Experimental co-infections of calves with Bluetongue virus serotypes 1 and 8

in Veterinary Microbiology (2013)

Importance of identification and typing of Brucellae from West African cattle: a review

in Veterinary Microbiology (2013)

Inhibition of the keratinolytic subtilisin protease Sub3 from Microsporum canis by its propeptide (proSub3) and evaluation of the capacity of proSub3 to inhibit fungal adherence to feline epidermis

in Veterinary Microbiology (2012), 159(3-4), 479-484

Genetic and splice variations of Bos taurus CD46 shift cell permissivity to BVDV, the bovine pestivirus.

in Veterinary Microbiology (2011), 152(3-4), 315-27

The pestivirus bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is known to bind to the CD46 molecule, which subsequently promotes entry of the virus. Mapping of the BVD-virion-binding site has shown that two peptides ... [more ▼]

The pestivirus bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is known to bind to the CD46 molecule, which subsequently promotes entry of the virus. Mapping of the BVD-virion-binding site has shown that two peptides, 66EQIV69 and 82GQVLAL87, located on antiparallel beta sheets in the most distal complement control protein module (CCP1), provide the attachment platform. In the present study, we reveal the existence of ten distinct allelic versions of the CCP1 module, varying significantly in frequency among taurine and indicine races. A complex mRNA splicing pattern was also evidenced for bovine CD46, generating three different serine-threonine-proline segments and five different cytoplasmic domains. The four most frequent allelic variants and the six splice variants were then expressed in BVDV-nonpermissive porcine cells and the quantity of progeny virions generated by each cell preparation was measured 48 h post-infection. As expected, ectopic expression of the 10 bovine CD46 isoforms rendered the PK15 cells permissive to BVDV, as attested by the 100,000-fold greater recovery of virions from these cells than from non-transfected cells. This permissivity increase was significantly lower (-33%, P<0.001) when the canonical CCP1 was replaced with the variant most frequent in zebus, suggesting positive or negative selection of this allele in the latter and in the former, respectively. The predicted secondary structure of this variant suggests that the measured loss of function is due to the disappearance of one of the two beta sheets constituting the BVDV attachment platform. On the other hand we showed that for a given CCP1, the titer recovered at 48 hpi also depended on the nature of the CD46 cytoplasmic domain (P<0.001). This result implies that virus binding generates a cytoplasmic-tail-dependent outside-in signal that determines permissivity to BVDV. [less ▲]

Characterization of ovine herpesvirus 2-induced malignant catarrhal fever in rabbits

in Veterinary Microbiology (2011)

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a frequently fatal lymphoproliferative disease syndrome primarily of ruminant species, caused by gammaherpesviruses in the genus Macavirus. Ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2 ... [more ▼]

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a frequently fatal lymphoproliferative disease syndrome primarily of ruminant species, caused by gammaherpesviruses in the genus Macavirus. Ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2), carried by sheep, causes sheep-associated MCF worldwide, while Alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 (AlHV-1), carried by wildebeest, causes wildebeest-associated MCF, mainly in Africa. Diseases in rabbits can be induced by both viruses, which are clinically and pathologically similar; however, recent studies revealed different expression of viral genes associated with latency or lytic replication during clinical disease between the two viruses. In this study, we further characterized experimentally induced MCF in rabbits by nebulization with OvHV-2 from sheep nasal secretions to elucidate the course of viral replication, along with in vivo incorporation of 5-Bromo-2’-Deoxyuridine (BrdU), to evaluate lymphoproliferation. All six rabbits nebulized with OvHV-2 developed MCF between 24 and 29 days post infection. OvHV-2 DNA levels in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) remained undetectable during the incubation period and increased dramatically a few days before onset of clinical signs. During the clinical stage, we found that predominantly lytic gene expression was detected in PBL and tissues, and both T and B cells were proliferating. The data showed that the viral gene expression profile and lymphoproliferation in rabbits with OvHV-2 induced MCF were different from that in rabbits with AlHV-1 induced MCF, suggesting that OvHV-2 and AlHV-1 may play a different role in MCF pathogenesis. [less ▲]

Genotypic characterization by polymerase chain reaction of Staphylococcus aureus isolates associated with bovine mastitis

in Veterinary Microbiology (2011), 153

Fungalysin and dipeptidyl-peptidase gene transcription in Microsporum canis strains isolated from symptomatic and asymptomatic cats

in Veterinary Microbiology (2010), 146(1-2), 179-182

Detection of bovine leukemia virus specific antibodies using recombinant p24-ELISA.

in Veterinary Microbiology (2009), 137(3-4), 224-34

We developed an indirect ELISA test (rp24-ELISA) for the detection of antibodies against the p24 capsid protein of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) in bovine serum samples. A recombinant p24 (rp24) was ... [more ▼]

We developed an indirect ELISA test (rp24-ELISA) for the detection of antibodies against the p24 capsid protein of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) in bovine serum samples. A recombinant p24 (rp24) was expressed in the Escherichia coli expression system, purified in a nickel charged resin and used as antigen in the ELISA test. A cut-off point was established considering the distribution of reactivity values obtained by rp24-ELISA on a set of 555 field serum samples that were stated as double positive (DP) or double negative (DN) by the combination of commercial agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) assay and gp51-ELISA tests results. The rp24-ELISA showed good concordance with the agar gel immunodiffusion assay, when 710 serum samples were analyzed. In addition, rp24-ELISA demonstrated to be a precise assay with good repeatability and reproducibility and a better analytical sensitivity than AGID. From 67 discordant rp24-ELISA-AGID sera, 4 negative reactors were from the DP group, 28 positive samples were from the DN group and 35 positive samples were stated as negative by AGID but positive by the gp51-ELISA. Samples from this last subgroup were sent to an OIE reference laboratory where 28 samples were stated as negative, 5 samples were stated as positive and 2 as inconclusive. Complete concordance with blind previous results from an international proficiency test panel confirmed the capability of the assay to discriminate between infected and non-infected animals. In conclusion, the rp24-ELISA developed and standardized demonstrated to have good analytical characteristics to be considered for screening of BLV. [less ▲]

Clinical, virological, and immunological parameters associated with superinfection of latently with FeHV-1 infected cats

in Veterinary Microbiology (2009)

Comparison of the value of measurement of serum galactomannan and Aspergillus-specific antibodies in the diagnosis of canine sino-nasal aspergillosis.

in Veterinary Microbiology (2009), 133(4), 358-65

Serology is currently used for the diagnosis of canine sino-nasal aspergillosis (SNA). However, the accuracy of serological testing using commercially available, standardized purified antigen preparations ... [more ▼]

Serology is currently used for the diagnosis of canine sino-nasal aspergillosis (SNA). However, the accuracy of serological testing using commercially available, standardized purified antigen preparations of Aspergillus (CAPurAspAg) has only been poorly documented. The aim of the present study was to assess the diagnostic value of an agar-gel double immunodiffusion (AGDD) test and an anti-Aspergillus IgG ELISA, using CAPurAspAg and the commercially available Platelia test for the detection of serum galactomannan. Sera from 17 dogs with SNA, 18 dogs with a nasal tumour (NT), 11 dogs with lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis (LPR) and 33 control dogs were tested with the 3 methods. AGDD result was positive in 76.5% of dogs with SNA, whereas all sera from dogs with non-fungal nasal disease and control dogs were negative. A positive IgG ELISA result was obtained in 88% of dogs with SNA and in 18% of dogs with LPR. All patients with NT and control dogs had a negative IgG ELISA result. The Platelia test was positive in 24% of dogs with SNA, 11% of dogs with NT, 9% of dogs with LPR and 24% of control dogs. The results of this study suggest that (1) the detection of serum Aspergillus-specific antibodies with AGDD or ELISA, using CAPurAspAg, provides excellent specificity and good sensitivity, (2) the specificity is higher for AGDD (100%) than for ELISA (96.8%) while sensitivity is higher for ELISA (88.2%) than for AGDD (76.5%) and (3) serum galactomannan quantification with the Plateliat test is unreliable for the diagnosis of canine SNA. [less ▲]