First genomic detection of Peaton virus in a calf with hydranencephaly in Israel.

Simbu serogroup are arbo- viruses which are mainly transmitted by Culicoides. Two members of the Simbu serogroup, Akabane and Shuni viruses, have been isolated from congenitally malformed ruminants in Israel. A recent serosurvey revealed that Israeli ruminants have been exposed to several additional Simbu viruses, including Shamonda and Sathuperi that seems to be circulating in Israel. In April 2017, an apparently healthy one-month-old male calf was transferred to the Kimron Veterinary Institute. A few days later, the calf was reported to be slow to respond to its surroundings and was not able to feed on its own. Blindness was observed upon clinical examination. RNA of the small, medium and large segments of Simbu serogroup viruses were amplified and sequenced from the testis tissues and from the Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). During post-mortem examination, hydranencephaly was defined. Phylogenetic analysis of all three segments of Simbu serogroup viruses showed that the sequences detected in the Israeli calf were virtually identical to Peaton virus (PEAV). PEAV was also detected in two pools of Culicoides imicola trapped at two different locations in Israel. This is the first genomic detection of PEAV outside Australia and Japan. These results are of epidemiological significance, as they demonstrate that PEAV is circulating in Israel and affects cattle. Consequently, these results are also of relevance to a potential spread of Simbu serogroup viruses into Europe.

Evidence of extensive renewed Schmallenberg virus circulation in Belgium during summer of 2016 - increase in arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly cases expected.

A seroprevalence study carried out between June and September 2016 in the Belgian sheep population showed a significant increase in overall (from 25% to 62%) and between-herd (from 60% to 96%) seroprevalence against Schmallenberg virus (SBV) during this period, indicating the most extensive recirculation of SBV since its original emergence in 2011. SBV recirculation was confirmed by the detection of SBV RNA-positive Culicoides obsoletus complex midges collected in the region of Antwerp in August 2016, reaching a minimum infection rate of 3%. The recirculation of SBV in the largely unprotected ruminant population during summer 2016 will likely cause an increase in the number of arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly cases in newborn ruminants during the coming months.

Zika Virus Infection and Stillbirths: A Case of Hydrops Fetalis, Hydranencephaly and Fetal Demise.

BACKGROUND: The rapid spread of Zika virus in the Americas and current outbreak of microcephaly in Brazil has raised attention to the possible deleterious effects that the virus may have on fetuses. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We report a case of a 20-year-old pregnant woman who was referred to our service after a large Zika virus outbreak in the city of Salvador, Brazil with an ultrasound examination that showed intrauterine growth retardation of the fetus at the 18th gestational week. Ultrasound examinations in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters demonstrated severe microcephaly, hydranencephaly, intracranial calcifications and destructive lesions of posterior fossa, in addition to hydrothorax, ascites and subcutaneous edema. An induced labor was performed at the 32nd gestational week due to fetal demise and delivered a female fetus. ZIKV-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction amplification products were obtained from extracts of cerebral cortex, medulla oblongata and cerebrospinal and amniotic fluid, while extracts of heart, lung, liver, vitreous body of the eye and placenta did not yield detectable products. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This case report provides evidence that in addition to microcephaly, there may be a link between Zika virus infection and hydrops fetalis and fetal demise. Given the recent spread of the virus, systematic investigation of spontaneous abortions and stillbirths may be warranted to evaluate the risk that ZIKV infection imparts on these outcomes.

Epizootic congenital hydranencephaly and abortion in cattle due to bluetongue virus serotype 8 in the Netherlands.

An outbreak of hydranencephaly in aborted foetuses and newborn calves occurred following the 2007 epidemic of bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV8\net2006) in the Netherlands. In total 35 aborted foetuses and 20 live-born calves, submitted from September 2007 to May 2008, were examined pathologically. Foetuses with gestational ages between 4 and 9 months (mean 6.8 month) showed varying stages of cerebral malformation. Initial stages were cavitations in the cerebral hemispheres with massive destruction of neuroparenchyma, calcium deposits, and a phagocytic inflammatory response. Later stages showed distinct hydranencephaly, the cerebral hemispheres being almost completely replaced by fluid-filled sacs. In seven cases the cerebellum was affected as well, but brainstem structures were intact. Newborn calves with clinical signs of abnormal behaviour ('dummy calves'), circling, head pressing, incoordination, and blindness were seen from the end of January 2008. The calves were born between 2nd January and 16th March 2008. The calves were euthanized after 1 day up to 14 weeks (mean 4-7 weeks). Brain malformations in these calves were confined to the cerebrum and consisted of varying degrees of hydranencephaly. Spleen tissue was PCR-positive for bluetongue virus (BTV) in 21 of 35 foetuses and in 1 of 20 calves. A higher percentage of PCR-positives was found in foetuses aborted in early gestation than in late gestation, suggesting clearance of BTV during gestation. Fifteen of 33 dams of PCR-negative hydranencephalic foetuses or calves could be traced and all were BTV-seropositive, indicating a previous BTV infection. The timing of hydranencephaly cases in live-born calves during the first months of 2008 was consistent with infection in early gestation during the prior transmission season. Vertical transmission and teratogenic potential have previously been described for modified-live vaccines for bluetongue but are highly unusual for field strains of BTV, which raises the issue whether BTV8\net2006 or its ancestor has been cell- or laboratory-adapted in the past.

Bluetongue virus serotype 8-associated congenital hydranencephaly in calves.

Hydranencephaly, the almost complete absence of the cerebral parenchyma, induced by infection with modified live bluetongue virus (BTV) crossing the placenta has previously been reported in sheep and rarely in cattle in the USA and in South Africa. The current study describes 29 cases of hydranencephaly in bovine foetuses and 'dummy' calves up to 3 months of age in Belgium associated with natural BTV serotype 8 infection very early in gestation. Histological examination of the remaining cerebral parenchyma showed moderate to severe atrophy of the neural tissue. The lesions observed support the hypothesis of BTV-induced destruction of precursor cells. However, in several calves a slight infiltration of the walls of venules and arterioles with T lymphocytes (vasculitis) was observed as well, which seems to be responsible for at least some of the lesions. Bluetongue viral RNA was detected in 15 animals using a BTV-specific real-time RT-PCR with a much higher success rate in brain tissues compared with blood and spleen samples. Virus isolation in embryonated eggs was unsuccessful. In conclusion, hydranencephaly in calves can be associated with natural wild-type BTV-8 intra-uterine infection.

Hydranencephaly and cerebellar hypoplasia in two kittens attributed to intrauterine parvovirus infection.

Six weeks after vaccination with modified live feline parvovirus vaccine, a cat gave birth to five kittens, three of which died soon afterwards. The remaining two kittens (A and B) survived, but at 8 weeks of age were unable to walk and showed abnormal behaviour, with lack of menace and oculovestibular responses, and severe dysmetria. These signs suggested multifocal disease associated with the cerebrum and cerebellum. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated severe bilateral (kitten A) or unilateral (kitten B) hydrocephalus or hydranencephaly, combined with cerebellar agenesis (kitten A) or severe hypoplasia (kitten B). Hydranencephaly was confirmed histopathologically in both kittens. Parvovirus was isolated from the kidney of one kitten. Parvoviral DNA was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from paraffin wax-embedded brain of both kittens. The severe malformations observed in these kittens presumably resulted from an in-utero parvovirus infection, possibly due to vaccination, that occurred late in the first, or early in the second, trimester of pregnancy.

Proliferation and teratogenicity of Aino virus in chick embryos.

Aino virus (AIV; JaNAr 28 strain) 10(3) TCID50/0.2 ml was inoculated in the yolk sac of 8-day-old chick embryos. Recovery and titration of the virus from various organs including the central nervous system (CNS) and skeletal muscle were performed at 2, 4, 7, 10 and 13 days after inoculation (PI). AIV was systematically disseminated and proliferated even 2 days PI. The titers of the recovered virus from the CNS and from skeletal muscle was the highest at 4 days PI and declined with time, whereas hydranencephaly, arthrogryposis and cerebellar hypoplasia developed at 7 days PI and gradually progressed until 13 days PI.