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Hassan KE, Ahrens AK, Ali A, El-Kady MF, Hafez HM, Mettenleiter TC, Beer M, Harder T. Improved Subtyping of Avian Influenza Viruses Using an RT-qPCR-Based Low Density Array: ‘Riems Influenza a Typing Array’, Version 2 (RITA-2). Viruses 2022; 14:v14020415. [PMID: 35216008 PMCID: PMC8879595 DOI: 10.3390/v14020415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian influenza virus (AIV) variants emerge frequently, which challenges rapid diagnosis. Appropriate diagnosis reaching the sub- and pathotype level is the basis of combatting notifiable AIV infections. Real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) has become a standard diagnostic tool. Here, a total of 24 arrayed RT-qPCRs is introduced for full subtyping of 16 hemagglutinin and nine neuraminidase subtypes of AIV. This array, designated Riems Influenza A Typing Array version 2 (RITA-2), represents an updated and economized version of the RITA-1 array previously published by Hoffmann et al. RITA-2 provides improved integration of assays (24 instead of 32 parallel reactions) and reduced assay volume (12.5 µL). The technique also adds RT-qPCRs to detect Newcastle Disease (NDV) and Infectious Bronchitis viruses (IBV). In addition, it maximizes inclusivity (all sequences within one subtype) and exclusivity (no intersubtypic cross-reactions) as shown in validation runs using a panel of 428 AIV reference isolates, 15 reference samples each of NDV and IBV, and 122 clinical samples. The open format of RITA-2 is particularly tailored to subtyping influenza A virus of avian hosts and Eurasian geographic origin. Decoupling and re-arranging selected RT-qPCRs to detect specific AIV variants causing epizootic outbreaks with a temporal and/or geographic restriction is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kareem E. Hassan
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (K.E.H.); (A.K.A.); (M.B.)
- Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt; (A.A.); (M.F.E.-K.)
| | - Ann Kathrin Ahrens
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (K.E.H.); (A.K.A.); (M.B.)
| | - Ahmed Ali
- Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt; (A.A.); (M.F.E.-K.)
| | - Magdy F. El-Kady
- Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt; (A.A.); (M.F.E.-K.)
| | - Hafez M. Hafez
- Institute of Poultry Diseases, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany;
| | | | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (K.E.H.); (A.K.A.); (M.B.)
| | - Timm Harder
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (K.E.H.); (A.K.A.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)-3-8351-71546
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de Heus P, Kolodziejek J, Hubálek Z, Dimmel K, Racher V, Nowotny N, Cavalleri JMV. West Nile Virus and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Are Endemic in Equids in Eastern Austria. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091873. [PMID: 34578454 PMCID: PMC8473302 DOI: 10.3390/v13091873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in addition to the autochthonous tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in Europe causes rising concern for public and animal health. The first equine case of West Nile neuroinvasive disease in Austria was diagnosed in 2016. As a consequence, a cross-sectional seroprevalence study was conducted in 2017, including 348 equids from eastern Austria. Serum samples reactive by ELISA for either flavivirus immunoglobulin G or M were further analyzed with the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT-80) to identify the specific etiologic agent. Neutralizing antibody prevalences excluding vaccinated equids were found to be 5.3% for WNV, 15.5% for TBEV, 0% for USUV, and 1.2% for WNV from autochthonous origin. Additionally, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect WNV nucleic acid in horse sera and was found to be negative in all cases. Risk factor analysis did not identify any factors significantly associated with seropositivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phebe de Heus
- Clinical Unit of Equine Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (P.d.H.); (J.-M.V.C.)
| | - Jolanta Kolodziejek
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (J.K.); (K.D.)
| | - Zdenĕk Hubálek
- Institute for Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Kvĕtná 8, 60365 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Katharina Dimmel
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (J.K.); (K.D.)
| | - Victoria Racher
- Department of Mathematics, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Norbert Nowotny
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (J.K.); (K.D.)
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Healthcare City, Building 14, Dubai P.O. Box 505055, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-1-25077-2704
| | - Jessika-M. V. Cavalleri
- Clinical Unit of Equine Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (P.d.H.); (J.-M.V.C.)
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Zehetner V, Cavalleri JMV, Klang A, Hofer M, Preining I, Steinborn R, Ramsauer AS. Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis Screening in Horses and Donkeys with Histopathologic Liver Abnormalities. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081599. [PMID: 34452465 PMCID: PMC8402897 DOI: 10.3390/v13081599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
There is strong evidence that equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) is associated with the onset of Theiler's disease, an acute hepatic necrosis, in horses. However, the impact of this virus on other hepatopathies remains unknown. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prevalence and quantify the viral loads of EqPV-H in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded equine and donkey livers with various histopathologic abnormalities. The pathologies included cirrhosis, circulatory disorders of the liver, toxic and metabolic hepatic diseases as well as neoplastic and inflammatory diseases (n = 84). Eight normal liver samples were included for comparison as controls. EqPV-H DNA was qualitatively and quantitatively measured by real-time PCR and digital PCR, respectively. The virus was detected in two livers originating from horses diagnosed with abdominal neoplasia and liver metastasis (loads of 5 × 103 and 9.5 × 103 genome equivalents per million cells). The amount of viral nucleic acids measured indicates chronic infection or persistence of EqPV-H, which might have been facilitated by the neoplastic disease. In summary, this study did not provide evidence for EqPV-H being involved in hepatopathies other than Theiler's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Zehetner
- Internal Medicine, University Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (V.Z.); (I.P.); (A.S.R.)
| | - Jessika-M. V. Cavalleri
- Internal Medicine, University Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (V.Z.); (I.P.); (A.S.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrea Klang
- Department for Pathobiology, Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Martin Hofer
- Genomics Core Facility, VetCore, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (M.H.); (R.S.)
| | - Irina Preining
- Internal Medicine, University Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (V.Z.); (I.P.); (A.S.R.)
| | - Ralf Steinborn
- Genomics Core Facility, VetCore, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (M.H.); (R.S.)
| | - Anna S. Ramsauer
- Internal Medicine, University Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (V.Z.); (I.P.); (A.S.R.)
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Mira F, Canuti M, Di Bella S, Puleio R, Lavazza A, Lelli D, Vicari D, Purpari G, Cannella V, Chiaramonte G, Schirò G, Castronovo C, Guercio A. Detection and Molecular Characterization of Two Gammaherpesviruses from Pantesco Breed Donkeys during an Outbreak of Mild Respiratory Disease. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081527. [PMID: 34452391 PMCID: PMC8402663 DOI: 10.3390/v13081527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Equid and asinine gammaherpesviruses (GHVs; genus Percavirus) are members of the Herpesviridae family. Though GHVs have been reported in horse populations, less studies are available on gammaherpesviral infections in donkeys. This study reports the co-infection with two GHVs in Pantesco breed donkeys, an endangered Italian donkey breed. Samples (n = 124) were collected on a breeding farm in Southern Italy from 40 donkeys, some of which were healthy or presented erosive tongue lesions and/or mild respiratory signs. Samples were analysed by using a set of nested PCRs targeting the DNA polymerase, glycoprotein B, and DNA-packaging protein genes, and sequence and phylogenetic analyses were performed. Twenty-nine donkeys (72.5%) tested positive, and the presence of Equid gammaherpesvirus 7 and asinine herpesvirus 5 was evidenced. In 11 animals, we found evidence for co-infection with viruses from the two species. Virions with herpesvirus-like morphology were observed by electron microscopic examination, and viruses were successfully isolated in RK-13-KY cell monolayers. The histological evaluation of tongue lesions revealed moderate lympho-granulocytic infiltrates and rare eosinophilic inclusions. The detection of GHVs in this endangered asinine breed suggests the need long-life monitoring within conservation programs and reinforces the need for further investigations of GHV’s pathogenetic role in asinine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Mira
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence: (F.M.); (S.D.B.)
| | - Marta Canuti
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 232 Elizabeth Avenue, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X9, Canada;
| | - Santina Di Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence: (F.M.); (S.D.B.)
| | - Roberto Puleio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi n. 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (A.L.); (D.L.)
| | - Davide Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi n. 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (A.L.); (D.L.)
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Giuseppa Purpari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Vincenza Cannella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Gabriele Chiaramonte
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Giorgia Schirò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Calogero Castronovo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Annalisa Guercio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
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Schvartz G, Farnoushi Y, Berkowitz A, Edery N, Hahn S, Steinman A, Lublin A, Erster O. Molecular characterization of the re-emerging West Nile virus in avian species and equids in Israel, 2018, and pathological description of the disease. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:528. [PMID: 33092614 PMCID: PMC7579921 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04399-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this report we describe the molecular and pathological characteristics of West Nile virus (WNV) infection that occurred during the summer and fall of 2018 in avian species and equines. WNV is reported in Israel since the 1950s, with occasional outbreaks leading to significant morbidity and mortality in birds, high infection in horses and humans, and sporadic fatalities in humans. METHODS Animal and avian carcasses in a suitable condition were examined by post-mortem analysis. Tissue samples were examined for WNV by RT-qPCR and the viral load was quantified. Samples with sufficient material quality were further analyzed by Endpoint PCR and sequencing, which was used for phylogenetic analysis. Tissue samples from positive animals were used for culturing the virus in Vero and C6/36 cells. RESULTS WNV RNA was detected in one yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis), two long-eared owls (Asio otus), two domesticated geese (Anser anser), one pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), four hooded crows (Corvus cornix), three horses and one donkey. Pathological and histopathological findings were characteristic of viral infection. Molecular analysis and viral load quantification showed varying degrees of infection, ranging between 70-1.4 × 106 target copies per sample. Phylogenetic analysis of a 906-bp genomic segment showed that all samples belonged to Lineage 1 clade 1a, with the following partition: five samples from 2018 and one sample detected in 2016 were of Cluster 2 Eastern European, two of Cluster 2 Mediterranean and four of Cluster 4. Four of the positive samples was successfully propagated in C6/36 and Vero cell lines for further work. CONCLUSIONS WNV is constantly circulating in wild and domesticated birds and animals in Israel, necessitating constant surveillance in birds and equines. At least three WNV strains were circulating in the suspected birds and animals examined. Quantitative analysis showed that the viral load varies significantly between different organs and tissues of the infected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gili Schvartz
- Division of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yigal Farnoushi
- Division of Avian diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Asaf Berkowitz
- Division of Avian diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Nir Edery
- Division of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Shelly Hahn
- Division of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Amir Steinman
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Avishai Lublin
- Division of Avian diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Oran Erster
- Division of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
- Present Address: Central Virology Laboratory, Israel Ministry of Health, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
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Bennett AJ, Paskey AC, Ebinger A, Pfaff F, Priemer G, Höper D, Breithaupt A, Heuser E, Ulrich RG, Kuhn JH, Bishop-Lilly KA, Beer M, Goldberg TL. Relatives of rubella virus in diverse mammals. Nature 2020; 586:424-428. [PMID: 33029010 PMCID: PMC7572621 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2812-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Since 1814, when rubella was first described, the origins of the disease and its causative agent, rubella virus (Matonaviridae: Rubivirus), have remained unclear1. Here we describe ruhugu virus and rustrela virus in Africa and Europe, respectively, which are, to our knowledge, the first known relatives of rubella virus. Ruhugu virus, which is the closest relative of rubella virus, was found in apparently healthy cyclops leaf-nosed bats (Hipposideros cyclops) in Uganda. Rustrela virus, which is an outgroup to the clade that comprises rubella and ruhugu viruses, was found in acutely encephalitic placental and marsupial animals at a zoo in Germany and in wild yellow-necked field mice (Apodemus flavicollis) at and near the zoo. Ruhugu and rustrela viruses share an identical genomic architecture with rubella virus2,3. The amino acid sequences of four putative B cell epitopes in the fusion (E1) protein of the rubella, ruhugu and rustrela viruses and two putative T cell epitopes in the capsid protein of the rubella and ruhugu viruses are moderately to highly conserved4-6. Modelling of E1 homotrimers in the post-fusion state predicts that ruhugu and rubella viruses have a similar capacity for fusion with the host-cell membrane5. Together, these findings show that some members of the family Matonaviridae can cross substantial barriers between host species and that rubella virus probably has a zoonotic origin. Our findings raise concerns about future zoonotic transmission of rubella-like viruses, but will facilitate comparative studies and animal models of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Bennett
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Adrian C Paskey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Leidos, Reston, VA, USA
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Department, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center-Frederick, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Arnt Ebinger
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Florian Pfaff
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Grit Priemer
- State Office for Agriculture, Food Safety and Fisheries, Rostock, Germany
| | - Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Angele Breithaupt
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Elisa Heuser
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jens H Kuhn
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Kimberly A Bishop-Lilly
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Department, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center-Frederick, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Tony L Goldberg
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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Soilemetzidou ES, de Bruin E, Eschke K, Azab W, Osterrieder N, Czirják GÁ, Buuveibaatar B, Kaczensky P, Koopmans M, Walzer C, Greenwood AD. Bearing the brunt: Mongolian khulan (Equus hemionus hemionus) are exposed to multiple influenza A strains. Vet Microbiol 2020; 242:108605. [PMID: 32122608 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The majority of influenza A virus strains are hosted in nature by avian species in the orders of Anseriformes and Charadriformes. A minority of strains have been able to cross species boundaries and establish themselves in novel non-avian hosts. Influenza viruses of horses, donkeys, and mules represent such successful events of avian to mammal influenza virus adaptation. Mongolia has over 3 million domestic horses and is home to two wild equids, the Asiatic wild ass or khulan (Equus hemionus hemionus), and Przewalski's horse (Equus ferus przewalskii). Domestic and wild equids are sympatric across most of their range in Mongolia. Epizootic influenza A virus outbreaks among Mongolian domestic horses have been frequently recorded. However, the exposure, circulation and relation to domestic horse influenza A virus outbreaks among wild equids is unknown. We evaluated serum samples of Asiatic wild asses in Mongolia for antibodies against influenza A viruses, using modified protein microarray technique. We detected antibodies against hemagglutinin (H) H1, H3, H5, H7, H8 and H10 influenza A viruses. Asiatic wild asses may represent a previously unidentified influenza A virus reservoir in an ecosystem shared with populations of domestic horses in which influenza strains circulate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini S Soilemetzidou
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Kathrin Eschke
- Institut Für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Walid Azab
- Institut Für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Gábor Á Czirják
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Petra Kaczensky
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria; Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Chris Walzer
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria; Wildlife Conservation Society, New York, USA
| | - Alex D Greenwood
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Lattimer J, Stewart H, Locker N, Tuplin A, Stonehouse NJ, Harris M. Structure-function analysis of the equine hepacivirus 5' untranslated region highlights the conservation of translational mechanisms across the hepaciviruses. J Gen Virol 2019; 100:1501-1514. [PMID: 31490115 PMCID: PMC7615701 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine hepacivirus (EHcV) (now also classified as hepacivirus A) is the closest genetic relative to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and is proposed to have diverged from HCV within the last 1000 years. The 5' untranslated regions (UTRs) of both HCV and EHcV exhibit internal ribosome entry site (IRES) activity, allowing cap-independent translational initiation, yet only the HCV 5'UTR has been systematically analysed. Here, we report a detailed structural and functional analysis of the EHcV 5'UTR. The secondary structure was determined using selective 2' hydroxyl acylation analysed by primer extension (SHAPE), revealing four stem-loops, termed SLI, SLIA, SLII and SLIII, by analogy to HCV. This guided a mutational analysis of the EHcV 5'UTR, allowing us to investigate the roles of the stem-loops in IRES function. This approach revealed that SLI was not required for EHcV IRES-mediated translation. Conversely, SLIII was essential, specifically SLIIIb, SLIIId and a GGG motif that is conserved across the Hepaciviridae. Further SHAPE analysis provided evidence that this GGG motif mediated interaction with the 40S ribosomal subunit, whilst a CUU sequence in the apical loop of SLIIIb mediated an interaction with eIF3. In addition, we showed that a microRNA122 target sequence located between SLIA and SLII mediated an enhancement of translation in the context of a subgenomic replicon. Taken together, these results highlight the conservation of hepaciviral translation mechanisms, despite divergent primary sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Lattimer
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Hazel Stewart
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Nicolas Locker
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Andrew Tuplin
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Nicola J. Stonehouse
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Mark Harris
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
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Porphyre T, Grewar JD. Assessing the potential of plains zebra to maintain African horse sickness in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222366. [PMID: 31671099 PMCID: PMC6822716 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
African horse sickness (AHS) is a disease of equids that results in a non-tariff barrier to the trade of live equids from affected countries. AHS is endemic in South Africa except for a controlled area in the Western Cape Province (WCP) where sporadic outbreaks have occurred in the past 2 decades. There is potential that the presence of zebra populations, thought to be the natural reservoir hosts for AHS, in the WCP could maintain AHS virus circulation in the area and act as a year-round source of infection for horses. However, it remains unclear whether the epidemiology or the ecological conditions present in the WCP would enable persistent circulation of AHS in the local zebra populations. Here we developed a hybrid deterministic-stochastic vector-host compartmental model of AHS transmission in plains zebra (Equus quagga), where host populations are age- and sex-structured and for which population and AHS transmission dynamics are modulated by rainfall and temperature conditions. Using this model, we showed that populations of plains zebra present in the WCP are not sufficiently large for AHS introduction events to become endemic and that coastal populations of zebra need to be >2500 individuals for AHS to persist >2 years, even if zebras are infectious for more than 50 days. AHS cannot become endemic in the coastal population of the WCP unless the zebra population involves at least 50,000 individuals. Finally, inland populations of plains zebra in the WCP may represent a risk for AHS to persist but would require populations of at least 500 zebras or show unrealistic duration of infectiousness for AHS introduction events to become endemic. Our results provide evidence that the risk of AHS persistence from a single introduction event in a given plains zebra population in the WCP is extremely low and it is unlikely to represent a long-term source of infection for local horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibaud Porphyre
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - John D. Grewar
- South African Equine Health & Protocols NPC, Paardevlei, Cape Town, South Africa
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Abdelgawad A, Hermes R, Damiani A, Lamglait B, Czirják GÁ, East M, Aschenborn O, Wenker C, Kasem S, Osterrieder N, Greenwood AD. Comprehensive Serology Based on a Peptide ELISA to Assess the Prevalence of Closely Related Equine Herpesviruses in Zoo and Wild Animals. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138370. [PMID: 26378452 PMCID: PMC4574707 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) causes respiratory disorders and abortion in equids while EHV-1 regularly causes equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), a stroke-like syndrome following endothelial cell infection in horses. Both EHV-1 and EHV-9 infections of non-definitive hosts often result in neuronal infection and high case fatality rates. Hence, EHV-1 and EHV-9 are somewhat unusual herpesviruses and lack strict host specificity, and the true extent of their host ranges have remained unclear. In order to determine the seroprevalence of EHV-1 and EHV-9, a sensitive and specific peptide-based ELISA was developed and applied to 428 sera from captive and wild animals representing 30 species in 12 families and five orders. Members of the Equidae, Rhinocerotidae and Bovidae were serologically positive for EHV-1 and EHV-9. The prevalence of EHV-1 in the sampled wild zebra populations was significantly higher than in zoos suggesting captivity may reduce exposure to EHV-1. Furthermore, the seroprevalence for EHV-1 was significantly higher than for EHV-9 in zebras. In contrast, EHV-9 antibody prevalence was high in captive and wild African rhinoceros species suggesting that they may serve as a reservoir or natural host for EHV-9. Thus, EHV-1 and EHV-9 have a broad host range favoring African herbivores and may have acquired novel natural hosts in ecosystems where wild equids are common and are in close contact with other perissodactyls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azza Abdelgawad
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Hermes
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Armando Damiani
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Benjamin Lamglait
- Réserve Africaine de Sigean, 19 chemin du hameau du lac, Sigean, France
| | - Gábor Á. Czirják
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marion East
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Samy Kasem
- Virology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | | | - Alex D. Greenwood
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
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11
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Lankau EW, Montgomery JM, Tack DM, Obonyo M, Kadivane S, Blanton JD, Arvelo W, Jentes ES, Cohen NJ, Brunette GW, Marano N, Rupprecht CE. Exposure of US travelers to rabid zebra, Kenya, 2011. Emerg Infect Dis 2012; 18:1202-4. [PMID: 22709948 PMCID: PMC3376810 DOI: 10.3201/eid1807.120081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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12
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Xie TB, Yu H, Wu J, Huang SJ, Xu GL, Yan JX, Yu B, Zhou DJ. [Identification and sequential analysis on rabies virus isolated from a donkey]. Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2012; 33:602-605. [PMID: 22883269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify and analyze the genetic characteristics of nucleoprotein (N) and glycoprotein (G) genes of rabies virus (RABV) isolated from a donkey in Wuhan. N gene and G gene of the virus were compared with other representative street strains isolated around Hubei areas as well as the vaccine strains used in China and abroad. METHODS RABV in brain tissue of a donkey was detected by direct immunofluorescent method and then inoculated in suckling mice to observe the incidence of rabies. Brain samples of the donkey and infected suckling mice were detected by ELISA. The N gene and G gene fragment of the isolated RABV were amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into pMD18-T vector for sequencing and genetic analysis. RESULTS RABVs were detected in both donkey brain and suckling mice brain samples. The N gene and G gene nucleotide homology of RABV isolated from the donkey with other representative street strains found around Hubei areas as well as vaccine strains used in China and abroad were 85.7% - 99.1% and 82.2% - 99.7%, and the deduced amino acid identity were 95.6% - 99.8% and 87.8% - 99.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION Novel RABV was successfully identified and isolated from a donkey and showed close relationship to the representative street strains found around Hubei areas as well as vaccine strains used in China through genetic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-bo Xie
- Center for Rabies Diagnosis, Wuhan Institute of Biological Products, Wuhan 430060, China
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13
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García-Bocanegra I, Arenas-Montes A, Jaén-Téllez JA, Napp S, Fernández-Morente M, Arenas A. Use of sentinel serosurveillance of mules and donkeys in the monitoring of West Nile virus infection. Vet J 2012; 194:262-4. [PMID: 22633828 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Revised: 03/30/2012] [Accepted: 04/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was carried out on clinically normal mules and donkeys in a region of southern Spain to assess the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) following detection of infection in contiguous horse and human populations. Antibodies against WNV were detected by a blocking ELISA and micro-virus neutralisation test in 12/165 (7.3%; CI(95%) 4.3-11.3) of the animals sampled. Even though the individual seroprevalence was higher in mules (9.6%; 8/83) than in donkeys (4.9%; 4/82), the difference was not statistically significant. Nine of 90 herds (10.0%; CI(95%) 3.8-16.2) contained at least one seropositive animal. Antibodies against WNV were also detected in 1/4 (25%) donkeys tested on three farms where WNV cases had been confirmed in horses. None of 26 potential explanatory variables was identified as a risk factor for seropositivity. Such serosurveillance of sentinel mules or donkeys may be a useful tool in the epidemiological monitoring of WNV in regions where horses are vaccinated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, UCO, Campus Universitarios de Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain.
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Williams JH, van Dyk E, Nel PJ, Lane E, Van Wilpe E, Bengis RG, de Klerk-Lorist LM, van Heerden J. Pathology and immunohistochemistry of papillomavirus-associated cutaneous lesions in Cape mountain zebra, giraffe, sable antelope and African buffalo in South Africa. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2011; 82:97-106. [PMID: 22135923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin lesions associated with papillomaviruses have been reported in many animal species and man. Bovine papillomavirus (BVP) affects mainly the epidermis, but also the dermis in several species including bovine, the best-known example being equine sarcoid, which is associated with BVP types 1 and 2. This publication describes and illustrates the macroscopic and histological appearance of BPV-associated papillomatous, fibropapillomatous or sarcoid-like lesions in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) from the Gariep Dam Nature Reserve, 2 giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) from the Kruger National Park, and a sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) from the Kimberley area of South Africa. An African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) cow from Kruger National Park also had papillomatous lesions but molecular characterisation of lesional virus was not done. Immunohistochemical staining using polyclonal rabbit antiserum to chemically disrupted BPV-1, which cross-reacts with the L1 capsid of most known papillomaviruses, was positive in cells of the stratum granulosum of lesions in Giraffe 1, the sable and the buffalo and negative in those of the zebra and Giraffe 2. Fibropapillomatous and sarcoid-like lesions from an adult bovine were used as positive control for the immunohistochemistry and are described and the immunohistochemistry illustrated for comparison. Macroscopically, both adult female giraffe had severely thickened multifocal to coalescing nodular and occasionally ulcerated lesions of the head, neck and trunk with local poorly-circumscribed invasion into the subcutis. Necropsy performed on the 2nd giraffe revealed neither internal metastases nor serious underlying disease. Giraffe 1 had scattered, and Giraffe 2 numerous, large, anaplastic, at times indistinctly multinucleated dermal fibroblasts with bizarre nuclei within the sarcoid-like lesions, which were BPV-1 positive in Giraffe 1 and BPV-1 and -2 positive in Giraffe 2 by RT-PCR. The sable antelope presented with a solitary large lesion just proximal to the right hind hoof, which recurred after excision, and was BPV-1 positive by RT-PCR. Other wart-like growths were present elsewhere on the body. The Cape mountain zebra either succumbed from their massive lesions or were euthanased or removed from the herd because of them. The lesions were BPV-1 and/or -2 positive by RT-PCR. The buffalo lesions were wart-like papillomatous projections in the inguinal and udder region. Stratum granulosum cells that stained immunohistochemically positive in the various species appeared koilocyte-like, as described in human papillomaviral lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Williams
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa.
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15
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Attoui H, Mendez-Lopez MR, Rao S, Hurtado-Alendes A, Lizaraso-Caparo F, Mohd Jaafar F, Samuel AR, Belhouchet M, Pritchard LI, Melville L, Weir RP, Hyatt AD, Davis SS, Lunt R, Calisher CH, Tesh RB, Fujita R, Mertens PPC. Peruvian horse sickness virus and Yunnan orbivirus, isolated from vertebrates and mosquitoes in Peru and Australia. Virology 2009; 394:298-310. [PMID: 19766284 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2009.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2009] [Revised: 07/21/2009] [Accepted: 08/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
During 1997, two new viruses were isolated from outbreaks of disease that occurred in horses, donkeys, cattle and sheep in Peru. Genome characterization showed that the virus isolated from horses (with neurological disorders, 78% fatality) belongs to a new species the Peruvian horse sickness virus (PHSV), within the genus Orbivirus, family Reoviridae. This represents the first isolation of PHSV, which was subsequently also isolated during 1999, from diseased horses in the Northern Territory of Australia (Elsey virus, ELSV). Serological and molecular studies showed that PHSV and ELSV are very similar in the serotype-determining protein (99%, same serotype). The second virus (Rioja virus, RIOV) was associated with neurological signs in donkeys, cattle, sheep and dogs and was shown to be a member of the species Yunnan orbivirus (YUOV). RIOV and YUOV are also almost identical (97% amino acid identity) in the serotype-determining protein. YUOV was originally isolated from mosquitoes in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houssam Attoui
- Department of Vector Borne Diseases, Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK.
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Abstract
During 2006, 49 states and Puerto Rico reported 6,940 cases of rabies in animals and 3 cases in humans to the CDC, representing an 8.2% increase from the 6,417 cases in animals and 1 case in a human reported in 2005. Approximately 92% of the cases were in wildlife, and 8% were in domestic animals. Relative contributions by the major animal groups were as follows: 2,615 raccoons (37.7%), 1,692 bats (24.4%), 1,494 skunks (21.5%), 427 foxes (6.2%), 318 cats (4.6%), 82 cattle (1.2%), and 79 dogs (1.1%). Compared with numbers of reported cases in 2005, cases in 2006 increased among all groups except cattle. Increases in numbers of rabid raccoons during 2006 were reported by 11 of the 20 eastern states where raccoon rabies was enzootic, and reported cases increased by 3.2% overall, compared with 2005. On a national level, the number of rabies cases in skunks during 2006 increased by 6.1% from the number reported in 2005. Once again, Texas reported the greatest number (n = 351) of rabid skunks and the greatest overall state total of animal rabies cases (889). No cases of rabies associated with the dog/coyote rabies virus variant were reported. The last identified case of this canine rabies virus variant was identified in March 2004, along the US/Mexico border. With 2006 marking the second year of no apparent transmission of the dog/coyote variant, these findings from surveillance data support the contention that the canine rabies virus variant is no longer in circulation in the United States. Total number of cases of rabies reported nationally in foxes increased 13.6%, compared with 2005. Increases in the number of reported rabid foxes were attributable to greater numbers of foxes reported with the Arctic fox rabies virus variant in Alaska, the Texas gray fox rabies virus variant in Texas, and the raccoon rabies virus variant in Virginia. The 1,692 cases of rabies reported in bats represented a 14.5% increase, compared with numbers reported in 2005, making bats the second most reported rabid animal behind raccoons. Cases of rabies in cats, dogs, horses and mules, and sheep and goats increased 18.2%, 3.9%, 12.8%, and 22.2%, respectively, whereas cases reported in cattle decreased 11.8%. In Puerto Rico, reported cases of rabies in mongooses increased 9.2%, and rabies in domestic animals, presumably attributable to spillover infection from mongooses, increased 20%. Three cases of human rabies were reported from Texas, Indiana, and California during 2006. The cases in Indiana and Texas were attributed to bat rabies virus variants, whereas the case in California was attributed to an exposure to a dog in the Philippines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D Blanton
- Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-borne, and Enteric Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
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Abstract
During 2005, 49 states and Puerto Rico reported 6,417 cases of rabies in nonhuman animals and 1 case in a human being to the CDC, representing a 6.2% decrease from the 6,836 cases in nonhuman animals and 8 cases in human beings reported in 2004. Approximately 92% of the cases were in wildlife, and 8% were in domestic animals. Relative contributions by the major animal groups were as follows: 2,534 raccoons (39.5%), 1,478 skunks (23%), 1,408 bats (21.9%), 376 foxes (5.9%), 269 cats (4.2%), 93 cattle (1.5%), and 76 dogs (1.2%). Compared with numbers of reported cases in 2004, cases in 2005 decreased among all groups, except bats, horses, and other wild animals. Decreases in numbers of rabid raccoons during 2005 were reported by 10 of the 20 eastern states in which raccoon rabies was enzootic and decreased overall by 1.2%, compared with 2004. On a national level, the number of rabies cases in skunks during 2005 decreased 20.4% from the number reported in 2004. Once again, Texas reported the greatest number (n = 392) of rabid skunks and the greatest overall state total of rabies cases (741). Texas reported no cases of rabies associated with the dog/coyote rabies virus variant and only 8 cases associated with the Texas gray fox rabies virus variant (compared with 22 cases in 2004). The total number of cases of rabies reported nationally in foxes decreased 3.3%, compared with those reported in 2004. The 1,408 cases of rabies reported in bats represented a 3.5% increase over numbers reported in 2005. Cases of rabies in cats, dogs, cattle, and sheep and goats decreased 4.3%, 19.2%, 19.1%, and 10%, respectively, whereas cases reported in horses and mules increased 9.3%. In Puerto Rico, reported cases of rabies in mongooses increased 29.8%, and rabies in domestic animals decreased 37.5%. One case of human rabies was reported from Mississippi during 2005. This case was submitted by the state to the CDC's unexplained deaths project and diagnosed as rabies retrospectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D Blanton
- Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-borne, and Enteric Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
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Ibrahim ESM, Kinoh M, Matsumura T, Kennedy M, Allen GP, Yamaguchi T, Fukushi H. Genetic relatedness and pathogenicity of equine herpesvirus 1 isolated from onager, zebra and gazelle. Arch Virol 2006; 152:245-55. [PMID: 17051419 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-006-0855-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2006] [Accepted: 08/16/2006] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus 1 was isolated from an onager in 1985, a zebra in 1986 and a Thomson's gazelle in 1996 in USA. The genetic relatedness and pathogenicity of these three viruses were investigated based on the nucleotide sequences of the glycoprotein G (gG) gene, experimental infection in hamsters, and comparison with horse isolates. The gG gene sequences of EHV-1 from onager and zebra were identical. The gG gene sequences of the gazelle isolate showed 99.5% identity to those of onager and zebra isolates. The gG gene sequences of EHV-1 isolated from horses were 99.9-100% identical and 98, 98 and 97.8% similar to gG from onager, zebra and gazelle isolates, respectively. Hamsters inoculated with onager, zebra and gazelle isolates had severe weight loss, compared with hamsters inoculated with horse isolates. The histopathological findings were related to the virulence of each isolate. The results indicated that EHV-1 isolates from onager, zebra and gazelle differ from horse EHV-1 and are much more virulent in hamsters.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S M Ibrahim
- Department of Applied Veterinary Sciences, United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
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Stadejek T, Mittelholzer C, Oleksiewicz MB, Paweska J, Belák S. Highly diverse type of equine arteritis virus (EAV) from the semen of a South African donkey: short communication. Acta Vet Hung 2006; 54:263-70. [PMID: 16841763 DOI: 10.1556/avet.54.2006.2.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Equine arteritis virus (EAV) was detected by RT-nested PCR in semen samples from a naturally infected South African donkey. Sequence analysis of the amplified ORF5 fragment revealed only 60 to 70% nucleotide identity to a panel of EAV reference sequences. The unique donkey EAV sequence was also found to be stable during passage in horses. The sequence data reported in this study indicate that the South African donkey variant might represent a new genotype of EAV. The distinct genetic properties of the South African asinine strain of EAV suggest a divergent evolution of this arterivirus in various host species or, alternatively, a possible role for African donkeys in the emergence of EAV in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Stadejek
- Department of Swine Diseases, The National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Puławy, Partyzantów 57, Poland.
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Shoji Y, Kobayashi Y, Sato G, Gomes AAB, Itou T, Ito FH, Sakai T. Genetic and phylogenetic characterization of rabies virus isolates from wildlife and livestock in Paraiba, Brazil. Acta Virol 2006; 50:33-7. [PMID: 16599183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Thirty-four rabies virus (RV) isolates from foxes (8), insectivore bats (9), cattle (14), sheep (1), a goat (1) and a donkey (1) from Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil, were genetically characterized. Sequences of 890 nts of nucleoprotein (N) genes of these isolates were analyzed and compared with those of other Brazilian isolates characterized earlier. Phylogenetic analysis revealed three genetical lineages of RV co-existing in this region. Each lineage was found to be associated with particular host species and to circulate independently of each other. The first lineage was found in foxes (Dusicyon sp.) and could be discriminated from domestic carnivore isolates from Sao Paulo, Goias and Minas Gerais in the southern and central Brazil. The second lineage was associated with insectivorous bats (Molossus spp.) and differed from vampire bat-associated RV isolates. The third lineage was found in livestock and clustered with vampire bat-associated RV isolates from Sao Paulo, Tocantins, Goias and Matto Grosso. These results indicate that RV of these genetic lineages are cocirculating in the Paraiba state and that livestock in this region are infected with vampire bat-associated RV, suggesting that the vampire bat is the main reservoir of livestock rabies in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Shoji
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-8510, Japan
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Borchers K, Böttner D, Lieckfeldt D, Ludwig A, Frölich K, Klingeborn B, Widèn F, Allen G, Ludwig H. Characterization of Equid Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) Related Viruses from Captive Crevy's Zebra and Blackbuck. J Vet Med Sci 2006; 68:757-60. [PMID: 16891794 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.68.757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Equid herpes virus 1 (EHV-1) related isolates from a captive blackbuck (strain Ro-1) and Grevy's zebra (strain T965) behaved similarly to EHV-1 and EHV-9 in respect to their host cell range. Restriction enzyme analysis and a phylogenetic tree confirmed that Ro-1 and T965 were identical and more closely related to EHV-1 than to EHV-9. Differences from EHV-1 became obvious firstly, by amino acid alignments revealing two unique substitutions in the gB protein of Ro-1 and T965. Secondly, an EHV-1 type-specific monoclonal antibody did not detect its antigen on Ro-1, T965 or EHV-9 infected cells by immunohistochemistry. The results support the view that Ro-1 and T965 isolates represent a distinct, previously unrecognized species of equid herpesviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Borchers
- Institut für Virologie, FU Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str., Berlin, Germany
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22
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Ozkul A, Yildirim Y, Pinar D, Akcali A, Yilmaz V, Colak D. Serological evidence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in mammalian species in Turkey. Epidemiol Infect 2005; 134:826-9. [PMID: 16316496 PMCID: PMC2870448 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268805005492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2005] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, the sera collected from a variety of mammalian species (ass-mules, cat, cattle, dog, horse, human and sheep) in 10 representative provinces of Turkey, were surveyed for the presence of neutralizing antibodies to West Nile virus (WNV). Overall, 1 of 40 (2.5%) ass-mules, 4 of 100 (4%) cattle, 43 of 114 (37.7%) dogs, 35 of 259 (13.5%) horses, 18 of 88 (20.4%) humans and 1 of 100 (1%) sheep, tested positive for WNV-neutralizing antibodies. The results indicate that a wide range of mammals are exposed to a West Nile-related virus and this could contribute to the long-term survival of this virus in the absence of overt disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ozkul
- Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Virology, Diskapi, Ankara, Turkey.
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23
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Abstract
This study describes an epizootic of respiratory tract disease caused by influenza virus infection in a large population of equines in Luxor and Aswan, Upper Egypt, during the winter of 2000. The epizootic started in January and the infection rate reached its peak in February before gradually decreasing until the end of April, 2000. Horses, donkeys and mules of all ages and both sexes were affected. Free movement of the infected equines and direct contact between the animals at markets facilitated the rapid spread of the disease. The cause of the epizootic was established by use of serological testing and the identification of the influenza virus in nasal secretions. Egg inoculation and the haemagglutination test were used to detect the influenza virus. Both haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and agar gel precipitation tests were performed to identify the isolated influenza virus using reference antisera against A/Equi-1 (H7N7) and A/Equi-2 (H3N8). Antibodies against the equine influenza virus were demonstrated in 416 (95.6%) out of 435 collected sera using the HI test. High rectal temperature, inappetence, conjunctivitis, redness of nasal mucosa, a serous to mucopurulent nasal discharge and a harsh dry cough were the most common clinical manifestations. Stress factors, such as using equines for heavy transportation and drawing, precipitated the onset of the disease, intensified the clinical syndrome, delayed recovery and facilitated secondary bacterial infection. The present study suggested that the absence of a vaccination programme against equine influenza was one of the principal causes of the spread of infection during this outbreak. In conclusion, the implementation of a national equine influenza vaccination programme, using an effective updated vaccine, is essential in Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- I H A Abd El-Rahim
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, 71526 Assiut, Egypt
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24
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Spyrou V, Papanastassopoulou M, Koumbati M, Nikolakaki SV, Koptopoulos G. Molecular analysis of the proviral DNA of equine infectious anemia virus in mules in Greece. Virus Res 2005; 107:63-72. [PMID: 15567035 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2004.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2003] [Revised: 06/04/2004] [Accepted: 06/25/2004] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Molecular analysis of the regulatory and structurally important genetic segments of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) in mules is presented. We have previously reported clinicopathological and laboratory findings in mules infected with EIAV, both naturally and after experimental inoculation. In this study the fragment coding for integrase, gp90, tat and the fusion domain of gp45 of the proviral genome from these animals was sequenced and compared with one another and with that of EIAV strains already published in the literature. Significant variations were observed mainly in the sequences of the gp90 surface protein. In the two wild type sequences, there were substitutions in the V5 hypervariable domain of this protein. In the sequences of the experimentally inoculated animals and the donor strain, variations were due to insertions/duplications in the V3 principal neutralizing domain (PND) and substitutions in the V5 hypervariable domain. Finally, when compared with the already published strains, the wild type sequences had single amino acid substitutions across the whole protein and multiple substitutions in the V4-V6 variable domains. In general, the two Greek wild type sequences were closer to two of the American strains (WSU5 and Massachusetts), than to the two Japanese (V26 and V70) or the third American strain (Wyoming_wi) used in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassiliki Spyrou
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki GR-54124, Greece
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25
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Kolodziejek J, Dürrwald R, Herzog S, Ehrensperger F, Lussy H, Nowotny N. Genetic clustering of Borna disease virus natural animal isolates, laboratory and vaccine strains strongly reflects their regional geographical origin. J Gen Virol 2005; 86:385-398. [PMID: 15659758 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.80587-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to gain more detailed insights into the genetic evolution and variability of Borna disease virus (BDV). Phylogenetic analyses were performed on field viruses originating from naturally infected animals, the BDV vaccine strain 'Dessau', four widely used laboratory strains and the novel BDV subtype No/98. Four regions of the BDV genome were analysed: the complete p40, p10 and p24 genes and the 5'-untranslated region of the X/P transcript. BDV isolates from the same geographical area exhibited a clearly higher degree of identity to each other than to BDV isolates from other regions, independent of host species and year of isolation. Five different clusters could be established within endemic areas, corresponding to the geographical regions from which the viruses originated: (i) a Swiss, Austrian and Liechtenstein Rhine valley group, related closely to the geographically bordering Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria II group (ii) in the western part of Germany; (iii) a third group, called Bavaria I group, limited in occurrence to Bavaria; (iv) a southern Saxony-Anhalt and bordering northern Saxony group, bound to the territories of these federal states in the eastern part of Germany; and (v) a mixed group, consisting of samples from different areas of Germany; however, these were mainly from the federal states of Thuringia and Lower Saxony. The laboratory strains and the vaccine strain clustered within these groups according to their geographical origins. All field and laboratory strains, as well as the vaccine strain, clearly segregated from the recently described and highly divergent BDV strain No/98, which originated from an area in Austria where Borna disease is not endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolanta Kolodziejek
- Zoonoses and Emerging Infections Group, Clinical Virology, Clinical Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ralf Dürrwald
- Impfstoffwerk Dessau-Tornau GmbH (IDT), Rodleben, Germany
| | - Sibylle Herzog
- Institute of Virology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Felix Ehrensperger
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Helga Lussy
- Zoonoses and Emerging Infections Group, Clinical Virology, Clinical Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Norbert Nowotny
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Zoonoses and Emerging Infections Group, Clinical Virology, Clinical Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
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26
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Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. Control and eradication of African horse sickness with vaccine. Dev Biol (Basel) 2004; 119:255-8. [PMID: 15742636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
African horse sickness (AHS) is an infectious but no-contagious viral disease of equidae with high mortality in horses. The disease is caused by an arthropod-borne double-stranded RNA virus within the genus Orbivirus of the family Reoviridae transmitted by at least two species of Culicoides. Nine different serotypes have been described. The nine serotypes of AHS have been described in eastern and southern Africa. Only AHS serotypes 9 and 4 have been found in West Africa from where they occasionally spread into countries surrounding the Mediterranean. Examples of outbreaks that have occurred outside Africa are: in the Middle East (1959-1963), in Spain (serotype 9, 1966, serotype 4, 1987-1990), and in Portugal (serotype 4, 1989) and Morocco (serotype 4, 1989-1991). Laboratory diagnosis of AHS is essential. Although the clinical signs and lesions are characteristic, they can be confused with those of other diseases. Several techniques have been adapted for the detection of RNA segments, antibodies and antigen. Two types of vaccines have been described for AHS virus. Attenuated live vaccines (monovalent and polyvalent) for use in horses, mules and donkeys, are currently available, as well as a monovalent, serotype 4, inactivated vaccine, produced commercially but no longer available. New vaccines, including a subunit vaccine, have been evaluated experimentally. In this paper a review of the last AHS outbreaks in Spain, occurring during 1987-1990, and affecting the central and south part of the country, is presented. The role that vaccination played for the control and eradication of the disease, as well as other aspects such as climatological conditions, number of vectors and horse management, are also presented and evaluated.
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27
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Spyrou V, Papanastassopoulou M, Psychas V, Billinis C, Koumbati M, Vlemmas J, Koptopoulos G. Equine infectious anemia in mules: virus isolation and pathogenicity studies. Vet Microbiol 2003; 95:49-59. [PMID: 12860076 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1135(03)00151-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
There appears to be a lack of information concerning responses of mules to natural infection or experimental inoculation with equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). In the present study EIAV was isolated from mules, for the first time, and its pathogenicity in naturally infected and experimentally inoculated animals was investigated. Two naturally infected (A and B) and three EIAV free mules (C, D and E) were used for this purpose. Mule A developed clinical signs, whereas mule B remained asymptomatic until the end of the study. Mules C and D were each inoculated with 10ml of blood from mule A and developed signs of the disease; they were euthanatized or died at day 22 and 25 post-inoculation, respectively. Mule E served as a negative control. The virus was isolated from the plasma samples of mules with clinical signs of the disease (A, C and D), but not from the asymptomatic mule B. Both proviral DNA and viral RNA were amplified from blood and tissues of the infected animals by nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). Antibodies were not detected in the two experimentally infected mules until their natural death or euthanasia. Clinicopathological and laboratory findings showed that, in mules, EIAV produced clinical signs similar to those observed in horses and ponies. Nested PCR proved to be a rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostic method for the detection of EIAV, regardless of the disease stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Spyrou
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki GR-541 24, Greece
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28
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Ortiz DI, Wozniak A, Tolson MW, Turner PE, Vaughan DR. Isolation of EEE virus from Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus and Culiseta melanura in coastal South Carolina. J Am Mosq Control Assoc 2003; 19:33-38. [PMID: 12674532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A 1-year arbovirus study was conducted at The Wedge Plantation located in coastal South Carolina to determine the occurrence and level of arbovirus activity in mosquito species inhabiting the site. Mosquito species composition and temporal abundance were also determined. A total of 45,051 mosquitoes representing 27 species in 9 genera was collected and identified during 130 trap-nights between August, 1997, and July, 1998. The most abundant species was Culex salinarius (n = 20,954) followed by Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus (n = 12,185). Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEE) was isolated from 2 pools collected in August, 1997; one pool of Oc. taeniorhynchus (minimum infection rate [MIR] = 0.6/1,000) and a second of Culiseta melanura (MIR = 3.8/1,000). This report represents the first record of an EEE isolation from Oc. taeniorhynchus and Cs. melanura in South Carolina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana I Ortiz
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Center for Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathology, Room 4.142, Keiller Building, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-0609, USA
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29
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Kleiboeker SB, Schommer SK, Johnson PJ, Ehlers B, Turnquist SE, Boucher M, Kreeger JM. Association of two newly recognized herpesviruses with interstitial pneumonia in donkeys (Equus asinus). J Vet Diagn Invest 2002; 14:273-80. [PMID: 12152805 DOI: 10.1177/104063870201400401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Over a period of 6 years, antemortem and postmortem examinations were performed on a number of donkeys suffering from respiratory disease. For many cases, initial diagnostic efforts failed to identify an etiology consistent with the pathologic findings. However, retrospective examination of these cases using consensus primer polymerase chain reaction, designed to recognize herpesviruses from all 3 subfamilies of the Herpesviridae, amplified a fragment of the highly conserved herpesvirus DNA polymerase gene from a number of these animals. Two novel herpesviruses, herein designated asinine herpesvirus 4 (AHV4) and asinine herpesvirus 5 (AHV5), were consistently detected in lung tissue from donkeys in which the histopathology was characterized by interstitial pneumonia and marked syncytial cell formation but not in lung tissue from donkeys with evidence of bacterial or verminous pneumonia. Nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic analysis places these new viruses within the Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily and indicates that they are most closely related to the recently identified zebra herpesvirus and wildass herpesvirus as well as equine herpesviruses 2 and 5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven B Kleiboeker
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia 65211, USA
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30
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Lord CC, Venter GJ, Mellor PS, Paweska JT, Woolhouse MEJ. Transmission patterns of African horse sickness and equine encephalosis viruses in South African donkeys. Epidemiol Infect 2002; 128:265-75. [PMID: 12002545 PMCID: PMC2869820 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268801006471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
African horse sickness (AHS) and equine encephalosis (EE) viruses are endemic to southern Africa. AHS virus causes severe epidemics when introduced to naive equine populations, resulting in severe restrictions on the movement of equines between AHS-positive and negative countries. Recent zoning of South Africa has created an AHS-free zone to facilitate equine movement, but the transmission dynamics of these viruses are not fully understood. Here, we present further analyses of serosurveys of donkeys in South Africa conducted in 1983-5 and in 1993-5. Age-prevalence data are used to derive estimates of the force of infection, A. For both viruses, A was highest in the northeastern part of the country and declined towards the southwest. In most of the country, EE virus had a higher transmission rate than AHS. The force of infection increased for EE virus between 1985 and 1993, but decreased for AHS virus. Both viruses showed high levels of variation in transmission between districts within the same province, particularly in areas of intermediate transmission. These data emphasize the focal nature of these viruses, and indicate areas where further data will assist in understanding the geographical variation in transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Lord
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida-IFAS, Vero Beach 32962, USA
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31
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Abstract
In blood samples of seven captive equid species from four German zoos EHV-1 specific antibodies were detected in 76% and EHV-4 specific antibodies in 73% of the 55 animals, whereas 93% were tested positive for EHV-2 and EHV-5, respectively. In only one blood sample from a Przewalski's wild horse EHV-4 DNA was amplified by PCR. From seven Przewalski's wild horses EHV-2, and from another one EHV-5 was isolated by cocultivation. The identity of the virus isolates was verified by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Borchers
- Institut für Virologie, FU Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany
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32
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Abstract
The sarcoid is a benign locally invasive dermal fibroblastic lesion, commonly affecting horses and donkeys. The aetiology of the equine sarcoid is equivocal. Bovine papillomaviral (BPV) DNA (type 1/2) is frequently demonstrable in equine sarcoid tumour biopsies. However, the exact role of the virus in the disease process and its contribution to the phenotypic differences in sarcoids is not known. It was sought to assess the transcriptional activity of BPV-1 found in sarcoid tissues. Of 20 tumours examined, 18 were positive for E2 expression and ten positive for L1 expression. Viral oncogenes E5, E6 and E7 transcripts were detected in 16, nine and 12 tumours, respectively. This study demonstrates BPV gene expression in equine sarcoids and provide the first evidence for a direct involvement of the virus in the pathogenesis of sarcoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Nasir
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, UK
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33
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Blunden AS, Smith KC, Whitwell KE, Dunn KA. Systemic infection by equid herpesvirus-1 in a Grevy's zebra stallion (Equus grevyi) with particular reference to genital pathology. J Comp Pathol 1998; 119:485-93. [PMID: 9839210 DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9975(98)80043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A severe multi-systemic form of equid herpesvirus-1 infection is described in an adult zebra stallion. There was multifocal necrotizing rhinitis, marked hydrothorax and pulmonary oedema, with viral antigen expression in degenerating epithelial cells, local endothelial cells and intravascular leucocytes of the nasal mucosa and lung. Specific localization of EHV-1 infection was seen in the testes and epididymides, including infection of Leydig cells and germinal epithelium, which would have facilitated venereal shedding of virus in life. The case provided a unique opportunity to study hitherto undescribed aspects of the pathogenesis of naturally occurring EHV-1 infection in the male equine genital tract. Restriction digests of the isolate demonstrated a pattern similar to that of EHV-1 isolates previously recovered from aborted zebra and onager fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Blunden
- Animal Health Trust Centre for Preventive Medicine, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK
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34
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Abstract
Papillomaviral DNA has been identified in peripheral blood cells of both cattle and humans with and without associated disease and it has been suggested that such cells may act as sites of viral latency. In order to investigate the possibility of latent papillomaviral infection in the aetiopathogenesis of the equine sarcoid, peripheral blood derived DNA samples from 20 healthy and 34 sarcoid-affected donkeys were subject to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using papillomaviral specific primers. Analysis of blood derived DNA samples failed to demonstrate the presence of papillomaviral DNA in any animal. Screening of 37 matched sarcoid derived DNA samples confirmed the presence of BPV in 34 diseased donkeys. This study supports the hypothesis of BPV as an aetiological agent in the equine sarcoid and suggests that latent virus in circulating peripheral blood cells does not play a role in the pathogenesis and epidemiology of the equine sarcoid.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Nasir
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, University of Glasgow Veterinary School
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35
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Paweska JT. Effect of the South African asinine-94 strain of equine arteritis virus (EAV) in pregnant donkey mares and duration of maternal immunity in foals. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 1997; 64:147-52. [PMID: 9352564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical, virological and serological responses were investigated in five pregnant donkey mares after experimental exposure to the South African asinine-94 strain of equine arteritis virus (EAV), and the duration of maternal immunity to EAV was studied in their foals. In four intranasally inoculated mares, fever with maximum rectal temperatures of 39.1-40.7 degrees C was recorded 2-11 d after challenge. All the inoculated mares developed mild depression, and a serous ocular and nasal discharge; in three mares mild conjuctivitis was observed. The virus was recovered from the nasopharynx and from buffy-coat samples of all the mares 3-10 d, and 2-18 d post inoculation (p.i.), respectively. Seroconversion to EAV was detected on days 8-10 p.i. Peak serum-virus-neutralizing antibody titres of log10 1.8-2.4, and IgG ELISA OD values of 0.85-2.15 were recorded 2-3 weeks p.i. The in-contact (p.c.) control mare developed fever on days 15-19 post exposure, and showed mild clinical signs of equine viral arteritis similar to those observed in the inoculated mares. Seroconversion to EAV was detected in the p.c. mare on day 20 post exposure, and virus was isolated from nasal swabs and blood samples collected at the time of the febrile response and 1-3 d afterwards. None of the mares aborted. After they had given normal birth 45-128 d p.i. or after p.c. exposure, no virus could be isolated from their placentas. The concentration of EAV-neutralizing antibody in colostrum was two to eight times higher than in serum samples collected at the time of parturition. All the foals born to infected mares were clinically normal at the time of birth and throughout the subsequent 1-2 months of observation. No EAV was recovered from the buffy-coat fraction of blood samples collected at birth nor from those collected on days 1, 2 and 7 after birth. Also, no virus-serum-neutralizing or IgG ELISA antibody to EAV was detected in sera collected immediately after birth before the foals started nursing. The colostrum-derived maternal antibodies against EAV gradually declined and could not be detected by either the VN test or ELISA for 2-3 months after birth. This study demonstrates that the asinine-94 strain of EAV does not cause abortion in pregnant donkey mares. Furthermore, no carrier state could be demonstrated in foals born to mares infected at the time of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Paweska
- Department of Virology, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa
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36
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Paweska JT, Aitchison H, Chirnside ED, Barnard BJ. Transmission of the South African asinine strain of equine arteritis virus (EAV) among horses and between donkeys and horses. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 1996; 63:189-96. [PMID: 8917855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Lateral and sexual transmission of EAV among horses and lateral transmission between donkeys and horses were attempted by experimental infection with the South African asinine strain. Clinical, immunological and virological responses were evaluated. All intramuscularly inoculated horses developed very mild clinical signs, were viraemic, shed virus from nasopharynx, and seroconverted. Lateral infection was demonstrated in one in-contact mare. Reinfection of two stallions by intranasal instillation was shown by virus recovery from buffy-coat cultures. After nasal instillation of virus, one stallion which did not become infected by in-contact exposure, showed slight serous nasal and ocular discharge, contained virus in a blood and nasopharynx and seroconverted. Attempts to transmit the virus from seropositive stallions to seronegative mares by breeding, were not successful; no virus was isolated from semen. All inoculated donkeys and three in-contact horses showed clinical signs consistent with an EAV infection. Although virus was isolated from donkey buffy-coat preparations and the nasopharynx, and they seroconverted, no virus was isolated from the horses, and they failed to seroconvert; it was assumed that their clinical signs were due to factors unrelated to EAV. The South African strain of EAV appears to be poorly transmissible to horses, supporting the findings of other field studies which indicate a widespread distribution and long-standing presence of the virus among South African donkeys, but a very restricted prevalence of seropositive horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Paweska
- Department of Virology, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa
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37
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Abstract
The ultrastructure of the equine morbillivirus (EMV) which was implicated in the death of one human and fourteen horses in Queensland, Australia during September 1994 and a 36 year old man from Queensland in October 1995 is described. The ultrastructure of the virus and the intracellular virus-specific structures are characteristic for the family Paramyxoviridae. Cytoplasmic nucleocapsids were observed within the infected cells monolayers, endothelial cells (lung) of infected horses and the neurons within the brain of the 36 year old Queensland man. Aggregates of smaller nucleocapsid-like structures were also observed within the brain of the same man; these did not react with sera from recovered EMV-infected horses or from a recovered EMV-infected human. Co-examination of rinderpest virus (RPV), bovine parainfluenza-3 (BPIV-3), human respiratory virus (HRSV) and Sendai virus revealed that their envelope-associated surface projections are equivalent in length to the 15 nm spikes of EMV. EMV differed from these other viruses in that the majority of virions possessed surface projections of two distinct lengths (18 and 15 nm). Further ultrastructural examinations of plaque purified EMV revealed a small percentage of EM viruses possessed a mixed array of surface projections indicating that the 'double-fringed' (DF) particles may be the result of a post-translational modification(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Hyatt
- Australian Animal Health Laboratory, C.S.I.R.O., Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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38
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Howard JJ, Grayson MA, White DJ, Oliver J. Evidence for multiple foci of eastern equine encephalitis virus (Togaviridae:Alphavirus) in central New York State. J Med Entomol 1996; 33:421-432. [PMID: 8667390 DOI: 10.1093/jmedent/33.3.421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
A regional surveillance system for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus was established in central New York in 1984 after the 2nd human EEE fatality occurred in 1983. Extensive mosquito surveillance activities were coordinated with the rapid laboratory processing of mosquito specimens for EEE virus. Active surveillance for EEE infections in humans and equines also was initiated. Results of long-term surveillance detected the presence of multiple Culiseta breeding swamps. A 6-yr interepizootic period (1984-1989) was followed by 2 yr of equine EEE. In 1990, there were 7 equine cases and a record number of EEE virus isolations from mosquitoes (n = 86), wild birds (n = 27), and sentinel pheasants (n = 7). In 1991, 7 equine cases also occurred, although there were fewer isolations from mosquitoes (n = 40). The sequence to the appearance of EEE virus at swamps and upland sites and at individual swam complexes, and the spatial and temporal distribution of equine cases provide evidence for multiple foci of EEE virus in central New York. The role of infected Culiseta melanura (Coquillett) in the transfer of EEE virus between swamp and upland areas and among swamp complexes is advanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Howard
- New York State Department of Health, Albany 12237, USA
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39
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Abstract
Evolution of equine influenza a H3N8 viruses was examined by antigenic and genetic analysis of a collection isolates from around the world. It was noted that antigenic and genetic variants of equine H3N8 viruses cocirculate, and in particular that variants currently circulating in Europe and the USA are distinguishable from one another both in terms of antigenic reactivity and genetic structure of the HA1 portion of the haemagglutinin (HA) molecule. Whilst the divergent evolution of American and European isolates may be due to geographical isolation of the two gene pools, some mixing is believed to occur as 'American-like' viruses have been isolated during outbreaks of equine influenza in the UK. The cocirculation of two antigenically and genetically distinct lineages of equine influenza H3N8 viruses has serious implications for vaccine strain selection.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antigens, Viral/classification
- Antigens, Viral/immunology
- Biological Evolution
- Chick Embryo
- Equidae/virology
- Evolution, Molecular
- Ferrets/immunology
- Genes, Viral
- Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus
- Hemagglutinins, Viral/genetics
- Hemagglutinins, Viral/immunology
- Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype
- Influenza A virus/classification
- Influenza A virus/immunology
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Phylogeny
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Daly
- Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Suffolk, UK
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40
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Lepage N, St-Laurent G, Carman S, Archambault D. Comparison of nucleic and amino acid sequences and phylogenetic analysis of the Gs protein of various equine arteritis virus isolates. Virus Genes 1996; 13:87-91. [PMID: 8938984 DOI: 10.1007/bf00576983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The genetic variation in equine arteritis virus (EAV) Gs protein encoding gene was investigated. Nucleic and deduced amino acid sequences from eight different EAV isolates (one European, two American and five Canadian isolates) were compared with those of the Bucyrus reference strain. Nucleotide and amino acid identities between these isolates and the Bucyrus reference strain ranged from 92.3 to 96.4%, and 93.2 to 95.5%, respectively. However, phylogenetic tree analysis and estimation of genetic distances based on the Gs protein encoding gene sequences showed that the European prototype Vienna strain, the American 87AR-A1 isolate and all other North American EAV isolates could be classified into three genetically divergent groups. Our results showed that the Gs protein-encoding gene can be subjected on the basis of phylogenetic analysis to genetic variation, as previously shown for the other three EAV structural protein (M, N and GL)-encoding genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Lepage
- Unitersité du Québec à Montréal, Département des Sciences Biologiques, Québec, Canada
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41
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Abstract
Two in a group of five naturally seropositive donkey stallions were found to shed equine arteritis virus (EAV) in their semen as demonstrated by virus isolation. Direct intramuscular inoculation of sonicated semen from one virus-shedding stallion (S3) caused clinical disease in two donkeys from which virus was recovered and in which seroconversion was detected. Sexual transmission was confirmed in two mares mated to S3 when after a febrile response during which EAV was isolated from huffy coats and nasal and ocular exudates, both mares were found to have seroconverted. In-contact transmission in a susceptible stallion was demonstrated after its exposure to a sexually infected mare. The 3' end of the asinine virus was amplified directly from donkey semen with EAV-specific primers, and its nucleotide sequence was found to be homologous to that of the prototype Bucyrus virus isolated from horses. These results indicate that EAV and its disease transmission are analogous in donkeys and horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Paweska
- Department of Virology, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Republic of South Africa
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42
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Abstract
Molecular investigations on 18 naturally occurring sarcoid tumors removed from donkeys identified papillomaviral DNA homologous to bovine papillomavirus (BPV)-2 DNA under stringent conditions, in all the samples. Restriction endonuclease analysis of 15 of the tumours demonstrated papillomaviral DNA similar to BPV-1 and BPV-2. The type of DNA was not specific to either the site or the type of lesion. The analysis of the nucleotide base sequence of a cloned papillomaviral element from a sarcoid showed that the isolate was 96 and 98 per cent homologous to BPV-1 in the L1 and E5 open reading frames, respectively. It was concluded that the disease in the donkey is similar to that in the horse and that the E5 open reading frame may be involved in oncogenesis in the sarcoid.
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Affiliation(s)
- S W Reid
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden
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Paweska JT, Gerdes T, Van Heerden J. Serological relationship between a donkey alphaherpesvirus (isolate M7/91) and equid herpesvirus type 1 and 4. J S Afr Vet Assoc 1994; 65:64-6. [PMID: 7776336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Rabbit hyperimmune serum prepared against a donkey alphaherpesvirus isolate (M7/91), and against EHV-1 and EHV-4 was used to characterise the antigenic relationship between these 3 viruses. Serum from immunised rabbits was always more specific for homologous virus and showed different cross reactivity for heterologous virus. It was concluded that the immunologic relationship between the M7/91 isolate and EHV-1, was closer than that between this isolate and EHV-4. A serological survey of donkeys (n = 116) and horses (n = 57) revealed evidence of the presence of neutralising antibody to M7/91 in their sera. The titres of antibody to M7/91 in donkeys, ranged from 1:32-1 > or = 256 and was significantly higher than antibody titres to EHV-1 and EHV-4, while in horses, titres were lower but comparable to equine herpesvirus 1 and 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Paweska
- Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Division Virology, Republic of South Africa
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44
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Paweska JT. Equine viral arteritis in donkeys in South Africa. J S Afr Vet Assoc 1994; 65:40. [PMID: 7776331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
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