Detection of porcine circovirus type 1 in commercial porcine vaccines by loop-mediated isothermal amplification

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method with a real-time monitoring system was developed for the detection of porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) in commercial swine vaccines. This method was highly specific for PCV1. No cross-reaction to porcine circovirus type 2, porcine parvovirus, pseudorabies virus, classical swine fever virus, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus was observed. The analytical sensitivity of the LAMP for PCV1 DNA was 10 copies/μl in the case of positive recombinant plasmid comparable to that obtained from the nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR). Furthermore, 25 commercial swine vaccines were tested by both the LAMP and the nested PCR, and three of them were tested positive for PCV1 DNA. These results indicate that PCV1 DNA can be real-time detected by the LAMP; the method was highly specific, sensitive, and rapid for the detection of PCV1 DNA, particularly in commercial swine vaccines.     

安徽省猪圆环病毒2型感染的流行病学调查

目的了解安徽地区猪群中猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)的感染状况。方法应用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)对采自安徽省14个地(市)的468份血清样品进行PCV2抗体检测,并运用PCR技术同步进行PCV2核酸检测。结果PCV2抗体检测的平均阳性率为74.36%,且阳性率随猪的日龄增长而升高,皖南地区的阳性检出率明显高于淮北和江淮两个地区,PCR与ELISA检测结果的符合率为99.37%。结论安徽省猪群中普遍存在PCV2的感染,病毒血症与抗体共存现象显著。     

Functional analysis of cis- and trans-acting replication factors of porcine circovirus type 1

The replication proteins Rep and Rep' of porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) are both capable of introducing and resealing strand discontinuities at the viral origin of DNA replication in vitro underlying genome amplification by rolling-circle replication. The PCV1 origin of replication encompasses the minimal binding site (MBS) of the Rep and Rep' proteins and an inverted repeat with the potential to form a stem-loop. In this study, both elements of the PCV1 origin were demonstrated to be essential for viral replication in transfected cells. Furthermore, investigation of conserved amino acid motifs within Rep and Rep' proteins revealed that the mutation of motifs I, II, and III and of the GKS box interfered with viral replication. In vitro studies demonstrated that motifs I to III were essential for origin cleavage, while the GKS box was dispensable for the initiation of viral replication. A covalent link between Rep/Rep' and the DNA after origin cleavage was demonstrated, providing a mechanism for energy conservation for the termination of replication.     

An experimental live chimeric porcine circovirus 1-2a vaccine decreases porcine circovirus 2b viremia when administered intramuscularly or orally in a porcine circovirus 2b and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus dual-challenge model

Commercially available inactivated vaccines against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) have been shown to be effective in reducing PCV2 viremia. Live-attenuated, orally administered vaccines are widely used in the swine industry for several pathogens because of their ease of use yet they are not currently available for PCV2 and efficacy. The aims of this study were to determine the efficacy of a live-attenuated chimeric PCV2 vaccine in a dual-challenge model using PCV2b and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and to compare intramuscular (IM) and oral (PO) routes of vaccination. Eighty-three 2-week-old pigs were randomized into 12 treatment groups: four vaccinated IM, four vaccinated PO and four non-vaccinated (control) groups. Vaccination was performed at 3 weeks of age using a PCV1-2a live-attenuated vaccine followed by no challenge, or challenge with PCV2b, PRRSV or a combination of PCV2b and PRRSV at 7 weeks of age. IM administration of the vaccine elicited an anti-PCV2 antibody response between 14 and 28 days post vaccination, 21/28 of the pigs being seropositive prior to challenge. In contrast, the anti-PCV2 antibody response in PO vaccinated pigs was delayed, only 1/27 of the pigs being seropositive at challenge. At 21 days post challenge, PCV2 DNA loads were reduced by 80.4% in the IM vaccinated groups and by 29.6% in the PO vaccinated groups. PCV1-2a (vaccine) viremia was not identified in any of the pigs. Under the conditions of this study, the live attenuated PCV1-2a vaccine was safe and provided immune protection resulting in reduction of viremia. The IM route provided the most effective protection.     

In vitro intragenomic rearrangement of porcine circovirus type 2

We report here for the first time the genome sequence of a rearranged porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) strain, CH-IVT1, isolated from PCV2-infected PK-15 cells. The complete circular genome of the CH-IVT1 is 605 nucleotides (nt) in length. The finding will help us to understand the molecular evolution of PCV2 and the relationship between PCV2 and PCV-associated diseases.     

猪圆环病毒2型双拷贝感染性DNA的构建及体外拯救

感染性分子克隆是研究病毒复制和致病机制的有力工具。本研究应用PCR诱变技术解决了外源片段易于自连的难题,成功将2个PCV2SD1株全基因组(DQ346683)头尾相接插入到真核生物表达载体pSK的多克隆位点中,构建重组质粒pSK-2PCV2;另外课题组成功构建含单个PCV2全基因组的pSK-PCV2和自身环化质粒ds-PCV2。将所得3种质粒分别转染无PCV污染的PK-15细胞系,经10次连续传代后,间接免疫荧光试验检测显示三者均在细胞核中聚集大量的病毒抗原;经RT-PCR检测都有PCV2特异性基因转录;透射电镜下可观察到直径约为17～20nm的典型PCV2病毒粒子;经测序鉴定所拯救出的病毒与亲本病毒核苷酸同源性为100%。拯救出的PCV2与亲本病毒具有相同的病毒学及分子生物学特性。本研究应用PCR诱变技术成功构建PCV2双拷贝感染性克隆,并经体外拯救证实其具有感染性,为进行PCV2分子特性及致病机理研究打下了基础。     

Susceptibility of pig embryos to porcine circovirus type 2 infection

The aim of the present study was to determine if porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is able to infect embryonic cells of in vivo produced porcine embryos with and without zona pellucida (ZP). ZP-intact and ZP-free morulae (6-day post-insemination) and early blastocysts (7-day post-insemination), and hatched blastocysts (8-day post-insemination) were exposed to 10(5.0) TCID50 PCV2 per ml (strain 1121, fifth passage PK15). At 48 h post-incubation, the percentage of infected embryos and the percentage of viral antigen-positive cells per embryo were determined by indirect immunofluorescence (IF). Significantly different percentages of infected embryos were detected: 15% for ZP-free morulae, 50% for ZP-free early blastocysts and 100% for hatched blastocysts. The percentage of cells that expressed viral antigens was similar for the three stages of development. PCV2 exposure did not affect the in vitro development of the embryos during the 48 h study period. All ZP-intact embryos remained negative for viral antigens. In an additional experiment the diameter of the channels in the porcine ZP was determined. After incubation of early blastocysts with fluorescent microspheres of three different sizes, beads with a diameter of 20 nm and beads with a diameter of 26 nm crossed the zona whereas beads with a diameter of 200 nm did not. In conclusion, it can be stated that PCV2 is able to replicate in in vivo produced ZP-free morulae and blastocysts and that the susceptibility increases during development. The ZP forms a barrier to PCV2 infection, but based on the size of the channels in the ZP the possibility that PCV2 particles cross the ZP cannot be excluded.     

Complete genome sequence of the rearranged porcine circovirus type 2

We first report here the genome sequences of 4 rearranged porcine circovirus type 2 strains, JSTZ, ZJQDH1, ZJQDH2, and JSHM, isolated from porcine sera in China. The complete circular genomes of these isolates are 578, 483, 574, and 772 nucleotides in length, respectively. They are predicted to be defective interfering particles of porcine circovirus type 2. The findings will help us to understand molecular evolution of porcine circovirus type 2 and the relationship between porcine circovirus type 2 and diseases.     

安徽省猪圆环病毒2型毒株的分离与鉴定

目的从病原学角度了解安徽省猪群中PCV2的感染情况。方法PCR检测临床疑似PCV2感染的病料,阳性病料接种于PK15细胞中进行PCV2的分离和增殖,再经PCR检测、间接免疫荧光试验、电镜观察,以及ORF2基因序列分析等鉴定。结果9份临床病料中均扩增出630bp的PCV2特异性DNA片段,分离鉴定获得5株PCV2,分离毒株之间及其与27株国内外参考毒株之间的ORF2基因序列同源性在87.3%～99.8%。结论首次从病原学角度证实安徽省猪群中PCV2感染的普遍存在,分离毒株与国内外参考毒株的同源性均较高。     

Mapping of the nuclear localization signals in open reading frame 2 protein from porcine circovirus type 1

Porcine circovirus type 1 （PCV1） contains two major open reading frames encoding the replication-associated proteins and the major structural capsid （Cap） protein. PCV1 Cap has an N-terminus carrying several potential monopartite or bipartite nuclear localization signals （NLS）. The contribution of these partially overlapping motifs to nuclear importing was identified by expression of mutated PCVI Cap versions fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein （EGFP）. The Cterminus truncated PCV1 Cap-EGFP was localized in nuclei of PK-15 cells similar to the wild-type PCV1 Cap-EGFP, whereas truncation of the N-terminus rendered the fusion protein distributed into cytoplasm, indicating that the nuclear import of PCV1 Cap was efficiently mediated by its N-terminal region. Substitutions of basic residues in stretches 9RR- RR12 or the right part of 25RRPYLAHPAFRNRYRWRRK43 resulted in a diffused distribution of the fusion protein in both nuclei and cytoplasm, indicating that the two NLSs were responsible for restricted nuclear targeting of PCV1 Cap.     

Interaction of porcine circovirus type 2 replication with intracellular redox status in vitro

Abstract

Objectives

Redox status influences replication of some viruses but its effect on porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), the primary causative agent of the emerging swine disease post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome is not known. The interaction of PCV2 replication with intracellular redox status in PK15 cells was examined in this study.

Methods

Intracellular glutathione (GSH) was measured spectrophotometrically by reaction with 5, 5′-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid). Total superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) was assayed by inhibition of oxyamine oxidation by the xanthine oxidase system. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was assayed spectrophotometrically using the thiobarbituric acid reaction. Both quantification of PCV2 DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction and indirect immunofluorescence of PCV2-infected cells were used to evaluate the replication of PCV2.

Results

Both GSH and SOD decreased significantly at 48 hours after PCV2 infection, whereas MDA concentration increased significantly after 48 hour post-infection. Furthermore, PCV2 replication in PK15 cells was significantly impaired after the elevation of intracellular GSH through treatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), a precursor in GSH synthesis. In contrast, PCV2 replication in PK15 cells was enhanced after reduction of GSH levels through H₂O₂-mediated oxidation. In addition, NAC treatment blocked the increase of virus replication induced by H₂O₂.

Conclusions

This study suggests that PCV2 infection induces oxidative stress and that intracellular redox status influences PCV2 replication in PK15 cells.     

Comparative epidemiology of porcine circovirus type 3 in pigs with different clinical presentations

Background

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan was determined by screening blood samples of expectant mothers seeking antenatal care in gynecological units of district hospitals. The rationale behind this cohort study was that the availability of free-of-cost antenatal care in district hospitals brings expectant mothers from a broader geographical range in each district and thus provides a large sample-size of healthy pregnant women of known medical history for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) surveillance. The study was carried out along a south west to north east transact of five districts, Kohat-Peshawar-Nowshera-Charsadda-Mardan, with the central district Peshawar and outer districts Kohat and Mardan bordering northern mountainous ranges of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This distribution of districts along the transact allowed the study to gauge the impact of proximity to remote highland communities on the HCV burden of visiting pregnant women tested for HCV infection.

Methods

The cohort study randomly selected 150 pregnant women visiting each hospital for serological screening for Anti-HCV carried out by ELISA assay. The feasibility of ICT and RT-PCR assays for HCV prevalence was also examined in the present study.

Results

With a total of 750 blood specimen screened, the results of ELISA tests revealed a staggering 5.9% frequency of Anti-HCV in the five districts with the frequency of ELISA positive cases ranging from 3.3% in Nowshera, 4.7% in Charsadda, 6.0% in Peshawar, 6.7% in Kohat, and 8.7% in Mardan. The relatively higher frequencies of Anti-HCV cases among hospital visiting pregnant women in Peshawar, Kohat and Mardan were consistent with the proximity of these hospitals to the highland communities in the bordering mountain ranges. Compared to 44 Anti-HCV positive serologic specimens detected by ELISA, only 26 and 10 blood specimens were tested positive by ICT and PCR methods, respectively. Our study validates ELISA as a reliable diagnostic technique for both acute and chronic HCV infection.

Conclusion

The HCV infection rate of 5.9% in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province clearly exceeds the HCV prevalence rates reported for other regions in Pakistan, making this province a hotspot of HCV infection in the country.

     

嵌合型猪圆环病毒1-2型感染性DNA克隆的构建及其对小鼠的免疫原性

[目的]本研究旨在构建嵌合型猪圆环病毒1-2型感染性DNA克隆.[方法]利用PCR技术扩增PCV2 ORF2,克隆入缺失PCV1 ORF2的pSK-PCV1△ORF2中,得到pSK-sPCV1-2.该重组质粒中包含嵌合型PCV1-2全基因组,通过不完全酶切的方法,将嵌合型PCV1-2全基因组串联入pSK载体中,得到含串联双拷贝的嵌合型PCV1-2感染性DNA克隆.[结果]经序列测定,获得含串联双拷贝的嵌合型PCV1-2感染性DNA克隆.PCV1-2嵌合病毒接种BALB/c小鼠,用间接ELISA方法对接种后7、14、21、28、35、42 d的小鼠进行血清抗体检测.结果显示从接种后14 d开始,即有部分小鼠产生了针对PCV2 Cap蛋白的特异性抗体;至接种后42 d,几乎全部接种小鼠的血清均呈阳性.[结论]构建了PCV1-2型感染性DNA克隆,该嵌合病毒能够激发机体产生体液免疫应答.     

重组表达猪圆环病毒2型衣壳蛋白的抗原特性分析

将猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2 )去核定位信号衣壳蛋白(Nuclearlocalizationsignal_defectedcapsidprotein ,dCap)与谷胱甘肽_S_转移酶(GST)融合,在大肠杆菌中表达,经纯化和凝血酶剪切分别获得纯化的GST_dCap融合蛋白和dCap蛋白,Westernblot结果表明二者都能与猪抗PCV2血清发生特异性反应。dCap蛋白免疫小鼠制备的单克隆抗体,不仅能特异地与GST_dCap融合蛋白、dCap蛋白和纯化的PCV2粒子发生反应,而且能特异地与PK_15细胞内的PCV2病毒颗粒发生反应,其中抗dCap蛋白的单克隆抗体4C4、3F6和2G7具有阻止病毒感染细胞的能力。表明原核表达的dCap蛋白完全或部分正确模拟了PCV2天然衣壳蛋白的构像,PCV2衣壳蛋白存在阻止PCV2病毒感染细胞的功能性表位。同时重组PCV2dCap蛋白的获得为进一步研究Cap蛋白晶体结构和将重组的dCap蛋白作为抗原建立血清学诊断试剂及疫苗研究提供了基础     

Ochratoxin A promotes porcine circovirus type 2 replication in vitro and in vivo

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a worldwide mycotoxin found in food and feeds, is a potent nephrotoxin in animals and humans. Porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD), including porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome, is a worldwide swine disease. To date, little is known concerning the relationship between OTA and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), the primary causative agent of PCVAD. The effects of OTA on PCV2 replication and their mechanisms were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The results in vitro showed that low doses of OTA significantly increased PCV2 DNA copies and the number of infected cells. Maximum effects were observed at 0.05 μg/ml OTA. The results in vivo showed that PCV2 replication was significantly increased in serum and tissues of pigs fed 75 μg/kg OTA compared with the control group and pigs fed 150 μg/kg OTA. In addition, low doses of OTA significantly depleted reduced glutathione and mRNA expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase; increased reactive oxygen species, oxidants, and malondialdehyde; and induced p38 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in PK15 cells. Adding N-acetyl-l-cysteine reversed the changes induced by OTA. Knockdown of p38 and ERK1/2 by their respective specific siRNAs or inhibition of p38 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation by their respective inhibitors (SB203580 and U0126) eliminated the increase in PCV2 replication induced by OTA. These data indicate that low doses of OTA promoted PCV2 replication in vitro and in vivo via the oxidative stress-mediated p38/ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway. This suggests that low doses of OTA are potentially harmful to animals, as they enhance virus replication, and partly explains why the morbidity and severity of PCVAD vary significantly in different pig farms.     

Removal of virus from boar semen spiked with porcine circovirus type 2

The virus porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is associated with different disease entities, including reproductive failure. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of a semen processing technique for the elimination of infectious PCV2 in semen. PCV2 was chosen as a model virus because of its small size, high resistance to inactivation and as a known risk factor for boar semen contamination. Aliquots of ejaculates were spiked with PCV2 and processed by a double processing technique, consisting of Single Layer Centrifugation on Androcoll?-P followed by a "swim-up" procedure. Samples were collected from the resulting fractions during the selection process and analyzed for the presence of infectious PCV2. Virus titres were determined by performing a 50% tissue culture infective dose assay (TCID(50)) by end point dilution and with the use of an indirect peroxidise monolayer assay technique. With an initial infectious virus titre of 3.25-3.82 (TCID(50))/50μL the two-step sperm selection method eliminated 2.92±0.23 logs of infectious PCV2, corresponding to more than 99% reduction. Sperm quality was not affected by the selection procedure.     

Rapid detection of porcine circovirus type 2 using a TaqMan-based real-time PCR

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and the associated disease postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) have caused heavy losses in global agriculture in recent decades. Rapid detection of PCV2 is very important for the effective prophylaxis and treatment of PMWS. To establish a sensitive, specific assay for the detection and quantitation of PCV2, we designed and synthesized specific primers and a probe in the open reading frame 2. The assay had a wide dynamic range with excellent linearity and reliable reproducibility, and detected between 102 and 1010 copies of the genomic DNA per reaction. The coefficient of variation for Ct values varied from 0.59% to 1.05% in the same assay and from 1.9% to 4.2% in 10 different assays. The assay did not cross-react with porcine circovirus type 1, porcine reproductive and respiratory, porcine epidemic diarrhea, transmissible gastroenteritis of pigs and rotavirus. The limits of detection and quantitation were 10 and 100 copies, respectively. Using the established real-time PCR system, 39 of the 40 samples we tested were detected as positive.     

Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for porcine circovirus type 2

In this study,the loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP)method was used to develop a rapid and simple detection system for porcine circovirus type 2(PCV2).According to the PCV2 sequences published in GenBank,multiple LAMP primers were designed targeting conserved sequences of PCV2.Using the DNA extracted from PCV2 isolates HUN-09 and SD-09 as the template,LAMP reactions in a PCV2 LAMP system was performed,the amplification products were detected by adding SYBR Green I and could be observed directly by the naked eye.The results showed highly-efficient and specific amplification in 30 min at 63℃ with a LAMP real-time turbidimeter.Furthermore,PCV2 DNA templates,with a detection limit of 5.5×10-5ng of nucleic acid,indicated that this assay was highly sensitive.The results obtained with the naked eye after SYBR Green I staining were consistent with those detected by the real-time turbidimeter,showing the potential simplicity of interpretation of the assay results.The LAMP assay appeared to have greater accuracy than PCR and virus isolation for the analysis of 18 clinical samples.In addition it offers higher specificity and sensitivity,shorter reaction times and simpler procedures than the currently available methods of PCV2 detection.It is therefore a promising tool for the effective and efficient detection of PCV2.