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Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
Published on: July 24, 2016
Virus-induced congenital malformations in cattle
Jørgen S Agerholm1, Marion Hewicker-Trautwein2, Klaas Peperkamp3
1Section for Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlaegevej 68, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. jager@sund.ku.dk.
Diagnosing bovine congenital malformations (BCMs) is complex due to numerous syndromes. Viral infections like BVDV, SBV, and BTV can cause BCMs, but laboratory confirmation is crucial as lesions are not always pathognomonic.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Teratology
- Virology
Background:
- Bovine congenital malformations (BCMs) present diagnostic challenges for practitioners and diagnosticians.
- Numerous known and unknown syndromes contribute to BCMs.
- Viral infections are a significant cause of BCMs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the diagnostic difficulties in identifying the causes of BCMs.
- To emphasize the role of viral infections in BCMs.
- To underscore the importance of laboratory diagnostics over morphological assessment alone.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on viral causes of BCMs.
- Analysis of typical lesions associated with specific viral infections.
- Comparison of viral-induced lesions with genetic defects.
Main Results:
- Intrauterine viral infections (BVDV, SBV, BTV, AKAV, AV) during gestation days 60-180 can lead to central nervous system malformations.
- Common brain lesions include hydranencephaly, porencephaly, hydrocephalus, and cerebellar hypoplasia.
- Skeletal malformations like arthrogryposis multiplex congenita can co-occur, but lesions are not pathognomonic.
Conclusions:
- Morphological diagnosis of viral BCMs is uncertain due to overlapping features with genetic defects.
- Laboratory examination is essential for confirming viral etiology.
- Expert consultation is recommended when encountering BCMs to differentiate viral from genetic causes.
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