Immunohistochemical and qPCR determination of the expression and serum level of anti‐Müllerian hormone in pre‐pubertal,intact and ovarian remnant syndrome detected bitches

The aim of this study was to determine the serum concentrations, ovarian presence and expression of anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) in pre‐pubertal, bitches with signs of ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) and intact bitches. In addition, we aimed to verify the suitability of serum AMH concentrations for diagnostic purposes in sterilized bitches and/or in suspected cases of ORS in the field of veterinary medicine. For this purpose, 36 healthy female dogs divided into six groups: proestrus, oestrus, dioestrus, anoestrus, pre‐pubertal and ORS. Serum AMH concentrations were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, and ovarian presence and distribution of AMH was confirmed by immunohistochemical and qPCR techniques. According to the results of qPCR, while the expression values of AMH were at the highest concentrations in the proestrus and oestrus, there was a statistically significant decrease in these values at the later stages of the cycle (p < 0.05). According to hormone analysis, the serum AMH values of the ORS group had decreased significantly compared with the proestrus and oestrus (p < 0.05). Although serum AMH levels of ORS group were increased compared with anestrus and pre‐pubertal groups, this increase was statistically non‐significant (p > 0.05). Immunohistochemically, AMH expression was first observed in the granulosa cells of primordial follicles in folliculogenesis. Expression values were the highest in the proestrous and oestrus groups, but values from bitches in later stages of the cycle were statistically significant decrease in comparison with these groups (p < 0.05). As a result, AMH concentration and expression were found to be higher in proestrus and oestrus than in other periods (p < 0.05). In addition, the measurable level of AMH concentration in bitches with ORS is an indication that it can be used in the diagnosis of ORS.     

鲤疱疹病毒2型微滴式数字PCR检测方法的建立及比较分析

本研究建立了定量检测鲤疱疹病毒2型(Cyprinid herpesvirus 2,CyHV-2)的微滴式数字PCR(Droplet digital PCR,ddPCR)检测方法,并与实时荧光定量PCR(Quantitative real-time PCR,qPCR)检测方法的灵敏性、重复性、特异性和临床样品检测做了比较分析.结果表明,与qPCR相比,ddPCR具有相同的特异性,其灵敏性比qPCR低20倍.在定量CyHV-2 DNA时,ddPCR (R2=0.994)和qPCR (R2=0.994)均表现出良好的线性关系,且2种检测方法间的定量值呈正相关(R2=0.989).在定量检测相同稀释度的CyHV-2 DNA时,qPCR的定量值始终比ddPCR高10倍.ddPCR的组内和组间重复变异系数(CV)分别为0.59％-11.26％和6.55％-23.21％,而qPCR为16.57％-27.56％和22.31％-56.73％,说明ddPCR具有更好的稳定性.在临床样品定量检测时,ddPCR的检出率稍高于qPCR.本研究建立的ddPCR能够准确定量检测CyHV-2,将为CyHV-2相关研究提供有益参考.     

Piscine orthoreovirus: Biology and distribution in farmed and wild fish

Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) is a common and widely distributed virus of salmonids. Since its discovery in 2010, the virus has been detected in wild and farmed stocks from North America, South America, Europe and East Asia in both fresh and salt water environments. Phylogenetic analysis suggests three distinct genogroups of PRV with generally discrete host tropisms and/or regional patterns. PRV-1 is found mainly in Atlantic (Salmo salar), Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Salmon of Europe and the Americas; PRV-2 has only been detected in Coho Salmon of Japan; and PRV-3 has been reported primarily in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Europe. All three genotypes can establish high-load systemic infections by targeting red blood cells for principal replication. Each genotype has also demonstrated potential to cause circulatory disease. At the same time, high-load PRV infections occur in non-diseased salmon and trout, indicating a complexity for defining PRV's role in disease aetiology. Here, we summarize the current body of knowledge regarding PRV following 10 years of study.     

A highly sensitive,non‐invasive qPCR‐based strategy for direct quantification of Yersinia ruckeri in fish faeces

Finfish with asymptomatic Yersinia ruckeri infections pose a major risk as they can transmit the pathogen and cause clinical outbreaks in stock populations. Current tools have insufficient quantitative ability for accurately detecting the trace levels of Y. ruckeri typically associated with asymptomatic infection, necessitate invasive or lethal sampling, or require long processing times. This study presents a highly sensitive qPCR‐based method, targeting part of the Y. ruckeri 16S rRNA sequence, that is capable of detecting extremely low levels of Y. ruckeri in noninvasively collected faecal samples. Quantitative precision and accuracy of faecal sample analysis was consistent, despite the complexity of the faecal matrix. The assay demonstrated linearity over a six log‐wide dynamic range. Its limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 4 and 10 copies of the target sequence, respectively. Sensitivity of the assay was comparable to other qPCR‐based methods without requiring invasive or lethal sampling. Applicability as a screening strategy was tested using passively collected faecal samples. Asymptomatic Y. ruckeri infection was detected in all samples, although none of the fish exhibited overt infection. This method will be beneficial for finfish disease management if developed further as a noninvasive, screening tool against asymptomatic Y. ruckeri infection.     

柑橘黄龙病病原菌Las在叶圆片嫁接接种的‘锦橙’中早期扩散研究

为了探究黄龙病（Citrus Huanglongbing,HLB）病原菌在柑橘韧皮部的早期运动情况,以柑橘黄龙病亚洲致病种Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus（Las）为毒源,黄龙病高感品种‘锦橙’实生苗为受体材料进行叶圆片嫁接传毒。利用定量PCR技术对嫁接口处近端主脉、远端主脉、叶柄以及缘周叶组织进行了为期84 d的菌量测定。结果发现,病原菌在近端主脉中积累最快,其次是远端主脉、叶柄和缘周叶组织。以近端主脉为原初侵染部位,Las在嫁接叶片中1 ~ 84 d的早期运动可分为潜伏期（1 ~ 42 d）、指数期（43 ~ 70 d）和稳定期（71 ~ 84 d）。在早期侵染过程中,Las病原菌主要沿叶主脉从原初侵染部位由近向远扩散,其扩散趋势与症状从原初侵染部位向外扩散紧密相关。证实叶圆片嫁接法可作为柑橘HLB一种有效的传毒方式。     

荧光定量PCR检测猪链球菌2型主要毒力因子方法的建立

[目的]建立荧光定量PCR检测猪链球菌2型(Streptococcus suis serotype 2,SS2)、溶菌酶释放蛋白(Muramidase-released protein,MRP)和胞外因子(Extracellular protein factor,EF)3种主要毒力因子的方法。[方法]根据cps2j、mrp和ef基因的基因序列,分别设计并合成3对引物及相应的Taqman探针,其中cps2j和mrp的5'端标记FAM荧光发射基团,ef的5'端标记HEX荧光发射基团,3种基因的3'端都标记BHQ1淬灭荧光基团。通过优化反应体系和程序,建立了一种基于Taqman探针法的荧光定量PCR方法检测上述3种主要毒力因子,其中cps2j单独检测,mrp与ef的实行双重荧光PCR方法检测。[结果]cps2j、mrp和ef的最低检测限分别为12、51和51 CFU,灵敏度很高;与其他病原菌无交叉反应,重复性及特异性均较好;此外,整个检测过程在60 min内即可完成。[结论]该试验所建立的双重荧光定量PCR方法的敏感性、重复性及特异性均较好,可用于同时快速检测猪链球菌2型3种主要毒力因子。     

DNA Quantity and Quality in Remnants of Traffic-Killed Specimens of an Endangered Longhorn Beetle: A Comparison of Different Methods

The sampling of living insects should be avoided in highly endangered species when the sampling would further increase the risk of population extinction. Nonlethal sampling (wing clips or leg removals) can be an alternative to obtain DNA of individuals for population genetic studies. However, nonlethal sampling may not be possible for all insect species. We examined whether remnants of traffic-killed specimens of the endangered and protected flighless longhorn beetle Iberodorcadion fuliginator (L., 1758) can be used as a resource for population genetic analyses. Using insect fragments of traffic-killed specimens collected over 15 yr, we determined the most efficient DNA extraction method in relation to the state of the specimens (crushed, fragment, or intact), preservation (dried, airtight, or in ethanol), storage duration, and weight of the sample by assessing the quantity and quality of genomic DNA. A modified cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide method provided the highest recovery rate of genomic DNA and the largest yield and highest quality of DNA. We further used traffic-killed specimens to evaluate two DNA amplification techniques (quantitative polymerase chain reaction [qPCR] and microsatellites). Both qPCR and microsatellites revealed successful DNA amplification in all degraded specimens or beetle fragments examined. However, relative qPCR concentration and peak height of microsatellites were affected by the state of specimen and storage duration but not by specimen weight. Our investigation demonstrates that degraded remnants of traffic-killed beetle specimens can serve as a source of high-quality genomic DNA, which allows to address conservation genetic issues.     

Development and application of molecular methods (PCR) for detection of Tasmanian Atlantic salmon reovirus

Molecular (PCR) diagnostic tests for the detection and identification of aquareovirus in general, and Tasmanian Atlantic salmon reovirus (TSRV) specifically, were developed, and their diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were determined and compared with virus isolation in cell culture. Intralaboratory and interlaboratory comparison of PCR (conventional hemi‐nested RT‐PCR & RT‐qPCR) and virus isolation in cell culture using finfish cell lines, CHSE‐214 and EPC, was carried out for the detection and identification of TSRV using field samples of farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, L. from various aquaculture sites around Tasmania. The interlaboratory comparison of diagnostic methods was carried out between two laboratories, AAHL‐CSIRO and DPIPWE‐Tasmania. A total of 144 fish from nine sites (12–33 fish per site) were sampled from two regions of Tasmania (Tamar River estuary in the north and Huon River estuary in the south‐east) during late spring to early summer of 2009, and the data were analysed using different statistical approaches. The prevalence of TSRV ranged from 6% to 22% in both regions. All the diagnostic methods (data from both laboratories) had high specificity, while the estimated sensitivity varied between tests with RT‐qPCR being the most sensitive (95.2%) method followed by virus isolation and then conventional hemi‐nested RT‐PCR.     

应用纳米磁珠实时荧光定量PCR方法检测番茄黄化曲叶病毒

In order to develop a rapid, sensitive and specific qPCR assay for detection and quantification of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), a pair of primers and TaqMan probe were designed according to the conserved sequence of known TYLCV isolates. Combining with MNP technique, a novel MNP-qPCR detection method was established and verified based on specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility tests. The results indicated that the Ct value of plotted standard curve showed good linear relationship(R² =0.9994)with the log of copy number of template. The established method showed a high specificity for TYLCV detection without crossing reaction with Tomato severe leaf curl virus and Tomato yellow leaf curl Sadinia virus, and was 10-fold more sensitive than routine PCR. Both coefficients of variation were less than 2%, indicating a good reproducibility. We have provided a novel method for detection of TYLCV in plant samples rapidly and quantitatively.