HoBi-like pestivirus infection in an outbreak of bovine respiratory disease.

HoBi-like is an emerging pestivirus of the family Flaviviridae detected in cattle herds and biological products of bovine origin in many parts of the world, causing disease similar to that observed in bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections. In this study we reported the detection of HoBi-like pestivirus in an outbreak of respiratory disease in calves from Brazil, seropositive for viruses of the bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC). Thus, serum samples and nasal swabs were collected from calves up to one year old, presenting or not clinical signs of respiratory disease. Serum samples were submitted to virus neutralization test (VNT) for BVDV-1, BVDV-2, bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and bovine parainfluenza-3 (BPIV-3). These samples were also tested for the presence of pestiviruses (BVDV-1, BVDV-2 and HoBi-like) and BoHV-1 by RT-PCR and PCR, respectively. Nasal swabs were analyzed by RT-PCR for pestiviruses, BRSV and BPIV-3. VNT results showed high serological prevalence and a wide range of antibodies titers, for all viruses studied, in calves of different age groups. The RT-PCR amplified the 5'UTR and E2 regions of pestiviruses of four calves, from both nasal swabs and serum samples, which sequencing identified the HoBi-like pestivirus. This is the first detection of HoBi-like in nasal secretions of calves in an outbreak of respiratory disease in Brazil, along with the serological detection of other respiratory viruses. We concluded that HoBi-like pestivirus should be considered as part of the BRDC, as a differential diagnosis, to take correct measures of control and prophylaxis.

Congenital tremor in piglets: Is bovine viral diarrhea virus an etiological cause?

Congenital tremor in pigs involves several etiologies, including pestivirus, which may cause neurological injuries in different animal species. To evaluate whether bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), an important pestivirus, is one of the etiological agents of congenital tremor in swine, gilts and the fetuses were challenged at 45 days of gestation with BVDV-2. Four pregnant gilts were inoculated oronasally, four gilts underwent fetal intrauterine inoculation, and two gilts constituted the control group. Antibody titers were determined by virus neutralization (VN), and viral RNA was detected by RT-PCR. Blood samples were collected from all gilts and piglets born to obtain whole blood and serum for analysis. One third of the neonates were euthanized at three days old, and samples of the encephalon, brain stem and spinal cord were collected for anatomopathological evaluation and viral RNA detection. The piglets that remained alive were clinically evaluated every day, and blood sampling was performed regularly for 35 days. The piglets from gilts in both inoculation treatment groups showed no clinical neurological signs and were born with no viral RNA in their blood and organs. Piglets born from oronasally inoculated gilts did not present antibodies against BVDV-2 at birth, although they were acquired by passive maternal transfer. In contrast, intrauterine-inoculated piglets were born with high antibody titers (80 to 640) against the agent, which remained high until the end of the experimental period. Microscopically, no noticeable changes were observed. Macroscopically, 29.5% of the total piglets euthanized, from both inoculation groups, were born with a low cerebellar:brain ratio. Nevertheless, some piglets had a high cerebellar:brain ratio, indicating the need for standardizing this value. Thus, it was concluded that BVDV is not an etiological agent for congenital swine tremor.

Effects of sugarcane juice addition on the population dynamics of Escherichia coli and the presence of Shiga-toxigenic E. coli during the anaerobic codigestion of dairy cattle manure / Efeito da adição de caldo de cana-de-açúcar na dinâmica da população de Escherichia coli e presença de E. coli shigatoxigênicas durante a codigestão anaeróbia de dejetos bovinos leiteiros

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the addition of sugarcane juice on the population dynamics of Escherichia coli and the presence of Shiga-toxigenic E. coli (STEC) during the anaerobic codigestion of dairy cattle manure. For the overall analyses at the end of a hydraulic retention time of 90 days, ten two-liter batch-type biodigesters were divided into two treatment groups: biodigester containing manure and water (MW) and the biodigester containing manure, water and sugarcane juice (MSC). For monitoring the population dynamics and presence of microorganisms, pH, and volatile acidity, tests were carried out every ten days, on 36 smaller-scale batch biodigesters made of one-liter plastic bottles (18 for each treatment). The reductions in E. coli population over time were significant in the MW (60 days) and MSC (20 days) biodigesters. Inactivation of STEC occurred in a shorter period (40 days in MW and <10 days in MSC). Significant differences were obtained between the two treatments, with the pH values being lower, the concentrations of volatile acids (VA) being higher, and the inactivation of E. coli and STEC being faster in the biodigester with sugarcane juice added. The amount of sugarcane juice applied (7%) suggests its suitability for the sanitization of dairy cattle manure for use as a biofertilizer, given the high reduction in the E. coli population and inactivation of STEC.

RESUMO: O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da adição de caldo de cana-de-açúcar sobre a dinâmica da população de Escherichia coli e presença de E. coli shigatogixênicas (STEC) no processo de codigestão anaeróbia de dejetos de bovinos leiteiros. Foram utilizados dez biodigestores bateladas divididos em dois tratamentos, dejeto sem caldo de cana-de-açúcar (DSC) e dejeto com caldo (DCC), com tempo de retenção hidráulica (TRH) de 90 dias. Para o monitoramento periódico da dinâmica da população E. coli e presença de E. coli shigatoxigenicas, do pH e da acidez volátil, realizados a cada dez dias, foram abastecidos mais 36 biodigestores bateladas, construídos de garrafas de material plástico de um litro, sendo 18 unidades para cada tratamento. A redução das populações de E. coli no decorrer do tempo foi significativa no DSC (60 dias) e no DCC (20 dias). A inativação de E. coli shigatoxigênicas ocorreu em um período mais curto, 40 dias no DSC e menos de 10 dias no DCC. Foram obtidas diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos para os valores de pH, que foram menores, e as concentrações de ácidos voláteis, que foram maiores, com adição de caldo e contribuíram para a inativação mais rápida da E. coli e STEC. A dose de caldo de cana-de-açúcar utilizada (7%) sugere a adequada sanitização do dejeto bovino leiteiro, tendo em vista a alta redução na população de E. coli e a inativação de STEC.