Antigenic and morphological differentiation of placental and intestinal isolates of Chlamydia psittaci of ovine origin.

Ewe placental and lamb intestinal isolates of Chlamydia psittaci recovered from flocks affected with ovine enzootic abortion were examined by inclusion morphology, indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and immunoblot analysis. Chlamydiae recovered from the faeces of sheep from two flocks free of clinical disease were also examined. In cell culture ovine abortion (OA) and intestinal isolates were distinguishable by inclusion development and morphology. Similarly, in two-way IIF tests with one week mouse antisera isolates fell into two distinct groups: abortion or intestinal. Immunoblotting with convalescent sheep abortion antiserum identified 30 out of at least 40 silver staining polypeptides as antigenic both in OA and intestinal isolates. The serum produced a similar reaction pattern to the resolved proteins of each OA isolate, indicating a higher degree of antigenic conservation among these isolates. Considerable cross reactivity between the OA and intestinal isolates was identified, but the serum also showed apparent molecular weight differences between antigens of the two types in the 87-116 kDa, 38-44 kDa and 26-28 kDa regions. Furthermore, the immunoblotting analysis revealed heterogeneity among the intestinal isolates, particularly in antigens between 87-116 kDa and 38-44 kDa.     

Distinguishing between ovine abortion and ovine arthritis Chlamydia psittaci isolates with specific monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies to Chlamydia psittaci were prepared by both in vivo and in vitro immunization methods, using an abortion strain of C psittaci as the immunizing antigen. Seven of the 8 monoclonal antibodies produced were genus-specific by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence test. The genus-specific antibodies were reactive with a protease-resistant, periodate-sensitive antigen of less than 14 kilodaltons. The remaining monoclonal antibody, 10D7, was specific for ovine abortion strains of C psittaci and nonreactive with 2 strains isolated from the joints of lambs with polyarthritis. The type-specific antigen was protease sensitive, but could not be detected in the immunoblot assay.     

Characterization of Brucella canis protein antigens and polypeptide antibody responses of infected dogs

The cytoplasmic protein antigens (CPAg) of Brucella canis were characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and analysis of 35S-labeled polypeptides. Approximate molecular weights of the immunoreactive polypeptides were determined by migration patterns of the immunoprecipitated polypeptides after SDS-PAGE or Western immunoblotting of sera collected at various times after experimental infection of dogs. Polypeptides were specifically precipitated by sera of infected dogs, but not from the sera of normal or false-positive (seropositive, non-infected) animals. During the initial month after infection, proteins with molecular weight masses (MW) of approximately 18, 22, 31, 42 and 54 kDa were commonly recognized. A 20-kDa polypeptide was first recognized at 8-10 weeks after infection, but it was detected inconsistently after 6 months. Additional polypeptides detected from 2 to 12 months post-infection had MW of 22, 66-68 and, less regularly, 42, 60, 82, 100 and greater than 200 kDa. The polypeptides most consistently recognized in sera from B. canis-infected dogs had MW of 18, 22 and 68 kDa.     

羊流产衣原体主要外膜蛋白基因的克隆与序列分析

将自行分离、传代培养的内蒙古地区山羊流产衣原体按常规方法分离纯化，提取衣原体基因组DNA作为模板，按照国外发表的衣原体主要外膜蛋白（MOMP）基因两端序列设计合成一对引物，用PCR方法扩增出－1.17Kb的DNA片段。利用引物上预先设计的限制性内切酶位点，将扩增片段经限制性内切酶切割后连接到pUC19质粒相应位点上，转化大肠杆菌DH5α，筛选重组子。经PCR检测和内切酶分析鉴定含MOMP基因的重组子质粒。对克隆处段进行全序列分析，结果证明得到MOMP全编码序列的基因克隆。本株衣原体MOMP编码区由1170个核苷酸组成。序列比较发现本株衣原体的MOMP基因与国外的羊流产衣原体S26／3株的MOMP基因完全相同，与B577株的MOMP基因仅有一个核苷酸的同义变异。     

Growth of several strains of Chlamydia psittaci in Vero and McCoy cells in the presence of cytochalasin and cortisone.

Chlamydia psittaci of avian and mammalian origin were grown in McCoy and Vero cells in the presence of cytochalasin B with cortisone acetate. Six turkey strains, one parrot strain, one human strain, one ovine strain and one bovine strain were used in this study. All strains, except the turkey strain NJ-1, grew to higher titers in Vero cells than in McCoy cells. Five of the six turkey strains could be grouped together because they induced cytopathic changes rapidly. The other turkey strain, along with the parrot, human and ovine strain, induced cytopathic changes more slowly and the bovine strain failed to cause cytopathic changes, but it did replicate in the cell culture system.     

Structural proteins of porcine enteroviruses

Analysis of the structural proteins of two strains (T80 and PE1) of cytopathogenic type 1 and two strains (V13 and T5) of cytopathogenic type II porcine enteroviruses by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealed polypeptide patterns which were generally similar to those described for other picornaviruses. However, one polypeptide (P5), of molecular weight 15 000 to 17 000, which was found in each strain of porcine enterovirus, has not been reported for other enteroviruses. A polypeptide (P4), of molecular weight 22 000, demonstrated in the type I strains, was lacking in the type II strains, and the molecular weight of the P2 polypeptide was lower in the type II strains than in the type I porcine enteroviruses.     

Preparation and use of a monoclonal antibody to detect Chlamydia psittaci antigen in paraffin-embedded tissue sections

A murine monoclonal antibody prepared against an ovine abortion isolate of Chlamydia psittaci (A22/Teramo) revealed specific binding to a 57 kDa chlamydial antigen in immunoblotting studies. The monoclonal antibody was able to detect intracytoplasmic chlamydial inclusions and scattered elementary bodies in infected McCoy cell culture, and on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections both from experimentally infected mice and from fetal membranes of cases of ovine enzootic abortion.     

Prevalence of Chlamydophila abortus infection in domesticated ruminants in Taiwan.

This study is to (1) investigate the prevalence of Chlamydophila abortus infection in cows and goats in Taiwan, and (2) compare the genetic properties of Taiwanese isolates with abortion strains from other sources. Approximately 71% of aborted cows and 58% of aborted does had IgG against C. abortus in their sera. The seroprevalence rate in cows may be overestimated, because a certain degree of cross-reactivity with C. pecorum cannot be ruled out. Only 22.7% (from aborted cows) and 33.3% (from aborted dogs) of vaginal swabs that tested positive by polymerase chain reaction led to successful isolation of C. abortus by inoculation into chicken embryos, equivalent to 7.1% and 7.9% of isolation rates, respectively. The major outer membrane protein gene of 15 Taiwanese abortion isolates was compared with that of various strains by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and nucleotide sequencing. Restriction enzyme CfoI was able to distinguish Taiwanese ruminant isolates, which have identical RFLP patterns, from C. felis (feline) and C. psittaci (avian) strains. Taiwanese isolates had 98.8-100% homology with known ruminant abortion strains and were phylogenetically closest to bovine LW508 strain.     

Abortion in small ruminants in the Netherlands between 2006 and 2011

During five successive lambing seasons between 2006 and 2011, 453 submissions of abortion material, 282 of ovine and 171 of caprine origin, were examined at the Animal Health Service in the Netherlands. Infectious agents as the most plausible cause of the abortion were found in 48 percent of the ovine submissions and in 34 percent of the caprine submissions. Submission of both aborted fetus and placental membranes increased the diagnostic yield of laboratory investigations (17 percent and 21 percent for ovine and caprine submissions, respectively). The main infectious causes of abortion in sheep were Chlamydia abortus, Campylobacter spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Listeria spp., and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. The main infectious causes of abortion in goats were Coxiella burnetii, Chlamydia abortus, Listeria spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Campylobacter spp. In 42 percent of the ovine and in 56 percent of the caprine submissions a causal agent was not identified. Furthermore, in 12 percent of the ovine and 10 percent of the caprine submissions evidence of placentitis, indicative of an infectious cause of the abortion, was found, but no infectious agent was identified. Most infectious causes of ovine and caprine abortion have zoonotic potential. Humans, especially pregnant women, who are in close contact with lambing sheep or goats should be aware of the importance of precautionary hygiene measures.     

Serotyping of chlamydial clinical isolates from birds with monoclonal antibodies

Forty-nine avian chlamydial strains, isolated mainly from various regions in France and from different species of birds, were analyzed and tested with a panel of nine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) by the indirect microimmunofluorescence test (MIF). The MAbs included five serovar-specific MAbs, three MAbs raised against Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia pecorum ovine strains, and one genus-specific MAb. Of the 49 isolates, 41 came from parrots or budgerigars; the rest were from pigeons, a canary, a duck, and a dove. Two additional strains were from unknown hosts. Most of these avian strains were successfully serotyped according to their reactions with five serovar-specific MAbs by the MIF test. The serovars of 44 strains were determined: 39 were of serovar A, 3 of serovar B, and 2 of serovar E. The remaining five isolates were unclassified because they did not react with any of five serovar-specific MAbs but did react with genus MAb or the MAbs produced with ovine strains. The five unclassified isolates (two from budgerigars, two from Gabon gray parrots, and one from a duck) indicate that one or more additional serovars of C. psittaci exist in birds. The heterogeneity within each subgroup was evident because the 49 avian isolates gave 10 subgroups when the results of the five serovar-specific MAbs were combined with results from the three MAbs produced with ovine strains. This heterogeneity of the serovar isolates, as shown by the combination of MAbs, could provide strain markers very useful for epidemiologic studies.     

Molecular characterisation and ovine live vaccine 1B evaluation toward a Chlamydophila abortus strain isolated from springbok antelope abortion

Chlamydiosis is a zoonosis with a worldwide distribution. The reservoir of susceptible hosts is large and includes birds and both domestic and wild mammals. Chlamydial infection, determined serologically, seems to be widespread among wild ruminants in the Paris zoo (France). In February 2003, an abortion case was reported within the springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) herd of the zoo. PCR assay using primers targeting the polymorph membrane protein gene (pmp) family was performed on both vaginal swab and placenta samples revealing the presence of Chlamydophila. The inoculation into chicken embryos of an infected placenta extract led to the successful isolation of a C. abortus strain referred to as ASb1. The omp1 gene coding the major outer membrane protein (momp) and the 16S-23S rRNA spacer region of ASb1 were compared to those of various strains by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The RFLP analysis showed that this isolate belonged to Chlamydophila abortus species and is highly related to known domestic ruminant's strains causing abortion. The efficacy of a live vaccine 1B, based on a temperature-sensitive mutant of the ovine abortion reference strain AB7, was tested. Protection-challenge experiments in a mouse model show that the ASb1 strain led to mice abortions and that vaccination with 1B vaccine provided them with effective protection.     

来自不同动物的鹦鹉衣原体株外膜抗原特性的研究

用SDS-PAGE(聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳)对不同宿主和不同地区的鹦鹉衣原体进行分析研究表明,3个中国株具有十分相似的主外膜抗原结构成份(MOMP),而英国流产衣原体株则完全不同,含有68KD、70KD、88KD和92KD的独有外膜蛋白,不含80KD的共有外膜蛋白,禽源衣原体株含有74KD、92KD、94KD多肽,而哺乳动物源衣原体株外膜结构中没有这些多肽成份;这种外膜抗原结构的差异可能与他们之间的抗原性和免疫原性不同有关。     

Performance and body composition of fatteningpigs of two strains during protein deficiency and subsequent realimentation

The influence of protein restriction and subsequent realimentation on protein and lipid depositionas studied. Between 28 kg and 65 kg live weight (LW ), entire male pigs of two strains (a commercial and a sire strain) were given diets either deficient or adequate in protein content. From 65 to 105 kg LW all pigs were fed a protein-adequate ration. Animals were slaughtered and dissected at start, 65 and 105 kg LW. Body composition and deposition rates of protein, lipid, lean and fatty tissue for both the restriction period (28–65 kg LW) and the realimentation period (65–105 kg LW) were calculated. Protein restriction reduced feed intake (28%), live weight gain (60%), and rate of protein (75%) and lipid deposition (15%) between 28 and 65 kg live weight. A165 kg, restricted animals had twice as much lipid and were 60 days older than controls. During realimentation, previously restricted pigs (compared to controls) had slightly (7%) reduced feed intake and 15% increased weight gain and efficiency. Protein deposition rate beyond 65 kg LW was increased by 13% and ratio of lipid to protein deposition was decreased from 1.69 to 1.23. At 105 kg, the previously restricted pigs still were older and fatter than controls, so compensation was not complete. Strains of pigs responded similarly to both restriction and realimentation. Dissection at 105 kg LW was not sensitive enough to show the effects revealed by chemical analysis. The experiment revealed that nutritional history may influence the relation between lipid deposition rate and protein deposition rate.     

Structural proteins of classic and variant strains of infectious bursal disease viruses.

Structural polypeptides of six tissue-culture-origin (BGM-70 continuous cell line) infectious bursal disease viruses representing classic and variant strains of serotype 1 and one serotype 2 strain were analyzed and compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Additionally, two of the variant strains were propagated in vivo in bursa of Fabricius and compared with those grown in cell culture. Differences among the structural proteins of serotype 1 viruses were minor and probably of no value in differentiating these viruses. However, distinct differences were observed between serotype 1 and 2 viruses. The bursa-derived viruses were different from those propagated in cell culture in molecular weights and in proportions of the proteins. The bursa-derived strains had protein migration patterns similar to those described for tissue-culture-incomplete virus particles.     

Chlamydia abortion in sheep: possibilities for serological diagnosis using a competitive ELISA and insight into the epidemiologic situation in Switzerland]

466 sheep sera out of 19 flocks in Switzerland were examined by a competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for antibodies against Chlamydia psittaci "serotype 1" ("ovine enzootic abortion"). Since numerous positive reactors were found in flocks without abortion history, 30 fecal samples out of two of these flocks were examined by PCR for evidence of chlamydial DNA. One of these samples turned out to contain DNA of Chlamydia psittaci "serotype 1". These results suggest, that in Switzerland "serotype 1" of Chlamydia psittaci is widespread not only as cause of chlamydial abortion but also as latent intestinal infection in sheep. The resulting difficulties for serological diagnosis of chlamydial abortion and possible solutions based on the cELISA are discussed. The complement fixation test (CFT), still considered as standard method for serological examination for Chlamydiae, has additionally been applied.     

Western blot analysis of the IgG response of sheep vaccinated with S48 Toxoplasma gondii (Toxovax)

The IgG antibody responses of sheep vaccinated by the subcutaneous injection of live tachyzoites of ‘incomplete’ strain S48 toxoplasma (Toxovax) were analysed by Western blotting. Antibodies corresponding to a range of tachyzoite antigens (13 to 48 kD) were detected, but the response was dominated by antibody recognising a 30 to 32 kD band. Unvaccinated ewes challenged orally with oocysts of the ‘complete’ M3 toxoplasma strain had a more complex IgG response that recognised antigens in six dominant bands of similar intensity as those in sheep vaccinated with S48 tachyzoites and then challenged with M3 oocysts. No differences were detected between the antigenic structures of the S48 tachyzoites and RH strain tachyzoites when the antigens were probed with immune ovine sera. Many of the anitgens of the S48 tachyzoites that were recognised had molecular weights similar to those of antigens that have been identified in other strains of toxoplasma.     

Chlamydial infection in aborted and stillborn lambs

Chlamydia psittaci is a major cause of ovine abortion in the fourth to fifth months of gestation. During the lambing seasons of 1986, 1987, and 1988, fetuses from 52 cases of ovine abortion, stillbirth, or perinatal death were submitted to the laboratory for necropsy examination. Placenta or fetal tissues from 34 cases were cultured on mouse L cells for C. psittaci. Chlamydia psittaci was identified by immunofluorescence on cultures in 20 of these cases. The major gross lesion consistently associated with chlamydial abortion was placentitis with multifocal cotyledonary necrosis and accumulation of red-brown exudate in the intercotyledonary placenta. Chlamydiae appeared as spherical organisms, less than 1 micron in diameter, in the cytoplasm of trophoblasts in impression smears of cotyledons. Histologically, placentitis was sometimes accompanied by pneumonia or encephalitis in the fetus. Chlamydia psittaci was considered the cause for fetal death when chlamydial isolation was associated with placentitis or inflammation of other fetal tissues and when other abortifacient agents were not detected.     

用聚合酶链反应检测羊流产衣原体的初步研究

依据鹦鹉热衣原体羊流产株的主要外膜蛋白基因核苷酸顺序，设计，合成了１对ＰＣＲ引物，利用该对引物，以衣原体基因组ＤＮＡ为模板，可以用ＰＣＲ扩增出－１．１７ＫｂＤＮＡ片段，检测灵敏度可达０．１ｐｇ。采集衣原体感染的山羊流产胎衣等病料制取核酸样品，进行ＰＣＲ检测，同样扩增出特异性条带。作为对照的健康动物组织，常见病原菌的核酸样品则都呈阴性反应，用建立的ＰＣＲ检测衣原体的方法检查了６５份自然病料，有６份呈     

禽腺病毒贵州分离株ＨＳ—１的核酸酶切分析与蛋白抗原鉴定

本研究利用１０％ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ及Ｗestern-Blotting技术鉴定３株不同的减蛋综合征病毒（贵州株ＨＳ－１、南京分离毒ＧＣ２、国际标准毒ＡＶ－１２７）的蛋白抗原性，结果表明，３株毒的蛋白多肽分子量均在１０６－１２kＤ范围,一各条多肽的组成上略有差异；它们都具有两条相同的免疫原性多肽，分子量分别为１０６和１００ＫＤ。同时，运用ＥcoRⅠ,HindⅢ，ＰｓｔⅠ和ＳmaⅠ等５种限制性内切酶进行了酶切分析，证实３株ＥＤＳ病毒用ＰstⅠ和ＳmsⅠ酶切的片段大小及长度略有不同，而其它３种酶的酶切图谱完全相同。     

Method for obtaining ovine uterine secretions from unilaterally pregnant ewes

Development of the ovine conceptus was confined to the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum (CL) by placing a ligature around that uterine horn at a point near the uterine body on day 5 of pregnancy. On day 140 of gestation, seven of 10 ewes were still pregnant and from 21 to 815 ml of uterine fluid (488 +/- 94 ml, X +/- SEM) were collected from the nongravid uterine horn. Total recoverable protein (X +/- SEM) was 13.4 +/- 3.4 grams. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the reduced proteins in presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate indicated that protein composition of uterine fluid was distinct from that of colostrum, serum, amniotic fluid, and allantoic fluid, and revealed the presence of two major polypeptides with molecular weights of about 57,000 and 58,500, respectively, plus numerous other minor components. Gel filtration on columns of Sephadex G-200 and Sepharose CL-6B suggested that these polypeptides formed a series of aggregates of high molecular weight when kept under nonreducing conditions. Glucose (.18 +/- .03 mg/ml), but not fructose, was present in uterine fluid. In addition, high levels of prostaglandin F (451.4 +/- 83.3 ng/ml) were present.