Pathogenicity of three genetically diverse strains of PRRSV Type 1 in specific pathogen free pigs.

Studies from Eastern European countries proved that porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus Type 1 (PRRSV-1) harbours high genetic diversity and that genetically divergent subtypes 2-4 circulate in this area. In the present study, we compared the pathogenicity of two different PRRSV-1 subtype 2 strains and a strain representing PRRSV-1 subtype 1. Four groups of 8-week-old specific pathogen free pigs were either infected with subtype 2 strain ILI6, subtype 2 strain or BOR59, subtype 1 strain 18794, or mock inoculated. The most pronounced clinical signs were observed in pigs infected with BOR59. Pigs from both subtype 2 strain infected groups exhibited significantly elevated mean body temperatures on DPI 2 compared to the other two groups, the difference remaining significant up to DPI 13 for the BOR59 group, only. The pigs in the latter group also displayed significantly highest levels of early viremia together with the most rapid APP response. Overall, the results indicated that BOR59 strain can be considered a highly pathogenic strain, similarly to subtype 3 strains Lena and SU1-bel, while the virulence of the other subtype 2 strain ILI6 was intermediate between BOR59 and subtype 1 strain.

Detection of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antibodies in meat juice samples from Polish wild boar (Sus scrofa L.).

PCV2 and PRRSV are two important pathogens of domestic swine. There is considerable evidence that the infection is also present in wild boars. Meat juice provides an alternative to serum for antibody testing, and it has been used in testing for many important porcine infectious diseases. Samples of brachial muscle were collected from 142 wild boars shot in different regions of Poland during the 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 hunting seasons. Meat juice harvested from muscle samples was tested using an ELISA test specific for PCV2 and PRRSV antibodies. Additionally, IgG and IgM antibodies specific for PCV2 were detected in order to estimate the status of the PCV2 infection. Only one of the tested meat juice samples was positive for PRRSV (0.7%), and 68 out of 142 (47.9%) samples were positive for PCV2. Of the positive animals, 4 (2.8%) had an antibody profile suggesting active infection, 2 (1.4%) early active infection, and 62 (43.7%) late infection. Also, a lack of association between the age of the animals and the presence of antibodies related to the infection was noticed.

Prevalence of infection and genetic diversity of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Poland.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is a widespread, important pathogen of domestic swine and the causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome and other diseases and conditions referred to as "porcine circovirus diseases." Specific antibodies and DNA to PCV2 have also been detected in European wild boars and North American feral pigs. We collected 312 tonsil samples from wild boars shot in 13 of 16 districts of Poland, and tested them for PCV2 DNA using a real-time PCR. We detected PCV2 DNA in 75.6% of tested tonsils, and in particular, in 60% of samples from the 2006-07 season, and 91% from 2007-08. The phylogenetic analysis that included 12 PCV2 sequences from wild boars revealed that they belonged to two genetic clusters, PCV2b and PCV2a. We present data on prevalence of PCV2 in Polish wild boars and for the first time report the PCV2a genotype in Poland.

Urethral distension as a novel method to simulate sphincter insufficiency in the porcine animal model.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a novel animal model of intrinsic sphincter deficiency. METHODS: The study was carried out on 10 female pigs. Injury to the urethral sphincter was induced by distension of the urethra. This was obtained by using the balloon of an 18-F Dufour catheter for 5 min followed by its retraction through the urethra without draining the balloon. The urethral pressure profile was evaluated before injury, immediately postinjury and at day 28 postinjury in the experimental group (n = 5), and on day 1 and day 28 in the control uninjured group (n = 5). The maximal urethral closure pressure, the functional urethral length and the area under curve of the urethral pressure profile were measured. RESULTS: The mean maximal urethral closure pressure at the beginning of the experiment was 32 cmH(2) O, and the mean functional urethral length was 4.88 cm. The assessment at day 28 showed a reduction of the maximal urethral closure pressure (50% of the control, P > 0.05), the functional urethral length (52.5% of the control, P < 0.05) and the area under curve (52% of the control, P < 0.05) in injured pigs. Histologically, a fibrosis of the sphincter was detected without rupture of the muscle layer in all the samples. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed porcine model can be used to obtain intrinsic sphincter deficiency-like urodynamic findings without rupturing the sphincter. This methodology can be applied to investigate therapies for intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

TransEndoscopic Gastric SubMucosa Islet Transplantation (eGSM-ITx) in pigs with streptozotocine induced diabetes - technical aspects of the procedure - preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Islets and pancreas transplantation have become standard treatments of patients with diabetic complications. However pancreas transplantation is associated with high incidence of complications and the long-term results of islet transplantation are still unsatisfactory. Loss of pancreatic islets grafts is caused not only by immunological reactions but also due to the site of grafting and IBMIR. Gastric submucosal space could be an alternative site for transplantation. The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of endoscopic islets transplantation into the gastric submucosa-its efficacy and potential complications.
MATERIAL/METHOD: 20 Landrace pigs weighing 19-24 kg were obtained for the study. Seven animals were controls (C-group) and 13 formed the transplantation group (TX group). In both groups diabetes was induced by streptozotocine (stz) infusion at a dose of 200 mg/kg. At 7 days post stz infusion pigs of both groups underwent endoscopy-in group C to assess the feasibility of gastroscopic examination under general anaesthesia in pigs with diabetes and to study the influence of basiliximab infusion on pigs, in the Tx-group to perform endoscopic submucosal islet transplantation (eGSM-ITx). Immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus 0.2 mg/kg and sirolimus 6 mg/m(2). At 7 days post transplantation, control gastroscopy was performed to assess the gastric mucosa and to obtain biopsies for histopathology. 10 to 30 days after eGSM-ITx, magnetic resonance (MRI) scan was performed. Stomach and pancreas were obtained at autopsy for histopathology. Glycemia was assessed twice daily during the experiment. For 10 days after diabetes induction (up to three days after eGSM-ITx) in both groups, insulin was given to reach glycemia between 150-200 mg/dl, after that period insulin was given only when glycemia exceeded 600 mg/dl.
RESULTS: There were no differences in insulin requirement and glycemia up to the day of eGSM-ITx between the groups. Tx-group animals received a mean of 6000+/-3170 IEQ/kg. Tx-group animals had a significantly lower insulin requirement and significantly lower mean glycemia since the first day post transplantation. C-group animals all required insulin once daily to keep glycemia below 600 mg/dl. There were no signs of perforation, ulceration or bleeding after eGSM-ITx on gastroscopy and histopathological examination. MRI scans revealed unspecific thickening of gastric wall at sites of islet deposition.
CONCLUSIONS: Transendoscopic islets transplantation into gastric submucosa is feasible and a safe procedure in an experimental animal setting. Its potential for clinical application in human subjects needs further studies.