Identification of five major and two minor genotypes of varicella-zoster virus strains: a practical two-amplicon approach used to genotype clinical isolates in Australia and New Zealand.

Whole genome phylogenetic analysis in this study resolved a total of five major genotypes among the 22 varicella-zoster virus (VZV) strains or isolates for which complete genomic sequences are available. Consistent with earlier publications we have designated these genotypes European 1 (E1), European 2 (E2), Japanese (J), mosaic 1 (M1), and mosaic 2 (M2). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis performed in a whole-genome alignment revealed that VZV isolates of all five genotypes can be accurately genotyped using SNPs from two amplicons: open reading frame 22 (ORF22) and either ORF21 or ORF50. This modified approach identifies all of the genotypes observed using any of the published genotyping protocols. Of 165 clinical varicella and zoster isolates from Australia and New Zealand typed using this approach, 67 of 127 eastern Australian isolates were E1, 30 were E2, 16 were J, 10 were M1, and 4 were M2; 25 of 38 New Zealand isolates were E1, 8 were E2, and 5 were M1. VZV strain diversity in eastern Australia is thus broader than has been described for any other region, including Europe, Africa, and North America. J strains were far more prevalent than previously observed in countries other than Japan. Two-amplicon typing was in complete accord with genotypes derived using SNP in multiple ORFs (ORFs 1, 21, 22, 38, 50, 54, and 62). Two additional minor genotypes, M3 and M4, could also be resolved using two-amplicon typing.

Absence of transmission of potentially xenotic viruses in a prospective pig to primate islet xenotransplantation study.

Shortage of human donor organs for transplantation has prompted usage of animals as an alternative donor source. Pigs are the most acceptable candidate animals but issues of xenozoonoses remain. Despite careful monitoring of designated pathogen free pigs there is still a risk that their tissues may carry infectious agents. Thus xenotransplantation requires extensive pre-clinical study on safety of the graft especially for those viruses that are either potentially oncogenic and/or immunosuppressive, or can establish persistent infection. A prospective pig-to-primate islet xenotransplantation study was performed which includes monitoring for potentially xenotic viruses namely porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV), porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV), porcine lymphotropic herpesvirus (PLHV), and porcine circovirus (PCV) using both molecular diagnostic-PCR and RT-PCR and serology methods. There was no evidence of pig virus transmission into primate recipients. This preclinical study underlines the information concerning viral safety of islet cell xenograft in pig-to-primate xenotransplantation.

An echovirus type 33 winter outbreak in New Zealand.

Echovirus type 33 (E33) is a relatively uncommon enterovirus. An E33 outbreak during the winter of 2000 in New Zealand led to 75 virologically-confirmed cases of E33 infection (2.6 cases per 100,000 individuals). Sixty-six (88%) of the 75 patients were aged <30 years, with the highest rates of infection recorded in Maori and Pacific ethnic groups. Overall, 47 (84%) of 56 patients whose cases were analyzed had either aseptic meningitis or encephalitis. Central nervous system involvement was more common after infancy (43 of 45 non-infant patients vs. 4 of 11 infants [relative risk, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.5-4.3]). Two infants died, including a neonate with fulminant hepatitis. Independent of symptom duration, neutrophil-predominant pleocytosis was detected in 17 (41%) of 41 cerebrospinal fluid specimens. Virus isolates could not be definitively typed by antibody neutralization testing but were identified as E33 by partial sequencing of the VP-1 capsid gene. The isolates were closely related to strains from Australia and Oman. Molecular typing, together with a serotype-specific E33 PCR, improved the speed and effectiveness of the outbreak investigation.

Hepatitis E in new zealand.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Locally acquired hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has been described in a number of developed countries and is thought to be zoonotic from pigs. Little is known about hepatitis E in humans in New Zealand (NZ) but 90% of NZ pigs show evidence of HEV infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of hepatitis E infection in NZ by documenting HEV immunoglobulin (Ig) G seroprevalence in NZ blood donors, testing patients with unexplained hepatitis for HEV, and comparing genetic sequences of human HEV with local porcine isolates. METHODS: In total, 265 blood donors were tested for HEV IgG and 77 patients with unexplained hepatitis were tested for HEV. Viral sequences were compared with known HEV isolates including those from NZ pigs. RESULTS: The HEV IgG seroprevalence was 4%. HEV genotype 3 was isolated in four patients with unexplained hepatitis. Clinical and sequencing data suggest that two cases were acquired in Europe and two in NZ. All cases were in elderly patients, one of whom was asymptomatic and initially misdiagnosed as a drug reaction. The NZ-acquired cases were most similar to HEV from Japan, and bore little sequence homology to HEV isolated from NZ pigs. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis E does occur in NZ in patients who have not traveled to endemic areas and seems to affect the elderly. The seroprevalence data suggest that subclinical/unrecognized infection is common. Sequencing data suggest that some reservoir other than pigs could be the source of HEV in NZ. It is recommend that all patients with unexplained hepatitis, whatever their age or travel history, are tested for HEV.

Sirolimus for Kaposi's sarcoma.

The risk of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is increased after organ transplantation. Management of KS in the cardiac transplant population may be difficult because reduction of immunosuppression is often not practical. This report describes a case of KS occurring in the early post-transplant period. Modification of immunosuppression with the use of sirolimus led to tumor regression for 24 months, but with subsequent localized progression of disease.

Monitoring for potentially xenozoonotic viruses in New Zealand pigs.

Shortage of human donor organs for transplantation has prompted evaluation of animals as an alternative donor source. Pigs are the most acceptable candidate animals but issues of xenozoonozes remain. Despite careful monitoring of high-health-status (HHS) pigs, there is still a risk that their tissues may carry infectious agents. Furthermore, pathogens which are significant in xenotransplantation are not necessarily those of veterinary importance. The detection of these potentially transmissible infectious agents may require the development and application of new surveillance technologies. We present data on monitoring for five potentially xenotic viruses in New Zealand pig herds, namely pig cytomegalovirus (PCMV), pig lymphotropic herpesvirus (PLHV), encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), pigcircovirus (PCV), and hepatitis E virus (HEV). These five viruses are either potentially oncogenic, establish persistent infection, or are known to be zoonotic. This study has expanded significantly the information on porcine viruses in New Zealand. Using this information, it is now possible to complete protocols for monitoring pig herds and tissues prior to their use in xenotransplantation. The study resulted in selection of a possible source herd for swine-to-human islet transplantation.