Occurrence of Citrus psorosis virus in Campania, southern Italy

Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV), genus Ophiovirus, is associated with a severe disease of citrus worldwide. Double antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA using a polyclonal antiserum, and triple antibody sandwich (TAS) ELISAs, employing the IgG monoclonal antibody (mab) 13C5, and the IgM mab 2A3, were used to detect CPsV in orchards of different citrus varieties in Campania, southern Italy. TAS ELISA with 13C5 detected all the infections detected by DAS ELISA. Overall, 14% of trees younger than 15 years were positive, but only 1% of older trees, suggesting that infected propagating material has been increasingly used in recent years, in the absence of certification. Highest infection rates were in younger trees of sweet orange (22.8%) and clementine (18.6%). CPsV could easily be detected at all seasons of the year tested (June–January); these and earlier results indicate that TAS ELISA using 13C5 is a sensitive, broad-spectrum and reliable diagnostic method useful for routine tests and certification programmes. Of 44 field isolates responding strongly to DAS ELISA and 13C5-TAS ELISA, mab 2A3 gave similar results with 29 isolates, but gave low values with the others, thus providing a degree of differentiation among isolates. To confirm that the ELISA tests were indeed detecting CPsV, samples of 42 ELISA-positive plants were analysed by ISEM in a blind test, and in 38 of these, characteristic virus particles were clearly seen. Although CPsV was frequently and consistently detected in the area sampled, bark scaling symptoms were not seen: possible reasons for this are discussed.     

Detection of Citrus psorosis virus in field trees by direct tissue blot immunoassay in comparison with ELISA, symptomatology, biological indexing and cross-protection tests

Serological detection of Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV) by direct tissue blot immunoassay (DTBIA) and by double (DAS) and triple (TAS) antibody sandwich ELISA, was compared in samples from various citrus varieties growing in the glasshouse and in the field. In young shoots and leaves, CPsV was readily detected by the three procedures, whereas DTBIA detection in old leaves was less consistent. DTBIA detection and ELISA readings in nine different citrus varieties were similar, suggesting that CPsV accumulates to equivalent levels in all of them. In infected field trees from Spain or Italy, CPsV was consistently detected by TAS ELISA, even in samples of old leaves in winter, whereas DTBIA detection in the same trees was reliable only when using young shoots. Detection of CPsV by DTBIA and by DAS and TAS ELISA in previously untested field trees correlated perfectly with psorosis diagnostics based on biological indexing, specifically with the capacity of those sources to cross-protect against challenge inoculation with psorosis B. Some trees without bark scaling were shown to be psorosis-infected by biological indexing and to contain CPsV by serological tests; other trees showing psorosis-like bark or leaf symptoms in the field were shown to be psorosis-free by biological indexing and also CPsV-free by serology. This is the first time that the presence of CPsV has been correlated with psorosis infection as diagnosed by biological indexing.     

Detection of Citrus Psorosis Virus by ELISA, Molecular Hybridization, RT-PCR and Immunosorbent Electron Microscopy and its Association with Citrus Psorosis Disease

Psorosis is a citrus disease of undemonstrated etiology that can be diagnosed by biological indexing on sweet orange seedlings followed by a cross protection test. Its presumed causal agent is Citrus psorosis virus(CPsV), type species of the genus Ophiovirus. We compared detection of CPsV by ELISA, RT-PCR, molecular hybridization and immunosorbent electron microscopy, and examined its association with psorosis disease in 11 biologically characterized isolates and in 47 uncharacterized field sources by observation of field symptoms and by biological indexing including the cross protection test. Detection of CPsV by any of the four procedures always coincided with diagnosis of psorosis by cross protection, but it did not always correlate with observation of symptoms thought to be specific, in field trees or in graft-inoculated indicator plants. Trials to detect CPsV by ELISA, molecular hybridization and RT-PCR in citrus sources from different geographical origins, presumed to be psorosis-infected on the basis of field symptoms or reaction of indicator plants, were sometimes unsuccessful, indicating that psorosis symptoms may be induced by causes other than CPsV.     

Elimination of Citrus psorosis virus by somatic embryogenesis from stigma and style cultures

Somatic embryogenesis was used to eliminate Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV) from three citrus species (common mandarin, sweet orange and Dweet tangor), all of which regenerated somatic embryos with different embryogenic potential from stigma and style explants. CPsV was detected by double antibody sandwich‐indirect‐enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (DASI-ELISA) in explants and embryogenic callus, but was not detected in any of the plants obtained from somatic embryos, even 24 months after regeneration. Loss of juvenile characters (disappearance of thorns) was observed in the first year of growth and was retained in plants propagated by grafting from thornless stems. Somatic embryogenesis appears to be a very promising technique for the production of healthy citrus stocks.     

Effect of temperature on RNA silencing of a negative‐stranded RNA plant virus: Citrus psorosis virus

Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV), genus Ophiovirus, causes a bark scaling disease of citrus. CPsV virions are kinked filaments with three negative‐stranded RNA molecules (vRNA) and a 48 kDa coat protein. The effect of temperature on symptom expression, virus accumulation and RNA silencing was examined in sweet orange seedlings (Citrus sinensis) graft‐inoculated with three different CPsV isolates and grown in a glasshouse at 26/18°C or 32/26°C (day/night). Most plants kept in the cooler glasshouse showed a shock reaction in the first flush with shoot necrosis, and then moderate to intense chlorotic flecking and spotting in young leaves, whereas plants incubated at 32/26°C did not exhibit shoot necrosis, and young leaf symptoms were milder. Virus titre estimated by ELISA and by northern and dot blot hybridization paralleled symptom intensity, with significantly higher virus accumulation in plants incubated at 26/18°C. The amount of CPsV‐derived small RNAs (CPsV‐sRNAs) slightly increased at 32/26°C, with the ratio of CPsV‐sRNA/vRNA being higher at 32/26°C than at 26/18°C. These results suggest that (i) CPsV infection induces RNA silencing in citrus plants, (ii) symptom intensity is associated with virus accumulation, and (iii) temperature increase enhances the RNA silencing response of citrus plants and decreases virus accumulation.     

Association of citrus psorosis B symptoms with a sequence variant of the Citrus psorosis virus RNA 2

Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV), the type species of genus Ophiovirus, is the presumed causal agent of a bark scaling disease in citrus plants. CPsV virions are kinked filaments composed of three negative‐strand RNA molecules and a ～48‐kDa coat protein. The virus induces two different syndromes: psorosis A (PsA), characterized by limited bark scaling lesions in the trunk and main limbs, and a more aggressive form of the disease called psorosis B (PsB) with rampant bark lesions affecting even thin branches and chlorotic blotches in old leaves. In the greenhouse, the PsA and PsB syndromes can be induced by graft inoculating healthy citrus seedlings with non‐lesion or with lesion bark inoculum from PsA‐affected field trees. PsA‐ and PsB‐inducing CPsV sub‐isolates obtained by this procedure from the same tree showed identical single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) profiles in homologous segments of the RNAs 1 and 3, whereas segments of the RNA 2 enabled discrimination between PsA‐ and PsB‐associated sequence variants. SSCP analysis of the RNA 2 population present in different tissues of psorosis‐infected plants showed that: (i) PsA‐inducing isolates contain PsB‐associated sequence variants at low frequency, (ii) the PsB‐associated sequence variant is predominant in blistered twigs and gummy pustules affecting old leaves, characteristic of PsB isolates, and (iii) the PsB‐associated sequence variant accumulates preferentially in bark lesions of the trunk and limbs. SSCP analysis of the RNA 2 population also enabled monitoring of interference between PsA‐ and PsB‐associated variants in plants co‐inoculated with both psorosis types.     

Uncontrolled Citrus psorosis virus infection in Citrus sinensis transgenic plants expressing a viral 24K-derived hairpin that does not trigger RNA silencing

Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV) is the causal agent of psorosis disease of citrus. Pineapple sweet orange plants were transformed with a hairpin construct derived from the viral 24k gene (lines ihp24K). Contrary to expectations, these lines did not trigger efficient RNA silencing, and when infected with CPsV they showed a phenotype of exacerbated symptoms with a persistent and homogeneous infection without the recovery observed in non-transgenic plants. Ihp24K lines did not behave similarly when challenged with Citrus tristeza virus. All these results indicate that hypersusceptibility is likely related to the specific action of 24K-derived hairpin over CPsV multiplication.     

Filamentous flexous particles and serologically related proteins of variable size associated with citrus psorosis and ringspot diseases

Filamentous flexous partic les of unusual morphology, previously associated with several ringspot isolates, were detected also in psorosis A and psorosis B isolates by serologically specific electron microscopy using an antiserum to citrus ringspot. Upon partial purification of six ringspot, six psorosis A, and three psorosis B isolates, a specific protein of 47 kDa was detected in most cases, but two isolates (one psorosis A and one ringspot) had a 46 and a 48 kDa-protein, respectively. These differences in molecular masses were observed when purification was done from different host species or from plants co-inoculated with two isolates differing by their protein size. The three types of protein were serologically related in Western blots. Our results indicate that a common virus with different strains may be involved in psorosis A, psorosis B, and ringspot diseases.     

Detection of citrus psorosis-ringspot virus using RT-PCR and DAS-ELISA

Psorosis, sometimes also associated with ringspot symptoms, is a widespread and damaging disease of citrus in many parts of the world including South America and the Mediterranean basin. We describe the application of RT-PCR and DAS-ELISA diagnostics to an isolate of citrus ringspot virus (CtRSV-4) and other virus isolates associated with this disease. Fragments of cDNA from bottom-component RNA of CtRSV-4 were cloned and sequenced, and PCR primers were designed, 5'ACAATAAGCAAGACAAC upstream, and 5'CCATGTCACTTCTATTC downstream. RT-PCR experiments using these primers allowed detection of CtRSV-4 in infected citrus leaves down to a tissue dilution of 1/12 800 representing 2 μg of tissue, and less sensitive detection of the related citrus psorosis-associated virus (CPsAV90-1-1) and four other psorosis isolates from Argentina and the USA. In addition, CtRSV-4 particles were partially purified from local lesions in Chenopodium quinoa, and the preparations used to raise a rabbit antiserum. The antiserum was absorbed with extracts of healthy C. quinoa leaves, and a DAS-ELISA kit was prepared and tested for detection of CtRSV-4, CPsAV90–1-1, and other psorosis isolates from Argentina, the USA, Italy and Spain. The ELISA detected CtRSV-4 down to a tissue dilution of 1/1600, and most other psorosis isolates down to dilutions of 1/200–1/800. Three of a total of 20 heterologous isolates were consistently negative. Comparison of the PCR and ELISA results suggests that both methods can be used for detection of a range of psorosis isolates, but that variation of the viruses in the field might cause problems for any one diagnostic test.     

First report of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus psorosis virus</Emphasis> in Japan

Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV) was detected from citrus trees for the first time in Japan. The diagnosis was confirmed by molecular, serological, and biological indexing. RT-PCR detected CPsV from two citrus trees among ca. 200 tested. Both trees were variety Shiranui of [Citrus unshiu Marc. × C. sinensis (L.) Osb.] × C. reticulata Blanco, and neither had the bark scaling symptom typical of CPsV. The CPsV isolate could be genetically related to those from Spain, Italy, Florida, and California.     

Biological diversity of citrus ringspot isolates in Spain

Eight isolates of citrus ringspot were selected by symptoms induced in field trees and compared with a citrus psorosis isolate for symptom expression on several citrus species under temperature-controlled glasshouse conditions. Symptom expression in each host-isolate combination was quantified by a pathogenicity index (PI) that considered symptom intensity and the number of plants showing each symptom. A general pathogenicity index (GPI) was defined for each isolate as a weighted mean of the different PI. A wide range of symptoms could be observed depending on host-isolate combination and incubation temperature. On the basis of symptoms induced in the glasshouse, cross protecting reaction against psorosis B challenge inoculation, mechanical transmissibility to Chenopodium quinoa , and presence of a c. 48-kDa protein associated to fractions of a sucrose gradient infective on C. quinoa (Navas-Castillo et al, 1993), six of the ringspot isolates (RS-ALC, RS-SOR, RS-GR, RS-INV, RS-CV and RS-SR) could not be distinguished from the psorosis isolate used as control, whereas the other two isolates (RS-ALM and RS-BUR) were clearly different. Field symptoms induced by these two isolates also differed from those induced by psorosis or by the other ringspot isolates.     

Comparison and differentiation of Wheat Yellow Mosaic Virus(WYMV), Wheat Spindle Streak Mosaic Virus (WSSMV) and Barley Yellow Mosaic Virus (BaYMV) isolates using WYMV monoclonal antibodies

Twelve monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were obtained by immunizing mice with a French isolate (F1) of wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV). Three of these (3D12, 2C1, 6C3) belong to the IgM class and the nine others to the IgG class (3D8, 3H1, 2B8, 1F2, 3C10, 4F12, 3H9, 1G5, 54). In antigen-coated plate (ACP) ELISA and indirect double antibody sandwich (IDAS) ELISA, all MAbs recognize the WYMV (F1) both in the form of purified particles and in wheat leaf extract. The analysis of numerous French isolates of WYMV shows a variable reactivity with MAbs 3D8, 3H1, 2B8, 3C10, 3H9 and 1G5 in IDAS — and ACP-ELISA. The Japanese isolate of WYMV and United States isolates of wheat spindle streak mosaic virus (WSSMV) were detected in IDAS- and ACP-ELISA by ten of the MAbs tested showing that the wheat bymoviruses originating from the three locations share a high epitopic homology. French isolates of barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV; pathotypes 1 and 2) were only detected in ACP-ELISA with MAbs 6C3, 3D8, 3H1 and 2B8 whereas the two Japanese strains (I-1, II-1) of MaYMV were recognized with these and also with that of 3C10. In IDAS-ELISA, the two Japanese strains were clearly detected by MAbs, 6C3, 3D8, 3H1, 1F2, 3C10 and 1G5 and the British and Belgian (pathotype 2) isolates only by that of 6C3. Only the Japanese strain of BaYMV, 1-1 could be detected with MAb 3H9 in this ELISA system.     

Distinct strains of the re‐emergent Cassava common mosaic virus (genus: Potexvirus) infecting cassava in Argentina

Cassava common mosaic disease (CCMD) has been reported in all regions where cassava is grown in the Americas and the causal agent, Cassava common mosaic virus (CsCMV), has been identified as a mechanically transmitted potexvirus (Alphaflexiviridae). In Argentina, cassava is grown mainly in the northeast (NEA) region that shares borders with Brazil and Paraguay. Increasing incidences of CCMD were observed during the years 2014 to 2016 associated with severe leaf mosaic symptoms and yield reductions where the occurrence of CsCMV was confirmed by RT‐PCR and sequencing. In this work, the virus has been successfully purified and a double‐antibody sandwich (DAS‐) ELISA test has been developed from an Argentinean isolate of CsCMV to extend the diagnostics of the disease. A collection of 726 samples was screened and CsCMV was detected with 100% prevalence in the NEA region. Additional co‐infecting viruses were detected in some plants (64.4%); in these, CCMD symptoms correlated with CsCMV only, although more severe symptoms could be observed in mixed infected plants. Sequence analysis of the conserved RdRp domain showed a wider diversity of CsCMV isolates. Interestingly, a separate phylogenetic cluster was formed by isolates from the NEA region that only shared 77.1% to 80.3% nucleotide identity with the other clusters. These results indicate the presence of mixed strains occurring in the NEA region and suggest the presence of geographically distinct strains of CsCMV in South America.     

进境西瓜种子中西瓜细菌性果斑病菌的检测鉴定

由嗜酸菌属西瓜种(Acidovorax citrulli)引起的西瓜细菌性果斑病是西瓜等葫芦科作物上的一种极具毁灭性的病害,该病原细菌可以由种子携带传播。本研究通过直接研磨种子,用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附测定法(DAS-ELISA)和免疫捕捉聚合酶链式反应法(IC-PCR)对进境的西瓜种子进行检测,并且对PCR产物进一步克隆测序。结果表明,在DAS-ELISA产生阳性结果的样品中,IC-PCR结果也产生阳性。序列分析表明,该序列与已知的该病菌16S rRNA基因的相应序列具有100%同源性。因此,2006年这批来自台湾的西瓜种子携带有嗜酸菌属西瓜种(Acidovorax citrulli)。     

Nucleotide sequence of the coat protein gene of Mirafiori lettuce virus

 The coat protein (CP) gene of Mirafiori lettuce virus (MiLV), a tentative member of the genus Ophiovirus was isolated and sequenced. The established sequence consists of 1514 nucleotides including one open reading frame (ORF) with 1311 nucleotides that encodes 437 amino acids with a relative molecular mass 48 543. When the ORF was expressed in Escherichia coli, the obtained protein was confirmed as CP by Western blotting using an antiserum against MiLV. Database searches showed that the CP gene of MiLV has a sequence similar to that of Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV), the type species of the genus Ophiovirus. The comparison between MiLV and CPsV CP genes revealed that the identities of the nucleotide and amino acid sequences were 46.5% and 30.9%, respectively. Received: July 29, 2002 / Accepted: October 2, 2002     

柑橘鳞皮病研究进展

柑橘鳞皮病是一种分布在包括南美洲和地中海等广大地区的重要病毒性病害,随着大量国外优良柑橘品种的引进,增加了柑橘鳞皮病随同苗木、接穗传入我国的可能性。本文对柑橘鳞皮病的类型、研究历史、病原、传播方式、检测技术以及防治方法作一综述,为今后我国对柑橘鳞皮病的检疫和防治研究提供基础。     

A蛋白斑点免疫金染色和双抗体夹心酶联检测齿兰环斑病毒的比较

A蛋白斑点免疫金染色检测齿兰环斑病毒提纯病毒的灵敏度为1.56 ng/μl,检测病汁液的稀释倍数为640倍.同时采用碱性磷酸酯酶标记抗体IgG.IgG包被酶联板的浓度为1 μg/ml,酶标抗体以1 /1000稀释使用.DAS-ELISA技术检测ORSV提纯病毒的灵敏度为0.048 ng/μl,检测病汁液的稀释倍数为20480倍.     

Detection of quarantine viruses of potato by ELISA

According to EC regulations, imported material of tuber-forming Solarium spp. has to be tested for the absence of defined quarantine viruses. In order to allow an efficient and timesaving application of the quarantine inspection procedure, antisera have been developed and scrutinized for their use by the ELISA technique. The viruses concerned were Andean potato latent virus (APLV), Andean potato mottle virus (APMV), arracacha virus B oca strain (AVB-O), potato virus T (PVT) and tobacco ringspot virus Andean potato calico strain (TRSV-Ca). The results show that all viruses can be reliably detected by double-antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA. The detection limits were in the range ≤ 1–32 ng ml⁻¹. The strain specificity by DAS-ELISA of the antisera for APLV and APMV was overcome by mixing antisera from the different strains and strain groups, respectively. Strains C and Lm of APMV seemed to be serologically identical. A comparison of the suceptibility of several wild species of tuber-forming Solanum with that of several cultivars of Solanum tuberosum showed a higher frequency of infection in the wild species.