Comparative analysis of monoclonal antibodies against pestiviruses: report of an international workshop

Thirty-three pestivirus strains were grown in cell culture and characterized by immunostaining with 19 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against hog cholera virus (HCV), with 42 MAbs against bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and with 13 MAbs against border disease virus (BDV). Seven MAbs reacted with all pestivirus strains tested, eight MAbs detected only the seven HCV strains, three detected only the 16 BVDV strains. No MAb was found that was specific for BDV. BVDV and BDV strains were broadly cross-reactive with the MAbs, indicating a close relationship between these two species, whereas HCV strains were characterized as distinct from BVDV and BDV.     

Characterization of porcine and some ruminant pestiviruses by cross-neutralization

Serologic relationships between 11 pestivirus strains that originated from pigs and five that originated from cattle or sheep were studied by cross-neutralization. Experiments were performed with pig and sheep sera raised against the strains. The results were analysed by a computerized taxonomic procedure. The 16 viruses were classified into four distinct serologic groups. All hog cholera virus (HCV) strains were classified in one group; the other three groups consisted of strains that can infect pigs, but that are identified as bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) or border disease virus (BDV), or showed a closer relationship to BVDV and BDV than to HCV.     

Antigenic comparisons of hog cholera virus isolates from Europe, America and Asia using monoclonal antibodies

Nineteen monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with specificity for hog cholera virus (HCV) were prepared. They were used in an immune binding (peroxidase linked) assay to determine the reaction patterns of HCV isolates from Europe, Brazil, USA, Japan and Malaysia, as well as laboratory reference strains of the virus. A further panel of 17 MAbs raised against bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) was included in the study, together with 5 MAbs raised against a non-HCV pestivirus of porcine origin. All the MAbs were also tested against representative strains of BVDV and border disease virus. Six MAbs were HCV-specific, reacting with all isolates of HCV and none of the ruminant viruses. Among the other HCV MAbs geographical variation in reaction patterns was observed. There was evidence of antigenic distinction between recent European isolates, and archive material originally isolated more than 10 years ago.     

Monoclonal antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea virus: cross-reactivities to field isolates and hog cholera virus strains.

Monoclonal antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) were examined for binding with a large number of North American BVDV isolates and eight strains of the serologically related pestivirus, hog cholera virus (HCV). No single BVDV monoclonal antibody reacted with all BVDV isolates. The most cross-reactive monoclonal antibody was an anti-p80/p125 antibody which showed a positive reaction with 173 of 180 (96%) North American isolates. From a fewer number of isolates tested, one anti-gp53 monoclonal antibody also showed a high cross-reactivity (94%). All BVDV isolates showed a positive reaction with at least one of the seven monoclonal antibodies in the panel. Thus, the results indicated that a pool of these monoclonal antibodies may be used in place of polyclonal antisera for the detection of BVDV contamination of cell lines or for virus isolation. For HCV, all three anti-p80/p125 monoclonal antibodies reacted positively with all eight virus strains. In contrast, none of the anti-gp53 monoclonal antibodies were reactive to HCV strains. Thus, the anti-gp53 monoclonal antibodies may be useful for distinguishing between usually innocuous BVDV infections and the highly significant HCV infections in swine for foreign animal disease surveillance.     

Identification of hog cholera viral isolates by use of monoclonal antibodies to pestiviruses

A collection of 90 field isolates of hog cholera virus (HCV) was used to test the specificity of four hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies against pestiviruses. Reaction of virus isolates and monoclonal antibodies was controlled by an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Two monoclonal antibodies which had been generated against HC virus strain "Alfort 187" were reactive only with HCV field isolates and an HCV reference strain but not with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) reference strains. Two other monoclonal antibodies (generated against BVDV, strain NADL) reacted only with BVDV reference strains but not with HCV field isolates, although with 3 of these strains focal reactions involving only a few cells were detected. The ability to discriminate between both viruses is a diagnostic need which may be fulfilled by these monoclonal antibodies.     

Variation in immunogenicity of ruminant pestiviruses as determined by the neutralisation assay

Immunogenicity in naive three-month-old Friesian bull calves of nine ruminant pestiviruses, three each of type 1 bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV), type 2 BVDV and border disease virus (BDV) was directly compared in reciprocal cross-neutralisation tests using sera obtained eight weeks after intranasal and intravenous inoculation with live virus. Cytopathic (CP) type 1 BVDV strain C86, non-cytopathic (NCP) type 2 BVDV strain 890 and NCP BDV strain V2536/2 were found to elicit significantly broad cross-neutralising antibodies against viruses in other species whereas other virus strains in all three species produced a much more pronounced homologous and/or species specific response. Results are clearly relevant in the selection of strains for vaccines against diseases caused by these successful, economically important ubiquitous viruses.     

Serological survey for antibodies against pestiviruses in sheep in Austria

The prevalence of antibodies to pestiviruses was investigated in 4931 sheep, in 377 flocks, in four federal states of Austria, by means of an indirect elisa that detected antibodies to Border disease virus (BDV) and bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). The mean flock prevalence was 62.9 per cent and the mean individual prevalence was 29.4 per cent. Comparative neutralisation studies on the elisa-positive samples with BVDV type 1 (BVDV-1), BVDV type 2 (BVDV-2) and BDV recorded 336 samples with higher titres (more than four times average) to BVDV-1, three samples with higher titres to BVDV-2 and 55 samples with higher titres to BDV. The other samples did not show clear differences in antibody titres against the strains of pestivirus tested because of cross-reactions. The seroprevalence of pestiviruses in sheep was significantly higher on farms with cattle. There were significant regional differences between the prevalences in flocks and individual sheep, the highest prevalences being in the region of Austria where communal alpine pasturing of sheep, goats and cattle is an important part of farming.     

Identification and molecular characterization of border disease virus (BDV) from sheep in India

Pestiviruses isolated from sheep and goats in India thus far have been bovine viral diarrhoea virus 1 (BVDV-1) or BVDV-2. During routine genetic typing of pestiviruses in the years 2009-10, border disease virus (BDV) was detected in eight Indian sheep of a flock showing clinical signs of BD by real time RT-PCR. All the samples yielded positive virus isolates in cell culture but were found negative by a BVDV antigen ELISA. A representative BDV isolate was characterized at genetic and antigenic level. Phylogenetic analysis carried out in 5′-UTR, N^pro and E2 regions of genome typed the Indian BDV isolate as BDV-3. A more detailed analysis in N^pro and entire region coding structural proteins showed that the N^pro (168), C (100 aa), E^rns (227 aa), E1 (195 aa) and E2 (373 aa) proteins were of size characteristic for BDV reference strain X818. Antigenic differences were evident between the BDV-3 isolate and previously reported BDV-1, BDV-5 and BDV-7 strains. Although origin of BDV-3 in India is not clear, the results reflect probable introduction through trade in sheep between India and other countries or BDV-3 may be more widely distributed. Additionally, this study suggests that for diagnosis of BDV infection, the commercial BVDV Ag-ELISA should be used with caution. This is the first identification of BDV in sheep in India which highlights the need for continued pestivirus surveillance and assessing its impact on sheep and goat production.     

从疑似猪瘟病料中检出牛病毒性腹泻病毒

根据牛病毒性腹泻病毒（ＢＶＤＶ）ＮＡＤＬ株和猪瘟病毒（ＨＣＶ）Ａｌｆｏｒｔ株的核苷酸序列，设计合成了１对ＢＶＤＶ引物和３对ＨＣＶ引物。以从吉林、长春、哲盟３个地区经临床及病理学诊断为猪瘟的病料中提取的ＲＮＡ为模板，采用反转录－聚合酶链反应（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ），分别以ＢＶＤＶ和ＨＣＶ引物进行扩增。结果，用ＢＶＤＶ引物从哲盟地区的疑似猪瘟病料中扩增出大小约４００ｂｐ的片段，而用３对ＨＣＶ引物在不同的条件下均未从该病料中扩增出相应大小的ＨＣＶ基因片段。此外，用ＨＣＶ的ＰＥ０／ＰＥ４引物从吉林、长春的病料中扩增出了ＨＣＶ的基因片段，但用ＢＶＤＶ引物从这两个地区的病料中均未扩增出ＢＶＤＶ的基因片段。从哲盟疑似猪瘟病料中扩增出的片段经克隆、序列测定及计算机分析证实，该片段的核苷酸序列和氨基酸序列与ＢＶＤＶ的同源性明显高于与ＨＣＶ的同源性。将哲盟病料接种于ＭＤＢＫ传代细胞，出现典型而规律的ＢＶＤＶ样细胞病变。由此证明，从哲盟疑似猪瘟病料中检测出的是ＢＶＤＶ而不是ＨＣＶ     

青海省海北州藏羊群中牛病毒性腹泻病毒和羊边界病毒的流行病学调查

为掌握青海省海北州藏羊群中牛病毒性腹泻病毒和羊边界病毒的感染情况,本研究采用RT-PCR方法分别对青海省海北州的161份健康藏羊血清样品和34份腹泻藏羊组织样品进行了BVDV和BDV的抗原核酸检测。结果显示：195份样品中BVDV和BDV总阳性率分别为29.74 %和14.36 %;161份健康藏羊血清样品中BVDV和BDV平均阳性率分别为26.71 %和11.80 %,BVDV/BDV混合感染率为4.35 %;34份腹泻藏羊组织样品中BVDV和BDV平均阳性率分别为44.12 %和26.47 %,BVDV/BDV混合感染率为17.65 %。本研究表明青海省海北州健康藏羊群和腹泻藏羊群中均存在BVDV、BDV的单独感染以及混合感染,且感染情况在个别养殖场(户)较为严重,本研究为青海藏羊的综合防控措施提供了指导依据,丰富了我国羊群中BVDV和BDV的流行病学资料。     

Antigenic variation among bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) strains and the role of different cell fixation methods in immunoassays.

Antigenic variation among 13 Quebec isolates of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), 4 reference strains and 2 American isolates were studied by peroxidase-linked antibody assay (PLA assay) and neutralization test (NT). The Quebec strains consisted of 3 isolates before 1993 and 10 isolates from 1993. In the PLA assay, we compared 2 different fixatives, acetone and formalin. Acetone-fixation allowed us to identify 6 groups from amongst the viruses tested. All the Quebec isolates were different from the reference strains. In addition, antigenic variation was detected between Quebec isolates obtained before and during 1993. However, PLA assays performed after formalin fixation did not detect these antigenic variations. Neutralization tests were carried out with 2 polyclonal antibodies (PAb) and 6 monoclonal antibodies (MAb). They were used to classify BVDV strains and isolates into 4 groups and 7 subgroups respectively. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the BVDV isolates from the 1993 outbreak in Quebec are antigenically different from reference strains and from isolates existing in Quebec before 1993. In addition, we have shown that 2 internationally used fixation-methods in PLA assay give different results. The usefulness of each method is discussed.     

Serum antibodies directed against classical swine fever virus and other pestiviruses in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the Republic of Croatia

The presence of serum antibodies directed against classical swine fever (CSF) virus and other pestiviruses among the wild boar (Sus scrofa) population in Croatia was investigated. During 2003, serum samples from 214 wild boars were collected in 10 hunting areas in the continental part of the country.The sera were examined by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and in the virus neutralization test (VNT). Out of 214 sera tested 111 (51.87 %) were positive by ELISA and regarding neutralising antibodies, against CSFV 75 (35.05 %) samples were positive. In the VNT with the C-strain (conventional live vaccine strain China) and the strain Uelzen were used. Samples were also tested for neutralizing antibodies against border disease virus (BDV) using the strain 137/4 and against bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) using the NADL strain. Neutralizing antibodies against the C-strain were detected in 36 sera (16.82 %), against strain Uelzen in 17 sera (7.94 %) and in 22 sera (10.28 %) against both strains. In five sera (2.33 %) neutralizing antibodies against BVDV and BDV were found.     

Toxoplasmosis and border disease in 54 Swedish sheep flocks. Seroprevalence and incidence during one gestation period.

Serum samples from 704 animals from 54 Swedish sheep flocks were analysed by ELISA twice during 1 breeding season for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and border disease virus (BDV). An ELISA, originally developed for the detection of antibodies to bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) in cattle, was assessed on sheep sera and the results were compared with those obtained in a virus neutralization test. The correlation between the 2 assays proved good. Before breeding, 132 (19%) sheep in 42 flocks had antibodies to T. gondii and 7 (1%) sheep in 5 flocks were seropositive to BDV. During the observation period 4 sheep seroconverted to T. gondii and 13 to BDV, giving an incidence rate of 0.7% and 1.9% respectively. No clinical signs due to the infections were observed. In 5 flocks the frequency of barrenness, abortion or stillbirths exceeded 5%, 5% and 8%, respectively, but there was no evidence that this was attributable to the agents studied. The proportion of BDV-positive flocks was significantly higher among flocks that had been in contact with cattle than among those that had not.     

Prevalence of antibodies to pestiviruses in goats in Austria

Serological investigations were carried out to determine the prevalence of pestiviral infections in goats in Austria, and to investigate the possible relations to herd management practices. The prevalence of antibodies to pestiviruses was investigated in 549 goats in 80 flocks from four regions of Austria. The examination for antibodies was performed using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detecting antibodies to the border disease virus (BDV) and bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). The observed individual prevalence was 11.5% and the flock prevalence was 31.3%. Comparative neutralization studies on the 63 seropositive samples with BVDV-1, BVDV-2 and the BDV yielded in 32 samples higher titres (> or =4-fold) to BVDV-1 and in two samples to BDV. The remaining samples did not show distinct differences in antibody titres against the pestivirus strains tested because of the cross-reactions. There was a significant (P < 0.05) association between the prevalence of antibodies to pestiviruses and the presence of cattle on the farm. Significant (P < 0.05) geographical variations in individual prevalence were obtained, ranging from 3.5% in lower Austria to 20.2% in Vorarlberg.     

牛病毒性腹泻—粘膜病病毒（BVDV）的分子生物学研究进展

牛病毒性腹泻—粘膜病病毒(Bovine viral diarrhea—mucosal disease virus,BVDV)是引起牛病毒性腹泻—粘膜病的病原，欧美牛体中普遍存在轻性或隐性感染，与猪瘟病毒(HCV)、羊边界病病毒(BDV)具有1种共同抗原，有交叉反应，牛体中的抗体检出率高。本文通过对BVDV的分子生物学的概述，总结BVDV最新的分子生物学研究进展，为进一步预防和控制BVDV提供理论依据。     

Clinical, post mortem and virological findings after simultaneous inoculation of pigs with hog cholera and bovine viral diarrhoea virus.

The clinical course, post mortem lesions as well as virological and serological results after simultaneous intranasal inoculation of pigs with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and hog cholera virus (HCV) are described. Five groups of four weaners received constant doses of BVDV strain OSLOSS/2482 and tenfold decreasing doses of HCV strain ALFORT/187. Doses of 1,000 and 100 TCID50 of HCV in groups A and B of pigs led to fever and severe clinical signs in all animals of two groups, whereas at higher dilution of inoculum two, three or four animals survived without any clinical signs in the respective groups (C-E). Leucocyte samples taken from febrile animals and from normal pigs on five consecutive days were inoculated into both fetal calf kidney (FCK) and PK (15) cell cultures. Virus isolates were differentiated with BVDV and HCV specific monoclonal antibodies. HCV viraemia was detected in febrile animals exclusively, and BVDV viraemia occurred in not affected animals on days 3 to 7 post inoculation. Neutralizing antibodies (nab) against BVDV appeared before HCV nab in surviving animals of groups C and D after receiving low doses of HCV (10 or 1 TCID50). No BVDV nab were detected in group E that had received such a high dilution of HCV in addition to BVDV that theoretically no HCV was applied.