Beata Hukowska-Szematowicz

Proposal for a unified classification system and nomenclature of lagoviruses

Lagoviruses belong to the Caliciviridae family. They were first recognized as highly pathogenic viruses of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) that emerged in the 1970-1980s, namely, rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV), according to the host species from which they had been first detected. However, the diversity of lagoviruses has recently expanded to include new related viruses with varying pathogenicity, geographic distribution and host ranges. Together with the frequent recombination observed amongst circulating viruses, there is a clear need to establish precise guidelines for classifying and naming lagovirus strains. Therefore, here we propose a new nomenclature based on phylogenetic relationships. In this new nomenclature, a single species of lagovirus would be recognized and called Lagovirus europaeus. The species would be divided into two genogroups that correspond to RHDV- and EBHSV-related viruses, respectively. Genogroups could be subdivided into genotypes, which could themselves be subdivided into phylogenetically well-supported variants. Based on available sequences, pairwise distance cutoffs have been defined, but with the accumulation of new sequences these cutoffs may need to be revised. We propose that an international working group could coordinate the nomenclature of lagoviruses and any proposals for revision.

Hematological parameters in Polish mixed breed rabbits with addition of meat breed blood in the annual cycle.

In the paper we studied haematologic values, such as haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit value, thrombocytes, leucocytes: lymphocytes, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils and monocytes in the pheral blood in Polish mixed-breeds with addition of meat breed blood in order to obtain the reference values which are until now not available for this animals. In studying this indices we took into consideration the impact of the season (spring, summer, autumn, winter), and sex of the animals. The studies have shown a high impact of the season of the year on those rabbits, but only in spring and summer. Moreover we observed that the sex has mean impact on the studied values of haematological parameters in those rabbits. According to our knowledge, this is the first paper on haematologic values in this widely used group of rabbits, so they may serve as reference values.

B and T cell values in peripheral blood in Polish mixed breed rabbits.

Due to the lack of reference values for immunological parameters in Polish mixed breed rabbits, the study was aimed at developing standards for B-cells with CD19+ receptor, and T-cells with CD5+ receptor, and their subpopulations, namely T-cells with receptors CD4+, CD8+ and CD25+ in peripheral blood of Polish mixed breed rabbits, as well as at assessing the impact of four seasons and sex of the animals on such values. The results of the study not only are the source of reference values, but also revealed that the season of the year and sex of the rabbits affect the percentage of B- and T-cells and their subpopulations in peripheral blood.

Research paper Indices of non-specific immunity: an element of natural immunity in rabbits infected with RHD (rabbit haemorrhagic disease) virus

The paper describes non-specific immunity mediated by parameters of cell and humoral immunity in rabbits experimentally infected with seven haemagglutinating strains of the rabbit haemorrhagic dis ease (RHD) virus, including one which is an antigenic variant of RHDV, originating from various Euro pean countries and with a different isolation time. In addition to the studies performed earlier on dif ferent strains of RHDV, this paper also shows that the immunological differences between the strains may be the core of the existence of immunotypes among RHDV.