Phylogenetic characterization of Canine Parvovirus VP2 partial sequences from symptomatic dogs samples.

The aim of the present study was to detect canine parvovirus (CPV) from faecal samples of clinically ill domestic dogs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by VP2 gene partial sequencing and molecular characterization of circulating strains in Lithuania. Eleven clinically and antigen-tested positive dog faecal samples, collected during the period of 2014-2015, were investigated by using PCR. The phylogenetic investigations indicated that the Lithuanian CPV VP2 partial sequences (3025-3706 cds) were closely related and showed 99.0-99.9% identity. All Lithuanian sequences were associated with one phylogroup, but grouped in different clusters. Ten of investigated Lithuanian CPV VP2 sequences were closely associated with CPV 2a antigenic variant (99.4% nt identity). Five CPV VP2 sequences from Lithuania were related to CPV-2a, but were rather divergent (6.8 nt differences). Only one CPV VP2 sequence from Lithuania was associated (99.3% nt identity) with CPV-2b VP2 sequences from France, Italy, USA and Korea. The four of eleven investigated Lithuanian dogs with CPV infection symptoms were vaccinated with CPV-2 vaccine, but their VP2 sequences were phylogenetically distantly associated with CPV vaccine strains VP2 sequences (11.5-15.8 nt differences). Ten Lithuanian CPV VP2 sequences had monophyletic relations among the close geographically associated samples, but five of them were rather divergent (1.0% less sequence similarity). The one Lithuanian CPV VP2 sequence was closely related with CPV-2b antigenic variant. All the Lithuanian CPV VP2 partial sequences were conservative and phylogenetically low associated with most commonly used CPV vaccine strains.

[Surveillance of animal and human rabies in Lithuania from 1991 to 2001]. / Surveillance de la rage animale et humaine en Lituanie de 1991 à 2001.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiology of rabies in Lithuania from 1991 to 2000. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data available from the reports of the Lithuanian State Food and Veterinary Service, of the Public Health centers, of the Veterinary Laboratories of counties, districts and cities, and from the reports of the Lithuanian Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment Protection Department were used to assess rabies both in domestic animals and wildlife. The situation of human rabies from 1991 to 2000 was evaluated using the medical records of patients with a diagnosis of rabies and the epidemiological follow-up of people receiving post-exposure treatment. RESULTS: From 1991 to 2000, 2,148 laboratories confirmed cases of rabies were diagnosed in animals in Lithuania. Domestic animals accounted for 44% of all cases whereas wild animals accounted for 56% of the cases. During the 10-year period of investigation, 5 human cases were reported and 44,710 bitten persons received post-exposure treatment. COMMENTS: A high incidence of rabies in wild animals in Lithuania had a direct influence on the increase human rabies infection. It is necessary to improve preventive measures against rabies - vaccination of domestic and wild animals, and spread information on rabies to the general public.

Epidemiological situation of rabies in Lithuania from 1990 to 2000.

The epidemiological situation of rabies was investigated in Lithuania. Over the last decade, 2277 cases of rabies were registered among wild and domestic animals (mean number of cases per districts was 44). The highest distribution of rabies was found in the districts of Lazdijai and Utena (116 and 81 cases, respectively), and the lowest in the Svencioniai and Zarasai districts (one and eight cases, respectively). It was found that rabies among wildlife comprised 54% with the majority of cases being registered in foxes (626 cases, 27%) followed by raccoon dogs (470 cases, 21%). Within the last 3 years, cases of rabies among foxes and raccoon dogs increased significantly (three and six times, respectively), compared with the period from 1990 to 1997. Among domestic animals, 46% cases of rabies were registered, with cattle comprising 27%, and the cases among cats and dogs at 9 and 8%, respectively. During the period from 1993 to 1997 in Lithuania, 11,385 of humans were attacked by domestic and wild animals, and 21,173 humans were vaccinated against rabies for prophylactic reasons. Our survey has shown that, during the period from 1997 to 2000, the number of people attacked has increased drastically-31,348 (60%), but only 8021 (18%) of them were vaccinated.