Outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 in the southwestern United States: first detections in southern California

An outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2)-associated disease occurred in the southwestern United States following its first detection in New Mexico in March 2020. The disease spread throughout several states and was diagnosed for the first time in California on May 11, 2020, in a black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus). The following day, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) issued an order banning the entrance into California of several lagomorph species and their products from any state in which the disease had been detected in the last 12 mo. RHDV2 is a threat to wild lagomorph species in California, including the endangered riparian brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius). Therefore, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) started tracking any mortality event in wild lagomorph populations. As of August 9, 2020, RHDV2 had been detected in wild and domestic lagomorphs of several counties in southern California that were submitted to the California Animal Health and Food Safety laboratory system by the CDFA or the CDFW. These positive cases included 2 additional black-tailed jackrabbits and 3 desert cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus audubonii). In addition, the infection spilled over to domestic populations, whereby it was confirmed on July 10, 2020, in a domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).     

Adenovirus-based oral vaccine for rabbit hemorrhagic disease

Vaccine antigens for rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) are currently derived from inactivated RHDV obtained from the livers of experimentally infected rabbits or from several recombinant immunogens. However, the application of these vaccine antigens has been restricted because of biosecurity and immunity characteristics. In the current study, a recombinant adenovirus expressing the RHDV capsid protein (VP60) was constructed and the expression of the recombinant protein was identified through western blot analysis using RHDV-positive rabbit sera. Eighteen rabbits were immunized by injection, direct oral instillation, or using bait. They were challenged with RHDV isolate three weeks after boost immunization. In all cases, the rabbits immunized with the recombinant adenovirus developed RHDV-specific antibodies and cell immune response. The rabbits injected with the recombinant adenovirus were completely protected against RHDV challenge. The adenovirus expression system may provide a strategy for the immunization of rabbits, particularly for the control of RHDV in wild rabbits.     

The first reported case of rabbit hemorrhagic disease in Canada

In March 2011, rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) was suspected in a 1-year-old male neutered lop-eared rabbit that had acute onset liver failure. Gross pathology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, partial nucleic acid sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the major capsid protein (VP60) and animal inoculation studies all supported this diagnosis making it the first confirmed case of RHD in Canada.     

Hemagglutination and antigenic comparison of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus

The hemagglutinating activity and serological properties of three strains of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, Chinese, Korean and Shizuoka, which was first isolated in Japan, were examined by hemagglutination (HA) and cross hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test with human erythrocytes. Similar results were observed between the Chinese and Korean strains, both of which gave positive HA at 4 degrees C with O, A, B and AB, and at 22 degrees C with B and AB blood groups. In the Shizuoka strain, positive HA was observed at 4 degrees C with O, A, B and AB, at 22 degrees C with A, B And AB, and at 37 degrees C with B blood group. In experimentally infected rabbits, HI antibody in these animals showed a titer of 16,384 or 32,768 at 4 weeks after inoculation. No serological difference was observed in three strains by cross HI test.     

Impairment of renal function and electrolyte balance in rabbit hemorrhagic disease

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) induced viral fulminant hepatitis in adult rabbits. We investigated the damage of renal function and electrolyte balance in experimentally infected rabbit by measuring the related serum parameters to elucidate the pathogenesis of RHDV as an index for medical treatment. Nineteen New Zealand White rabbits, ten females and nine males, were each intramuscularly inoculated with 0.5 ml 50% rabbit lethal dose (RLD(50)) rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus. Blood samples were collected at 0 hr post inoculation (HPI) and every 6 hr from 18 HPI repeatedly through 66 HPI. After virus inoculation, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CREA) and sodium (Na(+)) were elevated to a highly significant level (p<0.0001), whereas serum potassium (K(+)) was moderately elevated to a significant level (p<0.05). Hypoglycemia developed highly significantly (p<0.0001). Serum chloride ion (Cl(-)) was the only parameter which did not change significantly (p=0.077). No significant sexual difference was observed among these parameters. Renal insufficiency progressed from 36 hr, as indicated by the increases in BUN and CREA; significant changes in electrolytes resulting in the increased osmolality of extracellular fluid that induced flow disturbance which consequently destroy the homeostasis in cells. Therefore, the later impairments in renal function and electrolyte balance might be an important threat for rabbits which might have survived from acute fulminant hepatitis in RHD.     

兔出血症病毒西藏野毒分离株的鉴定

对西藏农牧学院分离的一株兔出血症病毒(RHDV)西藏野毒进行血凝性、特异性和致病性进行鉴定。结果表明,此株RHDV野毒血凝价高达10240以上;RHDV抗血清可特异性抑制该株病毒对人“O”型红细胞的凝集;西藏株RHDV的最小致死量为10^-5／mL,是一株具有高致病力的RHDV强毒株。     

兔病毒性出血症基因工程疫苗的研究进展

兔病毒性出血症俗称兔瘟,它是由兔出血症病毒(Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus,RHDV)引起的一种急性、烈性、高度接触性、致死性传染病。1984年中国首次报道了该病。RHDV曾是兔的一种毁灭性传染病,因给养兔业带来巨大的经济损失而备受养兔业的关注。1989年,世界动物卫生组织(OIE)将该病正式列为B类传染病,我国将其列为二类传染病。     

在豚鼠体内筛选兔出血症病毒“通用型”T细胞表位

为筛选兔出血症病毒T细胞表位,应用纯化的病毒与佐剂联合免疫6周龄豚鼠,三免后10 d采集血液和淋巴细胞,通过T淋巴细胞增殖试验(WST)、酶联免疫斑点(ELISPOT)、ELISA方法检测淋巴细胞增值、IFN-γ和IL-2变化,评价多肽的抗原性。结果显示,多肽P2、P7、P10、P16、P21和P22能刺激动物产生细胞免疫应答,淋巴细胞增殖、IFN-γ分泌和IL-2水平显著高于其他多肽和对照组。这表明,筛选的多肽P2、P7、P10、P16、P21和P22具有抗原特性,为多表位疫苗的构建和应用提供科学的依据。     

TaqMan MGB探针实时检测兔病毒性出血症病毒

应用荧光定量PCR技术,根据兔病毒性出血症病毒的保守基因VP60设计了1对引物和1段Taqman MGB探针,建立了用于检测兔病毒性出血症病毒的实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法。试验中能够检出的RHDV VP60基因质粒拷贝数达103数量级,能够检测到RHDV病毒核酸最低量可以达到5 pg,未检出其他病原的RNA。试验结果表明,建立的TaqMan MGB探针实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法的特异性、敏感性、重复性均达到试验设计要求,能快速检测临床样品中的兔病毒性出血症病毒,适合于兔各脏器及肌肉组织中兔病毒性出血症病毒的快速诊断和检测。     

Hematological parameters and visceral lesions relationships in rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease.

Twenty rabbits were inoculated with a suspension of Viral Hemorrhagic Disease virus. Hemostatic functions were assessed every sixth hour from 6 to 60 hours post-inoculation. Tissue samples obtained at the same intervals allowed the study of the development of lesions throughout the experiment. Biological signs of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) were detected on and after 30 h post-inoculation and consisted of prolonged One Stage Prothrombin Time and Activated Partial Thrombin Time, the decrease of factors V, VII, and X and high levels of soluble fibrin monomer complexes and D-dimers. A reduction of thrombocyte numbers, heterophils and lymphocytes was associated. The close association of DIC and necrotizing hepatitis lesions suggested the hepatic lesions to be the most important DIC triggering factor. Other mechanisms are discussed.     

兔病毒性出血症并发李氏杆菌病的诊治

兔病毒性出血症是危害养兔业最严重的传染病之一，俗称“兔瘟”，但和李氏杆菌混合感染的病例极为罕见。临沂市某个体养兔场发生了一起兔病毒性出血症与兔李氏杆菌混合感染病例。现就其诊治情况报告如下。     

兔出血症病毒抗原捕获ELISA检测方法的建立

用兔出血症病毒（RHDV）单克隆抗体包被酶标板,以兔多克隆抗体作为夹心抗体,建立RHDV抗原捕获ELISA检测方法,优化反应条件并对该方法的敏感性、特异性、重复性、稳定性等指标进行了测试和评价。结果表明,单抗最佳包被质量浓度为1mg/L,兔多抗血清最佳质量浓度为4mg/L。本方法可特异性地检测出兔肝脏病料中的RHDV,纯化病毒的最低检出量为26μg/L。对已知阳性样品的检测显示,捕获ELISA检测的病毒滴度是HA试验的3～13倍。对67份可疑病料,捕获ELISA阳性检出率为62.7%,HA试验阳性检出率为55.2%。用不同批次包被的酶标板重复检测已知样品显示出良好的重复性。本方法敏感性、特异性、稳定性良好,可应用于RHDV的快速、批量、特异检测。     

Haemorrhagic disease of lagomorphs: evidence for a calicivirus.

Studies on the aetiological agents of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) and European brown hare syndrome show that the viruses responsible for these infections can be placed in the family Caliciviridae. Established members of this group are vesicular exanthema virus (prototype), San Miguel sea lion virus and feline calcivirus. The human hepatitis E virus and the Norwalk agent may soon be included. The RHD virus genome consists of a positive stranded RNA molecule composed of 7437 nucleotides. A major subgenomic RNA of 2.2 kb, colinear with the 3' end of the genomic RNA, can also be recovered from infected liver tissue, and both RNAs are enclosed within viral capsids formed by a single major protein of approximately 60 kDa. Electron microscopic examination of organ suspensions from diseased animals shows two types of particle; 35-40 nm complete virions have the regularly arranged cup-shaped depressions typical of calcivirus morphology, and 23-25 nm smooth particles resulting from degradation of the outer surface structures of the complete virions.     

云南省楚雄州部分地区猪瘟血清学调查

为了解楚雄州部分地区的猪瘟免疫情况,利用酶联免疫法(ELISA)对楚雄市、南华县和禄丰县随机采取的393份血清进行猪瘟抗体检测,并对各县(市)的调查数据加以比较,了解猪瘟在楚雄州部分地区的免疫情况。结果显示,楚雄州部分地区均有较高的猪瘟抗体阳性率,各县(市)的猪瘟抗体阳性率都在80%以上,有的县(市)猪瘟抗体甚至达到了100%。说明楚雄州部分地区的猪瘟免疫效果较好,猪瘟免疫成功。     

兔病毒性出血症病毒抗体间接ELISA检测方法的建立

建立一种检测兔病毒性出血症病毒(RHDV)抗体的间接ELISA方法。对RHDV陕西分离株VP60基因进行原核表达,Western blot分析表达产物的免疫反应性;以纯化的蛋白为包被抗原建立ELISA方法,并对反应条件进行优化。结果表明,VP60蛋白在大肠杆菌中成功表达,产物约为42.34 ku的融合蛋白,具有良好的反应原性;优化的ELISA最佳工作条件为:重组抗原包被浓度2.9μg/mL,37℃2 h后4℃过夜,1%BSA 37℃封闭2 h,待检血清37℃孵育1 h,酶标抗体1∶10 000稀释,37℃作用1 h,37℃显色5 min,临界值为0.340;建立的ELISA方法特异性强、重复性好、敏感性高;临床检测180份样品,与血凝抑制试验的符合率为74.1%,与商品化试剂盒检测结果符合率为94.8%。该方法可用于临床样品的大批量检测。     

Outbreak of ocular disease associated with naturally-acquired canine herpesvirus-1 infection in a closed domestic dog colony

Objective  To describe clinical and virological findings of an outbreak of ocular disease attributed to naturally-acquired primary canine herpesvirus-1 (CHV-1) infection in a closed domestic dog colony.
Animals studied  Twenty-seven 10- to 16-week-old laboratory Beagles.
Procedure  Complete ophthalmic examinations were performed and ocular samples collected for CHV-1 polymerase chain reaction and virus isolation.
Results  The prevalence of ocular morbidity was 100% in examined dogs. Lesions were restricted to the ocular surface and included bilateral conjunctivitis (100% of dogs); punctate, dendritic, or geographic ulcerative keratitis (26% of dogs); and non-ulcerative keratitis (19% of dogs). Conjunctival petechiae were detected in 22% of dogs. Punctate and dendritic corneal ulcers were frequently organized into discrete groups or linear arrangements. Non-ulcerative keratitis appeared clinically as a perilimbal ring of superficial corneal vascularization and leukocyte infiltration. CHV-1 was detected in ocular samples by polymerase chain reaction or virus isolation in all dogs sampled.
Conclusions  In susceptible populations of domestic dogs, CHV-1 may be associated with outbreaks of highly contagious ocular infection in the absence of concurrent overt systemic disease. This naturally-acquired outbreak of CHV-1 infection provides an opportunity to report the spectrum and prevalence of ocular lesions associated with primary ocular CHV-1 infection in dogs. Conjunctivitis was the most frequent ocular lesion detected. Ulcerative and non-ulcerative keratitis were less prevalent and of variable clinical appearance. Dendritic ulcerative keratitis, a classic and relatively specific ocular lesion associated with alphaherpesvirus infection, was detected in < 20% of dogs.