Remediation of pesticides in commercial farm soils by solarization and ozonation techniques

Soil contamination by pesticides is a growing environmental problem. Even though nowadays numerous soil remediation technologies are available, most of them have not been tested at field scale. This study attempts to demonstrate the efficiency of solarization-ozonation techniques for the removal of twelve pesticides at full scale. Initial solarization and ozonation trials were conducted in plots located in a greenhouse using freshly and aged contaminated soils under controlled pilot conditions. The combination of solarization and ozonation treatment was efficient for all the studied pesticides both in freshly and in aged contaminated soils, being the lower degradation values found for the second type. This low removal suggests that the increase of pesticides' adsorption on soil resulting from ageing decreases their availability. Once the essays were carried out at pilot scale, the solarization-ozonation applicability was evaluated in a commercial farm soil. This trial was carried out in a greenhouse whose soil had previously been contaminated with some of the pesticides studied. A significant degradation (53.8%) was observed after 40 days of treatment. Pesticides' main metabolites were identified during the different remediation experiments. In addition, the cost of the combined solarization and ozonation technology was evaluated. Finally, our results suggest that this combination of techniques could be considered a promising technology to degrade pesticides in soil.

Transvaginal ultrasound for diagnosis of deep endometriosis involving uterosacral ligaments, torus uterinus and posterior vaginal fornix: prospective study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) in diagnosing deep endometriosis (DE) involving the uterosacral ligaments (USLs), torus uterinus (TU) or posterior vaginal fornix (PVF) in women with suspected endometriosis scheduled for laparoscopic surgery.

METHODS

In this prospective study, consecutive women with clinically suspected pelvic endometriosis who were scheduled for laparoscopic surgery were invited to participate. TVS was performed before surgery. TVS findings were compared with those obtained at laparoscopy and confirmed histologically. The accuracy of TVS for diagnosing DE involving the USLs, TU or PVF was assessed. Additionally, the association of DE involving the USLs, TU or PVF on TVS with symptoms and with DE affecting other pelvic locations was assessed.

RESULTS

In total, 172 patients were included. The global sensitivity and specificity of TVS in diagnosing DE affecting the USLs, TU and/or PVF were 92% and 87%, respectively. For DE involving the USLs, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio of TVS were 89.5%, 96.6%, 82.1%, 85.0%, 95.8%, 5.41 and 0.04, respectively; the respective values for DE involving the TU were 86.6%, 83.9%, 89.4%, 89.0%, 84.4%, 7.92 and 0.18, and the respective values for DE involving the PVF were 93.6%, 87.0%, 94.6%, 71.4%, 97.9%, 16.20 and 0.14. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between DE affecting the USLs, TU and/or PVF and DE affecting the rectosigmoid (odds ratio, 5.43; P < 0.001). Dyschezia was associated strongly with DE involving the USLs, TU and PVF, while dysmenorrhea was associated significantly with DE involving the TU.

CONCLUSION

TVS has high accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for the detection of DE involving the USLs, TU and PVF in women with suspected endometriosis scheduled for laparoscopic surgery. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Clinical findings, neurological manifestations and survival of dogs with insulinoma: 116 cases (2009-2020)

OBJECTIVES

To review the clinical findings and outcome in dogs diagnosed with insulinoma, and to assess which factors are predictors of overall survival. Additionally, to describe the neurological manifestations of this population and their correlation with survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective multicentric study of canine insulinoma cases (2009 to 2020). Signalment, clinical history, neurological examination, diagnostic findings, treatment and outcome were obtained from clinical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare the overall survival.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixteen cases were included. Median duration of clinical signs before presentation was 1.5 months. The most common presenting clinical signs were weakness (59.5%), epileptic seizures (33.6%) and changes in consciousness or behaviour (27.6%). Three dogs were suspected to have paroxysmal dyskinesia. Thirty-two dogs had an abnormal neurological examination, most commonly showing obtundation (28.1%), decreased withdrawal reflexes (21.9%) and absent menace response (18.8%). Overall survival for dogs undergoing surgery (20 months) was significantly longer than in medically treated (8 months; adjusted hazard ratio: 0.33; 95% confidence interval: 0.18, 0.59). Presence of metastases was the only other variable associated with prognosis (adjusted hazard ratio 1.72; 95% confidence interval: 1.02, 2.91).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Clinical signs of canine insulinoma are vague and non-specific. Weakness, epileptic seizures and changes in mentation or behaviour were the most commonly reported. Obtunded mentation and forebrain neurolocalisation were the main neurological manifestations. Dogs undergoing surgery had a longer overall survival compared to medically treated cases, and dogs with metastasis had a shorter overall survival regardless of treatment modality. Abnormalities in the neurological examination did not correlate with prognosis.

Bowel preparation prior to transvaginal ultrasound improves detection of rectosigmoid deep infiltrating endometriosis and is well tolerated: prospective study of women with suspected endometriosis without surgical criteria

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the effect of bowel preparation prior to transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) examination on the detection of bowel involvement and the description of rectosigmoid nodules of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), and to evaluate patient tolerance of bowel preparation.

METHODS

This was a prospective study of paired data obtained between September 2015 and March 2016 from a cohort of women referred, on suspicion of DIE but without surgical criteria, to the endometriosis unit of a tertiary university hospital. In all patients, the wall of the rectum and lower sigmoid colon was evaluated by two TVS examinations: the first was performed without bowel preparation and the second was done after the patient had followed a 3-day low-residue diet and received two 250-mL enemas, one the night before TVS and the second 1-3 h before the examination. The presence of adhesions, number and size of rectosigmoid nodules, deepest layer of the rectum affected, percentage of the circumference of the bowel affected and distance from the most caudal part of the bowel nodule to the anal verge were determined. Patient tolerance to bowel preparation was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale, in which 1 represented 'very well tolerated' and 5 represented 'very poorly tolerated'.

RESULTS

The mean ± SD age of the 110 patients included in the study was 36.8 ± 5.07 years. As many as 55% of those identified during the first examination (TVS alone) as having adhesions were identified at the second examination (TVS with prior bowel preparation) as having rectosigmoid nodules, and 22 additional nodules were observed on TVS following bowel preparation. These newly detected rectosigmoid nodules, initially assessed mainly as adhesions, were smaller and more superficial compared with the nodules detected on TVS alone, or located in the anterior sigmoid wall. Patient tolerance overall to bowel preparation scored a mean of 1.81 on the 5-point Likert scale.

CONCLUSIONS

Bowel preparation is well tolerated by patients. When bowel preparation is performed before TVS, the detection of small and superficial nodules and those in the anterior sigmoid wall is improved, allowing more detailed description of these nodules in patients with suspected endometriosis. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Feasibility, tolerability, and safety of hysterosalpingo-foam sonography (hyfosy). multicenter, prospective Spanish study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the feasibility,tolerability, and safety of the ultrasound assessment of tubal patency using foam as contrast.

METHODS

This was a prospective multicenter study of 915 infertile nulliparous women scheduled for sonohysterosalpingography with foam instillation (HYFOSY) for tubal patency testing as a part of the fertility workup. Clinical and sonographic data were recorded into a web-shared database. Tubal patency, cervical catheterization, pain during the procedure and post-procedural complications were collected. Patients reported discomfort or pain experienced during the procedure with a visual analogue scale (VAS) score.

RESULTS

Nine hundred fifteen women were included in the final analysis. Median age was 34 (range, 21-45) years and median body mass index was 23 (range, 16-41) kg/m2. Of 839 women, only 8(0.95 %) cases were abandoned due to impossibility of introducing the intracervical catheter. Most of the cervical os were easily cannulated with either paediatric nasogastric probes or special catheter for intrauterine insemination / sonohysterosalpingography 688/914(75.3 %). With a median instillation of 4 mL (range 1-16) of foam, both tubes were identified in 649/875 (70.9 %) patients, while unilateral patency was observed in 190/875 (20.8 %). Only 36/875 (3.9 %) of the women had bilateral tubal obstruction. The median VAS score for perception of pain during HyFoSy examination was 2 (range 0-10), and only 17 (1.9 %) of women reported severe pain (VAS ≥ 7). Pain was unrelated to tubal patency or tubal blockage. Unexpectedly, difficult cervical catheterizations that needed tenaculum, were more likely associated with mild pain during procedure [nasogastric probe group 176/289 (70.9 %) vs. insemination catheter group 166/399 (41.6 %) vs. tenaculum group 190/218(87.2 %) p < 0.001]. Finally, among 915 patients, we only noticed 3 (0.32 %) complications of the technique: two vasovagal episodes and a mild urinary infection.

CONCLUSION

HYFOSY is a feasible, well-tolerated and safe technique for the evaluation of tubal patency in infertile women.

Technical-Tactical Actions Used to Score in Taekwondo: An Analysis of Two Medalists in Two Olympic Championships

Research in taekwondo has traditionally focused on specific aspects athletes' overall technical and tactical skills, while ignoring other important issues such as identifying how successful athletes score points. The aim of the current study was to follow two medalists through two Olympic Championships (2012 and 2016) to discover the effective patterns associated with scoring in taekwondo using an observational methodology. An ad-hoc taekwondo observational tool was used to codify the actions performed by the athletes. An observational descriptive and multivariate analysis of 1,688 actions performed by the athletes was conducted. A lag sequential and polar coordinate analysis was performed that considered tactics, techniques and the kicking zone as factors related to score (one to four points). The results showed that one point was scored with direct attacks (DIAs) and actions to the chest where DIAs also occurred prior to scoring. After scoring one-point, opponents tended to gain points by kicking the opponent's head. Two points were scored with simultaneous spinning kicks. Cuts occurred prior to and after scoring while posterior counterattacks (PCAs) occurred after. Three points were scored by performing indirect attacks and PCAs to the head. Cuts, dodges, and linear actions preceded the three-point score while dodges, DIAs, and linear actions to the chest also occurred after the three point-actions. In conclusion, these two athletes not only mastered the whole tactics but also used specific strategies to score. That is, they anticipated the opponent's attack to score one point by kicking the opponent directly and performed spinning kicks from short distances when they perceived an opponent's cutting action to score two points. Finally, these athletes indirectly attacked the opponent when they dodged by kicking their head and counterattacked posteriorly when an opponent's cut was perceived to score three points. Thus, they used the most difficult tactics to achieve the highest score. It is suggested that coaches and psychologists train athletes in better decision-making by preparing them to not only prepare their own attacks but to systematically use the intended attacks by their opponents to score their own points in accordance with the successful patterns extracted in this study.

Development of a Taekwondo Combat Model Based on Markov Analysis

The purpose of the present study was to examine male and female Olympic taekwondo competitors' movement patterns according to their tactical actions by applying a Markov processes analysis. To perform this study, 11,474 actions by male competitors and 12,980 actions by female competitors were compiled and analyzed. The results yielded 32 significant sequences among male competitors and 30 among female competitors. Male competitors demonstrated 11 sequences initiated by an attack, 11 initiated by a counterattack, and 10 initiated by a defensive action. Female competitors demonstrated nine sequences initiated by an attack, 11 initiated by a counterattack, and 10 initiated by a defensive move. The five most popular sequences were the opening and dodge, the direct attack and simultaneous counterattack, the dodge with a direct attack, the indirect attack and simultaneous counterattack, and the simultaneous counterattack with a direct attack. Markov chains help provide coaches and researchers with relevant information about the frequency of actions, both in terms of their frequency of occurrence and the order of their occurrence, during a real competition. It is suggested that coaches and athletes focus on these patterns when training for a real competition.

Is It Possible to Predict an Athlete's Behavior? The Use of Polar Coordinates to Identify Key Patterns in Taekwondo

Match analysts and sport psychologists can help elite athletes develop planned competition strategies from a technical-tactical perspective by analyzing of previous performances. The aim of this study was to analyze the behavioral patterns used to score points in the 2012 London Olympic Games by a mixed observational methodology and polar coordinate analysis. This analysis is a representation of four quadrants of the relationships between focal behavior [i.e., scoring, (SC)] and conditioned behaviors as key factors in taekwondo before and after focal behavior of two lags (-2, +2). A total of 151 combats, with a total of 24,940 actions were analyzed by the Taekwondo Observational Tool, which consists of 24 categories grouped into seven criteria (tactics, techniques, kicking zone, laterality, kicking leg, guard, and score). Our analysis confirms 49 significant associations (21 in females and 28 in males) between different types of scoring actions (SC1: to the trunk, SC2: to the trunk with a previous spin, SC3: to the head and SC4: to the head with a previous spin) and a variety of technical-tactical aspects. Females SC1 after cut, direct attacks with circular techniques to the chest, with back right leg; SC2 after direct attacks to the head, and SC3 after cuts, posterior counterattacks with the back leg. Males SC1 after spin anticipate counterattack with back leg and dodges, SC2 after simultaneous counterattacks (SCAs) to the head, SC3 after cuts and posterior counterattacks with back leg while SC4 after blocks and SCAs in close guard with the forward right leg. The observed relationships provide objective data regarding successful behavioral patterns, and are important for coaches and psychologists to train and develop psychological strategies to prepare athletes. For instance, they can be used to individualize training sessions, including visualization of specific combat situations. Coaches and psychologists could use these findings for specific tasks related to technical-tactical improvement of scoring effectiveness or defensive strategies against these specific actions.

Tumour-to-Tumour Metastasis Phenomenon: Metastatic Prostatic Adenocarcinoma within an Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma in the Brain of a Dog

A 10-year-old entire male French bulldog was presented following clusters of generalized tonic-clonic epileptic seizures. Neurolocalization was consistent with a lesion in the left forebrain. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a large, ill-defined, intra-axial, space-occupying lesion at the level of the left temporal and parietal lobes, causing marked compression of the adjacent parenchyma. Computed tomography of the thorax and abdomen was consistent with disseminated metastatic disease. The dog was humanely destroyed and subjected to necropsy examination. Histological examination of the brain revealed a metastasis of prostatic carcinoma within an anaplastic oligodendroglioma in the left forebrain. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report describing clinical, imaging and histopathological features of an intracranial tumour-to-tumour metastasis in the brain of a dog.

Postpartum two- and three-dimensional ultrasound evaluation of anal sphincter complex in women with obstetric anal sphincter injury

OBJECTIVE

To compare the sensitivity and specificity of two- (2D) and three- (3D) dimensional transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) and 3D endovaginal ultrasound (EVUS) with the gold standard 3D endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) in detecting residual defects after primary repair of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS).

METHODS

External (EAS) and internal (IAS) anal sphincters were evaluated by the four ultrasound modalities in women with repaired OASIS. 2D-TPUS was evaluated in real-time, whereas 3D-TPUS, 3D-EVUS and 3D-EAUS volumes were evaluated offline by six blinded readers. The presence/absence of any tear in EAS or IAS was recorded and defects were scored according to the Starck system. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated, using 3D-EAUS as reference standard. Inter- and intraobserver analyses were performed for all 3D imaging modalities. Association between patients' symptoms (Wexner score) and ultrasound findings (Starck score) was calculated.

RESULTS

Images from 55 patients were analyzed. Compared with findings on 3D-EAUS, the agreement for EAS evaluation was poor for 3D-EVUS (κ = 0.01), fair for 2D-TPUS (κ = 0.30) and good for 3D-TPUS (κ = 0.73). The agreement for IAS evaluation was moderate for both 3D-EVUS (κ = 0.41) and 2D-TPUS (κ = 0.52) and good for 3D-TPUS (κ = 0.66). Good intraobserver (3D-EAUS, κ = 0.73; 3D-TPUS, κ = 0.78) and interobserver (3D-EAUS, κ = 0.68; 3D-TPUS, κ = 0.60) agreement was reported. Significant association between Starck and Wexner scores was found only for 3D-EAUS (Spearman's rho = 0.277, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

2D-TPUS and 3D-EVUS are not accurate modalities for the assessment of anal sphincters after repair of OASIS. 3D-TPUS shows good agreement with the gold standard 3D-EAUS and a high sensitivity in detecting residual defects. It, thus, has potential as a screening tool after primary repair of OASIS. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Urinary incontinence in gynaecological consultations. Do all women with symptoms wish to be treated?

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and symptom severity of urinary incontinence (UI) in women who attend primary care gynaecological consultations, as well as the proportion of women with UI symptoms who wish to be studied and treated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A multicentre, observational, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted of women who visit the 8 specialised consultations for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in the 4 Catalan provinces for any reason (except UI, pregnancy and postpartum). We employed the ICQ-UI-SF questionnaire to detect UI symptoms. Women with UI symptoms (ICI-Q-SF>0) were asked whether they wanted specific care for their UI problem. Those who answered "no" were asked why.

RESULTS

The study included 2840 women, 41.8% of whom reported urine losses, especially mild to moderate symptoms. Some 53.62% of the women with UI responded that they did not wish to be treated. Of these, 75% had mild symptoms, 45% had moderate symptoms, and only 16% and 5% had severe or very severe symptoms, respectively. Fifty-three percent of the women did not want treatment because the UI was not a significant problem for them.

CONCLUSIONS

Almost half of the women who attended a specialised consultation for SRH for any reason reported UI symptoms, especially mild and moderate. More than half of the patients with UI symptoms did not want to start a diagnostic and treatment process for their problem. Symptom severity is associated with the willingness to be treated.

Spinal cord injury secondary to electrocution in a dog

A 13-year-old, female spayed, crossbreed dog of 32 kg was presented for evaluation of peracute onset of non-ambulatory tetraparesis after chewing an electrical wire. Neurological examination was consistent with a C1-C5 myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a focal intramedullary lesion over the C2-C3 vertebral bodies, which was confirmed to be an acute focal necrotising poliomyelopathy with subarachnoid and subdural haemorrhages on postmortem examination. This report describes the clinical, imaging and histopathological findings of this unusual type of spinal cord injury, and the effects of electrocution in the central nervous system of dogs.

Molecular epizootiology of infectious bronchitis virus in Sweden indicating the involvement of a vaccine strain

To improve the detection and molecular identification of infectious bronchitis virus (avian coronavirus), two reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were developed. As 'diagnostic#10; PCR', a set of consensus nested primers was selected from highly conserved stretches of the nucleocapsid (N) gene. As 'phylogeny' PCR, a fragment of the spike protein gene (S1) was amplified and the PCR products were directly sequenced. To study the phylogenetic relationships of the viruses from various outbreaks, studies of molecular epizootiology were performed in Sweden, a Nordic region, where the occurrence of natural cases of the disease is relatively low and the occasional use of live vaccine(s) is well recorded and monitored. The disease appeared in the region in 1994, associated with production problems among layers of various ages. During outbreaks in 1995 and 1997, both layers and broilers were affected. To reduce losses, a live attenuated vaccine has been applied since 1997. By examining 12 cases between 1994 and 1998, molecular epizootiology revealed that, before 1997, the viruses had gene sequences very similar to strains of the Massachusetts serotype. However, comparative sequence analysis of the S1 gene revealed that the identity was not 100% to any of the strains of this serotype that we analysed. A virus related to the Dutch-type strain, D274, was also identified on one farm. Surprisingly, from 1997, the year that vaccination commenced with a live Massachusetts serotype vaccine, the majority of viruses detected had S1 sequences identical to the live Massachusetts vaccine strain. This genetic relation to the vaccine virus was also confirmed by N gene sequence analysis. The studies of molecular epizootiology reveal a strong probability that the vaccination had lead to the spread of the vaccine virus, causing various disease manifestations and a confusing epizootiological situation in the poultry population.

Use of pepper crop residues for the control of root-knot nematodes

The biofumigant effect of pepper crop residues (PCR) for controlling Meloidogyne incognita populations was evaluated. Under laboratory conditions, 0, 5, 10 and 20 g PCR were applied to 500 g nematode infested soil, with four replicates per treatment. After 20 days at 25 degrees C, PCR reduced significantly M. incognita populations and root galling indices in susceptible tomato cv. Marmande, and increased K, N and organic C in soil. In the field, biofumigation with PCR combined with fresh animal manures (with and without plastic cover), methyl bromide, and a control were evaluated through root galling indices on a pepper crop. Each treatment, except for the control, had a grafted and non-grafted susceptible pepper sub-treatment, with three replicates. Root galling indices were lower, and yields higher, on grafted plants, biofumigation with PCR and plastic cover, with similar values as MB treatment, suggesting that biofumigation with PCR is an efficient non-chemical alternative to control M. incognita populations, especially when applied with plastic cover, nitrogen-rich organic matter and followed by grafting on resistant pepper.

Alergia de contacto a 3-dimetilaminopopilamina y cocamidopropil betaína

It has been discovered that all individuals who are allergic to cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) are sensitized to 3-dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) and to amidoamine, molecules which are intermediaries in CAPB synthesis, and which persist as impurities in the material that is sold; the amounts vary, depending on the quality of the CAPB in the end product. We present three cases of allergic contact dermatitis to DMAPA. In all three cases, the skin tests for DMAPA were positive, while there was no reaction to CAPB. The current relevance of these tests was confirmed by the patients' re-exposure to the suspect products themselves, which contained CAPB. Contact allergy to CAPB is now infrequent, partly because of the increasing use of new non-irritating surfactants that have been introduced on the market in the last decade. However, cases of patients allergic to commercial CAPB who only react to DMAPA -and not to CAPB- when they are patch tested are still being reported. DMAPA itself, and other molecules like amidoamine, would be the true allergens, and some cases of CAPB allergy are therefore being overlooked because DMAPA is not always included in the cosmetics series. CAPB may no longer be necessary in patch tests, as DMAPA seems to be the principal allergenic fraction in this surfactant, and also because manufacturers of skin allergens currently prepare CAPB extracts that are so pure that they are no longer a good screening tool for contact allergy to commercial CAPB.

Establishment of latency associated with glycoprotein E (gE) seroconversion after bovine herpesvirus 1 infection in calves with high levels of passive antibodies lacking gE antibodies

This study was conducted to investigate the glycoprotein E (gE) antibody response raised after inoculation with a low infectious dose of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) in six calves possessing high levels of passive immunity from cows repeatedly vaccinated with gE deleted marker vaccine. Four out of the six calves developed gE antibodies 3-5 weeks after infection, whereas the two other ones remained seronegative to gE. After 5 months of infection, the six calves were treated with dexamethasone. Virus was only re-excreted by the four calves which previously seroconverted against gE. The two other calves became seronegative against BHV-1, 30-32 weeks after infection. A second dexamethasone treatment performed 11 months after infection failed to demonstrate a latent infection in these two calves. Moreover, the lack of identification of a cell-mediated immune response, after the two dexamethasone treatments, and the failure to detect BHV-1 DNA sequences in trigeminal ganglia strongly suggest that these two calves were not latently infected. In conclusion, the presence of high levels of maternal immunity lacking gE antibodies does not prevent latency after infection with a low titre of BHV-1. Moreover, latency is associated with a serological response to gE. These results confirm that the gE deletion is a good marker to identify young calves latently infected with a field virus.

Latency and reactivation of a glycoprotein E negative bovine herpesvirus type 1 vaccine: influence of virus load and effect of specific maternal antibodies

The effects of the vaccination of neonatal calves with a glycoprotein E (gE)-negative bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) were investigated in naïve and passively immunised calves either with the recommended dose or a 5-fold concentrated one. After inoculation (PI), all calves excreted the virus vaccine except three passively immunised calves inoculated with the lower titre. No antibody response could be detected in passively immunised calves, whatever the dose used, and they all became BHV-1 seronegative and remained so after dexamethasone treatment (PDT). Nevertheless, as shown by a gamma-interferon assay, all calves that excreted the vaccine PI developed a cell-mediated immune response and a booster response was observed PDT, suggesting viral reactivation. The vaccine virus was recovered PDT from nasal secretions in two calves and BHV-1 DNA were detected in trigeminal ganglia from five calves belonging to all inoculated groups. The results show that the BHV-1 gE-negative vaccine can establish latency not only in naïve but also in passively immunised neonatal calves after a single intranasal inoculation. Moreover, this study shows for the first time that the gE-negative vaccine, when used in passively immunised calves, can lead to seronegative vaccine virus carriers.

Comparative pathogenesis of acute and latent infections of calves with bovine herpesvirus types 1 and 5

This study was conducted to compare the pathogenesis of acute and latent infections with closely related bovine herpesvirus types 1 (BHV-1) and 5 (BHV-5) in their natural host. Two groups of eight calves were inoculated intranasally with BHV-1 or BHV-5. Although BHV-1 and BHV-5 similarly replicate in the nasal mucosa after inoculation, both viruses differ markedly in their ability to cause disease, BHV-5 being responsible of some fatal encephalitis while BHV-1 inducing rhinotracheitis. Virus isolation and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that BHV-5 replicates extensively in neurons of the central nervous system (CNS) and in respiratory cells of lungs, tracheal and nasal mucosae. Invasion of the CNS likely occurs through the trigeminal and olfactory pathways. Both groups developed cross-neutralising antibodies during this experiment suggesting partial clinical cross-protection afforded by the two infections. Three months after primary infection, experimental reactivation showed that BHV-5 was able to establish latency in the trigeminal ganglia but also the CNS of surviving calves. Moreover, laboratory findings suggested that BHV-5 could also persist in the tracheal and nasal mucosae. These results indicate that, after primary infection, BHV-1 and BHV-5 displayed similar biological features and consequently need to be considered together for the control of BHV-1 infection.

Genomic and pathogenic studies on a glycoprotein E variant field isolate of bovine herpesvirus 1

Glycoprotein E-negative (gE-) laboratory strains of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) were recently introduced as novel marker vaccines, allowing serological discrimination between vaccinated and naturally infected animals on the basis of lack or presence of antibodies against gE epitopes. The applicability pf this approach is based on the genetic stability of the gE. However, mutant field variants of BHV-1 with a variable response in anti-gE ELISA have been isolated. The molecular characterization of a gE variant field isolate (Salwa strain) is presented here. By comparing the gE nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the Salwa strain with those of the wild strain Jura, ten mutated bases were found in the gE strain of Salwa, six of which alter the amino acid sequence, leading to changes in five amino acids. Both strains caused respiratory disease in experimentally infected calves, but Salwa generated slightly milder signs. Both viruses were excreted in nasal and ocular discharges, and were reactivated by dexamethasone treatment. In conclusion, the rather close similarities observed in the gE gene structure and pathogenicity features of the gE mutant and of the wild strain of BHV-1 confirm the genetic stability of gE. The findings indicate that the Salwa isolate is virulent, but less virulent than wild strains. Our data support the use of gE-negative marker vaccines in eradication programmes.

Observations on the quasispecies composition of three animal pathogenic RNA viruses

The quasispecies nature of three animal pathogenic RNA viruses of field origin was examined by testing variants of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) originating from geographically different areas, feline coronavirus (FCoV) detected from the same animal by successive sampling, and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) originating from successive outbreaks in the same geographic area. Clinical samples were investigated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and ensuing single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) assay. By the combination of these methods even subtle differences could be detected among the amplified fragments of the same virus species of different origin. FCoV proved to comprise the most and CSFV the less heterogeneous virus quasispecies. The results show that the combination of RT-PCR and SSCP provides novel and highly sensitive means for the characterisation of RNA viruses, with special regard to genome composition, evolution, features of pathogenicity and molecular epizootiology.

Improved detection of five closely related ruminant alphaherpesviruses by specific amplification of viral genomic sequences

The detection and discrimination of five closely related ruminant alphaherpesviruses, bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), bovine herpesvirus 5 (BHV-5), caprine herpesvirus 1 (CapHV-1), cervine herpesvirus 1 (CerHV-1), and rangiferine herpesvirus 1 (RanHV-1), were achieved by the development of specific PCR systems. The highly variable N-terminal of the glycoprotein C was chosen to select the diagnostic primers, except for the CerHV-1 primers, which targeted the glycoprotein D region. All the assays proved specific since no heterologous virus was amplified. BHV-1 and BHV-5 were detected by using the same PCR assay and the different sizes of the amplification products allowed their identification on agarose gels. The practical diagnostic applicability of the novel PCR assays, with special regard to the BHV-1 system, has been evaluated on clinical samples from experimentally infected animals.

Studies on the pathogenicity of bovine herpesvirus type 5 in sheep

Four Merino lambs were intranasally inoculated with bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BHV-5) reference strain N569. Two lambs were mock-inoculated as negative controls. The virus-inoculated animals developed apathy, inappetence, rhinitis, nasal, ocular and genital discharge, slight diarrhea and neurological disorders, like tremor and salivation. BHV-5 was isolated from the nasal discharge in two of the animals, while the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected the virus in all the infected lambs. Two lambs died on post infection day (PID) 13, while the other two infected animals were euthanized on PID 15 and 30. Gross pathological changes were not observed, however, histopathological examinations revealed diffuse nonsuppurative meningo-encephalitis in all infected animals. Viral antigen was detected by immunohistochemistry and viral nucleic acid was revealed by in situ hybridization in the brain of the two lambs, which died on PID 13. The virus was demonstrated by virus isolation and by PCR from different organs of all the infected animals. Slight rise of antibodies was observed in the infected animals from PID 15. The results show that BHV-5 is able to cross the species barrier and may establish infection in sheep.

Studies of genetic relationships between bovine, caprine, cervine, and rangiferine alphaherpesviruses and improved molecular methods for virus detection and identification

The glycoprotein B (gB) and D (gD) genes from five ruminant alphaherpesviruses, bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), bovine herpesvirus 5 (BHV-5), caprine herpesvirus 1 (CapHV-1), cervine herpesvirus 1, and rangiferine herpesvirus 1, were partially sequenced. The nucleotide sequence alignments revealed a highly conserved gB gene, with homologies ranging between 87.2 and 99.6%, and a more variable gD gene, with homologies ranging between 71.3 and 98.9%. The phylogenetic analysis of the gB and gD nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences revealed that BHV-5 is the most closely related virus to the BHV-1 subtype 1 and BHV-1 subtype 2 cluster and that CapHV-1 is the most distantly related virus. The phylogenetic data showed a close relationship of all the studied viruses with suid herpesvirus 1. On the basis of sequence data for the gB gene, a nested PCR combined with restriction enzyme analysis (REA) of the PCR products was developed for the simultaneous detection and identification of the viruses that were studied. Nested primers from highly conserved sequence stretches were selected in order to amplify a region of 294 bp in all five viruses, and a subsequent REA of the PCR products allowed specific identification. A mimic molecule that served as an internal standard of the amplification efficiency was constructed. The practical diagnostic applicability of the assay was evaluated with clinical samples consisting of semen and organ specimens from experimentally infected animals.