Browsing by Author "Vaatstra B"

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    Evidence from a Series of 104 Equine Sarcoids Suggests That Most Sarcoids in New Zealand Are Caused by Bovine Papillomavirus Type 2, although Both BPV1 and BPV2 DNA Are Detectable in around 10% of Sarcoids
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerand), 2021-10-29) Munday JS; Orbell G; Fairley RA; Hardcastle M; Vaatstra B; Bailey S
    Equine sarcoids are common mesenchymal neoplasms of horses that are caused by cross-species infection by deltapapillomaviruses. While bovine papillomavirus (BPV) 1 and 2 are the most common causes, there are differences between countries regarding which of these BPV types cause the majority of sarcoids. Additionally, no causative PV can be detected in a subset of sarcoids, suggesting that other PV types could be rarer causes of these neoplasms. In the present study, consensus PCR primers and PCR primers specific for the five deltapapillomavirus types currently known to cause mesenchymal neoplasia (BPV1, BPV2, BPV13, BPV14, and Ovis aries PV2 DNA) were used to investigate the presence of PV DNA in 104 sarcoids from three defined regions in New Zealand and from two distinct time periods separated by 15 years. PV DNA was detected in 94 (90.4%) sarcoids. Of the sarcoids containing PV DNA, 83 (88.3%) contained only BPV2 DNA, 9 (9.6%) BPV1 and BPV2 DNA, and 2 (2.1%) only BPV1 DNA. No other PV types were detected. The predominance of BPV2 is consistent with studies of sarcoids from North America but dissimilar to studies of sarcoids from Europe and Australia. Detection rates of BPV1 and BPV2 were similar in sarcoids from different regions of New Zealand and in sarcoids from different time periods. These results suggest that most equine sarcoids in New Zealand are caused by BPV2 and thus if vaccines are developed to prevent sarcoids, vaccines that provide good protection against BPV2 will be required in this country.
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    Seasonal corneal oedema in small ruminants and camelids in New Zealand: case investigations in sheep and goats
    (Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, 2025-04-13) Hunt H; Green D; Doohan S; Vaatstra B; Makin J; Price P
    Case history: A seasonal syndrome, presenting as corneal oedema and distinct from infectious keratoconjunctivitis, has been reported in sheep, goats, and camelids in New Zealand. This study details the diagnostic investigation on two properties, of multiple cases of corneal oedema in small ruminants. Outbreak 1 occurred in a mob of sheep in April/May 2023 in the Manawatū region, with 27/52 sheep affected. Outbreak 2 occurred in a group of farmed goats in February/March 2024 in the Auckland region, with 4/5 goats affected. Clinical findings: A spectrum of corneal abnormalities, including focal and diffuse corneal oedema and bullous keratopathy/corneal hydrops, were observed in both the sheep and goats. All animals had normal menace responses and pupillary light reflexes, and there was no associated blepharospasm, epiphora or ocular discharge, except in five sheep that developed secondary ulcerative keratitis. These five sheep had severe ulceration or corneal perforation necessitating euthanasia, while the other affected sheep all recovered within 5 months. The corneal oedema in all goats improved over the following 6 months, but one required a thermokeratoplasty procedure to aid resolution of the oedema and the other three goats had residual focal oedema that did not appreciably affect vision. Diagnosis: It is proposed that a primary corneal endothelial dysfunction was the cause of the oedema, but the aetiopathogenesis is not well understood. Clinical relevance: This is the first peer-reviewed description of this presentation in New Zealand. In contrast to other causes of corneal oedema in ruminants, seasonal corneal oedema is, in some cases, self-limiting with minimal impacts on production and welfare. However, secondary ulceration and corneal perforation may occur, which is painful and may lead to deep infections and permanent visual deficits. Topical antibiotic therapy does not appear to aid in the resolution of the oedema.