 4352, out of which sheep and goats' samples together contribute 48%, followed by sheep (32%) and goat (21%). The result of the meta-regression revealed that detection techniques had a significant impact on the overall effect size at 5% level (Qm=14.12). Subgroup analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test with samples was further grouped into two categories based on the median, and it revealed that 62% of samples used PCR as a detecting test followed by group-II.

Conclusion: From the study, it is concluded that SP and GP diseases are highly prevalent; hence, effective vaccines, proper education to farmers through extension activity, and transboundary disease movement restriction are necessary for the control and eradication of the disease.

Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) is a viral disease of marine-farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) caused by ISA virus (ISAV), which belongs to the genus Isavirus, family Orthomyxoviridae. The virus is considered to be carried by marine wild fish and for over 25 years has caused major disease outbreaks in marine-farmed Atlantic salmon in the Northern hemisphere. In the Southern hemisphere, ISAV was first detected in Chile in 1999 in marine-farmed Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). In contrast to the classical presentation of ISA in Atlantic salmon, the presence of ISAV in Chile until now has only been associated with a clinical condition called Icterus Syndrome in Coho salmon and virus isolation has not always been possible. During the winter of 2007, unexplained mortalities were registered in market-size Atlantic salmon in a grow-out site located in Chiloé in Region X of Chile. We report here the diagnostic findings of the first significant clinical outbreak of ISA in marine-farmed Atlantic salmon in Chile and the first characterization of the ISAV isolated from the affected fish.
Results: In mid-June 2007, an Atlantic salmon marine farm site located in central Chiloé Island in Region X of Chile registered a sudden increase in mortality following recovery from an outbreak of Pisciricketsiosis, which rose to a cumulative mortality of 13.6% by harvest time. Based on the clinical signs and lesions in the affected fish, and laboratory tests performed on the fish tissues, a confirmatory diagnosis of ISA was made; the first time ISA in its classical presentation and for the first time affecting farmed Atlantic salmon in Chile. Rapid sequencing of the virus-specific RT-PCR products amplified from the fish tissues identified the virus to belong to the European genotype (Genotype I) of the highly polymorphic region (HPR) group HPR 7b, but with an 11-amino acid insert in the fusion glycoprotein, and ability to cause cytopathic effects (CPE) in CHSE-214 cell line, characteristics which make it distinct from common European Genotype ISAV isolates from Europe and North America.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the present work constitutes the first report of a case of ISA in farmed Atlantic salmon in Chile. The clinical signs and lesions are consistent with the classical descriptions of the disease in marine-farmed Atlantic salmon in the Northern hemisphere. The outbreak was caused by ISAV of European genotype (or Genotype I) of HPR 7b but distinct from common European Genotype ISAV isolates.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is classi®ed as a member of the superfamily Mononegavirales in the family Paramyxoviridae. This virus family is divided into two subfamilies, the Paramyxovirinae and the Pneumovirinae. In 1993 the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses rearranged the order of the Paramyxovirus genus and placed NDV within the Rubulavirus genus among the Paramyxovirinae. The enveloped virus has a negative sense single-stranded RNA genome of 15,186 kb which codes for an RNA directed RNA polymerase, hemagglutinin±neuraminidase protein, fusion protein, matrix protein, phosphoprotein and nucleoprotein in the 5 ' to 3 ' direction. The virus has a wide host range with most orders of birds reported to have been infected by NDV. Isolates are characterized by virulence in chickens and are categorized into three main pathotypes depending on severity of disease. Lentogenic isolates are of low virulence while viruses of intermediate virulence are termed mesogenic. Highly virulent viruses that cause high mortality in birds are termed neurotropic or viscerotropic velogenic. Velogenic NDV are List A pathogens that require reporting to the Oce of International Epizootics and outbreaks result in strict trade embargoes. The primary molecular determinant for NDV pathogenicity is the fusion protein cleavage site amino acid sequence. Vaccination for NDV is primarily by mass application of live-virus vaccines among commercial poultry. Although protection is measured by presence of antibodies to NDV, vaccinated B-cell depleted chickens are resistant to disease. Consequently, immune protection involves responses that are presently incompletely de®ned. 7

Goat pox is an endemic disease all over the world and goat pox virus (GTPV) is the causative agent of disease. This disease has significant issues in livestock industry in terms of morbidity and mortality which ranges from 70-90% and 5-10%, respectively. Along with this, goat pox has impact on the international trade by putting the restriction on import and export of affected animals and their byproducts. Due to importance of disease current study was planned to determine the sero-prevalence and associated risk factors of disease among the small holders of goats in district Layyah, Punjab Pakistan. Thirty herds were included in this study from the different tehsils of district and a total of eighty seven blood samples were collected. Serum was harvested and single radial hemolysis test was performed to assess the sero-prevalence. A questionnaire was designed to determine the associated risk factors of the disease. The results of this study showed that disease was more in female (18.36%) than male animals (15.78%). Similarly breed wise results showed that disease was more in Daira-Din-Panah (DDP) (22.72%) followed by Beetal (20%) Teddy (14.28) and Nachi (10.52%) breeds of goat. As for as age of the animals is concerned the disease was more in young animals (25%) than adults (12%). It was also observed that 33.33% disease was in nomadic herds and 10% in settled herds.

Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) is a primary agent of post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), ubiquitous in pig herds. The course of viraemia and seroconversion in naturally infected pigs were investigated in piglets from the 2nd week of their life. Piglets were divided into seropositive (Ab(+) ) and seronegative (Ab(-) ) groups. Subsequently, after vaccination against PCV-2 (Ingelvac(®) CIRCOFLEX™, Böehringer Ingelheim), they were further divided into non-vaccinated seronegative (NVAC/Ab(-) ) and seropositive (NVAC/Ab(+) ), and vaccinated seronegative (VAC/Ab(-) ) and seropositive (VAC/Ab(+) ). PCV-2 colostral antibodies failed to prevent development of natural PCV-2 infection in conventional piglets; however, this occurred at a higher age in comparison with seronegative pigs. Neither colostral nor post-infection antibodies prevented development of viraemia, which persisted up to the end of the study (the 19th week), but without clinical signs of PMWS. Vaccination failed ...