A Recombinant Duck Plague Virus Containing the ICP27 Deletion Marker Provides Robust Protection in Ducks

Duck plague virus (DPV) is a member of Alphaherpesvirus genus and poses a major threat to waterfowl breeding. Genetic engineered vaccines that are capable of distinguishing naturally infected from vaccine-immunized animals are useful for eradicating duck plague. In this study, reverse genetics was used to develop an ICP27-deficient strain (CHv-ΔICP27), and its potential as a marker vaccination candidate was evaluated. The results showed that the CHv-ΔICP27 generated in this study exhibited good genetic stability in vitro and was highly attenuated both in vivo and in vitro. The level of neutralizing antibody generated by CHv-ΔICP27 was comparable to that induced by a commercial DPV vaccine, suggesting that it could protect ducks from virulent DPV attack. By using molecular identification techniques such as PCR, restriction fragment length polymorphism, immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and others, it is possible to differentiate the CHv-ΔICP27 from wild-type strains. Moreover, ICP27 can also be a potential target for the genetic engineering vaccine development of alphavirus or perhaps the entire herpesvirus family members due to the highly conservative of ICP27 protein in all herpesvirus family members. IMPORTANCE The development of distinguishable marker vaccines from natural infection is a key step toward eradicating duck plague. Here, we generated a recombinant DPV that carries an ICP27 deletion marker that could be easily distinguished from wild-type strain by molecular biological methods. It was highly attenuated in vitro and in vivo and could provide comparable protection to ducks after a single dose of immunizations, as commercial vaccines did. Our findings support the use of the ICP27-deficient virus as a marker vaccine for DPV control and future eradication.

Respiratory Influenza Virus Infection Causes Dynamic Tuft Cell and Innate Lymphoid Cell Changes in the Small Intestine

Influenza A viruses (IAV) can cause severe disease and death in humans. IAV infection and the accompanying immune response can result in systemic inflammation, leading to intestinal damage and disruption of the intestinal microbiome. Here, we demonstrate that a specific subset of epithelial cells, tuft cells, increase across the small intestine during active respiratory IAV infection. Upon viral clearance, tuft cell numbers return to baseline levels. Intestinal tuft cell increases were not protective against disease, as animals with either increased tuft cells or a lack of tuft cells did not have any change in disease morbidity after infection. Respiratory IAV infection also caused transient increases in type 1 and 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1 and ILC2, respectively) in the small intestine. ILC2 increases were significantly blunted in the absence of tuft cells, whereas ILC1s were unaffected. Unlike the intestines, ILCs in the lungs were not altered in the absence of tuft cells. This work establishes that respiratory IAV infection causes dynamic changes to tuft cells and ILCs in the small intestines and that tuft cells are necessary for the infection-induced increase in small intestine ILC2s. These intestinal changes in tuft cell and ILC populations may represent unexplored mechanisms preventing systemic infection and/or contributing to severe disease in humans with preexisting conditions. IMPORTANCE Influenza A virus (IAV) is a respiratory infection in humans that can lead to a wide range of symptoms and disease severity. Respiratory infection can cause systemic inflammation and damage in the intestines. Few studies have explored how inflammation alters the intestinal environment. We found that active infection caused an increase in the epithelial population called tuft cells as well as type 1 and 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in the small intestine. In the absence of tuft cells, this increase in type 2 ILCs was seriously blunted, whereas type 1 ILCs still increased. These findings indicate that tuft cells are necessary for infection-induced changes in small intestine type 2 ILCs and implicate tuft cells as regulators of the intestinal environment in response to systemic inflammation.

Viral Enteritis in Solid-Organ Transplantation

Solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk for infections due to chronic immunosuppression. Diarrhea is a commonly encountered problem post transplantation, with infectious causes of diarrhea being a frequent complication. Viral infections/enteritides in solid organ transplant recipients often result from frequently encountered pathogens in this population such as cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, and norovirus. However, several emerging viral pathogens are increasingly being recognized as more sensitive diagnostic techniques become available. Treatment is often limited to supportive care and reduction in immunosuppression, though antiviral therapies mayplay a role in the treatment in certain diseases. Viral enteritis is an important entity that contributes to morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients.

Study on the effectiveness and safety of Xingpi Yanger granule combined with Saccharomyces boulardii for rotavirus enteritis in children: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine preparation XPYEG combined with SBI and SBI alone in the treatment of REC, and to provide the reference in drugs for the clinical treatment of children with rotavirus enteritis.

METHODS

Retrieving the English databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase; Chinese databases: CNKI, CBM and WANFANG Data. Retrieving a randomized controlled trial of XPYEG and SBI in the treatment of REC. The retrieval time is from the above database until September 2020. The retrieval strategy of combining free words and subject words is adopted, and the references included in the literature are searched manually in accordance with the literature studied in this paper and not included in the above database. Two researchers screen the literature according to the literature inclusion and exclusion criteria, extract valid data and evaluate the quality of the literature, and cross-check it. Using the RevMan 5.3 software to conduct the meta-analysis on the main outcome and secondary outcome indicators of the included literature, while assessing the evidence quality of included study.

RESULTS

The effectiveness and safety of XPYEG and SBI in the treatment of REC are presented through the main and secondary outcome indicators.

OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/3QSZG.

CONCLUSION

This study will conclude whether the combination of XPYEG and SBI is more effective than SBI alone in the treatment of REC, and whether the medication increases the risk of adverse reactions compared with single medication.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study does not involve the specific patients, and all research data comes from publicly available professional literature, so an ethics committee is not required to conduct an ethical review and approval of the study.

Recurrent Enteritis Associated with Epstein-Barr Virus-positive CD4+ T-cell Lymphoproliferative Disorder after Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

We encountered a patient with multiple myeloma treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) who developed repeated episodes of enteritis but regressed spontaneously. An endoscopic examination revealed no abnormalities, but biopsy specimens showed massive infiltration of CD4⁺ and Epstein-Barr encoding region (EBER⁺) abnormal lymphocytes in which a high copy number of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) genomes was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). EBV infection was exclusively detected in CD4⁺ T-cells, leading to a diagnosis of EBV-positive CD4⁺ T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD). This case suggests that an immediate biopsy and examinations, including qPCR for EBV DNA, should be considered for patients with recurrent enteritis after autologous HSCT, regardless of endoscopic findings.

Effect of a new Lactobacillus plantarum product, LRCC5310, on clinical symptoms and virus reduction in children with rotaviral enteritis

BACKGROUND

Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of infantile enteritis. In common enterocolitis, probiotic organisms, including Lactobacilli, are effective in treating diarrhea. A new species, Lactobacillus plantarum (LRCC5310), which was shown to inhibit the adherence and proliferation of rotavirus in the small intestine through animal experiments, was investigated for the efficacy and safety of patients with rotaviral enteritis.

METHODS

LRCC5310 (Group I) and control (Group II) groups consisting of children who were hospitalized for rotaviral enteritis were compared, and the medical records of patients (Group III) who were hospitalized for rotaviral enteritis during the same study period were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical symptoms were compared and stool samples were collected to compare changes in virus multiplication between Groups I and II.

RESULTS

Groups I, II, and III comprised 15, 8, and 27 children, respectively. There were no differences in clinical information among the groups at admission. In Group I, a statistically significant improvement was noted in the number of patients with diarrhea, number of defecation events on Day 3, and total diarrhea period as opposed to Group II (P = .033, P = .003, and P = .012, respectively). The improvement of Vesikari score in Group I was greater than that in the other groups (P = .076, P = .061, and P = .036, respectively). Among rotavirus genotypes, 9 (22.5%) strains and 8 (20.0%) strains belonged to the G9P8 and G1P8 genotypes, respectively. The virus reduction effect, as confirmed via stool specimens, was also greater in Group I. No significant side effects were noted in infants.

CONCLUSION

LRCC5310 improved clinical symptoms, including diarrhea and Vesikari score, and inhibited viral proliferation in rotaviral gastroenteritis.

Phylogenetic and Geospatial Evidence of Canine Parvovirus Transmission between Wild Dogs and Domestic Dogs at the Urban Fringe in Australia

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is an important cause of disease in domestic dogs. Sporadic cases and outbreaks occur across Australia and worldwide and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Whether transmission of CPV occurs between owned dogs and populations of wild dogs, including Canis familiaris, Canis lupus dingo and hybrids, is not known. To investigate the role of wild dogs in CPV epidemiology in Australia, PCR was used to detect CPV DNA in tissue from wild dogs culled in the peri-urban regions of two Australian states, between August 2012 and May 2015. CPV DNA was detected in 4.7% (8/170). There was a strong geospatial association between wild-dog CPV infections and domestic-dog CPV cases reported to a national disease surveillance system between 2009 and 2015. Postcodes in which wild dogs tested positive for CPV were 8.63 times more likely to also have domestic-dog cases reported than postcodes in which wild dogs tested negative (p = 0.0332). Phylogenetic analysis of CPV VP2 sequences from wild dogs showed they were all CPV-2a variants characterized by a novel amino acid mutation (21-Ala) recently identified in CPV isolates from owned dogs in Australia with parvoviral enteritis. Wild-dog CPV VP2 sequences were compared to those from owned domestic dogs in Australia. For one domestic-dog case located approximately 10 km from a wild-dog capture location, and reported 3.5 years after the nearest wild dog was sampled, the virus was demonstrated to have a closely related common ancestor. This study provides phylogenetic and geospatial evidence of CPV transmission between wild and domestic dogs in Australia.

Enteritis and Severe Abdominal Pain as the First Presentation of Covid-19

Presentation A male patient with no significant past medical history presented to emergency department with progressive in severity abdominal pain, associated with mild nausea and diarrhea. No other significant symptoms were reported. Diagnosis On investigation with CT, duodenojejunitis was diagnosed as the cause of abdominal pain. Lung basal changes were also visualized and subsequently proven to be secondary to Covid-19 infection. Treatment After few days of hospitalization and supportive treatment, the patient improved clinically and was discharged. Conclusion Covid-19 infection typically presents with respiratory symptoms associated with fever and myalgia. Anorexia, diarrhea and nausea have been reported. Severe abdominal pain is rare, particularly as the initial presenting compliant. It is important to be aware of the varied clinical presentations that may occur in Covid-19, including isolated gastrointestinal symptoms. This will allow to increase the timely detectability of infected patients and more effective contact control measures.

A descriptive study of on-farm biosecurity and management practices during the incursion of porcine epidemic diarrhea into Canadian swine herds, 2014

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) emerged into Canada in January 2014, primarily affecting sow herds. Subsequent epidemiological analyses suggested contaminated feed was the most likely transmission pathway. The primary objective of this study was to describe general biosecurity and management practices implemented in PEDV-positive sow herds and matched control herds at the time the virus emerged. The secondary objective was to determine if any of these general biosecurity and farm management practices were important in explaining PEDV infection status from January 22, 2014 to March 1, 2014. A case herd was defined as a swine herd with clinical signs and a positive test result for PEDV. A questionnaire was used to a gather 30-day history of herd management practices, animal movements on/off site, feed management practices, semen deliveries and biosecurity practices for case (n = 8) and control (n = 12) herds, primarily located in Ontario. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and random forests (RFs). Case herds were larger in size than control herds. Case herds had more animal movements and non-staff movements onto the site. Also, case herds had higher quantities of pigs delivered, feed deliveries and semen deliveries on-site. The biosecurity practices of case herds were considered more rigorous based on herd management, feed deliveries, transportation and truck driver practices than control herds. The RF model found that the most important variables for predicting herd status were related to herd size and feed management variables. Nonetheless, predictive accuracy of the final RF model was 72%.

The Distribution of Enteric Infections Utilizing Stool Microbial Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing in Clinical Practice

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal infection is a major cause of morbidity. We sought to characterize the pathogenic etiologies of gastrointestinal infection to identify seasonal patterns and predictors of specific infections utilizing a multiplex PCR assay in clinical practice.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study of 9403 patients who underwent 13,231 stool tests with a FilmArray gastrointestinal pathogen PCR panel during an episode of diarrhea from March 2015 to May 2017. Our primary outcome was the presence of a positive panel. Logistic regression was used to test for associations between season and infections.

RESULTS

A positive result was found in 3426 tests (25.9%) in 2988 patients (31.8%), yielding 4667 pathogens consisting of 1469 viruses (31.5%), 2925 bacteria (62.7%), and 273 parasites (5.8%). Age less than 50 years was associated with a higher prevalence of pathogens compared to age ≥ 50 (p < 0.0001). The overall prevalence of a positive result for bacteria peaked in the summer (635, 29.2%), and the prevalence of viruses peaked in the winter (446, 31.8%). Compared to the winter, testing in the summer yielded a higher prevalence of bacteria (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.33, 1.73, p < 0.0001) and lower odds of viruses (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.58, 0.81, p < 0.0001), primarily driven by E. coli species and norovirus.

CONCLUSIONS

Season was a major determinant in detecting specific pathogens. Our substantially lower positivity rate than previous reports in the literature on multiplex PCR assays may more accurately reflect true clinical practice. Recognizing the temporal distribution of enteric pathogens may help facilitate empiric treatment decisions in certain clinical situations.

Association between enterovirus infection and speech and language impairments: A nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Delay and impairment in Speech and language are common developmental problems in younger populations. Hitherto, there has been minimal study of the association between common childhood infections (e.g. enterovirus [EV]) and speech and language. The impetus for evaluating this association is provided by evidence linking inflammation to neurodevelopmental disorders. Herein we sought to determine whether an association exists between EV infection and subsequent diagnoses of speech and language impairments in a nationwide population-based sample in Taiwan.

METHODS

Our study acquired data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The sample was comprised of individuals under 18 years of age with newly diagnosed EV infection during the period from January 1998 to December 2011. 39669 eligible cases were compared to matched controls and assessed during the study period for incident cases of speech and language impairments. Cox regression analyses were applied, adjusting for sex, age and other physical and mental problems.

RESULTS

In the fully adjusted Cox regression model for hazard ratios, EV infection as positively associated with speech and language impairments (HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.06-1.22) after adjusting for age, sex and other confounds. Compared to the control group, the hazard ratio for speech and language impairments was 1.12 (95% CI: 1.03-1.21) amongst the group of EV infection without hospitalization, and 1.26 (95% CI: 1.10-1.45) amongst the group of EV infection with hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

EV infection is temporally associated with incident speech and language impairments. Our findings herein provide rationale for educating families that EV infection may be associated with subsequent speech and language problems in susceptible individuals and that monitoring for such a presentation would be warranted. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS?: Speech and language impairments associated with central nervous system infections have been reported in the literature. EV are medically important human pathogens and associated with select neuropsychiatric diseases. Notwithstanding, relatively few reports have mentioned the effects of EV infection on speech and language problems. Our study used a nationwide longitudinal dataset and identified that children with EV infection have a greater risk for speech and language impairments as compared with control group. Infected children combined other comorbidities or risk factors might have greater possibility to develop speech problems. Clinicians should be vigilant for the onset of language developmental abnormalities of preschool children with EV infection.

Detection of nineteen enteric viruses in raw sewage in Japan

One-year surveillance for enteric viruses in raw sewage was conducted in Kansai area, central part of Japan from July 2015 to June 2016. The raw sewage was collected monthly from an inlet polluted pool and was concentrated by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation. Twelve sewage samples were screened for nineteen kinds of enteric viruses by using RT-PCR method and further analyzed by nucleotide sequencing. Twelve enteric viruses were found in the investigative sewage samples. Rotavirus A and norovirus GI and GII with several genotypes were detected all year round. Interestingly, norovirus GII.17 (Kawasaki-like strain) and rotavirus G2 that caused the outbreaks in Japan last epidemic season were also found in sewage. Moreover, adenovirus, astrovirus, sapovirus, bocavirus, human parechovirus, enterovirus, Aichi virus, Saffold virus and salivirus were also detected. Enterovirus D68 was detected only in the same month as those of enterovirus D68 outbreak in Japan. The rotavirus B and C, hepatitis A and E viruses, human cosavirus, bufavirus and rosavirus were not detected in this surveillance. The study provides the information on the enteric viruses contaminated in raw sewage, which is valuable for risk assessment. Our results imply that the viruses detected in sewage may be associated with infections in the Japanese population.

Long-term effects of canine parvovirus infection in dogs

BACKGROUND

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is the most important viral cause of acute canine enteritis leading to severe damage of the intestinal barrier. It has been speculated that dogs might develop chronic disorders after surviving CPV infection. However, no studies regarding the long-term implications of CPV infection have been published to date. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether dogs that have survived CPV infection will have an increased risk for developing chronic gastroenteritis, atopic dermatitis, or cardiac disease.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Dogs that had been treated at the Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, LMU Munich, for CPV infection for which a follow-up of at least 12 months was available, were included in the study. Owners completed a questionnaire on the presence of chronic gastrointestinal and cutaneous signs, cardiac disease, and other potential disorders. An identical questionnaire was sent to owners of matched control dogs during the same time period. Seventy-one questionnaires of dogs with CPV infection and 67 of control dogs were analyzed. Significantly more CPV-infected dogs (30/71) compared to control dogs (8/67) had developed chronic gastrointestinal signs later in their lives (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed regarding skin diseases (P = 1), cardiac problems (P = 0.160), or any other diseases (P = 0.173) later in life.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study suggest that dogs that survive CPV infection have a significantly higher risk (odds ratio = 5.33) for developing a chronic gastrointestinal disease. Further prospective studies to identify the trigger for the development of chronic diarrhoea and possible targeted treatment strategies are needed.

Viral enteritis in calves

A complex community of bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists, and other microorganisms inhabit the gastrointestinal tract of calves and play important roles in gut health and disease. The viral component of the microbiome (the virome) is receiving increasing attention for its role in neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD). Rotavirus and coronavirus have for a long time been associated with NCD and commercial vaccines have been produced against these agents. Recently, several other viruses which may play a role in diarrhea have been discovered in calf fecal samples, mostly by sequence-based methods. These viruses include torovirus, norovirus, nebovirus, astrovirus, kobuvirus, and enterovirus. Most studies have involved epidemiologic investigations seeking to show association with diarrhea for each virus alone or in combination with potential pathogens. However, determining the contribution of these viruses to calf diarrhea has been challenging and much uncertainty remains concerning their roles as primary pathogens, co-infection agents, or commensals.

Parvovirus Infection Is Associated With Myocarditis and Myocardial Fibrosis in Young Dogs

Perinatal parvoviral infection causes necrotizing myocarditis in puppies, which results in acute high mortality or progressive cardiac injury. While widespread vaccination has dramatically curtailed the epidemic of canine parvoviral myocarditis, we hypothesized that canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2) myocardial infection is an underrecognized cause of myocarditis, cardiac damage, and/or repair by fibrosis in young dogs. In this retrospective study, DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 40 cases and 41 control dogs under 2 years of age from 2007 to 2015. Cases had a diagnosis of myocardial necrosis, inflammation, or fibrosis, while age-matched controls lacked myocardial lesions. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing targeting the VP1 to VP2 region detected CPV-2 in 12 of 40 cases (30%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18%-45%) and 2 of 41 controls (5%; 95% CI, 0.1%-16%). Detection of CPV-2 DNA in the myocardium was significantly associated with myocardial lesions ( P = .003). Reverse transcription quantitative PCR amplifying VP2 identified viral messenger RNA in 12 of 12 PCR-positive cases and 2 of 2 controls. PCR results were confirmed by in situ hybridization, which identified parvoviral DNA in cardiomyocytes and occasionally macrophages of juvenile and young adult dogs (median age 61 days). Myocardial CPV-2 was identified in juveniles with minimal myocarditis and CPV-2 enteritis, which may indicate a longer window of cardiac susceptibility to myocarditis than previously reported. CPV-2 was also detected in dogs with severe myocardial fibrosis with in situ hybridization signal localized to cardiomyocytes, suggesting prior myocardial damage by CPV-2. Despite the frequency of vaccination, these findings suggest that CPV-2 remains an important cause of myocardial damage in dogs.

Use of Serologic Responses against Enteropathogens to Assess the Impact of a Point-of-Use Water Filter: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Western Province, Rwanda

Diarrhea is a leading contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Given the challenge of blinding most water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, diarrheal disease outcome measures in WASH intervention trials are subject to potential bias and misclassification. Using the platform of a cluster-randomized controlled trial of a household-based drinking water filter in western province, Rwanda, we assessed the impact of the drinking water filter on enteric seroconversion in young children as a health outcome and examined the association between serologic responses and caregiver-reported diarrhea. Among the 2,179 children enrolled in the trial, 189 children 6-12 months of age were enrolled in a nested serology study. These children had their blood drawn at baseline and 6-12 months after the intervention was distributed. Multiplex serologic assays for Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba histolytica, norovirus, Campylobacter, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae were performed. Despite imperfect uptake, receipt of the water filter was associated with a significant decrease in seroprevalence of IgG directed against Cryptosporidium parvum Cp17 and Cp23 (relative risk [RR]: 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44-0.89). Serologic responses were positively associated with reported diarrhea in the previous 7 days for both Giardia intestinalis (RR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.04-3.63) and C. parvum (RR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.09-4.50). Serologic responses for all antigens generally increased in the follow-up round, rising sharply after 12 months of age. The water filter is associated with reduced serologic responses against C. parvum, a proxy for exposure and infection; therefore, serologic responses against protozoa may be a suitable health outcome measure for WASH trials among children with diarrhea.

Immunomodulatory potential of β-glucan as supportive treatment in porcine rotavirus enteritis

A non-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted to assess the immunomodulatory potential of β-glucan (BG) in piglet diarrhoea associated with type A rotavirus infection. A total of 12 rotavirus-infected diarrheic piglets were randomly divided into two groups: wherein six rotavirus-infected piglets were treated with supportive treatment (ST) and other six rotavirus-infected piglets were treated with BG along with ST (ST-BG). Simultaneously, six healthy piglets were also included in the study which served as control. In rotavirus-infected piglets, marked increase of Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein-2 (I-FABP2), nitric oxide (NOx), Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) concentrations and decrease of immunoglobulin G (IgG) were noticed compared to healthy piglets. The faecal consistency and dehydration scores were significantly higher in rotavirus-infected piglets than healthy piglets. The ST-BG treatment progressively reduced the I-FABP2 and increased the IgG concentrations over the time in rotavirus-infected piglets compared to piglets received only ST. A pronounced enhancement of NOx and IFN-γ concentrations was observed initially on day 3 and thereafter the values reduced on day 5 in ST-BG treated piglets in comparison to piglets which received only ST. Additionally, ST-BG treatment significantly reduced faecal consistency and dehydration scores on day 3 compared to ST in rotavirus-infected piglets. These findings point that BG represents a potential additional therapeutic option to improve the health condition and reduce the piglet mortality from rotavirus associated diarrhoea where porcine rotavirus vaccine is not available.

Intestinal perforation due to hemorrhagic Cytomegalovirus enteritis in a patient with severe uncontrolled lupus nephritis: a case and review of the literature

A 31-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis was treated with prednisone and immunosuppressants. After her lupus nephritis symptoms worsened, both high-dose steroid and cyclophosphamide pulse therapy were administered. The patient developed an intestinal perforation, and laparoscopic Hartmann's surgery was performed on the sigmoid colon. Serum Cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigen C7HRP was detected, and the patient was diagnosed with CMV colitis and underwent a colon resection. Severe hematochezia continued despite ganciclovir administration, and the patient underwent laparoscopic total colectomy and partial ileostomy. CMV enteritis should be considered in patients treated with prednisone and immunosuppressants and those who have abdominal pain and hematochezia. Immunocompromised patients with intestinal perforation due to CMV enteritis have a poor prognosis. We report a case with along with the results of a literature review.

Detection and molecular characterization of enteric viruses in enteritis-affected commercial broiler chickens in India

A study was conducted to detect and characterize the enteric viruses (chicken astrovirus, avian nephritis virus and avian orthoreovirus) present in flocks of commercial broiler chickens suffering from enteritis in Haryana, India. The intestinal contents were collected from 65 enteritis-affected flocks (cases) and tested by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Of these 65 cases, 35 (53.80%) were positive for a single virus and 26 (40.00%) for two viruses. The remaining four samples were negative for all three viruses tested. Of the 65 cases, 57 were positive for chicken astrovirus (CAstV) while 30 cases had avian nephritis virus (ANV). None of the cases were positive for orthoreovirus. Comparison of 12 CAstVs of this study with previously published CAstV sequences revealed nucleotide identities ranging from 73.20 to 98.00%. The nucleotide identities ranged between 83.10-95.50% when nine ANVs of this study were compared with previously reported ANV sequences. The amino acid sequences of CAstVs in comparison to previously published sequences revealed certain unique changes. Phylogeny based on polymerase gene revealed that CAstVs and ANVs of this study were under the same monophyletic clade. In conclusion, a large number of broiler chicken flocks experiencing enteritis were positive for CAstV and ANV by RT-PCR. The presence of more than one enteric virus in enteritis-affected flocks and changes at the genetic level in these viruses may affect the severity of disease.

Direct typing of Canine parvovirus (CPV) from infected dog faeces by rapid mini sequencing technique

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a non-enveloped single stranded DNA virus with an icosahedral capsid. Mini-sequencing based CPV typing was developed earlier to detect and differentiate all the CPV types and FPV in a single reaction. This technique was further evaluated in the present study by performing the mini-sequencing directly from fecal samples which avoided tedious virus isolation steps by cell culture system. Fecal swab samples were collected from 84 dogs with enteritis symptoms, suggestive of parvoviral infection from different locations across India. Seventy six of these samples were positive by PCR; the subsequent mini-sequencing reaction typed 74 of them as type 2a virus, and 2 samples as type 2b. Additionally, 25 of the positive samples were typed by cycle sequencing of PCR products. Direct CPV typing from fecal samples using mini-sequencing showed 100% correlation with CPV typing by cycle sequencing. Moreover, CPV typing was achieved by mini-sequencing even with faintly positive PCR amplicons which was not possible by cycle sequencing. Therefore, the mini-sequencing technique is recommended for regular epidemiological follow up of CPV types, since the technique is rapid, highly sensitive and high capacity method for CPV typing.

Detection of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in feces has limited value in predicting CMV enteritis in patients with intestinal graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) enteritis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is difficult to diagnose. We aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the detection of CMV DNA in feces for predicting CMV enteritis.

METHODS

HSCT patients with intestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were enrolled if they met the following criteria: (i) underwent a colonoscopy and (ii) peripheral blood and feces specimens were available for CMV DNA detection within 24 h of colonoscopy. The colonoscopy histology was used as the gold standard for diagnosing CMV enteritis.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients underwent 58 colonoscopy examinations, and 7 were diagnosed as having CMV enteritis. Within 24 h of colonoscopy, 9 patients had detectable CMV in the feces and 19 patients had detectable CMV in the plasma, respectively. In the 7 patients with CMV enteritis, only 2 had detectable CMV in the stool, resulting in a sensitivity of 28.6%. In the 51 patients without CMV enteritis, 44 had no detectable CMV in the stool, with a specificity of 86.3%.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that CMV detection in the feces was not a good predictor of CMV enteritis in patients with intestinal GVHD after allo-HSCT.

[Effect of ingested immunoglobulin on sIgA expression in pediatric rotavirus enteritis]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the effects of ingested anti-rotavirus immunoglobulin on enteric expressions of SIgA in pediatric rotavirus enteritis.

METHODS

In this randomized, placebo controlled clinic trial, 100 patients of pediatric rotavirus enteritis who simultaneously received fluid replacement as basic therapy, were randomly divided into control and immunoglobulin treated groups. The patients in experimental group were given "ingested antirotavirus IgY". Stool sample was collected at day 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11, the level of fecal SIgA was quantifies by radioimmunoassay kit, and fecal rotavirus shedding was detected by double-sandwich ELISA.

RESULTS

The frequency of diarrhea in immunoglobulin group was obviously less than that in control group (P<0.05). The mean course of diarrhea was (4.5 +/- 0.92) d in immunoglobulin group, and (5.8 +/- 1.68) d in control group (P=0.015). The fecal SIgA level in immunoglobulin group was higher than that in control group(P<0.05). The doubling time of SIgA level was the 3rd d in immunoglobulin group, and the 5th d in control group. The fecal rotavirus shedding in immunoglobulin group was obviously lower than that in control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Ingested anti-rotavirus immunoglobulin could promote the expression of enteric SIgA to remove rotavirus, achieving the benefit to release diarrhea in pediatric rotavirus enteritis.

Genetic characterization of coronaviruses from domestic ferrets, Japan

We detected ferret coronaviruses in 44 (55.7%) of 79 pet ferrets tested in Japan and classified the viruses into 2 genotypes on the basis of genotype-specific PCR. Our results show that 2 ferret coronaviruses that cause feline infectious peritonitis–like disease and epizootic catarrhal enteritis are enzootic among ferrets in Japan.

Genomic characterization of a circovirus associated with fatal hemorrhagic enteritis in dog, Italy

Dog circovirus (DogCV) was identified in an outbreak of enteritis in pups in Italy. The disease was observed in 6 young dachshunds pups of a litter from a breeding kennel and caused the death of 2 dogs. Upon full-genome analysis, the virus detected in one of the dead pups (strain Bari/411–13) was closely related to DogCVs that have been recently isolated in the USA. The present study, if corroborated by further reports, could represent a useful contribution to the knowledge of the pathogenic potential of DogCV and its association with enteritis in dogs.

Identification of a novel enterovirus E isolates HY12 from cattle with severe respiratory and enteric diseases

In this study, a virus strain designated as HY12 was isolated from cattle with a disease of high morbidity and mortality in Jilin province. Biological and physiochemical properties showed that HY12 isolates is cytopathic with an extremely high infectivity. HY12 is resistant to treatment of organic solvent and acid, and unstable at 60°C for 1 h. Electron microscopy observation revealed the virus is an approximately 22–28 nm in diameter. The complete genome sequence of HY12 consists of 7416 nucleotides, with a typical picornavirus genome organization including a 5′-untranslated region (UTR), a large single ORF encoding a polyprotein of 2176 amino acids, and a 3′-UTR. Phylogenetic analysis clustered HY12 isolates to a new serotype/genotype within the clade of enterovirus E (formerly BEV-A). Alignment analysis revealed a unique insertion of 2 amino acid residues (NF) at the C-terminal of VP1 protein between aa 825 and 826, and several rare mutations in VP1 and VP4 of HY12 isolates in relation to known bovine enterovirus (BEV) strains. This is the first report of an enterovirus E in China, which is potentially associated with an outbreak in cattle with severe respiratory and enteric diseases.

Detection of enteric viruses in Hungarian surface waters: first steps towards environmental surveillance

Waterborne viruses infect the human population through the consumption of contaminated drinking water and by direct contact with polluted surface water during recreational activity. Although water related viral outbreaks are a major public health concern, virus detection is not a part of the water quality monitoring scheme, mainly due to the absence of routine analysis methods. In the present study, we implemented various approaches for water concentration and virus detection, and tested on Hungarian surface water samples. Eighty samples were collected from 16 sites in Hungary. Samples were concentrated by glass wool and membrane filtration. Human adenoviruses were detected by conventional and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods in 56% (45/80) of the samples; viral titers ranged from 8.60 × 10(1) to 3.91 × 10(4) genome copies per liter. Noroviruses and enteroviruses were detected in 30% (24/80) and 13% (10/80) of samples, respectively, by reverse transcription-PCR assays. Results indicate a high prevalence of viral human pathogens in surface waters, suggesting the necessity of a detailed survey focusing on the quality of natural bathing waters and drinking water sources.

Clinical, hematological, and biochemical findings in puppies with coronavirus and parvovirus enteritis

The clinical and laboratory findings in puppies naturally infected with canine coronavirus (CCoV) and/or canine parvovirus (CPV) were compared with findings in uninfected puppies. Lymphopenia was the only parameter related to CCoV infection that was statistically significant; vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, hemorrhagic fluid diarrhea, leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoglycemia, and hypoproteinemia were correlated with CPV infection.

Cytomegaloviral enteritis: a rare cause of small gut perforation

A 47-year-old man was admitted with four months history of pain upper central abdomen associated with passage of 3-4 loose watery stools per day. Abdominal examination revealed soft abdomen with mild tenderness in the para-umbilical region. There was associated hepatomegaly. His Hb% was low, liver and renal functions were deranged. Upper GI endoscopy revealed antral ulcer, and colonoscopy revealed a caecal ulcer, which were biopsied. Liver biopsy was also done. Histopathology report showed evidence of inflammatory colitis and chronic hepatitis, so a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease with autoimmune hepatitis was made. He was negative for HIV and hepatitis serology. He was given long list of medicine including steroids but the symptoms did not improve. Two months after admission he developed severe abdominal pain associated with distension. The X-Ray chest revealed pneumoperitoneum and laparotomy was carried out which revealed a small perforation in terminal ileum associated with multiple circular indurated areas ranging from few mm to 1.5 Cm in size with central thinning spread over distal half of small gut and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. The biopsy of perforated area revealed cytomegaloviral enteritis. Postoperatively patient developed ARDS and died on 13th postoperative day.

[Clinical investigate and epidemiological of rotavirus enteritis in children]

OBJECTIVE

Study on the infection rate,influence factors and clinical characteristic of rotavirus diarrhea in children.

METHODS

634 hospitalized diarrhea children was collected from 2006 June to 2010 October. The gold immunochromatographic double-antibody sandwiched assay was used to detect the antigen of Rotavirus directly. The age of onset, incidence, clinical features and multiple organ damage and other aspects were summarized and analyzed.

RESULTS

308 cases was detected positively in the 634 specimens, the positive rate was 48.6%. In 6 to 12 months old children 197 cases was detected positively, accounted for 66.3%. Rotavirus was detected all the year round and the positive rate was higher in the first quarter and the forth quarter and was 63.8% and 62. 6% respectively. 68.6% accompanied with myocardial damage, 41.2% with lower respiratory tract infection, 13.3% with liver damage, 14.9% with renal damage, 9.4% with convulsions in 4.9%, accompanied by the damage of blood system.

CONCLUSION

Rotavirus is the leading cause of pediatric diarrhea the main pathogens, 6-12 months infants with the highest infection rate, the first, the fourth quarter is higher. Rotavirus infection can cause multiple organ dysfunction.

[Cytomegalovirus enteritis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the clinical features, diagnostic methods and risk factors of cytomegalovirus (CMV) enteritis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

METHODS

Analysis was made on 24 cases of CMV enteritis after allo-HSCT in Beijing Daopei Hospital from Aug. 2007 to Jul. 2009, including clinical data, endoscopic diagnosis, histopathological and virological results, and the association between CMV enteritis with viremia and graft-versus-host disease(GVHD).

RESULTS

87.5% of the patients were over 18 years old. The median time to diagnosis of CMV enteritis was 63 days after HSCT. The mucosal lesions in enteroscopic examination had no significant differences between CMV enteritis and gastrointestinal GVHD complicated with the enteritis. The methods used in diagnosis included histopathology (32.1%) and virology (92.9%). The copies of CMVDNA in mucosal samples greater than 10(5)/10(6) PBNC was better diagnosis. A number of risk factors were compared between the survival and death groups: type of transplant, conditioning regimen, the time span of ganciclovir prophylaxis therapy, grade II-IV GVHD before enteritis, the time of diagnosis as GVHD, using MP > or = 1 mg/kg to treat GVHD, the time between GVHD and enteritis, CMV viremia before enteritis, the time of diagnosis as enteritis, CMVDNA quantitation, and there were no any statistic differences.

CONCLUSION

Cytomegalovirus enteritis should be carefully diagnosed by histopathology and virology through endoscopic examination. It is better to undertake pan-colon endoscopy as well as terminal ileum examination for more accurate diagnosis. PCR can significantly improve the detection rate. CMVDNA detection in patients' stool may be helpful to diagnosis, especially for those patients who can not stand the endoscopy examination.

[Clinical observation on treatment of infantile rotavirus enteritis by umbilical application of lunxieting paste]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the clinical effect of umbilical application with Lunxieting Paste (LXT) for the treatment of infantile rotavirus enteritis (IRE).

METHODS

One hundred and ninety infants with IRE were randomly assigned into three groups, 55 in Group A, 60 in Group B and 75 in Group C. All were treated with conventional therapy, mainly the dehydration and acidosis correcting, rehydration salt and antiviral therapy; but to patients in Groups B and C, an additional medication of Smecta 1.5 g, thrice a day. for infants below 1 year and 3 g, thrice a day. for those between 1-2 years old, by orally taken with 0.05 L of warm water and umbilical application with LXT (one dose per day, containing 6.0 g of crude drug) was given respectively.

RESULTS

The total effective rate was 69.1% in Group A, 75% in Group B and 92% in Group C, respectively, showing significant difference (P<0.05) in comparing Group C with Groups A and B. Moreover, serum levels of TNF-alpha were decreased and IFN-gamma increased in Group C after treatment, all showed statistical significance as compared with those in the other two groups (P<0.05). No significant adverse reactions were observed in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Umbilical application of LXT could effectively alleviate the diarrhea symptom in IRE patients, accelerate the negative inversion of rotavirus, and reduce the injury of intestinal membrane, showing a therapeutic efficacy more effective and quicker than that of conventional treatment with more convenience for use.

Epizootic occurrence of haemorrhagic nephritis enteritis virus infection of geese

Recent outbreaks of haemorrhagic nephritis enteritis in geese flocks of 3 to 10 weeks in age in Hungary were investigated. Mortality varied between 4% and 67%. Affected birds generally died suddenly. Occasional clinical signs included tremors of the head and neck, subcutaneous haemorrhages and excretion of faeces containing partly digested blood. At necropsy the most frequent findings were a turgid wall and reddish mucosa of the intestines and reddish discolouration of the swollen kidneys, but oedema and haemorrhages of the subcutaneous connective tissue, hydropericardium and ascites were also seen. In subacute cases, visceral gout was frequently observed. Histological examination revealed zonal necrosis of the tubular epithelial cells with haemorrhages in the kidney. Other histological findings were serous hepatitis with fatty infiltration, necrotizing haemorrhagic enteritis and haemorrhages in the different organs including the brain. Experimental geese infected parenterally with crude liver and spleen homogenates prepared from diseased birds died after 8 to 20 days without premonitory signs, and had typical gross and histological lesions. Attempts to isolate cytopathic virus on different tissue cultures failed. The presence of polyomavirus was proven by polymerase chain reaction. Five isolates were further investigated by analysing their complete VP1 gene sequence. All tested strains were very closely related to each other on the basis of the nucleotide sequence, and they were identical at the deduced amino acid level.

Factors limiting the health of semi-scavenging ducks in Bangladesh

Duck rearing is well suited to coastal and lowland areas in Bangladesh. It is an important component of sustainable livelihood strategies for poor rural communities as an additional source of household income. An epidemiological study was conducted during January 2005-June 2006 on 379 households in Chatkhil of the Noakhali District, Bangladesh which were using the recently devised "Bangladesh duck model". The overall objective of the study was to identify factors that significantly contributed to mortality and constrained productivity and to generate sufficient knowledge to enable establishment of a disease surveillance system for household ducks. The overall mortality was 15.0% in Chatkhil, with predation causing a significantly higher mortality compared with diseases (p < 0.001). Common diseases were duck plague and duck cholera. Morbid ducks frequently displayed signs associated with diseases affecting the nervous and digestive systems. Haemorrhagic lesions in various organs and white multiple foci on the liver were frequently observed in dead ducks. Epidemiological analysis with a shared frailty model that accounted for clustering of data by farm was used to estimate the association between survival time and risk factors. The overall mortality rate due to disease was significantly lower in vaccinated than in non-vaccinated ducks in all zones except zone 2 (p < 0.001). Only vaccinated ducks survived in zone 1. In conclusion, duck mortality and untimely sale of ducks appeared to be important constraints for household duck production in Chatkhil. Vaccination against duck plague appears to be an effective preventive strategy in reducing the level of associated duck mortality. A successful network was established amongst farmers and the surveillance team through which dead ducks, with accompanying information, were readily obtained for analysis. Therefore, there is an opportunity for establishing a long-term disease surveillance programme for rural ducks in Chatkhil of the Noakhali District of Bangladesh.

[Efficacy of Novalac AD in the treatment of infantile rotavirus enteritis]

OBJECTIVE

To observe clinical efficacy of Novalac AD in infantile rotavirus enteritis.

METHODS

20 infants with rotavirus enteritis but without dehydration and/or acidosis were selected to be fed by Novalac AD for one week.

RESULTS

Effective rate was 100%. All 20 subjects stool turned normal and systemic symptoms disappeared after treatment, with 17 within 48 h (85%,17/20) and 3 within 72 h (15%, 3/20).

CONCLUSION

Novalac AD has a significant effect on infantile rotavirus enteritis.

[Preliminary study on apoptosis of DEF cells induced by new type gosling viral enteritis virus (NGVEV) infection]

The characteristics changes of apoptosis of Duck Embryo Fibroblasts (DEF) cells induced by New type gosling viral enteritis virus, NGVEV) were observed by means of HE staining, electron microscopy and Annexin V-FITC/PI fluorescent staining. During 24-48 h post infection (pi), the difference of morphological change between infected DEF cells and the mock infected cells was invisible. At 72 h pi, the nuclear chromatin was getting condensed through HE staining; apoptotic morphological change such as abnormal shape of the nucleus, condensation of the cytoplasm and chromatin were observed under electron microscope; and the early apoptotic cells (Annexin V-FITC positive and PI negative) were detected under fluorescence microscope. At 96-120 h pi, by means of HE staining and electron microscopy, the advanced morphological change of apoptosis such as formation of different kinds of apoptotic bodies, and shrink of the DEF cells and nucleus were detected; under fluorescence microscope the different stages of the apoptotic DEF can be easily distinguished: early apoptotic cells (Annexin V-FITC postive and pi negative), advanced or late apoptotic cells (both Annexin V-FITC and PI positive), necrosis cells or dead cells (Annexin V-FITC negative and PI positive). This investigation shows that NGVEV might induce apoptosis and form characteristic apoptotic morphological changes in the DEF cells. NGVEV inducement of apoptosis may be an important mechanism of efficient dissemination of virus progeny.

Porcine circovirus type 2 associated disease: update on current terminology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and intervention strategies

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)-associated disease (PCVAD) continues to be an important differential diagnosis on pig farms in the United States and worldwide. Case trend analyses indicate that the incidence of PCVAD is on the rise in the United States. Accurate diagnosis is important in order to implement appropriate intervention strategies. PCVAD can manifest as a systemic disease, as part of the respiratory disease complex, as an enteric disease, as porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome, or as reproductive problems. PCVAD may be only a sporadic individual animal diagnosis; however, PCVAD may also manifest as a severe herd problem accelerated and enhanced by concurrent virus or bacterial infections. This article is intended to discuss the most common disease manifestations, pathogenesis, diagnostic approaches, and intervention strategies associated with PCVAD in North America.

Cytomegalovirus-associated ileal stricture in a preterm neonate

Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of post-natally acquired cytomegalovirus (CMV) in preterm neonates can vary from mild diarrhoea to severe necrotising enterocolitis. However, the suspicion of CMV-related GI disease remains low. Mild CMV disease localised to the GI tract may go undiagnosed initially until a more obvious complication such as strictures manifest. A case of CMV-associated enteritis in an extremely preterm neonate is presented. The diagnosis was established after the histopathology of the surgical specimen showed the presence of CMV inclusion bodies. Testing the stool specimen for CMV to establish the diagnosis when the pathology is limited to the GI tract is also discussed.

Unusual presentation of cytomegalovirus enteritis after liver and kidney transplantation

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant recipients. Gastrointestinal (GI) tract infection by CMV in this population can cause symptomatic disease, which typically manifests as fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and bloody diarrhea. Erosive lesions of the GI mucosa are often evident on endoscopic exam. We report an unusual presentation of CMV enteritis in a kidney and liver transplant recipient with the development of acute onset voluminous watery diarrhea in the absence of other typical symptoms and subsequent progression to hypovolemic shock and acute renal failure. This case emphasizes the atypical presentations of common opportunistic infections that may occur in immunosuppressed hosts.

Study on the colonoscopic features of GVHD enteritis that developed after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) enteritis is a frequent gastrointestinal complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The diagnosis of GVHD enteritis was made if apoptotic bodies in crypt epithelium were observed in a biopsy specimen(s). However, there is no standardized protocol as to what colonoscopic findings to use as a guide, and from which segment of the colon and how many biopsy specimens should be obtained. Our aim was to develop a colonoscopic protocol for detection of GVHD enteritis.

METHODOLOGY

This retrospective study included 19 patients who had refractory watery diarrhea beyond day 20 after HSCT and underwent colonoscopic examination. Four to nine colonoscopic biopsy specimens were obtained from various regions of the colon in each patient. Fifteen of the 19 patients were diagnosed with GVHD enteritis.

RESULTS

In the 15 patients with GVHD enteritis, colonoscopy revealed non-specific findings such as edema, redness, and erosions. Apoptotic bodies were found in one biopsy specimen in 7 patients, 2 biopsy specimens in 5 patients, and 3 or more biopsy specimens in 3 patients. Apoptotic bodies were found in the distal colon (descending colon or sigmoid colon or rectum) in 8 patients, and in the proximal to transverse colon in the remaining 7 patients. Apoptotic bodies were most frequently detected in colonoscopic biopsy specimens of erosions and aphthous lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

When patients who have undergone HSCT develop refractory diarrhea, many biopsy specimens from the entire colon should be obtained on colonoscopic examination for histopathologic detection of GVHD enteritis.

Preliminary study on duck enteritis virus-induced lymphocyte apoptosis in vivo

We studied apoptosis induced by duck enteritis virus (DEV) in vivo, focusing on the lymphoid organs that constitute the main targets for infection: thymus, bursa of Fabricius (BF), and spleen. Fifty Pekin ducks were inoculated subcutaneously with a virulent strain of DEV. The morphology of lymphoid organs of these infected ducks was observed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Cell death by classical necrosis was observed in lymphocytes of the DEV-infected thymus, BF, and spleen. Lymphocyte apoptosis also was observed at the same time, and it was further confirmed by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling and agarose gel electrophoresis. We conclude that apoptosis and necrosis of lymphocytes induced by DEV infection resulted in the depletion of lymphocytes and that apoptosis of lymphocytes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of duck viral enteritis.

Prevalence of group C rotaviruses in weaning and post-weaning pigs with enteritis

Diarrheic fecal specimens collected from porcine herds were screened for the presence of group C rotaviruses using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. A total of 188 samples were tested and 54 were positive. When compiled these data with diagnostic results on group A rotaviruses and enteric caliciviruses we found that all but 5 group C rotavirus positive samples contained at least one additional virus. A subset of samples were subjected to nucleotide sequencing. The selected strains showed an unexpectedly wide range of nucleotide sequence heterogeneity (88.6-100%) to each other and to the reference porcine group C rotavirus strain, Cowden. The nucleotide sequence identity to the genuine bovine and human strains were, respectively, 86.8 and 87.2% or less. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that infection with group C rotavirus is frequent in Italian piggeries. The considerable rate of multiple infections requires further studies to investigate the pathogenic potential of group C rotaviruses in pigs, alone or in mixed infection, and raises challenges in the laboratory diagnosis of porcine enteric infections.

Molecular characterization of the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) homologues, UL25 to UL30, in duck enteritis virus (DEV)

A 16.6-kilo-base pair (kb) sequence was amplified from the duck enteritis virus (DEV) clone-03 strain genome using 'targeted gene walking polymerase chain reaction (PCR)'. Seven complete open reading frames (ORFs) were predicted, and designated herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) homologues, unique long (UL) 25, UL26, UL26.5, UL27, UL28, UL29, and UL30. Sequence analysis revealed that the arrangement of seven genes in DEV clone-03 strain was collinear to that from HSV-1. In addition, mRNA transcription orientation was identical to the HSV-1 genes. While UL25, UL26, and UL26.5 shared the same poly A signal, the UL27 and UL28 genes overlapped by 211bp nucleotides and shared the same 3' transcription terminus. UL26.5, an in-frame ORF of UL26, was co-terminal with UL26 at its 3'-end. We predicted that the gene arrangement in the unique long segment of the DEV clone-03 was identical to that in HSV-1, particularly in the region from UL25 to UL30 gene. Phylogenetic trees of the putative proteins encoded by these seven genes showed that UL27, UL28, and UL30 had a close evolutionary relationship with the Mardivirus, however, the other four proteins exhibited close relationships with the Simplexvirus or Varicellovirus, indicating that the DEV clone-03 should be placed into a single cluster within the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae.

Characterisation of lipid profiles in dogs with parvoviral enteritis

OBJECTIVE

To characterise the lipid profiles in dogs with parvoviral enteritis.

METHODS

Blood was collected before treatment from 30 dogs that fulfilled the criteria for severe sepsis including hypo- or hyperthermia, hypotension, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and evidences of organ dysfunction. Canine parvovirus was detected by haemagglutination and indirect fluorescence antibody tests in the faeces. Twenty control dogs were also enrolled on the basis of normal physical examination results, complete blood count and serum biochemistry profiles.

RESULTS

Tachycardia, tachypnoea, hypotension, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and increased serum markers of tissue injury (alanine aminotransferase, creatinine kinase myocardial isoenzyme [CK-MB], blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) were observed in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. Serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower, but serum triglyceride level was higher in dogs with parvoviral enteritis than those in control dogs (P<0.001). Circulating tumour necrosis factor alpha correlated negatively with total cholesterol (r=-0.979; P<0.001) but positively with triglyceride (r=0.953; P<0.001) in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. Serum total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in non-survival (n=9) dogs than in survival dogs (n=21, P<0.001).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Serum total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased, but serum triglyceride level increased in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. Low serum total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels may be used as an index of the severity of parvoviral enteritis.

Effects of epidermal growth factor on atrophic enteritis in piglets induced by experimental porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes gastrointestinal mucosal recovery by stimulating the mitogenic activity of intestinal crypt epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of EGF on atrophic enteritis induced in piglets by experimental infection with porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) strain Dr13. Two groups of 12 conventional, colostrum-deprived, 1-day-old, large White-Duroc cross breed piglets were inoculated orally with PEDV (3 x 10(5) 50% tissue culture infective doses), with or without EGF (10 microg/kg/day, intraperitoneally once daily for 4 days after infection) and compared to 12 uninfected, untreated control piglets. PEDV+EGF piglets had less severe clinical signs than PEDV only piglets at 48 and 60 h post-infection (hpi). Histologically, the ratio of villous height:crypt depth of PEDV+EGF piglets was significantly higher than PEDV only piglets at 36 and 48 hpi. Immunohistochemistry for Ki67 demonstrated increased proliferation in intestinal crypt epithelial cells of PEDV+EGF piglets compared to PEDV only piglets at 36, 48 and 60 hpi. EGF stimulates proliferation of intestinal crypt epithelial cells and promotes recovery from atrophic enteritis in PEDV-infected piglets.

Molecular analysis of the S glycoprotein gene of bovine coronaviruses isolated in Japan from 1999 to 2006

In total, 55 isolates of Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) were collected from cases of enteric and respiratory disease occurring between 1999 and 2006 in Japan. Phylogenetic analysis of the polymorphic region of the S glycoprotein gene of these isolates, together with those of other known strains, classified the BCoV strains and isolates into four clusters. Recent field isolates display distinctive genetic divergence from the prototype enteric BCoV strains--Mebus, Quebec, Kakegawa, F15 and LY138--and have diverged in three different aspects over 8 years. These data suggested that the genetic divergence in the polymorphic region of the S glycoprotein has progressed considerably; thus, molecular analysis of this region should be useful in investigating the molecular epidemiology of BCoV. In addition, based on the differences in amino acids among the isolates, our study did not reveal the presence of certain genetic markers of pathogenicity and clinical symptoms in this polymorphic region.

Intestinal ribosomal p70(S6K) signaling is increased in piglet rotavirus enteritis

Recent identification of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway as an amino acid-sensing mechanism that regulates protein synthesis led us to investigate its role in rotavirus diarrhea. We hypothesized that malnutrition would reduce the jejunal protein synthetic rate and mTOR signaling via its target, ribosomal p70 S6 kinase (p70(S6K)). Newborn piglets were artificially fed from birth and infected with porcine rotavirus on day 5 of life. Study groups included infected (fully fed and 50% protein calorie malnourished) and noninfected fully fed controls. Initially, in "worst-case scenario studies," malnourished infected piglets were killed on days 1, 3, 5, and 11 postinoculation, and jejunal samples were compared with controls to determine the time course of injury and p70(S6K) activation. Using a 2 x 2 factorial design, we subsequently determined if infection and/or malnutrition affected mTOR activation on day 3. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to measure total and phosphorylated p70(S6K); [(3)H]phenylalanine incorporation was used to measure protein synthesis; and lactase specific activity and villus-crypt dimensions were used to quantify injury. At the peak of diarrhea, the in vitro jejunal protein synthetic rate increased twofold (compared with the rate in the uninfected pig jejunum), concomitant with increased jejunal p70(S6K) phosphorylation (4-fold) and an increased p70(S6K) level (3-fold, P < 0.05). Malnutrition did not alter the magnitude of p70(S6K) activation. Immunolocalization revealed that infection produced a major induction of cytoplasmic p70(S6K) and nuclear phospho-p70(S6K), mainly in the crypt. A downregulation of semitendinosus muscle p70(S6K) phosphorylation was seen at days 1-3 postinoculation. In conclusion, intestinal activation of p70(S6K) was not inhibited by malnutrition but was strongly activated during an active state of mucosal regeneration.

Porcine enteric caliciviruses: genetic and antigenic relatedness to human caliciviruses, diagnosis and epidemiology

Porcine enteric caliciviruses include sapoviruses and noroviruses. Porcine sapoviruses infect pigs of all ages and cause diarrhea in young pigs, whereas porcine noroviruses were detected exclusively from adult pigs without clinical signs. Importantly, certain porcine norovirus strains were genetically and antigenically related to human noroviruses. This raises public health concerns that pigs may be reservoirs for emergence of epidemic human norovirus strains. This article reviews the discovery of porcine noroviruses and sapoviruses, their classification, diagnosis, epidemiology and genetic and antigenic relatedness to human caliciviruses.

Co-circulation of distinct genetic lineages of astroviruses in turkeys and guinea fowl

Viruses belonging to the genus Astrovirus have been increasingly associated with enteritis in mammalian and avian species, including turkeys. More recently, astroviruses have also been detected in diseased guinea fowl. In turkeys, two genetically distinct types of astrovirus have been reported, namely turkey astrovirus 1 and 2 (TAstV1 and TAstV2). The prevalence and the pathogenesis of astrovirus infections in this species is currently unknown, with the exception of data generated in the USA. In the present report, we have demonstrated the co-circulation of distinct genetic lineages of astroviruses infecting turkeys and guinea fowl. The predominant lineage infecting turkeys is genetically related to the American TAstV2, but genetic variability within this lineage was demonstrated. Other isolates appeared to be either TastV1-related or unrelated to any other known isolate. Astroviruses infecting guinea fowl were more closely related to TAstV2, and interspecies transmissions between turkeys and guinea fowl is suggested as a possible mechanism by which these viruses may have evolved, based on the genetic data available. This investigation provides genetic and epidemiological information contributing to a better understanding of enteric viral infections in turkeys and guinea fowl.