Second round of an interlaboratory comparison of SARS-CoV2 molecular detection assays used by 45 veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a continued public health challenge. Veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States use RT-rtPCR for animal testing, and many laboratories are certified for testing human samples; hence, ensuring that laboratories have sensitive and specific SARS-CoV2 testing methods is a critical component of the pandemic response. In 2020, the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) led an interlaboratory comparison (ILC1) to help laboratories evaluate their existing RT-rtPCR methods for detecting SARS-CoV2. All participating laboratories were able to detect the viral RNA spiked in buffer and PrimeStore molecular transport medium (MTM). With ILC2, Vet-LIRN extended ILC1 by evaluating analytical sensitivity and specificity of the methods used by participating laboratories to detect 3 SARS-CoV2 variants (B.1; B.1.1.7 [Alpha]; B.1.351 [Beta]) at various copy levels. We analyzed 57 sets of results from 45 laboratories qualitatively and quantitatively according to the principles of ISO 16140-2:2016. More than 95% of analysts detected the SARS-CoV2 RNA in MTM at ≥500 copies for all 3 variants. In addition, for nucleocapsid markers N1 and N2, 81% and 92% of the analysts detected ≤20 copies in the assays, respectively. The analytical specificity of the evaluated methods was >99%. Participating laboratories were able to assess their current method performance, identify possible limitations, and recognize method strengths as part of a continuous learning environment to support the critical need for the reliable diagnosis of COVID-19 in potentially infected animals and humans.     

Two Akabane virus glycoprotein Gc domains induce neutralizing antibodies in mice

Akabane virus (AKAV), belonging to the genus Orthobunyavirus and family Peribunyaviridae, causes reproductive and congenital abnormalities in ruminants. Its envelope glycoprotein Gc is a neutralizing antigen, on which at least five distinct antigenic regions have been identified. We attempted to identify the domains using truncated recombinant AKAV Gc proteins expressed in Escherichia coli and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with AKAV-neutralizing activity. Dot blot analysis revealed that amino acid positions 1–97 and 189–397 (Gc_1–97 and Gc_189–397) in the truncated recombinant proteins reacted with the mAbs. Additionally, AKAV was neutralized by sera from mice immunized with these recombinant proteins. The results suggested that the two domains contain neutralizing epitopes and could be potential subunit vaccines against AKAV.     

应用间接荧光抗体技术研究水中嗜水气单胞菌的数量与鱼类出血性败血病的关系

应用间接荧光抗体技术（ＩＦＡＴ），并结合嗜水气单胞菌（Ａｈ）地区优势血清型，对鱼类出血性败血病的致病菌Ａｈ进行水中数量的测定。ＭＭ感染试验和对生产鱼塘调查的结果表明，水中Ａｈ菌量与疾病呈正相关，致病浓度又随鱼体健康低下、水中氨氮偏高、溶氧偏低等多种因子的影响而下降。本试验方法快速简便，检测对象为水体，非常适用于预测疾病的发展趋势。     

A prospective,randomized, double-blind,placebo-controlled multisite,parallel-group field study in dogs with osteoarthritis conducted in the United States of America evaluating bedinvetmab,a canine anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody

ObjectiveBedinvetmab, a fully canine anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody, was evaluated in dogs for control of osteoarthritis-related pain in a study conducted to support registration in the USA.Study designRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, parallel-group study.AnimalsGeneral practice client-owned dogs with osteoarthritis (n = 272).MethodsDogs were block randomized 1:1 to placebo (saline, n = 137) or bedinvetmab (n = 135; 0.5–1.0 mg kg^–1) administered subcutaneously, once monthly. The primary end point, day 28 Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) treatment success (TS), required pain severity score (PSS; 0–10) decrease ≥1 and pain interference score (PIS; 0–10) decrease ≥ 2. CBPI TS rates [and number needed to treat (NNT)], change in scores [and standardized effect size (ES)], change in quality of life (QoL) and bedinvetmab half-life were calculated.ResultsSignificant (p < 0.05) improvement with bedinvetmab over placebo occurred (days 28, 42, 56, 84) for CBPI TS. Of cases evaluable for day 28 CBPI TS (placebo, n = 131; bedinvetmab, n = 128), success rates were 36.6% and 47.4%, respectively (p = 0.0410) (NNT, 9.3; PSS and PIS ES, 0.3). CBPI TS increased after the second dose in both groups, plateaued for bedinvetmab at day 42 and decreased for placebo beginning day 84. Day 84 NNT (4.3), PSS (0.4) and PIS (0.5) showed continued improvement with monthly dosing. After the first dose, mean (± standard deviation) bedinvetmab half-life was 19.1 (8.3) days. Adverse events were similar between groups and not considered treatment-related. There was a significant effect of bedinvetmab versus placebo on all CBPI components (PIS, PSS, QoL).Conclusions and clinical relevanceThese results corroborated those previously reported and provide further support of safety and effectiveness of bedinvetmab (0.5–1.0 mg kg^–1) administered subcutaneously at monthly intervals to dogs for control of osteoarthritis-related pain.     

In vitro studies on feline panleucopaenia virus. Standardisation of haemagglutination-inhibition test for feline panleucopaenia virus antibody

Standardised procedure for obtaining reproducible haemagglutination-inhibition results for FPV antibody which correlate with serum-neutralization titres was described. Optimal conditions were found to be Alsevers anticoagulant, PBS/0.05% BSA (pH 6.8) as buffer, especially washed round bottom microplates, determination of maximally sensitive porcine erythrocytes, use of reproducible erythrocyte concentrations, inactivation of serum samples at 56 degrees C for 30 min and serum treatment with koalin pH 9.0. The concentration of erythrocyte used for estimation of haemagglutination units in H1 test should not differ from that used as indicator in the test. Predilution of serum beyond 1:4 associated with false results. Reproducible method for removing natural agglutinins in serum by adsorption with erythrocytes was described.     

牦牛病毒性腹泻病PCR诊断方法的建立

采用阻断ELISA方法对来自天峻县的327份牦牛血清进行了牛BVDV特异性抗体的检测,共检出231份血清阳性,血清阳性率为70.64%。其中:在135份野牦牛血清中检出110份阳性血清,阳性率为81.48%;在192份家牦牛血清中检出阳性121份,阳性率为63.02%。从231份ELISA检测阳性血清中随机抽取了20份,采用RT-PCR方法进行检测,结果共检出18份样品为BVDV/MV RT-PCR阳性,阴性血清未扩增出E0基因,RT-PCR方法检测结果与ELISA方法符合率为90%。     

鸡Toll样受体15单克隆抗体的制备及其初步应用

旨在制备鸡Toll样受体15 (ChTLR15)的特异性单克隆抗体(mAb),并初步应用.利用PCR技术扩增ChTLR15第162-386位氨基酸,克隆于载体pET-30a中进行诱导表达,获得高纯度的重组ChTLR15 (162-386 aa)蛋白.然后采用皮下多点注射方式将ChTLR15免疫6周龄的雌性BALB/c小...     

IBDV野毒株主要结构蛋白基因RT─PCR方法的建立

借助计算机软件，在分析比较了９个传染性法氏囊病病毒（ＩＢＤＶ）Ａ片段结构蛋白基因的基础上，设计并合成了２对ＶＰ２和ＶＰ３基因ＰＣＲ引物，经ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ反应条件优化选择，成功地建立了ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ方法，用于扩增ＩＢＤＶＶＰ２和ＶＰ３基因，经琼脂糖凝胶电泳和分子杂交鉴定，获得４个ＩＢＤＶ野毒株ＶＰ２和ＶＰ３基因，为ＩＢＤＶ分子生物学研究奠定了基础     

The effects of non-specifically activated immunity in rabbits on primary infestation with Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi

The secondary antibody response to sheep red blood cells and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was measured in rabbits infested with adult Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi. The response was reduced (particularly for BSA) but still displayed anamnestic characteristics. Resistance against ixodid ticks associated with antibodies detected by gel diffusion and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay techniques early in the primary challenge was acquired by the immunized hosts only. This suggests that a non-specifically activated immune system enables hosts to develop rapid resistance against tick parasitism.     

Reactivity of workshop monoclonal antibodies on paraformaldehyde-fixed porcine blood mononuclear cells

One hundred sixty-four monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) of the second international swine CD workshop were tested for their reactivity with porcine blood mononuclear cells before and after fixing the cells with varying concentrations of paraformaldehyde (PFA) (1, 5 and 10 g l⁻¹). A total of 38 (out of 134) positive reacting mAbs were significantly affected in their binding behavior on fixed cells. Modulation was seen as reduction in binding (staining intensity and/or % positive cells, n=18) or in elevated values (n=20). Modified mAb binding occurred after fixing cells with 5 to 10 g l⁻¹ PFA.