Identification of genotype 3 hepatitis E virus in fecal samples from a pig farm located in a Shanghai suburb

Strains of hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 1 and 4 have been detected on the Chinese mainland although there have been no previous reports of zoonotic genotype 3 HEV. In the present study, 65 swine fecal specimens were collected from five pig farms located in different Shanghai suburbs. RT-PCR and nested PCR were undertaken using partial nucleotide sequences of Open Reading Frame 2 (ORF2) of HEV to detect HEV RNA. Genetic analysis was based on alignments of an amplified 150-nt ORF2 sequence. RT-PCR revealed 15 HEV positive samples among 65-pig fecal specimens examined. Phylogenetic analysis of the amplified sequences indicated seven HEV strains belonged to genotype 3 and eight strains to genotype 4. This is the first time that genotype 3 hepatitis E virus has been identified on the Chinese mainland.     

Serological and molecular evidence of hepatitis E virus in swine in Brazil

Active hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections in two Brazilian swine herds were investigated. In study 1, 26 piglets born to five anti-HEV positive sows were monitored from birth to post-partum week 22. Serum samples were screened for the detection of anti-HEV antibodies and a nested RT-PCR used to examine the HEV genome. Passive transfer of immunity was confirmed. At week 22, 23/26 (88.4%) of the piglets had seroconverted. Genome amplification was achieved in a feces pool from one holding pen and in one serum sample, both from 13-week-old animals. Histology was suggestive of a potential HEV infection. In the second study, 47 piglets born to six anti-HEV-positive sows were monitored after weaning. Seroconversion was determined in eight animals at 6-8 weeks of age. HEV RNA was detected in two pools from a holding pen for 12-16-week-old animals. Brazilian isolates were classified as genotype 3. This is the first molecular evidence of HEV infection in Brazilian pig herds.     

Hepatitis E virus infection dynamics and organic distribution in naturally infected pigs in a farrow-to-finish farm

The objective of the present study was to determine the pattern of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in a naturally infected, farrow-to-finish herd. For that purpose, a prospective study was conducted in randomly selected 19 sows and 45 piglets. Blood samples were collected from sows at 1 week post-farrowing and from piglets at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 22 weeks of age. Furthermore 3 or 5 animals were necropsied at each bleeding day (but at 1 week of age), and serum, bile, liver, mesenteric lymph nodes and faeces taken. HEV IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies were determined in serum and viral RNA was analysed in all collected samples by semi-nested RT-PCR. Histopathological examination of mesenteric lymph nodes and liver was also conducted. From 13 analysed sows, 10 (76.9%) were positive to IgG, one to IgA (7.7%) and two to IgM (15.4%) antibodies specific to HEV. In piglets, IgG and IgA maternal antibodies lasted until 9 and 3 weeks of age, respectively. IgG seroconversion occurred by 15 weeks of age while IgM and IgA at 12. On individual basis, IgG was detectable until the end of the study while IgM and IgA antibody duration was of 4-7 weeks. HEV RNA was detected in serum at all analysed ages with the highest prevalence at 15 weeks of age. HEV was detected in faeces and lymph nodes for the first time at 9 weeks of age and peaked at 12 and 15 weeks of age. This peak coincided with the occurrence of hepatitis as well as with HEV detection in bile, liver, mesenteric lymph nodes and faeces, and also with highest IgG and IgM OD values at 15 weeks. Finally, different HEV sequences from this farm were obtained, which they clustered within 3 different groups, together with other Spanish sequences, all of them of genotype 3. Moreover, the present study also indicates that the same pig can be infected with at least two different strains of HEV during its productive life. This is the first study characterizing HEV infection in naturally infected pigs with chronological virus detection and its relationship with tissue lesions throughout the productive life of the animals.     

河南省猪场戊型肝炎病毒流行病学调查

为了解河南地区猪戊型肝炎感染情况,同时掌握该地区猪感染戊型肝炎病毒的基因型,对来自河南新乡、平顶山、南阳等地区不同商品猪场血清、肝脏、粪样品,采用ELISA技术检测猪血清中抗HEV特异性抗体水平,并使用套式RT-PCR检测肝脏和粪便中猪戊型肝炎病毒核酸。结果显示530份样品中HEV抗体阳性率0.6%,HEV RNA均为阴性,推测目前河南省猪戊型肝炎病毒感染率较低。     

猪戊型肝炎病毒荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立及其分子流行病学

对已发表的戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)不同基因型毒株全序列进行分析,针对ORF3的保守区设计引物和探针优化建立了HEV荧光RT-PCR检测体系。分析表明该反应体系具有良好的扩增效率、特异性和稳定性,且检测灵敏度比普通RT-PCR方法高10～100倍。利用所建立的荧光定量PCR方法对采集自浙江及其周边上海、江苏等地区规模化猪场的样品以及HEV抗体阳性人血清样品进行了HEV核酸检测。其中,77份人血清样本仅有2份为HEV核酸阳性(2.6%)。而猪粪便样品阳性率则高达20.5%(56/273),且所调查的猪场均存在HEV感染。进一步的分子流行特征分析表明,浙江及周边地区的猪HEV毒株多为基因Ⅳ型,与其他地区的Ⅳ型HEV毒株同源性较高(83.4%～89.5%),但它们之间也存在较多的变异位点。猪源HEV毒株PJ-1则与多数Ⅲ型HEV毒株同源性较高(88%),进化分析也表明其为基因Ⅲ型。人血清样品中检测到的2份HEV毒株Human-1与Human-2与本地区Ⅳ型猪源毒株在分子进化关系上具有很高的亲源性,它们分布于同一分支内,而不构成独立分支。以上分析结果表明浙江及其周边地区猪HEV感染较为广泛,且以基因Ⅳ型毒株为主,但也存在...     

Comparison of one-step RT-PCR and a nested PCR for the detection of canine distemper virus in clinical samples

OBJECTIVE: To develop a rapid and sensitive method for the detection of canine distemper virus (CDV) by nested PCR using clinical specimens. DESIGN: A nested PCR was developed, compared to a one-step RT-PCR and validated. PROCEDURE: Two sets of specific primers for a one-step RT-PCR and a nested PCR, targeting a 640 bp fragment and a 297 bp fragment, respectively, were selected from the highly conserved region of the nucleocapsid protein (NP) gene of CDV. The nested PCR and the one-step RT-PCR were used to amplify a part of the CDV NP gene of a CDV vaccinal strain and samples of urine, blood, nasal discharge and saliva from 29 dogs suspected of suffering CD. RESULTS: Both the one-step RT-PCR and the nested PCR reacted with the CDV vaccinal strain, but not with canine parvovirus. The expected 640 bp fragment of the NP gene was detected in 11/22 (50.0%) blood, 10/20 (50.0%) urine, 5/25 (20.0%) saliva and 6/27 (22.2%) nasal swab samples by one-step RT-PCR, whereas the nested PCR amplified an expected 297 bp fragment of the NP gene in 18/22 (81.8%) blood, 15/20 (75.0%) urine, 14/25 (56%) saliva and 19/27 (70.3%) nasal swab samples. CONCLUSION: The nested PCR detected CDV in blood, urine, nasal swab and saliva more frequently than did the one-step RT-PCR. Therefore, this assay should be a useful aid to antemortem diagnosis of CDV infections in dogs.     

Detection of hepatitis E virus RNA in rats caught in pig farms from Northern Italy

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) strains belonging to the Orthohepevirus genus are divided into four species (A–D). HEV strains included in the Orthohepevirus A species infect humans and several other mammals. Among them, the HEV‐3 and HEV‐4 genotypes are zoonotic and infect both humans and animals, of which, pigs and wild boar are the main reservoirs. Viruses belonging to the Orthohepevirus C species (HEV‐C) have been considered to infect rats of different species and carnivores. Recently, two studies reported the detection of HEV‐C1 (rat HEV) RNA in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients, suggesting a possible transmission of rat HEV to humans. The role of rats and mice as reservoir of HEV and the potential zoonotic transmission is still poorly known and deserves further investigation. To this purpose, in this study, the presence of HEV RNA was investigated in the intestinal contents and liver samples from 47 Black rats (Rattus rattus) and 21 House mice (Mus musculus) captured in four pig farms in Northern Italy. The presence of both Orthohepevirus A and C was investigated by the real‐rime RT‐PCR specific for HEV‐1 to HEV‐4 genotypes of Orthohepevirus A species and by a broad spectrum hemi‐nested RT‐PCR capable of detecting different HEV species including rat HEV. The intestinal content from two Black rats resulted positive for HEV‐C1 RNA and for HEV‐3 RNA, respectively. None of the House mice was HEV RNA positive. Sequence analyses confirmed the detection of HEV‐C1, genotype G1 and HEV‐3 subtype e. The viral strain HEV‐3e detected in the rat was identical to swine HEV strains detected in the same farm. Liver samples were negative for the detection of either rat HEV or HEV‐3.     

Detection of hepatitis E virus RNA in saliva for diagnosis of acute infection

Diagnosis of acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is established by detection of anti‐HEV IgM antibodies by ELISA or by amplification of serum viral RNA. Here, we evaluate the diagnostic value of testing HEV RNA in saliva to identify patients with acute HEV infection. Prospective proof‐of‐concept study including patients with acute hepatitis. Whole blood and neat saliva samples were obtained from all patients. Saliva samples were processed and analysed for HEV RNA by RT‐PCR within 2 hr after collection. A total of 34 patients with acute hepatitis and 12 healthy donors were included in the study. HEV RNA in serum was confirmed by RT‐PCR in eight of these patients (23.5%; 95% CI: 12.2%–40.2%). HEV was isolated in the saliva of eight of 34 patients (23.5%; 95% CI: 12.2%–40.2%). All patients with HEV RNA amplified in saliva had detectable HEV RNA in serum. HEV was isolated neither in the saliva of any of the 26 patients without detectable HEV RNA in serum nor in healthy donors. Our study suggests that acute HEV infection could be diagnosed by assessing viral load in saliva.     

规模化猪场猪圆环病毒2型感染的实验室诊断

为了确诊贵州省某规模化猪场保育仔猪异常死亡原因,从怀孕母猪、产房母猪、后备母猪、种公猪、哺乳仔猪、保育仔猪6个猪群采集90份血清样本采用ELISA方法分别进行血清抗体检测,并对采集的90份血清样本和1份病死猪淋巴结组织采用荧光PCR方法进行病原学检测。结果:6个猪群综合的猪瘟病毒、猪蓝耳病病毒、伪狂犬病病毒g B蛋白、伪狂犬病病毒g E蛋白血清抗体阳性率分别为87.78%、70.00%、88.89%、4.44%;猪瘟病毒、猪蓝耳病病毒、伪狂犬病病毒病原核酸检测显示阴性,猪圆环病毒2型病原核酸检测淋巴结组织样本显示阳性。试验结果表明,引起该猪场保育仔猪死亡的原因为猪圆环病毒2型感染。同时,怀孕母猪群出现了伪狂犬病病毒g E蛋白抗体阳性,提示怀孕母猪群可能存在猪伪狂犬病野毒感染。     

H3亚型禽流感病毒巢式PCR检测方法的建立

为建立一种H3亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)的检测方法,本研究针对H3亚型AIV HA基因保守序列,设计并筛选出2对特异性引物,通过优化反应条件,建立了H3亚型AIV巢式PCR检测方法。对该法进行特异性和敏感性检验,并用该法对96份临床样品进行检测。特异性试验结果表明该法只能检测到H3亚型AIV,对其他常见禽病病原体不扩增;敏感性试验结果表明该巢式PCR对H3亚型AIV检测下限为1×10³拷贝/μL,灵敏度比常规PCR高100倍;96份临床样品检测结果与病毒分离结果一致。本研究所建立的巢式PCR为H3亚型AIV的诊断提供了一种准确、有效的检测方法。     

反转录─套式PCR方法检测鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒

采用蛋白酶 Ｋ 消化,酚、氯仿抽提的方法提取法氏囊匀浆和细胞培养液中的鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒（ Ｉ Ｂ Ｄ Ｖ）基因组 Ｒ Ｎ Ａ,用特异的寡核苷酸引物对其 Ｖ Ｐ２ 高变区进行反转录套式 Ｐ Ｃ Ｒ 扩增。应用该方法从一个法氏囊匀浆中即可特异地检出 Ｉ Ｂ Ｄ Ｖ Ｒ Ｎ Ａ,得到的扩增产物可用于分子流行病学的进一步分析,而从感染材料的处理到扩增结果的电泳检测,在两个工作日之内可轻松完成。本实验为法氏囊病病毒的诊断和分子流行病学的分析提供了一种快速、简便、可靠的手段。     

The high prevalence of hepatitis E virus infection in wild boars in Ibaraki Prefecture,Japan

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is known as a causative agent of zoonosis and food poisoning. Pigs and some species of wild animals, including wild boar, are known to be a reservoir of HEV. In this study, we investigated the situation regarding HEV infection in wild boars in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Serum, liver and feces samples from 68 animals were collected, and the presence or absence of HEV genomic RNA and HEV antibodies were analyzed. The viral genome was detected in samples from 7 (10.3%) animals, with all HEVs classified as genotype 3, subtype 3b. HEV antibodies were detected in samples from 28 (41%) animals. This report demonstrates for the first time the high prevalence of HEV infection in wild boars in Ibaraki Prefecture.     

A survey of the prevalence of infectious bronchitis virus type 4/91 in Iran

To evaluate the prevalence of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) type 4/91 in Iran, tracheal swabs from 77 broiler flocks in 16 provinces were collected at the slaughterhouse. Swabs were subjected to RNA extraction and tested by RT-PCR, followed by a type-specific nested PCR. The viral RNA was detected in 33 samples (42.8%) from different provinces. The results indicate a relatively high prevalence of IBV type 4/91 in Iran and necessitate revising the vaccination programme against this disease.