Article
Infectious Diseases
Rong-Guang Lu, Shuang-Shuang Li, Bo Hu, Hong-Ye Li, Hong Tian, Wei-Quan Liu, Xi-Jun Yan, Hao Liu, Xue Bai
Summary: This study reports SMS-AstV-associated encephalitis in farmed minks in China and provides preliminary findings on the pathogenicity of the virus.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Peijun Zhang, Haoxiang Su, Ruoyan Peng, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Shijie Bai, Gaoyu Wang, Yi Huang, Xiaoyuan Hu, Jun Luo, Sisi Liu, Youyou Li, Liying Xue, Fan Yang, Mingming Zhao, Yun Zhang, Chuanning Tang, Shu Shen, Xiuji Cui, Lina Niu, Gang Lu, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Fei Deng, Weijia Zhang, Feifei Yin, Jiang Du
Summary: This study characterized the genome sequences of two novel astroviruses obtained from California sea lions and walruses. The results suggested a close relationship between AstroV-HMU-1 and Mamastrovirus 11, while AstroV-like-HMU-2 may belong to a new genus in the unclassified Astroviridae. The discovery provides a scientific basis for future investigations into other animal-borne infectious diseases.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Sook-Young Lee, Jong-Ho Kim, Yoon-Ji Kim, Young-Sik Kim, Su-Gwon Roh, Kyung-Hyun Lee, Heui-Jin Kim, Jae-Ho Shin, Jae-Ku Oem
Summary: A neuroinvasive astrovirus (BoAstV 20B05) was discovered in a Korean native cattle with neurological symptoms, showing lymphocyte infiltration and high viral genome concentration in the brain tissues. Evolutionary analysis revealed its classification into the NeuroS1 sub-lineage and independent evolution from BoAstV KagoshimaSR28-462, suggesting its first introduction in Korea.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Sakshi Bami, Jennifer Hidinger, Arshia Madni, Virginia Hargest, Stacey Schultz-Cherry, Valerie Cortez, Shane J. Cross, Deborah A. Ward, Randall T. Hayden, Jeffrey Rubnitz, Ching-Hon Pui, Raja B. Khan, Diego R. Hijano
Summary: HAstV-VA1 detected by metagenomic next-generation sequencing can cause encephalitis with poor prognosis in immunocompromised children.
JOURNAL OF THE PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
April Nelsen, David Knudsen, Ben M. Hause
Summary: Astroviruses can cause gastrointestinal disease in mammals and avians. A new strain of astrovirus, called bovine astrovirus (BAstV), was identified in the lungs of cattle with respiratory disease. Further investigation revealed that the virus was mainly located in the cytoplasm of alveolar macrophages and mononuclear cells, suggesting a possible link to inflammation. Additional research is needed to determine the clinical significance of BAstV in respiratory diseases.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jiayi Wang, Chenxia Xu, Mengting Zeng, Cheng Tang
Summary: This study identified six genotypes of astrovirus circulating among goats in Southwest China, including two novel caprine astrovirus genotypes MAstV-13 and MAstV-24. Additionally, the genomes of MAstV-13 and MAstV-24 genotypes were obtained, and a neurotropic-like astrovirus (MAstV-13) was found in goats for the first time. These findings have important implications for the diagnosis of neurological diseases in goats.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Junqin Zhang, Yunzhen Huang, Linlin Li, Jiawen Dong, Ruihuan Kuang, Ming Liao, Minhua Sun
Summary: A novel duck astrovirus, designated as DAstV-5 JM strain, was identified in a fatal disease outbreak in domestic ducks. This DAstV represents a new genotype species of avastrovirus, with low sequence similarities to other known avastroviruses.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Qinghe Zhu, Yan Miao, Jun Wang, Wenfei Bai, Xu Yang, Shiping Yu, Donghua Guo, Dongbo Sun
Summary: Since November 2016, severe infectious diseases characterized by gout and kidney swelling caused by goose astrovirus (GoAstV) have affected goslings in major goose-producing areas in China. In 2021, a similar outbreak occurred in commercial goose farms in Heilongjiang Province, China. A strain named HLJ2021 was successfully isolated, and it belongs to GoAstV-2 (G2). This strain showed high pathogenicity in goslings, leading to a high mortality rate.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Yanpeng Li, Emilia Gordon, Amanda Idle, Alvin Hui, Roxanne Chan, M. Alexis Seguin, Eric Delwart
Summary: An outbreak of cat vomiting in an animal shelter was found to be associated with feline astrovirus infection, which was detected in cases as well as controls through viral metagenomics. The study revealed significant asymptomatic shedding of astrovirus in affected and unaffected cats, indicating the virus's role in the contagious outbreak.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jiayi Wang, Chenxia Xu, Mengting Zeng, Hua Yue, Cheng Tang
Summary: This study identified a novel astrovirus strain SWUN/F4/2019 in goats from southwest China, representing the first detection of astrovirus in goats in China. The genetic relationship of SWUN/F4/2019 with known astrovirus strains differs, highlighting the complexity of astrovirus evolution.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Yanjie Du, Chengyuan Ji, Teng Liu, Wenchao Zhang, Qingli Fang, Qinting Dong, Mingyang Li, Hao Wang, Ying Chen, Kang Ouyang, Zuzhang Wei, Weijian Huang
Summary: This study identified a potential overlapping gene, ORF2b, in astroviruses which encodes a 122-aminoacid protein. Experimental evidence showed expression of the ORF2b protein in virus-infected and transfected cells. Reverse genetics with a PAstV type 1 cDNA clone demonstrated the importance of ORF2b for virus infectivity.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liwen Wu, Fang Cai, Zhihong Zhuo, Dejun Wu, Tianyi Zhang, Haiyang Yang, Hongjun Fang, Zhenghui Xiao
Summary: A multicenter analysis was conducted to strengthen the understanding of clinical features for CASPR2 neurological autoimmunity in children. Among the 26 enrolled patients, 25 tested positive in serum and 3 tested positive in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Five patients showed co-positivity with anti-NMDAR or anti-GABABR antibodies. Autoimmune encephalitis/encephalopathy/cerebellitis was diagnosed in 15 patients, with the most common symptoms including disorders of consciousness, fever, psychological symptoms/abnormal behaviors, sleep disorders, seizures, movement disorders, and autonomic symptoms. Rituximab was found to be effective in patients with poor response to conventional immunotherapy.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Xiaozhan Zhang, Tongwei Deng, Yuzhen Song, Jian Liu, Zenghai Jiang, Zhifeng Peng, Yiwen Guo, Lei Yang, Hongxing Qiao, Yanxun Xia, Xinzheng Li, Zeng Wang, Chuanzhou Bian
Summary: Astroviruses, particularly the goose astrovirus (GAstV) outbreaks, pose great threats to public health and the poultry industry. Two virulent GAstV strains were isolated from two different goose farms in central China, showing signs of evolving towards more complicated and various directions. The viruses might have derived from weak goose embryos via vertical transmission, highlighting the importance of understanding the genetic characteristics for developing effective preventive measures and control strategies.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Wei Zhao, Jialei Shi, Yongxiu Yao, Hongxia Shao, Aijian Qin, Kun Qian
Summary: This study successfully isolated and molecularly characterized two strains of Chicken astrovirus (CAstV), and observed their effect on hatchability. The genetic analysis showed that these two strains had typical characteristics of avian astroviruses, with high similarity among Chinese strains and a common origin with strains from the UK.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Virology
Abdullahi Abdullahi Raji, Abdul Rahman Omar
Summary: The chicken astrovirus (CAstV) is a widely spread enteric RNA virus that is associated with various diseases in broiler-type chickens. Genetic analysis reveals a relationship and diversity within and between the CAstV genogroups and subgroups, but these groupings have little impact on the type of CAstV-associated pathology in chickens.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Chiara Mattei, Anna Oevermann, Daniela Schweizer, Julien Guevar, Thomas W. Maddox, Kathryn L. Fleming, Emanuele Ricci, Marco Rosati, Roberta Biserni, John F. Griffin, Angie Rupp, Rodrigo Gutierrez-Quintana, Isabelle Masseau, Kimberly M. Newkirk, Silke Hecht, Swan Specchi
Summary: This retrospective, multi-center study describes the MRI features of central nervous system IVL in dogs and compares them with histopathological findings. The MRI findings include multifocal lesions, abnormal diffusion areas, and meningeal enhancement, which are consistent with the histopathological findings of subarachnoid hemorrhages and ischemic and hemorrhagic infarctions.
VETERINARY RADIOLOGY & ULTRASOUND
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nicole Wildi, Stefano Bagatella, Michel C. Koch, Anna Oevermann, Torsten Seuberlich
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Heidi Signer-Hasler, Lucas Casanova, Alex Barenco, Blaise Maitre, Alessandro Bagnato, Mario Vevey, Beate Berger, Mojca Simcic, Denis Boichon, Aurelien Capitan, Ivica Medugorac, Joern Bennewitz, Gabor Meszaros, Johann Soelkner, Cord Droegemueller, Christine Flury
Summary: We analyzed genome-wide SNP data from 18 local cattle breeds from the Alpine region to understand their population structure and identify genomic regions involved in positive selection. Different breeds like Evolener, Eringer, Valdostana Pezzata Nera, and Valdostana Castana showed distinct genetic differences compared to other Alpine breeds. We found selection signatures on chromosome 6 near genes related to coat color and body size, and identified 47 genome regions with ROH islands using high-density SNP data. The results provide insights into adaptation to the alpine environment and specific characteristics in local Alpine cattle breeds.
Article
Pathology
Janina Janssen, Anna Oevermann, Ingrid Walter, Alexander Tichy, Stefan Kummer, Gabriele Gradner
Summary: The high expression of OPN in canine meningioma was found to be independent of WHO grade and Ki-67 labeling index. However, OPN expression was significantly higher in WHO grade I samples compared with grade II samples, and significantly lower in meningioma samples that invaded surrounding tissues.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Stephanie Scheemaeker, Marine Inglebert, Sylvie Daminet, Martina Dettwiler, Anna Letko, Cord Drogemuller, Martin Kessler, Richard Ducatelle, Sven Rottenberg, Miguel Campos
Summary: Organoid cultures were established as an in vitro model to study new treatments for canine medullary thyroid carcinoma (cMTC) and evaluate the effects of antitumor drugs on the viability of organoids.
VETERINARY AND COMPARATIVE ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Dennis Imhof, William Pownall, Kai Pascal Alexander Hanggeli, Camille Monney, Laura Rico-San Roman, Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora, Franck Forterre, Anna Oevermann, Andrew Hemphill
Summary: In this study, a modified version of the attenuated Listeria monocytogenes vaccine vector Lm3Dx_NcSAG1 was tested for its efficacy in a pregnant neosporosis mouse model. Multivalent vaccines were generated by inserting gra7 and/or rop2 genes into Lm3Dx_NcSAG1. Immunization with Lm3Dx_NcSAG1 and Lm3Dx_NcSAG1_NcGRA7_NcROP2 resulted in the highest postnatal pup survival rate and protection against vertical transmission and CNS infection.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Joana G. P. Jacinto, Eliana Schiavon, Irene M. Hafliger, Patrizio Coin, Franz R. Seefried, Cord Drogemuller
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Joana G. P. Jacinto, Eliana Schiavon, Irene M. Haefliger, Patrizio Coin, Franz R. Seefried, Cord Droegemueller
Article
Pathology
Jan Franzen, Sara Soto, Daniela Meier, Michael Ruttener, Anna Oevermann
Summary: This article describes the first case of chordoid meningioma (CM), a rare grade II meningioma subtype, in a 5.5-year-old European wildcat from a Swiss zoo. The neoplasm invaded the right ear canal and exhibited histological features compatible with CM, which has been only reported in humans and dogs. The expression of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) in neoplastic cells was also observed for the first time in feline meningioma.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Pablo Barge, Anna Oevermann, Arianna Maiolini, Alexane Durand
Summary: Machine learning based on MRI texture analysis can accurately predict the types and grades of canine gliomas.
VETERINARY RADIOLOGY & ULTRASOUND
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Joana G. P. Jacinto, Marilena Bolcato, Irene M. Haefliger, Anna Oevermann, Arcangelo Gentile, Cord Droegemueller
Summary: A 6-month-old Holstein heifer was diagnosed with epilepsy characterized by focal seizures progressing to generalized seizures. The seizure episodes included pre-ictal depression and vocalization, followed by ictal phase with eyelid spasms, tongue contractions, nodding, and abundant salivation, and then convulsive phase with bilateral tonic, clonic or tonic-clonic activity and loss of consciousness. Neuropathology revealed axonal degeneration and astrocytic hypertrophic gliosis in the brainstem. Whole genome sequencing identified a heterozygous splice-site variant in DYRK1B, suggesting its association with epilepsy in cattle.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anna Letko, Franz Brulisauer, Irene M. Hafliger, Eilidh Corr, Sandra Scholes, Cord Drogemuller
Summary: Whole-genome sequencing revealed a homozygous loss-of-function variant in the TMCO6 gene responsible for early-onset progressive ataxia and motor neuron degeneration in North Country Cheviot lambs. The pathogenic 4 bp deletion in this gene leads to a 50% protein truncation and a presumed loss of TMCO6 function, resulting in the recessive form of motor neuron disease in sheep. This study provides a spontaneous animal model for TMCO6 and has implications for comparative neurodegenerative disease research.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Joana G. P. Jacinto, Peter Wohlsein, Irene M. Haefliger, Michael Karl, Michael Pohlers, Lutz Plobner, Walter Gruenberg, Cord Droegemueller
Summary: This article reports a case of hepatic fibrinogen storage disease (HFSD) in a 5-month-old Wagyu calf. The disease is characterized by lethargy, dehydration, acidemia, and increased liver enzyme activities. Histologically, hepatocytes show distinct cytoplasmic inclusions with a ground-glass appearance, which do not stain with the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction. Whole-genome sequencing identified a deleterious homozygous missense variant in the DGKG gene, adding DGKG to the list of candidate genes for HFSD in other species.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Joana G. P. Jacinto, Leonore Bettina Kuchler, Laureen M. Peters, Elke van der Vekens, Corinne Gurtner, Franz R. Seefried, Mireille Meylan, Cord Drogemuller
Summary: This study describes a case of recessive MOCOS-associated xanthinuria type II in a Brown Swiss calf. The disease manifested as hoof overgrowth, rough coat, urine sediment, and pneumonia, and its genetic etiology was confirmed through genetic testing. Additionally, the prevalence of the deleterious allele in the Brown Swiss population was found to be low.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Sara Belluco, Giuseppe Marano, Thibaut Lurier, Giancarlo Avallone, Chiara Brachelente, Stefano Di Palma, Roberta Rasotto, Kerstin Baiker, Andreas Beineke, Anna Oevermann, Frauke Seehusen, Fabiano Jose Ferreira de Sant'Ana, Patrizia Boracchi, Marti Pumarola, Maria Teresa Mandara
Summary: This study aimed to validate new grading guidelines for canine meningiomas. The new guidelines improved inter-observer agreement and diagnostic accuracy by combining with the human grading system. Five veterinary surgical pathologists graded 158 canine meningiomas using either the human grading system alone or with the new guidelines, and the agreement and accuracy were evaluated.
VETERINARY AND COMPARATIVE ONCOLOGY
(2023)
