Evidence for the porcine origin of equine rotavirus strain H-1

Equine group A rotavirus (RVA) strain H-1 (RVA/Horse-tc/GBR/H-1/1975/G5P9[7]) was found to have VP4, VP6-7, NSP1 and NSP4 genes of porcine origin. In order to obtain conclusive information on the exact origin and evolution of this unusual equine strain, the remaining six genes (VP1-3, NSP2-3 and NSP5 genes) of strain H-1 were analyzed in the present study. By whole genomic analysis, strain H-1 exhibited a porcine RVA-like genotype constellation (G5-P[7]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H1), different from those of typical equine RVA strains. The VP2-3 and NSP2-3 genes of strain H-1 were found to originate from porcine RVAs. On the other hand, it was difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the VP1 and NSP5 genes of strain H-1, though phylogenetically, these genes appeared to be possibly derived from porcine or Wa-like human strains. Taken together, at least nine (VP2-4, VP6-7 and NSP1-4 genes) of the 11 gene segments of strain H-1 were found to be of porcine origin, revealing a porcine RVA-like genetic backbone. Therefore, strain H-1 is likely a porcine RVA strain that was transmitted to horses.     

Intestinal and extra-intestinal pathogenicity of a bovine reassortant rotavirus in calves and piglets

Despite the impact of bovine group A rotaviruses (GARVs) as economically important and zoonotic pathogens, there is a scarcity of data on cross-species pathogenicity and extra-intestinal spread of bovine reassortant GARVs. During the course of characterizing the genotypes of all 11 genomic segments of bovine GARVs isolated from diarrheic calves in South Korea, a unique G6P[7] reassortant GARV strain (KJ9-1) was isolated. The strain harbors five bovine-like gene segments (VP7: G6; VP6: I2; VP1: R2; VP3: M2; NSP2: N2, and NSP4: E2), five porcine-like gene segments (VP4: P[7]; NSP1: A1; NSP3: T1, and NSP5: H1), and one human-like gene segment (VP2: C2). To investigate if this reassortant strain possessed cross-species pathogenicity in calves and piglets, and could induce viremia and extra-intestinal spread in calves, colostrum-deprived calves and piglets were experimentally inoculated with the KJ9-1 strain. The KJ9-1 strain caused severe diarrhea in experimentally infected calves with extensive intestinal villous atrophy, but replicated without causing clinical symptoms in experimentally infected piglets. By SYBR Green real-time RT-PCR, viral RNA was detected in sera of the calves at post-inoculation day (PID) 1, reaching a peak at PID3, and then rapidly decreasing from PID4. In addition, viral RNA was detected in the mesenteric lymph node, lungs, liver, choroid plexus, and cerebrospinal fluid. An immunofluorescence assay confirmed viral replication in the extra-intestinal organs and tissues of virus-inoculated calves. The data indicates that the homologous/heterologous origin of the NSP4 gene segment (E2 genotype), may play a key role in the ability to cause diarrhea in calves and piglets.     

Molecular characterization of a novel bovine group A rotavirus

In this study, by partial sequence analysis of the genome segments encoding VP5* and VP7, we characterized a novel bovine group A rotavirus, namely, Tak2, that was detected from adult cattle diarrhea in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid (aa) sequences of the genome segments encoding VP5* and half of the amino terminal portion of VP7 of Tak2 revealed a low identity with those of group A rotaviruses carrying previously published P and G type specificities (VP5*: nt identity, 61.6%-67.6% and aa identity, 58.0%-71.4%; half of the amino terminal portion of VP7: nt identity, 57.8%-73.5% and aa identity, 61.2%-70.9%). Additionally, phylogenetic analysis of the nt sequences of the genome segments encoding VP5* and half of the amino terminal portion of VP7 revealed that Tak2 formed a branch separate from the established P and G types. These results suggested that Tak2 could possess novel P and G types yet not reported among group A rotaviruses.     

新型鸭肝炎病毒分离株JFX08全基因组测定与分析

对我国鸭病毒性肝炎病毒(Duck hepatitis virus,DHV)分离株JFX08的全基因组进行了序列测定与分析。结果表明,JFX08毒株的基因组全长为7793nt,包括652nt的5’UTR,6753nt的ORF,366nt的3’UTR以及19nt的poly(A)尾巴。JFX08毒株的ORF编码2251个氨基酸,各基因均与韩国新型毒株的氨基酸序列相似性最高,与1型DHV和台湾新型DHV的序列相似性均较低。其中VP1较1型DHV存在2个氨基酸的插入和较多氨基酸位点的突变,高变区主要集中在180～194位和213～219位。JFX08毒株的非编码区核苷酸序列之间存在大量碱基突变和插入/缺失。多聚蛋白、VP0、VP3、VP1、2C和3D基因进化分析结果均表明,JFX08分离株与韩国新型DHV的遗传距离最近,属基因C型。     

Different virulence of porcine and porcine-like bovine rotavirus strains with genetically nearly identical genomes in piglets and calves

Direct interspecies transmissions of group A rotaviruses (RVA) have been reported under natural conditions. However, the pathogenicity of RVA has never been directly compared in homologous and heterologous hosts. The bovine RVA/Cow-tc/KOR/K5/2004/G5P[7] strain, which was shown to possess a typical porcine-like genotype constellation similar to that of the G5P[7] prototype RVA/Pig-tc/USA/OSU/1977/G5P9[7] strain, was examined for its pathogenicity and compared with the porcine G5P[7] RVA/Pig-tc/KOR/K71/2006/G5P[7] strain possessing the same genotype constellation. The bovine K5 strain induced diarrhea and histopathological changes in the small intestine of piglets and calves, whereas the porcine K71 strain caused diarrhea and histopathological changes in the small intestine of piglets, but not in calves. Furthermore, the bovine K5 strain showed extra-intestinal tropisms in both piglets and calves, whereas the porcine K71 strain had extra-intestinal tropisms in piglets, but not in calves. Therefore, we performed comparative genomic analysis of the K71 and K5 RVA strains to determine whether specific mutations could be associated with these distinct clinical and pathological phenotypes. Full-length sequencing analyses for the 11 genomic segments for K71 and K5 revealed that these strains were genetically nearly identical to each other. Two nucleotide mutations were found in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of NSP5 and the 3′ UTR of NSP3, and eight amino acid mutations in VP1-VP4 and NSP2. Some of these mutations may be critical molecular determinants for RVA virulence and/or pathogenicity.     

Reassortment among bovine, porcine and human rotavirus strains results in G8P[7] and G6P[7] strains isolated from cattle in South Korea

Group A rotaviruses (GARVs) cause severe acute gastroenteritis in children and young animals. Although zoonotic infections with bovine-like G6 and G8 GARVs have been reported in many countries, there is little evidence for reassortment between bovine GARVs and GARVs from heterologous species. The finding of bovine GARVs with the G6 and G8 genotypes in combination with the typical porcine P[7] prompted us to characterize all 11 genes of 30 bovine GARVs isolated from clinically infected calves. By the comparison of the full-length ORF of VP7 and NSP1-5, and the partial VP1-4 and VP6 nucleotide sequences between the 30 Korean and other known strains, three different genome constellations were found. Twenty seven strains showed the G8-P[7]-I5-R1-C1-M2-A1-N1-T1-E1-H1 genotypes, a single strain possessed the G6-P[7]-I2-R2-C1-M2-A1-N2-T1-E2-H1 genotype constellation and 2 strains the G6-P[7]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3 genotype constellation. The complete genome of a single reference strains for each of these three genotype constellations (KJ25, KJ9-1 and KJ19-2) was determined and analyzed. A detailed phylogenetic analysis revealed a complicated picture, with several reassortments among bovine-like, porcine-like and human-like GARV strains, resulting in several different reassortant strains successfully infecting cattle.     

Detection and genetic characterization of porcine group A rotaviruses in asymptomatic pigs in smallholder farms in East Africa: Predominance of P[8] genotype resembling human strains

Viral enteritis is a serious problem accounting for deaths in neonatal animals and humans worldwide. The absence of surveillance programs and diagnostic laboratory facilities have resulted in a lack of data on rotavirus associated diarrheas in pigs in East Africa. Here we describe the incidence of group A rotavirus (RVA) infections in asymptomatic young pigs in East Africa. Of the 446 samples examined, 26.2% (117/446) were positive for RVA. More nursing piglets (78.7%) shed RVA than weaned (32.9%) and grower (5.8%) pigs. RVA incidence was higher in pigs that were either housed_free-range (77.8%) or tethered_free-range (29.0%) than those that were free-range or housed or housed-tethered pigs. The farms with larger herd size (>10 pigs) had higher RVA prevalence (56.5%) than farms with smaller herd size (24.1–29.7%). This study revealed that age, management system and pig density significantly (p < 0.01) influenced the incidence of RVA infections, with housed_free-range management system and larger herd size showing higher risks for RVA infection. Partial (811–1604 nt region) sequence of the VP4 gene of selected positive samples revealed that different genotypes (P[6], P[8] and P[13]) are circulating in the study area with P[8] being predominant. The P[6] strain shared nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) sequence identity of 84.4–91.3% and 95.1–96.9%, respectively, with known porcine and human P[6] strains. The P[8] strains shared high nt and aa sequence identity with known human P[8] strains ranging from 95.6–100% to 92–100%, respectively. The P[13] strains shared nt and aa sequence identity of 83.6–91.7% and 89.3–96.4%, respectively, only with known porcine P[13] strains. No P[8] strains yielded RNA of sufficient quality/quantity for full genome sequencing. However analysis of the full genome constellation of the P[6], two P[13] and one untypeable strains revealed that the P[6] strain (Ke-003-5) genome constellation was G26-P[6]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H1, P[13] strains (Ug-049 and Ug-453) had G5-P[13]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T7-E1-H1 while the untypeable strain (Ug-218) had G5-P[?]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H? In conclusion, P[6] and P[8] genotypes detected were genetically closely related to human strains suggesting the possibility of interspecies transmission. Further studies are required to determine the role of RVA in swine enteric disease burden and to determine the genetic/antigenic heterogeneity of the circulating strains for development of accurate diagnostic tools and to implement appropriate prophylaxis programs.     

Full-length genome analysis of G2, G9 and G11 porcine group A rotaviruses

Group A rotaviruses with G2 and G9 VP7 specificity are common in humans, while G11 strains have been detected only sporadically. G2, G9 and G11 rotaviruses also circulate in pigs and swine rotaviruses have been suspected of interspecies and zoonotic transmissions in numerous studies. However, the complete gene constellation of G2 and G9 porcine rotaviruses has not yet been determined. In order to start filling this gap, the genomic make up of two G2, one G9 and one G11 porcine rotavirus strains, detected in Canada in 2005–2007, was determined. With the exception of a G2P[34] strain, with E9 NSP4 type and mixed I5 + I14 VP6 type, the constellation of genomic segments was rather conserved and were closely related to prototype porcine strains in the four viruses characterized (I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T7-E1-H1). Most notably, all the viruses displayed a rare NSP3 genotype, T7, which has also been identified in rare human reassortant strains and in the reference strain RVA/Cow-tc/GBR/UK/1973/G6P[5]. This study provides crucial genetic data on these complex viruses and will help understand the origin and ecological niche of gene segments and the role played by pigs in their evolution.     

Molecular characterization of equine rotaviruses circulating in Argentinean foals during a 17-year surveillance period (1992-2008)

P[12]G3 and P[12]G14 equine rotaviruses (ERVs) are epidemiologically important in horses. In Argentina, the prevalent ERV strains have been historically P[12]G3. The aim of this study was the detection and characterization of ERV strains circulating in foals in Argentina during a 17-year study (1992-2008). Additionally, the gene sequences of VP7, VP4 and NSP4 encoding genes of representative Argentinean ERV strains were determined and phylogenetic analyses were performed to elucidate the evolutionary relationships of the ERV strains in Argentina. ERVs were detected in 165 (21%) out of 771 diarrheic stool samples, which corresponded to 45 (39%) of 116 outbreaks from the surveyed thoroughbred horse farms. From the positive cases, 51% (n=23) were G3, 33% (n=15) were G14, 4% (n=2) represented a G3+G14 mixed infection and 11% (n=5) of the cases could not be characterized. G3 ERV was detected during the entire period, while G14 ERV was first detected in 2000 and increased its incidence specially in 2006 and 2007. All the analyzed strains belonged to the VP4 P[12] genotype, except for one G3 case which belonged to the P[3] genotype, constituting the first report of a P[3]G3 ERV strain. Phylogenetic analysis of VP7 protein revealed that the G3 Argentinean ERV strains clustered with ERVs from Ireland, while the G14 Argentinean ERV strains formed a distinct cluster within the G14 genotype. The VP4 of the P[12] ERV strains clustered with P[12] strains from Ireland and France. The NSP4 of the Argentinean ERV strains clustered with the NSP4 genotype E12, along with those of guanaco and bovine strains from Argentina, suggesting the a close evolutionary relationship among these Argentinean strains. The results of this study showed changes in the incidence of G3 and G14 during the studied period. The increase in the frequency of G14 ERV, not included in the vaccine, in the second half of the period, may have implications for vaccine design.     

Molecular characterization of unusual bovine group A rotavirus G8P[14] strains identified in western India: emergence of P[14] genotype

A total of 78 fecal specimens were collected from both apparently healthy (n=71) and diarrheic (n=7) cattle from an organized farm in Pune, western India in December 2007-January 2008. Three specimens tested positive for group A rotavirus (RV) by antigen capture ELISA were subjected to RT-PCR for amplification of entire coding regions of three structural (VP4, VP6 and VP7) and one nonstructural (NSP4) genes. All three strains were genotyped as G8P[14]. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 and VP4 genes showed clustering of the VP7 gene with G8 strains of bovine origin and VP4 gene with P[14] strains of human origin. The identification of VP6 and NSP4 genes to have I2 (subgroup I) and E2 (genotype A) specificity, respectively of bovine and human origin indicated independent segregation of genes in bovine RV strains. This study indicates circulation of a rare RV genotype, G8P[14] in western India. To our knowledge, this is the second report on RV G8[14] isolated from bovine species after bovine group A RV strain, SUN9 from Japan.     

Genetic heterogeneity of wild-type G4P[6] porcine rotavirus strains detected in a diarrhea outbreak in a regularly vaccinated pig herd

Group A rotavirus (RV-A) with short electropherotype was identified by ss-PAGE in a neonatal diarrhea outbreak at a Brazilian pig farm where the sows were regularly vaccinated with a commercial vaccine containing OSU (G5P[7]) and Gottfried (G4P[6]) porcine RV-A (PoRV-A) strains. The ss-PAGE positive stool samples (n=20) were characterized as P[6] genotype by multiplex-nested-RT-PCR assay. The nucleotide analysis of the VP4 gene (VP8*) state that the viruses clustered in P[6] lineages that are also shared by RV-A strains identified in human hosts. Nucleotide analysis of the VP7 gene identified different lineages in G4 including a new lineage tentatively designated IX. The immunological pressure induced by commercial vaccine with a rotavirus containing a G4P[6] genotype of porcine origin (Gottfried strain) might have allowed the selection of PoRV-A strains with characteristics found in RV-A strains isolated of human hosts, such as P[6]-Ie and If, and promoted the selection or emergence of RV-A strains with a new lineage of the G4 genotype. The characterization of PoRV-A strains with unusual genotypes described in this study highlight the importance of surveys on the relationship between human and animal rotavirus strains.     

猪嵴病毒VP0基因的克隆与序列分析

本研究根据猪嵴病毒(porcine kobuvirus,PKV)VP0基因序列特征设计特异性扩增引物,采用RT-PCR方法扩增猪嵴病毒VP0基因全长编码区。将特异性扩增目的片段克隆后进行序列测定,将结果进行拼接后获得猪嵴病毒VP0基因全长并进行相关生物信息学分析。所扩增的目的片段编码有完整的VP0基因开放阅读框,全长为1 098 bp,编码有366个氨基酸,理论等电点为6.71,理论分子质量为38.489 ku,不稳定系数为34.65,最大疏水指数为2.622,最小疏水指数为-2.122。将获得的VP0基因和GenBank中的猪嵴病毒代表株VP0基因序列进行核苷酸同源性比对和遗传进化分析,其与HNXX-4核苷酸同源性最高,为89.1%,与S-1-HUN核苷酸同源性最低,为81.1%。从遗传进化上看,猪嵴病毒VP0基因在遗传进化上呈两个独立的基因亚群,猪嵴病毒中国分离株在两个遗传基因亚群上均有分布。     

Cloning and Sequence Analysis of the VP0 Gene of Porcine Kobuvirus

In this study, specific primers were designed according to VP0 gene of porcine kobuvirus (PKV), and the full-length coding region of VP0 gene was amplified by RT-PCR method and sequenced, then bioinformatics analysis were conducted to investigate the structure and function of the porcine kubovirus VP0 gene.The results showed that the porcine kobuvirus VP0 gene was 1 098 bp in length, coding an open reading frame (ORF) with 366 amino acids.The isoelectric point, molecular weight and instability index of porcine kubovirus VP0 were 6.71, 38.489 ku, 34.65, respectively.The maximum and minimum hydrophobicity were 2.622 and —2.122, respectively.Compared with the porcine kubovirus VP0 genes published previously in GenBank, the sequenced gene shared the highest homology with HNXX-4 strain, which was 89.1%;And shared the lowest homology with S-1-HUN strain, which was 81.1%.The porcine kubovirus VP0 gene shared two different phylogenetic genotype branches, and the Chinese porcine kubovirus isolates distributed in the two phylogenetic genotype branches.     

猪流行性腹泻病毒、传染性胃肠炎病毒、A群轮状病毒和嵴病毒多重RTPCR检测方法的建立及临床应用

本研究建立了可同时检测猪流行性腹泻病毒（Porcineepidemicdiarrheavirus,PEDV）、传染性胃肠炎病毒（TransmissiblegastroenteritisVirus,TGEV）、A群轮状病毒（GroupArotavirus,GARV）和猪嵴病毒（Porcinekobu—virus）的多重RT—PCR方法。检测中,建立的多重RT—PCR方法能够检测到500Pg的TGEV、PEDV、GARV和猪嵴病毒等量混合RNA模板,与常规的单一RT—PCR检测结果基本相同（检测TGEV、PEDV、GARV和猪嵴病毒的灵敏性分别为1000A、1000／6、93．33％和96．67％,特异性均为i00％）。结果表明,建立的多重RTPCR方法敏感性和特异性良好,可作为临床上猪病毒性腹泻病因快速、高效的诊断工具。应用该方法对2010—2012年华中地区190份腹泻仔猪样本进行检测,PEDV、TGEV、GARV和猪嵴病毒的阳性率分别为62．11％、0．53％、7．37％和82．11％。混合感染方面,PEDV和猪嵴病毒混合感染率为47．89％,PEDV和GARV混合感染率为4．74％,GARV和猪嵴病毒混合感染率为7．37％,PEDV、GARV和猪嵴病毒混合感染率为4．74％,未发现TGEV与其它3种病毒的混合感染情况。另外,有27份样本中仅检出PEDV（14．21％）,57份样本只检出猪嵴病毒（30％）。分析表明,我国自2010年底大面积暴发的病毒性腹泻是多病原混合感染造成的,主要病原为PEDV,猪嵴病毒在其中所起作用尚待进一步验证和研究。     

猪A群轮状病毒BJ株的分离与鉴定

轮状病毒是引起幼龄动物和儿童病毒性腹泻的主要病原,轮状病毒的分离鉴定为该病的流行病学调查和分子生物学特性研究奠定了基础。本研究采集北京某猪场腹泻发病仔猪肠内容物,将其接种MA104细胞,分离得到一株能产生明显细胞病变的病毒。对分离毒株进行胶体金、实时荧光定量RT-PCR和免疫荧光等方法鉴定,并对分离毒株的VP4、VP6和VP7基因进行测序及序列分析。结果表明,分离毒株为猪A群轮状病毒。按照A群轮状病毒的最新分类方法,确定该分离株VP4、VP6和VP7基因的基因型分别为P[13]型、I5型和G11型。因此,将该分离株命名为Rotavirus A pig/China/BJ/2015/G11P[13]。     

Isolation and Identification of Porcine Group A Rotavirus BJ Strain

Rotavirus infections are a major cause of viral diarrheas in young animals and children. Isolation and identification of rotavirus make a contribution to epidemiological survey and molecular biology study.A strain of porcine rotavirus was isolated in MA104 cell cultures from the intestinal contents of piglets with diarrhea in Beijing.The virus was identified to be porcine rotavirus by immunochromatography strip test, Real-time RT-PCR, immunofluorescence test and sequencing analysis.According to the sequence analysis, the virus was classified as group A porcine rotavirus, the genotype of VP4, VP6 and VP7 genes belonged to P[13], I5 and G11, respectively.The virus was designated Rotavirus A pig/China/BJ/2015/G11P[13].     

犊牛腹泻粪便样本中纽布病毒VP1和RNA依赖性RNA聚合酶基因的序列分析

纽布病毒（Nebovirus，NeV）是国内犊牛腹泻的新发病原，其VP1蛋白含有受体结合位点和中和抗原表位，与病毒的感染和免疫密切相关，本研究旨在分析VP1基因1.2型毒株的分子特征。采用RT-PCR方法，对2019年宁夏和河南的犊牛腹泻粪便样本进行NeV检测，扩增阳性样本完整的主要衣壳蛋白（VP1）和RNA依赖性RNA聚合酶（RdRp）。结果显示，宁夏和河南地区NeV检出率分别为11.32%和8.62%。从4个样本中成功获得了1.2型毒株完整VP1和RdRp序列。4个完整VP1与GenBank中73个完整VP1的氨基酸相似性为75.4%~97.8%；与GenBank中仅有的3个1.2型VP1相比，4个毒株在P2区有1个共同的氨基酸突变，在P1区有2个共同的氨基酸突变。与国内基因1.1型、1.3型和1.4型毒株相比，在P2区分别有9、18和14个共同的氨基酸突变，在P1区分别有2个共同的氨基酸突变，在S区分别有1个共同的氨基酸突变。4个完整RdRp均为NB-like基因型，与GenBank中8个完整RdRp的核苷酸相似性为67.2%~94.8%。本文首次在我国检测到VP1基因1.2型毒株，成功获得了4条基因1.2型毒株的完整VP1和RdRp序列，为国内NeV的分子流行病学和遗传进化研究等提供了参考。     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒GX1001株和GX1002株全基因组分子特征分析

为了解广西地区猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)的变异情况及分子遗传特征,采用RT-PCR分段扩增2010年PRRSV广西地方分离株GX1001株和GX1002株基因片段,经克隆、测序、拼接,获得2个分离株的全基因序列。结果显示,不包括Poly(A)尾,GX1001株、GX1002株基因组全长分别为15329和15318 bp。同源性分析结果表明,2个分离株间全基因组核苷酸序列同源性为99.3%,与国内外北美洲型代表毒株间的全基因组核苷酸序列同源性为84.9%~99.5%,与欧洲型代表毒株间的同源性为61.5%~61.9%。序列分析结果表明,2个分离株的NSP2编码区均存在第481和533-561位,共30个氨基酸的不连续缺失,具有PRRSV高致病性变异毒株(HP-PRRSV)的遗传特征,但分别在不同区域出现新的突变、缺失及插入等变异现象。遗传进化分析结果表明,所有美洲型毒株可分为4个亚群,GX1001株和GX1002株均属于以高致病性JXA1株为代表的第4亚群。上述结果表明,本研究获得的PRRSV广西地方分离株GX1001株和GX1002株均属于HP-PRRSV,但其基因组在不同区域发生了新的遗传变异现象。     

IBDV流行强毒HQ-b株与其细胞适应毒生物学特性比较及VP2、VP5基因序列分析

为了解IBDV流行强毒HQ-b株囊毒与其细胞适应毒间生物学特性差异及2毒株毒力变化与VP2、VP5基因变异的关系,对2毒株的细胞适应性、致病性等进行比较,同时对其VP2、VP5基因序列进行分析。结果表明,HQ-b株囊毒对CEF、CEK、CELi、DF-1和Vero均不适应,而细胞适应毒HQ株仅不能适应Vero细胞、且批内及批间毒价稳定。致病性结果显示HQ-b株对4周龄SPF鸡致死率高达80%,是真正的超强毒,而细胞适应毒致死率已降为0%。对VP2基因高变区研究表明,HQ-b株具备IBDV超强毒株的分子特征,即222A、256I、294I和299S;其细胞适应毒HQ株除222A→P、256I→V、294I→L和299S→N外,在VP2公认的毒力位点253(Q→H)、279(D→N)、284(A→T)位氨基酸也发生改变,导致细胞适应毒具备经典弱毒株的分子特征,即222P、256V、279N、284T、294L和299N。对VP5基因研究表明:流行强毒HQ-b株也具有IBDV超强毒株的分子特征;其细胞适应毒VP5基因有12个位点碱基突变并导致9处氨基酸变异,尤其是ORF区第2个碱基由"T"突变为"C"后,导致细胞适应毒VP5的N端丢失了4个氨基酸,这种突变与现有的疫苗毒完全一致。本研究提供了超强毒HQ-b培育、驯化后致病性和细胞适应性转变的分子机理,也丰富了IBDV分子流行病学的理论。