Expression and serological reactivity of Nsp7 protein of PRRS genotype I virus.

The aim of this work was to express recombinant nonstructural Nsp7 protein of European genotype of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and to evaluate its diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in serological diagnostics of the disease. The gene coding for Nsp7 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli cells and purified by IMAC. Serological reactivity of purified protein was assessed on a panel of swine sera in indirect ELISA test. Serum samples originated from PRRS positive farms, herds free of PRRS infection and PRRS free herds vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine. Nsp7 antigen proved to be suitable for serological detection of PRRS specific antibodies, showing diagnostic sensitivity of 82.2% and specificity of 97.6% when compared with IDEXX ELISA test. The nonstructural protein proved to be suitable for use as an antigen for the differentiation of post-infection and post-vaccination antibodies in pigs vaccinated with the inactivated vaccine. But the low overall antibody response to N protein after this type of vaccination makes this concept rather theoretical.

[Hypergastrinaemia without detection of gastrinoma]. / Hypergastrinemie bez detekce gastrinomu.

We present a case-report of a woman with persisting gastric ulcers, who had elevated gastrin blood levels. First of all, a rare cause of hypergastrinaemia was excluded - a gastrinoma. It was not found despite of extensive investigation. Ulcers were repetitively biopted and transition of high grade dysplasia to adenocarcinoma was detected. Gastrin levels normalised after surgical antrectomia. Afterwards pernicious anaemia was diagnosed as the underlining cause of hypergastrinaemia.

[Advantages and disadvantages of cesarean section before 32 weeks of gestation].

Recent years have witnessed a significant improvement in survival among those born with very and extremely low birth weight but also dramatically increases the morbidity and mortality in childhood. This drew the attention of obstetricians and neonatologists to demand factors which can ante and postapartum, directly or indirectly influence the fate of the premature infants. The most frequently prognosis is based on the duration of pregnancy, birth weight and use of primary resuscitation. Method of delivery and in particular cesarean section remains subject of controversy because it requires balancing the risk to the mother's life and the benefit to the fetus.

Natural zoonotic infections of two marmosets and one domestic rabbit with herpes simplex virus type 1 did not reveal a correlation with a certain gG-, gI- or gE genotype.

Infections with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) are not restricted to humans but infrequently may be transmitted to certain animal species, in some cases resulting in severe disease, including encephalitis and death. Recent studies demonstrate that humanderived HSV-1 field isolates can be typed according to their gG- gIand gE gene sequences. We investigated whether HSV-1 infections of animals were predominantly caused by a certain genotype. Isolates derived from two marmosets and one domestic rabbit, however, revealed different genotypes. Despite the very limited number of investigated animal-derived HSV-1 strains, this result does not point towards the existence of certain HSV-1 genotypes with a higher potential of being transmitted to animals.

[Extreme prematurity--medical and social problem].

The survival rate for extremely preterm newborns born at the threshold of viability (25 or fewer completed weeks of gestation) improved in the early 1990s, largely as the result of a greater use of assisted ventilation in the delivery room and surfactant therapy. This led WHO in 1993 to define the perinatal period as commencing at 22 completed weeks of gestation. Infants born at 22-28 weeks gestation have been termed as having "threshold viability", though in developed countries this term is more often used in reference to infants of < 26 weeks. However, this improvement in survival has not been associated with an equal improvement in morbidity The increasing potential risk of residual disability or early death associated with decreasing gestational age raises serious medical, social and ethical problems in respect to appropriate management. These include whether elective delivery for fetal indication is appropriate or whether intensive care should be provided following delivery.

Serologic survey of birds for West Nile flavivirus in southern Moravia (Czech Republic).

A serosurvey for West Nile virus (WNV) was carried out in 54 domestic birds (geese and ducks bred on fishponds) and 391 wild birds representing 28 migratory and resident species, using a plaque-reduction neutralization microtest with Vero cells and Egyptian topotype Eg-101 strain as test virus. The birds were sampled in the South-Moravian fishpond ecosystem between 2004 and 2006. Antibodies to WNV were not detected in domestic waterfowl, but 23 (5.9%) free-living birds of 10 species showed a positive response. These were the common coot (Fulica atra, 5 positive/18 examined), common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis, 1/1), reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus, 2/80), sedge warbler (A. schoenobaenus, 3/80), marsh warbler (A. palustris, 2/28), Savi's warbler (Locustella luscinioides, 3/12), reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus, 1/28), blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla, 2/11), penduline tit (Remiz pendulinus, 1/14), blue tit (Parus caeruleus, 1/1), and starling (Sturnus vulgaris, 2/4). The antibody titers were comparatively low (1:20-1:40), and the only high titer (1:160) was found in an adult marsh warbler. When 14 of the sera reacting with WNV were titrated in parallel with Usutu Flavivirus, 12 were interpreted as having specific antibodies to WNV, one coot had a higher titer against Usutu virus, and another one could not be attributed to either of the two viruses. In conclusion, 13 (3.3%) of 391 wild birds had specific antibodies to WNV. The results indicate that WNV activity in southern Moravia was limited during 2004-2006.