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West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito‐borne virus of a re‐emergence importance with a wide range of vertebrate hosts. Granted, it causes asymptomatic infection, but fatal cases and neurologic disorders were also recorded, especially in humans, horses and some exposed birds. The virus is globally spread and birds are considered an amplifying and reservoir host of WNV, helping to spread the disease due to their close contact with main hosts. In this study, we aimed to detect the presence of antibodies against WNV in backyard hens that were reared in the western Anatolian part of Turkey. A total of 480 chicken sera were randomly collected from six provinces in the west of Turkey (Mugla, Izmir, Aydin, Afyonkarahisar, Kutahya and Manisa) with 80 samples from each province (40 in spring and 40 in fall seasons). They were tested by using a competitive ELISA method to identify the specific avian antibodies of IgG that produced against the WNV envelope proteins (pr‐E). Twelve of 480 (2.5%) sera were found seropositive, three of these positive sera were detected from the Izmir province (3.75%) collected in the spring session and the other nine positive sera were detected from the Mugla province (11.25%) collected in the fall session. Both of these provinces are located seaside and have suitable climate conditions for vectors of infection. The results indicated that WNV infection is in circulation in these provinces, and that may put the other susceptible vertebrates under risk of infection., Our study is considered for notifying serologically the presence of antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV) in backyard hens that reared in the western part of Turkey, to see if it can pose a substantial risk for both public and animal health in these areas, and the obtained results confirmed this hypothesis by achieving a seroprevalence rate of 2.5%. This outcome has an imperative significance for enhancing early detection sensitivity and capacity tools that could be used for indicating WNV circulation and estimating a possible future occurrence of human cases because those local chickens that we used in our study can play the role of sentinel animals that can provide early detection of WNV transmission.

Bovine parainfluenza virus‐3 (BPIV‐3), also known as bovine respirovirus 3, causes serious respiratory infection in ungulates, often involving other pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria and mycoplasmas. In this study, we evaluated antibody titers against virus genotypes A (BPIV‐3a) and C (BPIV‐3c). We conducted a serological survey and comparison analysis of archived serum samples from small and large ruminants reared in four Turkish provinces. A total of 1,307 samples, consisting of sheep (n = 444), cattle (n = 402), water buffalo (n = 261) and goat (n = 200) sera, were randomly selected from stock samples collected between 2015 and 2019 and screened by standard virus neutralisation assay. We found that 49.9% (653/1307) of all samples were positive for neutralising antibody titers. Goats had the highest titer, with total seropositivity of 63% (126/200), followed in descending order by cattle, sheep and water buffalo at 56.2% (226/402), 32.2% (143/444) and 26% (68/261) total seropositivity, respectively. BPIV‐3c had the highest neutralising antibody rate at 34.3% (448/1307), whereas BPIV‐3a had a 24.3% (317/1307) seropositivity rate. Neutralising antibody titers for positive samples ranged between 1/4 and 1/512 per the SN50 test. Seropositivity rates ranged from a low of 8.9% to a high of 18.3%. Our study was the first to compare antibody seroprevalence for two BPIV‐3 genotypes in small and large domestic ruminants, which were shown to be more commonly exposed to BPIV‐3c than BPIV‐3a. This finding could have significant implications as current vaccines mainly use the BPIV‐3a genotype. Further research can determine if current vaccines protect against different BPIV‐3 virus genotypes., Our study was the first attempt to compare antibodies prevalence for two genotypes (A and C) of bovine respirovirus 3 in small and large domestic ruminants that were proved to be exposed more commonly to BPIV‐3c than BPIV‐3a, which may indicate that A may not be the dominant genotype of BPIV‐3. This may influence Turkish livestock production and offer important implications for animal health. Due to the critical role, this virus plays in BRDC pathogenesis and the risk that arises from using current vaccines which mainly uses the BPIV‐3a genotype. ​

Background: Camel milk is very suitable for human nutritional requirements, and its composition has similarities to mother’s milk. Many scientific researches focusing on the myth of nutritional and therapeutic properties of camel milk have been brought to public attention.Aim: This study aims to clarify the impact of early weaning on constituents and nutritional values of the milk of camels reared under a modern farming system during four months postpartum.Methods: Eight lactating camels and eight calves were selected immediately after calving and were assigned to two equal groups under a semi-intensive system in a farm. In the early weaning group (G1), all the calves were allowed to freely suckle their mother’s teats from birth to 30 days postpartum. Afterward, the calves were used to stimulate milk letdown for each of the camels’ teats for a few seconds before the milking procedure. While in the late weaning group (G2), the calves freely suckled their mother’s teats up to 80 days postpartum. Afterward, the calves were restrictedfrom suckling and were used mainly to stimulate milk letdown for the milking procedure. Collection of milk samples started in the 2nd week of postpartum and continued over biweekly intervals up to 16 weeks to determine major fat, protein, lactose, solid non-fat (SNF), and density percentages.Results: The results revealed significant differences in fat, lactose, and density content between groups. We reported significant increases in the percentages of fat, lactose, protein, and SNF levels, besides fluctuations in density with the advancement of the lactation stage.Conclusion: In the early weaning group, the dams produced milk containing high levels of fat and SNF compared to the lactating dams in the late weaning group. Keywords: Dromedary camel, Early weaning, Milk constituents, Modern system, Nutritional value.

Pigeon aviadenovirus A and Pigeon circovirus are both DNA viruses, infect and cause severe clinical diseases in pigeons. These viruses are associated with an immunosuppression syndrome similar to ‘Young Pigeon Disease Syndrome’ (YPDS). This study reports the identification of a natural co‐infection, with severe clinical signs (crop vomiting, watery diarrhoea, anorexia and sudden death) of Pigeon aviadenovirus A and Pigeon circovirus in a breeding pigeon flock in Central Anatolia, Turkey. Both viruses were isolated from pigeons pooled internal organs using primary chicken embryo kidney cell cultures (CEKC) and specific pathogen‐free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs. Also, both viruses were identified by PCR amplification followed by Sanger sequencing whereas histopathological examination showed degenerated hepatocytes with basophilic intranuclear viral inclusions. As known, both viruses typically have similar transmission characteristics and common clinical manifestations; however, co‐infection may exacerbate the disease with devastating outcomes. This is the first report of its kind in Turkey for those viruses and is essential for the protection against these kinds of infections in pigeons., Pigeon aviadenovirus A and pigeon circovirus are both DNA viruses, infect and cause severe clinical diseases in pigeons. This study identified a natural co‐infection of both viruses in a breeding pigeon flock in Central Anatolia, Turkey for the first time. Both viruses were isolated from pigeons pooled internal organs using primary chicken embryo kidney cell cultures (CEKC) and specific pathogen‐free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs. Also, they were identified by PCR amplification followed by Sanger sequencing, whereas histopathological examination showed degenerated hepatocytes with basophilic intranuclear viral inclusions. The viruses typically have similar transmission characteristics and common clinical manifestations, but co‐infection may exacerbate the disease. This is the first report of its kind in Turkey for these viruses and is vital for the protection against such type of diseases in pigeons.

Viruses are biological systems with wide variations in mutation rates. Viruses with highly accurate and conforming transcriptases have relatively low mutation rates. In contrast, viruses with high aberration transcriptases show high mutation rates, and high mutation rates can lead to higher genetic diversity. Viruses cannot be increased further without sacrificing by viral consistency according to the adaptive landscapes. A mutation can be defined as permanent changes that occur in the nucleotide sequence or the structure of nucleotides, often resulting in genetic material changes and structural disruption, thus, affect the polypeptide synthesis. Mutations can be created spontaneously or by physical-chemical properties. The nucleic acid mutations in viruses also determine their genome characteristics. Lethal mutagenesis is a broad-spectrum antiviral strategy that takes advantage of the high mutation rate and low mutation tolerance of many RNA viruses. Mutagenic drugs employ this strategy to increase the mutation rate of the virus, thus, leading a large number of mutations in the viral population, either lethal or highly harmful for continuesity of replication. Such an example Acyclovir (ACV), which is used for effective treatment in herpes simplex virus infections, works by blocking the thymidine kinase enzyme of the virus, only by entering the virus-infected cells. however, the virus developed resistance to this mechanism by generating mutant strains lacking thymidine kinase enzyme. In determining virus mutations, comparison with wild type is made phenotypically, but since it is very difficult to make this comparison in a genome that is found to be mutated frequently, making viral genome sequences has become a more effective method.

Camel milk has important role in human nutrition in desert and semi-desert regions; this milk provides the man with all essential nutrients in addition to its medicinal properties. A study was conducted to determine the impact of parity order on nutrition values of camel milk overall four months postpartum under modern system. Eight she-camels were selected immediately after calving and assigned to two equal groups, early lactation (GY) and mid lactation (GD). Both groups were managed together at the same environmental conditions under intensive system. Collection of milk samples started at second week postpartum and continued biweekly interval up to end of 4th month postpartum. The total fat, protein, lactose, solid non-fat (SNF) and density percentages were determined by automatic milk analyzer device (lactoscan Model-90, Europe). Results elucidated that there was no significant difference of lactose and fat content between two groups throughout experiment period. Where the significant difference (P˂0.05) of protein, SNF and density contents of milk were detected during lactation stages throughout four months. Otherwise, the levels of fat, lactose, protein and SNF were increased significantly (P˂0.05) with advancement of lactation stage, beside fluctuation of density values during experiment period. The current study revealed that milk produced by young is slightly richer in fat content, whereas milk of old camel is richer in protein content. The variation of nutrition values of milk should be attributed to parities, calve number and physiological factors.

Marek's disease (MD) is an important disease of avian species and a potential threat to the poultry industry worldwide. In this study, 16 dead commercial chickens from flocks with suspected MD were necropsied immediately after death. Pathological findings were compatible with MD, and gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 was identified in PCR of spleen samples. Virus isolation was performed in primary cell culture, and partial sequencing of the meq gene of the isolate revealed >99% nucleotide sequence identity to virulent and very virulent plus strains from a number of European countries, placing it in the same subclade of clade III as two virulent Italian strains and a very virulent plus Polish strain as well as virulent strains of geese and ducks. The data reported here indicate that a virulent strain of Marek's disease virus is circulating in Turkey and has not been stopped by the current national vaccination programme.

Simple Summary Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is an important pathogen of both dairy and beef cattle, and causes huge economic losses annually across the world. This study reports the identification, isolation, and molecular characterization of a new BRSV (subgroup III) strain collected from respiratory distressed cattle in Turkey. The three field isolates obtained showed 100% similarity to each other at the nucleotide (nt) level and were found to be 99.49% and 99.22% identical to another Turkish strain—KY499619—at both (nt) and amino acid (aa) levels, respectively. They were also 97.43% (nt) and 98.44% (aa) similar to the American reference strain KU159366. This important information will inform Turkish BRSV diagnostic and control strategies, as well as highlight the urgent need to better understand the burden that BRSV is placing on the Turkish agricultural sector. Abstract Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a huge economic burden on the livestock industries of countries worldwide. Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is one of the most important pathogens that contributes to BRD. In this study, we report the identification and first isolation, with molecular characterization, of a new BRSV strain from lung specimens of three beef cows in Turkey that died from respiratory distress. After the screening of lung tissues for BRD-associated viruses using a multiscreen antigen-ELISA, a BRSV antigen was detected. This was then confirmed by real-time RT-PCR specific for BRSV. Following confirmation, virus isolation was conducted in MDBK cell cultures and clear CPE, including syncytia compatible with BRSV, were detected. RT-nested PCR, using F gene-specific primers, was performed on the cultured isolates, and the products were sequenced and deposited to Genbank with accession numbers MT179304, MT024766, and MT0244767. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences indicated that the cattle were infected with BRSV from subgroup III and were closely related to previously identified American and Turkish strains, but contained some amino acid and nucleotide differences. This research paves the way for further studies on the molecular characteristics of natural BRSV isolates, including full genome analysis and disease pathogenesis, and also contributes to the development of robust national strategies against this virus.

In this study, livestock herders in eastern Sudan were interviewed through structured questionnaire involved 14046 animals in 151 herds (87 camel herds, 51 sheep and 13 goats) from June to September of 2016 in Showak area of Gadarif State to get some epidemiological information on contagious ecthyma (CE) infection. 102 suspected cases of CE were investigated (38 sheep, 22 goats and 42 camels) by a second questionnaire focusing on age and sex of affected animals beside number and localization of the lesions. Representative tissue samples of scab lesion scrapings were collected from a total of 36 suspected sheep, goats and camels for DNA extraction to identify PPV by quantitative real-time PCR and gel-based PCR, then a PCR protocol was used to obtain DNA fragment of B2L gene from six DNAs (2 from each animal species) for sequencing. Phylogenetic tree based on nucleotide sequences was constructed and all data were analyzed statistically. Obtained result has shown morbidity rate of 23.8% and a case fatality rate of 4.7 % in overall investigated animals resulting in a significant economic loss. Within individual herd, the morbidity rate varied from 5.6 to 42.8%, while the case fatality rate ranged between 0 and 33.3%. Camels accounted for the highest case fatality rate with 6.5% compared to sheep and goats which their rates were 2.8% and 1.3%, respectively. 93% of the affected animals were young less than one-year-old. The prevalence of CE was high in the rainy season compared to winter and summer. Out of 36 scab materials collected from sheep, goats, and camels, 24 gave positive specific amplification in real-time PCR and 21 in the gel-based PCR. DNA sequencing confirmed the PCR results. All sequences had a high G + C content of 62.6–63.9%. A BLAST search also revealed that the studied sheep PPV (SPPV) isolates shared 99.08% nucleotide sequence intragroup identity, 96.88–97.27% identity with the goat PPV (GPPV) isolates and together they belong to the Orf virus (ORFV) species, while the camel PPV (CPPV) isolates are close to the Pseudocowpoxvirus (PCPV) species of the PPV genus and share 92.51–93.62 % identity with the GPPV isolates. In conclusion the present study demonstrated that the gross lesion produced by PPV in sheep, goats and camels is generally similar, yet the PPVs circulating in eastern Sudan in camels (PCPV) are genetically distinct from those affecting sheep and goats (ORFV). Contagious ecthyma in eastern Sudan causes significant morbidities and mortalities and control measures, guided by the results of this investigation ought to be implemented., Microbiology; Virology; Infectious disease; Veterinary medicine; Microbiology epidemiology; Field investigation; Phylogenetic characterization; Parapoxviruses; Small ruminants; Dromedary camels; East Sudan

This study was implemented at the University of Khartoum to investigate the protective effect of camel milk mixed with camel urine against alcohol-induced liver damage in Wistar albino rats. The reasons for combining camel milk and urine together are because that in Sudan this combination is used extensively in traditional medicine and they claimed that this combination cures a lot of diseases including liver disease and jaundice; 25 Wister Albino rats of both sexes were brought and divided into 5 groups. Group 1 (control group) received normal saline, group 2 received ethanol 10% at dose of (0.5 g/100g body weight) and group 3 rats received Silymarin (5 mg/100g body weight) plus ethanol 10% (0.5 g/100g). Group 4 received a mixture of camel milk and urine (1:1) at the rate of 2 ml/100g and group 5 rats were administered with the mixture of camel’s milk and urine as in group 4 plus ethanol 10% (0.5 g/100g). All treatments given by an oral intubation, experiment lasts for 28 days, rats were euthanized, serum samples and liver sections obtained. Oral administration of 10% ethanol (0.5 g/100g) induced liver damage which was clear in group 2 in a form of generalized necrosis, fatty change and congestion, beside high elevation of serum enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP). Giving camel’s milk and urine mixture to group 5 with ethanol 10% (0.5 g/100g), resulted in significant reduction of levels of serum enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP) and in stabilization of serum metabolites (total protein, albumin and bilirubin). The degree of reduction was lower when significantly compared to (Silymarin + ethanol) group, and all results were verified by the histopathological changes. Hepatoprotective effects of camel’s milk and urine mixture were recorded and this could be attributed to antioxidant activity or to its chelate effects on toxicants. Drinking raw camel milk and urine mixture, it was used extensively in traditional medicine in Sudan and it was found safe without any ill effect.

Elhag, Ahmed Eisa/0000-0002-0738-1825 WOS: 000528561200009 This study aimed to investigate the presence of bovine herpesvirus 1 by molecular techniques in two cases of respiratory disease in beef cattle, reported from Amasya Province of Turkey in 2018. Nasal swab and lung tissue samples were taken. The presence of bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) was confirmed by the PCR method using glycoprotein B (gB) gene-specific primers, and then the isolates were also subjected to partial sequencing. The results of the phylogenetic analysis revealed that the two new isolates in Turkey belonged to the same subclade as subtype 1.1 of BoHV-1, and both also had a 100% nucleotide (nt) homology with the Cooper reference strain of BoHV-1. These findings can enrich the gB sequence content data for BoHV-1 found in GenBank regarding Turkey.