Murine astrovirus (MuAstV) infection in mouse facilities in Brazil: First South American report.

This study aimed to investigate the presence of murine astrovirus (MuAstV) in Brazil. Fecal samples from mice belonging to four Brazilian animal facilities were collected and tested for MuAstV using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Of the 162 samples tested, 38 (23.5%) were positive for MuAstV, 33 (91.7%) of which came from specific-pathogen free colonies. Although most of the samples were obtained from asymptomatic animals, three mice presented diarrheal symptoms, and MuAstV was the only agent detected by molecular assay. Phylogenetic analysis revealed similarities between the MuAstV strains from this study and prototypes from the USA. MuAstV's high prevalence, environmental stability, genetic diversity and potential for persistent infections must be considered when evaluating health monitoring programs for laboratory rodents.

Clinical, hematological, and biochemical findings in puppies with coronavirus and parvovirus enteritis.

The clinical and laboratory findings in puppies naturally infected with canine coronavirus (CCoV) and/or canine parvovirus (CPV) were compared with findings in uninfected puppies. Lymphopenia was the only parameter related to CCoV infection that was statistically significant; vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, hemorrhagic fluid diarrhea, leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoglycemia, and hypoproteinemia were correlated with CPV infection.

Résultats cliniques, hématologiques et biochimiques chez des chiots atteints de l'entérite à coronavirus et à parvovirus. Les résultats cliniques et de laboratoire chez des chiots naturellement infectés par le coronavirus canin (CoVC) et/ou le parvovirus canin (PVC) ont été comparés aux résultats des chiots non infectés. La lymphopénie était le seul paramètre statistiquement significatif associé à l'infection par le CoVC; les vomissements, l'anorexie, la léthargie, la diarrhée liquide hémorragique, la leucopénie, la lymphopénie, la thrombocytopénie, l'hypoglycémie et l'hypoprotéinémie étaient tous associés à l'infection par le PVC.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Detection and molecular characterization of caliciviruses (vesivirus and norovirus) in an outbreak of acute diarrhea in kittens from Brazil.

Feline caliciviruses (FCVs) have occasionally been described in cats in association with enteric disease, but an etiological role for these viruses in acute gastroenteritis is still unclear. In this study, molecular characterization of FCV and feline norovirus (FNoV) was undertaken using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and sequence analysis of the ORF1 region in fecal specimens from 29 diarrheic cats. The specimens were also screened for parvovirus, coronavirus, astrovirus and group A rotavirus. A quantitative one step RT-PCR was also performed to detect and quantitate NoV genogroup IV and the role of these animal caliciviruses in feline gastroenteritis was investigated. This is the first description of enteric FCV and FNoV in South America.