Virome characterization of game animals in China reveals a spectrum of emerging pathogens.

Game animals are wildlife species traded and consumed as food and are potential reservoirs for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. We performed a meta-transcriptomic analysis of 1,941 game animals, representing 18 species and five mammalian orders, sampled across China. From this, we identified 102 mammalian-infecting viruses, with 65 described for the first time. Twenty-one viruses were considered as potentially high risk to humans and domestic animals. Civets (Paguma larvata) carried the highest number of potentially high-risk viruses. We inferred the transmission of bat-associated coronavirus from bats to civets, as well as cross-species jumps of coronaviruses from bats to hedgehogs, from birds to porcupines, and from dogs to raccoon dogs. Of note, we identified avian Influenza A virus H9N2 in civets and Asian badgers, with the latter displaying respiratory symptoms, as well as cases of likely human-to-wildlife virus transmission. These data highlight the importance of game animals as potential drivers of disease emergence.

Farmed fur animals harbour viruses with zoonotic spillover potential.

Animals such as raccoon dogs, mink and muskrats are farmed for fur and are sometimes used as food or medicinal products1,2, yet they are also potential reservoirs of emerging pathogens3. Here we performed single-sample metatranscriptomic sequencing of internal tissues from 461 individual fur animals that were found dead due to disease. We characterized 125 virus species, including 36 that were novel and 39 at potentially high risk of cross-species transmission, including zoonotic spillover. Notably, we identified seven species of coronaviruses, expanding their known host range, and documented the cross-species transmission of a novel canine respiratory coronavirus to raccoon dogs and of bat HKU5-like coronaviruses to mink, present at a high abundance in lung tissues. Three subtypes of influenza A virus-H1N2, H5N6 and H6N2-were detected in the lungs of guinea pig, mink and muskrat, respectively. Multiple known zoonotic viruses, such as Japanese encephalitis virus and mammalian orthoreovirus4,5, were detected in guinea pigs. Raccoon dogs and mink carried the highest number of potentially high-risk viruses, while viruses from the Coronaviridae, Paramyxoviridae and Sedoreoviridae families commonly infected multiple hosts. These data also reveal potential virus transmission between farmed animals and wild animals, and from humans to farmed animals, indicating that fur farming represents an important transmission hub for viral zoonoses.

Isolation, characterization, and circulation sphere of a filovirus in fruit bats.

Bats are associated with the circulation of most mammalian filoviruses (FiVs), with pathogenic ones frequently causing deadly hemorrhagic fevers in Africa. Divergent FiVs have been uncovered in Chinese bats, raising concerns about their threat to public health. Here, we describe a long-term surveillance to track bat FiVs at orchards, eventually resulting in the identification and isolation of a FiV, Dehong virus (DEHV), from Rousettus leschenaultii bats. DEHV has a typical filovirus-like morphology with a wide spectrum of cell tropism. Its entry into cells depends on the engagement of Niemann-Pick C1, and its replication is inhibited by remdesivir. DEHV has the largest genome size of filoviruses, with phylogenetic analysis placing it between the genera Dianlovirus and Orthomarburgvirus, suggesting its classification as the prototype of a new genus within the family Filoviridae. The continuous detection of viral RNA in the serological survey, together with the wide host distribution, has revealed that the region covering southern Yunnan, China, and bordering areas is a natural circulation sphere for bat FiVs. These emphasize the need for a better understanding of the pathogenicity and potential risk of FiVs in the region.

Classical swine fever virus NS5A protein activates autophagy via the PP2A-DAPK3-Beclin 1 axis.

IMPORTANCE: Autophagy is a conserved degradation process that maintains cellular homeostasis and regulates native and adaptive immunity. Viruses have evolved diverse strategies to inhibit or activate autophagy for their benefit. The paper reveals that CSFV NS5A mediates the dissociation of PP2A from Beclin 1 and the association of PP2A with DAPK3 by interaction with PPP2R1A and DAPK3, PP2A dephosphorylates DAPK3 to activate its protein kinase activity, and activated DAPK3 phosphorylates Beclin 1 to trigger autophagy, indicating that NS5A activates autophagy via the PP2A-DAPK3-Beclin 1 axis. These data highlight a novel mechanism by which CSFV activates autophagy to favor its replication, thereby contributing to the development of antiviral strategies.

Phylogeography Reveals Association between Swine Trade and the Spread of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus in China and across the World.

The ongoing SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)-CoV (coronavirus)-2 pandemic has exposed major gaps in our knowledge on the origin, ecology, evolution, and spread of animal coronaviruses. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a member of the genus Alphacoronavirus in the family Coronaviridae that may have originated from bats and leads to significant hazards and widespread epidemics in the swine population. The role of local and global trade of live swine and swine-related products in disseminating PEDV remains unclear, especially in developing countries with complex swine production systems. Here, we undertake an in-depth phylogeographic analysis of PEDV sequence data (including 247 newly sequenced samples) and employ an extension of this inference framework that enables formally testing the contribution of a range of predictor variables to the geographic spread of PEDV. Within China, the provinces of Guangdong and Henan were identified as primary hubs for the spread of PEDV, for which we estimate live swine trade to play a very important role. On a global scale, the United States and China maintain the highest number of PEDV lineages. We estimate that, after an initial introduction out of China, the United States acted as an important source of PEDV introductions into Japan, Korea, China, and Mexico. Live swine trade also explains the dispersal of PEDV on a global scale. Given the increasingly global trade of live swine, our findings have important implications for designing prevention and containment measures to combat a wide range of livestock coronaviruses.

Severe Acute Hepatitis Outbreaks Associated with a Novel Hepacivirus in Rhizomys pruinosus in Hainan, China.

Members of the genus Hepacivirus have a broad range of hosts, with at least 14 species identified. To date, a highly pathogenic hepacivirus causing severe disease in animals has not been found. Here, by using high-throughput sequencing, a new hepacivirus was identified as the dominant and highly pathogenic virus in severe acute hepatitis outbreaks in bamboo rats (Rhizomys pruinosus), with ≈80% mortality; this virus emerged in February 2020 in two bamboo rat farms in China. Hepaciviral genome copies in bamboo rat liver were significantly higher than in other organs. Genomic sequences of hepacivirus strains from 12 sick bamboo rats were found to share 85.3 to 100% nucleotide (nt) identity and 94.9 to 100% amino acid (aa) identity and to share 79.7 to 87.8% nt and 90.4 to 97.8% aa identities with previously reported bamboo rat hepaciviruses of Vietnam and China. Sequence analysis further revealed the simultaneous circulation of genetically divergent hepacivirus variants within the two outbreaks. Phylogenetic analysis showed that hepacivirus strains from the present and previous studies formed an independent clade comprised of at least two genotypes, clearly different from all other known species, suggesting a novel species within the genus Hepacivirus. This is the first report of a non-human-infecting hepacivirus causing potentially fatal infection of bamboo rats, and the associated hepatitis in the animals potentially can be used to develop a surrogate model for the study of hepatitis C virus infection in humans and for the development of therapeutic strategies. IMPORTANCE Members of the genus Hepacivirus have a broad host range, with at least 14 species identified, but none is highly pathogenic to its host except for hepatitis C virus, which causes severe liver diseases in humans. In this study, a new liver-tropic hepacivirus species was identified by high-throughput sequencing as the pathogen associated with two outbreaks of severely acute hepatitis in hoary bamboo rats (Rhizomys pruinosus) on two farms in Hainan Province, China; this is the first reported highly pathogenic animal hepacivirus to our knowledge. Further phylogenetic analysis suggested that the hepaciviruses derived from hoary bamboo rats in either the current or previous studies represent a novel species within the genus Hepacivirus. This finding is a breakthrough that has significantly updated our understanding about the pathogenicity of animal hepaciviruses, and the hepacivirus-associated hepatitis in bamboo rats may have a use as an animal infection model to understand HCV infection and develop therapeutic strategies.

Development of a novel bispecific antibody GR1801 for rabies.

Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease characterized by an almost 100% fatality rate once symptoms appear. However, it can be prevented through timely postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). Currently, there is a growing trend to replace polyclonal rabies immune globulin (RIG) with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in rabies PEP. In this study, we developed a human bispecific antibody, GR1801, by combining two mAbs, A2 and B353, which target distinct epitopes. GR1801 is an asymmetric immunoglobulin G1 molecule, with one arm (A2 targeting epitope III) in fragment antigen-binding (Fab) form and the other arm (B353 targeting epitope I) in single-chain variable fragment (scFv) form, constructed using Knobs-into-Holes technology. GR1801 demonstrated the ability to neutralize 90 naturally occurring rabies virus (RABV) glycoprotein antigenic variants, 21 pseudotyped, and 18 live street RABVs, exhibiting broad-spectrum neutralizing activity. In vivo, GR1801 provided protection equivalent to that of human RIG in golden hamsters challenged with lethal RABV. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the neutralization potency and breadth of GR1801, which can be a promising candidate drug for rabies PEP, and a comprehensive testing against a broad spectrum of Chinese prevalent RABVs will be investigated in great detail in the future for the in vitro and in vivo studies.

The new Haemaphysalis longicornis genome provides insights into its requisite biological traits.

Ticks are a large group of blood-feeding arthropods that transmit multiple human and animal pathogens and are hence of importance to public health. The tick Haemaphysalis longicornis is associated with the transmission of multiple human pathogens in Asia, and recently found invading to the United States. Here, we report the sequencing, assembly and annotation of the 3.16 gigabase genome of this species, which is larger than the previous assembled one. The present Haemaphysalis longicornis genome was characterized by 6519 scaffolds, 24,189 protein-coding genes and a high proportion of simple sequence repeats (54.72%). By genomic assembly and comparative genomic analysis, we characterized the key genes that play essential roles in iron metabolism, detoxification, and freeze tolerance of H. longicornis. Furthermore, a total of 79 endogenous viral elements were identified within the genome, which might have had a considerable impact on its evolution. Decoding the H. longicornis genome not only provides insight into the genetic underpinnings of specific biological processes but also offers the basis for the subsequent integrated control of ticks and tick-borne diseases.

Isolation and Characterization of Porcine Astrovirus 5 from a Classical Swine Fever Virus-Infected Specimen.

Many new astroviruses have been identified in humans and other animals in recent years, but only a few have been successfully isolated for extensive biological study. Here, we report an unusual isolation of a porcine astrovirus 5 (PAstV5) strain from a clinical classical swine fever virus (CSFV)-infected tissue sample. Incubation of porcine PK-15 cells with an extract of the CSFV-positive tissue resulted in unexpected cytopathic effects (CPEs), and high-throughput viromic sequencing identified PAstV5 and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) as well as CSFV in the culture. After clearance of CSFV and PCV2, a pure PAstV5 strain, named PAstV5-AH29-2014, was obtained. Analysis revealed virus of typical astroviral morphology with a genome of 6,448 nucleotides, sharing 84.3 to 88.9% nucleotide identity with previously published PAstV5 strains. A mechanistic study showed that CSFV coinfection was likely an important factor for successful isolation by significantly enhancing PAstV5 replication in PK-15 cells via suppression of a type I interferon response. Altogether, PAstV5-AH29-2014, as the first isolated PAstV5 strain, will provide critical material for the investigation of the biological and pathogenic properties of this virus as well as for future development of relevant biological and diagnostic reagents.IMPORTANCE Porcine astroviruses are mainly associated with gastroenteritis and neurological diseases in pigs, and five genotypes have been identified (PAstV1-5). However, the clinical manifestations of genotypes other than PAstV1 have not yet been determined because of the failure of in vitro virus isolation. Here, we report a surprising isolation of a PAstV5 strain from a clinical classical swine fever virus (CSFV)-infected tissue sample, which can stably passage in PK-15 cells, and coinfection with CSFV significantly enhanced the replication of PAstV5, possibly through suppression of beta interferon production. Thus, the first isolated PAstV5 strain will be useful for investigating the biological and pathogenic properties of this virus, and the findings obtained in this study provide new insights into defining the interaction mechanism between CSFV and PAstV5.

Seroreactive Profiling of Filoviruses in Chinese Bats Reveals Extensive Infection of Diverse Viruses.

Southern China is a hot spot of emerging infectious diseases, in which diverse species of bats dwell, a large group of flying mammals considered natural reservoirs for zoonotic viruses. Recently, divergent filoviruses (FiVs) have been identified in bats within this region, which pose a potential risk to public health, but the true infection situation in bats remains largely unclear. Here, 689 archived bat serum samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting, and neutralization assay to investigate the seroprevalence and cross-reactivity of four divergent FiVs and two other viruses (rabies virus and Tuhoko pararubulavirus 1) of different families within the order Mononegavirales Results showed no cross-antigenicity between FiVs and other mononegaviruses but different cross-reactivity among the FiVs themselves. The total FiV seroreactive rate was 36.3% (250/689), with infection by the indigenous Chinese FiV DH04 or an antigenically related one being the most widely and the most highly prevalent. Further viral metagenomic analysis of fruit bat tissues also identified the gene sequence of a novel FiV. These results indicate the likely prevalence of other so far unidentified FiVs within the Chinese bat population, with frugivorous Rousettus leschenaultii and Eonycteris spelaea bats and insectivorous Myotis horsfieldii and Miniopterus schreibersii bats being their major reservoirs.IMPORTANCE Bats are natural hosts of many FiVs, from which diverse FiVs were serologically or virologically detected in Africa, Europe, and East Asia. Recently, very divergent FiVs were identified in the Chinese bat population, but their antigenic relationship with other known FiVs remains unknown. Here, we conducted serological characterization and investigation of Chinese indigenous FiVs and prototypes of other viruses in bats. Results indicated that Chinese indigenous FiVs are antigenically distant to other FiVs, and infection of novel or multiple FiVs occurred in Chinese bats, with FiV DH04 or an antigenically related one being the most widely and the most highly prevalent. Additionally, besides Rousettus leschenaultii and Eonycteris spelaea bats, the insectivorous Myotis horsfieldii and M. schreibersii bats are highly preferential hosts of FiVs. Seroreactive and viral metagenomic results indicated that more as yet unknown bat-borne FiVs circulate in Southern China, and to uncover them further, investigation and timely surveillance is needed.

Extensive Genetic Diversity of Polyomaviruses in Sympatric Bat Communities: Host Switching versus Coevolution.

Polyomaviruses (PyVs) are small DNA viruses carried by diverse vertebrates. The evolutionary relationships of viruses and hosts remain largely unclear due to very limited surveillance in sympatric communities. In order to investigate whether PyVs can transmit among different mammalian species and to identify host-switching events in the field, we conducted a systematic study of a large collection of bats (n = 1,083) from 29 sympatric communities across China which contained multiple species with frequent contact. PyVs were detected in 21 bat communities, with 192 PyVs identified in 186 bats from 15 species within 6 families representing at least 28 newly described PyVs. Surveillance results and phylogenetic analyses surprisingly revealed three interfamily PyV host-switching events in these sympatric bat communities: two distinct PyVs were identified in two bat species in restricted geographical locations, while another PyV clustered phylogenetically with PyVs carried by bats from a different host family. Virus-host relationships of all discovered PyVs were also evaluated, and no additional host-switching events were found. PyVs were identified in different horseshoe bat species in sympatric communities without observation of host-switching events, showed high genomic identities, and clustered with each other. This suggested that even for PyVs with high genomic identities in closely related host species, the potential for host switching is low. In summary, our findings revealed that PyV host switching in sympatric bat communities can occur but is limited and that host switching of bat-borne PyVs is relatively rare on the predominantly evolutionary background of codivergence with their hosts.IMPORTANCE Since the discovery of murine polyomavirus in the 1950s, polyomaviruses (PyVs) have been considered highly host restricted in mammals. Sympatric bat communities commonly contain several different bat species in an ecological niche facilitating viral transmission, and they therefore represent a model to identify host-switching events of PyVs. In this study, we screened PyVs in a large number of bats in sympatric communities from diverse habitats across China. We provide evidence that cross-species bat-borne PyV transmission exists, though is limited, and that host-switching events appear relatively rare during the evolutionary history of these viruses. PyVs with close genomic identities were also identified in different bat species without host-switching events. Based on these findings, we propose an evolutionary scheme for bat-borne PyVs in which limited host-switching events occur on the background of codivergence and lineage duplication, generating the viral genetic diversity in bats.

Seroprevalence, cross antigenicity and circulation sphere of bat-borne hantaviruses revealed by serological and antigenic analyses.

Bats are newly identified reservoirs of hantaviruses (HVs) among which very divergent HVs have been discovered in recent years. However, their significance for public health remains unclear since their seroprevalence as well as antigenic relationship with human-infecting HVs have not been investigated. In the present study archived tissues of 1,419 bats of 22 species from 6 families collected in 5 south and southwest provinces in China were screened by pan-HV RT-PCR following viral metagenomic analysis. As a result nine HVs have been identified in two bat species in two provinces and phylogenetically classified into two species, Laibin virus (LAIV, ICTV approved species, 1 strain) and Xuan son virus (XSV, proposed species, 8 strains). Additionally, 709 serum samples of these bats were also analyzed by ELISA to investigate the seroprevalence and cross-reactivity between different HVs using expressed recombinant nucleocapsid proteins (rNPs) of LAIV, XSV and Seoul virus (SEOV). The cross-reactivity of some bat sera were further confirmed by western blot (WB) using three rNPs followed by fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test (FAVNT) against live SEOV. Results showed that the total HV seropositive rate of bat sera was 18.5% (131/709) with many cross reacting with two or all three rNPs and several able to neutralize SEOV. WB analysis using the three rNPs and their specific hyperimmune sera demonstrated cross-reactivity between XSV/SEOV and LAIV/XSV, but not LAIV/SEOV, indicating that XSV is antigenically closer to human-infecting HVs. In addition a study of the distribution of the viruses identified an area covering the region between Chinese Guangxi and North Vietnam, in which XSV and LAIV circulate within different bat colonies with a high seroprevalence. A circulation sphere of bat-borne HVs has therefore been proposed.

Animal Rabies Surveillance, China, 2004-2018.

Rabies is a severe zoonotic disease in China, but the circulation and distribution of rabies virus (RABV) within animal reservoirs is not well understood. We report the results of 15 years of surveillance of the first Chinese Rabies Surveillance Plan in animal populations, in which animal brain tissues collected during 2004-2018 were tested for RABV and phylogenetic and spatial-temporal evolutionary analyses performed using obtained RABV sequences. The results have provided the most comprehensive dataset to date on the infected animal species, geographic distribution, transmission sources, and genetic diversity of RABVs in China. In particular, the transboundary transmission of emerging RABV subclades between China and neighboring countries was confirmed. The study highlights the importance of continuous animal rabies surveillance in monitoring the transmission dynamics, and provides updated information for improving current control and prevention strategies at the source.

Role of Oral Rabies Vaccines in the Elimination of Dog-Mediated Human Rabies Deaths.

Domestic dogs are responsible for nearly all the ¼59,000 global human rabies deaths that occur annually. Numerous control measures have been successful at eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths in upper-income countries, including dog population management, parenteral dog vaccination programs, access to human rabies vaccines, and education programs for bite prevention and wound treatment. Implementing these techniques in resource-poor settings can be challenging; perhaps the greatest challenge is maintaining adequate herd immunity in free-roaming dog populations. Oral rabies vaccines have been a cornerstone in rabies virus elimination from wildlife populations; however, oral vaccines have never been effectively used to control dog-mediated rabies. Here, we convey the perspectives of the World Organisation for Animal Health Rabies Reference Laboratory Directors, the World Organisation for Animal Health expert committee on dog rabies control, and World Health Organization regarding the role of oral vaccines for dogs. We also issue recommendations for overcoming hesitations to expedited field use of appropriate oral vaccines.

Pentagalloylglucose Inhibits the Replication of Rabies Virus via Mediation of the miR-455/SOCS3/STAT3/IL-6 Pathway.

Our previous study showed that pentagalloylglucose (PGG), a naturally occurring hydrolyzable phenolic tannin, possesses significant anti-rabies virus (RABV) activity. In BHK-21 cells, RABV induced the overactivation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) by suppressing the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3). Inhibition of STAT3 by niclosamide, small interfering RNA, or exogenous expression of SOCS3 all significantly suppressed the replication of RABV. Additionally, RABV-induced upregulation of microRNA 455-5p (miR-455-5p) downregulated SOCS3 by directly binding to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of SOCS3. Importantly, PGG effectively reversed the expression of miR-455-5p and its following SOCS3/STAT3 signaling pathway. Finally, activated STAT3 elicited the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), thereby contributing to RABV-associated encephalomyelitis; however, PGG restored the level of IL-6 in vitro and in vivo in a SOCS3/STAT3-dependent manner. Altogether, these data identify a new miR-455-5p/SOCS3/STAT3 signaling pathway that contributes to viral replication and IL-6 production in RABV-infected cells, with PGG exerting its antiviral effect by inhibiting the production of miR-455-5p and the activation of STAT3.IMPORTANCE Rabies virus causes lethal encephalitis in mammals and poses a serious public health threat in many parts of the world. Numerous strategies have been explored to combat rabies; however, their efficacy has always been unsatisfactory. We previously reported a new drug, PGG, which possesses a potent inhibitory activity on RABV replication. Herein, we describe the underlying mechanisms by which PGG exerts its anti-RABV activity. Our results show that RABV induces overactivation of STAT3 in BHK-21 cells, which facilitates viral replication. Importantly, PGG effectively inhibits the activity of STAT3 by disrupting the expression of miR-455-5p and increases the level of SOCS3 by directly targeting the 3' UTR of SOCS3. Furthermore, the downregulated STAT3 inhibits the production of IL-6, thereby contributing to a reduction in the inflammatory response in vivo Our study indicates that PGG effectively inhibits the replication of RABV by the miR-455-5p/SOCS3/STAT3/IL-6-dependent pathway.

Genetically modified pigs are protected from classical swine fever virus.

Classical swine fever (CSF) caused by classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is one of the most detrimental diseases, and leads to significant economic losses in the swine industry. Despite efforts by many government authorities to stamp out the disease from national pig populations, the disease remains widespread. Here, antiviral small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) were selected and then inserted at the porcine Rosa26 (pRosa26) locus via a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in strategy. Finally, anti-CSFV transgenic (TG) pigs were produced by somatic nuclear transfer (SCNT). Notably, in vitro and in vivo viral challenge assays further demonstrated that these TG pigs could effectively limit the replication of CSFV and reduce CSFV-associated clinical signs and mortality, and disease resistance could be stably transmitted to the F1-generation. Altogether, our work demonstrated that RNA interference (RNAi) technology combining CRISPR/Cas9 technology offered the possibility to produce TG animal with improved resistance to viral infection. The use of these TG pigs can reduce CSF-related economic losses and this antiviral strategy may be useful for future antiviral research.

A neutralizing monoclonal antibody-based competitive ELISA for classical swine fever C-strain post-vaccination monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Virus neutralization test (VNT) is widely used for serological survey of classical swine fever (CSF) and efficacy evaluation of CSF vaccines. However, VNT is a time consuming procedure that requires cell culture and live virus manipulation. C-strain CSF vaccine is the most frequently used vaccine for CSF control and prevention. In this study, we presented a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) based competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) with the emphasis on the replacement of VNT for C-strain post-vaccination monitoring. RESULTS: One monoclonal antibody (6B211) which has potent neutralizing activity against C-strain was generated. A novel cELISA was established and optimized based on the strategy that 6B211 can compete with C-strain induced neutralizing antibodies in pig serum to bind capture antigen C-strain E2. By testing C-strain VNT negative pig sera (n = 445) and C-strain VNT positive pig sera (n = 70), the 6B211 based cELISA showed 100% sensitivity (95% confidence interval: 94.87 to 100%) and 100% specificity (95% confidence interval: 100 to 100%). The C-strain antibody can be tested in pigs as early as 7 days post vaccination with the cELISA. By testing pig sera (n = 139) in parallel, the cELISA showed excellent agreement (Kappa = 0.957) with VNT. The inhibition rate of serum samples in the cELISA is highly correlated with their titers in VNT (r2 = 0.903, p < 0.001). In addition, intra- and inter-assays of the cELISA exhibited acceptable repeatability with low coefficient of variations (CVs). CONCLUSIONS: This novel cELISA demonstrated excellent agreement and high level correlation with VNT. It is a reliable tool for sero-monitoring of C-strain vaccination campaign because it is a rapid, simple, safe and cost effective assay that can be used to monitor vaccination-induced immune response at the population level.

Group A Rotaviruses in Chinese Bats: Genetic Composition, Serology, and Evidence for Bat-to-Human Transmission and Reassortment.

Bats are natural reservoirs for many pathogenic viruses, and increasing evidence supports the notion that bats can also harbor group A rotaviruses (RVAs), important causative agents of diarrhea in children and young animals. Currently, 8 RVA strains possessing completely novel genotype constellations or genotypes possibly originating from other mammals have been identified from African and Chinese bats. However, all the data were mainly based on detection of RVA RNA, present only during acute infections, which does not permit assessment of the true exposure of a bat population to RVA. To systematically investigate the genetic diversity of RVAs, 547 bat anal swabs or gut samples along with 448 bat sera were collected from five South Chinese provinces. Specific reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) screening found four RVA strains. Strain GLRL1 possessed a completely novel genotype constellation, whereas the other three possessed a constellation consistent with the MSLH14-like genotype, a newly characterized group of viruses widely prevalent in Chinese insectivorous bats. Among the latter, strain LZHP2 provided strong evidence of cross-species transmission of RVAs from bats to humans, whereas strains YSSK5 and BSTM70 were likely reassortants between typical MSLH14-like RVAs and human RVAs. RVA-specific antibodies were detected in 10.7% (48/448) of bat sera by an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIFA). Bats in Guangxi and Yunnan had a higher RVA-specific antibody prevalence than those from Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. These observations provide evidence for cross-species transmission of MSLH14-like bat RVAs to humans, highlighting the impact of bats as reservoirs of RVAs on public health.IMPORTANCE Bat viruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Ebola, Hendra, and Nipah viruses, are important pathogens causing outbreaks of severe emerging infectious diseases. However, little is known about bat viruses capable of causing gastroenteritis in humans, even though 8 group A viruses (RVAs) have been identified from bats so far. In this study, another 4 RVA strains were identified, with one providing strong evidence for zoonotic transmission from bats to humans. Serological investigation has also indicated that RVA infection in bats is far more prevalent than expected based on the detection of viral RNA.

Low-dose Norfloxacin-treated leptospires induce less IL-1ß release in J774A.1 cells following discrepant leptospiral gene expression.

Currently, accumulating evidence is challenging subtherapeutic therapy. Low-dose Norfloxacin (Nor) has been reported to suppress the immune response and worsen leptospirosis. In this study, we investigated the influence of low-dose Nor (0.03 µg/ml, 0.06 µg/ml, 0.125 µg/ml) on leptospiral gene expression and analyzed the immunomodulatory effects of low-dose Nor-treated leptospires in J774A.1 cells. To study the expression profiles of low-dose Nor-treated leptospires, we chose LipL71/LipL21 as reference genes determined by the geNorm applet in this experiment. The results showed that low-dose Nor up-regulated the expression of FlaB and inhibited the expression of 16S rRNA, LipL32, LipL41, Loa22, KdpA, and KdpB compared with the untreated leptospires. These results indicated that low-dose Nor could regulate leptospiral gene expression. Using RT-PCR, the gene expression of IL-1ß and TNF-α in J774A.1 cells was detected. Nor-treated leptospires induced higher expression levels of both IL-1ß and TNF-α. However, when analyzed by ELISA, the release of mature IL-1ß was reduced compared with that observed in cells induced with no Nor-treated leptospires, although the TNF-α protein level showed no significant change. Our study indicated that the gene expression of leptospires could be modulated by low-dose Nor, which induced less IL-1ß release in J774A.1 cells.

Genetic Diversity of Echinococcus granulosus Genotype G1 in Xinjiang, Northwest of China.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by E. granulosus is a serious helminthic zoonosis in humans, livestock and wildlife. Xinjiang is one of high endemic province for CE in China. A total of 55 sheep and cattle livers containing echinococcal cysts were collected from slaughterhouses in Changji and Yining City, northern region of Xinjiang. PCR was employed for cloning 2 gene fragments, 12S rRNA and CO1 for analysis of phylogenetic diversity of E. granulosus. The results showed that all the samples collected were identified as G1 genotype of E. granulosus. Interestingly, YL5 and CJ75 strains were the older branches compared to those strains from France, Argentina, Australia. CO1 gene fragment showed 20 new genotype haploids and 5 new genotype haplogroups (H1-H5) by the analysis of Network 5.0 software, and the YLY17 strain was identified as the most ancestral haplotype. The major haplotypes, such as CJ75 and YL5 strains, showed identical to the isolates from Middle East. The international and domestic trade of livestock might contribute to the dispersal of different haplotypes for E. granulosus evolution.