Genetic diversity of BVDV: consequences for classification and molecular epidemiology

Genetic typing of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is important for the precise classification of viruses as well as for the development of molecular epidemiology. BVDV isolates were usually typed based on comparison of genomic sequences from the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR), N(pro) and E2 region. Recently we have identified 11 genetic groups (subgenotypes) of BVDV-1. Our further experiments confirmed a new subgenotype, BVDV-1k, isolated from cattle in Switzerland. BVDV isolates from India were typed as BVDV-1b whereas BVDV-1c is a predominant subgenotype in Australia. The results of genetic typing of BVDV indicate that distribution of subgenotypes has no relationship to the geographic origin of viral isolates.     

Genetic diversity of international bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) isolates: identification of a new BVDV-1 genetic group

In the last decade, several studies were performed to characterise bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) isolates and define genetic groups by genotyping. Much data is now available from GenBank, predominantly sequences from the 5' untranslated region (5'-UTR). In order to find out whether genetic grouping of isolates from different countries could be harmonised, 22 new isolates from five countries were analysed in combination with published sequences. Eighteen of these isolates were typed as BVDV genotype 1 (BVDV-1), and one isolate from Argentina and three isolates from Brazil were typed as BVDV-2. BVDV-1 isolates were clustered into five previously defined genetic groups: BVDV-1a, b, d, e and f. Two isolates from Finland and one from Egypt formed a group which was tentatively labelled as BVDV-1j, since statistical support was low. By using a fragment of the Npro gene for typing, we found that these isolates fall into the same group as a deer strain, and are statistically significant. Some Swiss BVDV strains taken from GenBank were found in a new genetic group which was designated as BVDV-1k. The BVDV-2 isolates included in this study seemed to fall into two genetic groups.     

Genetic analysis of bovine viral diarrhoea viruses from Australia

Eighty-nine bovine viral diarrhoea viruses (BVDV) from Australia have been genetically typed by sequencing of the 5' untranslated region (5'-UTR) and for selected isolates the N(pro) region of the viral genome. Phylogenetic reconstructions indicated that all of the samples examined clustered within the BVDV type 1 genotype. Of the 11 previously described genetic groups of BVDV-1, 87 of the samples examined in this study clustered with the BVDV-1c, while two samples clustered with the BVDV-1a. Based on these analyses there appears to be limited genetic variation within the Australian BVDV field isolates. In addition, the phylogenetic reconstructions indicate that the clustering of Australian BVDV in the phylogenetic trees is not a result of geographic isolation.     

Genetic Heterogeneity of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus In Italy

The genetic characteristics, of 38 field isolates of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) collected in 1999 from sick or healthy and persistently infected cattle of dairy farms situated in northern Italy, were investigated. A partial 5-untranslated region (5-UTR) sequence of each isolate was determined and a phylogenetic analysis was performed. All the isolates were classified as belonging to the BVDV-1 genotype and could be assigned to different BVDV-1 groups, namely BVDV-1b (n = 20), BVDV-1d (n = 6) and BVDV-1e (n = 10). Two remaining isolates could be classified as BVDV-1f and BVDV-1h, respectively. These results provided evidence for genetic heterogeneity of BVDV in Italy, and contribute to a better knowledge of the circulation of BVDV strains, and to their classification.     

Genetic typing of bovine viral diarrhoea virus isolates from India

Thirteen BVDV isolates collected in four geographic regions of India between 2000 and 2002 were typed in 5'-UTR. To confirm results of genetic typing, selected viruses were also analysed in the N(pro) region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all Indian BVDV isolates belong to BVDV-1b (Osloss-like group). Despite a long distance between the farms from which the viruses were isolated there was no correlation between the origin of viral isolates and their position in a phylogenetic tree. Higher genetic similarity of Indian BVDV isolates was observed most probably due to the uncontrolled movement of cattle as well as the uncontrolled use of semen from bulls for breeding of local and farm cattle in different states of India.     

Endemic infections of bovine viral diarrhea virus genotypes 1b and 2a isolated from cattle in Japan between 2014 and 2020

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a causative agent of bovine viral diarrhea. In Japan, a previous study reported that subgenotype 1b viruses were predominant until 2014. Because there is little information regarding the recent epidemiological status of BVDV circulating in Japan, we performed genetic characterization of 909 BVDV isolates obtained between 2014 and 2020. We found that 657 and 252 isolates were classified as BVDV-1 and BVDV-2, respectively, and that they were further subdivided into 1a (35 isolates, 3.9%), 1b (588, 64.7%), 1c (34, 3.7%), and 2a (252, 27.7%). Phylogenetic analysis using entire E2 coding sequence revealed that a major domestic cluster in Japan among BVDV-1b and 2a viruses were unchanged from a previous study conducted from 2006 to 2014. These results provide updated information concerning the epidemic strain of BVDV in Japan, which would be helpful for appropriate vaccine selection.     

Genetic heterogeneity of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) isolates from Turkey: identification of a new subgroup in BVDV-1

Genetic heterogeneity of Turkish ruminant pestiviruses was investigated by phylogenetic analysis of complete N(pro) encoding nucleotide sequences. A total of 30 virus isolates obtained from 15 provinces around the country between 1997 and 2005 were included in the phylogenetic analysis. Virus isolates mostly originated from cattle with one isolate from sheep. The bovine isolates all belonged to BVDV-1, the sheep isolate to BVDV-2. Fifteen isolates formed a new subgroup within BVDV-1, tentatively named BVDV-1l. The remaining bovine isolates were typed as BVDV-1a (n=4), BVDV-1b (n=4), BVDV-1d (n=3), BVDV-1f (n=2) and BVDV-1h (n=1). The isolates allocated to BVDV-1l originated from various geographical regions in different years. There was no correlation between genetic grouping and locations where isolates were obtained. Viruses originating from one farm in most cases belonged to the same subgroup (n=5). This study indicates that the newly detected subgroup BVDV-1l is predominant and widespread in Turkey. Moreover, an ovine virus isolate was identified as the first member of BVDV-2 reported in Turkey. A serological survey using samples from western Turkey indicated that BVDV-2 is also present in cattle.     

甘肃、青海和宁夏地区牛病毒性腹泻病毒Erns基因的变异分析

分析2013—2019年中国西北部分省区不同基因亚型牛病毒性腹泻病毒（BVDV）抗原基因E^rns的分子特征,了解其遗传演化规律。从甘肃、青海、宁夏规模化牛场送检的疑似牛病毒性腹泻发病牛150份EDTA抗凝血提取总RNA,利用RT-PCR扩增病毒基因组E^rns-E1区,克隆测序后比对,构建系统进化树进行遗传演化关系分析。利用牛肾细胞MDBK对检出的不同基因亚型BVDV进行分离,并鉴定其生物型。RT-PCR扩增结果表明,BVDV总体阳性率为37.33%,其中甘肃省、青海省、宁夏回族自治区BVDV阳性率分别为37.68%、35.71%、40.00%。获得56份E^rns-E1 DNA,克隆测序获得33条不同的E^rns序列,长度均为681 bp,分析表明流行株分属10个BVDV基因亚型：BVDV-1a （2株）、BVDV-1b （5株）、BVDV-1c （1株）、BVDV-1d （3株）、BVDV-1m （11株）、BVDV-1o （1株）、BVDV-1p （4株）、BVDV-1q （4株）、BVDV-1v （1株）、BVDV-2a （1株）。分离获得BVDV-1a亚型、BVDV-1b亚型、BVDV-1v亚型、BVDV-2a亚型分离株各1株,BVDV-1 d亚型分离株2株,均为非致细胞病变型。各亚型株间E^rns基因核苷酸相似性以BVDV-1a～1d经典亚型株（79.8%～85.9%）或1m～1q及1v新亚型株（81.0%～87.3%）较高,以BVDV-1 m和BVDV-1p流行株亚型间相似性最高（87.3%）。各亚型株E^rns基因编码蛋白的RNA酶活性位点以及双链RNA作用基序（₁₃₉KKGK₁₄₂）保守,但E^rns第26位糖基化位点（26 NRSL）在1m～1q、1v亚型株移位（24 NVSR）。首次以E^rns核苷酸序列构建系统进化树,结果显示1m～1q及1v等亚型BVDV株在进化上关系较为密切。本研究首次选用E^rns靶标基因对甘肃、青海、宁夏部分省区牛源BVDV株进行同源性及系统进化分析,发现10个基因亚型流行株,以1m亚型株最为普遍,1m～1q及1v等亚型株亲缘关系密切。     

Identification and molecular characterization of border disease virus (BDV) from sheep in India

Pestiviruses isolated from sheep and goats in India thus far have been bovine viral diarrhoea virus 1 (BVDV-1) or BVDV-2. During routine genetic typing of pestiviruses in the years 2009-10, border disease virus (BDV) was detected in eight Indian sheep of a flock showing clinical signs of BD by real time RT-PCR. All the samples yielded positive virus isolates in cell culture but were found negative by a BVDV antigen ELISA. A representative BDV isolate was characterized at genetic and antigenic level. Phylogenetic analysis carried out in 5′-UTR, N^pro and E2 regions of genome typed the Indian BDV isolate as BDV-3. A more detailed analysis in N^pro and entire region coding structural proteins showed that the N^pro (168), C (100 aa), E^rns (227 aa), E1 (195 aa) and E2 (373 aa) proteins were of size characteristic for BDV reference strain X818. Antigenic differences were evident between the BDV-3 isolate and previously reported BDV-1, BDV-5 and BDV-7 strains. Although origin of BDV-3 in India is not clear, the results reflect probable introduction through trade in sheep between India and other countries or BDV-3 may be more widely distributed. Additionally, this study suggests that for diagnosis of BDV infection, the commercial BVDV Ag-ELISA should be used with caution. This is the first identification of BDV in sheep in India which highlights the need for continued pestivirus surveillance and assessing its impact on sheep and goat production.     

Reactivity and prevalence of neutralizing antibodies against Japanese strains of bovine viral diarrhea virus subgenotypes

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) field isolates show genetic and antigenic diversity. At least 14 subgenotypes of BVDV-1 and 4 of BVDV-2 have been identified in Artiodactyla worldwide. Of these, 6 subgenotypes of BVDV-1 and 1 of BVDV-2 have been isolated in Japan. Previously, we reported that each subgenotype virus expresses different antigenic characteristics. Here we investigated the reactivity of neutralizing antibodies against representative strains of Japanese BVDV subgenotypes using sera from 266 beef cattle to estimate the prevalence of this epidemic virus among cattle in Japan. Antibody titers at concentrations at least 4-fold higher than antibodies against other subgenotype viruses were considered subgenotype specific. Subgenotype-specific antibodies were detected from 117 (80.7%) of 145 sera samples (69.7% against BVDV-1a, 1.4% against BVDV-1b, 8.3% against BVDV-1c, and 1.4% against BVDV-2a). The results suggest that neutralization tests are useful in estimating currently epidemic subgenotypes of BVDV in the field.     

1株猪源牛病毒性腹泻病毒的分离与鉴定

从BVDV阳性仔猪病料中分离病毒,为开展猪源BVDV病原学研究奠定基础。将处理后BVDV阳性仔猪组织样品接种MDBK细胞,分离到1株猪源BVDV,命名为SD0803株。通过细胞培养、直接免疫荧光、5′-UTR与Npro PCR扩增、电镜观察、TCID50测定及对其分子进化特征加以分析。结果表明,该毒株在MDBK细胞上盲传至13代未出现细胞病变。在直接免疫荧光试验中呈阳性荧光信号。PCR扩增分别获得5′-UTR与Npro预期大小DNA片段。电镜观察,病毒粒子略呈圆形,有囊膜,直径约50nm。病毒滴度为10-6.5 TCID50.0.2 mL-1。SD0803 5′-UTR、Npro序列进化分析显示,该分离株属于BVDV-1,与已知BVDV-1各亚型之间同源性较低,单独成一分支。结果表明,成功分离鉴定1株猪源BVDV SD0803,该毒株为非致病变型BVDV-1,极有可能为BVDV-1新的亚型。     

Genetic diversity of ruminant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pestivirus</Emphasis> strains collected in Northern Ireland between 1999 and 2011 and the role of live ruminant imports

Background

The genus pestivirus within the family Flaviviridae includes bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) types 1 and 2, border disease virus (BDV) and classical swine fever virus. The two recognised genotypes of BVDV are divided into subtypes based on phylogenetic analysis, namely a-p for BVDV-1 and a-c for BVDV-2.

Methods

Three studies were conducted to investigate the phylogenetic diversity of pestiviruses present in Northern Ireland. Firstly, pestiviruses in 152 serum samples that had previously tested positive for BVDV between 1999 and 2008 were genotyped with a RT-PCR assay. Secondly, the genetic heterogeneity of pestiviruses from 91 serum samples collected between 2008 and 2011 was investigated by phylogenetic analysis of a 288 base pair portion of the 5’ untranslated region (UTR). Finally, blood samples from 839 bovine and 4,437 ovine animals imported in 2010 and 2011 were tested for pestiviral RNA. Analysis of animal movement data alongside the phylogenetic analysis of the strains was carried out to identify any links between isolates and animal movement.

Results

No BVDV-2 strains were detected. All of the 152 samples in the first study were genotyped as BVDV-1. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the predominant subtype circulating was BVDV-1a (86 samples out of 91). The remaining five samples clustered close to reference strains in subtype BVDV-1b. Out of the imported animals, 18 bovine samples tested positive and 8 inconclusive (Ct ≥36), while all ovine samples were negative. Eight sequences were obtained and were defined as BVDV-1b. Analysis of movement data between herds failed to find links between herds where BVDV-1b was detected.

Conclusion

Given that only BVDV-1a was detected in samples collected between 1968 and 1999, this study suggests that at least one new subtype has been introduced to Northern Ireland between 1999 and 2011 and highlights the potential for importation of cattle to introduce new strains.

     

Genetic typing of bovine pestiviruses from England and Wales.

Using RNA purified directly from stored clinical specimens, a collection of 62 pestiviruses were typed by RT-PCR and sequencing within the 5'-untranslated region of the genome. All the specimens had been obtained in 1966/1967 from diary cattle in England and Wales. Eight further pestiviruses, grown in cell culture, were characterised in the same way. Seven of these viruses were representatives of a panel of British isolates, obtained from cattle ten years before. The eighth was the virus used in a British bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) vaccine. Most of the viruses were genetically unique and were of BVDV type Ia. One recent isolate was BVDV type Ib, two others were intermediate between Ia and Ib. No BVDV type II or border disease virus (BDV) isolates were found. There was no overall association between geographical and phylogenetic clustering, suggesting long-distance virus dispersal, presumably via trading of infected cattle. The sequences of the recently obtained cattle viruses were very similar or, in one case, identical to the older isolates in the region studied. Their close similarity to some previously characterised pestiviruses from British sheep suggests that a common pool of BVDV Ia is shared by these two livestock species, although another pestivirus--BVDV--is confined to sheep. The British cattle viruses were mostly distinct from continental European isolates, but more similar to type Ia isolates from North American cattle.     

Genetic and antigenic characterization of bovine viral diarrhoea virus type 2 isolated from cattle in India

Previous studies have shown that bovine viral diarrhoea virus type 1 (BVDV-1) subtype b is predominantly circulating in Indian cattle. During testing for exotic pestiviruses between 2007 and 2010, BVDV-2 was identified by real time RT-PCR in two of 1446 cattle blood samples originating from thirteen states of India. The genetic analysis of the isolated virus in 5′ UTR, N^pro, entire structural genes (C, E^rns, E1 and E2), nonstructural genes NS2-3 besides 3′ UTR demonstrated that the nucleotide and amino acid sequences showed highest similarity with BVDV-2. The entire 5′ and 3′ UTR consisted of 387 and 204 nucleotides, respectively, and an eight nucleotide repeat motif was found twice within the variable part of 3′ UTR that may be considered as a characteristic of BVDV-2. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the cattle isolate and earlier reported goat BVDV-2 isolate fall into separate clades within BVDV-2a subtype. Antigenic typing with monoclonal antibodies verified the cattle isolate also as BVDV-2. In addition, cross-neutralization tests using antisera raised against Indian BVDV strains circulating in ruminants (cattle, sheep, goat and yak) displayed significant antigenic differences only between BVDV-1 and BVDV-2 strains. This is the first identification of BVDV-2 in Indian cattle that may have important implications for immunization strategies and molecular epidemiology of BVD.