1
Publications of KVI researchers – 2015
Nutrients, 2015, 7, 7312-7331;
doi:10.3390/nu7095340
ISSN 2072-6643
www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients
Review
The Interrelationships between Lactose Intolerance and the Modern Dairy
Industry: Global Perspectives in Evolutional and Historical Backgrounds
http://www.mdpi.com/search?q=&journal=nutrients&volume=&authors=Leitner&section=&issue=&article_type=&sp
ecial_issue=&page=&search=Search
Nissim Silanikove 1,*, Gabriel Leitner 2 and Uzi Merin 3
1 Biology of Lactation Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center,
P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
2 National Mastitis Reference Center, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; E-Mail:
leitnerg1@gmail.com
3 Department of Food Quality and Safety, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet
Dagan 50250, Israel; E-Mail: uzmerin@gmail.com
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: nissim.silanikove@mail.huji.ac.il; Tel.: +972-89484436; Fax: +972-8947-5075.
Received: 24 June 2015 / Accepted: 26 August 2015 / Published: 31 August 2015
Abstract:
Humans learned to exploit ruminants as a source of milk about 10,000 years ago. Since then, the use of domesticated
ruminants as a source of milk and dairy products has expanded until today when the dairy industry has become one
of the largest sectors in the modern food industry, including the spread at the present time to countries such as China
and Japan. This review analyzes the reasons for this expansion and flourishing. As reviewed in detail, milk has
numerous nutritional advantages, most important being
almost an irreplaceable source of dietary calcium, hence justifying the effort required to increase its consumption. On
the other hand, widespread lactose intolerance among the adult population is a considerable drawback to dairybased foods consumption. Over the centuries, three factors allowed humans to overcome limitations imposed by
lactose intolerance: (i) mutations, which occurred in particular populations, most notably in the north European Celtic
societies and African nomads, in which carriers of the lactose intolerance gene converted from being lactose
intolerant to lactose tolerant; (ii) the ability to develop low-lactose products such as cheese and yogurt; and (iii) colon
microbiome adaptation, which allow lactose intolerant individuals to overcome its intolerance. However, in a few
examples in the last decade, modern dairy products, such as the popular and widespread bio-cultured yogurts, were
suspected to be unsuitable for lactose intolerant peoples. In addition, the use of lactose and milk-derived products
containing lactose in Nutrients 2015, 7 7313 non-dairy products has become widespread. For these reasons, it is
concluded that it might be important and helpful to label food that may contain lactose because such information will
allow lactose intolerant groups to control lactose intake within the physiological limitations of _12 g per a single meal.
Keywords: lactose intolerance; milk; dairy products; calcium
See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at:
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/280696838
2
J Dairy Sci. 2015 Nov; 98(11):7421-2.
doi: 10.3168/jds.2015-9918
Letter to the editor: Do coagulase negative staphylococci have no effect
on the milk composition of infected mammary gland? A comment on
Tomazi et al. (2015)
Nissim Silanikove*1, Uzi Merin†, Gabriel Leitner‡
*Biology of Lactation Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, and †Department of Food Quality and Safety,
Postharvest and Food Sciences, A.R.O., the
Volcani Center, PO Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
‡National Mastitis Center, Kimron Veterinary Institute, PO Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
1Corresponding author: nsilanik@agri.huji.ac.il
Abstract
Strains of coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) are the main bacteria species causing infection of the mammary
gland in dairy cows, goats and sheep (Silanikove et al., 2014a). Recently, Tomazi et al. (2015) published a paper
showing that apart from a modest increase in somatic cell count, infection with CNS had no effect on milk yield and
milk composition of the infected glands in comparison to uninfected glands. Whereas, we cannot argue with the data
itself, we think that simple adoption of the implication of this study might be associated with spreading of erroneous
concept regarding the importance of CNS infection in dairy cows husbandry.
http://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(15)00707-9/abstract
3
Vet. Parasitology. 2015 Sep 15; 212(3-4):147-55.
doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.06.022. Epub. 2015 Jun 30.
Molecular characterization of the Israeli B. bigemina vaccine strain and
field isolates.
Molad T1, Erster O2, Fleiderovitz L2, Roth A2, Leibovitz B2, Wolkomirsky R2, Mazuz ML2, Behar
A2, Markovics A2.
Author information
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1Division
of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel. Electronic
address: moladt@int.gov.il.
2Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
Abstract
The present study demonstrated the genetic character of the Israeli Babesia bigemina vaccine strain and field isolates,
based on rap-1a and rap-1c gene sequences. The RAP-1a of blood-derived Israeli B. bigemina field isolates shared
100% amino acid sequence identity. However, comparison of RAP-1c from various Israeli B. bigemina field isolates
revealed that the total sequence identity among the field isolates ranged from 98.2 to 100%. High identity was
observed when RAP-1a sequences from the Israeli vaccine strain and field isolates were compared with RAP-1a from
Egypt, Syria, Mexico and South Africa, while, the Israeli RAP-1c sequences showed the highest identity to the Mexican
isolate JG-29 and to the PR isolate from Puerto-Rico. Based on sequence variations between the rap-1a of the vaccine
strain and that of the field isolate, and between the rap-1c of the vaccine strain and that of the field isolates, nPCRRFLP procedures were developed that enable, for the first time differentiation between the Israeli B. bigemina
vaccine strain and field-infection isolates. These assays could serve as fast and sensitive methods for detection and
differentiation between Israeli B. bigemina vaccine strains and field isolates, as well as for epidemiological
investigations.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Babesia bigemina; Cattle; Israel; RAP-1a; RAP-1c
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304401715003179
4
Article in PLoS ONE 10(9) · September 2015
Impact Factor: 3.23 · DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136387
Genomic and Phenomic Study of Mammary Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Shlomo E. Blum , * E-mail: shlomo.blum@mail.huji.ac.il
Affiliations: Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Rehovot,
Israel, National Mastitis Reference Center, Department of Bacteriology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel,
Department of Bacteriology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
Elimelech D. Heller, Affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food
and Environment, Rehovot, Israel
Shlomo Sela, Affiliation: Microbial Food-Safety Research Unit, Department of Food Quality & Safety, Institute for
Postharvest and Food Sciences, The Volcani Center, ARO, Bet Dagan, Israel
Daniel Elad, Affiliation: Department of Bacteriology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
Nir Edery, Affiliation: Department of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
Gabriel Leitner Affiliation: National Mastitis Reference Center, Department of Bacteriology, Kimron Veterinary
Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
Abstract
Escherichia coli is a major etiological agent of intra-mammary infections (IMI) in cows, leading to acute mastitis and
causing great economic losses in dairy production worldwide. Particular strains cause persistent IMI, leading to
recurrent mastitis. Virulence factors of mammary pathogenic E. coli (MPEC) involved pathogenesis of mastitis as well
as those differentiating strains causing acute or persistent mastitis are largely unknown. This study aimed to identify
virulence markers in MPEC through whole genome and phenome comparative analysis. MPEC strains causing acute
(VL2874 and P4) or persistent (VL2732) mastitis were compared to an environmental strain (K71) and to the genomes
of strains representing different E. coli pathotypes. Intra-mammary challenge in mice confirmed experimentally that
the strains studied here have different pathogenic potential, and that the environmental strain K71 is non-pathogenic
in the mammary gland. Analysis of whole genome sequences and predicted proteomes revealed high similarity
among MPEC, whereas MPEC significantly differed from the non-mammary pathogenic strain K71, and from E. coli
genomes from other pathotypes. Functional features identified in MPEC genomes and lacking in the non-mammary
pathogenic strain were associated with synthesis of lipopolysaccharide and other membrane antigens, ferric-dicitrate
iron acquisition and sugars metabolism. Features associated with cytotoxicity or intra-cellular survival were found
specifically in the genomes of strains from severe and acute (VL2874) or persistent (VL2732) mastitis, respectively.
MPEC genomes were relatively similar to strain K-12, which was subsequently shown here to be possibly pathogenic
in the mammary gland. Phenome analysis showed that the persistent MPEC was the most versatile in terms of
nutrients metabolized and acute MPEC the least. Among phenotypes unique to MPEC compared to the non-
5
mammary pathogenic strain were uric acid and D-serine metabolism. This study reveals virulence factors and
phenotypic characteristics of MPEC that may play a role in pathogenesis of E. coli mastitis.
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0136387#sec020
J Clin Microbiol. 2015 Nov; 53(11):3515-21.
doi: 10.1128/JCM.01915-15. Epub 2015 Aug 26.
Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Transmission Dynamics of ExtendedSpectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae: a National Survey
of Cattle Farms in Israel in 2013.
Adler A1, Sturlesi N2, Fallach N3, Zilberman-Barzilai D3, Hussein O3, Blum SE4, Klement E2,
Schwaber MJ3, Carmeli Y3.
Author information
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1National
Center for Infection Control, Ministry of Health, Tel-Aviv, Israel amosa@tlvmc.gov.il.
School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel.
3National Center for Infection Control, Ministry of Health, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
4Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan, Israel.
2Koret
Abstract
Our objectives were to study the prevalence, risk factors for carriage, and transmission dynamics of extendedspectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBLPE) in a national survey of cattle. This was a point
prevalence study conducted from July to October 2013 in Israel. Stool samples were collected from 1,226 cows in 123
sections on 40 farms of all production types. ESBLPE were identified in 291 samples (23.7%): 287 contained
Escherichia coli and 4 contained Klebsiella pneumoniae. The number of ESBLPE-positive cows was the highest in
quarantine stations and on fattening farms and was the lowest on pasture farms (P = 0.03). The number of ESBLPEpositive cows was the lowest in sections containing adult cows (age, >25 months) and highest in sections containing
calves (age, <4 months) (P < 0.001). Infrastructure variables that were significant risk factors for ESBLPE carriage
included crowding, a lack of manure cleaning, and a lack of a cooling (P < 0.001 for each), all of which were more
common in sections containing calves. Antimicrobial prophylaxis was given almost exclusively to calves and was
associated with a high number of ESBLPE carriers (P < 0.001). The 287 E. coli isolates were typed into 106 repetitive
extragenic palindromic (REP)-PCR types and mostly harbored blaCTX-M-1 or blaCTX-M-9 group genes. The isolates on
the six farms with ≥15 isolates of ESBLPE were of 4 to 7 different REP-PCR types, with one dominant type being
harbored by about half of the isolates. Fourteen types were identified on more than one farm, with only six of the
farms being adjacent to each other. The prevalence of ESBLPE carriage is high in calves in cowsheds where the use of
antimicrobial prophylaxis is common. ESBLPE disseminate within cowsheds mainly by clonal spread, with limited
intercowshed transmission occurring.
Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
http://jcm.asm.org/content/early/2015/08/20/JCM.01915-15.full.pdf+html
6
7
Food Addit Contam. Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess. 2015 Oct 15: 1-10.
[Epub ahead of print]
Pyrrolizidine and tropane alkaloids in teas and the herbal teas
peppermint, rooibos and chamomile in the Israeli market.
Shimshoni JA1, Duebecke A2, P J Mulder P3, Cuneah O1, Barel S1.
Author information
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1a
Kimron Veterinary Institute , Department of Toxicology , Bet Dagan , Israel.
Quality Services International , Bremen , Germany.
3c RIKILT-Wageningen UR , Wageningen , The Netherlands.
2b
Abstract
Dehydro pyrrolizidine alkaloids (dehydro PAs) are carcinogenic phytotoxins prevalent in the Boraginaceae, Asteraceae
and Fabaceae families. Dehydro PAs enter the food and feed chain by co-harvesting of crops intended for human and
animal consumption as well as by carry-over into animal-based products such as milk, eggs and honey. Recently the
occurrence of dehydro PAs in teas and herbal teas has gained increasing attention from the EU, due to the high levels
of dehydro PAs found in commercially available teas and herbal teas in Germany and Switzerland. Furthermore,
several tropane alkaloids (TAs, e.g. scopolamine and hyoscyamine) intoxications due to the consumption of
contaminated herbal teas were reported in the literature. The aim of the present study was to determine the dehydro
PAs and TAs levels in 70 pre-packed teabags of herbal and non-herbal tea types sold in supermarkets in Israel.
Chamomile, peppermint and rooibos teas contained high dehydro PAs levels in almost all samples analysed. Lower
amounts were detected in black and green teas, while no dehydro PAs were found in fennel and melissa herbal teas.
Total dehydro PAs concentrations in chamomile, peppermint and rooibos teas ranged from 20 to 1729 μg/kg. Except
for black tea containing only mono-ester retrorsine-type dehydro PAs, all other teas and herbal teas showed mixed
patterns of dehydro PA ester types, indicating a contamination by various weed species during harvesting and/or
production. The TA levels per teabag were below the recommended acute reference dose; however, the positive
findings of TAs in all peppermint tea samples warrant a more extensive survey. The partially high levels of dehydro
PAs found in teas and herbal teas present an urgent warning letter to the regulatory authorities to perform routine
quality control analysis and implement maximum residual levels for dehydro PAs.
KEYWORDS:
LC-MS/MS; herbal tea; pyrrolizidine alkaloids; tea; tropane alkaloids
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19440049.2015.1087651
8
Prev Vet Med. 2015 Sep 1; 121(1-2):170-5.
doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.05.004. Epub 2015 May 22.
Cattle rabies vaccination--A longitudinal study of rabies antibody titres in
an Israeli dairy herd.
Yakobson B1, Taylor N2, Dveres N1, Rozenblut S1, Tov BE1, Markos M1, Gallon N1, Homer D3, Maki J4.
Author information
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1Rabies
Department, Kimron Veterinary Institute, 20250, Bet Dagan, Israel.
Epidemiology and Economics Research Unit (VEERU) & PAN Livestock Services Ltd., University of
Reading, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, Reading, RG6 6AR, UK.
3Merial SAS, 29, Avenue Tony Garnier - BP 7123, 69348 Lyon, Cedex 07, France.
4Merial Ltd., 115 Transtech Drive,Athens, GA 30601, USA.
2Veterinary
Abstract
In contrast to many regions of the world where rabies is endemic in terrestrial wildlife species, wildlife rabies has
been controlled in Israel by oral rabies vaccination programs, but canine rabies is re-emerging in the northern area of
the Golan Heights. From 2009 to 2014 there were 208 animal rabies cases in Israel; 96 (46%) were considered
introduced primary cases in dogs, triggering 112 secondary cases. One third (37/112) of the secondary cases were in
cattle. Rabies vaccination is voluntary for cattle in Israel, except those on public exhibit. Rabies vaccination schedules
for cattle vary based on farm practices and perception of risk. In this study 59 cattle from a dairy farm which routinely
vaccinates against rabies were assigned into six groups according to age and vaccination histories. Four groups
contained adult cows which had received one previous rabies vaccination, one group of adults had received two
previous vaccinations, and one group was unvaccinated calves. Serum samples were collected and the cows were
vaccinated with a commercial rabies vaccine. Sera were again collected 39 days later and the calf group re-vaccinated
and re-sampled 18 days later. Sera were analyzed for the presence of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies using the
rapid immunofluorescent antibody test. Cattle with antibody titres ≥ 0.5 IU/ml were considered to be protected
against rabies. Twenty-six of 27 adult cattle (96%) vaccinated once at less than five months old did not have
protective titres. Sixty percent (6/10) cattle vaccinated once at around six months of age did have adequate titres.
Cattle previously vaccinated twice (n=10; 100%) with an 18 month interval between inoculations, had protective titres
and protective antibody titres following booster vaccination (n=51; 100%). The anamnestic response of cattle to a
killed rabies vaccine was not affected by the time interval between vaccinations, which ranged from 12 to 36 months.
These results suggest that calves from vaccinated cows should not be vaccinated before six months old to avoid
maternal antibody interference. Whilst most cattle older than six months old will be protected after a single
inoculation, a second inoculation ensures a higher antibody levels for improved protection. Cattle receiving an
effective priming dose responded well to a booster up to 36 months later. Such results demonstrate the effectiveness
of rabies vaccination in cattle and the added value of a second dose to ensure a prolonged immune response against
rabies.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Cattle; Protective antibodies; Rabies; Ruminant; Serology; Vaccination
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587715001907
9
Small Ruminant Research , Volume 131, October 2015, Pages 130–135
Seasonal variation in the effects of Mediterranean plant extracts on the
exsheathment kinetics of goat gastrointestinal nematode larvae
H. Azaizeha, b, , , , R. Mrenya, A. Markovicsc, H. Mukladad, I. Glazerd, S.Y. Landaud
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a Institute of Applied Research, Galilee Society (Affiliated with University of Haifa), P.O. Box 437, Shefa-Amr
20200, Israel
b Tel Hai College, Upper Galilee 12208, Israel
c Department of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P. O. Box 12, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
d Department of Natural Resources, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, the
Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Received 4 January 2015, Revised 1 August 2015, Accepted 8 August 2015, Available online 12 August 2015
Highlights: Seasonal pattern for inhibition of larval exsheathment by the ethanolic extracts was observed.
P. lentiscus and I. viscosa with peaks of inhibition during fall and spring, but not in P. latifolia.
Peaks of exsheathment inhibition were associated with seasonal peaks of phenolics contents.
Not all the seasonal variation could be related to the content of phenolics in plants.
Seasonal variation in anthelmintic activity should be taken into account.
Abstract
The use of chemical drugs for the control of Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) causes rapid development of
resistance to anthelmintics in worm populations. The possible use of bioactive ingredients from plants has been
identified as a valuable solution to modulate the biology of parasitic nematodes and consequently to counteract the
negative effects in the hosts. However, the concentration of these bio-actives in anthelmintic plants can be seasonal
and we hypothesized that this may cause different anthelmintic bio-activity. Using a two-species but steady
population of parasitic nematodes (ca. 20% Teladorsagia circumcinta and 80% Trichostrongylus colubriformis), we
tested this hypothesis by using the larval exsheathment inhibition assay (LEIA). We examined effect on L3 larval
exsheathment kinetics and the polyphenol content of ethanol 70% extracts of Pistacia lentiscus, Phillyrea latifolia, and
Inula viscosa clipped on December (winter), May (spring), June (summer), and September (fall). Extract
concentrations in assays were 600, 900, 1200, and 2400 ppm. Extracts obtained from P. latifolia showed similar
inhibition of larval exsheathment throughout the year; in contrast, the inhibition by both extracts of P. lentiscus and I.
viscosa was affected by season, ranking fall > summer > spring = winter and spring > summer = fall > winter,
respectively. The total polyphenol content in foliage of the three plant species was highest in the fall for P. lentiscus
and in spring for I. viscosa, but did not vary significantly for P. latifolia. Differences in larval exsheathment inhibition
did not completely fit differences in phenolics contents. Seasonal variation in anthelmintic activity should be taken
into account where plants are integrated into anthelmintic strategies.
Keywords
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Gastrointestinal nematode;
Larval exsheathment inhibition assay (LEIA);
Polyphenols;
Seasonal variation;
P. lentiscus;
P. latifolia;
I. viscosa
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921448815300419
10
Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Vol.70, No.2, 2015
Acute Severe Visceral Cysticercosis in Lambs and Kids in Israel
Perl, S.,1* Edery, N.,1 Bouznach, A.,1 Abdalla, H.2 and Markovics, A.3
Department of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan, Israel.
Veterinary Clinic, Tamra 30811, Israel.
3 Department of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan, Israel.
1
2
* Corresponding Author: Prof. S. Perl, Department of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel.
E-mail address: perls@moag.gov.il
ABSTRACT
This report describes two cases of acute outbreaks of cysticercosis in lambs and kids caused by the
larval (metacestode) stage of the tapeworm . The acute form of cysticercosis is rare and only a few
cases have been described in the literature in the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey.
In the first case presented in this report 40% of lambs aged 2-3 months died over a period of 3-4
weeks during the month of March 2013. In the second case a few months later, 30% of lambs and
20% of kids succumbed. In both episodes adult sheep and goats were not affected. Pathological
investigation revealed larval cestodes migrating through the liver and lungs. Investigation of the
incidents led to the possibility that the main source of infestation was in the first case food borne in
the concentrated feed manufactured by a local dealer, and in the second case due to contaminated
hay harvested by the farmer and fed to the animals.
The article describes the outbreaks, macroscopic and microscopic pathology findings and
epidemiological investigations.
Keywords: ; ; Age Susceptibility; Lambs; Kids; Epidemiological Investigation.
http://www.ijvm.org.il/node/421
11
Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Vol.70, No.2, 2015
The Consequence of a Single Nucleotide Substitution on the
Molecular Diagnosis of the Chicken Anemia Virus
Davidson, I.,1* Raibshtein, I.,1 Al Tori, A.1 and Elrom, K.2
1
2
Division of Avian Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan P.O. Box 12, Israel 50250.
Private Poultry Veterinarian, Kiryat Tivon, Israel 79330.
* Corresponding Author: Dr. Irit Davidson, Division of Avian Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, P.O.Box
12, Israel 50250.
Email: davidsoni@int.gov.il
ABSTRACT
While genomic variations, including single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) are expected and
common for RNA viruses, their occurrence is anticipated at a fairy low frequency for Chicken Anemia
Virus (CAV), as it contains a conserved DNA genome. The present report demonstrate that in 4/80
CAV field isolates one nucleotide substitution, from G to A, located in the middle of the real-time
probe was responsible for falsenegative real-time PCR amplification results. This finding emphasizes
the need of awareness to harmful mismatches that occur even in conserved genomes, and the need
for periodical verification of amplification primers and probes according to the clinical picture in the
field.
Keywords: Chickens; Chicken Anemia Virus; Molecular Diagnosis; SNP
http://www.ijvm.org.il/node/421
12
Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Vol.70, No.2, 2015
A New Look at Avian Flaviviruses
Davidson, I.
Division of Avian Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, 50250, Bet Dagan, Israel.
ABSTRACT
The flaviviruses are important pathogens of wild birds, domestic poultry and humans, and several
members are zoonotic. The review presents an update of the classification of this family of avian
flaviviruses, describing their emergence, hosts and major disease features, dissemination patterns
and control, as well as their molecular classification and genetic relatedness. A new perspective,
based on the molecular identity of TMEV and BGAV throughout the entire genome, presents an
innovative look at avian flaviviruses offering a global perceptive on the presence of these avian
flaviruses and on the present view that TMEV exists only in Israel.
Therefore, we suggest renaming TMEV and BGAV by a unified name, Avian Meningoencephalitis
Virus – AMEV.
Keywords: Avian Flaviviruses; Turkey Meningoencephalitis virus (TMEV); Bagaza virus (BGAV)
http://www.ijvm.org.il/node/417
13
Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, VOL.70 | NO.3, 2015, 3-16
http://www.ijvm.org.il/Journals?tid_2=574&tid=9&tid_1=All
Principles of Jewish and Islamic Slaughter with Respect to OIE
(World Organization for Animal Health) Recommendations
Pozzi, P.S.,1* Geraisy, W.,2 Barakeh, S.3 and Azaran, M.4
1 Veterinary Services and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Israel.
2 Chief Inspector, “BakarTnuva” Slaughter Plant, Beit Shean, Israel.
3 Inspector, “Dabbach” Slaughter Plant, Dir El Assad, Israel.
4 Director, “Moreshet Avot”, Sho”b, Jerusalem, Israel.
* Corresponding Author: Dr. P.S. Pozzi, P.O.B. 12, Beit Dagan 50250, Israel. Tel: (+972) 506243951, Fax: (+972) 3-9681795. Email: pozzis@moag.gov.il.
ABSTRACT
Israel is member of OIE (Organization for Animal Health) which since May 2005 has adopted
animal welfare standards, including the slaughter of animals. Finalities of these standards are to
ensure the welfare of animals, destined to food production, during pre-slaughter and slaughter
processes, until their death. In Israel, slaughter is practiced without prior stunning as required
by shechita and halal slaughtering, due to the vast majority of the population requesting kosher
and halal meat. In both Jewish (Halacha) and Islamic (Sharia) Laws, particular attention is given
to avoid unnecessary pain to animals in general and, in particular, in the course of slaughtering.
Jewish shechita and Islamic dbach/halal slaughtering, when applied in the correct manner result
in comparable, or even better, than large scale slaughters with prior stunning with respect to
the avoidance of unnecessary pain. Shechita and halal, due to their intrinsic nature and due to
their routine controls on every step and for every individual animal, cannot be regarded
as negligent or intentionally painful, distressing or inducing sufferance to animals.
Improvements may be possible with regards to restraining equipment, anatomical position of
the cut, post-cut wound management and continuation of procedures on carcass.
Keywords: Shechita; Halal; OIE: Slaughter; Pain.
14
Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, VOL.70 | NO.3, 2015, 21-25
Establishing a Specific qPCR Assay for Detecting Middle Eastern O
Serotype Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV)
Engor, E.,1 Gelman, B.,1 Khinitch, E.,1 Rubinstain, M.,1 Shwartz, G.,2 Haegeman, A.3 and
Stram, Y.1
1 Virology Department, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
2 Agentek Ltd., POB 58008 , Tel Aviv 6158001, Israel.
3 CODA-CERVA Vesicular and Exotic Diseases Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Center
Brussels B-1180, Belgium.
* Corresponding Author: Dr. Yehuda Stram, Virology Department, Kimron Veterinary Institute,
P. O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
Email: yehudastram@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The Middle East is one of the main regions under threat of contracting Foot and Mouth Disease
(FMD).
Indeed, Israel and the Palestinian Territory suffered in the last years from several outbreaks. The
FMD viruses responsible for the Middle Eastern outbreaks were predominantly associated with
O serotype. Phylogenetic data has indicated that viruses are introduced to the area from
different regions, ranging from the Arabian peninsula to the Indian sub-continent. Accurate and
rapid identification of the infectious pathogen is essential in endemic areas such as the MiddleEast to enable a proper response to combat the disease. In recent years the use of qPCR has
become a common practice in the diagnosis of FMDV. A qRT-PCR assay has been developed
permitting the discrimination between past and recent Middle Eastern FMDV O type, and the
other 6 FMDV serotypes. Moreover, the developed assay, beside, the ability to detect existing
strains will probably be able to identify new infecting strains of virus.
Keywords: Foot and Mouth Disease; Middle East; O Serotype; qRT-PCR Assay; VP1 Sequence;
Biosecurity
15
Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, VOL.70 | NO.3, 2015, 32-40
Prevalence and Risk Factor Analysis of Equine Infestation with
Gastrointestinal Parasites in Israel
Tirosh Levy, S.,1 Kaminiski-Perez, Y.1 Horn Mandel, H.,1 Sutton, G.A.,1 Markovics, A.2 and
Steinman, A.1*
1 Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and
Environment,
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O.B. 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
2 Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
* Corresponding Author: Dr. Amir Steinman, DVM, PhD, MHA., Tel: 972-54-8820516, Fax: 972-39604079. Email: amirst@savion.huji.ac.il
ABSTRACT
The horse is a host for a large number of intestinal helminthic parasites. This study was designed
as a survey for the prevalence, species distribution and potential risk factors of equine intestinal
helminth parasites among horses in Israel. Fecal floatation and egg counts were performed on
485 fecal samples collected from 403 horses (mostly adults) at 30 farms across Israel. Strongyle
eggs were found in 116/485 (24%) of the samples from 18/30 (60%) farms, of which 44 (38% of
positive samples, 9% of the total population) were highly infested (over 500 eggs/gm feces).
Ascarids were found in 26/485 (5%) samples from 10/30 (33%) farms, 7 (27% of positive
samples, 1.4% of the total population) of which were highly infested. Singular flatworm eggs
(family Anoplocephala) were detected in two samples. Risk factors significantly (p<0.005)
associated with Strongyle infestation by the univariate statistical analysis were the farm,
geographical location, age of the horse and breed, and the time of last deworning treatment.
Season, horse gender, horse age, and housing were significantly associated with ascarid
infestation.Infestation with gastrointestinal helminths in Israel appears to be low, and resistance
against anthelminthics in adult horses is probably uncommon. These findings should lead to reinvestigation and re-evaluation of deworming regimes in Israel recommended for adult horses in
equine facilities in areas with low infestation rates.
Keywords: Equine; Helminth; Fecal Floatation; Small Strongyles; Ascarids; Parascaris equorum;
Risk Factors; Israel
16
Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, VOL.70 | NO.3, 2015, 64-67
Systemic Toxoplasma gondii Infection in a Cat with Incidental
Cholangioma
Bouznach, A.,1 Edery, N.,1 Kelmer, E.,2 Shicaht, N.,1 Waner, T.3 and Perl, S.1
1 Department of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan, Israel.
2 Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel.
3 Veterinary Clinic, 9 Meginay Hagalil Street, Rehovot, Israel.
* Corresponding Author: Prof. S. Perl, Department of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute,
50250 Bet Dagan, Israel. Email: perls@moag.gov.il
ABSTRACT
A ten year old castrated male domestic short haired cat was presented to the Veterinary
teaching hospital of the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine with a history of relapsing icterus,
anemia, and lethargy. A diagnosis of disseminated toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) was made
on histopathological examination and confirmed by immunohistochemical studies. The immune
status of this cat was unknown and therefore it could not be concluded that the disseminated
infection was due to immunodeficiency. The presence of a cholangioma in the liver of this cat
was regarded as an incidental finding.
Keywords: Feline; Toxoplasma gondii; Disseminated Toxoplasmosois; Cholangioma
17
Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, VOL.70 | NO.3, 2015, 47-51
Environmental Survey for Cryptococcus gattii in an Israeli Zoo Populated
with Animals Originating from Australia
Gilad, A.,1 Bakal-Weiss., M.,2 Blum S.E.,1 Polacheck, I.3 and Elad, D.1*
1 Dept. of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, The Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel.
2 The Israeli Veterinary Field Services, Ha’Amakim District Veterinary Office, Israel.
3 Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hadassah-Hebrew University
Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
# In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor in Veterinary Medicine at
the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
* Corresponding Author: Prof. Daniel Elad, Dept. of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycolog, The
Kimron Veterinary Institute, P. O. Box 12 Bet Dagan, 50250 Israel.
Phone +972-(0)3-9681688, Fax: +972-(0)3-9601578. Email: daniel.elad@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Cryptococcus gattii is an emerging human and animal fungal pathogen. The first isolation of C.
gattii from an environmental source was from organic material adjacent to eucalyptus trees
(Eucalyptus camaldulensis) in Australia but subsequently the yeast was isolated from decaying
wood of other tree species. It has been suggested that a unique infectious cycle, between koalas
(Phascolarctos cinereus) and the eucalyptus trees they live and feed on, facilitates the
persistence of the fungus in the environment. Since C. gattii has not been reported in Israel, a
zoo populated with animals originating from Australia, including koalas fed with eucalyptus
leaves, was deemed a suitable place to conduct the first environmental survey for the presence
of this microorganism in this country. The survey was conducted in two seasons (winter and
summer). Environmental samples were collected from different sites inside and around the
koala’s cage. Fur and nail samples and nasal swabs of the koalas were cultured on dopamine
agar and sera were tested for the presence of specific cryptococcal antigen. All environmental
samples and samples taken from the koalas were negative, with no evidence of Cryptococcus
spp. colonies. Serum samples were negative for cryptococcal antigen. Additional environmental
surveys in Israel, focusing on different ecological niches and especially on a larger variety of tree
species are suggested.
Keywords: Cryptococcus gattii; Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus); Eucalyptus; Israel; Zoo
18
RSC Advances
An international journal to further the chemical sciences
The intracellular source, composition and regulatory functions of
nanosized vesicles from bovine milk-serum
Nissim Silanikove, Fira Shapiro, Uzi Merin and Gabriel Leitner
RSC Adv., 2015, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C5RA07599H
Received 26 Apr 2015, Accepted 30 Jul 2015
First published online 30 Jul 2015
A hypothesis that the source of milk-serum derived vesicles (MSDV) is the Golgi apparatus (GA) was
examined. By using dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy it was shown that MSDV are
composed of globular structures with hydrodynamic size of 70±15 nm. More than 60% of the total protein
content of MSDV was associated with MSDV lumen and 30% with MSDV membrane. Casein was the major
protein found in MSDV lumen. Conclusive markers of the GA: lactose synthase components (αlactalbumin and galactosyl transferase) and activity (synthesize of lactose from glucose and UTPgalactose), the presence of casein in micellar form in the MSDV lumen and high luminal content of citric
acid were demonstrated in the lumen of MSDV. Though MSDV composed only 0.7% of the milk mass, it
account for high proportion of total milk content of reactive (15% Cu and 18% Fe) and toxic minerals (60%
Cd and 65% Pb), which strongly suggest that MSDV serve as an avenue to protect mammary epithelial
cells from their toxic effect by storing them intraluminaly and secreting them into milk. The presence of
micellar casein in the MSDV lumen along with the presence of metal transporters in their membrane was
responsible for this impressive storing capacity of reactive and toxic minerals. Exposing a single mammary
gland to lipopolysaccharide challenge induced changes in regulatory proteins stored in the lumen of
MSDV (tissue plasminogen activator, plasminogen and plasmin) and in the activity of xanthine oxidase and
alkaline phosphatase attached to the outer membrane of MSDV. Thus, we have demonstrated that MSDV
are under nucleus regulation and response to extracellular signals.
19
Journal of Food Engineering, Vol.168, January 2016, Pages 180-190
Available online 17 July 2015
Evaluating coagulation properties of milk from dairy sheeps with
subclinical intramamary infection using near infrared light
scatter. A preliminary study
A.R. Abdelgawada, b, , , M. Rovaic, G. Cajac, G. Leitnerc, d, M. Castilloa
i dels Aliments. Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona., Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
Received 10 January 2015, Revised 18 June 2015, Accepted 7 July 2015, Available online 17 July 2015
doi:10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2015.07.018
Abstract
Loss of milk quality caused by subclinical infection in dairy sheep has a negative effect on cheese
manufacture. As milk from each single animal is not systematically evaluated for somatic cell count, milk
from animals with undetected subclinical mastitis often reaches the refrigeration tanks, mixing with
normal milk and reducing its technological suitability for cheese manufacture. This study was undertaken
to investigate the effect of subclinical mastitis in the coagulation properties of ewe milk using a light
backscatter fiber optic sensor. Manchego-type cheese was manufactured using milk from Lacaune and
Manchega sheeps. Milk from infected and non-infected udders was coagulated and monitored at
laboratory scale using both a NIR fiber optic light backscatter sensor and a rheometer. Simultaneously,
clotting and cutting time were visually evaluated by an experienced cheesemaker. Optical parameters
tmax, t2max, and t2min were highly correlated (0.914 < r < 0.999, P < 0.001) to the visually and rheologically
derived clotting and cutting times and with somatic cell counts. It was observed that milk from animals
with no udder bacterial infection, irrespectively of the breed, had a quite similar clotting and cutting time.
On the other hand, milk from animals having subclinical infection caused by coagulase-negative
Staphylococcus had longer coagulation and cutting time. Prediction models using light backscatter
parameters alone or in combination with protein/solids concentration were successfully obtained for
visually determined clotting and cutting time, rheologically derived gelation and cutting times and for tan
at cutting with R2 values ranging from 0.799 to 0.999. Our results suggest that early detection of
subclinical mastitis and milk coagulation monitoring using light scatter can diminish the negative impact of
mixing milk of infected animals, when milk is used for cheese manufacture.
Keywords : Sheep; Subclinical mastitis; Clotting and cutting time; Cheese; Rheology;
Light backscatter; Optical sensor; Prediction
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0260877415003271
20
Vaccine, Volume 33, Issue 26, 12 June 2015, Pages 2978-2983
Whole genome analysis to detect potential vaccine-induced
changeson Shigella sonnei genome
Adi Behara,∗, Maria C Fookesb, Sophy Gorena, Nicholas R. Thomsonb, Dani Cohenaa
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of
Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, IsraelbPathogen Genomics, The Wellcome Trust Sanger
Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
Article history:Received 24 November 2014Received in revised form 31 March 2015Accepted 20 April
2015Available online 30 April 2015
Keywords: Shigella sonnei Glycoconjugates vaccines WGASNPs
A b s t r a c t:
Shigellosis or bacillary dysentery is endemic worldwide and is a significant cause of death in children
lessthan five years of age in developing countries. There are no licensed Shigella vaccines and
glycoconjugatesare among the leading candidate vaccines against shigellosis today.We used whole
genome sequence analysis (WGA) to find out whether immunization, with an investi-gational Shigella
sonnei glycoconjugate, could induce selective pressure leading to changes in the genomeof S. sonnei. An
outbreak of culture-proven S. sonnei shigellosis which occurred immediately after vacci-nation in one of
the cohorts of volunteers participating in a phase III trial of the vaccine in Israel createda unique condition
in which the epidemic agent “co-existed” with the developing immune responsesinduced by the vaccine
and natural infection among vaccinees who developed S. sonnei shigellosis. Bycomparing the whole
genomes of S. sonnei isolated from vaccinees and from volunteers in the controlgroup, we show at a very
high sensitivity that a potent S. sonnei glycoconjugate that conferred 74% pro-tective efficacy against the
homologous disease did not induce changes in the genome of S. sonnei and inparticular on the O-antigen
gene
cluster.© 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X15005502
21
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, Volume 128, June 2015, Pages 31–36
Effects of tannin-rich host plants on the infection and establishment of
the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora
Itamar Glazer a,⇑, Liora Salame a, Levana Dvash b, Hussein Muklada b, Hassan Azaizeh c,d,
Raghda Mreny c, Alex Markovics e, SergeYan Landau b
a Department of Entomology and Nematology, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center,
Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
b Department of Natural Resources, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan
50250, Israel
c The Institute of Applied Research (Affiliated with University of Haifa), The Galilee Society, Shefa-Amr
20200, Israel
d Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee 12208, Israel
e Kimron Veterinary Institutes, P.O.B. 12, Bet-Dagan 50250, Israel
Article history: Received 3 December 2014. Revised 5 February 2015.
Accepted 9 February 2015. Available online 29 April 2015
Keywords: Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Spodoptera littoralis. Exsheathment. Tannins. Recovery.
Parasitic establishment
Abstract
Parasitized animals can self-medicate. As ingested plant phenolics, mainly tannins, reduce strongyle
nematode infections in mammalian herbivores. We investigated the effect of plant extracts known to be
anthelmintic in vertebrate herbivores on the recovery of the parasitic entomopathogenic nematode
Heterorhabditis bacteriophora infecting African cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis). Nematode
infective
juveniles (IJs) were exposed to 0, 300, 900, 1200, 2400 ppm of Pistacia lentiscus L. (lentisk), Inula viscosa
L. (strong-smelling inula), Quercus calliprinos Decne. (common oak) and Ceratonia siliqua L. (carob)
extracts on growth medium (in vitro assay). In control treatments, 50–80% of IJs resumed development
to J4, young and developed adult hermaphrodites, whereas all extracts, except for C. siliqua at 300 ppm,
impaired IJ exsheathment and development. The highest concentration of I. viscosa extract (2400 ppm)
had the strongest effect, killing 95% of exposed nematodes. Surviving nematodes did not recover,
remaining at the IJ stage. Over the whole cycle, I. viscosa extract inhibited recovery to 25% or less, and did
not allow full development to adulthood, whereas 65% of IJs in the control treatment recovered and
resumed development, 12% reaching complete maturation within 72 h of incubation. When herbivorous
S. littoralis larvae were fed with different plant extracts in vivo, I. viscosa had the strongest effect at
concentrations above 300 ppm, with 90% of insect-invading IJs not developing to parasitic stages,
whereas in the control treatment, 85% of IJs resumed development. Exposure to C. siliqua extract also
inhibited exsheathment and development of 75% of the IJs. Half of those that resumed development
reached full maturation. P. lentiscus and Q. calliprinos extracts also inhibited development of 50% IJs. Our
results suggest that H. bacteriophora can be used to study herbal medication against parasites in animals.
2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022201115000312
22
Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 70 (2) June 2015
A New Look at Avian Flaviviruses
Davidson, I.
Division of Avian Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, 50250, Bet Dagan, Israel.
ABSTRACT
The flaviviruses are important pathogens of wild birds, domestic poultry and humans, and several
members are zoonotic. The review presents an update of the classification of this family of avian
flaviviruses, describing their emergence, hosts and major disease features, dissemination patterns
and control, as well as their molecular classification and genetic relatedness. A new perspective,
based on the molecular identity of TMEV and BGAV throughout the entire genome, presents an
innovative look at avian flaviviruses offering a global perceptive on the presence of these avian
flaviruses and on the present view that TMEV exists only in Israel.
Therefore, we suggest renaming TMEV and BGAV by a unified name, Avian Meningoencephalitis
Virus – AMEV.
Keywords: Avian Flaviviruses; Turkey Meningoencephalitis virus (TMEV); Bagaza virus (BGAV)
http://www.ijvm.org.il/sites/default/files/avian_flaviviruses.pdf
23
Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 70 (2) June 2015
The Consequence of a Single Nucleotide Substitution on the
Molecular Diagnosis of the Chicken Anemia Virus
Davidson, I.,1* Raibshtein, I.,1 Al Tori, A.1 and Elrom, K.2
1
2
Division of Avian Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan P.O. Box 12, Israel 50250.
Private Poultry Veterinarian, Kiryat Tivon, Israel 79330.
* Corresponding Author: Dr. Irit Davidson, Division of Avian Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, P.O.Box
12, Israel 50250.
Email: davidsoni@int.gov.il
ABSTRACT
While genomic variations, including single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) are expected and
common for RNA viruses, their occurrence is anticipated at a fairy low frequency for Chicken Anemia
Virus (CAV), as it contains a conserved DNA genome. The present report demonstrate that in 4/80
CAV field isolates one nucleotide substitution, from G to A, located in the middle of the real-time
probe was responsible for falsenegative real-time PCR amplification results. This finding emphasizes
the need of awareness to harmful mismatches that occur even in conserved genomes, and the need
for periodical verification of amplification primers and probes according to the clinical picture in the
field.
Keywords: Chickens; Chicken Anemia Virus; Molecular Diagnosis; SNP
http://www.ijvm.org.il/sites/default/files/single_nucleotide_substitution.pdf
24
Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 70 (2) June 2015
Acute Severe Visceral Cysticercosis in Lambs and Kids in Israel
Perl, S.,1* Edery, N.,1 Bouznach, A.,1 Abdalla, H.2 and Markovics, A.3
Department of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan, Israel.
Veterinary Clinic, Tamra 30811, Israel.
3 Department of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan, Israel.
1
2
* Corresponding Author: Prof. S. Perl, Department of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel.
E-mail address: perls@moag.gov.il
ABSTRACT
This report describes two cases of acute outbreaks of cysticercosis in lambs and kids caused by the
larval (metacestode) stage of the tapeworm . The acute form of cysticercosis is rare and only a few
cases have been described in the literature in the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey.
In the first case presented in this report 40% of lambs aged 2-3 months died over a period of 3-4
weeks during the month of March 2013. In the second case a few months later, 30% of lambs and
20% of kids succumbed. In both episodes adult sheep and goats were not affected. Pathological
investigation revealed larval cestodes migrating through the liver and lungs. Investigation of the
incidents led to the possibility that the main source of infestation was in the first case food borne in
the concentrated feed manufactured by a local dealer, and in the second case due to contaminated
hay harvested by the farmer and fed to the animals.
The article describes the outbreaks, macroscopic and microscopic pathology findings and
epidemiological investigations.
Keywords: ; ; Age Susceptibility; Lambs; Kids; Epidemiological Investigation.
http://www.ijvm.org.il/sites/default/files/visceral_cysticercosis.pdf
25
Veterinary Parasitology Vol. 208, Issues 3–4, 15 March 2015, Pages 159–168
doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.12.033
Differentiation between Israeli B. bovis vaccine strain and field
isolates
T. Molad, , L. Fleiderovitz, B. Leibovitz, R. Wolkomirsky, A. Behar, A. Markovics
Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Received 7 November 2014, Revised 22 December 2014, Accepted 25 December 2014, Available online 7 January
2015
Highlights
The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay based on
rhoptry-associated protein-1 (rap-1) enabled differentiation between the Israeli vaccine strain and field
isolates.
Alignment of Israeli RAP-1-deduced amino acids of Israeli B. bovis strains and isolates showed that the
total sequence identity among the amino acids of RAP-1 sequences ranged from 97.5% to 100%.
A comparison between amino acids of RAP-1 of the Israeli vaccine strain and of field isolates and B. bovis
strains from Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, and USA revealed 90% identity.
Abstract
The present study demonstrated for the first time the ability to distinguish between the Israeli Babesia
bovis vaccine strain and field isolates. The existence of an additional EcoRI restriction site in the rhoptryassociated protein-1 (rap-1) gene, which is unique to the Israeli vaccine strain, and the abolition of one of
the HaeIII restriction sites in the rap-1 gene of the vaccine strain enabled distinction between the Israeli B.
bovis vaccine strain and field isolates, and this was the basis for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) development. ClustalW sequence alignment of RAP-1deduced amino acids of the Israeli B. bovis strains and of field isolates showed that the total sequence
identity among the RAP-1 amino acid sequences ranged from 97.5% to 100%. However, comparison
between amino acids of RAP-1 of the Israeli vaccine strain and of field isolates, on the one hand, and B.
bovis strains from Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, and USA, on the other hand, revealed 90% identity. The PCRRFLP assay offered the great advantage of being able to distinguish between vaccine and field isolates in
mixtures and provide new insight into the molecular epidemiology of B. bovis infections in Israel.
Keywords
Babesia bovis;
Cattle;
Israel;
RAP-1
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304401714006694
26
Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 70(1), March 2015, p.7-11
Translocation of Rabies Virus in Israel by Cattle:
A Threat for the Public Health
David, D.,* Dveres, N., Yakobson, B.A. and Davidson, I.
Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan 50250, POB 12, Israel.
* Corresponding Author: Dr. D. David, Tel :+972-506241984, Fax: +972-3-9681721. Email: davidd@int.gov.il
ABSTRACT
Rabies is endemic in Israel, the only country in the Middle East that implements a nation-wide antirabies campaign. However, between 2002 and 2013 about 32 rabies virus isolates belonging to
genetic variant V1 were recovered within Israel. The present study describes for the first time the
translocation of the rabies virus strain, fox V1, by infected cattle born on “Tzfon HaGolan dairy farm”
located in Kibbutz Ortal on the Golan Heights to two farms situated in the western Yezre’el Valley,
emphasizing that cattle may serve also a source of human rabies infection.
Keywords: Rabies; Cattle; Translocation; Diagnosis; Post exposure vaccination.
http://www.ijvm.org.il/sites/default/files/rabies_translocation.pdf
27
Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 70(1), March 2015, p.49-52
Acute Pancreatitis in a Horse – a Case Report
Edery, N.,1 Rosenbaum, A.,2 Busnach, A.,1 Steinman, A.,2 Tirosh Levy, S.2 and Perl, S.1*
Department of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan, Israel.
Koret School of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Teaching Hospital, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of
Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
1
2
* Corresponding Author: Prof. S. Perl, Department of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel.
Email: perls@moag.gov.il
ABSTRACT
This report presents a case of acute pancreatitis in a 30 year old local breed horse. The horse was
diagnosed clinically with severe acute abdominal pain, distended small intestine, a left dorsal large
colon displacement and large colon impaction. On post mortem examination pathological changes in
the pancreas were observed without intestinal impaction. Histopathologically, the pancreatic lesions
were diagnosed as acute pancreatitis with peripancreatic fat necrosis. In addition to these findings,
multifocal necrotizing hepatitis was identified as well as a mild interstitial nephritis and tubular
nephrosis. This case demonstrates the difficulty in making a clinical diagnosis of pancreatitis in a
horse and the importance of a thorough macroscopic and histological evaluation of the pancreas in
horses with a history of abdominal pain.
Keywords: Horse; Colic; Abdomen; Impaction; Pancreas; Pancreatitis; Hepatitis.
http://www.ijvm.org.il/sites/default/files/acute_pancreatitis_in_a_horse.pdf
28
Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 70(1), March 2015, p.53-56
Concurrent Neosporosis and Hepatozoonosis in a Litter of Pups
Mazuz, L.M.,1, 2 Wolkomirsky, R.,1 Sherman A.,3 Savitzsky, I.,1 Waner, T.,4 Golenser,
J.2 and Shkap, V.1
Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel.
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and
Tropical Diseases, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
3 HaMercaz HaVeterinary BaNegev, Rehov HaShomron 62, Beer Sheva, Israel.
4 Veterinary Clinic, 9 Meginay Hagalil Street, 76200 Rehovot, Israel.
1
2
* Corresponding Author: Dr. Monica Mazuz, Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, 50250 Bet Dagan,
Israel. Email: monica@int.gov.il
ABSTRACT
This case report describes a concomitant infection in a litter of puppies with two apicomplexan protozoa
Neospora caninum and Hepatazoon canis. The different potential routes of infection are discussed along
with a description of the course of the disease. A private practitioner in the South of Israel (Beer Sheva)
submitted blood samples for serological testing for toxoplasmosis and neosporosis from a pup of 6 weeks
of age (from a liter of 6 pups) showing neurological symptoms. The results were seropostive for N.
caninum and seronegative for toxoplasmosis. After 3 weeks another pup also started to develop
neurological signs. Samples including blood smears, serum samples for serology for Neospora and
Toxoplasma and fecal samples from all the pups. Out of the 6 pups tested four were found seropositive
for Neospora while all pups were seronegative forToxoplasma. Of the six pups, four were found to be
infected with Heptaozoon canis, three of which were coinfected with N. caninum. One pup was infected
with only H. canis and another pup with only N. caninum and
a third pup was found to be negative for both H. canis and N. caninum. Treatment consisted of
trimethoprim sulfadiazine and clindamycin which were administered for six weeks. The pups recovered
completely, with the exception of paresis of the left hind limb in the first diagnosed puppy. An important
conclusion from this case report is the need to test all pups in a litter for N. caninum where even only one
pup shows clinical signs. Furthermore treatment at an early age and for a prolonged period of time
appeared to be successful in preventing the progression of the clinical signs. To the best knowledge of the
authors this is the first natural concomitant infection case of N. caninum and H. canis in a litter of puppies.
Keywords: Neospora caninum; Hepatazoon canis; Concurrent Infection; Dog; Pups.
http://www.ijvm.org.il/sites/default/files/concurrent_neosporosis_and_hepatozoonosis_in_a_litter_of_p
ups.pdf
29
Exp Appl Acarol. 2015 Aug;66(4):605-12.
doi: 10.1007/s10493-015-9926-z. Epub 2015 May 23.
First detection of Sarcoptes scabiei from domesticated pig (Sus
scrofa) and genetic characterization of S. scabiei from pet, farm
and wild hosts in Israel.
Erster O1, Roth A, Pozzi PS, Bouznach A, Shkap V.
Author information

Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, 50250, Bet Dagan, Israel,
oran.erster@gmail.com.
1
Abstract
In this report we describe for the first time the detection of Sarcoptes scabiei type suis mites on domestic
pigs in Israel and examine its genetic variation compared with S. sabiei from other hosts. Microscopic
examination of skin samples from S. scabiei-infested pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) revealed all
developmental stages of S. scabiei. To detect genetic differences between S. scabiei from different hosts,
samples obtained from pig, rabbits (Orictolagus cuniculus), fox (Vulpes vulpes), jackal (Canis aureus) and
hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) were compared with GenBank-annotated sequences of three genetic
markers. Segments from the following genes were examined: cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (COX1),
glutathione-S-transferase 1 (GST1), and voltage-sensitive sodium channel (VSSC). COX1 analysis did not
show correlation between host preference and genetic identity. However, GST1 and VSSC had a higher
percentage of identical sites within S. scabiei type suis sequences, compared with samples from other
hosts. Taking into account the limited numbers of GST1 and VSSC sequences available for comparison, this
high similarity between sequences of geographically-distant, but host-related populations, may suggest
that different host preference is at least partially correlated with genetic differences. This finding may
help in future studies of the factors that drive host preferences in this parasite.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10493-015-9926-z
30
Small Ruminant Research, 2015 Vol.26 59-67
Effect of subclinical intrammamay infection on milk qualityin
dairy sheep: I. Fresh-soft cheese produced from milk of
uninfected and infected glands and from their blends
Rovai Maristelaa,1, Rusek Nataliaa, Caja Gerardoa, Saldo Jordib, Leitner Gabrielc,∗a Grup de
Recerca en Remugants (G2R),
Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra,
Barcelona, SpainbCERPTA-Planta de Tecnologia dels Aliments,
Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona,
Spain c National Mastitis Reference Center,
Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Corresponding author: Tel.: +972 3 9681745; fax: +972 3 9681692.E-mail address: leitnerg@moag.gov.il
(L. Gabriel).1Current address: Department of Dairy Science, College of Agriculture and Biological Science,
South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA. 0921-4488/© 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Article history: Received 28 January 2015 Received in revised form 25 February 2015 Accepted 25
February 2015 Available online xxx
Keywords: Subclinical mastitis Sheep Prevalence Milk composition Clotting parameters
Abstract
Subclinical intramammary infection (IMI) is associated with a decrease in milk yield and changes in milk
composition. The effects of IMI on fresh-soft cheese yield and quality were evaluated by: (i) the effect on
the composition and coagulation properties; (ii) the effect of three levels of coagulating enzyme and three
temperatures in the presence and absence ofadded CaCl2on milk coagulation properties (milk from
uninfected and infected halves anda blend of 50:50); (iii) the effect the milk source: uninfected, infected
halves and a blend of50:50 and 75:25 (uninfected: infected) on the production of small cheese blocks.
Somatic cell count was significantly higher in infected glands of both Manchega and Lacaune dairy sheep
breeds. In milk from infected glands, 25–30% of the milk did not coagulate. Ren-net clotting time (RCT) of
milk from infected glands was doubled and curd firmness (CF)was much lower in comparison to samples
taken from the contra-lateral uninfected glands. Addition of Ca and temperature levels did not influence
RCT in any of the milk combinations, while CF was significantly higher in milk from uninfected glands and
50:50 blends and also was higher as temperature increased. Enzyme concentration significantly
influenced RCT and CF in milk from both uninfected and in the 50:50 blends but not in the milk from
infected glands. IMI affected significantly milk syneresis, which was slower in the infected and in the50:50
blends. The changes in syneresis were reflected in higher moisture in the curd of milk sampled from
infected glands. The contents of fat, protein and dry matter in the cheese were significantly lower in the
50:50 blends compared to uninfected milk, whereas the contents of these organic components in the
75:25 blends were in-between. The distance required to penetrate the cheese before crushing was
significantly deeper in cheese made from a 50:50blend than that of cheese made from uninfected milk
and 75:25 blend, which indicated that IMI modified cheese structure into softer and more elastic texture.
The study also indicated that during storage of the milk before processing, milk quality (lower pH,
increased RCT and decreased CF) from 50:50 blends deteriorated faster in comparison to uninfected
milk.© 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V.∗
www.elsevier.com/locate/smallrumres
31
Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2015 Jun; 29(6):734-43.
doi: 10.1177/0269881115576687. Epub 2015 Mar 24
3-Methyl-methcathinone: Pharmacokinetic profile evaluation in
pigs in relation to pharmacodynamics
Jakob A Shimshoni1, Malka Britzi2, Eyal Sobol2, Udi Willenz3, David Nutt4
1 Department of Toxicology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
2 National Residue Control Laboratory, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
3The Institute of Animal Research, Kibbutz Lahav, Israel
4Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Imperial College London, London, UK
5 Department of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
Corresponding author:
Jakob A Shimshoni, Department of Toxicology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel.
Email: jakobshimshoni@gmail.com
Abstract
3-Methyl-methcathinone (3-MMC) is a novel, synthetic cathinone analog, recently linked to poisoning
events among recreational users. The lack of pharmacological data on 3-MMC, prompted us to explore its
pharmacokinetic profile as well as its effect on feeding behavior, weight gain, and serum biochemistry. 3MMC was administered to male pigs (n=3, three months old) as a single intravenous dose (0.3 mg/kg),
followed by a multiple oral dose administration (3 mg/kg) for five days and plasma and tissue
concentrations determined. Concomitantly a control group consisting of two healthy male pigs received
saline solution instead of 3-MMC according to the same administration schedule. 3-MMC effects on
complete blood count, biochemistry, feed intake, and body weight were examined. The pigs were
sacrificed and submitted to a pathological and histopathological examination. 3-MMC displayed rapid
absorption with a peak concentration achieved within 5–10 min after oral ingestion and a plasma half-life
of 0.8 h. The bioavailability was about 7%. 3-MMC tissue levels were below detectable levels 24 h after
the last oral dosage. No treatment-related clinical signs were observed and no histopathological findings
were detected. 3-MMC caused significant change in daily feed intake and weight gain over time. The
animals treated with 3-MMC displayed a lower rate of increase in mean body weight. Caution needs to be
practiced in terms of extrapolating the present data to human safety, due to the low sample size, low
dosage, and the relatively short study duration as well as the lack of data on abuse potential of 3-MMC.
Keywords:
3-Methyl-methcathinone, mephedrone, pharmacokinetics, thermoregulation, feed intake, weight gain,
pig
http://jop.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/03/14/0269881115576687.long
32
576687JOP0010.1177/0269881115576687Journal of
Journal of Food Protection, 2015 Feb; 78(2):287-92.
doi: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-14-066.
Survival of Salmonella enterica Serovar Infantis on and within
Stored Table Eggs.
Lublin A1, Maler I2, Mechani S3, Pinto R4, Sela-Saldinger S4.
1Division of Avian and Fish Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
avishailublin@yahoo.com.
2The Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
3Division of Avian and Fish Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
4Department of Food Quality and Safety, Institute of Postharvest Technology and Food Science, Volcani
Center, Agricultural Research Organization, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
Abstract
Contaminated table eggs are considered a primary source of foodborne salmonellosis globally. Recently, a
single clone of Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis emerged in Israel and became the predominant
serovar isolated in poultry. This clone is currently the most prevalent strain in poultry and is the leading
cause of salmonellosis in humans. Because little is known regarding the potential transmission of this
strain from contaminated eggs to humans, the objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of
Salmonella Infantis to survive on the eggshell or within the egg during cold storage or at room
temperature. Salmonella cells (5.7 log CFU per egg) were inoculated on the surface of 120 intact eggs or
injected into the egg yolk (3.7 log CFU per egg) of another 120 eggs. Half of the eggs were stored at 5.5 ±
0.3°C and half at room temperature (25.5 ± 0.1°C) for up to 10 weeks. At both temperatures, the number
of Salmonella cells on the shell declined by 2 log up to 4 weeks and remained constant thereafter. Yolkinoculated Salmonella counts at cold storage declined by 1 log up to 4 weeks and remained constant,
while room-temperature storage supported the growth of the pathogen to a level of 8 log CFU/ml of total
egg content, as early as 4 weeks postinoculation. Examination of egg content following surface inoculation
revealed the presence of Salmonella in a portion of the eggs at both temperatures up to 10 weeks,
suggesting that this strain can also penetrate through the shell and survive within the egg. These findings
imply that Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis is capable of survival both on the exterior and interior of
table eggs and even multiply inside the egg at room temperature. Our findings support the need for
prompt refrigeration to prevent Salmonella multiplication during storage of eggs at room temperature.
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iafp/jfp/2015/00000078/00000002/art00007?token=00521b35
532885db75a275c277b42573a6747486b256f70502b6c592f653b2a2d3a7c4e724770ad270
33
Vet Microbiology, 2015 Mar 23; 176(1-2):143-54.
pii: S0378-1135(15)00024-3. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.01.007.
Host-specificity of Staphylococcus aureus causing intramammary
infections in dairy animals assessed by genotyping and virulence
genes.
Bar-Gal GK1, Blum SE2, Hadas L1, Ehricht R3, Monecke S4, Leitner G5.
1Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and
Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
2National Mastitis Reference Center, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
3Alere Technologies GmbH, Löbstedter Strasse 103 - 105, 07749 Jena, Germany.
4Alere Technologies GmbH, Löbstedter Strasse 103 - 105, 07749 Jena, Germany; Institute for Medical
Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Faculty "Carl Gustav Carus", Technische Universität Dresden,
Fiedlerstrasse 42, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
5National Mastitis Reference Center, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
Electronic address: leitnerg@moag.gov.il.
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most relevant pathogens causing clinical and subclinical, chronic
mastitis in dairy animals. Routinely, mastitis pathogens are isolated and classified to genus or species
level, and regarded as single entities. However, S. aureus includes a broad range of genotypes with
distinct pathogenic and epidemiologic characteristics. The objective of the present study was to assess the
host-specificity of S. aureus causing mastitis in dairy animals, based on phylogenetic and genotypic
characterization as well as the presence of virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes in the pathogen
genome. S. aureus isolates from mastitis in cows, sheep and goats in Israel, and from cows in Germany,
the USA and Italy, were compared by the following methods: a. Bayesian phylogenetic comparison of
sequences of genes nuc, coa, lukF and clfA, b. genotyping by spa and agr typing, and assignment to MLST
Clonal Complexes (MLST CC), and c. the presence of a broad array of virulence and antimicrobial
resistance genes. Overall, phylogenetic, virulence and genotyping approaches agreed with each other.
Cow isolates could be differentiated from sheep and goat isolates with all three methods, with different
resolution. In two phylogenetic clusters, segregation was found also between cow isolates from Israel and
abroad. Sheep and goats' isolates showed less variability than isolates from cows in all methods used. In
conclusion, different S. aureus lineages are associated to cows in contrast to goats and sheep, suggesting
co-evolution between pathogen and host species. Modern diagnostics approaches should aim to explore
molecular data for a better understanding and cost-effective management of mastitis.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. KEYWORDS: Dairy animals; Genotyping; Mastitis;
Staphylococcus aureus; Virulence
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378113515000243
34
Antimicrobial Agents Chemotherapy, 2015 Feb; 59(2):796-802.
doi: 10.1128/AAC.03876-14. Epub 2014 Nov 17.
16S rRNA Gene Mutations Associated with Decreased
Susceptibility to Tetracycline in Mycoplasma bovis.
Amram E1, Mikula I2, Schnee C3, Ayling RD4, Nicholas RA4, Rosales RS4, Harrus S5,
Lysnyansky I6.
1Division of Avian and Aquatic Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel Koret School of
Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
2Division of Avian and Aquatic Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel.
3Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Jena, Germany.
4Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, United Kingdom.
5Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
6Division of Avian and Aquatic Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
innal@moag.gov.il.
Abstract
Mycoplasma bovis isolates with decreased susceptibilities to tetracyclines are increasingly reported
worldwide. The acquired molecular mechanisms associated with this phenomenon were investigated in
70 clinical isolates of M. bovis. Sequence analysis of the two 16S rRNA-encoding genes (rrs3 and rrs4
alleles) containing the primary binding pocket for tetracycline (Tet-1 site) was performed on isolates with
tetracycline hydrochloride MICs of 0.125 to 16 μg/ml. Mutations at positions A965T, A967T/C (Escherichia
coli numbering) of helix 31, U1199C of helix 34, and G1058A/C were identified. Decreased susceptibilities
to tetracycline (MICs, ≥2 μg/ml) were associated with mutations present at two (A965 and A967) or three
positions (A965, A967, and G1058) of the two rrs alleles. No tet(M), tet(O), or tet(L) determinants were
found in the genome of any of the 70 M. bovis isolates. The data presented correlate (P < 0.0001) the
mutations identified in the Tet-1 site of clinical isolates of M. bovis with decreased susceptibility to
tetracycline.
Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
http://aac.asm.org/content/59/2/796.long
35
Avian Pathology, 2015 Feb; 44(1):1-4.
doi: 10.1080/03079457.2014.977223.
Differential diagnosis of fowlpox and infectious laryngotracheitis
viruses in chicken diphtheritic manifestations by mono and
duplex real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Davidson I1, Raibstein I, Altory A.
a Division of Avian Diseases , Kimron Veterinary Institute , Bet Dagan , Israel.
1
Abstract
Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) and fowlpox virus (FPV) cause diphtheritic lesions in chicken
tracheas and can simultaneously infect the same bird. A differential molecular diagnostic test, the duplex
real-time polymerase chain reaction, is now reported using ILTV and FPV vaccine viruses and clinical
samples from chickens, either uninfected or naturally infected with ILTV or FPV, or with both viruses. The
dual virus amplification by real-time polymerase chain reaction was demonstrated to behave similarly to
monoplex amplification, in spite of the fact that the real-time exponential amplification plots of the
vaccine viruses were more illustrative than those of the clinical samples.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03079457.2014.977223
36
Frontiers and Genetics, 2014 Oct 13; 5:308.
doi: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00308. eCollection 2014.
Genome-wide mapping of DNase I hypersensitive sites and
association analysis with gene expression in MSB1 cells.
He Y1, Carrillo JA1, Luo J1, Ding Y1, Tian F1, Davidson I2, Song J1.
Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland College Park, MD, USA.
2Division of Avian Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute Bet Dagan, Israel.
1
Abstract
DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHSs) mark diverse classes of cis-regulatory regions, such as promoters and
enhancers. MSB-1 derived from chicken Marek's disease (MD) lymphomas is an MDV-transformed CD4+
T-cell line for MD study. Previously, DNase I HS sites were studied mainly in human cell types for
mammalian. To capture the regulatory elements specific to MSB1 cells and explore the molecular
mechanisms of T-cell transformation caused by MDV in MD, we generated high-quality of DHSs map and
gene expression profile for functional analysis in MSB1 cell line. The total of 21,724 significant peaks of
DHSs was identified from around 40 million short reads. DHSs distribution varied between chromosomes
and they preferred to enrich in the gene-rich chromosomes. More interesting, DHSs enrichments
appeared to be scarce on regions abundant in CpG islands. Besides, we integrated DHSs into the gene
expression data and found that DHSs tended to enrich on high expressed genes throughout whole gene
regions while DHSs did not show significant changes for low and silent expressed genes. Furthermore, the
correlation of DHSs with lincRNAs expression was also calculated and it implied that enhancer-associated
lincRNAs probably originated from enhancer-like regions of DHSs. Together, our results indicated that
DNase I HS sites highly correlate with active genes expression in MSB1 cells, suggesting DHSs can be
considered as markers to identify the cis-regulatory elements associated with chicken Marek's disease.
KEYWORDS:
CpG islands; DHS; DNase I; MSB1; Marek's disease (MD); gene expressions; intergenic DHSs; long noncoding RNAs
http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fgene.2014.00308/full
37
PLoS One. 2014 Dec 26; 9(12):e115815.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115815. eCollection 2014.
European surveillance network for influenza in pigs: surveillance
programs, diagnostic tools and Swine influenza virus subtypes
identified in 14 European countries from 2010 to 2013.
Simon G1, Larsen LE2, Dürrwald R3, Foni E4, Harder T5, Van Reeth K6, Markowska-Daniel I7, Reid
SM8, Dan A9, Maldonado J10, Huovilainen A11, Billinis C12, Davidson I13, Agüero M14, Vila T15,
Hervé S1, Breum SØ2, Chiapponi C4, Urbaniak K7, Kyriakis CS12; ESNIP3 consortium, Brown IH8,
Loeffen W16.
1 Anses,
Ploufragan-Plouzané Laboratory, Swine Virology Immunology Unit, Ploufragan, France.
University of Denmark, National Veterinary Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark.
3 IDT Biologika GmbH, Dessau-Rosslau, Germany.
4 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Parma, Italy.
5 Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald-Insel Reims, Germany.
6 Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Virology, Merelbeke, Belgium.
7 National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland.
8 Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Weybridge, Surrey, United Kingdom.
9 National Food Chain Safety Office, Vet. Diagnostic Directorate, Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Budapest, Hungary.
10 Hipra, Gerona, Spain.
11 Finnish Food Safety Authority, Veterinary Virology, Helsinki, Finland.
12 University of Thessaly, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitol., Karditsa, Greece.
2 Technical
13 Kimron
Veterinary Institute, Rishon L'Tzion, Israel.
14 Laboratorio
Central Veterinario-Sanidad Animal, Algete, Spain.
Lyon, France.
16 Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen UR, Lelystad, The Netherlands.
15 Merial,
Abstract
Swine influenza causes concern for global veterinary and public health officials. In continuing two
previous networks that initiated the surveillance of swine influenza viruses (SIVs) circulating in European
pigs between 2001 and 2008, a third European Surveillance Network for Influenza in Pigs (ESNIP3, 20102013) aimed to expand widely the knowledge of the epidemiology of European SIVs. ESNIP3 stimulated
programs of harmonized SIV surveillance in European countries and supported the coordination of
appropriate diagnostic tools and subtyping methods. Thus, an extensive virological monitoring, mainly
conducted through passive surveillance programs, resulted in the examination of more than 9 000 herds
in 17 countries. Influenza A viruses were detected in 31% of herds examined from which 1887 viruses
were preliminary characterized. The dominating subtypes were the three European enzootic SIVs: avianlike swine H1N1 (53.6%), human-like reassortant swine H1N2 (13%) and human-like reassortant swine
H3N2 (9.1%), as well as pandemic A/H1N1 2009 (H1N1pdm) virus (10.3%). Viruses from these four
lineages co-circulated in several countries but with very different relative levels of incidence. For instance,
the H3N2 subtype was not detected at all in some geographic areas whereas it was still prevalent in other
parts of Europe. Interestingly, H3N2-free areas were those that exhibited highest frequencies of
circulating H1N2 viruses. H1N1pdm viruses were isolated at an increasing incidence in some countries
from 2010 to 2013, indicating that this subtype has become established in the European pig population.
Finally, 13.9% of the viruses represented reassortants between these four lineages, especially between
previous enzootic SIVs and H1N1pdm. These novel viruses were detected at the same time in several
countries, with increasing prevalence. Some of them might become established in pig herds, causing
implications for zoonotic infections.
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0115815
38
J. Agric. Food Chem. 2015 Feb 11; 63(5):1664-72
DOI: 10.1021/jf5052199
Publication Date (Web): January 15, 2015
Heliotropium Europaeum Poisoning in Cattle and of its
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid profile
Jakob A Shimshoni , Patrick Mulder , Arieli Bouznach , Nir Edery , Israel Pasval , Shimon
Barel , Mohammed Abd-El Khaliq , and Samuel Perl
Copyright © 2015 American Chemical Society
Abstract:
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are carcinogenic and genotoxic phytochemicals found exclusively in
angiosperms. The ingestion of PA-containing plants often results in acute and chronic toxicities in man
and livestock, targeting mainly the liver. During February 2014, a herd of 15-18 months old mixed breed
beef cattle (n=73) from the Galilee region in Israel, was accidently fed hay contaminated with 12%
Heliotropium europaeum (average total PA intake was 33 mg PA/kg BW/d). After 42 d of feed ingestion
sudden death occurred over a time period of 63 d with a mortality rate of 33%. Necropsy and
histopathological examination revealed fibrotic livers, moderate ascites, as well as various degrees of bile
duct epithelial cells hyperplasia and fibrosis. Elevated ɤ-glutamyl-transferase and alkaline phosphatase
levels were indicative of severe liver damage. Comprehensive PA-profile determination of the
contaminated hay and of native H. europaeum by LC-MS/MS, revealed the presence of 30 PAs and PA-Noxides, including several newly reported PAs and PA-N-oxides of the rinderine and heliosupine class.
Heliotrine and lasiocarpine-type PAs constituted 80% and 18% of the total PAs, respectively with the Noxides being the most abundant form (92%). The PA-profile of the contaminated hay showed very strong
resemblance to that of H. europaeum.
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf5052199?journalCode=jafcau
39
Infect Genet Evol. 2015 Jan; 29:216-29.
doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2014.10.032. Epub 2014 Nov 20.
Identification of new sub-genotypes of virulent Newcastle
disease virus with potential panzootic features.
Miller PJ1, Haddas R2, Simanov L2, Lublin A2, Rehmani SF3, Wajid A3, Bibi T3, Khan TA4, Yaqub T3,
Setiyaningsih S5, Afonso CL6.
1 Southeast
Poultry Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service-United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Athens, GA
30605, USA.
2 Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
3 Quality Operations Laboratory, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Out Fall Road, Lahore, Pakistan.
4 Poultry Research Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
5 Department of Infectious Diseases & Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Bogor Agricultural University, Jl.
Agatis, IPB Dramaga, Bogor 16680, Indonesia.
6 Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service-United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Athens, GA
30605, USA.
Electronic address: Claudio.Afonso@ars.usda.gov.
Abstract
Virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates from new sub-genotypes within genotype VII are rapidly spreading
through Asia and the Middle East causing outbreaks of Newcastle disease (ND) characterized by significant illness and
mortality in poultry, suggesting the existence of a fifth panzootic. These viruses, which belong to the new subgenotypes VIIh and VIIi, have epizootic characteristics and do not appear to have originated directly from other
genotype VII NDV isolates that are currently circulating elsewhere, but are related to the present and past Indonesian
NDV viruses isolated from wild birds since the 80s. Viruses from sub-genotype VIIh were isolated in Indonesia (20092010), Malaysia (2011), China (2011), and Cambodia (2011-2012) and are closely related to the Indonesian NDV
isolated in 2007, APMV1/Chicken/ Karangasem, Indonesia (Bali-01)/2007. Since 2011 and during 2012 highly related
NDV isolates from sub-genotype VIIi have been isolated from poultry production facilities and occasionally from pet
birds, throughout Indonesia, Pakistan and Israel. In Pakistan, the viruses of sub-genotype VIIi have replaced NDV
isolates of genotype XIII, which were commonly isolated in 2009-2011, and they have become the predominant subgenotype causing ND outbreaks since 2012. In a similar fashion, the numbers of viruses of sub-genotype VIIi isolated
in Israel increased in 2012, and isolates from this sub-genotype are now found more frequently than viruses from the
previously predominant sub-genotypes VIId and VIIb, from 2009 to 2012. All NDV isolates of sub-genotype VIIi are
approximately 99% identical to each other and are more closely related to Indonesian viruses isolated from 1983
through 1990 than to those of genotype VII, still circulating in the region. Similarly, in addition to the Pakistani NDV
isolates of the original genotype XIII (now called sub-genotype XIIIa), there is an additional sub-genotype (XIIIb) that
was initially detected in India and Iran. This sub-genotype also appears to have as an ancestor a NDV strain from an
Indian cockatoo isolated in1982. These data suggest the existence of a new panzootic composed of viruses of
subgenotype VIIi and support our previous findings of co-evolution of multiple virulent NDV genotypes in unknown
reservoirs, e.g. as recorded with the virulent NDV identified in Dominican Republic in 2008. The co-evolution of at
least three different sub-genotypes reported here and the apparent close relationship of some of those genotypes
from ND viruses isolated from wild birds, suggests that identifying wild life reservoirs may help predict new
panzootics.
KEYWORDS: Epidemiology; NDV; Newcastle disease; Outbreak; Panzootic; Poultry
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567134814004031