Comparative structural and immunological analysis of outer membrane proteins and dermonecrotic toxin in Bordetella bronchiseptica canine isolate.

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a pathogen causing respiratory infections in mammals. With the improving understanding of companion animals' welfare, addressing the side effects of bordetella vaccine gains importance in dogs. Studies on diverse subunit vaccines are actively pursued in humans to safely and effectively control bordetellosis. Therefore, our objective was to develop a canine bordetella vaccine inspired by human vaccine development. We evaluated the immunogenicity of the two bacterial components: the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and the dermonecrotic toxin (DNT) from a canine isolate of B. bronchiseptica. In-silico analysis identified eight domains of DNT, and Domain 3 was selected as the most promising antigen candidate. Additionally, the OMPs were extracted and examined using SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. The distinct immunological characteristic of OMPs and DNT-3 were examined individually and in combination. Gene expression and cytokine production were also evaluated in DH82 cells after stimulation with those antigens. Treatment with OMPs resulted in higher level of Th1 related cytokines, while DNT-3 induced a predominant response associated with Th17 and Th2 in the cytokine production. Synergistic effects were observed exclusively on IL-23, indicating increase of a potential risk of side effects when OMPs and DNT act together. These findings provide valuable insights into the reactogenicity of conventional Bordetella vaccines. Further, the presented preclinical data in this study offer an alternative method of the development for an optimal next-generation Bordetella vaccine for companion animals and humans, replacing the acellular vaccines containing both toxin and protein components.

Molecular characterization of a Korean porcine epidemic diarrhea virus strain NB1.

In Korea, for the past 30 years (1987-present), porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) has been established as an endemic situation in which multiple genogroups of classical G1 and G2b, and the recently introduced pandemic G2a, coexisted. Because of the dynamic nature of the virus, continuous field monitoring for PEDV strains is required. This study is the first to reveal prevalence of PEDV in 9 sampling provinces, with an overall detection rate of 6.70%. Porcine endemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) was present in pigs of all ages, especially in the non-PED vaccinated groups. The highest detection rate was in the finisher group (2.34%), followed by that in the newborn group (1.56%). Secondly, using Sanger sequencing, this study recovered a complete genome (28 005 nucleotides long) of NB1 strain from a farm severely affected by PED. Analyses of nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences showed that NB1 differed from 18 other Korean PEDV mostly in 4 protein coding genes: ORF1a, ORF1b, S, and N. Two amino acid substitutions (V635E and Y681Q) in the COE and S1D neutralizing epitopes of NB1 resulted in antigenic index alteration of the adjacent sites, one of which contributed to a mutation that escaped neutralizing antibodies.

En Corée, pour les 30 dernières années (1987 à ce jour), la diarrhée épidémique porcine (DEP) s'est établie comme une situation endémique dans laquelle de multiples génogroupes des classiques G1 et G2b, ainsi que le G2a pandémique récemment introduit, ont coexisté. Étant donné la nature dynamique du virus, un suivi continu sur le terrain des souches de DEP est requis. La présente étude est la première à révéler la prévalence de DEP dans neuf provinces échantillonnées, avec un taux de détection global de 6,70 %. Le virus de la DEP (VDEP) était présent chez les porcs de tout âge, spécialement dans les groupes d'animaux non-vaccinés contre la DEP. Les animaux dans le groupe en finition avaient taux de détection le plus élevé (2,34 %), suivi par ceux du groupe des nouveau-nés (1,56 %). Deuxièmement, en utilisant le séquençage de Sanger, nous avons récupéré un génome complet (28 005 nucléotides de long) de la souche NB1 sur une ferme sévèrement affectée par la DEP. L'analyse des nucléotides et des séquences d'acides aminés déduites a montré que NB1 différaient de 18 autres VDEP coréens principalement dans quatre gènes codant pour protéines: ORF1a, ORF1b, S, et N. Deux substitutions d'acides aminés (V635E et Y681Q) dans les épitopes neutralisants COE et S1D de NB1 ont résulté en une altération de l'index antigénique des sites adjacents, dont l'un contribuait à une mutation qui échappait aux anticorps neutralisants.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Duplex nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for simultaneous detection of type 2 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and porcine circovirus type 2 from tissue samples.

There are high levels of co-incidence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in porcine tissue. This study established a duplex nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method that targets the genomic RNA of type 2 PRRSV and the mRNA of PCV2 in infected tissues. The method amplified discriminative bands of 347 bp and 265 bp specific for type 2 PRRSV and PCV2, respectively. The limits of detection of the duplex nested RT-PCR were 101.5 TCID50/mL for type 2 PRRSV and 102 infected cells/mL for PCV2. The kappa statistic, which measures agreement between methods, was 0.867, indicating a good level of agreement. This RNA-based duplex RT-PCR approach can be another way to detect type 2 PRRSV and PCV2 simultaneously and with improved convenience.

Genetic Characteristics and Immunogenicity of Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus Isolate from Pig in Korea.

A pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus strain was isolated from a pig farm in Korea in December 2009. The strain was propagated in and isolated from both the Madin-Darby canine kidney cell line and embryonated eggs. The partial and complete sequences of the strain were identical to those of A/California/04/2009, with >99% sequence similarity in the HA, NA, M, NS, NP, PA, PB1, and PB2 genes. The isolated strain was inactivated and used to prepare a swine influenza vaccine. This trial vaccine, containing the new isolate that has high sequence similarity with the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus, resulted in seroconversion in Guinea pigs and piglets. This strain could therefore be a potential vaccine candidate for swine influenza control in commercial farms.

New emergence pattern with variant porcine epidemic diarrhea viruses, South Korea, 2012-2015.

Since outbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in the United States in 2013, explosive outbreaks of PED in South Korea have infected all age groups of pigs in 2014-2015year. This study analyzed a large collection of the Spike protein coding gene to infer the spatial-temporal diffusion history of PEDV. The studying results suggested that PEDVs in Korea belonged to different genogroups. While classical G1 was continuingly circulating between provinces of Korea, the pandemic G2a were recently introduced from China and USA. By the application of Bayesian phylogeographical analysis, this study demonstrated the spatial-temporal transmission of PEDVs within Korea. Of the recent emerged G2a viruses, J3142 strains showed potential recombination breakpoint (376-2,143nt) of S1 gene between KNU1303_Korea strain_G2a (KJ451046) and 45RWVCF0712_Thailand strain_G2b (KF724935). The pandemic G2a virus was partial neutralized by the antibodies invoked by the G1- based PED vaccine virus.

Gouleako and Herbert viruses in pigs, Republic of Korea, 2013.

Several viruses in the family Bunyaviridae are pathogenic to animals and cause vector-borne zoonoses. In 2013, investigation of cause of death of 9 pigs on 1 farm in the Republic of Korea found infection with Gouleako and Herbert viruses. Subsequent investigation revealed high prevalence of these viruses among pigs throughout the country.

ORF5-based evolutionary and epidemiological dynamics of the type 1 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus circulating in Korea.

This study applied a number of advanced genetic analysis tools to investigate the evolutionary trajectories and epidemiological dynamics of Korean type 1 PRRSV based on variations in the ORF5 gene over a long-term period from 2005 to 2013. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis performed on large, worldwide ORF5 sequences (n=1127) strongly suggested no further introduction of genetically novel type 1 PRRSV into Korean pig farms, with the identification of only two clusters (I and II) in circulation to date. Using a codon-based extension of the Bayesian relaxed clock model, this study was able to distinguish between synonymous and non-synonymous substitutions and demonstrated that, while the absolute rates of synonymous substitution (E[S]) were similar between clusters I and II, the absolute rate of non-synonymous substitution (E[N]) was significantly different between the clusters. Cluster I was found to have an elevated E[N]/E[S] ratio relative to cluster II on the internal branches, compared to the external branches. Additionally, many fewer sites were predicted under diversifying selection in cluster II than in cluster I. Utilizing the Bayesian skyride method and the novel Bayesian birth-death skyline plot method, this study provided insights into the epidemiological dynamics of type 1 PRRSV in Korea by revealing that each cluster experienced a unique epidemic growth and by uncovering correlations between the effective population size and effective reproductive number.

Inhibition of porcine endogenous retrovirus in PK15 cell line by efficient multitargeting RNA interference.

To effectively suppress porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV)s, RNAi technique was utilized. RNAi is the up-to-date skill for gene knockdown which simultaneously multitargets both gag and pol genes critical for replication of PERVs. Previously, two of the most effective siRNAs (gag2, pol2) were found to reduce the expression of PERVs. Concurrent treatment of these two siRNAs (gag2+pol2) showed knockdown efficiency of up to 88% compared to negative control. However, despite the high initial knockdown efficiency 48 h after transfection caused by siRNA, it may only be a transient effect of suppressing PERVs. The multitargeting vector was designed, containing both gag and pol genes and making use of POL II miR Expression Vector, which allowed for persistent and multiple targeting. This is the latest shRNA system technique expressing and targeting like miRNA. Through antibiotics resistance characteristics utilizing this vector, miRNA-transfected PK15 cells (gag2-pol2) were selected during 10 days. An 88.1% reduction in the level of mRNA expression was found. In addition, we performed RT-activity analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization assay, and it demonstrated the highest knockdown efficiency in multitargeting (gag2+pol2) miRNA group. Therefore, according to the results above, gene knockdown system (siRNA and shRNA) through multitargeting strategy could effectively inhibit PERVs.

A novel canine influenza H3N2 virus isolated from cats in an animal shelter.

The interspecies transmission of avian-origin H3N2 canine influenza virus (CIV) to dogs was first reported in 2007. The present study characterized a novel CIV H3N2 isolated from cats in an animal shelter. A comparative analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of the A/Canine/Korea/CY009/2010(H3N2) (CY009) and A/Feline/Korea/FY028/2010 (H3N2) (FY028) strains isolated from dogs and cats, respectively, in the animal shelter identified point mutations in 18 amino acid positions within eight viral genes. Interestingly, CY009 and FY028 replicated well in specific pathogen-free embryonated chicken eggs and in mice, respectively. Mice infected with the FY028 strain exhibited significant over expression of IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ (p<0.001) at 3 days postinfection. Thus, an emergency monitoring system should be developed to identify influenza mutations that occur during interspecies transmission in companion animals and for continuous public health surveillance.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Canine-Origin H3N2 Feline Influenza Virus Isolated from Domestic Cats in South Korea.

A canine-origin Korean H3N2 feline influenza virus (FIV), A/feline/Korea/01/2010 (H3N2), was isolated in 2010 from a dead cat with severe respiratory disease. Here, we report the first complete genome sequence of this virus, containing 3' and 5' noncoding regions, which will help elucidate the molecular basis of the pathogenesis, transmission, and evolution of FIV.

Complete genome analysis of porcine enterovirus B isolated in Korea.

The complete genome sequence of porcine enterovirus B (PEV-B) from a Korean isolate was analyzed. The genome size was 7,393 bp. Previously, full genome sequences of PEV-B had been reported from the United Kingdom, Hungary, and China. The Korean PEV-B isolate presented polyprotein gene nucleotide sequence similarities of 77.9, 73.7, 78.9, and 80.3%, respectively, to PEV-B UKG/410/73, LP54, PEV15, and Chinese strains (Ch-ah-f1).

Complete genome sequence of an avian-origin H3N2 canine influenza virus isolated from dogs in South Korea.

An avian-origin Korean H3N2 canine influenza virus (CIV) strain, designated A/canine/Korea/01/2007 (H3N2), was isolated from nasal swabs of pet dogs exhibiting severe respiratory syndrome in 2007. In the present study, we report the first complete genome sequence containing 3' and 5' noncoding regions (NCRs) of H3N2 CIV, which will provide important insights into the molecular basis of pathogenesis, transmission, and evolution of CIV.

Population dynamics and ORF3 gene evolution of porcine circovirus type 2 circulating in Korea.

This study was conducted to investigate the status and population dynamics of porcine circovirus type 2(PCV2) in Korea and to assess the molecular evolutionary pattern of the two biologically important, overlapping open reading frames, the ORF1 and ORF3 genes. A wide range of PCV2 genomic sequences (entire genome, ORF1, ORF2 and ORF3) collected between 2001 and 2010 were analyzed using the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo and maximum-likelihood approaches. These techniques identified the PCV2d genotype and the 2Ek cluster of PCV2a in Korea for the first time. Second, the genotypic shift of PCV2b dominating over PCV2a likely occurred between 2002 and 2004 due to a population expansion of PCV2b. In the context of positive Darwinian selection, the results uncovered independent evolutionary patterns in the ORF3 gene compared to the overlapping ORF1 gene and new sites in the viral ORFs/proteins that might relate to differences in the biological properties of the PCV2 groups.

Identification of a novel single-stranded, circular DNA virus from bovine stool.

We report the identification of a novel single-stranded, circular DNA virus isolated from bovine stool. The virus, named bovine stool-associated circular DNA virus (BoSCV), has a genome comprising 2600 bases of circular ssDNA, with two putative ORFs encoding replicase and capsid proteins, arranged inversely. The stem-loop structure was located between the 3' ends of the two putative ORFs, as in chimpanzee stool-associated circular virus (ChimpSCV) and unlike other circular DNA viruses, including members of the families Circoviridae, Nanoviridae and Geminiviridae. BoSCV was also genetically similar to ChimpSCV, with approximately 30 % identity in the replicase and capsid proteins. A phylogenetic analysis based on the replicase protein showed that BoSCV and ChimpSCV are in the same clade. A field survey using BoSCV-specific PCRs targeting ORF1 detected BoSCV and BoSCV-like sequences in bovine and porcine stool samples. BoSCV appears to belong to a new genus of circular DNA viruses.

A novel reassortant canine H3N1 influenza virus between pandemic H1N1 and canine H3N2 influenza viruses in Korea.

During recent canine influenza surveillance in South Korea, a novel H3N1 canine influenza virus (CIV) that is a putative reassortant between pandemic H1N1 2009 and H3N2 CIVs was isolated. Genetic analysis of eight genes of the influenza virus revealed that the novel H3N1 isolate presented high similarities (99.1-99.9 %) to pandemic influenza H1N1, except for in the haemagglutinin (HA) gene. The HA gene nucleotide sequence of the novel CIV H3N1 was similar (99.6 %) to that of CIV H3N2 isolated in Korea and China. Dogs infected with the novel H3N1 CIV did not show any notable symptoms, in contrast to dogs infected with H3N2 CIV. Despite no visible clinical signs of disease, nasal shedding of virus was detected and the infected dogs presented mild histopathological changes.

The assessment of efficacy of porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome virus inactivated vaccine based on the viral quantity and inactivation methods.

BACKGROUND: There have been many efforts to develop efficient vaccines for the control of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Although inactivated PRRSV vaccines are preferred for their safety, they are weak at inducing humoral immune responses and controlling field PRRSV infection, especially when heterologous viruses are involved. RESULTS: In all groups, the sample to positive (S/P) ratio of IDEXX ELISA and the virus neutralization (VN) titer remained negative until challenge. While viremia did not reduce in the vaccinated groups, the IDEXX-ELISA-specific immunoglobulin G increased more rapidly and to significantly greater levels 7 days after the challenge in all the vaccinated groups compared to the non-vaccinated groups (p < 0.05). VN titer was significantly different in the 106 PFU/mL PRRSV vaccine-inoculated and binary ethylenimine (BEI)-inactivated groups 22 days after challenge (p < 0.05). Consequently, the inactivated vaccines tested in this study provided weak memory responses with sequential challenge without any obvious active immune responses in the vaccinated pigs. CONCLUSIONS: The inactivated vaccine failed to show the humoral immunity, but it showed different immune response after the challenge compared to mock group. Although the 106 PFU/mL-vaccinated and BEI-inactivated groups showed significantly greater VN titers 22 days after challenge, all the groups were already negative for viremia.

Experimental infection of a newly emerging Korean type I porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus isolate in colostrum-deprived pigs.

BACKGROUND: Recently, new emergence of type I PRRSV has been reported in Korea by several research groups. Although specific subgroups of type I PRRSVs in Korea were observed in the previous phylogenetic analysis, there is a lack of information about the virulence of type I PRRSV recently isolated in Korea. METHODS: One type I PRRSV isolate (G2446, 3 times passaged in primarily cultured pulmonary macrophages) in Korea was experimentally infected in colostrum-deprived pigs. The pathological and serological evaluations were performed and compared to type II PRRSV strain (CP07-401-9, 5 times passaged in MARC-145 cell lines)-infected pigs, for 21 days post challenge (dpc). RESULTS: The pneumonia found in gross examination was more severe in type I PRRSV-infected pigs than type II PRRSV-infected pigs. Both groups showed bronchointerstitial pneumonia, mild multifocal perivascular lymphohistiocytic myocarditis and lymphadenopathy at 14 dpc. However, the unique histopathologic lesions were not found in the pigs experimentally infected with a Korean type I PRRSV isolate, when compared to previous data about classical pathology of PRRSV. The PRRS-specific antibodies were detected in the first week after challenge and viremia continued at least until 21 dpc in both groups. CONCLUSION: The gross and histopathologic lesion in this study indicated that Korean type I PRRSV strain (G2446) caused classical PRRSV-specific lesions. Although this study evaluated one representative strain of Korean type I PRRSV, the results may provide information regarding the pathogenicity of type I PRRSV recently emerged in Korea.

Molecular detection and genetic characterization of kobuviruses in fecal samples collected from diarrheic cattle in Korea.

Kobuviruses are small, non-enveloped viruses with single-stranded, positive-sense genomic RNA, belonging to the family Picornaviridae, a highly diverse family of important pathogens of humans and animals. In spite of discovery of bovine kobuvirus was first reported in 2003, which is several years ago, information about the virus is lacking. In this study, we first identified bovine kobuviruses from Korean diarrheic cattle by RT-PCR using the generic kobuvirus primers with subsequent cloning and sequencing, and reported genetic characterization of Korean bovine kobuviruses by phylogenetic analysis. Among 62 diarrheic fecal samples collected from 36 cattle farms in 2008-2010 in Korea, 16 (25.8%) samples and 13 (36.1%) farms were positive for kobuvirus, and this indicated that kobuvirus infections are endemic in diarrheic cattle in Korea. The rates of evolutionary substitution of kobuvirus and age of MRCA of Korean kobuvirus were estimated on the basis of temporal information of the sequences by divergence analysis. Phylogenetic analysis showed that six strains except CPF4293 belonged to bovine kobuviruses and formed the exclusive branch with other bovine kobuvirus reference strains; The CPF4293 strain, however, was especially close to porcine kobuviruses rather than to any other kobuviruses, and showed the close genetic relationship with porcine kobuvirus strains isolated in 2009 in Japan, even though it was originated from bovine fecal sample. These data raise questions as to whether interspecies transmission of porcine kobuvirus to cattle may occur in nature.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) field isolates in Korea.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has caused enteric disease with devastating impact since the first identification of PEDV in 1992 in Korea. In this study, we investigated molecular epidemiology, showed genetic diversity, and analyzed phylogenetic relationships of Korean PEDV field isolates with other PEDV reference strains. Genetic analysis of the complete M and ORF3 genes showed that each PEDV group had several unique characteristics, and this indicated that specific groups of PEDVs may be differentiated from the other PEDVs by specific nucleotide differences. Especially, ORF3 gene analysis can be used for discrimination between vaccine and wild-type PEDVs. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed that recent, prevalent Korean PEDV field isolates have close relationships to Chinese field strains and differ genetically from European strains and vaccine strains used in Korea. These results raise questions as to whether a new type of PEDV vaccine may be necessary for preventing PEDV infection more effectively in Korea.