SUMMARYVirulent classical swine fever (CSF ) represents an immunomodulatory viral infection that perturbs immune functions. Circulatory and immunopathological disorders include leukopenia, immunosuppression and haemorrhage. Monocytic cells -targets for CSF virus (CSFV ) infection -could play critical roles in the immunopathology, owing to their production of immunomodulatory and vasoactive factors. Monocytes and macrophages (Mw) are susceptible to virus infection, as a consequence of which prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) production is enhanced. The presence of PGE 2 in serum from CSFV-infected pigs correlated with elevated PGE 2 productivity by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these same animals. It was noted that these PGE 2 -containing preparations did not inhibit, but actually enhanced, lymphocyte proliferation. The proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and interleukin (IL)-6 were not involved, although elevated IL-1 production could relate to lymphocyte activation. Nevertheless, IL-1 was not the sole element: infected Mw produced lympho-stimulatory activity but little IL-1. This release of immunomodulatory factors, following CSFV infection of monocytic cells, was compared with other characteristics of the disease. Therein, PGE 2 and IL-1 production was noted to coincide with the onset of fever and the coagulation disorders typical of CSF. Consequently, these factors are of greater relevance to the haemorrhagic disturbances, such as petechia and infarction, rather than the leukopenia found in CSF.

Porcine macrophage cultures were infected with two ASFV isolates of variable virulence and mRNA levels of several relevant macrophage-derived cytokines were quantified by real time PCR. At six hours post infection, a clear enhancement of mRNA expression of TNFalpha, IL6, IL12 and IL15 was observed in macrophages infected with the low virulent ASFV/NH/P68 (NHV) when compared to those infected with the highly virulent ASFV/L60 (L60). The sequence of the A238L gene homologue to the cellular IkappaB was found identical in both viral isolates and its expression at mRNA level was higher in macrophages infected with NHV when compared to macrophages infected with L60. Furthermore our results suggest a negative correlation between the mRNA expression of A238L gene and the mRNA expression of the above mentioned cytokines (with the exception of IL10) in L60 infected macrophages in opposition to the positive correlation (with exception of the IL1) suggested in NHV infection. Overall, our data strongly emphasize that virulence of ASFV isolates may depend on their capacity to regulate the expression of macrophage-derived cytokines relevant for the development of host protective responses by yet unknown mechanisms triggered by the virus at early stages of the cellular infection.

Reports to the uk Suspected Adverse Reaction Surveillance Scheme (sarss) in 2006 increased by 20 per cent compared with 2005 The pattern of reports involving enrofloxacin is to be monitored following reports of blindness in cats treated with this medicine Investigation of an increasing number of reports concerning a suspected lack of efficacy of parvovirus vaccines Suspected lack of efficacy of ectoparasiticides in Scottish salmon possibly reflecting development of resistance to emamectin in sea lice in the area — These are some of the results of the sarss in 2006, as discussed in the following article by Fabia Dyer, Martha Spagnuolo-Weaver, Sue Cooles and Alex Tait of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate

Abstract. The distribution of cytopathic and noncytopathic biotypes of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in the tissues of colostrum-fed and colostrum-deprived calves was investigated. Colostrum-fed (group A) and colostrum-deprived (group B) calves were experimentally infected with the BVDV isolate 80/1, which contains both BVDV biotypes. Colostrum-deprived calves were also experimentally infected with a noncytopathic BVDV (group C) or with a cytopathic BVDV (group D) cloned from the 80/1 isolate. All calves were sequentially euthanized, and a wide range of tissue samples were processed for immunofluorescent and virus isolation studies. In group A, consistent immunofluorescent staining for BVDV was detected in vascular smooth muscle of numerous blood vessels in the tissues examined, mainly at 11 and 13 days postinoculation. A predominance of samples containing cytopathic BVDV was observed in the calves of this group, following virus isolation studies. Both cytopathic and noncytopathic BVDV were detected/recovered from a larger range of specimens in the calves in group B than from the calves in group A. In the calves in all the experimental groups, large amounts of BVDV antigen were detected mainly in tissue samples from the lymphoid and gastrointestinal systems, whereas only minimal amounts of BVDV were detected in the respiratory tract. Abundant noncytopathic BVDV antigen was also detected in pituitary gland and in Langerhans islets in pancreases of colostrum-deprived calves infected with the cloned noncytopathic BVDV. Noncytopathic BVDV was isolated from a wider range of tissues from calves in group C than in the colostrum-deprived calves infected with both BVDV biotypes. A cytopathic BVDV was isolated/detected in retropharyngeal, mesenteric, and abomasal lymph nodes and in thymus of 2 calves in group C. Cytopathic BVDV was detected/isolated mainly from mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer's patches of the calves in group D.

Reports to the UK Suspected Adverse Reaction Surveillance Scheme (SARSS) in 2004 increased by 22 per cent compared with 2003 The number of reports involving dogs, cats and cattle increased, while there were fewer reports involving sheep and rabbits A suspected lack of efficacy in cattle was largely responsible for the significant increase in the overall total number of reports for this species Fewer human suspected adverse reactions were reported in 2004 than 2003 – These are some of the findings under the SARSS in 2004, as discussed in the following article by Fabia Dyer, Rahel Mulugeta, Martha Spagnuolo-Weaver and Alex Tait of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate

Reports to the uk Suspected Adverse Reaction Surveillance Scheme (sarss) in 2007 increase by around 20 per cent compared with 2006 Reports of dogs accidentally ingesting veterinary medicinal products containing avermectins formulated for use in farm animals or horses An increase in the number of reports involving fly strike in sheep and myxomatosis in rabbits associated with a suspected lack of efficacy of veterinary medicinal products Serious hand injuries reported after accidental self-injection— These are some of the results of the sarss in 2007, as discussed in the following article by Fabia Dyer, Martha Spagnuolo-Weaver, Sue Cooles and Alex Tait of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate

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Reports to the UK Suspected Adverse Reaction Surveillance Scheme (SARSS) in 2005 decreased by 2 per cent compared with 2004 The numbers of reports involving pigs, fish and birds increased, while reports involving rabbits continued to decline There was a marked increase in the number of reports involving accidental ingestion of palatable tablets containing a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug authorised for use in dogs There was an increase in the number of reports of suspected adverse reactions in humans compared with 2004 – These are some of the findings under the SARSS in 2005, as discussed in the following article by Fabia Dyer, Martha Spagnuolo-Weaver and Alex Tait of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate