peer reviewed | Objective: The present study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of BoHV-1 in a dairy herd in the northeast of Algiers, Algeria. Materials and methods: The target area is in northeast of Algiers with humid to semi-dry climate and known for its economically important production of cattle. A total of 1066 randomly selected individual blood samples of dairy herd collected at 120 dairy farms from rural districts of northeast of Algiers were evaluated with antibodies against BoHV-1 using commercial ELISA kits, to determine the BoHV-1 infection status of the herds. A questionnaire submitted to the farmers during collection of the blood samples was used to collect data on potential BoHV-1 associated risk factors. Results: In the present study, the estimated farm and individual animal BoHV-1 seroprevalence levels were 58.33% and 14.16%, respectively. A logistic regression analysis of random-effects model revealed that the significant associated risk factors for the present farm and individual animal seroprevalence levels were rural district, cattle introduced to the farm, region, and hygiene. Conclusion: This study found higher seroprevalence of BoHV-1 in the northeast of Algiers. The results could be used in designing the prevention and control strategy of BoHV-1 in the northeastern part of Algeria.

Objective: The present study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) in a dairy herd in the northeast of Algiers, Algeria. Materials and methods: The target area is in the northeast of Algiers with humid to semi-dry climate and known for its economically important production of cattle. A total of 1,066 randomly selected individual blood samples of dairy herd collected at 120 dairy farms from rural districts of northeast of Algiers were evaluated with antibodies against BoHV-1 using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, to determine the BoHV-1 infection status of the herds. A questionnaire submitted to the farmers during collection of the blood samples was used to collect data on potential BoHV-1 associated risk factors. Results: In the present study, the estimated farm and individual animal BoHV-1 seroprevalence levels were 58.33% and 14.16%, respectively. A logistic regression analysis of the random-effects model revealed that the significant associated risk factors for the present farm and individual animal seroprevalence levels were rural district, cattle introduced to the farm, region, and hygiene. Conclusion: This study found higher seroprevalence of BoHV-1 in the northeast of Algiers. The results could be used in designing the prevention and control strategy of BoHV-1 in the northeastern part of Algeria. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(1.000): 60-65]

Introduction: Breeding profiles at the periparturient stage in red foxes which mated naturally or were subjected to artificial insemination were retrospectively surveyed using 130 vixens during their reproductive seasons of 2012–2017 in Japan. Material and Methods: Natural mating vixens were encouraged a maximum of three times with the same male, while artificial insemination was conducted using frozen-thawed semen with the bovine semen extender as a diluent. Results: With natural mating, conception rates after one, two, and three copulations were 55.8%, 68.0%, and 85.7%, respectively, showing a significant difference between the rates for one and three copulations. Conception rates with artificial insemination were 82.4%. Mean gestation periods were between 52.1 and 53.3 days in all groups. Mean litter sizes were 3.7–4.3 cubs with natural mating, and 4.4 cubs with artificial insemination. Although some sporadic and inconsistent changes in litter sizes were noted between primiparous and multiparous groups, these were of doubtful clinical importance. Conclusion: This is the first report from Japan concerning basic breeding events of red fox vixens in captivity.

Introduction: Breeding profiles at the periparturient stage in red foxes which mated naturally or were subjected to artificial insemination were retrospectively surveyed using 130 vixens during their reproductive seasons of 2012–2017 in Japan. Material and Methods: Natural mating vixens were encouraged a maximum of three times with the same male, while artificial insemination was conducted using frozen-thawed semen with the bovine semen extender as a diluent. Results: With natural mating, conception rates after one, two, and three copulations were 55.8%, 68.0%, and 85.7%, respectively, showing a significant difference between the rates for one and three copulations. Conception rates with artificial insemination were 82.4%. Mean gestation periods were between 52.1 and 53.3 days in all groups. Mean litter sizes were 3.7–4.3 cubs with natural mating, and 4.4 cubs with artificial insemination. Although some sporadic and inconsistent changes in litter sizes were noted between primiparous and multiparous groups, these were of doubtful clinical importance. Conclusion: This is the first report from Japan concerning basic breeding events of red fox vixens in captivity.

Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) is a virus infecting carp with disease symptoms of gill necrosis, fish discoloration, sunken eyes, and mortality reaching 90%. Several research groups have examined how to potentially abate the consequences of viral activity. Recently we showed that acyclovir inhibits CyHV-3 replication in vitro and in the present study we examined the anti-CyHV-3 activity of the tricyclic derivative of acyclovir 6-(4-MeOPh)-TACV (T-ACV), a fluorescent molecule known for higher lipophilicity than acyclovir, and therefore potentially better candidate for application in vivo. CCB and KF1 cell lines were incubated with T-ACV at concentrations of 0, 66.67, and 133.33 μM for three days and toxicity examined with MTT and CV assays. To investigate the antiviral activity of T-ACV, the lines were infected with CyHV-3 or mock infected and incubated for three days with the drug at concentrations of 0 or 66.67 μM. The activity of T-ACV was evaluated by plaque assay and TaqMan qPCR. T-ACV at a concentration of 66.67 μM displayed low toxicity and inhibited CyHV-3 activity by 13–29%, varying by cell line and method. The low anti-CyHV-3 activity of T-ACV indicates that it would be reasonable to screen several tricyclic derivatives of acyclovir for such activity.

Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) is a virus infecting carp with disease symptoms of gill necrosis, fish discoloration, sunken eyes, and mortality reaching 90%. Several research groups have examined how to potentially abate the consequences of viral activity. Recently we showed that acyclovir inhibits CyHV-3 replication in vitro and in the present study we examined the anti-CyHV-3 activity of the tricyclic derivative of acyclovir 6-(4-MeOPh)-TACV (T-ACV), a fluorescent molecule known for higher lipophilicity than acyclovir, and therefore potentially better candidate for application in vivo.

Viral infections are the greatest threat to waterfowl and cause significant economic losses. Diagnosis and differentiation of three goose viruses is difficult in the field and often requires laboratory confirmation. Therefore, the aim of the study was to develop a triplex PCR and optimise its parameters for simultaneous detection of DNA of goose parvovirus (GPV), goose polyomavirus (GHPV), and goose circovirus (GoCV). The DNA of viruses isolated from field cases from the National Veterinary Research Institute’s own collection was used for the study. The primer attachment temperature, the number of reaction cycles, and the Taq DNA polymerase and Mg²⁺ concentrations were optimised. The sensitivity and specificity of this triplex PCR was also determined. Based on the obtained results, triplex PCR parameters were optimised for simultaneous detection of DNA of GPV, GHPV, and GoCV in one sample. The following PCR products of the expected size were obtained: GPV DNA of 806 bp, GoCV DNA of 571 bp, and GHPV DNA of 180 bp. The developed triplex PCR method proved to be useful for simultaneous detection of infections with three waterfowl viruses and will be used in relevant laboratory diagnostics.

Viral infections are the greatest threat to waterfowl and cause significant economic losses. Diagnosis and differentiation of three goose viruses is difficult in the field and often requires laboratory confirmation. Therefore, the aim of the study was to develop a triplex PCR and optimise its parameters for simultaneous detection of DNA of goose parvovirus (GPV), goose polyomavirus (GHPV), and goose circovirus (GoCV).

Introduction: Bovine parainfluenza virus-3 (BPIV3) and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) are the cause of respiratory disease in cattle worldwide. With other pathogens, they cause bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) in ruminants. The aim of the study was the detection and molecular characterisation of BPIV3 and BRSV from nasal swabs and lung samples of cows in and around the Erzurum region of eastern Turkey. Material and Methods: In total, 155 samples were collected. Of animals used in the study 92 were males and 63 females. The age of the animals was between 9 months and 5 years, mean 1.4 years. Most males were in the fattening period and being raised in open sheds; females were in the lactating period and kept in free stall barns. All samples were tested for the presence of viral genes using RT-PCR. Gene-specific primers in a molecular method (RT-PCR) identified BRSV (fusion gene) and BPIV3 (matrix gene) strains at the genus level. Results: RNA from BRSV and BPIV3 was detected in two (1.29%) and three (1.93%) samples, respectively, one of each of which was sequenced and the sequences were aligned with reference virus strains. Phylogenetic analyses clustered the strains in genotype C/BPIV3 and subgroup III/BRSV. Conclusion: The results indicate that BRSV and BPIV3 contribute to bovine respiratory disease cases in Turkey. This is the first report on their detection and molecular characterisation in ruminants in Turkey.

Introduction: Bovine parainfluenza virus-3 (BPIV3) and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) are the cause of respiratory disease in cattle worldwide. With other pathogens, they cause bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) in ruminants. The aim of the study was the detection and molecular characterisation of BPIV3 and BRSV from nasal swabs and lung samples of cows in and around the Erzurum region of eastern Turkey. Material and Methods: In total, 155 samples were collected. Of animals used in the study 92 were males and 63 females. The age of the animals was between 9 months and 5 years, mean 1.4 years. Most males were in the fattening period and being raised in open sheds; females were in the lactating period and kept in free stall barns. All samples were tested for the presence of viral genes using RT-PCR. Gene-specific primers in a molecular method (RT-PCR) identified BRSV (fusion gene) and BPIV3 (matrix gene) strains at the genus level. Results: RNA from BRSV and BPIV3 was detected in two (1.29%) and three (1.93%) samples, respectively, one of each of which was sequenced and the sequences were aligned with reference virus strains. Phylogenetic analyses clustered the strains in genotype C/BPIV3 and subgroup III/BRSV. Conclusion: The results indicate that BRSV and BPIV3 contribute to bovine respiratory disease cases in Turkey. This is the first report on their detection and molecular characterisation in ruminants in Turkey.