Genetic Diversity of Newcastle Disease Virus in Wild Birds and Pigeons in West Africa

In West and Central Africa, virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains of the recently identified genotypes XIV, XVII, and XVIII are enzootic in poultry, representing a considerable threat to the sector. The increasing number of reports of virulent strains in wild birds at least in other parts of the world raised the question of a potential role of wild birds in the spread of virulent NDV in sub-Saharan Africa as well. We investigated 1,723 asymptomatic birds sampled at live-bird markets and sites important for wild-bird conservation in Nigeria and 19 sick or dead wild birds in Côte d''Ivoire for NDV class I and II. Typical avirulent wild-type genotype I strains were found in wild waterfowl in wetlands in northeastern Nigeria. They were unrelated to vaccine strains, and the involvement of inter- or intracontinental migratory birds in their circulation in the region is suggested. Phylogenetic analyses also revealed that genotype VI strains found in pigeons, including some putative new subgenotype VIh and VIi strains, were introduced on multiple separate occasions in Nigeria. A single virulent genotype XVIII strain was found in a dead wild bird in Côte d''Ivoire, probably as a result of spillover from sick poultry. In conclusion, screening of wild birds and pigeons for NDV revealed the presence a variety of virulent and avirulent strains in West Africa but did not provide strong evidence that wild birds play an important role in the spread of virulent strains in the region.     

Characterization of Newcastle Disease Viruses in Wild and Domestic Birds in Luxembourg from 2006 to 2008

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is one of the most important viral diseases of birds. Wild birds constitute a natural reservoir of low-virulence viruses, while poultry are the main reservoir of virulent strains. Exchange of virus between these reservoirs represents a risk for both bird populations. Samples from wild and domestic birds collected between 2006 and 2010 in Luxembourg were analyzed for NDV. Three similar avirulent genotype I strains were found in ducks during consecutive years, suggesting that the virus may have survived and spread locally. However, separate introductions cannot be excluded, because no recent complete F gene sequences of genotype I from other European countries are available. Detection of vaccine-like strains in wild waterbirds suggested the spread of vaccine strains, despite the nonvaccination policy in Luxembourg. Among domestic birds, only one chicken was positive for a genotype II strain differing from the LaSota vaccine and exhibiting a so-far-unrecognized fusion protein cleavage site of predicted low virulence. Three genotype VI strains from pigeons were the only virulent strains found. The circulation of NDV in wild and free-ranging domestic birds warrants continuous surveillance because of increased concern that low-virulence wild-bird viruses could become more virulent in domestic populations.     

Characterization of H7 Influenza A Virus in Wild and Domestic Birds in Korea

During surveillance programs in Korea between January 2006 and March 2011, 31 H7 avian influenza viruses were isolated from wild birds and domestic ducks and genetically characterized using large-scale sequence data. All Korean H7 viruses belonged to the Eurasian lineage, which showed substantial genetic diversity, in particular in the wild birds. The Korean H7 viruses from poultry were closely related to those of wild birds. Interestingly, two viruses originating in domestic ducks in our study had the same gene constellations in all segment genes as viruses originating in wild birds. The Korean H7 isolates contained avian-type receptors (Q226 and G228), no NA stalk deletion (positions 69–73), no C-terminal deletion (positions 218–230) in NS1, and no substitutions in PB2-627, PB1-368, and M2-31, compared with H7N9 viruses. In pathogenicity experiments, none of the Korean H7 isolates tested induced clinical signs in domestic ducks or mice. Furthermore, while they replicated poorly, with low titers (10 ^0.7–1.3EID₅₀/50 µl) in domestic ducks, all five viruses replicated well (up to 7–10 dpi, 10 ^0.7–4.3EID₅₀/50 µl) in the lungs of mice, without prior adaptation. Our results suggest that domestic Korean viruses were transferred directly from wild birds through at least two independent introductions. Our data did not indicate that wild birds carried poultry viruses between Korea and China, but rather, that wild-type H7 viruses were introduced several times into different poultry populations in eastern Asia.     

The Genetic Diversity of Influenza A Viruses in Wild Birds in Peru

Our understanding of the global ecology of avian influenza A viruses (AIVs) is impeded by historically low levels of viral surveillance in Latin America. Through sampling and whole-genome sequencing of 31 AIVs from wild birds in Peru, we identified 10 HA subtypes (H1-H4, H6-H7, H10-H13) and 8 NA subtypes (N1-N3, N5-N9). The majority of Peruvian AIVs were closely related to AIVs found in North America. However, unusual reassortants, including a H13 virus containing a PA segment related to extremely divergent Argentinian viruses, suggest that substantial AIV diversity circulates undetected throughout South America.     

我国部分地区不同动物来源新城疫病毒的分子流行病学研究

对从我国部分地区1985～2001年间分离的26株新城疫病毒毒株进行研究,克隆其融合蛋白(F)基因,分析相应的核苷酸(nt)序列.根据绘制的系统进化发生树和F基因上三种限制性内切酶(RE)位点分布,确定了这些毒株的基因型分类地位.除2个毒株属于已知的VIb亚型外,其余24个毒株分别属于新发现的基因Ⅸ型、Ⅵf亚型、Ⅵg亚型和VⅡc亚型.基因Ⅸ型毒株的F基因540nt存在RsaⅠ位点,同时缺乏1198nt HinfⅠ位点、1478nt BstOⅠ位点和1625nt RsaⅠ位点;Ⅵf和Ⅵg亚型毒株不具有国外其它Ⅵ型毒株的872nt RsaⅠ位点;Ⅶc亚型的RE位点分布和Ⅶa亚型、Ⅶb亚型、Ⅷ型毒株不同,鹅源毒株均出现973nt RsaⅠ位点,7个鹅源毒株还出现了特有的1249nt RsaⅠ位点.在F基因编码的氨基酸中,基因Ⅸ型毒株出现Ile9→Val9和Val106→Ala106的替换,Ⅵf和Ⅵg亚型却没有出现其它Ⅵ亚型的Ser5→Pro5变异.     

Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of a Newcastle Disease Virus Isolated from a Wild Egret

We report here the complete genomic sequence of a novel Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain, egret/China/Guangxi/2011, isolated from an egret in Guangxi Province, southern China. A phylogenetic analysis based on a fusion gene comparison with different NDV strains revealed that egret/China/Guangxi/2011 was phylogenetically close to genotype VIIa NDV, and the deduced amino acid sequence was ¹¹²R-R-R-K-R-F¹¹⁷ at the fusion protein cleavage site. The whole nucleotide sequence had the highest homology (93.3%) with the sequence of strain chicken/Sukorejo/019/10 (GenBank accession number {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"HQ697255","term_id":"359358674","term_text":"HQ697255"}}HQ697255). This study will help us to understand the epidemiology and molecular characteristics of Newcastle disease virus in a migratory egret.     

Analysis of Dengue Virus Genetic Diversity during Human and Mosquito Infection Reveals Genetic Constraints

Dengue viruses (DENV) cause debilitating and potentially life-threatening acute disease throughout the tropical world. While drug development efforts are underway, there are concerns that resistant strains will emerge rapidly. Indeed, antiviral drugs that target even conserved regions in other RNA viruses lose efficacy over time as the virus mutates. Here, we sought to determine if there are regions in the DENV genome that are not only evolutionarily conserved but genetically constrained in their ability to mutate and could hence serve as better antiviral targets. High-throughput sequencing of DENV-1 genome directly from twelve, paired dengue patients’ sera and then passaging these sera into the two primary mosquito vectors showed consistent and distinct sequence changes during infection. In particular, two residues in the NS5 protein coding sequence appear to be specifically acquired during infection in Ae. aegypti but not Ae. albopictus. Importantly, we identified a region within the NS3 protein coding sequence that is refractory to mutation during human and mosquito infection. Collectively, these findings provide fresh insights into antiviral targets and could serve as an approach to defining evolutionarily constrained regions for therapeutic targeting in other RNA viruses.     

中国圈养梅花鹿的遗传多样性和遗传结构

东北梅花鹿(Cervus nippon hortulorum)的野生种群已濒临灭绝,但其圈养种群遍布全国各地,是我国圈养梅花鹿的主要品种(亚种)。为了探讨圈养梅花鹿种群作为东北梅花鹿野外放归项目资源种群的可行性,测定了来自9个圈养种群45只梅花鹿个体的线粒体DNA控制区的部分序列,以此分析我国圈养梅花鹿种群的遗传多样性和遗传结构。结果表明,我国圈养梅花鹿种群的遗传多样性并不贫乏,种群之间并没有发生显著的遗传分化。因此,东北地区的圈养梅花鹿种群可以作为野外放归项目的资源种群,而野外放归项目的建群者应来源于东北地区的多个圈养种群。     

Evaluation of the Epidemic Potential of Western Equine Encephalitis Virus in the Northeastern United States

The problem of evaluating the epidemic potential of western equine encephalitis in the northeastern United States is presented and possible reasons are discussed for the present lack of human and horse cases of this disease even though increased numbers of isolations of the virus have been obtained in the East during recent years. Epidemiologic factors of vector bionomics and virus strain variations are considered. It is concluded that while this virus strain can no longer be regarded as uncommon in the Northeast, the evidence indicates there is little potential for epidemic expression of this agent in the human and horse population. This appears to be due to differences in the bionomics of the mosquito Culiseta melanura, which serves as the primary enzootic vector in the northeastern United States and in the bionomics of Culex tarsalis that is the vector in the western region of the United States. Other limiting factors in the epidemic potential may be variations between virus strains located in the East and West.     

Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat Data Reveals High Genetic Diversity in Wild Populations of the Narrowly Distributed Endemic Lilium regale in the Minjiang River Valley of China

Lilium regale E.H. Wilson is endemic to a narrow geographic area in the Minjiang River valley in southwestern China, and is considered an important germplasm for breeding commercially valuable lily varieties, due to its vigorous growth, resistance to diseases and tolerance for low moisture. We analyzed the genetic diversity of eight populations of L. regale sampled across the entire natural distribution range of the species using Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat markers. The genetic diversity (expected heterozygosity= 0.3356) was higher than those reported for other narrowly distributed endemic plants. The levels of inbreeding (F _st = 0.1897) were low, and most of the genetic variability was found to be within (80.91%) than amongpopulations (19.09%). An indirect estimate of historical levels of gene flow (N _m =1.0678) indicated high levels of gene flow among populations. The eight analyzed populations clustered into three genetically distinct groups. Based on these results, we recommend conservation of large populations representing these three genetically distinct groups.     

Immunization with a Thermostable Newcastle Disease Virus K148/08 Strain Originated from Wild Mallard Duck Confers Protection against Lethal Viscerotropic Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus Infection in Chickens

Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most devastating poultry infections because of its worldwide distribution and accompanying economical threat. In the present study, we characterized the ND virus (NDV) K148/08 strain from wild mallard duck, with regard to safety, thermostability, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy against velogenic ND viral infection. The NDV K148/08 strain offered enhanced immunogenicity and safety relative to commercially available vaccine strains. The NDV K148/08 strain was safe in 1-day-old SPF chicks after vaccination using a coarse or cabinet-type fine sprayer. We demonstrated that the NDV K148/08 strain elicited high levels of antibody responses and provided protective efficacy against lethal NDV challenge. In addition, the thermostability of the NDV K148/08 strain was as high as that of the thermostable V4 strain. Therefore, the NDV K148/08 strain may be useful to ensure NDV vaccine performance and effectiveness in developing countries, especially in remote areas without cold chains.     

中国东北地区水稻主要栽培品种的遗传多样性分析

利用68对SSR引物对91份粳稻品种进行了遗传多样性分析。研究结果共检测到293个等位基因,平均4．3个;平均多态信息含量（PIC）为0．313,变动范围为0．022～0．825。RM333和RM206的等住基因数最多,分别为14、10;且PIC也最高,分别为0．825、0．805。聚类和群体差异分析结果表明,东北三省水稻品种的遗传基础狭窄。黑龙江省和吉林省、黑龙江省和日本、吉林省和日本的水稻品种间遗传距离都很小．分别为0．083、0．084、0．090,而辽宁省与吉林省、黑龙江省的水稻品种遗传基础有一些差异。9个地理来源的品种聚类结果,可分为5个大类群,黑龙江省、吉林省、日本和韩国形成第Ⅰ类群;北京和辽宁省归为第Ⅱ类群;中国台湾、云南省、美国分别为第Ⅲ、第Ⅳ和第Ⅴ类群。东北三省是重要的粳稻生产基地,但遗传基础非常狭窄,要克服遗传脆弱性应从地理位置较远的国家或地区收集更丰富的遗传资源。     

新城疫分离毒HN蛋白的抗原性初步分析及分子特性研究

运用针对NDV囊膜糖蛋白(HN)的单克隆抗体(MAbs), 对2005~2006年间自我国江苏和广西部分地区的20株NDV分离株进行排谱试验, 初步分析了不同毒株之间HN蛋白的抗原表位差异; 并应用RT-PCR技术成功扩增了其HN基因整个编码区, 经克隆、测序最终获得13株鸡源NDV与7株鹅源NDV HN基因的编码区序列, 分析测定核苷酸序列及推导的氨基酸序列, 并将 鹅源NDV与鸡源NDV相应序列进行了比较。结果单抗排谱试验表明, 20株NDV分离株之间 HN蛋白的抗原表位存在差异; 测序结果表明, 测定的HN基因的编码区长度皆为1716nt编码571个氨基酸; 分离株中18株基因Ⅶ型NDV分离株之间HN基因编码区核苷酸序列具有较高的同 源性,达94.8%~100%; 与近几年国内流行的其它基因Ⅶ型NDV之间的核苷酸序列同源性 为92.1%~99.6%。对其推导的HN蛋白一级结构中潜在的糖基化位点及HN蛋白细胞受体结合相关区域的氨基酸序列等进行了比较分析。结果显示, 单抗排谱差异显著株在部分氨基酸位点发生了突变; 同时揭示我国部分地区同期流行的鹅源NDV与鸡源NDV HN基因之间具有较近的亲缘关系。     

新城疫分离毒HN蛋白的抗原性初步分析及分子特性研究

运用针对NDV囊膜糖蛋白(HN)的单克隆抗体(MAbs),对2005～2006年间自我国江苏和广西部分地区的20株NDV分离株进行排谱试验,初步分析了不同毒株之间HN蛋白的抗原表位差异;并应用RT-PCR技术成功扩增了其HN基因整个编码区,经克隆、测序最终获得13株鸡源NDV与7株鹅源NDV HN基因的编码区序列,分析测定核苷酸序列及推导的氨基酸序列,并将鹅源NDV与鸡源NDV相应序列进行了比较.结果单抗排谱试验表明,20株NDV分离株之间HN蛋白的抗原表位存在差异;测序结果表明,测定的HN基因的编码区长度皆为1716nt编码571个氨基酸;分离株中18株基因Ⅶ型NDV分离株之间HN基因编码区核苷酸序列具有较高的同源性,达94.8%～100%;与近几年国内流行的其它基因Ⅶ型NDV之间的核苷酸序列同源性为92.1%～99.6%.对其推导的HN蛋白一级结构中潜在的糖基化位点及HN蛋白细胞受体结合相关区域的氨基酸序列等进行了比较分析.结果显示,单抗排谱差异显著株在部分氨基酸位点发生了突变;同时揭示我国部分地区同期流行的鹅源NDV与鸡源NDV HN基因之间具有较近的亲缘关系.     

The Survey of H5N1 Flu Virus in Wild Birds in 14 Provinces of China from 2004 to 2007

Background

The highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza emerged in the year 1996 in Asia, and has spread to Europe and Africa recently. At present, effective monitoring and data analysis of H5N1 are not sufficient in Chinese mainland.

Methodology/Principal Findings

During the period from April of 2004 to August of 2007, we collected 14,472 wild bird samples covering 56 species of 10 orders in 14 provinces of China and monitored the prevalence of flu virus based on RT-PCR specific for H5N1 subtype. The 149 positive samples involved six orders. Anseriformes had the highest prevalence while Passeriformes had the lowest prevalence (2.70% versus 0.36%). Among the 24 positive species, mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) had the highest prevalence (4.37%). A difference of prevalence was found among 14 provinces. Qinghai had a higher prevalence than the other 13 provinces combined (3.88% versus 0.43%). The prevalence in three species in Qinghai province (Pintail (Anas acuta), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)) were obviously higher than those in other 13 provinces. The results of sequence analysis indicated that the 17 strains isolated from wild birds were distributed in five clades (2.3.1, 2.2, 2.5, 6, and 7), which suggested that genetic diversity existed among H5N1 viruses isolated from wild birds. The five isolates from Qinghai came from one clade (2.2) and had a short evolutionary distance with the isolates obtained from Qinghai in the year 2005.

Conclusions/Significance

We have measured the prevalence of H5N1 virus in 56 species of wild birds in 14 provinces of China. Continuous monitoring in the field should be carried out to know whether H5N1 virus can be maintained by wild birds.     

Comparison of RNA Polymerase Associated With Newcastle Disease Virus and a Temperature-Sensitive Mutant of Newcastle Disease Virus Isolated from Persistently Infected L Cells

An in vitro comparison was made of the RNA polymerase activity associated with Newcastle disease virus (NDVo) and three clones of the temperature-sensitive mutant (NDVpi) isolated from persistently infected L cells. Less polymerase activity was associated with the NDVpi clones. Also, compared to NDVo, an increase in incubation temperature from 32 to 37 or 42 C resulted in a marked decrease in polymerase activity for the temperature-sensitive mutants which coincided with their inability to replicate at 42 C.     

Genetic Diversity of Wild Lycoris radiata (Amaryllidaceae) from China Revealed by SRAP

Genetic diversity of 24 wild Lycoris radiata collected from different localities in China was examined by sequence related amplified polymorphism（SRAP）. Two hundred and eighteen loci were identified with 10 SRAP primer combinations, out of which 173 were polymorphic and accounted for 7936% of total genetic diversity at species level. Observed number of alleles (na), effective number of alleles (ne), Nei′s gene diversity (h) and Shannon information index (I) were 17936, 14131, 02415 and 03664, respectively. The coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) and gene flow (Nm) were 09547 and 00136, suggesting that most of variation occurred among different resources of Lradiata, and the genetic showed significant differentiation. UPGMA cluster analysis of the 24 resources based on Nei′s genetic distance showed two major clusters. Cluster I included 7 resources from southwest and northwest China, except for Jiangsu, Lianyungang resource（JS3）. Cluster II included the rest 17 resources from south China to east China. The subgroups exhibited related to the morphology and habit of different resources of Lradiata to some extent. There was no significant correlation between genetic diversity and longitude, altitude, latitude, annual rainfall, and annual average temperature. The results suggested that the genetic diversity of wild Lradiata was high and the possible reasons for significant genetic differentiation might due to the very low gene flow. The results of this study might be useful for guiding the exploitation and conservation of germplasm of Lradiata.