Outbreaks in Quebec pig farms of respiratory and reproductive problems associated with encephalomyocarditis virus.

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) was isolated from tissues of aborted fetuses and weaned and suckling piglets from 4 different pig farms in Quebec. The farms were experiencing reproductive failure in sows of different parities concomitant to respiratory problems in suckling and postweaning piglets. At necropsy, gross lesions were confined to the lung and consisted of pulmonary congestion and edema of various degrees. Lesions of multifocal interstitial to proliferative pneumonia were found in the lungs of these piglets. Bacteriologic examination of various tissues from necropsied pigs yielded no pathogens in most cases. No significant antibody titers against 3 swine viruses (transmissible gastroenteritis virus, porcine parvovirus, and swine influenza virus) and two bovine viruses (bovine viral diarrhea and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis viruses) were detected in the sera of convalescent pigs. The Quebec EMCV isolates were antigenically related to the reference ATCC-VR129 strain of EMCV, as demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence, serum neutralization (SN), and Western immunoblotting. However, one of the Quebec isolates could be distinguish by SN. EMCV-specific SN antibody titers up to 1:12,800 were detected in thoracic and ascitis fluids of aborted fetuses and in sera of convalescent pigs. A possible pneumotropic EMCV variant in swine may exist.     

5株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒血凝素蛋白分子特征分析和豚鼠间传播能力的评估

为研究H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)在哺乳动物间的传播能力,本研究以豚鼠为模型评价了5株H9N2亚型AIV在豚鼠体内的复制能力和水平传播能力,并分析了5株病毒血凝素(HA)蛋白的分子特征。结果表明,5株病毒均属于CK/Beijing谱系,其中2株病毒的HA具有人样受体特征(Lys226),2株病毒具有禽样受体特征(Gln226),而A/Chicken/JN/Li-2/2010(H9N2)株在该位点的氨基酸残基为苯丙氨酸(Phe226)。裂解位点分析表明,5株病毒均具有低致病性AIV特征。个别病毒的潜在糖基化位点存在增加或缺失现象。感染试验表明,5株病毒均能够在豚鼠呼吸道复制。并且在鼻甲骨处复制稳定,平均病毒滴度为2.01 Log EID50/mL～4.5 Log EID50/mL。传播试验表明,所有病毒株的人工接种豚鼠的鼻洗液中均能够检测到病毒,最长排毒期为接毒后第8 d,而接触组豚鼠鼻洗液中未检测到病毒。本研究表明,5株H9N2亚型AIV均属于CK/Beijing谱系,部分病毒株的HA蛋白已具备人样受体结合特征,并且关键氨基酸位点(226位)处出现新的突变。5株病毒均能够在豚鼠呼吸道复制并通过上呼吸道排毒,但不能在豚鼠间同群传播。     

Transplacental infection of porcine fetuses following experimental challenge inoculation with encephalomyocarditis virus.

Ten multiparous sows were inoculated between 46 and 50 days of gestation with a fetal swine isolate of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) to investigate the ability of the virus to cause transplacental infection and fetal death. Four sows (group 1) were inoculated IM with EMCV MN-25 that had been passaged 4 times on baby hamster kidney-21 line cell monolayers. Two sows were euthanatized at postinoculation (PI) day 23, and the other 2 sows at PI day 44. An additional 6 sows (group 2) were inoculated IM with the same virus that had been passaged 5 additional times in pigs. Two sows were euthanatized at 14 days, and the remaining 4 sows at PI day 28. Clinical signs were not observed in any of the sows, whereas all sows seroconverted to EMCV. In group 1, only 2 of 50 fetuses were mummified. Virus was not recovered, although EMCV antibodies were detected in the 2 mummified fetuses. In group 2, the 2 sows that were euthanatized at PI day 14 had 26 normal fetuses and there was no evidence of fetal infection. However, in the 4 sows euthanatized at PI day 28, 20 of 48 fetuses were mummified, hemorrhagic, or edematous. Encephalomyocarditis virus was recovered from 21 of 48 fetuses. Transplacental infection and fetal deaths in pregnant sows was achieved following infection with EMCV passaged in pigs.     

猪流感病毒H1N1、H1N2和H3N2亚型多重RT-PCR诊断方法的建立

对我国分离到的猪流感病毒和GenBank数据库中已有的猪流感病毒H1N1、H1N2和H3N2亚型毒株的HA、NA基因核苷酸序列进行分析,分别选出各个病毒亚型HA和NA基因中高度保守且特异的核苷酸区域,设计扩增猪流感病毒H1和H3、N1和N2亚型的2套多重PCR特异性引物,建立了猪流感H1N1、H1N2和H3N2亚型病毒多重RT-PCR诊断方法。采用该方法对H1N1、H1N2、H3N2亚型猪流感病毒标准参考株进行RT-PCR检测,结果均呈阳性,对扩增得到的片段进行序列测定和BLAST比较,表明为目的基因片段。其它几种常见猪病病毒和其它亚型猪流感病毒的RT-PCR扩增结果都呈阴性。对107EID50/0.1mL病毒进行稀释,提取RNA进行敏感性试验,RT-PCR最少可检测到102EID50的病毒量核酸。对40份阳性临床样品的检测结果是H1N1、H1N2和H3N2亚型分别为16份、1份和20份,其它3份样品同时含有H1N1和H3N2亚型猪流感病毒,和鸡胚分离病毒结果100%一致。试验证明建立的猪流感病毒H1N1、H1N2和H3N2亚型多重RT-PCR诊断方法是一种特异敏感的诊断方法,可用于临床样品的早期快速诊断和分型。     

Epidemiologic, pathogenic and molecular analysis of recent encephalomyocarditis outbreaks in Belgium.

In 1991 EMCV was isolated for the first time in Belgium from the offspring of a sow with reproductive failure. From August 1995 until December 1996, EMCV was diagnosed in 154 Belgian pig holdings in association with myocardial failure and sudden death in fatteners and suckling piglets or with reproductive failure in sows. To clarify some epidemiological aspects 3 EMCV isolates characteristic for the different clinical pictures and outbreaks were studied. Field observations and animal experiments indicated that the pathogenicity induced by each isolate is specific for one age category and that the spread of the virus is limited. The presented data also suggest that rodents may play a role in the transmission of EMCV but that pig-to-pig transmission is at least as important. Molecular analysis of two separate regions on the genomes of the respective EMCV isolates showed that the 1995-96 EMCV epizootic in Belgium was due to a new virus introduction. Furthermore, the VP1 coding gene is proposed as a marker of virulence.     

Isolation of a cytopathic virus from weak pigs on farms with a history of swine infertility and respiratory syndrome.

Severe clinical signs of swine infertility and respiratory syndrome (SIRS) of unknown cause were observed in several Minnesota swine farms between November 1990 and March 1991. Forty-five lung samples of weak pigs were collected from 13 swine farms, and virus isolation was attempted using swine alveolar macrophage (SAM) cultures. A cytopathic virus was isolated from 19 lung samples collected from 6 different farms. Four pregnant sows were infected intranasally with a tissue suspension from which virus was isolated, and 4 6-week-old pigs and 2 contact pigs were infected intranasally with 1 of the isolates. The 4 sows farrowed 12 stillborn and 32 normal pigs. Virus was recovered from 10 of 19 pigs examined. Infected 6-week-old pigs were clinically normal except for slightly elevated rectal temperatures and mild respiratory signs. No or mild interstitial pneumonic lesions were observed in inoculated pigs, but the lesion was obvious in the 2 contact pigs. Seroconversion was observed in sows and pigs as measured by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA). Serologic identification of the isolates was carried out by IFA using reference serum prepared from an experimentally infected sow. A cytoplasmic fluorescence was observed on the SAM monolayers infected with each of the 19 different isolates. Fluorescence was also observed when the monolayers were tested with SIRS virus ATCC VR-2332-infected sow sera. Replication of the isolates was not affected in the medium containing 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine but was inhibited by treatment with ether. The isolates were relatively stable at 56 C and did not agglutinate with various erythrocytes tested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Isolation and Identification of BPIV3 Genotype C

To identify the infection agents from Ningxia Hui Autonomous region, where feedlot cattle indicated bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC), the M gene of the bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 was amplified by RT-PCR.The PCR product was ligated to pMD18-T vector and cloned to E.coli DH5α.The positive clones were sequenced and compared with the reference strains in GenBank by the molecular biology software.Sequence alignment results showed that a BPIV3 strain was isolated from the samples and named NX49, the M gene of NX49 included 1 056 nucleotides.Evolutionary analysis showed that the NX49 belonged to BPIV3 C genotype and shared 99.4% nucleotide identity with that of the SD0835 isolated in Shandong province.The characterization of the NX49 demonstrated that it was sensitive to temperature, acid and organic matter.The presence of Mg²⁺ showed no protection against the treatment at high temperature.The HA test suggested that the NX49 enables to agglutinate the guinea pig RBC at 4 ℃ and the titer was 1∶4.The study isolated a BPIV3 genotype C strain successfully, which facilitate the study of molecular evolution and epidemiology of BPIV3 in China.     

Production of High Potency Anti-Teschen Disease Serum From Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

An antiserum of high antibody content against Teschen disease Konratice virus was obtained by inoculating rabbits and guinea pigs with an antigen composed of aluminum gel and virus propagated in swine kidney cell cultures. The rabbit and guinea pig serums neutralized 1,500 TCID₅₀ of virus at dilutions of 1:5,120 and 1:2,048, respectively. The antibody level in the rabbit serum was tenfold greater than that in convalescent swine serum. Rabbit serum neutralized 2.8 x 10⁶ plaque-forming units of the Konratice virus. At a dilution of 1:5,120, this serum neutralized 1,500 TCID₅₀ of the Reporyje virus. The methods used to prepare and assay the serum are described.     

H3N2亚型猪流感病毒中国分离株的克隆纯化及生物学特性

以有限稀释克隆法对29株H3N2亚型猪流感病毒(SIV)不同地区分离株进行纯化，并对其生物学特性进行了研究。结果，8株对鸡呈现中等致病力，21株对鸡呈现低致病力。不同地区SIV分离株(第5代)的EID50差异较大，以安徽分离株最高，为10^-10.77／0．2mL，其他毒株在10^-5.5～10^-10.56／0．2mL之间。黑龙江省分离株和浙江省分离株的LD50高达10^-2.84／0．1mL，其他分离株在10^-1.17～10^-2.56／0．1mL之间。经鸡胚分离传代后，SIV分离株均能凝集0．7％人“O”型血、绵羊、兔、豚鼠、小鼠、大鼠及鸡的红细胞，其红细胞凝集谱的差异主要表现在对马、牛、驴、猪红细胞的凝集特性上。大部分SIV分离株为热不稳定型，部分毒株表现为中等热稳定型和热稳定型。从其抗原特性看，大部分SIV分离株表现为亲和相，对AIV参考毒株DKUK63和SIV参考毒株SWTN77表现出较高的HI滴度；部分分离株经鸡胚传代后，出现了相别的变异。     

猪脑心肌炎病毒重组抗原间接ELISA诊断方法的建立与应用

以猪脑心肌炎病毒VP1重组蛋白为抗原,建立了检测猪脑心肌炎病毒(EMCV)血清抗体的间接ELISA诊断方法。经优化后抗原最适包被浓度为2μg/mL,血清最适稀释度为1∶50,其作用时间为90 min,酶标抗体最适稀释度为1∶20 000,最适作用时间为30 min。判定标准为OD450≥0.427为阳性,OD450≤0.35为阴性,介于二者之间为可疑。该重组蛋白与PRRSV、猪瘟、PCV2、FMDV抗体反应呈阴性,证明具有良好的特异性。应用该方法检测了来自我国不同地区的26家猪场的156份临床血清,结果证明我国部分规模化猪场已有猪脑心肌炎疾病存在。     

Characterization of swine infertility and respiratory syndrome (SIRS) virus (isolate ATCC VR-2332).

The characterization of an isolate of swine infertility and respiratory syndrome (SIRS) virus (ATCC VR-2332) is reported. A commercial cell line (CL2621) was used for the propagation of the virus for all assays. Laboratory studies indicate that this isolate is a fastidious, nonhemagglutinating, enveloped RNA virus. Cesium chloride-purified virions visualized by electron microscopy were spherical particles with an average diameter of 62 nm (range: 48-83 nm) and a 25-30 nm core surrounded by an envelope. Virus replication was restricted to the cytoplasm, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence. The virus did not react serologically with antisera to several common porcine viruses or with antisera to known viruses in the alphavirus, rubivirus, pestivirus, and ungrouped lactic dehydrogenase virus genera of the Togaviridae. However, convalescent sow sera and rabbit hyperimmune sera neutralized the SIRS virus at titers of 1:256 and 1:512, respectively. The virus was stable at 4 and -70 C, but was labile at 37 and 56 C. The properties of this isolate of SIRS virus resemble those of the family Togaviridae but do not match the described genera.     

Survival of pseudorabies virus in the presence of selected diluents and fomites.

Because of the importance of environmental survival of pseudorabies virus to proposals to eradicate the virus from swine in the United States, survival of the virus was studied in various diluents and on combinations of diluents and solid fomites at 25 C. Suspensions of the virus in phosphate-buffered saline and saline G solutions remained infectious for at least 10 days. Infectivity of other virus/diluent suspensions decreased to less than 10 plaque-forming units/ml in 14 days (swine urine), 7 days (well water), 4 days (swine saliva), 2 days (lagoon water and swine nasal washings), and 1 day (swine pit effluent, chlorinated water, and bile). Suspensions of pseudorabies virus in saline G solution and on the solid fomites, whole corn, and steel remained infectious for at least 7 days. Infectivity of other virus/diluent/fomite combinations decreased to less than 10 plaque-forming units/ml in 7 days. The role of the fomites as vehicles for transmission of infection is discussed.     

H3N2亚型猪流感病毒HA基因序列测定及抗原性分析

采用RT-PCR技术对4株H3N2亚型猪流感病毒的HA基因进行了扩增,将获得的PCR产物分别与pMD18-T克隆载体连接,进行序列测定。测序结果显示,4个毒株均含有完整的开放阅读框,并且均未发现核苷酸插入或缺失现象;分离毒株间核苷酸同源性为99.4%~99.7%,氨基酸同源性为98.2%~99.3%。同源性分析表明,4个毒株与2003年的猪流感病毒广东分离株有很高同源性(均在99%以上),说明近段时间我国H3N2亚型的猪流感病毒变异不大,重组的频率不是很高,同时又与人流感病毒香港分离株有较高的同源性(均为99.4%)。交叉血凝抑制试验显示,S3株与其他3毒株抗原性差异明显。鉴于猪在流感病毒传播与复制间的特殊地位,应密切监测猪流感。     

Retrospective genetic characterisation of Encephalomyocarditis viruses from African elephant and swine recovers two distinct lineages in South Africa

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) outbreaks are rare in southern Africa. Only two have been reported to date from South Africa, both coinciding with rodent irruptions. The first outbreak manifested as acute myocarditis in pigs in 1979, whilst the second, occurring from 1993 to 1994, was linked to the deaths of 64 free-ranging adult African elephants (Loxodonta africana). The P1 genome region, inclusive of the flanking leader (L) and 2A genes, of three South African isolates, one from swine and two from elephants, was characterised by PCR amplification and sequencing of up to 11 overlapping fragments. In addition to the resulting 3329 nucleotide dataset, the 3D region that is widely used in molecular epidemiology studies, was characterised, and three datasets (P1, VP1/3 and 3D), complemented with available homologous EMCV data, were compiled for analyses. Phylogenetic inferences revealed the near-identical elephant outbreak strains to be most closely related to a mengovirus from rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in Uganda, differing from the latter by between 11% (3D) and 15% (VP3/1). The South African pig isolate differed by 4% (3D) and 11% (VP3/1) from available European and Asian pig virus sequences. This study confirms the presence of two genetically distinct EMCV lineages recovered from sporadic outbreaks in wild and domestic hosts in southern Africa, and provides valuable baseline data for future outbreak eventualities in the sub-region.     

Serological Surveillance of Influenza A Virus Infection in Swine Populations in Fujian Province,China: No Evidence of Naturally Occurring H5N1 Infection in Pigs

Several highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses were isolated from swine populations in Fujian Province, China, since 2001. Because it is thought that H5N1 infection in pigs might result in virus adaptation to humans, we surveyed swine populations in Fujian Province in 2004 and 2007 for serological evidence of the infection. Twenty‐five pig farms covering all nine administrative districts of Fujian Province were sampled and a total of 1407 serum specimens were collected. The haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests revealed no evidence of H5 infection and only a few cases of H9 infection. The negative results for H5 infection were further verified by micro‐neutralization tests. By contrast, H1 influenza virus infections were prevalent in swine in both surveys according to the results of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The H3 infection rate was reduced dramatically in 2007 compared with 2004, when examined by HI and ELISA. In summary, the results imply that the swine populations in Fujian Province had not been affected greatly by the H5N1 avian influenza virus, given that there is no serological evidence that H5N1 influenza virus has infected the pig populations. The reported isolates represent only sporadic cases.     

Performance of ELISA antigens prepared from 8 isolates of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus with homologous and heterologous antisera.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) ELISA antigens of high quality were produced using 8 different isolates of PRRSV: the European Lelystad virus (LV), the U.S. MN-1b, 89-46448, 93-44927, and 93-24025B, and the Canadian LHVA-93-3, PA-8 and GH-6 virus isolates. The performance of each of these 8 antigens and a commercial PRRSV antibody test kit (Idexx's HerdChek) were measured against antisera raised in 5 groups of 6 piglets inoculated with either LV, MN-1b, 89-46448, 93-44927, or 93-24025B. Among the 8 isolates, the 89-46448 isolate produced the broadest spectrum of antigen and resulted in earlier detection of antibodies to various North American PRRSV isolates, followed by MN-1b as the 2nd best ELISA antigen for the detection of North American PRRSV antibodies. The GH-6 and PA-8 viral antigens exhibited restricted detection of PRRSV antibodies. The LV and 89-46448 combined antigens produced the best performance for the detection of antibodies against both European and North American antigenic types of PRRSV. Using 173 panel samples collected at 11 to 60 d after intranasal inoculation with 1 of the 5 PRRSV isolates, the sensitivities of the indirect ELISA used were 73.4%, 98.3%, 90.8%, 98.3%, 83.2%, 93.1%, 77.1%, 64.2%, 98.8% and 95.9% for LV, MN-1b, LHVA-93-3, 89-46448, 93-44927, 93-24025B, PA-8, GH-6 antigens, 89-46448-LV combined antigens and Idexx's PRRSV antibody test kit, respectively. All 8 antigens gave negative results with preinfection porcine sera (n = 30); high background or nonspecific reactions were not observed with the antigens.     

Differentiation of porcine enterovirus serotypes by complement fixation

A complement fixation test in microtitre plates for the differentiation of porcine enterovirus serotypes is described, employing guinea pig antisera prepared using inactivated purified viruses. Eleven porcine enterovirus serotypes and swine vesicular disease virus were compared and clearly distinguished from each other. In addition, 71 porcine enterovirus strains and isolates were tested and each was identified as belonging to one of the 11 serotypes.     

Molecular characterization of recent Korean porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) viruses and comparison to other Asian PRRS viruses

Twenty-eight PRRS viruses (PRRSVs) isolated from various pig farms in Korea between 2002 and 2003 were sequenced for open-reading frame (ORF) 5 and/or full-length genome and compared with numerous PRRSVs reported from North America, Europe and Asia. All Korean isolates examined were genetically of the North American genotype. The ORF5 sequence of one isolate was identical to Ingelvac PRRS MLV vaccine virus. ORF5 nucleotide sequence divergence of the remaining 27 Korean PRRSVs from VR-2332, the prototype of the North American PRRSV and parental strain of the MLV vaccine virus, ranged from 1.3% to 12.9%, which corresponded to 2.0% to 14.9% divergence at the amino acid level, raising a concern on the efficacy of the MLV vaccine. Phylogenetic analyses of ORF5 and/or full-length sequences revealed that the Korean PRRSVs formed a clade distinct from PRRSVs reported from other Asian countries (China, Taiwan, Japan, and Thailand). Our study demonstrated that PRRSVs of the North American genotype were introduced to the Korean swine population some time ago and have evolved independently from PRRSV in other Asian countries, suggesting that geographic separation might influence the molecular evolution of PRRSV. This should be taken into consideration when a national PRRS prevention and control policy for international trade is established.     

Serologic, virologic, and histopathologic observations of encephalomyocarditis virus infection in mummified and stillborn pigs

Stillborn and mummified swine fetuses from swine farms experiencing reproductive problems were investigated for evidence of infection with encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus by fetal serology, virus isolation, and histopathologic examination. Fetal sera or thoracic fluids of 478 abnormal fetuses collected during January through December 1987 were tested for the presence of antibody specific to EMC virus. Of 478 samples tested, 175 (36.6%) had EMC virus serum neutralizing antibody titers of 1:64 or greater. The samples positive for EMC virus antibody were obtained from 38 swine farms located in 9 states in the United States. In addition to serologic observations, tissue samples of some abnormal fetuses were examined for the presence of virus and histopathologic lesions. The EMC virus was isolated in 1 case from the fetuses of an aborted litter. The isolate was serologically identical to a reference EMC virus. Nonsuppurative encephalitis and myocarditis were observed in the fetal samples collected from 2 different herds. Thoracic fluid of 1 stillborn pig with lesions was positive for EMC virus antibody at a titer of 1:512. We suggest that a widespread reproductive problem recently experienced in several major swine-producing areas of the United States may have been caused by EMC virus infection.