Co-existence of multiple strains of porcine circovirus type 2 in the same pig from China

Pigs are often co-infected by different viral strains from the same virus. Up to now, there are few reports about co-existence of different porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) strains in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate it in Chinese swine herds. 118 PCV2 positive DNAs isolated from diseased pigs identified by classic PCR were re-detected using a modified differential PCR assay. The results indicated that co-existence rates of PCV2 were 32.2% (38/118) in diseased pigs and 0% (0/41) in asymptomatic pigs. Four PCV2 complete genomes were cloned from two co-infected samples and their nucleotide (nt) identities were 95%-97.3%. The phylogenetic analysis showed that four PCV2 strains were divided into different genotypes, PCV2a, PCV2b, PCV2d and PCV2e, respectively. In addition, co-existence were not detected in 41 serum samples from healthy pigs but PCV2 single infection (31.7%, 13/41) existed. These data revealed that the co-existence of different strains of PCV2 might contribute to the development of more severe clinical symptoms for pigs. This is the first report confirming the co-existence of different PCV2 strains in Chinese swine herds. Meanwhile, this study could help us to understand new infection and prevalence forms of PCV2 clinically.

The RNA profile of porcine parvovirus 4, a boca-like virus, is unique among the parvoviruses

PPV4 transcribes its genome from a single promoter, and the RNAs are generated via alternate splicing coupled with alternate polyadenylation, a strategy similar to that of the bocaviruses; however, several differences were detected. The PPV4 ORF1 codes for four NS proteins, while the bocavirus ORF1 codes for 1-3 NS proteins. Whereas the VP1/VP2 capsid proteins of bocavirus are encoded by a single RNA, VP1 and VP2 of PPV4 are encoded by two separate RNAs. While ORF3 of PPV4 encodes two NP proteins, ORF3 of bocavirus codes for only one NP polypeptide. Taken together, PPV4 is unique among the parvoviruses.

Detection of a novel porcine parvovirus, PPV4, in Chinese swine herds

To determine whether the novel porcine parvovirus type 4 (PPV4) recently reported in America is prevalent in China, a set of specific primers was designed and used for molecular survey of PPV4 among the clinical samples collected from various provinces of China between 2006 and 2010. The results showed that PPV4 is present in Chinese swine herds at a rate of 2.09% (12/573) among the clinical samples examined and 0.76% (1/132) among the samples taken from healthy animals. We also noted that PPV4 was not detected in samples taken prior to 2009. Analysis of the coding sequences showed that the Chinese and American PPV4 genome sequences are closely related with greater than 99% nucleotide sequence identity. Similar to a previous study, viral genomes in head-to-tail configuration of various lengths of the non-coding region were detected. Our findings confirmed that PPV4 is a unique recently discovered virus in pigs. Phylogenetically, PPV4 is most closely related to bovine parvovirus 2 (BPV2, which is not a Bocavirus and is not assigned to any Parvovirinae genus) and shares limited ORF1 (33.6%) and ORF2 (24.5%) amino acid identity. With respect to genome structure and organization, PPV4 encodes an ORF3 in the middle of the viral genome that resembles the Bocavirus genus. However, the PPV4 ORF3 encoded protein shares minimal amino acid identity with the ORF3 encoded proteins of the Bocavirus genus.

[Role of amino acid residues at positions 322 and 329 of hemagglutinin in virulence of H5N1 avian influenza virus]

Two H5N1 avian influenza viruses (AIV), A/mallard/Huadong/S/2005 (S, IVPI = 2.65, in mallard) and A/mallard/Huadong/Y/2003 (Y, IVPI = 0, in mallard), were capable of distinct in pathogenicity to non-immunized mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). There were two amino acid residues difference in the HA cleavage site between two viruses, 322 (S, Leu; Y, Gln) and 329 (S, deletion; Y, Lys). Based on the variation, a series of recombinant viruses carrying HA gene either from S or Y virus with mutation at 322 and/or 329 were constructed via reverse genetics system to explore the influence of the two amino acid residues on viral pathogenicity in mallards. Recombinant viruses with S virus backbone were completely attenuated in terms of their virulence to ducks when position 322 (L322Q) and/or position 329 (-329K) of HA gene had been mutated. The critical role that L322 and -329 of HA protein from S virus play in the high virulence to ducks were influenced by the entire background of that protein because the recombinant virus with HA gene from Y and other seven genes from S were completely attenuated even if Q322L and K329- mutations of HA gene had been achieved. Recombinant viruses with Y virus backbone significantly increased their virulence to ducks when position 322 (Q322L) and/or position 329 (K329-) of HA gene had been mutated. All recombinant viruses carrying HA gene from Y with Q322L and/or K329-mutations and other seven genes from S were completely attenuated in terms of virulence to ducks whereas all recombinant viruses carrying HA gene from Y with same mutations and other seven genes from Y gained significant virulence. It seems that the compatibility among eight genes might be an important factor for HA to exert its functions. Results indicated that the mutation at amino acid position 322 and deletion at 329 in HA cleavage site significantly influence the pathogenicity of S and Y viruses in mallard, the compatibility among eight genes also contribute to the pathogenicity of both viruses in mallard.

[The deletion of nucleotides of NS gene from 263 to 277 of H5N1 increases viral virulence in chicken]

Since 2000, more and more NS fragment of H5N1 subtype influenza A virus had a unique deletion of nuleotides from 263 to 277. In order to investigate the biological significance of the mutation, four recombinants, RWSN-848, RWSN-m848, RWSN-248 and RWSN-m248, were generated via eight-plasmid reverse genetic system. These reassortants had the same inner gene and outer gene derived from A/WSN/33(H1N1) and A/D/SD/04(H5N1), respectively. But their NS genes were different. RWSN-m248 and RWSN-848 were isogenic with RWSN-248 and RWSN-m848 respectively, except for the NS gene, the formers encoded a mutant NS with a deletion from 263 - 277 nucleotides. All of the four recombinants could grow well in embryonated chicken eggs and had the similar viral titer, EID50 and MDT. Infections were done with the same Multiplicity of infection (MOI, 0.001), and the viruses in supernatants from infected cells were titrated at 12, 24, 36, and 48 h post-infection by plaque assay in fresh MDCK. The results show that four viruses grown well and had the same viral title in Vero cell, a non-IFN-responsive cell system. But in MDCK and COS-1, the cell lines can produce IFN, RWSN-248 and RWSN-m848 had a higher viral titer (two fold) than RWSN-m248 and RWSN-848. It revealed that the deletion of nucleotides of NS from 263 - 277 of H5N1 influences decreases viral growth ability in IFN producing cell line. IVPI were done for the virulence test of reassorted H5N1 viruses. Ten six-week-old SPF White Leghorn chickens were inoculated intravenously with 0.2mL of a 1:10 dilution of allantoic fluid containing each of the four recombinant viruses. The chickens were daily monitored for disease signs and death for 10 days post-inoculation. Finally, IVPI was counted for each virus. RWSN-m248 caused 4 chickens died in 10 days and its index was 1.63. RWSN-248 only caused one chicken died and its index was 0.45. RWSN848 caused 3 chickens died in 10 days and its index was 0.81. RWSN-m848 caused one of the ten chickens died and its' index was only 0.175. The results revealed that the deletion of nucleotides of NS gene from 263 to 277 sites increases H5N1 pathogenesis in chicken.