Study of horn flies as vectors of bovine leukemia virus.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the agent responsible for enzootic bovine leukosis, the most common neoplastic disease in cattle. The horn fly, a major hematophagous pest of cattle, is able to transmit different diseases in cattle. However, its implication in BLV transmission under a natural environment is still discussed.

Immunoprotective response induced by recombinant glycoprotein D in the BALB/c respiratory mouse model of Equid alphaherpesvirus 1 infection.

Equid alphaherpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) infection causes abortion, respiratory disease, perinatal deaths and neurological disorders in horses. The natural infection and available vaccines provide only partial and short-lived protection against reinfections. In the present study, we analyzed the ability of purified baculovirus-expressed glycoprotein D (gD) administered by different routes to induce protective immunity in BALB/c mice after challenge with the EHV-1 AR8 strain.

Indirect ELISA (iELISA) for routine detection of antibodies against Minute Virus of Mice (MVM) in mice colonies.

In this study we developed an indirect ELISA to detect antibodies against Minute Virus of Mice (MVM) using an antigen produced from BHK-21 cells infected with a prototype strain of the virus. The optimal antigen concentration and serum dilutions were established. In order to analyze variability in the laboratory, reproducibility and repeatability within and between plates were determined.

First isolation and nucleotide comparison of the gene of the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus circulating in naturally infected goats from Argentina.

Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) has been reported in different countries worldwide, based on serological and molecular detection. In Argentina, the prevalence of CAEV infections is increasing, with goats showing symptoms associated mostly with cachexia and arthritis. Although in Argentina the virus has been detected by serology, it has never been isolated or characterized.

Production of equine herpesvirus 1 recombinant glycoprotein D and development of an agar gel immunodiffusion test for serological diagnosis.

Equine herpesvirus 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and 4) infect most of the world's horses, causing serious clinical illness. Viral glycoproteins have been identified as the immunodominant antigens that generate the antiviral serological responses to EHV-1 and EHV-4 in infected horses. Here, glycoprotein D of EHV-1 was expressed by a recombinant baculovirus, purified and evaluated by a simple agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID).

Expression of the hemagglutinin HA1 subunit of the equine influenza virus using a baculovirus expression system.

Equine influenza virus is a leading cause of respiratory disease in horses worldwide. Disease prevention is by vaccination with inactivated whole virus vaccines. Most current influenza vaccines are generated in embryonated hens' eggs.

Simultaneous detection of bee viruses by multiplex PCR.

Honey bee mortality is a serious problem that beekeepers in Argentina have had to face during the last 3 years. It is known that the consequence of the complex interactions between environmental and beekeeping parameters added to the effect of different disease agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasitic mites may result in a sudden collapse of the colony. In addition, multiple viral infections are detected frequently concomitantly in bee colonies.

Effects of equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) AR8 and HH1 strains on BALB-c mice.

Here, we used a murine model to describe and compare the pathogenic potential of the Argentinean equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) AR8 strain with the Japanese HH1 reference strain. In AR8-inoculated animals, clinical signs began earlier, but the viremic phase was shorter. Virus isolation and DNA detection in the lungs, liver and spleen were positive for both strains at different times postinfection (pi).

Genomic study of Argentinean Equid herpesvirus 1 strains.

Equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) infection has a significant economic impact on equine production, causing abortion, respiratory disease, neonatal death and neurological disorders. The identification of specific EHV-1 genes related to virulence and pathogenicity has been the aim of several research groups. The purpose of the present study was to analyze different genomic regions of Argentinean EHV-1 strains and to determine their possible relationship with virulence or clinical signs.

First report of Israeli acute paralysis virus in asymptomatic hives of Argentina.

Honey bee mortality has recently been associated with Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), a proposed etiological agent for a new syndrome known as Colony Collapse Disorder. Bees infected with this virus show shivering wings, progress into paralysis, and finally die outside the hive. During the last years, honey bee mortality became a serious problem for Argentinean beekeepers.

First report of viral infections that affect argentine honeybees.

Honey is one of the most important agricultural products for export in Argentina. In fact, more than 3.5 million beehives and 50 000 beekeepers are related with this production, mainly located in Buenos Aires province.

Evaluation of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for routine screening of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus antibodies in mice colonies.

The current study demonstrates the ability of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) to detect antibodies against Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus in mice colonies. The antigen was produced from infected baby hamster kidney (BHK)-21 cells and treated with 1% Nonidet P40 in saline buffer. Control antigen was prepared following the same procedure using uninfected BHK-21 cells.

First egg protein with a neurotoxic effect on mice.

While many invertebrates sequester toxic compounds to endow eggs with chemical defences, here we show, for the first time to our knowledge, the identification of a neurotoxin of proteinaceous nature localized inside an egg. Egg extracts from the freshwater apple snail Pomacea canaliculata displayed a neurotoxic effect in mice upon intraperitoneal injection (i.p.

Isolation of equine herpesvirus-2 from the lung of an aborted fetus.

This study describes the isolation of equine herpesvirus-2 (EHV-2) from the lung of an aborted equine fetus in Argentina. The isolated virus was confirmed as EHV-2 by indirect immunofluorescence using a rabbit anti-EHV-2 polyclonal antiserum and by virus-neutralization test using an equine polyclonal antibody against EHV-2. Restriction endonuclease DNA fingerprinting with BamHI also confirmed the identity of the virus as EHV-2.