我国新城疫病毒分离株分子生物学特性和基因型的研究

利用一步法RT-PCR技术成功扩增了37个新城疫病毒分离株的(其中2株属于鸽源病毒)F基因片段(约500bp)，通过对分离株的测序和基因分型表明，24株属于基因Ⅶ型，1株属于基因Ⅵ型，2株属于基因Ⅲ型，1株属于基因Ⅰ型，6株属于基因Ⅱ型，另外有3株从氨基酸方面分析是基因Ⅶ和Ⅵ型的杂交体，但从进化树方面，分离毒SD054和SD069属于基因Ⅵ型，SD052属于基因Ⅶ型。可以看出，我国新城疫的流行是极其复杂的，既有老基因型的威胁，又有新基因型的不断流行，同时发现有3株病毒发生了两基因型间的杂交现象。     

鸭甲肝病毒基因A型和C型双重RT-PCR检测法的建立

为建立同时检测基因A型和C型鸭甲肝病毒(DHAV-A,DHAV-C)的双重RT-PCR方法,本实验根据GenBank中DHAV-A和DHAV-C全基因组序列,针对DHAV-A的3C、3D和DHAV-C的2C区域分别设计了2对引物,通过对反应体系和反应条件的优化及特异性、灵敏度评价,建立了检测DHAV-A和DHAV-C的双重RT-PCR方法.该方法能够分别从DHAV-A、DHAV-C阳性样本中扩增出DHAV-A (259 bp)和DHAV-C (194 bp)的特异片段,而不与其它被检的无关病原发生非特异反应;对DHAV-A和DHAV-C的最低检出限分别为4.98×104拷贝/μL、1.68×104拷贝/μL;对2009年8月至2011年7月送检病料检出DHAV-A和DHAV-C的阳性率分别为20％(14/70)、70％(49/70);随机抽取的DHAV-CPCR阳性样本的病毒分离结果与双重RT-PCR检测结果的符合率为100％(16/16).本研究结果显示,建立的双重RT-PCR方法具有良好的特异性和敏感性,可用于临床DHAV的快速鉴别诊断.     

Characterisation of genotype VII Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolated from NDV vaccinated chickens,and the efficacy of LaSota and recombinant genotype VII vaccines against challenge with velogenic NDV

A Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolate designated IBS002 was isolated from a commercial broiler farm in Malaysia. The virus was characterised as a virulent strain based on the multiple basic amino acid motif of the fusion (F) cleavage site ¹¹²RRRKGF¹¹⁷ and length of the C-terminus extension of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) gene. Furthermore, IBS002 was classified as a velogenic NDV with mean death time (MDT) of 51.2 h and intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) of 1.76. A genetic distance analysis based on the full-length F and HN genes showed that both velogenic viruses used in this study, genotype VII NDV isolate IBS002 and genotype VIII NDV isolate AF2240-I, had high genetic variations with genotype II LaSota vaccine. In this study, the protection efficacy of the recombinant genotype VII NDV inactivated vaccine was also evaluated when added to an existing commercial vaccination program against challenge with velogenic NDV IBS002 and NDV AF2240-I in commercial broilers. The results indicated that both LaSota and recombinant genotype VII vaccines offered full protection against challenge with AF2240-I. However, the LaSota vaccine only conferred partial protection against IBS002. In addition, significantly reduced viral shedding was observed in the recombinant genotype VII-vaccinated chickens compared to LaSota-vaccinated chickens.     

Generation of a genotype VII Newcastle disease virus vaccine candidate with high yield in embryonated chicken eggs

To generate a genotype VII Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine with high yield in embryonated chicken eggs, we selected genotype VII NDV strain JS5/05, which possesses a high virus titer in embryos as the parental virus. Using reverse genetics, we generated a genetically tagged derivative (NDV/AI4) of JS5/05 by changing the amino acid sequence of the cleavage site of the F0 protein. Pathogenicity tests showed that NDV/AI4 was completely avirulent. NDV/AI4 was genetically stable and replicated efficiently during 10 consecutive passages in embryos. More importantly, serologic assays showed that oil-emulsion NDV/AI4 induced higher hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers against the prevalent virus than oil-emulsion LaSota vaccine in chickens and geese. Moreover, NDV/AI4-induced HI titers rose faster than those elicited by LaSota in chickens. Both NDV/AI4 and LaSota provided protection against clinical disease and mortality after the challenge with the genotype VII NDV strain JS3/05. However, NDV/AI4 significantly reduced virus shedding from the vaccinated birds compared to LaSota. Taken together, these results suggest that NDV/AI4 can provide better protection than LaSota and is a promising vaccine candidate against genotype VII NDV.     

Newcastle disease virus isolated from recent outbreaks in Taiwan phylogenetically related to viruses (genotype VII) from recent outbreaks in western Europe

Three major outbreaks of Newcastle disease (ND) occurred in Taiwan in the last three decades (in 1969, 1984, and 1995). Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs) isolated in the three outbreaks, together with those isolated in 1998, were sequenced between nucleotides 47 and 435 of the fusion gene. A phylogenetic tree based on sequences obtained showed that the NDV isolated in 1969 was similar to the genotype III viruses. In contrast, all isolates in 1984 and seven of the eight isolates in 1995, together with all isolates in 1998, fell into the genotype VII. These results suggest that the 1969 outbreak of ND in Taiwan was caused by the genotype III virus, whereas the 1984 and 1995 outbreaks were caused by the genotype VII viruses. To date, the genotype VII viruses have caused many outbreaks in east Asia and western Europe. We suspect that these outbreaks have constituted the fourth panzootic of ND, which is distinct from the third panzootic caused by the "pigeon PMV-1 viruses." NDV isolated in Taiwan in 1984 was the earliest isolation of the genotype VII virus.     

Hemagglutinin-neuraminidase gene of genotype VII Newcastle disease virus strains isolated in Japan

Recently, genotype VII of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has become the most prevalent NDV genotype in Asia. Here the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) gene of genotype VII NDV strains isolated in Japan was analyzed. Notably, point amino acid substitutions in the HN protein at position 347, which is located on the major linear epitope of the HN protein, were found in two strains. However, by a hemagglutination inhibition assay, major antigenic differences did not exist between the studied strains. Additionally, chickens vaccinated with the B1 strain did not exhibit clinical effects after challenge with variants possessing the substitution at position 347 (E to K), whereas all unvaccinated chickens subjected to this challenge died within 5 days.     

Identification of genotype 3 hepatitis E virus in fecal samples from a pig farm located in a Shanghai suburb

Strains of hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 1 and 4 have been detected on the Chinese mainland although there have been no previous reports of zoonotic genotype 3 HEV. In the present study, 65 swine fecal specimens were collected from five pig farms located in different Shanghai suburbs. RT-PCR and nested PCR were undertaken using partial nucleotide sequences of Open Reading Frame 2 (ORF2) of HEV to detect HEV RNA. Genetic analysis was based on alignments of an amplified 150-nt ORF2 sequence. RT-PCR revealed 15 HEV positive samples among 65-pig fecal specimens examined. Phylogenetic analysis of the amplified sequences indicated seven HEV strains belonged to genotype 3 and eight strains to genotype 4. This is the first time that genotype 3 hepatitis E virus has been identified on the Chinese mainland.     

Alteration in lymphocyte responses,cytokine and chemokine profiles in chickens infected with genotype VII and VIII velogenic Newcastle disease virus

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious avian disease and one of the major causes of economic losses in the poultry industry. The emergence of virulent NDV genotypes and repeated outbreaks of NDV in vaccinated chickens have raised the need for fundamental studies on the virus–host interactions. In this study, the profiles of B and T lymphocytes and macrophages and differential expression of 26 immune-related genes in the spleen of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens, infected with either the velogenic genotype VII NDV strain IBS002 or the genotype VIII NDV strain AF2240, were evaluated. A significant reduction in T lymphocyte population and an increase in the infiltration of IgM⁺ B cells and KUL01⁺ macrophages were detected in the infected spleens at 1, 3 and 4 days post-infection (dpi) (P < 0.05). The gene expression profiles showed an up-regulation of CCLi3, CXCLi1, CXCLi2 (IL-8), IFN-γ, IL-12α, IL-18, IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS, TLR7, MHCI, IL-17F and TNFSF13B (P < 0.05). However, these two genotypes showed different cytokine expression patterns and viral load. IBS002 showed higher viral load than AF2240 in spleen at 3 and 4 dpi and caused a more rapid up-regulation of CXCLi2, IFN-γ, IL-12α, IL-18, IL-1β, iNOS and IL-10 at 3 dpi. Meanwhile, the expression levels of CCLI3, CXCLi1, IFN-γ, IL-12α, IL-1β and iNOS genes were significantly higher in AF2240 at 4 dpi. In addition, the expression levels of IL-10 were significantly higher in the IBS002-infected chickens at 3 and 4 dpi. Hence, infection with velogenic genotype VII and VIII NDV induced different viral load and production of cytokines and chemokines associated with inflammatory reactions.     

Evaluation and use of a nested polymerase chain reaction assay in cats experimentally infected with Bartonella henselae genotype I and Bartonella henselae genotype II.

Cats have been shown to be infected with Bartonella henselae genotype I, B. henselae genotype II, and B. clarridgeiae. Feline bartonellosis infections and the strains involved in these infections are important in both veterinary and human medicine. Nucleic acid amplification methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are being used in both research and diagnostics as tools for understanding many infectious diseases. Bartonella bacteremia in cats is detected by blood culture; however, because of the limitations of culture (delayed turnaround time and sensitivity limits), PCR may be a more efficient method for identifying infected cats. Three distinct PCR assays that could differentiate among B. henselae genotype I, B. henselae genotype II. and B. clarridgeiae were developed and used to detect as few as 3.2 organisms. Fourteen cats experimentally infected with B. henselae genotype I and B. henselae genotype II were followed by bacterial culture and PCR through the course of infection, including periods of primary and relapsing bacteremia. The PCR assay was positive in 11 of the 14 cats for periods of 1-9 weeks after culture became negative. Of the 223 blood specimens that were culture negative, the PCR assay was positive in 38 (17%) of the specimens. Two of the 14 cats developed relapsing bacteremia. The 2 B. henselae genotypes were amplified in the cats and the bacteremic phase of these infections as determined by PCR lasted for a longer period than previously determined by culture. Using laboratory assays such as PCR to understand the strains involved in feline bartonellosis and the course of the infection is important in the understanding of these zoonotic agents.     

牛精液中基因I型牛病毒性腹泻病毒荧光探针定量RT-PCR检测方法的建立

为建立牛精液中基因I型牛病毒性腹泻病毒(BVDV-1)的快速检测方法,本研究采用Sephycral S-400凝胶对牛精液过滤处理后提取病毒核酸,根据BVDV-1 5'UTR保守区基因序列,设计特异性引物和荧光探针,通过反应条件的优化,建立了牛精液中BVDV-1荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法.该方法可以检测到牛精液中含量为0.0125 TCID50的病毒,灵敏度比病毒分离方法高200倍～2000倍,比常规RT-PCR方法高10倍.对从同一个牛场6个月内采集的120份新鲜牛精液和40份冷冻牛精液用该荧光RT-PCR方法检测,没有检测到BVDV-1阳性样品.对其中的10头牛定期检测精液中病毒的同时,并同步检测了全血中的病毒和血清抗体,结果血清抗体阳性牛精液中没有检测到病毒,本研究结果表明,不能以血清抗体阴阳性做为精液是否带毒的依据.     

Molecular characterization of Newcastle disease viruses in Ostriches (Struthio camelus L.): further evidences of recombination within avian paramyxovirus type 1

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains isolated from ostriches have been genotyped for the first time by partial sequencing of the F gene to determine the epidemiologic role that this species can play within ND outbreaks. Fifteen additional NDV strains, mostly isolated from chickens but also from pigeons and penguins, were also included in the study to determine genetic relationships with ostriches NDV isolates. High genetic diversity was demonstrated in ostrich NDV isolates, as the 10 isolates were grouped in four distinct NDV genotypes. In agreement with the results obtained when chicken isolates have been molecularly characterized, the predominant genotype in ostriches was the genotype VII. More interestingly, evidences of recombination between genotype II and VII were observed in one ostrich isolate and in two further chicken isolates. Therefore, it seems that ostriches may play a relevant role in the ecology and epidemiology of ND particularly in those regions where they have an increasing farming importance as minor poultry species.     

G and P genotype profiles of rotavirus A field strains circulating in beef and dairy cattle herds in Brazil, 2006–2015

The aim of this retrospective study was to use RT-PCR and nucleotide sequencing analysis to determine the G (VP7 gene) and P (VP4 gene) genotypes of 155 Brazilian bovine rotavirus A (RVA) wild-type strains detected in diarrheic calves from all Brazilian geographical regions from 2006 to 2015. The RVA strains evaluated belonged to the G6, G10, P[5], and P[11] genotypes. The G6P[5] genotype was prevalent (65.5%; P < 0.05) in beef, and the G10P[11] (38.4%) and G6P[11] (30.8%) genotypes were more prevalent in dairy cattle herds. The Midwest was the region with the highest number of genotyped RVA strains, where the genotypes G6, P[5], and P[11] were identified. Genotype combination G6-IV/P[5]-IX, prevalent in beef herds, and G6-III/P[11]-III or G10-IV/P[11]-III, prevalent in dairy herds, were detected. In addition, for the first time in Brazil, we detected the P[5] and P[11] genotype RVA strains that belong to lineage II and VII, respectively.     

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae: genetic characterization of midwest US isolates and live commercial vaccines using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

This is the first report of molecular characterization of US erysipelas field isolates and vaccine strains of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Erysipelas in pigs is mainly caused by E. rhusiopathiae serotypes 1a, 1b, and 2. In 2001, erysipelas reemerged as a clinical problem in pigs in the midwestern United States. In this work 90 erysipelas isolates (58 recent and 28 archived field isolates as well as 4 live-vaccine strains) were genetically characterized. Because of the limited availability of antiserum, 74/90 isolates (44/58 recent isolates) were serotyped. The serotype of the majority (79.6%) of the 44 recent isolates tested was determined to be 1a, 13.6% were serotype 1b, and 6.8% of recent isolates were serologically untypeable. Among all 90 isolates, 23 different PFGE patterns were identified. There were 43 isolates identified as serotype 1a with 4 genetic patterns: 38/43, 1A(I); 3/43, 1A(III); 1/43, 1B(V); and 1/43, 3B. Sixteen serotype 1b isolates had 11 unique genetic patterns: 4/16 were genotype 1B(III), 2/16 were genotype 3A(I), and 1/16 was in genotype groups 1A(V), 1A(VI), 1A(VII), 1B(I), 1B(IV), 1B(VII), 2, 4, and 5. Six genetic patterns were distinguished among the 10 serotype 2 isolates: 1A(IV) (1/10), 1A(V) (1/10), 1B(VI) (1/10), 2 (4/10), 7 (1/10), and 8 (2/8). Erysipelas vaccine strains (modified live) were similar to each other but different from current field strains, sharing 78.6% identity with the most prevalent genotype 1A(I) based on the PFGE-SmaI pattern. Compared with serotyping, PFGE genotyping is a more distinguishing technique, easy to perform and not dependent on the limited availability of antiserum.     

Development of specific diagnostic test for small ruminant lentivirus genotype E

Small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) belonging to the highly divergent genotype E has recently been identified in the Italian goat breed Roccaverano. In this report we have developed a specific serological test based on recombinant matrix/capsid antigen fusion protein. Performance has been evaluated and compared with a similar test based on genotype B antigen. Herds under study were selected according to the infectious status characterized by blood PCR and sequencing. Results clearly showed that B and E based recombinant ELISA only detected homologous infection and an apparent cross-reactivity was recorded in a herd in which co-infection was present. Three commercially available ELISAs showed different abilities in detecting genotype E infection, being the whole virus-based immunoassay the best choice. Genotype E-recombinant antigen was not detected in ELISA by three commercially available Mabs known to be cross-reactive among CAEV and MVV capsid antigens, further supporting the high divergence of the E genotype from others. Finally, a SRLV-free herd according to commercial ELISA testing, was analysed in the same area where genotype E was identified and few animals belonging to Roccaverano breed were found slightly reactive with the E antigens. Our results suggest that the prevalence of genotype E in other small ruminant populations may be conveniently estimated using a comparative assay based on a combination of genotype specific recombinant antigens and may highlight a wider space in which SRLVs evolve.     

Identification and characterization of viral polypeptides from type-II avian adenoviruses.

The polypeptides of serologically related viruses of hemorrhagic enteritis (HE) in turkeys, marble spleen disease (MSD) in pheasants, and splenomegaly in chickens (SMC) were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and analyzed by protein immunoblotting with polyclonal antibodies to HE virus (HEV). The viral polypeptides II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII were detected on SDS-PAGE with the size range from 18 to 97 kDa in HEV. Viral polypeptides II, III, V, VI, and VII were detected in MSD virus and virus of SMC. Protein immunoblotting of viral proteins with anti-HEV serum revealed antigenic differences between the 3 viruses of avian adenovirus type-II examined. The differences were that the polypeptides II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII were identified in HEV and the polypeptides II, V, VI, and VII were identified in MSD virus and virus of SMC. The bands of penton base (polypeptide III) and fiber (polypeptide IV) were seen in HEV only by protein immunoblotting.