The effects of ovine lentivirus infection on some productive aspects in a Sardinian sheep flock from Italy.

The effects of ovine lentivirus infection on the fat, protein and lactose concentrations on the somatic cell counts in ewes' milk, on milk production and on the birth weight and growth of lambs were studied in a flock of Sardinian sheep from central Italy. Data on 61 lactations of ewes positive to both the agargel immunodiffusion test and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were compared with those on 46 lactations of seronegative ewes. Confounders such as parity, age, lactation length, litter size, and the sex of the lambs were considered. None of these traits seemed to be negatively influenced by the infection.

Isolation and identification of avian rotavirus from pheasant chicks with signs of clinical enteritis.

Three rotaviruses were isolated from intestinal contents obtained from a flock of 6-8-day-old pheasant chicks showing diarrhoea and increased mortality. The isolates were characterized as avian group A rotavirus by immunoenzymatic technique (ELISA) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE).

Isolation and characterization of cytopathic strains of rotavirus from hares (Lepus europaeus).

Ten cytopathic rotavirus were recovered from stools of leverets affected by an enteric syndrome. The ten isolates, examined by means of ELISA and SDS-PA-GE, were identified as group A rotaviruses.

Molecular epidemiology of bovine rotaviruses. Characterization of rotaviruses isolated from diarrhoeic calves by genome profile analysis.

Fifteen bovine rotavirus group A strains were isolated in several Italian regions over the period 1981-1989 from calves in ten neonatal diarrhoea outbreaks. The electrophoretical analysis of the genoma showed genomic variations and five different profiles were observed, including one with thirteen dsRNA segments. The finding of extra RNA fragments, with respect to the regular eleven genome segments, suggests the possibility of simultaneous or sequential infection by more than one electropherotype or a modification in the length of RNA segments during infection.

Electrophoretic typing of some strains of enteric viruses isolated in rabbits suffering from diarrhoea.

Fifty strains of enteric viruses were isolated on MA-104 cell cultures from the diarrhoeic stools of rabbits from Tuscan and Umbrian breedings. Four of these were identified by means of serological and electrophoretical assays as Group A rotavirus; one produced a negative result in the ELISA test and an electrophoretic pattern related to reovirus.

Isolation and identification of rotaviruses as aetiological agents of neonatal diarrhoea in kids. Electrophoretical characterization by PAGE.

Six strains of cytopathogenic enteric virus for the continuous cell line MA-104 were isolated from samples of the diarrhoeic stools of kids (Capra hyrcus) with acute enteritis. The samples were obtained from two stock farms (RM and SI) in central Italy. Four viruses from the RM stock were identified as rotaviruses of the antigenic group A by the Elisa test performed with SA-11 antirotavirus monoclonal antibodies and the direct immunofluorescence test with IgG bovine antirotavirus. Electrophoretical analysis of the viral dsRNA in these strains showed a pattern of eleven bands arranged in the typical "long pattern" of rotavirus group A. Two electrophoretical variants were identified in two separate cases of neonatal diarrhoea in the RM stock over a period of one year. The other two strains, one isolated in the RM stock and the other in the SI stock, gave negative results in serological tests for antigenic group A rotavirus and showed a double chain RNA consisting of 9-10 segments, unrelated to rotavirus or pararotavirus.

Rotavirus infection in horses. Genome profile analysis of a rotavirus isolated from an infected foal.

Electrophoretic analysis in polyacrylamide gel (PAGE) of the equine rotavirus 106/88/LI/EQ, isolated from the diarrhea of an 18 day old foal was compared to the bovine strain NCDV. There was a notable difference in the migration of some segments of the viral RNA. Bands 2 and 3 of the equine rotavirus comigrated while there was a clear separation of segments 7, 8 and 9. Moreover, the migration of segments 1, 4 and 5 revealed a lower molecular weight than the corresponding segments of NCDV.

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis. Virus isolation and identification in goat herds in Italy.

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) was isolated by explant cultures of carpal synovial membrane, udder, lymph-nodes, lung and choroid plexus from six goats in two different herds with histories of arthritis-encephalitis. The virus was also isolated from milk, heparinized blood and carpal synovial fluid, using secondary goat synovial membrane cells. Virus identification was made by means of cytopathology, agar gel immunodiffusion test, immunofluorescence, in vitro host range and electron microscopy. Efficacy of different virus isolation procedures from live and necropsied animals are discussed.

[Epidemiological remarks on the "S. Arizonae" strains isolated from various animals in tuscany during 1969-1978 (author's transl)]. / Osservazioni epidemiologiche su isolamenti di "Salmonella arizonae" da animali vari in Toscana nel periodo 1969-1978.

After a review of the taxonomic history of the genus Arizona culminated in the insertion of these bacteria in the Kauffmann-White schema, the most significant references concerning their pathogenicity and occurrence are related. In this paper, the outbreaks and sporadic cases by S. arizonae which occurred in Tuscan area during 1969-1978 are reported; between several animal species, turkeys were found frequently infect and the same serotype (S. arizonae 18:Z4,Z32:-) was identified. The epidemiological connections with the infection of turkeys and of other animals, humans inclusive, are discussed.

[Control and eradication of ovine and caprine brucellosis in Italy]. / Contrôle et éradication de la brucellose ovine et caprine en Italie.

The prevention of ovine and caprine brucellosis in Italy is carried out in accordance with Regulation No 33 of 23 January 1968 and with Government Decree of 4 June 1968. The Regulation also provides in addition to sanitary measures, the vaccination of all livestock aged from 3 to 7 months with strain Rev. 1 of Br. melitensis. From the last trimester of 1968 until the end of 1974 3489514 young animals were vaccinated, which corresponds approximately to 50% of the animals today in the zones where the "revisation" was undertaken. An important decrease in the number of abortions was observed, with many epizootical advantages. During the same period a considerable decrease in human cases of brucellosis was observed; from the 19300 cases announced from 1965 to 1968 (yearly average: 4825) the figure fell to 18988 cases for the period 1969-1974 (yearly average: 3164).