Pathogenicity and antigenicity of a new variant of Korean nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus

Despite the existence of an active vaccination program, recently emerged strains of nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in Korea have caused significant economic losses in the poultry industry. In this study, we assessed the pathogenic and antigenic characteristics of a K-IIb type field strain of IBV that emerged in Korea since 2003, such as Kr/Q43/06. Specific pathogen free 1-week-old chickens exhibited severe respiratory symptoms (dyspnea) and nephropathogenic lesions (swollen kidneys with nephritis and urate deposits) following challenge with the recent IBV field strain. The antigenic relatedness (R value), based on a calculated virus neutralization index, of the K-IIb type field strain and K-IIa type strain KM91 (isolated in 1991) was 30%, which indicated that the recent strain, Kr/Q43/06, is a new variant that is antigenically distinct from strain KM91. This report is the first to document the emergence of a new antigenic variant of nephropathogenic IBV in chicken from Korea.     

鸡肾型传染性支气管炎病毒QD株S1基因的克隆与序列分析

One nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus （IBV） strain was isolated from Qingdao city, named as QD isolate.S1 gene of the strain was amplified, cloned and sequenced. The S1 gene of QD isolate was composed of 1620 nucleotides, and a spike glycoprotein cleavage recognition site was Arg-Arg-Phe-Arg-Arg. The nucleotide acid similarities among the nine IBV vaccine strains and the QD strain were 78.8% to 82.2%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the S1 genes showed that QD strain and the vaccine strains belonged to different clusters, and showed larger evolutionary distances, but showed the smaller evolutionary distances with the field nephropathogenic IBV strains in China. The result showed that nephropathogenic IBV strains were widely popular in China, and the QD strain could be used as the infectious bronchitis vaccine candidate strain.     

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒分离鉴定及S1基因遗传演化分析

为调查辽宁地区鸡传染性支气管炎病毒(IBV)的流行及遗传演化情况,从辽宁某鸡场疑似鸡传染性支气管炎病料中分离得到1株病毒,经分子生物学检测、鸡胚矮小化试验、新城疫病毒血凝特性干扰试验和动物回归试验,确定该毒株为IBV,并命名为CH/LN/2019.扩增该毒株S1基因并进行序列分析发现,分离株S1基因全长1 620 nt...     

Coronavirus avian infectious bronchitis virus

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), the coronavirus of the chicken (Gallus gallus), is one of the foremost causes of economic loss within the poultry industry, affecting the performance of both meat-type and egg-laying birds. The virus replicates not only in the epithelium of upper and lower respiratory tract tissues, but also in many tissues along the alimentary tract and elsewhere e.g. kidney, oviduct and testes. It can be detected in both respiratory and faecal material. There is increasing evidence that IBV can infect species of bird other than the chicken. Interestingly breeds of chicken vary with respect to the severity of infection with IBV, which may be related to the immune response. Probably the major reason for the high profile of IBV is the existence of a very large number of serotypes. Both live and inactivated IB vaccines are used extensively, the latter requiring priming by the former. Their effectiveness is diminished by poor cross-protection. The nature of the protective immune response to IBV is poorly understood. What is known is that the surface spike protein, indeed the amino-terminal S1 half, is sufficient to induce good protective immunity. There is increasing evidence that only a few amino acid differences amongst S proteins are sufficient to have a detrimental impact on cross-protection. Experimental vector IB vaccines and genetically manipulated IBVs--with heterologous spike protein genes--have produced promising results, including in the context of in ovo vaccination.     

Genetic diversity of avian infectious bronchitis virus isolates in Korea between 2003 and 2006

Thirty-three field isolates of avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) were recovered from commercial chicken flocks in Korea between 2003 and 2006 and were characterized phylogenetically by nucleotide sequence analysis of the IBV S1 gene hyper-variable region. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that recent field isolates of IBV formed at least three distinct phylogenetic types, including K-I, K-II, and K-III. K-I type IBV consisted of indigenous, 13 IBV isolates which evolved from the Kr-EJ/95 strain and then separated into the lineages of type K-Ia and type K-Ib. K-II type IBV isolates (n = 19) were closely related to nephropathogenic IBV variants from China and Japan. The K-III type isolate (Kr/D064/05), first identified by this study, was closely related to enteric IBV variants from the Chinese strains that cause proventriculitis. Sequence comparisons showed amino acid differences of >27.5% between IBV types. The molecular epidemiologic characteristics of IBV field isolates are briefly discussed.     

Protective immune responses induced by in ovo immunization with recombinant adenoviruses expressing spike (S1) glycoprotein of infectious bronchitis virus fused/co-administered with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes tremendous economic losses associated with production inefficiencies and mortality in poultry industry worldwide. In the present report, the recombinant adenoviruses expressing chicken granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and S1 gene of nephropathogenic IBV were constructed and characterized. Then, the immunological efficacy and protection against homologous IBV challenge were assessed in specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens. The results showed that the chickens vaccinated in ovo with rAd-S1, rAd-GM-S1 (GM-CSF fused with S1 using glycine linkers) and rAd-GM-CSF plus rAd-S1 (co-administered) developed specific anti-IBV HI antibodies. Moreover, the fusion of the GM-CSF markedly increased spleen cell proliferation and IFN-γ production while mild increased in IL-4 production, which demonstrated the enhancement of cell-mediated immune responses. Following challenge with IBV, the chickens in the group vaccinated with rAd-S1 fused or co-administered with GM-CSF had fewer nephropathic lesions and showed 100% protection as compared to that of rAd-S1 alone which showed 70% protection. It indicated that the single dose in ovo vaccination of the GM-CSF fused or co-administered with S1 of IBV could enhance significantly the humoral, cellular immune responses and provide complete protection against nephropathogenic IBV challenge. This finding may provide basic information for effective in ovo vaccines design against IBV.     

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒分子生物学研究进展

鸡传染性(IBV)支气管炎是由冠状病毒属传染性支气管炎病毒引起的高度接触性传染病。此病在世界各地均有发生,危害严重,给全球养禽业造成巨大的经济损失。IBV血清型较多且抗原易发生变异,肾型和肠型变异株的出现,给该病的诊断和防治造成了困难。近年来国内外学者对其研究不断深入,特别在病毒基因组的组成、病毒结构蛋白的功能、病毒的转录合成机制、病毒粒子的组装等方面取得了重要进展,所有这些成果为IBV预防与控制提供了科学依据。     

Isolation and identification of four infectious bronchitis virus strains in China and analyses of their S1 glycoprotein gene

Between 2003 and 2005, four strains of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) were isolated from the vaccinated chicken flocks in China. The results from chicken embryo cross-neutralization assays showed that all the four isolates were relative to strain A2 of IBV, which was isolated in 1996 in Beijing and related to strain 4/91. The S1 gene of the spike protein was amplified and sequenced. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence of the S1 gene had a similar degree of identity (88.98-99.28%) among the four Chinese IBV isolates. The identity of the S1 protein gene between the four Chinese IBV isolates and 14 strains of other IBVs varied from 70.06 to 81.59%. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that there are at least four groups of IBVs circulating in China and the disease outbreaks might have been caused by infection of multiple strains of IBV.     

鸡传染性支气管炎强毒分离株遗传进化分析和免疫保护试验

从山东省发病鸡群中分离鉴定了一株鸡传染性支气管炎病毒（Infectious bronchitis virus,IBV）强毒株SDIB821/2012,对其进行S1基因序列测定分析和免疫保护试验。S1基因遗传进化分析结果显示,SDIB821/2012属于以QXIBV为代表的基因型,与同属一个基因型的IBV参考株氨基酸同源性为91.6%～98.5%,与疫苗株491同源性为77.6%,与H120和MA5同源性均为74.8%。免疫保护试验结果显示,根据试验鸡临床症状和发病死亡情况,弱毒活疫苗491对SDIB821/2012的保护率为90%,而H120和MA5对SDIB821/2012的保护率分别仅为40%和33%。攻毒后各免疫组喉头、泄殖腔棉拭样品以及气管、肺脏和肾脏组织均可检测到病毒,表明3种IB疫苗均不能对SDIB821/2012提供完全的免疫保护。     

中国肾型IBV毒株的基因型及其S1基因的巢式PCR

用本研究建立的ＩＢＶＳ１基因的巢式ＰＣＲ方法鉴定了国内５个肾型传染性支气管炎病毒（ＩＢＶ）分离株。以此５个分离株及３个标准毒株的ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ产物（１７４９ｂｐ，含Ｓ１基因）为模板，１对内部引物经巢式ＰＣＲ都获得１７２９ｂｐ的产物，另１对内部引物的巢式ＰＣＲ有大小不同的产物（１６７８ｂｐ或０．５、０．６ｋｂ）。参照以前的ＲＦＬＰ分析结果，探讨了中国肾型ＩＢＶ毒株的基因型状况。     

First evidence of the emergence of novel putative infectious bronchitis virus genotypes in Cuba

The emergence of new infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) genotypes or serotypes along with the poor cross-protection observed among IBV serotypes have complicated the avian infectious bronchitis (IB) control programs in different geographic regions. In Cuba, the lack of genetic information regarding IBV and the increasing epidemiological importance of this virus in Cuban chicken flocks demand further characterization of IBV isolates. In the present work, studies of genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among recent IBV isolates from Cuban chicken flocks showing respiratory disorders were performed. Two putative genotypes genetically different to the Massachusetts genotype H120 strain used in the Cuban vaccination program were found in the flocks assessed. In addition, a potential nephropathogenic IBV isolate was found by first time in Cuba.     

Pathogenicity of infectious bronchitis virus isolates from Ontario chickens

Infectious bronchitis (IB) is one of the important viral diseases of chickens, and in spite of regular vaccination, IB is a continuous problem in Canadian poultry operations. In an earlier study using sentinel chickens we determined the incidence of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in Ontario commercial layer flocks. The objective of this study was to determine the pathogenicity of 5 nonvaccine-related IBV isolates recovered from the sentinel birds. The clinical signs, gross, and histological lesions in specific pathogen-free chickens indicated that all 5 isolates caused mild lesions in the respiratory tract. An important finding of this study was the significantly lower average daily weight gain among virus-inoculated groups of chickens during the acute phase of infection. Based on sequences of part of the S1 gene IBV-ON2, IBV-ON3, and IBV-ON5 formed a cluster and they were closely related to strain CU-82792. IBV-ON4 had 98.7% identity with the strain PA/1220/9, a nephropathogenic variant.     

Ultrastructural study of infectious bronchitis virus infection in infundibulum and magnum of commercial laying hens

The infundibulum and magnum of the oviduct were examined in hens in full lay which were infected with two Australian strains of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). The ultramicroscopic changes in the infundibulum and magnum were compared with control hens which had eggs at different positions in the oviduct. The ciliated and granular cells of the surface epithelia and secretory epithelial cells of the tubular glands were the target cells of IBV. No pathological changes were recorded during 2-8 days post-infection (p.i.). Patchy loss of cilia occurred at 10-14 days p.i. Between 16 and 24 days p.i., there was no cilia loss and lymphoid nodules were observed in the muscularis layer of the infundibulum and magnum of some hens from both infected groups. Virus particles were detected mostly in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and Golgi complex between 10 and 12 days p.i. Cytopathology was noticed in various cell organelles between the 10th and 14th days p.i. There was an increase in RER deposits in infected cells, irrespective of egg position in the oviduct. The magnum was more affected than the infundibulum. Cellular changes were more severe in the infundibulum and magnum of T-infected hens as compared to N1/88-infected hens. Eggs with watery whites which were laid by infected hens could be attributed to cytopathological changes in the granular epithelial cells and tubular gland epithelial cells of the magnum resulting in reduced synthesis of albumen proteins. IBV can cause pathology in parts of the fully functional oviduct which may persist up to the 30th day p.i. However, both the challenge strains of IBV can cause a small number of hens to cease production. Loss of cilia in both the infundibulum and magnum pose a potential threat of secondary bacterial infection and also may affect fertility in breeder hens.     

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to (poly100)S1 protein of avian infectious bronchitis virus

Fragments within S1 genes ((poly100)S1) of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strains ZJ971, M41 and SC021202 (SC) were subcloned into a prokaryotic expression vector and expressed in Escherichia coli. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the recombinant (poly100)S1 proteins were produced, characterized and used to analyse epitopes on the S1 subunit of IBV. Nine mAbs raising from the three (poly100)S1 proteins recognized five different epitopes of the S1 subunit, designated as S1-A, B, C, D and E. Epitopes S1-C and S1-D are common for the three IBV strains, while S1-A and S1-B exist on ZJ971 and M41 strains, and S1-E was a strain-specific epitope for SC strain. Immunocytochemistry indicated that all the mAbs to the (poly100)S1 proteins can react with the homologous S1 glycoprotein expressed in Vero cells. Moreover neutralization test demonstrated that only mAbs 6E2, 4F9 and 6G4 had neutralization activity for the homologous IBV. These mAbs to (poly100)S1 protein were potential candidates for detecting and distinguishing IBV strains, and also used to examine antigenic variation of the S1 protein.     

Vaccine efficacy against Ontario isolates of infectious bronchitis virus

Infectious bronchitis (IB) is an economically important viral disease with worldwide distribution. Every country with an intensive poultry industry has infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). The virus rapidly spreads from bird to bird through horizontal transmission by aerosol or ingestion. Sentinel bird studies were carried out in southern Ontario and IBV has been isolated from layer flocks. Genetic analysis of the S1 region of the strains showed that they were not vaccine related. The pathogenicity of selected Ontario variants of IBV isolates was studied and the subsequent work was to determine the degree of protection against field isolates provided by a commonly used vaccine MILDVAC-Ma5 in Ontario. The protection was evaluated by challenging immunized chickens with the respiratory (IBV-ON1) and nephropathogenic (IBV-ON4) viruses. The mean vaccine efficacy for IBV-ON1 was 66.7% indicating that a Massachusetts serotype vaccine would provide some protection against IBV field isolates.     

The infection of primary avian tracheal epithelial cells with infectious bronchitis virus

Here we introduce a culture system for the isolation, passaging and amplification of avian tracheal epithelial (ATE) cells. The ATE medium, which contains chicken embryo extract and fetal bovine serum, supports the growth of ciliated cells, goblet cells and basal cells from chicken tracheas on fibronectin- or matrigel-coated dishes. Non-epithelial cells make up less than 10% of the total population. We further show that ATE cells support the replication and spread of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Interestingly, immunocytostaining revealed that basal cells are resistant to IBV infection. We also demonstrate that glycosaminoglycan had no effect on infection of the cells by IBV. Taken together, these findings suggest that primary ATE cells provide a novel cell culture system for the amplification of IBV and the in vitro characterization of viral cytopathogenesis.     

传染性支气管炎病毒非结构蛋白nsp5在真核细胞中的重组表达及鉴定

本文以嗜肾型鸡传染性支气管炎病毒(Infectious bronchitis virus,IBV)毒株的RNA为模板,通过RT-PCR扩增获得IBV非结构蛋白5(non-structural protein,nsp5)基因片段后,构建了杆状病毒重组质粒IBVnsp5-Bacmid。IBVnsp5-Bacmid转染Sf9细胞,获得nsp5重组杆状病毒,经(immunofluorescence assay,IFA)和Western blot检测到转染细胞表达的nsp5蛋白。进一步从感染的细胞中纯化重组蛋白,并用纯化的蛋白免疫小鼠制备了抗nsp5的多抗血清,该多抗血清可检测到IBV四川株SC021202感染的DF-1细胞中特异性的nsp5蛋白。结果表明IBV nsp5在Bac-to-Bac真核表达系统中获得了成功表达,而且具有良好的免疫原性和反应原性。     

传染性支气管炎病毒感染对蛋雏鸡输卵管雌激素受体及孕激素受体表达的影响

以不同传染性支气管炎病毒（肾型IBV-河北分离株与呼吸型IBV-M41）分别感染蛋雏鸡,通过测定输卵管蛋白分泌部及子宫雌激素受体（Estrogen receptor,ER）和孕激素受体（Progesterone receptor,PR）的表达水平,来探讨IBV早期感染（10d）对抑制蛋鸡输卵管发育的作用机制。结果显示,IBV感染降低子宫和蛋白分泌部ER mR-NA、PR mRNA的表达水平,即致子宫ER mRNA和PR mRNA的表达低于检测水平;蛋白分泌部ER mRNA和PR mRNA的表达水平显著降低（P〈0.01）,且M41的作用幅度较肾型IBV更为显著（P〈0.01）。结果表明,IBV可通过降低ER和PR的表达水平,抑制输卵管对雌激素的应答能力而影响输卵管的发育。