Vaccination may be an effective way to reduce turkey arthritis reovirus (TARV)-induced lameness in turkey flocks. However, there are currently no commercial vaccines available against TARV infection. Here, we describe the use of reverse genetics technology to generate a recombinant Pichinde virus (PICV) that expresses the Sigma C and/or Sigma B proteins of TARV as antigens. Nine recombinant PICV-based TARV vaccines were developed carrying the wild-type S1 (Sigma C) and/or S3 (Sigma B) genes from three different TARV strains. In addition, three recombinant PICV-based TARV vaccines were produced carrying codon-optimized S1 and/or S3 genes of a TARV strain. The S1 and S3 genes and antigens were found to be expressed in virus-infected cells via reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) technique, respectively. Turkey poults inoculated with the recombinant PICV-based TARV vaccine expressing the bivalent TARV S1 and S3 antigens developed high anti-TARV antibody titers, indicating the immunogenicity (and safety) of this vaccine. Future in vivo challenge studies using a turkey reovirus infection model will determine the optimum dose and protective efficacy of this recombinant virus-vectored candidate vaccine.

Introduction: Vitamin D3 is used as a supplement in the feeds of livestock, pets, and human infants. However, the presence of excessive Vitamin D3 has been shown to cause toxicity in humans and animals. This study investigated the clinicopathological aspects of Vitamin D3 toxicity in broiler chickens. Materials and methods: The median lethal dose (LD50) of Vitamin D3 was estimated by the up-and-down method. To determine long term (21 days) toxic effects of oral Vitamin D3 supplementation, 90 (14-day-old) IBL-80 unsexed chicks were randomly divided into three groups as group A (control, received basal diet), B (basal diet + Vitamin D3 at 16.67 mg/kg body weight daily), and C (basal diet + Vitamin D3 at 33.33 mg/kg body weight daily). Results: The findings indicated that broiler chickens tolerated a single oral dose of Vitamin D3 up to 550 mg/kg body weight (22,000,000 IU/kg) without mortality. The results of long-term (21 days) oral supplementation of divided doses of Vitamin D3 in broiler chickens (groups B and C) showed progressive emaciation, elevated hemoglobin, hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and increased alkaline phosphatase activity. At necropsy, pale liver and kidneys, congestion and hardening of lungs, mild congestion in the brain, and soft bones were observed in Vitamin D3 treated chicks (groups B and C). Microscopically, degeneration and metastatic calcification in lung parenchyma and peribronchiolar epithelium, coagulative necrosis and calcification in kidneys, and calcification with fibroplasia in proventriculus was detected. Lungs and kidneys showed a significant difference in calcification score between groups B and C. Broiler chickens from Vitamin D3 treated groups (B and C) showed strong immunohistochemical expression of Calbindin D28K in the intestine and kidneys but weak expression in the lungs. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that broiler chicks can tolerate very high levels of a single oral dose of Vitamin D3. Toxic effects of prolonged exposure to Vitamin D3 are due to over-expression of Calbindin D28k in the intestine and kidneys, disturbing the calcium and phosphorous homeostasis and leading to metastatic calcification of vital organs. This study supports that prolonged over-supplementation of Vitamin D3 causes toxic effects; hence, appropriate dietary Vitamin D3 supplementation limits should be set.

We created a recombinant live pichinde virus-vectored bivalent codon optimized subunit vaccine that expresses immunogenic Sigma C and Sigma B proteins of turkey arthritis reovirus. The vaccine virus could be transmitted horizontally immunizing the non-vaccinated pen mates. The vaccine was tested for efficacy against homologous (TARV SKM121) and heterologous (TARV O’Neil) virus challenge. Immunized poults produced serum neutralizing antibodies capable of neutralizing both viruses. The vaccinated and control birds showed similar body weights indicating no adverse effect on feed efficiency. Comparison of virus gene copy numbers in intestine and histologic lesion scores in tendons of vaccinated and non-vaccinated birds showed a decrease in the replication of challenge viruses in the intestine and tendons of vaccinated birds. These results indicate the potential usefulness of this vaccine.

Ann Indian Acad Neurol, Official Journal of Indian Academy of Neurology

Bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs) commonly cause sarcoids in equines worldwide. Equine sarcoids (ESs) reduce the working ability of draft animals and produce untoward cosmetic changes in racing and dancing equine. In this study, nine horses and 16 donkeys with sarcoids were presented to Zagazig University Veterinary Clinic, Zagazig, Egypt. Of these, eight horses and six donkeys were found to be infected with BPV. On sequencing, all 14 viruses were found to be BPV1, which were distributed in two clades without specific differentiation among papillomaviruses (PVs) of donkeys, horses, and cattle. Comparison of 135 aa (319–454) of the sequenced L1 gene with reference strains revealed three conservative mutations (D346N, Q398E, and F441Y) and two nonconservative mutations (T348N and K351T). Illumina sequencing revealed that PVs of donkeys and horses were identical and had 98.5% identity with the closest reference sequence (KX907623) of BPV1. In addition, there was high identity among all genes except E5 and L2. The substitution ranged between 0.5% (nt) and 0.89% (aa) in E4 and 5.18% (nt) and 6.81% (aa) in E5. These results indicate that BPV1 is the main cause of ESs in Egypt without marked phylogenetic variation among PVs of cattle, horses, and donkeys.