Way of being and the therapeutic pyramid: Expanding the application of a common factors meta-model.

Common factors proponents have suggested the need for principle-based meta-models to explain how various factors interact with each other to produce change. The therapeutic pyramid is a common factors meta-model that outlines how therapeutic skills and techniques, the therapeutic alliance, and a therapist's way of being interactive to produce therapeutic change. Skills and techniques occupy the smallest top portion of the pyramid, with the therapeutic alliance in the middle and a therapist's way of being forming the foundation of the pyramid. The success of any layer rests on the quality of the immediately underlying layer. This study illustrates the broad applicability of common factors meta-models by applying the therapeutic pyramid to couples therapy, family therapy, training and supervision, and professional ethics.

Multimodal imaging of bacterial-host interface in mice and piglets with Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis.

Acute bacterial endocarditis is a rapid, difficult to manage, and frequently lethal disease. Potent antibiotics often cannot efficiently kill Staphylococcus aureus that colonizes the heart's valves. S. aureus relies on virulence factors to evade therapeutics and the host's immune response, usurping the host's clotting system by activating circulating prothrombin with staphylocoagulase and von Willebrand factor-binding protein. An insoluble fibrin barrier then forms around the bacterial colony, shielding the pathogen from immune cell clearance. Targeting virulence factors may provide previously unidentified avenues to better diagnose and treat endocarditis. To tap into this unused therapeutic opportunity, we codeveloped therapeutics and multimodal molecular imaging to probe the host-pathogen interface. We introduced and validated a family of small-molecule optical and positron emission tomography (PET) reporters targeting active thrombin in the fibrin-rich environment of bacterial colonies. The imaging agents, based on the clinical thrombin inhibitor dabigatran, are bound to heart valve vegetations in mice. Using optical imaging, we monitored therapy with antibodies neutralizing staphylocoagulase and von Willebrand factor-binding protein in mice with S. aureus endocarditis. This treatment deactivated bacterial defenses against innate immune cells, decreased in vivo imaging signal, and improved survival. Aortic or tricuspid S. aureus endocarditis in piglets was also successfully imaged with clinical PET/magnetic resonance imaging. Our data map a route toward adjuvant immunotherapy for endocarditis and provide efficient tools to monitor this drug class for infectious diseases.

Changes Introduced in the Open Reading Frame of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus During Serial Infection of Pregnant Swine.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is one of the most economically important viruses of cattle, but this pathogen is also able to infect pigs, camelids, and a wide range of domestic and wild ruminants. BVDV isolates circulating in animal populations are genetically and antigenically highly diverse. Acute BVDV infections in cattle cause the introduction of many substitutions in the viral genome. Serial infection of pregnant sheep with a BVDV-1b isolate of bovine origin was also associated with great numbers of substitutions. To our knowledge, genomic changes arising during BVDV infections in swine have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes occurring in the open reading frame (ORF) of BVDV during serial infection of pregnant swine with a BVDV isolate of bovine origin. The BVDV-1b isolate AU526 was serially passaged in six pregnant gilts, two of which gave birth to live piglets congenitally infected with BVDV. The complete ORF sequences of 14 BVDV isolates obtained from pregnant gilts and their piglets were determined. Their analysis revealed that serial transmission of AU526 in pregnant swine resulted in many genomic changes. All isolates of porcine origin shared 32 nucleotide and 12 amino acid differences with the virus inoculum AU526. These changes were detected after a single passage in pregnant swine and were conserved during the subsequent five passages. Amino acid changes occurred primarily in genomic regions encoding the BVDV structural proteins E2 and E rns . These results suggest that BVDV infections in pregnant swine may contribute significantly to the genetic variability of BVDV and lead to the appearance of adaptive changes.

Data set for influence of blends of diesel and renewable fuels on compression ignition engine emissions.

The present data article is based on the research work which investigates the influence of blends of diesel and renewable fuels on compression ignition engine emissions. In this experimental work, a 2.4 L, turbocharged, direct injection compression ignition engine and water brake dynamometer were used. Different ternary blends were created by mixing diesel, biodiesel and ethanol together in accordance with a mixture design of experiments. The homogeneity of each ternary blend was qualitatively checked by observing the samples for 24 hours for visible separation. The engine was run over the WLTP drive cycle for each individual ternary blend and the exhaust emissions were recorded. NOVA 7466K and TESTO 350 gas analysers were used to record the exhaust emissions. A factory standard MAF sensor was used to record the inlet air mass flow and an aftermarket ECU was used to determine the fuel flow. The ternary blends were blended using standard laboratory measuring equipment.

Identification of Conserved Amino Acid Substitutions During Serial Infection of Pregnant Cattle and Sheep With Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an economically important pathogen of cattle that can also infect a wide range of domestic and wild species including sheep, goats, deer, camelids, and pigs. BVDV isolates are genetically highly diverse and previous work demonstrated that many substitutions were introduced in the viral genome during acute infections in cattle. In contrast, only limited information exists regarding changes occurring during BVDV infections in species other than cattle. The purpose of this study was to determine the changes introduced in the open reading frame (ORF) of the BVDV genome during serial infection of pregnant cattle and sheep with an isolate of bovine origin. Serial experimental inoculations were performed in six pregnant heifers and six pregnant ewes using BVDV-1b isolate AU526 in the first heifer and ewe, and serum from the preceding acutely infected dam thereafter. Complete ORF sequences were determined for 23 BVDV-1b isolates including AU526, one isolate from each pregnant dam, and one isolate from each BVDV-positive offspring born to these dams. Sequence comparison revealed that greater numbers of substitutions occurred during serial infection of pregnant sheep than of pregnant cattle. Furthermore, multiple host-specific amino acid changes were gradually introduced and conserved. These changes were more abundant in ovine isolates and occurred primarily in the E2 coding region. These results suggest that BVDV infections in heterologous species may serve as a significant source of viral genetic diversity and may be associated with adaptive changes.

Comparison of reproductive protection against bovine viral diarrhea virus provided by multivalent viral vaccines containing inactivated fractions of bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 and 2.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an important viral cause of reproductive disease, immune suppression and clinical disease in cattle. The objective of this study was to compare reproductive protection in cattle against the impacts of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) provided by three different multivalent vaccines containing inactivated BVDV. BVDV negative beef heifers and cows (n = 122) were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Groups A-C (n = 34/group) received two pre-breeding doses of one of three commercially available multivalent vaccines containing inactivated fractions of BVDV 1 and BVDV 2, and Group D (n = 20) served as negative control and received two doses of saline prior to breeding. Animals were bred, and following pregnancy diagnosis, 110 cattle [Group A (n = 31); Group B (n = 32); Group C (n = 31); Group D (n = 16)] were subjected to a 28-day exposure to cattle persistently infected (PI) with BVDV (1a, 1b and 2a). Of the 110 pregnancies, 6 pregnancies resulted in fetal resorption with no material for testing. From the resultant 104 pregnancies, BVDV transplacental infections were demonstrated in 73 pregnancies. The BVDV fetal infection rate (FI) was calculated at 13/30 (43%) for Group A cows, 27/29 (93%) for Group B cows, 18/30 (60%) for Group C cows, and 15/15 (100%) for Group D cows. Statistical differences were observed between groups with respect to post-vaccination antibody titers, presence and duration of viremia in pregnant cattle, and fetal infection rates in offspring from BVDV-exposed cows. Group A vaccination resulted in significant protection against BVDV infection as compared to all other groups based upon outcome measurements, while Group B vaccination did not differ in protection against BVDV infection from control Group D. Ability of inactivated BVDV vaccines to provide protection against BVDV fetal infection varies significantly among commercially available products; however, in this challenge model, the inactivated vaccines provided unacceptable levels of BVDV FI protection.

The risk of cardiac failure following metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine whether patients with metal-on-metal (MoM) arthroplasties of the hip have an increased risk of cardiac failure compared with those with alternative types of arthroplasties (non-MoM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A linkage study between the National Joint Registry, Hospital Episodes Statistics and records of the Office for National Statistics on deaths was undertaken. Patients who underwent elective total hip arthroplasty between January 2003 and December 2014 with no past history of cardiac failure were included and stratified as having either a MoM (n = 53 529) or a non-MoM (n = 482 247) arthroplasty. The primary outcome measure was the time to an admission to hospital for cardiac failure or death. Analysis was carried out using data from all patients and from those matched by propensity score. RESULTS: The risk of cardiac failure was lower in the MoM cohort compared with the non-MoM cohort (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.901; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.853 to 0.953). The risk of cardiac failure was similar following matching (aHR 0.909; 95% CI 0.838 to 0.987) and the findings were consistent in subgroup analysis. CONCLUSION: The risk of cardiac failure following total hip arthroplasty was not increased in those in whom MoM implants were used, compared with those in whom other types of prostheses were used, in the first seven years after surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:20-7.

Virus detection by PCR following vaccination of naive calves with intranasal or injectable multivalent modified-live viral vaccines.

We evaluated duration of PCR-positive results following administration of modified-live viral (MLV) vaccines to beef calves. Twenty beef calves were randomly assigned to either group 1 and vaccinated intranasally with a MLV vaccine containing bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), and bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (BPIV-3), or to group 2 and vaccinated subcutaneously with a MLV vaccine containing bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 and 2 (BVDV-1, -2), BoHV-1, BRSV, and BPIV-3. Deep nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) and transtracheal washes (TTW) were collected from all calves, and whole blood was collected from group 2 calves and tested by PCR. In group 1, the proportions of calves that tested PCR-positive to BVDV, BoHV-1, BRSV, and BPIV-3 on any sample at any time were 0%, 100%, 100%, and 10%, respectively. In group 1 calves, 100% of calves became PCR-positive for BoHV-1 by day 3 post-vaccination and 100% of calves became PCR-positive for BRSV by day 7 post-vaccination. In group 2, the proportions of calves that tested positive to BVDV, BoHV-1, BRSV, and BPIV-3 on any sample at any time were 50%, 40%, 10%, and 0%, respectively. All threshold cycle (Ct) values were >30 in group 2 calves, irrespective of virus; however, Ct values <25 were observed in group 1 calves from PCR-positive results for BoHV-1 and BRSV. All calves were PCR-negative for all viruses after day 28. Following intranasal MLV viral vaccination, PCR results and Ct values for BRSV and BoHV-1 suggest that attempts to differentiate vaccine virus from natural infection is unreliable.

Serologic survey for antibodies against three genotypes of bovine parainfluenza 3 virus in unvaccinated ungulates in Alabama.

OBJECTIVE To determine titers of serum antibodies against 3 genotypes of bovine parainfluenza 3 virus (BPI3V) in unvaccinated ungulates in Alabama. ANIMALS 62 cattle, goats, and New World camelids from 5 distinct herds and 21 captured white-tailed deer. PROCEDURES Serum samples were obtained from all animals for determination of anti-BPI3V antibody titers, which were measured by virus neutralization assays that used indicator (reference) viruses from each of the 3 BPI3V genotypes (BPI3V-A, BPI3V-B, and BPI3V-C). The reference strains were recent clinical isolates from US cattle. Each sample was assayed in triplicate for each genotype. Animals with a mean antibody titer ≤ 2 for a particular genotype were considered seronegative for that genotype. RESULTS Animals seropositive for antibodies against BPI3V were identified in 2 of 3 groups of cattle and the group of New World camelids. The geometric mean antibody titer against BPI3V-B was significantly greater than that for BPI3V-A and BPI3V-C in all 3 groups. All goats, captive white-tailed deer, and cattle in the third cattle group were seronegative for all 3 genotypes of the virus. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that BPI3V-A may no longer be the predominant genotype circulating among ungulates in Alabama. This may be clinically relevant because BPI3V is frequently involved in the pathogenesis of bovine respiratory disease complex, current vaccines contain antigens against BPI3V-A only, and the extent of cross-protection among antibodies against the various BPI3V genotypes is unknown.

Impact of a killed Tritrichomonas foetus vaccine on clearance of the organism and subsequent fertility of heifers following experimental inoculation.

Tritrichomonas foetus is a sexually transmitted reproductive pathogen of cattle that causes transient infertility, early embryonic death, metritis, pyometra, and sporadic abortions. The objective of this research was to assess the impact on reproductive health of vaccinating naïve heifers with a killed T. foetus vaccine (TrichGuard) before experimental exposure followed by breeding. A total of 40 beef heifers were randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Heifers where then vaccinated with two doses of TrichGuard or sham vaccinated with 0.9% sterile saline according to their respective groups. Sixty days following vaccination or sham vaccination, heifers were intravaginally inoculated with 2 × 106 organisms of a cloned isolate of T. foetus of bovine origin (CDTf-4) during synchronized estrus. Three days following inoculation of T. foetus, bulls free of T. foetus were introduced for natural breeding. Three bulls were maintained with the 40 heifers (20 vaccinated; 20 sham vaccinated) for a 49-day breeding season. Cervical mucous samples were obtained from each heifer at Day 0 and at 29 additional time points throughout the study for T. foetus culture. Pregnancy assessments were performed routinely by using transrectal palpation and ultrasonography. Pregnancies were detected in 19/20 (95%) vaccinated heifers and 14/20 (70%) sham-vaccinated heifers (P = 0.046). Only 4/20 (20%) of the sham-vaccinated heifers gave birth to a live calf compared with 10/20 (50%) of the vaccinated heifers (P = 0.048). Thus, embryonic or fetal loss was detected in 9/19 (47%) vaccinated heifers and 10/14 (71%) sham-vaccinated heifers (P = 0.153). The interval of time between inoculations with T. foetus and conceptions of pregnancies that were maintained until birth did not differ significantly between groups (vaccinated = 18.7 days; sham-vaccinated = 17.3 days; P = 0.716). The infectious challenge in this study proved to be very rigorous as a positive culture was detected from all heifers. The culture-positive results on the last culture day did not differ significantly (P = 0.115) between vaccinated heifers (63.9 days) and sham-vaccinated heifers (79.2 days). All uterine culture samples collected from the 26 nonpregnant heifers on Day 207 postinoculation did not result in the detection of T. foetus. These findings indicate that the killed, whole cell vaccine used in this study (TrichGuard) was effective in improving reproductive health evidenced by significantly reducing losses associated with T. foetus infections.

Evaluation of reproductive protection against bovine viral diarrhea virus and bovine herpesvirus-1 afforded by annual revaccination with modified-live viral or combination modified-live/killed viral vaccines after primary vaccination with modified-live viral vaccine.

The objective of this study was to compare reproductive protection in cattle against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) provided by annual revaccination with multivalent modified-live viral (MLV) vaccine or multivalent combination viral (CV) vaccine containing temperature-sensitive modified-live BoHV-1 and killed BVDV when MLV vaccines were given pre-breeding to nulliparous heifers. Seventy-five beef heifers were allocated into treatment groups A (n=30; two MLV doses pre-breeding, annual revaccination with MLV vaccine), B (n=30; two MLV doses pre-breeding, annual revaccination with CV vaccine) and C (n=15; saline in lieu of vaccine). Heifers were administered treatments on days 0 (weaning), 183 (pre-breeding), 366 (first gestation), and 738 (second gestation). After first calving, primiparous cows were bred, with pregnancy assessment on day 715. At that time, 24 group A heifers (23 pregnancies), 23 group B heifers (22 pregnancies), and 15 group C heifers (15 pregnancies) were commingled with six persistently infected (PI) cattle for 16days. Ninety-nine days after PI removal, cows were intravenously inoculated with BoHV-1. All fetuses and live offspring were assessed for BVDV and BoHV-1. Abortions occurred in 3/23 group A cows, 1/22 group B cows, and 11/15 group C cows. Fetal infection with BVDV or BoHV-1 occurred in 4/23 group A offspring, 0/22 group B offspring, and 15/15 group C offspring. This research demonstrates efficacy of administering two pre-breeding doses of MLV vaccine with annual revaccination using CV vaccine to prevent fetal loss due to exposure to BVDV and BoHV-1.

Pneumatic displacement of submacular haemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of pneumatic displacement of submacular hemorrhage secondary to choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) (n = 9) and retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM) (n = 3). METHODS: This is a retrospective case series study of 12 eyes from 12 patients in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK. The mean duration of visual loss was 10.8 ± 4.11 days. All cases received intravitreal injection of expansile gas within 24 h of presentation (C3F8 in 11 cases and SF6 in one case) and postured face down for five days. Anterior chamber paracentesis was done right after gas injection. Intravitreal anti-VEGF was injected at the same time in cases with CNV. Further anti-VEGF injections were done in CNV cases as needed afterwards. Cases were followed up for 6 months. RESULTS: The submacular hemorrhage was successfully displaced from underneath the fovea in all but one case. The bleeding disappeared totally in 44% of cases and was inferiorly displaced in 56%. VA improvement at 6 months was statistically significantly higher than baseline VA. All cases but 2 (one because of subfoveal fibrosis and one because of late presentation) experienced improved VA. The mean VA improved from 1.37 ± 0.18 logMAR at baseline to 0.83 ± 0.26 logMAR at 6 months. No complication related to the procedure was reported. CONCLUSION: Pneumatic displacement of submacular hemorrhage appears to be a safe and effective technique to treat the condition. It is an easy procedure that can be done in outpatient setting. Further studies are needed to validate our results.

Efficacy of four commercially available multivalent modified-live virus vaccines against clinical disease, viremia, and viral shedding in early-weaned beef calves exposed simultaneously to cattle persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus and cattle acutely infected with bovine herpesvirus 1.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of 4 commercially available multivalent modified-live virus vaccines against clinical disease, viremia, and viral shedding caused by bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) in early-weaned beef calves. ANIMALS: 54 early-weaned beef steers (median age, 95 days). PROCEDURES: Calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 groups and administered PBSS (group A [control]; n = 11) or 1 of 4 commercially available modified-live virus vaccines that contained antigens against BHV1, BVDV types 1 (BVDV1) and 2 (BVDV2), parainfluenza type 3 virus, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (groups B [11], C [10], D [11], and E [11]). Forty-five days after vaccination, calves were exposed simultaneously to 6 cattle persistently infected with BVDV and 8 calves acutely infected with BHV1 for 28 days (challenge exposure). For each calf, serum antibody titers against BVDV and BHV1 were determined before vaccination and before and after challenge exposure. Virus isolation was performed on nasal secretions, serum, and WBCs at predetermined times during the 28-day challenge exposure. RESULTS: None of the calves developed severe clinical disease or died. Mean serum anti-BHV1 antibody titers did not differ significantly among the treatment groups at any time and gradually declined during the study. Mean serum anti-BVDV antibody titers appeared to be negatively associated with the incidence of viremia and BVDV shedding. The unvaccinated group (A) had the lowest mean serum anti-BVDV antibody titers. The mean serum anti-BVDV antibody titers for group D were generally lower than those for groups B, C, and E. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated differences in vaccine efficacy for the prevention of BVDV viremia and shedding in early-weaned beef calves.

Impact of anti-inflammatories, beta-blockers and antibiotics on leaf litter breakdown in freshwaters.

Pharmaceuticals are now recognised as important pollutants in freshwater systems, but a shortcoming of effects studies is that they have focused on structural endpoints and impacts on ecosystem functioning are poorly understood. The decomposition of organic matter is an important functional process in aquatic systems, and it is known that this can be impacted by the presence of pollutants. Previous studies on leaf litter breakdown have only considered the effects of antibiotics and not other groups of drugs though. The current study investigated the effects of anti-inflammatories, a beta-blocker and an antibiotic on microbially mediated breakdown of leaf litter in the laboratory; colonisation of leaf packs by benthic macroinvertebrates when placed in a stream; and shredding of leaf litter by these organisms. Furthermore, the effects of single compounds relative to their mixture were assessed. It was found that exposure of leaf litter to the study compounds did not influence its breakdown by microbes in the laboratory or macroinvertebrates in a stream. Exposure of leaf litter to pharmaceuticals also had no effect on its colonisation by macroinvertebrates in this study. Many unknowns remain, however, and further studies of the effects of pharmaceuticals on structural and functional endpoints are needed to aid aquatic conservation.

Efficacy of multivalent, modified- live virus (MLV) vaccines administered to early weaned beef calves subsequently challenged with virulent Bovine viral diarrhea virus type 2.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination of young calves against Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is desirable in dairy and beef operations to reduce clinical disease and prevent spread of the virus among cattle. Although protection from clinical disease by multivalent, modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines has been demonstrated, the ability of MLV vaccines to prevent viremia and viral shedding in young calves possessing passive immunity is not known. The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of three different MLV vaccines to prevent clinical disease, viremia, and virus shedding in early weaned beef calves possessing maternal immunity that were vaccinated once at 45 days prior to challenge with virulent BVDV 2. RESULTS: At 45 days following vaccination, calves that received vaccines B and C had significantly higher BVDV 1 and BVDV 2 serum antibody titers compared with control calves. Serum antibody titers for BVDV 1 and BVDV 2 were not significantly different between control calves and calves that received vaccine D. Following BVDV 2 challenge, a higher proportion of control calves and calves that received vaccine D presented viremia and shed virus compared with calves that received vaccines B and C. Rectal temperatures and clinical scores were not significantly different between groups at any time period. Calves that received vaccines B and C had significantly higher mean body weights at BVDV 2 challenge and at the end of the study compared with control calves. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to low maternally-derived BVDV antibody levels protected all calves against severe clinical disease after challenge with virulent BVDV 2. Vaccines B and C induced a greater antibody response to BVDV 1 and BVDV 2, and resulted in reduced viremia and virus shedding in vaccinated calves after challenge indicating a greater efficacy in preventing virus transmission and reducing negative effects of viremia.

Effect of vaccination with a multivalent modified-live viral vaccine on reproductive performance in synchronized beef heifers.

Prebreeding vaccination should provide fetal and abortive protection against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) but not impede reproduction when administered to cattle before estrus synchronization and breeding. The objective was to assess reproductive performance when naive beef heifers were vaccinated with modified-live viral (MLV) vaccine 2 days after unsynchronized estrus, and then revaccinated with MLV vaccine at 10 or 31 days before synchronized natural breeding. Sixty beef heifers naive to BVDV and BoHV-1 were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. Groups A and B (n = 20 per group) were vaccinated with MLV vaccine containing BVDV and BoHV-1 at 2 days after initial detected estrus, and then revaccinated 30 days later, which corresponded to 10 days (group A) or 31 days (group B) before synchronized natural breeding. Groups C and D (n = 10 per group) served as controls and were vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine that did not contain BVDV or BoHV-1 at the same time points as groups A and B, respectively. Estrous behavior was assessed using radio frequency technology. Estrus synchronization was performed, with initiation occurring at revaccination (groups A and C) or 21 days after revaccination (groups B and D). After synchronization, heifers were submitted to a bull breeding pasture for 45 days. At the end of the breeding period, heifers were assessed for pregnancy using ultrasonography. Progesterone concentrations were evaluated at estrus and 10 days after unsynchronized and synchronized estrus, at initial pregnancy check, and at the end of the study. All pregnant heifers in groups A and B and five pregnant heifers in group C were euthanized between 44 and 62 days of gestation and ovarian and conceptus tissues were assayed for BVDV and BoHV-1. Vaccination with MLV vaccine did not result in significant negative reproductive impact based on the duration of interestrus intervals, proportion of heifers exhibiting estrus within 5 days after synchronization, serum progesterone concentrations, pregnancy rates, and pregnancies in the first 5 days of the breeding season. Bovine viral diarrhea virus and BoHV-1 were not detected in luteal tissue, ovarian tissue, or fetal tissues. Use of MLV vaccine did not impede reproduction, when revaccination was performed at 10 or 31 days before synchronized natural breeding.

Comparison of levels and duration of detection of antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea virus 1, bovine viral diarrhea virus 2, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, bovine herpesvirus 1, and bovine parainfluenza virus 3 in calves fed maternal colostrum or a colostrum-replacement product.

Colostrum-replacement products are an alternative to provide passive immunity to neonatal calves; however, their ability to provide adequate levels of antibodies recognizing respiratory viruses has not been described. The objective of this study was to compare the serum levels of IgG at 2 d of age and the duration of detection of antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 (BVDV-1), bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 (BVDV-2), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), and bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (BPIV-3) in calves fed maternal colostrum (MC) or a colostrum replacement (CR) at birth. Forty newborn male Holstein calves were assigned to the CR or the MC group. Group CR (n = 20) received 2 packets of colostrum replacement (100 g of IgG per 470-g packet), while group MC (n = 20) received 3.8 L of maternal colostrum. Blood samples for detection of IgG and virus antibodies were collected from each calf at birth, at 2 and 7 d, and monthly until the calves became seronegative. Calves in the MC group had greater IgG concentrations at 2 d of age. The apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG was greater in the MC group than in the CR group, although the difference was not significant. Calves in the CR group had greater concentrations of BVDV neutralizing antibodies during the first 4 mo of life. The levels of antibodies to BRSV, BHV-1, and BPIV-3 were similar in the 2 groups. The mean time to seronegativity was similar for each virus in the 2 groups; however, greater variation was observed in the antibody levels and in the duration of detection of immunity in the MC group than in the CR group. Thus, the CR product provided calves with more uniform levels and duration of antibodies to common bovine respiratory viruses.

Les produits de remplacement du colostrum sont une alternative pour fournir une immunité passive aux veaux nouveau-nés; toutefois, leur capacité à fournir des niveaux adéquats d'anticorps reconnaissant les virus respiratoires n'a pas été décrite. L'objectif de la présente étude était de comparer les niveaux d'IgG sériques à 2 jours d'âge et la durée de détection des anticorps contre le virus de la diarrhée virale bovine de type 1 (BVDV-1), le virus de la diarrhée virale bovine de type 2 (BVDV-2), le virus respiratoire syncitial bovin (BRSV), l'herpesvirus bovin de type 1 (BHV-1), et le virus parainfluenza bovin de type 3 (BPIV-3) chez des veaux nourris avec du colostrum maternel (MC) ou du colostrum de remplacement (CR) à la naissance. Quarante veaux nouveau-nés mâles de race Holstein ont été assignés soit au groupe CR ou MC. Les animaux du groupe CR (n = 20) ont reçu deux paquets de substitut de colostrum (100 g d'IgG par paquet de 470 g), alors que les animaux du groupe MC (n = 20) ont reçu 3,8 L de colostrum maternel. Des échantillons sanguins pour la détection d'IgG et d'anticorps contre les virus ont été prélevés de chaque veau à la naissance, à 2 et 7 j d'âge, et à chaque mois jusqu'à ce que les veaux deviennent séronégatifs. Les veaux dans le groupe MC avaient des concentrations d'IgG plus élevées à 2 j d'âge. L'efficacité d'absorption apparente d'IgG était plus grande dans le groupe MC que dans le groupe CR, bien que la différence ne fût pas significative. Les veaux dans le groupe CR avaient des concentrations plus élevées d'anticorps neutralisants envers BVDV durant les 4 premiers mois de vie. Les niveaux d'anticorps contre BRSV, BHV-1, et BPIV-3 étaient similaires dans les deux groupes. Le temps moyen pour atteindre la séronégativité était similaire pour chaque virus dans les deux groupes; toutefois, de plus grandes variations étaient observées dans les niveaux d'anticorps et la durée de détection de l'immunité dans le groupe MC comparativement au groupe CR. Ainsi, le produit CR a fourni des veaux avec des niveaux d'anticorps contre les virus respiratoires bovins communs plus uniformes et de plus longue durée.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Experimental infection of pregnant goats with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) 1 or 2.

Infections with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) of the genus pestivirus, family Flaviviridae, are not limited to cattle but occur in various artiodactyls. Persistently infected (PI) cattle are the main source of BVDV. Persistent infections also occur in heterologous hosts such as sheep and deer. BVDV infections of goats commonly result in reproductive disease, but viable PI goats are rare. Using 2 BVDV isolates, previously demonstrated to cause PI cattle and white-tailed deer, this study evaluated the outcome of experimental infection of pregnant goats. Pregnant goats (5 goats/group) were intranasally inoculated with BVDV 1b AU526 (group 1) or BVDV 2 PA131 (group 2) at approximately 25-35 days of gestation. The outcome of infection varied considerably between groups. In group 1, only 3 does became viremic, and 1 doe gave birth to a stillborn fetus and a viable PI kid, which appeared healthy and shed BVDV continuously. In group 2, all does became viremic, 4/5 does aborted, and 1 doe gave birth to a non-viable PI kid. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated BVDV antigen in tissues of evaluated fetuses, with similar distribution but reduced intensity as compared to cattle. The genetic sequence of inoculated viruses was compared to those from PI kids and their dam. Most nucleotide changes in group 1 were present during the dam's acute infection. In group 2, a similar number of mutations resulted from fetal infection as from maternal acute infection. Results demonstrated that BVDV may cause reproductive disease but may also be maintained in goats.

Laboratory diagnosis and transmissibility of bovine viral diarrhea virus from a bull with a persistent testicular infection.

Recently, in the United States, a dairy bull was diagnosed as the second confirmed case of persistent testicular infection (PTI) with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). The first objective of this study was to evaluate the testing methodologies currently used by the artificial insemination industry in order to improve the detection of bulls with PTI. This study evaluated the impact of multiple factors ([1] sample tested, [2] sample handling, [3] assay used, and [4] assay methodology) on the sensitivity of detection of BVDV. The second objective of this study was to evaluate the transmissibility of BVDV from the bull through casual or sexual contact. Results from this study indicate that straws of semen should be transported to the diagnostic laboratory in liquid nitrogen dry shippers. PCR proved to be a more sensitive assay than virus isolation; however, certain PCR protocols exhibited greater diagnostic sensitivity than others. Insemination with cryopreserved semen from this infected bull caused viral transmission to a seronegative heifer resulting in viremia and seroconversion. After 42 months of age, the bull appeared to clear the infection. In conclusion, this bull validates that natural exposure to a 1a strain of BVDV can result in a unique PTI causing contamination of semen with detectable infectious virus. Appropriate handling and testing of samples is necessary in order to detect bulls exhibiting PTI. Additionally, PTI with BVDV may potentially be cleared after an extended duration.

Effect of treatment with a cationic antiviral compound on acute infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a widespread bovine pathogen capable of causing disease affecting multiple body systems. Previous studies have shown 2-(2-benzimidazolyl)-5-[4-(2-imidazolino)phenyl]furan dihydrochloride (DB772) effectively prevents BVDV infection in cell culture. The aim of this project was to assess the efficacy of DB772 for the prevention of acute BVDV infection. Four calves seronegative to BVDV were treated with DB772 and another 4 calves were treated with diluent only on the same dosing schedule. Each calf was subsequently challenged intranasally with BVDV. Virus was isolated consistently from untreated calves on days 4 to 8, while treated calves remained negative by virus isolation during this period. Azotemia was exhibited by all treated calves on day 4 resulting in the euthanasia of 1 calf on day 10 and the death of another on day 13. Virus was isolated from the 2 remaining treated calves on day 14 or 21. On day 21, both remaining treated calves and all 4 untreated calves had anti-BVDV antibody titers > 1:2048. This pilot study indicates that DB772 temporarily prevented acute disease due to BVDV, but carries a significant concern of renal toxicity.

Le virus de la diarrhée virale bovine (BVDV) est un agent pathogène bovin largement répandu capable de causer une pathologie affectant de nombreux systèmes organiques. Des études antérieures ont démontré que le 2-(2-benzimidazolyl)-5-[4-(2-imidazolino)phényl] dihydrochlorure furan (DB772) empêche efficacement l'infection par le BVDV en culture cellulaire. L'objectif de ce projet était d'évaluer l'efficacité du DB772 à prévenir une infection aiguë par le BVDV. Quatre veaux séronégatifs pour le BVDV ont été traités avec du DB772 et quatre autres veaux ont été traités avec uniquement du diluant en suivant la même cédule de traitement. Chaque veau a par la suite été infecté par voie intranasale avec du BVDV. Du virus a été isolé de manière constante à partir des veaux non-traités des jours 4 à 8, alors que les veaux traités sont demeurés négatifs pour l'isolement viral durant cette période. Une azotémie a été notée chez tous les veaux traités au jour 4 ce qui entraina l'euthanasie d'un veau au jour 10 et le décès d'un autre au jour 13. Du virus fut isolé à partir des deux veaux traités restant au jour 14 ou 21. Au jour 21, les deux veaux traités restant et les quatre veaux non-traités avaient des titres d'anticorps anti-BVDV > 1:2048. Cette étude pilote montre que le DB772 a empêché temporairement une maladie aiguë due au BVDV, mais laisse entrevoir de sérieuses inquiétudes quant à sa toxicité rénale.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).