Isolation and molecular characterization of Sul/01/09 avian infectious bronchitis virus, indicates the emergence of a new genotype in the Middle East

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) was isolated from trachea and kidney tissues of eight broiler farms in Kurdistan region of North Iraq from 2008 to 2010. The birds were suffering from respiratory and nephropathological symptoms and lesions. A 1116 bp hyper mutable spike glycoprotein (S1) gene was amplified and sequenced using conventional RT-PCR. Sequence analysis and BLAST homology search in GenBank data base indicate that two of the farms were infected with the 4/91 strain, one with an unidentified IBV and five were infected with Sul/01/09. The birds in the latter five farms were suffering from nephropathogenic lesions, however, the virus was isolated from kidney but not from trachea in these cases. The birds were vaccinated regularly with 4/91 or MA5 vaccine. The deduced amino acid sequence of the isolated and amplified S1 subunit (372 aa) of Sul/01/09 was differed in 27-28% from that of all three vaccine strains (4/91, MA5, and H120) used in the region. This dissimilarity is most likely the cause of poor efficacy of vaccines used in the region, at least in five of these farms. Amino acid sequence comparison and phylogenetic tree analysis with other published IBV genotypes indicate that this newly isolated virus together with other regionally related and recently published isolates from Israel (IS/720/99, IS/885) and Egypt (egypt/Benisuef/01) belong to a new genotype. This is the first report of identification and genotyping of IBV isolate in Iraq, which indicate the circulation of 4/91 along with a new variant (Sul/01/09) of IBV in vaccinated broiler farms.     

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.     

Evaluation of the protection conferred by commercial vaccines and attenuated heterologous isolates in China against the CK/CH/LDL/97I strain of infectious bronchitis coronavirus

Avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes tremendous economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. Different serotypes of this virus show little cross-protection. The present study investigated the genotypic relationship between CK/CH/LDL/97I-type strains and reference IBVs based on S1 gene comparisons and the protection provided by vaccination with commercial vaccines and attenuated homologous and heterologous strains. Phylogenetic analysis and the comparison of S1 showed that CK/CH/LDL/97I-type virus might be a new serotype compared to vaccine strains and other types of IBV isolates in China. Protection efficacy was evaluated by morbidity, mortality, and virus re-isolation from the challenged chicks. Complete protection by IBV vaccination was provided by the homologous strain but sufficient respiratory protection was not provided by the commercial vaccines. Heterologous strains against CK/CH/LDL/97I challenge and the development of a vaccine against CK/CH/LDL/97I-type IBV will be necessary to control infectious bronchitis disease in poultry. Further development of the attenuated CK/CH/LDL/97I strain may provide a valuable contribution towards this goal.     

Evaluation of protection conferred by a vaccination program based on the H120 and CR88 commercial vaccines against a field variant of avian infectious bronchitis virus

Due to serotype variations among different avian infectious bronchitis viruses isolated in Tunisia since 2000, protection of chicks, especially broiler flocks, with Mass H120 vaccine often fails. Therefore, association of CR88 (793B type) with H120 vaccines was used for better response. Challenge experiments were then conducted to evaluate tracheal and renal cross-protection in chickens immunized via nasal and eye drops. Conferred protection was measured by clinical signs and macroscopic lesions observed, based on scores attributed according to their severities. The results showed a low protection conferred by H120 alone, as vaccination did not reduce tracheal and kidney lesions (70% scored as 3) after TN20/00 virus challenge, which also led to 10% mortality. Conversely, the challenge results indicated that the combination of the 2 strains (H120/CR88) allow high protection. Based on the results of the challenge experiments, a vaccination protocol coupling CR88 to H120 was applied for industrial broiler flocks. Clinical observations and serological results confirmed that association of heterologous serotypes (H120 and CR88 vaccines) increased the levels of protection against infectious bronchitis viruses compared with the H120 vaccine given alone.     

Evaluation of the effectiveness of two infectious bronchitis virus vaccine programs for preventing disease caused by a California IBV field isolate

Infectious bronchitis virus CA99 serotype was isolated from several broiler flocks in Northern California. The virus caused late-onset respiratory disease and increased airsacculitis condemnation in affected flocks despite the use of an established infectious bronchitis virus vaccination program. An experimental study compared Holland/Arkansas and Massachusetts/Arkansas vaccination protocols to determine the efficacy of commercial infectious bronchitis virus vaccines in reducing respiratory disease and airsacculitis lesions found at processing that were associated with a CA99 field isolate. All vaccination groups were given Massachusetts/Connecticut strains of infectious bronchitis virus vaccines at age 1 day followed by vaccination with either Holland/ Arkansas or Massachusetts/Arkansas vaccine strains at 18 days of age. Birds were challenged at age 31 days with a CA99 field isolate. Gross pathology, histopathology, and virus isolation were evaluated. Chickens vaccinated with Holland/Arkansas had marginally better protection against CA99 challenge than chickens vaccinated with Massachusetts/Arkansas, although differences were not statistically significant.     

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。     

Emergence of novel strains of avian infectious bronchitis virus in Sweden

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes avian infectious bronchitis, an important disease that produces severe economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. Recent IBV infections in Sweden have been associated with poor growth in broilers, drop in egg production and thin egg shells in layers. The complete spike gene of selected isolates from IBV cases was amplified and sequenced using conventional RT-PCR. Nucleotide and amino acid sequence comparisons have shown that the recent isolates bear 98.97% genetic similarity with strains of the QX-like genotype. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that strains predominant in the nineties, which were of the Massachusetts type, have been replaced by D388/QX-like strains, however the evolutionary link could not be established. The homology between the two genotypes was 79 and 81%. Remarkably, a strong positive selection pressure was determined, mostly involving the S1 subunit of the S gene. This strong selective pressure resulted in recombination events, insertions and deletions in the S gene. Two new isolates generated from recombination were found with nucleotide sequence diverging 1.7-2.4% from the D388/QX-like branch, indicating the emergence of a new lineage. The study demonstrates a constant evolution of IBV that might be in relation to increased poultry farming, trade and vaccine pressure. The findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring to control spread of infections, as well as to timely adjust diagnostic methods, molecular epidemiological studies, development and use of vaccines that are adapted to the changing disease scenario.     

传染性支气管炎病毒疫苗研究进展

传染性支气管炎给我国规模化养鸡业造成巨大的经济损失,由此尝试研制重组鸡痘病毒传染性支气管炎病毒基因工程疫苗了解其免疫效应,以期获得高效而安全的基因工程疫苗。为更好地了解鸡传染性支气管炎的防治现状,文章从各种表达载体系统表达传染性支气管炎病毒蛋白的优缺点及其产生免疫保护效应的角度,对近年来传染性支气管炎病毒疫苗研究的发展状况做了简要概述,且针对传染性支气管炎病毒基因工程疫苗现存的问题,展望了将来的发展趋势。     

Characterisation of an infectious bronchitis virus isolated from vaccinated broiler breeder flocks.

Four apparently serologically closely related isolates of infectious bronchitis virus were obtained from two flocks of vaccinated broiler breeders, one mile apart, which were experiencing increased mortality and decreases in egg production. The isolates were serologically distinct from isolates previously described and capable of causing characteristic infectious bronchitis-like respiratory infection in young chicks. In one experiment, the H120 vaccine strain of the virus did not protect the trachea against challenge with the new isolates 21 days later.     

Attenuation, safety, and efficacy of an infectious bronchitis virus GA98 serotype vaccine

In 1998, novel strains of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) were identified in chickens from the southeastern United States and classified as a new serotype designated Georgia 98 (GA98). Because of the widespread nature of the GA98 virus in the southeastern United States and the lack of adequate protection with the DE072 vaccine, we developed a specific vaccine for the GA98 serotype. The GA98/0470/98 isolate of IBV was passaged in embryonating chicken eggs 70 times, and attenuation of the virus was determined in specific-pathogen-free chicks. Pass 70 of the GA98/0470/98 strain of IBV when given at 1 day of age by coarse spray and at 14 days of age in the drinking water at 1 x 10(4.5) 50% embryo infectious dose/bird protected against the homologous GA98 challenge as well as provided good protection against the DE072-type virus. In addition, the vaccine was shown to be adequately attenuated and safe at a 10x dosage.     

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒SX01株的分离鉴定及M基因序列分析

本试验通过鸡胚矮小试验、血凝试验和RT-PCR等方法,从华北地区某鸡场发生疑似肾型传染性支气管炎的发病鸡群分离了1株鸡传染性支气管炎病毒,命名为SX01株.结果显示该分离株能引起鸡胚典型的临床症状;经1%胰酶处理后的尿囊液可凝集鸡红细胞,而未处理的则无血凝活性;利用RT-PCR对分离株M基因序列测定分析结果显示,SX01株的M基因核苷酸序列与GX-GL分离株同源性高达99.4%,与QX基因型毒株SDZB0808核苷酸同源性高达99.1%,与H120株同源性仅为90.0%,与BJ/00/02株M基因核苷酸同源性较低,为90.6%.遗传进化分析结果显示,该分离株与中国地方型分离株(GX-GL、SDZB0808、CK/CH/LJL/110302、DY07、IBVSX7)亲缘关系较近,位于同一进化分支;与H120代表的Mass型疫苗株的亲缘关系较远,是一株肾型传染性支气管炎病毒毒株.     

鸡传染性支气管炎活疫苗(D971p株)的研究

从国内发病鸡群中分离到传染性支气管炎（嗜腺胃型）病毒（IBV-D971株），在SPF鸡胚上连续传至120代，培育出IBV-D971p弱毒株。用该毒株制备活疫苗，经安全、效力等试验证明具有较高的免疫保护率和安全性，能有效的预防腺胃型、肾型鸡传染性支气管炎。     

Further studies on the immunization of chickens with temperature-sensitive Mycoplasma gallisepticum mutant

Newly hatched chickens were immunized with a temperature-sensitive (TS) Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) mutant (TS 100). Immunized chickens resisted challenge with the virulent S6 strain. The dose of TS MG needed for protection was less than 3.3 X 10(4) colony-forming units. After immunization with TS 100, chickens were subjected to a variety of virus infection and immunosuppressive treatments. Neonatal bursectomy or thymectomy, infectious bursal disease virus infection, and infectious bronchitis virus vaccination or a combination of infectious bronchitis virus and Newcastle disease virus vaccination did not contribute to the development of air-sac lesions in TS MG-immunized chickens. Infectious bronchitis virus vaccination enabled MG to migrate from the nasal cavity to the trachea but not to the air sacs. The TS MG vaccine appears to be a safe immunogen.     

2006年至2010年山东省鸡传染性支气管炎病毒分子变异的研究

为研究山东省鸡传染性支气管炎病毒(IBV)的遗传变异规律,本研究2006年～2010年从山东省发病的商品鸡中分离鉴定了17株IBV,并对其S1基因、N基因和M基因分别进行RT-PCR扩增、测序及遗传进化分析.序列分析结果表明:与疫苗株H120相比,17个分离株S1蛋白的变异程度较大,存在广泛的基因突变和氨基酸替代,多数病毒株还存在氨基酸的插入;N蛋白无碱基的缺失和插入,仅存在核苷酸的突变和氨基酸的替代;M蛋白除病毒株CK/CH/SD09/005插入3个碱基外,其它16个分离株仅存在少数的碱基突变和氨基酸替代.S1基因、N基因和M基因的系统进化分析结果表明多数分离株的3个基因在进化上相对平行,与国内分离株LX4同属一个进化分支,同源性较高;分离株SDYT0605的3个基因与疫苗株H120同源性较高,可能是免疫压力下变异的疫苗株;分离株SDTA06111、SDWF0608和CK/CH/SD09/005的S1基因、N基因和M基因分属于不同的进化分支,可能发生了基因重组.本研究结果显示基因突变、插入和不同基因之间的重组是免疫压力下IBV变异的主要方式.     

Protection of chickens after live and inactivated virus vaccination against challenge with nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus PA/Wolgemuth/98

Protection provided by live and inactivated virus vaccination against challenge with the virulent nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus (NIBV) strain PA/Wolgemuth/98 was assessed. Vaccinations with combinations of live attenuated strains Massachusetts (Mass) + Connecticut (Conn) or Mass + Arkansas (Ark) were given by eyedrop to 2-wk-old specific-pathogen-free leghorn chickens. After live infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccination, some chickens at 6 wk of age received an injection of either an oil emulsion vaccine containing inactivated IBV strains Mass + Ark or an autogenous vaccine prepared from NIBV PA/Wolgemuth/98. Challenge with PA/Wolgemuth/98 was given via eyedrop at 10 wk of age. Serum IBV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibody geometric mean titers (GMTs) after vaccination with the combinations of live attenuated strains were low, ranging from 184 to 1,354, prior to NIBV challenge at 10 wk of age. Both inactivated vaccines induced an anamnestic response of similar magnitudes with serum GMTs of 6,232-12,241. Assessment of protection following NIBV challenge was based on several criteria virus reisolation from trachea and kidney and renal microscopic pathology and IBV-specific antigen immunohistochemistry (IHC). Live attenuated virus vaccination alone with combinations of strains Mass + Conn or Mass + Ark did not protect the respiratory tract and kidney of chickens after PA/Wolgemuth/98 challenge. Chickens given a live combination vaccination of Mass + Conn and boosted with an inactivated Mass + Ark vaccine were also susceptible to NIBV challenge on the basis of virus isolation from trachea and kidney butshowed protection on the basis of renal microscopic pathology and IHC. Live IBV-primed chickens vaccinated with an autogenous inactivated PA/Wolgemuth/98 vaccine had the highest protection against homologous virulent NIBV challenge on the basis of virus isolation.     

Cross-immunity in chickens using seven isolates of avian infectious bronchitis virus

Groups of 75 chickens were each infected with one of 7 isolates of infectious bronchitis virus (Mass 41, Holland 52, SE 17, Ark 99, Clark 333, JMK, and Florida). Following recovery, they were challenged along with susceptible controls to the homologous and 6 heterologous isolates. Cross-immunity was determined by virus recovery 4 or 5 days post-challenge. Challenge with the homologous isolate resulted in 90-100% protection. Challenge with heterologous isolates gave variable results and an overall average resistance of 38%. The SE-17-recovered chickens had a 50% protection, whereas the Holland-52-recovered chickens ahd a 13.3% protection.