Molecular characterization of reticuloendotheliosis virus insertions in the genome of field and vaccine strains of fowl poxvirus

Evidence of the widespread occurrence of reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) sequence insertions in fowl poxvirus (FPV) genome of field isolates and vaccine strains has increased in recent years. However, only those strains carrying a near intact REV provirus are more likely to cause problems in the field. Detection of the intact provirus or REV protein expression from FPV stocks has proven to be technically difficult. The objective of the present study was to evaluate current and newly developed REV and FPV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to detect the presence of REV provirus in FPV samples. The second objective was to characterize REV insertions among recent "variant" FPV field isolates and vaccine strains. With REV, FPV, and heterologous REV-FPV primers, five FPV field isolates and four commercial vaccines were analyzed by PCR and nucleotide sequence analysis. Intact and truncated REV 5' long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences were detected in all FPV field isolates and vaccine strains, indicating heterogeneous REV genome populations. However only truncated 3' LTR and envelope sequences were detected among field isolates and in one vaccine strain. Amplifications of the REV envelope and 3' LTR provided strong evidence to indicate that these isolates carry a near intact REV genome. Three of the four FPV vaccine strains analyzed carried a solo complete or truncated 5' LTR sequence, indicating that intact REV provirus was not present. Comparison of PCR assays indicated that assays amplifying REV envelope and REV 3' LTR sequences provided a more accurate assessment of REV provirus than PCR assays that amplify the REV 5' LTR region. Therefore, to differentiate FPV strains that carry intact REV provirus from those that carry solo 5' LTR sequences, positive PCR results with primers that amplify the 5' LTR should be confirmed with more specific PCR assays, such as the envelope, or the REV 3' LTR PCR.     

鸡痘病毒分离株及疫苗株整合网状内皮组织增生病病毒的基因分析

为了解山东地区鸡痘病毒(FPV)野毒流行株整合禽网状内皮组织增生病病毒(REV)前病毒的情况,同时比较FPV分离株和弱毒疫苗株整合REV前病毒序列的差异,本研究对山东不同地区的14个FPV分离株和国内外不同厂家的5个FPV疫苗株进行了REV前病毒整合区基因PCR扩增、核苷酸序列测定及基因分析.结果表明14个FPV分离株均整合了几乎全长的REV前病毒序列,这些序列与美国分离的FPV整合株AF246698的整合序列同源性最高,与REV标准株同源性较低;疫苗株均仅整合部分或完整的REV-LTR序列,但国产与进口疫苗株的整合序列不同,国产疫苗整合的LTR片段相对较小.研究表明所分离的山东FPV分离株均整合全长REV序列,疫苗株仅整合REV-LTR序列.然而FPV整合病毒株的致病特性、整合疫苗的安全性及对整合FPV野毒的免疫保护作用有待于进一步研究.     

Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) long terminal repeats incorporated in the genomes of commercial fowl poxvirus vaccines and pigeon poxviruses without indication of the presence of infectious REV

Because of reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) contamination in commercial poultry vaccines, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays have been described to increase the sensitivity of biological assays used to detect REV in vaccines. The PCR assay designed to amplify the long terminal repeat (LTR) region of REV identified REV LTRs in many of the commercial fowl poxvirus (FPV) vaccines evaluated. These commercial vaccines were not thought to be contaminated with replicating REV because of the lack of REV outbreaks, the lack of in vitro amplification, and lack of a serologic response to REV. As previously described, the FPV S vaccine strain is known to carry infectious integrated proviral REV, whereas FPV M vaccine strain and its derivatives carry integrated LTRs or remnants of REV proviral DNA inserted into the FPV genome. Another PCR assay designed to amplify the envelope gene of REV was used to verify that the envelope proviral gene was not present in REV LTR PCR-positive samples. Southern blot analysis with REV LTR probes hybridized to the 9-kb EcoRI genomic fragment of all FPV and pigeon poxviruses evaluated, whereas the envelope probe did not hybridize to any poxvirus genome. Sequence analysis of the 9-kb EcoRI fragment indicated that an integrated REV LTR exists in the 9-kb EcoRI of some poxvirus genomes. A new PCR assay designed to amplify integrated REV LTRs in the 9-kb EcoRI fragment identified complete and incomplete integrated REV LTRs in all FPV and pigeon poxvirus genomes evaluated.     

Preliminary molecular characterization of a fowl poxvirus isolate in Grenada

Two 1-mo-old local breed chickens, with gross lesions in the skin of the head region suspected to be fowl poxvirus infection, were submitted to the Diagnostic Laboratory of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Grenada, West Indies. Cutaneous lesions were collected from these birds for virus isolation, histopathologic diagnosis, and molecular analysis. Fowl poxvirus infection was confirmed by virus isolation in chicken embryo and by histopathology. Molecular characterization of the fowl poxvirus was conducted by PCR amplification of selected genomic fragments and by nucleotide sequencing. Integration of reticuloendotheliosis virus fragments into the fowl poxvirus genome was confirmed by PCR and DNA sequencing. This is the first report from the Caribbean region on the preliminary molecular characterization of a fowl poxvirus isolate.     

禽痘病毒表达载体在兽用重组疫苗中的应用

禽痘病毒表达载体是已构建表达外源基因的病毒载体中的一种，它在表达外源基因上具有明显的优势：(1)它的基因组结构庞大，能耐受较大的外源基因(25～35kb)在其基因组的不同位点插入。(2)严格的胞浆内复制，避免了病毒基因重组入宿主细胞染色体的可能性。且禽痘病毒的宿主范围较窄，仅感染禽类，在哺乳动物体内仅产生一过性感染，安全性较高。(3)表达产物(蛋白质)在翻译后的加工修饰过程与体内极为相似，因此活性高。且保留了相应的抗原性、免疫原性。基于这些特点，使得禽痘病毒载体不仅可作为禽源疫苗，而且还可作为哺乳动物乃至人类的基因工程活载体疫苗，具有广阔的应用前景。     

Existence of variant strains Fowlpox virus integrated with Reticuloendotheliosis virus in its genome in field isolates in Tanzania

Fowlpox virus (FPV) is one example of poultry viruses which undergoes recombination with Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV). Trepidation had been raised, and it was well established on augmented pathogenicity of the FPV upon integration of the full intact REV. In this study, we therefore intended at assessing the integration of REV into FPV genome of the field isolates obtained in samples collected from different regions of Tanzania. DNA extraction of 85 samples (scabs) was performed, and FPV-specific PCR was done by the amplification of the highly conserved P4b gene. Evaluation of FPV–REV recombination was done to FPV-specific PCR positively identified samples by amplifying the env gene and REV long terminal repeats (5′ LTR). A 578-bp PCR product was amplified from 43 samples. We are reporting for the first time in Tanzania the existence of variant stains of FPV integrated with REV in its genome as 65 % of FPV identified isolates were having full intact REV integration, 21 % had partial FPV–REV env gene integration and 5 % had partial 5′ LTR integration. Despite of the fact that FPV–REV integrated stains prevailed, FPV–REV-free isolates (9 %) also existed. In view of the fact that full intact REV integration is connected with increased pathogenicity of FPV, its existence in the FPV genome of most field isolates could have played a role in increased endemic, sporadic and recurring outbreaks in selected areas in Tanzania.     

Protection of turkeys from hemorrhagic enteritis with a recombinant fowl poxvirus expressing the native hexon of hemorrhagic enteritis virus.

Hemorrhagic enteritis (HE) is an economically important disease of turkeys caused by a type II aviadenovirus, hemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV). The vaccines currently available to the commercial poultry producer are highly effective in preventing disease outbreaks; however, they are immunosuppressive. A recombinant fowl poxvirus (rFPV) expressing the native hexon of HEV has been shown to induce an anti-HEV humoral immune response in turkeys. In this study, the rFPV expressing the native hexon of HEV was compared with a commercial HEV vaccine (vxHEV) for its ability to protect turkeys from virulent HEV challenge. Complete protection from the enteritis of HE was achieved in experimental groups vaccinated with either the rFPV or the vxHEV. Lymphocyte stimulation was measured in turkeys inoculated with rFPV, vxHEV, or a sublethal dose of HEV or not inoculated. No statistically significant immunodepression was observed in turkeys receiving the rFPV.     

鸡痘病毒在哺乳细胞内复制的研究

将重组鸡痘病毒在1种禽类细胞和13种哺乳动物及人的细胞内培养.通过电镜观察可见重组鸡痘病毒在CEE、BHK、PK、BTC、Vero细胞内的复制,同时用PCR方法扩增出目的基因,Western-blotting检测到目的蛋白,验证是鸡痘病毒.试验表明鸡痘病毒在禽类、个别哺乳动物细胞中可以复制,但尚未发现在人的细胞内复制;在CEF中可以稳定传30代以上;在BHK内第1代可以观察到细胞病变(CPE);在PK、BTC、Vero内第2代可以观察到CPE,证明鸡痘病毒在个别哺乳动物细胞发生复制,但不能稳定遗传.     

我国鸡痘病毒野毒重组株的流行初探

从山东、河南等省不同的鸡痘发病地区分离和鉴定了20株鸡痘病毒野毒株,并分别根据禽网状内皮组织增生症病毒（REV）和鸡痘病毒（FPV）的基因组设计合成了1对上游源自REV基因组和下游源自FPV基因组的引物。随机从20株FPV野毒株中挑选7株接种鸡胚成纤维细胞,提取细胞DNA作为模板,利用这对引物进行PCR反应,结果均扩增到了779bp大小的目的片段。将其中1个片段测序发现此片段为REV和FPV的整合序列,其中REV序列426个碱基,FPV序列为304个碱基。结果表明,我国FPV野毒中已整合入REV的基因序列,而且这种整合株所占比例相当高,已成为主要的流行毒株。     

国外禽痘病毒疫苗自然重组株整合序列的研究

本文根据禽痘病毒（FPV）基因组中禽网状内皮组织增生症病毒（REV）常见整合区域的序列设计合成一对引物，对国外一株FPV疫苗进行了PCR扩增，结果扩增出一条1478bp的片段，经过测序和序列分析表明该片段为REV和FPV的整合序列，FPV序列中整合了大小为193bp的REV长末端重复序列，进一步比较显示该序列与国外REV毒株APC566、713和SNV的同源性分别为：99．6％、98.0％和87．3％，与我国REV分离株HA9901的同源性只有83．6％。同时该REV整合序列与国外已经测定的FPV毒株AJ581527、AY255633、AF198100、AF006064和AF246698比较时发现，这些毒株中含有的REV序列不仅完全一致，而且REV序列的插入位点也完全相同。这说明国外FPV疫苗中不仅含有REV整合序列，而且已经存在多年了。     

Study of protection by recombinant fowl poxvirus expressing C-terminal nucleocapsid protein of infectious bronchitis virus against challenge.

A stable recombinant fowl poxvirus (rFPV) expressing the C-terminal region (119 amino acids) of the nucleocapsid (N) protein of an infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strain Ch3 was constructed by inserting the coding sequence within the thymidine kinase gene of fowl poxvirus (FPV) by homologous recombination. The N protein was expressed under control of the vaccinia virus promoter P7.5 in chicken embryo fibroblast cell cultures as seen in immunofluorescence assay and in rFPV-inoculated specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens by detecting antibodies with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A homologous IBV strain (Ch3) and two heterologous IBV strains (Ch5 and H4) were used to inoculate SPF chickens in a challenge to examine the protective efficacy of the rFPV. When the chickens were challenged with IBV Ch3 or Ch5, the control birds had respiratory signs of infections bronchitis, whereas all the vaccinated birds were clinically normal although low levels of the IBV infection were detected by a differential ELISA. In contrast, in the chickens challenged with IBV H4, all control birds and vaccinated birds suffered from the highly lethal IBV H4 infection. Our results suggest that the C-terminal 119 amino acid of the nucleocapsid expressed by FPV is a host-protective antigen and may induce cross-protective immunity against illness among some IBV strains.     

A comparison of the onset of protection induced by Newcastle disease virus strain B1 and a fowl poxvirus recombinant Newcastle disease vaccine to a viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease virus challenge

Four-week-old specific-pathogen-free white rock chickens were immunized with either a commercial recombinant fowl poxvirus-vectored Newcastle disease vaccine (FPN) expressing the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase and fusion protein genes of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain B1 or live NDV B1. Vaccinates and controls were challenged by eyedrop and intranasal (E/I) route with a viscerotropic velogenic NDV at 14 days postvaccination to determine the time of clearance of challenge virus. In a subsequent experiment, chickens were challenged at 3, 6, or 10 days postvaccination to determine the onset of immunity. Chickens that received a recommended field dose (1x) or a 0.01x dose of FP-N subcutaneously (s.c.) and were seropositive by hemagglutination-inhibition test at 14 days postvaccination cleared the challenge virus by 14 days postchallenge. Clinical Newcastle disease and high challenge virus titers in tissues were seen only in seronegative FP-N 0.01x dose vaccinates and controls. In a comparison of vaccination with FP-N (1x, 10(4,9) median tissue culture infective dose) s.c., B1 (10(6) median egg infective dose [EID50]) s.c., or B1 (10(6) EID50) E/I, chickens vaccinated at 6 or 10 days before challenge with all vaccines were protected against clinical disease, but only those vaccinated with B1 E/I 10 days before challenge were protected against infection with the challenge virus. Vaccination at 3 days before challenge with B1 E/I provided early protection, but severe nervous signs developed later and reduced overall protection to 60%, whereas disease in chickens vaccinated with B1 s.c. and FP-N s.c. 3 days before challenge was similar to the challenge controls.     

Construction and immunogenicity studies of recombinant fowl poxvirus containing the S1 gene of Massachusetts 41 strain of infectious bronchitis virus

The spike 1 (S1) surface glycoprotein of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is the major inducer of the generation of virus neutralizing antibodies, and the administration of purified S1 has been shown to elicit a protective immune response against virulent virus challenge. On the basis of these observations, recombinant fowl poxvirus (rFPV) containing a cDNA copy of the S1 gene of IBV Mass 41 (rFPV-S1) was constructed and its immunogenicity and vaccine potential were evaluated. Initially, rFPV-S1 was shown to express the S1 in vito by indirect immunofluorescence staining and western blot analyses. Later, in vivo expression was demonstrated by the detection of IBV-specific serum immunoglobulin G and neutralization antibodies in the sera of chickens immunized with rFPV-S1. That the recombinant virus elicited anti-IBV protective immunity was indicated by the manifested, relatively mild clinical signs of disease, decreased titers of recovered challenge virus, and less severe histologic changes of the tracheas in virulent IBV Mass 41-challenged chickens previously receiving rFPV-S1 as compared with parental fowl poxvirus (FPV)-vaccinated control birds. In contrast, chickens immunized with either recombinant or parental FPV were resistant to a subsequent virulent FPV challenge. As to a preferred method of immunization, wing web administration appeared to be superior to the subcutaneous route because a greater percentage of birds vaccinated by the former protocol exhibited an anti-IBV humoral immune response. Thus, rFPV-S1 has potential as a poultry vaccine against both fowl pox and infectious bronchitis.     

Growth and infectivity assays of the Israeli vaccine strain of fowl poxvirus in chicken embryo fibroblasts

The Israeli vaccine strain of fowl poxvirus grows efficiently in chicken embryo fibroblasts but not in cell lines derived from monkey kidney or human fibroblasts. We developed two assays for the titration of the infectivity of this virus in secondary cultures of chicken embryo fibroblasts. The first is a focus assay, in which minimum essential medium and SeaKem ME agarose were used for the overlay media. Under these conditions, clear virus foci appeared after 5 days of incubation at 37 C. The second assay is a semiautomatic colorimetric test based on the ability of live cells in culture to reduce the yellow tetrazolium salt 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT; thiazolyl blue) to its formazan derivative. The reagent was added to infected chicken embryo fibroblasts in 96-well plates 10 days after infection. The formazan formed during 2 hr was extracted with dimethyl sulfoxide, and its absorbance was read by an automatic microplate spectrophotometer. A good correlation of the infectivity titers of the virus was obtained by the two methods.     

Failure of a recombinant fowl poxvirus vaccine containing an avian influenza hemagglutinin gene to provide consistent protection against influenza in chickens preimmunized with a fowl pox vaccine

Vaccines against mildly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) have been used in turkeys within the United States as part of a comprehensive control strategy. Recently, AI vaccines have been used in control programs against highly pathogenic (HP) AI of chickens in Pakistan and Mexico. A recombinant fowl pox-AI hemagglutinin subtype (H) 5 gene insert vaccine has been shown to protect specific-pathogen-free chickens from HP H5 AI virus (AIV) challenge and has been licensed by the USDA for emergency use. The ability of the recombinant fowl pox vaccine to protect chickens preimmunized against fowl pox is unknown. In the current study, broiler breeders (BB) and white leghorn (WL) pullets vaccinated with a control fowl poxvirus vaccine (FP-C) and/or a recombinant fowl poxvirus vaccine containing an H5 hemagglutinin gene insert (FP-HA) were challenged with a HP H5N2 AIV isolated from chickens in Mexico. When used alone, the FP-HA vaccine protected BB and WL chickens from lethal challenge, but when given as a secondary vaccine after a primary FP-C immunization, protection against a HP AIV challenge was inconsistent. Both vaccines protected against virulent fowl pox challenge. This lack of consistent protection against HPAI may limit use to chickens without previous fowl pox vaccinations. In addition, prior exposure to field fowl poxvirus could be expected to limit protection induced by this vaccine.     

Reticuloendotheliosis in a dog.

A case of reticuloendotheliosis in a 7-year-old Gordon Setter is reported. Progressive weakness, debility, and diarrhea with melena were the presenting complaints. Clinical evaluation revealed splenomegaly, severe nonregenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia with many large blast cells in the peripheral blood. Necropsy revealed extensive involvement of bone marrow, spleen, liver, lymph nodes, kidneys, and adrenals. Gastric and duodenal ulcers were also present. The course, clinical findings and cellular characteristics of the case presented, closely resemble those reported in the syndrome of reticuloendotheliosis in cats.     

Full genome sequence and virulence analyses of the recent equine isolate of Japanese encephalitis virus

In the past 25 years, there has been only one case of Japanese encephalitis in horses in Japan. We determined the full genome sequence of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) strain JEV/eq/Tottori/2003 isolated from an afflicted horse and also analyzed its virulence in mice. The sequence analysis showed that the genome of JEV/eq/Tottori/2003 is similar to that of genotype I, a dominant genotype of JEV presently circulating in Japan. Its neurovirulence, but not neuroinvasiveness, was still as high as it was for genotype III, thus indicating the necessity for continuation of a vaccination program of horses against JEV.