Pathogenic evaluation of a turkey coronavirus isolate (TCoV NC1743) in turkey poults for establishing a TCoV disease model.

Turkey coronavirus (TCoV) can cause a highly contagious enteric disease in turkeys with severe economic losses in the global turkey industry. To date, no commercial vaccines are available for control of the disease. In the present study, we isolated a field strain (NC1743) of TCoV and evaluated its pathogenicity in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) turkey poults to establish a TCoV disease model.

Chicken astrovirus as an aetiological agent of runting-stunting syndrome in broiler chickens.

Despite descriptions of runting-stunting syndrome (RSS) in broiler chickens dating back over 40 years, the aetiology has not yet been described. A novel chicken astrovirus (CkAstV) was isolated in an LMH liver cell line from the intestines of chickens affected with RSS. Clinical RSS is characterized by retarded growth and cystic crypt lesions in the small intestine.

Polyanhydride nanovaccine against swine influenza virus in pigs.

We have recently demonstrated the effectiveness of an influenza A virus (IAV) subunit vaccine based on biodegradable polyanhydride nanoparticles delivery in mice. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of ∼200nm polyanhydride nanoparticles encapsulating inactivated swine influenza A virus (SwIAV) as a vaccine to induce protective immunity against a heterologous IAV challenge in pigs. Nursery pigs were vaccinated intranasally twice with inactivated SwIAV H1N2 (KAg) or polyanhydride nanoparticle-encapsulated KAg (KAg nanovaccine), and efficacy was evaluated against a heterologous zoonotic virulent SwIAV H1N1 challenge.

Biodegradable nanoparticle delivery of inactivated swine influenza virus vaccine provides heterologous cell-mediated immune response in pigs.

Swine influenza virus (SwIV) is one of the important zoonotic pathogens. Current flu vaccines have failed to provide cross-protection against evolving viruses in the field. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is a biodegradable FDA approved polymer and widely used in drug and vaccine delivery.

Seroprevalence of three influenza A viruses (H1N1, H3N2, and H3N8) in pet dogs presented to a veterinary hospital in Ohio.

The prevalence of canine H3N8 influenza and human H1N1 and H3N2 influenza in dogs in Ohio was estimated by conducting serologic tests on 1,082 canine serum samples. In addition, risk factors, such as health status and age were examined. The prevalences of human H1N1, H3N2, and canine H3N8 influenzas were 4.

Entrapment of H1N1 Influenza Virus Derived Conserved Peptides in PLGA Nanoparticles Enhances T Cell Response and Vaccine Efficacy in Pigs.

Pigs are believed to be one of the important sources of emerging human and swine influenza viruses (SwIV). Influenza virus conserved peptides have the potential to elicit cross-protective immune response, but without the help of potent adjuvant and delivery system they are poorly immunogenic. Biodegradable polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticle (PLGA-NP) based vaccine delivery system enhances cross-presentation of antigens by the professional antigen presenting cells.

Age-Related Susceptibility of Turkeys to Enteric Viruses.

Several different enteric viruses have been identified as the causes of gastrointestinal infections in poultry. Enteric virus infections are well characterized in poults, but limited studies have been conducted in older birds. The susceptibility of 2-, 7-, 12-, 30-, and 52-wk-old turkeys to turkey coronavirus (TCoV) and turkey astrovirus (TAstV) was evaluated, as well as the effect of combined infection of TAstV and TCoV in 2-wk-old poults and turkey hens.

Development of broadly reactive H5N1 vaccine against different Egyptian H5N1 viruses.

The H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus was isolated for the first time in Egypt in 2006, since then, the virus has become endemic causing a significant threat to the poultry industry and humans. H5N1 HPAI outbreaks continue to occur despite extensive vaccination programs that have been implemented nationwide in different poultry species. Several studies showed that the co-circulating H5N1 viruses in Egypt are genetically and antigenically distant raising a question on the cross protective efficacy of commercial vaccines.

Investigation into the aetiology of runting and stunting syndrome in chickens.

Currently, the aetiology of runting and stunting syndrome (RSS) in chickens is unknown. The impact of RSS on weight gain and microscopic lesions in immunological organs and the duodenum, was investigated in 1-day-old commercial broilers at 12 days following exposure to RSS-contaminated litter. Furthermore, the presence of the viral nucleic acids of three astroviruses and one parvovirus was analysed by in situ hybridization from days 1 through 5 post exposure.

Determination of the full length sequence of a chicken astrovirus suggests a different replication mechanism.

The genomic RNA of a novel chicken astrovirus was determined. The full length sequence is 7520 nucleotides and encodes three open reading frames (1a, 1b, 2) for three proteins. The genomic organization was similar to other astroviruses with two exceptions.

Porcine abortion outbreak associated with Toxoplasma gondii in Jeju Island, Korea.

This report deals with the acute onset of an abortion outbreak and high sow mortality in one pig herd consisted of 1,200 pigs and 120 sows on Jeju Island, Korea. Affected pregnant sows showed clinical signs, including high fever, gradual anorexia, vomiting, depression, recumbency, prostration, abortion, and a few deaths. Four dead sows, five aborted fetuses from the same litter, and 17 sera collected from sows infected or normal were submitted to the Pathology Division of the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service for diagnostic investigation.

Outbreaks of renal failure associated with melamine and cyanuric acid in dogs and cats in 2004 and 2007.

Sixteen animals affected in 2 outbreaks of pet food-associated renal failure (2 dogs in 2004; 10 cats and 4 dogs in 2007) were evaluated for histopathologic, toxicologic, and clinicopathologic changes. All 16 animals had clinical and laboratory evidence of uremia, including anorexia, vomiting, lethargy, polyuria, azotemia, and hyperphosphatemia. Where measured, serum hepatic enzyme concentrations were normal in animals from both outbreaks.

Color-dilution alopecia in dogs.

Color-dilution alopecia is a relatively uncommon hereditary skin disease seen in "Blue" and other color-diluted dogs. This syndrome is associated with a color-dilution gene. The initial clinical signs are the gradual onset of a dry, dull and poor hair coat quality.

Mycobacterium bovis infection in a farmed elk in Korea.

A case of tuberculosis is reported in an eight-year-old, male, elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni). The elk showed severe coughing, respiratory distress, abdominal breathing, anorexia, and severe progressive emaciation in the elk farm. At necropsy, the elk appeared in poor body condition.