Detection of Novel Reassortant Influenza A (H3N2) and H1N1 2009 Pandemic Viruses in Swine in Hanoi,Vietnam

From May to September 2013, monthly samples were collected from swine in a Vietnamese slaughterhouse for influenza virus isolation and serological testing. A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses and a novel H3N2 originating from reassortment between A(H1N1)pdm09 and novel viruses of the North American triple reassortant lineage were isolated. Serological results showed low seroprevalence for the novel H3N2 virus and higher seroprevalence for A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses. In addition, serology suggested that other swine influenza viruses are also circulating in Vietnamese swine.     

非洲猪瘟病毒p30蛋白单克隆抗体制备及线性抗原表位定位

【目的】制备非洲猪瘟病毒（African swine fever virus,ASFV）p30蛋白的单克隆抗体（monoclonal antibodies,MAbs）并初步分析其所识别的线性抗原表位,为ASFV及其抗体检测方法的建立及p30蛋白结构和功能的研究奠定基础。【方法】将原核表达并纯化的p30重组蛋白作为免疫原,免疫6—8周龄BALB/c雌鼠,每两周免疫1次,共免疫3次,首次免疫是抗原与等体积的弗氏完全佐剂乳化后免疫,第二次和第三次免疫与等体积的弗氏不完全佐剂乳化,3次免疫后1 w断尾采血,间接酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）检测血清抗体效价,选择血清效价最高的小鼠进行加强免疫,3 d后取小鼠脾淋巴细胞与SP2/0骨髓瘤细胞按照4﹕1的比例使用PEG进行常规细胞融合。利用重组p30蛋白作为包被抗原,间接ELISA筛选阳性杂交瘤细胞,有限稀释法进行克隆纯化,直至筛出能够稳定分泌抗体的MAbs。将ASFV接种于猪肺泡巨噬细胞,以筛选的MAbs为一抗、兔抗鼠HRP-IgG为二抗,进行间接免疫荧光试验（IFA）。将感染和未感染ASFV的细胞沉淀处理后进行 SDS-PAGE并转印至硝酸纤维素膜,分别以IFA鉴定为阳性的MAbs上清为一抗、兔抗鼠HRP-IgG为二抗,进行Western blotting分析,筛选获得p30 MAbs。根据已知序列设计引物扩增p30ab与p30bc两段截短基因,其中p30ab代表由第86—153位氨基酸残基的截短体,p30bc代表由第120—187位氨基酸残基的截短体,原核表达部分重叠的截短p30蛋白,最终获得重组蛋白GST-p30ab与重组蛋白GST-p30bc。分别以GST-p30ab和GST-p30bc融合蛋白为包被抗原,以5株MAbs为一抗,以兔抗鼠HRP-IgG为二抗, 通过间接ELISA方法初步定位p30蛋白的抗原表位。【结果】以纯化的重组蛋白为包被抗原,经间接ELISA试验筛选出25株可分泌抗重组 p30蛋白的杂交瘤细胞株。IFA结果显示,5株MAbs（8F4、1D3、1H2、6C3和8E11）与ASFV感染的猪肺泡巨噬细胞IFA 试验呈阳性;Western blotting结果显示,5株MAbs均能够与ASFV感染的细胞呈阳性反应,与未感染病毒的细胞呈阴性反应。试验构建的p30截短体重组蛋白GST-p30ab以可溶和包涵体两种形式表达,而GST-p30bc仅以包涵体形式表达,以两组截短体融合蛋白为包被抗原,通过间接ELISA检测出MAbs 8F4、1H2和6C3与两个重组蛋白均能有效结合,证明MAbs 8F4、1H2和6C3抗原识别区域为两组截短蛋白重叠区域,即第120—153位氨基酸;MAbs 8E11与1D3则只能与GST-p30ab蛋白结合, 证明MAbs 8E11与1D3抗原识别区域为两个重组蛋白的非重叠区域,即第86—119位氨基酸。【结论】本研究可溶性地表达了p30蛋白的第86—153位氨基酸截短体重组蛋白,制备了5株p30 MAbs,定位到2个p30蛋白抗原表位。结合ELISA和IFA,可建立十分可靠的ASFV及其抗体的检测手段。     

草莓种子实生苗的病毒分子检测

草莓易感染病毒,从而导致产量减少和品质下降。目前生产上主要采用茎尖组织培养脱毒的方法,并不能保证完全脱除病毒,还需要进行无病毒检测鉴定。因此,需进一步探索简便、高效、免检的脱毒体系。利用RT-PCR技术,以草莓肌动蛋白基因序列为内标,结合4种草莓病毒特异性扩增,验证了草莓种子实生苗不携带病毒。旨在助推种子繁殖型草莓品种的应用。     

鲤春病毒血症病毒(SVCV)的研究进展

鲤春病毒血症病毒（SVCV）是一种能够引起鲤科鱼类急性传染性病毒病-鲤春病毒血症（SVC）的病原，一旦暴发会造成巨大的经济损失。该病主要在欧洲的鲤鱼养殖中广泛传播，主要症状为体内出血，腹膜炎及腹水。SVCV具有囊膜，暂时列为弹状病毒科水泡性病毒属。病毒基因组为线性单股不分段的负链RNA，长11019个核苷酸，主要包含5个基因，分别编码核蛋白N、磷蛋白P、基质蛋白M、糖蛋白G和RNA聚合酶L。日前，中国出入境检验检疫检测SVCV的行业标准是逆转录PCR法。本研究从病毒的生物学特征，感染的临床症状及流行特点，病毒基因组及其多肽特征，病毒的分类地位以及检测技术等方面对国内外研究的现状作一综述，以期为研究者提供理论参考。     

Digesta viscosity, nutrient digestibility and organ weights in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed diets supplemented with different levels of a soluble non-starch polysaccharide

The objective of the present study was to investigate if dietary soluble non‐starch polysaccharides (NSP) increase digesta viscosity, reduce nutrient digestibility and increase organ weights in African catfish. The fish (mean weight 80 g) were fed diets supplemented with the soluble NSP guar gum at three levels, 0 g kg^?1 (GG0), 40 g kg^?1 (GG4) and 80 g kg^?1 (GG8). Guar gum inclusion significantly increased digesta viscosity in the proximal (GG0: 1.7 centipoise or cP; GG4: 84.9 cP; GG8: 98.3 cP) and distal (GG0: 1.9 cP; GG4: 109.8 cP; GG8: 66.4 cP) intestine. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) were significantly lower for the GG8 diet than the GG0 diet (dry matter: 52% versus 69%; protein: 77% versus 90%; ash: 41% versus 54%; energy: 60% versus 77%). The ADC of dry matter and energy were significantly lower for the GG4 diet than the GG0 diet. The relative growth rate of metabolic weight (14.5–15.4 g kg^?0.8 day^?1) and feed conversion ratio (0.8) did not differ between diets. Fish fed the GG8 diet had a significantly higher somatic stomach index than GG0 fish (0.71% versus 0.65% body weight). The intestinal somatic index tended to increase with increasing guar gum supplementation (GG0: 1.08%; GG4: 1.23%; GG8: 1.59%). In conclusion, high digesta viscosities in the guar gum fed fish may explain the observed reduced nutrient digestibilities and increases in digestive organ weights.     

Infection dynamics of foot-and-mouth disease virus in pigs using two novel simulated-natural inoculation methods

In order to characterize foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection dynamics in pigs, two simulated-natural inoculation systems were developed and evaluated. Intra-oropharyngeal (IOP) and intra-nasopharyngeal (INP) inoculation both enabled precise control of dose and timing of inoculation while simulating field exposure conditions.     

Drivers and risk factors for circulating African swine fever virus in Uganda, 2012–2013

We explored observed risk factors and drivers of infection possibly associated with African swine fever (ASF) epidemiology in Uganda. Representative sub-populations of pig farms and statistics were used in a case-control model. Indiscriminate disposal of pig viscera and waste materials after slaughter, including on open refuse dumps, farm-gate buyers collecting pigs and pig products from within a farm, and retention of survivor pigs were plausible risk factors. Wire mesh-protected windows in pig houses were found to be protective against ASF infection. Sighting engorged ticks on pigs, the presence of a lock for each pig pen and/or a gate at the farm entrance were significantly associated with infection/non-infection; possible explanations were offered. Strict adherence to planned within-farm and community-based biosecurity, and avoidance of identified risk factors is recommended to reduce infection. Training for small-scale and emerging farmers should involve multidimensional and multidisciplinary approaches to reduce human-related risky behaviours driving infection.     

Oral Recombinant Feline Interferon-Omega as an alternative immune modulation therapy in FIV positive cats: Clinical and laboratory evaluation

Recombinant-Feline Interferon-Omega (rFeIFN-ω) is an immune-modulator licensed for use subcutaneously in Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV) therapy. Despite oral protocols have been suggested, little is known about such use in FIV-infected cats. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical improvement, laboratory findings, concurrent viral excretion and acute phase proteins (APPs) in naturally FIV-infected cats under oral rFeIFN-ω therapy (0.1 MU/cat rFeIFN-ω PO, SID, 90 days). 11 FIV-positive cats were treated with oral rFeIFN-ω (PO Group). Results were compared to previous data from 7 FIV-positive cats treated with the subcutaneous licensed protocol (SC Group). Initial clinical scores were similar in both groups. Independently of the protocol, rFeIFN-ω induced a significant clinical improvement of treated cats. Concurrent viral excretion and APP’s variation were not significant in the PO Group. Oral rFeIFN-ω can be an effective alternative therapy for FIV-infected cats, being also an option for treatment follow-up in cats submitted to the licensed protocol.     

Up-regulated expression of PD-1 and its ligands during acute Classical Swine Fever virus infection in swine

In order to investigate the relationship between the PD-1 pathway and impairment of immune responses with the CSFV infection, the mRNA expression of PD-1 and its ligands were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) during artificial CSFV infection. Simultaneously, expression of IL-2 and IL-10 mRNA were detected. The T cell proliferation and CSFV load in plasma were also measured. Results showed that the expression of PD-1 and its ligands mRNA were significantly increased (p < 0.01) in PBMC from 3 to 7 days post infection (dpi). Meanwhile the level of IL-10 was up-regulated (p < 0.01). The IL-2 mRNA was not obviously changed but it is significantly increased from 14 dpi. The T cell proliferation was notably decreased at 7 dpi. The CSFV load was also increased in plasma. Overall, our results suggest that the expression of PD-1 and its ligands were up-regulated and probably correlated with immune inhibition during acute CSFV infection.     

Discovery of a new avian bornavirus genotype in estrildid finches (Estrildidae) in Germany

Avian bornaviruses (ABV) are known to be the causative agent of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) in parrots and their relatives (Psittaciformes). A broad range of ABV genotypes has been detected not only in psittacine birds, but also in other avian species including canary birds (Serinus canaria forma domestica) and Bengalese finches (Lonchura striata f. dom.), which are both members of the order songbirds (Passeriformes).During this study 286 samples collected from captive and wild birds of various passerine species in different parts of Germany were screened for the presence of ABV. Interestingly, only three ABV-positive samples were identified by RT-PCR. They originated from one yellow-winged pytilia (Pytilia hypogrammica) and two black-rumped waxbills (Estrilda troglodytes) from a flock of captive estrildid finches in Saxony. The ABV isolates detected here were only distantly related to ABV isolates found in passerine species in Germany and Japan and form a new genotype tentatively called ABV-EF (for “estrildid finches”).