A DNA miniarray system for simultaneous visual detection of porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) and 2 (PCV2) in pigs

A miniarray system was developed for the simultaneous detection of porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) and type 2 (PCV2) in pigs. The system consists of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) step to amplify target viral DNA, followed by detection of the amplified DNA using a membrane-anchored probe array and an avidin-alkaline phosphatase (Av-AP) indicator system. The lower limit of detection of PCV using the miniarray was 10^1.9 tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID₅₀)/ml and 10^2.08TCID₅₀/ml for PCV1 and PCV2, respectively, and 100 viral copies/μl for both PCV1 and PCV2. We validated the miniarray system using 141 lymph node specimens from pigs with suspected postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome or porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome. Of the 141 samples evaluated, 55 were identified as positive for PCV by the miniarray. Relative to in situ hybridization, the sensitivity and specificity of the miniarray was 100% and 98.9%, respectively. In contrast to other microarray systems, the miniarray does not require a DNA chip reader, since the results can be determined by visual inspection of colorized spots on a nylon membrane. This system represents an effective alternative method for the differential detection of PCV1 and PCV2 in pigs, as well as the maintenance of PCV-free cell lines and pre-screening of commercial vaccines for possible contamination.     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒与猪圆环病毒2型共感染猪组织中猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒抗原的分布

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)和猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)同时感染猪50 d后,用免疫组化方法观察PRRSV抗原的分布.结果显示,单感染和共感染组在肺脏、脾脏、胸腺、扁桃体、颌下淋巴结、腹股沟淋巴结、肠系膜淋巴结、回肠和直肠中均可观察到PRRSV抗原阳性信号,且信号强度无显著差异;抗原信号的细胞分布范围也无差异,主要位于结缔组织的巨噬细胞、单核细胞、成纤维细胞、内皮细胞和淋巴细胞中.     

Phylogenetic comparison of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) strains detected in domestic pigs until 2008 and in 2012 in Croatia

Background

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) have been present for the last 2 decades in Croatia, causing large economical losses in the pig production. The clinical features of the infections are mostly manifested by the development of respiratory problems, weight loss and poor growth performance, as well as reproductive failure in pregnant sows. Even though the infections are continuously recognized in some regions in Croatia, the heterogeneity of the detected viral strains from 2012 has not yet been investigated. The objective of this study was to compare virus strains of PCV2 and PRRSV detected until 2008 in Croatia with strains isolated in 2012 to gain a better epidemiological understanding of these two infections.

Results

PCV2 and PRRSV strains detected in 2012 in fattening pigs from regions where these two diseases have been previously described were compared to strains that have been detected in the same regions within the past two decades. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the circulating PCV2 and PRRSV strains are distantly related to the previously described Croatian viral strains. However, when compared to known isolates from the GenBank a high genetic identity of PRRSV isolates with isolates from Hungary, Denmark and the Netherlands was found.

Conclusion

The results of this study reveal that even though PCV2 and PRRSV are constantly present in the investigated regions in Croatia, the viral strains found in 2012 genetically differ from those detected in earlier years. This indicates that new entries into the pig population appeared with regard to both infections, probably as a result of pig trade.     

Systemic cytokine profiles of mice vaccinated with naked DNAs encoding six open reading frame antigens of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)

The objective of this study was to characterize the murine immune response to vaccination with DNAs encoding each of six porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) open reading frames (ORFs). After intramuscular vaccination with the naked DNAs, blood was taken on days post-infection (DPI) 7 and 35 and subjected to Bio-Plex cytokine assays. ORF3 elicited high levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α (P < 0.001) and decreased IL-12 levels (P < 0.001) on DPI 7, and was lethal for nine of the 15 vaccinated mice, which died on DPIs 4, 6, 9, and 10. The remaining six mice showed general prostration but then recovered. The clinical signs correlated with the systemic TNF-α and IL-12 levels. ORF1 vaccination elevated T-helper (Th)1 (IFN-γ; P < 0.001) and Th2 (IL-13; P < 0.05) cytokine levels on DPI 35, while ORF2 markedly elevated the expression of the humoral immunity- and Th-2-related cytokine IL-10 (P < 0.001) on DPI 35. These observations provide insights into the immune responses generated by each PCV2 ORF.     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒和猪圆环病毒2型基因重组质粒实时荧光定量PCR标准曲线的构建

根据猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)ORF7和猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)ORF1的核苷酸序列设计特异性引物,经RT-PCR/PCR扩增,分别扩增出大小为308 bp和417 bp的部分基因片段。用T4连接酶将目的片段与pGEM-Teasy载体系统连接,并转化到大肠杆菌DH-5α株感受态细胞。提取的质粒经PCR、酶切和测序鉴定,证实为PRRSV和PCV2的阳性重组质粒。将重组标准质粒10倍系列稀释后作为模板,通过实时荧光定量PCR方法(Real-time PCR),建立了PRRSV、PCV2的标准曲线及其直线回归方程,并确定其最佳读板温度。该方法具有线性关系好、特异性强、敏感性高、重复性好等特点,为分析PRRSV和PCV2共感染猪体内病毒的绝对含量提供了必要的技术平台。     

Immunopathological effects of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) on swine alveolar macrophages by in vitro inoculation

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), a multifactorial disease, in pigs. Monocyte/macrophage lineage cells, including alveolar macrophages (AMs), are the major target cells for PCV2. Swine AMs are essential for the pulmonary defense system against various pathogens. Concurrent infection of lung with opportunistic pathogens in pigs suffered from PMWS is speculated as a feature of immunosuppression. The present study was conducted to characterize the effects of PCV2 inoculation on swine AMs in the in vitro system. The parameters selected for evaluation included PCV2 antigen- and nucleic acid-containing rate, viability, TUNEL-positive rate, phagocytosis, microbicidal capability, and capacity for production of reactive oxygen species (superoxide anion, O₂⁻, and hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂), cytokines, and chemokines. High intracytoplasmic PCV2 antigen- and nucleic acid-containing rate, absence of intranuclear signals for PCV2 antigen and nucleic acid, and lack of noticeable cell death were seen in PCV2-inoculated AMs. The PCV2-inoculated AMs displayed a transient as well as persistent reduction in the up-take and destruction of Candida albicans, respectively, accompanied by decrease in the production of O₂⁻ and H₂O₂. In PCV2-inoculated AMs, the levels of tumor necrosis- (TNF-) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were significantly increased; the mRNA expression levels of alveolar macrophage-derived neutrophil chemotactic factors-II (AMCF-II), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and IL-8 were strongly up-regulated. The reduced phagocytosis and microbicidal capability in conjunction with decreased production of reactive oxygen species in PCV2-inoculated AMs suggest that PCV2-containing AMs may favor the survival and spread of PCV2. It is speculated that the functional alterations observed in PCV2-containing AMs may be potentially harmful to the lung tissue and local pulmonary defense system, especially in those PCV2-infected pigs conditioned by various PMWS development-dependent co-factors.     

猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)ORF1基因的系统发育分析和选择压力分析

本研究利用脚本语言编写一系列程序流程,成功对猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)ORF1的Genbank数据进行快速整理和信息挖掘。同时,引入MUSCLE、MrBayes和PAML等生物信息学工具对经过整理的PCV2 ORF1的Genbank数据进行深度的分析,快速进行序列比对并获得了高解析度的BMCMC系统发育树,再以该BMCMC系统发育树为基础数据进行基因选择压力的分析。结果表明,中国的猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)ORF1可分为三群,其中两群可能存在明显的祖先,另一群则可能经过多次从不同地方传入中国。另外,应用位点模型和分支位点模型(以不同的选择压力模型将不同群各设为背景)对PCV2 ORF1进行分析,没有发现各个分支上有明显处于正选择压力下的位点,PCV2的ORF1基因在进化上相当保守,所有位点的dN/dS值均小于等于1(P95%),提示该基因没有处于明显的选择压力之下,所有位点的突变均为中性选择位点或净化选择位点。该结果首次从选择压力分析的角度说明ORF1基因为功能保守的基因,为以后筛选PCV2毒株制备抗ORF1蛋白的单克隆抗体提供了理论依据。     

Genetic diversity of porcine circovirus type 2 from pigs in Republic of Korea

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). In this study, 38 PCV2 cases obtained from different pig farms with different health conditions in Republic of Korea were sequenced and analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis showed that our cases had a greater variation and the existence of two PCV2 groups with at least four subgroups (1A, 1C, 2D, and 2E). Most cases obtained from PMWS-affected herds were in group 1, whereas cases with no clinical signs compatible with PMWS (wasted non-PMWS) were included within group 2. Moreover, four cases from the wasted non-PMWS belonged to PCV2-group 1. Therefore, our results suggest that PCV2-group 1 is more related to PMWS than group 2.     

Detection and genetic characterization of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in pigs from Croatia

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) from the Circoviridae family has recently been associated with two serious diseases of swine, post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS). During 2002, several outbreaks of clinical disease in pigs with weights ranging from 10 to 70 kg occurred on four farms in different locations in Croatia. The signs were consistent with PMWS and PDNS. Apart from progressive weight loss, pneumonia and/or diarrhoea, multifocal erythematous skin lesions and dermal necrosis were also observed. The PCR results obtained from PCV2 specific oligonucleotide primers confirmed a PCV2 infection. In addition, archive samples that were classical swine fever virus positive and derived from domestic pigs during an outbreak in 1997 were included in this study and one out of the three isolates was found to be positive for PCV2. For a better epizootiological understanding, genetic typing of representative isolates was carried out and compared with available isolates reported in the GenBank databases.     

Experimental inoculation of porcine circoviruses type 1 (PCV1) and type 2 (PCV2) in rabbits and mice

The objective of this work was to investigate the susceptibility of rabbits and mice experimentally inoculated with porcine circoviruses type 1 (PCV1) and type 2 (PCV2) to infection and development of disease and/or lesions. Forty six New Zealand rabbits and 50 ICR-CDI mice were both divided into two groups comprising PCVI and PCV2 inoculated animals, and a third group inoculated with non-infected cell culture medium. Rabbits were inoculated intranasally while mice were inoculated intraperitoneally. Clinical signs and body weights were recorded at the start of the experiment and at necropsy. Animals were bled, euthanised and necropsied at days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14 and 20 post-inoculation and samples were collected for histopathological, serological, in situ hybridisation and PCR analysis. No clinical signs or gross and microscopic lesions compatible with PCV2 infections such as those seen in pigs were observed. No presence of PCV2 nucleic acid was detected in rabbits and mice by in situ hybridisation. Only one mouse inoculated with PCV1 seroconverted on day 20 P1. PCV1 and PCV2 genome was detected in serum by PCR in mice inoculated with each porcine circovirus, while rabbits were negative for both viral types. These studies indicated that porcine circoviruses did not cause any disease or microscopic lesions in inoculated rabbits and mice during the experimental period. However, intraperitoneally inoculated mice might have harboured PCV2 in circulation without evidence of viral replication.     

Sow porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) status effect on litter mortality in postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS)

Previous studies have described a "litter effect" associated with mortality in postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) affected farms. The main objective of this study was to evaluate litter mortality in different PMWS affected farms and to characterize it in relation to three variables of the sow: parity, porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infectious status and PCV2 antibody titres. The study was performed in seven farms that experienced PMWS in nurseries and/or fattening areas. Fifteen sows from each farm were randomly selected from the same farrowing batch. Serum samples were analyzed for antibodies to PCV2 and for genomic detection of PCV2. Four piglets from each sow (60 piglets per farm) were selected and ear-tagged at birth. Out of 420 initial piglets, 104 (25%) died. Sixty three of them (60%) were necropsied, and 40 (63%) diagnosed as PMWS based on case definition criteria. Our results show that sow PCV2 viremia was significantly related to piglet mortality since more piglets per litter died from viremic than from non-viremic sows. Additionally, a significantly greater proportion of animals died from sows that had low antibody titres against PCV2 (39% vs. 18% from sows with medium to high antibody titres). The present study, of exploratory nature, confirms previous results and further characterizes the so called "litter effect" by establishing that the sow PCV2 status had a significant effect on litter mortality in PMWS affected farms.     

PCR detection of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) DNA in blood, tonsillar and faecal swabs from experimentally infected pigs

PCV2 infection is now recognized as the major factor in the development of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). In this study we evaluated the use of PCR to detect the presence of PCV2 DNA in blood, faecal and tonsillar swabs collected from 12 pigs experimentally infected with PCV2 and sampled at selected time points post-infection. The PCR results were evaluated together with the presence of PMWS typical histopathological lesions and the presence of PCV2 antigen. PCV2 DNA was present in the blood of all 12 infected pigs at the end of the experiment and faecal and tonsillar swabs of 11 of the 12 pigs. The rate of PCR-positive serum and plasma samples was significantly higher in four pigs that showed virological and pathological evidence of PMWS, than in infected pigs without evidence of disease. In conclusion this study confirms that PCR cannot substitute for the traditional methods used for diagnosis of PMWS, however, PCR amplification of PCV2 DNA from serum or plasma could be a useful tool to support an early diagnosis of PMWS in live animals.     

Establishment and Rudimentary Application of the nano-dPCR for Detection of PCV2 and PCV3

This study was aimed to establish a duplex nanoparticle-assisted PCR (nano-dPCR) method for the simultaneous detection of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and PCV3, and to apply this method in the detection of PCV2 and PCV3. Primers specific to PCV2 and PCV3 were designed by reference to the respective gene sequences in GenBank. The reaction conditions of nano-dPCR were also optimized. An evaluation of the specificity and sensitivity of the established nano-dPCR protocol proved the method to be both specific and sensitive, with the lower detection limit for the amount of nucleic acid in PCV2 and PCV3 to be 93.2 and 91.6 copies/μL, respectively. This sensitivity was 100 times higher than that of conventional PCR. The method was applied to inspect 265 clinical samples sent for testing, and the results showed that PCV2 and PCV3 infection in pig was rather common, with 16.6% positive for PCV3, 14.7% positive for PCV2, and 6.8% for mixed infection. The detection results on clinical samples supported the newly established nano-dPCR method as a rapid and sensitive differential diagnosis for the early infection of PCV2 and PCV3.     

PCV2和PCV3双重纳米PCR方法的建立及初步应用

本研究旨在建立一种同时检测猪圆环病毒2型（PCV2）和猪圆环病毒3型（PCV3）的双重纳米PCR（nano-dPCR）方法,同时应用该方法对PCV2和PCV3进行检测。参考GenBank中登录的PCV2和PCV3型基因序列分别设计特异性引物,对nano-dPCR的反应条件进行优化;同时考察所建立的nano-dPCR检测方法的特异性和敏感性。结果显示,所建方法的特异性和敏感性良好,对PCV2和PCV3两种病毒的最低核酸检测量分别为93.2和91.6拷贝/μL,其敏感性比普通PCR高100倍。应用该方法对送检的265份临床样本进行检测,结果显示,PCV2和PCV3在猪群中存在普遍感染,PCV3和PCV2的阳性率分别为16.6%和14.7%,混合感染阳性率为6.8%。临床样品的检测结果表明,本试验建立的nano-dPCR方法为PCV2和PCV3早期感染进行快速、敏感鉴别诊断提供了新方法。     

Genetic typing of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) isolates from Slovakia

Of 120 clinical specimens obtained from pigs bred on 28 PMWS-affected farms in Slovakia, porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) was detected by single PCR in 77 samples. A short 224 bp fragment of ORF2 was used for preliminary grouping of isolates by phylogenetic analysis. Nucleotide sequences of the entire ORF2 region provided more precise genetic typing and segregation of preselected isolates (n = 10) into two known genotypes, PCV-2a (n = 1) and PCV-2b (n = 9). Complete genome sequencing of three selected isolates allowed their definitive grouping into genotype PCV-2b, cluster 1A or genotype PCV-2a, cluster 2D. No correlation between the mutations and the geographic origin of isolates was observed. Results confirmed that many PCV-2 isolates are genetically very stable since similar viruses circulate in Central and Western Europe.     

多重PCR检测CSFV和PRRSV与PCV2

根据GenBank上猪瘟病毒(CSFV)、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征(PRRSV)和猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)的已发表序列,分别设计并合成了3对特异性扩增引物,建立CSFV、PRRSV和PCV2单项PCR检测方法,分别扩增出预期的466 bp、202 bp和706 bp片段。在优化单项PCR反应条件基础上,建立了CSFV-PRRSV-PCV2多重PCR检测方法,为预防和控制上述三种病毒性传染病提供了一种快速、敏感、特异的检测方法。     

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccination reduces PCV2 in a PCV2 and Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis coinfection model

We previously reported that prior porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection potentiates the severity of clinical signs, lung lesions, and fecal shedding and tissue dissemination of Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis in infected pigs. Here, we evaluated whether PCV2 vaccination is effective in reducing fecal shedding and tissue dissemination of S. Choleraesuis and improving clinical signs associated with PCV2 and S. Choleraesuis infection in 15 Cesarean-derived, colostrum-deprived pigs randomly assigned to 3 groups (n = 5/group). The vaccinated and co-infected (VAC-COINF) group received 2 ml of a commercial PCV2 vaccine at age 3 weeks. The VAC-COINF and co-infected (COINF) groups were inoculated intranasally with PCV2 and S. Choleraesuis at 5 and 7 weeks of age, respectively. The CONTROL group pigs received a similar volume of PBS for sham-vaccination and sham-inoculation. PCV2 vaccination clearly reduced PCV2 DNA load in the serum and postmortem tissue samples and decreased PCV2 antigen levels in tissue samples of the VAC-COINF group. After S. Choleraesuis infection, the incidence of several clinical signs increased in the VAC-COINF group compared to that in the COINF group. The microscopic lung lesions and weight gain, fecal shedding and tissue dissemination of S. Choleraesuis except in the spleen were not significantly different in the VAC-COINF and COINF groups. Thus, PCV2 vaccination reduced PCV2 in the S. Choleraesuis and PCV2 coinfection model and the effects on S. Choleraesuis were minimal.     

猪圆环病毒Ⅱ型ORF2截短基因的克隆及原核表达

参照GenBank中猪圆环病毒Ⅱ型（Porcinecircovirus type 2，PCV2）的ORF2基因序列，设计合成1对引物，对PCV-2ZS株ORF2基因上含主要抗原位点的片段（ORF2-ME）进行PCR扩增，并克隆到pMD18-T Simple Vector中，进行序列测定。将重组质粒pMD—ORF2-ME的EcoR Ⅴ和Xhol Ⅰ双酶切产物插入原核表达载体pET-32a（＋），构建原核表达载体pET—ORF—ME。测序分析表明，克隆的ORF2-ME与GenBank上公布的PCV2毒株核苷酸序列同源性为99％～100％，推导的氨基酸序列同源性介于91％～100％之间。原核表达载体导入BL21（DE3）后用IPTG进行诱导表达，收集菌液进行SDS—PAGE和Western Blotting分析，结果表明ORF2-ME在BL21（DE3）中成功表达，所表达融合蛋白的相对分子质量约为40000，并能被PCV2阳性血清所识别，这就为PCV2感染诊断和抗体检测提供了依据。