Recombinant foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) non-structural protein 3A fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as a candidate probe to identify FMDV-infected cattle in serosurveys.

Recombinant protein 3A-EGFP, a fusion construct between foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) non-structural protein 3A and the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was expressed in BL21-DE3 cells. The identity of the partially purified protein 3A-EGFP was confirmed by its reactivity with sera from cattle infected with FMDV and with a monoclonal antibody specific for FMDV-3ABC (MAb3H7) in Western blot assays. No reactivity was observed with sera from uninfected vaccinated animals. The performance of 3A-EGFP as an antigen in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was assessed and compared with that of a previously developed and validated capture ELISA that uses a 3ABC recombinant antigen (3ABC ELISA) and has been widely applied for serological surveys in Argentina. Parallel analysis of strongly and weakly positive reference sera from infected animals and 329 serum samples from uninfected vaccinated cattle showed that the 3A-EGFP antigen unequivocally identifies sera from FMDV-infected cattle with similar performance to its 3ABC counterpart. The 3A-EGFP ELISA is simpler and faster to perform than the 3ABC ELISA, since it does not require a capture step with a specific antibody. Moreover, the expression and storage of the recombinant 3A-EGFP is simplified by the absence of residual autoproteolytic activity associated to the 3C sequence. We conclude that the 3A-EGFP ELISA constitutes a promising screening method in serosurveys to determine whether or not animals are infected with FMDV.

Thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives: a new class of antiviral drugs against Mayaro virus.

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an arthropod-borne virus and a member of the family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus. Its infection leads to an acute illness accompanied by long-lasting arthralgia. To date, there are no antiviral drugs or vaccines against infection with MAYV and resources for the prevention or treatment of other alphaviruses are very limited. MAYV has served as a model to study the antiviral potential of several substances on alphavirus replication. In this work we evaluated the antiviral effect of seven new derivatives of thieno[2,3-b]pyridine against MAYV replication in a mammalian cell line. All derivatives were able to reduce viral production effectively at concentrations that were non-toxic for Vero cells. Molecular modeling assays predicted low toxicity risk and good oral bioavailability of the substances in humans. One of the molecules, selected for further study, demonstrated a strong anti-MAYV effect at early stages of replication, as it protected pre-treated cells and also during the late stages, affecting virus morphogenesis. This study is the first to demonstrate the antiviral effect of thienopyridine derivatives on MAYV replication in vitro, suggesting the potential application of these substances as antiviral molecules against alphaviruses. Additional in vivo research will be needed to expand the putative therapeutic applications.

Broad immunogenic spectrum of monovalent and trivalent foot-and-mouth disease virus vaccines containing O1 campos, A24 cruzeiro and A Argentina 2001 strains against circulating viral lineages in cattle and pigs.

FMD remains endemic in many Asian and African countries where multiple variants of serotypes O and A, among others, currently circulate. Due to lack of cross-protection between serotypes and incomplete protection between some strains even within a serotype, an important challenge for the application of effective vaccination programs is to select highly immunogenic and widely cross-reactive vaccine strains. Adaptation of a candidate field virus for use as a vaccine can be quite complex, so that whenever possible, the use of well-established vaccine viruses could have enormous advantages. FMD vaccine strains harmonized for use in South America have shown excellent results in FMD control, not only in the region, where it is still used systematically as a preventive measure, but also more recently in some Asian countries. To gain further insight into the immunogenic spectrum of these strains, VN tests (VNT) were performed with sera from cattle and/or pigs vaccinated with monovalent (type O) or trivalent (types O and A) formulations against 122 type O and 32 type A field viruses isolated from 35 countries in Asia and Africa, belonging to different lineages. Almost all VNT titers obtained were within the expected protective level, indicating the wide immunogenic spectrum of high potency FMD vaccines formulated with O1 Campos, A24 Cruzeiro and A Argentina 2001 South American vaccine strains belonging to EURO-SA topotypes against currently active viruses from other topotypes. These in vitro results are in line with previously reported in vivo challenge tests in pigs against three A/ASIA/Sea-97 isolates and two isolates belonging to type O lineages O/SEA/Mya-98 and O/ME-SA/Ind-2001e.

Challenges in foot-and-mouth disease virus strain selection as an input to attain broad vaccine intraserotype cross-protection.

Introduction: Vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease virus is regarded as the most effective way to prevent disease. Selection of appropriate vaccine strains is challenging due to lack of cross-protection between serotypes and incomplete protection between some strains within a serotype. Vaccine effectiveness can be affected by vaccine formulation, vaccination approaches, and also by emerging field variants. Therefore, a precise evaluation of the protective capacity of the selected vaccine virus is essential.Areas covered: This article discusses the limitations of currently in use in vitro methods to assess the protective capacity of vaccine strains. It includes the assessment of well-established South American vaccine strains, O1/Campos and A24/Cruzeiro, against outbreaks/emergencies in the continent, as well as against recent isolates from East and Southeast Asia.Expert opinion: In vitro methods, and particularly r1 values, used to evaluate the protective capacity of vaccine strains are not conclusive and do not cover the variety of field scenarios. At present, an option when facing emergencies could be to use well-established vaccine strains with broad antigenic/immunogenic coverage, including conditions that lead to increased coverage such as vaccine formulations and vaccination schemes.

Genetic variation of foot-and-mouth disease virus isolates recovered from persistently infected water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Genetic variation of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) isolates, serotype O, recovered serially over a 1-year period from persistently infected buffalos was assessed. The persistent state was established experimentally with plaque-purified FMDV, strain O(1)Campos, in five buffalos (Bubalus bubalis). Viral isolates collected from esophageal-pharyngeal (EP) fluids for up to 71 weeks after infection were analyzed at different times by nucleotide sequencing and T(1) RNase oligonucleotide fingerprinting to assess variability in the VP1-coding region and in the complete genome, respectively. Genetic variation increased, although irregularly, with time after infection. The highest values observed for the VP1-coding region and for the whole genome were 2.5% and 1.8%, respectively. High rates of fixation of mutations were observed using both methodologies, reaching values of 0.65 substitutions per nucleotide per year (s/nt/y) and 0.44s/nt/y for nucleotide sequencing and oligonucleotide fingerprinting, respectively, when selected samples recovered at close time periods were analyzed. The data herein indicate that complex mixtures of genotypes may arise during FMDV type O persistent infection in water buffalos, which can act as viral reservoirs and also represent a potential source of viral variants. These results fit within the quasi-species dynamics described for FMDV, in which viral populations are constituted by related, non-identical genomes that evolve independently from each other, and may predominate at a given time.

Evaluation of three 3ABC ELISAs for foot-and-mouth disease non-structural antibodies using latent class analysis.

BACKGROUND: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of even-toed ungulates. Serological diagnosis/surveillance of FMD presents several problems as there are seven serotypes worldwide and in the event of vaccination it may be necessary to be able to identify FMD infected/exposed animals irrespective of their vaccination status. The recent development of non-structural 3ABC protein (NSP) ELISA tests has greatly advanced sero-diagnosis/surveillance as these tests detect exposure to live virus for any of the seven serotypes of FMD, even in vaccinated populations. This paper analyses the performance of three NSP tests using a Bayesian formulation of the Hui-Walter latent class model to estimate test sensitivity and specificity in the absence of a "gold-standard" test, using sera from a well described cattle population in Cameroon with endemic FMD. RESULTS: The analysis found a high sensitivity and specificity for both the Danish C-ELISA and the World Organisation for Animal Health (O.I.E.) recommended South American I-ELISA. However, the commercial CHEKIT kit, though having high specificity, has very low sensitivity. The results of the study suggests that for NSP ELISAs, latent class models are a useful alternative to the traditional approach of evaluating diagnostic tests against a known "gold-standard" test as imperfections in the "gold-standard" may give biased test characteristics. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that when applied to naturally infected zebu cattle managed under extensive rangeland conditions, the FMD ELISAs may not give the same parameter estimates as those generated from experimental studies. The Bayesian approach allows for full posterior probabilities and capture of the uncertainty in the estimates. The implications of an imperfect specificity are important for the design and interpretation of sero-surveillance data and may result in excessive numbers of false positives in low prevalence situations unless a follow-up confirmatory test such as the enzyme linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) is used.

Emergence of antigenic variants of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus serotype O in Ecuador and preliminary evaluation of a field strain as a vaccine candidate.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus serotype O has been circulating regularly throughout most provinces of Ecuador, one of the two South American countries that still remain endemic, although satisfactory vaccination coverage was reported. This study concentrates in the characterization of isolates collected during 2008-2011, focusing particularly on the antigenic and immunogenic relationships of the field viruses with the O1/Campos vaccine strain in use in the region and with an experimental vaccine formulated with a representative strain of the 2010 epidemic. The results established that antigenically divergent variants poorly protected by the vaccine in use emerged and co-circulated in a limited period of time. A monovalent vaccine formulated with the representative 2010 strain elicited high antibody titers and protected against challenge with homologous virus. In addition, cross-reactive antibodies to predominant viruses in the region were established. In overall this study indicates the ability of the virus to diversify under field conditions in which a vaccine strain with poor match is applied, and the potential of the selected 2010 field virus as a vaccine candidate for incorporation into strategic antigen banks and/or for addition to current formulations for systematic vaccination, in order to prevent the emergence of even more divergent isolates in the future.

Characterization of a type O foot-and-mouth disease virus re-emerging in the year 2011 in free areas of the Southern Cone of South America and cross-protection studies with the vaccine strain in use in the region.

Molecular, antigenic and vaccine matching studies, including protective response in vivo, were conducted with a foot-and-mouth disease type O virus isolated during the outbreak in September 2011 in San Pedro, Paraguay, country internationally recognized as free with vaccination in 1997. The phylogenetic tree derived from complete VP(1) sequences as well as monoclonal antibody profiling indicated that this isolate was related to viruses responsible for previous emergencies in free areas of the Southern Cone of South America occurring sporadically between the years 2000 and 2006. Marked differences with the vaccine strain O(1)/Campos, including the loss of reactivity with neutralizing MAbs, were recognized. Levels of protective antibodies induced by the vaccine containing the O(1)/Campos strain against the San Pedro virus and the virus responsible for the previous emergency in 2006 in the Southern Cone assessed by in vitro vaccine matching studies pointed to an insufficient protective response 30 days after vaccination (DPV), which was properly attained at 79 DPV or after revaccination. In agreement with the in vitro assessment, the in vivo challenge in the Protection against Podal Generalization test in cattle indicated appropriate protection for the San Pedro strain at 79 DPV or after revaccination. The complementary conclusions that can be derived from vaccine matching tests designed differently to fit the various objectives intended: prophylaxis, emergency vaccination or incorporation of new field strains into antigen banks, is evaluated. This is the first report of the antigenic and immunogenic characterization of the variants responsible for emergencies in the Southern Cone of South America and the putative impact of the changes on the cross protection conferred by the vaccine strain.

Characterization of foot-and-mouth disease virus from outbreaks in Ecuador during 2009-2010 and cross-protection studies with the vaccine strain in use in the region.

During the years 2009 and 2010 relevant epidemic waves of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) serotype O occurred in Ecuador, representing a great drawback for the last stages of the ongoing eradication program in South America. This study describes the molecular and antigenic characterizations of 29 isolates collected from various regions in the country and their relationship to the vaccine strain. The phylogenetic tree derived from sequences spanning the complete VP(1) protein showed that, despite the widespread origin of the viruses, they were all related among themselves and to previous isolates occurring in 2008, with around 10% difference with the vaccine strain O1/Campos. The high level of sequence conservation among different isolates in the various regions of Ecuador pointed to a common origin, suggesting animal movements as possible sources of viral spread. Monoclonal antibody profiling grouped the isolates in two major reactivity patterns which differed from that of the vaccine strain. Both profiles showed loss of reactivity with the same four MAbs, three of them with neutralizing properties. Additional sites were lost in the profile representing most of the 2010s viral samples. Levels of protective antibodies induced by the vaccine against the field strains assessed by in vitro vaccine matching studies also pointed to an increased temporal pattern of loss of a protective response. Moreover, results obtained with in vivo challenge in the protection against podal generalization test in cattle, clearly indicated lack of appropriate protection of the Ecuadorian field strains by the vaccine virus in use, which in the case of a 2010 variant was observed even after revaccination.

Evolving perception on the benefits of vaccination as a foot and mouth disease control policy: contributions of South America.

Within the past decade, changes in perceptions on the benefits of vaccination as an appropriate tool to achieve complete foot and mouth disease eradication have become evident. The former negative view was derived from misconceptions, resulting mainly from the belief that vaccines are not entirely effective and that vaccination masks asymptomatic viral circulation. The advent in the 1990s of vaccination policies implemented within a strategic eradication plan in South America, and during recurrence of the disease in disease-free regions contributed towards generating more reliable and visible outcomes of vaccination programs, paving the way towards a new perception. Particularly relevant was the development and application of novel serodiagnostic approaches to assess silent viral circulation, irrespective of vaccination. The use in South America of vaccination allied to serosurveys to accompany viral clarification during eradication campaigns and after emergencies clearly established the importance of this control tool to stop the spread of viral infection. This alliance gave input to break many myths associated with the use of vaccines, including the belief that immunized carrier animals pose an epidemiologic risk. This experience launched new concepts that supported the internationally recognized status of foot and mouth disease-free regions with vaccination and the 'vaccination to live' policy as an alternative to 'stamping out'.

Rapid diagnosis of vesicular stomatitis virus in Ecuador by the use of polymerase chain reaction

Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) is a viral disease that has a great impact in animal health, as infected animals present marked decrease in meat and milk production. Its presence is a limiting factor for international animal trade. Besides the damage in the livestock productivity, such disease assumes an important role in animal health programs since it is clinically indistinguishable from Foot-and-Mouth Disease. The diagnosis of the VS has been made, mainly, through Complement Fixation, ELISA and Virus Neutralization tests, assays that allow not only for viral detection but also for differentiation of the two serotypes described for Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV): New Jersey (NJ) and Indiana (Ind). In this work, a molecular diagnostic approach, the polymerase chain reaction performed after reverse transcription (RT - PCR), based on the specific partial amplification of NS gene of VSV was used, as an alternative method for the detection of the virus. A total of 10 VSV reference samples and 12 specimens collected from animals with clinical signs of vesicular disease obtained from field episodes in Ecuador were tested. The method allowed for the specific partial amplification of the region coding for protein P, both for VSV serotypes New Jersey (642 bp) and Indiana 1 (614 bp). The results were compatible with data obtained by Complement Fixation test and the identity of the amplified products was confirmed by nucleotide sequencing.

A Estomatite Vesicular (EV) é uma enfermidade viral de grande impacto na saúde animal. O animal enfermo apresenta queda na produtividade em rebanho de carne e na produção leiteira, sendo um fator limitante para o comércio internacional de animais. Além dos danos à produtividade essa enfermidade assume importante papel nos programas de saúde animal por ser indistinguível clinicamente da Febre Aftosa. As técnicas para o diagnóstico da EV são, principalmente, a Fixação de Complemento, a ELISA e a Virusneutralização, testes que permitem a detecção viral e a diferenciação dos dois sorotipos descritos para o vírus da Estomatite Vesicular (VEV): New Jersey (NJ) e Indiana (Ind). Neste trabalho a metodologia molecular da reação em cadeia da polimerase após transcrição reversa (RT - PCR) baseada na amplificação parcial específica do gene NS do VEV foi utilizada como um método alternativo para a detecção do vírus. Um total de 10 amostras de referência do VEV e 12 espécimes coletados de animais com sinais clínicos de enfermidade vesicular obtidas de episódios de campo em Equador foi testado. O método permitiu a amplificação parcial da região que codifica para proteína P, tanto para NJ (642 pb) quanto para Ind (614 pb). Os resultados foram concordantes com os dados obtidos por Fixação de Complemento e a identidade dos produtos amplificados foi confirmada por meio de seqüenciamento nucleotídico.

Perspectivas para nuevas vacunas en América Latina y en el Caribe / Prospects for new vaccines in Latin American and Caribbean Countries

Los avances actuales en técnicas de ADN recombinante, secuenciación, química de péptidos y anticuerpos monoclonales, junto con los avances en inmunología proveen herramientas importantes para el desarrollo de nuevas vacunas como así también de nuevos procedimientos de diagnóstico. En este trabajose resumen los potenciales de los nuevos desarrollos de métodos biotecnológicospara mejorar las vacunas y el diagnóstico

Desarrollo de un metodo mas simple y rapido para el analisis bidimensional de ologonucleotidos del virus de la fiebre aftosa: minifingerprinting de ARN / Developement of a more rapid and simple procedure for two-dimensional oligonucleotide analysis of foot-and-mouth disease virus: RNA minifingerprinting

Una característica significativa del virus de la fiebre aftosa (VFA) es su alto grado de variabilidad, lo cual constiruye un importante obstáculo para el control de la enfermedad. Actualmente se sispone de varias técnicas bioquímicas como fingerprinting de ARN, ADN recombinante y secuencimiento rápido para estudiar, con significativa precisión, las características genéticas de las cepas virales. La tecnica de fingerprinting resulta muy adecuada para evaluar las relaciones evolutivas entre cepas virales muy relacionadas y en el caso del VFA tambien se ha probado su utilidad para fines de diagnostico. Con la creciente aplicacion de estudios epidemiologicos a nivel molecular que requieren el analisis de un gran numero de muestras, se hace evidente que el empleo de tecnicas mas practicas y rapidas y de menor costo, seria de gran utilidad para la caracterizacion del ARN genomico

Caracterizacion bioquimica y serologica de diferentes cepas de campo de virus de la fiebre aftosa aisladas en America del Sur / Biochemical and serological characterization of different field aphtovirus strains isolated in South America

En esta comunicacion, se extendieron los estudios al analisis de varias cepas relevantes del virus de la fiebre aftosa, subtipos O, A y C, aisladas en diferentes epocas en el campo y en distintas regiones de America del Sur. Es claro que el analisis bioquimico, combinado con la identificacion serologica de las cepas, es un buen metodo para la caracterizacion de virus con tecnicas que pueden ser rapidamente aplicadas para el estudio de aislamientos de campo. Ademas de casos aislados de caracterizacion, actualmente estamos haciendo seguimientos epidemiologicos mas definidos, incluyendo varios aislamientos relacionados cronologicamente al mismo brote de campo