Detection and expression of bovine papillomavirus in blood of healthy and papillomatosis-affected cattle.

Papillomaviruses (PV) are double-stranded DNA viruses that can cause benignant and malignant tumors in amniotes. There are 13 types of bovine papillomavirus (BPV-1 to -13); they have been found in reproductive tissues and body fluids. Normally these viruses are detected in epithelial tissue. We looked for BPV in the blood of healthy cattle and cattle with papillomatosis, using PCR and RT-PCR. BPV types 1 and 2 were detected in 8/12 blood samples of asymptomatic bovines and in 8/9 samples from cattle with papillomatosis. Six of 8 asymptomatic samples positive for BPV also showed expression for BPV. Five of 6 samples were positive for E2 expression, while 3/6 samples were positive for E5 expression. Five of 8 symptomatic samples positive for BPV also showed BPV expression. Five of 5 were positive for E2 expression, while 1/5 was positive for E5 expression. Two of 6 blood samples of asymptomatic cattle and 1/5 symptomatic blood samples scored positive for both E2 and E5 expression. This is the first study showing expression of BPV genes in the blood of asymptomatic and papillomatosis-affected animals.

Genetic and antigenic characterization of Brazilian SRLV strains: Natural small ruminant interspecies transmission from mixed herds.

Cross-species transmission events and mixed infection of small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) were studied in seven goats and two sheep from three small ruminant mixed flocks from Northeast and Southeast Brazil. Genetic and antigenic analyses with gag/env genes and ELISA multiepitope SU1/SU5 recombinant antigens were carried out, respectively. The genetic analysis of gag and env sequences showed high viral diversity in both species, MVV-like (subtype A1) and CAEV-like B1 in goats, and CAEV-like (subtype B1) in sheep, revealing SRLV interspecies transmission from sheep to goats and vice versa in Brazilian farms. Two Brazilian caprine lentiviruses were segregated in two new genetic clades based on gag analyses, which suggests a new classification into heterogenic genotype A. Furthermore, goat isolates were grouped into subtype A1 and B1 clusters. Cross-reactive antibodies were detected in goats using ELISA with a recombinant antigen carrying SU1 and SU5 immunodominant epitopes; the results showed anti-CAEV and MVV antibodies in goats and anti-CAEV antibodies in sheep. This result can be associated with the high divergence in the V4 region due to SRLV variability. All results confirm cross-species infection of SRLV in Brazilian mixed herds.

Sodium fluoride and chlorhexidine effect in the inhibition of mutans streptococci in children with dental caries: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the effect of sodium fluoride and chlorhexidine on salivary levels of mutans streptococci (MS), in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Thirty-five healthy volunteers, aged 4-8 years, with at least one active carious lesion and no previous history of allergies were selected to participate in the study. A gel formulation containing either 1.23% sodium fluoride or 1% chlorhexidine was topically administered to the dentition every 24 h for 6 consecutive days. Salivary MS levels were measured at baseline (D1) and on the 6th (D6), 15th (D15), and 30th (D30) days. For microbiological analysis, Mitis Salivarius-Bacitracin agar medium was used. RESULTS: Difference between treatments was only verified on D6. On the last day of treatment 1% chlorhexidine gel was significantly more effective than fluoride (P = 0.0000). The use of sodium fluoride did not cause a statistically significant variation in salivary MS levels throughout the duration of the study. Following treatment, a subsequent increase in MS counts between D6 and D15 (P = 0.0001) was observed with chlorhexidine. CONCLUSION: A 6-day treatment with a 1% chlorhexidine gel was effective in reducing salivary MS; there was a significant MS increase once treatment was suspended. The use of 1.23% sodium fluoride under the same regimen was not able to reduce salivary MS levels. Our results suggest repeated treatment with 1% chlorhexidine as a means for maintaining low salivary MS levels in children with dental caries.

Hepatic fibropoiesis in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum treated with liposome-encapsulated meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol.

Hepatic fibropoiesis in canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) were evaluated by histological (morphometrical collagen deposition) and immunohistochemical assays characterizing alpha-actin (α-SMA), vimentin, calprotectin (L1 antigen), and TGF-ß in 46 naturally infected dogs with Leishmania infantum treated with liposome-encapsulated meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol separately and in combination. Six treatment groups were defined: meglumine antimoniate encapsulated in nanometric liposomes (LMA), allopurinol (ALLOP); liposome-encapsulated meglumine antomoniate combined with allopurinol (LMA+ALLOP); empty liposomes (LEMP); empty liposomes combined with allopurinol (LEMP+ALLOP) and saline. Relative liver weight was lower in LMA, LMA+ALLOP, and ALLOP groups compared to the LEMP control. Significantly lower granulomatous chronic inflammatory reaction was seen in the ALLOP group compared to a control group. Calprotectin was lowest in liver of those dogs showing lower numbers of intralobular hepatic granulomas. Collagen deposits were significantly higher in LMA compared to ALLOP, LEMP+ALLOP, and Saline groups. LMA+ALLOP group collagen deposition was higher than dogs treated only with allopurinol. Immunohistochemical analysis showed significant higher α-SMA in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), hepatic perisinusoidal cells, in control groups than LMA+ALLOP and LEMP+ALLOP. Alpha-actin and Vimentin positive cells were diffusely distributed throughout the liver parenchyma in the hepatic lobule, mainly in HSCs. Vimentin expression was significantly higher in the saline group than in the ALLOP group. Our data suggest that allopurinol inhibits HSC and results in lower collagen deposits in liver during CVL progression, as supported by the significantly lower expression of TGF-ß in the ALLOP group compared to other groups. Results demonstrated that treatment with allopurinol inhibited chronic granulomatous inflammatory reaction and hepatic fibrosis in CVL.

Risk factors and characteristics of ocular complications, and efficacy of autologous serum tears after haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the frequency and clinical characteristics of ocular complications and their risk factors, as well as autologous serum tears (AST) for the treatment of dry eye in these patients. Data from the files of 124 patients who had undergone allogeneic haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HPCT) were evaluated. In addition, 33 HPCT patients were examined and their data were compared with controls. Analysis of tears and AST was performed. Dry eye manifestation occurred in 32% of patients and was positively correlated with age over 27 years (P = 0.05), peripheral blood progenitor cell transplant (P = 0.002), chronic graft-versus-host disease (P = 0.0027), and chronic or acute myeloid leukaemia (P = 0.001). Dry mouth and Schirmer test < 5 mm were predictive factors for dry eye in HPCT patients (P = 0.002 and odds ratio 3.9 and P = 0.007, odds ratio = 5.9, respectively). Microbiological analysis revealed that six of 11 AST samples were contaminated after 30 days of use. The present study supports the role of potential risk factors for ocular complications and key elements to detect alterations in the tear film from HPCT patients. In addition, AST contamination must be considered after longer periods of use.

Detection of Different Bovine Papillomavirus Types and Co-infection in Bloodstream of Cattle.

Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) is a diverse group of double-stranded DNA oncogenic viruses. BPVs are classically described as epitheliotropic, however, they have been detected in body fluids, such as blood and semen. The presence of BPV in these sites can have implications for the dissemination of BPV. The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence of BPV types in cattle blood. A total of 57 blood samples were analyzed by PCR using BPV type-specific primers to BPVs 1-6 and 8-10, and subsequent sequencing. Sequencing quality was determined using Staden package with Phred 20. Similarity analysis was performed with BioEdit and BLAST programs to assess the identity with known BPV types. Statistical analysis was performed by Fisher's exact test. The results showed seven different types of BPVs in the blood, with the exception of BPV 5 and 9. This is the first study that demonstrates BPVs 3, 6, 8 and 10 DNA in cattle blood. BPVs 1 and 2 were the viral types most frequent in blood, while BPVs 4 and 10 were the least frequent types. All the samples showed co-infection by at least two BPV types. These data suggest that several BPV types may infect blood cells at the same time and demonstrate the possibility that the BPV infection in non-epithelial tissue can occur without restriction to one or two viral types. These results can contribute to future studies aimed at the control and prevention of papillomaviruses.

Repair of posttraumatic stenosis of the urethra through a posterior sagittal approach.

The authors present a report of four cases of children with posttraumatic posterior urethral stenosis who were surgically corrected through a posterior sagittal approach, with resection of the stenotic area and end-to-end anastomosis. In all cases whole colonic irrigation was used to prepare the bowel for surgery without the use of colostomy. The results were good in all cases and there were no complications. The anatomic bases of the surgical approach as well as the technical details of the procedure are analyzed, and the advantages are compared with other techniques used for the same purpose.

A labelled avidin-biotin ELISA to detect antibodies to caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus in goats' sera.

A labelled avidin-biotin ELISA (lab-ELISA) was developed and compared with indirect ELISA (i-ELISA) and agar-gel immunodiffusion assay (AGID) for its efficacy in detecting antibodies against caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) in goat sera. The enzyme immunoassays were standardized using 113 sera from CAEV-negative goat flocks. The tests were compared using the results from 339 serum samples. The lab-ELISA showed the greatest number of positive results (94/339) as compared with AGID (51) and i-ELISA (64). The comparison of the other two tests with the lab-ELISA showed an agreement of 87.3% with AGID and 90.6% with i-ELISA. The lab-ELISA may be useful for screening large populations for CAEV antibodies, in epidemiological surveys and in the control of caprine arthritis-encephalitis.

[Atypical mycobacteria infections]. / Infecções por micobactérias atípicas.

The isolation of nontuberculous mycobacteria was considered for many years as a result of contamination or transient colonization. The role of these bacteria in human disease was recognized only after 1950. They were present almost exclusively in patients with underlying pulmonary pathology and were rare. The prevalence of disease caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria was dramatically increased with the AIDS epidemic. Disseminated infection with MAC and other atypical mycobacteria is nowadays a frequent complication of AIDS. The authors describe some epidemiological and clinical features of these nontuberculous mycobacteria emphasizing the role of MAC and make some considerations about the diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of these diseases. The authors end by presenting their own clinical experience.

Comparison of two PCR strategies for the detection of bovine papillomavirus.

Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) is a diverse group of double-stranded DNA oncogenic viruses, which have been detected in epithelial lesions and body fluids. Most studies of BPV infection rely on a single method for DNA detection; however the use of any single method or technique may underestimate the true prevalence of this virus. The purpose of this study was to compare two PCR strategies for the detection of BPV in skin lesions and fluids: these involve the use of BPV type-specific and consensus primers. Seventy-two cutaneous lesions, 57 blood samples and 59 semen samples were collected. PCR was used with the FAP consensus primers and BPV type-specific primers (for BPVs 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10), along with sequencing assays, to detect the BPV types. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out by means of the maximum likelihood method. It was found that both FAP and BPV type-specific primer sets could amplify BPV types of DNA in skin lesions, blood and semen samples. However, the BPV type-specific primers were more sensitive than the consensus primers and were able to detect co-infection of BPV in the samples. The consensus primers amplified five BPV types and were more suitable for detecting new putative BPV types. Thus, account should be taken of both PCR primer systems to identify co-infection, the presence of novel viruses, and avoid false-negative results.

Co-infection of Bovine Papillomavirus and feline-associated Papillomavirus in bovine cutaneous warts.

The diversity of papillomavirus (PV) found in bovine cutaneous warts from Brazilian cattle was evaluated using the PCR technique with the utilization of consensus primers MY09/11 and by PCR using Bovine Papillomavirus (BPV) type-specific primers followed by sequencing. Eleven cutaneous warts from 6 cattle herds were selected. Six warts were positive for the presence of PV. The presence of BPV types 1, 2, 3, 6 and feline sarcoid-associated PV (FeSarPV) in cutaneous wart lesions, as well as the presence of co-infections, was found. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that FeSarPV is described co-infecting a cutaneous wart in Brazil. The present study confirms the previous finding of FeSarPV infecting cattle. These results show the necessity of more studies to investigate the diversity of PV in cattle, its diversity and the possibility of co-infection in cattle and other animals.

Survival before and after model for end-stage liver disease score introduction on the Brazilian liver transplant waiting list.

INTRODUCTION: To examine whether the official adoption of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) as a criterion for organ allocation was effective, we studied risk factors for patient deaths and the accuracy of the MELD score to predict mortality. METHODS: Patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation were divided into two periods depending on whether they were on the waiting list before (period 1) or after (period 2) the MELD introduction in Brazil. The Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests were used to study patient survivals. Predictive factors were identified using the Cox regression method. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) and MELD accuracy. RESULTS: We analyzed 295 patients in period 1 and 240 in period 2. The survivals after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months in periods 1 and 2, were 95.6%, 90.5%, 84.9%, and 69.6% vs 95.7%, 92.1%, 85.3%, and 83.3%, respectively (P = NS). Multivariate analysis showed CTP, MELD-Na, and albumin levels, besides spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), to be independent factors related to survival in period 1. In period 2, CTP, creatinine levels, international normalized ratio, besides spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, were the independent factors. The ROC curve for CTP was 0.676 and for MELD, 0.644 (P = .4) in period 1. In period 2, the ROC curve for CTP was 0.680 and for MELD, 0.718 (P = .4). CONCLUSION: Patient survival on the waiting list for liver transplantation did not change at 1 year after the introduction of the MELD.

Case-control study of subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide injection vs intravenous methylprednisolone pulse in the treatment of endothelial corneal allograft rejection.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and effectiveness of treating corneal endothelial rejection with a subconjunctival injection of 20 mg triamcinolone acetonide in combination with topical application of 1% prednisolone acetate, as compared to treatment with an intravenous pulse of 500 mg methylprednisolone in combination with topical application of 1% prednisolone acetate. METHODS: A case-controlled study including a literature review was performed. Patients who presented with an initial episode of corneal endothelial rejection were treated with subconjunctival injection of 20 mg triamcinolone in combination with topically applied 1% prednisolone and were retrospectively matched for age and diagnosis to patients who received a single intravenous injection of 500 mg methylprednisolone in combination with topical 1% prednisolone. Patients were analysed regarding reversion of the rejection episode, intraocular pressure, and visual acuity after 1 year. RESULTS: Overall, the triamcinolone group had a better outcome regarding reversion of corneal transplant rejection (P=0.025), with 15 of 16 patients in the triamcinolone group having clear grafts, compared to only 10 of 16 patients in the methylprednisolone group. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was increased in both groups at day 30 (P=0.002), although there was no statistically significant difference in IOP between the groups (P=0.433). Visual acuity improved in both groups after 1 year (P=0.049), although slightly more improvement was observed in the triamcinolone group (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The results observed in this case-controlled study suggest that the use of subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide may benefit patients with corneal transplant rejection.

Infecção congênita em cabritos por Mycoplasma agalactiae / Congenital infection by Mycoplasma agalactiae in goat kids

This study aimed to report three cases of contagious agalactia (CA) by Mycoplasma agalactiae in goat kids born with polyarthritis. The nanny goats belonging to two different herds presented clinical signs of CA during pregnancy and in parturition they were apparently healthy. The carpal articulations of the three goat kids, the tarsus articulation in one, and thigh-femoral articulation in another showed swelling, pain and impairment of the flexion-extension movements. The articular liquid was collected from two goat kids at birth and revealed a content which varied from transparent to fibrinopurulent, presenting a yellow coloring. The samples were plated on modified Hayflick. The colonies had the appearance of "fried egg" and were confirmed as being M. agalactiae by biochemical tests and 16S rRNA PCR. Blood was collected from three animals soon after birth and submitted to the indirect ELISA test for the determination of the titration of the anti- M. agalactiae antibodies. The results confirmed that the goat kids were infected during pregnancy by M. agalactiae and resulted in the birth of an offspring with clinical signs of CA being immune tolerant...

Efficiency of inactive vaccines against contagious agalactia in Brazil / Eficiência de vacinas inativadas contra agalaxia contagiosa no Brasil

This paper aims to evaluate the efficiency of three inactive vaccines against contagious agalactia prepared with samples of Mycoplasma agalactiae isolated in Brazil and different adjuvants. Vaccine 1 adsorbed with aluminum hydroxide was administered in 23 goats (Gc1) and 13 sheep (Gov1); vaccine 2 containing Montanide IMS-2215-VG was administered in 22 goats (Gc2) and 12 sheep (Gov2) and vaccine 3, containing Montanide Gel-01 was administered in 22 goats (Gc3) and 12 sheep (Gov3). All animals were negative for Ma at indirect ELISA and received two doses of 2mL each, subcutaneously, within a 21 day interval. Five animals from each species were used as control. Seventy-five days after the booster, four animals from each vaccinated group and two from the control group were challenged with 5mL of Ma culture containing 10(7)cfu/mL, orally and through immersion of the female's udder in lactation. The serological response was analyzed during vaccination days (0 and 21) and at 51, 81, 111, 141 and 171 days after vaccination. The collection and analysis of the challenged animals were conducted at the day of the challenge (D0) and 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days after the challenge. The three vaccines induced the production of antibodies, having no significant statistical difference (p<0.05). Animals from groups Gc1, Gc2 and Gov2 developed higher levels of antibodies, with significant statistical difference compared to the other vaccinated group and control group (p<0.05). After the challenge, the animals from the control presented an increase in regional lymph nodes and conjunctivitis, mastitis and arthritis. In four vaccinated animals, discrete conjunctivitis and congestion of the episcleral veins was observed. It is concluded that vaccines 1 and 2 induced levels of protective antibodies in goats and sheep, sufficient for clinical protection of the animals submitted to the experimental infection, indicating its use on the prevention of contagious agalactia.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a eficácia de três vacinas inativadas contra agalaxia contagiosa, preparadas com amostra de Mycoplasma agalactiae isolada no Brasil e diferentes adjuvantes. A vacina 1, adsorvida com hidróxido de alumínio, foi administrada em 23 caprinos (Gc1) e 13 ovinos (Gov1); a vacina 2, contendo Montanide IMS-2215-VG, foi administrada em 22 caprinos (Gc2) e 12 ovinos (Gov2); e a vacina 3, contendo Montanide Gel-01 foi administrada em 22 caprinos (Gc3) e 12 ovinos (Gov3). Todos os animais eram negativos para Ma no ELISA indireto e receberam duas doses de 2mL cada, por via subcutânea, com intervalo de 21 dias. Cinco animais de cada espécie foram utilizados como controle. Setenta e cinco dias após o reforço, quatro animais de cada grupo vacinado e dois do grupo controle foram desafiados com 5mL de cultura de Ma contendo 10(7)ufc/mL, por via oral e pela imersão dos tetos das fêmeas em lactação. A resposta sorológica foi analisada nos dias da vacinação (zero e 21) e aos 51, 81, 111, 141 e 171 dias pós-vacinação. As coletas e análises dos animais desafiados foram realizadas no dia do desafio (D0) e sete, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 e 56 dias pós-desafio. As três vacinas induziram produção de anticorpos, não havendo diferença estatisticamente significativa entre caprinos e ovinos (P>0,05). Animais dos grupos Gc1, Gc2 e Gov2 produziram níveis de anticorpos mais elevados, com diferença estatisticamente significativa em relação aos demais grupos vacinados e ao grupo controle (P<0,05). Após o desafio, os animais do grupo controle apresentaram aumento de linfonodos regionais e conjuntivite, mastite e artrite. Em quatro animais vacinados, foi observada discreta conjuntivite e congestão dos vasos episclerais. Conclui-se que as vacinas 1 e 2 induziram níveis de anticorpos protetores em caprinos e ovinos suficientes para proteção clínica dos animais submetidos à infecção experimental, podendo ser indicadas para prevenção da agalaxia contagiosa.

Pesquisa de anticorpos contra maedi visna em ovinos nas microregiões de Botucatu, Campinas, Piedade e São Paulo, Estado de São Paulo / Survey for antibodies against maedi-visna virus in sheep in the regions of Botucatu, Campinas, São Paulo and Piedade, State of São Paulo, Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência da infecção pelo vírus Maedi-Visna em ovinos criados nas microrregiões de Botucatu, Campinas, Piedade e São Paulo do Estado de São Paulo. As amostras de soro sanguíneo foram colhidas de 226 ovinos e foi realizada a técnica de imunodifusão em gel de ágar para a detecção de anticorpos antivírus Maedi-Visna e verificou-se que nenhuma das amostras testadas foi sororeagente. Dessa forma, faz-se necessário um estudo mais amplo no estado, a fim de se confirmar a baixa ocorrência e importância da enfermidade no estado.

Survey for antibodies against maedi-visna virus in sheep in the regions of Botucatu, Campinas, São Paulo and Piedade, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of infection with maedi-visna virus in sheep raised in the regions of Botucatu, Campinas, Piedade and São Paulo, state of São Paulo, Brazil, that showed symptoms of the disease. Blood serum samples collected from 226 sheep were submitted to the agar gel immunodiffusion technique for detection of antibodies against maedi-visna virus, and none of the samples tested was serum reactive. In conclusion, the maedi-visna virus has low frequency in animals raised in the regions studied.

Conidiobolomycosis in sheep in Brazil.

Conidiobolomycosis is reported in the state of Piauí, in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. Affected sheep had depression, weight loss, serous or mucohemorrhagic nasal discharge, and cranium-facial asymmetry from exophthalmos of 1 eye, generally with increased volume of the eyeball, keratitis, and corneal ulceration. At necropsy of 60 sheep, friable masses were observed in the posterior region of the nasal cavity, often destroying the ethmoturbinate bones. Frequently, the lesions invaded the nasal sinuses, cribiform plate, orbit, and brain. The masses were irregular, granular with moist surfaces, and soft and friable with white, yellow, or tan coloration. Dissemination of the lesion to lungs was observed in 27 sheep, to the brain in 26, to lymph nodes in 3, to the kidney in 2, and to the gallbladder and heart in 1. The microscopic examination showed granulomatous inflammation composed of central necrosis surrounded by lymphocytes, epithelioid and giant cells, and fibrous tissue. In all lesions, negatively stained structures representing hyphae were surrounded by Splendore-Hoeppli material. Coagulative necrosis, thrombosis, and vasculitis were also observed. Grocott methenamine silver stain showed 8-30-microm-thick hyphae, rarely septate or ramified, irregular in shape, and with black contoured wall, sometimes with bulbous dilatation in the extremities. On electron microscopy, the hyphae had a thick double wall surrounded by cellular remnants and an inflammatory exudate. Conidiobolus coronatus was isolated from the lesions of 6 sheep. Conidiobolomycosis is an important disease of sheep in the state of Piauí, and other regions of northeastern Brazil.

Anticorpos contra vírus do grupo da língua azul em caprinos e ovinos do sertão de Pernambuco e inferências sobre sua epidemiologia em regiões semiáridas / Antibodies against bluetongue-virus group in goats and sheep from Pernambuco state and inferences on bluetongue epidemiology under tropical conditions

The prevalence of antibodies against bluetongue virus was investigated in 41 dairy goats and 40 sheep herds in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco state and the conditions for insect Culicoides maintenance, considering climate dynamics and vector competence, were evaluated. The percents of seropositive herds in agar gel immunodiffusion test for bluetongue virus group were 24 for goats and 27.5 for sheep. The estimated prevalences of seropositive animals were 3.9 percent for goats (n = 410) and 4.3 percent for sheep (n = 400). The prevalences of seropositive animals were low in the mesoregion of Sertão Pernambucano (4.8 percent for goats and 4.1 percent for sheep) and São Francisco Pernambucano (1.0 percent for goats and 4.5 percent for sheep). There were no significant differences between species and regions. Considering the social and economic importance of goats and sheep raising in the semi-arid region, it is essential to establish preventive measures to control imports of ruminants from these areas.

Conserved sequence motifs involving the tat reading frame of Brazilian caprine lentiviruses indicate affiliations to both caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus and visna-maedi virus.

The sequence variation in small ruminant lentiviruses from Brazilian herds of milking goats was sampled in a representative region of the pol gene and in a region including the entire tat open reading frame. Clones were amplified from cDNA derived from virus produced in vitro using primers targetting conserved sequences of the pol gene. Iterative sequencing of clones indicated that animals from two herds in the Minas Gerais area were infected by a caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV)-like virus and that individual animals carried variant virus populations. Sequences derived from an infected goat from a herd in Pernambuco showed no nucleic acid variation and were distant from the CAEV-type sequence but marginally closer to ovine visna-maedi virus (VMV) sequences. Sequences amplified from a region including the tat gene, amplified with a common upstream primer within the vif coding region and different downstream primers because of the local divergence between CAEV- and VMV-type sequences, confirmed the affiliation of the Minas Gerais sequences to CAEV and indicated that the Pernambuco isolate was indeed related to VMV, which had not previously been reported to cause natural caprine infection. The overlap between the vif and tat open reading frames clearly distinguished between CAEV-like small ruminant lentiviruses, which shared eight common nucleotides, and the VMV group, where the overlap was reduced to a single base; the final adenine of the vif terminator (TAA) is the initial adenine of the presumptive tat initiator codon. This may be useful for epizoological tracing of the origin of outbreaks.

Prevalence of antibodies to selected viruses in bovine embryo donors and recipients from Brazil, and its implications in international embryo trade.

The prevalence of serum antibody to enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL), blue-tongue (BT), bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV 1) and bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD) viruses in bovine embryo donors (D) and recipients (R) from Minas Gerais State, Brazil was investigated. Of 451 sera (130 D plus 321 R) tested for antibodies against EBL virus 104 (23.1%) were positive. Of 410 sera (130 D plus 280 R) tested for antibody to BT, BHV 1 and BVD viruses the respective number of positive sera were 313 (76.3%), 209 (51.0%) and 153 (37.3%). Donors had significantly (Chi-square test, p < 0.05) higher prevalence rates of antibody than recipients to EBL and BVD viruses. The donors were 60 Bos indicus and 70 Bos taurus purebred cows. Antibody to EBL virus was significantly less common among Bos indicus.