The effects of ovine lentivirus infection on some productive aspects in a Sardinian sheep flock from Italy.

The effects of ovine lentivirus infection on the fat, protein and lactose concentrations on the somatic cell counts in ewes' milk, on milk production and on the birth weight and growth of lambs were studied in a flock of Sardinian sheep from central Italy. Data on 61 lactations of ewes positive to both the agargel immunodiffusion test and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were compared with those on 46 lactations of seronegative ewes. Confounders such as parity, age, lactation length, litter size, and the sex of the lambs were considered.

Isolation and identification of avian rotavirus from pheasant chicks with signs of clinical enteritis.

Three rotaviruses were isolated from intestinal contents obtained from a flock of 6-8-day-old pheasant chicks showing diarrhoea and increased mortality. The isolates were characterized as avian group A rotavirus by immunoenzymatic technique (ELISA) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE).

Isolation and characterization of cytopathic strains of rotavirus from hares (Lepus europaeus).

Ten cytopathic rotavirus were recovered from stools of leverets affected by an enteric syndrome. The ten isolates, examined by means of ELISA and SDS-PA-GE, were identified as group A rotaviruses.

Molecular epidemiology of bovine rotaviruses. Characterization of rotaviruses isolated from diarrhoeic calves by genome profile analysis.

Fifteen bovine rotavirus group A strains were isolated in several Italian regions over the period 1981-1989 from calves in ten neonatal diarrhoea outbreaks. The electrophoretical analysis of the genoma showed genomic variations and five different profiles were observed, including one with thirteen dsRNA segments. The finding of extra RNA fragments, with respect to the regular eleven genome segments, suggests the possibility of simultaneous or sequential infection by more than one electropherotype or a modification in the length of RNA segments during infection.

Electrophoretic typing of some strains of enteric viruses isolated in rabbits suffering from diarrhoea.

Fifty strains of enteric viruses were isolated on MA-104 cell cultures from the diarrhoeic stools of rabbits from Tuscan and Umbrian breedings. Four of these were identified by means of serological and electrophoretical assays as Group A rotavirus; one produced a negative result in the ELISA test and an electrophoretic pattern related to reovirus.