Emergence of a new rhabdovirus associated with mass mortalities in eelpout (Zoarces viviparous) in the Baltic Sea.

We report the first description of a new Rhabdoviridae tentatively named eelpout rhabdovirus (EpRV genus Perhabdovirus). This virus was associated with mass mortalities in eelpout (Zoarces viviparous, Linnaeus) along the Swedish Baltic Sea coast line in 2014. Diseased fish showed signs of central nervous system infection, and brain lesions were confirmed by histology. A cytopathogenic effect was observed in cell culture, but ELISAs for the epizootic piscine viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV), infectious pancreas necrosis virus (IPNV), infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) and spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV) were negative. Further investigations by chloroform inactivation, indirect fluorescence antibody test and electron microscopy indicated the presence of a rhabdovirus. By deep sequencing of original tissue suspension and infected cell culture supernatant, the full viral genome was assembled and we confirmed the presence of a rhabdovirus with 59.5% nucleotide similarity to the closest relative Siniperca chuatsi rhabdovirus. The full-genome sequence of this new virus, eelpout rhabdovirus (EpRV), has been deposited in GenBank under accession number KR612230. An RT-PCR based on the L-gene sequence confirmed the presence of EpRV in sick/dead eelpout, but the virus was not found in control fish. Additional investigations to characterize the pathogenicity of EpRV are planned.

Cryptosporidium infections in suckler herd beef calves.

A study was carried out to investigate how common Cryptosporidium infections are in beef calves in Swedish suckler herds and to explore which species and subtypes that occur. We further aimed at identifying factors associated with shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts in this type of calf management. The study was conducted in two regions in Sweden and included 30 herds. Faecal samples were collected from calves younger than 3 months. A brief clinical examination was done and a questionnaire was used to collect data on management routines. Faeces were cleaned and concentrated and oocysts identified by epifuorescence microscopy. Cryptosporidium positive samples were analyzed at the 18S rRNA and GP60 genes to determine species and Cryptosporidium parvum subtype, respectively. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with infection. Oocysts were detected in 122 (36.7%) calves from 29 (97%) herds, at 400 to 2.4 × 107 OPG. The youngest positive calves were only 1 and 2 days old. There was no association between age and Cryptosporidium infection. Cryptosporidium bovis, Cryptosporidium ryanae, C. parvum and Cryptosporidium ubiquitum were identified, with C. bovis being the major species. Two C. parvum subtypes, IIaA16G1R1 and IIdA27G1 were identified. Routines for cleaning calf pens and number of cows in calving pens were associated with infection.

Cryptosporidium parvum infections in a cohort of veterinary students in Sweden.

In March 2013, a veterinary student tested positive for Cryptosporidium; four classmates reported similar gastrointestinal symptoms. We aimed to identify source(s) and risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection in university persons symptomatic between 21 January and 14 April 2013. Sixty-four (79%) students from a cohort of 81 fourth-year veterinary students completed questionnaires, identifying 13 cases; four were Cryptosporidium parvum GP60 subtype IIaA16G1R1b, two were IIdA24G1, seven did not submit stool samples. Thirteen cases attended the university's field clinic before symptom onset (13/37 attendees, 35%); 11 visited at least one of four farms where students recalled seeing calves with diarrhoea. C. parvum subtype IIaA16G1R1b was identified in calves at one of the farms. Entering pens of calves with diarrhoea [relative risk (RR) 7·6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·7-33·5] and eating in clinic cars (RR 9·1, 95% CI 1·3-65·8) were associated with being a case. Washing hands at least twice per farm visit (0 cases, P = 0·03) was protective. This outbreak investigation was notable for rapid and effective collaboration between public health, veterinary and environmental sectors, leading to swift identification of a microbiological and epidemiological link between cases, infected calves and their farms. We recommend frequent hand-washing using proper technique and dissuasion from eating in clinic cars to minimize possible exposure to contaminated surfaces.

Vaginal sacrospinous colpopexy and laparoscopic sacral colpopexy for vaginal vault prolapse.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal sacrospinous colpopexy (VSC) and laparoscopic sacral colpopexy (LSC) both correct vault prolapse. The present study compares the perioperative course and long-term results of VSC and LSC. METHODS: This retrospective study of post-hysterectomy vault prolapse involved 111 patients operated with either VSC (n=51) or LSC (n=60). The median time for the postoperative follow-up visit was 33.6 (range: 13-60) months for the LSC group and 38.4 (range: 7-108) months for the VSC group. Prolapse grade as well as the patient's satisfaction was recorded at the follow-up visit. RESULTS: Operation time was significantly shorter in the VSC group (median: 62 min) compared to the LSC group (median: 129 min). The rate of perioperative complications was low in both groups. There were 3 laparotomies in the LSC group, due to perioperative complications. The inpatients days were similar, with 3.7 days (1-18) and 4.0 days (2-21) in the VSC and the LSC group, respectively. Surgery for the recurrence of vault prolapse at any time before the follow-up visit did not occur in the VSC group, but occurred in 7 patients in the LSC group. At the follow-up visit, there was no recurrence of vault prolapse in either group. The subjective success rate was 82% in the VSC and 78% in the LSC group. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that VSC and LSC are two equally effective surgical procedures to correct vaginal vault prolapse, but the LSC technique requires a longer operating time.

Luteal blood flow and progesterone secretion in pseudopregnant rabbits.

Ovarian and luteal blood flow rates were measured, by means of radioactive microspheres, in anaesthetized rabbits on Day 8 of pseudopregnancy before and after lowering the ovarian perfusion pressure with a sling placed around the aorta. When blood pressure was lowered by 42% luteal flow decreased 9-fold whilst flow to the remaining part of the ovary remained unchanged, indicating the presence of an autoregulatory mechanism in the ovarian interstitial gland. Ovarian progesterone secretion, assessed from progesterone concentrations in ovarian venous blood, was positively correlated to the blood flow per unit of weight of luteal tissue. These data indicate that a high rate of luteal blood flow may be necessary for an optimal steroid production by the corpus luteum.

Luteal blood flow and plasma steroids in rats with corpora lutea of different ages.

Ovarian and luteal blood flow rates were measured at different stages of luteal development in anaesthetized rats using 15 +/- 5 micron radioactive microspheres. Ovulations were induced by injection of 8 IU of PMSG at 28 days of age. Steroid concentrations in peripheral plasma were determined using radioimmunoassays. The highest luteal blood flow was found in the youngest corpora lutea and decreased gradually with luteal age. Luteal flow on days 13 and 14 was significantly lower than that of days 2, 4, and 6. Ovarian stromal blood flow remained unchanged throughout the lifespan of the lupus luteum. Peripheral progesterone concentrations rose significantly on days 4, 6, and 8 with a maximum on day 8, as compared to day 2, and fell significantly after day 8. The levels of 20 alpha-OH-progesterone increased sharply on day 10, indicating that functional luteolysis. The progesterone levels fell significantly between day 8 and 10 without a concomitant significant decline in luteal blood flow. Since a fall in progesterone production seem sto precede a drop in luteal blood flow, the initiation of luteolysis does not appear to be caused by a vascular mechanism.

Diaphragmatic blood flow at various levels of ventilation in the rabbit.

Diaphragmatic and renal blood flow were measured with Ytterbium-169 and Scandium 46 labelled 15 micron microspheres in sodium pentobarbitone anesthetized rabbits. The first measurement was performed during spontaneous breathing of air and the second measurement after 15 min of breathing 2-6% carbon dioxide in oxygen. The lung ventilation as well as the diaphragmatic blood flow increased significantly during breathing of the carbon dioxide-oxygen mixture. Arterial blood pressure and renal blood flow were not significantly altered by the induced hyperventilation. No significant correlation was found between the magnitude of lung ventilation and diaphragmatic blood flow. The results of the present study indicate that consecutive measurements of diaphragmatic blood flow with radioactive microspheres at various levels of breathing effort is an appropriate method for further exploration of the relationship between diaphragmatic perfusion and working performance.