Unveiling the genetic landscape of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in Switzerland: Evidence for vaccine-like and wild-type strains.

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a respiratory disease affecting chickens worldwide. Unlike many countries, Switzerland does not vaccinate against ILT. This study analysed ILT samples from 21 natural outbreaks in Switzerland using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and multiple gene sequencing. Chicken embryo origin (CEO) and tissue culture origin (TCO) vaccine strains were included as references. Both vaccine strains were distinguishable, and 14 out of 21 samples resembled the CEO vaccine. Additionally, four distinct non-vaccine-like groups were identified. Sequencing of three genes from selected Swiss samples and those from neighbouring countries revealed four phylogenetic clades. Notably, four Swiss field strains formed two unique clades, not closely related to vaccine strains or ILTV from neighbouring countries. Overall, RFLP results were supported by sequencing data. This study demonstrates the presence of both vaccine-like and wild-type ILT viruses in Switzerland, where vaccination is de facto prohibited.

Improvement of a Real-Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for the Sensitive Detection of the F Gene of Avian Orthoavulavirus-1 (AOAV-1).

Avian orthoavulavirus-1 (AOAV-1) is the causative agent of Newcastle disease in poultry. This highly infectious disease causes large economic losses annually and worldwide. AOAV-1 does not only infect poultry, but it has a very broad host range and has been detected in over 230 bird species to date. A distinct group of viral strains within AOAV-1 are pigeon-adapted strains, also named pigeon paramyxovirus-1 (PPMV-1). AOAV-1 is transmitted through the feces of infected birds and secretions from the nasal and oral cavities and eyes. It is worth mentioning that wild birds can transmit the virus to captive birds, especially feral pigeons to poultry. Therefore, early and sensitive detection of this virus-including the monitoring of pigeons-is of utmost importance. A variety of molecular methods for the detection of AOAV-1 already exist, but the detection of the F gene cleavage site of currently circulating PPMV-1 strains has not proven to be particularly sensitive or suitable. As presented here, by modifying the primers and probe of an already established real-time reverse-transcription PCR, the sensitivity could be increased, allowing for a more reliable detection of the AOAV-1 F gene cleavage site. Furthermore, it becomes clear how important it is to constantly monitor and, if necessary, adapt existing diagnostic procedures.

Screening of Healthy Feral Pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in the City of Zurich Reveals Continuous Circulation of Pigeon Paramyxovirus-1 and a Serious Threat of Transmission to Domestic Poultry.

Pigeon paramyxovirus-1 (PPMV-1) is predominantly isolated from pigeons or doves and forms a separate group of viral strains within Avian Orthoavulavirus-1, the causative agent of Newcastle disease in poultry. Since the introduction of PPMV-1 into Europe in 1981, these strains have rapidly spread all over Europe, and are nowadays considered to be enzootic in feral and hobby pigeons (Columba livia domestica). Infections with PPMV-1 can range from asymptomatic to fatal. To assess whether PPMV-1 continuously circulates in healthy feral pigeons, 396 tissue samples of pigeons from the city of Zurich were tested by reverse transcriptase real-time PCR over the period of one year. PPMV-1-RNA was detected in 41 feral pigeons (10.35%), determined as the dominant European genotype VI.2.1.1.2.2. In 38 of the 41 pigeons where organ samples tested positive, PPMV-1-RNA was also detected in either choana or cloaca swabs. There were no significant differences in positivity rates between seasons, age, and sex. The current study shows that feral pigeons without clinical signs of disease can harbour and most likely excrete PPMV-1. Spill-over into free-range holdings of chickens are therefore possible, as observed in a recent outbreak of Newcastle disease in laying hens due to PPMV-1 genotype VI.2.1.1.2.2. in the canton of Zurich in January 2022.

A new duplex real-time PCR for simultaneous detection and differentiation of Tetratrichomonas gallinarum and Trichomonas gallinae.

Tetratrichomonas gallinarum and Trichomonas gallinae are pathogenic avian parasites that infect a wide range of bird species. The pathologic potential of T. gallinarum is controversial, whereas T. gallinae causes disease in many avian species. Infections are often asymptomatic in doves and pigeons; thus, columbids are presumed to represent the natural hosts for trichomonads. The detection of T. gallinarum and T. gallinae is based on direct microscopic observation or a conventional PCR assay. Microscopy is not very sensitive, and identification of the trichomonads at the genus or species level is not possible. Conventional PCR assays have been developed primarily for phylogenetic studies, which detect a wide range of Trichomonas spp. but do not allow their differentiation. We developed a duplex real-time PCR (rtPCR) assay for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of T. gallinarum and T. gallinae. We found that the rtPCR assay detected 102 plasmid DNA copies of T. gallinarum and as few as 101 plasmid DNA copies of T. gallinae.

A New Multiplex Real-Time RT-PCR for Simultaneous Detection and Differentiation of Avian Bornaviruses.

Avian bornaviruses were first described in 2008 as the causative agents of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) in parrots and their relatives (Psittaciformes). To date, 15 genetically highly diverse avian bornaviruses covering at least five viral species have been discovered in different bird orders. Currently, the primary diagnostic tool is the detection of viral RNA by conventional or real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR). One of the drawbacks of this is the usage of either specific assays, allowing the detection of one particular virus, or of assays with a broad detection spectrum, which, however, do not allow for the simultaneous specification of the detected virus. To facilitate the simultaneous detection and specification of avian bornaviruses, a multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay was developed. Whole-genome sequences of various bornaviruses were aligned. Primers were designed to recognize conserved regions within the overlapping X/P gene and probes were selected to detect virus species-specific regions within the target region. The optimization of the assay resulted in the sensitive and specific detection of bornaviruses of Psittaciformes, Passeriformes, and aquatic birds. Finally, the new rRT-PCR was successfully employed to detect avian bornaviruses in field samples from various avian species. This assay will serve as powerful tool in epidemiological studies and will improve avian bornavirus detection.

Virus-like particles in a new vaccination approach against infectious laryngotracheitis.

Gallid alphaherpesvirus 1 (syn. infectious laryngotracheitis virus; ILTV) is the causative agent of infectious laryngotracheitis, a respiratory disease of chickens causing substantial economic losses in the poultry industry every year. Currently, the most efficient way to achieve protection against infection is immunization with live-attenuated vaccines. However, this vaccination strategy entails the risk of generating new pathogenic viruses resulting from spontaneous mutations or from recombination with field strains. This work presents a new approach based on virus-like particles (VLPs) displaying ILTV glycoproteins B (gB) or G (gG) on their surface. The main focus of this pilot study was to determine the tolerability of VLPs delivered in ovo and intramuscularly (i.m.) into chickens and to investigate the nature of the immune response elicited. The study revealed that the new vaccines were well tolerated in hybrid layer chicks independent of the administration method (in ovo or i.m.). Upon in ovo injection, vaccination with VLP-gG led to an antibody response, while a cellular immune response in VLP-gB-immunized chickens was hardly detectable. Since the administration of VLPs had no visible side effects in vivo and was shown to elicit an antibody-based immune response, we anticipate that VLPs will become a valuable platform for the development of new safe vaccines for poultry.

Development of a new real-time polymerase chain reaction assay to detect Duck adenovirus A DNA and application to samples from Swiss poultry flocks.

Between 2008 and 2012, commercial Swiss layer and layer breeder flocks experiencing problems in laying performance were sampled and tested for infection with Duck adenovirus A (DAdV-A; previously known as Egg drop syndrome 1976 virus). Organ samples from birds sent for necropsy as well as blood samples from living animals originating from the same flocks were analyzed. To detect virus-specific DNA, a newly developed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method was applied, and the presence of antibodies against DAdV-A was tested using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In 5 out of 7 investigated flocks, viral DNA was detected in tissues. In addition, antibodies against DAdV-A were detected in all of the flocks.

Detection of Avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus type QX infection in Switzerland.

Infectious bronchitis, a disease of chickens caused by Avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), leads to severe economic losses for the poultry industry worldwide. Various attempts to control the virus based on vaccination strategies are performed. However, due to the emergence of novel genotypes, an effective control of the virus is hindered. In 1996, a novel viral genotype named IBV-QX was reported for the first time in Qingdao, Shandong province, China. The first appearance of an IBV-QX isolate in Europe was reported between 2003 and 2004 in The Netherlands. Subsequently, infections with this genotype were found in several other European countries such as France, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, Slovenia, and Sweden. The present report describes the use of a new set of degenerate primers that amplify a 636-bp fragment within the S1 gene by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to detect the occurrence of IBV-QX infection in Switzerland.

Development and validation of a Myxoma virus real-time polymerase chain reaction assay.

To aid in the rapid diagnosis of myxomatosis in rabbits, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the specific detection of Myxoma virus is described. Primers and probe were designed to amplify a 147-bp fragment within the Serp2 gene. The assay was able to detect 23 copies of a synthesized oligo indicating a reliable sensitivity. In addition, the real-time PCR did not detect the Rabbit fibroma virus used in myxomatosis vaccines. The novel PCR was shown to be able to detect Myxoma virus in fresh and paraffin-embedded rabbit tissues originating from myxomatosis cases from various regions in Switzerland.

Effect of hyperlipidemia on 11ß-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase, glucocorticoid receptor, and leptin expression in insulin-sensitive tissues of cats.

Glucocorticoid (GC) action depends on GC plasma concentration, cellular GC receptor expression, and the pre-receptor hormone metabolism catalyzed by 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11ß-HSD). 11ß-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase exists in 2 isoforms; 11ß-HSD1 converts inactive cortisone to cortisol, and 11ß-HSD2 converts cortisol to cortisone. Increasing evidence in humans and experimental animals suggests that altered tissue cortisol metabolism may predispose to diabetes mellitus (DM). Once DM is established, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia may further maintain the abnormal metabolism of cortisol. To gain further insight in this regard, healthy cats were infused for 10 d with lipids (n = 6) or saline (n = 5). At the end of the infusion period, tissue samples from adipose tissue (visceral, subcutaneous), liver, and muscle were collected to determine mRNA expression of 11ß-HSD1, 11ß-HSD2, and GC receptor by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; blood samples were collected to determine plasma cortisol and leptin concentrations. Lipid infusion resulted in greater 11ß-HSD1 expression and lower GC receptor expression in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue, and lower 11ß-HSD2 expression in visceral adipose tissue and liver. Plasma cortisol did not differ. Leptin and body weight increased in lipid-infused cats. In spite of comparable circulating cortisol levels, up-regulation of 11ß-HSD1 and down-regulation of 11ß-HSD2 expression may result in increased tissue cortisol concentrations in fat depots of hyperlipidemic cats. Down-regulation of GC receptor may represent a self-protective mechanism against increased tissue cortisol levels. In conclusion, hyperlipidemia has a profound effect on 11ß-HSD expression and supports the connection between high lipid concentrations and tissue cortisol metabolism.

Quantitative real-time PCR detection of insulin signalling-related genes in pancreatic islets isolated from healthy cats.

The cat has recently been proposed as a valuable model for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), because feline diabetes shares several similarities with the disease in humans. Impaired beta-cell function, decreased beta-cell mass, insulin resistance that is often related to obesity, and pancreatic amyloid deposition, are among these common features. In this study, and to further develop the cat as a model of T2DM, feline pancreatic islets were isolated and real-time PCR quantification of mRNA transcripts of genes central to beta-cell function and survival established. In particular, mRNA quantification systems were determined for insulin, the insulin enhancer pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1), the insulin suppressor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-beta (C/EBPbeta), glucose transporter isoform 2 (GLUT2), Fas receptor, the caspase-8 inhibitor FLIP (FLICE [caspase-8]-inhibitory protein) and two chemokines, interleukin (IL)-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Pancreatic islets were isolated by collagenase digestion from healthy cat donors. Partial feline mRNA sequences were determined for PDX-1, C/EBPbeta, GLUT2 and FLIP using primers identified from conserved regions of human, dog and rat mRNA. These novel and the previously available sequences (insulin, Fas receptor, IL-8 and MCP-1) were used to design feline-specific primers suitable for real-time PCR in isolated pancreatic islets. The adopted protocol of collagenase digestion yielded pancreatic islets that were frequently surrounded by acinar cells. Quantification of mRNA transcripts was simple and reproducible in healthy cats. Characterisation of genes related to insulin signalling in cats will prove useful to better understand the pathogenesis of feline diabetes and possibly of human T2DM.

p53-induced apoptosis occurs in the absence of p14(ARF) in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Malignant pleural mesotheliomas (MPMs) are usually wild type for the p53 gene but contain homozygous deletions in the INK4A locus that encodes p14(ARF), an inhibitor of p53-MDM2 interaction. Previous findings suggest that lack of p14(ARF) expression and the presence of SV40 large T antigen (L-Tag) result in p53 inactivation in MPM. We did not detect SV40 L-Tag mRNA in either MPM cell lines or primary cultures, and treatment of p14(ARF)-deficient cells with cisplatin (CDDP) increased both total and phosphorylated p53 and enhanced p53 DNA-binding activity. On incubation with CDDP, levels of positively regulated p53 transcriptional targets p21(WAF), PIG3, MDM2, Bax, and PUMA increased in p14(ARF)-deficient cells, whereas negatively regulated survivin decreased. Significantly, p53-induced apoptosis was activated by CDDP in p14(ARF)-deficient cells, and treatment with p53-specific siRNA rendered them more CDDP-resistant. p53 was also activated by: 1) inhibition of MDM2 (using nutlin-3); 2) transient overexpression of p14(ARF); and 3) targeting of survivin using antisense oligonucleotides. However, it is noteworthy that only survivin downregulation sensitized cells to CDDP-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that p53 is functional in the absence of p14(ARF) in MPM and that targeting of the downstream apoptosis inhibitor survivin can sensitize to CDDP-induced apoptosis.

A functionally improved locked nucleic acid antisense oligonucleotide inhibits Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression and facilitates tumor cell apoptosis.

We previously reported the Bcl-2/Bcl-xL-bispecific activity of the 2'-O-(2-methoxy)ethyl (2'-MOE)-modified gapmer antisense oligonucleotide 4625. This oligonucleotide has 100% complementarity to Bcl-2 and three mismatches to Bcl-xL. In the present study, the isosequential locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified oligonucleotide 5005 was generated, and its ability to further improve the downregulation of the two antiapoptotic targets in tumor cells was examined. We demonstrate that compared with 4625, 5005 more effectively decreased the expression of the mismatching Bcl-xL target gene in MDA-MB-231 breast and H125 lung cancer cells. In both cell lines, antisense activity caused decreased cell viability by induction of apoptosis. Moreover, in combination with various anticancer agents, 5005 reduced tumor cell viability more effectively than 4625. We describe for the first time the functional comparison of isosequential Bcl-2/Bcl-xL-bispecific 2'-MOE and LNA-modified antisense oligonucleotides and report that the LNA analog more effectively downregulated the two apoptosis inhibitors overexpressed in human tumors. Our data underscore the ability of LNA modifications to enhance the efficacy and favorably modulate the target specificity of antisense oligonucleotides.

Bcl-2 and bcl-xL antisense oligonucleotides induce apoptosis in melanoma cells of different clinical stages.

Recent clinical studies have shown the promise of bcl-2 antisense therapy in patients with melanoma. To further demonstrate the importance of bcl-2 and validate the related antiapoptotic protein bcl-xL as targets for antisense therapy in melanoma, their implication as survival factors in melanoma cells of different clinical stages as well as in normal melanocytes was investigated. Primary cell cultures derived from 17 melanomas, the cell line A375, and normal melanocytes from healthy donors were treated with antisense oligonucleotides targeting either the bcl-xL mRNA or the bcl-2 and the bcl-xL mRNAs simultaneously. Bcl-2 and bcl-xL expression in cells was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Cell viability was assessed in 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and apoptosis assays. Bcl-2 expression was low in melanoma cells of stages I, II, and III, hardly detectable in A375 cells, but high in normal melanocytes. Bcl-xL expression was high in all cell types tested. As shown in A375 cells and the stage III melanoma cells 0513, both the bcl-xL monospecific oligonucleotide 4259 and the bcl-2/bcl-xL bispecific oligonucleotide 4625 effectively reduced tumor cell viability by induction of apoptosis with IC50 values ranging from 200 to 350 nM. Oligonucleotide 4625 proved to be superior to 4259, as it significantly reduced the viability of cells from all melanoma stages. Both oligonucleotides reduced also the viability of normal melanocytes. Our data suggest that bcl-2 and bcl-xL are promising targets for antisense therapy of melanoma, and that the simultaneous downregulation of their expression may provide additional clinical benefit.

Feline leukaemia provirus load during the course of experimental infection and in naturally infected cats.

Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection in domestic cats can vary in its outcome (persistent, transient, no infection) for reasons that are not entirely known. It was hypothesized that the initial virus and provirus load could significantly influence the course of retrovirus infection. To determine the role of provirus loads, two methods of PCR, a nested PCR and a fluorogenic probe-based (TaqMan) real-time quantitative PCR, which were specific to the U3 region of FeLV-A were established. FeLV provirus in naturally and experimentally infected cats was then measured. Only 3 weeks after experimental FeLV-A infection, persistently infected cats demonstrated higher provirus loads and lower humoral immune responses than cats that had overcome antigenaemia. Lower initial provirus loads were associated with successful humoral immune responses. Unexpectedly, provirus in the buffy-coat cells of two cats that tested negative for the p27 antigen (a marker for viraemia) was also detected. In 597 Swiss cats, comparison of p27 antigen levels with PCR results revealed broad agreement. However, similar to the experimental situation, a significant number of animals (10%) was negative for the p27 antigen and FeLV-positive by PCR. These cats had a mean provirus load 300-fold lower than that of animals testing positive for the p27 antigen. In conclusion, an association between the provirus load and the outcome of FeLV infection was found. Detection of provirus carriers should contribute to further the control of FeLV. In addition, quantification of provirus loads will lead to a better understanding of FeLV pathogenesis and anti-retrovirus protective mechanisms.