Q Fever Abortion in a Goat Fetus
Ryan Yanez, DVM, DACVP, ADDL Pathology
A Boer goat fetus and placenta were submitted to the ADDL for an abortion diagnostic panel in November 2022. This was the third abortion on the premises located in northwest Ohio. A necropsy was performed within a biosafety cabinet and the fetus was unremarkable. However, the placenta had significant evidence of inflammation and tissue destruction, primarily focused on the cotyledons. PCR testing at ADDL of fetal spleen detected nucleic acid of Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever. Histopathology of the placenta revealed extensive necrosis and inflammation affecting cotyledonary and intercotyledonary areas. The trophoblasts were swollen and were laden with large vacuoles that contained numerous bacterial coccobacilli, a characteristic finding.
C. burnetii is a highly infectious, airborne, and zoonotic bacterium that commonly causes abortions in goats, sheep, and cattle. C. burnetii is classified as a Select Agent by the CDC and USDA and the laboratory is required to destroy all fresh tissue samples in compliance with Select Agent destruction requirements. In people, C. burnetii causes mild flu-like illness but also more serious diseases such as pneumonia, hepatitis, and endocarditis. Notably, pregnant women that are infected may experience stillbirths, premature delivery, have low birth weight infants and rarely, persistent reproductive difficulties in subsequent pregnancies. The bacterium is shed by infected animals in feces, urine, milk, and birthing products (placenta, birth fluids). C. burnetii can also be inhaled in contaminated barnyard dust, which can be transported for miles by the wind. Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, eye protection, disposable clothing and a respirator are recommended to reduce your exposure.
The ADDL notified the Ohio Department of Health to conduct a risk assessment based on CDC guidelines. As the state veterinary diagnostic lab for Ohio, the ADDL is constantly vigilant for dangerous zoonotic pathogens as part of our mission to protect livestock and the public.
Read more about the history and clinical signs of Q fever in a review published in our recent ADDL newsletter by Dr. Emily Janovyak, USDA ORISE Fellow.
Upcoming Lab Closures
Ohio ADDL will be closed on Monday, January 16th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Monday, February 20th in observance of Presidents Day.
Please use our after-hours phone number (888) 456-3405 for urgent matters.
Detection of Porcine Parainfluenza virus type 1 (PPIV-1) by real-time PCR now offered at ADDL
Qirui Zhang, Ph.D., Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory Scientist
Porcine parainfluenza virus type 1 (PPIV-1) is a recently discovered respiratory pathogen of swine and sometimes occurs concurrently with other respiratory pathogens such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus and swine influenza virus (SIV). Most often the disease appears in pigs less than 21 days-of-age. Clinical signs range from asymptomatic to moderate and include lethargy, coughing, minor sneezing, and serous nasal discharge. PPIV-1 is in the Respirovirus genus of the Paramyxoviridae family and is an enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus. Since its initial detection in early 2013 from Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, PPIV-1 has been circulating in swine herds in the United States. PPIV-1 is only found in domestic pigs and no evidence has shown that PPIV-1 can infect humans. There is no vaccine against PPIV-1 currently.
For better monitoring and detecting PPIV-1 in Ohio, ADDL now offers a fast real-time PCR for PPIV-1 nucleic acid detection from porcine samples. The appropriate specimens are nasal/nasopharyngeal swabs, lung tissue, oral fluid, and other affected tissues. The samples should be kept frozen or refrigerated until tested. Currently the charge for PPIV-1 PCR testing is $36 per test. Please visit the ADDL website or call the laboratory at 614-728-6220 for any questions you may have.
References:
1) Leedom Larson K, Barber E. Porcine parainfluenza virus 1. Swine Health Information Center and Center for Food Security and Public Health, 2016.
2) Park JY, Welch MW, Harmon KM, Zhang J, Piñeyro PE, Li G, Hause BM, Gauger PC. Detection, isolation, and in vitro characterization of porcine parainfluenza virus type 1 isolated from respiratory diagnostic specimens in swine. Vet Microbiol. 2019 Jan; 228:219-225
Meet the Molecular Diagnostics Section
Dominika Jurkovic, Ph.D., Central Receiving Section Head
Front Row: Melanie Prarat (Lab Operations Manager), Ashley Johnson, Alescia Roberto. Back Row: Katie Shiplett, Qirui Zhang, Robert Miller, Reid Neinast.
The Molecular Diagnostics Section is responsible for the PCR testing and DNA sequencing for needs for screening, diagnosis, or confirmation of infectious agents. The section is led by Interim Section Heads Dr. Qiuri (Ray) Zhang and Ashley Sawyer and consists of four highly motivated laboratory scientists: Reid Neinast, Dr. Robert Miller, Dr. Alescia Roberto, and Katie Shiplett. In 2022, the section completed over 32,000 tests with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), Avian Influenza, and Swine Influenza being the top three tests completed. In March, Ohio ADDL was activated by the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) in response to the national HPAI outbreak and the molecular staff has been critical in providing our clients quick and accurate testing results. All members of the molecular staff are required to participate and pass the annual NAHLN proficiency test to demonstrate their continued technical expertise. The molecular section is continuing to expand PCR tests offered at ADDL, in the past year they have added the Theileria ortientalis/Anaplasma marginale Duplex Real-Time PCR and Porcine Parainfluenza virus type 1 (PPIV-1) and are planning on adding additional tests in the coming year.
Coming Back to ADDL: Electron Microscopy Services
Melissa Bernhardt B.S., Virology Laboratory Scientist
Bovine rotavirus from feces at 40,000X magnification
Transmission electron microscopy is a rapid, useful tool for the identification of known and unknown viruses in clinical samples such as feces, tissues, and scabs. Operating on similar principles as the light microscope, the transmission electron microscope passes a beam of electrons instead of light through a sample to produce an image. To visualize viral morphology in clinical samples, negative staining is performed on copper mesh grids using heavy metal salts to create a high contrast between the background and virus.
Melissa Berhnardt and Ashley Johnson in front of ADDL's new electron microscope.
As of January 1st, 2023, electron microscopy services are available at the ADDL. The ADDL has purchased a new transmission electron microscope, Hitachi HT7800 series, with a maximum magnification of X600,000 and many updated features. This model allows us to capture high quality digital images like never before. Included are some recent images of viruses taken from the Hitachi HT7800. The test will be offered at a cost of $40 per sample. In the future, we hope to expand our EM services to detect other microbes and diversify acceptable sample types.
Testing Reminders for Ohio Beef Expo in March
The Ohio Beef Expo will be March 15-20, 2023 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio. The ADDL is reminding practitioners and owners to plan ahead to meet testing requirements by confirming the show’s health requirements. Please remember samples need to be received in the laboratory the day BEFORE the listed test day in order to be completed on time Please contact the ADDL at 614-728-6220 for further information regarding testing for the Ohio Beef Expo.
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