Seroprevalence of porcine bocavirus in pigs in north-central China using a recombinant-NP1-protein-based indirect ELISA.

Porcine bocavirus (PBoV), which belongs the genus Bocaparvovirus, has been identified throughout the world. However, serological methods for detecting anti-PBoV antibodies are presently limited. In the present study, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PBoV-rNP1 ELISA) based on a recombinant form of nucleoprotein 1 (NP1) of PBoV was established for investigating the seroprevalence of PBoV in 2025 serum specimens collected in north-central China from 2016 to 2018, and 42.3% of the samples tested positive for anti-PBoV IgG antibodies, indicating that the seroprevalence of PBoV is high in pig populations in China.

Effects of toosendanin on pregnancy and uterine immunity alterations in mice.

This study was conducted to explore the abortifacient effect and the mechanisms of the Chinese herbal medicine component toosendanin, and to elucidate the significance of the Th1 cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the occurrence of abortion. Graded doses of toosendanin were given by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) to mice at day 5, 6, 7 of gestation. The levels of Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha) in serum and uterine tissues from mice sacrificed at day 8 were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Presence of T lymphocytes in endometrium was detected by immunohistochemistry. The results revealed that injection of toosendanin could produce a dose-dependent toxicity. The IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha content in serum and uterine tissues were increased significantly. The CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were also increased in the endometrium of toosendanin treated groups. In conclusion, toosendanin is pregnancy-toxic to animals and it is relevant to the increased contents of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocytes.