Cloning and Sequence Analysis of N and M Genes of Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus Guangxi Strain

To investigate genetic variation of avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in Guangxi province,one strain of IBV was isolated from chicken.Two pairs of primers for amplifying the N and M genes of IBV were designed according to the sequences in GenBank.The N and M genes of the strain were amplified by RT-PCR,and they were proved to be the N and M genes of IBV by cloning,sequencing and compared with reference IBV strains published in GenBank.The results showed that the N gene from the IBV isolate consisted of 1 230 bp,coding 409 amino acids.The M gene from the IBV isolate consisted of 678 bp,coding 225 amino acids.The sequence analysis of N gene showed that it shared 87.2% to 93.3% nucleotide homologies and 90.0% to 94.4% deduced amino acid sequence homologies with IBV strains from GenBank.The M gene sequence analysis showed that it shared 83.6% to 91.0% nucleotide homologies and 82.7% to 92.9% deduced amino acid sequence homologies.The phylogenetic tree analysis showed that it was closely related to BJ and LX4 strains,and were clustered into one group;But with the distant relatives from other strains of IBV.These results suggested that the isolate was a new variant of IBV.     

Detection of monoclonal integration of bovine leukemia virus proviral DNA as a malignant marker in two enzootic bovine leukosis cases with difficult clinical diagnosis

Monoclonal integration of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) proviral DNA into bovine genomes was detected in peripheral blood from two clinical cases of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) without enlargement of superficial lymph nodes. A BLV-specific probe hybridized with 1 to 3 EcoRI and HindIII fragments in these 2 atypical EBL cattle by Southern blotting and hybridization, as well as in 3 typical EBL cattle. The probe also hybridized to a large number of EcoRI and HindIII fragments in 5 cattle with persistent leukosis. These results suggest that the detection of monoclonal integration of BLV provirus into the host genome may serve as a marker of monoclonal proliferation and malignancy in difficult to diagnose EBL cattle.     

鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒BC6/85株VP2基因的原核表达、纯化及鉴定

为获得可用于鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒(IBDV)抗体检测的重组抗原VP2蛋白,根据GenBank中发表的IBDV VP2序列设计一对特异性引物,应用RT-PCR技术克隆IBDV经典标准攻毒株(BC6/85株)的VP2基因,插入质粒pET-32a中构建重组表达质粒pET-32a-VP2,经IPTG诱导后获得了以包涵体形式表达的重组蛋白。重组蛋白纯化后,Western-blot检测表明具有良好的反应原性。本研究为下步建立IBDV抗体的间接ELISA方法及新型疫苗的研制奠定了基础。     

A framework for evaluation of on-farm mastitis diagnostics in Australia

Numerous culture-based diagnostics are available on the Australian and international markets for on-farm detection of bacterial pathogens in milk. Use of such diagnostics may provide an opportunity to improve the prudent use of antimicrobials in udder health management. Farms are low-resource settings in terms of diagnostic microbiology capacity. The World Health Organisation has identified criteria for the evaluation of diagnostic tests in low resource settings based on Accuracy, Sensitivity, Specificity, User-friendliness, being Rapid or Robust, Equipment-free and being Deliverable (ASSURED). Here, we review how those criteria can be interpreted in the context of microbiological diagnosis of mastitis pathogens, and how on-farm diagnostics that are currently available in Australia perform relative to ASSURED criteria. This evaluation identifies multiple trade-offs, both with regard to scientific criteria and with regards to convenience criteria. More importantly, the purpose of testing may differ between farms, and test performance should be evaluated relative to its intended use. The ability of on-farm mastitis diagnostics to inform mastitis treatment decision-making in a timely and cost-effective manner depends not just on test characteristics but also on farm-specific pathogen prevalence, and on the farm enterprise's priorities and the farm manager's potential courses of action. With most assay evaluations to date conducted in professional laboratories, there is a surprising dearth of information on how well any of the diagnostic tests perform on-farm and, indeed, of the on-farm decision-making processes that they aim to inform.     

表达鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒VP2基因的重组火鸡疱疹病毒的构建及生物学特性分析

鸡传染性法氏囊病（IBD）是一种严重危害养禽业的高度致死性和免疫抑制性传染病。为研制IBD重组火鸡疱疹病毒（HVT）活载体疫苗,本研究构建了表达鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒（IBDV）保护性抗原VP2基因的重组HVT并对其体外生物学特性进行了分析。通过RT-PCR扩增IBDV超强毒株VP2基因并克隆入pCI载体,获得重组真核表达质粒pCI-VP2。用限制性内切酶将携带CMV启动子的VP2基因表达框架切下,连接于入门质粒pENTR,构建获得重组入门质粒pENTR-VP2。将pENTR-VP2与HVT重组黏粒H3-Kan/ccdB进行LR重组反应,构建重组表达黏粒H3-VP2。用H3-VP2与其他4个相互重叠并覆盖HVT全基因组的黏粒共同转染鸡胚成纤维细胞（CEF）,拯救获得重组病毒rHVT-VP2。将重组病毒在CEF中连续传至20代后用PCR、间接免疫荧光试验和免疫印迹试验进行检测,并绘制重组病毒体外生长曲线,分析其体外复制特性。结果表明,重组病毒rHVT-VP2能够稳定表达VP2蛋白,rHVT-VP2在CEF中的复制能力与亲本病毒无明显差异。重组病毒rHVT-VP2免疫鸡后能够诱导产生IBDV中和抗体,并对IBDV强毒株攻击引起的死亡提供90%免疫保护。重组病毒rHVT-VP2的构建为研制IBD重组HVT活载体疫苗奠定了基础,对IBD的防控具有重要意义。     

Onchocerca sp. in an imported Zangersheide gelding causing suspensory ligament desmitis

A 5-year-old imported Zangersheide gelding was evaluated for SC swellings over both forelimbs and lameness localized to the distal metacarpus. Ultrasound examination of the SC masses was compatible with verminous granulomas. Linear hyperechoic foci were present within the suspensory ligament branches of both forelimbs, suggestive of ligamentous parasitic infiltrates. A diagnosis of onchocerciasis was confirmed on biopsy of a SC mass. The gelding was treated with ivermectin and a tapering course of PO dexamethasone but was eventually euthanized. Necropsy confirmed the presence of SC eosinophilic granulomas and degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis, both with intralesional nematodes. Given the location and appearance of the nematode, a diagnosis of Onchocerca sp., most likely O. reticulata, was made. Onchocerciasis should be included as a differential diagnosis for multifocal suspensory ligament desmitis with these sonographic characteristics when paired with SC masses in imported European Warmbloods.