First molecular detection and characterization of Akabane virus in small ruminants in Turkey.

Abortion outbreaks associated with congenital malformations in two distinct small-ruminant flocks were reported in Turkey in 2013-2014. This paper describes the first molecular characterization of Turkish Akabane virus strains in small-ruminant flocks using partial sequence analysis of the S segment and pathological findings.

West Nile Virus Infection in Horses: Detection by Immunohistochemistry, In Situ Hybridization, and ELISA.

This study describes the clinicopathologic findings in naturally occurring West Nile virus (WNV) infection in horses. WNV was diagnosed in a foal by immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization methods, and the presence of WNV antibodies was detected in 5 other horses with clinical signs suggestive of WNV infection. At necropsy of the foal, lymph nodes were edematous and enlarged, and the intestines showed diffuse congestion and focal hemorrhages. The most significant histologic lesions in this case were nonsuppurative meningoencephalomyelitis, particularly in the brainstem and spinal cord. Identification of viral RNA by in situ hybridization and viral antigen by immunohistochemistry was concentrated primarily in nerve fibers, glial cells, and their processes in brainstem and spinal cord and, to a lesser extent, within the cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum.

Pathomorphological, immunohistochemical and bacteriological findings in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) naturally infected with S. Gallinarum.

The present study describes the pathological and bacteriological findings and diagnosis by immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence methods in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) naturally infected with Salmonella gallinarum obtained from three commercial budgerigar rearing farms. The course of the disease in young budgerigars was peracute or acute, whereas in adult budgerigars the disease was acute or chronic. Clinically, yellow-white diarrhoea was observed in the young budgerigars with the acute form. In the adult budgerigars with the acute and chronic forms, a decrease in feed and water consumption with loss in body condition together with greenish-yellow diarrhoea was generally noted. Peritonitis and pericarditis were the most common findings in young budgerigars at necropsy, while in adult budgerigars scattered grey-white necrotic foci were found in the livers. Histopathologically, the lesions in young budgerigars were characterized with fibrinonecrotic peritonitis and/or pericarditis and necrotic hepatitis. In adult budgerigars with acute infection, hepatic necrosis with focal heterophil infiltration was present; whilst lesions in the chronic cases were granulomatous in nature with the infiltration of macrophages, lymphocytes and histiocytes. For the detection of S. Gallinarum in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex and immunofluorescence methods were used. Both methods showed bacteria to be localized in the liver, kidney, peritoneum, heart, spleen and intestines of both young and adult budgerigars. The results of the present study indicate that the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method was more sensitive than the immunofluorescence method in the detection of the bacteria.

Tetrathyridiosis and tubulopapillary carcinoma occurring simultaneously in the mammary gland of a cat.

This report describes a case of tubulopapillary carcinoma and concomitant tetrathyridiosis in a 5-year-old female cross-breed cat. A mass was located at right inguinal mammary gland and measured 5.5 × 5 × 3 cm in size with multilobulated to solid appearance. The cut surface of the mass had a centrally located large cyst (approximately 3 cm in diameter) surrounded by other smaller cysts. Histologically, the mass was diagnosed as tubulopapillary mammary carcinoma, intensely positive for AE1/AE3 cytokeratins. The cyst found at post-mortem examination was tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides species surrounded by inflammatory cells and a loose fibrous capsule. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first description of a tubulopapillary carcinoma and tetrathyridiosis found simultaneously in the mammary gland of a cat.

Neuropathologic study of border disease virus in naturally infected fetal and neonatal small ruminants and its association with apoptosis.

The present study describes the pathologic changes and cellular apoptosis in the central nervous system (CNS) of fetal and neonatal small ruminants infected with border disease virus (BDV), as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Abortions of ewes and goats were observed, as were births of lambs and kids with poor survival rates and nervous signs. Lesions included cerebellar hypoplasia, porencephaly, hydranencephaly, and nonsuppurative meningoencephalomyelitis with hypomyelinogenesis. Viral antigens and RNA were present in neuropil, glial, and neuronal cells, especially in periventricular areas, cerebellum, and brainstem. TUNEL positivity and labeling of anti-bax and anti-caspases 3, 8, and 9 were detected in BDV-infected CNSs, especially in glial and neuronal cells. The double immunostaining and TUNEL assay revealed that in BDV-infected animals, not only were BDV-infected glial and neuronal cells undergoing apoptosis, but so were uninfected cells in close vicinity of BDV-infected cells. The expression of activated caspases 3, 8, 9; bax; and TUNEL in glial and neuronal cells of the infected fetal and neonatal kids were significantly (P < .05) higher than those of the infected fetal and neonatal lambs. Yet, the expression of bcl-2 in the CNSs of the infected fetal and neonatal lambs was higher (P < .05) in neuronal and glial cells than in those of the infected fetal and neonatal kids. The results suggest that cell death in the BDV-infected CNS is induced by intrinsic and extrinsic cascades of apoptotic pathways.

Border disease virus (BDV) infections of small ruminants in Turkey: a new BDV subgroup?

Blood samples from sheep and/or goats from eight small ruminant flocks in the Turkish provinces of Aydin and Burdur were tested for the presence of Pestiviruses using an antigen-capture ELISA. From clinically affected animals, pathological and immunohistochemical findings were recorded. Post mortem examination of a virus-positive lamb showing abnormal fleece and paralysis of the hind legs revealed nonsuppurative meningoencephalomyelitis with hypomyelinogenesis. By immunohistochemistry Pestivirus antigen was detected in all parts of the brain including cerebellum, cerebral hemispheres and midbrain. Two Pestivirus isolates from a sheep and a goat kid, respectively, were isolated from samples that were positive in the antigen-capture ELISA. Genetic typing using the 5'-NTR (288bp) and N(pro) (738bp) showed that both were Border disease virus (BDV) isolates. By phylogenetic analysis, they formed a cluster clearly separated from the known clusters BDV-1 to BDV-6 and might therefore represent a new subgroup (BDV-7?). This is the first report confirming the occurrence and partial characterisation of BDV infection in small ruminants in Turkey.

Visceral leishmaniosis and parapoxvirus infection in a Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).

A Mediterranean monk seal was shown by immunohistochemical and polymerase chain reaction techniques to be dually infected with a Leishmania sp. and parapoxvirus. The pathological findings included a deep ulcer on the side of the head, ulcers on the gingival and inner aspect of the lower lip, enlarged lymph nodes and tonsils, and respiratory lesions (pulmonary consolidation, oedema, haemorrhages and emphysema; tracheal and bronchial congestion, exudates and haemorrhage). Amastigotes were demonstrated in macrophages in the lymph nodes and spleen, and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were observed in the tracheal and oral mucosa.

Characteristic and non-characteristic pathological findings in peste des petits ruminants (PPR) of sheep in the Ege district of Turkey.

This report describes the pathological and immunohistochemical findings in naturally infected lambs from three outbreaks of peste des petits ruminants in Mugla and Aydin provinces of the Ege district of Turkey. At necropsy, ulcerative stomatitis, catarrhal or fibrinous bronchopneumonia, and acute catarrhal enteritis were observed. Histopathologically, syncytial cells containing inclusion bodies were seen in the tongue and in the buccal, labial and soft palate mucosae. In pneumonic lungs, syncytial cells were present in the alveolar lumina, and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in epithelial cells of the bronchi and bronchioli. Immunohistochemically, viral antigen was strongly labelled in the lung, oral tissues and small intestine.

Diffuse mesenteric lipodystrophy (massive fat necrosis) in a cat.

Clinical, radiographic, and pathological findings of diffuse mesenteric lipodystrophy in a 3-year-old, female domestic short-haired cat are described. The animal had fallen from a height of approximately 20 metres 6 weeks previously, after which it developed respiratory distress and anorexia. The cat was thin, exhausted and had rapid, shallow, open-mouthed breathing. Serial upper gastrointestinal contrast radiographs showed a prolonged transit time of the contrast medium due to restricted gastric emptying, and filling defects of the duodenojejunal portions of the small intestines. The cranial abdominal cavity contained large, firm, white masses that adhered to most of the anterior abdominal organs. The intestinal walls were completely surrounded by large, hard, lobulated masses of lipomatous tissue. The masses were characterised histologically by extensive areas of coagulative necrosis of adipocytes containing foci of saponification. The lesions resembled those of massive fat necrosis or lipomatosis in cattle, pigs and deer.

Massive cystic tetrathyridiosis in a dog.

This report describes a case of massive cystic tetrathyridiosis in a four-year-old female dobermann. The larvae were distributed in both the peritoneal and pleural cavities, as well as in the lumen of the small intestine along with adult Mesocestoides species. These parasites were identified as tetrathyridia. Numerous cysts were dispersed on the peritoneal, pleural and mesenteric surfaces. The same cysts were seen both on subcapsular surfaces and within sections of the spleen, liver, kidneys and lungs. Histopathological examination also revealed characteristics of tetrathyridium of Mesocestoides species.

Dual infection of fetal and neonatal small ruminants with border disease virus and peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV): neuronal tropism of PPRV as a novel finding.

Dual infection of 26 fetal and neonatal small ruminants with border disease virus (BDV) and peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) is reported. The animals included five aborted lamb fetuses, 19 neonatal lambs and two neonatal kids from flocks in regions of the Black Sea and the Aegean region. BDV and PPRV antigens were detected immunohistochemically in the brain, oral mucosa, intestine and lung of infected animals. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to demonstrate PPRV and BDV in samples of the spleen, lymph node, lung and brain from infected animals. On the basis of observations made, it is concluded that brain damage following intrauterine infection with BDV facilitates the passage of PPRV to the brain and results in infection of neuronal and glial cells by PPRV.