RESEARCH GROUP LEADER: Dr. Gyula BALKA, associate professor
CONTACT: [Click to see email]
MEMBERS:
1) Dr. Lilla DÉNES
2) Barbara IGRICZI
3) Géza Dávid HORVÁTH
RESEARCH TOPIC:
This research group focuses on the detection, molecular diagnostics, prevalence estimation and phlyogenetic investigations of selected viral diseases of domestic animals, mostly swine. In a terminated H2020 project (SWINOSTICS) as a member of an international multicentre research group we were involved in the development of a point-of-care diagnostic device detecting 6 different porcine viruses (PRRSV, SIV, CSFV, ASFV, PCV2, PPV1). Our current ICRAD project, led by the University of Ghent we are investigating the use of third generation (Nanopore) sequencing methods in pigs for better in-depth molecular diagnostics of various diseases. In a nationwide survey program we are aiming to map the presence, prevalence, within-herd infection dinamics and phylogeny of certain porcine viruses in the Hungarian pig polulation. We are also aimig to detect and localize these viruses in various tissues of the infected animals by the use of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.
TOP PUBLICATIONS:
1) Stas MR, Kreutzmann H, Stadler J, Sassu EL, Mair KH, Koch M, Knecht C, Stadler M, Dolezal M, Balka G, Zaruba M, Mötz M, Saalmüller A, Rümenapf T, Gerner W, Ladinig A. Influence of PRRSV-1 vaccination and infection on mononuclear immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface. Front Immunol. 2022 Nov 8;13:1055048.
2) Kreutzmann H, Stadler J, Knecht C, Sassu EL, Ruczizka U, Zablotski Y, Vatzia E, Balka G, Zaruba M, Chen HW, Riedel C, Rümenapf T, Ladinig A. Phenotypic Characterization of a Virulent PRRSV-1 Isolate in a Reproductive Model With and Without Prior Heterologous Modified Live PRRSV-1 Vaccination. Front Vet Sci. 2022 Apr 7;9:820233.
3) Dénes L, Ruedas-Torres I, Szilasi A, Balka G. Detection and localization of atypical porcine pestivirus in the testicles of naturally infected, congenital tremor affected piglets. Transbound Emerg Dis. 2022 Jul;69(4):e621-e629.
4) Dénes L, Cságola A, Schönhardt K, Halas M, Solymosi N, Balka G. First report of porcine parainfluenza virus 1 (species Porcine respirovirus 1) in Europe. Transbound Emerg Dis. 2021 Jul;68(4):1731-1735.
5) Dénes L, Biksi I, Albert M, Szeredi L, Knapp DG, Szilasi A, Bálint Á, Balka G. Detection and phylogenetic characterization of atypical porcine pestivirus strains in Hungary. Transbound Emerg Dis. 2018 Dec;65(6):2039-2042.
GRANT PROJECTS:
1) Use of frontline technologies to screen pathogens, environment and pigs for a better disease control in swine herds (TechPEPCon)
2) National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety