Putkistovirheet

Putkistovirheet is a type of viral infection that affects the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels of the host organism. The term is primarily used in Finnish veterinary medicine to describe a condition found in pigs, where the swine are infected by a virus that causes lesions in the cardiovascular system.

The putkistovirheet virus is believed to be closely related to other members of the Astroviridae family, which includes viruses that primarily infect animals. The exact cause and transmission dynamics of the condition remain unclear, but researchers believe that it is likely spread through contact with infected animals, contaminated feed or water, and possibly through direct close contact between infected and uninfected individuals.

Pigs infected with putkistovirheet may exhibit a range of symptoms, including vascular lesions, ulcers, and necrosis. In severe cases, the condition can lead to the breakdown of the vascular endothelium, resulting in associated systemic and local inflammation. Clinical manifestations may also include sepsis, endotoxic shock, and acute renal failure.

The virus is most commonly identified using molecular biological methods such as PCR or nucleic acid hybridization. Histopathological examination of affected tissues is critical in confirming the diagnosis, as is the demonstration of viral antigens in endothelial cells using specific antibodies.

There is no specific treatment for putkistovirheet reported in veterinary medicine, and the main purpose of diagnosis is to confirm the condition for epidemiological and public health purposes.