Molecular epidemiology of rabies virus circulating in South Korea, 1998-2010

We analyzed the nucleotide sequences of the G-L (glycoprotein-large protein) intergenic non-coding region of 33 strains of the rabies virus (RABV) isolated in South Korea in 1998-2010 and compared the sequences with those of previously reported non-Korean strains. The similarities of the nucleotide sequences of the G-L region among all Korean RABV isolates ranged from 97.1 to 100%. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the G-L region, the Korean RABV isolates were classified into three distinct subgroups with high similarity and were most closely related to the non-Korean NeiMeng1025C isolate, which was isolated from a rabid raccoon dog in eastern China, suggesting that the Korean RABV isolates originate from a rabid raccoon dog in northeastern Asia. Our results indicated that G-L region, as a useful phylogenetic indicator, is equivalent to the nucleoprotein (N) or glycoprotein (G) gene for study of RABV molecular epidemiology and that the Korean RABV isolates showing a few substitutions in the G-L region are continuously circulating in South Korea.     

A nucleotide-specific polymerase chain reaction assay to differentiate rabies virus biotypes in South Africa

Antigenic and nucleotide sequence analyses have shown that two distinct biotypes of rabies virus are circulating in South Africa. One of these typically infects members of the family Canidae, while the other comprises a heterogeneous group of apparently indigenous viruses, infecting members of the Viverridae family. In recent times, it has become evident that a considerable amount of cross-infection may occur and the manifestation of viverrid rabies in non-viverrid animals in particular appears to have become more commonplace. Consequently, the need to rapidly distinguish between rabies virus biotypes has become increasingly important in efforts to monitor the epidemiology of rabies in the southern African region. In this study, a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to distinguish between these two groups of rabies viruses. Consensus oligonucleotides were used to amplify the cytoplasmic domain of the rabies virus glycoprotein and the adjacent intergenic region. The resultant amplicon was subsequently used as template in second round heminested PCR in the presence of type-specific primers, thereby successfully generating amplicons of characteristic size for each biotype.     

Genetic and phylogenetic analysis of glycoprotein of rabies virus isolated from several species in Brazil

Genetic and phylogenetic analyses of the region containing the glycoprotein (G) gene, which is related to pathogenicity and antigenicity, and the G-L intergenic region were carried out in 14 Brazilian rabies virus isolates. The isolates were classified as dog-related rabies virus (DRRV) or vampire bat-related rabies virus (VRRV), by nucleoprotein (N) analysis. The nucleotide and amino acid (AA) homologies of the area containing the G protein gene and G-L intergenic region were generally lower than those of the ectodomain. In both regions, nucleotide and deduced AA homologies were lower among VRRVs than among DRRVs. There were AA differences between DRRV and VRRV at 3 antigenic sites and epitopes (IIa, WB+ and III), suggesting that DRRV and VRRV can be distinguished by differences of antigenicity. In a comparison of phylogenetic trees between the ectodomain and the area containing the G protein gene and G-L intergenic region, the branching patterns of the chiropteran and carnivoran rabies virus groups differed, whereas there were clear similarities in patterns within the DRRV and VRRV groups. Additionally, the VRRV isolates were more closely related to chiropteran strains isolated from Latin America than to Brazilian DRRV. These results indicate that Brazilian rabies virus isolates can be classified as DRRV or VRRV by analysis of the G gene and the G-L intergenic region, as well as by N gene analysis.     

从流行毒株的系统发生看中国目前狂犬病流行的主要特征

以2006～2012年本实验室狂犬病病毒分离株核蛋白基因完整核苷酸序列和GenBank收录的主要数据为基础,通过构建系统发生树和比对病毒分离株相互间的同源性,对中国狂犬病流行特征进行分析.结果显示,目前涉及中国17个狂犬病主要流行省区的62个狂犬病病毒代表流行株,均为基因Ⅰ型,但在系统发生树上可分为i、ii、iii、iv、v共5个基因群,群内同源性91.4％～99.9％,群间同源性84.5％～90.1％.其中,i、ii群占国内新分离株的绝大多数,为2个主要流行基因群.i群遍布各主要流行省区,主要为来源于犬的分离株.ii群主要分布于南方省区,迄今分离到的多个鼬獾狂犬病病毒株在系统发生上也属于ii群.iii群仅见于广西壮族自治区、云南省两地,与东南亚国家狂犬病分离株同源性高达97.7％.iv群的地区分布不规律,在中国东北、中原、东南和西部地区均有零星报道,分离株较少.v群近年来仅偶见于内蒙东北部及黑龙江省与俄接壤地区,与俄罗斯远东及韩国流行株同源性高达98.5％.综上,中国狂犬病流行以犬间传播为主,野生动物狂犬病的流行日益严重,东北和西南地区存在境外狂犬病传入.犬等动物种群免疫覆盖率低应是狂犬病持续传播的主因.     

牛病毒性腹泻病毒CC13B株全基因组序列及分析

从长春地区某牛场发生疑似为牛病毒性腹泻-黏膜病的病牛粪样中分离到1株病毒,经序列测定为牛病毒性腹泻病毒命名为BVDV CC13B株。核苷酸序列的测定结果显示,CC13B毒株的完全基因组序列由12 265个核苷酸组成,其中5′端非编码区包含380个核苷酸,3′端非编码区包含188个核苷酸。病毒基因组含有1个大的读码框架,编码1个由3 898个氨基酸组成的前体多聚蛋白。序列对比结果显示,CC13B毒株的核苷酸和氨基酸序列与国外CP-5A毒株同源性最高,分别为为96.2%和97.3%;而与国内分离株JZ05-1的同源性最低,分别为69.8%和71.0%。系统进化树分析结果表明,CC13B毒株与国内分离的长春184、Xinjiang-3156和H等分离株归类为BVDV基因Ⅰ型的Ib基因亚型。结果表明,长春地区近年发生的牛病毒性腹泻-黏膜病依然主要由BVDV基因Ⅰ型毒株引起。     

From rabies to rabies-related viruses

Antigenic differences between rabies virus strains characterized with monoclonal antibodies presently define at least four serotypes within the Lyssavirus genus of the Rhabdoviridae family: classical rabies virus strains (serotype 1), Lagos bat virus (serotype 2), Mokola virus (serotype 3) and Duvenhage virus (serotype 4). The wide distribution of rabies-related virus strains (serotypes 2, 3 and 4) and above all, the weak protection conferred by rabies vaccines against some of them (principally Mokola virus) necessitates the development of new specific vaccines. We first determined the complete nucleotide sequence of a rabies virus strain of serotype 1 (Pasteur virus) and characterized the structure of the viral genes and their regulatory sequences. We then extended this study to the Mokola virus genome. Five non-overlapping open reading frames were found in both viruses and had similar sizes and positions in both. Similarities were also found in the mRNA start and stop sequences and at the genomic extremities. Comparison of both genomes helps to analyze the basis of the particular antigenicity of these two serotypes. The sequence homology in the region coding for the viral glycoprotein was only 58% between the two viruses, compared with 94% between different rabies virus strains within serotype 1. This comparison, extended to other unsegmented negative strand RNA viruses, gives new insight into the understanding of rhabdoviruses and paramyxoviruses. Furthermore, molecular cloning provides a rationale for the genetic engineering of a future vaccine.     

狂犬病鼠源野毒M株核蛋白基因的克隆及序列分析

从感染狂犬病的鼠脑中快速提取细胞总RNA，用RT—PCR方法得到编码核蛋白完整结构基因的cDNA，进一步将此基因克隆入pGEM—T中，进行核苷酸序列的测定，并推导出氨基酸序列，将这一序列与国内外已发表的9株狂犬病病毒的NP全基因进行比较分析。结果表明狂犬病鼠源野毒M株与上述9株的同源性在71．0％～99、8％之间，氨基酸同源性在77．6％～99．6％之间，M株与CVS株无论核苷酸序列还是氨基酸序列同源性都最高，分别为99．8％和99．6％，而与CTN珠的核苷酸序列同源性较低，与Mokola株的核苷酸序列以及氨基酸序列同源性都最低，分别为71．0％和77．6％。本研究为进行狂犬病病毒的分子流行病学调查和研制狂犬病基因工程苗提供了理论依据。     

Molecular epidemiology of rabies in Botswana: a comparison between antibody typing and nucleotide sequence phylogeny

A panel of rabies virus isolates (RABV) endemic within Botswana between 1988 and 1992 have been typed by anti-nucleocapsid monoclonal antibodies (MAb) into two dominant groups. The first associated with the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) and the second associated with a range of wildlife species. Using nucleoprotein coding sequence data, we have applied molecular phylogenetic techniques to the same panel of 35 well-characterised rabies virus isolates from throughout Botswana in an attempt to compare both techniques and to further investigate the virus/host species relationships within this African country. The results confirm that there are indeed two major groups and that these are related primarily to biotype. The wildlife-associated biotype appeared more phylogenetically diverse and was more commonly isolated in the southeast of the country, with the canine-associated group dominating the north of the country. In addition, molecular phylogeny identified further groupings within both biotypes and a small number of isolates, which were not classified by MAb typing, could be assigned to a group. During the study period (4 years) there appeared to be little sequence variation within groups suggesting that distinct lineages persisted throughout the study and that there appears to be little evolutionary pressure on the nucleoprotein coding region of the viral genome.     

Molecular epidemiology of serotype O foot-and-mouth disease virus isolated from cattle in Ethiopia between 1979-2001

Partial 1D gene characterization was used to study phylogenetic relationships between 17 serotype O foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) viruses in Ethiopia as well as with other O-type isolates from Eritrea, Kenya, South and West Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America. A homologous region of 495 bp corresponding to the C-terminus end of the 1D gene was used for phylogenetic analysis. This study described three lineages, viz. African/Middle East-Asia, Cathay and South American. Within lineage I, three topotypes were defined, viz. East and West Africa and the Middle East-Asia together with the South African isolate. The Ethiopian isolates clustered as part of topotype I, the East African topotype. Two clades (based on < 12 % nucleotide difference) A and B were identified within the East African isolates, with clade A being further classified into three significant branches, A1 (80% bootstrap support), A2 (89% bootstrap support) and A3 (94% bootstrap support). Clade B consisted of two Kenyan isolates. Within topotype I, the 17 Ethiopian isolates showed genetic heterogeneity between themselves with sequence differences ranging from 4.6-14 %. Lineage 2 and 3 could be equated to two significant topotypes, viz. Cathay and South America. Comparison of amino acid variability at the immunodominant sites between the vaccine strain (ETH/19/77) and other Ethiopian outbreak isolates revealed variations within these sites. These results encourage further work towards the reassessment of the type O vaccine strain currently being used in Ethiopia to provide protection against field variants of the virus.     

The 3A non-structural-protein coding region of the southern African SAT type isolates differs from that of other foot-and-mouth disease viruses

The 3A non-structural protein of foot-and-mouth disease viruses is a relatively conserved protein comprising 153 amino acids. Recent studies have demonstrated correlation between mutations in the 3A non-structural-protein-coding region, including a 10-amino acid deletion, and attenuation of the viruses in cattle. Although the 3A coding region of several type A, O and C isolates has previously been described, nucleotide sequence data of the 3A coding region of the South African Types (SAT) 1, 2 and 3 viruses are limited. Therefore, the 3A non-structural-coding region of different SAT serotypes was determined, analysed and compared to that of European, South American and Asian isolates. The 3A regions of the SAT isolates investigated differed markedly from that of types A, O, C and Asia-1, but were similar within the group.     

Serological and genetic characterisation of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) indicates that Danish isolates belong to the intermediate subgroup: no evidence of a selective effect on the variability of G protein nucleotide sequence by prior cell culture adaption and passages in cell culture or calves

Danish isolates of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) were characterised by nucleotide sequencing of the G glycoprotein and by their reactivity with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Among the six Danish isolates, the overall sequence divergence ranged between 0 and 3% at the nucleotide level and between 0 and 5% at the amino acid level. Sequence divergences of 7–8%, 8–9% and 2–3% (nucleotide) and 9–11%, 12–16% and 4–6% (amino acid) were obtained in the comparison made between the group of Danish isolates and the previously sequenced 391-2USA, 127UK and 220-69Bel isolates, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Danish isolates formed three lineages within a separate branch of the phylogenetic tree. Nevertheless, the Danish isolates were closely related to the 220-69Bel isolate, the prototype of the intermediate antigenic subgroup. The sequencing of the extracellular part of the G gene of additional 11 field BRSV viruses, processed directly from lung samples without prior adaption to cell culture growth, revealed sequence variabilities in the range obtained with the propagated virus. In addition, several passages in cell culture and in calves had no major impact on the nucleotide sequence of the G protein. These findings indicated that the previously established variabilities of the G protein of RS virus isolates were not attributable to mutations induced during the propagation of the virus. The reactivity of the Danish isolates with G protein-specific MAbs were similar to that of the 220-69Bel isolate. Furthermore, the sequence of the immunodominant region was completely conserved among the Danish isolates on one side and the 220-69Bel isolate on the other. When combined, these data strongly suggested that the Danish isolates belong to the intermediate subgroup.     

Seroprevalence and molecular evidence for the presence of bovine immunodeficiency virus in Brazilian cattle

Data on the worldwide distribution of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) and bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is limited. A prevalence study of antibodies to BIV and BLV was conducted in six different cattle herds in Brazil. Out of a total of 238 sera analyzed, 11.7% were found positive for anti-BIV p26 antibodies as determined by Western blot analysis, 2.1% were positive for anti-BLV gp51 antibodies as detected by immunodiffusion test. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from BIV seropositive cattle were found to have BIV-provirus DNA, as detected by nested polymerase chain reaction. A nucleotide sequence corresponding to a 298 bp fragment of the BIV pol gene was also analyzed. Amino acid sequences of these Brazilian pol gene products showed 98.0 to 100% homology to the American strain BIV R29, 97.0 to 99.0% to Japanese BIV isolates, and divergence ranged from 0 to 4.0% among Brazilian BIV isolates. This evidence of the presence of BIV and BLV infections in Brazil should be considered a health risk to Brazilian cattle populations and a potential causative agent of chronic disease in cattle.     

Evidence for bovine immunodeficiency virus infection in cattle in Zambia

We report herein on the first evidence for the presence of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) in Zambia. Serological surveillance of BIV and bovine leukemia virus (BLV) was conducted in traditional cattle herds in Zambia. Out of a total of 262 sera analyzed, 11.4% were found positive for anti-BIV p26 antibodies as determined by Western blot analysis, while 5.0% were positive for anti-BLV gp51 antibodies as detected by immunodiffusion test. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from BIV seropositive cattle were found to have BIV-provirus DNA, as detected by nested polymerase chain reaction. A nucleotide sequence corresponding to a 298 bp fragment of the BIV pol gene was also analyzed. Amino acid sequences of these Zambian pol gene products showed 98.0 to 100% homology to the American strain BIV R29, 97.0 to 99.0% to Japanese BIV isolates, and divergence ranged from 0.0 to 2.0% among Zambian BIV isolates.     

广西狂犬病野毒株L基因3'端的多态性分析

为了解狂犬病病毒(RV)的变异情况,本研究对广西不同地区的22个RV分离株的L基因3'端片段进行克隆和测序,与国内外发表的RV街毒、固定毒株及类RV株相应部分的多态性进行了比较分析.结果表明.所测定的22个广西RV野毒分离株属于基因I型,可分为3个群即I群、Ⅱ群和Ⅲ群.其中13株属于I群,其核苷酸同源性为96.9%～100.0%,氨基酸同源性为98.2%～100.0%;8株属于Ⅱ群,株核苷酸同源性为96.5%～99.7%.氨基酸同源性为97.8%～100.0%.仅1株属于Ⅲ群.22个RV分离株与RV固定毒株核苷酸和氨基酸的同源性分别为79.5%～86.9%和85.8%～96.5%,与类RV核苷酸和氨基酸的同源性分别为65.7%～70.3%和70.4%～76.5%.     

三株广西狂犬病病毒NS基因和M基因的克隆与序列分析

本研究设计了一对特异性引物NSM1/NSM2,对三株广西狂犬病病毒NS和M基因同时进行了RT_PCR扩增、克隆和测序。同源性分析表明,三株广西野毒NS基因核苷酸同源性为87.2%~98.4%,M基因核苷酸同源性为90.1%~99.7%;与固定毒和狂犬病相关病毒比较,NS基因分别为79.9%~82.8%和69.7%~71.0%;M基因的分别为82.8%~87.8%和75.0%~77.8%。三株野毒NS基因氨基酸同源性为93.3%~98.7%,M基因氨基酸同源性分别为97.5%~100%。表明广西各地毒株之间亲缘关系不同,但最为相近;与狂犬病固定毒株亲缘关系较远;与狂犬病相关病毒亲缘关系最远。