VERY few veterinary surgeons have thought fit to write a book on diseases of poultry. Mr. Ernest Gray has done justice to the subject and is to be congratulated on his effort. A book of this size, written by one with specialized knowledge, will add to the value of any library or private bookshelf. Diseases of Poultry Their Aetiology, Diagnosis, Treatment and Control; with a Section on the Normal Anatomy and Physiology of the Fowl. By Ernest Gray. (Lockwood's Agricultural and Horticultural Handbooks.) Pp. x + 198 + 16 plates. (London: Crosby Lockwood and Son, Ltd., 1940.) 9s. 6d. net.

Diseases of Poultry

Remdesivir, lopinavir, emetine, and homoharringtonine inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro.

These companion volumes have been edited by two of the leading personalities in British obstetrics and gynaecology. Both have made notable contributions to their subjects, and each is an outstanding teacher who has always subscribed to the dictum that teaching needs research and research needs teaching. With such a philosophy inspiring their professional work, it would follow, therefore, that any publication of theirs would be devoid of pedantry. The reader will not be disappointed and will find an original, lucid, and constructive presentation. Their aim has been to present, so far as possible, a description of obstetrics and gynaecology as practised in Britain. It may be pertinently asked in what way British practice differs from that in other countries. The editors have forestalled this question. They believe that in obstetrics the chief modern contribution from Britain has been \" the results of the study of the relation of social and economic conditions to the health of the pregnant woman and the condition of her child.\" In gynaecology it is conservatism that has been the characteristic British contribution. Sir Eardley Holland has been responsible for the general editorship of the volume on obstetrics and has been assisted by 38 contributors selected from almost all the university and teaching centres. Professor Bruce Mayes, of Sydney University, is the sole overseas contributor. Included in this obstetric oligarchy are physicians, paediatricians, anatomists, a psychiatrist, a venereologist, a medical statistician, and a barrister. The co-authors have been allocated subjects in which they are acknowledged experts; thus each chapter is authoritative and at the same time original. Mr. Aleck Bourne has enlisted the help of 21 authors for the volume on gynaecology, and among these is an anatomist, a psychiatrist, a venereologist, and a barrister. He has always emphasized the importance of the basic sciences in relation to clinical medicine ; the reader will appreciate this from the contents and their presentation. It is doubtful whether a general work of this calibre should contain even brief accounts and exiguous illustrations of operations. The excellent chapter on the cervix uteri is impaired by the descriptions (and diagrams) of the operations for amputation of the cervix and trachelorrhaphy. Those who need pictorial assistance for their surgical technique would refer to a tome on operative surgery. Both volumes are illustrated with diagrams and plates of artistic distinction, and the publishers are to be congratulated on their production. The editors have succeeded in their aim. Their task has been sisyphean, but they have produced a magnunm opus which for many years will be indispensable to those who practise obstetrics and gynaecology. W. C. W. NIXON.

https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/1/4957/29.2.full.pdf

Identification of enterobacteriaceae

/pdf/astrovirus-infections-in-humans-and-animals-molecular-4bxblfxjp8.pdf

Astrovirus infections in humans and animals – Molecular biology, genetic diversity, and interspecies transmissions

Coronaviruses (CoVs) act as cross-species viruses and have the potential to spread rapidly into new host species and cause epidemic diseases. Despite the severe public health threat of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV), there are currently no drugs available for their treatment; therefore, broad-spectrum inhibitors of emerging and endemic CoVs are urgently needed. To search for effective inhibitory agents, we performed high-throughput screening (HTS) of a 2,000-compound library of approved drugs and pharmacologically active compounds using the established genetically engineered human CoV OC43 (HCoV-OC43) strain expressing Renilla luciferase (rOC43-ns2Del-Rluc) and validated the inhibitors using multiple genetically distinct CoVs in vitro We screened 56 hits from the HTS data and validated 36 compounds in vitro using wild-type HCoV-OC43. Furthermore, we identified seven compounds (lycorine, emetine, monensin sodium, mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolic acid, phenazopyridine, and pyrvinium pamoate) as broad-spectrum inhibitors according to their strong inhibition of replication by four CoVs in vitro at low-micromolar concentrations. Additionally, we found that emetine blocked MERS-CoV entry according to pseudovirus entry assays and that lycorine protected BALB/c mice against HCoV-OC43-induced lethality by decreasing viral load in the central nervous system. This represents the first demonstration of in vivo real-time bioluminescence imaging to monitor the effect of lycorine on the spread and distribution of HCoV-OC43 in a mouse model. These results offer critical information supporting the development of an effective therapeutic strategy against CoV infection.IMPORTANCE Currently, there is no approved therapy to treat coronavirus infection; therefore, broad-spectrum inhibitors of emerging and endemic CoVs are needed. Based on our high-throughput screening assay using a compound library, we identified seven compounds with broad-spectrum efficacy against the replication of four CoVs in vitro Additionally, one compound (lycorine) was found to protect BALB/c mice against HCoV-OC43-induced lethality by decreasing viral load in the central nervous system. This inhibitor might offer promising therapeutic possibilities for combatting novel CoV infections in the future.

/pdf/high-throughput-screening-and-identification-of-potent-broad-3oqn77ukwc.pdf

High-Throughput Screening and Identification of Potent Broad-Spectrum Inhibitors of Coronaviruses.

The present study was carried out for detection and molecular characterization of fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) associated with hydropericardium syndrome or inclusion body hepatitis in commercial broiler chickens. The FAdVs were detected in liver samples from 33 commercial broiler chicken flocks by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using hexon gene specific primers. The restriction enzyme analysis using StyI, BsiWI, MluI, AspI, BglI and ScaI enzymes of all the 33 FAdV-positive samples revealed FAdV-4 in 10 samples, FAdV-8 in five samples, FAdV-2 and FAdV-12 in two samples each, and FAdV-5 and FAdV-6 in one sample each. Twelve samples revealed the digestion pattern for more than one serotypes with FAdV-8 and FAdV-5, FAdV-8 and FAdV-7, FAdV-8 and FAdV-6, FAdV-8 and FAdV-12 being the predominant combinations indicating mixed infection. The serotypes FAdV-2 and FAdV-5 have not been detected previously in the country. The purified PCR products of FAdVs of four samples (HR 1, HR 2, HR 3 and HR 4) were cloned and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that FAdVs of all four samples clustered in separate groups consistent with the REA pattern. In conclusion, this study reveals the presence of FAdV-2, FAdV-4, FAdV-5, FAdV-6, FAdV-7, FAdV-8 and FAdV-12 in broiler chickens affected with hydropericardium syndrome or inclusion body hepatitis in India.

Characterization of fowl adenoviruses associated with hydropericardium syndrome and inclusion body hepatitis in broiler chickens.

Detection and molecular characterization of enteric viruses from poult enteritis syndrome in turkeys

Background
This study was conducted to characterize Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates obtained from waterfowl from the Upper Midwest region of the United States. A total of 43 NDVs were isolated by inoculation of cloacal samples in embryonated chicken eggs. These isolates were obtained from 24 mallards, seven American green-winged teals, six northern pintails, four blue-winged teals, and two wood ducks. Partial sequences of fusion gene were analyzed to determine the pathotypes and genotypes involved.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/1743-422X-6-191.pdf

Phylogenetic analysis of Newcastle disease viruses isolated from waterfowl in the upper midwest region of the United States.

Emetine inhibits replication of RNA and DNA viruses without generating drug-resistant virus variants

The present study was undertaken to detect and characterize enteric viruses (rotavirus, astrovirus, reovirus, and coronavirus) in breeder poults. Five turkey breeder flocks were selected. Faecal samples were collected from all flocks at 1 week of age and then every other week until the poults reached 9 weeks of age. The faecal samples were pooled in groups of five. Of the 193 pools ("samples") tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, 47.2%, 30.6%, and 10.4% samples were positive for astrovirus, rotavirus, and reovirus, respectively. No coronavirus was detected in any of the samples. Overall, 118 (61.1%) samples were positive for one or more enteric viruses. Of the 118 samples, 70 (59.3%) were positive for a single virus and 48 (40.7%) for a combination of viruses. Phylogenetic analysis based on the polymerase gene showed that astroviruses clustered into two groups with sequence homology ranging from 85.6 to 100% at the nucleotide level. Based on NSP4 gene sequences, rotaviruses clustered in a group and had 96.3 to 99.9% sequence homology at the nucleotide level. The reoviruses, based on their S4 gene sequences, clustered in a single group with sequence homology of 96.9 to 100%. Differing amino acid sequences of all three viruses may affect the antigenicity and/or pathogenicity of these viruses and may merit further study. The presence of two or three different viruses in combination may affect the dynamics of turkey health and disease.

Naresh Jindal

Papers

Characterization of fowl adenoviruses associated with hydropericardium syndrome and inclusion body hepatitis in broiler chickens.

Detection and molecular characterization of enteric viruses from poult enteritis syndrome in turkeys

Phylogenetic analysis of Newcastle disease viruses isolated from waterfowl in the upper midwest region of the United States.

Emetine inhibits replication of RNA and DNA viruses without generating drug-resistant virus variants

Detection and molecular characterization of enteric viruses in breeder turkeys.