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Biomedical subjects

F Kovács

Publications and source records attributed to F Kovács.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Firefly luciferase as a marker for herpesvirus (pseudorabies virus) replication in vitro and in vivo.

Insertion of reporter genes into complex viral genomes and monitoring virus replication by detecting the corresponding protein products is increasingly used in pathogenesis studies. We present here the isolation and characterization of a recombinant neurotropic alpha-herpesvirus, pseudorabies virus (PrV), which stably carries the gene encoding firefly luciferase. To express the enzyme the complete open reading frame for luciferase was fused to the promoter and first seven codons of the non-essential glycoprotein gX gene of PrV. A recombinant PrV carrying the luciferase gene inserted into the gX gene and exhibiting strong luciferase activity after infection of cultured cells was further characterized. Kinetic analyses showed that luciferase activity was detectable as early as 90 min after infection. Luciferase expression could be monitored in cell extracts in a luminometer. For facilitating plaque isolation of luciferase recombinant viruses it was also visualized in situ on sensitive film. Kinetic experiments in mice proved the suitability of luciferase as an excellent marker for following herpesvirus spread in the animal. By way of luciferase detection we show that PrV invasion of the central nervous system after intranasal infection of mice occurred independently of replication in non-neural tissues such as lung or thymus. Furthermore, comparison of isogenic luciferase recombinant PrV strains carrying intact or deleted glycoprotein gI genes showed differences in the organotropism between these two viruses.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Changes induced in newborn piglets by the trichothecene toxin T-2.

Three pregnant sows, being in the last quarter of gestation, were used in an experiment to study the changes induced in newborn piglets by T-2 toxin. One sow was used as control (C). The other two received 24 mg (sow A) and 6 mg (sow B) T-2 toxin, respectively, mixed in the feed, daily, up to the time of farrowing. The piglets of sow A became ill by 48-72 h after birth, while the litters of sow B and C remained healthy. The clinical symptoms included faintness, diarrhoea, decreased blood glucose level, and collapse followed by death. The milk and urine of sow A and the stomach contents of affected and dead piglets contained T-2 toxin and its metabolites. Pathological changes seen at necropsy included acute enteritis, degeneration of the liver and kidneys, and oedema of the mesentery. The stomach was filled with clotted milk. Histopathological and electron-microscopic findings consisted of reduced glycogen content and pathological simple fatty infiltration of the liver cells, lymphocyte depletion and necrosis in the lymphoid follicles of the intestinal mucosa, atrophy of the thymic cortex, and hyperfunction of the adrenal and thyroid glands compared to the control.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Relationship between reproductive and productive performance in poultry flocks].

The author analyses the interrelationship between the hygienic prerequisites of reproduction and performance in poultry farming, with regard to their impact on human health. The main factors influencing the hatching rate of poultry eggs are reviewed along with their epizootiological and economic aspects, and the possibilities of the prevention of egg-transmitted diseases are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The role of the housefly, Musca domestica, in the spread of Aujeszky's disease (pseudorabies).

Starved houseflies were held over a suspension of Aujeszky's virus (PRV-1) for 24-48 h. One group was rinsed in 70% ethanol to kill virus attached to the body surface. No virus was isolated from this group. For the other group the titre of virus decreased more rapidly on the body surface of flies than in the environment. Model experiments demonstrated that the Aujeszky's virus cannot survive in the body of the housefly but the body surface may be contaminated for a period of time depending on the initial viral titre. Experiments showed that susceptible pigs fed on flies contaminated with Aujeszky's virus may become infected. The quantity of virus (5 x 10(5) pfu ml-1) shed by a single housefly during biting and vomiting on the cornea or abraded skin proved to be sufficient to cause infection in susceptible pigs, rabbits and a lamb. It is possible that houseflies could play a role in transmission of infection within herds. Transmission between herds is much less likely.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

[Carcass disposal in Hungary (author's transl)].

In Hungary more than half of the entire livestock is kept in industrial breeding plants i.e. under mass breeding conditions. So long as the industrial capacity of the plants remains insufficient to process the volume of carcasses, the animal breeding plants are compelled to find their own solutions for the disposal and/or rendering of the carcasses and waste. On some state farms the carcasses are processed into so-called meat-mash which must be utilised as fodder within 48 hours after the death of the animal. High-quality meat-meal can only be obtained from fresh carcasses. Carcasses are processed for reasons of economy, but the methods of carcass disposal are subject to stringent requirements imposed by the public health service, veterinary hygiene inspectorates and by the environment protection authorities. The carcasses or slaughter-house waste destined for processing must not contain any pathogens likely to be injurious to man or animal or to threaten the health of the persons concerned with the carcass processing. For this reason the carcasses must be kept in boilers for 2 to 4 hours at a pressure of 4 atü. The formulation of the factory rules and the technology of processing must make due allowance for these stipulations.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1978

Neurological infections caused by herpes simplex virus in adults.

Over a period of 33 months, 281 neuro-infections were tested for herpes simplex virus. In 26 cases herpes simplex virus was identified as the aetiological agent by isolation of the virus from the cerebrospinal fluid and by serological tests. The illness took the form of severe encephalitis in four cases, less severe encephalitis or meningoencephalitis in 12 cases, aseptic meningitis in seven cases, meningo-encephalitis with radiculitis in one case, ascending radiculomyelitis in one case and radiculitis in one case. The diagnostical and therapeutical problems of herpes simplex neuro-infections are discussed.

Adolescent↗