Evaluation of Inactivation Methods for Rift Valley Fever Virus in Mouse Microglia

Rift Valley fever phlebovirus (RVFV) is a highly pathogenic mosquito-borne virus with bioweapon potential due to its ability to be spread by aerosol transmission. Neurological symptoms are among the worst outcomes of infection, and understanding of pathogenesis mechanisms within the brain is limited. RVFV is classified as an overlap select agent by the CDC and USDA; therefore, experiments involving fully virulent strains of virus are tightly regulated. Here, we present two methods for inactivation of live virus within samples derived from mouse microglia cells using commercially available kits for the preparation of cells for flow cytometry and RNA extraction. Using the flow cytometry protocol, we demonstrate key differences in the response of primary murine microglia to infection with fully virulent versus attenuated RVFV.

Diazinon toxicity in broilers

Ten 3-day-old chicks were submitted from a flock experiencing high mortality. Necropsy revealed lacrimation, diarrhea, pleural effusion, hemorrhage and ulceration of the proventriculus, and swollen, hemorrhagic livers. Numerous yellow granules were present in the crop. Assayed crop contents contained 39 ppm diazinon [O,O-diethyl O-(2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-pyrimidyl)phosphorothioate]. The insecticide had been applied to the litter to control fire ants. The high mortality abated after new litter was added on top of the old litter. Diazinon toxicosis was traced to ingestion of diazinon-impregnated granules and was reproduced experimentally.