Virology Flashcards
Taxonomically classify the family Reoviridae ?
Describe the epidemiology of Orbivirus AHSV ?
African horse sickness virus genus Orbivirus
* Transmitted by biting midgess
* not a contagious disease
* Prevalent throughout Africa and there are some incursions up into Europe
* exotic disease to Australia
* 9 serotypes
* host horses, donkeys and zebras
Taxanomically classify and describe (6) the genus Orbivirus ?
Family Reoviridae genus Orbivirus
* non-enveloped virus
* triple capsid structure
* 10 segments of dsRNA
* replicate in the cytoplasm
* insect transmitted viruses, predominantly biting midgees (Culicoides)
* segmented genome - reasortment
* includes African horse sickness AHSV, Blue toungue virus (BTV) and Equine encephalosis (EEV)
Describe the transmission and host of African horse sickness (AHSV) ?
Pathogenesis AHSV
* host = horse, donkeys and zebras
* no clinical signs in donkeys and zebras
* transmitted by biting midgees
What are the clinical signs of AHSV in horses ?
There are three forms of AHSV
**Heart form (Dikkop)
* fever
* swellin of the head and eyes
* loss of ability to swallow + possible colic symptoms
* terminal signs include bleeding pin point membranes of the mouth and eyes
* slower onset of death (4 to 8 days) and reduced mortality (50%)
**Lung pulmonary form (Dunkop)
* very high fever (upto 41)
* difficulty in breathing, with mouth open + head down
* frothy discharge may pour from the nose
* sudden onset of death - very high mortality rate 90%
Mixed form
* symptoms of both lung + heart forms
* most commonly seen in outbreaks
* mortality rate 80%
How can we control for AHSV ?
Control methods for AHSV
* vaccine available - MLV attentuated 6/9 serotypes
* control vector
* animal management
* good management by stabling horses at night
Describe EEV genus Orbivirus ?
Describe the epidemiology of blue toungue virus ?
Blue toungue virus, genus Orbivirus
* 28 serotypes world wide
* introductions into Australia are believed to be wind blown dispersals from Indonesia
* note wild type virus were reasorting with live attentuated vaccines, adding substantially to the viruses evolution
Describe the clinical signs of BTV in sheep and cattle ?
Genus Orbivirus BTV clinical signs
**sheep
fever, excessive salivation, swelling of the face
* swelling of toungue and cyanos
* hyperaemia (increase in blood flow) of muzzle nose and coronet*
**cattle
* *conjunctivitis, rhinitis with nasal discharge
* ulceration of the nares
Describe the pathogenesis of BTV
BTV genus Orbivirus
Clinical presentation varies depending upon
* species, vector and environmental factors
* virulence of infecting strain
* expression of inflammatory mediators
Pathogenesis
* 6-8 day incubation period after the bite of insect vector
* tropism for phagocytic cells, dendritic cells and endothelial cells
* cell membrane invagination of erythrocytes and platelets during viraemia
* able to circulate for weeks in the presence of neutralising antibodies
* damage caused to endothelial cells in the walls of blood vessels
* vascular thrombosis, tissue infarction, necrosis, oedema
* in the foetus may result in abortion, growth retardation, viraemic off spring or no obvious signs all dependant on the gestational age of the offspring
How can we control for BTV ?
Genus Orbivirus BTV
* vaccination - 3 bottles of 5 serotypes each three weeks apart
* non endemic countries rather used inactivated vaccines during outbreaks
* recombination segmented virus
* vector control
* control for illegal movement of animals / biosecurity
Laboratory diagnostics and sampling for BTV ?
Genus Orbivirus BTV
Sampling
* blood (heparin, serum)
* PM biopsy: lung, spleen and heart
* Virus isolation 1. embryonated chicken eggs 2. cell cultures
Diagnosis
* SNT, RT-PCR
* ELISA
Describe Epizootic haemorragic disease Genus Orbivirus ?
Describe Rotavirus and its clinical signs ?
Family Reoviridae, genus Rotavirus
Rotavirus
significant cause of diarrhoea
* 11 segments
* 3 capsid layers resistant to dring out, chemicals
* often complicated by bacterial enteritis
* viral titres in faeces extremely high
* seven serotypes
* animals may be partially resistant and have subclinical infections
Describe the pathogenesis of rotavirus ?
Genus Rotavirus
* faecal oral route
* infects enterocytes on the tip of microvilli in the small intestine
* triple coat makes them resistant to the PH of the stomache
* enters host cell through receptor mediated endocytosis forming a vessical known as an endosome
Damage
* VP4 and VP7 makes holes in the membrane of the endosome allowing leakage of calcium into the cell
* with reduced calcium the trimers of the VP7 falls apart and the outer capsid is uncoated
* produces a virus encoded endotoxin NSP4
Rotavirus and the role of NSP4
Genus Rotavirus
* NSP4 is a virus encoded endotoxin
* non structural protein
* in affected cell associated with the assembly of a virion
* can attach to receptors on healthy enterocytes
* change Ca2+ concentration
* water and electrolytes leak from the infected cell into the lumen of the intestine
Describe the sampling / diagnosis of Rotavirus ?
Sampling and laboratory diagnosis
* specimens collected faeces and rectal sawbs
* ELISA
* RT-PCR
* EM not readily available
Describe family Reoviridae, genus Orthoreovirus and its clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment ?
Reovirus Tenosynovitis
* 10 segments RNA
* most commonly observed is infection of tendons and resulting rapture of the tendons and haemorrhage
* bruised muscle may affect carcass quality
* stunting and runting in chicks
* helicopter syndrome
Laboratory diagnosis and control
* ELISA + RT-PCR
* vaccine available
Describe the family Birnaviradae its clinical symptoms and pathogenesis ?
Family Birnaviradae
* Virus has two segments dsRNA
* the virus replicates in mature B cells causing necrosis of the bursa
* immunosuppression and consequent infection of host with other organisms
Describe how you would diagnose and control for the family Birnaviradae ?
Family Birnaviradae
Diagnosis
* histopathology of B cells in the bursa
* lesions may be observed on the spleen and caecal tonsils
* ELISA monitor antibodie titres
* RT-PCR
Control
* vaccination of breeders
* biosecurity
Describe the Taxonomy and characteristics of Poxviridae ?
Family Poxviridae
Avipoxvirus, Capripoxvirus, Leporipoxvirus and Parapoxvirus
* largest enveloped virus (30nm)
* complex structure and assembly
* replicate in cytoplasm, unlike most DNA viruses
* causes skin lesions, some cause systemic disease
* highly resistant in the environment
* readily diagnosed by clinical signs and EM (electron microscopy
The discovery of Edward Jenner and Pox viruses ?
Pox viruses and the first vaccine
* Edward Jenner
* tow observations
* reduced incidence of smallpox in dairy workers
* dairy workers were often inflected with cowpox lesions
* cowpox lesion on a milkmaid used to innoculate 8 year old boy which was later found to be resistant to infection with small pox
Describe the replication and taxonomy of Pox viruses ?
POX virus
* largest enveloped viruses
* complex structure and mode of assembly
* all cause skin lesions and some may cause serious systemic disease
Pox virus replication - assemble cytoplasm
* dsDNA encoding around 200 genes
* viral core has a RNA polmerase transcribes several viral genes nessary for replication and protein synthesis
* proteins translated prior to DNA transcription (early and late proteins)
* viral particles are constructed in the cytoplasm in vial factories (viral inclusion bodies)
* DNA is replicated as long concatemers, that are later joined together by endonuclease ( enzyme which repairs DNA)
Describe the pathogenesis of POX viruses ?
POX virus
Transmission = Infection of host through all possible routes - skin (mechanical), respiratory route and oral route
- generally acute symptoms with no strong evidence for latent or persistent infections
- may be systemic (with low mortality/morbidity or lethal within 10days)
- affect many species, however usually host specific
- initial replication usually at site of infection eg skin, respiratory tract
- virus taken to local lymph nodes and then by the thoracic duct to the blood
- immunity to most pox viruses strong and life long (excepts parapoxvirus orf).
- very resistant within the environment
What is the host immune reaction to a POX virus ?
Immune reaction to a POX virus ?
* progressive multifactoral
* early on interferons, inflammatory cells and natural killer cells may contribute to slowing the spread of infection
* most important is cell mediated cytotoxic T lymphocytes and delayed hypersensitivity for recovery
*B cell humoral has yet to be demonstrated in recovery, however is very important in preventing reinfection *
How do POX viruses evade the immune system ?
How POX viruses evade the immune system ?
* produce many gene products homologous to host genes
* these products damage the host immune response
* Epidermal growth factor and vascular growth factor which act to modulate the growth of genes
* complement proteins cytokines, interferon gamma proteins which enhance the viral environment for replication
How do we sample and diagnose a POX virus ?
POX virus sampling and diagnosis
Sampling
* clinical signs overt and typical
* if viremic - blood VI, PCR, EM
* scabs EM and VI
* serum, SNT and ELISA
* immunohistochemistry - immunoperoxidase
Describe the epidemiology and clinical signs of Avipoxvirus Fowlpox ?
Fowlpox
Occurance is worldwide
Two forms
Cutaneous form = nodular lesions of the wattle, comb and eyelids + other non feathered areas
* cutaneous form most common
Diphtheroid form = nodules on the mucosal membranes of pharynx, trachea and oesophagus
Special histological changes = cytoplasmic inclusion bodies*
Describe the diagnosis and control of Avipoxvirus ?
Diag / control Avipoxvirus Fowlpox
* skin lesions are relatively pathognomonic
* tracheal lesions (must be differentiated from larntracheitis infection)
* histopathology - lesions, proliferation, intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies
* PCR for specific sequencing of the genome
Control
* cell culture propagated vaccine for chicks one day old
* embryo origin vaccine chicks 8-10 weeks of age
* traditional vaccination via wing stab
Describe the epidemiology of Capripoxvirus and its general chracteristics ?
Capripoxvirus
Sheeppox virus, goat pox and lumpy skin disease
Transmision = oral, mechanical and respiratory
Occurance = Africa and Asia
* most important of mammalian poxvirus infections
* transboundary
* huge economic importance
* sheeppox and goatpox are distinct viruses, however recombination may occur between them
* may remain infectious for upto six months in sheep pens, or 3 months on wool and hair
* most isolates only infect sheep or goats, but some isolates may cause serious disease to both species
Describe the clinical signs of Capripoxvirus in sheep?
Clinical signs capripoxvirus sheep
* stable in the environment
* skin nodules - circumscribed firm
* lesions may develop in lungs and respiratory tract
* infections are generally acute with no strong evidence for latent or persistant infections
* occasionally fatal disease
* fever
* lymphadenopathy
* severe economic loss
Describe the pathology and clinical signs of LSD in cattle ?
LSD lumpy skin disease cattle (capripoxvirus)
* highly variable disease between indivduals - some are asymptomatic
* sudden onset of fever
* salivation
* occular and nasal discharge
* nodules on skin and internal organs
* pneumonia and death
* mortality 1% (upto 75% in outbreaks); this range is due to many factors including breed, virus isolate, prior animal health, type of insect vector, secondary infections
Describe the pathogenesis and diagnosis of lumpy skin disease in cattle ?
Capripoxvirus LSD
Transmission - cattle water buffalo
worldwide not Australia and NZ
* direct contact
* biting flies
* ticks
*semen
Diagnosis
* clinical signs - fever, enlarged lymph nodes, characteristic skin nodules
* note many animals are asymptomatic
*occasionally fatal disease
* lab test EM, PCR, Histopathology and ELISA
* requires a differential diagnosis
* vaccination is recomended in endemic countries
Why are POX viruses economically important and how can we control them ?
Discuss Leporipoxvirus - Myxoma
Myxoma
* Virus host coevolution - benign fibromas in American host but severe generalised disease in European rabbit
* most rabbits die 12 days
* surviving rabbits have subcutaneous swellings which appear all over the body (myxomatosis)
* when introduced to European rabbits in Australia mortality of 99%
* dvelopment of of resistance by the emergence of attentuated virus strains
Describe the clinical signs of Parapoxvirus ?
Clinical signs parapoxvirus - bovine papular stomatitis virus and Orf virus
Sheep and cattle
* contagious localised lesions in a range of animals
* scab formation around the mouth, nostrils and eyes
* lesions mammary gland vulva, infected lactating ewes may abandon lambs
* common in the commisure of the mouth
* capable of surviving for years in the environment
* common in sheep and goats / usually young animals
General characteristics
* easily distinguished from other pox viruses as as it is more narrow and oval shaped
How do we control for parapoxvirus ?
Parapoxvirus
* prevention by vaccination + disinfect equipment between animals
* live attenuated vaccine
* skin of inner thigh is scarified and a lesion will develop
* immunity achieved within two weeks
* vac pregnant ewes behind the elbow to prevent infection of the udder
Describe the general characteristics of the family Adenoviridae ?
Adenoviridae
Large dsDNA - replicate in the nucleus
* associated with infection respiratory tract, eye and GIT
* many infections with adenovirus are subclinical
* heavily dependant on the cell for transcription
* resist heat and many chemicals
Describe the clinical signs of canine adenovirus types 1 and two
Canine adenovirus
Cav-1
* once an important disease of dogs
* majority of infections are asymptomatic
* fever, hepatic necrosis, widespread haemmorrhage and vascular injury
* systemic paracute - pup found dead
* systemic acute - fatal, fever, loss of apetite, vomiting haemorrhages of the gums
* systemic mild - partial immunity
Cav-2
* respiratory disease (integral part of kennel cough complex)
How can we diagnose and control for Adenovirus in canines ?
What are the clinical signs of Fowl adenovirus (FAdV) ?
Fowl adenovirus
some causative agents of inclusion body hepatitis
transmission horizontal and vertical
Clinical signs
* hepatitis
* high mortality rate in young broilers
* hepatocyte viral inclusion bodies
* liver - pale, friable, swollen with focal to extensive necrosis
How do we control for Fowl adenovirus ?
Fowl Adenovirus
* control is via vaccination of breeding birds - broilers are protected by maternal antibody
* live attentuated vaccine for Australian outbreaks
* there is litle cross protection between different strains - which prevented the development of effective inactivated vaccines
* biosecurity to prevent horizontal spread
Please describe the characteristics and taxonomy of Flaviviridae ?
many mosquito borne viruses
ss + sense RNA enveloped
Describe and taxonomically classify Orthomyxoviridae ?
Orthomyxoviridae
* negative stranded, segmented RNA viruses
* enveloped viruses between 80-120nm
Describe the four types of influenza virus ?
Influenza A
* most common fastest mutating influenza virus
* birds, humans, pigs, horses and dogs
* currently circulating H3N2 and H1N1pdm9
Influenza B
* less common
* humans, seals
Influenza C
* humans, pigs
Influenza D
* cows, pigs
What are the natural host of influenza A viruses ?
Natural host influenza A viruses
* wild water birds Order Anseriformes (ducks, geese and swans)
* detected in 1-60% of migratory water birds depending upon season
* infected wild birds usually present asymptomatically
* replicate mainly in epithelial cells of the GIT (lesser extent respiratory) in wild birds
* large amount of virus excreted in faeces
Describe the two main mechanisms for AIV evolution ?
Two mechanisms for the rapid evolution for AIV evolution ?
Reassortment (antigenic shift)
* occurs when two influenza viruses concurrently infect the same person or host
* may result in a progeny virus with the genetic material from both parent viruses
* segmented virus
Mutation / adaptation (antigenic drift)
* occurs when an influenza virus accumulates mutations that enable more efficient infection and spreed within a new host
Influenza A virus is classified into two subtypes ?
Describe replication of the influenza virus ?
Why does the host eg human or avian affect the clinical signs of influenza ?
Influenza host affects symptoms
Influenza HA binds to salylated glycans on cell surface
Human
* bind to alpha2-6 sialic acid receptors
* epithelial cells upper respiratory tract
* usually a mild disease
Avian
* bind alpha2-3 sialic acid
* GIT and lower respiratory tract of birds
* severe pulmonary disease
* alpha2-3 sialic receptor are located deeper in the lungs causing a more severe disease
2-3 affinity will be less transmissable but causes deep lung disease
What determines LPAI and HPAI ?
What determines HPAI and LPAI ?
* where HPAI = high pathogenic avian influenza, and LPAI low pathogenic avian influenza
* In both LPAI and HPAI the hemagglutinin precursor molecule (HAO) must be cleaved by host proteases for HAI and HA2 to mediate fusion between the virus and host cells.
LPAI = The HAO from LP viruses can only be cleaved in the lungs and the GIT - resulting in mild localised infections
HPAI = The addition of multiple basic amino acids at the cleavage site results in HAO being cleaved by ubiquitos proteases in a wide range of organs - resulting in a lethal systemic infection.
What are the clinical signs of LPAI ?
The HAO from LP viruses can only be cleaved by proteases found within the intestinal and respiratory tract
* results in a mild localised infection
* respiratory and intestinal
* mild or asymptomatic
* sneezing, coughing, occular and nasal discharge / inflammation of the trachea and lungs
* may have reduced egg production or fertility
* morbidity / mortality are low
What are the symptoms of HPAI ?
High pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
The addition of multiple basic amino acids at the cleavage site results in HAO being cleaved by ubiquitous proteases in a wide range of organs.
* results in a lethal systemic infection
* high mortality
* in paracute cases death may occur before the onset of clinical signs
* cyanosis of the head wattle and cone
* petechial hemorrhages on visceral organs and muscles
* blood tinged oral and nasal discharge
* greenish diarrhoea
Compare AIV and Newcastle disease ?
Similar symptoms
How would we diagnose for AIV ?
Avian influenza of all subtypes is a notifiable disease
Diagnose
* oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs
* RT-PCR conserved regions of the matrix M gene
* Virus isolation best suited in mammalian viruses
* virus may also be isolated in the allantoic / amnitotic cavity of embryonated chicken eggs
How do we control for AIV ?
Control of AIV
* stamping out programs culling
* poultry vaccination
* destocking, cleaning and rest in live bird markets
* out right ban on live bird markets
Vaccination
* vaccination is now being used in some countries, however the live attentuated vaccine negatively affects export
* in addition the vaccine only acts to suppress symptoms it is still able to spread the virus
* costly to administer
* mostly used in Asia
Describe the characteristics, symptoms and clinical signs of swine influenza ?
Swine influenza
A number of genetically diverse genotypes are circulating in pigs worldwide - H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2
Clinical signs
* characterised by a largenumber of pigs being infected but low numbers dying as a result
* going off feed
* high fever
* discharge from eyes + nose sneezing
* breathing difficulties barking cough
* huddling and inactivity
With influenza viruses why are pigs the ideal mixing vessels ?
Influenza and the mixing vessel swine
*Several elements of pigs are important in the genesis of a pandemic virus
1. pigs can become naturally infected with both avian and mammalian viruses
2. tracheal epithelium in pigs contain both alpha 2-3 and alpha 2-6 receptors
3. avian virus replication in pigs gives rise to variants recognising human like receptors
4. reasortment in pigs resulted in the emergence of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic
Describe the symptoms and chracteristics of equine influenza ?
Describe the clinical signs of canine influenza ?
How could you act to isolate an influenza virus ?
How would we diagnose for AIV ?
Avian influenza of all subtypes is a notifiable disease
Diagnose
* oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs
* RT-PCR conserved regions of the matrix M gene
* Virus isolation best suited in mammalian viruses
* virus may also be isolated in the allantoic / amnitotic cavity of embryonated chicken eggs
Provide the taxanomy and characteristics of Paramyxoviridae ?
Paramyxoviridae
* negative stranded
* sphereical filamentous
* non-segmentaed
* pleomorhic
Genus Respirovirus
* Bovine influenza, Canine influenza, Menangle virus
Genus Morbillivirus
* Measles, Rinderpest, Peste-des-petits and canine distemper
Describe bovine parainfluenza ?
Describe the epidemiology and chracteristics of canine parainfluenza ?
Canine parainfluenza 5
infectious cofactor in canine respiratory disease (kennel cough, cird etc).
Frequently causes infections of the upper respiratory tract, along with Bordetella bronchiseptica
Epidemiology
* occurs world wide
* incubation 5-9 days after virus exposure
* usually restricted to the upper respiratory tract - occasionally recovered from the lungs
* most fequently seen in kennels
* more prevalent in younger dogs
What are the clinical signs of canine parainfluenza virus ?
Canine parainfluenza virus
* 3-14 days
* mucous nasal dischrage
* dry, harsh, hacking cough
* pharyngitis
* pyrexia (temp)
* tonsillitis
* commonly involves multiple pathogens making it difficult to atribute symptoms to CPIV alone
* studies of viral pathogenesis often asymptomatic
How do we diagnose and provide prophylaxis for canine parainfluenza virus ?
Canine parainfluenza virus
* virus genome RT-PCR
* virus will replicate in cell cultures forming a characteristic syncytia
* available in a vaccine usually in combination (reduces severeity)
* CPIV is a non core vaccine AVA
Provide the epidemiology and chracteristics of Menangle virus (MenV) ?
Menangle virus (MenV)
An outbreak of severe reproductive failure and congenital defects was observed in a large piggery in Menangle NSW
* first recognised 1997 (isolated to main piggery and 2 contract farms)
* zoonotic
Reservoir = native Australian fruit bats
Transmission - bat / pig = fecal oral
human = limited bat contact, however very close contact to contaminated pigs
What are the clinical signs of Menangle virus (MenV) ?
Menangle virus (MenV)
* reduced farrowing rate (82-38%)
* reduced liter size
* delivery at term of a large number of mummified and still born piglets
* foetuses severe skeletal + craniofacial defects + arthrogyposis (joint deformities)
* no disease in adult or young pigs
* not highly contagoius slow spread
* poor survival in the environment
* brachygnathia (recession of the jaw
* domed cranium
* MenV was consistently isolated from the brain and myocardium
Describe the characteristics of Rinderpest disease ?
Describe the general characteristics of Peste-des-petits ruminants virus (PPRV) ?
PPRV
Principally a disease of goats and sheep (Rinderpest of small ruminants)
* PPR global eradication program
* very similar antigenically - antibodies are cross protective
* genetically distinct
* cattle and pigs seroconvert but do not develop or transmit disease
* wild ungulates may be affected
Describe the epidemiology and transmission of PPRV ?
PPRV
Epidemiology
* more than one billion sheep and goats are vulnerable worldwide
* PRR recently observed in South and North Africa
* Lineages 1 and 2 found mainly in West Africa
* lineages 3 found East Africa
* Also present in Asia and Europe
Transmission
* is via close contact confinemant favours outbreaks
* inhalation
* can be shed during the incubation period, and has been found in nasal, ocular secretions, saliva, urine and faeces
What are the clinical signs of PRR, Peste-des-petits ?
Clinical signs PRR
* morbidity and mortality may reach 100% in anaive herd
* young animals most susceptable
* peracute cases when first introduced to a naive herd - fever, severe depression, death
Acute cases
* sudden fever, inappetence, depression and somnolence
* nasal and occular discharge (serous non purulent)
* painful lesions on gums, lips, palate, cheeks anf tongue
* profuse diarrhea, dehydration and emaciation
* pneumonia
What observations would we make in PRR post mortem ?
Provide a general description and epidemiology of canine distmeper virus ?
Canine distemper virus
Canine distemper virus is a highly contagoius, systemic viral disease of dogs seen worldwide (including sporadic cases in Australia)
* historically common infection of dogs
* in developed countries nearly eliminated through the use of vaccines
* epidemiology is complicated due to the wide number of species it affects
* Reservoir = domestic dogs (including feral dogs)
What are the clinical signs of canine distemper ?
Clinical signs
* infection may be mild or inapparent to severe disease
* transient fever observed 3-6 days after infection (leukopenia)
* fever will subside followed by a second fever which may be accompanied by nasal discharge, lethargy and anorexia
* gastrointestinal and respiratory disease
* typically accompanied by secondary infections
* encephlomelitis may occur (swelling of the brain and spinal cord)
How do we treat and diagnose canine distemper ?
Describe observations you would make of canine distemper post mortem, and neurological signs ?
Canine distemper
Neurological signs
* A longer course of illness is associated with neurological signs
* localised involuntary muscle twitching 9myoclonus, chorea, flexor spasm, hyperkinesia)
* convulsions
* increased salivation
* chewing movements of the jaw (chewing gum fits)
* this disease should be considered in the diagnosis of any febrile conditions in dogs with multisystemic infestations
Post mortem
* ncrosis of lymphatic tissues
* interstitual pneumonia
* cytoplasmic and intranuclear bodies
* thymic atrophy
* lesions within the CNS
Describe the epidemiology and transmission of Hendra virus ?
Hendra virus
* Respiratory and neurological disease in horses
* 62 equine out breaks, 7 human infections - zoonotic
Hendra virus reservoir = Australian fruit bats through QLD and NSW - found world wide
* there is no evidence of human bat transmission
* infection of horses through contact with bat urine, placenta and uterine fluids
* between horses not highly contagious
* the clinical response and pathological findings are similar in cats to horses
What are the clinical signs of Hendra in horses ?
Clinical signs of hendra
* incubation 8-16 days
* can be asymptomatic during incubation, but will still shed the virus
* depression
* pyrexia (fever)
* dyspnea
* initial nasal discharge
* infected mucous membranes
* dependant odema
* head pressing ataxia
* sudden death 1-3 days after onset
How do we prevent and control hendra virus in horses ?
What are the clinical symptoms of Nipah virus
Nipah virus
* zoonotic
* disease in pigs
* highly contagoius - incubation period 7-14 days
* may be asymptomatic
* severe respiratory disease
* acute fever (>40)
* characteristic harsh barking cough
* mortality 1-5% adults and 40% of piglets
Neurological signs = trembling, twitching, muscle spasms, rear leg weakness, possible lameness or spastic paresis
Describe the epidemiology and characteristic of New Castle disease ?
New Castle disease
* synonymous with avian paramyxovirus 1 (APMV-1)
* mortality rates are highly variable depending upon the viral strain
* Transmission = gastrointestinal or respiratory
New Castle disease graded according to their pathogenicity ?
NCD grading
Velogenic (90% mortality)
Viscerotropic velogenic = characterised by acute lethal infections, usually with haemorrhagic lesions in the intestine of dead birds
Neurotropic velogenic = characterised by high mortality following respiratory disease and neurological disease, but where gut lesions are usually absent
Mesogenic (10% mortality)
- respiratory disease and neurological signs but low mortality
Lentogenic (negligible mortality)
- respiratory infections and or asymptomatic viruses
- frequently used as vaccine viruses
What are the clinical signs of New Castle disease ?
Clinical signs New Castle disease
* sudden drop in egg production
* eggs that are produced are abnormal (no shell, misshappen, soft)
* loss of apetite, fever, weakness
* swelling and cyanosis of the comb and wattles
* distinctive bright green diarrhoea
* up RR, respiratory distress and coughing
* high pitched sneeze
Post mortem = brain lesions, thrombosis and oedema
Nervous signs = loss of balance, circling, twisting of head and neck or complete paralysis
Describe the virulence of Newcastle disease (NDV) virus ?
How do we detect NCD ?
Describe the characteristics of all viruses ?
Viruses
- smallest infectious agent size 20-300nm diameter
- filterable agents when compared to bacteria
- only have one type of nuceic acid either RNA or DNA
- surrounded by protective protein shell = capsid
- the capsid can not be hydrolysed by enzymes
- in some viruses the capsid is enclosed within an envelope = which contains both protein and lipid
What is a viral envelope, and what is its purpose ?
Viral envelope
- viruses may mature by budding through a membrane and acquiring a lipid envelope of host origin
- viral glycoproteins which are embedded in the envelope are important in virus/ host interactions
- large viral envelope glycoproteins may be referred to as spikes or peplomers (Coronaviridae
- the envelope is usually nessary for infectivity
What is positive and negative sense viral positive or negative sense ?
How is a viral protein structural or non structural ?
Viral proteins can be structural or non structural
- structural proteins are incorporated into the virions (eg capsid protect viral genome)
- most of the non-structural proteins are enzymes
- envelope proteins are frequently glycoproteins