Development of a Latex Agglutination Test Using The Major Epitope Domain of Glycoprotein E of Pseudorabies Virus Expressed in <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> to Differentiate Between Immune Responses in Pigs Naturally Infected or Vaccinated with Pseudorabies Virus

A 0.8 kb DNA fragment encoding the major epitope domain of glycoprotein E (gE) of pseudorabies virus (PRV) was inserted downstream of the T7 promoter of an expression vector, pET-28b, to yield the recombinant plasmid pETgE804. After induction by isopropy1-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG), a high level expression of fusion protein was obtained. SDS-PAGE and western immunoblotting analysis showed that the fusion protein was 38 kDa and could bind with antisera against PRV. The protein existed mainly in the form of the inclusion body. After being denatured and renatured, the protein was used to prepare the latex antigen. The concentration of antigen, temperature and time for sensitization were optimized. The latex agglutination test (LAT) was able to differentiate sera of PRV-infected pigs from those of gE-deletion vaccine-immunized pigs. The diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of the developed gE latex agglutination test (gE-LAT) were also evaluated by using sets of sera. The diagnostic specificity and diagnostic sensitivity of the gE-LAT were 96.77% and 95.76%, respectively. For comparison between gE-LAT and a commercial blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), 260 serum samples were tested. The coincidence frequency of both assays was 96.94% (252/260). No significant difference was found between the two methods (p>0.05). For comparison between the abilities of gE-LAT and gE-ELISA to detect sera with low titres of gE-specific antibody, 66 sera from 22 pigs were tested. The data indicate that the gE-LAT is of similar sensitivity to gE-ELISA. These results indicate that gE-LAT using recombinant gE might be very useful as a routine screening method for the differential diagnosis of PRV infection.     

牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒gE蛋白原核表达及间接ELISA检测方法研究

本研究以牛传染性鼻气管炎gE基因的原核表达产物为抗原建立检测IBRV抗体间接ELISA检测方法.通过DANStar比对分析牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒gE蛋白序列,通过亲和层析对重组表达产物进行纯化,经Western blot检测证明重组表达产物能被IBRV标准性鼻气管炎gE蛋白长度为500 bp的特异性肽序列,随后构建了pC...     

A comparative study of serological tests for use in the bovine Herpesvirus 1 eradication programme in The Netherlands

We compared a gB-ELISA, a gE-ELISA and a Danish test system (consisting of a blocking and an indirect ELISA) for their specificity and sensitivity to detect antibodies against BHV1. The Danish test system showed the highest sensitivity and the gE-ELISA the lowest; the gB-ELISA showed an intermediate sensitivity. If the doubtful zone (25–50% blocking) of the gB-ELISA was considered as positive (gB-ELISA⁺), the sensitivity almost reached that of the Danish test system. The specificity of all tests appeared to be very high, 99.7, 96.7 100, 99.7% for the gB-ELISA, gB-ELISA⁺, gE-ELISA and the Danish test system, respectively. Seroconversion was detected in the gE-ELISA up to 3 weeks later than in the gB-ELISA and the Danish test system. It is concluded that the combination of a gB-ELISA (for screening) and the Danish test (for confirmation) system used in the BHV1 eradication programme in the Netherlands, provides for very high sensitivity (>99.0%) (Kramps et al., 1994) and a very high specificity (>99.9%).     

Improvement of serological discrimination between herpesvirus-infected animals and animals vaccinated with marker vaccines

Control/eradication plans of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) and suid herpesvirus 1 (SHV1) infections involve vaccination with inactivated or attenuated gE-deleted marker vaccines and associated companion serological tests to discriminate naturally infected from vaccinated animals. Blocking or competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) have been designed for the detection of specific antibodies against BHV1 or SHV1 gE glycoprotein. The antigen source usually consists of a crude viral preparation in which gE is associated with other envelope glycoproteins. Such assays suffer from a lack of specificity which is not due to serological cross-reactions with other pathogens. Interestingly, false-positive results occur with sera collected from multivaccinated cattle or pigs. After multivaccination with a marker vaccine, the binding of the conjugated monoclonal antibody used as a tracer, could be hampered by antibodies directed against the other viral glycoproteins.In order to validate the steric hindrance hypothesis, a simple preadsorption of such samples was carried out with a preparation of antigen devoid of gE, prior to the blocking ELISA itself. The decrease in antibody concentrations against the major glycoproteins, clearly leads to a better discrimination between positive and negative samples; that is between infected and multivaccinated animals, without significant loss of sensitivity. This experiment confirms the steric hindrance hypothesis, therefore serum preadsorption could be an easy way to improve the specificity of currently available diagnostic tests.     

Comparison between results of virus neutralization test and those of two ELISAs when screening for antibodies to pseudorabies virus in Thailand

The virus neutralization (VN) test and two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (blocking and indirect ELISAs) were used to detect antibodies to pseudorabies virus on serum samples of 1,000 pigs from the central part of Thailand. The results of these tests were compared to those of VN test. Using the VN test as standard, the blocking and indirect ELISAs showed respectively 95.12% and 99.37% relative sensitivity and 92.0% and 93.5% relative specificity. The two ELISAs were considered both as practical alternatives to the VN test. However, the indirect ELISA was the more suitable test for the routine screening for antibodies to pseudorabies virus in Thailand.     

Strains of bovine herpesvirus 1 that do not express an epitope on glycoprotein E in cell culture still induce antibodies that can be detected in a gE-blocking ELISA

Two bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) field strains that do not express an epitope on glycoprotein E (gE) in cell culture were inoculated into calves to examine whether their sera became positive in a gE-blocking ELISA that detects antibodies against gE. This gE-blocking ELISA uses one monoclonal antibody that is directed against the above mentioned epitope. All calves, except one, infected with these gE-epitope negative BHV1 strains, became positive in this gE-blocking ELISA, about two weeks later than in another gE-ELISA and a gB-ELISA. However, cattle infected with BHVI strains that do express this particular gE-epitope showed a similar type of antibody responses. These findings demonstrate that BHV1 strains that do not express a particular gE-epitope in cell culture, still can induce antibodies that are detected in a blocking ELISA that measures antibodies against that epitope.     

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed against the bovine herpesvirus-1 glycoprotein E and use for the differentiation between vaccinated and infected animals

A panel of seven monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against the bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) glycoprotein E (gE) was obtained. For that purpose, mice were either tolerized to BHV-1 gE-negative virus and then immunized with wild type BHV-1 or immunized with plasmid DNA expressing the gE and gI glycoproteins. The MAbs were characterized by their reactivity with the gE protein or the gE/gI complex and by competition experiments. Results showed that the MAbs were directed against three antigenic domains, two located on the gE glycoprotein and one on the gE/gI complex. Blocking experiments were performed with sera from experimentally vaccinated and infected cattle. A competition was observed between gE-positive bovine sera and six of the seven MAbs. The bovine sera thus recognized two of the three antigenic sites. Field sera were then tested in blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using one horseradish peroxidase-conjugated MAb. A specificity of 98.2% and a sensitivity of 98.2% compared to the commercially available test were observed.     

牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒gE基因的截短克隆与表达

以牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒Baaha Nu/67株的DNA作为模板，用PCR扩增gE基N并克隆至pGEM-T Easy裁体，再以此质粒作为模板将gE基因分成6个片段，分别插入原核表达载体pET32a并在大肠杆菌中进行了表达。蛋白电泳结果表明6个片段中有2个片段以可溶形式表达，1个片段以包涵体形式表达，另外3个片段没有表达。采用固定化金属离子亲和层析法在非变性条件下对两个可溶性片段进行了纯化。经免疫印迹试验，间接ELISA和交叉试验证明，两个纯化的重组蛋白均与牛传染性鼻气管炎阳性血清样品发生反应，而与牛传染性鼻气管炎阴性血清无任何反应，显示其具有良好的抗原性和特异性，可用于牛传染性鼻气管炎gE-ELISA诊断方法的建立。     

Evaluation of three serological assays for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in brushtail possums

Three serological tests for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection were evaluated on 29 possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) with tuberculosis and on 100 possums from a tuberculosis-free area. An indirect ELISA using M. bovis culture filtrate as the antigen had a sensitivity of 45% and a specificity of 96%, while an indirect ELISA using a M. bovis specific antigen (MPB70) had a sensitivity of 21% and a specificity of 98%. A blocking ELISA which utilised a monoclonal antibody against MPB70 had a sensitivity of 28% and a specificity of 99%. Combination of the test results of the three ELISAs resulted in an increase in sensitivity to 51% and a decrease in specificity to 93%. A previous study has shown that possums experimentally infected with M. bovis produced cellular responses to M. bovis antigens relatively early in the infection, but these responses decreased in the terminal stages of the disease. In contrast, analysis of serological responses in the current study from sequentially collected sera of possums experimentally and naturally infected with M. bovis showed that antibody was first detected late in the disease.     

伪狂犬病病毒(PrV)糖蛋白gE基因在重组杆状病毒中的表达

应用ＰＣＲ方法扩增出１．８Ｋｂ的伪狂犬病毒糖蛋白ｇＥ基因,克隆到ｐＵＣ１１９中形成重组质粒ｐＲＺＥ。经测序鉴定后再将ｇＥ基因定向亚克隆到杆状病毒转移载体ｐＶＬ１３９２中,形成重组质粒ｐＶＬｇＥ。将ｐＶＬｇＥ与杆状病毒线性ＤＮＡ（ＢＡＣ－Ｎ－Ｂｌｕｅ ＤＮＡ）共转染Ｓｆ９昆虫细胞,经三轮蚀斑纯化,获得重组病毒ｒｐＶＬｇＥ。通过ＰＣＲ方法鉴定证明ｇＥ基因正确插入到杆状病毒基因组中,直接免疫荧光试验和Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ Ｂｌｏｔ结果表明ｇＥ基因在重组杆状病毒感染的Ｓｆ９昆虫细胞中获得高效表达。表达的ｇＥ蛋白将作为伪狂犬病强毒的ｇＥ基因缺失弱毒疫苗鉴别诊断ＥＬＩＳＡ方法的抗原,为进一步扑灭伪狂犬病发挥重要作用。     

Two newly developed Erns-based ELISAs allow the differentiation of Classical Swine Fever virus-infected from marker-vaccinated animals and the discrimination of pestivirus antibodies

New generations of Classical Swine Fever virus (CSFV) marker vaccines have recently been developed in order to make emergency vaccination in case of a CSF outbreak more feasible. However, the application of a marker vaccine is dependent on the availability of an accompanying discriminatory test allowing differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). CP7_E2alf, the most promising live marker vaccine candidate currently available, is a genetically modified Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus expressing the E2 glycoprotein of CSFV strain Alfort/187. The DIVA principle going along with CP7_E2alf is based on the detection of CSFV E^rns-specific antibodies that are raised in the host upon CSFV infection but not after vaccination with the marker vaccine. The aim of this study was to develop novel DIVA tests to be used in combination with CP7_E2alf. Two indirect ELISAs (one for screening, the other one for confirmation purposes) using bacterially expressed recombinant E^rns proteins were designed and evaluated. Both ELISAs detected CSFV-specific antibodies against a broad range of strains and genotypes, and as early as 10 days after infection. They were able to distinguish CSFV-infected pigs from pigs vaccinated with CP7_E2alf and allowed discrimination of antibodies against ruminant pestiviruses in both, sera from domestic pigs and wild boar. Sensitivity and specificity of the screening ELISA was ≥95%. Thus, the ELISAs represent promising DIVA diagnostic tools, as well as an alternative to traditional pestivirus antibody differentiation by serum neutralization test.     

Serological evidence of caprine herpesvirus 1 infection in Mediterranean France

Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) is responsible of a systemic disease in kids and genital diseases inducing abortions in adult goats. In Europe, CpHV-1 is widespread in Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Italy and Spain. As France is geographically close to these countries, a survey was conducted to investigate the presence of CpHV-1 in goats in a Mediterranean department (Corse-du-Sud) and in continental departments (Dordogne and Vendée) of this country. Taking into account the close antigenic and genetic relationships between bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) and CpHV-1, the serological detection was performed by using BoHV-1 glycoproteins B (gB) and E (gE) blocking ELISAs. The analysis of 2548 serum samples in a BoHV-1 gB blocking ELISA revealed that a ruminant alphaherpesvirus infection related to BoHV-1 was widespread in Corse-du-Sud whereas no positive animals was detected in Dordogne and Vendée. Furthermore, the specificity and the sensitivity of the BoHV-1 gB blocking ELISA to detect a BoHV-1 related infection in goats were evaluated. A subsequent analysis by a BoHV-1 gE blocking ELISA demonstrated that 22.6% of gB-positive serum samples were also gE-positive. Cross-seroneutralisation assays afforded the unambiguous identification of antibodies against CpHV-1 in gB-positive goats. The likely presence of CpHV-1 in Corse-du-Sud supported by a high seroprevalence (61.9%) in all investigated flocks extends the number of countries infected with CpHV-1. Moreover, the difference observed between Corse-du-Sud and Dordogne and Vendée suggests that CpHV-1 is more prevalent in Mediterranean countries or regions than in central and northern Europe.     

Development of a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of turkey antibodies to Mycoplasma meleagridis

A blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (B-ELISA) was developed to detect antibodies to Mycoplasma meleagridis (MM) in turkey sera. This assay was based on two mouse monoclonal antibodies recognising all MM strains tested but none of seven avian mycoplasmal species tested. Furthermore, their binding to the Tween 20 antigen was inhibited by serum from MM-infected birds. The B-ELISA test format was optimized. The cut-off was determined using a set of sera from MM-free turkeys. This B-ELISA was then compared with a commercial indirect ELISA (I-ELISA). Specificities of the two ELISA tests were not significantly different (100 or 99%, respectively). The sensitivity of B-ELISA was significantly higher than the I-ELISA when I-ELISA suspicious results were considered as negative. Testing sera from experimentally MM-infected animals showed that serum plate agglutination (SPA) test detected positive birds before both ELISA methods. Samples were collected in MM-infected commercial flocks and analyzed by SPA, ELISAs, MM-PCR or culture. Results showed that the sensitivity of the B-ELISA appeared superior to the I-ELISA. Moreover, the ability to detect maternal antibodies makes it a useful tool for eradication or control of MM infections.     

Development of a blocking ELISA for screening antibodies to porcine rubulavirus, La Piedad Michoacan Virus.

A blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect antibodies to porcine rubulavirus (La Piedad Michoacan Virus [LPMV]) in serum samples from pigs. The test, based on a monoclonal antibody against the LPMV hemagglutinin-neuraminidase glycoprotein, had a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 97%. The results of this test were in agreement with those obtained by an indirect ELISA and hemagglutination inhibition, indirect immunofluorescence, and virus neutralization tests. The blocking ELISA is considered the most suitable test for routine screening for antibodies against LPMV.     

Development of a monoclonal blocking ELISA for the detection of antibodies against fowlpox virus

To provide a fast and easy method to detect antibodies against fowlpox virus (FWPV) particularly in high numbers of chicken sera we established a monoclonal blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We chose two different monoclonal antibodies (mAb), anti-FWPV 3D9/2B3 and anti-FWPV 8F3/2E11, which are both directed against the 39-kDa protein of FWPV strain HP-1. The blocking ELISA depends on the blocking of mAb binding to solid-phase antigen in the presence of positive serum. For an epidemiological study a total of 184 serum samples from Gambian chicken flocks were analysed against each of the mAbs. Four of the sera were shown to contain FWPV antibodies. These four sera showed a positive cut-off value of more than 50% inhibition exclusively in the test against the mAb anti-FWPV 8F3/2E11. This phenomenon can be explained by the binding of the mAbs to distinct epitopes on the same protein.     

Performance characteristics and optimisation of cut-off values of two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the detection of antibodies to Neospora caninum in the serum of cattle

AIM: To determine the performance characteristics of two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) manufactured by Institut Pourquier (IP) for the detection of antibodies against Neospora caninum in bovine sera. METHODS: Sera from 526 cattle were assayed in two ELISAs (IP) for the detection of anti-N. caninum antibodies. Results from a further ELISA (IDEXX) were used to provide the "gold standard"N. caninum infection status of the cattle and the ELISA results assessed by two-graph receiver operating characteristic (TG-ROC) analysis. RESULTS: TG-ROC analysis suggested changes to one of the IP ELISA protocols, arriving at a cut-off threshold that was different to the one recommended by the manufacturer. With that change, both of the ELISAs performed with high sensitivity and specificity (in excess of 98%) for bovine sera. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the two IP ELISAs when used on individual bovine sera demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity. TG-ROC analyses optimised the cut-off point suggested by the manufacturer for one of these commercial diagnostic assays and found agreement with the manufacturer's cut-off regarding the other assay. This will help with the accurate identification of infected animals and thereby contributing to the control of neosporosis.     

基于重组猪囊虫18 ku抗原的间接ELISA方法的建立

利用反转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)从猪囊尾蚴中克隆到18 ku蛋白基因,将扩增产物与pGEM-T Easy载体连接后测序分析.将目的基因亚克隆至表达载体,构建重组质粒pGEX-CE18,经转化大肠杆菌BL21 (DE3)后诱导表达,用SDS-PAGE和Western-blot分析表达产物.表达的目的蛋白纯化后作抗原建立检测猪囊虫抗体的重组蛋白间接ELISA方法.结果表明,18 ku蛋白基因在大肠杆菌中成功表达,表达产物约为35 ku的融合蛋白,并能被猪囊虫感染血清识别.经薄层扫描分析,表达量占菌体蛋白总量的28%.与商品化ELISA试剂盒平行检测178份阳性血清样品,二者的符合率为98.83%,说明建立的重组蛋白ELISA方法可用于猪囊虫病的诊断.     

乙脑病毒非结构蛋白NS1的原核表达及重组蛋白间接ELISA方法的初步建立

克隆表达乙脑病毒非结构蛋白NS1,并以其作为包被抗原,建立间接ELISA诊断方法。用此方法分别检测猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)、猪瘟病毒(CSFV)及猪圆环病毒(PCV)阳性血清各3份,以及33份健康非免疫仔猪血清和205份乙型脑炎灭活疫苗免疫的猪血清,评价NS1-ELISA方法的特异性。取54份乙脑病毒感染的猪血清进行NS1-ELISA检测,评价该方法的敏感性。NS1-ELISA检测的特异性为95%,敏感性达90.7%。与商品化试剂盒比较,其符合率达到96.0%。在重复性试验中,NS1-ELISA检测方法重复性较好。本试验为进一步研究不同感染时期NS1抗体水平的差异奠定基础。     

A comparison of four serological tests for the diagnosis of caseous lymphadenitis in sheep and goats

A double antibody sandwich ELISA (ELISA A) developed for the detection of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in sheep and goats was modified to improve its sensitivity. To establish the sensitivity and specificity of this modified ELISA (ELISA B), sera from 183 sheep and 186 goats were tested using ELISAs A and B. Comparison was also made with two further ELISAs (C and D) developed in Australia that, respectively, detect antibodies to cell wall antigens or toxin.ELISA B had the best performance of the four tests. Its specificity was 98+/-1% for goats and 99+/-1% sheep. Its sensitivity was 94+/-3% for goats and 79+/-5% for sheep. ELISA B will now be tested for use in caseous lymphadenitis eradication and control programmes in The Netherlands. It will also be used in experimental studies of CL in Scotland.     

可溶性E2蛋白作为抗原的检测猪瘟病毒血清抗体间接ELISA方法的建立

以可溶性重组E2蛋白作为抗原,建立了猪瘟病毒(CSFV)血清抗体间接ELISA诊断方法(rE2-ELISA).将猪瘟疫苗毒株E2基因主要抗原区(A-D)基因克隆到表达栽体pGEX-6p-1上,转化E.coli,降低诱导温度至20℃,获得48 000大小E2融合蛋白,部分目的蛋白以可溶性形式表达.Western blotting试验证实,E2融合蛋白可以和CSFV阳性血清发生特异性结合.亲和层析纯化后的E2融合蛋白作为抗原,建立了检测CSFV血清抗体的间接rE2-ELISA方法.该方法的特异性试验结果表明,与PRRSV、PCV2、PPV和PRV阳性血清之间不存在交叉反应;用rE2-ELISA和国外同类试剂盒(CSF-Ab-Kit)检测142份田问血清样品,2种试剂盒的阳性检测率分别为83.81%和88.73%.因此,rE2-ELISA猪瘟抗体检测试剂盒具有良好的敏感性和特异性,适合应用在大规模的CSFV血清抗体的检测工作中.