Pig model mimicking chronic hepatitis E virus infection in immunocompromised patients to assess immune correlates during chronicity.

Chronic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a significant clinical problem in immunocompromised individuals such as organ transplant recipients, although the mechanism remains unknown because of the lack of an animal model. We successfully developed a pig model of chronic HEV infection and examined immune correlates leading to chronicity. The conditions of immunocompromised patients were mimicked by treating pigs with an immunosuppressive regimen including cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisolone. Immunocompromised pigs infected with HEV progressed to chronicity, because 8/10 drug-treated HEV-infected pigs continued fecal virus shedding beyond the acute phase of infection, whereas the majority (7/10) of mock-treated HEV-infected pigs cleared fecal viral shedding at 8 wk postinfection. During chronic infection, serum levels of the liver enzyme γ-glutamyl transferase and fecal virus shedding were significantly higher in immunocompromised HEV-infected pigs. To identify potential immune correlates of chronic infection, we determined serum levels of cytokines and cell-mediated immune responses in pigs. Results showed that HEV infection of immunocompromised pigs reduced the serum levels of Th1 cytokines IL-2 and IL-12, and Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-10, particularly during the acute phase of infection. Furthermore IFN-γ-specific CD4+ T-cell responses were reduced in immunocompromised pigs during the acute phase of infection, but TNF-α-specific CD8+ T-cell responses increased during the chronic phase of infection. Thus, active suppression of cell-mediated immune responses under immunocompromised conditions may facilitate the establishment of chronic HEV infection. This pig model will aid in delineating the mechanisms of chronic HEV infection and in developing effective therapeutics against chronic hepatitis E.

Hematologic Assessment in Pet Rats, Mice, Hamsters, and Gerbils: Blood Sample Collection and Blood Cell Identification.

Hamsters, gerbils, rats, and mice are presented to veterinary clinics and hospitals for prophylactic care and treatment of clinical signs of disease. Physical examination, history, and husbandry practice information can be supplemented greatly by assessment of hematologic parameters. As a resource for veterinarians and their technicians, this article describes the methods for collection of blood, identification of blood cells, and interpretation of the hemogram in mice, rats, gerbils, and hamsters.

A novel pathogenic Mammalian orthoreovirus from diarrheic pigs and Swine blood meal in the United States.

UNLABELLED: Since May 2013, outbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhea have devastated the U.S. swine industry, causing immense economic losses. Two different swine enteric coronaviruses (porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and Delta coronavirus) have been isolated from the affected swine population. The disease has been reported from at least 32 states of the United States and other countries, including Mexico, Peru, Dominican Republic, Canada, Columbia, Ecuador, and Ukraine, with repeated outbreaks in previously infected herds. Here we report the isolation and characterization of a novel mammalian orthoreovirus 3 (MRV3) from diarrheic feces of piglets from these outbreaks in three states and ring-dried swine blood meal from multiple sources. MRV3 could not be isolated from healthy or pigs that had recovered from epidemic diarrhea from four states. Several MRV3 isolates were obtained from chloroform-extracted pig feces or blood meal in cell cultures or developing chicken embryos. Biological characterization of two representative isolates revealed trypsin resistance and thermostability at 90°C. NextGen sequencing of ultrapurified viruses indicated a strong homology of the S1 segment to mammalian and bat MRV3. Neonatal piglets experimentally infected with these viruses or a chloroform extract of swine blood meal developed severe diarrhea and acute gastroenteritis with 100% mortality within 3 days postinfection. Therefore, the novel porcine MRV3 may contribute to enteric disease along with other swine enteric viruses. The role of MRV3 in the current outbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhea in the United States remains to be determined, but the pathogenic nature of the virus warrants further investigations on its epidemiology and prevalence. IMPORTANCE: Porcine orthoreoviruses causing diarrhea have been reported in China and Korea but not in the United States. We have isolated and characterized two pathogenic reassortant MRV3 isolates from swine fecal samples from porcine epidemic diarrhea outbreaks and ring-dried swine blood meal in the United States. These fecal and blood meal isolates or a chloroform extract of blood meal induced severe diarrhea and mortality in experimentally infected neonatal pigs. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses of two MRV3 isolates revealed that they are identical but differed significantly from nonpathogenic mammalian orthoreoviruses circulating in the United States. The present study provides a platform for immediate development of suitable vaccines and diagnostics to prevent and control porcine orthoreovirus diarrhea.

Hematologic assessment in pet rats, mice, hamsters, and gerbils: blood sample collection and blood cell identification.

Hamsters, gerbils, rats, and mice are presented to veterinary clinics and hospitals for prophylactic care and treatment of clinical signs of disease. Physical examination, history, and husbandry practice information can be supplemented greatly by assessment of hematologic parameters. As a resource for veterinarians and their technicians, this article describes the methods for collection of blood, identification of blood cells, and interpretation of the hemogram in mice, rats, gerbils, and hamsters.

A quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and filtration-based fluorescent antibody test as potential tools to screen broodstock for infection with Flavobacterium psychrophilum.

There is strong evidence that Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the etiologic agent of coldwater disease, is transmitted vertically; it has been hypothesized that disease management at hatchery facilities can be improved through broodstock screening and implementation of culling programs. This paper describes the development of two assays used to screen broodstock tissues (kidney and ovarian fluid) for the presence of F. psychrophilum. Four monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were generated against outer membrane preparations of F. psychrophilum strain CSF (Clear Springs Foods) 259-93. Of these, MAb FL43 was selected for assay development; this MAb reacted with 67 isolates of F. psychrophilum but exhibited no reaction with two strains of F. columnare or single strains of F. pectinovorum, F. aquatile, F. branchiophilum, and F. saccharophilum. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed using MAb FL43 as the capture antibody and MAb FL43 conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (enzyme number 1.11.1.7; IUBMB 1992) as the secondary detection antibody. The ELISA had a lower F. psychrophilum detection boundary of approximately 1.6 X 10(3) colony-forming units (CFU)/mL in kidney tissue homogenates spiked with known bacterial concentrations. Asymptomatic broodstock of coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch (n = 50 fish) were sampled, and 100% tested positive for infection by ELISA analysis of kidney tissue; bacterial load was estimated at 2.0 x 10(3) to 9.4 x 10(3) CFU/mL. Ovarian fluid was also collected from these same coho salmon as well as from broodstock of rainbow trout O. mykiss; however, the ELISA proved to be unsuitable for use with ovarian fluid. A filtration-based fluorescent antibody test (FAT) was subsequently developed by conjugating MAb FL43 to Alexa Fluor 488. This FAT was able to detect F. psychrophilum in 74% of ovarian fluid samples collected from coho salmon and 42% of ovarian fluid samples from rainbow trout. Interestingly, yellow-pigmented bacteria were isolated on culture plates from 100% of kidney and ovarian fluid samples. All yellow-pigmented colonies were tested by polymerase chain reaction, and 100% of the coho salmon and rainbow trout were confirmed positive for infection with F. psychrophilum.

Electrophoretic and Western blot analyses of the lipopolysaccharide and glycocalyx of Flavobacterium psychrophilum.

Flavobacterium psychrophilum is the aetiological agent of bacterial coldwater disease (CWD) and rainbow trout fry syndrome (RTFS) and it has emerged as one of the most significant bacterial pathogens in salmonid aquaculture worldwide. Previous studies have suggested that the O-polysaccharide (O-PS) component of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of F. psychrophilum is highly immunogenic and may be involved in eliciting a protective immune response in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum). In the present study, SDS-PAGE and Western blotting techniques were used to analyse the carbohydrate antigens of F. psychrophilum. Our analysis identified two distinct carbohydrate-banding patterns. One banding pattern corresponds with LPS, and we hypothesise that the other carbohydrate-banding pattern is that of the loosely associated glycocalyx of F. psychrophilum. Electron microscopy of F. psychrophilum cells immunogold labelled with a monoclonal antibody specific for this banding pattern supports this hypothesis as the outermost layer of the bacterium was heavily labelled. This is a significant finding because the immunogenic antigens that have been referred to as the O-PS of LPS, and implicated as potential vaccine candidate antigens, appear to be components of the glycocalyx of F. psychrophilum. This research suggests that the glycocalyx of F. psychrophilum may be an important antigen to consider for the development of a vaccine to control CWD and RTFS.

Nitric oxide inhibits Coxiella burnetii replication and parasitophorous vacuole maturation.

Nitric oxide is a recognized cytotoxic effector against facultative and obligate intracellular bacteria. This study examined the effect of nitric oxide produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) up-regulated in response to cytokine stimulation, or by a synthetic nitric oxide donor, on replication of obligately intracellular Coxiella burnetii in murine L-929 cells. Immunoblotting and nitrite assays revealed that C. burnetii infection of L-929 cells augments expression of iNOS up-regulated in response to gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Infection in the absence of cytokine stimulation did not result in demonstrable up-regulation of iNOS expression or in increased nitrite production. Nitrite production by cytokine-treated cells was significantly inhibited by the iNOS inhibitor S-methylisothiourea (SMT). Treatment of infected cells with IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha or the synthetic nitric oxide donor 2,2'-(hydroxynitrosohydrazino)bis-ethanamine (DETA/NONOate) had a bacteriostatic effect on C. burnetii replication. Inhibition of replication was reversed upon addition of SMT to the culture medium of cytokine-treated cells. Microscopic analysis of infected cells revealed that nitric oxide (either cytokine induced or donor derived) inhibited formation of the mature (large) parasitophorous vacuole that is characteristic of C. burnetii infection of host cells. Instead, exposure of infected cells to nitric oxide resulted in the formation of multiple small, acidic vacuoles usually containing one C. burnetii cell. Removal of nitrosative stress resulted in the coalescence of small vacuoles to form a large vacuole harboring multiple C. burnetii cells. These experiments demonstrate that nitric oxide reversibly inhibits replication of C. burnetii and formation of the parasitophorous vacuole.

Surface exposure and protease insensitivity of Borrelia burgdorferi Erp (OspEF-related) lipoproteins.

Borrelia burgdorferi can encode numerous lipoproteins of the Erp family. Although initially described as outer surface proteins, the technique used in that earlier study has since been demonstrated to disrupt bacterial membranes and allow labelling of subsurface proteins. Data are now presented from additional analyses indicating that Erp proteins are indeed surface exposed in the outer membrane. Surface localization of these infection-associated proteins indicates the potential for interactions of Erp proteins with vertebrate tissues. Some Erp proteins were resistant to in situ digestion by certain proteases, suggesting that those proteins fold in manners which hide protease cleavage sites, or that they interact with other protective membrane components. Additionally, cultivation of B. burgdorferi in the presence of antibodies directed against Erp proteins inhibited bacterial growth.