Joško Račnik

Complete Genome Sequence of Phodopus sungorus Papillomavirus Type 1 (PsPV1), a Novel Member of the Pipapillomavirus Genus, Isolated from a Siberian Hamster

ABSTRACT We report the complete genomic sequence of Phodopus sungorus papillomavirus type 1 (PsPV1), isolated from an anogenital lesion of a Siberian hamster. PsPV1 is taxonomically classified in the genus Pipapillomavirus and is most closely related to Mesocricetus auratus papillomavirus 1 (MaPV1).

No evidence of Trichomonas gallinae in free-living non-fringilid passerine birds in Slovenia

Finch trichomonosis is an emerging infectious disease through European countries caused by one clonal Trichomonas gallinae strain. Initially detected in the UK in 2005, the disease spread most likely by seasonal migration of Chaffinches to continental Europe. Finch trichomonosis caused decline in population of Greenfinches and to lesser extend in Chaffinch population. Though predominant occurrence of finch trichomonosis in Greenfinches and Chaffinches the disease was infrequently simultaneously diagnosed also in other passerine species. The prevalence of T. gallinae in non-fringillids was unknown and possibility that other passerine birds could host the parasite and contribute to spreading of the disease was discussed. In the light of early reports of finch trichomonosis outbreaks from UK, preliminary testing of free-living passerines for the presence of T. gallinae started in 2006. Since we were unsuccessful to catch fringilid species in mist nets, we were looking for other migrating birds, mainly non-fringilid passerines. Crop/deep oesophageal swabs from 121 birds were taken and all were negative. After finch trichomonosis outbreak in August 2012, further observations and monitoring were carried out. In September 2013, different non-fringilid passerines were captured during autumn migration and examined for the presence on T. gallinae. Altogether, 125 birds from 26 different species and 10 families were sampled. All samples were negative on presence of T. gallinae. Based on literature data and our results, cases of T. gallinae positive birds amongst non-fringilids are very uncommon and should be rather attributed to accidental spread of infection from diseased fringilids or other primary hosts, especially columbids.

Oral and Dental Examination Findings in a Family of Zoo Suricates (Suricata Suricatta)

Although similar oral and dental diseases as seen in dogs, cats, ferrets, and other carnivores are expected in suricates, published data on their oral and dental diseases are rare. The objective of this report is therefore to describe oral and dental examination findings in a family of zoo suricates. In this cross-sectional clinical study, detailed oral and dental examination and full-mouth dental radiographs were performed in 6 suricates undergoing general anesthesia for their regular annual wellness check. Attrition/abrasion was commonly observed less so were dental fractures, but both conditions were found to be associated with endodontic disease. Periodontal disease of different stages was also commonly observed. As expected, dental radiography was essential to determine dental anatomy, to accurately diagnose oral and dental diseases, and to plan treatment. This report illustrates that several painful oral and dental diseases can affect suricates in captivity. Therefore, thorough oral and dental examination supported by dental radiography under general anesthesia is warranted also in these animals as a part of their annual wellness checks.

Trichomonosis outbreak in a flock of canaries (Serinus canaria f. domestica) caused by a finch epidemic strain of Trichomonas gallinae

In the present paper, an outbreak of trichomonosis in a flock of 15 breeding pairs of canaries is described. Trichomonosis was diagnosed on characteristic clinical signs, microscopic examination of crop/esophageal swabs, gross pathology and histopathology. Trichomonads were successfully grown in culture media and were characterized by multi-locus sequence typing. The three genomic loci ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, 18S rRNA and Fe-hydrogenase were analyzed. Molecular characterization confirmed the finch trichomonosis strain, identical to the strain that caused emerging disease in free-living passerine birds in Europe. Flock treatment with metronidazole (200mg/L) in drinking water for 5days was partially effective. After individual treatment with oral application of metronidazole (20mg/kg SID) for 5days no further clinical signs were observed in the flock over next 30 months.

Molecular characterization, prevalence and clinical relevance of Phodopus sungorus papillomavirus type 1 (PsuPV1) naturally infecting Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

Phodopus sungorus papillomavirus type 1 (PsuPV1), naturally infecting Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) and clustering in the genus Pipapillomavirus (Pi-PV), is only the second PV type isolated from the subfamily of hamsters. In silico analysis of three independent complete viral genomes obtained from cervical adenocarcinoma, oral squamous cell carcinoma and normal oral mucosa revealed that PsuPV1 encodes characteristic viral proteins (E1, E2, E4, E6, E7, L1 and L2) with conserved functional domains and a highly conserved non-coding region. The overall high prevalence (102/114; 89.5 %) of PsuPV1 infection in normal oral and anogenital mucosa suggests that asymptomatic infection with PsuPV1 is very frequent in healthy Siberian hamsters from an early age onward, and that the virus is often transmitted between both anatomical sites. Using type-specific real-time PCR and chromogenic in situ hybridization, the presence of PsuPV1 was additionally detected in several investigated tumours (cervical adenocarcinoma, cervical adenomyoma, vaginal carcinoma in situ, ovarian granulosa cell tumour, mammary ductal carcinoma, oral fibrosarcoma, hibernoma and squamous cell papilloma) and normal tissues of adult animals. In the tissue sample of the oral squamous cell carcinoma individual, punctuated PsuPV1-specific in situ hybridization spots were detected within the nuclei of infected animal cells, suggesting viral integration into the host genome and a potential etiological association of PsuPV1 with sporadic cases of this neoplasm.