Serum Iron Parameters and Acute Experimental EHV-1 Infection in Horses

Background Research in humans has demonstrated that high serum iron (sFe) concentration can predispose to infection, and many infections subsequently result in alterations of host sFe. A decrease in sFe concentration is an early and sensitive indicator of systemic inflammation caused by tissue necrosis, bacterial infections, or endotoxemia in horses. Serum iron parameters in acute equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection have not been evaluated previously. Objectives To document the sFe response to EHV-1 infection and to determine whether or not significant differences in sFe concentration exist between EHV-1 infected horses that develop neurologic disease and those that do not. Animals A total of 14 horses experimentally infected with EHV-1. Methods Data were collected as an ancillary data set during a blinded experimental EHV-1 infection. Horses were infected with the rAb4 strain of EHV-1. Temperature, neurologic score, packed cell volume (PCV), and sFe parameters (sFe concentration, % saturation, and total iron-binding capacity) were recorded daily for 2weeks. Data were evaluated using Wilcoxon signed rank tests and Wilcoxon rank sum tests with Bonferroni corrections. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Serum iron concentration decreases significantly in a biphasic pattern after EHV-1 infection. There was no significant difference in sFe concentration in horses that developed neurologic disease and those that did not in these experimentally infected animals. Serum iron parameters may be useful in monitoring the clinical course of viral infections such as EHV-1.

Antiviral activity of Bignoniaceae species occurring in the State of Minas Gerais (Brazil): part 1

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Herpes Virus Bovino tipo 1 (BoHV-1) como posible causa de encefalitis en bovinos de la región del Magdalena Medio Colombiano. Estudio serológico y análisis epidemiológico

The bovine Herpesvirus type 1 and type 5 (BoHV-1 and BoHV-5), causing diseases and significant economic losses in farms of worldwide. Both affect the nervous system of cattle, although BoHV-5 has been the most associated with this type of pathogenesis. Given the death of animals with nervous symptoms and negative diagnoses for rabies virus in the area of study, this research focused on the detection of positive reactors to bovine herpes virus serum neutralization. We collected 518 blood samples from animals without Herpesvirus vaccine, in the municipalities of Caparrapi, Cimitarra, Honda and Victoria, in the Middle Magdalena River Region. In addition, epidemiological information useful to discuss neurological disease was collected through primary and secondary sources. For the analysis of data was used chi-square test by identification of relationship between evidence of viral infection and the variables recorded. The results revealed that 286 cases were positive for Herpesvirus infection, corresponding to a prevalence of 55.5%, however, there was no statistical relationship (p < 0.05) between the presence of antibodies and the variables analyzed. In conclusion, some cases of neurological disease in cattle in this region could be due to infection with herpes viruses. We discussed about the presence of BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 in the ambient, diagnosis and monitoring plans, as well as economic losses, which may cause in herds in this area.

Influência da resposta vacinal contra o herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 (BoHV-1) nos parâmetros reprodutivos de vacas receptoras de embrião

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Monitoração da ocorrência do Vírus Respiratório Sincicial Bovino (BRSV) em plantéis leiteiros infectados pelo Herpesvírus Bovino Tipo 1 (BoHV-1)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Modelo experimental com caprinos e cobaias para avaliação da eficácia de vacinas contra o herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 e o vírus da diarreia viral bovina tipos 1 e 2

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Monitoração dos parâmetros reprodutivos e perfil sorológico do herpesvírus caprino tipo 1 e do herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 em rebanhos caprinos dos estados de São Paulo e Minas Gerais

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Apoptose relacionada à infecção in vitro por herpesvírus bovinos tipo 1 e 5

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Detecção do herpes vírus felino tipo 1 (HVF-1) pela técnica de PCR em tempo real e sua associação com sinais oculares em uma poipulação de gatos domésticos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Estudo epidemiológico sobre as perdas reprodutivas em bovinos leiteiros: ocorrência de neospora caninum, brucella abortus, herpesvírus bovino tipo-1 e leptospira spp. em uma propriedade do município de São Carlos-SP

The aim of this work was draw an endemic level of reproductive losses and determine positivity for four infectious agents related to reproductive problems in dairy cattle on a property in São Carlos city. Blood serum samples were collected of 142 breeding animals more than two years old, from which 21.1% showed history of abortions or stillbirths in at least one pregnancy. Immunofluorescent antibody technique, tamponated acidified antigen test, serum neutralization technique and microscopic agglutination test, were used for detection of antibody anti-Neospora caninum, anti- Brucella abortus, anti-Bovine Herpesvirus Type-1 (BoHV-1) and anti-Leptospira spp , respectively. The serological tests carried out showed that 28.9% of the animals had titers greater than or equal to 100 of anti-Neospora caninum. Viral neutralization tests demonstrated that 26.8% of the animals had titers greater or equal to 256 for antibody anti-BoHV-1.Only 7.7% of the animals studied had titers equal to or greater than 100 in the microscopic agglutination test for Leptospira spp. There weren’t observed positive reactions to the tamponated acidified antigen test for diagnosis of bovine brucellosis. The study suggests the presence of BoHV-1, N. caninum and Leptospira spp in contact with dairy cattle property and could be involved in the occurrence of abortions and stillbirths in cattle. Reproductive losses are endemic and implies a possible behavior of chronic infections caused by these microorganisms.

A case of maternal herpes simplex virus encephalitis during late pregnancy

BACKGROUND: A pregnant 25-year-old woman at 32 weeks' gestation was admitted to an emergency unit after her husband had found her drowsy and with her tongue bitten. The day before admission, the patient had developed a fever of 39 degrees C, was suffering from headaches, was nauseated and had vomited. On admission, she had anterograde and retrograde amnesia, but no somatic neurological deficits were detected. INVESTIGATIONS: Routine laboratory testing, lumbar puncture, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, routine bacteriology, brain MRI, and polymerase chain reaction testing for neurotropic viruses including herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. DIAGNOSIS: Maternal herpes simplex virus type 1 encephalitis. MANAGEMENT: Antiviral and anticonvulsive therapy, supportive treatment, and cesarean section.

The association of HSV 1 and 2 with atherosclerosis defined by CRP level

A study of the association of Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 exposure to early atherosclerosis using high C-reactive protein level as a marker was carried out in US born, non-pregnant, 20-49 year olds participating in a national survey between 1999 and 2004. Participants were required to have valid results for Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 and C-Reactive Protein for inclusion. Cases were those found to have a high C-reactive protein level of 0.3-1 mg/dL, while controls had low to normal values (0.01-0.29 mg/dL). Overall, there were 1211 cases and 2870 controls. Mexican American and non-Hispanic black women were much more likely to fall into the high cardiac risk group than the other sex race groups with proportions of 44% and 39%, respectively. ^ Herpesvirus exposure was categorized such that Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 exposure could be studied simultaneously within the same individual and models. The HSV 1+, HSV 2- category included the highest percentage (45.63%) of participants, followed by HSV 1-, HSV 2- (30.16%); HSV 1+, HSV 2+ (15.09%); and HSV 1-, HSV 2+ (9.12%) respectively. The proportion of participants in the HSV 1+, HSV 2- category was substantially higher in Mexican Americans (63%-66%). Further, the proportion in the HSV 1+, HSV 2+ category was notably higher in the non-Hispanic black participants (23%-44%). Non-Hispanic black women also had the highest percentage of HSV 1-, HSV 2+ exposure of all the sex race groups at 17%. ^ Overall, the unadjusted odds ratios for atherosclerotic disease defined by C-reactive protein with HSV 1-, HSV 2- as the referent group was 1.62 (95% CI 1.23-2.14) for HSV 1 +, HSV 2+; 1.3 (95% CI 1.10-1.69 for HSV 1+, HSV 2-; and 1.52 (95% CI 1.14-2.01). When the study was stratified into sex-race groups, only HSV 1+, HSV 2- in the Non-Hispanic white men remained significant (OR=1.6; 95% CI 1.06-2.43). Adjustment for selected covariates was made in the multivariate model for both the overall and sex-race stratified studies. High C-reactive protein values were not associated with any of the Herpesvirus exposure levels in either the overall or stratified analyses. ^

Pollen record and dating of sediment core GIK16776-1 off Liberia

Based on pollen analysis of a sediment core from the Atlantic Ocean off Liberia the West African vegetation history for the last 400 ka is reconstructed. During the cold oxygen isotope stages 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 3 and 2 an arid climate is indicated, resulting in a southward shifting of the southern border of the savanna. Late Pleistocene glacial stages were more arid than during the Middle Pleistocene. A persistence of the rain forest in the area, even during the glacial stages, is recorded. This suggests a glacial refuge of rain forest situated in the Guinean mountains. Afromontane forests with Podocarpus occurred in the Guinean mountains from the stages 12 to 2 and disappeared after. The tree expanded from higher to lower elevations twice in the warm oxygen isotope stage 11 (pollen subzones 11d, 11b) and at least twice during the warm stage 5 (pollen subzones 5d, 5a), indicating a relative cool but humid climate for these periods.

Copolymer 1 induces T cells of the T helper type 2 that crossreact with myelin basic protein and suppress experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

The synthetic amino acid copolymer copolymer 1 (Cop 1) suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and is beneficial in multiple sclerosis. To further understand Cop 1 suppressive activity, we studied the cytokine secretion profile of various Cop 1-induced T cell lines and clones. Unlike T cell lines induced by myelin basic protein (MBP), which secreted either T cell helper type 1 (Th1) or both Th1 and Th2 cytokines, the T cell lines/clones induced by Cop 1 showed a progressively polarized development toward the Th2 pathway, until they completely lost the ability to secrete Th1 cytokines. Our findings indicate that the polarization of the Cop 1-induced lines did not result from the immunization vehicle or the in vitro growing conditions, but rather from the tendency of Cop 1 to preferentially induce a Th2 response. The response of all of the Cop 1 specific lines/clones, which were originated in the (SJL/J×BALB/c)F1 hybrids, was restricted to the BALB/c parental haplotype. Even though the Cop 1-induced T cells had not been exposed to the autoantigen MBP, they crossreacted with MBP by secretion of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, and IL-10. Administration of these T cells in vivo resulted in suppression of EAE induced by whole mouse spinal cord homogenate, in which several autoantigens may be involved. Secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines by Cop 1-induced suppressor cells, in response to either Cop 1 or MBP, may explain the therapeutic effect of Cop 1 in EAE and in multiple sclerosis.