African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes one of the most dangerous diseases of pigs and wild boar – African swine fever (ASF). Since its second introduction into Europe (in 2007), the disease has been spreading consistently, and now ASF-free European countries are at risk. Complex interactions between the host’s immune system and the virus have long prevented the development of a safe vaccine against ASF. This study analysed the possibility of neutralisation of the ASFV in vitro by sera collected from ASF-survivor animals.

Introduction: Recently in Europe an increase in the population of red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and fallow deer (Dama dama) has been observed. Research on the prevalence of Leptospira infections in Polish cervids has been performed for the first time.

Introduction: Although HEV infection in pigs does not pose a major economic risk to pork production, the risk of zoonotic transmission to humans is an important aspect of public health. HEV genotype 3 infections were reported in developed countries in individuals who had consumed raw meat or meat products from deer, wild boars, or pigs. The aim of the study was the analysis of the occurrence of HEV-specific antibodies among wild boars and domestic pigs in Poland. Material and Methods: A total of 290 samples from wild boars and 143 samples from pigs were tested. The antibodies were tested by ELISA. Results: The presence of anti-HEV IgG was demonstrated in 44.1% of pigs and 31.0% of wild boars. Anti-HEV IgG antibodies were detected in 1.4% of samples from pigs and in 2.1% of samples from wild boars at borderline level. The statistical analysis shows significant differences in the positive results for anti-HEV IgG between the groups of pigs and wild boars (P = 0.0263). Conclusion: Regular surveillance of the occurrence of HEV in swine and wild boars should be performed in the future.

This is the first report of Toxoplasma gondii infection in black vultures (Coragyps atratus), which are obligate scavengers found throughout the Americas. Serum samples from 121 wild black vultures caught in urban areas of the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, were tested for the presence of T. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT; cutoff point 1:5). T. gondii antibodies were found in 16 birds (13.2%), with titers of 1:5 (6 birds), 1:10 (8 birds), and 1:20 (2 birds).

Serum samples from 83 free living wild pigs (Sus scrofa) from the Nhecolândia region, Pantanal do Mato Grosso, Brazil, were examined for the presence of antibodies against Neospora caninum by means of the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) with a cut off of 50. Antibodies were present in 10.8%, with titers of: 1:200 in one animal, 1:400 in four and 1:800 in four. Analysis using the χ2 test showed an association between sex and presence of antibodies, with females showing occurrence of 20.5% and males 2.3% (p = 0.017). No association was found between age and occurrences of antibodies against this parasite. This was the first observation of N. caninum antibodies in Brazilian wild pigs from Pantanal.

Polyclonal hyperimmune serum against Pasteurella multocida type A:5, A:8 and A:9 was prepared in boskat rabbits. The indirect haemagglutination test (IHT) showed that such serum had an antibody titer of 1114. The immunoglobulins in the prepared antiserum were precipitated using saturated ammonium sulphate solution. Its concentration was adjusted to be 18mg/ml in normal saline then it was conjugated with horse radish peroxidase and evaluated through the application of double sandwich ELISA. It was successful to detect Pasteurella multocida antibodies in positive serum samples with strong positive reactions up to a dilution of 1:100 ofthe prepared conjugate.In the present study, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using random primer (E-20) was used to characterize and identify strains included in this study. Strains included 4 vaccinal reference strains of Pasteurella multocida, CU strain and 4 field isolates of Pasteurella multocida isolated from diseased turkeys which were identified biochemically and serologically as A:1, A:3, A3x4 and D:11. The obtained results revealed that all strains were reacted positively and in different manner with the E20 primer except the 2 field isolates. The results of these reactions demonstrated in terms of bands of different molecular weight specific to each strain. This can be used as a base for characterization and differentiation of strains involved in the present study as the 2 field strains A:1 and A:3 react with primer. Mouse protection test was performed by vaccination of mice with local fowl cholera oil adjuvant vaccine then challenge with virulent field strains A:1, A:3, D:12 and untypable isolates. Results revealed that the local fowl cholera adjuvant vaccine could protect mice against virulent challenge with A:1, A:3 and D:12 field strains but it could not be protect mice against untypable isolates

An evaluation was made of the presence of anti-Leishmania infantum chagasi antibodies in domestic dogs from the urban and rural areas of Brazil’s Pantanal wetland region using serological techniques. A total of 429 dogs were sampled in three areas of the Pantanal biome, including the municipalities of Poconé, Santo Antônio de Leverger, and Barão de Melgaço, in the state of Mato Grosso, and in the municipality of Corumbá, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used to detect antibodies (cut-off point 40) using Leishmania infantum chagasi antigen. Because of the possibility of cross-reactivity between species of the genus Leishmania, samples that were positive in the IFA against L. infantum chagasi were also tested by IFA in the same conditions, using L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis antigens. IFA-positive samples to L. infantum chagasi were also evaluated using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The results showed the presence of antibodies against L. infantum chagasi in 23 (5.36%; 95% CI: 3.50%-8.05%) dogs and at least one seroreactive dog was found in each of the municipalities evaluated in this study. Antibody titers ranged from 40 to 5,120, and all IFA positive samples were positive in the ELISA. Among the 23 positive dogs, nine were also were seroreactive for L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis antigens. The occurrence of anti- L. infantum chagasi antibodies in dogs was higher in rural areas (7.06%) than in urban areas (2.50%) (P < 0.05). Based on this study, we concluded that dogs from rural areas of the Pantanal wetlands were in contact with Leishmania species, which is relevant information given their importance to public health.

Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis are diseases that may affect production animals and cause significant economic losses. Given the importance of this fact, risk factors and occurrence of antibodies anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum were determined for 81 sheep in seven farms of the Guarapuava region, state of Paraná, Brazil. Indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) showed antibody frequency of 40.74% for T. gondii and 3.70% for N. caninum. The risk factors evaluated were: for T. gondii, direct contact of sheep with cats and for N. caninum, with dogs; abortion in the herd; and access of other animal species to the same water tank used by the sheep. CI (95%), Odds Ratio, and p value were determined by Fisher Exact Test. No statistical difference was observed between the occurrence of antibodies and risk factors associated with the presence of antibodies against both parasites. It may be stated that the protozoa T. gondii and N. caninum are found in the sheep herds of this region.

Broiler breeder Lohmann chickens aged 39 weeks received 3 doses each 0.2 ml of the inactivated oil emulsion AI- H9N2 vaccine, at the 2nd, 7th and 15th weeks of age by subcutaneous injection. The individual HI values of the tested samples were homogenous as their SD values were lower. All breeder and progeny sera were positive (100- 66.7%) at weeks 40- 46 weeks of age. Correlation between parents and progeny HI antibody levels was 0.95. Progeny/Parents HI antibodies percentage were ranged from 54.9 to 65.2%. Correlation between parents and progeny ELISA and HI antibody levels were 0.91 and 0.60- 0.65; respectively. The detected HI antibody titres at the 3rd day of age were slightly increased than that of the 1st day titres followed by gradual decrease to be apparently negative at the 12th -21st day of age in comparison to the original levels. The tested groups for Antibodies to H9 by ELISA test were still detected to 21- 27 days of age of progeny. The half-life time of maternal antibodies expressed as loss of one HI log 2 between groups was ranged from 3.3- 7.2 days; with average 5.1- 5.6 days. Half life time by ELISA titre was in average of 8.9 days. Correlations between HI and ELISA ranged from 0.83-0.94. We concluded that both HI and ELISA tests are of the same value in detection of AI antibodies and first vaccination of broiler chicks with maternal antibodies against AI H9N2 must be done after the 6th day of age.

Objective: Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) infection is existing worldwide causing economic loss in goat production. This work was conducted to investigate the prevalence of CAE in local and foreign goat breeds and sheep in different localities in Sudan.Materials and methods: A total of 368 sera samples were prepared; among these, 112 were collected from cross (n=39) and foreign (n=73) breeds of goat in Khartoum state, equal number of sera (n=23) were collected from goats and sheep from each of River Nile, Gedarif, Sinnar and North Kordofan states. Eighteen cross bred goats were tested from River Nile state. From foreign bred goats, 28 and 26 sera were collected from Gazira and Northern states, respectively. The collected sera were examined for the presence of antibodies to CAE virus using Enzymed-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).Results: The overall seroprevalence of CAE was 2.99% (n=11/368). Positive results were found only in 11 of foreign breed of goats (Cyprus shami) collected from Gazira (39.29%; n=11/28). Statistically, there was an association between breed and location (P=0.001 and P=0.671, respectively). Conclusion: The CAE virus infection exists only in foreign goat breeds. Gazira state showed the highest seroprevalence as compared to other states considered in this study. Strict hygienic measures should be adopted to control the disease and to prevent its spread to local breeds. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(3.000): 259-262]