An outbreak of sheep pox associated with goat poxvirus in Gansu province of China

Three strains of Capripoxviruses (CaPVs) were isolated from an outbreak of sheep pox in Gansu province of China. They were analyzed by P32 gene-based molecular methods and a species-specific PCR based on the RPO30 gene. Two bands which are specific to goat poxvirus (GTPV) were observed after the PCR products of P32 gene were digested with the endonuclease of Hinf I. Moreover, an amplicon of 172 bp, which is specific to GTPV, was amplified from the viruses by using the RPO30 gene-based PCR. Sequence analysis of the P32 genes showed that three nucleotide bases for coding residue of aspartic acid which are located at 163-165 position of P32 gene of sheep poxvirus (SPPV) were absent, and six single nucleotide substitutions which are characteristic of GTPV were present. The viruses were genetically closer to GTPV strains and clustered into the GTPV branch of the phylogenetic tree constructed on the basis of the P32 gene. The results characterized the isolated viruses as GTPV. It is the first report of an outbreak of sheep pox associated with GTPV in China.     

Construction of recombinant capripoxviruses as vaccine vectors for delivering foreign antigens: Methodology and application

Goatpox (GTP), sheeppox (SPP) and lumpy skin disease (LSD) are three severe diseases of goat, sheep and cattle. Their typical clinical symptoms are characterized by vesicles, papules, nodules, pustules and scabs on animal skins. The GTP, SPP and LSD are caused by goatpox virus (GTPV), sheeppox virus (SPPV) and lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), respectively, all of which belong to the genus Capripoxvirus in the family Poxviridae. Several capripoxvirus (CaPV) isolates have been virulently attenuated through serial passaging in vitro for production of live vaccines. CaPV-based vector systems have been broadly used to construct recombinant vaccines for delivering foreign antigens, many of which have been demonstrated to induce effective immune protections. Homologous recombination is the most commonly used method for constructing recombinant CaPVs. Here, we described a methodology for generation of recombinant CaPVs by the homologous recombination, and further reviewed CaPV-vectored vaccines for delivering foreign antigens.     

绵羊痘病毒和山羊痘病毒双重PCR检测方法的建立及应用

为建立鉴别绵羊痘病毒(SPPV)和山羊痘病毒(GTPV)的检测方法,本研究针对这2种病毒的基因组序列,分别设计2对特异性引物,通过对引物浓度、退火温度等的优化,建立了快速鉴别检测SPPV和GTPV的双重PCR方法。该方法分别扩增出SPPV长度为177 bp和GTPV长度为222 bp的目的片段。特异性试验结果显示,该方法对牛疙瘩皮肤病病毒、犬细小病毒、大肠杆菌O157、沙门氏菌、健康羊组织和牛组织均无扩增。敏感性试验显示,该方法最低可检测1.725×107copies/μL的SPPV和1.71×106copies/μL的GTPV。应用该方法对50份临床病料样品进行检测的结果与病毒分离鉴定结果一致,均检出5份感染GTPV的病料和2份感染SPPV的病料,表明该方法可以用于临床病料样品的检测。     

绵羊痘病毒、山羊痘病毒及羊口疮病毒多重PCR检测方法的建立和应用

为了建立鉴别绵羊痘病毒(SPPV)、山羊痘病毒(GTPV)和羊口疮病毒(ORFV)的多重PCR检测方法,针对GenBank中3种病毒的基因组序列,合成了3对引物,通过优化多重PCR反应条件,建立了鉴别检测3种病毒的多重PCR方法。特异性试验表明,应用该方法可分别扩增出3种病毒对应的目的片段,对大肠埃希菌、沙门菌、猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)、猪细小病毒(PPV)、Vero细胞、正常羊组织的DNA和灭菌双蒸水均无扩增;敏感性试验表明,该方法最低检测量分别为30.46pg/μL的绵羊痘病毒、28.9pg/μL的山羊痘病毒和26.94pg/μL的羊口疮病毒基因组DNA;应用本方法对85份临床病料进行检测,结果与其他已建立的单项PCR检测方法结果一致,说明该方法可以用于临床上SPPV、GTPV和ORFV的鉴别诊断。     

羊痘病毒环介导等温扩增(LAMP)检测方法的建立

为建立羊痘病毒(CaPV)的环介导等温扩增(LAMP)检测方法,本研究根据GenBank中羊痘病毒的保守基因序列,设计出针对羊痘病毒的LAMP引物,利用LAMP Real Time Turbidimeter LA-320仪优化得到病毒核酸等温扩增最佳条件是62 ℃恒温反应60 min。在此条件下,病毒核酸的最低检测含量为3.1×10^-2 pg/μL,灵敏度比OIE推荐的PCR方法高10⁴倍。添加钙黄绿素(calcein)建立的目测法,还可实现对上述病原体检测结果肉眼观察。本研究获得的CaPV LAMP仪器法和目测法可特异性地扩增羊痘病毒属的山羊痘病毒、绵羊痘病毒及牛疙瘩皮肤病病毒核酸,具有反应快速、特异性强、灵敏度高、操作简便、设备要求低等特点。     

Genetic and antigenic characterization of a poxvirus isolate from ostriches

Avian poxvirus was isolated from nodules on the heads and conjunctiva of two 3-to-4-wk-old ostrich chicks. The ostriches from which poxvirus was isolated had been placed on premises where turkeys that had shown evidence of poxvirus infection had been raised earlier. Microscopically, the nodules from the ostriches were composed of proliferating and hypertrophic epithelial cells that formed large fronds. Most of the hypertrophic epithelial cells contained large eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies characteristic of poxvirus. Characterization of the avian poxvirus isolated from the cutaneous lesions in ostriches was based on western blotting of virus antigen, restriction fragment length polymorphism of genomic DNA, pathogenesis, and cross-protection studies in chickens. Antigenic and genetic studies did not reveal any significant difference between the poxvirus isolated from ostriches (PVO) and fowl poxvirus (FPV). Further, susceptible chickens immunized with the PVO were protected when challenged with a virulent strain of FPV. Thus, the poxvirus isolated from ostriches had similar antigenic, genetic, and biological properties to FPV.     

绵羊痘病毒P32基因克隆与进化分析

利用PCR技术扩增出羊痘病毒结构蛋白P32基因,并进行同源性比对及进化分析.结果表明,该病毒与其他绵羊痘病毒与山羊痘病毒同源性分别为99％与96％.     

Elimination of toxicity and enhanced detection of lumpy skin disease virus on cell culture from experimentally infected bovine semen samples

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a poxvirus of the genus Capripoxvirus, is shed in the semen of infected bulls. The screening of semen for infectious virus requires a sensitive diagnostic method. The isolation of the virus on cell cultures and/or the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are sensitive diagnostic tests which may be used to screen semen for LSD viral DNA prior to artificial insemination. Although cell culture detects infectious virus and is a sensitive method, there are major difficulties in using this method due to the toxic effect of semen on the cells. The aim of this study was to find a method that decreases the toxic effect of semen and enhances the isolation of LSDV on cell culture. Semen samples from LSDV sero-negative bulls were collected and infected with a field isolate of LSDV, strain V248/93, with a titre of 6.5 log TCID50. The semen samples were treated with one of four different methods: centrifugation, serial dilution, filtration and chemical treatment with kaolin. The samples subjected to centrifugation, serial dilution and filtration were supplemented with gentamycin. Semen toxicity on cell cultures was eliminated when supernatants of semen samples centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 1, 3 and 5 min and serially diluted were used to inoculate confluent monolayer bovine dermis cells. The toxicity recorded when the pellet fractions of semen samples centrifuged for 5 min at 2000 rpm was comparable to results obtained from serially diluted samples supplemented with gentamycin. Filtration and kaolin treatment of semen samples did not remove the toxic effect.     

绵羊痘病毒E3L蛋白N端结构和功能预测

E3L蛋白是痘病毒的一类早期表达的非结构蛋白,其主要抑制宿主的先天性免疫,与病毒的致病力和宿主嗜性有关,但是目前对绵羊痘病毒E3L蛋白的研究较少。作者运用生物信息学的方法,用已知的E3L蛋白N端结构作为模板,并使用WebLab、SWISS-MODEL和ExPASY等在线软件预测其功能结构域和二、三级结构及氨基酸组成,对其作为Zα潜在家族成员的真实性、可靠性作出理论上的判断。分析结果表明,绵羊痘病毒E3L蛋白N端结构符合Zα家族蛋白的一些基本的结构特征,具有其他E3L蛋白N端相同的功能结构,为该蛋白质N端结构属于Zα蛋白家族提供了一些理论依据。     

Preliminary molecular characterization of a fowl poxvirus isolate in Grenada

Two 1-mo-old local breed chickens, with gross lesions in the skin of the head region suspected to be fowl poxvirus infection, were submitted to the Diagnostic Laboratory of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Grenada, West Indies. Cutaneous lesions were collected from these birds for virus isolation, histopathologic diagnosis, and molecular analysis. Fowl poxvirus infection was confirmed by virus isolation in chicken embryo and by histopathology. Molecular characterization of the fowl poxvirus was conducted by PCR amplification of selected genomic fragments and by nucleotide sequencing. Integration of reticuloendotheliosis virus fragments into the fowl poxvirus genome was confirmed by PCR and DNA sequencing. This is the first report from the Caribbean region on the preliminary molecular characterization of a fowl poxvirus isolate.     

Antigenic and genetic characterization of an avian poxvirus isolated from an endangered Hawaiian goose (Branta sandvicensis)

An avian poxvirus from cutaneous lesions in a Hawaiian goose (Branta sandvicensis) was characterized in this study. The virus was isolated by inoculation onto the chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs) of developing chicken embryos. Cytoplasmic inclusion bodies were observed on histopathological examination of CAM lesions. Western blotting analysis using polyclonal antiserum against fowl poxvirus (FWPV) showed differences from FWPV, but a similar antigenic profile between Hawaiian goosepox (HGP) isolate and two previous Hawaiian poxvirus isolates were observed. Still three avian poxviruses from Hawaiian birds showed distinguishable reaction in approximately 27, 34, 35, and 81 kDa proteins when polyclonal antibodies against the Hawaiian poxvirus isolate (Alala/lanakila) were used. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) of DNA of this isolate also showed differences from those of FWPV and previous avianpox isolates from Hawaiian forest birds. While nucleotide sequences of a 5.3-kb PstI-HindIII fragment of the genome of HGP isolate revealed very high homology (99% identities) with Canary poxvirus (CNPV) ORF266-274, and like CNPV, homologs of three FWPV ORFs (199, 200, and 202) including any reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) sequences are not present in the genome of HGP isolate.     

山羊痘病毒的分离鉴定及生物学特性的研究

本研究对2003年广西部分地区山羊群发生的疑似山羊痘进行了病毒分离鉴定及生物特性的研究。取疑似山羊痘病羊的皮肤丘疹、水泡或脓泡组织的病毒悬液，接种初生羔羊睾丸细胞观察到明显的细胞病变，免疫荧光试验结果显示，病毒能与山羊痘标准阳性血清反应，在感染的细胞浆内发出特异性的黄绿色荧光。病毒悬液接种乳鼠、小鼠、豚鼠、兔子都未发病，而接种3月龄山羊则出现典型的山羊痘症状和病理变化，接种9～10日龄鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜，未见出现痘斑，连传3代，均无异常变化。通过病理组织学观察可以看到在细胞浆内有大小不一圆形或椭圆形的包涵体，在电子显微镜下可以观察到150nm～300nm大小，卵圆形、砖形，有囊膜的病毒颗粒。利用一对山羊痘病毒P32基因引物进行了PCR扩增，将所得序列与GenBank收录的5株山羊痘病毒P32基因的核苷酸及氨基酸序列比较分析。结果与疫苗株的同源性分别为99．8％和99．4％。与国外其它毒株的同源性为99．6％和98、8％～99．4％。研究结果表明，所分离的病毒为山羊痘病毒，在生物学特性上与资料记载存在一定的差异，P32基因与疫苗毒和国外毒株之间同源性非常高。将该毒株命名为山羊痘病毒LiuJiang／2003株。     

Lumpy skin disease outbreaks investigation in Egyptian cattle and buffaloes: Serological evidence and molecular characterization of genome termini

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an endemic highly infectious viral disease affecting cattle in Egypt. This study aimed to identify and characterize the LSD virus (LSDV) outbreaks in Egypt between 2016 and 2018 and to determine the role of Egyptian buffaloes in the epidemiology of LSD. A total of 44 skin biopsies (41 from cattle and 3 from buffaloes) and 31 blood samples from asymptomatic buffaloes in contact with clinically infected cattle were collected from 7 Egyptian governorates and tested by real-time (rt)-PCR. The positive samples were further isolated, and the isolates were analyzed by conventional PCR to amplify the LSDV001 and LSDV002 genes; three isolates were sequenced, and the phylogenetic tree was constructed. In addition, 198 serum samples (102 from cattle and 96 from contact buffaloes) were examined using ELISA. Out of 44 skin nodules analyzed by rt-PCR, 31 (70.45 %) were positive while, non of the buffalo samples were positive. Out of 31 positive rt-PCR samples, LSDV was isolated on CAM (n=19; 61.29%) and MDBK cell culture. The virus isolates were confirmed by conventional PCR where 1237 bp product size was successfully amplified. The phylogenetic analysis of LSDV002 gene revealed that three sequenced LSDV isolates were identical to each other and to LSDV isolates from different countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe with 99–100 % identity. ELISA analyses showed seroreactivity of LSDV in Egyptian cattle and buffaloes. In conclusion, the Egyptian water buffalo serves as an accidental non-adapted host for the disease and this point requires more deep investigation. In addition, the current vaccine strategy should be re-evaluated for more coverage and effectiveness.     

Comparative sequence analysis of poxvirus A32 gene encoded ATPase protein and carboxyl terminal heterogeneity of Indian orf viruses

Thirteen orf virus (ORFV) isolates from natural outbreaks in sheep and goats belonging to different geographical regions of India were analysed on the basis of ORF108 (a homologue of poxviral A32 gene), which is known to encode for ATPase and involved in virion DNA packaging. Comparative sequence analysis of ATPase proteins revealed highly conserved N-terminal region with five different motifs [Walker A, Walker B, A32L specific motifs (III and IV) and a novel AYDG (motif-V)] among all poxviruses and divergent carboxyl terminus with either single or double RGD sequences among all Indian ORFV isolates. A homology model and secondary structure predictions of N-terminal region of ORFV A32 revealed that most of the poxviruses including ORFV ATPase protein belong to a distinct clade of the HerA/FtsK super family of DNA packaging proteins. Despite differences in host cell specificity and poxvirus infections among animals, DNA packaging motor domain of poxviruses presumed to share remarkable similarities as indicated by the presence of conserved ATPase motifs in the present investigation. The study also indicated the circulation of heterogeneous strains of ORFV in India and possibilities of differentiation of ORFV strains based on C-terminal heterogeneity.     

Fatal poxvirus outbreak in a colony of New World monkeys

An epizootic infection was observed in a colony of 80 New World monkeys consisting of various species including a group of marmosets and Saguinus species. During the summer and autumn of 2002, 30 animals died of unknown diseases. Six animals were sent to the German Primate Center for investigation of the cause of death. A complete pathologic and histologic investigation was carried out. The animals exhibited erosive-ulcerative lesions of the oral mucous membranes. Advanced stages of the disease were characterised by hemorrhagic lesions on the skin distributed randomly over the body, but principally on the face, scrotal region, soles, and palms. Electron microscopy revealed virus particles with orthopox-like morphology within intracytoplasmic inclusions in epithelial cells. The DNA samples from various tissues were analyzed by use of a set of orthopox virus-specific, real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. Amplification products were sequenced to define the virus more precisely. Sequencing confirmed the presence of an orthopox virus. Sequence data indicated that all six animals were infected with the same virus. Propagation of the virus on Vero cells resulted in a rapidly progressive cytopathogenic effect. Preliminary phylogenetic analyses of two genes revealed closest homology to cowpox viruses. The origin of this poxvirus outbreak remains unexplained, and the strain and genus of the virus need to be determined in detail.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the lumpy skin disease viruses in northwest of Iran

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a devastating viral disease of cattle which has recently spread from Africa into the countries of the Middle East. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships among lumpy skin disease viruses (LSDV) isolated from different regions of Iran and the origin and spread of these viruses. In this study, a total of 234 blood samples from clinically affected animals from four provinces in the northwest of Iran were screened for LSDV using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). From 80 positive samples for LSDV detected by PCR, the partial P32 gene (759 bp) of 12 isolates were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. LSD viruses were grouped in three subclusters with an overall 97.1–100% nucleotide identity. LSDVs isolated from Gilan showed lowest nucleotide identity with the other LSDVs. Four isolates of LSDV including KO-1, EA-1, EA-3, and WA-3 showed 100% similarity with each other and also with the Neethling strain. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the identified LSDVs were closely related to each other and had high-sequence homology with other LSDV isolates from Africa. It was concluded that LSD outbreak probably occurred in the northwest of Iran by LSDVs entering the country from Iraq and P32 nucleotide sequence information obtained in the present study is a valuable resource in understanding the genetic nature and molecular epidemiology of local LSDV isolates which can be used for future vaccine development based on the circulating strains in the region.     

山羊痘病毒疫苗株ORF64～ORF67的分子特征

为构建胸苷激酶（Thymidine kinase，TK）基因缺失活载体疫苗，对山羊痘病毒（Goatpox virus，GPV）疫苗株（AV41）ORF64-ORF67进行了克隆和序列分析。结果表明：在全长3460bp的DNA序列中，包含4个完整的开放阅读框（Open reading flame，ORF）。ORF64核苷酸序列全长396bp，编码病毒膜蛋白；ORF65核苷酸序列全长444bp，ORF64和ORF65有44个碱基重叠。ORF66核苷酸序列全长534bp，编码胸苷激酶，具有保守的ATP结合位点和细胞中TK特征序列。ORF67核苷酸序列全长594bp，编码宿主范围相关蛋白。ORF64-ORF66在脊索动物痘病毒亚科中是完全保守的。与参考的国外GPV进行序列比较，ORF64～ORF67有一些差异，如突变和插入等。同源性分析显示：与羊痘病毒属比较，核苷酸和氨基酸同源性均较高（94．7％～100％）。我国的GPV不同毒株TK同源性为100％。与脊索动物痘病毒亚科中其他成员同源性差异较大（17．3％～65．2％）。将GPV AV41TK与鸡、小鼠和人类的TK氨基酸序列进行比较，分析GPV AV41TK进化关系表明，GPVTK基因在进化上可能起源于宿主细胞的TK1基因。本研究结果显示，在分子水平上我国GPV AV41与国外毒株存在差异，推测可能是GPV AV41疫苗株在致弱过程中发生一定程度的变异。     

Orf virus circulation in cattle in Turkey

Orf virus (ORFV) causes contagious skin disease that mainly affects sheep and goats with zoonotic potential. However, there is not enough information about the association between ORFV and occurrence of skin disease in cattle. The present study describes outbreaks of ORFV infection in cattle in different provinces that are located in the Aegean, Central Anatolian and Mediterranean regions of Turkey. During the months of June and August 2017, vesicular fluid and scab samples were collected from cattle which had proliferative skin lesions. First, presence of lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) and bovine herpesvirus 2 (BoHV-2, known as the causative agent of pseudo-lumpy skin disease) were investigated by real time PCR and PCR, respectively. Then, samples tested for the presence of parapoxviruses by PCR using primers specific to major envelope protein gene (B2L). Parapoxvirus DNA was detected in investigated samples whereas LSDV and BoHV-2 DNA were not detected. The analysis of the B2L gene sequences revealed that cattle were infected with ORFV. The isolates in the present study shared 100% sequence identity at the nucleotide and amino acid level when compared with previously characterised Turkish field ORFV isolates from goats in 2016. Results of the study show unusual infection of cattle with ORFV, and suggest that ORFV jumps the host species barrier from goats to cattle.     

Molecular characterization of a poxvirus isolated from an American flamingo (Phoeniconais ruber rubber)

An avian poxvirus from the beak scab of an American flamingo (Phoeniconais ruber rubber) was isolated by inoculation on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicken embryos. The virus produced multifocal areas of epithelial hyperplasia along with foci of inflammation in the CAM, and rare cells contained small eosinophilic intracytoplasmic bodies. Chickens inoculated with the isolated virus in the feather follicle of the leg did not develop significant lesions. Nucleotide sequence comparison of a PCR-amplified 4.5 kb HindIII fragment of the genome of flamingo poxvirus (FlPV) revealed very high homology (99.7%) with condor poxvirus (CPV), followed by approximately 92% similarity with canary poxvirus (CNPV) and Hawaiian goose poxvirus (HGPV), but less similarity (approximately 69%) to fowl poxvirus (FPV), the type species of the genus Avipoxvirus of family Poxviridae. As in the cases with CPV, CNPV, and HGPV, genetic analysis of FlPV revealed an absence of three corresponding FPV open reading frames (ORF199, 200, and 202) and an absence of any reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) sequences in this region. There are only nine nucleotide substitutions observed between FlPV and CPV in the 4.5 kb fragment; those were clustered in the ORF201 region, which in FPV genome is a site for integration of REV sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of the predicted amino acid sequences of the ORF201-coded hypothetical protein demonstrated FlPV to be more closely related to CPV, as well as to CNPV and HGPV, than to FPV.     

Isolation of a poxvirus from a sparrow (Passer domesticus)

From liver, lung, and kidney of a dead sparrow with signs of conjunctivitis a cytopathic agent was isolated in chicken embryo cell culture which was identified as a poxvirus by electron microscopy. From its growth characteristics in avian and mammalian cell culture it was concluded to belong to the genus avipox virus.