Experimental maedi infection in sheep. 1. Detection of virus, clinical course, histopathology

Eight sheep were inoculated with Icelandic maedi strain M 88; 2 sheep served as control sheep and were in close contact with the inoculated ones. Four of the sheep were inoculated via the respiratory tract with 7×10⁶ TGID50 of strain M88 and the other 4 intracerebrally with 5×10⁵ TGID50 of the same strain.Maedi M88 strain was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes of all inoculated sheep. There was a striking difference between the 2 groups in the appearance of demonstrable viremia after inoculation. Viremia could be demonstrated in the intrapulmonarily inoculated sheep within 2–6 months but not until 8–11 months after inoculation in the intracerebrally inoculated ones. This finding is thought most probably to reflect a weak neurotropism of the strain used. After the first demonstration of viremia, maedi virus has been recovered quite reqularly in peripheral leukocytes of all intrapulmonarily inoculated sheep, but less regularly in the intracerebrally inoculated ones. Maedi virus was isolated from 1 of the uninoculated control sheep 15 months after inoculation.The first clinical case with a clinical appearance suggesting combined involvement of maedi and visna was found among the intrapulmonarily inoculated sheep, 8% months after inoculation. Histopathological examination and virus isolation confirmed maedi. The cause of paraplegia could not be confirmed. No histopathological changes were found and no virus isolation was made from the central nervous system of this animal.One of the intracerebrally inoculated sheep died suddenly without any observed clinical signs 11 months after inoculation. Histopathological examination revealed pulmonary lesions of maedi, but no visna lesions in the central nervous system, although maedi virus was isolated from various parts of brain.None of the other experimental sheep displayed clinical signs of maedi or visna during the observation period of 18 months.     

Colostral transmission of maedi visna virus: sites of viral entry in lambs born from experimentally infected ewes

Maedi visna virus (MVV) vertical transmission in sheep via infected colostrums is a very important route of infection in lambs. To verify colostral transmission and to study early viral entry in lambs, colostrum samples, and small intestine and mesenteric lymph nodes of lambs born from experimentally infected ewes were examined by histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridisation (ISH) studies. In particular, newborn lambs were naturally fed maternal colostrum and humanely killed at 10, 24, 48, 72, 96 h and 7 and 10 days after birth; two caesarian-derived lambs served as uninfected controls. No lesions suggestive of MVV infection were found, but marked immunoreactions for MVV capsid antigen (CA, p28) were detected in lambs fed maternal colostrum and in macrophages cultured from colostrum. IHC results in lambs suggest an initial viral absorption by intestinal epithelial cells at the tip of the villi, passage to mononuclear cells in the lamina propria and involvement of ileum Peyers' patches and mesenteric lymph nodes, with different staining patterns depending on infection times. ISH on intestinal sections of the 72 h lamb revealed the presence of proviral DNA in epithelial cells at the tip of the villi, suggesting a role for these cells in early MVV replication. The results contribute to knowledge about the pathogenesis of ovine lentivirus infection suggesting that the small intestine and mesenteric nodes are the sites of entry and propagation of MVV in lambs fed colostrums from infected ewes.     

Detection of PrPSc in lung and mammary gland is favored by the presence of Visna/maedi virus lesions in naturally coinfected sheep

There are few reports on the pathogenesis of scrapie (Sc) and Visna/maedi virus (VMV) coinfections. The aim of this work was to study in vivo as well as post mortem both diseases in 91 sheep. Diagnosis of Sc and VMV infections allowed the distribution of animals into five groups according to the presence (+) or absence (−) of infection by Sc and VMV: Sc−/VMV−, Sc−/VMV+, Sc+/VMV− and Sc+/VMV+. The latter was divided into two subgroups, with and without VMV-induced lymphoid follicle hyperplasia (LFH), respectively. In both the lung and mammary gland, PrP^Sc deposits were found in the germinal center of hyperplasic lymphoid follicles in the subgroup of Sc+/VMV+ having VMV-induced LFH. This detection was always associated with (and likely preceded by) PrP^Sc observation in the corresponding lymph nodes. No PrP^Sc was found in other VMV-associated lesions. Animals suffering from scrapie had a statistically significantly lower mean age than the scrapie free animals at the time of death, with no apparent VMV influence. ARQ/ARQ genotype was the most abundant among the 91 ewes and the most frequent in scrapie-affected sheep. VMV infection does not seem to influence the scrapie risk group distribution among animals from the five groups established in this work. Altogether, these data indicate that certain VMV-induced lesions can favor PrP^Sc deposits in Sc non-target organs such as the lung and the mammary gland, making this coinfection an interesting field that warrants further research for a better comprehension of the pathogenesis of both diseases.     

猪流感病毒的基因组结构及跨种属传播

猪是禽和哺乳动物流感病毒的中间宿主和产生重组病毒的混合器,猪流感病毒基因重排现象非常普遍。从猪流感病毒的形态结构、抗原性、基因组与主要编码蛋白、基因重排与跨种属传播等方面,对其研究情况进行了综述,以期为进一步了解猪流感病毒基因重排及种间传播机制,更好的防控流感疫情提供参考。     

Evidence for transmission of bovine leukemia virus by rectal palpation in a commercial dairy herd

The risk of Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) transmission by rectal examination was determined over 22 months in a commercial dairy herd. All 167 BLV seronegative cattle, of breeding age or greater, were divided randomly into two groups and identified by neck-chain color. In the treatment group, routine rectal palpation occurred after a BLV infected animal and without a change of sleeve, while in the other group, palpation occurred in a similar manner with the exception that sleeves were changed between animals. When BLV seronegative cattle in either group were palpated after BLV infected cattle, the event and identification of the cattle involved were recorded. Serologic testing was performed eight times during the 22 month study to determine the number of animals that became infected following a palpation (an event). Thirty-one animals seroconverted during the study; 24 in the treatment (no sleeve change) group and seven in the sleeve change group. Sixteen of the animals in the treatment group that seroconverted had been palpated prior to their seroconversion. A hazard ratio (relative risk) for BLV seroconversion was determined between the two groups. Cows palpated with no sleeve change had a 2.8-fold increase in risk (confidence interval 1.1–6.8) of BLV infection. The increased risk of BLV infection associated with rectal palpation may have been affected by the presence of some highly infectious cows in the herd. This study confirms that rectal palpation without a change of sleeve may be a significant risk factor in some herds, and if efforts are made to decrease the spread of BLV in a herd, the potential for rectal sleeve transmission must be considered.     

抗鸡传染性喉气管炎重组鸡痘病毒基因工程疫苗同居感染试验

疫苗的接触传播是疫苗免疫接种需要考虑的重要因素,为了检测重组鸡痘病毒载体疫苗水平传播的能力,对隔离条件下饲养的SPF鸡用重组鸡痘病毒基因工程疫苗接种,同时设立非免疫对照鸡,饲养期间特意延长清粪时间以增加感染的机会,1个月之后攻击传染性喉气管炎WG株强毒和鸡痘102株强毒,疫苗免疫鸡全部获得保护,而非免疫鸡则全部发病.在试验动物饲养场的自然条件下,将免疫鸡和试验对照两组鸡饲养在同一个鸡舍内,让疫苗毒的传播更接近自然条件.在每个月的攻毒试验中,对照鸡都没有获得对鸡痘和传染性喉气管炎强毒的保护.在疫苗免疫期间进行连续5个月的跟踪检测,同居未免疫鸡没有检测到抗传染性喉气管炎病毒gB抗体.这些实验结果表明抗鸡传染性喉气管炎重组鸡痘病毒基因工程疫苗不能通过接触传播.     

对虾白斑综合征病毒研究概况

对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)引起世界范围内养殖对虾的急性、致死性传染病,造成对虾养殖业的巨大损失,在我国这种情况尤为严重。WSSV是同一类紧密相关的无包埋体类杆状病毒,与杆状病毒并无同源性。2001年,中国和荷兰科学家分别报道了WSSV的全基因组DNA序列,启动了WSSV后基因组研究。已有多种检测方法用于WSSV的检测和致病机理的研究。WSSV感染宿主谱广,以多种传播途径感染宿主,目前还没有用于病毒增殖的细胞系,但已有成熟的动物模型,从而方便了对WSSV的研究。本文就该病毒的命名、病毒特性、检测方法、病毒感染增殖、感染宿主、传播途径及感染动物模型等方面的研究现状和进展作一综述。     

Effects of housing on the incidence of visna/maedi virus infection in sheep flocks

The incidence of seroconversion to visna/maedi virus (VMV) infection and its relationship with management and sheep building structure was investigated in 15 dairy sheep flocks in Spain during 3–7 years. Incidence rates were 0.09 per sheep-year at risk in semi-intensive Latxa flocks and 0.44 per sheep-year at risk in intensive Assaf flocks and was greatest for the one year old Assaf replacement flock. Separate multivariable models developed for replacement and adult flocks indicated that in both cases seroconversion was strongly associated to direct contact exposure to infected sheep and to being born to a seropositive dam. The latter effect was independent of the mode of rearing preweaning and the risk of seroconversion was similar for sheep fed colostrum and milk from a seropositive or a seronegative dam. These results are further evidence of the efficiency of horizontal VMV transmission by close contact between sheep and also suggest a inheritable component of susceptibility and resistance to infection. In contrast, indirect aerogenous contact with seropositive sheep was not associated with seroconversion as evidenced in replacement sheep housed in separate pens in the same building as adult infected sheep for one year. Consequently, VMV may not be efficiently airborne over short distances and this is important for control of infection. Moreover, there was no relationship between seroconversion and shed open areas. The latter could be related to having examined few flocks in which high infection prevalence dominated the transmission process while ventilation, may depend on a variety of unrecorded factors whose relationship to infection needs to be further investigated.     

表达H5亚型AIV HA和NA基因重组鸡痘病毒的构建及在高母源抗体商品鸡的免疫效力试验

母源抗体的干扰是重组鸡痘病毒(FPV)活载体基因工程疫苗至今未能得到推广应用的主要原因,本试验使用FPV新的复制非必需区构建的载体pP12-18构建在高母源抗体商品鸡具有较高免疫力的基因工程疫苗.将H5亚型禽流感病毒分离株的血凝素(HA)基因和神经氨酸酶(NA)基因定向插入鸡痘病毒转移载体pP12-18中,H5A和NA基因的启动子分别为PS和PE/L,获得用不同的启动子启动不同的外源基因且两基因盒方向为背向串联的重组转移载体p12LSH5HANA.将p12LSH5HANA转染至已感染鸡痘病毒282E4疫苗株(wt-FPV)的鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF)中.p12LSH5HANA与wt-FPV基因组DNA之间的同源重组产生了重组鸡痘病毒rFPV-12LSH5HANA.通过在含X-Gal的营养琼脂上连续挑选蓝色病毒蚀斑,获得纯化的重组病毒.经传代证实该重组病毒具有良好的遗传稳定性.用105PFU的rFPV-12LSH5HANA免疫无特定病原体(SPF)鸡,能激发机体产生有效的血凝抑制(HI)抗体.初步的动物试验表明,该重组病毒能使经滴鼻点眼攻毒的SPF鸡抵抗H5亚型AIV的致死性攻击,保护率为100%.在高母源抗体的商品鸡上,rFPV-12LSH5HANA与原有载体构建的重组疫苗rF-PV-11SH5HANA的免疫效力有显著差异,保护率分别为81.4%和45.4%.结果表明,选择FPV合适的复制非必需区构建载体是提高重组FPV在高母源抗体商品鸡免疫效力的有效策略之一.     

Confirmation of the passive transfer of maternal antibodies to calves following vaccination of pregnant cows with an inactivated Mannheimia haemolytica and Bovine herpes virus type 1 vaccine

The objective of this study was to evaluate the passive transfer of maternal antibodies to calves following vaccination of pregnant cows with an inactivated Mannheimia haemolytica (MH) and Bovine herpes virus type 1 (IBR) vaccine (Bovilis® MH + IBR). Sixty-two pregnant cows were allocated at random to two groups; one group was retained as a negative control group (T01), while the other group (T02) was vaccinated with Bovilis® MH + IBR on two occasions during their third trimester of pregnancy. Following calving, blood samples were collected from calves for the measurement of serum antibody titres to IBR and MH, with samples collected prior to suckling (Day 0) and on days 5 (±2), 14 (±3), 28, 56, 84, 112, 140, 168, 196, 224, 252 and 280. The group mean IBR blocking percentage remained low for T01 calves (calves born to T01 cows) between days 0 and 224 (range 4.5%–15.4%), while the group mean IBR blocking percentage increased for T02 calves (calves born to T02 cows) from 14.3% on Day 0 to 94.9% on Day 5 and remained significantly higher than T01 calves up until Day 252. The group mean MH titre (Log2) for T01 calves increased after suckling to 8.9 on Day 5, before declining and remaining stable (range 5.0–6.5). The group mean MH titre for T02 calves increased after suckling to 13.6 on Day 5 and then gradually declined; however, it remained significantly higher than T01 calves between days 5 and 140. Outcomes from this study have confirmed that colostral transfer of IBR and MH antibodies to newborn calves was successful and a high level of passive immunity was acquired by calves.     

Bluetongue virus serotype 26: Infection kinetics,pathogenesis and possible contact transmission in goats

The aim of this study was to assess the pathogenicity and infection kinetics of Bluetongue virus serotype 26 (BTV-26) in goats. Out of a group of six goats housed in insect free accommodation, five were experimentally infected with BTV-26 and one was kept uninfected as an in-contact control. Samples taken throughout the study were used to determine the kinetics of infection using a pan specific BTV real time RT-PCR assay and a group specific ELISA. The five infected goats did not show clinical signs of BTV, however high levels of viral RNA were detected and virus was isolated from the blood of all 5 goats. Antibodies against BTV were first detected between 7 and 11 dpi in all 5 experimentally infected goats. Interestingly at 21 dpi viral RNA was detected in, and virus was isolated from, the blood of the in-contact control goat, which also seroconverted. These results suggest that BTV-26 replicates to high levels in goats, causing no obvious clinical disease, suggesting that goats may be the natural host for this virus. Preliminary evidence also indicates that BTV-26 may be spread by contact transmission between goats, however a more detailed study is required in order to confirm this observation.     

抗独特型抗体检测H9亚型禽流感血清抗体

为了探讨用抗独特型抗体替代病毒或病毒亚单位检测H9亚型禽流感血清抗体的可行性,本试验分别用全病毒抗原和抗独特型抗体(Ab2)作检测原,通过琼脂免疫扩散试验(AGP)和间接酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测了鸡的血清样品。在AGP试验中,分别用Ab2和禽流感病毒(AIV)对10份血清样品检测的符合率为70%。在间接ELISA试验中,Ab2和AIV抗原对10份血清样品检测的符合率为90%。用Ab2间接ELISA试验检测出的血清阳性率(8/10)高于血凝抑制试验(6/10)和AGP试验(5/10)。结果表明,在一定的情况下Ab2可以用来代替具有污染环境风险的病毒抗原来检测抗病毒抗体。     

抗Asia1型口蹄疫病毒单克隆抗体的制备及生物学特性鉴定

用纯化的Asia1型口蹄疫病毒免疫BALB/c小鼠,取免疫小鼠脾细胞与SP2/0骨髓瘤细胞进行融合,经间接ELISA和间接免疫荧光(IFA)筛选,有限稀释法克隆,获得了2株稳定分泌单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株,分别命名为3H6、5G3,其细胞培养上清效价分别为1:64和1:128,小鼠腹水效价分别为1×10~(-4)和8×10~(-3);ELISA和IFA结果显示,2株单抗仅与Asial型口蹄疫病毒反应,不与O型口蹄疫病毒反应,表明它们均为抗Asial型口蹄疫病毒的型特异性单克隆抗体。westem blot结果显示,2株单克隆抗体均不与全病毒抗原反应,表明它们所针对的抗原表位均为构象表位。相加ELISA试验表明,两株单抗识别不同的抗原表位。经硫氰酸盐洗脱法测定,3H6和5G3的相对亲和力指数分别为1.0 mol/L和1.5 mol/L。这2株单抗的获得为建立口蹄疫病毒检测方法提供了强有力的工具。     

鲤春病毒血症病毒单克隆抗体的制备及其特性鉴定

为获得针对鲤春病毒血症病毒(SVCV)特异性的单克隆抗体(MAb),以纯化的SVCV为抗原,免疫BALB/c小鼠.将免疫鼠的脾细胞与SP2/0骨髓瘤细胞融合,采用间接ELISA法筛选获得4个能稳定分泌抗SVCV MAb的杂交瘤细胞株;4个杂交瘤细胞制备腹水的MAb效价为1:160 000～1:640 000.亚型鉴定结果表明,这些MAb分属2个亚型(1F1、3E1,IgG2a;3F5、4F9,IgGl),轻链均为K链.Western blot分析显示,MAb1F1、3F5、4F9能特异性地识别SVCV的N蛋白(47 ku),3E1能特异性地识别SVCV的G蛋白(69 ku).采用相加ELISA法对抗原表位分析结果显示,1F1、3F5、4F9可能识别相同的表位,3E1则识别不同的表位.间接免疫荧光试验结果显示4株MAb均能对染毒病灶产生特异性的荧光染色.这些MAb的制备为SVCV免疫学检测方法的建立奠定了基础.     

In vivo depletion of CD8+ cells does not affect primary maedi visna virus infection in sheep

T-cells have been implicated both, in promoting and reducing viral replication during lentivirus infection. CD8+ lymphocytes are believed to be important in controlling viral load through direct killing of virus-infected cells and by secretion of inhibitory chemokines and cytokines. To evaluate the role of CD8+ T-cells in the induction and control of the primary phase of a lentivirus infection, we have used a non-T-cell tropic lentivirus, maedi-visna virus (MVV), to study the initial pathogenesis and subsequent immune responses in sheep depleted in vivo of CD8+ cells. Sheep were depleted of CD8+ cells in both blood and efferent lymph for up to 14 days. No difference in MVV replication was observed in either the draining efferent lymph or lymph node of these sheep. Surprisingly, these animals displayed a normal induction of pCTL whereas the virus-specific proliferative responses were reduced. This could reflect either that a proportion of functional CD8+ lymphocytes remained in these animals, as suggested by the appearance of pCTLs, or that CD8+ cells are not required for control of primary MVV infection.     

用ELISA对种蛋中禽骨髓细胞瘤病毒的母源抗体调查

为了调查种蛋中禽骨髓细胞瘤病毒的母源抗体 ,从北京、山东、内蒙古地区共 4个种鸡场购买种蛋抽取蛋清共 55份 ,其中肉鸡种蛋清3 8份 ,蛋鸡种蛋清 1 7份 ,在 AL V-Jgp85抗原包被的 96孔板中进行微量滴定 ,两个肉鸡场种蛋中 AL V-J母源抗体阳性率分别为 3 .3 3 % (1 /3 0 ) ,2 5% (2 / 8) ,两个蛋鸡场种蛋中 AL V-J母源抗体阳性率分别为 3 3 .3 % (3 / 9) ,3 7.5% (3 / 8)。     

Relative contribution of colostrum from Maedi-Visna virus (MVV) infected ewes to MVV-seroprevalence in lambs

Maedi-visna virus (MVV) seroprevalence associated with consumption of colostrum from seropositive ewes was investigated in 276 housed lambs from birth to 300 days-old. At birth, lambs were allocated to five experimental groups according to the maternal MVV-serological status, source and mode of feeding colostrum (bovine or ovine and bottle fed or suckled from the dam) and type of horizontal MVV-exposure (raised with the dam or separately with other lambs). The risk of being seropositive at 300 days-old was associated with feeding ovine colostrum from seropositive ewes and increased with intake of bottle-fed ovine colostrum and was higher in lambs separated from their dams and raised with other experimental lambs compared to lambs raised with their dams. Approximately 75-87% of ELISA-positive results in lambs that had ovine colostrum was attributable to colostrum itself. However, approximately only 16% of naturally raised and 29-61% of bottle-fed ovine colostrum lambs were ELISA-positive as a result feeding ovine colostrum. These results confirm that ovine colostrum from seropositive ewes can be a major source of MVV but its overall contribution to seroprevalence in natural conditions is relatively low, and shows that horizontal MVV transmission can be an important source of infection in new-born lambs.     

Studies on equine infectious anemia virus transmission by insects

There are several factors involved in the mechanical transmission of equine infectious anemia (EIA) virus by insects. Large hematophagous insects, especially tabanids, which feed from extravascular sites (ie, pool feeding) appear to be the most efficient vectors. The biology of the host-seeking and blood-feeding behavior of the vectors are important variables that have been overlooked in the mechanical transmission of pathogens like EIA virus. The biology, population levels, and diversity of the vectors, in addition to the clinical status and proximity of EIA virus-infected horses maintained with susceptible animals are all important variables that contribute to EIA virus transmission in nature.