ABSTRACT
Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is a worldwide spread pathogen of horses. It can cause abortion, respiratory and neurological disease and consequentially significant economic losses in equine industries. During 2009, two outbreaks of EHV-1 were confirmed in two stud farms in Eastern Croatia. The first outbreak occurred in February following the import of 12 horses from USA, serologically negative to EHV-1 before transport. Four mares aborted in the late stage of pregnancy and one perinatal death was recorded. Other six mares showed clinical signs of myeloencephalopathy with fatal end in four. One month later, the second EHV-1 outbreak was confirmed in stud farm about 100 km further with 17 abortions, three perinatal deaths and one mild neurological case. Epidemiological data showed that the disease was probably introduced in the first stud farm during international transport. The second outbreak started with the introduction of clinically healthy stallion from the first stud farm. Molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that, despite different clinical signs, the identical virus caused both outbreaks. Both horse populations were free from EHV-1 infection before the outbreak and had not been vaccinated. Significant difference in clinical signs could be explained by different breed-related risk factors.
Subject(s)
Abortion, Veterinary/virology , Herpesviridae Infections/veterinary , Herpesvirus 1, Equid , Horse Diseases/epidemiology , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/veterinary , Animals , Croatia/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks/veterinary , Female , Herpesviridae Infections/epidemiology , Herpesviridae Infections/pathology , Herpesviridae Infections/virology , Horse Diseases/pathology , Horse Diseases/virology , Horses , Male , Pedigree , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/pathology , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology , Risk Factors , United StatesABSTRACT
We report the isolation and characterization of 16 Leptospira spp. strains isolated from small rodents captured in 11 different regions of inland Croatia. Large NotI and SgrAI restriction fragment allowed us to assign 10 isolates to the serovar istrica, 5 isolates to the serovar tsaratsovo and 1 isolate to the serovar lora. The phylogenetic analysis conducted from the sequences of the first 330 bp from the 16S rDNA gene revealed that the strains belonged to three different species, L. borgpetersenii, L. kirschneri and L. interrogans. Carrier rates in eight rodent species varied from 0 to 71.4%. Mus musculus showed the highest infection level and confirmed its role as a major reservoir of the serogroup Sejroë. For the first time we reported the occurrence of serovars tsaratsovo and lora in Croatia.
Subject(s)
DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Leptospira/genetics , Leptospirosis/veterinary , Rodent Diseases/epidemiology , Rodent Diseases/microbiology , Animals , Croatia/epidemiology , DNA Primers , DNA, Ribosomal/blood , Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field , Leptospira/classification , Leptospira/isolation & purification , Leptospirosis/epidemiology , Leptospirosis/microbiology , Phylogeny , RodentiaABSTRACT
During the hunting season in February 1999, a total of 44 blood samples were collected from wild boars shot in the area of Moslavacka gora. These blood samples were examined by enzyme immunoassay for the presence of antibodies to classical swine fever (CSFV), Aujeszky's disease (ADV), bovine viral diarrhoea (BVDV), and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRSV) viruses. Out of 44 serum samples examined, 17 (38.63%) were positive for CSFV, 24 (54.54%) were positive for ADV and two (4.54%) were positive for BVDV. All sera were negative for PRRSV. The results, recorded for the first time in Croatia, supported the hypothesis that wild boar act as a potential reservoir of CSFV, ADV and BVDV, and thus have a role in the epidemiology of these diseases.