European freshwater VHSV genotype Ia isolates divide into two distinct subpopulations.

Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS), caused by the novirhabdovirus VHSV, often leads to significant economic losses to European rainbow trout production. The virus isolates are divided into 4 distinct genotypes with additional subgroups including sublineage Ia, isolates of which are the main source of outbreaks in European rainbow trout farming. A significant portion of Danish rainbow trout farms have been considered endemically infected with VHSV since the first disease outbreak was observed in the 1950s. However, following a series of sanitary programs starting in 1965, VHSV has not been detected in Denmark since January 2009. Full-length G-genes of all Danish VHSV isolates that were submitted for diagnostic analyses in the period 2004-2009 were sequenced and analysed. All 58 Danish isolates from rainbow trout grouped with sublineage Ia isolates. Furthermore, VHSV isolates from infected Danish freshwater catchments appear to have evolved into a distinct clade within sublineage Ia, herein designated clade Ia-1, whereas trout isolates originating from other continental European countries cluster in another distinct clade, designated clade Ia-2. In addition, phylogenetic analyses indicate that VHSV Ia-1 strains have caused a few outbreaks in Germany and the UK. It is likely that viruses have been transmitted from infected site(s) out of the Danish environment, although a direct transmission pathway has not been identified. Furthermore, VHSV Ia-2 isolates seem to have been transmitted to Denmark at least once. Interestingly, one viral isolate possibly persisted in a Danish watershed for nearly 4 yr without detection whereas other subclades of VHSV isolates appear to have been eliminated, probably because of implemented eradication procedures.

Diagnostic capacity for viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) infection in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is greatly increased by combining viral isolation with specific antibody detection.

Detection of disease specific antibodies in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) has been proposed as an alternative or supplement to the currently approved procedures for diagnosis and surveillance in this species. In samples from natural outbreaks of the disease viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) at two freshwater farms in southern Denmark serologic testing was used to broaden the diagnostic window from outbreak to diagnosis in the laboratory as compared to traditional procedures of isolation and identification of the virus. The serologic assay clearly increased the chance of detecting present or previous infections where the pathogen could not be isolated by standard methods (indicating older infections where the virus had been cleared). Our data allowed us to monitor the levels of neutralising antibodies in relation to the presence of the virus in fish experiencing two different types of outbreaks at two different farms. By sequence analysis of the viral glycoprotein from selected isolates we found no evidence for escape mutants having developed in the fish showing high titres of neutralising antibodies.

[Biloma]. / Bilom.

Most cases of biloma are caused by liver trauma or surgical intervention. However, spontaneous cases have been reported. We present a patient with spontaneous biloma which may have developed secondary to stenosis of the common bile duct or infarction of the liver. The initial treatment was percutaneous drainage, followed by ERCP with papillotomy and stenting of the common bile duct. Despite this therapy symptoms recurred and the patient had to undergo resection of a liver segment. The treatment of biloma in general is discussed.

[Hygiene in general practice]. / Hygiejne i almen praksis.

The purpose of this study was to examine how general practitioners handle infection control precautions. The study is based on interviews with 26 general practitioners. The following subjects were included: hand washing, skin disinfection of the patients before injections and minor surgery and disinfection and sterilisation procedures of the instruments. The investigation demonstrated that the precautions varied widely. A manual describing simple and safe infection control precautions in the outpatient setting has been written.

Laboratory experiments to evaluate the ability of Arthrobotrys oligospora to destroy infective larvae of Cooperia species, and to investigate the effect of physical factors on the growth of the fungus.

Laboratory investigations were designed to study the influence of temperature, pH and oxygen tension on the growth of Arthrobotrys oligospora, a nematode-trapping microfungus. Experiments were performed to evaluate the potential role of A. oligospora in destroying third-stage larvae of Cooperia spp. on agar plates and in cattle faeces. The fungus had a growth rate optimum at 23 degrees C and pH 6. Anaerobic cultivation for 23 hours at 23 degrees C and 39 degrees C inhibited fungal growth, but it did not destroy the fungus, which regained growth upon a subsequent shift to aerobic conditions at 23 degrees C. Under experimental conditions in petri-dishes containing agar, the nematode-trapping efficiency of the fungus was striking in that 100% of a population of third-stage larvae of Cooperia spp. was captured within three days of the experiment. The trapping efficiency in faeces was shown to depend upon the inoculation level. At a concentration of approximately 2500 conidia per g faeces, 99% of the larvae were destroyed. The possibilities of using nematode-trapping fungi in controlling animal-parasitic nematodes are discussed.