The objective was to expand and update the knowledge on the presence and genotype diversity of porcine circoviruses 2 and 3 (PCV2 and PCV3) in the wild boar populations from the hunting grounds in northeastern Serbia. The presence of PCV3 was not determined, and PCV2 was confirmed in 40.32% of the organ samples from 124 wild boars hunted from 2018 to 2019, indicating their significance in virus circulation since traditional pig farms with irregular PCV2 vaccination strategies are widespread in this region. The most prevalent genotype was PCV2d, followed by PCV2b and PCV2a in 55.6%, 38.9%, and 5.5% of the examined samples, respectively. Nucleotide sequences of the detected strains were homogenous within the genotype and clustered within the subgroups PCV2d-2, PCV2b-1A/B, and PCV2a-2D with high identity to European, Chinese, and Serbian domestic pig sequences suggesting their origin. Wild boars presented with no clinical or pathological signs of infection, implying that these animals might be less susceptible to disease, particularly since the cofactors present in pig farming systems that support the disease development are absent in the wild. The high PCV2 detection frequency demonstrates the importance of wildlife monitoring to track virus population dynamics, especially in regions with free-range pig farming in order to plan adequate disease control strategies.
The bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is multifactorial and results
from interactions between host factors, environmental factors, and
pathogens. A virus, as an initial pathogen alters the animal?s immunity
supporting the bacterial colonization of the lower respiratory tract. Bovine
herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (BPIV-3), and bovine
respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) are among the most significant viruses
associated with BRDC. The disease most often affects young and older
immunosuppressed animals. Laboratory results depend on the selected sampling
site of the respiratory tract and proper timing during the period of virus
shedding. The samples for testing mostly include nasal or nasopharyngeal
swabs, tracheal wash, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, or necropsy specimens.
Virus isolation, although considered as the gold standard, is time-consuming
and depends on the virus species and sampling conditions. Most of the virus
identification methods used today are molecular assays (conventional and
real-time PCR or RT-PCR) that are rapid, sensitive, and specific, which is
of the essence in veterinary diagnostic laboratories. DNA sequencing is
mostly used to detect specific genetic mutations and for molecular
epidemiology of disease outbreaks. Serological diagnosis is performed based
on the detection of specific antibody presence after infection of
seronegative animals or a 4-fold specific antibody titer rise in paired
serum samples. Different assays are available, including virus
neutralization, complement fixation, haemagglutination inhibition, and
ELISA. The early and reliable diagnosis is beneficial in the management and
control of BRDC and is the basis of a timely treatment and prevention
program.
Stress inevitably occurs during any fish handling and manipulation in culturing, research, or clinical examination situations that require capture and removal of fish from water. Different stress factors can affect the changes in the relative numbers and function of cells of the fish immune system. Catching, transportation and over-crowding caused stress-induced changes in the total number of leukocytes and thrombocytes, as well as changes in the leukocyte formula in Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio, Bloch, 1782) presented here. Cytochemical characterization of leukocyte cell types was performed by applying Myeloperoxidase (MPO), Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Sudan Black B (SBB) staining of Prussian carp blood smears. Cytochemical characterization is a rapid and efficient method for white leukocyte differentiation and insight in their functional status. Comparison and analysis in Prussian carp hematological parameters from fish with and without exposure to stressful conditions such as capture, manipulation, transport and holding, revealed significant differences between stressed and non-stressed fish. Significant reduction in the total number of thrombocytes and lymphocytes and the increase in total neutrophil count were observed in stressed animals. However, differences in total leukocyte number and the number of monocytes were not observed. Deviations from the estimated reference intervals for Prussian carp hematological parameters clearly indicated the presence/absence of a stress reaction and to some extent its intensity. Estimated reference intervals and characterization of morphological and cytochemical appearance of blood cells form a solid basis for further research of the cellular immune function and hematology changes in Prussian carp.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.