Development of a recombinant ELISA for ovine herpesvirus 2, suitable for use in sheep.

The minor capsid protein of ovine herpesvirus 2, identified as a potential antigen for serological testing, was over-expressed and purified to allow its assessment in ELISA. The corresponding gene sequence (OvHV-2 orf65, Ov65) was modified to incorporate epitope tags and internal restriction enzyme sites in an E. coli codon-optimised version of the gene.

LOUPING-ILL VIRUS SEROSURVEY OF WILLOW PTARMIGAN (LAGOPUS LAGOPUS LAGOPUS) IN NORWAY.

In Norway, the Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus lagopus) is experiencing population declines and is nationally Red Listed as Near Threatened. Although disease has not generally been regarded as an important factor behind population fluctuations for Willow Ptarmigan in Norway, disease occurrence has been poorly investigated. Both louping-ill virus (LIV) and the closely related tick-borne encephalitis virus are found along the southern part of the Norwegian coast.

Novel adenoviruses detected in British mustelids, including a unique in the tissues of pine martens ().

Several adenoviruses are known to cause severe disease in veterinary species. Recent evidence suggests that canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) persists in the tissues of healthy red foxes (), which may be a source of infection for susceptible species. It was hypothesized that mustelids native to the UK, including pine martens () and Eurasian otters (), may also be persistently infected with adenoviruses.

One-step multiplex real time RT-PCR for the detection of bovine respiratory syncytial virus, bovine herpesvirus 1 and bovine parainfluenza virus 3.

Background: Detection of respiratory viruses in veterinary species has traditionally relied on virus detection by isolation or immunofluorescence and/or detection of circulating antibody using ELISA or serum neutralising antibody tests. Multiplex real time PCR is increasingly used to diagnose respiratory viruses in humans and has proved to be superior to traditional methods. Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in housed cattle and virus infections can play a major role.