Seventy-eight bovine viral diarrhoea viruses (BVDV) recently collected in Austria, France, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, Spain and UK were genetically typed in the 5'-untranslated (5'UTR) and autoprotease (Npro) regions of the pestivirus genome. Seventy-six of the isolates were BVDV-1 and two French isolates were of the BVDV-2 genotype. Phylogenetic analysis of the 5'UTR (245 nt), including additional BVDV-1 sequences from USA, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Mozambique and Sweden, taken from GenBank and from our previous works, indicated that these viruses were clustered not only into the two generally accepted groups (BVDV-1a-"NADL like" and BVDV-1b-"Osloss like"), but altogether into 11 phylogenetic groups. Similar clustering was observed with Npro region sequences (385 nt) and the highest bootstrap values (over 95%) were obtained by phylogeny combining 5'UTR and Npro sequences. Some associations between the genetic grouping and the origin of the isolates were apparent, probably reflecting historical trade contacts. Considering the variability of isolates it is recommended that diagnostic PCR primers should be re-examined to ensure coverage of all BVDV-1 groups. The genogroups were less clearly differentiated by monoclonal antibody typing, suggesting significant antigenic similarities within the BVDV-1 genotype.

A virus was isolated from dead specimens of catfish Ictalurus melas originating from a pond in w h~c h the whole catfish population had succumbed to an acute infection within a week. Diseased catfish showed clinical signs of oedema and haemorrhages while other fish species present in that pond remained healthy. The virus isolate grew well in Epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC), blueglll fry (BF2) and channel catfish ovary [CCO) cells at temperatures ranglng from 15 to 25 'C The vlrus formed tiny round plaques [diameter 400 pm) under agarose overlays and the BF2 cells were the most sensitive for thls assay. The infectivity of the catfish vlrus isolate was inhib~ted by chloroform treatment and its replication was suppressed by 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine indicating the presence of lipid components and a DNA genome. Hexagonal virions with a diameter of 150 to 160 nm, some of them surrounded by a n external envelope, were seen by electron microscopy in the cytoplasm of infected EPC cells. These virions were morphologically similar to those of the Iridoviridae. Infection trials conducted ln subadult and adult catfish demonstrated the strong pathogenicity of the new virus isolate and hlgh levels of virus were detected in the kidney and spleen, induclng a dramatic necrotlslng spleno-nephritis and subsequently death of most of the fish The infection tnal substantiates the causative role of this virus isolate in the massive catfish mortality observed and consututes the first record of an overt natural viral infection of I. melas.

Complete relevant clinical information was available for all patients. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of pathological grading changes. RESULTSThe overall mean age was 61 years, with median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 6 ng/mL. Of the 1129 patients, the surgical GS was upgraded in 296 (26.2%), downgraded in 210 (18.6%), and remained the same in 623 (55.2%). Factors predicting a surgical GS upgrade were a higher PSA level ( P = 0.005), presence of perineural invasion ( P = 0.043), absence of inflammation ( P < 0.001), and absence of associated high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia ( P = 0.02). In an analysis of pathological variables the number of positive cores ( P = 0.033) was predictor of upgrading. Large prostate volume ( P = 0.004) and low maximum percentage cancer in any core ( P = 0.001) were predictors of downgrading. CONCLUSIONMen with a higher PSA level, perineural invasion and high-volume cancer at biopsy are most likely to be upgraded, while men with a large prostate volume and lowvolume cancer at biopsy are more likely to be downgraded. These findings have implications for men with prostate cancer managed without confirmation by RP of their true GS.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) virus (LSDV) was isolated for the first time from cattle in Egypt in 2 disease outbreaks. Bovine herpesvirus-4 (BHV-4) and LSDV were detected in a pooled sample from the first outbreak (Suez). Only LSDV was isolated from the second outbreak (Ismalia). The capripoxviruses were identified as LSDV by neutralization with specific antiserum and by their ability to produce generalized LSD in experimentally inoculated cattle.

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