Molecular characterization of a virulent genotype VIId strain of Newcastle disease virus from farmed chickens in Shanghai

A virulent Newcastle disease virus strain was isolated from diseased chickens in Shanghai, China. The isolated strain was initially characterized as highly virulent because of a short mean death time in embryonated chicken eggs and specific-pathogen-free chickens and was typed as neurotropic by intracloacal inoculation of chickens. The isolated strain had a dibasic amino acid motif in the fusion protein cleavage site sequence required for systemic replication in the host cell. The strain fell into subgenotype VIId by phylogenetic analysis of the fusion protein gene. Although these results demonstrated some sequence similarity between the isolated strain and strains responsible for outbreaks of Newcastle disease in China and Taiwan, the unusually high mortality (86.4%) set this strain aside from other VII strains. Finally, a cross-protection assay demonstrated that La Sota and clone 30 live vaccines could not protect chickens from infection with the isolated strain, with a zero survival rate being observed when chickens were challenged with a high dose of virulent VIId virus.     

Investigation of field outbreaks of turkey haemorrhagic enteritis in Hungary

Epidemiological, pathological, serological and virological investigations are reported on turkey haemorrhagic enteritis virus (THEV) infection in Hungarian turkey flocks. The pathogenesis of infection in experimentally infected turkeys and chickens, as well as the usefulness of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/sequencing method for epidemiological investigation and for the differentiation of vaccine and field strains of THEV was also studied. Since the first recognition of the disease in Hungary in the late 1970s, until recently the disease has been diagnosed sporadically in its mild form. In the last few years (2000-2005), however, the number of outbreaks and the severity of the disease increased (9-23 affected flocks/year). Most of the outbreaks occurred at the age of 6 to 8 weeks and was complicated with Escherichia coli infection. The antibody levels to THEV in turkey flocks gradually declined till 5-7 weeks of age, and then they increased sharply due to natural infection with THEV. The immune response to vaccination (at 5 weeks of age) showed no significant antibody level increase one week postvaccination, but four weeks later the antibody level reached high values and then remained at this high level. The agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test to detect turkey adenovirus A (TAdV-A) antigen and PCR methods for THEV-specific DNA gave similarly positive results if spleens with pathognomonic lesions were tested; however, PCR proved to be more sensitive in cases with less characteristic pathological lesions. Nucleotide sequence alignment of PCR products amplified from Hungarian field strains and the Domermuth vaccine strain and that of the published THEV hexon sequences in GenBank database revealed slight differences between the sequences.     

Experimental infection of chickens and turkeys with Mycoplasma gallisepticum reference strain S6 and North Carolina field isolate RAPD type B

During an epidemic of mycoplasmosis in chicken and turkey flocks in North Carolina between 1999 and 2001, isolates of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) from affected flocks were characterized by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and eight distinct RAPD types were identified. MG RAPD type B accounted for more than 90% of the isolates and was associated with moderate-to-severe clinical signs and mortality. The virulence of MG RAPD type B for chickens and turkeys was compared with sham-inoculated negative controls and MG S6 (a virulent strain)-inoculated positive controls. Clinical signs occurred in chickens and turkeys inoculated with either MG RAPD type B or MG S6. However, they were not as frequent or severe as those seen in naturally affected flocks, and there was no mortality in the experimental groups. Based on gross and microscopic findings, MG RAPD type B was equal to or more virulent than MG S6. All MG-inoculated birds were culture and PCR positive at 7 and 14 days postinoculation (PI). Among serological tests, the serum plate agglutination test was positive for the majority of chickens and turkeys (58%-100%) infected with either strain of MG at both 7 and 14 days PI. The hemagglutination inhibition test was negative for all birds at 7 days PI and positive for a few chickens (8%-17%) and several turkey sera (40%-60%) at 14 days PI. Only a single serum was positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (an MG S6-infected turkey) at 14 days PI.     

Development of a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of turkey antibodies to Mycoplasma meleagridis

A blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (B-ELISA) was developed to detect antibodies to Mycoplasma meleagridis (MM) in turkey sera. This assay was based on two mouse monoclonal antibodies recognising all MM strains tested but none of seven avian mycoplasmal species tested. Furthermore, their binding to the Tween 20 antigen was inhibited by serum from MM-infected birds. The B-ELISA test format was optimized. The cut-off was determined using a set of sera from MM-free turkeys. This B-ELISA was then compared with a commercial indirect ELISA (I-ELISA). Specificities of the two ELISA tests were not significantly different (100 or 99%, respectively). The sensitivity of B-ELISA was significantly higher than the I-ELISA when I-ELISA suspicious results were considered as negative. Testing sera from experimentally MM-infected animals showed that serum plate agglutination (SPA) test detected positive birds before both ELISA methods. Samples were collected in MM-infected commercial flocks and analyzed by SPA, ELISAs, MM-PCR or culture. Results showed that the sensitivity of the B-ELISA appeared superior to the I-ELISA. Moreover, the ability to detect maternal antibodies makes it a useful tool for eradication or control of MM infections.     

Detection of antibody to turkey coronavirus by antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay utilizing infectious bronchitis virus antigen

An antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of antibody to turkey coronavirus (TCV) utilizing infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) antigen was developed. Anti-TCV hyperimmune turkey serum and normal turkey serum were used as positive or negative control serum for optimization of the ELISA system. Goat anti-turkey immunoglobulin G (light plus heavy chains) conjugated with horseradish peroxidase was used as detector antibody. The performance of the ELISA system was evaluated with 45 normal turkey sera and 325 turkey sera from the field and the cutoff point was determined. Serum samples of turkeys experimentally infected with TCV collected sequentially from 1 to 63 days postinfection were applied to the established antibody-capture ELISA using IBV antigens. The optimum conditions for differentiation between anti-TCV hyperimmune serum and normal turkey serum were serum dilution at 1:40 and conjugate dilution at 1:1600. Of the 325 sera from the field, 175 were positive for TCV by immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) assay. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA relative to IFA test were 93.1% and 96.7%, respectively, based on the results of serum samples from the field turkey flocks using the optimum cutoff point of 0.18 as determined by the logistic regression method. The ELISA values of all 45 normal turkey sera were completely separated from that of IFA-positive sera. The ELISA results of serum samples collected from turkeys experimentally infected with TCV were comparable to that of the IFA assay. Reactivity of anti-rotavirus, anti-reovirus, anti-adenovirus, or anti-enterovirus antibodies with the IBV antigens coated in the commercially available ELISA plates coated with IBV antigens could be utilized for detection of antibodies to TCV in antibody-capture ELISA.     

Isolation of Mycoplasma capricolum-like strains from chickens

Members of the genus Mycoplasma infect a wide range of hosts, but individual Mycoplasma species tend to exhibit a considerable degree of host specificity. We characterized Mycoplasma strain 700, isolated from a kidney of a layer hen in Spain and Mycoplasma strains ULB-A and ULB-B, isolated from the air sac and from the bile of stunted broiler chickens in Slovenia. The serologic examination showed that these three strains are antigenically unrelated to all of the recognized Mycoplasma species of avian origin, but closely related to the ruminant mycoplasma Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capricolum (M. capricolum). The comparison of their 16S rRNA gene sequences with the sequence of M. capricolum (California kid) revealed 99.66% sequence identity for the strain 700 and 99.59% identity for strains ULB-A and ULB-B. Moreover, the predicted DnaK sequences of the M. capricolum-like strains, isolated from chickens, were identical to DnaK sequences of M. capricolum. Comparison of their dnaK gene sequences with M. capricolum showed 99.64% sequence identity for strain 700 and 99.27% identity for strains ULB-A and ULB-B. In the flock from which M. capricolum-like strains ULB-A and ULB-B were isolated, the majority of chickens (83% of the chickens examined) raised antibodies reacting with M. capricolum antigens. Notably, the infection of chickens with M. capricolum-like strains represents an unusual exception to the range of Mycoplasma species host specificity.     

Serologic evidence in commercial chicken and turkey flocks of infection with reticuloendotheliosis virus

A serologic survey has documented probable infection with reticuloendotheliosis (RE) virus in 21.0% of 101 layer flocks, 23.5% of 85 broiler and broiler-breeder flocks, 2.3% of 43 backyard chicken flocks, and 4.8% of 125 turkey production and breeder flocks. However, no infection was detected in 72 grandparent lines of chicken breeding stocks representing meat-type and layer strains. The existence of natural infection was further supported by isolation of RE virus from one experimental chicken flock and two commercial turkey flocks. This study supports earlier but subsequently discounted data by Aulisio and Shelokov that exposure to RE virus occurs commonly among commercial chickens in the United States, as has also been reported in other countries.     

Enzyme immunoassay studies on the serological response of turkeys to hemorrhagic enteritis virus

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of antibodies in turkey serum to hemorrhagic enteritis virus. The ELISA antigen was extracted from turkey spleens and partially purified with fluorocarbon. Antibodies were demonstrated in serum samples of breeding and meat flocks that had been naturally exposed to infection. These samples were also examined in parallel by agar-gel precipitin (AGP); most of the sera were AGP-positive. ELISA, however, was more sensitive in detecting antibodies in day-old sera that were AGP-negative. The passively acquired antibodies were no longer detected by 4 weeks of age. A brisk but short-lived secondary response was detected by ELISA in the sera of turkeys immunized with beta-propiolactone-inactivated extract of infected spleens.     

HVT国内株的分离鉴定

用来自国内某火鸡饲养场的健康火鸡血白细胞 ,接种于鸡胚成纤维细胞 ,分离到一株火鸡疱疹病毒的野毒—SY8_2。电镜下可观察到分离株SY8_2的鸡胚成纤维细胞培养物中存在典型的火鸡疱疹病毒粒子 ;分离株SY8_2的细胞培养物经卵黄囊途径接种 4日龄鸡胚 ,14天后在绒毛尿囊膜上形成痘斑 ;用分离物SY8_2细胞培养物接种 1日龄SPF雏鸡 ,感染雏鸡可产生病毒血症 ,并能从感染雏鸡的血液白细胞中重新分离到病毒 ;经 2个月的临床观察人工感染鸡无不良反应 ,剖检无任何病理解剖学变化 ;用HVT特异性单克隆抗体L78(3型 )做间接免疫荧光染色试验证实分离株SY8_2为MD血清 3型病毒—HVT。     

一株鸡马立克氏病病毒的分离鉴定及主要致病基因分析

山东省某地区鸡马立克氏病疫苗免疫鸡群暴发马立克氏病(MD),为分离得到致病毒株,检测其致病性,采用琼脂扩散试验、细胞培养和间接免疫荧光试验(IFA)等方法从发病鸡的血液及羽髓中分离到一株适应鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF)生长的马立克氏病病毒。采用PCR方法扩增分离毒株的meq、pp38、132bp重复序列等病毒致病相关基因,所得序列用DNAStar软件与GenBank上登录的参考毒株进行比对分析。结果显示,该分离株SDAU-1的pp38基因与标准强毒序列同源性为100%,132bp重复序列的拷贝数及meq基因的变异均符合MDV强毒株的序列特征。     

Isolation and Identification of a Field Strain of Marek's Disease Virus and Analysis of Major Pathogenic Genes

In a certain area of Shandong province, Marek's disease (MD) occurred in diseased chickens that had been vaccinated by turkey herpesvirus.In order to isolate the virus strain and detect the virus pathogenicity, agar diffusion test, cell culture and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) were used to isolate the Marek's virus from chicken's blood and feather marrow.The isolated strain was adapted to grow in chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF).Genes involved in pathogenesis of MDV, such as meq, pp38 and 132 bp repeat sequence were amplified by PCR.The obtained sequences were compared with that of standard strains published in GenBank by DNAStar software.The results showed that pp38 gene of the SDAU-1 shared homology from 100% with standard virulent sequence.Analysis of 132 bp repeat sequence and meq gene sequences of the viral genome showed that the isolated virus belongs to the highly virulent MDV strains.     

Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection in wild-type turkeys living in close contact with domestic fowl

Mycoplasma gallisepticum was isolated from 2 wild-type turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) and 1 domestic turkey living in close contact on a farm in Tehama County, California. Sinusitis was detected in 2 of 14 wild-type turkeys and in 1 of 12 feral broad-breasted bronze turkeys, but in none of several chickens on the premises. The entire mixed flock was captured, sinus aspirates were collected from affected birds, and blood samples were obtained from all birds for serologic testing. Blood samples also were obtained from 10 domestic turkeys on adjacent premises from which breeding stock had been borrowed. The M gallisepticum isolated from sinus aspirates was typed and inoculated into susceptible chickens, resulting in airsacculitis. California wild turkeys with and without histories of exposure to domestic fowl and wild turkeys shipped into California from Texas for release were tested for antibodies to M gallisepticum, using the plate agglutination test. Evidence of M gallisepticum infection was not found in wild turkeys at any location other than the original premises.     

Pathogenicity for chickens of a reovirus isolated from turkeys

A viral agent that was isolated from livers of commercial turkey poults that died at approximately two weeks of age was characterized as a reovirus. Experimental infection of day-old chickens with this reovirus isolate resulted in the development of tenosynovitis, hepatitis, and myocarditis. In vitro neutralization of the turkey reovirus isolate by antiserum against chicken reovirus correlated with in vivo protection of maternally immune chickens from day-old oral challenge with the turkey reovirus isolate.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of antibody against avian influenza virus

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for detecting antibody to type A avian influenza (AI) virus. The sensitivity and group specificity of the AI-ELISA were compared with those of the agar-gel-precipitin test (AGPT) and the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test under conditions of both controlled and field exposure. During the course of temporal experimental infection (0-76 days) of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens with AI subtype Hav9N2, the AI-ELISA was able to detect specific AI antibody as early as 8 days postinoculation (PI), and it measured rising levels of antibody through 35 days PI, at which time the chickens were re-exposed to AI virus. Conversely, AGP tests were negative through 35 days PI, and HI tests began to detect low levels of AI antibody only at 21 days PI. Following a secondary infection at 35 days PI with the same AI subtype, all tests measured rising levels of AI-specific antibody (35-76 days PI). However, the AGP test was positive at only the 7- and 14-day samplings postsecondary immunization. Under field conditions, the AI-ELISA was able to detect serum AI antibody in flocks from which highly pathogenic AI was isolated, but the AGP tests of these sera were negative.     

一种鸡抗猪丁型冠状病毒阳性血清的制备方法

为研究能否用鸡制备出猪丁型冠状病毒(PDCoV)阳性血清。将PDCoV用BEI灭活制备抗原,抗原与矿物油佐剂乳化制备疫苗,疫苗多次免疫SPF鸡,采集血清,检测血清中和效价、将血清用于IFA检测PDCoV。血清中和效价随免疫次数增加逐渐增高,4免后14日的中和效价平均值为1300;中和效价1000左右的血清混合作为阳性血清,1000倍稀释可用于IFA检测PDCoV。实验说明,用鸡制备PDCoV阳性血清的方法成立,制备的阳性血清可用于中和实验、IFA检测PDCoV。     

Isolation and molecular biological investigations of avian poxviruses from chickens, a turkey, and a pigeon in Croatia

In the last 3 yr, several outbreaks of avian poxviruses (APVs) have been observed in different parts of Croatia. Four strains of APVs, from chickens, a pigeon, and a turkey, were isolated from cutaneous lesions by inoculation onto the chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) of 12-day-old specific-pathogen-free chicken embryos. The resulting proliferative CAM lesions contained eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. The characteristic viral particles of poxvirus were detected in the infected CAM and also in the infected tissues by transmission electron microscopy. Further identification and differentiation of the four various APVs were carried out by the use of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with restriction enzyme analysis. Using one primer set, which framed a region within the APV 4b core protein gene, it was possible to detect APV-specific DNA from all four tested isolates. PCR results revealed no recognizable differences in size of amplified fragments between the different APVs from chickens, turkey, and pigeon. Restriction enzyme analysis of PCR products using NlaIII showed the same cleavage pattern for turkey and chicken isolates and a different one for the pigeon isolate. Multiplex PCR for direct detection of APV and reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) was carried out to determine the possible integration of REV in the genome of isolated APVs. The obtained results revealed that REV was present in chicken and turkey strains of poxviruses, whereas the pigeon isolate was negative. It is not known whether the avipoxvirus vaccine strain used in Croatia is contaminated with REV or if the REV is naturally contaminating Croatian field strains of fowl poxvirus. The latter is indicated by the negative REV finding in the pigeon, which was not vaccinated. The results of the present study indicate the reemergence of fowlpox in Croatia, where infections have not been recorded since 1963 and never confirmed etiologically.     

鸡卡氏杆菌的分离与16S rRNA基因的分析鉴定

四川雅安某种鸡场种鸡出现消瘦,腹部膨大,肝脏肿大破裂出血,腹膜和输卵管炎为主要特征的疾病。为诊断和预防此病的发生,通过对细菌分离纯化、形态学观察、生化试验、药物敏感性试验鉴定出1株致病菌,应用通用引物对细菌的16S rRNA基因进行克隆和测序,测序结果于NCBI上进行BLAST比对,选择同源性较高的巴氏杆菌科15个属的29株细菌16S rRNA序列进行比对分析,构建遗传进化树。结果表明,分离纯化的细菌能在血平板上生长,革兰氏染色阴性短杆状,能发酵大多数糖和醇类,对头孢类抗生素敏感,16S rRNA序列与卡氏杆菌属细菌的同源性最高,在92.2%～99.5%之间,特别是与鸭卡氏杆菌同源在97.5%～99.5%之间。遗传进化树分析结果表明,该菌株与卡氏杆菌属细菌属于同一大分类群,与鸭卡氏杆菌位于同一个小分支,最终诊断该鸡场为卡氏杆菌感染。     

Identification and phylogenetic diversity of parvovirus circulating in commercial chicken and turkey flocks in Croatia

Phylogenetic diversity of parvovirus detected in commercial chicken and turkey flocks is described. Nine chicken and six turkey flocks from Croatian farms were tested for parvovirus presence. Intestinal samples from one turkey and seven chicken flocks were found positive, and were sequenced. Natural parvovirus infection was more frequently detected in chickens than in turkeys examined in this study. Sequence analysis of 400 nucleotide fragments of the nonstructural gene (NS) showed that our sequences had more similarity with chicken parvovirus (ChPV) (92.3%-99.7%) than turkey parvovirus (TuPV) (89.5%-98.9%) strains. Phylogenetic analysis grouped our sequences in two clades. Also, the higher prevalence of ChPV than TuPV in tested flocks was defined. The necropsy findings suggested a malabsorption syndrome followed by a preascitic condition. Further research of parvovirus infection, pathogenesis, and the possibility of its association with poult enteritis and mortality syndrome (PEMS) and runting and stunting syndrome (RSS) is needed to clarify its significance as an agent of enteric disease.     

Identification of the antigenic components of paramyxovirus-3, paramyxovirus-6 and Newcastle disease virus in turkeys

The aim of this study was to use the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the Western immunoblotting as possible tools to differentiate infections in turkeys by different paramyxoviruses. Pooled hyperimmune sera of turkeys infected with either paramyxovirus-3 (PMV-3), paramyxovirus-6 (PMV-6), or Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were assayed for antibodies specific to the three viruses by the ELISA and Western immunoblotting. ELISA results showed cross reactions of turkey antibodies between PMV-3 and PMV-6 antigens, while turkey antibodies to NDV did not cross-react with any of the other paramyxoviruses. The immunoblots of sera from birds infected with PMV-3 (Minnesota turkeys and Iowa chickens) reacted to low molecular weight polypeptides of PMV-3 of 29, 32, and 34 kDa, and to a high molecular weight band of 200 kDa. The same Minnesota turkey sera had a cross reaction to the 200 kDa polypeptide of PMV-6, while the Iowa chicken sera did not. Both sera had no apparent reaction to NDV proteins. Western immunoblotting showed that the turkey PMV-3 sera had a specific reaction to a 220 kDa polypeptide present in PMV-3, but not in PMV-6, while the turkey PMV-6 sera had a specific reaction to a 130 kDa polypeptide present in PMV-6, but not in PMV-3. Immunoblots of pooled sera from turkeys infected with PMV-6 (Minnesota source) reacted to the 200 kDa protein present in both PMV-3 and PMV-6; however, no reaction occurred between this sera and NDV proteins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)