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Viruses Jan 2024Two strains of viruses, JC13C644 and JC13C673, were isolated from collected in Jiangcheng County, Yunnan Province, situated along the border area shared by China, Laos,...
Two strains of viruses, JC13C644 and JC13C673, were isolated from collected in Jiangcheng County, Yunnan Province, situated along the border area shared by China, Laos, and Vietnam. JC13C644 and JC13C673 viruses can cause cytopathic effect (CPE) in mammalian cells BHK21 and Vero cells, and cause morbidity and mortality in suckling mice 48 h after intracerebral inoculation. Whole-genome sequencing was performed, yielding complete sequences for all 10 segments from Seg-1 (3942nt) to Seg-10 (810nt). Phylogenetic analysis of the sub-core-shell (T2) showed that the JC13C644 and JC13C673 viruses clustered with the (EHDV) isolated from Japan and Australia, with nucleotide and amino acid homology of 93.1% to 98.3% and 99.2% to 99.6%, respectively, suggesting that they were Eastern group EHDV. The phylogenetic analysis of outer capsid protein (OC1) and outer capsid protein (OC2) showed that the JC13C644 and JC13C673 viruses were clustered with the EHDV-10 isolated from Japan in 1998, with the nucleotide homology of 98.3% and 98.5%, and the amino acid homology of 99.6% and 99.6-99.8%, respectively, indicating that they belong to the EHDV-10. Seroepidemiological survey results demonstrated that JC13C644 virus-neutralizing antibodies were present in 29.02% (177/610) of locally collected cattle serum and 11.32% (89/786) of goat serum, implying the virus's presence in Jiangcheng, Yunnan Province. This finding suggests that EHDV-10 circulates not only among blood-sucking insects in nature but also infects local domestic animals in China. Notably, this marks the first-ever isolation of the virus in China and its discovery outside of Japan since its initial isolation from Japanese cattle. In light of these results, it is evident that EHDV Serotype 10 exists beyond Japan, notably in the natural vectors of southern Eurasia, with the capacity to infect local cattle and goats. Therefore, it is imperative to intensify the surveillance of EHDV infection in domestic animals, particularly focusing on the detection and monitoring of new virus serotypes that may emerge in the region and pose risks to animal health.
Topics: Chlorocebus aethiops; Cattle; Animals; Mice; Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Epizootic; Livestock; Ceratopogonidae; Serogroup; China; Phylogeny; Reoviridae Infections; Capsid Proteins; Vero Cells; Goats; Amino Acids; Nucleotides
PubMed: 38399951
DOI: 10.3390/v16020175 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2024African horse sickness (AHS) is a highly severe disease caused by a viral etiological agent, African horse sickness virus (AHSV). It is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa,...
African horse sickness (AHS) is a highly severe disease caused by a viral etiological agent, African horse sickness virus (AHSV). It is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, while sporadic outbreaks have occurred in North Africa, Asia, and Europe, with the most recent cases in Thailand. AHSV transmission between equines occurs primarily by biting midges of the genus , especially , with a wide distribution globally. As research in horses is highly restricted due to a variety of factors, small laboratory animal models that reproduce clinical signs and pathology observed in natural infection of AHSV are highly needed. Here, we investigated the expression profile of several pro-inflammatory cytokines in target organs and serum of IFNAR (-/-) mice, to continue characterizing this established animal model and to go deep into the innate immune responses that are still needed.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Africa South of the Sahara; African Horse Sickness; African Horse Sickness Virus; Ceratopogonidae; Europe; Horses; RNA, Messenger; Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta
PubMed: 38396742
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042065 -
Epidemiologia (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is an infectious, non-contagious viral disease seriously affecting cattle and some wild ruminants and has a worldwide distribution....
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is an infectious, non-contagious viral disease seriously affecting cattle and some wild ruminants and has a worldwide distribution. All viruses can be subdivided into "Eastern" and "Western" topotypes according to geographic distribution via the phylogenetic analysis of internal genes. In Israel, during the last decade, three outbreaks were registered: caused by EHDV-6 in 2015, by EHDV-1 in 2016, and by EHDV-7 in 2020. Additionally, RNA of EHDV-8 was found in imported calves from Portugal in 2023. During the same period in other countries of the region, non-Israeli-like EHDV-6 and EHDV-8 were identified. Full genome sequencing, BLAST, and phylogenetic analyses of the locally and globally known EHDV genomes allowed us to presume the probable route and origin of these viruses detected in Israel. Thus, EHDV-6 has probably been circulating in the region for a long period when EHDV-1 and -8 appeared here for the last years, while their route of introduction into the new areas was probably natural; all of them belonged to the "Western" topotype. In contrast, EHDV-7 probably had the "Eastern", anthropogenic origin. Data from the study can facilitate the evaluation of the appearance or reappearance of EHDVs in the Mediterranean area and enhance the planning of prevention measures.
PubMed: 38390919
DOI: 10.3390/epidemiologia5010006 -
Parasites & Vectors Feb 2024Bluetongue is a non-contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild ruminants. It is transmitted primarily by small hematophagous Diptera belonging to the...
BACKGROUND
Bluetongue is a non-contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild ruminants. It is transmitted primarily by small hematophagous Diptera belonging to the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). The current study represents the first molecular investigation into the potential role of Culicoides imicola, Culicoides paolae, Culicoides newsteadi, Culicoides spp., and Culicoides circumscriptus as bluetongue virus (BTV) vectors in Morocco. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate the vectorial activity of midges during the survey seasons.
METHODS
Parous females of these species were captured from several regions of Morocco (6 out of 12) from 2018 to 2021 using Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) traps. A total of 2003 parous female specimens were grouped into 55 batches. The midge body of each batch was dissected into three regions (head, thorax, and abdomen), and these regions were analyzed separately using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
RESULTS
BTV RNA was detected in 45 out of the 55 batches tested, indicating a positivity rate of 81.8%. The RT-qPCR-positive pools of the studied Culicoides species exhibited high levels of BTV positivity in each body part (head, thorax, and abdomen), confirming the successful replication of the virus within midge bodies. The BTV circulation was substantial across all three survey seasons (spring, summer, and autumn). High infection rates, calculated using the minimum infection rate (MIR) and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), were observed during the collection seasons, particularly in autumn and spring, and for all investigated Culicoides species, most notably for C. imicola and C. newsteadi. These increased infection rates underscore the significant risk of Culicoides transmitting the BTV in Morocco.
CONCLUSIONS
The detection of BTV positivity in Culicoides spp. (lacking wing spots that allow their differentiation according to morphological identification keys) suggested that other Culicoides species are competent for BTV transmission in Morocco. The study results indicated, for the first time at the molecular level, that C. imicola and C. newsteadi are the primary potential vectors of BTV in Morocco and that C. paolae and C. circumscriptus are strongly implicated in the propagation of bluetongue at the national level.
Topics: Sheep; Female; Animals; Ceratopogonidae; Bluetongue virus; Bluetongue; Morocco; Insect Vectors; Sheep Diseases
PubMed: 38374115
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06167-y -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arthropod-borne that is almost solely transmitted by biting midges and causes a globally important haemorrhagic disease, bluetongue (BT),...
INTRODUCTION
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arthropod-borne that is almost solely transmitted by biting midges and causes a globally important haemorrhagic disease, bluetongue (BT), in susceptible ruminants. Infection with BTV is characterised by immunosuppression and substantial lymphopenia at peak viraemia in the host.
METHODS
In this study, the role of cell-mediated immunity and specific T-cell subsets in BTV pathogenesis, clinical outcome, viral dynamics, immune protection, and onwards transmission to a susceptible vector is defined in unprecedented detail for the first time, using an arboviral infection model system that closely mirrors natural infection and transmission of BTV. Individual circulating CD4, CD8, or WC1 γδ T-cell subsets in sheep were depleted through the administration of specific monoclonal antibodies.
RESULTS
The absence of cytotoxic CD8 T cells was consistently associated with less severe clinical signs of BT, whilst the absence of CD4 and WC1 γδ T cells both resulted in an increased clinical severity. The absence of CD4 T cells also impaired both a timely protective neutralising antibody response and the production of IgG antibodies targeting BTV non-structural protein, NS2, highlighting that the CD4 T-cell subset is important for a timely protective immune response. T cells did not influence viral replication characteristics, including onset/dynamics of viraemia, shedding, or onwards transmission of BTV to . We also highlight differences in T-cell dependency for the generation of immunoglobulin subclasses targeting BTV NS2 and the structural protein, VP7.
DISCUSSION
This study identifies a diverse repertoire of T-cell functions during BTV infection in sheep, particularly in inducing specific anti-viral immune responses and disease manifestation, and will support more effective vaccination strategies.
Topics: Sheep; Animals; Livestock; Viremia; Arboviruses; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Ruminants; T-Lymphocyte Subsets; Bluetongue virus; Bluetongue; Ceratopogonidae
PubMed: 38357545
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1328820 -
Microbiology Spectrum Mar 2024Bluetongue virus (BTV) is the causative agent of the important livestock disease bluetongue (BT), which is transmitted via Culicoides bites. BT causes severe economic...
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is the causative agent of the important livestock disease bluetongue (BT), which is transmitted via Culicoides bites. BT causes severe economic losses associated with its considerable impact on health and trade of animals. By reverse genetics, we have designed and rescued reporter-expressing recombinant (r)BTV expressing NanoLuc luciferase (NLuc) or Venus fluorescent protein. To generate these viruses, we custom synthesized a modified viral segment 5 encoding NS1 protein with the reporter genes located downstream and linked by the Porcine teschovirus-1 (PTV-1) 2A autoproteolytic cleavage site. Therefore, fluorescent signal or luciferase activity is only detected after virus replication and expression of non-structural proteins. Fluorescence or luminescence signals were detected in cells infected with rBTV/Venus or rBTV/NLuc, respectively. Moreover, the marking of NS2 protein confirmed that reporter genes were only expressed in BTV-infected cells. Growth kinetics of rBTV/NLuc and rBTV/Venus in Vero cells showed replication rates similar to those of wild-type and rBTV. Infectivity studies of these recombinant viruses in IFNAR(-/-) mice showed a higher lethal dose for rBTV/NLuc and rBTV/Venus than for rBTV indicating that viruses expressing the reporter genes are attenuated . Interestingly, luciferase activity was detected in the plasma of viraemic mice infected with rBTV/NLuc. Furthermore, luciferase activity quantitatively correlated with RNAemia levels of infected mice throughout the infection. In addition, we have investigated the replication and dissemination of BTV in IFNAR (-/-) mice using BTV/NLuc and non-invasive imaging systems.IMPORTANCEThe use of replication-competent viruses that encode a traceable fluorescent or luciferase reporter protein has significantly contributed to the and study of viral infections and the development of novel therapeutic approaches. In this work, we have generated rBTV that express fluorescent or luminescence proteins to track BTV infection both and . Despite the availability of vaccines, BTV and other related orbivirus are still associated with a significant impact on animal health and have important economic consequences worldwide. Our studies may contribute to the advance in orbivirus research and pave the way for the rapid development of new treatments, including vaccines.
Topics: Chlorocebus aethiops; Animals; Mice; Bluetongue virus; Genes, Reporter; Vero Cells; Viral Proteins; Luciferases; Vaccines
PubMed: 38353566
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02493-23 -
American Journal of Veterinary Research Apr 2024The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of reproductive and infectious diseases in tropical cattle in the Tambopata and Tahuamanu Provinces in...
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of reproductive and infectious diseases in tropical cattle in the Tambopata and Tahuamanu Provinces in the department of Madre de Dios, Peru.
SAMPLE
156 bovines from 7 cattle farms were sampled. These farms used exclusive grazing for food and natural mating for reproduction and did not have sanitary or vaccination programs.
METHODS
The serum of blood samples was subjected to ELISA with commercial kits for the detection of antibodies against Neospora caninum, Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP), Leptospira interrogans, pestivirus bovine viral diarrhea virus-1, retrovirus bovine leukemia virus (BLV), orbivirus bluetongue virus (BTV), and herpesvirus bovine herpes virus-1 (BHV). The data were analyzed by means of association tests with χ2 (P < .05) and Spearman rank correlation (P < .05) in the SPSS v.15.0 software (IBM Corp).
RESULTS
A low prevalence of antibodies to L interrogans, N caninum, M avium subsp paratuberculosis, bovine viral diarrhea virus-1 was found, but it was high to BTV, BLV, and BHV (100%, 53.85%, and 72.44%, respectively). The presence of BLV and BHV was higher in the Las Piedras District, bovines less than 5 years old, and cattle with breed characteristics of zebu and crossbred (P < .01). In addition, there was a significant correlation between both infections, showing 83.3% of BLV positivity that were also BHV positive (P < .01).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The high prevalence of antibodies to BTV, BHV, and BLV could be due to livestock management practices, direct contact with infected animals, and variation of the presence of vectors and natural reservoirs in the context of climate change in the tropics.
Topics: Cattle; Animals; Paratuberculosis; Cattle Diseases; Enzootic Bovine Leukosis; Bovine Virus Diarrhea-Mucosal Disease; Peru; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Diarrhea Viruses, Bovine Viral; Antibodies, Viral; Antibodies, Bacterial; Communicable Diseases; Reproduction; Diarrhea Virus 1, Bovine Viral; Leukemia Virus, Bovine; Diarrhea
PubMed: 38335721
DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.23.08.0177 -
Viruses Jan 2024In Cuba, despite a high sero-prevalence of bluetongue virus (BTV), circulating serotypes remain unknown. The aim of this study was to identify circulating BTV serotypes...
In Cuba, despite a high sero-prevalence of bluetongue virus (BTV), circulating serotypes remain unknown. The aim of this study was to identify circulating BTV serotypes in farms throughout the western region of Cuba. Blood samples were collected from 200 young cattle and sheep between May and July 2022 for virological analyses (PCR, viral isolation and virus neutralization) and genome sequencing. The results confirmed viral circulation, with viro-prevalence of 25% for BTV. The virus was isolated from 18 blood samples and twelve BTV serotypes were identified by sequencing RT-PCR products targeting the segment 2 of the BTV genome (BTV-1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 22 and 24). Finally, the full genome sequences of 17 Cuban BTV isolates were recovered using a Sequence Independent Single Primer Amplification (SISPA) approach combined to MinION Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology. All together, these results highlight the co-circulation of a wide diversity of BTV serotypes in a quite restricted area and emphasize the need for entomological and livestock surveillance, particularly in light of recent changes in the global distribution and nature of BTV infections.
Topics: Sheep; Animals; Cattle; Serogroup; Bluetongue; Cuba; Base Sequence; Bluetongue virus
PubMed: 38275974
DOI: 10.3390/v16010164 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023plays a crucial role as an insect vector in the field of veterinary medicine. The transmission of significant viruses such as bluetongue virus (BTV) and African horse...
INTRODUCTION
plays a crucial role as an insect vector in the field of veterinary medicine. The transmission of significant viruses such as bluetongue virus (BTV) and African horse sickness virus (AHSV) by this insect poses a substantial threat, leading to the development of severe diseases in domestic animals. This study aimed to explore the species, identify their blood-meal sources, and assess the presence of BTV and AHSV carried by in Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province. The aim was to gain insights into the potential vectors of these two viruses and elucidate their potential roles in the transmission of pathogens.
METHODS
The midges were collected from cattle (), pig (), and goat () pens in Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province in June 2020. Initial identification of midges was conducted through morphological characteristics, followed by molecular identification using the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The determination of blood-meal sources was accomplished using specific primers targeting the cytochrome (Cyt ) gene from potential hosts. BTV and AHSV RNA were identified in pools through the application of reverse transcriptase PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. Nucleotide homology and phylogenetic analysis were performed using MegAlign (DNAStar) and Mega 6.0 software.
RESULTS
A total of 6,300 , consisting of , and , were collected from cattle, pigs, and goat pens. The engorgement rates for these species were 30.2%, 54.6%, 75%, and 66.7%, respectively. In the cattle pen, the prevailing species is (100%). In the pig pen, dominates (70%), with following at 30%. In the goat pen, holds the majority (45.45%), trailed by (25%), (20.45%), and (9.09%). These species were identified as feeding on cattle, pigs, goats, chickens (), and humans (). The positivity rates for BTV were 20.00% and 11.54% in blood-fed specimens of and , respectively. Conversely, the positivity rates for BTV in non-blood-fed specimens were 0.00% and 6.67% for and , respectively. BTV was not detected in and . The specimens (YY86) from that tested positive for BTV had the closest genetic relationship to YTS-4 isolated from Mangshi, Yunnan Province in 1996. All test results for the nucleic acid of AHSV were negative.
CONCLUSION
The study reveals variations in the species distribution, community composition, blood sucking rate, and blood-feeding sources of across different habitats. Notably, and emerge as potential vectors for the transmission of BTV in local animals. Accordingly, this investigation provides crucial insights that can serve as a valuable reference for the prevention and control of BTV in local animals, particularly from the perspective of vector management.
Topics: Sheep; Humans; Cattle; Animals; Ceratopogonidae; Bluetongue virus; Phylogeny; Bluetongue; China; Chickens; Goats
PubMed: 38274733
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1283216 -
Journal of Thermal Biology Jan 2024Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are hematophagous insects, and some species can transmit a plethora of pathogens, e.g., bluetongue virus...
Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are hematophagous insects, and some species can transmit a plethora of pathogens, e.g., bluetongue virus and African horse sickness virus, that mainly affect animals. The transmission of vector-borne pathogens is strongly temperature dependent, and recent studies pointed to the importance of including microclimatic data when modelling disease spread. However, little is known about the preferred temperature of biting midges. The present study addressed the thermal selection of field-caught Culicoides with two experiments. In a laboratory setup, sugar-fed or blood-fed midges were video tracked for 15 min while moving inside a 60 × 30 × 4 cm setup with a 15-25 °C temperature gradient. Culicoides spent over double the time in the coldest zone of the setup compared to the warmest one. This cold selection was significantly stronger for sugar-fed individuals. Calculated preferred temperatures were 18.3 °C and 18.9 °C for sugar-fed and blood-fed Culicoides, respectively. The effect of temperature on walking speed was significant but weak, indicating that their skewed distribution results from preference and not cold trapping. A second experiment consisted of a two-way-choice-setup, performed in a 90 × 45 × 45 cm net cage, placed outdoors in a sheltered environment. Two UV LED CDC traps were placed inside the setup, and a mean temperature difference of 2.2 °C was created between the two traps. Hundred-fifty Culicoides were released per experiment. Recapture rates were negatively correlated with ambient temperature and were on average three times higher in the cooled trap. The higher prevalence of biting midges in cooler environments influences fitness and ability to transmit pathogens and should be considered in models that predict Culicoides disease transmission.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Ceratopogonidae; Insect Vectors; African Horse Sickness Virus; Environment; Sugars
PubMed: 38244238
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2024.103783