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Study reveals replication sites of emerging pig disease
Research could be used in the development of vaccines.

Confirms structures are similar to those in same virus family

The sites within the cell where porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) makes new copies of itself during replication have been uncovered, in a study carried out at The Pirbright Institute.

According to a statement, the research confirmed that PDCoV uses the host cell’s machinery to create two different structures that form the replication organelle. These structures are very similar to those created by infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a Gammacoronavirus that causes debilitating disease in chickens.

Using electron microscopy, Pirbright researchers where able to confirm their prediction that the structures formed by PDCoV when replicating would be comparable to those formed in replication sites in the other three genera of the coronavirus family – which have already been well defined.

This evidence suggests that there are further similarities across the family which could be targeted and used in the development of vaccines, antivirals and coronavirus resistance breeding programmes.

Head of Pirbright’s nidovirus-cell interactions group Dr Helena Maier said: “Imaging porcine deltacoronavirus during host cell infection provides an important insight into the replication mechanisms used by this group of viruses.

“This is particularly important since other Deltacoronaviruses cannot be adapted to cell culture, which makes it very challenging to study how they replicate and interact with the host cellular machinery.”

This study will inform the group’s further work in understanding how the coronavirus family interacts with host cells, and could lead to the development of broad-spectrum control methods to tackle the diseases caused by this virus family.

 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.