1
|
Agusi ER, Schön J, Allendorf V, Eze EA, Asala O, Shittu I, Balkema-Buschmann A, Wernike K, Tekki I, Ofua M, Adefegha O, Olubade O, Ogunmolawa O, Dietze K, Globig A, Hoffmann D, Meseko CA. SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV -2 cross-reactive antibodies in domestic animals and wildlife in Nigeria suggest circulation of sarbecoviruses. One Health 2024; 18:100709. [PMID: 38533194 PMCID: PMC10963646 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100709] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic exposure of domestic animals, as well as wildlife, can result in zoonotic transmission events with known and unknown pathogens including sarbecoviruses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals, most likely resulting from spill-over from humans, have been documented worldwide. However, only limited information is available for Africa. The anthropozoonotic transmission from humans to animals, followed by further inter- and intraspecies propagation may contribute to viral evolution, and thereby subsequently alter the epidemiological patterns of transmission. To shed light on the possible role of domestic animals and wildlife in the ecology and epidemiology of sarbecoviruses in Nigeria, and to analyze the possible circulation of other, undiscovered, but potentially zoonotic sarbecoviruses in animals, we tested 504 serum samples from dogs, rabbits, bats, and pangolins collected between December 2020 and April 2022. The samples were analyzed using an indirect multi-species enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV -2, respectively. ELISA reactive sera were further analyzed by highly specific virus neutralization test and indirect immunofluorescence assay for confirmation of the presence of antibodies. In this study, we found SARS-CoV reactive antibodies in 16 (11.5%) dogs, 7 (2.97%) rabbits, 2 (7.7%) pangolins and SARS-CoV-2 reactive antibodies in 20 (13.4%) dogs, 6 (2.5%) rabbits and 2 (7.7%) pangolins, respectively. Interestingly, 2 (2.3%) bat samples were positive only for SARS-CoV RBD reactive antibodies. These serological findings of SARS-CoV and/or SARS-CoV-2 infections in both domestic animals and wildlife indicates exposure to sarbecoviruses and requires further One Health-oriented research on the potential reservoir role that different species might play in the ecology and epidemiology of coronaviruses at the human-animal interface.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ebere R Agusi
- National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Jacob Schön
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany
| | - Valerie Allendorf
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Anne Balkema-Buschmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany
| | - Ishaya Tekki
- National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria
| | - Mark Ofua
- SaintMarks-Lagos Urban Forest Sanctuary Initiative (LUFASI), Lagos, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Klaas Dietze
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany
| | - Anja Globig
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany
| | - Donata Hoffmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wernike K, Beer M. Comparison of bovine viral diarrhea virus detection methods: Results of an international proficiency trial. Vet Microbiol 2024; 290:109985. [PMID: 38219410 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.109985] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), one of the most important infectious cattle diseases globally, is being combated in multiple countries. The main source for virus transmission within herds and especially to unaffected cattle farms are life-long persistently infected (PI), immunotolerant animals. Therefore, the early identification of PI calves is a major pillar of disease control programs. In addition, rapid and reliable virus identification is necessary to confirm the causative agent in acute clinical cases. Here, we initiated an international interlaboratory proficiency trial in order to evaluate BVDV detection methods. Four ear notch samples and four sera were provided to the participating veterinary diagnostic laboratories (n = 40). Two of the ear notches and two sera contained BVDV and two ear notches and one serum were negative for pestiviruses. The remaining serum was positive for the ovine border disease virus (BDV). The sample panel was analyzed by an ERNS-based ELISA for antigen detection, diverse real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) assays and/or virus isolation. Occasionally, additional typing of the virus strains was performed by sequencing or specific antibody staining of the obtained cell culture isolates. While the antigen ELISA allowed reliable BVDV diagnostics, infectious virus could be isolated only in just under half of the attempts (43.33%). RT-qPCR enabled the sensitive detection of pestiviruses, though an impact of the extraction method on the resulting quantification cycle values was observed. In general, subsequent typing of the detected virus strains is required to differentiate BVDV from BDV infections. In conclusion, for BVDV identification in clinical cases or in the context of disease control, RT-qPCR methods or ERNS antigen ELISAs should be preferentially used.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hüttl J, Reitt K, Meli ML, Meili T, Bönzli E, Pineroli B, Ginders J, Schoster A, Jones S, Tyson GB, Hosie MJ, Pusterla N, Wernike K, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Serological and Molecular Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 in Horses and Cattle in Switzerland from 2020 to 2022. Viruses 2024; 16:224. [PMID: 38400000 PMCID: PMC10892882 DOI: 10.3390/v16020224] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Horses and cattle have shown low susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, and there is no evidence of experimental intraspecies transmission. Nonetheless, seropositive horses in the US and seropositive cattle in Germany and Italy have been reported. The current study investigated the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in horses and cattle in Switzerland. In total, 1940 serum and plasma samples from 1110 horses and 830 cattle were screened with a species-specific ELISA based on the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) and, in the case of suspect positive results, a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) was used to demonstrate the neutralizing activity of the antibodies. Further confirmation of suspect positive samples was performed using either a pseudotype-based virus neutralization assay (PVNA; horses) or an indirect immunofluorescence test (IFA; cattle). The animals were sampled between February 2020 and December 2022. Additionally, in total, 486 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), oropharyngeal, nasal and rectal swab samples from horses and cattle were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA via reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Six horses (0.5%; 95% CI: 0.2-1.2%) were suspect positive via RBD-ELISA, and neutralizing antibodies were detected in two of them via confirmatory sVNT and PVNA tests. In the PVNA, the highest titers were measured against the Alpha and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants. Fifteen cattle (1.8%; 95% CI: 1.0-3.0%) were suspect positive in RBD-ELISA; 3 of them had SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing antibodies in sVNT and 4 of the 15 were confirmed to be positive via IFA. All tested samples were RT-qPCR-negative. The results support the hypotheses that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in horses and cattle in Switzerland was low up to the end of 2022.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hüttl
- Center for Laboratory Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Services, Frohbergstrasse 3, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland;
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (T.M.); (E.B.); (B.P.); (J.G.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Katja Reitt
- Center for Laboratory Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Services, Frohbergstrasse 3, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland;
| | - Marina L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (T.M.); (E.B.); (B.P.); (J.G.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Theres Meili
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (T.M.); (E.B.); (B.P.); (J.G.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Eva Bönzli
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (T.M.); (E.B.); (B.P.); (J.G.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Benita Pineroli
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (T.M.); (E.B.); (B.P.); (J.G.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Julia Ginders
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (T.M.); (E.B.); (B.P.); (J.G.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Angelika Schoster
- Clinic for Equine Internal Medicine, Equine Department, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Sarah Jones
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (S.J.)
| | - Grace B. Tyson
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (S.J.)
- MRC-University of Glasgow, Centre for Virus Research, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK;
| | - Margaret J. Hosie
- MRC-University of Glasgow, Centre for Virus Research, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK;
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (T.M.); (E.B.); (B.P.); (J.G.); (R.H.-L.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wernike K, Pfaff F, Beer M. "Fading out" - genomic epidemiology of the last persistently infected BVDV cattle in Germany. Front Vet Sci 2024; 10:1339248. [PMID: 38239751 PMCID: PMC10794585 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1339248] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is one of the most important cattle pathogens worldwide, causing major economic losses and animal welfare issues. Disease eradication programs have been implemented in several countries, including Germany where an obligatory nationwide control program is in force since 2011. As molecular epidemiology has become an essential tool to understand the transmission dynamics and evolution of BVDV, 5' untranslated region (UTR) sequences are generated from viruses present in persistently infected animals since the beginning of the BVDV control program. Here, we report the results of the sequence-based subtyping of BVDV strains found from 2018 through 2022 in calves born in Germany. In 2018, 2019 and 2020, BVDV-1d and-1b were the dominant subtypes and cases were spread throughout the area that was not yet officially declared BVDV-free at that time. In addition, BVDV-1a, -1e, -1f and -1h could rarely be detected. From 2021 onwards, subtype 1d clearly took over the dominance, while the other subtypes could be gradually nearly eliminated from the cattle population. The eradication success not only results in a drastic reduction of cases, but also in a marked reduction of strain diversity. Interestingly, before vaccination has been banned in regions and farms with a disease-free status, two live-vaccine virus strains were repeatedly detected in ear tissue samples of newborn calves (n = 14) whose mothers were immunized during gestation. The field-virus sequences are an important basis for molecular tracing and identification of potential relationships between the last outbreaks in the final phase of the German BVDV eradication program, thereby supporting classic epidemiological investigations. Furthermore, the monitoring of the composition of virus subtypes in the cattle population helps to maintain effective diagnostic methods and control measures and is an early warning system for the introduction of new pestiviruses in the naïve cattle population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pilchová V, Gerhauser I, Armando F, Wirz K, Schreiner T, de Buhr N, Gabriel G, Wernike K, Hoffmann D, Beer M, Baumgärtner W, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Schulz C. Characterization of young and aged ferrets as animal models for SARS-CoV-2 infection with focus on neutrophil extracellular traps. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1283595. [PMID: 38169647 PMCID: PMC10758425 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1283595] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are net-like structures released by activated neutrophils upon infection [e.g., severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)] as part of the innate immune response that have protective effects by pathogen entrapment and immobilization or result in detrimental consequences for the host due to the massive release of NETs and their impaired degradation by nucleases like DNase-1. Higher amounts of NETs are associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and are a risk factor for severe disease outcome. The objective of our study was to investigate NET formation in young versus aged ferrets to evaluate their value as translational model for SARS-CoV-2-infection and to correlate different NET markers and virological parameters. In each of the two groups (young and aged), nine female ferrets were intratracheally infected with 1 mL of 106 TCID50/mL SARS-CoV-2 (BavPat1/2020) and euthanized at 4, 7, or 21 days post-infection. Three animals per group served as negative controls. Significantly more infectious virus and viral RNA was found in the upper respiratory tract of aged ferrets. Interestingly, cell-free DNA and DNase-1 activity was generally higher in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) but significantly lower in serum of aged compared to young ferrets. In accordance with these data, immunofluorescence microscopy revealed significantly more NETs in lungs of aged compared to young infected ferrets. The association of SARS-CoV-2-antigen in the respiratory mucosa and NET markers in the nasal conchae, but the absence of virus antigen in the lungs, confirms the nasal epithelium as the major location for virus replication as described for young ferrets. Furthermore, a strong positive correlation was found between virus shedding and cell-free DNA or the level of DNAse-1 activity in aged ferrets. Despite the increased NET formation in infected lungs of aged ferrets, the animals did not show a strong NET phenotype and correlation among tested NET markers. Therefore, ferrets are of limited use to study SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis associated with NET formation. Nevertheless, the mild to moderate clinical signs, virus shedding pattern, and the lung pathology of aged ferrets confirm those animals as a relevant model to study age-dependent COVID-19 pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Pilchová
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ingo Gerhauser
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover (ZSN), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Federico Armando
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katrin Wirz
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tom Schreiner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover (ZSN), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nicole de Buhr
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gülşah Gabriel
- Department for Viral Zoonoses-One Health, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute for Virology, University for Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Donata Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover (ZSN), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maren von Köckritz-Blickwede
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Claudia Schulz
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wallukat G, Wernike K, Bachamanda Somesh D, Mettenleiter TC, Müller J. Animals Experimentally Infected with SARS-CoV-2 Generate Functional Autoantibodies against G-Protein-Coupled Receptors. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2668. [PMID: 37893042 PMCID: PMC10604621 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102668] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection has been linked to diverse clinical manifestations in humans, including cardiovascular complications. Functional autoantibodies targeting G-protein-coupled receptors have emerged as potential contributors to these effects. This study sought to investigate the production and activity of functional autoantibodies targeting G-protein-coupled receptors after SARS-CoV-2 infection of selected animal species. (2) Methods: The presence of functional autoantibodies such as 2-adrenoceptor, angiotensin II AT1 receptor, muscarinic M2 receptor, and angiotensin 1-7 MAS receptor was assessed in cattle and ferrets experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2. Bioassays were conducted to evaluate the positive or negative chronotropic responses induced by these autoantibodies. Further experiments identified the extracellular domains to which the functional autoantibodies bind, and receptor antagonists were employed to block the induced responses. (3) Results: Only two out of six cattle that were inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 displayed viral replication and tested positive for functional autoantibodies against G-protein-coupled receptors. These functional autoantibodies specifically recognized β2-adrenoceptor, angiotensin II AT1 receptor, muscarinic M2 receptor, and angiotensin 1-7 MAS receptor and induced distinct positive and negative chronotropic effects in the bioassay. Infected ferrets generated functional autoantibodies against β2-adrenoceptor and muscarinic M2 receptor and presented bioactivity similar to that in cattle. (4) Conclusions: This study uncovers functional autoantibodies targeting G-protein-coupled receptors in cattle and ferrets post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, with implications for cardiovascular function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | | | - Johannes Müller
- Berlin Cures GmbH, 13125 Berlin, Germany;
- Berlin Heals, 10719 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Golender N, Klement E, Ofer L, Hoffmann B, Wernike K, Beer M, Pfaff F. Hefer valley virus: a novel ephemerovirus detected in the blood of a cow with severe clinical signs in Israel in 2022. Arch Virol 2023; 168:234. [PMID: 37608200 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05850-2] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
A novel ephemerovirus was identified in a Holstein-Friesian cow in the Hefer Valley, Israel, that showed severe and fatal clinical signs resembling an arboviral infection. A sample taken during the acute phase tested negative for important endemic arboviral infectious cattle diseases. However, sequencing from blood revealed the full genome sequence of Hefer Valley virus, which is likely to represent a new species within the genus Ephemerovirus, family Rhabdoviridae. Archived samples from cattle with comparable clinical signs collected in Israel in 2021 and 2022 tested negative for the novel virus, and therefore, the actual distribution of the virus is unknown. As this is a recently identified new viral infection, the viral vector and the prevalence of the virus in the cattle population are still unknown but will be the subject of future investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Golender
- Department of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel.
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Eyal Klement
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Lior Ofer
- Hachaklait veterinary services, Caesarea, Israel
| | - Bernd Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Florian Pfaff
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ferrara G, Wernike K, Iovane G, Pagnini U, Montagnaro S. First evidence of schmallenberg virus infection in southern Italy. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:95. [PMID: 37507724 PMCID: PMC10386761 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03666-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is a vector-borne pathogen that mainly affects ruminants. Schmallenberg disease has never been described in southern Italy, although this geographic area displays climatic features suitable for Culicoides biting midges, which transmit the pathogen. An observational study was carried out in the Campania region in 2020 to evaluate the seroprevalence in cattle and water buffalo as well as to identify the risk factors involved in the distribution of SBV. RESULTS Relatively high seroprevalences of 38.2% (cattle) and 43% (water buffalo) were found by using a commercial SBV ELISA, which is comparable to the prevalence obtained in other countries under post-epidemic conditions. A virus neutralization assay performed on positive samples showed high titers in a large percentage of animals which is assumed to indicate recent exposure. Bivariate analysis of several variables revealed some environmental factors associated with higher seroprevalence, such as mean annual temperature, distance from the coast, and altitude. Multivariate logistic regression confirmed the statistical association only for mean annual temperature, that was found to be the main factor responsible for the distribution of the virus in southern Italy. In addition, molecular diagnosis attempts were performed on serum samples and resulted in the detection of SBV RNA in two herds and six animals. CONCLUSIONS In this work we have demonstrated the circulation of SBV in southern Italy using both molecular and serological assays. This study emphasized the essential role of monitoring in preventing the re-emergence of vector-borne diseases in ruminants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Ferrara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, Naples, 80137, Italy.
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Iovane
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, Naples, 80137, Italy
| | - Ugo Pagnini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, Naples, 80137, Italy
| | - Serena Montagnaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, Naples, 80137, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Breithaupt A, Sick F, Golender N, Beer M, Wernike K. Characterization of experimental Shuni virus infection in the mouse. Vet Pathol 2023; 60:341-351. [PMID: 36803054 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231155402] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Shuni virus (SHUV), an orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup, was initially isolated in Nigeria in the 1960s, further detected in other African countries and in the Middle East, and is now endemic in Israel. Transmitted by blood-sucking insects, SHUV infection is associated with neurological disease in cattle and horses, and with abortion, stillbirth, or the birth of malformed offspring in ruminants. Surveillance studies also indicated a zoonotic potential. This study aimed to test the susceptibility of the well-characterized interferon (IFN)-α/β receptor knock-out mouse model (Ifnar-/-), to identify target cells, and to describe the neuropathological features. Ifnar-/-mice were subcutaneously infected with two different SHUV strains, including a strain isolated from the brain of a heifer showing neurological signs. The second strain represented a natural deletion mutant exhibiting a loss of function of the S-segment-encoded nonstructural protein NSs, which counteracts the host's IFN response. Here it is shown that Ifnar-/-mice are susceptible to both SHUV strains and can develop fatal disease. Histological examination confirmed meningoencephalomyelitis in mice as described in cattle with natural and experimental infections. RNA in situ hybridization was applied using RNA Scope™ for SHUV detection. Target cells identified included neurons and astrocytes, as well as macrophages in the spleen and gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Thus, this mouse model is particularly beneficial for the evaluation of virulence determinants in the pathogenesis of SHUV infection in animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Franziska Sick
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Martin Beer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Michelitsch A, Allendorf V, Conraths FJ, Gethmann J, Schulz J, Wernike K, Denzin N. SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Clinical Signs in Cats and Dogs from Confirmed Positive Households in Germany. Viruses 2023; 15:v15040837. [PMID: 37112817 PMCID: PMC10144952 DOI: 10.3390/v15040837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
On a global scale, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a serious threat to the health of the human population. Not only humans can be infected, but also their companion animals. The antibody status of 115 cats and 170 dogs, originating from 177 German households known to have been SARS-CoV-2 positive, was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the results were combined with information gathered from a questionnaire that was completed by the owner(s) of the animals. The true seroprevalences of SARS-CoV-2 among cats and dogs were 42.5% (95% CI 33.5–51.9) and 56.8% (95% CI 49.1–64.4), respectively. In a multivariable logistic regression accounting for data clustered in households, for cats, the number of infected humans in the household and an above-average contact intensity turned out to be significant risk factors; contact with humans outside the household was a protective factor. For dogs, on the contrary, contact outside the household was a risk factor, and reduced contact, once the human infection was known, was a significant protective factor. No significant association was found between reported clinical signs in animals and their antibody status, and no spatial clustering of positive test results was identified.
Collapse
|
11
|
Kaczorek-Łukowska E, Wernike K, Beer M, Blank A, Małaczewska J, Blank M, Jałonicka A, Siwicki AK. No indication for SARS-CoV-2 transmission to pet ferrets, in five cities in Poland, 2021 - antibody testing among ferrets living with owners infected with SARS-CoV-2 or free of infection. Acta Vet Scand 2023; 65:9. [PMID: 36855124 PMCID: PMC9974054 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-023-00672-3] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified in China by the end of 2019 and was responsible for a pandemic in the human population that resulted in millions of deaths worldwide. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the role of animals as spill-over or reservoir hosts was discussed. In addition to cats and dogs, ferrets are becoming increasingly popular as companion animals. Under experimental conditions, ferrets are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and it appears that they can also be infected through contact with a SARS-CoV-2 positive owner. However, there is still little information available regarding these natural infections. Here, we serologically tested samples collected from pet ferrets (n = 45) from Poland between June and September 2021. Of the ferrets that were included in the study, 29% (13/45) had contact with owners with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections. Nevertheless, SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies could not be detected in any of the animals, independent of the infection status of the owner. The obtained results suggest that ferrets cannot be readily infected with SARS-CoV-2 under natural conditions, even after prolonged contact with infected humans. However, due to the rapid mutation rate of this virus, it is important to include ferrets in future monitoring studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Kaczorek-Łukowska
- Department of Microbiology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 13, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- grid.417834.dInstitute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- grid.417834.dInstitute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Alicja Blank
- grid.412607.60000 0001 2149 6795Department of Microbiology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 13, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Joanna Małaczewska
- grid.412607.60000 0001 2149 6795Department of Microbiology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 13, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Mirosława Blank
- Association of Friends of Ferrets, Mickiewicza 18a/4, 01-517 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Jałonicka
- PULSVET Specialist Veterinary Clinic, Alternatywy 7/U8, 02-775 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Krzysztof Siwicki
- grid.412607.60000 0001 2149 6795Department of Microbiology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 13, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bauermann FV, Wernike K, Weber MN, Silveira S. Editorial: Pestivirus: Epidemiology, evolution, biology and clinical features. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1025314. [PMID: 36330153 PMCID: PMC9623283 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1025314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Viçosa Bauermann
- Veterinary Virology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
- *Correspondence: Fernando Viçosa Bauermann
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- National Reference Laboratory for Bovine Viral Diarrhea/Mucosal Disease and Schmallenberg Virus, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- Kerstin Wernike
| | - Matheus Nunes Weber
- Laboratório de Microbiologia, Hospital Veterinário, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, Brazil
- Matheus Nunes Weber
| | - Simone Silveira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina (UNOESC), Xanxerê, Brazil
- Simone Silveira
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Barut GT, Halwe NJ, Taddeo A, Kelly JN, Schön J, Ebert N, Ulrich L, Devisme C, Steiner S, Trüeb BS, Hoffmann B, Veiga IB, Leborgne NGF, Moreira EA, Breithaupt A, Wylezich C, Höper D, Wernike K, Godel A, Thomann L, Flück V, Stalder H, Brügger M, Esteves BIO, Zumkehr B, Beilleau G, Kratzel A, Schmied K, Ochsenbein S, Lang RM, Wider M, Machahua C, Dorn P, Marti TM, Funke-Chambour M, Rauch A, Widera M, Ciesek S, Dijkman R, Hoffmann D, Alves MP, Benarafa C, Beer M, Thiel V. The spike gene is a major determinant for the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-BA.1 phenotype. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5929. [PMID: 36207334 PMCID: PMC9543931 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33632-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Variant of concern (VOC) Omicron-BA.1 has achieved global predominance in early 2022. Therefore, surveillance and comprehensive characterization of Omicron-BA.1 in advanced primary cell culture systems and animal models are urgently needed. Here, we characterize Omicron-BA.1 and recombinant Omicron-BA.1 spike gene mutants in comparison with VOC Delta in well-differentiated primary human nasal and bronchial epithelial cells in vitro, followed by in vivo fitness characterization in hamsters, ferrets and hACE2-expressing mice, and immunized hACE2-mice. We demonstrate a spike-mediated enhancement of early replication of Omicron-BA.1 in nasal epithelial cultures, but limited replication in bronchial epithelial cultures. In hamsters, Delta shows dominance over Omicron-BA.1, and in ferrets Omicron-BA.1 infection is abortive. In hACE2-knock-in mice, Delta and a Delta spike clone also show dominance over Omicron-BA.1 and an Omicron-BA.1 spike clone, respectively. Interestingly, in naïve K18-hACE2 mice, we observe Delta spike-mediated increased replication and pathogenicity and Omicron-BA.1 spike-mediated reduced replication and pathogenicity, suggesting that the spike gene is a major determinant of replication and pathogenicity. Finally, the Omicron-BA.1 spike clone is less well-controlled by mRNA-vaccination in K18-hACE2-mice and becomes more competitive compared to the progenitor and Delta spike clones, suggesting that spike gene-mediated immune evasion is another important factor that led to Omicron-BA.1 dominance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Tuba Barut
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nico Joel Halwe
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Adriano Taddeo
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jenna N Kelly
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Jena, Germany
| | - Jacob Schön
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Nadine Ebert
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lorenz Ulrich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christelle Devisme
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Silvio Steiner
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bettina Salome Trüeb
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bernd Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Inês Berenguer Veiga
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nathan Georges François Leborgne
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Etori Aguiar Moreira
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Angele Breithaupt
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Claudia Wylezich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Aurélie Godel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Thomann
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vera Flück
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hanspeter Stalder
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Brügger
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Blandina I Oliveira Esteves
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Beatrice Zumkehr
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Guillaume Beilleau
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annika Kratzel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kimberly Schmied
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Ochsenbein
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Reto M Lang
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Manon Wider
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carlos Machahua
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department for Pulmonary Medicine, BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Dorn
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas M Marti
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Funke-Chambour
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department for Pulmonary Medicine, BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andri Rauch
- Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marek Widera
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ronald Dijkman
- Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Jena, Germany.,Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Donata Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marco P Alves
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland. .,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. .,Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Charaf Benarafa
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland. .,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. .,Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany. .,European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Jena, Germany.
| | - Volker Thiel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland. .,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. .,Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. .,European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Jena, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wernike K, Drewes S, Mehl C, Hesse C, Imholt C, Jacob J, Ulrich RG, Beer M. No Evidence for the Presence of SARS-CoV-2 in Bank Voles and Other Rodents in Germany, 2020–2022. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101112. [PMID: 36297169 PMCID: PMC9610409 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodentia is the most speciose mammalian order, found across the globe, with some species occurring in close proximity to humans. Furthermore, rodents are known hosts for a variety of zoonotic pathogens. Among other animal species, rodents came into focus when the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread through human populations across the globe, initially as laboratory animals to study the viral pathogenesis and to test countermeasures. Under experimental conditions, some rodent species including several cricetid species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and a few of them can transmit the virus to conspecifics. To investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 is also spreading in wild rodent populations in Germany, we serologically tested samples of free-ranging bank voles (Myodes glareolus, n = 694), common voles (Microtus arvalis, n = 2), house mice (Mus musculus, n = 27), brown or Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus, n = 97) and Apodemus species (n = 8) for antibodies against the virus. The samples were collected from 2020 to 2022 in seven German federal states. All but one sample tested negative by a multispecies ELISA based on the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2. The remaining sample, from a common vole collected in 2021, was within the inconclusive range of the RBD-ELISA, but this result could not be confirmed by a surrogate virus neutralization test as the sample gave a negative result in this test. These results indicate that SARS-CoV-2 has not become highly prevalent in wild rodent populations in Germany.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Stephan Drewes
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Calvin Mehl
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christin Hesse
- Rodent Research, Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Kühn-Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, 48161 Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Imholt
- Rodent Research, Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Kühn-Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, 48161 Münster, Germany
| | - Jens Jacob
- Rodent Research, Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Kühn-Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, 48161 Münster, Germany
| | - Rainer G. Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wernike K, Böttcher J, Amelung S, Albrecht K, Gärtner T, Donat K, Beer M. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Suggestive of Single Events of Spillover to Cattle, Germany. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1916-1918. [PMID: 35914515 PMCID: PMC9423924 DOI: 10.3201/eid2809.220125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human infection with SARS-CoV-2 poses a risk for transmission to animals. To characterize the risk for cattle, we serologically investigated 1,000 samples collected from cattle in Germany in late 2021. Eleven antibody-positive samples indicated that cattle may be occasionally infected by contact with SARS-CoV-2–positive keepers, but we found no indication of further spread.
Collapse
|
16
|
Wernike K, Aebischer A, Audonnet JC, Beer M. Vaccine development against Schmallenberg virus: from classical inactivated to modified-live to scaffold particle vaccines. One Health Outlook 2022; 4:13. [PMID: 35978443 PMCID: PMC9383659 DOI: 10.1186/s42522-022-00069-8] [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] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Subsequent to its first detection in 2011, the insect-transmitted bunyavirus Schmallenberg virus (SBV; genus Orthobunyavirus) caused a large-scale epizootic of fetal malformation in the European ruminant population. By now, SBV established an enzootic status in Central Europe with regular wave-like re-emergence, which has prompted intensive research efforts in order to elucidate the pathogenesis and to develop countermeasures. Since different orthobunyaviruses share a very similar structural organization, SBV has become an important model virus to study orthobunyaviruses in general and for the development of vaccines. In this review article, we summarize which vaccine formulations have been tested to prevent SBV infections in livestock animals. MAIN: In a first step, inactivated SBV candidate vaccines were developed, which efficiently protected against an experimental SBV infection. Due to the inability to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals (= DIVA capability), a series of further approaches ranging from modified live, live-vectored, subunit and DNA-mediated vaccine delivery to multimeric antigen-presentation on scaffold particles was developed and evaluated. In short, it was repeatedly demonstrated that the N-terminal half of the glycoprotein Gc, composed of the Gc head and the head-stalk, is highly immunogenic, with a superior immunogenicity of the complete head-stalk domain compared to the Gc head only. Furthermore, in all Gc protein-based vaccine candidates, immunized animals can be readily discriminated from animals infected with the field virus by the absence of antibodies against the viral N-protein. CONCLUSIONS Using SBV as a model virus, several vaccination-challenge studies in target species underscored the superior performance of antigenic domains compared to linear epitopes regarding their immunogenicity. In addition, it could be shown that holistic approaches combining immunization-challenge infection studies with structural analyses provide essential knowledge required for an improved vaccine design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Wernike
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Andrea Aebischer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Martin Beer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wernike K, Fischer L, Holsteg M, Aebischer A, Petrov A, Marquart K, Schotte U, Schön J, Hoffmann D, Hechinger S, Neubauer-Juric A, Blicke J, Mettenleiter TC, Beer M. Serological screening in wild ruminants in Germany, 2021/22: No evidence of SARS-CoV-2, bluetongue virus or pestivirus spread but high seroprevalences against Schmallenberg virus. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e3289-e3296. [PMID: 35585653 PMCID: PMC9348064 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Wildlife animals may be susceptible to multiple infectious agents of public health or veterinary relevance, thereby potentially forming a reservoir that bears the constant risk of re‐introduction into the human or livestock population. Here, we serologically investigated 493 wild ruminant samples collected in the 2021/2022 hunting season in Germany for the presence of antibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and four viruses pathogenic to domestic ruminants, namely, the orthobunyavirus Schmallenberg virus (SBV), the reovirus bluetongue virus (BTV) and ruminant pestiviruses like bovine viral diarrhoea virus or border disease virus. The animal species comprised fallow deer, red deer, roe deer, mouflon and wisent. For coronavirus serology, additional 307 fallow, roe and red deer samples collected between 2017 and 2020 at three military training areas were included. While antibodies against SBV could be detected in about 13.6% of the samples collected in 2021/2022, only one fallow deer of unknown age tested positive for anti‐BTV antibodies, and all samples reacted negative for antibodies against ruminant pestiviruses. In an ELISA based on the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of SARS‐CoV‐2, 25 out of 493 (5.1%) samples collected in autumn and winter 2021/2022 scored positive. This sero‐reactivity could not be confirmed by the highly specific virus neutralisation test, occurred also in 2017, 2018 and 2019, that is, prior to the human SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic, and was likewise observed against the RBD of the related SARS‐CoV‐1. Therefore, the SARS‐CoV‐2 sero‐reactivity was most likely induced by another hitherto unknown deer virus belonging to the subgenus Sarbecovirus of betacoronaviruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Wernike
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Luisa Fischer
- State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection North Rhine-Westphalia, Wildlife Research Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mark Holsteg
- Chamber of Agriculture for North Rhine-Westphalia, Bovine Health Service, Bad Sassendorf, Germany
| | | | - Anja Petrov
- Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Kiel, Kronshagen, Germany
| | - Katharina Marquart
- Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Kiel, Kronshagen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schotte
- Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Kiel, Kronshagen, Germany
| | - Jacob Schön
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Donata Hoffmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | | | - Julia Blicke
- Ministry of Climate Protection, Environment, Energy and Mobility, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Martin Beer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wernike K, Beer M. International proficiency trial for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) antibody detection: limitations of milk serology. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:168. [PMID: 35524302 PMCID: PMC9074317 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03265-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Control programs were implemented in several countries against bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), one of the most significant cattle diseases worldwide. Most of the programs rely on serological diagnostics in any phase of the program. For the detection of antibodies against BVD virus (BVDV), neutralization tests as well as a variety of (commercially available) ELISAs are used. Here, test systems applied in various laboratories were evaluated in the context of an international interlaboratory proficiency trial. A panel of standardized samples comprising five sera and five milk samples was sent to veterinary diagnostic laboratories (n=51) and test kit manufacturers (n=3). Results The ring trial sample panel was investigated by nine commercially available antibody ELISAs as well as by neutralization tests against diverse BVDV-1, BVDV-2 and/or border disease virus (BDV) strains. The negative serum and milk sample as well as a serum collected after BVDV-2 infection were mostly correctly tested regardless of the applied test system. A serum sample obtained from an animal immunized with an inactivated BVDV-1 vaccine tested positive by neutralization tests or by total antibody or Erns-based ELISAs, while all applied NS3-based ELISAs gave negative results. A further serum, containing antibodies against the ovine BDV, reacted positive in all applied BVDV ELISAs, a differentiation between anti-BDV and anti-BVDV antibodies was only enabled by parallel application of neutralization tests against BVDV and BDV isolates. For the BVDV antibody-positive milk samples (n=4), which mimicked prevalences of 20% (n=2) or 50% (n=2), considerable differences in the number of positive results were observed, which mainly depended on the ELISA kit and the sample incubation protocols used. These 4 milk samples tested negative in 43.6%, 50.9%, 3.6% and 56.4%, respectively, of all investigations. Overall, negative results occurred more often, when a short sample incubation protocol instead of an over-night protocol was applied. Conclusions While the seronegative samples were correctly evaluated in most cases, there were considerable differences in the number of correct evaluations for the seropositive samples, most notably when pooled milk samples were tested. Hence, thorough validation and careful selection of ELISA tests are necessary, especially when applied during surveillance programs in BVD-free regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Adler JM, Weber C, Wernike K, Michelitsch A, Friedrich K, Trimpert J, Beer M, Kohn B, Osterrieder K, Müller E. Prevalence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibodies in cats in Germany and other European countries in the early phase of the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:439-450. [PMID: 35238485 PMCID: PMC9115359 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
During the first months of the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), cases of human‐to‐cat transmission were reported. Seroconversion was shown in cats infected under experimental and natural conditions. This large‐scale survey of 1,005 serum samples was conducted to investigate anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody prevalence in domestic cats during the first 7 months of the pandemic in Germany and other European countries. In addition, we compared the sensitivity and specificity of two multispecies SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Results were confirmed by using an indirect immunofluorescence test (iIFT) and a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT). Sera that were highly positive for feline coronavirus (FCoV) antibodies (n = 103) were included to correct for cross‐reactivity of the tests used. Our results showed an overall SARS‐CoV‐2 seropositivity of 1.9% (n = 19) in a receptor‐binding domain (RBD)‐based ELISA, additional 0.8% (n = 8) were giving inconclusive results. In contrast, a nucleocapsid‐based ELISA revealed 0.5% (n = 5) positive and 0.2% (n = 2) inconclusive results. While the iIFT and sVNT confirmed 100% of positive and 50%–57.1% of the doubtful results as determined in the RBD ELISA, the nucleocapsid‐based assay showed a high discrepancy and only one of the five positive results could be confirmed. The results indicate significant deficits of the nucleocapsid‐based ELISA with respect to sensitivity and specificity. Due to a significantly higher rate (5.8%) of positive results in the group of highly FCoV antibody‐positive samples, cross‐reactivity of the FCoV‐ELISA with SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies cannot be excluded. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of direct contact of domestic cats (n = 23) to SARS‐CoV‐2 positive owners. Considering one inconclusive result, which got confirmed by iIFT, this exposure did not lead to a significantly higher prevalence (4.4%; p = .358) among tested subjects. Overall, we conclude that cats are a negligible entity with respect to virus transmission in Europe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Maria Adler
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Laboklin GmbH & Co.KG, Bad Kissingen, Germany
| | | | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anna Michelitsch
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Jakob Trimpert
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Barbara Kohn
- Klinik für kleine Haustiere, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Osterrieder
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Koethe S, König P, Wernike K, Schulz J, Reimann I, Beer M. Bungowannah Pestivirus Chimeras as Novel Double Marker Vaccine Strategy against Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10010088. [PMID: 35062749 PMCID: PMC8778585 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10010088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Marker or DIVA (differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals) vaccines are beneficial tools for the eradication of animal diseases in regions with a high prevalence of the designated disease. Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)-1 (syn. Pestivirus A) is a flavivirus that infects predominantly cattle resulting in major economic losses. An increasing number of countries have implemented BVDV eradication programs that focus on the detection and removal of persistently infected cattle. No efficient marker or DIVA vaccine is yet commercially available to drive the eradication success, to prevent fetal infection and to allow serological monitoring of the BVDV status in vaccinated farms. Bungowannah virus (BuPV, species Pestivirus F), a related member of the genus Pestivirus with a restricted prevalence to a single pig farm complex in Australia, was chosen as the genetic backbone for a marker vaccine candidate. The glycoproteins E1 and E2 of BuPV were substituted by the heterologous E1 and E2, which are major immunogens, of the BVDV-1 strain CP7. In addition, the candidate vaccine was further attenuated by the introduction of a deletion within the Npro protein coding sequence, a major type I interferon inhibitor. Immunization of cattle with the chimeric vaccine virus BuPV_ΔNpro_E1E2 CP7 (modified live or inactivated) followed by a subsequent experimental challenge infection confirmed the safety of the prototype strain and provided a high level of clinical protection against BVDV-1. The serological discrimination of vaccinated cattle could be enabled by the combined detection of BVDV-1 E2- in the absence of both BVDV NS3- and BVDV Erns-specific antibodies. The study demonstrates for the first time the generation and application of an efficient BVDV-1 modified double marker vaccine candidate that is based on the genetic background of BuPV accompanied by commercially available serological marker ELISA systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Koethe
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Patricia König
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jana Schulz
- Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ilona Reimann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Embregts CW, Verstrepen B, Langermans JA, Böszörményi KP, Sikkema RS, de Vries RD, Hoffmann D, Wernike K, Smit LA, Zhao S, Rockx B, Koopmans MP, Haagmans BL, Kuiken T, GeurtsvanKessel CH. Evaluation of a multi-species SARS-CoV-2 surrogate virus neutralization test. One Health 2021; 13:100313. [PMID: 34458548 PMCID: PMC8378998 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Assays to measure SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing antibodies are important to monitor seroprevalence, to study asymptomatic infections and to reveal (intermediate) hosts. A recently developed assay, the surrogate virus-neutralization test (sVNT) is a quick and commercially available alternative to the "gold standard" virus neutralization assay using authentic virus, and does not require processing at BSL-3 level. The assay relies on the inhibition of binding of the receptor binding domain (RBD) on the spike (S) protein to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) by antibodies present in sera. As the sVNT does not require species- or isotype-specific conjugates, it can be similarly used for antibody detection in human and animal sera. In this study, we used 298 sera from PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients and 151 sera from patients confirmed with other coronavirus or other (respiratory) infections, to evaluate the performance of the sVNT. To analyze the use of the assay in a One Health setting, we studied the presence of RBD-binding antibodies in 154 sera from nine animal species (cynomolgus and rhesus macaques, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters, cats, cattle, mink and dromedary camels). The sVNT showed a moderate to high sensitivity and a high specificity using sera from confirmed COVID-19 patients (91.3% and 100%, respectively) and animal sera (93.9% and 100%), however it lacked sensitivity to detect low titers. Significant correlations were found between the sVNT outcomes and PRNT50 and the Wantai total Ig and IgM ELISAs. While species-specific validation will be essential, our results show that the sVNT holds promise in detecting RBD-binding antibodies in multiple species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Babs Verstrepen
- Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, the Netherlands
| | - Jan A.M. Langermans
- Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, the Netherlands
- Department Population Health Sciences, Division Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Reina S. Sikkema
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rory D. de Vries
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Donata Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Lidwien A.M. Smit
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Shan Zhao
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Virology Division, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Barry Rockx
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Bart L. Haagmans
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Thijs Kuiken
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Agerholm JS, Wernike K. Occurrence of malformed calves in April-May 2021 indicates an unnoticed 2020 emergence of Schmallenberg virus in Denmark. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:3128-3132. [PMID: 34850578 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14405] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
During the European emergence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in 2011, examination of Culicoides spp. showed that SBV-infected midges were present across Denmark. However, SBV-associated malformations in ruminant species have not been reported in Denmark. In April 2021, seven calves with severe congenital generalized arthrogryposis and reduced body weight originating from a narrow region of the Jutlandic peninsula were submitted for examination. Analysis of fetal brain tissue for SBV viral RNA and pleural effusion for fetal anti-SBV antibodies identified SBV as the cause of the congenital syndrome. Backwards calculation from the calving dates indicated the occurrence of an unnoticed emergence of SBV in Denmark from early August 2020 and during the late summer and autumn. As SBV-associated malformations may lead to severe dystocia requiring fetotomy or caesarean section, veterinarians performing obstetric intervention are first-line personnel in recognition of SBV emergence in domestic ruminants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jørgen Steen Agerholm
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Høje Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Bock S, Hoffmann B, Beer M, Wernike K. Saving Resources: SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostics by Real-Time RT-PCR Using Reduced Reaction Volumes. Diseases 2021; 9:84. [PMID: 34842648 PMCID: PMC8628695 DOI: 10.3390/diseases9040084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the beginning of 2020, the betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is causing a global pandemic of an acute respiratory disease termed COVID-19. The diagnostics of the novel disease is primarily based on direct virus detection by RT-PCR; however, the availability of test kits may become a major bottleneck, when millions of tests are performed per week. To increase the flexibility of SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, three real-time RT-PCR assays listed on the homepage of the World Health Organization were selected and investigated regarding their compatibility with three different RT-PCR kits. Furthermore, the reaction volume of the PCR chemistry was reduced up to half of the original protocol to make the individual reactions more cost- and resource-effective. When testing dilution series of culture-grown virus, nearly identical quantification cycle values (Cq) were obtained for all RT-PCR assay/chemistry combinations. Regarding the SARS-CoV-2 detection in clinical samples, agreeing results were obtained for all combinations for virus negative specimens and swabs containing high to medium viral genome loads. In cases of very low SARS-CoV-2 genome loads (Cq > 36), inconsistent results were observed, with some test runs scoring negative and some positive. However, no preference of a specific target within the viral genome (E, RdRp, or N) or of a certain chemistry was seen. In summary, a reduction of the reaction volume and the type of PCR chemistry did not influence the PCR sensitivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Bock
- Berlin-Brandenburg State Laboratory, 15236 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Bernd Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Germany; (B.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Germany; (B.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Germany; (B.H.); (M.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Golender N, Bumbarov V, Kovtunenko A, David D, Guini-Rubinstein M, Sol A, Beer M, Eldar A, Wernike K. Identification and Genetic Characterization of Viral Pathogens in Ruminant Gestation Abnormalities, Israel, 2015-2019. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112136. [PMID: 34834943 PMCID: PMC8619439 DOI: 10.3390/v13112136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious agents including viruses are important abortifacients and can cause fetal abnormalities in livestock animals. Here, samples that had been collected in Israel from aborted or malformed ruminant fetuses between 2015 and 2019 were investigated for the presence of the following viruses: the reoviruses bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), the flaviviruses bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and border disease virus (BDV), the peribunyaviruses Shuni virus (SHUV) and Akabane virus (AKAV), bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) and bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV). Domestic (cattle, sheep, goat) and wild/zoo ruminants were included in the study. The presence of viral nucleic acid or antigen could be confirmed in 21.8 % of abnormal pregnancies (213 out of 976 investigated cases), with peribunyaviruses, reoviruses and pestiviruses being the most prevalent. At least four different BTV serotypes were involved in abnormal courses of pregnancy in Israel. The subtyping of pestiviruses revealed the presence of two BDV and several distinct BVDV type 1 strains. The peribunyaviruses AKAV and SHUV were identified annually throughout the study period, however, variation in the extent of virus circulation could be observed between the years. In 2018, AKAV even represented the most detected pathogen in cases of small domestic ruminant gestation abnormalities. In conclusion, it was shown that various viruses are involved in abnormal courses of pregnancy in ruminants in Israel.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Golender
- Department of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (V.B.); (A.K.); (D.D.); (M.G.-R.); (A.S.); (A.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-3968-8949; Fax: +972-3968-1788
| | - Velizar Bumbarov
- Department of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (V.B.); (A.K.); (D.D.); (M.G.-R.); (A.S.); (A.E.)
| | - Anita Kovtunenko
- Department of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (V.B.); (A.K.); (D.D.); (M.G.-R.); (A.S.); (A.E.)
| | - Dan David
- Department of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (V.B.); (A.K.); (D.D.); (M.G.-R.); (A.S.); (A.E.)
| | - Marisol Guini-Rubinstein
- Department of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (V.B.); (A.K.); (D.D.); (M.G.-R.); (A.S.); (A.E.)
| | - Asaf Sol
- Department of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (V.B.); (A.K.); (D.D.); (M.G.-R.); (A.S.); (A.E.)
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (M.B.); (K.W.)
| | - Avi Eldar
- Department of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (V.B.); (A.K.); (D.D.); (M.G.-R.); (A.S.); (A.E.)
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (M.B.); (K.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Keller M, Hagag IT, Balzer J, Beyer K, Kersebohm JC, Sadeghi B, Wernike K, Höper D, Wylezich C, Beer M, Groschup MH. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 in a cat in Germany. Res Vet Sci 2021; 140:229-232. [PMID: 34534904 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Several non-variant of concern SARS-CoV-2 infections in pets have been reported as documented in the OIE and GISAID databases and there is only one fully documented case of an alpha variant of concern (VOC)(B.1.1.7) in the United States so far. Here, we describe the first case in a cat infected with the alpha SARS-CoV-2 variant in Germany. A cat suffering from pneumonia was presented to a veterinary practice. The pneumonia was treated symptomatically, but 16 days later the cat was presented again. Since the owner had been tested positive for a SARS-CoV-2 infection in the meantime, swab samples were taken from the cat and analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 specific nucleic acids. The various RT-qPCR analyses and whole-genome sequencing revealed the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant in this cat. This study shows that pets living in close contact with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 infected owners can contract this virus and also suffer from a respiratory disease. It is not clear yet whether onward transmissions to other cats and humans can occur. To minimize transmission risks, pet owners and veterinarians should comply to the hygienic rules published by OIE and others. It must be stated, that infections of cats with SARS-CoV-2 is still a rare event. Cats with clinical signs of a respiratory disease should be presented to a veterinarian, who will decide on further steps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Keller
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ibrahim T Hagag
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jörg Balzer
- Vet Med Labor GmbH, Division of IDEXX Laboratories, Kornwestheim, Germany
| | | | | | - Balal Sadeghi
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Claudia Wylezich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Berguido FJ, Burbelo PD, Bortolami A, Bonfante F, Wernike K, Hoffmann D, Balkema-Buschmann A, Beer M, Dundon WG, Lamien CE, Cattoli G. Serological Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Naturally-Infected Mink and Other Experimentally-Infected Animals. Viruses 2021; 13:1649. [PMID: 34452513 PMCID: PMC8402807 DOI: 10.3390/v13081649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in humans from a yet unidentified animal reservoir and the capacity of the virus to naturally infect pets, farmed animals and potentially wild animals has highlighted the need for serological surveillance tools. In this study, the luciferase immunoprecipitation systems (LIPS), employing the spike (S) and nucleocapsid proteins (N) of SARS-CoV-2, was used to examine the suitability of the assay for antibody detection in different animal species. Sera from SARS-CoV-2 naturally-infected mink (n = 77), SARS-CoV-2 experimentally-infected ferrets, fruit bats and hamsters and a rabbit vaccinated with a purified spike protein were examined for antibodies using the SARS-CoV-2 N and/or S proteins. From comparison with the known neutralization status of the serum samples, statistical analyses including calculation of the Spearman rank-order-correlation coefficient and Cohen's kappa agreement were used to interpret the antibody results and diagnostic performance. The LIPS immunoassay robustly detected the presence of viral antibodies in naturally infected SARS-CoV-2 mink, experimentally infected ferrets, fruit bats and hamsters as well as in an immunized rabbit. For the SARS-CoV-2-LIPS-S assay, there was a good level of discrimination between the positive and negative samples for each of the five species tested with 100% agreement with the virus neutralization results. In contrast, the SARS-CoV-2-LIPS-N assay did not consistently differentiate between SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative sera. This study demonstrates the suitability of the SARS-CoV-2-LIPS-S assay for the sero-surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a range of animal species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J. Berguido
- Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Applications in Food and Agriculture, Animal Production and Health Laboratory, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100, 1400 Vienna, Austria; (W.G.D.); (C.E.L.); (G.C.)
| | - Peter D. Burbelo
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Alessio Bortolami
- Laboratory of Experimental Animal Models, Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Francesco Bonfante
- Laboratory of Experimental Animal Models, Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany; (K.W.); (D.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Donata Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany; (K.W.); (D.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Anne Balkema-Buschmann
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany; (K.W.); (D.H.); (M.B.)
| | - William G. Dundon
- Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Applications in Food and Agriculture, Animal Production and Health Laboratory, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100, 1400 Vienna, Austria; (W.G.D.); (C.E.L.); (G.C.)
| | - Charles E. Lamien
- Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Applications in Food and Agriculture, Animal Production and Health Laboratory, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100, 1400 Vienna, Austria; (W.G.D.); (C.E.L.); (G.C.)
| | - Giovanni Cattoli
- Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Applications in Food and Agriculture, Animal Production and Health Laboratory, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100, 1400 Vienna, Austria; (W.G.D.); (C.E.L.); (G.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
King J, Pohlmann A, Dziadek K, Beer M, Wernike K. Cattle connection: molecular epidemiology of BVDV outbreaks via rapid nanopore whole-genome sequencing of clinical samples. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:242. [PMID: 34247601 PMCID: PMC8272987 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02945-3] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a global ruminant pathogen, bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is responsible for the disease Bovine Viral Diarrhea with a variety of clinical presentations and severe economic losses worldwide. Classified within the Pestivirus genus, the species Pestivirus A and B (syn. BVDV-1, BVDV-2) are genetically differentiated into 21 BVDV-1 and four BVDV-2 subtypes. Commonly, the 5' untranslated region and the Npro protein are utilized for subtyping. However, the genetic variability of BVDV leads to limitations in former studies analyzing genome fragments in comparison to a full-genome evaluation. RESULTS To enable rapid and accessible whole-genome sequencing of both BVDV-1 and BVDV-2 strains, nanopore sequencing of twelve representative BVDV samples was performed on amplicons derived through a tiling PCR procedure. Covering a multitude of subtypes (1b, 1d, 1f, 2a, 2c), sample matrices (plasma, EDTA blood and ear notch), viral loads (Cq-values 19-32) and species (cattle and sheep), ten of the twelve samples produced whole genomes, with two low titre samples presenting 96 % genome coverage. CONCLUSIONS Further phylogenetic analysis of the novel sequences emphasizes the necessity of whole-genome sequencing to identify novel strains and supplement lacking sequence information in public repositories. The proposed amplicon-based sequencing protocol allows rapid, inexpensive and accessible obtainment of complete BVDV genomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline King
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Pohlmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kamila Dziadek
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Wernike K, Aebischer A, Michelitsch A, Hoffmann D, Freuling C, Balkema‐Buschmann A, Graaf A, Müller T, Osterrieder N, Rissmann M, Rubbenstroth D, Schön J, Schulz C, Trimpert J, Ulrich L, Volz A, Mettenleiter T, Beer M. Multi-species ELISA for the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in animals. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:1779-1785. [PMID: 33191578 PMCID: PMC7753575 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [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: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic with millions of infected humans and hundreds of thousands of fatalities. As the novel disease - referred to as COVID-19 - unfolded, occasional anthropozoonotic infections of animals by owners or caretakers were reported in dogs, felid species and farmed mink. Further species were shown to be susceptible under experimental conditions. The extent of natural infections of animals, however, is still largely unknown. Serological methods will be useful tools for tracing SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals once test systems are evaluated for use in different species. Here, we developed an indirect multi-species ELISA based on the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2. The newly established ELISA was evaluated using 59 sera of infected or vaccinated animals, including ferrets, raccoon dogs, hamsters, rabbits, chickens, cattle and a cat, and a total of 220 antibody-negative sera of the same animal species. Overall, a diagnostic specificity of 100.0% and sensitivity of 98.31% were achieved, and the functionality with every species included in this study could be demonstrated. Hence, a versatile and reliable ELISA protocol was established that enables high-throughput antibody detection in a broad range of animal species, which may be used for outbreak investigations, to assess the seroprevalence in susceptible species or to screen for reservoir or intermediate hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Annika Graaf
- Friedrich‐Loeffler‐InstitutGreifswald ‐ Insel RiemsGermany
| | - Thomas Müller
- Friedrich‐Loeffler‐InstitutGreifswald ‐ Insel RiemsGermany
| | - Nikolaus Osterrieder
- Institut für VirologieFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
- Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life SciencesCity University of Hong KongKowloon TongHong Kong
| | | | | | - Jacob Schön
- Friedrich‐Loeffler‐InstitutGreifswald ‐ Insel RiemsGermany
| | - Claudia Schulz
- University of Veterinary Medicine HannoverHanoverGermany
| | - Jakob Trimpert
- Institut für VirologieFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Lorenz Ulrich
- Friedrich‐Loeffler‐InstitutGreifswald ‐ Insel RiemsGermany
| | - Asisa Volz
- University of Veterinary Medicine HannoverHanoverGermany
| | | | - Martin Beer
- Friedrich‐Loeffler‐InstitutGreifswald ‐ Insel RiemsGermany
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Michelitsch A, Fast C, Sick F, Tews BA, Stiasny K, Bestehorn-Willmann M, Dobler G, Beer M, Wernike K. Long-term presence of tick-borne encephalitis virus in experimentally infected bank voles (Myodes glareolus). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101693. [PMID: 33690089 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a vector-borne pathogen that can cause serious neurological symptoms in humans. Across large parts of Eurasia TBEV is found in three traditional subtypes: the European, the Siberian and the Far-eastern subtype. Small mammalian animals play an important role in the transmission cycle as they enable the spread of TBEV among the vector tick population. To assess the impact of TBEV infection on its natural hosts, outbred bank voles (Myodes glareolus) were inoculated with one out of four European TBEV strains. Three of these TBEV strains were recently isolated in Germany. The forth one was the TBEV reference strain Neudörfl. Sampling points at 7, 14, 28, and 56 days post inoculation allowed the characterization of the course of infection. At each time point, six animals per strain were euthanized and eleven organ samples (brain, spine, lung, heart, small and large intestine, liver, spleen, kidney, bladder, sexual organ) as well as whole blood and serum samples were collected. The majority of bank voles (92/96) remained clinically unaffected after the inoculation with TBEV, but still developed a systemic infection during the first week, which transitioned to a viraemia and an infestation of the brain in some animals for the remainder of the first month. Viral RNA was found in whole blood samples of several animals (50/96), but only in a small fraction of the corresponding serum samples (4/50). From the whole blood, virus was successfully reisolated in cell culture until 14 days after inoculation. Less than five percent of all inoculated bank voles (4/96) displayed signs of distress in combination with a rapid weight loss and had to be euthanized prematurely. Overall, the recently isolated TBEV strains showed marked differences, such as a more frequent development of long-term viraemia and a higher detection rate of viral RNA in various organs, in comparison to the reference strain Neudörfl. Overall, our data suggest that the bank vole is a potential amplifying host in the TBEV transmission cycle and appears to be highly adapted to circulating TBEV strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Michelitsch
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Christine Fast
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10,17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Franziska Sick
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Birke Andrea Tews
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Karin Stiasny
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | | | - Gerhard Dobler
- Dept. of Parasitology, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 34, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, German Center of Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Site Munich, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, München, Germany.
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Schulz C, Wylezich C, Wernike K, Gründl M, Dangel A, Baechlein C, Hoffmann D, Röhrs S, Hepner S, Ackermann N, Sing A, Pink I, Länger B, Volk HA, Becher P, Sutter G, Neubauer-Juric A, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Beer M, Volz A. Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA Shedding from Therapy Cat after Cluster Outbreak in Retirement Home. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 27:1974-1976. [PMID: 34152973 PMCID: PMC8237873 DOI: 10.3201/eid2707.204670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We report a therapy cat in a nursing home in Germany infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 during a cluster outbreak in the home residents. Although we confirmed prolonged presence of virus RNA in the asymptomatic cat, genome sequencing showed no further role of the cat in human infections on site.
Collapse
|
31
|
Aebischer A, Wernike K, König P, Franzke K, Wichgers Schreur PJ, Kortekaas J, Vitikainen M, Wiebe M, Saloheimo M, Tchelet R, Audonnet JC, Beer M. Development of a Modular Vaccine Platform for Multimeric Antigen Display Using an Orthobunyavirus Model. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9060651. [PMID: 34203630 PMCID: PMC8232151 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9060651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases represent an increasing threat to human and animal health. Therefore, safe and effective vaccines that could be available within a short time frame after an outbreak are required for adequate prevention and control. Here, we developed a robust and versatile self-assembling multimeric protein scaffold particle (MPSP) vaccine platform using lumazine synthase (LS) from Aquifex aeolicus. This scaffold allowed the presentation of peptide epitopes by genetic fusion as well as the presentation of large antigens by bacterial superglue-based conjugation to the pre-assembled particle. Using the orthobunyavirus model Schmallenberg virus (SBV) we designed MPSPs presenting major immunogens of SBV and assessed their efficacy in a mouse model as well as in cattle, a target species of SBV. All prototype vaccines conferred protection from viral challenge infection and the multivalent presentation of the selected antigens on the MPSP markedly improved their immunogenicity compared to the monomeric subunits. Even a single shot vaccination protected about 80% of mice from an otherwise lethal dose of SBV. Most importantly, the MPSPs induced a virtually sterile immunity in cattle. Altogether, LS represents a promising platform for modular and rapid vaccine design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Aebischer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (A.A.); (K.W.); (P.K.); (K.F.)
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (A.A.); (K.W.); (P.K.); (K.F.)
| | - Patricia König
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (A.A.); (K.W.); (P.K.); (K.F.)
| | - Kati Franzke
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (A.A.); (K.W.); (P.K.); (K.F.)
| | - Paul J. Wichgers Schreur
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (P.J.W.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Jeroen Kortekaas
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (P.J.W.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Marika Vitikainen
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., 02150 Espoo, Finland; (M.V.); (M.W.); (M.S.)
| | - Marilyn Wiebe
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., 02150 Espoo, Finland; (M.V.); (M.W.); (M.S.)
| | - Markku Saloheimo
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., 02150 Espoo, Finland; (M.V.); (M.W.); (M.S.)
| | - Ronen Tchelet
- Dyadic Netherland B.V., 6709 PA Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | | | - Martin Beer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (A.A.); (K.W.); (P.K.); (K.F.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Michelitsch A, Schön J, Hoffmann D, Beer M, Wernike K. The Second Wave of SARS-CoV-2 Circulation-Antibody Detection in the Domestic Cat Population in Germany. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061009. [PMID: 34072254 PMCID: PMC8229653 DOI: 10.3390/v13061009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [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: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Registered cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in the German human population increased rapidly during the second wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in winter 2020/21. Since domestic cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, the occurrence of trans-species transmission needs to be monitored. A previous serosurvey during the first wave of the pandemic detected antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in 0.65% of feline serum samples that were randomly sampled across Germany. In the here-presented follow-up study that was conducted from September 2020 to February 2021, the seroprevalence rose to 1.36% (16/1173). This doubling of the seroprevalence in cats is in line with the rise of reported cases in the human population and indicates a continuous occurrence of trans-species transmission from infected owners to their cats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Martin Beer
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (K.W.); Tel.: +49-38351-71200 (M.B.); +49-38351-71212 (K.W.)
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (K.W.); Tel.: +49-38351-71200 (M.B.); +49-38351-71212 (K.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Rexhepi A, Wernike K, Berxholi K, Marku N, Spahiu J, Sherifi K. First evidence of Schmallenberg virus infection in domestic ruminants in Kosovo and Albania. Vet Ital 2021; 57:13-17. [PMID: 34313094 DOI: 10.12834/vetit.1346.7413.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a novel Orthobunyavirus, emerged in European domestic ruminants in 2011 causing abortions and malformations in newborns and none or mild clinical symptoms in adult animals. Here, a total of 364 bovine, ovine and caprine serum samples were collected in Kosovo and Albania between May 2014 and August 2016 and analyzed for the presence of anti‑SBV antibodies. Sera were tested using an enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and 48 ELISA‑positive samples were subsequently analyzed by serum neutralization test (SNT). The overall percentage of ELISA positive results was 17.9%; 23.1% (53/229) was the prevalence observed in Kosovo (cattle 45.5%, sheep 19.2% and goat 6.8%), while 8.9% (12/135) was that observed in Albania (cattle 11.1%, sheep 0% and goat 20.0%). SNT confirmed the presence of neutralizing antibodies against SBV in all samples tested. This is the first study reporting SBV circulation in domestic ruminants in Kosovo and Albania, with indication that this virus has been present in Kosovo and Albania at least since 2014 without being detected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agim Rexhepi
- University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Kosovo
| | | | - Kristaq Berxholi
- University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tirana, Albania
| | - Nue Marku
- University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tirana, Albania
| | - Jeton Spahiu
- University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Kosovo
| | - Kurtesh Sherifi
- University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Kosovo.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
After experimental inoculation, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection was confirmed in bank voles by seroconversion within 8 days and detection of viral RNA in nasal tissue for up to 21 days. However, transmission to contact animals was not detected. Thus, bank voles are unlikely to establish effective transmission cycles in nature.
Collapse
|
35
|
Herm R, Kirik H, Vilem A, Zani L, Forth JH, Müller A, Michelitsch A, Wernike K, Werner D, Tummeleht L, Kampen H, Viltrop A. No evidence for African swine fever virus DNA in haematophagous arthropods collected at wild boar baiting sites in Estonia. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:2696-2702. [PMID: 33527715 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly pathogenic viral disease affecting all Suidae, with Ornithodoros moubata complex soft ticks acting as the biological arthropod vectors of the causative agent, African swine fever virus (ASFV). While ASFV is also transmissible via direct contact, pig products and fomites, other arthropods may be involved in virus transmission and persistence. Therefore, we checked various groups of blood-feeding arthropods collected during summer 2017 in wild boar habitats on the Estonian Island of Saaremaa for the presence of ASFV. Saaremaa had the highest ASF infection prevalences in Estonia in 2017, with an incidence of 9% among hunted wild boar. In addition to ASFV, we tested for other selected pathogens. In total, 784 ticks, 6,274 culicoid biting midges, 77 tabanids and 757 mosquitoes were tested as individuals or pools. No ASFV-DNA was found in any of them although about 20% of the tick samples tested positive for swine DNA. By contrast, tick-borne encephalitis virus-RNA was detected in one out of 37 tick pools (2.7%) and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.-DNA in 20 individual ticks and 17 tick pools (25.2% of all samples). No Schmallenberg virus was detected in the Culicoides specimens. In conclusion, we found no evidence for Ixodes ricinus ticks, Culicoides punctatus and Obsoletus complex biting midges, Aedes spp., Anopheles spp. and Culiseta annulata mosquitoes, and Haematopota pluvialis tabanids playing a role in ASFV transmission in the wild boar population in Estonia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reet Herm
- Chair of Veterinary Bio- and Population Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Heli Kirik
- Chair of Biodiversity and Nature Tourism, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Laura Zani
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan Hendrik Forth
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Alexandra Müller
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Anna Michelitsch
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Lea Tummeleht
- Chair of Veterinary Bio- and Population Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Helge Kampen
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Arvo Viltrop
- Chair of Veterinary Bio- and Population Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Wernike K, Reimann I, Banyard AC, Kraatz F, La Rocca SA, Hoffmann B, McGowan S, Hechinger S, Choudhury B, Aebischer A, Steinbach F, Beer M. High genetic variability of Schmallenberg virus M-segment leads to efficient immune escape from neutralizing antibodies. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009247. [PMID: 33497419 PMCID: PMC7872300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is the cause of severe fetal malformations when immunologically naïve pregnant ruminants are infected. In those malformed fetuses, a "hot-spot"-region of high genetic variability within the N-terminal region of the viral envelope protein Gc has been observed previously, and this region co-localizes with a known key immunogenic domain. We studied a series of M-segments of those SBV variants from malformed fetuses with point mutations, insertions or large in-frame deletions of up to 612 nucleotides. Furthermore, a unique cell-culture isolate from a malformed fetus with large in-frame deletions within the M-segment was analyzed. Each Gc-protein with amino acid deletions within the "hot spot" of mutations failed to react with any neutralizing anti-SBV monoclonal antibodies or a domain specific antiserum. In addition, in vitro virus replication of the natural deletion variant could not be markedly reduced by neutralizing monoclonal antibodies or antisera from the field. The large-deletion variant of SBV that could be isolated in cell culture was highly attenuated with an impaired in vivo replication following the inoculation of sheep. In conclusion, the observed amino acid sequence mutations within the N-terminal main immunogenic domain of glycoprotein Gc result in an efficient immune evasion from neutralizing antibodies in the special environment of a developing fetus. These SBV-variants were never detected as circulating viruses, and therefore should be considered to be dead-end virus variants, which are not able to spread further. The observations described here may be transferred to other orthobunyaviruses, particularly those of the Simbu serogroup that have been shown to infect fetuses. Importantly, such mutant strains should not be included in attempts to trace the spatial-temporal evolution of orthobunyaviruses in molecular-epidemiolocal approaches during outbreak investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald—Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ilona Reimann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald—Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ashley C. Banyard
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | - Franziska Kraatz
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald—Insel Riems, Germany
| | - S. Anna La Rocca
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | - Bernd Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald—Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Sarah McGowan
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | - Silke Hechinger
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald—Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Bhudipa Choudhury
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Aebischer
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald—Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Falko Steinbach
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, Addlestone, United Kingdom
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald—Insel Riems, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Michelitsch A, Hoffmann D, Wernike K, Beer M. Occurrence of Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the Domestic Cat Population of Germany. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E772. [PMID: 33348613 PMCID: PMC7766304 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Domestic cats (Felis catus) are popular companion animals that live in close contact with their human owners. Therefore, the risk of a trans-species spreading event between domestic cats and humans is ever-present. Shortly after the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its rapid spread around the world, the role of domestic cats in the transmission cycle was questioned. In the present study, the first large-scale survey of antibody occurrence in the domestic cat population in Germany was conducted, in order to assess the incidence of naturally occurring human to cat transmission of SARS-CoV-2. A total of 920 serum samples, which were collected from April to September of 2020, were screened by an indirect multispecies ELISA. Positive samples were verified using an indirect immunofluorescence test (iIFT) and additionally tested for neutralizing antibodies. Furthermore, serum samples were screened for antibodies against feline coronavirus (FCoV), in order to rule out cross-reactivity in the described test systems. Overall, 0.69% (6/920) of serum samples were found to be positive for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 by ELISA and iIFT. Two of these reactive sera also displayed neutralizing antibodies. No cross-reactivity with FCoV-specific antibodies was observed. The finding of SARS-CoV-2 antibody-positive serum samples in the domestic cat population of Germany, during a period when the incidence of human infection in the country was still rather low, indicates that human-to-cat transmission of SARS-CoV-2 happens, but there is no indication of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in cats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald–Insel Riems, Germany; (A.M.); (D.H.)
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald–Insel Riems, Germany; (A.M.); (D.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Freuling CM, Breithaupt A, Müller T, Sehl J, Balkema-Buschmann A, Rissmann M, Klein A, Wylezich C, Höper D, Wernike K, Aebischer A, Hoffmann D, Friedrichs V, Dorhoi A, Groschup MH, Beer M, Mettenleiter TC. Susceptibility of Raccoon Dogs for Experimental SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Emerg Infect Dis 2020; 26:2982-2985. [PMID: 33089771 PMCID: PMC7706974 DOI: 10.3201/eid2612.203733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Raccoon dogs might have been intermediate hosts for severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus in 2002-2004. We demonstrated susceptibility of raccoon dogs to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and transmission to in-contact animals. Infected animals had no signs of illness. Virus replication and tissue lesions occurred in the nasal conchae.
Collapse
|
39
|
Abstract
We inoculated 6 cattle with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and kept them together with 3 uninoculated cattle. We observed viral replication and specific seroreactivity in 2 inoculated animals, despite high levels of preexisting antibody titers against a bovine betacoronavirus. The in-contact animals did not become infected.
Collapse
|
40
|
Koethe S, König P, Wernike K, Pfaff F, Schulz J, Reimann I, Makoschey B, Beer M. A Synthetic Modified Live Chimeric Marker Vaccine against BVDV-1 and BVDV-2. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040577. [PMID: 33023099 PMCID: PMC7712951 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a pestivirus which exists in the two distinct species BVDV-1 (syn. Pestivirus A) and BVDV-2 (syn. Pestivirus B), is the causative agent of one of the most widespread and economically important virus infections in cattle. For economic as well as for animal health reasons, an increasing number of national BVDV control programs were recently implemented. The main focus lies on the detection and removal of persistently infected cattle. The application of efficient marker or DIVA (differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals) vaccines would be beneficial for the eradication success in regions with a high BVDV prevalence to prevent fetal infection and it would allow serological monitoring of the BVDV status also in vaccinated farms. Therefore, a marker vaccine based on the cytopathic (cp) BVDV-1b strain CP7 was constructed as a synthetic backbone (BVDV-1b_synCP7). For serological discrimination of vaccinated from infected animals, the viral protein Erns was substituted by the heterologous Erns of Bungowannah virus (BuPV, species Pestivirus F). In addition, the vaccines were attenuated by a deletion within the type I interferon inhibitor Npro protein encoding sequence. The BVDV-2 vaccine candidate is based on the genetic sequence of the glycoproteins E1 and E2 of BVDV-2 strain CS8644 (CS), which were introduced into the backbone of BVDV-1b_synCP7_ΔNpro_Erns Bungo in substitution of the homologous glycoproteins. Vaccine virus recovery resulted in infectious cytopathic virus chimera that grew to titers of up to 106 TCID50/mL. Both synthetic chimera BVDV-1b_synCP7_ΔNpro_Erns Bungo and BVDV-1b_synCP7_ΔNpro_Erns Bungo_E1E2 BVDV-2 CS were avirulent in cattle, provided a high level of protection in immunization and challenge experiments against both BVDV species and allowed differentiation of infected from vaccinated cattle. Our study presents the first report on an efficient BVDV-1 and -2 modified live marker vaccine candidate and the accompanying commercially available serological marker ELISA system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Koethe
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (S.K.); (P.K.); (K.W.); (F.P.); (I.R.)
| | - Patricia König
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (S.K.); (P.K.); (K.W.); (F.P.); (I.R.)
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (S.K.); (P.K.); (K.W.); (F.P.); (I.R.)
| | - Florian Pfaff
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (S.K.); (P.K.); (K.W.); (F.P.); (I.R.)
| | - Jana Schulz
- Institute of Epidemiology Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Ilona Reimann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (S.K.); (P.K.); (K.W.); (F.P.); (I.R.)
| | - Birgit Makoschey
- Intervet International B.V., MSD Animal Health, 5831 AN Boxmeer, The Netherlands;
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (S.K.); (P.K.); (K.W.); (F.P.); (I.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-38351-71200
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Sick F, Breithaupt A, Golender N, Bumbarov V, Beer M, Wernike K. Shuni virus-induced meningoencephalitis after experimental infection of cattle. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:1531-1540. [PMID: 32910551 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Shuni virus (SHUV), an insect-transmitted orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup within the family Peribunyaviridae, may induce severe congenital malformations when naïve ruminants are infected during gestation. Only recently, another clinical presentation in cattle, namely neurological disease after postnatal infection, was reported. To characterize the course of the disease under experimental conditions and to confirm a causal relationship between the virus and the neurological disorders observed in the field, six calves each were experimentally inoculated (subcutaneously) with two different SHUV strains from both clinical presentations, that is encephalitis and congenital malformation, respectively. Subsequently, the animals were monitored clinically, virologically and serologically for three weeks. All animals inoculated with the 'encephalitis strain' SHUV 2162/16 developed viremia for three to four consecutive days, seroconverted, and five out of six animals showed elevated body temperature for up to three days. No further clinical signs such as neurological symptoms were observed in any of these animals. However, four out of six animals developed a non-suppurative meningoencephalitis, characterized by perivascular cuffing and glial nodule formation. Moreover, SHUV genome could be visualized in brain tissues of the infected animals by in situ hybridization. In contrast to the 'encephalitis SHUV strain', in animals subcutaneously inoculated with the strain isolated from a malformed newborn (SHUV 2504/3/14), which expressed a truncated non-structural protein NSs, a major virulence factor, no viremia or seroconversion, was observed, demonstrating an expected severe replication defect of this strain in vivo. The lack of viremia further indicates that virus variants evolving in malformed foetuses may represent attenuated artefacts as has been described for closely related viruses. As the neuropathogenicity of SHUV could be demonstrated under experimental conditions, this virus should be included in differential diagnosis for encephalitis in ruminants, and cattle represent a suitable animal model to study the pathogenesis of SHUV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Sick
- 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
| | - Natalia Golender
- Department of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Velizar Bumbarov
- Department of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Dalmann A, Wernike K, Snijder EJ, Oreshkova N, Reimann I, Beer M. Single-Round Infectious Particle Production by DNA-Launched Infectious Clones of Bungowannah Pestivirus. Viruses 2020; 12:v12080847. [PMID: 32759644 PMCID: PMC7472241 DOI: 10.3390/v12080847] [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: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Reverse genetics systems are powerful tools for functional studies of viral genes or for vaccine development. Here, we established DNA-launched reverse genetics for the pestivirus Bungowannah virus (BuPV), where cDNA flanked by a hammerhead ribozyme sequence at the 5′ end and the hepatitis delta ribozyme at the 3′ end was placed under the control of the CMV RNA polymerase II promoter. Infectious recombinant BuPV could be rescued from pBuPV-DNA-transfected SK-6 cells and it had very similar growth characteristics to BuPV generated by conventional RNA-based reverse genetics and wild type BuPV. Subsequently, DNA-based ERNS deleted BuPV split genomes (pBuPV∆ERNS/ERNS)—co-expressing the ERNS protein from a separate synthetic CAG promoter—were constructed and characterized in vitro. Overall, DNA-launched BuPV genomes enable a rapid and cost-effective generation of recombinant BuPV and virus mutants, however, the protein expression efficiency of the DNA-launched systems after transfection is very low and needs further optimization in the future to allow the use e.g., as vaccine platform.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anja Dalmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (A.D.); (K.W.)
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (A.D.); (K.W.)
| | - Eric J. Snijder
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (E.J.S.); (N.O.)
| | - Nadia Oreshkova
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (E.J.S.); (N.O.)
| | - Ilona Reimann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (A.D.); (K.W.)
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (A.D.); (K.W.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Wernike K, Keller M, Conraths FJ, Mettenleiter TC, Groschup MH, Beer M. Pitfalls in SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:253-257. [PMID: 32536002 PMCID: PMC7323359 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of PCR tests are performed worldwide. Any deviation of the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity will reduce the predictive values of the test. Here, we report the occurrence of contaminations of commercial primers/probe sets with the SARS-CoV-2 target sequence of the RT-qPCR as an example for pitfalls during PCR diagnostics affecting diagnostic specificity. In several purchased in-house primers/probe sets, quantification cycle values as low as 17 were measured for negative control samples. However, there were also primers/probe sets that displayed very low-level contaminations, which were detected only during thorough internal validation. Hence, it appears imperative to pre-test each batch of reagents extensively before use in routine diagnosis, to avoid false-positive results and low positive predictive value in low-prevalence situations. As such, contaminations may have happened more widely, and COVID-19 diagnostic results should be re-assessed retrospectively to validate the epidemiological basis for control measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Wernike
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Markus Keller
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Martin Beer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Wernike K, Beer M. Re-circulation of Schmallenberg virus, Germany, 2019. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:2290-2295. [PMID: 32320536 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Schmallenberg virus (SBV), an insect-transmitted orthobunyavirus that induces severe foetal malformation in calves and lambs, was detected for the first time in late summer 2011 in Central Europe. Thereafter, the virus spread rapidly across the continent causing a large epidemic in the ruminant population. In 2019, detection of virus was again reported more frequently in Germany. From March to November, infections of viremic adult animals were noticed. In September, SBV genome was also detected in newborn lambs. Altogether, affected species included cattle, sheep, a goat and a fallow deer. M-segment sequences were generated from viruses detected in viremic cattle and compared to viral sequences from previous years. The genome of viruses detected in the blood of acutely infected adult cattle and sheep, which represent the circulating SBV strains, seems very stable over the course of nine years and in various European countries. The nucleotide similarities of these viruses are as high as 99.4%-100%. The renewed SBV circulation in 2019 in the country, in which the virus was first detected in 2011 and where it circulated again in 2014 and 2016, suggests the establishment of an enzootic status in Central Europe with regular larger waves in a cycle of around 3 years. Therefore, it has to be anticipated that SBV will re-emerge at similar intervals in future, and hence, it represents a constant threat for the continent's ruminant population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Wichgers Schreur PJ, van de Water S, Harmsen M, Bermúdez-Méndez E, Drabek D, Grosveld F, Wernike K, Beer M, Aebischer A, Daramola O, Rodriguez Conde S, Brennan K, Kozub D, Søndergaard Kristiansen M, Mistry KK, Deng Z, Hellert J, Guardado-Calvo P, Rey FA, van Keulen L, Kortekaas J. Multimeric single-domain antibody complexes protect against bunyavirus infections. eLife 2020; 9:52716. [PMID: 32314955 PMCID: PMC7173960 DOI: 10.7554/elife.52716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization has included three bunyaviruses posing an increasing threat to human health on the Blueprint list of viruses likely to cause major epidemics and for which no, or insufficient countermeasures exist. Here, we describe a broadly applicable strategy, based on llama-derived single-domain antibodies (VHHs), for the development of bunyavirus biotherapeutics. The method was validated using the zoonotic Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV), an emerging pathogen of ruminants, as model pathogens. VHH building blocks were assembled into highly potent neutralizing complexes using bacterial superglue technology. The multimeric complexes were shown to reduce and prevent virus-induced morbidity and mortality in mice upon prophylactic administration. Bispecific molecules engineered to present two different VHHs fused to an Fc domain were further shown to be effective upon therapeutic administration. The presented VHH-based technology holds great promise for the development of bunyavirus antiviral therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandra van de Water
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
| | - Michiel Harmsen
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
| | - Erick Bermúdez-Méndez
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands.,Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Dubravka Drabek
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Harbour Antibodies B.V, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Frank Grosveld
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Harbour Antibodies B.V, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Andrea Aebischer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Olalekan Daramola
- Biopharmaceutical Development, R&D BioPharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Rodriguez Conde
- Biopharmaceutical Development, R&D BioPharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Brennan
- Biopharmaceutical Development, R&D BioPharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Dorota Kozub
- Biopharmaceutical Development, R&D BioPharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kieran K Mistry
- Biopharmaceutical Development, R&D BioPharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ziyan Deng
- Biopharmaceutical Development, R&D BioPharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Hellert
- Structural Virology Unit, Virology Department, CNRS UMR 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Pablo Guardado-Calvo
- Structural Virology Unit, Virology Department, CNRS UMR 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Félix A Rey
- Structural Virology Unit, Virology Department, CNRS UMR 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Lucien van Keulen
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Kortekaas
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands.,Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Forth LF, Scholes SFE, Pesavento PA, Jackson K, Mackintosh A, Carson A, Howie F, Schlottau K, Wernike K, Pohlmann A, Höper D, Beer M. Novel Picornavirus in Lambs with Severe Encephalomyelitis. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:963-967. [PMID: 31002069 PMCID: PMC6478204 DOI: 10.3201/eid2505.181573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Using metagenomic analysis, we identified a novel picornavirus in young preweaned lambs with neurologic signs associated with severe nonsuppurative encephalitis and sensory ganglionitis in 2016 and 2017 in the United Kingdom. In situ hybridization demonstrated intralesional neuronotropism of this virus, which was also detected in archived samples of similarly affected lambs (1998–2014).
Collapse
|
47
|
Kasi KK, Sas MA, Sauter-Louis C, von Arnim F, Gethmann JM, Schulz A, Wernike K, Groschup MH, Conraths FJ. Epidemiological investigations of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus infection in sheep and goats in Balochistan, Pakistan. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101324. [PMID: 31757688 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne zoonotic disease caused by the arbovirus Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). Livestock serve as a transient reservoir for CCHFV, but do not show clinical signs. In this cross-sectional study, sheep and goats in Balochistan, Pakistan, were examined to determine the CCHFV seroprevalence, spatial distribution of seropositive sheep and goats, and to identify potential risk factors for seropositivity to CCHFV in these animals. To this end, farms and animals were selected by systematic sampling, blood samples from 800 sheep and 800 goats were collected and information regarding farm management and the kept animals were retrieved using a standard questionnaire. Sera were tested for antibodies against CCHFV in two independent ELISA formats and an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) following a hierarchical diagnostic decision tree. By these assays 149 (19 %, 95 %-CI: 16-21 %) out of 800 sheep serum samples and 37 (5 %, 95 %-CI: 3-6 %) out of 800 goat serum samples were positive for CCHFV-specific IgG antibodies. Interestingly, at least 8 (5 %, 95 %-CI: 2-10 %) out of 160 sera pools were from CCHFV viraemic sheep, as sera (in pools of 5) tested positive for CCHFV genome by real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Risk factor analysis revealed that the open type of housing (OR = 3.76, 95 %-CI:1.57-9.56, p-value = 0.003), grazing (OR = 4.18, 95 %-CI:1.79-10.37, p-value = 0.001), presence of vegetation in or around the farm (OR = 3.13, 95 %-CI: 1.07-10.15, p-value = 0.043), lack of treatment against ticks (OR = 3.31, 95 %-CI: 1.16-10.21, p-value = 0.029), absence of rural poultry (OR = 2.93, 95 %-CI: 1.41-6.29, p-value = 0.004), animals with age ≥ 2 years (OR = 4.15, 95 %-CI: 2.84-6.19, p-value<0.001), animals infested with ticks (OR = 2.35, 95 %-CI: 1.59-3.52, p-value<0.001), and sheep species (OR = 4.72, 95 %-CI:3.24-6.86, p-value<0.001) represented statistically significant risk factors associated with seropositivity to CCHFV. Taken together this study confirms the circulation of CCHFV in livestock in Balochistan, Pakistan. The identification of risk factors might help to reduce the risk of infection in sheep and goats, which may also mitigate the risk for human infection. An interesting option for reducing the risk of CCHFV infection in small ruminants is keeping also chickens, since they pick ticks that transmit CCHFV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khushal Khan Kasi
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; Disease Investigation Laboratory, Livestock and Dairy Development Department Balochistan, Pakistan
| | - Miriam Andrada Sas
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Carola Sauter-Louis
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Felicitas von Arnim
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jörn Martin Gethmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ansgar Schulz
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Franz J Conraths
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Michelitsch A, Dalmann A, Wernike K, Reimann I, Beer M. Seroprevalences of Newly Discovered Porcine Pestiviruses in German Pig Farms. Vet Sci 2019; 6:E86. [PMID: 31717716 PMCID: PMC6958323 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci6040086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Several novel porcine pestiviruses that are linked to disease outbreaks in commercial pig farms were discovered during recent years. Bungowannah pestivirus (BuPV; new species Pestivirus F) causes sudden death in young pigs, but has only ever been isolated in the Australian region Bungowannah. Atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV; new species Pestivirus K) on the other hand has been found in multiple countries worldwide and is potentially linked to congenital tremor, a disease that causes considerable production problems in pig farms. To assess the seroprevalences of both viruses in German commercial farms during the years 2009/10 and 2018, two approaches were selected. Antibodies against Pestivirus F were detected by a traditional in-house indirect immunofluorescence test against the culture-grown virus isolate, while for the detection of Pestivirus K-specific antibodies, a newly developed test system utilizing a chimeric construct of bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 (BVDV-1; species Pestivirus A) containing the E1 and E2 encoding sequences of APPV was established. A total of 1115 samples originating from 122 farms located in seven German federal states were investigated. Antibodies against Bungowannah virus could not be detected, confirming the absence of this virus in other regions than the initially affected Australian pig farm complex. In contrast, antibodies against APPV were highly prevalent throughout Germany at both investigated time points. The seroprevalence at the state level fluctuated to some degree, but the overall percentage remained stable, as is to be expected for an endemic pestivirus lacking any form of control measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald—Insel Riems, Germany; (A.M.); (A.D.); (I.R.); (M.B.)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Wernike K, Beer M. Diagnostics in the context of an eradication program: Results of the German bovine viral diarrhea proficiency trial. Vet Microbiol 2019; 239:108452. [PMID: 31767099 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.108452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 06/08/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), one of the most important infectious diseases in cattle, causes major economic losses and significant impact on animal welfare worldwide. The major source for virus spread is persistently infected, immunotolerant calves and, therefore, their early identification is of utmost importance for disease prevention. Here, a ring trial was initiated to control the performance of diagnostic tests used in German regional laboratories in charge of the diagnostics within the country's BVD control program. A panel of five ear notch and five serum samples was provided for virological analysis. By an antigen ELISA, which was applied 26 times, the status of every sample was correctly identified in any case. In addition, a total of 54 real-time RT-PCR result sets was generated and also in most cases correctly classified. In addition to the virological test panel, a set of six sera and four milk samples was sent to the participating laboratories to be analyzed by serological methods. With serum neutralization tests, an excellent diagnostic sensitivity was achieved. However, one serum and both milk samples - positive for BVDV antibodies - repeatedly tested false negative by some of the used ELISA kits. All negative serum and milk samples were correctly identified by every commercial antibody ELISA. In conclusion, the BVDV proficiency test demonstrated that the used antigen/genome test systems allowed predominantly reliable diagnostics, while for four of the applied nine antibody ELISA kits adjustments are recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Bumbarov V, Golender N, Jenckel M, Wernike K, Beer M, Khinich E, Zalesky O, Erster O. Characterization of bluetongue virus serotype 28. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 67:171-182. [PMID: 31469936 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Bluetongue virus (Reoviridae; Orbivirus, BTV), which is usually transmitted by biting midges, affects wild and domestic ruminants worldwide, thereby causing an economically important disease. Recently, a putative new BTV strain was isolated from contaminated vaccine batches. In this study, we investigated the genomic and clinical characteristics of this isolate, provisionally designated BTV-28. Phylogenetic analysis of BTV-28 segment 2 (Seg-2) showed that it is related to Seg-2 from BTV serotypes 4, 10, 11, 17, 20 and 24, sharing 64%-66% identity in nucleotide sequences (nt) and 59%-62% in amino acid (aa) sequences of BTV VP2. BTV-28 Seg-6 is related to the newly reported XJ1407 BTV isolate, sharing 76.70% nt and 90.87% aa sequence identity. Seg-5 was most closely related to a South African BTV-4 strain, and all other segments showed close similarity to BTV-26. Experimental infection by injection of 6-month-old ewes caused clinical signs in all injected animals, lasting from 2 to 3 days to several weeks post-infection, including high body temperature, conjunctivitis, nasal discharge and rhinitis, facial oedema, oral hyperaemia, coronitis, cough, depression and tongue cyanosis. Naïve control animals, placed together with the infected sheep, displayed clinical signs and were positive for viral RNA, but their acute disease phase was shorter than that of BTV-injected ewes. Control animals that were kept in a separated pen did not display any clinical signs and were negative for viral RNA presence throughout the experiment. Seroconversion was observed in the injected and in one of the two contact-infected animals. These findings demonstrate that BTV-28 infection of sheep can result in clinical manifestation, and the clinical signs detected in the contact animals suggest that it might be directly transmitted between the mammalian hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Velizar Bumbarov
- Division of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Natalia Golender
- Division of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Maria Jenckel
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Evgeny Khinich
- Division of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Olga Zalesky
- Division of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Oran Erster
- Division of Virology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
| |
Collapse
|