Antiviral properties of polysaccharides from Agaricus brasiliensis in the replication of bovine herpesvirus 1.

Natural products are an inexhaustible source of compounds with promising pharmacological activities, including antiviral action. In the present study, the antiviral potential of polysaccharide-peptide (PLS) and an extracted ß-glucan from Agaricus brasiliensis were investigated in the replication of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) in HEp-2 cell cultures. The cytotoxicity (CC50) was assayed by the MTT method and the antiviral activity (IC50) was estimated by the plaque reduction assay. To study the possible mode of action of PLS and ß-glucan, the following protocols were performed: the virucidal assay, adsorption assay and the time-of-addition assay. The PLS presented a selectivity index (SI) higher than 12.50 and ß-glucan 9.19. The antiviral inhibition (67.9%) in cells treated with PLS during virus infection was higher than that in cells treated prior to or post infection. The ß-glucan presented high inhibition of virus replication by plaque assay (83.2%) and by immunofluorescence assay (63.8%). Although the mechanism has yet to be defined, we suggest that PLS and ß-glucan inhibited BoHV-1 replication by interfering with the early events of viral penetration. Additional studies are required for a better understanding of the mechanism of action of PLS and ß-glucan.

Effects of chlorophyllin on replication of poliovirus and bovine herpesvirus in vitro.

AIMS: Chlorophyllin (CHLN), a synthetic derivative of chlorophyll, was assayed in the replication of poliovirus (PV-1) and bovine herpesvirus (BoHV-1) in HEp-2 cell cultures. METHODS AND RESULTS: Virucidal activity of CHLN was evaluated and the time-of-addition assay was performed as follows: before the infection (-1 and -2 h), at the time of the infection (0 h) and after the infection (1 and 2 h). Plaque reduction assay (PRA) showed that CHLN inhibited BoHV-1 and PV-1 infection and the 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) against BoHV-1 and PV-1 infection were 8.6 and 19.8 microg ml(-1), respectively. The time-of-addition study demonstrated that the CHLN was effective inhibiting viral replication in 51% and 66.5% for PV-1 and BoHV-1, respectively, at the highest concentration of 20.0 microg ml(-1), when added during the infection. The directed effect of CHLN on viral strains demonstrated an inhibition of 62% and 66.4% for PV-1 and BoHV-1, respectively, by PRA. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that CHLN could be used as an antiviral suggesting directed activity on virus particles and on virus-receptor sites to BoHV. For poliovirus, CHLN also demonstrated virucide activity, moreover, showed to inhibit early steps of the replication cycle. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: CHLN demonstrated promising selectivity index for both virus strains; therefore, it can be used for the development of an antiviral agent.

Identification of two lineages (WA-like and F45-like) within the major rotavirus genotype P[8].

The fourth gene of a porcine (S8) and eight human rotavirus isolates possessing the major human VP4 specificity (P1A serotype and/or P[8] genotype) were partially sequenced and compared to other available P[8] sequences from rotaviruses types G1, G3, G5 and G9 specificities which had been originally recovered from children with diarrhea in Japan, Brazil and the USA. Brazilian rotavirus S8 represented the single known porcine rotavirus with this P specificity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two lineages or subgenotypes within P[8] strains: the F45-like P subgenotype comprised most of the strains, including all the human G5 isolates analyzed, whereas the Wa- or S8-like subgenotype consisted of only a human isolate obtained in the same geographic region as S8 and an American strain with atypical RNA profile besides the prototypes Wa and S8 viruses. A conserved basic amino acid residue at position 131 in VP4 seemed characteristic of the F45-like P[8] subgenotype.

Prevalence of HEp-2 cell-adherent Escherichia coli and characterisation of enteroaggregative E. coli and chain-like adherent E. coli isolated from children with and without diarrhoea, in Londrina, Brazil.

A total of 919 Escherichia coli isolates from 125 children with diarrhoea (cases) and 98 controls were assayed for adherence to HEp-2 cells. Localised adherence was found only in isolates from cases. Diffuse, aggregative (AA), chain-like adherence (CLA) and variants of the AA pattern were found in both cases and controls. The AA isolates were tested for gene sequences associated with enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC). Only 25% of the isolates hybridised with the EAEC probe, and the aafA, astA and pet gene sequences were found in 7.9%, 44.7% and 7.9% of the isolates, respectively. The aggA gene was not found, although 7.9% were positive for aggC. The CLA isolates reacted with the EAEC probe (55.6%), and the aggC, astA and pet gene sequences were found in 66.7%, 33.3% and 11.1%, respectively. The aggR (55.6%), aspU (55.6%), shf (33.3%) and she (22.2%) genes were also found in CLA isolates.

Virulence-associated factors of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from pigs.

Thirty one Escherichia coli strains isolated from pigs with urinary tract infections were investigated for presence of virulence factors and plasmid DNA profile. The most frequent virulence factors presented by these strains were mannose-resistant fimbriae, including P. fimbriae (54.8%) and aerobactin production (45.2%). The pap) operon, detected by PCR, was found in 54.8% of the strains, which is similar to its frequency in human strains. Other characteristics such as the presence of mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin (16.1%), indicative of type 1 pili, and production of hemolysin (25.8%), colicin (38.7%) and toxins (22.6% for LT and for VT) were less frequent. No strains were positive for STa production. Plasmid profiles were variable among isolates from either the same or different farms.

The stability of porcine rotavirus in feces.

Rotaviruses are known as major causal agents of diarrhea in humans and animals. They affect young animals in intensive rearing and cause great economic losses. This study evaluated the infectivity of porcine rotavirus maintained for 32 months at approximately 10 degrees C in the original stool specimens. Thirty stool specimens of 1-4-week-old piglets from breeding farms located in the southwest of the State of Parana were selected for this study. They were randomly chosen from stool samples positive for rotavirus RNA by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) at the time of collection. The thirty stool samples maintained for 32 months were re-tested by PAGE and 11 out of 30 were still positive showing physical integrity of the eleven segments of viral RNA. In order to demonstrate the maintenance of viral infectivity processed fecal homogenates were inoculated in MA-104 cell cultures. After an average of three blind passages 5 out of 11 samples demonstrated cytopathic effect similar to that of a simian rotavirus (SA-11) used as positive control. To confirm these findings an immunofluorescence test was performed and typical cytoplasmatic granular fluorescence was observed. Electron microscopy of stool samples showed that most of the virus particles were single-shelled and some were found to be in advanced state of degradation. The viral nucleic acid extracted from six fecal specimens out of those that showed physical integrity of rotavirus RNA by PAGE were also amplified when submitted to RT-PCR demonstrating stability of viral RNA. We therefore concluded that porcine rotavirus infectivity is maintained for a long period of time in stool specimens at low temperature.

Effect of isoprinosine on rotavirus replication in vitro.

Isoprinosine (IPS) is a synthetic drug whose antiviral effect on rotavirus replication in vitro has been characterized in terms of the decrease in metachromasia after acridine orange staining. The present study describes the effect of IPS on the synthesis of viral RNA in vitro. MA-104 cell cultures infected with simian rotavirus strain SA-11 were incubated with zero, 250, 500 and 1,000 micrograms/ml IPS and 22, 24, 48, 52, 72 and 76 h after infection the cultures were submitted to a 1-h starvation period, followed by a 2-h pulse with 10 microCi/ml of [3H]-uridine. The homogenates of virus-infected cultures treated or not with IPS were submitted to phenol/chloroform extraction followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amount of radioactivity in viral RNA eluted from the gel strips was determined. Inhibition of viral RNA synthesis was highest at the IPS concentration of 1,000 micrograms/ml at 72 h after infection, corresponding to 78% inhibition. Although the results obtained in vitro suggest that IPS may be useful for the treatment of rotavirus infection, an in vivo demonstration of its efficacy is needed.

The in vitro antiviral activity of isoprinosine on simian rotavirus (SA-11).

1. The antiviral effect of isoprinosine on simian rotavirus (SA-11) replication was studied using MA-104 cell cultures from Rhesus monkey fetal kidney. 2. Isoprinosine (N,N-dimethylamino-2-propanol-p-acetamidobenzoate in association with inosine) added after viral infection (therapeutic test) inhibited viral replication by more than 90%. In these experiments, the drug was added to the medium and replaced daily at concentrations varying from 62.5 micrograms/ml to 1 mg/ml. Viral inhibition activity was dependent on drug concentration. No antiviral effect was observed when isoprinosine was tested without replacement (200-500 micrograms/ml). 3. When isoprinosine (1 mg/ml) was added to cell cultures only before viral infection (prophylactic test), inhibition of viral replication occurred but was less than 90%. Inhibition by less than 90% is not considered to be significant in this type of test. 4. Isoprinosine inhibited synthesis of both viral antigen (protein) and viral double-stranded nucleic acid, as monitored by immunofluorescence and acridine orange staining, respectively. Inhibition of synthesis of viral macromolecules increased with drug concentration.

Effect of actinomycin D on simian rotavirus (SA11) replication in cell culture.

Rotaviruses are the major cause of viral diarrhea in humans and animals. Actinomycin D (Act D) is an antibiotic that intercalates DNA and therefore inhibits DNA-dependent transcription. The current study was carried out to assess the influence of Act D on the replication of simian rotavirus (SA11) in cell culture. Virus-infected MA-104 cell cultures were studied in the presence of Act D at concentrations of 1.25 and 2.5 microg/ml. Treatment of rotavirus-infected cells with 2.5 microg/ml Act D 48 h post-infection reduced the cytoplasmic metachromasia after staining with acridine orange by 25%. Viral RNA labeled with 3H-uridine in the presence of the drug was separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Viral RNA replication was not affected by Act D, but increased 3H-uridine uptake was demonstrable by infected cells in the presence of the drug. This possibly was due to the inhibition of cellular RNA synthesis by Act D, which thus enhances incorporation of the radionuclide into the viral RNA. Act D reduced the number of infected cells presenting virus-specific fluorescence 48 h post-infection by more than 50%. These data suggest that Act D may have complexed with viral RNA and prevented newly synthesized mRNA from being translated, but may not have prevented early replication.

Antiviral activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts and of an isolated polysaccharide from Agaricus brasiliensis against poliovirus type 1.

AIMS: Agaricus brasiliensis (previously named Agaricus blazei ss. Heinem), also known as the sun mushroom is native of Southeast Brazil, and is widely consumed, mainly in the form of tea, due to its nutritional and pharmacological properties. In this study, we tested aqueous (AqE) and ethanol (EtOHE) extracts and an isolated polysaccharide (PLS) from the fruiting body of A. brasiliensis, for antiviral activity against poliovirus type 1 in HEp-2 cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: The evaluation of the time of addition by plaque assay showed that when AqE, PLS and EtOHE were added, just after the virus inoculation (time 0 h), there was a concentration-dependent reduction in the number of plaques up to 50%, 67% and 88%, respectively, with a selectivity index (SI) of 5.4, 9.9 and 12.3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The test substances showed antiviral activity and were more effective when added during the poliovirus infection. As they had little effect on reducing viral adsorption and did not show any virucidal effect, we suggest that they act at the initial stage of the replication of poliovirus. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results corroborate that basidiomycetes can be a rich source of potential antiviral compounds.

Protective effects of beta-glucan extracted from Agaricus brasiliensis against chemically induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes.

beta-Glucans (BGs) are polysaccharides that are found in the cell walls of organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and some cereals. The objective of the present study was to investigate the genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of BG extracted from the mushroom Agaricus brasiliensis (=Agaricus blazei Murrill ss. Heinemann). The mutagenic activity of BG was tested in single-cell gel electrophoresis assays with human peripheral lymphocytes. In addition, the protective effects against the cooked food mutagen 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) and (+/-)-anti-B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE), which is the main metabolite of B[a]P, and against ROS (H(2)O(2))-induced DNA damage, were studied. The results showed that the compound itself was devoid of mutagenic activity, and that a significant dose-dependent protective effect against damage induced by hydrogen peroxide and Trp-P-2 occurred in the dose range 20-80 microg/ml. To investigate the prevention of Trp-P-2-induced DNA damage, a binding assay was carried out to determine whether BG inactivates the amine via direct binding. Since no such interactions were observed, it is likely that BG interacts with enzymes involved in the metabolism of the amine.

Detection of porcine rotavirus type G9 and of a mixture of types G1 and G5 associated with Wa-like VP4 specificity: evidence for natural human-porcine genetic reassortment.

Rotavirus type G5 is a primarily porcine pathogen that has caused frequent and widespread diarrhea in children in Brazil and in piglets elsewhere. Initial results on the rotavirus types circulating in diarrheic piglets in Brazil disclosed a high diversity of strains with distinct G types including G1, G4, G5, and G9 and the novelty of P[8], the predominant human P specificity type. Those results add strong evidence for the emergence of new strains through natural reassortment between rotaviruses of human and porcine origins.

Chlorophyllin protects HEp-2 cells from nuclear fragmentation induced by poliovirus.

AIMS: Chlorophyllin (CHLN) is a synthetic derivative of chlorophyll that possesses antimutagenic activity against several environmental contaminants. In the present study, CHLN was assayed for its capacity to prevent nuclear fragmentation (NF) in HEp-2 cells infected with poliovirus. METHODS AND RESULTS: CHLN was assayed at concentrations of 0.5 and 2.5 microg ml(-1), and NF was monitored using the comet assay and acridine orange staining. We demonstrated that CHLN reduced the percentage of NF in poliovirus-infected HEp-2 cells, when cells were treated with drug before infection or exposed continuously to drug. However, the highest degree of protection was achieved when the virus was exposed to CHLN before infection followed by protocol where infected cultures were continuously exposed to the drug after infection. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that CHLN primarily binds to the virus which inhibits cell penetration, thereby maintaining nuclear integrity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Considering that CHLN has several beneficial properties and no significant toxic effects in humans and animals, it would be an ideal candidate drug to test for antiviral activity.

Effect of actinomycin D on simian rotavirus (SA11) replication in cell culture

Rotaviruses are the major cause of viral diarrhea in humans and animals. Actinomycin D (Act D) is an antibiotic that intercalates DNA and therefore inhibits DNA-dependent transcription. The current study was carried out to assess the influence of Act D on the replication of simian rotavirus (SA11) in cell culture. Virus-infected MA-104 cell cultures were studied in the presence of Act D at concentrations of 1.25 and 2.5 æg/ml. Treatment of rotavirus-infected cells with 2.5 æg/ml Act D 48 h post-infection reduced the cytoplasmic metachromasia after staining with acridine orange by 25 percent. Viral RNA labeled with ³H-uridine in the presence of the drug was separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Viral RNA replication was not affected by Act D, but increased ³H-uridine uptake was demonstrable by infected cells in the presence of the drug. This possibly was due to the inhibition of cellular RNA synthesis by Act D, which thus enhances incorporation of the radionuclide into the viral RNA. Act D reduced the number of infected cells presenting virus-specific fluorescence 48 h post-infection by more than 50 percent. These data suggest that Act D may have complexed with viral RNA and prevented newly synthesized mRNA from being translated, but may not have prevented early replication

Infecciosidade de rotavírus suíno em fezes / The infectivity of pig rotavirus in stools

Os rotavírus constituem-se nos principais patógenos da diarréia em humanos e animais. Afetam os animais jovens em criaçöes intensivas e causam grandes perdas econômicas. Este estudo avaliou a infecciosidade do rotavírus suíno mantido por 32 meses a aproximadamente 10ºC nas amostras originais de fezes. Trinta amostras de fezes de leitöes de 1-4 semanas de idade, provenientes de granjas da regiäo sudoeste do Paraná, foram selecionadas para o estudo. As amostras foram colhidas no período de março a outubro de 1991 e selecionadas ao acaso dentre as positivas para rotavírus pela eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida (EGPA), à época da colheita. Estas foram retestadas por EGPA 32 meses após manutençäo à temperatura de aproximadamente 10ºC. Onze das 30 amostras ainda foram positivas, mostrando a integridade das 11 bandas de RNA viral. Com o intuito de demonstrar a manutençäo da infecciosidade viral, os homogenatos fecais clarificados, previamente tratados com tripsina, foram inoculados em culturas de células MA-104. Das 11 amostras, 5 demonstraram efeito citopático semelhante ao do rotavírus símio (SA-11), após em média 3 passagens cegas e confirmado pelo teste de imunofluorescência indireta, demonstrado pela fluorescência específica citoplasmática tipicamente granular. A microscopia eletrônica das amostras fecais mostrou que a maioria das partículas virais apresentavam-se sem capsídio externo e outras encontravam-se em adiantado estado de degradaçäo. Concluiu-se, portanto, que a infecciosidade do rotavírus suíno é mantida por longo período em amostras fecais em baixa temperatura. Este certamente é um aspecto importante para a manutençäo do vírus viável em condiçäo natural assim como para a transmissäo da doença

The in vitro comparative cytopathology of a porcine rotavirus and the simian prototype (SA-11)

A citopatologia in vitro de uma cepa de rotavírus porcino adaptado em cultura de células foi comparada à estirpe-protótipo símia (SA-11). O efeito citopático (ECP) produzido pelos vírus foi semelhante embora a estirpe porcina tivesse apresentado algumas alteraçöes diferentes, como o acentuado estreitamento do citoplasma, com grande perda do volume citoplasmático. O vírus porcino apresentou menor número de plaques de ECP porém com diâmetro maior em relaçäo ao vírus símio, demonstrando maior capacidade de disseminaçäo célula-célula, quase oito vezes mais, a julgar pelo diâmetro dos plaques de ECP. Os elementos do citoesqueleto das células infectadas revelaram uma reorganizaçäo semelhante para ambas as estirpes, näo sendo possível observar nenhuma diferença, embora o ECP do vírus porcino tenha sido mais acentuado

Effect of isoprinosine on rotavirus replication in vitro

Isoprinosine (IPS) is a synthetic drug whose antiviral effect on rotavirus replication in vitro has been characterized in terms of the decrease in metachromasia after acridine orange staining. The present study describes the effect of IPS on the synthesis of viral RNA in vitro. MA-104 cell cultures infected with simian rotavirus strain SA-11 were incubated with zero, 250, 500 and 1,000 microg/ml IPS and 22, 24, 48, 52, 72 and 76 h after infection the cultures were submitted to a 1-h starvation period, followed by a 2-h pulse with 10 microCi/ml of [3H]-uridine. The homogenates of virus-infected cultures treated or not with IPS were submitted to phenol/chloroform extraction followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amount of radioactivity in viral RNA eluted from the gel strips was determined. Inhibition of viral RNA synthesis was highest at the IPS concentration of 1,000 microg/ml at 72 h after infection, corresponding to 78 percent inhibition. Although the results obtained in vitro suggest that IPS may be useful for the treatment of rotavirus infection, an in vivo demonstration of its efficacy is needed.

The in vitro antiviral activity of isoprinosine on simian rotavirus (SA-11)

The antiviral effect of isoprinosine on simian rotavirus (SA-11) replication was studied using MA-104 cell cultures from Rhesus monkey fetal kidney. Isoprinosine (N,N-dimethylamino-2-propanol-p-acetamidobenzoate in association with inosine) added after viral infection (therapeutic test) inhibited viral replication by more than 90%. In these experiments, the drug was added to the medium and replaced daily at concentrations varying from 62.5 microng/ml to l mg/ml. Viral inhibition activity was dependent on drug concentration. No antiviral effect was observed when isoprinosine was tested without replacement (200-500 microng/ml). When isoprinosine (l mg/ml) was added to cell cultures only before viral infection (prophylactic test), inhibition of viral replication occurred but was less than 90%. Inhibition by less than 90% is not considered to be significant in this type of test. Isoprinosine inhibited synthesis of both viral antigen (protein) and viral double-stranded nucleic acid, as monitored by immunofluorescence and acridine orange staining, respectively. Inhibiton of synthesis of viral macromolecules increased with drug concentration