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Bouzalas IG, Gelasakis AI, Chassalevris T, Apostolidi ED, Pappas F, Ekateriniadou L, Boukouvala E, Zdragas A. Circulation of Pestiviruses in Small Ruminants from Greece: First Molecular Identification of Border Disease Virus. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11050918. [PMID: 37243022 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11050918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of small ruminant pestivirus infections in Greece remains unknown as they have not been diagnosed in the country since 1974 when the most recent Border Disease Virus (BDV) outbreak was reported. The objective of our study was to explore the possible occurrence of pestiviral infections among sheep and goat farms in Greece and to further determine the variants of major concern. Thus, serum samples were collected from 470 randomly selected animals belonging to 28 different flocks/herds. ELISA on p80 antibody revealed the existence of seropositive animals in four out of the 24 studied sheep flocks, whereas all the goats in the four studied herds were seronegative. Viral RNA and antigens were detected in two sheep out of the four seropositive flocks by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the newly identified Greek variants were closely related to the strains of the BDV-4 genotype. One of the BDV-positive sheep demonstrated the diagnostic profile of a persistently infected (PI) animal, providing additional information regarding the source of the infection. This is the first molecular identification of BDV isolates in Greece. Our findings indicate that BDV infections are likely to remain undiagnosed, highlighting the need for further epidemiological studies and active surveillance programs to determine the prevalence and impact of BDV infections on a countrywide level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias G Bouzalas
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), Campus Thermi, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Athanasios I Gelasakis
- Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Biosciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Taxiarchis Chassalevris
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), Campus Thermi, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia D Apostolidi
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), Campus Thermi, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Fotis Pappas
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), Campus Thermi, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Loukia Ekateriniadou
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), Campus Thermi, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evridiki Boukouvala
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), Campus Thermi, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Antonios Zdragas
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), Campus Thermi, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
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Withoeft JA, Da Costa LS, Marian L, Baumbach LF, Do Canto Olegário J, Miletti LC, Canal CW, Casagrande RA. Microcephaly and hydrocephalus in a sheep fetus infected with Neospora caninum in Southern Brazil - Short communication. Acta Vet Hung 2022; 70:226-229. [PMID: 36129791 DOI: 10.1556/004.2022.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A case of non-communicating hydrocephalus and microcephaly in a sheep fetus infected with Neospora caninum from Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil, is reported. Macroscopically, there was moderate flattening and narrowing of the skull, and the portion of the cerebral hemispheres was markedly reduced in size, measuring 3.5 × 3.5 × 0.5 cm, with marked diffuse flattening of the brain gyri and dilation of the lateral ventricles. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were positive to N. caninum detection by PCR. Histologically, there was discrete focal lymphoplasmacytic necrotising encephalitis on the floor of the lateral ventricle, discrete multifocal gliosis and discrete multifocal lymphoplasmacytic myositis. Through the molecular detection of N. caninum in the cerebrospinal fluid, it was possible to report what appears to be the first case of non-communicating hydrocephalus and microcephaly in an ovine fetus infected with N. caninum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Aline Withoeft
- 1 Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Silva Da Costa
- 1 Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Lucas Marian
- 1 Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Letícia Ferreira Baumbach
- 3 Laboratório de Virologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Juliana Do Canto Olegário
- 3 Laboratório de Virologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luiz Cláudio Miletti
- 2 Laboratório de Bioquímica de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Cláudio Wageck Canal
- 3 Laboratório de Virologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Renata Assis Casagrande
- 1 Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - Av. Luís de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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Vaccination of Sheep with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Vaccines Does Not Protect against Fetal Infection after Challenge of Pregnant Ewes with Border Disease Virus. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9080805. [PMID: 34451930 PMCID: PMC8402421 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9080805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Border Disease (BD) is a major sheep disease characterized by immunosuppression, congenital disorders, abortion, and birth of lambs persistently infected (PI) by Border Disease Virus (BDV). Control measures are based on the elimination of PI lambs, biosecurity, and frequent vaccination which aims to prevent fetal infection and birth of PI. As there are no vaccines against BDV, farmers use vaccines directed against the related Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV). To date, there is no published evidence of cross-effectiveness of BVDV vaccination against BDV infection in sheep. We tested three commonly used BVDV vaccines, at half the dose used in cattle, for their efficacy of protection against a BDV challenge of ewes at 52 days of gestation. Vaccination limits the duration of virus-induced leukopenia after challenge, suggesting partial protection in transient infection. Despite the presence of BDV neutralizing antibodies in vaccinated ewes on the day of the challenge, fetuses of vaccinated and unvaccinated sheep were, two months after, highly positive for BDV RNA loads and seronegative for antibodies. Therefore, BVDV vaccination at half dose was not sufficient to prevent ovine fetal infection by BDV in a severe challenge model and can only be reconsidered as a complementary mean in BD control.
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Navarro T, Ortín A, Cabezón O, De Las Heras M, Lacasta D, González JM. Evolution of the Seroprevalence of Pestivirus and Respiratory Viral Infections in Spanish Feedlot Lambs. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010160. [PMID: 33445625 PMCID: PMC7827771 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of respiratory viruses and pestiviruses in sheep has been widely demonstrated, and their ability to cause injury and predispose to respiratory processes have been proven experimentally. A longitudinal observational study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV-3), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) and pestiviruses in 120 lambs at the beginning and the end of the fattening period. During this time, the animals were clinically monitored, their growth was recorded, and post-mortem examinations were performed in order to identify the presence of pneumonic lesions in the animals. Seroconversion to all viruses tested except BHV-1 was detected at the end of the period. Initially, BPIV-3 antibodies were the most frequently found, while the most common seroconversion through the analysed period occurred to BRSV. Only 10.8% of the lambs showed no detectable levels of antibodies against any of the tested viruses at the end of the survey. In addition, no statistical differences were found in the presentation of respiratory clinical signs, pneumonic lesions nor in the production performance between lambs that seroconverted and those which did not, except in the case of pestiviruses. The seroconversion to pestiviruses was associated with a reduction in the final weight of the lambs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Navarro
- Department of Animal Pathology, University of Zaragoza & AgriFood Institute of Aragón (IA2), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.O.); (M.D.L.H.); (D.L.); (J.M.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Aurora Ortín
- Department of Animal Pathology, University of Zaragoza & AgriFood Institute of Aragón (IA2), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.O.); (M.D.L.H.); (D.L.); (J.M.G.)
| | - Oscar Cabezón
- Wildlife Conservation Medicine Research Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Marcelo De Las Heras
- Department of Animal Pathology, University of Zaragoza & AgriFood Institute of Aragón (IA2), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.O.); (M.D.L.H.); (D.L.); (J.M.G.)
| | - Delia Lacasta
- Department of Animal Pathology, University of Zaragoza & AgriFood Institute of Aragón (IA2), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.O.); (M.D.L.H.); (D.L.); (J.M.G.)
| | - José María González
- Department of Animal Pathology, University of Zaragoza & AgriFood Institute of Aragón (IA2), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.O.); (M.D.L.H.); (D.L.); (J.M.G.)
- Gabinete Técnico Veterinario S.L., 50014 Zaragoza, Spain
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Şevik M. Genomic characterization of pestiviruses isolated from bovine, ovine and caprine foetuses in Turkey: A potentially new genotype of Pestivirus I species. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:417-426. [PMID: 32564510 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the frequency and genetic diversity of pestiviruses in abortion cases in cattle and small ruminants in Turkey. During January 2012 and December 2017, a total of 2029 aborted foetuses (553 bovine foetuses, 1,388 sheep foetuses and 88 goat foetuses) were collected from different regions of Turkey. Real-time RT-PCR (RRT-PCR) assays were used to detect pestiviral RNA in aborted foetuses. To confirm the cause of abortion, pestivirus-positive foetuses were also examined for the presence of Brucella spp., Campylobacter spp., Chlamydophila abortus (C. abortus), akabane virus, bluetongue virus and Schmallenberg virus by molecular detection methods. Pestiviral RNA was detected in 61 (11%) of the 553 bovine foetuses, 124 (8.9%) of the 1,388 sheep foetuses and 3 (3.4%) of the 88 goat foetuses. Furthermore, C. abortus DNA was detected in 3 pestivirus-positive sheep foetuses, whereas other infectious agents were not detected in pestivirus-positive foetuses. Genetic characterization of the pestivirus RRT-PCR positive samples was conducted by sequencing 5' untranslated (5' UTR) and non-structural autoprotease (Npro ) genomic regions. A total of 68 sequences were obtained, and phylogenetic analyses revealed that all sequences belonged to BVDV-1, including 1b (8/68), 1f (2/68), 1l (4/68), 1r (10/68), Aydin-like pestivirus (20/68) and one unknown genotype (24/68). The 5' UTR and Npro sequences of this unknown genotype differed from pestiviruses previously described, providing evidence for the presence of an emerging genotype within the species Pestivirus I, tentatively named as 'Konya-like' pestivirus. 'Konya-like' pestivirus was the dominant genotype in sheep foetuses, whereas Aydin-like pestivirus was found to be the predominant genotype in bovine foetuses. To the best my knowledge, this is the first report of Aydin-like pestivirus infection in cattle. The information provided in this study contributes to the understanding the dissemination and evolution of pestiviruses and could be beneficial for developing more effective vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Şevik
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya, Turkey
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Detection of border disease virus (BDV) genotype 3 in Italian goat herds. Vet J 2014; 199:446-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Comparison of hematological and biochemical parameters in sheep naturally and persistently infected with a border disease virus. Trop Anim Health Prod 2010; 43:553-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s11250-010-9754-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Cabezón O, Velarde R, Rosell R, Lavín S, Segalés J, Marco I. Experimental infection of lambs with Border disease virus isolated from a Pyrenean chamois. Vet Rec 2010; 167:619-21. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.c4966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- O. Cabezón
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
| | | | - R. Rosell
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal Facultat de Veterinaria; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; 08193 Bellaterra Spain
- Departament d'Agricultura, Alimentació i Acció Rural, Generalitat de Catalunya; Catalunya Spain
| | - S. Lavín
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge
| | - J. Segalés
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal Facultat de Veterinaria; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; 08193 Bellaterra Spain
| | - I. Marco
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge
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Hurtado A, Sanchez I, Bastida F, Minguijón E, Juste RA, García-Pérez AL. Detection and quantification of pestivirus in experimentally infected pregnant ewes and their progeny. Virol J 2009; 6:189. [PMID: 19891772 PMCID: PMC2777161 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-6-189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2009] [Accepted: 11/05/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Border disease virus (BDV) causes important reproductive losses, and eradication strategies focus on the identification and removal of persistently infected animals arising after in uterine infection. BDV infection dynamics were studied in 13 ewes experimentally infected with BDV-4 genotype at 3 phases of pregnancy [days 108 (group A), 76 (group B) and 55 (group C)] by quantification of viral RNA in blood collected on days -1 to parturition using quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Viral RNA loads were also measured in blood/foetal fluid and tissue samples from their offspring at lambing (3 foetuses, 7 stillborns, 15 lambs). qRT-PCR results were compared with those obtained by conventional RT-PCR and used to predict persistent infections. Results Viral RNA was detected in the ewes between days 2-15 p.i. The viraemia reached its highest peak between days 6-7 p.i. with a second peak at days 11-12 p.i. qRT-PCR was significantly faster to perform (less than 1 h) than conventional RT-PCR and detected BDV RNA in more ewes, being detection more continuous and prolonged in time. The virus was detected in peripheral blood in a higher percentage of lambs than in tissues, where differences in viral genome copies were more marked. Skin and cerebral cortex showed the highest viral RNA loads, and spleen and spinal cord the lowest. High viral RNA loads were observed in several animals in group B and all in group C, infected during middle and early foetal development, respectively, but also in one lamb from group A, infected during late foetal development. Serology and viral genome copy number estimates in blood and tissues were used to establish a quantitative cut-off threshold for transient viraemia. Conclusion Viral RNA quantification showed potential for the discrimination between persistent infections and transient viraemia using single-time point blood sampling and raised questions regarding foetal immune system development and the occurrence of persistent infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Hurtado
- NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Department of Animal Health, Berreaga 1, 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.
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