Susceptibility of mink to certain viral animal diseases foreign to the United States.

Mink (Mustela vison) were inoculated with viruses: African horse sickness (AHS), African swine fever (ASF), bovine herpes virus II (BHV2), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), goat pox (GP), hog cholera (HC), peste des petits ruminants (PPR), rinderpest (RP), swine vesicular disease (SVD), vesicular exanthema of swine (VES) and vesicular stomatitis (VS). Their susceptibility was measured by development of clinical signs, virus isolation and detection of precipitin and/or virus neutralizing antibodies. SVD virus produced a lesion in one mink. Virus was isolated from mink inoculated with SVD, FMD and BHV2. Neutralizing and/or precipitin antibodies were detected in mink inoculated with ASF, FMD, GP, RP, SVD and VS viruses. Mink were not susceptible to AHS, HC, PPR and VES viruses.     

Glutaraldehyde Inactivation of Exotic Animal Viruses in Swine Heart Tissue

Glutaraldehyde, 0.2%, in a 1:100 (wt/vol) ratio, inactivated four animal viruses (foot-and-mouth disease, swine vesicular disease, African swine fever, hog cholera) in swine heart tissues during 11-day exposures at 22 to 26°C.     

Glutaraldehyde inactivation of exotic animal viruses in swine heart tissue.

Glutaraldehyde, 0.2%, in a 1:100 (wt/vol) ratio, inactivated four animal viruses (foot-and-mouth disease, swine vesicular disease, African swine fever, hog cholera) in swine heart tissues during 11-day exposures at 22 to 26 degrees C.     

Characteristics of the porcine kidney cell line IB-RS-2 clone D10 (IB-RS-2 D10) which is free of hog cholera virus

Summary A Brazilian stock of clone C17 of the IB-RS-2 porcine kidney cell line which was contaminated with hog cholera virus (HCV) was cloned. One clone designated IB-RS-2 D10 was determined to be free of HCV, 20 other viruses, andMycoplasma. IB-RS-2 D10 cells possessed the same viral susceptibility pattern as the contaminated parent cells to the viruses of foot-and-mouth disease, swine vesicular disease, vesicular exanthema of swine, transmissible gastroenteritis, and several other viruses. The IB-RS-2 D10 cells had a median chromosome count of 34, were morphologically epithelioid cells, and were resistant to HCV infection. Freedom from HCV affords advantages for vaccine production and avoids laboratory contamination. Mention of a trademark, propriety product, or source does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the USDA, and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable.     

Efficacy of vaporized hydrogen peroxide against exotic animal viruses.

The efficacy of vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide in a pass-through box for the decontamination of equipment and inanimate materials potentially contaminated with exotic animal viruses was evaluated. Tests were conducted with a variety of viral agents, which included representatives of several virus families (Orthomyxoviridae, Reoviridae, Flaviviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Herpesviridae, Picornaviridae, Caliciviridae, and Rhabdoviridae) from both avian and mammalian species, with particular emphasis on animal viruses exotic to Canada. The effects of the gas on a variety of laboratory equipment were also studied. Virus suspensions in cell culture media, egg fluid, or blood were dried onto glass and stainless steel. Virus viability was assessed after exposure to vaporphase hydrogen peroxide for 30 min. For all viruses tested and under all conditions (except one), the decontamination process reduced the virus titer to 0 embryo-lethal doses for the avian viruses (avian influenza and Newcastle disease viruses) or less than 10 tissue culture infective doses for the mammalian viruses (African swine fever, bluetongue, hog cholera, pseudorabies, swine vesicular disease, vesicular exanthema, and vesicular stomatitis viruses). The laboratory equipment exposed to the gas appeared to suffer no adverse effects. Vaporphase hydrogen peroxide decontamination can be recommended as a safe and efficacious way of removing potentially virus-contaminated objects from biocontainment level III laboratories in which exotic animal disease virus agents are handled.     

Residual viruses in pork products.

Partly cooked canned hams and dried pepperoni and salami sausages were prepared from the carcasses of pigs infected with African swine fever virus and pigs infected with hog cholera virus. Virus was not recovered from the partly cooked canned hams; however, virus was recovered in the hams before heating in both instances. Both African swine fever virus and hog cholera virus were recovered from the dried salami and pepperoni sausages, but not after the required curing period.     

Residual viruses in pork products

Partly cooked canned hams and dried pepperoni and salami sausages were prepared from the carcasses of pigs infected with African swine fever virus and pigs infected with hog cholera virus. Virus was not recovered from the partly cooked canned hams; however, virus was recovered in the hams before heating in both instances. Both African swine fever virus and hog cholera virus were recovered from the dried salami and pepperoni sausages, but not after the required curing period.     

Identification of Hog Cholera Viral Antigen by Immunofluorescence. Application as a Diagnostic and Assay Method

In the absence of detectable cytologic changes in hog cholera virus-infected tissue culture cells, hog cholera viral antigen was readily detected by immunofluorescence. The ability to detect hog cholera viral antigen by this method allowed for determination of infectivity titers and also for titration of homologous antibody. Immunofluorescence made possible the identification, in tissue culture, of hog cholera virus from blood, serum, and spleen extracts of experimentally infected swine. Further applications of this method and its limitations are being investigated.     

Live attenuated pseudorabies virus expressing envelope glycoprotein E1 of hog cholera virus protects swine against both pseudorabies and hog cholera

To investigate whether live attenuated pseudorabies virus (PRV) can be used as a vaccine vector, PRV recombinants that expressed envelope glycoprotein E1 of hog cholera virus (HCV) were generated. Pigs inoculated with these recombinants developed high levels of neutralizing antibodies against PRV and HCV and were protected against both pseudorabies and hog cholera (classical swine fever).     

Demonstration of an Antigenic Relationship Between Hog Cholera and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Viruses by Immunofluorescence

Specific staining of antigen within bovine embryo kidney tissue culture cells, infected with either Oregon C24V or NADL-MD bovine viral diarrhea virus, was accomplished using fluorescein-conjugated swine anti-hog cholera or bovine antiviral diarrhea globulin. Also specific staining of antigen within pig kidney tissue culture cells, infected with hog cholera virus, was accomplished using the same two types of conjugates. Specificity was confirmed by appropriate controls. The authors found immunofluorescence to be a convenient and sensitive method for determining an antigenic relationship between hog cholera and bovine viral diarrhea viruses.     

Vaccination of Pigs Against Hog Cholera (Classical Swine Fever) With a Detergent Split Vaccine

Four pigs were inoculated subcutaneously with a detergent (triton X 100) split hog cholera virus in Freund’s incomplete adjuvant. Four other pigs were in the same way inoculated with a detergent split bovine viral diarrhoea virus, also in Freund’s incomplete adjuvant. In the experiment were used 3 control pigs. The vaccinations were repeated after 3 weeks. All pigs were challenged with highly virulent hog cholera virus (Tübingen) 12 weeks after primary inoculations. Signs of hog cholera were only noted in the control pigs. This introductory experiment was succeeded by a larger experiment with subcutaneous inoculations of: 10 pigs with detergent split hog cholera virus in Freund’s incomplete adjuvant, 10 pigs with detergent split hog cholera virus in a saponin (Quil A) solution, 10 pigs with detergent split bovine viral diarrhoea virus in Freund’s incomplete adjuvant, 10 pigs with detergent split bovine viral diarrhoea virus in the Quil A solution plus 5 control pigs. The vaccinations were repeated after 3 weeks, and finally all pigs were challenged 9 weeks later with the highly virulent hog cholera virus strain. With the exception of 1 animal which died accidentally, all animals survived in the groups inoculated with the Quil A vaccines and in the group inoculated with the detergent split hog cholera virus/oil adjuvant vaccine. In the group inoculated with the detergent split bovine viral diarrhoea virus/oil adjuvant vaccine, some of the pigs died of hog cholera.     

Effects of Oxyamylose and Polyacrylic Acid on Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Hog Cholera Virus Infections

Two interferon-inducing polycarboxylates were tested for antiviral activity on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus infections in mice, guinea pigs, and swine. Polyacrylic acid, given intraperitoneally, had a protective effect on infection by FMD virus administered in the peritoneal cavity of mice and in the foot pad of guinea pigs. Chlorite-oxidized oxyamylose (COAM) was effective in mice at a dosage of 2 mg/kg. Swine were not protected against naturally transmitted FMD by 120 mg/kg of COAM nor by polyacrylic acid. Swine were not totally unresponsive to COAM since it delayed symptoms of hog cholera. Interferon was not detected in the serum of COAM-treated swine. With FMD virus, an example was found of activity of interferon inducers in experimental hosts and lack of activity in a natural host.     

Serosurvey for selected infectious disease agents in free-ranging black and white rhinoceros in Africa

Two hundred and eighty one serum samples collected from free-ranging black (Diceros bicornis) and white (Ceratotherium simum) rhinoceros, in the Republic of South Africa (RSA), Namibia, and Kenya from 1987-97, were examined for antibody to 16 different infectious agents. Positive antibody titers were detected against Akabane (59.8%), bluetongue (55%), African horse sickness (27.9%), epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer (19.4%), parainfluenza type 3 (25.3%), bovine herpes virus 1 (3.1%), equine herpes virus 1 (8.8%) and bovine viral diarrhea (1.2%) viruses, and four serovars of Leptospira interrogans, (ranging 1.2 to 8.8%). No antibody was detected against Rift Valley fever virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, Brucella abortus, and Trypanosoma equiperdum. Interspecies differences were detected for African horse sickness, epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer and parainfluenza type 3 viruses. There appeared to be some geographic variation in the prevalence of antibody for African horse sickness, bluetongue, epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer, parainfluenza type 3, equine herpes virus 1 and Leptospira interrogans serovar bratislava.     

Pathogenesis of classical swine fever: B-lymphocyte deficiency caused by hog cholera virus.

Hog cholera, also known as classical or European swine fever, is caused by hog cholera virus, a member of the genus Pestivirus. It is shown here that the end stage of lethal infection in the natural host is associated with a dramatic depletion preferentially of B lymphocytes in the circulatory system as well as in lymphoid tissues. Already at the onset of disease, viral replication in lymphoid tissues demarcates the germinal centers, and the viral genome remains localized to that site as the disease progresses even after morphologic disintegration of the follicular structure. A block in B-lymphocyte maturation by infection and destruction of germinal centers is discussed as a key event in the pathogenesis of acute, lethal hog cholera.     

Separation of a Soluble Antigen and Infectious Particles of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Viruses and their Relationship to Hog Cholera

A soluble antigen present in infectious tissue culture fluids was separated from the infective virus particle by ultracentrifugation of two serologically related strains of bovine viral diarrhea viruses, NADL-MD and Oregon C24V. Neutralizing antibodies against the two viruses were absent in four hog cholera antisera, but present in significant titer in the commercially prepared antiserum. Precipitin tests utilizing the agar double diffusion technique formed a single line of identity between the concentrated soluble antigen of both viruses and NADL-MD and hog cholera antisera. No lines were observed using concentrated virus pellet and noninfected BEK cell antigens or control SPF calf and swine sera.     

Inactivation by gamma irradiation of animal viruses in simulated laboratory effluent.

Several animal viruses were treated with gamma radiation from a 60Co source under conditions which might be found in effluent from an animal disease laboratory. Swine vesicular disease virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, and blue-tongue virus were irradiated in tissues from experimentally infected animals. Pseudorabies virus, fowl plague virus, swine vesicular disease virus, and vesicular stomatitis virus were irradiated in liquid animal feces. All were tested in animals and in vitro. The D10 values, that is, the doses required to reduce infectivity by 1 log10, were not apparently different from those expected from predictions based on other data and theoretical considerations. The existence of the viruses in pieces of tissue or in liquid feces made no difference in the efficacy of the gamma radiation for inactivating them. Under the "worst case" conditions (most protective for virus) simulated in this study, no infectious agents would survive 4.0 Mrads.     

Inactivation by gamma irradiation of animal viruses in simulated laboratory effluent

Several animal viruses were treated with gamma radiation from a 60Co source under conditions which might be found in effluent from an animal disease laboratory. Swine vesicular disease virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, and blue-tongue virus were irradiated in tissues from experimentally infected animals. Pseudorabies virus, fowl plague virus, swine vesicular disease virus, and vesicular stomatitis virus were irradiated in liquid animal feces. All were tested in animals and in vitro. The D10 values, that is, the doses required to reduce infectivity by 1 log10, were not apparently different from those expected from predictions based on other data and theoretical considerations. The existence of the viruses in pieces of tissue or in liquid feces made no difference in the efficacy of the gamma radiation for inactivating them. Under the "worst case" conditions (most protective for virus) simulated in this study, no infectious agents would survive 4.0 Mrads.     

The search for viruses in bovine semen, a review

Viruses reported in bovine semen include those of foot and mouth disease, bluetongue, bovine leukemia, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine viral diarrhea, ephemeral fever, and lumpyskin disease. Bovine enteroviruses, a parapoxvirus (paravaccinia), and several uncharacterized viruses have also been isolated. Their presence in semen has been recognized by a variety of animal inoculation and cell culture techniques. The prevalence of viruses in semen and the attendant impact on fertility is largely unknown. The widespread distribution of frozen semen, an ideal system for preserving viral infectivity, indicates this product could serve as an important vehicle for transmission of viruses to uninfected herds or areas. This concern has placed restrictions on international movement of semen. Improved methods for detecting viruses in semen are necessary to assess the importance of the problem and to develop realistic precautionary measures.     

Novel viral disease control strategy: adenovirus expressing alpha interferon rapidly protects swine from foot-and-mouth disease

We have previously shown that replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is highly sensitive to alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta). In the present study, we constructed recombinant, replication-defective human adenovirus type 5 vectors containing either porcine IFN-alpha or IFN-beta (Ad5-pIFNalpha or Ad5-pIFNbeta). We demonstrated that cells infected with these viruses express high levels of biologically active IFN. Swine inoculated with 10(9) PFU of a control Ad5 virus lacking the IFN gene and challenged 24 h later with FMDV developed typical signs of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), including fever, vesicular lesions, and viremia. In contrast, swine inoculated with 10(9) PFU of Ad5-pIFNalpha were completely protected when challenged 24 h later with FMDV. These animals showed no clinical signs of FMD and no viremia and did not develop antibodies against viral nonstructural proteins, suggesting that complete protection from infection was achieved.