Effect of Regdanvimab on Mortality in Patients Infected with SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variants: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Regdanvimab, a monoclonal antibody pharmaceutical, is the first Korean drug approved for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We analyzed the therapeutic efficacy of regdanvimab in patients with the COVID-19 delta variant infection. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of patients hospitalized at two Korean tertiary COVID-19 hospitals with COVID-19 delta variant infection between May 26, 2021, and January 30, 2022. To analyze the therapeutic efficacy of regdanvimab, the patients were divided into regdanvimab and non-regdanvimab groups and were 1:1 propensity-score (PS)-matched on age, severity at admission, and COVID-19 vaccination history. RESULTS: Of 492 patients, 262 (53.3%) and 230 (46.7%) were in the regdanvimab and non-regdanvimab groups, respectively. After PS matching the groups on age, severity at admission, and COVID-19 vaccination history, each group comprised 189 patients. The 30-day hospital mortality rates (0.0% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.030), proportions of patients with exacerbated conditions to severe/critical/died (9.5% vs. 16.4%, p = 0.047), proportions who received oxygen therapy because of pneumonia exacerbation (7.4% vs. 16.4%, p = 0.007), and proportions with a daily National Early Warning Score ≥ 5 from hospital day 2 were significantly lower in the regdanvimab group. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that regdanvimab reduced the exacerbation rates of conditions and mortality in patients with the COVID-19 delta variant infection. Thus, it is recommended to streamline the drug approval system during epidemics of new variant viruses to improve the availability and usage of therapeutics for patients. To facilitate this, relevant institutional support is required.

Monitoring and evaluation of provincial classical swine fever immunization implementation with an E2 subunit vaccine in Jeju Island, South Korea.

Purpose: Accidental vaccination with a live attenuated low-virulence strain of Miyagi (LOM) vaccine led to the reemergence of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) in Jeju province, South Korea in 2014. To control the continual outbreaks of LOM-derived CSFV, the provincial government launched a provincial mass vaccination project using a CSF-E2 subunit vaccine. We conducted this study to assess the herd immunity level and outcomes of E2 vaccine-based immunization in breeding and growing herds on Jeju Island during 2020-2021. Materials and Methods: A large-scale vaccination trial using the Bayovac CSF-E2 vaccine investigated its efficacy in breeding and growing herds under farm application conditions (10 CSFV-affected and three CSFV-naïve swine farms). Results: The level of herd immunity in each farm was classified into three (S1-S3) and six (G1-G6) profiles in breeding and growing herds, respectively. Immunity monitoring revealed a remarkable improvement in the herd immunity status in all farms. The majority (10/13) of farms, including CSFV-free farms, showed the S1G1 immunity profile in 2021, indicating the appropriate implementation of the advised vaccination regime. Moreover, there were significant decreases in Erns seropositivity from 100% to 50% and 25.9% to 4.3% at farm and pig levels, respectively. In particular, all farms were confirmed as CSFV free in the growing-finishing herds. Conclusion: Our large-scale trial demonstrated the effectiveness of the E2 subunit vaccine in establishing herd immunity stabilization and eliminating CSFV circulation in the affected farms and highlighted the need for a provincial vaccination policy to regain the CSF-free status on Jeju Island.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus: an update overview of virus epidemiology, vaccines, and control strategies in South Korea.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has posed significant financial threats to the domestic pig industry over the last three decades in South Korea. PEDV infection will mostly result in endemic persistence in the affected farrow-to-finish (FTF) herds, leading to endemic porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) followed by year-round recurrent outbreaks. This review aims to encourage collaboration among swine producers, veterinarians, and researchers to offer answers that strengthen our understanding of PEDV in efforts to prevent and control endemic PED and to prepare for the next epidemics or pandemics. We found that collaboratively implementing a PED risk assessment and customized four-pillar-based control measures is vital to interrupt the chain of endemic PED in affected herds: the former can identify on-farm risk factors while the latter aims to compensate for or improve weaknesses via herd immunity stabilization and virus elimination. Under endemic PED, long-term virus survival in slurry and asymptomatically infected gilts ("Trojan Pigs") that can transmit the virus to farrowing houses are key challenges for PEDV eradication in FTF farms and highlight the necessity for active monitoring and surveillance of the virus in herds and their environments. This paper underlines the current knowledge of molecular epidemiology and commercially available vaccines, as well as the risk assessment and customized strategies to control PEDV. The intervention measures for stabilizing herd immunity and eliminating virus circulation may be the cornerstone of establishing regional or national PED eradication programs.

Coinfection with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and Clostridium perfringens type A enhances disease severity in weaned pigs.

Clostridium perfringens is a constituent of the normal gut microbiome in pigs; however, it can potentially cause pre- and post-weaning diarrhea. Nevertheless, the importance of this bacterium as a primary pathogen of diarrhea in piglets needs to be better understood, and the epidemiology of C. perfringens in Korean pig populations is unknown. To study the prevalence and typing of C. perfringens, 203 fecal samples were collected from diarrheal piglets on 61 swine farms during 2021-2022 and examined for the presence of C. perfringens and enteric viruses, including porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). We determined that the most frequently identified type of C. perfringens was C. perfringens type A (CPA; 64/203, 31.5%). Among the CPA infections, single infections with CPA (30/64, 46.9%) and coinfections with CPA and PEDV (29/64, 45.3%) were the most common in diarrheal samples. Furthermore, we conducted animal experiments to investigate the clinical outcome of single infections and coinfections with highly pathogenic (HP)-PEDV and CPA in weaned piglets. The pigs infected with HP-PEDV or CPA alone showed mild or no diarrhea, and none of them died. However, animals that were co-inoculated with HP-PEDV and CPA showed more-severe diarrheal signs than those of the singly infected pigs. Additionally, CPA promoted PEDV replication in coinfected piglets, with high viral titers in the feces. A histopathological examination revealed more-severe villous atrophy in the small intestine of coinfected pigs than in singly infected pigs. This indicates a synergistic effect of PEDV and CPA coinfection on clinical disease in weaned piglets.

Deletion of pentad residues in the N-terminal domain of spike protein attenuates porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in piglets.

Our previous study revealed that tissue culture-adapted porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strains, namely KNU-141112-S DEL2/ORF3 and -S DEL5/ORF3, were attenuated to different extents in vivo, suggesting that their independent deletion (DEL) signatures, including 2-amino acid (aa; residues 56-57) or 5-aa (residues 56-60) DEL in the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the spike (S) protein, may contribute to the reduced virulence of each strain. To investigate whether each DEL in the NTD of the S1 subunit is a determinant for the virulence of PEDV, we generated two mutant viruses, named icS DEL2 and icS DEL5, by introducing the identical double or quintuple aa DEL into S1 using reverse genetics with an infectious cDNA clone of KNU-141112 (icKNU-141112). We then orally inoculated conventional suckling piglets with icKNU-141112, icS DEL2, or icS DEL5 to compare their pathogenicities. The virulence of both DEL mutant viruses was significantly diminished compared to that of icKNU-141112, which causes severe clinical signs and 100 % mortality. Interestingly, the degree of attenuation differed between the two mutant viruses: icS DEL5 caused neither diarrhea nor mortality, whereas icS DEL2 caused mild to moderate diarrhea, higher viral titers in feces and intestinal tissues, and 25 % mortality. Furthermore, the icS DEL5-infected piglets displayed no remarkable macroscopic and microscopic intestinal lesions, while the icS DEL2-infected piglets showed histopathological changes in small intestine tissues, including moderate-to-severe villous atrophy. Our data indicate that the loss of the pentad (56GENQG60) residues in S alone can be sufficient to give rise to an attenuated phenotype of PEDV.

Field evaluation of the safety and immunogenicity of a classical swine fever virus E2 subunit vaccine in breeding and nursery animals on Jeju Island, South Korea.

Purpose: Classical swine fever (CSF) reemerged on CSF-free Jeju Island where vaccination is not practiced by the unintentional injection of a live attenuated vaccine (modified live attenuated vaccines-low-virulence Miyagi [MLV-LOM]) in 2014. Since the Jeju provincial authority is considering adopting a voluntary immunization policy using a CSF-E2 subunit vaccine to combat LOM-derived CSF endemic, this study aimed to evaluate in Jeju herds. Materials and Methods: Two vaccination trials using the Bayovac CSF-E2 vaccine licensed for use in South Korea assessed the safety and humoral immunity of the CSF-E2 vaccine in breeding (trial 1) and nursery animals (trial 2) under farm application conditions. Results: Neither local nor systemic (including reproductive) adverse effects were objectively observed in pregnant sows and young piglets following a respective vaccination regime at pregnancy or weaning, respectively. Trial 1 showed that sows immunized with the CSF-E2 vaccine possessed high and consistent E2-specific and neutralizing antibody levels. The CSF-E2 vaccine-immunized pregnant sows subsequently conferred appropriate and steady passive immunity to their offspring. In trial 2, a double immunization scheme of the CSF-E2 vaccine in piglets at 40 and 60 days of age could elicit a consistent and long-lasting adequate antibody response. Additionally, the two trials detected no Erns-specific antibody responses, indicating that CSF-E2 vaccine can differentiate infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). Conclusion: Our trial data collectively provide invaluable information on applying the CSF-E2 subunit vaccine to circumvent the possible drawbacks associated with the MLV-LOM concerning the safety, efficacy, and DIVA, in the LOM-endemic field farms and contribute to advanced CSF eradication on Jeju Island.

Development of a Next-Generation Vaccine Platform for Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Using a Reverse Genetics System.

For the past three decades, the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has remained an enormous threat to the South Korean swine industry. The scarcity of an effective method for manipulating viral genomes has impeded research progress in PEDV biology and vaccinology. Here, we report the development of reverse genetics systems using two novel infectious full-length cDNA clones of a Korean highly pathogenic-G2b strain, KNU-141112, and its live attenuated vaccine strain, S DEL5/ORF3, in a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) under the control of a eukaryotic promoter. Direct transfection of cells with each recombinant BAC clone induced cytopathic effects and produced infectious progeny. The reconstituted viruses, icKNU-141112 and icS DEL5/ORF3, harboring genetic markers, displayed phenotypic and genotypic properties identical to their respective parental viruses. Using the DNA-launched KNU-141112 infectious cDNA clone as a backbone, two types of recombinant viruses were generated. First, we edited the open reading frame 3 (ORF3) gene, as cell-adapted strains lose full-length ORF3, and replaced this region with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene to generate icPEDV-EGFP. This mutant virus presented parental virus-like growth kinetics and stably retained robust EGFP expression, indicating that ORF3 is dispensable for PEDV replication in cell culture and is a tolerant location for exogeneous gene acceptance. However, the plaque size and syncytia phenotypes of ORF3-null icPEDV-EGFP were larger than those of icKNU-141112 but similar to ORF3-null icS DEL5/ORF3, suggesting a potential role of ORF3 in PEDV cytopathology. Second, we substituted the spike (S) gene with a heterologous S protein, designated S51, from a variant of interest (VOI), which was the most genetically and phylogenetically distant from KNU-141112. The infectious recombinant VOI, named icPEDV-S51, could be recovered, and the rescued virus showed indistinguishable growth characteristics compared to icKNU-141112. Virus cross-neutralization and structural analyses revealed antigenic differences in S between icKNU-141112 and icPEDV-S51, suggesting that genetic and conformational changes mapped within the neutralizing epitopes of S51 could impair the neutralization capacity and cause considerable immune evasion. Collectively, while the established molecular clones afford convenient, versatile platforms for PEDV genome manipulation, allowing for corroborating the molecular basis of viral replication and pathogenesis, they also provide key infrastructural frameworks for developing new vaccines and coronaviral vectors.

Pathogenicity of a novel classical swine fever LOM vaccine-derived virus isolated on Jeju Island, South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Reemergent local outbreaks of classical swine fever (CSF) occurred simultaneously in multiple pig farms on CSF-free Jeju Island, South Korea, in 2014 because of inadvertent injection of a commercial CSF (LOM) vaccine into pregnant sows. The LOM virus has since spread across the island and has become endemic in Jeju herds, raising concern about possible reversion to the virulence of the LOM vaccine. We previously isolated LOM-derived field CSF virus (CSFV) strains with unique insertion-deletion (INDEL) mutations in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR), designated LOM-derived Jeju 3'-UTR INDEL variants, from CSF-recurrent swine farms on Jeju Island in 2019. METHODS: The present study conducted animal experiments to investigate whether a 2019 emergent LOM 3'-UTR INDEL variant, KNU-1905, has reverted to a pathogenic form in conventional pigs (n = 10). RESULTS: Experimental animal infection showed that pigs inoculated with the commercial LOM vaccine strain developed no adverse effects compared to the sham-infected pigs. However, KNU-1905 displayed pathogenic characteristics in pigs, including clinical symptoms (e.g., lethargy, conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, and diarrhoea), weight loss, and gross lesions. Moreover, viremia, virus shedding in faeces and nasal fluids, and viral loads in various tissues of all the KNU-1905-infected pigs were highly significant, in contrast to those of the LOM-infected group in which CSFV RNA was detected only in the serum, nasal, and tonsil samples of one identical pig. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the LOM-derived field isolate with molecular variations induced clinical adverse events in pigs, which commonly shed considerable amounts of CSFV. This study provides evidence that the genetic evolution of the LOM-derived CSFV circulating on Jeju Island might have allowed the LOM vaccine to recover its primary prototype and that these variants might have induced chronic or persistent infection in pigs that can shed CSFV in field farms leading to a risk of transmission among pigs or farms in this former CSF-free region.

Complete genome sequence of a novel porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus strain identified in South Korea.

Porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (PHEV) is a member of the subgenus Embecovirus of the genus Betacoronavirus, and it is ubiquitously distributed in most pig-farming countries worldwide with low clinical incidence. Here, we report the full-length genome sequence and molecular characterization of a novel PHEV strain identified in diarrheic neonates in South Korea. The complete genome of the Korean PHEV strain GNU-2113 was sequenced and analyzed to characterize PHEV circulating in South Korea. The GNU-2113 genome was determined to be 29,982 nucleotides in length, with large unique deletions in the regions encoding nonstructural protein 3 and NS2. It was found to share 95.1-96.9% sequence identity with other global strains. Genetic and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the GNU-2113 strain is distantly related to the existing PHEV genotypes, implying that the virus appears to undergo substantial evolution under endemic pressure. This study provides important information about the genetic diversity of PHEV circulating subclinically in swine herds, which may ensure viral fitness in the enzootic environment.

Trypsin enhances SARS-CoV-2 infection by facilitating viral entry.

Coronaviruses infect cells by cytoplasmic or endosomal membrane fusion, driven by the spike (S) protein, which must be primed by proteolytic cleavage at the S1/S2 furin cleavage site (FCS) and the S2' site by cellular proteases. Exogenous trypsin as a medium additive facilitates isolation and propagation of several coronaviruses in vitro. Here, we show that trypsin enhances severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in cultured cells and that SARS-CoV-2 enters cells via either a non-endosomal or an endosomal fusion pathway, depending on the presence of trypsin. Interestingly, trypsin enabled viral entry at the cell surface and led to more efficient infection than trypsin-independent endosomal entry, suggesting that trypsin production in the target organs may trigger a high level of replication of SARS-CoV-2 and cause severe tissue injury. Extensive syncytium formation and enhanced growth kinetics were observed only in the presence of exogenous trypsin when cell-adapted SARS-CoV-2 strains were tested. During 50 serial passages without the addition of trypsin, a specific R685S mutation occurred in the S1/S2 FCS (681PRRAR685) that was completely conserved but accompanied by several mutations in the S2 fusion subunit in the presence of trypsin. These findings demonstrate that the S1/S2 FCS is essential for proteolytic priming of the S protein and fusion activity for SARS-CoV-2 entry but not for viral replication. Our data can potentially contribute to the improvement of SARS-CoV-2 production for the development of vaccines or antivirals and motivate further investigations into the explicit functions of cell-adaptation-related genetic drift in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis.

Successful Eradication of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea in an Enzootically Infected Farm: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has negatively affected the welfare of animals and their productivity in South Korea for three decades. A shortage of effective control measures has led to the virus becoming endemic in domestic pig populations. This study aimed to describe how our intervention measures were implemented for PEDV elimination in an enzootically infected farm. We operated a risk assessment model of PEDV recurrence to obtain information about the virus itself, herd immunity, virus circulation, and biosecurity at the farm. Next, we conducted a four-pillar-based two-track strategy to heighten sow immunity and eradicate the virus, with longitudinal monitoring of immunity and virus circulation, involving strict biosecurity, prime-boost pre-farrow L/K/K immunization, all-in-all-out and disinfection practices in farrowing houses, and disinfection and gilt management in wean-to-finish barns. In particular, we observed a high prevalence and long-term survival of PEDV in slurries, posing a critical challenge to PED eradication and highlighting the necessity for consecutive testing of barn slurry samples and for the management of infected manure to control PEDV. Genetic analysis of PEDVs in this farm indicated that genetic drift continued in the spike gene, with a substitution rate of 1.683 × 10-4 substitutions/site/year. Our study underlines the need for active monitoring and surveillance of PEDV in herds and their environments, along with the coordinated means, to eliminate the virus and maintain a negative herd. The tools described in this study will serve as a framework for regional and national PED eradication programs.

Assessing the risk of recurrence of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in affected farms on Jeju Island, South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a swine enteropathogenic coronavirus that has devastated the swine industry in South Korea over the last 30 years. The lack of an effective method to control the endemics has led to a surge in PEDV recurrences in affected farms throughout the country. OBJECTIVES: In the first step toward establishing systematic monitoring of and active control measures over the swine populations, we constructed an assessment model that evaluates the status of (1) biosecurity, (2) herd immunity, and (3) virus circulation in each of the PEDV-infected farms. METHODS: A total of 13 farrow-to-finish pig farms with a history of acute PEDV infection on Jeju Island were chosen for this study. The potential risk of the recurrence in these farms was estimated through on-site data collection and laboratory examination. RESULTS: Overall, the data indicated that a considerable number of the PEDV-infected farms had lax biosecurity, achieved incomplete protective immunity in the sows despite multi-dose vaccination, and served as incubators of the circulating virus; thus, they face an increased risk of recurrent outbreaks. Intriguingly, our results suggest that after an outbreak, a farm requires proactive tasks, including reinforcing biosecurity, conducting serological and virus monitoring to check the sows' immunity and to identify the animals exposed to PEDV, and improving the vaccination scheme and disinfection practices if needed. CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights the significance of coordinated PEDV management in infected farms to reduce the risk of recurrence and further contribute towards the national eradication of PEDV.

Genetic and phylogenetic analysis of porcine circovirus type 2 on Jeju Island, South Korea, 2019-2020: evidence of a novel intergenotypic recombinant.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the most ubiquitous viral pathogen of pigs and has persistently affected the global swine industry. Since first being identified in South Korea in 1999, the virus has undergone considerable genetic change and genotype shifts during the past two decades. These events have contributed to the coexistence of genotypes PCV2a, PCV2b, and PCV2d in Korean pig populations, which may promote viral recombination. The genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics of PCV2 strains circulating in pig herds on Jeju Island from 2019 to 2020 were the focus of this study. Genotype-specific PCR indicated that PCV2d is the dominant viral genotype and that coinfections with PCV2d and PCV2a (75%) or PCV2a and PCV2b (25%) are common in provincial pig herds. The complete genome sequences of 11 PCV2 strains, including three PCV2a, two PCV2b, and six PCV2d strains, were determined. A genomic comparison showed that all of the viruses had the highest nucleotide sequence identity to their corresponding genotypic reference strain. Notably, genetic and phylogenetic analysis revealed that one PCV2d strain, KNU-1931, exhibited nucleotide sequence variation in the ORF1 gene when compared to other PCV2d strains but showed a high degree of similarity to the PCV2b strains. Comprehensive recombination analysis suggested that KNU-1931 originated from natural recombination within ORF1 between PCV2b (the minor parent) and PCV2d (the major parent) strains. Our findings provide information about the frequency of genetic recombination between two different PCV2 genotypes circulating in the field domestically, illustrating the importance of continual intergenotypic recombination for viral fitness when multiple genotypes are present.

Genomic characterization of classical swine fever virus LOM variants with 3'-UTR INDELs from pigs on Jeju Island, South Korea.

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) reemerged in naïve pig herds on Jeju Island, South Korea, due to the accidental introduction of the LOM vaccine strain in 2014. Since this reemergence, the previously CSFV-free region has experienced numerous outbreaks, causing the virus to become endemic in provincial herds. In this study, we determined the complete genome sequences and investigated the molecular characteristics of LOM-derived field CSFV strains with unique insertion-deletion (INDEL) mutations in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) that were responsible for ongoing sporadic outbreaks on Jeju Island in 2019. The Jeju LOM-derived variants that emerged in 2019 had their own INDEL signatures in the 3'-UTR, resulting in changes to the predicted secondary stem-loop structures. The genomes of these strains were 12,297-12,302 nucleotides in length, one nucleotide (nt) shorter or one, two, or four nt longer than the reference LOM strain. The 3'-UTR INDEL variants shared 98.8-99.0% and 98.3-98.6% identity with the LOM strain at the polyprotein and full-genome level, respectively. The total number of genetic variations between the LOM vaccine strain and the 3'-UTR INDEL isolates ranged from 161 to 202 and 37 to 45 at the nucleotide and amino acid level, respectively. These mutations were broadly dispersed throughout the genome and particularly clustered in NS2 and the 3'-UTR, possibly triggering a reversion to low virulence and allowing the virus to adapt to improve its persistence in the field. This study provides important information about the genetic evolution of LOM-derived CSFV circulating in the free region, and suggests that it arose from continuous non-lethal mutations to ensure viral fitness in host animals.

Generation and protective efficacy of a cold-adapted attenuated genotype 2b porcine epidemic diarrhea virus.

The recent emergence and re-emergence of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) underscore the urgent need for the development of novel, safe, and effective vaccines against the prevailing strain. In this study, we generated a cold-adapted live attenuated vaccine candidate (Aram-P29-CA) by short-term passage of a virulent PEDV isolate at successively lower temperatures in Vero cells. Whole genome sequencing identified 12 amino acid changes in the cold-adapted strain with no insertions and deletions throughout the genome. Animal inoculation experiments confirmed the attenuated phenotype of Aram-P29-CA virus in the natural host. Pregnant sows were orally administered P29-CA live vaccines two doses at 2-week intervals prior to parturition, and the newborn piglets were challenged with the parental virus. The oral homologous prime-boost vaccination of P29-CA significantly improved the survival rate of the piglets and notably mitigated the severity of diarrhea and PEDV fecal shedding after the challenge. Furthermore, strong antibody responses to PEDV were detected in the sera and colostrum of immunized sows and in the sera of their offspring. These results demonstrated that the cold-adapted attenuated virus can be used as a live vaccine in maternal vaccination strategies to provide durable lactogenic immunity and confer passive protection to litters against PEDV.

Complete genome sequences of novel S-deletion variants of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus identified from a recurrent outbreak on Jeju Island, South Korea.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a deadly epizootic swine coronavirus that is of importance to the world pork industry. Since the re-emergence of the virulent genotype 2b (G2b) in 2014, Jeju Island in South Korea has faced periodic outbreaks, leading to the occurrence of endemics in provincial herds. In this study, we examined the complete genome sequences and molecular characteristics of novel G2b PEDV variants with a two-amino-acid deletion in the neutralizing epitope of the spike (S) gene, which were concurrently identified on a re-infected farm and its neighboring farm on Jeju Island. Whole-genome sequencing of the Jeju S-DEL isolates KNU-1829 and KNU-1830 revealed the presence of a continuous 9-nucleotide deletion within the nonstructural protein coding region. Their genomes were 28,023 nucleotides in length, 15 nucleotides shorter than those of the classical G2b PEDV strains. The two S-DEL isolates had 96.4-99.2% and 98.3-99.7% identity at the S-gene and full-genome level, respectively, to other global G2b PEDV strains. Genetic and antigenic analyses indicated that the S-DEL isolates are most closely related to the primary strain identified from the initial exposure at the same farm, but the virus appears to undergo continuous evolution, possibly leading to antigenic drift under recurrent or endemic pressure. This study provides important information about the antigenic diversity of PEDV circulating in the endemic areas, which arises from continuous non-lethal mutations to ensure viral fitness in the host environment.

Assessment of the safety and efficacy of an attenuated live vaccine based on highly virulent genotype 2b porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in nursing piglets.

We have previously reported the generation of the attenuated KNU-141112-S DEL5/ORF3 virus by continuous propagation of highly virulent G2b porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in Vero cells. The present study aimed to assess the safety of S DEL5/ORF3 and to evaluate its effectiveness as a live vaccine for prime-booster vaccinations. Reversion to virulence experiments revealed that the S DEL5/ORF3 strain retains its attenuated phenotype and genetic stability after five successive passages in susceptible piglets. Pregnant sows were primed orally with an S DEL5/ORF3 live vaccine and boosted intramuscularly twice with a commercial killed vaccine at 2-week intervals prior to parturition. This sow vaccination regimen completely protected nursing piglets against virulent G2b challenge, as evidenced by the increase in survival rate from 0% to 100% and the significant reduction in diarrhea intensity, including the amount and duration of PEDV fecal shedding. In addition, despite a 2-3 day period of weight loss in piglets from vaccinated sows after challenge, their daily weight gain was recovered at 7 days post-challenge and became similar to that of unchallenged pigs from unvaccinated sows over the course of the experiment. Furthermore, strong antibody responses to PEDV were verified in the sera and colostrum of immunized sows with the prime-boost treatment and their offspring. Altogether, our data demonstrated that the attenuated S DEL5/ORF3 strain guarantees the safety to host animals with no reversion to virulence and is suitable as an effective primary live vaccine providing durable maternal lactogenic immunity for passive piglet protection.

Endemic outbreaks due to the re-emergence of classical swine fever after accidental introduction of modified live LOM vaccine on Jeju Island, South Korea.

After the unintentional vaccination of the LOM vaccine strain in 2014, classical swine fever virus (CSFV) reemerged in naïve pig herds on Jeju Island, South Korea, which had been a CSF-free region with a non-vaccination policy for a decade. Since the re-emergence, endemic outbreaks of CSFV have occurred in the island, causing enormous damage to provincial pig farms. The present study reports the complete genome sequences and molecular characterization of the LOM-derived field CSFV strains responsible for the current outbreaks on Jeju Island. The emergent Jeju LOM-derived isolates shared 98.9%-99.7% and 98.7%-99.0% nucleotide sequence identity at the E-gene and whole-genome levels compared to the LOM vaccine strain respectively. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses indicated that the CSFV field isolates were closest to the LOM strains, but appeared to have undergone substantial evolution. The total number of nucleotide and amino acid differences between the LOM vaccine strain and LOM-derived field isolates ranged from 111 and 28 to 148 and 42. These variations were found to be widely distributed throughout the genome and particularly accumulated in non-structural proteins, which might be associated with the potential for LOM to revert to its original low pathogenic form and subsequent horizontal transmission in Jeju swine herds. These data improve our knowledge regarding safety of the LOM vaccine and inherent risk of reversion to natural virulence in host animals.

Isolation and characterization of Korean porcine deltacoronavirus strain KNU16-07.

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) has emerged in several pig-raising countries and has been a causative pathogen associated with diarrheal diseases in South Korea since 2014. In the present study, we were able to isolate and cultivate a Korean PDCoV strain (KNU16-07) in cell culture and investigate its pathogenicity. PDCoV-inoculated piglets showed watery diarrhea accompanied by acute enteritis in the natural host. Sequencing analysis demonstrated the genetic stability of KNU16-07 for at least thirty serial passages.

Complete genome sequence of a porcine astrovirus from South Korea.

Porcine astrovirus (PAstV) is broadly distributed in pigs in several countries worldwide. PAstVs belong to the genus Mamastrovirus and are divided into five genetically divergent types. This study presents a molecular characterization of PAstV identified in diarrheic piglets in South Korea. The complete genome of the Korean PAstV strain KOR/KNU14-07/2014 was sequenced and analyzed to characterize PAstV circulating in South Korea. The full-length genomic sequence of KNU14-07 was determined to be 6,337 nucleotides in length and consisted of three major open reading frames (5'-ORF1a-ORF1b-ORF2-3'). The overall degree of nucleotide sequence identity was 40.8 to 72.5% between KUN14-07 and other reported PAstVs, indicating high heterogeneity among PAstVs. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses showed that the KNU14-07 strain was most closely related to the PAstV2 lineage, which is the second most common type in South Korea.