Immunization of BALB/c mice with Brucella abortus 2308ΔwbkA confers protection against wild-type infection

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that causes animal and human diseases. Vaccination is a major measure for prevention of brucellosis, but it is currently not possible to distinguish vaccinated animals from those that have been naturally infected. Therefore, in this study, we constructed the Brucella (B.) abortus 2380 wbkA mutant (2308ΔwbkA) and evaluated its virulence. The survival of 2308ΔwbkA was attenuated in murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) and BALB/c mice, and it induced high protective immunity in mice. The wbkA mutant elicited an anti-Brucella-specific immunoglobulin G response and induced the secretion of gamma interferon. Antibodies to 2308ΔwbkA could be detected in sera from mice, implying the potential for use of this protein as a diagnostic antigen. The WbkA antigen would allow serological differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals. These results suggest that 2308ΔwbkA is a potential attenuated vaccine against 16M. This vaccine will be further evaluated in sheep.     

不同蛋白质源对草鱼和花鲈肉质影响的比较研究

本试验旨在比较不同蛋白质源对草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)及花鲈(Lateolabrax japonicas)体成分、肌肉游离氨基酸组成及鱼片质构特性的影响。设计草鱼和花鲈饲料各3种,分别等氮等能。3种草鱼试验饲料分别为以鱼粉为唯一蛋白质源的CI-FM组(对照组),以混合植物蛋白质(豆粕和大豆浓缩蛋白)替代80%鱼粉的CI-PPB80组及以混合植物蛋白质替代100%鱼粉的CI-PPB100组。3种花鲈试验饲料分别为以鱼粉为唯一蛋白质源的LJ-FM组(对照组),以混合植物蛋白质(棉籽浓缩蛋白和大豆浓缩蛋白)替代50%鱼粉的LJ-PPB50组和以混合植物蛋白质替代100%鱼粉的LJ-PPB100组。草鱼初始体重为(153.40±0.30)g,随机分为3组,每组3个重复,每个重复20尾鱼;花鲈初始体重为(12.97±0.03)g,随机分为3组,每组4个重复,每个重复25尾鱼。饲喂8周后,检测2种试验鱼的体成分、肌肉游离氨基酸含量及鱼片质构特性、剪切力、滴水损失及胶原蛋白含量。结果表明:与CI-FM组相比,CI-PPB100组草鱼肌肉粗脂肪含量显著降低(P0.05),粗灰分含量显著升高(P0.05);而花鲈肌肉粗脂肪含量则随替代水平的升高呈现先上升后下降的趋势,表现为LJ-PPB50组显著高于LJ-PPB100组(P0.05)。草鱼肌肉总游离氨基酸及生物胺前体含量各组间无显著差异(P0.05);随着替代水平的升高,花鲈肌肉总游离氨基酸及呈味氨基酸含量显著降低(P0.05),生物胺前体含量显著升高(P0.05)。2种试验鱼肌肉中存在各自的特异性成分。2种试验鱼生、熟鱼片的质构特性差异较大。草鱼的CI-FM组和花鲈的LJ-FM组生鱼片的硬度、黏性、咀嚼力、回弹力及剪切力均分别显著高于同鱼种的其他2组(P0.05)。对于熟鱼片,草鱼的CI-PPB80组内聚力显著高于其他2组(P0.05),其他各项指标各组间无显著差异(P0.05);花鲈的LJ-PPB100组硬度及黏附性显著高于LJ-FM组(P0.05),其他各项指标各组间无显著差异(P0.05)。根据结果,混合植物蛋白质替代鱼粉后降低了草鱼和花鲈鱼体脂肪的蓄积,对草鱼肌肉总游离氨基酸含量不造成影响,使花鲈肌肉呈味氨基酸含量下降,必需氨基酸含量减少,生物胺前体含量升高,货架期缩短;高植物蛋白质源饲料使得草鱼和花鲈的肉质均出现明显下降,而高鱼粉饲料可以保证2种试验鱼有较高的肉质。     

实时荧光定量RT-PCR法比较猪瘟疫苗病毒含量

为有效检测福建省使用猪瘟兔化弱毒疫苗病毒含量,给养殖户选择高效疫苗提供科学指导。本研究收集福建省内使用的10个不同厂家生产的23个批次猪瘟疫苗,应用实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法检测疫苗中病毒核酸的含量,以其中的标准品对照,比较相应的兔体反应量。结果表明：抽检23个猪瘟疫苗样品合格率仅为69.56%,传代细胞苗的病毒含量相对较高,脾淋苗病毒含量优于细胞苗;不同厂家生产的同类型疫苗病毒含量差异大,同一厂家生产的同类疫苗存在批间差异。实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测猪瘟疫苗病毒含量是一种便捷、高效的方法,为今后临床猪瘟疫苗的使用提供有效指导依据。     

Two Akabane virus glycoprotein Gc domains induce neutralizing antibodies in mice

Akabane virus (AKAV), belonging to the genus Orthobunyavirus and family Peribunyaviridae, causes reproductive and congenital abnormalities in ruminants. Its envelope glycoprotein Gc is a neutralizing antigen, on which at least five distinct antigenic regions have been identified. We attempted to identify the domains using truncated recombinant AKAV Gc proteins expressed in Escherichia coli and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with AKAV-neutralizing activity. Dot blot analysis revealed that amino acid positions 1–97 and 189–397 (Gc_1–97 and Gc_189–397) in the truncated recombinant proteins reacted with the mAbs. Additionally, AKAV was neutralized by sera from mice immunized with these recombinant proteins. The results suggested that the two domains contain neutralizing epitopes and could be potential subunit vaccines against AKAV.     

Change of plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration with early growth in Japanese beef cattle

The aim of the present study was to examine the change in plasma insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) concentration with early growth, changes of bodyweight (BW) and relative dairy gain (RDG) in the pre‐ (PRW) and postweaning periods (POW) in Japanese beef cattle, and relationships with metabolites. A total of 33 calves, 22 Japanese black, 6 Japanese shorthorn and 5 of their crossbreed were studied. Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 and metabolite (glucose, triacylglycerol, nonesterified fatty acid) levels in the plasma, from jugular vein blood taken every month, were measured along with BW. Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 in POW increased dramatically with increase of BW (P < 0.05), and the correlation was positive at 0.52 (P < 0.01). Glucose levels correlated significantly with BW, RDG and IGF‐1 (P < 0.01). Metabolic required calorie correlated positively with IGF‐1 (P < 0.01). Also, correlations of BW in POW, with BW and RDG in PRW were positive (P < 0.01). Growth in PRW would be influenced by maternal effects, while active self‐secretion of IGF‐1 in POW might contribute to POW growth. These factors suggested that to increase growth in PRW, maintaining enough maternal effect and IGF‐1 level in POW, was important for establishing better growth after weaning.     

Antibody Responses Against Equine Influenza Virus Induced by Concurrent and by Consecutive Use of an Inactivated Equine Influenza Virus Vaccine and a Modified Live Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 Vaccine in Thoroughbred Racehorses

An inactivated equine influenza virus (EIV) vaccine and a live equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) vaccine are usually administered concurrently to Thoroughbred racehorses in Japan. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether concurrent administration of an inactivated EIV vaccine and a live EHV-1 vaccine in Thoroughbred racehorses influences the antibody response against EIV. We compared the antibody response against EIV in horses administered both vaccines on the same day (Group A; n = 27) and the response in horses administered an inactivated EIV vaccine first and then a live EHV-1 vaccine 1–2 weeks later (Group B; n = 20). In both groups, geometric mean hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers against A/equine/Ibaraki/1/2007 and A/equine/Yokohama/aq13/2010 increased significantly after EIV vaccination. However, the percentage of horses that showed a twofold increase or greater in HI titers against A/equine/Yokohama/aq13/2010 was significantly higher in Group B (75%) than in Group A (37%; P = .02). These results suggest that the concurrent use of an inactivated EIV vaccine and a live EHV-1 vaccine reduced the immune response against EIV to some extent, and it would be better to use these vaccines consecutively, especially for naïve horses or horses whose vaccination history is incomplete.     

Effects of AI protocol and time interval from onset of estrus to AI on conception rate in Japanese Black cows

Two different artificial insemination (AI) protocols were investigated to determine the effect of the time interval from the onset of estrus (as detected by a pedometer) to the AI on the conception rate in Japanese Black cows. Seventy‐three cows were divided into two groups that received AI either after the induction of synchronized ovulation (synchronized AI group; n = 26) or at the time of observed estrus (control AI group; n = 47). Each group was further divided into two subgroups, which were artificially inseminated either 0–12 h (early AI group; n = 21) or 12–24 h (late AI group; n = 52) after the onset of estrus. There was no significant difference in the conception rate between the synchronized AI and control AI groups. The AI protocol and the detection of estrus using a threshold of counted steps (as measured by a pedometer) in this study could be effective for planned reproduction management without the observation of standing estrus in Japanese Black cows.     

Monitoring the Immune Status of Broilers Against Reoviruses Using Challenge and Serologic Data

Reoviruses are an important cause of suboptimum performance in commercial broilers worldwide. Integrators use the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against the S1133 antigen for monitoring serum of breeders for indicating pullet vaccine success. However, without correlating serology to reovirus challenge, it is difficult to determine whether titers reflect protective immunity. We developed a broiler challenge test against 2 common reovirus isolates (2408 and S1133) to evaluate the efficacy of reovirus pullet vaccine programs. Two reovirus serologic and challenge studies were undertaken using chicks from broiler integrators from the southeastern United States. Breeder flocks, from which the chicks were obtained, received at least 1 live and 2 inactivated reovirus vaccines during their pullet phase. One-day-old progeny were collected from 6 breeder flocks. At 1 d of age, 20 chicks from each broiler flock were bled, and serum was analyzed for antibodies. At 3 to 4 d of age, 20 progeny per flock were challenged with the 2408 reovirus by intratracheal route. At 10 to 14 d of age, another 20 birds per flock were challenged with the S1133 reovirus by footpad. Twenty birds per flock were used as nonchallenged controls. At 3 wk of age, all birds were killed and weighed. Percentage of protection was calculated for each flock based on the absence of gross lesions. Flocks with at least 50% protection were considered well protected. Most flocks were well protected against both viruses. The percentage of protection correlated with day-old enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers. Chicks from younger hens had higher titers and the best protection against challenge. Producers, whose hen flocks were monitored herein, were doing a good job of immunizing pullets against reovirus. They are now using reovirus progeny challenge studies along with breeder antibody titers to determine vaccination success of their pullets.     

羊痘研究概况

羊痘病毒基因组庞大,约有150 kb,包括中间编码区和两端相同的反向末端重复序列;绵羊痘病毒和山羊痘病毒基因组彼此十分相似,约有96%的核苷酸完全相同.p32蛋白是目前世界各地分离鉴定的所有羊痘病毒株共有的且特异性很强的结构蛋白,在诊断和预防方面具有重要的应用价值.虽然羊疸从临床症状和宿主特异性上很客易做出诊断,但进一步的实验室确诊还是必要的,现已有多种检测方法和诊断试剂.控制该病最有效的方法是使用疫苗对易感动物进行免疫接种.文章从病原学、诊断和预防控制等方面对羊痘进行综述.     

奶牛乳房炎金黄色葡萄球菌疫苗研究进展

奶牛乳房炎是影响乳品工业经济效益的重要疾病之一,引起奶牛乳房炎的致病菌约有150多种,但金黄色葡萄球菌是引起奶牛乳房炎的主要病原。由它引起的乳房炎很难治愈,而且对抗生素产生耐药性的菌株已经相当普遍,因此使用预防或治疗性疫苗防治乳房炎就成为首选。然而金黄色葡萄球菌的致病力由许多不同的因子(如黏附素、荚膜等)决定,这使得制备非常有效的疫苗变得很困难。本文就这些致病因子在疫苗研制方面的进展做一简要介绍。