Infection with Menangle virus in flying foxes (Pteropus spp.) in Australia

Objective To examine flying foxes (Pteropus spp.) for evidence of infection with Menangle virus. Design Clustered non‐random sampling for serology, virus isolation and electron microscopy (EM). Procedure Serum samples were collected from 306 Pteropus spp. in northern and eastern Australia and tested for antibodies against Menangle virus (MenV) using a virus neutralisation test (VNT). Virus isolation was attempted from tissues and faeces collected from 215 Pteropus spp. in New South Wales. Faecal samples from 68 individual Pteropus spp. and four pools of faeces were examined by transmission EM following routine negative staining and immunogold labelling. Results Neutralising antibodies (VNT titres ≥ 8) against MenV were detected in 46% of black flying foxes (P. alecto), 41% of grey‐headed flying foxes (P. poliocephalus), 25% of spectacled flying foxes (P. conspicillatus) and 1% of little red flying foxes (P. scapulatus) in Australia. Positive sera included samples collected from P. poliocephalus in a colony adjacent to a piggery that had experienced reproductive disease caused by MenV. Virus‐like particles were observed by EM in faeces from Pteropus spp. and reactivity was detected in pooled faeces and urine by immunogold EM using sera from sows that had been exposed to MenV. Attempts to isolate the virus from the faeces and tissues from Pteropus spp. were unsuccessful. Conclusion Serological evidence of infection with MenV was detected in Pteropus spp. in Australia. Although virus‐like particles were detected in faeces, no viruses were isolated from faeces, urine or tissues of Pteropus spp.     

Reproductive disease and congenital malformations caused by Menangle virus in pigs

OBJECTIVE: To describe a new syndrome characterised by embryonic mortalities, stillbirths, mummified foetuses and congenital malformations in a herd of intensively farmed pigs. DESIGN: Field observations, laboratory investigations and examination of breeding records. PROCEDURE: Pathology examinations were performed on mummified and congenitally deformed piglets during an outbreak of reproductive disease at a 2600 sow intensive piggery in New South Wales from April to October 1997. Reproductive performance was monitored during the outbreak and breeding records were examined retrospectively. Serum and tissue samples from pigs were tested for evidence of infection with known porcine pathogens and for a new virus, Menangle virus, isolated from stillborn piglets with deformities from the affected piggery in August 1997. RESULTS: Reproductive disease occurred sequentially in all four breeding units at the affected piggery over a period of 21 weeks. The farrowing percentages in each unit decreased from 80 to 82% before the outbreak to 63 to 78% during the outbreak and the number of live piglets per litter declined from a mean of 9.6 to 9.8 before the outbreak to 7.2 to 8.9 during the outbreak. The proportion of affected litters (litters with less than six liveborn piglets) was highest (64%) in the sixth week of the outbreak. Mummified foetuses, stillborn piglets with arthrogryposis, craniofacial deformities and degeneration of the brain and spinal cord, were observed along with occasional abortions. Sera from sows that produced affected litters contained neutralising antibodies against Menangle virus and there was evidence that this virus had been introduced to the piggery in February 1997. CONCLUSIONS: Reproductive disease in pigs due to Menangle virus was characterised by stillbirths, mummification, embryonic death and infertility, along with abortions, skeletal deformities and degeneration of the brain and spinal cord in affected foetuses and stillborn piglets.     

Menangle病毒研究进展

Menangle病毒(MenV)是近几年出 现的一种能导致新生仔猪繁殖障碍综合征和 人类类似流感症状的副黏病毒科的病原体。 MenV于1997年首次在澳大利亚新南威尔 士商品化猪场分离得到。生物分类、分子生 物学、系统发育树分析和流行病学等多方面 综合研究表明,MenV具有腮腺炎病毒属的 基本特征,并与腮腺炎病毒属(Rubulavirus)的另一成员Tiomanvirus(TiV)亲源关系最 近,从而证实MenV为腮腺炎病毒属的新成 员。文章重点对Menangle病毒分子生物学、 流行病学和诊断等方面内容进行了综述。     

Skeletal and neurological malformations in pigs congenitally infected with Menangle virus

OBJECTIVE: To describe the pathological findings in stillborn piglets and fetuses delivered by sows naturally infected with Menangle virus, a recently recognised Paramyxovirus. DESIGN: Observations of the gross and microscopic pathology of natural disease. PROCEDURE: Postmortem examinations were performed on 49 stillborn piglets, 35 mummified or semi-mummified full-term fetuses and 6 aborted fetuses from 20 litters at a 2600-sow intensive piggery in New South Wales during an outbreak of reproductive disease from June to September 1997. Body weights, crown-rump lengths and gross pathological changes were recorded. Tissues, including brain and spinal cord, were processed for histopathological examination. RESULTS: Litters with reduced numbers of live born piglets had mummified fetuses and stillborn piglets. Affected stillborn and aborted piglets frequently had arthrogryposis, craniofacial and spinal deformities, pulmonary hypoplasia and degeneration of the brain and spinal cord. Intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were observed in neurones and other cells in the brain and spinal cord in association with extensive degeneration, necrosis, infiltration of macrophages and gliosis. CONCLUSIONS: In utero infection of piglets with Menangle virus is associated with severe skeletal and neurological malformations.     

No Evidence of Hendra Virus Infection in the Australian Flying‐fox Ectoparasite Genus Cyclopodia

Hendra virus (HeV) causes potentially fatal respiratory and/or neurological disease in both horses and humans. Although Australian flying‐foxes of the genus Pteropus have been identified as reservoir hosts, the precise mechanism of HeV transmission has yet to be elucidated. To date, there has been limited investigation into the role of haematophagous insects as vectors of HeV. This mode of transmission is particularly relevant because Australian flying‐foxes host the bat‐specific blood‐feeding ectoparasites of the genus Cyclopodia (Diptera: Nycteribiidae), also known as bat flies. Using molecular detection methods, we screened for HeV RNA in 183 bat flies collected from flying‐foxes inhabiting a roost in Boonah, Queensland, Australia. It was subsequently demonstrated that during the study period, Pteropus alecto in this roost had a HeV RNA prevalence between 2 and 15% (95% CI [1, 6] to [8, 26], respectively). We found no evidence of HeV in any bat flies tested, including 10 bat flies collected from P. alecto in which we detected HeV RNA. Our negative findings are consistent with previous findings and provide additional evidence that bat flies do not play a primary role in HeV transmission.     

2004年黑龙江省新城疫病毒分子流行病学分析

2004年从黑龙江省部分鸡场疑似新城疫(ND)病死鸡和鸽体内分离到9株NDV。对这9株NDV生物学特性进行测定,并对其F基因包括裂解位点在内的540bp片段进行了克隆、测序和同源性分析。结果表明,9株NDV鸡胚平均死亡时间(MDT)和1日龄雏鸡脑内接种致病指数(ICPI)分别在47.8h～78.4h和1.51～2.00之间;8个分离株在F蛋白裂解位点氨基酸顺序为112RRQKRF117,1个分离株F蛋白裂解位点氨基酸顺序为112RRQRRF117,表明了它们全为ND中、强毒株。同源性分析显示,9株NDV分离株之间核苷酸与推导的氨基酸同源性分别为79.7%～99.7%和79.8%～100%;系统发生树分析表明,6株分离株与台湾株(TW98、TW99和TW2000等)遗传距离较近,可能有共同的起源,为基因Ⅶe型NDV,2株为鸽源NDV基因Ⅵ型,1株与我国特有的F48E9遗传距离最近,为基因Ⅸ型NDV。     

鹅副粘病毒病流行病学和血清学研究

1997年7月以来,来我校兽医院就诊的76例鹅副粘病毒病,群体内发病率和死亡率很高,10日龄以内的雏鹅发病率和死亡率均达到100％,平均发病率和死亡率分别为对27.7％和18．2％。种鹅群感染后能引起产蛋率迅速下降。与鹅同时饲养的鸡也能感染发病。不同患病阶段鹅的HI抗体逐渐升高,高峰期平均抗体滴度为212,然后逐渐下降,并在27-8的水平上维持一段时间。接种疫苗能有效地控制该病。     

Hepatitis E virus in Cuba: A cross-sectional serological and virological study in pigs and people occupationally exposed to pigs

Surveillance of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in risk groups is an important strategy to monitor its circulation pattern and to timely detect changes thereof. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to estimate the prevalence of HEV infections in pigs and humans from different regions of the country, to identify risk factors for increasing anti-HEV IgG prevalence and to characterize HEV strains. The presence of anti-HEV antibodies was assessed by commercial ELISA in serum samples from the general population, farm and slaughterhouse employees, as well as pigs sampled in the three regions of Cuba from February to September 2016. Overall, individuals with occupational exposure to swine or swine products (70/248, 28.2%) were 4 times more likely to be seropositive compared to the general population (25/285, 8.7%; OR: 4.18; p < .001). Within the risk group, risk factors included age, number of years working in a professional activity with direct exposure to swine, geographic region and distance between residence and closest professional swine setting, while wearing gloves had a protective effect. Prevalence of total anti-HEV antibodies in swine was 88.2% (165/187) and HEV RNA was detected by real-time RT-PCR in 9.2% (16/173) swine stools. All HEV strains sequenced clustered within genotype 3. Some strains clearly belonged to subtype 3a, while another group of strains was related with subtypes 3b and 3 k but partial HEV sequences did not allow unequivocal subtype assignment. These findings suggest that the high HEV exposure in Cuban individuals with swine-related occupations could be due to enzootic HEV in certain regions, direct contact with infectious animals or their products as well as environmental contamination.     

新城疫病毒分子流行病学研究进展

新城疫在世界范围内已经引起了4次大流行,每次大流行都是由一种新基因型引起的。尽管新城疫病毒只有1个血清型,但其基因型众多。论文主要综述了新城疫病毒基因型的划分方法以及国内外不同时期新城疫的流行状况及其特点,分析了国内外流行毒株及流行趋势,目前在国内外三大家禽中主要流行基因Ⅶd亚型毒株,鸽群中主要流行基因Ⅵb亚型毒株,为我国新城疫的防控提供理论基础。此外,弱毒株在新城疫的传播中所起的作用也值得关注。     

Evaluation of serovar-independent ELISA antigens of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in pigs, following experimental challenge with A. pleuropneumoniae, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Pasteurella multocida

Objective To compare the sensitivity and specificity of six serological enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) based on serovar‐independent antigens of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) and investigate cross‐reactivity in disease‐free pigs challenged with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Pasteurella multocida. Design Five experimental pig trials using direct challenge with App serovars 1, 7 or 15 or direct challenge with M. hyopneumoniae and/or various dose rates of P. multocida. Procedure A 39‐kDa outer membrane protein antigen and five recombinant antigens from the apxIVA gene of App were evaluated. The latter were derived from the ApxIVA N‐terminus (ApxIVA‐N, ApxIVA‐NP, ApxIVA‐NPS) or C‐terminus (ApxIVA‐C, ApxIVA‐CP). Pigs were sampled after challenge and clinical and necropsy findings evaluated. Results The 39‐kDa ELISA had high sensitivity but lacked specificity, with significantly increased cross‐reactivity following P. multocida challenge. ELISAs based on ApxIVA N‐terminus antigens were significantly more sensitive than C‐terminus antigens for the detection of App‐induced disease. Although ApxIVA‐N and ApxIVA‐NP ELISAs had increased reactivity following P. multocida challenge, they retained high specificity for App‐induced disease (90–93%). Affinity purified ApxIVA‐NP antigen had marginally better specificity than ApxIVA‐N, without reduced sensitivity. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae did not affect serological cross‐reactivity. In disease‐free pigs, the specificity of the ApxIVA‐NPS ELISA may be adversely affected by nasal carriage of apparently low‐virulence App strains. Conclusions ApxIVA‐N‐based ELISAs can be used for evaluating App status in commercial herds, but some appear limited by high carriage rates of low‐virulence App. The 39‐kDa antigen is only of merit in exclusion of App disease by negative serology.     

Identification of a genetic variant of canine distemper virus from clinical cases in two vaccinated dogs in Mexico

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious viral pathogen of worldwide distribution that can cause lethal disease in dogs and other mammals. Genetic diversity is found among reference strains and isolates of CDV, mainly in the haemagglutinin protein (H), fusion protein (F) and nucleoprotein (N), and this may be associated with the increasing incidence of distemper in dogs. CDV was identified by RT-PCR in serum samples taken from two clinically diseased, previously vaccinated Mexican dogs. Subsequently, in both samples, a fragment of the CDV N gene was sequenced revealing a 100% identity between nucleotide sequences. However, the sequence obtained was different to that found in virus strains used in vaccines and in isolates reported elsewhere, but was closely related to A75/17, 1127/Gi95, and 2495/Gi95 sequences from USA and Germany, and clustered with 1127/Gi95 and 2495/Gi95 strains. The results suggest that a novel CDV lineage may be present in Mexico.     

我国近期猪瘟分子流行病学动态

利用反转录聚合酶链式反应 (RT PCR)及测序技术 ,测定 2 0 0 2年分离于我国甘肃、湖南、海南、青海等省的 9株猪瘟野毒的E2基因序列 ,并与C 株疫苗毒进行同源性比较 ,绘制CSFV系统发生树。结果表明 ,近期分离于我国的 9株野毒与C 株核苷酸序列间的同源性在80 .7%～ 99.1 %,氨基酸同源性在 89.3%～98.9%。9株野毒分属于 2个不同的组群 ,其中 5株与我国经典的石门强毒和C 株疫苗毒同属于Subgroups1 .1 ,另 4株属于与C 株有较大差异的Subgroup2 .1。     

Seroprevalence of Japanese encephalitis virus and risk factors associated with seropositivity in pigs in four mountain districts in Nepal*

Japanese encephalitis was recently reported from individuals in the mountain districts of Nepal without travel history to Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) endemic areas. We performed a cross-sectional study to estimate the seroprevalence of JEV in pigs and subsequently conducted a survey of farmers to identify risk factors associated with seropositivity. In July and August, 2010, 454 pig serum samples were collected and tested by competitive ELISA. Data from a 35-question survey of 109 pig owners were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. Seventy-six (16.7, 95% CI 13.6-20.4) pigs tested positive for anti-JEV antibodies, none of which had been vaccinated against JEV or sourced from JEV endemic areas. Risk factors associated with JEV seropositivity were 'summer abortion', 'wells as a water source', 'urban location', 'reported presence of mosquitoes' and 'lower elevation'. Our results suggest that JEV is likely circulating in the mountain districts of Nepal, and that locally acquired JEV should be considered a risk for residents and travellers in these areas.     

Effect of pooling udder skin wipes on the detection of influenza A virus in preweaning pigs

Influenza A virus (IAV) active surveillance in pigs prior to weaning is commonly conducted by collecting individual samples, mostly nasal swabs. Recently, the use of udder skin wipes collected from lactating sows was identified as an effective sampling method to indicate IAV status of suckling piglets prior to weaning. However, there is limited information on the effect of pooling multiple udder wipes on the ability to detect IAV. We evaluated the effect of pooling 3, 5, or 10 udder wipes on the sensitivity of detecting IAV and compared the results with testing the wipes individually. The likelihood of detecting positive udder wipes decreased with pooling when the initial positive cycle threshold value was ≥31.5; pooling of up to 3 samples could be performed without affecting sensitivity significantly. Our results support pooling of udder skin wipes to conduct surveillance of IAV in pigs prior to weaning.     

我国猪繁殖与呼吸综合征流行概况

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征(PRRS)是目前危害世界养猪业最严重的传染病之一,并在我国广泛流行.2006年我国出现的美洲型高致病性PRRS病毒(PRRSV)变异株,更是对我国养猪业影响极大.论文概述了近年来我国PRRS的流行特点,对血清学及病原学方面的调查数据进行了统计分析,并对PRRSV分子流行病学进行了探讨.     

Risk factors of African swine fever virus in suspected infected pigs in smallholder farming systems in South-Kivu province,Democratic Republic of Congo

BackgroundAfrican swine fever (ASF) is an infectious viral disease of domestic pigs that presents as a hemorrhagic fever, and for which no effective vaccine is available. The disease has a serious negative social and economic impact on pig keepers. There is limited information on the potential risk factors responsible for the spread of ASF in South Kivu.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the potential risk factors associated with ASF infection in suspected ASF virus (ASFV)-infected pigs.MethodsWe sampled whole blood from 391 pigs. Additionally, 300 pig farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Viral DNA was detected by using the real-time polymerase chain reaction technique.ResultsThe majority of pigs sampled, 78% (95% confidence interval [CI], 74.4–82.6), were of local breeds. Over half, 60.4% (95% CI, 55.5–65.2), were female, and most of them, 90.5% (95% CI, 87.6–93.4), were adult pigs (> 1 year old). Viral DNA was detected in 72 of the 391 sampled pigs, indicating an overall infection rate of 18.4% (95% CI, 14.5–22.4). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed several risk factors positively associated with ASFV infection: feeding with swill in pen (odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% CI, 2.12–6.77); mixed ages of pigs in the same pen (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.99–5.57); introduction of new animals to the farm (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.91–15.28). The risk factors that were negatively (protective) correlated with ASFV positivity were the presence of male animals and the use of an in-pen breeding system.ConclusionLocal pig farmers should be encouraged to adopt proper husbandry and feeding practices in order to increase the number of ASF-free farms.