Genetic characterization of wild type measles virus isolated in Croatia during the 2003-2004 outbreak.

Viral epidemiology is determined by the movement of infected people within and between geographical areas. The genetic characterization of wild-type isolates combined with standard epidemiological methods may enable the identification of the source and transmission pathways and permit differentiation between indigenous and imported viruses. We investigated the genetic characteristics of the wild-type measles virus isolated in Croatia during a 2003-2004 outbreak. The results of this study indicate the presence of the D4 measles virus genotype in Europe. The isolated virus is closely related to virus isolates from the India-like subgroup of the D4 measles virus genotype. The virus responsible for this outbreak differs in the hemagglutinin gene sequence from other virus strains belonging to the D4 genotype. The hemagglutinin gene sequence also differs when compared to viruses from other genotypes that are known to circulate in Europe and from vaccine strains.

Effect of dietary sulfur and selenium concentrations on selenium balance of lactating Holstein cows.

The effects of dietary sulfate and selenium concentrations on selenium balance in dairy cows were investigated. Midlactation Holstein cows (n = 30) were fed diets containing either 0.1 or 0.3 mg of supplemental Se (from sodium selenate)/kg of dry matter and 0, 0.2, or 0.4% added S from a mix of calcium and magnesium sulfate in a factorial arrangement. The experiment lasted 112 d. Dry matter intake was linearly reduced with increasing S, but the effect was greater when 0.3 mg/kg of Se was fed (significant interaction). Treatment effects for yields of milk, milk fat, and milk protein were similar to those for dry matter intake. Increased dietary S linearly reduced plasma Se concentrations. Increasing dietary S linearly reduced apparent (42.7, 33.1, and 30.1%) and estimated true (50.5, 46.0, and 42.3%) Se digestibility. Excretion of Se via feces (1.6 vs. 2.8 mg/d) and urine (0.5 vs. 1.3 mg/d) was higher and output in milk (0.4 vs. 0.3 mg/d) was lower for cows fed 0.3 mg/kg of Se compared with 0.1 mg/kg, but no Se effect was found for estimated true Se digestibility. Dietary S from sulfate reduced Se balance especially when cows were fed diets with less than 0.3 mg of Se/kg of diet dry matter.