嵌合型猪圆环病毒(PCV1-2)及PCV2 ORF2真核表达质粒对商品猪的免疫保护

应用本实验室构建的嵌合型猪圆环病毒(PCV1-2)及真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1/V5-His-ORF2作为免疫原免疫母源抗体ELISA效价在0.07～0.60不等的商品猪,9头猪随机分为4组,1组(3头)肌肉注射免疫103.5TCID50的PCV1-2/头,2组(2头)肌肉注射真核表达质粒200μg/头,3组(2头)肌肉注射空载体(pcDNA3.1)200 μg/头,4组(2头)不免疫作为攻毒对照组.于免疫后42 d,PCV1-2组及真核表达质粒组产生了PCV2抗体.免疫后42 d所有组攻毒PCV2和PRRSV,剂量分别为2×104.5TCID50/头和106TCID50/头.攻毒后21 d,攻毒对照组猪淋巴结比免疫组显著肿大,免疫组猪血清、淋巴结中PCV2病毒载量低于对照组,攻毒对照组猪淋巴结中PCV2抗原含量高于免疫组.这些结果表明,嵌合型PCV1-2及真核表达质粒肌肉注射免疫商品猪后,对PCV2感染能产生保护性免疫应答,有可能成为候选疫苗.     

猪圆环病毒2型ORF2／猪白介素2嵌合表达质粒在猪体内诱导的保护性免疫反应

为探讨猪圆环病毒2型（PCV2）ORF2／猪白介素-2（PoIL-2）嵌合重组表达质粒（rpcDNA3．1／PCV2-linke PoIL-2）在猪体内的免疫效果和免疫保护效果进而研制高效PCV2核酸疫苗,将35只10日龄健康仔猪平均分成7组分别以rpcDNA3．1／PCV2-linker-PolL2重组表达质粒或PCV2ORF2基因原核表达的rCap蛋白进行免疫及免疫保护试验。共进行4次肌肉注射免疫,每次间隔2周;于第4次免疫后3周通过口腔和鼻腔途径感染PCV2细胞强毒。分别于第4次免疫后和攻毒后不同时间通过检测免疫猪血清抗体水平和外周血T淋巴细胞增殖活性、辅助性T细胞（Th）和细胞毒性T细胞（Tc）亚群的百分含量、排毒率和病毒血症阳性维持时间等指标以评价其免疫和免疫保护效果。结果表明,各免疫组猪均产生了抗PCV2特异性EI。ISA免疫抗体,但rCap蛋白免疫组猪抗体水平较低;rpcDNA3．1／PCV2qinker-PolL-2质粒对猪体的免疫和免疫保护效果显著优于rpcDNA3．1／oRF2质粒;在rpcD—NA3．1／PCV2-linkePolL-2质粒或rpcDNA3．I／ORF2质粒中添加rCap蛋白对重组质粒免疫及免疫保护效果无明显影响。因此,选取rpcDNA3．1／PCV2-linkerPoIL-2质粒为下-步研制PCV2核酸疫苗的主要成分。     

PCV2ORF2基因与猪IL-18基因共表达DNA疫苗的免疫原性

为研制新型的PCV2基因疫苗,本研究将PCV2ORF2和猪IL-18基因插入真核表达质粒pIRES中,构建共表达capsid (Cap)蛋白和猪IL-18的质粒pIRES-OFR2/IL18和表达Cap蛋白的质粒pIRES-OFR2.将质粒pIRES-OFR2/IL18和pIRES-OFR2通过腿部肌肉多点注射8周龄昆明小鼠,间隔3周再免疫1次.加强免疫3周后用PCV2 Wuzhi株进行攻毒.pIRES-OFR2/IL18免疫昆明小鼠后能促进外周血T淋巴细胞增殖和血清中特异性抗体水平的增加,能明显增强PCV2 DNA疫苗对强毒的攻击保护,pIRES-ORF2/IL18免疫组要优于pIRES-ORF2免疫组及其它对照组,差异显著.表明猪IL-18基因与PCV2ORF2共表达可增强猪体对DNA疫苗的免疫应答,提高对PCV2强毒的抵抗力.     

PCV2感染对仔猪NO-NOS系统的动态影响

将19头PCV2和PRRSV血清抗体阴性的普通断奶仔猪分为对照组(4头)和攻毒组(15头),攻毒组每头仔猪滴鼻接种PCV2病毒悬液4mL(5×105 TCID50/mL)并用KLH刺激,分别在攻毒后14、21、35d各扑杀5头仔猪采集血清和脾脏、淋巴结、胸腺(对照组4头在攻毒当天扑杀)。检测各种组织中NO、TNOS和iNOS的含量。结果显示,攻毒猪各组织中NO含量均在攻毒后14d显著升高(P<0.05),然后缓慢下降;血清和3种免疫器官中NOS(包括TNOS和iNOS)活性的变化趋势比较一致,均表现出先升高然后再逐渐降低的特点。此外,iNOS活性变化与其相应的组织中NO含量呈显著正相关(P<0.01)。结果表明,PCV2在感染早期(1～14d)可激活仔猪多种组织中NO-NOS系统,中后期逐渐恢复,这种变化与PCV2所致的组织损伤密切相关,因此,NO-NOS系统可能是PCV2相关疾病发生发展的重要信号。     

猪2型圆环病毒核酸疫苗的研制及其对小白鼠的免疫效果

为研制猪2型圆环病毒（PCV2）新型核酸疫苗，以pcDNA3为载体，与PCV2的ORF2及其高变区V1、V2、V3、V1-V2连接，分别成功构建了真核表达质粒pcDNA3-ORF2、pcDNA3-V1、pcDNA3-V2、pcDNA3-V3和pcDNA3-V1-V2。对阳性真核表达质粒大量生产并纯化后，以每只小白鼠0．2mg免疫5周龄左右的雌性小白鼠，然后用ELISA检测免疫小白鼠血清中抗体的产生情况。结果显示，这5种真核表达质粒均能刺激小白鼠产生特异性抗体，但相比之下，真核表达质粒pcDNA3-V1-V2诱导小白鼠产生的抗体水平更高，维持的时间更久。表明质粒pcDNA3-V1-V2的免疫效果较好，有望成为防制猪2型圆环病毒的候选疫苗。     

猪圆环病毒2型ORF2/猪白介素2嵌合表达质粒在猪体内诱导的保护性免疫反应

为探讨猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)ORF2/猪白介素-2(PoIL-2)嵌合重组表达质粒(rpcDNA3.1/PCV2-linker-PoIL-2)在猪体内的免疫效果和免疫保护效果进而研制高效PCV2核酸疫苗,将35只10日龄健康仔猪平均分成7组分别以rpcDNA3.1/PCV2-linker-PoIL-2重组表达质粒或PCV2ORF2基因原核表达的rCap蛋白进行免疫及免疫保护试验。共进行4次肌肉注射免疫,每次间隔2周;于第4次免疫后3周通过口腔和鼻腔途径感染PCV2细胞强毒。分别于第4次免疫后和攻毒后不同时间通过检测免疫猪血清抗体水平和外周血T淋巴细胞增殖活性、辅助性T细胞(Th)和细胞毒性T细胞(Tc)亚群的百分含量、排毒率和病毒血症阳性维持时间等指标以评价其免疫和免疫保护效果。结果表明,各免疫组猪均产生了抗PCV2特异性ELISA免疫抗体,但rCap蛋白免疫组猪抗体水平较低;rpcDNA3.1/PCV2-linker-PoIL-2质粒对猪体的免疫和免疫保护效果显著优于rpcDNA3.1/ORF2质粒;在rpcDNA3.1/PCV2-linker-PoIL-2质粒或rpcDNA3.1/ORF2质粒中添加rCap蛋白对重组质粒免疫及免疫保护效果无明显影响。因此,选取rpcDNA3.1/PCV2-linker-PoIL-2质粒为下一步研制PCV2核酸疫苗的主要成分。     

猪圆环病毒2型核酸疫苗的小鼠免疫保护试验

为了研究猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)核酸疫苗在小鼠攻毒试验中的免疫保护效果,以PCV-2 GXWZ-1株为模板,扩增出ORF2基因及其截短基因8个片段(A(ORF2)、B(51-100aa)、C(101-150aa)、D(181-235aa)、E(151-200aa)、F(51-150aa)、G(101-235aa)、H(51-235aa)),将其插入到pcDNA3.0载体中,构建出真核表达质粒,并将其转染至PK-15细胞,用间接免疫荧光试验检测其瞬时表达情况。将试验小鼠随机分成9组,其中免疫组7组,阴阳性对照各1组,将纯化的真核表达质粒对小鼠进行组合免疫;二免后,用经处理过的PCV-2 GXWZ-2株阳性病料悬液腹腔注射免疫组和非免疫对照组小鼠,阴性对照组用生理盐水腹腔注射;其后进行体重记录、病理切片制作及PCR检测。结果表明:共有6个真核表达质粒成功在PK-15细胞中表达。在攻毒后的3周内,阳性对照组小鼠PCR诊断均为阳性;免疫组中,部分组小鼠在攻毒后第1周或在第2周为阳性,到第3周时各免疫组小鼠全部为阴性;阴性对照组始终为阴性。免疫组在病理保护学方面明显优于非免疫对照组,非免疫对照组的体重增长速率略低于免疫组和阴性对照组。由此可见猪圆环病毒2型核酸疫苗在小鼠攻毒试验中有明显的保护作用。     

猪SERPINC1基因对PCV2复制的效应及其转录调控

旨在研究猪SERPINC1基因对PCV2复制的影响,并探究SERPINC1基因的转录调控。本研究以15头纯种的莱芜猪(LW)和15头大约克夏-长白杂交的商品猪(YL)为试验动物。每个品种分为2组:接毒组(10头)和对照组(5头)。对接毒组的猪肌肉注射3 mL 6.3×10~(-3) TCID_(50)的PCV2-SD毒株,对照组的猪肌肉注射3 mL的磷酸盐缓冲液。在前期转录组测序的基础上,分析SERPINC1基因对PCV2复制的效应,并分析检测SERPINC1基因启动子和转录活性。结果表明,过表达SERPINC1能显著抑制猪肺泡巨噬细胞(PAM)中PCV2的复制。分别克隆了LW和YL猪SERPINC1基因转录起始位点上游3 854 bp的序列,并进行启动子活性的分析,发现PCV2接毒后LW猪SERPINC1基因的启动子活性显著升高(P0.05),而YL猪的启动子活性无显著变化。在SERPINC1基因的5′调控区找到4个调控该基因转录的关键区段,并对上述关键调控区中的4个多态性位点对SERPINC1基因启动子活性的影响进行了分析。综上表明,这4个多态位点均不影响SERPINC1基因的启动子活性。该研究结果为找到与猪抗PCV2有关的基因及分子标记奠定了基础。     

猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)疫苗对PCV2与猪繁殖和呼吸综合征病毒共感染猪群免疫力评价

本试验旨在探讨猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)疫苗对PCV2、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)感染猪生产性能及免疫保护力的影响。将287头仔猪随机分为2组,一组于出生后14 d和28 d免疫107.0TCID50PCV2疫苗各1 mL,另一组不予免疫。记录各组临床症状变化、断奶体重、保育后体重,并按时采血检测PCV2抗体。结果显示,在PCV2、PRRSV感染猪场,免疫组发病2头,死亡0头;对照组发病18头,死亡12头,免疫组发病率和死亡率明显低于对照组。二者在保育阶段增重变化差异显著(P<0.05),PCV2疫苗免疫后能够较快地产生保护力。     

免疫刺激商品断奶仔猪复制多系统衰竭综合征(PMWS)

猪圆环病毒2型（PCV2）是引起PMWS的必需病原,与其他病原混合感染或受到外界刺激时表现PMWS临床症状。本试验将16头商品化断奶仔猪（32日龄）随机分为4组（每组4头）,即对照组、钥匙孔血蓝蛋白刺激组、PCV2攻毒组和PCV2攻毒后钥匙孔血蓝蛋白刺激组,用上海某猪场分离株PCV2-SH、钥匙孔血蓝蛋白（KLH）反复刺激断奶仔猪以复制PMWS。其中对照组、钥匙孔血蓝蛋白刺激组未出现症状;PCV2攻毒组症状较轻,出现增重缓慢,伴有短暂的体温升高;而PCV2攻毒后钥匙孔血蓝蛋白刺激组出现明显的临床症状,2头猪在攻毒后第11天濒临死亡,其中1头在第12天死亡,攻毒猪宰杀后脏器出现明显的病理变化。PCV2攻毒组和PCV2攻毒后钥匙孔血蓝蛋白刺激组于攻毒后第4天出现病毒血症,宰杀后肺脏、淋巴结均检测到PCV2的DNA。以上结果说明,PCV2-SH感染结合免疫刺激可以引起商品化仔猪发生PMWS,为PCV2致病机理和免疫学研究提供了动物发病模型。     

Vaccination with inactivated or live-attenuated chimeric PCV1-2 results in decreased viremia in challenge-exposed pigs and may reduce transmission of PCV2

The objectives were to determine transmissibility of PCV2 to na?ve contact pigs 140 days after infection of resident pigs and the benefit of vaccination with live-attenuated or inactivated chimeric PCV2 vaccines on chronic PCV2 infection. Twelve 6-week old PCV2 na?ve pigs were randomly divided into four groups of three pigs: negative controls, positive controls, and pigs vaccinated with either a live-attenuated or inactivated chimeric PCV1-2 vaccine. All animals were bled weekly and tested for anti-PCV2 antibodies and PCV2 and PCV1-2 DNA and all groups except negative controls were challenged at 10 weeks. Two pigs vaccinated with the live PCV2 vaccine were PCV1-2 viremic at a single observation point. Both vaccine regimens induced an anti-PCV2 antibody response which was detected sooner and reached a higher level with the commercial inactivated vaccine. Both vaccines significantly decreased the concentration and duration of PCV2 viremia compared to the positive controls. PCV2 DNA was detected in lymphoid tissues of 1/3 pigs in the live-attenuated vaccine group and 3/3 positive control pigs. Three, 2-week old, PCV2 na?ve contact pigs were comingled with each group at 168 days post-vaccination or 140 days post-challenge. After seven days of co-housing, the resident pigs were removed and the contact pigs remained for six weeks. Evidence of chimeric PCV1-2 vaccine or PCV2 challenge virus transmission to na?ve contact pigs was lacking in all groups. The results of this study suggest that 140-day closure of a small pig population in a controlled environment may result in stabilization and elimination of PCV2.     

Efficacy of single dose of an inactivated porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) whole-virus vaccine with oil adjuvant in piglets

Background

Post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) associated with PCV2 is one of the most costly diseases currently faced by the swine industry. The development of effective vaccines against PCV2 infection has been accepted as an important strategy in the prophylaxis of PMWS.

Methods

In the present study, a PK-15 cell-adapted formalin-inactivated prototype vaccine candidate was prepared using a strain of PCV2 from China. Inactivation of the virus was accomplished using a standard formalin inactivation protocol. The protective properties of the inactivated PCV2 vaccine were evaluated in piglets. Ten 28-day-old pigs were randomly assigned to two groups, each with five. Group 1 was vaccinated intramuscularly with the inactivated virus preparation; Group 2 received sterile PBS as a placebo. By 28 days post-vaccination (DPV), Groups 1 and 2 were challenged intranasally and intramuscularly with 5 × 10⁷ TCID₅₀ of a virulent PCV2 isolate.

Results

The vaccinated pigs seroconverted to PCV2 and had high levels of serum antibodies to PCV2 at 28 days after vaccination, whereas the control pigs remained seronegative. No significant signs of clinical disease were recorded following the challenge with PCV2, but moderate amounts of PCV2 antigen were detected in most lymphoid organs of the control pigs. PCV2 was detected in two out of the five vaccinated pigs. Furthermore, pathological lesions and viremia were milder in the vaccinated group.

Conclusions

The obtained results indicate that the inactivated PCV2 virus vaccine with an oil adjuvant induce an immunological response in pigs that appears to provide protection from infection with PCV2. The vaccine, therefore, may have the potential to serve as a vaccine aimed to protect pigs from developing PMWS.     

Effect of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccination on porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and PCV2 coinfection

The objectives were to determine if PCV2 vaccination is effective in reducing disease and lesions associated with PRRSV and PCV2 coinfection and if there is a difference between intradermal (ID) and intramuscular (IM) route of PCV2 vaccination. Seventy-four, 21-day-old pigs were randomly allocated into one of six groups. On day 0, pigs were vaccinated with 2ml Suvaxyn((R)) PCV2 One Dose (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Inc.) by intramuscular (VAC-M-COINF) or intradermal (VAC-D-COINF) routes. On day 28, pigs were either singularly (PRRSV-only, PCV2-only) or coinfected (COINF) with PRRSV and PCV2. All pigs in all groups were necropsied on day 42. All vaccinated pigs seroconverted (IgM, IgG, and neutralizing antibodies) to PCV2 between 14 and 28 days post-vaccination. After challenge, all groups inoculated with PRRSV had reduced average daily gain compared to CONTROLS and PCV2-only (P<0.001). COINF pigs had significantly (P<0.05) reduced anti-PCV2-IgG antibody levels and neutralizing antibody levels compared to both vaccinated groups. COINF pigs had more severe lung lesions compared to VAC-M-COINF (P<0.05). COINF pigs had higher amounts of PCV2 DNA in serum samples and feces (P<0.05) and increased amounts of PCV2 in lymphoid tissues (P<0.05) compared to both vaccinated groups. In summary, PCV2 vaccination was effective at inducing a neutralizing antibody response and significantly reducing PCV2-associated lesions and PCV2 viremia in pigs coinfected with PCV2 and PRRSV. Differences between intradermal and intramuscular routes of vaccine administration were not observed.     

High- and low-challenge exposure doses used to compare intranasal and intramuscular administration of pseudorabies virus vaccine in passively immune pigs.

We compared 3 modified-live pseudorabies virus (PRV) vaccine strains, administered by the intranasal (IN) or IM routes to 4- to 6-week-old pigs, to determine the effect of high- and low-challenge doses in these vaccinated pigs. At the time of vaccination, all pigs had passively acquired antibodies to PRV. Four experiments were conducted. Four weeks after vaccination, pigs were challenge-exposed IN with virulent virus strain Iowa S62. In experiments 1 and 2, a high challenge exposure dose (10(5.3) TCID50) was used, whereas in experiments 3 and 4, a lower challenge exposure dose (10(2.8) TCID50) was used. This low dose was believed to better simulate field conditions. After challenge exposure, pigs were evaluated for clinical signs of disease, weight gain, serologic response, and viral shedding. When vaccinated pigs were challenge-exposed with a high dose of PRV, the duration of viral shedding was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower, and body weight gain was greater in vaccinated pigs, compared with nonvaccinated challenge-exposed pigs. Pigs vaccinated IN shed PRV for fewer days than pigs vaccinated IM, but this difference was not significant. When vaccinated pigs were challenge-exposed with a low dose, significantly (P less than 0.05) fewer pigs vaccinated IN (51%) shed PRV, compared with pigs vaccinated IM (77%), or nonvaccinated pigs (94%). Additionally, the duration of viral shedding was significantly (P less than 0.05) shorter in pigs vaccinated IN, compared with pigs vaccinated IM or nonvaccinated pigs. The high challenge exposure dose of PRV may have overwhelmed the local immune response and diminished the advantages of the IN route of vaccination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evaluation of local and systemic immune responses induced by intramuscular injection of a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin to pigs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate immune responses induced by administration of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin to pigs. Animals-60 healthy 7- to 10-day-old cross-bred boars. PROCEDURE: Pigs were assigned to 1 of 4 pig groups (15 pigs/group): vaccinated, challenged; vaccinated, nonchallenged; nonvaccinated, challenged; nonvaccinated, nonchallenged. Vaccinated pigs received IM injections of a mycoplasma bacterin on days 0 and 14, whereas nonvaccinated pigs received saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Pigs in the challenged groups were inoculated intratracheally with M hyopneumoniae on day 42. Pigs were euthanatized and necropsied 41, 44, 48, and 70 days after the first vaccination, and proportion of lung surface with pneumonic lesions was determined. Percentage of lymphocyte subpopulations and number of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) secreting lymphocytes in blood and tissues, cytokine and antibody concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and serum antibody concentrations were determined. RESULTS: Vaccination against and infection with M hyopneumoniae induced a local mucosal immune response in the respiratory tract of pigs. Proportion of lung surface with pneumonic lesions in vaccinated challenged pigs was reduced on day 70, compared with nonvaccinated challenged pigs. Vaccination stimulated the production of M hyopneumoniae-specific IFN-gamma secreting blood lymphocytes. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentration in BAL fluid on day 70 was increased in nonvaccinated challenged pigs, compared with vaccinated challenged pigs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Vaccination against M hyopneumoniae induced local, mucosal, humoral, and cellular immune responses. Moreover, vaccination reduced the severity of lung lesions in challenged pigs, suggesting that mucosal antibodies, mediation of the inflammatory response, and cell-mediated immune responses are important for control of mycoplasmal pneumonia in pigs.     

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection decreases the efficacy of an attenuated classical swine fever virus (CSFV) vaccine

ABSTRACT: The Lapinized Philippines Coronel (LPC) vaccine, an attenuated strain of classical swine fever virus (CSFV), is an important tool for the prevention and control of CSFV infection and is widely and routinely used in most CSF endemic areas, including Taiwan. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PCV2 infection affects the efficacy of the LPC vaccine. Eighteen 6-week-old, cesarean-derived and colostrum-deprived (CDCD), crossbred pigs were randomly assigned to four groups. A total of 105.3 TCID50 of PCV2 was experimentally inoculated into pigs through both intranasal and intramuscular routes at 0 days post-inoculation (dpi) followed by LPC vaccination 12 days later. All the animals were challenged with wild-type CSFV (ALD stain) at 27 dpi and euthanized at 45 dpi. Following CSFV challenge, the LPC-vaccinated pigs pre-inoculated with PCV2 showed transient fever, viremia, and viral shedding in the saliva and feces. The number of IgM+, CD4+CD8-CD25+, CD4+CD8+CD25+, and CD4-CD8+CD25+ lymphocyte subsets and the level of neutralizing antibodies against CSFV were significantly higher in the animals with LPC vaccination alone than in the pigs with PCV2 inoculation/LPC vaccination. In addition, PCV2-derived inhibition of the CSFV-specific cell proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was demonstrated in an ex vivo experiment. These findings indicate that PCV2 infection decreases the efficacy of the LPC vaccine. This PCV2-derived interference may not only allow the invasion of wild-type CSFV in pig farms but also increases the difficulty of CSF prevention and control in CSF endemic areas.     

Vaccination of pigs against Aujeszky's disease by the intradermal route using live attenuated and inactivated virus vaccines.

Inactivated and live Aujeszky's disease virus vaccines were administered intradermally using a special device without a needle. The 88 pigs were vaccinated at the beginning of the fattening period, both under experimental conditions and in commercial herds. All the pigs were challenged at the end of the fattening period in isolation units. The same vaccines were also injected intramuscularly. Vaccination by the intradermal route induced good protection, similar to that conferred with live virus vaccine injected intramuscularly. The inactivated virus vaccine was not as effective when it was injected by the intradermal route. In animals vaccinated intradermally, there were no local lesions in the meat, but very small nodules were found in the dermis; these do not affect carcass quality. The effects of challenge exposure depended on the initial health of the animals, and a synthetic value (delta G) was used to interpret the data. In fattening pigs, intradermal vaccination required less animal constraint than intramuscular injection; administration could be verified by the presence of a papule at the site of inoculation, and pigs could be vaccinated while they were feeding. Injection without a needle also helps avoid bacterial contamination under farm conditions.     

Enhanced protective response and immuno-adjuvant effects of porcine GM-CSF on DNA vaccination of pigs against Aujeszky’s disease virus

This study was conducted to investigate whether the co-delivery of DNA encoding porcine cytokines would enhance a protective immune response in pigs to a Pseudorabies virus (PRV; or Aujeszky’s disease virus) DNA vaccine. Aujeszky’s disease in pigs results in respiratory and nervous symptoms with important economic losses. To evaluate cytokine effects, eukaryotic expression vectors were constructed for porcine GM-CSF, IL-2 and IFN-γ. cDNA for each of these cytokines was inserted under the control of a CMV promoter in the pcDNA3 plasmid and cytokine expression was confirmed after DNA transfection in various mammalian cell cultures by bioassays (GM-CSF and IL2) and ELISA (IFN-γ). Pigs were vaccinated by single intramuscular injection with plasmid DNA encoding PRV gB and gD along with various combinations of cytokine plasmid constructs. Pig serum was tested for the production of antibody by isotype specific anti-PRV ELISA. Pigs were then challenged with the highly virulent PRV strain NIA3 on day 21 after vaccination. The survival and growth rate of pigs were monitored for seven days after the viral challenge. The co-administration of GM-CSF plasmid increased the immune response induced by gB and gD PRV DNA vaccine. This immune response was characterized by an earlier appearance of anti-PRV IgG2, a significantly enhanced anti-PRV IgG1 and IgG2 antibody response, a significantly decreased and shortened viral excretion in nasal swabs and an improved protection to the viral challenge. In contrast, the co-administration of porcine IL-2 or IFN-γ had no adjuvant effects. Our results thus demonstrate for the first time that the application of porcine GM-CSF gene in a DNA vaccine formulation can exert immuno-adjuvant and protective effects with single vaccination in the natural host pig against Aujeszky’s disease.     

Evaluation of specific humoral immune response in pigs vaccinated intradermally with deleted Aujeszky's disease vaccine and challenged with virulent strain of Herpesvirus suis type 1

A comparison of intradermal (ID) versus intramuscular (IM) routes of pig vaccination with deleted Aujeszky's disease (AD) vaccine on the formation of specific postvaccinal and postchallenge humoral immune response was performed. The studies were carried out on 21 eight week-old piglets, divided into three groups--two experimental and one control of 7 piglets each. Animals of first two groups were vaccinated twice in 12 and 16 week of age with deleted, live attenuated AD vaccine Porcilis Begonia (Intervet). Group I was vaccinated with a dose of 2.0 ml (10(6.0) TCID50)) intramuscularly (IM) into neck muscles, and group II received 0.2 ml (10(5.0) TCID50) intradermally (ID) in neck area using needleless apparatus SERENA model SD 1-2 (Emplast, Italy). In group K (control) 2.0 ml PBS IM was used. Seventy days after the first vaccination all pigs were intranasally infected with a dose of 10(5.5) TCID50 of virulent Northern Ireland Aujeszky-3 (NIA-3) strain of Herpesvirus suis type 1 (SHV-1) by instilling 0.5 ml of virus suspension into each nostril. Specific humoral immune response was evaluated using seroneutralization (SN) test and gE-ELISA-Pseudorabies virus gpI Antibody Test Kit (Herd Chek Anti-PRV gpI), IDEXX Lab Inc (USA). It was found that challenge caused anamnestic reaction in both groups of vaccinated pigs, but postchallenge immune response was stronger in ID-vaccinated group--on 14 day post infection (dpi) SN antibody level was considerably higher than in IM-vaccinated group. The obtained results suggest that secondary immunological response after challenge is decidedly more effective in the range of evaluated parameters in animals vaccinated by ID route, which can be linked to, perhaps underestimated yet and seldom utilized, skin immunity mechanisms in specific prophylaxis of infectious diseases. Advantages and disadvantages of SN test and ELISA are also discussed.     

Immune response of sows and their offspring to pseudorabies virus: serum neutralization response to vaccination and field virus challenge.

One month prior to breeding, sows were vaccinated with an attenuated pseudorabies virus vaccine or challenged with a field strain of pseudorabies virus. A third group of sows were not vaccinated or challenged before breeding. Pigs from these sows were vaccinated at 3, 6, or 12 weeks of age and challenged with virulent virus three weeks later. One pig from each litter served as an unvaccinated, unchallenged control. Serum neutralization titers of these pigs were monitored from birth until 22 weeks of age. Titers of the sows were monitored through breeding, gestation and farrowing. The maximum prefarrowing anti-pseudorabies virus titer in the field virus challenged sows occurred four weeks following challenge. A significant decline in titers occurred at farrowing. Titers rose from one week postfarrowing and then declined. Titers in the field virus infected sows were consistently two to threefold greater than those of the vaccinated sows. The maximum prefarrowing anti-pseudorabies virus titer in the vaccinated sows occurred six weeks following vaccination. The geometric mean titer in these sow's then decreased and increased for two weeks after farrowing. The results in the pigs can be summarized as follows: Pigs from control sows had a greater serological response following field virus challenge than following vaccination with a modified live virus. Pigs from control sows responded serologically to vaccination at 3, 6 and 12 weeks of age. Pigs from control sows which were challenged at 6, 9 and 15 weeks of age had similar antibody responses. Pigs from vaccinated sows had no increase in titer following vaccination at three and six weeks of age. Titers increased when these pigs were vaccinated at 12 weeks of age. There was no significant increase in mean titers of pigs from challenged sows following vaccination at 3, 6 and 12 weeks of age. Vaccinated pigs from control and vaccinated sows had a secondary response following challenge three weeks after vaccination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)