Development and application of an indirect ELISA for the serological detection of duck Tembusu virus infection based on the NS1 protein antigen.

Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) has caused significant economic losses in China since 2010. However, there is still a lack of effective methods to diagnose the disease caused by this virus, and especially to differentiate infection from vaccination. In this study, we established a novel indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) and performed a retrospective serological survey for DTMUV in Anhui province, China. Our results show that the iELISA displayed high specificity sensitivity, and with no serological cross-reaction with other duck pathogens. These findings indicate that the newly developed iELISA could be a useful screening tool for large-scale monitoring of the epidemiology of DTMUV infection in ducks.

A novel Tembusu virus isolated from goslings in China form a new subgenotype 2.1.1.

Since 2010, several duck Tembusu viruses (DTMUVs) have been isolated from infected ducks in China, and these virus strains have undergone extensive variation over the years. Although the infection rate is high, the mortality rate is usually relatively low-~5%-30%; however, since fall 2019, an infectious disease similar to DTMUV infection but with a high mortality rate of ~50% in goslings has been prevalent in Anhui Province, China. The present study identified a new Tembusu virus, designated DTMUV/Goose/China/2019/AQ-19 (AQ-19), that is believed to be responsible for the noticeably high mortality in goslings. To investigate the genetic variation of this strain, its entire genome was sequenced and analysed for specific variations, and goslings and mice were challenged with the isolated virus to investigate its pathogenicity. The AQ-19 genome shared only 94.3%-96.9% and 90.9% nucleotide identity with other Chinese and Malaysian DTMUVs, respectively; however, AQ-19 has high homology with Thailand DTMUVs (97.2%-98.1% nucleotide identity). Phylogenetic analysis of the E gene revealed that AQ-19 and most of Thailand DTMUVs form a branch separate from any of the previously reported DTMUV strains in China. After the challenge, some goslings and mice showed typical clinical signs of DTMUV, particularly severe neurological dysfunction. AQ-19 has high virulence in goslings and mice, resulting in 60% and 70% mortality through intramuscular and intracerebral routes, respectively. Pathological examination revealed severe histological lesions in the brain and liver of the infected goslings and mice. Taken together, these results demonstrated the emergence of a novel Tembusu virus with high virulence circulating in goslings in China for the first time, and our findings highlight the high genetic diversity of DTMUVs in China. Further study of the pathogenicity and host range of this novel Tembusu virus is particularly important.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate exhibits antiviral effects against the duck Tembusu virus via blocking virus entry and upregulating type I interferons.

The duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) is a novel mosquito-borne Flavivirus which caused huge economic losses for poultry industries in Southeast Asia and China. Currently, no effective antiviral drugs against this virus have been reported. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol present in abundance in green tea, has recently been demonstrated to have an antiviral activity for many viruses; however, whether EGCG can inhibit DTMUV infection remains unknown. Here, we tried to explore the anti-DTMUV effects and mechanisms of EGCG both in vitro and in vivo. Several EGCG treatment regimens were used to study the comprehensive antiviral activity of EGCG in DTMUV-infected baby hamster kidney cell line (BHK-21). The DTMUV titers of mock- and EGCG-treated infected cell cultures were determined using the tissue culture infective dose assay and the DTMUV mRNA copy number as determined using quantitative Real Time PCR. Moreover, the therapeutic efficacy of EGCG against DTMUV was assessed in DTMUV-infected ducklings. Our results suggested that EGCG significantly reduced the viral infection in BHK-21 cells in a dose-dependent manner, as reflected by the reduction of virus titers, virus copy number, and the expressions of viral E protein. We also observed that EGCG exhibited direct virucidal abilities against DTMUV. Notably, a significant reduction in virus binding ability was also observed, indicating that EGCG possesses excellent inhibitory effects on the viral adsorption step. In addition, DTMUV replication was also suppressed in BHK-21 cells treated with EGCG after viral entry, likely because of upregulation of the levels of interferon alfa and interferon beta. Finally, we also proved that EGCG exhibited anti-DTMUV efficacy in a duckling infection model because the survival rate was significantly improved. This is the first study to demonstrate the protective effect of EGCG against DTMUV, suggesting its potential use as an antiviral drug for DTMUV infection.

[Duck viperin can express in transfected BHK-21 cells and inhibit germination of Duck Tembusu virus].

Objective To measure the effect of duck viperin protein on the proliferation of duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV). Methods We analyzed the duck viperin gene using a bioinformatics. Plasmids pGEX-6P-viperin and pEGFP-N1-viperin were constructed and transformed into Rosseta and transfected into BHK-21 cells, respectively. BHK-21 cells transfected with plasmid pEGFP-N1-viperin and empty vector were infected with DTMUV. The content of DTMUV in cell precipitation and supernatant was analyzed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Finally, the effect of viperin on DTMUV proliferation and the binding proteins captured by EGFP monoclonal antibody were evaluated using mass spectrometry. Results Significant differences were observed between the expression levels of viperin gene in duck compared to other species. Duck viperin was found to inhibit the budding of DTMUV in BHK-21 cells. Further, we identified six proteins that might be involved in the inhibition of the proliferation and budding of DTMUV, possibly indicative of the viperin anti-Tembusu virus pathway in ducks. Conclusion Expression patterns of duck viperin reveal how the budding of duck Tembusu virus is inhibited.

[Preparation and application of anti-envelope protein B2L mouse polyclonal antibody of ORF virus].

Objective To obtain the envelope protein B2L of orf virus(ORFV) and prepare highly specific polyclonal antibody against B2L. Methods The B2L gene was amplified by PCR, and subcloned into the vectors pET-32a and p3×FLAG-CMV-14, pET-32a-B2L followed by expression of B2L protein in E.coli, and induction of the target protein by IPTG, purification by urea solution and identification via Western blot analysis. Furthermore, the BALB/c mice were immunized with B2L protein to prepare highly-specific anti-B2L polyclonal antibody. In addition, plasmid p3×FLAG-B2L was transfected into Vero cells and BHK-21 cells which was used to confirm its specificity and antigenicity by indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA). Results Western blotting demonstrated that the B2L protein had high-level specificity. The results of IFA indicated that the anti-B2L specific polyclonal antibody had specificity and reactivity. Then Immunohistochemistry showed that it could neutralize natural ORFV. Conclusion Highly specific and purified polyclonal antibody against B2L protein of the ORFV was successfully prepared.